I keep having those days where I love being a mother and I wouldn't trade my kids, but I'd sure like to give them away for a few days. They have been so moody. So then I'm moody which I'm sure is creating a vicious cycle. Gabe has been particularly moody and I never know what I'm going to get. One minute he's laughing, then next he's dissolved into tears over something small like a broken cracker, and then next he's being mouthy and yelling at us.
I'm trying to get too many things done in too few hours. I get exhausted and give myself a break, and then the stress cycle starts again because I slacked off. Mostly because I'm basically going into business, but I hate thinking about business. I'll explain that more in a minute.
First, I am not applying to the art therapy program. At least not this year. I have been able to talk to someone who is in that program and she let me know that the things that I saw as red flags were truly something to worry about. She's been doing this "3 year program" for 4.5 years. So that also bothers me. And it's not just her; her whole cohort is having these same problems. In fact the head of the Michigan Art Therapy Association cautioned me against this program, so it just doesn't seem like the right thing to do.
But I'm in a bit of catch 22; I think I am more suited to working outside the home. Seriously, more power to the women who want to stay home. No judgements here, I'm only talking about me. But no one needs a youth director around here and my degree, not having been used, this far out of date, is pretty much useless. So, I have applied to the MA in History program at Central Michigan University. Technically, I have the number of hours in history or history related field, so I hope I will be accepted, but since the majority of my history course work was in art, and it being 10 years ago, I just don't know. With a loaded schedule, it would take 2 years to complete and then I would be able to do things like adjunct/lecture at a community college or even university. I think I would enjoy that. So, I've sent everything in and we will see where that goes.
I will be opening an Etsy shop. That's an online mecca for all things handcraft and art. I'd have my own little shop in which I could sell my art and the tee shirts I've been painting shirts with bleach, using it like watercolor (which I'd never seen anyone do, but suddenly the blogosphere is filled with knock-offs of my work. I'm trying to be flattered, but they aren't giving credit where credit is due so my feelings aren't exactly charitable right now. Plus mine are way better.) I will let you know when the shop is officially open. I keep putting it off because I want more product ready and because I'm nervous and don't want to deal with financial end of things. I'll have to get over it.
The other sort of business-y thing going on is my other blog, Domesticated Nomad. You may have noticed that I put the Google AdSense on there. The trouble with it is that you make next to nothing on it unless people click on your ads, which I'm not allowed to solicit clicking for clicking's sake or click them myself. And I only make a penny for every 40 something views. I have A LOT of page views, but my traffic alone isn't enough to make money. Also, if I don't get to $100 in three months, they can just drop me and I don't get paid. I have to have earned $100 to actually see a cent. They don't tell you any of this until you are in and I've seen no blogger fess up to what it's like. So there it is. Now you know. I can't be sure if telling you that much breaks the contract, and I really don't care. So, I have begun to solicit sponsors (the only real way to make money from a blog) but back to the whole worrying about finances when it's not really my thing. I never really expected the blog to take off like this, and I still don't know if it will make "beer and pizza" money. I'm not looking for a full on income. But I figure I'm already doing projects, so why not try.
How can you help? So glad you asked. :) Since I can't ask you to click on ads just to click on them, I will ask you to be sure to click if it appeals to you and not just go directly to the advertisers website another time. And I know you check it out, but please consider becoming a "follower" of the blog. The more followers I have, the more likely I can get sponsors. Following requires no actual commitment from you, no money, and next to no information. It's not really a big deal; it's like a public bookmark.
Matt's car isn't running again, so I have to go take him to work now. I sound down. I know I do. I'm actually really excited about things, and content with life right now. It's just that I'm tired. And a bit stressed.
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