There Should Be a Sign on the Door

There should be a sign on the door “Caution, Woman with Power Tools Inside”. 

As you well know, Gypsy was delivered last week and I had some happy tears to welcome her home. The week that followed held more emotional surprises. My Inner Sissy met head-on with my Inner Kick Ass. The first few days were pure terror: Was I strong enough? Was I knowledgeable enough? Did I have enough money to do this renovation? What the Hell was I thinking?

Thankfully it only took me a few days to get my Macho back and one way I did this was to reframe the project. I’ve spent so many years proving to myself that life is all in attitude and perspective – so it’s nice that I had this thought process to fall back on. The first thing I had to do was to stop focusing on what isn’t done and start celebrating what is getting done – no matter how small.

I’m still deciding how to celebrate my successes. Some small daily ritual of self empowerment is in order, but for now, this blog will be my celebration.

So what have I accomplished this week?

1. The first two days were spent whining and being overwhelmed at the project I’ve gotten myself into – that wasn’t all bad however, I’ve been able to realize just what I wanted to get out of this project (besides a really cool Vintage Airstream). I wanted to get back that feeling of self-sufficiency and blind, can-do trust in myself.

2. Removed all drapes and the tracks that held them (That took 2 days because they were so filthy that my allergies were raging, and well, there’s only so much that can get done when you’ve got a box of tissues in one hand.)

3. Learned how to remove the tambour doors (for when I eventually paint them) – and by-the-way, this is no small task: It starts out with a few simple, visible screws, but the real set of screws is sort of hidden and very hard to get to – let’s see, I have 9 doors?

4. Was able to remove the bed platform enough to see that Yes, I can reposition the bed across the back wall. And, No, I cannot remove the built in dresser by myself – so the bedroom will have to wait.

5. Finally got the living room credenza out!! That was mucho empowering….

Before - credenza still in place

After - now there's room for my Eames Chair

6. see the pile of stuff that has been removed?

Stuff going, going,gone!!

And the zillion screws that I’ve had to remove – many by hand because the drill wouldn’t fit it the tight spots.

Don't laugh - this took a lot of time

7. I have also been chipping away at getting the gaucho couch out, but I think that too will have to wait for some more muscle. My ego has really taken a hit on what I can’t do, but I realized that I CAN do everything above the windows: clean, paint, install new shelf, install new shades and curtains – that will keep me busy for weeks I’m sure.

8. Also found a source for reasonably priced roller shades during a fact finding trip into town. All windows will have lightweight (washable) curtains but I also need some privacy shades at night. I will eventually redo all shades with some sort of fabric for a more finished look.

I promise, I will post pictures when there is actually a before and after to see – right now it doesn’t look like I’ve done much of anything (Hence the list of accomplishments)….Once the paint, window coverings and new LED lighting is done, I will definitely share the progress with you.

FIRST I CRIED

Gypsy - hours after landing in her new home

You know that feeling that you get when you want something so badly that it takes over every cell of your existence: you taste it, you breathe and no matter what you’re doing, you never really stop thinking about it? But you can hardly handle thinking about it because with those thoughts comes the fear of not getting it. And you’re positive that you will never, never, never be able to handle that loss. All the other losses life throws at you maybe, but not that loss.

Yet you allow yourself a tiny moment to feel the dream of having it – the joy you will feel; the pride and yes, even the fact that everything in your life will change with this one fundamental achievement. Your entire body is awash with the warmth of knowing that this is exactly what you should be doing, and you are close. So very close. You see yourself dancing around celebrating your good fortune, enjoying the fruits of your labor. Living the good life.

That’s exactly what I’ve been going through the past several months. Constantly visioning my life of freedom on the road – untethered, going where spirit takes me. Constantly planning my ‘perfect’ abode.  In the beginning it was a motorhome, but that just didn’t feel right – so I sat with those feelings. Then I realized that if I was going to do this – give up possessions and being grounded – I needed to do whatever it takes to do it right – not settle for almost or close enough, but stand my ground for the premium dream: An Airstream.

On May 17^th, 2012 she was delivered. Today marks the beginning of a whole new life for me. Yesterday I thought that I would be uncorking the champagne and celebrating like a PhD who has successfully defended their dissertation.  But today, after completing the legal transfer, before I could celebrate….first I cried. The relief, the joy and the strain of mentally holding my breath finally flooded over me and the tears fell like rain. Today I cried because I didn’t know what else to do. Tomorrow I might know, but today I will simply be grateful for the goodness in my life.

Creativity and Adventurous Spirits

Living isn’t about technical skill, it’s about creativity:  to take risks – to face the unknown – and to linger a moment in the dream.

I am currently buried in a chaos of drawing paper, pencils, eraser dust and a zillion ideas floating through my personal space. My pencil is flying, my light box is glowing. I forgot how heavenly it is to be fully absorbed in creativity.

Here are some of the things I’ve been working on:

"'Streaming by the River " - Book version and colored version

"Airstream Heaven" - Book version and colored version

These are likely candidates for my next creative coloring book: Vintage Gypsies. The pure excitement comes from the fact that I rarely know what will manifest. Often, I have an idea that gets me started, but the final outcome usually takes on a life of its own. That’s the way it is with creativity.

All of life should be like that too. You might start with an idea, but once you take your first step it takes on a life of its own. Resist the urge to stay with ‘the plan’ just for the sake of staying with the plan. Go with the possibilities as often as you can, for that is where your juicy creativity is.

Ask yourself “What if?” as often as you can – Oh the places you’ll go…….

And don't forget - everyone who subscribes to this blog will periodically receive free pages for you to color YOUR way, (plus other goodies as my creativity allows lol). Just look for the sign-up box at the top of the right hand column.

SHAMELESS BRIBERY

Gypsy Dancer by Zan Packard

How do you like the new Blog banner? Kinda says it all about me....creative, adventure seeking Airstreamer, right?

Greetings to all!!! You can see that I am back into drawing and coloring mode. I’m very happy to announce that my very first coloring book for grown-ups, The MindfulJourney, is on its way to making many, many Mothers (and Grandmothers too) very happy next Sunday.

I have started on my next book which, as most of you can guess, is about the gypsy lifestyle a la Airstream living. Yes, my vintage ’ ‘Stream will be delivered in less than 2 weeks and dreams of renovation as well as lifestyle are in high gear right now.

So what’s my shameless bribery? Weeeeell, I am working on getting a publishing deal, and to do this, I need a larger readership of this blog. So my offer to you is this: Everyone who signs up for email alerts (and that includes current loyal subscribers), will periodically  receive private emails of PDF coloring pages, special book pricing, and the chapters of my next book: The Other Side of Wild – which focuses on my personal journey from stuck to Gypsy. 

Sound good to you? Just add your email address in the box in the upper right column, activate your subscription when you are prompted to in a separate email from Feedburner and you’re in!! Nothing more to do than sit back an wait for your goodies to be delivered to you. (Seriously, wouldn't it be fun to get your very own (uncolored) coloring page of Gypsy Dancer?  How would you embellish it?).

And if you’re worried about being inundated with emails, don’t be….I’m way too busy to bother you without good reason. Currently I am planning on publishing new posts every Saturday. Each post will focus on one of several topics: Airstreams, Adventure and Creativity….all designed to inform and entertain you. And if you know my posts, you know most of them are short and sweet.

BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT, 

SUBSCRIBE NOW!!!!

Please join me. You can be a HUGE part of my success just by subscribing to this blog - how easy is that?…Come Color, Adventure and Create with me!!! See you next weekend :-)