Tonight I made a list of all the things I have to finish in the next six weeks. I stopped at 172, just so I wouldn’t faint, cry, or break out in hysterical cackles and frighten my children.
There is just so much going on (I asked for all of it, so I am not complaining!) all at the same time. Where did the summer go? Not only do I have my full-time Crafty Chica duties, which I love, I also have dozens of projects to complete for our upcoming Heard Museum exhibit, which I also love. And then I have my upcoming novel, which I also love, that I’ll be revising with my book editor.
And I forgot, we are painting 180 centepieces for the Profiles of Success luncheon again this year. (If any crafty AZ peeps want to come to my house and make a party out of it, I bet we can knock them all out in one night. I will provide food, entertainment, and a lifetime of good karma!) Yes, I love this too!
Next week, we leave for Califas to promote the Crafty Chica line at Michaels stores – I LOVE, love, love that as well!!! I’m excited because all four of us (the fams) are going on this once-in-a-lifetime road trip called the Spread the Sparkle Tour. Tomorrow I have to get us all packed, touch up my hair, pack the samples, finish and pack orders, write two craft columns, and answer emails.
We are taking our dog, ChaCha, to the doggie maternity ward in case she goes into labor while we are gone. (Our housesitters were a bit hesitant out about maybe having to deliver puppies, I don’t blame them!)
Once we return, I’ll be on high speed, with laser beam focus on completing all my projects. I have a plan. This is how I can make the most of my day and not waste time:
– Turn off the computer.
– Turn off the TV and leave the radio on.
– Make a week’s worth of meals ahead of time and heat them up as we go along.
– Have Patrick hide my iPhone from me for at least six hours during each day.
Even though it is going to be a lot of work without much sleep, I’m super proud of each and every task. I’m ready to rock and roll. *Deep breath.*
This isn’t the first time I’ve been in this spot. A long time ago, Patrick and I used to make our home decor and jewelry art for places like Bloomingdale’s and Hallmark, plus indie shops like Serendipity 3 in NYC. I’m talking gluing, basecoating, accent painting, varnishing, packing and shipping hundreds of items a week. And all the paperwork too. We would wake up at 5:30 a.m. and work all through the wee hours of the morning, and we still never caught up. We used to have a clipboard of orders about half an inch thick. We had 50-60 different items on our line (bad idea), and each order was like “nine dozen of this”, “three dozen of that, no red please…”
Deangelo and Maya were only toddlers then!
If we could survive that and keep it all going, we can handle this, no prob. Although I am soooo happy that I came up with the idea of the Decorate Your Own Empowerment Guardians. I don’t mean to sound like I’m pushing them on you. I’m serious. As serious as spilling paint water on a finished canvas!
I swear, up until right now, I thought these were so cute and clever to offer a little lift for anyone who needed it. Now, people? I’m cradling this Divine Inspiration baby to my heart – and then I’m using duct tape to strap her on my shoulder!
Every little bit helps!
See the new line of Crafty Chica products at select Michaels stores!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2008.
Hang in there chica! You’ve gotten this far and you have the discipline to get it all done. Love – perhaps it is time to consider hiring some help to keep you from burning out? Just a thought… 🙂
I love love love reading about your adventures, and how honest – and hilarious – you are through it all. As a mom of two kids, I often sit in complete awe of all you do and how you do it all with such a fabulous attitude and focus on what’s truly important. Thank you for sharing! Congrats and hugs for the next several weeks as you barrel through it all. Have fun! (and congrats on the soon-to-be expanded canine family!)
You are amazing. I don’t even have kids and the idea of doing everything you do is exhausting to me. Then I looked at my own task list and realized I’m doing the same thing, but not on the same level. I’m going to follow your adventures closely and hope that your discipline rubs off on me.
Okay so let me know when and where. I will be there with paint brushes and Starbuck’s in hand. Have fun in California.
I just started reading your blog recently, but I knew of you from before. I like your magazine. I really enjoy reading all the different things you do and where you get the energy, I don’t know. Have fun out and about at Michaels.
Would be happy to help! Just keep us posted! I would be available during the day while my kids are at school! Keep us posted on puppy news! Good luck and have fun in Cali!!!!