New Hampshire Apartment

Well, I can finally give you the news that I was approved for the apartment I chose!  What a process.  These people were very thorough and I had one, from long ago, brief employer who would NOT call them back.  But finally they approved me without his two cents.

So, here are the pictures.  It needs some sprucing but I have a nice water view and the bike trail is right outside my front door.  I think I can really make this work.  This Victorian building would be gorgeous if they ever gave it a paint job.  Moving day is October 1st.

Live Free or Die

I have a change of plans to relate to y'all.  Yes folks, I just deliberately typed "y'all."  Which is rather fitting considering that I might yet end up a total country bumpkin.

It was  no secret that I wanted to move.  I've been talking about that forever, and last you all knew I had planned to end up some where in the greater Boston area.  Well, that won't be happening.  It's because of money.  I had to buy the car.  The stepfather situation has changed the outlook of my financial situation.  There is absolutely no way that I can afford any rents in that area.  So, I needed to embrace my other plan that is been in the back of my head for a very long time.

It's New Hampshire.  I have always loved that state.  Live free or die baby.  Live free or die. The  libertarian part of me cries out in excitement.

The lakes region is pretty cheap.  Like really cheap.  Like 650 to 700 a month including heat and hot water cheap.  With that kind of affordable housing, I can really plan a halfway decent future while still keeping this job that I love.  Especially when you factor in zero state income tax and no sales tax.  Hellz yeah.   Many of the towns are small and economically depressed though.  So, in short, not a whole heck of a lot different than my own town as pointed out by Josh.  I asked him what he thought of one particular place and he said, "Picture your hometown with an additional 15 years of recession under its belt."   I laughed out loud.  So, I get it: run down mill towns with aging Victorians and peeling paint.  Message received.  But I would be free.  And frankly, the above description is exactly what I know and love already right here, but minus the ghosts of my past and within a closer proximity to the ocean, the mountains, swimming, etc. 

Tilton NH

I want to be the sort of person that makes strawberry jam and cans it.  Yeah, I said it.  I might even want a gingham tablecloth or something.  I want to have a fridge full of organic food and spend my evenings crocheting in the country and my weekends swimming or ice skating on a lake.  I want to plop all my paints down on the ground and take in the landscape.  I want to live in the land of maple sugaring. Now that I've learned to make bread, I want to never buy store bought again. That's what I want.  I think I finally know what peace looks like. 

But we all know that I take me with me wherever I go.  So, it won't be a magical solution but it may be an opportunity to put something together that is truly mine.  To make a choice, rather than have a choice made for me.

As usual the hardest part is patience.  I want to go yesterday.  And for once, I can afford to do this now instead of later. But I won't leave here until the remaining occupants find a way to pay the rent without me, or until we reach the end of our lease this next July 1st.  Whichever comes first.  I thought of every way I possibly could to live on my own in CT or Mass and I realize that being a slave to the rent being due would kill me eventually.  That kind of stress takes its toll.  I shouldn't have to pay a thousand a month plus utilities for some closet sized one bedroom.  That shit just isn't cool.  So, bring on the country. 

New Year's Eve: 2013 Vision Board

Well, it's New Years Eve.  Officially.  Goodbye 2012.

But I won't say good riddance (for once.)  Honestly?  I thought I had an "ok" year.  I mean, compared to 2009 through 2011, it was a picnic.  There were downs, but there were plenty of ups too.  And I'm so grateful for that.  I declare that 2012 was a year of normalcy.  I felt like a human being again, not a divorced wretch.  It was the year of sex.  Oops.  It was a year of relationship attempts.  It was a year of less writing and more crafting.  It was a year of weight ups and downs.  It was the year I lost my gallbladder (thank the lord.)  It was the year I finally felt like the eating disorder wasn't controlling my life.  It was a year of funky hair choices.  It was a damn good year at work.  It was a much better year financially: I got my shit together and I only hope it stays that way.  It was a year of family: big changes, little changes.  It was a year that I was not at all lonely.  (Clarification: I wasn't lonely in my life like I was alone in Hartford.  Yes, I did talk about the not having a relationship kind of lonely.)

And what will 2013 bring?  Lots of good shit, I hope.  I do not feel inclined at all to make resolutions.  And let me tell you, I'm so sick of worrying about my weight.  I've got big t & a, and I'm going to deal with it.  You won't see me making any weight loss declarations.  I'm tired of the bullshit and I just want to live my life.

So, I think it's time to throw up this year's vision board.  Yes.  I love making these.

2013 is going to be all about personal identity and style, spirituality, expanding sense of self, experimenting with love and relationships, and planning for my financial future.

Here are the key words and phrases visualized on the board.  Some are literal, some are symbolic.

Savings for a Rainy Day
Reducing Debt
2013Mazda6 in Fireglow Red
Inappropriate Love and Passion (Outside the Comfort zone: why not?)
Taking a Chance (or two or three)
Manifesting Love (Reiki candle)
Homeopathy
Juicing
Crochet
Etsy Shop estalishment
Miscellaneous M
Defining Style: Rocker Chic and Boho Western
Piercing my Nose?  Finally?
M Style Aesthetic  (red chevron & black/white damask and anything cameo/sillouette/vintage)
Art Museum Trips
Painting, Better Quality brushes

Miscellaneous M

I am very excited about this etsy shop plan.  I am going to work on building inventory over the next month or so.  I want it to be a combo of needlework and home decor if possible: everything from toss pillows, to scarves, to paintings, to ornaments.   I also want to put some of my fine art up for sale as well, although only maybe a piece of two that are more generic.  We shall see.  Here is a link to the blog I will set up to list those items, my craft interests, and link to pinterest.

http://miscellaneousm.blogspot.com/

Here is a sneak peak of what I am working on.  A sparkly scarf (you cannot see the sparkles in the pic) and a few acrylic geometric, decorative canvas paintings  (silver, blue, turquoise, chocolate brown, and pearl white).    I ran out of white yarn so back to Michael's I go tomorrow!

Starting a Business for those hopeless at "business?"

I would love to turn my crafting and decorating passion into some sort of a business.  Eventually.  Down the road.  Maybe?

I have no idea how to do that, really, but I'm smart and my sister is an accountant.  That's right.  Little Shani not only is graduating cum laude after all that hard work, but was offered a very lucrative, full time offer in the audit department of the local firm she interned with recently.  I am so ridiculously proud of her.  And jealous of her starting, entry level salary.  Grrrrr.  Shakespeare and Jane Austen, I shake my fists at you and the cosmos for making me poor and impractical!  ;)

But anyway, I just love the crafting thing.  I just have no idea how to narrow it down.  Christmas ornaments? Clay pieces?  Crochet: scarves, throw pillows, blankets?  what??????  I know I can do other things too: paper crafts, wreaths, different artwork pieces, modge podge of frames or other small decor items, and who knows what else.  I wouldn't mind finding flea market and vintage finds to repurpose or repaint either.  I have no clue.

But it's on my mind.

Oh, and I need a snappy, clever, business name.  Yeah.  That's the ticket.  ;)  Suggestions?

UPDATE:  What do we think of "Miscellaneous M"   ???????  Since it sticks to my actual initials of MM.  :)