Brrrr!

I'm still trying to get acclimated to the colder temperatures since I've been back.  Catching a cold didn't help.
BikeCraft was a success!  I've just updated my Etsy store (use coupon code: facebook for 15% off) and I'm trying to organize my life and thoughts. 

You'd think that after one year of unemployment I'd have figure out what to do with my life.  Or found a job I like.  I'm not sure which is more difficult.  I do know I need to clear out the more clutter from my house and sell more unnecessary items. But I'm really missing my paint brush! 

Looking forward for the new painting action!  New household organization and some hot toddies!  :)

Back in Black

To quote the classic AC/DC:
Back in black
I hit the sack
I've been too long
I'm glad to be back  
Yes I'm, let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me high  
Forget the herse 'cause 
I'll never die
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Usin' every one of them and running wild"

Ok, that might not exactly describe me or what I've been up to, but I am back in Portland.  I've had 6.5 weeks of adventure.  And as the German expat I met on the dock told me, sometimes adventure is difficult.  But totally worth it.

But now I'm back in the "reality" of unemployment ( year one, month 1, day 29) and I really need to make some real life decisions.  {side note: I can NOT believe how fast time has flown by!}

And before you ask, yes, I have been applying for jobs in my field, yes, I did apply for jobs while I was away.  Yes I did apply for an awesome job this morning.  The autoresponse I recieved said this:

**We regret that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we currently only contact applicants who are highly qualified and most closely match our job requirements. Again, thank you for submitting your application.**

 

While away I taught English as a second language for part of my trip.  I absolutely loved it.  Prior to that I did indeed apply for the Peace Corp to teach English, but that application process takes at least 1 year.  That also would not really solve the problem of this house.   This house has become a burden.  Every month I make my mortgage payment I wonder if it should be the last month.  I can't sell it, as the value has dropped 50K+ below what I owe.  I can't rent the entire house to cover the monthly payment.  So I've moved into the garage and have rented out the two bedrooms.  I share the garage with one of my roommates bike repair shop, the washer, dryer, furnace, freezer, hot water tank and kitty littler boxes.  It's interesting.  :) 

 

Where am I going with this?  I wish I knew! I guess I just wanted to say hello and to let you know I did not get eaten by a puma while away.  Tomorrow and Sunday I will be selling prints at BikeCraft and need to get ready!  

 

I leave you with this photo from my trip! 

Yes, I was trying to pry this Spider Monkey off of my, while it was biting. No broken skin thank the kitties!

Summer is Over?

Well, it is for a few days anyway.  I'll be fleeing the country in 17days!  I'm headed to Central America!  All part of my mid-life crisis.  Number 3 as far as I can tell.  The current crisis always seems to be the worst one.  

I haven't turned my back on the art dream, just needed a break from it.  I really enjoyed summer! Swimming, camping, beaching and spending as many hours as possible absorbing as much vitamin d as I could.

And now, fall clean up, packing, and planning for the future will ensue!  Who knows what the future will bring.  Plus the future never gets here.  We only have today.  So let's live it while we can!

xo!

Thank you I Heart Art / Etsy and DWR!!

Had a lovely time last night at the I heart art mixer match!  Thank you to everyone who made it awesome!!!
Here's some info about it! 

http://www.oregonlive.com/art/index.ssf/2011/08/i_heart_art_the_portland_mixer.html
http://iheartartpdx.com/mixer-match/

Some Summer!

August is jam-packed with summer goodness!  I'll check back as I can, but I really need to have some good old fashioned summer fun! 

Happy summer!  Happy creating!

Starving Artist Sale! Make me an offer!!

And I really do mean make me an offer.  Everyone has a price in their head for what they'd like to pay for something they like.  So, tell me what that is!  I'm sure we can work it out!  Check out the link!  Starving Artist Sale! 

Send me a message if you are interested and the price you'd like to pay for one!  Nothing will offend me! :) Serena@almostmonday.com 

Thanks!  Oh and happy Friday!!!

Here's some examples!

Kitties have Mercy!

Yesterday was the last class for my Mercy Corp Northwest Business Foundations Class.  If you are in Portland and have a business or are thinking about having one, I strongly urge you to take the class!!  It is filled with amazing information and the teacher and staff are wonderful! 

Some of the information may not have been what I really wanted to hear, but it really was invaluable! 

Thank you Mercy Corp Northwest for loving small businesses!