Wow, It's been a long time

Shouldn't "seminal" all girl bands, like The Go-Go's and Hole and The Bangles really be referred to as "ovarian"?


Just today I thought, "My, you have not posted in a looong time! Why not let the folks know what's up?"

This is what's up.

I have not posted in a while for several reasons; one, I was looking for a job; two, I have my children at home for the summer, and my oh my, do those little fellas take up a lot of time; and three, I really haven't had anything amazing to write.

However, since I am typing this on the computer at my new job, and since the children are with the DH and since I am working on a new and exciting project, a post was possible.

The new job is at a small boutique in the small city in which I live. For the past year or so I have been telling people (and Gerald) that I needed a job/a project/a "thing" of all my own, apart from my delightful family, of course. I was just stuck on the taking care of the children issue. I mean, what kind of job could I find that would allow me to work only weekends, and during the day for an hour or two? I also wanted a job that would lead to something bigger, better and even more interesting.

One would think I could get back into cooking easily. I made myself available, and was hired by a couple. They wanted three meals a week, for the two of them and their small son. I made three three course meals, brought it over and charged $150. It was too much, so I made four "one pot" meals, brought it over and charged $52.50. She asked, "Can I give you $50 even?" I thought, "No, you may not nickel and dime me to death!!" but since she is the friend of a friend, I just tool the money and ran. I am not doing that again. Yo, if you can't afford me, you can't afford me. I know what my talents, education, experience and time are worth, and it's not fifty bucks for five hours work. Besides, I simply don't want to get back into catering. It's simply too brutal and too time consuming and not very rewarding finacially. Nor do I find it "fun", which I have learned must be a part of whatever I do that will take me away from my children. I was thinking and thinking - what can I do?

Then I met Miss. Smith.

In May I was shopping at a small boutique and got to chatting to the store manager. I went back to shop and chat with her a few more times, and got to thinking about fashion as a career. She told me, after we got to know each other a bit, that she wants to open her own shop.

Then, on World Cup Day (Italia! Italia!), I was at my DS's house for a party (Forza Azzuro!) and got to chatting with one of her buddies, who manufactures fancy jewelry. The buddy agreed that I needed a project and talked up fashion as such fun and so rewarding. I went to the phone, spurred on my the convo, I called the boutique and offered my services. Miss. Smith hired me over the phone, for weekends only. How perfect! The DH had had the idea I could work weekends, so he could attend to the progeny. This is really ideal.

I have been here for about four weeks now, and so far, so good. I am a bit tired from a five day work week then a twelve to 18 hour work weekend, but I am managing well.

The new project also came from the World Cup Party (Forza Cannavaro!) when I told one of my sister's chums about my new (ten minute new) job. She got this look on her face, and said through a moue of distate, "You want to work in a clothing store?" I hastily assured her, no, I would not merely be working there, but I would really be getting experience to be store manager, and maybe, in a few years, open my own place. She looked relieved, and I felt thoughtful. Hmmm, manager of my own store? I went back to the party (Nice save, Buffon!) and got my mind to work.

I have done the "my own business" thing a few times before, and it was always missing something. I used to live in Atlanta, and had a lot of gal pals from my night gig at Clarins at the department store. Some of them also sold Mary Kay. They made it sound so great, and so easy, and cool and fun. Naturally all those job charactaristics were so appealing to a rather dizzy 20 something year old girl, which I was me at the time. Therefore, I spent the required $500 on products and display peices, and set out to make it as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. However, I was being new in town and did not have a network. I also have an obvious Northern accent, which really did work against me. Also, I did not understand that working harder was not the same as working smarter, so I got a bit burned out. As a result, I was not able to make it as a Mary Kay beauty consultant. I also tried to sell vitamins as part of a multi-level marketing scheme. That didn't work for some of the same reasons.

From those experiences I learned that in order to succeed in the retail world you need to have fun at work, you need to believe in what you sell and you need to genuinely want to help the people to whom you sell. That was why I was such a smash hit as a Clarins consultant. I truly loved the product and the customers felt the love. This is why I feel an upscale boutique is the right fit for me.

Therefore, I am working the store, checking out designers and fashion on line, really reading style magazines, watching what people are wearing on the street and I am enjoying myself.

That is, briefly, what I am doing these days. It's a very funny feeling to finally know what I am going to be when I grow up. I know there will be growing pains and mistakes made and problems. I know there are so many people to meet and talk with, and so many designers and styles and ideas to see and learn. I know I will get tired and exhilarated and have terrible days and fabulous days and I know this for certain.

It's going to be great.