dirty laundry

this post is inspired by Jess Constable 

and initiated by Ez from Creature Comforts.

i have never really shared many personal aspects about my life on this blog. i like to keep it focussed on design and inspiration and sometimes post pictures of my dog and bits and pieces of my house, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes that i thought i would talk a little bit about today in honor of being real and give you a little taste of "things i'm afraid to tell you."

MONEY IS TIGHT

choosing the life of an artist means making a lot of compromises and sacrifices. although i love what i do, it does not afford me anything close to a lavish lifestyle. over the years i have learned to do without and have cut a lot of corners so that i can keep my tiny independent business afloat.

i still wear clothes i have had since college and my closet is pretty much empty except for 3 pairs of jeans and a handful of tops purchased from TJ Maxx or Target. i stash away a few dollars here and there in an envelope (i keep in the junk drawer in the kitchen) until i have enough to afford a hair appointment every 2-3 months and we pretty much save nights out on the town for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

almost every penny i make goes either to the house payment or bills or back into the business. i sometimes feel overwhelmed with trying to stay creative under the stresses of daily life, but i wouldn't have it any other way. i feel blessed to be living my dream and i LOVE being my own boss.

I AM A PILE MAKER

my house is never in tip top shape. i have big aspirations of one day getting everything in order and actually being able to keep it that way...but for now, i have piles of half finished crafts on almost every surface in the house and the laundry room is piled so high with dirty clothes that i haven't seen the floor in months. when i try to attack some of my piles i usually become overwhelmed and or distracted within a very short amount of time and head back out to the tiny house to lose myself in a heap of fabric and trims.

I AM EASILY OVER STIMULATED

being out in the world for any duration of time causes anxiety. i am easily over stimulated and often times need to curl up with the bulldoggie under the covers in order to recharge after a weekend away from home or a night out with friends.

I HAVE THE WORLD'S MOST SENSITIVE SKIN

i was diagnosed with rosacea about 10 years ago and am unable to use almost any type of product without breaking out in red splotches all over my face. including shampoos, moisturizers, perfumes and cosmetics. over the years i have found just a very small number of products that work without causing redness and itching.

my rosacea is also triggered by eating any type of citrus, tomato, sunflower seeds/oil, strawberries, bananas and artichokes...just to name a few...this means no pizza, potato chips, tortilla chips (unless they are homemade) lasagna, lemonade, orange juice, ketchup, most herbal teas, any fried foods prepared in unknown oil and most packaged food (either boxed or frozen)

as you can imagine, going out to eat can be a real challenge. i prepare all of our meals from non processed foods from a limited number of ingredients and my husband is so great about it...although i know he looks forward to the nights we fend for ourselves when he can open up a can of chili or pop in a frozen pizza :)

...

anyways, i think that's enough dirty laundry for one day.  

i don't want you to think i'm a COMPLETE basket case!

thank you Ez and Jess for inspiring me

and so many others to talk about being real today

sincerely,

lori marie

Comments

[Vanessa :P]

I actually have followed you for years for that very reason, you keep it "creative business only" and I love it, but this was interesting to read. I can sympathize with "money is tight" and especially "sensitive skin" since certain things make me break out in hives.

[hannah singer]

bravo. you are lovely! i relate to this ALL so much. especially the over stimulation issue. we press on!
very encouraged by your sharing, lori marie. thank you!

[Tsuki aka LittleGrayFox]

I have a problem with piles myself. Oddly, I'm very OCD with my desk at work. everything in it's place

kudos to you for sharing :) I have done the same

[Stacy]

You are one of my role models for doing what you love keep it up ! One of these days I will be able to quit my job finally start my business that I have slowly been working on and maybe even catch up on my laundry.
Being creative I think sometimes our brains just go on overload. Just remember you are not alone and you have more people that are just like you ( including me )and we will always have your back.:)

[colleen]

what a great entry...so interesting to "know" about you! Thank you for sharing!

[Marlene]

I too make piles of fabric and craft items which seem to take over areas outside my sewing space and can relate to money being tight. You are not alone girl ! Thank you for sharing.....just makes us all love you even more....

[Jess @ The Colorful Ones]

I am new here, came from Ez's Things I Am Afraid to Tell You post... just wanted to tell you that I think you are my doppelgänger ... money is more than tight in our family, I too make piles (it drives my husband NUTS! even as I clean house, I make piles of things that go together... then the piles usually stay put in the wrong spot, lol!), I am WAY-too-easily overstimulated, and my skin is crazy sensitive too. Hmm, I am going to have to explore your blog a bit to see what else we have in common! Nice to meet you, and God Bless! ~Jess

[Cookoorikoo]

ah! i have rosacea. its crazymaking and i often feel like the only one. big big hugs. thanks for sharing!

[sharon from sharon stanley writes]

i've followed you for years and this was so refreshing! i think i tend to think everyone who has such a lovely and creative business like yourself must be rolling in cash...too funny huh? i also think we all have wip piles...i know i do. cute post. well done you!

[Julie]

I relate to the easily over stimulated thing. I've never heard anyone else ever describe themselves in that way. Thanks. :)

[pilgrim]

so nice to know you better - i'm strapped for cash, rich in half finished projects and anxiety ridden too ;)

[Leslie W]

Thank you for being real ... nice to meet you. You are lovely. And thank you for focusing your blog on your creative side other days. You are a sweet inspiration in many ways. Blessings on your days.

[Jill]

Thank you so much for sharing this! It's so easy to assume things about other bloggers when you only see the good. I know I've been guilty of it and it's something that I definitely want to focus on changing. It's so nice and refreshing to have someone share the good and the bad though. To know that, as a fellow independent creative business owner, you're not alone. :)

[Valerene Matthews, Malaysia]

I have been following your blog for maybe 2 years now...love your pretty work. But this was an interesting read. Thanks for showing us another side of you.