It's amzing at how life can change instantly. One minute I am planning my $10,000 emergency fund and the next my moment my daughter has left her newborn with us. Post Par-tum depression. Though she is on the road to recovery she is still unable to care for the baby on her own. She also does not want to live at home. Naturally, I love the little angel, he's the best baby anyone could ask for. At 50 though, I am a little down. All my crafts and business plans have been shelved. There just doesn't seem to be enough time to take everything out and get going when the baby needs me so often. I'm having a hard time taking care of the house, the shopping, the cooking and still find any time for a life. The winter has been long and cold and I feel like a shut-in. I don't know where to go from here to put together some sort of life that includes some of my own basic needs. I'm lost without my sewing, dolls that I wanted to sell and beautiful penny rugs. I can't work, it would be just to pay a daycare. Seems pointless. I guess I am going to have to reorganize again and find a way around these new roadblocks. I just wasn't prepared for all of this.....

Today I stopped my private whining and got my act together. I put a small business plan on paper. Since I make reproduction vintage dolls, penny rugs and wall hangings, and do decorative painting on skates for home deco, I decided it was time to listen to what people were saying. "Why don't you sell them??" I have always gifted people on holidays and birthdays and had a great deal of positive remarks, that I have decided to use what free time I have to build a small income I can use to go directly into my $10,000 savings goal. This idea was fueled not only for my great love of so many creative threads I lean torwards but of a picture of a small, cottage-style Gothic home in a magazine. All I could dream of was "Peace". If someday the moment comes when I may want to have a major life change...well... I really think I should cover all my bases.

My plan is to go to a few of the gift shops in my area that already sell goods from other artists locally. I have a great deal of confidence in my work. I'm a Libra and that means a perfectionist! Every single detail of my work has to be the best. I think at least one or two will allow me to display my dolls and penny rugs in their shops. I have talked to one already and he said, "Pattie, bring them in to show me!" These crafts are far better income than my substitute teaching. I am very encouraged and excited.

In the meantime I have hired a retired nurse to watch my grandson so I can sub more or use the time to work on my dolls, which take a lot more time.

I have already cut my food expenses by about $20.00 a week through a lot of the advice in Savings Advisor and Savings Advice. Since I am responsible for this weekly bill it means $20.00 more each week goes into my savings account!

Please tell me what you think. I am open to advice! Pattie