I
did get my desk top and printer moved on Wednesday so, of course, the
curse Rocky showed up on Thursday to finish up the punch list and my
desk had to be moved once again for him to get the hooks in the
ceiling but they put it all back for me. It's
set up like before because it's a familiar configuration but I think
it will evolve because...
In
January, Marc will get his first SS check and combined with mine we
will have a regular dependable income and health care for the
first time in our working life together. We've had many years when
we made more than we will be getting and many more years when we made
less and years when we had hardly any income but never have we had an
amount that was dependable month after month. Since moving out here
or really since we sold the Houston house/shop in 2014, commissions
have been few and farther apart. This year we had two small jobs in
February and no other inquiries and thought we were retired by
default except for one proposal that, if the art glass stays in the
budget, will come up next year. And then this fall, after the flood,
two more possible jobs came up. They are willing to wait til after
the first of the year while we get the house and shop put back
together so that we can do the work.
So
what all this is leading up to is that we were talking the other
night and decided that after we do these two jobs (and the third if
it comes through because I have already committed us to it), we are
going to purposely retire from the etched glass commission
work. As of now, we are no longer going to accept new jobs. It's
not that our combined SS is a huge amount but it is an amount that we
can easily live on as we are used to a simple lifestyle and we are
both over the etched glass work and after having no work this year
I'm not really of a mind to start that whole thing up again.
Now
that Rocky won't be back until after New Year's to start on the next
part of the re-build I've been slowly excavating my stuff from the
piles of boxes but I don't want to hang anything on the walls until I
get whatever furniture I need in here. However, the kites and star
lights are back up!
Wow, that's a big decision. I bet it'll feel good to have that dependable income, plus every job you do accept should feel like icing on the cake. Or gravy? I forget which food simile is best here.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand your decision. It will allow you a more creative life. Good for you.
ReplyDeleteHurray! I am glad for you both. Will you still work on your smaller pieces? The beautiful nature ones?
ReplyDeleteThings are happening here which may well affect my husband's income and I told him the other day that he should just retire. "But all the things I want to do when I retire," he said, "Cost money."
Damn.
Well then, husband, get to work!
You and I are definitely the Decorating Twins. Kites and star lights. Yep. That is how I do things as well.
oh yes, we will continue to do the small sculptural pieces just no more architectural work.
DeleteOh, did this make me smile. I think we all remember the counting and planning and then the Decision. Good for you, times a million. Exhale and enjoy.
ReplyDeleteit's surprising because we always figured we would never retire from this work and we will still do the small sculptural pieces just no more physically demanding architectural work.
DeleteWhat a nice room that looks to be - ready and waiting for your new chapter.
ReplyDeleteNow on to the next stage of life - it looks good.
ReplyDeleteWell done and I can only imagine the amount of deliberations that you went through. I wish I could get to that point but haven't the guts - yet. Any month now . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd what a lovely room this has turned out.
well, the lack of work helped us along.
DeleteLife is all about passages and so I understand the process of your stopping with the etched glass. I haven't accepted a portrait commission in years, not that anyone is breaking down my studio door for a portrait, but I don't need the money and now only paint for my own pleasure.
ReplyDeleteright! from now on I only work to please myself.
DeleteWell, you may not have had a lot of commission work recently but you've surely had one of the hardest-working years of your life, with having to rebuild your own house! I can see why you'd want to bow out of the etched glass work if you're tired of it, and how great to have more time to devote to your art. Those kites are great decorations! You have a kind of Japanese minimalism thing going on.
ReplyDeleteif I do it's only because most my stuff is still in boxes and I haven't got the bookcases in yet.
DeleteI have never had to rely on my photography for a living, but I never really tried to push. I have a good federal retirement and am happy about that. Your very neat art studio is really seductive.
ReplyDeleteit's only neat because I haven't unpacked most my stuff yet. and no furniture.
DeleteA blank canvas awaits your touch! I am still busy parting with things I thought were treasures, but realize they are only anchors keeping me in one place. Life seems to be a process of gathering and releasing .....
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! I too will get my first SS check in January, but I'm working until mid December 2018.
ReplyDelete