I am on a mission to become a better business. Well, maybe I need to actually BE a business before I worry about becoming a BETTER business! But, seriously, how does an artist skillfully navigate the business world AND nurture the creative spirit at the same time? I follow blogs and websites of artists I admire, Kelly Rae Roberts and Juliette Crane for example, and they have been able to build a wildly successful business while also staying connected to their artistic self. People do it, so there must be a way.

To help figure it out, I made a crazy impulsive decision a few weeks ago and purchased an e-book from Kelly Rae Roberts, "Flying Lessons: Tips + Tricks to Help Your Creative Business Soar". Even with the super special half-price sale the cost was way more than I ever pay for a book, but I considered it an investment in my soon-to-be wildly successful business and took the plunge. I'm not quite half-way through the e-book yet and I believe it is helping me visualize a way to build my business. I especially dog-eared the chapter that discusses blogging and creating your very own website. A website all to my very own? No, really? Should I or shouldn't I? That seems like a lot! And what vehicle would I use for my website? Should I register my domain name before someone else does? Am I ready for that step? I'm pretty sure the time is not right, that seems like way too much.

And...I'm afraid to read any further...baby steps, yes?

Please tell me there's a chapter that teaches me how to squeeze in laundry and grocery shopping (and the kids and husband!).

So many things going on at the house today! We are in the middle of Spring Break and have actually been enjoying staying home this year. Several families we know are enjoying fabulous destinations this week - Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, a cruise to the Virgin Islands - and we are living vicariously through their FB postings. Meanwhile, the kids and I have a pretty good list of things to do and places to go today.

A quick trip to the post office to mail my mother's (belated, sorry!) birthday gift, complete with artistic, handmade tag. Then we'll head downtown for a visit to my favorite art supply store, Artist and Craftsman  to pick up the gesso I forgot to get last week while at Hobby Lobby (Ok, and maybe a few other fun things might jump into my basket while I'm not looking!). Just around the corner from the art store is the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. A new exhibit, Young At Art,  just opened and it will be a great chance for us to see some art that we'll all enjoy.

A side trip to check in on the kitties we are cat-sitting, a stop at the library and a trip to the grocery store to pick up something yummy for the grill tonight rounds out our list.

Another exciting item on the to-do list for today is "help Aaron complete his college application"! He'll be staying at home for his first year, maybe two, going to the local technical college before transferring to a larger college to finish his degree. It's a great decision for all of us - allows him to do some more soul searching for his true passions while getting his general ed courses checked off, and it saves his mom and dad A TON of money!! 

Off to the shower...gotta get moving!!