Setbacks

Day 4 of my Keto diet, and never mind the Taquitos I ate last night. It’s a minor setback. Today, I woke up and had my Keto breakfast, and I’m gearing up to have my deto lunch. I didn’t lose any weight, but I also didn’t gain. So it’s still positive.

I’ve also hit a snag with the comic. I’ve gotten stuck on one little panel that I just can’t seem to get right. I spent a day and a half on it before throwing my hands up and walking away. I felt defeated and ready to walk away from the whole project. I don’t have time to spend on one little square. But instead of dumping the whole project, I took my own advice from an earlier post and decided to take a break. I’ll give it some time, probably just a few more hours, then I’ll go back to it. If bI can’t finish that panel on that page, I’ll move on to another one and come back to it.

During my break from the comic, which started yesterday, I decided to work on my design for a new quilt frame. It’s an inspired piece of work that could revolutionize how hobbyists can bridge the gap to doing more serious, even professional work. It’s been slow going because there’s nothing like it. I’m inventing it as I go, and I’m having to buy the materials along the way. The biggest setback, though, is that the design revolves around my ability to FMQ (free motion quilt). And I can’t do that right now. My cheap little domestic machine will sew straight lines all day long, but it simply won’t FMQ anymore. It’s a goner. I can’t FMQ until I get another machine, and that means that I can’t work on my quilt frame, either. I understand that it’s a temporary setback, but it’s pretty devastating. I want to get it done.

Life is full of setbacks. But it’s also full of opportunities. I’m not going to say that when one door closes, another one opens. Life doesn’t work that way. Sometimes that other door has to be kicked open, or it has to be built from the ground up, first. But it’s there, somewhere, whatever it takes to find it.

Whether I can whip out the comic as fast as I want to, or I get back on track with my quilt frames, or if neither of those can happen right now, I WILL find a way to be productive. I’ll paint my wood blocks or I’ll work on my book about the cure for cancer. That’s been too long coming anyway. Maybe it’s time it got finished.

That’s my advice for today. Don’t just take a break when you need to, but keep finding a way to be productive, whether it’s a different creative project or getting a leg up on housework, find a way to stay positive. Find a way to stay productive, no matter how large or small. A victory is still a victory.

Hang in there, kids.

Peace, Love and Fluffy Kittens.

Take the Time

Ever since I got back from my trip to Minnesota, I’ve dedicated myself to being busy and productive. And it’s gone pretty well. I’ve got my website for my quilting endeavors made and ready to launch when I’ve got all the other aspects of the business in place. I’ve published another screenplay (Freeskate), and I’ve gotten massive work done on the comic. I don’t know if I’ll make my Halloween deadline for it, but it won’t be for lack of effort. I’m WORKING that thing.

But yesterday, I had the bleahs. I’m not sure if I was trying not to come down with something or if it was just one of those days. I didn’t feel sick or depressed, but I just couldn’t muster the strength to get out of bed. I felt weak, washed out, and just couldn’t find the motivation to do anything productive.

And that’s okay.

Sometimes you need to take a break. That’s my advice for you today. If you need to take a little break from whatever you’ve got going on in your life, do it. Take the time. There’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a little “You” time. Relax. Regroup. Rest.

Then get back to work.

It’s easy to let one day turn into two, then it turns into a week, and then you’re scrambling to meet the Christmas rush. Time has a way of getting away from you. Be careful not to let that happen.

Today, I’m back at work, tweaking the quilting website a little bit and getting back to work on my comic. That thing started off as a labor of love, became an albatross hanging around my neck that I never thought I’d get rid of, and now it’s back to being the labor of love it started out being. I really hope I get it done in time.

So, you do the same. Take a break if you need it, but don’t let the break turn into a permanent vacation.

Here’s where I am with the Leopard Lady.

I hated her skirt. It looked like a diaper. So I turned it into a drape instead. I like it a LOT better. She’s got feet and arms that are proportionate. Now, I need to finish shading her arms, give her a right hand, and come up with a face I like for her. That should all get done today. Then I’ve got three other pages in various states of disarray that need attention. I’ll get done what I can on those before I go have a dinner-and-a-show party with my kid this evening.

Wish me luck getting this barmy thing finished on time. And remember, be good to yourself. You deserve it.

Peace, Love, and Fluffy Kittens, Y’all!