This morning I woke up bright and early to take the car before Pierre had to leave for client meetings. I drove down to that court and registered my trade name in Bergen County - yay! It was one of the easiest things I've ever done in my life...why the heck did I wait so long? Fear of the unknown. I had to fill out a piece of paper with like 5 basic questions, look through some huge archaic book to make sure my business name wasn't already taken, sign my name four times and pay $52. Seriously. That was it. I am the official business owner of YL Designs. I feel like registering SIX businesses! lol. This weekend I will open my business bank account.
I spent the rest of the day playing with my children, scanning old photos into fb and reading people's responses to them. I'll start on a schedule next week. Haha:)
Oh yeah...I almost forgot! I started listening to this interview about the affects of gluten on the body. Really interesting! ...And as an update, I am officially at my pre-Juliette pregnancy weight (178 lbs)! My next goal is to get to my pre-Joshua pregnancy weight (155 lbs).
Thursday, March 12
Wednesday, March 11
Wednesday: Left without excuses
I am a work from home mom of two small children. I run a business and a household, with a women's ministry on the back burner. It's pretty difficult for me to get a decent amount of things done on any given day - and definitely no where near the amount of things that need to get done in a week . I've had a lot of "reasons" for my lack of efficiency. I'm pregnant. I have a newborn. I have a toddler. I'm pregnant and have a toddler. I have a newborn and a toddler. Pierre and I want f-o-u-r children. This life cycle is pretty much going to be a part of my life for a very long while. It's about time to stop letting them be excuses.
Joshua slept over his grandma's house last night and Pierre was at customer meetings all day. It was just Juliette and me in the house all day long. I finished editing the photos from last Friday's shoot and I washed a few dishes. Other than that, I don't know where the day went...and there was no Joshua around to blame it on. As much as I hate to admit it, I need a schedule. Coming from one 9-5 desk job after another, to a place where I was free to do whatever whenever, I avoided the "S" word for many years. If I'm going to accomplish all the grand things in my mind and heart, I need to buckle down and structure my days. Tomorrow I will make a schedule.
Oh, I ordered some exercise DVDs from amazon today. They should be here next week. Healthy eating, business legalities, disciplines, clutter busting, schedules and exercise. Got it.
PS: The highlight of my day was this evening when Juliette laughed and laughed as we played peek-a-boo together for the first time :P She thinks I'm funny - I rock.
Joshua slept over his grandma's house last night and Pierre was at customer meetings all day. It was just Juliette and me in the house all day long. I finished editing the photos from last Friday's shoot and I washed a few dishes. Other than that, I don't know where the day went...and there was no Joshua around to blame it on. As much as I hate to admit it, I need a schedule. Coming from one 9-5 desk job after another, to a place where I was free to do whatever whenever, I avoided the "S" word for many years. If I'm going to accomplish all the grand things in my mind and heart, I need to buckle down and structure my days. Tomorrow I will make a schedule.
Oh, I ordered some exercise DVDs from amazon today. They should be here next week. Healthy eating, business legalities, disciplines, clutter busting, schedules and exercise. Got it.
PS: The highlight of my day was this evening when Juliette laughed and laughed as we played peek-a-boo together for the first time :P She thinks I'm funny - I rock.
Tuesday, March 10
Tuesday: soooo quiet
I woke up this morning determined to make my business legal down at the courthouse today. The combination of Pierre's work schedule and the court's schedule, however, got me there the moment they were closing. I will get it done this week for sure. I'm going to make it a sole proprietorship for now so that I don't need a separate tax ID number and can still do business as myself. Look at me talking all this legal mumbo jumbo. I'm excited to pay taxes from my own business. Really. I'm not excited about what they will be used for, but that's a whole other blog.
My mil requested that Joshua sleep over tonight since she's off tomorrow, so it has been a quiet evening at the Laguerre household. She informed me of some photography contest they're doing at the hospital where she works. The theme is "quiet time". Since before Juliette was born, I was picturing putting her in this yellow onesie with a frilly yellow skirt and leg warmers, sleeping on a big 'ole stuffed sheep. I figured this quiet evening would be a perfect time to take that shot, especially since it fits the theme of this contest.
Unfortunately, waiting for her to fit into THE outfit I wanted her to wear meant that she is now too large to lay on a stuffed sheep. It wasn't holding her weight, and she no longer likes to be in that cute little curled up sleeping position. Maybe I'll try that shot with my next newborn, several years from now. I'll probably end up entering the picture of her sleeping in the basket. The winning photos will get placed in patient rooms to encourage rest and healing. What a nice thing to do.
So the sheep idea didn't work, but I'm going to put her in that yellow outfit again and take some other pictures - she is too cute.
My mil requested that Joshua sleep over tonight since she's off tomorrow, so it has been a quiet evening at the Laguerre household. She informed me of some photography contest they're doing at the hospital where she works. The theme is "quiet time". Since before Juliette was born, I was picturing putting her in this yellow onesie with a frilly yellow skirt and leg warmers, sleeping on a big 'ole stuffed sheep. I figured this quiet evening would be a perfect time to take that shot, especially since it fits the theme of this contest.
Unfortunately, waiting for her to fit into THE outfit I wanted her to wear meant that she is now too large to lay on a stuffed sheep. It wasn't holding her weight, and she no longer likes to be in that cute little curled up sleeping position. Maybe I'll try that shot with my next newborn, several years from now. I'll probably end up entering the picture of her sleeping in the basket. The winning photos will get placed in patient rooms to encourage rest and healing. What a nice thing to do.
So the sheep idea didn't work, but I'm going to put her in that yellow outfit again and take some other pictures - she is too cute.
Monday, March 9
Monday: Getting down to business
I am an artist. In pure artist form, I write songs that never get sung in public. I draw portraits with such attention to detail that it never looks exact enough to me. My mind is filled with many possibilities, but very few plans. I pour myself into every project until I cannot differentiate myself from what I’m doing. Always chasing the elusive perfection; that is an artist.
Last year I decided to take two of my artistic gifts and form a business. I converted a spare room in my home to a studio and started YL Designs Photography and Graphic Arts. To build my portfolio, I did several photo shoots for pennies and spent many hours editing the pictures to make them look the way I wanted. I didn’t make any money, per say, but I didn’t care – I was enjoying just honing my craft and learning new tricks.
These days I’m realizing that an artist cannot run a successful business. An artist is too personally attached to their product to release it before it’s “perfect”. The problem with that is that the artist is always growing and their idea of perfection keeps evolving, leaving the product perpetually unfinished. Professionals know that it’s not about the craft at all; it’s about letting go of the ideals and getting down to business. That is the journey I am currently on. It’s tedious, but necessary. In the end, I will have a successful business where I am profiting at doing what I love enough so that I can do what I love without having to profit. In the meantime, business plans, zoning laws, marketing tools, and financial statements will be my playground. Yay.
Last year I decided to take two of my artistic gifts and form a business. I converted a spare room in my home to a studio and started YL Designs Photography and Graphic Arts. To build my portfolio, I did several photo shoots for pennies and spent many hours editing the pictures to make them look the way I wanted. I didn’t make any money, per say, but I didn’t care – I was enjoying just honing my craft and learning new tricks.
These days I’m realizing that an artist cannot run a successful business. An artist is too personally attached to their product to release it before it’s “perfect”. The problem with that is that the artist is always growing and their idea of perfection keeps evolving, leaving the product perpetually unfinished. Professionals know that it’s not about the craft at all; it’s about letting go of the ideals and getting down to business. That is the journey I am currently on. It’s tedious, but necessary. In the end, I will have a successful business where I am profiting at doing what I love enough so that I can do what I love without having to profit. In the meantime, business plans, zoning laws, marketing tools, and financial statements will be my playground. Yay.
Fun Friday through Sancocho Sunday
It's been a jam packed weekend! Friday I traveled to downtown Manhattan to take some artist headshots for a new show that will be airing soon, American Soul. It's a reality show chronicling several musicians on their way to accomplishing their goals in the industry. My friend is the executive producer and I'm so inspired by watching her do her thing. So many people talk about doing amazing feats, but their journey ends at the talk. This girl is unstoppable. She tried out for American Idol and got shot down in the first round of interviews – not for lack of talent, mind you – so now she's doing her own show. Why should Nigel Lithgow and Simon Cowel have all the fun? I love it.
You know me; I never let inspiration pass me without action. I spent Saturday morning writing out action steps for my YL Designs photography and graphic arts business - and I got a Ning page for Point of Creation so I can link it to the official website once it’s redesigned. I am literally swamped with photography and graphic design projects. Some are my own, but most are those I am being commissioned for – and I get a new request in my inbox almost daily. It’s definitely lighting a fire under my butt to get more organized so that nothing (namely my family and household) falls through the cracks. Pierre and I have made a concerted effort to put our family first. We take weekly date nights and make Saturdays our family day. This Saturday we pulled out the double stroller and spent the early evening at the park. With the summer coming, our weekends will be filled with family activities. As much as I love it, I never want work to take first place.
On Sunday marked 2 weeks of 100% raw…and that was the end of that. After church, Pierre decided he wanted to go visit my dad in Long Island. I prepared and bought a huge delicious salad to bring with me so I would have something to eat in a Spanish household. When we got there, however, we were informed that their friends found out we were coming over and decided to make a sancocho for us. Sancocho is a stew made with root vegetables, a Puerto Rican staple. Their friends are in their 70s and sancocho takes several hours to make. Could I have turned it down? Definitely – and that is why I didn’t. My decision to eat it wasn’t a matter of giving into temptation (if it was, I would not have eaten it); it was a matter of enjoying a meal made with love. I savored every bite and felt great afterwards – no condemnation. Why? I never set myself up by saying I would be 100% raw forever. I never said I would never eat such and such again, so I was free to partake of someone’s act of kindness without going back on my own words. Did it make me want to go back to eating cooked foods? Nope. I’m back to 100% raw until the next “special occasion” strikes.
That was my weekend in a nutshell:)
You know me; I never let inspiration pass me without action. I spent Saturday morning writing out action steps for my YL Designs photography and graphic arts business - and I got a Ning page for Point of Creation so I can link it to the official website once it’s redesigned. I am literally swamped with photography and graphic design projects. Some are my own, but most are those I am being commissioned for – and I get a new request in my inbox almost daily. It’s definitely lighting a fire under my butt to get more organized so that nothing (namely my family and household) falls through the cracks. Pierre and I have made a concerted effort to put our family first. We take weekly date nights and make Saturdays our family day. This Saturday we pulled out the double stroller and spent the early evening at the park. With the summer coming, our weekends will be filled with family activities. As much as I love it, I never want work to take first place.
On Sunday marked 2 weeks of 100% raw…and that was the end of that. After church, Pierre decided he wanted to go visit my dad in Long Island. I prepared and bought a huge delicious salad to bring with me so I would have something to eat in a Spanish household. When we got there, however, we were informed that their friends found out we were coming over and decided to make a sancocho for us. Sancocho is a stew made with root vegetables, a Puerto Rican staple. Their friends are in their 70s and sancocho takes several hours to make. Could I have turned it down? Definitely – and that is why I didn’t. My decision to eat it wasn’t a matter of giving into temptation (if it was, I would not have eaten it); it was a matter of enjoying a meal made with love. I savored every bite and felt great afterwards – no condemnation. Why? I never set myself up by saying I would be 100% raw forever. I never said I would never eat such and such again, so I was free to partake of someone’s act of kindness without going back on my own words. Did it make me want to go back to eating cooked foods? Nope. I’m back to 100% raw until the next “special occasion” strikes.
That was my weekend in a nutshell:)
Friday, March 6
Too Through Thursday
It's Friday morning as I write this. I didn't "feel" like writing yesterday. That's just the kind of day it was. I didn't "feel" like doing much of anything. I especially didn't "feel" like eating raw. That's when I knew I was on to something.
Whenever you are making positive changes in your life that will undoubtedly bring you further along in your divine destiny, you will hit a wall. I'm not talking about the regular obstacles that life throws in your way. I'm talking about that wall that seems to spring up out of nowhere when you are happily skipping through the field of change. It's a wall you didn't see coming, but will stop you almost every time if you didn't expect it.
That wall only pops up when you're on the verge of breakthrough. It's a wall that brings you to the end of yourself, and reminds you how seemingly "good" status quo was. The wall speaks, Who needs this change? It's not worth the effort. No one else is holding themselves to this standard and they're fine. You don't have to be so extreme. Just relax. When you hear this voice and "feel" like stepping back, that's the time to kick it into gear!
I'm too through with excuses, wilted dreams and half eaten endeavors. I'm too through with thinking, wishing and hoping. Life is meant to be lived to its fullest at every moment. Just DO it! I will. I am.
Whenever you are making positive changes in your life that will undoubtedly bring you further along in your divine destiny, you will hit a wall. I'm not talking about the regular obstacles that life throws in your way. I'm talking about that wall that seems to spring up out of nowhere when you are happily skipping through the field of change. It's a wall you didn't see coming, but will stop you almost every time if you didn't expect it.
That wall only pops up when you're on the verge of breakthrough. It's a wall that brings you to the end of yourself, and reminds you how seemingly "good" status quo was. The wall speaks, Who needs this change? It's not worth the effort. No one else is holding themselves to this standard and they're fine. You don't have to be so extreme. Just relax. When you hear this voice and "feel" like stepping back, that's the time to kick it into gear!
I'm too through with excuses, wilted dreams and half eaten endeavors. I'm too through with thinking, wishing and hoping. Life is meant to be lived to its fullest at every moment. Just DO it! I will. I am.
Wednesday, March 4
WAKE UP Wednesday
Today seemed to go by so sloooowly, like I didn't get anything done. Yet it was the most productive day I've had in ages.
I woke up and got on the prayer call, read the book of Joel, did a load of laundry, made some dehydrated chips and zucchini hummus and worked out with Billy Blanks for 40 minutes - all in between the usual toddler/newborn duties. By the time I put Joshua in bed, I was so physically and mentally tired that I decided I was going to leave the house in it's chaotic state until the morning (a decision I have made one too many times).
Then I got the email.
As you know, I signed up for rawdiva's 30-day decluttering program. So far it has just been one pre-recorded webinar and a bunch of "inspirational" emails. Well today's email got PRACTICAL :) You know that surge of energy you get when someone calls and says something like, "I'm in the neighborhood, I'll stop by!"? You spring into action and tidy up as fast as you can, right? Well, they've found a way to give you that same surge even when no one is about to ring your doorbell. It's called the 15 Minute Blitz. You get a little timer (today I used my oven timer) and set it for 15 minutes. Then you race against the clock to get as much done as you can. You are free to reset the clock for as many 15 minute intervals as you want, but you only HAVE to do one.
I read that email and decided to try it. I went downstairs to that pile of dishes, set my timer, and worked as fast as I could. Juliette was kicking her legs and cooing - it felt like she was cheering me on! I had such a blast that I reset that timer for another 15 minutes, finished the whole kitchen and the entire first floor. By then I had so much energy I went upstairs and totally cleaned my room for the first time since Juliette took it over, and finished the night off with a nice long shower (even shaved my legs!).
Yes, ladies and gents. This has been WAKE UP Wednesday indeed. I have woken up to a new way of living. It's productive, powerful and procrastination-free!
I woke up and got on the prayer call, read the book of Joel, did a load of laundry, made some dehydrated chips and zucchini hummus and worked out with Billy Blanks for 40 minutes - all in between the usual toddler/newborn duties. By the time I put Joshua in bed, I was so physically and mentally tired that I decided I was going to leave the house in it's chaotic state until the morning (a decision I have made one too many times).
Then I got the email.
As you know, I signed up for rawdiva's 30-day decluttering program. So far it has just been one pre-recorded webinar and a bunch of "inspirational" emails. Well today's email got PRACTICAL :) You know that surge of energy you get when someone calls and says something like, "I'm in the neighborhood, I'll stop by!"? You spring into action and tidy up as fast as you can, right? Well, they've found a way to give you that same surge even when no one is about to ring your doorbell. It's called the 15 Minute Blitz. You get a little timer (today I used my oven timer) and set it for 15 minutes. Then you race against the clock to get as much done as you can. You are free to reset the clock for as many 15 minute intervals as you want, but you only HAVE to do one.
I read that email and decided to try it. I went downstairs to that pile of dishes, set my timer, and worked as fast as I could. Juliette was kicking her legs and cooing - it felt like she was cheering me on! I had such a blast that I reset that timer for another 15 minutes, finished the whole kitchen and the entire first floor. By then I had so much energy I went upstairs and totally cleaned my room for the first time since Juliette took it over, and finished the night off with a nice long shower (even shaved my legs!).
Yes, ladies and gents. This has been WAKE UP Wednesday indeed. I have woken up to a new way of living. It's productive, powerful and procrastination-free!
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