DIY difficulties

How I feel every night as work-work switches over to house-work.

A month and a half ago, the cats and I moved our permanent residence two thousand miles across the country to root in Oakland, California. This marked my first time ever moving back to somewhere I've previously lived (disregarding three summer breaks from college). It’s been a trip, a good trip, to say the least.

My Dots DIY mission, however, is suffering.

I seem to spend all of my time taking care of a thriving adult human – me. Just existing without getting sick or mental breakdown is hard work. Is that sad? Being responsible for your home, your pets, your important relationships, your financial, social and civic duties is non-stop. It can feel like a slog. Then I try to add happiness, or peace, and feel grateful for the opportunity to try.

I hope that’s not sad.

On top of merely staying alive, I want to make pretty and functional things with my hands. But first I have to create some space to enable the creativity (instead of melt-downs) to flow. That sounds like such an excuse, I know. But look at that pile of books and DVDs up there from mid-February. It's even worse now!

With self-forgiveness in my heart and home improvements on my mind, here are a few ideas that have me daydreaming:

Marbelizing something with nail polish

Using chalkboard paint for the first time

Hand stamping a wall

Showcasing my nail polishes

Printing on tea towels

Making long, light necklaces (top, lower left, lower right)

Making my own tinted lip balm

I will also be helping in the construction of three walls, the addition of a sink, and generally turning a large warehouse into a welcoming nest. One revelation in my twenties was how much I like hosting parties large and small (mostly small). I know some of these DIYs are just begging for small gatherings (we'll light the grill I don't have yet, drink homemade beer from the tap that's not ready yet, sit around the table that's currently obstructed...). 

Well, sounds like I better get to work.