“There, I said it” (again)

by | Mar 3, 2015 | Running a Business | 82 comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

A couple of years ago, I wrote the following, in a post called…”There, I said it.

“I never thought if I shared about wanting to write a book or be in a magazine or have a line under my brand that those things would actually happen.  I was just dreaming out loud.  I wanted to share my hopes and see what happened.  It’s the same thing that makes me buy a junky piece of furniture or look at dilapidated old houses.  It’s possibility.  Potential.  What if.  Pushing through the self-doubt and the fears and anxieties and the nay-sayers.  Putting it out there in writing.

I used to think musical theatre was one of the most useless degrees (and I can say that without offense, because that’s the degree I have), but I now see tons of value in it.  Auditioning for plays is mostly about rejection, but you have to dust yourself off and remember that a “no” doesn’t mean you stink (although it could, I suppose), it just means you’re not right for the part or maybe you were edged out by someone more right for the part.  Or maybe the director’s daughter got the part instead of you.  Either way, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep trying.  We all love the stories of actors who were rejected hundreds of times before landing a roll that rockets them to the “A List.”  We love knowing that some moron told Michael Jordan he wasn’t good at basketball, because that leaves the door open that the person telling me that I can’t do what I want to do just might be a moron, too.

I’m not saying you can be anything you want to be and do anything you want to do.  I know I’ll never run a four minute mile or climb Everest or be a size two.  I can, however, use the gifts, talents and abilities that have been given me to go for what I daydream about when my mind drifts.  I can hone those abilities and learn new ones that make me even better.  I can put myself out there and go for it.

All of this to say, I want to give you an opportunity to share your pie-in-the-sky dream.  To say, “I want to fill-in-the-blank.  There.  I said it.”  You can do that right here in the comments or write a post and leave a link in the comments.  Or you can just write it on a napkin.   Whatever works for you.  Let’s not be afraid to dream big.

Blogs have really opened up the world for women like us.  Let’s go for it.

There.  I said it.”

I received almost 300 comments on that post; women sharing their dreams and goals.  It gave me chills to read them all.  It was one of those really cool moments I sometimes trip over between sharing about painting furniture, shopping trips and decorating.

Since then, my inbox has been sprinkled with stories of people who ran with that challenge and their life has changed because of it.  I received a few recently that reminded me of this post and how much it seems that all of our journeys are somehow intertwined.  A woman inspired by that post is now my European MMSMP distributor.  How cool is that?!  I know others have started businesses or blogs or left a job that was sucking the life out of them.

The recent e-mails have also reminded me that I need to continue to set out dreams and goals for myself.  The last few years have been so overwhelming, in the best possible way, that it seems selfish to even think about more or what’s next.  But, I think it’s important to have goals; something to work towards.  So, I’m going to put some new ones out there and we’ll see what happens!

Goal #1 – You Tube

You may have noticed that I’ve been posting more videos.  One of the goals at the top of my list is to grow my YouTube channel.  I’ve largely ignored YouTube over the years, but it’s a vibrant community and it seems to only be growing.  It’s also much easier to show how to do something then write about it, so video is a great medium for DIY tutorials.

If you want to subscribe to my channel, you can do so HERE.

Goal #2 – Workshops

I have recently realized that I really love teaching and I have been told I have a knack for explaining things in a simple way.  I want to teach more workshops in the studio.  I’ve only been teaching on milk paint classes so far, but I would like to teach on photography, starting a business, slipcovers, upholstery, etc.  I’m planning to try out different things and see what works!  I’d also like to open my studio more for others to use as a creative space and maybe so some shopping excursions.

Goal # 3 – New Products

I’ve been working on a paint brush for a while and (I think) I’m almost to the point where I can finally order and start selling it.  I really enjoy developing new products and I hope to be able to do more of that.  It always takes forever to get something off the ground, but it is always rewarding when it does.

Goal #4 – Styling & Photography

Last year, I was hired as a freelance stylist and photographer for Cottages & Bungalows.  I know I have a lot of room to grow, but I would love to do more work like this.  It was so challenging and fun.

Goal #5 – Designer for Hire

I am toying with the idea of working with clients on their spaces.  This would be a big, scary step for me, but I think it would be so rewarding.  I have a lot to think through when it comes to pricing, what kind of projects I’ll accept, how I’ll work, etc., but I think it’s a direction I would like to go.

All of my goals seem pretty safe, so I’m going to throw out a few pie-in-the-sky dreams as well…

  • I would love to go on a shopping trip to Europe and fill a container with goodies to bring home.
  • I hope to be living in a farmhouse (either old or a new/old house) in five years or less
  • I’d like to write another book.  I’ve been kicking ideas around for while and it’s just a matter of putting pen to paper.  This may not seem that pie-in-the-sky, but I haven’t been asked to write another book, the publisher I worked with was bought out by another publisher and the editor I worked with isn’t there anymore.  So, I would basically be starting from scratch.

Now that I’ve “said it”, I wanted to open up the forum again for those who want to speak their dream to the world or for those who want to give us an update on their journey.  

So, the floor is yours.  Go ahead and say it…

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    82 Comments

    1. Amy Cseh

      I want to grow my custom furniture painting service along with our current offerings. I must go on the worlds longest yard sale this year. It always conflicts with the many kid activities we have going on. Big dream-go to Nantucket.

      • Liz M

        Read “In the Heart of the Sea” by Nathaniel Philbrick- a Nantucket expert!!!

    2. Terri

      I would like to be your first client for your “Designer for Hire” goal!

      • Leasa

        Dibs on second client!

    3. Toni

      What a generous post this is. Truly. Giving readers the forum.
      I believe your goals are more than achievable. Anyone with a pulse sees how talented you are.
      Choose carefully – maintain that delicate balance.
      For me – I am exploring lots of concepts and today (!) I hit “contact” and sent a message on the website of an author/surgeon/activist to try to connect with this great mind. Sometimes there are things, ideas or notions or people that move me so profoundly and although I have no idea why, I know they may lead me to my mission. I hope this is so and there I’ve said it!

    4. Amy J Mogish

      mmmm…I dream about building my on line presence and finding my audience, growing my Workshops, finishing my home studio, sharing my joys ! ….and finally purchasing the camera I have been saving for!

    5. Tara

      I want to retire, buy an old cabin in the mountains of NC, with a running creek. Nothing big.

    6. Krista

      Reading this {I’m totally crossing my fingers that every single thing happens for you!} reminded me that I had posted my one major wish last year! My second wish is to get over the fear that’s involved with stepping out and putting myself out there and networking.

      http://theblockpaperscissors.blogspot.com/2014/05/a-paint-wish.html

    7. Marcy Potter

      I hope to start an Etsy business and a blog within the next couple of months. I would like to participate in my first flea market/antiques show this fall. I hope my husband and I can purchase our first home this summer. And I desperately pray I can leave my retail job before another Christmas season rolls around. There, I said it. 🙂

    8. Katie Tear

      It has long been my dream to own my own business. I always pictured a little boutique filled with antiques and vintage finds intermixed with hand made goodies. I have been talking about opening an Etsy shop for almost a year. I did start a blog last February, and tried out for the Graphic 45 design team. I didn’t make it, but I found so much pleasure in sharing my hand made cards, and custom paper goods, that I wasn’t really all that disappointed I didn’t make the cut. Thanks for your post, your blog, books, and milk paint. Most of all, thanks for being real enough to share with us. I appreciate all that you do, and the woman of God you are! So, I am finally going to own my own Etsy shop. There, I said it!!!!

    9. Gloria

      You are a rock star MMS..I have read you from day one and I have always admired your get up and go..You share your talents with each of us and make us all strive to be a better homemaker and try and have a more beautiful home..
      I have left comments before about how proud your mama must be of you and she’ll leave a comment back about how proud she is..As she sure be..
      Honey I’m am 71 years young and I have just loved seeing how far you have come..You have worked hard for it and gave so much time to all your readers young and old..
      I’m so proud of YOU..Hugs and smiles Gloria

    10. B Folk

      Marian, your comment “It’s also much easier to show how to do something than to write about it” makes me hope you’re not tiring of this blog!…please remember that everyone learns in different ways. Not everyone is a “visual learner” or a learn-by-doing type (although, those two types are quite common learning styles). I love reading your blog and studying the stills, as well as watching/listening to you in the videos.
      As far as my dreams and goals, I’ve been able to accomplish quite a few of them. I love that you have a musical theater degree, I have done some of that myself! I would love to go back to the Navajo Nation on mission trips, went many times before I moved far away from the church that did those trips. Loved the people, food, scenery, and getting to know my brothers and sisters on “the Rez”.
      Thanks for having this enterprise, we are all enriched by it.

      • marian

        Yeah, I don’t have plans to “retire” the blog any time soon. 🙂 I will still do written/photo tutorials as well. I am just really enjoying the video tutorials and want to do more of that.

    11. Mary

      id love to start selling more of my creations in my etsy shop and make enough money that I can continue to stay home with my babies. I want to be successful because I don’t want the ppl that slammed the door in my face right after I gave birth to have the satisfaction of thinking they brought me down. Instead, they made me dig deep and pursue my passion!

    12. Tammie Greenwell

      I retire from being a daycare mom in 3 months! #1/ I want to create a home that is me. #2/ I bought a vintage truck and a little vintage camper. I want to fix them both up and join sisters on the fly. A group of woman who travel and do fun stuff together. There, I said it!

    13. Amy Jo

      Thank you for sharing all different aspects of your dreams, goals, and business! I love your honesty. Each day, I yearn for time and balance to create my own things for my business. I’m so happy and complete when I can be creative. For many years, I put that part of me on hold. My goal for The Refreshed Nest. 1. Growing my blog, maybe have a few comments to some of my posts! ( I know my customers read because they tell me in emails and in person, but sometimes I wonder if it helps people create and get inspired.) 2. Style and take Quality Pictures ( iPad is easy but quality stinks!) 3. Room design 4. Have my own Pop up Market. There I said it in writing. Thank you for giving me the opportunity!

    14. angela

      I want to see you on HGTV.

    15. Liz M

      I want to go to Europe and fill that container with you!

    16. Michelle

      Wow those are great goals and look forward to following along as you reach them.

      I would love to start my blog, open a booth at a local antique store, open an Etsy store and start selling my great vintage finds I score at auctions that I’m obsessed with going to. I would also love to be a buyer for someone but not sure how to start that. I have so many thoughts and dreams rolling around in my head it feels good putting them out there.

      Thank you for sharing.

    17. Relle

      I love your goals and I think there is a lot of power in putting them in writing. It has been so fun as a reader of your lovely blog to watch you get to for fill your dreams and it inspires us to dream big for ourselves. Thankyou for being honest, sharing, inspiring and encouraging and leading the way.
      I have started my own little business called Vintage Chick, painting furniture and selling on ebay so that i could have an out let for my NEED to create and be able to stay home with my triplets. From that last year i started a little import business and have a FB page. I dream that in 5 yrs i will make 50k a yr, that i will have a website(coming soon) and maybe a blog. That i can help my hard working husband for fill his dream of owning his own home. I would love to have my house in a magazine. I would love to be able to go to California on a buying trip and to catch up with family(we live down under). That my import business will grow to filling a container twice a year. Like you i have dreamed for a long time of going to France on a brocante trip and filling up a container. It sure will be fun seeing where God takes us!

    18. Marian@CM Shaw Studios

      I am so there for the photography class, and upholstery. Sweet!

      My goal is to finish decorating my house by June and then reform my blog from DIY decorating into being inspirational/fine art. It scares me to death, but it feels right.

      And designing for clients is super fun. You’d be great at it. If I can do it, you can. You are so much more organized than I am.

      Great dreams lady!
      The Other Marian

    19. Anna International

      This is such an inspiring post! It gives me hope that one day I can be doing something that truly gives me joy.
      If you’d have asked me what I want this time last year, number one on my list would be my own home. December 2014 saw that achieved, when I bought an 1875 miner’s cottage in Yorkshire with my boyfriend. I couldn’t be happier to have achieved one of my life goals!
      My second life goal, well, it’s harder! I want to make a living from writing. Yeah, hard. I’ve made a start, I blog, and I’ve been getting a few assignments too, but I’ve had no time to dedicate to it due to an extremely demanding full time job as a lawyer and a PhD in my spare time!! I have made the tough decision to quit the PhD, because I’ve finally allowed myself to accept that law isn’t for me, and am in the process of quitting my job, to give myself the push I need to start working in earnest on achieving my writing goals. Even if I don’t manage to start making a living from it for a few years, I want to start seeing some success by the end of 2015. I just wish it wasn’t flying past so fast!
      Oh, and in the meantime, I also need to renovate all of our house! Anyone interested in that journey is welcome to have a read: http://annainternational.wordpress.com/ The decor will certainly be inspired by your fantastic taste Marian! I only hope I can put things together so well, but decor is a while away yet, need to get the basics sorted first. I wish you luck with your own hunt for a farmhouse!

    20. Peggy R

      I am working so hard on designing and building a blog. I would like to grow my audience over the next year. Grow my drapery making business and take a retreat somewhere that I have to fly on my own.

    21. Wendy@OldLakeGeorge.com

      I want…..to develop a wholesale business for my growing Etsy shop.
      And I want to LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. 🙂

    22. Jane

      I’m also there for the photography class…I just finished a beginners class, however, your tips have been much easier to understand.

      I took the course “Building a Creatively Made Business” and loved your story… started to follow your blog and it was that course that opened my eyes. I had no idea about blogging or having my business on the web.

      A couple goals for this year… to understand how to manage my time and to grow my online business.

      You and few other girls have commented about going shopping in Europe. My mom is from Holland and I have wanted to go for sometime. That would be something!

    23. MARY EGUIA

      Married,kids,house,mortgage,always working at a job I don’t want to do,ALWAYS struggle to make ends meet, kids grown with college degrees,husband that has decided to drink ALL.THE.TIME.,gaining weight,turned 50,my Mom diagnosed with brain tumor,passes away this past Christmas,31 year marriage heading for divorce.Uhm……yeah time to make dreams come true!
      I want to own my own business making home decor and a brick and motor.There I said it out loud.

    24. Lynne

      I well remember your first post, and while I don’t recall commenting, I DO recall that at the age of 54, your post turned something on in me, and I was determined once and for all that I was going to create the life of my dreams. My husband and I set out to make a plan for a brick and mortar vintage and antiques shop to become a reality. Two years later, we have that shop ! We opened just over a year ago and it really is becoming a dream come true. While I’m still have to go to work at my full time job, we are anticipating that before summer is over, I will be leaving that job to work at my business full time. With LOTS of prayer, hard work and long hours and planning, my husband and I are finally going to be working together doing what we love to do. I’m so excited..I only wish I had been fearless enough to do it sooner! Thank you Marian, for being an encourager and an inspiration! I said it, I did it!

    25. Rosalind

      I want my baby-sized blog to become what I do for a living.

    26. Wendi

      Well, I took the plunge just over 5 years ago and opened my store, C’est Cheese Please! in the historic city centre of Galt, Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. The last 6 months has been a roller coaster ride (and i HATE roller coasters!) when I found out that the city was trying to purchase the building where my store is with plans to knock down the building. I love my building,,,I am told over and over from customers that it is just like a cheese store in Provence. I think the city has backed off purchasing the building because of the bad publicity that has resulted….so my BIG dream is to purchase this building! There are 3 small units that I would eventually expand into – one of them currently is a pizza store which I would rename as C’est Pizza Please! and offer gourmet pizzas with the cheeses that I carry along with panini sandwiches plus have room for the cheese platters and gift baskets that I currently offer. I have no idea how this is going to happen – I am a single woman of a “certain age” who has gone through some pretty major bumps in my life and am still standing but there isn’t a partner to fall back on and yes, I am nervous! So chee(rs)se to BIG dreams Marian!

    27. Cindy

      Gosh, you know, this is harder to answer than i would have thought. Every time i come up with what i think i want, there is this mean little thing in my head that instantly dismisses it all as risky, or i’ll regret it or something… like leaving my full time job to paint paintings…
      I know i want to be around people who make me laugh, and accept me with all my flaws. I would like my painting and artwork to become my main source of income, an income where there is enough not to worry so much, and to be able to sustain all my crazy creative impulses with decorating and making things pretty. I want to be around people who like talking about art and decor and flowers and freaky stuff . I want to meditate and heal spiritually and emotionally and stop being scared. and i would really really love to be able to find a wall paint color that i actually like once a room is painted!
      soooo there, i said it, i think that’s what i really want! Thanks Marian for making us think about it… life just zooms by and i think we forget to remember our dreams

      Cindy

    28. Lori

      Oh, to dream!!! I would love to be your stylist!! I am so inspired by what you are doing and it gives me hope as I start out in my own decorating business, which has been a huge step but also has been a dream for a while now. I would love to branch out and do workshops and teach classes and really expand my blog. It’s a hard road by times and the future seems to stretch out with big question marks. But I do believe I am using the talents I was given and expanding my skill set through opportunities that have come my way. Keep inspiring us, everyone needs to aspire to be a better them and sometimes it comes in the form of someone to look up to.

    29. Olivia

      I started my blog last year, hoping it will grow and get an audience, i also have a booth in a antique mall that sometimes does ok, hoping to grow that into more (maybe a little store) would also love to go to England and go shopping.

    30. Lara

      OOOHHHH Marion – Let’s do that Europe shopping trip! It’s on my bucket list and it would be just icing on the cake to do it w/you!
      There, I said it!!

    31. Raylynn

      I will be 50 this year with a son in high school. I have said for many years that when I get him out of the house, I want to do creative things for me. I have been looking at starting an organizing business for a year now, but am scared to take the plunge. I would like to take the first step to that dream this year. I also would like to change my full time job position to management, but again am scared to try. In my small group we are studying a book about overcoming fears and doing things for God so I hope that will help me move on.
      Great idea for a post and glad you made me write these down. Makes them seem possible if you know what I mean!

    32. Darlene

      I want to move into my very old home before May begins. A 2 1/2 year journey so far. I want to go to the longest yard sale before I turn 55. I want to ride a bike to work and get healthy. I want to start a business of my very own using the talents I have. And of course, I want world peace.

    33. heather

      You’re awesome. I love your goals, and your guts, and your gutso. You will be amazing at each and every one of those goals.

    34. Susan Weathers

      My dream is to take Two Weathered Roostersto a new level. I have an Etsy shop and rent booth space in a local designer mall… But I would love to become part of the online community of Bloggers. I read all that you are doing and the community you seem to share, and I dream of being a part of that one day. Big dreams!!! But maybe it will happen.

    35. Anita

      I wanna move to NC (sick of OH) and open a store.

    36. Nicole

      Thank you for allowing us to share here! After feeling like every day I went to work as an administrative assistant I was lying to myself because I really wanted to be doing something else, I quit my career last October. And I’m glad I did. I don’t regret that decision at all! I have used the opportunity of an entire winter of not working to really do what I want to do, which is home styling/home decor/starting an Etsy store of typographic art prints. While I am thrilled to stay home each day doing little projects and being very creative on a very small budget, it is unfortunately not bringing in any funds to contribute to our family’s expenses. I refuse to go back to a job that sucks all the creativity and life out of me but don’t know how to turn what I am doing into an actual income. So, I keep posting photos of my work on Instagram and FB in hopes that somehow that will turn into my new career. There – I said it! Nicole from Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada (The lady that recently completed the “chippy paint” rocking horse that was inspired by your blog 🙂

    37. Lisa

      Thank you so very, very much Marian for asking us to dream and not just dream but to speak it out loud! I have come so far in the past year and half to realizing my dreams but still have so far I want to go 🙂
      I would love to be able to spend all of my days at my business and not have to work a “full-time” job on top of it. (I am not married so need the stability of consistent income so would love that income to come from my business and not my other my-heart-is-not-in-it-full-time job).
      I would love to have a space to teach classes in as well as sell vintage finds and furniture – oh how I miss teaching! I would love to be able to paint in that space also so that I don’t have to keep doing it all over my home 🙂
      Annnnd I would love to be able to travel more (esp England!) as part of my business and bring back wonderful, lovely finds from the places I have been. *Sigh*
      I did just write a blog post about dreaming a couple of weeks ago so this is so timely that I am being reminded yet again to dream and dream big!
      http://recreated-designs.blogspot.ca/2015/02/a-girl-has-to-dream.html

    38. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse

      I would love to have one evening without any paper to grade… I know I dream big… But really, it would make me so happy!

    39. albert

      Nice, I too need to sit down and put in writing my new goals. I’ve been stagnant for a while and i need to evaluate my goals and take the first step. Here is a website of persons who does the container with European goodies. They are near my home town. Maybe they can give you pointers on the good and bad of European imports http://atelierdecampagneantiques.blogspot.com/. I enjoy you blog and makes me think and encourages me to make changes. Thank you.

    40. Amy Jones

      Good for you! I believe you can do all this and more! Thank you for your honesty and for giving us a forum to write our wishes as well.

      I would like to find my own voice and be able to share it freely and confidently with others, while being paid generously to do so. I would like to live and act always with love, wonder and gratitude.

    41. Jelena

      Marian, most of the goals from your list seem like just a skip and jump away from where you are now. I have no doubt you’ll manage to reach them soon.

      As I was thinking about your invitation to share our own dreams and plans, a Scripture came to mind – Proverbs 19:21.
      “Many are the plans in the mind of a man,
      but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”
      I often struggle with deciding whether the things I want are aligned with His plans for me or I am just being selfish. I pray over those wants and plans of course, but as we are all well aware, sometimes God answers us neither with a “yes” nor with a “no” but with complete silence. Most of my prayers for the things I am listing here were met by silence. So, I am going to say them here, but I don’t know if they would meet with His approval. 🙂

      1) I would love to finally finish decorating and organizing the interior of the house we moved into a little less than 2 years ago (only the office left), and finally have all the moving boxes unpacked and out of the house. 🙂

      2) I would like to be able to somehow get financing to fix the house exterior (siding, decks, and gutters all need to be replaced), and add proper insulation in the attic, some shutters to the windows, and a little covered entryway at the front door.

      3) I would like to have the existing (very shoddily constructed) sunroom torn down and completely rebuilt, and the yard properly graded, landscaped, fence replaced, and drainage issues fixed.

      4) I would love my jewelry making business to take off now that I have my own website and have started making connections with the right people in my target audience.

      5) Last but not least, I would love for me and my husband to visit and spend some time in Scotland together and revisit Ireland and England, mostly traveling by train through British countryside this time around.

      I’ve said it, but “many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.”

    42. Pam

      I’ll try this again because I think my computer jammed up and my comment was not recorded.
      1. I want to win a house renovation.
      2. I want to author a children’s book.
      3. I want to finally lose the weight.
      4. I want to finally get my creative space organized.
      5. I want to finally have breathing room to purposely work towards getting our family out of debt.

    43. Bridget

      I dream of traveling these 50 states in a camper with myhusbnad & children to see this country. I’d love to do this now. I’d love to own my own small business and do it in a way that I still have wiggle room for freedom to enjoy my family. Since I’m dreaming I’d love to own a small country farmhouse and farm I could sell items from. Thank you for encouraging me to dream. I love your home and pray one day mine is as loving and inviting as your. God bless you.

    44. amy

      I find myself in a crossroads as well. 2 years ago, my dream farmette on the edge of town came for sale for a steal! My hunky hubby promised when we were newly married that if it ever came for sale he would buy it for me…and he did! It needed a whole lotta love and work and it has been a labor of love. Outside of new windows and a new roof, its done and it is simply bliss. (would love to share photos with you). This past july, my sweet and dear father in law passed away. He lived in the farm house he was born in and his father built in 1911 just a few miles from our current farmette. It is a beautiful 160 farm and we will be selling my dream farmette of 13 acres to move to the family farm 160 acres in the next few months. The family farm is very darling, but not as spacious and grand as the farm house I live in how, but still has SO MUCH possibilities. My father-in- law told me when my hunky hubby and I bought my dream farmette that the only thing wrong with it was it was so grand and spacious, that I would never move to his family farm someday. Nothing could be truer, because I am very blessed to be moving to his family farm, even though it isnt as grand, it is sentimental and a very special place to call home for our family of five.. So, if you are interested in a project that bigger isnt always better or how to make the best of what you are blessed with. I may have some material for you! LOL! Best of luck in your goals.!

    45. Nancy @ Slightly Coastal

      Mine are quite simple and sort of broad. In whatever way these happen is fine with me. I know it all is God’s plan.

      1. I want to inspire others to create the home they desire the way so many (including you) have inspired me.

      2. I want to build someone up and give them the confidence/motivation that a few great bloggers have done for me.

      It’s always about the journey and never about the destination AND as Mother Theresa says: It was never between you and them anyway. It was always between you and God.

    46. Stephanie

      Since this is going into writing, which means it will be seen by you and everyone out there, I am now being held accountable for the following: I am currently unemployed and grateful for the opportunity of this “GAP” in time that has been presented to me. I want to let go of being afraid to get off my butt & just “DO” it and stop waiting to figure out what I want to be when I grow up (I am 49 and you would think I would know by now.) I want to use my talents to be a stylist/home stager/interior designer. As well as, go to Round Top (Texas) Antique Show and shop with you, Layla Palmer (TLC), and Karianne (TF)! (and go to Luckett’s and The Chapel Market!) There, I said it.

      Please know this: You are a gift from God to inspire, push us to dream and to act upon those dreams!

    47. Cecilia

      I want to figure out how to use my art to make things. Whether it’s cards or wall art or whatever. And I want to be living at our farm full time by two years time. There! I said it!

    48. Rose

      I would love to be done with moving, and finally put roots down for good. (Military husband) I want to carry on with picking and selling vintage/antique goods. I want to open an Antique mall in a cool old building so that others will have a place to sell their treasures as well. And I would love to start up a group of like minded women that we can all meet and take wonderful trips together to flea markets, auctions etc. so we can go picking and exploring without having to drag our significant others around or go by ourselves, or worse not go at all.

    49. Ms. B

      Marian, you’ll have no trouble achieving your goals … you’re not far from any of them now. I never knew there was a creative blog world out there until I came across yours a couple of years ago. I haven’t led a sheltered life, but working full time since I was 15 has left little time for the creative side. But you’ve inspired me to get up off my duff, clean out a stall in the garage, start a blog, and begin to create. My dream is to make it a full-time, enjoyable adventure. The web design is still a work-in-progress (like me), but one step at a time as they say. I have so very much to learn. When you decide to have the starting a business class, count me there! May God continue to richly bless your life.

    50. Lynn

      Hi Marian, what I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time is open a candy counter at our local historic market. My children loved visiting the candy counter whenever we visited the market but it closed and nothing has taken its place. I have two granddaughters now and would love to have them experience the joy and fun of buying penny candy. There, I said it!

    51. jen

      Wow. My dream.
      My dream is to change the perception society has of individuals born with exceptional thinking abilities. The term “gifted” sounds elitist and divisive, but these kids have been “gifted’ how they think. The school system rarely treats them fairly, and some statistics estimate that 50% of academically gifted kids are underachieving from what the are capable. I’m graduating with my master’s degree in gifted education in May, and I desperately want to find a way to help these chronic underachievers reach for the stars.

      Just a small dream, right?

      • Jane dawson

        I am in love with this dream! Not something I could ever achieve but I see such a need for it. I’ve had two gifted children, one who is doing poorly in school. We have one TAG teacher in our school system for K-12.
        The world needs more people like you!

    52. Amanda E.

      What an awesome concept your studio and the workshops are! My prediction is that it will be a bustling shop before you know it. There is just no other way! A massive company…I see it.

      I dream that my husband can give up his job to help us full time at VHD. For him to have more time to grow his own small business as well. I dream of living in a beautiful home in Blougberg Strand, Cape Town and be able to continue our businesses there. {We’d like to be the first MMSMP retailers in South Africa}! I want to be close to my parents once more and help my Mom start her own Etsy shop where she can sell African curios from home and continue her business. I’d like to own a craft restaurant and continue with our vintage furniture painting business right there at Eden On The Bay. I dream of doing all that, full time, with my husband and our two grown kids and their significant others.

      I dream of filling containers here on a regular basis with unwanted house hold items and clothing to bring back to SA and distribute it there amongst the poor and disadvantaged. Maybe God has a better plan!

      “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one….”

    53. Sherry

      Hey Jen. I love your idea to help those who are “gifted” find an academic home. It is SO needed! We have a great college prep school here in the Milwaukee area that was started by parents who were tired of their children’s needs not being met in the mainstream schools. If Marian doesn’t mind, I could leave my email here (s.kurtz@sbcglobal.net) and you could contact me so we could talk. My sister’s son went there–would love to connect the two of you. 🙂

      Onto my dreams…I would love to give shelter and a home (albeit, temporary–the goal is to find a permanent homes) to abused/neglected animals of all kinds. This will require my husband and I to find and move to a hobby farm, like-minded volunteers and backers to help with the cost of running the place. Love those furry babies and want to help them out. 🙂

    54. Charlotte

      I’m 53 and I want to run a marathon and I’ve never run in my life. I read an article about a 73 yr old who started running and she’s in her 80’s now and has run several full marathons and half marathons. If she can do so can I!!!

      • runnergirl

        I was meant to read this and reply, Charlotte! I ran my first marathon…The New York City Marathon in 2010, and I was 53! It was more of a mental and spiritual journey than a Physical one. I was on mile 21 and these adorable church women in Harlem were cheering for us all, “Run for Jesus!” they yelled. I literally stopped and thought about that for a moment and said to the lovely woman closest to me, “I’m not running for Jesus, I’m running with him! I could never have done this alone!”, and I continued on my way, smiling as I heard her change her cheer to,” Run with Jesus, Run with Jesus!.” So, Charlotte, I say to you, “You go, girl!!!” Pick a larger marathon where you can make contact with the spectators, and they will mentally carry you through their connections. A small marathon might be long and lonely.

    55. Suzanne

      Hi! I became a medical transcriptionist as a way to work and be home with my sons when they were babies and, fortunately, I was able to do just that. Now, 22 years later, my babies have become young men…my youngest son will be 19 next week, and with the MT profession falling fast, I believe it’s time I reinvent myself. Like you, I’ve toyed with the idea of being an interior designer. I don’t pretend to have half the talent you have, but it is something I enjoy. I’m just not sure I could have an “open mind” to what someone else would like in their space. I know what I like, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be able to do what they like. I also would love to have my own food truck. I love to cook and feed people! I have so many ideas of things I would love to do, but just can’t calm my brain down enough to start any of them :)_

    56. Sue @ My Painted Door

      I love this blog post Marion! I became a MMSMP retailer approximately one year ago. At that time I set many goals – some I have met and some I have not. My business has been mostly on-line at this point. But, now I am now renovating an old General Store so that I can have a cute little shop, a workshop and classroom space. I look forward to that part of my journey! Nothing ever gets done as quickly as I would like, but I am learning to be patient. So, my goal right now is to get my shop finished.

      I am also a passionate gardener. I have a flower garden on the same property as my shop. Last year I seldom took the time to work in my garden … and I sure missed it. This summer I am going to try to spend more time gardening and I would love to spend more time blogging about gardening. I think painting and gardening can really compliment each other.

    57. Cindy

      I’ve always been a creative and a DIYer, raised by the master creator and DIYer, my mama. Four years ago I started a small online “cottage” business, buying and selling vintage finds that I loved and hoped that others would love as well. I never dreamed it would grow like it has…..but it has. We recently bought our own fixer upper, renovating it all ourselves, and at the age of 56, I started blogging about the process. My pipe dream? Well, it’s scary to say it out loud but here goes…..1.) to have our beautiful renovations featured in a a “swoon worthy” magazine, 2.) to figure out this “blogging thing” and my readership grow beyond my wildest dreams, 3.) to have amazing business opportunities open up from the blog, and 4.) like you, a dream I’ve had for awhile…..to travel to France and fill a container with fabulous finds! There, I said it! Thank you Marian, you are indeed an inspiration for me! God Bless!

      • Rhonda

        Your comments intrigued me so I clicked on your name hoping to be lead to what sounded like a great blog I didn’t want to miss out on. Much to my surprise it led me to Edith & Evelyn !!! I recently began following you after Anita featured you on her blog. I would have never guessed you were a newbie in this blogging / cottage business areana ! Your blog, merchandise, and home are a joy to me. There is no doubt in my mind that you will be a splendid success. I check your blog frequently to check for new posts. You have great style and again, I believe you will go far. I’m happy to have found your blog. It’s definitely “up there” with MMS & CHF on my list !!! God bless 🙂

    58. Eileen

      Please stay forever on your blog. I read other bloggers who say they are switching over to Facebook(hating that more every day) or twitter, etc(which I don’t do. This is like receiving a lovely letter…with help and tutorials and everything else. Your compass, moral and otherwise, is true and it shows. It’s heartwarming to see in our world of turbulence.

      Good health continues to be my goal. Traveling to Italy with my husband is another one. I’m retired now, the house renovation is nearing completion so I’m enjoying my studio, crafting and such. Paring away the unneccesary is important….I see you doing that also. I’m happy to be where I am now. Setting new goals would be good at this time so I will think this through. Thanks.

    59. Sherry

      Hello friends and fellow creatives!

      It is not easy for me to share my dreams on such an open forum, but something (Marion) tells me this could be the beginning of something great. I have so many hopes and dreams. Most of them feel so far fetched or foolish. I’m a 41-year old African American women, and I started on this creative path late in my life. I use to believe it was better to do what society says is the “dependable”/ “responsible” career. What I’ve learned is that nothing is dependable if your miserable, because the likely hood of an emotional breakdown is very high. Now I have slowly but surely embraced my inner Artist, and I just want to be doing what I’m passionate about. I truly love and admire all things creative, and look forward to developing my skills in several artistic paradigms.

      So what are my dreams? The list varies from the practical to the “if only” categories.To be honest I’m still deciding on what area to focus my energy on first, and that alone seems impossible. I have so many things I’m passionate about. I love Christ, interior design, vintage and antique shopping, putting a room together on a budget, teaching, writing, comedy, acting, fashion, and coaching others. To name a few:-) I am listing my dreams below in no particular order just as they come to me. Wishing you all success in your dreams too!

      Sherry’s Dreams and Goals List 2015
      1. To be financially supporting myself completely with my creative business
      2. To have a blog that is alive and vibrant (right now it’s just a domain name)
      3. To get a better camera to take great pictures for the alive and vibrant blog
      4. To sell the hundreds of vintage and antique furniture and home goods I’ve collected over the past years
      5. To be a buyer for “One Kings Lane” or to be anything at OKL:-)
      6. To own a successful home store
      7. To continue to grow in relationship with Jesus, and to have the fruits of the Spirit be visible in my life
      8. To learn how to use all the “Social Media” resources available to creatives
      9. To get all the documents and red-tape required to be a real business paid for and completed
      10. To open a business checking account
      11. To learn to speak fluent French
      12. To eat healthy and exercise on a consistent lifelong basis
      13. To be a “Picker”/ “Supplier” for successful vintage businesses
      15. To write a design column for a magazine
      16. To be a vendor at Lucketts
      17. To have a televised home show
      18. To be working in a field that makes me happy and gives life
      19. To grow as a designer and have more clients
      20. To remember to be grateful for everything I already have and to live in my moments

      The End no The Beginning…

    60. Patti Hamlin

      Love you blog, check you out almost every day. You, my dear, have been a huge inspiration to me….thank you for being you. 🙂

      Okay (deep breath) I have three….1) to open a retail store. although etsy ebay and my website get busier each day. I feel like that’s the direction I need to go. To up the ante, and make real money…. and juggle huge over head instead on the minor debit I have now, lol

      2) I was in PR for 12 years. I wrote scads of press releases, media materials, and had a couple articles published in my field (which was racing and unless you are a gear head, it would put you to sleep) I developed excellent writing skills. I have a couple books in my head, and outlined on paper, I would love to put pen to paper and write either book. The “great American Novel” dream…..you know with all my free time.

      3) I would love to one day remodel a chateau/ country home in France or Italy; a la Under The Tuscan Sun. I aspire to be the next Francis Mayes!! To find an amazing property a couple hundred years old that needs me to love it, massage it, give it a face lift and make it pretty again. Then spend the rest of my life basking in the European culture. Enjoy amazing wine, food, history and antiquing….heaven on earth! It’s a huge day dream……..

      But wait!!! If my retail store does amazingly well there will possibilities to expand….then franchise. Which of course will lead to Restoration Hardware buying me out for obscene amounts of money. Then I will have time to write the novel. It will dominate the best seller lists for months. Hollywood will coming knocking. And again, obscene amounts of money for the screen play. My accountants (in the plural, because I will be stinking rich) will advise me to head to France. That remodeling a chateau would be an excellent tax shelter, and a much need break from my whirl wind success in the home décor field.

      Thanks MMS, from my fingers to Gods ears…. 🙂

      • Kim Teasdale

        You have some fantastic dreams! I’m going to borrow some of those too 🙂

      • Rhonda

        Where’s the “LIKE” button ?!?!?

    61. Lori

      My dream is to KNOW what it is I do best and then be the best at it. This will require some serious face-to-the-floor time with God, but I’m ready. It’s time. There, I said it.

    62. Diane

      You Go Girl!!
      I would like to go on that shopping spree through Europe with You & fill a container full of goodies!!!
      Thanks for all your inspiration!

    63. Jill Taylor

      YES ON THE BUSINESS-BASED WORKSHOPS! I don’t live too far from you {Richmond} and would do the happy dance in every corner of my house. I would sing lovely little ditties with the words “mustard” and “seed” sprinkled throughout them in non-rhyming parts of the song, while painting and wondering where the bubbling would happen. Where, oh, where, will the bubbling be?! Also, I’m a graphic designer and offer anything you need in developing a gorgeous lil’ business packet, that would be clean & happy & full of promise for so many. So do that. Pretty please. With mustard seeds haphazardly thrown on top. xo, Jill

    64. Jean

      I would love to have my home photographed and featured in a magazine. I’d love for the Backyard Bungalow to be in other Montana cities. Wow, that’s dreaming big!

      I continue to read your blog because you constantly inspire!

    65. Barbara Bussey

      Marian,
      You are wise beyond your years! I love all of your ideas and if you head to Europe on a shopping trip, I’d love to join you. Avignon, France has a wonderful Saturday market, along the river. I could have put a little dent in your container, just shopping that market!
      My goal is to convert part of my shop in to a collection of artists and scavengers, who want to be a part of an environment, where we can support each others creativity and love for the old an unique.
      Continued blessings,
      Barbara

    66. Kim Teasdale

      I love your blog and how you motivate people! If you can think it, you can make it happen! Just after Christmas, my husband I made the decision for me to quite my pefect-for-our-family job and open up my own creative outlet in our garage. This was a huge step because i got paid to be creative all day, only worked while my kids were in school, had weekends off, worked unsupervised and had an understanding manager for when my kids got sick. Perfect! But I’ve always wanted to own my own business and with my husbands schedule with our elementary school aged children, owning a retail/workshop in a commercial outlet wasn’t going to work for me. So, when my parents were staying with us over the holidays my dad made a suggestion to convert my garageto a beautiful place to run craft workshops.

      Fast forward to today, we are still currently in the process of setting up shop, I’ve quit my job and I’m hoping that I can be successful at this. I do, and have taught a variety of arts and crafts in my life and am a floral designer by trade. Here are my pipe dream goals 🙂

      1. To be successful in my tiny new venture
      2. Work a market….and I just booked my first one!
      3. To be able to take my family on a tropical holiday from my business earnings alone
      4. To have something that I have created featured in a magazine
      5. To write a book
      6. To have an international product line

      Thanks for the opportunity to dream aloud 🙂

    67. Cayce

      I want to finish the children’s book I’m writing. I want children of all ages and circumstances to be able to relate to it.
      Ultimately, i want to teach my children to turn their dreams into GOALS, and they are never too old, too young, or too uninformed about the subject to start working toward and achieve their goals.
      Thank you, Marian, for inspiring me and so many others! I used to read your blog during newborn night feedings 5 years ago to help me stay awake, and I still do with my third child that is 5 months old. I know you don’t know me, and I have no responsibility for your success or growth, but I’d like to tell you that I’m proud of you. From one woman to another, I’m proud of you. I can’t imagine how immensely proud your supportive family must be if a stranger is this proud. 🙂

    68. Kellie

      Thank you for the inspiration. I have shared this really with anyone but my husband so here goes…My goals / dreams would be for my Etsy shop (The Paupers Castle) and my blog thepauperscastle.net (which I have neglected for over a year, but recently started writing again) to take off. I’m not asking for miracles just enough so I can quit my part time job of 25 hours a week and replace that income. All so I can pull my daughter from public school and move her back to Montessori school (expensive) or have the flexible schedule to home school her. Those are my hopes, dreams and goals.
      Blessings
      Kellie

    69. Carrie

      I want to open Flora Jayne’s Workshop in Sugar Land, TX.

      There, I said it.

    70. Mary Ann

      I may not be as young as some of you, as I am hopefully nearing retirement. My goal is that I find ways to till earn an income but in a more inspiring and creative way. That I can continue to grow as a person and have time to devote to my family, friends and home that I have not always had working. That I find ways to use my new found freedom to help others who may need a extra hand, ear or shoulder to lean on. I pray that everyone who has “and now I’ve said it” grandest wishes come true. Thank you, Marian, and now I’ve said it!

    71. Debby

      Wow. Amazing. Wonderful. Inspiring. Enjoyed all the comments, but Patti Hamlin, yours made me laugh out loud for real. Loved it! And just posting something at all is big time. Turning 64 this month and still trying to grow up and figure out who I am. Marian, I have inhaled your book. And your blog, too. Biggest dream: stopping living fearfully and walk in the abundant life Jesus gave me. There, I said it! Many other things I’d be thrilled to accomplish: refinishing my first piece of furniture, crafting at least once a week, finish a quilt I’m working on with a friend, become a gardener. Bring some of the pictures in my head to life. A prepared home that looks pretty to me! Said it again!

    72. Cynthia

      I want to become a certified Zumba instructor! I’ve always been active and was a dancer and cheerleader in school, but at almost 52 years old, my fear and lack of confidence is holding me back—also the fact that there is absolutely no $$ in the fitness industry for instructors. I need to just bite the bullet and do it! No fear—-or regrets!

    73. Cathy

      I love how many Woman are inspired to share there wishes, dreams, etc. I am also inspired by their “Dream List”, as well as yours.

      6 years ago I was pushed out of a Corporate job, that I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. It challenged me, made me crazy and gave me a place that I could identify as being me and not to mention, I made a really excellent living.

      When that happened to be quite honest, I had no plan B, no where to turn. I thought I would leave on my own terms, not someone else’s. So I made do with my own “Cathy To Do List”. However, after several months of getting those items completed and it was so wonderful and refreshing to have them off my back, I was back to square one, of what do I do now. Blessing #1.

      I looked for job, but everywhere I turned I was told I was over qualified, except for new Hobby Lobby that was coming to our area. I took the part-time job, for a sheer lack of something to do, someplace to go to, to have value, to contribute and I hadn’t made that kind of pay in many, many years. Super reality! Then, one day a person came into the store and offered me job, they new of me in my old life. I heard of them and the God thing was, they paid me exactly what I was needing. Blessing #2.

      Then, as luck would have it, they decided to move their office to another town and I was unable to make the commute. So, I am back to square one again. I ended up getting my Real Estate licenses, which I love, mostly helping people, especially buyers. Blessing #3.

      But after several years, that too, the newest, the challenge, the excitement has began to wear off. Not that I am not grateful for the opportunity to assist my family household with an income, I just need more. So, I started to dream about what would I, Cathy, like to do with the rest of her life, what was it that I dreamed about as a young adult, is what you are doing right now, where you want to me in life? Pondering, but insightful questions!

      What did I want to do, what were my dreams; I love creativity and I think I am good at it. I study in college Fashion Merchandising. So how do I make that work in a small town??

      1 – I rented a space in a Antique Store, where I can house not only Antiques, but other stuff that I have either collected, refurbished and/or resale. I love the ability and creativity to design a space, it just makes my heart sing.

      2 – Someday, I would like to have my own store or a place to rent to others, that have the same passion as I do.

      3 – Would love the opportunity to buy for a store and have those items delivered and/or shipped.

      4 – To be able travel across the US, pick and buy, things of interest to me, that I think would sell in my space/store.

      5 – Travel to Europe, not only to find discover and explore my roots, but SHOP till I drop and have a large container crate come home to me, with tons and tons of goodies.

      6 – Get my on-line presences to the fore-front.

      7 – Get back into Photography, another love of mine. And, that means upgrading my film, Nikon to something of the digital age.

      8 – Be able to consistently contribute financially to my household on a monthly basis’s. Real Estate is such a hit and miss, something that keeps me out of my comfort zone.

      9 – Still do Real Estate, but explore other fascists with New Home Sales and/or Commercial, which pushes me out of my comfort zone in so many ways and makes me think of the possibility of having to leave my brokerage, my safety net.

      10 – Buy homes that need a little TLC and make them into something not only affordable, for a deserving family, but to help beautify a neighborhood and allow me to use my creative skills for the greater good. And, of course make a living. Something that my husband just cringes on. He sees it as more work for him, I see it as spending time together and creating something beautiful, something that I would be proud to put my name on it.

      And, I am sure there are several more dreams that I have and are just waiting to make their debut, but for know this is where I am at, exploring within my comfort zone and means.

      So, there, I said it. Throwing out to the Universe and await a response.

      Blessings to all who dare to dream ….

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