October 05, 2007

Following Bread Crumbs

The Clubertson Mansion, in Historic Downtown New Albany Indiana

There is that old story about
the children that scattered
breadcrumbs behind them
so they could find
their way back home
from adventures in
the dark and scary forest...

Of course
The forest creatures
came up from behind them
and ate the crumbs
So the children were lost
And a wicked witch ate them

When Gods children pray
then follow The Spirit
they leave a trail of
spiritual bread crumbs
Signs if the Spirit's Passing
that will lead you safely home...

"Pray Pray Pray!, then Do Do Do!...Then look back a year or two from now, then you can see for certain that you are truly in the Will of the Father... and if not, you will still have accomplished more than if you sat on your hands and did nothing..." Mother Angelica, on the establishment of EWTN as told to Raymond Arroyo

Post Started 10-5-2007 in New Albany, Indiana


We are following bread crumbs so to speak, left for us by, we believe, the Holy Spirit in the wake of a breakthrough of sorts that is going on. Things seem to be moving rather rapidly in a new direction. Like riding a rollercoaster a bit faster than you'd like, my tummy lurches yet it is exciting and fun too as we go along on this new adventure.

The trail started when I broke my foot 9-9. I have had a lot of time to sit and ponder about my life. Woody is not working again, his and my decision as we know that the carlot thing needed to just stop. Its not a real job, and certainly not a job for a gentleman, which he is. So he cant sell cars to people that are so upside down financially that this car they want will ruin them. We bought the Accord from his former desk mate who flat out said that Woody was the best guy he'd ever seen with a customer, when he had a customer, which wasnt often as he wouldnt go out and get the "ups" needed to get a sale or two. He is unmotivated and not aggressive enough to compete. He needs a situation that will allow him be a caring sales person that people trust, that is his strength.

Then there is my job. My boss says that the account and my position will be around untill at least march...but then who knows. No layoffs are promised but I will likely have to go back on days again which is a bit of an issue for me. I find myself resenting and yet thanking God for my job...I keep wondering if I shouldnt strike out on my own...

I have been looking at Jewelry Repair Schools on the Internet. I found Druhards, the school that we went to in 2004 through the National Jeweler publication that I no longer receive... I would go back to Tim Druhard, he is a great guy, but his method of teaching doesnt allow for a period of practice of what you are learning. He pushes you out of the nest in two weeks with a tool list...that is fine for some, but I need more help

I went out on the Internet and found a number of schools, but some were diploma mills, out for the kids SallieMae money and you'd no more know how to set up a bench than fly to the moon once you paid your money. I only spoke to one instructor that seemed to know what hes doing. His name is Charles Conner, Charlie to his friends. He is known in his community and I have yet to turn up someone that didnt like him or his work...All of the students that I found via Google loved him and said that the time spent was well worth the effort and expense.

Expense...ugh...that is the kicker. I have no money and SallieMae will not loan me enough to subsidise my time here... So I figured Id stay on at thisplace as long as I could and save up the needed funds. I also looked at space to rent. With the coming of Annabelle, we use the area I was going to use for my bench more like living room space. And we know that it is better to have your work out of your home. But the spaces around our little city are costly for what they are.. But I want to stay in town as there is no jeweler here and Id be the closest person that the Senior residents would have to take their pieces.

We have had a lot of conformation that we should do this. Woody met a retired South African diamond cutter a few weeks ago who shook my hand vigorously when we met and declared that I would be highly successful if I worked in town. He even had a box of stuff that needed fixing...And we have run into at least a dozen people with jewelry problems... "Please, cant you fix...size...mend this for me?" I know that it would mean a lot for these people to have their jewelry wearable again...
I know I would love to fix it for them..and make it right again...

But where? I was driving home from an appointment and saw a tiny "for lease" sign in front of a small red brick building. The manager quickly came down to show it to me. It is a duplex and one half of it is 500 square feet, The perfect size. Most commercial spaces are too large for my needs and too costly. They offered me a very simple month to month with a small deposit, and agreed that I could have a month to explore the possibilities of getting into a school and getting the financing to pursue my dream. This space is the closest space to my house, not even a mile. I could walk to work if I chose to.

A few days later came the chance to buy the car. We realized that this was the optimum time due to lower int rest rates to expand the HELOC on the house and forgo a Salliemae student loan, so we were able to do that.

But did I want to spent the nearly 12,000.00 on six months of training? Where would I live? A look at Craigs list showed me a bunch of furnished places in the Louisville Ky area. But photos are deceiving you need to see the situations.

We had a new car. We had money. We both have time. We had a place to stash the cats, and Annabelle's vet, concerned that she may be ready for her first heat...there are some concerns about her birth date. She seems younger and older than she should be...so just as well Dr. Eric is watching her...anyway he agreed to board her.

So we took off on a driving trip and here we are, in this quaint little city on the Ohio River. Trees are turning and its very interesting.

We had a uneventful drive out. It is nearly 600 miles so it was a long day, but we have used the time well. I met with Charlie Conner, and while I have a few reservations, I have no doubt that I can learn a lot under his tutelage. I believe that he can get me ready to work on my own. He also agreed to help me with tool selections and set up of my shop. I can do the build out either before I come back here or Woody can supervise it while I am gone. Its a lot of money but if I can lean a trade that is in demand and work for the rest of my life at something that I love.. its worth it... (funny teens spend thousands of dollars for college without a thought...saddled with loans for the rest of their lives...I cant do it!)

Woody and I have looked at interim housing for myself. Most rentals in New Albany are not fit for a decent person to live in. So I need to look in Lousiville tomorrow. I was offered a charming artists apartment in a restored 1912 building for 1500.00 a month suitcase ready. But its in the city and when I saw it yesterday, I felt fearful and uncomfortable. Woody had thought to join me bringing the pets and that makes interim corporate housing the only alternative. Now he is thinking that I may only be here three months instead of 6-9 so he would stay in Arkansas with the babies or perhaps I would bring Annabelle with me, as I could have her in the corporate apartments. We shall see... the bread crumbs are a tad thin on this part

There are still many many questions. I will have at least 5 months to pray them through. But I feel a sea change. Once you start down the Entrepreneurial path you are drawn inexorably to its fruition

Labels: Bella Vista, Breaking News, Business start up, Dreams, Little Portion, Traveling, Woody, working