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Crazy as a Loom

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

My New Career.......kidding!!!


Last November, I got a call asking me if I would give a talk at the Fort Ann Rescue Lady's Auxiliary, in March. I don't remember what I was doing, but for some reason, I said, "sure.......I would be happy to". Then I promptly forgot about it.
Several days ago, there was a message on my machine at the studio, reminding me of my commitment. Holy cow. Did I say I would do that???? What WAS I thinking?
I had a moment of panic. What would I talk about? What if they fell asleep? What if? What if? What if?
Well, you know that goes.
My husband, dry as usual, said......."just open your mouth and talk, you'll be fine"...........my friend, Sheila said,"you'll be wonderful". None of this made me feel warm and fuzzy, but I knew I had to figure it out. The first thing I did was get some rugs together, a blue jean rug, an Adirondack Lodge rug, a few different Solmate Sock rugs, a Mimi's vintage rag rugs, some place mats, and some totes. Then I made up a basket of the stuff I use to make the rugs, to make it easier to explain.......a ball of prepared blue jean strips, the socks and toe clips used to make the sock rugs, strips of the upholstery selvedge used to make the Adirondack Lodge rugs.
I decided to just wing it, and take my husband's advice.
Most of the ladies there were my mother's age, and actually I felt very comfortable with them. I just told them my story, how I started weaving, how it turned into a business, and how I found the house in Kingsbury that became Crazy as a Loom Weaving Studio.



I guess I talked about an hour, and they were all very attentive, and interested. Afterwards, they all came up to tell me how much they enjoyed it. In the course of the talk, I said that I was happy to be 62, and done with nursing. They told me that they were SO surprised at my age, they thought I was in my LATE 40's.........imagine that??? Well, even if it is not true.....it was nice of them to say.
Does anyone ever mind having someone think they are younger than they really are????

So I came home, and told my husband I was going to be a motivational speaker in my spare time.
He is used to my antics, so his answer was no surprise.
"What spare time?"
But actually, I was thinking about it, and what better way to promote yourself, than to tell groups of people about what you do? And especially groups that have actually ASKED you to be there.
So I have to think about that one.


Tomorrow it's back to work on custom orders.
And I have to make chicken broccoli crepes for my daughter's birthday dinner. I haven't made them in donkey years, so I hope I remember how.

You notice that all the pictures I put up hide my extra 20 lbs?
I was pretty pleased with that maneuver.
But not so pleased with the 20 lbs.
I have to get serious about losing it. Unfortunately, I love to eat, and I hate the cold, so I don't go out and walk as much as I should.
Thank goodness, spring appears to be imminent.
So I need to get moving. So if I DO become a motivational speaker, I won't have to hold rugs up in front of me.
:)

3 comments:

Eulalia Benejam Cobb said...

I'll be interested to hear how your motivational speaking pursuits turn out. It sounds as though you really enjoyed giving the talk, and that must mean something. I'm always fascinated by women's stories of how they turned their passion into a business. I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who'd like to hear what you have to say. Go for it!

Candy Duell said...

You would be wonderful. I know first hand! :)
Go for it, you never know how busy you just may be, not that is what your looking for, a second, or third career :)

Hilary said...

Good for you. Public speaking is a panic-inducing situation for me, so I envy your ability to just wing it. Not to mention your fine talent.

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