I can remember as a child of 8 or 9 years, drawing floor plans. My friend and I would pretend we were designers or landscape architects, and we had "official" manila folders filled with pencil sketches of designs for our "clients." Once Mom helped us construct doll houses for our Barbies out of big cardboard boxes. We built walls and decorated the boxes with wallpaper and homemade furniture. On the weekends we would haul those big boxes over to each other's homes for sleepovers.
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| My 8th Birthday, 1987 |
In high school I felt pressured to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After all, the high school classes I chose would be prerequisites to the college courses I would take, and if I had a prayer of finishing in 4 years, I better know what I want to do before my freshman year. This was all made very clear. It was true...those friends who didn't declare majors going into college ended up on the "extended plan." (I can't remember now why I was so set on finishing in 4 years...maybe lack of funds.)
Sooooo, I decided on Elementary Education. I loved working with children, and have to admit the thought of long summers and holidays off was very appealing. Though I had some doubts throughout my college years, I hung in there, determined to graduate on time.
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| College Graduation, 2002 |
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| Jizzy and Cate, NCCC 2002 |
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| Kelly and Cate, Key West 2003 |
Then, after working at a summer camp and falling in love with Frank, we moved to Park City Utah and worked at a ski resort for a few years. I did attempt to find a teaching job in Park City, but jobs were scarce in that little resort town.
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| Frank and Cate, Park City (from a hot air balloon) 2004 |
Eventually we moved back to North Carolina and I scored a year-round job at my beloved summer camp. Though I was stoked to nab one of the few year-round positions at camp, it was mostly clerical work. Parts of the job I loved, but I ended up feeling a bit unfulfilled.
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| Dreamy camp, 2006 |
Whew, this is turning into a longer post than I planned. I hope you're still with me! I'll speed it up a bit...
After about 4 years in that job and a fabulous wedding, we come to my pregnancy. I knew I wanted to stay home with the babe, and it seemed like a good place to end my camp job and reevaluate my future. I plan to stay home for at least a year, maybe 2 or 3, but how in the hell did 8 months go by already!? I can NOT believe I've been jobless for 8 months. I am loving many aspects of staying at home, but am itching for a creative outlet. This blog will help a bit, I hope, but I want to make a plan for my future. (I'm a planner, can you tell?)
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| Cate and Frank's wedding day, Asheville 2008, photo by Regina Holder |
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| My current "career", precious Elsie B! November 2011 |
There have been many signs lately: books, magazine articles, TV shows, conversations with friends, discussions at church, that have encouraged me to take a step forward and follow my dreams. This article in the November issue of O got me excited today. Driving home from our Thanksgiving in Greensboro, Frank helped me complete the exercises. And my future seems so clear to me now! Perhaps this blog will help keep me accountable to my goal.
The specific goal that the article helped me come up with is "To work as a designer in a small firm, focused on creating spaces that inspire and bring joy." So, what's the next step?
