Do you know that feeling when you’re working on a project,  get 3/4 of the way through; feeling proud as a peacock, you start to look back on your stitches or whatever you’re making, when you notice there’s a mistake and you have to rip out all the stitches and begin again? The immediate reaction, almost anyone would have would be anger, I’m there…totally get that. Maybe it’s not a project that you’re working on that isn’t going right, but plans you’ve made to go see a friend for a nice long weekend or something bigger like stepping out on your own and working for yourself, whatever it is something along the way starts to come undone. You’re not sure why the world or God is conspiring against you at this moment and you begin to ask “why me”. I am going through something very similar myself right now and have run the gambit of emotions, from questioning if I’m on the right track (if we’re on the right track), feeling sorry for myself, being angry and wanting to stomp my feet to pulling myself up by the boot straps dusting off the dirt and with every bit of gumption and determination I have I set out up the steep hill again, trusting God will reward us for our efforts.

Brian and I began a new adventure in December, working together on not his business or my business, but our business. We have opened up a new Etsy shop (Secondnaturewoodwork) we are focusing our efforts on creative woodworking. He’s the woodworker, I’m the painter, collaborator and the computer gal who runs the shop. I have always wanted to combine efforts to see what would emerge and frankly it’s difficult running two separate businesses under one roof, although running a business together can show you real fast where your strengths and weaknesses are as a couple and business partner.  Part of the coming undone part for us has been learning to collaborate effectively. Getting our thoughts and ideas in sink, working on tiny but important business details that aren’t ground breaking but still important. He has his way I have mine and there are days it feels as if everything we knew how to do has to become undone in order to be rebuilt in a new way.  It’s a challenge there’s no doubt, but one I embrace (most days), lol.

Brian and I  will be married 20 years this February, so we’re not new to working side by side while raising a family or working at home, but this is a bit different. We have chosen this route because everything we were working on completely and totally separate wasn’t working anymore. The coming undone part has reminded me to trust in the process and the plans God has for us. Coming undone is almost always necessary in any journey, no matter what it is we face… forget the fear and keep moving forward.

*Just a note: My Soap is still available in my Etsy , Blossom and I’m sure I will always make soap and have it for sale (soapmaking is addictive), but it’s still made on a very small scale.