I'm Pulling Out and Focusing On My Business - Reality Has Come Knocking

As of this moment, I have no idea if I will win the write-off, but to be honest, I actually am going to have to pull out of LJ Idol and I'm a bit sad about that. I'm also very happy - I did VERY well this year, coming down to a write-off for Top Five. And I'm falling one position short, to a writer with true talent and great imagination. I feel as if this season of LJ Idol has been a total WIN for me, and I thank each and every one of you for your votes over the past weeks. Every vote made a HUGE difference. 

I have to pull out of LJ Idol. I simply have run out of time 
in which to do the myriad amount of tasks that have to be 
accomplished at this time of the year. And the shop is 
now open seven days a week until Christmas, so I'm working 
on Sundays too. "Spare Time" has evaporated for me. 

But, it's the "Holiday Season" and my "spare time" evaporates at this time of the year. I can't afford to short my livelihood for my hobby, and it's totally a rock/hard place type of choice. I'm working on Sundays now until Christmas, so even my weekend disappears under the constraints of "Holiday" sales and marketing. And, of course the holiday will be followed by our "End of the Year" sale. I can't collapse until January. Too late for Idol, I fear, and no actual time to devote to it. 

I already had a pretty good idea of where I would pull my 
story for Wabisabi (the next prompt). But, right now 
I'm resembling this bowl all too much - too many cracks, 
too many things to do, and barely hanging on. 

I knew what I would write for the next challenge piece, but on the paper where I have the prompt is also notations that I need my address list for my holiday cards and some more holiday hours sheets for our customers. When you're self-employed there really isn't any "off" time. You're always on the clock, and you're always working whether you're actually at the shop, or just at a computer. It's not the first time I've wished I simply worked for someone else. It's a lot easier to let someone else make the decisions - scheduling work days, assigning jobs and tasks, etc. If you get high enough in a large enough company, you can use delegation. You can delegate "your people" to do this or do that. LOL I'm one of three - that's not leaving any room for "your people", that's just A, B or C. 

Long ago we had a dream, DH and I, about 
having a business selling fine art and crafts 
that were Native American made to the larger 
audience. Over time we shifted over to offer 
crafting materials to the Native American 
and general crafting community. We've been 
successful, but it's time to back off and regain 
our lives once again. After this holiday season, 
of course - LOL. 

So, as you enter the rest of your holiday season, think about the small business person and if possible, shoot some business their way. It's hard to swim in an ocean of Amazon and other large retailers. Those of us with small businesses are paddling and kicking as hard and fast as we can, but we're barely holding our heads above the waterline. Please, when possible, shop local and use small businesses when possible. We need the business and appreciate your patronage. So, I'm off to email Gary and pull out of LJ Idol. One less bit of stress in my life, but I'm feeling sad. I don't give up on things, and I'm giving up on this one thing I adore - writing. But it's just this time. Watch out, Idol. I'll be back! Slava Ukraini.