New Projects

In my last post, I talked about how I wanted to really get commited to living life to the fullest; not doing things half-way anymore.

To that end, I have started a few new projects. I have been trying to write a novel for the past several years, and I’ve never been able to finish anything. My first project is to blog a novel. I’ve posted the first two chapters, and am currently writing the third. It’s a romance novel about an authoress who ends up in the world of the books she has been writing.

If you would like to read along (and I’m hoping you will), the chapters can be found on Writer at Home.

My other project is to go back to school. Kinda.

Five years ago, my parents bought me a cake decorating kit for my birthday. I had been looking forward to it, and quickly jumped into making cakes. I’ve made cakes for birthdays and a couple other events since then, but I’ve never actually gotten serious about it.

Then I was flipping through channels a few days ago, and I came across a show called Amazing Wedding Cakes. Watching them design cakes, and seeing some of the cool new tools that are available now, I got interested really interested again. A day later, I agreed to make a cake for my Grandmother’s birthday. Then the local adult education brochure showed up. There are two cake decorating classes, spread out over 12 weeks, that go from the very basics through advanced techniques. Again, the courses will be a gift from my mom, dad and step-mom for my birthday.

Assuming I can find a babysitter one evening a week, I’ll be taking a cake decorating course. I’m also putting word out that I’m interested in making cakes for family and friends who might need one. Eventually, I’m planning on decorating cakes professionally, as a “money making hobby.” To actually start a baking/catering/cake decorating type business, you need to get permits, have a separate kitchen, and go through a health inspection. I live in an apartment with a tiny kitchen.  And I only want to be doing this on the side, anyhow. I’m still a writer first.

I have a couple people in mind for potential babysitters, and I’m fairly confident that it will work out. I’m really looking forward to being able to get out of the house for a couple hours a week, doing my own thing. It’ll be nice to tackle something that is a bit of a challenge.

In the mean time, I have a lot of work to keep me busy. I need to finish the third chapter of my book, and I have to get a little extra work done each day at this point, too.  I also want to find the time to practice up on a few cake decorating skills between now and the first class. Especially for the beginner class, I want to go in with a head start. I’d like to be able to show off just a bit.

Tagged as: In the Life