If you have kids who have gone through this process – you know what I mean when I say “wow! I thought we’d be in preparation / application / wonder mode forever!” If you have younger kids, know that this is a process… and not a short one.

Last night as I sat watching tv, my printer started spitting out paper. (Such is the wireless world we live in – my son hits “print” in the other room and I’m startled in mine – every time!) I glanced over expecting to see some physics or marketing project coming out and noticed the red Boston University logo… wow! This is it – it’s for real! The decision is made – my baby is going to BOSTON in the fall…

I’m becoming one of “those mothers” – the ones who start saying things like “it goes by so fast!” and “how did he get so old when I feel like I’ve barely aged” – it’s true!  And now I’ll add “how did I become one of those mothers???”

Since this sweet little boy was born, we’ve been planning and talking about the day he’d head off into the world – to college, to a job, to… who knows what.  I know that my job has been to raise him to be an independent, kind, thoughtful and responsible young man – if I do say so myself, I think I’ve done a great job!  But that doesn’t mean I’m not a bit overwhelmed and sad and excited at this milestone we are about to go through…

How did this little boy sleeping on his Harry Potter sheets turn into the cowboy making funny faces and the teen who doesn’t like getting his photo taken for the first day of school – but is wonderful enough to humor his mom?

We’ve had some great adventures – my son and I!  And as I went through them to pick some for this post, I realized I WANT MORE!  So I’m charging the batteries and he better be ready to smile for the camera – my days of easy access to this kid are limited so I better get snap happy!  (Please don’t warn him or he might not come home!)

But you know what – this really isn’t about me.  I’m over-the-moon excited for him and know he is going to love Boston and flourish.  I’m incredibly proud and even though he still says I’m not allowed to cry yet – I will if I want to and yes, there are a few tears of joy flowing now.

We are so excited that the applications, SATs, ACTs, information meetings and everything else that goes into figuring out college is done… extra excited that he got into Boston University which has been at the top of his list.  I, like every mom before me, will survive this journey – and he, like every kid, will survive my emotional outpourings.

That’s a little peek into this artist’s life today – hope yours is wonderful as well!

– Tara Reed

Forget green beer… play Bunco!

I recently received the following in an email from a new user of my Print-Your-Own-Bunco kits:

“Just wanted to let you know that my Bunco Party was a success today the ladies had a blast and can’t wait to do it again. I used your art work and the detail of it was a wow factor act the party.

Thanks again till my next Bunco Party!”

This just warmed my heart because this was my intention when creating the themed kits for Bunco – to help Bunco hostesses everywhere add that extra touch to their party.

This week would be the perfect time to gather the girls and roll the dice with the Leapin’ Leprechaun Bunco Kit.  Not sure how to play?  I have the rules on the website too >> PrintYourOwnBunco.com/how-to-play.html

Here’s to good times with your girlfriends – may the luck of the Irish be with you as you roll the dice!

– Tara Reed

Today I sign the papers to sell my house… happy and weird at the same time.  My son and I have been there since my divorce in 2004, it’s where I built my business, it’s where my son grew into the amazing young man he is today – on the brink of heading off to college and out into the world.  There is some real history here.

But it’s time for the next chapter so hand me the pen!

Goodbye to the house that has sheltered us, been transformed with us and been the place of so many lessons and amazing memories.  We hope the next family loves you as much as we have…

The next four months will be in an apartment, close to my son’s school and friends and work.  When we moved back to Portland in April of 2004 I made both of us a promise – that I would give him the stability of staying put until he graduated from high school – he’d lived in 8 places by the time he was 11.   Even though the house sold 3.5 months before he puts on his cap and gown – we are still close and he’s digging our new apartment.

This time will go quickly I’m sure but I plan to cherish every moment of it.  Who knows where he will end up come fall –  He’s applied to schools all over the country so there is no guarantee that when I’m missing my baby I can hop in a car and take him out to lunch.

In July we will move into our newly remodeled home and in August I’ll be getting hitched!  2012 is quite an eventful year!  So it’s time to close the book on this amazing chapter of life and look forward to what comes next.

– Tara Reed

Wishing you much love and happiness – where ever it comes from – this Valentine’s Day!

– Tara Reed

I am quite honored to have been asked to participate in the newest online course (I hate to call it that because I really believe it is going to be so much more than that!) by Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls. When I look at the other people involved I pretty much pinch myself and say “Really? Little ol’ me gets to do this?” It is so exciting to be a part of something that says “Yes! You can have your art and your cake too! No need to starve! No need to sell your soul! Find your passion and find your way…”

I fully expect to be blown away, inspired, and left speechless at the end – I can assure you I’ll be there at every one of these soul sessions!  I thought it might be of interest to some of my blog readers as well.

That is me paraphrasing… here is how they describe the Hello Soul – Hello Business

The Business Soul Sessions is brought to you by internationally-renowned mixed media artist and author Kelly Rae Roberts, and award-winning entrepreneur Beth Nicholls, founder of Do What You Love. This collaboration was born out of a shared vision to revolutionise the way entrepreneurs approach business. We want to inspire a new generation of business owners who build businesses with soul, infuse them with beauty, and have a positive impact in the world. And we want those business owners to flourish, embrace abundance, and make more money than they thought possible doing what they love.

This revolutionary online course consists of nine powerful Business Soul Sessions, delivered over nine weeks from January 16 2011. Brought to you by the entrepreneurial powerhouse of Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls, this experience will be rich and deep, fulfilling and inspiring. Each Soul Session focuses on a particular aspect of building your business. Sessions consist of:

• Thought-provoking posts that will have you thinking about business in completely new, inspiring ways – ways that will get you excited to breathe more life and soul into your business model, so that more joy and profit results
• Juicy audio discussions between us – Kelly Rae Roberts and Beth Nicholls – where we spill the beans on exactly how we have grown our businesses (never-before-heard, in-depth sharing of best mistakes, worst mistakes, actual $ figures and more)
• LIVE webinars where you get to ask us anything you’d like – insightful advice and commentary will be shared as part of this conversation
• Real life case studies – where we dissect and offer growth strategies for the actual businesses of a handful of students from the class
• Interviews with highly influential business and thought leaders sharing invaluable insights and advice
• Prompts to spark lively discussions with other entrepreneurs in the class
• An abundance of mini-masterclasses to solve those burning practical questions (see below)
• Challenging and insightful exercises to help you dive deep, dream big and plan properly to enliven the soul of your business while making more money than you thought possible.

Together we will create a soul + profit roadmap for your business, resulting in more beauty, more profit, more joy and a real positive impact in the world.

All this PLUS a private community space to connect and share with others from all over the world

Class starts 1/16! To learn more, head to HelloSoulHelloBusiness.com.

Be sure to look at the amazing group of people Kelly Rae and Beth have assembled for this event here: http://hellosoulhellobusiness.com/whos-incontributors/

Enough of my babbling – check it out and decide if it feels like a fit for you.

Here’s to your creative success!

– Tara Reed

P.S. If you decide to sign up, I’d appreciate it if you say you heard about it from me at registration – there isn’t a formal affiliate program but I get some props for helping artists find their way to this very cool concept!

I was so excited the other day when I wandered through Office Depot hoping to find the coffee and fashion products… I was OVER-THE-MOON excited when I did!

Almost a year in the working, the coffee and fashion themed note cards, spiral bound notebooks, weekly list pads, magnets, sticky tabs are now available at an Office Depot near you – and for only $1 each! Great for the car, stocking stuffers, whatever – I said they were only a dollar right?

Here is a photo of my first products to be in Office Depot – if you find yourself in the store be sure to check them out!

Wishing you a very happy holiday season!

– Tara Reed

My fiancé and I are doing and getting lots of work done on our new-old house.  The other day we were having some cool Red Cedars trimmed and the dead wood removed so they don’t fall on our house in a windstorm.  I was surprised when I got a call from our fabulous tree guy – Joe – saying, “there are raccoons in one of the trees, I can’t do the work there.”

What?  Raccoons in  a tree?  My experience with raccoons has been limited to campground sitings, trash can sightings and yes, I’ll say it, road kill sightings.  I have never seen or heard of a raccoon in a tree.  So today, I learned something new.

Raccoons actually build nests in trees where they are protected from other animals and the elements.  Dare to go near them – especially a mama and two babies which is what we have in our tree – and you risk getting seriously injured.  This nest is about 20 ft off the ground and I swear that mama was giving me the stink eye for even looking at her nest.

The tree was left untouched – so the workers would be as well.  The next day they returned and the raccoons were gone.  Hopefully they decided we were bad neighbors because even though they might look cute here – they can be very aggressive and carry a wide variety of diseases.  Not my idea of a great “yard guest”.

Never a dull moment in a remodel!

– Tara Reed

Meet Marcus – my very-soon-to-be nephew.  At 9 years old he’s about as big an Oregon Duck fan as you will find in the state.  He loves all things yellow and green… don’t even TRY to talk to him about the Beavers… you’ll get a grade-A glare.  This is what happens to a child who grows up with two Duck parents – he becomes an early fan.

Go Ducks!

Saturday was the “Civil War” game in Oregon – when the University of Oregon (Ducks) play Oregon State (Beavers).  It’s quite a state-wide event.  Marcus went to the game with his dad, his Uncle Lenny and a few other Duck die hards and he was ready!  Green & Yellow wig? check! Face paint? check! Duck clothing? check! check!

How very exciting when he caught the eye of the Oregonian Photographer and not only made it online on Saturday but had a color picture in the Sports section of the Sunday Oregonian!  Even though I’m a Nittany Lion and prefer blue and white, I have to say, I was pretty darn excited for him and had to share it with the world!

Way to go Marcus!

A dedicated Dad applies face paint

(photos by Ray Whitehouse, The Oregonian )

May today be whatever your heart desires – frightening, sweet, fun or nothing at all!

– Tara Reed

I was SOOOOO excited when I saw my RedPlum.com ads in the mail last week. I usually flip through quickly before adding them to the recycle bin but this time, lo and behold, I saw my own checks! How very, very exciting!

So, if you like animal prints and fashion you might love the Concrete Jungle checks available at 4checks.com*.  (The are the third down on the far left – pinch me! This is exciting!)

Go order some!

– Tara Reed