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I’ve debated this topic for the past few weeks, obviously, that debate is over. I made these decisions over the past couple of years, here they are. Bethel Hill Signs will cease to exist some time this year. I believe I am a moderately talented sign maker, even a little better at pictorials, murals, & portraits. But I am a miserable business owner. Absolutely terrible at that! I’ve been working harder, & longer than anyone should. Two full-time jobs is too much. Even worse is the fact that I am twice as far in debt now as I was when I built this house in 1985. That doesn’t make any sense at all and I’m not going to carry it. We are putting the house & shop in a realtor’s hands tomorrow. It’s a good location on the main highway, yet secluded. It would be ideal for a small business of any kind to operate out of. I designed & built the house, added the shop in 2000. It’s all one building and fairly unique, I think. I say ‘we’ are selling the house, etc. meaning my wife and I. In April we would celebrate 31 years together… but that’s not going to happen; unless the divorce isn’t final by then. And that won’t be much of a celebration! I’ve struggled the best I could since Chris’ death in 99 to keep this thing together; but can’t make it happen, when some things break they just can’t be fixed. My attorney is working on the papers, agreements and all that junk that goes into ending this mess. My youngest, Darren and I are going to rent locally until he finishes high school in 08. Then we will probably move closer to Cincinnati, where I work and he will have more opportunities for work & school. Lynn and I are selling everything, settling our debts, splitting what’s left and going our separate ways. It may seem odd to some of you, but I am not saddened by any of this. A little melancholy but more relief than anything else. I’m looking forward to a lot less ‘stuff’ in my life; I’m going to live a lot lighter than ever before. I’ve got my kids (they are truly beautiful & amazing), my guns, fishing gear, some old golf clubs and I plan to enjoy a little time in the woods ( I hunt & golf in the woods;) ) a little time at the lake ( I fish & golf in the lake) I’m not going to spend any more time than absolutely necessary chasing $$$. 40 hours a week and that’s it I’m in good health, and hope to have 25+ years in me. Plenty of time to swap lies and laugh at the idiocy of what we convince ourselves is important. And truly hope I can recognize the most important things for what they are. Healthy relationships, good friends, my kids, and grandkids. The awesome wonder of this life. Love. I hope to have another chance at that! I think I do… I want to remain connected to this place full of talented people that I admire and respect. I want to keep a hand in some wall work, some big murals, some fine art and portraiture. Me and my overhead projector… Maybe do some traveling farther to meets. Get a hand in on some projects here & there. What comes comes. I’m going to enjoy rolling with it Life will be good, again!
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Never after building up as much as you have, but starting over with as little or less was still a lesson I've experienced more then once. Only once with a marriage and child... I feel for you... both the melencholy & the relief.
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Thanks All, prevalent sentiments I hear everywhere! I'm looking forward to the light at the end of what's been a long dark tunnel. And so is Darren!! I was reduced to tears when he told me how tough its been for him...too. Edited cuz i can't spell the little words!
[ March 10, 2007, 08:30 AM: Message edited by: Bill Dirkes ]
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Been in the thick end of being self employed and know what you are going through.
I filled bankrupcey 5 years ago and live on a cash only bases. it wasn't nice at first... I thought long and hard about whoi I owed money to and what I was about to do.
I am going to tell you that life is more comforting know that I only have to worry about me and not Big $$$$.....
I work for someone else now and still pride myself as a Sign, Graphic Designer.
I am not dead yet and am still full of new ideas. Maybe one day my boat full of money will come in and hopefully yours too!
Best of luck to you and remember if you wake up in the morning with a hard on and a heartbeat you should be happy! LOL
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6736 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bill, I've been through similar situations, unfortunately more than once. What you have typed out here tells me your head is OK. The fact that you are feeling relief is a good sign....a very good sign and whatever you do, don't feel guilty about feeling relief. Wishing you the best.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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A life without changes is one without growth. I see many on here refer to it as "second chances", and to me that seems to imply that you "messed up". Life is a series of chances. Each day brings choices. As we grow, we make better choices. The path you are leaving holds a treasure of value, and will help in the next chapter of your journey.
Maya Angelou says something like this ... "I did what I knew at the time, and when I knew better, I did better"
Rather than seeing things as successes and failures, I prefer to just look at life as experiences. Stepping stones. Hopefully you will bring the lessons learned with you as you move forward in your life. Just as long as you are moving forward, that's the important thing.
We evolve, we reinvent ourselves, and we are all works in progress, constantly.
As Mike Pipes says, I hope you enjoy the benefits of a more simplified life. I also hope you live it with gratitude.
Best of luck to you!
~nettie
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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Bill, I feel so bad. I truly hope you do well, whatever direction you take.
I am a really bad business woman, myself. I am getting so much better at my work, especially my brushwork, but I need help with running it all. As long as my husband helps me I am ok. He keeps me in line, & makes sure I am charging what I need to charge. Please don't be hard on yourself.
And don't quit coming to meets! Who knows, you may end up with your own shop again, or even working for another sign painter, & you can introduce them to us!
Be blessed Bill!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Again Guys, Thanks for your thoughts! I wrestled for almost five years with some of this, threatened seriously four years ago. I am so glad to have made the choices I've made. Don't feel bad for me, I'm pretty dam happy about it. Things won't be great money-wise, it's gonna cost me a lot, every week... but I won't be living under a bridge any time soon (I hope) Although I reserve the right to fall asleep fishin in the river under said bridge this summer! It's the best part of fishing.
BTW anybody need a home/shop combo? have I got a deal for you
-------------------- Bill Dirkes Cornhole Art LLC Bellevue, Ky. Goodnight Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. Posts: 591 | From: Bellevue,Ky. US | Registered: Aug 1999
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Starting over is like a breath of fresh air. I will be happy to tell you how I know.
Be happy. I wish you the best. Truly.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6454 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Bill, I am so proud of you for taking control of your life. You are d making concious changes....all good things. The others before me have said most of it....change is good, new choices are exciting....there is no such thing as failure...we all learn from what we try, and then make new decisions that make us happier and the knowledge we gather makes us all stronger. The main thing is WE TRY....you will go far....your mind is open to all the new possiblities..and that makes you able to move forward. Much happiness and success to you.
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Were all behind you, wishing you and your family the best.
J.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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