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This time last year, I did not know where my life was going. I was studying constantly for the LSAT and preparing to take it in October for the second time. I went to a jammed packed weekend class, did practice problems, and cried my eyes out several times. I would lay awake in bed at night wondering what to do with my life. I was stressed because the more I thought about it, the more I felt a churning feeling in my stomach about what decision to make. Several days after taking the test, I still upset by all of these emotions. Even when I had my score returned, I wasn’t excited, joyful, or relieved. All I could think about day in and day out was wondering what a law degree would do for me in my dream career. After continually mulling over what to do, I woke up one morning and literally had a new outlook on life. No joke, I decided that I would follow my dream job, a job in design, writing, and creativity to see where life would take me. I chose to give it a year off from school after graduating college to think things over. I needed time to make a plan for my career. If there’s a will there’s a way for me so, I planned to apply for jobs anywhere within this creative career field to see what doors would open. If during that year, I did not find a place to settle in, back to law school or graduate school I would go.

During the last semester of my senior year, I was informed of a writing internship with Southern Progress Coorporation in Birmingham. The thought of writing for a magazine stirred up all kinds of excitement in me. A professor approached me about the job and assured me I was a shoe in for their program. I felt confident about the position, but still tried to focus on reality. The day finally came for me to find out if I was accepted and alas, no phone call. After hearing buzz that the corporation had suffered cutbacks and financial trouble, I was only left to assume that I didn’t get chosen or that interns were cut out. Devastated was the only word to describe my life at this time. I had just witnessed a tornado that abruptly ended my UA career, cancelled my college graduation, and then I had this bomb dropped on me. I realized so many things in the wake of that stormy time, I was clinging to the little things in life and thankful to be alive. Throughout a crazy summer full of catering for friends, photography gigs, weddings and doing craft fairs, I took on the attitude that what was meant to be would somehow come my way. Yes, I had a free bird’s attitude, indeed. Finally, my graduation day arrived. It was full of a plethora of emotions as I realized I did not know what was coming next. Where did I belong now? I could no longer hide myself under the covers of the college student blanket. I needed a place to be and a place to thrive. I had all these ideas of how to make this and make that, but nowhere to release my creativity except with the crafts I completed at home. I was hoping and praying that something bigger would come along. I wanted to be able to craft on my own for fun and craft for a job, of course. On July 28th, I set up my craft booth on 6th Street in Tuscumbia, right out front of a company called Carter McGuyer Design Group. Until my set up, I hadn’t realized that the building was there. I realized that during four years of college, Tuscumbia had changed quite a bit! I peeked in their windows and adored what I saw. There, the modern design studio of my dreams, full of kitchen gadgets, ridiculously gorgeous furniture, beautiful hardwood floors, and stunning paint colors. I simply could not get enough of what I saw. For a moment, I thought I was in New York City. I was dying to know more about it and wondering how a sleek establishment such as this had managed its way into tiny downtown Tuscumbia.

Life went on for a couple of weeks until a close friend contacted me about a possible job opportunity. Of course, I was chomping at the bit to find out just where this possibility awaited me. Through a conversation with him, he explained that the people of Carter McGuyer Design Group/ Carter and Co. were looking for a potential employee. My heart dropped. I literally could not believe that the moment was upon me. I had a chance to actually go inside that gorgeous building for a potential opportunity to work there. During my interview we talked and talked for over an hour. There was so much to see and say. I left there in awe and I wanted to turn around and walk right back inside. I was and still am pinching myself about the whole experience. These people are a husband and wife team designing all kinds of great things. They have many talents and best of all, a vision. From kitchen tools at Williams Sanoma and Crate and Barrel to beach bags on Good Morning America, I cannot get enough. I am stunned, what else am I to think? It’s not as if I am starting off in a job that I know is going nowhere. Instead, I have the chance to embark on something better than I ever expected. So, back on to that dream job topic. I bet you know I’ll be having way too much fun thinking up items for their Carter and Co. canvas line and sewing up samples. The creative possibilities are literally endless. A brainstorming meeting about bags and accessories on Monday morning, you say? I’m there. I’ll be writing their blog (Eeeekkk!), handling their social media, and helping them do whatever else they need in that gorgeous office off Main. The truth is, I can’t believe it is really happening. These people already feel like kindred spirits to me. When I’m with them, all I want to do is talk ideas and potential. Things have come together for me and quite quickly at that. Now, I’m happily emotional. All I want to do is cry because the dream job has happened to me. I get to work for these awesome people and help them make a vision into a tangible product! How am I going to go to sleep tonight? I’m right where I want to be and I think we all know who I’ve got to thank.
P.S. Thanks to all you readers for believing in me!!!!!! Kind words and encouragement will not be soon forgotten.

Check out their sites:
http://cartercooperative.com/
http://cartermdesign.com/
Images courtesy of cartermdesign.com and cartercooperative.com