Gutter Girlz Prompt #33

Title: should, could, would, ought...

The Gutter Girlz prompt #33 is a 3 part challenge, I managed to do 2 parts:

• Song: Bad Reputation by Joan Jett; I wrote the lyrics of the song on the red rim framing the dictionary page: A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do...
• Product/Technique: chain (I stitched a ball-chain running from the bird cage).

This page is part of the art journal "for my eyes only" album, but because the journaling is concealed in the envelope on a tag, I felt brave enough to share it.

So what is this about? It's about little birdies gossiping, as in:"You should go back to work...you could be making money for the family instead of being supported". All of this coming NOT from my souse, but from the people that surround me, and are close enough to be so brazenly opinionated, and thus so hurtful. It wouldn't bother me much if it were some distant acquaintances.

I still work part-time on the weekends, and I've still maintained my professional credentials in case I do need to return to work full-time. But the decision to stay home with the boys has been made by both of us. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back, was that one birdie told me, that the word is out that my spouse's culture was the deciding factor in "forbidding" me to work...speechless truly. It's so sad that people reach their conclusions based on stereotypes and jealousy...I know it's coming from that dark place, yet it still bothers me :(

This page came about one such morning when I was taking all of this ugly gossip in. I looked down at my tea and noticed the tea tag brand "Higher Living"(photo). It was almost like a sign from the universe that my decision to stay home with the kids is truly "higher living". When I was working full-time, I was very tired and frustrated that I don't have time for art, decorating our home, or even energy for cooking dinner. Now, as I've captured in these few photos, I wake up in the morning (usually after scrapping till 2-3 a.m.), infuse some tea, check my email, read some scrappy magazines or books, look outside and feel grateful I don't have to skid across the freeway for 1-2 hour commute to work, ponder whether I want to build a snowman with the boys or go to the library...I have so many choices, and a freedom to plan my day full of productive activity, or just be a lazy bum :) I know that this stage of my life is temporary, and I'm enjoying this while it lasts.

I think feminism needs to be redefined. It's not that women need to work to prove themselves equal to the boys, it's all about the freedom of choice. Like the lyrics of Jon Jett's song go: A girl can do what she wants to do and that's what I'm gonna do...

Supplies:
Cardstock: Die Cuts with a View; Stamps: Mobe's; Rub-ons: Hambly; Ink: Colorbox Clearsnap; Pen; Zig (black, Uniball Signo (white); Punchinella: Pat Catan's; Pinking shears: Fiskar's; Circle cutter: Provo Craft; Envelope, tag, staples, and paper clip: Office supply.