a grant application

That’s the Barlow Family General Store in the picture. You may not know it’s there, or that -that- is what lives beyond the curtain. No signage. As some of you probably know, I've been moving into that space since last July. I’m only officially “moved in” as of… last week? What am I talking about?

Here’s the recap. Last year it became apparent to me that I was struggling to juggle domestic work and knitwear/BFGS work. My knitwear studio was in our home, and while that was a good decision for a number of years for a number of reasons, it was no longer working for me, in a big way. I was traveling every month to Wisconsin to spend time with and care for my dying mother. When I was home, my heart and brain felt scattered and overwhelmed. Creativity has been on a big pause. I could only manage recording the podcast, and again, that became less frequent as I struggled to juggle the weight of anticipatory grief. Witnessing my mom as ALS took hold of her body filled me with such a deep sadness, and anxiety. OOF, so much anxiety. Throw in deep perimenopause and ADHD.

Folks, it’s been a hard ass time.

My mom died in February, my period officially stopped (yay menopause!) and I started to see inspired thoughts returning, saying “hi, remember me?” The itch to knit, to make things again. To become curious of things outside of focusing solely on surviving the hard ass time.

I found out recently that our city of Greenfield has a grant available to local shops to help with “storefront improvement”. Welp. That was certainly something I could use help with. The people in my day to day life know how this grant application has been totally outside of my comfort zone. I won’t bore you (too much) with those details. Let’s just say, doing a grant application is fair amount of work involving many folks (contractors, landlord etc) coming together with the goal of getting the damn grant. I’m nearing the finish line and dear lord, I hope to have my application in by tomorrow afternoon. The hope is that our cute little shop would have a nice, proper sign out there. Also lights, that’d be nice. Lighting up the sign. A new door that actually works and is handicap accessible. etc etc. If I don’t “get” the grant, well, I can at least say I tried. I know that would make my mom so proud. She’s really guiding me each step, giving me the courage to see it through.

While doing the grant paperwork I’m also neck deep in learning Quickbooks for the business. Remaining in “good standing” with the Massachusetts Dept of Revenue seems like a good idea. I have a quarterly filing coming up April 30th. Pray for me! (or whatever your equivalent is!)

I can’t believe I’m going to write this, okay here goes, I actually like learning quickbooks. It feels empowering. Actually, it IS empowering right? Learning all about money in and money out and how to categorize etc is knowledge that is currently really grounding me. Grounded is not how I would describe feeling AT ALL in the last two years, so it’s refreshing.

Ok, I’ve got to run, that grant is not gonna write itself and the taxes will not file either without MEEEEEE…..

Remember my currently signless store is always open via the internet and by appointment! For real:) email me to schedule that if you are interested hello@barlowfamilygeneralstore.net

Those are my current fav socks I bought from myself from my store!

There are two discounts currently available at BFGS as well. If you have made one purchase thru the store I can send you a discount code for 17% off your next order (code is good for one year) (17 is Lou’s fav number)

and then the biggie discount is for paid subscribers of this here substack. You can get 20% off your whole order. Does not expire as long as you are a paid subscriber and you can use it as many times as you want! What ? Yup. Use that code below the paywall at check out if you are interested.

Psst, this picture is a link!

Last thing for now, Lou is playing shows this week! I will be with, I’m so looking forward to it. Links to those here and here.

Thanks y’all.

Adelle