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FreeingMyAngelWings

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Wow, time sure has flown since my last journal entry. It certainly has been some time. Ever since my car accident with the deer in October of 2022, I slowly went into a spiraling whirlwind of depression and I've been pretty busy in my life since then.


Soooo let's start with work....things have been, well---interesting to say the least. I was back on day shift after we had found someone for the overnight shift, but that didn't last too long. I'm back on the crazy night shifts again. Although I was back on 5 days a week instead of 6, it felt good knowing I had an extra day off.


I've been getting more comfortable driving my new car, and honestly I feel it might be too safe for the road (if that's even a thing!). With the safety features, it made me feel relaxed on the road that sometimes it's tough driving it because of the lane assist and automatic steering. At least I have a car that can take me to work and back though!


Convention season is in full bloom! This past April, I was able to attend Steel City Con again and that was a blast. I didn't get to meet too many people, but it was enough to get to meet Kelsey Grammer, Mara Wilson, Nancy Cartwright, and Randy Quaid. Yes, Randy Quaid of all people. Next SCC is in August, which that one is going to be a good one to go to. As for anime conventions, I have 2 coming up. One of them which is next week for MomoCon! My friends and I are driving down and going to the convention 2.5 days. The half day is on Sunday, which for us it takes about 10-12 hours to get to Atlanta. In July, Tekko will be held again and I'll be attending with some family.


As for my health....well, that kinda was a bit of the reason why I've been away. I've honestly been depressed to the point that I haven't really had any time to focus on myself. I've been overcome by medical bills from my neck surgery (which will be a year next week since I got it done), increased utility bills and expenses. I felt to the point that I wasn't able to enjoy take out food or hardly doing anything because I was afraid of spending money on my limited budget. Every time I thought I got ahead, I couldn't. I started to go back to my roots of what made me happy, and it was drawing. I haven't drawn much since I've been away, but I do have a few things to share. ^^


Keep an eye out within the next few days, new artwork coming soon!

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Yeeeeaaah, this is really not my year. I can think of one year that was maybe a notch worse than this, and it would've been 2016 when my grandfather passed away. This year is definitely not my year.


Well, the bad luck train came into the station again and really did a number this time. So....in and surrounding areas of my town, the deer are in rare form. It's bow hunting season, rutting season, and a slew of full moons. The deer are running around crazy and causing a bunch of issues with drivers on the roads. I've been dealing with this all my life, and most recently how I've been traveling to work nearly the past 3 years....but this time was different. Last month, it happened to me as a driver.


I was coming home from work as per usual after a 3pm-11pm shift. It was dark, but not unusually dark. I got about maybe half way home. I was driving in the right lane, listening to my music as per usual. I crept up the hill on the highway and didn't think that this moment would change my life. There was a deer in the middle of the road, just standing there. Granted, I'm going 75mph in a 70 mph zone...so there was little time to react. The way I saw it, I only had a couple of options. First option was to swerve to the right. Only problem with that move was there was no guardrail where I was at, and there is a few inches off the ground from the road so my car would've been off the road. Second option was to swerve to the left, hoping that the deer wouldn't turn around and go in that direction. So, I went to the left. Wrong move on my part. You know the saying, "where there's one deer, there's another"? Well, I didn't. Without warning, there was a second deer behind the one I was trying to avoid and my car smacked straight into the second deer. I heard loud crunches, and I knew that I hit it. But, I didn't think anything of it. I thought, okay...maybe I just got a couple bumps and dents on the front fender. I drove maybe less than a 1/4 of a mile when my car started to make a lot of loud and unpleasant sounds. I decided to pull the car over to see what the problem was and turned off the car. I got out of the car and saw that my car was missing half of the front fender, not to mention fluid and a bunch of deer hair inside the front part. I had no choice but to call the State Police because my car debris was in the road and possibly the carcass of the deer. They asked if I was injured, and to be honest....I didn't know how I was feeling. I wasn't injured, but I was sure shaking and feeling upset. My airbag wasn't deployed (and still to this day, don't know how it wasn't is a miracle if you ask me). The police sent out a trooper, which he came about 6 minutes later. I talked with him, and he asked if my car was turned off. I said yes it was, why? He said, your car is leaking a lot of fluid and was in danger of catching on fire if I didn't turn it off. At that point, I realized the extent of the damage that was done to the car. It wasn't and didn't sound good. He called for a tow truck to take my car to a towing place since it was late. I was able to get my belongings the next day and talk with the insurance company about everything. The car was towed to an autobody shop, where the estimate would take place. It took about 3.5 weeks to determine that my car was beyond repair and would be considered totaled. Why did it take so long for them to make that decision? Well, they did actually try to fix it. They ordered parts for the car, which took about a week to come in. Pulled the car into the shop, only to realize that my engine was in bad shape (which they thought it was fine until they lifted it up to replace the engine harness). Now, it was deemed unfixable...then the crap really hit the fan.


The insurance called and said I only had a week to get another car or else the rental would be all on me (they paid 80/20 per my coverage). So, I had to get another car which was stressful because in this economy....you can't find a car on the lot. The new fangle dangle thing is to buy the car online, without test driving it. I had my hopes given up on many times before I was able to buy a car. The car I really wanted would be "available" online, but then when you called to reserve the car or went to the lot...the salesman would say it's coming in soon or already sold. When they mean coming soon, they don't know when it would exactly be here. It could be within the week to 8 months from now. 8 MONTHS MAX. I couldn't wait that long for a car. I started to give up hope until my father helped me out. He found a car at our local Mazda dealer and said to go there in the morning, which they had a car similar to what I wanted at the price range I was looking for. I went there in the morning, and of course same thing....coming soon. But, they did have a car on the lot that was brand new and ready to take home. It wasn't exactly my choice of car that I wanted, but none of the less it was a car. It was more money than what I was expecting to pay, but I really had no choice in the matter. I was on a time crunch for a car. After I bought it and took it home for the first time, I started to have anxiety and panic attacks. I was thinking "Could I afford this car? Would I be able to drive it because it was bigger than my last one? Am I going to be able to drive in the dark safely?" All of this was swirling in my mind, making me so nervous about driving. After having this car for about 5 days, I'm starting to get more and more comfortable driving it. It's certainly different and has more safety features on it, but at least I can get used to it.


So, needless to say....this year sucks. With the 1st accident earlier this year, my neck surgery, and now this accident....I can't catch a break. Hopefully things will be better, hopefully being keyword in this. :pray:

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Yeeeep. Basically what I've been feeling lately. I've been in such a crummy mood, more so after my surgery. It all started after I got home from having my neck surgery (which I'm fine now and back to work). I was basically housebound for more than 3 weeks, couldn't drive or lift anything over 5 pounds. I felt like I was helpless, I couldn't do anything that I wanted to. Drawing made my neck hurt from bending it down too much for too long, all I could do was veg and watch Netflix/TV all day long....and that got really boring after a while. Soon after, I started to get in medical bills and regular bills. Since I was out of work, I had no money coming in except for my short term disability money....and that was a pain in the rear to even get. Even with that short term disability paying me, it wasn't enough to cover for the bills. Alas, I was able to pay for 99% of my bills. But, this left me in financial ruin. I'm still trying to bounce back after being off for just under 2 months. I've been working 6 days a week when I could to get some extra overtime and pay. I've even resorted to selling off some of my things and accepting commissions. My commissions didn't take off, so I couldn't rely on that to help me out. Hence, why I'm working the 6 days a week. With all my money troubles, I'm having a tough time trying to find motivation to do things....like my commissions I already owe (@elsquibbonator and Lady-of-Link ) and I appreciate that you both have been so patient for your commissions. I do apologize, but it's just been rough around the edges when you are suffering from having no money and constantly worrying about how my rent or my car loan will be paid.


I will lay out my commissions here in case if you would like one:

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Okay everyone, so I'm going to make a sale for my commissions! From now 6/23/22 until 7/23/22, I will be adding a special sale! I could really use some extra money for some medical bills coming in. My short term disability is not what I had anticipated it would be, and it's getting honestly worrisome if I can afford to pay for the bills. So, I gotta try what I can do!


Now, I will list my rules that I have for my commission work:


:bulletgreen:Commission will be started upon payment. The time frame depending on complexity will range from 1 day to 3 days. My neck is keeping me from bending it down long periods of time. I have started to doing physical therapy and getting it exercised, I might be a tad bit slower getting the commission out so I would appreciate and thanks in advance for your patience. :pray:


:bulletgreen: Please include a reference for your character that you would like done (OC, Fanart, etc.) I can go off by descriptions, but it would be a lot easier with a reference.


:bulletgreen:I'm accepting Paypal (USD $) for my commissions! My Paypal address is: bethany.romano1@gmail.com


:bulletgreen:These things I will Draw:

-OCs

-Fanart

-Yaoi/Yuri

-Chibis

-Anthro

-Dragons

-Dogs

-NSFW (please note to see if I am comfortable drawing the specified thing you are looking for. Some are over the top for me to do, others I'm okay with.)


:bulletred:I will NOT Draw:

-Mechas/Robots

-Complex Animals

-Pedophilia


*If you have a question or if it is borderline, it never hurts to ask for clarification if I can do it or not.

*I reserve the right to deny a commission that I think I will not be able to complete or will go against my ethics.


:bulletgreen:I will have a certain amount of spots for the commissions, just so I won't get overwhelmed by everything.

1) Lady-of-Link- Chibi Azel :bulletorange: (Previous Point Commission)

2) ElSqiubbonator- Sketch of Speartooth and my OC Serena :bulletgreen: (Previous Point Commission)

3)

4)

5)

Progress Keys

:bulletblue:Awaiting Payment

:bulletgreen:Sketching

:bulletpurple:Inking

:bulletorange:Coloring

:bulletred:Done, needs submitting


:bulletgreen:Here are my prices and examples:

Headshots: $5....**NOW $3***

Chibis: $10....**NOW $5**

Busts: $15.....**NOW $10**

Full Body: $20....**NOW $15**


Commission- Rayne Amaranth
Curious One, Serena Markhaven
One Tree Hill-Brooke Davis
Chibi Legolas- Lord of the Rings
Breaking Free from Fibromyalgia
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That's right everyone! I finally was able to get everything working and going for my commissions! I'm officially open for Traditional Commissions! *cuts the ribbon* :la:


I'm going to be opening up these commissions to help me with some of my medical bills that I have from my surgery and other regular bills that I have. I started the process for my short term disability, but it still takes 2-3 weeks for me to get some income.....and what's worse is that it's not a full paycheck like I normally get. It will be cut to just over half of my normal income. Not only that, I will start physical therapy soon and that's a $50 co pay each time as well. Sooooo, it's time to break out the pencil and for me to get drawing.


Now, I will list my rules that I have for my commission work:


:bulletgreen:Commission will be started upon payment. The time frame depending on complexity will range from 1 day to 3 days. My neck is keeping me from bending it down long periods of time. Until I start physical therapy and getting it exercised, I might be a tad bit slower getting the commission out so I would appreciate and thanks in advance for your patience. :pray:


:bulletgreen: Please include a reference for your character that you would like done (OC, Fanart, etc.) I can go off by descriptions, but it would be a lot easier with a reference.


:bulletgreen:I'm accepting Paypal (USD $) for my commissions! My Paypal address is: bethany.romano1@gmail.com


:bulletgreen:These things I will Draw:

-OCs

-Fanart

-Yaoi/Yuri

-Chibis

-Anthro

-Dragons

-Dogs

-NSFW (please note to see if I am comfortable drawing the specified thing you are looking for. Some are over the top for me to do, others I'm okay with.)


:bulletred:I will NOT Draw:

-Mechas/Robots

-Complex Animals

-Pedophilia


*If you have a question or if it is borderline, it never hurts to ask for clarification if I can do it or not.

*I reserve the right to deny a commission that I think I will not be able to complete or will go against my ethics.


:bulletgreen:I will have a certain amount of spots for the commissions, just so I won't get overwhelmed by everything.

1) Lady-of-Link- Chibi Azel :bulletorange: (Previous Point Commission)

2) ElSqiubbonator- Sketch of Speartooth and my OC Serena :bulletgreen: (Previous Point Commission)

3)

4)

5)

Progress Keys

:bulletblue:Awaiting Payment

:bulletgreen:Sketching

:bulletpurple:Inking

:bulletorange:Coloring

:bulletred:Done, needs submitting


:bulletgreen:Here are my prices and examples:

Headshots: $5

Chibis: $10

Busts: $15

Full Body: $20

Commission- Rayne Amaranth
Curious One, Serena Markhaven
Point Commission: Space Dog
Chibi Legolas- Lord of the Rings
Breaking Free from Fibromyalgia
One Tree Hill-Brooke Davis
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