Blessed out of my socks

Today was my first full day at the gallery. I spent much of it at the computer creating forms... guest list for visitors to sign (leaving out the place for snail mail addresses. I just want email addresses) and, finally, a price list for portraits. I seem to have been avoiding pinning the prices down. But they are pinned, folks. In black and white. Prices affordable and ones I can live with for a while. I do want to raise them before too long, but I'll do fine with these for a bit. Pastel portraits, 11 x 14, head and shoulders, starting at $200.00. Oil portraits, 24 x 36, full figure, up to 2400.00. Still very underpriced, but I won't feel angry quoting those prices. I want to feel positive about being adequately compensated for the hours of work involved.
I talked with dozens of people today who wandered in, several who took cards and the new price lists. They all loved Mary and Pamela's work, too. I'm so proud that they're involved with the gallery. Their work is top notch and SO beautiful. One woman from Ireland really wanted a painting of Mary's but her husband said no. I experienced this so many times when I worked two summers in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, in my 20's. Busloads of churchfolks came to town to see the Passion Play there, and they'd come into the gift shop where I did portraits and over and over I'd hear a woman say, "Look, Honey, I love this." And a man would say, "No." Just, "No." If that doesn't make you a feminist, nothing will.
I took my first credit card payment today. Cool, yes? A student paying for her personal instruction day with me in a few days.
I grinned all day.
You are witness to pure joy.
-Happy Susan