Treasury Thursday: The Cottage

By the time this post is up, I will well on my way to Michigan, to visit the cottage we go to every summer (my husband's great, great grandfather built it before the turn of the last century).  It is the best vacation ever, full of quiet lounging, long swims, walks on the dunes, trips to the local antique stores and to the White Duck market for bottles of Dog'n'Suds Orange and Cream soda.  I cannot wait.

'The Cottage' by cursiveart

Every summer I go to my husband's family's ancient cottage on Lake Michigan and it is absolutely the most peaceful week of the year, full of swimming, board games, starwatching and scenery.

1930s - Vintage Michig... StoriesDivinat... $21.00	summer half off sale //... bluebutterflyv... $7.00	Vintage 1950s Lovely Wa... ragsfeathers $88.00
Chinese Checkers siamcollection $13.95	Handmade Leather Journa... WeeBindery $32.00	On SALE Mountain Lake S... bythewayside $25.50
PRINT - Flowers LIGHT B... thebigharumph $22.00	Basket, Gourd, Pine Nee... midnightcoiler $33.00	The Red Barn - 24 x 30 ... thePaintedSky $360.00
Stained Glass Owl sunca... Glasserie $22.00	The Perfect Mug / Wheel... patspottery $24.00	Gone for a Sail 4 X 5&q... SarahNiebankHo... $3.50
Clawfoot Tub Necklace BathtubJungle $40.00	BOMBSHELL Vintage 1950s... PinkyAGoGo $95.00	Mental Floss jdoozedesigns $60.00
Custom Constellation Ke... Eviltwinpixie $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Questions, Questions

I have a lot of things to figure out.  Presently unemployed and recently married, my dream job would be to stay home, make art and be a housewife full-time (ideally, of course, making enough on art to my bills and my share of the household expenses).  My secondary dream job: working in a bookstore.  I don't know why, but I've always felt like I could go far working in a bookstore (and get a lot of awesome discounts on new reading material).

However, if the art thing were working out (don't worry, I'll never stop creating) I wouldn't even be looking for a job.  And if it were as simple as getting hired at a bookstore, well, I'd already be working there. So I need to figure out other options.  I am considering going to school at CPCC for an associate's degree in accounting, though after filling out the FAFSA today, I've realized my newly married status gets me no financial aid (I'll have to take out student loans).

So where I am at is: (a) do I go back to school even though we could really use the second income and full-time school will inhibit my ability to work more than a few hours a week? While job-hunting, what else should I look for (if you read the first paragraph, you have an idea of what I like, and I would love to hear suggestions for jobs I may not have otherwise thought of)?  Does anyone know of job openings?

I find myself really frustrated right now, because it's hard to make up my mind what to do.  I continually see how badly we need money and yet know even a two year degree could seriously up my earning potential.  I also hate being supported by my husband or the government (I'm presently on UI).  Just thinking about it makes my shoulders draw right up to my ears.

Looking for input, but not expecting it.  If anyone has suggestions, knows a job I should look into applying for, or wants to suddenly buy a thousand dollars worth of my art monthly so I can focus on what I love most, let me know.