Last One Out...

... turns off the lights! After much soul-searching and careful, prayerful, deliberation I have decided to throw the switch and shut down this blog; for now. There's no way that I can ever thank all my blogging friends for the wonderful experiences of the last three and half years and 728 posts. Someone asked me if I had a bad experience and if that had influenced my hiatus; no, that's not the case at all! I have enjoyed every single minute spent in blogger-land and it makes me sad to think about not being here anymore, I'll miss you! Your support and prayers have fueled me and encouraged my daily efforts, thank you for being here, both for commenting and for following. But, I've decided that it's time for me to go, the hours invested on the computer have simply become entirely too demanding. There's more than just composing and posting; the reciprocal blog visiting, commenting and responding to comments via e-mail have all combined into what could easily be a career move, time-wise. In the weeks that have passed since I've been on a blogging break I have reclaimed that time and focused it on finishing and organizing projects both in the sewing room and around the house; that has provided an enormous amount of peace of mind and I am happy and relaxed at the end of the day. I check my e-mail morning and evening every day, but that's the only time my computer is on anymore. Don't think of this as a permanent good-bye, but more of an "until we meet again" post; the lights might be off but I'm not closing and locking the door. Drop me an e-mail from time to time, I'd love to hear from you and stay in touch, I wish you all well. I am extremely grateful for your time and your friendship.

Life is Good!

~ as always~

On A Break

This blog is on a break. Actually, this blogger is currently conducting an
experiment by spending more hours in and on other areas; basically
investing myself elsewhere. It's all about stewardship of time and it's all good...
Life is Good!

To Market, To Market...

I stitched monograms on a few items last week. (The purses are for identical twins who just so happen to have the same initials!) The Market Basket is my daughter's, isn't it just the cutest thing? It's completely collapsible, the frame comes off (which made the embroidery easy-peasy on this item*) and reattaches with the little velcro tabs, I am going to search for some of these, they would make fantastic Christmas gifts. They are super lightweight, I can literally think of hundreds of uses for a great basket like this; (beyond the market) can't you?

Life is Good!
* this was certainly not the case when it came to hooping in, under, around & through those huge rattan handles on the purses! Arrggh!!

Step By Step

Ever since we returned from a two week vacation last month it seems as though I've been trying to catch up with tasks, responsibilities, commitments and appointments that had piled up while I was gone. I'm not winning in my attempts to get on top of that mountain, but I have done enough now to step back and find the breathing space I've been searching for. Ahhh, it's a good thing that I rested while I was away! In the meantime, life has been racing along at breakneck speed with little regard for me lagging behind. We're into Autumn temperatures and I have yet to pot up some Mums for the front porch and set out my fall Pansies. (I'm hoping that will occur this week for sure.) The quillow project at church is still looming large but, thankfully, I have carved enough space out around me that I can now gain some much needed forward momentum on that task. I have embroidery orders due and a quilt still patiently waiting on the frame. Mason has begun walking and all reports from the Capital City indicate that he's gaining proficiency very quickly. Today I will borrow a page from my grandson's book and take things one step at a time, that's really all any of us can do anyway, right? Instead of stressing about the never-ending "to-do" list and worrying about what's not done perhaps I should concentrate solely on walking...step by baby-step, one foot in front of the other, moving forward.

Life is Good!
Dear God, take my hand today and steady my steps should I falter or stray. I ask for your help in remaining on the path, staying focused and remembering that all that I encounter along the way is a gift and a blessing from You. ~Amen

Where Does It Go?

Time flies when you're having fun, that is most certainly true. It flies when you're not too. Let's face it, time flies. Where does it go? My "to-do" lists have been filled with appointments and commitments lately, there goes the time, in both the planning and the doing. I could write lists upon lists of all the tasks I want to get back to, I need to get back to, the ones that have been crowded out lately; the ones that have been pushed to the back burner because there's no time left. I have felt pulled in too many directions, way beyond a stretching point that's comfortable. I sat down to prepare a Bible study for presentation this morning. I opened to the book of John and began to read of God's gift of living water, through Jesus, to the woman at the well. God's peace settled around me like a well-worn quilt, I was wrapped and warmed by it. The gift of time opened and I dug deep into the vault, I had all that I needed. I was cheered and reassured, all was well and I could take my time; God would give me all that I needed!

Life is Good!

Then And Now

I posted about this subject earlier this summer, beginning a diet and removing my acrylic nails... big changes that happened at the same time. The nails were the easy part, I had to take drastic measures on the diet; counted calories, removed between meal snacks and eliminated desserts and empty calories. It wasn't fun, but the pounds did come off, slowly. I expected the s-l-o-w-l-y part, being a woman of, *ahem*, a certain age; but now that it's gone it's not going back on. No, it isn't; it will have to find somewhere else to live, somebody else's hips to hang out on. I was in denial, I even blamed the dryer for shrinking my jeans, (that's where I held onto the weight, below the belt) I have apologized to my Kenmore but it just stared back at me blankly; doubting my sincerity, I am certain. The hardest thing for me to give up were those little square cheese crackers in the red box, (you know the ones), I could devour fistfuls of them at a time! Once I was able to control the afternoon craving for those my life did get easier. Of course there's nothing new, magical or different about practicing some much needed self-control and ramping up the physical exercise. It's the same old formula for losing weight that it's always been, the simple one that I seem to forget all too easily over and over again. But no more, now, with the hint of chill in the early autumn air, I can feel the benefits from months of sacrificing bad habits for a healthier lifestyle in small ways that mean a great deal: more energy, a favorite belt that isn't too tight anymore (just being able to tuck shirts in!) and rings that slip on and off the way they are supposed to. Less food, better choices, huge results~ go figure!

Life is Good!
...and even better when clothes fit...

For You, With Love!

I am a gift, I was lovingly handcrafted to be exactly that. My maker exactly didn't expect the shape or the contours that I developed along the way of my construction, I am unique and one of a kind. I am a celebration of my own individuality. I am not large, I measure only nine and a half inches in length and am but two inches deep, but can hold any treasures that are trusted to be placed within me; I already contain love and birthday wishes beyond measure. I am a gift.

Life is Good!