It's been awhile since I posted here...I've been very much bitten by the sewing bug and it's made me very happy! But the sewing has pulled me away from my first crafty love...stamping...and after spending some time reflecting on that...and where my life and career are right now...it's time for some changes.
first (the long part)...
I've joked (sort of) here previously about entering the "silly season" at work...unfortunately "silly season" is turning into regular business. Previously my "silly season" would run about April - August...all prep, planning, and actual administration of an annual exam for the licensed operators at our plant. The past two years I've played a fairly active roll (the first year wasn't too crazy...the second...about killed me) and I will be playing another active roll in the exam this year. I enjoy being on this exam team, it's a huge learning experience, and it's something different from my regular day-to-day job...but it's actually starting to take up more time than the April to August time frame...as a matter of fact we've already begun meetings and assignments and conversation for this year...so back April up to January. In addition to that...I've had to take on some additional responsibilities in day-to-day stuff, plus teaching in one of the most stressful environments we have for the first time. All of this has come to a head in the past 7 days, and unfortunately some rather unpleasant side effects started popping up...
For the past 18 months I've been convinced that my biggest ailment is STRESS...and after taking a cold hard look after a bit of a scare earlier this week...I became very concerned that a health issue I've dealt with in the past has started to resurface. So I threw in the towel and called the doctor...now, I'm not a huge fan of going to the doctor, have had some bad experiences (and some good), but it's just not something I like to do (I'm wonder woman in my own mind...and doctor's aren't necessary in my little world). But I did the "grown up thing" and made the call, explained the situation, and I go in on Tuesday to have some tests run. I'm hoping everything comes back fine and it is really just stress that I need to get a better handle on...but until I know for sure I don't want to take any chances.
Taking all of this into consideration, I've been looking into my own heart to determine what it is that I want to really do in my free time...and right now...sewing is the hobby that makes the rest of my world manageable. This leads to
Second...
I'm not giving up stamping and scrapping...but i'm cutting wayyyy back on it. I'm going to be clearing out a lot of my supplies and slimming it all down to those stamps/inks/papers that I really expect/intend to use. Thankfully I have some friends willing to take a bunch of this off my hands! LOL!
Third (and final)...
I spent a lot of time last year apologizing for this or that...not posting enough...posting a lot of non-scrappy stuff...a lot of venting...etc. I'm done apologizing. It's time for me to take care of me and put me first on a more regular basis. I have to remind myself that the world is not going to end if I don't get a post done in time, or post a card on a regular schedule, or post something non-scrappy just to post...you get the idea.
I need to make myself important again. I need to blog about plain ole stuff that makes me happy (see my book reviews from last year) and stop sweating the small stuff.
Most importantly, I need to take better care of myself. Hopefully I'm starting off 2012 in the right way by going to the doctor and addressing these issues head on.
I'll share more later when I know what's going on health wise...no one worry, my ailments are not life threatening, but treating them will improve my overall quality of life. The sooner I know if it's just stress or something else, the sooner my mind will feel a bit more at ease.
Catch you all later!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Monday, November 21, 2011
busy and worn out
here is a conversation hubby and I had recently via telephone:
Me: Hey, I'm busy right now, no time to talk
Hubby: That's not very nice
Me: I'm sorry, I'm just really busy
Hubby: Whatcha doing?
Me: WORKING...doing my JOB
Hubby: well you don't have to get snippy
I apologized again and got off the phone. Sometimes I wonder if he and I are on the same planet! LOL!
But...that's been the story of my life the past few weeks...busy at work and at home. I have several projects going on that I'm not able to share right now (some are gifts for others that might sometimes stop by here!). It feels like I run non-stop all day and night...and weekends too...except for the moments I throw my hands up...call it quits...and the kiddo and I go out to lunch or dinner...
Unfortunately all of this busyness has caused my memory to be a bit faulty...and I'm not entirely sure that it's just being busy to blame...some of it is just life moving on.
Saturday was the 13th anniversary of my father's death. And none of us remembered. Until late that evening.
The text messages went something like this between me and one of my sisters:
Sis: would dad pick Ole Miss or Miss St.
Me: I have no idea, was just wondering that
Sis: other Sis says Ole Miss and I agree
Me: I'd buy that
Sis: Me too
Sis: it was 13 years ago today
Me: I can't believe I forgot
Sis: I forgot too. Until the Mississippi stuff
We conversed more via text about some stuff...including how odd it was that so many random things involving thoughts of my father had occurred during the week. Kiddo had asked me to participate in a school project...they were collecting memoirs and writing some of their own, and part of the project was to have a family member write one. One of the topics was death of a loved one...so I wrote about when I received the red cross message informing me of my father's death. After I wrote it, I spent a few minutes talking to kiddo about her grandfather and how he would have thought she was pretty cool. I cried...she looked at me like I was cracked...and then life moved on.
At first I felt terrible that I had forgotten the date...but the more I think about it...the more I realize...it's ok. He's always with me...keeping an eye on me and my sisters and mom...
And I can't help but think he would be pretty proud of all of us and where we are in our lives.
So...needless to say...it was a bit of an emotional weekend...and I'm a bit worn out.
Hopefully I'll have the chance to take a little breather here and there this weekend...of course if I can breathe after I stuff my face with turkey, potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce (and yeast rolls and pie and...well you get the idea)!
Me: Hey, I'm busy right now, no time to talk
Hubby: That's not very nice
Me: I'm sorry, I'm just really busy
Hubby: Whatcha doing?
Me: WORKING...doing my JOB
Hubby: well you don't have to get snippy
I apologized again and got off the phone. Sometimes I wonder if he and I are on the same planet! LOL!
But...that's been the story of my life the past few weeks...busy at work and at home. I have several projects going on that I'm not able to share right now (some are gifts for others that might sometimes stop by here!). It feels like I run non-stop all day and night...and weekends too...except for the moments I throw my hands up...call it quits...and the kiddo and I go out to lunch or dinner...
Unfortunately all of this busyness has caused my memory to be a bit faulty...and I'm not entirely sure that it's just being busy to blame...some of it is just life moving on.
Saturday was the 13th anniversary of my father's death. And none of us remembered. Until late that evening.
The text messages went something like this between me and one of my sisters:
Sis: would dad pick Ole Miss or Miss St.
Me: I have no idea, was just wondering that
Sis: other Sis says Ole Miss and I agree
Me: I'd buy that
Sis: Me too
Sis: it was 13 years ago today
Me: I can't believe I forgot
Sis: I forgot too. Until the Mississippi stuff
We conversed more via text about some stuff...including how odd it was that so many random things involving thoughts of my father had occurred during the week. Kiddo had asked me to participate in a school project...they were collecting memoirs and writing some of their own, and part of the project was to have a family member write one. One of the topics was death of a loved one...so I wrote about when I received the red cross message informing me of my father's death. After I wrote it, I spent a few minutes talking to kiddo about her grandfather and how he would have thought she was pretty cool. I cried...she looked at me like I was cracked...and then life moved on.
At first I felt terrible that I had forgotten the date...but the more I think about it...the more I realize...it's ok. He's always with me...keeping an eye on me and my sisters and mom...
And I can't help but think he would be pretty proud of all of us and where we are in our lives.
So...needless to say...it was a bit of an emotional weekend...and I'm a bit worn out.
Hopefully I'll have the chance to take a little breather here and there this weekend...of course if I can breathe after I stuff my face with turkey, potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce (and yeast rolls and pie and...well you get the idea)!
Friday, November 11, 2011
FF#96...Try Something New!
ok...can't say it enough...I'm SOOO Happy it's FRIDAY!!! long week...definitely needed the weekend to get here!
This week over at the Shoe we have a fantabulous sponsor in The Beary Scrap who sent us some oh so yummy goodies to allow us the chance to try out making Tear Bears! (I've never done that before!). Here is my sample:
and now...well...I love how my little skunk came out! Not a huge fan of the process (these days I'm much more in to instant craft gratification!)...but the end result is some enjoyable! Will I make more tear bears in the future...we'll see...I can imagine these on b-day cards and tags for my lovely nieces (and adorable nephew)...it just depends if Aunt Lesley gets any of that actually done ON TIME for a change! (or in advance...how amazing would that be????? that could totally be my next "try something new!"). Anyways! LOL! Head on over to the Shoe...check out the other fab samples...and play along with us!
This week over at the Shoe we have a fantabulous sponsor in The Beary Scrap who sent us some oh so yummy goodies to allow us the chance to try out making Tear Bears! (I've never done that before!). Here is my sample:
and now...well...I love how my little skunk came out! Not a huge fan of the process (these days I'm much more in to instant craft gratification!)...but the end result is some enjoyable! Will I make more tear bears in the future...we'll see...I can imagine these on b-day cards and tags for my lovely nieces (and adorable nephew)...it just depends if Aunt Lesley gets any of that actually done ON TIME for a change! (or in advance...how amazing would that be????? that could totally be my next "try something new!"). Anyways! LOL! Head on over to the Shoe...check out the other fab samples...and play along with us!
Monday, November 7, 2011
FF#95...with a KISS and a SOG!
Happy Monday! hopefully you are having a fantastic Monday...not one of those Manic ones! Just wanted to let you know that the latest Fashionista Friday challenge (FF#95 - Keep it Simple Sweetheart!) is up over at the Shoe! Here is my sample:
and now for the SOG...we are having a card drive as part of the Shoe Season of Giving...so head over to the Shoe to read all about it! It's for a very worthy, and near to our hearts cause! So check it out! and now...back to our regularly scheduled programming!
and now for the SOG...we are having a card drive as part of the Shoe Season of Giving...so head over to the Shoe to read all about it! It's for a very worthy, and near to our hearts cause! So check it out! and now...back to our regularly scheduled programming!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Just a quick note...
The FF#94 Top 3 and Shoe of the week have been posted over at If the Shoe fits...Scrap it! Really excited about what we are going to share with you on Monday...you can read a little about it in today's post! Now I'm off to fend off the cold that seems to want to attack me...I've been trying to convince it otherwise for two days now...hopefully it retreats!
Friday, October 21, 2011
FF#94...Spooky Fall!
Happy happy Friday! Hope yours is going as well as mine! Posting today to share the latest and greatest Fashionista Friday challenge from If the Shoe fits...Scrap it!
The FF#94 challenge is based on how you are inspired by this time of year...so we are giving you some options! Share with us either your Halloween or Fall inspired projects (or both! or a combo of both!). My sample is something a little different than I normally create for the Shoe...it's something in progress for my daughter (who is Halloween's BIGGEST fan!)...she requested it specifically (well...she was supposed to do the bulk of the work...that didn't end up happening!):
and up close
I started piecing this quilt top yesterday, and finished it up earlier today. She picked the fabrics...I did all the cutting, stitching, piecing, etc. She thinks it's pretty cool though! Now I just have to get it quilted!
Thanks for stopping by...now head on over to the Shoe and share your inspiration with us!
The FF#94 challenge is based on how you are inspired by this time of year...so we are giving you some options! Share with us either your Halloween or Fall inspired projects (or both! or a combo of both!). My sample is something a little different than I normally create for the Shoe...it's something in progress for my daughter (who is Halloween's BIGGEST fan!)...she requested it specifically (well...she was supposed to do the bulk of the work...that didn't end up happening!):
and up close
I started piecing this quilt top yesterday, and finished it up earlier today. She picked the fabrics...I did all the cutting, stitching, piecing, etc. She thinks it's pretty cool though! Now I just have to get it quilted!
Thanks for stopping by...now head on over to the Shoe and share your inspiration with us!
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