Our poor little laptop is without its power cord and dead as a doorknob. It was left behind in Oklahoma but it should be here any day now...any day...hopefully soon...like tomorrow. I've been using my brother's computer to keep up with mail and the kit club blog, etc. but I have very limited ability to upload pics so I shall be back soon with lots of eye candy!
In the meantime I've been thinking about all the ways I'd like to streamline my life, my work and my hobbies. I am setting goals that I'd like to reach this year but more than anything I've been thinking about how different I'd like my attitude to be. Something about the communal, universal reflection and preparation for a new year has allowed my spirit to fall into line without flailing widly in desperation for something sincere to occur. I'm hopeful that good changes are coming.
A well-settled, college friend of ours told Brett he was a little jealous of the struggles we've had since we left Shawnee in 2006. He said rough times refined a person in ways stable times don't because they leave you with something to deal with. It forces change. I had NEVER, NEVER once had that perspective. It was surprising to hear him say that because I was just leaving their perfectly fabulous, Craftsman style home with a large porch and sweet dog thinking how they seem to be right on track. I have these thoughts and later realize they are silly. We each have a story and as similar as some may be, I know its harmful to compare and grow envious.
Keeping a journal over the break was a fresh way for me to validate our story. I think its my favorite kind of therapy. I made one for Elsie with things I found along the way but didn't think fast enough to take any pics before I wrapped it up and gave it to her. I've also had a few e-mails enquiring about the pattern so I'm hoping to have something posted here in the next week or so.
In other news we're offering a Lap Quilt Kit and Tutorial for our January Project Kit at Red Velvet Kit Club so check back around Jan. 17th for more details. Its a simple pattern that will be the gateway drug to quilting for all of you. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Once you've finished one, its hard to stop.
Well, here's to a bright, sparkly January ready to be lived in. Do a little dance or something.
Blog changes coming as soon as our sweet cord makes its way back to us. The little guy is probably sitting at the bottom of some mail bin in Arizona swearing at us under its breath.
Thanks for reading sweet people. Until then...
R
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17 comments:
Beautiful post! Didn't even need the eye candy :)
Wow. I have been a faithful reader for a while, but didn't know that you had connections to Shawnee. Did you and Brett go to OBU? I graduated from there in '99, which yes, means I just turned 30, haha, so I wouldn't have been there at the same time, but I still found it interesting nonetheless...
It's a small, small world.
From,
a crafty mom in T-Town (without her own blog, but a huge blog reader, haha)
Ooohh fun! Quilts are fun! I LOVED making mine. And you are so right...they are addicting. Sorry to hear about your laptop but excited to see the upcoming changes to your blog!
Owww...hurt my back doing the little dance...LOL
Can't wait for the next project kit! Sounds divine!!
Hugs,
Heather
I know how much it's just not fun to have something you want to use but you can't because the power chord is missing. This vacation I went to Florida and for some unbelievable reason my camera batter was constantly dying on me (maybe I kept forgetting to charge both batteries lol)! It's just not cool lol. I feel your pain.
ps Kit looks fabulous
I love his outlook! :)
I think he's right, although none of us want to go through those tough times.
I am looking forward to seeing more from you Rachel! :)
I hate when that cord gets forgotten. I hope its in Cali by now!
I think your new perspective is refreshing and that Brett's college friend is completely right. What's the fun in having everything perfect? I hope that you are able to achieve your goals and have fun achieving them. It means a whole lot more when you've worked hard towards them. May your new year be filled with many more craft projects.
there is something about a new year that seems to spark reflection and change doesn't it? my paradigm is shifting too. being refined by the fire. simplify. direction. balance. your thoughts are bit more fluid than my fragments....i'm still in process. :)
...to January!
Great ideas on refining life... I've done a bit of that and it's totally refreshing! xoxo
i love reading your blog posts! very thoughtful + intelligent. a bright and sparkly january to you, too! :)
WOW. Definately a way to put things in perspective. Thanks for sharing that. Someone actually was jealous of rough times? WOW. Right on the bullet. It does make you stronger and refined for sure. Dealing with a lot of change right now and it sure does test your strength and character that's for sure.
Happy New year! :)I am starting my new year with an updated blog and vows to journal there more often. It's a lifesaver I tell you!
thanks rachel for the new perspective. it's amazing how someone can see something so abstract and be able to express that so others can get it. your friend did it, and now you did by telling us all about it.
i love that theory. my brain saw that as an "everything's relative" example. but reversed maybe.
anyway, very deep and excellent food for thought. i always try to keep in mind that even when it looks like people have it easy, they really could just be better at hiding the bad stuff. better actors or more adept at internalizing the bad gunky.
you know?
anyway...thanks!
Your 3rd paragraph really hit home for me. It's funny because I jump back and forth between being in hard times and wanting ease and stability then being in a nice, mellow environment, just coasting through life, craving the vividness of life during a hard time and what those times brought out at me. Good to have the perspective of both during both times :)
Very nice way to look at it! Ill have to remember that. I hope you get your cord soon. The quilt is lovely!
Hey Rachel, I just wanted to share a great show we heard tonight on NPR (actually WPR for us) on Michael Gellert, author of the book titled The Way of the Small. It was really interesting and I am now requesting the book from our library and your post made me think to share it with you! Here is a link to his website in case you want to check it out!
http://michaelgellert.com/wayofthesmall.html
Anyways, have a great weekend!
Enjoyed your post and your friend is right. I'm looking forward to see what the quilt kit looks like. I've never made a quilt before. Have a great day!
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