Can I be random for a minute?

Monday, November 21, 2011

I thought I'd share a little bit of what's been going on behind the scenes around here.  This will probably be a long post and I apologize.

I feel like I need to start off with explaining that I've been in a pretty big "funk" since Spring Quilt Market.  Now don't get me wrong, Market was a great experience.  I am so happy that I got to see what it was all about, meet some really amazing people and prove to myself that I could do it. I couldn't have done it without my amazing father who constructed my booth, some really supportive friends and a dear Sister-In-Law.  But, it was a super stressful time for me.  It was hard to juggle all of my market responsibilities with my wife and mother responsibilities.  I was stressing BIG TIME about the heavy walls we had to construct for my booth and I worried a lot since I had never been before and didn't quite know what to expect.  I had to rely a lot on the help of others (especially my dad) and that was hard for me.  Basically, I was a big old mess.


Market was good though.  People seemed to enjoy my booth and patterns and that felt good.  But all in all, it was a rather slow event.  I was lucky to come out a head.  So when it was all said and done, I felt a little deflated.  I definitely needed a break.  Over the last few months I've felt really unmotivated, overwhelmed, moody and frankly I think I've just been a little depressed.  Not because of Market but maybe that kind of triggered it.  I was just going through a phase.  Do you know what I mean?

I'm feeling A LOT better now and I think two things helped.  First, after talking to my husband one day, I kind of realized that this new {slower} pace was a normal pace.  I'm one of those people who is a "doer" and I find satisfaction in marking tangible projects off my list.  It's helped me to realize that taking time to smell the roses is necessary and good.  Right after I had that epiphany I was talking to a family member about everything.  We had both been experiencing our own kind of "funks" and we both had been impressed recently to do more personal scripture study.  Earlier this year I made a goal to have more faith, hope and to study the scriptures more.  I had some ups and downs in the first two departments but the personal scripture study was pretty much a big fat zero.  So after talking to my sister in law, I made a vow to make time each day to read the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and confirms the truths found in the Bible.
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I have felt so good connecting with God on a more regular basis.  I feel better.  Things are going more smoothly.  Things are more manageable.  I know that is what was missing from my life.  I am receiving the spiritual, mental and emotional strength I needed by reading the scriptures.  I am happier.

A few more random things...
We've been keeping busy with indoor soccer games.  My son and I are both on teams.  Can I tell you what a big joke that is since I've never played a day in my life {until a few weeks ago}.  It was quite the anxiety-ridden experience at first, but I am beginning to enjoy it :)  Who says you can't learn a new sport at the age of 33?  Remind me to tell you about when they asked me to be goalie at my first game...

I've been sewing up some items for my sister's booth at the world's largest Christmas bazaar {starting next week) in Portland, OR.


I know she's going to do great.  She's got a great support system and I'm so proud of her for doing it!

I'm almost finished with a new Fall table runner.  Nothing like last minute, right?  Well, a few months ago, I won 8 Fall-ish fat quarters at my quilt guild.  I couldn't figure out what to do with them.  I had been itching to make another rendition of my Square Root pattern so I decided to kill two birds with one stone  and use them to make a table runner.  I still have to quilt it.  But I used up every last inch of those fat quarters by using them to make a scrappy back too.


I also attended a funeral this weekend.  It was for a friend named Jacqueline Hill.  A young mother {about my age}.  She had a bad accident about 5 years ago that resulted in her being a quadriplegic.  She is the mother of six.  She was beautiful and wild and she will be greatly missed.  I am thankful I had a few hours with her a couple of weeks ago so we could go to lunch {just the two of us}.  We also had a quick blogging session together about a week before she past away.  She was a great example of someone who loved life, her husband, motherhood and never judged.  During this season of thanksgiving, I hope we can all take the time to be more grateful for the little things. 
And the big things. 

~ Amber

18 comments:

  1. (((Amber)))

    Glad to hear things are turning around for you... happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

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  2. In this blogging and quilting world I think we all can get carried away with things we think we need to be doing which in reality aren't that important. I certainly have been guilty of the above. First and formost in our lives must come our families and our own well being. Our blog and quilting are just some of the blessings that God has given us by letting us explore our creative talent. But the real blessings in our life are God's love and our dear families that he has blessed us with. We will remember family moments long after we have finished a quilt or blogged about it. Wishing you and those you love a Happy Thanksgiving.

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  3. I am glad you are feeling better. I had a rough bit this fall also - not fun.

    I am glad that I am not the only one who has problems with their scripture reading. And don't even get me started with the guilt twinges that "good, better and best" give me when I think about my sewing and blogging. :)

    I love your booth and hope that lots of people buy your patterns. :)

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  4. Thank you for sharing something so personal with us. You have inspired me to improve my own scripture study. It's true - my life runs smoother when I am doing it consistently!
    I think we all need to slow down and take life at a "normal" pace every now and then.

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  5. Great post, I feel the same way a lot of the time, and I'm happy that I'm not the only one. Good for you for telling it like it is! :)

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  6. Amber - I think I know exactly what you mean! I have been going through the same things. It's funny how something like Market can really put your life into perspective and you find out what is more important. Thanks for sharing this post!

    Take care!!

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  7. I am sure that the peace you are feeling is wonderful. I read Jacqueline's blog. My goodness. She was much too young and left such a beautiful family. I am so sorry.

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  8. I so get you dear. I so understand. I feel better at the pace I'm at as well. I want to do more, I wish I could but I can only do what I can right now. It is ok. Good to read what you are thinking.

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  9. Hi!! I am probably you four years ago... still excited but I can see that it is definitely something I would love to work towards. I just want to say though that I can tell that it is so much work. When it is so much work it seems that other things have to go undone?? If that makes sense. I appreciate your struggles and adjustments because it totally makes sense. You are very talented and it is great to share that telent with others and don't worry if it doesn't consume your life because you would be completely overwhelmed if it did. Good job just being you :) Thanks for sharing your life!! IT is an inspiration.

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  10. Hi!! I am probably you four years ago... still excited but I can see that it is definitely something I would love to work towards. I just want to say though that I can tell that it is so much work. When it is so much work it seems that other things have to go undone?? If that makes sense. I appreciate your struggles and adjustments because it totally makes sense. You are very talented and it is great to share that telent with others and don't worry if it doesn't consume your life because you would be completely overwhelmed if it did. Good job just being you :) Thanks for sharing your life!! IT is an inspiration.

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  11. Hi there, we've never met, but I just came across your blog post, and I felt like I was reading my own journal entry! Thanks for helping me be reminded that reading the BoM a little every day actually DOES help - whoda thunk?? :O) I'm the same as you - very high speed, and that "normal" speed thing, it throws me off, but I realize it's a good thing too :O) Thanks for your comments, I needed them today ;O)

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  12. I'm sorry to hear you've been so down Amber -- but very happy to hear the things are looking up a bit. Market is really tough -- you're in a VERY competitive business with SO many pattern companies and a somewhat limited market, so don't be too hard on yourself. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  13. Thank you for your post Amber... When we are in a funk, like I am now we need little reminders of what is most important and I am sooooo glad that I read this today. I could see the scriptures on your blog and read about your friend and how she was complaining about her legs, which is what I was doing 10 minutes ago. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I needed this.

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  14. You're an inspiration Amber. Love you lots!

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  15. I'm glad you are feeling up again. I know that reading the scriptures makes a huge difference & I'm glad you are making it a daily habit.

    You are an amazing girl. I hope you know that I love ya, and am totally impressed with your ideas & talent.

    Wish we were hanging out for Thanksgiving. We'll get together soon though!

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  16. Hi Amber. Thank you so much for sharing this. I know it's very personal. I too have had a bit of a rough year for reasons that I don't even know. And like you I have felt inspired to pick up my scriptures and have my own personal study. I haven't been super regular but the prompting is always there. Thank you for the reminder! I know that it is the only way toward true happiness and strength.
    p.s. I love your Tuesday Tips. Keep em coming!

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  17. i {heart} your random post... Thank You. ooxx`jodi

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I ♥ to hear from you so please feel free to leave a comment. I read each one and try to respond as often as I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! ~Amber