August 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  Well, with August comes:  We are into the eighth month of attempting to drive chaos out and allow contentment into our individual worlds.  How is it going?  I am happy to say that I have peaked and am on the downside again, working my way towards calm and happiness.  I even have a renewed interest in sewing again.  I'm planning trips with enthusiasm and excitement and looking up for a change.  The chaos is no longer a part of my identity and I'm ready - oh so ready - for what is ahead.  Hugs to all.

July 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  Now for July - Six months down and six to go -- is it helping?  There are days when I think I invited even more chaos into my life with this theme.  Please tell me it was on the horizon already and I didn't do this to myself.  At any rate ---- push on, y'all.

Missouri Girls Trip - Days 9 & 10

 It's our last full day in Missouri and I want to finish with a bang.  We start with a walk down the street for breakfast at Rooster.  This is just melt in my mouth delicious.

Missouri Girls Trip - Day 8

 We ae up with the alpacas this morning and it's a beautiful, hot day.  Once our space is cleaned up and everyone is dressed - we can wander around for bit until Liz makes an appearance.  Just enjoy morning on the farm with us.  I neglected to tell you where we were last night -- here ya go:  Salt River Alpacas.

Missouri Girls Trip - Day 7

 Hello again!  We are packed up, fed, and ready to go.  Everything has been turned into the shop for shipping and the car is pointed east.  We're playing tourist and shopping all the way to St. Louis.

Missouri Girls Trip - Days 4-6

 It's a beautiful day in Hamilton, Missouri.  We have had breakfast and are heading off to start the Scavenger Hunt.  I've forgotten my lanyard and make a quick return to the center before catching up.  Along the walk --- these are soooo pretty.

Missouri Girls Trip - Day 3

 Good morning Kansas City!  

Missouri Girls Trip - Days 1 & 2

 When we book these trips a year in advance, it feels as though it will never arrive and it always takes me back to being a child and waiting for Christmas.  The good news is that the wait is over and we are starting to gather.  Gwen and Jen have come into Dallas to spend the night with me (Cindy will also be here later) and Mister is sharing dinner with us at Ephesus.  The food is amazing and the excitement is high.  

June 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  Welcome to June and by the end of the month - we are halfway through out Chaos to Contentment year.  Are you making progress?  This may be a TMI post, but I'm struggling.  I haven't picked up a needle or piece of fabric since the beginning of April (well, unless it was to sell and ship it) and barely functioning describes my existence.  I knew this was going to be a challenging year, but . . .  Inner strength and resolve are sometimes hard to find.  I'm still going at it --- things are coming to a head on many fronts in our family and there is beginning to be light at the end of the tunnels.  Yep - those babies are plural.  Do what you need to take care of you -- it's important.

May 2025 Life and Quilt Update

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  For the month of  May -  It's one of my favorite months - no idea why.  There are times when chaos seems to be swirling all around us and finding some peace and contentment seems impossible.  I have discovered that it is still possible to find those moments of control - which lead to peace and contentment.  My plan is to continue finding those moments this month.  It's not always chaos around us, but within us.  Chillin' is the plan - at least now and then.

April 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  For the month of  April, I am continuing the purge.  I have made great progress, but have so much more to do.  What are your plans?  I'm feeling closer and closer to that contentment that is so elusive sometimes.  After a girls trip at the beginning of the month, it's back to selling and making progress.  I can do it.

Arizona Girls Trip - Days 9 & 10 (home)

 It's our last full day on the road and we have a lot of ground to cover.  We are checked out of the hotel, car is loaded and we're getting gas next door when I remember that I left my nightlight in the bathroom.  Sherri is still putting gas in her car and we make a quick drive back to the hotel to get the light.  Problem is, we didn't tell her and left her all alone in a pretty sketchy area -- ugh.

Arizona Girls Trip - Day 8

 The house is cleaned and we are packed into cars.  Everyone is back on the road again.  Debi took a flight back home and Ramona, Sharman, and Linda are on their way to the Grand Canyon.  That just leave two cars and five of us.  We have a fun route planned for the return trip and when we get to Camp Verde, a breakfast break is in order.  Thanks a latte fits perfectly.

Arizona Girls Trip - Day 7

 Super excited for today.  When we were planning this trip, I found a hot air balloon ride that looked promising and several others joined in with me.  It's a bucket list item and finds four of us heading out in the wee hours of the morning.  We have to be at the meeting place by 5:15 a.m.  Yep - off we go into the darkness.  When we arrive at the meetup - soooo many people are arriving.  I thought it would just be our balloon, but apparently there will be many balloons going up today.  That's cool.  While we are waiting, everything is being loaded - I peek into the loading area and see the balloon baskets on trailers and vans are hooking up to them.

Arizona Girls Trip - Day 6

 What can I say?  It's another gorgeous day in Glendale.  Today, we are all out for breakfast together.  First Watch is the spot and that's a first for me.  I know we have one near our house in Dallas, but I've not been there.  

Arizona Girls Trip - Days 4 & 5

 We are ready to leave our house and drive over to the retreat center so we can get checked in.  There is a slight hold-up going on.  One that most of us are giggling over.  Sherri has locked her keys in her trunk after loading her suitcase.  Nice.  Apparently, a spare can be found.  

Arizona Girls Trip - Day 3

 It's a beautiful morning and we think we've outrun the cold.  Yep, it's actually pretty toasty out there now.  We're out of our house, fed and ready for adventure.  We have tickets for a steamboat, this afternoon, and thus are en route to it.  When I was researching this trip,  I came across a place called Red Knolls Amphitheater in Arizona.  Might as well check it out.

Arizona Girls Trip - Day 2

It's Day 2 and we are taking a bit of a scenic route due to a timed entry at Hueco Tanks State Park.  It's also a bit of a drive, so we are off and going at a decent time and with breakfast behind us, we make it to Pecos by a little after nine.  There is really  not much time for a stop, but we do grab a couple of boot pics along the way.  These are eight feet tall and there are more than 24 of them along the Pecos Boot Trail.  It would be fun to spend a bit of time and find them all.

Arizona Girls Trip - Pre-Night and Day 1

 Almost two years in the planning and our girl trip to Arizona begins tomorrow.  Tonight, Gwen and Cindy have arrived to spend the night and Mister is with us for dinner at Ephesus.  

March 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  For the month of  March, I am focusing on Controlling My Surroundings.  I am still purging like a crazy person and gathering items for sale, donation, etc.  It's a continuation of last month's physical letting go.  I want LESS stuff and MORE organization.  All of this will help my focus and happiness.  It'll happen.  What can you do this month?

February 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 

Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  For the month of February - the way to control the chaos (for me) is to Learn to Let Go.  That can be material in nature (selling stuff, for sure, and donating as well) or spiritual (find peace inside - no one can provide it for you).  I'm going to be working very hard on BOTH aspects this month.  January was a heck of a ride - gotta reduce the stress.  Join me?

January 2025 Life and Quilt Update

 Our theme this year, CHAOS TO CONTENTMENT!!!  I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.  If you didn't get a chance to check out the post explaining it all --- here is the LINK to the initial post.  I'm looking forward to the direction this can take us all, but especially myself, if I give it a fair shot.  Sometimes stepping out of comfort zones is challenging, but it almost always allows for growth.  January is typically a time to re-evaluate - right?  So this month is Coming to Terms time.  For me, that will be writing down the things I wish to have different in my life in order to be more content.  They may be actually physical things - like cleaning out a kitchen cupboard or sewing drawer and they may be more mental - as in wrapping my head around the things I cannot control.  Whatever is the case -- I'm Coming to Terms and will reduce the chaos and last minute freaking out in my life so that there is room for those crazy things that DO happen which we cannot prepare for.  What can you do? 

Chaos to Contentment - 2025 Theme

I don't know about anyone else, but I have lost my way lately.  No drive, no ambition, no love of what I'm doing.  I "think" it has to do with being in a constant state of OVERWHELM!  I have not managed time well and wind up with crunch projects -which are never fun.  I've packed my list of "want to accomplish this month" so full that when surprises pop up that are either fun or an emotional wipeout - there is no chance of completion and then a sense of failure sets in.  Ugh.  After much thought on this and a great deal of chatting with the lady in the mirror - I've come up with this theme for 2025.

I am worthy of experiencing peace and contentment in my life.  I am capable of making that happen - it's time to set the stage.

The next question is how to go about it.  Each month I will focus on one way to change things up in a positive light.  It may be a small item for the month but I could also tackle a larger one.  We'll see where the monthly idea takes me.  If you wish to join me on this crazy trek, feel free.  I'll share how it goes and hopefully feel the load lighten as I go.