I haven’t been posting much for a couple of reasons. First, is that I’ve just been really busy! I have a lovely customer who is moving out of state, and I did 4 quilts for her in 3 days. I worked my tookus off! I have a fairly good sized custom job going, and I’d like to finish one more before our guild meeting on Thursday.
The second reason I haven’t posted much, is that I just haven’t had much to say. I’ve been thinking a lot lately, mostly about the economy and state of our country. Every time I turn on the t.v., I get depressed. Living anywhere in the country is scary right now, but living in California adds its own charm to things. My husband’s salary has been cut, and could be cut again next month. Machine sales are down, and I have two kids in college. Fortunately, I’ve had a steady stream of quilts to do, though not too many. More would be good! At any rate, I’ve struggled with worry and general feelings of what my mamma would call, “the mully grubs”. Here’s what I’m doing about it: I wake up each morning, thinking about what I’m thankful for, and making a conscious decision to be joyful. Yes, it’s really hard sometimes, but I’m working on it. I still have a home. Although our income has been drastically reduced and our financial obligations have climbed, we both still have work. I have two healthy sons, and Penny (my old dog) didn’t die last week. For a week, I tried to get the nerve to put her down. Every single day for a week, I cried my heart out, knowing that I needed to be brave. On Friday morning, she turned around. She’s back to her old self. I don’t know if she picked up some poison somewhere, or if something else went wrong, but if I’d have been brave, she wouldn’t be here right now. I’m really glad I wasn’t so brave.I have Penny’s two boys, and a persnickety cat that really does love me from time to time. I won’t claim to have all my mental facilities in tact, and that doesn’t bother me. I’ve been through menopause and raised two boys, for crying out loud! I’ll take being a little scattered. LOL. So, for today…….
Today, I’ll enjoy the quilt I’m working on, knowing that the customer will be happy to get it back. Today, I’ll clip some roses and enjoy their beauty and fragrance. Today, I’ll take a dip in the pool and enjoy the sensation of being weightless. Today, I’ll snuggle with my dogs and know that their love is unconditional. Today, I’ll be thankful for good friends that I can count on, and that know they can count on me. Today, I will hug my big son who lives at home, and I’ll mark off another day until my younger son comes home for the summer. Today, I’ll greet my husband at the door with a hug and a smile, and let him know that I appreciate how hard he works. Today, I’ll choose to be joyful.
I know what you mean…I’ve been going through some blahs myself…I’ve been feeling stressed about some things…overwhelmed about some others…I’m trying to “shake it off” and get my good attitude back. I’m not even sure what is causing part of my funk-edness. But I’m tired of being in a funk. I’ve noticed that several of us seem to have slowed down on posting. Maybe we are all in a slump, funk, mully grub…or whatever.
Lynn, it’s sounds like you’re making the best of the situation……your cheerfulness is bound to be contagious. I miss you!
as I was reading about your ‘mully grubs’ i had just finished a 9 page journal entry about mostly all the same things. your post brought tears to my eyes as i sit here shaking my head in agreement of the stress levels; salary cuts; emergency room pet visits we didn’t have funds earmarked for; and all the while i’m telling myself; “you have a job; you have a home; be thankful; stop comparing yourself to your married; well to do friends”. i agree Lynn, you must make a conscious(very hard sometimes) decision to be joyful and positive regardless of what’s happening and when it proves too hard; don’t be so hard on yourself for feeling blue. sometimes the heart has to endure a good wringing out in order to stay flexible.
thank you for sharing this tiny piece of your life. i appreciate it more than you know.
i think your post says what many of us have felt at one time or another. you said it in a most positive way!
I am thankful for you, my friend. I appreciate your post more than you could know.
wow… that made me think!
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement. I hope I can give it back to you. You are all incredible women! If we can’t help each other, what good are we, right? My mamma used to say, “Fake it until you make it.” I’m putting a smile on my face, crankin’ up some good music, and going to play on my longarm. Today, I will be joyful!
And here all along I thought “mully grubs” was Texas twang Man can I relate! And I’m trying to do what you are doing, choosing JOY! Helps to have the encouragement from others that are experiencing the same thing and being overcomers! As one former preacher’s wife once so wisely told me “this too shall pass!” — of course at the time the comment was related to raising small children but it does apply to most things that bug us or get us down. Keep on keeping on! ko
My mamma was from Oklahoma, and my daddy was from Texas. So, there ya go! My “roots” sneak into my speech from time to time.
Lynn, life sure has it’s challenges but I have learnt over and over that this soon shall pass and does.
As you know life hasn’t always been easy but it does help to focus on the positives in live and esp on the things that really do matter in life, your family and friends and what you do with your life
In some ways I think these tougher economic times will be good for many, esp our young people who might have to learn to live within their means. I’ve often wished that I could give more to my girls but as a single mom I’ve done my best. Sarah graduates this month as a social worker and has a good job now. She worked her way through University and Emily is away going to school and is also working, its very hard for me to convince the girls to let me help them. Being raised as they have been they have become very independent self sufficient people. We may not have alot materially (well except my stash of course lol ) but we are rich in love and relationships!
That’s the attitude that we all should ahve every day! What a great post!
Glad to hear that Penny is doing better…. and for the rest of what you said… thanx, I needed that. We are fortunate for everything we have, happy healthy children, great husbands a roof over our heads and Sunshine!
Wow! I really am behind on my blog reading. Mully grubs. Yep. Been there, done that… Oh, wait…STILL doing that!
Hopefully things are doing better since your post. BTW, your birthday boy is real looker and you can just see the sparkle in his eyes. Just like his mom.
Ugh, I hear you Lynn. My business has been way down all year. I have to constantly remind myself of all my blessings: loving family and friends who all help to keep me centered, grateful and smiling. Hang in there it WILL get better soon.