Give

I always enjoy getting positive messages and feedback.

A friend of mine had some items at a storage facility that he didn't need but was having a hard time getting a truck or finding someone with a truck to help him move the items. Once of these items was a large sofa. First thing that came to my mind was freecycle.org. I've given away several items via this particular organization, and I just knew not only would someone want it, but they'd also come with a truck ready to haul it off.

This evening we headed to the storage to meet with a lady who wanted the couch. Upon driving up, we see that rather than a truck, truck she's in a SUV like this; the size of the sofa is something like this; my face went something like this. I'll admit, I'm one of the most determined, "make this work/happen" people you'll ever come across, but I just did not see how that couch was going to fit inside her vehicle. I've got a small coupe and have hauled all sorts of furniture home in it, but I just didn't see this happening. Well, it did. Yes, it was hanging out the back, but she came prepared with all sorts of ropes and such to make it secure.

I was really concerned about her making it home safely, so I had to email her to be sure she did. The response:

I did, thank you. No problem at all.

I’ve got it all moved in. And one of my Basset Hounds is already happily sleeping on it. J He’s going to have to move in a minute, as I plan on stretching out on it shortly.

It’s very nice, thank you.

(I do animal rescue (volunteer) and I have 6 dogs of my own. All rescues, of course. The youngest decided that my (former) sofa was a great chew toy, and he really obliterated it. So your gift is really a blessing to me. Thank you.)

Brought a smile to my face. She made a believer out of me for sure!

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Speaking of giving, recently I was given 3 African style outfits all of which are really nice but too large and unflattering for my lil' frame. This Saturday the local Kwanzaa celebration will take place, and I've decided that instead of wearing what's been the usual as of late--jeans and some kind of top plus jacket/sweater, shawl, boots--I'm going to revamp one of the outfits. I really like the material of this particular one.

Before:

Stay tuned for the After.

Seeing as how I still have a good amount of custom work and alterations I'm working on (some of which need to be done by Friday), I'm going to make my best effort to get something done for me.

For a change.

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Happy Winter Solstice!

peace! :-)

If You Really Want to Know

Note: No one actually inquired about the following 10 "about me" points. I just feel like sharing something with all the lovely people who visit my blog frequently. Happy reading!

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1. My cell phone is never on ring. It's always on vibrate. If it's close enough to me, I'll feel it when a call or text comes through. If it's lying on the table while I'm working, I'll see when it lights up. Otherwise, I'll have to check it later for any missed calls. I don't know why.


2. I've got this phone with the spiffy slide out keyboard, and I never use it (spiffy keyboard) when sending texts. I still just use the regular front keypad that requires you to go through all the letters to get the one you want. I don't know why. I text a lot, too. (Mostly with my mom.)


3. If money wasn't essential to survival in this society, I'd sew just for fun and make something for all the people I know and/or love--whatever they wanted..as long as I feel like I could handle it--and send it to them.



4. I don't like the fact that money is essential to survival in this society and do like to barter. For instance, I'm currently hemming a few pairs of pants for someone who made me copies of dvds that I needed. She usually charges for these but also doesn't like to "get the presidents involved " (her words) when she can avoid it. I don't go overboard with bartering, but when it comes to items or services I need, I don't mind trading my services.

5. Beginning in January me and the lady I'm currently staying with will be starting a sewing/enrichment program for young girls (and perhaps some boys if they're interested) in the local public housing units--as in, one of the apartments in the projects is currently being renovated just for us to serve as the place where we teach sewing. We built the program from scratch. It's being completely funded by the housing authority, i.e. the government. We felt/feel it has the potential to be a very helpful, revolutionary program. They agreed. People are going crazy over the idea. Children. Parents. General Public. This is going to be major. I can feel it in my bones!! Next we'll offer it to people throughout the city regardless of where they live.

6. I'm back in Louisiana (Lafayette). I thought. I needed to and did try leaving. Louisiana is my home, though. It's the place where I'm most comfortable within the US.

7. Since early September I've been living with a family I know in a very welcoming, lively, homey house. It's been great and they said I'm welcome to stay forever. I'll once again be moving into my own place within the next few days, though. I've enjoyed this essentially rent free, bill free ride that I've been on since the end of May when I first left Lafayette. *siiiigh* But my creativity has been MIA lately, and it's time for me to get back settled focused. My etsy shop hasn't been updated with new garments in ages.

8. I've never had a roommate and, before now, hadn't lived with anyone since I left home at 18. I thought the transition would be hard. I always felt I needed my own place, my own space to live how I want and do, blah, blah, blah. (And that's not to say that I don't.)However, living here has been quite an enlightening experience. What's more, I learned that, *gasp*, I can share a bathroom with other people without having a panic attack!!!

9. When I left 6 months ago, I'd sold or given away everything I owned except the essentials. I have my books, clothes to wear, clothes I've made, my sewing machines, sewing supplies, fabric, my computer--I left with 5 boxes. I no longer have a couch, bed, t.v., not even a sewing table. No dishes, pots, pans--none of that. I'm starting from scratch again.


10. I've always been somewhat of a psychologist--for myself. Thankfully I have this ability to self-diagnose. Lately I've been considering a recurring subject that I come across when examining my mental health and behaviors: I tend to attract needy people a lot. Seeing as how I do find there to be some truth to the adage that the people you attract reflect you, I have to do some serious self-reflection and ask myself, "Dang...I'm I really needy??" And I can honestly answer, "Yes, I am. To some degree." But then I start to wonder, "Do I attract these type of people because I'm such a big giver of myself?" I give so much of my energy away to people all the time. (I'm quite conscious of this and have decided to stop doing so on certain levels. There are times, though, when I feel it's not only necessary, but the outcomes could be detrimental if I don't.)

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I heard it for the first time in a long time the other day and had a very serious nostalgic moment. This was and still is one of my most favorite songs.

peace!!