"Delivering Happiness...."

About two months ago I saw a story on the news about a woman who was unable to see her 'Memaw' because of COVID-19. I thought the story was sad and touching.  And then she said that she sends her Memaw a card every day to keep in touch. And I said "That's sad, but I do believe I can help her"  While the story wasn't about her needing cards, I just had to send her cards to use.

I contacted the reporter, Melanie Palmer, to see if she could put me in contact with the woman and I explained why.  Melanie gave me her email address and because as I soon learned, and you will too, she is absolutely amazing, she said "So, tell me more about your cards." 

Melanie loved the idea of me donating cards, and after a phone conversation in which I gave her more details about my donations, she went about pitching the idea to the editors. 

Well, then school started, and then it was Halloween, then it was the elections; there always was something to put on the news that took priority.  And that's fine with me. I know how it works, there is always news to report.  What I didn't know is that I had a cheerleader who had my back.  Someone who absolutely and whole heartedly believed in the story.  And in me.  I had Melanie. 

Melanie sent me a note this week and said that they were going to do a story about COVID, the holidays and the hardships it brings and that the editors okayed 'the card story'. 

I immediately started a diet, I had 15 pounds to lose in 2 days, and then I cleaned my studio.  Ahhh, the studio.  I am right in the middle of making cloth bags for gifts and the studio was a mess.  Not a little mess.  It was a BIG mess.  That's how it is when I am working on a project; I do lots of them at once and whatever I am working on takes over every surface and corner.  Sooo, I cleaned and packed away the fabric, the patterns, the ironing board and the sewing machine.  It was hard work as was evident from the .004 pounds I surly lost.

Next came out the card making supplies and samples. I had the cards that are going to Spartanburg Regional Hospital and I stamped a few to work on while they were filming. That wasn't a big weigh loss, only .00001 pounds or so.  It probably would have been more if I didn't eat 8 mini Mr. Goodbars during the process.  However, now that I think about it.....well, I don't want to think about it. 

Melanie sent me a note and said that her and the camera man, Kevin, will be at the house at 4:30 pm on Wednesday.  Great!  We'll be here.  Oh, but please excuse the mess.  Bill was tiling the kitchen backsplash and my stove was in my living room. 

So they arrived and Missy was off the walls. Two people! Two people in her house!  Two people in her house to rub her belly and scratch her ears!  She couldn't contain herself.  Missy just loves people, and luckily, because she really is a sweet dog, people love Missy. So, after about twenty minutes of loving on Missy, we went into my studio to do the story. 

Melanie and Kevin were awesome!  They asked great questions and were so involved in this whole card making and donating mission of mine. Missy came in often for some Melanie lovin'.  I do believe that Missy thought they were there just to see her.  

After about three hours they started to pack up their things to go.  But wait, I had gifts to give.  I had a box of handmade items to give Melanie and told her to pick out a bag to put them all in.  And as further proof of her fabulousness, she picked a dog bag!  See I told you!  I gathered about 50 cards to give to Kevin to bring home to his wife, but wait, I needed to give him a bag to put them in. He picked out a bag that he thought his wife would like, although he admitted that it may be used as a diaper bag if that was okay.  I reassured him that it would be just fine.  And they are washable, so it's all good.  

Hugs, and belly rubs all around and they left.  Missy and I watched them leave from the door.  You do that when you hate to see friends leave, but know that they must.  

Here is the video and article that was featured on WSPA Channel 7.  Thanks for watching.  And extra thanks if you notice how completely waif-like I appear.  

Delivering happiness: Inman woman keeping people connected during pandemic and beyond (wspa.com)

Mornings

Morning. I just adore the word:  Morning. 

I have always been drawn to, refreshed by and renewed by new mornings. 

I love the sky in the morning and I love the smell and the feeling in the air. I love everything about being up early and seeing the start of a new day. 

So many of you reached out to me about my last blog "It's Okay to Quit" and this blog goes along with that and I hope it speaks to you as well.  

I removed myself from a situation that was absolutely toxic and harmful to my being and my soul.  It was merely a season and a night in my life, and I welcomed and embraced the morning that followed. And you can too.  

I encourage you all to look to the morning. When you are in a dark season or time in you life, look to the morning.  Look for the new beginning.  It's an opportunity to renew and nourish your soul.  

If you know anything about Key West, you probably know about the evening parties that are held at Mallory Square.  Every night in Key West they celebrate the glorious sunsets. How fabulous is that!!  Hundreds of people gather each night to witness the sun drop off into the Gulf of Mexico.  While I appreciate the great photo and people watching opportunities, I much more prefer the sunrise over the Atlantic. 

Every morning while in Key West, I get out of bed before sunrise and walk to the Atlantic Ocean side of the island and watch the sunrise.  There are no crowds, street performers or musicians when the sun rises.  And that precisely is the reason why it appeals to me. The atmosphere is serene, appreciated and quietly celebrated by the few that are up early to witness the glorious start of the day. 

These photos bring me joy and peace.  And I hope they bring you joy and peace too. 

 

It's Okay to Quit

 

"When you feel like quitting, remember why you started" 

"Quitters never win and winners never quit"

"Push through the pain"

These quotes and others like them can have you feeling like you are a failure if you quit.  It's not true.  There should be no shame in quitting. 

Sometimes it takes more courage, more strength and more self-preservation to choose to remove yourself from a bad situation.  

When you remove yourself from a negative environment, you are taking care of yourself.  It is your life and you are in control of it.  You shouldn't be afraid or ashamed of looking out for yourself. 

Don't allow anyone to tell you different. You absolutely have the right and the responsibility to protect yourself.  You make that call. Not someone else. No person, athlete or corporate CEO has the right to tell you what you should feel or what you should do with your life.

When you choose to take yourself 'out of the game' it is because you know, respect and like yourself too much to allow yourself to continue to be in an unhealthy situation.  And unhealthy is what you determine, it is not based on someone's else's perception. 

You don't have an "obligation" to stay in a situation that is negative, harmful, abusive or soul draining.  You don't. 

It's okay to quit. Really.