Amazing Lift

After my makeover photos, I've been on a mission to keep up my appearance, even shopping for (gasp!) clothes instead of fabric!!!! Who knew!?!  LOL  I've not been much of a "high maintenance" woman, to be sure.

I told Jeff that for some 15 years as a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom, I haven't spent money on clothes, make-up, or jewelry, but that's all about to change!!   He took the news like a man.  Busted out in a big cry and begged me to be just as plain-jane as I've always been!! LOL  Nah...I think he's down with my new bad self. :-D

So, shopping!! And since I wanna look good, I figured some new, um..."foundation garments" were in order. :-D  Wanna see!?! NO...I'm not gonna show you my big-girl panties!! LOL

I admit, however, to being intrigued with the phrases the brands are using to tout their wares...

"Amazing Lift!"

Who couldn't use some amazing lift!!?
Got me thinking about what "lifts" me....

A couple of Sundays ago, my friend Lynette gave me a "Sunshine Bag."  A bright green tote filled with lots of little packages, with notes attached to each one.  What the...!?  Her card said, "Your 'sunshine bag' is filled with just 'stuff' that will hopefully bring a smile and encourage."

Check this out!

There are about 25 different little gifts.  The greedy girl in me wanted to snap them all up and unwrap them at the same time.  But I've tempered my impulses and I only open them when I'm feeling particularly blue or discouraged.  I've opened four little packages so far.  Amazing lift!!

What else lifts me?
Words with friends, definitely. Not the game (although I love it!!  lol!), but words with/from/to friends. I love each and every kind word I receive, either in person or in writing. I've been wickedly remiss in replying to so many sweet responses here on the blog!! Each one is precious to me -- healing and solace to my spirit! My lack of response is a perfectionist impulse....I wanna say the right thing back, and can't find the time to formulate the words like I want to...I should be just as lifting to you as you are to me, doncha think?!

Beauty! is another thing...
Quilts, of course...

The red and green I was fortunate enough to photograph at a museum display before being told that photographs weren't allowed. (There weren't any signs! hehehe)  The log cabin is my own, and the quilting still takes my breath!! Done by Mary at Quilt Hollow, there's not another quilt in my house that rivals its beauty.  I fondle it frequently! LOL

Humor -- always a lifter!!  My friend Rebecca tagged me in this one on facebook...

And of course, family.
We snapped this photo on Skype while Jeff was in Afghanistan...
The fuzzy blue robe on the left?? That's me....
Yet another reason for new "foundation garments!" LOL


Paul wrote to the Philippians a verse you've heard me quote before....

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praise-worthy -- think about such things."  (Philippians 4:8)

All around us are things that God has provided for "amazing lift!"  What is lifting you today!?

Blessings,

Big Girl Panties

I first read the phrase over at Teresa's blog (Fabric Therapy -- click here).  Then, lo and behold, Shelly had a picture of it on a quilt at her site (Red Quilts -- click here) -- so I'm thinking Somebody might be trying  to tell me something.

Shelley took this photo at the Augusta, Maine quilt show. Check out the other scrumptious quilts she photographed at http://redquilts.blogspot.com/!

I suspect it has something to do with so many quilting irons in the fire. My friend, Paula, of Paula's Quilting Pantry, sent me a list of her unfinished projects.  She only has SIX projects that she started in previous years.  I think I might have quadruple or quintuple that number (or more, but I don't know the "...uple" word for it). Hmmmmm.....

Case in Point:  Sunbonnet Sue.  I'm not much of a Suzie fan. She's too cute-sy, cute-sy for my taste.  BUT! I have some blocks that I won in a drawing from my quilt club friends in....2006!!! The blocks are signed and dated, can you believe it!?!?!  Like I need more quilting guilt....

The blocks really are lovely, though, and I have a design in my head for all those Suzies complete with framing, sashing and pinwheel cornerstones and a lovely fall (because Suzie's theme was fall and I won her at our Thanksgiving meeting) border print to spruce up her setting.  It should be a fine quilt, even to a Sunny Suzie hater like myself.

She's not my only long-overdue project.  I've got a "To Do" list a mile long.  My husband is deployed, so most of my evenings are available to work.  It's time to "put the big girl panties on."  I'm not going to live forever and I don't want my kids left with the unenviable burden of disposing untold millions of unfinished projects.  Not to mention them selling Suzie and her cut-out pieces at a yard sale for a quarter. Can you feel the collective quilting world gasp at THAT prospect!?  Can you feel Suzie's silent disapproval beneath those countenance-covering bonnets?! Very disturbing!  I'm taking her completion very seriously from now on!

The apostle Paul understood about limited time and accomplishing something.  He wrote from prison to the church at Philippi, "...one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  All of us who are mature should take such a view of things..." (Philippians 3: 13b-15a)

He knew all about big girl panties.  He had only a while before his execution for the cause of Christ.  He made the most of his time.  He put some major effort in.  He pressed on.  We should all be so wise.  (I'm not just talking about quilting!!)

Excuse me while I go change my underwear!

Blessings!

Mary Lou