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Hope Farm Housewife

my patchwork life

Friendships

The SECRET to learning a new skill….

by CyleAugusta 2 Comments

It’s funny that as I get older I seem  to tackle things I always said I couldn’t do. The more I chip away at the  “I’ve always wanted to do that list”, the more I learn that my inability is simply resistance to fulfill my desires. The resistance is experienced as fear: fear of the unknown – fear of failure.

Several months ago I gave some presentations at MOPS about creative ideas for home, gifts, and kids. A mom approached me and said “You’ve inspired me and I went out and bought a sewing machine to learn to sew“. I was excited about her new endeavor yet I felt ashamed at the mention of sewing. I had inspired someone to start sewing yet I couldn’t even sew myself. You See: I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEW – I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND FAILED MISERABLY.

The basic operation of the machine seemed to get the best of me.  Several times, I attempted sewing on my sisters machine and the bobbin would get stuck, or I’d break a needle, or push the peddle too fast, or lose control leaving my stitch looking like a chevron pattern party.

I look back and see one problem: I was attempting to sew alone. I never really sought the instruction I needed to successfully operate a sewing machine. I was mad that it didn’t come easily, and so I quit.  In fact I attempted to sew on several occasions with the prediction that I would fail miserably. and. I. did. I had a sister that sewed wonderfully and a skilled seamstress for a mother in law, so pawning sewing projects off on them became the crutch to uphold my belief: I CANNOT SEW.

Fast forward to several years later and Brunswick gets a Joannes. The desire to sew resurfaced and a group of friends decided to start a sewing group called Gathered Together. The skill of the sewing in our group ranges from beginner to professional.

The group decided to meet once a week for several hours in the evening and sew a project together for support, help and fellowship. Each week someone posts a simple project so you can prepare by buying supplies and cutting the pattern. I was ecstatic and arrived completely prepared, ready to sew. Guess what? My second-hand sewing machine died a painful death.  Several pro friends tried to revive her but there was no luck. Nonetheless, I still managed to finish my project for the first week – with eight sewing machines there was always one available.

I cannot tell you how encouraged and equipped I felt while sewing, I think it was simply the support of the women around me, all being at different levels and all helping one another. I could not get home fast enough to show my hubby what I made, entirely by myself!  He was impressed and even asked “Are you sure you no one else sewed on this?”  He remembers the chevron stitch, also know as crooked sewing.

Second week came and I was ready to tackle the next project. That week a girlfriend came and didn’t feel like sewing, so she let me use her machine and even ripped out a seam for me when I messed up.  Once again I drove home so excited and giddy over my new skill.

Third week was rather stressful: stress on the homefront, stress in the money world, and stress in sinus land. I nearly let it get the best of me and in my moodiness almost decided not to go – besides this week’s project seemed hard and I was a bit worried I might fail.

The presence of the fear/resistance is what made me decide to go. I knew I needed it – the degree of resistance/fear I feel about doing something is usually proportionate to how badly I need to do the particular task, for the growth of my soul.

I went to sewing group and tackled my fear.  One girl was out of town so she dropped her sewing machine off where the group was held that night so I could use it. How thoughtful is that?! I tell you this sewing group is therapeutic.

On the way home from the third sewing group it hit me: the reason I was able to sew reasonably well this time was simply the support I had around me – the girls who encouraged me – the learning that takes place as you are all sewing together. One person makes a mistake and shares it with the group, and naturally you learn from their mistakes – it’s a beautiful thing really.

Its not just sewing group where this beautiful artistic community takes place. I remember hearing my grandmother reminisce of knitting parties where socks were made during WW11.  In fact, to this day she hosts a knitting group in her home every week, claiming “It keeps your mind sane.”

Quilting, knitting, pottery, bunco, bridge – whatever the craft or skilled game involved there are many people who benefit from sharpening their craft in groups. What do you want to do but are too scared to start? Run a race, start a business, join a art group – whatever it is, find some support – some community in your particular interests. It will strengthen you, boost confidence, and reduce the temptation to quit.

Its a beautiful thing, really.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Crafting, Cyle, Friendships, Peace

Thanksgiving with the Northerners…

by CyleAugusta Leave a Comment

We didn’t visit the Big House in Sautee Nachoochee for Thanksgiving like we usually do, partly due to my parents traveling overseas and my siblings spending the day with their in-laws.

The prospect of organizing the big feast was daunting – downright intimidating- especially the turkey business. When your feasting with the parents they always provide the meat and the adult children bring the side dishes, right?

I think I just grew up.

I grew into an adult who is capable of buying and preparing a turkey and a ham and organizing a Holiday meal. We shared the day with three families who were all in the same boat – spending Thanksgiving without family. I didn’t realize they were all northerners until my friend said -“Thanks for hosting us northerners”!

And there you have it, Thanksgiving with the Northerners. We feasted, we shared our thanks, we walked on driftwood beach after the feast, then returned to the house for coffee and desert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of the day: The girls gathering at the dining table, coffee and desert in hand while pouring over black Friday ads. We made our plans, giggled and talked about what treasures we were going to land. We divided into teams of two and planned to meet up later in the night. Team 1 was actually brave enough for Walmart while team 2 played it safe and stuck with Target.

The coffee was brewing at 9:45p.m. and my household was long succumbed to slumber.

I was giddy with excitement – I kept thinking “I am one of those people”: The crazies. Then I pulled up at Target immediately gawking at all the people lined up. I saw people I knew, had reunions with old friends, finding my place in line conversation was electric, while  stories of trampling, hyper-ventilating and other horrors at Walmart flickered through the line like lightning bugs. The wal- mart sales started earlier so many shoppers were easing into the line at Target while processing the saga of Wally World.  Occasionally a  horn would loudly blare while a manager recited the rules of safe shopping. It was like elementary:

No pushing, no shoving, no guns??? What?  Oh, this is Target.

Then when our group of 30 was allotted into the store it was like walking into Heaven, ok, not really-  but it was nuts how exciting that stroll into target was, like there was red carpet under me and a symphony playing around me?

I kept speaking truth to myself:  this is target – I can come here ten times a day if I want.

I felt privledged to be among the first 150 people allowed in the store while the other latecomers had to suffer at the back of the line until their chosen 30 were allowed to enter. I ran from place to place with map in hand swiping all the amazing deals, I had carefully planned. My team mate and I worked together beautifully, one of us would man the buggy,  while the other raced through the crowds of people to grab items on sale.

So, yes my kids got the $ 20.00 dollar razor scooters among other things that were significantly on sale. It was a lot of fun, standing in line, feeling deliriously tired, in fact I was so tired that I turned around rapidly and busted right in the middle of the target aisle- I fell face first, it was embarrassing and it hurt, but no worries, I got my deals and I have a chiropractic appointment this week.

Team 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Team 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond all of this, I will never forget meeting team 1 at Fire house subs,  the only restaurant open at 3:30 a.m. That frenzied shopping made us hungry! We  shared stories of victories, deals conquered and the insanity we had seen.  We laughed and laughed some more, really thats all you can do when your up at a restaurant eating after a shopping spree at 3:30 a.m.!!!!!! It made me feel like I was in high school all over again. Fun times!

 

 

Filed Under: Cyle, Friendships, Treasure Hunting/Thrifting

Kindness- to ourselves

by CyleAugusta 6 Comments


A friend turns 30, a trip is planned, nine girls spending a weekend on a ranch overlooking a lake,    horses, and all that girly trips entail.  I nearly declined the invitation due to finances and the feeling  that this was way too luxurious. I recognized the voice of the enemy and decided NOT to listen. ” Ok  self, no, I really don’t have the extra money to do this, but who cares, Im going anyway”. The  husband was fully supportive.

First, I got a call to play piano in a wedding that Saturday, Beatles songs -that is. The chance to  challenge myself as a piano player and make some {needed} money. The voice started rolling “ Your  really do need to become better at playing classic rock music and you really should make some  extra  money.”  I recognized the enemy was once again trying to steal this opportunity for rest and    relaxation. The hubs was still rallying that I go on the trip. I declined the Piano Job.

Next, My husband and our band were asked to open for Caleb The band, that Friday night. The voice started ranting again ” You have to stay now, you can’t dissapoint your husband, after all, y’all minister together”. My saga was pouring out to the husband and he looked unmoved, “ what do you mean you need to stay? no, you don’t,  I knew you were gonna be gone, I’ve got a free-form acoustic variation set already planned, band practice scheduled”.  So, I said ” You know what self, I am putting a guilt trip on myself, STOP IT!   I will go on this girls trip”.

Then last night the dishwasher broke, and not a quiet death, dear dishwasher decided to bathe the entire kitchen with it’s contents before calling it quits. Thanks, dear dishwasher, did you have to do this at 11:35 p.m? The house was a wreck and I started doubting my decision. I really shouldnt do this, go out of town with the dishwasher broken”. I grabbed my yardstick of truth I’ve been storing in my brain this week and started swatting at that nasty thought. I told it where to go and where to stay. I also informed myself that the hubs was quite the talent of a  dishwasher .

I have a new mid year resolution,

To be kinder to myself.

At the moment these words become live on the web I will be in a mountain cabin on a ranch over looking a lake with nine fab girls, my kids might eat hot dogs three times a day and the hubs might forget a change of clothes for church but in the end,  It will all be ok.

What about you? Could you be kinder to yourself?

*pic taken by yours truly, Saint Simons Pier at dusk. This image says reprieve and peace to me.

 

Filed Under: Friendships, Peace

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