Amen. I loaded down a Benton County Deputy cruiser this morning. He told me that he wished we saw each other more often and under better circumstances. We worked together a lot when I was doing child abuse investigations. Seems we only see each other in committees or other work related things. He had just pulled a double shift and was planning to go over to Siloam Springs to help out with the evacuuees before having a day off. He said he really enjoyed doing something besides busting meth labs and drunks.
And to think I thought Karlee would not be the only one with this sentiment! I cannot believe that she and I are in the minority. I also left the group because of pettiness. One of my first projects with the group was to piece together the quilt for the family of James Byrd Jr. I sent out preliminary pics of the center placement and there were blocks scattered - nothing had been pieced yet - and people were riled because their blocks weren't included - the quilt top wasn't even done yet! I made sure every single block made it in. Why? Because they were made for that quilt. There are other reasons I left - too many to go into. I don't know where this argument started, don't want to get into it. But I was smiling and rooting Karlee on while reading her post because I feel the same way!! This group used to be so giving and loving and awesome! I participated in row robins and ornaments swaps. My son was HUGGED. I was given such awesome support when I needed it. Visiting the group now is not something I do on a routine basis because there is too much ....... I don't know what exactly. Things have changed, but again I have to agree with Karlee, I don't see them as changes for the better.
Karlee - it was so awesome to see your name!!! No flames from me, wouldn't want to hurt any of your stash! :)
I think this group is fabulous. As it whole it is generous, loving, and kind. Occasionally I disagree with a poster on their view of a certain item or event. Just like a birth family, this quilting family isn't going to agree on everything and get along all the time. And to have former members pop in just to say how they disagree with the group as a whole is very disheartening. I don't have time to read everything so skip most responses to OT messages but I do read everything that is quilt related.
I totally agree with maryd. There's always going to be a few rotten apples in the barel...that's life, after all...and last I checked it was still a free country.
But I have to admit it seems odd for someone who 'was gone' because of bickering and now decides to 'pop in' just to chastize us. We're NOT ALL nasty, after all...
....but then, that's what filters are for! :)
-Irene
-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
I probably wouldn't say this if I weren't stressed out and in a bad mood, but I gotta say -- Yeah, right. It's a popularity contest, hon. If you're popular, you get the strokes; if you're not, you don't. I don't happen to be one of the well-loved, popular ones. I make beautiful quilts. But I'm crusty, cranky, and opinionated -- but that doesn't mean I don't care or that I don't hurt. When I was scared spitless because of abnormal mammogram results (although they proved not to be malignant, those results mean that I will have to get a mammo every 6 months from now on), I didn't even get one single squishie. Possibly because I'm not oozing over with obvious sweetness. Or maybe it's because I'm skinny. I've been under one king hell of a lot of stress ALL SUMMER. I haven't shared what it is because there are individuals on this group that take pleasure in my discomfort. But I'm hurting, I'm stressed, I cry all the time and DH says I whimper in my sleep. And I don't expect *anything* because I know I'm not exactly on the A list around here.
You can probably expect me to continue being cranky and moody for the forseeable future. Deal.
Actually, the reason I "popped in" was because the husband of MeSue asked me to post a message - actually two. Also, I was a very active member before I left and never felt like I was missed...if I'd gotten a message with a "we miss you, come back" or a "where are you, how are you doing?" I might have been back. There wasn't anything like that. I also "popped in" to see how everyone was chatting about the BIG things - because this group does have a finger on all the issues.
I agree with Karlee because it just seems that this group shouldn't stop with the message boards - which it did for me. I didn't have anyone who asked how I was doing after I left. So as much as I would love to take the sentiment that "all of us are loved and an integral part of this newsgroup" I guess I'd have to say that for me it was "out of site, out of mind"
I also p> I totally agree with maryd. There's always going to be a few rotten
Sue, I don't think it's an out of sight out of mind thing. I often wonder just where and how others are doing and therre are plenty so it keeps my brain fairly busy. Just because we may not post a "where are they now" about every "missing" quilter who's been on the group, doesn't mean we don't think about them or care about them. We complain about the number of posts now (I'm dreading what I'll have to download after 2 weeks away) so can you imagine???? LOL.
Please do come back Sue, if not all the time (if you don't have the time/ability) then just occasionally to say hi and catch up. I, for one, do miss you.
I think you are also missing a point - not all people who do "big things" for the group get squished when they are in need. And it shouldn't be the most visible and the most active people who get everything. If that really is the way the world works, then would the United States of America have ever been founded? Would women have ever fought for and been given the right to vote? What about "no child left behind" for education? There are SO many things that do not even come close to the best getting the rewards and the "feel good stuff". If someone is in need - be it financial, mental, spiritual or "squishie" shouldn't we do what we can to help? One last example: should we now leave all of the survivors of Katrina out of houses and homes and food simply because they are poor and defenseless? Because I certainly don't know who they are and if they deserve it.
Oh, sorry, I guess I shouldn't have said anything. Because after all, I've been too busy licking my wounds from previous bickering with no follow-up apologies to be a part of this group to be an active member. I'll crawl back under my rock now.
And just to let you know - my life has been so full of other obligations that I do not have the luxury of time to quilt! That is probably part of the reason why I am so crabby and defensive and B****Y. So, I envy each and every one of you who can whip out a needle, thread, fabric, sewing machine - whatever and sew a few seams. I miss it, I love it and it had saved my sanity at one time. So it really irks me that someone would accuse me of popping back in to chastise....I haven't really left, I lurk. Because I can't quilt, I read. I just don't always have the energy or passion to reply to things.
Sue > I may have made your point for you, yes, those who are well loved tend
Thank you VERY MUCH for that. These past two weeks, especially, have been very stressful and hard for me and I think the last six words of your post are the nicest, kindest words that have been spoken to me all day. Thank you for that (and it's a good thing I'm not wearing mascara or it would be running down my cheeks right now.) I need to go get some sleep so that I can have at least a few hours of stress-free time, I hope! Thanks again Sharon! (As a side note, I've got family -BIL - very close to you now and my SMIL will be there for Christmas this year-not sure what she's going to do without snow.)
Sue > Sue, I don't think it's an out of sight out of mind thing. I often wonder
You are right on track - Ms Sue. I lurked for years while I was so sick and depressed about being unable to work. I chose to jump back in and get my feet wet. I'm glad that you are doing the same. No one here has the authority or right to decide who is loveable. We are all loveable and no one here knows another one well enough to judge them to that degree.
I can only speak for myself but I am glad you are here and hope you will be able to stay for awhile and participate in our discussions because you sound very sensible and knowledgeable. We always need more unique view points and I sure hope you will continue to share yours.
Thank you very much for helping me understand...with the mood I was in I read your post how *I* wanted to and not how you intended it. I think I might be the pirate shaped stone...just buried under a few layers of beautifully plain stones, because all I seem to be able to do lately is growl and say ARGH! Maybe I should get a patch?
Wish> Sue, Im sorry to hear your life is in turmoil now.
Thank you. I'm hoping I can stay for a while, as this is my only link to quilting. I would love to look at quilts, but it bums my out that I can't work on any when I do that, so sometimes it's more harm than good. I am hoping that with two of my three boys in school now I can work some quilty time in and release some stress that way. My quilt room has become my office and I need to create a quilt corner in there because I feel lost. I'm hoping that the "therapy" I've received here in the past few days will help me accomplish that!!! Thank you again for your understanding and acceptance. It would, indeed, be dull world if we were all the same. (I don't think I could make quilts with some of the color combinations that my Great Aunt used to use, for example!!)
Goodness, Sue, having the office take over the sewing area could be the basis of a horror movie: Creeping Computers on Quilter Lane!! Get thee into that space and PUSH back the offending office items to reclaim some quilting space. When you need a break from those endeavors, be sure to stop in here for the latest in the RCTQ Soap Opera .... er, I mean RCTQ Educational Channel.
You say no one inquired ss to your absence. Well, I for one do not have the Directory, so do not have most addresses. Plus, I lost a bunch of Address Files when the computer crashed a couple months back. Bad Computer, Bad!! But I did wonder where you were ... I remembered how you organized Ornament Swaps and when you decided to move on, and I thought you should come back, even with out the swap. So, here you are! GOOD! Now stay a while please.
Welcome back. PAT > Thank you. I'm hoping I can stay for a while, as this is my only link
SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEE'S BBBBBBBBAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCKKKK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tried sneaking in the back door, did you? Forgot about the 'tinkling bell' we had attached, eh? Now get your chair down off the wall and get on over next to Diana--she is hoarding the chocolate again ......she just might share if you take a cuppa for her Welcome Home
Well, if you don't have time to quilt right now, you could still be a pirate! Talk like a Pirate Day is coming up in a couple of days, just ask Wendy! You could possibly relieve some of your stress by cobbling together some sort of costume (a bandanna on your head, an eyepatch?) and being wonderfully, ridiculously pirate-like all day? If it doesn't get you laughing, it would certainly get everyone around you laughing, and laughter is contagious. Just a suggestion.... :)
I found that a dedicated sewing corner is worth its weight in gold. If you have to get the machine out and set it up every time, you don't!
My corner is in the Conservatory (so I have invested in a fan too!) We had been trying to sell an old computer desk when I had a sudden thought - cleared that end of the room, installed desk, machine and chair. Then I had a hunt around and found an old tea trolley with an extendable top. This slides under the desk when not in use and holds a couple of lidded boxes with current projects in. A table ironing board we used to use in the caravan sits on top. There is another small shelved unit which holds the small portable TV and another couple of plastic boxes.
When I want to just machine I move the trolley to one side and plug in a travel iron (rescued from DS from his model aircraft days). I use a mini cutting board and ruler next to the machine.
If it is a more major sewing session I flip the lid of the trolley to double the size, and put my big cutting board on one end and the ironing board on the other.
The conservatory has an oak chest which hides projects which have become too bulky for the plastic boxes, and stash lives in another chest in the guest bedroom. (I have lots of stash for embroidery and beadwork etc.)in cuboards and in boxes under the bed in here, and have a 'map of under the bed so I can remember which box to pull out!).
All this means I can start to sew in just 1 minute!
Its made the world of difference, and means I actually start sewing straight away, so if I only have half an hour, I can actually use 28 minutes of it, and be all tidy at the end!
Happy quilt>Thank you. I'm hoping I can stay for a while, as this is my only link
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