*more* Advice needed (this is SB related)

Angie, I have read your recent posts and although you are at probably the lowest of lows right now, life (God) hands you these challenges for a reason. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. My heart goes out to you and I wish I could help more as well as many others in this group. As bad as it is now, and although it may not seem like there is light at the end of the tunnel; in my heart, I believe you will find a better job, car, man, and will find so much more happiness if you have faith that you will. It is okay to grieve, but don't get rid of something that gives you so much happiness. You will someday (hopefully soon) have a reason and a muse in your life to scrap. You sound like you have family and friends around you. Lean on them and us for support right now. Any good and loving person will understand. I have felt guilty because I haven't really known what to say about what you are going through and at the same time my heart goes out to you. Give it time, take time to heal, and remember, this group is here for you. It is okay to cry, you have been through more in one week than any person should have to go through. Unfortunately it could always be worse. Sending you lots of (((HUGS)))

Jacqui

Angie, first and most importantly, you are not annoying, you are one of us and I for one am glad that you can come and talk to us. I hope we can help.

I think that you need to give yourself a little time to get over the shock of everything that has happened to you. I've been where you are and the only way out is by forcing yourself to reclaim the things that made you feel better before all this mess happened. I remember waking up every morning and telling myself, "enthusiasm is a decision". It almost became a chant. Everytime I had to walk out of my home or office at work to face the world, I'd put this fake smile on my lips and say it "enthusiasm is a decision". I'm not sure if it was weeks or months later, I realized that the smile had come on its own.

So I guess when it comes to the scrapbooking supplies, or anything else that mattered before, I would ask myself if I want to chuck it because it's something I no longer want to do, or just because the joy and enthusiasm has gone out of it! If it were me, I'd try to find pictures in the bunch that can still make me smile and try scrapping those. And... if there were none, and I couldn't think of a picture that I wanted to take and hadn't had a chance to take before, I would tidy it all up and store it for a day where the enthusiasm came back. But you see...that's if it were me, because in the end, I know now that everything I loved before, even my ex I still love now, though differently. And it didn't take all that long for me to reclaim my life and the things I loved to do once I realized that I needed those activities to make me whole again.

Put simply, open the QVC box, sort the pictures and then if you must, put it away in the garage where you can get to it when the mood strikes you again.

Hugs,

Oh Angie:>(

I feel so bad for you. But don't do something you'll regret later. Just pack up everything that you don't think you want any more & put a date on it, then in 6 months (or sooner)(Your rules) open it & go through it again. You may take things out, throw things out or pack it back up. Only you can decide. Just don't get rid of things right now, that will just add to your grief later.

Hang in there, you can do it:>)

I'm rather new to the group and am still very excited about scrapping, but I do have a $2000 piano that I haven't touched for a year. I often wonder whether I should get rid of it, but then I think of how much I used to enjoy playing and hope one day I'll want to play again. In the meantime it just sits there and my grandchildren play it when they come. Things change so much in our lives that nothing happening right now will last forever. (Thank goodness, or we'd have to watch those awful political ads forever.) There is no way of knowing right now what may come to us down the road. You may use the SB stuff in ways you have no idea right now. For instance, it would great to use if you volunteered with the elderly or younger children someday. Someday you might just want a piece of colored paper for a little project. So, how about this: I'll keep dusting my piano if you'll pack up your stuff and keep it. If we haven't touched them in 10 years or so, I say let's dump'em. It may prove to be great therapy someday--who knows. Besides, my DH has a model ship taking up half his work room that he hasn't touched in forever and he's not getting rid of that. My 87-year-old stepfather was once a truck driver, and at 87 he would still get out his maps and logs to look over. We all deserve to have some stuff "just because." Be kind to yourself.

Hi Angie,

I'm glad you can come and talk to us. Never feel like you are a bother. Yeah we're scrappers here, but I'd also like think we're friends too.

As for your scrapping stuff I think it should be packed up and stuck in the garage. Counselors say don't make snap important decisions when you're in crisis and I'd say a divorce is an emotional crisis. Put a date on the boxes as someone suggested and revisit them later... 6 months ... a year. Then decided when you've had time to think... time to heal a little. If your zest for scrapping still isn't there then decide whether to chuck them all.

Keep talking to us you're not a bother.

Best Wishes, Lynne

Angie you could never be annoying. Your world has just fallen apart, and you're hurting. You can talk all you want about what's going on in your life. That's part of why we're here.

As for your SB stuff, I think it wouldn't hurt to hang on to it. Like Trish suggested, pack it up and give it time. You're hurting right now, and when we're hurting we sometimes make decisions we'll later regret. Think of what a bummer it would be to toss it all now, and sometime in the future want to SB again!

It doesn't seem like it now, but there is light at the end of the tunnel, and no...it's not a train. :-) I believe everything happens to us for a reason, and sometimes those bad things happen so we can become a stronger person. Hang in there. There's a better job out there. There's a much better man out there. There's a better car out there. And if you just hang in there, you'll find all 3. It may not be today, but they are out there.

Angie, I agree with everyone else...store it until you feel like you can make a more thought out decision whether to scrap or not...I would get a (or some) good plastic container, dark colored and opaque- not clear...with a good tight fitting lid. Hopefully that will be enough to keep your papers and embellishments secure in an un regulated garage. You may lose some pens and adhesive, or maybe not. But give it a try! Arleen

I athink I understand a bit of where you are coming from on this. I have another friend that went through the same thing but let me start with:

1) I have NEVER made a greeting card. Store bought cards are just fine. It's the thought that counts.

2) As for your supplies....if you feel you need the money...sell them otherwise...hold onto them and do what you can to get back into the hobby you have always loved. It has taken my other friend a couple of years but she is getting back into it and wondering why she stopped. It would have been a great outlet for her anger and grief.

3) If you need something to scrap that isn't photographs...how about a recipe album you can either keep or give as a gift. Just don't let the situations you are faced with also rob you of the hobby you love! Big Hugs! S

Angie,

I feel for you, I really do. Don't get rid of your things just yet, because in time you will want to scrapbook again. I know how you feel because when I'm not happy I don't like to scrapbook but when I'm happy I scrapbook a lot. Anyways, Maybe you can store all of your old pictures for now and start taking new pictures of yourself and your friends, your new life. Also you can start a new journal type scrapbook about what you are going through right now. It might help to release some of the yucky feelings. I guess this would be an all about you album because right now it's all about you baby. Take care of yourself and do all of things you have always dreamed of, you are great lady.

>

Angie, I agree with all the others. Store the items away for awhile. I am so sorry for all the things going on in your life right...I had a difficult time dealing with a divorce never-the-less - a wrecked car and a lost job.

My you are some strong lady! Please continue to drop in a chat with us whether you scrap or not...we're here and prayers are being said!

God Speed

-- Maureen in FL aka Smilingtooo :-) SMILE BE HAPPY :-)

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Pages complete in 2004: 45 Goal for 2004: a page a week Pages complete in 2003: 37 Member since June 6, 2002

This is why I *LOVE* this group!!!! Thanks to all the advice. I thought about the plastic containers for the garage & also thought about possibly selling some of the stuff. Maybe the Sizzix dies or the other punches I bought for it. I also thought there was something wrong with "giving up" cold turkey (listen to me, the addict here =).

Susan, this was exactly what I needed to hear. I feel (seriously) better about buying cards. It's almost as if ppl "except" you to make them just cause you scrap. You should have seen the let down faces when I showed up with my 1st store bought card after I had started making cards. But I figured if others have the right to have a life, so do I and if they like handmade stuff they can go make it themselves! THY!!! TY!!! On the idea about recipes. I'm not too much of a cook, but I'm sure I can figure something that I can scrap. MB Cards. Or just make the general LO's. I dunno. But thanks for the idea. Sometimes in the middle of the fog, we forget to look at the obvious (or maybe I'm just ditsie)

You guys rock! Thanks again. XOXOXO

Angie P.S. You guys are really making me feel better. God Bless You All. Thanks a bunch from the bottom of my heart.

glad you're feeling better Angie. I know this is a rough time for you. I went through something similar and was left with a house full of children, no job and no money. What I did with the pictures that I didn't want to look at.. I packed them up..mailed them to my sister half way across the US..and said keep these.. in 10 years you can send them back. She did.. and I then divided them up between the grown kids and put some in their scrapbook. I gave up other hobbies I had at the time that all happened..but eventually got my feel for things again..just took a while. Time makes things easier. Michelle

165 pages in 2004

Oh Angie! don't get rid of anything yet. As everyone has suggested put it away for a while. One day you will feel the need to be creative again. If it isn't pictures that you begin scrapping again, as Susan said maybe something else like recipes. Just don't make any rash decisions! Know that we're here for you and between all of us I believe we have plenty of shoulders for you to lean on/cry on. Now hug yourself and know that we all truely care about you!

Like most I agree you should store the stuff then make decisions after your life settles more.

Teresa in MD

Glad to help a bit:>)