Craftbug

No More Job Worries

Recently, I have been worried about not being able to find a job in my small hometown.  I have decided that worrying does no good.  It never has.  I went with my mother to a doctors appointment so she wouldn't have to go alone.  It's not that she's unable to do this by herself.  I just thought she might like the company.  She was very encouraging to me about not working right now.  She reminded me that I am in what she called the "sandwich" generation.  The one where you have older parents and very young grandchildren and might have to take care of any one of them at any time.

She's right, as usual.  I would not have been able to go with her if I had been working.  I also take my mother-in-law to doctors appointments occasionally.  My neighbor has also mentioned going with her sometime if I was available.  I told her to give me a call and I would be glad to go if nothing else was going on.  Maybe this is something that I should be doing, at least for right now.  I'm available for my parents and for my children if they need me for any reason.

I'm not saying I'm waiting around for them to call me to help them out.  I do have other things I like to do and need to do.  It's also nice to be home when my husband is home from work and do things with him.  He works in Nigeria for 28 days and then he's home for 28 days.  That gives us lots of time together.

So, I guess that I'm content with my situation right now.  It does give me the opportunity to sew and do other crafts that I like to do and pursue a career in selling my home made goods.  It gives me great joy to see someone like what I have done.  If they use it themselves, or give it as a gift, it's a great pleasure to create something useful and appreciated.

With the support of my husband and family, I'm not worrying about finding a job right now.  If one comes along that is right for me, so be it.  If not, so be it.

Quilting Classes

I went to a beginners quilting class last night.  I have always wanted to learn to quilt.  Both of my grandmothers quilted but my mother and mother-in-law do not.  It's a lost art in my family.  I probably have great aunts and distant cousins that quilt.  I don't want it to end in our family. 

I had a really good time and learned how to use a rotary cutter, the mat, and the ruler.  It's not complicated when someone is there to explain it to you.  I really did learn something in the first session.  I made three quilt blocks.  They are small, 6 X 6, but we are only making a sampler.  I hope to one day be able to make quilts in a timely manner and give them to my children and grandchildren.  I also hope that someone else in the family will take an interest in it and learn how so they can pass it on to another generation.

I have always loved to sew and love fabrics.  I'm one of those people that have stashes of fabrics because I see something I like and buy it and plan on using it one day.  The right project for it has to come along though.  I can't use it for just anything.  I've always loved quilts.  I have several that my grandmothers have given me.  I use some of them and just have some for home decor.  They are priceless to me.

It will be real treat for me if some day a quilt that I have made is a priceless treasure to my children or grandchildren.  I hope they will learn to love and appreciate them as I have.

Craft Shows

I went to a small craft show in our local area this past Saturday.  I really didn't know what to expect.  This show was in conjunction with a Mule and Donkey Show.  So, as you can imagine, the expectations were unsure.  I don't know how many people in our area have mules or donkeys and I had no idea how big the crowd would be.

Well, all I can say is that I'm glad it was inside.  It was at least cool and close to bathrooms.  I only sold $45.00 worth of stuff and that was enough to cover booth space and the cost of the items I sold.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  Living in Alabama, we have a huge following of the Auburn War Eagles and the Alabama Crimson Tide football teams.  I have items that are related to those football teams.  I sold nothing. 

I have just started back into the arts and crafts shows with high hopes.  My husband and I did this many years ago.  We never did very well.  I thought maybe this would be a good time to do it again.  I think I might be wrong or maybe just haven't been to the right ones yet.  I'm not giving up hope yet but time will tell.  I make cute stuff.  My family members like it.  The people seem to like it because they comment on how cute everything is but then they walk away.  I've got time and money invested in all these things and would like to see them walk away with the customers.

So, I guess I'll keep on and see what other ideas I can come up with.  I would really like to make this work.  If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to leave a comment and let me know.

College Education?

What is your college education worth to you?  Mine is worth a whole lot less than what I had to pay for it.  After many years of working go-nowhere, boring jobs, I decided to go back to college and finish my degree in accounting.

I did in my mid 40's and was very proud of that.  I did very well.   Not a 4.0 GPA but a good enough GPA that I can go to grad school if I want to.  I was told by many people that I should not have any problem getting a job.  I was a little worried about it because of my age.  I'm not old but I'm a good bit older than most college grads.

I live in a small southern town.  I have looked for a job all over this town in the field that I received my degree in and other fields that don't even require a college degree.  Apparently, they still apply the old crony and the good ole buddy system around here.  It's not what you know or what you can do, it's who you know.  I'm originally from here but I don't know very many people around here because we had lived somewhere else for 18 years.  Therefore, I don't have a job in the accounting field or any other field. 

I feel like I wasted my time and efforts and money to get a degree that I can't use.  If I had gone into the medical field, I would probably be working now.  I have family members in that field and they probably could have helped with the job search.  The things is, I'm not a medical field type of person.  I'm more a business type of person. 

I'm very disgruntled and discouraged with this situation but it has made me look at other opportunities.  I like to sew and do all kinds of crafts so I'm going to pursue that as my career.  One thing about that is I will be doing something that I really like to do.  I don't need a college education to do this but that's OK.  I did what I set out to do and completed it with a good GPA and I'm satisfied with myself.  It's the employers that decided not to give me a chance that have missed out on having a good and faithful employee in their company.  I have always done the best I could do no matter what my job has been in the past.

Another positive thing about my decision is that I can do this from my home.  I love being at home.  I always have.  This may be the opportunity of my lifetime.  I'm looking forward to seeing just how far it can go.  I have the full support of my husband and family and that means allot to me and makes it easier to pursue.

Autumn Weather

Finally, we have a reprieve from the hot weather of the deep south.  Living is south Alabama is wonderful most of the year.  The summers are really hot and humid.  The winters are mild but sometimes get very cold.  The temps actually do get into the single digits.  This week we are having fall-like temps and low humidity and it feels really wonderful. 

I think fall is my favorite time of the year.  I really like the spring but the fall is better after the long, hot summers we have.  I love the changing colors and the flowers that bloom in the area this time of year.  The wildflowers are especially beautiful.  Mostly, it reminds me of the upcoming holidays that I will get to spend with my family.  The last few months of the year are always fun, even if they are hectic. They will be especially fun this year.  I have three grown children and they all live close by now.  I also have three grandsons who are so much fun to have around.  My family is what makes the holidays so special.  To me it's not about the gifts at Christmas or what anyone can do for me.  It's all about being with my family and letting them know how much they mean to me.

I hope wherever you are, you have a wonderful fall and the weather is good to you.  I also hope for you a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas season.