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Pep Talk Time

From time to time I get asked enough questions that I feel the need to sit down with some of my blog readers and have a heart to heart talk.  It’s time!  🙂  Nothing serious . . don’t sweat.  This reminds me of some mornings when I wake up and I’m waiting or Vince to stir so I know he’s awake and I say “Vince?”  So often that means “I have a great idea that’s either going to cost you money or cause you lots of work!”  Now, when I say “Vince?” instead of saying “Yes, dear wife?”, he says “NO!  Not if it’s going to cost me money or take any more of my time!”

One night . . maybe night before last, we were outside and Vince said “Did you really ever think we would have a place like this?”  I thought about it for a minute and I said “I never thought we wouldn’t!”  I generally don’t set my mind to getting something that I know is impossible to get.

This week a reader mentioned that she couldn’t do the feathers on her quilting machine because of the throat space.  Folks . . this was my first quilting machine and I did feathered wreaths.  This is an old picture but it’s a feathered wreath that was done on that old machine with about an 8″ throat space.  Not a great picture but it’s from 2001!

Do you know that until the end of 2004, I didn’t have a stitch regulator?  Every ribbon I’ve won was done prior to getting a stitch regulator.

When I got my first machine, that old used short arm, all I wanted to do was make feathers.  Thank goodness, I had no idea I “couldn’t” do it and that 99.9% of the quilters would have told me it was impossible had I had the sense to ask.  I didn’t ask . . I never thought I couldn’t do it it and therefore, I did it.  In so many aspects of our lives, we’re limited only by the limitations we place on ourselves.

Another blog reader wrote yesterday that she had never had a fresh yard egg.  This isn’t about whether or not you’ve had a fresh egg so please don’t get into a debate here about whether fresh yard eggs are better than storebought eggs.  They’re different.  Some like them better and some don’t.  We’ve always been able to find fresh eggs, though like a whole lot of other things, sometimes it’s easier to buy them in the store than try to find them.  As I was out watering last night, knowing that I rarely run up against a brick wall and I never give up, I thought . . what would I do if I really wanted fresh yard eggs and couldn’t find any?  Before you read my answer, think about it for a minute and think about what you would do.

If I had exhausted all resources, I would go to a local feed store and stand around in the chicken feed area til I saw someone who looked kinda normal come in and buy chicken feed.  No one buys chicken feed unless they have chickens!  I would tell them that I’ve heard so much about fresh yard eggs, I’ve never had any and I want to buy some.  Can you help me?   We’ve learned a whole lot about chickens just from talking to other shoppers in the chicken department at Tractor Supply.

When I wanted to knit socks and couldn’t figure out how to get started, I went to Hobby Lobby where we lived in Kentucky.  I stood around the sock  yarn and waited for someone to come in and pick some up.  I figured anyone buying sock yarn might know how to knit socks.  Bingo!  She told me about a group of ladies that met on Tuesday at the local Methodist Church and that’s exactly what I needed.

My question for each of you (and I’m not really asking for an answer . . just asking you to think about it) is:  What do you really want and how hard are you willing to work to make it happen?

I’ve given you examples of my first quilting machine which was really so difficult to use that many would have given up.  I worked hard, mainly because I didn’t know any better, and I really wanted to make enough money quilting so I could buy a better machine . . and I did.  You know what we went through trying to find a home with acreage here.  How many would have given up and bought in town?  How many would have given up and moved back to MO when our house there was sitting empty?  We worked so hard and met so many obstacles that many of you couldn’t even believe what we were going through.  Looking back, I’m not sure what kept me sane (don’t say a word!) but . . oh, my . . it was so worth it.  This place is so perfect for us and honestly, if it had been for sale on Day 1 of our house search, due to the size of the house, we probably would have passed and not even looked at it.  Turns out, this house is just right!

I just don’t see how any of us can ever be truly happy or truly content unless we know what we want and begin working towards getting there.  It isn’t always easy.  It isn’t always economically feasible.  I truly believe that when we’re where we need to be and we’re doing the things we need to be doing, we’ll either achieve our goals or we’ll have a peace about our efforts and maybe see our goals heading into another direction — something more “do-able”.

But the very first step is that  you have to know what you want and commit to doing whatever it takes to get there.  I wish you all the same happiness and contentment that we have found!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Well said Judy! I am always annoyed by the people who tell me it is great I quilt and how they just don’t have time for a hobby….it is all about choices! And it is worth making the right choices 🙂

  5. It’s nice to be reminded that our biggest limitation is often our own belief (or disbelief) in what we are capable of. Thanks.

  6. Thank you for starting my Saturday with such inspiration! What you have said is so true, and I myself need to stop putting limitations on myself. 🙂 Thank you Judy!
    P.S. I agree about Tractor Supply for chicken info, I’ve learned so much from other shoppers, and just the other day I was able to help a gentleman out, when I actually knew the answer to his question. 🙂

  7. Judy! I am back up and running after the move… it’s so nice to be able to catch up with everyone! Anyway, I can totally relate to what you are saying; I learned to quilt on my own 5 years ago when I married my husband and we suddenly had 6 kids. Good time to start a new hobby, right?!? Ends up it saves my sanity. We also decided we needed to start a hobby farm… I was born and raised in the inner-city, don’t know nothin about country life, but we learned in the 2-1/2 years our house was on the market before it sold and we found ourselves “dumped” onto 7 acres 20 minutes from the nearest shopping center. It’s heaven!!!! But we make a lot of mistakes and we are learning as we go and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

  9. Terrific pep talk! Whenever I think to myself something along the lines of, “I wish I could do that, but I can’t” I think of your pep talks and decide either I don’t *really* want to do it, or I determine I AM going to do it. LOL! Thanks, Judy, for the encouragement!! ::)

  10. Thank you Judy! What a great pep talk…I feel better already and will reflect on these thoughts as I go about my life this week. You are such an inspiration!

  12. Judy, you are what I call a great American! I love how you don’t give up and your ingenuity.

  13. Great pep talk! Whatever the challenge, big or small, my mantra is: You CAN do this! Some days I say it to myself lots! By having this positive attitude I was able to find a home with most of the features I wanted and at the price I wanted to pay, even though I was told it couldn’t be done. Other good things followed because I believed I could do things. I’ve also learned it’s helpful to praise myself with an “I did it!!!” when I accomplish a goal. You have to talk to yourself (or the dog!) when there’s no one else around!

  15. Excellent post! This theme has come up in your blog before (which I faithfully read) and another blog that I read. I am making this theme stick a little more this year and taking action. I found a better machine repair shop, bought a larger new sewing machine, and started using an iPOD for audiobooks. I am greatly enjoying these changes. I agree that you can totally quilt larger quilts on regular machines as I have done it for over 15 years. The larger throats and flat surfaces just make it much easier. I used to hang out in “tool departments” to speak to others that looked like they might know about tools my hubby would like as a gift. I did get some great ideas from the customers and was able to get my hubby nice surprises. Continue the pep talks…in fact maybe I should start a folder of these types of posts to refer back to when I need the “talk.”…..You are great!

  18. Wise words! Our kids learned right off the bat that “I can’t” isn’t an acceptable way of thinking around here. That old adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is more like it.

  20. Well said….I have experienced much of the same. Without even an attempt (at whatever) the comment is: “I could never (fill in appropriate activity…). Blaming lack of equipment, time, ‘talent’, etc, etc, is merely sidestepping the issue because, as we all know, if we want to achieve something badly enough, we will find a way but to dismiss “it” without even trying is, potentially, a great loss and missed opportunity for a success. The harder the path the greater the pleasure in completing the task. Thanks, Judy, for the “pep talk”…….

  21. Thanks for the pep talk. I needed that. I am making some changes in my life and I was paralyzed but not knowing where to stop. Thanks for the inspiration of how to get over and just start it. No more excuses.
    dottie

  22. Ha.. i just reread my post. I meant paralyzed on where to start. Must be a slip of being scared. lol Have a great weekend.
    dottie.

  23. I am one who gets tired of hearing people say that they can’t quilt on a regular machine. I have been quilting on mine for over 20 years. Would I like a long-arm machine? Yes! Do I have room for one? No!
    When I began machine quilting, I watched some free motion done on a TV show, and no one told me it was hard. I tried, and of course, my first projects were pretty rough, but like any skill, it takes time to learn. I practiced making baby quilts to donate to my guild, and whenever I’m about to begin quilting a large project, I quilt a baby quilt first as a warm-up. A win all around. Keep trying!!!!

    • I was watching a machine quilting segment on Fons and Porter this morning. The guest said that you do need a warm up piece to get the flow started. That’s such a great idea.

  24. Judy ~ Very well said today! As I’ve said before you do give a good start to my day! Thanks & I hope that you enjoy your day!
    Penny in So CA

  25. Judy, you should be a life coach! Thank you for lifting me up this morning :o) Amie in Tn. :o))

  27. Very good pep talk. If everyone was given the positive vibe to achieve the best from the time they are little our world would be a better place. My parents always encouraged me to try different things. I was never told I could not be in the kitchen, garage, workshop, garden etc, etc, etc. I like so many others limited myself over the years. I learned a long time ago it was up to me to overcome myself to acheive!

  28. You and I are too much alike, Judy.

    I know my being that way comes from not having family around, and moving into areas where I knew no one. When I wanted to learn how to quilt, the best place to find a quilter is in a fabric store or at a book store looking at quilting magazines.

    You will have to do to Vince what I do to Steve. When I want something, while he is talking to me about something totally unrelated, I softly say what it is that I’m wanting. It’s sort of like sending subliminal messages. For example, I wanted a cabinet for our TV. When he would be talking about work or something, I would whisper “tv cabinet”. Sometimes he heard me, and sometimes he didn’t. When he did, he would say “what”. I would pretend that I didn’t say anything. Then all of the sudden one day he said that we really needed a tv cabinet. So see? It may take a little longer than just saying it out loud and discussing it, but, this way, it was his idea. 🙂

  32. OK, I give, I’m the “Debbie Downer”. I am going to follow you and try to make a feathered wreath- half at a time…just waiting for your special tips on where to start. When we are in the thick of it it sometimes is hard to see the silver lining. Glad you found your perfect place, we all know it wasn’t easy!

  35. I agree Can’t never did anything is what I always say 🙂 You are quite the philosopher today !!! I agree 110% with this post and the next one, which I read first (is that cheating LOL) Life is what you make it and I refuse to let anyone Step on MY Happy! My friends love that one 🙂 Happy is a state on mind, get it, don’t ever lose it!!
    Guess I have a little philosopher in me to ????

  36. When I want something in my life, I never think it will be impossible. I just know it will come.

  39. Thank you! I wish more people would think like this. And act like this. (Sometimes I need to listen to this, too, though, so it’s always to hear.)

  43. Love it Judy. I have a sign on my desk that says, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” I have always been one to try something even if it scares me a little. Elenore Roosevelt said, “Do one thing everyday that scares you to death.”

    Thanks for the pep talk!

  44. Judy
    Thanks for the pep talk! I always love your perspective on everything. LOVE reading your blog.

  45. Funny I should read this now. I was out in the kitchen earlier today thinking about how “brave” I was when I was younger. Nothing kept me from doing something I was interested in. I was strong and smart and proud of it. Now that I am older (and disabled), I find that I am terrified to do anything anymore. I am so afraid that I will start to do something and the pain will be too much for me. I’m just a shadow of the person I used to be.

    I’m not sure what it will take to change things. I have prayed and it seems like I am just in a holding pattern. Maybe that’s where I need to be at this time in my life.

    I love your blog because I enjoy reading all the wonderful things you do and remembering when I could do them, too.

  46. I love your pep talks. I tend to decide on a path and then read and learn all I can about it before I embark on the journey. This is very true with my sewing/quilting. I am basically self taught. Last week I decided that I wanted to learn to do shirring on my machine. Several people said I had to have a special foot and my machine probably wouldn’t do it. I watched YouTube, read blogs and looked on the Internet. Turns out it was pretty easy. Don’t give up if people say it will be too hard or won’t work.

  47. I love that quilt. I am about to make another one like it, but will put appliqued daisies in the large blocks where you did those beautiful feathered wreaths. I gave that quilt to my niece when she got married. Now the one I’m making is for her new baby. I still can’t machine quilt as good as you, probably never will and I miss having my quilts quilted by you. There’s a local girl that does a good job but she’s not Judy!! Thanks for setting the bar for others!!

  48. Judy, I really, really needed your pep talk. On Mar. 15 I broke my right leg; my DH, Don, died on April 6 (I missed spending 11 days with him due to surgery & rehab) of terminal cancer; and on May 1 I fell trying to get on the bedside commode & broke the same leg in a different place requiring more surgery & stay in the hospital. Now I’m at home in a hospital bed, can’t sew, can’t quilt, and have been very depressed. Some days are very bad, but I know things are going to get better; that Don is at peace and free of pain now; and that a good life is going to go on.

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