I read something on Facebook yesterday, and it inspired me.  After everything that's been going on over the last few months, and how I've allowed myself to be made to feel, this really struck a massive chord with me:

I NO LONGER.

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me.

I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.” 

- Meryl Streep

I think I'll have to recite this to myself everyday, as I know I have placed far too much value on what I perceive others think of me.  I've got to be more independent.  If I receive criticism, valid or otherwise, I always take it to heart and far, far too personally.

At times, a 'well-meant' apparently friendly rebuke has had me in tears - once for several months.  The author of those comments had. I'm sure, no intention of causing such suffering on my part.  But the implication I read into her words left me feeling that everyone thought I was a horrible person, and had been talking about me behind my back.

And I'm not.  Honest.

I have my moments, as do we all, where I'm not being the best of myself.  However, I'm human!!  Generally I try so hard to be the best I can be.  Most of the time!

Anyway, have got some orders to fulfil - 2 sets of baby bear items, one in brown and one in pink, and a set of 3 owls.

And there is always the small matter of 5 more days until the kids go back to school!

Night peeps!

Another new beginning!

So here at PLNT headquarters, we've had a busy year!

Last September I reluctantly took on the role of Chair of the PTA at my kids school.  I think I did a fairly good job, but hadn't realised the time it would take from the rest of my life.  I'm no super-mum, I am not good at being organised in my family life, and housework and me don't always see eye-to-eye.  However, I was determined to do the best I could do by the school, and for that role, I managed myself pretty well.  We did ok, running successful events and increasing the amount of funds raised.  It was an intense year!

The flip side was my family, and my home life, suffered.  I also discovered that I'm not the strong person I thought I was.  Criticism couched in 'friendly' terms cut me deeply, and left me an emotional wreck for months, paranoid that people didn't like me.  The negative emotions had an impact on my interactions with my husband, and on the kids.  I was short-tempered, snappy, pushy, over-emotional and definitely not a delight to be around.

So, at the end of the school year, I sat down and properly contemplated my future.  When thinking about remaining as Chair, everything felt bleak, and dark.  The thought of NOT being Chair though - well!  Happy days!

And now, after a busy summer of holidays, and entertaining kids, I'm coming back to what I love doing.  Creating!

After sharing pictures of one of my favourite makes, a Baby Bear combo of hat, mittens and booties on a writing blog, I received two orders!  I was ridiculously excited, and it's really fired me up to get going on more!

I've also ordered in new stock - pretty stuff that I'd like in my house (and, at the moment it is!).  

What do you reckon?

Anyway, come the 17th Sept, I will hand over my Chair-ship to a new incumbent, and then I'll be free to concentrate more on what I want to do!