Two Things...

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This week, I thought I would show off a talent of mine that not a lot of people know about.   I wasn't even that sure about it!!

I can sew!

I had a valance with two side panels downstairs in the front room.  They were like a creamy color.  They weren't dirty or worn or anything, I just wanted a change.  This picture is really of Maggie -- I always forget the before picture! This is kinda old, too, I just noticed the rug is a different color now, but you get the drift!

So, I changed them.  I decided to go with the colors on my new sectional in that room; burgundy and beige.  I know, still kind of bland but a little color. This is just who I am.  Note the new rug (not really, its like 5 years old!)!!

So, I didn't want to throw the old draperies in the trash, but I had no place to use them....unless I could transform them!  Transform them, I did!  A friend of mine, Ruthie, had made me a valance and a cushion and some pillows for the top of my stairs nook area.  This was probably like 10 years go!!!  She did a great job and I loved them; but when I found I had new 'fabric' in the old draperies, I thought I could perhaps change things around.  So, I, with little sewing experience, of course unless you count all of the Halloween costumes I made for my babies, got out the old sewing machine and went to work.  Are they perfect?  Well....no.  Are they perfect to me?  Oh heck yes!!  Trent was even impressed!   I don't have a before picture (see note above) of the stuff Ruth made me, but here is the after. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

I know, right?!?!  Grandmama would be so proud of me - she used to sew all of my things that needed sewing...like buttons or hems or holes or pockets.  But, I did this all by myself with no pattern!  Well, I did use Ruth's old fabric as a pattern I guess.  Thank you Project Runway for teaching me to sew!!!  

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How many times do we judge a "book by its cover?"  

I think, in literal terms, I judge a lot of books by their cover.  I will go to the library (not so much physically anymore as I check out ebooks online) and just browse.  Sometimes a title may jump out at me or the picture or even the just the color of the book flap.  I will pick it up and read the description and if it sounds good(ish) I will check it out.  This has been a good way to discover good books and new authors whom I would have never known about had I not judged the cover.  

However, on the flip side of that, how many books have I loved but hated the cover?!?  Lots, I am sure.  I cannot come up with a example or two off the top of my head, but I am positive I have "looked" at a book and thought, noooooo...it doesn't look good.  Then maybe someone will ask if I had read this book and explained that I needed to because it was so good.  I may reply that I had looked at it but it didn't really look good, so I passed.  But what didn't look good?  The black book flap with plain white lettering?  Maybe the simplicity of the title?  I don't know....maybe it just didn't feel right in my hand.  This is the case where judging that book was a mistake.  I mean, yeah...sometimes I will read the book and it did suck and I will be like, "Darn it, I KNEW that book was gonna suck!" 

Natalie recently started classes again for this semester and she texted me on the first day.  Her first text was about the teacher.  I can't remember exactly what she wrote, but some of the context read, "old, boring snore fest."    The next text I got was something like this, "I love this teacher!!!  He is a funny old man!  He is a retired Captain of the Stockton PD and was head of the Investigation Department.  He is really smart and has so much knowledge to share."  She made the mistake of judging that old-man "book" by his cover.  I wonder if she would have taken the class still had she seen him prior to signing up for it and thinking perhaps she needed a younger, hipper professor.  She would have missed out on a great class (really, this is still to be determined, but am being optimistic, though!) with a great teacher who has lots and lots to share.  

I can think of several times when perhaps I judged a bit too harshly or too quickly - this is really a bad thing.  I don't think I ever would have been friends with my friend, Michelle, had I decided to go with my initial judgement of her.  I thought she was rather stuck up and a little librarianish.  I just knew she would not be any fun!  But, she really is fun.  She has a very smart mouth and a very sharp tongue...I don't think a lot of people know this about her, but I do.  Though I didn't on my own befriend her; we were thrown into a church job together and really we had to get along.  But, once we got to know each other it was great and I believe we will be lifelong friends.  

Since my life as turned many corners, I really, really try not to judge anymore.  It is so easy to look at someone and decide instantly what kind of person this is or whatever just by the clothes or the hairstyle or the makeup or whatever.  I wonder how many great friendships I have missed out on because of this.   I wonder how many great conversations I will never have because of this.  I wonder how many people I would have helped but didn't because of this.  

Now, I just look at people and smile or whilst standing in a long line strike up a conversation or add a comment to something they have said.  It feels good.  I met a really wonderful woman just by being nice and listening and smiling and perhaps answering a question about some pink yarn.  My friend, Mary, and I have gone to pie and have kept in contact through Facebook and I hope to meet up with her again soon.  My daughter, however, wonders often who this new person is!!  This fun and outgoing and so nonjudgemental person.  Who is she?  

She is me.  

XOXO