So the whole idea of letting go of one's ego is really mind-blowing when you can hear it in a way that makes sense. I know it's (the Ego) Eckhart Tolle's main premise, but something about the way Wayne Dyer presents it just really makes me say "AHA!". I get it. John and I just may never argue again! lol. Last Thursday on my way out the door to the last quilt guild meeting of the year I decided to *humble myself* and grabbed this quilt for show and tell. I never ever thought I'd show anyone in real life, but in my new frame of mind I thought it'd be a good exercise. So I stood at the end of the line, getting more and more nervous as I approached the microphone. And when it was finally my turn I started, "I've been a member of this guild for two years and have never once stood up here. I most certainly did not think I would be standing here to show you this particular quilt..." Well, already I got a round of applause :-). I went on to tell them how badly I'd mucked it up with the machine quilting I did, but due to my recently enlightened state I wanted to share what I do like about it...specifically the label and the handcut circles border, but mostly how delighted my six month old granddaughter is to lay on it and try with all her might to pick off those dots when she comes to visit. And really, isn't that all that matters? I got pats on the back and "Way to Go!"s all the way back to my seat, and I think I felt better about showing my imperfectness than I ever had about showing my (lucky) *perfect* endeavors. The more I think about how empowering it would be for everyone to lay down their ego and be real...like I said; it just blows my mind.

I'm getting closer and closer to whipping this house into shape so I can then go out in the studio and have some fun. Let me tell you; it feels good! I'm trying to only keep what is of sentimental or other important value. The rest of it is being taken by the truckload to the nearby thrift shops. Here's a shot of the front room that amazingly housed all the paper crafting crapola until we built the studio.

That black desk has been mine since childhood (before bringing it into the front room/new office I spray painted it black and glued scrapbook paper to the drawer fronts). The cabinet in the center was the first piece my parents bought and refinished 50+ years ago. I keep photo albums in it. The black framed piece on top is the first thing I had published. The white chair and black rocker are two of maybe four things John got in his first divorce 25 years ago. And of course on the windows are the remaining four panels from Grandma (LOVE them).  Here's another view of the room, illustrating how it's at the foot of the stairs.

And speaking of the stairs. THAT was a job! Two coats of oil based paint and our bedrooms are upstairs. Yeah. Can you say "campout"? I'll be back with more to share soon. Take care.

PS: I do appreciate the emails since my last post. There were certainly other viewpoints regarding closed comments. Some that I hadn't considered. I'm just rollin' with it for now. thanks. :-)