I listened to Bob Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde album yesterday; the last track of the album is today’s post title.
I’m sorry to say, it kind of sums up how I felt yesterday. No reason to feel that way, I suppose… thank goodness it doesn’t happen very often or for long periods of time – I just feel like I’m a funk sometimes! Can anyone relate? Josh is ready for me to snap out of it already, and I am, too!
I’ve told some of you, and I’ll make it official soon on my web site, but I’m not going to be taking on any new custom quilt orders for awhile, maybe ever. I hope there does come a day where I can pick it up again, because I love to create quilts for my customers, but right now, I’ve got to take a break.
It’s sad in some ways, but it’s what I feel like I have to do right now… get back to basics. I have been working on quilts so much that my house is a disaster and my kids have watched way too much tv, to be honest.
I’ve been thinking about this decision for the last several weeks and definitely feel a peace about it. I still plan to make quilts for myself – or more like, I still plan to make a quilt for myself, design and make quilts to give as gifts and hopefully write more patterns along the way.
Right now I’m working on simplifying the clutter (literally and figuratively) in my life. Yesterday I washed windows, did some deep down dusting in areas that rarely see the light of day, vacuumed, bought storage boxes and containers so that the reorganization can begin. Those steps have already done wonders in improving my mood. I’ve got a long way to go… reorganizing drawers, closets, the pantry, but I’m anxious and excited to tackle each room making things more livable and pleasant. Our biggest challenge in this house is room for storage. We don’t have a basement and we have very small closets, so finding a place for all of our stuff is sometimes difficult. We’ll have to get creative!
*IMPORTANT NOTE: If any of you are reading this that have orders lined up with me already, do not worry! I’m eager to complete those projects… even if they aren’t designed yet! I’m going to close this chapter of Zeigler Custom Quilts gradually and with care so that I don’t leave anyone out on a limb. For me, just knowing that I won’t have anything new to juggle or add to my already-full plate, is enough for me now. If you have any questions or concerns, let me know! :)
So, thanks for the support. I plan to keep the blog updated with all the happenings. There are still many more personal and commissioned projects to come and you know my boys, always lots to talk about!
Hi Jessie,
I feel sad in a way, but you definately know best. Your boys are young now – maybe when they’re both in school, you can get back to it.
As far as the house goes – I had the same problem when I moved into my little house – very little storage space – we have a Michigan basement with a dirt floor and everything you put down there turns moldy, dirty, and rusty very quickly so it’s not much use. I have all the Christmas stuff in my bedroom closet, because thats the only place left for it to go. But…what I found is that it gave me a sense of freedom to get rid of junk and simplify my life. About every six months, I go through my closets and drawers and dump or recycle junk. It always makes me feel good when I’m done, and I very seldom miss what I get rid of. What helps for me is to ask myself if I’ve used an item in the past year, or if I could actually picture myself using it in the next year. If the answer was no, it almost always got dumped. I do keep a very small amount of purely sentimental items, but they’re all small and very important to me. Otherwise things like the huge bowl that I kept thinking maybe some day i’ll use….went. The Christmas ornaments that I never put up because to be honest I really don’t like them…went. Taylor’s outgrown clothes that I first thought maybe I’d use for the next grandchild…went. It really does help!!
Anyway, hope you’re feeling better soon and feel at peace about your decision.
Hang in there!
Love you,
Aunt Kathy
I know exactly what you mean about your business! I did craft shows last year and Christmas time was just not fun and I couldn’t make anything for my family because I was making so much for everyone else. I’m still taking orders, but holding off on the craft shows for a while. I have to remind myself that I’m still young (just like you!) and there are years and years where I can do this later, but my kids are little only right now. I’m sure you will enjoy your break to focus on your home and family. Then when you start up again you’ll be rearing to go!
Jesse, Good for you, I don’t blame you a bit. I think I will go ahead and cancel the order for Allie’s quilt anyway. I was thinking about it, but with senior pictures, some fees we had to pay for her at Iowa for housing etc., that we weren’t expecting, some unexpected care repairs, and we are now getting into the financial part of her going to college since she has been accepted, financially I am overwhelmed now anyway. Please, please call me sometime, either to bring your boys over to play or for us to hang out some evening when you need to get away or both, I would love to spend some time with you. I know about the organization, hey we do have a basement, unfinished and its full of stuff I don’t need. I did have a garage sale this spring and got rid of lots, so its much better down there. To be honest our dogs stay down there most of the time and thats it, we built this house and who gets the basement, the dumb dogs, who we can’t stand anyway and thank God are older, so hopefully, won’t be with us that long. We could definately do without a basement, they really arent that great and when the dogs are gone and the kids are gone, I probably won’t even go down there. I don’t now if john feeds te dog like he is supposed to do. We can all declutter our lives every now and then, it does help the mood. Take care, girl and enjoy yourself and focus on those little men in your life, you will never regret it. Oh, yea, don’t forget about the big guy in your life too, take time for him. Talk to you later, Barb
One of the many things I admire about you is your will to serve your family with God at the fore front – good for you for recognizing what you want to do differently and more importantly acting upon it with God’s wise counsel, did I mention I miss seeing you and the boys??? We will set a time to get together soon, maybe just girl to girl, I always enjoy the time with you. So, what dates do you have free? As for me, I am on a 3 hour curfew when I leave the house but very workable – a little boy would be extremely sad if I were gone longer and his mom might explode (if you know what I mean):)
So glad to hear you are gonna take some time for YOU!! You deserve it and I know the kids and husband will relish in the extra attention they will be getting. I honestly didn’t know how you were doing it and staying sane.. as quilting can be so time consuming (yet fun.. don’t get me wrong).. and i too tell myself that my kids are only young once, I’m gonna enjoy them now, and someday they will be grown and I’ll have that time to spend on the things I want to do.. but for now, I’ve got to look out for them and my husband. As for the funk,you aren’t alone in that… I’m in one now too.. must just go along with having kids and this crazy weather!!! i just keep saying ‘This too shall pass’…
Love reading your blog daily…so i hope you keep that up, as we all know you have much more than your quilting to share with us!!!
jessie, i understand about feeling in a funk. i’ve been there and i just get in these lows and it seems i need to do just what you are doing. …reorganize, reevaluate things. it helps. as for your quilting, i say you go girl. you are such a giver and i feel like you make huge sacrifices to do what you do. i’m glad you are taking some time for you. i hope you are able to enjoy the time away and someday your dream of being able to do more will come true. your talent is amazing, but even the greats need time off! :)
Hey Jessie, I was just reading some of the comments and when I reread mine when I said big guy, I meant Josh. I know you spend time with the Lord, and I don’t like it when people call Him the big guy, I don’t know why, it just doesn’t sound right. I just wanted to clarify myself if anyone thought I was calling God, the big guy, I wasn’t. Have a good one, Barb