Lessons I'm learning ...

"There are things we don't want to happen, but have to accept; things we don't want to know, but have to learn; and people we can't live without, but have to let go."

These are not my words but the words of 'JJ', from the TV show, Criminal Minds, as she leaves the show. I've maybe seen this show 3 times in my life and only had it on tonight because the show comes after Survivor, one of our favorites, and was busy working on the computer. The words caught my attention and thanks to the magic powers of the DVR, I was able to get the sentence down accurately and in its entirety.

With dad's passing 2 years ago on September 21st, loss is an emotion that has been very close to the surface most days. So, this 'accepting, learning and letting go', is a real and present process for me. "People we can't live without, but have to let go" is comforting, in a way. You know at some point in life there will be people you love that will be taken from you by death, and you'll have to deal with it. But you never really know the enormity of the hole that it leaves in your heart until it does. Being over the age of 50 (something), I do consider myself very fortunate, however, that experiencing a loss of this magnitude didn't happen until recently. But even though I've been blessed to have my father for so many years and lived so closely with him, it's still difficult to go through the pain of loss. I am comforted and grateful, too, in the fact that I am who I am because of him, and he taught me so much about the important things in life.

So for those of you that have lost a near and dear one at some time in your life, I hope this prayer I wrote for myself may help you, too.

"Dear Lord, I Accept the blessing of having Dad/(____) in my life, I want to Learn what having Dad/(____) in my life continues to teach me, and help me to Let Go of the pain of not having Dad/(____) here with me. In Jesus' name, AMEN."

I'm kind of amazed that this revelation came to me from a television show. I'm trying to be really careful about what I watch and listen to because what goes in, stays in and has an effect on you, whether you think it does or not. Also, lately what I see and hear, is sometimes revealed to me in a different way than a lot of people would perceive, as though I'm being taught little lessons in life. Hmmmm. I like this vantage point. This reminds of the children's song: O Be Careful, Little Eyes; better yet, the Casting Crowns song: Slow Fade. Have a look at the section - Favorite Music. I hope it works! I'm kind of designing this as I go.


I want you to know that my purpose of writing this blog is, for now, mainly an outlet to put my everyday feelings into words. Everything introspective is a writing to myself, like a diary if you will. If you happen to be going through a similar journey and can relate to my journey, I'm pleased.

HD Casting Crowns "Slow Fade" [Official Music Video]

Good things ... and Etsy Boot Camp Pledge

Okay, life has been really strange this summer, not at all what I thought it would be. Lots of changes and I'm learning so much about myself along the way. We put our house on the market in August so that meant really getting into closets and corners and purging the stuff we don't need, which means Garage Sale - yikes! And since DH is still not working, selling things we own, locally, on eBay, Etsy, and an antique store where I have a booth, is our main means of income. God continues to bless us beyond imagination by providing the funds we need to meet our obligations every month! One circumstance in particular was key to DH realizing Who really is in control as the amount of a certain need matched the amount of the blessing - EXACTLY! Praises and glory!!

Boy oh boy, garage sales are a lot of work but hugely successful both in getting rid of a lot of stuff and in dollars! So how can we still have so much left in the house?? That continues to stump me. The sale is still set up in the garage because I'm hopeful that I can have one more before the cold really prohibits people from wanting to garage sale. Got to scour the house again ... and again ...

This summer also resulted in some really good things - Martha Stewart style! I shared gardening chores with my brother at his house and our bounty was rewarding. I just finished canning green beans, carrots, beets and homemade roasted tomato salsa - yummy! We enjoyed tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, eggplant, zucchini, and squash and potatoes are coming yet.

Now that the cooler weather is here and winter and the holidays don't seem that far away, I need to step up the ambition for getting things listed online and the process is time consuming. It's been a pretty good summer for sales at the antique store, even though tourism was down but that will taper off significantly now that fall is here. So my first focus will be Etsy and since timing is everything for the Holiday season online, I'm participating in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp, and taking this pledge is the first step (to motivate myself!).

My pledge:
"I, Cindy of cabingramma, pledge to participate in the Etsy Success Holiday Boot Camp to the best of my abilities. I vow to check in every week, do my homework and support my fellow Holiday Boot Campers. I will read the weekly newsletters and blog posts, check in on the weekly forum thread, read the weekly blog post, check off the checklists and salute the mascot. I promise to share what I've learned with those who need it, support my fellow Etsy indiepreneurs and, most of all, have a positive and persistent attitude. I understand that together we can spread the word about our handmade and vintage goods, making this holiday season a more unique and meaningful one to gift givers and give-ees everywhere!"

Please stay posted and check out my etsy site from time to time, as I'll soon be listing lots of cool vintage and handmade items! You might even find something you'd like to have or give!

Thanks for taking time to catch up with me! Talk to you soon!