Flying Under the Radar

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Here it is, mid-March, and almost a quarter of 2015 has come and gone. Hard to believe, actually. As for me, well….I have only recently poked my head above ground for a breath of almost-spring air. There have been relatively no blog posts and only businessy-type posts on FB from me this year. I’ve been laying low. Pulling in. Flying under the radar. Yes, I did enjoy a good week teaching in late January at Road2CA and then just last week at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show. It was good for me to get out amongst other quilters and do what I do, which is teach. I enjoyed it. But getting to these events and putting on my “game face” was a little harder than usual because of things going on behind the scenes. 

I won’t get into the nitty-gritty of what’s been happening in our personal lives because nobody likes a “downer” and my Mama taught me that if I can’t say anything nice, then to just shut up. Suffice it to say, back in mid-January someone I love very dearly was metaphorically cut off at the knees and completely blindsided by forces of evil (the worst in another person in the form of a terrible, nasty, lie and deception that threw us into a tailspin.) We didn’t see it coming. And for this normally upbeat gal, I was forced to realize that sometimes good doesn’t always win. At least not initially. For almost two month we went through some very tough, uncertain times. This took the wind out of our sails and we felt the need to pull in and back away from normal, outgoing, everyday activities and socializing. We did a lot of praying and leaning on our faith to get us through. And while things are indeed looking up now, we’re still reeling from being badly bruised emotionally and feeling quite gun-shy. The healing will happen but it comes slowly. 

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I’m glad winter is almost over. I’d like to be able to put this bleak season behind us and move forward both literally and metaphorically. I admit, though, I get more than a little annoyed at some of the snarkiness I’ve witnessed on social media such as Facebook lately. Yes, there’s been a lot of good put out in the world by some lovely people as well. But does anyone else think that the biting comments and negativity has gotten a little out of hand recently? Sheesh. The world has enough trouble. Why can’t folks just stick to building others up rather than stooping so low as to bring others down? I guess I need to steer clear of those social media Negative Nellies. I don’t need that kind of black-hole energy in my life, nosiree.

I promise that I will rebound. But I wanted to offer an explanation that even happy people go through very difficult times. Thanks for listening.

 

 

 

24 Comments
  1. Kimberly, I’m sorry to hear you are grappling with some difficult times. I’m thinking of you and sending positive thoughts in your direction.

    • Thank you very much, Erica. I know that everyone goes through hard times; I appreciate your kind thoughts very much!

  2. Kimberly ,it is good to just step back and enjoy the beauty all around us even if it is winter. :). Time to reflect,recoup,and deflect even forgive but unfortunately not forget. Your are a trooper cause you were a military wife and I know that was not easy.

    • You’re right Martha — I’m a proud military wife and I am tough! We’ll get through this, especially with encouragement from good folks like yourself!

  3. I’m sending you a hug ,and hope things get in place soon.Sometimes we have to take a hard look at life and decide was is best for us.So keep a great spirit and soon spring will be here and then the beautiful hot summers just to warm your heart.XOxoxoxoxoxo.

  4. Kimberly, I am so sorry to hear you are going through such hard times right now. I am sending positive thoughts your way. I don’t know if you remember me but I was in THAT class at MQX a couple of years ago with my friend Martha. We had such a great time and we look forward to seeing you again at VQF in June. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

    • Suzanne — Your comment made me SMILE. I DO remember “that” class — and can remember it fondly for all the WONDERFUL FOLKS like you who made it so bearable! Can’t wait to see you again in June…

  5. Oh, Kimberly – I am so very sorry for the terribly hurtful time you’ve been coping with. I agree that there are a lot of negative people on Facebook but you might really enjoy a quilt club I have joined which is 100% positive and encouraging. Do you know Vanessa Vargas Williams? In January she launched the Crafty Gemini Quilt Club for people like me who live either too far from a quilt store and guild or near an unfriendly (snarky) quilt guild. She hosts weekly live studio cams where she just hangs out with us and either talks or teaches us a new project. You are a LOT more experienced than most of the members but you might grin, like I do, at the wonderful positive spirit that Vanessa exudes and which her club members share with each other. We do monthly swaps (kind of like a sewing pen pal) and my first one was in Ireland!! So fun. I hope that as spring arrives your spirits will continue to climb slowly and then more rapidly out of the deep hole they’ve been in for too long.

    • Thank you very much, Mary. You are so sweet and thoughtful and I took your words straight to my heart. Thanks again!

  6. Kimberly, I am so sorry for the difficult times you’ve been dealing with. I have never met you, but am in a couple of your craftsy classes and love your cheerful disposition. Don’t let the world steal that from you. I will lift you up in prayer and pray for your heart to heal and your faith to remain strong. It would be nice to be able to give you a big hug. I am wondering if there is any way in which I can be of help to you.
    Caring about you,
    Karlene

    • Your kind words are such a comfort, Karlene. Thank you so much for leaving a comment for me!

  7. Hi Kimberly. So sorry to hear of the bad things that went on in your life. Things do go bad in our lives at times & I’m convinced that positive thoughts At times like those I find like that stepping back & waiting things DO get better. My kids all say “oh Mom is having a hard time & she’s busy leaving everything up to HER Lord” The older I get the more I find this is the only way I can live. I’m praying for you & your family & do hope by now things are looking better.
    I’ve been watching Crafsty for your next Mystery #2 class as I have enjoy all 3 classes of yours I have signed up for. I love the way you teach & have really learned alot so don’t let anyone tell you (“you can’t teach an old dog new tricks). at 83 this old dog has learned alot.
    Hang in Kimberly & I’ll be looking for the new class.God Bless!

    • Thank you so much for your kind words, Ovida! They truly mean so much to me!

  8. Hang in there! Focus on the positive in your life. I don’t understand why so many folks need to be negative/nasty/hateful. Spring is almost here.

    Hugs and good wishes from Chicago.

  9. Hi Kimberly,
    Although I am so remote up here in the north east of Scotland uk, I do feel connected to you through taking your classes on Craftsy. I have always admired your positivity and your faith but it’s situations like you describe that make us question all of that and it sometimes feels like we will never get ourselves back on an even keel. Take it from one who has been through it that you might not get over it but you will get through it!

    Sending you love, light and Blessings in abundance,
    Anna

    • Hi Anna — I’m just so tickled that you left a comment on my blog all the way from Scotland! I’m a Scottish lass at heart; my maiden name was Wallace and my ancestors all come from Scotland. Thank you so much for your lovely thoughts on my behalf. I’m so glad to “know” you through quilting!

  10. Hi Kimberly. As they saying goes: “this too shall pass”
    Time and loving and caring support will aid this process. Am thinking good thoughts. Healing and love radiates and comes back to a loving heart. Its tough and you are strong. Love and blessings

    • Already I’m feeling 100% better, Pat. Thanks to wonderful, supportive folks like yourself!

  11. Hey, Girlfriend! I hope your recent visit to our part of the country has reminded you that you are loved by many unknown to you at the time but will remain in your heart forever! We loved having you here and remember, there are snarks out there, they usually have no life nor have they eaten Lunar Pie!

    • You said it, Anita! Great words of wisdom for sure. Especially regarding the lunar pie!
      Hugs to you

  12. Hi Kimberly,

    I’m sorry to learn that you’re experiencing some difficult time in your life now, I’ll pray for you to get the problems out of the way quickly. You’re a wonderful teacher and a great person; you’ll get through this tough time and smile again.

    Cheers,

    • Christine — You are so very thoughtful and I appreciate the prayers so much! God has heard all the prayers and things have done a complete turnaround — we are feeling God’s blessings coming forth in abundance! Thank you so much for your sweet compliments. I appreciate you so much.

  13. Most of the time those type of people are just jealous. It is hard to cope with, but I agree prayer really helps. I will add you to my prayer list

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