A great idea

At Generations Girls (Christian Women's Group) night we had Coffee & Cake and a swap evening. We were raising money for 'Samaritan's Purse' shoeboxes of which our church has pledged 200 this year. This money was to go towards the postage which is now $9 a box.

I must admit I didn't feel like going out on a Friday evening. I've had a full on week at school, have a really sore back and was feeling sorry for myself and in a lot of pain. Stephen; my ever sensible husband, urged me to go as he said it would do me good, so after a hot shower, a lovely fish and salad dinner (which he cooked), I got dressed and headed off out the door, announcing I'd be back early.The idea was to pay $5 entrance and then give a gold coin donation for anything you wanted to purchase from the array of goods available. The items were brought by ourselves and then displayed for people to look at, try on and fight over (well not really although there were a few people who obviously wanted the same things).It was a great success and as I knew nobody else was really my size I took shoes, scarves and other accessories instead. They went quickly and I picked up a few new scarves, a few pieces of jewellery, a top (that someone had brought especially for me so I wouldn't feel left out (bless you Sina!) and a dress for Anna my daughter in law.Everyone went home happy, we cleaned out our cupboards, had a great time going through items, bagged some bargain and had wonderful cake and coffee afterwards. I often despair at the amount of clothes etc that go to waste. I love refashioning things, recycling and redistributing but sadly for some they take themselves far too seriously.A few people wouldn't try anything on unless it was brand new with tags or didn't want to contribute because the clothes weren't selling for more money (huh?). How sad to be so self focussed you can't join in the fun.Anyway I enjoyed myself, I love a bargain and I got more than I expected.

P.S. I wasn't home early, I didn't get home until 10pm and he had gone to bed. oops!

The way things are

Getting older means becoming more comfortable with youself, realizing that you are who you are about some things and if they aren't harmful to anyone then don't sweat the small stuff. For example:

• I'm a sucker for colour, can't help it even when I think I want to be subdued I can't resist the item that is the most colourful, the most rich in hue.
  
  
  
  



• I cry all the time, not just because I'm sad but because I feel things deeply, probably too deeply but that is just me.
  
  



• I talk too much, I'm better than I used to be, but let's face it I still talk too much, that is the way I deal with things talking them out, doesn't suit everyone and drives others crazy but there you have it can't help it.
  
  



• I like comfort, I love clothes, fashion, style but if it isn't comfortable I won't wear it anymore because it's not worth the pain, therefore I will never truly be chic but hey thats me.
  
  



• I have a thing for shoes, there I've said it, inherited it from my grandmother, I just can't go past a shoe store without looking. Not as bad as I used to be at one count when I was younger I had 42 pairs of shoes, now its about 12.
  
  



• Notebooks are a weakness, I just love a notebook with a pretty cover or one that has fine paper or special catches, too many notebooks in our house.
  
  



• I'm nosey I like to know what's going on, not to an extreme but if I'm out of the loop I feel a little left out, silly I know but then that's me.
  
  



• I procrastinate, all the time, about most things. I think it's the fact that because of the bipolar if I'm in the right place, the right zone then things are easy and if I'm not they are difficult so I wait until I'm in the zone and sometimes that means things are done at the last minute. I am getting a little better, especially with work but none the less I know I procrastinate.

Luckily none of these things are particularly harmful, just facts that I've learned over the years. Things I have tried to change but don't seem to have much success in changing so I've decided to suck it up, there are enough other things to work on believe me!