Stuff

I've spent a lifetime gathering stuff. I love my stuff. So it is with no small surprise that I find myself emotionally ready to get rid of my stuff.

In the process of de-stuffing, I'm just at the beginning. I start in my sewing room. The place in the house that is all mine and not shared space. My realistic side realises that when it comes to shared things my husband and I are going to be engaging in some serious negotiation as to what goes. I say "everything." I hear his "but...."

In the workroom I'm the dictator. I created not only a functional sewing room, small business office and a shipping center; but I filled it with inspirational pictures and objects. Ahh, I am attached to these.

I find myself fondling a small viking figure picked up in Denmark. What a fun trip with family and friends. It reminds me of the wonders I've seen.

I smile at a figurine called Thelma which is my guardian angel. She was an aunt who died too young. When I look at her I'm reminded of family silliness and fun in Virginia.

Another souvenir is my Russian doll with the exquisitely painted face. Her patterned clothes with mixed colors marked the birth of Annarella Girl and my fascination with textiles.

And above her the Brian Andreas piece I've had for 15 years which encourages me to dream, work, do.

The saying has always been for me and about me. Now as I let it go, I hope it can inspire the dreams of another.

Family memories, like this picture of my daughter and oldest son one Christmas. What joy!!!


 In main all remind me of people I love, places I've been, thoughts that are inspiring. It's very personal. It will not be the same to anyone else.  I can only hope that some like the Brian Andreas piece find someone else to remind to fly with dreams. Some things may find a home with family. I'm thinking Thelma really needs to go to watch over one of her daughters .

and finally I might take my little viking back to the sea. He's so small he won't take much space and maybe he's ready for retirement overlooking the sparkling blue Carribbean sea.

Trending

 

As responses come in to my big announcement, it seems that my hubs and I are part of a new trend. As friends and family tip toe towards old age, all are trying to figure out how to live well and follow their dreams. So many are seriously downsizing. Maybe not carrying it as far as we are - that is getting rid of it all - but still going from houses with many collections, much furniture, big yards to condos and apartments.

Why? Many are looking for the same thing we are. Less responsibilities. Fewer expenses. Lowering stress. More time to enjoy travel.

Here are my dreams. No grass, bushes or trees to cut or trim. Well, honestly, we stopped doing that long ago, but now we can be free from paying someone to maintain our yard.

Fewer rooms to dust, clean, paint, update. And a lot less stuff. I've enjoyed all the art that I have. I know how lucky I am to have it. But I can let it go. I can enjoy the thought that it is giving pleasure to others.

Taking the money that we spend for water, electricity, insurance, mortgage and using it to travel, seeing old friends and making new memories. (And those memories don't take up as much room as stuff. A lot less to pack up and carry with you. But so much pleasure!)

When I was the mother of young kids, I sometimes dreamed of running away. (Oh, come on, who of us as parents didn't have this fantasy a time or two?) Finally the time has come.

The only surprise is that we are part of a trend.

A Left Turn

 

 

After my long break, since end of April, from this blog, I'm back but with some changes upcoming.

We, husband and I, are simplifying our life and responsibilities. We're getting rid of 95% of our belongings, everything except some clothes, one car and some kitchen stuff, and running away to the Bahamas.

How did we get to this stage? We discovered during our long drive to the East and back that we had reached the same point. We were tired of the responsibility of all our stuff. I think of it as the tyranny of STUFF. Our house and possessions have served us well. We've raised a family, seen the birth of grandchildren, celebrated family Christmases and Fourth of Julys,  but we want to pass the baton. Kids, you take over the traditions. We want to be free. Live where we won't be worried about upkeep. Where we can drop everything and go.

I will take a lot of my sewing room. After all Annarella Girl is my mental therapy. But I'm sure the sun, blue waters and gentle breezes will lead to some changes and only make it better.

So we begin the long, arduous task of sifting through it all. Finding new homes for our things. My faithful readers, you will probably have to endure some gnashing of teeth as every corner of every closet is pulled out to make the decision - go, sell, donate, give to children and grandchildren.

I'm excited. It's another adventure in a life that has given me so many wonderful experiences. So stayed tuned. I need your support and thoughts as I work through this.

Break Time

My dear readers, the time has come for me to take a break from blogging. In the immediate future I'll be on the road. Then I'm not sure what I'll do after that. It's been fun - 615 posts, but it is time to say goodbye. Thanks to all of you who have read and commented over the past years. I'll still be talking to you in my mind. I'm making no promises about how long I'll be gone.

You'll still be able to find me on facebook. That's an easy way to see what I'm doing. www.facebook.com/annarellagirl

With Apologies

I've been neglecting you, my followers. Somehow I keep running out of time. Do you have people in your life who are always productive? Who seem to have time to run up a quick skirt, bake a couple of loaves of bread, run 3 miles a day, clean their baseboards, have cookies and milk ready for the kids, and even more? Where do they find the time!!! Does their day have 28 hours?

Well, my day only has 24. Truthfully, the morning hours between 7 & 11 are the ones that really count. After lunch I begin to slow down. For me that means going from a saunter to a crawl. I guess I really only have 4 hours in my day. No wonder the rest of you are so far ahead.

Tomorrow is set up for the Red Poppy Festival then with just a little help from the weather man an exciting weekend connecting with old friends and making some new ones. Come on out to say hello!

This little reversible pillowcase dress should be ready and hanging in the booth for some smiling little 2 year old.

 

 

After the weekend, I have one day to pack car and set out for Wilmington, DE. For all of you on the East Coast Annarella Girl will be at the Wilmington Flower Market from May 9 -11. See you there.

www.wilmingtonflowermarket.org  has all the info about the event.

 

I'll try to stop in here once in a while to chat with you. If I'm neglectful it's because I've run out of hours, but I'll be thinking of you.



Saturday Countdown

The sun is shining through my sewing room window, but the temperature is unusually chilly. Who left the refrigerator door open last night?

sunny skirt, size M (5-6)

I'm into the final countdown before the Red Poppy Festival which kicks off next Saturday. So much left to do. That dreaded to-do list is soooo long. Most of the sewing is done, but I have a few "if I can get to it" dresses and onesies I'm dying to do. a lot of the tasks are now organizational and business details. Print off handouts; tag everything; iron, iron, iron all the goodies; make headbands; gather all display items; stamp receipts. Seems endless, doesn't it?

Why go through all of this work for a show? I love meeting all the customers. I look forward to talking to the girls. The feedback is invalauble. For months I work in the solitary confines of my sewing room. A show gives me a chance to see if I'm designing and creating clothes that a little girl wants. Every smile affirms that I'm on the right track. Each excited buyer gives me a shot of love.

Recently a reader left a comment saying that Annarella Girl clothes made her smile. That is the ultimate compliment for me! When someone walks into my booth and smiles as he/she looks, I feel it as a warm hug. Does anyone remember the Oscar acceptance speech of Sally Fields when she exclaimed, "You love me! You really love me!?" I want to shout those words with every smile and each purchase. Yep, these are my creation "babies," and you think they are cute!!! I am a proud mom.

I hope you will be able to put up with my obsessing about Red Poppy. And it doesn't end there. Two days after, April 30, husband and I start the long drive to take Annarella Girl to the Wilmington Flower Market. Hooray!! Another dose of love, I hope.

Hey, if you are close to either show, stop in and say hi. I'd love to see you!! Now, I'm off to make some headbands. Busy, busy , busy.

New Header

My favorite photograper, Sarah Havard, has created the new header. I'm going to try this one out for several days. I always have to live with something for awhile to see if it suits me.

All comments and opinions are welcomed.