Tuesday.

A few years ago I had a bash at making cards, I did enjoy it, but soon came back to my needles and all of my card making stash lay gathering dust and taking up space so, when we moved house earlier this year I was very good and sorted through all my crafty stuff and gave the majority of the paper craft items to a colleague of mine. It included rubber stamps and inks, pretty papers, old cards and twiddly bits saved off crackers and gift boxes, bits of ribbons and pretty much anything I thought may be useful for making cards. Needless to say I didn't just pick a random colleague, I chose someone who had given beautiful handmade cards last Christmas.
Yesterday she 'repaid' me, not that it was expected or necessary, but look what I got.....
An assortment of Christmas cards,

A pile of all kinds of cards, from Birthday to Get well soon,

All beautifully packaged into a pretty box.

They are beautiful, ever so pretty and sparkly and shiny in real life, much better than my photography would have you believe. I am tickled pink. I'm only sorry she hasn't signed them in some way. I may have to see about getting her a special stamp or some labels. What a truly wonderful lady.

When I bought the robin fabrics to make mums mats the colleague who was with me asked to see the finished product. So yesterday I rounded up all my recent offerings and took them to work.

I think I could have sold the lot 5 times over! I also took them with me when I went to see my therapist, she had asked what happens in a good week. LOL

She was curious to see what was tucked away in the bag and also asked if I would sell them.

Stop reading now, if you don't want to see the personal stuff.

We cut our session short yesterday, two good weeks in a row, wow! Last week I finally managed to say out loud to a colleague of mine, the lady who made the cards, that I had had an awful childhood because my father is a bully. We chatted for 10 - 15 minutes about how it has affected me. Although it was difficult it was made easier by the support you folks showed to me the week before and I know I chose the right lady, she gave a huge hug and encouraged me to say it a second time. I can't begin to describe how empowering it is to find so much support. Maria asked me how I feel about myself, on a scale of 1 - 10 where is my self esteem? It was actually about a 6 - 7 yesterday, I'd had everyone praising me all day over my sewing and My friend had given me that box of cards and I felt pretty good. I'd had a good week, all my Christmas shopping is done and most of my Christmas sewing. We also talked about a few weeks ago when I was feeling very low and I admitted to feeling as low as -2. We also talked about what else may be affecting my self esteem, since quitting smoking 2 1/2 years ago I've put on weight, 3 stone or 42 ish pounds!! That is getting me down. Time I did something about it. Hunney has talked about getting a rowing machine, I love to swim, though I'm not sure that Ramsey is ready for the current me, in a swimsuit! LOL I promised myself that I would do something everyday, something extra. I have to go out to the post office today, so I'll add to that and go for a walk as well. I'm going to keep a note of what I do in my diary.

Gratitude's

1) A box of beautiful cards.
2) Wonderful friends.

3) Two late shifts!