Exhale.

Sometimes I forget to breathe. 

And I know some people can turn that into a dumb blonde joke.

Whatever.  

But I just exhaled, 

like really, actually, literally, physically exhaled... 

and it was amazing. 

Like, stars-in-a-jar amazing.

Source: weheartit.com via Madison on Pinterest

Do it. 

Take a big breath. 

And let it ALLLLL out. 

Doesn't it feel nice? 

Mine was more refreshing than a long hot shower, and we all know how much I love those. 

Weird thing, that breathing. 

Source: keraleda.tumblr.com via Madison on Pinterest

breathtaking, right?

***

All commission sewing projects are done and gone

Pictures uploaded to computer

New sewing area (finally) created in new house 

(the hubby was not a fan of me using the kitchen table- so, my plan worked- ha!)

Computer/office nook set up 

(no more computer on chair, mouse on scrap of fabric on table, keyboard on lap)

Last of the boxes unpacked

40 envelopes addressed, stuffed, stamped and sent

Garage sale OVER

Dishes done

Babies sleeping

Laundry going

Hubby out with long-time-no-see best friend

Lights down low

TV OFF

Pandora ON

(sing it, Adele)

writing now...

... and EXHALE.

it just feels. so. good

Source: flickr.com via Madison on Pinterest

Sometimes, I just get way too caught up in what's happening next 

that I forget 

to focus on 

what's happening now. 

Source: 25.media.tumblr.com via Madison on Pinterest

It's a constant struggle for me. 

I have to realize that 

there will always be deadlines, 

I will always have laundry, 

some thing- whatever that 'thing' may be- will always need to be done,

there will always be DIY projects on Pinterest that beckon my name, 

my inbox will always have emails that need replies,

I will never run out of family members to call, 

someone will always be expecting something of me, 

and my house will never be completely clean. 

And that's ok.

Because there will also always be a 'now'. 

Lots of things happen 'now'. 

And I need to stop thinking about what needs to be done and worry about what is being done, 

because there's nothing like the present

 or something like that, right? 

Source: etsy.com via Madison on Pinterest

I think a lot of women have this problem. 

We try to be everything by doing everything. 

Guess what?

That's stupid. 

And we are a smart bunch, I like to think.
Oh, we can get shit done, if you know what I mean.
But nobody can do everything, let's get real. 

Source: weheartit.com via kait on Pinterest

So, to all of you 

stay-at-home-moms, working moms, single moms, new moms, 

single ladies busting your butts, married ladies busting your butts, 

wives, daughters, sisters, girlfriends, college goers, law school students, waitresses...

sit down, relax, and           exhale.

And know- even if it's just for this moment- that you. are. everything. 

You are doing exactly what you need to be doing.

You are being. 

And that is a beautiful thing. 

And so are you. 

Source: singingthroughtherain.com via ty on Pinterest

***

I was going to post all latest quilts/finishes/sewing projects tonight, 

but then I figured I couldn't post those until I posted Willow's birthday pics from August

(yeah, August), 

and then I started thinking about my Grandpa Paul and how I really need to call him to let him know that I got his letter, 

which got me thinking about all the letters that I sent out (wait-did they all go out?), 

which got me thinking about the new big quilt that's in the works, 

which got me thinking about my blocks I need to finish for my charity circle, 

which made me think about the best way to organize my scraps in my new studioish area, 

which made me think about where in the world I'm going to actually plug in my sewing machine down there, 

which made me think that I never found a bobbin cover for my friend's sewing machine like I said I would forever ago, 

which made me think of her birthday presents, 

which made me think about Willow's party and the lack of post and/or uploaded pictures for the rest of my family to see. 

See what I mean?

EXHALE. 

I'm working on it...

I needed a little boost tonight, 

so I figured somebody else out there might need one, too. 

I tried to be as non-girl-powerish as possible while still keepin' it real. 

Source: live-inspired.com via Rachel on Pinterest