Princess Pam-attitude
I agree whole heartily! Tea and chocolate are amazing at raising our spirits 
I love looking back on the awesome swaps I've done or gifts I've given and rereading the thank you cards from friends who just adore what I made for them! It's easy to forget how awesome we are when someone make us start second guessing our work. But we all have those "swaps gone sour" experiences, we just have to learn to remind ourselves that it's not us, it's them who is missing out!
You rock Cat! Just keep moving forward <3
Posts by Princess Pam-attitude
I love deep breathing exercises when I am about to explode. I took karate when I was a kid, like 8-15, and they had a exercise we'd do at the end of each lesson, about not using karate as a "weapon" but for self defense, and how you should use your brain to win fights instead of your fists, that kinda stuff. But then we practice breathing and meditation for 30 min, and I loved it. It really stuck with me over the years. I also used to do yoga when I had a gym membership, and loved the relaxing time at the end of the class too. When I'm stressed and at home I like to just go sit in a comfy chair or in my bed, away from everyone, with the lights off and just breath, chill out, and reflect. If I am stressed and out running around, like maybe waiting in line at the store and its just utter chaos that day, I try to tune out everyone and control my breathing, inhale slow for 7 seconds, hold it for 5, then slowly breath out for 7 seconds. Something like that
Also just pretending to be happy works for me, like if I am stuck somewhere I don't want to be and I hate it but I cant leave, I just smile like I am happy, but on the in side I'm like FLM. I've noticed that works great around my hubby, because if I am acting like I'm OK and happy, he'll be ok and happy, then him being happy will rub off on to me and I'll actually start to be happy, weird I know. But it works a lot for me!
Sometimes you need to just treat yourself to something nice! If you're having a terrible week and you really need a pick-me-up, go buy something you like, and make a big deal about it. It doesn't have to be a big purchase. I'm always spending money wisely, because my hubby is the only one with a job, so I have to pick and choose when I can buy craft supplies and when I can ship swap stuff, and then when I can by new pants or whatever. So one thing I like to do that isn't expensive is to plan a day to go to the mall or stores. I'll tell my hubby which day we're going, its usually on the weekend. Then he knows were going and to be ready, less stress already because its planned Anyway we'll get dressed nice, go to the mall and just walk around window shopping and cool stuff and I buy one thing under $20.00, it usually ends up being a book. Then we get a special snack, like ice cream or a big cookie from the bakery at the mall. So we end up only spending a few dollars, but we have fun and get to hand out together. Another option is we drive to the comic book store and I get to buy some books, which are only like $3 each, then we go get lunch at a nice burger joint or something. So again, we're spending a small amount of money and we get to hang out with each other and I get to buy something I love.
I think I am the master of Zen, lol. I was a very angry kid not like yell and scream and start fights, but I had a lot of internal anger and rage. I had to learn to deal with it so it wouldn't make me explode or become extremely depressed. I also used get really bad anxiety depression, that I didn't deal with well, and have been working on for the last 6-7 years, I am happy to say that I can usually regulate myself and my moods, so that I don't become depressed, and I think I live in a pretty stressful environment. Anyway, my hubby is in the military and we have a lot of crazy stuff happen to us, he leaves for training stuff at the last min, he's been to Iraq once and almost had to go to Afghanistan, we've moved across the country 2 times and are doing it again in December. So I get a lot of practice to control my stress, LOL. But when I control my stress levels or deal with my stress so it doesn't build up I totally see it rub off on to my hubby, he is less stressed and more helpful if I am less stressed.
Yeah someone should host a granny square swap I'd be in for it too!
Hehe suck-bot hehe that's a good one
I use swap bot but only for small things like tea and granny squares. Because they always have them going. I've done a few jewelry swaps on there too and loooove it! I haven't had any issues with ratings or being able to join swaps, if I think my swap bot profile doesnt fit the criteria I just message the hostess about it and tell them I swap all the time (direct them to my CO+K profile) and they have always allowed me to join. The reason I don't use it more often or for larger swaps is because I hate the round robin partner situtation. I love our swaps here becuase we message back and forth so much and have our own threads to post to. I feel our swaps are much more personal. And I love that! I have meet so many awesome people here that I wouldn't have of our swaps were set up like the ones on swap bot.
I dont swap any other places, honestly becuase other craft sites are too hard to navigate like craftster and such. I can never find anything there and I hate it!
I love the idea of having a sticky post explaining swapping at the top of the swap section.
I like the scale of 1-5 rating system from swap bot and I even like the heart addition. I think a 1-5 is good because I always think that a thumbs up is =5 and a thumbs down is =1. I like being able to give scale rating to show a wider range of feedback. The hearts I like becuase sometimes people just go above and beyond. and hey deserve to stand out. also I like their rating the host of the swap. That is good to know.
I'd love to have some sort of rating for swaps and would be happy with anything Cat and Tom could work out. anything would be a great help to swapping here.
http://justsomethingimade.com/2008/10/more-vintage-repurposed/
Hey I just say this, maybe if you can't get it clean you can redo the inside with some cute fabric!
I would try cleaning it with rubbing alcohol on a qtip. Thats all I can think of.
$12 is a lot when you think of buying your own fabric and making a bag! here is an easy pattern that you could totally revamp into your personal style!
http://www.momtastic.com/home-and-living/home/106558-diy-how-to-make-a-drawstring-backpack
also go on pinterest.com ans search backpack pattern or diy backpack and you'll get a bunch of projects that vary in the difficulty
Wow, well at least it doesn't sound like it was too terrible, considering how badly it could have gone. He seems to be taking it a bit better than expected and that's good, for everyone really. Its probably a good idea to just not talk for a little while, lets things calm down and everyone can let reality sink in a bit. I'm glad you have a holiday planned that will help you out with not having to deal with him right after breaking up, and it sounds like it will be fun. Great to hear that your feeling good about finally doing it though!
Ohhh how cool monica! The site looks awesome right from the start Maybe I'll have to go shopping with my tophatter earnings! Woot Woot
Yeah maybe you should try a few personal swaps on the swap request board. Or when you do sign up for a swap, just let the host know you want to be paired with someone who's done it alot and wont flake on you (the usual's around here know who is good and who is iffy) If you feel like you want a swap angel just let mew know, I'm in charge of the thread, and we can try an work it out. If not though thats fine too. Just an option if you need it.
Im so sorry this happened to you ((( I've done over 100 swaps and I have only had 2 people flake on me, which is a pretty good record. So I am astounded that you've had such poor luck. I hope you'll stick around and get some better swap partners. Because its awesome!
Joss, I'm sorry your in this awkward situation :S You're amazing and no one should be holding you back from your goals! Especially if you're not getting anything out of the relationship.
6 years ago I was in a similar situation. I was 18 and it was like a "young love" I thought I loved him a lot, but not enough to be taking care of him all the time (even though he was older than me) he was living at a friends house on the couch, while I was going to school full time and working non stop, so that I could move out of my parents house as soon as I graduated. So I told him how I felt, that I loved him, but I wasn't going to sit around taking care of him and waiting for him to get his life together. And magically it flipped a switch in his immature brain (lol) He got his GED diploma (because he had dropped out of school), got a job, then joined the Army, all in like 3 months. When he came back from Army basic training we dated and 6 months later were engaged, and a year from that married <3 He loved me enough to grow up! He didnt want to lose me, so he made the changes he needed to. We've been together ever since
My point is, if they love you, they will understand why they need to improve them selves, to help you to achieve your goals together. And also why your asking them to change for the better. If they love them selves and being lazy more, then too bad.
If its important they'll make it happen.
If its not, they'll make excuses.
I saw you changed your relationship status on FB, how did it go?
~~~~~~Everyone Needs To Be More Zen~~~~~~~
This board looked cool but now its bringing me down, from all the negativity and put downs Please, lets just chill out and move on from that debate. Thanks <3
Besides that....
Bleh I agree with Monica! I hate when the fake plugs are used by "posers" who want you to believe they are the real deal. On the other hand, I have no problemo with people who cant/just dont want to have gauged ears and wear the fake ones on the weekend for fun.
I have my ears gauged to a 6. And I have never had any problems, in fact my piercings have way better and easier to maintain then I ever thought possible! I love having them stretched, but even at an 6 I can still take them out and wear normal earrings just fine as long as they have a stopper/back on them. I've even gone a few years with out wearing plugs just because I didnt want that style at the time, and re stretched them back to a 6 in about 2 weeks. I think because go back down a few sizes, but not a big deal really.
Lately I've been trying to find ornate bone and wood plugs online, and I am getting sooooooooooo frustrated that all the really cool looking ones are fake, thats when I start to get mad at it, lol, and hate the fake ones.
If you have any good sites/store for plugs let me know
Hey Suzy! You should definitively head on over to the swap angles board! We can get you paired up with an Angle to help make up for your partner flaking
Here is the link to the Swap Angels
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/board/swapping/swap_shop/6208-swap-angels-for-incomplete-swaps
And here is the link to the one Ashley was talking about that keeps track of Incomplete Swaps
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/board/swapping/swap_shop/5444-incomplete-swaps-2011
I know what you mean about running out of steam to finish gifts for the holidays! I took it upon myself to crochet scarves for my mom, sister and best friend, and to make tukes (snow hats) for my dad and three brothers, and brother-in-law.... I have never crocheted anything before october! I learned and practiced by making round coasters, which I deiced to use for other gifts for my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law. I have 1 and 1/2 scarves done and one hat done! I need to pick up the pace, lol! On top of that I was going to try and make homemade marshmallows and hot cocoa for everyone too. I've been practicing the marshmallows, still havent been able to have the set up right yet though.... now that I think about it... I should probably be crocheting right now instead of wandering around pinterest.com and CO+K! haha
That's awful to hear about your nephew, it's always so sad when someone is taken from this world too soon.
I'm with you on the birthday/halloween woes too! I was so bummed out this year because we didn't have any plans for Halloween, no on trick-or-treats in our neighborhood, they all go to the nicer areas, lol. But I was totally excited to watch the live ghost hunters investigation on syfy!!!! I love that show well just my luck that driving home from getting grocieries Halloween afternoon I got hit head on by some asshole who thought it'd be fun to speed though a residential/school zone and pass around a blind corner. oh an I had just got my car back from getting my brakes and roters redone three days before this. So I spent my Halloween knocked out on codine because of whiplash and a bunch of aches and bruises,lol. I tried to watch my show in bed but I passed out within 5 min.
Now my birthday is a whole other story! My family always makes a big deal about birthdays, we all go to my parents house and I get my fav diner, fav cake, fav ice cream, and I get to open gifts from my family. We do this for everyone! And that's after we got older when I lived at home I always woke up to a surprise in my bed room, like a little gift or flowers or balloons. And I looooove surprises!!! But since getting married and moving half way across the world from my family, birthdays have sucked. My husband isn't into surprises and never remember how much I love them. Usually I end up picking out my own gift or just going out to dinner instead. It's very lame and I hate it. My bday is comming up soon (dec.3) and I am trying to get him focused on stuff I like when we're at the store and i pointed out what cake I'd like.... But we'll see how I goes I guess, the last 4 years have been useless, lol.