Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Alive... but not exactly kicking

I can't believe it's been already two months since I last posted. But if you thought I fell off the face of the planet, well, I'm still here. I didn't go away on a holiday, I didn't suffer from SWAP hangover (as Marji put it so well). These past two months have been incredibly busy, it is the first time in my life when I felt constantly that I'm struggling to keep the pace with all the things that I had to do and I'm behind most of the times.

You don't know me (in person I mean), but I can tell you that I'm a highly energetic person. My level of energy, including physical, is naturally very high. I don't take any credit for that, it's just the way I've been since I was a kid - plenty of energy to spend and normally, positive energy. This helps me a lot when under pressure. Usually pressure (well, short and medium-term) stimulates me and makes me faster and most of the times better. So it is very unusual for me to feel that I can't manage all the things that I must do.

So what happened? Think lots and lots of work to do, a very important conference with high officials and important people from the artistic world to organize, a 2-weeks visit from my mother in law and her husband (they live in Dallas, TX) which brought plenty of supplementary household chores, trips to make all over the country to visit relatives and so on. A 5-days teambuilding that was mostly work - my organisation is preparing for the first excellence star (read more about the committed to excellence concept on the EFQM site) and I was leader of one of the groups doing self-assessment and improvement projects. Serious conflicts in my department at work, serious personal problems in my department... As head of this department, many of these problems have a direct impact on me, both professionally (as conflict mediator) and personally (things that happen to people in my team affect me) as you can imagine. On one hand I can't believe it's been two months since I last posted, on the other hand it feels like one year and not just two months.

I've tried to keep up with your blogs as much as I could, even if I rarely (very rarely) had the time to comment or drop a line and I know I have been quite an absent friend... But I'm back, even if quite tired and hopefully the month of July will be a bit easier (there's plenty to do anyway, more than "normally", but compared to how it's been, it does seem a breeze!). I managed to sew a skirt almost a month ago and two easy knit dresses this past week but couldn't bring myself to take photos or blog about it. I guess I just needed to take it easy and come back to the sewing world step by step :)

But it felt so good to have a sign or a small line from some of you, thank you for writing me, thank you for worrying about me! Thank you, Melissa, Designdreamer, Val, Isabelle, Dinah, another Melissa (who doesn't have a blog), Robin Denning, Carolyn, Winnifred from PR. Please forgive me for not having the time to give a reply, however your messages meant a lot to me. Hope I didn't forget anyone who wrote me... Which reminds me, it has come to my attention that during the last 6 or 7 months, there's been lots of problems with our email server (changing the server, changing software etc) and friends tell me that they sent me messages I never got or I know I sent them messages but they didn't get them. So, if you sent me an email and never got a reply, please forward it to me again, because I never got it!

I'll come back with photos. Promise :) It feels good to be back already.

36 comments:

cidell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dei said...

We have all so been there and understand. Work, family, more work. Miss your posts and talented sewing, but life is life. Glad to know you're back.

Kitty Couture said...

((((Laura)))))
Courage pour tout ce que tu dois affronter. Je pense beaucoup à toi, j'espère que tu vas réussir à retrouver un équilibre. Je t'admire beaucoup, tu sais !
Merci beaucoup d'avoir pris le temps de nous écrire ici... C'est un beau cadeau de te lire.
Courage ! Gros bisous !

Sigrid said...

Glad to see you're back. Take care of yourself, enjoy a more quiet July month and hopefully we'll see some of your great sewing projects coming to life.
Hugs, Sigrid

Lisette M said...

Glad you survived this extremely busy time for you. I used your rose tutorial and loved the result. Looking forward to seeing your sewing projects again.

Dana said...

Missed you, and glad to see you're back in the bloggin' world!

Christina said...

Phew, I'm exhausted just reading about how busy you've been! Thanks for the update, and glad that you're back.

Nancy K said...

Glad to see you back. I missed you and your wonderful blog! Glad to hear that you are ok.

Dawn said...

I'm glad you're back too. I was worried when I checked your blog the other day. Glad to back!

Tany said...

I'm glad to have you back! Talk about busy... We have some catching up to do! I'll write to you as soon as I can!
(((HUGS)))

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

I'm glad that things are slowly getting back to normal for you...I did get one email from you so I knew you were alive and just did not have time to sew...so I was sitting here waiting (im)patiently! :)

Glad you're back and can't wait to see the new things!

Catherine said...

It is great to have you back, Laura. I am just getting back into sewing after many years absence and your blog has been a great inspiration to me. Sorry you have been through such a bad time.

Rose said...

Phew! I'm glad that you are okay. I was worried for a while because your extended silence. I've been reading your blog for a while (mostly lurking) and have been inspired by your craftmanship and prolific output. I'm glad that you are okay. Please do take care of the things that need taking care of. I look forward to seeing your new projects, whatever they may be! :)

Melissa said...

So glad you're okay! When you get time to breathe, I look forward to reading what you've been up to on your blog. :-)

Cherie said...

I am so glad to hear from you also!! Take a deep breath and think calming thoughts. Can't wait to see what comes out of your sewing machine! Take care.

Gwen said...

I'm sorry life has been so rough lately, and I'm REALLY happy to see you back! I'll send good wishes for a time of calm and peace. :)
Take care of yourself!

Alexandra said...

Glad to see you back! As Cidell said, if it hadn't been for your occasional comment on someone's blog, I would have been seriously alarmed. It's good to hear that you've managed some sewing even during this stressful time and I look forward to seeing pictures of your new skirt and dresses.

Summerset said...

Yes, it is good to see you back! I was wondering about you the other day and realized that you hadn't posted in a while. I totally understand how you feel, I've had a rough few months, too. I do hope you can rest a bit in the upcoming months and be back to show us your lovely creations.

AllisonC said...

Laura, it's great to have you back and know that you are OK. Obviously your job and family are important to you and sometimes other things have to take a back seat for a while (yes even sewing!). Take care and we all look forward to seeing your creations in the future.

Anonymous said...

Oh yay! You're back! I love everything you sew--- it all looks so flattering on you and so well made.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you back Laura, I check your blog occasionally and was worried when you hadn't posted for so long as you are such a prolific sewer! Hope things calm down for you. (I too thought you had burn-out from SWAPing!)

Marji said...

{{{{many hugs my friend}}}},
Happy to have you back. Take it easy on yourself and post when you can.

Anonymous said...

So lovely to see you back. We've never "spoken" but I've been lurking on your blog for about 6 months now and have learned so mcuh from you. I am in awe of your talent! I've been checking in regularly for a sign of you and have been worrying too, but didn't like to intrude. Nice to see you back, take care of yourself.

Christy said...

Glad to see that you're back!
You have been missed.

Rose said...

I was so afraid that you decided to stop blogging. I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been busy handling, but sounds like you are up to them. I learn alot for you and look forward to future entries when you are ready. Right now, it sounds like you deserve a break!

Cennetta said...

It's great to hear that all is well. I look forward to your next inspiration.

Tracey said...

Yay, you're back. It's good to hear from you. I hope you catch up with everything soon.

a little sewing said...

Oh you poor dear! Somehow the universe managed to overload you.
Glad you see you posting!

BCN - UNIQUE designer patterns said...

Laura .- I am glad to know that you are well. happy summer and happy "new sewing." hugs, Paco

fabricluver (Susan) said...

So very glad to see you back. I really hope things slow down for you somewhat and you get a chance to enjoy the things in like that you like.

Angelia said...

Hope life slows down for you now.
I've missed seeing your projects.
Please take care!

Bonnie O. said...

Welcome back! I've missed your projects and hope your life settles down a bit. I know how unsettling that can be.

Vicki said...

Laura, it is great to hear from you and to know all is well. Sometimes sewing and blogging just have to take a back seat. But of course we enjoy seeing what you make so much that we have missed you!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I am so glad to know you and your family are okay! The red and green dresses are so inspiring. If only Switzerland in the mountains hit the summer highs of Bucharest---or the salsa highs. It's so boorrrring!
XX
D.

ejvc said...

Hooray! You're back. I lurk and enjoy your blog very much, not to mention being inspired by your work.

EJVC

angie.a said...

I'm so glad everything is OK! I was worried too :) Missed your wonderful projects & sweet comments!!