Wednesday, August 18, 2010

WHAT IS REAL?

What does the word real mean to you? For me, it is keeping thing in prespective.


I have not posted in a while because I am trying to figure out what is real? The love I have for my husband and sons is real. The friends I have here on this island and around the world is real. Waking up to a new day...keeps it very real for me.

Keeping it in prospective.

So I am trying to help my sister win a go....is that really real? Go cutters will come and go....but my sister won't...she will always be there. Some feel since she owns a fabric store that she can afford a Go cutter....not so my friends, this store is new and with all new things comes growth to make a profit.

Does one person deserve it over another.....I dont' think so. I think you all deserve a Go cutter. All of you may think that this has to do with the fact that my sister is trailing.....not so.(it is not over yet...wink..wink)...I am talking about what is going on behind the scences....keeping it real. The kids that will get these quilts....that is real. The struggles they are going through, that is real. Feelings, taking others feeling into account, that is real.

So can any of you tell me what is real? I have two amazing friends (you know who you are) and a husband that keeps (tries to keep me grounded)...ha!! it is hard...and thanks a bunch...because of you....I am looking inward and not outward.

I have a post below with a Christmas project, I am making them, alot of them. I will give one away (may be different fabric)...oh yes....so you are going to try to win something that you can't even see......MYSTERY...... don't you love a good thriller? Not knowing what is in the box??? Is it real? Because it is not sewn together yet, does that make it real?

So just leave a comment and I will chose in a few days...ahhhh lets say Saturday....I will come back and post the winner....if I get more than I want done, I may chose two....so ladies and gents....what is real to you?

53 comments:

  1. Life....and all it entails....the good, the bad and the invisible.

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  2. What is Real to me? The Love for my husband, children and grandchildren. The friends I quilt with and my blogging friends Most real to me is what my Hubby has been through since March when they found the tumor. He is real brave and real optimistic and most of all real determined to beat this. His attitude is phenominal and I think 1/2 of his battle

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  3. What is real to me Barb is represented in what i just sent you, which was an excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit...what is real is loving my husband, friends, and family,and being loved back...That is what is real to me.

    Nice chit chatting with you in our emails. It was just like sitting together and talking over coffee or tea.
    Micki

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  4. This is a topic that has been in the forefront of my mind lately. What is real to me? Family, food, shelter, a sense of safety and belonging. All of these are very real things that we take for granted. There are people out there, in our country and abroad, that won't get a meal today or maybe even this week. The hunger they feel is real. The sense of fear felt by children living in violent areas is real. The desire to belong and be a part of a family is real for an orphan. How often we forget these very real feelings as we go about our daily lives.

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  5. lots of things to me are real....the love I have for my son and hubby, the love I have for a few select friends, even when they hurt my feelings, it happens often, I say it's part of life, and it does hurt, but what can you do, i try really hard not to take things to personally, but when you feel personally attacked, it's hard, for me, real; is helping people, especially when asked.

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  6. You are real to me. Each breath I take is real. My need to connect with others is real.

    The human desire for more things is not real. It is an illusion. More is not better.....more is more. When times are tough or the end of something is near....I won't be thinking about what I have or what I've given .... it will be with those to whom I'm connected.....that is real.


    Smiles,
    Kelly

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  7. family and friends, yarn and fabrics, berries and melons, happiness and sadness, mysterious christmas project, everything feels real to me. best luck to your sister's business and her quest for a go.

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  8. I've never really gave to much thought in what I consider real. Real is so many different things to me. God is VERY real, my husband patience and love for me is real. The friendship that I have with someone that I may never meet. The love I have for my daughter, her husband and her perfect sons. My dad's death also very real. The prayers I say for people are real and filled with love. I could go on and on.

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  9. I like to cut out little sayings from the newspaper and magazines. I have one that asks a lady if there is any part of her life she would do over. Her answer was...."You know, I don't think so. At some point, you realize that the decisions you make are all part of a bigger picture, one that you cannot fully understand until later in life". To me that is what is real. It's our whole life being lived in such a way that we wouldn't want to change it.

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  10. This "GO" thing has become such a big movement. Seems like so many people are being given a "GO". I hope your sister wins one. It would be nice to see it used to help others.

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  11. Barb, I think it is wonderful that you are helping your sister win the Go. That is really amazing and selfless of you! Even if she doesn't win, you will have done a lot of good for some people who need it.

    As for the mystery giveaway being real? If I win, that's real enough for me (lol!). Thanks so much!

    xo -E

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  12. Barbara, you are about as real as it gets. That is what I like about you. And you have a lot of real love you share with the world and you have nothing to apologise for (well, maybe except for being a little selfish with chocolate covered macadamia nuts)

    :)

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  13. Real, to me, is not stressing over small, inconsequential things......but truly keeping things in perspective. Real is understanding that even though you think you might have a problem, you can look around and very easily find someone who has a TRUE problem of much greater consquence... and yours is probably not much of a problem at all! Real is understanding that others may think differently than we do and they are entitled to think differently than us...and that doesn't make us right and them wrong.

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  14. Real is what I do every day. Real is taking care of the family and the house and yard, and sometimes sewing if there's time. Real is getting through each day, as best I can, and moving on.

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  15. Barb, you have sent me so many things throughut the year that I do not feel right participating in this giveaway but I do want to comment.
    I agree with everyone's statements about what is real, but what I find to be real is how as cyber friends we all unite and help each other and others in time of need without really knowing each other. To me, that is real and alot of it is thanks to you.

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  16. You are real...your thoughts your feelings, your love for life and people. I find your blog one of the most inspiritional and uplifting blog that I follow. I never know what to expect from you, from the heart or from the silly bone. Love ya, kiddo and your blog!

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  17. I love that you're working so hard to help your sister do something that she wants - reminds me of my sister (also my bestest bud!)...
    I agree - FAMILY is what's real! They'll always be there for you, no matter what :) :)

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  18. Barb,
    what you said is so real! Wakeing up everyday is so real even when things are bad just try and turn the bad around and that is real.

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  19. Barb- boy what you just said is so real. Real is wakeing up every day even when things are going bad just try to turn the bad to good and you will feel much better and that is real.

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  20. Real is who you are surrounded by in your daily life, family, loved ones- real is the choices you make each day, and the results from those choices. I don't know- is the cyber world of bloggy friends any less real, or just a different kind of real......
    Hope your sister wins one - I have tried - and wish I could - looked them up on line and they are a bit expensive, and then getting all the different dies- it adds up!! Out of my budget!!! Winning is good - and that GO seems to make everything so much easier - fingers crossed that she wins!!!:>)

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  21. The Love of a child, it's unconditional. Good friends are real to me, may not have a lot, but the ones I have are important, we all have lots of aquaitances, but how many would we say are real friends....

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  22. what is real, my family, my friends, my online buddies, and all my entries trying to win a Go to. Wish I had a nice sister helping me win a go!

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  23. what is real, my family, my friends, my online buddies, and all my entries trying to win a Go to. Wish I had a nice sister helping me win a go!

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  24. Oh, Barb! This is too philosophical for me! I can understand your desire to help your sister win a Go. Your love for her is real. I've felt your love myself. Keeping things in perspective may be real for you but it is not real for me. We all create our own realities. I feel as if I am writing a term paper. Not enough room for that here. And that is a reality - at least for me.

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  25. What is real? That's a pretty deep philosophical question to ponder with coffee at 8:30 in the morning... Is the question really what's 'real' - or what really matters? To me, what really matters are people. And we are to interact with people (a.k.a. mankind) with acts of love and kindness and generosity, giving of ourselves and our possessions as we are able to make the world a better place for people. And sometimes we need to graciously accept these acts of love when it is our time in need. Love one another, as Christ loved us. That's what's real.

    Hugs

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  26. What is real in this very moment for me is the fact that my left side of face is killing me with sinus infection. I want REAL drugs to kill pain. I can't even think straight but did enjoy your post. Keeping it real.

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  27. Love is real. Love was in the beginning & will be forever.

    My understanding of the giveaway is 1) a fantastic charity effort & 2) promotion (advertising) for future sales of the Go. The winner should be the one who followed the rules & met the donation request.

    Get busy & help your sister. Do it out of love. And, have a good time doing so.

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  28. Barb. I think the relationships that we have with others is what makes life real.It is the connections that we have one another that helps give us a sense of self and sense of belonging. I feel blessed to have a spouse that I love and who loves me and a son who has grown up to be a responsible caring adult ( at least most of the time LOL). I have good friends that support and love me for all my foibles and humaness. I feel fortunate to have connected with many wonderful people around the globe through quilting and blogging. That shared passion fuels my creativity.
    One of the things I admire about you, Barb is the caring and giving you do for charity and for others. You are a very thoughtful individual and share your knowledge and expertise with those around you.
    Your family is central to you- You are blessed to have a great relationship with your family. Some of us are the lucky ones to have those great connections with our loved ones.
    Some one once said to me that our perceptions about life is 9/10s of our reality. Caring and sharing are important parts of my real world. I count myself fortunate to be living a rich( not money wise but people wise and experiences) and a fulfilling life. I don't know if I have answered your question but that is what I perceive life's reality.
    Happy quilting and I hope your sister does win a Go. I like it when people win things that they really want and will enjoy using them. Best of luck to her.
    Warmest regards,
    Anna

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  29. Real is living your life surrounded with the people who are important to you. Not stressing about the little things in life. In 1993, my father passed away from ALS and I was in a car accident and broke my neck about five days later. My son was two years old and during my recovery he wanted some milk. Well, I could get the gallon of milk out of the fridge and up on the counter, I could get his sippy cup on the counter but lacked the strength to pick up the jug high enough to pour him a a cup of milk. Looking down into his precious waiting face was very real for me and I felt like a failure.
    Today I am able to lead a normal life with God's help, my wonderful surgeon, and my more than wonderful family. I appreciate life so much more and yes, I still get angry at times, but have learned to let my anger flow away just as fast as it comes. What's the point of hanging on to all that negativity? Life is real live it the best way you can.

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  30. Barb, what is real is that you won the Sew & Sew apron :^) !!Congrats!!
    While I do want to win that GO!
    your sister would have as much fun with it a I. So, either of us winning is a real possibility.

    Hugs
    Gerry

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  31. For me what is real is love of family and friends, trust in myself and my feelings, helping others who are need, and getting through each day. I would love to win something that comes from you my friend, sight unseen!

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  32. Real tugs at your heart. Everything else might tug at your mind or your nerves, but "real" tugs at your heart, whatever that might be for you.

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  33. What is real?? That is so deep, not sure I can answer that, but I would like to try. real to me is of course God, real is love for family. Real, is kindness. Real is knowing you are doing the best you can do no matter what. real is frindships. real is giving of yourself when you think you can give no more. Real is what you make it to be!
    Barb, you are real.
    Thanks for making me think and please you have been so kind to me, do not throw my name in the hat.

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  34. Real is having a sister like you. Who wants something good for you more than you want it yourself. The Go is not real and it isn't about getting one. I don't need it. It is just another fancy gadget that makes life easier but they come and they go. Family and friends are what matter. The things you do from the heart for those less fortunate. The lives you touch because you cared. That's what matters in the end.

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  35. Family and friends are what is real in life. Everything else is just window dressing. The kindnesses we do for others enrich our lives.

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  36. Real is reality. Reality is a truth. Truth is what is real in and about our lives. Reality is I can't do all that I want to do. The truth is that is life. Reality is doing every day what can get done. The love for familiy, frineds and quilty are my reality. What is real is how I feel about it of those things. The reality is, I am here, you are here and we are all doing the best that we can do with what we have.

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  37. A tough question indeed. For me my family (Hubby and kids) are real. Everything else is just life.

    In our house we believe in Karma ~ what goes around comes around whether it is good or bad.

    I tell the kids that they cannot control how other people react. They can only control how they themselves react to what is going on around them.

    There has been so much "drama" online and at work that I find myself stepping back more and more lately. I would rather do things that make me (and others) smile than to get sucked into those other situations.

    Grandma always said if you can't say anything nice, you should just keep your darn mouth shut and walk away.

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  38. Real, for me is my family and where we are at the time. Where we have been is also real, as it makes now real too. An interesting post and some very interesting answers.

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  39. Real. Christ's atoning sacrifice for all of us. And our eternal families. Hug and kisses my hubby and my little ones. Making memories.

    I think it is amazing you are helping your sister so much. Don't let others get you down. HUGS!

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  40. What an intriguing thought. Outside of love of my family which is real I think being true to yourself. Doing what you know is right even if it isn't what you want to do. Real is finding something that makes you feel authentic. Real is reaching out to other people and understanding that they may not respond the way you think is appropriate. Often you never see the effect you have on others.

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  41. Barb,

    The thing that is real to me is the "faith" I have in Father God to help me through each passing day.
    Dealing with the loss of my little girl Muffin (13 yr.) was the latest, and I have now been able to resume my quilting more and be happy again, even though I still miss her terribly. He guides every step of the way in everything.
    Happy Quilting!

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  42. It is hard to keep things real dear sister. But like you I have my husband and kids that keep it real. And of course our mother. The love I have for my sisters(yes that means you too) and our only brother is real. Life is not what you get out of it, it is what you put into it. Love you. Bev S

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  43. I've got my fingers crossed for your sister to win the go. I have a friend who has one and I use her's they are a wonder for sure.

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  44. I just posted what is real to me on my blog. Real to me is quilting with love rather than trying to be good at everything.

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  45. The people I love and care about are my real. I think we get caught up in to many other things and lose track of what matters. I like what you said about where the quilts are going, that is real. I continue to hope that the top people in that contest will all win, you know how I feel.

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  46. The Go! is just a thing....means nothing really, the act of love you are showing for your sister by helping her it the REAL DEAL! I envy your sister YOU and that is REAL too...;-)
    Hugs,
    Lola

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  47. Today my sister went through outpatient surgery as a diagnosis measure, and what was real to me was fear, worry, sleeplessness, gratitude, relief, and laughter. Real is knowing what counts, what is important. You are a generous person. That is what's real about you that I know from reading your blog.
    Do I want a GO!? You bet I do. But I can't sew for twenty hours a day, seven days a week, to win one. That just isn't real or feasable. For me. If others can do that, then more power to them. That is how contests are won. Don't apologize.
    I love your blog because, although you did win a GO!, you haven't blogged about it that much. I don't follow a blog because the blogger uses a GO!, but because I want to see what they are up to and maybe I can learn something from them.
    Sorry for the long comment. Just being real:) God Bless You, Barb.

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  48. Hey Barb! I think you keep things pretty real here at Bejeweled. You are a generous and funny person who thinks of others always. I like that you keep yourself busy (productive) and share snippets of your life. We all deserve a bit of fun and a special treat now and then, none of us are entitled to any more or less than the next person. Who are we to judge who deserves what? Some folks like to try the latest gadgets of the quilting industry and while I am not a much of a gadget girl myself I do enjoy seeing what everyone else is trying out. I suspect that your sister will be a good promoter of the Go! so why not give her one to play with? Life is short, it is what it is and what it is changes daily, so enjoy as you always do and don't worry about the small stuff. And if you get too caught up in the quilty world or blogland your hubby will likely let you know it's time to come up for air. :-D

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  49. I miss your daily posts. Let's see, what's real? My family, my quilting buddies, my work, my faith. What's not real? "Reality" TV, Mel Gibson's & Lindsey Lohan's drama.

    Take care,
    Susan in Texas

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  50. I enjoyed stumbling upon your REAL blog. Its all real for me...somethings WAY to real. Good luck. G

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  51. I love this post by the way. It makes us think very hard.
    What is real to me...family is real to me, I was not happy in my first marriage and until I found my husband Kevin and never really lived or was alive. I was just going through the motions of raising kids and concentrating on being a mom.
    Friends are real to me although because of family and work there are not as many as I would like.
    My work is real to me...it is really NOT work, it is something I love to do with all my heart. I feel like I am saving babies lives. I know this is a fact because of the families that I have kept in touch with that remind each of the child's birthdays and holidays. These things I hold dear to me is what makes me who I am and what I have become. They have shaped me. What gives me pleasure is all these things although I could always use a little bit more sewing in between all these real things! I feel like that the things I make will be a little peice of me left behind for other to remember me when I am gone. Morbid I know but I cherish the things that were left for me. Thanks Barb for making me thing it and write it down! Steph

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