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Why is it so Hard for Me to ask for Help?

9/16/2011

3 Comments

 
I have a bad tendency to think I can fix things myself.  Case in point:  This week I worked my toushie off getting the fall catalog ready for print.  My photographer gives me the photos and I lay out the catalog.  After some long hours, I had the catalog looking mighty fine.  The print company I use is amazing, but the catalog has to be submitted as a PDF file.  Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

HA.  I spent an entire day and a half trying to figure out how to transfer my catalog from a Publisher file to a PDF.  I did this last time with ease (and a free trial program of PDF Complete, which has since expired.)  I downloaded free programs (all which didn't work), saved multiple copies, might have yelled a bit, and almost pulled my hair out.  

I have a brother, a best friend, and an acquaintance whom are each computer whizzes.  Did I call any of them?  No.  Lori, the girl who thinks she can figure out everything on her own, did not.  I stressed all day long, adamant that I could do it.

I finally gave up, handed the laptop over to my husband, and watched him click a few buttons.   He turned the laptop screen back to me, and there, saved in PDF, was my catalog.  

I jumped up and kissed my hero.

"How?" I asked.  "It was easy."  He replied.  "I just called Cain and Shane (two of our best friends) and asked what I should do.  It was a free download and easy to fix."

So, God really wanted to hit this point home this week.  Case in point numero dos:

Hank, my heavy duty sewing machine, has been in the shop this last weekend.  He is my work horse, needed a good cleaning, and his tension had gone haywire.  When I picked him up Monday, my Singer lady told me the bobbin case (the bottom thread holder of the machine) had a broken tension adjustment.  I'm pretty sure I broke it trying to fix it myself before I brought Hank in.  

*sigh*     
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She told me I could still sew with him (it's a long story, but basically you just set all the tension from the top.)   Eventually I would have to replace the bobbin case ($50 repair), but not now.  He would have many more purses in his future before he would need the repair.


So, I took him home Monday and fired him up.  20 minutes later, he was doing the exact same thing as before.  I was ticked, mostly at myself because I knew this was my fault.  If I had just took him straight to my lady and not tried to fix this myself he would be fine.  I boxed him back up, and tried to figure out how to come up with $50 more dollars.  I was certain the bobbin case was the problem.  (You know, since I am such an expert in the area.)  /sarcasm/

Finally, today, I called my singer lady.  I explained what Hank was doing, and asked how long it would take to order the part.  "Oh honey, there is no way you need that part yet.  Are you sure you threaded it right?  You have to pull that thread really taunt when you pull it through that top tension.  If you don't, it won't catch, and you will get those loops."  she said.

I told her I would try, but really didn't think it would work.  I hung up, got Hank back out, and re-threaded him the way she had told me to.  Tight.  I started him up, and......

He worked.  

I hung my head in shame.

The point of this week?   I can't do everything on my own.  I don't know everything, and It's ok to ask the experts when I am baffled.  Why suffer trying to figure out something when there is someone who has already learned the lesson and can share the knowledge with me?
I need to trust other people to help me.

Anyone else out there try to do it all yourself?     
3 Comments
Jennifer
9/16/2011 04:04:19 am

Oh yeah, sister...I do this ALL the time & then wonder why I'm frustrated & angry all the time! *sigh* Thanks for the TIMELY reminder...maybe someday we'll remember to ask first. :-)

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Jennifer
9/16/2011 04:07:29 am

P.S. When are you announcing/posting your new Fall Fabrics??? I think I am going to order one of your lanyards but I want to see what my new options will be before I pick one of the Spring/Summer fabrics! ;-)

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Lori
9/16/2011 04:11:03 am

This coming Tuesday, the 20th! The blog, website, and facebook will be all a buzz with new fabrics and bags!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! :)

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    Lori.  Momma.  Noonday Ambassador.  Avid coffee drinker.  Lover of good music and books.  Former seamstress and teacher.  Wife of 13 years to Bart and the mother of Drew, Ben and Lincoln.     

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