Since You’ve Been Gone
Hello again, friends. It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I’ve missed this space—and you.
During my little hiatus from posting here on fabricthatmademe, life certainly didn’t slow down. As you probably gathered from my last post, the busy wasn’t exactly the kind I had expected—or asked for. I’ve still been creating, just in different ways. While I continue to sort through the chaos of my personal life (which, let’s be real, is still very much a work in progress), I wanted to pop in and share a glimpse of the creative things I’ve been pouring myself into. A full heart-to-heart on the personal stuff is coming soon—I promise. I’ve even shared bits of that journey over on Instagram if you’re curious: @skfabric_303.
Rediscovering the Joy of Reading (and the Beauty of Your Spaces)
I dove headfirst back into reading—all of it. First on my list was catching up on the incredible bloggers I follow. I forgot just how much creativity lives in this space! There are so many talented, thought-provoking, and wildly inspiring writers on this platform, and taking the time to revisit their work was exactly what my soul needed.
Usually, I stick to Goodreads or social media posts, but this time, I made the extra effort to visit actual websites—and wow. What a difference it makes. There’s something sacred about a writer’s personal space online. Speaking for myself, fabricthatmademe isn’t just a blog—it’s a little home I’ve built. I tend to it with intention and love, and I hope every visitor feels that care the second they arrive. So it hit me… if I feel this way about my site, I bet others feel the same about theirs. These creative corners deserve to be honored and visited with respect, not just scrolled past.
I also realized how many bloggers and writers I had forgotten I loved! Somewhere in the whirlwind of creating my own little writing corner, I lost sight of the very voices that once lit a spark in me. Life gets loud, and I think we all unintentionally drift sometimes. But going back and reconnecting—refollowing those beautiful souls I somehow lost in the mix—felt like finding old friends again.
Truthfully, I’ve always wanted to be the kind of reader who keeps up with every post, every comment, every email. And while I haven’t always been the best at it, my heart has always been in the right place. I know how much it means when someone shows up to support your work, and I want to give that same kind of energy back. So, moving forward, I’m carving out time—real, dedicated time—to show up for my fellow creatives the way I hope they’ve felt seen by me.
Books, Chaos, and a Mild Identity Crisis
Are you the kind of person who reads multiple books at once? Normally, I’m not. I’m a one-book-at-a-time kind of gal. But something happened to me last year—I snapped (bookishly speaking). No judgment, please. I suddenly wanted to read everything. Every genre. Every author. It was like I was on a desperate hunt for inspiration… and instead, I found myself buried under a mountain of half-finished stories and plotlines I couldn’t keep straight.
It all started innocently enough. Last Mother’s Day (2024), I devoured The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart and meant to dive straight into The Butcher Game. But I only made it to chapter seven before getting pulled into a dozen other books I “just had to start.” Who even am I anymore?
To be fair, summer is usually my “read whatever I want” season. During the school year, though, my reading list looks more like my daughter’s curriculum. Last year alone, we read Little Women, A Christmas Carol, Treasure Island, The Yearling, and Adventures of Tom Sawyer. That’s just off the top of my head—I’m sure I’m forgetting at least five more. So yes, finding time for my books? Let’s just say, it’s a noble struggle.
So I knew that even with all the chaos in my personal life, I was going to finish every book—whether by reading or listening. No more loose ends for me!
My Book List
- The Butcher Game: A Dr. Wren Muller Novel By Alaina Urquhart (I finally finished it!)
- It Ends with Us By Colleen Hoover
- It Starts with Us By Collen Hoover
- The Screw Tape Letters By C.S. Lewis
- Animal Farm By George Orwell
- The Rules of Love and Grammar By Mary Simses
I’ve got a few opinions about the books I’ve read lately—some I revisited more than once, and others… well, let’s just say it took everything in me to get through them.
First up, and I say this with love (kind of)—I owe an apology to the Colleen Hoover fan club. I did it for my daughter, okay? It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us were, to put it kindly… a personal struggle. Painful, even. And not in the deep, meaningful, soul-wrenching way I think they were going for. Then we watched the movie, and it somehow got worse. And no, my dislike had nothing to do with the Blake Lively casting drama or her sad-face aesthetic. I just didn’t connect with the story—if I could get those hours of my life back, I would. Sorry not sorry.
HOWEVER—before anyone revokes my reader card—I did read Verity, also by Colleen Hoover, and oh my word… what a twist! I absolutely loved it. So I’m not out here canceling her entirely. Those two just weren’t for me, and that’s okay. Not every book hits every reader the same.
Now, before I move on to the next book I want to talk about, I have to give credit where it’s due. After my less-than-enjoyable experience with a couple of overly hyped titles, I found myself craving something a little deeper—something that felt like a mental palate cleanser. That’s when I returned to two of my long-standing literary favorites: C.S. Lewis and George Orwell.
I’ve read The Screwtape Letters and Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis multiple times, and every read feels like a new revelation. His insight into the human condition, faith, and the spiritual tug-of-war we all experience is nothing short of life-changing. Likewise, Orwell’s 1984 and Animal Farm are masterclasses in clarity, social awareness, and emotional impact. These books don’t just entertain—they make you think. They push you to question the world around you and examine the lenses through which you see people, politics, and even yourself.
That said… I’m also human. And sometimes, after a philosophical deep-dive, I just want a fun, light-hearted escape—a book that makes me smile without demanding a full existential unpacking. Which brings me to my next read: The Rules of Love and Grammar by Mary Simses.
This book was such a breath of fresh air—sweet and innocent, with just enough personal struggle and emotional refinement to keep me hooked. It flirted with that Hallmark feel but never tipped fully into the overly saccharine zone. Just the right amount of cozy without making me roll my eyes.
I genuinely enjoyed every page of The Rules of Love and Grammar—and for once, I actually read it instead of listening to the audiobook (which is rare for me these days). Totally worth it. It’s romantic in a very “real life” (we all wish for) kind of way—awkward, unsure, and still figuring things out… which, honestly, felt a little like reading about myself (without the will to do parents).
There was something about the small-town charm—the bike shop, the familiar faces, the “will they or won’t they” kind of love—that took me right back to my days in Medford Lakes, New Jersey. Everyone knew everyone, the nostalgia, the simplicity… I could see it all so clearly. It just made me smile. Yeah, I loved it.
Reading reflected in Writing
During my recent mission to clean up and declutter my writing space—aka tame the chaos that had slowly taken over every surface—I found myself in a bit of a reflective spiral. With this little month-long pause filled with books, journals, and a few too many iced coffee refills, something strange hit me: a lot of what I read doesn’t actually align with how—or even what—I write.
Is that weird? I don’t know. Maybe? It felt like discovering I’ve been eating exclusively Italian food while writing a cookbook for southern comfort recipes. There’s no shame in spaghetti, but it made me wonder… am I missing something by sticking to what I know? I realized I might need to branch out, mix things up, dip my toe in a new genre pool—even if it’s got unfamiliar floaties.
I’m not saying I’m about to start writing spicy werewolf fanfiction or crime thrillers with plot twists involving long-lost twin billionaires (although… tempting), but this little reading break has made me rethink my comfort zone. I’ll always stay rooted in faith, honesty, and heartfelt storytelling—that’s just who I am. But still… there’s a little part of me that’s curious about dabbling in a new generation of storytelling. Maybe just a taste. We’ll see.
In the future, I do hope to dive into more short stories—stretch some creative muscles, maybe even surprise myself. But I know me: I’m not giving up these little heart-to-heart chats with you anytime soon. They’re too special. And even if everything else in life feels a bit… well, unsettled (a kind word for the beautiful chaos that my life right now), I’m genuinely excited to see where this writing journey goes next.
That said, writing hasn’t been the only thing fueling me lately. Between navigating big feelings and small joys, I’ve leaned hard into my quiet spaces—journaling, daily devotionals, Bible studies, and, yes, a few comforting TV shows that don’t ask too much of me. Let’s talk about those next.
Faith, Feeds & a Few Guilty Pleasures
During this time apart, I’ve done a little of everything—some of which we’ll chat about soon. But right now, I want to share one of the most meaningful things I returned to: journaling.
I had drifted from it for a while—life got loud, and I just lost track. But coming back to the page felt like returning home. Scribbling in the corners, doodling my usual flowers and leafy vines, jotting down prayers, thoughts, pains, and those silent cries no one ever hears… the ones I don’t say out loud. That journal became sacred ground. Safe, unfiltered, and honest. It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. And in the stillness, a few short story ideas even made their way into the margins—like little whispers of creativity waiting to bloom.
I also poured myself into some beautiful devotional studies that truly anchored me during this stormy season. A few I finished (and highly recommend) include: The Eruption Within: A Biblical Plan for Managing Anger, Teachings and Principles From Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5–7—Wisdom for What’s Next, An Invitation to Wisdom, and Spiritual Blindness.
Right now, I’m walking through two more: James 4—Submit Yourself to God and Love God Greatly: Abiding in Jesus—Bearing Fruit That Lasts. It may seem like a lot, but this intentional time with God—these quiet mornings of worship, notes, and listening—have held me together through one of the most unsettling chapters in my life and family.
I do all of these devotionals through the YouVersion Bible App, and if you ever want to join me, I would absolutely love that! You can find me there under Sarahlou Kelly—let’s walk through the Word together.
Along with journaling and devotionals, I’ve been soaking in some powerful podcast content too—because sometimes, you just need truth, wisdom, and the occasional wild story in your earbuds while you fold laundry or sip that third cup of coffee.
A few of my go-to listens lately have been Girls Gone Bible and The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast—both are full of truth, encouragement, and a reminder that faith can be both fierce and feminine. On the flip side, when I’m in the mood for a deeper dive (or something that leaves me going “wait… what just happened?”), The Joe Rogan Experience and The George Janko Show definitely deliver.
The Squeeze and Let’s Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari hit that sweet spot between emotional real talk and everyday advice, and Ian Carroll’s show? Super thought-provoking. The man’s mind is a maze—in the best way.
Each of these shows brought something different to the table during a season when I really needed a mix of wisdom, humor, distraction, and faith-filled fire.
Real Life, Popcorn, and Red Flags
Last on the list—shows and movies! Okay, this first one is a little cringeworthy, but hear me out. My daughter and I have a guilty pleasure: reality TV. It’s dramatic, over-the-top, loud, and absolutely nothing like real life. We use these shows as teachable moments—trust me, they provide plenty.
We started Love Island—and yikes. We didn’t get far. Between the emotional manipulation, desperation, and blatant red flags flying everywhere, it became a hard no. I didn’t even have to say anything. My daughter, who’s almost 15, turned to me and said, “This is giving me anxiety—I don’t want to watch this anymore.” I was proud of her for recognizing it, and honestly relieved. If anyone talked to her—or my son—like some of those contestants did, they might never be seen again. (I’m only half joking…)
The rest of our watchlist included FUBAR, Ginny & Georgia, Predator: Killer of Killers, Tires, The Last Witch Hunter, Beyond the Villa, and the classics Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde.
To be completely honest? The only one I truly enjoyed was Legally Blonde. Elle Woods was the breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed. And my daughter loved both movies too—which makes it even better.
Currently, I’m watching The Originals—a spin-off from The Vampire Diaries—and it’s dramatic in the best vampire way. The series centers around the Mikaelson siblings, aka the original vampires, who return to New Orleans to reclaim the city they built centuries ago. It’s got all the good stuff: supernatural power struggles, ancient curses, a little witchcraft, a lot of brooding, and that complicated, toxic sibling loyalty we just can’t look away from. Klaus, the main anti-hero, is intense and messy but weirdly lovable (kind of like that one family member who always starts drama at the holidays but still gets invited). There’s family tension, forbidden love, magic, revenge—it’s a dark, gothic soap opera and I’m absolutely here for it.
I’m also watching Making the Band on Netflix, which is giving all the nostalgic chaos I love. Think early 2000s vibes, frosted tips, dramatic sing-offs, and the kind of group tension that only reality TV in its prime could deliver.
We also saw the new Superman movie, and I was surprised by how much I loved it. But let’s be real… Krypto the Superdog totally stole the show. He might have been my favorite character. No shame.
Until Next Time…
I know this post was a long one, and if you made it this far, bless you. Thank you for being here. Truly.
I’ve been doing everything I can to keep my mental health in good shape while walking through a season of heavy unknowns. It’s been rough. But it’s also reminded me just how important it is to make space for rest, prayer, creativity, and connection—even when the rest of life feels like it’s held together with string and stubborn hope.
I don’t have a posting “schedule” quite figured out yet—but I do plan to be back here regularly, a few times a week. I’ll be reading your words too, showing up the best I can, and continuing to share mine. Whether you comment below or send me a note through email, I hope to hear from you.
This space means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me.
So until next time… be safe out there. Take care of your heart, and I’ll chat with you again soon.
With love and coffee,
Sk
✨ Let’s stay connected.
If this message spoke to your heart, I’d love to walk alongside you in this journey.
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Let’s grow in grace, truth, and purpose—together.
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