Dec 21, 2013

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE......EH.....WHO KNOWS.

So there I was, minding my own business, when Stewey hopped up into my lap with his little clipboard and reading glasses.  (This usually means that I'm in for some type of performance evaluation, so I braced myself and got on with it.)

"Mother, I want to talk to you about the year that wasn't."

"The what?"

"The year that wasn't, Mother.  By this, I mean the year during which you managed to do absolutely nothing, stitch absolutely nothing, write absolutely nothing, read absolutely nothing, cook absolutely nothing, and again, DO absolutely nothing."

(It was at this point that he peered over the top of his little reading glasses with what can only be described as utter disgust.)

"I didn't think it possible, Mother, but I think you've managed to break some type of land/speed record for total sloth."

(I ask you.  What the heck am I supposed to say to THAT?)

It took me a few minutes, but I gathered my remaining wit and replied thusly:

"Stewey, you're right.  This WAS the year that wasn't.  Mommie was in some kind of perpetual fog.  I'd like to think of it as The Year of Quiet, Stewey...NOT the Year of Sloth.  For you see, Little, I was tired.  And contemplative.  And worried about things.  And satisfied to just sit and look at the walls some days.  But this doesn't mean that it was a BAD year necessarily...it just means that it was quiet.

Before you came along and before Mommie started writing her blog and going places and doing things, she had a lot of quiet years.  Mommie used to be a very quiet person.  Shy, actually.  And she used to feel really ashamed and awkward about this until she read that there is a book out that says that the world needs people like this....that sometimes an introverted person can provide a little balance to an otherwise loud and TMI kind of world.

So I suppose that I embraced my inner quiet this year and just decided that it would be OK to watch.  And OK to listen.  And OK to learn.  To not have to be the center of attention every damn minute of the day or to feel OK to just...be.

The good news is that this quiet year allowed me to celebrate many many happy things that took place in OTHER people's lives.  Like weddings and babies and graduations and promotions and big project finishes and trips and seminars and classes and happy times with loved ones.

I might have only stitched ten things this year and only finished three....but the happiness I felt when I read about a sister/brother stitcher finishing one of THEIR projects was wonderful.   And since I wasn't frantically trying to up my numbers all the time, I was able to breathe and re-boot and learn new things and discover secrets and news and tidbits that I might have otherwise overlooked.

As for my personal life...I think that being quiet taught me to stop the madness of trying to be Martha Stewart and Ina Garten and Oprah every minute of every day.  Being quiet taught me that it's OK to have an unmade bed and a few dust bunnies for company, and that it's OK to spend an evening in front of the TeeVee with nothing but a dietCoke and an empty brain for sustenance.

Now before you start to fret about 2014, Stewey, let me tell you that I'm already planning things in my head about how the year is going to go.  I've started writing lists of books that I'd like to read, meals I'd like to cook, shows I'd like to watch, and, most importantly, stitching projects that I'd like to accomplish.  I'm going to go to my first seminar this year, Stewey, and I'm finally going to do something about all of that unused stash up in the studio that could bring somebody a lot of happiness.  I'm going to spend more time with Aunt Chrissy stitching, and I'm going to try very hard to write more on our blog about all of the crazy shenanigans that go on around here.  We're going to have fun in 2014, Stewey.  We're going to break out of the shell a little and think happy thoughts and have happy times with people we love."

(Amazingly, enough, my little dog listened to all of this quite respectfully, and then did something that caused me to break out into the ugly cry.  He put his little head on my shoulder, looked deeply into my eyes, and said "I love you, Mommie Dearest.")

Ahhhh......Christmas.  God bless us.  Every.  One.

I hope that you and the people you love will have perfect days ahead....full of everything that your heart desires.  Thanks for all of the love and happiness and joy we've had in 2013 and here's hoping that we'll have more of the same in 2014.

It's going to be a good one.....I can feel it in my bones.

Ciao, my dears.  Merry Christmas.  Happy New Year.  Love and peace and blessing to all!

With much love.
Coni
(and Stwey too!)


38 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey. Love reading about the adventures and enjoyment you have.

    May Peace Bless you Always.
    Claudia

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  2. Merry Christmas, Coni and Stewey!! I hope 2014 is everything you hope it will be. Here's to a great year for us all...... :)

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  3. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's to you, Aunt Connie, Stewey and Bosco!
    There is nothing wrong with being quiet and recharging. Something everyone needs to do once in awhile!

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  4. I was wondering why I hadn't seen many posts. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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  5. I loved your line about stopping the madness of trying to be Martha, Ina and Oprah. Oh my, yes, we all have tried that and it just doesn't happen! It is good to know that finishing less, and enjoying life more by being quiet and listening and noticing, is a good thing.

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  6. that sometimes an introverted person can provide a little balance to an otherwise loud and TMI kind of world

    Amen, Coni. A-freakin-men. Have a lovely Christmas with your lovely sister, and your sweet little dogs, too. :)

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  7. My favorite line ~ "an introverted person can provide a little balance to an otherwise loud and TMI kind of world". Amen to that and Happy Holidays to you and Stewing!

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  8. Merry Christmas/Happy New Year back to you, Coni! Thx for the wonderful blog!

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  9. It is such a joy to read all you write! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  10. Merry Christmas Coni - to you, Stewey, Aunt Chrissie & Bosco - may 2014 be all you desire!

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  11. Martha, Oprah and Ina make it look like they do in on their own but they don't. They have "people".

    I have my quiet moments, quiet periods, or even a quiet year. I love reading your blog and it very often makes me laugh. You have quiet the talent with words!

    Merry Christmas to you, Stewi, Aunt Chrissy and Bosco. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and safe New Year!

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  12. We love you--shy or not (and hey, I'll be a lot of us bloggers are introverts)--and wish you and Stewey and Aunt Chrissy a very merry Christmas and new year.

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  13. Ditto the "...introverted..." comment...very well said! I love reading your blog...it can entertain me for days, which makes people around me crazy because it would take too long to explain why I'm smiling. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey, and Aunt Chrissy and Bosco. I look forward to fun & craziness in 2014!

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  14. Well said Coni
    Merry Merry Christmas to you, Aunt Chrissy. Master Stewey and cousin Bosco.

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  15. Merry Christmas to you, Stewey, Aunt Chrissy and Bosco.

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  16. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey and a Happy New Year
    Love your blog!

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  17. A very lovely post Coni & Stewey. God bless you and yours. Thank you for all the enjoyment you've brought our blogging world by sharing yours. Cathryn

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  18. Happy Holidays Coni, I love popping into your world via blog :)

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  19. We all need those times in our life to contemplate
    Looking forward to reading about your 2014! Merry Christmas!

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  20. Happy Holidays! Looking forward to reading your adventures in the new year.

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  21. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey….and Auntie Chrissy and Bosco too !! I'm looking forward to a wonderful 2014 and hearing all about it !

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  22. Yeah! You're back! Love reading your blog and look forward to 2014 with you.

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  23. Coni, Merry Christmas to you and Stewey. I wish you all the best in 2014.

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  24. Bless you Coni and Stewey too - I've missed reading about you these past 12 months - but now as I've returned to the blogging community after nearly 18 months in the wasteland, I look forward to catching up with all your adventures in 2014 !!!

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  25. So looking forward to the continued adventures of Coni and Stewie! It's never about the quantity, but the quality and joy along the journey! Blessings in 2014

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  26. Love and Peace and blessings right back to you Connie and Stewey!

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  27. I'm so glad you're back and feeling good. May 2014 be a wonderful year for all of us. Happy Holidays. Connie Moser

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  28. What a lovely gift...a wise and witty entry. May the new year bring us all health, happiness and companionship.
    xx jenny

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  29. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey!
    There's something to be said for peacefulness. {{hugs}}

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  30. How I adore you, Coni…and Stewey too :) Where would we be without these wee Jack Russes,
    Merry Christmas and Happiest of New Years to you all, from me and Miss Teagan, her wee self.
    Hugs
    Ma

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  31. I think I know which book you are talking about, and isn't it a revelation to discover that it actually is alright to be an introvert. Best wishes to you and Stewey, and I hope you achieve everything on your list in 2014.

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  32. Merry Christmas to you and Stewey, and may 2014 be everything you are wishing for..

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  33. I relate and agree.
    Happy New Year to you and Stewey from Pixie and me!

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  34. Here's to the quiet years and all we learn from them.

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