Mar 21, 2019

I’M DOING THAT THING AGAIN...


I’m doing it again, Dearies.

Shoulding all over myself.

I have a to-do list longer than my arm that sits next to my Happy Chair taunting me. This, of course, is nothing new, because I’m pretty sure that same list has been taunting me since the year 1987.

Is it Spring that does this to me? The warmer temps and birds chirping making me want to scrub scrub scrub and organize organize organize...putting things back to rights and cleaning and refreshing every inch of the world so we can all have a very nice summer sitting by the pool.

It’s not a Kondo thing...I promise. I know everybody is on a minimalist kick and throwing away everything they own right now, but I LIKE my stuff. My stuff comforts me and keeps me from running away from home.  And yes, I am well aware that material possessions cannot fill a spiritual void, blah blah blah, but I am an agoraphobic hermit spinster who wants to stay inside as much as possible, so my stuff is more life support right now than it is clutter.

I’ll get it together, I promise. I will talk to Dr. Melfi today, and I’m sure she’ll tell me that this recent state of blah has more to do with me feeling helpless and out if control than it does with anything being really wrong. I know, I know...it’s all about moderation and learning to do things in small increments, but all I have to say to that is...

Have we met?!

I did stitch a bit last night after moving the linen onto new snaps that are easier to hold:
I am still very much in love with this and make no apologies for stitching just one thing for long periods of time. I do admire you stitchy folks who have well organized and well thought out rotations, but despite my very best attempts, I just haven’t been able to master one yet.

Better get moving, my friends. The hour is approaching in which I must get myself spiffed and polished to go out into the world. I hope you are having a wonderful Thursday and that you get to do whatever makes you happy today!  Come tell me all about it!


14 comments:

  1. It's M.A.R.C.H, Coni, so you have every right to have the blahs. This has always been the blah-est month on the entire calendar(a least for me)(and except for those readers who are south of the equator), so feel free to hibernate and keep all your prized possessions close at hand in the coziness of your home.

    Like you, I also prefer to work on one project at a time. I like the feeling of finishing/accomplishing a task, so then I'm completely guilt-free when I start another.

    Whatever blows our skirts up, right?

    Grasshopper Pie is still looking gorgeous!

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  2. I have just started back cross stitching, from an hiatus of about 20 years. I'm amazed at the Flosstube videos, and that people don't stitch just ONE Project at a time. Still getting my head around that! Rotation?? I thought that was for tires! Hope you're feeling better, I enjoy your blog immensely, tho I rarely comment. Have been keeping up with you for several years. Thank you for your time that you take in keeping me entertained!

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  3. After much stressing, rotation stitching is not for me. For me, the beauty of cross stitch is seeing the blank fabric turn into something beautiful. I just dont get the same feeling when rotating projects. Too many projects at once fires up the OCD. The same OCD fires up about a neat back and parking , just the thought, can induce a headache. Maybe you can ask Dr Melfi why that is.



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  4. Many years ago, a counselor for a dear friend told her, "Shoulds are sh-t." Enough said.

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  5. I like my STUFF, too. Like you, I prefer to stay home, so I want to be surrounded by things that make me happy, although I have started getting rid of things as I think about downsizing. Believe me, there's a lot to go through, so it will take a while. I know some people say to just get rid of things and if you find you need those things again in the future, you can always buy them once again, but when you live on a fixed income that's not always possible.

    I'm pretty much a one-piece-at-a-time stitcher, too. Different strokes for different folks.

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  6. I do think it's common to feel that way about getting things done when Spring arrives. I also have lists of what to do, but maybe you don't want to have your list of "shoulds" right next to you in your Happy Chair? That should be reserved for only fun, relaxing things, or possibly lists of craft supplies you want to look for! I'm enjoying your progress on your Grasshopper stitch!

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  7. I work on a project as long as it's making me happy. I move to another project when I'm done or I'm getting tired of it. The whole rotation thing makes my head swim; I can't keep track of that many different things! The Grasshopper is so pretty; I think I would hate to put it aside right now.

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  8. Coni, remember there are no rules when it comes to our stitching habits! Do what makes you happiest -- be it working on one project at a time or multiple projects! I think you should put your list of "should" on the refrigerator door. GP is looking good!

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  9. Coni, remember that stitching should be fun. There are no rules, stitch whatever you want, whenever you want!

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  10. Totally agree with your wanting to stay home. Home is where I can relax and not worry about social things like spilling some coffee on my shirt, or going braless. LOL
    I tried the rotation thing and it made me anxious to see a basket of just started work and getting no where. Like paddling upstream. Lists? Love lists! Fill my IPad calendar with to-dos.

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  11. Thank goodness the accumulation of treasured items challenges
    minimalist thinking...what is wrong with finding comfort in
    beautiful things that fill one's world? Not clutter, necessarily, but accumulation of tokens of good memories and the witnessing to the life you have led. Embrace the security you find in your home, Coni, you have worked hard to make it your lovely haven and a delightful place for us
    to visit.

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  12. I heard about Konmari on TV-had to pull her up and see what she is hall about. If she showed up at my house she would be horrified. It is not quite ready to go on Hoardes but it is close. My workshop is wonderful, my husband built it for me and I love it. I am still running out of space but I just need to move some it back where it belongs. I get moody in the late fall-knowing I will be coop up soon. March is my kind of month. Good temps and an occasional storm. I get outside a lot more and I get a lot more quilting done too. I guess it depends on the person. Happy Spring!

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  13. I agree with you, Coni. I like my stuff. It brings me joy and comfort. Grasshopper Pie is lovely.

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  14. I do not mind one bit that you only stitch on one project at a time :)

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