Right now I am exhausted. You might not guess that seeing as I'm writing this post at 1:30 am in the morning instead of sleeping, but I am.
Completely exhausted and worn out. I've been feeling this way for the second half of the week, as my to do list continues to grow despite the fact that I'm crossing things off as fast as I can.
Today, at work I said to someone "I've just got too much to do!" And her reply "No, you just try to do to much for your family." Okay, well, she might have a point there. And on the other hand, isn't that my job? To do things for my family and for the people I care about? I suppose it is ... but does making the Halloween costumes fall under that category (yes, we've already started working on costumes. Because I want them done before we go on vacation. And my younger two, will both actually end up with two costumes). Okay, so I might have to scratch that goal. How about I just try to have them done the day before they have to wear them? Or maybe next year we buy them. And yet, my kids always talk about how I make them - how they get to pick whatever they want and help me shop for fabric.
Sigh. It's those things that add up. And oh yeah, because I'm an idiot, I promised my son I'd make him a blanket to take on vacation. Because the ones we own already just wouldn't be good enough (okay, really, he was have a complete melt down and somehow in tryin to talk him through it those words popped out of my mouth.)
And oh yeah, I need to make 8 aprons in the next two weeks. And knit a blanket (okay, really I need to finish the first and then knit the second, and no, that doesn't include the one I'm sewing for my son). And I want to do some freezer corn. And we all really need a few more clean clothes. And I'm supposed to pack up things I can pre-mail for vacation. And my daughter's birthday is Thursday and I need to sew up two things for her. And, well, you don't want to hear my whole list.
Somehow, I need to sit down and take a few things off the list. Because otherwise, it looks like I won't get a chance to sleep until we go on vacation!! And yes, it's the same cycle I end up stuck in far too often - trying to cram in too much in too little time. Getting completely burned out so that I don't want to do anything for a while except the necessities, and then feeling like I need to do a million things all over.
If anyone has any tips to help me get out of this cycle, it would be much appreciated.
And on a good note, I finished the special sewing project this week. Which felt so good, because this was (in my mind) a must finish ASAP project! Pictures coming soon, I hope!
Sunday, September 06, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Still sewing away ...
Still sewing away on my special project.
But for a bit this morning, I took a break from it to work on a spur of the moment craft project (aren't those sometimes the best kind?!)
I present to you a train:
But not just any train, a special countdown train. We can't wait until just these numbers are showing:
But right now we are at
Okay, okay, by the time I publish it, there will be 27 days left. Left until what you ask? Left until I officially go crazy. Okay, well, that might be a side effect. 27 days until the 3 children and I board a train in Chicago and travel to Boston, where my in-laws will pick us up and take us to their house in New Hampshire!
I can NOT wait. Although, bummed hubby couldn't go - but he has no vacation left. There is a sad backstory to how all of this happened, but it will have a happy ending. (and yes, I will share all the details with you even if you don't want to read them!)
My middle daughter's birthday is soon - next week soon! This weekend I called to talk to my MIL about what to get her. She said she thought about shopping but realized she had no idea what to get Miss M because she hasn't seen the kids in so long (since last summer people!!). And I admit it, my heart broke. In 1,000 pieces. I felt horrible and then I felt guilty and I thought about how I would feel if I only saw my grandkids less than once a year, and I felt doubly guilty. And the thing is in our house and in their house money is tight. And living half-way across the country from each other makes it hard to see each other with tight budgets, ya know?
So last night hubby and I decided we would make it happen. I called to find out what dates would be okay, and I'm pretty sure I completely made their night - which totally made my night and all three of the kids are going out of their minds they are so excited about this trip. So we are all happy - well, except for husband, who is happy, but sad he can't go. Well, we couldn't make it perfect but we tried.
Of course, now I'm scrambling to finish all sorts of projects in the works before we board that train. And we will be out of the house for a full 10 days and arrive home early morning the 11th day - that's a long time (but when you factor in that's 27 hours each way in travel time, well, it doesn't seem that long really.
Anyway, I'm so excited I could burst. And I had to share with all of you. And to make it even more fun, we made the countdown trains this am. And my kids now think I'm the coolest mom who makes them the coolest things ever. =)
But for a bit this morning, I took a break from it to work on a spur of the moment craft project (aren't those sometimes the best kind?!)
I present to you a train:
But not just any train, a special countdown train. We can't wait until just these numbers are showing:
But right now we are at
Okay, okay, by the time I publish it, there will be 27 days left. Left until what you ask? Left until I officially go crazy. Okay, well, that might be a side effect. 27 days until the 3 children and I board a train in Chicago and travel to Boston, where my in-laws will pick us up and take us to their house in New Hampshire!
I can NOT wait. Although, bummed hubby couldn't go - but he has no vacation left. There is a sad backstory to how all of this happened, but it will have a happy ending. (and yes, I will share all the details with you even if you don't want to read them!)
My middle daughter's birthday is soon - next week soon! This weekend I called to talk to my MIL about what to get her. She said she thought about shopping but realized she had no idea what to get Miss M because she hasn't seen the kids in so long (since last summer people!!). And I admit it, my heart broke. In 1,000 pieces. I felt horrible and then I felt guilty and I thought about how I would feel if I only saw my grandkids less than once a year, and I felt doubly guilty. And the thing is in our house and in their house money is tight. And living half-way across the country from each other makes it hard to see each other with tight budgets, ya know?
So last night hubby and I decided we would make it happen. I called to find out what dates would be okay, and I'm pretty sure I completely made their night - which totally made my night and all three of the kids are going out of their minds they are so excited about this trip. So we are all happy - well, except for husband, who is happy, but sad he can't go. Well, we couldn't make it perfect but we tried.
Of course, now I'm scrambling to finish all sorts of projects in the works before we board that train. And we will be out of the house for a full 10 days and arrive home early morning the 11th day - that's a long time (but when you factor in that's 27 hours each way in travel time, well, it doesn't seem that long really.
Anyway, I'm so excited I could burst. And I had to share with all of you. And to make it even more fun, we made the countdown trains this am. And my kids now think I'm the coolest mom who makes them the coolest things ever. =)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Special Project
This week I am working on a very special project that was a request from a friend. So I'll probably be scarce.
With that said, I'll leave some shots of recent finished projects for you all to admire!
That's my sister wearing this prayer shawl. It was my graduation gift to her. She left for college a few weeks ago. I hope she took it with and I hope that she uses it to cuddle up with whenever she may need it!
Knitted socks (not for me though!). My mom asked me to knit them for another relative. So I did! My aunt called and thanked me. I just hope they fit her and they keep her toes nice and warm!
And now for some non-craft items ... last week we made pasta. Yes, made pasta!
Me cutting it - which I wasn't so great at honestly.
Hanging on the hanger. A lot of the pieces actually ended up breaking and falling off.
But, it still tasted yummy!! (also, I'd like to add I made the sauce from tomatoes I canned and zucchini fresh from the garden and that the beans were also fresh from the garden - and my little garden doesn't produce much, but what we do pick from it makes my heart soar!!)
The best compliment I got was from my 6 year old M. She said, and I quote "Wow mom. It tastes like real pasta! Good job!" So cute and I guess they must have been nervous about how it was going to taste ;-)
Anyway, hopefully I'll be back at the end of the week with som fun stuff to show you! =)
With that said, I'll leave some shots of recent finished projects for you all to admire!
That's my sister wearing this prayer shawl. It was my graduation gift to her. She left for college a few weeks ago. I hope she took it with and I hope that she uses it to cuddle up with whenever she may need it!
Knitted socks (not for me though!). My mom asked me to knit them for another relative. So I did! My aunt called and thanked me. I just hope they fit her and they keep her toes nice and warm!
And now for some non-craft items ... last week we made pasta. Yes, made pasta!
Me cutting it - which I wasn't so great at honestly.
Hanging on the hanger. A lot of the pieces actually ended up breaking and falling off.
But, it still tasted yummy!! (also, I'd like to add I made the sauce from tomatoes I canned and zucchini fresh from the garden and that the beans were also fresh from the garden - and my little garden doesn't produce much, but what we do pick from it makes my heart soar!!)
The best compliment I got was from my 6 year old M. She said, and I quote "Wow mom. It tastes like real pasta! Good job!" So cute and I guess they must have been nervous about how it was going to taste ;-)
Anyway, hopefully I'll be back at the end of the week with som fun stuff to show you! =)
Friday, August 28, 2009
A bit of sewing!
Friday I was supposed to be doing laundry, cleaning, packing, etc as we were going away for the weekend.
Instead I did some sewing. Because, well, I wanted to LOL!
But, tell me, wasn't it worth it:
The kids picked out the fabric and each decorated the white fabric on their bag.
I followed the Treasure Bag directions in the book Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule (who I so want to be like when I grow up and also I'd so move into her house if she ever invited me and my family!).
And you know, when I saw this grin:
It was so worth blowing off the housework!
Instead I did some sewing. Because, well, I wanted to LOL!
But, tell me, wasn't it worth it:
The kids picked out the fabric and each decorated the white fabric on their bag.
I followed the Treasure Bag directions in the book Handmade Home by Amanda Blake Soule (who I so want to be like when I grow up and also I'd so move into her house if she ever invited me and my family!).
And you know, when I saw this grin:
It was so worth blowing off the housework!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Ramblings
Not much to say, so I'll ramble for a bit tonight (I promise to keep it short though!)
A lot of people have been coming here after searching bread bags. Which reminds me I have one embroidered that needs to be stitched together. Hmmm ... maybe I can do that tomorrow! I also had someone e-mail me if I'd sell any bags. Not sure I'm ready to do that, but I guess that means the one I did finish must have looked good!
Speaking of bags, I'm going to try my hand at making some produce bags. But I want to sew them out of organic cotton, and I can't find it locally (yet) so I'll probably have to order it on-line.
I had my first Sonic this weekend. I've never eaten it, never been to one. I was completely flustered when I paid and had NO idea if I was supposed to tip or not (I didn't. I felt guilty the whole way home). We went back today for half-off drinks, I thought the kids would get a kick out of someone roller blading to bring us our food. Except the manager delivered our drinks and she walked. They still enjoyed it and I asked her if tipping was standard (her response - it's completely optional. Half do and half don't BUT their staff is paid minimum wage and not waitressing minimum wage, so it's not necessary. I admit, I feel better about not tipping now).
In what I consider craziness, I started two new knitting projects this weekend. I might finish them this year ... but don't hold your breath! LOL!
I've been doing lots of reading - mostly light, easy, quick fun reads. Perfect for the end of summer I think and for a mom who doesn't have many brain cells left at the end of the day!
That is all for now. Hopefully soon I'll have some fun pictures of finished projects to show?
A lot of people have been coming here after searching bread bags. Which reminds me I have one embroidered that needs to be stitched together. Hmmm ... maybe I can do that tomorrow! I also had someone e-mail me if I'd sell any bags. Not sure I'm ready to do that, but I guess that means the one I did finish must have looked good!
Speaking of bags, I'm going to try my hand at making some produce bags. But I want to sew them out of organic cotton, and I can't find it locally (yet) so I'll probably have to order it on-line.
I had my first Sonic this weekend. I've never eaten it, never been to one. I was completely flustered when I paid and had NO idea if I was supposed to tip or not (I didn't. I felt guilty the whole way home). We went back today for half-off drinks, I thought the kids would get a kick out of someone roller blading to bring us our food. Except the manager delivered our drinks and she walked. They still enjoyed it and I asked her if tipping was standard (her response - it's completely optional. Half do and half don't BUT their staff is paid minimum wage and not waitressing minimum wage, so it's not necessary. I admit, I feel better about not tipping now).
In what I consider craziness, I started two new knitting projects this weekend. I might finish them this year ... but don't hold your breath! LOL!
I've been doing lots of reading - mostly light, easy, quick fun reads. Perfect for the end of summer I think and for a mom who doesn't have many brain cells left at the end of the day!
That is all for now. Hopefully soon I'll have some fun pictures of finished projects to show?
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