Putting the "Happy" into "Happy New Year"

Although there hasn't been much activity in the blog there has been lots activity on the other side of my computer. Not only did I have plenty of custom knitting orders in December (which I loved!!!) but once things died down, I decided it was time to rearrange my work room.

I am an employee that works from home and have a desk dedicated for my job. Although I'm constantly on the lookout for new and improved ways to work and process the jobs and to become more paperless, I still have lots of files and papers on my desk -this is not a place that I do any other work. In the same room I had a nice little desk with a hutch that I considered my personal desk, but I had buried it behind craft supplies and couldn't access the drawers or doors. I decided that it would be good to have one desk for work and one desk for personal use. The personal desk could have pretty things like candles and flowers on it. I also thought it would be good if they could be across from each other as this would put them both near the window and both near the baseboard heater plus all I would have to do is turn the chair around from one spot to another which would save some space.

This simple idea, however, took three days to do. It involved unloading two 7' tall Bonde (Ikea)  bookcases and moving a filing cabinet. It also involved getting rid of as many things as I could. The task is now complete and I am happy with the results. The room is still fuller than it should be but I am happy with it and will continue to work on it. And I still have 3 knitting orders for January, which also makes me very happy.

As well over the past two weeks I was able to sit down with several wonderful ladies who've not only supported me in my knitting business but also in my dance. It is a wonderful feeling to connect with such amazing people. I also had a long meeting with my dance instructor discussing where I'm at and how I'm feeling and this has also renewed my excitement for dance and the future.  I know it sounds cliche but it's definitely been a journey in so many ways.

For me, and many others I talked to, 2014 was a tough year. It's not the worst year of my life, and tragic things didn't necessarily happen, but it was hard - not much came easy that's for sure. And interestingly, it was the same for many others. But I do believe that those tough things won't exist this year and I really think the tough past was a prelude to good 2015. I already put all  the hard work into building the foundation and feel I will reap the benefits this year.

I've suffered from depression and low moods throughout my life but I'm feeling really good about things right now. I'm feeling happy and I feel hopeful. I don't write resolutions but I do 'set intentions' (so to speak) for my future and I feel confident about the upcoming months. Dance class starts on Monday. Next weekend four of us are going to Seattle for a three day dance intensive training. Jp and I are both working and money's not as tight as it had been. I am hopeful my brother and I can mend our relationship this year. My mom and I are planning a trip to Europe this spring. I don't want for anything but look forward to peace and happiness and contentment. And this is the song floating around my head:

.

My Personal Conundrum

I used to love conundrums when I was a kid - the one about the goldfish, or the hanged man without a chair beneath him, etc. Do you remember any? Here try to answer this one:

As I went across the bridge, I met a man with a load of wood which was neither straight nor crooked. What kind of wood was it?

I seem to be having a different kind of conundrum these days. I can't seem to get anything done -  I mean I can get the housework and the gardening done and even fit in some baking. But as far as creative projects  - they just don't seem to happen.

I struggle with figuring out why. Is it the weather? Because after work I want to go outside and enjoy the warmth and the sun? Or is there another reason? Am I scared to start? Do I have too many choices or not enough?

Of course then I spend time thinking maybe I'm spending too much time thinking and I should just start. But then I stand there scratching my head- what should I start? The next problem is putting my hands on my materials. Seems I've misplaced the folder with my Zentangle supplies. Seems I have my watercolours but not the paper and on and on.

Oh sure, there is always knitting and crocheting -but what project do I want to do? Nothing is calling me or inspiring me. I think what I might do is just pick some projects and put the supplies together - the pattern/yarn/hook or needle or the pattern/fabric/floss/needle or the paper/pen/paint/brush  - all together in a bag or box so the next time I don't know what to do or the next time a flicker of inspiration appears I can grab a project and just start. After sharpening an ax for a while, one must cut something, mustn't they?

How I spent my Family Day

So what did I do with my extra (rainy) day off?

• made the hubz breakfast in bed
• did the dishes
• baked vanilla cupcakes
• did the dishes
• made lunch 
• did the dishes
• walked the dog
• made orange flavoured frosting for the cupcakes 
• iced the cupcakes
• did the dishes
• brought the hubz cupcakes and coffee
• ran the dishwasher
• took some finished project photos
• showered
• got dressed (hair and make-up + dance practice costume)
• ate some dinner (leftovers)
• went to dance class
• came home went to bed. 

Is that good?
I think I wash dishes too much. How does that happen? Probably because of my cooking/baking motto - "right tool for the job"

Here's what the cupcakes looked like:

I've Made a Huge Mistake

Well all the furniture has been moved and the computer + accessories reconnecting went fine. But even though things are being culled it still doesn't look like everything's going back in. I had to quit around 7pm last night as all parts of my body were achy. I tried to go without pain medication but around 2am I just couldn't sleep and had to take a Tylenol PM.

I am achy today and really wish I could take the day off but since 1/2 the living room is still consumed by my shit I will have to plug away today.

Notice that I went from 'possessions' to 'stuff' to 'shit' as I start disliking the things in boxes? What are they you ask? Well I have labeled myself a 'crafter' and have convinced myself that I need paintbrushes and paint and fabric and yarn and paper and buttons and ribbon etc to make things. Today I am not in a creative mood and 1/2 of me wants to quit. Who wants to read a negative blog post right? I know, I get it  - and I apologize.

I recognize that once things get moved back in as best as possible and I continue to dedicate time to declutter and process these things - maybe I'll feel inspired to make things again and all will be good.

Have you every redecorated and felt you had made 

a huge mistake about 1/2 way through it? 

****

For those Arrested Development fans, I feel like this: 

What have I done?

I started a rearranging project in my work room that has affected 2 other rooms! Eep! Well I can't stop now, I have to get it all back together, and I still need to pull out the Christmas decorations - it's only 11 days away!

And you know another reason I have to finish this project this weekend? Because somewhere in the pile are the Christmas presents I need to mail. That was a mistake.

Well wish me luck. I have to move the computer and all the equipment (router, modem etc) today. Handling computers makes me curse like a sailor!

All in all it sounds like a great day, doesn't it? Which I why I recommended that the hubs might want to leave the house for a while today.

How are your holiday preparations going? 

How old are your clothes?

How old are the items in your closet? About every three years I tend to go through every single item in my clothes closet and in my dresser drawers, try everything on and with the help of Jp, I will either keep or donate the items. Sometimes the item was never good in the first place (an impulse buy or something I didn't try on in the store-I'm bad for that), and sometimes it just no longer fits in my life now. 

The other day it was a wee bit cold for my daily dog walk and so I pulled out my trusty ear muffs -which I later realized I've had since Junior High. Wow, that's a long time. But since they're still in good shape and not some crazy kid colour and of course they're functional, I will keep wearing them.

 

My SIL who is a Fashion Queen Extraordinaire and fashionably slender has a very extensive clothing collection and I don't think there is much she has discarded - and I know of at least one item that she's had since high school - an orange pair of pants. Knowing her wardrobe, I'm sure there are more items she's had almost as long - or just as long as those pants. It's been said many times that items come back in style especially  if you have really good quality pieces.

What's the oldest thing in your closet? And why do you keep it. 

Done!

7:30 Sunday night and I am finished all the gifts I wanted to make that needed to be mailed. Now anything I start making is either for someone locally, something for my shop or something for me.

And speaking of my shop - two good things happened to me last week. One, a friend of mine with 5500 friends promo'd me on her facebook page. That's nice exposure. I am very grateful. And second, I received an invitation to join EtsyBABY which is an exclusive group that promotes shops specializing in baby items. Being part of EtsyBaby gives me more exposure to my shop and they profile items and promote their members, as well, it's not so easy to get in so getting an invitation is a good thing. I am very grateful and very excited. As soon as I wrap and mail my out-of-town gifts tomorrow, I will start working on my MustHaveThat Etsy store (see right side bar for the link) and figure out a game plan. I have some very good advice to follow from my Number 1 fan - my brother and from Leonie Dawson who offers several how-to business course and planners etc  - so  definitely have my work cut out for me.

 I am very pleased to have completely my hand-made Christmas gifts "on schedule" and look forward to some 'free' time. I say free in quotes, because it's really stuff that I should put first but always struggle with as I always let the minutia of daily life get in the way. If ever I had a resolution that would be it. To make time for creative time NO MATTER WHAT. Which is kinda what I did to finish this last project, I neglected some housework and cut back on the baking/cooking as I had to get that last gift done.

I have also finished shopping  - unless I have forgotten someone - so I am feeling positive about the next 2 weeks.

How about you? Do you celebrate Christmas? 

Are you on schedule for gifts and preparations? 

Wow a whole week already?

I assume this is happening to everyone but the older I get the faster time seems to move - do  you agree?

This has been a busy week. Last weekend we painted our bathroom including the ceiling, and installed a new medicine cabinet, towel racks and hooks. Then there was some other big clean ups needed because my mom was visiting for a couple of days. She hasn't been to my house for 6 or 7 years and so I wanted to make it a little more presentable. All those little extras that needed to be done. It's not like we live like piggies, but still you want to put some effort in the decluttering and dusting etc. when your mom comes to visit, don't you?

When I picked her up from my brother's house on Wednesday, her arm was so sore she couldn't lift it up to her face, so we loaded her suitcase and things into the car and then I drove to the doctor's office. Luckily this walk-in clinic allows you to put your name in and then go away, so we went back home and had some breakfast then went back to the clinic and she ended up pretty much walking right into the exam room. She also lucked out by getting in to see my doctor, who is very popular in town as he's a thorough and compassionate man. He ordered an x-ray and gave her some prescriptions. We left his office and went straight to the hospital for the x-ray and again she pretty much walked right in and was all done within about 20 minutes. The only hold-up was at the pharmacy who found my mom's past record (when she used to live in this province)  and then refused to release her prescription without some further information - which has long since been forgotten because she hasn't lived her for over 8 years. It's frustrating that the doctor has no problems giving her the prescription but someone with half the eduction and half the liability could hold her prescriptions ransom. It took about 4 hours but we finally got it all resolved.

The next day she was to visit her sisters who live in the neighbouring community  - she had made the  arrangements to visit them two weeks prior but something went amiss here and she ended up waiting hours for one sister to show up and then no one offered her any food. For 6 hours they sat with a senior citizen and all she got was a cup of tea and a stale cookie. It's all very odd because in our family we were all brought up to provide something for your guests! By the time I picked her up at 7pm she was dizzy and nauseous from being so hungry. Goodness! I am not happy with her two sisters at all!

And then it was Friday and she was here for 1/2 day and it was time for her to go home. In between my times with her I tried to catch up on my day job work. Lots of running around this week. So after I made pizzas we went watched the next James Bond movie (we've been watching them in order) - last night it was The Spy Who Loved Me which was a pretty good one.

My sweet brother ensured she had a nice homecoming - he had been looking after her dog while she was gone all week and so just prior to her coming home he put her dog back into her house so when she walked through the door she was greeting by her happy little schnauzer and he had baked her some lovely cookies so she could sit down on her own couch, put her feet up, pet her dog and enjoy a nice cup of coffee with a fresh cookie. Way to go Bro - that's how you do it!

Today I will stay home and take it easy and besides doing laundry, I will do whatever I dang well please!  That includes catching up with your blog posts! What have I missed?

Weekend Warrior - home decoration

Okay my friends - here goes - today I am re-painting my bathroom - I'm taking down the cabinet and the wall mounted mirror and painting the towel racks and walls and the ceiling. I'm also taking off the old caulking on the tub and upgrading it as well. It's a small space. I should be able to get it all done in one day.

I'm a little scared to get started, but I'm trying to just take one step at a time. I've painted it before in an evening but that was so long ago and I move slower now  - LOL!

Wish me luck!!!

This old house

Busy weekend, trying to take advantage of the fact that we still have sun and dry weather so late in the year - I painted a fence on the weekend. It felt really good to get it all done, even managed to apply two coats to some areas. Except when I went to pack everything up, I closed the gate and realized I forgot to paint the back of it! Doh!

We'll do a little roof repair on a shed today, and some new gutters are being installed on Wednesday. This will be really nice because the idiot who installed the current gutters didn't know what he was doing and they leaked at every seam - plus there was a dripping seam right in front of the front door so when the mailman or the kids came for Halloween they'd get dripped on. Last year, one little girl gave the drip a very dirty look.

I've greatly neglected things inside the house figuring that it will rain soon enough and I'll have plenty of time to work on all that  paperwork - but so far we haven't had rain for several weeks -so I'm starting to get really behind. For example yesterday I was on a long drive and was thinking about all sorts of things when it hit me that I needed to activate my new Driver's Licence. I remembered receiving it in the mail and putting it in my wallet - completely forgetting I had to activate it. I was in a bit of a panic because I thought I only had two weeks, but when I came home I was happy to discover they gave 1 month to do it, and I hadn't surpassed the deadline. Whew! That was close. That could have cost me if I had let that deadline slip - I would've had to apply all over again. (In case you're wondering what kind of Driver's Licence this is, it's called in Integrated Driver's Licence and allows you to cross into the US via land or water without the need for a passport and since we're only 1/2 hour away from the border, it can be a very handy thing to have)

Cleaning with dogs

I'm still working hard on rebuilding our backyard lawn from when Eco was a pup. With grass missing in the middle of the yard, it can be rather muddy at times. I'm positive a lot more dirt and debris comes in than if we had a lush green lawn. And when I saw this, I have to agree 100%!