What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow. ~ Martin Luther

Thursday, December 03, 2009

I'm Tarred



I was going to save this picture for tomorrow's Foto Friday FEET challenge, but decided against it just because it so perfectly conveys how I am feeling right now.

Tired.

I have been so sporatic at this here bloggity blog (sniff, sniff) even though I have an incredible lot I would *like* to share. Crafts we've been making. Gifts I have been finishing. Books I am in love with. Ideas I've been contemplating. Funny things that have been happening....(you know! The good stuff!) But time just seems to slip right through my fingers.

Ever felt like there is SO much to do that you just can't get motivated to do it all? Ugh.

That's me.

Right now.

I have Christmas letters, envelopes, pictures, labels and stamps all sitting in their nice little piles awaiting "stuffing". (I spent $35.00 on stamps yesterday! ack!!!)

I have a house to clean (yeah-it needs it too!) for company coming to stay for the weekend.

I have food to prepare for said company.

I have apples STILL to make into sauce (yes---I have made several batches of sauce and butter but these apples are like fish and bread, I tell ya)

I have boxes of decorations waiting to enliven this house in the Christmas spirit.

I have a church directory to create and a solo to practice.

And worst of ALL!?!?

It is now December!! And all my Christmas presents are not yet made! In fact, there is a goodly portion still yet to do! I really don't want to miss CHRISTMAS because I am too busy. That is not me, not who I am.

Not to mention: why is it when you have a whole mess of things on your sewing-to-do list that you always get an itch to make things for YOURSELF?! Right when you CAN'T?!?!

Now is right about the time when I think "Oh-wouldn't it be nice to make a child's nativity set out of Felt Wee Folk, for the children to handle and enjoy? I could wrap up each character and give one them each day...."

or

"Oh rats! This is year #2 that I have wanted to make an advent calendar for the children and year #2 when I don't have enough time to actually DO it!! WHY didn't I make one back in June?!?!"

or

"I REALLY love this bag and would love to try to copy it for myself. And this pillow, which I have been dreaming about since October (and now it is out of season but I don't care). And babycakes needs some serious slipper/booties and how hard would it be to make a pair like these (minus the plaid) myself?! And Oh-I love those EIGHT butterick patterns I got at Joann's for .99c last week and WISH I could manage some time to jump into them.... That one dress would be so PRETTY!"

and don't get me started about envisioning homemade matching Christmas outfits for everyone this year. Cuz it just ain't happening.

The way I figure it is January could go one of two ways: I go nutso sewing all the things I am pining after right now OR I go into permanent hibernation. At this point, hibernation is looking pretty appealing.

10 comments:

Regina said...

Just love all the "home made" ness you're focusing on. I'm getting ready to pear down my time and get more of those home made things done myself. Ikwym about wanting to get some things done for yourself when doing things for others...like that really pretty matching skirt and shirt...curtains and and and....;)

((((hugs))))

Bonnie said...

I SO hear ya. I'm wondering if I can squeeze in a new skirt for myself for Christmas. To make: A fleece pullover, 2 doll dresses(though this might get axed), 2 waldorf style dolls AND a wardrobe for them, a purse, cooking, meals....
I just finished putting up Christmas stuff, kept it simple, and gleaned what I could out of the yard. I must say its my favorite I've ever done, it might even be post worthy this weekend.
Now, off to finish the bread for tonight's dinner of French Onion soup.
Sigh. You think of me, I'll think of you, and maybe we can mentally send some motivation to each other ;0P
(P.S. my word verification starts is NUTTala- do you think its a sign that I AM actually crazy?!?)

Tiffany said...

Oh, I am right there with you! Precious photo, by the way.
I will not stress, I will not stress, it will be a simple, calm Christmas. {I hope}

Unknown said...

Right there with you, Rebecca! I yawned when I saw the title! LOL! I HAVE made an effort to simplify a bit this year, which has really helped...no making 100 applesauce ornaments for package tags, no handmade wrapping paper, no stamping cards,...nope, I made myself slow down a bit...with that said, here is my to-do list! :P

-get Christmas letters/photos out! (my are in a pile JUST LIKE YOURS and I just spend $35 on stamps ALSO! :) )
-make fudge gifts for neighbors/packaged up/handed out
-make fudge for dh's co workers
-make 4 super hero capes (the sequin fabric is driving me BATTY!0
-make 4 taggy, loopy baby toys
-finish throw for my mom
-knit 3 or 4 simple dishclothes???
-put together 2 mini scrapbooks of Ella for grandma's
-make an apron for SIL

Whew! How many days until Christmas?! ;) See ya on the other side...JK! I'll be here tomorrow, I promise!

Amy

Peggy said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! You have no idea how good you made me feel! I'm not the only one who bit off more than she can chew! However you are getting things accomplished! If you could only see me right now. Sitting at the computer with priority mail boxes scattered on the floor, a table covered in 1/2 finished Christmas presents, empty canisters while listening to the wind howl and wood rolling around on the back porch. Oh, my hubby just called me a few minutes ago and asked if I could have all the packages ready to be mailed by tomorrow. We have acquantances from out of town coming over to dinner on Sunday in order to take a look at the house. No buyer yet but I know God has the perfect people out there. Just have to be patient, is what I keep reminding myself!

Did I mention I keep adding projects to my list? I keep finding all these cool little girl things to make and I have all these friends with little girls! Beware my sons when you are grown and have children of your own (little girls, please, Lord!)ha ha ha!!

Ah, back to being the maniacal crafting elf!! (insert quiet crazed cackling...)

Oh, is it okay if I send another package? Hubby is encouraging me to reduce or eliminate. He has even given me a shipping budget as a means to downsizing!! He is such a sweet guy!! Speaking of sweet, I'm making marshmallows for my sweet baboo today.. or marshmallow fluff which is how he prefers it. Straight out of the jar w/ a spoon!

Peggy said...

Oh, oh, I am so making that pillow!! I have all kinds of cool scraps from the pot holders. But it will be in Christmasy prints and on a pale green linen!

By the way, I love the monkey you made and the adorable birthday hat!

Take a deep breath and know that I'm thinking of you and praying for you! Toodles!

Riahli said...

This year I'm not making anything, I knew it would just be too much for me with the new baby...but I kind of regret it now. There's nothing like handmade for Christmas.

I know what you mean about wanting to make something for yourself though when you get going on sewing stuff. Everytime I go into a quilting frenzy I always think it's about time I make one for myself but it never happens. I have the pattern and the fabric in mind...but it still hasn't happened...not enough hours in a day I guess. :)

Father's Grace Ministries said...

Isn't it crazy? Those of us who try to live simpler, more rewarding lives, seem to end up working harder than everyone else! How's that work?

I don't know how you do what you do, Rebecca! I stay home with our 4 kids, and homeschool, but don't can or sew as you do ( though I hope to one day).

No matter how much you manage to achieve off your list, I'm sure your family will love their first homemade Christmas for the love you've put in.

Claire

Unknown said...

http://www.momadvice.com/blog/2009/12/use-what-you-have-handmade-advent.html

Thought of you when I saw this.

Unknown said...

Ahhh I know the feeling! I'm working like nuts trying to get handmade gifts finished. And still have fun with the season as well. :-)
Kim
www.homesteadblogger.com/homesteadacres