Here's what I'm thinking of doing. Taking the next three days starting tomorrow . . . that would be Friday, Saturday and Sunday . . . to hole up in my quilt studio to quilt. And quilt. And quilt.
Obviously, I'll come out to periodically eat, sleep and visit the bathroom. If I feel like it. I know there will be things that I'll have to tend to throughout the day but I'm going to try extremely hard to keep those things to a minimum. I want to feel free to spend as much guilt-free time in my quilt studio as I wish for the next three days.
I've been working toward that end by getting organized today. I've made a list of "convenience" foods in the freezer, stocked the refrig with staples that can be pulled together for easy meals, and spiffed up the house because I know I couldn't ignore the frolicking of dust bunnies and a cruddy-looking sink when I made passes through the house on the way to bedroom or bathroom.
Dear hubby supports me in this venture. Matter of fact, he'll be gone all of Saturday so that actually makes that whole day less complicated. And he just said tonight that he'll handle all the dish washing for the weekend. Praise be!
I'll no doubt need breaks to unkink parts of my body now and then so will get outside for short periods to breathe some fresh (cold!) air to invigorate and re-energize. I'll probably check e-mails and blogs now and then. With luck I might even have some new pictures to share of what's happenin' in the quilt studio.
This is a big deal for me. It's something I've never done before. I've gone to quilting retreats that have lasted three days, but putting all other responsibilities aside while still at home is extremely hard.
I know this sounds on the weird side for all you gals out there with an outside job and/or kiddlies still at home. I can hear you wondering why the heck, at this stage of my life, I'm not free to do exactly what I want each and every day of the week. Well, I've always been the kind of person who keeps working, working, working thinking I'll take "time off" when I get the To Do list finished. But as anybody with half a brain knows (duh), the To Do list will NEVER get done.
I'm trying to make some changes in my life. To quote again the words of Marie Beynon Ray that I wrote in this blog at the first of the year:
"Begin now doing what you want to do now.
We are not living in eternity. We have only this
Moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ---
And melting like a snowflake."
Can I do it? I don't know. I've never been able to take more than a few hours "off" right here at home. Too many things calling to me that "should" be done. But I have a felling I'll enjoy vacationing at home (it's a pretty nice place to be) if I can just learn how to do it. And I'll never know if I can do it . . . unless I try.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
19 comments:
Well, in my humble opinion, Mama Pea, not only can you do it, you MUST do it. I think it may free you up to do it again! It doesn't matter if you work full time out of the house, in the house or around the house. I'm afraid I'm the same way, and it's starting to be no fun. Lock yourself in there and go! When you come out for air, put the blinders on. We are all rooting for you!!!
Just reading this, I'm feeling all giddy excited for you. Go! Go! Go!
Susan - Why did I know you would be so supportive??
JJ - You're makin' me grin!
I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Well, I think instead of looking at is as letting the house and what not go to the way side -as if it were punishment in some form- that you should look at it as a reward for yourself that has been very well earned and overdue.
Some times you NEED to say The Heck With It! and let it go.
Let it go to the quilt room and just breathe it in...you can do it.
Perception, change it! And you will believe that it is a retreat, a joy, a comfort.
Now get in that room!! Post before and afters however ;o)
Oh yes, you must do it. I do know how this has to be done and that has to be done before! You'd think living alone I could do just that but there are priorities (in my mind) that just have to be done before I have time for fun. So fun just doesn't roll around. I just need to do what you're doing, just do it. Have fun and enjoy your time.
Three days of doing exactly what you want to be doing??? Sounds terrific. And ANYONE who can resist freshly baked cookies definately has what it takes to do this! Have fun!
You go girl!!!
I am excited for you! I'm the same way... I found out that my tax refund was deposited earlier than it was scheduled for, so did I run out right away to go buy my new sewing machine? NO! I ran around like a mad woman cleaning and grocery shopping and checking off "the list" and figuring out things for hubby and the boys to do this weekend.... NOW I'm ready LOL! I'm headed out the door soon, why oh why doesn't anything open until 10 am? My UFO quilt is impatiently tapping its fingers... Hope you can check in with photos, but don't take too much time off from your quilting, just post a few wordless photos so we can all smile and know you're doing it! Give hubby props for getting out of the house and volunteering for dish duty, no wonder you've kept him around, he's golden!
Have Fun!
Your quote is so beautiful that I printed it out and hung it in my craft room.
I agree with Erin, just post a lil pic here or there so we know you are on your "in home quilting retreat".
I think I will go sew some potholders myself.
ENJOY!!
I think this is a great idea, well deserved and over due. Have fun quilting to your hearts content! Blessings jane
Carpe diem...and have fun doing it.
Go for it!! And definitely let us know how it turns out:)
It's Friday afternoon as I am reading this and I do hope you are in your "gal cave" doing what you love to do. Hope the next two days go the same way. We as woman, I think, always feel that we need to be doing something for our families or homes but not for ourselves. So glad that not only are you doing a three day pampering so to speak, but that your hubby supports you in this endeavor. Yay for you and yay for him!!!
Wow! Thanks to all of you for all the support! Taking a short break from my "quilt cave" after dinner right now but am going back in.
Laugh if you want, but it's been hard today to ignore all that's been going on around me (okay, I haven't succeeded in ignoring it all) and stay on task. I think tomorrow will flow a lot more easily.
I'll post a couple of pictures later tonight.
Yay! Count me in as a member of your cheering squad. I know how hard it is to take time out for you, and I'm so proud that you're doing it! BTW -- I love, love that quote. I wrote it out and posted it beside my computer screen. Well said. Now stop blogging and go have fun!
I think it's a great idea! I remember several years ago, I used to feel so guilty doing the things I love: spinning, knitting, and weaving. I felt like I enjoyed them so much it wasn't work. Dan set me straight. He said it was so work and I wasn't to feel guilty for it!
Fiona - Thank you, m'dear, for you continued support. Now I'm going to quit blogging and go have more fun!
Leigh - Would you please ask Dan to send me a note validating my quilting? ;o)
You will absolutely be able to do this! And you will have a blast, and get lots done. You go, girl!! Let us know how it all goes, and what you get done, and how fun it was.
~~Lori
Post a Comment