YOP Week #23

To say this has been a rough week would be an overstatement considering what is going on around the world but it hasn't been a walk in the park either.  Suffice it to say I have been physically and emotionally drained by a lot of it....nothing terrible just a buildup of tiny things that by the end of the week you want to tear your hair out....briefly...I burned myself twice, I had a doctor appointment where I had to argue with the doctor about my new glasses being too strong, ( I did end up getting  another exam and a no charge new prescription, finally), plus he told me I had cataracts and I said since when?  He said he told me last time....trust me, he did not!  I would have remembered that little tidbit!  And people wonder why I like staying to myself?  It seems every time I interact with society and I don't accept their 'trust me' comments (like I am old and senile...okay I am old) they want to argue with me.  BTW...who's the paying customer here?  Anyway, there were other things but I won't bore you with them. 
As for the making of the Christmas presents...I am still waiting for my pop pom maker..........so Grayson's giraffe sits here waiting and waiting to get his spots and his pom poms attached.......

but on a brighter note.........he now has company...........Uriah's giraffe has a body and a head and as of this writing 2 1/2 of 4 legs!  Uriah's is gold with rust colored feet and spots...or will have.  After the legs I will knit the spots, the horns and the tail. 

I have finally realized something that you all have hinted at various times.....it's too much pressure to make gifts for people especially at Christmas and especially for people that do not make handmade gifts themselves.  If I was better organized maybe but that's not really the point...........I use my crafts to relax and it is my hobby and where I get my 'reward' at the end of the day or whenever I need one.  Doing any of it under the pressure of a deadline takes the joy out of making.....for me anyway.  I love making things for my grandchildren and others but not with a special date in mind.  From now on, I will purchase presents or send them at various times during the year when I finish them on my timeline.  I've always thought Christmas should be every day and that is how I am going to roll!  From now on, people on my gift list will get Christmas presents from me when I am done with them! LOL!  They will be wrapped in holiday paper, Christmas wishes will be included in a card and they will be more surprised than if it arrived on Christmas!  It might be July or March....just think of the anticipation! LOL!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it but for this year I will try and make the deadline.  Part of the reason I am not going to be 'making' gifts anymore other than when I 'feel' like it in a 'relaxed no-deadline' or special occasion mode, is because I am missing out and not doing what I want to do or even getting things done that I need to get done around here.  Plus, my Christmas joys get left by the wayside like decorating, playing Christmas music and watching Christmas movies and reading Christmas books....etc.  I haven't baked a Christmas cookie or planned my Christmas  at all.  I was going to make myself an Advent Calendar since I couldn't afford those yarny ones that are so awesome and I wanted to write out cards while sipping hot cocoa and so much more!  But instead, I am forced to knit and knit and hurry it up and forget that it's been in the 60's and I had wanted to be outside and even washing my windows etc. and taking walks by the lake....this is my summer in reality.  So, I rest my case and I thank you all for your input last week.  It became quite clear that although the sentiment is wonderful it just isn't working for me.  So, that's my first 2018 resolution and by gum, I'm sticking to it!  You are all my witnesses!  I am looking forward to wrapping up these giraffes and working on the projects I truly love with no pressure and no deadline.  I have no one to blame but myself!  My second resolution will be to open a Christmas Club account in 2018! LOL!  Becki, you helped make it so clear and also Stefanie.....I feel a great burden has been lifted even though I am still not done with those giraffes.  I will get them done and then it will be about my Christmas which I always spend alone anyway so it should be a priority to make it the best Christmas I can!  Who knows how many more I'll have! LOL!
Meanwhile, I did get my needles in the mail.............getting ready for some WIPs and some new cast ons!  Yay!!!!

Happy Trails!!!