Sunday, December 3, 2017

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!!!

22 comments:

  1. You go girl! I came to the same realization with quilting. It is hours and hours of meticulous sewing and then a baby's quilt ends up in a garage sale. I am only sewing for me (at my own pace which means lots of UFOs - unfinished objects) and purchasing gifts for others. We need to take the time to smell the roses and drink the cocoa!

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  2. YEA!!!!! I figured this out the year when we all did home made gifts. I hated it by the end of October. I vowed never again unless I WANTED to. Your giraffes are adorable and will be something your grands will cherish for years to come. They might even go to college with them. Sorry to hear of your trouble with your eye care professional. It took my eye Dr 3 tries last year to get it right and they still are too strong. I stopped complaining but I will guarantee, there will be a new eye doctor this year!

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    1. I may have to get another one too....we'll see how this prescription goes 2nd time around. Thanks for the support!

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  3. I so appreciate you sharing about your glasses woes and your "trust me" thoughts. I'm heading back to the eye doctor's office this week to see if I can get something about my new glasses corrected. I'm pretty sure the office girls just didn't want to deal with me when I raised a question about my new glasses. After DH tonight could see what they insisted they could not, I knew I was heading back. Talk about being old... I'm too old and have been around this particular block too many times to be treated like I don't have a clue... grrrr. I feel for you, girlfriend.

    I like your knew philosophy about giving hand-made gifts. I had to go back and read what I wrote to you last week (and saw your response). I'd slept a few times since and I couldn't remember what I could have possibly written that was worth a special mention. lol I'm glad you found the comments helpful. You inspire me in so many ways, Sandra. I love that we can be an encouragement to each other.

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    1. I didn't blog or read blogs last week either and I think that didn't help. My blog friends are my social network and I missed all of you. Unfortunately, I tend to retreat when things aren't going well instead of reaching out. I thank you for your encouragement and support....I feel much better now!

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  4. I was so very happy to see this post tonight. I couldn’t find your email to send you a message to check on you. I had said to my husband this afternoon that you hadn’t posted all week and that was very unlike you. I’m so sorry to hear that it’s been a difficult week for you though. Believe it or not, I have the same problem with my glasses. I finally gave up and just don’t wear them. When I put them on I have an excruciating headache within just one or two minutes of wearing them. And they won’t listen to me.

    I’m going to try to slow down a little bit this year on my knitting and crocheting and only do things I really want to. I do still want to make mittens for the school children and I want to make socks for my family, but besides that I would like to just make the things that I want to make. That does sound selfish doesn’t? I know I’ll probably change my mind and do what I always do. Ha ha!

    The giraffes are looking wonderful and I know your family will appreciate your gifts whenever they get them, whether it be Christmastime or the Fourth of July! I certainly hope you have a better week this week my friend. No more burns or any other injuries. Take a deep breath and relax.
    Blessings always, Betsy

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    1. You are so sweet and I apologize for not blogging or visiting. BTW, I received your Christmas card and it was much appreciated and a bright spot in my week! Thank you so much! What would I do without all my blog friends?

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  5. Sorry you had a rough week. Hang in there.

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    1. Thank you, Katrina. I have a lot of catching up to do with you and others!

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  6. Perfect, such a wise choice. I do the same thing, maybe not on the same scale as I don't attempt such time consuming gifts. I do put pressure on myself and I am thinking the same thing....just do this when the feeling strikes. It might even be more appreciated at odd times of the year. This is the first time in four years that I put up Christmas decor as it always seemed like just too much trouble for little old me! I do love looking at it and this year the Grand boys who are 7 and 5 were old enough to help me. Yay...but I must say I was exhausted when we got the tree done!!!

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    1. 7 & 5 already???? I know, mine are 9,8 and 6..I think and it just seems like yesterday they were babies. I remember when you became a grandmother! I have found that I don't care to do any one thing for very long and I take lots of breaks! LOL! I bet your tree looks wonderful and I wish my grands were closer but maybe someday. You also have one with the same name as one of mine I think...Sam or Grayson? I thank you for your wisdom too....this TYPE A personality is getting too old to keep up with itself! LOL!

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  7. I read your post with a few AMENS along the way! When I have a deadline of something someone has asked me to make at a certain time...and a certain way...it takes the joy out of the creative process. I think we like to craft and sew when we 'are in the mood'! And missing out on the nice weather and enjoying holiday things is a shame...we're not getting any younger! lol I got a big overwhelmed last week but I stopped decorating and cleaning. I'm going to do some things that I WANT to do! Too bad we can't sit down and work all this out over a cup of coffee or tea! Hugs! (I'll be right over! heehee)

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  8. Glad you are taking care of you. I can't wait to see your giraffe all spotted and pom-pommed!

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  9. I am in the same boat. I am trying to finish socks and there are so many other things I want to make that whew... I am buying gifts so I don't get stressed out. I will make things and gift thruout the year.... hugs, lj

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  10. I'm sorry you have had such a bad week. I totally agree with your new gifting philosophy. I am a very selfish knitter with a few gifts if I can manage them. Certainly this time of year needs no more added pressure.

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  11. Sheesh. Not a week to repeat. Dan and I have had more trouble with glasses and eye prescriptions than I care to recall. Seems they are wrong more than half the time! I agree that your creative projects should be a good outlet to reset your mind and not added stress. It took me awhile to realize that not everyone appreciates handcrafted gifts, and it was hard to discover that some family members really didn't care for them. Oh well. You are a talented, creative person who should enjoy it!

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  12. Sam, I totally agree. If I'm under pressure to do something it takes ALL the joy out of it. I'm sorry you're having a rough time. I think your idea to send as you make is a good one! Great resolution for 2018!! I feel grateful I only have Alex to gift for! :) You're a wonderful thoughtful person, I hope all the gifts you make are well liked and appreciated!

    That eye doctor...I had a similar experience when I received my glasses one time and everything was blurry! He tried to tell me I "didn't do the exam properly" OMG....after HAVING to argue with him, I got the right prescription, but I do agree, there is no wonder I want to be a hermit. Sorry you went through that.

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  13. I'm sorry you do not get the right service at the optometrist, like you would miss the word cataracts! I'm glad you spoke up for yourself. And yay for 2018's new policy about handmade gifts. You deserve to have time for yourself and do what you want to do. It gets really stressful and I'm so glad I took this year off. I'm even procrastinating on wet-blocking my niece's cardigan. I have a chemo beanie I volunteered to knit for a friend who will gift it and I feel the pressure looming above.

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  14. I don't mind pressure but I do like to finish a project months before I need it. I understand where you are coming from. I just do what I can do....Christmas is not my fav time of year...I would love to forget the tree and the hub bub and just use that time to make gifts to donate. BUT I must do some family "stuff" too...I find it all exhausting. In the last week I have only had two days to do what I wanted...and part of those days were spent cleaning...only after I was all tired out did I get a chance to work at my "stuff."

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  15. Oh my how we think alike! And yes it's all the little things that wear you down. My life now is surrounded more than ever by my own and my caretaker role for my spouses dementia. Still we get on truckin in spite of those little details....:)

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  16. Would you email me when you get a chance. I'm not sure I have your email address and I have a secret! Holiday hugs, Diane

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Thank you so much for stopping by and for commenting. Comments are "grist for the mill" and I appreciate each and every one of them!