Last week I had the house to myself and I had all these plans to get a bunch of work done. I was going to do a massive housecleaning. I was going to spin up a storm, bead like a madwoman, and do a massive shop update. (I was also going to go back to blogging regularly, see how well that worked for me?)
Instead, I was overcome with a case of lethargy and ennui.
To be fair, I did get a few things done. I managed to finish up this skein of yarn.
And I did manage to throw up some new stitch markers on the shop. I really like these charms. How could I not? Tiny spinning wheels!
*clickety*
As the long weekend approached, I revised my plans and decided that over the weekend I would clean like a madwoman, bead up a storm, and spin like a dervish.
Instead I got together with a few friends for some knitting time at Starbucks and dim sum for lunch.
I had a fantastic time and I figured that was only one day out of the whole weekend, right? I could still go home and get things done. Right?
No. Not even close.
Once I got home, I found myself knitting away on a long forgotten sock project.*
(click for Ravelry project page)
I couldn’t even continue on with my current sock project which is nearly done. Seriously, look how close to done I am.
(click for Ravelry project page)
I’m so over these socks. I cannot believe how sick I’ve gotten of them. It’s a good thing these are gift socks. Once they’re done they’ll forever be out of my life. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with the yarn or the pattern, I just want them done and gone. (Of course I’m washing these before I pass them on.)
So basically, I’ve been a slacker. I suppose I have good reason to be, what with Pressie passing on, but I’ve always set high standards for myself. I don’t know how to stop beating myself up for not living up to my own expectations. I will say I’ve gotten better at the self-flagellation. Still, it’s a hard habit to break.
I’m trying to turn a new leaf. I’m trying to set realistic goals for myself. I gotta say it’s a daily battle with myself. Why is it I can tolerate so much in others yet so little in myself?
Hrm. Who knew this post was going to get so introspective.
Happy Tuesday everyone! Thanks for reading!
*I apologize for the ugly toe photos. I hope you all aren’t scarred for life. I really need to get me some sock blockers.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:28 am
Now I’m guiltily reminded of the socks-in-progress that I have to finish. *shifty eyes*
I love the colours in that skein of yarn, though! It makes me think of look at funky blacklight stuff, only through a pane of smoky glass, because the colours are still sort of muted. :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’m loving the socks – especially the Cookie A. pattern.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:02 pm
You needed time to be on your own and relax. I’m glad that you got together with your friends and had some fun.
I know what you mean about being over socks in-progress. It’s like being trapped in a relationship that you’ve emotionally check out of. At least, the socks won’t stalk you once you are done with them.
And please stop being so hard on yourself or I’ll have to put in that cage. ;^)
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I told you that you are too hard on yourself. Give yourself time to heal, the stuff you want to get done will still be there. Plus you DID accomplish things. You finished yarn, resurrected an old project, updated the shop and spent time with friends. Those are all good things. Give yourself some credit girl!
HUGS!
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
I am on a constant quest to lower my expectations of myself. Welcome to the party. It’s very freeing to feel okay after only doing one tiny thing in a day.
I love the Twisted Tweed socks. They are now in my queue thanks to you :)
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:38 pm
As far as I can see, the only thing you didn’t do, was realize what it was that you REALLY wanted to do. And that seemed to correct itself, anyway!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Glad to see you posting…I have to admit I sneaked a look at your Rav posts this morning and when I saw you hadn’t posted in Rav in a week I began to say “hmmmmmmmm.” So glad you had some relaxing time. (Housework, unfortunately, will ALWAYS be around when you get around to IT.) Love the sock photos, and the spinning wheel charm, and the yarn (which is just gorgeous).
big hugssssssssssssss
mer
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
We all need some bumming time every now and again. Please don’t feel guilty about taking yours.
Love the yarn and the stitch markers!
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Looks to me like you made the right decision for the weekend. It was a long weekend, after all. And it could snow tomorrow. ;-)
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
In the grand scheme of things, you sound pretty productive to me. I mean you spun, you knitted, you created, and you mingled. In my book, it is a good thing to do a bit of everything.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Woot!! Double woot, at that! You know I am in serious lust over those Minugs socks. They may make me want to try cuff down – ahem.
I personally think you have gotten a lot done – spinning and knitting is hard work, ya know?
***HUGS***
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hey, it was a fun gathering at Starbucks. I love those socks!
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
The yarn color is definitely Fire Opal :)
And, although you are sick of the socks, they are really gorgeous! I am not sick of them–I love the colorway.
I know what you mean about making lists and then lying on the couch all day reading a much-loved novel instead of being a whirlwind. It all gets done, but not necessarily all in the same day…
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Mingus in Wollmeise? I can easily understand how that could be captivating. :-)
I’m not going to get into the things that I should be doing but haven’t, didn’t, and maybe won’t. Life is to be lived, not planned and scheduled. Those things that need dong will get done, and the rest is play time, however you decide to play at that particular moment.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Slacker? Look at all you did! Besides, Dave is right. Life is too short to be programmed. Plan, sure, but be open to what the universe sends you.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Lol your toes are not even ugly. Silly.
I ADORE the new yarn, it’s gorgeous!
September 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Opal, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?! (emphasis added!)
You constantly crank out more projects than I thought humanly possible, and you’ve been a spinning, knitting and crocheting madwoman ever since I “met” you! I’m continually stunned and astonished by all you accomplish! I fall far short!!! OF YOU! You are “Hurricane Opal of the Handmade Hemisphere”….
But, when it comes to housework promises–I think we are equals, my friend! Heh.
BTW, your socks (and your toes) look great!
-.o
September 2nd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Thanks for sacrificing part of your housecleaning time to make my Saturday! It was so much fun. I know the feeling, though. I constantly have this little agenda in my head and I accomplish only about an eighth of it on the best of days. Be gentle with yourself.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I am that way myself – very self-critical and almost nothing is good enough! I know how it is…hard habit to break even though you know it’s not good for you!
In other news, I think I may be coming to Hawaii after all (still haven’t bought tickets yet), I can’t wait to see you guys again!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
My eyes!! My eyes!! Oh the humanity!! :)
Dontcha know we are always our own worst critics?
It is a really hard habit to break!
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:34 am
Oh honey, trust me – you yave no idea how ugly toes can get :)
Don’t be too demanding of yourself right now. You’re dealing and healing. That requires time and patience. Your yarn is lovely and the stitch markers are pretty spiffy too – but don’t beat yourself up trying to fill your store with them. When you’re ready, you’ll do it.
In the meantime, tuck those little, painted piggies into your favorite pair of socks, curl up with a book or go out with friends and relax.
Treat yourself gently…
Jade and Goldie send their best.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:13 am
You really need to take it easy, quit setting those unrealistic goals or you will end up hating those things you love to do. Just relax and have fun – remember Life is too short to be irritated with deadlines!
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 am
Deep breathe in. Deep breathe out. Repeat. Relax. This is all supposed to be enjoyable, remember?
I can relate though. I had big plans for doing some much over the weekend, but not all of it happened. I seem to forget how much time each item on the list takes. That, and there are so many new projects that I want to start, that the idea of finishing up other projects makes it ok for me to break out the new.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 am
It’s always nice to have time to oneself; looks like you had fun!
Good luck with the goals; for some people, a reward system helps. (Clean for 1/2 hour, spin for next 1/2 hour and so on). For me, I prefer to do the “icky” stuff first, in the mornings, and then relax (knit!) in the afternoons.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:31 am
I so know how you feel! My boyfriend was gone to a summer camp (to be a councilor) and I had big plans to get a head start on his afghan for Christmas and finish up some WIPs lingering around.
I think I knitted maybe like 3 of the 6 or so days he was gone. A little bit.
Don’t beat yourself up too much. =)
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 am
Beautiful yarn, cute stitch markers, good times with friends, great socks, and hooray for almost being done with socks you want to be done with!
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:51 am
You did get something accomplished – you got dressed, went to starbux and hung out with friends. Getting out of pj’s is a huge accomplishment in my book. ;o)
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:35 am
And, pray tell, from whom are you so different?
(Like the stiltingly correct grammar?)
You sound a lot like me. A lot like a lot of us….
We all push ourselves too hard. But at least we can stop and smell the flowers when the opportunity presents itself.
Remember – “dust is a protective covering for furniture” and
“a clean house is a sign of a miss-spent life!”
:)
Pretty socks. Both of them!
(((hugs)))
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
I wish I could get more done with the time I have too. It seems that I plan more projects while “resting” or “napping” then I will ever get done, or even start! Such is life, I guess…
I absolutely love those spinning wheel charms! I’m going over to your shop to check them out once I post this. Too cute!
Plus, you have fantastic toesies!
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
P.S. – Got ‘em! :)
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 am
I think everyone wants to do more than they possibly can. I love both of those pairs of socks (although I do completely understand not liking the knitting of one of them! I’ve been there myself!). That skein of yarn is gorgeous!
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
It doesn’t sound like a wasted day to me. Dim sum + knitting = good times, right?
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:44 am
Your handspun is gorgeous, as usual. I know it will be a slow process to recover from Pressie’s passing and you did get some things accomplished on your very ambitious list. Sock knitting might be just the thing for you right now,completing projects can be a real boost. Your knitting get-together was just what you needed, the house can be tidied up any time!
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:10 pm
You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself – there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing nothing but relaxing and enjoying yourself! In fact, I think its really important to do that. Housework is always there – why kill yourself over it?
I love the socks – the second pair is gorgeous (so is the first, but I really like the second!). The stitch markers are very cute too…
September 4th, 2008 at 4:44 am
Eh… slacking is fun and sorely needed sometimes. After being on the road for 3 weeks, all I want to do is lay around and do nothing. Happy Thursday Opal!
September 4th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Yum! I love the forgotten project socks. I’m already feeling adventurous and want to abandon the single boring sock for a pair with funky designs!
September 4th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
In my mind I always think I’m going to accomplish much more than I actually do…like this summer I had such great plans and now I don’t have much to show for it. Oh, well…tomorrows another day….
You are so close to finishing those wonderful socks…you can do it…concentrate ;)
September 4th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Looks like you all had a great time! Wish I was there with you!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Alot of us had a practically no knit summer I learned to crochet it goes faster.I love the socks very pretty:)Hugs Darcy
September 5th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
What everyone already said. Seriously, I’m happy to see you slow down to what is “normal” for the rest of us :o) Everyone now and then, you just have to give yourself permission to relax.