Now Playing: "Star Wars Lego : The Complete Saga" for the Wii. For Dearest Son
Current Mood : Contentedly joyful
Now I know. I know why I give myself difficult deadlines and work like a driven madwoman. I know why I chase all over town for craft and party stuff, and why I volunteer for things no one else wants to do. I know why I've jumped through hoops I myself set on fire for the last three days.
It's for Tahler, who adored the snowflake craft, and did as many as she could lay hands on, because they were so beautiful, and she didn't know she could make beautiful things. It's for Mrs. P, Dearest Son's speech therapist, who was nearly in tears that someone remembered her, and appreciated all she did for one little boy. It's for the nice office staff, who praised my creativity to the stars and made me feel like one. It's for that warm, soft glow after it's all done - that exhausted euphoria that tells me I did well, and should feel good about myself, even though I complained and whined like a good old-fashioned mule throughout the whole thing.
And that's why I'll do it all again, whenever I'm needed. Mostly for the hug I got from Dearest Son, who said he loved his party, and watching him hang his snowflakes on the tree, saying "I think mine are pretty, too". Ladies, Gentlemen, and those of irregular birth, this is why I'll gladly do it all again - and hope to not growl and mutter so much next time.
I barely got it all done in time, but that's not important anymore. I had several extra pincushions, so I handed them out almost randomly, and to one person the office ladies said needed a lift. We had lots of treats - three kinds of cookies, cupcakes, apple slices, candy canes, sweet holiday trail mix. By the time Dearest and I left, I was dying for potato chips ! Yup, everything we were fortunate enough to get was sweet. The kids were quite literally bouncing like Tigger on a sugar rush. For some reason, I ended up with most of the leftovers, so I'm well-stocked on candy canes, apple slices, and extra holiday-themed paper plates.
Few amusing asides. I bought little 2" x 3" baggies from the jewelry findings section of Mal-Wart, so I could make individual ‘servings' of glitter for the snowflakes. I felt so weird getting them, like I'd get arrested on suspicion of narcotics sales. Dearest saved all his leftover glitter in the sandwich baggie the snowflakes were packaged in, saying that it was ‘R2D2 powder'. I bet a certain action-figure robot's gonna be festively shiny in the near future.
We got home, and I literally crashed on the sofa for 2+ hours. Dearest was sitting on my hip, bouncing while playing on the Wii, and I barely stirred. A glorious nap. It definitely made the list of ‘Top Six Sleeps' during my lifespan. Beloved Hubby had a frustrating day, and has a super-busy tomorrow, so I had dinner ready ten minutes after he got home, and he was in bed two hours after that. With him sleeping, Dearest watching a Attack of the Clones, and no real interest in dishwashing, I headed to the studio and began cleaning up.
Had fabric scattered hither and yon, and craft supply boxes open and raided on top of it. Pulled the tote out to arrange stuff, and noticed how warm it was. Too close to the heating vent. Luckily, the 100 ‘anniversary edition' Crayola crayons inside weren't damaged, but the scent was strong, like a burned candle. Found them a new place, rearranged some supplies, found a place for the now-empty glitter and embossing powder cans I emptied for the snowflake project (we never have small containers when we need ‘em, until now), and the few new acquisitions.
The fabric took about an hour to sort out. Since it was everywhere, I also took the opportunity to go through all the ‘new' (i.e., been sitting around since October) material and get it stored. Whew, what a job ! The milk crates are packed full, the laundry basket of scraps and small pieces is just below brimming, and there's a pile of people clothes waiting to be rendered into fabric. That's fun, cutting stuff up for material, but I just don't have the energy tonight.
I'm going to work on the shoe pincushion directions probably around January - right now, I'm kind of tired of ‘em ! - and I'll be glad to send those out to whoever asks. I'd just put it on the website, but I've already found someone selling stuff and directions to stuff I offer free here. No way of telling if they've cribbed my pages, but it gives me pause before I do it again. I have seen a website that had basic measurements for about 30 fashion dolls, from Barbie to Elphie size. Later, I saw those same measurements offered for sale on eBay, and it was NOT the same person. I love sharing information, I love giving stuff away. But for some reason, it really burns me up when someone else makes money off my efforts. I'll be glad to get ‘em to you, but I may see about selling it to a craft magazine before I put it up for grabs on the site. Still gotta tweak it a bit more anyway.
Glad ya'll liked Ariel yesterday, and hope you'll like Cinderella today ! The family members I mentioned are doing OK, they're taking care of business, so to speak, and tomorrow, I get to help out as much as they'll let me. I've passed along your regards, and they thank you for your thoughtfulness. I thank you for letting me whine all week !
Tomorrow : Doll Time ! I owe it to me, and them !
