no time for melancholy

First let me say that I adore Melissa, but I have to say her post this morning left me feeling a bit sad. No, not exactly sad. Wistful, maybe.

She talked about how she finished up her kids' costumes, and how she was getting ready to start on a few Christmas gifts. *Sigh* Just a few short years ago, I made tons of Christmas gifts...pajamas for all three munchkins, lounge pants for Rich, my dad, and my brother, a nightshirt for my mom, cross-stitched sweatshirts for each kiddo, a set of handmade cards for my mom, 4 little doll outfits for one sweet little girl, 4 handsewn felt "Christmas family tree" wall hangings, several bags for art supplies with fabric covered matching drawing tablets, several little cross-stitch "peace trees", and probably even more that I'm not remembering...and that was just in one year. Last year, how many gifts did I get made? Zip, zilch, nada!

I really, truly believed that as the monkeys grew older I would have more free time, not less! But I guess that comes with the territory of parenthood...one never really can predict what the future will hold. Heck, I guess that can be said about life in general, huh?

Homeschooling. If someone had told me that's what my future held just a few short years ago, I surely would have laughed. But when it turned out homeschooling was what Annie needed, well, of course, that's what I provided. That's what parents do. They provide their children with what they need to grow and be happy. And they do so willingly. Even when it's not so easy.

Please, don't get me wrong...I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining. Honestly, I know how truly lucky I am to be able to homeschool my precious girl...it's not an option for many people. And you know what, I actually love homeschooling her! Not only do I enjoy the time we spend together, but I enjoy all the prep work and planning, too. (I just wish it didn't take sooooooo much time.) And I know the day will come when these sweet peanuts are grown and I'll have more free time than I can imagine...so I'd better just enjoy every second I've got with them here, huh?

But just a heads up...please don't expect a homemade Christmas gift from me this year, okay?

And now I'm off to finish sewing feathers on Annie's witch's hat and boots, get Gray to his annual check-up, and make those cupcakes for tomorrow's school party. Oh yeah, and we'd better sneak some "schooling" in there, too.

running behind

There was a time in life when I was "Little Miss Organized". I had everything done on time. No, I had everything done well ahead of time. I never forget things I was supposed to do. The house was always in perfect "company condition".

But those times are gone. Things slipped more and more with the addition of each kiddo. But as they all got a little older, I felt like I might be gaining a little ground back. Then wham...this whole homeschool adventure began. Things have never been worse.

But in keeping with my whole new "Chill Out" philosophy, I am trying to remind myself that I'm doing the best I can. And finally this morning, I accomplished a few things which should have been done earlier...

1. I finally finished writing our Christmas thank you notes. (I hope no one is offended that it took me so long!)

2. I finally had Rich cut my hair. And my gosh, does it feel good! He cut about 8" off, and let me tell you, I feel like a new woman!

3. I finally watched the last episodes of CSI and ER that Rich had taped for me before Christmas. (Figured I'd better get to that one, since new episodes will be on tonight.)

4. I finally started a project "just for me". Actually I started this yesterday morning, but I worked a little more on it today. It's funny, I read Dawn's blog entry this morning...and we seem to be on the same wavelength. We've both decided it's time to take a little time for ourselves and renew our love of crafting. So I started work on this beautiful needlepoint kit my mom gave me for Christmas.

Hey, better late than never, right?