Thursday, April 7, 2016

Progress Not Perfection

Packing makes me crazy.

It doesn't matter where I'm going or what I'm doing travel wise, I get obsessed with the what to bring, how much, the needs and want scenarios and whatever else might come into play that it makes me a little nutty until I leave. Today is that day. Ugh!

My flight is at 5:30 in the morning Friday and knowing full well already that I won't sleep before I leave is already in my mind. My thought here is that if I write it down and get it out of my head it won't happen and I can release the worry that is waiting it's turn. That worry usually transforms itself into a shot of adrenaline right before I fall asleep with the ONE thing I've forgotten! Lord help me.

I've tried not to care. I pack days ahead. I even throw all my worries to the travel fairies that assure me that if I get stuck, I can always buy what I need when I get there, but, it still happens.

Yesterday, I promised myself that this spring, summer and fall with all of it's events coming up I would NOT over pack.  It doesn't matter what the venue is, but I do this painfully so every single time! Camping trips, weddings, retreats, reunions, or whatever else might come up in the weeks and months ahead.. day trips for goodness sake! :( Help me! Help me! Help me!

Becoming a minimalist and traveling with one pair of panties and my knitting in my purse isn't going to happen just because of a promise I made to myself yesterday, but I think it would be a good practice this trip to bring half of what I "think" I will need.

I'm going from one home to another with no galas in place and all kiddos and family around. Hardly a concern clothing wise, but my choices of books, handwork and travel art journals are starting to pile up as I'll have some free time during the week while the kiddos are in school. There's a pool at the house! What am I thinking.. Ugh~ Again.

Obviously, THIS is not my strength. Maybe I'll let dear hubby pack for me and just go with it. Now that would be a test and not a half bad idea~ We'll see how it goes. Worry servers no purpose, I will pray. Progress Not Perfection is the goal. Mantras of a snarky packer!

Wish me luck! Nashville here I come~

Any tips in the comments below would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if you're having a hard time posting comments in a Google mode, you can choose how to add it via the scroll selection below the comment box, or subscribe via email to the blog and you'll have a Blogger connection and that seems to make it easier..

Hope that helps, I'd love to hear what you think.

Peace~ Denice

Friday, April 1, 2016

Creative Phases ~ Socks

Not unlike the attention span of a Jack Russell terrier, my creative phases and interests vary and shift at a rapid rate of speed. Similar to some of the other creative makers that I have come to know over the years and can happily say I have found "my people" in the midst of them, leaving me with a welcome relief that I am not alone, nor am I this oddity that some people have a hard time grasping.

Sometimes I have a hard time relating to the slow and steady wins the race folks, perfection seekers, as well as, finishes all of their projects people, but I do find them charming enough.

To their credit and in no way to judge their personal process they do get the job done. They don't have to live with the half completed ideas, piles of assorted mediums and never enough time to complete them all syndrome that I suffer from. Which of course is something I do not know anything about..

I've have come to accept that that is part of my maker self and am grateful that at this point in my life the few that are close to me understand this and allow space for me to express my ideas, try and fail, try again and succeed. Everyone in my designated cult should be so fortunate.

Today I thought I'd share my "sock phase".. There are probably another dozen or more pairs that were not present for this photo shoot due to them being gifted, lost or worn out. But, you'll at least get a vibe for the creative allure and a peak at the passion that drives the makers heart.

Working at a yarn shop for five years off and on didn't help this helter skelter creative distraction issue, but did allow me to have a fabulous stash of gorgeous materials to work with, and now that I have my own time and space around me I can make away! There's always a silver lining somewhere.

It's been a while since I've knit any socks but lately I keep circling around the idea again. I'm preparing to fly to Nashville this month to take care of my nieces and nephew while their parents fly off to some warmer, all inclusive romance venue for a stretch and socks have always been the perfect traveling project.


I do have a "second sock" that I've needed to knit up since last summer but that always feels like a penance as anyone who makes socks can testify to. I'm going to have to think about this a little more.

Here's a random idea! I could bring the second sock exclusively like my polar opposite friends do and then I would have no other choices. A scary option for someone such as myself. But, who knows? I might even finish it, maybe even wear them home. Stay tuned!

What creative phase are you in? What are you making today?