The Procrastination List and The Someday List

I've been thinking a lot lately about things I'd like to do "some day." I've realized that I have two lists; one of things I would like to have done but don't really want to take the time to do - I call that one my procrastination list, and the other of things that I would like to do but perhaps don't have the time at this point in my life - my someday list.

When I think about my procrastination list, it's with a sigh and a sinking feeling of guilt. Items on this list include: organizing all my recipes
organizing craft supplies
cleaning out closets
moving files from one cabinet to another
cleaning out files
painting all the boring white walls
making curtains for the kids' rooms
You see what I mean about the sinking feeling?? Cleaning, organizing, painting and sewing are not things that I love to do. I love the feeling the finished product gives me but the process is tedious and often frustrating.

On the other hand, I get a feeling of creative euphoria when I think about my someday list. These items include: acquiring a flute so I can start playing again
learning how to play the piano
learning how to knit socks and mittens
knitting Christmas stockings for the family
knitting Icelandic sweaters
acquiring Nordic skis so I can get out there with the kids
hiking the trails around the area

I've found that it's just as easy to put off the things you want to do as the things you don't want to do. My various unused knitting patterns and paraphernalia are testament to that. Sometimes starting a project is the easy part and finishing it never seems to happen and sometimes it's difficult to get started, but once you jump that hurdle, the rest is easy. I love to daydream about how my house would look if I painted the walls that warm honey color. I even bought the paint! The thought of actually moving furniture, doing all the necessary prep, painting and clean-up makes me want to...keep on writing about it and never do it! So, I've lived with white walls for four long years. I hate white walls! Another problem of mine is deciding what to do first. I want to do it all, so I end up doing nothing. I suppose that all I can do is chip away at my procrastination list and as I find more free time in the next few years, reward myself with things on my someday list.

What's on your lists?

Crafty

I like to wile away the winter hours with quick projects like those above. This year I tried felting soap. I got the idea from Family Fun magazine, where I've gotten so very many other cute ideas. I actually had to stop subscribing to the magazine because I had stockpiled a surplus of crafts I want to try! I love natural fibers and thought the felted soap would make unique gifts. I did have some trouble with it. The hardest part was getting the contrasting stripe to stick to the main color. I suspect that needle felting would work, if I knew how to do it.

I bought a kit for the little pixie doll at my favorite local toy store, Enchanted Forest Toys. I just think they are so darn cute!! And I thought Sammy would be able to grab onto a small, squishy doll. She does seem to like it but I think a cotton yarn might be friendlier to her little gums so I intend to try a cotton version.

Window Stars

I finally got the gumption to try some of these really cool paper stars that I've admired on other people's windows over the years....They're surpisingly easy once you get the hang of them. Of course I only did the easier ones. I'd love to try some harder ones, eventually.

Neglect

Oh dear. It appears that I am too busy with Facebook to bother with my poor blog. I'm sure my few followers have given up on me by now. I could come up with a list of excuses but what good would that do? The simple truth is stated above. I would love to catch up on my blogging today since it is a dreary, cold day and my chores are nagging at me. Isn't that when we suddenly get a strong urge to blog? What I will do, though I would much rather succumb to my blogging urge, is build a cheery fire, make a cup of something hot, relax for a few minutes, and then put the last of the Christmas decorations away and clean the house. I wouldn't even do that much, sadly, if we were not having company for dinner!

I will try not to forget you, dear blog.