Not words I like to use

Cancel

Can’t

Those words always seem empty to me. I’d much rather be busy with creating and using positive words. But that’s not reality at the present. Don’t get me wrong. I am lucky and fortunate. I have resources, space, and in that mantra of Real Estate, “location, location, location.” We’re able to continue walking for exercise, we have not had to change our eating habits, and for the most part, our days are full of activities very similar to what we did last month, last year, or even last few years. We are fortunate.

So what have we been doing? Catching up and cleaning.

I’ve been organizing and documenting and cleaning. You know, all those tasks you’ll “get around to” someday that you know are really important in the long run. Not quite to the level of getting our affairs in order, more like on the level of “Spring Cleaning” and “getting ready for a move” level. OK, truth be told, I haven’t felt very pressed to do anything. I’ve been just reading and walking and caring for the garden and clothes and cooking. I’ve also been sorting out what’s on the computer. Making a list of what should be on the computer. We’ve got time now.

Time to…..

Take a walk.

Sun, what sun???

I took time yesterday for reflecting. Since the fog stayed around well into the afternoon, we didn’t have much to see for the solar eclipse. It did get quiet. And a bit darker for a few minutes. So, we experienced the event, just didn’t see much. Ah well, even if I’m not seeing as often the sunrise show, and the white deer is no longer walking through the neighborhood, our resident yard cat is still coming around for scritches.

Most of my tatting time was spent putting things away. I gathered up the patterns I used for the Fair items. I like to have patterns on hand when I demonstrate. I’ve realized that I am drawn to tatting designs that are as intriguing in the written form as they are in thread. Most of the patterns I use by other designers are readily available on the web or in book form. I usually make a copy that I can mark up with my notes; like what thread I’m using and how much I wind onto the shuttles, what beads I pick, what size picot I use, and any resources I use for tricks and tips. If I’m really going to meet my goals for tatting, I have to keep as good records as I do for music.

The rest of the week I’ll be working on music catching up. I need to work on the harpsichord and plan practice for the sub jobs I’ve committed to. I’d also like to update my material for all things organ in the Monterey/Carmel area. Plenty to do. After a walk to the library and maybe a treat.

Progress

I need to remind myself regularly of my goals and my progress in reaching those goals. It keeps me motivated, focused, and friends and family appreciate being around me more. Lest you think I’m some overachiever, sometimes my goal is simply to make it through the day without _______ing. Sometimes my goal is to not work on ________ today. Musicians and artists seem to have terrible work/life balance. It took me a lifetime, but I think I’ve finally learned how to set goals and track my progress. 

This week, I’ve worked on my goal to attend Bach Festival events, clean house, work in the yard, and decide what I’ll enter in the Fair for judging and display. As part of that, I finished round 4 of the wonderful doily Renulek designed for this year’s Spring doily:

Wiosna 2017 by Renulek

I know what I want to do in the next round. So, that is entered in the task list for the next few days. It’ll take me awhile to have something to show, and I may just enter it in the Fair, so it probably won’t appear here until September. If you’re local, you’ll be able to see it at the Fair!

More studio adjustments

No picture today. I’ve been working on the flag again and have added another motif to the Tablecloth pattern from Workbasket. Picture soon of that.

I’ve also been spending quite a bit of time at the organ. Not because I have a deadline approaching, but because we found some shutters at a resale place. They are tall. Like about 6 feet tall. There are also 5 of them, so they will fill a space between the pillars in the studio. When I saw them, I thought they might eat up the highs from the organ. I think they do. It’s hard for me to judge because I’m sitting at the organ playing, but I think they do. Now I need to figure out how to fix them up, attach them to the pillar, and get them in place. Oh, and I need to decide which gap to fill with them. I hope the organ voicer likes them. I’ll try to snap a picture once they get in place.

I also realized yesterday that there is barely 10 weeks left in 2016. I took the time this morning to refresh my memory of what I’ve accomplished, browse my goals, and pick the 5 most important. Normally, this would result in needing a walk to clear my head and refocus. Well, I’m pleased to say that after 55 years, I’m finally getting the hang of working towards goals. I have accomplished my 5 most important 2016 goals. Mind, that doesn’t mean that I’ve done what I really SHOULD be doing, just what I picked. More on that after the New Year.

of discipline and dreaming

I’m doing my monthly exercise this week. It involves writing down what I do on a calendar as I go about my day. I find the only way I can keep on task with what is really important is to gather and analyze the data every once in a while. I tend to ignore working towards the bigger goals. I finish the tasks that have to be done each day, then I while away the time doing other things; but not always what I should do. Because I’m responsible for setting up money making opportunities for my business, I have to keep focused on those bigger goals. So, once a month, or so, I keep track of where I spend my time on what. Along with that, I have to make sure I set up a work schedule for myself that includes task lists. Now by nature, I’m not really inclined to keeping statistics. I’d rather just create. By nature, I’m not really inclined to weed out my belongings. I’d rather repurpose something. By nature, I’m not really inclined to finish a project with filing away my notes. I’d rather leave them out to stimulate other ideas. So, this exercise is important. Sigh. Really.