Halu-Halo

A look back, and 2011 goals

I decided to play make a mosaic of all of the things I made and wrote about last year. 

And I noticed that I didn't really make as us much as I thought I did!  And especially, not enough things for any of my own munchkins.  Granted, I spent quite a bit of last year gestating and raising a newborn, and moving! (how could I forget) 

But as a crafter, I had hoped that I had more completed this last year.  I spent quite a bit of yesterday thinking about how I can incorporate more crafting into my mothering, in the midst of sports seasons, and chasing after an older baby.  And especially, how to incorporate more writing into my everyday, since that, I feel, has taken the lowest priority in the last year.

My creative goals this year are:

1. To write everyday.

2. To read everyday.

3. To finish up the knit and quilt UFO (unfinished objects).

4. Knit a sweater for R and Baby J

5. Finish Baby J's quilt

6. Finish kitchen quilt

7. Knit myself a 2011 cardigan.

8. Take a basic beading class.

 

...among other things, of course, that I run across that I will be dying to make.

I know, I admit that I am sweating it just typing that out, but I feel like I have to set my sights high.

What are your creative goals this year?

Detoxing

from this:

If you celebrate Halloween, how did it fare?  

I would say that my kids cleared about a standard pillowcase's worth of combined candy.  

Don't believe me?

That's a lot of candy.

Which made for such great temptations.

It took the whole week for me to resist.  I was very much like those zombies in this new show I've tuned into, milling mindlessly around the candy.  Negotiating with it, pleading for it to just jump into my mouth so I don't have to bear the guilt of opening it.  Sometimes growling it at, wishing it wasn't so bad for me.  

I am glad to say that I resisted many moments.

But some, well, I won't divulge too much.  Except that it was dayum good.  Not just darn good, but dayum.

How's that for grammar!

 

But really, I was pooped.  I realize that in all the buildup of an event, much is left to the wayside.  Those oh so important things like laundry.  The sorting of endless pieces of paper the find their way into the house.  Much needed quilting, some knitting.  And reading!  Yes, but laundry would have to take the cake.  I still haven't reconciled that that is something I will have to do. forever.  I've made peace with the dishes - but the laundry?  Anyhoo...

We always very much need a holiday from our holidays here at the Halu*Halo residence. 

But I'm above water now.

Coffee talking : I totally get it.

When I became a high school senior, and after receiving my college acceptances, I started to get the taste of that "freedom" all teenagers wish for while living under their parents roofs. I didn't have to tell them exactly what I was doing every minute of my afterschool hours.  Mom and Dad didn't call my pager as often (remember those things?)  And finally, my curfew softened.  (which meant that although I didn't have one, I had to check in if I was going to be very late.)

So it happened that one Friday night, after working at the video store (just like Dawson and Pacey, and I even wore a vest! Although mine was red), I went to pick up one of my guy friends enroute to a house party.  If you remember, this is how we high schoolers used to roll, we sat around and talked and held sodas, complete with the not-sleeping parents upstairs.  

I do miss those days.

Where was I?

Oh yes...so I drove up in my oh so coolio 89 blue Ford Festiva, and knocked on my friend's door.  I remember looking at my watch, and it was 11 pm.  He opened the door, wearing a hoodie and a matching hat.  He turned around to say goodbye to his mom, and I automatically shouted out a "Hello Mrs. C!" from the door.  My friend moved aside, so I can see his sweet mama.  And she was mopping. 

Mopping!

As we walked to the car, I asked, "Why is your mom mopping?".  

He said, "Oh, I dunno, she just wanted to."

Tonight, I totally got it.  Because I just finished mopping. (at 11:24pm)

And it was a glorious, wonderful chore to do, because it was quiet all around me, and I could hear myself think while seeing my floors transform from one destroyed by cleats and flip flops to a shiny masterpiece.  Quite an amazing experience actually, probably more pronounced by lack of sleep and my super duper late cup of coffee.  

I wish I could hug Mrs. C today, to let her know that now...I understand.  That poor woman probably wanted a small break from the hustle and bustle of raising those teenaged boys and was just itching for him to go out for a bit so she could mop in the quiet and peace.  

I totally get it, Mrs. C.  I mopped today with ya in spirit.