Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Stay At Home

How do people who stay at home get anything done? We had yesterday off, but I couldn't get to the last few things on my list. I guess I did do a few things that needed doing around here: exercised, four loads laundry (yet unfolded), Joann's, dinner, cleaned out the vegetable bin, finished my aunt's cowl.

At Joann's I got a lot of little sale items, but the big news was that I got a 24x36 frame for $7, the piece of foam core almost cost as much. I am making a fabric covered message board for my craft room. It's going to be awesome. And it's costing me about $20. Woot!

I did manage to start finishing two pieces from the pile. I still need to apply the cord, then they will be officially finished. So, stay tuned.

Since I'm guessing I have eight days of work left at this job (hope for the best, expect the worst), I'm going to have to learn to budget my time better. Or make a more sensible to do list. And not fall into a stupor in front of the computer playing spider solitaire (four suits).

In other news, Sissy is turning 40 soon, and I can't think of what to do. I was trying to think of something to buy for the person who can buy herself anything she wants. (She makes what the dude and I make put together, probably more; and it's just her and her mutt.) I was thinking of making her her pirate skull messenger bag. Maybe fill it with things to keep her young? But I don't know what. Or maybe that's all wrong, and I need something more dignified. Ideas?

I stitched a bit on the mermaid this weekend for my SAL with Michelle. Here's how the mermaid used to look. And now:

17 comments:

staci said...

Go for the pirate skull messenger bag. Definitely a cool bday gift, plus it's black for all that over-the-hill stuff ;)

drea_dear said...

I stay at home, and I can tell you - I really don't get anything done! I'll admit it, I'm not ashamed. On a good day, I get a load of laundry clean and folded, dishwasher emptied, dinner made, and child #1 off to school. I stitch during naptime and after they go to bed.

Today I was distracted by all the inauguration stuff, so, hmm - laundry got clean, but is still in the dryer, dishwasher is not emptied yet, and the kids had peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. But I got some progress done on stitching! LOL

I enjoy your blog, no ideas for the 40th b-day. I think a messenger bag is useful, (dare I say) "green", and you could make it funny.

Unknown said...

Dignified? She's going to be 40! Dignified is OK at 20, but at 40 you better be able to laugh so the sillier the better. You can't out impress her, so just be sure the gifts are silly and fun.

Nic said...

My best friend and I are both going to be 40 very soon...

I've just knitted my friend a lace shawl, as she's now a little old lady :o) (and she works from home and her house tends to be cold so it is quite practical)

Patricia Lessell said...

WOW she now has hair AND a face and an arm. She is definitely coming together. Love Patti xxx

Anonymous said...

The stay at home thing - its tough. If I don't have a plan, I'm on the computer all day and nothing gets done. So I have a plan of what needs to get done daily (like a load of wash) and weekly (like the bathrooms) and each day I review my to-do list and figure out which errands, etc I'll do that day. I still have bad, do-nothing days, but they are getting less frequent.

Michelle said...

Wow - the mermaid looks fantastic - you got a lot done! As for not getting much done while at home, I never seem to get everything done I want to on the weekends...not sure where the time goes though. I love the idea of the skull messenger back (while you're at it, make me one LOL!).

Jacque said...

Sorry to hear about your job!

I say go for fun...having been 40 for almost a year, fun is a requirement! If she doesn't stitch, that isn't something she can buy. My favorite gifts are those that the person made good/bad or ugly!

doris said...

Gee, your sister's only gonna be 40? I could almost be her unwed teenage mother! I agree with Kathryn ... to hell with dignity. Be ridiculous. As far as items, maybe some wax for the moustache that will be appearing eventually.

Miss Mermaid is looking lovely.

Adrienne Martini said...

Screw dignity. Go for skulls.

As one who works from home a fair portion of the week, the trick is making a list of what you will accomplish and sticking to it no matter what. It's too, too easy to get sucked into mindless surfing. Know that the internet will still be there after you get your work done, just like it was when you worked in an office.

If you follow that advice, you will at least get to make a list. I know how you love a good list.

Melissa said...

I stay at home and get nothing done. I feel that people that work outside the home manage their time much better out of necessity. My best advice, set up a routine for needs doing, it's so easy to get sucked into what ever marathon is on and use that as excuse to stitch and not to do those necessary things like laundry, mopping, and the dishes. But I'm so lazy.

BTW, I have a great idea for a little bag to include in your messenger bag, I'll email it to you when I boot up the old laptop. It might even make a cool design for the messenger bag flap.

Kristen said...

It's so nice of you to be stitching the Mermaid for your mother. I've never stitched a Mirabilia - not my cup of tea, either - but from my blog reading I know that they are pretty intense projects. You're making really good progress.

The pirate skull bag sounds cool, but anything handmade makes a nice gift.

Anonymous said...

I stay at home, too (Thank you, honey!). And no, I don't get much done either. I had a bookmark once: Behind every good book is a lot of housework going to hell. Take out "book" and insert "cross stitch project" and that's pretty much where my head is at these days. lol

That mermaid is coming right along. I've got her on my wishlist. Tsk. I can see I'm going to have to upgrade her status into my stash pretty soon. Absolutely lovely.

Anonymous said...

It is hard to stay at home and keep yourself disciplined enough to get things done. Over the last couple of years, I've greatly reduced my expectations of what I shuold be accomplishing, which helps :)

Ruth said...

I get nothing done when I'm at home either. It must be something about enclosed air?

Did you work out hte perfect gift? Frankly I like the skul bag of anti-40 goodies. :)

lenna said...

Hi ~ enjoyed your blog very much. You think just like I do. I made an angel once, you know the big ones. I got off by one stitch and she was the one with the beads in the middle. By the time I realized it I was 1 1/2 inches off. I had to take out 3 days work in about 1 hour. I always take out what ever I have too. She was beautiful when I got finished with her. You did the right thing.
Have you ever done The Crabby All Year piece? It is all the holidays you don't enjoy and it is a Hoot! It is designed by Raise the Roof Designs. There is a pattern for each month and it is a holiday not fun to celebrate. You might like it.
Your stitching is so lovely. What mermaid is she? I don't think I have seen her before. Is she Maribellia by any chance?
Take care `
Lenna

Anna van Schurman said...

She is Emeral Mermaid by Mirabilia, Lenna. I have see the Crabby All Year; it's cute.

It turns out that you are a speedier unstitcher than I am, though. That took my two hours to unstitch.