Hey look! Another puzzle!

I have been thinking about working on tatting again. I really love it, and it is one of the things that I have set aside, due to plain old busy-ness, and that silly thing I do. Because I can never do it perfectly, I give up. So..time to do take some action in resolving that bad habit. Here is a practice round. (again..forgive the poor camera..it does not do tiny close ups so well)
Guess what?! I went on a "big girl" camping trip. Look at my friend's super cool shelter. She is taking it camping next week. I am eager to see how it fairs in the rain. It is so neat and tidy looking and fairly affordable. I think the Clan might need one!
This is a small portion of my friends well supplied camp kitchen. Please also note the Driver's Manual in the back. This is how our fire came to life.
We spent lots of time relaxing in our chairs, visiting and chatting. Lovely!

Revelation!

I totally did it with my blog! I went to read it over, after posting, and voila...My first sentence was a perfect illustration of the very behavior I analyzed! Made me laugh.

(avoided blogging, because I didn't think I could do it "right" so "why bother" doing it!!!!!)

Just here

You know, I have been avoiding blogging, cause I don't have pictures. But I have some thoughts tumbling around in my head, and this is a nice way to get them out. Thanks to my dear husband, we are in the midst of revamping kitchen cabinets...just a simple coat of white paint, and repairing faulty shelves etc.

As we are going through this process, I am realizing and remembering how disgusted I have been by these cupboards since we moved in. They are covered in grease, sticky, nasty and gross. The drawers are falling apart...shelves falling and irritating. But all along I haven't done a thing about it, but have been irritated and grossed out.

Why do I do that? Why did I not just clean them the best I could? (See...the cupboards aren't the only incident with this behavior, so I am very interested in getting to the bottom of this question!)

So...in summary..I think I avoid things that are overwhelming, and more importantly, things that feel like they can never be perfect. This leads to the "why bother" attitude, and chronic dissatisfaction with myself, my surroundings, and even others!

Hmmmm...lots to think about! Suggestions and thoughts are welcome!

Projects

Well...I am still alive, in case you were wondering. I have several projects to report on, as well as an experiment. This is a wee bit personal...so prepare yourself.
(How is that for a lead up?)
I have been trying(please note that the weather has been limiting...and "trying" has been a bit dicey) to dry more laundry outside, and cut back on dryer usage. I really try to avoid drying it inside, cause I can't stand the visual clutter upstairs, and our basement is so damp and smelly, I just really don't like doing it in there. But, in addition to my two drying racks, I added a little line to our deck.

Remember my Asiatic lilies that I have been nurturing and hoping and watching?

They bloomed!!! A gorgeous bright orange, and lovely lovely pink. I love them.

So, I can't really take credit for this project, as far as proof of my motivation, but I can certainly say that the results are at least, in part, proof of my motivation. Anyway....My Dear Husband is the one who decided it was time to paint the kitchen cabinets. Truth be told, I balked, 'cause it is just so overwhelming. But we have begun. The old hardware must go back up for now, but I followed the advice of a sister dear...and soaked them overnight in a solution of vinegar and salt, then scrubbed and scrubbed. Much improved! ( I posted two, cause the flash was dramatic, but a little deceptive)

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See how white and bright and neat and clean they look! Yeah for a good motivated smart husband!

K...so this is the personal part. I have been conducting an experiment. I have been trying cloth menstrual pads, on advice of a friend. I have to say I was a bit hesitant...but willing to try anything once. So far, as far as clean up and maintenance...it really is no worse than clothe diapers, which I am an old hand at. Comfort wise, it is a bit tricky to tell. You see, I am not used to wearing undies...so the wearing of undies is more uncomfortable that I am used to(See..the clothe pads fasten around the underwear). But the nice soft flannel pads are quite nice, compared to scratchy plastic-y pads. I also have rather gushy issues...so leaking has been a problem. (Though to be truthful, no more of a problem than I have with traditional pads) So, the jury is still out.