Out with the New Agenda!

This is me. The me that still had her milk teeth and had yet to create even one agenda. Both of which I wish were still true! Let me say that the excitement of losing one's baby teeth is definitely NOT repeated when one must part with a permanent tooth as an adult. For one thing, the tooth fairy does not visit you and leave shiny coins under your pillow! Instead you practically move into your dentist's office and contribute abundantly to his coffer. And as for those agendas. . . . . all the comfort and confidence I had acquired by following my carefully scripted plan for the months leading up to Christmas took a dramatic nosedive in direct proportion to my escalating dental dilemma. It seemed I had set myself up for failure and yet another hassle filled holiday season. How was I ever going to complete everything on all those lists I had made? The answer was actually quite simple, I wasn't. And so I tossed them out. . . . .

. . . . .it felt really good! Which lead me to go upstairs and begin throwing out a bunch of other clutter and in the process look what I found. It's the skirt from my picture, made for me by my grandmother many, many years ago. She used to get these little square fabric samples in the mail that she saved for me to play with when I was at her house. By the time I was five the collection was large enough for her to compile it into a patchwork skirt for me to wear on my birthday. I felt like a princess in it. It's been with me ever since, popping up from time to time in the various attics of homes I've lived in. With a "use it or lose it" frame of mind I decided to put some creative inspiration into this most recent discovery and. . . . .

. . . . .VOILA! A new sewing machine cover! My featherweight has been in dire need of a cover for ages, in fact, I'm positive the task to create one has been on more than one list or another of mine. And here, with nothing more than a simple ribbon tied up near the waist band the job is done.

If you want to see what else is done you'll have to peek around the corner into my bedroom. . . . .

. . . .where I've staked a claimed and created an extension of the sewing nook. I've decided to call this new area my "cozy corner." Not to say I've cheated dear hubby out of his fair share. He's got an equal portion of space on the other side for his treasures. I affectionately refer to his area as the "black hole" which should give some indication as to why you won't see a picture of it here.

And yes. . . . I did finally reclaim the bottom portion of the bookshelf and made a hefty donation to our library's book sale in the process.

Hubby's old computer cabinet has become the perfect spot to store a whole assortment of craft supplies. It's neat enough now, but great to know those doors can be closed to conceal any piles that do develop over time!

A doll's hutch discarded by my daughter was destined for the attic but, having cleared some piles from atop the file cabinet, I found a much happier role for it as storage for all the little Lilies in progress.

I had intended to carry my organizing frenzy over into other areas of the house in preparation of holiday decorating, but sans agenda I'm now free of such restraints. It doesn't mean I'm always happy about it. I do wish I'd gotten my dining room painted, I feel bad about the lack of attention I've given to stocking my Esty shop with Christmas items, and I hope you'll forgive me for not getting to the 3rd giveaway I had said I would hold this year. Painting has been limited to the Lilies, Etsy listings are for reserved custom orders only, and the only giving in the works involves Christmas presents. . . . .

. . . .with one exception. . . . .Lily Olive. She was made up in a batch of Lilies but not selected for purchase. Planning to put her in the shop for Christmas I added the finishing touches. In doing so, however, I found I couldn't bear to part with her and so I decided give her to myself!