2012 Theme

My personal theme for 2012 is... Authenticity.

This means I am going to be concentrating more of my energy on the things that I AM rather than the things I am now resolved I will never be.

What I am not;

Launderer.

I will continue to dump large laundry baskets of unsorted items into the machine and press buttons until it comes out clean (or at least unsmelly). Then I will pile folded stacks on top of the dryer and live out of those piles abandoning all notions that it will make it up to see drawers before the wearer needs it.
I will send over the worst of the stains to the laundry queen...my mother in law, gratefully and unsheepishly explain that yes, that splot of ketchup and I think melted chocolate have been mingling on that little shirt for over a month. I will give up the goal that I will ever know what to do with a can of spray starch over an ironing board and will continue, rather to build my boys collection of sweater vests to hide the wrinkles on their Sunday best.

Kitchen Savy.

Get in. Get out. That is my new resolve. Stick with what I know. Stop wishing for skills and culinary imagination that I don't posses. The same breakfast every morning for two years seems to still be going strong. If it ain't broke...well...I am in no hurry to fix it.

Decorator.

I love the look of other people's homes who put so much time and energy into the seasonal details of their home. Flowers, knick knacks, decorations, lights, garland and little embellishments to mark upcoming holidays. I imagine one of the highlights of this is the process of unpacking each item and reminiscing about seasons past. Packing up allows one to look forward to the next occasion....I find this, however, to be the most dreadful of chores. I really despise the maintenance of "stuff"...Many times a week, usually while I am sorting through 1040 rogue puzzle pieces mixed with waffle blocks and tool bits I imagine the house of my dreams I once read about called "innermost house". It is my "happy place", a small space with only the necessitates. What they do have is beautiful, high quality and used often.
I think some people connect to things externally and others connect more so internally. I am the later and a chaotic environment around me makes me anxious. Some derive comfort from objects in an environment, others derive comfort from lack of. Because Jon and I are opposite in this, there is some compromise required but he too agrees we have far more "stuff" than necessary or desired.

HOWEVER- I do love the finished product of beautifully decorated homes I see around me, on blogs and pinterest. I have the desire for the result in my own home, but no inclination to pursue the process I find more stressful than it is worth. So until we can afford a decorator (and a chef, and a launderer...) I am giving it up. It's just not...me.

Innermost House






Crafty.

This is the big one that completes the home maker image I had for myself. Cute little handmadeit's for gifts...custom fabrics from Etsy shops, unique and one of a kind labors of love. Modgepodged somethings and bins of organized supplies brimming with possibilities...or dust. As it currently stands.

I am not a crafter. I am creative, yes. But not with a gluegun. I am going to be sorting through the basement this week...cleaning and chucking...and I know that there will be some crafter somewhere who will stumble into the thrift store on the right day and find the mother-load that was my bin of intentioned creativity. "Have at er" I say! Good ridence!


I am looking forward to letting go of the stress that can come from uncreased pants, lackluster dinners, half completed crafts and overflowing Christmas boxes. I will have so much time left for...me. What I really know to be and the things I know I love that come easily and naturally.

I have heard that your "20's" are the years that you can really discover who you are. I think this is absolutely true. I want to settle into being that person proudly before I turn 30 at the end of the year.