aka “Do you want a cork for that whine?”
All my crazy is all my own fault. No matter which direction I turn, there are sirens calling, “Do this! Do that! You can do it! Take on another project! More! More! More!”
I don’t spend a lot of money.
That’s not the problem.
I accumulate… crafty projects and writing projects and volunteer stuff and, of course, the never-ending house maintenance and decorating projects.
And then you are moving too fast and get careless and break your arm by taking a flying leap off a spaghetti light and need surgery and then endless sessions of physical therapy.
Normal American daily life stuff that is kind of… banal… but kind of… miraculous, the lifeblood of your very life.
But which also is sisyphean (yes, I had to look up how to spell that) and all my own doing because I really don’t *need* to take on a bunch of it.
It’s just that…
… There are those sirens calling, “Do this! Do that! You can do it! Take on another project! More! More! More!”
And now, to keep up with Katiedynamodoodle, I have a vintage estate sale dollhouse of my own to decorate.
René says
If I don’t post this link, someone else is sure to do it – a new tutorial on 1 Inch Minis for a Malm/Preway – style fireplace. I thought of Kate right away! (Maybe a little too ’60’s for a 1955 dollhouse, but hey.)
http://1inchminisbykris.blogspot.ca/2015/04/retro-cone-shaped-fireplace-tutorial.html
Kate says
Awesome! I used one of her lampshade patterns to make table lamps for the dollhouse. I’ll bookmark this for sure. 🙂
Susie Q. says
By the way, I’ve never gotten around to making an ornament wreath, but one day I will. I did make Kate’s yule log, though, for which I am very proud of myself.
Kate says
Awesome Susie Q! 🙂
Susie Q. says
I have two things to say which set my own mind at rest:
1. I used to keep a diary, and I felt like I had to write in that thing every day. But then, I read “Anna’s Book” by Barbara Vine (aka Ruth Rendell). It’s a mystery thriller written in diary form, and of course it’s completely fictional. BUT–I realized that over the course of one’s life, you can skip weeks, months, and even years and still have a pretty thick volume when you’re finished!
2. One day my grandma (who is now 95) told me that she found a project that she’d abandoned years ago (it was an embroidered tablecloth) … and she decided to start on it again and finish it. She’d set it aside for 50 YEARS!
So hey Pam, there’s seriously no rush when it comes to crafts, side projects, etc. That’s what makes them fun.
S.
Sydney says
She’s one of my favorite authors. Her mysteries as Ruth Rendell are great, too 🙂
Joy says
This makes me happy! Want to know why? Because I have an entire corner in my garage filled with Dollhouses, waiting to be restored. I need a craft space to be able to give these babies my attention. There is something therapeutic about bringing old dollhouses out of the muck and restoring them to their former glory. <3
Ranell morris says
Pam,
Hope it will have a miniature turquoise kitchen, I adore yours!
pam kueber says
Yes, maybe it will!
Rick S says
Pam,
If right now you are overwhelmed, relax before you do anything, live with your new house for a year before you dive into remodeling.
It will give you a chance to see what the house wants and maybe the old house gods will bless you with items you can use.
Sometimes procrastination saves your sanity as well as time and money.
Kate says
Hehehe good advice Rick S 😉
pam kueber says
Yes, I think it may take me a while. I only want to use things I accumulate at estate sales, etc. It surely will take the Retro Decorating Gods a while to send things my way!
April Ann says
You’re funny Pam :)….. I couldn’t have resisted that darling house either.
(You want some cheese with that whine)
Steve H says
I just learned from the current This Old House project that the little overhang of the second floor makes this a “Garrison Colonial”
pam kueber says
Yes, I love that term!
Steve H says
What an adorable house! I love the colonial doorway and rooster on the chimney. Pam, don’t think of this as a task; it’s just pure enjoyment. You’ll love it. Plus, there’s very little chance that you will fall off of anything.
Kate says
🙂
pam kueber says
Ugh. Yes. I am going to *try* and use this project as an exercise in patience. I did that with my last few ornie wreaths — I took my sweet time, like 10 hours each and really tried to use the experience as a period of enjoyment rather than obligation!
Jay says
Well Pam if you start now you can probably have the ultimate American dream – a two story colonial in the suburbs, albeit miniature – completely renovated for Christmas at which time you can make a little orni-wreath for the front door. Dueling dollhouses: mid century vs. traditional. You do keep us all entertained and we can relate to your “whine”. Happy Friday. The calendar says spring but it feels like winter.
pam kueber says
Yes, I’m already thinking ornie wreaths, how small can you go! Kate already gave me the idea for how to make an aluminum Christmas tree: https://retrorenovation.com/2012/12/19/5-minute-kitschmas-make-a-mini-evergleam-peacock-tree-out-of-pipe-cleaners/
linda h says
I bought the pipe cleaners for that project last year but never got around to making it or several of them. Maybe I should start now and be proud of myself for finishing a Christmas project early.