Friday, May 30, 2014

When Plans Overtake Planning

While this isn't a regular occurrence, it's become apparent that I've overextended myself. Yeah, I've got a great summer crafting plan. The challenge is that I've also got SO much fucking stuff to do, I'm having difficulty fitting it into the day, and that's before the crafting.

I do not like to miss deadlines. I'm a planner to my core and I take it seriously. And yet, let's get a grip, this is my freakin' hobby. Oh, it's the most robust, tripartite hobby ever (IMO): sewing, knitting, blogging. But in the next month I've got things afoot at work, a house to summer-up (and it's not going well given my total apathy and how much the winter trashed things), a kid to get through grade 8 grad, a kid to pack up for a month to go to see my parents in NC, (theoretically) some serious house repairs - or potentially big reno - to plan (no one's returning our calls) and a really big-deal birthday experience for my husband. He's about to turn 50.

Have I ever told you how much I love being the younger woman?

I can go into a small amount of detail about the party-planning, which began before my mother's illness (she's doing very well these days, happily!), shut down as I had other things to think about and picked up again after Xmas. While I was to keep a very big vacation a very big secret, in the end, I went with the Alain Botton (highly, and likely incorrectly, paraphrased) philosophy: Travel is 30 per cent in the planning and anticipation, 50 per cent in the memory and 20 per cent in the momentary experience. I've given my husband some inkling of what's to come, but not the full story.

Let's just say, I've got secrets packed within secrets and the one he knows about is Europe. We're going to Provence, Languedoc and Barcelona for an intensely-needed recharge. But what I've got to do before we get on that plane falls within the spectrum of superhuman (given where I'm at energetically, right now).

Of course, there's much more to this story. It's an epic story. And I'm sure you'll hear the fun parts over the next month and a bit.

What you may not see much of is finished objects. Which is why it's good I call the shots in this universe. Let's think of Summer Crafting as a Summer-Fall experience. On the plus side, I won't need to figure out where to store a bunch of new-made things too quickly.

15 comments:

  1. Wow, sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned! My hubby turned 50 back in March and I took him to California /LA for a week. It wasn't a surprise: I told him that we were taking a trip for his 50th and that he could either choose a place he'd like to visit or I was going to decide for him. It was a toss-up between Cali and London (England) and, given the kind of winter we had in Toronto, I was really hoping he'd choose LA for the weather.

    Anyway, we had a wonderful time and it's so true about the Alain Botton analysis. We are still basking in the 50 per cent memory part. And I'm already thinking about what fabulous trip I will choose for my 50th (in 3 years). I'm thinking Europe too... — Helen

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    1. Oh, I totally get why you chose California! After this winter, London's not going to do it - even though it's gorgeous. I'm so happy to hear that you are still enjoying your trip :-) Definitely start to plan your 50th!

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  2. How exciting!!! I will telepathically send you Wonder Woman vibes since it sounds like you'll need some extra mojo.

    (I love being the younger woman too!)

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  3. Why, oh why, oh why are you not stopping in London. Why????????

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    1. Or maybe the Lake District...with a visit to Linton Tweed thrown in! ;-)

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    2. I really want to go to London, Evie - and stop in the Lake District! Alas, there's only so much time and money. Next trip will be UK, I think. But let me pay off this one first :-)

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    3. I may just let you off if you're heading this way eventually! ;-)

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  4. Well, you won't need any of the knitwear until the fall anyways, and you do want to leave your mind and spirit open to whatever new ideas Europe throws your way.
    Didn't you just finish a reno? Are you sure you're ready to get into another one?
    Forgive me for even suggesting this (it comes from a place of love, I swear!), but if the house isn't meeting your needs, is it time to think about moving? I know the Toronto housing market is... exciting...

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    1. The reno was 18 months ago - though it still seems like yesterday (unfortunately). I could never afford to move to a house as good as the one I've got for less than an increase of 500K. That's what the housing market is like. When you find a good house, you make it excellent. You've got to be full on rich to move without taking a big hit in one way or another (space, location, interior, exterior etc.) I've got a great hood, a great space, great gardens and more than enough space. I won't be able to duplicate it. But trust me, even though I'm not a mover (and I've been very attached to my house for many years), I'm tired of it right now. More tired than I've ever been.

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  5. I heard snippets, but I'm dying to know more... You will love Barcelona! I so want to go back...

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    1. Oh, so glad to hear that. Alas, I'm a bit where you have been - running like a chicken in advance of travel. I do want to say more but I'll have to wait until I have the luxury of time (and after the secret is all out).

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  6. My husband and I went to France for my 50th BD. I planned most of the trip but that's part of the fun for me. We spent a week in Languedoc-Rousillon and loved the whole area. Magical.

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  7. Oh, it sounds wonderful, the trip I mean, not the work. I took my husband to a place he'd always wanted to go for a big birthday, it was wonderful.

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    1. I know! I'm trying to keep my eyes on the prize but it's tough right now. Where did you go with G?

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