Progress!

Finally! Woke up this morning feeling much better and ready to get some work done for the Holidays! I made a little progress the last couple days, but still felt awful. Tuesday was the worst – I was Scrooge-like all day and would have gotten coal in my stocking had it continued any longer!

As is the case with me, nothing is permanent, including gift ideas. What started out as a plant stand has morphed into a lap desk as I was never 100% sold on the planter idea. You know the feeling – when something seems fine, but there is a little niggling voice in the back of your head that says it’s not the best you can do. Saw a catalogue with a lap desk and immediately felt much better about this idea.

Started looking at woodworking sites to peruse various plans, styles, etc. until I found one I liked. Of course, now I have to reassemble my woodworking tools ( jointer, drill press, etc. – packed for the move ) to get started. Feel much better about this idea. I have all the wood I need – just need to get going.

Tuesday, walking around Lowes in a cold-induced haze, I did manage to get some bits for the walking stick Emma would like to make for Sandy. I also saw some pieces ( not sure how to describe them ) that I thought would be neat for Maggie’s jewelry rack that she wants to make for Sandy. Will have to get her over there to see what she thinks. I thought it would be cool, but it is her gift so she has final say.
Kids are also working out a list/plan for the little wooden snowmen that they want to make for Mom. I need to do some of the cutting for them, but they need to put the plan together for materials, etc. These will be fun.

Yesterday I did some of the painting to which I alluded earlier. I went to a place called “Gotta Go Pottery” in town where they have all sorts unfinished ceramic pieces. The idea is you can paint them and the piece will be fired and, voila!, you have a personalized piece of ceramic. In my case, I painted two cups ( actually one cup and one large mug ) for my kids. The like hot chocolate and tea so I thought their own mugs might be neat. The smaller cup is for Emma for Christmas – she has always liked small, delicate things so thus my choice. I painted it in lady bug motif as she has always loved that. The larger mug is for Maggie on her birthday which is the day after Christmas. I painted it a plum color on the outside and a bright lime green on the inside as she has always loved bright colors. Hopefully these turned out cool – will find out next week.

Feel a bit relieved that I was able to make some progress on gifts. I seem to forget that, in years past, IOU’s have been given because a project was not completed in time – and that is OK. It’s the effort that counts – I will try and not sacrifice the quality of a gift by rushing through it. If I keep plugging away, I should be good, though.

Today is the Christmas tree expedition! – or should I say trees. Think we are going to get two – each of the kids will pick one. One will go in the den downstairs and one will be in the large living room window for the neighbors to see. Sun is shining so I am very excited to go. Can’t wait to see what they pick.