Let me be quick to say that my idea of "perfecting" is really so far from it. It is just getting better at something... or keeping at something new until I get it right. I sat down to listen to a month's worth of my friend David's* podcast the other night. In one segment he talks about holding onto his virginity for longer and longer because he was hesitant to do something he knew he probably wouldn't be good at the first time. Ha! My reasoning is often the same. So I've got to push myself a little.
With the pursuit of Quality often comes the issue of Simplicity, or Simple Living. Which is great, but I feel that it has less to do with stuff and more to do with how I value my stuff-- as in, I want Sam to learn to treasure and look after his things, but my wish for him and for my family has more to do with our willingness to share what(ever) we have, and that people (friendships) takes precedence over "things" (or my problem-- the list). It's a struggle. I am super happy when we purge our belongings and set free loads to Goodwill, BUT I am happier when I'm able to examine and purge Expectations in my life. Living simply for us has more to do with examining and limiting this type of baggage-- of ourselves, of our relationships, and of my/our lists. And I love a good list. Of course, I don't want to confuse Expectation with Anticipation**, one of the great good feelings of life, or worse, Hope or Possibility. Nope... Expectations. Real or imagined, they have a way of ruling my life in a way that can be at once both debilitating and motivational. I feel heaps better when I let them go. And I'm able to try new things with greater abandon. So. I know. Enough of this musing*** and more Crafting.
I'm working some stuff out today that I think I'll be pretty happy with. I managed to get those pants from the last post on Sam and sure enough they were a stitch long. Also, a bit bunchy in the front. Since the colostomy bag look is not really IN this fall I need to revise my pants plan of attack.
Some notes:
- I've found that skimping on the quality of elastic is a bad idea. Waiting to finish something until you can get the right sort of waste-band elastic is better. The fit is nicer, and I can only imagine it's comfier.
- Figure out the whole flat front kids pants thing. Get maternity on them a little and go for the elastic in the back only. Must also figure out fly front.
*I love this podcast, but it might be because I think so many of David's stories are my stories. They are always looking for submissions if you've got a hankering to work something out. Oh, and it's not always family-friendly listening. You've been warned.
**Speaking of Anticipation-- I am nearly giddy over tomorrow night's plans. I get to meet some of the Huffsters and spend time with some really great people.
***This whole business is a bunch of self-indulgence. Navel gazing. A record of "Melissa, these are the things you need to think about and get to doing". Sort of like a watermark. A very poorly written public one. Feel free to ignore the whole thing.
