January 9-23

I had this idea in my head that once the basement was finished I would somewhat magically begin finishing projects. I would have a dedicated sewing space, everything would be stored nicely and easy to find... That's the end of the realistic expectations. Somehow the optimistic crafter part of my brain also decided that I would choose to finish all my easily noticed half finished projects before starting new ones. The rest of my brain that has always known that the optimistic crafter part was delusional, because no amount of new space or perfect organization will change my habits or personality. Yet I was content to allow optimistic crafter to dream. And now here we are, basement complete, and I do not have a pile of finished projects. It's probably because I don't have my desk yet. I'm quite sure that's when the magic will occur.

The holidays might have broken us this year. I don't know exactly what part, and it could have started earlier than Christmas, but I've noticed that since everyone departed in early January we haven't been able to string together any number of tidy days. Often we can't even get one. There are piles of things that simply don't have homes. There are toys that just get kicked to the side and not dealt with. My counter is never completely clear. Maybe I wasn't as together as I thought I was in the fall, but suddenly I feel much more like Sisyphus than I did 3 months ago. This house is my mountain, and the top (or the floor, I suppose) is not in sight.

I took the crib down this week. Now we wait for God to laugh...

We finished The Whipping Boy and moved on to Tuck Everlasting. I meant to read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH next, but it was in the basement and it's cold outside. So we're reading Tuck Everlasting now and Mrs. Frisby will have to wait.

Kaitlyn's violin lessons have stalled. She doesn't know what to practice or how to practice, so she doesn't practice and she's not excited to keep trying. I'm not excited to keep pushing, so we're on hold until she's a little older. The older girls have a dedicated practice time now (and a reminder on Alexa to practice), so I'm hoping that their habits will improve. Gretchen is learning Amazing Grace on guitar right now and is pleased that she can play something recognizable.

I am pleased to report that I beat an expert+ level in Beat Saber. This is my new time consuming project. Maybe that's why my house is having trouble.