This Isn't What It Looks Like

It looks like pre-drafted Spunky Fiber,
but really?  It is procrastination.

Today we are having the big graduation/going away party for Gillian.  She got a job(!) in Manhattan and will be moving into a sublet in Brooklyn for the summer.  She is on her way tomorrow.  Things happen fast around here.  I'm still deciding how I really feel about all the changes happening here this year, so I'll save that for another post, right now, we have a party to prepare for.

I don't know about most of you, but our house is not usually in entertaining condition. Not even close. And then you have the perfectionist in me that will take no less than as good as it can be, but we usually start preparing for that the day before, not usually enough time for the place to meet my expectations. It doesn't help that the rest of the family has some kind of magic blinders when it comes to the mess, they just don't see it the way I do.  They'll clear a path and think it is good enough. In an attempt to alleviate the screaming and crying and stress (I don't do well with these party/entertaining things) I made up a list a week ago Friday and asked that everybody do something on the list every day. I have to say that this plan seems to be working (I am writing this post on Friday night, and we do still have some things to do, but I think we might get up Sunday morning with a lot less to do than usual, I hope I'm not jinxing myself)(edited to add on Sunday morning:  I don't know how it happens, but the place is a mess-not total and complete, but we have work to do.  Crap.  And food to prepare.  And everyone is still in bed). While there are a few things that I didn't get to (some new furniture and organizing a closet), I think we've done about as well as we can. I have reorganized all of the kitchen cabinets, cleaned the fridge, hidden most of the fiber and yarn. And then there was Thursday night, when I should have been spinning my fifteen minutes away, but had a headache and the Spunky fiber was sitting there and, well........

And it is all Susan's fault anyway
(by the way Susan, you were right. It is that much more beautiful pre-drafted in fluffy little balls.)

Two hundred thirteen to go. I will not spin it. Really, I won't. Not yet anyway.

Comments

[Danielle]

Congratulations to the newly-employed graduate!! (And why on earth do you need to organize a closet in order to host a party? )

[Carole]

I get all stressed when we have parties, too. And then I wind up not enjoying myself. I'm trying hard not to be a perfectionist about this stuff because, really, people don't care what my house looks like, they just care about being together. Well, and the food. But I don't usually stress about the food. I hope you have a fabulous time today - the weather is perfect - congrats to Gillian!

[Lynn]

Gillian got a job already?! Wow! That girl moves fast!

And you definitely do not need to organize a closet before a party. You do, however, have to predraft enough fiber to calm your nerves. Remember your priorities!

[Vicki]

I do tend to get stressed before a party and sometimes do ridiculous things, but then it happens and the BIG THING that I just had to do didn't get done and... guess what? Everyone (self included) has a GREAT TIME ANYWAY!!

I hope you do!!

[Cara]

Yay for Gillian! That's great! Selfishly, maybe this means I'll see you soon?

[Laurie]

Congrats to Gillian, and to shoveling the s*** away yet another time. I think it's the human condition.

[margene]

I'm so glad the fiber won! It's going to be spectacular spinning! (I didn't follow the manifesto, either and predrafted the superwash merino);-)

[Kim]

If it makes you feel any better, I stress in much the same way when we are entertaining. What I wish my house was like and what it is are 2 different things. I imagine a lot of us feel this way.

Woo hoo on Gillian getting a job so soon...this is wonderful!! Yay Gillian!

Beeutiful fiber!

[Sunflowerfairy]

Who doesn't stress before parties? I just spent 2 weeks doing 6 years of housework to put my house on the market. I thought that I should be allowed to leave it filthy. After all, I'm leaving here, right? Why do I need it clean?

All humor aside, I love my clean house and I'm even putting the knitting down in favor of picking up a sponge (just once in awhile...let's not get carried away.)

I hope it was a wonderful day.

Congrats to the daughter, with the job and move. Are you coming through North Haven again soon?

[susan]

Happy to help. ;)

[JessaLu]

Congratulations on your graduate! As I said at S&W, I feel your pain. I get to host mine in two days. ohno...I just realized I only have two days to clean!