Less than a month left in this terrible year and two weeks until Christmas. Two weeks?! I already want to fast-forward during the holidays when it’s a normal year. I suppose the one benefit of staying at home most of the time is that I am not subjected to Christmas music while shopping. We haven’t put up a tree yet. Maybe this weekend? I don’t know. We’re not going to Texas for the holidays so might as well. I don’t feel particularly festive at the moment.
Work has been keeping me very busy. A comment response letter for a client and reporting effort for an Air Force Base have taken up much of my free time. I feel like I desperately need a day of catch-up. The report is due at the beginning of February, which sounds like a lot of time, but really isn’t. Internally I am starting to freak out about it. However, as I am (deservedly) in the very last vaccine group, it will at least be a good distraction. That, and writing classes that I’ve signed up for to keep my mind occupied this winter.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving and went on a camping trip that week. It was a good distraction and I’ll save that for a separate post. When we returned, I went through and purged half of my closet. Not wearing dress clothes for 9 months makes one reconsider her wardrobe. I also organized my craft closet and decided to stop my current craft box subscriptions. I have enough projects to keep me occupied until 2056 and I don’t want to continue hoarding projects that I am unable to finish in an appropriate amount of time.
For example: here is my progress the last two weeks.
And you’re like, ok, that’s cute, but what else?
Well, there’s this but it’s UNFINISHED (hence the wonkiness. Also it’s off-center but here you go):
So yep. Time to unsubscribe to things.
After being cooped up in this house for 9 months, it still doesn’t feel like *home*, so this winter my focus is decorating it to make it more cozy. The walls are empty and I think some shelves (maybe some plants that I will never water?) will brighten up the space. I feel like we have the downstairs pretty well-put together, but the upstairs needs some HELP.
The weather has been warmer for this time of year – yesterday the highs were in the 60s and I was happy.
My walk last weekend was chillier and I kept seeing abandoned pumpkins everywhere. I felt like I was in a 2020 Taylor Swift video.
I need to go do a slow yoga video since my back isn’t 100%, but I will leave you with a photo that is proof I’ve been working from home for too long:
Categories: Apollo, Crafting From My Stash, crochet, Holidays, Quarantine Crafts
Jennifer Stark 
You are soooo freakin cute! I love your crafts, I don’t do subscriptions of any sort (other than my farm to table box) because I know my pace is slow. I was told by a colleague that we have 8 more school days until Christmas break. I felt my heart rate increase. We don’t have anything decorated. Our creche is up and there is a wreath on the door. Period. That’s it.
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Haha thanks! Hearing that makes me feel better! 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful Christmas break!
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Merry Christmas to you and yours, Jenny!
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Thank you! You too! 🙂
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Ciao Jen,
Adoro la tua foto con Apollo! Mi piace anche il tuo look vivace e strepitoso. Ti auguro un sereno venerdì, alla prossima. Bacioni.
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Grazie Mama, tvb!
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I am sorry to hear about your back and hopefully it feels better soon. I think so many of us are hitting the wall lately – I know I feel the exact same way with work, being home, holidays, what have you. The bright spot is that your crafts are so cute and Mr Apollo is just utterly delightful. I get so much joy out of his expressiveness and mischief. 😍
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Thank you! It took a good week, but it’s feeling better. Hahaha thank you, a bright spot of this year is being able to spend more time with him.
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Jenny, you look great! I know about back problems and agree it is best to keep moving. I would only add that nothing beats a good Physical Therapist if it doesn’t get better soon. Also, did I tell you that I think you are a very good writer already. ( daughter of a newspaper man and an ex reading teacher that I am). However, I am impressed that you are studying the craft even further. Wonderful!
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Thank you so much Grandma Pat! Big hugs!
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I love the photo of your and your dog! I hope you’re able to find some time to rest and relax during the holiday
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Thank you! I hope you have some good rest time coming up as well 🙂
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I feel your blah about Christmas. Normally I love it, but this year I would really quite like to hibernate through it.
At least you can snuggle up with doggo in your matching outfits! That’s too cute 🙂
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Big hugs. By this time next year, we should have some normalcy (and a vaccine!)
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