Happy New Year all! I hope you had a cozy winter break. Ours was good. I definitely felt sad at points – we ended up not going on our camping trip (which was the right decision) and we missed our families. I think the night before my brother’s birthday made me the saddest, since I haven’t missed his birthday since he was born (his birthday is Christmas Eve). But we leaned in as much as we could. There were chilly walks, charcuterie boards, and decorating our home. We discovered a yummy Indian place in the suburb next to us and have enjoyed getting takeout from there. I found a running trail that I really like, and I would have gone today had the weather not been so dreary and miserable (YAYYY, INDIANA JANUARYS ARE THE BEST).

My office is moving out of downtown, which is a bummer; I was so looking forward to returning to that space after the pandemic. But as I cleaned out my cube this week, I at least was able to see some coworkers for the first time in nine months. Being back downtown felt surreal. Pros – once we return to normal, the new office will be closer, cutting my commute in half, with on-site parking! Cons – we’re doing the “hotel” set-up (aka no one has their own assigned space), and it’s not downtown.

I was thinking today how I need to find ease with the “in-between.” Obviously the things I want to do the most depend on the vaccine, but who knows when I’ll be able to get one? I decided I can’t plan anything this year based on the vaccine. This year is a giant question mark, as far as I’m concerned. And that’s stressful, of course, so I’m focusing my goals on what I CAN control, things that I can accomplish regardless of whether I have been vaccinated.

The house is in-between, too. We’ve certainly made a lot of progress with it, but it’s not where I want it to be. Unless I want to walk around constantly wishing that my house is decorated like an HGTV reveal (which is completely unrealistic, anyway), then I have to accept where it is today, and that this is good enough.

I’m in-between. My house is in-between. I have no idea what 2021 has in store for me. I have to embrace and accept this liminal phase of my life. I really have no other choice, at this point.

Before I go, I wanted to share some photos of my crafty progress. I’ve been able to finish some projects that have long been in my WIP pile.

First up – snowflakes for Christmas cards!

Next – this super cute lion from a Mollie Makes magazine kit that took a lot of patience and effort.

I bought this ornament from Gauge in Austin. I was able to personalize it with some festive colors.

Next – these Bohemian slippers and “cosy” banner from a Little Box of Crochet kit. I think I started this kit when I still lived in Austin. Maybe in 2017? Yikes.

Anyway, it’s done, yayyyy.

And finally, I’m getting close with this scarflet (another Little Box of Crochet project that I started in 2019 WHOOPS). I’m glad because this project is almost finished because it made me realize how much I dislike granny squares.

Well, I’d better get back to working on the scarflet before I return to work tomorrow. I hope you all had a restful holiday!