10 August 2013

Busy Hands...

 This is a strange and sad time for me. It's Iowa State Fair time, and I am not there. Normally by this time my parents (or in recent years, just my dad) would be camping at the fair and immersed in all that the fair brings -- giant cinnamon rolls for breakfast, livestock barns, and afternoon talent shows. It took me several years to cope with the fair without my mom. Now without my dad, I'm not sure I can face it all this year. We'll see.

 In the meantime, I am glad to have plenty of work to keep me busy. In addition to continuing with my estate sale prep, I've been teaching classes, making kits, and designing cards for 4th quarter classes at Memory Bound.

 Last week I made 40 kits for my Graphic 45 - August card set, one of my favorites so far! This was a full-day task, but I was glad for it as it kept my mind occupied. I'll be teaching the second of these two classes next week.
 
 

 This weekend, the first weekend of the fair, I planned plenty of activities to keep my hands busy and my mind focused. I've been creating three new sets of cards for October, November, and December. I swear, there is no one who has a messier work space than me while I'm working on a project! This was what "November" looked like. Then I cleaned it all up and started on December. :)
 

I love my little wheelie cart from World Market. I don't think they sell this kind now, but the last time I was there they had something similar. It fits under my table and goes wherever I need it.


 Right now, I'm finishing up my December card set. I'm grateful for tasks I can immerse myself in, especially right now.

 Having been through this before when I lost my mom, I know one of the best therapies is to stay busy. It's not a way of "ignoring" what's happened (if that were even humanly possible), but it is a way to cope until the pain eases just a bit...and fair time ends.
jp

3 comments:

Jill said...

I'm so sorry Janet. :-( I know I can't make anything better, but if it's any tiny consolation at all, *I* have great memories of you going to the state fair. :-( Or, great memories of reading about you going to the state fair. I love your little under desk thing. I've been trying to get my house organized because I went back to work for the first time since having the baby and I know that I'll *NEVER* be able to find anything ever again once the kids officially start!

Renita G. said...

Janet, I am sorry for the grief you're feeling. It's so sad to lose one's parents; it's been several years since I lost mine and it still hurts. But believe it or not, time does help to ease the burden. I am so glad you are back to sharing with your fans, and I sure do enjoy Tinsel and Lily's exploits. They are so much like my Willie and Sophie. Take care and I wish you, hubs, and Bailey all the best.

Janet said...

Thank you, Jill and Renita, for your very kind words. I really appreciate your stopping by! Hope to be able to post and share more soon. HUGS!!