Why, Oh Why, Am I A Procrastinator?

Procrastination is a type of behavior which is characterized by deferment of actions or tasks to a later time. Psychologists often cite procrastination as a mechanism for coping with anxiety associated with starting or completing any task or decision.


For an individual, procrastination may result in stress, a sense of guilt, the loss of personal productivity, the creation of crisis and the disapproval of others for not fulfilling one's responsibilities or commitments.


These combined feelings can promote further procrastination. While it is normal for people to procrastinate to some degree, it becomes a problem when it impedes normal functioning. Chronic procrastination may be a sign of an underlying physiological disorder.

Okay, so I may have an physiological disorder. Yes, I do admit to this. Yes, procrastination is probably my worst downfall. I will procrastinate on every detail of my life. I know it causes me stress and I know I will feel like a failure if I wait to long and don't accomplish my intended goal, yet, I still do it.

I have been a procrastinator all of my life. Sorry mom, and I know your not like this now, but I think it is a learned behavior and maybe genetic too?!? As you know, I am much worse than you could ever have been. I will procrastinate on making appointments, canceling appointments, paying bills, meeting deadlines, getting ready for things, everything, everything, everything.

I have so many projects that I have to accomplish this week that I don't know where to start. So what am I doing, I typing a post on my blog instead of sewing. Actually, I did start today on one project that is due tomorrow and there is no way I can finish it by tomorrow. It will be late and I will have to pay for Priority shipping to get it to the person in the nick of time, probably inconveniencing them. I will look at the bright side of the situation though, hey, at least I have started. Okay, back to the sewing machine and please give me some advice to help me quit this learned, genetic, psychological disorder that I have.

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!

I bought this cute plaque from Taylor n Ronnie's Chic Boutique on Ebay awhile back and have had it packed away. It's on 1/8 of an inch board and is approx. 4 1/2 x 7 inches. It has a pretty pink ribbon attached to hang it up with. It's really pretty but I don't have room for it, so it's now on its way to being the Terrific Tuesday Giveaway.
I'm giving away another item this week. I have some wonderful fibers for sale in my Etsy Shop. I have different colors and 2 different size packs. For $1.25 you get 2 yards of 6 colors for a total of 12 yards of fibers. The other pack is 4 yards of 6 colors making 24 yards of fibers for $2.50. (There are minimal shipping charges) So, anyways, I am giving a small set of the purple fibers away today.

Just leave me a comment about any old thing you'd like and I will enter your name to win one of these wonderful prizes! (Hee! Hee! I'm so funny!) I'll put all the names in a hat and draw two names out. The first one gets the rose plaque and the other person gets the fibers. Sounds okay? Okay, great and good luck!

The winners are: drum roll please.............. Mary Ann Abbott gets the plaque and Speak Out Loud wins the fibers.

I'm Hosting My First Swap

I have been thinking about this for awhile now and I've decided to host a swap, The Brown Paper Bag Swap. The Brown Paper Bag is such a simple item and how many of us started off as little kids crafting with brown paper bags? In school we decorated them for goodie bags, made puppets out of them, used them for our lunches, etc.... My mom made my little guy, Jace, a brown paper bag scrapbook when he was born. It was so cute and yet so simple. I love it!!


So what I am thinking is that we (hopefully others like this idea too and join the swap!) could use a brown paper bag and create something for our partner out of it. It doesn't matter how you use the bag as long as it is somehow used in your swap. It could be added to your art piece, made into a tag, it could be the main part of the item, whatever you can come up with.


Extra goodies can be included if you would like. I have found out doing swaps that most people include goodies and it does make it kind of fun!

My rules for the swap are:

1. You must use a brown paper bag in your handmade swap item.
2. You MUST contact your swap partner by email. You need to say "Hi", introduce yourself and then tell them a little about yourself. I am making this a rule because I have participated in a couple of swaps and have never heard from the person I am exchanging with. I think this takes away from the whole point of the swap and kind of leaves everything up in the air. Make a new friend, it doesn't mean you have to email them constantly, but be friendly.
3. There is $15.00 (+ or - a little) price limit.

Okay, sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Please email me at sherryreneew@hotmail.com or leave me a comment on my blog if you would like to join the swap. I need your

1. Name
2. Email address
3. Blog address if you have one

• I will take sign ups until Sunday May 18, 2008. The mail out date for your brown paper bag item will be June 12, 2008 (that is anniversary day the patent was granted for the machine that makes the paper bags we use now days.)
• I also have a hotmail code for the badge, as plain as it is, if you would like it I'll send it to you after you join the swap. Please spread the word if your interested and feel free to post info about the swap so others will join. I'm so excited to see what everyone comes up with!!!
• I will open a Flickr Group up for the projects to be posted to if you want to join it. http://www.flickr.com/groups/746844@N23/

If your interested, here is a little history on the Brown Paper Bag as we know it now. There were other paper bags before this and other people involved in the invention of the bags. I just decided to post about the type of bags that are familiar to us now days.

Square-Bottom Paper Bag w/ pleated sides

On June 12, 1883 the U.S. Patent office issued #279,505 to Chas Stilwell a patent for a paper bag machine. After fighting for the Union in the Civil War, Charles Stilwell began to tinker with the idea of making a better paper bag. Paper bags already existed at this time, but they had many flaws. They had to be pasted together by hand; their V-shaped bottoms prevented them from standing on their own; and they were not easily collapsible or conveniently stackable. In the summer of 1883, Stilwell put into operation the first machine to produce paper bags. The bags had flat bottoms for standing up straight by themselves and pleated sides that made them easy to fold and stack. Dubbed the S.O.S., or Self-Opening Sack, it remains in widespread use today. With the birth of the American supermarket in the early 1930s, demand for Stilwell’s paper bags skyrocketed. Their versatility, strength, and low cost made them first a nationwide then a worldwide phenomenon.

Being In Love

I was married for 18 years and had 5 kids when I decided to end my first marriage. I got married when I was 17 and I was in love, but it wasn't the same kind of love that I have found with my partner Earl. Earl and I have been together now for 11 years. We aren't married and don't actually have an anniversary date, but it was in April of 1997 when we moved in together. We have since had my original 5 kids our own 3 kids and 6 grandkids in the last 11 years. Our life has not been easy to say the least. Earl and I have had some really rough times and a few times where I was ready just to say forget it. The one thing I have discovered about Earl is that he is really commited to me and my kids and that he loves us with all his heart. Earl loves me for me. He doesn't care how much weight I've gained, how messy the house it because I've been doing crafts instead of cleaning, or if I am dressed up (which rarely happens now days!) or in my flannel pants and old t-shirt. Earl just loves me!

My life is not what I expected it to be, but you know what, I am so in love with Earl and he is a wonderful man who works hard to support me financially and emotionally, so even though we are poor financially we are so rich in love. What more could a girl ask for?

I love you Earl! Thanks for making my life so wonderful!

Enchanted Swap

My wonderful partner for the Enchanted Swap was Melissa who's blog is HellesBelles and her Etsy Shop is White Coral Belles . We were suppose to make something based on the movie Enchanted, which I have never seen. We were suppose to make something that we would want to have with us if we fell through a hole from the princess world into today's world. Melissa made me the cutest princess stuff that I have ever seen! There is a Princess Survival Kit that is to help me survive in the real world. It has a pattern for a little dress and a need and thread in it. Then she made a beautiful flowery crown so that others may know that I am royalty. It is going to look so pretty in my room when I get all my fairy stuff hung up! (We won't tell Earl that our room is going to be princessy fairish room)

Then there is a blue princess dress to make me feel pretty even in a strange world. Then there is a Fairy Godmother, just because every girl needs one. A dairy to keep track of all my adventures and a candle to light my way in uncertain times. Check out the little Bad Apple Detector that Melissa made too. Isn't it just too cute!! Then of course, Melissa being so sweet, sent candies to my kids and me. There are a lot of yummy treats in there. My kids are starting to enjoy these swaps almost more than I am!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Melissa you are so creative and I really LOVE everything you sent!

I will treasure it always!!

Dr.s Office -- Strep X 7 --- Is There Light at the End of the Tunnel???

Light at the End of the Tunnel -- Get it??? Ha! Ha! Ha!

Well, maybe the reason we haven't been able to get rid of the crud in our house is that we have strep. Nobody has been up to par for several weeks now but we just thought it was summer colds and sinus', WRONG! Lexie went to the Dr's. last Friday, her boyfriend on Saturday and their baby, Anthony on Monday. They all had strep. Jace had a scheduled appt. on Tuesday and was sick so they tested him......strep. We took the other two kids in on Wed. and they had strep too. Earl and I went today because what are the odds that we wouldn't have strep. Yeppers! We are lucky victims #6 and #7. So everyone is on antibiotics and I am going to Lysol my house good tomorrow.

Okay, spring is finally here, we're all on antibiotics, so this had better be the end of the crud in our house!!! There is no reason for any more of it!! Right?? Right!!!

Favorite Spring Things Swap

I received a package from Marcie for the Favorite Spring Things Swap on Monday. Inside the box were all these beautifully wrapped little gifts. I hated to open them with the pretty paper and ribbons, but Mallory took care of that. Inside there was some cool tissues, a tiny frame, bath soap, a scrubby, shower gel, bracelets, the sweetest little bird and some flower seeds.
Thank you Marcie! Everything was very nice.

Terrific Tuesday Giveaway

Today for my Terrific Tuesday Giveaway I am giving away 24 6x6 baby print flannel pre-cut fabric squares by Pocketbookity by 1 OAK Designs. They are great quality, cut very neatly and stacked perfectly every time.

Leave a comment about any subject you want and I'll enter your name to win these fabric squares.

All of the past winners packages are finally in the mail. Sorry for the delay-I haven't had a car to get to the post office. I finally have my van back!!

Have a wonderful day!!

Marcia is this weeks Terrific Tuesdays Giveaway!

A Slumber Party With The 3 Granddaughters!

My Goofy Mallory with her hair up really high!

Mallory had all 3 of her nieces over last night for an End of Spring Break Slumber Party. It went pretty well except Jace wasn't feeling well and was crying and screaming for awhile and of course, no one, and I mean no one could touch him but me. He isn't usually like that, but of course he was when Mallory and I had plans. I think the girls all had fun anyway! One finally drifted off at 1:00 a.m. and the other 3 girls drifted off at 3:00 a.m. Ezie finally did about 15 minutes later. Of course they were all up ready to go at 8:00. Earl was so sweet though he had gotten up early and went to the store and had coffee, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit all cut up and ready for everybody to eat. It was nice to have all the girls over and see them all interacting with each other. They are getting so big so fast!!

Vintage Kitchen Swap

I would like to say Thank You to Becky for the package she made up for me for the Vintage Kitchen Swap. She made a really nice book cover for a vintage cookbook. She also made a really nice apron with a doily for the pocket that Mallory stole from me already. Becky also made some stuffed strawberries to put in a bowl and the cutest little feed sack that had salt water taffy in it. The taffy did not last long in my house though! There is a strawberry jar for jam and a bottle of dish soap with a cute little western apron on it. Everything is beautiful Becky and I love it all!! Thank you so much!

New Blog

Check out my other blog, http://themeinsideofmethatnoonesees.blogspot.com/ it has some different stuff on it.

Believe

Who believes in what goes around comes around, for the good as well as the bad? Who believes that around every cloud their is a silver lining? I do, usually, sometimes I have to remind myself of this, but I do believe it's true.
We are having some major difficulties at my house right now so anyone who reads this please remember us in your prayers.
Oh yeah, I want to say Thank you to my mom for being such a terrific person and saying the things you did tonight about me and Earl. Thanks Mom and I love you!
Thanks!

Terrific Tuesday's Giveaway

There are 40 4 x 4 inch orange cotton squares and 40 4 x 4 floral print cotton squares.
I purchased these from Pockbookity by 1 OAK Designs at http://stores.ebay.com/Pockbookity-by-1-OAK-Designs . They are great quality, cut very neatly and stacked perfectly every time.
Leave a comment about any subject you want and I'll enter your name to win these fabric squares.
Have a wonderful day!!
A Glance at My World won the giveaway!
sbonnettsue please contact me about Project Linus. Thanks!

Spring Break Has Sprung

My kids are on Spring Break this week. I really do love when they're home (ask me on Sunday if I still feel the same). I thought I would share with you what Mallory invented yesterday and ate for breakfast this morning. She gets a bun and puts a ton of mustard on it and then she has me slice carrots up and puts them on. One carrot sandwich on a hot dog bun, heavy with mustard. MMMMMmmmmmm! She had 2 of these for breakfast.

Ezie made this recipe up a couple months ago and he has other people eating them now. He puts peanut butter on a bun and then adds sprinkles to it.

I'm originally from Wichita, Kansas and have been in New York for about 12 years now. When my first granddaughter was about 2 her mom told me to make her a Peanut Butter and Fluff sandwich. Fluff?? My mom only bought Fluff at Christmas time, I think. I guess here in the East, Fluff is a big thing on sandwiches. ???? We grew up on the regular P.B. & J.'s. I guess I was boring---or normal!!

So, we just had friend #1 stop by for the day. He's a great kid though and he keeps my kids occupied. So, I'm off to start my mommy duties for the day and I guess the kids are going out to catch gardener snakes. YUck! YUck! YUck! I HATE snakes and we are infested with those little nasties in the spring.

DON'T FORGET TOMORROW IS TERRIFIC TUESDAY'S GIVEAWAY! I think I am putting some precut fabric squares in.

Seven Silly Saturday Sayings

1. I saw Susie sitting in a shoe shine shop.Where she sits she shines, and where she shines she sits.
2. Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
3. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the car-pool lane?
4. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
5. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
6. I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won't wish the wish you wish to wish.
7. Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards

How Do I Feel About Comments

1. When I get a comment I feel so happy that I run around the house or office jumping and screaming, "I got a comment, Oh yeah!" 3 people said this
2. I receive a lot of comments but I really could care less either way
3. A comment makes me feel acknowledged for my work or thoughts 6 people said this
4. I can't stand when total strangers leave me a comment
5. Comments make me feel connected to a community 6 people said this
6. I hardly ever receive comments on my blog and don't really care
7. I would LOVE to receive more comments but seldom get any 8 people said this

Okay, so I did this poll over the last week and thank you to the 14 people who actually took the time to answer it. So it seems that most people really enjoy getting comments, 3 of us go a little more wild than the others do, but we all enjoy getting a comment. Comments make us feel like a part of the community and that people are actually acknowledging our work or thoughts. So why don't more people comment? People want you to comment on their postings so please try to leave even a short comment. I know one person that is so sweet and she replies to every comment I have ever left on her blog which in turn is a double acknowledgement.

Adopt a Soldier

There are many soldiers over in Iraq that receive either no mail or very little mail. They are fighting for our country. Even if you don't believe in the war these men and women are overseas for us. They could use letters from home and care packages.Please consider adopting a soldier!If you would like to adopt a soldier contact Frannie at http://www.myspace.com/frannidoeshair and she will provide you a name of a soldier that needs to hear from home.

If you don't have a myspace account and don't want one contact me and I will give your email address to Frannie.

Thanks!

Spring and Baseball Season Have Finally Started!!!

I couldn't get pictures of Ezie and Mallory practicing baseball, but I did get some of them on the playground afterwards

Ezie is playing tag with his friends on the equipment

Mallory climbing on the poles, my princess is a tomboy!

Ezie was bouncing Jace on his shoulders. I've never seen Jace laugh so hard!!

Yes!! Spring has finally hit Rensselaer! The kids had their first baseball practice and then they got to play on the playground. It was so nice to be out and about again!

Something funny though, I parked the van and sat their for a minute watching all these men getting out of their cars with their sons (some girls) and you could just see the testosterone in the air. Wow! These kids are 4-12 that were practicing but to most of these dads it seemed like the major league. The dads were walking towards the field, ball glove in hand and baseball cap on their heads, their chests stuck out and a little bad a-- walk going on. As a woman watching it was kind of funny, yet in our small dysfunctional town, it was really nice to see. Baseball and Football are two of the only events that seem to bring a lot of the parents and children together.

I love Spring and even though the weather is suppose to get crappy again tomorrow, I know that Spring is now in the air. Even my daffodils finally are coming up and my peony's are just starting to poke their little heads up out of the ground. Yes!! Spring is finally here!!

Brown ShoeBox

This is my ShoeBox I received from my Swap partner, Robyn. The theme was the color brown. She sent some beautiful fabric, a pretty silky scarf, a yummy chocolate chip candle (my son-in-law licked it to see if it tasted good-that boy will eat almost anything!), some chocolates, a journal, some really nice ribbon. Then there is a gorgeous tissue holder and billfold that I'm assuming Robyn made. They are so pretty and so well made! I really needed a billfold too! I LOVE them, I LOVE everything you sent! Robyn you are very talented!! My kids have already claimed (or think they've claimed) the candle, journal and tissue holder.Thank you so much for everything and you should be receiving your box from me anytime. Sorry again for being late!

TERRIFIC TUESDAY GIVEAWAY!

Two Giveaways Since It's the First Terrific Tuesday Giveaway!!

The first giveaway is 5 Springy Tags and a Zippy Letter Opener

1/4 yard of Flip Flop Fabric

There are 2 Giveaways today. This was harder then I thought trying to decide what to get rid of. I hate to part with anything, just ask my family! I have fabric from 30+ years ago that I need to do something with. So this is the beginning ........of me giving my stuff to you so your house can become cluttered and mine, maybe, possibly will become a little less clutter free. (yeah right!) Anyway, just leave a comment today and I will put the names in a hat and have one of my kids draw a name out bright and early tomorrow morning. Have a great, hopefully Springy, Terrific Tuesday!!!

Thank you for entering the giveaway. Pintoo won the fabric and Mary Ann won the tags and letter opener.

GO JAYHAWKS!

Jayhawks National Champions!!

Kansas Jayhawks 75 - Memphis Tigers 68 (OT)

Tonight, April 7, 2008, The Kansas Jayhawks from University of Kansas will be versing the Memphis Tigers in the Basketball Tournament. Go Jayhawks!!!

I may live in New York now but once a Jayhawker always a Jayhawker!!

Seven Silly Saturday Sayings

1. Why is "abbreviation" such a long word?
2. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
3. If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished! (this is me!)
4. If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something. (and this)
5. "It is not MY fault that I never learned to accept responsibility"!
6. Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it’s only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where’s that extra penny going to?
7. How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Giveaway's

Okay, how many people like Giveaways? I know I do. One of my very favorite Blogs is A Very Mary Design . I read this particular blog because I love Mary Ann's sense of humor, her wit and her sincerity. Mary Ann has a giveaway on Friday's and a word game on Wednesday's so I thought I would try starting a TERRIFIC TUESDAY GIVEAWAY. I have ssssssooooooo much stuff and I guess it wouldn't kill me to get rid of some of it. Besides I love to give stuff away about as much as I like receiving it. My daughter Mallory will just go crazy on this one, she LOVES to give stuff away, especially my stuff!?!? So I will post the first "EXCITING PRIZE" starting next Tuesday. All you have to do to be entered is leave me a comment on Tuesdays.

Hi, My Name is Sherry and Yes, I am a Swap Addict

Who could pass up a swap to make and receive something Princess like? Who doesn't need something pretty and enchanting to look at for no other reason except it's pretty and enchanting! Gypsy Mermaid is hosting an Enchanted Swap and is taking sign ups until April 12th. Please visit her Blog http://gypsymermaidlife.blogspot.com/ for all of the information about joining. I've never done anything like this swap, more on the artistic side than the craft side, but after having 6 boys I will take any opportunity to make something pretty and princess like! I do have 2 girls too, but 2 girls hasn't been enough to fulfill my frilly urges!

Some More Pillows I Made on Monday

This is a big cushy over sized pillow

made out of flannel and minke.

This one has a hand quilted front and a white

vintage chenille back with a blue rose on it.

These are from an old cutter quilt I bought on Ebay.
It was in pretty bad shape but I did manage
to get 2 pillows out of it.
These are the front (or back if you prefer)
This is the back side
or the front
if that's what you prefer.

I made these pillows on Monday. Mallory wants the top one and I like the others. They are all going to be going up for sale in My Etsy Shop though. We really do need some new pillows though. Our couch pillows are FLAT! No kidding, they look like pancakes. What a joke!

I Made My Own Laundry Soap

1.) The Ingredients for the Homemade Laundry Soap

2.) The Ivory Soap that I cut with my own two hands,

well actually, I cut it with the scissors

3.) The cut up Ivory Soap is simmering

4.) The soap and water are getting to a

"bubblage" stage

(a word coined by Robyn)

5.) Every things added except the extra gallon and a half of water

6.) 5 hours later it's really gellin',

gellin' like a felon,

I had to say that. Hee!Hee!

As I'm putting this gel into containers my 2 year old, Jace, says "Uck!"

I read about making your own laundry soap from my Brown ShoeBox Swap partner's Blog. Robyn has a tutorial on her blog, Where the Boys Are, about how to make your own Laundry Soap. I was intrigued!

Mainly because:

1. I do laundry
2. I do a lot of laundry
3. I use laundry detergent
4. I use quite a bit of laundry detergent
5. I have nothing better to do than make my own laundry soap
6. I could save some money on laundry detergent to make up for the craft stuff that I buy!

I do have a couple of questions that I've been asking myself though. So, maybe IF somebody reads this they can leave a comment and answer my questions. Okay??

1. The directions on the Borax Natural Laundry Booster and the Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda both say to add like 1/2 cup to you laundry ALONG with your regular laundry detergent to help aid in cleaning. How does this laundry soap work then if you only add 1/2 - 3/4 cup of each the Borax and Arm & Hammer to the whole 2 gallons that you make. I don't get that. You get 64 loads out of the same 1/2 cup of each of the items that you add to 1 regular load of laundry "as an additive"??????? Please explain this one to me!!! I don't get it??????
2. Okay, I melted the Ivory Bar Soap and then as soon as you add the Borax and the Arm & Hammer powder there is an instant gel. Why does it gel?? Again, I don't understand this and why does such a small amount of soap turn all that water into such a thick gel??? I'm no a scientist, but I am very curious. ?????

So anyway, I made the soap earlier tonight. Actually, it was kind of enjoyable (even if I don't fully understand it). I had the kitchen window open (we finally had a nice spring day!) while I cooked the soap and washed dishes. My kitchen had the nicest aroma of fresh spring air and Ivory Soap. What more could a girl ask for!! I'll let you know how it works, I have enough of my store bought detergent (I say that now like it is a dirty word!) left for a load or two. So, I'll start on the new homemade stuff tomorrow. I feel so domesticated right now!!

Oh yeah, I also found a video where a lady is making basically the same type of soap in her kitchen http://www.metacafe.com/w/821928/ . Oh, 1 more thing, I added 2 bars of the Ivory Bar Soap instead of one

1. I like the smell of Ivory Soap
2. I have a bed wetter and anything extra I can to help take away the smell of the urine is more than welcome. Maybe I should have added some vinegar and cut out part of the water?? I guess that will give me something to think about!