Wednesday, October 29, 2008

procrastination.


pro·cras·ti·nate
Pronunciation: \prə-ˈkras-tə-ˌnāt, prō-\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): pro·cras·ti·nat·ed; pro·cras·ti·nat·ing
Etymology: Latin procrastinatus, past participle of procrastinare, from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow
transitive verb : to put off intentionally and habitually
intransitive verb : to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done

I know. I am procrastinating. I don't know what it is about sewing Halloween costumes. Maybe it is the sewing extravaganza from last Halloween that I'm remembering. The boys want to be more simple things this year, but still...I'm just nowhere near done.

It isn't like I haven't tried to start. But you know how procrastination is. There are so many other things to do. Things that "have" to be done. Like carving pumpkins. Like working in the garden (and watching the birds and the chipmunks).


Doing crafts with kids.


These cute kids - that distract me - they want to read, play, snuggle, have fun, do things.


Or what about all of those other things that are absolute musts. I mean, Sunday was chicken day after all, so we had to drive to the farm, pickup chickens, and then process them, make stock.


Then today was another scheduled farm pickup - my turn to drive down. Gotta go!


And what about all of those photos that just HAD to be taken. I just can't stop taking pictures!


And it gets dark so early now, and how can I sew when elaborate light saber dance performances are going on in the dark living room? It's too dark to sew anyway. And I can take pictures.


It doesn't help that I have allergies and a sinus infection. And, of course I need sprouts. Mmmmm, sprouts. s.p.r.o.u.t.s...


Oh, right. I still have two days left, right? I sketched the ideas out, had the boys lie down on the fabric and I drew where I want to cut - and actually have a ghost costume cut out! You see, that is progress.

I'll have time tomorrow (or maybe tomorrow night or even Friday). The sewing machine is too loud when the boys are in bed anyway, and I have to post to my blog, and of course mess with my iTunes playlist...it needs to be just right, you know, so that it is the right mood to get the most work done.

Of course, with all that in mind, maybe it is not procrastination after all. Wikipedia states "Psychology researchers also have three criteria they use to categorize procrastination. They believe that procrastination must be counterproductive, needless, and delaying."

Well, maybe delaying, but certainly not needless, come on!

It also states "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. "

Nope, definitely not me. Not procrastinating. I'm perfectly happy not sewing costumes!

24 comments:

Sharon said...

Well, you really do have to keep your eye on those chipmunks! I wouldn't start to panic until maybe 3 o'clock on Friday. Good luck and I hope you're feeling better soon!
Happy Halloween.

tiff said...

oh how i love this post and can relate!!! your photos are beautiful...love the one of you in it!!!

as for sewing...well lucky A & G that you take this on...I am just not a seamstress no matter how many times i try...i could barely get dog blankets sewn up for the Iditarod last year...and heck those are straight lines...yikes!

Here's to procrastination!

Lisa said...

Cheers to procrastination!!! I still have to finish a faerie crown and wand and find some way to make Jengo Fett's helmet stay on! Hope you are feeling better. I love the photos, especially of you and the light sabers!

Anonymous said...

lots of giggles here.

i always say that me and procrastination...we're as thick as thieves...peas in a pod...bff!

happy halloween!!

Claudia - La Casa nella Prateria said...

That's exactly what I'm feeling this year... I am not sewing costumes, I'm too tired. I made treat bags (so I don't feel too guilty) and I will buy some horrible, bad quality costumes. I guess the kids will survive...

Sarah said...

I've left the entire business in my girls' hands :)

Tara said...

Great post!
Time is running out for Halloween Prep- we're working on Owen's mask this morning!

Lynnie said...

I think you're doing the right thing by procrastinating! I made my girls' costumes early so they could attend a party a few days ago and they have been wearing them every day and trashing them (accidentally, of course). I had to hide them in the trunk of the car. Ferris wheels and rockets take time to make and they're going to survive until actual Halloween if it kills me!

By the way, your boys are so gorgeous! Can't wait to see what you concoct for them costume-wise!

woolladyfelter said...

Sigh... you are not alone!
I always say the same thing every year. I wonder how many moms are sitting on the floor right now cutting and sewing a (Beautiful in their eyes) outfit. Keep plugging away - it will be wonderful.

piscesgrrl said...

I'm perfectly happy not sewing costumes too - which is why I never do it! Or, maybe it's that i don't remember how to operate a sewing machine. Or a needle and thread for that matter. Or that I had to redo my *sweatpants* project in high school 3 times - and sweatpants don't really have a SHAPE! I'm hopeless.

Can't wait to see your finished costumes!

dawn klinge said...

This post was great....I can relate so well! You have so many fun/worthwhile things that are distracting you. Those costumes will be so cute when you get them done. My son must have asked me thirty times yesterday when Halloween would get here.

Anet said...

The sketches are just adorable!

Tara said...

You're all having so much fun... I bet you could send the kids out the door with paper bag costumes and they'd happy, just because of your great attitude.
I really love the picture that has you in it. What a cute shot.

Unknown said...

I JUST finished ours last night - a witch and a vampire bat! Phew - loads of procrastinating makes me glad it is over. Good news is that my blog is updated as well as my iTunes :)

Jodi Anderson said...

I'm glad that you're taking so many photos, because I am definitely off my game this week.

Also, I know that I mentioned it on Flickr, but I adore that photo of you. I feel certain that I'll recognize you should we ever cross paths in Madison. :)

One more thing: Thanks for your very kind and understanding comment the other day. You really nailed it right on the head ... not having a lot of friends and how it's warranted to feel so lonely when a major part of my tightly-knit family is gone too long.

Something that I always thought was beautiful was once reading that Paul and Linda McCartney never spent one night apart from the time they got together. (Or, maybe there was one night when he was in jail for marijuana.) Still, their love is still an inspiration.

Nevis said...

Ha ha ha! I just found your blog. You're a beautiful photographer and I love the way you wrote the post. :) And yes, I can relate to the procrastination.

denise said...

Nice to see I'm not the only one! :D Got much farther today...and only had one OH NO DID I RUIN IT ALL moment (nope, all is fine!).

Jodi - you are a kindred spirit, indeed...

World Wide Alternative said...

Lord!
That made me very sleepy.
Not through boredom understand, just the energy it would have taken to type all that up let alone live it!
I'm off for a lie down & to thank my lucky stars we don't do Halloween over here...;) XXxx

Ayla said...

I was proud of myself this year I got started early HOWEVER one part I did seriously procrastinate on - the paper mache darth vader helmut. I finally mached it last weekend but I only now painted it black, just a few minutes ago. I don't know why I was so stuck on that issue. Every year I swear I'm going to start on Halloween in like July so I have more time to concentrate on the outfits, go into more detail....oh I dare to dream :)

Chole White said...

Funny, costumes are the only thing I ever manage to get done :P Maye we should trade.

You deal with these darned cupcakes that L wants to bring to a party Saturday & I'll deal with the costumes.

Then no one will have to procrastinate :)

Chole

Anonymous said...

Ooh - do you can your chicken stock, then? I've only heard of freezing it and have been looking for affirmation (anywhere!) that it's safe to can. Don't want to be paranoid, but... Would love your input!!

Anonymous said...

No, no, they have it all wrong: procrastination just spurs on the creative juices with all the deadline pressure!

Gwen Buchanan said...

well i can relate to procrastination... I am guilty of that.. now I am working like a mad-woman trying to catch up...


aaaaawwwww... but that free time sure felt good!!!

denise said...

MJ (fivegreenacres) - I'm sorry I didn't reply to you on the chicken stock! I'm behind.

I don't can the stock. I put a bunch in the fridge and use it quite fast in cooking. I freeze some too in ice cube trays and then pop the cubes in our chest freezer.

I haven't tried canning any or looking that up yet -- I don't have a pressure canner! :)