Friday 9 December 2011

Motivation to do: the cards

I know I've said this before, but here's a little tiny bit of my domestic life - it's vaguely relevant:  Mr Dunnit and I wake up at the same time - he's already awake, but for me, it's that damn radio.  I always, always lie in bed and let him get on with his day for a good half hour.  Doesn't matter if we awaken at 5.30 or 8.30 - that's how it is.  We don't speak, but just before he goes downstairs, we manage a kiss and a 'good morning'.  I listen to him fill the kettle and start his day.  I muse upon the way my day will turn.  I have to have some definite goals. 'Working' at home can very quickly slide into doing nothing.  This is why I prefer a routine.  Because genuinely doing nothing would make me feel even more guilty! Here's the relevant part:   Yesterday, whilst trying to preserve the warm spot vacated by himself, it occurred to me that there's more to making the Christmas cards than erm, making them.  I don't know why or how, but I had not factored in the writing and posting part.  It's not, to be honest, amongst my favourite Christmas jobs.  I get tongue tied about whether the card is from all of us or just me or just him, depending on the recipient.  I get bothered by children's names and get guilt over having not seen or communicated with some recipients since last sending a Christmas card.  And for a special this year, we have cards to send from our business, which gave me another attack of the vapours - is it 'de riguer' to send handmade? Maybe I should just buy some after all.  Oh lawks.    
Mr Dunnit always sprints upstairs to say goodbye.  We have a brief discussion about work things that I may need to do and he always feigns an interest in my plans for the day.  Yesterday, I ran off a list of chores and added Christmas things that need doing...including the cards.  (It makes me feel a great deal better about myself if I sound really busy when asked what I'm doing by the bread winner). Mr Dunnit as usual, lends his wisdom and left brain logic to my angst over the card situation. He said ' you've made them now haven't you?' and when I confirmed that, he said 'well, just write in them and send them, that's a job done then.'  Indeed it is Mr Dunnit.  And I suppose no one will take the trouble to ring and moan about crappy handmade cards will they.  They haven't before.  So yesterday I spent the afternoon writing, enveloping, addressing, licking.  It wasn't exciting and man, it took much longer than I'd anticipated.  At least today I have a satisfying 'done' pile.  And a strike through on the list.  Now that IS a job done.  Wrapping next?  No.  I'll just consult my list.
Have a lovely weekend. 

27 comments:

Aisling said...

Ooh, this is sooooo recognisable! I totally understand your 'angst over the card situation' and I'm so glad for you that you had this chore over and done with! Your lovely cards will make lots of people, I'm sure!

Helen said...

Well done you on getting them written - I must do that tomorrow - and in the post - so maybe better to write them tonight - oh lawks!! Your post today rang a bell with me too - though at least now I'm only me, they can only come from me!! Have started to receive cards in the post so it is high time to crack on and stop prevaricating (or making Tim Tags even!!) LOL. Have a productive day - doing something!

Artyjen said...

It could have been me you were writing about!! HOL
So much angst to write the cards.....pity I have not made a proper start on making them either!! That's a task for next week ;)
xoxo Sioux

Debs Willis said...

Hee hee! That was me yesterday - couldn't find the damn list of who we send cards to, some have moved, some have separated/divorced, sadly some have passed away, and couldn't remember kids names etc etc.

Then today woke up remembering a name that had been missed off the list! Grrr!

Joan V said...

Loved your little post today. Guess we all have your same dilemma during this time of year. My problem is that I love to write a little note in each card. Talk about taking so much time to get these cards out in the mail. Whew. Well, I am off to do my task. Have a great and productive day.

Craftychris said...

Well done writing all your cards - everyone will love them I am sure!! I still have mine to write - I agree it is not easy and last posting dates loom all too quickly!! Have a fab weekend x

Di said...

So funny - I think we can all relate to this! Much more fun making the cards than writing them for sure :)) Di xx

jill said...

there are two i loath having to write out the cards & wrapping presents , Well done for getting all yours done.

Kirsty.A said...

Well done for getting them finished - now you just need to get to the post office - I have procrastinating over that one for 4 days now

Elizabeth said...

Hi Julia, I can identify with this ... really don't like writing up the cards and consequently do it a few at a time ... writing them all up in one session would bring on writer's cramp and mental gloom. In previous years I wrote a little note in each card to assuage the neglect-based guilty conscience, but now I don't even do that. Friends in Germany only send cards out to anyone they know they are not going to see over the holiday ... perhaps a custom worth adopting :)) Elizabeth x

misteejay said...

Your lists are doing a lot better than mine at the moment LOL

Luckily I don't have many cards to post as most of mine get delivered by hand.

Toni xx

Michelle Jaramillo said...

Girl! I envy you! Yours are done and yours are handmade.

I meant to start my Christmas cards in August, but the landslide of depression over losing my father in July didn't subside until late October. So I never got them done, I never bought the supplies, and I procrastinated. Luckily we had a family portrait done this year and it makes a beautiful photo Christmas card. So, I get to do today what you did yesterday and I am NOT looking forward to it.

P.S.
I fret over the same things as you when completing the cards, no worries. I guess it's normal. : /

Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Julia I just howled at this post. It is so great. Congrats. on completing that task. I didn't send cards for my whole life until about 8 years ago when a neighbor moved in and sent me a card with beautiful calligraphy writing on the envelope, complete with rubber stamped images all colored in with pencil crayon and glitter added. The postage stamp dictated the design of the card (use of colored ink, or rubber stamp image...i.e. first year it was a santa stamp and the image a full on santa in sleigh with all reindeer) so I started doing the same. Purchased cards, but with calligraphy (I use script) writing and some sort of rubber stamp image and a dash of glitter, all dictated by the image of the stamp on the envelope. This takes TIME. But do the people who receive them love them. It's worth it. The recipients of your hand made cards are lucky, lucky, lucky! *smiles* Norma

JoZart Designs said...

You should be proud of yourself! I understand about all that angst about all those factors but with age (I'm getting geriatric) comes the choice not to worry about anyone or anything as long as you aren't hurting anybody. As a result I no longer send cards, handmade or bought. DH sends some and that's his choice. It is a worry removed for me! I urge more people to try it!
Jo x

Bethan said...

you reminded me that I need to get on with ...er...making mine!!! as usual you are highly entertaining!

Siobhan Brignull said...

well done you, I havent even finished making them, Im beginning to feel a visit to the shops might speed things along x

fairy thoughts said...

Well done Julia
I'm just doing a bit of late night blog hopping after writing my cards, so I'm feeling smug too. Can you really buy cards, why??????
janet

Mrs A. said...

That sounds jut like me and The Doc in the mornings. I am so not a morning person. We sat and did our cards yesterday too all shop bought mind you . Hugs Mrs A.

Terrie said...

That is the dilemma with cards, isn't it. Some of my handmades turned out better than others - do I send the ones I like less or just hope that the recipient will appreciate hand made, no matter the quality? They won't see anything to compare it with after all! I'm going with that - they'll LOVE receiving a hand made card! Good for you to have addressed them already. You're miles ahead of me!

Dragon said...

Oh my I know JUST what you mean!!! The miraculous part would have been if HE had offered to write at least a few!!! but they don't do they!!?? My second time around chap DOES, because I tell him that his work peeps are HIS responsibility!!! So I get out of a few!!! This year has gone to pot with mum bbeing here - broken wrist then new situation = not got them made in time... I am NOT beating myself up, I expect most peeps won't even notice!!!
Have a great week
Frankie
xx

jodpea said...

I've only written on two and on the second one I papercut my lip on the envelope! :(

jude said...

You sound very much like me in the morn .Pad pen and the list begins otherwise my brain fog takes over and hubby will say did you do that or ring so and sop .Nope because forgot .So now i go through home made note books like going out of fashion but at least i remeber and get them crossed of my list in my wee black book!
Yep years ago black book with all the men's names in Boy how it changes through the years...lol
Well good luck with the wrapping,and take a deep breath at post office when you buy the stamps...i nearly died...!
Have fab monday
judex

Ruth said...

Hi Julia,
thanks for visiting my blog. Yours is a treat to read - I'm way too "bashful" to tell the blogging world much about my self but I love reading your thoughts.
I also sent you an email at the weekend about a couple of dies you have for sale. Did you get it or did it go into your spam?
Bye for now, Ruth x

Morti said...

Mental note to self - must write cards today....

Anonymous said...

oh lord how I love your writing style and the way you can make the everyday seem funny. I too need to get down to writing my cards and to wrapping a few presents!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://atenolol.red/]atenolol[/url] [url=http://stromectol.tech/]stromectol[/url] [url=http://ipratropium-albuterol.eu/]ipratropium albuterol[/url] [url=http://howmuchdoesviagracost.eu/]how much does viagra cost[/url] [url=http://cialis-10mg.science/]cheap cialis 5 mg[/url] [url=http://clindamycin-300mg.gdn/]clindamycin[/url] [url=http://nexiummedication.link/]nexium[/url]

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Long story as to why I’m on this very old blog post (I was wanting to double check Judy’s blog for Neet) but found as going through your old WOYWW posts and some of others too you’ve lost your photos I’m guessing because of google + .. not sure you knew maybe you did. If not sorry to be bearer of bad news.
Hugs Shaz in Oz.x