Ohmystinkinheck

Inspired by Schnozzfest’s grandfatherly wisdom to get back to “narcissistic blogging” - in other words, dive deeply into the pond of all things me, Me, ME!, I’ll continue the egomaniacal, and unfortunately ongoing, saga of trying to get to number 100 in my “100 Things About Me” list I should never have started.

What number am I on?

Um…#54.

Yes, I’m THAT interesting.

I managed to come up with exactly 50 things here, but then have only sputtered out a few more here, here, and if that wasn’t enough to chase you away, the last one I’ve posted was here.

Seriously, it is like a bad made for TV mini-series that will not quit.

But now the time has come for another mildly unnerving very important thing for you to know about me.

I HAVE GREEN EYES.

I’m joking…that isn’t really what I was gonna tell you.

What I WAS gonna tell you is I look like Cruella de Vil from the backside of my head.

Fine, fine, you’re growing weary of the jokes (although you gotta admit that one was kinda funny, albeit a tad blurry). Here we go then…

#54. Although task-oriented, there are few things I actually FINISH.

And by few, I mean 1 or 2 - fortunately I make a living doing those two things, so it’s all good.

Let’s take an arrowed a bulleted trip down memory lane, shall we? Yes, let’s.

• Age 7: Taught how to crochet by my aunt Betty, I set my mind to crocheting an afghan (not the hound or carpet, but a blanket). Beween tubing trips down the rapids, I wedged myself into varied positions on a lawn chair during our family camping trip to the Guadalupe River. I believe the yarn was hot pink and I believe I managed a sort of distorted pot holder.
• Age 10: Never one to give up, I attempted the same thing at the house of one of my dad’s work colleagues. I believe we had been invited over for dinner and I was somewhat friendly with their oldest daughter, so while our parents were visiting, we played in the back of the house. We were cold watching movies in her parents’ room - she from the temperature and me from the shock of seeing my first Playboy magazine next to the toilet in her dad’s restroom (My parents’ jaws just hit the floor-did you hear that?). I managed, with the girl’s help, to finish 4 strips that ran the length of her parents’ king size bed. I left it with her to finish.
• Age 11: Attempted to cross-stitch a mini-sampler. My mother did a large sampler (which she completed, framed, and hung on a wall), but I just wanted to try my hand at a mini version. I think it stayed under my bed in a bag, waiting to be finished, for half a decade before I realized I never would and sold it - half finished - at a garage sale.
• Age 15: My mom got into crazy quilting and I thought that it’d be fun/nice to do my own. I actually completed the piecing, but the quilting…um…I did three or four decorative corners and then folded it up and kept it until last year when I donated it to a ladies sewing group. Hey, maybe one of them will finish it.
• Age 17: Began a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. I’m nothing if not up for the challenge. I cut out enough hexagons of freezer paper and fabric to stock a small quilt shop. And then, I hand basted ALL of the edges down on ALL of the hexagons. It truly was monumental, because I put in HOURS on this project…HOURS. And then, trying to be true to myself, I stopped. Seriously people, I almost had them all pieced together. And now? Nearly 2 decades later, I don’t like most of the fabrics. Yea, well…it was my HORSE and jewel-tone phase, for crying out loud.
• Age late 20-something: Monthly Christmas Piece-a-Square Quilt Club. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was offered through a magazine and my aunt Betty (a woman, like my mom, who can FOLLOW THROUGH on crafty projects) got me going with it. She also purchased the remaining patterns as a Christmas gift one year. I nearly completed 3 of the 12 months; I still have that hanging around here. Truly, I’m cursed with this great get-up-and-go in the crafting world and then I go “Meh, not interested.” and don’t finish.
• Age late 30-something: I signed-up for yet another quilt square of the month club. How hard is it to sew ONE SQUARE a month? Apparently it is VERY hard. I completed three and then…stopped. Three being my magic number for failure apparently.

I’d like to say that this doesn’t apply to other things - like housecleaning, diets, and gym memberships, but I’d be lying out my teeth (what in the world does that mean anyway?).

I LOVE looking at crafts others do, and if it is something I can do in a short period of time (30 minutes to an hour - MAYBE even a day, but never a full weekend) and don’t have to stock up on supplies to do it, I’m all about it, BUT if it involves an extended period of commitment, it ain’t happenin’.

I may dream of it. I may honestly think THIS will be the time I’ll finish it. I might even know that I could do it better than someone else, but I won’t - truly WILL NOT finish it.

I think that is why I’ve chosen the profession I’m in. I get a challenge - “Can you build a website for me?” or “Can you customize my blog?” - and I accept knowing full well that I can finish in a matter of weeks. WEEKS, not months upon months and certainly not in a year, but in weeks (if not days). And that, THAT is doable. It is fun, exciting, challenging, creative, and DOABLE.

I’m a strong starter, but don’t ask me to run cross country.
One or two laps is what I do - and I’ll take you every time on that path, but you start stretching me and urging me to go down that hill and around that bend, and hey, check out this pattern, idea, project, etc…I’ll brainstorm to the ends of the earth with you, maybe even dig in and help you get started, but that is the length of my journey.

Y’know, until the next neurotic idea that I can actually alter the axis of the earth.

And then I have to ONCE AGAIN learn what I’ve already learned so many times before.

Who I am.

32 Responses to “Narcissistic Blogging - It’s What’s for Dinner”

1. bethany actually

   Hel-LO pretty lady! You certainly do have green eyes. And I am totally with you on the starting-but-not-finishing thing. Crocheting is one of the only crafty things I’ve ever managed to stick with. I’ve learned how to knit, cross-stitch, sew, embroider, and quilt, and even started various projects in all of those media. Have I finished any of them? Maybe one cross-stitch when I was about 10. And of course, one of the reasons I love potter-painting so much is that it only takes a couple of hours on my part!

2. Lanna

   I get schitzo like that, too. I can go all gung-ho on something, then just kinda stop. I have some delicious merino wool waiting to turn into something for a baby butt, scrapbooks to do/finish, blah blah blah. At least my project scrapyard in the basement doesn’t take up as much room as hubby’s discarded hobbies. :)

3. Laura McIntyre

   LOL I do love reading facts about people,i started a stupid ABC thing that im just wanting finished but cannot face

4. witchypoo

   What you finish, you do well. I’m the queen of finished mediocrity. Once it’s marked “done” in my tiny little brain, then I can move on to the next. Case in point, I have finished my 100 things about me, but they are one liners. I’m saving it for a day that I’m stuck for a post, and I figure I will do that 20 items at a time.Means there will be five posts of 20 less than riveting items about me. Then I will put it on a page. Sorry about the novel here. Tiny brain.

5. Steph

   I can so relate. So, so, so relate. I often tell people the only things I’ve ever completed were pregnancies, and those only because I had ob/gyns who weren’t willing to induce my labor when I was 8 months along.

6. Jules

   Your reason #54 is why I got into jewelry making. I love to make things but I do not finish what I start. I have done numerous cross stitch pieces but none of them are completely finished. However, I can make a pair of earrings in about 20 minutes, a necklace in an hour. It’s perfect for my short attention span.

7. chris

   I am the same way. I get so bored working on the same project, whatever that project might be.

   And I laughed at the comment above mine about only finishing pregnancies, because all of my kids were born early. Apparently I can’t even follow through on gestating!

8. Just Beachy

   Sometimes this list just seems to long to even get started, let alone finishing all the things I want to do…. I have on my about page that I’ve always wanted to do a 100 things about me list, but Im not sure I want to know myself that well….hee.

   Also, that is a beautiful picture of you. Just Beautiful!

9. Michele

   ha. If you could see all the knitting projects I have tucked away in various stages of completion you’d try to send me away to some kind of therapy group.

10. Dad

    “Playboy Magazine”, what’s that? A magazine devoted to kiddie parks?

    Actually what I see Mrs. OMSH, from a Dad’s “very” proud prospective, are your projects in-process and they are all beautiful … Em, Mer, Kenny, and of course, Mr. OMSH. I love each and every one.

11. Lanna

    That’s it. I officially want to steal your parents. ;)

12. KYouell

    I’m with Lanna, only I’m thinking that I might tell my parents I have a blog. After I tell them what a blog is, of course.

    Nah.

13. Kelly~ Mommy and the Marine

    Big Ol’ FAT Ditto here too. Add on some procrastination and I barely get through ANYTHING.

    (LMAO At your dad’s comment haha!)

14. Mrs. Wilson

    I’m laughing. Why? Becuase I’m thinking of half finished Tigger rug hook that I started, oh, 14 years ago and never finished. I re-started a couple times, and still never finished it. I still have it. Maybe it’s time to let go!

15. Mrs. Wilson

    Oh yea, and I thought it would be great to make my first baby a blanket while I was pregnant … I still have 4 crocheted (no idea how to spell that) granny squares that couldn’t cover a mouse.

16. Caron

    Anything started before the age of consent you are not required to complete. That’s your juvi record and it doesn’t count. So, in reality that’s only 2 unfinished quilting projects. Not bad.

17. OMSH

    OH MY Mrs. Wilson, yours takes the cake….LET GO!

18. OMSH

    Caron - I love when people clean up my record for me. LOVE IT! Thankyaverymuch.

    The rest of you who think I’d give over my parents - NO WAY…they put up with me EVEN NOW; they are priceless!

19. Serene and Not Herd

    I’m a great starter and terrible finisher.

    That’s probably part of why LEGO is a good hobby for me. Because I hate waste, I can just dismantle a failed project and start a new one…

20. Neil

    As usual, I’m just here to look at the pretty girls. Nice eyes. And you have a sarcastic smile.

21. Julie

    Yeah, I did the quilting thing, the candle-making thing, the stained glass-soldering thing and, oh yes, the crocheting thing. Too boring. Stained glass is the closest I can come to perfect, but there’s too much attention to detail needed. So…I just stick to reading ;)

22. Jill - GlossyVeneer

    Your green eyes are stunning.

    And your craft track record sounds JUST LIKE ME! But I never vowed to make anything by crocheting. I had one lesson from my grandmother that ended in copious amounts of tears and anger on both of our parts.

23. Carole

    You already have your craft mama!!

    I love those green eyes!

24. Mr. OMSH

    Craft fabric and supplies: $8,000.00
    Earnings for the time spent on crafts being paid at minimum wage: $15,000.00
    Being married to OMSH: priceless.

    For all of life’s ups and downs (no matter how extreme), I am here for you. For all the future expensive things in life, go get a MasterCard.

25. Angella

    First?

    YOU ARE HAWT!

    Second?

    I can stamp (make cards) and take an occasional good photo, but my first and last) attempt at quilting is in a box in my craft room.

    Sigh.

26. Mom2Six

    I have soooo many projects I want to do. These past few years, I decided not to start new long term projects until I first finish all (or at least most) of what I already have started. Just a few months ago, I finished a baby afghan that I started about 7 years ago. Baby #6 uses it, instead of baby #3.

    I’m making progress! Other projects have had to go, but if they are worthwhile, they can sit in a bag in the car and be completed while waiting…for the school bus, the doctor’s office, or whatever! Ten minutes here and there can really add up, even if it is over several years.

    Congratulations for moving on, though.

27. Mom2Six

    P.S. Did you cut or color your hair or something? It looks great in those pictures!

28. Keri aka KinnicChick

    Hope nobody ever makes me add up the money spent on unfinished projects/ideas that I wanted to attempt. Wish I had that money back… The boxes of stamping and memory book stuff I have! Oy. I did complete many crochet projects and a few knitting things. Some cross stitch and embroidery things. Can’t sew. Bought the beginnings of a quilting empire. Didn’t make a THING.

    Exercise rarely goes anywhere, but boy did we have the equipment! Until I challenged myself to that first 500 mile challenge to raise money for cancer research. And finished it! And did it again! And again! Unfortunately it only took my husband getting a brain tumor to motivate me, but it proved I could do it! I guess you just really have to want it. Sometimes I think we pick the projects we only think we SHOULD want to do, eh?

29. Adria

    You’re so beautiful. And the second photo reminds me how much I covet a Joy necklace.

30. OMSH

    I had a few extra minutes on my hands this morning and loved being able to go through and leisurely respond to all.

    bethany actually - Hey, what is the name of the pottery place you go to paint? I’m thinking of finding one of those in Houston and making it a Christmas Break get-away day.

    Lanna - You just had to bring up scrapbooks, didn’t ya? Anyone in need of creative memories stuff that has BARELY been used/touched?

    Laura McIntyre - What exactly IS a stupid “ABC” thing? Like a quilt or something?

    witchypoo - Finished mediocrity? I LOVE THAT. Bwahahahaha! Novels are fine. Epics are even better!

    Steph - Seriously, that is the best line ever? “What have I finished? THREE PREGNANCIES - BEAT THAT!” That’s a t-shirt in the making.

    Jules - I have learned that if I really love something I need to make sure not to try and make it. I love quilts; hate making them. I love jewelry; would NOT want to make it. I love all things paper goods; am NOT planning on making my own recycled paper. Nope, rather buy it from talented people like you.

    chris - ALL of my kiddos (all 3 of them *snicker*) like to roast for 41 to 42 weeks. Seriously. I’m like gestation queen, I swear.

    Just Beachy - thank ya for the compliments. I’m not sure I want to know 100 things about myself either, but I figured it was good blog fooder as I figure out almost 50 more. It’ll take years.

    Michele - Ah, but you make those cute little skull caps with ear flaps. EAR FLAPS!

    Dad - Yes, kiddie parks…exactly. *snort* Ahhhh, Dad, seriously, you’re a keeper.

    Lanna and KYouell - I’ve already responded…ain’t now way!

    Serene and Not Herd - Legos DO rock. If there is one gift that I wish I could give every kid in the world, it’d be a box of Legos.

    Neil - Sarcasm? Me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.

    Julie - Oh yea, I did stain glass too - gah! Do you have to bring to my attention yet another thing? You people! Oooooh reading…that IS a project I can wrap my eyes around.

    Jill - GlossyVeneer - Thank ya, I was asked yesterday if I wore green contacts. I just said, “Yep, and I frost my hair too.”

    Carole - As do you dah’lin, as do you.

    Mr. OMSH - For you, anything. Sky’s the limit baby.

    Angella - First? Thank you. Second? Stamping requires supplies; I’ll never go there. No, I won’t. I swear. I’m NOT buying stamping supplies. Hey, did you see how they are on sale at Michael’s…um…yea..um…bye.

    Mom2Six - I think you are the most sensible online person I know. Seriously. I see you as Mrs. Steady. I love steady - Mr. OMSH is steady. :)

    I did not/do not color my hair, but I did get the back trimmed up to sort of slowly match up with the slowly growing front. I’ve greyed from the front to the back - it’s trying hard to get there.

    Keri aka KinnicChick - YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I get this vision of being this crafty momma and then I dive in. And then I realize I’m not such a crafty momma and I gulp at the expense. And let’s not even talk about exercise. Okay, I will soon - just not now.

    Adria - I love my Joy and my Earth necklace. And thank you for the kind words. :)

31. Meg

    OK, so I have the same problem. I have a box full of half-finished counted cross-stitch and crewel embroidery and the beginnings of knitting who knows what. Haven’t picked up a needle to do anything other than frantic halloween costume stitching in, like, 20 years. But I felt so much better about it when, after my dear grandmother died - she of the 4 needlepoint dining room chair seats, needlepoint footstools for each grandchild, and countless quilts, pillows, etc. - we were going through her house and I found BAGS and DRAWERS FULL of the projects she had started but never finished!!! So you see? I come by it naturally! Vindication is a wonderful thing. Thanks, Grandma!

32. Loralee

    I think you have some of the most gorgeous peepers on the planet. :)