Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Tuesday, The practice of doing.

     I love the blog "If you do stuff, stuff gets done".  I think it is such a cute title and such a great concept.  The owner of this blog is always busy doing something, but freely admits to down times.  She has great ideas, which I steal on a regular basis.

     Most of the comments on my blog are about how busy I am, and I  have to admit I am busy.  People often comment on how much I work or what is accomplished on a daily basis.  I have had snarky comments left on the blog and I am sure I irritate the crap out of people.  But I am sorry.  I just do stuff.  When I do stuff it gets done.  Do you see the the analogy?  Here let me hit you over the head with it.

     I don't stay busy to make you feel bad.  I don't stay busy so I can write about it.  I stay busy because I like to work.  I have a business to run.  I have a mother that needs constant care.  I have bills to pay.  I have a lot of bills to pay.  I have a responsibility to myself, my family and church, my community and the world.

     I cannot count the times I have had a person (usually in church) that will say,  "Is there anything you can't do?"  This is almost always said in a nasty voice while turning away to a group of women that will never include me.  I want to scream at them.  "I did not make myself this way, I do not do this on purpose to make you feel bad, so why do you try to make me feel bad?"  I pay a terrible price for my mind and my energy level. Why is it necessary to beat me up over what I see sometimes as a disability?  And by the way,  "If you do stuff, stuff gets done."

     If you practice a skill you become better at it.  If you cook from scratch over and over, you become better at it.  If you sew constantly you become very good at it.  It is the same with any concept, singing, playing an instrument, dancing, acting, directing, staging, choreographing, speaking a foreign language, knitting, crocheting, painting, carpentry, making pies, gardening, canning, preserving, crafting, creating anything, if you do stuff stuff gets done and you also become better at it.

     There is a sister in my ward at church that spins and knits beautiful sweaters.  I remember going up to her one Sunday when she had on a red sweater.  It was fine and beautiful.  The stitches in it were intricate.  I approached her almost in a form of worship and asked her if I could touch the arm of the sweater.  Then I asked if she had made it, carded it, spun it, dyed it? When she responded yes I was in awe.  The workmanship, the time it took her to create such a beautiful garment left me spell bound.  I told her how wonderful I thought she was, how I appreciated her skill and knowledge.  I could tell she was taken aback.  Because no one else probably would notice and if they did would not comment, and if they did comment it would be off handed and full of small grapes.

      I have two spinning wheels, one for fine and one for thick thread. They were inherited.  I know how to spin, I know how to knit.  I am not good at either skill.  I would love to be, but I have not put in the time or the practice.  I admire people who have.  I tell them I admire them in a sincere and kind way.

     Okay enough of my rant.

     I have a busy doing day ahead of me.  I can hear that mom is up and I will need to make her breakfast.  I will need to take her to the store.  I will use coupons.  I will finish altering a wedding dress, I will hem  7 pairs of pants, and take in and tailor fit 12 men's dress shirts.  I will iron pillow cases and other clothing that is piling up, take care of chickens, clean and straighten a little of my house, transplant some over grown plants, make dinner and and also a meal to take in to a couple of elderly sisters in my church that are sick.  It will consist of roasted chicken, that I bought whole on sale for .69 cents a pound, I will use potatoes from my garden,which I will mash and add some gravy, acorn squash from my garden.  I will make an apple salad with some mealy apples that need to be used and add a dozen home made cookies that we made last week. There do you feel bad now?  Do you want to chastise me?

excuse me but I am doing stuff.....

     Have a great and productive day staying positive while you are in the negative.

Kim

25 comments:

  1. Snarky comments on your productivity? Meh, sour grapes. I try to emulate, not criticize people who live in a way I find laudable.

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  2. I can guarantee you that in the past I have been just as productive as you. However, I am not capable now. If I say anything about your working so much, it is in awe but not snarky, I ache to be able to be more productive. People in my life in the past have marveled that I managed to do so much and do it well. I have a twinge of envy and happiness for you, if any emotion, that you do so much. Some day...

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    1. Well, that appeared to be an ugly comment. I was a much younger woman when I worked everyone else into the ground and left them in my dust! No one marvels at my ability now...lol. I cannot do as much as anyone, practically nothing. Yes, some days, I think maybe you work too hard and say so. I thought you were sleeping on the floor! You are running a business in the middle of your life. I did that, but there was no husband or mother or outside duties. So, I am in awe.

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    2. You are so funny and it must be hard to be able to not do things any more. I know that day will come for me. So I better get stuff done now.

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  3. Oh, this was funny! Frankly, I simply am in awe of what you get done. I am such a methodical person. I work hard but not particularly fast. I stay on top of things and clean up my messes as I go. I declutter often. I know what I can and cannot do, and I do know that I would never be able to accomplish in a typical day what you do. It really is different strokes for different folks!

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    1. Well I admire you as I don't stay on top of things and often run behind.

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  4. I would not worry about what other people think or "perceive". It is your life, your happiness, and the overall well being of your loved ones that should be a priority. I worked three jobs for two years while pursuing a master's degree in nursing. If folks have issues or concerns about the amount of "doing" maybe it is their own insecurities.

    Do what you have to to care for your family, pay the bills, and provide for the loved ones.

    Deb

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  5. I'm sorry that people can be so snarky to you. (((((((HUGS)))))) I for one in am awe of all you get done. Even when I was healthy I could not hold a candle to what you accomplish. I will admit though that I do worry about you burning the candle at both ends. I just don't want to see you burn yourself out and crash like I have.

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    1. Debbie I also have RA and I take over $4000.00 a month worth of very serious drugs. Moving is a critical part of my treatment. When I don't move I stove up badly. Auto immune diseases are no joke. They are frustrating and trying and expensive. I admire how you handle yours.

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  6. I am in a quandary about what to say now, because I always comment about how much you get done. To me you are like some mystical whirling dervish who never stops, and I truly envy your energy.
    I just worry about the weight of all the hats you have to wear, especially the caregiver hat because I know how heavy that one gets,

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    1. Oh I don't mind the comments on how much I get done if they are put nicely. You are a kind woman who also does a lot for others. I wish I could cook like you. I mostly get crap from people at church. I have lived here for over 30 years and have no one I would come back to visit. Isn't that sad? Yet I go visit bloggers all the time. We are heading to Florida and then up through the civil war spots in the South. Are you near any of those?

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    2. Church was where I mostly got crap! Anne and I live near each other. Everyone in the South lives near civil war spots! It happened here, remember? just kidding you

      I have two autoimmune diseases and a rare disease and a rare condition. "Rare" is not my definition. It is official speak for what I have.

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    3. There are Civil war sites all around here and about 45 minutes south of Birmingham there is a confederate cemetery and also an confederate iron works. Like Linda said we are close to some civil war things just because it happened here. Where in Florida are you going?

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  7. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.

    I'm sorry people have been rude to you about your productivity and how much you accomplish. Pay them no mind. I struggle with getting things done, so I admire those who manage to accomplish many tasks. Hope you have a good day, tomorrow.

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    1. Well thank you looking forward to more of your posts.

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  8. Sorry for the nasty comments..
    I too, like the blog..if you do stuff/stuff gets done..
    I do not like to sit and do nothing,I enjoy getting stuff done. Admire your get up and go attitude.
    Have a great day..

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  9. I envy you your "get stuff done" way of life and feel downright lazy in comparison. Perhaps that's why people get snarky - they wish they were more like you but are too lazy! Finding the right balance is the key. I go madly for awhile then sit and read or whatever. That's just me, everyone is different and has a different activity level. Yours is what makes you YOU and I like you just the way you are :)

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    1. Someday I will do nothing.. After cremation maybe? I can't post on your blog and it bugs me.

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  10. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate, and is it really anybody else's business? I admire people who have energy and are on the move!

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