I have read posts written by my fellow FFS bloggers – one thing we have in common, “works in progress.” In the past, I found myself embarrassed, at the number of unfinished projects I had on the go at any given time. My father, (negatively) criticized my flitting nature, lack of focus, and the like, when I was younger. He had to eat his words when I was diagnosed with ADHD at 35. (They tested boys in the 60’s but never girls) Those negative impressions stay with us, nonetheless, and I have been working to overcome the stigma since. After a couple years, of working on myself, I’m realizing it’s simply who I am. I should embrace this quality! I’m at my best, when I have lots of choices – on the go…and it’s perfectly okay, if it makes me freakin’ happy!

I’m discovering, organized supplies, a comfortable place for creativity, and a person to share with, is the best key to my “crafting-ness.” (A new word for Webster/Oxford?) If my creative space is messy, and I can’t find what I need, my mind reverts back to those old thoughts. 😝 Brian and I are approaching the rest of our lives with different perspectives. We expect to move/downsize, and/or leave our area, once something happens to my Mom. Until then we are playfully, preparing for our future. What does this “playful preparation” concept mean to us, you ask? It means everything we add to our life now, is for our “happily ever after.”

For example, we eventually want to relocate, to an area near water: maybe in Michigan, or maybe in a warmer climate. We both agree that watching the water, no matter where we are, relaxes us. We enjoy the cool colors that seem to accompany a water theme. So recently, when deciding to change our family-room space, into a crafting-room space, “beach colors” came to mind. We can’t get there physically, but we can get there in our minds – it represents a realistic “move” toward a “plan.” We replaced a (still lovely) traditional, Cherrywood 3 piece wall unit – housing a 32” TV, VHS tapes, 😱 DVDs, never played games, antiquated stereo system, and a collection of Dickens Village pieces – with an update. We installed a 65” OLED wall mounted TV (what a difference) and chose IKEA for their innovative design solutions. (Inexpensive – easy assembly – movable by senior citizens – and they had beach/color/themed bins.) We already own several pieces in their black/brown, faux-wood collections: my “in-house” yarn shop is decorated with them. Kallax units, with their larger cubbies, and numerous bin offerings, have always worked well. This year they offered a woven, beach-grass bin option, which is/was so considerate of them! 👍🏻 Our configuration of 24 bins, filled quickly with all my art supplies, fabrics and sewing/quilting supplies. We hadn’t even touched the surface of my knitting/crochet, felting, fiber selections and assorted paraphernalia, needing space.