Sunday, April 18, 2010

Old Dog, New Trick


They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Hah.  This old dog has just performed a new trick that is going to have her family impressed, amazed and in a total state of shock and disbelief.

I have competed – totally FINISHED, get this … not one, but TWO gifts - a full 6 weeks ahead of time. Did you hear … I am saying AHEAD of time!

I know exactly when the “IOU The Rest of Your Gift” program started. Christmas 1981.  After working til the wee hours on Christmas Eve, I came to the realization that in spite of my most valiant effort, 4 year old Jaime’s dollhouse would not be finished. In desperation and exhaustion, I left a note from Santa that said ‘My elves were too busy – get your Mom to finish this.’  Same note on Daniel’s ‘supposed-to-be-rocking-horse’, which was even further from completion.
The house was taller than her at the time.

The middle room was the bathroom - still needs
the 'fixtures' to this day. The bedroom was
done in her own carpet & wallpaper with a
miniature version of her quilt.
I’m afraid it set a precedence.  There have been countless notes and good intentions over the years. I have become somewhat known for it.  The new ones – guys, babes – should appreciate that receiving that IOU certificate is like a rite of passage into my familyhood. Means they’re one of US.

That is because it is a ritual reserved for Family. I always, always have gotten my orders done for everyone else. I don’t recall a single time in three decades that I have disappointed someone by not having their item done. I may not get something that I wanted to make for a friend finished, but then I just never tell them my intentions – I just don’t give it to them at all & they're none the wiser.

Procrastination is not the issue here. Over-enthusiasm is to blame.  I have too many things that I want to create and not enough time.  And the fact is, there is one simple reason that I actually accomplished it this time.  I simply can’t Multi-Task like I used to.

Which is evident in the fact that I have not been able to post a single word here n 17 days.  That is because I have been busy working on a gift, that is now complete.  Did I mention … ‘AHEAD of time’?

So how long did Jaime have to wait for her dollhouse to be finished?  It will be thirty years this Christmas & not one single more thing was done to since that Christmas Eve.  And Daniel’s ‘supposed-to-be-horse’ moved to the dump without ever actually becoming a horse. 

If I were to actually finish the items that are connected to all the IOUs, and the things that are living in my mind that I WANT to do for my family, I’d have to start this very minute and not do one other thing until the day I die, which would have to be a very long time from now. It also could only happen if I didn’t come up with new ideas and intentions. Fat chance of that. ONE trick is enough for this old dog.
Not impressed with his 'will-be/might be horse' - a little
impractical for a wee one ... it was better in my head.
Actually, it was better LEFT in my head.
The tractor obviously went over better.





6 comments:

Sheryl Parsons said...

Oh, making the mistake of thinking I could "make" a gift is often my undoing, or leaves me feeling regret. For instance, I was going to give my sister in law and her new hubby a pastel of Christ that I did. Could I find it before we left the house to go to town yesterday, no way. Since the wedding and reception were yesterday I pulled out another piece of art and took it to Walmart to get a frame. Of course the only place to get a decent frame on short notice is Walmart, which is 100 miles away. Since we were headed that way anyway it worked out but waiting too long left me not being able to give the gift I wanted.
Yay for you for getting your gifts done early!
Love the dog in the sweater, is he an afghan?

suzanne.artist said...

Wow very impressive work EV! and your blog is chock full of news too!

Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind words.

SU

EvScott said...

Hey SU ... nice of you to pop in - your work is pure SMILE:) Oh Sheryl ... can't I relate! I be the piece that you gave them was absolutely wonderful. That was lucky you found a frame - you'd be doing the IOU thing that I'm famous for;)
Yes ... he was an afghan - my brother washed his hair with shampoo every and put him in the sweater. They loved that dog SO much - tragic story though.

Anonymous said...

Who is the mennonite guy holding Daniel?

EvScott said...

I know! Isn't that hilarious. That's exactly why he was never encouraged to grow a beard.

Jill at buckscountyfolkart.blogspot.com said...

I love it! Procrastination isn't to blame, blame it on over-enthusiasm. HAHA! I'll have to remember that next time I have to iron...which will be in a day or two!