Sunday 23 November 2014

I was going to, but now I'm not.

Even though my life is one long holiday, I've been experiencing some difficulty fitting in all that needs to be done.  I shan't list it, it's not interesting and probably doesn't come close to what real working women achieve every day.  One of the great things about working with your spouse is that it sort of gives you the flexibility that working on payroll doesn't. But despite this, I have struggled.  And the one thing I felt that I could let go of without massive impact was the Workshops. Contrary to the impression I give, I only do two a month - a morning and a repeat in the evening, once a fortnight. Nothing major, but increasingly difficult to get the samples done in good time for publicising and then time off to get the kits sorted and then a day off to be there meant that looking from any direction, I was experiencing guilt. Guilt affects my mojo too, so overall, it seemed that the Workshops would have to go. There's no point advising me to get over it, I'm female and born under the sign of Cancer.  Ipso facto, I experience guilt.



So, I told Shopkeeper Gal that I was retiring, and started to let others know too.  She was
gracious and offered me 'guest spots' on her future schedules and told me to change my mind at anytime.  I know for a minute there, it made her panic, but there's always someone else and her new workshop schedule now has a different name on it.  Mr Dunnit was shocked when I told him (at the stage of fait accompli, I must admit).  He suggested that I would miss it.  I know that I would, but didn't admit it.  He said I'd miss the people. Of that I'm sure. He said I was being foolish.  Oh. I was trying to make some more time for other stuff.  He pointed out that not taking the chance to HAVE to make some cards might mean that I stop completely.  I can't disagree with this as a theory; it had crossed my mind. He said he understood why, but that I'd regret it.  I was already regretting it, so he had that right.  So I told Shopkeeper Gal that at the risk of mucking her about, I'd like to change my mind. Twice.  I'd like to continue, but only to do one a month.  She remained gracious and implied that it would be helping her out.   How nice. 


This means that the self started rumours of retirement are of course now wildly exaggerated.  I'm simply going to be in a mojo-less panic slightly less often.  That's a good thing.  Mr Dunnit didn't mention whether he expected the whole day gained to be spent at work with him. I do actually have a plan for it and it doesn't really involve the inside of HIS workshop.  Hmmm.....


20 comments:

Helen said...

I am sure that everyone involved and who attends your workshops, is thrilled (and mightily relieved!) that you have had a change of heart... hope your plans for your "spare" day come off.... much love xx

voodoo vixen said...

What a special man your Mr Dunnit is... he knows you so well wants what will keep you the happiest... now you can have some time to do things you want and still make lovely cards!!

Sue said...

Glad you haven't given up the card classes completely.

Hope the extra time you have you do something you enjoy. Sue

Annie said...

It's never easy to make these decisions is it? Doing one instead of two a month seems like a good compromise. I'm certain you would be very missed if you retired.
Hugs,
Annie x

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Ah, I'm glad you've changed your mind...though the freed up days and lack of sample pressure would have helped your schedule, I know you would have missed it. One day a month is a good compromise.
Hugs (and hope to see you later)
LLJ xx

Kathyk said...

Mr D plainly knows you well and led you to your decision. I hope you will continue to enjoy your one workshop per month.

Kathyk

Rosie said...

It takes a grown up to know when she might have made the wrong decision. Everyone should have SOME time in their life just to play ... I have most of mine!! Lovely to visit here again.

Mrs.D said...

What a wise and wonderful man you have there. Keep hold of him and maybe occasionally use your extra day to spoil him, but use the day mainly for 'me' time.

misteejay said...

Mr Dunnit really does know you well. I'm sure you would have missed the workshops.
Lovely makes in your post - the first card is my favourite.
Toni xx

Anonymous said...

So glad you are staying, you would be very missed by customers and even more by me! I was in panic mode for a while hoping u would change your mind but I think the new workshop schedule is going to be great. Less pressure for us both.

Leslie Hanna said...

Having done workshops myself for many years, I know exactly how you feel. I was working full-time and doing three sessions one weekend a month. Between the planning, kitting, and the set-up and take-down, it was just too much to do.

Everyone understood when I stopped my workshops, but we were all sad. The one thing I do miss is the camaraderie and the FUN everyone had. That is totally the best part.

I think you've made the right decision by cutting back from two to one. Less pressure, less prep, and you still get to experience the happy ladies playing at their craft.

I'm actually a bit jealous. :) Now that I'm retired, I wish we had a local shop where I could do classes.

SO, can you divulge your plans for your new-found free time?

fairy thoughts said...

Ah the whole between a rock and a hard place thing ... I know it soooo well. You would indeed miss it ... Crafting is a way of life and some times I only get stuff done ... Because I have too. If I didn't have to what would I do instead..... Oh ok I would do something else instead but I'm sure you get my meaning.... Actually I'm not sure I do. I think what I'm trying to say is ... Do what makes you happy
Janet ... Obviously from another planet today 😙

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Stepping back is much better than stepping down in this case, I think. A happy medium. I'll miss my classes when I have to get a *real* job. Once Sam is at uni I'll have no excuses!

Anonymous said...

I gotta say I love the purple one :)

Being self-aware is a blessing - and a curse when you try to go against what you KNOW you are like. It's like me being foolish enough to try to do a year long, regular project. I just don't have the sticktoitivness and I KNOW THIS with every fibre of my being. And yet ...

:)

PS how was the little tipple? I'm dying to know if Bombay East is your new favourite....

MA

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

I know it's not Wednesday Lol! but just thought I would pop over anyway to see how you were getting on. I had to grin when you said about strugling to get everything done. When I worked full-time I seemed to manage everything nicely and now I am retired I struggle to do do the things that need to be done. I have a calendar that is chock-a- block full but what I have realised is that when you go out to work, people expect less of you but when you are at home they think you have more time, little do they know Lol!
Have a great week, Angela x

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I can understand your desire to stop teaching the classes. Burnout hits us all. It might come in the form of quitting teaching, or some other thing, but it still happens to the best of us.

One year, I made a few corsages for friends for Mother's Day. Suddenly EVERYONE wanted one. I was overwhelmed with people asking to buy them. I sold over 300 corsages that I originally only wanted to make for a few friends. I made them on the way to work, on the way to school, at lunch, and every spare moment I wasn't studying. In the end, I completed all the orders ON TIME, and vowed never to make another corsage again. And I have never made another one since then. In fact, I no longer make floral arrangements, even though I was told I was good at it.

So glad you found the right compromise before you got so burned out you didn't want to make another card ever again. and so glad you had Mr. D to guide you through the process. You are blessed, dear.

Belinda Basson said...

I can relate to your dilemma...

I have been teaching twice, sometimes 3 times a month at my local store. Now the owner is closing it at the end of the year and I was looking forward to having more time to do what I need to do.

I don't think those who attend workshops are aware of the behind the scenes things that take place. My opinion is that they are of the impression that we are full of ideas, never struggle to come up with a coherent class and that it just all falls on their desks with no time taken in hours of kitting at all...

I think I should log a class from beginning to end...concept to fruition. I think I would be astounded to really know how much goes into it as it is done in small bites between a million other things in a week or tow and then for a few more hours during "crunch time" the night before to kit up!

Now Due to popular demand, I will be teaching paper crafts from my art studio next year! So I also wasn't and now I am!

Lynne Mizera said...

Thanks for puting into words so perfectly, what many of us guilt-ridden women experience daily. And doesn't it make you feel warm and fuzzy that your awesome Mr. Dunnit knows you so well! Glad you found a nice solution to your dilema and that you will continue to enjoy that wonderful energy only teaching a group can give you!

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Could this maybe be considered a semi-retirement then? We have a lady at work who retired 2 years ago but she is here almost every day during the lunch hours to fill in (of course for pay). I'm sure those taking your workshops are happy that you've come back. I know what work those workshops can be. But I also know how rewarding they can be.

Robyn said...

thankfully Quietfire brings out your dark side! Maybe you'll have more time to guest with us again! thanks for featuring the stamp !