I awoke at 4:00 this morning, worried about completing the banners. But I didn't start work right away. Instead I read, drank two cups of coffee, and took the dogs out before going into the sewing room.
The first thing that caught my attention in the sewing room was this wad of bias binding that I had removed from one of the banners yesterday after deciding that the border was all wrong for the quilt.
This tangled mass of bias strips reminds me of my life right now. I promise myself, my husband, my dog, my doctor, my friends and family and anyone else who would like to claim this promise that I will never again voluntarily load myself down with this kind of pressure--and especially not on a holiday weekend.
Everything in my life seems tangled up and out of control right now, and I know it's the pressure to complete these banners in time, and the fact that my home is a cluttered mess--especially my sewing room. Just look (if you dare). 
The entire house doesn't look this bad, but you get the picture. (Now don't one of you call those "Clean House" people to come in here. I couldn't take them fooling around in my mess and throwing stuff out right now. Maybe later though.)
I did (with Vann's help) manage to get Thanksgiving dinner cooked, and we had Andy and Jesse over to eat with us. But the turkey was dry and the dressing was soggy, and I was so tired I don't even remember what anything tasted like.
Vann left yesterday for hunting camp, so it's just me and the dogs (Daisy is still with us). I keep thinking how nice it would have been just to spend the weekend in bed with a book, maybe get up to watch the Iron Bowl this afternoon. Instead, I have to go back into that wreck of a sewing room. Never. Never again. I'm never saying yes to anything again in my whole entire life. NEVER!!!!
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On 11/24/2007, Molly said ...
Now, that sewing room is NOT that bad!! I've experienced worse. I'm sorry you are so tired, hope you get a nice long break after these are done. Just think of how many people will be touched by your hard work! Shall I sing "Cooooount your blessings, name them one by one, coooount your blessings, see what God has done"? You will survive! I promise!!
Molly
On 11/24/2007, Gayle said ...
Never? Ever?
Even in the midst of "the perfect storm" (cooking,quilting,holidays)your posts are a treat to read. I loved visiting your quilting room...and it is not yet a mess, as I can still see the floor. :-)Gayle
On 11/24/2007, bj said ...
Bless your sweet heart...I do know just how you feel. Right now, you are so tired you don't know your name. Just take a mighty deep breath, say a mighty prayer for HIM to give you strengh to finish this project and then.....JUST SAY NO!!Easier said, sometimes, than done, I know. I'm saying a prayer for you so know that you've got lots of them going up. Maybe that will give you a little strength...
bj
On 11/24/2007, Karla said ...
Oh I know how you feel! I believe we both agreed we are volunteer addicts a while back. I've actually been saying no a lot lately!
Karla
On 11/24/2007, Pixie Patti said ...
Hey...I doubt if the dinner was as bad as you think! And once again you said "Yes" to saying "No"...You just can't win..
I am practicing, as I get older, to think for awhile before I blurt out a "Yes" Time's gettin' short and I don't want to waste it on things, or people for that matter, that make it unenjoyable.
Lessons lived are lessons learned. We just try to remember not to repeat them. Have a productive rest of the weekend and I agree with Molly that you will be soooo satisfied at the reaction from your beautiful banners.
On 11/24/2007, anita said ...
It's hard to say no, isn't it? But you'll get through this; and when you do, take a couple of nice leisurely days just for you. (And your sewing room isn't THAT bad; you should see mine . . . )
On 11/25/2007, Sherri said ...
Jesus loves you now and forever!
On 11/25/2007, Trudy Neill of Windemere Farm said ...
I look for your blog every single day, right along with Anita's Take Joy. We woman of many talents, often get tangled up. When I am overwhelmed...I thank God I can still see and still sew and cook. I too, have learned to slow down the brain when the heart is running to help do for others. Your banners are lovely and will be appreciated for years to come. Well done, carry on, take a break for a while and it will be over before you know it! God bless...
On 11/25/2007, Pam said ...
I certainly understand how much pressure you put on yourself by saying yes to making the banners - as they were such a lot of work. But you did such a lovely job, they are beautiful and 20 years from now they will still be loved by the people of the church - they will never forget how you made those beautiful banners for them.
Maybe you could talk the church ladies in to cleaning the house for Christmas -- LOL!!
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