Patrisha

November 17, 2006

This Is What I Need to Do

Today Fred is going to drive me out to the school where I am doing my Italian assignment so that I will know how to get there. I think I could do it by myself {in fact, if he is not up to it, I will do it by myself} because knowing where I have to go takes one worry off my mind.

I have been thinking about why I get so anxious when I have to drive to a place I have never been before. Part of it has to do with the fact that it is only in the last couple of years that I have had good eyesight. The problems with cataracts is that they get bad very very slowly and it wasn’t until I had no cataracts that I realized that I had been looking at the world through a deep sepia haze for a long time. Then, of course, there is the inevitable and not reversible slowing of the physical responses as one gets older. Both of these physical things contribute to the nervousness I have felt for a long time when I drive in or to a place I don’t know. The last reason is left over from the days when my father used to give me literally two minutes. If I was to meet him at 2 pm and I got there at 2:03, he had gone! Silly though it sounds, I HAVE to be on time, or preferrably early! So, you can see why I have difficulty with having to be at a place I have never been before and at a specific time.

Another reason I have been feeling down is the pigsty of this work room. I am not a cleanliness fanatic by any means but I do like things to be orderly. With the exception of the front porch {which is the storage area and thus allowed to be disorderly for a while, anyway} this apartment is in pretty good shape. We have got to the point where we know where most things that we need can be found. {Although as an aside here, there is a box of oatmeal somewhere that has not surfaced as yet. When Fred was collecting together the ingredients to make his Famous Oatmeal for me, he had to buy a new box!} but this room, my art/italian/work room, is a mess. A BIG mess. And having identified the cause of my acute discomfort, I am dreading having to tackle it because organizing it will not be a short or easy fix. Mind you, from past experience, I can say it will not be as bad as I am anticipating because that is ALWAYS true. And also, I can get one bit done at a time. I don’t have to get all of it done in one session… So, after I have walked with Leslie this morning, I will start by getting all these boxes and piles of paper and books off the floor. That will be step one.

Ok, time to get some breakfast. I need to eat before Leslie gets here in 45 minutes…

Until later….

Good Morning!

TheWoodsprite

November 18, 2006

It is always good when we’re able to pinpoint the reasons we feel “down.” Good luck on tidying up your work room. Gee, your dad sure was a stickler for punctuality! I think if someone had ever ONLY given me two minutes, I’da told ’em to….. well….. you can prob’ly figure. Here’s wishing you a lovely day! hugs, Weesprite

Best of luck organizing the room. If I lived closer, I’d come and help since I am such a weirdo like that. 🙂 *hugs*

Violet

I’m very anal about being early, too. I’m not sure where it stems from; I’ve always been like that. When I have to go somewhere I’ve never been, I will allow extra time in case I get lost, but even that has its problems. It would be nice if I just knew where everything is ALL THE TIME. I love that you can find maps to places on the internet.

Mezzo

I can understand the driving thing PERFECTLY. I’m pretty much the same way. I dislike not knowing where I am going. I much prefer knowing what route I need to take, what lane I need to be in at any given time, and how long it will take me. Late is something I can’t handle. Anyone who knows me, knows that if I’m late, I’m in trouble. I always at least 15 minutes early. Don’t fret about the workroom. A bit at a time will get it done and you’ll feel better. Have a good walk! Love to you! ~M

The Kid

Take it easy, slow & Sure, and you will both find the location, and get your room organized. 🙂 HUGS!

greeneyes&sunflowers

*huggs* and good morning! enjoy your walk and I understand about the messiness stressing!

MargUK

Isn’t it amazing how the things we had to put up with in our childhood have such a hold on us for the rest of our lives? Always fascinates me that. It’s good you can identify the reason for your ‘down’ feeling – not so bad when you know what will make it better albeit it not such a great job to do – good luck with getting it started!

Eden32

have you ever checked out “Flylady”? She’d say set a timer & just do 10 or 15 minutes of the room at a time. Good luck getting it organized 🙂

Lily47

came here to tell you i agree with your note on wildrose’s diary about the emily d poem. she was a great poet but that’s not one of the great ones, in my humble opinion.

I do the same thing re driving. If I have to go someplace I’ve never been and it will be dark, then I make sure to drive there during the daytime and see where the place is. My kids make fun of me but it works for me and keeps me from getting hyper.

I have GOT to work on the pigsty that is my room this afternoon/evening and tomorrow!!

SymphonyOfSilence

I’m one of those prefer to be early people as well. My boyfriend is not…sometimes that doesn’t work out so well.

I relate to all of this, the nervousness about driving and the down feeling because of mess and clutter. At least with the mess you can do it at your own pace without anyone hovering over you or nagging.

Pat

I cannot remember the last time I was late for anything. I am always early, sometimes annoyingly so. Mine stems from my Dad also, who stressed punctuality constantly. Good luck on your organization project!

I hope you have a good day! <3 Annie-Rae

I so hate to be late for anything!! By the way, I like the way your new page looks. Hugs, M

RiverCity

It is so hard to be organized. I keep thinking, what if a TV crew came in to film my house. Congratulations on the Italian. Since I’ve stopped going to the French convenience store (too far away) the only language I speak regularly is Amharic, which of course I don’t know, but I get a total kick out of memorizing phrases.

Ginger Rogers

I have hired a interior decorator to help me decide how to store, display all my collections and hobby stuff.

RedMolly Reprise

Have you looked into getting your cataracts removed?? You may have addressed this already but I probably missed it..I’ve been hit or miss here lately. My Mom had hers removed in just one eye…she can actually see the baseball scores on tv now..WITHOUT glasses! She was so excited! RYN: I wish I could pay someone to do it! I’m bad at all manners of cleaning! lol

I have an implant in one eye (cataract removed) several years ago, and one in the other eye that hasn’t needed the surgery yet. I’m glad to read that you had great success with your cataract surgery!! I also like organization.. a place for everything. When it gets too crowded, then out it goes.. kind of like my ex-husband? Heehee! Sorry… really didn’t mean that about the ol’ guy.. he’s okay. 🙂

i can so relate to your feelings of driving in an unknown place. i have a terrible fear of getting lost. i have to make myself drive to places i have never been and i fret about it days in advance. and, i am just like you in that i drive in advance to make sure i know where to go the day of the event. i hope someday i will get over this.