Remember when I asked if readers had any questions for me, here? I got several as comments to the post and several were emailed to me as well.
Here is what Frankie asked
I was born and raised in West Texas and I love my home state, my love for Texas is deep. Home was a big ‘ol cattle ranch and we also raised quarter horses. Looks like your home is around the hill country or maybe close to Austin? What is the nearest town to your home? I love the look you have in the ranch house and the fact that you share the process and products you use. My question is “do you ever have a hard time getting a project started?” That seems to be my hurdle, once I start, it usually goes pretty good. Thanks for putting yourself out there and for all the good help.
Thanks for the question Frankie. Wow, wish we had horses, except then I would have to take care of them. Well, maybe it’s not a good idea right now. Our farm is in Round Top so it’s half way between Houston and Austin.
So Frankie also asked if I have a hard time starting projects. To answer that question I have to tell you a little bit about myself. I love projects and checking things off my list, so no I have no problem starting projects. I always have quite a few in my head and several in various states. Many of my completed projects never even make it to the blog because I don’t have good photos of the process or I just decide it isn’t ‘blog worthy’. I am a ‘doer’ so I like having a lot to do. I like stating a project and completing it.
I think one of the reasons I have no problem starting a project is that in my enthusiasm I almost always underestimate how much work is actually involved. My husband on the other hand, never wants to get involved with one of my projects because he most always assumes it will be more work than it actually is. I also have a secret. I am NOT a perfectionist. I ignore small imperfections that only I notice. These are the things others spend countless hours fixing. Me? I say if it looks good from the camera, “Let’s put it in a bun and call it a hot dog.” I don’t have time to get it just so.
What? You haven’t heard the term “Put it in a bun and call it a hot dog”? Well, my mother-in-law, a very proper minister’s wife carefully thought out beforehand every word she spoke, that is unless she was asleep. She talked in her sleep which was unfortunate for her, since in her sleep state she was unable to carefully filter and edit the words exiting her mouth. So one day my father-in-law couldn’t wait to tell us what she had said the night before. Yup, the hot dog thing. I have no idea what she was dreaming about, and I don’t care. It has provided countless hours of amusement for me over the years. Oh yes and I am easily amused.
But I will say this, if I am not excited about a project I don’t do it. Sometimes I am feeling pressure to get something done and I begin work when I am not enthusiastic about it. Those projects always bomb. My gut sometimes knows things my brain doesn’t comprehend. So the lesson for me is, if I just am not feeling inspired to do a certain project that means the project isn’t quite ready for execution. Maybe the fabric for a slipcover isn’t the right one, or the paint I have selected isn’t right. I once bought fabric that I didn’t feel good about, then started a slipcover that I didn’t feel good about only to realize it was going to be a major disaster. I returned the large amount of unused fabric (for a restocking fee) and was so relieved I stopped the project.
I think my problem with projects is that I have too many and lately I just need to stop and enjoy the completion of one before I go onto the next one. That’s my challenge. How about you? Are you better at starting or finishing a project? Or do you go and go without stopping?
I’ll be answering more questions next week.
I can relate to everything you said about the projects!! I always have several going, never think it will take as much ‘fill in the word’ as it does, and doom and despair if I start something before I really feel like! I have moved back into my childhood home and am slowly renovating it, doing a good deal of painting and refinishing floors myself. (It’s a Victorian, circa 1870 in East Texas) Love reading your blog and I follow you on Facebook! Thank you for sharing your home with us!!
Nancy, I bet you are not too far from me as I live in East Texas also. Anita, I love the color of roses you have paired with the strawberries on the beautiful trunk, looks so inviting. And what about that view from your farm, just beautiful!! CharlottesChair.com
I think the question and answer thing is so much fun. I did it a few weeks ago, too. Some of the questions were really off the wall-but fun.
Great line from your mil. xo Diana
First of all, I am sooo stealing that hot dog comment. Love it!! I never have problems starting, either, as my biggest problem is the same. I always underestimate the time and energy it will take. I also have the ocd gene, I think, as I will spend more hours touching something up and making sure it is perfect from every angle. Which most definitely adds way too many hours to everything I do!
I am LOLing about the hot dog comment!!!!!!!!!!!! I SOMETIMES have trouble starting something but as soon as I get into it I HAVE to finish it, even if I am up til all hours:) I really enjoy personal posts that let us get to know each other a llittle more.
I love the quote by your MIL, “Let’s just put it in a bun and call it a hotdog.”