Confessions, but no tears!

You know, as usual I had bigger plans than I could manage. This is one thing I love and hate about myself. I love that I challenge myself, but I hate not to complete a plan that I create. It kind of tears me up. I want to reexamine this need for creativity and see what can be salvaged.

I have thought about what type creativity is most important to me right now. It is the connections I make with my family when we do creative activities together. I have this idea about doing one fun and creative activity with each family member (including dogs) over the course of a week. This would save one day for me to do my own thing. I think I may group the girls together and do two activities with them each week.

I am torn about the piano lessons. I truly want to keep that idea alive, but perhaps set it off for two weeks while I examine my schedule, my true motivations, and emotional needs. I think the singing activities will be easy to do.

I think I will make a schedule for each week on Sundays that take into account all the obligations that I have that week. This way I put smaller activities with more frequency rather than larger commitments.

Tomorrow I plan!

creative struggles (no organizational struggles)

I have not give a single piano lesson and have only practiced my own songs once. I will create a plan and a checklist for this week. It is going to be a struggle this week as we have dog training on Tuesday nights, and parenting classes on Wednesday nights. However, I am going to send my oldest daughter with my husband to the parenting classes, so we should be good for Wed. night. However, that is my union meeting which usually lasts until 5:30 or so. Yikes! I feel the land of excuses. However, I am undeterred. I know a few things about me that makes me confident that I can achieve these goals - can plan, have a will, and care enough!

As for the sweatshirts, I have started them by cutting off the edging. I need to set up the sewing machine so I can continue to work on this project. At that point things should go more quickly. I hope they turn out nice enough to post a picture.

Mission Creation Objectives

I am a creative soul, who is experiencing frustration. I want to express myself creatively, but rarely carve out time for creativity. I do find writing a form of creation that I enjoy, hence the blogging. I also enjoy other creative endeavors, such as singing, dancing, playing piano, visual arts (drawing, painting, collage, and sculpture), jewelry making, cooking, canning, sewing, crocheting, and more. The list is long and I must find a way to enjoy some of these activities. I want focus on making things for family members, and spending time with them as well. Singing and dancing should be a regular part of our family life. My granddaughter shares my love of these activities and this should be done regularly. We could prepare for a monthly performance for family with themes (great excuse to get dressed up). I want to give piano lessons to both girls, and schedule practice for myself. This is a family tradition of music lessons from one generation to another. I would be amiss to neglect this duty to my family. Cooking and canning are related categories and I already address this type of creative outlet in my blog, pumpkin butter.

Musical activities (30-60 minutes a day)

Girls - Piano lessons - 30 minutes after homework time and on weekend mornings
Piano book A – first 4 lessons (5 practice sessions a week)

Personal piano practice –
Week one focus on left hand and right hand separately with intense focus on timing, key, and dynamics. Week two put both hands together and focus on combining hands with focus on timing. Week 3 and 4 work on rate and accuracy.

I have this beautiful old music text book from 1942 titled, Our First Music. This book contains 24 thematic musical units. I want to practice each unit for a month from this book to learn so the girls can sing with the piano. (also for little man)

My second selection for personal practice is from the book, The Best Classical Music Ever - 86 All Time Favorites by 39 Composers. My first selection from one of my favorite composers, Wolfgang Amedeus Mozart, is Ave verum corpus. I know it is a little somber (meant for a funeral), but so beautiful!

Karaoke delight!
2 from lion king with the girls (practice daily)

Week one update:
Week two update:
Week three update:
Week four update:

Show the last weekend in January- watch for picture!

Artistic project (2 weekends)

Sweatshirt transformation-
Take 2 ordinary sweatshirts for the little girls and transform them into something new and special. If time, I may make one for the little guy, or Jenny.

I have drawn out some interesting original plans and can't wait to get started.

I will post picture of each complete project!