Better but a bit sad

[Amberlee]

I am sure those of you who read my last post and those who commented understand that I was frustrated and saddened this week by a not so fabulous visit from family. It has brought to mind how important it is that my DH and I keep doing what we are doing. I don't ever want to hear my children say we make them feel like they were 10 again or we are too busy trying to control their lives that we don't live ours. Or worse, that our home is not a safe place mentally or emotionally...

I am a pretty honest sometimes blunt person. I can handle things with great diplomacy, but sometimes it doesn't matter how something is said or done. Mixed messages drive me nuts. For example, we are told that homemade gifts are the best, they are great and very welcome. When we give homemade gifts they have always seemed welcomed and wanted. Today I found out that they don't always keep or use the items made for them. I am not sure how to feel. I do feel hurt as I spend a lot of time creating things, and so do the kids, they have said they want or would like. I have told them that if they don't like something to let me know so I don't continue the mistaken trend. If the color isn't right or they go out of style, give it back and I can reuse or repurpose the yarn. How do you react when without ever once wearing something (in this case handwarmers that were similar to the ones they saw in a magazine that they liked and wanted) in the color they always wear you find out they threw them away? I mean in the trash, not given to anyone? Yeah.....seriously. We can't afford gold and diamond jewelry no matter who wants it. Those things aren't important to me either.

For any of you who knit when I say the word Malabrigo, do you know what I mean? If you don't knit or go to a LYS (local Yarn Store) you may never have had the opportunity to feel and drool over a lovely skein of Malabrigo yarn. The handwarmers were knit in cables using Malabrigo yarn. (not the lace or sock weight--the yummy really warm super soft stuff). *sigh*

So it is finally over and we are looking forward to a wonderful weekend as a family. We have been as nice as humanly possible while biting tongues so as to not create angry outbursts....we have smoothed childrens feathers. We have tossed papers on the floor just to remind ourselves that we live here and it is our house...Then we picked up the papers because it didn't look right. LOL

I let my son eat a slice of pumpkin pie for dinner tonight. It was all he wanted. My DD is zonked on the sofa for the night. My DH and I stayed up playing WOW to our hearts content and the boys played video games. Tomorrow is a new day with new things to do and more lives to touch. We are creating hats, scarves and items for those in need of warm winter clothes--I hope they will appreciate them....they are made from the heart.

[JennyStar]

I totally understand! My inlaws all say the same, yet they really don't appreciate them in action, words only. My family, on the other hand, really does appreciate home made gifts MORE than store bought items, so I spend my home made efforts on them and buy stuff for my in laws or give them gift cards, which really seems so generic. I like things to be personal. There is nothing more personal than a handmade item that took many hours and lots of thought and consideration to the receiver of the gift.

[Amberlee]

We usually do a lot of charity giving and making. We will continue to do that and maybe just send cards stating what we made and gave away in their names or something.

[Kristen Wheatley]

Sounds like those who threw away your gifts should get a lovely homemade card this year. I just can't comprehend someone throwing the item in the trash! We give gifts to those we love, to express our love. A card can be a wonderful expression as well, or perhaps some homebaked goodies if you really feel the need to send presents. Several years ago, my family decided to choose a charity to give to rather than presents for the adult members of the clan. Each December, they collect the funds, and in our case, we pool them and they go to Heifer International. This saves postage, feelings, and stress. It also allows those of us in the family who do not celebrate Christmas to participate in a family event.

[Debbie Penley]

I so understand, on many different levels. About your family, the homemade gifts, and all. Not exactly the same situation here, but enough that I feel much the same way this holiday. Hoping you're family gets back to its routine soon and that you can feel chipper again :)