It's an interesting thing, trying to get ready for a baby-- in all the myriad areas and ways we try to do that, from getting the nursery ready to trying to expand the concept of my family to include a whole new person-- while also trying to write a master's thesis. MamaRae went out of town for a few days over the holiday weekend while I stayed home, purportedly to write and take care of the furry kids (our dog and 4 cats). You know what I've been doing instead, though?
Nesting.
Now anyone who knows MamaRae and I-- particularly as a couple-- will know that I am the Type B and she is (or used to be) the Type A in the relationship. We've rubbed off on each other a bit, her providing my lackadaisical style with some structure and I helping her ease up a bit and prioritize what REALLY needs to be done right away and what can be put off while we watch an episode of something on Netflix. In other words, although I am less ridiculously messy than I was 12 years ago when we met, I still have a higher tolerance for mess than Mama R does. Usually when she goes out of town, I let things slide a bit and then clean up right before she comes home.
This weekend, though, I have been cleaning things. And gardening. I washed a bunch of baby things and hung them on the line so they would smell sweet and summery instead of baking in the dryer. I didn't do any writing *at all* yesterday because I was busy cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry (including line drying), making a HUGE batch of hummus, walking the dog (and playing fetch with the apples she stole off the tree in the backyard), and knitting baby things.
Oh my god. So much knitting. Yesterday I finished a baby sock, and this morning I cast on for its mate. I'll post pics at some point, because these socks are made from the leftovers after I knit MamaRae a pair of socks, so they're adorable and matchy. I've also knit an earflap hat (from yarn leftover from a sweater I made for R for Christmas, so not exactly matchy, but cutely coordinated), and a newborn size sweater. Next up are a pair of baby legwarmers and a coordinating cardigan.
But the point is, I'm not getting thesis work done. I read somewhere recently that whatever you do when you procrastinate is what you should do for your living. I somehow doubt knitting for my baby is going to make me much money, so I'd better get back to work on my thesis. But first, I need to clean something.
Nesting.
Now anyone who knows MamaRae and I-- particularly as a couple-- will know that I am the Type B and she is (or used to be) the Type A in the relationship. We've rubbed off on each other a bit, her providing my lackadaisical style with some structure and I helping her ease up a bit and prioritize what REALLY needs to be done right away and what can be put off while we watch an episode of something on Netflix. In other words, although I am less ridiculously messy than I was 12 years ago when we met, I still have a higher tolerance for mess than Mama R does. Usually when she goes out of town, I let things slide a bit and then clean up right before she comes home.
This weekend, though, I have been cleaning things. And gardening. I washed a bunch of baby things and hung them on the line so they would smell sweet and summery instead of baking in the dryer. I didn't do any writing *at all* yesterday because I was busy cleaning the kitchen, doing the laundry (including line drying), making a HUGE batch of hummus, walking the dog (and playing fetch with the apples she stole off the tree in the backyard), and knitting baby things.
Oh my god. So much knitting. Yesterday I finished a baby sock, and this morning I cast on for its mate. I'll post pics at some point, because these socks are made from the leftovers after I knit MamaRae a pair of socks, so they're adorable and matchy. I've also knit an earflap hat (from yarn leftover from a sweater I made for R for Christmas, so not exactly matchy, but cutely coordinated), and a newborn size sweater. Next up are a pair of baby legwarmers and a coordinating cardigan.
But the point is, I'm not getting thesis work done. I read somewhere recently that whatever you do when you procrastinate is what you should do for your living. I somehow doubt knitting for my baby is going to make me much money, so I'd better get back to work on my thesis. But first, I need to clean something.