Want to see an impressive eye roll? Start talking to me about astrology.
Look, I know Yoko Ono won’t get her hair cut unless the stars are aligned in her favor, and that is a valid opinion, but I do not share it. Not even for Yoko. Not long ago I heard someone on the news, who was actually a credible reporter, explaining that the Bashar al-Asad, Asyrian president and overall genocidal tyrant, was doing the things he does because he was born in September, and as a Virgo, he has “extreme control issues.” Honestly. WTF? He was born in September because his parents had sex in January. That’s how human gestation works. It’ not a Virgo thing, it’s an asshole thing.
And hey! Guess what? I’m also a Virgo. Surprise.
Anyhow. Despite the fact that I do not believe in astrology, I wholeheartedly believe in the concept of Mercury retrograde. A lot of people understand, conceptually, Mercurian retrograde is a time of upheaval. Bad luck. Chaos. Astrologers explain it as the universe’s way of reminding you that you are not in control, and to surrender to the forces of sacred things that never wear deodorant. Scientists explain Mercury retrograde as a blip in the cycle. Most people have heard of it but few understand what it is, so let me explain it in a nutshell; both the Earth and Mercury orbit the sun, but at different rates. Mercury walks a little faster. Eventually that slight extra speed creates a noticeable distance, so a few times a year, Mercury sees the Earth has fallen behind and takes a quick break in rhytym wait for his pal the Earth to catch up. In that brief period of time, there is a sort of catch-up thing that happens and everything in the universe notices that the pair were briefly out of lock step, and it’s awkward. Really awkward. And while I do not believe in astrology, I do believe in physics. I believe in energy. And believe in the immeasurable domino effect that is created when something as BIG AS AN EFFING PLANET decides to quit marching along with everyone else.
It’s like, have you ever been driving along and someone in front of you suddenly slams on the breaks, so you slam on yours, and even if you don’t hit the person, it scares the crap out of you and you can’t think or do much of anything for a couple minutes? You know that lingering feeling of fear and chaos? That. That is Mercury retrograde.
I hate it. And guess what? Mercury has been in retrograde alllllll week.
So if you have been having a crappy week, good news, it’s be over on Saturday the 25th! And let me tell you, I cannot wait. This week has been a goat rodeo. I have surrendered all control. And while I will not bore you by complaining about everything that has gone wrong this week, I will say that yesterday, just as I had settled in to what needed to be my most productive work day in months….THE POWER WENT OUT.
Thanks, Mercury!
The power company estimated a 2 hour blip, then 2 hours came and left, then it was 4, then it was 6. All is fine now, and I’m thankful for this luxury that we call electricity, but yesterday, when I was freaking out, I needed something to do. This went way past the point of stress cleaning, and since I didn’t have any ice cream in the house, and it was too early for decent liquor, I went with the next best thing: rhinestones.
I organized my beads, sequins, crystals, confetti, and anything else that came in a tiny cup. It started as total chaos, but I took control, and not because I am a Virgo, and whipped this mess into a thing of beauty.
Tangent: Why can’t bead/sequin/notions manufacturer up their game with packaging? Could they not take a hint from the shredded cheese people and sell things in clear resalable bags? Would that be so hard? Would it? Think cheese!
So. Lucky for me, Menards sells these bin organizer tackle box situations. I have seen similar tackle box things in stores before, but usually the drawers are really small. This model offers a mix of big and small drawers, so I have room for growth. Which is important when you have hoarding issues.
Before this, I was keeping everything in a Tupperware full of ziplock baggies. And most of the beads are still in that set-up in a drawer, just a lot more organized. There is something so cathartic about sorting through sparkly things. I don’t know how to explain it, but it might be better than therapy.
Remember the gold magnolia wreath I made for Kiki a couple years ago? She gave it back!
And now it’s all done. I have my power back, and I can see all my sparkly stuff at once. This makes me want to make gem sweaters for every day of the week. Not this week though. If you need me, I’ll be holed up at home waiting for Mercury to get his butt of retrograde!
I’ll chalk last night’s compulsive rearranging of the china hutch/liquor cabinet up to Mercury being in retrograde. It felt sooo good.
I’ll bet it did!
I did the complete studio rearrange last Sunday. And now I see your awesome little drawers my cardboard boxes covered in pretty decoupage seem beyond untidy, and I have an overwhelming urge to increase my sequin stash.
Cheers for that.
🙂
Ooh, woot! Just LOOK at all that beautimous organization! I like the fact that the flamingos are now standing guard over all of it.
But here’s my question: if things age this organized, is it still called hoarding? I mean, now it’s useful and accessible, so I have to think it doesn’t qualify as hoarding. And you are on a forever quest for organizing your supplies, so you are aware of your tendency to accumulate things, and you manage it. That’s kicking Mercury’s retrograde right in the ass, if you ask me.
GOAT RODEO! I’m falling on the floor! (just saw your picture and you are gorgeous. Not at all what I had imagined – a name beginning with “Aunt” dredges up all kinds of mental pictures for me).
I m holding the universe to Saturday. Our office fish – who was a 24 year old cannibal clown fish – died on Tuesday. The internet followed in death shortly thereafter with no explanation except that it’s fine but not working. And then someone quit after being hired a day and a half before because there were a lot of files. So I hope this is over soon.
Yes, this week can go in a closet and suck eggs. But I love the first photo in this post. Love love.
If lateral productivity is wrong, I don’t wanna be right. It may be the only way I accomplish anything.
P.S. From one Virgo to another, why are we made out to be control freaks? Can’t we just monitor situations and try to predict the outcome in a way that we agree with?! I MEAN COME ON.
P.S.S. Love your blog, I found it a few months ago and the projects are so inspiring! I’ve received lots of comments on the pom pom bag I made, it’s awesome!
I’m so glad your pompom bag is getting the admiration it deserves (unlike our Virgo “attentiveness” as I like to call it. Control freak my butt!)
How weird that my electricity went out on Thursday afternoon! Only like an hour, but I organized my craft desks (wiggly eyes, pipe cleaners, and unfinished projects galore) as well as my notebooks, which I also hoard.
I’m telling you, it’s the real deal. No getting around it!
I rolled my eyes at the concept for so long. I really did. And then I started paying attention and noticing that life was a bit off at best and downright chaotic at worst during these times. I stress more about things that I don’t normally stress more about too. It’s real.
hahaha you shouldn’t roll your eyes peaches!! astrology is a science! (check out http://grupovenus.com/main.htm)
loved that crystal skull and thank you for introducing me to mark montano!! omg i love that channel!
I didn’t get to read this post until Sunday. Because I spent Saturday rearranging & cleaning my birdroom, followed by cleaning my husband’s bathroom up to my standards . It’s clean enough to touch the outside of the bowl with my bare hands now (anyone who lives with a guy knows what I’m talking about) With laundry in between. Then I demonstrated what I want him to do to it EVERY NIGHT to keep it clean. I’m going to rest today (maybe)
hmm. this explains a lot…. it also explains why i am finally getting some shit done. the planets are back in sync. peaches, i love love the goat rodeo reference. i just wrote that one down in my moleskine and i am going to add it to my vocabulary. much better than herding cats.
you have an impressive stash of all things that sparkle… and now displayed in such a beautiful way.
-a fellow virgo
you know, and here I thought I was just a bit extra crazy the past couple of weeks! Thanks for hooking me up with a good reason I felt “off” and showing us your lovely organzing ideas for sparklies!
I’ve vowed to never refer to my tendency to stockpile craft supplies as hoarding. Instead, I just call it ‘planning ahead’. (In extreme Northern Minnesota, there aren’t any shopping options if a gal runs outta rhinestones after 5pm. It’s no good – no good at all.) My daughter now assumes that all houses have an entire drawer dedicated to glitter – as well they should!
YES!!!!!!!!! Thank you! I had been feeling SO off last week all week. and MOODY. and just not myself. And Sometime on Saturday and Sunday things shifted and I feel like myself again. I didn’t previously know mercury retrograde could have anything to do with this.. I tend to roll my eyes at this level of bullshit but I do notice issues in the fall and spring equinox times. So thank you so much for writing this- it’s nice to know I wasn’t alone last week! PS- I LOVE the leafy wreath you have hanging above your drawers in the last pic! have you ever posted on how to make it?? thanks! LOVE your blog!
Yes indeed, glad for a fresh week!
I thought I included a link to the wreath? Maybe not — but here you go – http://www.auntpeaches.com/2012/11/all-seasons-golden-magnolia-wreath.html
THANKS!! I’m thinkin imma make a hot pink one this weekend! hehee