August 20, 2009

Sunk Costs

School finally finished up on Monday evening--phew. I've spent nearly every spare moment stitching since (plus a little cooking and cleaning on the side). Here's a little work on Alphabetissimo.

And some work on Dorothy. I feel like Vanna White with all these letters. I've put Sarah McP on hold for now though. I was in such a hurry to get her and start her. And then I realized, slowing, slowing, slowing--that I just don't like her fabric. Aak! All those hours spent on the four-sided stitch and the double cross stitches in the alphabet, the border, the big pink roses. It was the roses that decided it. I had to adjust the colors when I changed out the fabric (I didn't like the color of that either), and they looked...loud. And although the colors in this are loud-ish anyway (and boy do I hate the green and yellow in the rose leaves), I'd rather tone them down a bit. And the 32 ct was too loosely woven and the stitches too large.... Sigh. I can't think about the work I did on it already, which will all have to be scrapped. It's an accountant-y expression: sunk costs. As in, you can't look back in history. It's not relevant. So that fancy new computer system the company bought that was going to revolutionize inventory or payroll or whatever that never worked, no mattter how many times you paid a tech to work on it? A lot of people would keep working on it and spending money on it because it had cost so much to begin with. The grocery line you refused to give up on because you'd already invested so much time in it, even though by now there are new lines moving more quickly? Sunk costs. There comes a time when you have to turn your back on an investment. Sarah McPhail on 32 count Lakeside Linen in buttercream is history, and not the good kind. Look for her to be reborn though--just not right away.

We're celebrating G-bun's successful surgery for the abscess (did not spread, so they got it all) and spay (they removed her probably cancerous uterus--the majority of unspayed female rabbits get uterine cancer). Here she's stretching and looking fluffier and more hopeful already. [Edited to add: this photograph borrowed from www.runningbun.com, by Patti Henningsen. Patti is the wonderful rescuer who works magic with buns, nursing them back to good health when they've been horribly mistreated or neglected.]

Off to bed I go after tidying the bunny room. Here's a photo of Peaches doing a little grooming of Pink's ears. It's the rabbits' favorite soothing activity. I'm hopeful that someday soon somebunny will groom G-bun's little ear buds. Happy weekend ahead!

15 comments:

michelle said...

Aww sweet bunny pics! Love the stitching work.

d. moll, l.ac. said...

finally a proper word for my investments that were essentially stocking up on product that never sold and so went out of date; SUNK COSTS. Or all the business cards I got and then had to move....yeah, baby. The bunnies have it all right, a little ear grooming and really it's all good. We will all be hoping Miss G Bun gets her forever home soon, what a brave sweetie.

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I'm still so impressed with how easily Peaches integrated into your warren. And I'm so happy for G-bun! I know she'll start growing a nice new coat now and will look much better. I'm always so amazed when an animal has been through hell like that and is still a big love.

Crafty Green Poet said...

oh glad G-bun is doing well. Lovely photos.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

ACH...your getting rid of all that you've already done...Oh Glenna...but I understand, when you're done you're done...that's the way I am with that stinkin' VS. UGH!
I'm glad the surgery went well for the hurt bunny...
And your own sweet bunnies...how darling :)

Siobhán said...

Great bunny pics! I'm glad G Bun is improving.

I can't believe you're going to restart that sampler after all the work you did... but I understand. I have a good bit of work into CHS My Hometown, enough that I don't know if I'll restart if I toss it but enough stitched to know that I really don't like the fabric/fiber combo. Agh. It's better to decide that now rather than keep going and hate the process that's supposed to be enjoyable.

Love the progress on Alphabetissimo! It looks great.

Caroline said...

Oh Glenna - so sorry to hear about your SP - but I certainly understand, if it's not right it'll drive you crazy.... Nice work on alphbetissimo, looks great!

G-bun looks better already - good to hear.

Margaret said...

I love your WIPs! Dorothy is my favorite -- so pretty! What a bummer with Sarah McPhail! I'm going to have to remember that -- watch out for the fabbie from the kit, number one, and number two, no Lakeside buttercream! I did get my kit though -- love it! So glad G Bun is doing well. Poor thing to have to go through two surgeries at once! Love the grooming pic! Enjoy the break from school!

Unknown said...

Oh, Glenna! Sunk costs stink! I am so very sad for you to lose so much invested time and energy. But, if you are going to do something, it has to make you happy.

Enjoy your weekend!

Melissa said...

Sunk Costs - great term, and as you've said it applies to so many things in life. I know what you mean about something not working out. At some point you either pull out or commit and hope for the best!

Your photos of the stitching look lovely.

Deb said...

I do love your bunny pictures. And it's good to hear that Bun is improving.

I can't believe that you're going to start that piece over, but then again, if you're not happy with it then it won't be fun to stitch and you'll be angonizing over it.

Love your progress on Alphabetissimo - it's a beautiful piece.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

I'm so glad that G-bun is doing well! Amazing isn't it, what people can do, or let be done, to animals....

I don't don't blame you for stopping work on something if you're not loving it. If the journey isn't enjoyable, why bother.

RG said...

Sunk Costs ... Bunnies .... Yeah ... go together like cake and ice cream!

Besides, I think there is a saying .. "A little bit of all you earn is yours to screw-up with!"

samplerlover said...

Hi Glenna,
Sorry to hear that Sarah didn't work out ok for you. But you have to be happy with what you do, otherwise you take the enjoyment out of things. Pity though, it is such a beautiful sampler. You will know when the time is right to start again. Dorothy is a beautiful one as well. What is the full name of that one.
Cute bunny pictures. Hope Miss G Bun is ok soon, - Sandra.

Cindy F. said...

You're such a good bunny mom!! Great pics:)

Hate to hear you had to restart sampler, but I would have done the same!