Happy New Year to everyone! May 2011 bring you health, wealth, and happiness!
Here are my two sets of goals, life and stitching, for the upcoming year!
Life Goals:
1. Become more fiscally responsible! That means continue to pay off my debts and put money away in savings.
2. Get a passport. This is a carry over from last year BUT I hope that as long as I keep it on my list I will eventually get it done!
3. Find a new place to live. Depending upon the job situation, this may occur in April.
4. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! Definitely a carry over from 2010! But one that should always be worked on. I'm hoping this year to make progress in determining "what I want to be when I grow up" and I think change is key to that!
5. Spend more time with family and friends. Which definitely means a trip to Nebraska!
Stitching goals:
1. Finish Cassady's baby quilt.
2. Finish Brendan's baby quilt.
3. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot
4. Finish 2 pages of HAED's Mad Tea Party
5. Finish 2 pages of HAED's Queen of Hearts
6. Finish Lisa's Christmas stocking - Dimensions Kit
7. Complete Nora Corbett's 'M'
Friday, December 31, 2010
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reflection of the Past Year
Let me start off with that I hope that everyone had a marvelous and wonderful Christmas! Mine was perfect! Spent it with my parents and my little sister. After the year that we've had, it was nice that our family was together!
I went back to my post at the end of last year to see how well, or not so well, I did on my goals!
Life Goals:
1. Pay off another debt. I was really good this past year and managed to pay off 2! I hope this year to do the same! Hmmmm, I didn't get another debt paid off. BUT I did make progress to eliminating some debt!
2. Put money away in savings! This wasn't exactly accomplished in 2009 so hope to improve upon it this year! Another one not quite accomplished. While I am ending the year with more in savings than I started the year off, I belive that I did make some progress.
3. Get a passport. I just think this is something I should have. What if I want to go on a cruise or go to Mexico? Need one for those these days! Didnt' happen! LOL
4. Find a new place to live. Be it a new apartment or maybe a new home that I purchase. Ok, let's not get crazy! Buying a home is a HUGE commitment. Not sure if I am mature enough for that yet! :) Also didn't happen! My lease goes through April. Depending on the job situation, I may or may not renew because you just can't beat the rent that I am currently paying!
5. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! Oh, I was more open! The jury is still out on whether or not it was a good move. I made a career change in 2010. It's been difficult and stressful needless to say. This one is definitely going to stay on for next year's list!
Stitching Goals:
1. To not buy any new patterns. (Now if someone else buys it for me, I won't turn it down!) I did pretty good. I only bought one new pattern and that was for a biscornu. I haven't started it yet but I hope to one day!
2. To buy only stash needed to complete patterns I currently have! Did very well on this. The amount of stash bought was just the bare minimum. Usually just thread that I didn't already have!
3. Finish Cassady's baby quilt. Yep, I was BAD about this one. Oh well, she does have a birthday coming up in March. I'm thinking it will need to be done by then!
4. Finish Jason's new baby (not born yet) baby quilt. Baby Brendan was born on May 26 (the day after my birthday). He still does not have a baby quilt but I did stitch him a cute froggy baby bib!
5. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot (that's an ambitious one!) Didn't finish. After the year I had with the person that it was originally intended for, I tucked it away for a while. But I have to admit that I lately I have been itching to get it back out to finish!
6. Finish 1 page of HAED's Mad Tea Party This was accomplished! Woo hoo! It was difficult as I am stitching it 2 over 1. This is my "experiment" piece. My niece is very anxious for this one to be finished. I have a feeling she will be waiting for it for a long time!
7. Finish 1 page of HAED's Queen of Hearts This piece is for me (hopefully!). I did accomplish this also! Yay! In fact, I'm currently sewing on this one and have started the 2nd page. It's almost 25% done.
8. Complete NoraRobert's Corbett's 'M' This piece is also for me. I didn't even get around to kitting it up! Maybe I will do that on New Year's. It will give me for incentive to get it done!
I think that I did pretty good for the year! While some goals weren't completed, at least I feel that progress was made. The important thing is to keep moving forward!
This year was a tumultous one! Lost some good friends this year due to disputes but also gained some good friends! Some of our beloved family members passed away this year due to illness but are now in a better place! My sister gave me the greatest scare of my life this year but we are all stronger because of it! A brand new nephew was born! My best friend had her third daughter this year! Life isn't perfect but there is so much to be thankful for!
I'll be working on my list of goals for 2011 and hope to have that up very soon!
I went back to my post at the end of last year to see how well, or not so well, I did on my goals!
Life Goals:
1. Pay off another debt. I was really good this past year and managed to pay off 2! I hope this year to do the same! Hmmmm, I didn't get another debt paid off. BUT I did make progress to eliminating some debt!
2. Put money away in savings! This wasn't exactly accomplished in 2009 so hope to improve upon it this year! Another one not quite accomplished. While I am ending the year with more in savings than I started the year off, I belive that I did make some progress.
3. Get a passport. I just think this is something I should have. What if I want to go on a cruise or go to Mexico? Need one for those these days! Didnt' happen! LOL
4. Find a new place to live. Be it a new apartment or maybe a new home that I purchase. Ok, let's not get crazy! Buying a home is a HUGE commitment. Not sure if I am mature enough for that yet! :) Also didn't happen! My lease goes through April. Depending on the job situation, I may or may not renew because you just can't beat the rent that I am currently paying!
5. Be open to new things. Be it love, a career change, a move to a new city/state. Whatever it is, I want to be more open to the change! Oh, I was more open! The jury is still out on whether or not it was a good move. I made a career change in 2010. It's been difficult and stressful needless to say. This one is definitely going to stay on for next year's list!
Stitching Goals:
1. To not buy any new patterns. (Now if someone else buys it for me, I won't turn it down!) I did pretty good. I only bought one new pattern and that was for a biscornu. I haven't started it yet but I hope to one day!
2. To buy only stash needed to complete patterns I currently have! Did very well on this. The amount of stash bought was just the bare minimum. Usually just thread that I didn't already have!
3. Finish Cassady's baby quilt. Yep, I was BAD about this one. Oh well, she does have a birthday coming up in March. I'm thinking it will need to be done by then!
4. Finish Jason's new baby (not born yet) baby quilt. Baby Brendan was born on May 26 (the day after my birthday). He still does not have a baby quilt but I did stitch him a cute froggy baby bib!
5. Finish HAED's Dragon Knot (that's an ambitious one!) Didn't finish. After the year I had with the person that it was originally intended for, I tucked it away for a while. But I have to admit that I lately I have been itching to get it back out to finish!
6. Finish 1 page of HAED's Mad Tea Party This was accomplished! Woo hoo! It was difficult as I am stitching it 2 over 1. This is my "experiment" piece. My niece is very anxious for this one to be finished. I have a feeling she will be waiting for it for a long time!
7. Finish 1 page of HAED's Queen of Hearts This piece is for me (hopefully!). I did accomplish this also! Yay! In fact, I'm currently sewing on this one and have started the 2nd page. It's almost 25% done.
8. Complete Nora
I think that I did pretty good for the year! While some goals weren't completed, at least I feel that progress was made. The important thing is to keep moving forward!
This year was a tumultous one! Lost some good friends this year due to disputes but also gained some good friends! Some of our beloved family members passed away this year due to illness but are now in a better place! My sister gave me the greatest scare of my life this year but we are all stronger because of it! A brand new nephew was born! My best friend had her third daughter this year! Life isn't perfect but there is so much to be thankful for!
I'll be working on my list of goals for 2011 and hope to have that up very soon!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Happy Holidays!
I've been negligent in my writing on the blog. It is a combination of things. Busy. Stressed. Life. Friends. Family. All of those combined have left me very uninspired!
I've been spending a lot of time with my parents on the weekends. Life has thrown me a huge curve ball and I'm lucky that I've been able to go to my parents for counsel and solace. We've had our typical family dinners, been going to church together, and enjoying Saints games and Lady Tiger basketball games. The week is time for work and spending time with my friends and dog.
I completed all my shopping today. My last gifts to pick up were for Duke. His stocking has been hung and stuffed full of the goodies. Now he is pouting because I won't let him have any of it yet!!! Nope, it is for Christmas! Yes, I do take each item out on Christmas morning and let him pick and choose that which he wants to play with. I also make sure to bring one of his new items with us when we go to my parents. Now all I have to do is finishing wrapping!
On a side note, and kind of a sad one, poor Duke's mother, Molly, passed away today. She was just a year older than Duke and died of heart failure. As many of you know, Duke has a heart condition also. It is being treated with medication and I hope that he has a few more years ahead of him because we are aggressively treating it! He seems to be doing well on the medication and is even gaining weight so I hope that at his regular annual check up things will continue to look good and we won't have to add any more medicines!
I have been stitching. Here and there. When I am home I've been vegging out and watching movies. Being very lazy!!! I've been working on what will one day be a Christmas stocking for my sister. Not this year of course, maybe next year!
I've been spending a lot of time with my parents on the weekends. Life has thrown me a huge curve ball and I'm lucky that I've been able to go to my parents for counsel and solace. We've had our typical family dinners, been going to church together, and enjoying Saints games and Lady Tiger basketball games. The week is time for work and spending time with my friends and dog.
I completed all my shopping today. My last gifts to pick up were for Duke. His stocking has been hung and stuffed full of the goodies. Now he is pouting because I won't let him have any of it yet!!! Nope, it is for Christmas! Yes, I do take each item out on Christmas morning and let him pick and choose that which he wants to play with. I also make sure to bring one of his new items with us when we go to my parents. Now all I have to do is finishing wrapping!
On a side note, and kind of a sad one, poor Duke's mother, Molly, passed away today. She was just a year older than Duke and died of heart failure. As many of you know, Duke has a heart condition also. It is being treated with medication and I hope that he has a few more years ahead of him because we are aggressively treating it! He seems to be doing well on the medication and is even gaining weight so I hope that at his regular annual check up things will continue to look good and we won't have to add any more medicines!
I have been stitching. Here and there. When I am home I've been vegging out and watching movies. Being very lazy!!! I've been working on what will one day be a Christmas stocking for my sister. Not this year of course, maybe next year!
It is time to start working on my goals for next year. I'll review my list from this year and either carry over those that haven't been completed or cross off that which I have completed. I might even add on a few more. I know that I have quite a few projects that I hope to finish in 2011 as I didn't have very many finished this year!
Hope that all of you have a Happy Holiday!
Monday, December 06, 2010
Are You in the Holiday Spirit?
I have always liked the anticipation of the holidays but then, boom, it happens! The holiday blues settle in. Ugh! I really wish they wouldn't. I loathe being a "Scrooge"!
I don't seem to be the only one though. I've been reading a number of blog entries where writers are confessing to feeling "Bah Humbug!". It's comforting to know that I am not the only one! My friend Jill suggested that I need to listen to some more Christmas music. Ummmm, not sure about that one!
I do have my little tree up. The gifts are purchased if not wrapped. I haven't put out my stocking or Duke's stocking yet though or put up my holiday wreath on the door. Why? Because I am stressed and worried to the max. What has me stressed? Money, job, and life (in that order). LOL! Oh, how I wish I could learn life's lessons without falling down so hard!
After the summer that my parents had dealing with my Sister's problems, I didn't want to bother them with mine, but this weekend was a culmination of a month long of worrying that led me to baring my soul to my parents. They were more upset that I didn't share my worries with them than the actual situation. It felt good to share my concerns with them and to be reassured. I was not looking for a solution but just a sounding board. Although, of course, if I chose, I know that my Dad has a solution because as he reminded me "I'm here for both my little girls." Awww, don't I have the best Daddy in the world! And yes, I am 35 years old and still a Daddy's girl! Always will be!
I saw recently a status update on a friend's FB page: "Stress. It does the waistline good." I laughed when I had seen this because the friend who posted it is like a size 0. However, I have to agree with it! I've been stressing so much that my appetite has dwindled away to nothing and my pants are starting to fit a bit loose. Maybe I should start to exercise and take advantage of this "jump start"?
I've continued on with some stitching, even though my mojo is gone! I'm hoping to get it back if I continue to pick up a project and put some stitches into it! Right now I am working on a Dimensions Stocking Kit that I have had for years! It is so odd to be stitching on 18-count Aida cloth! Yikes!! It is so stiff! But I really wanted to get this stocking finished. I bought two of the same pattern with the intent to make one for my sister and one for myself. So, the one I am working on now is for my sister. After 1 week of work, this is how far I've gotten. Sorry for the poor quality pic, I took it with my cell phone as I am out of batteries for the camera! This particular piece has a lot of half cross stitches in it and blends. Do I hope to finish it for Christmas? Sure. Will I? Probably not. LOL I'm pretty realistic!
Despite all my worries, misgivings, and stress, I still have a small kernel of hope and faith for the future. Who knows? I may still win that lottery!
Happy Holidays!
I don't seem to be the only one though. I've been reading a number of blog entries where writers are confessing to feeling "Bah Humbug!". It's comforting to know that I am not the only one! My friend Jill suggested that I need to listen to some more Christmas music. Ummmm, not sure about that one!
I do have my little tree up. The gifts are purchased if not wrapped. I haven't put out my stocking or Duke's stocking yet though or put up my holiday wreath on the door. Why? Because I am stressed and worried to the max. What has me stressed? Money, job, and life (in that order). LOL! Oh, how I wish I could learn life's lessons without falling down so hard!
After the summer that my parents had dealing with my Sister's problems, I didn't want to bother them with mine, but this weekend was a culmination of a month long of worrying that led me to baring my soul to my parents. They were more upset that I didn't share my worries with them than the actual situation. It felt good to share my concerns with them and to be reassured. I was not looking for a solution but just a sounding board. Although, of course, if I chose, I know that my Dad has a solution because as he reminded me "I'm here for both my little girls." Awww, don't I have the best Daddy in the world! And yes, I am 35 years old and still a Daddy's girl! Always will be!
I saw recently a status update on a friend's FB page: "Stress. It does the waistline good." I laughed when I had seen this because the friend who posted it is like a size 0. However, I have to agree with it! I've been stressing so much that my appetite has dwindled away to nothing and my pants are starting to fit a bit loose. Maybe I should start to exercise and take advantage of this "jump start"?
I've continued on with some stitching, even though my mojo is gone! I'm hoping to get it back if I continue to pick up a project and put some stitches into it! Right now I am working on a Dimensions Stocking Kit that I have had for years! It is so odd to be stitching on 18-count Aida cloth! Yikes!! It is so stiff! But I really wanted to get this stocking finished. I bought two of the same pattern with the intent to make one for my sister and one for myself. So, the one I am working on now is for my sister. After 1 week of work, this is how far I've gotten. Sorry for the poor quality pic, I took it with my cell phone as I am out of batteries for the camera! This particular piece has a lot of half cross stitches in it and blends. Do I hope to finish it for Christmas? Sure. Will I? Probably not. LOL I'm pretty realistic!
Despite all my worries, misgivings, and stress, I still have a small kernel of hope and faith for the future. Who knows? I may still win that lottery!
Happy Holidays!
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