Here's a list of some New Year's resolutions and random thoughts about things I need to be doing. Maybe actually posting them will help me keep them in mind and accomplish them.
I would like to say that I did manage to keep the two resolutions I made last year. I did cut back on my caffeine intake and I switched to diet soda. I have actually almost quit drinking soda altogether. I maybe have one a week now. Yippee! It was hard at first but I am so proud of myself for sticking with it!
1. I must refrain from eating Klondike bars in the bathtub....
They melt to fast and it doesn't make them have any less calories
2. I need to drink more water and eat a little healthier. Although I totally believe that my love affair with Little Debbie's Oatmeal Cream Pies keeps Kenny Schrader in his race car. (You have to be supportive of the sponsors)
3. Exercise a little. (See my love for sweets in #1 and #2) I know, everyone says this. But I'm not talking about a huge exercise regiment. Just the basics...I already do at least one sit up a day (getting out of bed) and jog a little (keeping up with the three year old). I guess I could put those Pilates DVD's to use I purchased over 4 years ago. I don't believe that I'm over weight but I am a little soft in the center...kind of like the Twinkies Guy. Yeah, that's right. Soft in the center with cowboy like qualities. Mmmmmm, Twinkies.. Ooops.
4. This one is for my Customers....Remember to leave feedback. For some reason I have been awful about leaving feedback lately. I appreciate you all greatly and your business is very important to me. Don't be afraid to crack the whip here people. I will get to it as soon as I am done posting this. ;O)
5. Clean out my studio. YIKES! This is a big one. I have at least 10 of everything down there. And a couple more to spare. So I'm thinking about posting several eBay auctions until I have my surplus of crafty supplies under control.
6. Make something for myself. In all of my years making things by hand I have never made anything for myself....not even a scarf. I do have a plan to make myself a new belt. I'll keep you posted.
7. Have a little more fun. I have turned into a hermit since my son was born. I used to travel all the time prior to 2000. And until Oct of last year I hadn't really took a vacation. I loved my trip to Cancun. And I love the fact that I made so many wonderful friends there that I stay in contact with on almost a daily basis. So 2008 is the year of the trips. Look out world here I come....again!
8. Take my son to do something extra special and fun at least twice a month. We go to the park a lot during the summer but don't really have special trips. So I'm thinking the Chicago Zoo, the Aquarium, a children's museum or something along those lines about twice a month. (That's fun for me too. See #7)
9. I need to get a knitting related tattoo. For some reason I just feel the need to get inked up again.
10. Learn to say no. Yes, that's right. I am always way way way overbooked. But I'll try to work you in.
11. Keep up with the yard work this summer. I have always had a huge garden full of great veggies and flowers. Along with a very well kept yard. This last year it all went out the window and I had so many people asking me about what happened. I promise you will be able to see the house through all the weeds this year.
12. Go fishing. I love to fish. I don't remember the last time I went out on the lake to fish. Although I did go deep sea fishing while I was in Cancun. But that's not the same.
13. Re-learn how to play the guitar. I used to play by ear. But this year I'm going to take a few lessons. I have my eye on a very nice guitar I want to buy for myself but I wont do it until I can keep making progress with the lessons.
14. Learn a little more about computer graphics. I spend an insane amount of money on banners and auction templates for my listings. I love the work
pixelcafe does for me and they are so wonderful to work with. But I really want to learn how to do my website graphics which are in dire need of a face lift!
15. Spin some yarn. I don't think I spun more that 10 hanks of yarn this past year. Hmmmm...what is it that I do for a living??? Card roving and what?? Oh, spin that's right!
16. Try to make more finished products for my shop(s). Like wraps and handbags. And yes, I said shops. (See #17)
17. Finally open my second Etsy shop for business. I'm going to keep you hanging on this one. Check back for a posting about my new non-fiber related Etsy shop that will open sometime the end or Feb or beginning of March.
18. Why must McDonald's french fries taste sooooo good? Enough said.
19. Plug in the kiln. I purchased it over 3 years ago and still need to plug it in. That's all just plug kiln into socket and start it up. It sound simple enough...but yet, I have not done it yet.
20. Walk the new puppy when the weather permits. She is huge (size wise not weight wise) and really needs to exercise more. I don't think that I have told you all about her yet. We call her "Puppy". I know not real original but my son wanted to name her "Pooh". I'm saving him a little adolescent embarrassment when his girlfriend comes over and he has to call for "Pooh" to come in the house. "Pup" is simple but less embarrassing for a teenage boy to call his dog. She is a Bernoodle...a Burmese Mountain Dog and Large Poodle cross. In short, a huge black rag mop.
21. Try to write more. I actually won a full ride scholarship to college for my writing ability. I know...you can't tell from my blogs. But I really did. I promise. I started writing stories about my adventures on the road as a traveling cowgirl several years ago and put it on the back burner. It's time to start working on them again. It's my "Memoirs of a Tumbleweed" project.
22. Get organized. This one is frightening. Really it is. If I put everything up I wont know where to find anything. My motto lately...organized people are just to lazy to look for things.
23. DO NOT GO BACK TO WORK AT THE RESTAURANT! For some reason I always go back. About every 6-8 months there is a huge rash of employees either getting fired or quitting at the restaurant where I used to work. I always go back to help out and get way behind in my duties here at home and for my Etsy shop. Don't get me wrong, I love cooking there. I have been working both days on the weekends sine I returned home form my vacation in Oct. I NEED ANOTHER VACATION! I am almost done with this tour of duty. Only two more weekends left. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (See #10)
24. Get on a schedule. Simply said but not so easily done.
25. Redecorate....Paint, replace furniture and keep the immense mountain of toys in line. Ha! Sounds good though.
26. Cook more at home. I have always loved cooking. But lately if it doesn't come from a box or a bag it doesn't get made. I cook on the grill a lot during the summer especially with the garden but the winter really gets me lazy in the cooking department.
Trent Willmon has a wonderful cookbook for sale on his site.....I know, yet another shameless plug for my favorite country music singer an songwriter. But he is such a deserving person!
27. Stop when I get overwhelmed and re-evaluate the situation. And not be afraid to cut back on my undertakings.
28. Fix the lawnmower...My son and I take the riding lawnmower out for a spin around the block every morning. It is one of my favorite parts of the day...Coffee and hearing my son giggle as we go down the road. But the lawn mower started running a little rough the last few time we took it out so we made short trips to the end of the road and back.
29. Start my own line of apparel for knitters and spinners...Any Suggestions? Cute T's and gear for the hip and sassy knitter.
30. Upload my stash on Ravelry. This will take forever but I swear I have one of the world's largest stashes of yarn and roving for personal use.
OK, the list could go on and on....But you all get the idea. Help keep me in line will ya? I'll keep you all posted on my progress. I'm sure I'll be making a few confessions later...well, maybe sooner.
Take care all and let's have a great 2008!
Coby
