BEEN THERE, DONE THAT

“Vow to make 2017 the year you finish your unfinished projects,” said the email message from a quilting website. “Please join our Facebook group and finish your UFOs.”

“Oh no you don’t,” I said to myself. That was my 2016 resolution. I made a list of all my unfinished projects with the resolution that I would not start anything new in 2016. While I enjoyed some success with that, in other ways it was counterproductive to creativity. This year I’m returning to less restrictive goals.

 

I always write a few resolutions, and they have nothing to do with areas in which I traditionally fail – eating and exercising to lose weight. Those things I have always with me, and as important as it is to diet and exercise, the subject brings me no joy. My resolutions will probably just be a list in my journal of things I want to do. And it will be way more than I can do in a year, but you know, if I don’t make that list, it will be year’s end again, and I will have forgotten all about this afghan and that quilt, that apron I want to make out of this border print, and the lovely Cinderella ball gowns for the dolls. Where does the time go?

2016 was a difficult year for our family, but when I count my blessings, I count the little shed that we installed on the back of our lot last January. For the first time since we moved here, my stuff is fully accessible to me. I have been gradually putting away Christmas decorations all by myself, and yesterday I brought in two large bins of yarn which I sorted and organized.

Next up: A discussion of storage solutions prior to plastic. KW

ONE WEEK IN -- NOTHING DONE

I never used to make New Year's resolutions. Why set myself up to fail? Then I read that people who make resolutions are really more progressive than those who don't. So I "turned over a new leaf," and for what it's worth, I take time at the New Year to consider what I accomplished in the year just past and to re-shape my goals.

Last year slipped by without a lot of personal accomplishment. I say "personal accomplishment" because Mike and I were very busy. I think of that wonderful trip to Mississippi and Hallie and Nick's beautiful wedding and receptions. But as a retro homemaker, I failed miserably. I started many things I didn't finish and didn't fulfill my resolutions. No need to cry. I simply start over. Each day, each month, each year can be a new beginning.

Step one in the process: Buy a 2010 engagement calendar. Mine happens to be the Marjolein Bastin Nature's Journal. Step two: Identify a spiritual goal for the year. Step three: Identify activities to be pursued during the next year. And like a child who takes way too much food on her plate, I have way more to do than I will accomplish. Still, the activity of organizing is a good exercise and always benefits me.

This year I am facing my unfinished projects. In addition to writing down those things that need to be finished in my journal, I have physically filled Hallie's bed with some of them. In fact, since I took this picture, several more have been placed there. I have resolved not to start any new handwork projects until I have finished some of these. And -- we're one week into 2010 and I have made no progress except to write my goals and organize the work. Maybe that's enough for the first week.

I'm really good at organizing the work and making plans and not so good at staying focused and getting things done. This year I resolve to use my engagement planner / journal on a daily basis for better accountability. KW