One more challenge for 2010

Okay... I know I said only 1 (maybe 2) New Year Resolutions, BUT I seem to be finding some pretty interesting challenges while I am blog hopping.

I have signed up for:

The Somewhat Simple "Feeling Fabulous" Challenge.(This one fits in with my resolution to eat and live healthier)

Patchwork Penguin's UFO Challenge (which fits in with both getting organized and saving money because I won't be buying new stuff!)

And I just found the One Little Word Challenge. This is one that we can all do each and every day in 2010. Pick a word that sums up everything that you want for yourself in the new year. It can be anything and you can share it publicly or just keep it to yourself. No one will be checking up on you!

I have written before about the power of words to change our lives..... give this some thought and leave me a post, or not.....  blog about it on your own blog..... or not. But please do think about it!

This is my word for 2010. I tend to hold a grudge...... for a long time. So forgiveness is something that I definitely need to work on. But not only forgiving other people, forgiving myself. How many times do we set ridiculous goals (those resolutions again) and then when we can't measure up to those goals we are disappointed in ourselves? I know I will easily make excuses for other people before I will cut myself any slack.

So this year I will work on being more forgiving of others and of myself. After all, we are all just doing the best that we can with what we've got!

Happy New Year!

I learned something new today!

Today one of my friends from work taught me how to knit! I went over with another teacher from work and we had lots of fun laughing at our stitches!

I am sharing my little swatch that I made (be kind knitting people)..... the bottom was just me learning the knit stitch and then I added the purl stitch for the rest.

I even learned casting on and finishing off! My friend let us take our needles and yarn home to practice (Homework!) While I only expect to be able to make scarves for now....

HEY!!! I can knit!!!

Yay Me!!!

New Years Resolutions Anyone?

According to an article on About.com these are the top 10 New Years Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with family and friends *

2. Exercise more*

3. Lose weight**

4. Quit smoking

5. Enjoy Life More*

6. Quit Drinking

7. Get out of debt/ Save money**

8. Learn something new*

9. Help others*

10. Get Organized**

I have starred those that I need to work on from this list..... bit daunting isn't it? Easier to imagine failing rather than see myself succeeding....hmmmm

In a NY Times article Dr Oz recommends: "Whatever your resolution, commit to doing it for at least two weeks. Two weeks is what your brain needs to reprocess the way it makes decisions.”

(Two weeks, I can do that!)

Another recommendation for success, break the larger goal up into smaller, more manageable goals . And reward yourself when you do reach a small step!

Rewards?? I can do THAT!

How about:

NO?  Not exactly in line with resolution #3.....

How about this? It's fruit?! 

Okay..... I'll think of something else!

On PsychCentral they offer these 6 steps towards keeping those resolutions for 2010:

1.Be realistic (What?! I can't  lose 50 pounds in a week?)

2. Stick with your plan

3. Find a buddy to work with

4. Focus on the positive ( I CAN do this!)

5. Resolutions are not punishments, but opportunities

6. Try, try again (we all make mistakes sometimes)

Good Luck!

New Years Ideas

So, what are you doing for New Years? I have never been one to go out on the town, just not my style. One of my daughters is going to Boston's First Night, and the other is going to NYC! Yikes, that is just too many people and too much cold air for me.

I found some fun crafts and snacks that you can make with the kids for New Years while staying warm and cozy in your home!

From about.com:

Family Resolution Book

Resolutions -- those little promises that you make to yourself each year but don't necessarily keep. Here's a way to keep you and your family on track with those promises.
What you need:

• A photo album or scrapbook.
• Resolution form (print one for each family member).(Or use your own idea)
  

What to do: Using the resolution form, each family member writes up his/her resolutions for the upcoming year. Put this in the book along with photos or anything else that strikes your fancy from the past year. Check in every month or so to see how you're doing with your promises to yourself.
Variation: For those who own camcorders -- record each family member talking about his/her resolutions on camera. Take a look at the video every month or so to see how you're doing with your resolutions.


Kaboose has a variety of fun crafts. I liked these:

                             Paper Plate Noise Maker            and Time Capsule

After making all these crafts, you and the kids will be hungry. How about a snack?

New Years Blessing Snack Mix

Each ingredient in this snack mix symbolizes something associated with the new year

• Bugles Corn Snacks - Represents horns and hats used in New Year's celebrations.
• M&Ms - Resembles colorful confetti thrown to welcome the new year.
• Peanuts - Plant the seeds for peace in the New Year.
• Pretzels - Arms folded in prayer for a safe and happy new year.
• Hershey's Hugs and Kisses - The love of family and friends that sweetens our lives.
• Goldfish Crackers - For good luck in the new year, represents abundance and togetherness.
• Raisins - Symbolizes 12 grapes eaten at midnight to bring good luck in all 12 months of the new year.
• Gold Foil Covered Coins - For fortune and prosperity. 

Use even amounts of all the ingredients listed above or mix and match as you like. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together. You can make this mix as a family and eat while discussing each ingredient and how it relates to the new year.

 YUM!

Whatever you decide to do on New Years, be safe and be happy!

A Good Book and a Cuppa

This is what I will be doing today..... its over 1000 pages long! It can be my first book read for 2010. :)

I have loved Stephen King since the late 70's when I read the Shining and it scared the heck out of me!
He keeps talking about retiring.... and I keep hoping that he doesn't!

I Talk a Good Game, But.....

I encourage others in my life to face their fears and to be strong.... I spout quotes and pithy sayings to illustrate that we are able to find the strength to get through the rough spots in our lives....
For example, this is one of my favorites: "Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem and smarter than you think" ~A.A. Milne (I have this one on my fridge...)



So why is it that sometimes I am unable to face my own fears....? I avoid the unknown and hide in the shadows, trembling..... when facing that which I avoid would probably be less loathsome than my mind can imagine.

I guess this is one more challenge I can work on in the new year........ but I still wonder, why is it easy to help others with their problems when we can't seem to overcome our own?

The New Year and the New You?

So Christmas is over, the presents are unwrapped and dinner was delicious! I hope everyone enjoyed their day with their families and friends. My 3 grown children were all here with their significant others (except my son! Anyone know a nice girl......?) and the 2 dogs... I love how the house is filled with laughter and love when they are here.

Now our thoughts move on to the New Year and we start thinking about how we can make this new year better than the last; how we can perhaps make ourselves even better than we already are.

Has anyone given any thoughts to the changes or challenges they would like to take on in 2010? Number one on my list is grad school. I hope to start in March and work towards my Masters in Special Education/ Severe Emotional Disturbance. I plan on working at a slower pace than I did when I went back for my BS, but it will be a challenge nonetheless with my 2 jobs.

Steph at Somewhat Simple has issued a Feeling Fabulous challenge for January. I have signed on, figure I need all the support I can get!

Thearica at Pig Tales and Quilts will be working on The Farmers Wife Quilt this year! I think I will sit this challenge out and just follow her progress. Take a look at this quilt, it is gorgeous!

Where Women Create and The Gum Tree Designers also have some fun things planned for the upcoming year. Be sure to keep an eye on them!

Let me know of any challenges that you will be taking on, and perhaps I will join you.... everything is easier when you do it with a friend!


~ You have powers you never dreamed of. You can do things you never thought you could do. There are no limitations in what you can do except the limitations of your own mind ~ Darwin P. Kingsley

Merry,Merry

Hope you got all that you wished for and more this Christmas.

(with thanks to Calvin and Hobbes)

The stockings are hung....

Okay, jut one more picture for you that I had to share!.... I was filling the stockings with goodies and I just had to take a picture because of the new fireplace grate that I have.
It was made by a dear friend of mine that does Iron Art. You would never think that she did work like this, because she is an adorable, petite woman! But she wrestles these iron pieces like they were butter.

Anyhow, I got this piece from one of her shows, it was made for a client that canceled.... Isn't it gorgeous? And don't the stockings look adorable hanging from them?? And now I don't have to worry about the stockings being too heavy and falling down, stocking hanger and all.

If you are interested in iron art, visit Robin's website and take a peek. She will make ANYTHING. The more artsy the better. She also custom designed and created the iron garden bunny for me.

Fireplace grate                                    Garden Bunny

Sly Iron Art

Down To the Wire Here

Lots to do today.... but at least I am feeling the Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas everyone! Give your loved ones an extra hug from me.

(with thanks to Calvin and Hobbes.....my favorite)

Favorite Christmas Memory

The year we rented a cottage and went away for Christmas vacation week is my favorite memory. BUT we were home on Christmas day itself, so of course everyone wanted to decorate and put up the tree. We opened our gifts as usual and had dinner with the family.
The next morning we packed all of our stuff up to go to the cottage, INCLUDING THE TREE, decorations and all!! We put it into one of those hugs tree bags and put it in the back of the truck (we had the king cab for the kids). It was amazing that not one of the ornaments was lost or broken! And we got to enjoy the tree for the week!

Great giveaway at Cottage Charm Quilts!! I would love to win a Birdie or Glace fat quarter bundle. Or the I Believe in Angels applique pattern set (I love Bunny  Hill!), or perhaps a Love U layer cake!! There is so much to choose from!

The Stella Blue Kit is gorgeous! I would LOVE to win that too!!

Big Thank You to Kelly for hosting this great giveaway at her shop!

Only 3 more sleeps

Make your own here

Virtual Christmas Quilt Show/ Vote For ME!

Sew Cal Gal is hosting a Virtual Christmas quilt show.

If you enter a quilt OR if you vote for your favorite quilt, you have a chance to win one of several prizes.


I have been reading about this event on Sew Cal Gal's blog, and debating whether or not I should enter. I have several holiday quilts in the works but nothing was completely done. THEN I saw on today's post that it doesn't have to be complete..... so here I am!!

This quilt is one I started several years ago, and was the first Christmas quilt I ever made. I had it all done except the binding. I am not very good at binding... its not the machine sewing part, its the HAND sewing on the back. I can never get my stitching to look the way I want it to. The stitches are uneven, or too big.... just ugly. So I put this away and kind of forgot about it until I was looking for some fabric to finish another Christmas project this month.

I had forgotten all about my little Christmas tree!! I am definitely going to bind it now. I would like to give it to my daughter for her first Christmas in her new home this year.

Oh Christmas Tree, My Lovely Christmas Tree

I had to post this picture as well, because you can never put a quilt down for more than 30 seconds without a cat coming over to give his approval. (If you look carefully you can see his nose poking through the curtain in the first picture) It will also help explain any cat hairs you may see on the quilt!!

Thank you for peeking at my quilt! I hope you vote for me!!

Love that mail carrier!

Got more goodies in the mail today.... the first card is from another of my good friends from my cross stitch group. I am so lucky to call these ladies my friends..... they are all amazing women!

Can only show you the card as I don't want the ladies in the group to see the little gifties and ruin the surprise. It arrived in this envelope! Who knew they made such fancy Christmas mailers?!

This second little giftie is from my long time friend from elementary school. It sure was a surprise to get her package, as I wasn't expecting anything.... heheheh. Guess we think alike since my package to HER should be arriving today or tomorrow.

Front

Back

Also got the last of the items I ordered for Christmas giving. I do most of my shopping online, and I have been very lucky to always get things on time without paying crazy shipping costs. Many of the shopping sites will upgrade shipping for free just to maximize their last minute sales before the holiday.

Well I have 2 more days of work and then school vacation! I am ready.



"We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other."
-lucian de crescenzo

Staying Warm

We got lucky and only got about 2" from the big snow storm! woo-hoo!! I hate to shovel..

So now I have to get busy doing some of this:

And some of this:

So We can enjoy some of these:

From home to home, and heart to heart, from one place to another. The warmth and joy of Christmas, brings us closer to each other. - Emily Matthews