Setting New Goals...

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I'm not one to make resolutions. I'm really not. I prefer to call 

them goals...things that I want to accomplish during the year.

I call them "To Do" lists. I write things down, then I check them

off as I finish them. I usually do them day-by-day, but I've

decided to write down three long-term lists for this year...

1) Personal goals

2) Creative goals

and

3) Home project goals

Now, I'm not going to bore you with all the things I've written

down, but I'll share one or two things from each list of ten items.

Personal Goals

I don't know if you've even noticed, but I've had a running total on my 

right sidebar of a healthy lifestyle program I started last September. 

(It's under the "Working Toward A Goal" caption below my profile.)

Since I started, I've kept track of how far I've ridden my bicycle, walked (or

 other activity), and how much weight I've lost. I managed to shed twenty

pounds before my birthday, and I got through the Christmas and New Year

 holidays without gaining any of it back! I'm going to continue my program

 through 2014.  I'll keep track over in my sidebar in case you're interested. I

change it weekly, but won't start again 'til I've healed from my recent surgery.

If you write a comment to me asking for details, I promise I'll write

back with an answer. If you're a "no comment" blogger, make sure

you add your email address so there's a way for me to reply.

Image from hikerinheels.blogspot.com

I've chosen my word for 2014. 

I chose "GRACE".

You already know that's Mom's name. I've been learning from her

for over forty years, and believe me, she's the living embodiment

of her name. Before I chose it, I looked up the definitions.

As a noun, it means poise, agility, finesse, courtesy, decency, 

politeness, respect, generosity, kindness, blessing, and goodwill.

As a verb, it means dignify, honor, distinguish, enhance, glorify,

elevate, adorn, embellish, decorate, enhance, beautify and enrich.

It seems to me that there are many different ways that I'll be able

to embrace this word in 2014...both in my personal and creative life.

Creative Goals

I'll share a lot of these in the coming months, but my most short-term

goal is to make an assortment of Kindle and iPad cases for our quilt

show Boutique (in February). I have all the supplies, and I'll start soon.

I'm also going to set aside time each month in 2014 to make a gift 

for my Christmas list. No more procrastinating until the end of the year.

By November, all I'll have to do is make jammies to fit our grandkids.

Home Project Goals

I'm going to make a set of slipcovers for the Flying Cloud seating areas.

and

I'm going to work on decluttering - beginning with my closet.

I've learned from living in the Flying Cloud that we can live with less.

(Well, except for in the studio!) So, I'm going to start in my closet 

and proceed to the next area or room from there. I'll embrace the 

concept of "enough" instead of "a lot" - making for definitely less stuff.

Image from a greeting card I received last year.

You'll be seeing my 2014 word in future posts as I strive to live a 

life of "grace" this year. I'm blessed to have Mom as my inspiration,

and I'll be sharing more of my lists in upcoming months, too.

I love the hope and anticipation that comes with the beginning of a

new year. I don't want to waste a single second on regret over days past.

(Nostalgia, yes, but no regret.) Look forward with me as we embark on
another 365 journey. It's going to be an adventure...I just know it!

Something's Gotta Give...

I love our home. I love my stuff. But, I'm beginning to realize that something's got to give. My stuff is owning me these days. Have you ever felt that way? It's really frustrating.

I look at the wonderful images on other blogs that I visit and for a while, I'm transported to these lovely places of white, serene and organized. Then, I close my laptop, look around and wonder what I should do differently around here. Man, it's worse than watching HGTV! Handsome is not a white, cottage-y kind of guy so he'll never sign on for that look. I need to find a different solution.

Currently, I'm frustrated by our kitchen. There are these great display areas above the cupboards. I have things I like to have up there, but I feel like it's starting to look more like a flea market than any kind of meaningful (or pretty) display. I have a collection of pitchers and creamers that are lost up on that shelf. Then there are Toby teapots, a much-loved antique jardiniere that belonged to my mother-in-law, a huge lily pad platter that was a gift from our daughter-in-law. You get the idea.

I asked Handsome for some insight. His first comment was, "How does something utilitarian like a group of creamers or pitchers get elevated to the status of a "collection", and why should they be displayed, instead of kept in cabinets?" How could I answer this with a straight face? Has the love of my life forgotten that I'm currently collecting acorns? In my mind, the fruit of the oak tree has become fodder for a new collection. We probably weren't going to see eye to eye on this.

I pulled out an old favorite book in hopes that I'll find a new perspective. It's called Eliminate Chaos by Laura Leist. I really like her approach to identifying, tackling and eliminating the problem spots in a home. I don't need more furniture (like a display cabinet). I don't want to get rid of all my stuff. But, I need to figure this out and I'm hoping you might be able to share some of your inspiration with me.

I've made the photo from our kitchen a link to other photos of our home. It will give you an idea of our decor. Handsome has always loved Scandinavian furniture, which I used to dismiss out-of-hand - until I walked into a store with him, saw all the teak, and fell in love with the look. My issue isn't with the furniture. It's with the "spare" look that goes with that furniture. How do I edit out my stuff?

Our dining room and living room are now furnished in beautiful Scandinavian pieces. But I still love cottage elements (sigh), and we have the oak table in our dinette area that was a wedding gift from my parents. I can't part with that! Our master bedroom is Tommy Bahama. Perfect for Florida. Scandinavian? Not so much. And then, there are the little knick knacks and other items on shelves and table tops that I like having around. What do I do with those? Are you beginning to feel my pain?

Really, I'll appreciate any input you can offer.