2025 Word of the Year...

This is kind of how my year ended. With a few exceptions, it could have been better the last six months. Health for my beloved was certainly an unplanned factor, but I could have had better control of November and December. I've been thinking about that as I decided on my 2025 Word of the Year.

Thanks to my sister, Jan for sharing this list of possibilities in her online group. I'm sharing it with you now because my word came from her list.

Now, I admit. I looked at this list for quite a while. Health and fitness jumped out at me, but I wanted something more encompassing for home life, health, and my creative endeavors (blog, studio, shows, creativity in general). I finally settled on one that I think will be an all-around great reminder for all those things. So here's my choice...

Yes. It's easy for me to get my "frogs" in a row, and then...out jump the squirrels and we're off to the races! So, I'm going back to making lists at the beginning of the week. I'll map out the things I need to accomplish; want to accomplish; and how I intend to spend time with family and friends. I really do best when I have my list journal, and when I've done this in the past, I accomplished so much more. I also kept what was most important front and center. 

It's also motivating for me to be able to check items off my list(s). How about rewards for meeting goals? Like, get everything done by a certain time on a Wednesday and I can plan for a special night out with Handsome for the weekend. Or get all my important tasks done by 4:30 pm and reward myself with a special treat. You get the idea.

Have you chosen a word for this year? Are you going to? Perhaps the list Jan shared with me might help you decide, too? If you're not into this sort of thing, it's okay to just fly by the seat of your pants. I've done that, too. I'd love to know how you motivate through your days. 

2024 Word of the Year...

 

I spent some time contemplating what I wanted to select as my word for 2024, and finally landed on this. While there are many interpretations for the word, I'm seeking to manifest abundance in a number of ways this year.

First, I want to increase my spiritual abundance, seeking to carve time every day to reflect on His Word and my desire to live more closely aligned with it. I have a few study resources that I'll use to help me achieve that goal. I've always known that all the gifts in my life are because of my faith, and I want to show more gratitude through being a better follower.

Next, I want to concentrate more of my efforts on a schedule that will move me toward publishing a few things that I've been putting off for too long. I have some patterns I want to write to list in my shop, as well as a book or two - that will also be available - by the end of June this year. I want to better manage my time so that I'm not always "last minuting" my efforts, too.

As a component of all of this, I've come to realize that abundance is not to be found in "stuff", so I'll get even more discerning about just what I want to have in our home and life. I want to concentrate more on experiences and interactions with loved ones, and I want to be more available and present for my family. Boiled down to its essence: in the words of architect Mies van der Rohe, "Less is more". My goal is to keep the things that have the most meaning, are the most useful, and bring the most joy, therefore giving them more impact in our environs. Also, by having less stuff, we won't need to spend as much time cleaning, managing and shifting as we do now.

My studio has more things than I'll ever be able to use - and it takes up valuable real estate that could be better used. I have three shows this year, and my goal is to sew my way out of a number of things that currently occupy that space. By the end of the year, I'm planning to completely move away from the cork creations (handbags, wallets, totes, etc.) and the majority of my quilting endeavors. I'll hold on to a few projects that I have wanted to do for a long time, as well as the materials I need to continue my embroidered birds wall hanging series, but I'm going to let most of the rest go so I can again focus on my first love - needlework. In the process, I hope to free up one of the rooms upstairs to become a restful retreat for guests.

Handsome and I are planning a larger garden this year, so that we can be more responsible for growing and preserving the food we eat. He even suggested that we create a summer kitchen in our large outbuilding. That way we can have all our supplies at ground level, instead of lugging things up from the basement all the time. Climbing the steep stairs in this farmhouse becomes more difficult at our ages, and being at ground level would make for a much more efficient setup. It really will be garden-to-table (to-preservation) and we can appreciate the abundant fruits of our labor through the summer and to the next growing season.

As you can see, this year's word will require a certain dedication and commitment from me if I'm going to be successful. I think I'm up to it, and I promise to keep you informed as I make my way through the coming months.

Have you chosen a word for 2024? If so, I'd love to have you share it with me. Perhaps we can motivate each other to reach our goals? I'm excited to begin and am optimistic for the year ahead. I'm so glad you're here to be a part of this new year with me.

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!