Every month I get so excited to make goals, and I am so happy when I look back and see how many of my goals from the previous month I achieved. It isn’t at all about a sense of obligation; instead it’s about asking what I really want to be doing with my time and celebrating that this little exercise makes those positive things I want in my life a reality.
I am keeping quilting on the list because I’ve finished reading the quilting book Eric’s brother gave me for Christmas (thanks, bro!), and now I’m ready to start cutting and sewing. I will probably start with some small projects to get the hang of working with batting and piecing fabric, but I am excited to make my first quilt sometime later this year!
My brother and sister-in-law gave us a macaron-making kit for Christmas. I know, they are the coolest ever. I have been wanting to make them, but waiting for a weekend when Eric could help me. Complex baked goods seem like a team effort. So I am looking forward to doing that this month.
Every year Eric and I try to go on a little romantic getaway in the winter. It started that way because we could get good rates then, in the off season, but now we just love having a little something to celebrate early in the year. It’s always been about long conversations in the car, exploring new places, eating great food, and just enjoying each other. In a few weeks, we’re headed up to Ventura to stay in a B&B in a converted church. So, so looking forward to it.
Go to yoga and Zumba classes? Wait, we’ve seen that one before! Sometimes, you just have to prod yourself to do something you know you’ll be glad you did. Prod, prod, prod.
Now that I’ve got all my new embroidery floss, I want to start working on some original designs. There is going to be so. much. color!
I have been reading up a storm this past month, and I love it. It’s a time I really look forward to every day, and I think reading is just my natural state. So happy that the list of things I want to read is so long, and getting longer every day. It is so marvelous to be alive.
And, of course, tons and tons of pictures will certainly be involved! I’ve updated my February goals here, and I’ll be back in April with a report on these. If you are making monthly goals, I would love to see them! Please leave your link in the comments and I’ll pop on over!
Update, April 2013: I did pretty well with my goals this month, if I do say so myself! I definitely have a good start on quilting, and I made (and devoured) the macarons. We had an awesome time on our romantical getaway in Ventura. I definitely did a lot of reading (and probably stayed up too late doing it!). I am coming in just under the wire on the cross-stitch. I have been waiting for some embroidery hoops to come in the mail (they never have the size I want at the craft store!), and I just got started last night. So far, I am completely in love with the one I’m working on. So there will probably be more of that in the future. Lots of pictures were taken too. And, sigh, I did not get to yoga or Zumba. But hope springs eternal! If there were some kind of vitamin that made you want to exercise…I would really be interested in getting hold of it!
I’m a list maker too! We did a fall getaway that ended up great fun just the two of us. I want to do that again.
I hope you can! It has always been a great time for us. I look forward to our trips every year, even before I know where we are going!
The last couple of years I had yearly goals, and a while back I used to set monthly ones – this year I haven’t got into it yet. It is definitely a good way to focus on what you want in your life, I think. Very envious of your getaway! We usually have one in April, and this year I am not sure that fund are going to permit. I hope you have a wonderful time!
I have ping-ponged around with goal-setting too, and I learned monthly goal setting from Elisa Blaha. It works great for me right now, but I am open to the idea that sometime in the future, a different way may be better. I hope you can go on your getaway! If not, maybe you can make a little getaway right where you are–a nice picnic or museum visit!
Hey sweet girl! I just finished In the Woods by Tana French. Did I miss something? She never explained what happened to the first 2 children who disappeared right? Was I supposed to know something about that “find” at the very end of the book? Was it tied to the disappearance? What a wonderful author! I checked out a newer book by her today at the library. Love you!! Ann
Hi, Aunt Ann! It’s so great to hear from you! No, she never did explain that in the end! I don’t think that last scene had to do with the disappearance, and I didn’t walk away with any clues either. I kept waiting for it and thinking, “Only ten pages left, she better get to explaining!” I was disappointed, but I read an interview she gave, and she said she is open to returning to the story, so maybe she will someday. I just got The Likeness from the library. Is that the one you’re reading? Even if she doesn’t solve every mystery, I still want to read everything she’s written! Long-distance book club!
Love you!
I envy your monthly goal setting.
And “making macarons”, good macarons is something I look 4ward 2 from you! However, you may find that goal is at least as difficult as earning a phD!
Btw, LA Weekly chose the macarons as the best macarons in the LA area. So, you have something to compare your creations.
Well, the jury is out on whether these macarons will be good–probably a stretch on the first try! This morning I made scones, and they collapsed in the oven, and I have made those dozens of times. The kitchen is full of surprises! If mine are a total fail, I’ll just head up to Euro Pane
My comment meant to say: “Btw, LA Weekly chose the macarons at Euro Pane as the best macarons in the LA area!”
I totally know what you meant!
Thank you, Cameron. You have defined for me something I have sensed in myself and never been able to articulate. Reading is my natural state!!! Unless there are 4- year olds around (or 2 or 8 or 6 or . . . ), part of my brain is thinking “I could be reading. . . .” There is some comfort in understanding. Ah, thank you. (I read this week that others are either our students or our teachers, but usually both!) Thanks, teach!
I am feeling that way more and more lately myself! I am always glancing at the books piled by my bed and longing to curl up with them. Thank goodness for lazy Saturday afternoons! Love you, my fellow book worm!
You know how Regina Brett says, “If you are a writer, write!”? Well, I’ve been walking around this year saying, “If you are a reader, read!” Very empowering!!
Awesome! I should say that to myself as well