My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I made it through the entire week without 1 nap and each night I was able to get in about 7 hours of sleep. I had planned on sleeping in on Saturday but Lucy was freaking out about something {I don’t even remember what is was now} and so I was up at 5. Oh well, there’s always next weekend, right?
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
October is turning out to be a very expensive month for us and with the holidays right around the corner, I don’t know that we’ll be making any extra payments on our mortgage next month. I ordered an enormous amount of wool and supplies so I could start hand dying wool and reselling it on Etsy, and that will take some time to recoup. We had some home maintenance stuff we did, and Monkey Boy and his buddies have decided to get a place together so we want to help him with that. He actually has everything he needs {furniture/dishes/bedding etc.} but we told him we would take him shopping and fill the pantry/toiletries/laundry supplies at his place as a housewarming gift.
It’s funny. When the HH and I both moved out all we took with us was what we could fit in our cars, which was really just clothing, a tv and stereo equipment. We were lucky enough to find a place that was totally furnished. Kids, they’ve got to fly the coop sometime, right?
Live a little
I wasted a good 20 minutes pouring over the new Sundance Catalog. Okay, maybe more like 30 minutes. I’m pretty much in LOVE with this Sagamore sweater coat. But it’s $168 dollars. But it looks so warm, and those chunky buttons are lovely.
And this Caitlin Henley with the long sleeves {because I have monkey arms}.
And these Sorel Mackenzie shoes. They really aren’t even that attractive, but man do they look all nubby and cozy. Soooooo cozy. And Sorel shoes/boots are really well made.
Sweater $168, Top $88, Shoes $128 = $384. 🙁 That’s like a months worth of heat and electricity during the coldest month of the year {January}. So…. do I want heat and lights? Or 3 new pieces to add to my wardrobe? It’s a tough one, but not really.
But that won’t stop me from wanting those things any less.
If I wind the lotto someday though, all of my clothing will be coming from the Sundance catalog. 😉 Because really, deep down inside there is this girl who knows how to dress well, but just doesn’t want to make the effort, and picking entire outfits off of a magazine page would just be so much more fun than walking into a store.
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
I don’t think I am going to hit 52 bakeries this year, but it’s been fun trying. I’m thinking I will have to continue this goal into 2018.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I’m 9 for 10 so far this year… and hoping I can make it 11 out of 12.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns Mission Accomplished!
Any hookers out there? I’ve got all 12 of my patterns listed on Etsy.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500. Mission Accomplished
This past week I sold $444.84 in my Etsy and Ebay shops which brings my total so far this year to $10,484.99. Wowie Zowie!
Purge 250 Items Mission Accomplished
I think we are well past 300 items for the year and honestly, I didn’t think there is anything left to purge but The Girl stuck another bag of items for the thrift store in the car so apparently she’s not done.
Learn to Crochet Mission Accomplished
I’m a hooker not a crocheter. Ha!
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Darrrrrling….. Waffles with apples cooked in a nice brown sugar and vanilla sauce are on the breakfast tray this morning. I hope they’ll fill you up and give you energy because I’ve got a TON of projects for you today. Weeeeeeeeeee!
Lose the Muffin Top. {again} Mission Accomplished
Muffy’s gone. But we all know the real test is coming up…. Thanksgiving and Christmas food. Will Muffy and her 10 pounds of love handles be coming to stay this winter… or will she be staying home? Curious minds want to know.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Working on it. Although my brown boots are starting to fall apart at the heel {they’re only like 4 or 5 years old man}. Oh, and for all you dental pick users out there…. Is this your’s? Did you drop it while you were in the Home Depot? Is this a thing? People cleaning their teeth while shopping for light bulbs? GAG.
Try 52 New Recipes
Mrs. HB and I have a new recipe for you to try!! Stay tuned.
Read 52 Books
I started listening to True Compass but had to stop because I didn’t like the narrator’s voice. I think I’ll read the book instead. I listened to about 30 minutes of Winnie-the-Pooh but had to stop because he’s so depressing. And then there was The Remains of the Day. I stopped that one as well because I couldn’t stop thinking about the movie with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson and trying to envision their characters. Call me weird, but I have to like the narrator’s voice or I just can’t listen to an audiobook. Are you that way too?
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
January – Donated to Quilts from the Heart in Memory of my brother.
February – Donated to Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
March – Donated to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
April – Donated again to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
May – $100 Tip to a waitress on Mother’s day.
June – Started collecting men’s shirts to donate this winter.
July – Donated to the Chew Dog Rescue
August – Donated to the Houston Flood Relief Fund
September – $100 Tip to our amazing server at The Grey House and bought a tin of caramel corn from a Boy Scout
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
Secret Goal #1Sell East Coast House Mission AccomplishedSecret Goal #2Chickens! Mission Accomplished- Secret Goal #3 Working on it!
- Secret Goal #4
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2017? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2017 Goals HERE.
Beth says
Happy Sunday! I have to comment on the Sundance Catalog- my college age daughter and I were in SLC a week ago on a short getaway during her fall break and I wanted to drop in the Sundance outlet store. We went in and she spent the entire time in there wondering aloud who wears their “weird expensive clothes”..ha! Can’t account for young people’s taste…all she wears is sweatshirts and yoga pants.
Mavis Butterfield says
That’s funny. I’m pretty sure my daughter wouldn’t wear it either but she does like the jewelry.
Teri says
Big congrats on your ebay/etsy earnings! WTG Mavis 🙂
Delores says
Well, I would take that dental pic over the needle and spoon I found in a store parking lot near where I live.
On a happier note: I found an awesome hooked ‘rug’ that has herbs in it and then the names of those herbs as borders. I took a picture of it — I am all about herbs! If you ever go to MN, you should visit the UM Arboretum (where the rug is). That place is amazing! I was expecting a small place, but it is over 1200 acres! We had a child not feeling well, or I would have stayed longer. Even so, it took almost all day to walk around (people can drive through as well). Seriously: amazing!
E in Upstate NY says
I vote a huge YES to the UM Arboretum. While visiting family in St Paul, we were taken there. It is truly a wonderful place, and also wish we had more time to explore its many acres.
eliz says
Have you listened to any books by Louise Penny? I have listened to several Inspector Gamache books and liked them. The reader Ralph Cosham is good.
I just started a book called Beartown and the reader seems fine too.
Martha Archer says
Mavis, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE buy yourself what you want from Sundance. You DESERVE TO TREAT YOURSELF!!!!!!!!
Mable says
Why is treating yourself almost always connected to consumerism? What about treating yourself with time for a walk or a bubble bath or spending time with your partner? The incessant ads about “You deserve a break today” and “I’m worth it” have somehow twisted things so that only something you have to spend money on is considered treating yourself? I have more respect for Mavis for drooling over a picture and then putting the money she could have spent into paying off your mortgage faster.
Kayla says
If the voice of an audio book is awful- then it kills the book.
Mavis, when you read books to yourself, do you read different characters in different voices in your head-like I do?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes I do that too!
Amy says
My biggest problem with audiobooks is the narrator. I have only made it though 2. I just cannot stand it. Even for books from people that I listen to their podcasts and enjoy, I cannot stand to hear them read their own book. Weird. And yes, Sundance is amazing. I always look.
bobbi says
I can NOT finish an audio book if I don’t like the voice. I’ll take a paper book for $10 Alex. My daughter and sis have tried to get me to change, and I tried, but I just don’t like it. The only book I LOVED on CD’s was Cary Elwes, “As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride”. I highly recommend it if you like the PB. Cary Elses narrates it and the actors chime in occasionally. A little sad (Andre the Giant) but an EXCELLENT book. Your Goals are amazing. I think I will join you in 2018 if you do them again. 🙂
bobbi says
*”Elwes” sorry
Tracey says
Warm good shoes that are made to last are worth every penny spent on them. Make your tootsies happy.
Sue says
As long as your bills are paid, You have to live a little! If that means taking a bubble bath or buying something of a splurge. Everyone is different. I am 56 my husband is 59. Our house is paid for, I retired with 36 years of work at 56. My husband retired at 52. As good as that sounds, my husband has a lot of medical issues, colon cancer, diabetes, stomach cancer, etc. And I retired to spend as much time as possible with him. We have been married for 38 years. Yes I
was just a baby when we got married! And I will do and spend whatever it is to bring him some enjoyment. Which gives me enjoyment too! So Mable, please don’t judge people for spending money to live a little. Life is way too short…
Sue says
Oops! This was supposed to be under Mable’s comment above. And I totally respect Mavis for all that she does for each of use reading her blog! What I am trying to say in my above comments is life is always changing, goals are always changing, you just do what feels right to you at the time. So please don’t judge
Connie says
I have monkey arms too and I liked that shirt in the catalog also.. Thermal knits are just cozy. But I am not ordering it either.
Gigi says
I listened to the audio version of “The Historian” by Elizabeth Kostovo. I think it was an abbreviated version, but there we a few narrators and it was really captivating. It’s funny, I get excited when I hear my favorite narrators when starting a new book/series.
Cathy says
OMG, I seem to be a used floss pick magnet I find them all over the place. Maybe because I walk a lot, but why do people feel like it’s ok to toss them on the ground? Soooo gross. Blech.
Kelly says
Hi Mavis!
I love your blog-so inspiring. I agree that you have to enjoy the narrator’s voice in an audio book. I think Jim Dale who narrates the Harry Potter series is the best. Also Davina Porter who narrates the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Love these series in book and audio form. They are my favorite authors.