My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I was terribly sick for 2 days this past week and during those two days I was able to get some major sleeping in. The other days though, I mostly averaged about 6 1/2 – 7 hours of sleep. It used to be that I could get by on 4-5 hours of sleep, and now 6 1/2-7 seem to be the norm. So I’m thinking 10 years from now, maybe I’ll be able to do 8. It’s funny, how age changes things.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
HOLY COW MAN…. only a few weeks to go and 2017 will be over! How crazy is that? Seriously. I cant believe it. This year didn’t turn out exactly as I had planned, but you know, as long as you can keep your eye on the prize and plow ahead, stay focused, the goals you started the year with will hopefully work out in the end. You just have to believe it will. So, with only 21 days left to go, I want to encourage EVERYONE out there to start thinking about what YOU want to accomplish in 2018 and make a plan. Write it down. Tell a friend. Find a way to hold yourself accountable.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
Live a little
Oh yes. I have a story for you… but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow!!! 😉
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Mom and I have plans to try out a bakery {or two} next week. Ill keep you posted.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
So far I am 10 for 11 for the year. I’m thinking I may have to save December’s “no spend” week for week of the 18th.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
Hey now, check it out! My 14th rug hooking pattern of the year. If you’re a hooker and you are looking for a Happy Happy Flowers Rug to hook this winter while you wait for Spring…. You can find my latest pattern HERE.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500
This week I sold $189.95 worth of goodness in my Etsy shop which brings my total sales to $12,814.60 for the year. Giddy up! Maybe I’ll hit 13k. How cool would that be?
Purge 250 Items Mission Accomplished
I know, I know, you are insanely disappointed I didn’t ask you first if you wanted this bonsai tree before I dropped it off at the thrift store this week. But hey, with over 400 items purged this year, it was just another “thing” I was glad to see go.
Learn to Crochet Mission Accomplished
I tried to love it but it’s not for me. I’m a hooker at heart.
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
That sweet husband of mine. On his agenda for today: Absolutely nothing. The Girl mowed the yard for the final time this year, there are no projects to finish, and nowhere to go. So for today, he gets to REST. Having an entire day to lounge, is pretty darn spiffy if you ask me.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
Although I’m sure being totally sick in bed for 2 days just before a major eating holiday helped, I am happy to report I’ve been able to keep Muffy at bay since losing her earlier this year.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Workin’ it!
Try 52 New Recipes
Mrs. HB and I need to get together and have a pie making party because there are like 5 pies in the Southern Pies cookbook I want to make. Have you ever heard of/tried a vinegar pie? Is it any good? I kind of want to try it.
Read 52 Books
Can you believe this?! As it turns out, our library was having to pay PER ITEM that was downloaded {I had no idea} and well, the program was so popular, now our library cannot afford to offer Hoopla anymore to it’s patrons. Now what? I don’t even think we own a cd player anymore so I can’t even listen to audio books at home. —-> Or so I thought. My daughter just informed me my laptop has a cd thingy on the side. So, there’s that.
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 – Collected 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
October – I still need to do something. But I am hoping the opportunity will present itself and just be an in the moment kind of thing.
November – I bought toys to donate to the Fire Department
December – I bought toys to donate to the Fire Department
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 Totally working on it! <— Almost there! I’m hoping to tell you about it next week.
- Secret Goal #4 I’m on it, like a car bonnet! Seriously, this one is SO GOOD! I’m not sure if this will get done by the end of the year but I’m trying.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2017? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2017 Goals HERE.
Melanie says
Mavis,
You should write suspense novels! You’ve got me sitting on the edge of my seat for a couple of reasons. First, I’m SO curious about your secret goals (I think I know what they are, but I can’t wait to see if I’m right), AND second, I cannot wait to see what your mother gives you this year for Christmas! I know it’s crazy, but your mother’s gift giving is one of my favorite things EVER! 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
This is the FIRST YEAR EVER my Mother has not asked any of us what we’d like for Christmas. The suspense in REAL over here too. 😉
Helen in Meridian says
I love her travel size gift boxes to you and the girl. Did she miss giving you one last year, i don’t recall seeing it? Yesterday your friend showed pictures of her daughter. She was wearing your beautiful gown on a horse, then she sat down in the chicken poop in that beautiful gown with the blue embtoidered flowers. Disrespectful if you ask me.
Linda M says
Yes, I am a retired…telling you my age group. I grew up loving vinegar pie. Heads up…it you don’t like tart…you probably won’t like this. If you like lemon…you are in luck. My Dad said that during the depression and before we could transport seasonal food….lemons were rare. And lots of people made their own vinegar and he thought it was how the vinegar pie got started. My grandmother’s pie had a meringue…but I have had a version without it. Hope you enjoy. Pleasant memories on my part.
Michele says
I’m on pins and needles waiting for Secret Goal 3# to be revealed! It’s not even my goal but I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.
Marilyn says
So am I! It is driving me bonkers!!!
Mel says
Vinegar Pie is an old family recipe on my mother’s side. I don’t have the exact recipe they use, but I found out about it at a family reunion. I was skeptical, but it works out much the way lemon juice does in pie fillings–the acidity is counteracted by sugar. I think it was just a cheaper or non-season-dependent acid for pie.
I finished my goal of mostly handmade gifts in early December, but I have spent HOURS wrapping them all, and I’m not done. I really can’t wait until next year’s goal of sewing reusable gift wrap. All my other goals for 2017 are done.
Lisa says
How is The Girls mentor doing that was in that horrible accident?
Mavis Butterfield says
Better, although he is paralyzed and in a wheelchair for life. He has an amazing support system, a job, family, friends and two beautiful babies. Not everyone is so fortunate.
Kim says
My grandmother, Johnsie Mae, made vinegar rolls. Sorta like cinnamon rolls, but poured some sort of sweetened vinegar liquid over them. They were marvelous and I need to ask my 86 year old mom to make them one more time so we can continue the depression era recipe.
Lace Faerie says
Kim: I love tart and I am very curious about Johnsie Mae’s recipes. I hope you’ll share them!
Has anyone seen the YouTube channel called Great Depression Cooking? I love her videos! What an interesting woman that Grammy!
Sharon says
Please share!! Exciting.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! We all want the recipe.
Janet Howard says
Too bad about Hoopla like you I have been listening to books through this service. My library also offers kanopy streaming that has lots of good stuff. Hope that lasts.
Helen in Meridian says
We used to make vinegar taffy for a taffy pull. It was very good.
Jo says
My library uses Overdrive for books and audiobooks. It is super easy to use and works well. That’s the only service they’ve ever used. Give it a try before you start looking for physical CDs!
Sue says
That is one beautiful rug you are holding.
Also, I’ve been following so long I can just about read between the lines when you give out your clues, I’m not saying but I think I know and I’m so excited for you. Just don’t ever give up this blog. I would never know about The Amazon deals or the wonderful books and movies to watch. Also, look for each chapter of the saga of friends that unfold and don’t get going about Lucy. I love that Lucy. Mavis, you are one lucky lady.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thank you Sue! You made me smile. Life is really just one, big, evolving story isn’t it. 😉
Linda Harper says
I personally like overdrive better than hoopla. You can download ebooks and audio. Super easy to use. I never thought I could get used to digital books but Love them.
RebekahU says
Yep – we are all in suspense. I have a couple of ideas about your mystery goals too – just so curious if I’ll be correct. Can’t wait to find out. And your rug turned out so beautiful!
JoAnn Chmielowic says
Mavis, You should try using the Overdrive app for audiobooks that is listed in your message. That’s what I use through my local public library and it is excellent. It is equivalent to Hoopla and may actually have a larger inventory. Give it a try!
JoAnn
Carrie Council says
My library uses Overdrive. It’s come a long way over the years and it is much easier to use now. I download mostly eBooks but they have a good selection of audio books as well. You can still download 3 free books a month with Hoopla so maybe you can utilize both resources.
Amy P. says
I hope you continue your monthly give back next year. Please consider donating to your local library!
Mavis Butterfield says
Why didn’t I think of that? Great idea!
TS says
Even though I know about #3 and have a suspicion about #4 (it goes along with #3) I’m excited for you to announce it!
Donna in VA says
My library also uses Overdrive for e-books and audiobooks. But I read they are limited to 5 uses per license and then they have to buy another copy to lend out. This is prevent they library buying 1 copy and having it used thousands of times for free. The artists want their royalties.