My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I averaged about 6 hours a sleep last week. I did squeeze in one nap, but I need to do better in this area. I feel like some days I am running in circles because there are so many “little” things that need to get done. At what point does life slow down? And do I want it to slow down? Because really, what would I do with all that down time anyway? {duvet set via Amazon}
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
- Made 6 extra principal payments on the mortage for March
- Scored free 2 free airline tickets thanks to milage points
- Staying with friends for a few nights instead of paying for a hotel
- HH dropped us off at the airport instead of paying for parking
- Avoiding {as many} toll bridges {as possible}
- Picking up rug hooking supplies in person rather than paying for shipping
Live a little
If an entire trip planned around friends, pastries, thrift stores and sightseeing isn’t living a little… then I don’t know what is. You can keep up to date in “real time” with us via my instagram page.
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Oh this goal. This goal is going DOWN this week!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
First stop… Bistro Barberet and Bakery
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I didn’t spend any money this past week on food. But the fridge is stocked for the boys with delicious ready made foods from Costco.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
I’m working on #8 right now.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500.
I don’t have too much listed right now but I still managed to sell one item for $39.99 on my Etsy page this past week. That brings my total to $1539.38 for the year. I plan to add more items to both my Etsy and Ebay shops next week. I love the fact that I can earn a little money from something I genuinely I LOVE doing. I’ve been hooking for 15+ years now and I can totally see myself doing this into my rocking chair years.
Play in The Dirt
I haven’t been posting over on Dig for Your Dinner as I much as I’d like to with spring right around the corner I’ll be sharing more.
Purge 250 Items Including Selling Larger Items We No Longer Feel We Need
So far I’ve purged 61 items this year.
Learn to Crochet
Now technically, I have already accomplished my goal of learning how to crochet. 😉 I’m just not so sure that I love it enough to spend the next few months of my down time making a blanket. Even though I’m just starting out, crocheting doesn’t come naturally to me. And I don’t know that it ever will. I went to the big box craft store the other day and was totally overwhelmed standing in the aisle looking at yarn.
I like to feel and warmth of wool. Which is expensive. And if I’m being totally honest here, all the yarn I seem to like I can only find at the independent yarn shops and it seems to run about $15-$20 a skein. So I have to stop and ask myself do I really want to spend that much on making this blanket? Because in reality, the blanket would most likely be draped over the back of my couch. Which means Lucy would lay on it. Which means cleaning it would be a nightmare. Do I want to spend $300+ on an ornament?
Or, would I rather spend the money on a totally different “craft” project entirely? Something I would enjoy making?
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Yep!
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
My working theory: I have to the end of the year to knock this goal off my list. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Yes Ma’am! I’m pretty sure I’ve got another 2 years left in my painting pants.
Try 52 New Recipes
Mrs. HB was on her own this week {she’s trying to use up some of her freezer meals} so we didn’t try any new recipes.
Read 52 Books
This past week I listened to Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher for free thanks to Hoopla. What a character! 🙂
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.
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
- Secret Goal #1 – Working on it.
- Secret Goal #2
- Secret Goal #3
- 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.
Heidi says
I see your on the East coast. Why don’t you go to the Webs yarn store. They always have good quality yarn on sale.
Jeanie says
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the crochet declaration. It took me a lot of years to realize that I just don’t enjoy crafting. And that is okay! I enjoy looking at the finished product but I hate the process. I’m not creative that way. It is not my natural inclination. I applaud all the crafters whose products I purchase, I just don’t want to create them myself.
When I turned 50, I gave up all the things I dreamed I might some day be good at or learn to love doing and focused on the things I truly love now. I’m much more of a dreamer. I love long walks, my dogs, my husband and adult kids and cooking. I love books. I love seeing new things and experiences. And I can say that I have never been happier to just be me with all my inconsistency and flaws.
Mrs. C. says
I needed to read that! Thank you to both you and Mavis!
Roberta says
I’m with you on the crochet, somehow I just found it difficult and unrewarding. It felt like I was just tying knots. But – when I learned to knit, it came to me much more naturally. As for yarns, the hand spun and dyed ones from exotic furry beasts are certainly exciting, but the prices just don’t fit in my budget. I have really enjoyed knitting with Berrocco Vintage, It’s 40% wool, machine washable, and runs about $7.75 – $8.50 per hank/skein. It feels much more luxurious than that. There are also a bazillion colors to choose from, including some very nice soft heathered colors. Personally, have never tried rug hooking, but it looks interesting.
Lesa says
You could always buy a crocheted blanket at a garage sale. That way you get the blanket you want without having to make it yourself or spend a lot of money.
Deb says
Hi I enjoy crochet but I stick to small project like hats and scarves something I can finish in an evening. I have found great deals on yarn by going to the company’s website. They sometimes have sales you won’t find in shops.
I found a substitute for the crocheted blanket you were thinking of making- it’s an alpaca blend woven throw I got it from a local alpaca farm it’s so warm and washes well in cold water price was around 65.00
Stephanie says
I etch glassware, including wine glasses with unique designs. They make wonderful presents – I designed house logos for several folks and add their name to personalize it. Then I did matching napkins and wine decanters and now I am onto coasters. I can see myself doing more of this when I am retired.
Mel says
I’m hoping to get into glass etching this summer. My husband bought me a Dremel for Christmas a few years ago, and one of my resolutions for this year was to learn to use all of the craft tools I’ve acquired. I’ve tackled knitting and wood burning so far, and more extensive knitting, glass etching, and leather burning are next.
Debbie says
Mavis, a hobby is supposed to be something that you enjoy or even love to to. If crocheting doesn’t do it for you, then work on what does! You’re a busy lady–do what beings you peace and joy!
Debbie
Debbie says
*brings*, that is 🙂
Vy says
It’s so good to see you having fun! You sure work hard enough, you deserve it 🙂
Crocheting just might not be your thing. I love it, but I hate knitting (for example). Go with what you love to do, life’s too short.
Carole says
Mavis you’ve been hooking rugs for years. You like it and are very good at it. Big bonus it brings in money, hopefully enough to support your craft. Just he happy with that. I tried hooking rugs once. Big disaster. So now I do what I like and am good at and I’m happy with that.
Just an aside, life only gets busier when you “retire”. I have never been this busy ever. But now I’m doing what I want to do, not what I must do.
Deborah says
Mavis, have you thought of finding someone wo loves to crochet to make your blanket for you for a minimal price? Then pick your colors of yarn. This might be a solution to your problem. I wouldn’t use wool yarn for it if it was me, but that’s just me. I’d use either cotton or acrylic. Both wash well and say fairly well also. I’m a big cotton fan. I’ve made a blanket similar to what you want. I’ve also made one that was yellow and black. Don’t have either one of them any more, but I am working on a white, yellow and blue granny square afghan. (I call them that, and live in Texas).
Patty M. says
Mavis, have you ever considered making a video of teaching rug hooking? I’d love to learn! I think it would be an interesting hobby.
Jodi says
Oh man, you were in my town! My daughter used to nanny for the bistro barberet owners (and brought home their “extras”). He’s an award winning chef! Hope you enjoyed your time here! Safe travels
Mavis says
So far, we are loving it!
Katie says
If you’re not into spending money on nice yarn and don’t mind spending some time…when I started knitting and crocheting, I was broke, so I’d buy sweaters from the thrift store with texture, yarn size and colors I liked and unravel them to reuse the yarn. You can get multiple skeins of great yarn (angora, wool, cashmere, nice & washable blends, cotton, you name it!) for less than $6 that way! Sometimes the yarn would break as I unraveled (especially if it was the kind that felted badly when washed, like dry clean only), but it’s still great for small projects.
Mavis says
Such a cool idea. Love it. Thanks!
Lauralli says
Or barter with someone who loves to crochet. You make them a hand hooked rug of their choice, they crochet you an afghan of your choice.
Patty P says
Your link to your instagram page is going back to the bakery Facebook page!