My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
Well, I did pretty good on this goal last week. One night I only got 4 hours of sleep but I made up for it on another night because I slept in until 7 and clocked 11 hours {Crazy!} of snooze time.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
This past week I found $0.28 of the ground which brings my total found money to $1.18 for the year. The HH. Bless his heart, woke up early on thursday morning and made me a cup of tea. I’ve been drinking mostly decaf tea for the past year so I knew the second I took of sip of the rea he gave me it was caffeinated. AND IT WAS SO DELICIOUS I couldn’t stop drinking it. My Mom gave The Girl a giant box of Tea Forte teas for Christmas and although they are pretty pricy… they are a wonderful treat.
Yada yada yada…. The tea was so good that I reused my tea bag. SIX times. Which means, I drank 6 cups of caffeinated tea in one day. Which probably explains why I had a major headache on friday but man oh man, it was worth it. 🙂
Live a little
I didn’t do anything to whoop it up this past week. Note to self: work on that.
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Last week The Girl and I stopped by Sluys’ Bakery in Poulsbo, Wa. 4 down, 48 to go. You can see all the bakeries we’ve been to so far HERE.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
January – Mission accomplished.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
So far I have created two rug hooking patterns. One for Halloween and one for Christmas. I think I am going to wait to share them with you until I have them all done and available for sale.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500
I made $74.89 this past week on ebay with my rug hooking and that brings my total to $564.89. I also added another Valentine Pillow to my eBay listings.
Play in The Dirt
The weather has been pretty mild this past week and Lucy the amazing aerating dog has been right by my side helping me pull weeds and keeping the squirrels and chippy’s out of the garden. You can read all about it over on Dig for Your Dinner.
Purge 250 Items Including Selling Larger Items We No Longer Feel We Need
I went to the garage to get some tape and soon found myself cleaning out my gardening cupboard. 😉 I found 14 items I don’t need and tossed them into the yard sale box. Hopefully someone else will want them.
I also found a gallon sized zip baggie in the garage with all my pastry bags and tips in it. Which was totally random because why on earth would they be in the garage? Anywho, I haven’t used my bags or tips since the kids were in high school and I was making 600+ cupcakes at a time for their school events. These days, when I make a cake, I use a knife to apply frosting. So it’s time to say goodbye.
This brings my total to 215 items left to purge for this year. Yee-Haw!
Learn to Crochet
Crochet is harder than I thought it would be. But then again, learning something new always is and so I shouldn’t get discouraged. Which is exactly how I felt about halfway through my 2 hour beginners class last Sunday. I wanted to get up and walk out. Seriously. And the old anxiety ridden/I hate uncomfortable situations me of 10 years ago would have probably done just that. But I hung in there. And oddly enough I was proud of myself for just sticking it out.
I went back and forth in my head about how much the granny square blanket is going to cost me in the end and kept asking myself if it was going to be worth it. The time, the cost etc. And honestly, I can’t stop thinking about it.
I think back to when I taught myself how to rug hook and I don’t remember it being this hard. But I want a granny square blanket. One made by my hands. So for now, I’ll keep trudging along, even if that means making a bunch of dishcloths and hats to get the hang of it first.
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
I pack his lunch every day, bring him coffee each morning, do the whole breakfast in bed on Sundays… and try and take care of almost all the “house stuff” so he doesn’t have to spend his days off on household tasks. He gets up and goes to work. Marriages are funny. The roles we play and how everything falls into place over time is fascinating to me.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
So I’m guessing eating a bunch of guacamole and bread isn’t going to be productive with of this goal. Nor is “splurging” each week on delicious bakery treats. And well, since I have ZERO plans on giving up the sugary goodness anytime soon {or EVER} I’ve decided I need to just get outside and do some more walking.
The HH has a business dinner I have to attend {you know, as arm candy} in less than 8 weeks and I have decided to wear my nice black slacks and a fitted sweater as opposed to my 1 dress {the funeral dress} that is sleeveless and really not the best thing to wear in March. Pants are sooo much more comfortable. This means I need to get rid of muffy before then. Dreams. They’re real. I’ve gotta make this happen.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Yes. I’m working on this. And it’s not hard at all.
Try 52 New Recipes
Seriously. It just dawned on me. All these new recipes Mrs. HB and I have been trying every week probably are not helping either.
Read 52 Books
Currently obsessed with Baking for Two and How to Retire with Enough Money. The Baking for Two book…. is PERFECT for those of you who want to make a batch of muffins… and have that batch be only 4 muffins. What an interesting way to cook. Especially if you are single or are a twosome and don’t have freezer space.
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
Mom and I are still working out who we want to give to in February.
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
- Secret Goal #1
- 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.
Elise says
Muffin top… Yeah, I just lost mine for about the 4th time in 6 years (my youngest is almost 8, and I an 47). Ugh. Summer is my downfall, with potluck dinners and birthday parties, etc. I have been using a calorie-tracking program (sparkpeople) each time, and I LOVE IT. There’s an app that goes with it on the phone, so it’s super easy. They have a massive database of foods that it recognizes, and I use a food scale to measure my portions (which I already had because I’m a neurotic home baker).
But I hate to exercise. HATE IT. So in about October I saw refurbished Fitbits on sale at woot and I got a FitbitOne. I got that model because I live in a hilly area and wanted one that would measure “stairs” on the hills. Well, let me tell YOU – I lost 15 lb between October and January 15th! WHO DOES THAT!?!?! Well, by combining the walking goals and the calorie counting (spark links to the fitbit and it all tracks on the smart phone). That’s how. I’ve been really sick for the last 3 weeks and barely walking at all, but I’m just stalled, not stopped.
So, I know there are a few “plugs” in this comment, but it’s honestly what has worked for me. I feel like now that I have the fitbit, I’m going to be able to stay consistent at my goal weight and not creep up the 15 lb each year… I LOVE the way my clothes fit 🙂 I may stop tracking the food every day (I usually don’t track all year, just when I’m needing to get back down), but I’ll know how much exercise I’m getting, and that is a HUGE help in the equation.
Elise says
Oh, and I’m also drinking 80+ oz of “water” a day. I usually drink regular caffeinated tea (40-60 oz, one tea bag per 20 oz in my measuring cup) before 4, and then switch to non-caffeinated drinks after 4. I haven’t slept this well in YEARS (seriously, not even waking up to pee at night anymore which was horribly disruptive for me because it takes me about an hour to fall asleep), and I really believe it helps me from being hungry a little bit. Most people think I’m CRAZY with this, but it’s not hard. I make 20 oz first thing in the morning, usually drink it before the kids get up 40 minutes later, then nurse the next 20 oz while they are getting ready for school, so that’s 40 oz before I leave for work! And my workplace is pretty casual, so I have a kettle and I can drink tea at my desk. There is also a bathroom close to my desk 🙂
Laura says
I don’t know…drinking 6 cups of caffeinated tea when you usually drink decaf sounds like living it up a little to me!
Mavis Butterfield says
Spot on!
MEM says
I can’t do caffeine at all anymore – even “decaf” coffee and tea still has some caffeine. The only caffeine-free tea isn’t tea at all – its herbal tisane. Anyway, most of the caffeine (90%, per Google) will be in your first cup of tea – the subsequent 5 cups will have little or no caffeine. Still, if you are not used to caffeine, that’s a lot. I’m surprised you didn’t get palpitations – that’s why I had to give up caffeine.
ann in E. oregon says
Mavis, the one thing that helped me the VERY most when I was learning to crochet was this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008J140U8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I was trying to use the kind of hook that you have, and it was hard to hold onto. These have a padded handle and it helps so much in controlling your hook as your crochet. I hope this helps! 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Ann! The link you shared is the same one the instructor used. Maybe I should order one.
Dara says
Two other things that might make it easier:
Hold your hook and yarn more loosely. I can tell from the swatch that you posted that you were really tense, bless your heart 🙂 Just remember that you can frog any mistakes you make (you know… rip it rip it!)
When I was learning at age 5, my grandmother taught me using a large hook (K or larger) and a thick, light colored yarn so I could see my stitches better. Lion Brand Thick and Quick is a good chunky weight yarn to begin on.
I crocheted for around 30 years before I had to quit due to arthritis in my hands. I’m only 36 and I thought I would have years left to stitch. Learn while you still can!
Kathy says
Yes! Clover crochet hooks are THE way to go! They give you more control and are much easier on your hands.
Lauren says
Seriously Mavis – “tea hangover” too cute and I seriously believe you when you say you’ll get it done. You have some amazing will power, something I need to work on. ☺☺
Mavis Butterfield says
I know right? The caffeinated tea tastes sooo much better. But I know better. 😉
Delores says
I agree about tracking the calories: I am using My Net Diary app and I really like it better than all the others I have tried. Unfortunately, I gained 0.5 pounds this week… and I am honestly not sure how! I tracked and did not overeat once and I exercised more than usual. I am just going to remind myself, though, that I lost 3 pounds last week, and have a total of 4 pounds since the beginning of the year, so that is an average of a little over a pound a week. But it was still depressing. 🙁
I did a couple of family outings this past weekend.
I planted more seeds.
I worked on my strength training as well, kept up with my faith habits. The health habits are harder — esp. the vitamins and water. But I did the water and lots of exercise. I am having stomach problems, so am skipping the vitamins and herb supplements.
Gail says
You are probably gaining muscle and muscle weighs more than fat. Don’t fixate on the
numbers–focus on how good you feel and how much more toned you are. It sounds to
me like you are doing a great job of improving your health since you are still at it after
four weeks already–keep it up!
Delores says
Thank you!
Linda says
I’m so sorry to be a buzz kill, but muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound of muscle weighs the same as a pound of fat; a pound is a pound. However, muscle takes up much less space than fat!
Carrie says
Volume wise, muscle weighs more. A cup of fat weighs less than a cup of muscle. I have a friend who is the same weight and height as me (140 lbs and 5’3″). She wears a size 2 pants and xs tops. I wear size 6 and medium tops. She runs every single day and cycles 2-3 times a week. She does not look like 140 pounds but she is solid damn muscle and I am “cushy”. lol Numbers mean nothing. It’s all in how you feel about yourself. The only numbers one should be concerned with are cholesterol and blood pressure and maybe heart rate while sitting and exercising.
Suzetta says
I used do rug hooking back in the 60s (ya I’m ancient) at that time I used my mom’s cutter. Wonder what ever happened to that. What kind of cutter do you use for cutting your hooking strips.
I only have one item left from my hooking days.
Mavis Butterfield says
I use a rotary cutter and mat and cut the strips by hand. 1/4 or #8 cut.
Suzetta says
Thanks Mavis.
Carolina says
Good thing I live alone, because I let out a big, WOOT WOOT, when you referred to yourself as the HH’s arm candy. May it ever be thus!!!
tia in boise says
Ugh. I’m calling this past week a “BYE” Week! I had the worst. cold. ever. I took 3 days off work in a row–I can’t even remember the last time i took one sick day–and have never taken 2 in a row.
1. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks. Ugh. I am now 2 projects behind. Will eventually make them up.
2. Wake Each Day With Purpose–that didn’t happen; it was enough to just exist!
3. Be More Social–yah, NO.
4. Exercise Every Day. well, that certainly didn’t happen.
5. Have All Papers Graded & Entered Before Monday–nope and I’m behind. The only work I got done was report cards–and that was just under the wire!
But I’m okay with not meeting my goals this week. Health is important!
A says
I hear you. ( about the report cards too) I missed three days in a row in early Sept. (unheard of for me….month long cold) and I was still sick when I drug myself in for Thur and Fri. ( and all those days after) Thank goodness I have good students this year. They kept telling me I sound sick.
Charleen says
I taught myself to crochet and to read patterns when I was in high school. Every time someone tried to teach me, I would get frustrated, make a huge yarny knot, and walk away. My sister-in-law suggested I get a book or booklet with illustrations of how to do each stitch. I found one by Leisure Arts and still have it. I found out about 5-6 years ago that I hold the hook “wrong”. I figured that I was still able to make the stitches correctly so why does it matter if I hold it “wrong” or not. Keep going because once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun seeing your yarn turn into something useful!
A says
I hold mine like a pencil. Is that wrong?
My daughter holds hers “in her fist”
Teckla says
There is no “wrong” way to hold a hook. If it’s comfortable, i.e., doesn’t cause your hand to hurt, and works for you to make the stitches, don’t let someone else’s way bother you. I learned from a booklet when I was about 11 and it said to hold the hook like a pencil. Now days I believe they mostly teach you to hold your hook like a spoon. So choose whichever way works for you personally. That booklet also taught using a size 7 hook and crochet “thread” probably size 3 or 10. Whole different ball game. But I agree that a larger hook and light colored yarn is helpful when starting out. Also that those who hold their hook like a spoon would probably like hooks with a larger, padded handle. Maybe not as easy for those holding it like a pencil. I also agree on the tension. Looking back, I’d say it’s really important when learning to practice keeping your tension loose. If you can learn that early on it makes the whole process easier as you learn more complex stitches and combinations.
Anywho. Mavis, you are doing great with your learning. Hang in there! You will never be sorry that you learned whether you do it regularly or not. And you never really forget even if you don’t crochet for long periods of time. Have a happy day!
Becky says
Luckily most of the caffeine leaves the tea bag on the first infusion so most of your cups were decaf 🙂
Mel says
I had to frog a knitting project 3 times last weekend, but I’m still progressing far faster with looms than I ever did with knitting needles. I’m knitting all the remnants from projects into blanket squares–not quite as elaborate as granny squares, but useful. I also combined an iBotta rebate with a sale to get a sock loom half price last week. I’m hoping to knit socks as Christmas gifts.
Dana says
Stick.with crochet. You are doing great! The granny square is actually easier than the rows. I learned last year and it relaxes me so much!
Jenna says
So there are two sites I visit fairly regularly and while I rarely crochet anymore the other site is a crochet site from England, I think you will like her and be inspired. It’s called Attic24 http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/
Kayla says
Mavis, maybe look up Jared Boxes (www.thejaredbox.com) for hospitals as a February Give Back Organization. You can do lots or a few since they are always in need. Just a thought.
Practical Parsimony says
I learned to crochet when I was eight-years-old. I can increase or decrease, but I cannot crochet rows–back and forth. I can crochet granny squares and made doll blankets for daughters and niece and now granddaughters. I just keep adding rows to the square and in colors and patterns l like–pink and white rows are what I like best for the girls. Plus, I just keep going around until I get a square about 3 feet and give it for a baby blanket at baby showers. I put a shell stitch on the sides to finish the look. The shell stitch is soooo easy.
I have never made the little squares and connected them. I don’t like the look or the bother.
Karen says
Check out a book called “The Obesity Code” written by a Canadian nephrologist. He discusses doing several fasts a week. On days you don’t fast you can eat in moderation and your metabolism does not slow down the way it does when you diet. You never feel deprived for more than a day versus saying you will give up all sweets for several months in order to lose weight. Dietitians are also using fasting to help Type 2 diabetics to be able to stop taking their oral diabetic meds. It is an interesting read and I have lost 8 lbs that have been with me for the last 4 years.
Gayle says
I’ve crocheted as long as I can remember! It’s practice until you are happy with your stitches. Your swatch shows stitches that are easy and then tense! Also look at how and where you move to the nest row, that keeps your piece vet and straight. My hands don’t know what to do when I don’t have a project to work on! Save your little bits to make colorful hats to donate to shelters. Learn the magic circle and endless joining before starting your granny afghan. Crucial! No one wants to weave ousands of ends in!
Gayle says
Geez editing, next row…..nice and straight….. thousands of ends!
Carrie says
I learned to knit a few years ago and my teacher suggested using wooden needles instead of metal. The yarn slips too easily on the metal and I would lose stitches. Not sure if that would help in crocheting.
Melissa in Vic says
Hi there,
I think coming to Victoria, Canada for a weekend could easily accomplish two of your goals: 1) to live a little, and 2) to go to delicious bakeries. It’s off-season and the dollar is cheap, what’s not to love? So many bakeries here that I’d recommend, but I think you would enjoy a stop at Mosi bakery and then a walk around the HCP gardens.
Ginger says
Here is my update:
1. 26 dates with hubby- gone on 5
2. 12 one on one dates with kids- only did 2
3. 12 family nights- completed 3
4. Experience 6 new to us activities or restaurants- zero
5. As a family purge 2017 items- -only got rid of 4 things this week. Not sure what the total is. I have a tally on the fridge
6. No spending one week a month- doing my second no spending this week
7. Try 26 new recipes- have done 4
My focus this year is fun and amazing. I started a self imposed 100 day yoga challenge this week. Yoga is fun and something I was not doing enough.
Thanks for the weekly updates. It keeps me focused.