My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I didn’t do a great job of getting enough sleep last week and I totally felt it. I need to do better.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
We were able to knock another 7 principal payments off our mortage for February thanks to coming in under budget and not buying a bunch of stuff we didn’t need in January.
This next month though, it’s going to be a stinker {more on that later}.
Also, while The Girl and I were making smoothies we noticed the bearing on our Blendtec pitcher was loose. Instead of rushing out to buy a new one for $100 I contacted their customer service department and told them about the problem. They sent out a new one for free!
More money saving things I did this past week: cut the HH’s hair, turned down the water heater, ate leftovers, dropped off all our recyclables instead of paying the garbage company to do it, trimmed our hedges and hung our sheets and comforter to dry instead of popping them in the dryer.
Live a little
I went to lunch with Mrs. HB at Qdoba and spent $8.46 on a giant burrito. Oh, and we also bought 4 baby chicks. 😉
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Bakery Nouveau in Seattle, Washington. I am in love.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I tried this last month and really enjoyed it. Because I am drinking more water than tea lately, we still have a gallon of milk left in the fridge. I don’t know that we can make it an entire week without getting more but if we can, I plan on not buying anything from the grocery store this week. I’m doing really well on cleaning out the garage freezer and I would like to keep the momentum going by using up what food we have.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
I have finished 5 patterns so far and plan to share them as soon as I have all the samples hooked up.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500
I only sold one little mat last week on ebay but it brought my total up to $589.84 for the year so far. I also added a few things to my etsy page. Normally I’d be hooking like mad and selling much more but I’m really trying to concentrate on creating rug hooking patterns right now instead.
Play in The Dirt
I worked on raking up most of the junk on the side yard last week and we made 2 trips to the {free} drop off landscape facility. I’m hoping to get the front area done this week and then I’ll be done with those spots for awhile.
Dig for Your DinnerThe artichokes I started from seed are looking might fine. 🙂
Purge 250 Items Including Selling Larger Items We No Longer Feel We Need
So far I’ve purged 35 items this year. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but you should see my cupboards, they are done to the bare essentials. And I’m LOVING IT.
Learn to Crochet
I’m getting better.
See those two dishcloths on the left? My friend Kathy made them for me awhile back and since I’m trying to wear out the dishtowels I currently own I’ve been saving them. Well I pulled them out the drawer the other day and compared them to the one I just finished and you know what? I think I’m doing okay. I’m getting the hang of it.
Mine might be smaller and not as perfect as hers, but I’ll get there. I started on a second dishcloth this past week and I plan on making more until all the grey yarn is used up. Then, I think I’ll try a hat. After that…. Bring on the granny square. Seriously. I think I’ll be able to reach my goal of making a granny square blanket by the end of the year if I just keep at it. 🙂
Question- Does anyone know why the corners of my towel flip up? Do I need to iron it?
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
The poor HH. His cold seems to finally be gone but last week he worked 6 full days and I barely got to talk to him. As soon as I finish this post I’ll bring him breakfast in bed and try {really hard} not to ask him to do anything around the house today.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
I’m hoping my 1 gallon of water a day challenge will help with this. Because seriously, cutting back on pastries is not an option.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
So this is going to sound weird.
I went through all my long sleeved shirts and set aside 13 that are in excellent condition to save for next year. I have soooo many shirts that it seems kind of dumb to have all 40 of them hanging in the closet at the same time. I mean really, how am I supposed to wear anything out if I can rotate through them so easily? It would take YEARS. At least this way, I am hoping to wear about 10 -12 of them out to the point they become rags and the ones that are left over at the end of the year will be next years under shirts {under flannels and sweaters}.
Try 52 New Recipes
Mrs. HB and I are kickin’ it in the new recipe department. At Mr. HB’s request we even tried a recipe with a pound of Velveeta and a can of Rotel in it. Both the HH and Mr. HB LOVED it. 😉
Read 52 Books
On my nightstand this week:
- Tools of Titans {I’ve gotten sloppy with organizing my time}
- Teach Yourself Visually Crochet {I need all the help I can get}
- DK New England {For our upcoming trip}
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.
Mel says
My goal was to learn how to knit, and some aspects are easier than I thought, but I’ve still found fiber art requires a unique kind of patience. I knit an entire hat before I was able to tell it was far, far too small (Pinterest lied about sizing). There was no way to even salvage the yarn because it had a weird defect (sort of a snag, but not) in a few places. So, I’m starting over again. I will have my adjustable pony tail hat with detachable ear flaps if it kills me. And then, I will start on socks for Christmas.
Mavis Butterfield says
After I make a granny square blanket I want to learn how to knit socks. 🙂 I’ve heard it’s hard.
Mel says
I think socks are hard, but I’m using a knitting loom, so that makes things like counting stitches much easier. It’s still knitting, but the loom is holding the stitches instead of needles–you just use a hook and the yarn. My main concern is making two exactly identical objects. I made mittens, which require a number of the same stitches as socks, and those turned out great, but it was very tricky getting them to be the same size.
Gigi says
I found this awesome way to measure and get a perfect hat size. It’s for crocheting, but I’m sure it’s somewhat similar. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/perenni Perennial pattern by Deanne Ramsey.
Mel says
Thanks for the link, but I’m knitting on a loom. So, you don’t calculate measurements so much as pick a certain size round loom and go to it. I was using a pattern I found online that recommended what turned out to be the wrong sized loom. I’m sure that link will help traditional knitters and crocheters though!
Andrea D says
Looks like a good week. I look forward to seeing what you and your mom have planned; it’s been fun ‘meeting’ your mom through your blog and seeing your adventures together.
Your washcloths look great. Not sure about the curling, maybe your starting chain is too tight? Glad to see you got the crochet book- hopefully it helps you as much as it did me.
One of my goals was to earn $200-$300 in Amazon gift cards through Swagbucks to save for Christmas; as of Feb. 1st I have $50. If I can keep up this pace I might have to double my goal.
Another goal was spending time with my kids that is not cleaning, and school related (we homeschool). Sometimes in my hurry to get dinner over with so I can get on to more housework, I neglect to let my (very capable) kids help out in the kitchen; I can go faster when working alone. But because I am also trying to save money and use up freezer and pantry foods, I have cut back on grocery shopping. So on taco nights- the kids favorite meal- I put the kids to work rolling out homemade tortillas. It was so much fun!
Christym says
Great job on the goals. Your crocheting looks excellent. Corners tend to curl up on small items, even for me. When your item is done, wash it and lay it flat and it will relax the corners.
Delores says
Well, I have to admit, pretty much anything with velveeta and rotel would be loved by my guys. 🙂
I don’t know much about crocheting, but in knitting those ‘stretchy’ edges can be caused by the cast on tension being different from the knitting tension. Maybe that’s it? But I think you have many crocheters in your readers, so someone else will likely be able to give better advice.
My sucesses:
lost 2 more pounds, so a total of 6 pounds lost … average of 1 pound per week, so I won’t complain!
started more seeds
did an activity with family that I wanted to get done by 1/31 (we all listed what we thought we were good at as a family, what we needed to improve on, what we wanted to do as a family, like vacation, and what we thought we should avoid or be careful of, like horrible things on the internet)
and while nothing else can be crossed off, I did keep up working on reading, exercise & health habits, prayer habits (those I have done every day!), that will all help towards specific goals.
Thank you for letting us post here! Even if I am the only one who reads my own comment on this post, just being able to do it motivates me! 🙂
Said it before, I’ll say it again: yours is my favorite blog. Keep up the great work, Mavis!
Mavis Butterfield says
You are rockin’ it this year Delores. Keep at it!
Jennifer Meyer says
I read your comments and it sounds like you are doing great. Keep up the great work! 🙂
Debbie says
Ends may curl cause ur tensions too tight and may not be as big cause you may not have the same amount of rows or you just need a bigger hook looks great I think you’ve got the hang of it. Good luck
Gwenn says
Hi Mavis – the book on New England reminded me of something…..do you still have your house out East? You haven’t mentioned it in a while (or if you did I wasn’t paying attention and I’m sorry for that).
You’re an inspiration – we’re eating through our freezer as well.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes we do.
UpstateNYer says
I posted on my personal fb feed about “a no food buying month” for February- using up what is in the pantry and freezer. I also got a few friends on board. So far so good this week. And even tried a new corn chowder recipe to use up some canned corn! Savings and a new recipe per week – all in the same challenge. Thanks!
April W says
Crocheting: My corners tend to curl up too. I crochet pretty tight and that will cause it. I also have the tendency to twist my yarn while crocheting and was told that can cause it. However, when I’m done with my project, I don’t notice it nearly as much. You’re doing great! I just started venturing out from simple squares to hats. I made two messy bun hats and a ski mask! They were tons of fun!
marie says
You might try easing up on your tension with the cast-ons with crochet as well as turning your corners with a lighter tension as well. It’s very common to want to make those stitches oh so tight but sometimes it comes back
to haunt you!
Annabel says
Look up “blocking” for your crochet. This can help to even out your stitches. Also, check out Attic24 for her crochet blankets. They are really great for beginners.
Susan says
Hi Mavis,
I was lunching with a friend last week and noticed a young lady in a (mostly black) crocheted, Granny Square coat. It was divine…seriously, divine!!!
I wanted to take a photo for you but didn’t want to get arrested…
Mavis Butterfield says
Ha! That would be a neat sweater idea!!
Susan says
Absolutely! It was a sweater coat with three quarter sleeves and open in the front.
You’ll be sporting one by Fall and selling patterns by Christmas.
Carole says
Curling is a tension issue. This is just practice practice practice. Even we who have crocheted for years run into curling. Also twisting the yarn as you work. Again practice and patience. When I started eons ago my grandmother taught me and during our long incredibly hot summers we had to come inside in the afternoons. That is when I practiced. All summer. You will eventually “feel” when its right. Stick with it. I think your work looks good for just beginning.
Emily E. says
Mavis, your crocheting is looking great! I just completed my first hat successfully! It was really challenging for me but it seems like everyone else finds it easier to do. I’m working on chemo caps for a work friend’s nephew and plan to do more to donate. My son and I also cleaned out two totes of toys from the attic and were able to purge all but 1/4 of a tote! We donate most of them and some go to people I know for their kids and he’s hoping to sell a bunch of the legos on ebay. I’m thinking if it’s not too terribly cold this week I might brave some outside chores too. I’m slowly working on a whole house purge for 2017. I’ve been following the KonMari method as a guide.
Connie says
Love this update each week. I am continuing to use up food in freezer . with just two of us it will probably take rest of month but by March it starts to warm up and I can eat spring foods. I try to eat with the seasons . Definately go to the Attic24 blog and check our her crochet. Have a great week everyone. Connie
Teckla says
NO, don’t iron your crochet work! It will flatten the stitches and could damage the yarn! I agree that your crocheting is looking very good for a beginner. Keep going; it will get easier. The curling corners are most likely caused by too tight tension. That’s a hard one and just takes lots of practice. I don’t know how you are tensioning your thread and there are many ways of doing that, but when I started, my booklet said loop the yarn between all the fingers on my left hand. The yarn didn’t slide through my fingers well at all so I gradually dropped a finger until, finally, I found that looping once between 2 fingers worked for me. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little to find what works best for you. Regarding size of your pot holder vs. your friend’s, your hook may be a different size, or your yarn may be. That, plus how tightly or loosely you crochet, will change the size of the finished piece. Add to that your own style and there’s room for a lot of variation. Again, a key goal is to be consistent in your own work and that takes practice. Learning anything is a process that takes time and practice, so don’t be discouraged at all. Just keep at it. I’m sure when you started hooking rugs, they didn’t look quite so beautiful or consistent as they do now either, but you kept doing it until now you are making a hefty sum from selling them. Who knows? You may end up selling some of your crochet work! I hope your book helps you as well. Your blog is one of the few that I read consistently, and have for a number of years now.
KAYTHEGARDENER says
Could you dilute some of the milk with reconstituted COLD dried milk to stretch??
I made up mine the night before & in the morning the kids couldn’t tell the difference at breakfast… Of course, I started with 2% liquid milk for dilution. After a while, they didn’t notice it was all from dried milk… Saved a bunch of money as a single mom on just that one thing!!
Susan says
Hi Mavis, loving your blogs. I live in southern NH and do some rug Hooking too. I’m anxious to see your pattern line. I’ve also tried some recipes you have posted and never been disappointed . Where in New England is your place?
Cheryl says
I think you’re restricting yourself because you think as a beginner there are steps you need to accomplish prior to tackling the granny squares. The first crochet I ever did was a granny square vest (big back in the 70’s). Go ahead and take the leap of faith in yourself and start practicing on the squares.
Cassandra says
Where did you find the free landscape materials drop off? Depending on the location it may be worth the drive from the north end. I haven’t been able to find a free location up here and we have a couple yards of dirt that need to go away.
Ashleah says
What is the yarn made of? Looks like your dishcloth needs a good blocking. But if it’s acrylic or cotton, it won’t block super well. Usually, yarns made with some kind of animal fiber block the best.