Thanks for the wishes and the vote of confidence on my 2026 word - GOALS. Someone mentioned they had goals for 2025, and while they met some, they didn't hit the mark on all of them. And you know what they said? They FORGAVE themselves for not making the mark! That is a critical statement because if you set a goal and don't achieve it, and then you beat yourself up, what is the point of that?
If you have to change a goal, there's likely a good reason. Was the goal too aggressive? Did family or health issues interfere? Maybe it shouldn't have been a goal at all! I think it's an invaluable lesson: set a goal and then don't make it! That's OK—let it go, as I did with my steps, and then move forward.
But here's one thing about the goals and my visual to-do list. If you want to be serious about getting that stuff done, it must be part of your daily/weekly plan. You don't want to get to December 31st and realize- hey, there was a bunch of stuff I wanted to do, but I got sidetracked by new things.
Take a few minutes once a week, or even each morning, evening, or at whatever time works best for you. Look at that list and determine what you can get done in the next timeframe, and keep any project deadlines in mind. I'm finishing up the writing today (two days later than I wanted, but hey—it just worked that way), and I must then take a hard look at what's on that list and see what needs to be prioritized!
I do NOT want to get into any time crunches in the future if I can avoid them by planning! Wish me luck!
I've started to rip the office apart! OK -- not quite that dramatic, but I'm tackling the stacks of paper on that desk. It's pretty chaotic in here, and I really shouldn't be doing this when I have some sewing to finish. And it might not be as systematic as you would do it. I do not care. Any paper that gets dealt with now means less paper to deal with later.
As I sat at the kitchen table sorting paper, DH, working on his giant crossword, kept saying, "If you have that digitally, you DO NOT need to keep the paper!" I hear you!!!! But I needed to keep a few pieces, and perhaps this time next year I'll be able to let those remaining bits go. But I did throw out quite a bit, and I've only just started. As suspected, most of it will end up in the recycling bin.
I had two of these folders with Zoom class outlines. I kept a few tutorials to look at later, and the empty folder is in the office supply cabinet! That was easy!
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| Starting to tackle the paperwork |
It would be great if I could allot fifteen minutes a day to this place and stick with it. Fifteen minutes is easy to find (stop wasting time scrolling on the phone), and before I know it, this place will be tidy, and I'll actually have room to work!
Anyway, as mentioned, whatever gets done is better than not doing anything at all!
Instead of working on my project, which is now complete, I took a wee detour into the Farm Girl Vintage quilt - the one that was missing three blocks. At first, I was going to find some cutesy fun block to add to the quilt, and then I thought- get real. Let's get this thing done! Not all the blocks are cute farm things.
I pulled out the excess fabric from the stash room and dug out the bag of scraps. I found some larger half-square triangles, some smaller HSTs, and various other pieces. It sure pays to keep things organized - especially the scraps.
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| The scraps from Farm Girl Vintage |
I took the four larger half-square triangles, joined them, and added sashing. Voila - as quick as that, I used up some scraps and got one of three blocks done!
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| Block one of three - DONE |
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| Another block is almost ready to sew together |
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| Squares for a nine-patch |
By the way, this is one of my to-do projects, so I feel good about working on it!
In the process of making that happen, I also tackled the tray of triangles beside the sewing machine, and I did rather well at sewing and trimming those.
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| Trimmed half-square triangles |
And just like that, I'm learning new habits to help deal with the old. I don't care how much you dangle a new project in my face, I am going to resist! If I want something shiny? I'll look at my list and pull out one of the projects -- to me, if I haven't seen it for a while, it's shiny and new! Plus, I MUST remind myself that I am not a fan of having a huge mess around me. I want things to be streamlined and minimal. I don't need or want a lot!
My cutting table doesn't know what hit it!
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| The "new" cutting table |
I think I might have this right now. The blue tub is for my monthly UFO projects. They are small, but numerous, and I want them close by. If I need all the space on the cutting table, I can easily lift that tub to the floor. The white tub is the current project I'm working on. Again, if I need the cutting space, it's easy to move to the floor. And once the items in the white tub are done, I'll review the list and add the next project. Some projects may not get completed and may end up back on the current project table, but the goal is to try to stick with one until it's done! That's hard for me, so I'll likely work on two or three at once.
As happened yesterday, I had to let part of my "urgent" project dry, so I needed something else to work on. That's why I worked on the Farm Girl Vintage blocks.
I think I now have a system that works for me, and if it doesn't, then it's back to the drawing board to find a better way. It's taken me years to get to this point, and I'm super excited! I set a goal of THREE things to do today, and one is already done, so I'm off to a good start.
It's the new year, and I bet there are tons of blogs out there encouraging you to declutter - tackle a drawer or whatever. I'm not going to do that. But I suggest you set aside 15 minutes a day to get rid of the mess. Set a timer, just wing it for time, or whatever, but spend 15 minutes a day trying to rearrange your house, and maybe that is to tackle a drawer. "Sadly," I don't have any more drawers to tackle. They are neat and organized, and they have remained that way since I organized them.
It's funny how we get a sense of the weather by looking at or using a weather app. "It's bitterly cold outside, your skin will freeze in mere seconds or whatever new thing they come up with!" I try not to focus on that because it will make you never want to go out!
Yesterday, I needed to get out of the house, and it was minus 8 with a windchill of whatever. I didn't even pay attention. I bundled up and went out, and I was so glad I did. The weather was fantastic! And it was bizarre: one minute, the sun was out, and the next, a blinding snowstorm!!
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| I'm on my walk through the woods |
But here's the thing --- if you DRESS WARM ENOUGH, you will be comfortable, no matter what the temperature is! While I still wear my orange Patagonia down sweater, the down has become thin, so it's not the warmest on days when the temperature is minus 15 with the windchill. I still wear it, but with a rain shell on top, and that keeps me toasty warm. Yesterday, I went out with my 10-year-old ski jacket, a souvenir from the 2014 Winter Olympics! I was warm! I did NOT attend those Olympics; this was a garment that the Bay sold as a promotional item.
When I talk to some of my friends, they know the weather forecast for the entire week. Why? It's going to change! DO NOT let the weather dictate your day! I check the app to see how cold it is and then dress accordingly. But I don't dwell on the weather. We are not farmers who need to know what the next couple of days will bring so they can get their harvest done!
I think I developed that attitude towards the weather from my long-distance cycling trip. You couldn't change the weather, so since we needed to move on each day, you dressed for it and just went about your day! And we had no house or car to warm up in! We were camping!
The plowed path through the forest is lovely to walk on. I wonder if that is a new thing or a one-of?
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| It was a beautiful day yesterday for walking |
The girls were also happy to be outside. After playing ball in the house with Murphy, she went outside and plopped in the snow to cool off.
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| MOM - I need the snow to cool off |
Lexi is happy to just be out, but not for long! She's not a winter do! I wonder if she realizes she's a Husky?
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| MOM - what's with all this snow? |
But look at that goof, Murphy! I took the largest blanket from this bed and put it back in the living room, where it had been. It's on the floor, and Lexi loves to sleep on it! That now leaves more room for Murphy to sleep in this bed.
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| MOM - At last, I can sleep in my big bed |
And last night, we sat in our media chairs in the family room and watched Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. I had the theatre lighting going! That's the blue light, and I was reclining with my quilt. It was very cozy.
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| MOM - Am I making enough noise? Do you know I'm here? |
Of course, Murphy had to be the pre-show and in-show entertainment. She grabbed her squeaky ball and was running around with it, but we finally persuaded her to chomp on her bone while we watched the movie!
Lexi was asleep on her bed on the other side of the chairs, but every once in a while she'd stand up for a cuddle! Those girls are spoiled!!!
Did I like the movie? It was LONG, and while I get that this is Mission Impossible, some parts were very far-fetched, but I guess it made for drama in the movie!
OH MY GOODNESS -- I can't stop niggling at the paperwork on the desk. I'm distracted by the paper and keep grabbing a couple of pieces to deal with it. What is happening to me? I really feel like I'm ready to tackle the mess once and for all. My GOAL of getting the desktop clear is becoming an obsession! I'll run with it for as long as that feeling lasts!
Getting to this point is NOT easy, and once you do, it's easy to spot the "junk" and what you want to keep. It's the stuff in between that is hard to deal with, and I need to realize that if it's a maybe, it should be to toss! That will be hard!
Well, on that note, I've got some goals to accomplish today, and I'm ready to get started!!!
Have a super day!!!
Ciao!!
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