Thursday, January 1, 2009

Happy New Year!

May 2009 be all we each want and need it to be. It's going to be a great year, I just know it!

Today I will work a little bit at the shop because we are taking off tomorrow and going out of town to visit my grandmother and my sister. Brad will do the driving so that means stitching for me in the car - woo hoo! I won't be able to work on "O Beautiful" because it seems linen and I don't get along too well in the car but I can easily work on an aida project, perforated paper, or perhaps a small evenweave project. (Like another 2009 Christmas ornament or a Pine Mountain pillow kit maybe?)

Okay, I'm going to take the plunge here and offer a drawing. If you'd like to be entered, simply leave a comment on this post stating that you'd like to be entered. The prize is a grab bag of things yet to be determined because I will try to pick things to send that the winner likes. Easy peasy, right? I plan on drawing a winner's name on Monday, January 5, 2009, so check back then for a post that announces the winner's name. By the way, that date also happens to be my annniversary for quitting smoking -- one year smoke-free, so celebrate with me!

I don't know how many of you frequent the stitching message boards but I usually do. That being said, the boards seem to be taking a turn towards being negative again. I hate it when those phases happen. Sooooooo, blogging and roaming other stitcher's blogs is becoming my favorite way to communicate with other stitchers, look at photos, and get inspired with tons of great ideas. Don't get me wrong -- I will never quit the boards altogether...but maybe it's time for me to play it safe and avoid 99% of posts that aren't stitching-related.

I don't make resolutions for New Year's but I do have some goals in mind I'd like to achieve (in no particular order):
1. Make it through year #2 without smoking.
2. Be a better mother and wife. (I'm not bad at all but my theory is that we can all find ways to improve, so why not?)
3. Change up my blog a bit...make it more visually appealing, add a few gadgets, etc.
4. Stitch at least one -- but preferably two! -- Christmas ornaments per month.
5. Stitch one "small" per month. I'd love to have a basket of needle rolls! Ooooooooooooh! A small might be a needle roll, Pine Mountain pillow, needle book, etc.
6. Try not to start a new project unless I either finish a project I've already got going, am making a gift for someone else, or if it's for one of these goals (like an ornament or a small).
7. Don't buy any new stash without stitching or purging some of what I've got first. There are a few exceptions which I outlined in the last blogging post. I did add the "purging" part, though. If I go through my stash and sell things that I know I will never stitch, then I can use that money for new stash. The points of this goal are to quit impulse buying and accumlating more than I am stitching because I already have way more than enough. Stitch more, buy less.

That's enough goals for now but I might add to or change that list. The main purpose was to just get some of my thoughts and ideas out and see what I can start working on accomplishing.

Hope everyone is stitching to their little heart's content today and feeling good about 2009. Take care and bye for now! :-)

17 comments:

tkdquintmom said...

Ya know Lori, we are on the same page today! I too, don't frequent the boards either because of those reasons. :-) Enter me for your little draw, it's my birthday month so I'm feeling lucky! LOL...and lastly CONGRATS on being one year SMOKE FREE!!! I'm very proud of you. That is a big accomplishment.

Chiloe said...

Hope you reach all your goals for the new year !!! cute background and lizzie grace background offer free backgroung that will help you change your blog very easily ;-)

Michele said...

Happy New Year :) I love quick finishes! Pine Mountain Pillows are perfect for stitching when you are travelling :)

I'd love to be signed up for your drawing!

Cindy F. said...

I am sooo proud of you and your year of being smoke free. That's something I've struggled with and I truly admire your strength. I know you will make it through 2009 too! I hope you never go back to it. Mr. Right quit over 12 years ago and once in a while he'll ask for one and I threaten to kick his butt..lol...I'm proud of him too!
Your 2009 goals are great ones. If you need a cheerleader...I'll be here for ya!!
Oh, I'd love to be in your drawing! Sounds exciting!
Have a great day:)

Robin said...

Your goals look something like mine,they also look very reachable. I too have found the boards are getting to negative and am reading more blogs than boards. Congrats on your year anniversay of being a non smoker!!
Please enter me in your draw, maybe I should have one too.

TammyK said...

Hi Lori, I was browsing blogs that were cross stitch related & ran upon yours. Nice blog! :-)
I'd love to be signed up for your drawing too. Thanks.

Daffycat said...

I used to be active on the message boards but got very tired of the "games" that get played. Now, I just lurk and post when I feel like it.

Congratulations on your first year smoke free! What a great accomplishment!

Enter me for your giveaway, please!

tweezle said...

Hi Lori :) Congrats on being smoke free! Now take your hand and pat yourself on the back. Since I can't be there, that will just have to do. I know what you mean about negativity - it's more than just the boards. I wonder if the economy has more people cranky and more snippy than usual. Wishing you success on your goals. Every year I write a page full of things I want to do, and then check them off. I don't punish myself for what I didn't do, but am usually pleased with what I did do, and then move those unfinished goals to next year (if they are still important). It's more of an esteem booster this way.

Could you please enter me in your drawing - sounds like fun!!! Thanks :)

Mary said...

Congratulations - a YEAR - that is terrific! I found your blog recently, and recognize your name from teh 123 board I'm Mary from MN there) - so much fun discovering new stitching blogs.
A basket of needlerolls has been on my "mental list" for a couple of years - doesn't it soi=unds just lovely?
Please enter me into your January drawing - thank you.

Mary in MN

Nima said...

Me too likes to brwse around to get new ideas. Please do add me for the draw....

Diana said...

Congratulations on being smoke free for a year! Hope you're able to reach that goal again this year. Please enter me in your drawing.

Pam said...

Hey, Lori! Congratulations on making it a full year being smoke free. Both of my BILs quit smoking and they had a hard time, but remain smoke free to this day. I know what you're saying about being a better wife and mother. There are days when I say the exact same thing to myself. Please enter me in your contest. Happy New Year!

Carolyn said...

I'm sooooo proud of you, gf!! I knew you could do it. :)

Your goals look alot like mine this year. I'm bound and determined to use some of my stash instead of continuously buying, buying, buying.

I wish we could have hooked up this week. I miss you! I hope you all have a wonderful time, and I look forward to hearing all about it.

Of course I HAVE to enter in your draw. You have goooooood stuff!!

Love,
Carolyn :)

LoneStar said...

I'm not entering the contest.

Congratulations on your upcoming one year smoke-free anniversary! WTG!!

And yeah, some of the MBs are a drag right now, but that's just the way some folks are. My back button is getting a wear spot on it.

Lisa (Texan)

lynda said...

congratulations on not smoking!
Please enter my name in your drawing.
Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I, too, stitch on car trips as long as the road doesn't wind too much. Also, I work on 32-count linen (instead of my preferred 40-count) to make it easier to see.

Great list of goals. You've got me thinking about what my stitching goals might be for this year as well.

Congrats on your nonsmoking anniversary!! Wonderful accomplishment!!

Linda said...

Oh boy, I got here just in time for your little drawing! I stopped by because I've sent you an email and have not heard back. Did you get it? Happy New Year!
Linda C