My 2019 Goals & How It's Going

I'm checking back in to see how my 2019 goals are coming along, I've made some progress but not nearly enough.  Sometimes I think that what I read in my self help books (which I've always loved) and what I read and see on others online blogs, may be too much time spent reading about what many seem to do so well but can leave me feeling a bit let down about what I'm actually accomplishing.   I don't want to be comparing myself to anyone else. So, I'm checking back in to keep MY resolutions as fresh, true, and progressive as I can so here's how it's going:

1.  Continue my quest for healthier eating, smaller portions, and much better sugar and carb control.  

I'm getting there little by little and find myself looking for healthy options when I'm hungry between meals, plus I'm cooking from scratch more often and trying heartily to incorporate more veggies into the mix,

2.  Walk at least 3 days a week and preferably do more when possible.

I'm sorry to say that this particular goal hasn't been met very often at all.  Yes, I'm still determined to pull this off but haven't been too successful.

3.  Do as much knitting and crocheting as possible and crank out at the very least, 4 solid projects this year.

Again, haven't been faithful in picking up my knitting and/or crochet projects and actually making much progress but that's about to change!

4.  Practice patience and calmness through all things.

I am doing better with my patience and trying to remain calm through all upsets, etc.

5.  Make simplicity a top priority in everyday life.

This seems to be something that needs quite a bit of focusing on living in the moment.  I find that I have to remind myself to be aware of each moment and keep it as simple and as real as I can.

6.  Thank God everyday for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me and mine.

This is something that I've been doing each and everyday as I feel that gratitude to God for all His blessing is most important in my life on a daily basis.

7.  Unclutter, donate, sell, or throw out those things that meet the criteria.

We're accomplishing this on a day to day basis but I can already see and feel the difference in the de-cluttering of excess and needless 'things'. 

8.  Save more and Spend Less!!

I've found that cooking more often at home saves us quite a bit and the less I visit Amazon the better when it comes to more savings.  As for cooking at home, I think a change in our meal times is in order too but more on that later.

9.  Savor every moment spent with my sweet husband, and my family. (this one is easy peasy).

I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful husband and our life together with all of our children, grandchildren, in-laws, Mom, brothers, and nephews makes us even happier.

10.  Remember that life is a gift and that's why we call it the 'present'.

This is so true and I strive to remember it. 

2019....It's The Year

Wow, one more year gone in what seems like the blink of an eye!  So, with 2019 ushered in, I thought I might keep a record of my goals, successes, and naturally, a few failures along the way so here goes: 

Goals for 2019 (in no particular order)

1.  Continue my quest for healthier eating, smaller portions, and much better sugar and carb control.  I began on 12-28-18 and just completed week 1.  I can already feel the difference. ☺
2.  Walk at least 3 days a week and preferably do more when possible.
3.  Do as much knitting and crocheting as possible and crank out at the very least, 4 solid projects this year.
4.  Practice patience and calmness through all things.
5.  Make simplicity a top priority in everyday life.
6.  Thank God everyday for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me and mine.
7.  Unclutter, donate, sell, or throw out those things that meet the criteria.
8.  Save more and Spend Less!!
9.  Savor every moment spent with my sweet husband, and my family. (this one is easy peasy).
10.  Remember that life is a gift and that's why we call it the 'present'.

I decided that getting back to my blog and posting it online would help me with accountability.  May I wish each of you who may be reading this a very happy and healthy 2019 with all of your heart's desires being fulfilled.

Time Marches On

Wow, it's been quite awhile but life has a way of going by faster all the time.  I've been somewhat remiss in my knitting and crocheting, not really getting much accomplished.  So, I'd like to change the tone of my blog to include not only my crafting, but also life in general, cooking, weight loss, clearing out clutter, exercising, etc., etc. On that note I've added a weight loss ticker to my side bar and will be posting whenever I can move my 'girl' down the ladder, so to speak.  

It's all good and as for exercise, I've been doing about 25 minutes of specific stretches for my hamstrings, which I pulled last October, and for my shoulder, which I hurt in the same fall.  Once the weather warms up a bit, I will get back to walking with my goal being 4 days a week, 15 to 30 minutes per day.  It took me many years to finally realize that I must take better care of my own health and part of that resolution, is exercising and better nutrition, smaller portions, and more effective blood sugar management.

This blog is just for my own accountability to myself as a place to record and actually 'see' how things are going.....wish me luck.

I'm Back!

Yes, I'm officially back and why not, I ask.  I've been fascinated reading many other fellow knitter's and crocheters blog posts and felt thatI had much to say, myself, so I'm jumping back into my own blog with both feet!

This past year has been a good one, both personally, health wise, and fiber-ly speaking.  I've completed several projects but not nearly as many as I truly could have......this darned osteoarthritis really kicks my pattootie (my own spelling).  I'm hopeful that continuing my weight loss will reduce the inflammation and swelling in my fingers and lessen the pain.  I won't give up, however, no not ever. ☺

I've knit and/or crocheted the following list of items, just to name a few:

Christmas Stocking

Entrelac Cowl

Fair Isle iPad Cover

Rowan Plaid Cowl

Chevron Cap

Lately, my crafting mojo has been missing from the scene but I hope to get it back very soon, perhaps after the holidays.  In the meantime, I honestly am trying to complete at least one ongoing project, a lapghan for my mother using a nice warm and colorful wool combination yarn.

Time Marches On....'Ain't It The Truth'!

I cannot believe that it's been over a year since I posted anything on my blog.  I would imagine that if anyone read it, they've given up on checking back, and I can't say I blame them.  Life manages to get in the way, what with our day to day happenings, work, family, friends, pets, Ravelry, etc., etc. However, the important thing is I haven't completely abandoned this little corner of my knitting and crocheting world altogether. ☺

I've been busily knitting several items over this past year and will have pictures soon. I am knitting another Christmas stocking for my youngest granddaughter.  I'm getting ready to knit the heel flap and then it will be finishing up the foot and weaving the toe together.  I decided to duplicate her name rather than knit it in so that will be done after the stocking is completed.  I'm using size 7 needles and Red Heart acrylic yarn because it holds up so well to all the 'stuff' that gets put into these stockings and all the yanking and pulling that the poor things have to bear.   Counting my 5 kids, each of their spouses, my husband, my mother, and each of my grandchildren, I've knitted about 20 or more stockings and it's heartening to see them hung up in everyone's homes each Christmas.

I'm also knitting a Chevron cap and a Fair Isle iPad cover which is beginning to look pretty great with the vibrant colors I'm using.  I've put both of these projects on hold though until I finish the stocking since that has a timed date for finishing.

Happily, I'm still knitting solely from my yarn stash and not buying anymore yarn.  Geez, yarn is the last thing I need since I already have enough to start my own yarn store!!  So, when I want to knit or crochet anything, I shop from my own stash and it's all good.

Yes, I'm Back!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, as I see it's been quite some time since I last posted.  I've been busy creating some knitted and crocheted things and here is one that I'm currently working on.  It's a Christmas stocking that I'm knitting for my wonderful DIL and therefore, I'm hoping neither she, nor my son, decides to check out my blog......however, that isn't something they normally do, so perhaps I'm safe in the surprise category.

I'm knitting it with size 8 straight needles until I get to the heel and foot portion at which time I'll switch to DPN's.  Once I get to finished the white rows that I'm currently knitting, I think I'll duplicate her name rather than use yarn bobbins as I did for the trees.

And yes, it's a shame, but I'm still plodding through this continuous granny one row at a time and only now and then, at that.......I think I'll stop when it's a throw size.  It is very soft and cuddly though and I'm using a retired Jaeger yarn so you know it will be toasty and warm.  Right now it looks a bit wavy but that will disappear once it's blocked.

I've completed other projects too and have a few more on deck for the Christmas holidays to give as gifts.  I wish you all a happy and healthy Autumn season and before we know it, it'll be Thanksgiving and you KNOW what that means!  Ahh, yes, Christmas can't be far behind, but I digress.