In Search of Progress

This first week of January went exactly as I expected. I’ve decided it may take me till February to make any real progress in my plan for this year. Instead of beating myself up as usual, I’ve decided to just relax and let the progress flow to me. I’m doing what I can each day and letting the rest go. I think that’s where most of us go wrong with resolutions, not that I made any. I’m calling it a plan.

I was going to join a few others with a spending diet. It was a great idea in theory. Until my son coerced me into an eye doctor appointment before he left. Watching me adjust my glasses to read the computer was driving him crazy. Four hundred dollars later, I was given a new prescription and ordered new glasses. A bonus for my money was that I finally found an ophthalmologist that wasn’t intimidated by the complexity of my vision problems and explained them clearly to my son. She also understood the vestibular integration dysfunction. The last ophthalmologist seemed to panic and walked away when I mentioned it. We now have a plan of action to deal with the droopy eye that clearly interferes with my field of vision. She has pictures to prove it when I finally get medical insurance next year.

The next morning my son drove my car to the airport and I waited for daylight to drive home. I don’t know about you, but I need GPS to get in or out of any airport. It can be very stressful so I stopped for breakfast on the way back. The rest of the plan was to visit the Fabric Depot in Portland. It’s 17 miles from my house so I rarely go unless there is a class to take or a much-needed supply. If you are a fabricaholic like me, this is like going to heaven. There is over 1.5 acres of fabric, not to mention all the rest of the goodies. This stop was to find a better stabilizer for my lace ornaments. What I had on hand, left me frustrated with the results. I did get it on sale and learned something new in the process. The kind clerk educated me in the art of downloading their mailer to my smartphone and not printing it out. You just show them the mailer on your phone and bingo, discount. I was also looking for extra large spools of shiny rayon thread for the lace but inventory was taking place and none were to be found. I’ll only get it on sale.

So far the only lace snowflake to turn out decent.

Portland, OR version of snowflakes this morning.

My plan this year has been to get healthy. That requires order in my home. So I started giving away everything I didn’t want in my fridge or cupboards. My daughter took a lot to work to pass on. A stop by the grocery that morning after filling the gas tank, brought home plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. I cooked up lots of lean meat patties that are now frozen and spaghetti sauce, portioned into individual containers to go over spaghetti squash noodles. I’m all set to combat the munchies. On the occasions that I go out to eat, which I truly enjoy, half of my meal always comes home so I get two for the price. That included breakfast.

The rest of the week has been spent cleaning, doing laundry and putting things back after the wonderful holiday with my children. A little at a time but I think I’m making progress. Wish I could say the same thing about my lace snowflakes. My motto this week in addition to learn something new every day is “I’ll get there yet”. How are you doing with your plan, resolution, or goal?

“People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.” Zig Ziglar ~ Motivational author and speaker

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself

In Search of Summary

Christmas is technically over. All those presents that were beautifully wrapped have been distributed to loved ones and the paper rained over several living rooms. We did Christmas in shifts this year as so many must do. My niece and her girls were visited the weekend before. My sister was two days after as she had a bad cold with fever. We appreciated her not spreading it around.

The ribbon was recycled from years gon by and once again saved.

There is a saying; “the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” I think it’s on our family crest. Once again, I’m behind getting done the things I wanted to make for friends and family. Selling a house during the Christmas holiday was a blessing and a welcome accomplishment on so many levels but took a great deal of my time and energy. I wish I could extend my gift giving into February. Maybe I will.

I finally finished this casserole cozy for my sister as her Christmas gift. She picked out the material and pattern just after I became ill. Thinking that it would be no problem to complete, I was surprised that I could not sew until just recently. It had been so long in the making, my sister forgot all about it and was delighted to see it complete.I did buy the casserole dish and wooden spoon as part of the gift.

Casserole caddy three years to make

Next I did a machine embroidered t-shirt for my daughter with her favorite saying stitched on it. She’s concluded there is no prince charming in her near future so it’s up to her to make her life majestic.

This is how she sees herself.

I’m still working on one for my son and hope to have it complete before he heads back home. They look so easy but somehow mine always end up a little off-center. What does that say about me? I must share my favorite photo of the season taken by my son. My niece’s boyfriend has this rescued Pit mix I’ve written about before. Her name is Amy and she is the sweetest dog.

Yes Santa, I’ve been a good girl. Please leave a bone in my stocking.

I don’t know about you but for some reason I always have this long list of things to get done and never quite get there. So I will go back and make another list of the things I did accomplish. When you sum it all up, the movement was all forward. Isn’t that the direction we should be heading with a few peaks at the past to make sure we are still on the road we wanted?

With the New Year just a day away; looking back I realize that I’ve actually come a long way in a year. I have finally become well enough to drive a tiny bit and begun sewing a little. I have achieved all my financial goals I set for this year. Next year, I hope to achieve my health goals. Yes, there is a weight loss in the plan. There is a weight loss plan every year. Obviously, almost 3 years of tipping over every time I move has led to a very inactive lifestyle. That gave me time for the writing I love so much. This time I’m looking for a plan that is kinder and gentler. Three years ago I lost 50 pounds on a bet. Most of it is back. I plan on getting well this year. There are no resolutions here; just a day by day plan to make each one as good as possible. Bet you have some great plans for this year that might not have been. I’d love to hear about them. Maybe we can achieve them together.

Happy New Year Everyone!

From my heart to yours,
Marlene Herself