Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Hello 2008-Happy New Year

I know I'm a little late with my Happy New Year wishes, but I've been contemplating the coming year and didn't want to post until I felt like I had it figured out...so before I begin I'd like to wish all of my Blogland friends a very wonderful 2008, happy, healthy and full of time to do what makes you happy. That leads me right into what I've been mulling over yesterday and today as I looked back on 2007 and forward to 2008. I've been reading with interest the past couple of days lots of resolutions not to buy fabric and to finish the UFO's...and I've come to the conclusion that I am going to spend this year doing the things that make me the happiest...now please know that this are my thoughts for this year and I don't want to step on any toes, but we all need to do what works for us and what is important ...if there's a UFO in the pile that I really want to finish then I'll get it done, but I'm not going to spend time finishing something from years ago, that I really don't like or care about any more to say that I finished a UFO...the old cliche says it all "Life is too short"...time is too limited to spend it on something I don't really want to do. There are zillions of things I really want to do, that will bring me much happiness. So when I come upon a UFO that I don't want anymore, I'm going to bag up all the pieces and the pattern or book and give it to a guild or group that can use it...it will bring someone else happiness and that's what matters.
2007 was a year of great changes for us...Andy retired in April and I closed my shop and retired the end of August...this has been a huge and wonderful change for us. We are enjoying spending time together, we either work out at the gym or walk every day, we both feel better than we've felt in a very long time. I've been invited to start sewing with a few gals, which I am so excited about. I'm doing some swaps that I'm really loving. I've got a donation quilt ready for a binding. I have time to do the things that make me happy!
My first exciting thing in 2008 is that I'm going to California in on Jan 16 to visit Sharon, go to Road to California, and go wonderful quilt shops. I can't wait. New patterns to see, projects to get excited about...lots to look forward to.
In April there's the quilt show in Chicago...YIPPEE! And in August Andy and I are going on an Alaskan cruise...this has been a dream for a long time and we're doing it. In between all this excitement I'm going to sew and stitch, spend time with mom and get to see Hampton (and his mom and dad) as much as I can.
So I guess what all this long, ramble is saying is, I'm going to do what makes me happy, as Darlene said in her New Year's post, "what gives me joy" and I'm not going to feel guilty for one moment. Life is too short! Life is Good! Let's have a happy 2008!

17 comments:

antique quilter said...

great post! I agree you need , WE all need to do whats best for us. I just want to make sure I am making the quilts I really want to make this year!
and ENJOYING the process and in Dec when I look back I will be able to smile and say I had a great year!
Kathie

Patti said...

Hear hear! Since I started keeping track 5 or 6 years ago I've given many, many UFOs to charity or sold them at the guild bazaar. Each year I kept only what I thought I wanted to finish. And each year I gave away a few more. I think I've culled out all the ones I don't want - last year I gave only one away. Time will tell I guess! :-)

Deb Sews Quilts said...

It sounds like you have great plans for 2008. Enjoy them!!!!

Libby said...

Happy New Year! Sounds like you have a terrific plan for the new year - I know you will have fun.
Hey - I'll be at Road to California, too . . . wonder if we'll bump into each other*s*

Juliann in WA said...

Carol - love your words here. I did a major purge about 3 years ago and got rid of fabric and projects that didn't make me itch to stitch so what I have left are the things I love and it is so much more fun to quilt now. Hope you find some surprises along the way too.

CONNIE W said...

I'm with you...I'm not in this for stress...so whatever floats my boat (sorry, couldn't resist the pun)...I do have, however, two UFO counted cross stitch projects that pre-date my quilting that I DO want to finish so if I can find them, I'm going to resume. The hours, days, weeks, months, years and fast ticking away...no time for messing with stuff that I'm no longer interested in. Have lots of fun in CA, sounds great!

Red Geranium Cottage said...

OMG are you coming to visit ME?????? REALLY?? LOL!!! Just kidding. I can't wait till you get here. It's gonna be some fun. Boo is excited to have the hubby for a week so we can have our own "retreat".
I agree with you on the happy stuff. I'm doing what makes me happy too and if it doesn't I'm not gonna do it. And I can't pledge to not buy. COME ON!! I just can't. ROFLOL!!! That would kill me. And if that didn't hubby would cause I'd be miserable.
HAPPY NEW YEAR ETHEL!!!!

Shelina said...

Those sound like wonderful goals. And giving away UFOs is a great way to get them and the guilt out of your closet and house. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trips.

Anonymous said...

Look me up if you like when you get to California! I might be going to the Road too!

Darlene said...

Here, here my friend! I completely agree with everything you've said - wonderful resolution! Bet you can't help but smile when you think about life!

Judy said...

You forgot one thing for your trip...buy lots of fabric! Sounds like a great plan to me! There's too much neat fabric out there for me to say I won't buy any more...just too tempting!

Cindy said...

Very well said Carol. I agree with you with several aspects. Over the years my tastes in fabrics have changed drastically and I either need to sell some fabric or just give it away. My problem is, who do I give it away too. I only have a few short hours to sew every day so in those hours I would love to do work on whatever makes me the happiest.

Happy New Year.

Cheryl said...

Very wise words, and great words to follow! Sounds like 2008 will be a great year for you, with lots of wonderful trips planned! Hope to see you at Road to California!

Mar said...

Good for you, that is exactly what I'm trying to do with my focus list. Work on things that I want to work on and not be paralyzed by the old stuff hanging out. Hope to run into you and Sharon at R2CA!
Happy New Year!!

Texan said...

I so agree, Life is so very very good is it not!!!!

Thimbleanna said...

Excellent! YOU GO GIRL!!!

Nan said...

What a beautiful post, Carol! I whole-heartedly agree with everything you've written. I feel the same way - life is much too short not to do what makes you happy! Good for you! I'm envious and excited about your visit to Sharon's and the Alaska cruise!! Oh, and the Chicago quilt show - what a great year you have lined up so far!! Enjoy, my friend!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!