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Ready or Not – It’s Almost 2010

On Lime Green Kitchen:

Lamb Stew and it got rave reviews at our house!

Does time pass so quickly for you?  Does it seem like just yesterday we were hearing about all the things that could go haywire when the year 2000 arrived?  Can you believe that was 10 years ago?  A whole decade has passed since then.

Any plans or resolutions for 2010?  Think how quickly the years roll by and then a decade has come and gone before we know it.  That’s one of the things that keeps me moving as quickly as I do — so much to do/so little time.

My challenge to you all:  If there’s something you’ve been wanting to do . . make 2010 the year you do it!  Just tell yourself right now that you’re going to get it done in 2010.

Two things come to mind as things I had wanted to do for so many years and did them in 2009.  One was getting chickens.  I had begged for chickens for so long . . at least 10 years.  Vince finally agreed and we both love having them.  I wish we’d had them a long time ago.  They’re a bit of work but what isn’t?  I believe all my blog readers know how much I love my chickens.

The second thing is making hot tamales.  For years I’ve said I was going to learn to do it and never did.  About this time last year, I said to myself that I was going to make tamales before the end of this year and I did.  I kept asking people who might know how to make them if they would help me and couldn’t find anyone who would admit to knowing how to make them.  Finally, at almost the end of the year, I just said . . you’re never going to get it done if you don’t just do it yourself . . and I did.  Once I made them, they’re so easy (though a bit time consuming) to make and we love them.  Absolutely love them!

Chris wrote on her blog about making artisan bread/pizza for the first time and loving it.  I think they’ve bought their last storebought pizza!  🙂

What are you putting off doing . . either because you’re afraid of failure or maybe it’s just something that keeps running through the back of your head but you haven’t really grasped the idea and committed to trying it?  Maybe it’s making bread, maybe it’s using the pressure cooker, maybe it’s learning to knit socks, maybe it’s learning to use Electric Quilt, maybe it’s more serious — a job change, getting finances in order, getting a 22 year old out on his own (oh . . wait . . that’s my desire!) . . no matter how large or how small, I’ll always believe that unless I first commit to myself, and then put the plan into action, too many things in life pass us by. It’s MY life and I’m going to live it to the fullest.  What’s “full” for me, isn’t “full” for others.  We all have to find our own way — our own way to happiness and living a fulfilled life.  Don’t wish for the things others have or do.  Live your own life without comparing what you do or have to anyone else.

Are you doing what you want to be doing?  If your life headed in the direction you want to be headed?  Are there things you’ve always wanted to do and haven’t done?  What are you waiting for? Yesterday is gone, today will be gone before we know it . . please figure out how to do the things you want to do . . and do it before the end of 2010!

Please have a happy and safe New Year’s Eve and a wonderful 2010!

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Comments

  1. I bought a quilting machine this year and that was one thing that I waited and waited and other things kept being more important or required the money that I had saved. So glad that I finally did it this year. 2010 – PPP for hours. I have more things on my list for 2010 but that is pretty much tops right now.

    • Yep, a longarm is a gift to yourself that keeps on giving! Looking back though, don’t you think the timing was perfect when you got it? After using your other machine, you have to appreciate the heck out of the new one and you waited til all those more important things were done and now there’s no guilt or apprehension about the big purchase. I hope you love your machine forever!

  2. I love your post. I have a “bucket list” and I try to knock off a few items each year. People always say I’m too young for a bucket list (47) but why wait? Two years ago, I bought a horse (and I know nothing about horses) and now he’s my psychiatrist. 🙂 Last year I was determined to teach myself to knit a sweater. I did. This year I want to master hand quilting… so far. Who knows what else will come up! Happy New Year Judy. I love reading your blog.

    • You’re right . . we never know how long we have and how long we’ll be able to do the things we love. Not to sound morbid, but I don’t want to waste a single day of the time I have left. I started out hand quilting so I “can” do it but I’m not very good at it. Good luck with that. Did you enjoy knitting? Do you still knit?

      • I knit all fall and winter. Mostly stocking hats, socks, and the occasional sweater. Anything I can do in the round!

  3. I’m going to be ‘feather queen’ by the end of the year! I just love quilts with feathers. Mine look like piles of dog poop right now, but by the end of 2010, they will be beautiful. That is one of my big goals for the year. I plan to sit down today and work on the rest of the list.

  4. getting a new laptop is one thing in my future.
    if i can do that i will have an extra 140 square inches of storage space for my quilting fabric–space that my desk takes up now.
    and i’ll have room for a new bookcase to put my quilting yardage in so i can see it all at one time.
    that will be a good improvement.
    i may even be brave and get EQ put on the new laptop!

    • Why do you have to get brave? What’s the worst that could happen? I think the worst that could happen is that you never install it and never learn to use it. DO IT!! 🙂

  5. My goal for 2009 was to learn to knit socks (I’m on my 4th pair now) and love it! The other big project I had was to finish the quilt my Mom left undone. That, too is undone. I’ve used stripes in a quilt (Bears in the Farmhouse) so am no longer hesitant to use stripes. For 2010 I’m participating in the stash busting – I have far too much fabric in this house. My first goal is to use the fur I have to make teddy bears to be donated. I need to learn to use my long arm — it’s here waiting to be used! My list is long for 2010 – I need to write it down!

  6. My quilting goals are to quilt feathers and use EQ5–I’m not updating until I learn to use what I have. I have designed 2 quilts this week and am working on both of them. And thanks for the video you just did quilting feathers, it was just the push I needed to be a “feather queen” with Marilyn–if she doesn’t mind. 😉

    Thanks for always encouraging us and for sharing your time, your life, your family and your pets. You know if I ever get your way, I am calling to invite myself over for a Dr. Pepper.

    • EQ6 is a lot easier than EQ5 so if you’re going to learn, I’d spring for the upgrade and learn on 6. I’m sure there’s room in the quilting world for two Feather Queens. Anytime you get near me, you’re more than welcome to come over and visit and share a DP.

  8. My goal is to try to get over my fear of” finishing ” and to learn to do a decent job of free motion machine quilting . Definitely no room, time or money for a mid to long arm machine though it would be so much easier to quilt that way than fighting with my sewing machine. 🙂

  9. 2010 is going to be a BIG year for me if everything goes to plan. I can’t blab the details but I turn 50 in 2010 and I promised myself some great new things to celebrate my birthday!

  10. I’ve spent the last month setting goals for myself – I’m not calling them resolutions – because I’ve written them down, and will work until I achieve them.

    #1 Get my college degree. I’ve been working on this one for almost 8 years now – off an on. Come May – if all goes as planned, I’ll have my degree. I don’t plan on ever using it – but I wanted to prove to myself and my kids that I could do it.

    #2 Design and make my own quilt. Started by purchasing EQ. I know what I have in mind – and I’ve never seen it done. I’m a master at following others directions, color choices, or quilt kits – this time – I want to make one that is totally mine.

    #3 Knit a pair of socks. I have large feet (size 13). My 13yo dd already is in a woman’s 12 – so she’ll pass me for sure. My 10 yo is right on her heels (so to speak). If I can knit socks that are a bit larger than average – we can all have comfy cozy tootsie’s and be stylish as well !

  11. This year one of my goals to to stop hoarding for someday and use and enjoy things right now. When my mom died at age 93 she still had a set of damask linens given to her at her bridal shower in 1936 in their original box. She was always waiting for the right moment to do things and the right moment never seemed to come.

    I am starting off my year by participating in the “too good to cut” challenge at Dianne’s (Rosewillow) blog to make a quilt from Asian fabrics I bought in 1997. Hopefully, that will be the first step to get me started on the road to living in the here and now.

    • Stopping the hoarding is kinda one of my goals. It’s so hard for me to use something (especially a fabric or yarn) that I love because then I won’t have it any more but I’ve convinced myself there’s something better out there that I can’t get til I use what I have. Good luck!

      That “too good to cut” challenge is a great one!

  12. What a coincidence!. My hubby and I went to San Antonio to see our daughter and her family last week. We spent Christmas day making tamales with her 80 year old mother-in-law. That woman almost worked us to death. 22 dozen in total. After that she showed us how to make a mexican dessert that I won’t try to spell. They are fried dough (really thin in a circle) that you sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
    My goal for 2010 is to sew/crochet more and connect that to a local charity. I tend to sprinkle too much around to many charities and not feeling connected to any of them. I want to focus on one but can’t seem to pick one.
    Judy, thanks for making us think ahead. Happy Holidays everyone!
    P.S. Hubby started prepping today. We’re spending tomorrow making tamales.

    • So, you had someone to help you get started. That’s great. I wonder how close yours are to the ones I make. The dessert sounds great too. Have fun making the tamales!

  14. Judy, I think you have been reading my mind. I sit here with tears in my eyes after reading your post. I have been putting off some things that I really want to do this coming year – personal things so I won’t share with the world.
    I love your blog and enjoy following along. You are funny, inspiring, talented, creative, I could go on and on but I won’t.
    Thanks for keeping up your blog and sharing with us.
    Happy New Year!
    Eileen

    • I didn’t mean to make you cry! 🙂 Really . . the days that are past are history. All we have is the future and we need to make every day count because we truly never know how long we have. Good luck getting things done in 2010. Always know that I’m back here in MO cheering for you!

  15. Judy,

    I love these posts of yours that make me think. I already made a huge change in my life this year when I realized I needing to stop waiting until this, that, or the other happened, in order to do the things I want to do. Like you said, I had to just start doing, so I did and it’s been wonderful. It was so freeing to finally consciously make that decision. I’ve also started a bucket list and will continue to add to it as I think of more things. I live by my lists to get things done, so I know if I put something on a list, I will find a way to get it done.

    I’m also working really hard to not save those special fabrics or things for someday and to enjoy them now. It seems obvious, but when you ask yourself how you will know when “someday” has arrived, you realize that you don’t know and so why not make it now.

    Anyway, thank you for such a thought provoking post on this last day of 2009. Happy New Year to you and your family!

  16. I’ve been reading some books by Clean Sweep host Peter Walsh and have decided that 2010 will be my year to live in the “now.”
    I want to clear the clutter and redecorate as my style is no longer the same. I also want to learn to do the actual quilting instead of
    worrying that it won’t be perfect enough. I’d like to buy and learn
    EQ, take some quilt and photography classes and finish UFOs. And taking better care of my health is my top priority this year. I think I’m going to write that bucket list. LOL

  17. One thing my husband and I have been putting off, mostly because of his illness 5 years ago and the high cost of insurance to visit the USA, is a return trip to Wyoming.
    BUT we have now booked flights, accommodation and look out SLC and WY we are coming… cannot wait to attend a quilt show, see Yellowstone and the Tetons again… YIPEE.

    Happy Room Diana

  18. It’s inspiring to read everyone’s comments. As I read I’ve been sitting here thinking about my own bucket list. Conquering sock knitting is definitely in there – I started that process yesterday. EQ6 is also in the bucket – I have the software, just need to start playing with it more often. Becoming a more proficient machine quilter is a goal. I’d love a mid/long arm machine but I have real space constraints so that’s probably never going to happen. Finally, working thru my stash – I probably have more patterns than I do fabric! Especially Christmas wall hanging patterns. I’d like to make a few of them to give as gifts for next year. There’s a few personal goals in the bucket as well but I’ll keep those to myself. As we consider our 2010 bucket let’s not forget to pat ourselves on the back for what we’ve accomplished in 2009 – we may not have emptied the bucket but I bet we all made some progress.
    Wishing you all a happy, healthy, productive, FUN 2010, Karen

  19. I’ve never been really goal driven. More need driven, I think.

    But I’m glad as heck that you accomplished your goal of making tamales, since I benefited from your success.

    Maybe you could set a goal of conquering the Cannoli. I really like Cannolis.

  20. Wow Judy, you are such an inspiration. Yesterday I made your Jailhouse Rolls recipe – my 1st attempt at breadmaking. Am waiting for the dough to rise now so I can make dinner rolls for New Year’s day. (It’s not rising so maybe I should have let it rise and then refrigerated?) Well, this one’s for practice, I will learn as I go, but I’ve been wanting to make bread and this is a beginning. Have a new grandbaby coming this summer so want to begin now making baby things for he or she. Have EQ6 and want to learn to use it as I am the Lotto chairperson for our quilt guild. Organize and use my stash more. Work on those personal goals that are nagging at me. Love more, volunteer more, exercise more. Learn how to use my digital camera better and do more with the photos I now take. I love a new year, it’s such a fresh beginning, don’t you?

    Happy New Year to all of your readers and especially to you and your family, Judy. Thanks for sharing your life with us, it’s a real treat that I look forward every day.

  21. Hi Judy! I love to read your blog every day and hear about all of the things you do and new things you try. But this post I found to be particulary inspiring! I had a couple of goals already set for 2010, but now I want to set many more. I have my “carry-over” goal of stashbusting (which I did pretty good at last year) and additionally this year my goal is to finish up some UFO’s, which had multiplied when I wasn’t looking! I also have a wedding quilt and a quilt for my in-laws slated for this year. I need to add learning to machine quilt to this year’s list. I was all ready to plunge into that last year when a bunch of “life” happened. Thanks for your great blog — it’s the highlight of every morning for me!

    Kathy in California (QuiltMonkey)

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