Hello to 2007

Happy New Year, my dears! So what are my plans for 2007, since I don't like making resolutions?

• To keep exercising. I'll be through with cardiac rehab (Phase II) in early March (I think) and will graduate into Phase III then, which is mostly home exercise with some check-ins at the hospital. (If you're wondering, I think Phase I is the heart trouble that lands you there in the first place.)
• To shed more stuff. When I'm fantasizing about finding myself stranded somewhere without all my stuff, and being relieved about it, I know it's time to get rid of stuff. I've already gotten rid of a lot--much of my old clothing, probably a bookcase's worth of books--but it's all filled in again already! I haven't bought clothes in a couple of years, and yet the closet is full again. I've bought a handful of books, and yet the bookcase is full again. How does this happen! *cough*my mom*cough* I'm actually looking forward to really getting in there and cleaning stuff out.
• To grow some food! I'm excited about digging the garden beds this spring with Leonard. Josie really wants to grow potatoes, so we'll probably try the straw/trash-can method just to see what happens.
• To spin more. Last year was a knitting year, I want to make this a spinning year. Knitting too, but I really want to ramp up the spinning. I am knitting a modified clapotis (thinner than the original--more scarflike, less shawl-like) out of some handspun merino-silk that should have been a lot softer than it turned out to be. I think I overspun it; it's much firmer than I wanted. It disappointed me tremendously. I want to develop more control so that I get the yarn I WANT as opposed to the yarn I GET. And I want to learn how to spin bast fibers--plant-based fibers like linen and cotton. I will always prefer my beloved wool, but I have a hankering to spin enough linen to weave handkerchiefs. heh.
• To sew more. Josie is driving me INSANE with requests to learn how to use her sewing machine, and as soon as John has a job we can take it to get tuned up and get going. But I myself want to sew more. I need some placemats--none of my old ones match any more (who is stealing my placemats?!). I want to make some window quilts after the relative success of the door quilt. I need some cute aprons, I'm tired of wearing my icky stained canvas ones. I want to make the girls some pinafores. I want some cute skirts and blouses for this summer. And I refuse to buy stuff when I can make it and I have a basement full of fabric!!
• To develop more of a rhythm in our daily life, including homeschooling. I try this every g-darn year, but you know, I'm not going to stop trying no matter how many times I fail.

I know I'm forgetting stuff. They say menopause makes you forgetful, and I swear I am losing more mind than hormones. If I remember more, I'll come back and add more.