Monday, December 31, 2007

Resolutions Old and New

Today, another year draws to a close, and it's time to take stock. For this purpose, I pulled up my list of New Year's resolutions for 2007. How did I do? Let's take a look!

1. I will finish my cross-stitch UFO. It has been sitting there for 7 years, that's enough.
It's still sitting there, unfinished. I guess this one gets carried over.

2. I will try Fair Isle knitting. This one is left over from last year. What can I say, I'm a coward when it comes to colorwork.
I did it! I finished a stranded colorwork project a couple of days ago and will blog about it as soon as it reaches its recipient. It uses three colors, even, though never more than 2 per row. I'm still freaking proud of this thing.

3. Start holiday gifts in time to actually finish.
Well... kind of. I finished the last gift 1 day after it was due, so that's an almost.

4. Knit more socks.
Yes. I think I knit around 6 pairs this year, including Sock Pal socks and other gift goodies.

5. Knit a lace garment that has shaping in the lace part, not just the stockinette section.
Nope, didn't do that. Another carryover!

6. Learn to crochet properly. By that, I mean learn to crochet something other than a dishcloth.
I did crochet something other than a dishcloth, so I guess that's a yes. I discovered the magic of combining crochet and felting. Stick your almost-FO in the washer and watch your mistakes disappear!

7. Get in shape. Not moving makes my inflammatory arthritis worse. Also, I need to get in shape so I can
I'm doing a bit better, but still not really -- another carryover. But this year, I'm definitely going to

8. do the breast cancer walk.
Too many people I know have either been diagnosed with breast cancer or have had a breast cancer scare this year. I need to do something about it, even if it's not much.

9. Stop being a coward when it comes to applying for jobs. I mean, why?
I did that. Got two offers, accepted one. Yay, me!

10. Eat healthy. Junk food makes the hormones unhappy. Unhappy hormones make me unhappy. It's not a good thing.
I'm doing much better on this one. Now, I eat healthier, and I'm working on switching to a completely vegetarian diet. I feel good when I don't eat meat, and I have a soft spot for fuzzy critters.

Which brings us to this year's resolutions. That was a 50% success rate... it could be worse. In addition to the carryover, I want to

1. Become a vegetarian. I've been eating less and less meat, but the key to success for me is to not replace meat with carbs. I can't eat tofu because it messes up my hormones, the husband is allergic to onions and peppers, it's going to be a challege. But once I get used to doing the cooking and planning a certain way, I'm sure I'll do just fine.

2. Really get cracking on ye olde professional development. Continuing ed rocks.

3. Knit up a large portion of my stash. I'm not ashamed of the amount of yarn I own, but there is so much I bought when I was a beginner and didn't have a clue what I was doing. I mean, 10 skeins of mustard/purple colored chunky yarn? Yes, it was on sale, but... what was I thinking???

4. Knit even more socks.

5. Do a better job keeping in touch with my friends. Friends are a blessing and should not be taken for granted.

6. Try entrelac. It's so pretty.

7. Sell all the clothes I haven't worn for a year or more on e-bay. There are people who would love them and wear them more often. My going out days are pretty much numbered, and I now wear corporate clothes 5 days out of 7. Out with the frilly, lacy stuff, welcome, new corporate goth wardrobe!

I think that's it for this year. Together with the carryover, it brings me to 12 resolutions for 2008 - let's see how I do this time around.

And in case you're wondering what I'll be doing New Year's Eve, I won't be knitting. I'll be playing the Lord of the Rings roleplaying game with Mr. Batty and some friends. Yay for geeky activities on a night when we'd stay up late anyway. Makes me feel like a teenager all over again.

So, to all you people out there, knitters and non-knitters alike: Have a happy, healthy new year. See you again in 2008!

25 comments:

adrienne said...

Your resolutions are all good ones! I might have to borrow the professional development one. And maybe the entrelac one too :) (I'm thinking Quant might be a nice pattern to start with)
Hope you have a great 2008!

Bonnie said...

You did great on your resolutions! Congrats on trying Fair Isle and getting a new job, and all your other successes. Best wishes for a happy 2008!

sgeddes said...

Good set of goals for the new year. A couple of those are on my list too.

I hope you have a great New Years Eve!

cpurl17 said...

Happy New Year to my favorite Batty/future vegetarian/kitty adopter/sock knitter extraordinaire!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year! I'm excited for all the knitting-related plans, that should make for very interesting reading!

Calling on Kahlo said...

Happy New Year Batty!

weezalana said...

I think you did great for 2007 - half is better than most people do with resolutions! And it looks like you've got some fun, challenging, but all doable goals for the new year. (I especially like the term "corporate goth." ;))

Have a fab, geeky New Year's!

IrishGirlieKnits said...

Great goals for a new year!!

Have a very happy new year!!!

Anonymous said...

Frohes und strickreiches Neues Jahr! Ein paar von Deinen guten Vorsätzen sollte ich mir borgen, aber hab ich keine, brech ich keine. ;)

Norm Deplume said...

"Corporate goth." I like it.

And on the vegetarian front, have you eaten quinoa? It's a great source of protein, and tasty, too. :)

Happy New Year, Ms. Batty.

The Kelly Green Rogue said...

Happy New Year! Those are some big resolutions! I can't wait to see what 2008 brings!

Anonymous said...

I think you've accomplished a great number of resolutions! And I will be cheering you on in the new year. Your crochet accomplishments are enough, alone, to deserve praise.

Ahem. Let me know when old less-corporate gothy items become available. ;)

Eryn said...

You know, there's a lot to be said about combining frilly, lacey stuff with corporate goth wear...

Happy New Year!

Peri said...

Happy New Year!

50% of resolutions kept is pretty good going - good luck with this years.

Sue, aka seiding said...

Happy New Year, Batty! I only made one resolution last year, the no new yarn one, and that didn't exactly work out so well, so I think you're doing really well. I wish you success with this year's resolutions!

merlinthecat said...

I should finish my cross-stitch too oh and my latch hook rug...

Anonymous said...

I ended up here today via Eryn, but the hilarious thing is that an old library colleague recently sent me your link and asked if you were me! - black-wearing librarian with inflammatory arthritis and a knitting habit!. I don't have my MLS yet, though.

Happy New Year!

Knittypants said...

Happy New Year, you've some great resolutions.

I'm working on the vegetarian one as one of resolutions this year, too. I have been feeling so much better since I cut the meat out.

ZantiMissKnit said...

Oh happy new year! I think I stole your crochet one for this year; I am determined to make it work!

Elspeth said...

Good luck! I probably should make a few myself. Happy New Year!

Soo said...

I think 50% success rate is pretty impressive. Great goals for 2008 -- good luck with them!

Jen said...

I'm making a resolution totally inspired by you: comment more and more often on the knitting blogs that I read! It makes me so happy to get a cheerful, supportive Batty comment that I just want to spread the love. Yay Batty!

Abril said...

Feliz Año Nuevo!!!

sharon said...

Well, of your last years ones #1 - they've been married 10 years already and it was to be a wedding present. #2 - that one is always there, but still not the most pressing, #3 one of my goals for this year, #4 - definitely to do, #5 - we'll see, #6 - this I can do and love to do, #7 - on my current list, #8 & 10 - need to do, #9 - not necessary, the gov't pays too well.
Of your current new ones - entrelac, socks and friends all fall into it.
Happy New Year

Ceallach said...

Yay for the new job!


Congratulations. And I happen to know that the New Job Yarn is deliciious indeed as well.