So here we are - the last day of January, Two Thousand and Ten. We have all had a solid month to get the gears moving on our New Years Resolutions, and with an unexpected snow on the ground and air too cold to walk the dogs, I thought I would take the extra time to give myself a "resolution report card" ...and see where I am at on all the things I promised myself for the new year.
For those who missed it, here is my original post announcing my 2010 New Years Resolutions. Now, for the grades.
Drink more water - Grade: C
I even bought myself a new water bottle, hoping this would inspire more agua consumption on a daily basis. I would say 4 out of 7 days a week, I'm pretty good. Well, better than I was. Even as I write this I have a 20 oz. glass of green tea sitting in front of me. That counts, right?
Stick to a GF diet 90% of the time - Grade: B
I went out and bought 4 different types of flour that are wheat-free. My darling significant other bought me a wheat-free cookbook for Christmas. I've tried to make G-F cookies, pizza crust, full course dinners and cereals, all with success. Its a good start, but still a ways to go (it's not my fault Portofinos doesn't make a G-F pizza option - *grin*).
Read more fiction - Grade: C+
Effort has been made to solicit suggestions and purchase a stack of well-recommended fiction. However, I have yet to open one of the books, mainly due to time. Right now the stack includes: The Help, The Lovely Bones, The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Society and Flipped. I will say that in my quest to read more fiction I discovered a web site that is currently sitting in my Top 3 visited sites on a weekly basis: www.swaptree.com - if you have never been, go. Now.
Travel to at least 3 places outside of CT/NC - Grade: B
While the actual travel has not yet taken place, there are 2, possibly 3, new trips already on the calendar.
Teach Aida a new dog trick - Grade: D
I'm trying to teach her how to wash her own dog bed. So far, it's been a big fat fail.
Take my career to the next level - Grade: B-
Work has exploded for me lately. The projects and clients I currently have are unique, different, passionate and truly wonderful. However, because of the amount of work I am doing, I have not had opportunity to expand the depth, location, or elements of my actual business. But increasing work load & client diversity - in a way - is taking my career to the next level, right?
Take my riding, and my students' riding, to the next level - Grade: A
Okay, this is the only one I can give myself an "A" on one month in. Early in January I contacted a new dressage trainer - Brett Ingram - who is fabulous and wonderful and is helping me take my own riding to the next level - on a regular basis! As for the kids, our first horse show of the season is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 20th! It's going to be a fun horsey year, I can feel it.
Listen to more - and new - music - Grade: B+
I put a note on my calendar for the first of every month to spend some time on iTunes, and download something "new" to try. So far, so good. New on the list: Tyrone Wells.
Try to finish one of my many "big idea" projects - Grade: D-
Time, time, time, time, time, time. What?
Send more letters, just because. Handwritten, of course - Grade: C
Thank you letters went out for the holidays, and Valentines Day is coming up. But the "just because" has yet to take place. Which makes me feel like a bad friend. I better get on this one.
Overall, some major progress, but still a lot of work to be done. (sigh)
To end things on a more interesting note, I thought I would finally address one of my main addictions: Etsy. You may remember [post here], I promised myself (and some friends/family) that I was going to buy as many "handmade" gifts as possible for the 2009 holiday season, and beyond.
Well, with the help of Etsy, I have been fairly successful in my efforts. Of course it took me this long to realize that I never posted any of the actual gifts (or items from earlier in the year) that I bought, or the stores and artists who have become some of my absolute places to look for inspiration ...and retail therapy.
So without further ado, I share with you "Things I Bought" and "Things I Still Lust For" …. because yes, my name is Erica, and I am an Etsy Addict.
Things I Bought
01. Gorgeous fiber for my spinning-lover mother; 02. Stunning, unique wide dog collars (Confession: I have a lot of these, in different patterns. Who says dogs can't have a wardrobe?); 03. Of course, it says "Aida", not "Razzle"; 04. Super-soft camera strap lightens the load for long shoots; 05. Letterpress cards for the car-lovers in my life; 06. Polish-made organza flower brooch for my Farmor; 07. Paper stars, for almost everyone I know; 08. Super-cute ornaments for my newly-engaged cousin (P.S. YourWishCake is by far on my most fav Etsy vendors); 09. Silkscreened scarves for my fashion-forward friends an family; 10. A yarn bowl! I know, I couldn't believe it either - I want one, and I don't even knit; 11. Custom-engraved guitar pick for you know who; 12. Recycled bike gear bottle openers, way too cool.
Things I Still Lust For
01. Mixed-media wall art; 02. Yummy bath salt cubes; 03. Something just to freak out house guests; 04. Letterpress poster *love*; 05. Gorgeous tags for all my bridles; 06. Reusable food storage bags (for all my G-F goodies); 07. If you know me at all, you know why; 08. One for every room in the house; 09. Just because they look cool; 10. Caramel marshmallows? Yummmmmmmm; 11. Typographic belt buckle? Yes please!; 12. Im not a huge wearer of jewelry, but something about this screams "you must have it."