Resolutions, with a twist.

Typically at this time of year, I am busy implementing new changes to finally lose the weight that found me 13 years ago. And typically, I would be wondering if this year would be the year to finally make it happen. Well this year I decided instead to focus on things that I would love to accomplish, rather than make promises to myself that I can’t keep (because when a person doesn’t keep their promise it irks me to no end). So on that note, I will share my list of ambitious endeavors.
For starters, I would like to take a cake decorating class. Yes I have decorated cakes in the past, but most of my “skills” have been self taught. And I am sure I can learn a thing or two from an actual professional. Plus, I have no idea how to make frosting flowers, so learning that would just be icing on the cake. ;)
I would also like to learn how to knit. This does not necessarily have to be done in a class, although there is a neighboring Village that has the quaintest downtown area, and there is a shop called the “Gifted purl”, that teaches knitting. And I would love to join one so I can get some romance ideas. I hear they are in abundant supply at knitting circles these days.
To go along with my number one plan for this year, I would like to learn to make the most divine chocolate cake. My Mother used to make a Black Forest cake that was to die for. I can make one with a mix (which is NOT to die for), but to make it from scratch would make me feel as though I had reached the absolute summit of homemaking prowess.
I would also like to learn how to make regular old white and yellow cakes as well, as these tend to be more my family’s favorite kind. Yes, technically I can make a cake, but my last attempt was more dense, and gray, and heavy than a cake has a right to be. I have a thing with flour that just won’t let me use the bleached variety. I am willing to get over that to attain cake perfection, but once I master it; I will do my best to find a way to make them with wheat flour.
My elder Brother introduced me to Pho this year, and while it was fantastic, the restaurant was pretty far away. It is unlikely that I would drive that far again for the tasty treat. So… this year I want to try my hand at cracking the recipe, that way, I can have it whenever I desire.
I would like to Read Simple abundance EACH DAY this year, instead of my usual, weekend cramming sessions. I like to ponder each day’s message as a sort of meditation. And if anyone has seen my facebook statuses, you will know that I have the hardest time relaxing. So much so that 2 years ago, I developed swallowing issues. I have tried various medicines, undergone an endoscopy, and numerous Dr Visits with a variety of Docs. The latest hypothesis is that I am too stressed to unwind, and it is causing my esophagus to swell. (Oh my ears too, but that is another story).
This year, I am also practicing patience. We are talking patience like a monk has patience. I think being impatient has contributed to my stress levels. Well so has my perfectionist tendency, but that is a task for another year.
Next is something I am already doing, and that is blogging. I started my own, but thus far have only posted one thing. When Aunt Susan died, I remember thinking (and saying at her funeral, although likely no one could understand me because I was blubbering so much) that I admired her courage and lack of fear when it came to her writing. She wrote things and actually sent them off to publishers. I have written in the privacy of my home for years, but done little with my musings. So this year, at the very least, I will blog. Then we shall see if the dream grows wings.
When I was a child, we had this beautiful piano, I learned (as well as some of my siblings) to play on that piano, and I was fortunate enough as an adult to inherit it. Sadly it is very old, and now about a third of the keys are unplayable. It is old, and people constantly ask me why I don’t get rid of it. The answer is that it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned (aside from my children, but I don’t really own them either, just borrowing for a while), and I can’t bear to part with it, working or not. SO this year (thanks to my Cousin Rachel’s patience, and pointing me in the right direction) I am going to try my hand at Piano repair. I mean it can’t be much harder than a washer right?
Ok this one sounds silly maybe, but still it is maybe attainable. When I bought my house 6.5 years ago, I was so desperate for a place to call my own (we had been living with my father for 8 months), that we just sort of jumped in with both feet, and bought this house. It sort of escaped us at the time that our fridge was in the dining room, and really it didn’t matter at first. But now, it bothers me every single day. I do not have the efficient “triangle” that you read about in kitchen magazines. I have more like a “Z”. And everyday, I plot and scheme on how to get my fridge into the kitchen. You may ask why I haven’t yet, and I would have to tell you that it is “complicated” We have a half wall, little counter space, and our washer and dryer, as well as breaker box, and laundry cabinets, all in the kitchen, so the poor fridge was exiled to the dining room. This has not stopped my determination to put it in its rightful place, oh no. It is just going to take an act of god (or my tax refund) to do the necessary improvements to move him to his rightful throne. And I think by the summer I will have the flash of genius necessary to do just that. (Well I hope so anyway).
When I was a teenager, I repurposed most of my clothes, because most of them came from thrift stores and the like. I fell out of habit with the practice when I had my second child. Now that my “baby” is 4, I think it is time to look into this very favorite pastime of mine. I plan on embellishing some of my favorite shirts that have developed pinholes. I am even repurposing a dress for a wedding I am in this year.
I saw this amazing scalloped dress on another blog recently, and it really spoke to me. So I am going to try my hand at my own version of a scalloped dress for me this year, and dust off my designing hat.