I don't set New Years Resolutions.
I am actually quite goal-oriented, but there's something about New Years Resolutions that are so....trendy. Like, everyone else is doing it, so why don't I? And in years past, when I did set resolutions, I'd quickly forget about them anyway. So why bother? In retrospect, given my affinity for list-making, it's now kind of humorous that I'd actually forget my resolutions. Hah.
I haven't blogged since Christmas. Not humorous. So I briefly entertained the idea of bringing back the New Years Resolution and vowing to be a better blogger in 2011. But then I remembered the promise I made to myself when I began my blog about never thinking of it as a job. While I love and respect those who blog on a regular schedule, that's not me. I don't like feeling like I have to do something so I have something to blog about. So that's out.
Then for an even briefer moment, I ruminated over the idea of giving up sugar for a whole year. Just to see if I could. Then I came to my senses and that was the end of that. Besides, if you've ever had the salted caramels from V Chocolates, you'd never even consider giving up sugar for 365 whole days. And if you haven't, and you live in Utah, make haste to Fashion Place Mall and go in the side door by The Cheesecake Factory. There's a little V Chocolates kiosk there right by Eddie Bauer. You can thank me later, once the distant choruses stop singing Hallelujah and your eyes have rolled back to the front of your head.
So that left my mounding UFO pile. Let's call it a collection. It sounds less forlorn that way. I've decided, resolutions aside, that 2011 will be THE year of UFOs. I declare. Now at first, in all the excitement of arriving at this decision, I wanted to plow forward like a bull in a china shop, and attack The List with an extremist's fervor. Crazy ideas started forming, like wiping out the entire list in a whole year. Can you imagine? The List currently has 62 projects on it. I can't call them works in progress, because some of them are so old, it's going to take a crystal ball to even locate them. All of them, with the exception of #62, are genuine UFOs that were started in a moment of heated quilter's ADD, and abandoned in a moment just as hot. Number 62 is actually a round robin center that will be started with four other friends in a couple weeks. Since I know it will not be done anytime soon, I am putting it on the list for fairness sake.
My intention is not to set forth and finish all my UFO's this year. That's a lofty goal that I'm sure some people could accomplish. But then again, those type of people wouldn't have 62 UFOs to begin with. I'd like to say I'm not going to start any new projects this year, but that's not going to happen either. How do you think this list got to be this long in the first place? But I am going to be mindful of what I start, and basically, concentrate on The List until it's at least whittled down to one page.
I think it'll be fun to revisit them one by one, see how and why I started, what my intentions were and how I plan to finish it. Some will be like cherished and true friends, and I will be happy to pick up right where I left off. Others will no doubt prove to be mortal enemies, as I wonder what the heck I was thinking with that shade of green. Maybe part of the challenge will then be to turn it into something more appealing. But all in all, if I persevere, and not only do it, but do it NOW, in a year or two, I will have a bevy of treasures to behold. And as an added benefit, I will have a substantial vacancy in my sewing room. I win all around.
PS. This is what happens when a man stuffs your stocking for Christmas. I think he'd have put a blender in there if it would have fit.
Boy have you summed it up nicely...and I even got a giggle or two out of the post!
Also...have to say at least your DH tried on the stocking. LOL I told mine to give up and I'd handle it...this way I get new rotary blades, makeup etc.
Posted by: Mary Flynn | 01/10/2011 at 04:08 AM
What a pretty stack of projects to choose from! Good luck and have fun!
Posted by: LoriD | 01/10/2011 at 04:53 AM
Allyson, I thought the same thing...I've got to concentrate on old projects and not start new ones. Except I get to make 2 grandbaby quilts this year. Whole different story there!!
The stocking stuffers are cute.
Posted by: Christine Thomas | 01/10/2011 at 06:00 AM
I'll be looking forward to watching you work your way down your list!
Posted by: Nicole | 01/10/2011 at 06:46 AM
I am with you with whittling down the UFO list.
I have already started a couple of new (small) projects, but I am determined to shorten the UFO list before I begin the new large quilt I plan to make this year.
Good luck with your list. I am sure you will rediscover some diamonds in your cupboard. :)
Posted by: Miriam | 01/10/2011 at 10:33 AM
I've been trying to whittle down my UFOs for about two years now. I think I managed to complete 13 of them which I think is pretty good progress. Good luck to you. Loved the Mickey Mouse pancake turner and I've got a V Chocolates visit in my future.
Posted by: Robin Booth | 01/10/2011 at 10:47 AM
Love the Mickey spatula! That was a unique gift! I have some Mickey dish towels that I love :) I'm glad you are back to blogging...I missed your posts, although I know what you mean about not wanting to feel like it's a job. Good luck on your UFO list....I'm not very good at finishing mine. I hope you can get some of them done :)
Posted by: Michele | 01/10/2011 at 05:06 PM
62 huh? I thought my list was long, but I think it only goes to the 40s.
Good luck to us all! lol
Posted by: Stephanie D | 01/10/2011 at 08:10 PM
Perfect timing girl! Go over to "Blackberry Creek Home Arts" and join all of us in the year long UFO challenge!
Susan has a really long list of UFOs so we are all in good quilty company...
Gael of Pink-a-Paloozza
Posted by: Gael tino | 01/10/2011 at 11:17 PM
One thought to tackle those "mortal enemy" UFO is to pass them on. My quilt uses a UFO raffle as a fund raiser at our quild meetings. Members donate their mortal-enemy/what was I thinking UFOs, and we sell raffle tickets for $1 and have a drawing for one UFO at every meeting. Last year we made $600, which went into our general fund for programs. Just saying...
Posted by: Susan Strasser | 01/11/2011 at 12:19 PM
My DH suddenly decided that he wants a stocking next year--now I know what to start with!
I joined a New Year's challenge for finishing some of my UFOs because a deadline is sometimes the only thing that really gets me going! It is only one finish a month which means I have time to do other QADD things or bossy projects. I don't have 62 UFOs but somewhere between 20-30 probably (a list needs to be made!!!) Your declaration is a good place to start and I hope your mosey through your UFOs results in some luscious surprises and beautiful finishes.
Posted by: AnnieO | 01/11/2011 at 10:31 PM
Do i really have the sense of mourning the loss of my youth and confusing about my future?
Posted by: Jordan Shoe | 02/16/2011 at 04:48 PM
I told you V Chocolates salted caramels are the absolute best! I'm drooling just thinking about them. Yum!!!
Posted by: Vickey | 02/24/2011 at 08:49 PM