Lessons Learned In 2012

So while everyone and their auntie are posting end-of-year reviews and a bunch of new year’s resolutions, I thought I’d jump in too. It’s been an adjustment year in some ways and yet it totally feels like it went by much too fast. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun! I didn’t get nearly as much done as I planned – but that happens every year. We did get the bathroom refurbishing done so that’s a big one off the list. And a lot of gardening, though that’s kind of an ongoing-neverending thing. Like housework. You really can’t see much difference when you’ve done it, only when you haven’t.

I’ve already posted my year’s makes so I can skip that list. In sewing I learned a lot more about pattern drafting and fitting this year. I now have confidence that I can create things that I see without having to hunt for a pattern that matches that view. Of course it takes extra time, but not that much more than adjusting a commercial pattern to fit me which I have to do anyway. It’s also free! I’m in the midst of developing a bunch of basic blocks that I can use as a base without having to redraft everything from scratch every time. That advantage is really starting to pay off by speeding things up and increasing the likelihood of sewing success.

In knitting, I’ve also started freely adjusting others’ patterns and even branching out to design my own. It’s the same desire as in sewing – I want something that fits and that reflects my own taste and not anyone else’s. Yeah, my taste can be a little odd. So? That’s the beauty of everyone making their own. I give everyone my explicit permission to go make stuff that I hate! Or not. As you please. You don’t have to consult me at all. I’m not the Fashion Police.

Anyhoo. With T-Man retiring this year, it’s been fascinating to watch our lives readjust. In 8 months we’ve shifted from going to bed at 9pm and getting up before 6am to a 10 or 10:30pm bedtime and waking up around 8am, especially this fall/winter when it only just starts to get light then. I think we’re hibernating. We’ve been alternating who gets up first to make coffee and tea and who gets up later to make breakfast which is served in bed. Lazy, I know! It’s lovely. Kind of what we always do when on a camping trip in the van only with more elbow room, plus electricity and hot water.

T has also taken over some of the housework (vacuuming, some dishes, a lot more cooking) and is slowly starting to get dug into cleaning up some of the accumulation of the last 34 years that’s stored around the house, especially the basement. Important ground-rule: he doesn’t chuck my stuff without consultation and I don’t mess with his! It’s a very slow job. This stuff took a long time to collect so it’s bound to take awhile to sort through. Interesting though how one’s needs and wants change over the years, isn’t it? I suppose if you haven’t even looked at something in the last 10 or 20 years, chances are you don’t need it at all. Just a thought. But I’m not one to start pointing fingers. Pot, meet Kettle…

We’ve also been walking more than ever before – at least until the rains hit with a vengeance. We’re still trying to get out every chance we get but I don’t like getting soaked if I can help it. Our two vehicles have hardly moved for months at a time. The weather might be frightful but at least we don’t have to worry about the garden for the next few months. I’m looking forward to getting back in the studio for some serious inventory work right after the New Year’s visiting is over. I’m hoping this stupid cold bug will be evicted by then and I’ll be back to my normal energy level. I feel the need to sort through some stuff up there and update my inventories. Then I’ll plan out the next several projects in a less haphazard manner than I’ve been doing recently. It’ll be fun! My one-and-only Real Job was in inventory control in a craft co-op. I love inventory lists.

Sorry if you were waiting for it, but I’ve decided that I’m not going to do a Word for this coming year. It was amusing for the last few years but I’m not sure I paid it that much attention after stating it. I have no ideas for it anyway. I guess that takes care of any concrete plans for 2013. It will just happen as it always does. Moving right along.

If I don’t get a chance to post tomorrow (that pesky fambly again!) here’s wishing everyone a Very Happy Healthy and Peaceful New Year!! Germy kisses to you all! As grandbeastie Rosebud would say, “Mmmmwah!” Aren’t you glad they’re virtual?