2010... ready, set, GO!

so, yeah. how are ya? long time, no write. I know.

Welcome to 2010, where it's really, really cold on the east coast, and this blog's writer (uh, me) gets a free pass for not writing hardly at all last year. With a promise to do better...

Hey, here's a fun idea... last year I posted a list of resolutions... wanna see how I did? Here goes:

Resolutions made in 2009 (comments in italics below)

• Spend my money locally, in independent shops, whenever possible.

I tried to do this, I really did. Unfortunately, my local stamping shop's owner and her husband moved to Idaho (White Swan Rubber Stamps). And the big box stores have been running great sales on yarn. Clearance yarn is a Siren's song that I can't resist. But I'm going to try again this year, and encourage you to do the same. All 3 of you who still read this.

• When it is not possible, support independent web merchants and Etsy shops.

Aha! This I DID do... shops like Ellen Hutson, eclectic Paperie, and All That Scraps got my business this year, as did You Can Make This, a place to buy and download all sorts of patterns from independent pattern designers.

This year I'm looking forward to Lauren Meader's new endeavor: My Time Made Easy and here's a little shout out to my friend Jen's little internet scrapbooking shop: Celestial Creations & Scrapbooking Supplies. Jen is awesome, an old friend from high school, and a fellow geologist. And, she's local to me, so that's like two birds, one stone. Or something less violent. Whatever.

• Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market.

I determined that the local "Farmer's Market" is less farmers and more crap for sale. BUT, I did find a one that I like: Newark Natural Foods Cooperative and will frequent them again this year.

• Play outside with the kids & dog more often. Even when it's cold. Even when I don't feel like it.

I got a new job in August, and while it's awesome, it's also in Philadelphia, requiring a long commute on a slow train. So I'm not home during daylight hours in the winter except on weekends. And even then, I've been lackluster at best. I'll add this to the top of this year's list.

• Wii Fit. Everyday. Even just a few minutes is better than nothing.

HA! HAHAHAHAHA! Yeah, not so much. But, I did BUY the Wii Fit Active game at Costco. Not that I opened it. But I might. Soon.

• Read more books. And not just popular chick-lit either. I have a house full of classics that need some attention.

I did this... mostly because of the long commute. I can highly recommend anything written by Malcolm Gladwell.

• Spend less time on the computer. My laptop with wireless internet connection has become WAY too familiar with my lap. I don't need to be constantly connected.

Uh, didn't do so well with this one. I spent a lot of time editing over at Craft Critique, and oy, Facebook... what an enjoyable time sink THAT is.

• Write more. I'm working on a book. There. I said it out loud.

Yeah. Right. I'll get right on that.

• Cull the clothes and other usable stuff that we don't use, and give it to those who WILL use it. Really. The house is pushing maximum density, and it makes everyone miserable.

This sort of happened... I got rid of a bunch of baby stuff, but there's A LOT more stuff that needs to go. Goodwill is not going to know what hit them.

• Keep the house company-ready to the point where I wouldn't be embarrassed if a friend stopped by and asked to use my bathroom.

Um. Ish? Maybe call ahead by 15 minutes or so if you really need to pee.

Looks like I've got my work cut out for me... check back tomorrow for my list for 2010... probably.