Fireworks explode over the London Eye during the New Year celebrations.
Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Welcome 2013 and a rather belated Happy New Year to you. As I have done for the last couple of years, I'll review last year's thoughts (not resolutions, because I can't keep them at all).
To try and be a bit tidier - Hmm, yet again, total failure on that one. I am very organised in some ways and a total disaster in others. Something for me to continue with this year.To sort out my website - failure on that one too. (Oh dear, I'm not doing very well, so far). Another target for the coming year.
To continue felt making - partial success because I have continued with my felt making, although jewellery making has moved into first place for hobbies at the moment.
To continue reading interesting books - SUCCESS! I kept a record of the books I read last year and the total was 57. I didn't include many re-reads on the list, so these were new to me (including Frankenstein, To Kill a Mockingbird, Dracula, the Call the Midwife series, several Anne Tyler novels and several Elizabeth von Arnim novels, so quite an eclectic mix there.) I am quite pleased with the total and am definitely going to continue keeping a record in the coming year.
To exercise more - failure again, as I really don't enjoy exercising and would much rather read a book, watch a film, do some gardening, make some jewellery or 101 other things rather than do an hour of yoga/pilates/yogalates. Perhaps I should just try to walk more and include exercise more naturally into my week, rather than have designated times. (Still not sure that will work either.) I have lost a little weight through altering my diet and having 2 low calorie days per week, so that is encouraging.
To complete at least some of my on-going craft activities - (all crafters know what I mean here) and I have completed some things, such as felt pictures and decorations, jewellery projects and the Christmas Bunting. I shall definitely keep going with that as well.
Well, not bad - some successes, some failures, which is to be expected. Here's to 2013 and I hope it will be happy and successful for us all!
(Photo above from London24)
Hi Ellie,
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the new year resolutions - that is some list!!
I am sorry that I haven't been to visit you in a while but I have had no computer
I would just like to wish you and your family a
very happy and healthy 2013
Fiona
Dear Fiona
DeleteThank you - indeed it is a long list, but more guidelines than definite resolutions (if I think of them like that, it doesn't matter so much if there are lots of failures!). I am sorry to hear that your computer has let you down but will look forward to reading your posts once you are up and running again. Modern technology is fantastic when it works, isn't it?
I hope you and your family have a happy and prosperous 2013 as well.
Best wishes
Ellie
Happy New Year, Ellie. I'm not an exercise person, either, but I resolve just to be more active in general, walk a bit more, do a bit more housework(!!!), more gardening and get outside and walk a bit more.
ReplyDeleteSo far so good,
Joy x x
Dear Joy
DeleteThank you - and Happy New Year to you as well. I think your list sounds far more do-able than mine. I have real problems with doing the housework, which I loathe and have to force myself to do(often with the promise of chocolate and a book/film once I have finished). The getting outside and walking a bit more sounds like a good idea - I shall try it too (once it stops raining). Here's to our targets for 2013!
Best wishes
Ellie
57 books, wow! That's fantastic Ellie. Good luck with your resolutions for 2013. I know what you mean about the exercise thing - I too would much rather be doing something (anything!) else.
ReplyDeleteGillian x
Dear Gillian
DeleteThank you. I love reading and have now set myself the challenge to beat last year's total. The only problem is to find space to store all the lovely books that I have and want to keep! I need a bigger house with a library room - that would be bliss! We can all dream...
Best wishes
Ellie
What a wonderful total of books read for 2012! I know what you mean about storing books - they need shelves but here they often end up in teetering piles because there's no room left on the shelf and I can't bear to throw any out! Bad news! Must build more shelves! Hope all your resolutions / thoughts bear happy fruit in 2013! E x
ReplyDeleteDear E
DeleteThank you. I was surprised and pleased with the total and as I had kept a record, it was really interesting to remind myself what I had read. I can totally identify with the 'teetering piles' storage - there are many such piles here too, but I find it really hard to sell/give away books too. More shelves needed here as well!
Best wishes
Ellie x
Happy New Year Ellie and I loved your list. It is very cold and snowy across the pond but thoughts of spring can chase away the winter blues. I am enjoying MI 5 on Netflix and love the London scenes...maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Dear Julie
DeleteThank you and Happy New Year to you too. I have been thinking about Spring too and I'm looking forward to seeing the bulbs that I have planted. I hope that you will have the chance to visit one day - London (but also so many other places in the UK) has so much to see and do.
Best wishes
Ellie