The List

Things I've been thinking about.

2012

Knitting:

• 12 sweaters in 2012 which include one for each of my daughters and one for my husband and all the rest selfishly mine, although a gift sweater or two in there is not unreasonable
• A pair of socks a month
• Christmas gift knitting, start early, like May, well at least with one or two items

Photography projects

• In the Hood
• Better Days
• Project 365 - yup, attempting again, what is this number 4? A new camera does this you know
• Physical albums and online albums organized

Sewing

• Alabama Stitch skirt
• Oh Happy Day Banner
• Start sewing my way through the Design Your Own Clothes book by Cal Patch
• Cushions for sofa

Self  - Physical

• Shed some weight, not putting a number on this
• Continue walking the dog 2 miles 5 days a week off season, in season too?
• Practice and learn Yoga with intention
• Ride 2x a week (right now at 1x a week so 2x is a reasonable goal), possibly do the Salisbury Century
• Regular massages
• Dermatologist
• Dentist
• Insanity might be too insane but at least try it

Self improvement - mind/spirit

• Get certified - either PT or Group Fitness - should not be that difficult
• Take college class or two
• Go back to rug school in Cape May
• Meditate - goes along with the Yoga and intention above
• Read/listen to poetry
• Write what I know'
• Sunset on the bay

Household

• Tackle the kitchen - needs paint, tile, but how much more after that?
• Reupholster couch in living room - already have fabric for cushions - check out Happy Chairs
• Learn household finances
• Locate and update wills
• Check and update passport if necessary
• Garages - yeah right
• Garage gym

Work

• Input all backlogged finances
• Make a What's cooking today board
• Make a Prayer bulletin board
• Contemplate, pray and work within reason - not sure what I really mean with this just know that I need a new attitude

Garden/Outside

• Around deck needs to be weeded, planted and mulched REAL GOOD
• Plant sunflowers on the side of the house again
• Stabilize and straighten antique sink and plant around
• Fig tree in a pot
• Clothesline
• Sandy fire pit area
• Build one raised bed
• Large tropical plants for corners of the pool
• Large umbrella for corner of pool

Family/Friends

• Take time for a getaway with my husband
• Take time for a getaway with my family
• Continue fun weekends with the girls and their boys
• Baltimore once a month to visit someone
• Vito and Kerry over for dinner and games
• Genny and Dave over for dinner and games

Miscellaneous

• Teach my daughters to drive a manual transmission
• Take my Jeep onto the beach
• Sundays at Herring Point once in a while

This list will continue to grow and grow and grow.  It's just things that come to mind, some may materialize and others will obviously not.  While not a stranger to lists, The Thrifty Knitter makes an Uber list every year.  I'm taking notes.

Learning to Ride

I talked to my Uncle a month or so ago.  Whenever I talk to him he asks me if I am riding and always seems a bit surprised,  maybe even disappointed when I answer no.  He rides all the time, seriously.  Like 90% of the days of the year.  In the mid west.  He's 70ish.  What's my excuse?

I used to ride. a lot. I loved to ride, to watch, to smell, to listen.  I had my favorite rides that I knew how to lengthen when I felt strong or shorten when felt tired or weak.  I loved to climb, yes I did, because I knew I could coast downhill and rest.  I was slim and strong.

I'm not sure what has been holding me back, a fear of some sort.  So today, even when the wind almost whipped the storm door out of my hands, rather than go inside, I stepped out of that fear, that zone.  I rode and laughed and cussed at the wind.

I'm learning to love to ride again.  I am learning the less traveled paths, sans dogs and that don't dead end into a body of water.  I'm learning to ride in colder weather because that is the time I have.  I'm learning to love the wind as it challenges me, strengthens me. And of course I love that wind as it pushes me home.  I love to cross the water, it never ceases to amaze me and bring me peace.  I love the smell of scrub pines.  Yes, I'm learning to love to ride again but I will never, ever, ever love the smell of chicken farms.