Ring Out The Old Year, Ring In The New!

Well ... Here we are. It's the last day of the month, the last day of the year & the last day of the decade. WHEW! No wonder we've all been a bit tired ... Look what we've come through?! 😜 I have to say that 2019 hasn't been as calm, uneventful or productive as I'd hoped. There were certainly some disappointments & challenges along the way, but do you know what? There were WAY MORE positives than negatives, it's brought me to where I am now & it's brought us to the point of a new beginning as we ring out the old year & ring in the new. I've decided that 2020 is going to be an AWESOME year!! 😁 And now it's up to each of us to MAKE it awesome. 😉

The end of the year is always a time of reflection & resolutions are made for the coming year ... Most of which don't last to the end of the first week! 😝 However, I tend not to make new year's resolutions ... See previous comment about not lasting to the end of the first week! Tee! Hee! Hee! But I do try to set at least a couple of goals for the year. Last year I made it a goal to design my first block of the month (BOM). Due to the aforementioned challenges encountered during the year, I didn't get to finish it ... BUT ... During this lovely Christmas staycation, I've been able to design, edit & prep the last two blocks, so that goal WILL be met ... Just a little later than I'd anticipated ... Sat tuned! 😉

Somehow, my creative process inevitably sees the dining room table buried in an avalanche of fabric & general sewing flotsam & jetsam! 😂

So what are my goals for 2020? I've chosen two ... The first goal is to reduce the amount of single-use plastics that we use. This is a bit of an ongoing goal ... I've been using the "green bags" for groceries for more than 15 years & for the last couple of years, I've been using re-usable mesh bags for our fresh produce, as well as choosing other "green" options when possible ... But in 2020 I am aiming to be more mindful of what goes in our bin & find more replacements for our use of plastic. I can let you know how I go with that ... If anyone is interested ... Even though it's not sewing related. 😜

My second goal is a little harder to measure ... I'm going to try to be kinder. That doesn't seem like a monumental goal, and yet ... Think of the HUGE difference in the world we would see if everyone made that their goal! 😳 If we all made a concerted effort to be more patient when we're in the slow moving lane at the post office or supermarket or the traffic jam; took time to smile & say hello to elderly people we see in the course of our day; offer to open a door or carry things for someone we see struggling; only leave positive & encouraging comments on social media posts (stick with Mother's golden rule, "if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all!" & just keep scrolling! Just because you disagree with a post or opinion doesn't mean you have to attack the person.) ; send encouraging/funny texts, emails or cards to friends & family; make a simple meal for a busy young mum or unwell friend ... There are literally THOUSANDS of small ways we can be kind every day ... If we CHOOSE to. 😉

So ... That's what I'm aiming for in 2020 ... As well as catching up with friends more & doing more sewing, of course! 😜 Those goals are carry-over goals every year. 😁 And as we get ready to sing "Auld Lang Syne", I'd like to thank all of my blogging buddies for popping in to visit & chat this year. I've made some wonderful friends through blogging & appreciate all of your encouragement & friendship. My wish for you all as we turn the page to a new day, a new month, a new year & a new decade is that you stay safe, stay well & enjoy the many new exciting adventures that come your way in 2020. 😊 And as I sign off, I'll share a favourite Irish Blessing. Til next time ...

NEW YEAR'S BEAR HUGS!

CHEERS!

KRIS