Hello 2009

This entry is a little later than I had planned, but I have been sidelined by a bad cold for the last several days and today is the first day that I have felt well enough to sit down and do some writing.  Honestly, trying to recover from a cold while looking after an almost-1-year-old little boy is not a great experience.  He is so active, and all I’ve wanted to do is sleep.  Not the most auspicious start to 2009, but you’ve got to work with what you are given.

I don’t know what kind of year 2009 is going to be.  I’ve never had a little boy to look after before, but I’m sure he is going to take up most of my time.  I know one thing I will really struggle with is managing my time, in terms of looking after Baby Man, looking after myself, and taking care of assignments for work.  I know that I will have some heavy prioritizing to do.  Baby Man will always be first, but will I be able to put myself second, before work?

The next thing I am concern with is my weight.  Yes, every New Year nearly everyone says they want to loose weight.  But how many of us really try?  I’ve been working hard at it since September, and I’ve been doing a great job of it.  The past two weeks haven’t been great because of Christmas and being sick, but I haven’t fallen down as much as I’ve just slowed down.  I know I will be heading into 2010 at my goal, and feeling fabulous.

That brings us to the next obvious topic: money.  Last year was expensive, with Baby Man seeming to need something new every month or so, and me spending so much on dental work… oh, and that new big TV.  Hopefully spending will be more under control this year, but life has a way of making something break just when you’ve got the books balanced.  I will definitely be scaling back considerably on craft spending though, as I have several projects I really want to finish this year.  Buying more things just muddies the waters, and makes it difficult for me to remember what it was I wanted to get done.  But, ummm, I just got the new Victoria Sampler newsletter yesterday, and I absolutely must have their new design: Heirloom Stitching Sampler.  quanta has already be notified that it would make a nice Valentine’s Day gift, or birthday gift…  And, Mom and Dad, I would also love this design: W is for Witch.  Something to keep in mind.  (It doesn’t count if I don’t spend the money, right?  Oh, what a slippery slope that is!)

Next are spiritual issues.  It wouldn’t be wrong to say that, on one hand, 2008 was an incredibly spiritual year, but on the other hand it was the least spiritual year.  Having Baby Man made me an absolute believer is something bigger than all of us, and in reincarnation.  (If Baby Man hasn’t been reincarnated, than I’m a monkey’s uncle.  There are times when it is so clear that he has done this all before and is just humouring us by doing the baby thing.)  When it comes to my personal spiritual journey, though, last year was like a barren desert.  I read little, and practiced less.  I did buy some wonderful Tarot decks, but I hardly used them.  This year, finding time for spiritual pursuits will be very important.  I think it will often come down to recognizing the spiritual is small moments, like Baby Man’s attempts at walking or the smell of a spring day.  But, isn’t that ultimately what one’s spiritual journey should be like?

I don’t have any concrete goals to share yet.  I had some written out with regards to what cross stitch designs I wanted to finish, but I don’t think they are particularly realistic.  Hopefully in a day or two I’ll have some to share.  In the meantime, I wish all of you the best possible 2009, full of health, happiness, love, and reasonable goals.