New Year New Entry

I am no different then others, I find myself looking forward to the new year and thinking about what I can do to make my life experience different in the coming year.

Of course, I think if the usual bad habits I have that I wish I did not. Unfortunately, we know those goals rarely last past week 2 of January. (Just long enough to have all my friends NOT want to eat or drink to celebrate my birthday -- poor me!)

I realized that I did not attend any photography group events last year. I did take lots of photographs (although very few have been posted) but I did them on more spur of the moment events rather then doing the planning to do it with the photography group.

I have made lots of cat blankets for Purrfect Pals. I made some scarves for the Warm for Winter project but did not ever get them sent to the group -- next year! I also participated in a project organized by the The Burien Yarn Stash store to make scarves for women going through breast cancer treatment. Their most current email talked about creating purple or lavender hats for newborns to send home with new babies to remind parents about the dangers of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Another great project to support.

So what about 2011. I am the Guild chair for the Crochet Guild Seattle. I have been thinking about what I would like to do with this group. I am trying to think of 5 minute info bites about the crochet world or book reviews at our meetings. I don't want to make our meetings a chore but at the same time I want the time the women spend with us valuable.

While I was at a conference for work in Dallas, Texas earlier this year, I heard an author speak about his book, The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Anchor. He had some simple tips for adding happiness in your life and in the lives of others (thus adding more to your life).

One tip he had was the 20 second rule. If it will take 20 seconds to get something, you will not do it. So if you want to break a habit put a barrier of 5 to 20 seconds for you to do it. My challenge it playing games on my cell phone. If my phone is next to my chair, I can find myself playing games for hours while watching TV. I believe playing games on those small machines harm my hands and arms more than working on the computer or crocheting. The challenge is that I miss text messages if the phone is not near... However, I can certainly move and/or donate my OLD phones so they are not right there :)

If you want to DO something take that barrier away.

The other tip I plan to do (he has 7) is to email a thank you to someone every day. It starts your day out with a good feeling for realizing yet another person in your life and it will improve that person's day too!

Now, off to do something away from the computer. Really! I'm not going to play a game on the computer!

Knit & Crochet Show in New Hampshire

I can't believe it has been 3 weeks since I got home from New Hampshire and have not written a thing. I got home from vacation and have been running ever since! (and playing WAY too many games of Mahjongg Dimensions)

The conference was great. They made the lobby section the hangout location which was easier to come and go from then the hotel room they did in the past. The goody bag was a disappointment. No yarn! Same book we got last year as well as the way too big Lion Brand bag.

I took 4 classes 3 were good 1 not so much. Karen Klemp taught 2 classes that were great. I still need time to practice what I learned -- especially the braided cables! They are beautiful but not straight forward. Since I crochet in traffic or watching TV, these are not patterns I can do in either of those situations yet.

We also got to do some sightseeing. Instead of doing the "professional" day, we drove through the White Mountains. They were beautiful but similar to our passes. One thing I thought strange was that they have BIG liquor stores at the rest area/tourist information stops! Nothing says drink and drive like a big liquor store with easy freeway access!

We had lunch at Polly's Pancake Parlor. Great maple syrups, spreads and sugar! They also had at least 6 different types of pancakes. I wished I could eat more!

As we were driving back to Manchester, we stopped at a gas station/grocery/deli. I really regret not getting some of the fried chicken they had. It smelled so good. As we were entering, I thought it was funny that they had a sign "Turkey Registrations". We have deer registrations but turkeys??? Then a few miles down the road, what do we see Wild Turkeys and not the alcohol! No wonder we had turkey at Thanksgiving. They are pretty plentiful!

I danced with Doris Chan! Not a slow dance and I wasn't the only one. But they had a dance Thursday night. Now a conference made of up 500 middle aged women, 6 husbands and 5 gay guys seemed like an interesting choice. But it was fun! Doris has an incredible amount of energy. I don't think I saw her sitting still -- even when she was signing autographs.

Well, I better get ready for work...