Day 78

I get a bit contrary about new year's resolutions. Last year my only resolution was to try to use up all the sample-sized and hotel shampoo and lotion bottles that collect dust in my bathroom. I barely made a dent in that pile, mostly because I'm a creature of habit and I like to use what I like to use. I do not like to use strange, miniature, unusually scented freebies. If you do, let me know - they are all yours. I think my primary resolution this year is to quit the gym - I've been dutifully paying my $40 a month and haven't stepped foot inside since early spring. I resolve to quit pretending to exercise.

Instead I make birthday resolutions, a solid 13 days after the new year. I made better progress on that list, which I will update in a few weeks here. One thing I set out to do was learn to sew. I signed up for classes, dusted of the sewing machine. I went to a class and made a shapeless tote bag. Then I crafted curtains from a fabric that was too heavy and too brightly colored for what I wanted. I magicked one of those curtain panels into a pillow cover thanks to the magic of you tube. The rest of the fabric is folded nicely in my cute little cart, along with fabric scraps that are destined for a quilt one day. I don't doubt my ability to piece it together and sew the squares, but I feel afraid of when i need to use batting and put a back on and actually quilt it. I signed up for a quilting class at a local sewing shop and I got a call last week that they are closing, all future classes canceled. My project had ended before it began, and my great intentions to commit to an 8-wk scheduled class were foiled. So, with a hefty store credit I faced the decision of getting my money back or signing up for something at their to-remain-open yarn shop. In the interest of learning, I signed up for a 2-hour a week for a month knitting class. I start this Sunday. At the end of the month I will have needles and yarn and a hat and a mini-scarf with a button. And maybe a new hobby, or maybe an old hobby to get added to the abandoned hobbies cart.