Finally, it’s 2024 in my mind

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January is half over, and now I am ready for the new year mentally as well. Two pieces of furniture that I had quoted to finish in 2023 were still sitting in my workroom New Year’s morning, reminding me that I had fallen behind in my schedule when I was fighting a cold for weeks.

The customers were understanding, but my own mind wasn’t.

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But now the pieces are back with their owners, and I can make plans for the rest of 2024. I don’t have resolutions but I have goals, wishes, and dreams I would like to chase, fulfill, and manage this year.

I am not getting younger, now or never makes more sense than ever.

The saying goes we get a stack of empty sheets of paper, ready to be written on each New Year, but in my case, they are not so blank. There are some fun and not-so-fun appointments marked in our calendar already, and I have work projects lined up until April this year. And yesterday, to my absolute amazement, I sold a one-week class to a US soldier, who is stationed overseas, in a country he isn’t allowed to mention in an email. My business is doing well, but I know better than to allow myself to get overly excited. I know the universe is watching me, juggling some balls, which soon will come my way, the famous curveballs most of us know all too well.

The pandemic and the worldwide inflation has left a mark. When I am booked months ahead, it means people are careful with their money, and instead of the usual mindless spending, they try to hang on to the things they have, and rather have someone like me rejuvenate and reupholster them – for less.

As a matter of fact, my line of business is a barometer for the economy but nobody ever calls any of us, so I guess they think they know better.

I will celebrate a big milestone in February. My 10th quit anniversary is on February 2nd. Interestingly enough I would have forgotten all about it, but I quit smoking a couple of months after we had moved into our home, and we have lived here now for 10 years. Our blue-character house, that we thought we couldn’t afford. “We will stay for one more month,” we joked every time we paid rent for the first two years.

I think I will drive to a flower shop on my quit anniversary, and buy myself a nice flower bouquet or another orchid for this special occasion. 10 years smoke-free and I couldn’t remember the exact date. Funny how unimportant smoking has become. Did I really smoke cigarettes for 35 years? No way!

It also means I will celebrate my 10-year Blogaversary, which stuns me. Has it really been 10 years already? How come I still come up with stuff to write about and more importantly, do I want to continue?

Other anniversaries are coming our way, and holidays we like and love. Our calendar is not blank at all. Doctors’ appointments and the final settlement for my husband’s workman compensation claim will be discussed in February as well.

But there is so much time left between appointments, work, and sleep. There is a lot of time for living left and some of it I could use mindfully.

What would I love to accomplish in 2024?

Workwise I would like it to make it my best year so far and by the end of the year, I would like to finally open my own Etsy store and sell some of the pieces that I will have created by then, the ones I have created in my mind, that beg me to come to live. The ones I already finished and have stored away.

I understand I will never be perfect, but I would like to continue smiling when I look at the finished pieces. The word ‘excellence’ is on my mind. Continuing to aim for EXCELLENCE sounds like a good plan. Perhaps mixed with some healthy craziness?

I need to be nicer

By nature I am nice enough but not one of these sweet, soft-spoken women who come across as very kind and a bit fragile at times. Maybe I am not nice at all anymore. If you could read my mind at times, it’s awful. I seem to dislike people more and more, perhaps I could manage to be less sarcastic. My people-fuse got shorter so it seems, perhaps I could add on to it?

There are things I would like to buy, preferably with cash

A stackable washer and dryer set, 2 new mattresses, and a small freezer so we can start making sausages and take more advantage of the sales in the meat department.

Get Crafty

I have this idea in my head to make a Feminine Tool Pegboard and it’s time to make it happen. Also, I would love to paint my bedroom and create a silver-purple dream space just for me. I create so much for other people, perhaps occasionally I could do something for us.

Small ‘happy’ for others

A friend of mine always said, “Come on let’s get us some happy,” when we indulged a little bit or bought something silly that we didn’t need. If it makes you smile, it makes you happy.

It’s fun to do something out of the ordinary for other people, nothing big or fancy, just small reminders to show that we are grateful and they are appreciated. I have such good intentions, but then I forget. It’s time to live up to it.

Sausage Heaven

Over the years we have got it all together (tool-wise). A sausage stuffer, an electric meat grinder, a vacuum sealer, knives, and stuffing tools. We have two electric smokers. Now we just need an extra freezer and we are ready to rock’n’roll in the sausage department. It’s about time. My husband smoked the most marvelous things last year. He can’t wait to make sausages again, and neither can I. Perhaps we can even create a vegan sausage for me? So many years after we helped my friend in her sausage kitchen, it’s time to make our own.

It’s Austria, not Australia

I have heard it over a thousand times. “Do you miss the Kangaroos?” when I tell people I am from Austria. People don’t know the country where I am from very well, other than from the Hollywood-Austria in The Sound of Music that made Americans believe we eat Schnitzel with Noodles, dance all day in mountain costumes, and other nonsense. Perhaps I could make a post about Austria once a month and see how that goes, and if people would be interested? I think I would love it.

Writing

I need to finish writing “Losing it All,” before I lose it completely.

I haven’t written another installment in a year. Time to find a second-hand laptop and write in the living room when my husband bores me with football or spousal murders (that’s what I call the true crime stories he loves to watch.

I had fun taking an online class during COVID, perhaps I go back to Harward or find a similar, preferably free class for writing? How about punctuation, Bridget? Yep, that sounds good too.

Laughter, Exercise, and Health

I need to continue to laugh every day, which is easy when the universe gives you a clown dog, and I need to continue to move, even when it hurts. Actually, I need to move the most when it hurts, which seems counterproductive, but THEY are right. “MOVE, MOVE, MOVE don’t let RA get the best of you. Don’t let your joints get stiffer.”

As for my health, it’s a constant battle for improvement. I have been doing good, I have to do better!

2024, I am ready -finally!