Hi, I'm thirty-eight.

(I figure if I keep saying it, it will start to sink in.)

Thanks for the birthday wishes! You guys are so sweet, and I really appreciate it! I wish I could report that I had a great birthday, but I just didn't. It wasn't any one thing in particular, I've just somehow landed in a bit of a funk, and so the b-day was also kind of a bummer. That said, you know me- I don't like to dwell in muck for long, so I'll leave this topic by saying that I demand a birthday do-over once the funk subsides! I still have high hopes for this year!

I don't make resolutions anymore. I gave it a try, but found it just doesn't work for me. I realized this somewhere around the third year in a row that I had some version of "eat healthier" and "work out more" on my resolution list. Maybe it's just me, but it seems that if you find that you keep putting the same things on the list year after year, that signals a problem. So instead, I just put those kinds of things out there as back burner givens. I think general health and fitness will always be something I will need to constantly work at and commit and recommit to. I will just pledge to keep bettering myself, in all those ways we want to better ourselves, and leave it at that. I am a work in progress, after all.

This year, I'm looking forward to more knitting, of course, and more spinning! Ooh, I can't wait! And yes, I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm also looking forward to much more sewing and crafting in general. I realized that I truly am the happiest when I'm working away at something- be it knitting, spinning, sewing, stitching, baking, wrapping, and on and on. Over the past several months I've been more and more inspired by crafters, and I've come to really embrace that part of me. I admittedly went a bit nuts with the gift making and giving over the holidays, but you know what? I loved it! I want to do more. Because it makes me happy.

And undoubtedly the most anticipated of all: I plan to accomplish a monumental goal this year (whereupon completion, I may or may not treat myself to a few indulgent rewards)! What is this goal, so amazing that I'm already planning my reward? Well, if all goes according to plan, I will be out of debt within months! Let's just sit with that for a moment...*aah*...I'm ashamed to admit that I managed to amass a substantial amount of senseless debt after college that weighed me down- to the core. Anyone who has accumulated financial debt knows how debilitating this can feel. I felt like crap. Like the crap under the crap. I wondered if I would ever be able to dig myself out. But after several years of dedication, no frivolous spending, and adhering to a strict, self-imposed payment schedule, I will achieve this goal within months and I will be debt free! O!M!G! But, don't throw the party yet (that will come later)! I'm still months and months away, but the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is now in sight!

Meanwhile, in the much nearer future, I am looking forward to finishing and wearing these:

You will, no doubt, recognize these as Endpaper Mitts, named Grayscale. I started these mitts over the holidays and have been working away at them ever since. They have been my saving grace. I've lost myself in these (in a good way) and now they're almost done. Yay!

Hmm...I think the funk is beginning to subside... :)

* Note: I do not yet own a house and I will need a new car at some point, so this debt-free status will be temporary, but nonetheless- no student loans, no credit card debt - pretty sweet!