Flibbertygibbet: 2009: The Year of DIY

DIY - Don't Involve Yourself, Do It (for) Yourself.

There's so much to be finished around here and I really hope to be able to share some of that soon. A typical Aries loves bouncing into shiny new things but projects that take weeks or indeed months to complete don't always get finished, or not within the original timeframe. Then I beat myself up about it, as I loathe missing deadlines (I almost never do this at work - this is mainly in terms of doing things for myself in the best cobbler's shoes tradition). Towards the middle of last year I started thinking about how I might change my spots, and Nanowrimo cemented this because I was really pleased to win it but wished I'd planned in advance and written something more structured during the time I had. I wonder if I'm reluctant to finish things in case they don't pan out the way I was hoping. Anyway, enough sofa psychology.

So in 09, I've got essentially:

a three to six month project (something ambitious for my current knowledge level, and for someone else, but I'll have professional help and I'm really excited about the possibilities involved)
a six month target (encompassing two tasks during two different periods of the year; somewhat career-orientated; but I have everything I need for this one),
a ten month long progressive goal (already on the go)

These will overlap, are all demanding, yet potentially so rewarding. I'm going to try to plan to meet these goals. I actually don't really quite know how yet. But everything on the horizon is very personal and intensely important to me. 2009 has potential to be... well, interesting. Busy, for sure. It will mean saying no to some - possibly many - things, but hopefully not missing out in the long run.

Already I'm coming up against trying to clear up projects from last year; more lurgy; (exciting) work related demands; trying to spend time with family and friends; and knowing far too many Capricorns, hah (hello to the two new little ones under that sign, Darcy E and Lewis R! Lovely names, peeps).

This is a supremely bad picture even by my standards (but the "learn to take better photographs" has been put off until 2010 or 11) but it's a birthday gift for one of the Capricorns who said she was cold in the office. I got the idea from the Purl Bee's Eleventh Hour Scarf and used 12mm needles and some chunky yarn doubled, which Claire scored at Adrienne Stash Doyenne's last yarn swap for me. It's long enough to knot once and sit cosily. It's bit like a seagrass mat made of yarn but very warm and snuggly at the same time and the good news is that the b-day girl loves it.