13 in 13 Wrap Up

Ya, I know, I missed the November re-cap. The lead-up to the holidays was a blur as I'm sure it was for many people so my goals fell a bit short. And now that I'm ready to start posting and crafting again, I'm having trouble with my computer. Can't post any photos. So here's a quick re-cap of my 13 in 13.




I was well on my way to meeting my reading goal and then I never picked up a book once September hit.
I did very well in the live performances exceeding this goal by attending several including the Grand Ole Opry and a visit to Graceland although I don't think you can call that a "live" performance.
I completed 3, yes 3 afghans and am working on a 4th. I enjoy the relaxing time with a coffee and a couple rows of crochet.

I fell off with the monthly Cricut useage, but I think I sent a few more cards. Already this year, I have given away 4. I never donated blood, got as far as the appointment but didn't qualify at that moment so I'll have to try again. Got my IPAD from redeeming points and have learned a bit about how to use it but mostly play games and surf  Pinterest whilst laying on the couch.

Will continue to work on obedience with the dogs, that will be an on-going goal.
I made a lot of recipes but not so many from my paper cookbooks. Maybe it's time for them to go?
So that's it. Will re-visit some goals for my 14 in 14, and come up with some new ones once I get the technical difficulties sorted out.

13 in 13 Sept Update

I thought it would be interesting to show how my urn arrangement has progressed over the season and also need something to flesh out my rather thin accomplishment of goals this month.
Here's the basket in May....

And here it is now, mid-October....

 

We could feed a third World country if all our crops grew like the potato vine.

So my list is a little short this month. September was very busy with back to work and some entertaining and life in general. I'm not reading at all but I managed to put a password on my Ipad and downloaded Solitaire. Baby steps!

 

I tried a couple new recipes. The Pumpkin Snickerdoodles were great and so were the Cranberry/orange shortbreads.

I participated in the Bazzill cardswap so I did make a few cards but haven't sent too many lately.

I'm working on my THIRD afghan so that one that I have managed to go above and beyond.

Still a couple months to go. I'd better go pull out that Cricut and start using it!

13 in 13 August Update

I'm finding it harder and harder to find time to post. Once the routine is established, it should get easier but right now it's work and finding time to exercise the doggies, golf season winding down, baking up a storm for various events. etc.

Before the August update, I thought I'd share a few photos of the St. Jacob's Farmer's market from August. Sadly, the first week of Sept, the main two storey building that hosted a variety of vendors from butchers to jam makers burned to the ground. The outdoor market is still operating and hopefully the other will be rebuilt soon. We have a huge tourist market in the Waterloo Region and people come from all over to attend this market and drive through Mennonite Country.

 

The August update might be a bit thin. I managed to read a couple more books. I'm up to 16 now so I'm in pretty good shape to reach this goal. I bought an IPAD and I LOVE IT!! It's like having a remote for your TV. Once you get one, you can never imagine how you managed without it. So far, I've only downloaded 4 songs and I pretty much only play Juvenile farming games on it but it is very handy. So the WIFI is working, that's a big achievement!

 

I made a second afghan. Can't believe I got it done. It took me all summer but I really enjoyed the time to relax and work on another project.

 

So, there is still some time to get the other goals in. Hopefully, a little more scrapbooking and card-making is in my future and back to my regular challenges. Some day!  

 

13 in 13 July Update

Where do I begin? July has been such a whirlwind.... Started off the month with a great trip to Nashville and Memphis. Everyone needs to see Elvis' Graceland.

Now I can cross that one off the Bucket List! More on this amazing holiday later.
I was able to attend several live performances. I think I set the bar too low on this one. I got to see Alison Kraus at the Grand Ole Opry. What a highlight of the trip.

I also saw Waiting for Godot in Stratford and Yorkville - The Musical at the the Blyth Theatre.

I have accomplished my Live performances goal and then some.

I got out the photos I want to use for my Heritage album and have decided on how many layouts I want to do but haven't gotten any further then that. I used the Cricut and joined several challenges including a Sketch challenge that I hadn't done before. I've read a few more books and hope to get an IPAD this week.

I enjoyed crocheting the afghan so much that I picked out some more yarn when I was in the States and the dogs seem to approve. I have been going gangbusters on this latest project. Didn't think it was possible in the summer but we've had a couple cool spells so it has made it a little more appealing to have an afghan on your lap.
There is a Donation call out from Canadian Blood Services so I'm going to try and book an appointment this week. It's been a busy month but very productive.

13 in 13 June Update

So another month has come and gone. That was fast. So let's see how I did....

In the Random Acts of Kindness department, I did well. I picked up 4 boxes of freshly picked strawberries and gave away 3. I also gave the roofer next door a piece of pie and a couple cold drinks to enjoy on his break while he was busy working away at his job. Note from the sidebar, that I am finally on another book. I usually read a bit more in the summer so I hope to keep up on this goal.

I used the Cricut and wrapped up Obedience with Lindor. I sent more cards and am just working in the threads to COMPLETE my afghan.

I attended a blood donor appt and passed "inspection", then was unable to complete the task as I had had a recent immunization. I will re-book.

I'm falling a little behind on my weekly card challenges but hope to find some time to work ahead this summer between travel plans.

SO at the halfway point, I think I'm in good shape to complete the race.
Enjoy your long weekend and HAPPY CANADA DAY!!! What a great country we live in.

13 in 13 May Update

I'm trying to get a little more caught up with my updates so one month doesn't blur into the next, but so far I'm not doing too well.
I HAVE been doing a lot of this....

.....yardwork, that is. I am fortunate to live in a beautiful, mature neighbourhood surrounded by foliage. But there is a fair bit of maintenance associated with keeping it looking good. You can see my friend here like to be involved and you can imagine that my house is never clean at this time of year. We've have had the weirdest weather, boiling hot to freezing cold and lots of rain.

I've also been attending a lot of sporting events. Lindor is wearing a Tae Kwon Doh medal (no, she didn't win it, my adorable nephew did) but we all had to model it. Does baseball or track and field count as a live performance? I actually attended the Jean and Classics Eagles tribute with the KW Symphony and saw a Junior performance of Willy Wonka at Galt Little Theater so I am able to check off one goal. DONE!

I'm chipping away at the afghan, just a couple more rows. I'm sending way more cards then I have in the past, I linked up to a challenge at least once a week on the Internet and I used my Cricut to make a wedding tag. I tried a couple recipes and I continued to take Lindor to Rally Obedience once a week.

Still not reading or using Wifi, no Heritage album yet and haven't redeemed all my loyalty points.
Stay tuned. Maybe June will let me cross another goal off the list.

13 in 13 April Update

Well, it's getting a little later in the month each time I do my update. Soon, I'll be a month behind if I don't catch up. It's been a busy month. The nicer weather is here, seems like there is lots to do and see. So how did I do? The goals seem to cycle up and down, one picks up and another drops off. I haven't been reading at all, what happened there? But I'm still chipping away at the afghan, working on my challenges, taking Lindor to Rally Classes.

I managed to use the Cricut TWICE! Once for the Mother's Day gift tags for the caramel corn and for this card. I think I used Base Camp to cut out the numbers.

I don't know why I settled on 29, cuz I don't know anyone in that ballpark but I thought it would be a good age to be stuck on. The card is a departure for me from my usual image colouring. Love the plaids and the coordinating papers.

I went to a couple live performances. Does baseball count? I saw the Toronto Blue Jays (they won), haven't been there in years. It was a fun night. Also saw David Wilcox, a kinda famous, Canadian Blues musician. SO there you go!

I made a few new recipes but I didn't use a cookbook. I hope to start my Heritage album this summer. Still working on the WIFI and other goals.

That's the update!

13 in 13 March Update

With 20 to 50 mm of rain forecast in Southern Ontario, it's a good time to relax and reflect back over the last month. March was busy with the Break and Easter all rolled into one. Lots of time to work on the 13 in 13 though and here's how it played out.

Got to do lots of baking to give away and made a new recipe from one of my cookbooks. Kept up my reading (Friendship Bread soon to make an appearance), used my Cricut, found a new digi challenge site and sent a couple cards. I did a couple random acts; gave some $ to a homeless person and purchased and donated a Cricut cartridge to a senior's home that I'm connected with. Will be getting back into Obedience with the dogs, for now working on some behaviour around the house.

Here's my afghan progress. It doesn't look like a lot but I worked in all the threads and it's a really wide afghan. I've haven't been at it much this week. I'd better get to it before it warms up.
Still some goals to conquer but I have been able to FOCUS on my list.

13 in 13 February Recap

So let's see how I did for the month of Feb. I did manage to use the Cricut for the world's smallest oval, I have completed some random acts of kindness (most of them involved baking but what's wrong with that?)

Lindor completed her Rally Novice one and did amazing on her final test. Most of the error was due to handler (that would be ME!) My chocolate girl is so smart.

I've continued my reading and I am still waiting for a big points redemption to arrive. I'm enjoying cooking from my various cookbooks and YEAH!!! I have been trying to link up regularly to Sassy Cheryl for her card challenges (LOVE her digi's!!) So I think I've done really well.

Still some room for improvement. I haven't been able to send a card yet. So strange when I make dozens of them. Maybe I'm too attached. LOL.
So here's the progress on the afghan starting with a WHO DUNIT?.....

 

Was this the culprit?? or was it this one....

 

 

All I know is I came downstairs and they were both having a ball playing tug of war so I don't know who got the yarn out of the bag. Regardless, I was able to accomplish THIS much on my afghan. I love crochet, so relaxing especially spending an hour trying to unravel the yarn.

 

13 in 13 Update

Just a quick update on how January went with my 13 in 13. I'm now reading my 4th book, a "big girl" book as my friend Anne Marie would say, no more dragons and spaceships for awhile.

I picked out yarn for an afghan and after 3 patterns and 9 attempts to get the pattern correct, I am on my way. Lindor has enjoyed the crocheting experience also and enjoys pulling balls of yarn out of the yarn bag and tossing them around the living room.

  

I have a new modem that has WIFI potential even though I don't have any appliances that require it yet. LOL. Baby steps. I successfully joined 2 challenges for the first time. I linked up to Little Red Wagon with my Mason Jar card and Sassy Cheryl's Show Me Thursday blog. Still figuring out how to put it into a post but I'm getting there.



 

It was down to the wire but on the last day of January, I hauled out the Cricut and cut 2 titles; one from Base Camp (my fav) and Graphically Speaking so I met the Cricut monthly challenge. I hope I can keep the momentum going for Feb.