the list for 2018

the list writing has become atradition, it's a good way to start my year. to transition from the old to the new and getting aquainted with the unfamiliar. not that it is too foreign, but a new slate to be written on, to be painted and colored on. some splatters might be looked at as stains, unwanted accidents and unintentional. but it will all blend in and become my own, the way i'm formed and lead ahead into the time to come. so writing this list is a feeble way to give my year a notch in this or that direction.
some good reminders what i hope for, what i'm leaning toward and maybe a new thing i want to try and need to remind myself of...

this years list is a bit different, but not so much. just trying to keep life in check, be ready for surprises and of course list writing. it is fun to work with lists and be able to cross off what is done, write a note how it's worked out or not worked. last years list is not finished by the end of december, but i left it with the up date in november.

:: applaude my children when they accomplish what they have set out to do. and also when they
              bring home good grades. i have been very hesitant to take notice of their grades, as i don't
              think that they are very important. but the kids kind of think so...
:: balance the tasks and things i want to do, so it doesn't push me to hard and i feel rather constrained
              and pushed in the corner by the things i commited and must do's.
:: choose to buy second hand clothes and if not possible fair trade, even for hard to find items.
:: devote an hour a week to taking better photos, reading the book "sehen lernen" by banek banek
:: eat out with friends. maybe just with joel, i think i would very much enjoy that.
:: fermenting has become a bit of a magic process for me. in this respect i want to keep the
               kombucha going and in general try some more recipes on fermenting and conserving food
               like eggs in vinegar or belle peppers and making herbed vinegar myself.
:: go on an adventure with naomi
:: hand-stitch some kind of project, a new tiny series would be a wonderful challenge
:: insist and be consequent on the issues of an earth friendly life stile, like buying bulk and bring my
              own mug to the coffee shop
:: jogg maybe i could say run 4 times a week, this would be perfect 3 short runs and a long one
:: knit one item a month, be it mittens, a shawl or a hat, maybe the linnen tunica liesl which i got
               started on and stopped and unraveled again...
:: look at natures beauty once more. take the moment to observe the bird playing with the wind.
:: maybe just be brave to not set every thing and every plan in stone, but be flexible and bendable
               with scheduling and enjoy the freedome in that
:: nurture my spiritual life with still and times of prayer on a regular basis
:: organize a little house concert
               this was on my list for the past couple years, and i'm so excited about the event in planning,
               i will keep you posted
:: protect the space and needs of our children in our community household. this is sometimes a bit of
               a challenge, as we live in community and share our kitchen table and living room space with
               8 more people in our household. it is important to me and i need to remind myself to very
               sensitive of this issue.
:: quilt the granny square quilt
              i want to keep this on my list and check off until the summer
:: reading for enjoyment, pleasur as well as education
                The Children Act by Ian McEwan
                A Spool of blue thread by Anne Tyler (a bit boring)
                Daring to drive by Manal Al-Sharif
:: sew a few baby kimonos
:: teach with lots of enthusiasm and joy in my reglion classes at the church. i want to put my
               knowledge and passion into this new challenge.
:: utilize my energy and the space i live in to hoste gatherings and have people come and visit
:: visit friends abroad, the plan is for summer: go to london and visit the b's and travel to schottland
               too, this is in planning and so super exciting
:: watch a good movie in the theather with a friend
              this didn't happen last year, but maybe after ski vacation there will be an evening...
:: relax a bit more, not everything needs to be handled and talked through with the urgency and high
              flying emotion it is being brought to my attention.

:: yearn for the peace that God puts in my heart and the every day rythm of things
:: zeroing in on the important stuff and let go of every thing else