Posts Tagged ‘new year’s resolutions’

You Were Superfine, 2009… And So Was I.

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

Although it was a strange year of little money and even less glamour… 2009 was off the charts in terms of career/work fulfillment and creativity. My self-esteem which had taken a bit of a beating the year before increased with every new project and experiment. I’ve definitely learned a thing or two about appreciating the good things I have in my life and being grateful for the people I can love and not the things I can buy.

So here’s what I’m thinking about for 2010:

  • Eat less food and eat food that’s local/organic
  • Learn about and take pleasure from keeping house
  • Invite people over
  • Take more photos
  • Start working toward 10% savings – even if it’s more like 1% right now
  • Visit a farm
  • Pet a horse (fear conquering)
  • Eliminate debt (it’s small but it’s there)
  • Exercise
  • Write a love letter to my husband and mail it
  • Barter for a professional massage and/or acupuncture
  • Take an online or in-class course to improve my web design skills
  • Go back to book club
  • Be more approving of myself

Mondo Beyondo:

  • Get enough clients so I can work from anywhere
  • Go to New Orleans or Savannah for the first time (the houses!)
  • Visit Italy again
  • Buy a newer used car outright (no monthly payments)
  • Move to where it’s cooler in the summer
  • Buy a vintage but restored Chesterfield sofa

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An Ever-changing Wish List

Saturday, May 9th, 2009

I’ve talked before about Mondo Beyondo lists (title courtesy of Superhero) and writing it down to make it happen but there’s something new to this process that I’m discovering. It seems when looking at my gloriously long things to do in life from 2006 that I had a lot more… what’s the word… energy back then. Here’s a sample from 2006:

Ride on a sailboat in the south of France
Work from home doing a job that’s creative
Have a book on the bestseller list
Travel to Paris with [husband]
Work in an art museum
Take long walks in the English countryside
Go dancing at the Press Club without feeling old
Research something old/historic
Be my own boss
Live where it isn’t so hot [briefly lived in Bay area]
Wear Hitchcock heroine inspired clothing
Learn how to light a paper napkin on fire so it floats in the air
Study archeology
Swing in a hammock
Win a prize
Listen live to a Calypso or Reggae band with steel drums

Okay you get the idea… and as you see, I’ve marked out the ones that I’ve done so far. However these days when I think about making a new list or even a more specific list, I can’t really generate the excitement to put pen to paper. I’ve realized that it’s not depression or stress that’s blocking me from coming up with ideas but rather the lack of those things that makes daydreaming less frequent.

When I worked 9-5, I would work out all kinds of eleborate scenarios for my life because, honestly, you need to have that Cinderella story running through your mind when you are sitting in your six month review with your boss.

I think now my list would still include the things mentioned above but also the approaching mid-life crisis items like:

Eat more vegetables
Floss every day
Exercise every day
Start Tai Chi class
{Basically “don’t die early” type of items}

Hey and if any of you can help me out with the items on my list from 2006, please do give me a shout at web {at} sachistorichouse {dot} com. Thanks in advance!

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Not Too Late, 2008

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008


© Gainsborough Pictures

“I’ve no regrets. I’ve been everywhere and done everything. I’ve eaten caviar at Cannes, sausage rolls at the dogs. I’ve played baccarat at Biarritz and darts with the rural dean. What is there left for me but marriage?”
~Iris Henderson in The Lady Vanishes (1938)

As we approach Thanksgiving and the end of November, I’m curious as to how you are doing with your goals for this year. Are you thankful that you finally asked for a raise or set aside a couple of hours each week to paint or took that dream vacation? Did this past year burn with excitement and possibility or at least flow along with awareness and warmth for yourself and others? I often get inspired by making goal lists (such as Superhero’s Mondo Beyondo list) and books like Write It Down, Make It Happen by Henriette Anne Klauser. It’s too early to talk about making your goal list for 2009, so this post is more like a reminder that 2008 is still going strong.

You’ve got the whole month of December to start a blog, put up an ad on Match, write a song, start an IRA, open an Etsy shop, get a mantra, get off the couch and walk for 30 minutes a day, forgive your last boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse/boss/hairdresser/dog/whatever…, or just be grateful for where you are now.

I love the above line from The Lady Vanishes because even though Iris is something of a spoiled socialite, there is a confidence and a “gameness” in her words. She is out there living life to the fullest. And baccarat at Biarritz sounds awfully glamorous and exciting, doesn’t it?

December is coming. Where will you take it?

p.s. Some goals I’m working on for December: walk most days, hand out more House History flyers, cook a nice dinner for my husband, see snow fall, try Mexican hot chocolate, buy or make some handmade gifts, stop freaking out about the economy, take more photos and try to sell one or two, hit up the farmer’s and antique markets, see the Yves Saint Laurent show at the DeYoung, and try to keep my office more tidy.

p.p.s Happy Thanksgiving!!!

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Wishin’ and hopin’

Monday, January 14th, 2008

Someday I would like to own a little house on a leafy lane with a garden in the back and a porch in front. It will have built-in shelves, a swinging door to the kitchen, a hallway lined with family photos, and a dining room with a charming chandelier. The bathroom will be tiled in white with a big bathtub and a window that lets in morning light. My kitchen will be big enough for two to cook but small enough to where it couldn’t fit an “island”. There will be a fireplace. There will be closet space. There will be character.

Alas, I have behaved badly in the past.  There is no nest egg large enough for a down payment. No money set aside since I started working at 16. Savings have been spent on trips to Europe and dinners out. Career paths have been wonky. Coupons tossed. Money thrown at problems.

But it’s there inside, this spark of faith that one day we will have a quiet place to sleep in on Saturday mornings, to brew cups of tea, to try out decorating ideas from Romantic Homes magazine, to anticipate leaving and rejoice at returning, and to share with friends and family.

Sacramento Historic House hopes that you’ve made your wish for 2008 and beyond. Good luck

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