Curry Chaos: A List:

Ok I know I have done these lists before - and I probably have done less than a quarter of the things on said lists - but it's still fun to dream. And hey my list might inspire you to try something new!

I have decided to do 6 changes in the year 2010. I like the approach so I hope to be successful.

One of my changes will be to become a learner or adventurer or a doer - not sure which word best works. But basically I want to try new things this year - learn - be taught - grow/bloom - not be such a chicken to try new things.

So this is my list of things I would like to try - a large list - that I will add to as I discover new things - my goal is to try at least one new thing a month. That's reasonable right?

1. Dancing lessons with my McDreamy - I just think this would be so fun - not because we are in dance type settings all that often - but for that exact reason it would be fun - it gives us a reason to dance. Dancing is good for the soul.

2. Sew more - I would love to be able to really sew - not quilts right now - but decorative home items - and more stitching with paper/scrapbooking.

I really want these books: Layered, Tattered and Stitched by Ruth Rae and Stitch Alchemy by Kelli Perkins

maybe they will be just what I need to get started.

3. Collage - The Art Mill in Omaha has a class on the calender for January that looks good. I have also found several books I would like to purchase on the subject.

4. Yoga - classes are rather expensive so I am not sure I will actually join a studio - but our on demand selection of fitness classes in wonderful - so I will start with that. (Actually this really will be one of my 6 changes - incorporating yoga/walking/fitness every day)

5. Try lots of new recipes - I am in a total recipe rut - and I want to cook healthier. Maybe try a cooking class - Whole Foods, and Williams and Sonoma all have cooking classes. OK - I just signed up for a free Italian Comfort Foods class at Williams - Sonoma - free how cool!!

6. I want to crochet something - other that my funky cuff I made my niece Maggie over Christmas break. My mom taught me the basics - so I will keep practicing. She does BEAUTIFUL work - I wish it was as easy for me as it is for her. Our favorite beanies and scarfs are all made by mom - LOVE THEM!!!

7. Blacksmith Classes - yes I can actually take a blacksmith class at the Loken Forge - wouldn't that just be amazing????

8. Glass Blowing

9. Wood Turning

10. Ceramics - these last three can all be done at the Omaha Creative Institute for a wonderfully affordable price. $35.00 per class. Class are located at the Hot Shops Art Center - which is the coolest art gallery and artists studios. How fun to just be in that creative environment!
The Art Mill also has ceramics classes - that is where I did my first ceramics piece - I love working with my hands - creating something totally organic and me.

11. Paintball - this will be a summer thing. Connor really wanted to do this last summer and we didn't get it done. I think it would be a blast to do this with our whole family (minus Xander cause he is just too young - bummer). What good fun!!!

12. A tropical vacation! :) This would be something new - and we have already agreed that we will do this sometime during 2010. What a learning experience. We haven't decided where - Belize, The Bahamas, Greece - who knows. But it will be wonderful!

13. I would like to incorporate the Card Drop concept into my life - how fun would it be to find one of these little gems out on your daily routine. Even better to leave them for others to find. I might feel a little goofy tucking them into places - but it will be worth it.

14. Tai Chi - The Om Center has really affordable classes - I just think it would be cool.

15. Etching metal - I have the supplies - I am just to chicken to take the plunge. It's really cold now and working outside really isn't feasible - so imight wait till summer. I just don't have the right set up to do it inside yet...which leads me to:

16. Set up a silversmith shop in my basement - we have a unfinished basement - so it would be perfect setup - just a small table with a small tank, some ventilation, a grinder/polisher, a locked cabinet for chemicals. Oh the beautiful things I could create. The things I could learn.

17. And right in there with this - take an Intermediate Silversmithing class at The Silversmith. There is a lot I still need to learn and just to feel more comfortable - plus it's fun to meet new people.

18. Batik - I am so sad I missed the Class at The Art Mill - she has another one coming up in January.

19. Encaustics - I have been watching lots of You Tube videos - it just looks so cool. The Art Mill has a class on this as well!!! I won't teach myself this - I will definitely go to The Art Mill to do this as it might get messy and stinky and again I don't have the right studio for that yet.....maybe if I get different floors in my studio then......but that is a different year! :)

20. Plant a vegetable garden. Steve and I talked a bit about this at the end of summer. We have plenty of space in our backyard for raised beds. We might give it a shot. I do not have a green thumb - I am rather impatient and sort of lazy with the weeding and upkeep - but I REALLY want homegrown vegetable - so I will learn - I will give it a shot - I am sure there are gardening classes I could take plus books to read. This would be a perfect family project. It will take a lot of hard work but we can do it.

Whew - what a list - and there are so many other things - if you have stayed with me this long - thanks - if not that is ok - maybe I have inspired you to try something new as well. If you have a list of new things to learn - please do share - maybe I want to try that too!! :)

It's a good year to grow - to widen our horizons - to LOVE IT ALL!!!

And here is a little something for you to think of - thanks to Values.com :

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”

—Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel

(1904-1991); Writer, Cartoonist