twenty thirteen

I'm not writing goals for this year.  I want to write goals so I can have a plan, so things are measurable, so I can feel like I've done a good job.  But enough of my constantly doing.  I'm taking the year off.  

This year I want fresh air.  I want deep cleansing breaths.  I need daily bread.  

I was thinking health as the word for this year.  I want to be healthy.  

I'm not thinking of a specific thing that needs healing.  Sometimes though, when we've had a previous injury, maybe it was a long time ago, yet because it hurt, we adapted, we compensated, maybe we picked up a new way of walking.  Or living.  But the pain is long gone and yet we're still walking with the limp.  It's become what we do.  
This year, I hope I leave behind the limps I've picked up along life's journeys and simply run.  

My prayer is that my lungs are filled with fresh air.  Physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally.  I'm asking for daily bread in every area of life.  I plan to feed my soul.  And come back again tomorrow to do it again.  Deep drinking from God, the source of my life.  [I printed this Bible reading plan, as a start.]

Breathe in life.  Exhale life.  So that I am truly living and welcoming life into everything around me.  Maybe I'll even be surprised at the end of the year that goals were reached in a free, flowing, surprisingly good way.  

The Fabric of Our Lives

[Image: Kate Bosworth, a face of cotton, via ]

The other day I was thinking I should write an update on my clothing fast.  You know, tell how things are going.  I was feeling like, you know...it's time.  Then I realized it had been 10 DAYS since my first post with my goal.  10.  Days.  

What have I done?!

Clearly, this is going to be harder for me than I originally thought...if I feel like 10 days is a celebration.

I've been a good girl.  I have not purchased any clothing.  I mostly haven't been in any clothing stores.  

Already I'm rethinking how I will purchase clothes differently when this fast is over.  Maybe this is a little premature, to be thinking how I'll shop, since I have another 300 plus days left on the fast.

I'll share what I'm thinking for you, since someone else must be shopping.  I'm also surprised by the feedback I've gotten.  More than a few people have told me they have considerably less clothes than I do.  I still can't believe this.  I don't think I have a lot of clothes.  Either I must be in denial or those who have more clothes don't tell.  

#1.  I would buy fewer but higher quality items.  

• Example, I got this solid black, long sleeved, v-neck, 100% cotton top for my birthday.  Fits great.  Goes with almost everything.  It looks just as good as it did a month ago and I've worn it and washed it a few times.  I also got another top, a thin, lacey, rayon, nylon one.  I don't think it's going to last long.

#2.  I would buy more natural fiber clothes.  

• I'd read labels to see what they are made of and say no [more often] to nylon, polyester, synthetics, and yes to more cotton.  Clothes that last longer [cotton, wool, silk, cashmere, or blends of those].  Makes me think of the cotton commercials.  "The fabric of our lives".  Love this one with Zooey Deschanel.  

Or this one...

And this one.  Ok, enough.  I just love them.  

#3.  I would buy more staples.

• The building blocks of a wardrobe.  Things along the lines of this list.  Since I started my fast I realized I don't have a pair of black dress pants.  They'd be good to have.  I'd get a few more of the "essentials" and less of the rest.    

I do have a pair of black, yoga pants.  Not appropriate for the job interview but perfect for days like today.  I hope they last all year.  

Linking up with The Better Mom.

Yes, Chef

One of my goals for 2012 was to read at least a book a month.  Some of my other goals have been a complete fail, so far, but I'm on target with this one.  Here's my list of books I've finished since January:

1. Veneer
2. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
3. Start Something That Matters
4. Bird by Bird
5. Beneath the Lion's Gaze
6. The Kite Runner
7. Organized Simplicity
8. In Defense of Food
9. The Perfectly Imperfect Home
10. Yes, Chef
11. NurtureShock

I just finished Yes, Chef.  Because our daughter, Addis, is Ethiopian, books about Ethiopia are of special interest to me.  This is the memoir of Marcus Samuelsson, who was born in Ethiopia, adopted by a Swedish family, and has now become a world-renowned chef.
  

I especially enjoyed reading about when he traveled back to Africa, as an adult, and met his biological father.  I appreciated how he describes life in Addis Ababa [the capital of Ethiopia] and the sights, smells, and food.
 

 

 

Reading about his experiences in Addis make my own more real.  I traveled to Addis Ababa twice but most of the time it feels like a dream.  Ethiopia is another world.  The contrast of life in Ethiopia and my life in America is so vast...I can't process or comprehend it.
 

 

 

Marcus wrote about how he stayed at the Sheraton Addis during his visit.  I stopped at this very hotel numerous times during our two brief stays in Ethiopia.  I even had a lunch on the Sheraton's outdoor patio.
 

I ate the traditional Ethiopian foods he describes.  There is such a contrast with the luxury of the Sheraton and the extreme poverty right outside its gates.  There is beauty in Ethiopia ... the people, mountains, endless summer, coffee ceremonies, artistry of thatched roof huts.  Yet, life is hard, in a way most Americans cannot understand.
 

 

I want to hold on to the memories so, in some way, I can tell my daughter of her birthplace.  She is two years old now.  If you ask her where she was born, she will answer, "E-OPIA!"  Yes.  I want it to be natural to talk about with her.  Just like I tell my older two children the story of their birth, I tell Addis, often when I'm rocking her and she's sleepy, about our airplane trip from Ethiopia to bring her home.  

It really did happen.  Proof is watching her.  Here.  Now. 

Clothing Fast: 365 Days

I've decided.  I'm taking a year off from buying clothes. 

I have been intrigued by the idea and inspired by my friend, Leslie, who resolved in January not to buy any new clothes for a year.   Read about it here.  

My reasons?  

• I wonder what this experience could teach me over the year.  
• I dislike consumerism and a disposable mentality 
• I think by eliminating all new clothes for a year it could help me to focus on more important things.
• I have enough.  Tomorrow I am going to post about what's in my closet.
• It will cause me to take care of what I have more.  
• It will push me to be more creative with what I wear and use what I have. 
• When my fast is over, I think I will buy fewer things but higher quality, staple pieces. 
• For me, it's not really about money, although I'm sure it will save time, money, and mental energy.  I'll be free from trying on clothes in fitting rooms for a year! 

I may be overly ambitious right now.  I just had my birthday and, as a result, have more cute things in my closet. I'm feeling set with my birthday gifts and fall things.  I'm pretty sure it might wear off come spring.

I've decided my fast will be from my 35th birthday 'til my 36th. I'm kind of rounding down but birthday 'til birthday will be easy to remember.  I must confess, I have bought brown, leather boots since my birthday.  They are beauties.  I didn't know I was going to start the fast when I bought them but good thing I squeaked them in before the fast started!   

I am going to give myself a little liberty to purchase new socks and underwear through the year.  I mean really.  

Other than than, no new clothes for one year unless they are gifted.  If I'm desperately in need of something, I may give myself permission to thrift  [minimally].  Also, if there's an emergency...say my swimsuit breaks.  Well, you never know, it could happen.  

I'd love someone to join me on my adventure.  Send me a message or comment if you'd like to.  I'd also love to hear reasons why you would or wouldn't do it or what you think it might teach you.  Do you think it's crazy?  Talk to me. 

Linking up with The Better Mom.

Hello, 2012 !

I love the hope of a new year.  This year I found some disillusionment as I sat to write my goals because I have the memory of goals I've penned in previous years that have been 
a complete fail.  I vaguely remember my "9 for 2009". 

This year's list is maybe the simplest to date.  It's much less about doing and more about being.  I'm determined to make small changes but yet I don't want to give up the bigger dreams.  For now, I have a rather eclectic list of things for this new year.  

I will frequent the library.  I will read aloud to the littles every day.  I will drink more water.  
And among other things, I will blog.

~Kate