The Year Ahead

Windlost in Paris, September 2008 (we plan to visit again in 2011)

2010 was a pretty good year. I led a mega-project at

work (and mentored two students) so I felt overwhelmed at times. My headache situation did not improve (and the botox shots my neurologist did were a total failure), which added to the misery, but life was otherwise:

G O O D

Everyone I love stayed healthy and employed, which is the most important bit.

In the past few years, I have reaped what I've sown and have been enjoying the fruits of my labour. We bought a nice new house and lots of things for the new house. As the cherry on the cake of life, after 10 years of driving my previous car, I am taking delivery of this on Tuesday:

And it's already paid for.

But while my commute will be very pleasant in 2011 (especially with Sirius satellite radio), it is not all fun and games people.

The coming year I am already calling The Year of Hard Work. Or maybe, like the British, I should call it my own Year of Austerity.

I need to work on some things.

I plan to spend a lot of quality time with these. In fact I think they will

be my new BFF:

We don't have too huge a mortgage, but in 2011 we want to make a serious dent in it. So I will keep more of this in my pocket and spend it much more carefully:

That probably means this blog won't be nearly as much fun as usual. But don't worry darlings, I still love decorating. I just might do more of it from flea markets. Around the house, I also want to spend more time on fundamentals, like getting the remaining rooms painted and changing out the light fixtures. Less "stuff", more substance.

I also want to take some courses. Every year I take various evening courses, and as much as I'd love to take more interior design courses, this year I am focussing on my career.

I'm presenting a paper at an engineering conference in Washington in May.

Me & Davey in Washington, September 2009 (after getting caught in a very cold rain and buying an emergency Georgetown sweatshirt)

In January, I'm taking a course in this:

I already speak very passable French but I'm going to perfect it but taking classes in this:

Life needs some attention too. I have a ton of scanning to do and plan to transfer a lot of negatives to my Mac using my new prosumer grade scanner:

Doesn't that sound like a fun evening after getting off the treadmill?

Since my year ahead will suck (except for the Audi), I plan to rely on YOU to inspire ME. I can't wait to follow your blog, watch as you decorate your beautiful homes, and share your fascinating selves with me. I am infatuated with many of you, you know?

Janet, Trina, Steve, Lauren, Brooke, Noel, Deborah, Bill...sorry for stalking you.

As I hunker down to work on myself, I promise to still post pictures and stories from my life. This year might feel like a different Windlost, but I think it will be a better one...

Happy NEW YEAR to you (my decorating peeps)!