Wrapping up 2013

New Years is one of my favorite days of the year, and this year I am probably more organized about it than I ever will be in my lifetime again. I love the concept of having a 'new' start, a fresh chance, and a date to either get things finished by, or a good starting point for a change I want to make in my life. New Years reminds me that there are second chances, and that God is allowing us a little more time to grow closer to Him and carry out His work.

In addition to getting my house tidied up, I've been working on clearing out my stack of 'works in progress' with the idea that it would be nice to start the new year with less of the old on my plate, and more room to play with the new. The first thing I finished was this pair of socks that has been languishing in my knitting basked for...cough, cough, at least two years. What with one thing and another these socks 'lost the love,' and oddly enough I gave up halfway through the second sock. While the right one looks a little odd, I still love this new pair of socks, and am happy to have evicted it from my basket!

The next thing that I finished was a cross stitch that I started when I first came to Zambia in 2010. I did all the stitching and a little outlining, then I packed it away. Well, it is all finished now, and just needs a frame to do it justice. I love the idea of cross stitching chetengi, and I love how very African this is!

Finally, I finished a cross stitch that I started this summer while I was home. I think I might put this up in my classroom; hopefully I won't get in trouble!

Today I plan to mop my floors, actually and for real get caught up on the dishes, take a look at one of the other large partially complete cross stitches that I have lurking in my basket, and starting a new pair of socks for someone special. I plan to stay up late, to happily hang new calendars on my walls, and to enjoy these last few hours of 2013. Happy New Year to you all, and may 2014 be a year of great blessing for you all.