I used to do this thing where instead of New Year’s Resolutions, I had New Year Fantasies. I was reading Lenore’s post at explorenewness and was reminded of this old tradition. It’s similar, but without the pressure. If it’s my fantasy, then there is no implied obligation, or any failure on my part if it doesn’t happen. But! If I write it down, that often helps things manifest.
If I made a list of fantasies for this year, what should go on it?
- Answer all the questions in the list that Marcel Proust liked, that Bonnie wrote about.
- Make the best possible, non-selfish decisions as Racecar goes through what is probably her last few months of life.
- Clean out the greenhouse. Completely. Then get starts going for peppers, tomatillos, and tomatoes!
- Figure out the sprinkler and drip system, reorganize it, and take control so that the tool will work for us from now on.
- Reinforce the garden boxes by the wisteria and replace liner and fertilize the soil and make this a real garden. If I get this area into use, I give myself permission not to get to the rest of the garden area this year.
- Plan and execute at least one multi-day backpacking trip with Pedro.
- Hike on at least three trails I have not yet hiked on.
- Write what I personally consider to be “a significant amount” on my Post Office book.
- Speaking of the wisteria, cut and remove 2/3 of it.
- Go through every single box in our two storage sheds and get rid of everything we can get rid of (and find my LOTR movies!), and repack what is left into newer, uncrushed and un-soggy boxes.
- This includes: Getting Sabine to either take all her old baby stuff, or let us donate it,
- Getting Kellen and Cameron to either take or get rid of a lot of their stuff,
- Go through all the old boxes of junk my dad left to me,
- Go through all the old boxes of Dennis’s stuff that Kellen hasn’t had the heart to go through,
- Go through all the old boxes of junk my mom left to me, and finally,
- Go through all the old boxes of junk that I left for myself, thinking that “one day” I might want the stuff.
- Remove the horrible, rusting, leaking, tin storage shed.
- Go on a camping road trip by myself.
- Finish the Italy and Slovenia photo book (I know, I’m so late), and finish the Mexico photo book.
Ok! That list is long enough. I don’t think it’s too unreasonable. I’ll check back in a year. :o)
Conscious Engagement 
All sounds do-able! I should add to my fantasy list: buy a property with a greenhouse (even if you have to totally clear it out before growing anything in it). I’d love that. And thanks for the renaming idea!
I know! I feel SO lucky that this place came with a mostly completed greenhouse full of junk. Pedro just finished installing doors a week ago. We have been slowly clearing the former owners junk out of there. But you are right: just having one to work on is a dream come true!! I’m so excited to be able to grow tomatoes and peppers in Portland when usually it’s not the right climate for them!
I don’t suppose there is any point in holding you to all these?
Exactly! No pressure to complete any of them. (But you know I’m competitive and self-driven, and I expect to do it all)
I do know that, Crystal 🙂
Great list and glad it’s a fantasy list. On my best days and years, I could not complete all of that. Wishful thinking list is more my speed. 🙂 Ok, who is Sabine and why do you have her baby things? 🙂 By next year I won’t remember that you did a list much less hold you accountable for it. You can skip the road trip alone just to make me happy. I would worry. Sorry. Happy New Year, kiddo. Loved your newsy letter.
Yes, a fantasy list is so much easier to face. And this one you can watch from a distance! Sabine is Kellen’s “sister.” The relationship Dennis had with Sabine’s mom after he and I divorced was the most significant for the rest of his life, and even after they broke up, stayed in touch. Sabine is basically the same age as Kellen, so Dennis could relate to her. Dennis and Sabine had a super tight bond, and Dennis was keeping Sabine’s baby stuff for her son, Dennis’s “grandson.” When he died, because Kellen had so much other stuff going on, I just took all of Dennis’s stuff rather than make Kellen figure it out in the midst of their grieving. Sabine has many of her own issues to deal with, and so far has not been able to take her stuff back. Long story!! ha ha.
I’m sorry a road trip alone would make you worry. Maybe I’ll tell you about it after I’m home safe. ❤ But since it's a fantasy list, who knows if I'll even do it.
Very impressive list! I love the idea. Sounds like very inspiring to have this. Maybe I’ll make my own fantasy list too…
Great! Then you can check back in a year and see if any of it happened, and if not, who cares?! That’s the best part.
Yash 🥹
nice to read
Thank you.
🙂
Always fun to see what people plan for the new year. I like your use of fantasies, Crystal. Why not. Some of yours are certainly some of mine/ours counting Peggy. And yes we still have a shed to tackle! But here’s the question, Crystal: What is you Post Office book?
Curt, I sent an email with all the juicy details. 🙂
Which I read. 🙂 Juicy details right back at you. Grin.