I have started four of my longer term projects this weekend, learn something new, learn to speak Spanish, learn to play the piano and run a 1/2 marathon.

1- Learn something new! I couldn't wait to start this one. It is one of the reasons I am starting my challenges now instead of waiting until my birthday at the end of the month. I am going to learn how to embroider! I have cross stitched for many many years, crochet and have done a bit of knitting already. I thought embroidery would be a nice way to branch out with a new craft without having to really purchase any new supplies since it basically uses cross stitching supplies which I have PLENTY of 😂. And even better my daughter is learning with me! So just before Christmas we both picked out a starter embroidery kit. Each kit comes with everything you need to get started with three different designs that teach you most of the basic stitches needed to get started. I started with the patter below last night.

I started with the outline stitch and completed the dark green lines while finishing watching the Return of the King. The kits are from Santune and I got them off Amazon for $15 each. 

I am very excited to learn this new craft.

Here is my progress so far-

2-    Learn to speak Spanish- 

    Now I don't mean to become fluent but I would like to have the basics down. To get me started I purchased the lifetime/unlimited version of Rosetta Stone. I started in March when everything shut down but haven't practiced much since I went back to teaching in September. I am going to make a concerted effort to practice for 20-30 minutes most days of the week.

3-    Learn to play the piano-

    Again I don't plan on becoming a concert pianist or anything but to at least be able to play some intermediate pieces. I had started to learn two years ago when I got a keyboard for Christmas and haven't been as consistent with it as I would like so what better time to get back at it than now. I hope to finish the beginner book I am on now and finish the intermediate book in 13 months.

4-    Run a 1/2 marathon-

    OK, lets face it, this will be more of a run/walk endeavor but after reading several inspiring books about women starting to run at all stages of life I am ready to try this again. I ran one on a lark almost 16 years ago with my husband- The Phoenix  Rock and Roll 1/2. It is tentatively scheduled to Jan 16, 2022. Hopefully COVID won't screw it up. I have a year right?!? AND I calculated how fast I would have to run to finish in 3 1/2 hours. It's only 16 minute miles! I can do that now! So I am feeling confident that as long as we can travel and have large groups by then I will be able to comfortably complete this challeng.