boundaries and rewards

So here's the plan.

achievement	$
getting out of bed	1
per pound lost and kept off one month	5
per pound kept off each additional month	1
per mile walked (double for inclement weather)	1
each birthday of relative celebrated on time	5
each paper submitted for publication	30
each paper published	150

Clearly, if I am really determined, I could still rack up a sizable budget, though still only about one-third of last year's budget. If I am not determined at all, then it's $365 for the whole year.

My Rules (a significant modification of Wendy's Rules):

I will knit only from stash from today until September 30, 2007.

Knitting exceptions:

• store samples
• yarn earned through barter (sample knitting, pattern sales)
• yarn received as an unsolicited gift
• the Sudoku Blanket (yarn will be purchased on budget)

Budget exceptions:   

• gifts of yarn for other knitters
• notions required for finishing a project
• small tools (under $20)

That should do it.

Happy New Year!

Comments

[Heather]

Submitting papers does take a bit of work, no? If so, reward yourself with a bit of yarn could be in order. Budget exceptions could also include charity knitting if the muses so speak. Good luck! :-)

[Emily L]

Hmmmm.... As someone in a related field, I was thinking the yarn money for papers sounds about right. Plus probably 150-200 for grants.

[The Feminist Mafia]

You go girl!

[Rebecca H]

Those are good incentives. I especially appreciate that you give yourself credit for getting out of bed.

[Liz (the crazed weasel)]

Maybe I should try a knit a row, take a drink of water thing...you too, perhaps?

And interesting that the large crush of people thing is so keenly a bummer--not an extrovert, myself, really. But it was fun meeting you and others at the Team Boston party last year. hmmm...

[Dorothy B]

Best of luck on your endeavours. I find that increasing the amount of water I drink makes me feel fuller for longer. It also had the nice side effect of reducing the number of breakouts during the monthly cycle and reducing my need for leave in hair-conditioners and lip balms in the winter. I still use the lip balm, but not as often and my lips don't get as bad as they used to. The best thing though, I am now regular. I know, more than you wanted to know, but the monthly backup and bloat, nearly gone.
We are behind you, we will try to hold you up when you need us.

[Sherry]

Love your plan. Although I'm not ready to limit my yarn buying, it is a plan that could be applied to many things. Let me know if you ever want to meet up for a walk. It's one of my favorite things to do. Walking and talking ... the time/miles fly by.

Happy New Year!

[Christene / Sheepspyjamas]

Guess, hope, this means you're feeling better! Sorry about the party, but hopefully this means I'll be able to make it next time... Anywayz, I'm abstaining as well this year, though I'm actually planning on going cold-turkey entirely, at least at the beginning. Later, if I decide to wean some of it back in, I expect I'll use your guidelines as inspiration -- they're quite well though out. Trades from existing stash are okay, though, according to just about everyone, so I'm actually feeling quite hopeful -- maybe we'll all learn to shop each other's stashes firstly!
Take care and happy 2007, Christene

[Luise]

Great plan, but you should give yourself more for each mile walked (a major effort) and less for your professional work (fun effort, requiring little physical movement). Perhaps I'm only reflecting my own lack of mobility -- everything I like to do speaks to sitting (as my love handles get lovelier). Maybe you'll inspire me. Glad you're feeling better. Happy new year.