2009 Daydreaming
Posted by TulipGirl | Under Family Journal, Odds and Ends Thursday Jan 1, 2009I like having a clear demarcation for starting afresh, making new plans, dreaming new dreams. In years past, I’ve made resolutions — who hasn’t? — planned goals, compiled reading lists, made a mondo-beyondo list, started blogging. . .
This year, instead of resolutions or goals, I’m planning my 2009 Projects. I’m borrowing this idea from Sherry at Semicolon (thanks, Belinda, for reminding me who introduced me to the idea of “projects.”) Periodically throughout the year, I’d like to assess how each project is coming along and see what needs to be tweaked to meet our project ideas.
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Projects for 2009
Connecting in Community Project
We live in Florida and we have for the past 3 1/2 years. But I’m just now feeling settled — even though another move may be on the horizon. Still I want to live connected with people in our community, not just our immediate, local, and church families. In that vein, I’ll continue to volunteer with the Wellness Community, start participating with the ThinkTank philosophy club, and get to know my neighbors more.
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Calvin Quincentenary Project
Those who don’t attend reformed or presbyterian churches may not be aware that 2009 marks John Calvin’s 500th birthday. So the other day I was playing with the idea of what we might do in celebration. . . Wouldn’t you know, today I heard that several people from church will be reading through and discussing the Institutes this year? I don’t think I want to quite take that challenge. Instead, for my Calvin Quincentenary Project, I’m planning on reading a biography of Calvin (any good suggestions?), listening to the David Calhoun’s lectures again, and reading parts of the Institutes of the Christian Religion.
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Homeschool Habits Project
Hubby has directed the boys’ schooling the past few years, and we’re now transitioning again to both of us carrying that responsibility again. We’re still working on exactly what this looks like. . . In part, however, the boys will be required to more closely track the work they do and the books they read. Along with that, I want to get back into the habit of reading aloud to them each night. We’re pulling more ideas this semester from Ambleside Online, and working with the boys on narration and composition.
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Regular Reading Project
If George W. can keep up the busy schedule of a president and always have a book at hand, why can’t I? If Megan can keep reading while busy with four girls, then how can I blame my four boys from keeping me from good books? I skimmed most of, but didn’t actually read any, of the books on my ‘08 targeted booklist. I used to be an avid reader, and still am in my self-conception. I want to be that person again. My regular reading project is going to include actually listing the books I read and skim, along with writing mini-reviews.
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Family Fitness Project
Spend more time outside together, playing tennis, letterboxing, hitting baseballs, taking evening walks. . . Keep more fresh fruit and veggies in the house. . . Do a 5k fun run together as a family, in memory of Grampie. . .
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More Music Project
The boys usually get one “big” present at Christmas, and this year the theme was music. We gave them speakers for the kids computer and an MP3 player with music and audio books downloaded. Also, we gave them the same piano book I had as a little girl with a promise of a piano as soon as the right one shows up on craigslist. (We’ve had several leads, but not the “right” piano yet. . .) Music can nourish the soul, and we want to feed them good music while they are young.
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(Okay, okay. . . the alliteration is a bit much. But after the first two, I couldn’t help myself!)
Love the idea of projected projects (is that alliteration, redundancy, or what?). Perhaps someone can put together a ‘read through Calvin-Lite’ – someone who has already read him for those of us not willing to add something massive to our schedules? Hmmm.
The McGrath biography of Calvin is probably the most accessible, although I like aspects of the Cottret and the Bouwsma biographies also. For a brief summary of Christian doctrine from the perspective of a young John Calvin, you may want to try the “Instruction in Faith” (1537), translated and edited by Paul Fuhrmann. I love the Institutes themselves, though, and recommend that you try reading significant portions of it at least once in your life, preferably in the McNeill edition, which has great notes. I am particularly fond of F. Whitfield Barton’s “Calvin and the Duchess,” an account of the correspondence between Renée of France, Duchess of Ferrara, and John Calvin (writing pseudonymously as Charles d’Espeville).
If you have any questions about the piano, when one piques your interest, let me know. Scott may be able to keep you away from the the obvious (to him) bad ones.
It’s been delightful wandering around your blog. I liked the photo you have on your “about” page: you look so friendly!
The projects plan is a good one. I’m afraid I often enjoy the planning more than the doing, though.
I love the idea of PROJECTS. Perfect! Such a great way to combine the big picture with manageable steps.
[...] of my projects this year has been dubbed the Calvin Quincentenary Project. I’ve been listening to the podcasts from [...]
[...] the beginning of the year, I set up some projects that I wanted to pursue in 2009. Some of them morphed through the year, some of them were [...]