My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
So. I’m trying something new for the month of October. Kind of sleep related, but kind of not. Even though I get up around 4am each morning to work on the blog, sometimes {okay, a lot of times} I’ll look at the clock and see that it’s already 10 am, or 11 or noon and I’m still working in my pajamas. So for the month of October I am going to start showering at night and then as soon as I wake up each morning, get dressed and ready for the day. Sounds simple enough, right? We’ll see.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
We were able to make 4 additional principal payments towards our mortgage for October. I was hoping for 5 but hey, I’m thrilled we were able to make 4. We all had medical checkups last month, went on vacation, I bought a couple of gallons of paint and ferry tickets, a used coffee table and a bunch of supplies for an upcoming project and spent more on gas than I normally do. All those little things add up I tell you.
Live a little
I am in need of a new raincoat {Hello, this is the PNW} and I spied a really nice one at Costco when I was there with Mrs. HB the other day. Sadly, the coats are not made for people with monkey arms. I tried on a small, medium and a large and the arm length on all of them were too short. 🙁
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Last week I told you about Lil’s Cafe in Kittery, Maine. This week I’m going to share our trip to Tatte Bakery in Boston.
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
Fail. I was not able to pull this goal off in September. 🙁 I blame it on the milk I needed {yes needed} for my tea and a pair of shoes I found on Ebay. Oh well, 8 out of 9 months so far isn’t too bad.
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
I have 8 rug hooking patterns listed in my Etsy shop, and a bunch more I need to photograph and get listed. I’ve been so busy these past few months gardening and working on other projects that I just haven’t been able to make the time to get them printed and packaged up. Soon though, I am hoping to check this goal off my list.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500.
This past week I sold $754.83 in my Etsy shop which brings my total so far this year to $9066.23. I was able to restock my hand dyed wool bundles but I need to work on some new pieces over the next few weeks so I can add them to my shop. I feel like I’ve been running in circles lately when it comes to rug hooking and I am sooooo looking forward to the cooler weather and early sunsets so I can stay inside and get some work done.
Purge 250 Items Mission Accomplished
So far this year we’ve purged 265 items.
Learn to Crochet Mission Accomplished
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Working on it, although it’s been kind of hard with him working 6 days last week. 🙁
Lose the Muffin Top. {again} Mission Accomplished
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Although I am working on wearing out my clothes I had been on the hunt for a new pair of shoes to wear with my jeans and possibly skirts {with tights} during the fall and winter months when I can’t wear my TOMS. I snagged this pair of once worn Keen Mary Jane shoes off eBay last week and I absolutely love them. If you have a wide toe box and you like this style of shoes, they are crazy comfortable! They do however, kind of look like toddler shoes. 😉
Try 52 New Recipes
We made another amazing recipe this week and let me tell you, I think I was more excited about the leftover juices than anything else! I’ll share the recipe with you on Tuesday. It’s a keeper, that’s for sure.
Read 52 Books Mission Accomplished
I am currently listening to $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America on audio book via HooplaDigital for free through my local library.
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
January – Donated to Quilts from the Heart in Memory of my brother.
February – Donated to Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
March – Donated to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
April – Donated again to my daughter’s mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
May – $100 Tip to a waitress on Mother’s day.
June – Started collecting men’s shirts to donate this winter.
July – Donated to the Chew Dog Rescue
August – Donated to the Houston Flood Relief Fund
September – $100 Tip to our amazing server at The Grey House and bought a tin of caramel corn from a Boy Scout
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
Secret Goal #1Sell East Coast House Mission AccomplishedSecret Goal #2Chickens! Mission Accomplished- Secret Goal #3
- Secret Goal #4
And then, there’s those top secret goals we’re not talking about yet.
- Secret Goal #1
- Secret Goal #2
- Secret Goal #3
- Secret Goal #4
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2017? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2017 Goals HERE.
Michelle says
I have problems with the arm length too! It seems like suddenly they are making shirts more narrow in the shoulders too. I have a hard time finding something that fits both ways.
Mel says
I have a problem with arm length but in reverse–they tend to be too long. I never used to think about rain wear, but as I’ve invested in nicer clothes and shoes that I’d like to keep looking nice, I’ve decided to invest in a raincoat and rain boots. We had an unusually rainy summer, so I thought I’d get immediate use out of both, but it hasn’t rained since I bought them!
In terms of goals, I’ve been moving ahead on making Christmas gifts. I made a fabric flower pin to match (and secure) the hooded scarf I made my mom, and I made her a microwavable heat pack. I also made a bunch of phone cord weights (they keep your phone cord from sliding down behind tables) as stocking stuffers. I went for a walk on the beach last week and picked up more sea glass (for collages), and I also just ordered safety goggles and a dust mask so I can attempt glass etching next week. I have nothing against store bought gifts, but I’m so looking forward to a more mellow and handmade Christmas season for a change.
Teri says
Love your new shoes; they are really cute. I have a hard time buying shoes without trying them on. Seems like the sizes vary so much. Any problems with the Keens?
Mavis Butterfield says
No problems with the Keens. The Mary Jane’s are a wider fit though. I also own a pair of the Keen Presidio shoes in a size 8 and they are a perfect fit as well. I usually just read the reviews online and see what other people wrote about the fit.
Traci Stewart says
Mavis,
What program do you use to show your amortization of your mortgage? We also are on a mad dash to pay off the house, and I like seeing how yours shows both contractual and actual remaining payments. The program I use does not do this. And, by the way, you are doing awesome!
Athena says
Have you ever showered at night and then just gotten dressed in the morning? It may not work out quite like you want. My husband can do it just fine but I guess I sweat a lot or something when I sleep and I wake up feeling dirty and gross and need a shower! We’re all different but just be forewarned that the whole night showering thing may not work out as well as you think! I frequently think how nice it would be to be able to do what my husband does but I just can’t. Every time I’ve tried I have to go back to the morning showers.
Tracy says
Mavis. Girl, someone HAS to tell you. Those shoes? Mavis. Just no. NO. “Toddler shoes” is too kind a label. Those shoes are what’s they put on 3 year olds, or, 93 year olds. Large toebox or not….you can do better. You have to do better! Those are just hideous. You’re too young, and too attractive to give up to that degree!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hilarious!
Brianna says
They remind me something “Amy” would wear on Big Bang Theory. You just need a cardigan to bring out your inner nerd.
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE cardigans! Ha! And I’ve got the glasses, so I think I can totally rock the Amy look. I don’t think she wears ponytails though. Don’t know that I can keep my hair down for more than 3 minutes.
Janet Hoard says
Don’t you just love Hoopla? Going to watch an old Road movie with Bing Crosby and Bob Hope tonight. Does your library also have Kanopy? More good stuff.
Mavis Butterfield says
This is the first I’ve heard of Kanopy. Thanks. I’ll have to check.
TJD says
I think I have monkey arms too. I try to look for jackets in the men’s section. A medium is usually perfect and the arms are long enough. If it’s just a rain jacket, no one is the wiser.
I like the Keen shoes, I own 3 pair of Keens, they last a long time. If friends judge you by your shoes, then I’m in trouble. I don’t have the Mary Janes like yours but the Keens are my go to shoe. Nerdly or not. I like them. 🙂
Sarah siskin says
Cool shoes! Oh and I didn’t know you sold the east coast house! Congrats I gues tho I’m an east coaster and can’t imagine it. Lol
Diane says
Hi Mavis,
I just got a rain jacket at Costco. I would call it a rain shell. Anyway, the arm length was great so you may want to check it out!
It is perfect for me because I run on the warmer side. Most of the time this jacket is just fine for me here in the PNW. Occasionally I’ll add a vest or sweater underneath….(more like rarely 🙂 ha)
Here’s the thing, it is not on a clothing rack at Costco. It is folded up in a box. It was in the back and middle of the store at my Costco. It comes in a men’s and a women’s version. The brand is called Paradox. It comes in a black or blue-ish slate color. So far, I’m impressed with the quality. Waterproof, breathable, has pockets and the seams are sealed. We will see how it goes when the “real” winter rains come, but so far so good. Check it out if you are still looking.
I think it was $19.99. Don’t have my receipt any more.
Best of luck on the coat search. Arm/shoulder fit is hard for me and that drives me batty when shopping.