1. Get Organized.
When I was about 12, I told my Dad I was bored. He handed me a toothbrush and some Soft Scrub and had me clean our 8 piece patio furniture set. Lesson learned. The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird slipped a few days ago and mentioned she was bored {a very BAD word in our house} and so I had her clean out all the drawers and organize the shelf in the garage. 😉 What do you want to bet I never hear her utter those words again? And what do you want to bet that when/if she has kids of her own someday they’ll only say they’re bored one time too.
2. Run, walk or crawl a Marathon, half marathon, 10k, and 5k race this year.
Still looking for the right ones/dates.
3. Remodel our Master Bathroom, Master Closet and Monkey Boy’s Bathroom. Done
4. Finish Every Room in Our House.
Working on it.
5. Turn Spare Bedroom into a Cozy Home Office Space for myself. Done
6. Create a Vegetable Garden. Done
Yesterday I planted 3 rows of bush beans. I was going to plant a couple of zucchini seeds too but decided against it at the last minute. With a little luck, the beans should be ready towards the end of September.
Once the cucumbers are done producing, I’ll plant a row of carrots in their place. Even though I want my tomatoes to ripen, I am SO READY for fall. It’s been a hot summer here in the Pacific Northwest, and I miss walking around in my winter coat 24/7 and not feeling weird so doing so.
7. Build a Path into the Hillside for Easy Access to the Upper Garden. Done. We invested in a fence instead. Best. Decision.Ever.
8. Limit my personal spending to $100 a month.
Another week went by and I didn’t purchase anything other than food. Shocking, I know. I keep going back and forth on whether or not to buy a pair of flashy {for me} running shoes. Even though I need a new pair, I think I’ll try and hold out until the price goes down a bit more.
In July I spent $50.82
In June I spent $6.00.
In May I spent $26.50.
In April I Spent $18.46.
In March I Spent $42.44.
In February I Spent $32.52
In January I Spent $84.33
9. Purge… Weekly. Find 10 things each week to donate to the thrift store. Done. Mission accomplished. Not only was I able to donate a boatload of stuff to the thrift store, but I also made $473 at our yard sale selling my old stuff too.
10. Read 1 book a week.
I discovered one of my favorite authors, Linda Greenlaw wrote another book; Lifesaving Lessons: Notes from an Accidental Mother and so I requested it from the library. The book sat on my nightstand for 2 days because I knew as soon as I started reading it I would not be able to put it down. And I was right. I finished the book in 1 day. It was not a incredibly happy story, but was told ready well and I love her writing style. I got choked up when I read the last few sentences {before the afterword} and had tears in my eye at the end. I highly recommend it.
11. Slow Down.
I’ve been on a rug hooking kick lately working on small {quick!} projects and dying wool. I’m having a blast, and that’s what counts, right?
12. Canning
I think I’m done canning jam for the year. 😉 Now, if the tomatoes would just hurry up and ripen I could start canning salsa!!
Did you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they coming along?
~Mavis
Linda says
I couldn’t help but laugh over the “I’m bored” statement by your daughter!! I learned the same lesson from my dad…and yes…passed that one on to my kids!!! Amazing how well that works, huh?!?!
Another thing I did with my kids – when they were fighting….way more than they should…and on my last nerve….they got to do a fun task together….like weeding, or stacking firewood…anything that required a little teamwork to get the task done. Amazing how just the words, “My, how my garden needs weeding?” or “Wow, that firewood sure needs to be moved and stacked?” could make them find a nice solution to their problems!!!! LOL!!!!
Mavis says
Ha! This is awesome. I bet your kids turned out great because of it!
Upstate NYer says
Make sure you label what you canned – on every jar. It is good for others to know what is in your pantry when you are not the one to retrieve the items. (Plus after a few months it all looks the same doesn’t it?)
Mavis Butterfield says
This of course assumes someone else other than me would be retrieving something from the pantry. Ha! My husband doesn’t even know where the dishes are {nor has he ever looked}. 🙂
Butterflyweed says
My kids also learned to never say they were bored around me. As soon as I heard them say it, a toilet scrubber brush was placed in their hands! 😉
Mavis says
Perfect. Did they ever have to actually scrub?
Butterflyweed says
Yup they sure did. I was big on following through with threats. That’s the only way they take you seriously!
Mavis says
Glad to hear and soo true!
Tamara says
I am continually amazed at all you accomplish; WHEN do you clean the floors!?!
Mavis Butterfield says
I sweep every night after dinner. I guess it’s just a habit. Ha!
Jenn in Indiana says
Just the kitchen or the whole downstairs? Just wondering because your wood floors always look great! I have a dog too and the hair drives me nuts, plus children and country living. Sometimes I vacuum the whole main level 2x per day. My husband thinks I just have a “problem”.
Mavis Butterfield says
The whole downstairs. 🙂 Ha!
Earlene says
What was the patterns for rugs or placemats? Needlepoint or hooking??? My favorite zucchini cake is similiar, but with brown sugar and choc chips on top as it bakes. YUM!!!
Chelsea says
Will you share a good canning recipe for salsa when the time comes?? I am hoping my tomatoes will get ripe soon too. 🙂
Mavis says
This one is my favorite! http://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/easy-heirloom-tomato-recipes-rainbow-salsa/