My goals for 2017
Get 7- 8 Hours of Sleep Each Night
I averaged about 6.5 -7 hours of sleep each night this week so I’d say that was pretty good {for me anyway}.
Make Saving a Priority, Not an Idea
- I redeemed 2200 Swagbucks for a $25 gift card to Amazon. {I have redeemed over $2,500+ in gift cards over the past 7 years that I’ve been playing the whole Swagbucks game. So seriously, it does add up.
- I planted another round of zucchini and carrots in the garden boxes.
- Resisted buying sandwich bags, plastic wrap and foil for yet another week.
- Instead of paying a bunch of money for chemicals to get the moss out of our yard {so I can plant some grass seed this summer} I enlisted an idle able-bodied housemate to rake all the moss out. đ Call me crazy, but it seems kind of silly to throw a bunch of chemicals on your lawn only to then turn around and try and grow something {grass seed} a month later.
- Counting down the days until I won’t care about a lawn {or the cost of maintaining it} because I will no longer be living in a HOA community.
- Keep asking myself… Do I need this? A year from now… will I still be happy with this purchase. Is there a way to get it for less money?
- Found $0.12 on the ground. And picked it up. Right in front of my husband. Which makes him crazy.
Live a little
Set off the smoke detector TWICE.
Let’s just say… The HH would not make a good paramedic. He tends to FREAK OUT at things like this {or like when a 5 year old hits the 6 year old in the head on accident with a golf club and blood is gushing everywhere}. And Monkey Boy, he’s a fainter. But me and The Girl? We just calmly saunter over, access the problem and DEAL WITH IT CALMLY and efficiently.
Maybe it’s because we are active women… and blood and vomit and injuries don’t phase us… I don’t know. But there should be a club out there for men who freak out ALL THE TIME over silly stuff. Just sayin’.
Visit 52 REAL Bakeries
Anyone know of a good bakery in Reno, Nevada?
Have 1 “no spend” week each month
I made it through this past week without buying anything! Yee-Haw.
I did however repaint this farmhouse table that I found for $20 at St. Vincent De Paul last week to stage the dining room. Â It originally had a light stain with a bunch scratches on it but it was nothing a few coats of paint couldn’t fix. Patrick O’Malley the Irish realtor said we needed a table in the dining room {we sold our big farmhouse table last fall}, my mom said it would be okay to leave the space blank {so people could imagine a table in the space instead of being hung up on the size of the table in the room}.
But when I spotted this table {that seats 6} I decided to snatch it up. Now I’m wondering if I need to find 6 chairs… or just throw a thing or two on the wall and call it good. What do you think? Also, would you go with green apples or red in the basket?
Start a Line of Rug Hooking Patterns
So far I have 8 rug hooking patterns listed in my Etsy shop with 3 more drawn out but not completed. I’m having a hard time finding time to squeeze some rug hooking in lately but as long as I get 12 patterns done by the end of the year… I’ll be happy.
Turn My Wool Stash into $2,500. Mission Accomplished
This past week I sold another $45.50 worth of goodness in my Etsy shop which brings my total to $4300.32 for the year. I havenât listed anything new in a while {and donât plan to until mid August} so Iâm pleased that I made a little something.
Purge 250 Items Including Selling Larger Items We No Longer Feel We Need
I found the 5 items above plus 3 more in the garage for a total of 212 items to get rid of so far this year. There are still a few things I’m trying to talk the HH into getting rid of and a few things I plan to sneak in at the very end {so you know who doesn’t see them} but I think hitting my goal of 250 items is going to be close. We’ll see.
Learn to Crochet Mission Accomplished
Dote on My Husband Even More Than I Do Now.
Every day people… everyday.
Lose the Muffin Top. {again}
I did really good this week. Probably because I didn’t really leave home or eat pastries. Maybe there’s a connection there.
Wear out {most of} the clothing I already own.
Doing great on this goal. But I must admit I’m feeling like a fashionista lately because I have 2 new {to me} nice dresses to wear to the HH’s work function later this month and I only spent $9.50 for both pieces. They are both well made and a name brand {Ann Taylor and White House Black Market}. I think I could sell them when I’m done wearing them to get my money back, but I think they are both pretty classic dresses and could wear them for the next 5 years so I might keep them.
Try 52 New Recipes
I didn’t try any new recipes last week but I did make a different version of my roasted vegetable frittata recipe.
Read 52 Books
I listened to Homeland and Other Stores on Hoopla {I liked it} and wasted 99 minutes of my life that I can never get back watching The Ticket. Which, by the way was not only slow… but the ending? It really didn’t exist. BOOOOO.
Give Back to 12 Different Organizations in My Community
- January â Donated to Quilts from the Heart in Memory of my brother.
- February â Donated to Empty Bowls Fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club.
- March â Donated to my daughterâs mentor who was in a horrible car accident.
- April â I know what Iâm going to do⌠I just have to do it.
- May â $100 Tip to a waitress on Motherâs day.
- June – Waiting for the right opportunity to pop up.
And then, thereâs those top secret goals weâre not talking about yet.
Secret Goal #1Sell East Coast House Mission AccomplishedSecret Goal #2Chickens! Mission Accomplished- 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.
Leanna Thompson says
Green apples.
Sheila from Alabama says
This is my favorite post you do MavisHome sick from church while my two college age kids accompanied their dad to church. Gotta love good kidsâ¤ď¸ So green apples, yes to chairs but they don’t have to all match just blend well, love the dresses and would definitely keep them, love your charity goals; how about a local animal shelter in honor of princess Lucy? Can’t wait to see what goals 3&4 are!
Peggy Ann in CT says
I say skip the chairs and use green apples.
Sue says
Realtor? Staging? Mavis, are you dropping more hints? Lol
Marcia says
Must be secret #3 or #4?
Mav Hankey says
Green apples and four chairs
Teri says
Green apples. Are you getting ready to put your house on the market??? Good for you Mavis!
Delores says
I would do chairs, but instead of apples and bowl, how about one of your hooked rugs …. so it is kind of like a table runner?
Tami says
I agree with most of the comments above: green apples. This is also my favorite post every week. I really love seeing how you are doing with your goals. I find you so ambitious! Way to go:)
Lynda McCrimmon says
Red apples and no chairs. By the by, I’m sure our husbands were created from the same mold.
Laura says
Green apples, couple of chairs. I would rotate the table the other direction because it looks tight against the wall, especially if you have chairs. Not the impression you want to make.
Also, keep the dresses for ages as they are beautiful and classic. Will look good for a decade or more. Please share the Reno bakery as we are going through there on our way home from taking the oldest to his freshman year in college. I will need to drown my sorrows in some good pastries. Lol.
Andrea says
So, it isn’t in Reno, but if your in Reno anyway I strongly recommend taking the time to visit Lake Tahoe. The best bakery I have ever been is in Tahoe City called Tahoe House Bakery. Their Almond Biscotti is soooo good đ
Susan says
The Seattle Craigslist has tables like this all the time, so that might be a good place to find matching chairs cheap. I agree you only need four chairs for staging.
Ilene says
Green apples, chairs too.
did you try turning the table so that the width is perpendicular to the door opening – it might make the room seem larger and won’t look like its blocking the entry…
Kimberly says
I’d say green apples. Yes definitely chairs-otherwise people will be wondering why you have a table and no chairs (or maybe that’s just me-I tend to fixate on weird things). I feel strange suggesting it, but if you are still looking for a donating opportunity for the month, one of my former high school classmates was diagnosed with Steroid-responsive encephalopathy with associated thyroiditis (SREAT) and he and his young family are facing huge medical costs as well as him being off of work for an extended time. https://www.youcaring.com/brittanyandclintposselt-849769
Brianna says
Red apples are studious to me, green apples are tart and contrasting and more impressionable. You could do a simple bench on both long sides of the table and two captain cozy chairs on the end. It would visually elongate a space and staged right can make it feel like a large dining room to accommodate a gathering of people. I think you are suppose to have 36″ from the chair to wall for walking space.
Rebekah U says
Green apples or lemons… Turn the table like someone else stated. I think you can get away without chairs – but only two if you must… unless you find them for almost NOTHING. This too is my absolute favorite post of the week. I cannot stand HOA neighborhoods, and I HOPE that your hints mean that one of your secret plans means you are bustin’ loose soon! đ And please – for the sake of your future grandkids – SAVE the House at Pooh Corner book!!!
Deborah says
Why not use mixed fruit? Chairs, yes, or maybe the benches like someone suggested. The dresses? Keep them. Try to find a short sleeved jacket to match them and you have more than two outfits. Also, excessories are a must. Try different ones with the outfits.
PollyS says
You’re coming to Reno? I live 45 minutes away. Is it stalkerish to say I’d love to meet you?
If you’re up to meeting a fan, let me know!
MEM says
I’ll chime in. Rotate the table and have at least two chairs. If it has to be apples I would say green. And keep the dresses – they are classic styles and patterns and you have the figure to wear them well!
Johanne says
Definitely green apples and at least 4 chairs that may or may not match. Last year my house sold the first day because the family could see themselves having Sunday dinner with the grandchildren. I love how your life is an open book.
wendy says
Green apples, no chairs. The dresses are lovely and I would keep them. Btw, when are you going to finally give your gift for April? We are kinda Type A and you skipping it has made us crazy! lol
Katherine says
We sold our former home last year receiving a contract for our asking price in less than 24 hours of listing even though there was an almost identical house in the neighborhood listed for a bit less. Our home was empty but after we moved out we had it professionally cleaned, then painted each room with off white paint and had new new carpet installed on the stairs and in the bedrooms. The other house was professionally staged and looked gorgeous in the photos we saw. At closing the couple (in their early 30’s) told us that they went for our house over the other one because it felt so big and airy and the fact that it was empty that enabled them to envision their own things in the home.
My point is, staging can be a distraction.
gina says
Green Apples OR Lemons or Green Apples AND Lemons gets my vote Your table looks lovely, btw!
Tammy says
For staging, I’d definitely have at least four chairs with the table. And I like the suggestion to turn the table the other way for the flow of the room. When we bought our house, the previous owners staged the dining room with a table-cloth covered round card table and metal folding chairs. It doesn’t have to be fancy (I don’t suggest metal folding chairs though!) but I think chairs would help your staging efforts.
dagnar kravitz says
Reno bakeries? Homage is one you may wish to consider!
Trisha says
Oh my gosh Mavis!!!! Can I buy that Winnie the Pooh book from you?!?!? I am serious!!!! I am willing to pay shipping too!
Jennifer says
Green apples and/or lemons sound great. Keep them dresses! No opinion on the chairs, except that you should have your realtor chime in. I’m prepping to sell in the SF area. At our price point (which is insane!) our realtor says we have to “stage to the nines” because most buyers lack vision. He said we would essentially be losing money if we don’t stage professionally.
Beth says
Homage bakery in Reno is delicious but the short trip to Carson City is well worth it to visit LA Bakery or Schatt’s. And same as Polly S, I’m a fan that would love to meet you! Group get together at the bakery?
Suzy says
World Refugee Day is tomorrow… that’s a cause that’s close to my heart, after spending a good chunk of the last 2 years leading our organization’s refugee response in Europe. Even though it’s largely fallen off the media’s radar, the situation in Greece is still dire. A 6.3 earthquake on Lesvos last week added to the chaos.
My Greek friends would say the best way you could help is to take a vacation to Lesvos and blog about it. Beautiful island, hospitable people who have done more for refugees over the last two years than we can begin to imagine!
World Relief has a resettlement program in Seattle if you’re more inclined to give locally. (I’m not affiliated, just appreciate their work.)
Amy says
Have chairs — you want the buyers to have a nice place to sit down when they fill out the paperwork on the spot when they decide to buy your house.
Melanie says
Can you borrow chairs from other areas of the house? For example, do you have extra chairs at your kitchen table or desk area? Also, do you perhaps have a friend you can borrow chairs from? You’d be surprised what people have stored in their basements, garages, or *gasp* storage units. Like you, I don’t like to spend money unless I absolutely have to.
Have a merry Monday! đ
Judy says
I’d say Skip the chairs, Green Apples
Mavis why did you sell your East Coast home!!?? I thought the plan was to move there?? are these homes investments!!?? Curious minds want to know. LOL
I think a fund in Lucy’s name would be a good charity. đ
Heidi says
If the lawn is mossy, it’s because the soil is too acidic. Result of PNW cedar and fir trees and all the rain washing all of the sweet out of the soil. An inexpensive bag of lime every year is the way to go. Do it each fall and you will greatly reduce the moss.
Amy says
If you’ll be listing the house in the fall, what about pomegranates? They seem a little more exotic and “expensive”?! Thanks for letting us chime in, Mavis! You rock. đ