My 14 Goals for 2020
Goal #1 – Take Full Advantage of Having My Husband Home 24/7
We went to the movies with our neighbors {and some of their friends} and the girls saw Little Women and the boys went to 1917. If you haven’t seen Little Women yet… GO!!! The movie was PERFECT in every way. A 10 out of 10 if you ask me.
I don’t think I’ll be going to a movie theater again for a very long time though. I just can’t handle the seats. The last movie I saw in a theater was Bridget Jones and well, movie theater seats have changed considerably since them. If I wanted to lay down while I was watching a movie, I’d rather do it in the privacy of my own home with my pajamas on and a pillow and the remote nearby so I could hit the pause button and make a cup of tea or use the loo.
Sitting was uncomfortable and since there wasn’t an option to sit fully upright, I think I’d rather stay home and watch Netflix. The movie was great though, and I am already looking forward to watching it again when it comes out on either Amazon Prime or Netflix.
Goal #2 – Take Better Care of Myself.
Mrs. HB texted me a photo of herself doing laundry with a bag hanging around her neck, and I sent back a picture of me in my jammies. This was at 3 pm my time, 12 pm hers. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Goal #3 – Get Organized
In an effort to get more organized, I have decided to have “theme weeks” for the next 6 weeks in hopes it will help me not only be able to carve out time to hook, but also to complete some house projects as well. After all, the goal is to have the inside of the house pretty much done before gardening season starts {which can be anytime between late April to mid May depending on when the ground has totally thawed}.
- January 12th -18th – Hooking and Pottery
- January 19th – 25th – Paint and Make Shades for the lime green room {that will soon be white}
- January 26th – January 31st – Finish up new offerings for my February 7th Etsy Shop update.
- February 1st – 7th – Dye Wool
- February 8th – 14th – Kitchen Backsplash and Fixtures
- February 15th – Hooking and Pottery
Goal #4 – Get Proper Window Coverings on All Our Windows.
Note to self: Go around and count all the windows still without shades.
Goal #5 – Master Bedroom Make Over
I’m planning on working on the bedroom makeover for late February. First I need to finish with cutting all the wool I ordered, pack up the folding tables and then I’ll paint the walls and start researching what to do about refinishing the hardwood floors.
Current Kitchen {before the makeover}.
My last kitchen {and probably my favorite}.
The HOA kitchen {before}.
And after.
And the kitchen before that {when I started the blog 11 years ago}.
Goal #6 – Kitchen Update
We’ll get there, I know. But I think the planning stage is my least favorite when it comes to home makeovers. All the second guessing and the finalizing of details, and really trying to figure out the best look for a particular house can be draining. And then there’s the actual doing of the work and then the chaos.
I think if I could come up with some sort of schedule where I could block off two entire weeks to concentrate on nothing other than painting, re-doing the kitchen, creating the artwork for the walls and finding the right furniture for the space and just going for it, things would be easier. It’s just that getting started part that’s a killer.
Goal #7 – Install Vegetable Garden
He bought the drone! Maybe by my next update he will have figured out how to use the thing and you can help me come up with some garden plot ideas.
Goal #8 – Explore More of Maine
On the radar for exploring Maine this month:
A ferry ride to Isleboro, Maine {anyone been there?}Done!- Maine Mineral & Gem Museum in Bethel, Maine
Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, MaineDone!
Goal #9 – Host Some Sort of Get Together
While we didn’t host a get together this past week {and probably won’t until the kitchen is done} we did attend a potluck. The HH made a Caprese Salad and I made a Chocolate Brownie Cake with Chocolate Icing.
Goal #10 – Read/Listen to 12 Books
I didn’t read any books this week but we did hang out in the reading room at our local library to get caught up on our favorite magazines. Would you believe our library has a real, wood burning fireplace going in the winter!? How cool is that?
Goal #11 – Learn A New Skill or Craft
Need to get with my buddy Heather on this one. She’s usually up for anything.
Goal #12 – Visit 12 Museums, Historical Homes or Botanical Gardens
January – Maine Maritime Museum
Goal # 13 – Reach 5,000 Etsy Sales by the End of The Year
As of this morning, I have made 2,878 sales on Etsy. That’s up from 2804 on January 1st. I also dyed some more wool last week and will add that to the shop in a day or two.
Goal #14 – Once a Month Menu Planning {for 2}
Last week I came up with a meal plan that I think will work for our family. I’m excited to show you the foods we {okay, the HH} made, and to share an idea that I think might help people who are at that same stage of life we are.
Ahh Sunday. I hope it’s a good one. Rain and all. 🙂
~Mavis
Have YOU made any goals for this year? If so, DO TELL! We all want to hear about them.
Nancy says
I’m with you on the movie theater seats! Especially as someone under 5 feet tall, reclining seats are very uncomfortable.
Christa H. says
I agree with the movie seats. Also now that many theaters have assigned seats, I can’t get away from people who think it is ok to wear strong smelling perfume/cologne/powder which makes me sick and sometimes I will break out in hives. At least in other places I can get up and move when scents bother me.
Curious- do you sell more stacks of dyed wool or kits? Both are lovely.
Ramona says
I don’t mind movie theater seats, I also have short legs and don’t reach the floor when sitting. I also have big issues with people that wear perfumed lotions, perfumes and even their clothes that smell like drier sheets. I get headaches and my lips start to tingle. I know it sounds weird but I’m glad I’m not the only one that deals with this when in public places.
Christa H. says
Yes- I get migraines if it’s really strong. It’s so bad now that my students can’t put anything on inside my classroom and can’t come in smelling like a tornado of perfume/cologne. If they do, they have to leave. My chemical sensitivity is so bad now that I have an epi pen too after I was in the emergency room once when my nose swelled way up. That was scary. DH thought I was going to die it happened so fast. I know a lot of people with these issues.
Sorry you suffer too.
Kathleen says
Loved “Little Women” , I can’t wait to see it again ! I went to my little local theater with regular seats, matinee was $5 !
I’m jealous of the wood burning fireplace at your library , we have a gas fireplace at ours and while it is really nice it’s just not the same. Of course, I am to busy working at our library to get the time to enjoy it …lol !
Have a great week !
Christa H. says
Week 2 of 52:
1. Do things to support the local birds, butterflies, and my bees- need to put up a gifted blue bird house soon
2. Start seedlings with my grow lights and plant a pollinator garden- put two 4-foot grow lights up and ordered a third. Need to order heat mats. Bought 12 seed trays and 5.9-inch thick plastic plant markers. Ordered a ton of fresh seeds from Baker’s Creek and Eden Brothers.
3. Continue learning about beekeeping to support my hives- thinking of taking a certification course
4. Start vermicomposting again to support my garden- bought some coco coir to use
5. Help my rescue cats live their best lives- (Lizzie-12, Mr. Darcy- 7, Mr. Bingley-3, Lucy-3)
Lizzie is our favorite pet of all time. She is very loving and likes to give hugs and kisses. She is fragile for her age and has a few health issues.
Mr. Darcy is very healthy and is in love with Lucy.
Mr. Bingley was recently diagnosed with an advancing heart murmur. I was told he would have a short life even on medication. He has a heart ultrasound scheduled in April. We got him January 2019 when we were told he might not be adoptable because he was so scared of everyone and everything. I have worked with him a lot and he has come a long way. We think he had severe PTSD.
Lucy is Mr. Bingley’s sister and she is healthy and spunky. She loves Mr. Darcy.
6. Design or carve an address stamp for holiday mail- we received a lovely Christmas card and the envelope had a beautiful return address stamp and a wax seal. It inspired me to design one.
7. Do something with the postage stamps I collect from our mail- I have been collecting the stamps from our mail since 2001. I have a jar of American flag stamps and a second jar with all the other stamps. I only keep the stamps we receive. I am thinking of using them as the background in a painting using transparent paint.
8. Practice wood burning crafting- I bought a Razertip SK 10 amp pyrography burner years ago that I never used. I am planning on wood burning some art on the spinning gourds I grew several years ago and turn them into ornaments.
9. Reframe old stitchery- I did cross-stitch back in the 90’s and some of the items would look nice in an updated frame and matting to match our modern farmhouse.
10. Make some holiday crafts/art to display- I would like something in the hallway bathroom and above the kitchen sink
11. Complete or give away my ornament craft stash- I have a small box of unpainted/incomplete ornaments that I would like to finish. I will give away the ones that I don’t care for anymore.
12. Beautifully wrap and personalize all presents- I hate to wrap presents. My step kids wrap beautiful gifts so I am going to try to make mine look nice.
13. Try 20 new food items- bought cape gooseberries and buddha’s hand so far
14. Clean out magazine stash and tear out recipes I want to keep
15. Do something for my health and/or husband’s health- got him started on Noom and he’s talking about it everyday; made healthy tuna/cucumber/red bell pepper/olive salad, a healthy stir-fry, and several lettuce salads for dinner. He is going shopping with me today to pick out items he wants for lunch.
Mel says
Congratulations on your bluebird box! I’ve helped maintain bluebird trails for our county for quite a while now, and it’s always so much fun. Let me know if you want some pointers!
Mary Ann says
I would love some pointers! We had a blue bird box in the front yard, kind of back in the corner between the garage and front of the house, but about 5 feet from the walls, which the blue birds used for multiple clutches every year for a while. Then, last year they looked, but didn’t nest. I checked the box and found that the wood was starting to rot, so I replaced it, but so far, no lookers.
We’re in Southern California… Orange County. I had never seen blue birds in my neighborhood all my life until these that began coming close to a decade ago, after the box had been in my yard for several years. I have been in this neighborhood since 1963 (with the exception of a few years in Massachusetts and a few in Huntington Beach, where I also never saw blue birds).
Mel says
Sometimes they get fickle or find a location they like better, so you may not see them every year, and it may have more to do with food/water or predators than the actual box or location, but there are some things you can do to up the odds:
1. They like to be 10-15 feet out from the treeline, facing into an open (preferably grassy) area. I’ve had them accept houses 10-15 feet out from a fenceline, so it doesn’t necessarily have to be trees if you don’t have woods, but that’s usually their preference. You can put two houses relatively close together (10-20 feet apart) to give them more options or maybe attract two nesting pairs. Sometimes, you may get a tree swallow pair in one box and bluebirds in the other (they get along well).
2. Check the box once a week. If you see a nest of coarse twigs instead of finer twigs or grasses, remove it–it’s a house sparrow. If you remove a house sparrow nest, the sparrow will get discouraged and find another place to nest. If you leave it, house sparrows sometimes kill bluebirds, so it’s better to kick them out. You can continue checking the box each week even once there are eggs. Tap the side of the box a couple of times to let them know you’re opening it, and then carefully open the side and look in. We use a small dental mirror to see into the nest. You may get dive bombed by the parents, but they don’t really care.
3. Use a predator baffle. Snakes and raccoons are no joke. If you have the house on a pole, you can also spray the pole with WD-40 to make it too slick to climb, but you have to do that every week.
4. Provide food and water. A water bubbler in a bird bath and a suet feeder are good choices. They theoretically like meal worms as well, but I’ve personally never had them go to a meal worm feeder. You can also encourage their natural food sources: do not spray for insects, periodically turn leaf piles and compost to expose bugs, let your grass grow a bit longer, plant the berry varieties they like (for west coast, I think juniper? maybe others), etc.
I hope this helps!
Christa H. says
Yes please- this is new to me!! We do have all kinds of critters in the forest and we have a beaver dam along our property too.
Mel says
Sure thing! I just responded to Mary Ann above, so you can look there for the general comments once it posts.
I would avoid putting the box on a tree just because trees are hard to predator-proof. Bluebirds also like to be a bit out from the treeline, so they might reject it for that reason (although, I’ve had them nest there when facing an open field, so it’s not out of the question). If you go with a pole kit, you can buy a “universal bird house pole kit” (look on Amazon) which will have a bracket to screw into the house. Some kits also include predator baffles. The pole also lets you play with location a bit more easily to find something they like.
And I totally relate to the cats as children thing–we have a cat who I swear is more toddler than cat!
Christa H. says
Thank you Mel!! I appreciate the info. I will look into the items you mentioned to purchase as I don’t want them to get attacked! I didn’t know about the sparrow thing either. I’m in NC.
Thank you!!
Christa H. says
Also the blue bird box doesn’t have a hanger on the back. I was thinking of putting it on a tree but not sure. It’s red cedar and the front opens to clean it out.
Sheila says
I really enjoyed reading your comment Christa. I enjoyed reading about your cats even though we are dog people lol!
Christa H. says
Thank you- my cats are like my children. Love them so much!! I had a dog growing up but can’t now due to allergies.
UpstateNYer says
Have you considered to Modge Podge the stamps on a canvas and frame them for display ?
Christa H. says
Yes- was going to use a matt medium to stick them to the canvas and then more on top to seal them in but I wanted to do something a little bit more like a see through painting on top or something. I might experiment with something first before I use up my stash!!
Deborah says
Mavis, I love your new kitchen, but can’t wait to se the re-do. It looks like it’s big. Ours is on the small side, with the breakfast room attached. And the laundry room is in the dining room along with the water heater. I’ve been wanting to remodel for 25 years. I want the island/table area. I know how I want it to look, it’s just getting hubby to agree and getting it done.
Mel says
Oh, I feel for Mrs. HB with the doing chores while injured. I only broke one finger, but the splint made my entire right hand useless. The three weeks of healing felt like a lifetime.
1. HEALTH: I knocked out a dentist appointment and have kept up with hydration, relaxation and running. I need to do a bit better with skincare (our weather keeps changing). I only lost half a pound this week, but I’m eating super well and feel loads better, so I’m not really concerned with that.
2. HOLIDAYS: I want to learn to carve springerle cookie molds to give as gifts. I also need to reorganize our holiday stuff so it’s easier to decorate. (These are probably summer goals, although I’ll be packing up the Christmas stuff today.)
3. COOKING: I was going to make brioche this weekend, but my husband was sick, so I made honey oatmeal bread for toast and sandwiches. I still need to try making yogurt and our own spice mixes.
4. HOUSEWORK: I’ve kept up with laundry, but it would be easier if I did a load or two during the week. I’m reserving Spring Break for a deep clean, and I still need to reupholster our living room ottoman.
5. SEWING: No sewing this week, but I got some fabric for my other skirt. The Valentine’s bags are probably the most pressing.
6. DIGITAL STUFF: I made some more progress on one of my Kindle books, but I haven’t gotten to organizing photos and Pinterest boards.
Diane says
What color did you paint the walls in the HOA picture? It looks like a nice, soft neutral and shows off the white woodwork. You wouldn’t want to do something like that in your new house? It sounds like you’re painting all the walls white.
Mavis Butterfield says
I always used Hopsack paint color by Valspar in the past but for this house, I am going all white because it’s so small and there are so many windows and I want whatever I put on the walls to pop.
tia in boise says
20 for ’20–only sharing any goals I’ve worked on….
3. Cut back on sweets: went the entire week without sweets–despite the fact that there were donuts, cakes, and candies in the staff lounge All. Week. Long! Also a parent sent in a giant sack of candy that she wanted out of the house. I held out for Friday date night (Blaze pizza and free Cheesecake Factory cheesecake) and found that if I tell myself I will get something, that gives me enough willpower to deny myself something.
4. Soda only on pizza night–same as above–I had cherry Coke with pizza. Am coming down with a cold so am allowing myself some Sprite, but I figure that’s still better than cola!
7. Go on 20 dates with DH–pizza night!
8. Lose 20 pounds–have lost 5 pounds–from just cutting back a bit on breads, avoiding soda and sweets, and drinking more water. I had no idea how often I was reaching for a sweet until I started denying them. Realized that after dinner is a trigger.
9. Exercise 20 minutes every day.–done pretty well. If I can get out of school by 4, I can get home and change into warm gear and go for a quick walk before dinner–couple times I jogged part of my walk–big deal because I rolled and sprained my ankle end of August and have avoided running. Doing fine. Ankle still slightly messed up–will see doctor this week so maybe news…
10. Make 20 new recipes–crunchy chicken nuggets. (chicken breast chunks, dipped in garlic butter, rolled in crushed pork rinds, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning)–yum! Will make again! 2 recipes down.
12. Never be without water–this goal was made for the work week–if I don’t have a cup/mug….of water nearby at school, I won’t drink it. Took a large mug a student had given me for Christmas and filled it with ice water in AM. Every break I replenished the ice–yea, me! Now to drink more water at home…
13. In bed by 11:00 on weeknights. hmmmmm…not done too great a job on this one…but at least I’ve had it in mind…
16. Classroom: Stay focused and leave by 4:00 each day. I changed this one up from a slightly different goal that was NOT going to work. Monday was rough and Tuesday was also a challenge–being first days back after break–but by Wednesday I had it down! I am definitely working on using my morning time better and being more efficient any free time I get.
17. Stop swearing–discovered this was a much-needed goal–have done pretty well–have caught myself many times and used substitute words–I think this was actually an easy habit to change. I’m surprised.
18. Complete Book Nerd Challenge–50 books–I changed up this goal from 20 books (which was laughably easy) to this more lofty goal, which will be challenging because it is a list of specific types of books–some I’m not looking forward to but which I hope will be enjoyable nonetheless. Haven’t started/finished a book since New Year’s.
19. Track found money and items and freebies. Changing this goal to NOT keeping track of freebies–I get it–I look out for deals and have apps and use coupons and I get free stuff pretty much on a weekly basis. I scored 8 Chapsticks yesterday with Wags Cash. But it’s too much of a hassle and not enjoyable, so I’ll only be tracking found $–which I get such a delight out of! I’ve tracked found money the past 3 years–it’s usually $6-8 a year. So far this year I’ve found a dime and a penny. So $.11 in 2020.
20. Put stuff away once used–each day. I have been doing a good job at school and a 50/50 job at home. I’ve given myself permission to pick up better after I’m over this cold.
Tracy L. says
Hi tia in boise.
I’d like to try your chicken nugget recipe. Did you bake them? For how long and at what temperature?
Thanks!
tia in boise says
sorry I didn’t see this earlier! the recipe I followed is here: https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/parmesan_chicken/
(I think my DH had me cook them for a few minutes longer—some pieces were a little thicker)
Connie says
Cooking for 2 is a challenge. I freeze things and we eat leftovers. We rarely ear out too. I am looking forward to hearing how you have handled the adjustment
Michelle says
We’ve been empty nesters for 5 years and I still cook for 4 !
Lolly says
I took my kids this past week to see Little Women!!! I looooooved it! Told my dd that this was the first time I truly understood that Jo and Laurie weren’t meant to be, lol! Prolly cause I’m older and wiser?! 😉 I did boohoo. I always boohooed when I read the book! Wish they had done more to show Jo and Prof Baehr’s relationship….
We had regular theater seats for Little Women, but had the reclining seats for star wars. The seats hot me wrong, prolly cause they were designed for 6’ tall men, vs a 5’5” woman! I also sit with my leg up….which always pushes the button and makes me recline more. Kinda annoying.
Lol, recliners might’ve been more fun as teens….smooching….ahem. 😉
Linda Sand says
Friends taught us a phrase that has become popular with us. She said we should do this and he replied, “Is that the singular we?” Now I plan meals and DH makes them and that’s how “we” cook.
UpstateNYer says
Tip for your injured friend: Backpacks are a great helper when using crutches.
Peggy says
Little Women was great! I saw it with my daughter over Christmas break.
Lolly says
What’s funny is that when I got married, I was used to the portions I/mom would cook for my family…of 6. So when it was just dh and I, we had crazy leftovers. Thankfully I married a man who loves leftovers, lol! So one day’s dinner became lunch for the next couple of days. I wish I could say I was good with those leftovers that we froze, but back then I wasn’t.
Now, as a family of 4, I cook as though we have 8-10 people, instead!! Lol! But I DO try to make plenty for dinner (plus seconds….dh runs for MILES everyday, and both kids are teens!), and then plenty for the next day’s lunch. And I do freezer meals, too….and/or I cook for other people when they need meals….and my bff’s family has 7, sometimes 10, and we usually share a meal at least once a week. Lol, when these kids leave the house, I have a feeling that it will be QUITE the adjustment back to just cooking for two!!!
(When I make chili anymore, it’s two huuuge pots of it….I don’t play around, hehehe!!!)
Kimberly says
Over 13 month period of time, I spent 7 months on crutches (don’t ask). Tell Mrs HB to use a backpack and an apron with lots of pockets. I traveled everywhere in my house with those two things. Works wonders
Jessica says
I RECOGNIZE THOSE P.J’s. I’m literally wearing the bottoms right now. My Mother-In_Law bought me those SAME ones for Christmas. So, I’m pretty much celebrity status now. We’re basically twins. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
Mrs. HB has them too! They are so warm I love them.
Katie says
I’m at the library just about weekly and I don’t think I’ve ever thought of going to hang out and read some magazines. I love getting magazines and reading them, but then I just throw them out if there’s nothing I want to save. That’s always bothered me. But I think I might try this soon!
Heather says
Definitely interested in seeing your meal plan. We are semi in a rut when it comes to food. I actually like cooking enough so we have leftovers – means I don’t have to think about what we are having every night. Our recently married daughter would probably like to see it too.