Final Summer To-Do List Update

Sigh...now that I have been teaching for four weeks, I think I finally need to admit that summer is over. Honestly, though, this is the first time I really have had time to think about summer being over. My school year is off to a great start (my students are better behaved and working harder than ever before--thank you, Common Core), but it has been BUSY.

Here are the last few things I got done this summer (more or less):

• Finish decorating the laundry room, thanks in part to these lovely printables from View Along The Way (#13)
• Created a cool "ohana" sign for the Hamel family portrait session and spent about 45 minutes changing me and my son in and out of our street clothes, family t-shirt one, and family t-shirt two (#37)
• Made good use of the well-loved yard clippers, lopers, and garden shears my dad gifted to me--and goodness knows I love (almost) anything secondhand! (#46 & 47)
• Decided to go a different direction in our tiny entryway and nixed the family photo monogram project (#54 & 55)
• Finally surrendered the keys to the church building's nursery cabinets (nearly four months after I received a new calling), simultaneously releasing myself from ever doing a full reveal of the very cute Moon Valley Ward nursery--sometimes you just need to let it go (#59)
• Finally pulled the trigger and ordered a tripod, remote, and extra battery for my camera as my birthday gifts from my dad (FYI: I turned thirty in April) (#68)
• Relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed myself all summer long (#71)

What I learned this summer:

Honestly, I couldn't be happier with the choices I made this summer. When school started again, I was actually happy to start teaching. Although I worked hard all summer, I felt well-rested, centered, and relaxed. For me, keeping a project-centered life still makes the most sense, and this to-do list and these periodic updates were the best possible way to keep my summer on track.

Now what am I going to do for the other four seasons?

Summer To-Do List Update #3

I am so proud of myself right now. Summer is nearing its end (for me, anyway), and I know I have accomplished so much! Writing my to-do list back in June was the one of the smartest things I've done recently, and that's saying something (not that I'm one to brag).

After reading a friend's goals for July, I realized my focus needed to be the "less-fun" items on my to-do list. Since I mentioned that on her blog, it made it much easier for me to stay motivated and follow-through on some nagging items from the list. Of course, I made sure to leave plenty of time for the fun options as well.

Here is what I have been up to since my last update:

• Went camping in northern Arizona with my son and husband (#35)
• Repaired two dry-wall holes (#6)
• Repaired holes in the pantry and my son's bedroom doors (#7)
• Designed and hung gallery wall in family room, although I can't paint the frames until it cools off (#10)
• Nearly finished Brannon's fourth Shutterfly book (#30)
• Hung bath photos of Brannon to finish his bathroom (#3)
• Bought the hardware and other supplies for my clothesline (#12)
• Wrote & posted a lengthy DIY bulletin board tutorial (a bit of #14 and #71 combined)
• Made & hung an awesome and almost-entirely-handmade wreath for my front door (#24)
• Decided not to sign Brannon up for swim classes this summer--which still counts (#26)
• Continued do kid-pins with Brannon, even while camping (#27)
• Finished reading The Bean Trees so I can complete a text-analysis on it (#34)
• Chose a date for our family photo session and procured cardboard for the "ohana" sign I plan to make for it (#37)
• Helped my husband kick-off Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet, which he definitely appreciated (#31)
• Read The Perks of Being a Wallflower (#33)
• Reviewed a few letters with Brannon--he knows more than I realized (#38)
• Completed 3-4 projects from my project drawer (#57)
• Deep-cleaned shower and tub stalls, although I still need to tackle the shower doors (#63)
• Visited my dad (#69)
• Nagged my husband to take care of our NSP residence verification (#66)
• Made a decision about my birthday gift from my dad, but I haven't taken action on it just yet (#68)
• Tried lots of new recipes, including this delicious gluten- and dairy-free coconut ice cream (#32)

Quite the list, am I right?

PS: Literally while I was typing this, my husband brought me my back-to-school letter from my boss: Monday, August 5 is my report date. I told you summer was ending!

Summer To-Do List Update #2

Hooray! I am finally done with summer workshops, which means I have more time to myself and my to-do list. Of course, I do still have a munchkin running around, and we have to pick up my husband at 2pm each day, so it's not like my time is totally unlimited.

I am enjoying the extra time around the house, and Brannon and I have spent a lot of quality time together. It is true that he slows me down, but I think it is easier to enjoy the moment at a slower pace. I love that he is participating in my summer to-list items--sometimes as a spectator, and sometimes as a helper. I think my favorite part is the interest he has taken in crafting and cooking. Well, I call it "crafting," but really it amounts to cutting up construction paper and gluing it in random ways.

Here is what I have accomplished since my last update:

• Bought the fabric for Brannon's new bed quilt (#8)
• Made a DIY bulletin board out of an old IKEA frame & hung it in the kitchen for displaying Brannon's artwork (#9)
• Ran into Stephanie twice at her summer jobs, but I don't think this counts as "hanging out" (#50)
• Used my Gap gift card--with 80 cents to spare (#38)
• Made Father's Day gifts (#65)
• Finally made my mom's jewelry set, and I can't wait to give it to her (#40)
• Got back on the weekly-gratitude-and-Everyday-Celiac-posts wagon, and I plan to continue (#58) (see here and here)
• Sent the HTML Pinterest code to Kim of Work Your Wardrobe (#51)
• Deep cleaned my son's carpet (twice) and the recliner in his room--it smells much better (#45)
• Tried to hang spice racks, but we need different hardware (#61)
• Visited my dad briefly, but I need to see him more (#69)
• Bought Brannon and his cousin matching outfits for the family photo session (#37)
• Tried new recipes and dishes, and already planning to try more (#32)
• Looked into swim classes for Brannon, but I may put it off until next summer (#26)
• Relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed myself in a variety of ways! (#71)

Wow, I accomplished a lot more than I thought. That's what I love about to-do lists--they keep you on task AND show you how much you have done. For me, it's almost always more than I thought!

Who doesn't love a sense of accomplishment?!

Sick Day #2 To-Do List

I am feeling much better today, yet I am spending even more time in front of the computer than I did yesterday. Unacceptable! Here is another to-do list to give me some direction.

1. Clean toilets & sinks
2. Do laundry...again
3. Sweep floors
4. Mop floors?
5. Change pillowcases
6. Disinfect and make Brannon's bed
7. Disinfect kitchen...again
8. Work on my fish sketch
9. Read

Three things to note:

• Some of these items were carried over from my last to-do list. I'm okay with that.
• Occasionally, my to-do lists function more as a "have you thought about doing" list than anything else--inspiration rather than obligation. This is definitely that type of to-do list.
• I love this picture of Brannon, even if it is 2-3 years old. It always reminds me of our great times in the old neighborhood park.

My Saturday To-Do List

This is supposed to be a "cleaning frenzy" weekend, but I am having a little trouble getting started (it is nearly 1pm on Saturday, after all). I thought I would give myself a kick-start by publishing my to-do list:

1. Fold & put away laundry
2. Change sheets & make beds
3. Empty & reload dishwasher
4. Wipe tabletops & counters
5. Sweep and mop floors
6. Clean toilets & sinks
7. Vacuum rug
8. Blog post for GF2: The Everyday Celiac
9. Update "20 Things" blog posts pictures