Once again, I'm part way through a weekend, and not nearly where I ought to be. I need to take another look at my scheduling, and possibly re-evaluate what I think I can get done. Well, I also need to start getting better about doing things in the evening after work! At the very least I should be working on my sewing projects. I've pinned together a few things, but I think I'm going to have to do better than that. For one thing, I have fabric and "stuff" all over the dining room table. I need to concentrate on all the projects that need to be cut out so I can (1) clear off the table, and (2) be able to sit and sew in the evenings.
Since I flipped my original schedule a bit, this weekend was "my" room. I still haven't finished last weekend's work; but all I really need to do at this point is hang a few more pictures. That will probably happen today. The guest room will have to be straightened again since it was used this weekend, but that won't take long. This room still needs a bit of work. All the pictures are done. There's a tiny pile of stuff to figure out where it lives. And, I still have to dust the ceiling fan and vacuum.
What worries me most is that I am farther behind on sewing projects than I wanted to be. Also, I had planned to do a little printing each weekend so that some projects would be done on time. Unfortunately, I forgot to count on having enough ink. So, the printing will wait until next month. Still, that is also an evening job that I can get done easily. The point is to actually do it and not wait until the last minute!
I do need to rethink gifts. There is no way I'm going to get something (quilting) done for everyone. Besides the time factor, the budget doesn't allow for buying much fabric. I have tons of fabric; but it's mostly small pieces. And while most of it is things I love, that doesn't mean it will translate into something to give someone that they will love!
Next weekend, as far as I know right now, I have no "special" plans. Things tend to come up at the last minute, but I'll deal with that if I have to. The next project up is the living room. Right now, the only thing that room needs is a good cleaning - dust all the pictures and knic-knacs and fan, and vacuum. So I should be able to get that done as well as the "usual" first of the month shopping and such. Any day I have to run errands means it's going to be hard to get cleaning chores done.
Later today I will take a few pictures to post. I like the idea of "vignettes" ... little areas that look great, without seeing the "whole room"! LOL!!
I'm wondering, too, if I'm writing all this out to keep a record for myself ... or if there's anyone who actually reads it. I don't exactly "advertise"; but the link is in my signature on all my emails. I'm just curious ... so if anyone does read this, I'd greatly appreciate it if you'd leave me a comment! Thanks! :)
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Week Three, July 2009
I'm half way through the third weekend. I'm not as far along as I'd like to be; but much farther then I'd be if I didn't have a schedule to go by. I switched areas: this weekend I'm tackling the bedroom and hall, and next will be "my" room. I had several reasons, but the only "important" one is that I can easily let the hall and bedroom slide over into next weekend to finish if I need to. Actually, there's not as much to do as I was afraid of. Jimmy has tackled some of the clutter. I won't be touching any of his shelves, so there's only one major "hot spot" to do. And I can't do that one without him, as it's all his junk to be sorted.
I've gotten all but one of the hall shelves sorted. I just need to dust and replace pictures, and then finish dusting the whole unit. After that, it's just the dusting (ceilings and baseboards too) and vacuum.
Probably someday I'll pull all the books off the shelves and really organize then. Well, maybe. LOL! That's a major job ... we have SO many books. They should be better organized so that we remember what we've got and can reference them more often. It would, for example, be a lot more fun to look up and try recipes than to dust bookshelves.
I'm not nearly as far along with the quilting projects as I need to be. I've really got to start pushing myself in evenings to do that. I do have all the blocks completed for the one that's about 3 years overdue ... and have started cutting backing and batting blocks. There's another that's 2 years overdue that I need to finish cutting blocks. And I have several totes and Christmas fabric table toppers that only need to be finished.
Most of my Christmas this year will be homemade goodies (cookies, breads & jams, candy) in some nice glass dishes (that I've stocked up on when I got some SUPER bargains). I should have already started getting cookie dough in the freezer, so I'm behind on that too.
I got started on one cute Advent project ... but reached a stopping point because I'm out of gold spray paint.
I will really work hard today at actually FINISHING something!!!
I've gotten all but one of the hall shelves sorted. I just need to dust and replace pictures, and then finish dusting the whole unit. After that, it's just the dusting (ceilings and baseboards too) and vacuum.
Probably someday I'll pull all the books off the shelves and really organize then. Well, maybe. LOL! That's a major job ... we have SO many books. They should be better organized so that we remember what we've got and can reference them more often. It would, for example, be a lot more fun to look up and try recipes than to dust bookshelves.
I'm not nearly as far along with the quilting projects as I need to be. I've really got to start pushing myself in evenings to do that. I do have all the blocks completed for the one that's about 3 years overdue ... and have started cutting backing and batting blocks. There's another that's 2 years overdue that I need to finish cutting blocks. And I have several totes and Christmas fabric table toppers that only need to be finished.
Most of my Christmas this year will be homemade goodies (cookies, breads & jams, candy) in some nice glass dishes (that I've stocked up on when I got some SUPER bargains). I should have already started getting cookie dough in the freezer, so I'm behind on that too.
I got started on one cute Advent project ... but reached a stopping point because I'm out of gold spray paint.
I will really work hard today at actually FINISHING something!!!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Week Two July 2009
I'm a bit late posting this week ... I admit, I forgot. I'm still not clear about the Notebook thing; but my general impression is I'm still supposed to be assembling it. The thing is, I have to work out my own schedule; or try to. Anyway.
So, this week was the guest room. I started there because (1) I needed to get as many boxes from the barn sorted as I could; (2) I needed to "ease" into the cleaning; and (3) it's the tail end of another project. I did run into a snag. I want to get pictures hung ... I'm re-arranging my "gallery" (moving a lot of pix from the bedroom to the guest room, where they can be shared better). I didn't have enough picture hooks, so got some after work today. I tried very hard to use the paper pattern method, but it just didn't work right. I ended up getting 6 pictures hung before I had to give up for the night. I have 3 more "big" pictures to hang; and I need to find about 6 to 8 smaller ones to fill in.
The last step will be the last of the detail cleaning - sweeping cobwebs from the ceiling; cleaning the ceiling fan; and vacuuming. Of course, the room still needs a bed ... but that can be added when I am able to get all the components together (box spring in the attic, rails in the barn rafters, headboard & footboard at a friend's house, air mattress in the closet!).
I have added some fun touches ... a big basket with towels & lotion; a CD player; a rocking chair.
I'm not posting any pictures tonight. I will take some when I finish the pictures, and more when I get a bed in there. I'll keep working on the pictures in evenings this week.
Next week my project room is this one. Since I just finished it, I only have a few bits and pieces to find places for, and the detail cleaning. I really hope I have lots of sewing time ... I didn't get as much of that done as I hoped over the weekend.
So, this week was the guest room. I started there because (1) I needed to get as many boxes from the barn sorted as I could; (2) I needed to "ease" into the cleaning; and (3) it's the tail end of another project. I did run into a snag. I want to get pictures hung ... I'm re-arranging my "gallery" (moving a lot of pix from the bedroom to the guest room, where they can be shared better). I didn't have enough picture hooks, so got some after work today. I tried very hard to use the paper pattern method, but it just didn't work right. I ended up getting 6 pictures hung before I had to give up for the night. I have 3 more "big" pictures to hang; and I need to find about 6 to 8 smaller ones to fill in.
The last step will be the last of the detail cleaning - sweeping cobwebs from the ceiling; cleaning the ceiling fan; and vacuuming. Of course, the room still needs a bed ... but that can be added when I am able to get all the components together (box spring in the attic, rails in the barn rafters, headboard & footboard at a friend's house, air mattress in the closet!).
I have added some fun touches ... a big basket with towels & lotion; a CD player; a rocking chair.
I'm not posting any pictures tonight. I will take some when I finish the pictures, and more when I get a bed in there. I'll keep working on the pictures in evenings this week.
Next week my project room is this one. Since I just finished it, I only have a few bits and pieces to find places for, and the detail cleaning. I really hope I have lots of sewing time ... I didn't get as much of that done as I hoped over the weekend.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Week One, July 2009
My Christmas schedule begins this weekend. I am a member of AMaxersChristmasNotebook, and the plan starts in July. I haven't put my notebook together yet, so not quite sure where I'm supposed to be yet. But, there won't be a lot (hardly any!) of shopping for components for new decorating schemes. So, I will have to follow along the best I can; but will work on my own personal plan.
When making up my plan, I have to keep several things in mind:
1. I can't plan more than I can realistically accomplish in one weekend - preferably in one day (because by the second day I've always fizzled out; and still have to do ordinary things like laundry and grocery shopping).
2. I have to start with the cooler parts of the house, and work towards the areas less cool (like the back hall, and the porch) as the weather cools down. At least, I hope it will!
3. I need to be done (with the cleaning schedule) by the first of October. I have to have time for catching up, time for an extra weekend in case something unplanned comes up, time out for October birthdays, and time out for a planned weekend trip to the mountains. That also leaves me an October weekend (probably the first one) to get the outside decorating done before it gets too cold (made that mistake last year, won't do it again!)
4. I am taking the first week in November to decorate. That way I have all of November and December, and about half of January, to enjoy the decorating and all the other holiday related stuff. My ultimate goal is:
1. Outside decorating done (all except plugging in timers) before November
2. Inside decorating done by the weekend before Thanksgiving
3. All sewing projects completed by the end of November
4. All baking projects at least begun and in the freezer by the end of November
5. All other projects - cards, Advent letters, and a few other projects I have in mind - completed by the end of November.
This weekend is Week One. It's actually a 3 day weekend, so I have a lot on the schedule. I have reached the end stages with a changing rooms around project. This weekend was all about finishing finding places for all the things I dragged out of a room several months ago. There is still a lot to be sorted - but it's all in organized containers. There are still a few areas to be sorted (a lot of things to go upstairs), but the main areas are done. The new guest room (which will be next weekend) is organized and only needs tweaking (and a bed! LOL!). This room (computer/sewing room) will only need a bit of fine-tuning. The living room floor and sofas are cleared; the dining room table is cleared (except for the notebook project), and I even got the trunk area in front of the dining room window cleaned up. There are still odds and ends in corners and such, but I will deal with them as I get to them. For now, I am completely happy that I have accomplished the major part of my list.
I have 2 large boxes to take to the barn, but they are very heavy. Perhaps I can use the handtruck to take them out in the morning before it gets too hot.
To complete my plan for this weekend, I also have to work on some of my quilting projects. They've been on hold way too long. They're not actually for Christmas, but I put them on the schedule because they need to be completed.
I won't get much more done today. It's late afternoon, time to take a quick shower, so after dinner we can go into town to watch fireworks.
Tomorrow a shopping trip is planned for the afternoon, but will try in the morning to finish what's on my schedule for this weekend.
When making up my plan, I have to keep several things in mind:
1. I can't plan more than I can realistically accomplish in one weekend - preferably in one day (because by the second day I've always fizzled out; and still have to do ordinary things like laundry and grocery shopping).
2. I have to start with the cooler parts of the house, and work towards the areas less cool (like the back hall, and the porch) as the weather cools down. At least, I hope it will!
3. I need to be done (with the cleaning schedule) by the first of October. I have to have time for catching up, time for an extra weekend in case something unplanned comes up, time out for October birthdays, and time out for a planned weekend trip to the mountains. That also leaves me an October weekend (probably the first one) to get the outside decorating done before it gets too cold (made that mistake last year, won't do it again!)
4. I am taking the first week in November to decorate. That way I have all of November and December, and about half of January, to enjoy the decorating and all the other holiday related stuff. My ultimate goal is:
1. Outside decorating done (all except plugging in timers) before November
2. Inside decorating done by the weekend before Thanksgiving
3. All sewing projects completed by the end of November
4. All baking projects at least begun and in the freezer by the end of November
5. All other projects - cards, Advent letters, and a few other projects I have in mind - completed by the end of November.
This weekend is Week One. It's actually a 3 day weekend, so I have a lot on the schedule. I have reached the end stages with a changing rooms around project. This weekend was all about finishing finding places for all the things I dragged out of a room several months ago. There is still a lot to be sorted - but it's all in organized containers. There are still a few areas to be sorted (a lot of things to go upstairs), but the main areas are done. The new guest room (which will be next weekend) is organized and only needs tweaking (and a bed! LOL!). This room (computer/sewing room) will only need a bit of fine-tuning. The living room floor and sofas are cleared; the dining room table is cleared (except for the notebook project), and I even got the trunk area in front of the dining room window cleaned up. There are still odds and ends in corners and such, but I will deal with them as I get to them. For now, I am completely happy that I have accomplished the major part of my list.
I have 2 large boxes to take to the barn, but they are very heavy. Perhaps I can use the handtruck to take them out in the morning before it gets too hot.
To complete my plan for this weekend, I also have to work on some of my quilting projects. They've been on hold way too long. They're not actually for Christmas, but I put them on the schedule because they need to be completed.
I won't get much more done today. It's late afternoon, time to take a quick shower, so after dinner we can go into town to watch fireworks.
Tomorrow a shopping trip is planned for the afternoon, but will try in the morning to finish what's on my schedule for this weekend.
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