I resolve to:

.....not make resolutions. Nope, I don't believe in them. I usually don't make them. If I have, I haven't kept them.  For me, I need to readjust my goals and such on a much more regular basis; usually that means every day.  It's easy to miss the forest for the trees, or in much more mommy-at-home language, I miss the actual accomplishments for the piles of laundry and dishes. Ugh...I still hate laundry.

So my "resolutions" list really is a redo of my "to-do" list.  Starting this blog was motivated by a number of things, most importantly to keep track of what I want to accomplish at home (the things I enjoy, in addition to keeping the home going with the things I don't enjoy (did I mention laundry?).

So thinking on where I want to go this year, I have some less-than-lofty goals for the short-term.  I deal better with small lists. Instead of  "eat healthy and get thin", I do better with "I'm going to get something really awesome for dinner tomorrow night" kinds of lists.

So here goes:

• First: Clean up my desk/workshop area in the basement. Right now I can't find my tools; that just makes every project harder. I would post a picture, but it's bad. I will post a picture when I've made some progress, and show you before and after. It will involve my new favorite item: pegboard storage.

• oops: If I'm to get anything done around here, FIRST, really first, is to get the Christmas flotsam stored. Yep, still out. Nope, not motivated.

• Make a shelf for the tv that will lift it about 4" to house the miscellaneous techo-clutter so I have an actual mantel to do something with;

• Get those white outlets in my not as new gray bathroom installed;

Install the new handles for the cabinets that I've had for over a few months;  make all three the same size, color and finish. Decide what to do with the space in between since I had to replace the hinges.

• Finish re-finishing the cabinet that will live in the dining room and kick-start that whole project again.  I want to turn a seldom used space into a use-it-every-day kind of space;  I want the spaces in our home to be used, not sit around and look kinda pretty, but untouched.

• Research flooring ideas for the unused basement space; decide if I can DIY this on my own;

• Expand my jewelry business; add a completely new line which includes learning a whole new skill (ok, that falls under more of a bigger goal, but one that I as so excited to start!) 

• Get and keep the house organized, learning and sharing new organizing tips along the way, including my favorite part: de-cluttering and donating;

• Build this cute tool box based on plans I found, and can't find now, but will.  Or tackle another new small wood project, such as a small stepstool.

• Learn to use my new Dremel and share all the exciting things it will hopefully do.

• Buy (later on) and learn to use a router. (I don't know why; it's just been on my list for a while).

• Research and dream about our "new" space delineated by the fence and what we can do with this space by spring/summer to make it more usable; includes landscaping steps, and possibly adding a wood deck over the painfully rocky concrete that is there now; also research and figure out how to re-do some rocking chairs for that space. 

• Re-organized the space that is my office/craft/jewelry/accounting office at present; see if this space can also be used as a guest space when needed since our old guest room is now a dedicated fort/basketball/playroom. 

Hmmm.  I think that is enough. Actually, that is a lot.  But that is OK.  It's a New Year, and I'm ready to roll.  Which is why I'm still awake and can't get to sleep at this point, but if I started hammering or nailing, I think I would upset some residents of the house. 

I'll just keep surfing for ideas and dreaming.  Tomorrow; I'll get to work. 

Right after I get my van and my neck in for treatment from our rear-ending accident last week.  All five in the car were safe though, and we are thankful for that.  I never thought I'd say this though: I miss my mini-van.  Just don't tell anyone I admitted to that, Ok?  I never thought it would come out of me....but stuffing three people, a dog, gifts and luggage into a smaller car made me realize how useful it really is.

Onto the new year....a day at a time.  Here we go!