I always like to start the beginning of summer with a set of goals for myself. Something about the longer, less structured days, frolicking in the warmth, lazying by the pool with a book in hand, and throwing some easy food on the BBQ that gives me motivation and determination.
Here is my list of summer goals that I will hope to accomplish:
1. Writing related: finishing chapters, book proposals, writing and editing articles, putting the finishing touch on a non-fiction book, fine tune outline on another book, organize my historical fiction novel, and work on a book project that I am not talking about just yet.
2. Purge and Organize: believe it or not, there is so much more to do around here. Last summer when we moved back I just basically did some of the bare minimums and then winter hit and holidays and cold weather and blah, blah, blah. Enough excuses. I want to tackle each room, closet, drawer, box (there are still several in the shed, unopened), garage, shed...and purge, organize, and clean/tidy. My plan is to work on a different room/area per week.
3. Garden: learn how to preserve (can, freeze, dry, make jams and spreads, harvest seeds, etc.) the crop so we can enjoy the fruits of our summertime labor all winter long. Also, learn how to make one bed a "winter bed" so we can grow vegetables in the colder months too.
4. Read at least 12 books. Understanding that many of those will be either book club selections and library books, there are a few in my own personal pile that I would like to get to: "Harry Potter #7" and "Mason and Dixon", to name only two. So far I have read 25 of my yearlong goal of seventy.
5. Eat healthy and exercise often. I am going to try and walk everyday, or almost everyday. With farmer's markets, growing fresh produce in my backyard, and the grocery stores overflowing with the glorious summer fruits I love so much...it should be a wee bit easier. I need to get focused on exercising again!
6. Stitch a handful of tea towels. Really for no other reason than some of the ones I currently have in my drawer are beginning to fray. Now, if I can get totally motivated and my ass in gear I would start stitching some of the holiday themed towels. I actually haven't stitched in awhile and I am beginning to miss it.
7. Scrapbook the rest of 2008 (October-December is all that is left) and all of 2009. I plan to do a two-page spread every single day. Crazy? Impossible? Maybe. But, I'm thinking if I just leave the stuff out in here I can come in at any time of the day or night and move photos around. Also, the way I scrapbook now (2 page spread per month per album...in my case, four...so I can complete a calendar month of scrapbooking in a matter of four days!!! And this doesn't even factor in all the Friday night scrapbooking where I can complete even more pages!) this goal should not be that difficult.
8. Do ONE THING every day. Okay, I made a list of over eighty "things" to try and do. Some are minor, little things like clean out the drawer in the end table in the family room, journal scrapbook pages for fifteen minutes, or clean nook chairs...to bigger things like going through Jennifer's closet and toys and purge, hose house of cobwebs outside, file loose recipes. I like having a list and being able to cross as many off as possible. And, doing only "one thing" a day will help me from becoming overwhelmed and tired.
Of course not listed here are crafts and activities with the kids...learning new things and having simple family fun. Maybe a day trip or two. Possibly a drive to San Diego (not sure yet). Hours at the swimming pool. Cleaning house. Doing laundry. Cooking dinner and baking bread. Sleeping, showering...
I will keep you updated on my summertime success via this blog.
Bring it on, Summer! I'm ready!
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