Every summer I make a list of fun things and productive things I want to do before summer “kicks the bucket”. I post updates every few weeks to let you guys know how I’m doing (and to hold me accountable!)
Well, it’s September.
How did I do on my summer bucket list? Let’s see!
Productive Goals
1. Paint Sonia and Zoe’s beds white.
Done! See photos here.
2. Paint Zoe’s room.
Done! See before and after photos here.
3. Paint Sonia’s $25 Goodwill dresser.
Done! Here’s a whole post about it, if you missed it.
4. Paint my bedroom.
Nope.
BUT. I got a bunch of paint chips and Mr. FG and I are working on picking out a color. We are going to actually do this, people!
5. Paint the replaced board on the deck.
Done.
6. Sand and paint under the bumpout in front of our house.
DONE. We had a temperate day so I tackled it.
It actually only took a few hours total, but let me tell you, holding a sander up like that is a serious arm workout.
Photos of my soffit-painting process are right here.
7. Do a top-to-bottom declutter of my house.
I did my:
- kitchen
- linen closet
- hall closet
- living room
- the office (Mr. FG and I did a great joint effort here and listed oodles of stuff for sale. Gold stars for us!)
I did not get to:
- my bedroom
- the under-the-stairs closet
- the laundry room
However, I will get to the bedroom as we tackle the painting project. And I can always do the closet and laundry room later.
I actually enjoy decluttering, so I will likely get to these projects during the school year.
8. Make three photo books.
I did exactly nothing on this, so I’m going to bump it to my do-during-the-school-year list, I think.
______________________
So, I did 5/6 of my painting projects, which I’m pretty happy about.
And while I didn’t get the whole house decluttered, I did get rid of a lot of things.
On the whole, I’m pleased with how I did on my productive bucket list things.
Non-Productive (Fun!) Items
1. Make a random donut run.
2. Go see a movie in the theater.
We saw two movies at the second-run theater, actually.
3. Go visit our friends in Ohio.
4. Swim at least once a week.
5. Eat a meal at a park.
6. Eat a meal at the pool.
7. Go camping so Sonia can star-gaze.
Nope. But we do plan to go camping in September and Sonia will definitely bring her telescope.
8. Buy slushies.
9. Bike to the snow cone shop.
It finally cooled down enough to make this sound fun rather than miserable.
10. Roast marshmallows.
Luckily, we did this while visiting Mia in Ohio!
11. Go night swimming.
12. Go mini-golfing.
13. Host lots of sleepovers.
We had about 372 sleepovers this summer. Or thereabouts. Definitely crossing this off!
________________________
It would be quite rewarding to check EVERYTHING off the bucket list, but I don’t know that that’s ever happened for me.
But what I do know is that I get more things done (both fun and productive things) because I make a list.
And that’s where the value lies.
OregonGuest
Friday 6th of September 2019
Oh, night swimming! I used to do that as a kid in our backyard pool (it had colored lights under the water, so we'd play "color tag" -- haven't thought about that in years!)
Jennifer
Thursday 5th of September 2019
I seem to keep putting off my bedroom, also. Not to paint but to declutter. I think I have decluttered most everything but that. I didn't make a summer bucket list but we stayed around the house a lot more this summer than we usually do which was nice. There were several craft projects and day trips that come to mind. I still haven't painted my deep watermelon bathroom either. I guess I know it's going to take a lot of paint and it also has a high ceiling
April
Thursday 5th of September 2019
You rocked the painting!!
I'm impressed with all the FUN you had too!
Gentle hugs here. No criticism. You might need to change how you make photo books, so they aren't such a burden to you. I find it's easier and faster to make the collages myself and then upload the collage page to the site. The book is done much quicker.
Also, are your creative daughters interested in making them for pay? Or for free?
Kristen
Friday 6th of September 2019
Ah, interesting! What do you use to make the collages?
Debra Schramm
Thursday 5th of September 2019
I need to do a household purge. I've already gotten together numerous items to sell but I keep putting it off. For items that you post for sale, do you have the buyers come to your house to pick up or do you meet them somewhere? I'm dreading that aspect of it. How do your customers pay? I really don't want to accept checks from people I don't know.
Connie C
Sunday 8th of September 2019
Cash only. I put it in my posts.
Reese
Thursday 5th of September 2019
We require cash only when people come to pick up. We actually never get requests for checks (hardly anyone pays via check anywhere anymore. And I'm upfront with my posts to say Cash only). totally not an unreasonable request!
Suzanne
Thursday 5th of September 2019
Cash only! I sometimes offer to meet people at a convenient place for both of us (especially if I’m desperate to get rid of something!) like the library or grocery store and then plan my errands around that. I’ve found that most people are less likely to blow me off if I’ve offered to meet them.
Ruth
Thursday 5th of September 2019
Your list looks great!! This summer I was feeling the "this is my last few months with all 3 kids at home before we start school-life" so we did lots of fun things, particularly in the second half of the summer. Library, zoo, swimming, playdates, camping. I'm happy with it.
Kristen
Friday 6th of September 2019
That sounds like a perfect summer. :)