to do list

Autumn To Do, 2017

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Today is the first day of Autumn.  Finally.  I love this time of year, when the light is fading, shadows get longer, our leaves do their lovely swan-song-and-dance.  It’s a time for fresh starts, nostalgia, dreaming, and turning inside – literally and metaphorically.

I’ve hinted at this a bit on the blog, but this summer was really hard, starting in the last couple weeks of school last year.  Some really difficult and confusing things happened at the girls’ school, and I was dragged into it despite all my efforts to remain on the outside.  I was betrayed by someone who I had previously trusted with my most important things.  This person spread rumors of the worst kind about me, and was acting irrationally and incredibly unprofessionally. She not only betrayed me, but she also completely wrote my daughters out of her life, which, honestly was much harder to deal with.  I spent the whole summer thinking about how to – and whether or not to – process it all on my blog.  Although we’re doing everything we can to move on from the situation, it’s still on my mind, and still makes me angry and sad whenever I think about it.  I guess I’m writing all of this down right now in order to move on with a fresh start, into Autumn.  It’s hard because this person has played a big, fun role in some of our Autumn traditions, and I know I will feel her absence and her betrayal acutely during those things.

But, I’m all about fresh starts and moving on, so that’s what I’ll do now.

Here’s what I want to do this Autumn:

  1. Pumpkin Patch with the playgroup
  2. Pumpkin Patch with our friends
  3. Hayrides.  All of them.
  4. Eat so many apples
  5. Pumpkin brew fest
  6. Eat as many Thanksgiving dinners as I can finagle my way into
  7. Halloween costumes
  8. Diffuse all the Autumn scents
  9. Walk with friends
  10. Write some letters
  11. Listen to as much nostalgic and melancholy music as my soul can handle
  12. Decorate for Christmas far too early
  13. #30daysofgratitude and #30daysofgratitudeATT
  14. Resist
  15. Plan Advent activities
  16. Anniversary date
  17. Go trick or treating
  18. Work on our quilt
  19. Put the garden to bed
  20. Weed
  21. Brew beer
  22. Go to a wedding
  23. Show love
  24. Spread happiness
  25. Do good

Summer To-Do List, 2017

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Oh, hey, summer! How are you?  Again, I’m pretty happy to see you.  We have lots of good plans for you and I’m so excited to get started.

It’s Autumn, Yippy! What Shall We Do?

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Today is a beautiful, cloudy, chilly, gray day.  My favorite, and perfect for the first day of Autumn.  It’s time for a To Do list and some adorable photos of last Autumn.

  1. Rake leaves.
  2. Play in the rain.
  3. Carve Pumpkins
  4. Drink home brewed Pumpkin Brown Ale and Apple Cider.
  5. Have our Second Annual Pumpkin Beer Fest.
  6. Go to the pumpkin patch at the Christmas Tree farm.
  7. Go to the pumpkin patch at the orchard.
  8. Make Halloween costumes.
  9. Go trick or treating. 
  10. Finish two quilt tops (Harriet’s big girl quilt, the Tula Pink quilt I’ve been working on for our bed).
  11. Go to Bend.
  12. Meet a new baby.
  13. Try new Thanksgiving recipes.
  14. Stop eating processed sugars. 
  15. Reduce the amount of processed grains I eat.
  16. #30daysofgratitude and our own #30daysofgratitudeATT
  17. Go on an Anniversary date.
  18. Plan our Advent activities.
  19. Drink tea.
  20. Do a puzzle.

Also if you’re interested in how our Spring/ Summer To Do list ended up, I updated it here!

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Spring and Summer To Do List – 2016

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Spring is almost halfway over, so I thought I should combine spring and summer into this next to do list.  This spring I’ve been feeling scattered and uninspired (you might have noticed).  I’ve recently started a full-time job, and that’s making me want to be more focused and organized.  It’s a choice that I’m making, and it’s feeling good to get back into it.

So, here are some things I want to get done this spring and summer.  A lot are repeats from last year because they were fun, or we didn’t get to them and I was to try again.

  1. Swim in the wild.
  2. Make ice cream.
  3. Go to the art museum.
  4. Go camping.
  5. Go to the beach.
  6. Bach Festival concerts/ events.
  7. Go to the mountains.
  8. Go to a track meet.
  9. Participate in a track meet.
  10. Fireworks.
  11. #93summerdays on Instagram starting on June 20th.  Play along!
  12. Go to a concert.
  13. Stargaze with Alma.
  14. Day date with Jesse.
  15. Day date with Alma.
  16. Day date with Harriet.
  17. Take the family to a movie.
  18. Lots of parks.
  19. Eat fresh produce from the garden/ farmer’s market.
  20. Tie dye something.
  21. Pick berries.
  22. Ice cream truck.
  23. Can some stuff.
  24. Eat the canned stuff from last summer.
  25. Ride bikes.
  26. Hike.
  27. Play outside everyday.

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35 Things to do Before 35 – How Did I Do?

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Last year, on my birthday, I made a list of 35 things that I wanted to do before I turned 35.  Tomorrow I turn 35, and I wanted to look back at my 35th year and the things I accomplished.

  1. Read a book a month.  I didn’t really keep track, but I’m sure I read more than twelve books.
  2. Sign up for life insurance.  Didn’t do this, but we do get life insurance through Jesse’s job.  I’m not sure if we should pay for supplemental insurance.
  3. Try a Barre3 class.  I didn’t do this, but I took some yoga classes, and started going to the Rec Center on campus.
  4. Get a monthly massage.  Sadly, I didn’t even get one massage.
  5. Try acupuncture.  I still want to try this.
  6. Get a haircut.  I’ve gotten a couple, and even cut my own bangs recently.  Now I’m wanting a long, choppy bob to go with the new bangs.
  7. Try 5 recipes from my new cookbook!  I’ve made lots of things from this book.
  8. Spend a weekend at the beach.  I just missed this one – I’m going to the beach for the weekend next month.
  9. Spend a weekend in the mountains.  I did this a few times – camping and in Sunriver and Bend.
  10. Can something.  Peaces, barbeque sauce, sweet and sour sauce, spettighetti sauce, Uncle Chet’s dill pickles.
  11. Get our garden going again.  Still getting there…
  12. Focus on getting my Etsy shop going.  Note:  It has a new name and address – CaroMade!  Still getting there…
  13. Post one new listing on CaroMade every month.  Not quite…
  14. Do a creative retreat – either an organized one, or organize my own!  We almost have this scheduled.  It will probably have to wait until late spring or summer since we’re planning it in the mountains and none of the people going like to drive in the snow.
  15. Get more chickens.  We now have 9, and some are even laying again!
  16. Get back on my daily chore schedule!  Still in process…
  17. Go to Disneyland.  We took Alma last spring and it was magic.
  18. Go to a Broadway musical.  We saw Book of Mormon and it was incredible.
  19. Hike 35 miles.  Nope.
  20. Get the trailer set up and go on bike rides with the girls.  We did this a few times.
  21. Rent a limo.  Nope.
  22. Make and sew a huge cushion for our hearth.  I didn’t do this, but I did paint the fireplace white and I love it.
  23. Get chairs recovered.  They seriously need this, but we haven’t done it yet.
  24. Get estimates to get our house painted.  This summer.
  25. Set up some good seasonal capsule wardrobes.  I ended up Kon-Mari-ing everything and don’t really have enough for this.  I want to try it again, though.
  26. 5 Days of Christmas crafts on the blog.  So much fun.  I loved it.
  27. Get going on a creative, relaxing morning routine.  I’m not sure this is for me.  Maybe I’ll try again this summer when the sun rises earlier.
  28. More author interviews on the blog.  I want to get back to this.
  29. Plant a tree.  A pear tree.
  30. Take a class.  I’ve done things to renew my license, but I haven’t taken a creative class.
  31. Sew some clothing for me.  A couple Beatrix shirts.
  32. Make art for Alma’s and Harriet’s rooms.  Harriet’s name in felt.
  33. Go to the Country Fair.  So much fun.
  34. Go camping.  We went up the McKenzie and it was lovely.
  35. Build a sandcastle or a snowman.  Both.  Sand in Coronado, snow in Sunriver.

21/35 isn’t bad!  Here’s to next year… More on my plans for 36 coming tomorrow!

Best of 2016

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Originally, I was thinking about writing a post about the best things we did in 2015, but that seems like so last year.  I’m ready to move on.  2016 is a beautiful, fresh, new year and I’m so excited to get into it.  So here’s what I’m planning on being the best of 2016:

  • A kid-free trip to San Diego later this month.  Jesse has a conference, and I’m tagging along to enjoy the hotel pool, wifi, and quiet.
  • A big family camping trip this summer with my mom’s family.
  • Hopefully another trip to Coronado.
  • Making good choices all year long.
  • Summer vacation with my two big girls who will be more capable and fun this year.
  • A long term sub job working with some of my favorite kids in the world.
  • A creative weekend in Bend this spring.
  • Growing an amazing garden and eating all of it.
  • A mom’s weekend at the beach.
  • A women’s retreat with my church.
  • Directing the Christmas play again next year, but with the knowledge and experience I gained in 2015.
  • Four more Day In The Life posts.
  • Canning lots of food.
  • 30daysofgratitude in November
  • Turning 35 years old.
  • Finding out where Dan and Nina will move after Nina’s graduation (hopefully west coast, best coast?).
  • Seeing plays, concerts, ballets.
  • Going to museums with the kids.
  • Creating lots of things.
  • Doing a month of creating.
  • Finding a rhythm.
  • Reading lots of books.

I know that there will be many things that we will do this year that aren’t on this list, because I haven’t even dreamt them up yet.  I know that I won’t get to everything on this list.  I know that some of the things on this list might be horrible and I would never actually include them on a best-of list.  But here it is – 2016.

Winter To Do List, 2016

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Here’s my list of things to do this winter.  Many of the things on this list are from my 35 Things To Do Before 35 list, since there are still a lot of things on that list that aren’t checked off.

Anyone want to play along?

Here are some photos from last winter to get you in the mood!

  1. Go to the gym at least 30 times.
  2. Create a New Years signature cocktail.
  3. Sew new spring dresses for the girls.
  4. Go to an art opening.
  5. Work on my Tula Pink quilt.
  6. See The Last Five Years with Evynne in the lead role.
  7. See The Book of Mormon on tour.  Already have tickets!
  8. Get a massage.
  9. Do another Whole30.
  10. Try acupuncture.
  11. Try some new recipes from my Azerbaijani cookbook.
  12. Have a creative retreat.
  13. Get back on my daily chore schedule.
  14. Go on some hikes.
  15. Sew cushion for the hearth.
  16. Get paint estimates.
  17. Take a class.
  18. Finish at least one of my classes to renew my teaching license.
  19. Plant an amazing garden.
  20. Create some concrete, tangible ways to interact with my One Little Word for 2016 (to be announced soon!).

Autumn To Do List, Wrap-up

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Here’s our updated list from Autumn.  I have to say I’m surprise at how many of these items we got checked off.  Autumn was a fun season full of family, friends, holidays, pumpkins, apples, and gratitude.

Look for our Winter To Do List tomorrow!

  1. Drink hot cider.
  2. Drink pumpkin beer. We did this, and compared and rated all the best (and worst) of 2015! 
  3. Go to the pumpkin patch. Yes, we did this, for sure.  Many times, in fact.
  4. Make art. Hmmm… did I do this?  I don’t really think so.  Unless you count the December Daily album.
  5. Make Halloween costumes. Little Red Riding Hood and her Big Bad Wolf. 
  6. Go trick or treating. Yes, we braved the rain (and still have candy leftover!)
  7. Make new Beatrix top. Yep, this time in plaid flannel.
  8. Christmas gifts.
  9. Make apple crisp.
  10. Jump in puddles.
  11. Go on a date.
  12. #30daysof thanksgiving on Instagram.
  13. Go on a hay ride.
  14. Go to a Halloween party.
  15. Find some snow. Thanksgiving at Sun River was full of snow!
  16. Put the garden to bed for the winter.
  17. Decorate for Autumn. Done!
  18. Make Christmas banner for CaroMade. It’s up on my Etsy shop! But I did forget to put it up for Christmas…
  19. Prep the December Daily album.
  20. Get some Advent things ready like:
    1. The Goodness Gnomes (or whatever they will end up being.. I bought some little fairy things at the Country Fair this year).
    2. Other traditions for Christmastime/ Advent.
  21. Drink tea. Done!  That one was easy!
  22. Do a puzzle.  Oh how I tried.  Puzzles and toddlers don’t mix.
  23. Eat some cheese.
  24. Plan our 10th Anniversary Party.
  25. Go to the library.

Autumn To Do List, 2015

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It’s the first day of Autumn!  Officially!  Finally! Here are some photos from last Autumn and a list of things to do this Autumn.  Feel free to play along!andthenthey autumn to do 6 andthenthey autumn to do 5 andthenthey autumn to do 4 andthenthey autumn to do 3 andthenthey autumn to do 2 andthenthey autumn to do 1

  1. Drink hot cider.
  2. Drink pumpkin beer.
  3. Go to the pumpkin patch.
  4. Make art.
  5. Make Halloween costumes.
  6. Go trick or treating.
  7. Make new Beatrix top.
  8. Christmas gifts.
  9. Make apple crisp.
  10. Jump in puddles.
  11. Go on a date.
  12. #30daysof thanksgiving on Instagram.
  13. Go on a hay ride.
  14. Go to a Halloween party.
  15. Find some snow.
  16. Put the garden to bed for the winter.
  17. Decorate for Autumn. Done!
  18. Make Christmas banner for CaroMade.
  19. Prep the December Daily album.
  20. Get some Advent things ready like:
    1. The Goodness Gnomes (or whatever they will end up being.. I bought some little fairy things at the Country Fair this year).
    2. Other traditions for Christmastime/ Advent.
  21. Drink tea. Done!  That one was easy!
  22. Do a puzzle.
  23. Eat some cheese.
  24. Plan our 10th Anniversary Party.
  25. Go to the library.

Summer To Do List, Wrap-up!

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Here are some updates from our summer to do list.  I think we did quite a good job checking things off the list.  We didn’t get to everything, but we got to a lot!  At the beginning of the summer, I was so anxious and scared about what I was going to do to keep all of us entertained for the entire summer.  It all worked out and we had lots of fun.  We got into a groove and had lots of help.

  • Pick a summer theme song. Right now I’m thinking of something by Jenny Lewis or Rilo Kiley.  We just saw Jenny last week, so I’m on a Jenny/Rilo kick.  Or I might throw back to some of my favorite summers, and go with a Dave Matthews song.  DMB songs always make me think of summer.
    I decided on Budapest because it’s fun, it’s on the radio a lot, and Peter just did a cool version.
  • Take, and post to Instagram, a photo every day, starting June 21st and ending September 22nd – the first and last days of summer.  Recently I’ve gotten into sharing my day to day stuff on Snapchat, and haven’t been posting as much on Instagram.  I think I’ll look back and wish I’d taken more permanent documentation of these days.  This summer, I will post (at least) one photo a day and I’ll use the hashtag #93summerdays if you want to play along! I did this pretty well!  The past few weeks, I sort of stopped because it hasn’t felt very summery.  I did have one friend play along, and it was fun to see our photos together in the #93summerdays on Instagram.  Thanks for playing, Meredith!
  • Run through the sprinklers.  I tend to be an observer in this activity.  I vow to participate this summer. I did this a couple times, but I also got in the kiddie pool, too!
  • Play outside everyday.  This is a long-term goal to get my kids to play outside everyday, rain or shine or snow or fog or whatever.  I think they’re getting to be old enough, and creative enough that I can start this.  Best to start in the summer, I figure! Not sure we did this absolutely everyday, but pretty darn close!
  • Have a dinner of corn on the cob.  When corn is in season, there’s nothing better. Nope. We had some good corn, but not a full meal.  Then we started Whole30 and couldn’t eat corn anymore at all.
  • Go to a concert. We went to a few of the free concerts at the Hult Center.  It was fun to have things to do out on the town.
  • Stargaze with Alma. Ideally, I want to take her out into the country or wilderness where stars are brighter.  I think it would be fun to let her stay up late (or get her up) and take her out, just the two of us. Nope.  It got dark way too late for this.  Maybe we’ll bundle up and do it this winter.
  • KonMari Method everything. This will likely be an entire blog post, but I have read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up and am in the process of getting rid of things that don’t spark joy.  It’s already been incredible, I can’t wait to continue. We are soooo close to being done!  I did the photographs last weekend, and there are just a few boxes in the attic to tackle.  I’ve been waiting for it to cool down so it’s not an oven up there. 
  • Go on a day date with Jesse. 
  • Hike.
  • Camp.  We went to my parents’ annual campout for Harriet’s first camping trip.  She loved it and we all had fun!
  • Ride bikes.  We didn’t ride as much as I thought we would…
  • Make lemonade from scratch.  Nope.
  • Watch fireworks.  Big ones this year, I think. Nope.  Next year.
  • Build a sandcastle. In Coronado, Alma spent lots of time digging and building and ruining sand castles.
  • Make ice cream from scratch.
    We made a cherry dark chocolate ice cream.  I liked it, Alma didn’t, Jesse was indifferent, Harriet likes anything.
  • Redecorate the living room – specifically the mantel. It still is covered in Easter decorations.  Come on.  Jesus has already ascended into Heaven and we’re fully in a new church season.  Seriously, Carolyn. We did this, but now it’s time to do it again!
  • Go to the beach.  This should be easy.  We have another vacation to Coronado planned. Yep.  Alma loved it, Harriet fell asleep every time we went to play in the waves.
  • Go to the mountains.
  • Bake a crisp, or other summery dessert.   Blueberry cobbler ftw.
  • Swim in nature – ocean, river, lake, stream.
  • Eat wild berries. Nope.  What?  How did we miss this?
  • Make s’mores.
  • Take each Harriet and Alma on an adventure, just us.  I don’t think we really did this… I mean, I spent some time with each of them, but not on purpose.
  • Plan our tenth anniversary celebration.  Ten years!  What? We are still working on this one…
  • Learn how to shop at thrift stores.  They totally overwhelm me and I never buy anything.  I love to idea of not wearing new clothes – better for earth, better for the workers who make clothes, cheaper – I just don’t know how to do it. Nope.  Someday, maybe!
  • Go to the Country Fair. Photos here!
  • Go to new parks.  Maybe try for all the parks in Eugene?  Is that crazy?  Anyone want to attempt this with us? We went to lots of new parks and found some new favorites! 
  • Shop at the farmer’s market as often as possible.  Maybe make it a weekly activity. We never really made it to the farmer’s market, but we went to the farm a lot!  I decided it would be much easier with the girls to go somewhere that they can run around, feed goats, climb in hay, etc.
  • Have a water balloon fight. Ugh!  We never did this!  Boo!
  • Buy some treats from the ice cream truck. I tried hard for this one.  We never even saw an ice cream truck, darn it!  A couple times after the kids were in bed I heard one in the distance…
  • Go to the library.  Another weekly activity? We went a lot, but not weekly.
  • Swim in a pool. We went to my parents’ club pool a few times.  Both girls love being in the water.  Alma got really brave with jumping off, and even went off the diving board!
  • Tie dye something. Nope.
  • Go berry picking. Nope.