This is the last month of my summer goals that I wrote way back at the end of May. It seems so long ago and yet, it has gone by so quickly. July was busy; fast; unplannable (is that a word?); hot; smoky; oddly normal? LOL Years ago, I used to plan the summer with a theme each week for the kids (my two and the two I babysat). There was a weekly theme, which then fit each daily plan (Movie Monday, Take-a-Trip Tuesday, etc.) By the third year they all learned to bear with my planning until the 4th of July because then I threw it all out the window and we just enjoyed summer and tried to stay cool! Well, apparently that is a habit I have not let go of even though I'm the only one I'm really making plans for at this point in my life! In July, I just wanted to enjoy the times I got to relax at home. I feel a little motivation coming back as we walk into August - both for getting things done and (hopefully) convincing my teens to do a few fun things I'd like to do on the rare days we are all home! We still have about a month until we have to start school so - lets enjoy it!
If you would like to see what I did (or didn't HA!) get done in July, just click HERE.)
So, here's the plan for the coming month - it's a plan - goals are just a plan - which then helps me try to get a few things done. I've learned through the years that unmeasurable goals are hard - I need to be able to break it down into achievable marks or it is hard to say something is actually done!
- The garage - it needs to get cleaned out and organized for multiple reasons - the least of which is so that a car can be parked in there before it gets cold. So, to keep things measurable here's the plan:
- Return pop cans - this was supposed to get done back in June but life was busy - and it was HOT so it didn't. Josh has two huge bags that a lady gave him so he needs to return those and I have lots to return too.
- Empty the shelves and clean out all of the bins - there is stuff that we no longer need/use/want and it all needs to go. Then, clean and rearrange the storage area so that it makes more sense
- Sort through yard tools and other tools and reorganize so that we can actually get to all of the items.
- Clean out holiday décor and double check Christmas lights (need to know what to buy before we put it up in November!)
- Finally, just clean it - sweep, blow out dirt, and make sure it is refreshed.
- School! This includes prepping for school to start and for our co-op to start.
- Update Josh's transcripts (not hard, just need to sit down and do it)
- Order all of Josh's books
- Write lesson plans for September-October
- Plan some special "Senior" things - we might be homeschooled but we are still going to enjoy some of the normal "senior" things.
- Plan weeks 1-3 of my Joyful class completely - I have lesson plans written but now I need to find supplies and print anything needed. I also need to pick our scripture memory.
- Set up a visit to a college for Josh so we can get a better idea of what we are doing HA!
- Schedule a SAT test for Josh
- Clean out and organize my file drawer - I have a whole bag of things to be filed. I got a little behind!
- Schedule our family photos for September
- Register for upcoming retreats
- September - Men's
- November - Elite (Teens)
- January - Winter (Nate)
- February - Winter (Nate and Josh)
- Replace the garbage disposal - I had hoped to get this done in July but . . then July was done and it didn't happen HA!)
- On my summer list was to plan two family days - well, I had planned to space them out but they are both happening this month and are on the calendar!
- I started this summer with a list of things for the family to work on - a few things have gotten done but not as many as I would like HA! For the record, everyone has been busy and not home much - when we have been home, we've all enjoyed some down time. So here's a few things I'm hoping we can get done - but they may not happen based on time:
- Wash the windows - inside and out. A group effort will make this go by quickly.
- Clean up the yard in a few areas - we've had a super dry July so a lot of things are dead . .. except for the things that grow like mad weeks). There's one area in particular that needs to get cleaned up and then set up our patio furniture.
- Clean up the front deck that took a beating from a crazy deer.
- Rent/borrow a power washer and clean the house, decks, and my wooden swing.
- Clean the blinds. This will stay on the list until it gets done!
- Take down blinds (one at a time).
- Shorten them (this is supposed to be easy - we shall see) so they fit the windows better.
- Clean them.
- Take down the swing set. This is a bigger project - one we've talked about but all know it will take a day to get it done. Maybe we can tackle this month - or maybe on a long weekend lake Labor day Weekend.
- The basement. My nemesis HA! Not really. Last year I did that fast clean out. Now it's just going back and really cleaning out more, organizing, and cleaning.
- Scrapbooking - I've been able to scrapbook this summer and it has been nice. As is always the case, it takes longer than I ever plan so I'm not as far as I would like to be.
- Complete June 2011
- Complete July 2011
- Complete August 2011
- Set up my menu/recipe plan and binder - this is something new/different I've mentioned recently in a menu post. :-)
- Open house planning - Josh's will be in the spring! I'm just starting to think about things and this is my list. (Maybe my August Goal is just to make a list of all of the things!)
- List of people to send invites to (outside of a general Facebook invite)
- Food - test out some options (for example: Josh wants rice - I want to test out keeping it warm for a while in a crock pot so that it doesn't dry out)
- Price out things like the desserts, and such and make a plan of what to buy when.
- Figure out decor - I have ideas :-)
- Create a QR code photo idea - with a "scavenger hunt" or bingo card for photos
- Solid Rock Leadership Things
- Write the secretary's job description
- move documents to a separate drive so they don't get lost
- Cleaning/Organizing/updating - I'm continuing on with my plan of cleaning, deep cleaning, and even doing some minor updates throughout the house. We've lived here for about 23 years and I feel like I'm starting to move into what I know I love and brings me joy and peace. I'm not into big changes - but do like being able to see what I love. A friend told me that recently too as I commented on her décor items - she said that it took her a lot of years but she has figured out what she loves and her style and that's all she wants. She doesn't need to match what the current fads are and I agree! I know - measurable, right? Lets try! I'm really working on small chunks - not whole rooms. I just know me and my time - moving slow is good. :-)
- Living room - Start in one corner and move all the stuff; clean the carpet, wash the walls, wash the ceiling, clean the stuff.
- Paint all the white in that small area (trim, doors).
- Only put pack what I love.
- Move on to the next section.
- Same things - move things, wipe down the walls etc, paint the white (windows and trim) and only put back what I love.
- (Are you getting the idea HA!) - section 3
- and section 4.
- Attend field trips/plan activities with my teens. We don't always have alot of extra time but I feel in August we can do more.
- There are currently 2-3 field trips I plan to attend. Two with our co-op and one with another group.
- Attend a movie with my guys.
- Do the free summer bowling at least once!
- Read the books on my stand :-) There is one in particular about decluttering that I have been wanting to read so that is on my list. Plus just reading.
- Planning - I like to plan for future months especially for the next one coming up! Some things have been mentioned above as well.
- Labor Day Weekend - attend a concert (need to get early access tickets)
- Maybe go to Tunnel Park (something on my 101-1001 list)
- Plan for the start of school/senior year for Josh and our co-op
- Plan a family day.
- Schedule family photos
- Can we get a camping trip in this fall??? It's questionable but I might try!
Well, I feel like my list is longer than I anticipated it being! Maybe it's that "measurable" concept because I listed out very specific things so I can mark them off easier. I'm not sure but here's hoping I can tackle at least some of these things!
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