Goals for My Home 2012

Goal number 1:

Lose 30 pounds

of junk around this house that I don't use, need, or remember that I have.  Lots of kids' clothes, toys, books, plastic lids, bobby pins, clothes hangers, etc.  I don't want to wind up on an episode of Hoarders.

This goal is multi-fold and involves getting organized.  Surely the organization part will fall into place naturally once I haul off 30 pounds of useless items.  Right?
Then my closets will look like this.....

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or this....

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Goal number 2:

Build a brick walkway in my front yard. 

or maybe more like this.....

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(not my house, btw)

Currenty we have a walkway to the street, but need an additional walkway to the driveway. 

I am concerned about the note on the side of this article from  This Old House.  It states "Difficulty: Moderate.  Requires stamina for digging and pounding, as well as an attention to detail."   Uh-oh - I am not so sure about the "attention to detail" part. I guess that is why God gave me my husband.

Goal Number 3: 

Install a working light on a pole in the yard - near the driveway and new sidewalk mentioned above.  To keep visitors from twisting an ankle and suing us.  And to help us see when we are out in the driveway.  I would prefer a vintage light (my home is 160 years old, remember - there were no lights back then, but something vintage would be most appropriate.)  My neighbor has a light similar to this one....

Olde Good Things

I would really like to copy my neighbors.  They have very nice taste.  I would also like to install the lamp post without having to go through the local Historical Architectural Control Committee. 

Goal Number 4:

Paint the exterior of our home.

I don't really want to paint. 
I just want someone to paint for me. 
This is more of a "goal for my husband."
(I included this goal for any local readers who might be worried that we will not paint our house this year.)

Goal Number 5:

Tear down the middle wall in my kitchen and install an island.

Preferably an island like this....

House Beautiful

or this....

Nine and Sixteen


or this....

Coastal Living

or this....

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or this....

A Sort of Fairytale

Here is the elephant in the room that I want removed...... 

And here is the wall from the other direction.  See how it is just "in the way?"

Caught my dog blinking.
The wall really is an unnecessary feature.  I honestly think the kids and I can take it out.  We just need my husband to go out of town for a few days.  And I need to check and make sure the tub upstairs is not using that wall for support.   Plus the whole 'electricity' thing.  I know there is electricity in that wall and don't want to get shocked while removing the elephant.

Goal Number 6:
Install a new lamp shade or fixture in my kitchen - over my table.
See the light in the two photos above?
I would prefer one like this....

Canadian House and Home

I am thinking about using the existing fixture and MAKING a new shade that will encircle the six chandelier bulbs.  Like with two clothes hangers.  Or maybe with two circular hoops that I just happen to find next time I am in Wal-Mart.  Hmmmm.  Still thinking about an inexpensive way to update this fixture.

Goal Number 7:

Revamp my craft/art room. 
This room is also the laundry room.  I have stalled on this room because it has a drop ceiling from the 1970's and I want the ceiling removed.  The ceiling above the drop ceiling is about 3 feet higher than the drop ceiling and the walls and ceiling above the drop ceiling are plaster and need to be repaired - or possibly "sheetrocked over."  I really hate the drop ceiling, but may just paint the existing room instead of removing the ceiling and re-sheetrocking the area.  ugh.

Here are my inspiration photos.... 

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Not sure of a color scheme, just yet.

Goal Number 8:

Move my overgrown boxwoods from in front of my house. 

I just read where that should occur in October or November.  My husband is probably breathing a sigh of relief, thinking I will forget this goal by autumn.

Goal Number 9: 

Paint my bathroom. 
I already have the paint.  But I also have walls that are chipping and need to be repaired before the painting happens.  It is the prep part that I detest.  Once I paint, I will also sew a new window treatment.  That toile has been in my bathroom for a decade.  Here is my bathroom, currently......

I sampled a few colors on the wall to the right - just ignore that area.

And here is the new color:

Nantucket Breeze by Benjamin Moore.  I think.  I might change my mind once it is on the wall.

I am through with goals at Nine.  Nine small goals.  Surely that is do-able.

Here is the run down from 2011:


My home goals were listed here.


I accomplished two of the five of them!  I painted my main hallway here and sewed drapes for my living room here.  I also completed several other projects that I did not have on my 2011 Goals last January!  The other three items that I did not manage to complete just rolled-over to the 2012 list.  They are now items 4,5, and 7 on this list.  Always thankful for another year!

Joining The Nester and her Home Goals 2012 party.