Wednesday, June 20, 2018

I should became I did ...

I'm always telling myself, "I should do that . . .", so in late May I came up with a list of all those "should's".


You only see a part of the list on my iPad, but you also see a lot of checks because the month of June has been spent turning "should's" into "did's".


I finally got around to painting the second coat on the dining room chairs - that's our house guest, Miss Violet.


I checked off painting red clay pots and also moving the baker's rack off the porch and into the garden.


Organizing the attic (not finished, but getting there) led me to an old basket which got a fresh coat of paint and polka dots.


And I was able to check off adding beach toys to our summer porch - now we just need some kiddos to drop by.


Two items got checked off when I repainted the bathroom shelves and created a cute vignette on one of the shelves.


 I bought the tall black candlestick last fall and finally checked painting it off my list.


Changing the message on the chalkboard in the guest room


 was an easy fix


as was painting a set of candlesticks.


For the longest time I have wanted to dress up a plain white set of pillow cases I found in the attic and I finished those last night.


No pattern, just crocheting away and not worrying about making the guest room pillow cases match.


And now, enough showing off my projects because that list just got longer.


Steve and one of my former teaching colleagues ( click here to see her home) are holding an Open Studio at our house and there are so many things I "should" do.

54 comments:

  1. You have been busy girl!! I love a list and love it even more with check marks! I've gotten a few things done here but now it's so hot even sitting under a fan makes me sweat!

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    1. It was cool here today and those are the only days we can go into the attic. I really want to finish the attic soon. My craft space is so organized in the garage!

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  2. You are being very productive with adding beauty and fun touches to your home. Your little visitor dog looks much like my dog.

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    1. Violet belongs to our son and his wife who have been in Portugal for 2 weeks. They fly home tomorrow and my daughter-in-law's parents will drive her into Santa Monica for us. Our goldendoodle Lulu can't wait for her to leave. And, Violet gets very spoiled with 2 walks on the beach each day and she wants to do the same when she is back at home.

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  3. I'm impressed by the number of check marks on your list but I'm simply amazed at the completed projects. Love the pillow cases, so sweet!

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    1. Some are easier than others and I'm mostly at the paint or touch up part of the list. The two biggies left are to paint our fireplace and to stencil the back porch. Wish me luck!

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  4. Carol,
    How wonderful to check off so many things on your list. The blue polka dotted (or as they say in England, spotty) basket is adorable.

    Good luck to Steve and your friend on their Open House showing in July.

    Judith

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    1. The Open Studio was scheduled for last December, but the worst fire in our county's history broke out days before. Neither Steve or Michelle thought it was appropriate to be having a social event when more than 500 people in our town lost their homes.

      I love that I have a spotty basket.

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  5. You really do get so much done when you set your mind to it! It always takes a list for me too.

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    1. When I see it on a list, it's easy to combine things I can do. And, I don't allow myself to be lazy because they are all really jobs that need doing.
      I actually passed up sailing last Saturday because I was determined to complete the 3 day task of organizing all my craft supplies in the garage. I was so organized that I held a craft day for four neighborhood kids in the garage yesterday and I knew where to find each item they asked for.

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  6. WOW, you have been very busy. I need to make me a list and get things done.

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    1. The list holds me accountable. I just tell myself that I must complete at least 1 thing each day and usually I complete at least 2.

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  7. You are amazing and I love every single thing you did!
    Oooooo.....an Open Studio!

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    1. The Open Studio should be fun - Michelle will set up her jewelry around the garden, friends will come and we'll have great food. Steve did wine labels for Discoveries Wine part of the Foley Family Wines and they are sending 4 cases of wine this Friday. We will not set out all that wine!

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  8. Kudos to you , Carol. I love how you checked off your things that are done. That candlestick is wonderful, and I love the polka dot basket. Blessings , xoxo, Susie

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    1. I can't believe how much I love the candlestick. I got an idea from someone who did similar poles on her deck. I'll take inspiration anywhere I can get it.

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  9. Your summer decor is so lovely, Carol! It's amazing what a difference you can make with little projects!

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    1. I'm down to the BIG projects and I really need to tackle painting the fireplace. I've been a little sick this week, but I'm determined to start tomorrow.

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  10. Neat work there on the pillowcases, and your table setting is so cute. What a transformation in the big candlestick. And love the paint job on the old basket. You are above average in creativity!! Yes indeed!

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    1. Thank you for the above average comment.

      I love how the candlestick turned out and that basket was up in the attic looking faded and ugly. I love polka dots and it makes me smile when I step on the porch.

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  11. Love those pillow cases. You could make a business selling those yourself along with hubby and friend.

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    1. My arthritic hands would not allow it. I've been in pain all day after so much crocheting yesterday. But, it was worth it.

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  12. I have a constant running to-do list, but I don't think I check as much off on mine as you do!

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    1. Even feeling low like I do today (went to Urgent Care and should be perky tomorrow), I require myself to check off at least one thing each day. The trouble is, I'm left with the big items on the list. I hope tomorrow to paint the fireplace.

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  13. Love the blue and white polka dot basket. You have accomplished so much with your to do list. I bet it feels so good to have the changes. Little Miss Violet is adorable peeking into the camera for you to snap her picture. Cute little photo bomber. Happy New Week.
    xoxo
    Kris

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    1. Lulu will be quite happy to see Miss Violet leave!

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  14. Oh my you made it much further on your list than I have on mine! Love your projects!

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    1. Most of the projects I have left involve touching up chipped paint - not so fun, but they need to be done.

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  15. I LOVE YOUR MIND! And as a teacher (and you as a retired teacher), we can't fool around with the SHOULDS. We must DO, correct? This innate or cultivated characteristic stays with us, even when "off duty." I love being at home, to DO those shoulds, but at my own pace.

    Looking good as always, Carol!

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    1. The Open Studio in July really got me motivated to do all the little, and a few big, things that just add up.

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  16. Aha! Nothing like opening one's house for getting things done! Love all the things you've crossed off the list, Carol. I noticed Miss Violet right away and was like, "whoa! another furbaby?!"
    Happy Summer Solstice, and best wishes to Steve & Michelle!

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    1. Lulu would not stand for another fur baby. Usually she's the one I have to shoo off the window seat when I'm taking a pic, but she spends her day in the guest room avoiding Violet. Our son and his wife fly home from Portugal today and Violet will be picked up tomorrow.

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  17. Isn’t it a great feeling to check off those items from your list. Beautiful projects!

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    1. The ones that are left on the lift aren't as much fun, but I'll feel good when they are done.

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  18. Wow, seeing all of those checkmarks is wonderful. Should do's turned into lovely finished projects. That's inspiring to me.

    Have a great day and summer ~ FlowerLady

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    1. It feels so good to accomplish things. If I hadn't made the list, that tall candlestick would probably still be black and I wouldn't have found the white pillow cases in the attic.

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  19. What a great feeling it is to check all those things off your "should" list. "Do" or "Did" means there's something happening! It all looks wonderful. Nothing like knowing that your house will be open for motivation!

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    1. I'm trying to look at the house in the eyes of a visitor to see what problems they might notice. Deadheading the flowers the day before will be essential!

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  21. Replies
    1. Well aren't you sweet to say so!

      Steve has really been a help with this list. He went up into the attic with me and helped me purge.

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  22. What a lovely post...I have a "must-do" book! So much thing´s to do and so little time :)
    Well, have a beautiful day!
    Titti

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    1. I'm trying to finish the list in June so I can simply play in July!

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  23. You are inspiring me to get busy and check off things, but I was slammed with lots of personal stuff and health issues this month that I wasn't expecting. I have the Clear app on my devices, and I haven't checked off anything! ;P

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    1. I like the feeling of accomplishment when I check things off.

      Although I have 2 days left in June, I'm not finished. There are only a few things to carry over. Today I plan to paint the fireplace white.

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  24. You are so good at checking off your list! I've managed to check off a few, which makes me feel good. :)
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. I will not complete the list with only 2 days left in June, but I am almost finished with not much to carry over into July.

      Today I'm painting the fireplace white.

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  25. Wow I'm impressed! I will be retiring end of July and hoping I can do the same - I have a heck of a lot of shoulds lol!

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    1. I've been retired 5 years and just got to the "shoulds"!

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  26. That's a very impressive list of 'should's and did's' Carol and you have completed some lovely projects... I'm inspired!!
    Thank you for sharing this post at Create, Bake, Grow & Gather this week. I'm delighted to be featuring it at tomorrow nights party and pinning too!
    Hugs,
    Kerryanne

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    1. Oh, how exciting!!!

      June is nearly over and the only things left on my list involve painting. I won't get to stenciling our back porch, but today I plan to paint our fireplace white.

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  27. You have been busy. Congratulations on the open house. I hope it is a success.

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  28. Wow... I meant to answer this sooner... time got away from me. First, I hope you are feeling better. Probably doing all that contributed to getting sick? So sorry and my best wishes are with you. Everything you accomplished is wonderful. My to do lists get that long sometimes, and now and then, I just have to toss them and start over as they get overwhelming! I love everything you did! Take care... Marilyn

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  29. I love the idea of a basket of toys just waiting for fun! I hope you are enjoying the summer and staying cool.

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