I’m thinking of declaring National Anti-Procrastination Day. What do you think ? Tomorrow, maybe? Yeah, me too.
But seriously, I want to quit procrastinating one step at at time. I want to tackle a project once/week – something that I’ve been putting off for no good reason, and I want you all to hold me accountable.
Just to make it fair, you can volunteer to quit procrastinating one step at a time too.
It’s just one item each week, but it might include the following over the upcoming weeks:
- Empty the overflowing mending basket. Er…by doing the mending. I’ll post a picture of the basket later. Hey, quit smirking. That was meant to be a joke.
- Replace the missing insulation under the floors. I feel most motivated to do this during cold weather, but it will save us money in warm weather too.
- Keep the insulation from falling out again. We’re thinking chicken wire might do the job. It doesn’t sound like fun, but we lose money 2 ways when we lose insulation and have to buy it again.
- Paint the trim on all of the interior doors. It’s really not that hard to do, and our unfinished house might begin to look a lot more finished if I put my mind to wrapping up loose ends like that.
- Make sure all outlets and light switches are covered. Not just for safety, but so they’ll look nice.
- Move the outdoor trash cans. We’ve got to find a way to keep our trash away from the vermin.
What would be on your list? It could be as easy as balancing the checkbook or organizing your coupons. Or maybe you’ll finally get started on a major project that you’ve been putting off.
Will you join me? Ask me next week if my mending is done. But only if you tell us your project here, and are prepared to give an update next week. But wait – let’s start tomorrow. Cuz, you know, I have sick kids. And other excuses. Really good ones. Just like yours.
You didn’t think you’d see my mending basket, did you? This includes many items that need minor alterations and repairs, as well as some that are slated to be reborn as altogether new garments. Note that the mending pile is roughly 7 times the size of a Golden Retriever. OK, maybe not, but it’s 25 items. Maybe one week is too ambitious. What do you think?
p.s. In a similar vein, over on Frugal Hacks we’re resolving to make one change/month. My change for February will be ditching the disposable diapers for cloth.
Related posts:
http://oikos.com/esb/38/floorinsulation.html
This page has several diagrams of insulation hangers or straps. One is a plastic mesh that looks like your chicken wire idea.
Flylady declares every Wednesday to be Anti-Procrastination Day, and when I adhere to it, it’s amazing how effective it is! There’s just something about knowing, “Oh, it’s ok…I’ll do it on Wednesday.” And then actually doing it! And it’s amazing how the little things are the ones that bring us such satisfaction. I usually start my list with the ones that have been nagging at my conscience causing silly guilt.
Wow! You’re a better woman than I am for sure. Coming off of the stomach flu would be about the last time I’d be declaring an Anti-Procrastination Day. For me that would be the best excuse in the world to do nothing (but clean.)
Anyway, I just finished a job that I have been putting off – the basement. There were places where I had to climb over to get through. I’ve gotten up an hour early every day this week to tackle that job and just finished this morning. I can’t help but wonder how long it will last.
Yeah, I hear you. I’m a major procrastinator too. I’m sewing a wedding dress for a friend who’s getting married next month, and I’m not even close to having it finished!
I did start to tackle my mending pile the past couple Sunday nights. We have a home fellowship at our house and I can’t stand to sit and do nothing with my hands. So since my Christmas knitting projects were done I’m working on the mending while I listen to the Bible study.
The cool thing is, (besides getting stuff done) it has encouraged other young ladies who attend the study to learn to knit and they bring their work too.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Speaking of Golden Retrievers…did yours ever have her puppies?
Okay Kim I have plenty of things I have been putting off or at least delaying. Things that have been on the list for a while are getting all the photos in photo albums, creating Katie’s and Arabella’s first year scrapbooks. But some things that are alot easier to actually work on are the Wizard of Oz curtain’s for my step-mom’s Oz room (they were a Christmas present but the fabric arrived late and then there were unforseen problems that I had to recreate how I was to do the curtains) I hope to have these done by next Sat as I will be seeing her and my dad that day. Also to finish the family calendar by next Sat. or I can hand it to family rather than mail it and they will have it in time for Feb. (I will be including Jan of 2010 to make up for missing Jan. 09) There is also Katie’s blanket that I started when I was pregnant with her, and Arabella’s blanket and of course when we find out what we are having a blanket for the new baby (this is my thing). Okay is my list long enough or what. It’s not like I haven’t been doing any work on these things but they are not finished and need to be. I have also been working on alot of other projects and then of course there is schooling the kids, cleaning house. Okay I thing I need to go work on something. Bye
This is so funny that I read this today b/c I was thinking this morning that I HAVE to conquer my ironing pile (um, MOUNTAIN!) next week! It is really, really bad!
Uhmm…can anyone relate to ironing?!? My, that piles getting big!
Oh, and redesigning my blog…
I have an idea about the trash out doors with did you say varmits??
You build a box out of wood posts and chicken wire, put a top on it that can be lifted up and down with a latch. Just lift the lid and throw the gargage bags in the cans, like a dumpster but neater.
We have triple bunks, with our special needs 5 year old in the middle bunk. He has days where he doesn’t ‘get’ that bed is for sleeping so I appliqued a picture to hang on the slats of the top bunk (people ask “won’t it keep him awake?” but the kid is awake anyway, he may as well have something to look at!)……for his birthday….. in August – this week I will hang it properly.
In my defence it HAS been up at times, just not properly so it doesn’t stay there long.
Perfect post for me today; the Lord has been convicting me of this lately! I have to ask–how do you keep the little ones from touching the wet trim?
I have a dress I began a year or two ago that could use a hem…
Oh, I have an oh so frugal idea for you!!! Chicken wire is just waaaay to expensive for this application. Get the chicken wire, but use it for your chicken tractor instead!
Go to Home Depot or Lowe lumber section. They wrap their incoming bulk lumber with plastic straps. When they open their bulk lumber, they throw these straps away. We’ve asked for them before and they’ve gladly given them to us.
Then use a staple gun to staple these straps from floor joist to floor joist about every 18″ to 24″ and within about 6″ of the end of the insulation piece.
We actually did this for one of our jobs last year. Worked great!
Have fun!
Laralee
http://PlymouthRockRanch.com
Recording the Faithfulness and Provision of God for Future Generations
Last Monday I reorganized the kitchen cupboards. It took all day with the 2.5-year-old’s “help” but it was worth it. Oh, and I’m been putting this off since I was pregnant with her. Got rid of stuff and moved stuff around so it’s more cooking friendly.
Great idea! I have many, many more things to do around here!
I agree with mommaof10. There is a lot of cheaper ways of keeping insulation in place than chicken wire. MY local DIY store has a plastic netting which is ideal for the job. In some areas we’ve also just used the netting from vegetable sacks.
Hope your anti-procrastination day works out !