Goals Update: September 2016

September was pretty busy, as per our usual life schedule.  We had two events here at the museum, we set up at a large flea market, we visited two steam and gas shows (Howard's new favorite activity), I celebrated becoming 31, and I worked a ton.  Plus the usual stuff like cleaning, errands, and the never-ending pile of laundry.  I did carve out some time to work on some of my goals this month.  I can tell that we are on the home stretch for the year, and I am feeling the burn so to speak, or the itch maybe, to get things crossed off and done! 
So, here's how things are going so far for the year...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) -  I have lost 15 pounds!  I didn't lose any more in September, but I also didn't gain any, so that's good.  I am hoping to have more time in October to get back to my every day exercising, and that will definitely help.
• Exercise 292 days - In September I exercised 25 out of 30 days.  For a total of 225 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal! 
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I did pretty well with this goal in September.  The warmer weather helps.  I am hoping that I can keep the momentum up in October even though it's cooling down here in Maryland, and all I crave is hot tea. 

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for September here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying $27 under budget!  This included fresh produce, diapers, shampoos, cereal, and a variety of other items.
• Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I earned another gift card in September!  I had to be very diligent about earning my Swagbucks each day, but it is so worth it to have another $25 Amazon gift card to use!  4 Down, and 2 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - I did not list anything in September, mainly because I didn't have anything to list.  I have some books and sewing patterns (now that I've done some more cleaning out) that I'd like to get up on Amazon in October, so hopefully I can make that happen.  January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - Check (43), April - no check (1), May -no check (0), June - no check (0), July - no check (0), August - no check (0), September - no check (0)
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - We set up at a flea market at the beginning of September.  We did just okay, but we did get rid of quite a few of the bulkier items we had, which was nice.  Our next flea market is in October, so I am hoping for a good show!  Total for the year = 4

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - Finally done for the year!!!  I finished up the cedar chest in September, and now I am DONE!!!
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately.  I did get a few things crossed off in September.  I am hoping to get a couple more done in October.  We are on the home stretch, and there are just a few things left that need to get done before the end of the year!

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I was able to post 3 times a week in September.  All totaled I posted 13 times in September!  I really enjoyed sharing my Fall decor sneak-peek with you all!  I always love seeing what others are doing in the homes for decoration.
• Do a 31 day series in October - I cannot believe that this starts this weekend!?  I feel like just yesterday I still had months to go before this series got started.  I have been writing away, working on graphics, and getting everything ready to roll for October 1st!
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Not yet, I am hoping to get this done in October.

How is everyone else doing with their goals?

Anything new or different you are trying this year?

Share some of your goals in the comments...

Household Project List 2016 - September Update

September was a whirl-wind of a month -- there were two events at the museum, we sat up at a large flea market, we visited two steam and gas shows, and I worked a LOT.  I did get a few things crossed off the list, but not as much I would have hoped to.  October is looking like a much more laid back month, at least it is on the calendar.  I am planning to work on getting at least 3 items crossed off next month, so wish me luck!  

Here's how the list is looking so far...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- Finished in February
• Steam off the crappy boarder - I'm hoping to get to this in October or November.
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams - Done!  I finally set aside some time to do this in September, and it looks so much better.
• Change the wall art - I'm still on the hunt for a shelf, and after a trip to the Hobby Lobby I think I have found the art that I want to make for behind our bed, so maybe I'll get to work on this some in October.

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- Finished in February
• Sell desk, and move in a bench -- Finished in April
• Build another shelf in the hall closet -- Unneeded, crossed off in February

• Bathroom:
• Declutter the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers  -- Finished in February
• Touch up the paint - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- Finished in March
• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall - Finished in June/July. 
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall -- Finished in January
• Find new art for behind the futon - I have found the picture that I want, but it's pricey.  If I can find something similar at a yard sale for less money, I will scoop it up for sure.  If not, I'm in the process of saving up so I can get it as a birthday gift to myself.

• Kitchen:
• Declutter 35 Cabinets, 1 Pantry, 1 China Cabinet, and 11 Drawers -- Finished in March   
• Get a new trashcan -- Finished in February
• Steam the wallpaper off our microwave table, and repaint it - I've decided to cross this off for this year, and add it to next year's list.  The table was damaged during the renovations we had done in June, so we really need a new one.  We are heading into the busy season here at the museum, and I know that Joe is not going to have time to build  new one until January.  Unless I can find something the next time I go to Ikea...
• Paint the windows/sills/trim - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.
• Clean out the chest freezer and defrost it -- Finished in March
  

• Nursery/Office:
• Declutter the Closet, Dresser, Desk, Chest of Drawers, Bookcase, Sewing Table, and Cedar Chest -- Cedar Chest is finally done.  I don't know why I put it off for so long, because it only took me about an hour or so to complete.  I now have a completely empty cedar chest ready to be moved out when baby number 2 decides to come - whenever that may be.
• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case - Finished in June.
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains - Finished in July.
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang - I am planning to work on this in November.
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser -- Finished in April
• Re-glue wallpaper - I have started on this and have decided I need a better glue.  The wallpaper glue and roller I used for the other rooms in the house just isn't cutting it in here.  The paper is peeling much worse in this room though, and it's just so dry it doesn't want to stick.  I'm leaning towards super glue unless any one has a better suggestion?
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2) - Done!  Picture to come.
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves -- We won't be able to build shelves above the desk the way I wanted to, so I am on the lookout for a small, mostly decorative, shelf at the thrift stores and yard sales.
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame - Finished in June.  Completed during renovations.

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations) -- Finished in March
• Touch up paint from renovation - I am planning to start this in October.
• Hang art -- Crossed off in May. 
• Wash box of new-to-us toys - Finished in July.
• Buy an IKEA cube system, assemble, and organize -- I haven't been able to make it to Ikea yet this month, so I will probably not get there until sometime in October.  I am hoping to knock this out soon though - I need an organized laundry room stat.

 Are any of you working on some household projects this year?

What are you getting accomplished?