Before I get started… what do you think of The Deliberate Mom’s new look? There were many reasons why I had to make these changes but overall, I’m satisfied that The Deliberate Mom will be entering the new year with a refreshed appearance.
With that aside… onto pressing matters. I am tired of miscellaneous projects haunting me year after year. So this year, I’m going to publicly share my 2014 to do list with hopes that it will keep me accountable!
Here’s what I want to accomplish:
Make a baby clothes quilt for my oldest daughter.
The kid is almost six! It’s time I stop shaking in my boots, take a deep breath, and start sewing her baby clothes quilt.
If I get the quilt done in sufficient time (and it isn’t too horrifying of an experience) I would like to make one for my other daughter too.
Fix up my sewing room.
I won’t even post pictures of my sewing room here. It’s in an unfinished corner of our basement. It’s cramped, cluttered, uninspiring and uninviting. I hope to change that.
Recover our ottoman.
My toddler got mischievious one afternoon and started picking at the seams of our ottoman. Before I knew it, batting was on the floor. We desperately stashed it in the basement (in my sewing room as a matter of fact) with hopes that it can be salvaged. It’s an old piece from my husband’s grandma, so I really want to keep it. It shouldn’t be too hard to recover it… I’m just scared about taking that first step.
Make a honeymoon photo album.
My husband and I have been married for almost seven years and we still haven’t managed to put all those pictures of Kauai in an album. This year WILL be the year.
Compile photo albums of the kids.
I love this idea off of Pinterest… a yearbook for every year. How fabulous is this?! I must do this ASAP.
Add more items to my Etsy store.
Christmas came and my Etsy store was suddenly empty. Yay for business but I haven’t found the time to put more products on. So I’m taking this opportunity to not only make more kleenex pouches but also diversify. The empty Etsy widget sitting on my sidebar is a beacon for me to get into my dungeon of a sewing room and produce some new products!
Clean, purge, and organize.
Last year when my life fell apart, my home kind of fell apart too. It’s hard to focus on cleaning your home when the anxiety alarm bells are constantly ringing in your head. This December I started a massive cleaning and organizing project. Every week I tackle a new organizing project. It’s my hope that everything will be in order by June so that I can switch into maintenance mode; then I can spend less time organizing and more time playing in the summer sun!
Clean my body.
I don’t mean take a shower… I mean an internal cleansing. My goal this year is to switch my family over to a clean eating diet. This Christmas also brought a new addition to our appliance family… a Nutribullet juicer! So I’m planning to incorporate veggie drinks as “snacks” during the day. If you follow me on Pinterest, over the next few months I will be building my Clean Eating Board.
Follow Jennifer’s CLEAN EATING board on Pinterest.
The ultimate schedule.
Okay, you may laugh but I am in serious need of a schedule that allows me to homeschool, participate in Bible studies, play with my children, hang out with my husband, exercise, sew, craft, garden, bake, and blog. I do all these things but I tackle them in waves (i.e. get obsessive about homeschooling, then a few weeks later I’m a blogging fiend, etc.).
I know a schedule isn’t just a mystical figment of my imagination. I’m certain it’s achievable but I need to work on my schedule asap so that this year can be the most productive and enjoyable year ever! Maybe I’ll use a cute printable template like this one to work out my daily duties!
So do you have a 2014 to do list? If so, I would love to hear what projects you plan on tackling.
SHARE WITH OTHERS
You are a rock star with these goals for 2014, Jennifer! I’m all for cleaning, purging, and getting organized, and the new year is a great time to tackle these things. Last year I went on my “unfinished project” marathon, and it felt so rewarding. I think you’ll just gain momentum as you knock off these projects, one by one.
And nice new look by the way! Caught my eye immediately!
A rock star?! I’ll take it! I hope I can accomplish these tasks! I’m very excited about all my tasks (except maybe the baby quilt… that has me freaked out).
Glad you like The Deliberate Mom’s new look.
First I have to say that I love the new look. I think this is more you! Next is, WOW that’s a long list of things for 2014 but I know that you’ll be able to do it. I haven’t gotten a list as yet but when I do I’m sure it won’t be as long. I still have to work on my ultimate schedule as well. Vacations seem to be the only time I’m able to do everything I would love to do so I’m taking advantage of the one I’m on now. Still in your neck of the woods. :)
Thanks Amanda! Glad you like the new look.
I’m beginning to wonder if my 2014 to do list is too ambitious. I guess I’ll find out next December!
Enjoy the rest of your vacation in Canada.
Love your new look! You’ve got great plans for next year!
Thanks Sanz! I like my new look too! I’m excited about the plans for 2014 too.
So many things to say! #1, LOVE the new look of the blog! It’s greatness! I really need to get on the ball and make some changes to my blog.
#2, so excited for you to do a clothes quilt for your daughter! Such a good idea and it will be such a great keepsake for her.
#3, I am soooo behind on my photo albums/scrapbooks. I’ve about given up on scrapbooking. I may start doing the Project Life ones. Way easier and saves so much time.
#4 I’m right there with ya with the clean and purge, and clean body. I can’t wait to start getting rid of all that clutter! And we do a lot of green smoothies. They are easy and yummy!
#5, we really are like separated at birth sisters because I MUST have a schedule. Once you get it going, it will change your life, promise. The hard part is finding the time for it all. :)
Have a happy Monday my dear!
xoxo
I am so glad you like the look of the blog. I am so excited for these projects. I hope I can do them all! Hopefully by sharing them here, I’ll be more likely to accomplish them all!
You have a great day too!
xoxo
I do like the new look! Congrats on the change. You have a great to do list here. I’m going to work on eating cleaner and working out more. I indulged a little too much this holiday season so I need to get back on track!
So glad you like the new look. I think it was long overdue. I really hope I can live up to these lofty ambitions I’ve laid out for myself.
Happy New Year!
I love the new look and I can’t wait to see how these things go in 2014!!! PS. You’re a no reply blogger again. :-(
Hmmm, are you sure?! I went in and changed that earlier this afternoon! So frustrating.
Thanks for stopping by and Happy New Year!
I love that you shared this with us. I do new year’s to-do lists every year instead of resolutions. They so so so work. I haven’t made mine yet but organization will certainly be on the list.
I hate making resolutions. To do lists are much more effective for me.
Happy New Year Jean!
This is one major list. You are ridiculously talented and I think it’s a great idea that you’re going to do more with etsy! And you better be ready to go back to Hawaii Once you see those pictures it will be a done deal. And btw, I love the new design!
I know it’s a biggie! I hope I can do it all. I think I’ve postponed putting those photos into albums for exactly that reason… as much as I would love to go back to Hawaii it’s not in the financial forecast for a while.
Glad you like the new design! Happy New Year!
xoxo
Love the new look.
and i think those plans are great.
Happy New Year
xoxo
Hi Z! Glad you like the new look. I’m excited for my 2014 plans. Happy New Year to you too!
xoxo
I adore the baby quilt idea! I’m actually saving items to do one at some stage (after I learn how to quilt). I took a basic sewing class last year, but know I’ll need to take another before I could seriously do anything on my own. Also – I know quilting is a bit of a different skill – so it’s set aside as a plan on this end for me – but I’d love to know how yours progresses!
Some other great items on your list too – all the best for 2014!
I really want to do the baby clothes quilt. It’s been put off for too long.
Happy New Year to you too!
That looks like an organized plan. I have finished a few quilts and have several in progress. The easiest were the serger quilt and one with squares trimmed to be fuzzy on one side. If you want more details ask and I’ll try to be clearer than that in my response. I need to get caught up with photo books, too. The kids love looking back on the completed ones, but I am a few years behind.
Thanks Jennifer! I am so organized… I just need to follow through.
Happy New Year Jennifer, love your new blog design.
Great list of projects for 2014, can’t wait to see how they unfold during the year. I follow you on pinterest, and you’re always up to something interesting!
Take care xx
So glad you like the new design. I like it too. I always find stuff to do on Pinterest… I just need the time to do all my projects.
Happy New Year Chrisy!
Good luck with all of these goals! There are some good ones there. I always wonder if I put my goals out there in a bit more detail if I’d stick more… who can tell?
The yearbook thing is an excellent idea. Blurb is extremely easy to use and it’s a great idea. I do a “year in photos” each year to give as Christmas gifts. It’s a nice way to keep things personal. Blurb has solid prices, too.
Thanks for the tip about Blurb. I’ll have to check them out!