My DIY To-Do.

Spring break is just around the corner, and I already have a list of DIYs I want to complete during that week. That is, as long as I don't have a ridiculous amount of homework. Alison, Jordan's mom, is going to teach me how to use my sewing machine- which I'm super excited about. I've had two sewing machines forever, but never bothered to learn how to use them. So here is my list:

Braided Necklace:



Spool Necklace Hanger:



Party Skirt {If I learn how to use my sewing machine}:



Tennis Racket Mirror:



Doily Lamp:



{click images for sources/tutorials}


Have any other great DIYs I should add to my list? Please share!

What Makes Me Smile.

After reading Kyla's post, I was inspired to make my own 'happiness list'. There are some days (actually most days) when I need a little pick me up, and if I don't make a conscious effort to do something to brighten my mood- it only gets worse. I've battled with severe depression since I was 18 (that's 8 long years), and am always looking for positive ways to overcome dark days. I've also had doctor's tell me that I have ADHD, which I don't listen to, so remembering these things takes a little extra effort on my part. That's where the list making comes in, I make to-do lists for just about everything in my life. At the moment I have 11 'stickies' on my macbook, a couple almost as big as the screen itself. So here is my list of what makes me happy, a little reminder of all the things I can do to brighten my mood. I'm thinking about printing this out & posting it a few places in my house as well.



Take a picture.
Cuddle with Horton.
Take a bubble bath.
Buy flowers from Trader Joes.
Brew a glass of loose-leaf tea.
Read my Bible.
Send someone an email just to say hi.
Go for a walk.
Develop a roll of film.
Write a letter on my typewriter.
Go to a yoga class.
Make something pretty.
Blog.
Go to bed early.
Read.
Eat a piece of chocolate & don't feel bad about it.
Have a dance party by myself.
Read my entire google reader.
Skype with someone I miss.
Clean out my email inbox.
Play one of my dad's old records.
Organize a drawer or cabinet.
Comment on a few blogs.
Play fight with Jordan.
Pluck my eyebrows.
Give myself a manicure.
Get a pedicure.
Clean out my purse.
Bake cookies.
Listen to an old favorite song.
Take a long nap.
Hangout at my parent's house.
Have dinner/lunch with a friend.
Watch tv with Jordan & don't argue about what to watch.
Go to Big Spoon & put as many toppings on as possible.
Eat a healthy meal.
Go to the House of Prayer.

Can you think of any other things to add to this list? I'm sure you've got some great ideas.

{Image found here.}

Four Simple Goals.

While I'm still working on my 2010 list. I really liked the idea of having four simple goals to accomplish in 2010, that aren't result oriented and are simple ways to focus on what it is that makes me smile. Elsie's 4 Simple Goals post inspired me to write my own, but then again I'm always looking for a good excuse to write a to-do list.

1. Read

Read more of everything. Read my Bible more often, read the stack of novels sitting next to my bed, reread old Real Simple and Natural Health magazines, read more blogs, maybe even read my texts books once they arrive for the upcoming semester, who knows?

2. Move

Exercise Move more often. Not as in go to the gym and run on a treadmill for hours, but as in moving for fun not for calorie deduction. This includes bike riding, roller skating, walking, yoga, hiking, swimming, and the list goes on.

3. Cook

Oh, Jordan is going to love it if I actually accomplish this goal. Have I ever told you how pathetic I am in the kitchen? True story.

4. Write

I love writing, but I don't do it enough. Maybe because I'm not very confident in my ability, or maybe because I feel like what I have to say isn't worthy of putting on paper? Regardless, it's something I enjoy so I'm going to start doing it more. Whether that means more blogging or more journalling... I'm going to get my words out of my head on on the paper or screen.

I feel like this is my own little version of Eat, Pray, Love. Without the traveling and life changing experiences, that is.

P.S. I added one more this week. I want to learn how to use my camera. I already took it off the automatic setting, but I want to figure out the rest of the little buttons and switches. I'm hoping to take a class through The Learning Exchange.

HowTo ToDo.

I'm sorry I've been MIA lately, I don't know how you other bloggers do it. I don't know if I stopped writing because my life got too hectic, or just too boring. Probably both.

Here is just one more to do list. I know, I know. I have OCD when it comes to list making, but this one was a lot of fun to make, so I had to share. Here is my DIY To-Do List:

Rag Rug (I REALLY want to make this one) by Oda May.


Plush Alphabet by Holly.


Slide Lamp by Yarn Zombie.


Painted Sihouettes from Design Sponge.


Lightbulb Terrariums by Hipster Home.


Hand-Painted Cup & Saucer from Etsy.


Cork Containers from Design Sponge.


Colorful Pouf from Design Sponge.


K, now who wants to have a craft night with me?

Dear Summer, Please Hurry.

There is nothing like finishing your first year of grad school to get you excited for summer. I honestly cannot wait, only 24 more days. And yes, I'm counting down. I even thought about making a paper chain, which I might do tonight. Being a teacher means that I'll always have "summer break", and you won't. I'm sorry, didn't mean to rub that in your face.



So because I'm too excited to concentrate on studying for the huge exam I have in 3 hours, I wrote a to-do list. Not a list of things I actually need to get done, but a list of all the things I want to accomplish this summer. A few of which are on my 2010 To-Do List. As you can tell, I'm a little obsessed with making lists.

So here it goes. . .

♥ Go on an unplugged mini-vacation with Jordan. Oh, and I'm taking a 7 day hiatus from the internet on the first full week of summer break.

♥ Take my keyboard out from under my bed, and learn how to play it.

♥ Take a lot of pictures with my Holga, and have Kellie teach me how to develop the film.

♥ Finally read the entire new testament. (I have ADD when it comes to reading my Bible & I like to jump around a lot.)

♥ Try Bikram Yoga. Sign up for the $20 for 2 weeks @ Sunrise Hot Yoga.

♥ Read, Read, Read. I need to make a must-read summer book list. Any suggestions?

♥ Play with my kids more.

♥ Seriously clean the entire house. I already wrote a Spring Summer Cleaning To-Do List.

♥ Go on picnics (a lot) and fly kites.

♥ Change my name. Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know it's been a year but I'm slow. At least I changed it through SS.

♥ Lay in my hammock.

♥ Finish my wedding scrapbook (finally!)

♥ B&B vacation with Liz. We need to set a date and find a place soon. I'm getting anxious for this one.

♥ Work on our Lystography book.

♥ Finish my Dr. Seuss collection.

Image from WeHeartIt

2010 Update.

Instead of a new year's resolution this year, I wrote out a list of 20 things I wanted to do in the year 2010. I've already started a few, and am actually doing a lot better than I thought I would. What is amazing is this is the first year I haven't had a resolution, and I've already kicked a bad habit and started two really great ones (yoga and running). I'm also learning to spend more time on me, which includes focusing on things I want to change both inwards and out. I'm trying to reduce my anxiety and improve my health. I'm also determined to kick my addiction to wearing vnecks and jeans every single day. I realized Liz was right when she said I only wear 10% of the things I own. And with that in mind, I am going to do more outfit posts. God only knows how much I love taking pictures of myself.

Here is an update on the things I have crossed off my 2010 list. The things that I am in the midst of accomplishing, or plan to start in the next week, are written in larger text.

Learn how to sew. Run 5 miles without stopping (or having an asthma attack). Finish my wedding scrapbook. Complete my Dr. Seuss collection. Style School. Learn how to play chess. Fix up my small blue suitcase. Buy a toy camera. & learn how to use it. Bake a (good) loaf of bread. Spend a whole weekend with Grandpa. Plant a garden. Finally go on a B&B vacation with Liz. Buy a typewriter. Spend a weekend in my pjs, with Jordan, doing absolutely nothing except laughing/smiling/beingkids. Find new antique stores & flea markets & awesome thrift stores. Go to three different states with Jordan, on three different occasions. Finish our Lystography book. Spend time @ the house of prayer. See a ballet and a musical. Have fun, smile, relax, and pray (a lot).

Sorry if this is a bit repetative, but writing about it is a good way to stay motivated. So, how are you all doing on your New Year's resolutions or lists?

Oh, & on an unrelated note. I found this on weheartit and decided I need this written on my door. Something we all should be reminded of as we leave our homes each morning.

Twenty ToDos For TwentyTen

So instead of making a ridiculous new year's resolution- that I don't intend (or really want) to keep. I decided to make a 2010 to-do list. This was a lot of fun, and got me really excited for the new year. I love new beginnings (so much).





My list: Read the New Testament from Matthew to Revelation. Try a Bikram Yoga Class. Change my name to Gray (finally). Learn how to sew. Run 5 miles without stopping (or having an asthma attack). Finish my wedding scrapbook. Complete my Dr. Seuss collection. Style School. Learn how to play chess. Fix up my small blue suitcase. Buy a toy camera. & learn how to use it. Bake a (good) loaf of bread. Spend a whole weekend with Grandpa. Plant a garden. Finally go on a B&B vacation with Liz. Buy a typewriter. Spend a weekend in my pjs, with Jordan, doing absolutely nothing except laughing/smiling/beingkids. Find new antique stores & flea markets & awesome thrift stores. Go to three different states with Jordan, on three different occasions. Finish our Lystography book. Spend time @ the house of prayer. See a ballet and a musical. Have fun, smile, relax, and pray (a lot).