Autumn Bucket List

One of the popular things floating around pinterest last year and this year are seasonal bucket lists.  I decided to make one for our family for this fall, and it's something that I think will be worthwhile for the holidays and next summer too.  Time just passes so quickly and I want to make sure we make the most of it, especially while our children are young and we have lots of opportunities for family time.  Here's our fall bucket list for this year - it encompasses some goals, some chores and some fun things we want to do.  Some should be no-brainers (like home and visit teach, go to the temple, watch conference) but I included them so they can stay fresh in our minds and we can make more meaningful efforts in those areas.

I had this printed up as an 8x10 and framed it so we can check things off with a dry erase marker as we go.

52 Projects

I have a goal this year to do one project every week.  As a wife and mother, life gets very cyclical and the same things need to be done over and over again: doing laundry, making dinner, grocery shopping, cleaning, changing diapers, etc.  You get the idea.  It seems that most things I do get undone or need to be done repeatedly.  I do think it's really important to find joy in our responsibilities, even the everyday and mundane.  But I also think it's important to do things that help you feel accomplished, like you're using and building talents, and making yourself, your home, family, and community better in a [more] tangible way.

So.  The plan is to do one thing each week that is a little more permanent - something I can finish or something with a result that will make me smile.  They can be big or small.  Painting a piece of furniture, a sewing project, organizing or beautifying a space, canning... anything! I'm excited.  I think it will be really good for me and my family, and it will be a great motivator to get a lot of things done instead of just adding to the list.

And it might sound a little OCD of me, but I really love that with January 1 being on a Sunday this year, each week is already defined in a perfect pod that ends on a Saturday.  Love it!

For the Overzealous Mother-to-Be

...who obviously has no idea what she's getting herself into (that would be me). I've recently found lots of great blogs with super cute ideas for homemade baby and kid things. I've had a hard time keeping track of them all and my bookmark list is getting a bit out of control. I thought I'd create a post just to organize these projects in case I ever have time to make them. Last night I looked at the list and thought, "twenty-three projects... twenty-three weeks (until baby) - that's doable" -- well, we shall see. I may or may not have added to the list since last night... Maybe I'll even post some finished projects here too.

Baby Boy or Girl
Knit Baby Hats
Stroller Quilt
Wet Bags
Newborn Gowns
Burp Cloths - Appliqued Here or Flannel Here or Embellished Gerber Here
Shirt Sleeve Baby Hat
Baby Legs
Appliqued Onesies (I don't have a tutorial, but I've made a few so no need)
Bitty Booties
Hooded Towel
Sock Animal Rattle -- so cute!
Fabric Blocks
Stardust Shoes
Changing Pad
Taggie Animals
Jingle Ball
Cloth Baby Rings
Black & White Board Book - images here
Owl Toy
Flannel Receiving Blankets - I've been making these for new babies I know, here's a tutorial I like
Bath Toy Bag

For Baby's Room
Fabric Covered Night Light
Lamb Pillows
Bird Mobile
Pom Pom Curtains (to replace closet doors)
Custom Crib Sheets - here, here and here
Changing Pad Cover
Decoupaged Stool (to use as an ottoman with my glider)
Embroidery Hoop Wall Art
Crib Skirt
Furniture Decoupage
Window Shades -- not sure what I'll do for these yet

Baby Girl
Baby Bonnet
Vintage Bloomers
Black Apple Doll
Petal/Ruffle Onesies - love these
Itty Bitty Dress
Rose Barrettes
Another Bonnet (I realize I have lots of hats/bonnets, but I'll need to keep our December baby's little ears warm!)
Baby Tights
Felt Baby Shoes
Stretchy Baby Headband
Wool Felt Hat

Baby Boy
Diaper Change Cone
Shirt Pocket Quilt

Older Baby/Kid
Car Playmat
Felt Food
Rollie Pollie
Play Food Salt and Pepper
Cozy Car Caddy - love.
Crayon Roll
Fabric Memory Cards
Kneepad Pants
Photo Memory Game
I Spy Bag
Alphabet Flashcards
Dishtowel Bathrobe
Quiet Book - fab examples here, here, here, here and here

128.65 miles (of training)

A long time ago I set a goal to run a half marathon. I tried twice to run a Utah race, but due to it's popularity and my lack of luck, I was never selected to run it (it was lottery style). When my sister made plans to run a race in her new hometown on her birthday, I thought it would be the perfect excuse to train for one myself.

Amanda and I ran the American Discovery Trail Half Marathon on Labor Day and had a great time. We were both pretty nervous in the days leading up to the race, having never attempted such a feat, but everything went really smooth and we had a really good race.

This is right before the race while we waited in the infinitely long bathroom line and tried to warm up and stretch a bit.
Waiting for the starting gun...
Coming around the final stretch (trying to give a thumbs up)
Just after finishing
All done!

Giving Up

I've always been inspired by disciplined people. People that run five miles every day, or get up at 5:00 to go to the gym, or don't eat any processed foods, or never set foot in Wal-Mart. People have all sorts of reasons and motives for the things they are disciplined about and I always find myself wanting to be a little more like that. Now, I'd like to think that I have a reasonable amount of discipline -- I gave up soda for 18 months (I started this one again at the beginning of the month) and I went an entire 4 weeks without refined sugar. But lately I've been feeling like I need to reign in the natural (wo)man and show myself that I can be disciplined and that when I am, my quality of life improves.

So I'm leaving this one up to you... or at least seeking your advice. What should I do (or not do) and for how long? What have you given up or been disciplined about that has improved your life? Ah, I'm so curious. Please comment below. :)

-Ingrid Michaelson-