Things I've Been Meaning to Do - 2013 plan

Previously I've done monthly 'Things I've been meaning to do' posts, and since I found them really useful to keep me moving on all those things I've been meaning to do, I'll resurrect them for 2013.

This list are things I've been meaning to do in some cases for years that I'd like to knock off in 2013.  Many of these I can set smaller goals during the year on a month by month basis to get them done.

• Make photo books of the photos I have of my mum and step-dad.  I've got piles of baby and childhood photos, so I'd like to get them organised and published into photobooks.  Only been on the list for 4 years or so.
• Finish J's baby cross-stitch.  He's nearly 2.  I need to get it done. I don't want it to be like the table cloth my mother started crocheting when she was pregnant with my sister in 1976.  It was left unfinished when she passed in April 2008.  By unfinished, there is one square to finish and and two to connect to the tablecloth!
• Sort through my filing cabinet.  This is just a general maintenance task that needs to be done, but something I tend to avoid.
• Sell the stuff I've been planning to sell for ages - some of this also dates back 4 years. 
• Tidy up the couch grass in my yard.  It's invaded the garden beds and since I have good edging, I really should get in and clean it up.  This will be a winter job when the ground is hopefully softer. 
• Re-paint all the trim around the outside of the house, a job that is well, well overdue.  I may use this as an opportunity to update the look.

I'm sure I'll come up with other things.

*The montly 'Things I've Been Meaning to Do' originally came from I'm A Lazy Mom.

Crafting Before the Melbourne Test

After reading various craft blogs and spending a bit of time on Pinterest this year, I've done a few crafty things this Christmas. 

First cab off the rank was the interchangeable wreath by Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous.  This pin  lead me to following her blog and start aiming to get the study/craft room decluttered enough so I can actually get to my sewing machine.

Gift wise, I used J's toddler scribble to make MIL's gift for this year.

Then I've made memento Christmas Stockings for both J and his baby cousin M.  As J is older, I've been able to add a 'cruck' as this year's addition, since they're a minor obsession (major obsession is buses):

I love that these will grow with the boys and tell their story as they get older.  It was quite sentimental to use my grandmother's pinking shears to make something for the great-grandchildren she never knew (and probably though would never come).  Pity they're not that ergonomic - my hand was killing me by the end!

I've also made the 'write on a cheap ball with a sharpie' ornament, listing major events (Mr Trifectagirl's illness and passing is front and centre, since that's the dominant event of the year), how old we each turned, my hobbies and activities for the year, what J likes at the moment and where we went on holidays.

 

Sorry about photo quality on this one.  One of my plans for 2013 is to learn how to use Mr Trifectagirl's DSLR properly - and fix it when J changes the settings on me!!

Kitchen Renovation: Done!

After a long-ish lead up, finally, I have plenty of storage in my kitchen!! 

We started with a blank canvas - and crowded benchtop

Then my Dad help add some paint (Dulux Shimmer)

And a couple of weeks ago I got the cabinets installed:

 

 

 

Since these photos were taken, I've had the electrical work finished, got things put away and done a little decorating higher up.

And already the bench is cluttered again! 

Oh Christmas Tree

Here it is acceptable for Christmas decorating to start once Santa has arrived as part of the Christmas Pageant. 

Santa took up residence at the Magic Cave on Saturday, so it's decorating time!

Our new tree went up while watching the live broadcast, along with some other nick-knacks around the house.  I decided to treat myself to a new tree this year.  I've had an older 6 foot tree for years, but wanted something new.

I went with a 7 foot tree, with glitter on the end of the branches.  This was somewhat of a mistake as the glitter is going EVERYWHERE.  But I like the overall height and look.

I also bought a new decorating item I'd seen a couple of years ago on the internet - a Yuleahoop.*  It's worked really well for hanging the bead and my very fat tinsel on the tree.

Having gone from a six footer to a seven footer, it's a bit sparse for my liking.  But J is probably going to start bringing home decorations he makes himself, so I should probably leave room for them...
 

*I did not receive a yuleahoop to trial, and the opinions are my own.  I will say that the company gave me excellent customer service while we negotiated international shipping.