January To-Do List (Keepin’ Warm)

Regardless of whether we were just obligated to make some New Year’s Resolution pow-wow, I’m still trying to make small goals for myself each month (like I did in October and November). These goals are easier to check off the list, meaning that they ultimately trick me into thinking I’m a more productive girl. I don’t especially like to commit to anything uber-challenging or budget-pending, but I feel good about being able to wham-bam through this list of to-do’s in January:

1. Tupperware blowout.

Holy smokes, our plastic food storage containers multiplied like rabbits. Something needs to be done, and I’m thinking it’s more complex than just restacking them. Need to look into those shelving inserts that enable sliding drawers, and need to implement a plan.

2. Scrappy shenanigans.

In the same vein as the kitchen cabinet, my fabric scrap “bin” really needs a do-over. Tucked into the corner of the office, it’s hard to remember what leftovers I’ve held on to from recent projects (shown here are remnants of the bedroom curtains, sunroom curtains, pillows, ottomans). I have an idea. Be back soon.

3. Baseboards, baby.

The office, which was previously my walk-in-closet, and previous to that an infant’s nursery, still doesn’t have baseboards for whatever reason. I’ve tried to ignore it, but enough is enough, this will be a good cold-weather-stuck-indoors project.

Bonus: I’ve never installed baseboard trim before and it’ll be good practice for when I have to do it in the bathroom in the near future. Segue smoothly into #4

4. New Bathroom, Check.

The bathroom will eventually be home to its own new baseboard just like the office, but the really big goal in January is to actually finish our still-very-much-gutted bathroom (because I’m tired of using the cold basement toilet). Between other jobs and other projects that are in the works, it could be tight (in real life) to finish on this timeline, but we’ll try. If you wish to read more, I’m sharing the whole bathroom renovation story from beginning to end over on DIY Network, so you’ll have to track my progress as we get groovy. And groovy, we will get. 

In the meantime, a self-portrait via iPhone of me holding the old bathtub? Hurray.

5. Scooter Power-down.

Truthfully, weatherizing the scoots is the kind of thing we should have done in October, but it was 50 degrees here just before Christmas, and that’s still scootin’ weather if you’re wearing the right layers, so… we haven’t put them away yet officially despite reports that there’s going to be a foot of snow in front of the garage door next time I blink. Pete bought me my first scooter battery charger for Christmas, and hopefully keeping a slow drip of juice to the battery will aid in getting it started up again in a few months. (I’m practically counting down the days to resuming my 107mpg lifestyle).

How about you guys? Want to commit to any January projects with me, or are you going to be snuggled up on the couch keepin’ up with the DVR? (Or both at the same time?)