Focusing On What I *DID* Do

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When people put a to do list together or make a goal, we tend to focus on what we didn't do, on those areas where we failed. I put together a wish list of thirty items that I wanted to get done this summer. Knowing that I had the wee ones home with me all day and was going to be out of town for most of August, it was a long list. And - like everyone else - I've since added to it.

Well, my time is up - and probably a little past up since Little Miss went back to school last week. It's time for a review of how I did. But you know what? I don't want to focus on what I didn't do. I can and will still do those items. Instead, I'm going to buck the trend and celebrate the things that I did do! I challenge you to do the same.

30. Get my pile of magazines to read down from their current seven plus inch pile. If that means throwing some out, I'll find the fortitude.
Done! I tossed out a few magazines that I will never read, but the rest of them? I spent a good portion of the summer getting caught up on the ones I care about, and that pile is no longer in existence. I have three magazines that have come in the past two weeks to read, but that's it. I DID it.

28. Get an "exclusive" invite to just one party at BlogHer for a brand I'm passionate about (what, you don't think I'm cool enough? Thanks a lot!)
So done. BlogHer was an absolute blast, and I can't wait for 2011 in San Diego. I had some really cool party invites that came through, and I had so much fun and learned so much, too. And ummm yes, I still have to write about many of those. It's on the new to do list.

27. Sign myself up for the summer reading club at the library - and read the minimum 12 books.
I signed myself up. And I read far more than the twelve books. I neglected to log all the books I read, but that list isn't for me anyway - it's to show what I did. And like I tell the wee ones - what matters is that you know what you did, not that others see it.

26. Update all the binders for the nine (yes, NINE) jobs I had on the PTO this year.
Not only done, but those were handed off (happily, I might add) on June 21. Oh was that a good feeling!

25. Pass off said binders to the new PTO members who will be henceforth responsible.
Ahem. As mentioned - done!

24. Head out to Old West Town and do some gold panning with the wee ones (and friends).
We had this scheduled twice, but unfortunately weather interfered once and the second time I had a commitment come up last minute. We still got together both times with the wee ones' friends and did something unique and fun, but next year we'll have to go. I count this as done though as the spirit of it was there.

20. Fix the basement from our ejector pump fail last weekend - new carpet, drywall, bifold doors, and all.
Thank goodness this is done, no thanks to the bad carpet measurer from Costco. Trust me, you don't want the long, sordid story. But I have a beautiful, inhabitable basement once again!

19. Move the playroom toys into the newly fixed basement - and sort out those that are no longer played with first.
Done! And yes, the toys are even sorted. I probably need to go through them again with a fine toothed comb, but I've taken out so many that we just don't play with anymore. And boy, does that feel good!

18. Purchase desks and whiteboard paint to create a homework room in the former playroom.
Well, technically, I've purchased this. I suppose I did a good job in wording this goal. The homework room is mostly set up. The only thing I have left to do is paint the magnetic whiteboard(s), and I can't wait to share the difference with you!

13. Sign Little Miss up for gymnastics (which technically starts on Monday, I believe. Oops).
She was signed up. She even attended all the sessions we signed her up for, and she's gotten so much better over the summer now that she's in a "real" class. And yes, she's signed up for the fall session, too. Whoo hoo!

12. Complete the C25K training (Week 4 Day 3 tomorrow!) - even if it's after the 5K that I'm signed up for at BlogHer.
Oh I so did this. I am so stoked that I ran my first 5K! Of course I then didn't run for the rest of August, but I'm back in the saddle per se this week and am working my way back up - a 20 minute run is in my future tomorrow.

11. Create a more regular bedtime that results in a less tired me.
I think I did this. I am upstairs no later than 11pm every night, and frequently I go to bed earlier. One night last week I even went to bed at 8pm. It's definitely helping.

10. Find time to use the massage gift card my husband gave me for Mother's Day.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... do I need to say more?

6. Buy a new laptop to replace the one I have to turn in for work - and be happy with my choice. (ummm, again - suggestions?)
I'm typing on it as we speak. It took me forever to decide on one, but I like it. Except for the random size changing and web page going backwards that happens. But it so works for me, and I really missed having a laptop in that two week period I was without.

2. Set realistic deadlines for projects - and ensure I make each of them.
I'm getting there. I've gone back to making lists, which really helps me prioritize what I need to get done in a day and what I can get done. I love lists. Have I mentioned that before?

1. Enjoy my time with the wee ones - and ensuring they're enjoying their summer, as well!
Oh that was so done! From the picnics to the classes to bike riding to Florida to the pool to Uno and more, we had a blast. Yayyyyy!

And now to go work on those items I haven't yet accomplished. Sixteen semi-major projects done over the summer? I call that a success. We won't talk about the other fourteen. Shhhh!