12 by 2012 update:

I started the 12 by 2012 project just because I have been pretty unmotivated all year. Just going through the motions, but feeling like I am going nowhere. So #1 on my list of goals was "Living Room Project (new paint / new floors / new furniture)"

I don't know why but I was super unmotivated to get our placed cleaned up. Have you ever noticed I never post any pictures of our place? It's so hard when we are surrounded by the most lovely blogs filled with photos of beautiful homes and everything. I always think these bloggers and designers live such fabulous lives, their blog translates into their lifestyle and everything they own is beautiful. The beauty and 'inspiration' found in all the blog in a way made me unmotivated to do it. Probably because in my mind, it seemed like a big project. So I just put it off. and didn't make it a point to do anything with our place.

But I think at some point, things just have to where you just force yourself with everything in you to do something, anything. I procrastinated at the at the beginning of the year for a few good months. It was so messy and embarrassing - I wouldn't even let friends in. (Lillian knows what I'm talking about, I've never invited her in, haha) I was embarrassed to let friends use the bathroom (but Ruby got in one time - I had to let her in because I couldn't deny her 3 year old to use the bathroom!) May/June rolled around and I figured I should do something. By July I finally listed all our furniture on craigslist and sold it all to clear out the place. But then nothing. Then October we finally got the walls painted and on November 16th, I am happy to report, we finally got the wood floors installed!

Here are some images that I took to document our progress.
First we had to start with paint. It is hard choosing a color. Really hard! We went through a lot of samples. I don't mind it much because I am going to turn all the testers we bought into chalkboard paint for different projects. But I am an indecisive person. Anyway, we hired a painter and there was some big-time drama and I didn't even end up liking the color! So Nick just re-primed and repainted everything. But then it was finally all done and it turned out great.

Next was wood. This was also hard to decide on. With all the craziness that happened with the painter, I wanted a professional and reliable job - I didn't want any drama again. So I hired these guys that I found on Yelp. We ended up going with laminate instead of engineered wood. It turned out quite nicely and was done in a day. Just like that. Months of trying to get going on this and it's done in a day. I wish procrastination didn't exist ;)

Wood never looked so good, we had a completely new place.

We also ended up getting wood stairs installed... courtesy of my older brother's friend. More drama there which I totally wanted to avoid but can't seem to.. I won't go into it. Oh well, what's done is done I suppose! Note: this was a pretty big project that took my brother and his friend 4 days and it still didn't even get finished completely. Not recommended unless you know some seriously handy and patient people.

Also on my list was #8 - Clean out our garage. Warning: some very embarrassing photos ahead. Please no judgements ;) Okay, so this was our garage:

and after only a few hours, we got it sorted and organized. It may not look it, but we added some extra shelves and marked the bins. We donated and threw a ton of stuff away. It was lovely.

hmm, at least you can see the floor now! Which is a big improvement from before.. which was, there was hardly any floor to walk on. Unfortunately with getting everything cleared out of our place for the wood floor installation, our garage has returned to being a big mess. But we still have time before the new year to go through it. I know it was major horder-level status. Please someone out there tell me your garage is a twin to mine ;)

So that's my 12 by 2012 update. I've been meaning to post it sooner but things have been super busy around here! How is your 12 by 2012 list going? There are still a good 17 days left before the new year. Really, anyone can still make a list and get things accomplished before 2012 hits! Thanks for reading this long update.

twelve by 2012:

Who out there is like me and tends to procrastinate/put things off? As you know, I am a big list maker. But I am also a big-time procrastinator. So I'll write something down, it won't get done, then it gets moved it to the next list, and to the next list, and so on. Not sure if anyone ever saw my 101 in 1001 days list, it was super inspiring at the time I made it in 2008, but 1001 days is just too long and quite frankly, a little depressing that I made it 3 years ago and completed only 20 tasks of 100! heh. I forgot all about the list back in 2009.. The end date was this last July. Plus looking back at the list now, there are some things I really wouldn't do today, so my 'goals' have changed.

Over the weekend, I was writing down some things I wanted to get done and thought I should put a time goal on each task. Then I remembered that 2011 is nearly over! Then I thought how it'd be cool to start this 12 before 2012 project, and see if anyone else is interested in participating! I am a procrastinator, but I am also someone who works well under pressure and puts things off last minute. In college, I'd start a project the morning it was due and just worked better that way, it was kind of fun! So with only 79 days left in the year, I'd say that's a good amount of time to get something significant done. It's not 1001 days, but it's not 15 either. Plus there's the incentive of being able to get some things done before the new year! ;)

If anyone is interested in participating, all you need to do is simply post a list of 12 (or 5, 10, doesn't have to be 12) things you want to get done by December 31st. The things can be big or small (but I say set your goals high and go big! The year is almost up!) Post it on your blog, then come back here and leave a comment with the link. Then I'll update this post with links from anyone who is participating.

This project would also be extra awesome if we could get some encouragement and community going, so if you're up for it, find a few lists of people you can follow over the next 2 months and encourage/keep someone accountable with their goals, and vice versa. Just a little comment like, "how are you doing with your goals?" or a link that can put them in the right direction for one of their goals - anything to encourage someone to keep going and get some things done by the new year would be great! :) What do you think? Anyone interested? I'll be blogging the progress of my personal goals throughout the next couple months and keep you updated!

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My list of twelve before 2012:
Updated: 10/24
bold = finished!
italic = in progress

1) Living Room Project (new paint / new floors / new furniture)
Started cleaning out the downstairs. Painter scheduled to come. Need to pick out paint colors and schedule someone to install wood floors!

2) Get my inbox to below 50 emails, or being ambitious: to 0! (it's at 300+ now)

3) Create a nice office space to work out of, ship orders from.
Started 10/24. Cleaned out office, organized. Moved in furniture. Need to get internet at the unit... paint the wall.

4) Book Proposal

5) Launch the wanderlust
Started taking photos 10/18. Photos edited and finished 10/19.Need to add items to shop!

6) Take an anniversary trip

7) Bake chocolate chip-less cookies

8) Clean out our garage
Started 10/15, cleaned all day. Continued to 10/16! Donated, organized,and threw away a ton of stuff! Still some things to organize and sort through!

9) Bring back the lovely package exchange (possibly exchange for the holidays?)

10) Create some new products for holiday shows
Ideas going, new product + supplies ordered!

11) Use our Disneyland pass at least 3 times

12) Get Good Cheer Deals daily deal site going

I may not get all of these done. But it's good to have some set goals that are now out in the open! I'm determined to get some good stuff before 2012 arrives!

If you're participating, grab a badge for your sidebar or a banner!(you can also use the banner at the top of this post too!)

Banner:
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Square button:
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Hurray! We have some friends participating! So exciting! Please take a minute to visit a few lists and encourage each other in getting things done by the new year! Here is everyone who is participating in the twelve by 2012 project!
For everyone participating - maybe try documenting your goals by taking images - then blog about getting a task done or something! What better blog content than showing things you're getting done and motivating/inspiring others to do the same ;)
Tang - oui petiteNicole - A painter's life in picturesErika - The Sugar Glider AdventureQuiet DaysMegan - Little life on the PrairieLizzie - Justice loveHey CarylAshley - indie pretty projectsSammichMiguez Heather Joy - Joy of all CraftsDonaville - Discover PaperLaura - Let the Real World BeginTiffany - Taking back TiffanyCarla - decorativityVanessa - VelcroBrooke - The HarpersMoonDeelaAmanda - Wit and WhistleJamie & Jake - A Pair of PearsSimple Bundles of JoyAmy - In my spare timeErica - Quirky CharmSidney AnnJoanna - Tiny ElefantRebecca - Drunk literatureVisibly MovedZazazuRachel - tink makes artGinna - Life of a modest galAimee - aimeerooJen - Red Parka DiariesFiona - The Corner of the Internet I call homeCarmen - Forgotten FanciesRosyln - From Dull to DelightCaro - Soda Pop DesignJennifer - Sweet SproutBreanna - The Cottage GrayKatie - The Color HappyJudah's BlanketAileen - Our 5 centsJess - heart (comma) JessicaKelly - Breakfast in BedLinley - Since 1994Marieke - De Mier & De Leeuw (all the way in Belgium!)Giedre - Walking Dot PhotographyHelen - Betten Court ChaseKatie - Polka Dot SoupAdriane - the a&b storiesKailin - The Vida EsRebecca - Rosie ButtonLizziMarie - AppleJaneMeghan - Librarian in trainingSydney - Syd the WydCaitlin - WanderlustingsCheryl - CherJoyRachel - A Green Eyed BrideSarah - Simply DoveSarah - The Cleft of the RockLiane - ReflectionFoilage Designs Sarah - Eleven ThingsRuxandra - DaydreamerRoseanna - Sepia SmilesLoveLovelyKatie - Priceless AdventureRaindrops and LaughterParadigm ShiftKarisa - Clever ThursdayKaitlin - Kaitlin's CadenceStefanie - Carrying a PearlMeg - GingerlyTu BellaAmber Kane - Fabricated EndsCarla BrandmanWhat Remains NowErin - Not your Average WidowBonita Rose - A Life UnrehearsedSerena - Pretty FluffyStephanie Nelson - Come What MayJenni - JarflyVictoria - Vics Better LifeAlly - Copacetic in CarolinaKathy - The Blog HoreCharissa - Old Enough for Fairy TalesMari - Life in the lower 48Jessica - Jessica ChronicledLollie - LollpampolleCosetteJordan - JB ArtistryKatherine - Gathered HeartJill - Made it on MondayStephanie - Pretty Much ArtTiffini - The House of BelongingKate - The Small ThingsMegan TsangTori - The EditorialLauren - Lauren Elise CraftedBri - Mrs. B KimJena - Modish BlogAshley - Hidden TreasuresRJ - Richellephant LovesSmall Town 20 SomethingNani - Orange Girl Big WorldAmanda - Project Simple LifeMandi - No apathy allowedJamie - Making ElectricityShanna - SoCo Divka DesignsSaroyAmanda, Laura, Nikki - Love, White ShadowKristin - One Pretty PlaceCarey - Little Cherry BlossomsMackenzie - Adorned BlogMonique - Tipa TipaJessie - one plus one designAbby - Dirt on the rocksLove's ModestyLeah - Paper and SpaceJulie - Very Truly JulieSweet Lavender Bake ShopSoul of HeavensScarlet - Nutwood StudioTwelve by OneLara - Girl with a purple coatHey CarylLeah - Sang The BirdKatie - Katie BrightTessa Marie - Nature WalkHhome (friend in Switzerland!)Ashley - The Sweet Ashley LifeKeonna ReneaBekah - Pretty Little SnippetsEmily - Blissful InspirationsLiz - Keep it Simple PleaseMade by IdaAllison - Our Vintage LoveEmily - Travel with EmilyBrooke - The Closet DomesticCharlotte - Craft CalmApril - Designs of ArtisanKimberly - Everyday CloudsAndrea - The Yellow Cottage
(Hope I got everyone! If I missed anyone's link, please email it to me!)

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So even if you're not participating, what sort of things wouldbe on your list of goals to get done by the new year? :)