2017 To-Done Wrap-up...
Well, 2017 turned out to be a busy year, and part of that was the improved health over 2016. I never seem to make all my goals, but having the list and keeping it updated really helps a lot. Let's see what happened this year:
HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
1) roofer came and fixed roof for a reasonable price, but then told me to save $$ for a new roof this year or next. Goal: $10k for a 30yr concrete job.
2) I need to fix the garage door. Which means I really need to get someone out to look at it, update the radio signal to a new code for a new set of garage door remotes, and to fix/ repair the track/ lever thing. Or replace the track and door.
3) I need to repair - or more likely, replace - the outside door to the kitchen.
4) I also need to replace the one window in my living room that’s cracked. It’s possible this will be part of a set replacement, but it completely depends on what I can do at the time.
5) I have a number of outside outlets, and outlets in the kitchen, that do not work. I need to get those fixed.
6) I need to get the door to my bedroom fixed. This *will* be a replacement, because although the door is new, it was hung in-correctly.
7) I need to repair the light above roomie’s vanity.
8) I need to fix the window casings where the prior owner’s dog chewed on them. This may end up being done in conjunction with an update on casements.
9) Pump the septic tank...
I got the septic tank pumped, which was a major thing. I didn't get anything else on this list done, because I was too busy doing other stuff! Also, a lot of these things are big-ticket items, and I ended up paying a fair bit in 2016 getting the water tank and the A/C coolant coil replaced. Still, I continue to continue. Things slowly get done.
HOUSEHOLD UPDATES
1) Finish the office updates, which includes:
a) 2nd weed-through of books/ putting them in alphabetical order
b) go through my personal files and the electronic stuff
c) finalize/ sand/ paint the shelving
2) I would like to replace the side-light frames of the front door with new solid-side thingies. (I hate the side windows on the front door. You should be able to run around naked in your own house without getting arrested, and the sidelights prevent that. It’s annoying.)
3) I need to primer-paint the bathrooms.
4) I want to finish painting all the trim.
5) I want to get window film for the windows, and also wood casing updates, and curtains. This is an expensive project that will probably be put off until most of the rest of the stuff is done. (ETA1: I keep forgetting, but this has to wait until I replace the windows. Thre's currently ugly lattice-work in the windows, which are double-hung jobs. My preference is for German-style windows: unmarred glass, single-hung windows that swing in or out. This will probably need new casements, too, but we'll see.)
6) Yes, I’d like to update the kitchen, but that will probably have to wait a while. what's left: cabinets, new appliances, backsplash, new counter-top
7) It is more likely I will be able to paint the master bedroom walls, ceiling, and stencil lines.
8) I also want a wall-mural of Neuschwannstein in winter (which can be done via wallpaper).
The books are in alphabetical order, and I might end up with a 3rd weed-through. I'm getting all the electronic files together to go through, which will hopefully help with the fanfiction stuff below, among other things. But more importantly, I hope - I'll retrieve the card catalog program from two years ago and get that to help me set up a new one on this PC with Access 7. Or some variation thereof. I know enough VisualBasic and have gotten confident enough in the programing bit that I'm fairly certain I can do a robust catalog program with Access this time around. I've finalized the format of my shelving, but need to add more, because I'm already running out of space, hee. OTOH, personal paper files have now been gone thru, reduced, and organized to be easily kept up.
GARDEN PLANS
1) Build 2 boxes 1
2) Place boxes and pavers
3) Fill the boxes with soil
6) Seed the boxes with seeds bought from organic farmers.
7) Need to acquire a lawn/leaf bag to catch grass clippings for the compost pile
8) Throw iron out/ recycle it. Replace with new iron
9) Black plastic over the area surrounding the 1 box i have, to kill weeds.
10) mulch mulch mulch
11) clip excess chicken wire.
12) Clear the weeds back there.
Garden plans kind of got tossed this year until real late, because it was one of those years where it rained from June 1 almost every day until mid-September. And then I had to wait 3 weeks for it to dry out enough to even start cutting it back for maintenance. OTOH, I got 1 new, 2 ft tall box done with plastic wood - I still need to fill it up with soil. I also cleared out the old site, ran the lawn mower over it, weed sprayed, and cut excess chicken witer. I threw most of the iron out, and need to throw the rest out. I bought tulip bulbs that are sitting in the freezer right now, and I hope to be able to plant them before the year is out. Which should not be too hard. Hard will be keeping up the momentum to get to the second box.
LANDSCAPING GALORE
1) Price how much it would cost to turn the front ditch into a River Runs Through It
2) Work with Landscaper to generate a plan for my yard
3) Finish front patch and keep working on retaining wall. Goal: retaining wall done by end of year.
4) Price out concrete for extra parking space.
5) All I need to do on the furnace patch is the capstones on the 2-stone high wall.
6) Mowing upkeep
7) Goal: clear and mulch 20ft along the back fence.
Front patch has been finished! Retaining wall needs to be finished, but it will be done in spring. Mowing upkeep was somewhat difficult, but I've hired a couple neighborhood boys to help me get the yard under control this year. We will start up in Jan again. We have 3 large downed tree-parts and all of the back fence to do, but our spring tends to be kind of dry, so it should be ok.
SCA SKILL SETS
a) Since I did, indeed, put in the archery *lane* last year, my goal for this year is to dig out the rope and stakes so I can secure the target butt I also bought. And then, I can start practicing!
b) Creating a stumpwork piece, and entering it into at least one A&S contest. And also:
c) Remember to photograph the garden and the stumpwork as it is being completed.
Well, I did a stumpwork piece and it wasn't suitable for A&S entry. I will however, post pictures shortly - as in, the next couple weeks. I have another stumpwork piece I want to do for my first A&S piece, but I need to find it again... >.> The archery lane will be used! I am determined! Also, there's an event near hear at the end of January, and I'd like to at least head out for it for the archery, even if I don't manage to practice much between now and then.
STITCHING GALLERY
I’m rolling over every stitching thing this year.
1) Finish the work project I started last year.
2) Work a small stumpwork kit this year
3) Try to make Dorsett buttons this year.
4) Finish another Mag7 Doggie (I've taken this kit to work to work on my lunch hours)
5) Finish the two small 'unfinished finisheds' I just completed.
5a) See if I can make more progress on the Christmas cardinals.
6) Laney's sampler (and no, I *didn't* set a single stitch on this last year, why do you ask?)
7) I'm really thinking about doing a 'narrative embroidery' and donating it to the Navy SEAL museum. Right now my goal on this is to decide on a cohesive narrative and draw said narrative out. It's likely that if I get this far, this piece will take over my life for a bit.
Ok, so the work project is also the stumpwork project... and it's done! I've also done a santa ornament, finished an angel in blue thematic, worked on the Christmas cardinals more, although it didn't get far, finished a mermaid, but it's unfinished, and a couple other small things. I will finish up another ornament for work this year before the year is out, and will give it to them when I get back. I forgot to print it out, but I have a list at work of the stuff I did embroidery-wise, and it was like, 7 different projects. A real productive year for me. I am pleased with this.
FANNISH ENDEAVORS
1) I still... have those two essays on writing to finish!
2) Finish Seventh Gift
3) See if I can't make progress on the TS cross-over
4) Upload stories to Dreamwidth, and AO3
5) Start Projects on:
a) LB!JD is actually a girl
b) Alternate Ending to 'Something Wicked'
6) Contact Seremela and talk to her about permission to post LMG, since this story depends so heavily on hers.
7) Finish slice-of-life stories
8) Finish Highlander-AU first 3 stories
9) The Bitter Glass (Green Day 'verse story)
10) 'Engineers lead boring lives'... but my goal with this fic is to get it to a decent conclusion
I'm getting closer to the point where I can work on these more fully. How that works is going to depend on what/ how things are retrieved from my last computer. We had a bit of an oops there in that I had to take it back for some more work.
PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION
1) Organize household items, including
a) disaster kit
b) personal papers
c) electronic items
2) Transfer data from old laptops to PC, when i get it.
a) begin going through electric files: pitch/ keep/ organize
3) Make the database for my library
4)Maintain bill filing system
5) Convert VHS and audio tapes to updated platforms. (Contingent on buying platform converters)
6) Make a list of cyclical maintenance duties and times due.
7) pay good chunk of personal CC
I'm at the point where filing the electronic items can begin, although it's all older stuff at this point. Not stuff I'm interesting in going thru, heh. I'm trying to pay off my CC, and I keep thinking I'm making progress... and then other bills keep coming up. *rolls eyes* I am making progress, but it's slow. Still, this list should soon be reduced to continuing maintenance of current systems.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
1) Make an exercise plan and stick to it, although be prepared to be flexible.
a) Include Kinnect-X games, and
b) Put Kinnect-Play on the Calender Schedule program with the household chore list.
2) Stick to Cross-fit program I found. This is really a 'cross-fit for weenies' program, for the seriously out of shape. It does assume all your joints are working, so I have scaled down parts even more than it already is. It's a 100-day program. My goal for the first run-through is to get into the habit. My goal for the second run-through is to do the routines as written. I may still have to substitute for running, but I hope I can do the other exercises as prescribed.
Notes: Ideal weight-loss should be 1-2 pounds a week.
Ok, so the big deal here was.... early in 2017, I was diagnosed hypothyroid. The thyroid is the master gland, basically, and it tells the rest of the body how to absorb vitamins and minerals, how to handle stress, how to regulate metabolism, etc... So I spent about 6 months this year working with the doctor to get the right balance of everything. I'm currently on a dose of synthroid, taking B12, and also taking a mutli-vitamin. I spent about 15 minutes reading the backs of bottles to discover that most multi-vits didn't cover 3 of the 5 major 'problem children' vitamins that hypothyroid patients typically have trouble balancing. Here's the issue: *all* of those problem children have the same symptoms when they're out of whack: fatigue, tiredness, low metabolism, weight gain, joint pain... etc This does not help when you're trying to narrow down if you've got a specific issue, or need more thyroid hormone, or....
The good news is - I've got more energy than I've had in years (go figure), I feel more awake than constant fugue-state. I feel able to do most of the things I want to do - in true fashion, I've always wanted to do more things than I've had time/ energy to do. I just need clones who can share memory-experiences, heh. And also, I've lost some weight due to increased metabolism. I still have a lot to lose, and the holidays don't help, but it's much easier to lose weight when your body isn't fighting you tooth and nail.
FURNITURE PROJECTS
1) Finish that silly chair!
a) make two matching wood sides (this is a dremel-project, and includes finding my tools... somewhere in the garage...)
move along, nothing to see here.....
WISHING THESE WISHES WERE MINE
1) Acquire Garden Software to help Plan Garden and Gardening Stages.
3) Acquire a VHS to DVD converter
4) An audio-tape to CD converter,
5) Replace professionally-produced products with the newer professionally-produced versions.
6) Buy a new tv (look, the old one is a 1994 Toshiba… that came with rabbit ears. No lie.)
7) Buy an XBOX 360
8) Kinnect X
9) Consider buying a household organization software
10) Patio/Deck Design Software
11) Household Design Software
12) Get a calligraphy desk and comfortable chair
13) Get a cabinet for use in that area
14) computer desk kit
15) lawn-leaf bag for mower
16) tow-behind cart for mower
17) Rocking Chair
18) Ashley furniture set
19) Running boards, tonneau cover, and bed extender for Zeke
20) New roof
I don't think I've actually bought anything on the wishlist. I have bought new books and 1 new tool that I needed because I was silly when I was clearing out stuff. I continue to try to reduce my stash o' stuff so I have places for the new stuff, but...
Overall, I'd say 2017 has been a good year. I felt productive at work and at home, and my health has had a great improvement. I'm really looking forward to the new year, and doing a lot more. Hopefully, that will include fannish endeavors - I'm working on setting up my DW account to mirror the set-up and feeds I had on my LJ account. I'm trying to update my FB to be more me-friendly. I'm going to try to spend Saturday afternoons/ evenings on the PC doing writing or other electronic-related things, probably starting around late March. But I'm happy to be alive, and in 2016 at this time, I wasn't even sure I *was* alive. So... let's get to the new year, eh?
-boogieshoes, the much improved. This entry was originally posted at https://boogieshoes.dreamwidth.org/265714.html. Feel free to comment here or there using OpenID.
HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE
1) roofer came and fixed roof for a reasonable price, but then told me to save $$ for a new roof this year or next. Goal: $10k for a 30yr concrete job.
2) I need to fix the garage door. Which means I really need to get someone out to look at it, update the radio signal to a new code for a new set of garage door remotes, and to fix/ repair the track/ lever thing. Or replace the track and door.
3) I need to repair - or more likely, replace - the outside door to the kitchen.
4) I also need to replace the one window in my living room that’s cracked. It’s possible this will be part of a set replacement, but it completely depends on what I can do at the time.
5) I have a number of outside outlets, and outlets in the kitchen, that do not work. I need to get those fixed.
6) I need to get the door to my bedroom fixed. This *will* be a replacement, because although the door is new, it was hung in-correctly.
7) I need to repair the light above roomie’s vanity.
8) I need to fix the window casings where the prior owner’s dog chewed on them. This may end up being done in conjunction with an update on casements.
9) Pump the septic tank...
I got the septic tank pumped, which was a major thing. I didn't get anything else on this list done, because I was too busy doing other stuff! Also, a lot of these things are big-ticket items, and I ended up paying a fair bit in 2016 getting the water tank and the A/C coolant coil replaced. Still, I continue to continue. Things slowly get done.
HOUSEHOLD UPDATES
1) Finish the office updates, which includes:
a) 2nd weed-through of books/ putting them in alphabetical order
b) go through my personal files and the electronic stuff
c) finalize/ sand/ paint the shelving
2) I would like to replace the side-light frames of the front door with new solid-side thingies. (I hate the side windows on the front door. You should be able to run around naked in your own house without getting arrested, and the sidelights prevent that. It’s annoying.)
3) I need to primer-paint the bathrooms.
4) I want to finish painting all the trim.
5) I want to get window film for the windows, and also wood casing updates, and curtains. This is an expensive project that will probably be put off until most of the rest of the stuff is done. (ETA1: I keep forgetting, but this has to wait until I replace the windows. Thre's currently ugly lattice-work in the windows, which are double-hung jobs. My preference is for German-style windows: unmarred glass, single-hung windows that swing in or out. This will probably need new casements, too, but we'll see.)
6) Yes, I’d like to update the kitchen, but that will probably have to wait a while. what's left: cabinets, new appliances, backsplash, new counter-top
7) It is more likely I will be able to paint the master bedroom walls, ceiling, and stencil lines.
8) I also want a wall-mural of Neuschwannstein in winter (which can be done via wallpaper).
The books are in alphabetical order, and I might end up with a 3rd weed-through. I'm getting all the electronic files together to go through, which will hopefully help with the fanfiction stuff below, among other things. But more importantly, I hope - I'll retrieve the card catalog program from two years ago and get that to help me set up a new one on this PC with Access 7. Or some variation thereof. I know enough VisualBasic and have gotten confident enough in the programing bit that I'm fairly certain I can do a robust catalog program with Access this time around. I've finalized the format of my shelving, but need to add more, because I'm already running out of space, hee. OTOH, personal paper files have now been gone thru, reduced, and organized to be easily kept up.
GARDEN PLANS
1) Build 2 boxes 1
2) Place boxes and pavers
3) Fill the boxes with soil
6) Seed the boxes with seeds bought from organic farmers.
7) Need to acquire a lawn/leaf bag to catch grass clippings for the compost pile
8) Throw iron out/ recycle it. Replace with new iron
9) Black plastic over the area surrounding the 1 box i have, to kill weeds.
10) mulch mulch mulch
11) clip excess chicken wire.
12) Clear the weeds back there.
Garden plans kind of got tossed this year until real late, because it was one of those years where it rained from June 1 almost every day until mid-September. And then I had to wait 3 weeks for it to dry out enough to even start cutting it back for maintenance. OTOH, I got 1 new, 2 ft tall box done with plastic wood - I still need to fill it up with soil. I also cleared out the old site, ran the lawn mower over it, weed sprayed, and cut excess chicken witer. I threw most of the iron out, and need to throw the rest out. I bought tulip bulbs that are sitting in the freezer right now, and I hope to be able to plant them before the year is out. Which should not be too hard. Hard will be keeping up the momentum to get to the second box.
LANDSCAPING GALORE
1) Price how much it would cost to turn the front ditch into a River Runs Through It
2) Work with Landscaper to generate a plan for my yard
3) Finish front patch and keep working on retaining wall. Goal: retaining wall done by end of year.
4) Price out concrete for extra parking space.
5) All I need to do on the furnace patch is the capstones on the 2-stone high wall.
6) Mowing upkeep
7) Goal: clear and mulch 20ft along the back fence.
Front patch has been finished! Retaining wall needs to be finished, but it will be done in spring. Mowing upkeep was somewhat difficult, but I've hired a couple neighborhood boys to help me get the yard under control this year. We will start up in Jan again. We have 3 large downed tree-parts and all of the back fence to do, but our spring tends to be kind of dry, so it should be ok.
SCA SKILL SETS
a) Since I did, indeed, put in the archery *lane* last year, my goal for this year is to dig out the rope and stakes so I can secure the target butt I also bought. And then, I can start practicing!
b) Creating a stumpwork piece, and entering it into at least one A&S contest. And also:
c) Remember to photograph the garden and the stumpwork as it is being completed.
Well, I did a stumpwork piece and it wasn't suitable for A&S entry. I will however, post pictures shortly - as in, the next couple weeks. I have another stumpwork piece I want to do for my first A&S piece, but I need to find it again... >.> The archery lane will be used! I am determined! Also, there's an event near hear at the end of January, and I'd like to at least head out for it for the archery, even if I don't manage to practice much between now and then.
STITCHING GALLERY
I’m rolling over every stitching thing this year.
1) Finish the work project I started last year.
2) Work a small stumpwork kit this year
3) Try to make Dorsett buttons this year.
4) Finish another Mag7 Doggie (I've taken this kit to work to work on my lunch hours)
5) Finish the two small 'unfinished finisheds' I just completed.
5a) See if I can make more progress on the Christmas cardinals.
6) Laney's sampler (and no, I *didn't* set a single stitch on this last year, why do you ask?)
7) I'm really thinking about doing a 'narrative embroidery' and donating it to the Navy SEAL museum. Right now my goal on this is to decide on a cohesive narrative and draw said narrative out. It's likely that if I get this far, this piece will take over my life for a bit.
Ok, so the work project is also the stumpwork project... and it's done! I've also done a santa ornament, finished an angel in blue thematic, worked on the Christmas cardinals more, although it didn't get far, finished a mermaid, but it's unfinished, and a couple other small things. I will finish up another ornament for work this year before the year is out, and will give it to them when I get back. I forgot to print it out, but I have a list at work of the stuff I did embroidery-wise, and it was like, 7 different projects. A real productive year for me. I am pleased with this.
FANNISH ENDEAVORS
1) I still... have those two essays on writing to finish!
2) Finish Seventh Gift
3) See if I can't make progress on the TS cross-over
4) Upload stories to Dreamwidth, and AO3
5) Start Projects on:
a) LB!JD is actually a girl
b) Alternate Ending to 'Something Wicked'
6) Contact Seremela and talk to her about permission to post LMG, since this story depends so heavily on hers.
7) Finish slice-of-life stories
8) Finish Highlander-AU first 3 stories
9) The Bitter Glass (Green Day 'verse story)
10) 'Engineers lead boring lives'... but my goal with this fic is to get it to a decent conclusion
I'm getting closer to the point where I can work on these more fully. How that works is going to depend on what/ how things are retrieved from my last computer. We had a bit of an oops there in that I had to take it back for some more work.
PERSONAL ADMINISTRATION
1) Organize household items, including
a) disaster kit
b) personal papers
c) electronic items
2) Transfer data from old laptops to PC, when i get it.
a) begin going through electric files: pitch/ keep/ organize
3) Make the database for my library
4)Maintain bill filing system
5) Convert VHS and audio tapes to updated platforms. (Contingent on buying platform converters)
6) Make a list of cyclical maintenance duties and times due.
7) pay good chunk of personal CC
I'm at the point where filing the electronic items can begin, although it's all older stuff at this point. Not stuff I'm interesting in going thru, heh. I'm trying to pay off my CC, and I keep thinking I'm making progress... and then other bills keep coming up. *rolls eyes* I am making progress, but it's slow. Still, this list should soon be reduced to continuing maintenance of current systems.
HEALTH MAINTENANCE
1) Make an exercise plan and stick to it, although be prepared to be flexible.
a) Include Kinnect-X games, and
b) Put Kinnect-Play on the Calender Schedule program with the household chore list.
2) Stick to Cross-fit program I found. This is really a 'cross-fit for weenies' program, for the seriously out of shape. It does assume all your joints are working, so I have scaled down parts even more than it already is. It's a 100-day program. My goal for the first run-through is to get into the habit. My goal for the second run-through is to do the routines as written. I may still have to substitute for running, but I hope I can do the other exercises as prescribed.
Notes: Ideal weight-loss should be 1-2 pounds a week.
Ok, so the big deal here was.... early in 2017, I was diagnosed hypothyroid. The thyroid is the master gland, basically, and it tells the rest of the body how to absorb vitamins and minerals, how to handle stress, how to regulate metabolism, etc... So I spent about 6 months this year working with the doctor to get the right balance of everything. I'm currently on a dose of synthroid, taking B12, and also taking a mutli-vitamin. I spent about 15 minutes reading the backs of bottles to discover that most multi-vits didn't cover 3 of the 5 major 'problem children' vitamins that hypothyroid patients typically have trouble balancing. Here's the issue: *all* of those problem children have the same symptoms when they're out of whack: fatigue, tiredness, low metabolism, weight gain, joint pain... etc This does not help when you're trying to narrow down if you've got a specific issue, or need more thyroid hormone, or....
The good news is - I've got more energy than I've had in years (go figure), I feel more awake than constant fugue-state. I feel able to do most of the things I want to do - in true fashion, I've always wanted to do more things than I've had time/ energy to do. I just need clones who can share memory-experiences, heh. And also, I've lost some weight due to increased metabolism. I still have a lot to lose, and the holidays don't help, but it's much easier to lose weight when your body isn't fighting you tooth and nail.
FURNITURE PROJECTS
1) Finish that silly chair!
a) make two matching wood sides (this is a dremel-project, and includes finding my tools... somewhere in the garage...)
move along, nothing to see here.....
WISHING THESE WISHES WERE MINE
1) Acquire Garden Software to help Plan Garden and Gardening Stages.
3) Acquire a VHS to DVD converter
4) An audio-tape to CD converter,
5) Replace professionally-produced products with the newer professionally-produced versions.
6) Buy a new tv (look, the old one is a 1994 Toshiba… that came with rabbit ears. No lie.)
7) Buy an XBOX 360
8) Kinnect X
9) Consider buying a household organization software
10) Patio/Deck Design Software
11) Household Design Software
12) Get a calligraphy desk and comfortable chair
13) Get a cabinet for use in that area
14) computer desk kit
15) lawn-leaf bag for mower
16) tow-behind cart for mower
17) Rocking Chair
18) Ashley furniture set
19) Running boards, tonneau cover, and bed extender for Zeke
20) New roof
I don't think I've actually bought anything on the wishlist. I have bought new books and 1 new tool that I needed because I was silly when I was clearing out stuff. I continue to try to reduce my stash o' stuff so I have places for the new stuff, but...
Overall, I'd say 2017 has been a good year. I felt productive at work and at home, and my health has had a great improvement. I'm really looking forward to the new year, and doing a lot more. Hopefully, that will include fannish endeavors - I'm working on setting up my DW account to mirror the set-up and feeds I had on my LJ account. I'm trying to update my FB to be more me-friendly. I'm going to try to spend Saturday afternoons/ evenings on the PC doing writing or other electronic-related things, probably starting around late March. But I'm happy to be alive, and in 2016 at this time, I wasn't even sure I *was* alive. So... let's get to the new year, eh?
-boogieshoes, the much improved. This entry was originally posted at https://boogieshoes.dreamwidth.org/265714.html. Feel free to comment here or there using OpenID.