Summer Dreamin'

Today, as I typed up notes for a meeting with my colleagues, I realized that today was April 22. Not a significant day, aside from being my Dad's birthday and Earth Day. But today was the day I realized that it was April 22. Our last day with students is May 21. We have crossed that threshold of being less than one calendar month away from summer. (If you haven't assumed yet, yes -- I am a teacher.) This is bittersweet for a number of reasons. However, I wanted to focus on what the summer may hold.

Garden

• I have dreams of our yard resembling a small slice of MOBot - the Missouri Botanical Gardens. I could have an endless rant of how lovely this place is, and why it is easily in my top destinations in St. Louis, but you must experience it. I look forward to doing more planting, creating more flower beds, and carry on with my hosta obsession collection. 
• Getting our hot tub up and running!
• Saving money & planning towards building this amazing raised bed on our own 
• Finishing our compost pile
• Buying more basil & pepper plants

House

• Organizing!!!! I tend to go through purges when I really examine things to determine if I need to hold onto it or not. The 4th bedroom in our house is top priority this summer. While it won't be done in time for the neighborhood garage sale, I predict trips to Goodwill this summer.
• Organizing more. That is my biggest goal for the house... Can you tell?

City + State

• I want to get to know my state and surrounding city more. I dream of frequenting local farmer's markets, local shops, sites in my state, charming towns, and getting to know my area better. 
• Speaking of getting to know my area better.... We have been here for 4 years as of this coming October. I want to get to know my area even better. 

Etc.

• With no concrete commitments aside for a few things throughout the summer, I am also looking forward to making trips to visit with family + friends.
• Relaxing. Recharging. 

What do you wish to accomplish this summer? Do you get summers off or vacation weeks? When everything is said and done, I am looking at roughly two months (give or take a week or two) for being my time frame to get things done. 

Photo: http://www.phase-eight.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/summer.jpg

New Year, New Goals

Here is to a great year, filled with happiness. Here is to the next year - may it bring you health, happiness, laughter, and smiles.

Around Christmas, we were discussing what we wanted to do to our house in the upcoming year. The basement was on top of our list. While it isn't fully finished, it is in a great state, and it is an area we enjoy spending time in! 

A few things stick out in my mind for 2015 and what I would like to accomplish throughout our house:

1. Clean / Organize our 4th Bedroom 
2. Clean / Organize Attic Space (Continue to buy bins that are holiday coordinated) 
3. Pull carpet going into basement on steps and refinish
4. New carpet runner throughout house (when #3 done)
5. Landscaping - Ongoing (When is it too early to buy more hosta?!)
6. Fence on North side of house (waiting on neighbor for height purposes)
7. 2nd Guest Room - Possibly paint, work on trim, and make more functional 
8. Wet Bar - Basement (Look at new IKEA cabinets in Feb. '15)
9. More DIY projects around the house 

I know there is more, but you get the idea. As of right now, we are at a point where many of the next projects (aside from paint, caulk, trim, etc) are more on the expensive end of the spectrum. Kitchens and baths are by far the most expensive, and I am already eyeballing kitchen ideas at IKEA as well as possible bathroom ideas for our guest bathroom. Those projects will be in the future, but it is fun to look and get ideas! 

Do you have any projects that you hope to accomplish in 2015? Here is to a great year!