My Summer List: Act 1, Scene 1

I began my summer list on Sunday (even if the weather is barely springlike much less summery) while my son drove us to his soccer game. It's hard to believe that summer vacation starts for me in three and a half weeks! Yes, a mere fifteen and a half days of school remain. Not that I'm counting or anything, you understand. 

It's just that after a hundred eighty day of being ruled by inflexible school bells that don't care if I have a headache, need a potty break or have a flat tire, I kinda--just a little--look forward to setting my own schedule for a few months.

My Summer List  
Priority items are now in red! 

Garden Projects

• Fix leak in backflow preventer (or replace),  check irrigation timer, and fix the drip system the puppy destroyed five years ago (because it would be nice to go on a trip without my poor neighbors stressing about keeping all my plants watered).
• Raise the coop, paint, insulate, shingle the roof (who knew all 4 chickens would take up permanent residence here?)
• Scrub algae off the pond rocks (even if it will grow back) and get larger rocks to replace the small gravel.
• Paint the doghouse and add some cute factor (long overdue).
• Re-seed the lawn where dog paws have ground it to bare dirt (big dog = big paws).
• Make a new hammock sling and re-paint the metal supports (and I have a fabulous flowery aqua outdoor fabric).
• Spray my fence art (formerly a metal welcome mat) white/off-white.
• Paint Flick apple green and aqua ('cause the orangey yellow has got to go).
• Create solar lights in the maple tree (saw some in Target but my sweetie sees no need for mood lighting on the patio, alas).
• Engineer a canvas awning for the kitchen window (one that is wind-resistant, looks darling, and can fold out of the way).
• Convince husband that we need to cut down the Japanese maple (it's huge and I'm afraid it's wrecking the roof--that's my story and I'm stickin' to it).
• Put in drainage pipe to connect with downspout by back door (slipping on an icy walk got really old fast last winter).
• Gutter nails(found 'em) now I need my husband to pound them in by front door.
• Add drip irrigation to all the new plant areas (less lawn = colorful plants).
• Find an umbrella clothesline (I like being off the grid).I found that patio chairs work just as well and the HOA can't complain about a clothesline.  There's always a way to push the envelope!
• Redesign the compost bin (preferably so the dogs can't scavenge in it)

House

• Have wood floors professionally sanded in August September and apply a better finish (tung oil? varathane?).
• Order shutters for guest/craft room (whether TBG moves or not, it's gotta be done). At least I've got a call in to set up an appointment for them to come out and measure and estimate the cost!
• Install a ceiling fan in guest room (although if TBG moves out, it may not be worth it).  He did move out--so a fan went on the non-priority list and the shutters moved down a few notches. 
• Paint our front door farmhouse green (convince husband first) and attach our new kickplate (not necessarily in that order).
• Shampoo the carpets (again).  Getting moved to the Autumn List!
• Stop the overflow from the dishwasher.
• New kitchen faucet.
• Paint the laundry and powder room (might even get this finished before summer vacation starts).  Added:  HA!
• Add molding to laundry room cabinets and paint (so glad I received a Lowe's GC).
• Paint family room (maybe).  I decided it wasn't necessary this year!
• Paint master bath (did you know Nice and Easy will dye walls if it splashes?).
• Finish living room curtains (inspiration would be a help).
• Make new family room curtains (have the main fabric, need to find a great red now for edging).
• Look for new master bedroom drapery fabric (the original ones are now officially sun-rotted).
• Find hooks for our new drapery rod (I'm positive I can find them at a great low price even if I haven't after two years of looking). 
• Scrape off popcorn ceilings (I can dream).
• Begin repainting the house exterior (at least in front where strange vertical stripes have appeared).
• Fix drywall where the doorknob slammed into it (everyone has this prob once in a while).
• Check/replace fluorescent starters and ballasts OR change drop ceiling to lights
Craft Projects
• Bead garlands
• K.C.'s Santa sock
• Yellow shelf
• Large desk, finish, photo and sell.  OK, so it wasn't the same desk I'd planned and it went to our son's new place, but it's one less desk in our garage!
• Photo local barns

It's far from complete, but it's a start.  Without a list, I'd be lost.

I've learned that summer doesn't last forever. If it did, I probably wouldn't get any home improvement projects finished.  Procrastination is my middle name!  How'd you know?

Inspired,