Beech Tree News Network

For some reason over the years, I’ve gotten into the habit of doing household and yard chores in the spring and fall. This might be because summers are too dry and hot for some of the chores and winters are cold. As May draws near, I am reminded of the things I still want to accomplish: rework two flower beds, clean out the winter debris along a fence line, clean the windows and finish my house cleaning. Just thinking about it all makes me tired.

I believe others also set spring goals for house and yard work. To test my theory, I asked friends and family, “Do you have any tasks, projects or goals that you hope to complete this spring?” Their responses are listed below:

·        

Yard work and painting the bathroom.

·        

Build a deck for above-ground pool and replace the privacy fence.

·        

Rework some landscaping and power wash some siding.

·        

My goal for the last few years (not had much success) is to clean out my basement. But it is like a giant memory chest. My mother’s belongings are down there – every item brings back memories of her and always brings tears. My children’s toys have found their way there – items discarded, representing a timeline of living in this house. And finally, the decorative items used for holidays and seasons that seem to come and go more quickly with the years. Maybe this is the spring to face the elephants in the basement that I have avoided.

·        

I am trying to watch what I eat more.

·        

This spring I want to get all my loose ends finished up that I’ve wanted to get finished. Next spring I’d like to have a shop house started.

·        

My master’s degree (Rank I). That is my only goal for the spring right now.

·        

Wash the siding and porches and all three decks. Put down mulch.

·        

Stay in shape all summer even though basketball and volleyball are over.

·        

I need to do yard work and spring house cleaning. The list is endless!

·        

I have a ton of things to get done but whether they get done or not is another story. I still have winter stuff outside on my doors. I want to get my spring stuff out and set out some flowers eventually. I also want to clean out stuff for the remodel and clean house well after the remodel is done.

·        

I want to make a new flower bed out front, clean out my closet (seriously big mess – some of it has been there since we moved), clean out the laundry room closet, and clean the windows.

·        

My goal is to keep on keeping on.

Stephen Covey said, “…Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/goals). I have scheduled the house and yard work tasks on my calendar. Now, I just have to make sure they happen.