Sunday, January 1, 2012

Finishing What I Start

If you visit with me here regularly, you have probably noticed that I tend to be all over the place with projects and commitments.  It's my nature to have a lot of things going on at once.  When I was younger, I had the energy and the motivation to juggle all the commitments pretty successfully.  Now, the same habits are a recipe for chaos ... and my goal for 2012 is to reduce the chaos, finish what I start, and make time to find more enjoyment in what I do. 

The focus of this goal right now is my greenhouse ... are you all SURE you're not tired of hearing about this yet?  My old self would have long ago packed this up and moved onto something else, convinced that it was finished enough for now, though there are lots of little bits left to do.  As difficult as it is for me, I am forcing myself to stick with it so I can close the door on a finished project before moving onto something else.



In order to do this without being too hard on myself, I am breaking down the remaining unfinished bits into small jobs that can be finished and checked off the list.  Yesterday's project ... the ceiling fan.  With the new propane tank installed and the heater running at night, the ceiling fan is absolutely essential to get the expensive hot air off the ceiling and circulating among the plants where it belongs. 

I avoid ladders and electricity when I can, so The Husband (who doesn't mind ladders and actually understands and enjoys electrical challenges) worked on this with me.   




(Look at this piece of literature from inside the fan box.  The fan was made in China, but don't they have spell check there?)



Fan installed, awaiting its blades ... and stapling that pesky wire into place.



Action shot.  The blades are on, the fan works perfectly ... still need to staple that wire.



As we were finishing, my dad surprised us by coming by to wish us a Happy New Year, and to bring us two bottles of German wine he found at Aldi.  Thank you, Daddy!



With the fan in place and operational, The Husband left me to put away the tools and continue with my To Do list.  Next item on the list ... weather stripping and caulk.  With 40+ windows in this greenhouse, each one of them has the potential to leak air if they are not sealed around the edges.  I spent the last hour of daylight caulking small openings and stuffing varying sizes of foam backer rod into the larger ones.  In that time, I finished one wall ... and I was pleased with the day's accomplishments.

The 'old' Me wants the excitement of starting something new ... learning a new skill, or having a new 'whatever' to work on.  The 'new' Me knows that this habit has gotten me into the state I'm in now, and my goal is to put an end to it.  When I start something (which won't be for a very long time), I will finish it 100% before moving on to the next thing.  This doesn't mean that I won't have multiple balls in the air at once ... I couldn't possibly change THAT drastically ... but I will be more conscious of what I have going on, more thrifty with my time, and I will work toward a life with less chaos.

... and I dream that one day I will be able to find whatever it is I'm looking for without having to call out a search party ... this may have to be a goal for another year.


Happy New Year, Everyone!


24 comments:

  1. You can't leave us hanging without seeing the plants arrive inside the greenhouse. Of course, I'm not tired of hearing about all this adventure. I'm amazed with your skill. Happy new day!

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  2. What a great post! How I can relate!!!! My excuse is the woman that lives with me moves my stuff and then she won't tell me where she moved it!!!! Never that I have CHAOS in MY life!!!!!! :)

    Greenhouse looking GOOD...

    Happy New Year,
    Art and Cyd

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  3. It's been a fun year with you and looking forward to this one! Wishing you all the best of 2012!

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  4. Happy New Year and the best of luck completing all of your projects! I always enjoy following everything you have going on. Have a great 2012!!!

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  5. I'm just amazed at what you're able to do skill-wise! But totally relate to the finish what I start goal. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful greenhouse completed.

    Happy New Year!

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  6. I'm just happy that your roses will be happy. :-)) Happy New Year!

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  7. Yes! It's not so much fun to finish up a big project when there are so many other fun projects to jump in on!

    Keep on keepin' on! You'll feel so much better when this is on the checked-off list.

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  8. Girl, I've always been in total admiration of your skill and energy to keep all that juggling going on!

    Happy, Happy New Year!

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  9. Happy New Year,
    Connie! I, for one,
    never tire of reading
    about successful
    projects!

    xx Suzanne

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  10. .... separated at BIRTH!!!... musta been.


    *sigh* good luck with that. And tell me the secret, won't ya?

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  11. Hi Connie- I know this greenhouse has been a labor of love-- and I know you want it DONE. I'm wishing that your new year will be less stressful (you stay so busy)- and that you get this fabulous greenhouse finished. I'm looking forward to another year full of your gorgeous roses- your beautiful photos- and you spirit of caring ( you are so compassionate in your charitable causes).

    Happy New Year dear Connie- I'm looking forward to being here often in the months to come!
    Vicki

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  12. Maybe in China they use developmental spelling and write what they hear! I have a project in mind using empty wine bottles, some sort of edge for a small flower bed. So for me the blue bottle would be a keeper.♥♫

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  13. Ahh! I see many of us are in good company -- all chiseling small pieces away at many large projects. It's a nice sense of overwhelming ourselves, isn't it? Can't wait to see the whole thing done -- thanks for taking us along on your journey!

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  14. Sounds like a plan to me, and one I should follow as well!

    Happy New Year!!!

    Kat :)

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  15. So a resolution to do less -- I like it! Your greenhouse is looking fabulous -- I know you will appreciate all of the hard work you are putting into it when it is finished.

    Wishing you a healthy and happy 2012. :)

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  16. Happy New Year!!! That should be my resolution also...so many uncompleted projects! In a way it is. I for one, never tire of hearing or seeing the greenhouse! Someday I will have one of my own. Wishing you the best year ever!!! Donna :)

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  17. Connie, You and i are a lot alike, great at starting projects and never finishing.My NY resolution is to not start a project UNLESS i intend to see it thru to the end. Rick

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  18. I have a hard time finishing a project, too. Starting another one is always much more fun and exciting! I need to make the same resolution. I know you'll be happy for many reasons when you've finished the greenhouse. What a grand place it will be! Happy New Year!

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  19. Good for you! I always get the bug to move on before I'm done with a project, too.
    How rewarding when it's all done though!

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  20. Hmmm, Connie, what have you revealed in all of us? How is it we ALL have this in common? We're all highly motivated to start new projects and loathe to finish them, but I should say WERE loathe to finish them. I, too, turned over a new leaf - last year. I can tell you it's a good feeling to complete a project, admire it with satisfaction, and move on to the next one. Much better than chaos. I still love the greenhouse. Will never tire of it.

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  21. Happy New Year Connie ! I am a regular visitor and love your blog. I am trying not to be so frustrated with getting my blog site to be noticed. I keep blogging and hope someone will read. LOL

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  22. Kathy, PM me and I'll give you a couple of tips that helped me. Number One Tip is to make your email available in your Blogger Profile ... this goes for everyone else whose email isn't visible. I LOVE to send personal replies!

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