A Lesser To-Do List

This isn't the Ultimate list... this is my household list.

I purchased a 30 year old mobile home three and a half years ago. There are some things that needed to be done to it. I've been meaning to write down the list so I can check the items off as they are done.

So, here is the list:


remove carpet from JMJs room a
paint JMJs room a
replace JMJs door
build cupboard in IJs room
paint IJs room
remove carpet from living room
install laminate flooring in living room
mud, sand and paint living room walls a
new curtains in living room a
new curtains in kitchen
new curtains in my bedroom
paint my bedroom
make kitchen cabinets taller and add a shelf
build larger kitchen drawers
build storage cupboard in living room
replace front door
install doggy door
build a fence
paint hallway
install washer / dryer a
replace oil tank a
replace oil furnace
construct driveway with paving stones
build arbour for grape vines
install new siding on whole home
have electrical system inspected / upgraded
replace fridge a
replace stove
construct pantry
paint living room ceiling a
paint kitchen ceiling a
paint hallway ceiling
insulate JMJs bedroom

Summer Vacation 2007

It's not a drive across the country, but we will be touring through BC and Alberta.

Destinations:

Fairmont Hot Springs -- sulphurless hot springs in a natural setting.
Banff -- Tunnel Mountain; horse riding tours; hot springs; wildlife; hoodoos.
Calgary -- visit family
Drumheller -- hiking; dinosaur hunting
Edmonton -- West Edmonton Mall; Provincial Archives family tree research.
Jasper -- hiking; sky tram; camping; wildlife; hot springs.
Prince George -- visit family and friends.

I'm allowing 3 weeks for the trip. That gives us plenty of time for spontaneous stops and lazy days.

To get ready for the trip, I'll be buying a utility trailer to pull behind my car. That will give us room for bikes as well as our camping gear.

I'm not sure yet how many people will be on this trip. The minimum will be myself and my two boys. We may be adding my niece and a friend of mine. It would be great to have the larger group. But I won't let the size of the group dictate how much fun we have!

The To-Don't List

I often think about what I would like to do. But I also have a list of things I intend to never do. A check-mark on this list indicates failure... I did what I intended to not do. It hasn't happened many times. Sometimes, it is just unavoidable.


To Don't

Be a Secretary (because my dad thought I should be)
Work in an Office (I'd rather be outside) a
Be a Waitress (This job's a no-brainer. I have a brain.)
Work at McDonald's
Work in any other restaurant a
Be a House Cleaner (I just don't like cleaning) a
Wear uncomfortable shoes
Wear Make-up (feels yucky) a
Discourage my kids' career dreams (like my parents did)
Own a Car (I'm a truck person) a
Own an Automatic (I know how to drive.) a
Live without a dog a


Why I did it

Work in an Office
I always thought this would be sooooo boring. I've been doing it for 9 years now. I am currently Office Manager. I enjoy talking to my clients, I enjoy training personel, I enjoy setting my own hours. The work is interesting; it changes seasonally; there are always new things to learn; some clients' projects are simple to do, while others require research. Enough different things happen each year that this job has held my interest. I use my brain on a daily basis, and I still get to do some manual labour -- building storage cabinets, painting walls, constructing window displays. Turns out I was wrong about this one... I love my job!

Work in a Restaurant
Again, I thought it would be soooooo boring. Not to mention greasy. The thought of handling other people's used plates, covered with half-eaten food, turns me right off. So, why did I do it? Well, I didn't have to deal with customers. I worked in the kitchen. Plus, I was a full-time student in need of a summer job. I had to take what was available. I survived. And I haven't done it since.

Be a House Cleaner
Any job that does not require the ability to think creatively is a Don't-do. I only ever cleaned 2 houses. I was part of the Odd Job Squad one summer when I was in college. When I needed pocket money, I stopped by the employment office and got a job. I was fairly regular, so they knew me and I got quite a few jobs. Cleaning was definitely the most tedious of the jobs I did. It was far more interesting spending 3 hours putting flyers on car windshields. That was the only summer that I ever cleaned someone's house for pay.

Wear Make-up
I have sensitive skin, and oily, perfumed cosmetics are irritating. I never went looking for a brand that I didn't react to because I didn't want to waste my time or money. I saw too many of my friends spending all their money on lipsticks and eye shadows. They were always broke and couldn't afford to go to a movie with me, or go to McDonald's for lunch. I didn't like the way it felt on my skin anyway. So why did I do it? the first time, my Mom was chasing me around the house with a lipstick in her hand. I was all dressed up for a school dance, and she wanted me to wear her make-up. Yuck. The second time, I was a model in a fashion show at my school to raise money to pay for Graduation. I've managed to stay away from the war paint since then.

Own a Car
I always intended to own a truck. But trucks cost more to buy, and cost more to operate. So, I own a car. When people ask how I like my car, I respond "it gets me where I'm going". I can still go camping, but I have to be cautious about old dirt roads.

Own an Automatic
I learned to drive on a standard. My first three cars were standard. It just blows me away that there are people who don't know how to drive standard. I have more control over acceleration; It's much easier to get unstuck from the snow, ice or mud; it will slow down even if the brakes fail; it can be roll-started if the battery is low. It makes me an active participant in the driving process -- I don't just steer. Why did I buy one? I was expecting my first child, and needed a car to hold the baby seat. It needed to be reasonably priced. What I found was a great deal on a 1 year old automatic. I will never compromise on this feature again.

Live Without a Dog
My parents weren't pet people. It took a long time to convince them to let me have a dog. I finally succeeded when I was 13. I loved that dog. I took her everywhere with me. Until I got married and went away to college. An apartment is no place for a country dog. I was without her for 4 years. Then I moved to a house and got my dog back. When she passed away, I was devastated. It was months before I could even touch another dog. I didn't have another dog in my life for 3 years. Once I finally got a new dog, I felt so much better. I need to have a dog. I must get one ASAP after mine dies. Maybe even before. Whatever it takes to make sure I am never without a dog in my life.

My To-Do List

In no particular order, I must:

Learn to Fly a Plane
Get a Class 4 Drivers License a1986
Canoe the Bowron Lakes
Drive across Canada
Explore Mayan Ruins
Build a Wine Cellar
Get a Dog a 1981, 2003, 2006
Go Spelunking
Learn to speak French 1975 -- ongoing
Sew a Quilt 1992 -- ongoing
Go on a Helicopter Ride a1992
Swim in the Ocean a1984, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Dig up Dinosaur Bones
Go on a Bike Trip a1988
Go Hiking to Cape Scott a1987
Buy a Truck a 1992
Learn Ballroom Dancing
Visit the Parlaiment Buildings in Regina
Meet George Lucas
Bake a perfect Pavlova Cake
Learn to Play Guitar 1977 -- ongoing
See the Harlem Globetrotters a2001
Go to a Live Production of MacBeth a2006
Learn to Figure Skate
Explore Egypt's Pyramids
Graduate From Art College a1991
Go To a Live Taping of Royal Canadian Air Farce
Spend a Night on the Beach, Stargazing and Listening to the Waves
Throw a Snowball at DR
Participate in a Polar Bear Swim
Get a Basketball Hoop
Shoot a Great Self-Portrait a 2007
Drive a Race Car
Enter a Sandcastle Competition
Teach an Art Class
Visit Montreal
Compete in the Iron Man Triathlon
Read the Bible 1980 -- ongoing
Invent a New Board Game
Make a Stained-Glass Window
Write a Book
Learn to Program a Computer
Canoe to an Island and Camp on the Beach
Hike up Mt Robson
Drive an 18-wheeler
Learn to Tap Dance
Earn a Degree
Hold a Boa Constrictor a2006
Go for a Midnight Swim
Buy a Home a 2003
Type 100 WPM
Train my dog for Agility a 2006
Develop a New Breed of Dog
Build a Log House
Be on TV a 1977
Learn to Sword Fighta 1995
Learn to speak Italian
Read Complete Works of Shakespeare a(6) 1981 -- ongoing
Visit Legoland