•: liberate blog :• - So, how was that “break?”

So, how was that “break?”

Remember that post about all I hoped to accomplish during my time of over the holidays? Yeah. Here’s how that turned out:

Take baths at night… at least a few times a week. {I did not take a single bath.}

Give myself an at-home pedicure complete with after-pedicure relaxation in my fancy red lavender stuffed slippers (gift from an old friend who gave them to me when I turned 30… stick them in the microwave and enjoy the warmth and the aroma therapy. Just sit. Ahhh…). {I didn’t do this either. Oh, that’s sad.}

Clean out my whole entire house. Ok, at least clear off all of the surfaces, purge the kids’ closets, organize my daughter’s room, make curtains for the kids’ rooms, clean out the basement and make way for the kids’ play space, organize my neglected home studio space, get rid of 75% of the kids’ toys, tear out the carpet in our dining room (yes, carpet in the dining room… and hardwood floors underneath!), clean out my closet… you see? {Well, I did not do ALL of these things, but several garbage bags headed out our doors for Goodwill or the dump, I did clean out my closet, organize my work space a little, clean out the linen closet, and go through and organize a couple kitchen cabinets. My biggest feat was finding my way (mostly) through the kids’ clothes. We live on almost exclusively hand-me-downs and I try to pass them on when we’re done with them, but that is a job and I am behind! See my new bins? One per season. The cheapest bins are also the ugliest, so I tried to make them more fun.}

Put paint on at least one canvas Andy gave me for Christmas… last year. {Sadly, did not do this.}

Draw every day. {I didn’t expect to fail at this one! I truly expected I would draw every day… easily. But I did not draw a single time.}

Finish my barely-started Christmas shopping (I just bought something small last night for my husband and his brother on Etsy last night. My husband reads my blog, so you will have to wait until after Christmas to find out what it is. Hmm…) {I finished my shopping at a nice and relaxed pace this year! And this is what I purchased for my husband and brother-in-law on Etsy: Upcycled Guitar Picks, handcut from gift cards.}

Make gingerbread cookies with my kids. (This blog post made the idea irresistible.) {I did this, I did this! Christmas Eve night. I did not make it to the icing step, but I did it! From scratch. And they were yummy.}

Have some of our family friends over for our second family sleepover (we had one this summer and it was so fun!). {Oh, we did not do this! We were hoping for an all-out sledding and homemade cookies slumber party… but we never had any snow. Winter is not over yet, though…}

Hang out with the Youth Art Team and watch “Night at the Museum.” If I ever update the blog, you will see why. {Done.}

Sleep at least 7 1/2 hours every night. {Did not do this. But I didn’t do too bad.}

List some more work in my Etsy shop. {Well, one print from my calendar. And I shipped off my first international order! That was exciting. Don’t miss my special deal this week…}

Search a local antique shop for a teapot to go along with one of my favorite gifts all year (some old and awesomely striking tea cups and bowls… I will show you sometime). {I did not have to do this! I received the perfect one from my husband, all wrapped and under the tree.}

Sketch out a script and set/costume plan for the Youth Art Team’s spring theatrical production. {Did not accomplish this… yet.}

Read. {Yes, ma’am. I did. The Secret Garden, as mentioned. And this beautiful new gift:}

Hang out with all of my friends. {Not ALL of them. But some of them. I am grateful for my friends.}

Go out with Andy. {Sort of did this. Since we paid for a babysitter the night of his work Christmas party, we took of a little early and went out. Just me and him. I love him.}

Read with my kids. Play cars with them on the floor. Take my 8-year-old daughter on at least two girls nights. Take my 5-year-old son out on a mother-son date. :) {Oh, this was the best. I definitely did lots of this, although not exactly as described. Here are some shots.}