How Did I Do On My 2023 Home Goals?
At the beginning of this year, I made my Master List of Home Goals just like I’ve done for the last several years. But this year, I tried to keep my goals reasonable. So how did I do? Let’s take a look.
Goal #1 – Finish the Home Gym
At the beginning of the year, our home gym looked like this…
I had just finished our master bathroom remodel at the end of 2022, and all throughout that project, our home gym was used as a workshop, storage room, etc. So by the end of the bathroom project, the home gym was a complete disaster. The stripes on the walls were done (but still needed lots of touchups), and most of the trim was installed (but still needed to be finished), and everything else was a mess.
So my first goal of 2023 was to finish our home gym, and I did! I love how this room turned out. Since Matt and I both use it, I tried to make it appropriate for both of us. I got my color on most of the walls, but it’s mixed with lots of black and wood to keep things from looking too much like a candy shop.
Goal # 2 – The Carport
I’m not doing these in the order in which I listed them in my post at the beginning of the year because I want to start with the things that actually got finished. And after years of being in an in between state (usable but not finished), the carport is finally finished. At the beginning of the year, it looked like this…
I hired out this work because, quite frankly, I didn’t want to do it myself. And I’m so glad I did! It’s finished, and I got to focus on other things while it got done.
I’m still having to use it as my workshop where I use my saws, so this is as good as it gets for now. And I do still want to build a storage cabinet and do a couple of other things, but the carport itself is finished and finally has a ceiling, lights, a ceiling fan, etc. You can click here to see more pictures of our finished carport.
Goal #3 – Front Porch And Exterior
Our front porch was in pretty rough shape at the beginning of the year, and several things needed maintenance, starting with the actual porch boards.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get my whole list finished, but I did make some progress! I sanded down all of the porch boards and restained/resealed them (although they still need one more coat). I also sealed and repainted the porch ceiling, and gave the front door a fresh coat of paint.
I love the progress, but I still have some things left on my list that I’ll need to focus on next year, like finishing the stone skirting, making some flower beds, rehanging a shutter that fell down during a rainstorm with really high winds, and making window boxes. You can click here to see more posts about projects I’ve done on the front porch.
Goal #4 – The Studio
My studio was obviously the biggest project of the year, and I didn’t quite get it finished. I feel like I’m so close to having a finished studio, but there are still quite a few projects for me to finish up next year. But I did make a whole lot of progress. Here’s what the room looked like at the beginning of the year. (Actually, it’s not. This room as a mess, piled with stuff that had been moved in here from other rooms.)
I did so many projects in this room, starting with sanding and painting the floor, installing and painting cabinets, removing that wallpaper and replacing it with a much larger mural, and so much more.
I had hoped to get the whole room finished by the end of the year, but I knew that was a very lofty goal. I’m pleased with the progress that I did make on it, and I’m very excited about getting it finished first thing in 2024! You can click here to read more about the studio.
Goal #5 – The Guest Bedroom
I did have three things on my list of goals that I wanted to do in the guest bedroom (that we’re currently using as our main bedroom).
Those included adding wainscoting to the lower walls, continuing the floral design on the other two walls, and building a new base for the bed. I didn’t get around to doing any of those things. 😀 I guess I’ll try again next year.
Goal #6 – Kitchen
This is one of those nagging goals that I’ve had in mind since 2019, but have yet to actually commit time and effort to it. I wanted to remove the dishwasher and replace it with a cabinet for storage.
In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t spend time on that. Now that I’ve pretty much decided that I want to redo our kitchen (either as part of our addition or sometime soon after), I really don’t want to put any more time or effort into making this kitchen work better for me. I’ll just wait and include all of those things (like a Rev-a-Shelf pop up shelf, which is what I wanted to put in that spot) on my wish list for our new kitchen.
So that covers all of the goals I had set for 2023. In all, I think I did a pretty good job! I didn’t get everything finished, but I also made a whole lot more time for myself, for family, and for friends this last year. There was a time in my life when I’d work on our house (or condo before the house) 12 hours a day with no time for anything else. I feel like 2023 was a year of finding balance and really evaluating priorities. So while I may not get house projects finished as fast as I used to, my life feels so much fuller these days. I loved that about 2023, and I plan to continue that in 2024.
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
You’re very inspirational and have made a really pretty home. Merry Christmas to you, Matt and your family.
Kristi –
Reading through your list is so great – I’m happy that you celebrate what you DID accomplish/finish, instead of just looking at what isn’t yet done. You have a good perspective on the process of DIY – and it IS a PROCESS, not an event. I also like that you’re finding balance in your and Matt’s life. We finished a kitchen reno last year, but didn’t clean up all the materials out of our “staging area”, which is our beautiful sunporch, until Thanksgiving. It’s amazing to me how long some things DIY take when one has to fit the rest of life around one’s projects. Merry Christmas to you and Matt,
Peace, Karen
Amazing progress! You have so much to celebrate. Home renovating is so hard to plan for because you never know what is going to slow things down. You have created spaces that you love which is the most important! Thanks for taking us along on your journey. Looking forward to 2024!
I think you got a lot done this year! You also worked with architects on plans for your addition and your yard, took on hosting a weekly gathering, and dealt with some draining health matters affecting you and Matt. Have a peaceful and restorative holiday!
You did a great job of planning your goals. Just continue them into 2024. I think you did a major job on meeting those goals. I’m glad you made time for friends and family. That is healthy.
I need to set goals too. I believe to goals, written down with action plans. A goal is a dream with an end. Have a Jesus filled Christmas.
You never cease to amaze me with your many talents, your are such an inspiration to myself and many! You accomplish far more than one could hope to. Thank you for the gift of allowing your readers to follow along on your journey! Wishing you and yours a very Peaceful Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year Blessed by His Grace!
You did such a great job! Now rest and enjoy the holidays. Btw, I’d love to know your thoughts on your rowing machine now that you’ve had it for a while. Here’s to a wonderful 2024 for you and your family!
I love my rowing machine! I need to use it more. I tend to favor my rebounder, so I use it much more. But when I do use my rower, I really enjoy it. I know a lot of people prefer one with lots of options for settings, bells and whistles, etc., but the very simple design, basic function, and real water sounds of this rowing machine are perfect for me.
Well dang! Everything looks lovely. Do you decorate much for Christmas? Pics would be fun 😏😏
I actually don’t decorate at all for Christmas. 🙂 I used to go all out, and it was exhausting and required so much storage area. Things are so much simpler and way more peaceful at this time of year now.
Don’t forget that you got all of this done in between a few injuries, illness and hospital trips for both of you! I think you did really good on your list, compared to previous years! With the life you have, I am amazed you get any extra work done after being a caregiver and also hosting a large group each week. I can barely get a shower and wash a load of clothes (because admittedly, I’m on the computer all day!) Those darn reels on FB pull me in, and I can’t stop watching them! Have a Happy Holiday, and remember to relax!
Kristi you should be so proud of all you accomplished this year. Also you and Matt got to go out for meals together and have friends in, that was a big accomplishment this year. So proud of you. Hope you have a blessed Christmas and a healthy snd prosperous New Year
I had forgotten that the gym was done this year! You accomplished so much on your house projects in addition to branching out with family and friends. So very inspirational! I hope you both enjoy the holidays. Thank you for sharing your projects and your life with us; it is a wonderful gift.
That’s remarkable. Well done. The home gym is just wonderful. Not only the remodeling of your physical home but also the remodeling the way you live in it by extending hospitality and hosting guests was a BIG project. That took/takes considerable time, thought and execution too.
It’s great to look back at the photographs and see how much you have accomplished in the past year. Your use of color and patterns is bold and cheerful and makes me smile. I love reading your detailed descriptions of how to do projects. I wish you and Matt a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!
You made a lot of progress in completing or almost completing your goals. Congrats! My hope for you and Matt for 2024 is that you’ll both be healthy, happy and able to complete your goal lists.
WOW – So much progress!! Great job – I’ve loved following along in your journey!
Merry Christmas, Kristi and Matt!
I hope you have the loveliest of holidays. Many blessings to you and your loved ones!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Kristi and Matt!
Kristi, I’m not seeing your Instagram posts. Everything ok?