Inspiration > Lawn & Garden

The Summer Bucket List

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Every year we say it. The summer went by so fast! We have the best of intentions for getting projects done, and spending plenty of time in a hammock in the sun…. but life happens. Instead, we work too hard, spend the best hours of the day indoors, barely get to necessary home improvement projects that are long overdue, and don’t spend enough time with our kids.

Friends, I’m taking control  I’m making a plan. I’m writing it down. I’m creating a balance of work and play; a formula for the perfect summer. I’m alternating work and fun projects for maximum “great summer!” factor. There’s a lot of science involved; it’s very complicated.

As my 4-year-old says: First things first. The list must be divided into two categories. If you’re expecting me to say “work and play”–you’re wrong! Part of the science is that the list has to be divided into things done once and things done as often as possible.

List 1: Things To Do One Time This Summer

1. Paint the house. It’s that year. Our house is 9 years old this year, and the Hardie siding is holding up to its terrific reputation. However, the southern exposure side is getting slightly washed out; our house is a dark color and it’s time for another coat of paint. The matching detached garage we put up in 2012 only got one coat of paint last year, and the trim hasn’t been painted yet at all, so that needs it, too.

painting barn

I managed the whole thing on a ladder last year. Oh, and we’ll be renting a lift from Generation this year; that was probably the scariest thing I’ve ever done!

2. Build a house. Of cardboard, that is. Inspired by Pinterest and a cardboard box that housed my new elliptical, I made this house for my kids this past winter.

box house

We’ve had so much fun with it; we even painted it twice! We’re bringing the idea to work and hoping to inspire young architects and do-it-yourselfers by hosting a Box House Contest here at Generation. Open to children of all ages, it’ll be a part of our Next Generation Carpentry Club, and participants will build their own box houses and bring them here to the store for judging Sunday, Aug. 11. Details are available on our website, generationhbc.com.

painting box house green
painting box house blue

3. The Minnesota Zoo. Preferably on an overcast day that threatens rain but doesn’t deliver. It can get pretty crowded there.

4. The Science Museum. My 7-year-old had his first-grade field trip cancelled this year because they had too many snow days and late starts (in March and April. Gag). No Science Museum for them. So we’ll all go! It can get pretty crowded there, too, but being it’s an indoor attraction, I don’t think you can plan a perfect day to avoid the crowds.

5. Upcycle this chair

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My dad found this while cleaning out my grandpa’s garage and thought of me!  He saved it from the Dumpster, and hello! It has huge potential! The frame is sturdy, and you’ll have to excuse my overuse of exclamation points. I’m very excited about this chair.

6. Achieve my second bathroom. This is partially a to-do list item and partially a honey-do list item. My family of five has been living in a single-bathroom home for far too long. I’ve already bought all the fixtures (at Generation Home & Building Center!); now for some installation. It’s happening.

7. Go camping! We already have our reservation for Jay Cooke State Park. Someday camping will be on the next list; however, this year, for maximum efficiency, we’ll make it memorable once.

List 2: Things to Make a Habit of This Summer

1. Time at the lake. Both on the shore and in a boat, we intend to spend some serious time at the lake. Paul and the kids can fish, and I can… not fish. It’s a cooler of juice boxes and sandwiches and grapes and the radio playing Little Bigtown’s “On the Pontoon.” It’s tubing and waterskiing and sunscreen. Minnesota has 13,000 lakes; we have four that we frequent, and I intend to spend some serious time there.

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2. Grilling. Like every night. And eating outside on our deck. (Hey, do you have a deck on your house?  We have all sorts of decking options here at Generation, and our website has a series weighing the pros and cons of each material!) I’m talking burgers, steak, pork chops, potatoes, pizza, chicken, hot dogs, brats, fruit and maybe even doughnuts.

3. Running. I love to run outside. If we’re going to grill as much as I say we’re going to grill, I’ll have to work it off somehow!

4. Take pictures. My kids are changing so fast.

chicks

5. Do something with those pictures. Besides keep them saved on my computer. I might have to move this list item to list 1, as I really don’t see making a habit of it, and I hate, hate, hate scrapbooking.

6. Play outside. At the park and in the backyard, with wagons, sprinklers, sandbox, swings, plasmacars, the slide and bikes!

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It looks like it’ll be a well-balanced summer of work and play for us!  Happy summer to all of you!

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Cassy Simon
More about Cassy Simon

Cassy balances work and family with a range of creative outlets including: sewing, upcycling furniture, home improvement, home décor, DIY projects, mixed media, and working in her basement ceramics studio. Her husband often helps her with projects and inspiration, and her 3 children often “help” with projects, yet are a never ending source of inspiration. As her position at Generation Home & Building Center in Lonsdale, MN centers around marketing and promotions, she can often tie her personal and home improvement projects into her career. She writes about home improvement and DIY projects for GHBC and she writes about her personal projects and family on her personal blog.

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