I disagree about not having long-term goals, but it is how you accomplish them that makes a difference. The long-term goal of having the house in shape to sell if I decide to move for another job or to retire means that I strategically plan a series of tasks that are short term in nature but that ADD UP TO the longer term goal of having the house in shape. Paint, tile, woodwork, attic work, landscaping, they all are part of having the house in shape to sell - which doesn't have a date attached, but I know these other things need to be accomplished to reach that point. So I have to determine which task to do now, which comes later, depending on cost, time involved, hiring help, etc. I have put a list of these things on the fridge that I want to try to do during the next year, and crossing off a fraction of them is an accomplishment. I suspect, when it comes down to it, that Linn has a list of things that add up to a house in good shape so she can decide to stay or to sell, and though Susan doesn't own the house she's in, she has a lot of short-term tasks that add up to the long term goal of moving to the new house. I've lost count of how many places Dorothy is moving in and out of, but I'm sure there are goals involved. :) We watched Andrea fix up one house then move to the one she's in now, and then the months of renovations to achieve the current comfortable house. Back when Penny was posting here, she had a similar project, and it was fascinating to read about her discoveries and decisions. All long term goals with short-term steps along the way.

Last year I finally completed a refinishing job that involved converting a dresser (with a knee hole and a mirrorless frame) into a buffet with cupboard doors and an enclosed space (the frame backing was screwed onto the back of the dresser and a shelf put in for the base). It sat in my sun room for a long time with stuff stacked on it while I considered the possibilities of how to do the job. I don't remember what finally tipped me over the edge of deciding to finish it, but it is now a lovely piece in my dining room. That was a relatively short term project that took a long time because I had to consider how to convert the furniture. Other things don't take so much consideration, like painting a room or hallway, or changing out light fixtures. Every project isn't equally creative and sometimes the simplest ones can have the biggest impact (like painting a room).

Halloween costumes: I had a lot of fun making costumes for and then with my kids. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that my daughter majored in Theater Arts/costume design at the university - she'd had her initial exposure to that creative process at home. She managed to take it from a hobby to an art form and possibly a career. You never know what thing you do with your child is going to make the biggest impression. :)

You can correct the new dog when it does the hump/I'm in charge here move on the other dog - when the new dog tries to take charge, it's time for a walk to show them both who is in charge. You. The new dog may end up being the dominant animal, but you are the pack leader.

Tomorrow I declutter my wallet at the nearby auto dealership when I take the car in for some needed work. A recall, an oil change, and new tires. Even though I shopped around, compared prices, and they gave me the offer of a few dollars off per tire, I know they'll still manage to achieve sticker shock at the end of the day.

My parting thought: there was a wonderful image on facebook today, forwarded by a librarian friend: