This year’s project goals will look different compared to 2020 and 2021. I’m super proud of the work we were able to accomplish during a global pandemic where supply chains issues reined king, and I was unemployed and searching for a new full-time job (as a graphic designer), all the while managing through several deployments. Whew, we made it. And so far, COVID-free.
tl;dr – no new major projects in 2022. Sorry to disappoint, but you can follow along as I tackle my many punch lists. I’ll be updating my never-ending to-do list monthly (or quarterly).
Here’s a quick recap of the 2020 and 2021 projects completed:
Guest bedroom
With AA working from home since we returned from back-to-back TDYs in June of 2020, he needed to have a bright space to set up a home office, thus kicking off the Guest Bedroom update.
Backyard
Finally! This one was years in the making. We broke ground on the permeable pavers in March of 2020, the very beginning of the pandemic, and our landscapers finished the same day the City of Philadelphia halted all non-essential construction. I don’t think they were technically allowed to be working that day, but I’m so glad they did! In 2021, we rebuilt our back fence line, designed and built a small storage shed, and after adding an appropriately sized (and priced) bench, we gained a more private and inviting outdoor living space.
Basement
Looking at my phone’s camera roll, I realized it took a whole year to complete one 15′ x 6′ wall. So ridiculous. Supply chains were a real challenge, but I learned how to work the system. In my planning, I was dead set on taking up the least amount of floor space and wanted to use the narrowest metal studs, and after many attempts of buying said metal studs, I had to cave and go up a size. Things started moving quickly from there. I learned a few things during this project, 1) cement board is no joke to work with, and 2) I HATE finishing drywall (and it shows 😅). I painted the wall and need to finish the electrical work. I’ll be living with the space as-is for a minute.
Let’s jump into 2022
This year marks living in our house for five years. After purchasing it back in 2013, I rented it out for the first couple of years as I lived out of state but knew that Philly was where I would land, eventually.
Here’s what the house looked like when I bought it. There are now only three places you’ll find that terrible yellow paint color; I call it Philly Rental, and I swear HD sells it in 5-gallon buckets on the cheap. Every rental I lived in was that same depressing color.
Top priority
The biggest, and most important, goal for 2022 is finishing the work on our investment property. All other large, long-term projects are hinged on the completion of this renovation.
For our house
I have a couple of LARGE (read: $$$$) projects on my wish (dream) list, which means I need to reprioritize and refocus the types of projects I take on for 2022 and maybe 2023, and even 2024. The kitchen has held a spot on my goals list since 2017, and every year is pushed to the next, mainly because I haven’t nailed down what I want to do with the space. It’s functional, just not my style, and the 1980’s cabinets are in terrible shape.
The second VERY LARGE project on my list is adding a 3rd story with roof deck, and possibly even a 4th story all-weather room. ← Dream big, amiright.
95% club
I’ve deemed this the year I tackle the last 5% of my projects. I have [too] many open punch lists, and each new project adds to the list. This year, I’ll be periodically checking the boxes on my very long to-do list posted here, organized by room.
No-spend January 2022
This year I’d like to continue on my path of limiting unnecessary spending. I will post more about this soon; I need to think through my rules to formalize a plan. In the meantime, here’s an article (with examples) of how others are taking on this goal.