To Do Before Halloween

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I am one of those people who totally believes it's a good idea to have a big party every few months or so as a motivator to get things accomplished in my house.  While I don't necessarily CLEAN before a party (so much better to save for AFTER the party), I do like to get the array of half-finished projects around my house completed.  Lucky for me, my younger daughter was born on October 30 and every year we have a big party in her honor.  It's more of a neighborhood fall festival than a birthday party, but it draws a big crowd and it's a lot of fun, at least I think so.

Best of all having a party gives me perspective.  I am less likely to start a bunch of new projects the month before said party.  And more likely to finish up the ones I've already started.  Especially the most glaring and/or dangerous ones.  So without further ado, here's my list of stuff to get done before our party on October 27.  Wish me luck!

Projects to finish up:

1. Finish or move ottomans out of dining room
   
   
2. Decide what curtains to hang in dining room
   
3. Touch up stain on stairs
   
4. Finish upholstering second chair + adding trim
   
5. Paint (or at least clean) table and stools in living room + get rid of stuff in corner
   
6. Touch up wall paint on kitchen half wall
   
7. Repaint table base and kitchen benches (yuck!)
   
8. Touch up black paint of front door 
   
9. Finish staining deck
   
10. Finish building pergola over deck
    
11. Take down shade sails
12. Upholster chairs on back porch with vinyl
    
     
13. Get supplies off back porch
    
14. Finish rocking chair (or move to garage)
    
15. Swap old TV console with "new" one even though it's not painted yet
16. Finish loft bed because people are going to want to see it
    
17. Finish building wall on swing set tower
    
18. Build platform for twisty slide (no really this needs to get done!!!)
    
19. Stain walls of screened porch (but I doubt I'll have time for this one)

Decorating:

1. Put out all the holiday decorations
2. Swap out items on staircase platform
3. Make new wreaths for front door
4. Hang leaves from banister
5. Hang leaves on mailbox
6. Set up for party

Perhaps I push myself a little too far.  It's just the way I roll.  I'm sure you can't wait to see if I get it all done.  Let the countdown begin... 13 days to go!

- Smart Girl