2014 goals

The time has come for me to put down my goals for the year on paper, or uh screen, so that I am held accountable come December 31. If I don't put them out there for y'all to read I won't have the fear of judgement as my motivation. And really, isn't that what gets us all out of bed in the morning? Right. So I spent the weekend shaking my magic eight ball and I've narrowed down my list to these five challenges, in no particular order. In honor of the Golden Globes...may I have the envelope please.<br /><br />1. Fix the backyard. <br />I've <strike>whined</strike> discussed my backyard as long as this blog has been around (and even before that). And each year I talk about working on some privacy, but this is the year. And here's the reason - I can't look at my neighbors any more. They really are lovely people, but I just can't. While our side yard is vast and relatively private, our backyard, the space right past our <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/p/outside.html" target="_blank">deck and patio</a> is rather close to our neighbors. And over the years our neighbors have added on to their homes, making our breathing room even smaller. And with the addition of a new neighbor and his many outdoor apparatuses, this is the year damn it.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmmfHDCVYlRM1qjPTNhocByB1C5H2jdUIfsFkuhJjcaHvq2JN4u_IAQ5Pr1X5lMpo7nKa0j_jVJrEAb-T7a6AuU1FAm6zYFBEbY49VX_b81HOEPQzdIbImnUOmMUm_wqK5ckj2XSGRg2s/s1600/48b8bb1f1a7f438fc0d03e31e8ce11df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmmfHDCVYlRM1qjPTNhocByB1C5H2jdUIfsFkuhJjcaHvq2JN4u_IAQ5Pr1X5lMpo7nKa0j_jVJrEAb-T7a6AuU1FAm6zYFBEbY49VX_b81HOEPQzdIbImnUOmMUm_wqK5ckj2XSGRg2s/s1600/48b8bb1f1a7f438fc0d03e31e8ce11df.jpg" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205653270226/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr></tbody></table> And while I'd love a tall ivy covered stone wall and boxwood hedges,<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg3ovstx0v0lRkfB_rr3EmnSl-AKa5aTDG9at6atB5XPnrdnDKCSrXj0ZrcpVL1OIVY9Ve1GR0PRLPjCT7JeEAITNYCN688LyQycuYwe91ZePboCDpkmFjOspwFbVK1KQ-2jRaeGN9RfX/s1600/f786686f8df2712ae79b49273296fc30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkg3ovstx0v0lRkfB_rr3EmnSl-AKa5aTDG9at6atB5XPnrdnDKCSrXj0ZrcpVL1OIVY9Ve1GR0PRLPjCT7JeEAITNYCN688LyQycuYwe91ZePboCDpkmFjOspwFbVK1KQ-2jRaeGN9RfX/s1600/f786686f8df2712ae79b49273296fc30.jpg" width="267" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://almbacken.blogspot.se/2010/03/tradgard-tradgard-tradgard.html" target="_blank">Almbacken</a></td></tr></tbody></table>we are probably looking at something more economical. I know, economical and landscaping never really go together, but I'm going to try my best. We were able to redo our <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-wear-my-sunglasses-at-night-deck.html" target="_blank">deck</a> on a budget, so who knows what we will come up with. Maybe we'll find more <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2011/10/five-dollar-investment.html" target="_blank">$5 trees</a>.<br /><br />2. Organize closets<br />I have something that is a rarity in a house this age and size - two walk in closets. But I'm ashamed to say that I don't use them to their full potential. And in a house this size, that just isn't cool.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HBGr-_RN4kEJ29Ky1wS88qLyyvHDuORit20QdwRuwpzfrHhwvE8ml4XGN8A6h1YddTdBLHoEmOEQ_ahCKVcly6iw5OyyDhB7c3THbQ3w6IHNGGuorkHB3IEVFvLurgD3t_7c-TdR1uHS/s1600/485f32f7bed03fe2e858a760799b17bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6HBGr-_RN4kEJ29Ky1wS88qLyyvHDuORit20QdwRuwpzfrHhwvE8ml4XGN8A6h1YddTdBLHoEmOEQ_ahCKVcly6iw5OyyDhB7c3THbQ3w6IHNGGuorkHB3IEVFvLurgD3t_7c-TdR1uHS/s1600/485f32f7bed03fe2e858a760799b17bb.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205649170547/" target="_blank">Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti's amazing closet</a></td></tr></tbody></table>So I've got painting, construction, elbow grease and a lot of DIYs up my sleeve for these suckers. Note - I can not guarantee they can stay organized. (Do I hear a goal for 2015?)<br /><br />3. Find a dishwasher that doesn't suck and a vacuum that does.<br />I told you <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/08/i-hate-my-maytag-dishwasher.html" target="_blank">how much my Maytag sucks</a> and this is the year I'm doing something about it. There has got to be a high performance dishwasher out there and I am on the hunt.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOdBF3TmyrolJIFdDWy_Jd5GTAKS5O9cvoHS-PcMTDEsIBnXVicQTMrFxHs_n7Xy_Bmoqn7H1Blri05mvJXGc6FgYfrl11nVRI7iIbir6JrNQplKbd5HnMWSve6U5b06g8E0kc0RzfQeH/s1600/zoeyinthedishwasher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOdBF3TmyrolJIFdDWy_Jd5GTAKS5O9cvoHS-PcMTDEsIBnXVicQTMrFxHs_n7Xy_Bmoqn7H1Blri05mvJXGc6FgYfrl11nVRI7iIbir6JrNQplKbd5HnMWSve6U5b06g8E0kc0RzfQeH/s1600/zoeyinthedishwasher.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoey cleans better than my Maytag does</td></tr></tbody></table>I also have a vacuum on its last suck. Hmm, I need a new dishwasher and vacuum. Maybe it would just be cheaper to get a maid.<br /><br />4. Focus on the details.<br />I find myself looking at different things these days. Table linens, candle sticks, picture frames, vases. The cherries on top of the sundae. The things that take a room from done to complete. And a hard, and dangerous rule for me this year - only permanent pieces. I'm not getting something just because it was cheap. I have a basement full of those purchases. Quality, unique and long term are the key this year.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2Oh9_h5Ow7_x00n8An_PHEt_VZzN2Qgh8Uakp4gbaQhbs6lgs2023tPQ3Dg49LNlwGxaICiO-ElRDrrypA1zoX2-lj_QEcShrz64V0nAVU8KSWZq0_hEOKZ5QUVdTnUCe8pO9Ybb8SI8/s1600/c6ea7820beeda8dd1a3855fc48417364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2Oh9_h5Ow7_x00n8An_PHEt_VZzN2Qgh8Uakp4gbaQhbs6lgs2023tPQ3Dg49LNlwGxaICiO-ElRDrrypA1zoX2-lj_QEcShrz64V0nAVU8KSWZq0_hEOKZ5QUVdTnUCe8pO9Ybb8SI8/s1600/c6ea7820beeda8dd1a3855fc48417364.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/6896205653330159/" target="_blank">Lesley Glotzl</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />5. Post more.<br />I really do have the best time getting to know you all and I think we have a really good time together. And well, we've been dating for a few years now, so I think it's time to take our relationship to the next level. Do I sound like The Bachelor?<br /><br />I've got a lot to say, a whole backlog in fact, of things that I just don't get around to. So this year I'm going to make a hard effort to work four posts a week into my schedule. Gulp. And I want you all sharing more on here with me as well. You all are the best and I want to give more. 4 days a week. There I said it.<br /><br />So ta-da, there she blows. My list for the year. What do you think? Do you make yourself a guideline for the year? Did you think Tina and Amy did a good job last night? Can you believe that Jordan Catalano won an Golden Globe?!

2014 goals

The time has come for me to put down my goals for the year on paper, or uh screen, so that I am held accountable come December 31. If I don...

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i HATE my maytag dishwasher

I am so behind. I've got piles of work to do, emails to answer and projects to finish amongst other things. So if you are waiting on an email from me I'm sorry I haven't responded yet.<br /><br />But for the moment I just have to vent and let you know that I HATE MY DISHWASHER.<br /><br />We have a <a href="http://www.maytag.com/Kitchen-1/Kitchen_Dishwashers_and_Kitchen_Cleaning_Dishwashers-3/102120003/" target="_blank">Maytag QuietSeries</a> and it has sucked from the first month we got it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbyUPp4vjAN6jysux-J3I8S29kYI6bbwhuR9yG01cIaW_GD0UB_GdY2alaDhzlNAa-LV2IBxVmV1vcIaAj5o8F6pSQbfzWDzZ43hmdgrmogpaun43iWQw_rX0UbF9jyQQf5FIvhhUgYLD/s1600/maytagdishwashersarebad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbyUPp4vjAN6jysux-J3I8S29kYI6bbwhuR9yG01cIaW_GD0UB_GdY2alaDhzlNAa-LV2IBxVmV1vcIaAj5o8F6pSQbfzWDzZ43hmdgrmogpaun43iWQw_rX0UbF9jyQQf5FIvhhUgYLD/s400/maytagdishwashersarebad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It doesn't clean dishes but actually leaves so much goo on them that they are often worse when we take them out. There is never a load that I don't have to re-wash at least a quarter of the items again. Now I know I am not a mechanical engineer but I was under the impression that a dishwasher was supposed to...wash!<br /><br />The prongs inside the racks started to rust and fall off within six months of purchasing it brand new from the Maytag store.<br /><br />We've called and emailed and I can tell you that <a href="http://www.maytag.com/service_support" target="_blank">Maytag customer service</a> doesn't know how to clean up a mess any better than their dishwashers do. They gave us gems like 'read the manual' or 'call a repair man'. I felt supported.<br /><br />Then, about two years into our hate/hate relationship we got a letter from Maytag saying that the dishwasher was being recalled for a faulty drying system (that isn't all that is faulty about it Maytag). They offered to send a repair man free of charge to fix this issue (and only that issue) OR issue us a $100 credit toward a new dishwasher. However, that new dishwasher had to be at least $300 more than we paid for our existing dishwasher.<br /><br />I am not buying a single thing from Maytag again so that credit was of course thrown out. I've spoken to others who have had similar issues with Maytag. I guess misery loves company.<br /><br />Do you have any dishwasher recommendations? Had any problems with an appliance in your house? Ever wanted to strangle an inanimate object?

i HATE my maytag dishwasher

I am so behind. I've got piles of work to do, emails to answer and projects to finish amongst other things. So if you are waiting on an ...

Read more »