The One Room Challenge Week 3: Trust the To Do List

It’s Week 3 of the One Room Challenge, and we are here talking all about my To Do List and how I’m not ANYWHERE near where I hoped I’d be. How about you?

My Life: Lies I Love to Tell Myself

Buckle up…it’s story time.

You know that old fable–The Tortoise & the Hare? The one where the hare is all cocky and confident about winning the race, but the tortoise just keeps plugging along, and ends up being the victor? 

Yeah, well, for this week’s update, I’m here to tell you that I’m not sure the tortoise is going to win this one. And, the hare is also falling on his face.

If my progress was this fable, my brain would be the hare. As always–from parenting, to work, to hobbies & beyond, I *believe* I can get it all done. I really, really want to get it all done. Is it the coffee I drink first thing that gives me this belief that I can conquer the world?

“Come here you big, beautiful cup of coffee, and lie to me about everything we’re going to get done today.”

But, then, life steps into the picture, slaps me across the face, and we all have a good laugh. A few tears. And, usually a cocktail–or five.

Who would be the tortoise in this scenario? If it’s anything, it’s my To Do List as the tortoise. It’s the only thing driving this ship. And, that thing is LONG.

Staying Positive Amidst the Chaos

Let’s not forget positivity. What have I checked off of my To Do List? Tons of mundane tasks! This last week was a big one for little details! 

• Nail holes filled in window trim (all over the house!)
• Window trim painted 
• Tools/materials purchased
• Feature wall is *mostly* up
• 18,000 pieces of furniture moved
• 9 new plants (just because)
• One more shelf made (next week\’s topic!)

I’m trying to outline some of these details in my IG story highlights, so take a peek at those if you want to see this disaster unfold.

Now, let’s get to it…you want to know more about the wall we’ve started???

The Feature Wall!

I\’m so excited about this dang wall–so excited that even the hiccups of trying to install this thing can’t get me down! If you look back at my mood board from Week One, you might notice that the background is shiplap.

That background is an actual photo of our shiplap accents from the living room. But, decisions are nothing if not changeable.

It was towards the end of week one that I had a revelation. What if we don’t do shiplap? What if we do my other favorite feature wall–that I would never dream of attempting? What exactly am I talking about?!?!

This wall is–by far–one of my favorites on the gram. If you aren’t following Jess of @shiplapshanty, stop what you’re doing right now, and click that blue button on her page. No, seriously–go, right now. Let me tell you, besides being and honest-to-goodness beautiful soul and a loyal friend, she is a creative that we ALL need in our lives. This gal goes all out for every holiday, occasion and special day. But, the best part is how she does it in a way that seems so easy and pretty affordable. Plus, she is happy to show tips and how-to ideas. Okay, enough gushing over Jess 🙂

I just love what she did with her wall, and it never occurred to me that we could do this. Until now. This is our chance! Besides, Jess and her hubby made it look…do-able. Certainly, we could give it a go? (Cue background, impending doom, music here.) 

This is the result of one piece. One piece that went up pretty easy. Looks great, right? Phew. Then, Sunday came. Because the feature wall has three windows, the measuring and the cutting has created some challenges. We must have carried one piece of 8×4 hardwood up to the 2nd floor and back to the garage at least 20 times trying to get the angles and brick pattern just right. 

I’ve been cutting all week–a little here, a little there. Mark my words: This wall will be done. And, I’m pretty sure I’ll be doing an entire blog post about how we put this thing together.

Until then, keep your fingers crossed.