Happy New Year! There's something about the start of a new year that just gets me motivated. Motivated to clean at a frenzied pace, organize closets like a superhero, and start home renovation projects as if we have all the time in the world. Apparently I'm not alone in my new found motivation. According to usa.gov, the most popular resolutions are as follows:

Okay, even though these aren't quite as house related as what we have in mind, there's something refreshing about knowing that (as of today at least) most other human beings are trying to make positive changes in their lives and make the world, and their homes, a better place! Kind of exciting, isn't it? 

Last week we covered our 2011 Year in Review, and I have to say we're proud of all we accomplished last year, but like many others we're now turning our attention to what we'll set out to do in 2012. So...drum roll please...here's our official list of what we resolve to accomplish this year:

• Officially finish the vestibule project. (All that's left is to apply the coat of paint to the interior side of the french doors.) 

• Put a stop to our leaking sky light once and for all. We completed 90% of the work in 2011. All that's left is a good coat of roof paint, before we step back with crossed fingers and wait for the first big storm.

• Fix unsightly crack near sky light caused by said leak. (No seriously, we're fixing the crack this year.)
  
  

• Make custom storm windows for master bedroom, living room, and master bath. After all, Alex has publicly declared he'll finish this one by January 31, 2012. 

• Redecorate the sun porch to remove the tired floral window treatments, and to better incorporate the wine fridge into the furniture layout. (I had a lot of fun last night getting inspiration from Pinterest. For a sneak peek at some of the ideas we're playing around with, check out our "Cheers" board.)

• Refurbish my great grandfather's chair, given to us years ago by my parents. This cool piece of family history is calling out for a little TLC, and we have just the place picked out for it once it's had its face lift.

• Repair and replace the bay window on the back of our home. The raised panels and windows have seen better days (like when the photo below was taken), as this part of our house takes a beating from the sun. 

• Devote some serious time and attention to our master bathroom renovation. The 1980s monstrosity must go, and this is the year to do it! I don't know that it's realistic to think we'll knock this out in a mere 12 months, but we hope to be really far along by the close of 2012. Give me an U-G-L-Y! What's it spell? Buh-bye. And yes, that really is duct tape on the bulkhead, a hole in the wall, a missing T.P. holder and a homemade copper tubing shower curtain rod. We'll explain later. (Shaking head in embarrassment.)

• Continue our Curb Appeal 2.0 efforts by selecting and installing a border around our front tree, and planting the area with flowers.

• Do a thorough purge of our closets and drawers.
• Last but not least on the list is more of a household management item than a house project per say. We resolve to make a list of our bank accounts, retirement funds, credit cards, mortgage and car loan companies, etc. so we have a complete picture of account numbers, user names, passwords, and balances. It's a little morbid to have to think about it this way, but if something happened to either one of us, it will be reassuring to know this little list will be securely tucked away in our safe deposit box at the bank. I think of it as a little peace of mind.

In addition to our joint list above, Alex and I have identified one additional annoying habit endearing trait we think our partner needs to resolve to change in 2012. There may be some grumbling going on around here, but I think we're coming to an agreement. But more on those public outings later in the week. 

Are we alone in our excitement for 2012? Any other New Year's resolutions or house project itineraries that you'd like to share? Is there something you think we've left off our list or maybe you think we're being too aggressive with our plans? We'd love to hear from you, and hope the first couple days of the new year have been treating you well!