Bucket lists have never been my thing. I don’t like to think about death and dying and creating a bucket list makes me confront that. I don’t want to dwell on all the shit I’d like to do before I die and also, if I don’t accomplish them, how will that make me feel? Probably pretty crappy and if I’m on my deathbed, is that really something I need hanging over me? No. So I opt to leave bucket lists alone.
However, when it comes to this project, it has a shelf life. While the skills acquired and lessons learned will stick with me, and I don’t intend on leetting them go once I’m done with the project, the project itself will end. Die, if you will. And there are some items I’d like to accomplish before that happens. A pioneer project bucket list.
This is what it looks like:
- Sew a complete set of cloth napkins along with a matching tablecloth. I love the idea of having a tablecloth on my dining table for so many reasons, the least of which is that my table has tile and grout that are a pain the ass to clean. It’ll also make the room like so much nicer and cleaner. Plus, the cloth napkins are less wasteful.
Found this on Amazon. If sewing one doesn’t work, this is my backup plan. - Open an Etsy store. Pioneer women tended to the home but at times, they also had to help contribute financially to the family. I’m no different. I have a few ways in mind to do this and one of them is to open an Etsy store. I have the idea, the name, and the list of products to sell. Now I just have to get to work.
- Fill my freezer and shelves in my garage with food I canned. Not going to lie. Canning intimidates the hell out of me. I don’t know what I’m doing and I’m terrified that I’m going to ruin the food. This is even more daunting because I plan on canning what we grow (following in true pioneer fashion) and if I mess up, it’s gone. I can’t just instantly regrow more. Scary stuff.
For more than just crafts. - Quilt a lap blanket. I have no problem taking a shortcut and making no sew blankets (in fact, I think I prefer this. Quicker, and I can actually do it). But the pioneers used quilts. Which means I need to try to sew one. I am almost as awful with a sewing machine as I am with knitting needles which is why I’m opting for a lap quilt instead of a bed-sized one. I figure it’ll be decidedly less stressful (and more doable) if I’m focused on a smaller quilt.
Items you will not see on my list: shoot a gun. Ride a horse. Milk a cow. Raise chickens. Use an outhouse.
It’s not that I’m opposed to the concept of those things. (Well, that’s a lie. I’m opposed to outhouses and their modern brethern, the port-a-potty. Because ew. And majorly unsanitary.) It’s that I have aversions to all of them and this is honestly why I realize I’d most likely be a terrible pioneer. Then again, if I were a real pioneer, I’d have no choice but to do all of them and I’d probably get over myself. I also wouldn’t know any different. So, really, I’m thankful that I’m not living 150 years ago.
As for my bucket list, I wanted to make it projects that are achievable yet complicated enough that I’ll feel like I did something truly pioneer-esque. Because those guys did not have it easy. I want to pay homage to them as best I can without making myself uncomfortable.
Do you have a bucket list? What items are on it?
