January (9)
• Freakshow by James St James
• Rescuing Seneca Crane by Susan Runholt
• Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood by Eileen Cook
• The Geography Club by Brent Hartinger
• The Ersatz Elevator by Lemony Snicket
• Hot House Orchid by Stuart Woods
• Silent Night, Haunted Night by Terri Garey
• Audio: The Austere Academy by Lemony Snicket
• Non-fiction: Creating Black Americans: African-American History and its Meanings, 1619 to the Present
February (10)
• Crocodile Tears by Anthony Horowitz
• Totally Joe by James Howe
• Ash by Malinda Lo
• Naomi & Ely’s No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn & David Leviathan
• The Vast Field of Ordinary by Nick Burd
• Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
• My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr
• Audio: Miss Julia Speaks by Ann Ross
• Audio: The Poe Shadow by Matthew Pearl
• Non-fiction: Saving Graces by David Robinson
March (7)
• Luna by Julie Anne Peters
• The Vile Village by Lemony Snicket
• Tragedy at Two by Ann Purser
• The Pallbearers by Stephen L Cannell
• Audio: The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
• Audio: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling
• Non-fiction: Letters from New Orleans by Rob Walker
April (7)
• The Carnivorous Carnival by Lemony Snicket
• Deep Shadow by Randy Wayne White
• The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
• Audio: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
• Non-fiction: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Non-fiction: Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach
• Non-fiction: The House Always Wins by Marni Jameson
May (9)
• Lady Liberty by Vicki Hinze
• Kisser by Stuart Woods
• Docketful of Poesy by Diana Killian
• Lucid Intervals by Stuart Woods
• Popular Vote by Michol Ostow
• 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
• Audio: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
• Audio: The Viper’s Nest (39 Clues)
• Non-fiction: Postsecrets: Confessions on Life, Death, and God
June (11)
• U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
• Dante’s Numbers by David Hewson
• Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
• Southern Fried by Cathy Pickens
• City of Fear by David Hewson
• Mama Does Time by Deborah Sharp
• Fatal Last Words by Quintin Jardine
• Audio: Pants on Fire by Meg Cabot
• Audio: Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith
July 2010 (14)
• The Star Rover by Jack London
• Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
• The Jewel of the Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• Magic By the Lake by Edward Eager
• Map of Moments by Christopher Golden
• Shoot to Thrill by PJ Tracy
• The Language of Bees by Laurie R King
• Murder at the Vicarage (Miss Marple) by Agatha Christie
• Audio: The Emperor’s Code (39 Clues)
• Audio: The Storm Warning (39 Clues)
• Audio: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
• Non-fiction: Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six Word Memoirs
• Non-fiction: Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
August 2010 (12)
• Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
• Done Gone Wrong by Cathy Pickens
• Sand and Foam by Kahil Gibran
• Mama Rides Shotgun by Deborah Sharp
• Strip Jack by Ian Rankin
• Riot Act by Zoe Sharp
• The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Galveston by Kent Conwell
• Audio: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
• Non-fiction: Sand and Foam by Kabril Gibran
• Non-fiction: This Sold House by Diane Reyes
• Non-fiction: Give it Up! My Year of Living With Less by Mary Carlomagno
September 2010 (13)
• Hog Wild by Cathy Pickens
• Hush My Mouth by Cathy Pickens
• Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs
• The Mystery of Marie Roget by Edgar Allan Poe
• The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
• Skeletons of the Atchafalaya by Kent Conwell
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Hard Knocks by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the Distillery by Kent Conwell
• The Picasso Scam by Stuart Pawson
• Vicksburg by Kent Conwell
• The Ying On Triad by Kent Conwell
• Audio: Runaway by Meg Cabot
October 2010 (11)
• First Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell
• Road Kill by Zoe Sharp
• The Swamps of Bayou Teche by Kent Conwell
• The Crystal Skull Murders by Kent Conwell
• Second Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the French Quarter by Kent Conwell
• Third Strike by Zoe Sharp
• The Puzzle of Piri Reis by Kent Conwell
• The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
• Audio: Into the Gauntlet (39 Clues)
November 2010 (8)
• Defending Angels by Mary Stanton
• The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
• An Unmarked Grave by Kent Conwell
• The Prostitutes’ Ball by Stephen J Cannell
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
• Until Midnight by Amanda Quick
• Angels Advocate by Mary Stanton
• Avenging Angels by Mary Stanton
December 2010 (7)
• Can’t Never Tell by Cathy Pickens
• The Black Book by Ian Rankin
• God of the Hive by Laurie R King
• A Clubbable Woman by Reginald Hill
• An Advancement in Learning by Reginald Hill
• Audio: Heist Society by Ally Carter
• Audio: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Grand Total: 118
17 Audio
12 Non-fiction
10 School
32 YA
Thursday, December 30, 2010
My 2010 Year in Reading
(Shamelessly copying, with permission, Helgagrace's blog post. For my full list, you can see this post).
Grand Total: 118
17 Audio
12 Non-fiction
10 School
32 YA (most were for school)
I have to say, I'm very surprised that I made it through so many books, but I can see right where final projects/comp tests/finals were.
I haven't read much non-fiction since I graduated, and I know I did't put down many Home remodeling/decorating titles, but that's mainly because I just look at the pictures, so I don't count them.
I'm also glad I did this list because there were a couple of months that I'd forgotten to enter some of the books from my reading journal-not-a-journal. (I write down when I start & end a book, and what series it's from, but not what I thought of it. That I can usually remember on my own.)
Keeping in mind that I didn't pay as close of attention as to the genre of the books/audios as I could've, there's a definite trend. When in school, I tended to read more YA books. I also tend to listen to more YA audios--I like the readers and the story lines are easy enough to pick back up when I haven't listened for a couple of days (almost makes me miss my looooooooong commute to St Kate's. Almost).
As for my reading goals in 2011? I'm going to go ahead and say...to read more of what I like, not what I have to read. I've waited not-so-patiently for this for SEVEN years. I'd say I'm due.
Also, I'll be doing my normal "read at least 5 books out of my normal genres" thing. I like mysteries and thrillers. Yep. Specifically British ones, but also ones set in the US South. I tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) my first foray into Steampunk via Scott Westerfeld's 'Leviathan' (and am now on the hold list for the sequel, 'Behemoth').
I also plan on reading/listening to a few classics; there's probably been enough time since they were shoved down my throat in high school that I might be able to actually enjoy some of them. Well, that, and there won't be any tests on them *crossing fingers*.
Mostly, though, I'm going to work on my reading stamina. It's rather irritating to finally get to sit down and read at night, and then falling asleep in the chair before I've read even a chapter.
Grand Total: 118
17 Audio
12 Non-fiction
10 School
32 YA (most were for school)
I have to say, I'm very surprised that I made it through so many books, but I can see right where final projects/comp tests/finals were.
I haven't read much non-fiction since I graduated, and I know I did't put down many Home remodeling/decorating titles, but that's mainly because I just look at the pictures, so I don't count them.
I'm also glad I did this list because there were a couple of months that I'd forgotten to enter some of the books from my reading journal-not-a-journal. (I write down when I start & end a book, and what series it's from, but not what I thought of it. That I can usually remember on my own.)
Keeping in mind that I didn't pay as close of attention as to the genre of the books/audios as I could've, there's a definite trend. When in school, I tended to read more YA books. I also tend to listen to more YA audios--I like the readers and the story lines are easy enough to pick back up when I haven't listened for a couple of days (almost makes me miss my looooooooong commute to St Kate's. Almost).
As for my reading goals in 2011? I'm going to go ahead and say...to read more of what I like, not what I have to read. I've waited not-so-patiently for this for SEVEN years. I'd say I'm due.
Also, I'll be doing my normal "read at least 5 books out of my normal genres" thing. I like mysteries and thrillers. Yep. Specifically British ones, but also ones set in the US South. I tried (and thoroughly enjoyed) my first foray into Steampunk via Scott Westerfeld's 'Leviathan' (and am now on the hold list for the sequel, 'Behemoth').
I also plan on reading/listening to a few classics; there's probably been enough time since they were shoved down my throat in high school that I might be able to actually enjoy some of them. Well, that, and there won't be any tests on them *crossing fingers*.
Mostly, though, I'm going to work on my reading stamina. It's rather irritating to finally get to sit down and read at night, and then falling asleep in the chair before I've read even a chapter.
Monday, December 27, 2010
10 in '10, or What I Learned in 2010
What a year. I'm almost as glad to see it be done as I was 2009. And that's saying something.
In 2010, I learned lots of things. However, just like my Mom used to tell me, life's lessons tend to run in the same theme until a person successfully works through them. I'm hoping that I passed the test(s) this time.
In 2010:
Most of all, I learned that I can get through anything with a little (lot of) help from my family and friends, which is a pretty good thing to learn.
In 2010, I learned lots of things. However, just like my Mom used to tell me, life's lessons tend to run in the same theme until a person successfully works through them. I'm hoping that I passed the test(s) this time.
In 2010:
- I learned that sometimes it IS about the destination. The journey, nifty as it may be, is not necessarily the focus.
- I learned that sometimes a situation deteriorates to the point where it's time to "not be nice" (from Roadhouse, one of Mom's favorite movies), and that when that time comes, it's best to stand my ground and not go along to get along anymore.
- I learned that sometimes letting go, no matter how hard it is, is the kindest thing to do.
- I learned that it's OK to ask for and receive help, that I don't have to try and hold it together on my own.
- I learned that it won't kill me to try new things...and that I may end up liking them.
- I learned that it's about progress, not perfection, and that having a "B and Done" attitude can be OK. Hard, but OK.
- I learned that friends can make (almost) any awful situation bearable. Mostly.
- I learned that coming back to a normal life is way harder than I thought it would be...but I'm getting there a day at a time.
- I learned that when there's no more "have-to" reading to do, trying to remember how to read for fun (and staying awake long enough to do so) can be a tricky business.
- I learned that all my creativity did not, in fact, completely desert me; it only went dormant for awhile.
Most of all, I learned that I can get through anything with a little (lot of) help from my family and friends, which is a pretty good thing to learn.
Monday, December 13, 2010
I'm Coming Home...
This is just one of those songs that capture much of what I'm going through mentally right now.
I graduated in May 2010, but had yet to really come back to normal life even as late as October, when I went to see the doctor for my annual exam. I'd been having extreme anxiety attacks and knew I needed some help. I couldn't sit still anymore and would just go and go until I basically fell asleep in a chair at night. My sleep patterns have been all messed up for years because of school, so I didn't think it was abnormal.
After asking me lots of questions and listening to my answers, she said what I had was fixable, and that all those times I'd had the heartburn during school--yeah, that was anxiety. She put me on Zoloft (well, the generic equivalent of) for a 3-month time-span just to "take the edge off", after which we'd re-evaluate where I was. Although I know it's not for everyone, I'd taken it before (after I had the Kid), so I knew I'd be OK. I can feel my creativity coming back, and I'm definitely feeling more like myself again every day.
I'm coming home.
Finally.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
101 in 1001 November Roundup
So, I set mini-goals for myself last month...and only managed to get 1.5 of them done. Apparently I shouldn't set mini-goals for myself. Yes, I know that another interpretation could be, "Or buckle down and actually get them done." I like my version better, thanks.
Without further ado, here's where I'm at:
In Process: 12
Finished: 18
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (4/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]
House Inside (6/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (12/101)
November 2010
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I
• Surviving Christmas
38. Read 101 books (47/101)
November 2010
• Defending Angels by Mary Stanton
• The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
• An Unmarked Grave by Kent Conwell
• The Prostitutes’ Ball by Stephen J Cannell
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
• Angels Advocate by Mary Stanton
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (4/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (14,600/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (2/5)
• Donated money to the Heart of Minnesota animal shelter for the GiveMN Give to the Max Day on 16 November 2010
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (20/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (2/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (2/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (6/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Without further ado, here's where I'm at:
In Process: 12
Finished: 18
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (4/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]
House Inside (6/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (12/101)
November 2010
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I
• Surviving Christmas
38. Read 101 books (47/101)
November 2010
• Defending Angels by Mary Stanton
• The Glass Rainbow by James Lee Burke
• An Unmarked Grave by Kent Conwell
• The Prostitutes’ Ball by Stephen J Cannell
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
• Angels Advocate by Mary Stanton
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (4/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (14,600/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (2/5)
• Donated money to the Heart of Minnesota animal shelter for the GiveMN Give to the Max Day on 16 November 2010
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (20/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (2/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (2/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (6/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Sunday, October 31, 2010
101 in 1001 October Edition
This has been a rather productive painting month. It's definitely a race between me & the weather now, considering it'll be November here in a little while. Apparently I'm just going to have to be bothered with the fact we didn't put in one more tree...but it'll build character I'm sure. At least I hung up a couple more pictures, right? I just have to keep reminding myself that I have 1001 days, not 365...and that it's all about "progress, not perfection".
My (mini) goals for November are:
So, anyway. Here's where I am now:
In Progress: 12
Done: 17
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (4/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]
House Inside (5/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (4/5)
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (10/101)
• October 2010
• The 39 Steps
• Dorian Gray
38. Read 101 books (41/101)
• October 2010
• First Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell
• Road Kill by Zoe Sharp
• The Swamps of Bayou Teche by Kent Conwell
• The Crystal Skull Murders by Kent Conwell
• Second Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the French Quarter by Kent Conwell
• Third Strike by Zoe Sharp
• The Puzzle of Piri Reis by Kent Conwell
• The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (3/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (14,600/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (13/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (2/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (2/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (6/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
My (mini) goals for November are:
- #6: To put a $50 bill in the second collection basket (no particular reason, just that I have almost saved up enough to do it)
- #8: Give to the food shelf at least one time--with the Thanksgiving holidays coming up, it seems appropriate to give thanks for what we have and that we can help others.
- #13: Hang up ONE MORE PICTURE. For crying out loud, we have enough pictures in the upstairs storage closet that this should not be a problem. Yet, strangely enough, it is.
- #23: Make a run at painting the Laundry Room. I'm also debating whether to do some beadboard wainscoating or board & batten in there, so it may take a bit. But it'll be cool to see how it turns out.
- #34: Get covers for the grill & firepit. Right now Steve is going to cover them with a tarp, but I'm all about not having to repaint them next summer.
- #37/#38: Of COURSE we're going to the Harry Potter movie, so that'll be an easy one. I'd like to read a couple of classics this month. We'll see.
- #47: Finish this one up. I'm going to need to brush up on my World Geography though.
- #64: If we're going to send a family picture as a Christmas card, we'd better get cracking on actually getting a picture taken, yes?
- #86: I hate trying new food stuff. I really hate trying new restaurants. What if they don't have anything I like to eat? (I can hear my Mom sighing)
So, anyway. Here's where I am now:
In Progress: 12
Done: 17
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (4/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]
House Inside (5/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (4/5)
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (10/101)
• October 2010
• The 39 Steps
• Dorian Gray
38. Read 101 books (41/101)
• October 2010
• First Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Extracurricular Murder by Kent Conwell
• Road Kill by Zoe Sharp
• The Swamps of Bayou Teche by Kent Conwell
• The Crystal Skull Murders by Kent Conwell
• Second Shot by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the French Quarter by Kent Conwell
• Third Strike by Zoe Sharp
• The Puzzle of Piri Reis by Kent Conwell
• The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (3/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (14,600/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (13/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (2/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (2/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (6/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sammy Cat
Today I had to do one of the hardest things a person has to do: I had to take my sweet Sammy Cat in and have her euthanized. If it's true that pets & their people are alike, there's no doubt that Sammy was definitely my girl. Bad-tempered and cranky, intolerant of stupidity, and with a love of Cheerios and impromptu naps, we were very much in tune.
She was somewhere between 19 & 20 years old, and had a very good life, complete with catnip on demand, and lots of good places to nap.
We got her from a lady Steve worked with in February of 1997, and for almost 14 years, she was my second in command. Her other family gave her up because they said that she was the reason their toddler broke his arm when he fell down the stairs going after her. My guess is that she'd had enough of the kid, and was trying to go find somewhere to hide out. Either way, I'm glad she came into our lives.
At first, she didn't like Steve at all. Perhaps the dad in her other family wasn't very nice to her. In any case, Steve finally won her over by "sharing" (read: having to give her) his chicken, shrimp, hamburger, steak, ice cream, milk, and basically whatever he was eating. I just gave her lots of treats and catnip...and I shared my Cheerios with her every morning.
Samantha Cat was not a lap cat by any stretch of the imagination; affection was to be given on her terms, and on her terms only. Sammy had no problem sleeping on my pillow (she got most of it) at night, nor did she have any problem taking over the majority of our bed. She had a rather extensive and exhausting nap schedule to maintain on a daily basis, and could be found occupying any chair that someone had momentarily vacated. She was under no illusion that we were here for any other purpose than to serve her, and if we fell down on the job, she would be very vocal in her reminders.
Sammy was one of the most beautiful cats I've ever had; her fur had so many shades of brown, I called her my "Spice Cat". Her eyes were outlined with white, her pink nose with black. She had 4 white feet that were quick as lightning when she was smacking someone (she was a lefty for sure), and one of her legs was a pretty shade of orange.
She was also one of the fiercest girls I've had. She would defend her people against all comers, even against big scary dogs. Sammy was also pretty smart. She knew how to open doors (not completely closed ones), knew where the treats were hidden, and knew where people needed to be at any given time during the day. She would sleep behind me on the floor as I did homework for the past 7 years, and would herd me up to bed when she thought I'd stayed up too long. She knew how to tell time quite well--dinnertime is at 5 sharp. If we were late, she would tell us so. Loudly.
This past month has been hard on all of us. She fell off a table (we think) and hurt her hip/leg that had already been giving her trouble. She was basically confined to the living room, where we would bring her dish and water to her. Last week she started talking to us in a different voice, so I knew our time with her was almost up.
Once the shot was given this afternoon, she went quickly and peacefully.
I'm going to miss that fuzzy girl more than words can say. I'm just so glad that I got to be her person for almost 14 years.
So, for all of you who have pets, give them extra love and treats today, and be happy that they are part of your lives and you are their people.
Friday, October 1, 2010
101 in 1001 September Edition
I made much more progress this month than I thought I had. Amazing what not being able to sit still can do for a person.
Through last month, I had done 7.5 things, and had 8 in progress items. This month, the done column goes to 12, and the in progress to 14.
One of my favorites was #12: Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity. Now, to fully appreciate this, you have to know that when it comes to scratch-off lottery tickets, I'd be better off tossing my dollar bills out the window of a moving car. My Mom was always pretty lucky with them, but apparently that's not a inheritable skill.
However, I did win. Yes I sure did. $3 whole dollars. So, let's see, 25% of that is...$0.75 cents. I know. Pathetic. I decided to give the whole $3, and match it with $3 of my own and give it to the local food shelf.
I've also been painting every upstairs closet. I just finished the master bedroom closet. It took an entire GALLON of paint by itself. I've also hung up a grand total of TWO pictures. One was the tree picture that the Kid painted 6 years ago, when she was in the 5th grade. I hung it on the wall between her room & our room. The other picture I hung up was of the Oregon coast (Ecola Bay) which was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Oregon.
My goal for October is to finish up the painting upstairs (the back room and the Kid's bathroom) before Painting Season 2010 gets ended by cruddy weather. I'm also going to see if we can plant another tree because quite frankly, it will bug the everlovin' crap out of me to have #25 be so close to being done and then to have to stare at it ALL WINTER LONG. Why yes, I do have OCD tendencies. Why do you ask?
And now for The Updated List:
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (1/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010—won $3, but donated $6 to the McLeod County food shelf]
House Inside (2/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (1/5)
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (8/101)
September 2010 (2)
• Hurricane Season
• Kick Ass
38. Read 101 books (31/101)
September (12):
• Hog Wild by Cathy Pickens
• Hush My Mouth by Cathy Pickens
• Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs
• The Mystery of Marie Roget by Edgar Allan Poe
• The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
• Skeletons of the Atchafalaya by Kent Conwell
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Hard Knocks by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the Distillery by Kent Conwell
• The Picasso Scam by Stuart Pawson
• Vicksburg by Kent Conwell
• The Ying On Triad by Kent Conwell
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (7/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (1/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (5/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Through last month, I had done 7.5 things, and had 8 in progress items. This month, the done column goes to 12, and the in progress to 14.
One of my favorites was #12: Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity. Now, to fully appreciate this, you have to know that when it comes to scratch-off lottery tickets, I'd be better off tossing my dollar bills out the window of a moving car. My Mom was always pretty lucky with them, but apparently that's not a inheritable skill.
However, I did win. Yes I sure did. $3 whole dollars. So, let's see, 25% of that is...$0.75 cents. I know. Pathetic. I decided to give the whole $3, and match it with $3 of my own and give it to the local food shelf.
I've also been painting every upstairs closet. I just finished the master bedroom closet. It took an entire GALLON of paint by itself. I've also hung up a grand total of TWO pictures. One was the tree picture that the Kid painted 6 years ago, when she was in the 5th grade. I hung it on the wall between her room & our room. The other picture I hung up was of the Oregon coast (Ecola Bay) which was one of my favorite places to go when I lived in Oregon.
My goal for October is to finish up the painting upstairs (the back room and the Kid's bathroom) before Painting Season 2010 gets ended by cruddy weather. I'm also going to see if we can plant another tree because quite frankly, it will bug the everlovin' crap out of me to have #25 be so close to being done and then to have to stare at it ALL WINTER LONG. Why yes, I do have OCD tendencies. Why do you ask?
And now for The Updated List:
Finances/Giving (1/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (1/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010—won $3, but donated $6 to the McLeod County food shelf]
House Inside (2/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures (1/5)
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (8/101)
September 2010 (2)
• Hurricane Season
• Kick Ass
38. Read 101 books (31/101)
September (12):
• Hog Wild by Cathy Pickens
• Hush My Mouth by Cathy Pickens
• Spider Bones by Kathy Reichs
• The Mystery of Marie Roget by Edgar Allan Poe
• The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe
• Skeletons of the Atchafalaya by Kent Conwell
• The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
• Hard Knocks by Zoe Sharp
• Death in the Distillery by Kent Conwell
• The Picasso Scam by Stuart Pawson
• Vicksburg by Kent Conwell
• The Ying On Triad by Kent Conwell
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (1/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (7/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (1/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (5/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Walking the Walk
Today was just one of those odd days. Heck, this week has been one of those weeks, and it's only Tuesday (soon to be Wednesday).
So, here's the deal. A week and a half ago, I went to Target to get some things to continue working on the various home projects I have going. I got some more paint tray liners so I could maybe use one for primer, one for color, and have one to spare. Target has a 3-pack for about $2.75ish, so I get one...or so I thought.
Later in the week, when I was cleaning up my staging area, I noticed that I had inadvertently gotten 2 3-packs because they were stuck together. I checked my receipt, and saw that I'd only paid for one. Damn.
I went to a different Target earlier this week to return something else, and asked whether I needed to bring the extra 3-pack in, or if I could just pay for them. The cashier looked at me like I was nuts and told me that she didn't know, but that I should probably go back to the Target I'd gotten them from. Really? Well, OK.
Tonight I took the 2 3-packs plus my receipt to yet a different Target and explained what had happened. The nice lady looked at me, perplexed. I offered to pay for the extra set, considering I'd had them for a week, but it ended up that since I didn't actually want them, I could just give them back. As she was taking the one 3-pack to put into the returns cart, she looked at me oddly and said (kind of like I was a big dummy), "You know, most people wouldn't have even bothered to bring these back. Um, thanks for being honest."
Uh.
I never know what to think about this kind of thing.
It was a mistake on both my and the original cashier's parts--mine for not being careful enough to make sure I had only one, and then not checking my receipt right away, and the cashier's for not making sure to ring up both. But two wrongs don't necessarily make a right, kind of like the saying goes.
Also, my kid was with me. What kind of example am I setting if I say, "Wooo! Their mistake!! I get to keep this for free!!!"? Is there some kind of dollar limit at which this becomes OK? (No) Am I that odd for returning it and offering to pay? (Apparently) Would I do it this way again? (Absolutely) Is this the kind of action that she'll remember and emulate herself? (More than likely)
The whole thing made me think about personal values and the moral grey area in a way I haven't for awhile, not in a meaningful way, anyhow. It was the right thing to do, though, and even as odd as the Target employee (and my husband, and a family friend) thought I was for doing it, I'm glad I did.
So, here's the deal. A week and a half ago, I went to Target to get some things to continue working on the various home projects I have going. I got some more paint tray liners so I could maybe use one for primer, one for color, and have one to spare. Target has a 3-pack for about $2.75ish, so I get one...or so I thought.
Later in the week, when I was cleaning up my staging area, I noticed that I had inadvertently gotten 2 3-packs because they were stuck together. I checked my receipt, and saw that I'd only paid for one. Damn.
I went to a different Target earlier this week to return something else, and asked whether I needed to bring the extra 3-pack in, or if I could just pay for them. The cashier looked at me like I was nuts and told me that she didn't know, but that I should probably go back to the Target I'd gotten them from. Really? Well, OK.
Tonight I took the 2 3-packs plus my receipt to yet a different Target and explained what had happened. The nice lady looked at me, perplexed. I offered to pay for the extra set, considering I'd had them for a week, but it ended up that since I didn't actually want them, I could just give them back. As she was taking the one 3-pack to put into the returns cart, she looked at me oddly and said (kind of like I was a big dummy), "You know, most people wouldn't have even bothered to bring these back. Um, thanks for being honest."
Uh.
I never know what to think about this kind of thing.
It was a mistake on both my and the original cashier's parts--mine for not being careful enough to make sure I had only one, and then not checking my receipt right away, and the cashier's for not making sure to ring up both. But two wrongs don't necessarily make a right, kind of like the saying goes.
Also, my kid was with me. What kind of example am I setting if I say, "Wooo! Their mistake!! I get to keep this for free!!!"? Is there some kind of dollar limit at which this becomes OK? (No) Am I that odd for returning it and offering to pay? (Apparently) Would I do it this way again? (Absolutely) Is this the kind of action that she'll remember and emulate herself? (More than likely)
The whole thing made me think about personal values and the moral grey area in a way I haven't for awhile, not in a meaningful way, anyhow. It was the right thing to do, though, and even as odd as the Target employee (and my husband, and a family friend) thought I was for doing it, I'm glad I did.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
101 in 1001 August Roundup
I'm not sure why, but I seem to have a greater sense of urgency to get this list done quicker than I did the last one. I keep thinking it's more like a 365 day list, rather than a 1001 day list...which is fine, I guess, because I'll be more motivated to get it done.
I also find it interesting that the food section is going so quickly. Considering how not apt I am to experiment with food, I thought that section would be more challenging.
Finances/Giving (0/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (1/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside (1.5/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (6/101)
August (2):
• Smokin’ Aces
• The Other Guys
38. Read 101 books (18/101)
August (8):
• Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
• Done Gone Wrong by Cathy Pickens
• Sand and Foam by Kahil Gibran
• Mama Rides Shotgun by Deborah Sharp
• Strip Jack by Ian Rankin
• Give it Up! My Year of Living With Less by Mary Carlomagno
• Riot Act by Zoe Sharp
• The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (0/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (2/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (0/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (4/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010] (I had Ben & Jerry’s Boston Cream Pie…not too bad)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
For September I'm going to be focusing on getting things painted while I can leave the windows open. I have all winter to sort through things and spiff everything up, which I now have the time to actually do. I also figure I'll have plenty of time during the winter to watch things, since I'm definitely not fond of playing in the snow (it's because my socks get wet, which makes me cranky).
I also find it interesting that the food section is going so quickly. Considering how not apt I am to experiment with food, I thought that section would be more challenging.
Finances/Giving (0/12)
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (1/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside (1.5/12)
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside (1/12)
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (4/5) [4 Blue Spruce planted 7 August 2010]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read (0/12)
37. Watch 101 movies (6/101)
August (2):
• Smokin’ Aces
• The Other Guys
38. Read 101 books (18/101)
August (8):
• Grave Sight by Charlaine Harris
• Done Gone Wrong by Cathy Pickens
• Sand and Foam by Kahil Gibran
• Mama Rides Shotgun by Deborah Sharp
• Strip Jack by Ian Rankin
• Give it Up! My Year of Living With Less by Mary Carlomagno
• Riot Act by Zoe Sharp
• The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
Health (0/12)
49. Walk to work 30 times (2/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff (0/12)
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church (0/12)
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food (4/12)
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010] (I had Ben & Jerry’s Boston Cream Pie…not too bad)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]
Just Because (1/5)
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
For September I'm going to be focusing on getting things painted while I can leave the windows open. I have all winter to sort through things and spiff everything up, which I now have the time to actually do. I also figure I'll have plenty of time during the winter to watch things, since I'm definitely not fond of playing in the snow (it's because my socks get wet, which makes me cranky).
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Laissez les Bons Temps Rouler
Photo from: GOOD, New Orleans Issue Submissions:
Six-Word Motto for New Orleans
You know how some places call to you, even if you’ve never been there (at least not in this lifetime)? New Orleans is one of those places for me. To be specific, pre-Katrina New Orleans.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not romanticizing the place, nor do I think that New Orleans is only about Mardi Gras, loud raucous streets, good times, and tourists. I know that there were, and are, plenty of problems that are glossed over, and there’s a side of the place that not many get to see.
Even so, there’s just something about the place that whispered to my soul, and sometimes I wish I would have listened and heeded the call.
In the spring of 2005, as I was graduating with my Associates degree, I was contemplating where to transfer for my Baccalaureate degree, and ultimately my Masters degree. I was being recruited by a few Minnesota colleges and universities, and being offered some pretty sweet deals. There were a couple of out-of-state universities who were sending me information too, which was a surprise, considering I'd never contacted them. One out-of-state place was Tulane University, which offered me what amounted to almost a complete full ride. The catch, of course, was that we’d have to relocate to New Orleans.
At the time, Steve was working from home, so he could have gone anywhere, just so long as there was an internet connection and phone lines. We seriously discussed moving later in the summer so that I could go to Tulane, but in the end decided against it because it would be too far from his family, with whom he is very close.
It turned out to be a very good choice.
Today marks the 5-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina making landfall in Louisiana, Mississippi, and all along the Gulf Coast. If we had moved, we would have been there for about 2 weeks prior to that. Judging by how not-smoothly our previous moves have been, everything would still have been in chaos, and mostly in boxes. We would have lost most everything. I look at the news footage from then and my heart just aches. I can’t even begin to get my head around what those who rode out the storm went through. I was very alarmed at the ferocity of the storm when my family was caught in the edge of a tornado this summer, and all I had to worry about was whether or not the car was going to flip over. Compared to those who were there when the full force of Katrina hit, we got off easy.
So much was lost: lives, houses, belongings, faith, and some of that intangible essence which made New Orleans just one of those special places. Although some rebuilding has taken place with more to come, I know that it won’t ever be the same.
Yet, sometimes when I stop and listen, I can still hear her siren song calling me.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
The Storage Closet of Doom
Of course I didn't take a before picture. I was too focused on getting everything OUT so I could do what I do best--paint.
But aside from the bed & the chair, here's what all was in it. It was a whole lot, although it doesn't look like it in the picture:
Then it was time to pick paint colors. I thought a cheery blue was in order. Um, NO.
This was too OMG!!!! BLUE!!!!!! and needed toned down. So I mixed a quart of white with the blue and got omg blue!!!! instead:
At this point, I decided a nice off-white would be good. It's actually a light tan (according to the Kid) and blends well with the existing hallway color, which Steve was a little perplexed about.
Then it was time for the bracing. I learned how to use a chop saw and a stud finder. I like the chop saw. I'm not so fond of the stud finder, but that may have more to do with how the drywall was installed. We started off with 2 shelves and then thought, "What the hell. Let's add a 3rd because we can." We had to add the weird smaller pieces so the shelf brackets would be level, because apparently that's important.
Installing the shelf brackets were a pain in my ass. But, they got done using 5/16" x 1 1/2" lag bolts. Those shelves aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Steve cut the shelves for me while I was out and about earlier this week, and I piled stuff back in last night, and marked #16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves as DONE.
The next closet is already emptied and ready to be painted. I have a feeling it won't take nearly as long. One hopes...
But aside from the bed & the chair, here's what all was in it. It was a whole lot, although it doesn't look like it in the picture:
Then it was time to pick paint colors. I thought a cheery blue was in order. Um, NO.
This was too OMG!!!! BLUE!!!!!! and needed toned down. So I mixed a quart of white with the blue and got omg blue!!!! instead:
At this point, I decided a nice off-white would be good. It's actually a light tan (according to the Kid) and blends well with the existing hallway color, which Steve was a little perplexed about.
Then it was time for the bracing. I learned how to use a chop saw and a stud finder. I like the chop saw. I'm not so fond of the stud finder, but that may have more to do with how the drywall was installed. We started off with 2 shelves and then thought, "What the hell. Let's add a 3rd because we can." We had to add the weird smaller pieces so the shelf brackets would be level, because apparently that's important.
Installing the shelf brackets were a pain in my ass. But, they got done using 5/16" x 1 1/2" lag bolts. Those shelves aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Steve cut the shelves for me while I was out and about earlier this week, and I piled stuff back in last night, and marked #16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves as DONE.
The next closet is already emptied and ready to be painted. I have a feeling it won't take nearly as long. One hopes...
A Thing a Day, or 365 Less Things
I just read about this today over at the Unclutterer blog that I read a couple times a week. There's also a forum for people to post what they've gotten rid of. I also found a really cool blog written by someone who's doing the challenge, over at the 365 Less Things blog. Every day a picture is taken of the item being tossed/donated/sold/given away.
This challenge is something I can get behind. Most people who really know me, know that I have a low (VERY low) tolerance for stuff (stuff being defined as "clutter, visual or otherwise") and periodically go on tossing binges. One of the good things about doing the hallway storage closet is that I went through Every. Single. Box. that was already in there, and did a super quick sort.
I also took boxes out of the master bedroom closet, and went through them before putting things in the storage closet. Now, this first pass was mainly to see what was there, since some of (alright, MOST of) said boxes hadn't been opened since either I brought them home from my mom's house, or since we moved twice the year we built the new house. I can tell which boxes that I personally packed because there's not much wasted space (a skill learned by necessity because I moved so much between the ages of 18-23). Some of them, however, were most defintely NOT packed by me because there's like 3 items in the box. In some ways it was kind of like Christmas, "Oh! That's what happened to _____." In others it was a "And I kept this why again? And moved it twice (or more)?"
I'm going to give it more thought, but I'm seriously considering combining my 101 in 1001 item #101 "Do a 365 day photo challenge" with this and taking pictures of things I'm getting rid of. It'd defintely be a win-win.
This challenge is something I can get behind. Most people who really know me, know that I have a low (VERY low) tolerance for stuff (stuff being defined as "clutter, visual or otherwise") and periodically go on tossing binges. One of the good things about doing the hallway storage closet is that I went through Every. Single. Box. that was already in there, and did a super quick sort.
I also took boxes out of the master bedroom closet, and went through them before putting things in the storage closet. Now, this first pass was mainly to see what was there, since some of (alright, MOST of) said boxes hadn't been opened since either I brought them home from my mom's house, or since we moved twice the year we built the new house. I can tell which boxes that I personally packed because there's not much wasted space (a skill learned by necessity because I moved so much between the ages of 18-23). Some of them, however, were most defintely NOT packed by me because there's like 3 items in the box. In some ways it was kind of like Christmas, "Oh! That's what happened to _____." In others it was a "And I kept this why again? And moved it twice (or more)?"
I'm going to give it more thought, but I'm seriously considering combining my 101 in 1001 item #101 "Do a 365 day photo challenge" with this and taking pictures of things I'm getting rid of. It'd defintely be a win-win.
Monday, August 16, 2010
This Old Storage Closet
At this point I'm tempted to just toss everything back in said closet, shut the door, call it good and move on to the next project.
I got the wall bracings up just fine. Mostly. Except where I just missed the wall studs, which apparently aren't as straight as they could be. That whole measuring thing? Didn't work out so well. I mean, if the stud is X inches from the corner in one place, one would think it'd be the same all the way down the wall, right? Not so much. Meaning we ended up moving a couple of the leveling braces over a few inches. So we had to drill new holes, whereupon I promptly broke a drill bit because I hit something (no I don't know what). At which point I seriously considered throwing the drill at the wall because that would definitely have helped.
But wait! There's more!
And did I mention that the closet walls aren't perfectly square? Uh, yeah.
Hold up. I finally figured out what this reminds me of. That book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Except this would be the "If You Give Lisa Some Power Tools and Enough Time" version.
I think I need a new hobby.
I got the wall bracings up just fine. Mostly. Except where I just missed the wall studs, which apparently aren't as straight as they could be. That whole measuring thing? Didn't work out so well. I mean, if the stud is X inches from the corner in one place, one would think it'd be the same all the way down the wall, right? Not so much. Meaning we ended up moving a couple of the leveling braces over a few inches. So we had to drill new holes, whereupon I promptly broke a drill bit because I hit something (no I don't know what). At which point I seriously considered throwing the drill at the wall because that would definitely have helped.
But wait! There's more!
And did I mention that the closet walls aren't perfectly square? Uh, yeah.
Hold up. I finally figured out what this reminds me of. That book, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Except this would be the "If You Give Lisa Some Power Tools and Enough Time" version.
I think I need a new hobby.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
101 in 1001 July Roundup
I'm having more fun with this list than I did with the last one. Pretty sure it's because I'm not also attempting to do homework at the same time. So.
Finances/Giving
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (0/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves
17. Spruce up front door area ( outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (0/5)
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read
37. Watch 101 movies (3/101)
• The A-Team
• I Love You, Beth Cooper
• Despicable Me
38. Read 101 books (9/101)
• The Star Rover by Jack London
• Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
• Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
• The Jewel of the Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• Magic By the Lake by Edward Eager
• Map of Moments by Christopher Golden
• Shoot to Thrill by PJ Tracy
• The Language of Bees by Laurie R King
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
• Went to Cup Cake on 1 August 2010
Health
49. Walk to work 30 times (0/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
• 4 July 2010: Played Bullshit & other card games
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch (Done 24 July 2010)
• Banana Cream Cake (from the St Stanislaus Centennial cookbook) with Buttercream frosting
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7)
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5)
• Fuji (sweet, then BAM! tangy)
• Royal Gala (reminded me of a cross between Golden & Red Delicious)
• Jazz (like a Red Delicious, but tart-er)
• Braeburn (That 1st bite was hooo-boy tart, but I think they're pretty good otherwise.)
• Pink Lady (Tangy, but sweet. The aroma reminded me of something, but I can’t think of what. Some kind of flower, I think)
Just Because
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr (Done 8 July 2010): http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
This next month I'm going to be focusing on getting those shelves installed in the closet, mainly because I can't stand all the stuff that's all over the guest room that should be in the closet. I'm also thinking about picking 1 thing from each category and going from there.
Finances/Giving
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (0/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves
17. Spruce up front door area ( outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (0/5)
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read
37. Watch 101 movies (3/101)
• The A-Team
• I Love You, Beth Cooper
• Despicable Me
38. Read 101 books (9/101)
• The Star Rover by Jack London
• Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
• Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
• The Jewel of the Seven Stars by Bram Stoker
• American Gods by Neil Gaiman
• Magic By the Lake by Edward Eager
• Map of Moments by Christopher Golden
• Shoot to Thrill by PJ Tracy
• The Language of Bees by Laurie R King
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (0/100,000)
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (1/5)
• Went to Cup Cake on 1 August 2010
Health
49. Walk to work 30 times (0/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (1/5)
• 4 July 2010: Played Bullshit & other card games
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (1/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch (Done 24 July 2010)
• Banana Cream Cake (from the St Stanislaus Centennial cookbook) with Buttercream frosting
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7)
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5)
• Fuji (sweet, then BAM! tangy)
• Royal Gala (reminded me of a cross between Golden & Red Delicious)
• Jazz (like a Red Delicious, but tart-er)
• Braeburn (That 1st bite was hooo-boy tart, but I think they're pretty good otherwise.)
• Pink Lady (Tangy, but sweet. The aroma reminded me of something, but I can’t think of what. Some kind of flower, I think)
Just Because
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr (Done 8 July 2010): http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
This next month I'm going to be focusing on getting those shelves installed in the closet, mainly because I can't stand all the stuff that's all over the guest room that should be in the closet. I'm also thinking about picking 1 thing from each category and going from there.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Show me the paper...
My diploma finally came in the mail today. I was starting to wonder if UW-M was playing a really mean trick on me. "Hahaha...you THOUGHT you graduated. PSYCH!! You're coming back for more fun this fall." But it's for real.
GPOY with the diploma it took 7 years to get, and countless: hours of homework, boxes of Prilosec, cartridges of ink, reams of paper, cases of Diet Coke, gallons of gas, hours of commuting, and truckloads of love and support from family and friends.
It was worth it all.
GPOY with the diploma it took 7 years to get, and countless: hours of homework, boxes of Prilosec, cartridges of ink, reams of paper, cases of Diet Coke, gallons of gas, hours of commuting, and truckloads of love and support from family and friends.
It was worth it all.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
On painting...
So, I'm just finishing the painting of the hallway closet (except for touchups) when Steve comes by and says, "So basically, after all that, you're back to the color you started with, except in a semi-gloss."
Me: "Um, no. It was white, and now it's an off-white. Kind of a tan, the Kid says. I don't know, it's in that color family I can't always tell the difference between."
Steve: "So, basically white that's not white."
Me: "..."
*sigh*
Me: "Um, no. It was white, and now it's an off-white. Kind of a tan, the Kid says. I don't know, it's in that color family I can't always tell the difference between."
Steve: "So, basically white that's not white."
Me: "..."
*sigh*
Monday, July 19, 2010
Well, this explains so much...
This would've been really handy to have BEFORE I tried 5 kinds of apples. But, it's reassuring that I wasn't too far off on the tartness of some of them.
101 in 1001 progess
I don't know whether it's because I'm not in school or that I picked attainable goals this time around, but so far it's going well.
So far, these are done:
#89 Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week: This was finished because of that Live Fit thing (or whatever it's called) from Steve's work. The goal was to eat between 5-9 servings of fruit/vegetables a day. I only hit that goal 1 day, but I'm finding that I don't mind eating some every day. I may have to expand my repertoire beyond bananas & apples sometime, but for now I'm good.
#95 Try 5 different kinds of apples: Speaking of apples, I tried 5 different ones. Some I liked more than others, but at least I tried them.
Here's what I tried & my initial reactions:
#100 Start a Tumblr: I look at a few Tumblrs when I have time, and thought they were pretty neat. I have a "Random Things that Catch My Eye" photo album on Facebook, but sometimes I come across things in the Tumblr world that I want to save too. My tumblr is: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com.
The title is "Somewhere Between Here and There" because that's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. I'm done with school (still waiting for my diploma to show up) but haven't really readjusted to normal/civilian life yet. I frequently feel like I'm caught in the inbetween, which isn't such a bad place sometimes. It's fairly normal for me. For much of my life I've felt like that's where I belong, if that makes sense. Even as I appear immersed in something, there's always a part of me that's separate, dispassionately watching, observing, and analyzing. It's all good.
What's In Progress:
#16 Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves: When the house was painted when it was being built, the painter used flat paint. EVERYWHERE. Now, I'm not a painter, but you know, even I know that flat paint =/= everywhere paint. Especially not white flat paint in closets, because every scuff, ding, and mark is shown. So, the solution was to repaint.
Well, I mixed a quart of satin into a quart of some of what we had left over from the Kid's room, but the color was OMG BLUUUUEEEEEE!!!! still, so no. I mixed in more white. No. (Although it closely resembled a Martha Stewart paint color that I like)
Yesterday the Kid & I went to Wal-Mart and picked up a gallon of semi-gloss in a light tan color (she assures me that's what it is. It does not look tan to me, but it's in the color family that I can't differentiate between very well, so I have to trust her). Said trip to Wal-Mart was, er, um...yeah. Let's just say I won't be a frequent shopper there.
Last night I put the first coat on...and we have a WINNAR!!!! I just have to go back over the corners and hit the high spots & the closet will be ready for shelves.
Good thing I like to paint.
#37 Watch 101 Movies: I made it to 50 movies on my last go-round, and I already know I'm not big on watching TV or movies at home. So, yeah. So far, though, I've watched "The A-Team" (the Kid thinks Bradley Cooper is "HOTTTT" so we went & used my passes I got at St Kate's) and "I Love You, Beth Cooper" (glad I got it for free from the library...just sayin').
#38 Read 101 Books: My reading tastes have apparently changed. This is not bad, just vaguely annoying. I've patiently waited for the better part of 7 (SEVEN!!!!!) years to be able to read what *I* want to read, and not what my professors think I should be reading. I've stocked books on my shelves in the knowledge that SOMEDAY I'd be able to read them. *Sigh* (edited to add: yes, I know that I can just take a bunch to Half Price Books & trade them in...and I did for a bunch already. I'm just finding my way again...one book at a time)
Also, I run a Summer Reading Bingo program for Teens & Adults at my library. I participate too, and really stretch myself to read books that I might not normally pick up. So far so good. I really like "discovering" new authors/series/books/genres that before, yeah, I'dve walked right by. So there's that. All in all, I've read 6 books since 4 July, so I'd say I was doing OK. Better yet, I've enjoyed all of them immensely.
Next up? Dunno. More house stuff while I'm on a roll. I definitely need to light a candle at Mass this week. When the Kid & I got caught in edge of that tornado that went through by the Monticello/Anoka area on Saturday night, I remember thinking that a candle was definitely in order (it was not a good few half-eternities in time).
Here's a link to my Day Zero site, which I will probably update on a task-by-task basis.
So far, these are done:
#89 Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week: This was finished because of that Live Fit thing (or whatever it's called) from Steve's work. The goal was to eat between 5-9 servings of fruit/vegetables a day. I only hit that goal 1 day, but I'm finding that I don't mind eating some every day. I may have to expand my repertoire beyond bananas & apples sometime, but for now I'm good.
#95 Try 5 different kinds of apples: Speaking of apples, I tried 5 different ones. Some I liked more than others, but at least I tried them.
Here's what I tried & my initial reactions:
- Fuji (sweet, then BAM! tangy-made my eyes water there for a second)
- Royal Gala (reminded me of a cross between Golden & Red Delicious)
- Jazz (like a Red Delicious, but tart-er)
- Braeburn (That 1st bite was hooo-boy tart, but I think they're pretty good otherwise.)
- Pink Lady (Tangy, but sweet. The aroma reminded me of something, but I can’t think of what. Some kind of flower, I think. My friend Christie recommended this one, so I put it on the list)
#100 Start a Tumblr: I look at a few Tumblrs when I have time, and thought they were pretty neat. I have a "Random Things that Catch My Eye" photo album on Facebook, but sometimes I come across things in the Tumblr world that I want to save too. My tumblr is: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com.
The title is "Somewhere Between Here and There" because that's pretty much how I'm feeling right now. I'm done with school (still waiting for my diploma to show up) but haven't really readjusted to normal/civilian life yet. I frequently feel like I'm caught in the inbetween, which isn't such a bad place sometimes. It's fairly normal for me. For much of my life I've felt like that's where I belong, if that makes sense. Even as I appear immersed in something, there's always a part of me that's separate, dispassionately watching, observing, and analyzing. It's all good.
What's In Progress:
#16 Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves: When the house was painted when it was being built, the painter used flat paint. EVERYWHERE. Now, I'm not a painter, but you know, even I know that flat paint =/= everywhere paint. Especially not white flat paint in closets, because every scuff, ding, and mark is shown. So, the solution was to repaint.
Well, I mixed a quart of satin into a quart of some of what we had left over from the Kid's room, but the color was OMG BLUUUUEEEEEE!!!! still, so no. I mixed in more white. No. (Although it closely resembled a Martha Stewart paint color that I like)
Yesterday the Kid & I went to Wal-Mart and picked up a gallon of semi-gloss in a light tan color (she assures me that's what it is. It does not look tan to me, but it's in the color family that I can't differentiate between very well, so I have to trust her). Said trip to Wal-Mart was, er, um...yeah. Let's just say I won't be a frequent shopper there.
Last night I put the first coat on...and we have a WINNAR!!!! I just have to go back over the corners and hit the high spots & the closet will be ready for shelves.
Good thing I like to paint.
#37 Watch 101 Movies: I made it to 50 movies on my last go-round, and I already know I'm not big on watching TV or movies at home. So, yeah. So far, though, I've watched "The A-Team" (the Kid thinks Bradley Cooper is "HOTTTT" so we went & used my passes I got at St Kate's) and "I Love You, Beth Cooper" (glad I got it for free from the library...just sayin').
#38 Read 101 Books: My reading tastes have apparently changed. This is not bad, just vaguely annoying. I've patiently waited for the better part of 7 (SEVEN!!!!!) years to be able to read what *I* want to read, and not what my professors think I should be reading. I've stocked books on my shelves in the knowledge that SOMEDAY I'd be able to read them. *Sigh* (edited to add: yes, I know that I can just take a bunch to Half Price Books & trade them in...and I did for a bunch already. I'm just finding my way again...one book at a time)
Also, I run a Summer Reading Bingo program for Teens & Adults at my library. I participate too, and really stretch myself to read books that I might not normally pick up. So far so good. I really like "discovering" new authors/series/books/genres that before, yeah, I'dve walked right by. So there's that. All in all, I've read 6 books since 4 July, so I'd say I was doing OK. Better yet, I've enjoyed all of them immensely.
Next up? Dunno. More house stuff while I'm on a roll. I definitely need to light a candle at Mass this week. When the Kid & I got caught in edge of that tornado that went through by the Monticello/Anoka area on Saturday night, I remember thinking that a candle was definitely in order (it was not a good few half-eternities in time).
Here's a link to my Day Zero site, which I will probably update on a task-by-task basis.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Funny How Things Work Out Sometimes...
So I have my new list of '101 Things in 1001 Days' that I'm doing. Obviously the universe took notice...
True confession time: I'm not a big fruit/vegetable eater. In fact, I could (and have) happily subsisted on Cheerios & milk and Diet Coke for weeks on end. That's why I included goal #89, which is "Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week". Now, it's not that I don't like fruit or anything, because I do. It's just that somedays it's too much work (yeah, yeah, like peeling a banana takes any longer than getting a bowl, a spoon, the cereal, and the milk...I know) to actually eat the fruit.
However, Steve's work is running this "Live Fit" (or whatever it's called) program this month, where I am to keep track of how many steps I take a day, and then do the weekly challenges. Last week's was to drink 6-8 servings of water daily, which I did. The challenge for this week is to "aim for 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day". Yeah, about that "aiming" thing...that's more fruits/vegetables than I sometimes eat in a month. I don't even know what a serving size IS of many fruits/vegetables--but I'm learning. I even bought some various kinds of apples, so maybe I'll be able to knock off goal #95 "Try 5 different kinds of apples" too. That one's there because I'm pretty much a Red Delicious kind of girl. I was born in Washington State, home of some of the best dang Red Delicious apples anywhere, so yeah (Well, it's that and I'm not really adventurous with food. I like what I like, and that's OK. I don't like it when my foods are touching on my plate, but that's a whole 'nother story).
But that's two goals I'll be able to mark as complete by the end of the week. Then it's on to the next 99.
True confession time: I'm not a big fruit/vegetable eater. In fact, I could (and have) happily subsisted on Cheerios & milk and Diet Coke for weeks on end. That's why I included goal #89, which is "Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week". Now, it's not that I don't like fruit or anything, because I do. It's just that somedays it's too much work (yeah, yeah, like peeling a banana takes any longer than getting a bowl, a spoon, the cereal, and the milk...I know) to actually eat the fruit.
However, Steve's work is running this "Live Fit" (or whatever it's called) program this month, where I am to keep track of how many steps I take a day, and then do the weekly challenges. Last week's was to drink 6-8 servings of water daily, which I did. The challenge for this week is to "aim for 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day". Yeah, about that "aiming" thing...that's more fruits/vegetables than I sometimes eat in a month. I don't even know what a serving size IS of many fruits/vegetables--but I'm learning. I even bought some various kinds of apples, so maybe I'll be able to knock off goal #95 "Try 5 different kinds of apples" too. That one's there because I'm pretty much a Red Delicious kind of girl. I was born in Washington State, home of some of the best dang Red Delicious apples anywhere, so yeah (Well, it's that and I'm not really adventurous with food. I like what I like, and that's OK. I don't like it when my foods are touching on my plate, but that's a whole 'nother story).
But that's two goals I'll be able to mark as complete by the end of the week. Then it's on to the next 99.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
101 Things in 1001 Days, Round 2
Yep, gonna do it again. This time, though, I've put things into categories instead of using the buckshot method. I might actually pull it off.
The New & Improved List for Round 2:
Start Date: 4 July 2010~*~*~ End Date: 1 April 2013
Finances/Giving
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (0/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves
17. Spruce up front door area ( outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (0/5)
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read
37. Watch 101 movies (0/101)
38. Read 101 books (0/101)
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (0/5)
Health
49. Walk to work 30 times (0/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (0/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (0/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (0/7)
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples
Just Because
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
The New & Improved List for Round 2:
Start Date: 4 July 2010~*~*~ End Date: 1 April 2013
Finances/Giving
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (0/10)
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (0/5)
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity
House Inside
13. Hang up 5 pictures
14. Frame Tree picture
15. Paint back room and closet
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves
17. Spruce up front door area ( outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet
House Outside
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (0/5)
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag)
To Do/Watch/Read
37. Watch 101 movies (0/101)
38. Read 101 books (0/101)
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (0/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (0/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (0/9)
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (0/5)
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (0/5)
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (0/5)
Health
49. Walk to work 30 times (0/30)
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.
Grown-up/Family stuff
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (0/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants)
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car
Spiritual/Church
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar
77. Read the Tao te Ching
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year
80. Do the Lenten readings one year
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (0/10)
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners
Food
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch
86. Try 3 new restaurants (0/3)
87. Do one week of meal planning
88. Do one month of meal planning
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (0/7)
90. Try a new recipe
91. Make cookies from scratch
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate)
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples
Just Because
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time
97. Take part in a pub quiz
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge
Friday, July 2, 2010
101 in 1001 Final Roundup
I didn't finish... but I made good headway (all the way up until I didn't) and learned a bunch about the process.
Final breakdown goes something like this:
I learned that if I want a shot at finishing the list, I can't keep making each item a 20-part thing. Some, yes, like the "Watch 101 Movies", but not "Read an entire series which is made up of 10+ books". Uh, no. Especially not since for the better part of this whole time I've been in grad school (which I am happy to say, is not the case anymore).
In some respects this was a big to-do list for myself. Reminders that I needed to do things, like get new glasses or contacts (no on both), or replant that plant (done, and it's now taking over the living room). Or I viewed it as a "Hey, remember that you wanted to read/do these things." In other respects, it had things that I know I should do, but just never seem to get around to doing, like hanging up pictures (uh, yeah. Still none up, even after 1.5 years in the new house) or reading non-fiction (not my favorite for fun reading) or grown-up stuff like that.
My next list (already being worked on) will reflect what I've learned from this one, with the mix of the practical and the not-so-practical. I'm actually kind of looking forward to giving this another try without having to be in school at the same time. That homework thing tended to get in the way of a whole lot sometimes.
So, here's where I ended up:
1. Take boxes of books to Half Price (Done 10/19/07)
2. Donate hair to Locks of Love (Done 1/3/08)
3. Summer Break 2008- see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5)(Done 9/1/2008)
4. Build new house (Done 10/11/2008)
5. Get mutual funds transferred (Done 4/1/08)
6. Donate $1000 to Higher Ground (Done 12/8/07)
7. Watch Season 2 of 'Digging for the Truth' (Done 7/19/2008)
8. Choose 2 kids from church's Jesse Tree @ Christmas and buy them presents (Done 12/6/08)
9. Replant plant on towel shelf (Done 6/6/08)
10. Listen to Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
(Completely Done 3/20/08)
11. Edit a Wikipedia article (Done 9/4/2008: did the Winsted, Minnesota article)
12. Type out Goodwill donation tax slip (Done 3/4/08)
13. Get eyes checked (done 8/26/2008)
14. Make a 20 item anti-procrastination list (done 7/15/08)
15. Do all 20 anti-procrastination list items within the month (done 8/15/2008)
16. Do Advent readings and wreath (Completed: 1/7/09; Advent lasts through Epiphany)
17. Over Christmas Break 2007 see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5, done 1/7/08)
18. Clean up computer document files (Done: 12/30/08)
19. Read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (done 8/19/2008)
20. Catalog 25 books on LibraryThing (done 7/14/08)
21. Walk to work 30 times (30/30: Done 9/12/2008)
22. Send my mother in law flowers just because (done 8/5/2008)
23. Read all the Josephine Tey books (Done 12/23/08)
24. Read entire Inspector Rebus series (3/18)
25. Graduate with MLIS degree (Done 16 May 2010)
26. Watch 101 movies in theater or at home (50/101)
27. Complete 23 More Things
28. Read 20 of 100 All Time Classics (Modern Library) that I haven't read already (4/20)
29. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (3/5)
30. Watch 10 documentaries (7/10)
31. Upload all my CD's to my iTunes
32. Update FLYControl Journal (waiting for life insurance information)
33. Write 3 letters complimenting good service (2/3)
34. Write 3 letters pointing out bad service (3/3) (Done March 2010)
35. Complete a crossword puzzle book
36. Visit 10 other libraries in my system I haven't been to yet
37. Write wills
38. Have new family picture taken
39. Send Christmas Cards with family photograph
40. Design library webpage & link to system and city
41. Beat PSX2 game Galaga
42. Watch all the seasons of '24'
43. Go to a Latin Mass
44. Plant 5 trees in yard (2/5)
45. Clothing 1
46. Learn how to play Cribbage
47. Bike around the lake
48. Get important documents in fire proof box
49. Fly first class as a family
50. Go see 5 Minnesota Tourist attractions
51. Get new glasses (or contacts)
52. Host big family Christmas (Done 26 December 2010)
53. Frame tree picture
54. Watch a Cowboys/Vikings game in Dallas
55. Watch Cowboys/Vikings game in Minnesota
56. Read 5 Biographies
57. Frame black & white pictures of the ocean and hang up
58. Learn the Rosary prayers
59. Walk everyday for 30 minutes for 1 week.
60. Host a Summer Croquet tournament
61. Link library webpage to librarysites
62. Health 1
63. Health 2
64. Health 3
65. Health 4
66. Watch all Seasons of MI-5
67. Read Twilight Series (3/4)
68. Read 5 Non-fiction books (3/5)
69. Read Inspector Lynley Series
70. Pay off and close Chase Visa. (APR adjustment, indeed)
71. Draw a master landscaping plan for yard (Done 7 March 2010)
72. Get a chair for my library
73. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice on FreeRice (13,700/1,000,000)
74. Donate 5 trees from answer4earth (5/5) (Done 16 July 2009)
75. Up Emergency Fund to 3 months salary
76. Get rockers/outdoor furniture for front porch (Done April 2010)
77. Make a 10 item anti-procrastination list (Done 5/23/09)
78. Do all 10 anti-procrastination list items within the month
79. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2004 (0/5)
80. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2005 (1/4)
81. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2006 (4/15)
82. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2007 (1/13)
83. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2008 (1/14)
84. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2009 (3/22)
85. Get curtains hung in last 2 bedrooms
86. Get a new desk/shelving unit for home library
87. Finish Kid’s room
88. Hang up 5 pictures
89. Donate to the Food Shelf 7 times ($25 or equivalent) (3/7)
90. Do the Locks of Love one more time (Done 17 June 2010)
91. Leave a 100% tip 3 times (3/3) (Done 17 June 2010)
92. Donate 50 of my books to the library (without reading them 1st) (50/50) (done 15 August 2009)
93. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket (Done 14 November 2009)
94. Read the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series by Lemony Snicket (9/13)
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101. Finish writing this list--Again
Final breakdown goes something like this:
- Completely finished: 36
- Partially finished: 22
- Didn't even start: 37
- Left blank: 6
I learned that if I want a shot at finishing the list, I can't keep making each item a 20-part thing. Some, yes, like the "Watch 101 Movies", but not "Read an entire series which is made up of 10+ books". Uh, no. Especially not since for the better part of this whole time I've been in grad school (which I am happy to say, is not the case anymore).
In some respects this was a big to-do list for myself. Reminders that I needed to do things, like get new glasses or contacts (no on both), or replant that plant (done, and it's now taking over the living room). Or I viewed it as a "Hey, remember that you wanted to read/do these things." In other respects, it had things that I know I should do, but just never seem to get around to doing, like hanging up pictures (uh, yeah. Still none up, even after 1.5 years in the new house) or reading non-fiction (not my favorite for fun reading) or grown-up stuff like that.
My next list (already being worked on) will reflect what I've learned from this one, with the mix of the practical and the not-so-practical. I'm actually kind of looking forward to giving this another try without having to be in school at the same time. That homework thing tended to get in the way of a whole lot sometimes.
So, here's where I ended up:
1. Take boxes of books to Half Price (Done 10/19/07)
2. Donate hair to Locks of Love (Done 1/3/08)
3. Summer Break 2008- see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5)(Done 9/1/2008)
4. Build new house (Done 10/11/2008)
5. Get mutual funds transferred (Done 4/1/08)
6. Donate $1000 to Higher Ground (Done 12/8/07)
7. Watch Season 2 of 'Digging for the Truth' (Done 7/19/2008)
8. Choose 2 kids from church's Jesse Tree @ Christmas and buy them presents (Done 12/6/08)
9. Replant plant on towel shelf (Done 6/6/08)
10. Listen to Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
(Completely Done 3/20/08)
11. Edit a Wikipedia article (Done 9/4/2008: did the Winsted, Minnesota article)
12. Type out Goodwill donation tax slip (Done 3/4/08)
13. Get eyes checked (done 8/26/2008)
14. Make a 20 item anti-procrastination list (done 7/15/08)
15. Do all 20 anti-procrastination list items within the month (done 8/15/2008)
16. Do Advent readings and wreath (Completed: 1/7/09; Advent lasts through Epiphany)
17. Over Christmas Break 2007 see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5, done 1/7/08)
18. Clean up computer document files (Done: 12/30/08)
19. Read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (done 8/19/2008)
20. Catalog 25 books on LibraryThing (done 7/14/08)
21. Walk to work 30 times (30/30: Done 9/12/2008)
22. Send my mother in law flowers just because (done 8/5/2008)
23. Read all the Josephine Tey books (Done 12/23/08)
24. Read entire Inspector Rebus series (3/18)
25. Graduate with MLIS degree (Done 16 May 2010)
26. Watch 101 movies in theater or at home (50/101)
27. Complete 23 More Things
28. Read 20 of 100 All Time Classics (Modern Library) that I haven't read already (4/20)
29. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (3/5)
30. Watch 10 documentaries (7/10)
31. Upload all my CD's to my iTunes
32. Update FLYControl Journal (waiting for life insurance information)
33. Write 3 letters complimenting good service (2/3)
34. Write 3 letters pointing out bad service (3/3) (Done March 2010)
35. Complete a crossword puzzle book
36. Visit 10 other libraries in my system I haven't been to yet
37. Write wills
38. Have new family picture taken
39. Send Christmas Cards with family photograph
40. Design library webpage & link to system and city
41. Beat PSX2 game Galaga
42. Watch all the seasons of '24'
43. Go to a Latin Mass
44. Plant 5 trees in yard (2/5)
45. Clothing 1
46. Learn how to play Cribbage
47. Bike around the lake
48. Get important documents in fire proof box
49. Fly first class as a family
50. Go see 5 Minnesota Tourist attractions
51. Get new glasses (or contacts)
52. Host big family Christmas (Done 26 December 2010)
53. Frame tree picture
54. Watch a Cowboys/Vikings game in Dallas
55. Watch Cowboys/Vikings game in Minnesota
56. Read 5 Biographies
57. Frame black & white pictures of the ocean and hang up
58. Learn the Rosary prayers
59. Walk everyday for 30 minutes for 1 week.
60. Host a Summer Croquet tournament
61. Link library webpage to librarysites
62. Health 1
63. Health 2
64. Health 3
65. Health 4
66. Watch all Seasons of MI-5
67. Read Twilight Series (3/4)
68. Read 5 Non-fiction books (3/5)
69. Read Inspector Lynley Series
70. Pay off and close Chase Visa. (APR adjustment, indeed)
71. Draw a master landscaping plan for yard (Done 7 March 2010)
72. Get a chair for my library
73. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice on FreeRice (13,700/1,000,000)
74. Donate 5 trees from answer4earth (5/5) (Done 16 July 2009)
75. Up Emergency Fund to 3 months salary
76. Get rockers/outdoor furniture for front porch (Done April 2010)
77. Make a 10 item anti-procrastination list (Done 5/23/09)
78. Do all 10 anti-procrastination list items within the month
79. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2004 (0/5)
80. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2005 (1/4)
81. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2006 (4/15)
82. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2007 (1/13)
83. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2008 (1/14)
84. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2009 (3/22)
85. Get curtains hung in last 2 bedrooms
86. Get a new desk/shelving unit for home library
87. Finish Kid’s room
88. Hang up 5 pictures
89. Donate to the Food Shelf 7 times ($25 or equivalent) (3/7)
90. Do the Locks of Love one more time (Done 17 June 2010)
91. Leave a 100% tip 3 times (3/3) (Done 17 June 2010)
92. Donate 50 of my books to the library (without reading them 1st) (50/50) (done 15 August 2009)
93. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket (Done 14 November 2009)
94. Read the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series by Lemony Snicket (9/13)
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101. Finish writing this list--Again
Sunday, April 4, 2010
101 Things in 1001 Days: March 2010 Edition
I'm not going to complete this list. Not this time around, anyway. And it bothers me to no end. I'm trying to decide whether to keep going until the original end date (28 June 2010) or do a hard re-set and start again. Day Zero had mentioned something about "if you start your list on 5 April 2010, the last date will be 31 December 2012", which somehow has a nice symmetry to it.
Either way, I plan on making another list. I have discovered that although the things were very cut and dried, with little to no vagueness, I'm thinking that not having several steps to one thing is the way to go.
In any case, here's where I am right now:
1. Take boxes of books to Half Price (Done 10/19/07)
2. Donate hair to Locks of Love (Done 1/3/08)
3. Summer Break 2008- see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5)(Done 9/1/2008)
4. Build new house (Done 10/11/2008)
5. Get mutual funds transferred (Done 4/1/08)
6. Donate $1000 to Higher Ground (Done 12/8/07)
7. Watch Season 2 of 'Digging for the Truth' (Done 7/19/2008)
8. Choose 2 kids from church's Jesse Tree @ Christmas and buy them presents (Done 12/6/08)
9. Replant plant on towel shelf (Done 6/6/08)
10. Listen to Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
(Completely Done 3/20/08)
11. Edit a Wikipedia article (Done 9/4/2008: did the Winsted, Minnesota article)
12. Type out Goodwill donation tax slip (Done 3/4/08)
13. Get eyes checked (done 8/26/2008)
14. Make a 20 item anti-procrastination list (done 7/15/08)
15. Do all 20 anti-procrastination list items within the month (done 8/15/2008)
16. Do Advent readings and wreath (Completed: 1/7/09; Advent lasts through Epiphany)
17. Over Christmas Break 2007 see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5, done 1/7/08)
18. Clean up computer document files (Done: 12/30/08)
19. Read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (done 8/19/2008)
20. Catalog 25 books on LibraryThing (done 7/14/08)
21. Walk to work 30 times (30/30: Done 9/12/2008)
22. Send my mother in law flowers just because (done 8/5/2008)
23. Read all the Josephine Tey books (Done 12/23/08)
24. Read entire Inspector Rebus series (3/18)
25. Graduate with MLIS degree (target date: May 2010)
26. Watch 101 movies in theater or at home (46/101)
27. Complete 23 More Things
28. Read 20 of 100 All Time Classics (Modern Library) that I haven't read already (4/20)
29. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (3/5)
30. Watch 10 documentaries (6/10)
31. Upload all my CD's to my iTunes
32. Update FLYControl Journal (waiting for life insurance information)
33. Write 3 letters complimenting good service (2/3)
34. Write 3 letters pointing out bad service (2/3)
35. Complete a crossword puzzle book
36. Visit 10 other libraries in my system I haven't been to yet
37. Write wills
38. Have new family picture taken
39. Send Christmas Cards with family photograph
40. Design library webpage & link to system and city
41. Beat PSX2 game Galaga
42. Watch all the seasons of '24'
43. Go to a Latin Mass
44. Plant 5 trees in yard (2/5)
45. Clothing 1
46. Learn how to play Cribbage
47. Bike around the lake
48. Get important documents in fire proof box
49. Fly first class as a family
50. Go see 5 Minnesota Tourist attractions
51. Get new glasses (or contacts)
52. Host big family Christmas (Done 26 December 2010)
53. Frame tree picture
54. Watch a Cowboys/Vikings game in Dallas
55. Watch Cowboys/Vikings game in Minnesota
56. Read 5 Biographies
57. Frame black & white pictures of the ocean and hang up
58. Learn the Rosary prayers
59. Walk everyday for 30 minutes for 1 week.
60. Host a Summer Croquet tournament
61. Link library webpage to librarysites
62. Health 1
63. Health 2
64. Health 3
65. Health 4
66. Watch all Seasons of MI-5
67. Read Twilight Series (3/4)
68. Read 5 Non-fiction books (3/5)
69. Read Inspector Lynley Series
70. Pay off and close Chase Visa. (APR adjustment, indeed)
71. Draw a master landscaping plan for yard
72. Get a chair for my library
73. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice on FreeRice (13,700/1,000,000)
74. Donate 5 trees from answer4earth (5/5) (Done 16 July 2009)
75. Up Emergency Fund to 3 months salary
76. Get rockers/outdoor furniture for front porch
77. Make a 10 item anti-procrastination list (Done 5/23/09)
78. Do all 10 anti-procrastination list items within the month
79. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2004 (0/5)
80. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2005 (1/4)
81. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2006 (3/15)
82. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2007 (1/13)
83. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2008 (1/14)
84. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2009 (3/22)
85. Get curtains hung in last 2 bedrooms
86. Get a new desk/shelving unit for home library
87. Finish Kid’s room
88. Hang up 5 pictures
89. Donate to the Food Shelf 7 times ($25 or equivalent) (3/7)
90. Do the Locks of Love one more time
91. Leave a 100% tip 3 times (2/3)
92. Donate 50 of my books to the library (without reading them 1st) (50/50) (done 15 August 2009)
93. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket (Done 14 November 2009)
94. Read the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series by Lemony Snicket (8/13)
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101. Finish writing this list--Again
Either way, I plan on making another list. I have discovered that although the things were very cut and dried, with little to no vagueness, I'm thinking that not having several steps to one thing is the way to go.
In any case, here's where I am right now:
1. Take boxes of books to Half Price (Done 10/19/07)
2. Donate hair to Locks of Love (Done 1/3/08)
3. Summer Break 2008- see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5)(Done 9/1/2008)
4. Build new house (Done 10/11/2008)
5. Get mutual funds transferred (Done 4/1/08)
6. Donate $1000 to Higher Ground (Done 12/8/07)
7. Watch Season 2 of 'Digging for the Truth' (Done 7/19/2008)
8. Choose 2 kids from church's Jesse Tree @ Christmas and buy them presents (Done 12/6/08)
9. Replant plant on towel shelf (Done 6/6/08)
10. Listen to Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
(Completely Done 3/20/08)
11. Edit a Wikipedia article (Done 9/4/2008: did the Winsted, Minnesota article)
12. Type out Goodwill donation tax slip (Done 3/4/08)
13. Get eyes checked (done 8/26/2008)
14. Make a 20 item anti-procrastination list (done 7/15/08)
15. Do all 20 anti-procrastination list items within the month (done 8/15/2008)
16. Do Advent readings and wreath (Completed: 1/7/09; Advent lasts through Epiphany)
17. Over Christmas Break 2007 see 5 first run movies in theater (5/5, done 1/7/08)
18. Clean up computer document files (Done: 12/30/08)
19. Read "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (done 8/19/2008)
20. Catalog 25 books on LibraryThing (done 7/14/08)
21. Walk to work 30 times (30/30: Done 9/12/2008)
22. Send my mother in law flowers just because (done 8/5/2008)
23. Read all the Josephine Tey books (Done 12/23/08)
24. Read entire Inspector Rebus series (3/18)
25. Graduate with MLIS degree (target date: May 2010)
26. Watch 101 movies in theater or at home (46/101)
27. Complete 23 More Things
28. Read 20 of 100 All Time Classics (Modern Library) that I haven't read already (4/20)
29. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (3/5)
30. Watch 10 documentaries (6/10)
31. Upload all my CD's to my iTunes
32. Update FLYControl Journal (waiting for life insurance information)
33. Write 3 letters complimenting good service (2/3)
34. Write 3 letters pointing out bad service (2/3)
35. Complete a crossword puzzle book
36. Visit 10 other libraries in my system I haven't been to yet
37. Write wills
38. Have new family picture taken
39. Send Christmas Cards with family photograph
40. Design library webpage & link to system and city
41. Beat PSX2 game Galaga
42. Watch all the seasons of '24'
43. Go to a Latin Mass
44. Plant 5 trees in yard (2/5)
45. Clothing 1
46. Learn how to play Cribbage
47. Bike around the lake
48. Get important documents in fire proof box
49. Fly first class as a family
50. Go see 5 Minnesota Tourist attractions
51. Get new glasses (or contacts)
52. Host big family Christmas (Done 26 December 2010)
53. Frame tree picture
54. Watch a Cowboys/Vikings game in Dallas
55. Watch Cowboys/Vikings game in Minnesota
56. Read 5 Biographies
57. Frame black & white pictures of the ocean and hang up
58. Learn the Rosary prayers
59. Walk everyday for 30 minutes for 1 week.
60. Host a Summer Croquet tournament
61. Link library webpage to librarysites
62. Health 1
63. Health 2
64. Health 3
65. Health 4
66. Watch all Seasons of MI-5
67. Read Twilight Series (3/4)
68. Read 5 Non-fiction books (3/5)
69. Read Inspector Lynley Series
70. Pay off and close Chase Visa. (APR adjustment, indeed)
71. Draw a master landscaping plan for yard
72. Get a chair for my library
73. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice on FreeRice (13,700/1,000,000)
74. Donate 5 trees from answer4earth (5/5) (Done 16 July 2009)
75. Up Emergency Fund to 3 months salary
76. Get rockers/outdoor furniture for front porch
77. Make a 10 item anti-procrastination list (Done 5/23/09)
78. Do all 10 anti-procrastination list items within the month
79. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2004 (0/5)
80. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2005 (1/4)
81. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2006 (3/15)
82. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2007 (1/13)
83. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2008 (1/14)
84. Read all books on saved page a day calendar pages for 2009 (3/22)
85. Get curtains hung in last 2 bedrooms
86. Get a new desk/shelving unit for home library
87. Finish Kid’s room
88. Hang up 5 pictures
89. Donate to the Food Shelf 7 times ($25 or equivalent) (3/7)
90. Do the Locks of Love one more time
91. Leave a 100% tip 3 times (2/3)
92. Donate 50 of my books to the library (without reading them 1st) (50/50) (done 15 August 2009)
93. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket (Done 14 November 2009)
94. Read the “A Series of Unfortunate Events” series by Lemony Snicket (8/13)
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
100.
101. Finish writing this list--Again
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