One Month Update has turned into a 6 month update!

 

I will be updating my progress when I can…. It is a lot more challenging than I thought it would be…

I would like to add pictures to my blog, but I am going to have to figure out the best way to do that. Since, I blog and upload from MS Word (I guess if I insert pictures in Word they don't upload) …. Hmmm I will figure it out soon and add some pictures….

PINK – In progress

BLUE – Completed with a date

 

Be a Better Me
1. Identify 5 bad habits and work on getting rid of them

1. Picking my fingers… I have a terrible habit of picking the skin off my thumbs… I am often found wearing Band-Aids on my thumbs
   
2. Saying the "F" word… I really want to stop saying the "F" word, but sometimes it just makes you feel better…
   

2. Identify 20 things I like about myself – I have not started this list this is going to be difficult to praise myself. I definitely do not give myself credit when it is due
3. Identify 100 things that make me happy

1. Being a mom
   

4. Make a list of 25 reasons I love my husband – I have not started this list; I need to be in a good mood for this one. lol
5. Make one new real friend – I have not accomplished this. This will take some time to accomplish.
6. One week each month, do not look at Facebook – I have thought about this and I have come close; however I have not accomplish this either.
7. One day of each week, do not watch TV – I have not been able to accomplish this. Goodness watching TV after my children go to bed is my time. Maybe I will start reading a book at this time.
8. One day of each week, no Internet, except as necessary for work – I can say that I have done this; however I have not documented it.
9. Wear my wedding band – I was giving a new band for my 5-year anniversary. Darrel got me a new ring from Tiffany's. Tiffany's is my favorite jewelry store. Anything in a blue box is awesome! (5/19/2012). I have worn my ring every day since my 5-year anniversary.

Be Knowledgeable
10. Once a month, read the Sunday newspaper – I am sad to say I have not started this; however I have tried, I purchased the newspaper three times. L

11. Read 2 non-fiction books – I am trying to decide what book to read. Hmmm... I started the book "How Do You Tuck in a Superhero" by Rachel Balducci. Reading this book makes me want more children!!! The book celebrates children and the joys of having children. The sweet little embarrassing moments that make having children put a smile on your face.
12. Take a beginner sewing class
13. Learn the Canadian providences and their capitals – I have started this; I posted a map of the providences of Canada at my desk at work.
14. Attend a blogging conference
15. Attend a technical writing class
16. Attend a creative writing class
17. Expand my vocabulary by 1 new word a month – Well, I signed up to have a word emailed to me every day; however I am not that great at using one of those words in order to remember it and expand my vocabulary…. So I am marking this as in progress and hopefully for the next update I will have a plethora of new words to share… J

Be a Family
18. Buy a bicycle – I have purchase a bike for my son, but not for me yet
19. Buy a bicycle trailer for my children and go on a bike ride – not yet; and I have not even looked. We do take a walk almost every evening for some quiet family time.
20. Fly a kite in the park with my children – I have flown a kite at the cottage with Jack. Next summer or this fall I hope to do this with both children…
21. Teach my daughter the ABC's – She is 11 months old and barely says dada and momma; I think it will be awhile before she talks let alone says her ABC's
22. Teach my son how to ride a bike – I am working on this. He is almost 3 and we purchased him a balance bike. I am hoping it works and we skip training wheels.
23. Have at least two family picnics each year – We have not done this either, but I am think a fall time picnic
24. Dress up for Halloween with a theme for the family – Have not had the option to do this, but this Halloween it is a good possibility.
25. Once a week, eat dinner at the kitchen table at the same time – We definitely do this at least ¾ of the week.
26. Take children fishing– Have not done this yet, but I think Uncle Dave will be better at this than me, but I will take them fishing at least once. J
27. Build a sand castle with my children – Have not done this yet
28. Camp with children on May two-four weekend – Have not done this yet, but we have started talking about the 2013 May two four weekend…. If not 2013, definitely 2014
29. Take children to Lake Michigan – Have not done this yet
30. Sleep in a tent with the children at the cottage – Have not done this yet
31. Sleep under the starts with the children – Have not done this yet
32. Visit my grandparents twice a month – I try, but have not been very successful at this. I started out this year doing this, but as the year went on it became more difficult. I am disappointed that I have not been able to keep this task. I definitely plan to work harder at seeing my grandparents.
33. Visit my parents at least once every two months – I think we try our hardest to do this; however this is much more challenging than I thought it would be.
34. Take my children to a hockey game at Joe Louis Area – Jack has been, but Abbie has not. Hopefully next season (2012-2013)
35. Take my grandmother to an evening Tiger's game – I have not done this year (2012); however baseball season is not over!!!
36. Take a road trip with the children every summer – This summer (2012) we are going to Tennessee for a family reunion. We plan to stop in Louisville to see the Louisville slugger factory. This trip is in the process of being planned
37. Take a walk with the children once a week during the summer – We walk almost even evening after dinner

Be Adventurous

38. Visit 3 new states or 1 new country – Well is going to be easy; we are thinking of moving to England in 5 years… But for now Kentucky will be a new state for me in August 2012 and in 2014 we will visit the Bahamas
39. Date night with husband at least once a month – we try to do this more than once a month, but are pretty good about having a date every month
40. Attend a dinner/wine-tasting event – Have not done this
41. Host a party – Not recently

42. Learn to sew with a sewing machine – I need to do this. I want to sew to many things.
43. Twice a year, have a pedicure with my sisters– I need to do this really bad…
44. Send a postcard to PostSecret – I need to do this
45. Participate in 20 Postcrossings – I need to do this
46. Watch 10 movies on IMDB's Top 250 list – Hmmm. I guess I need to get the Top 250 movie list to accomplish this one…
47. Take a cooking class with my husband – Have not done
48. Try one new recipe each month – I definitely do not do this… I really need too…
49. Take pictures in a photo booth – I did this at Green Field Village with the kiddos (June 17, 2012) – I just love photo booths

Be an Organizing Junkie

50. Organize my "Contacts" List and sync with my phone – I have started organizing the contact list on my phone, does that count?
51. Re-vamp the household filing system for efficiency – HA HA HA
52. Organize children vaccination/medical file – time where is it… I have not started to complete this task
53. Setup weekly payments for the gas and electric bills – I have started this (July 2012)
54. Clean out my area of the basement – not started
55. Clean out my car once a month – I do clean my car once a month; even if my husband does not agree J
56. Clean out my closets/dressers each season – I did not do a good job this past spring/summer; however I plan on doing a great job cleaning out my closet this fall…
57. Clean out the children's closet twice a year – holy cow; I think I clean out there drawer every 4 months… It is crazy how fast they grow…

Be a Finisher (not just a starter)
58. Create a will – have not done, but I really need to do this….
59. Save to purchase a cottage – have not started
60. Complete the 100 snapshot challenge – I have not started

61. Finish the needle work baby blanket that I already started – I have not even looked at it
L

Be Frugal
62. No internet purchases for one entire month – well I am good at this, however my husband is horrible…

63. No kid clothing purchases for two entire months – holy cow I think this will be the easiest right after their birthdays or right after Christmas. I am planning on January and February 2013….
64. Organize bills through Quicken – BLAH BLAH --- I have not started this
65. Start a 6-month emergency fund – I wish… In this economy it is so hard….
66. Start savings accounts for each child – I have not been inside a bank in years to even do this… Hmmm, maybe I should take their money and put it in the bank….
67. Start a second stream of income – Have not started this, but I am thinking if I just stop my Starbucks I could consider that a second income… he he

Be Healthy
68. Drink nothing but water for 1 month – this is going to be a challenge; I basically drink water and Starbucks iced coffee all the time
69. No eating after 8:00 p.m. for one month – I have absolute done this. I have been sticking to not eating after 8 PM for about 6 months; however vacation time does not count (April, May, and June 2012).
J
70. Start running so i can run in the Detroit turkey trot – well I have not started run, but I am going to run in the Detroit Mash Potato Mile on Thanksgiving with my Jack
71. Fit back into my favorite slacks/dresses – working on this… I lost a bunch of weight; however I have gain a bunch back… Goodness
72. Start one new organic food item each month

1. Organic soup
   
2. Organic chicken
   
3. Organic chees is what I am trying to do now
   

73. Five days a month, do not eat any processed food items – wow I do not track this, but I really should. Processed food is really bad…
74. Make Abbie's baby food using organic fruits and veggies – I totally did this and am still doing this
75. Take a multi-vitamin every day – I try… that is all I can do is try
76. Do a full body detox – Ugh I say I am going to do this; however the lack of Starbucks is going to suck for those few days… I know I have a bad habit
J
77. Start yoga classes – I have done this and I love YOGA class… I feel great after I go!
78. Drink less alcohol – this definitely comes and goes, but for the most part I drink less than I did in the past
79. Go to the dentist for a check-up – I hate the dentist –I still have not done this… So, very sad…
80. Go one month without eating fast food – well I go pretty close to not eating fast food all the time, but I am really going to start keeping track. But my big question is "what is fast food"? McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Subway, Jimmie Johns, where does it end???

Be Giving
81. Pay for someone behind me in the drive thru – I feel so guilty I have not done this, but someone did this for me at Christmas time…
82. Participate in 2 volunteer opportunities – Have not started
83. Send a handwritten letter to a family or friend once a month – sad to say I have not done this either
84. Offer to babysit for a friend or family at least 5 times – I have done this a many a times for my niece. I have also done this for a friend.
85. Give up a parking space in a crowded lot to the person behind me – I have not done this

86. Let someone in front of me at the grocery store five times – I have not done this
87. Put change in someone's expired meter – I have not done this
88. Compliment ten complete strangers – I have done this at least once. I will need to start adding the dates when I do this, so I can keep track…
89. Make a list of all family/friend birthdays and send them a card – I have a book to starting collecting birthdays, I just need to do it now! Hopefully next update.
90. Leave 100% tip at a restaurant for exceptional service – I have not done this
91. Put flowers on someone's grave who I don't know – I have not done this
92. Give away baby items to someone who needs them – I have just done this and plan on doing this some more. Goodness it is great to get rid of the stuff instead of storing it… (July 2012).

Be a Memory Keeper

93. Take a picture of the children every month – I totally do this
94. Take a family picture twice a year – We have not done this, but usually after our Fourth of July vacation we take one (that will be in 2 days)
95. Start a T-Shirt quilt from mine and hubbies concert days – Have not started, but I have been reading how to do this
96. Complete my nieces' scrapbook – I wish I had time for this
97. Start my children's scrapbook – I wish I had time for this
98. Complete our wedding scrapbook – time? Where are you???
99. Organize my digital pictures – this is always a work on progress…
100. Create a wall of photos for one room in the house – I hope my stair way wall counts. I have started a wall of photos going up/down the stairs…. I know so typical…

101. Keep a journal of my 101 completed tasks (blog) – I am current doing that!

A mid-February update….

72. Start one new organic food item each month

I started organic soups; however it is soup in a can – Amy's organic soup. It is pretty good. I can also get it with low sodium. Ever since I was pregnant with Jack, and my feet were swollen from my salt intake, I have not been a fan of salt. I have also started making Abbie's baby food with organic vegetables.

 

13. Learn the Canadian providences and their capitals

So I have printed out a map of the Canadian providences and posted it in my cubical at work.

February 1, 2012 – the official start of my 101 things in 1001 days…..

69. No eating after 8:00 p.m. for one month
So far so good…. I have not been eating after we finish dinner

72. Start one new organic food item each month
I already eat the following organic foods:

• Milk
  
• Lettuce
  
• Carrots
  
• Celery
  
• Cucumbers
  
• Various fruits
  
• Chicken strips for Jack
  

I have not added a new food for the month of February. I will need to start shopping at Trader Joes and Whole Foods; just wish we lived closer to one of those stores.

77. Start yoga classes

I started a yoga class with my sister Courtney. We attend a yoga class on Thursday. We are going to try to attend a yoga class twice a week for a least the first month, possibly the first 2 month. I am really
enjoying the yoga. I did not realize how relaxing yoga can be; and it will totally get my in shape. I will consider this item complete after I at attending yoga classes regularly for a month or two. I am calling this in
progress.

 

A unique challenge that inspires you to set and achieve your personal goals in life.

The Mission:

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. Why 1001 Days for Me? I’m tired of creating the same old New Year’s Resolutions each year, that simply get pushed to the wayside come February or March of the New Year. I wanted to try something just a little bit different. I wanted to do something fun and challenging at the same time too. I decided to create a separate blog to track my goals on a regular basis. Talk about putting it all out there! I’m nervous and excited to start this project. Making this list made me stop, think, and evaluate who I am and how I can make “me” a better person. Some of these goals just might not be attainable, but it’s all good. For every goal not reached, I will donate at least $2 (or more depending on finances) to a charity of my choice (Alzheimer's Assocation). Maybe I can inspire at least one other person to start his/her own list as well.

Inspiration:

The 101 Things To Do in 1001 Days project was created by New Zealander, Michael Green. I was inspired to get my butt in gear and give this a go by my neighbor Brooke@babblingbrooketrout. I did borrow many "things" from the lists of other bloggers and the 101 things in 1001 days web Site http://dayzeroproject.com/user/swedishfish7. My Timeline February 1, 2012 through October 28, 2014.

The Key:

Not Started
In Progress
Accomplished (with date)

My 101 Things to do in 1001 Days:

Be a Better Me
1. Identify 5 bad habits and work on getting rid of them
2. Identify 20 things I like about myself
3. Identify 100 things that make me happy
4. Make a list of 25 reasons I love my husband
5. Make one new real friend
6. One week each month, do not look at Facebook
7. One day of each week, do not watch TV
8. One day of each week, no Internet, except as necessary for work
9. Wear my wedding band

Be Knowledgeable
10. Once a month, read the Sunday newspaper
11. Read 2 non-fiction books
12. Take a beginner sewing class
13. Learn the Canadian providences and their capitals
14. Attend a blogging conference
15. Attend a technical writing class
16. Attend a creative writing class
17. Expand my vocabulary by 1 new word a month

Be a Family
18. Buy a bicycle
19. Buy a bicycle trailer for my children and go on a bike ride
20. Fly a kite in the park with my children
21. Teach my daughter the ABC’s
22. Teach my son how to ride a bike
23. Have at least two family picnics each year
24. Dress up for Halloween with a theme for the family
25. Once a week, eat dinner at the kitchen table at the same time
26. Take children fishing
27. Build a sand castle with my children
28. Camp with children on May two-four weekend
29. Take children to Lake Michigan
30. Sleep in a tent with the children at the cottage
31. Sleep under the starts with the children
32. Visit my grandparents twice a month
33. Visit my parents at least once every two months
34. Take my children to a hockey game at Joe Louis Area
35. Take my grandmother to an evening Tiger’s game
36. Take a road trip with the children every summer
37. Take a walk with the children once a week during the summer

Be Adventurous

38. Visit 3 new states or 1 new country
39. Date night with husband at least once a month
40. Attend a dinner/wine-tasting event
41. Host a party
42. Learn to sew with a sewing machine
43. Twice a year, have a pedicure with my sisters
44. Send a postcard to PostSecret
45. Participate in 20 Postcrossings
46. Watch 10 movies on IMDB's Top 250
list
47. Take a cooking class with my husband
48. Try one new recipe each month
49. Take pictures in a photo booth

Be an Organizing Junkie
50. Organize my “Contacts” List and sync with my phone
51. Re-vamp the household filing system for efficiency
52. Organize children vaccination/medical file
53. Setup weekly payments for the gas and electric bills
54. Clean out my area of the basement
55. Clean out my car once a month
56. Clean out my closets/dressers each season
57. Clean out the children’s closet twice a year

Be a Finisher (not just a starter)
58. Create a will
59. Save to purchase a cottage
60. Complete the 100 snapshot challenge
61. Finish the needle work baby blanket that I already started

Be Frugal
62. No internet purchases for one entire month
63. No kid clothing purchases for two entire months
64. Organize bills through Quicken
65. Start a 6-month emergency fund
66. Start savings accounts for each child
67. Start a second stream of income

Be Healthy
68. Drink nothing but water for 1 month
69. No eating after 8:00 p.m. for one month
70. Start running so i can run in the detroit turkey trot
71. Fit back into my favorite slacks/dresses
72. Start one new organic food item each month
73. Five days a month, do not eat any processed food items
74. Make Abbie's baby food using organic fruits and veggies
75. Take a multi-vitamin every day
76. Do a full body detox
77. Start yoga classes
78. Drink less alcohol
79. Go to the dentist for a check-up
80. Go one month without eating fast food

Be Giving
81. Pay for someone behind me in the drive thru
82. Participate in 2 volunteer opportunities
83. Send a handwritten letter to a family or friend once a month
84. Offer to babysit for a friend or family at least 5 times
85. Give up a parking space in a crowded lot to the person behind me
86. Let someone in front of me at the grocery store five times
87. Put change in someone’s expired meter
88. Compliment ten complete strangers
89. Make a list of all family/friend birthdays and send them a card
90. Leave 100% tip at a restaurant for exceptional service
91. Put flowers on someone's grave who I don't know
92. Give away baby items to someone who needs them

Be a Memory Keeper
93. Take a picture of the children every month
94. Take a family picture twice a year
95. Start a T-Shirt quilt from mine and hubbies concert days
96. Complete my nieces’ scrapbook
97. Start my children’s scrapbook
98. Complete our wedding scrapbook
99. Organize my digital pictures
100. Create a wall of photos for one room in the house
101. Keep a journal of my 101 completed tasks (blog)