Score! I think?

Number 43 - Keep a houseplant alive for 12 months. I figured I'd better start this one early in case I need a do over! I went with the peace lily. I liked the sound of that and it's pretty too. The tag says it does well with low light. If I can teach the kids to turn the lights off when they leave a room it might have a chance!

Number 67 COMPLETE I bought a new pair of exercise shoes! New Balance 505's just like my old ones. I've heard that shoes GAIN WEIGHT over time from all the grime and sweat YUCK! But for fun I'm going to weight them now that they are new and see if that's true. Using my kitchen scale each shoe weight just about 11 oz. Lets see what happens!

Buying the shoes, that's the easy part. Number 68, "wearing them out", not so easy! SO they very next day I decided to go for a walk. I put the big kids on the school bus and took Strider in the stroller. As always when walking I look for bottles and cans to add to my #16 goal "earn $1001." Over the course of the mile I walked, I found 6 empty bottles and cans and 6 FULL beers!

Last night I finish reading _The Road_ by Cormac McCarthy. My second book out of my goal of twenty. I really, REALLY, had a hard time getting into the grammar-less writing style. I had to reread frequently to make sense of some passages. I'm not sure if I would recommend this to anyone unless you really enjoy the postapocalyptic genre. But I did learn the value of having a weapon, good shoes, and canned vegetables if the world, as we know it, was coming to an end.

I will NOT be a CHEETAH

Last night I was so tired I fell asleep watching TV and missed TWO of my goals. I didn't have my Green Smoothie for the day and I didn't wash the dishes. #5 and #65 are CONSECUTIVE day events. So I blew it. First I was disappointed that I missed a day and whined to myself about having to start over.

Then I started bargaining with myself that I could give myself just one slip up and just keep counting. Everyone deserves a little lee way right?

That led to feelings of being a cheetah. I started to think about what my list of 101 things really is. Some of it is a to do list but some of it is a list of challenges, things to strive for. Are these two goals items to just check off and never revisit ( like painting the shed) or are these ongoing items?

These are goals and ideals that I WANT to make a HABIT, a daily occurrence. After day 30 I don't intend to just cross it off and be done with it. These habits should stick with me the whole 1001 days and beyond.

With a happy heart I decided to restart the counter at one I have 983 days to go. Surely somewhere in there I'll hit 30 consecutive days. If I get to the last 30 days and haven't completed the goal I'll set an alarm clock to wake me up at 11:30 each night so I can be sure to finish my daily goals before midnight.

PIMP MY RIDE!!

Isn't she pretty? I'm the envy of all my friends. AHHH Who wouldn't want a minivan like this? It's clearly a fan favorite because there are hundreds just like this in the Wal Mart parking lot which makes it difficult to find my car or remember where I parked! At least now mine is the clean one. My poor old van had been neglected and needed some TLC. This was a job that spanned several days. One day I just spent hours picking up the trash my kids leave in the rear row and I vacuumed out a full canister of sand and debris. Another day I spent some time washing the windows from the inside, cleaning the dashboard, and chiseling out the toxic waste from inside the kids cup holders. I also hung tote bags from the seat backs for the kids to throw their trash into instead of leaving it on the ground. While I was on the inside, my husband was outside giving it a detailed car wash. And as a bonus it got an oil change and new windshield washer fluid! My van is now a happy van. May she carry us safely where we need to go for many more years.

Did I save? Or didn't I?

Number 17 is document $500 in coupon savings. So far I have documented $74.87 ($54.87 on one day and 20 on the other) but did I really save? I was following the grocery store advertised specials. There were a lot of BOGO deals and 10 for $10 deals so I stocked up. But the question is "did I save over all?" If I had bought a store brand item would it have been cheaper anyway? HMMMM. After the first shopping trip I started to question this so immediately I went to iTunes and downloaded an app for my iTouch to set up a price book. My goal is to sift through some old receipts and add items to my price book. Then each week as I look for special coupon deals I'll know if it REALLY is a deal. I also belong to www.couponmom.com and www.thegrocerygame.com but they don't usually compare the prices to store brand daily prices. The Grocery Game is a paid site I'll have to deduct my payment from the amount saved or unsubscribe from the service. But either way with my price book I'll always know if the savings are truly earned. PS I brought my cloth bags today total - 3 times

Turtle Hatchings!!!

No I didn't fail #1 NO NEW PETS. The incubating eggs were a "pre-existing condition". Mama turtle layed her eggs in an unprotected location in the middle of our yard on July 2nd. We carefully removed them from the hole right side up and incubated them at around 84 degrees. 56 days later they are hatching. There were 9 in total and so far 3 have begun to emerge. We will keep them for a few days and when the weather is nice and sunny we will release them back toward the lake.

2. Declutter - a few days ago I spent a good part of my day removing everything from and reorganizing my bedroom closet. I was in and out all day but I counted it as a solid 3 hours of decluttering time to bring my total to 5 hours.

In the process I set aside 12 nice items to donate to Good Will ( #42)

39. Have a Home Energy Audit - This was completed on August 26. It will be another 2-3 weeks before the full report comes in. I do know that my windows are still good but I need PILES of extra insulation in the attic. The woman who did the audit was shocked by my home heating bills. When she writes up the report she will estimate the cost of the improvements vs the cost saving it will generate to help point out areas where I will get the most bang for my buck. I learned that my refrigerator uses $20 of electricity each month and that is very high ( average is $8 / month for refrigerators newer than 1997) Turns out I am supposed to get UNDER it and vacuum out the coils once a month! Who knew? I cleaned it out (#40). Maybe my electric bill will go down now.

5. Shine sink for 28 days

I was determined to get this challenge started early in the 1001 days hoping it would stick. If you follow FlyLady.net then you know that SHINING THE SINK is the first of the baby steps to get your home in order. I was up until 11 last night getting this done. The goal is 28 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. It takes 21 days to form a habit but Flylady says people like me need an extra week to make it stick. Let's see what happens. day 1 and counting.

I'm well adjusted

Been there, Done that, Got the T Shirt! I went back to the chiropractor for my follow up visit today. He used his fancy shmancy adjuster tool all hooked up to a computer and everything. Another visit on Wednesday AND Thursday. But NO at home exercises. And he said I can't do any significant exercise for 2 weeks. Bummer, I was going to mow the lawn today. *snicker*.

Other 101 progress- I called a roofer to see about getting some snow blockers or fences or whatever to keep the avalanche of snow from blocking us in the house this year. Guys are coming to give me an estimate on Friday. I can't very well be shoveling snow with my new, well adjusted back can I??

Dum Dums to the rescue

Number 70. Get Strider to sleep in his own bed. This has been one of our most difficult challenges we've had with Strider. None of the other boys had trouble sleeping on their own. By 18 months they all happily said good night and climbed into their own beds and stayed there. Strider is different. Well maybe HE'S not different, we are. We are older and more tired. The effort of laying on the floor and waiting for him to fall asleep and trying to sneak out was too much. It was so much easier to let him fall asleep on our bed then move him later but then he ALWAYS comes back. And if we were too tired and lazy at 9pm to make him stay in bed, we were MORE lazy at 3 am. So this dragged on for YEARS. He is now 4 years old.

Two nights ago I bribed him. I told him if went to sleep in his own bed AND stayed there all night I'd give him a lollipop every morning with his breakfast. BUT I didn't have any of the goods to deliver that I promise so I told him the first morning he'd get a marshmallow and that day we would go out shopping to buy his special bag of pops.

He went straight to bed! He woke up in the morning and came down stairs all pleased as punch and and announced "I sleeped in my OWN bed, where's my treat!" Later we went to the store ( 2 times and brought CLOTH BAGS!!) and he got a bag of Dum Dum Pops. We keep them safely hidden away and ONLY as a prebreakfast treat.

Again last night he went straight to bed. This morning a repeat of yesterday. He came into my bedroom singing "Mooooooom, I sleeped in my own beeeeeeed!" And he got his lollipop. Now he is collecting his special pop wrappers to send away for a Dum Dums T shirt.

It's only been 2 nights but it's a start!

Progress on several fronts

Number 60. 20 books - I completed the first book last night. It was No More Mondays by Dan Miller. It's a book about taking the plunge and going from being an employee to running your own business. Not much on the way of step by step instruction but a lot of encouragment to alleviate the fear of such a big move. It was good but since I am not currently employed at all it didn't do much for me. I'll have my husband read it next.

Number 2. Declutter. When I started this project yesterday I didn't even think to take before pictures or even log in my time. But it took HOURS. What did we do? We emptied the kids cubbies out to be ready for the new school year. WOW what a mess. I also sorted through a huge box of kids craft supplies trying to come up with a complete set of colored pencils, and boxes of 24 crayons. I did not want to buy another set of school supplies when I KNEW I had a ton just sitting around. We ended up with 5 full sets of colored pencils and more crayons than I could count. If any family members are reading, expect some interesting crayon craft from the kids for Christmas!

Number 4. Clean and detail the mini van . SIGH another lost opportunity for a before and after photo. I did spend quite a long time pulling out the trash and vacuuming so now it's finally presentable. It still needs to be washed inside and out.

Progress, progress! Look out day 1001 I'm coming!

70. Visit a Chiropractor

Today I completed # 70 on my list.

I've been meaning to see a chiropractor for quite some time. I have poor posture, even when I think I'm standing up straight I find out I'm not. I frequently wake up with a "crick" in my back or some other mystery pain that typically resolves itself in a few days. This week I woke up in a world of hurt. In the midst of making my 101 list I decided NOW is the time to get this stuff checked out once and for all.

This morning was my first appt. We talked a little about my chief complaint ( neck/ shoulder pain). He did a quick spinal exam and took Xrays. Since the X rays weren't developed yet there wasn't much he could do in the way of an adjustment until after they were reviewed. I was brought to a room with soft music on the radio and got to lay down on a nifty table that starts standing up and lays you down automatically. AHHH That was a relief since I can hardly move on my own right now. The person who invented that gets my heartfelt gratitude! He put on some gel and electrical pads that massaged the area around my spine. Very relaxing. For 10 minutes. Then I was forced to re enter the real world, how cruel.

BUT I get to go back on Monday. Monday can't come soon enough. Cool packs and Advil for the weekend. Maybe some sympathy from my family. How many of my 101 things can I accomplish this weekend from my bed??

My 101 in 1001 by O&OOC

Start date August 18, 2009

Finish Date May 15, 2012

Household (15 items 1 complete!)

1. No New Pets for 1001 days (25/1001)

2. Declutter for 101 hours ( not consecutively) (8/101)

3. Learn to successfully groom Shuto ( the shih tzu)

4. Clean and Detail the minivan 8/27/2009

5. Shine sink for 28 days (8/28)

6. Burn all digital photos to DVD/CD

7. Backup all files to external HD

8. Repaint Bathroom cabinets

9. Repaint Kitchen cabinets

10. Finish fireplace mantel and hearth

11. Insulate and finish off attic space

12. Add trim and finish painting shed

13. Hire a roofer

14. Paint garage

15. Do a project alone that requires power tools ( not electric drill)

Finances/ Paperwork (8 items)

16. Earn $1001 by myself ($1.30/$1001)

17. Document $500 in discounts and coupon savings ($306.58/$500)

18. Update wills

19. Complete ICE files / “Love Drawer”

20. Get a GOOD firesafe or safety deposit box at the bank

21. Write and MAIL 50 Christmas Cards

22. Start a family journal of funny anecdotes

23. Set up a Birthday card file

Food/ cooking (9 items)

24. Cook 20 different crockpot meals (1/20)

Chicken Cacciatore

25. Cook meal with all home grown, caught or hunted ingredients

26. Learn to can tomatoes and other homegrown items

27. Fully stock the BIG basement freezer

28. Cook Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon while wearing pearls

29. Bake a loaf of bread from scratch ( home churned butter?)

30. Feed the family with only $150 for one month

31. Give up soda for 3 months

32. Try 5 new local restaurants

Community Service/ Going Green (11 items 1 complete!)

33. Donate blood or platelets 10 times ( 0/10)

34. Put out only 1 bag of garbage for the week on 50 weeks (2/50)

35. Bring cloth bags to the store 100 times (5/100)

36. Hang dry ALL laundry for an entire week

37. 24 hour “blackout” 4 times a year (0/11)

38. Participate in a Habitat for Humanity Project

39. Have a Home Energy Audit 8/26/2009

40. Implement some suggestions from Home Energy Audit

41. Do 15 Random Acts of Kindness (0/15)

42. Give 101 items to Good Will (20/101)

43. Keep a houseplant alive for 12 months (0/12) Start date Sept 10, 2009

Crafts (7 items)

44. Finish 5 previously started projects (1/5)

Snack bags for craft fair

45. Make a quilt for a new baby

46. Get the prepetual calendar 365 knitting stitches a year and test ALL of them (0/365)

47. Set up my craft room

48. Do a “Day in the life” Photo documentary 12 time (0/12)

49. Take Alphabet Photographs (0/26)

50. Update photos in family collage

Worst Case Scenario / Survival Skills (7 items)

51. Learn to fire a gun

52. Start a fire with out matches

53. Prepare family “Go Bags”

54. Take a wilderness Survival course

55. Become proficient with a sling shot

56. Create an EXCELLENT First Aid Kit

57. Read about 5 different conspiracy theories (0/5)

Culture and Arts (6 items)

58. See Spamalot on Broadway

59. See 5 plays at local theaters (0/5)

60. Read 20 books (1/20)

~No More Mondays by Dan Miller 8/20/2009

~The Road by

61. See a movie at midnight on opening night

62. DVD Marathon TV series or Movie Sequels

63. Invite adult friends /family over for the evening

Health and Beauty (14 items 2 complete!)

64. Do 20 pushups in a row (6/20)

65. Have a Green Smoothie for 30 CONSECUTIVE days (8/30)

66. Drink a cup of tea each day in a quiet place

67. Buy exercise shoes 9/10/2009

68. Wear out those exercise shoes

69. Schedule an annual physical

70. Visit a chiropractor 8/20/09

71. Walk a half marathon

72. Complete a skin care regimen for 28 days document results (0/28)

73. Get a professional manicure

74. Have eyebrows professionally waxed

75. Take vitamins for a whole month (0/30)

76. Do a 48 hour liquid fast 3 times (0/3)

77. Get Strider to sleep in his OWN bed all night (2 nights )

Travel (6 items)

78. Visit family in Arizona

79. Get a passport

80. Take a cruise for our 15^th wedding anniversary ( November 2010)

81. Go white water rafting

82. Take a mystery trip with Paul

83. Go on a girls only vacation

Random Games and Diversions (13 items)

84. Catch a fish

85. Go on a roller coaster

86. Win a contest

87. Sleep under the stars ( summer)

88. Sleep in an igloo (winter)

89. Stay up all night

90. Play 10 games of billiards (2/10)

91. Learn to juggle ~ 3 balls in the air for minimum of 3 minutes

92. Go to the movies alone

93. Make a music video

94. Learn how to back into the garage

95. Design a new tattoo

96. Perfect making a frozen hot chocolate (see number 97)

Things to buy (5 items)

97. Heavy Duty Blender

98. Buy a matching bra and panty set

99. Buy an entire outfit at the thrift shop

100. Go Garage Sale -ing and hit 10 sales in one weekend

101. Have a Fun Family portrait framed

Look here! We're back after 2 years!

Back again. Too much to sum up, but I'll try. We're older. Hair has been grown and cut. We moved.

I've recently been challenged to do a 101 in 1001 days so I've come back to blog about it along with other day to day stuff thrown in.