101 Things in 1001 Days.

This seems like a wonderful way to keep track of improvements, so here's mine!


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 organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start date August 21, 2006
End date: May 20, 2009

Health:
1. Start walking at least 2x per week for 3 months
2. Increase walking to 3x per week for 3 months.
3. Increase walking to 4x per week for 3 months.
4. Increase walking to 5x per week for duration.
5. Lose 25 pounds.
6. Lose 50 pounds (total)
7. Lose 100 pounds (total)
8. Lose 150 pounds (total)
9. Maintain treatment for bi-polar including medication therapy.
10. Find and try 1 new healthy recipe every 2 weeks.
11. Try 1 new food each month (vegetable, meat, etc)
12. Buy an Herb/Spice book and learn more about how to use them.
13. Go for 2 weeks with no soda 4 times.
14. Go for 1 week with no chocolate 6 times.
15. No eating out for 1 month.
16. Limit dining out to special occasions (anniversary, birthdays, good report cards)
17. Make monthly menu plans and use them to make grocery lists.
18. STICK to the monthly menu plans
19. Transfer all of my spread out recipes to cards in my recipe box.

Financial:
20. No Bounced checks
21. Pay off Van loan
22. Pay off 2 credit cards and freeze cards.
23. Pay off 2 more credit cards and freeze cards.
24. Pay off 2 more cards and freeze cards.
25. Stay on budget each month.
26. Save $3000
27. Refinance House
28. Increase contributions to 401K
29. Start investing some of our money.
30. Contribute to Tory's college fund no less than bimonthly.

Personal:
31. Tell everyone in my life I love them regularly.
32. Get back to regular church attendance (every Sunday)
33. Set aside 30 mins per day for devotions and quiet time
34. Send a letter to my grandmother 1x per week.
35. Call my gramma 1x per week.
36. Travel to England
37. Travel to Greece
38. Stop biting fingernails
39. Volunteer somewhere.
40. Visit 2 major art museums
41. Watch 5 black and white movies with my husband.
42. Have at least 1 'date night' a month with my husband.
43. Have a Mommy/daughter day once a month.
44. Read Pride & Prejudice
45. Read Gone with the Wind again.
46. Read 5 other "classic novels"
47. Attend a Patriots Home game.
48. Take my daughter to a NE Revolutions game.
49. See Bon Jovi in concert again.
50. Attend a Ballet Performance
51. Attend an Opera
52. Have a LOTR Extended Edition marathon (we've only been saying we should for over a year).
53. Make out my will.
54. Do a new family portrait at a GOOD photographer. (Not walmart/target)
55. Add two new faery statues to my collection
56. Attend the PA Faery weekend at least once

Household:
57. Put all silver change in a bucket and DO NOT USE IT (use for something nice for the family at the end of each calendar year)
58. Learn how and sew curtains for bedroom.
59. Sew curtains for kitchen.
60. Make a housecleaning schedule and stick to it for 30 days.
61. Declutter main bedroom.
62. Declutter Alex's bedroom
63. Declutter kitchen.
64. Donate all clothes that do not fit.
65. Clean out and haul trash from small room in basement
66. Clean out and haul trash from large room in basement.
67. Haul trash from furnace room in basement.
68. Paint Alex's room.
69. Paint Tory's room.
70. Replace front steps/porch
71. Replace bulkhead doors
72. Hang trim in living room.
73. Buy a new refrigerator.
74. Buy a new dishwasher.
75. Learn how to fix pipes under sink.
76. Buy a new bed for our bedroom.
77. Replace all of Tory's bedroom furniture.
78. Replace Alex's bed
79. Build a frame for Alex's bed.
80. Acquire a KitchenAid Mixer

Family:
81. Establish a family night each week even if it's a Saturday.
82. Watch at least 2 new movies per month.
83. Establish a chore list for each family member.
84. Attend all school events for both children.

Stitching:
85. Complete Taj Mahal Wip.
86. Complete Fairy Moon Wip.
87. Complete Stargazer Wip.
88. Complete Mystery 8 Wip.
89. Complete Faery Welcome.
90. Complete Medieval Times Wip
91. Frame 3 large finishes.
92. Stitch 6 ornaments per year (total would be 16 for this list).
93. Learn how to use my sewing machine.
94. Sew myself a skirt.
95. Learn how to finish my own ornaments.
96. Learn Hardanger Embroidery
97. Learn how to lace & frame.
98. Attend CATS once again.
99. Set stitching goals each month and track them.
100. Update this list at least once per month.
101. When 1001 days are over, make a new list, including carryover from this one that aren't completed.

No, I wasn't born here--pardon me.

I love lots of things about New England. The gorgeous autumn colors, the mild summers. I love the culture and history. However, I totally hate the insular nature of the small towns. I live in such a small town. THere's a saying in New England that if you weren't born here, and your momma wasn't born here, and her momma and so on and so on.. well if you weren't and they weren't then you just don't belong. They aren't kidding.

I live in a tiny sleepy lake town. Most of the mothers don't work, and those who do tend to own their own businesses. They have 2.5 children, big homes with landscape they did themselves thankyouverymuch, and their children started activities as soonas they could walk. They all know each other from countless hours at swimming, karate, gymnastics, dance and music lessons. Their children who are of similiar age bonded early, and tightly. A great foundation, and a good life for the kids. So what's wrong with that you ask?

Well it makes it really difficult for someone who wasn't born here, didn't start kindergarten here, and is just a little bit different from the New England mentality to "belong". And it makes me just a little angry. Because the attitudes don't orginate with the children. They had to learn the 'outsiders are bad' somewhere... and the finger points straight to the parents. In Bold Neon Colors. It's just heartbreaking to watch your daughter be on the outside of every group because a: she wasn't born here, and b: she's just slightly different. She talks differently, and she doesn't live the life of privilege like they do.

Same things occur to DH and I, but I truely don't care. There was a time in which I cared deeply who liked me, hell I wanted everyone to like me. Now, I don't care. Take me as I am, flawed and mistake ridden, or don't take me at all. Thank heavens that GOD doesn't care that I'm flawed. Thank God for loving us all no matter what defects we have--seen or unseen.

So for now I'll teach my daughter that acceptance at every level for others is what we strive for, and hope and pray for the day we can move to a city. Where she can start fresh, without the history of this small, snotty town.