Seems I feel the need to update this once a year…I’ve got a lot of work to do and I’ve got a lot of prioritizing to do. This blog has fallen by the wayside, while life has taken over. I’m going to work at getting it back in shape and blow the dust off.<\/p>\n
Bold<\/strong> – Done!<\/p>\n Italic<\/em> – Working on it<\/p>\n Blue<\/span> – Uhh, oh yeah that was on my list wasn’t it… My Body: My Mind: Entertainment: 2.\u00a0Get a Library Card<\/strong> – Done! 9.\u00a0Take a road trip<\/em> – We road tripped to Cedar Point – yay for getting two things done with one trip! Family: Misc.: House 2.\u00a0Install blinds on the remaining windows <\/strong>– WOOHOO!!! 9.\u00a0Create a chore routine<\/strong> – it’s created, but we haven’t really stuck to it. Time to work on that.<\/p>\n 10.\u00a0Plant flowers in my flower beds<\/strong> – All of the beds have plants\/flowers in them. We’ll see if they come up in the spring!<\/p>\n 11.\u00a0Meet my neighbors<\/strong> – took them cookies when they moved in! Finances:
\n101 Goals in 1001 Days:<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Use my Wii Fit daily<\/span> – I used it for the first time in 340 days Tuesday, and haven’t used it since then…sigh
\n2.\u00a0Take the dog for a walk on nice days<\/span> – We are currently in freezing temps and snowy weather, if I’m realistic, I’m not walking the dog on a regular basis until Spring.
\n3.\u00a0Eat more fruit\/veggies<\/em> – This has been going well for me so far, I’ve been eating more fruits\/veggies and ordering more salads if\/when we go out places. I’m happy with my progress here
\n4.\u00a0Get at least 6 hours of sleep each night<\/em> – This has also been going fairly well for me. There have only been a handful of days that haven’t yielded 6+hrs of sleep
\n5.\u00a0Cook Healthier meals<\/em> – Thanks to some wonderful online resources (Kitchen Parade and Liz Brooks at Easy Meals Examiner) and my new subscription to Cooking Light I’ve been able to make things at home that are much healthier than we used to eat.
\n6.\u00a0Lose as much of the 70lbs I need to as I can<\/em> – I’ve made more progress with this, since having a “buddy” to be accountable to. I’m down 15lbs so far and still working.
\n7.\u00a0Maintain what I lose<\/em> – Since I’ve only lost 15lbs, it hasn’t been that difficult, but I will continue to maintain whatever I end up losing, somehow…
\n8.\u00a0Fit into my dress from H.S<\/span>. – See #’s 6 and 7 above, obviously this needs work.
\n9.\u00a0Limit my pop intake to 2 per week<\/em> – I did really well with this for a while and have let is slide again. Back to water!
\n10.\u00a0Eat oatmeal for breakfast at least 3 times a week<\/span> – Again this is something I was really good about for a month or so and totally fell off the wagon on.
\n11.\u00a0Do more than 10 pushups<\/span> – I still don’t know how many I can do, hang on a second….okay, I can do 5, so I’m half-way there!
\n12.\u00a0Run a mile<\/span> – When I used my Wii Fit the other day I ran, not even close to a mile, but it’s a start. Now I just have to keep practicing!
\n13.\u00a0Go on 5 bike rides<\/span> – Okay, so I won’t be pulling my bike out any time soon and I’ve completed zero of the five rides I wanted to. Guess that means I have a few rides ahead of me this summer!
\n14.\u00a0Think before I eat<\/em> – I have been doing a good job of this, mostly because of some health issues I’ve had recently, but it was a jump start in the right direction.
\n15.\u00a0Walk through my town<\/span> – Again, it’s winter and freezing cold, we’ll see if I make it this spring<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Try to keep a positive attitude<\/em> -While I’ve done my best to keep a PMA (Positive\u00a0Mental Attitude) I have my days, but don’t we all?
\n2.\u00a0Laugh at least 1 time per day<\/em> – I laugh a LOT more than I used to and probably more than once a day.
\n3.\u00a0Breathe <\/em>– #1 and #2 have been helping keep this one in check. I’m learning to walk away from something before it gets the best of me and come back with a clearer head.
\n4.\u00a0Set aside 15 minutes everyday for myself<\/em> – When I get home (after taking care of the animals) I have time to myself every day, usually more than 15 minutes.
\n5.\u00a0Watch no more than 2hrs of t.v in a day<\/strong> – We no longer have t.v. so I’m marking this one as DONE!
\n6.\u00a0Take a class<\/span> – I haven’t even researched anything about this. I really need to fix that.
\n7. Research going back to school<\/span> – If I haven’t researched taking a single class yet, obviously I haven’t researched going to school.
\n8.\u00a0Start writing poetry again<\/span> – 1 poem written, but I really can’t force myself to do this one, it has to be when the mood strikes.
\n9.\u00a0Do my Vision Board<\/span> – Short of making this list I’ve made no progress on my “vision” of where I want to be.
\n10.\u00a0Make a Vlog<\/span> – I actually totally forgot this one was on my list all together….where’s my iSight?
\n11.\u00a0Let my husband buy me\/pick out an outfit<\/span> – I won’t be buying new clothes any time soon (see financial stuff below), so this one’s going to have to wait I think.
\n12.\u00a0Learn to take a compliment<\/em> – I’ve become much more gracious when people pay me a compliment. Simply saying thank-you is much easier than assuming they are just being nice.
\n13.\u00a0Believe every day that the impossible is possible if you put your mind to it<\/em> – I still have to repeat this several times.
\n14.\u00a0Take more pictures<\/em> – Still going strong!
\n15.\u00a0Finish my art projects<\/em> – I’ve done a lot and added a lot more, lol. This one is a never ending list I think.
\n16.\u00a0Share more on my blog\u00a0– My blog has been empty of new posts for almost a year, I am clearly currently failing at this one.
\n17.\u00a0Kiss my husband goodnight<\/em> – every night
\n18.\u00a0Always say I love you when we part<\/em> – This is something I’m already in the habit of doing, but I need to remind myself that even if we’re unhappy with one another, I will ALWAYS love him
\n19.\u00a0Share some of my poetry <\/span>– I need to dig those notebooks out and start sharing them with people<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Read 12 books\u00a0– Huh, well…I have started two more books…<\/p>\n\n
\n3.\u00a0Go on 3 camping trips<\/strong> – Three down!! And we should have one next summer as well.
\n4.\u00a0Go to Cedar Point<\/strong> – Hubby and I went for our 1 year Anniversary this year – I want to go again!
\n5.\u00a0Meet 1 of my “Twitter Friends” in real life\u00a0– I’m not sure this will happen, but we’ll see
\n6.\u00a0Create my own website for my blog\/photos<\/em> – Obviously the site is up and working, now to just get those pictures linked.
\n7.\u00a0Maintain my site<\/em> – New banner is up, new pages created and blog post (which I need to do more frequently).
\n8.\u00a0Watch 1 new movie a month<\/em> – I’ve made good progress here, there are some that I’m forgetting I’m sure<\/p>\n\n
\n10.\u00a0Take a vacation with my Brother\/Sister(to be)\u00a0– With a Graduate Program in the works currently, this one will probably have to wait until 2011, but I’m okay with that!
\n11.\u00a0Host 3 game nights<\/em> – Two down, one to go
\n12.\u00a0Spend time with my ‘girlfriends” at least every other month<\/em> – I see some more than others, but I think this is also going pretty well
\n13.\u00a0Start saving for a trip to Seattle<\/span> – nothing saved for a vacation.
\n14.\u00a0Spend a long weekend in Michigan <\/span>– See #13. Maybe we’ll get there….
\n15.\u00a0Plan a trip to Canada<\/span> – My Hubby found a job listing for Vancouver, but that’s the closest we’ve come to making it across the border
\n16.\u00a0Get our Passports<\/span> – I don’t have one and who knows when we’ll decide to fly off somewhere out of the country, lol
\n17.\u00a0Visit the Art Museum in Chicago<\/span> – I’ve lived in the suburbs my entire life and have NEVER been – what is wrong with me?
\n18.\u00a0Visit the Shedd Aquarium<\/strong> – On our Anniversary weekend we finished our trip w\/a visit to the Shedd!
\n19.\u00a0See a play\u00a0– not sure which one, but it’s something I enjoy doing
\n20.\u00a0See a Cubs game\u00a0– it’s an expensive thing to do and a long day, but there’s nothing like a day at Wrigley Field, especially when they win!
\n21.\u00a0See a football game<\/strong> – Not only did I get to go to an NFL football game, I got to see a game I never thought I would. Bears vs. Packers (GO PACK GO) – we also went to a game this year!
\n22.\u00a0Attend our local town festival\u00a0– we were camping last year when it happened, I would still like to get there.<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Visit my grandpa\/aunt in FL at least once\u00a0– I don’t see them often at all and I need to make an effort to. My grandma passed away and it had been years since I had seen her.
\n2.\u00a0Visit my grandparents in IL at least 4 times\u00a0– We’ve seen them twice, I really need to be better about this. I don’t know what my problem is!
\n3.\u00a0Visit grammy at least 3 times\u00a0– 2 times so far, but with recent events, I think we may need to bump this up a bit anyway
\n4.\u00a0Visit Bob and Pam at least 3 times\u00a0– 1 time so far, and we’ve seen them more than that, but I still think making a drive to Galena shouldn’t be a problem, tho being invited first would be nice.
\n5.\u00a0Visit Mom and Bob at least 3 times<\/em> – we’ve seen them quite a few times, but there’s no need to call this one done, they’re my hubby’s parents after all.
\n6. Start our family<\/em> – I’m calling this in progress because we’ve had many discussions about it and how we want to raise our children which is some progress. Though the “start trying” time has come and gone and been pushed back once…
\n7.\u00a0Take more pictures together<\/em> – As goofy and by hubby thinks I am for wanting to squish ourselves together for picture when we go somewhere, I appreciate that he is playing along….so far.
\n8.\u00a0Spend at least 1 night\/day with Doug & Heather a month<\/em> – date nights on Thursdays make this happen and exercise nights on Mondays help too. I have some seriously awesome family!
\n9.\u00a0Spend time with Chris at least once a month<\/span> – There’s an upcoming blog post about this…<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Finish at least 2 more scrapbooks<\/em> – Rocky, Leela, Bachelorette Party and Honeymoon – ALL DONE! I still have a lot to do though.
\n2.\u00a0Get my paper filing organized<\/em> – I went on a shredding binge a while back and cleaned out a bunch of it, though it still needs some work
\n3.\u00a0Continue to go through my closet\/house and donate what we are not using<\/em> – Car load #3 for the year is heading there tomorrow!
\n4.\u00a0Try 10\u00a0new foods<\/em> -I think I’ve far surpassed this now, but I’m still open to new things!
\n5.\u00a0Use the fresh herbs I’m growing<\/em> – Planted them, grew them and ate them! And I’ll be doing it again this year
\n6.\u00a0Get Brian to try 3 new foods<\/strong> – 3 of 3 we have success!
\n7.\u00a0Own a kitten\/cat<\/strong> – I love my little Leela girl! (Not so little anymore, but still adorable)
\n8.\u00a0Go on at least 1 date a month with my husband<\/em> – we’ve started date night in every week and we’ve been pretty darn consistent with it. I think it’s helped us stay more connected as a couple too.
\n9.\u00a0Try a new recipe a month\u00a0– I’m making great strides in this since we are having more home-cooked meals!<\/p>\n\n
\n1.\u00a0Paint the remainder of the rooms in the house<\/em> – one room left that I *need* to paint and the loft\/stairway that isn’t a huge deal. I’ve purchased paint for the last room, now we need to apply!<\/p>\n
\n3.\u00a0Complete a “built-in” desk in the office for 2\u00a0– This is on hold until my pickier hubby and I can decide what we really want and have a budget for it.
\n4.\u00a0Install our own fence\u00a0– I think we’ve agreed to wait until we have little ones running around to worry about this, if it gets done sooner great, if not, oh well.
\n5.\u00a0Get paver brick patio installed<\/strong> – Done and done!
\n6.\u00a0Grow veggies and eat them<\/strong> – Tomatoes, Beans, Cucumbers and Zucchini all planted only the Zucchini decided not to grow.
\n7.\u00a0Purchase a flat screen t.v. – We’ve agreed that until our old t.v. bites the dust we don’t need this, so again, if it happens great, if not, oh well.
\n8.\u00a0Visit a farmer’s market<\/strong> – Been a couple times now<\/p>\n
\n12.\u00a0Hang icicle lights on the gutters <\/strong>– Super hubby did it again this year \ud83d\ude42
\n13.\u00a0Convince Hubby that an outdoor fireplace IS a good idea and then make it happen<\/em>
\n14. Get a new patio furniture set<\/em> – My folks have offered us theirs, since they don’t use it, so it’ll be new to us once we get it.<\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0Have enough money in the savings account to “live” for 6 months <\/span>– currently working on this
\n2.\u00a0Have enough money to take a vacation <\/span>– no vacation until #1 is completed.
\n3.\u00a0Start our child’s college fund<\/span> – see #1
\n4.\u00a0Payoff all of our credit card debt<\/em> – It’s a work in progress
\n6. Start a retirement fund<\/em> – We both started
\n7. Payoff Brian’s car<\/em> – still working on it, if it would quit breaking we could throw more money at paying it off instead of fixing it.
\n8.\u00a0Payoff My car<\/span> – See #7 – his takes\u00a0priority
\n9.\u00a0Set a monthly budget for groceries\/entertainment\/clothes and STICK TO IT <\/em>– \u00a0Working harder at this
\n10.\u00a0Cut coupons and USE them<\/em> – this is something I did and then stopped and am starting again
\n11.\u00a0Sell the rest of my “collectables” on either ebay or craigslist<\/em> – I have one item left that I’d really like to get rid of
\n12.\u00a0Find a way to either increase our income or decrease some of our spending<\/em> – we are re-evaluating this all the time it’s a constant work in progress
\n13.\u00a0Research ways to work from home once we start our family<\/span> – At this point working from home won’t be an option for me, but I’ve always got my eyes open.<\/p>\n