30 Days...Time to Check Progress!

Since so many of the items on my list are "ongoing," meaning that I need to maintain them for a length of time before I consider them done, I decided to check my progress when I reached the 30 day mark. And folks, today is that day!

To help me figure out what I've been doing (and what I may have been slacking on) I have been using my handy dandy True Blood calendar (Hello Eric, you've made March a bit more bearable) to track down what I've been doing.

First, I'll start out with my vitamins. I don't eat the most balanced diet so I decided that taking a multi-vitamin every day was a good way to help give me what I may be lacking. I started keeping track on February 28th and was doing really well for 2 weeks. Then my sickness kicked in and I went a week only taking them twice. But I'm back on track and have been taking them, along with vitamin C and calcium chews, every day for the past week. So this, to me, is not really close to being done. But I press on.....

Eating breakfast every day. It IS the most important meal of the day, and sadly, one I tended to skip. "I don't have time!" I'd whine or "I forgot." I know, how can you forget to eat, but it would happen. "Oh, I'll grab a bowl of cereal once I'm done checking my Facebook. Oh crap, I have to leave in 10 minutes!" I had a bit of a rough start, but got going strong. Then I got sick and found that the thought of eating was not appealing. But I am again back on track for the past week, even though some mornings I've had to force myself to eat, and am hoping to keep the trend going. Again, not going to consider it close to being done.

Writing in my journal every night. I'm one of those sporadic journal keepers. I'll write in it for a couple nights then not touch it for 4 months. I do enjoy writing in my journal, even if it's just a couple lines. It's a good place for me to get out what's on my mind, especially when it's things I'm not necessarily comfortable sharing with people. I tend to be a bit private until I'm entirely comfortable around someone, which I'm sure many of you can relate to. Plus it's nice to have a place to be as whiny or bitchy or melodramatic as I like without someone wanting to kill me. I wish I could say I was divinely inspired by my muse and have written every night. Not so much. Most nights from the day I started keeping track it was a  no go. The most recent night of not journaling was just this past Saturday. But I'm hoping April will be a new page for me (aha...aha...get it?) and I can keep up with it no matter how tired I am.

There are a few of the ongoing things I have started that I want to keep tracking before I let you know about them. They're very sporadic and spurty right now so I don't know as I want to acknowledge them at the moment. But if you check out my blog next month at the 60 day mark, you may notice some new things marked off the list.

I will say one of my biggest successes is NO POP!!!!! As of the day I declared I was having my last pop I have not touched it since. Recently there's been a couple days when I started to want one, but there's no craving and honestly no desire. The thought of drinking a pop is, most of the time, not appealing to me. I'm very proud of this fact and hope that at my next check-in point I will consider it crossed off the list.

So I was able to accomplish a few things in my first 30 days. I'm kinda jazzed, not gonna lie:). Here's hoping the next 30 days bring me more success as well!

Number 10: Buy A Kindle

It's finally happened. I am the proud owner of a Kindle!!!!!

Isn't it pretty? I love how light and small it is and how easily it fits in my purse. I'm one of those people who always has a book in their purse. I like to read on my lunch break and there's been many a time where I've pulled the book out while waiting at a gas station or waiting for a ride to pick me up. I've ordered a case for it and I already have about 7 books uploaded to it. Or is it downloaded? Whichever, there be books on there! I even went and picked out the 10 books I want to read off the list and downloaded a few of them. Now I have no excuse to get started on that.
I was waiting to have the extra money, and since my taxes were taken by the government to help pay off student loans (like I didn't pay enough last year) I thought it would be an extremely long wait. But this last paycheck a little extra money popped up and I decided since I've been sick for almost three weeks I figured it was a good time to treat myself. I love it. I do still love holding an actual book in my hand, the smell of the paper, the feel of it. But I have to tell you it's also nice knowing I have multiple books at my fingertips whenever and wherever I want them. Yay for modern technology!!!!

Number 13 Is Done!

Are you sitting down? Are you sure? I WENT ON A DATE!! After having to postpone last week due to the cold from hell (I think being able to breathe and talk help to make a good impression) I met him at Starbucks today for a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino. While it was not "I Could Have Danced All Night" spinning around my room fantastic, it was not I want to throw myself in front of the next bus that drives by awful. It was nice. Not uncomfortable. The jury is still out on where or if this will go somewhere, but I am willing to go out with him again to find out. And, this also helps to get started on what I believe is number 52 which is Spend an hour a week at a Starbucks as a customer not a barista.

My Starbucks Gold Card

I did not get a picture of my date, although I was asked to. I didn't want to come across as a creeper.  It feels really good to get one finished, especially since so many of what's on my list is ongoing items. And since I haven't been on a date in about a year.  

I have been writing down on my calendar every day what I do with the ongoing (like not drinking pop). This way when I hit milestones, such as the upcoming 30 day mark, I can give accurate updates.  I'm doing pretty good on some, not so good on others, but it's all a work-in-progress. Magic can't happen overnight and all that.

With that being said, the list is finished!!!! Hmm.... maybe I should have started with that? It took a while but I now bring to you numbers 93-101:

93. Buy a white sundress: I've wanted to get one every summer for about 3 years but I either wait too long and can't find one or can't find my size or don't like the styles. Really, I just wait too long and am hindered by what's out there. No more!

94. Buy a matching bra/panty set: I totally stole this from Kellie, but I like it. I don't have a matching set and it would be nice to feel pretty and matched once in a while.

95. Cut my hair after the wedding(s): I know many of you out there who love my hair long are crying right now, but every time I see Jennifer Nettles from Sugarland I really want her hair. It will stay long through at least Malinda's wedding and I haven't decided yet about my mom's wedding. It's just hair. It will grow.

96. Buy and wear a pair of wedge sandals: I pretty much live in flip-flops all summer and didn't used to do that. That should change.

97. Floss regularly. Please don't think I am a dirty person or have gross nasty teeth. Well, maybe I do since I haven't been to a dentist, but I should try to be better at this.

98. Own a pair of knee high boots: Even with my chicken leg calves I want a pair.

99. Go to the opera: I forget how much culture we have in Rochester.

100. Go to the St. Patrick's Day Parade: Being downtown and seeing all the green I think I should go at least once. Not with my sister. I would like to remember it.

101. Buy windchimes: I felt the last item should've been a big one, but I just couldn't. So it's a small item, but again something I've wanted to do for years.

So there you have it. My completed list. One down, 100 more to go!!!!!

New Items

I've actually thought of a few more items so I'm going to take advantage of my sick day and add them to the list.
88. Own at least two lipcolors: I own one lip gloss and I feel like I should branch out. Play a little bit more with make-up and being a girl.
89. Take Marni and Liam out to dinner for their wedding: I wasn't able to get down to Virginia for their wedding so I owe them.
90. Go to the ballet: I always forget we have a ballet company in Rochester.
91. Use cash more so I can save the change: Every little bit helps, right?
92. Go on a wine tour: I went on one once a few years ago and it was a lot of fun. I've wanted to go again ever since.

I actually started/finished one item last night. As part of my goal to get out of the house once a month, I went to a friend's house last night for a Mardi Gras party. It was nice to have a Saturday night not sitting at home watching my DVR. I will knock out a few more times before it's considered "completed."

The list is almost done and I'm getting very excited about that. It will be even more exciting when I start seeing items being crossed off. Don't you agree?

Starting working on the list

My last pop....ever?

I am in the process of completing #39!! I will officially cross it off the list once I hit a minimum of two weeks without any pop, but in the meantime that is officially (hopefully) the last time soda pop will cross my lips.

I've only added one more item to the list, but I will keep the gears turning in the head I promise.  I don't want to drag the list out too long. I need to get cracking!!!

In the meantime, here's the next stages of explanations, numbers 61-87, which is as far as my list goes:

61. See the miniseries Pride & Preudice: I'm told this is the best version out there and that nobody makes a better Darcy than Colin Firth.
62. Make a new recipe every month: I love to cook and hardly ever do that. I have a ton of recipes and almost never make them.
63. Go to a Red Wings game: While baseball on TV bores the crap out of me, I do enjoy going to live games.
64. Go to an Amerks game: Again, I don't usually sit down and watch hockey on TV but I like it live.
65. Go to one other local sports game: Something I keep meaning to do but never get around to.
66. Eat breakfast every day: I tend to forget and that's not good. I will consider it "done" when I eat breakfast every morning for a minimum of a month.
67. Take my vitamins every day: Something else I tend to forget that isn't good. If I can do this for a minimum of 2 weeks it will be done.
68. Buy Winchester a bed: And if I can get him a canopy bed, even better. Maybe then he'll stop making his own with my curtain.
69. Do cross stitch for Mom and Mike: For their wedding. Maybe before their anniversary?
70. Go to the art museum: If I've ever been it was so long ago I don't remember it.
71. Go to the Eastman House: It's been a long time since I've been.
72. Make tiramisu: A very yummy dessert that I would like to make.
73. Organize my "important papers" box and keep it that way: It needs to be done.
74. Buy a bottle of champagne (and drink it): Spumante doesn't count. I mean the real thing.
75. Own an eye shadow besides brown: I need to break out of my comfort zone.
76. Go to Highland Park when it's not the Lilac Festival: It's such a pretty place and I never get there.
77. Visit an aquarium: I did want to be a marine biologist once upon a time.
78. Donate blood: I haven't weighed enough but I think I'm getting there and this is something I really want to do.
79. Drink a Guiness: I took a sip once and liked it, so why not go for the whole thing?
80. Go to a Renaissance Fair: I've always wanted to go and have never been.
81. Go to the drive-thru: I've been twice and each time I say how much I love it.
82. See a movie outside: At the beach or a park. It's fun.
83. See Tes do gymnastics: I've seen Luch play hockey a ton of times but haven't seen Tes do anything yet.
84. Spend a whole day in my jammies watching movies: On a really cruddy day I'm always at work saying how much I want to do this. I should.
85. Make one new friend: Not easy for me to do.
86. Get a promotion at work.
87. Eat wings at Jeremiah's: They always win awards and I can walk there.

And that's all I have for now.  I will keep you posted on the ongoing items and as soon as I complete my list I'll add those items.

Moving Slowly...

I was really hoping that I could just get heavenly inspiration or a dose of pixie dust last night and whip out the last 27. Unfortunately, that did not happen. I only came up with 2 more, so I will continue my list explanations.

41. Watch the news at least twice a week: I don't watch the news at all, except for an occasional episode of The Daily Show. I need to be more informed.
42. See a concert/show of an unknown artist: Who says good music has to be world famous?
43. Get my hair done: I got my hair highlighted almost a year ago. Enough said.
44. Go to The Roost for line dancing: I think if I go for one of their lessons I could wing it. It could be fun.
45. Go out for ice cream on a hot summer day/night: Every summer when it gets really hot I always find myself saying "This is an ice cream day" but I never go get ice cream.
46. Buy and frame posters for my room: It's time to look a bit more adult.
47. Print pictures from my camera: I have so many good ones that need to be framed or given to people.
48. Own more Pixar movies: I currently own Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, and The Incredibles. There are so many other good ones I need! Toy Story, Wall-E, Up....
49. Participate in at least 3 volunteer events with Target: Instead of looking at the lists I need to sign up. We do good work.
50. See the RPO: I don't think I've ever been.
51. Jump on the Lost bandwagon: I caught part of the second season but then got too confused or got busy watching something else. I love JJ Abrams and have said since the show ended that I need to add the series to my queue and watch it.
52. Treat myself to an hour a week at Starbucks as a customer, not a barista: I live about 2 minutes from a Starbucks but never go. You can't relax when you're in a Starbucks you work at.
53. Mail Christmas cards: I used to do this every year but stopped.
54. Plan a vacation (and hopefully take it): At this point I don't even care if it's only for a long weekend. As long as it's not Rochester.
55. Get Winchester fixed: Do I really need to explain?
56. Go out once a month either by myself or with friends: I tend to either be found at home, work, or church. So I need to get out more.
57. Build my Buffy Omnibus collection: I own Omnibus Volume 1 but there is so much more to get. I won't even get started on Buffy Season 8.
58. Have friends over for a board game night: I love board games but never get the chance to play. Scene-It anyone?
59. See Lady Antebellum in concert: One of my favorites that I haven't seen live yet.
60. Finish The West Wing (if I can remember where I left off): A good series that I got in to on DVD and never finished.

That's it for tonight.  I'll add numbers 85 and 86 to the list and be back tomorrow to explain 61-80. Send me good thoughts that I can finish my list soon!

I'm up to 84!!!

Good morning:)

Last night while I was watching The Biggest Loser I sat myself down to try to finish the list.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!  I now have 84 things on my list.  101 is just around the corner, I can feel it. I have actually started a few of my items but I'm waiting for consistent results before I count them as being done.  But I am keeping track of them so when I feel I've reached the minimum for them to count I will let you know.  I am getting excited for me to finish my first item because then I can feel like I'm accomplishing something.  I had a moment of doubt last night thinking about how many "financial" things were on the list and freaking out wondering if I would be able to accomplish, well, anything.  But I took a deep breath, sent up a quick prayer, and told myself that I have 1001 days to do this and I'm only 3 days in.

To continue my list explanations, I now present to you 21-40.

21. Take swing dance lessons again: I took lessons about 3 years ago and loved it!!!  A friend recently started taking classes again and told me I should do it again so we could go dancing when I went back to New Orleans. I would really like to do this.
22. Have a Halloween party so I can dress up: I love Halloween and dressing up in costumes but usually have no reason to dress up. So instead of waiting for someone to give me a reason I should give myself a reason.
23. Write in my journal every day: I can't tell you how many times I've started this only to stop after about 2 days. Even if it's only to get down a couple sentences on what happened during the day it's nice to have a non-judgemental place to turn with what's going on in my head. I did start writing last night, but I will consider this accomplished when I've been doing it for about a month.
24. Grow flowers: A little hard in an apartment, but something I want to do.
25. Bake a Martha Stewart cupcake recipe: I bought her cupcake book last year and while I've picked out several recipes to try I haven't actually made any. I now have a mixer so no excuses!!
26. Go to New York City for the PBR: Every January the PBR bucks in Madison Square Garden. The train lets you off right at MSG. Enough said.
27. Go to The Cinema and see both movies of the double feature: I can walk to The Cinema and the movies are something crazy like $5.
28. Go to NOLA again: I fell in love with the city and the work I did down there. I need to go back!
29. See the Best Picture nominees before the Oscars: It seems like every year I never get to see what are considered the best pictures of the year. Not. Good.
30. Get a tattoo: I've known for ages that I wanted a fourth one, but now 2 of my sisters recently got one so the urge is strong. I just need to figure out what and where.
31. Go to the eye doctor: I've been saying for months I need my eyes checked. I have the coverage.
32. Go to the dentist: I haven't been since high school. I don't think this is a good thing.
33. Watch all 3 Lord of the Rings movies in one sitting: I attempted this many years ago but the friend I was watching with wanted to watch a football game so we had to do it over 2 days. Of course, since my copies of the movies went missing while I was in Virginia I may need to buy the movies again to make it happen.
34. Have all the kids over for a sleepover: This is one I almost regret while typing it, but I would love for all 4 of my nephews and my niece to come and hang out.
35. Pick 10 books on "Penguin's 100 Classic Books You Must Read Before You Die" list and read them: I found this list on shelfari.com. I feel like I read too many trashy romances and need to touch base with the classics.
36. Read all of Shakespeare's plays: While I've read many, I know I haven't read them all. And I own Shakespeare's Complete Works.
37. Watch 10 movies from AFI's 100 Best Movies List: I admit I stole this from Kellie, but it's such a great idea! (afi.com) And yes, it will be 10 I haven't seen yet.
38. Play a game of poker: Maybe one of those free online ones. I need to relearn how to play. And I'm not very good. But it seems like fun.
39. Stop drinking pop:While I'm good about not drinking pop at home, I slip a lot at work. If I can go 2 weeks straight without drinking pop I think I'll be good.
40. See a movie at The Little: I've only been once and they show some good stuff.

So there you have it. Thanks for reading and keeping up with me.  Wish me luck and I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with a completed list and with explanations for 41-60.