Review and Renew

T-minus two days and counting until the new year! 
I always get so excited and full of ideas and motivation around this time of year.  All those thoughts creeping in about what I'd like to improve, change or work on in my life.  And all the possibilities of what will fill up that blank calendar.

Normally I would do some sort of Resolutions post about now, but I sat down to review my 101 in 1001 List and realized that there are few things I would add to it at this point.  Between my 101 and my Word for the Year (more on that in a couple of days!) I think I'm headed in a really good direction and am looking forward to making some progress and having some fun in the year ahead.

My 101 in 1001 as it looks now:
Start date: Monday, January 21, 2013
End Date: Monday, October 19, 2015

Personal
1 - Hit goal weight
2 -Get my flexibility back
3 -Make exercise part of my weekly routine (working out fairly regularly by Summer 2013)
4 -Gradually edit/add to wardrobe until I love everything in it and how it makes me look.  Then resolve only to buy things I LOVE
5 -Make wearing make-up a habit
6 -Make wearing jewelry a habit
7 -Buy a pair of really cute and COMFY boots (Done! Sept 2013)
8 -Find my best beauty routine
9 -Buy a really great peacoat/trench
10 -NO eating out for one month
11 -Take vitamins
12 -Find out my blood type (I’m sure I did at some point but I can’t remember it!)

For Fun:
13 -plan a really great Halloween costume, for once
14 -make it to Midnight on New Year’s Eve (shooting for that tomorrow night! ;)  )
15 -take at least one big family vacation per year (in addition to visiting family in Utah) (one down Feb 2013 Disney World)
16 -take the kids camping
17 -take the kids sledding (winter trip to Utah?)
18 -do something fun/social/girly at least once per month (12/33)
19-21 -visit some of the places we are only likely to visit while we are living here.  Complete at least 3 of the following:
                -Myrtle Beach
                -Colonial Williamsburg
                -Biltmore
                -New York City
                -Washington DC
                -Blue Ridge Highway during the Fall
                -Outer Banks
22 -go to Disney World (completed Feb 2013)
23 -take a class for fun (dance, cooking, photography, etc)
24 -try 10 new restaurants (8/10)
25 -visit a restaurant that has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (well we found a Food Network featured chocolate shop in Logan June 2013 – still going to try to do a Triple D restaurant though)
26 -get the kids a puppy (St Patrick’s Day 2013)
27 -invite friends/neighbors over for dinner (May 2013 – so fun!)
28 -pick a book/series and read it as a family (the kids got Percy Jackson series for Christmas and Kaitlyn is excited to make that our family reading book)
29 -go to a concert
30 -go berry picking (may 2013)
31 -ice skating
32 -Disney on Ice (Dec 2013)
33 -go horseback riding (Utah trip 2013)
34 -go boating (Utah Trip 2013)
35 -do something ridiculous and outrageous (We all did the Color Run! (Sept 2013)

Relationships:
36 -call Wyatt at least 1/month (11/33)
37-call Bonnie at least 1/month (5/33)
38 -go on a “date” with Sam at least once a month (day dates count!) (12/33)
39 -institute regular one on one or dates with the kids
 -write an I love you letter to:
                40-Sam
                41-Kaitlyn
                42-Tyler
43 -make a new friend  (or two or three!)
44 -send happy mail to someone at least once a month (0/12)
45 -plan something great for our 15^th Anniversary
46 -weekend away with Sam, without kids (Anniversary Inn/Logan July 2013)
47 -go to a movie with Sam (I know, I know – it’s harder than it looks!  We rarely get babysitters and when we do there is rarely a movie out that we both want to see)

Crafts/Hobbies:
48 -gain a working knowledge of Photoshop
49 -practice taking photos 3 times per week for at least a month
50 -take family photos once a month for a year (1/12)
51 -start scrapbooking again
52 -then COMPLETELY finish an entire scrapbook
53 -go totally manual with the camera and be comfortable with it
54 -read Exposures book all the way through
55 -some sort of crafty time with someone else at least every other month (10/16)
56 -make something visual to remind me of my Word for the Year
57 -make at least 10 of the items I have pinned on Pinterest (let's see... pallet pumpkins, Give Thanks board, turquoise painted furniture, Halloween door swags and witch sign, candy cane wreaths, football/university theme wreath, teacher appreciation cards, patching holes in kids' jeans, birthday and thank you cards, glue gun holders...hey that's 10 right there!  Let's try another 10 for this year)
58 -find a piece of thrift store furniture and refinish it (wing chairs April 2013 – now to find time to recover them!)
59 -take some of the photos from my Photo Idea List (ie: Kaitlyn in my wedding gown, a single location during each season (tree-lined highway or that swampy area down the road), bokeh with Christmas lights background, Tyler in superman shirt)


"Work" and Money Related:
 -grow the blog
                60 -consistant and regular blog posts (let’s say at least 2 per week)
                61 -work on SEO and tags
                62 -comment on other blogs a lot more
                63 -link parties (at least 2 per week?)
64 -write up a few of my crochet patterns and list on Etsy
65 -pay off all debt (except house and maybe truck.  Hopefully the truck too, but let’s be realistic)
66 -start savings accounts for the kids
67 -take the leap and start doing a few photo sessions for profit
68 -set up a better accounting system for Etsy

Because I need to:
69 -organize and back up photos
70 -re-do recipe binder
71 -complete at least 5 Random Acts of Kindness
72 -surprise someone
73 -continue Project 365/52
74 -update kids’ journal files
75 -give the kids more regular chores, have them help more around the house (started new chores May 2013 and it’s working great!)
76 -work up menus list (at least 6 weeks’ worth for both Summer and Winter)
77 -complete at least 10 projects that have been on my perpetual To Do list for a long time (0/10 hmm...where did I put that list?)
78 -make annual Spring Cleaning list and complete it (a reasonable list, not an insane list!)
79 -try 10 new recipes (5/10)
80 -update IPOD (especially playlist for working out)
81 -find a technology recycling place and drop off the broken TV
82 -stock the garage freezer(totally full of meat and GS cookies! Lol 9/2013)
83 -get a new cell phone
84 -re-evaluate and make decision on TV/cell/internet services
85 -declutter the craft table then make a point of doing it every day before bed and right after finishing a project for an entire month (then hopefully it becomes a habit) (0/31)
86 -don’t go to bed with dirty dishes in sink or on counter for an entire month (again – hopefully a habit after that!) (0/31)
87 -finish 72 hour kits and emergency prep
88 -go to the eye doctor

For the House:
-fill in some of the empty space in the living room.  At least:
                89 -something on the walls
                90 -console table (Nov 2013)
                91 -ottoman(s)
92 -print, frame and display family photos
93 -furniture for front porch (Mother’s Day 2013)
94 -plant flowers every Spring (2013 check!)
95 -finish decorating Tyler’s room
96 -make centerpiece for the dining table for all the big holidays/seasons (Spring, Fall, Christmas, everyday)
97 -throw pillows for the couch
98 -rug for entry
99-blinds for living room and craft room (Dec 2013)
100 -Kaitlyn’s room:  bulletin board and lamp (10/2013)
101 -lamps for master bedroom

So I'm interested...what are you thinking about for the New Year?

My 101 in 1001

Have you seen these lists?  101 in 1001.  I've run across it in Blogland here and there in the last few years but it wasn't until a few months ago when a friend blogged about starting her own 101 list that it really sparked my interest.  I ended up blog hopping from one list to another for a couple hours that night while sitting on the couch watching who-knows-what with the husband.  I even read a few of the unique or funny ones out loud to Sam and we idly talked about a few things we would put on our own lists.  The idea stuck with me and I found myself Googling more lists when I had a some down time while waiting at the bus stop, etc.  And pretty soon I had my own list of around 47 items and decided I may as well commit to it.

But wait - maybe I've lost a few of you.  As far as I can tell, the idea links back to the Day Zero Project (info found here) and this is how they describe the concept:

The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

All right, so are you ready to see my own list?  (Taking a deep breath here, once I put it all out there in black and white I'm committed!  And as you can see, I actually started my list a few months ago and am just now taking the leap to post it LOL)

Start date: Monday, January 21, 2013
End Date: Monday, October 19, 2015

 

Alayna’s 101 in 1001

Personal
1 - Hit goal weight
2 -Get my flexibility back
3 -Make exercise part of my weekly routine
4 -Gradually edit/add to wardrobe until I love everything in it and how it makes me look.  Then resolve only to buy things I LOVE
5 -Make wearing make-up a habit
6 -Make wearing jewelry/accessorizing a habit
7 -Buy a pair of really cute and COMFY boots
8 -Find my best beauty routine
9 -Buy a really great peacoat/trench
10 -NO eating out for one month
11 -Take vitamins (have been doing this pretty much daily for at least the last month 2/2013)
12 -Find out my blood type (I’m sure I did at some point but I can’t remember it!)

For Fun:
13 -plan a really great Halloween costume, for once
14 -stay up til Midnight on New Year’s Eve
15 -take at least one big family vacation per year (in addition to visiting family in Utah) (One down!  Disney World Feb 2013)
16 -take the kids camping
17 -take the kids sledding (winter trip to Utah?)
18 -do something fun/social/girly at least once per month (3/33)
19-21 -visit some of the places we are only likely to visit while we are living here.  Complete at least 3 of the following:
                -Myrtle Beach
                -Colonial Williamsburg
                -Biltmore
                -New York City
                -Washington DC
                -Blue Ridge Highway during the Fall
                -Outer Banks
22 -go to Disney World (Feb 2013)
23 -take a class for fun (dance, cooking, photography, etc)
24 -try 10 new restaurants (3/10)
25 -visit a restaurant that has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
26 -get the kids a puppy (haha this happened sooner than I thought.  March 17, 2013.  St Patrick's Day!)
27 -invite friends/neighbors over for dinner
28 -pick a book/series and read it as a family
29 -go to a concert
30 -go berry picking
31 -ice skating
32 -Disney on Ice
33 -go horseback riding
34 -go boating
35 -do something ridiculous and outrageous

Relationships:
36 -call W at least 1/month (3/33)
37-call B at least 1/month (3/33)
38 -go on a “date” with Sam at least once a month (day dates count!) (4/33)
39 -institute regular one on one or dates with the kids
 -write an I love you letter to:
                40-Sam
                41-Kaitlyn
                42-Tyler
43 -make a new friend
44 -send happy mail to someone at least once a month (1/33)
45 -plan something great for our 15^th Anniversary
46 -weekend away with Sam, without kids
47 -go to a movie with Sam (I know, I know – it’s harder than it looks!  We rarely get babysitters and when we do there is rarely a movie out that we both want to see so our dates are usually dinner out and shopping)

Crafts/Hobbies:
48 -gain a working knowledge of Photoshop
49 -practice taking photos 3 times per week for at least a month
50 -take family photos once a month for a year (1/12)
51 -start scrapbooking again
52 -then COMPLETELY finish an entire scrapbook
53 -go totally manual with the camera and be comfortable with it
54 -read Exposures book all the way through
55 -some sort of crafty time with someone else at least every other month (3/16)
56 -make something visual to remind me of my Word for the Year
57 -make at least 10 of the items I have pinned on Pinterest (5/10, Christmas card booklet, Easter 2x4 animals, 2x4 flower pots, glue gun holder, patching jeans)
58 -find a piece of thrift store furniture and refinish it (found 2 chairs! 3/2012  Now to reupholster them!)
59 -take some of the photos from my Photo Idea List (ie: Kaitlyn in my wedding gown, a single location during each season (tree-lined highway or that swampy area down the road), bokeh with Christmas lights background)


Money/Work Related:
 -grow the blog
                60 -consistant and regular blog posts (let’s say at least 2 per week)
                61 -work on SEO and tags
                62 -comment on other blogs a lot more
                63 -link parties (at least 2 per week?)
64 -write up a few of my crochet patterns and list on Etsy
65 -pay off all debt (except house and maybe truck.  Hopefully the truck too, but let’s be realistic)
66 -start savings accounts for the kids
67 -take the leap and start doing a few photo sessions for profit
68 -set up a better accounting system for Etsy

Because I need to:
69 -organize and back up photos
70 -re-do recipe binder
71 -complete at least 5 Random Acts of Kindness
72 -surprise someone
73 -continue Project 365/52 (I was great about posting once a week until Christmas and I'm having a hard time catching up again)
74 -update kids’ journal files
75 -give the kids more regular chores, have them help more around the house (new chores started 4/21/2013 - so far so good!)
76 -work up menus list (at least 6 weeks’ worth for both Summer and Winter) and then USE them
77 -complete at least 10 projects that have been on my perpetual To Do list for a long time (0/10)
78 -make annual Spring Cleaning list and complete it (a reasonable list, not an insane list!) (working on it!  lots of progress this week 4/5/2013)
79 -try 10 new recipes (4/10 crockpot ranch tacos, Sonoma chicken salad, cream puff cake, chicken enchiladas)
80 -update IPOD (especially playlist for working out)
81 -find a technology recycling place and drop off the broken TV (that thing has been taking up space in the bedroom for almost 3 months now!)
82 -stock the garage freezer
83 -get a new cell phone (3/2013)
84 -re-evaluate and make decision on TV/cell/internet services (3/2013)
85 -declutter the craft table then make a point of doing it every day before bed and right after finishing a project for an entire month (then hopefully it becomes a habit) (0/31)
86 -don’t go to bed with dirty dishes in sink or on counter for an entire month (again – hopefully a habit after that!) (0/31)
87 -finish 72 hour kits and emergency prep
88 -go to the eye doctor

For the House:
-fill in some of the empty space in the living room.  At least:
                89 -something on the walls
                90 -console table
                91 -ottoman(s)
92 -print, frame and display family photos
93 -furniture for front porch
94 -plant flowers every Spring (April 2013)
95 -finish decorating Tyler’s room
96 -make centerpiece for the dining table for all the big holidays/seasons (Spring, Fall, Christmas, everyday)
97 -throw pillows for the couch
98 -rug for entry
99-blinds for living room and craft room
100 -Kaitlyn’s room:  bulletin board and lamp
101 -lamps for master bedroom, alarm clock for my side of the bed (because I'm too blind to see the clock on Sam's side without getting up)