101 List Updates

Today, I am SO excied as the two canvases I ordered of our wedding photos came in so I'm going to pick them up! Squeeeeeal! I am one set closer to creating a gallery wall (#28).  

So here are my 101 list updates:
#7 - Bring treats to work (not for birthday)
 I can't believe I didn't take photos, but I made about 54 mini cupcakes for Valentines Day


#42 - Help Dad find a full-time job
I updated my Dad's resume for the 2010's and he was able to find a job... probably just a coincidence.

#49 - Send a care package to my brother
Today, I wrote my brother a letter, sent him a Chicago Bears door mat for his new place, some charcoal pencils and candy... let me tell you how fun that was fun to wrap!

#60 - Take a workout class
I'm in the middle of "Cardio Surge!" right now, and it is kicking my ass... but I love it.

#72 - Clean out closets and donate clothes to charity every 6 month
Andy and I took about 2 hours sorting through our drawers and closets and ended up donating 3 garbage bags worth of clothes to Goodwill.  We also found some towels to take to the animal shelter :)

i like to sing like a coffee maker.

if you needed a laugh:

#40 Spend a day with my brother

My brother, Steve, took his girlfriend, Jordan, to Chicago on Friday to show her around and visit the museums. After sitting in traffic for 2 1/2 hours (Friday + rush hour + flurries), they made it to our place to spend the weekend! Side note: I find that having guests is the perfect motivator for getting the house clean... and to bust out the waffle iron ;)

Lebowski is still nervous around Uncle Steven

On Friday night, we took them for Chicago-style pizza at Lou Malnati's and walked around downtown Naperville.

a fifth Beatle?

On Saturday, we enjoyed homemade sticky buns (recipe 1/25)...

more like super sticky buns

Ate our weight in sushi... and enjoyed free smells from Penzey's Spices

I love that they sat us in a private room!

Went to Goodwill and saw True Grit...

unread and only $2!

Then, today, ate waffles and posed for pictures.

Candids are much better than portraits, sometimes.

I'm so happy they were able to come visit before heading back to Colorado.  Despite having colds, Andy and I had a great time entertaining and getting caught up with my little bro.  In addition, I'm glad this was the first item I crossed off my 101 list.  Not only did I spend "a day" with Steven, it was more like 48 hilariously adventurous hours!

#40 - Spend a day with my brother - Complete

My 101 in 1001

As of today:

Ever since Brooke started her list, I've been putting ideas into my little notebook and waiting for today to arrive to kick off my list.  Coincidentally, there are also 1001 days until my 30th birthday!  Wow, that hurts to type...anyway.  Here goes:

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

Start Date: January 3, 2011

End Date: September 30, 2013

Bold/Italicized - completed

Cooking

1.    Cook 25 recipes from cookbooks I own (0/25)

2.    Make 5 dishes that get 5 stars (0/5)

3.    Find a *signature* dish

4.    Take a cooking class

5.    Organize my recipe folder

6.    Cook at home for entire week (0/7)

7.    Bring treats to work (not for birthday)

Crafty

8.    Set up an Etsy store

9.    Sell Grandma’s hankies on Etsy

10.  Enter a photography contest

11.  Create wedding album for wedding weekend events

12.  Create a shadowbox of wedding mementos

13.  Finish sewing pillows

14.  Take photos that spell out our name or wedding date

15.  Finish wedding recaps on blog

16.  Take a Photoshop or Illustrator class/seminar

17.  Make our t-shirt quilt

18.  Finish organizing scrapbook box 2002-2010

Culture

19.  Read 5 non-fiction books (0/5)

20.  Read Martha Stewart craft book and do project

21.  Organize or participate in a book group

22.  Go to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra

23.  Visit a new to me museum

24.  Write 15 letters (0/15)

25.  Play a song on the piano

Decorating

26.  Decorate the office

27.  Hang up pictures in kitchen

28.  Create a photo gallery wall

29.  Figure out an organizing solution for coat closet

30.  Declutter the family room & maintain

31.  Make the bedroom more relaxing

Faith

32.  Find a new church

33.  Attend all advent services (0/4)

34.  Volunteer for a service activity

35.  Bring someone to church

Family & Friends

36.  Have a dinner party

37.  Reconnect with an old friend

38.  Mail someone a surprise anonymously

39.  Babysit for free

40.  Spend a day with my brother

41.  Visit Missouri (0/2)

42.  Help Dad find a full-time job

43.  Throw a surprise party

44.  Help someone plan & organize a party

45.  Make plans with a new friend

46.  Create a visual family tree

47.  Throw a themed party

48.  Take family portraits and put into an album

49.  Send a care package to my brother

Financial

50.  Sell wedding dress

51.  Sell ebay pile

52.  Spend $0 for 1 week

53.  Pay off credit card

54.  Sell extra wedding supplies

55.  File bills once a month

56.  Save 3 month’s salary for an emergency fund

Health

57.  Eat as a vegan for one week (0/7)

58.  Start allergy shots

59.  Schedule a physical

60.  Take a workout class

61.  Run a charity race/walk

62.  Floss every day for a month (0/30)

63.  Lose 10 lbs and keep it off (0/10)

64.  Work out three times a week, two weeks in a row (0/6)

65.  Touch my toes!

Home

66.  New flooring

67.  Finish painting

68.  Eliminate chemical cleaners

69.  Find rocks for the boot tray

70.  Buy a grownup bed

71.  Sell home or refinance

72.  Clean out closets and donate clothes to charity every 6 months (1/3)

73.  Finish changing all light bulbs to CFL/most energy efficient for their use

Marriage

74.  See results of pastoral pre-marriage assessment

75.  Have professional photos printed

76.  Take a spontaneous adventure

77.  Volunteer together

78.  Have a date night once a month (0/21)

79.  Visit local walking paths and bring dog

80.  Do something nice as a surprise

Personal Growth

81.  Unplugged weekend – no internet

82.  See a movie alone

83.  Get a tattoo

84.  Write a will

85.  Donate blood

86.  Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

87.  Volunteer or join a committee at work

88.  Don’t watch TV for a week

89.  Don’t swear for a week

90.  Don’t eat fast food for a month

91.  Whistle with my fingers

92.  Leave notes in library books

93.  Volunteer my services for free

94.  Write 101 blog posts (4/101)

Travel

95.  Visit 3 new states (0/3)

96.  Get a new passport

97.  Take a transatlantic flight

98.  Go to a taping of Oprah

99.  Stand outside of the Today show on a weekday morning

100.  Have a drink on the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building

new year, clean slate

I'm starting the New Year with a clean slate floors. Yesterday, after struggling with our textured laminate tiles that always appear dirty, Andy bought me a Shark on clearance for $20 at Target.

PS - Andy is sick, so of course this is how I'm going to spend my morning - yay!

merry christmas

from here

reducio is my fav

from here

Reducio my budget, my waistline, my to-do list. The possibilities are endless.

i die.

via mdubs