My Poor Neglected 101 List.

April 23, 2009.  That was my last update for this sad little blog.  I've thought often about my 101 list over the months.  I wish I could say I've accomplished a lot of work on this list in the almost-two-year-absence.  My life has changed so much since I started it.  I look back on it with a bit of sadness too.  So many things I wish I could have changed in my day-to-day life.  But a new year is upon me, and I would love to take a fresh new stab at this list and get myself motivated again to be a better me.  I'm going to take a quick look through my list, update what I can, scratch things that no longer make sense, and add some new items.  I know it's very cliche, but here's to a New Year and a New Me!

Lots & Lots & Lots of Updates

Pull up a chair and get cozy. I'm doing a mass update of my 101 Things list. It's been a long time coming. Some updates are good, some not so goo.

#6 - One day of each week, do not watch TV
What should I do with this one? The TV is rarely on during the day, but in the evening, it's always on in the background. I'm usually not paying much attention because I am on the computer, but it's still on. I either need to come up with a new goal to replace this one, or just flat out resolve that this is a goal I will not complete.

#7 - One day of each week, no Internet, except as necessary for job search/work
Ditto to #6 above.

# 10 - Read 5 non-fiction books
In Progress. I've started on two books, but have yet to complete them. Maybe next month?

#16 - Learn how to use PhotoShop to edit pictures
In Progress. I can use actions, but have no clue how people actually created those actions. And I'm only at the point where I run the action, and do very little adjusting to what comes out. I need to learn how to erase wrinkles!

#25 - Take daughter to her first movie in a theater
I'm not marking this complete, but about three weeks ago my sister took the kiddo to see Monsters vs. Aliens. She lasted about 45 minutes in the theater. She had a ton of fun, and three weeks later, she still talks about going to the movie.

#32 - Date night with husband at least once a month
March - Dallas Symphony with friends
April - TBD. Once DH comes back from his hockey tournament this weekend, we have three possible nights to go out on a date.

#40 - Try one new recipe each month
We have been trying out a new recipe just about every other week, if not every week.
March - My favorite new recipe we tried in March was Shake-in-the-Bag chicken from an old Weight Watchers cookbook.
April - My favorite new recipe for this month was Broccoli & Cheese Manicotti from my Healthy Cooking for Two cookbook.

#41 - Try one new restaurant each month
February - Zoe's (Yummmm)
March - Twisted Root Burger (so-so)
April - Cosmic Cafe (super yummy vegetarian restaurant)

#45 - Back-up pictures on external hard drive once a month
Check for January, February, and March. Peace of mind is there!

#46 - Organize daughter's vaccination/medical file
COMPLETE!

I finished this the day before her 2 year doctor appointment on March 5th. Everything from birth to two years is nicely organized in a big binder. I have charts of her growth, all the questions I asked at each check-up, vaccination records, etc. I was so happy to get this one done.

#47 - Place at least one item on Freecycle once a month
March - Non-working vacuum cleaner
April - Uh-oh, forgot about something for this month.....looks like I will be sorting through a closet or two this weekend.

#49 - Clean the fridge out completely once a month
We've actually been doing this each week after grocery shopping. Before loading all the new stuff in the fridge, we clean out each shelve and toss leftovers or expired items.

#50 - Clean out my car once a month
I don't remember a specific day in March when I clean it out, but I'm fairly certain that it was clean. I still need to clean it for April though. Test driving the Traverse though for the next eight weeks, I've kind of forgotten about my trusty old car.

#55 - No internet purchases for one entire month
In Progress. I was almost internet spending free for February, but I ended up making one purchase towards the end of the month. And so far, I'm internet spending free in April, but still have a little over a week to go...hope I stay strong!

#60 - Take a multi-vitamin every day for 6 months
I purchased more vitamins since I ran out, but I have not been good at remembering to take them every day.

#61 - Floss often enough that the hygienist can see an improvement next checkup
I'm still working on this one, holding out for the next 6 month check-up

#62 - Go caffeine-free (drinks) for 6 months (not chocolate)
Still holding strong on this. I think I'm over the need for caffeine, but I do miss a nice tall glass of iced tea now and again

#63 - Go chocolate-free for one entire month
I've already completed this goal, but I'm trying to stretch myself a bit further.

January - Yes
February - No (Just a little "No")
March - Yes
April - No (Big Fat "No")

See a pattern?

#69 - Go to bed before 11:00 p.m. at least once a week
OK, I've completely failed on this one. Not sure what else to say other than I stink.

#70 - Take ten yoga classes
COMPLETE!

I attended class #10 on March 9th. I then took one additional class the following week. But from that point on out, I've swapped Monday morning 6:00 a.m. yoga with Monday morning 6:00 a.m. Body Pump. I like it much better. I will never be the graceful, flexible yoga student. And after the initial guilt of not going back to class, I've been happy with my decision to do something else.

#75 - Send a hand-written note to a friend once a month
I forgot to do this in February, so I made up for it in March by sending out two notes. I still need to send something out in April

#89 - Get two family members to join Facebook
COMPLETE!

My brother and my mother are both on Facebook now, and they regularly send out updates too :) My mom even joined Twitter as well. I don't think we will ever convince my oldest sister to join, even though our extended family (aunts, cousins, second cousins) is joining.

#92 - Phase out non eco-friendly household cleaners
In Progress. I bought several Mrs. Meyers cleaning products as well as Method and Seventh Generation as I was running out of my harsh cleaners. I still have a ways to go to completely phase them out, but we are working on it (even changed dishwasher tabs to earth-friendly ones)

#97 - Take an “us" picture every month

Here's the picture for April . One of these days, I'm hoping we all are smiling and looking at the camera at the same time!




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Whew! Mass update is now done. I definitely have learned that I would rather make updates as I go!

Oh, and I am super bummed that I cannot figure out how to get dates to appear on my posts. I completely trashed my blogger template and started over from scratch, and still no dates. If anyone made it this far and has suggestions on what I should try, I am all ears!

#67 - Complete a ½ marathon

Today I ran in the Big D Half Marathon in Dallas. Yes, I ran 13.1 miles today! I get to cross a rather "big" item off my list of "101 Things". Wohoo!

I started training on January 1 for the half marathon, and three full months later I was able to accomplish my goal. I was on cloud nine when I crossed the finish line because I beat my own personal record (PR). I ran in a half marathon three years ago this past January in Phoenix. My time for that run was 2:06. When I set out to complete this half marathon, I really wanted to beat that time. And I'm happy to report that not only did I beat that time, but I also beat the 2 hour mark!! I completed it in 1:55:16 (8:48 mile). I've never run that fast before in my life! And it was "chilly" and rather windy out for the run too! (I often had to grab my hat so that the wind wouldn't take it away).


My favorite part of this run was seeing DH and TemTem cheering me on right after the nine mile mark. I got a little kiss from TemTem and that gave me an extra little boost in my step. And then they were at the finish line cheering me on as well. For some reason, I almost got a little emotional seeing her waving at me and then so excited to greet me once I finished. She wanted me to hold her, but man I was exhausted and she was heavy :) Oh, and our finish line was right at the entrance to where the Cotton Bowl is played at in Fair Park each year. Pretty cool, eh?

I ran in a full marathon (26.2 miles) three years ago this month. After that marathon, I said I would happily run in half marathons again someday, but I wasn't so sure I would ever want to run a full marathon again. After running 13.1 miles today, I can say that I definitely "enjoy" half marathons much more than a full marathon. Also, it's fun to participate in an organized event with people cheering on the sidelines. I love to people watch and check out other runner's gaits or what they wear or what silly superstitions they have (some guy in front of me had to touch each orange cone on the road that he passed).

I think my next half marathon will be in mid-May in Dallas again. I need to keep up with the running to keep up with the weight loss program!

General Update

I have some major updating to do on this blog. I have been plugging away at many of the items on my list. And other items, well....., I haven't been so good with working on.

I plan to post lots of updates over the next couple days so I can get caught up on these goals. I also need to hold myself accountable for the items I haven't been serious with.

To be continued....

#36 - Send a postcard to PostSecret

Sometime since starting my 101 Things in 1001 Days on January 1 and today, I've sent something to PostSecret.

But that's all I got for you, or else you might figure out my secret. :)

Marking another "Thing" off my list feels good.

#97 - Take an “us" picture every month

Here's our family picture for March. One of these months we will all be looking at the camera and be smiling! DH and I were on our way out to a birthday party at a piano bar, and TemTem was spending the evening with her Auntie Amy.

#75 - Send a hand-written note to a friend

Bad, bad me. I forgot to do this in February. I did purchase a card to send, I just forgot to write it out and mail it. I will double-up in March to make up for my slacking.

Hey, at least I remembered to send out all the needed birthday cards in February for goal #84 (Make a list of all family/friend birthdays and send them a card).