Swamped

Have you ever had the feeling that you're sinking and sinking fast?  I'm busy at work.  I'm busy, maybe even busier, at home.  I've got big things to come in the near future, but first I have a couple deadlines to meet.  And it doesn't look like time will be freeing up for awhile...  *sigh*

So, I'm here.  Just trying to keep my head above water. 

1 Month

In less than one month from today, I'll be embarking on a new...era...of my life.  Or I'll just be entering a new era, a new decade.  And you know what.  I.am.not.looking.forward.to.it.  At all!  I don't want to be 30.  I'll stay 29 forever thankyouverymuch!

I know that I've done things to be proud of thus far in my life.  But I don't feel...accomplished.  I don't feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be in my life.  I feel kinda lost in limbo.  10 years ago, if you asked me where I'd think I'd be by the time I was 30 this is what I would have told you:  I'd be married.  I'd be a mother.  I'd be a stay at home mom unless I absolutely had to be working.  I'd be involved.  I'd be a friend to all.  I'd have dinner made every night.  I'd have traveled to Europe.  I'd be in love with my soul mate.  I'd have it all, while having nothing at all.

So let's compare that to what's actually happened...  No married, with no prospects in sight.  Not a mother, unless you consider my dog my daughter.  Definitely not a stay at home mom, absolutely have to work to survive.  Not involved.  I feel like I'm a friend to all, but all aren't necessarily a friend in return (maybe another post about that later).  Haha, does a bowl of cereal or going to my parent's count as "dinner made everynight"?  Have yet to go to Europe, but I have my passport ready on standby.  Don't know who my soul mate is to be in love with him, but I am in love with my eternal soul mate (God).  If having it all means having the list above, then I don't have it.  And I'm going to throw this in for good measure, I'm not the 36-24-36 bombshell that I though I'd be either.

See?.  There.  Do you see why I'm not ready to move into the 30's?  I don't want to feel like I'm failing more and more as I get further into life.  And yes, I do realize that some of those things are beyond my control, therefore I can't say I'm failing.  But I feel I have.  And it's a feeling I can't get rid of.

So there.  I'm turning 30.  I'm not excited.  And being as I'm not excited, I haven't jumped on the "I'll plan my own birthday party" bandwagon yet (plus, maybe because I don't want to be the one to plan it, bygolly I want to enjoy it).  But people keep asking.  So maybe this will be my party:  Show up, everyone bring me a bottle of wine, watch me drink it...all, eat cake, leave.

Maybe I'll even share some wine.

Forgive me while I go mope in a corner some more.

Impromptu Day Off

Yesterday, after the doctor's appointment I had in the morning, I decided I was going to take the day off.  I had thought about it a little towards the end of last week, but I actually pulled the trigger yesterday morning.  See, I was 30 minutes from work in a city I hardly ever go to.  So I decided that since I was there I was going to make the most of it.

• I went to the doctor.  I do not like going to the doctor.
• I got my car washed, which was much needed.  And then it rained.  I'm totally ok with that, because the inside of the car needed to be cleaned just as much as the outside.
• I went to Victoria's Secret where I redeemed my free panty coupon and got a new bra.  TMI?  Sorry, it's the truth.
• I perused H&M looking for cute clothes (which I found and did not buy) and looking for dresses the girls and I could wear to Chris' wedding.  I, ah, bought the twins cute matching outfits.
• I walked thru Gap.  I was not impressed.
• I walked thru Sephora where I had to restrain myself from getting anything.
• I went to Trader Joes.  I bought yummy food stuff.
• I went to Smart & Final where I needed to get my supplies for Bible Study later in the day.
• I went home for an...egg salad sandwich!  YUM!  I love Easter!
• I hung out with the twins and their mama.
• I went to Save Mart to get a few extra supplies for Bible Study.
• I did not make it to Weight Watchers because I was running behind.
• I helped make and serve dinner to the Turlock Rescue Mission as an outreach with my Bible Study gals.  It was great!
• Home.
• Movie.
• Bed

What was great was that I did things at my own pace.  I never go to the mall in the middle of the day on a week day.  It's always after work (rushed!) or on the weekend (crowded!).  So it was nice to leisurely walk around and look.  It was nice to call in "ditch" work for the day.  Man I wish I could do that more often.

Does that mean I got to sleep in?  No.  Does that mean that I went to bed earlier?  No.  But I feel better anyways.  Makes me wonder if I could get away with working 4 10s then having a 3 day weekend...

Hummm...  Gonna have to look into that one...

My Mug

You haven't seen my face in awhile.

(me. not recent. but taken within the last ... 2 months.)

Ha, you haven't really even heard from me in awhile. Sorry about that.

Things have been crazy. And it doesn't fail, everytime I have a good topic to blog about, or something to rant/voice my opinion about, I'm driving. Can't really blog and drive at the same time. I think that falls into the same "illegal" category as texting and driving. And then by the time I get home, I've forgotten. So bear with me. I'll be back. Full fledge I'll be back!

Oh, and stay tuned...I'll be updating my blog.  And my domain name.  And it's gonna be grand!  Now I just need to get it going.

Hail Ball!

It's been a few weeks ago now.  I know so much for getting and staying caught up. 

A few weeks ago it rained.  Poured really.  (sorry the picture is quite blurry, but you get the idea, plus it was taken sans flash)

(picture with flash. it was just starting to hail)

Then it hailed. 

Hailed so much it was like a thin layer of big snow. 

Hobie.  Well, he loved the rain/hail/wanna be snow situation.  The other dogs...they hid from the cold/thunder/lightening/rain/hail/wanna be snow situation. (picture of my parent's deck)

 Now, if only I could figure out how to get the 150 consecutive pictures into a time lapse video of that dog...

And by the way, we found out that a free mute who turns how to be semi high maintenance must be hand dried and brushed everytime he gets wet (which happens to be on a daily basis because Hobie likes to get in the pool when it's 43 degrees outside) to prevent matting.  He just got a haircut, he looks like a different dog, but he's mat free.

The Dreaded Month

I'm not a negative person.  I strive to be positive, to not be a "negative nelly".  To see the glass half full not half empty.  Negativity gets you no where in life, so why not just be positive?  That's my thought.

Except for the month of February.  February is the month that I like the least.  Is it ok to have a least favorite month out of the year?

I dislike February.  I detest February.  I hate February.  I loathe February.  I..., well, you get the picture.  And do you know why?

Because February is full of hearts and mushy lovey-dovey junk.  Stuff that brings awareness to all single people out there that says, "Yes, you ARE alone.  You don't have someone to share hearts and mushy lovey-dovey stuff with.  You are, once again, dateless, flowerless, stuffed animalless, chocolateless (although my thighs are thankful for that), and loveless."

I know "loveless" maybe be a bit extreme, you know what I mean though.  I know that there are people that love me.  I have a wonderful family and great friends and love and appreciate me.  I know that the God of Love loves and cherishes me.  I know that I'm supposed to show love, because that's the greatest commandment of all, love one another as Christ loves me. (John 13:34) 

But I can't help but wonder, when is the God of Love going to send the emotional, physical, spiritual love that I so long and desire?  When will I get to rejoice for the month of February instead of want to hide in a corner? 

Now, for the next 24 days, I have to try to put on a happy face and make it through the month.  Which is hard, because this negative attitude affects just about every aspect of my life.  Work, at home, with friends, etc.

Alright, that's enough outta me!  Stepping off my little soap box and moving on with my day now.  The sooner the day is over the sooner the next day comes the sooner the month is over!

Mi Cocina es su Cocina

My parent's kitchen is currently under construction.  It looks like this...

Notice there isn't even a ceiling!

Being as 1) I live across the street from my parent's, 2) have a fully functioning kitchen, 3) a kitchen that they technically own and I pay to use, and 4) need to eat dinner every night, my kitchen has become my mom's 2nd kitchen. 

It's kinda nice.  I get home from work and there she is cooking away!  The house smells good, the lights are on (except for the porch light, mom, turn that one on too please).  I help set the table and call dad and Chris over (Kait is generally already there) then we eat!  We do the dishes, then they all go home (Kait generally stays). 

Quite the win win if you ask me!

Today is the Day

I'd love to tell you that I have some witty blog coming today about life with pictures, etc.  But I don't.  At least not yet.  But what I do have is some good news...

RYLEN IS HAVING THE TWINS TODAY!!!

I received a 5:15am wake up call to Hakuna Matata (yes, that's Rylen's ringtone) letting me know that they were on the way to the hospital.  That 45 minutes earlier her water broke.  Then I couldn't go back to sleep and debated just getting ready and coming in to work super duper early.  But then I zzzzz... out.

About 8:20am I received an update call:  4.5 cm dilated, contractions 2 minutes apart, epidural had been administered (in case they have to perform an emergency c-section), and the expected EDT (estimated delivery time) is early afternoon.

So, by later today I will be an doting, spoiling (non-blood related) AUNT! 

(Unfortunately, due to the stupid H1N1 bug, besides Rylen and the hospital staff, she is allowed 2 people max in her room and to cross "the line", which means that I can't visit until they are home.  Same goes for her sister and dad and mom-in-law (that's visiting from NY), only Jim and her mom are allowed in then entire time she's admitted.  Hospital rules.)

Monday Musings

I haven't done this in awhile.  So I think it's about time to have a new episode of Monday Musings.  Or, in other words, there's a bunch of randomness going on up in my noggin and I need to get it out.  I'll keep adding throughout the day, so stay tuned.

Rounds 1:
...I forgot my banana at home.  Banana = breakfast.  Breakfast = sitting on my kitchen counter.  Don't worry, it's safe there.  But if I don't eat my bananas soon I'll have to resort to making many a-banana recipes.  Plus I've got like 5 in the freezer.  Banana peanut butter cupcakes anyone?

...I don't want to eat oatmeal for breakfast, but it's all I've got at my desk.  At least besides a can of green beans.

...It's raining outside.  Which is a really good thing here in the central valley.  And we really need snow that later will melt and help water the crops during the summer.  But it's raining.  And I have a small aversion to umbrellas.  I just don't like them!  Something else to juggle and handle.  And when it's raining and windy, well, there's really no point in an umbrella.  It'll either a) flip inside out, and b) won't protect from sideways rain.

...I have 2 loads of laundry to fold when I get home.

...Hummm...wonder what mom is planning on making for dinner at my place tonight...? (must post on that)

...Jill, I'll also post on how to throw a bomb party that people talk about for weeks following!  (add that to the list)

Round 2:
...What the heck!?!  2 times now I've scheduled something to post and it stays in draft.  That's why you heard about the NYE party before the Christmas party.  I better keep an eye on this thing, it's starting to have a mind of it's own.

...Due to the weather, it looks like it should be about 4:30pm.  Therefore, I don't want to be here anymore, my mind is in shut-down mode.  Not that I need that kind of excuse for my brain shutting down.  It shuts down frequently, and without a moment's notice.

Round 3:
...I love my new hair straightener.  No, I'm not vain, I just have difficult hair.  It's either, blah wavey/curly or after a quick blow dry and straighten it's, well, straight.  And I'm trying to grow it out.  I'm horrible at growing it out, I get bored and say "chop it off".  That's why one of my 101 in 1001 is to only get trims and to grow it out.  So that's what I'm gonna tell my hair lady Wednesday when I go in for a trim and color touch up, "just a trim, I'm growing it out."

...I love Crystal Light's water packets with live active.  But I can't find them anywhere any more, which makes me really sad.  The 2 grocery stores I frequent no longer carry them.  Was I the only person in the country that drank Crystal Light Live Active Natural Raspberry Peach flavored water?

...The palm tree that I can see out my window is bent sideways from the wind.

Round 4:
...Wednesday, in addition to getting my hair trimmed, I need to get my eyebrows waxed.  It's long overdue.  I can't keep them in control anymore.

...Foot heater + rain boots = smells like melting rubber.  Most of the afternoon I've been chillin' in my socks.

...I'm dreading going to WW.  I was good all last week.  And then the weekend hit.  And although I wasn't bad per say, I also wasn't good.

...I've gotten quite a bit caught up today.  I feel a little accomplished!

Round 5:
...I'm teaching myself how to add texture to pictures in photoshop.  That would be "learn one thing a in photoshop a week" for my 101 in 1001.

...My parent's kitchen has no ceiling.  It looks like a war zone.

Round 6:
...OMG my dog had BAD gas!  It seriously smells like skunk in my house.

December/2009 Update

Let's get these 2009 resolutions done and over with!

1. Run (not walk) a 5k race.
   12 - This did not happen. 
   10/11 - Ok, you know what.  Let's just forget about this one for the year.  'Cause I'm gonna tell you the same thing after December.  I failed!  What I need to do is get into a regular walk/jog/exercise routine.
   09 - Nope, still hasn't happened.
   08 - Negative ghost writer.
   07 - Dare I tell you the truth? I'm sure you can guess what it is. Boo me!
   06 - How do you spell out the sound that is made on games shows when they get the wrong answer? Yea, that's the sound I'm making right now.
   05 - Ummm... I admit it. I SUCK! Besides moving the massive pile of bricks from my backyard I did nothing.
   04 - HA! Well, I maybe went on a couple walky-jogs. I've yet to sign up to race in anything. Need more training!
   03 - Definitely went walk/jogging more often in March. Oh, and crunches, I've done some crunches!
   02 - I've gone walking a few more times than I did in January. That's progress!
   01 - So, ah, I've gone walking once or twice. That's a start!
   
2. Read the Bible in a year.
   12 - Completed!  In December I read/finished:  Psalm, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Luke, Ezekiel, and Isaiah.
   10/11 - I'm right on track to be done on December 31st.  In October I completed: Revelations, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Nehemiah and Ester.  In November I read through: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jeremiah.
   09 - Finished reading John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 2 Chronicles, Malachi, Jude, and Ezra.  Currently a little behind with reading, but will be caught up by month's end.
   08 - Completed 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
   07 - In July I finished reading Mark, Hosea, 1 Kings, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah.
   06 - On track! Finished reading Romans, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and Daniel.
   05 - Keepin' up! Finished reading through Judges, Job, Ruth, Acts, and Joshua.
   04 - Still goin'! Finished Matthew, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
   03 - On track! In March I've finished reading though Leviticus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
   02 - I'm doing just dandy with this. I've completely read through Genesis, Exodus, and Hebrews. I'm almost done with Leviticus and Proverbs.
   01 - So far, so good!
   
3. Lose 10 pounds.
   12 - I don't even know where I am with this.  Well drat, I just calculated that I gained 2 pounds from 1/1 to 12/31.  At one point in 2009 I was down 10 pounds, back in March.  Does that count?  No?  Yea, I didn't think so either.
   10/11 - My chart isn't updated.  So you don't get to see the little line that goes up and down from day to day.  I'm about at the same point I was in September, and my goal is to stay there into the start of 2010.
   09 - Dropped another 3.1 pounds!  Go me!
   08 - Down .2 pound.  Yep, every little bit counts!
   07 - So I don't know where I am. Mid July I got a new scale, which wasn't the same as my old one. There was about a 4 pound difference. So you'll get a number come next month. I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say I maintained.
   06 - From the first day of June to the last day of June I weighed the same. There of course was variation throughout the month.
   05 - Broke even...
   04 - I warn you, I wasn't down. I kinda slipped. See chart below... (Shown is March and April)
   03 -Down 1 pound. Hey, it's a loss! See chart below...
   02 - 5.5 pounds down...from returning cruise weight...
   01 - So what if I told you that I was down 9 pounds by my own scale in just January alone? Yep, it's true. Wanna see my chart? Of course you do!
   
4. Post a picture a day...taken on that day... instead of a quote a day.
   12 - Done!  And I included my daily bible reading in the posts.
   10/11 - Yep, it's done.  Although, just like in past months, the pictures aren't necessarily from that day.
   09 - Almost caught up...
   08 - Working on getting caught up.
   07 - Yep.
   06 - Something like that. It's getting done regardless. I have been playing more with photoshop and have been using photoshopped pictures.
   05 - Yep. A picture is going up each day. Sometimes there are lags between days due to intermittent internet.
   04 - Still not a picture from that day, but posting pictures from within the time frame of the date. Flowers are in bloom and beautiful, plus they're easy subjects, so I've taken a lot of flower pictures.
   03 - Still not doing the best on the picture being from that day, but whatever, I'm posting a picture a day.
   02 - After the cruise I slacked on taking a picture a day. But I was still posting a picture a day. I'll work on that...
   01 - Ok, so I've slacked a few days. But I get caught up!
   
5. Have monthly dinner party, or at least invite some friends over for dinner.
   12 - I wouldn't say it was monthly, but I did have friends or family over multiple times in 2009.  I'll say I completed it!
   10/11 - I'm thinking back... I can't remember if I did this or not.  Can anyone remember?  I am having a Christmas shindig though!
   09 - Hosted TND in September.  Homemade pizzas was a smashing hit!
   08 - Denied!
   07 - Hosted family. That's about it. July = hot = me no wanna cook in my west facing kitchen.
   06 - TND was at my place last Tuesday of June. Other than that it's just been my family. Nothing new and exciting has been made though.
   05 - Boo! I've had my family over. But I did gather friends for my birthday dinner!...at BJ's...
   04 - Well, I had people over, wait no that was May 1st. Ah! Yes, I had a lunch buffet sandwich building business thing for those giving souls that helped work on my path. (I still need to share my path don't I?)
   03 - Woot woot! Hosted TND on the 5th Tuesday. Total about 15 people came. I made this for dinner. It was good! Making a vow to have people over more often.
   02 - The last couple weeks I've had my family over for dinner on Friday nights. And I've volunteered to have TND at my house the 5th Tuesday of March. I'll let you know how that goes.
   01 - I failed for January. February isn't over yet though...
   
6. Down size possessions...aka clutter
   12 - Every church yard sale I'd send at least one garbage bag full of stuff.
   10/11 - Yea, I'm still finding stuff to get rid of.  I've got another yard sale pile started.
   09 - Sent pile to church yard sale!
   08 - Pile growing..
   07 - Moving things every now and then. I've got a little pile building up to get rid of.
   06 - Finally got the stuff from my baby box transferred into a rubbermaid box. I've found a few things around the house to move into the yard sale pile. Always a work in progress.
   05 - I rearranged my back room. Now when looking in it looks less cluttered. That counts, right?
   04 - Decided that my back room needs to be cleaned out and rearranged, especially the closet. So that is going to be my project for May.
   03 - Sure...? I actually physically removed the bags of stuff to get rid of. So I guess that counts since it was cluttering up my room.
   02 - I rearranged the living/dining room and went though some more of my closet.
   01 - I've gone through my closet and through my pile of purses.
   
7. Try new recipes from the cookbooks I have. (see #5, they will be guinea pigs...)
   12 - I need to stop going straight to the web to find recipes when I have a nice little cookbook shelf full of books.
   10/11 - Oh...Kait and I made a recipe from PDub's site...sooooo good!  I've made zucchini bread and sweet potato bread.  They were good!  I also made a really yummy low cal, low fat Taco Soup.
   09 - Created best topped pizzas ever!
   08 - hummm...
   07 - Yea, ok, you got me. I'm pretty sure I didn't try anything new.
   06 - See #5.
   05 - New recipes tried for Memorial BBQ. One recipe is posted on my recipe site, the others will come shortly.
   04 - Sure I've made stuff. What have I made...? Cake pops, I made cake pops!
   03 - Family = guinea pigs. Poor family...
   02 - Ummmm... I haven't tried anything new. But I've tried new things that my mom has made. Does that count...?
   01 - Boo me! How does cereal sound? Mac & Cheese...?
   
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week (walk/jog, Wii Fit, DVD, etc., see #1 which will lead to #3) 
   12 - Fail.  Big time fail.
   10/11 - See #1.  A full time routine starts in January.  Problem this time of the years is a) I'm uber busy, b) it's dark before I get home from work, and c) I am not a morning person.
   09 - Walked lots while on vacation.  That counts, right?
   08 - Haha... ump...
   07 - I think maybe I went on a walk. Once. I did do some yard work. Three times. Wait! No, I lied. I went on more than one walk when I was down south. Haha! Victory!
   06 - See #1. Eeerrrrnnnnttttt, maybe that's how you spell it.
   05 - Boo...
   04 - See #1. I really need to start doing something, anything.
   03 - Need to make a REAL commitment to do this on a regular basis. Once the habit is made I'll be in good shape. The time change has really kicked my butt though, I get home and I just want to be lazy.
   02 - Boo! I'm still on the once a week average. Time to kick it into gear!
   01 - I've averaging about once a week of exercising on purpose. But I do activities that include activity.
   
9. Daily make time for God. 
   12 - This one is hard.  Sure, daily I have a little conversation with God.  But it's the quality I really need to work on.  I also think this is one of those things that as Christians we will constantly strive to do better at and will never be where we think we need to be.  But at least the effort is being made.
   10/11 - Besides my daily Bible reading, I'm not very good at this one.  Especially since my reading doesn't always happen.  With time, it'll come.
   09 - Realizing that I suck at this!  Need to make a point to spend one on one time with God, and not multi-task with God.
   08 - Need to work on this more and more.
   07 - Started an awesome bible study book with my group called "Me, Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild. I highly recommend it.
   06 - Reading the bible daily is a help, fo shizel. Daily being stretched and molded.
   05 - Will be a continuous work in progress for the rest of my life.
   04 - Prayer, reading, bible study, church, worship, etc. I do it all, but I'm still lacking. I'm by no means perfect.
   03 - If you count my daily readings as time spent with God then I'm doing well. Although it's not always necessarily quality time though...
   02 - There is always room for improvement here. But I'm human and I'm trying. I pray more regularly and I'm in the Word daily. That's definitely moving in the right direction.
   01 - Doing well. Spending lots of time in prayer. I'm not even kidding.
   
10. Travel somewhere new.
    12 - I didn't go anywhere in December.  Why?  Well, because I was just too darn busy!  I this one for 2009 is completed!
    10/11 - In October I went down to the ranch for a weekend and to Reno for a weekend.  In November I went to Apple Hill for the day with friends.
    09 - Went to Florida.  'Nuff said.
    08 - Stayed close to home in August.
    07 - Drove, by myself, down to Southern California for a twofold vacation: visit my college roommate and her family in Rancho Santa Margarita and to attend a cousin's wedding in Claremont.
    06 - Didn't go anywhere in June. Stay tuned for later months.
    05 - Traveled to ummm, the big town of Lodi. For the Zinfest. I had never been to that part of Lodi before, so it was new, therefore I traveled somewhere new. Go me!
    04 - I went to my favoritest place in California, back to where I went to college, San Luis Obispo. Although it was a quick day trip, it was well worth it. I saw family, I drank wine, I ate at Firestone's and walked around downtown, and went to Pismo. I need to go back again, but next time for a little longer.
    03 - Currently there are no travel plans and I don't like that! I need to plan something asap to make me feel human again!
    02 - Um, did I go anywhere in February? I don't think so. But that's ok!
    01 - Just got back from a cruise to Cabo about a week and a half ago.

There we have it.  My year in review.  My year according to my resolutions.  Good-bye 2009!  Hello 2010!

Catching Up

As per my 101 in 1,001, one of my goals (or to-do's) is to get and stay caught up on blogging.  So, this is how it's going to happen, I'm going to get and stay caught up on blogging.  Including here and here.  How's that for a plan?  Seriously though, don't be surprised if there are multiple posts in a day (the get caught up part). 

I do have about 2 dozen things in draft.  Meaning, I started a new post, gave it a title, and saved it as a reminder for later.  Now, a good 90% of these drafts are links to articles or sites that I wanted to share.  I'll try to mix it up and not bombard you with junk valuable information and not fill you in on my life. 

In the meantime, please, if there is anything you want to know about, feel I've left out, have a question, would like my opinion on, etc. just let me know in the comments.

101 in 1,001

“One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: to rise above the little things.” 

―John Burroughs

This year, no new year's resolutions.  Nope, no siree Bob.  I've decided to do something different.  Work on some life goals, miscellaneous things, and give more time than a 365 day year.

I'm gonna make a list of 101 things to complete in my life in the next 1,001 days!

The Mission:  Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1,001 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).

This list will be viewable on the side bar, and as I complete the items I'll update the listed item to link to the blog post that correlates.  Comprende?

Start Date:  January 5, 2010
End Date:  October 3, 2012
Items Completed: 6/101
Not Done
In Progress
Completed (link)
Completed (w/ date)

1. Organize the my desk.
2. Reach goal weight by the 1,001st day.
3. Go on a road trip.
4. Fly somewhere foreign over seas.
5. Exercise at least 3 times per week for a month.
6. Start a prayer journal and journal everyday for a month.
7. Buy a house.
8. Organize my clothes closet.
9. Organize the back room closet.
10. Organize my recipes.
11. Get Christmas shopping done before December 1st.
12. Use my sewing machine to make something.
13. Build patio area in back yard.
14. Run in a 5K race.
15. Get car windows (rear and back left) retinted.
    Learn to knit.  I just realized this was a duplicate to #20, so I replaced it.
16. Read Bible in chronological order.
17. Read at least 7 books a year. (2/19)
18. Dust/Clean ceiling fans.
19. Start official photography business (legitimately with licenses/permits).
20. Learn to knit or crochet.
21. Attend a pro-photographer's workshop.
22. No eating desserts for a week!
23. Hang curtain rods in kitchen.
24. No shopping at Target for a month.
25. Hand wash/polish my hardwood floors.
26. Spend a weekend in San Luis Obispo.
27. Send 10 "think of you" "just because" cards. (2/10)
28. Take a day off from work to do nothing.
29. Weed front yard.
30. Weed back yard.
31. Create branding for photography business.
32. Give e-harmony another shot for a 3 month period.
33. Get and stay caught up on blogging.
34. Get and stay caught up on balancing check book monthly.
35. Get car to mechanic to get idle noise fixed.  4/27/10 (needed a new A/C relay switch thingie)
36. Photograph at least 1 wedding.
37. Try 2 new recipes a month, at least one from a cookbook I own.
38. Organize pictures on hard drive.
39. Spend a weekend in Carmel.
40. Create an action in PhotoShop.
41. Visit at least one state I haven't been to before.
42. Have the best darn 30th birthday ever!
43. Get a massage.
44. Have a picture printed onto a canvas.
45. Find and use a photo hosting site for clients. 4/28/10
46. Get professional pictures taken of myself (maybe with family too).
47. 2nd shoot with a local wedding photographer.
48. Send in camera body to get fixed.
49. Go to bed before 11pm for a week.
50. Get to work before 8am for a week.
51. Create a business plan for photography business.
52. Be debt free (minus possible mortgage).
53. Blog something personal everyday for a month.
54. Enter some photographs into local county fair.
55. Attend photography conference/convention.
56. Walk Riley at least once a week for 3 months.
57. Visit Time Square.
58. Turn vacation and miscellaneous photos throughout the years into photo books.
59. Compile a family recipe cookbook.
60. Visit Yosemite in the winter.
61. Throw a cocktail party.
62. See a musical on Broadway.
63. Learn to use chopsticks properly.
64. No chopping off my hair, only trims until it reaches desired length (which is longer than it is now).
65. Mail a birthday card when a friend or family member has a birthday for a year.
66. Take a multi-vitamin daily.
67. Use up products (cleaning, makeup, hair, etc) completely before replacing.
68. Make/Bake something outside my comfort zone.  From scratch.
69. Go to Disneyland when it's decorated for Christmas.
70. Drive down Hwy 1 from Monterey to Morro Bay.
71. Do a photoshoot during almond blossom season in an orchard.
72. Journal/Track (WW style) for 2 months.
73. Shoot in RAW for a month.
74. Visit family in Santa Fe.
75. Unload dishwasher once it's done, not 3 days later.
76. Learn how to belly dance.
77. Fold laundry once it's dry.
78. Put away laundry once folded.
79. Be in a relationship.
80. Get married.*
81. Do something spontaneous.
82. Get a new camera body.
83. Put no-scratch pads on dining room chair legs. 3/29/10
84. Go wine tasting in Livermore.
85. Go wine tasting in Amador County.
86. Get tupperware organizer and organize cabinet.
87. No candy for 2 weeks.
88. Encourage one person to do 101 in 1,001.
89. Eat at 4 new restaurants. (0/4)
90. No eating out for 3 weeks.**
91. Learn one new technique in PhotoShop each week.
92. Get my own domain name.  3/16/10 (http://www.courtney-ann.com/ - not in service yet)
93. Tithe every month. (3/22)
94. Play a round of 18-hole golf.
95. Visit Golden Gate Park.
96. Buy 5 things from etsy.com. (0/5)
97. Floss everyday for a month.***
98. See a Beach Blanket Babylon show.
99. Make dinner for the family one night a week for 2 months.
100. Make a facebook fan page for my photography.
101. Donate $10 to a charity for every goal not met.

* Or should I just give $10 now? Really it's not unrealistic in the next 2 1/2 years, but yes, I know it's all up to God.
**As in paying for a meal, eating at Mom & Dad's doesn't count.
***I know, gross right?  I so dislike flossing.  And I need to get in the habit.

October and November Update

Again, I'm a slacker.  So, enjoy this update for October and November.  Combined!

1. Run (not walk) a 5k race.
   10/11 - Ok, you know what.  Let's just forget about this one for the year.  'Cause I'm gonna tell you the same thing after December.  I failed!  What I need to do is get into a regular walk/jog/exercise routine.
   09 - Nope, still hasn't happened.
   08 - Negative ghost writer.
   07 - Dare I tell you the truth? I'm sure you can guess what it is. Boo me!
   06 - How do you spell out the sound that is made on games shows when they get the wrong answer? Yea, that's the sound I'm making right now.
   05 - Ummm... I admit it. I SUCK! Besides moving the massive pile of bricks from my backyard I did nothing.
   04 - HA! Well, I maybe went on a couple walky-jogs. I've yet to sign up to race in anything. Need more training!
   03 - Definitely went walk/jogging more often in March. Oh, and crunches, I've done some crunches!
   02 - I've gone walking a few more times than I did in January. That's progress!
   01 - So, ah, I've gone walking once or twice. That's a start!
   
2. Read the Bible in a year.
   10/11 - I'm right on track to be done on December 31st.  In October I completed: Revelations, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Nehemiah and Ester.  In November I read through: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jeremiah.
   09 - Finished reading John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 2 Chronicles, Malachi, Jude, and Ezra.  Currently a little behind with reading, but will be caught up by month's end.
   08 - Completed 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
   07 - In July I finished reading Mark, Hosea, 1 Kings, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah.
   06 - On track! Finished reading Romans, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and Daniel.
   05 - Keepin' up! Finished reading through Judges, Job, Ruth, Acts, and Joshua.
   04 - Still goin'! Finished Matthew, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
   03 - On track! In March I've finished reading though Leviticus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
   02 - I'm doing just dandy with this. I've completely read through Genesis, Exodus, and Hebrews. I'm almost done with Leviticus and Proverbs.
   01 - So far, so good!
   
3. Lose 10 pounds.
   10/11 - My chart isn't updated.  So you don't get to see the little line that goes up and down from day to day.  I'm about at the same point I was in September, and my goal is to stay there into the start of 2010.
   09 - Dropped another 3.1 pounds!  Go me!
   08 - Down .2 pound.  Yep, every little bit counts!
   07 - So I don't know where I am. Mid July I got a new scale, which wasn't the same as my old one. There was about a 4 pound difference. So you'll get a number come next month. I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say I maintained.
   06 - From the first day of June to the last day of June I weighed the same. There of course was variation throughout the month.
   05 - Broke even...
   04 - I warn you, I wasn't down. I kinda slipped. See chart below... (Shown is March and April)
   03 -Down 1 pound. Hey, it's a loss! See chart below...
   02 - 5.5 pounds down...from returning cruise weight...
   01 - So what if I told you that I was down 9 pounds by my own scale in just January alone? Yep, it's true. Wanna see my chart? Of course you do!
   
4. Post a picture a day...taken on that day... instead of a quote a day.
   10/11 - Yep, it's done.  Although, just like in past months, the pictures aren't necessarily from that day.
   09 - Almost caught up...
   08 - Working on getting caught up.
   07 - Yep.
   06 - Something like that. It's getting done regardless. I have been playing more with photoshop and have been using photoshopped pictures.
   05 - Yep. A picture is going up each day. Sometimes there are lags between days due to intermittent internet.
   04 - Still not a picture from that day, but posting pictures from within the time frame of the date. Flowers are in bloom and beautiful, plus they're easy subjects, so I've taken a lot of flower pictures.
   03 - Still not doing the best on the picture being from that day, but whatever, I'm posting a picture a day.
   02 - After the cruise I slacked on taking a picture a day. But I was still posting a picture a day. I'll work on that...
   01 - Ok, so I've slacked a few days. But I get caught up!
   
5. Have monthly dinner party, or at least invite some friends over for dinner.
   10/11 - I'm thinking back... I can't remember if I did this or not.  Can anyone remember?  I am having a Christmas shindig though!
   09 - Hosted TND in September.  Homemade pizzas was a smashing hit!
   08 - Denied!
   07 - Hosted family. That's about it. July = hot = me no wanna cook in my west facing kitchen.
   06 - TND was at my place last Tuesday of June. Other than that it's just been my family. Nothing new and exciting has been made though.
   05 - Boo! I've had my family over. But I did gather friends for my birthday dinner!...at BJ's...
   04 - Well, I had people over, wait no that was May 1st. Ah! Yes, I had a lunch buffet sandwich building business thing for those giving souls that helped work on my path. (I still need to share my path don't I?)
   03 - Woot woot! Hosted TND on the 5th Tuesday. Total about 15 people came. I made this for dinner. It was good! Making a vow to have people over more often.
   02 - The last couple weeks I've had my family over for dinner on Friday nights. And I've volunteered to have TND at my house the 5th Tuesday of March. I'll let you know how that goes.
   01 - I failed for January. February isn't over yet though...
   
6. Down size possessions...aka clutter
   10/11 - Yea, I'm still finding stuff to get rid of.  I've got another yard sale pile started.
   09 - Sent pile to church yard sale!
   08 - Pile growing..
   07 - Moving things every now and then. I've got a little pile building up to get rid of.
   06 - Finally got the stuff from my baby box transferred into a rubbermaid box. I've found a few things around the house to move into the yard sale pile. Always a work in progress.
   05 - I rearranged my back room. Now when looking in it looks less cluttered. That counts, right?
   04 - Decided that my back room needs to be cleaned out and rearranged, especially the closet. So that is going to be my project for May.
   03 - Sure...? I actually physically removed the bags of stuff to get rid of. So I guess that counts since it was cluttering up my room.
   02 - I rearranged the living/dining room and went though some more of my closet.
   01 - I've gone through my closet and through my pile of purses.
   
7. Try new recipes from the cookbooks I have. (see #5, they will be guinea pigs...)
   10/11 - Oh...Kait and I made a recipe from PDub's site...sooooo good!  I've made zucchini bread and sweet potato bread.  They were good!  I also made a really yummy low cal, low fat Taco Soup.
   09 - Created best topped pizzas ever!
   08 - hummm...
   07 - Yea, ok, you got me. I'm pretty sure I didn't try anything new.
   06 - See #5.
   05 - New recipes tried for Memorial BBQ. One recipe is posted on my recipe site, the others will come shortly.
   04 - Sure I've made stuff. What have I made...? Cake pops, I made cake pops!
   03 - Family = guinea pigs. Poor family...
   02 - Ummmm... I haven't tried anything new. But I've tried new things that my mom has made. Does that count...?
   01 - Boo me! How does cereal sound? Mac & Cheese...?
   
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week (walk/jog, Wii Fit, DVD, etc., see #1 which will lead to #3) 
   10/11 - See #1.  A full time routine starts in January.  Problem this time of the years is a) I'm uber busy, b) it's dark before I get home from work, and c) I am not a morning person.
   09 - Walked lots while on vacation.  That counts, right?
   08 - Haha... ump...
   07 - I think maybe I went on a walk. Once. I did do some yard work. Three times. Wait! No, I lied. I went on more than one walk when I was down south. Haha! Victory!
   06 - See #1. Eeerrrrnnnnttttt, maybe that's how you spell it.
   05 - Boo...
   04 - See #1. I really need to start doing something, anything.
   03 - Need to make a REAL commitment to do this on a regular basis. Once the habit is made I'll be in good shape. The time change has really kicked my butt though, I get home and I just want to be lazy.
   02 - Boo! I'm still on the once a week average. Time to kick it into gear!
   01 - I've averaging about once a week of exercising on purpose. But I do activities that include activity.
   
9. Daily make time for God. 
   10/11 - Besides my daily Bible reading, I'm not very good at this one.  Especially since my reading doesn't always happen.  With time, it'll come.
   09 - Realizing that I suck at this!  Need to make a point to spend one on one time with God, and not multi-task with God.
   08 - Need to work on this more and more.
   07 - Started an awesome bible study book with my group called "Me, Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild. I highly recommend it.
   06 - Reading the bible daily is a help, fo shizel. Daily being stretched and molded.
   05 - Will be a continuous work in progress for the rest of my life.
   04 - Prayer, reading, bible study, church, worship, etc. I do it all, but I'm still lacking. I'm by no means perfect.
   03 - If you count my daily readings as time spent with God then I'm doing well. Although it's not always necessarily quality time though...
   02 - There is always room for improvement here. But I'm human and I'm trying. I pray more regularly and I'm in the Word daily. That's definitely moving in the right direction.
   01 - Doing well. Spending lots of time in prayer. I'm not even kidding.
   
10. Travel somewhere new.
    10/11 - In October I went down to the ranch for a weekend and to Reno for a weekend.  In November I went to Apple Hill for the day with friends.
    09 - Went to Florida.  'Nuff said.
    08 - Stayed close to home in August.
    07 - Drove, by myself, down to Southern California for a twofold vacation: visit my college roommate and her family in Rancho Santa Margarita and to attend a cousin's wedding in Claremont.
    06 - Didn't go anywhere in June. Stay tuned for later months.
    05 - Traveled to ummm, the big town of Lodi. For the Zinfest. I had never been to that part of Lodi before, so it was new, therefore I traveled somewhere new. Go me!
    04 - I went to my favoritest place in California, back to where I went to college, San Luis Obispo. Although it was a quick day trip, it was well worth it. I saw family, I drank wine, I ate at Firestone's and walked around downtown, and went to Pismo. I need to go back again, but next time for a little longer.
    03 - Currently there are no travel plans and I don't like that! I need to plan something asap to make me feel human again!
    02 - Um, did I go anywhere in February? I don't think so. But that's ok!
    01 - Just got back from a cruise to Cabo about a week and a half ago.
    

Where am I?

I'm here!

I just vowed to myself that I'm not allowed to blog about real life stuff going on in my real life until I was completely caught up with my daily bible reading. 

Yes, the bible reading that I got way too behind in while I was galavanting across the country with he who shall not be named that guy.

So, stay tuned (I know, my famous words right?) for the George/Anthony birthday party extravaganza, Oktoberfest 2009, the buck I shot with my camera at the ranch while I was there for a weekend, (after this weekend) my trip to Reno, and I'm sure there are other things I'm missing.  Oh yea, the fact that my brother is engaged! to Colleen, whom we dearly love and are utterly thrilled and excited for them.

Anything else I'm missing?  List it out in the comments and I'll get to it.

August & September Updates

I slack!  So you get a 2 for 1 (August and September).  Enjoy!

1. Run (not walk) a 5k race.
   09 - Nope, still hasn't happened.
   08 - Negative ghost writer.
   07 - Dare I tell you the truth? I'm sure you can guess what it is. Boo me!
   06 - How do you spell out the sound that is made on games shows when they get the wrong answer? Yea, that's the sound I'm making right now.
   05 - Ummm... I admit it. I SUCK! Besides moving the massive pile of bricks from my backyard I did nothing.
   04 - HA! Well, I maybe went on a couple walky-jogs. I've yet to sign up to race in anything. Need more training!
   03 - Definitely went walk/jogging more often in March. Oh, and crunches, I've done some crunches!
   02 - I've gone walking a few more times than I did in January. That's progress!
   01 - So, ah, I've gone walking once or twice. That's a start!
   
2. Read the Bible in a year.
   09 - Finished reading John, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, 2 Chronicles, Malachi, Jude, and Ezra.  Currently a little behind with reading, but will be caught up by month's end.
   08 - Completed 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, and Zechariah.
   07 - In July I finished reading Mark, Hosea, 1 Kings, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah.
   06 - On track! Finished reading Romans, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel and Daniel.
   05 - Keepin' up! Finished reading through Judges, Job, Ruth, Acts, and Joshua.
   04 - Still goin'! Finished Matthew, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
   03 - On track! In March I've finished reading though Leviticus, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
   02 - I'm doing just dandy with this. I've completely read through Genesis, Exodus, and Hebrews. I'm almost done with Leviticus and Proverbs.
   01 - So far, so good!
   
3. Lose 10 pounds.
   09 - Dropped another 3.1 pounds!  Go me!
   08 - Down .2 pound.  Yep, every little bit counts!
   07 - So I don't know where I am. Mid July I got a new scale, which wasn't the same as my old one. There was about a 4 pound difference. So you'll get a number come next month. I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say I maintained.
   06 - From the first day of June to the last day of June I weighed the same. There of course was variation throughout the month.
   05 - Broke even...
   04 - I warn you, I wasn't down. I kinda slipped. See chart below... (Shown is March and April)
   03 -Down 1 pound. Hey, it's a loss! See chart below...
   02 - 5.5 pounds down...from returning cruise weight...
   01 - So what if I told you that I was down 9 pounds by my own scale in just January alone? Yep, it's true. Wanna see my chart? Of course you do!
   
4. Post a picture a day...taken on that day... instead of a quote a day.
   09 - Almost caught up...
   08 - Working on getting caught up.
   07 - Yep.
   06 - Something like that. It's getting done regardless. I have been playing more with photoshop and have been using photoshopped pictures.
   05 - Yep. A picture is going up each day. Sometimes there are lags between days due to intermittent internet.
   04 - Still not a picture from that day, but posting pictures from within the time frame of the date. Flowers are in bloom and beautiful, plus they're easy subjects, so I've taken a lot of flower pictures.
   03 - Still not doing the best on the picture being from that day, but whatever, I'm posting a picture a day.
   02 - After the cruise I slacked on taking a picture a day. But I was still posting a picture a day. I'll work on that...
   01 - Ok, so I've slacked a few days. But I get caught up!
   
5. Have monthly dinner party, or at least invite some friends over for dinner.
   09 - Hosted TND in September.  Homemade pizzas was a smashing hit!
   08 - Denied!
   07 - Hosted family. That's about it. July = hot = me no wanna cook in my west facing kitchen.
   06 - TND was at my place last Tuesday of June. Other than that it's just been my family. Nothing new and exciting has been made though.
   05 - Boo! I've had my family over. But I did gather friends for my birthday dinner!...at BJ's...
   04 - Well, I had people over, wait no that was May 1st. Ah! Yes, I had a lunch buffet sandwich building business thing for those giving souls that helped work on my path. (I still need to share my path don't I?)
   03 - Woot woot! Hosted TND on the 5th Tuesday. Total about 15 people came. I made this for dinner. It was good! Making a vow to have people over more often.
   02 - The last couple weeks I've had my family over for dinner on Friday nights. And I've volunteered to have TND at my house the 5th Tuesday of March. I'll let you know how that goes.
   01 - I failed for January. February isn't over yet though...
   
6. Down size possessions...aka clutter
   09 - Sent pile to church yard sale!
   08 - Pile growing..
   07 - Moving things every now and then. I've got a little pile building up to get rid of.
   06 - Finally got the stuff from my baby box transferred into a rubbermaid box. I've found a few things around the house to move into the yard sale pile. Always a work in progress.
   05 - I rearranged my back room. Now when looking in it looks less cluttered. That counts, right?
   04 - Decided that my back room needs to be cleaned out and rearranged, especially the closet. So that is going to be my project for May.
   03 - Sure...? I actually physically removed the bags of stuff to get rid of. So I guess that counts since it was cluttering up my room.
   02 - I rearranged the living/dining room and went though some more of my closet.
   01 - I've gone through my closet and through my pile of purses.
   
7. Try new recipes from the cookbooks I have. (see #5, they will be guinea pigs...)
   09 - Created best topped pizzas ever!
   08 - hummm...
   07 - Yea, ok, you got me. I'm pretty sure I didn't try anything new.
   06 - See #5.
   05 - New recipes tried for Memorial BBQ. One recipe is posted on my recipe site, the others will come shortly.
   04 - Sure I've made stuff. What have I made...? Cake pops, I made cake pops!
   03 - Family = guinea pigs. Poor family...
   02 - Ummmm... I haven't tried anything new. But I've tried new things that my mom has made. Does that count...?
   01 - Boo me! How does cereal sound? Mac & Cheese...?
   
8. Exercise a minimum of 3 times a week (walk/jog, Wii Fit, DVD, etc., see #1 which will lead to #3)
   09 - Walked lots while on vacation.  That counts, right?
   08 - Haha... ump...
   07 - I think maybe I went on a walk. Once. I did do some yard work. Three times. Wait! No, I lied. I went on more than one walk when I was down south. Haha! Victory!
   06 - See #1. Eeerrrrnnnnttttt, maybe that's how you spell it.
   05 - Boo...
   04 - See #1. I really need to start doing something, anything.
   03 - Need to make a REAL commitment to do this on a regular basis. Once the habit is made I'll be in good shape. The time change has really kicked my butt though, I get home and I just want to be lazy.
   02 - Boo! I'm still on the once a week average. Time to kick it into gear!
   01 - I've averaging about once a week of exercising on purpose. But I do activities that include activity.
   
9. Daily make time for God.
   09 - Realizing that I suck at this!  Need to make a point to spend one on one time with God, and not multi-task with God.
   08 - Need to work on this more and more.
   07 - Started an awesome bible study book with my group called "Me, Myself & Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild. I highly recommend it.
   06 - Reading the bible daily is a help, fo shizel. Daily being stretched and molded.
   05 - Will be a continuous work in progress for the rest of my life.
   04 - Prayer, reading, bible study, church, worship, etc. I do it all, but I'm still lacking. I'm by no means perfect.
   03 - If you count my daily readings as time spent with God then I'm doing well. Although it's not always necessarily quality time though...
   02 - There is always room for improvement here. But I'm human and I'm trying. I pray more regularly and I'm in the Word daily. That's definitely moving in the right direction.
   01 - Doing well. Spending lots of time in prayer. I'm not even kidding.
   
10. Travel somewhere new.
    09 - Went to Florida.  'Nuff said.
    08 - Stayed close to home in August.
    07 - Drove, by myself, down to Southern California for a twofold vacation: visit my college roommate and her family in Rancho Santa Margarita and to attend a cousin's wedding in Claremont.
    06 - Didn't go anywhere in June. Stay tuned for later months.
    05 - Traveled to ummm, the big town of Lodi. For the Zinfest. I had never been to that part of Lodi before, so it was new, therefore I traveled somewhere new. Go me!
    04 - I went to my favoritest place in California, back to where I went to college, San Luis Obispo. Although it was a quick day trip, it was well worth it. I saw family, I drank wine, I ate at Firestone's and walked around downtown, and went to Pismo. I need to go back again, but next time for a little longer.
    03 - Currently there are no travel plans and I don't like that! I need to plan something asap to make me feel human again!
    02 - Um, did I go anywhere in February? I don't think so. But that's ok!
    01 - Just got back from a cruise to Cabo about a week and a half ago.