First Year Review

My first year has come and gone, and here's what I've been able to cross off my list:

Read many new books (didn't list them all!)
Took out over 20 bags of stuff to give away or just throw away
Got rid of our troublesome dog
Took 2 couples only trips
Set up a homework/computer station for the kids
Mounted our TV to the wall, and replaced our huge wall unit with a big screen TV instead.
Bought and shared the Fireproof movie
Got an annual exam
Plotted a garden by the end of February
Attended 2 Girlfriend Getaways... Women's Retreat and Women of Faith. Next retreat comes in a month!
Walked my dog more and rode my recumbent bike more often
Sold my car
Organized my closet
Took my kids to the snow 3 times
Took a trip to Idaho
Had many date nights and lunch dates with my husband
Wrote a tribute to one of my four children
Completed 3 of 10 guitar lessons
Set aside more cash in an emergency fund
Got a pedicure
Sat WITH my kids to watch a movie or TV show each week
Reorganized my corner of the shop
Participated in another small group series
Planted 50 square feet of flowers in my garden
Planted 4 new fruit trees
Got a band together to play for a week of Youth Camp
Wrote a Year in Review - once
Sent 2 different families away on vacation using our timeshare
Made seven new blog layouts
Tried out a new restaurant
Found a church closer to home
Took a lot of multi-vitamins
Found a weight loss solution that will work for me. This just means I need to stick to it!

I hadn't realized how many of the items on my list were completed, or in progress until today. I feel accomplished, and excited to see what I'll get done this next year!

#82 Better than Expected

Just completed goal number 82 - and it was done much sooner than I'd anticipated! It was one of those biggies on my list that I really wanted to see happen, and by the grace of God, and only God, it was successfully planned, carried out and completely amazing!

We got a band together, guitarists, keyboard, drummer and vocalists -and led worship for an entire week of High School camp.
Just got home today, time to sleep.

Goal #18 FINITO!

We did it! Got the "Homework Corner" done, connected, and ready to go. You'll have to ignore the stuff on the wall... it was already there and doesn't have a new home yet. This area has already made homework times easier, and the kids will have a central area to go for their supplies, or to do research on the net, or just amuse themselves while I make dinner. There are a couple of really fun sites that I let my Kindergartener use while I need to have some uninterrupted time...

His current recommendation: http://www.starfall.com/

And yes, you do see TWO computers set up there. I put my old laptop there for now, to get all my old files off it. For some reason, it stayed.

Proof!

Goal #1 BOOKS!

Goal #1 Read a book a month

Woohoo! I like this one. I have so many books I'd LIKE to read, and typically I have to carve out time to sit down with something and read it. This past weekend, while we were in Seaside I told the family I'd be reading not one, but TWO books! I had to make an announcement, but I did it! I read Nine Days in Heaven, followed by the rest of the novel: Incident at Big Sky. I got this last book because it has my Uncle in it! He was one of the deputies that helped round up the bad guys - really fun read!

Goal #5 Unhappy ending

Goal #5 Rehome our troublesome dog

He's rehomed - after a stint in the neighbor's chicken house - that was the last time he got off his tie-out. He is currently "rehomed" out in the orchard under a tree. Sorry puppy, that wasn't quite what I had in mind.

The good news? It's quieter, less stressful and no more guilt or dead chickens. Ok, still some guilt... but it's for the better.

Trees, wonderful trees

Goal #81: Plant 8 more trees.

This weekend, we purchased 2 more young fruit trees - which will probably be the last trees to go in our orchard near the house. We have struggled with peach trees in the past, and are currently losing two (in the hazelnut orchard) to disease. Peach trees are prone to this, we all know, but hopefully this disease-resistant type will thrive! Also, much to the happiness of my firstborn and my husband, we got a Golden Delicious Apple tree. It's another dwarf tree, and will go in the spot where I lost my plum tree last year. (I hope nobody mows THIS one over!!)

We did have a little discussion about more trees though. Realize the list is MY list, and my husband is merely encouraged to oblige my whims. We both agreed, that even though planting fruit trees and having extra food to give away is NICE, it's also quite a bit of maintenance. Since nobody volunteers to help when it's time to prune trees and do the work, we decided we'll stop planting fruit trees after this year. Instead, we will think about evergreens or hardwoods and they will go closer to the river. I think this is a good idea, as it will replace some of the trees we've lost over the past few years to wind and flood, and it will protect our banks from further erosion.

101 Goals in 1001 Days

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.

The Key:
Not Started
In Progress
Accomplished (with the date)
Not Accomplished
My own little notes

Start Date: January 10, 2009 leaves me a couple days to make my list!
Finish Date: October 8, 2011