#86 and #52 - DONE

#52- Take hubby lunch at work. He had a late night studying, and an exam that night, so I took him dinner- not lunch, but still food at work.

#86- Decorate the apartment for Christmas- we have our tree up, garland and lights on the railing, and stockings on the way from Michigan!!! I love putting everything up... the poopy part is going to be putting it away when we get back in January :)

I forgot one!

On October 28th, I went to the zoo with a friend from church and her lovely little kids. When we got there, I found SWANS! The ceramic swans of Hattiesburg, a ton of which I had been looking for where they were said to have been. Apparently they moved a ton of swans into the zoo. I don't know why they did that, but I was super excited. I totally got my goal completed :-D

4 more goals completed!

Wow, half way through the month (ok, maybe a little more than half), and I have completed 4!

The first goal was "Get my belly button pierced" It is something I've wanted to do for a few years, but my dad always told me "Not when you're under my roof!" Well, I'm not anymore lol... and Chris liked the idea, so I used birthday money, and got it done :)

The next goal was "Go a week without makeup" The reason for completing this one isn't the best, but it got it done. I had a friend pass away on Halloween, and for the next week, I didn't wear any makeup because I knew I would just cry it off.

The third goal, and probably the most exciting- we finally got our headboard attached to our bed!! We had to borrow a power drill from a gentleman at church because we didn't have one, and then we didn't have the right size screws, and so we ended up zip tying out headboard to our bed! It is so jank, but it is attached, so goal met!

And the final one was "Try 10 new restaurants." We completed that one last night. The restaurants are :

1 Chesterfields

2 Chinese buffet and sushi

3 Oscars

4 La Fiesta Brava

5 Old Athens Grill

6 Strick’s

7 Mack’s

8 Willy Ts

9 Newk’s

10 El Rio Grande

#9 is delicious. Even Chris likes it, and when he goes, he gets (get this) a SALAD! It is nuts!

Update!

We now have under bed storage!! Woot!! We went shopping the other day and found casters to put our bed up just a little. We were just about an inch shy of being able to get our drawer storage things under the bed, so the casters are the perfect height. I am super pumped to actually have some space back in our closet!!!!

I am working on my 365 project, and the puzzle, as well as my stretching every day for 2 weeks. When I work out, I do kickovers every day to stretch my abs after doing all the crunches, sit ups and whatnot. However, I haven't done a walkover because there is really no good space to do it, and not enough mat (that is stationary) for me to feel comfortable. But I am working on getting things ticked off.

Here's to getting more done!

Made one goal, and narrowly missed another!

The one I got done today is get pillows so we can put them in our shams and complete our bedset! We got a coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond today, and Chris has been saying he wants a new pillow, so we went and got one, which means his old one can go in the remaining sham!! I am so excited to put both filled shams on the bed in the morning when I make it! :-D

The one I narrowly missed was stretch every day for two weeks. I was one day away, and was lying in bed on Sunday night, and realized "oh crap, I didn't stretch today!" and it would have been the last day of my two weeks!! I stretch every day when I am in the gym, which is Monday through Friday, but Saturday and Sunday are my downfalls. Most of the time I have to catch myself. This time I just failed. lol But I am trying again. Here we go! :-D

#80 and #43 - DONE!

#43 was get all three of my splits flat at least 4 days in a week. I have had a good week of stretching! It has been fantastic. We finally got me the gym membership to the USM gym, so I don't have to workout at home anymore, and I was stretching, and just seemed to be extra flex. Talk about feeling good.

#80- get out of bed before/when Chris leaves for class every day for a week
I think this is going to become a weekly thing. #1, I don't really need to sleep until 10 am every day. #2, it gets me up, out of bed, and to the gym. He wakes me up about 20 minutes before he wants to walk out the door, I throw on my workout clothes, and leave with him. He walks right past the gym on his way to class, so it works perfectly. And I have no reason not to, really... Yeah, it might be nice to sleep in a little, but it is nice practice for whenever I finally get a full time job :)

Surprise!!

I just realized I completed another task!! It is the last day of the month- this was my "no fast food month" I tried to get Chris to do it with me, but he is a sucker for McDonalds and Taco Bell. But I survived. I like it- I am gonna have to keep it up. Probably one of the easier ones to do, easier than I expected.

Yay for Surprise task finishes!

I've also decided I need to pull out my list of 100 things I like about myself. I put it away for a while because I was stuck - couldn't think of more things. But I am going to try. And when I get it completed, it is going to get printed out so I can have it tangible. Away we go!

On a roll!!!

I am really booking with these goals this week. Today, I completed #30- repot a plant by myself :) I have helped my mom many times, but never done it on my own. I have a couple Jade trees that I brought from home. One of them was a baby tree- the parent leaf and the sprout, a medium tree, and a big old tree. Lately, the big tree has been dropping leaves like no ones business, and the leaves don't exactly look the healthiest. I figured it was because the roots were so impacted- it has been in that pot for a long time. So Chris and I went to the store tonight, and decided to get potting soil and a pot so I could try to save my tree. I am really excited about having done the repotting- Chris even did the smallest one by himself.

We also bought a 1000 piece puzzle tonight, and we are going to start that- going to knock another one off the list soon :)

#13- Check!

We went to the Gulf coast today!!! We've been planning this trip for a while. Before we left, we looked at the weather- 100% chance of rain. So much for spending 2 hours at least on the beach! But we went anyway- hit the outlet mall in the morning, then headed to the beach to see if maybe we could spend some time. As we were pulling up, we saw an awesome storm rolling in :
So we got out of the car for a few minutes so we could walk in the sand- it felt good.

One thing that really struck me today is the damage from Katrina (5 years ago). I'd never seen first hand the damage, but the empty lots, the brand new buildings with nothing around them, the foundations still there with no houses- and the one that got me most, the buildings you could see right through:
It is sad to see it. It hit me hard. But it was a good day. Hopefully we'll be able to go to the beach some time soon. Maybe even for a week long trip (for a belated honeymoon?). Who knows. But another is off my list!

#7- Bike 20 miles

I DID IT! I don't have to work today, so I decided I was going to bike 20 miles no matter how long it took me. I actually ended up going 21, and along the way, found wild berries, and a beaver pond!! I actually stopped my bike ride for about 5 minutes to take pictures and see if I could see any beavers... sadly, none were around.

This weekend another will get crossed off my list- Chris and I are going to the Gulf Coast!!! I am pumped!!

#42- done!

I DID IT!
I was feeling slightly upset with my self today because I was feeling lazy, and didn't go walk on the trail, so I decided to workout in the apartment. When I got to my situps with curls, they felt really good, so after I finished my normal 40, I just kept going. And once I reached 50, I figured I was half way there, so I just decided to go to 100 full sit ups! By the time I was done, I think my arms hurt from the curls more than my abs hurt. But it felt really good 1) to do all those sit ups and know I could, and 2)cross this one off my list!

That makes the count at
Completed- 16
In progress - 11
To do - 74

# 27 - Read books by 5 new authors

I did it! I read 5 different authors (not Nora Roberts!) lol The library card has been the best thing for that.

Here are the authors (silly me, I didn't write down the names of the books)

1 Tamela Hanecock Murray

2 Lynn Austen

3 Al & JoAnna Lacy

4 Elizabeth Adler

5 Jenna Blum

I have a few others still in progress- I made my first "new" recipe last week- Shepards pie for my hubby (since I can't eat it). I am still working on the wedding album one- that will come when we have money to spare. I made my 4th type of cookie, and I am working on getting a full time job. I actually have an awesome lead from a lady from church, so hopefully I get a call this week, since from the sounds of it she is pretty high up in the office. Fingers crossed super tight (since the state hospital didn't work out... boo)

Hopefully a few more get crossed off the list soon- 949 days to go!

TV Stand!!

We finally got our TV Stand!!! We were looking at one at Best Buy that was about $200... the cheapest we'd been able to find anywhere. Well, we went grocery shopping Wednesday night, and just happened to find one! It was actually a 3 piece set- a TV stand, a coffee table, and an end table! And the best part, it was only $50!!! I couldn't believe it! After we got home and had dinner, I had to go to choir practice, and when I came back, Chris had all 3 put together, and the living room rearranged to accommodate. I am so excited! That means we got our TV stand, and because of the way the stand is designed, we got our DVDs out of the corner of our living room, so we have our windowsill back, and the DVDs off the floor. We definitely weren't looking for it, nor expecting to find it, let alone a 3 piece set!

365, Waffles and Dresses

Yesterday started my 365 project. I decided that, because of the way my camera uploads to my computer, I am going to upload/post once a week. I can't wait to be able to get out there and take some awesome pictures- I have a feeling there will be ample opportunity this weekend.

Today was accidental mark stuff off my list day :) Chris didn't have to work this afternoon, so we decided to go to the mall- why not go shop right? And while there, I found an awesome summer dress! It is purple (very different for me), and strapless, and could be worn just because! Yay that.

Then when we got home, we decided we didn't want a real dinner, so we started talking about what we wanted... French Toast was mentioned, and then we settled on waffles- breakfast for dinner!!

Enjoy your holiday everyone! Thank you to all our soldiers, past, present and future. We have this holiday because of you.

100 Things That Make Me Happy

100 THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY- part of my 101 in 1001

1. Made bed
2. Clean room
3. Good book
4. Talking to my parents
5. My husband
6. Cooking dinner with my husband
7. A sunny day
8. A rainy day
9. Thunderstorms
10. Shooting stars
11. Laying by the pool
12. Swimming
13. Curling up in a blanket
14. Movie night with Chris
15. Phone calls from old friends
16. Fresh towels
17. Fresh sheets
18. Chores all finished
19. A good bike ride
20. A hot shower
21. Church on Sunday morning
22. Having a job
23. Waking up in the morning
24. Painting
25. Writing
26. MAKING LISTS :)
    
27. Coloring
28. My planners
29. Walks with Chris
30. Finding new Swans
31. Taking pictures
32. Pictures of Boo
33. Napping with hubby
34. Starburst Jelly Beans!!!!
35. “the kids” – Gamma, Gorilla, Floppy, Moose and Charlie
36. My rocking chair
37. A good movie
38. Forgetting what day it is, and remembering one of my shows is on
39. Helping someone else
40. Music
41. Singing
42. Windows down, music up, singing at the top of my lungs
43. Cuddling while watching TV
44. Heirlooms from Great-grandma and Grandma
    
45. Little reminders of home
46. My BLUE dishes
47. Fresh shaved skin
48. Finding little notes from Chris
49. Ice cream
50. Candle lit massages
51. Raspberries
52. Little kids laughter
53. A cuddly baby
54. The dog being happy to see me
55. The feeling of coming back to my parents house after a long time away
56. Comfy shorts
57. Going barefoot
58. Getting compliments on something I worked hard at
59. Waffles
60. A new purse
61. New pair of shoes
62. Losing weight
63. Being smaller than I’ve ever been
64. A new hair cut
65. MONKEYS!
66. Our wedding pictures
67. Drinks with friends
68. Making new friends
69. Seeing Chris smile at me
70. New jewelry
71. Anything blue
72. Game night with hubby
73. Sunrise
74. Sunset
75. The changing of the seasons
76. The snow melting
77. The first flower bud of spring
78. Baby birds
79. Massages
80. Mail in the mailbox
81. Card night with hubby
82. Jello!
83. Finding something I’ve been looking for a long time
84. Notes from Chris
85. Frappacinos
86. A good stretch
87. College Football games (in person)
88. Trashy Teen Night
89. Fireworks
90. Family gatherings
91. Adopting a puppy
92. Seeing wild animals on my bike rides (Deer, frogs, turtles…)
93. Cheerleading
94. Buying new clothes
95. Getting flowers from Chris
96. Trips to the library
97. Flippy skirts/dresses
    
98. Seeing older people still so obviously in love
99. Chris coming home at the end of the day
100. Falling asleep in Chris’ arms

Notes and Bedside Tables!

I finished leaving my notes for Chris today!! He found 4 of the 6 I had left to do pretty easily :) He still has 2 more- I don't know when he'll find them. Some of them were pretty obvious, but the last two apparently aren't :)

I also started my movies I've never seen before today. Man in the Iron Mask (starring Leo DiCaprio). I'd never seen it before, and always wanted to, so I turned it on, and then realized it was on my list! Which in a way made it all the more enjoyable.

Yesterday I made the first of my 20 types of cookies- peanut butter! Sadly, they didn't taste exactly like my mom's. I knew they wouldn't, but they still weren't quite right. Chris says they're fine, and will eat them anyway. Isn't he sweet? Friday (or Saturday) I will be making Chocolate Chip Cookies for our church's 4th of July BBQ, and within the next couple weekends will make Sugar Cookies for Chris- his absolute favorite :) But he said he has to be home when I make them so he can have them right out of the oven :)

And last but not least, Chris surprised me today and said we were going out to look for bedside tables! I was not expecting it at all, but he got his first installment of his pay for this summer, and we had $200-$300 that we could spend outside of our monthly costs and food, so we figured it couldn't hurt to look. We actually stopped at a store, and didn't find any we liked, but the interior designer there started showing us around, and we found one that we BOTH liked! And they were on sale, within our budget! So we got one of them, and decided we'd come back in the next few months for the other one (when we have the extra again). And the best part, the lady who helped us, when we asked her how long the tables would be on sale, she said just through the end of the month, but if we want the second table, when we come back, ask for her, and she'll give us the table at the same price as this one! We couldn't believe it! That will make getting the matching table so much easier! The table is gorgeous, has 3 drawers, and matches my jewelry box almost exactly. Which just makes me giddy, because hey, that's how I am.

So, more things checked off the list today, 1 of them which was a complete surprise!

Leaving Sappy Notes For Chris

One of the things on my 101 list is leaving 20 sappy notes for Chris around the apartment for him to find when he comes home. Let me tell you, it is so much fun! Little post its in drawers, cabinets, on his desk, on his sodas in the fridge :) And he is having fun finding them! I can't wait until he finds them all. Why didn't I do this before?

I am also currently working on my list of 100 things that make me happy. I thought it would be so easy, to write down all the things that make me happy, as I am generally a happy person. But I am trying not to put the obvious ones- trying to hit the obscure. We'll see how long before I give in and put the obvious ones down.

I have a lead on more swans, and Chris and I are going to go explore William Carrey on Saturday (they have another swan there!) so there we go up on that list!

101 in 1001

So I read something not too long ago. It was a challenge- make a list of 101 things that you want to do, and then complete them in 1001 days (about 2.75 years). This gives you multiple seasons to complete your list. So here is the start of mine, and I'll update as I complete them! I am starting on June 23th, 2010, which gives me until March 20th, 2013

Updates to the list will show up on the 101 in 1001 tab :)

1. Start a blog
   
2. Create my 101 list
   
3. Do the 365 pictures challenge
4. Inspire someone to make their own list.
5. Go a week without complaining.
6. Read the Bible through from Genesis to Revelations
7. Bike 20 miles in one trip
8. Get pillows to put in our shams so our bedset is complete!
9. Bike the whole Longleaf Trace from beginning to end (40.3 miles)
10. Dance in the rain
11. Find and photograph at least 30 of the 48 Hattiesburg swans (5/48)
12. Take 26 pictures, one for every letter of the alphabet (different from 365 challenge) (3/26)
13. Visit the Gulf Coast
14. Go on a cruise
15. Renew my passport
16. Get a full time job
17. Get a TV stand (COMPLETED 7.21.10)
    
18. Print/put together our wedding album
19. Answer "The 50 questions that will free your mind"
20. Write my husband a note every day for a week (0/7)
21. No Facebook for 24 hours
    
22. Watch the sunrise and sunset in the same day
23. Finish my book of Sudoku puzzles
24. Try 5 new foods I would never have eaten before (0/5)
25. Identify and write down 100 things that make me happy
26. Watch the news nightly for a week
27. Read books from 5 authors I've never read before (4/5)
28. Watch 26 movies I've never seen - one for every letter of the alphabet (3/26)
29. Try 10 new restaurants (4/10)
30. Repot a plant by myself
31. Try 10 new recipes (I tend to rely on the same foods)
32. Bake bread from scratch
33. Send a letter to a soldier
34. Adopt a family at Christmas
35. Learn how to say " I love you" in 5 languages other than the ones I know
36. Go to New Orleans
37. Go roller skating
38. No fast food for a month
39. Leave 20 sappy post its around the house for hubby to find (20/20)
40. Go to the Hattiesburg Zoo
41. Get a library card
42. Do 100 full sit ups in a row
43. Get all three of my splits flat at least 4 days one week
44. Stretch every day for two weeks
45. Make my hubby breakfast in bed
46. Get our DVDs off of the floor
    
47. Find a frame for our wedding collage
48. Do a back walkover
49. Do a back hand spring
50. Have a group of people visit
51. Go a full day without reminding my husband to clean up. Not because he does it on his own, but just to give him a break
52. Take my husband lunch at work
53. Go a day without sweets (harder than you think!)
54. Volunteer to babysit
55. Eat breakfast for dinner
    
56. No internet for 24 hours (self induced, not provider induced) (COMPLETED 7.18.10)
    
57. No TV for 24 hours (self induced, not provider induced)
58. Paint a picture
    
59. Send birthday cards to all immediate family members
60. Make Goodwill donations once a year (0/3)
61. Rewatch all seasons of Lost (0/6)
62. Rewatch all seasons of Gilmore Girls (0/7)
63. Get a bedside table
64. Identify 100 things I like about myself
65. Go to an antique mall
66. Buy new black flats
67. Make 5 new true friends (not just acquaintances)
68. Visit a local craft/art show
69. Smile at everyone I encounter one day
70. Blog my updates on my list
71. 10 random acts of kindness (1/10)
72. Go barefoot for a day
73. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
74. Go to a haunted house
75. Find a summer anytime dress
    
76. Go a week without makeup
77. Complete a 1000+ piece puzzle
78. Change jar- anytime I break a dollar, the change goes in a jar- for a month.
79. Visit 3 new states (0/3)
80. Be out of bed by the time Chris leaves for work every day for a week
81. Create under-bed storage
82. Send 20 "just because" cards (0/20)
83. Actively listen when Chris talks about work (I don't understand his science stuff, so I normally only half listen)
84. Make 20 different types of cookies (3/20)
85. Carve a pumpkin for Halloween
86. Decorate the apartment for Christmas (tree and everything)
87. Eat dinner in the dining room every day for a week
88. Post my blog so others can read it (way outside my comfort zone)
89. Attempt to donate blood (don't know if they will take my blood after living in Europe)
90. Get my belly button pierced
91. Keep our address box updated
92. Get addresses from School friends
93. Journal important Chris and Kendyl dates in our "us" journal
94. Take a walk in the dark with Chris
95. Attach the headboard to the frame so the bed is finally put together!
96. See a play
97. Visit William Carrey University
98. Have a (at least) 15 minute conversation in Spanish
99. Make it to Michigan for Christmas
100. Get a professional massage
101. Get a professional pedicure

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind

As part of my 101 in 1001 challenge, I am answering these questions. Here goes nothing!

1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 25- I'd be further in my life, but still young enough to enjoy it
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? Never trying
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? Because we are creatures of habit and comfort, and don't want to branch off.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? As of right now, no. Starting now, I want to change it.
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? The hatred. Loving is so much easier
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? Interpreting, translating, or working with children in a psychiatric hospital. Those kids need help, and need people who care
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? Settling...
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? I'd love more, care less, and just do
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? probably more than some. I've made my choices for me, not because someone else wants me to.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? OOO good one. Doing things right probably...
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? Stop them. Talk about her good sides. Tell them talking about people like that is hurtful and not constructive. They should get to know her before they judge
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? Don't let others tell you who you can be
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one? Depends on what the law was, and if they were asking or if it were of my own volition
    
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Jackson Pollack anyone?
    
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people? Organize. Most definitely
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Because everyone is their own person. Putting things "in order" doesn't make everyone happy, and having chaos certainly doesn't make me happy.
    
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What's holding you back? Having a kid. We just can't right now
    
    
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? Michigan isn't my home anymore. It is hard to get used to that. My family is still there, but I need to accept that Hattiesburg has to be home for at least the next 5 years
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why? Spain! It is beautiful, there is so much history, and the Spanish!!
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? I push it twice because my OCD demands it :)
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? Joyful simpleton. Sometimes it is easier to not be a genius.
22. Why are you, you? Because I don't want to be anyone else
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? I'd like to think so
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? Losing touch with one right near you
    
25. What are you most grateful for? My family.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? If I lost all my old, I wouldn't know why I love my husband. If I couldn't make new, how could I enjoy what I have?
27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Challenging it makes it more worthwhile
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true? Not yet. I hope it doesn't
    
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? no. It doesn't matter. It made me who I am today
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? Family Christmas at Great Grandmas- the whole family was together
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? My wedding day
32. If not now, then when? There's always tomorrow, but why wait?
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? My self
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Most definitely. Best feeling ever
    
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because they see and want to manifest love differently. And if someone doesn't love their way, then they must be wrong.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? no, because evil will disguise itself
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?No, I'd pay off loans, buy a car, and save the as much as possible (don't need a house yet). And you gotta have a job to keep up after the million is gone
    
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? more work I enjoy doing
    
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Not this one nope
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? The day I fell in love
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? My family
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No. My husband thinks I am gorgeous. Fame comes with a price. I like who I am, and want to live MY life
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Truly living means having no reservations. Don't not do something just because it might hurt
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When you know you can
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? We don't like making mistakes. They make us feel week and vulnerable. No one likes feeling that way
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? I would worry about wearing makeup or making a fool of myself. I'd be my loud, obnoxious self
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? Last night, when I couldn't fall asleep
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? I love my husband. I hope my actions show that every day
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? I hope certain things stick in my head, but they don't all have to
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? It is a joint effort- what is right for both of us together at this point