Simple Bliss…

Everybody will be making New Year’s Resolutions today. I will not be joining them, however. I have been working on my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days and plan to continue working on int throughout the entire next year. Here is my progress from he first 5 1/2 months:

This is my list of things that I want to complete in 1001 days. The 1001 days began on Friday, July 18, 2009 and will end on Saturday, April 14, 2012. I will be 26 and completing my third year of teaching.

I will update this page with my progress; any items completed will be in bold. Progress will be noted in parenthesis.

Spiritual (9)
1. Read the bible four times: in four different translations.
2. Purchase the Matthew Henry commentary and use while reading.
3. Read the bible every day for two months straight (improve the habit).
4. Listen to the entire new testament while driving.
5. Memorize thirty bible verses/passages.
6. Memorize the Nicene Creed.
7. Find a simple and accurate catechism.
8. Buy a cd of hymns; memorize at least 15 (Be Thou My Vision, In Christ Alone).
9. Read 20 Christian living/theology/history books. (Sacred Marriage, Created to Be His Help Meet, The Fruit of Her Hands)

Gardening (9)
1. Build two raised bed gardens. – When we considered space and our long range plans, we decided to only plant one raised bed garden.
2. Plant a vegetable garden and a berry patch. – Because we will only be building one garden, we will only be planting veggies for the time being.
3. Try planting at least one plant from seeds.
4. Plant flowers in pots on the front porch.
5. Set up a bird feeder in the backyard.
6. Build and start a compost pile.
7. Add three new plants (or propagate what we have) to the front flower bed.
8. Grow two herb plants.
9. Read about overseeding and seed the yard.

Crafting (18)
1. Make (paint) a special day plate.
2. Read about making jewelry. Make five pieces. (Two pairs of earrings)
3. Use 50 percent of the craft items already in my craft box.
4. Try a new knitting/crochet project. Socks? Mittens?
5. Complete three sewing projects. (one)
6. Complete one embroidery project.
7. Keep up to date on scrapbooks.
8. Make something with the flannel Grandma gave to me.
9. Complete, quilt, and bind the basement quilt.
10. Knit a set of six coasters. (four completed, one in the works)
11. Learn to crochet.
12. Spruce up white cloth napkins. Tea dye? Embroider? Something else?
13. Complete one cross stitch project.
14. Finish knitting the basement afghan. – I decided that we did not like the way this was turning out. I will use the yarn to complete a different project, instead.
15. Try my hand at candle making – both for the candle warmer and with a wick.
16. Try my hand at soap making.
17. Fill an entire photo box with greeting cards for everyday use.
18. Make three seasonal or holiday decorations.

Personal Enrichment/Challenges (7)
1. Read 20 non-fiction books (A Slice of Organic Life, Farewell My Subaru, Sleeping Naked is Green, Complete Book of Running for Women, Voluntary Simplicity, The Out of Sync Child, In Defense of Food, Close Encounters of the Third Grade Kind) and 15 fiction books (Boneman’s Daughters, Skin, Showdown, Saint).
2. Try to return library books on time; never allow my library fine to be over $1.00.
3. Complete my Master’s Degree. (four classes left!)
4. Learn two new pieces on the cello.
5. Take a class purely for enjoyment. (Sign language?)
6. Complete two jigsaw puzzles.
7. Wear only skirts/dresses for two weeks in a row.

Relationships with Others (9)
1. Have friends over for a meal at least ten times. (four)
2. Write a thank you note to my 4th grade teacher – she was amazing!
3. With Beth and Esther, work up and share at least two special music pieces.
4. Become a regular part of another ministry at church. (I helped establish our special needs children’s ministry.)
5. Carry a small camera and document more of our lives through photos.
6. Send 25 encouraging cards or letters. (two)
7. Plan and organize a thrift/antique shopping day with friends.
8. Visit an Amish town with friends or another couple.
9. Give my sister a bridal shower.

Food (13)
1. Read about the reasons for soaking grains. Try this in three recipes.
2. Try the Sneaky Chef method for incorporating more produce into our diets.
3. Learn ten new recipes. (homemade noodles, bagels, baked beef and penne, deluxe macaroni and cheese, sausage bake, oatmeal raisin cookies)
4. Learn five recipes to replace foods with MSG or HFCS. (syrup, granola bars, granola)
5. Make whole wheat or multi-grain bread.
6. Learn three recipes with quinoa.
7. Switch to eating only whole wheat or multi-grain pasta.
8. Convince myself that I like two healthy root veggies.
9. Try green veggies and convince myself that I like two of them. (Spinach)
10. Teach myself to like oatmeal or another hot whole grain breakfast cereal.
11. Find a homemade ranch dressing recipe that we both like.
12. Without increasing the grocery budget work in 15 different organic foods. (Salsa, Quinoa, Green Beans, Spaghetti, Olive Oil, Salad Dressing, Carrots)
13. Learn to can using a pressure canner.

Personal Care/Health and Wellness (14)
1. Start running and run/workout three times a week.
2. Run in a 5k.
3. Take my vitamin every day.
4. Try homeopathic medicine.
5. Find a good OB/GYN.
6. Try using mineral make-up.
7. Grow my hair longer – nothing but trims!
8. Learn four new hairstyles. (two)
9. Drink one cup of tea a day for good health.
10. Be able to (consistently) get completely ready in 30 minutes or less.
11. Eat a balanced diet over entire days using my checklist for two weeks.
12. Drink the daily recommended amount of water everyday for two weeks.
13. Find a lotion that I love or learn a great recipe to make my own.
14. Use only all natural or homemade body care and home cleaning products.

Home Projects (9)
1. Find a safe way to store or get rid of our extra paint in the garage.
2. Move the garage shelves and organize tools, garden supplies, etc.
3. Purchase a larger bookcase or find other spaces to store my book collection.
4. Switch to using only glass containers to store homemade food in the fridge.
5. Declutter the house; make good use of freecycle.
6. Use drying rack to reduce dryer load each week.
7. Make a family picture wall.
8. Make a concerted effort to live off of Cole’s income and put mine towards the house.
9. Find a creative way to display our wedding vows.

Pets (4)
1. Get a dog.
2. Housebreak the dog.
3. Leash train the dog and run with her.
4. Get a freshwater fish aquarium and fish.

Time with Cole (7)
1. Have a date night at least once every two months. (four)
2. Go on a small trip with Cole.
3. Try five new restaurants on date nights with Cole. (TGI Fridays)
4. See five live shows/sporting events. (Brian Regan)
5. Go camping.
6. Watch an entire television series with Cole.
7. Throw a twenty-fifth birthday party for Cole.

Finishing and Starting (2)
1. Compose a new list of 101 things to do in 1001 days.
2. For every task I do not complete, donate $1 to charity.