101 goals in 1001 days

A friend of mine from Phoenix, Melissa Hester, wrote an entry on her blog almost 2 years ago about starting a list of 101 goal in 1001 days. She attended a seminar where the speaker encouraged everyone to write down their goals. The speaker said that if you write down your goals, they seep into your subconscious. So about 6 months ago, I finally decided that I was going to give it a try and see what happens. I am following this list with the same attitude Melissa stated in her blog "I am not going to be primarily motivated by my list. I like to live life, listen to God, and see what happens - to be open to opportunities that present themselves."

So I started writing down my goals... and only got to 22. Hmmm... I kept thinking more and got up to 50. The list stalled there for a few months and I keep adding as I go along, but happily I have also been checking items off of the list too! I love lists and it is a rewarding feeling to know that I am not just living life solely one day at a time... which is sometimes what I feel like staying at home with 2 kids! It is nice to know that I still have goals in life, some pertaining to my family, and some pertaining to just me!

So here is my list as it stands today... still not quite to 101 items, but getting close. I've put completed dates when I remembered when they happened. I want to encourage all of you to start up a list of your own. Post a comment if you do and post them on a blog if you have one. I'd love to follow your progress! Some tips... do something that is measurable and not too vague. You'll notice for a couple of them I put numbers in... like read "5" books, or ride my bike for "10" hours total. Or you can put a completion date... like "visit family in Denver in 2009".

List started May 2007

1. Fill out baby book for new baby - CHECK
2. Scrapbook 1st year for new baby - CHECK
3. Visit Natalie for just wedding stuff - CHECK - 8/2007
4. Lost all baby weight by 6 months postpartum - CHECK - 2/2008
5. Get involved with a ministry at church - CHECK 1/2009
6. Get involved in a committed, longer term Bible Study - CHECK
7. Visit Phoenix friends - CHECK - 2/2008
8. Decorate Oliver's room - CHECK - 9/2007
9. Decorate baby's room - CHECK - 11/2007
10. Update summer wardrobe with 5 new outfits -5/2009
11. Save money for new flooring in house - CHECK - 5/2007... however it was spent for a new heater/furnace for our house :(
12. Decorate kitchen
13. Secret one (it's a surprise for someone)!! - Surprise my parents with a visit - 4/15/2009
14. Have a date night with Matt 3 months in a row - CHECK
15. Visit San Antonio/Trinity - CHECK - 11/2008
16. Take a dance class
17. Stay at Sara's Bed & Breakfast again (our wedding night B&B)
18. Visit family in Denver in 2009 - CHECK - 9/2009
19. Do swimming lessons with Oliver in summer 2009 - CHECK - 8/2009
20. Redo our bathroom color scheme
21. Decorate our bedroom - CHECK
22. Create family photo wall - CHECK - 5/2007
23. Make birth announcements for Gabriella - CHECK
24. Read history textbook
25. Read anatomy textbook
26. Go to Nasher museum with Matt
27. Have lunch downtown with Matt's Dad
28. Hem all curtains
29. Clean out/organize hall closet
30. Visit Webbs in Arizona - CHECK - 2/2008
31. Vacation with Schroeders - drive and meet somewhere
32. Start/join a playgroup - 6/2009
33. Go to Hawaii - CHECK - 12/2007
34. Have a party to show our new house to family - CHECK
35. Get new appliances in kitchen - CHECK - 8/2007
36. Fix up dog's yard - CHECK
37. Complete "I Want You to Know Me" book
38. Clean out/organize garage – CHECK – 11/2008
39. Hang all pictures - CHECK
40. Get professional family photograph - CHECK
41. Get baby's pictures made at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12 months - CHECK - 11/2008
42. Get my hair highlighted - CHECK - 5/2008
43. Get my toenail healthy and have a pedicure
44. Clear out crab grass from backyard - CHECK - AHH! It's back though!
45. Setup college fund for baby - CHECK
46. Add more money to Oliver's college fund - CHECK
47. Pay off van loan - CHECK
48. Mulch flowerbeds - CHECK - 9/2007
49. Find out more information about running a Bed & Breakfast
50. Volunteer at a children's hospital/clinic
51. Create a household notebook - CHECK
52. Create lesson plans for days with Oliver - CHECK
53. Get current on scrapbooking by October - CHECK - 10/2007
54. Redecorate half bath - CHECK - 10/2008
55. Redecorate kid's bath
56. Scrapbook 2 page spread for each month in 2008
57. CPR certification - 5/2009
58. Go to San Marcos to shop
59. Sell some of our excess stuff in a garage sale
60. Attend 10 year high school reunion - CHECK - 8/2008
61. Go on a Segway tour
62. Go to a carnival with Matt
63. Visit Nat's new and improved home - CHECK - 11/2008
64. Visit Meg & Travis's apartment
65. Go to a family camp - CHECK - 6/2009
66. Go on a couple's retreat
67. Get SLR digital camera - CHECK -11/2009
68. Take a digital photography class
69. Go on an overnight trip/date with Matt - CHECK - 10/2009
70. Have another sister's night out
71. Ride my bike for 10 hours (total - not straight!)
72. Run/walk Turkey Trot 2008 – CHECK – 11/2008
73. Update my fall wardrobe with 5 new outfits
74. Take a cake decorating class
75. Learn how to cut women's hair
76. Visit the Houghton's new home - CHECK - 9/2008
77. Visit the Webb's in Seattle
78. Go to Longview to visit Grandmama by November 2008 - CHECK - 9/2008
79. Visit family in North Carolina in 2009 - CHECK - 3/2009
80. Develop a new household cleaning plan - CHECK
81. Watch 5 movie's from my "to watch" list - CHECK - 9/2009
82. Read 5 books by the end of 2008 (started in August) – CHECK - 12/2008
83. Read a complete book in French (easy reader!)
84. Date night with Matt each month of 2009
85. Organize gift wrap - CHECK - 2/2009
86. Flatten my tummy - CHECK - 9/2009
87. Go to state fair again in 2009 - CHECK - 10/2009

88. Go to Canton to shop – CHECK – 2/2009

89. Find new homes for our dogs – CHECK 1/2009 (just Nala)

90. Fix my sewing machine and learn how to use it correctly

91. Learn how to make girls bows

92. Get new bedding set for our bedroom - CHECK - 6/2009

93. Do a class with Gabriella

94. Mulch all the flowerbeds in the spring 2009

95. Paint the playroom and kitchen - CHECK - 7/2009