Goal #72 Get a passport

Completed and used even. I had to get a passport because I was shooting a wedding in the BAHAMAS!! That was an amazing experience. The couple is friends with another friend of mine that I shot a wedding for last year. Susie got married in Sept 08 and I shot her wedding. Susie's maid of honor was Cate. Cate got married in Sept of this year and loved my work so much, she and Nick (husband), wanted me to come to the Bahamas with them! How cool was that!! It was really beautiful! See pictures! On my way back through customs, the agent asked me what I was doing in the Bahamas. I said "Shooting a wedding". He said "SHOOTING what?". "Pictures! Taking pictures! I'm so sorry! Shooting is a bad word to use in customs. I'm so sorry! Shooting pictures for a wedding!". He just laughed at me.

It's not cancer!!

So, most of world didn't know anything about this until today..and now that it's over, I'll share my story.

A month ago, I found a lump in my left breast. I'm really maticulous about doing my monthly self-exams, so I knew that this hadn't been there before. It was slightly painful and a lot scary. When it wasn't gone a week later, I called my GYN and went to see her. She thought it might be a cyst and sent me for an ultrasound and mammogram. They confirmed it was not a cyst, that a cyst would be fluid filled, and this that was a solid mass. I needed a biopsy. A week later, I went to a different doc who told me that because of the location and shape, he felt an ultrasound-guided biopsy would be better. I waited another week. Yesterday, I had that biopsy done. You go in, they do another ultrasound. They locate the tissue, give some lidocaine, make a small incision, and stick a probe in there to grab some tissue samples. They took 8 samples total. They also put a small piece of titanium in there as a marker for future mammograms. (I won't set off any metal detectors at the airport or break any x-ray machines). After they bandaged me up, they sent me for another mammogram to check the placement of the marker. They only allowed me to take Tylenol for pain because aspirin or ibuprofen encourages bleeding. I wasn't to do anything for the rest of the day. No shower this morning either (Yuck!). Don't worry...I spongebathed. For today, I can lift 5 lbs and tomorrow, I can resume normal activity. I called for the results today. It's not cancer!! It's benign! Yahoo! Thank you Lord!

I can tell you this has been one of the scariest experiences of my life. It ranks up there pretty high. The waiting and wondering what was happening with me was torture. The prospect of having to tell my son that I had cancer...wondering what would happen to my body...all those thoughts were in my head. I tried to have an attitude of "I'm not going to panic until someone says I have a reason to", but there were times that the fear made it almost impossible to breathe. I watched my grandmother go through it and it was awful.

My point in writing this note is two things
1. Please please please do your monthly self exams. It could save your life.
2. Don't let someone tell you that you're fine until they have proof. So many people tried to tell me "don't worry, it's nothing, I don't know what you're nervous about, I had something like that, it's a cyst, it's scar tissue from surgery, it doesn't need to be checked", and more BS statements. GET CHECKED! 18 yr old girls have gotten breast cancer, my doctor has a 32 year old patient right now with it. GET CHECKED!

Thanks for letting me share my story.

Why Goal #77: Write something and get it published

I just thought this would be a cool thing...to be able to say that I had something published. I know people publish stuff on the web all the time and it's probably fairly easy, but it's something I've never done before besides blogging. I have my something written and I was going to post it here, but then I thought, maybe I should get it published somewhere else first so I can receive the proper credit for it. I'll post it once I'm published. (And leave you in suspense until then!)

Three months of not posting, but I'm not missing

So yeah...three, almost four months of no blogging. I won't get into why right now. It's a long story. But, I am happy to report I haven't forgotten about my list and with God's grace, I've even made some progress!

Here's an update (and I'll try to get back to blogging everyday on here)

1. Clean my house to the point that anyone can drop by and it doesn't cause major panic: I can honestly say that I'm at that point!

2. File each and every CD/DVD of each event I've shot so I no longer have plastic cartons of CDs on my desk: Well, I've started the process. I've gone out and gotten some stuff to organize the studio. I've taken all the loose CDs and devised a plan as to how to file them all. And my desk is CLEAN!!

3. Organize (not just clean) my studio in general. There's no excuse for it's condition: Well, it's clean. There's a path in the room and I have started getting rid of things I don't need, so there's progress and this is SO about progress not perfection.

4. Eat something that counts as fruit more often (juice, applesauce, and craisins count!): more often...probably more often because I love summer fruits...berries and such, so I would say that counts. Some of this stuff it hard to keep track of.

5. Photocopy everything in my wallet in case it gets stolen. (thanks Sarah!):nope, not yet. SO simple, so what's my issue?

6. Do my dishes EVERY day (sad, huh?): YES!! I can actually say yes to this. Thanks to Flylady.net, I have gotten into the actual HABIT of doing my dishes everyday and sometimes more than that. It makes my life actually a bit more peaceful and my kitchen a much more pleasant place to be! Thanks Flylady!

7. Go to bed by midnight every night (No more staying up past midnight because I'm working on photography stuff) I have to say that for the most part, I've actually been doing this. In fact, there are very few nights that I'm up past midnight for anything anymore. And, I think I've ruined my ability to do so because come somewhere around 10p, I start getting pretty sleepy. Not so great for those weddings that end at 1am, but I manage to get through those. There's action happening so I'm out there in the action, but at home, sitting on the couch or at my desk editing, my eyelids are pretty heavy after 10p. Ya know what's weird? As I look back on the lack of sleep I was getting and the craziness of the way I was working, it's almost insane and I can't envision myself going back and living like that again. Yaah for me...a healthy lifestyle change: getting an adequate amount of sleep on a fairly regular basis.

8. Sell my old lightmeter. (don't worry, I bought a new one first): I just did this today actually, to a friend from church and he seemed quite pleased and I got a decent deal for it. I'm happy with that!

9. Get a new camera before Mar 2009.: As evidenced by the fact that it is well past March 2009 and I don't have a new camera, I haven't reached this goal, but by the end of this project, I do believe I shall have a new camera.

10. Get my car fixed and back on the road

11. Make a plan to save for Summit.:I'm actually not going to Summit this year. This is a bit of a long story. I've gone to Summit for the past three years and totally intended to go this year, but my sister was pregnant and they needed to induce her early because the baby wasn't doing well. He wasn't growing because something was wrong with her placenta, so they decided that he needed to be born sooner than normal. She was scared and I decided that I would fly out to AZ and help her have the baby. I couldn't afford to do them both, so I had to give up Summit for this year. It's ok though. Summit will be there next year. Helping my sister have my nephew is a once in a lifetime experience. I totally made the right decision. I can start saving for Summit for next year.

12. Make a plan to save for Lakeside.: Jason decided not to go to Lakeside this year. He ended up doing a summer program and would have only been able to go to Lakeside for one week and he decided that it wasn't worth it to go for one week, so he didn't go at all. Same as above...I'll start saving for next year.

13. Make a plan to save to visit my brother.: This plan is still in the works. Here's the story on this one. I have a plane ticket that I need to use before April 9, 2010. I had already bought my plane ticket for Summit, and it was non refundable, so I have a ticket for anywhere that I need to use. I'll likely use it to go see my brother and sister. That's one part of the plan taken care of. I need to work out the timing, the car rental, food money, and the $150 for the change in the ticket.

14. Plan out my vacation time for next year.: Vacation time?!? So much has happened since I last wrote! Vacation...that would basically be my whole summer. See, in April I herniated a couple of discs in my back and had to have surgery, so my summer has been spent recovering from that. Vacation? Not exactly, but a LOT of time off.

15. Get a flu shot before I get the flu.: Too late! Until next year...

16. Journal at least once per week.: Not even close. Looking at this list reminds to though. A goal still in progress

17. Shoot a new picture every day that isn't because I've been contracted to do it. Shoot it for fun. Not every day, but I have been shooting more.

18. Post each of the above said pictures and comment.: I'll try to get some posted. I've posted some here.

19. Get someone to buy one of the above said pictures.

20. Blog about each of my goals and take a picture of it. (They should mean something to me): Still in progress

21. Get back in touch with man who's life I saved a few years ago. (I'll explain later) I did this by sending him and his wife a letter. She wrote back and I'm going to write to them more often

22. Remember everyone's birthday in my family and send something.: still need to make that list

23. Buy a video camera. This was actually a cool story. I take online surveys for just one company and one of the surveys I did involved doing a video diary on contacts, so they sent a free video camera and the reward for doing the study was keeping the video camera. It's not super high tech or anything and I would like a better one someday, but I'm satisfied with this one for now. It serves it's purpose and I'm trying to stick to a tighter budget, so I'll take the free one!

24. Do a photo session of myself with another photographer. (Translation: have my picture taken!) (Thanks for the idea Bob!) (by 9/24/09) still working on this. My friend/client, Sarah, is the one who's going to do it, but she's in the process of closing on a house, so we are going to wait until all of that is settled. I do havea a plan though.

25. Read 2 chapters of my bible every day. (yes, every day!): Again, not even close, but this reminds me of my goals.

26. Put $50 into savings each week.: Not even close. And in addition to that, I did a new budget recently and I can't do $50/week. I can only do $50/month. It's better than nothing though.

27. Tithe 10% each month.: I've just recently started doing this. 10% of all income, not just my main income. God gave me the ability to shoot, work, and earn this income. I need to have the faith that by giving 10%, he will take care of me then too. He always has. I've always had a roof over my head and enough food for my son to eat. I've been in hard times, but I will say that those times have made me stronger for it.

28. Scrapbook my pictures that I have from when I shot film. (by 11/1/2009): Haven't so far, but I did manage to scrapbook the programs from the weddings I've shot. I try to get a program from each one. It reminds me of the places I've been and the fun I've had with my clients.

29. Business plan.: still working on it

30. Keep my phone, laptop, bluetooth, GPS, camera batteries, and Ipod touch charged. (Just call me gadgetgirl!): I've kept them charged pretty consistently. I actually need to get a new bluetooth. Mine broke. Maybe I'll do that today.

31. Train for the women's 5k and run it at Race in the Park for Breast Cancer on Mother's Day weekend each year. Not this year. My back was injured this year. I did walk the 2K with my team. Supposedly I'll be able to do it next year. Here's hoping!

32. Answer 10 emails every day within 24 hours.: Still not perfect at this, but I do try to answer them promptly. This one was set to get into a good habit. I'm working on it.

33. Get my receipts together, organized, and documented for tax time. (by 3/1/09)

34. Put some of my fav. shots up on my studio walls.: I have done this some. I took some shots from one of my fav. weddings and put them in a six-shot frame. I have others I want to put up. I want to get more of a design. At the same time, I don't need to put too much effort into this one because I'm likely moving sometime around next May.

35. Send flowers (or something similar) to 5 people just because.: Not yet.

36. Go camping before Summer ends in 2009.: Not yet, but I have plans.

37. Declutter my house!: This is in process too thanks to Flylady.net again. It's more of a long term goal, but I'm getting there. By the time I move, I'd like to be decluttered.

38. Scan all 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 contracts and put them on disc and file them.: Not yet, but this reminding me that I need to. This whole thing is a work in progress and progress I am making. I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff in an effort to declutter my house and make life a little more simple.

39. Take 20 mins each week to plan out my days as best I can for the week.:hmmm...this is a tough one to judge. I did buy a dry erase board to write the schedule for the next ONE day, but not the whole week. It changes too much. I am using my ical more and my blackberry calendar and the kitchen calendar. So, I guess I'd consider that successful. I should try and do it on a weekly basis though.

40. Pay my bills on time every month.:not quite yet, but I am in the process of creating a new budget and really understanding what I owe and setting up a system that works. That's progress too!

41. Import and USE quicken to keep track of my accounts.: yeah, not so much. I'm not sure if I'm going to do this one or not. It's still up in the air.

42. Create a budget and stick to it. Again, progress. I've set up a budget and I'm in the middle of a book called Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It's great and I'm doing my best to stick to it.

43. Clean my room.: There's been a LOT of progress on this one! I got all my shoes into my closet and they are neat. I cleaned and organized the bookshelves. I cleaned off this dresser that I used to stack clothes I didn't feel like putting away. I cleaned off the plastic dresser. More to do, but I need to find a balance I think. I think I'm looking for perfection and it's not perfect yet.

44. Make my bed 6 days every week.:YES!! In fact, I make my bed EVERY day now. It's a habit that I've finally picked up, just like doing the dishes. Hooray for me!

45. Take better care of my skin. Wash face every night. No more going to bed with makeup on the face, even if it's late.:I've just started doing this the past few days. I'll keep at it.

46. Do 4th step on m, e-h, and a general one. (I'll explain later) (m - finish by 1/1/2009, e-h finish by 3/1/09, general finish by 5/1/09): I haven't done these yet, but I'm in the process of doing this. I really will explain this at some point.

47. Return all voicemails (business and personal) within 24 hours with at least an email.: I have gotten much better at returning voicemails promptly. A much better way to do business!

48. Clean Jason's room (WITH him, not FOR him):YES! Another goal accomplished. I actually did end up doing it for him while he was away, but it's his responsibility to keep it clean now. He's actually been doing good, with reminders to make his bed, all dishes out, laundry in the hamper, and pick up the floor. Simple instructions when it's only a little messy has been working well instead of waiting until it gets so overwhelming he has no idea where to start.

49. Re-arrange living room.

50. Clean out video cabinet and get rid of anything that I haven't watched in the last....2 years.: Did this and now almost all of my videos and DVDs fit in the cabinet. There are still a few more to get rid of, but I did sit down and accomplish this task.

51. Learn 1001 new ASL signs.: this is a tough one to judge. I may have to let this one go. Or, maybe what I'll do is sit down and see if I can sign 1000 things and count it that way. I'm guessing I must know at least 1000.

52. Spend one day wandering through Middletown just for the experience and good shots. : Not yet, but this list reminds me that I want to do it. I took the date restriction off. It's nice enough out now and I can go at any time.

53. Find 25 things at home to sell for ebay or craigslist.: Not so far. I did sell one lens, but 25 is a crazy long list. I could have done clothes, but they are hard to sell, especially because I'm so small and there are SO many clothes on there. Besides, I've been donating the clothes I don't want to a friend of mine's thrift shop. I wonder what else I could sell? I have a lot of stuff I need to get rid of in my attic. Maybe I can find 25 things up there.

54. Read a chapter of a book in addition to my bible at least once per week.: I have been reading more because I have more time right now. And I have things I want to accomplish like the total money makeover. It actually feels good to take some time for myself to read and improve myself. I like self-help stuff more that fantasy or anything like that.

55. Check "Jenny from the Farm"'s blog every week and help keep her accountable.: I've been reading sometimes, but not weekly. Sorry Jenny! I'll get on that more.

56. Pay off my car.: Not yet, but I'm getting closer. And with a new budget, I'll be able to keep up with my payments. I should get a total though.

57. Take an online course.: not yet, but I've been thinking about taking some business classes and this reminds me that I need to look into it.
58. Recruit 3 people to do 101 in 1001.:not so far. Haven't really tried though either.

59. Call my brother once a week.: can't say that I've done very well with this one so far. I've called him more often than I used to.

60. Leave and arrive at the times I say I will for 30 consecutive days.: I suppose I should start this one sometime. I can't count today because I was already late for an appt. I have to get better about this...hence the goal. I think I'll start next week. I'm going to VT for the weekend and I won't really need to be anywhere by a certain time. Next week.

61. Make the most comprehensive photography to-do list and don't make more than one!: well, I have started a list in one book that I'm working out of. I've been combining notes that I take other places. I found this is a great thing actually because I can feel like I'm accomplishing things as I can cross them off the list and I can just keep adding to it as I think of things.

62. Tackle that list! (Photography stuff is on-going, so I can't say complete it): I have been and it feels good to be productive!

63. Pray with Jason every night that he's with me. Haven't started this yet. It's tough because he's thirteen now and it's tough to start new things, but I'll try. No guarantees on this one, but I'll try.

64. Get a facial. Not yet. Not even really sure where to go. any ideas?

65. Get a massage. Not yet. It's not cheap and I haven't really felt like I've needed it. In addition to that, with me having my back surgery and all, I'd be afraid they'd hit the sorest spots. I think one will have to wait a bit.

66. Wear different jewelry one day per week.: This is so not happening at all. I think I'm just one of those people that wears the same jewelry all the time. I do have a couple different necklaces I wear occasionally, but not usually.

67. Get a NICE suit for 2009 wedding season.: Truth be told, I already have a nice suit, quite nice actually, but ya know how you get certain clothes that just become your favorite? Well, I have a pair of black dress pants that I love so much and they aren't the best, but I seem to want to wear them more than the fancy suit. What to do...

68. Have 101 "no spend" days (0/101): I probably have done some of these, but I haven't kept track, so it doesn't count. I need to count so I can accomplish this goal. Today doesn't count.

69. Read "The Mom Factor" and complete workbook. I have started this and done some of the workbook. This is a really intense, deep book, that makes you really put some serious time into it. It's going to take some time, but I'm determined to do it.

70. Lead and go through another step study. This is currently in progress. We started in April and are still working through it. Should be able to cross this one off by next April.

71. Enter and win a contest. Not yet. Haven't really concentrated on this one yet.

72. Get a passport. This one is in progress too. I'm actually waiting for it to come. I've applied for it. Now I just have to wait. Pray it gets here before Sept 11th. I'm going to the Bahamas to shoot a wedding on the 12th. Woo hoo!

73. Take Jason to Disney : Not yet, but he just went with his dad in April, so I think this one can wait a while. Sometime in the next three years though!

74. Donate blood twice per year well, I was too sick to do this last year and so far, not much better. I have to find out how long after surgery you have to wait to donate. There are always opportunities around, so I need to check into it.

75. Drink nothing but water and milk for one week per year. At first I thought this might be better done in the winter when it's not so tempting to drink ice tea and lemonade, but I do think it can be done in the summer now that there so much flavored water out there. I have become particularly fond of Sobe Life Water. Great flavor, but not like juice and nothing bad in it for you, but lots of vitamins! Maybe I'll start this one today.

76. Make a quilt. haven't even thought about starting this one yet. Too many other projects going on.

77. Write something and get it published. Again, haven't even thought about what I'd write, but I do write a blog even though that doesn't count.

78. Make Crescia twice a year Didn't do this last year, but it's something I should do soon. I love this Italian bread!

79. Make Passate twice a year Didn't do this last year either. I have to get the right meat grinder to do this. There is one at Kensington Market for $60, but that's kind of steep! But if I can make passate, it will be worth it. Maybe I'll pick it up tonight. Got to get workin' on these goals!

80. Go bowling with Jason

81. Get rid of yahoo account. not yet. I have to finish transferring all the important emails out of it first.

82. Find 10 new ways to make money with my photography: Not yet, but I'm open to suggestions. I did see some photo greeting cards and postcards recently.

83. Make homemade bread with Jason. Not yet, but I did buy yeast so we can do this one. Jason is away this week, but maybe next week before he goes back to school. I can't believe school is starting again already! And by the way, we are doing the bread all by hand. No bread machine!

84. Get evaluated for braces.: Not yet. I think...well, I don't know what I think. I think I want to get out of debt before I get into more debt. That sounds like to makes lots of sense!

85. Take $100 and hit the slots at the casino, ONCE. (Do not spend any gain) And once it's gone it's gone. (I know this sounds wasteful, but I've never been before, and MAYBE I'll come away with more than I went with. Remember, I can't spend anything I win): YES! Done. Another one down I'll do a separate entry about my experience.

86. Pay back people I owe (Dr. H, A. J.-VT, A.R.-trumbull): Not yet, but I have a plan that is about to be put into action regarding this goal.

87. Get my own health insurance Not yet. Waiting until I have to, but I do need to look into plans and stuff.

88.Make the hallway closet usable

89. Take a dance lesson (or two) Not yet. And not for a while. I'm still recovering from surgery.

90. See a broadway show (besides Lion King) This would have been a great thing to do before school started. There's still time to do this, but not before school. I'll have to make it a special trip. No idea what I want to see.

91. Organize online files/folders to get rid of unwanted duplicates I have actually started this by buying a terabyte drive to store everything. That's as far as I've gotten so far.

92. Network with 25 new people each year This one is a bit tougher to count, but I'll try. I can say that I've done one person for sure. I stopped into a shop in Middletown called the Ladybug Boutique. The owner and I are connected on a site call Merchant Circle.com, so I wanted her to be able to put a face with a name. I told her I'd tell brides looking for gifts to check her out and she took some cards to have in the shop for people looking for a photographer. Only 24 more to go.

93. Do a photo session with someone famous Not yet and not sure how to go about this or who I definitely want to shoot with or where or how or anything. I think I'd like to do something in natural light in someone's house. Martha Stewart came to mind but she and I don't have much in common. I'll have to look and see what famous people live in New England.

94. Do a photo session with Jason once per year I did this last year when I was actually shooting engagements with a client of mine. I'll have to post some shots here.

95. Reconnect with Mr. Lunn before he retires. : Sadly enough, I didn't accomplish this before he retired. I think I might see if I can find an address and send him a letter thanking him for all he did for us. He really was an amazing man. I'll tell about that some other time.

96. Have a consultation at a MAC counter (not the computer) and buy what they suggest. Not yet, but maybe sometime this week. I forgot about this one.

97. Take a class at the Apple store. Not yet. It's still on the list to do though.

98. Make a list of 25 fun things to do with Jason and complete list by end of project. I made the list, and am still working on completing it.

99. Find a long-term project for Jason and I do together and do it. Still not sure about what to do for this one. Something that we can work on a little at a time since he's going to be starting school next week.

100. Take Jason on a cruise. Not yet and probably not until sometime next year or the year after. It's expensive and there's a lot happening this year and next year too! Not telling yet though! :-)

101. Make another 101 list.: this is in process and I'm not going to release it until this one is complete

Why Goal 98?

#98: Make a list of 25 fun things to do with Jason and complete list by end of project.

I'm going to do tackle two birds with one stone. I'm going to tell you the why, and then I'm going to make the list. Seriously productive!

Why: Because life is crazy and like many parents, I don't feel like I spend enough quality time with Jason. That's really about it. I'm so much on the page of making memories that we can share later in life, as opposed to buying him the latest cool toy or game. Those things are tangible, but not indestructible. Memories (until you get Alzheimer's are indestructible...although, I know, after working with many Alzheimer's patients, that early memories are actually preserved and are favorite things to talk about. Just don't ask them what they did yesterday or had for breakfast this morning. I've actually enjoyed many conversations with people that have Alzheimers. I love seeing their face light up as they talk about days gone by, and I get to hear cool stories too about times that I will likely never know personally. But alas, I digress) So, yeah...making memories. 25 fun things to do. This is actually going to be a fairly easy list to create...I think:

1. Go ice skating
2. Go roller skating
3. Go to the movies
4. Go to six flags
5. Play SPIT
6. Have a water balloon or squirt gun fight
7. Go to a broadway show
8. Take a road trip to VT to see my family
9. Go to Quincy Market
10. Make homemade choc chip cookies
11. Go to a baseball game
12. Go bike riding
13. Go see an air show
14. Go to a professional kite flyers exhibition
15. Go to the beach
16. Go camping/hiking
17. Make crystals from coal: (Yes, I had to look this one up. I'm running out of ideas.
Your child is familiar with coal: it's those chalky black briquettes that cook up burgers and hot dogs on the open grill. But does your child know that with a lot of pressure - and even more time - coal can be transformed into glittering diamonds?

You don't have to wait millions of years to turn coal into a beautiful gem. With this activity, watch coal turn into crystals right before your eyes! While you're at it, take time to explain how diamonds are formed: your child will be surprised to learn that natural material, like peat, is compressed over years and years into carbon-rich coal, and then into crystals!

What You'll Need:
an adult helper
measuring spoon
liquid blue laundry detergent
iodized salt (table salt)
small bottle of ammonia
small jar
plastic picnic spoon or old table spoon
8 to 10 charcoal briquettes
disposable pie tin
food coloring – any colors

What You Do:
Measure 2 tablespoons each of liquid blueing, laundry detergent, salt, and ammonia into a small jar. Have an adult helper supervise this mixing. Avoid breathing the ammonia fumes as much as possible. Stir with an old tablespoon or plastic picnic spoon.

Place 3 or 4 charcoal briquettes on a disposable pie tin. Add a few drops of food coloring on each briquette.

Pour some of the detergent, salt, and ammonia solution over the top of the charcoal pieces. While the crystals are forming, replenish your supply of solution.

As you enjoy the beautiful colors and shapes that emerge, repeat the process with 3 or 4 more briquettes.

18. Go fishing.
19. Go on a walk and take pictures together. Me with my camera and Jason with my backup camera. Compare results later. Find favorite pictures and frame together.
20. Get a video camera and make a video for far away family members
21. Go on a picnic
22. Set up a scavenger hunt. I'll be the taxi and he has to tell me where to go for his next clue
23. Go bowling
24. Go to the batting cages/bumper boats/car racing place
25. Go out for ice cream.

Ta-da! I made this list. Now I just have to do it. Just do it!

Does this count? #19

Ok... this might be a stretch. Goal #19 is to have someone buy a picture that I shot for fun. One of my favorite wedding shots is this one. Now, for fun, I turned it black and white and added these words to it: Do not walk behind me, I may not lead, Do not walk in front of me, I may not follow, Just walk beside me, And be my friend. I had it printed on canvas by Canvas On Demand, (whom I LOVE!) in a 16x20 size. I'm donating it for a silent auction that is going to benefit Kampala Children's Center in Kampala, Uganda, Africa. My church is sending a missions team for the third summer in a row this year, and this silent auction is a fundraiser for the team and for the center.

Now, yes, the picture was part of a contracted job, but what I've done with it was not contracted at all. What do you think?


On another note, one of the pictures that I did take just for fun has been requested by a friend of mine in TX to be printed and framed. I know that counts. That picture is from my "Signs" series...well, it's not a full series yet, I just started it, but it's in the making.

Why goal #99

Goal #99 - Find a long term project for Jason and I to do together. And, no, cleaning house doesn't count. ;)

There's no complicated explanation for this one. Just quality time with my son. Again, like the cruise thing...something memorable that we can talk about years down the road...like "Mom remember when we built that such-and-such." or "remember when we volunteered for a whole year at XYZ place". I still haven't come up with any ideas, so I'm definitely open to suggestions. He's 12. I thought about maybe building a model car or volunteering somewhere with him. Thoughts?

Goal #17

Shoot one new picture every day just for fun. Well, I felt inspired today and decided to shoot and post immediately because I knew that if I didn't, I'd forget, so here it is.

Signs. This gives me an idea. I was trying to think of a name for the shot and I thought..."New Beginnings". Nah...are there old beginnings? "Bursting Forth"...tacky. "Signs of Spring"...hmmmm... that gives me an idea. A series. Name: Signs. Not streets signs. Signs like..."Signs of Spring". What else can I capture that is a sign of something? We'll see. It's got me thinking anyway.

So, this is Signs of Spring.

I'm still here

I haven't forgotten about my list. The one that I've been focusing on the most is to get the house clean. I've been doing some things at the house very consistently. My dishes REALLY are being done everyday now. And my bed! My bed is being made every day! And this morning, I spent 5 or 10 mins in my studio just decluttering. It's not perfect, but if you remember from the way beginning, I gave up on doing things perfectly. I have made some real progress since this started. My car repairs which totaled almost $5000 are complete and paid for and I'm not in debt because of it. I have a business plan started. I cleaned out the hall closet and now my son can have a place to hang up his pants. I got him to start working on his room, one step at a time, and there was finally enough free space the other night for me to be able to get to his wall and remount his light. And it's a great improvement.

As I go back and reread my list, it's a good reminder for me to pay attention to the things I haven't been working on and see the things I need to let go. I wanted to get a new camera before Mar 2009. Didn't happen, but I am trying to save money. Get a flu shot before I get the flu. No flu shot this year, and no flu....yet. I need to get back to taking pictures and I need to post the ones I've done and the ones of the goals that I've completed! Too many things to pay attention to...blogging, twitter, facebook, my website blog, in addition to life and the 101 goals too! I might just ditch the twitter thing. I don't pay attention to it, but it's one of those nagging things in my mind that I feel like I should pay attention to. It's....mind-clutter!

I did complete my goal about my tax receipts. My taxes are filed and I've gotten (and spent) my refund already. :( I guess it's time to really DO that budget and figure out Quicken (another goal).

Updated list and somewhat revised

1. Clean my house to the point that anyone can drop by and it doesn't cause major panic
2. File each and every CD/DVD of each event I've shot so I no longer have plastic cartons of CDs on my desk.
3. Organize (not just clean) my studio in general. There's no excuse for it's condition.
4. Eat something that counts as fruit more often (juice, applesauce, and craisins count!)
5. Photocopy everything in my wallet in case it gets stolen. (thanks Sarah!)
6. Do my dishes EVERY day. (sad, huh?)
7. Go to bed by midnight every night (No more staying up past midnight because I'm working on photography stuff)
8. Sell my old lightmeter. (don't worry, I bought a new one first)
9. Get a new camera before Mar 2009.
10. Get my car fixed and back on the road
11. Make a plan to save for Summit.
12. Make a plan to save for Lakeside.
13. Make a plan to save to visit my brother.
14. Plan out my vacation time for next year.
15. Get a flu shot before I get the flu.
16. Journal at least once per week.
17. Shoot a new picture every day that isn't because I've been contracted to do it. Shoot it for fun.
18. Post each of the above said pictures and comment
19. Get someone to buy one of the above said pictures.
20. Blog about each of my goals and take a picture of it. (They should mean something to me)
21. Get back in touch with man who's life I saved a few years ago. (I'll explain later)
22. Remember everyone's birthday in my family and send something.
23. Buy a video camera.
24. Do a photo session of myself with another photographer. (Translation: have my picture taken!) (Thanks for the idea Bob!) (by 9/24/09)
25. Read 2 chapters of my bible every day. (yes, every day!)
26. Put $50 into savings each week.
27. Tithe 10% each month.
28. Scrapbook my pictures that I have from when I shot film. (by 11/1/2009)
29. Business plan.
30. Keep my phone, laptop, bluetooth, GPS, camera batteries, and Ipod touch charged. (Just call me gadgetgirl!)
31. Train for the women's 5k and run it at Race in the Park for Breast Cancer on Mother's Day weekend each year.
32. Answer 10 emails every day within 24 hours.
33. Get my receipts together, organized, and documented for tax time. (by 3/1/09)
34. Put some of my fav. shots up on my studio walls.
35. Send flowers (or something similar) to 5 people just because.
36. Go camping before Summer ends in 2009.
37. Declutter my house!
38. Scan all 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 contracts and put them on disc and file them.
39. Take 20 mins each week to plan out my days as best I can for the week.
40. Pay my bills on time every month.
41. Import and USE quicken to keep track of my accounts.
42. Create a budget and stick to it.
43. Clean my room.
44. Make my bed 6 days every week.
45. Take better care of my skin. Wash face every night. No more going to bed with makeup on the face, even if it's late.
46. Do 4th step on m, e-h, and a general one. (I'll explain later) (m - finish by 1/1/2009, e-h finish by 3/1/09, general finish by 5/1/09)
47. Return all voicemails (business and personal) within 24 hours with at least an email. (0/1001)
48. Clean Jason's room (WITH him, not FOR him)
49. Re-arrange living room.
50. Clean out video cabinet and get rid of anything that I haven't watched in the last....2 years.
51. Learn 1001 new ASL signs.
52. Spend one day wandering through Middletown just for the experience and good shots. (by 8/1/09)
53. Find 25 things at home to sell for ebay or craigslist.
54. Read a chapter of a book in addition to my bible at least once per week.
55. Check "Jenny from the Farm"'s blog every week and help keep her accountable.
56. Pay off my car.
57. Take an online course.
58. Recruit 3 people to do 101 in 1001.
59. Call my brother once a week.
60. Leave and arrive at the times I say I will for 30 consecutive days.
61. Make the most comprehensive photography to-do list and don't make more than one!
62. Tackle that list! (Photography stuff is on-going, so I can't say complete it)
63. Pray with Jason every night that he's with me.
64. Get a facial.
65. Get a massage.
66. Wear different jewelry one day per week.
67. Get a NICE suit for 2009 wedding season. (by 3/1/09)
68. Have 101 "no spend" days (0/101)
69. Read "The Mom Factor" and complete workbook.
70. Lead and go through another step study.
71. Enter and win a contest.
72. Get a passport.
73. Take Jason to Disney
74. Donate blood twice per year
75. Drink nothing but water and milk for one week per year. (0/3)
76. Make a quilt.
77. Write something and get it published.
78. Make Crescia twice a year
79. Make Passate twice a year
80. Go bowling with Jason
81. Get rid of yahoo account.
82. Find 10 new ways to make money with my photography
83. Make homemade bread with Jason.
84. Get evaluated for braces.
85. Take $100 and hit the slots at the casino, ONCE. (Do not spend any gain) And once it's gone it's gone. (I know this sounds wasteful, but I've never been before, and MAYBE I'll come away with more than I went with. Remember, I can't spend anything I win) (0/1)
86. Pay back people I owe (Dr. H, A. J.-VT, A.R.-trumbull)
87. Get my own health insurance
88. Make the hallway closet usable
89. Take a dance lesson (or two)
90. See a broadway show (besides Lion King)
91. Organize online files/folders to get rid of unwanted duplicates
92. Network with 25 new people each year
93. Do a photo session with someone famous
94. Do a photo session with Jason once per year (0/3)
95. Reconnect with Mr. Lunn before he retires (by 6/1/09)
96. Have a consultation at a MAC counter (not the computer) and buy what they suggest.
97. Take a class at the Apple store
98. Make a list of 25 fun things to do with Jason and complete list by end of project.
99. Find a long-term project for Jason and I do together and do it.
100. Take Jason on a cruise.
101. Make another 101 list.

Update = Progress!!

Quick update:
1. Clean house- still in progress and good progress at that. I've been de-cluttering thanks to Flylady (www.flylady.net) and there's real improvement. My livingroom has been clean to the point of non-panic for a few weeks now and it's so simple to just pick up everyday instead of letting it build up.

8. Sell lightmeter. I'm getting closer. I took the pictures that I need to post on Ebay this morning.

10. Get my car fixed. YES!! DONE! YAHOO!! I got my car this morning. 5 months I've been without it and I finally saved enough to get it back and not put myself in debt. It was hard but worth it.

33. Get my receipts for tax time. This is almost complete. It will be complete when I actually file them which will be soon. I just need to finish calculating my mileage and click send. SO CLOSE!!

88. Make the hallway closet useable. ALSO DONE!! Last night, I cleaned out out. There was drywall/plaster all over the floor from a plumber that had to come and do some work on the pipes in the closet. They were leaking water from the people upstairs, so I had to empty the whole thing out so he could do his work. Then, he left this huge mess in there! I've ignored it for many months now, but I can finally use it. I think that it will become temporary storage as I clean Jason's room (yes, his room is that bad) and then I will be able to accomplish that goal too.

I keep having my goals in mind and still working. Not perfectly, but I tossed that idea out a long time ago, thank God!

Why Goal #100

Goal #100 - Take Jason on a cruise. To be totally honest, there isn't much "Why" behind this one. I guess I say "Why not?". Well, there is a reason I want to do this. Because, I've never been on one myself, and I think it would be a really cool experience for both of us. So, I'd like to experience it. And, another reason...because when I was a kid, we didn't do family vacations. Partly because the money just was not there, and partly because my family situation changed quite a bit. I lived with my mom, then I lived with my grandparents, then I moved back in with my mom and step-father...and there's even more than that, but those are the major ones. It was one of those things that just didn't happen. And I'd like to create a memorable experience for Jason that he can carry with him throughout his life. I want to reminisce with him years down the road, and hear things like "Remember when we went on the cruise, and such-and-such happened?".

Too white-picket-fence-y? Well, what parent doesn't want to create that for their kids? I love when Jason tells me "Mom! Remember when we saw Disney on Ice? I loved that! That was a fun day!" Or, "Mom! Remember when you took me to NY just to go to FAO Schwartz? That was so cool!" Or, Mom! Remember when we went to NY to see The Lion King on Broadway! That was fun! When can we go see another show?". I'm so over the "buy-your-kid-every-new-toy" line of thinking. Because, what ends up happening? The toy gets broken, or it ends up being remembered as "yeah...I think I got that for...Christmas...like 2 yrs ago...and I forgot who gave it to me..." Don't get me wrong, I did get Jason stuff for Christmas, like new Tech Deck stuff, and this REALLY cool desk calendar that has you make 365 different paper airplanes, one for each day. That's all good, but the other things I got him were a gift certificate for us to go ice skating, and another one for us to go bowling. Experiences. He's still talking about the little kid he made friends with at the rink, and about how he beat me at bowling, 3 games in a row! That's the STUFF I'm going for!

Goal #41

Goal #41 - Import and use Quicken. I'm well on my way to accomplishing this. I installed it last night and started to set it up. I have more information to enter and more to learn about how it works, budgeting, forecasting, etc., but I can tell you that it feels pretty good to know that my expenses are not more than my income. Mind you, I only have $2 difference, but everything is covered from braces, to summercamp, to debt, savings, actual bills, haircuts, and of course, the typical expenses like electricity, rent, gas, food, etc,. I have to set up a payment schedule and all of that, but I feel pretty good about making progress in this area. I even saved the two receipts that I got from the store and my haircut today so that I can enter them in later. Sadly, I am one of those crazy people that doesn't keep my checkbook register well, and it's not worked out so good for me. Dr. Phil's loving voice came to me and said "So, how's that workin' for ya?" Not too good. It's time for a change.

This whole Flylady thing I'm doing is REALLY good! It's helped me break things down into manageable tasks. Flylady says "you can do anything for 15 mins." This doesn't just have to pertain to cleaning the house. I've been meaning to read Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" book for a long time. A friend gave me a copy as a gift last year and it's still on my shelf. Then, my mom gave me the same book for Christmas. A good reminder that I needed to get to it. It's now a month after I got the book, and until last night, it sat, just like the other one. Then I thought about it...Well, I can't read the whole thing, cover to cover, in one sitting. But, I can read it 15 mins at a time. So, that's my goal. Read it, 15 mins per day.

I'm motivated!

Short and sweet updates

Goal 1: Clean house: So, I've gotten back on the Flylady (www.flylady.net) wagon and first and foremost, my sink IS shiny today! My livingroom is clean. My laundry is put away, and I am well on my way to tackling the next room. Not sure what my target is yet. Actually, according to Flylady, I need to do this 15 mins at a time and move on! Otherwise, I'll get bored and overwhelmed. Yes, ma'am! 15 mins on one task and MOVE ON! Just folded the laundry? Then go to another room and tackle a hotspot!

Goal 6: Dishes everyday. I did them today! Right in line with goal 1.

Goal 7: Midnight bedtime: I've been getting better but totally relapsed on that one last night/this morning. 4am bedtime. Up at 7am. I'm sorry! I got in the zone while I was working! Same story too "I'll go to bed at 12am. Look up. It's 12:06a. Ok, well, I blew that. I'll go as soon as I edit pictures through the ceremony. Oh! But I love the formals...ok, I'll just do the formals." 4 hours later the whole thing is done and I'm only getting 3 hours of sleep. I'll be fine tonight, but tomorrow is going to be painful. It's the 2nd day after thing again. {{{hangs head in shame}}}. Well, thanks to Flylady, I'm going to pick it back up, jump in where I'm at, try to not be a perfectionist, and love myself anyway.

Goal 44: Make the bed. Did it today! And loving it!

Goal 48: Jason's room. He and I actually did some decent work in there on Sat. Only for about a 1/2 hour, but it made a difference. Hopefully more this weekend.

Goal 55: Read Jenny from the Farm's blog 1 x per week. Read it today.

Goal 92: Network with 25 new people each year. I almost forgot I did this. I was in the post office just before Christmas. I was talking to the woman at the desk and a guy behind me overheard me saying I am a photographer. Well, the woman at the desk was saying how she does human resources type stuff on the side. I asked her if she had a card. In this economy, I know lots of people looking for jobs. She said no, not yet...it is her own business and she doesn't get cards. I said "Every good businesswoman should always have a card on them!". The guy behind me asked if I had one, which I did. He gave me his, and less than an hour later, he emailed me saying he checked out my site, he likes it, he may use me in the future and would be happy to pass my name along to others. I thanked him and agreed to do the same. He's a lawyer for a firm that specializes in small businesses (contracts, disputes, etc.)

Networking...it works. I'll blog more on that another time.

Interesting thing about Goal #51

Quick story about how Sign Language helped me!

Here's something else you don't know about me. I died. No, really! I did! When I was in college, I got Toxic Shock Syndrome. And yes, there is more than one way to get it, and no, I didn't get it the way everyone thinks. Actually, they never did figure out how it happened. "Toxic shock can result from wounds secondary to minor trauma or surgery incisions where bacteria have been able to enter the body and cause the infection. And TSS can affect anyone who has any type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a bone infection called osteomyelitis". I got it in April and I had pneumonia in Feb, so it could have been from that. Anyway...I was in college, started feeling nauseous one day. Not tossing my cookies, but not good. That continued and within two weeks, I was unable to get out of bed, had this really weird sunburned looking rash on my entire body, was so dizzy I thought I was going to pass out everytime I sat up and basically thought I had the flu. A friend brought me to the ER on a Friday, they told me I had the flu, gave me a bag and a half of IV fluid and sent me back to school. That Monday, I was back in the ER with fever of 105, a blood pressure of 70 over ?? (nothing) and just felt awful. Sitting at the triage desk was the last thing I remember until I woke up in ICU on a ventilator after having been in a coma for a week. After they admitted me, they brought me to my room, I crashed, they sent me to ICU, and started searching their medical journals trying to figure out what was wrong with me. In the meantime, my body was shutting down, so they had to go through and figure out how to support each of the systems in my body, plus get rid of whatever was making me sick.

The list:
-Ventilator to make me breathe, complete with head brace to keep me from pulling it out and from creating sores on my body. (I have the scars prove it. Maybe I'll post those at some point)
-NG tube to keep me fed.
-Central line to monitor my heart.
-IV's in both arms to administer 13 different antibiotics
-Catheter (nuff said)
-No-droopy foot boots so I wouldn't get foot drop plus pillows everywhere else to keep my skin healthy.
-Eyes taped shut so my corneas didn't dry out.

They had called my mom in CT to come up to VT because they weren't sure that I was going to make it. They told her this on the phone!! They had actually called her before I crashed, so when they gave her my location information, and she got to the hospital, she was told "I'm sorry, she's not here anymore". Nice, guys! Then they told her everything that happened in the 4 hours it had taken her to get there and sent her to ICU. I was already in a coma by now. Sometime the next day, they finally figured out what was wrong with me and continued my treatment. 8 days later, I woke up..sort of. I was semi-conscious and pretty confused about all the stuff around me, why I couldn't open my eyes, and what was down my throat!

My brother was there, thank God, because I started signing to him once they released my hands. I don't remember this, it's just what I was told. Half conscious, trying to sign. We only knew the alphabet at this point, plus my hands were swollen up from all the fluids they had been putting into me. It was a challenge to say the least. As I slowly regained consciousness, I was able to sign a little better, but it was still frustrating because my brother was my only interpreter, and he was shouting out the letters as I made them. i-n-e-e-d-t-o-b-e-s-u-c-t-i-o-n-e-d. I'd get to the end of the phrase and he'd go...wait...what was the 2nd word? AAUUGH!! Sidenote...suctioning is the grossest, freakiest thing ever, next to being intubated. I would know exactly where the congestion was in my chest...I could feel it, so I would indicate "I only need to be suctioned a little. Not all the way. Just a little". Um...yeah...there is no suctioning a little. They go all the way down every time. Blah.

I still remember when they finally took me off the vent and extubated me. I felt like they were taking my lungs out with all the tubing! My job that first day was to breathe. That's it. Sit in a chair and breathe. If I could breathe on my own for 6 hours, I wouldn't have to go back onto that AWFUL machine. Can I tell you that I almost didn't make it? I was SO tired! It's hard work to breathe when you haven't done it in over a week! But, I made it. The next day, I went to a regular floor to gain some strength, and WALK! I finally got to walk again. I went 100 ft and I was SO proud of myself and SO exhausted! My ICU doc followed me throughout my stay even though he didn't have to, and he told me that at first, he didn't think that I would make it. I'm sure glad he was there! Before I went home, I got to go and visit the ICU nurses that took care of me, and thank them for all they did, and they said the same thing... I almost didn't make it. I still have notes that I wrote while I was still in ICU, and I don't remember writing them...how weird is that? Dr. Reisch said he was going to put me in a medical journal. I wonder if that ever happened.

Anyway...Sign Language helped me communicate when I was too weak to hold a pen and didn't have the ability to speak. And thank you Dr. Reisch for saving my life.

Why Goal #51

Goal #51 - Learn 1001 new signs in Sign Language. The thought behind this was that I would learn one new sign every day. Yeah...not so much. Ahhh! I just realized that Sign Language is something that few people know about me. Yes, I Sign, and I LOVE it! I started signing when I was a kid. I had a great-aunt and uncle who were Deaf. One had mumps or something and I'm not sure why the other was Deaf. I do mean was when I talk about them. Both are passed-on now. My brother and I learned the Sign Language alphabet growing up. My aunt gave us this HUGE red book full of thousands of signs, but I didn't learn much beyond the alphabet until I was an adult. I wanted to learn because I was always so fascinated watching my aunt and uncle. Not a word spoken, but completely understanding each other. It was amazing and beautiful and I wanted be be part of their world. So, learn I did. And I thought I was hot stuff! I had this unique skill and I would spell and spell and they sat and watched and spelled right back. Now that I know as much as I do, I'm amazed at their patience and how TEDIOUS it must have been sitting through my fingerspelling! Bless you Aunt Connie and Uncle Pedio!

When I was in my 20's, I got a brochure from American School for the Deaf offering community Sign Language classes. I went to every one and completely fell in love with the Language, the culture, the people...

I attended a program called Total Immersion. 5 days of only Signing. No talking allowed. You could write if you needed to, but what better way to learn a language and understand a culture than to be immersed in it? I had only been Signing for a few months when I went, so I was pretty lost. I learned SO much though! Body language, facial expressions, and silence. To get the full effect, I wore ear plugs all week so that I wouldn't even hear people's footsteps. I went to classes and sat in on conversations, learned how to use a TTY, played games and ate meals with people I had never met, and even participated in a Deaf drama. It was SO cool! I want to go back, and I will, but it's $500, so I have to wait until my finances are REALLY good.

I went to a couple semesters of college for Deaf Studies hoping to become an interpreter, but finances and travel got in the way and I didn't continue. I continued to learn anyway and Sign any chance I got. It's one of those things that if you don't use it, you lose it. One day, a friend from church asked me "If I bring someone to church who is Deaf, will you interpret?". I was a bit taken aback and intimidated, but I agreed and I've been doing that for the last year or so. It's a challenge, but I LOVE it! I met a wonderful woman who is Deaf and SO patient with me. I'm fluent enough that she gets learn about God, like REALLY learn, for the first time in her life, and she blesses me with her patience and friendship.

So, why goal #51? Because there are always new signs to learn and I'm not as fluent as I'd like to be. So, I went online today and learn two new signs: Behold (like "behold, the lamb of God"). And Abundant. Hey! I just got a great idea from a friend of mine and fellow blogger; maybe I should do a quick video blog of the differnt signs I learn. Then, others can learn too! I make no promises of how often I will do this. I'll put it on my next 101 list, but I will try. Maybe this weekend, I'll record a blog in Sign and then translate into written words. That sounds like fun!

Go to bed, and then make it!

Goals #7 and #44 accomplished for today. Goal #7 - Go to bed before Midnight. Last night, I went to bed at 11:20p. How's that for progress!?! I'm smiling this morning. I feel ready to tackle my day...and my sink is shiny! "SAY WHAT?!?" I'm sure I heard that as a collective statement. Some of you may know what I'm talking about, but for those that think I have OCD, let me assure you, I don't...I don't think! No, seriously, a shiny sink is a big deal. There's this wonderful woman somewhere in the world named Marla, AKA The Flylady. She has a book about getting your house clean, uncluttered (you can't organize clutter), and getting you FLYing. What is FLYing? Finally Loving Yourself. How? By getting out of CHAOS...Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome. If you think I'm making this up, go to flylady.net. She'll explain. I've gotten on board with this a few times, and here I find myself again starting from the beginning, which is...Shine your sink. The idea is that a shiny sink is nice to have and by doing it, you've accomplished something. It might be something small, but folks...it works. My sink is empty, shiny, and it makes a world of difference. It's like the bed making thing. The rest of my kitchen leaves much to be desired, but it looks more put together because there aren't piles of dishes in my sink.

So, in addition to going to bed at a reasonable hour and having a shiny sink, goal #44 has also been accomplished. Make the bed. I have found that it's much easier to make it every day than to start making it again after it's been unmade for a week. It's a lot less messed up in the morning, so it takes less time to make. Common sense? Well, for now. Easy? Yup...for now. We'll see how well I can continue it once I'm married and there is someone else on the other side of my bed...

Goal #55

Just read Jenny From the Farm's blog for this week and commented. I'm on a roll!

update and one more goal completed. Yaah!

Well, one good thing I can say is that it hasn't been a month since I blogged last...only about two weeks. So, that's a plus.

So, I completed Goal #80 - Go bowling with Jason. We went this past weekend. I know it's not a huge life changing goal...well, maybe it is...maybe it is to Jason; not this specific bowling trip, but things like this. We actually had a really good weekend. On Sat., Jason and Rob had a "guys day" while I had an appt. down in Greenwich, CT with a potential wedding couple (who actually did book this week, thank you very much!). They went to a movie and to this really cool place called The Book Barn. I want to go too! And then on Sunday, we went bowling after church. So...big deal?...maybe. Small deal?...that's ok because I did set a goal and accomplish it which gives me hope for the rest of my list.

Other updates:
Goal #6 - Dishes every day. I have to say that I'm greatly improved in this area. I admit I've had some good motivation. My sweetie comes over and makes dinner a lot, so we are going through dishes much faster than before. If I don't do them, I can't eat!

Goal #7 - Midnight bedtime. I haven't kept track too well, but I can tell you that I looked at the clock last night and it was 11:56p, so it's improvement. I'll be honest and tell you that the night before was 2am. Progress not perfection.

Goal #10 - Get my car back on the road. Last time I wrote I had $1865 left to pay. Now I only have $1815 left to pay. Sad, I know. I've been without my poor car since Sept. but waiting is worth not getting into worse debt. Trust me. And I will be SOOOOO happy to have it back. I'm close. In fact, I think I will have it by Feb.

Goal #17 - New pic every day. I've been shooting more, but not every day, and yes, I know I have yet to upload many. I will though. I PROMISE!

Goal #33 - Get receipts together for tax time. So, they are all together. I've started inputting them into excel and should be done with that by the end of the month. I'm not considering this goal done until my taxes are filed.

Goal #44 - Make bed six days per week: This is like the dishes one. I've been doing better. Much better, and it makes a difference. It's true that even if your room is a mess, a made-bed makes a world of difference.

Goal #46 - 4th step on e-h. I have yet to explain this one, but I will, and I started it last night. It's going to be productive.

Goal #66 - Wear different jewelry - I have a necklace on today that I don't usually wear, and while it's not jewelry, I did paint my nails with actual color last night. And, I just took a picture of them to upload and show off, so there's my pic for the day. I have one other one that I shot today, but I can't post it. Why, you say? Well, it's of my derriere...yes, that's right, my tuckus. And why would I take a picture of that, you ask? Well, because I landed on it recently. Monday night, I was going down my front stairs, and they were covered in ice. Thanks to no porch light and no salt from my landlord, plus a bit of darkness added in, I fell, right down the stairs, and landed hard. Fortunately, I didn't hit my head, but I did hit my low back and bottom on the stairs and have now been gifted with a mark that is a full rainbow of colors at this. So, I wanted a picture of my bruise...but I'll spare you the visual on that one.

That's all for now folks...

Two goals completed!

I did it. I actually completed two goals! Goals #49 and #50. 49 was: To rearrange my livingroom. I wanted to do this to shake things up a bit. I can't go out and buy new furniture right now but I wanted to see something new. I think I like the new look. It will be better when I take my Christmas tree down. Then I'll be able to see the TV from either side of the couch, but I do think I like the look. There's a recliner in my livingroom that I can't wait to get rid of. It's my ex's and besides my couch, it's the only other funiture in there that you can sit on, so it stays for now, but he doesn't want it, won't take it, so I'm stuck with it. I think I'm setting myself an unofficial goal to get rid of this chair and replace it with a new one by the end of this year.
#50 was to clean out my video cabinet. I had videos and DVDs in the TV cabinet, on the TV cabinet, around the TV cabinet, in video boxes, in the other room, everywhere. Who needs all that and what 12 yr old still needs Power Ranger videos? Blech!! So, out of there they went. Now, being that I'm into donating things, I'm trying to figure out what to do with them. I could give them to my library to add to their collection, but they only collect on certain days (love living in a small town, right?), or I could give them to good will. Either way, they aren't in the cabinet anymore, so YAAAAAAAHHHHH ME!!!!!!!! There is hope for me yet.

By the way, on the whole house cleaning goal...I think I've cleaned my livingroom about 7 times in 6 days. I can't stand it! Every time I clean it and then leave to do something else, I come back and there's stuff on the floor again, sneakers in the middle of the floor, a candy wrapper on the couch, a video on the window...does it ever end? Not with a 12 yr old I guess...