1001 days of 101 challenges....

Day 299 - 42 weeks and 5 days gone......

2009-08-26T14:52:00.002+10:00

Okay I have been somewhat getting back into the swing of checking my list daily and trying to make every day matter..... I know some things will not be achieved overnight but other's can be.

So 299 have gone (42 weeks and 5 days) which means I have 702 days left to achieve as much as possible. Honestly I don't expect to achieve everything on my list.... however it would be nice... who knows, hey?

So what has the last few weeks brought...

#57 - Try a different recipe every week (42/143) - the last two "new" recipes we have tried are:

Linguine with Lime and Chilli Prawns

Honey Mustard Pork Cutlets

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (151/572) - we have managed 11 out of the last 14 days to eat together.

#92 - Ring my mam once a week (41/143) - I have spoken to my mam 6 times in the last 14 days - not too shabby there.

#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (299/1001) - have started replenishing my coin collection.

Day 290..... time to re-focus!

2009-08-17T10:41:00.006+10:00

I am not going to make excuses for missing and wasting so many days. These days I will never get back but I can surely make the effort to RE-FOCUS and get back on with the job at hand.

There are a few items of my list that I now believe shouldn't have been on there to start with and I am not sure what I can do about this... will have to ponder some thought on them. But others on my list are there for a reason and I know that by completing them I will fulfill many aspects in my life.

SO where am I at now.......

#01 – Lose weight – my current weight is 93kgs (as of today) and my personal NEW goal is 65kgs. I have 28 kgs to lose.
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (4/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - deadline is NOW END OF OCTOBER! And this time I do not plan on getting any more extensions....
#04 – Research our family tree – started and stalled......
#05 - Control my psoriasis - started and not persisted...... hhhhmmmm!!!!
#08 - Find a hobby (besides Facebook) I really like and will continue to do.... DONE! Now I BLOG!! Still feel I need to find an ACTUAL hobby!!!
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#13 - Have a family holiday other than camping - paid deposit for a chaltet in Bright - no date set as yet
#14 - Hold a "How To Host A Murder" Dinner Party - DONE Saturday 4th July 2009
#19 - Have a party for Noel's 40th in April 2009 - DONE Saturday 25th April 2009.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (5/34) - missed a few months so need to catch up - should be up to 10.....
#54 - Write a cookbook - having started online http://www.adashofflavour.blogspot.com/ - I am having so much fun with this and have put it out there for others to read - please come and vist our online kitchen!!
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (41/143) - definitely cooking more than one new recipe each week
#59 - Go somewhere for dinner where we need to dress up (1/6)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (250/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started and stalled
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429) - need to catch up on this one... should be up to 123!!
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429) - need to catch up on this one... should be up to 123!!
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (140/572) - been a little slack!!
#84 - Sort out kitchen cupboards - DONE but now I do need to do the plastic containers... ggggrrrr
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (6/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#89 - Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Oliver (20/143hrs) - definitely need to improve in this area..... should be 41 hrs
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (20/143hrs) - definitely need to improve in this area..... should be 41 hrs
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (41/143) - I have to admit to sometimes ringing her more than once
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (290/1001) - raided my stash so I have to start again... naughty girl.

So what's in the pipeline?

Firstly I need to get my head sorted and get back on with my mission at hand. It's all about improving me and finalising the things I want to do, the things I have listed. I am going to start planning both the Indian and Chinese dinner parties, as they will need to be planned properly.

Football season for 2009 is nearly over so I will now get my Sunday's back....and therefore I will be able to spend more time with Noel, Oliver and Alexandria. Something I need to do that is for sure!

hhhhmmmm I wonder can I change my list half way through or is that cheating?

Day 168 and all the days MIA before......

2009-04-15T10:18:00.007+10:00

WOW - sort of missed a few days worth of posting here… oops!!

No exact reasoning for the lapse in not only blogging but slackness on behalf of completing these challenges. I have had a fair bit going on... but I don't want to bore you with excuses!! So will just put it behind me as blah, blah, blah and get on with crossing some of these things off - okay?

101 tasks:

#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – restarted my lifestyle change/weightloss journey yesterday after yo-yoing for what seems forever. No more excuses!
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (3/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - deadline is NOW END OF MAY!
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#05 - Control my psoriasis - started
#08 - Find a hobby (besides Facebook) I really like and will continue to do.... DONE
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#13 - Have a family holiday other than camping - paid deposit for a chaltet in Bright.
#14 - Hold a "How To Host A Murder" Dinner Party - in planning stage
#19 - Have a party for Noel's 40th in April 2009 - the party is on 25th April at our place.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (5/34)
#54 - Write a cookbook - having started online http://www.adashofflavour.blogspot.com/ - I am having so much fun with this and have put it out there for others to read - please come and vist our online kitchen!!
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (40/143)
#59 - Go somewhere for dinner where we need to dress up (1/6)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (250/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (96/572)
#84 - Sort out kitchen cupboards - DONE.
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (6/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#89 - Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Oliver (20/143hrs)
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (20/143hrs)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (96/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (167/1001)

#14 - Hold a "How To Host A Murder" Dinner Party - in planning stage

No date set as yet but I have decided on the couples that I am going to invite - now I need to choose which game and when? I love these dinner parties - they are such a novel idea!

#59 - Go somewhere for dinner where we need to dress up (1/6)

On Easter Sunday the family all dressed in our suits and fancy clothes and went for lunch at the Italian Club in Keysborough to celebrate Dad's birthday. It was nice to dress up... as we don't do it very often at all.

#89 - Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Oliver (20/143hrs) and #90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (20/143hrs)

I have just had the past week off from work as it's school holidays. It was wonderful to spend some extra time with the kids. I cannot class all of the days as quality time as quite a lot of it I spent cleaning, doing clothes washing etc. But it was great to be able to sit and watch movies, play games, talk and just be together. We did go to the cinema's to see Monsters vs Aliens so that was a nice outing.

Needless to say I need to pull my finger out and focus on completing quite a few more challenges as time is literally running out......

Day 79 - 107... OMG time flies!!

2009-02-07T10:10:00.003+11:00

I cannot believe that it has nearly been a month since updating this blog. I do however have an arm full of excuses, which I will not bore you with.

Have I achieved anything to date... let's take a look at the list and see.

101 tasks:

#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 0.8kgs.

#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (2/34)

#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.

#04 – Research our family tree – started.

#05 - Control my psoriasis - started

#08 - Find a hobby (besides Facebook) I really like and will continue to do.... DONE

#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.

#13 - Have a family holiday other than camping - paid deposit for a chaltet in Bright.

#19 - Have a party for Noel's 40th in April 2009 - I have started planning this.

#46 - Send mam a card every month (4/34)

#54 - Write a cookbook - having started online http://www.adashofflavour.blogspot.com/ - does this count I wonder?

#57 - Try a different recipe every week (21/143)

#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (250/1001)

#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started

#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429)

#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429)

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (52/572)

#84 - Sort out kitchen cupboards - DONE.

#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (6/429)

#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.

#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (3/143).

#92 - Ring my mam once a week (15/143)

#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (107/1001)

So let's wrap this up.....

#05 - Control my psoriasis - started

When Jeff came out from Wales to stay with my mam he brought me some tubes of cream. This cream I have used before with success, but didn't follow up on. I decided to get myself into a routine of applying the cream regularly and I am quite proud of my elbows and knees at the moment. I still have a long way to go but my spots don't look or feel so dry and sore as they have in the past.

#08 - Find a hobby (besides Facebook) I really like and will continue to do....

Done... my new hobby isn't Facebook but I dare say that it's computer related. I have started an online cooking blogspot. This is something I dabbled with last year but have really found a passion for. Infact the whole family are quite excited about this venture and are participating not to mention encouraging me.

Check it out if you dare: http://www.adashofflavour.blogspot.com/

#13 - Have a family holiday other than camping

Earlier in January I put a deposit on a Chalet in Bright, Victoria. It won't be a long holiday but it will still be a holiday for the four of us. Now we just need to work out when we will be going.

#19 - Have a party for Noel's 40th in April 2009

April 24th is Noel's birthday and I have already started planning a party for him. It won't be too fancy but fancy enough to celebrate his big birthday. Mam and Clare are both planning to fly in to help celebrate.

#54 - Write a cookbook

Having started an online cooking blog, http://www.adashofflavour.blogspot.com/, does this count I wonder? I think so and if successful it will be a great starting block for a proper cookbook.

#84 - Sort out kitchen cupboards.

I did it and managed to through out 2 and a half black garbage bags full of out of date food. Now when I say food it was packet mixes, flours, sauces, jars etc... I couldn't believe what was actually in our cupboards but now they look great. (This is only one cupboard but I am sure that you get the picture).

Day 73, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78...

2009-01-09T15:12:00.002+11:00

Okay so another few days have flown, but that's okay.

No major achievements to cross off the list but I did manage to lose 1.6kgs this week so that's a little chipped of task #1.

Also tried a new recipe this week - Spinach and Ricotta Conchiglioni (I adapted from canneloni as I had large shells not tubes) and it was quite nice actually. Add that to the favourites list.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.9kgs.
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (2/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (3/34)
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (7/143)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (187/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (52/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (6/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (3/143).
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (12/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (78/1001)

Days 51 - 72... # 10 Complete...

2009-01-03T10:18:00.002+11:00

Wow - December and Christmas really took a hold of me this year as I just needed everything to be perfect for the big day.. what am I saying I am like this every year!! So needless to say finding time has been very hard and as you can see it's been quite a few days inbetween posts.

Proudly though I can say that I completed #10 - Have a New Years Eve Party at our house. And it was ACE!! Not a huge crowd but big enough. A mix of family, old friends and new friends made the party successful not to mention all the food that was brought and prepared. In all I think everyone enjoyed themselves and from a hazzy memory believed that it finished around 3am!!

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 0.4kgs - Christmas and New Year didn't help my weight.
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (2/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#10 - Have a New Years Eve Party at our house - COMPLETED 31/12/08-01/01/09
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (3/34)
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (6/143)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (180/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (72/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (6/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (3/143).
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (12/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (72/1001)

Days 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 ....

2008-12-13T10:27:00.002+11:00

"Geez louize" - cannot believe that I have become quite slack with this blog. I must say it's definately not intentional its time deficiency for sure.

On the challenge front no major advances as, like many of you, Christmas has taken hold of the steering wheel and is consuming me and my thoughts daily. I love Christmas dearly but this year I am looking forward to relaxing after it's all over. I don't really know why I feel like this - well to be honest I do - but I am a big girl and have to deal with it....

Sorry this is not really exactly exciting reading at the moment!!

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 0.7kgs - Had a massive gain totally self inflicted.
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (2/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (3/34)
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (4/143)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (130/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (10/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (2/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (42/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (3/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (3/143)
.#92 - Ring my mam once a week (10/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (50/1001)

Day 41, 42, 43 and 44......

2008-12-06T10:17:00.002+11:00

Well all was looking good on Wednesday but yesterday I definately put a stop to that... let me explain....

My sister and I have a very strained relationship which I am always trying to improve, it is my one wish in the world to have a better relationship, a normal relationship - one where she lets me into her world.

On Wednesday she rang to thank me for one of her son's birthday cards (he couldn't personally thank me as he is 2), which I really appreciated. We chatted for awhile and then came the crunch. She invited us to go there for dinner the night Mam arrives in Melbourne. Sounds good? No - it's the only time she has invited us or wanted to spend time with us since Mam left back in March.

After a good long hard think, Friday I rang and declined the invitation with the reasoning that I was sick of playing this game of "happy special occassion" families. That I can't do it for me or for my kids and that I would like to have a normal relationship with here and actually act like sisters. The response was minimal and then the phone hung up!

Needless to say I think I have blown my chances for good of completing #65.

Other than that I haven't done a great deal as this issue has been consuming my attention.... but now the time has come (yes the penny dropped that it's the relationship is never going to change) for me to get on with my life!

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (1/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (2/34)
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (3/143)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (125/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (9/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (1/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (21/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (3/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (2/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (7/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (44/1001)

Days 37, 38, 39 and 40 ....

2008-12-02T13:02:00.003+11:00

What does the clock speed up now that we are getting closer to the end of the year? It seems like I am doing lots but doesn't seem like I am achieving much at all!! Oh well - I suppose that's the way it goes - right? Will have to really try and concentrate on some of my challenges after the silly season is definately over.

Monday I decided enough was enough with my weight issues. It's no use making excuses or reasons for not losing weight. The bottome line is that I am not making the effort required. So I have menu planned the week and even did a 1 mile Walk Away the Pounds DVD. Planning to do at least 1 mile everyday and just steering clear of fat food.

It's Angus' (my nephew's) birthday on Wednesday. He will be turning 2. I have posted him a card with money. All I can do really as I don't know him or what he would like/need. Sad really that we aren't closer but I cannot try any harder at making that happen. Another episode that is not making # 65 any easier to complete... time may change things.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.1kgs - put on again this week :(
#02 - Have a "date" with my husband once a month (1/34)
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#11 - Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn - started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (2/34)
#57 - Try a different recipe every week (3/143)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (121/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (9/429)
#67 - Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (1/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (18/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (3/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (2/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (6/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (40/1001)

Days 35 and 36 ...

2008-11-28T15:47:00.002+11:00

Pretty much all quiet here for the last few days.....

Kerry and I have decided to have a mini challenge just between the two of us for the next few weeks. Something little just to keep us both on the straight and narrow until at least Christmas!! My goal is to be at least 90kgs by Christmas!

I have an admission though!! We are starting to get a really good group of friends now and socialise quite a bit now compared to years gone by. One of the things that is hard for me for me to get used to is them just "popping in"! I am not a pop-in person and it always catches me by surprise. Don't get me wrong I enjoy this "pop-in" action. Makes me feel special - that someone actually took the time to think about coming to visit me!! Sharon always does it and we had a visit from the Coopers last night (even though I did have a tip of that he might pop over!) It was just a shame he turned up as I was serving dinner!!

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.1kgs - put on again this week :(
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (2/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (115/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (6/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (18/572)
#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (2/429)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (6/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (36/1001)

Days 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 …

2008-11-27T10:50:00.003+11:00

Apparently I am normal or should I say my Blood Pressure is?? 120/80 – the first time is 16 weeks. I have to go back to see the doctor in two weeks and I am still on the strong tablet but what a relief. Noel came to the doctors with me and he said he could see the relief in my face as soon as I got the result. I must say this little battle with my BP has really had me feeling down quite a bit lately. I hate not knowing why things happen and when I don’t know why I know I can’t fix it. It’s probably being a “thinker” that is causing the high blood pressure in the first place. Anyway the important thing is my BP’s okay finally but I still really need to work of losing my excess weight and getting rid of the BP medication all together.

But I did manage to do two 30 minute walks this week. Once was with Kerry on Sunday and then again on Monday afternoon with the kids.

Not a great deal more to report. Have spoken with Mam a few times this last week and she is starting to get excited about coming down for Christmas. I know I am…. I just can’t wait to see her. As I mentioned a while ago I really need a Mam hug!!

I had to get an extension on my Cert IV again due to my work load at the moment. I hate being the only one that seems to know how to use a computer but then it does put me in an advantageous position I suppose. Cert IV is now due end of January 2009.

Christmas is fast approaching and I need to pull my finger out and get organised. Not sure how many we are having around the table this year but I know the starting figure will be 11! If a miracle happens it could even be 20 but that miracle would have to happen soon. Needless to say the situation with my sister (very long story) isn’t getting any better. I haven’t spoken to her since the 7th November and even then I rang her. So I have no idea how I am going to even attempt to complete # 65 at this point in time.

Oh well enough whinging about things I have no control over… I really need to get on and enjoy MY life!! That's what this is all about right?

101 tasks:

#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.5kgs

#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.

#04 – Research our family tree – started.

#46 - Send mam a card every month (2/34)

#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (115/1001)

#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started

#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (6/429)

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (18/572)

#86 - Walk 30 mins per day 3 times per week (2/429)

#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.

#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)

#92 - Ring my mam once a week (5/143)

#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (34/1001)

Days 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 ...

2008-11-21T09:35:00.004+11:00

I have been a little slack with both my blogging and also with my list.

These last few days have just flown by probably because Noel and I have been busy at work and doing a few extra hours especially Noel who has done overtime every night this week. I even managed to get out and do some training off site on Monday but also attended a training session on site on Wednesday.

Mam got her card that I sent her with a few DVD's for her to watch. I am a little worried about her being in Queensland with all the bad weather and storms that they are having. It won't be long now until she gets to Melbourne and I can give her a hug.

Not happy with the computer being in our bedroom - actually preferred it on the dining table... oh the irony of trying to get organised!

I have felt really tired this week. Not sure if it's something to do with my Blood Pressure but I am not due to see the doctor again until next Wednesday. Hopefully this will pass before then.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.5kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (2/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (110/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#66 - Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (2/429)
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (17/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (4/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (29/1001)

Day 23 and 24 ... #79 Complete!

2008-11-17T08:57:00.001+11:00

Both Noel and I worked on Saturday so not a great deal was done except for pottering around the house with some cleaning, etc followed by eating dinner and watching “Get Smart” as a family. Quite a funny film but I love listening to the kids laugh and chatter about things that happened whilst watching.

Sunday was a huge day with more sorting of boxes, organising the house and getting rid of rubbish. Yes more rubbish! We now have a dining room that actually looks like a dining room. All the books are on the bookshelf, all the glasses are in the glass cabinet and we no longer have a computer on the end of the table! So #79 complete!!

We accomplished so much yesterday but we still have a long way to go with sorting the house… but by doing a little bit at a time we will get there.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.9kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (110/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#79 – Remove the computer from the dining table – done 16/11/2008.
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (14/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (4/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (25/1001)

Day 21 and 22 ...

2008-11-14T08:40:00.003+11:00

My weekly step onto the scales this morning saw a 200g loss taking my total loss to date to 1.9kgs.

Other than that no real advancements on my list.

Funny enough my friend Paula has made contact with me again and I have also found an address for another old friend, Carolyn. I have written Carolyn a letter and will wait patiently to see if she replies. Contact with either of these two old, but what I considered GOOD friends, didn't make it to my original list.

Can I have an incidental list???

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.9kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (85/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (12/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (3/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (21/1001)

Day 18, 19 and 20 ...

2008-11-12T12:17:00.001+11:00

I really need to refocus on my daily happenings and stop letting all my days blur into one. If I am not careful my precious time will slip away and run out.

To be honest not much has occurred since Sunday that is worth writing about.

Little tasks are being done like ringing mam weekly which at times borders on daily, sitting at the dinner table as a family and putting a $2 coin in a tin everyday but I am not concentrating on making any of the other tasks on my list happen. But the bigger things, that will definitely take time such as losing my weight, I am not giving a second thought to at the moment.

Not sure why as I still have the same excitement and urge to do this – I just seem to be in a lull at the moment. Maybe it has something to do with the planets?? (only kidding!)

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.7kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (85/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (12/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (3/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (20/1001)

Day 16 and 17 ...

2008-11-10T10:12:00.001+11:00

I must say that I spend most of Saturday still enjoying my get together with Ali on Friday night.. it was great and I do hope we see each other more regularly from now on.

But I must admit that Saturday flew by with working in the morning, sneaking off for a nana-nap in the afternoon and having a roast for dinner! Didn’t mind being slack as I knew we were facing a huge Sunday with another get together.

This time the get together was on Noel’s side of the family with his cousin Paul, and his wife Angela, coming over from England. It was a great afternoon with a BBQ at Mam and Dad’s.

Not much to mark off my list this weekend.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.7kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (85/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (10/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (6/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (17/1001)

Day 15 ... #23 Complete

2008-11-08T07:34:00.004+11:00

#23 – Meet up with Ali (from school)

I spent most of yesterday in a mood of very mixed feelings and emotions. I was scared, nervous, excited and on the verge of wetting myself knowing that at 7pm I would meet up with someone I hadn’t seen for nearly half my lifetime!

I had butterflies in my tummy and my hands were shaking from nerves but 20 years on from the last time we saw each other it was fantastic to catch up again. I couldn’t believe that Alison was actually in my house talking to me! We had a lovely dinner and sat, chatting like too old fish wives about things that have happened over the last two decades and also things that we remember from our school days. It was a blast!

I hope Alison enjoyed herself too and that we don't leave it another 20 years! LOL!!

Here we are in Year 12..... 20 years ago!

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.7kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – COMPLETE
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (82/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (8/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (5/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (15/1001)

Days 13 and 14 .....

2008-11-07T09:37:00.000+11:00

Another two days have flown past with nothing scratched off the list. Still working on a few things however.

Today is going to be a strange day for me!

I am sitting here with mixed feelings. Feelings of excitement, nervousness and even a little scared. Why? I have a friend coming over for dinner tonight. A friend that I haven't seen for 20 years!! The last time we saw each other was in Year 12 of Mentone Girls Secondary College. Dinner is planned, in fact I made the main dish last night. We are having STGTBT Lasagne with a nice fresh salad. All I have to do after finishing work is stop by the shops and grab a few things, make the salad, spruce the house up some more and hopefully sit down for 5 minutes to chill out!!

OMG - what a night this is going to be???

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.7kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – TONIGHT!
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (82/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (8/572)
#87 – Finish unpacking house from the move - started.
#90 – Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (5/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (14/1001)

Day 11 and 12 ...

2008-11-05T09:51:00.003+11:00

Wow that was a full weekend – a weekend where I feel I could have achieved more but in fact I am quite happy with what I did do. I am sitting here at work quite tired but that’s okay.

Monday and Tuesday somewhat disappeared but then again so did Saturday and Sunday. Time flies when you are having fun or even when you are just busy!

Monday did some cleaning, sorted a few boxes (#87 started), made a lasagne for Sharon’s dinner and babysat Tom.

Tuesday, Melbourne Cup Day, in the morning mad a coleslaw to take with us as well as a pavlova BUT I does not come close to helping me complete #70 as the base was a shop bought one. Nice all the same and the whole thing was devoured!

So overall a few more boxes were sorted, a few more bits and piece have been thrown away, some more cd’s and dvd’s sorted and I have mastered decorating a pav…. Needless to say a good weekend was had.

101 tasks:

#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs

#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.

#04 – Research our family tree – started.

#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!

#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)

#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (82/1001)

#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (5/572)

#87 - Sort out boxes - started.

#92 - Ring my mam once a week (3/143)

#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (12/1001)

Days 9 and 10 ... #88 Complete

2008-11-03T10:44:00.006+11:00

Saturday flew past with the usual working til lunchtime, then we went and dropped off our Christmas Shoe Boxes. Speaking with the people where we took our boxes to we found out that our gifts of love were actually destined for Cambodia. They kindly showed us photo's of their last trip, including photo's of children receiveing boxes. I think it put a closure on the journey of the boxes for the children. I am so proud of them for participating in such a selfless act of giving!

And what a perfect weekend to start on #61 on my list and also complete #88!

#61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) and #88 - Put junk out for hard rubbish collection

Yesterday Noel and I spent the day putting our treasures onto the naturestrip for hard rubbish throw out... I counted 52 items that we have dragged from house to house everytime we have moved... stuff that we no longer needed, used or wanted. (hence completion of #88!) Some of it was really hard to throw out as it had connections to my dad, but even though for my own sanity I need to move on it doesn't mean that I will think less of him or forget to love him!

(I rang mam today just to tell her that I love her - she knows why!)

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
# 61 - De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (52/1001)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (5/572)
#88 - Put junk out for hard rubbish collection - COMPLETED
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (3/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (9/1001)

Day 8....

2008-11-01T11:27:00.003+11:00

Well another Friday gone and another day over....

Haven't accomplished a great day off my list today but have a long weekend ahead of me (don't go back to work until Wednesday!! How good is that?)

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (3/572)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (1/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (8/1001)

Day 7....

2008-10-31T10:07:00.000+11:00

Not a great deal to report from yesterday. But I am pleased that after one week I have started a few of my challenges even completing #7.

I have weigh-in tomorrow morning so cross fingers that there will be a change to my weigh loss to date.

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (2/572)
#92 - Ring my mam once a week (1/143)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (7/1001)

Day 6....

2008-10-30T10:05:00.003+11:00

Well it was a full day – lots going on both at work and at home.

Rang Mam and she was pleased to tell me that she had got her card plus she loved it. I think it’s always nice receiving mail in today’s world of electronic technology.

Speaking of electronic technology I received another message from Paula and she would love to catch up. Pondering over my past friendships I “googled” a few names and sent an email through a theatre company in Tasmania trying to contact another friend, Carolyn. Shall see what happens hey?

Off to the doctors I went on 5pm to get BP checked. Noel wanted to come to the doctors and picked up Noel up from Safeway’s carpark. While driving through the carpark I saw Jamie and Kyle. Kyle was full of smiles and waved which made me feel special until I saw the false smile and forced wave coming from his father – my brother in law!! I wonder if he will tell my sister they saw me??

BP has gone down a little – enough to keep the doctor happy for this week. So, for the record BP is 130/90. I will remain on the same tablets for another week and go back to the doctors next Wednesday. Must say I felt quite relieved leaving the doctors.

101 tasks:

#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs

#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.

#04 – Research our family tree – started.

#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!

#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)

#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (2/572)

#92 - Ring my mam once a week (1/143)

#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (6/1001)

Day 5.....

2008-10-29T11:17:00.001+11:00

Well the days are going past fast and I am a little worried that I won’t achieve all of my 101 challenges but then I stop and say to myself that “there is still lots of time left, remain positive and enjoy yourself”. I think one of my biggest problems is that I stress about things way too much!! And I mean way too much!

So after months of emailing each other now Alison and I have finally decided to meet up. Geez it has been 20 years since we last saw each other! Alison is coming over to our house for dinner on the 7th November. I am a little nervous but very excited. So roll on the 7th and # 23 will be complete! Funnily enough, I have also had contact on the internet from another school friend, Paula. I have replied with a message so we’ll see the outcome of that… not holding my breath though but then again stranger things have happened.

I have made a start on researching my family tree. I decided to start this as early as possible as with my family I know that this is going to be a huge task. My Claire has done this but I want to do it on my own. Plus I don’t think Claire will share as I have previously asked her! Oh well shit happens – means I will learn more by finding all my ancestors myself, right?

101 tasks:
#01 – Lose 36.7kgs – loss to date 1.4kgs
#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.
#04 – Research our family tree – started.
#23 – Meet up with Ali – organised for 7th Nov!
#46 - Send mam a card every month (1/34)
#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started
#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (1/572)
#100 – Put $2 away for every day of this challenge (5/1001)

Days 2, 3 and 4...

2008-10-27T09:41:00.008+11:00

Sorry about not posting this weekend individually but we had a rather busy weekend.

Day 2:

I worked in the morning while Noel and the kids did some cleaning and got the food ready for our "Rib Night" dinner we were having. Deb, Julien, Sharon came with their kids and it was a really good night. I think everyone enjoyed themselves even though all of us adults seemed to be a little on edge thanks to the happenings of our weeks, if you know what I mean? Sharon has been stressing out about work and Tom, Deb and Jul's had bad news regarding their IVF and the two of us were knackered from the week's work!

Day 3:

A sleep in... cannot remember the last sleep in but it was enjoyed and needed. Then it was off to Sean's for his birthday lunch, home around 6pm and did nothing really. Made sure that the kids had uniform, folded some clothes, got the kids to bed and we sat down to watch a movie.... or should I say half a movie. Both really tired so went to bed around 10.15pm!!

Day 4:

Back to work today and I have a huge week ahead a work. Need to finish my Cert IV upgrade (it was actually due today but I asked for another, yes another, extension!!)

101 tasks:

#03 - Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade - working on it.

#46 - Send mam a card every month... posted the first card off on Friday (1/34)

#64 - Organise all DVD's and CD's - has been started

#83 - Sit at the dinner table as a family 4 times per week (1/572)

Jo xx

Day 1 - No # 7 Complete

2008-10-24T21:51:00.008+11:00

No # 7 - Make 2 Christmas Shoe Boxes

Tonight Alex, Oliver and I made 2 Christmas Shoe Boxes to send overseas for as part of the Samaritians Purse Christmas Appeal. It's a wonderful idea that my blog friend Chris introduced me to as it is on her 101 in 1001 list and I loved the thought of doing this the minute I found out about it...

First we wrapped 2 shoe boxes in christmas paper so the child recieving it didn't think they were getting a pair of Dunlop Volleys, then we filled the boxes with special gifts that the kids chose by themselves (with guidance from the suggestion list).

As you can see we had a great time and I am really proud of the kids for wanting to participate in something so special. It really does bring home the greatness of "giving"!

We will drop them off tomorrow!

Day Zero....

2008-10-23T14:14:00.017+11:00

I have finally finalised my list ... made a few changes here and there as I wasn't completely happy with the one that I had settled with on 19th October... so here it is. No more changes and I start tomorrow!

101 things to do in 1001 days

****Items in progress will be lilac****

****Completed items will be fuscia****

(Note: this list is in no particular order.)

1. Lose 36.7kgs and make it to goal!
2. Have a “date” with my husband once a month
3. Complete my Cert IV Trainer and Assessor Upgrade (due 31st Jan 09) -started!!
4. Research our family tree - started!!
5. Control my psoriasis
6. Take the kids to the snow.
7. Make 2 Christmas Shoe Boxes (girl and boy) - 24/10/08.
8. Find a hobby (besides Facebook) I really like to do and continue to do
9. Go camping once a year (0/3)
10. Have a New Years Eve Party at our house - 31/12/08-01/01/09
11. Get rid of clothes that I no longer wear or haven't worn.
12. Learn to speak Welsh.
13. Have a family holiday other than camping.
14. Host a "How to Host A Murder" dinner party
15. Complete a marathon
16. Have a pap smear
17. Visit Mam is Queensland
18. Organise a family get together - both sides.... OMG!!
19. Have a party for Noel's 40th in April 2009
20. Get a tattoo.
21. Buy a house
22. Visit Kerry in Sydney
23. Meet up with Ali (from school) - 07/11/08.
24. Meet up with Jo (from school)
25. Go to a concert
26. Have a poker night
27. Read an auto-biography or a biography
28. Create a website
29. Learn how to play chess
30. Stop taking BP Medicine because I am healthy
31. Hold a full Chinese dinner party (cooked from scratch)
32. Go to an AFL match
33. Repair dining table
34. Have a garage sale
35. Catch a crayfish
36. Spend a weekend at a health spa
37. Go on the Spirit of Tasmania with the family
38. Play a Bob Dylan song on the guitar
39. Go out for dinner with my mam
40. Grow an orchid
41. Learn how to ballroom dance
42. Read the Bible
43. Hold a spider
44. Host an Indian Dinner party (cooked from scratch)
45. Have a family holiday on a houseboat
46. Send mam a card every month (4/34)
47. Be able to do 50 sit ups
48. Be able to do 100 sit ups.
49. Have a body massage
50. Eat Abalone
51. Spend the night with the kids at Werribee Zoo or Melbourne Zoo
52. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
53. Hold a fancy dress party
54. Write a cookbook
55. Hold a snake
56. Ride on a Harley Davidson
57. Try a different recipe every week (1/143)
58. Go horse riding
59. Go somewhere for dinner where we need to dress up
60. Buy some sexy lingerie
61. De-clutter my house (get rid of 1001 items not including general rubbish) (115/1001)
62. Complete a short course of my choice (not works)
63. Sort out photographs
64. Organise all DVD's and CD's - started
65. Go out for dinner with my sister
66. Listen to Alex read 3 nights per week (2/429)
67. Listen to Oliver read 3 nights per week (1/429)
68. Visit 10 waterfalls (0/10)
69. Ride on a camel

70. Make a pavlova from scratch
71. Go berry picking
72. Play mini golf with the kids (0/6)
73. Volunteer my time to charity
74. Catch up with Annette when she is in Melbourne
75. Go for a family bike ride every 2 months (0/17)
76. Read 10 fiction books/novels (0/10)
77. Attend Carols by Candlelight
78. Take Ann (Mother in law) out for lunch or dinner
79. Remove the computer from the dining table - 16/11/08.
80. Sit and watch the sunset
81. Go on a proper picnic.
82. Hold a black tie dinner party
83. Sit at the dining table as a family 4 times per week (18/572)
84. Sort out kitchen cupboards
85. Be completely debt free
86. Walk 30 mins per day 3 time per week (2/429)
87. Finish unpacking house from the move
88. Put junk out for hard rubbish collection - 02/11/08.
89. Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Oliver (0/143)
90. Spend at least 1 hr per week quality time with Alex (1/143)
91. Have incredible sex with my husband.
92. Ring my mam once a week (4/143)
93. Ride on an elephant
94. Go body surfing
95. Catch up with Kelee and Roger
96. Visit Clare in Sydney
97. Have a lunch or dinner with Vicky
98. Wake up and feel happy with myself
99. Have a pedicure/pamper afternoon with the girls in the "family"
100. Put a $2 coin in a money box for every day of this challenge and do something good with it at the end (thanks Chrissy for this one) (34/1001)
101. Write a new list.

Awesome what a list of things..... it all starts tomorrow!

Jo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About 101 in 1001:

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.

Once you have created your website (blog), you can add it to the master list here at Day Zero.