Goal #13 - Visit Narcisse snake pits in April or May

The skies were stormy that day my friends. We headed out Highway 7 in the pouring rain not knowing what we'd find when we got there. What we found was one other car in the parking lot and they were on their way out. But we persevered, the rain slowed to a drizzle and we had a lovely stroll through the vibrant woods to Snake Den #1.

Now I don't know much about snake ways, or whether they like rain, but I do know that the website said there were still a few hundred in the dens. We saw one on a rock. And just before bailing, caught a glimpse of one more in the trees.

It was still a cool way to spend a rainy day and we will be going back.

Goal #74 - Bake for coworkers

A sushi-themed cake as a farewell to my office other half. Over a decade spending every workday no more than 10 feet apart and you end up dressing alike more often than not.

Thoroughly enjoyed the baking and you'd be surprised how good vegan chocolate with avocado buttercream can be. Thanks Joy the Baker (see blog link at right).

Goal #82a - Two field trips with Juleah's group

This week I was the parent volunteer for Juleah's field trip to the museum, and we had a great time! She says the best part was the dentist's office. For me it was her public proclamation that, "We went on a field trip and my mommy came, too!!!"

Goal #67 - Finish a scrapbook

One hand-made scrapbook finished and delivered! A four-decade highlight reel for John's 40th birthday at the King's Head pub. Sample pages and photos to follow.

Goal #45 - Complete Swarovsky collection

Thanks to my DH, the collection is now complete! My Valentine's Day gift was the only snowflake I was missing between 1996 and 2009... and it's very sparkly.

Goal #1... 101 goals by January 31, 2010

Somewhere amid all my Googling on self-improvement, I landed on a site with my alternative to this year's resolutions. It's all about setting 101 goals to complete over 1,001 days. See the link at the right for the original Web page.

So, here we go... below is my list of 101. Some are pretty big, some are really easy but things I haven't gotten around to. All should be completed by my 1,001st day which is also my 40th birthday. I've added a countdown on the right to keep tabs on the progress (and my waning youth).

One of the steps in writing your own goal list is to read those posted by others. Two things I discovered were: 1) this exercise is quite popular among Mormons; 2) most people give it up, or at least stop blogging about it. I know I don't fall under the first group, and I'll strive to not be among the second.

With this, I am crossing off my fist goal, and only a few hours in. Wish me luck!

101 in 1,001 - My list

1. Establish, commit to and post 101 goals by January 31, 2010
2. Blog each completed goal (5/101)
3. Celebrate Juleah’s 5th at Disney World
4. Visit New York in June
5. Go to the beach
6. Go golfing
7. Set a date for UK trip
8. Go to the drive-in theatre in Morden
9. Family trip to Clear Lake
10. Visit the Planetarium
11. Cross the suspension bridge
12. Visit Spirit Sands
13. Visit Narcisse snake pits in April or May
14. Let’s go fly a kite
15. Lose 50 lbs (57/50)
16. Declutter each part of the house (0/12)
17. Redecorate Juleah’s room
18. Complete a Wii Active challenge
19. Enjoy doing Pilates 3x/week
20. Go for a manicure once a month (0/33)
21. Give massage therapy a chance
22. Do something about the front garden
23. Do something about the backyard
24. Use the chimenea
25. Organize the master closet
26. Redecorate the master bedroom
27. Go to bed with a clean kitchen every night for one month
28. Actually repeat after lathering and rinsing – just once for fun
29. Plant some mint
30. Get 8 hours of sleep everyday for one week
31. Organize the front closet
32. Devise a house routine and stick to it; or seek professional help
33. Adopt a skincare regimen
34. Update the kitchen
35. Update both bathrooms
36. Learn to get the most from the digital camera
37. Make 10 workday suppers worth repeating (0/10)
38. Take voice lessons
39. Refresh First Aid certification
40. Master weaving in ends
41. Play piano every week (4/143)
42. Try 5 Deceptively Delicious recipes (0/5)
43. Take a makeup lesson
44. Own an Amazon Kindle (or the new best thing)
45. Complete Swarovsky collection with the 1999 snowflake
46. Buy a children’s book on world religions
47. Buy a Hepburn dress
48. Buy something from Hilary Druxman
49. Buy a book of piano music
50. Buy a trifle bowl
51. Acquire a bunch of sterling roses
52. Pay down debt
53. Have a garage sale
54. Post unwanted collectibles on ebay
55. Use those fabric grocery bags
56. Solve Rubik’s cube
57. Give a speech or facilitate a workshop
58. Get that unpleasant medical test over with
59. Let down my Facebook defenses
60. Try to get on Jeopardy!
61. Acquire and employ more gadgets
62. Sell a design on Café Press
63. Compile a list of 25 must-reads
64. Read at least 15 from my list (0/15)
65. Catch up on Mad Men from the beginning
66. Read 5 books on self-improvement (0/5)
67. Finish a scrapbook
68. Knit a sweater for me
69. Sew an Amy Butler handbag
70. Blog every week (3/143)
71. Give three handmade presents (1/3)
72. Display at least one piece of my own art
73. Make and send an original ecard
74. Bake for my coworkers
75. Post designs on Café Press
76. Knit something for Grandma
77. Make a chain for locket
78. Put something in said locket
79. Renovate dollhouse Grandpa T built
80. Compile wedding vids on DVD
81. Organize a system to facilitate scrapping
82. Go on two field trips with Juleah’s group (1/2)
83. Be less of an interrupting cow
84. Become a better listener
85. Do something great for our 15th anniversary
86. Host a dinner party for two other couples
87. Record family and friends birthdays
88. Send birthday greetings on time
89. Go to a movie alone
90. Reconnect with friends
91. Send someone flowers
92. Encourage/help mom start her book
93. Host a mom/daughter tea party
94. Host a Stampin’ Up party
95. Send 10 thank you messages
96. Celebrate something with champagne
97. Take a MENSA test
98. Renew my library card
99. Seriously commit to winning the lottery
100. Frame Applied Arts article & cover
101. Post mortem this project to determine willingness to repeat