101 in 1,001: February 2012.

***Major disclaimer...this is a DOOZY of a post. If you have not much interest and/or not much patience, either wait until tomorrow or scroll down to the bottom for a brief summary...***

At the start of every month I'd like to write about my "101 in 1,001"; what I've completed in the past month and what I look forward to in the next.

Click HERE to read what this is all about and click HERE to keep track of more up-to-date progress via the Google document. 

January 2012: 0/101 goals complete; 0/101 goals in progress.

Did I begin:

• Number 12 : Ski at least twice every winter/spring season? Yes! Woot! Check out this post HERE. 1/6.

• Number 25 : Get all of my documents and accounts switched over to my new name? I have begun this long and tedious process but much is yet to be changed over.

• Number 30 : Back up our computers? Again, I have begun this long and tedious process but much is yet to be done...although we do have an external hard drive.

• Number 57 : Begin to sew and create something that I can wear, something I can use around the house and something that I can give to someone else? Yes! I made a dish towel!

 
           1/3.
***Attention: these following goals, in hindsight, all belong up above {in the "Did I begin:" category} though they began in the below category {"Did I complete:"}! So...now I know better!***

• Number 1* : Enjoy local nature {hiking, biking, etc.} {local = within a two hour car ride} once a month? Yes, look forward to a post later this week about our excursion to Half Moon Bay ! 1/33

• Number 16 * : Talk to my parents once a week? Yes...they may not be the longest conversations but we do check in. 5/132.

• Number 18 * : Identify 132 things that make me happy {one a week}?  Week 1: the prospect of an entire year ahead of me, especially since Spring is on the horizon. Week 2: warm days even if they’re not that great for out environment. Week 3: it’s finals week...I can go into work each day but since I’m not teaching I can grade! Week 4: starts out with my birthday! Week 5 : a new month is almost here which means my first monthly update! 5/132.

• Number 32 * : Come up with a new way to be green every month? Yes: January 2012: with the new plastic bag ban and being required to pay ten cents a paper bag I’m being very vigilant about using my collection of reusable bags in the stores. 1/33.

• Number 39 * : Walk Guinness in the evenings at least once a week? Yes; lucky dog! 5/132.

• Number 41 : Take an exercise class or play a sport at least once a week for a month, one that isn’t running related? Alas, no...though the thought was bandied about...perhaps February?

• Number 49 * : Bake cookies or breads once a month? Yes; January 2012: easy-bake molasses ginger cookies from Trader Joe’s. Check out this post HERE. 1/33.

• Number 50 * : Cook something new every month? Yes; January 2012: tortilla soup from the Pioneer Woman; yum! 1/33.

• Number 72 * : Go to the movies once a month? Yes; January 2012 : “The Descendants” {SO good!}. 1/33. 

• Number 89 : Continue to uphold and develop our own traditions {birthdays, New Year, Thanksgiving, Halloween, anniversary, etc.}? Yes; New Year: wear new underwear New Year’s Eve through January 1, eat black eyed peas on New Year Day...{was meant to happen but didn’t}, Henry’s Hi-Life for Natty’s birthday

        
        {January 22 though we went on the 23rd}...

• Number 90 * : Blog once a day until June 2012? Well, yes...

• Number 92 : Finish writing thank you notes? Well, yes...though we are not done yet.

• Number 99 * : Read through the “50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind” once a month? Yes. 1/33.

Did I complete: 

• Number 29 : Complete our taxes before March 1^st? Yes! Though it was my man who did so; thanks SO much sweetie! 1/3.

• Number 35 : Sign up for a produce delivery service? Sadly we did not but we would still like to!

• Number 55: Make a wreath? Done and done! January 2012 I made a Valentine’s wreath.

        Then I made two Birthday wreaths; one for me and one for Mikey, still  
                January 2012.

As of February 2012: 2/101 goals complete; 16/101 goals in progress.

Since I started with so many ambitions for January I think that with February I'm not going to add on too many more! 


In February 2012...

I would like to begin:

• Number 21: Purchase five of my favorite books from growing up; 0/5.
• Number 53: Finish my long-ago-began t-shirt quilt.
• Number 56: Plant bulbs. Ideally paper whites that I can do indoors...technically still planting! 

I would like to complete:

• Number 5: Buy a lottery ticket. Why not?!
• Number 12 : Ski at least twice every winter/spring season; 1/6.
• Number 30 : Back up our computers. 
• Number 35 : Sign up for a produce delivery service.
• Number 92 : Finish writing thank you notes.

I would like to continue: 

• Number 1* : Enjoy local nature {hiking, biking, etc.} {local = within a two hour car ride} once a month; 1/33
• Number 16 * : Talk to my parents once a week; 5/132.
• Number 18 * : Identify 132 things that make me happy {one a week}; 5/132.
• Number 32 * : Come up with a new way to be green every month; 1/33.
• Number 25 : Get all of my documents and accounts switched over to my new name. 
• Number 49 * : Bake cookies or breads once a month; 1/33.
• Number 50 * : Cook something new every month; 1/33.
• Number 57 : Begin to sew and create something that I can wear, something I can use around the house and something that I can give to someone else; 1/3. 
• Number 72 * : Go to the movies once a month; 1/33.
• Number 89 : Continue to uphold and develop our own traditions {birthdays, New Year, Thanksgiving, Halloween, anniversary, etc.}.
• Number 90 * : Blog once a day until June 2012.
• Number 99 * : Read through the “50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind” once a month; 1/33.

* denotes a weekly/monthly occurrence.

Wow. If you're still with me, Bless You. Honestly, I suppose that these monthly updates are really and truly more for me and my own accountability. But thanks if you're interested too!
I have felt very energized in the pursuit of my goals. I always tell my students how much more manageable work is in small chunks rather than one fell swoop and breaking down the things that I would like to do in my life into smaller tasks is no different. I also realize how many of my pursuits are ongoing affairs! At the start of January pretty much everything I had in the "I would like to complete:" category should have gone into the "I would like to begin:" area but "oh well". Suffice it to say, I am thrilled to still be thinking about what I began the New Year wanting to do and that is not an easy feat for yours truly. So, let's go February! All 29 of your ever lengthening days!
xoxo, natty ♥