It has seriously been too long since I've posted. And I keep saying that, don't I?
I should really stay on top of this thing.
Obviously the 6 months straight of daily posting did not pan out.
Turns out not every day needs to be written up in a blog. Most of mine would read: Went to work. Came home. Sat on couch. The end. Scintillating, right?

It's been so long since I've updated that I'm having trouble remembering all the things I need to update about.
Let's start with The List first. I did a few things that I can mark off. I did a big one that I wasn't sure I'd have the nerve or opportunity to do - I sang karaoke. Life Church had a karaoke night at Nicky's (a local Mexican restaurant) so a bunch of us decided to go. Rhiannon and I sang The Beatles' "Hey Jude." It was so much fun. Singing with someone was way better than trying to do it myself. By the end we had everyone singing along, though I think that has more to do with the fact that it's almost impossible to hear "Hey Jude" and not sing along. Seriously. Try it for yourself. Play that song and see if you're not Na-na-na-na-ing your little heart out by the end.
There is video of my brilliant karaoke debut, but I'm not posting it here. Most of you will have seen it on Facebook anyway.
So, there you have it. Number 87 on The List: check!

Thursday! Which is like my Friday. (since Friday is my day off. ...so that makes it my Saturday. That was more trouble to explain than anticipated.) Time seems to just limp along on Thursday. Though I have been getting more friendly with my team lately. They think it's hilarious that I just sit quietly. I never really thought of myself as a quiet person, but I guess I am.

Tomorrow is my weekly girls day out with my mom. It's both of our free day on WW, so we usually go eat. And Starbucks is involved at some point. Tomorrow we'll be seeing Arthur. I love the original, so I'm looking forward to this. I know it won't be the same - no one can replace Dudley Moore. But it has Helen Mirren, who's my favorite. I want to be like her when I grow up. Mostly her character in RED. (without the contract killing, preferably)

I'll also be working on going through my clothese and getting rid of anything that's sloppy or doesn't fit right. I want to stop look so slobby. Mostly it's at work, but I think I could be making a better impression. It's also on the The List. Number 42. Buy only clothes that make you feel like fabulous and stylish. (or at least like an adult.
It's a work in progress.

Weekly Check-In! Today makes 3 weeks on Weight Watchers. I stayed the same this week. Which is okay, but just means that now that I have the food part down, I should probably add some physical activity. I don't even climb the stairs anymore since I was moved downstairs. I had a bit of a scare earlier as I was weighing. I thought I'd gained 3 points until I realized I was still wearing my jeans, instead of my pajamas like I normally do. I nearly cried! Fighting off all those munchies and cravings just to gain 3 pounds! But it was okay, because it was just the jeans.
I think tomorrow I'm going to buy a mini-trampoline to excercise. I've really enjoyed it in the past.

In other news: It is seriously cold. Everywhere. A woman in Miami told me they were experiencing a cold snap too. It had gotten down to 63 degrees. The horror. The schools are all out for a snow day tomorrow, but my office never closes. There was a pipe burst last week and they still didn't close. Luckily I'm off tomorrow anyway so I can finally stay in my warm bed instead of making myself get up. Though it'll be just my luck that the office declares a snowday on my day off.
The good news is thanks to the cold I have completed an item on The List: 85. Find a hat that you can wear without feeling like an idiot.
I thought I had found one before, and technically I did. I have a slouchy beret kind of thing that I can wear without feeling stupid, but my new hat I really like. It also stays on my head and I don't have to fight with it all the time. Maybe I'll have a picture of it to post tomorrow.

Here's a picture for tonight.

Spent my day doing some more painting at the Food Pantry. This time it was a nice pale yellow shade. The ceiling needed to be painted in this area so I soon had splatters of paint everywhere. I felt fine at the time, but of course now all those under-used muscle groups have decided to show their displeasure. It was a really good upper body workout, but now my arms are feeling a little noodle-y. And I just hurt myself sneezing because the muscles in my neck and chest are so sore.

Being covered in splatters of yellow paint didn't stop me from going through the Starbucks drive-through. The girl working the window guessed paint-balling, which would've been a better story. Though I'd probably be in way more pain now.

I've decided to count all the painting and stuff as #27 on The List, which is Find a cause I believe in and actively participate. (donate time and money)I think all the painting counts as active participation. And I know I'll be helping set it up and occasionally helping when it opens. When your mom and step-dad run it, it's pretty much a given that you'll be involved. (at least in this family) Also, the company I work for encourages it's employees to give to the United Way. They have it set up where they will take money from your check and give it directly to the United Way. And then the United Way allows you to choose where your money goes if you have a preference. I chose the Northwest Louisiana Food Bank, which is where the church's Food Pantry gets stock. I think that should count as giving money to a cause I believe in.
 See? I did have point with all that rambling.

Also, speaking of The List, I can count #25 as done. I have attempted to donate blood 6 times in a row. I had to add the attempted because I was often turned down because of low iron levels. In this case I think it's the thought that counts.

I am on day 28 of number 4 - Drink 64 ounces of water a day for 100 days. It was easiest while in Colorado, because of the distinct lack of humidity. Being a thirsty all the time is a small price to pay for a week of not feeling sticky. I picked up a little trick on July 4th party at Kevin and Mara's where they had a container of water with lemon wedges floating in it. Very simple, yet very refreshing. So I've got a pitcher with water and lemons set up here. The one thing I don't have worry about anyone else drinking while I'm not around.

Just completed #10 - Get a Manicure thanks to my cousin Christy Aspinwall. She is a licensed cosmetologist so it totally counts. And it looks fantastic, if I do say so myself.

Okay, first day of 2010. That means I have 637 days 9 hours and 47 minutes left. (give or take a few minutes) So, let's review and update the list, shall we? Updates and notes are in green.

For the Body

1. Follow skin care regimen every day for 100 consecutive days 3 times. (once a year)(hopefully this will make it a habit)
2. Brush teeth three times a day for at least 100 consecutive days 3 times. (once a year (ditto on the habit.) Twice a day for 1001.what? sometimes I forget at night.)
3. Run a mile with out stopping. (and, it would stand to reason, without passing out from hyperventilation)
4. Drink 64 ounces of water a day for 100 consecutive days.
5. Take a yoga class for at least a month. Same with kickboxing. And at least 1 other exercise class.
6. No soda for at least 28 consecutive days (4 weeks Done! August 17, 2009 through September 13, 2009.
7. Get down to at least size 16/18
8. Eat 3 healthy, balanced means a day for 28 consecutive days.
9. Work out 3 times a week for 3 consecutive months
10. Get a manicure.
11. Go vegetarian for 21 consecutive days. done! No meat from January 4th through January 25th.
12. Get a bike and ride it once a month (at least) for a year.

For the Mind
13. Read a book by an author of every letter in the alphabet. (Fiction or nonfiction, any genre, first or last name. Doesn’t have to be in order.) I could probably be pretty af on this. I've read a lot of books in the past year, but didn't keep a list of their last names. I'll have to start making notes.
14. Solve a Rubik’s Cube
15. Become conversational (at least) in another language.
16. Take a writing class.
17. Read the biographies or autobiographies of extraordinary women. At least 3 from each continent. (Antarctica as available)
18. Participate in NaNoWriMo. (national novel writing month occurs yearly in november)
19. Participate in NoBloPoMo at least 6 times. (national blog posting month is ongoing)
20. Take a cooking class.

For the Soul
21. Take a picture of something that reminds me of God’s Love every day for a year.
22. Buy fresh flowers once a month for a year.
23. Read Bible for half an hour every day for at least 100 consecutive days. Keep journal.
24. Do a charity walk/run
25. Donate blood 6 times in a row. I've started this one, now I'm just waiting to be able to donate again.
26. Do something truly brave.
27. Find a cause I believe in and actively participate. (donate time and money)
28. Buy a guitar and learn to play at least one cool song.

For the Future
29. Get a passport
30. Make a dent in student loans/work to repair credit
31. Take a self defense course.
32. Open a savings account and have an emergency fund. Done! Well, half done. I opened a savings account in January 2009. Still working on actually having enough to be considered an emergency fund in there for more than one month at a time.
33. Make a new friend.
34. plant a tree

For sake of feeling like an adult.
35. Get a nice, dependable car. (one that will run for more than a few months. And has functioning cupholders. What? it’s important. ) Wash and vacuum new (nice, dependable) car once a month for the remainder of the 1001 days (starting with the first full month after purchase). Done! I got the car in February 2009 and will finish payments in February 2010. Yay!
36. Get my own apartment. This one should be done in Febuary or March!
37. When have own apartment host game night, movie night, dinners, etc on semi-regular basis
38. Be on my way to having a career I believe in.
39. Start a website and Update website on a regular basis.
40. Keep room clean and organized for at least 6 consecutive months.
41. Own a nice dress that’s good for all occasions. Little Black Dress, perhaps?
42. Buy only clothes that make you feel like fabulous and stylish. (or at least like an adult.) I have bought several shirts that aren't tshirts with pictures of guitars on them. So, I'm marking this one as in progress.
43. Learn to change a flat tire.
44. Go through belongings and get rid of 101 unnecessary things.

For the people I love
45. Help mom with the vegetable garden.
46. Make a calendar of friends and family’s birthdays and send cards. (on time, if possible) for every birthday they have during the 1001 days
47. Have a girl’s night (in or out) once a year for 3 years.
48. Take a road trip with Mom Done! We went to Colorado in June 2009. Hopefully to be repeated - I love road trips!
49. Throw a rockin’ party for someone else. I threw a baby shower for Rhiannon that I've heard was pretty rockin'. For a baby shower anyway. Think that counts?
50. Organize a fun activity for friends at least once every 6 months.
51. Take more pictures with family and friends.

For the secret hipster artsy chick residing deep (deep) inside
52. Go to Movies and Moonbeams at least 3 times (once per year)
53. Go to an exhibition at Artspace at least 3 times (once per year)
54. Learn to knit or crochet and make a scarf. (…Or a hat. Or something.)
55. Learn to sew and then make …something.
56. Sell something I made online. Or at least try.
57. Start (and finish) an original art project.
58. Go to the Farmer’s Market 3 times. (once a year.) - Started on this one. Rhiannon and I went to the farmer's market in July. Or August. I can't remember. But it was in 2009.
59. Learn how to make 5 Origami Figures
60. Take a dance class. (Feel free to suck at the dance.)
61. Make a piece of jewelry. (at least one that I would actually wear.)
62. Visit an open mic night/poetry reading at least 3 times.
63. Stencil or screen print t-shirts. (and bags.)
64. Take some kind of art class. (pottery, photography, calligraphy, etc)

For the great big world out there and the great small world right here
65. Learn to locate all 50 US states on a map.
66. See the Grand Canyon
67. Visit Washington, D.C.
68. Go to the corn maze.
69. Take part in Post Crossing at least 20 times.
70. Visit and take part in at least half of the festivals in Louisiana. (list found at http://www.cajunradio.org/louisianafestivals.html)
71. Eat food from at least 3 new cultures. (New being the operative word – no Mexican, Italian or Chinese) Started! Yay! Rhiannon and I had indian at Indigo. It was amazing. Next time we'll have to try to hit the buffet.
72. See at least 3 local musical acts. (ones that I don’t actually know anyone in the band.)
73. Pick something random out of the local events section of the newspaper and do it. ( 3 times.)
74. Visit the World War 2 museum in New Orleans
75. Go to the planetarium. And that thing downtown with all the plants.
76. Learn the names of 20 foreign leaders and their countries.
77. Memorize Presidents of United States and State Capitals

For the Fun of It
78. See professional play, musical or opera.
79. Pamper myself once every 2 weeks (i.e. buy something I’ve been wanting, eat at an expensive restaurant, etc) but be frugal the rest of the time.
80. Shoot a Gun
81. Get a fish. Keep him alive.
82. Go on a picnic
83. Try a new recipe once a month for the duration of the 1001 days. I haven't been keeping track, but we've tried lots of new things. I'll have to start posting pictures each month so I can keep up.
84. Ride the city bus. And other modes of public transportation.
85. Find a hat that you can wear without feeling like an idiot. Done! Done! I'm really pround of this one, because hats make me feel silly. And like everyone is staring at my head. But I have this winter hat beret type thing that I really like. Some of you witness my triumph over headgear at the Life Church Christmas program. (The saturday night showing.) Now I'm just looking for more colors.
86. Enter a competition. (any kind as long as there’s a chance I can win. Or lose)
87. sing karaoke in front of strangers.
88. Go to a Renaissance Festival
89. Allow someone else to pick my meal at a restaurant. (providing allergies, dislikes and price range, of course)
90. See a civil war reenactment.
91. Watch all the films on AFI’s 100 Best Movies list.
92. Write a letter to a celebrity/ public figure.
93. Support a craftsperson – buy homemade at least 3 times.
94. Teach myself to ride a skateboard.
95. Repaint all my furniture
96. Get a record player and start a record collection.
97. Ride a mechanical bull.
98. Bungee Jump

For this project

99. Start a new blog for this project and document with photos all 101 things.
100. Actually follow this list through to the end.
101. Make another list of 101 things to finish in the next 1,001.

Okay, that makes 5 down. And 8 more started and in progress. Which leaves 88 more to go. I should really get a move on. I could use some help with a few - like #73. I'm thinking Greek - but I don't want to have to go by myself. Any takers?

Okay, day 16 of no sodas. Seriously, these fountain cokes are mocking me. They're everywhere! I feel like I'm being stalked. People are drinking them, they're in movies and commericials and billboards. Not fair, fountain coke, not fair!
I don't miss the bottled cokes at home or work. It's only the fountain ones that I really miss. And I really miss them. But, only 12 more days to go and I'll have marked another thing of my list. I think the hardest part will be when we go to a movie on my birthday. Too bad I didn't start 2 days earlier! Meanwhile, I'm drinking more tea than ever before.

Oh! I also totally forgot that I completed number 48 (Take a Road Trip with Mom.) We went to Colorado in July, to see my Aunt Kathy and my cousins Courtney and Christy and Christy's husband Alan and their daughters Lily and Dahlia. It was an amazing trip and the road trip part was only the beginning of the fun. We've been making that same trip (exact same route) since they moved to Colorado way back in 1990, and it's always so fun. And call me strange, but I think Kansas is seriously beautiful. Most people think it's really boring, but it's one of my favorite drives. I took pictures!

Kansas!


This is one of the windmills that are all along a stretch of highway in Kansas. They are mesmerizing. Also, possibly a traffic hazard, since you can't actually watch them and the road at the same time.



...okay, I guess that's enough Kansas. Pretty, right?

So, it's seriously been too long since I've updated this thing. Probably because it's been seriously too long since I actively made any effort on the list. But! the apathy that set in over the summer is fading. (I'm blaming the humidity - always a good bet in Louisiana.)
So, I've actually done a few things in the meantime - I got a new car! That's number 35. It's a Nissan Sentra and his name is Tony. I haven't really done the other part of that number - I haven't washed or vaccummed it. I probably should get on that. ...Just as soon as it stops raining.

Also, I've gone to the farmers market, which is number 58. Rhiannon came with me and it was ...well, it was a bunch of people pressuring me to buy fruits and vegetables and bread. Man, that lady pushed her homemade bread hard. I ended up buying some peach bread and zucchinni walnut bread. And they were both awesome. Overpriced, but awesome.

And on Monday, August 17th, I started number 6, which is no sodas for 28 days. I'm on day 6 and I've stayed strong, despite being taunted by foutain cokes all night last night. Tea has become my closest friend. And those little flavor packets for the bottles of water.

Hopefully, I'll get part of #71 done, which is to eat food from 3 new cultures. Once again, Rhiannon is going to help me out and make sure I don't look like an idiot trying to order indian food.

So, I haven't actually done anything else, after going vegetarian for 21 days. I tried to get started on #25, which is donate blood 6 times in a row, but they wouldn't let me donate. My iron was too low. Which I'm guessing is directly related to the whole not eating meat for 3 weeks. But whatever, I'll have to try again.

Oh! I just realized I technically did #32 because I totally opened a savings account. And actually have money in there. Well, that was easy. Two down, 99 more to go!

So. I'm on day 11 on Number 11, which was go vegetarian for 21 days. And I think I would kill for a cheeseburger. Well. Maybe not kill, but I'd, you know, cause some slight pain. Like a papercut or something. They say that's the worse pain of all, but I don't really buy that. What was I talking about? Oh right, not eating meat. For the first 7 days I did fruit and vegetables only. Nothing else. That didn't really work out for me. I mean how many times can you eat carrots? Several, as it turns out. So, I've added other things. Pasta mostly, which is what I have for my dinner break at work every day. Just a little over a week left, and I'm having a cheeseburger, baby!

For the Body

1. Follow skin care regimen every day for 100 consecutive days 3 times. (once a year)(hopefully this will make it a habit)
2. Brush teeth three times a day for at least 100 consecutive days 3 times. (once a year (ditto on the habit.) Twice a day for 1001.what? sometimes I forget at night.)
3. Run a mile with out stopping. (and, it would stand to reason, without passing out from hyperventilation)
4. Drink 64 ounces of water a day for 100 consecutive days.
5. Take a yoga class for at least a month. Same with kickboxing. And at least 1 other exercise class.
6. No soda for at least 28 consecutive days (4 weeks)
7. Get down to at least size 16/18
8. Eat 3 healthy, balanced means a day for 28 consecutive days.
9. Work out 3 times a week for 3 consecutive months
10. Get a manicure.
11. Go vegetarian for 21 consecutive days. done!
12. Get a bike and ride it once a month (at least) for a year.

For the Mind
13. Read a book by an author of every letter in the alphabet. (Fiction or nonfiction, any genre, first or last name. Doesn’t have to be in order.)
14. Solve a Rubik’s Cube
15. Become conversational (at least) in another language.
16. Take a writing class.
17. Read the biographies or autobiographies of extraordinary women. At least 3 from each continent. (Antarctica as available)
18. Participate in NaNoWriMo. (national novel writing month occurs yearly in november)
19. Participate in NoBloPoMo at least 6 times. (national blog posting month is ongoing)
20. Take a cooking class.

For the Soul
21. Take a picture of something that reminds me of God’s Love every day for a year.
22. Buy fresh flowers once a month for a year.
23. Read Bible for half an hour every day for at least 100 consecutive days. Keep journal.
24. Do a charity walk/run
25. Donate blood 6 times in a row
26. Do something truly brave.
27. Find a cause I believe in and actively participate. (donate time and money)
28. Buy a guitar and learn to play at least one cool song.

For the Future
29. Get a passport
30. Make a dent in student loans/work to repair credit
31. Take a self defense course.
32. Open a savings account and have an emergency fund.
33. Make a new friend.
34. plant a tree

For sake of feeling like an adult.
35. Get a nice, dependable car. (one that will run for more than a few months. And has functioning cupholders. What? it’s important. ) Wash and vacuum new (nice, dependable) car once a month for the remainder of the 1001 days (starting with the first full month after purchase).
36. Get my own apartment.
37. When have own apartment host game night, movie night, dinners, etc on semi-regular basis
38. Be on my way to having a career I believe in.
39. Start a website and Update website on a regular basis.
40. Keep room clean and organized for at least 6 consecutive months.
41. Own a nice dress that’s good for all occasions. Little Black Dress, perhaps?
42. Buy only clothes that make you feel like fabulous and stylish. (or at least like an adult.)
43. Learn to change a flat tire.
44. Go through belongings and get rid of 101 unnecessary things.

For the people I love
45. Help mom with the vegetable garden.
46. Make a calendar of friends and family’s birthdays and send cards. (on time, if possible) for every birthday they have during the 1001 days
47. Have a girl’s night (in or out) once a year for 3 years.
48. Take a road trip with Mom
49. Throw a rockin’ party for someone else.
50. Organize a fun activity for friends at least once every 6 months.
51. Take more pictures with family and friends.

For the artsy chick residing deep inside
52. Go to Movies and Moonbeams at least 3 times (once per year)
53. Go to an exhibition at Artspace at least 3 times (once per year)
54. Learn to knit or crochet and make a scarf. (…Or a hat. Or something.)
55. Learn to sew and then make …something.
56. Sell something I made online. Or at least try.
57. Start (and finish) an original art project.
58. Go to the Farmer’s Market 3 times. (once a year.)
59. Learn how to make 5 Origami Figures
60. Take a dance class. (Feel free to suck at the dance.)
61. Make a piece of jewelry. (at least one that I would actually wear.)
62. Visit an open mic night/poetry reading at least 3 times.
63. Stencil or screen print t-shirts. (and bags.)
64. Take some kind of art class. (pottery, photography, calligraphy, etc)

For the great big world out there and the great small world right here
65. Learn to locate all 50 US states on a map.
66. See the Grand Canyon
67. Visit Washington, D.C.
68. Go to the corn maze.
69. Take part in Post Crossing at least 20 times.
70. Visit and take part in at least half of the festivals in Louisiana. (list found at http://www.cajunradio.org/louisianafestivals.html)
71. Eat food from at least 3 new cultures. (New being the operative word – no Mexican, Italian or Chinese)
72. See at least 3 local musical acts. (ones that I don’t actually know anyone in the band.)
73. Pick something random out of the local events section of the newspaper and do it. ( 3 times.)
74. Visit the World War 2 museum in New Orleans
75. Go to the planetarium. And that thing downtown with all the plants.
76. Learn the names of 20 foreign leaders and their countries.
77. Memorize Presidents of United States and State Capitals

For the Fun of It
78. See professional play, musical or opera.
79. Pamper myself once every 2 weeks (i.e. buy something I’ve been wanting, eat at an expensive restaurant, etc) but be frugal the rest of the time.
80. Shoot a Gun
81. Get a fish. Keep him alive.
82. Go on a picnic
83. Try a new recipe once a month for the duration of the 1001 days.
84. Ride the city bus.
85. Find a hat that you can wear without feeling like an idiot.
86. Enter a competition. (any kind as long as there’s a chance I can win. Or lose)
87. sing karaoke in front of strangers.
88. Go to a Renaissance Festival
89. Allow someone else to pick my meal at a restaurant. (providing allergies, dislikes and price range, of course)
90. See a civil war reenactment.
91. Watch all the films on AFI’s 100 Best Movies list.
92. Write a letter to a celebrity/ public figure.
93. Support a craftsperson – buy homemade at least 3 times.
94. Teach myself to ride a skateboard.
95. Repaint all my furniture
96. Get a record player and start a record collection.
97. Ride a mechanical bull.
98. Bungee Jump

For this project

99. Start a new blog for this project and document with photos all 101 things.
100. Actually follow this list through to the end.
101. Make another list of 101 things to finish in the next 1,001.