the list to end all lists...

I first found out about this "101/1001" thing very shortly after I started blogging ~ WAY back in May 2007. I've started and revisited this idea several times since then, but never actually finished making the list. Partly because I'm notorious for making lists, but never doing anything about them, so I thought what's the point? And partly because, let's face it, thinking up 101 goals is a bit of a chore!

So why am I bothering now?

Because I've been lazy all my life, but this year, I'm finally decided to TRY and put a stop to that.
Because I'm in the process of becoming a Woman of Moderation, not only when it comes to eating, but in all areas of my life.

Because I'm tired of never accomplishing any of the things I say out loud that I'd like to do.

And because, in 1001 days (deep breath)...

...Iwillturnforty.

{ahem}

For serious.

And I thought it might be nice to be able to say I'd accomplished a few things by then.

And so, without further adieu, here is THE LIST:

1. Go on at least one road trip of two weeks or longer. (0/1-2)
2. Get passports.
3. Have at least one kid-free weekend each year, at home or away. (0/3)
4. Ride the Prairie Dog Central with the girls. {Sept. 5/09}
5. Visit the local museum as a family.
6. Spend at least 6 afternoons/evenings each summer swimming at the lake or by the old ford crossing. (0/17)
7. Go camping at least once per summer, family gatherings and church camp not included. (0/3)
8. Go on a “ladies only” weekend with my girlfriends.
9. Organize an annual Christmas shopping trip with friends or just hubby. (0/3)

10. Replace all windows.
11. Finish the kitchen patching and sanding.
12. Paint the kitchen.
13. Replace the flooring on the main floor.
14. Make/buy window treatments for kitchen.
15. Paint the dining room.
16. Refinish the dining room table.
17. Make/buy window treatments for dining room.
18. Paint the living room.
19. Figure out a way to "create" more usable wall space in the living room.
20. Make/buy window treatments for living room.
21. Replace the front door with a door that actually LOOKS like a front door.
22. Paint and decorate the girls’ room.
23. Replace and/or refinish the girls’ bedroom furniture.
24. Make/buy window treatments for girls’ room
25. Paint the upstairs staircase and landing.
26. Create a closed storage space at the top of the stairs.
27. Make/buy a new blind for master bedroom.
28. Paint the guestroom.
29. Replace weather stripping on outside doors.
30. Develop/maintain a housekeeping routine á la FlyLady. {started Jan 7/10 and two weeks later was still goin' strong...}

31. Give the outside of the house a good cleaning each spring. (0/3)
32. Repaint outside trim.
33. Wash windows each spring and fall. (0/5)
34. Repaint garage.
35. Organize (and possibly renovate) living room closet and keep it that way!

36. Establish and maintain a rotating, 4-week menu. {workin' on it ~ Jan 19/10}
37. Learn to make bread and buns by hand, FROM SCRATCH.
38. Learn how to raise rabbits for meat.
39. Make meatless suppers twice a month. {1/66}
40. Make a recipe book of our family favourites and print three copies. (possibly using this site)
41. Have a special meal with hubby ~ by candlelight after the girls are in bed, eat out, etc. ~ once a month. {1/33}
42. Share traditional Mennonite "faspa" with guests twice each summer. (0/6)
43. Host company for a meal or evening coffee at once a month. {1/33}
44. Have girlfriend(s) over for coffee at least once a month. {1/33}
45. Go through my recipe books/magazines, list all the recipes I’ve marked, and try one twice a month! (0/66)
46. Make jam.
47. Make pickles. {Sept 23/09}
48. Make fruit preserves. {canned peaches Aug 29/09}
49. Have a classy picnic at the park ~ like with cheese, fruit, and wine.
50. Cook or bake with the girls once a month. {1/33}
51. Stop routine evening snacking.

52. Join the school's Parent Advisory Council {have missed only one meeting so far this year}
53. Start encouraging the girls to invite their little friends over for some after-school play. {does agreeing to babysit some of their school friends after school a few days in December 2009 count? If so, we're on our way!!}
54. Plan a special activity to do with the girls twice a month ~ this does NOT include the baking/cooking from #50! {4/66}
55. Get together with the other church board members' wives to pray for our husbands, our church, and each other on a regular basis.
56. Purge girls’ toys and clothing once a year!! (0/3)
57. Make a more permanent Christmas tree stand “gift box.”
58. Use our fire pit and horseshoe pits four times per summer. (0/10)
59. Clean the van, inside and out, once a season! (0/10)
60. Set up a chore chart for the girls and teach them some responsibilities around the house.
61. Start giving the girls an allowance.

62. Clean out and organize my chest freezers and pantry once a year, make an inventory list. (0/3)
63. Sponsor a child again.
64. USE our library card! Especially during the summers.
65. Finish Fidget’s “first year” photo album.
66. Host – and possibly lead – a ladies’ Bible study in my home.
67. Get a part-time job. {I haven't decided if being NorthWinds' bookkeeper counts! But as of January 15, 2010 I will also be teaching 3 beginner piano students ~ surely, together they should count as a part-time job, right?!}
68. Write up a will.
69. Go to the dentist.
70. Take the girls to the dentist at least once a year. (0/3)
71. Have my “annual” physical annually!! {Sept 30/09}

72. Get into the habit of performing a daily and weekly skincare routine.
73. Soak in a bubble bath twice a month. {2/66}
74. Read through my camera manual and actually learn what everything does.
75. Work through my PaintShop Pro textbook.
76. Work through at least one HTML/CSS textbook. (I have three!)
77. Learn how to drive our yard tractor and use its implements.
78. Have a completely media-free day at least twice a month. {1/66}
79. Reach my goal weight and maintain it. {I'm gettin' there!}
80. Quit picking at my cuticles, especially on my thumbs.
81. THOROUGHLY purge my closet and dresser.
82. Replace wardrobe with “skinny” clothes. {bought a bunch of skinniER clothes Dec 29/09, but I'd like to be a size smaller yet by summer 2010}

83. Buy a second computer. (so that when this one is in the shop, I have a back-up and there's no panic disruption as far as the business is concerned!)
84. Buy myself a new pair of sunglasses at the beginning of each summer. (0/3)
85. Get a pedicure before flip-flop season every year. (0/3)
86. Buy a new hammock.
87. Buy a “little black dress.”
88. Make sure I have at least two sets of bedding for each bed for all seasons.
89. Buy/make some nice cloth napkins to use when we’ve got company.
90. Buy/make a table cloth or placemats.
91. Attend a Christian women's conference. (I'd LOVE to attend this one!)

92. Make the vegetable garden a priority each summer. (0/3)
93. Plant and maintain a successful flower bed with annuals.
94. Make/buy window boxes for the front windows and have flowers in them each summer.
95. Figure out how to keep the cats and dog out of the concrete flower beds in front of the house and plant flowers.
96. Plant a wildflower garden.
97. Buy a fountain for the flower garden.

98. Purge all clothing that’s not the right size or hasn’t been worn forever. {Dec 1/09}
99. Get into the habit of having devotions and completing “to do” list before computer/TV come on.
100. Get elective cosmetic surgery ~ or at least look into it. (nothing fancy, nothing major ~ just a li’l somethin' I've always kinda dreamed of changing!)
101. Throw a kick-butt 40th birthday party for myself!!

Whew. Much of this is more of a "wish list" than a "to do" list, but I still hope to be able to cross the majority of these things off by August 22, 2012.

Wish me luck!!