Complicated Simplicity

>101 in 1001: Week Two<

Today begins my second week of my 101 in 1001 project.

Ongoing

• #1-I missed two days this week. Being sick and having a weird sleep schedule didn't help.
• #2-Still good. 
• #3-I've been struggling along with this one. It's going to take awhile to become a normal part of my routine.
• #4-The tv was off on Monday. So nice to unplug a little each week. Hoping to create a day to unplug completely-baby steps.
• #5-We had our second family night. We played Monopoly and I beat the pants off of Paul.
• #6-New passage this week. See the sidebar. :-)
• #7-This week we learned about the people of Bali.
• #8-Having an intentional, meaningful conversation can be a challenge, however we did it. It is so, so important.
• #9-I haven't done this yet, so I've already missed a week. I felt that I needed to really define what a Sabbath would mean and look like to me. What it entails and I want to make sure my focus is properly placed.
• #12-Still going strong with the self-portrait each day. I really need to get those posted.
• #23-We went for a walk one evening this week and I'm going to have a go at this one this year. I'm hoping to actually take more than one walk each week.
• #46-Under 200 pages to go in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Paul read a lot to me this week since I wasn't feeling so great (and had trouble sleeping).

This Week's Focus

• #16-Hoping to take a family portrait with Paul, Wawa and I sometime this week. It will be fun to have a portrait of us each month throughout the year. I'm trying to think of something creative to define each month in our portrait.
• #17-Robbie has been wanting to travel up to the Botanic Garden while she's here. We're hoping to make a go of it this week sometime.
• #18-We didn't get as deep cleaned as I'd hoped. Being sick this week, had me dragging. We did make some headway this week though, and I'm sure we'll finish it up this week.
• #35-Hoping to start a new book this week. I have such a hard time deciding what book to start sometimes.

Making Headway

• #41-We watched Hancock and Ghost Town this week.
• #53-I've been downloading photos from Flickr, uploading them to my EHD, deleting them from Flickr and so on. The hope is to have all of my photos backed up on the EHD and then re-upload them to Flickr in an organized manner (with proper tagging and permissions). It's a huge task, but easier than I thought (thanks Flump!).

Completed

• #89-I finished listing 100 things that inspire me! One more down-yay!

>101 in 1001: Week One<

Last week was a partial week, so we'll count this upcoming week as the "first" week.

Ongoing

• #1-So far I've taken my pills every day. Yay for taking a step in living healthier!
• #2-I've had a new word each day-this one is going strong as well.
• #3-It's been so nice to have a consistent study schedule. I love my NISB.
• #5-We had our "family night" on Friday. We gave the dog a bath, played a few games (Blokus and Yahtzee Free for All) and watched a movie-Eagle Eye.
• #6-Still have the same Bible passage to memorize this week.
• #7-This week's people group was the Azeri of Azerbaijan.
• #12-I've taken a self-portrait each day. Hoping to post them soon.
• #46-Paul has been really into reading Harry Potter lately. We're over halfway done with book six. Hoping to finish it sometime soon. Then we have just the final book to read together.

This Week's Focus

• #18-We're hoping to deep clean the house this week. Not exactly when I was planning on doing it, but since Paul's off school it seemed like a good time. He can help me move the furniture and it always helps to do it with someone else.

Making Headway

• #35-I have read one fiction book so far. Only 99 more to go!
• #41-I watched a couple of movies this week. Eagle Eye and Big. Two down out of 50.
• #75-I've done some research on recycling here. It's not going to be easy, but I think I have found a solution. Will post more about this when I figure out our system.
• #89-Listing 100 things that inspire me is proving harder than I thought. I have trouble figuring out how specific/broad to be. I am over halfway done with this list.

Completed

• #40-I read Of Mice and Men as my first fiction book. A good, classic tale.

>101 in 1001 Kick-Off<

Yesterday was the beginning of my 101 in 1001 challenge. I know it's only been two days, but so far-so good. :-) I'm going to try to update every now and then (hoping once a week, but could end up being more like once a month or so) with the goals I've completed and those I'm concentrating on right now. I've been a little anxious, but I've given myself permission to fail. It's okay if I don't accomplish everything. It's okay if I don't accomplish much at all. As long as I'm doing something and trying to accomplish some goals, I'm good with that.

Ongoing

#1-I have taken my vitamin and Synthroid both days of this new year. I haven't even had to be reminded, which is quite the accomplishment. I even called in my new prescription to be ready when the last couple pills are gone.

#2-I get a new word e-mailed to me each day. It's been interesting to see what word they choose.

#3-I studied yesterday, and today I will be looking over and studying up for children's church. This one is going to take a lot of discipline on my part.

#5-Tonight is our family night for this week. The plan is to give the dog a bath then watch a movie and/or play games while he dries. It's so important to have some intentional time together.

#6-This week's verse is Psalm 86:11-13. I'll add it to the sidebar somewhere each week. I'll keep this verse until next Sunday and then choose a new one each Sunday.

#12-I took a self-portrait yesterday, and plan to take another one today. Hoping I can stick with this 365 project.

#35-I am almost done with my first fiction book of 2009.

Currently Working On

#40-I picked Of Mice and Men as my first fiction book, and it meets the criteria for reading a classic book too. I'm sure I'll read a few more.

Completed

#76-I took an old oatmeal container and cut a slit in the top to collect money. This month all collected money will go to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Every other month we'll pick a different charity/organization for the money to go toward. On the off months, we will use that money for people we physically encounter (homeless, job lost, etc). 1/2/2009

#90-I had fun listing 100 things that make me happy. I may just do this one at the beginning of each new year. 1/1/2009

>My 101 in 1001<

I don't think it's a secret that I'm a dreamer. I always have a wawillion things on my list of things I'd like to do. And I'm realistic that a lot of those things won't ever be accomplished. And I'm okay with that. Sometimes just learning and dreaming is enough. However, there are some things that are fully within my power to accomplish. And there are habits I'd like to make and things I'd like to try. That's where my 101 in 1001 comes in. The goal is to accomplish 101 things is 1001 days (just under three years).

Here's how it works (from the Day Zero site):

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.

I posted my list as a link under the >So Very Cool< list to the left. I'm hoping to update it often-at least once a week, but once a month would be okay too. I'll post an update or two here each month as well.

Some things are much easier than others. There are some goals that I have to do once and they're done. There are a couple that I will have to do every day for the 1001 days. I may not complete some of them-and that's okay as well. As long as I give it my effort, I will be content with the result.

To help me with remembering different tasks, I have entered them on my Google calendar. It will e-mail me with my tasks to remind me, and I can keep track of what I need to do on which day. So nice.

If you want to check out my list you can find it here: Rachie's 101 in 1001. And if you are taking on the challenge/have taken on this challenge/decide to take on the challenge. Please share your list here. I'm really looking forward to making some changes and starting some new habits and trying some new things in my life.