Day 17

Another nice day, well at least in my heart. It is single digit temps outside but I have been feeling so good lately because I get to help out some friends. Last night it was -3 out with which it seemed like 30 miles per hour winds not a good night to be out especially where I have asthma and the cold makes it difficult for me to breathe. But anyway not long after I bought my store in Farmington I  met a wonderful woman her name was Marion and we seem to hit it off right away. She would come in a few times a week to play lottery tickets. She was so sweet. She told me she had three sons and always wanted a daughter and I said I will be your daughter so after that I called her mom and she called me her daughter. Then her husband came in and he started calling me his daughter  and I called him dad so after that it always stayed like that. I met her three sons, very nice guys. A couple years after Marion took sick and went to heaven, I hope so met my real mom up there. I know they would have got allot great. Such a dear sweet lady that would be missed for a long time but always in many folks hearts she will stay. I went to Mom and Dads house for the gathering and met the whole family which every single person treated me like I was really part of that family. It was a great feeling. I do have my own family and love them all very much but it was nice to see people open up so completely to me. But anyway there youngest son Steven is in a band and Dad and him have been trying to get me to go hear them play for a long time. They always played to far away. So last night they play in Dover, 30 minutes from home and I knew Dad wanted to go so I took him. It was a nice feeling to be-able to take him out and spend some time with him. I know how it is staying home alone. So I picked him up and we had a nice talk all the way down. He is such a terrific guy. We were listening to the band and sitting next to each other and every once in awhile he would hug me and I would hug him  or lay my head on his shoulder. I thought to  myself this is what a daughter and father relationship is all about. I don't really remember times like that with my real dad. I loved him so and no he loved me but don't remember much affection. And Steven, I just love him to pieces. He is a terrific guy would be the best brother ever. We do have a special connection. But anyway it is such a high to help other people out and to be thankful for all you have. I love it. So this is one or two items on my list that I will continue forever. Actually I really truly believe that I would feel for-filled if I only accomplished #'s 45, 46, 54, & 55 all rolled into one. It is such a great feeling.
So my youngest daughter is back from her holiday in Florida and her and her friend are coming up to stay with  me for a couple days so I will have them help me to get started on #'s 11 & 12. We will move all the stuff in Danielle's room and Deasha's room upstairs to Desiree's room and make that into the guest room. Moving stuff out of those two downstairs rooms will be a big start so then I can get them both prepped for painting. It took me awhile to get things going with this project because just seems weird moving my girls 3 bedrooms into one. Even though they have all moved out and one room will be sufficient for the amount of time they come back home.
Also I have been faithfully doing #7 everyday: putting $1.01 in my piggy bank everyday. I know it may not seem like much but after the 1001 days it sure will be enough to get me a nice little surprise if I get all my items on my list accomplished and if I don't then I will put that money towards one of the items I didn't accomplish so either way its a win win situation.
Stay positive and live your best life.

Day 16

It is cold and windy outside, like 7 degrees. Burrrrrrrrrrrr.. The kind of day you just want to grab a hot cup of coffee and a blanket and snuggle on the couch watching your favorite TV show. But unfortunately today I can't. Ya see a couple days before thanksgiving my auntie June had fallen down here basement stairs and bumped her head and butt. Since then she has not been the same, always forgetting things. My sisters and I don't like seeing her like this so my oldest sister Brenda had talked to our cousin, auntie Junes son and told him what happened. He flew up from North Carolina and took her to the doctor. The doctor did some test on her head and told our cousin that she had early signs of dementia. So we left it at that. Now My sisters and I have been getting together with my Aunt for what we call coffee break. So last Monday we had all met at my sister Brenda's house with our aunt and we were talking and I brought up my aunt going to see my chiropractor. My sisters and I thought it was a great idea, it couldn't hurt and best of all it could help. My aunt wasn't sure, she don't like doctors and really didn't want to go. But when I got home that afternoon I called my chiropractor and made an appointment for Friday morning(this morning) at 10:15. Woohooo I was excited. So I call my aunt this morning and told her I was coming to visit but when I got there I explained I wanted to take her to meet a friend of mine, my chiropractor. So it took some time but I finally convinced her to go. We got down there and she met Marc and he took her in and checked her out and when he came back out he said she is going to be fine. She will get better, it won't be an over night thing but she will get better. We were both so excited to hear this news. He knew exactly where she bumped her head and her upper butt. He said she will be fine if she is not fine in 2 weeks bring her back. But she will be fine he said.. Yahooooooooooooo. All the way home I was so excited couldn't wait to get back to call my sisters. My aunt kept thanking me for taking her down. She kept saying let me pay you for gas, how much do i owe you for gas I said nothing. I told her just hearing the Chiropractor say you were going to be fine was payment enough for me. Well what a great day. I am so thankful she is going to get better and I am so thankful I could help her. It is the best feeling.
I have been doing some more reading on photography yesterday, spent a couple hours with my oldest daughter and spent some time text messaging my youngest daughter who is in Florida on holiday. I am going to add 2 more items to my list today:
64) Loose 10 pounds
65) Make an appointment to see my chiropractor


Always be true to yourself!

Day 13

It was a rainy day out yesterday but in my heart the sun was shining. My three sisters and our aunt got together for coffee and goodies and lots of laughs. My gosh when we are together all we do is laugh. Then I get to work and another surprise my brother comes in that I don't get to see to often. What a great day. So this falls under #49 on my list. Spending more time with friends and family. What a wonderful day. Even though it was rainy outside it was sunny to me. Family is so important as are friends.
I have talked to my friend about doing the website for her so she is gathering more information. That will be exciting starting that.
So with all the rain yesterday and the mid forty degree weather it melted allot of the snow. I don't mind the weather at all. I figure when its nice out it makes me want to get up and out and do more things but when it rains it just gives me a day of rest and relaxation, reading or watching movies. So no matter what the weather its all good to me. I don't think I mentioned this in any previous post but I had been sick for awhile now but today I feel pretty good. I think I am going to shake this sickness and then I can start progressing on the items on my list that take a little more work and get up and go. So to you all have a wonderful safe sunny day.
Believe with all your being.

Day 9

Well I have added to my list:

64) Clean out my closet

65) Clean out my storage area

66) Clean out my attic

67) Do a thorough spring cleaning (I guess I can only do this in the spring) ;-)
68) Forgive and forget

I am up to 68 now, woohooo. It is a tuff thing for me to come up with 101 things I want to do in 1001 days. I thought it would be easy but once I started to write I found out it is not so easy. As I look back through my list I see that a lot of my things I want to do are going to be time consuming. It’s a good thing I have 1001 days to accomplish all 101 things, well it will be 101 once my list is finished. I hope more and more people try to attempt this feat. It is a great thing to have goals. I watch Ellen everyday and she has goals as well. But she gives herself a year to accomplish one huge goal. I think everyone should start there day watching her because she gets you motivated and makes you laugh. Makes you feel good and that’s a great way to start your day. Since my last post on 1/17/2010 I have been progressing along on my list. I have added 5 items plus I have been working on reading and researching on photography and how to make a website. The site I have found for this is Site Build It and it has a 10 day video tutorial which is great. It also has the read version as well but I learn easier by hearing it. So I am up to day 10 on it now but I am going to go back and watch them all again because I want everything to be clear for me when I make a website. I highly recommend if any of you out there are going to make a website and want to learn how go to this site www.SiteBuildIt.com and check it out. Tons of info from start to finish. They walk you right thru the whole process. I have also been working on other items on my list which come easy for me during my work days. My weekends are Wednesdays and Thursdays so that is when I do most of my reading. I haven't started any of my house projects yet. I am hooked on reading now and I have been watching some movies on the LMN. I have been talking more to my girls, it is a nice thing, actually I do the listening. So I guess thats it for today. If anyone has decided to do the 101 in 1001 please drop me a comment and let me know. I would love to hear about it and read your list and keep track on how you do with it.

"Dream it! Believe it! Achieve it!"

Day 4

Well it’s day 4 and I have been reading my list and some items are small and some are time consuming, some are on going every day even past the 1001 days. So I guess it’s safe to say that #’s 46, 54, & 55 are going to be something that I will be doing everyday in hopes they get stronger and stronger.

46) Be more thankful/show more gratitude~ check. Some people find it very hard to say those two simple words thank you. I find it easy. I deal with the public 5 days a week and I say it at least 50 times a day. Now saying it and meaning it is two different things. I do mean it. I say it to my customers, I am so grateful they keep coming in my business every day.

54) Help people anyway I can~ this can be done in many ways, big and small. For instance in my business there are people that come in that can’t afford something when they need it so I let them charge until they can pay. They are thankful for this. Now some people would think this was a small thing but to these people it’s a big think.

55) Make at least one person a day smile and add to that every day. Feels great. I sure do this every day when I see people. More then once I do it. It is the greatest feeling. And to see them smile,,wooohoooo.

43) Read 25 books ~ will be a priority for me since I want to learn more about photography, gardening, kayaking, traveling and taking time for me. I cannot believe how much I have read lately. It’s like I am addicted. I love learning, it takes me abit so I read some things over and I like to watch how to videos if it is part of the information I am interested in. I am finding a lot of that with all the research I have been doing on the internet. The internet is a great thing you can find anything you want to know on any subject.

49) Write a book on 101 things to do in 1001 days. I will be doing this for the next 1001 days so some days it might not be added in but I will be working on it. So today I have worked on all of these plus I have added in #56 Learn how and make a website or two. I have found this great site that is very informative on building a website it is called Site Build It. It is a wonderful site with lots of info and videos on how to make a website step by step. I love it and highly recommend it.

Be the sunshine not the rain!

Day 3

I have been doing more research on the kayaking club #36; this will go on as well. I like to learn all I can on something that really interests me.

I have started on #37. I have always loved taking pictures especially since I had my girls. But then it kind of slipped away and I didn’t get as many pictures as I would have liked but lately as I turned 50 and have been traveling I have been more interested in it again. I carry my camera in my purse at all times. I just have a Nikon CoolpixL11, small camera nice starter and nice if you like simple. I am working towards getting a Nikon D3000 camera eventually. That will be great. When I learn more then I will get it. So I have ordered some books on digital photography and doing a lot of research online about it. During my research I have came across Scott Kelby's Digital Photography boxed set 3 volume, I ordered these through Amazon. He has a wonderful site as well with short very informative videos. I have noticed for me it’s easier to see and hear things for me to learn easier so these are a great thing. I also purchased Digital Cameras & Photography for Dummies book it even came with a DVD by Mark Justice Hinton w/ Barbara Obermeier and I purchased Digital SLR Cameras & Photography for Dummies by David Bush. I like these Dummies books because they are very easy to read and explain a lot. I am not a fast/easy learner so these are great books if you like simple and thorough. Also the book store in my area was closing so I got them for half price. wooohooo can’t beat that. Also you sure can find a lot of information online. Most of it is FREE. That’s nice, you just have to check and check and keep checking. You will find a ton of info on any subject. But a site to check out for Digital Photography and Photoshop and more is Kelbystv.com. Great and very informative site. This item on my list will also be an ongoing accomplishment. So I guess it is also safe to say that I am working on #43 as well because with learning all I can about kayaking and learning and researching photography I have certainly been reading a lot more. I really enjoy it also. I used to read a lot when I was in my early 20’s then it kind of slipped away and became less important to me and when I started again was on my third flight to Hawaii on July 29, 2009. It is a long flight so I took this small book that could fit in my purse called, “Just Breathe”. It got me hooked again. I read the whole book on my two week “Hawaii 50” trip. I named it that because it was my 50^th birthday trip. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii and Hawaii became the 50^th state the year I was born so what better place to turn 50. When I came back I was ordering all kinds of books off Amazon and reading, reading, reading. I usually have a half read book in every room of my house. Now I am getting into kayaking, photography, gardening and traveling I have been getting a lot of reading info on these topics. But mostly so far kayaking and photography are the subjects now. I have received some travel info and gardening info so I guess it is safe to say that I have also started #’s8 & 53. So I guess #8 would be the gather info part but I have not taken any trips yet so I will come back to that when I am planning a trip. On #53 I have received gardening info in the mail and some emails but haven’t’ done a whole lot with them yet so I have some info so I guess you can say these 2 items are started but far from changing them to red.(meaning finished). I have noticed on my list that there are quite a few items that will really never be completely finished, actually if I start them and keep doing them right thru the 1001 days then I will have accomplished what I wanted to with them.

Remember that you can do whatever you put your mind to. Stay positive.

I have added 7 more items(below) to my list now I have 63.. wooohooo.

#57) Watch 101 movies

#58) Get rid of 101 material things

#59) Walk 3 days per week for atleast 20 minutes

#60) Have a family/friend August party luau theme would be fun

#61) Make family photo book

#62) Go on a cruise

#63) Get someone else to atleast start a 101 in 1001

So that’s it for this post.

Get up..Get motivated..Get going

Day 2

I started this on January 14th but didn't start to publish to a blog until January 20th.

Well yesterday I have made it to #56 so far on my list but I have begun to accomplish items on my list as well. I will add to 101 when things come up that I want to do. The one item on my list that I really enjoy doing and it’s a pay it forward kind of thing that we should all do is #54. As most of you may have heard of the terrible earthquake in Haiti, what a tragedy. I kept seeing on the news the terrible photos and it just makes you want to do something. I wished I could have gone down there to help I wished I could have done more but every little bit helps. So I seen on the news and in an email I had received if you want to donate to Haiti thru the red cross then on your cell phone text “Haiti to 90999” and $10 will be donated to Haiti. What a great thing, could you imagine if everyone did that wow what a boat load of money for help towards those poor people in Haiti at a terrible time of need. I know it’s hard for some so I feel if you can donate no matter how big or small it all helps. So that’s what I did. Actually I couldn’t figure it out on my cell phone so I had my daughter do it thru hers. “Hearts to Haiti”. #54 is forever and ongoing..”PAY IF FORWARD”

So #36 I have started. I emailed one of my friends that had taken me kayaking for the first time back in 08 seems like a long time ago. Time does seem to go by quick so make the most of it. Get your list out, accomplish things. Start changing them to red or atleast green. Anyway I emailed Emma and asked if she was still interested in starting a kayaking club and she was all for it so when the weather gets nicer we will start that but in the mean time I have been doing a lot of research on line about kayaking and starting a kayaking club. Should be fun am looking forward to getting out on the water and paddling. Best part we will be out having fun and learning and meeting new friends and teaching them. I am sure we will all learn something from each other.

Now #46 is easy for me. I work with the public so I see a lot of people every day and I am very thankful for them being my repeated and new customers at my store every day. I help them by offering the services they want in my store and they help me by coming in everyday and paying for my services. So this is great because whether they know it or not we are helping each other. Paying it forward every day. That’s a wonderful thing. So I guess it’s safe to say that #47 will never be completely accomplished because it should and will go on forever. (“Paying if Forward” is one of my favorite movies of all times, check it out if you haven’t seen it)

#48 I have also started this. I am doing this in hopes after you all read this it will get you motivated to make your list of 101 things to do in 1001 days and that you stay positive and motivated to accomplish all 101 things on your list. You will see once you write them down you will be more motivated and go to your list everyday and start a journal/blog it will be easier and more motivational for you to get your list accomplished. Just try it…I would also like to talk to people who have done this or who are in the process of doing it to get their thoughts and advise for others on doing it.

#55 is also easy for me because working with the public I see lots of people every day and I am a pretty silly, crazy (good crazy not insane crazy) person. I like to make people laugh. Sometimes it just happens I don’t even have to think about it. Silly things just seem to come of my mouth. But making and seeing people laugh sure makes me feel good. Nothing like the sound of laughter and a smile on someone’s face. So as with #47 this one will never and should never be fully accomplished either. It should and will go on forever.

So stay positive, keep motivated and Pay it Forward.

Day 1

101 Things I want to do in 1001 days

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 organizing and timing some tasks such as trips or outdoor activities.

It is now January 2010. I was talking to my daughter Danielle on January 1, 2010 and she was telling me of a list that she made of 101 things she wants to do in 1001 days. What a great idea I thought. As I research this I have found out others are doing it as well. I have found in the past if you write things down where you can see them then you are more apt to get them done. So that is what I am going to do. Today is January 14^th, would have been my mom’s 80^th birthday if she were still alive. I miss her. So today I will write my list of my 101 things I want to do in 1001 days. I am wondering should #1 be: writing my list of 101 things I want to do in 1001 days. Maybe not..I am thinking this isn't going to be as easy as I thought. Writing the list anyway, coming up with 101 things I want to do. I guess I can write as many now as I think of then add to my list later. It’s not written anywhere that I have to completely write my whole list of 101 things. So I will write what I think of now and add to it. Not in any particular order as you can see. Also I challenge you to do this as well. It is a very good motivator and could be fun if others that read this add comments or advise.

1) Paint living room(home)

2) Build bookcases for either side of fireplace

3) Get new living room furniture(home)

4) Paint and redo laundry area(home)

5) Get new washer and dryer set(home)

6) Payoff all bills

7) Put a $1.01 in my piggy bank everyday to get a little reward after 1001 days if the whole list is green/finished.

8) Take at least 9 trips

9) Meet a very nice, loving, caring, honest guy that loves me and wants to be with me forever and has some of the same interests as I do.

10) Get married

11) Redo Deashas room into a dining room(home)

12) Redo Danielle’s room into office(home)

13) Start a pumpkin patch(home)

14) Plant flowers around yard do more landscaping(home)

15) Make my outdoor kitchen(home)

16) Put in pool(home)

17) Put in water feature in between the three big rocks on my grass(home)

18) Paint hallway upstairs(home)

19) Paint steps and put carpet on them(home)

20) Put ceramic tiles on floor in kitchen(home)

21) Paint coal stove(home)

22) Get new refrigerator(home)

23) Get new stove (home)

24) Paint and redo dryer area into a pantry(home)

25) Paint and redo storage area into a hot tub room (home)

26) New furnace for store

27) Do all maintenance at the store/update

28) Get a beer cave/cooler for the store

29) Redo my kitchen(home)

30) Paint my house outside(home)

31) Redo side porch/farmers porch(home)

32) Keep the store cleaner

33) Finish off back room at the store

34) Be more positive

35) Get a kayak and go kayaking/maybe start a club

36) Go to a NAPP Photoshop convention

37) Get a new camera Nikon D3000/get Photoshop/learn more about photography

38) Get snorkel gear and go snorkeling

39) Get a new TV for living room(home)

40) Get a new car~2010 camaro

41) Get a ridley motorcycle

42) Become more healthy/take care of ME more

43) Read 25 books 3/25

44) Go hiking

45) Talk with my girls more

46) Be more thankful/show more gratitude

47) Go to Mardi gra

48) Write a book~~~101 things to do in 1001 days

49) Hang out with my friends and family more

50) Go skydiving

51) Be on the Ellen show

52) Be on the Oprah show

53) Get into gardening more maybe join or start a club

54) Help people anyway I can

55) Make at least one person a day smile. Feels great.

56) Learn how and make a website or two.

Well as you can see I got as far as 56, this is more difficult than I thought it would be. So I really don’t think I would have to write all 101 things today. Also they are not in order of any importance, just in order how they came to mind. Some are small things that I can do every day and others will take some time and effort. So as things come up that I want to do then I will add them to my list. This is really a great idea, everyone should do it. I challenge everyone to try it and stay positive and motivated and accomplish your dreams. Gets ya more motivated, I know I could use some motivation these days. As I do them I will change them to red so by the end of the 1001 day my whole list will be red, I will change them to green when I have started them and not yet finished them. I have to stay positive and motivated and believe it will happen.

"It only takes one idea, one second in time, one friend, one dream, one leap of faith, to change everything forever. Just one! ;-)