Christmas in February

3 1/2 years ago I married a very lovely man. We moved from my house of 27 years to his. He lived there with his 3 cats. It's 3800 sq feet of cat heaven with the destroyed carpets to prove it. Interestingly, there wasn't enough space in the house for all of the "stuff" 4 people could bring (me and 3 kids), so a lot of boxes just got left in the garage. Those boxes have been a niggly in my side ever since. Sometimes it's because I *KNOW* something I'm looking for is probably out there and sometimes I just want to be a normal person and park my car in the garage.

I now have a list and getting the garage cleaned and de-cluttered is part of it. I'm happy to report that yesterday I emptied 4 boxes. It was fun! Old Mary Kay literature? Out the door. Earrings my friends bought me in Leavenworth? OMG I can't believe I found them again! Lots of fun kitchen stuff, which I still don't have room to store, but happy to be reunited with.

When my kids were young, about every 6 months we would box up toys and put them in the attic. Then we would bring down an older box and open it. It was like Christmas - toys they remembered, but hadn't played with in a long time. We got way more use out of toys and spent a whole lot less than if we had gone out and bought new items everytime they wearied of the old. Yesterday I had "boxed Christmas." I'm looking forward to more today and even better, I'm looking forward to checking it off my 101 list.

I'd better get scooting on that. The "check engine" light is coming on - it's the EGR sensor and we're going to need to pull the car into the garage to fix it.

My Goals

This is not a complete list, I am still working on that but wanted to let you know I had not forgot and I have already completed number 7 bought my car on Feb.17 and will have the van paid off by March 15 and possibly the chase card at the same time.

1. Pay off Van

2. Pay off Chase Card

3. Pay off my student loans for my BS degree

4. Finish my master’s degree

5. Get a new better paying job

6. Start paying off my student loans for my master’s degree

7. Get a car for me

8. Get Dennis through his bachelor’s without taking out any loans

9. Get Craig in a college and not have to take loans for his tuition

10. Help Jacqueline get her bachelor’s degree

11. Lose weight to help my health

12. Pay off Jim’s student loans

13. Sell the Ohio house

14. Sell Georgia house and buy a house with a smaller mortgage

15. Have the family (Jim and I) live in the same house again

16 Get Mom into a smaller house

17 Work on problems in my marriage

18 Eat healthier

19 Find a way to get PhD without taking out any more loans

20 Go to The Virgin Islands

21 Go on another cruise

22 Help Jacqueline find a job

23 Get Jacqueline set up in her own place

24 Spend more time with the kids

25 Have a date night once a month with Jim

26 have a family night once a week

27 Get the kids to do their chores on a regular basis

28 Deep clean the house once a month

29 Learn to listen more and talk less

30 Think less of myself and more of others needs

31 donate to a charity on a regular basis

32 start going to church regularly

33 learn to let go and let my kids learn from their mistakes

34 get my hair and nails done regularly so I can look more professional

35 wear makeup everyday to look more professional

36 dress more professional

The Bloomin'' ... we'll just leave it at that

My yard is sporting some new flowers; color spots to be killed by the threatened snow, apparently. I find that when I look at my list in "down time" moments, I am motivated to get something, anything done on it.

I set up my list in an Access database, and one of the fields I chose to work with was a percentage completed. I like that. I can see progress even when I can't check off the "completed" date.

For some reason I am unable to cut and paste the list from the table. Maybe I'll hand type it at some other time, but for now, know my garden is looking better, some paint colors are picked out for major interior upgrades and I have a "date" to talk with my director about my plans and why I am going to be deviating from a standardized business model to achieve them. Frankie will understand :)

Governing Body

2/15 - List is not complete but posting it anyways

The list:

Dept of the Interior:

1. Lose 2 pounds a week (0/143)
2. Work out 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes (0/143)
3. Get a pedicure twice a month (0/66)
4. One day a month spend at least 2 hours doing something that is just for me (0/33)
5. Take a martial arts class
6. Take a belly dancing class
7. Finish MBA (4/12)
8. Start and Finish Project Management Certification
9. Find a professional mentor
10. Get to level 4
11. Wear make up everyday to work
12. Only wear tennis shoes on Fridays
13. Get teeth whitened
14. Learn to meditate....2/11 update...purchased a class for this.
    
15. Join a book club
16. Complete Avon 3-day

Dept of Homeland Security:

1. At least once a month, have a date night (0/33)
2. Twice a week we turn off the tv, computers, phones, etc to be together
3. Read to the boys at least 5 nights a week
4. Take off 3 months for FMLA to be with Zack
5. Go camping as a family 3 times a year
6. Go on our beach vacation once a year
7. Annual family pictures

Fiscal Policy:

1. Pay off BECU
2. Pay off BofA
3. Pay off Wells (line)
4. Pay off Wells (Jeep)
5. Save up house down payment (0/8500)
6. Pay down on USBank line
7. Buy a house
8. Save up 10k for trip to Egypt (0/10000)
9. Make a budget
   
10. Stick to the budget (0/33)
11. Buy a new mattress
12. Buy an ipod

Foreign Policy:

1. Take boys to Disneyland (complete...kind of...DisneyWorld 2/11)
   
2. Go to Egypt
3. Visit in-laws twice (0/2)
4. Camp in the Redwood Forrest
5. Visit Yosemite
6. Visit Mount Rushmore
7. Go to Harrison Hot Springs with J. Marie
8. Go to Alaska
9. Visit Eileen
   

Domestic Policy:

1. Create/find a chore chart
2. Stick to the chore chart weekly (0/33)
3. Finish stockings for myself, Zach, and Simon (0/3)
4. Once a month have an “Everybody cleans day” where deep cleaning gets done (i.e Fridge, etc.)
5. Determine what I am going to do with all my pictures (scrapbook, just an album what..)
6. Work on the determined picture project once a month until complete(0/33)
7. Fill out baby books
8. Clean out Thomas’s room and make it Thomas and Zach’s room
9. Clean out the car once a month (0/33)
10. Paint the inside of the Condo
11. Learn/hire/get help on decorating
12. Decorate/Style the living room
13. Decorate/Style the dinning room
14. Decorate/Style the bathroom
15. Decorate/Style the boys room
16. Decorate/Style our room
17. Plan meals for an entire week at least twice a month (0/66)
18. Cook at home at least 4 times a week
19. Try a new recipe once a month (1/33)

Me - a nut in a shell

So I know Frankie from work and Mikey from Frankie...

A bit about me: I am 33, attached significantly, and have two AMAZING (yes I am biased but it has been confirmed by independent sources) boys 4 and 2 months.

I have always been a great starter...not the best finisher. I have the best of intentions and the best of plans...but get...'distracted' (ooh look something shiny!)

I look forward to this adventure and ability to focus my attentions to get more accomplished.

:)

The list......dun dun dun.....

1. Update CV and cover letter to 2011

2. Pass CV to Frankie (American Mam), to help me with potential jobs in Seattle.

3. Study for my CPI Insolvency Exam

4. Pass exam for CPI.

5. Study American Chapters (Bankruptcy qualifications).

6. Europe – Travelling to four countries that I have not been to as of yet.

7. Buy a bloody car! Whichever country I may be living in….

8. Complete a life long dream of watching Pearl Jam in Seattle.

9. Be 100% debt free by December 2012.

10. Get both tattoo designs completed and then get the tattoos!

11. I gave up smoking in October 2010 without the aid of any products or medication, so my goal is to continue this ongoing.

12. Start to donate to my designated charity, The Donkey Sanctuary.

13. Visit the Donkey Sanctuary in Paignton, Devon.

14. Cut down coffee/tea intake to two cups a day.

15. Try to completely eradicate the eating problem I have a few times a year.

16. Go to York.

17. Hike Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

18. Buy new guitar.

19. Purchase king size bed for new apartment.

20. Go to Cork for St. Patricks Day.

21. Go to Vegas with the lads for my 27^th birthday (2012)

22. Get to Oktoberfest in Munich.

23. Take skiing lessons, and go back to Les Gets.

24. Visit family in Perth, Australia.

25. Get tickets for an Olympic event in London 2012.

26. Go to Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant (in Chelsea)

27. Do Sport Relief Mile (Charity Race)

28. Sky Dive.

29. Take Thai cooking lesson at Chaopraya (Manchester)

30. Bungee Jump whilst in Perth.

31. Re-take French classes

32. Salsa dance lessons at Cuba Café (Manchester)

33. Transfer all of my music onto my laptop, including all Cd’s

34. Buy new Decks.

35. Visit my sister in Geneva

36. Take Alexis to Chez Bruce (London)

37. Take Alexis to watch Manchester City & Stockport County.

38. Go to an England football away game

39. Sign up to the England Supporters Club.

40. Volunteer for the Olympic Games (2012)

41. Weekend to Amsterdam.

42. Study for JIIB Personal Insolvency Papers

43. See Neil Young in concert.

44. Visit The Cavern in Liverpool.

45. Visit Longleat Safari Park.

46. Manchester Midnight walk for St Ann’s Hospice.

47. See a concert at the Benaroya Hall.

48. Visit Auschwitz

49. Go to Pas De Calais to visit the battle fields of the Somme.

50. Climb the stairs to Mont Martre.

51. February as a no drinking month (2012)

52. Go to a Sounders match.

53. New York at Christmas.

54. Get kinetic for my XBOX.

55. Go to one music festival each year.

56. Go Camping in Wales.

57. Visit friends in Belfast.

58. Visit my mum and dad once a week.

59. See Whales in the wild.

60. Visit the Tate Modern in London.

61. Go to the Autosport International Car Show (Birmingham).

62. Disneyland Paris!

63. Read George Orwell – The Road to Wigan Pier.

64. Visit Bologna in Italy (Where family originate from).

65. Sign up to Lovefilm.

66. Vote at all elections and by-elections, no matter what.

67. Try snowboarding just once.

68. Try Oysters.

69. Standedge - Hebden Bridge Pennine Way Walk (11 miles).

70. Go to Blackpool for the weekend.

71. Buy a bike.

72. Verbally abuse at least one member of the Conservative Party.

73. Visit Christmas Markets in Birmingham.

74. Go to all Stockport County home league games in 2011/2012, no matter how poor we are. (0/23)

75. Go to Wembley Stadium for a sports match.

76. Do a track day at Silverstone Races.

77. Go to the Grand National at Aintree.

78. Give money to the homeless person who sits outside my offices once a month (0/33).

79. From April 2011, no sugar in coffee or tea.

80. Start five a side football team.

81. Rejoin Poynton Squash Club.

82. Visit Band on the Wall in Manchester for a gig.

83. Spend the weekend in Hebden Bridge.

84. Sort out old clothes, and give to charity.

85. Purchase Happy Monday’s t-shirt

86. Go to at least 6 Salford City Red’s games in the 2011 Super League season.

87. Visit the Peoples Museum in Manchester.

88. Work out twice a day at home.

89. Change my mobile phone provider from Orange.

90. Get I Phone.

91. Purchase tickets to one show in London in 2011.

92. Play golf at least once a month.

93. Take Golf lessons at Adlington Golf Centre.

94. Adopt a manatee through savethemanatee.org

95. Take DJ lessons from Martin Haddock with new decks.

96. Eat my five a day (fruit and veg)

97. Purchase items from the Brewdog Brewery.

98. Visit the Isle of Skye.

99. Go to at least on whiskey distillery either in Ireland or Scotland.

100. Buy at least one pair of K Swiss trainers.

101. Join the Gym in West Didsbury.

Introduction from an Englishman.

When i first mentioned I was going to this to my friends here in England, the first thing that came out of their mouths was "That is the most American thing I have heard".....well I have censored the comments slightly....but you get the idea.

It is. I have to admit. it certainly does conjure up the idea of an Americanism.....i dont know if that's a word, but we invented the language, so im going to throw it out there.

However, I like it. It's something you guys do that we don't. You like to motivate and encourage people to complete their goals, we like to.....well not do that. When Frankie asked me about being involved in the blog, I had no hesitation in thinking about getting involved. I have so many things i wanted to do, but until I listed them I guess they were just all pipe dreams and "well, I might get to that when i'm not procrastinating."

A little about me? A 25 year old Englishman with grand ambitions, which ultimately will probably come to nothing. But I'm hopeful that this list, and other people on here will give me inspiration to stop being a lazy ba*tard. Time will tell.

Nice to meet y'all......:)

A portion of my list...here's what I'll share so far.


Date night once a month. Shooting range doesn't count, but keep going there.

Connect with old friends again in person. Not online, FB or texting, but face to face.

Once a month or every two months girls day.

Weekend getaway with the girls in the spring. Maybe with kids but NO husbands.

All bills, CC and medical, paid off by end of year 2011. Only household bills for 2012.

Start researching new car for myself.

Saving for Disneyland 2012.

Money that is in savings remains there unless there is a true emergency.

More playdates for JD.

More activities with JD...aquarium, indoor playground, movies etc

Keep house organized and clutter under control.

Watch tv more with Paul even when I don't like what he is watching.

Find somewhere to volunteer.

Either get to Reno or get Teresa here by June.

Weekend getaway with Paul by June and then Fall Getaway...Canada maybe.

Get JD fully potty trained.

Give blood every 56 days.

Plan weekly meals and try to incorporate new things.

Have Paul help with JD's routine more.

Read more. Strive for one book a month.

Hire landscapers.

Get Paul healthy...body and mind.

Get office space cleaned and organized and claim it as MY room for crafting and work.

Buy a new outfit once a month. Dress as if I have a purpose.

Pedicure and eyebrows every two months.

Each payday $20-$40 for each of us to do whatever we want.

More craft projects. Buy a sewing machine.

Once a month family dinners with parents.

See Grandma Kay more often.

Take a class of some kind...learn something new.

Get JD involved in an activity...tumbling, sports etc.

Work less hours.

More family activities.

Re-vamp resume.

Make Pauls lunch every day and get his coffee ready.

Play more Wii.

feb 11

To ESC with questions about transcripts for qual of para pro. told to call Ohio Dept ED. Looks great, ordered up all official copies of transcripts.
Stopped @ New Lex schools to offer to drop transcripts when in and told my FBI came to them. good to go.
Fax College of Mt. St. Joseph for records.
Good day for my goals list.

Feb10-christine

I am really trying hard to scratch the list and move toward these goals.They say persistance is key. I did my FBI check applic. process for County ESC services to sub assist teach on 2-8.. costly... we shall see
today I had my lung testing and seems my meds may be ok after all for my breathing. do not have emphysema .
To New Lex schools for tax paperwork and applic to get on sub list and screening. Had FBI stuff faxed over
To St. Rose to sign up for the catholic class to be able to teach and volunteer there. left resume and had FBI set over, rec. bad info from Columbus as far as procedure, so expect call back to complete process.

Alice, pudding. Pudding, Alice

An introduction, which doesn't require removing the pudding: I'm Diane. I get overwhelmed with projects, sidetrack easily and accomplish amazing things when I set my mind to it.

I have been in awe of Frankie and Mike and their lists since I have known them, which was since their wedding when I went as a "date" of a good friend. I am excited to participate in this project because there are so many things I would like to get done and I needed the accountability of a) setting them on paper and b) having someone look over my shoulder.

It's been sunny in Seattle today and yesterday and my garden project has been marked "begun." I'd waste time writing here, but I have weeds to uproot, fertilizer to apply and bark to spread. That and a birthday cake for my daughter await, but the cake's not on the list.

Mikey's List

Here is my list, though it is about 20 short. I will add those in the next few days. For each item completed, I will change the font to red.

First and Foremost!

1. Get a job

For Others

2. Volunteer on 1 Habitat for Humanity build

3. Register to be a bone marrow donor

4. Donate bone marrow

5. Donate a kidney

6. Donate Plasma

7. Donate Platelets

Family

8. Complete adoption of Whitney

9. Write a “to be read” letter to Joyce, Lori & parents

10. Family trip to cabo

11. Take boys to Great Wolf Lodge

12. Try 4 new recipes a month

Things to Do

13. Sign up for a rec league softball team again

14. Re-learn Spanish to the point of speaking fluently

15. Learn Italian to the point of speaking fluently

16. Learn to cook a full 3 course meal from scratch (0/3)

17. Learn to play 5 full songs on guitar (0/5)

18. Go on a date with Frankie one night per month (0/33)

19. Compete in 2011 Warrior Dash

20. Compete in 2012 Warrior Dash

21. Purchase life insurance for Frankie and I

22. Draft and get notarized a living will

Things to do at the house

23. Paint outside of house

24. Repair broken window in peaches room

25. Replace counters & backsplash in kitchen w/ granite

26. Dig out and plant trees along back fence

27. Install hot tub

28. Buy furniture for living room

29. Buy or paint bedroom furniture

30. Install built in shelves in living room

31. Install mantle in living room

32. Install cabinets in laundry room

33. Install drop lights in dining room

34. Build deck out back

35. Build gazebo out back

36. Landscape backyard

37. Refinish hardwoods

Things to Pay/Buy

38. Complete step one of my investment portfolio

39. Establish a twelve month emergency fund

40. Increase our net worth by 25% in 2011

41. Increase our net worth by 25% in 2012

42. Pay off Kia

43. Pay off Chase

44. Pay off IRS

45. Pay off loans

46. Pay off WAMU

47. Pay off NY loan

48. Raise FICO score to over 700

49. Open IRA account

50. Set up a living trust

51. Buy flat screen TV for bonus room

52. Buy new surround system for bonus room

53. Re-paint patio furniture

54. Buy furniture for front porch

55. Buy a new SUV

Travel

56. Visit Ohio with Frankie

57. Visit GA

58. Visit Las Vegas

59. Go to Yankees Fantasy camp

60. See a baseball game in San Diego & Phoenix

61. Visit Boston

62. Go to the Grand Canyon

63. Go to a regular season NFL game

Things for Me

64. Get vasectomy

65. Start internet business

66. Continue updating blog

67. Learn Unix

68. Start biking

69. Become a life coach

70. Be recognized as movie reviewer

71. Photo session for me and Frankie

72. Walk Dodge daily

73. Do 50 pushups without stopping

74. Run ½ marathon

75. Lose 15 pounds

76. Get certified as something – not sure what just yt

77. Start a blogging business

78. Replace couch cushions on sectional

79. Get a bicycle

80. Learn how to ride motorcycle

81. Do a guys weekend

Hello Hello!

Hello to all, let me start by saying that I am VERY excited about the next couple years and what it means for my family. My name is Whitney, and for those of you who don't know me I am Mike and Frankie's oldest daughter :) I am married to a great man who keeps my smiling and having fun and we have 3 boys between us. My two, Mason who is 6 and Camden who is 3, live with us all the time and his son, Jon who is 3, is with us during the summers. I am currently working as a nanny and cannot WAIT to get back to school in the fall! My list is posted on my personal 101 blog if you all want to take a look and follow me on there! http://whits101in1001.blogspot.com/ I look forward to watching everyone's progress as we dive into our goals!

feb 9th

Scheduled lawyer for making will.
called  transcripts Renton Tech, and TVS/JVS to see if I qual for para pro down the road.
going for lung testing tomorrow to see about my breathing.
felt more productive today at least.

Hi I am Anita

Hello everyone. I am Anita Moyer and Frankie and I went to school together. I am honored that Frankie and Mike asked me to join this group since I have been thinking a lot about goals and where I want to go in the next few years.

To let you know a little about me, I am married and have been for 25 years. I have three almost grown children and two great dogs. My husband and I are struggling to get our family back under one roof since I lost my job in 2009. I am living in Ohio, he lives in Huntsville, Alabama and my children live in Georgia in our family home. Thank goodness two of my children are over 18 and are taking care of my 17 year old. I am in my master's program and have goals and plans that go around that.
Well that is me in a nutshell. You will probably learn more about me in the months to come

a bit about me

Hi there, how is everyone?
I'm Lisa and have known Mikey and Frankie for about a year and a half now, although not the list maker that Frankie is I feel inspired by this task.

You'll have to forgive me if I don't share all of my list, but as I was compiling it, I realized there are a lot of personal things to it, and contrary to popular belief I don't like to share too much. I do like to keep a few things private. I will share the goals I am working on as I come to them though, and will also let you all know how I am trying to reach them, and who knows I may post a verison of my entire list at some point.

I am inspired and yet overwhelemed at the goal of completing 101 things in 1001 days. That is such a long time to aspire to anything. I'll take it goal by goal and day by day.

I am married and the mom to a 3 1/2 year old. I work outside of the home, and one of the goals is to see how I can either work part time, or work from home, at something that is legal. My job is a paycheck and not something I love.

I have a sarcastic sense about me,and try not to take things too seriously unless absolutely necessary.
My family is small and we are close. My parents live about 5 minutes away and they take care of my son 2 days a week for me while he goes to daycare/preschool 3 days a week. My mom has Parkinsons, so as a family we deal with that and all it entails. It has been an interesting journey thus far, and changes rapidly at times.

So that is Lisa in a small nutshell.

Introductions

Hi everyone,

If you received an email from Frankie regarding this challenge, then welcome. You have told Frankie that this is an interesting challenge and would like to participate. For your first post, we would like you to introduce yourself. Tell us a little about you, your family and what you think the challenge will accomplish.

So here is mine... I'm Mikey, Frankie's husband. This is my 2nd go round with the 101 goals challenge and let me tell you, it is not easy. One thing that Frankie and I realized though..miss one and you can miss 20. So many things we do are intertwined with the things we want to accomplish. For example, I wanted to buy a new truck. Well unless I paid off things I owed and got the promotion at work, it didn't happen. Get the drift?

OK, do your post and at the bottom, label it with your name. Then do a 2nd post with your list. Mine will be going up in a bit. I am only at 82 items. Any questions, let me know.

Welcome!

Sorry for the delay in getting this site up and running. Over the next few days, we will have some new additions to the site. You should feel free to post your list and an introduction. Pictures are always welcome!