Saturday, February 2, 2013

The last stretch ...

Although I haven't spent as much time as I would like working on this goal list recently, it is still very much a part of my life.  I now have about 100 days left and still there are 46 uncompleted goals.  Obviously, I don't think I'll be able to finish everything; in fact, there are about 5 things on the list that I can no longer finish for one reason or another.  And, since time changes one's priorities, there are a few more which I really am no longer all that interested in doing.  Others are partially completed and just need a push to finish (and the time to make that push).

So, here's what I've been working on most recently ... I'm hoping to finish at least another 10 goals before my ending day in May.
  • Losing weight!  I finally found a plan that seems to be working great for me (have lost 6 pounds in the last 3 weeks) and feels like I could sustain it for the rest of my life if necessary.  A friend told me about a website called myfitnesspal.com which is basically a calorie tracker.  I never thought that I would be able to count calories, but this site keeps track of everything and makes it incredibly easy even if you cook for yourself.  It's almost become a game to me - exercise more and I can eat that ice cream tonight! :)
  • Making a new recipe every month.  I'm having some fun with this and have discovered some new things to add to my regular rotation of meals ... including a great simple recipe for baked lemon chicken that you can even make when the chicken breasts are still fully frozen - no having to plan ahead to defrost.
  • Finishing my photography course.  I was assigned a new personal adviser last fall (due to health problems on the part of my previous adviser), and that simple change made a huge difference in my motivation to work on the course.  I do have to admit that I had planned to take some photos for my current assignment this morning, but wimped out because they were outdoor shots and the temperature was -35*F.
  • Reading on all of three of the reading goals ... this one is the easiest to work in around other time commitments.
 And here's a few things that I've promised myself to work on (and hopefully finish) before the end of the 1001 days.
  • The will - I've already put a lot of thought into this, so it's mostly a matter of getting it all down the way I want and bringing it in to be notarized.
  • Care packages for my nieces and nephews - only 2 left, but what to send?
  • Christmas stocking - last weekend, I finished the craft project that had been distracting me from this one.  It's out and ready to work on again.
  • Wine tasting party - I already have a party planned for this month, so maybe in March ...
  • Growing lettuce inside - I meant to start this one last weekend and ran out of time, perhaps I'll plant later this afternoon.
  • First Aid/ CPR course - I'm waiting on our annual training with the city (it always seems to fall on a day I can't go) for this one; however the police chief promised to let me know if he held one for first responders earlier.  This is the great thing about working in a small town - the different departments help each other out.
  • Reduce the morning walk time - it's too slippery outside to work on this now, but I'm rocking the exercise bike every morning, and I hope it will translate into faster walk times in the spring.
  • Make bagels - really, how hard can this be?
  • Identify 5 new constellations / go to 10 museums / memorize icons on my camera / make 5 jewelry pieces - I'm really close to the end on all of these and hoping to finish them soon.