Three birds with one seashell

I have had a very productive week in the 101 in 1001 Life List department! Maggie says that just the act of writing down your list is transformative, and she is right. Many of the goals on my list have been banging around the back of my mind for years. But having a list that I carry around with me and that I have told people about makes a difference. I look for ways to complete goals and check things off. I keep my eyes out for things to add. When I see something that others are doing that I want to try, I do.

So, with about three weeks of planning I hopped a plane to Belize all by myself! Just prior to leaving I scrambled around to get my open water certification so that I could knock number eight off the list. I randomly selected Belize after googling yoga retreats (and I never made it to a yoga class while I was there! Sorry number thirty-one!)

In the days leading up to the trip I was excited. The thought of a break from everything and some peace and quiet sounded awesome. No laundry, no cleaning, no conference calls. No one else to worry about and flying by the seat of my pants.

Just before I left, some things happened that made me have to rearrange and scramble some more. On the bad side, I never really finished making plans or doing research. On the good side, I got to spend some time with old friends. So by the time I left, I hadn't been thinking about my trip much at all.

I had a great time. I read a book, lounged in a hammock, by the pool and on the beach. I sailed, snorkeled, dove, and climbed some Mayan ruins. I ate, drank and took some naps. There were a few times I was a little lonely and wished that the Rockstar was there, and a couple times when I saw groups of girls laughing together that I missed my friends. But I enjoyed traveling alone. It's a different experience and it didn't allow me to fall into the same patterns that I would normally fall into when I travel. I took the time to watch and to talk to people. By the time I left, I knew a few of the locals by name and they knew me too.

Lots of people thought I was crazy, but I am very glad that I took the plunge out of my comfort zone.

So, I am marking complete:

Scuba Dive (8)

Go to the beach (16)

Take a trip by myself (17)

And partially complete:

travel to three countries I have never been to before (5)

leave my country once a year (7)

trying foods I have never tried before (61)

Vacation, all I ever wanted. Vacation, have to get away!

Lately, I feel like I am somewhat close to a nervous breakdown. I am overworked, over stressed, and over extended.

But . . . things are looking up. Very soon I will be here:

doing this:

this:

and definitely this:

I am excited about this trip. I am going to knock three things off my life list, and partially complete two more. I am going to the beach, going scuba diving, and taking a trip alone. It's kind of weird though - people feel sorry for me.

I have great friends, great family, a pretty nifty Rockstar, and four fabulous mutts. Any and all of them could come too. But the thought taking a trip alone to decompress is very exciting. I don't have to worry about feeding anyone but myself, laundry, scheduling or doing anything I don't want to do. I also have to rely on myself for all decisions. Tentative plans include sleeping, eating, sampling the local rum, scuba diving and/or snorkeling, yoga and reading. Maybe a trip to some Mayan ruins or caves if I am feeling particularly ambitious. If not, I will lounge on the beach or in a hammock. Yes, you can see how tragic it is that I will be traveling alone.

Out with the aughts, in with the tens

Normally, the new year jump-starts me. I make lists, I get invigorated. This year? Not so much. I am not sure what the problem is, but I just can't get motivated. (I can't even get my new years post out before mid month - yeesh!)

I have always been interested in many many things. As a kid my answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?" changed at least every month. I come from a family of nerds and voracious readers, so I was never at a loss for subject material or projects. One year in elementary school I got the award for reading the most books over the summer.

As I got older, not much has changed. I still jump in and out of things pretty often. I am a certainly a dilettante. I have piles of half finished projects, unread or half-read books on a hundred different subjects. Sometimes it wears me out just thinking of all the things that I want to learn, try or experience before I leave this planet.

Therein lies part of the problem. I spend a lot more time thinking than I do doing.

Last March I made a list. I have a bad habit of losing interest in things quickly. My follow-through is not nearly as great as my start. I worked hard to come up a well rounded list that contained items that would be beneficial and fun and keep me interested and engaged. So in lieu of resolutions, I will continue to work on my list. I have been making progress, but it's hard to believe that 9 months have gone by.

So for 2010, my words are action and focus. I want to spend a lot more time out conquering and a lot less time holding down the fort. I need to focus on being present in each moment and making the most of every day. On making day-to-day life easier by reducing clutter and establishing some routines. I am not supposed to spend all my time and energy tending my stuff, so I won't. 2010 . . . here I come!

By the way . . . what do we call this decade? The tens? The teens? The tweens?

You've got to eat lean to be lean!

I am not normally a dieter. I truly believe in moderation of all things. I enjoy eating and drinking. Very much.

I am a dichotomy. Organic and locally grown foods chased down with a Dr Pepper or a margarita. Fast food lunches eaten while at my desk on conference calls versus vegetarian meals, growing our own veggies in the backyard garden and sustainably managed seafood.

I have always been lucky and been blessed with a pretty good metabolism. For the most part I ate what I wanted to, indulging my sweet tooth, got a fair amount of exercise, and things just pretty much worked out for the best.

I was warned it wouldn't last. My sisters and older friends told me I had better start learning good habits because it would only get harder. Those bastards were right! After I hit 30 it was all downhill. I suddenly found myself dragging out of bed at 5:30 am to get bossed around in boot camp - and I had to pay for that torture! The instructor - a former military drill sergeant - was super fit and full of witticisms. "You've got to eat lean to be lean!" "Run like you are running to the Krispy Kreme!" I was in good shape and I really liked it, but I just couldn't keep getting up that early.

I kept running, but learned that according to Runners World, you must run an extra mile per week each year after 30 to stay at the same weight. Who the hell came up with that stupid idea? Isn't that backwards? Shouldn't all those miles go into a bank to be drawn out later, kind of like a pension or 401K? This may be the most compelling evidence I have seen to suggest that the omnipotent is not of the female persuasion. A girl just wouldn't make that rule.

I tried to hold the line, but a huge project at work turned me into a stress eater. Vending machines don't offer the best choices for healthy meals, and the candy bowls around the office increased in direct proportion with the luming project deadline. Sigh . . . somehow I wound up with about 10-15 extra pounds.

I have been bitching and moaning about it for a while, but when my favorite jeans couldn't be shoehorned on anymore, I had to draw the line. I got serious a few weeks ago and went on a water drinking, veggie eating, no fast food binge. My biggest goal was to break the sugar cravings. The first few days were hard. I got very crabby. I also cheated a few days, eating out and having a few beers. (Wine comes from grapes, which are part of the fruit group and technically not cheating, right?) There was also an incident where I almost tackled a co-worker and stole her bag of candy corn. Bygones.

Net result . . . down 7 pounds so far and holding.

Now I can sleep at night!

Over the years we have gone through many many computers. We have had a few accidents with laptops - dropped, smashed, crunched, soaked with water, etc. One memorable time when Deuce was a puppy he crawled up on my lap while I was working. I thought that he was so cute and sweet and cuddly until he looked right at me and projectile vomited all over me and my laptop.

Sadly, we have lost more than a few things over the years. Music, photos, important documents, who knows what else.

Enter the time machine. This thing really is cool. It will wirelessly - and automagically - back up multiple computers with NO intervention! Because, let's be honest, I am never going to actually back anything up with any regularity. My friend the time machine - I call him Phil (as in Phil F Nformation) - quietly goes about his business, backing up my laptop every hour. If my laptop isn't there or turned on he patiently waits until I get back and then catches up and saves all my information safe and sound.

Phil is also a wireless print server and a 2 gig network hard drive. He has been working hard for a month, and I am happy to have him. I love Phil and task 93 is complete!

Rocky Mountain High

I have been to Colorado a million times, but I seem to keep going to the same places over and over again. Having to go solo to a family wedding (where solo means dragging the dogs along) I figured that this would be a great time to take the scenic route and go somewhere I had never been before.

I had to go from Breck to Longmont. Google maps suggested going to Denver and then heading north - BORING! I see enough of that road on the CME van from the airport. So, after about 10 minutes of thought I chose to head up through Rocky Mountain National Park. The mutts are always up for a road trip, so we headed out early with camera and scooby snacks in hand.

It was a nice little adventure, although the poor dogs weren't welcome at many places in the park. We saw lots of nature and wildlife, had a picnic, went on a hike, took a little swim (them, not me) barked at some people (again, them) and had a great time. They took a really long nap when we got to the hotel.

Family wedding went well . . . family bonding, food and wine.

Another scenic route on the way home, more to see and bark at. Happy dogs, relaxed Laura. We should do this kind of thing WAY MORE OFTEN!

I'm a maniac on the floor

1980. Dance class. Little girls in pink leotards. One girl is taller and a just a bit more awkward than the rest. She likes to dance, realizing that she isn't very good at it but not really caring. She stuck with it for a while, but eventually moved on to other things.

Fast forward to 2008. A friend mentions that she is taking a dance class at a local community college. She claims that it's for beginners and lots of fun. She wants others to join in the fun, and many say that it sounds like fun, but they are unsure.

Fall 2009 rolls up and she mentions it again. Goal 51. Sign up for a dance class. So . . . welcome to intro to Jazz and hip-hop. I bought some Jazz shoes and I am ready to roll. I am nervous and out of my element and dorky and still awkward, but who cares?

And no, I didn't tell anyone about the recital!

One word says it all

This is the first time ever that I have actually completed one of these. But in the spirit of doing things that I normally say no to, here goes nothin.

One Word Answers Only!

1. Where is your cell phone? couch

2. Your hair? messy

3. Your mother? heaven

4. Your father? ditto

5. Your favorite food? fajitas

6. Your dream last night? hazy

7. Your favorite drink? DP

8. Your dream/goal? peace

9. What room are you in? family

10. Your hobby? lots

11. Your fear? crickets

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? fufilled

13. Where were you last night? bathtub

14. Something that you aren't? shy

15. Muffins? blueberry

16. Wish list item? organization

17. Where did you grow up? Alpine

18. Last thing that you did? tennis

19. What are you wearing? tank

20. Your TV? Weeds

21. Your pets? pups

22. Friends? many

23. Your life? busy

24. Your mood? contemplative

25. Missing someone? definitely

26. Vehicle? rag-top

27. Something you're not wearing? shoes

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? purple

30. When was the last time you laughed? tonight

31. Last time you cried? yesterday

32. Your best friend? Terri

33. One place that I go over and over? work

34. One person who emails me regularly? Brad

35. Favorite place to eat? home

One word answers are harder than you think!

New Green Habits

Not so long ago in a galaxy no so far away . . .

A person walks into a store to buy stuff. The clerk says "Paper or Plastic?" Person says, no thanks I brought my own. Clerk says "Huh?" "Really?" or "Why?" Clerk tries to wrap things in plastic before putting them in the reusable bag. Clerk puts 3 items in each reusable bag and then tries to put the rest of the items in plastic. Person gets tired and sad of always explaining the merits of reusable bags to clerks.

Now, it's much more common to see people carrying their own bags. Or declining a bag when they buy just one or two items. Hallelujah! Praise God, Jesus, Allah, Buddha, and Brad Pitt. It's about time! Sure, there's still a LONG way to go, but we are making progress.

I have been carrying my reusable bags to the store for years. I was hit and miss for a while, but I made a conscious effort to focus on making the task a habit, and lo and behold, it became one pretty easily! (The key is having lots and lots of bags. Leave some in every vehicle at all times and hang them on the doorknob to the garage after you unpack so that can't help but put them back in the car.) If you leave them in the car while you are in the store, make yourself go back outside to get them.

For my first new green habit, I thought that it would be fitting to kick it up a notch. I had seen people using them, but never managed to get any of my own. I would try not to use produce bags, but sometimes it was inevitable. Now I am the proud owner of these re-usable produce bags:

I can highly recommend them. They are lightweight but sturdy. Get over to www.3bbags.com and get some of you own!

My kingdom for a post!

So . . . when you create a blog and don’t tell anyone about it, you are only accountable to yourself right? Well, self, you aren’t doing too well. In fact, some might call you a slacker or a slouch.

Even though I have been working on my list and keeping busy with life and whatnot, I haven't gotten into a blogging routine. It's a lot harder than one might think.

I have completed a couple of tasks and have many more in progress. Updates will follow soon - sometimes life just gets in the way . . .

Back in the compost groove

Behold the coolest new compost pail in all the land . . .

We have had a compost pile for several years. We dutifully stored our kitchen scraps in a plastic bucket under the sink and carted them out to the compost pile every few days. I added fallen leaves and straw and this and that. We had a pretty good thing going for a while . . . then we got two puppies.

They started off their lives on a bad note. Someone pitched them out onto a highway in a cardboard box when they were six weeks old. A kind woman stopped and grabbed them and took them to a shelter. We had been looking for a dog for a few weeks. We lost the best dog ever - teddy - a few months before and Shiner (our crazy white mutt) was feeling lonely, so we had been searching. After a few tearful trips to the shelter, I just couldn't go back. I told the Rock Star that I would trust him to find us a dog whenever and wherever. A few weeks later he called and told me I needed to come home for lunch, and I opened the door to find two puppies galloping around at full speed. A few days later they had names - Deuce and Dakota - were feeling like part of the family, and had gained a sense of adventure.

If you took your eyes off them outside they would wiggle through, under or around the fence and head out to visit the neighbor's horses, or their swimming pool, their dogs, their trash cans, their BBQs, anything and everything. After several unsuccessful attempts to contain them, we surrendered. The access to the compost pile had to be blocked off. After that, I needed a ladder to climb up and over the fence to get to it, and well . . . you know what happened.

They are older and wiser now, and no longer try to escape at all times. So, the walls came down and we are back in business. It took about 3 days for composting to go back to being second nature. Our nifty new compost pail sits under the sink again waiting for scraps.

It's good to be green and task 20 is COMPLETE!

Everyone Loves a List

Another day, another list. The idea is intriguing, 101 tasks in 1001 days. Find out more here.

I started my first life list in high school. Some of the items have changed, and those first lists are long gone, but this as a good time to re-focus. Long term life list items are listed at the bottom (some of them didn't fit in the 101/1001 plan).

This sounds like a great way to shake things up. I started on March 17 and will have until December 13, 2011 to complete this list.

Updates:

In progress

Complete

Keeping my priorities straight:

1. *Private* - Relationship

2. Pups - more exercise, more training, more dog park, more petting, more lovin

3. block out time for things I enjoy - friends, family, baking, tennis, biking, walks, etc

Planes, trains, automobiles and adventure:

4. Say "yes" to at least 10 things I would initially say "no" to (5/10)

5. travel to 3 states and 3 countries I have never been to before

6. ride in a hot air balloon

7. leave my city once a month, leave my country once a year

8. scuba dive (6/19/10)

9. skydive

10. paintball

11. visit at least 10 new places (2/10)

12. visit dfw as if I was a tourist

13. volunteer abroad

14. go to 5 museums (1/5)

15. climb to the top of a tree and take a picture of the view

16. go to the beach (6/18-6/23/2010)

17. take a trip by myself (6/18-6/23/2010)

Mama nature:

18. adopt one new "green" habit per month (4/33)

19. gardening - finish all my projects

20. compost - revive my pile and get a new bucket for the kitchen (3/27/09)

Building up my karma:

21. stop bitching about something and try to change it

22. give 10 anonymous gifts (0/10)

23. complete at least 1 cycle of 29 gifts

24. Donate 1 million grains of rice on FreeRice and 5 trees from answer4earth

25. Help someone through Kiva (01/12/2010)

26. write anonymous post it notes and leave them for people to find (0/50)

27. send notes to people's supervisors when they do a great job (2/10)

28. tell 5 teachers or others how much they have influenced me

29. compliment 1 person I don't know well each day for 30 days (0/30)

30. donate blood regularly (not just when they come to the office)

Let's get physical . . . it's best to look good AND feel good!

31. re-establish yoga practice (home and studio)-be able to do splits, scorpion & handstand

32. maintain standards for pushups (75) , sit-ups (80) and 2 mile run (17:00)

33. down with Dr Pepper, up with H2O

34. be able to do at least 2 unassisted pull-ups

35. incorporate small bits of exercise and stretching into my work day

36. lose 10-15 pounds (9 gone!)

37. brush/floss/wash face/take out contacts/take vitamins etc EVERY NIGHT!

38. back to being more girly - nails, lotions, smelly stuff, hair, clothes

Just call me a polymath:

39. read 50 books

40. exercise my brain - new words, puzzles, games, etc

41. learn to make candles

42. learn to juggle

43. learn to knit

44. learn a cool magic trick

45. learn to play chess

46. take a fencing class (knowing how to sword fight might be handy!)

47. go to the shooting range to be comfortable with our gun

48. learn a large basic set of phrases in another language (or 2)

49. make 1000 paper cranes and and learn 5 other origami shapes

50. learn a great joke and a great go-to toast for a couple of occasions

51. take a dance class (9/5/09-11/15/09)

52. come up with a go-to signature alcoholic beverage order

Social Butterfly:

53. host a dinner at least every 2 months (1/16)

54. host a mystery dinner party

55. host a theme party (costumes, roller skating, etc.)

56. create a list of family and friends I want to nurture relationships with

57. communicate at least once a week with someone on that list

58. learn 100 new facts about those on the list

59. join postcrossing and send/receive at least 10 postcards

60. accompany 5 friends/family for one of their favorite hobbies that I haven't done

Food, food and more food:

61. try 15 foods that I have never tried before (4/15)

62. try 15 foods that I think that I don't like (2/15)

63. bring my lunch to work at least 3 days per week (0/143)

64. eat at 20 new restaurants (no chains) (8/20)

65. try at least 5 new recipes each month (0/33)

66. take a cooking class

67. have 15-20 great go-to recipes in each category (apps, main, veg main, sides, desserts)

68. join the organic/locally grown food coop (04/14/2009)

69. eat breakfast at least 5 times per week (0/143)

For my sanity:

70. find balance - work/home/other interests

71. write letters to myself to open on future milestone birthdays & end of challenge

72. start each day for 1 month with 15 minutes of quiet time/meditation (0/31)

73. make a list of 25 things I like about myself (1/2010)

74. make a list of 25 things that make me happy (12/2009)

75. make a list of the cool things that would be on this list if I hadn't already done them (4/15/09)

76. don't complain about anything for an entire month (0/31)

77. don't make a sarcastic or rude comment for one week (0/7)

It's all about the Benjamins:

78. get out of debt/stay out of debt

79. grow emergency fund to $10,000 and keep it there - start rainy day fund after that

80. write will/get papers in order

81. go 40 days without buying any material thing for myself that I don't need

82. create budget and stick to it - plus really track where all money goes for a few weeks

Creativity is cool:

83. scrapbooks - get current and stay current

84. scrapbook - finish T's birthday gift

85. scan family photos and create DVD

86. begin family trees and geneology project (recruit family members to help)

87. take a photography class (done! 4/24/10)

88. get a new camera and use it

89. take an art class - painting or ceramics

Free my Chi:

90. clear clutter, free up energy

91. re-establish household routines (daily, weekly, monthly)

92. pick up after myself - never let things get out of hand

93. photos and other docs into offline backup (11/2/09)

94. throw out socks and undies I would be embarrassed about wearing if I got hit by a bus

95. work on focusing on the task at hand instead of succumbing to my total ADD

96. closet clean out/wardrobe update - if it doesn't fit or look fabulous, out it goes!

Rules, there must be rules:

97. create a blog for this pursuit and post updates as tasks are completed

98. take a picture to celebrate each goal's completion

99. put $10 in savings for each task completed and buy something special with it

100. for every task not completed donate $20 to charity

101. have a party to celebrate the completion of my 1001 days

Some of these tasks may sound a little vague, but rest assured that I have specifics for each of them. I will use this blog to hold myself accountable. Stay tuned!

Life List Goals (in no particular order)

Visit all 50 states (28 so far)

Visit 75 countries (8 so far)

Make a quilt

Fly a plane

Write a book

Ballroom dancing

Parasail

Climb a mountain

Become a beekeeper

Get a donkey

Go rock climbing

Learn to surf

Learn to sail

Become a black belt

Be able to hold my own at gambling

Create a foundation/charity and GIVE, GIVE, GIVE

Learn sign language

Be conversational in three new languages

Take a road trip with no pre-determined destination

Take a class every year (or 2 at most) - can be something new or learning more

Some ideas for classes: art history, world literature, wine, web design

Take up piano again

Write down as many of my childhood memories as I can remember

Help others do the same

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