The 101 things in 1,001 days concept is well-worn. The basic idea is that you find 101 things you would like to do, and aim to complete them within 1,001 days – giving yourself enough time to really challenge yourself with some big projects while simultaneously fulfilling numerous smaller ones. Some have chosen to proceed with a theme (101 Green Projects). Others, instead of setting goals, are plowing through books (101 Books, 1001 Days). I choose to follow the most well-travelled path, the path towards the completion of 101 things. I am not sure but I think the idea originated at Day Zero. The site’s worth checking out regardless, hundreds if not millions of people have posted their own 101 lists, which are a good source of inspiration if you’re stuck on your own.

The criteria:
Tasks must be specific (i.e., no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable, or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e., represent some amount of effort on your part).

Start date:
July 25, 2008

End date:
April 21, 2011

strikethrough means item is completed.

THE LIST

Health & Fitness
1. Reach my target weight of 144 lbs.
2. Maintain that loss and make Lifetime status at Weight Watchers.
3. Upon reaching Lifetime, apply to work for Weight Watchers.
4. Successfully run 1 mile without stopping.
5. Get a physical.
6. Go to the dentist.
7. Spend one month without eating out or ordering in.
8. Abstain from drinking soda for one month.
9. Take vitamins every day for a month.

Leisure
10. Go camping/backpacking five times. (0/5)
11. Go hiking 30 times. (1/30)
12. Climb Old Rag mountain.
13. Run a 5k.
14. Go on a picnic.
15. Attend a small-town bluegrass festival.
16. Enter an apple pie making contest.
17. See a play at the Blackfriars Theater in Staunton, VA.
18. Attend 3 theater productions aside from the one above. (0/3)
19. Complete a 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
20. Attend a wine tasting.
21. Visit 3 local wineries. (0/3)
22. Try 50 new recipes. (9/50)
23. Construct a cookbook of 100 of my favorite recipes, including pictures.
24. Try 5 new local restaurants. (1/5)
25. Use the passes to Busch Gardens at least once this summer.
26. Drive up to Skyline Drive as the leaves change in the Fall.
27. Visit New York City.
28. Visit Philadelphia.
29. Visit the Baltimore Aquarium.
30. Visit one non-North American country.

Finances and Frugality
31. Create and stick with a budget for 6 months. (1/6)
32. Save 6 months’ expenses.
33. Save at least 10% my paycheck for 3 consecutive months.
34. Start an investment account.
35. Do my own taxes at least once, without the help of Turbo Tax.
36. Pay off the credit card and line of credit. (Combined debt: approx. $3,000)
37. Check Goodwill and consignment stores before others consistently for 3 months.
38. Make gifts for the family for at least one birthday cycle or Christmas.
39. Send 25 homemade birthday or other event cards. (0/25)

Charity and Social Engagement
40. Participate in Afghans for Afghans.
41. Knit two scarves to donate to a charity such as Warm Woolies. (0/2)
42. Volunteer 50 hours. (0/50)
43. Get involved with the Girl Scouts of America.
44. Donate $100 to three charities. (0/3)
45. Write a letter to my Senator regarding a topical issue about which I feel strongly.
46. Vote in the presidential election.

Environment
47. Start a compost pile.
48. Grow at least three varieties of vegetables in one summer.
49. Make homemade laundry detergent and use it exclusively until it runs out.
50. Set up a bird feeder.
51. Plant a tree.
52. Successfully maintain an indoor plant for 4 months (i.e., do not kill it).
53. As old household cleaners run out, replace 4 with homemade/green alternatives. (0/4)

Friends & Family
54. Write and mail at least one ‘thinking of you’ card each month. (1/33)
55. Give 10 unexpected gifts. (0/10)
56. Write a letter to my great grandmother five times. (0/5)
57. Find a pen pal.
58. Talk to my mother about what happened at my wedding.
59. Call my mother once every other week for two consecutive months.
60. Spend one month eating dinner at the kitchen table with placemats and candles.
61. Have a baby.
62. Construct a scavenger hunt for my niece, complete with homemade prize at the end.
63. Knit baby blankets for the two upcoming 2008 babies in the family. (1/2)

For Me
64. Start a journal and regularly maintain it for at least 2 months.
65. Make a list of 100 things that make me happy.
66. Complete my Shel Silverstein tattoo.
67. Roll down a hill.
68. Build a sandcastle.
69. Join a social boardgaming group.
70. Do something stupid and unintuitive (sky dive, bungee jump, hang glide).
71. Find a new job.
72. Paint a painting and prominently display it at home.
73. Sew a quilt.
74. Take one photo a day for 30 days and create an album out of them.
75. Print and frame photographs for display in the home.
76. Get a new computer.
77. Remember to participate in Talk Like a Pirate day at least once.

Learning
78. Become certified in at least two professional development courses. (0/2)
79. Learn 3 new juggling tricks. (0/3)
80. Learn 2 songs on the harmonica. (0/2)
81. Learn how to change the oil in my car.
82. Learn how to fly a kite.
83. Learn how to read a topography map.
84. Learn how to repair basic problems with a bicycle.
85. Learn to speak Portuguese.
86. Relearn to play the clarinet.
87. Take a crochet or knitting class.

The Written Word
88. Get a library card.
89. Read 15 historical non-fiction books. (2/15)
90. Read 10 biographies. (1/10)
91. Read 50 books checked out from the local library. (4/50)
92. Read 10 books from the list of Governor General’s Prize winners. (0/10)
93. Read 10 Pulitzer Prize winning books. (0/10)
94. Read 10 NYT Bestsellers, while they are active on the list. (1/10)
95. Re-read King Lear, Henry IV Pt. 2, Henry V, Cymbeline, and Macbeth.
96. Read a book simultaneously with Leo and have discussions about it.

Organization and Housekeeping
97. Consolidate Leo’s files with mine.
98. Make a housecleaning schedule and stick with it for 3 months.
99. Figure out what to do with my wedding dress and veil.
100. Make a birthday calendar.
101. Print digital photos and create physical photo albums.

So that’s the list……. What follows are notes on the status of each of the above.

1.
2.
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10.
11. (1) Crabtree Falls
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21.
22. (1) Snobby Joes; (2) Tropical Black Beans and Rice; (3) Butternut Squash and Black Bean Tacos; (4) Blueberry Corncakes; [These are getting difficult to keep up with, I don't update often enough!] quinoa/pinapple/cashew stir-fry from Veganomicon, chickpea patties from V, black bean burgers from V, spicy tempeh and broccoli rabe from V, chickpea pilaf from V (9) – I am sure there are more but whatevs.
23.
24. Cafe 99, “creative vegetarian” chinese food!
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27.
28.
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30.
31. October 2008 is a success!
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53.
54. (1) To Liz.
55.
56.
57. Jen!
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63. Finished one for my sister, Sept 18 2008!
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69. 1st meeting: August 20, 2008
70.
71.
72. Completed October 12, 2008. Hanging in living room.
73.
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77. Thank goodness for good memories and plurk. Sept 19 2008.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
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86.
87.
88. Thank you, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library!
89. “The Chimp Who Would Be Human.” “Three Cups of Tea.”
90. (1) William Shakespeare: Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt;
91. (1) William Shakespeare: Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt; (2) The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time; (3) Upon a Winter’s Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino; (4) Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
92.
93.
94. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
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100.
101.