Week 12

I've edited #35 to read Take a photo to represent every day for 365 days. I've missed a few days this week, but didn't want to fail my 101 things or feel like I was failing 365 so I've edited it to suit me better. If I miss a day, for whatever reason, I'm going to go back and take a photo to represent that day so I'll have a full 365 at the end of the year.

I've also crossed off #32 Have a wedding photo printed on canvas because I forgot to do it last week!!

I'm also currently working towards #56 Plant a vegetable patch. I got some logs last week and have laid out where I am going to plant my vegetables. Next I have to dig it out, and get planting!! I'll add some photos at the weekend hopefully!!

March Update

#35 take a photo every day for 365 days

As of 31st March I have taken 90 photos so I am on track for this. Below is my mosaic from March. I think I need to start spending more time on my photos and putting a bit more planning into them, but for now taking one every day is enough for me.

#57 Put up wedding photos in my house

Well we are still living with the inlaws so I'll class their house as mine for the time being. I ordered a canvas print of one of our wedding photos and when it arrived it is huge - 3ft by 2ft to be exact. However, although its not quite what I was expecting I love it. So it's up on the wall!!

Finally, I've been wearing skirts a lot this month (#15 wear a skirt once a month).

oop! Not updated for a while

So, although I've not been updating my blog regularly I have been ticking things off my list. I'll go through them in numerical order as it might help me remember everything!

#8: Knit a Cardigan

I'm stuck!! I've completed the back and I'm now on the front left side. I've knit the first button hole in and up as far as the neck shaping. I am a bit confused about the instructions for shaping the neck and the raglan simultaneously so my mum is going to have a look at it with me on Thursday. I've not taken any photos of the front yet though, so I will try to do that on Thursday once I know what I'm doing.

Luckily I have until August to finish it!!

#11: Get dressed up for a night out at least once a month

We went out for my mums birthday on Sunday 8th March and I got dressed up!! Does that count? I've counted it anyway!

Not only that but I wore a skirt too (and with my bright blue tights!). To be honest I felt a little overdressed for a Sunday night but never mind, it also counts for #15: Wear a dress/skirt once a month

#19: Listen to every song on my Ipod

I'm working through this one. I have it in my car (attached to the stereo) and on shuffle. I 3/4 songs a journey and have over 3000 songs on it so it might take me a while!!

#22: Go riding at least 3 times a month

I have been 3 times so far this month. I've not been for the past week though as I haven't had anyone to ride with. I don't mind riding on my own when the weather is nice, but when it is overcast or trying to rain it makes it a bit miserable. I will be back this week though! Haven't managed to take any photos of the riding as I am either riding (making it a bit tricky!) or in the stables with low lighting.

I think that will do with the updates for now. I will add more later in the week!

18th February - extra update

Oops! I forgot part of my update last week!!

#71: visit 10 restaurants I've never been to before.

So on the 10th February we went to the Grill House in St Andrews. It was quite a disappointment to be honest. I was expecting it to be a grill house with steak, etc. but it turned out to be a Mexican. That's fine, I love mexican food, so not a problem so far.

Then the starters came and mine was cold. Not just cool but really cold. Then the fajitas arrived and were pretty average. So not a great night, and not somewhere I would go back to. But at least I can tick it off my list!

16th February: Weekly Update

I just realised that I haven't done an update for a while. So, #6 - buy a sewing machine. I didn't technically buy a sewing machine - I got it free from a nice lady through Freecycle!! So even better than buying one.

I have no idea how to use it, but it's a start!! I plan to make a bag with it sometime in the near future. I'll keep you updated.

#8 - knit a cardigan, is coming along. I'm still working on the back of the cardigan, and I think it might be a long job!! But I'm enjoying it, and it's quite relaxing when it's going well.

Other than that I've had a rubbish week. It turns out that the house we had fallen in love with had a pre-emption clause in the original contract. When we finally agreed an offer and the seller accepted (after 5 long months), we discovered that the farmer who had orignally sold the cottage had a pre-emption clause but in the contract, so all he has to do is match the accepted offer and he can buy it. Which he decided to do in the last few hours of his 21 days.

So we still have no house, and have to live with the in-laws indefinately.

Oh, and now my camera has broken too. So not the best week.

7th February - weekly update

I've been giving some thought to some of the things on my list and I might have to change a couple.

The first one is #20 - have my back tattoo altered. I've wanted it altered for ages (pretty much since I first had it done). It's a lot squarer than the design I wanted and I would like it to be added to in order to give it a better shape. However, you can't give blood for 12 months after having a tattoo, and I can't decide if it is worth it. So I'm still considering this one.

The second one is #21 - go out without make-up at least 6 times a year. I'm not sure that I can actually do it. I planned to have one of the days last weekend when I went horse-riding. But I couldn't do it! Even to spend the morning at the stables I have my foundation and mascara on. So I'm not sure I could actually go out without make-up. I'm going to give this a bit of thought and might alter it. I might just change it to going out with minimal make-up, or change it completely, I've not decided yet.

On a more positive note #41 - learn to knit, is coming along well. My cardigan for #8 is coming along but I don't want to cross #41 off until I can remember the different stitches without first having to look them up. But I'm getting there so they are both a work in progress.

Onwards and Upwards!!

#99 - 4th February 2009

So on Wednesday I went to give blood. It was surprisingly busy considering there was a severe weather warning at the time!! Took about an hour from start to finish.
So this is my first of the 6 donations, although I aim to donate 3 times a year. Donating was no problem but the nurse did stick the plaster on a bit tight! When I took it off later blood was running down my arm. But they did a good job - there's not even a mark!

Not the best photo but I was too shy to take my camera with me when I actually gave blood!!

#11 - 31st January 2009

#11 - Get dressed up for a night out once a month.
On Saturday I went out with the girls from the Childrenswear department at Next. Got dressed up specially, and had a really good night. Went to the local restaurant, where the food was pretty average but the company was great.



This could also count as #15 - wear a dress/skirt once a month

#8 - 30th January 2009

#8 - Knit a cardigan
So I decided that today was the day, after buying all the necessary materials on 28th January, I went round to my mums to spend the afternoon learning to knit.
I learnt how to cast on, and then how to do the rib - knit one, purl one!! Although I can't seem to remember to take the stitch off after the purl, so have to repeat to myself "knit one, purl one, take it off!". Also, we have discovered that I can only knit in complete silence. Having the tv on, or anyone having a conversation resulted in disaster! So my poor mum had to sit in silence and supervise for an hour!
This is obviously a work in progress, and I can see it's going to be a long job! However, I quite enjoyed, so hopefully it won't feel that long! So far I've complete the rib for the back of the cardigan and the first 8 rows.

Luckily its only size 0-3 months!!

#15 - 27th January 2009

#15 - Wear a dress/skirt once a month (other than to work).

Today I got dressed up in my red tartan skirt to go into town. I did feel a little bit dressed up, but decided that actually, I quite like wearing skirts and it is something I am going to do more often!!

(Although I decided not to post a photo as it's not the best!!)

#94 - 25th January 2009

#94 on my list - Have a Day Out once a month. So on Sunday 25th January I went with my mum and dad to Lochore Meadows. http://www.lochore-meadows.co.uk/
We walked round part of the Loch before going to the coffe shop for cake! Whilst in the coffe shop we saw this Cormorant on the pier drying its wings. Luckily it was still there after we'd put our scarves, hats, gloves and coats back on and gone outside for a closer look!!

#51 - 17th January

On the 17th January I decided to spend the day sorting out my honeymoon photos. I had loads printed from Jessops Jpics, and have a beautiful album that we were given as a wedding gift (see below) so I thought it would be a good time to arrange them into the album.




Unfortunately it appears that 2 pages were stuck together so I still have 2 pages in the middle to fill, but other than that it's done!!

No 29: Take Portrait shots of my family

In a bid to get my list kicked off I convinced my sister to pose for some portrait shots. It took a while, but being the natural born poser that she is, she soon came round to the idea!!

This was taken on 16th January.

No. 1: Rejoin Scottish Slimmers

This was the first thing to be ticked off my list on the 15th January. I finally plucked up the courage to go back to Scottish Slimmers.

It was nowhere near as bad as I expected - I've actually lost 5lbs since I last went in November, so that was surprisingly good! I decided to start as a I mean to go on and bought the new Starter Pack, which has the magazine, full of 'inspirational' stories, and 3 class vouchers so now I have to go, or it would be a waste of money.

Now I just have to start using the Daily Checker to keep a note of what I'm eating every day!

My List

I created my list mainly based on things that I've been talking about doing for a while but haven't got round to doing. I considered including more practical goals such as 'get a job' (after recently being made redundant) or 'buy a house' but decided against including them as these I things that I need to do rather than want to do.

I've tried to include a wide range of tasks to cover different aspects of my life, and hope to gain something from completing them.

So wish me luck!!

Wednesday 21st January

101 Things 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 overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: 15th January 2009

End Date: 13th October 2011