101 in 1001

When I first heard of 101 in 1001 it piqued my curiosity.   The more I looked into it, the more I decided that it was something I really wanted to do.   I've been wanting to live my life more intentionally, and this is a step in that direction.  This idea was created by Michael Green and he has a website dedicated to this idea.  The website figures your end date and allows you to track what you complete.  Here is some information from the website:

The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days? 
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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 organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips, study semesters, or outdoor activities. 

Here is my list - I have until January 9, 2013 to complete it:

1. Build a snowman
2. Run a 5K
3. Go to a drive-in movie
4. Fly a kite
5. Take a photography class
6. Go to an art museum
7. See a musical (professional)
8. Participate in NaNoWriMo
9. Learn to sew
10. Pick apples
11. Read 50 books (0/50)
12. Learn how to change a tire
13. Take a train somewhere
14. Make a list of 25 things I like about myself
15. Learn CPR
16. Go star gazing
17. Read through the Bible
18. Paint the Kitchen
19. Do a random act of kindness for a stranger
20. Make snow ice cream
21. Complete a knitting project
22. Watch the sunrise over the ocean
23. Build a macro nature photography portfolio
24. Volunteer at a soup kitchen/rescue mission as a family
25. Sponsor a Compassion Child
26. Make 2 shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse's Operation Christmas Child (one boy, one girl)
27. Take the kids to the ballet
28. Hike in 10 Indiana State Parks (0/10)
29. Add 10 more covered bridge photos to my collection.  Start making a coffee table book with them (0/10)
30. Go tobogganing
31. Go for a hike in the fall somewhere with beautiful fall colors
32. Walk the beach at night with Aaron
33. Drive up the Michigan coast, visiting the quaint coastal towns and lighthouses
34. Got to a pumpkin patch and pick pumpkins
35. Bake cookies or bread for the neighbors at Christmas
36. Buy good sheets for our bed
37. Have a manicure/pedicure/spa day
38. Have a picnic on a blanket somewhere beautiful
39. Go see a live nativity . . . followed by some hot chocolate
40. Have a 'yes' day . . . when I say yes to everything
41. Memorize 36 verses/scripture passages with the kids (0/25)
42. Learn about one composer and recognize his music
43. Plant daffodils
44. Take a photo shoot of the kids at a rose garden
45. Make a poster print of the kids to hang above the couch
46. Make a formal tea party with the kids (including poetry, tea snacks, tea pots)
47. Lose 30 lbs . . . and keep it off
48. Encourage someone every month for 6 months
49. Add something I love to every room
50. Decorate the living room
51. Make a portrait portfolio
52. Ride on a big ferris wheel
53. Tell scary stories around our own backyard fire pit
54. Learn how to can and can my own produce
55. Learn to make bread (without a bread machine)
56. Make soft pretzels
57. Dress nice/wear makeup every day for a week
58. Bake a delicious pie (with my own pie crust)
59. Pre-read all the boys' readers
60. See a large fireworks display
61. Cook using only fresh ingredients for one week
62. Make a family time capsule to be opened in 10 years
63. Make my own chocolate truffles
64. Go to a hot air balloon launch
65. Complete a project 365
66. Get a good family picture taken
67. Switch to all natural beauty products
68. Cut HFCS out of our diets (excluding Aaron) for one month
69. Complete one furniture makeover
70. Spend a rainy Saturday afternoon having a classic movie marathon - watching ones I've never seen
71. Write Aaron a love letter every day for a month
72. Get my picture taken with each of the kids and frame it for them
73. Spend one day by myself . . . doing whatever I want
74. Make a list of 100 things I love and display them somewhere visible
75. Play in the rain with the kids
76. Go a whole week without raising my voice with the kids
77. Spend a weekend in a secluded cabin (with amenities - like a hot tub) with Aaron
78. Put out a bird feeder and keep it filled with bird seed
79. Write on good thing about each kid every day for a month - then compile into frameable art (0/5)
80. SECRET - to be revealed after completed
81. SECRET - to be revealed after completed
82. Get rid of any clothes that I don't feel beautiful in - and buy at least 5 new outfits that I feel great in
83. Get a nature notebook started for each of the kids - and add to it frequently
84. Learn how to play one song well on the piano/keyboard
85. Visit 3 gardens in from the America's Public Gardens book
86. Complete 10 letterboxes
87. Add photos and entries into MY nature notebook
88. Get a great haircut
89. Organize recipes into roladex file
90. Go to IKEA
91. Design logo/name for future photography business
92. Grow a houseplant and keep it alive
93. Get a stand mixer
94. Get a grain grinder and grind my own flours
95. Refinish the dining room table
96. Keep my cleaning schedule for one month
97. Spend one hour reading (the whole family) every day for a month
98. Update my address/phone number/birthday list and move to my computer
99. Complete 200 sit ups challenge
100. Eat my full servings of fruits and vegetables for one month (2.5 cups veg and 1.5 cups fruit)
101. Learn to make soap

I have a page above dedicated to my list and will update as I complete them.  Have you ever thought of making a list of your own?    If you decide to make your own list . . . let me know so I can see it!  I've really enjoyed checking out other people's lists.