1 Year of progress

Here is a glance at my progress of completing 101 things in 1001 days.

Start Date: September 29, 2010
End Date: June 26, 2013

Total to complete: 101
In progress: 12
Completed: 34
Failed to complete: 5
Left to complete: 50

So to date (and including my "in progress" ones), I'm halfway through my list in just one year! That's not to bad, and considering only 5 have been eliminated based on monthly requirements, that never happened or didn't happen one month, so can't happen from here on out, (oh well that's at least $25 to charity). I think I'll be able to complete my list by June 2013. (And I'm hoping for no more "failed to completes"!)

I'm so excited ....

I’m so excited that it’s finally Thursday. Its been a long week and the weekend is now clearly in sight!

This week I’m thankful for….

All the house decisions we made this week. We picked out appliances, carpet and are making headway with paint colors. It feels good to get these huge decisions crossed off our list and it means we’re that much closer to moving in.

My friend H for telling me about on demand workout videos. There are a ton of different workouts and they are a great way to change things up and not get bored with your routine. Changing things up also keeps your body guessing and working different muscles. I’m feeling the ab videos I did yesterday!

My support system. My friends and family are amazing. I have no idea what I would do without them. They celebrate the exciting and fun stuff but are there to pick me up and keep me strong during the tough times. I am very lucky to have each and every one of them in my life.

What’s love got to do with it?

1. I love the mac-n-cheese recipe H and I tried out on Friday. It was so quick and easy to make and tasted really good!
2. I love that I’ve figured out how to “schedule” posts. It’s kind of nice to write a post when I have the time and it will post when I want it to without having to log back in or remember!
3. I love that we’ve made a lot of house decisions lately. We’ve picked out our tile, hardwood floor color, cabinet colors and we’re deciding on our interior paint colors this week.
4. I love that in 1 month from today we'll be having a 209 reunion!
5. I love that this time next week we’ll be on an airplane, landing in about an hour, to spend 6 days on a much needed vacation!

Fancy Pants

1. I always feel “fancy” when my nails are painted. Thankfully, I’ve gotten much better at painting my own nails.
2. I am a planner. I like to know what’s on tap for the day and week. I am not a huge fan of surprises. I like my schedule and routine.
3. Target is like crack to me. I cannot go into that store and spend less then $100.00. It has never happened, and much to D’s dismay, will probably never happen. That store makes me so happy!

House Progress, Part IX

It's been a while since the last house progress post. There was a lot going on with the plumbing, electrical and putting in the windows. Which meant not a lot of picture worthy progress. But now, the insulating, and sheetrocking has been done. The siding is going up at rapid speed - that guys works fast (he almost had the entire back of the house done in about 3 hours)! So the pictures below are going to look A LOT different then the last one's I posted:

Looking into the mud room from the garage

(The "cut out" on the right is for the washer/dryer)

A (dark) picture of the mudroom from the kitchen

(entry from the garage is on the left and the w/d will be on the right)

Looking into the living room from the mudroom

Another view of the living room

(fireplace is on the left)

View of the kitchen (from the mudroom)

(The wall is for our island)

(The living room is to the left)

Dining room

(Island wal is on the left)

Kitchen view from the dining room

(Pantry and island wall)

Fireplace

(view from the island wall)

Entry way (view from living room)

(small closet on left, stairs on right)

D's "man room"

(Room's right behind the livingroom/fireplace)

Workout room

(room is on the left as you first come in the front door)

Bedroom #1

Bedroom #1

(view from the corner by the closet)

 Guest bathroom

Guest bathroom

(Where the vanity will be)

Bedroom #2

(Standing in the doorway)

Bedroom #2

(standing in the corner by the window)

Bedroom #3

(standing in back corner - there's two smaller closets)

Bedroom #3

(Standing in the doorway)

Master bedroom

(standing in the doorway)

(the big thing on the wall is for central air)

Master bedroom

(standing in the corner across from doorway)

Master bedroom

(view from were D was standing in the picture above)

Master bathroom

(linen closet)

Where the toilet will be

Shower

Soaking tub

Master closet

(view from back/left corner - D is in the bathroom)

Master closet

(I was standing in the box from the picture above)

Front of the house

(we've got window's, siding and the porch has been started!)

Garage

Side of the house

(you can see the front porch at the top)

Back of the house

(the windows are in the living room)

Dining room and master closet

Back of the garage

Smaller window is in the kitchen, larger windows is the dining room

The second floor windows are in our bathroom

Ekkk, only one more day!

Until its the weekend! And who doesn't love the weekends?!

The things I'm loving this week are ...

1. The relationship I have with my parents. They are great role models for how love, patience, dedication, honesty and hard work pays off. They have become more then just parents; I enjoy the time we spend together and look forward to hanging out with them. I wish we lived closer so we could spend more time together.

2. My husband. He knows me inside and out and still loves me! haha. Sometimes I'm sure I make that difficult for him! In the last 6+ years that we've been together, we've been through a lot and he's been my shoulder to lean on, the person to pick me up and remind me of all the good things, makes me laugh and has been my best friend. These last 6 years have flown by and I couldn't be happier. I'm so glad we'll be spending the next 76 years (Yes D, you are going to live that long!) together.

3. My health. I've had some kind of crazy journey when it comes to medical stuff. Fortunately, I've seemed to come out on the other side (relatively) healthy and no worse for the wear. I can only hope this continues.

Happy happy, joy joy!

Its Wednesday - middle of the week - its all down hill from here! This week I'm loving:

1. The weather. I love summer but there is something about the "in between" of summer fading into fall that is so nice.

2. The progress on our house. Almost all the windows are in and they have started on the insulation. After that's done, they'll start sheet rocking it. Its starting to move REALLY fast.

3. That in two weeks we will be on our way to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for our vacation (finally)!!!

1 down, 4 to go

This week's Triple Tangent Tuesday:

 

1. When I go to an ice cream place, I only get three flavors, cotton candy, strawberry or vanilla creeme. Cotton candy is the only kind I eat in a cone, the other two are in a dish, and the vanilla has some kind of topping(s) on it (sprinkles, strawberries, candy ect)

 

2. When I traveled to France for two weeks my senior year in high school, it was the longest I had been away from my family (to that point).

 

3. Every since I created the list of "facts" to use for TTT, I've only used it once or twice.

For the love of the sea.

FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD #93 – Try three different kinds of seafood.

1. Lobster
2. Scallop
3. Salmon

I tried a piece of D’s lobster at Outback. It was tasty, until the butter it was drenched in went away and the “fishy”, “seafood-y” taste filled my mouth. I wasn’t a fan.

I had a bite of D’s scallop when we had dinner at McCormick & Schmidt’s while we were in Boston. I was not a fan of the breadcrumb topping at all. So I tried a second bite of just scallop. While it didn’t taste like much, I still didn’t love it.

I have been told salmon is a great, mild, fish to try. I tried a piece of D’s while out a dinner, and while it wasn’t bad, it still had to much of a “fishy” taste for me to want to try it again or really like it.

I gave it a fair try, and will probably try more, small bites of seafood here and there because you never know when you’ll find something you like or your taste buds could change. But for now, I think its safe to say I’m still not a seafood lover.

Short & Sweet

As always, I am thankful for a lot of things every day/week, but I make an effort to keep this list different and on the short side. So here is this week’s short and sweet list:

1. My friend having a healthy baby boy on Tuesday.
2. Quality time with my husband last night.
3. The watermelon I had this morning; it was really good and hit the spot.
4. For fall show’s starting soon.
5. My health.

It's a great day to love something.

These are the things I’m loving today:

• My friend had her second son last night and everyone is happy and healthy!
• That it’s Wednesday and there are only two more days until the weekend.
• My BIL going to the Phish concert tonight. He is a big fan and used to travel around to see them perform (years ago).
• We go on vacation (finally) in three weeks!
• My husband. For lots of reason and no reason in particular.

Second day of the week traditions

And this weeks three random facts are -

1. I rub my feet together as I’m falling asleep. My dad does the same thing.
2. I usually can’t eat the same thing(s) day after day after day without getting sick of them. But I’ve been having an English muffin for breakfast at work (with butter, or one side peanut butter, one side jelly) for months on end and haven’t gotten sick of them – yet.
3. Sunday (9/18) will be 2 ½ years since D proposed in Florida. I can still remember all the details – down to him telling me to change because I wasn’t “dressed up enough” – but never picked up on him acting weird/being nervous or anything that would have hinted at what was going to happen.

And This Weeks Appreciation Goes To / For….

• My job.
• My family.
• My health.
• Being able to build our dream house.
• My husband.

Two for One Hump Day.

Today, as a result of my busy day and lazy night, you get two posts in one. Get ready for this craziness!!!

Triple Tangent Tuesday:

1. I read Yahoo News, Google News and CNN every day.
2. I can vividly remember where I was and what I was doing when I first heard about the 9/11 attacks. I was a junior in high school and was in French class. They had us turn on the TV’s to watch the news.
3. I am addicted to chapstick. I ALWAYS have chapstick with me. I have some in my purse, at my desk, in my car, next to my bed, in a cup holder on the treadmill and on the night stand in the spare room. If I switch purses or go through different bags, I can find at least one type of chapstick every time.

What I’m Loving Wednesday.

I love that …

• It’s already Wednesday. Only two more work days left.
• I got in two great workouts yesterday (morning and afternoon). I’m feeling it today for sure!
• The Help. I know I posted about this in “All Things Loved – August”, but this book is so good! I couldn’t put it down on Monday.
• We purchased the furniture we needed for our new house this weekend. (I’m especially happy about the new couch we got!!)
• We were able to make some decisions on wood flooring, tile, cabinet colors and cabinet/door handles.

Love you - Hate the game.

Because I love you: #5 Buy him something “just because” (that he’s been talking about / wanting)

For those of you who don’t know, D is a HUGE Michigan Wolverine fan – football and basketball. I’ve asked why that team and he said they were always on TV growing up so he would watch their games.

Lately he’s been talking about getting a Michigan Football jersey before the season starts in September (might just be pre-season – I don’t really know). I went to Michigan’s website and ordered him a jersey! I had his last name put on the back and his favorite number (20).

House Progress, Part IX

We've been kinda busy (and I've been lazy) so I'm putting two weeks worth of house updates in one post.

This first set of pictures is from 8/23/11

(They basically show you that we have a roof now!)

Bedroom

Master bedroom looking into the master bath

Upstairs hallway

Bedroom

View from the bedroom.

ROOF!

Front of the house

Front of the garage

Back of the garage

These second sets of pictures are from 8/30/11

Front of the house/garage (Shingles are going on)

Garage

Some of our windows

Fireplace

View of the fireplace from the 4th bedroom

Another view of the fireplace from the 4th bedroom

(The chimney will come up through the bedroom and split the closet in half)

Current view from the master bedroom

The upstairs (guest) bathroom shower/tub