Progress report: Month 5 (September 2019)

1. ... basement -- Continued work on/in it

2. ... sort/discard --  Mostly basement: 12
5. ... garage/deck -- Started on deck
31. ... paperwork... -- On track
35. ... gym -- Success!  3x per week 
36. ... vitamins, etc. -- B+
41. ... print photos 2x/year -- Did this month
43. ... Book group -- Done
44. ... Uvulati -- Done
45. ... Hearts & Hands -- Missed September meeting
49. ... 150 movies -- Watched 4; total 37
      Period, end of sentence
      Lilies of the field
      Puss in boots
      Boy erased
50. ... 125 books/30 I own/15 previous BG/RC -- Read 5
      Current total: Read 36, own 7
      Frazier: Cold Mountain [RC 2017][previous BG][own]
      Burke: Robicheaux [audio]
      Jiles: News of the world
      Beattie: My life starring Dara Falcon [previous BG][own]
51. ... older BG.. -- Read 2, total 3    
52. ... current BG book -- Done
53. ... current RH Challenge -- In process 
54. ... previous RH Challenges -- Finished 2017
81. ... 3 healing/comfort quilts per year -- Finished one for Welcome Church 
94. ... gratitude journal... -- Up-to-date
96. ... blog... update monthly -- Up-to-date
98. ... blog... 2 posts per month -- Up-to-date

Progress report: month 4 (August 2019)

Another month down.

1. ...basement -- Continued to work on it.
2. Sort/discard -- Lots more from basement: 28!
5. ... garage and deck ... -- Finished garage.
31. ... paperwork... -- On track
35. ... gym... Success!  4x per week in August
36. ... vitamins, etc. ... B+
38. ... swim... -- One more time; 4 total (This isn't a reasonable goal since my eyes are so sensitive to light.  Sun is too bright.)
39. Replace mattress -- First task accomplished on August 7!
43. ... Book group -- Done
44. ... Uvulati -- Done
45. ... Hearts & Hands -- Done
49. ... 150 movies -- Watched 6; total 33
      The beguiled (1971)
      Between me and my mind (theatre)
      Miseducation of Cameron Post
      T.R.A.P.P.E.D.
      Robin Williams: Come inside my mind
      Wuthering Heights (1939)
50. ... 125 books/30 I own/15 previous BG/RC...  -- Read 4
     Current total: Read 31, own 5,
      Baudelaire: Flowers of evil [RC 2017]
      Scottoline: Courting trouble
      Krauss: The history of love
      Alexie: Reservation blues [RC 2017]
52. ... current BG book -- Done
53. ... current RH Challenge -- In process
54. ... previous RH Challenges -- In process (1 more to go to finish 2017)
94. ... gratitude journal... -- Up-to-date
96. ... blog... update monthly -- Up-to-date
98. ... blog... 2 posts per month -- Up-to-date

Progress report: month 3 (July 2019)

I continue to work on my goals.

1.  Finish organizing basement -- I started to organize the basement.  A long way to go, but I've already pitched several BOXES of old papers, among other stuff.
2. Sort/discard ... goal 10 items per month...  -- With the basement purge and other activities, I counted 48!
31. Keep up with paperwork -- OK with this.
35. Gym 3-4x per week -- Success!  Three visits per week all month.
36. Vitamins, etc. -- B+ again
39. Replace mattress -- New mattress ordered
43. Went to July book group.
44. Went to Uvulati.
45. Went to Hearts & Hands.
49. Watch 150 movies -- Watched 12.
   Current total: 28
      Northanger Abbey
      Kiss me, Kate
      Yesterday (at theatre -- LOVED IT)
      Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
      Where the heart is
      Tab Hunter confidential
      Confirmation
      Punchline
      Fosse/Verdon
      Children's hour
      Mildred Pierce (1945)
      Suspicion
50. Read 125 books, including 20 I own. -- Read 12, including 1 I own.
     Current total: Read 27; own 5
      Beagle: A fine and private place [RC 2015]
      Bronte: Wuthering Heights [RC 2015]
      Kellerman: Guilt
      Greer: Less
      Michener: Alaska
      Silber: Improvement
      Gottlieb: Best boy [RC 2019]
      Tamaki & Tamaki: This one summer [RC 2019]
      Stoll: High tech heretic [RC 2017 + own]
      Hausman: Sitting on the blue-eyed bear [RC2019]
      Weatherford: Schomberg -- the man who built a library [RC 2019]
      Bryson: Neither here nor there [RC 2019]
52. ... monthly book group book... -- Done
53. ... 2019 Reading Challenge... -- In process
54. Finish 2015/2017 Reading Challenges -- Finished 2015.
94. Gratitude journal -- Up to date
96. Re-start blog -- Did 2 posts plus update
   

Progress report: month 2 (June 2019)

Better late than... (you know the rest). 

2. Sort/discard... goal of 10 per month -- Got rid of 17
35. Go to gym 3-4 times a week -- Didn't make the 3-4x per week. 
36. Teeth & vitamins -- I give myself a B+ for this.  Not perfect, but better than before.
31. Keep up with paperwork -- OK
38. Swim 10 times this summer -- 2 in July; 3 so far
43. Book group -- Missed June meeting for travel, but reading book.
44. Uvulati -- Attended June meeting.
45. Hearts & Hands --Attended June meeting.
49. Watch 150 movies -- Watched 7;  current total 16.
     Shampoo
     Genius
     A dog's way home
     Dumplin'
     Three identical strangers
     Late night
     Irma La Douce
50. Read 125 books, including 20 that I own -- Read 8, including 3 that I own.
        Current total: Read 15; own 4
     Finney: Time and again [RC 2017/own]
     Segal: The awkward age 
     Smith: Don't call us dead [RC 2015]
     Moon & Ba: Daytripper [RC 2017/Graphic novel]
     Semple: Where'd you go, Bernadette? [RC 2019/own]
     Okorafor: Binti - Home [RC 2015]
     Peters: Keeping you a secret [RC 2017]
     Hambly: Wet grave [Own]
52. Book group book -- Done
53. 2019 Read Harder Challenge -- In process
54. Finish 2015 & 2017 challenges -- Finished 2015
94. Gratitude journal -- Up-to-date
95. Re-start blog & update monthly -- In process
96. Two new posts a month -- Only did one in June.  
99. Go on Road Scholar Civil Rights tour -- Paid in full for November 3-10.

     

Day Zero Project, part 2 -- Retirement edition

An early post on this blog "What '101 in 1001' is" explained details about the "Day Zero Project".  Part 2 will follow a similar path.  Here is my new list, with carry-overs or continuations in normal text and new goals in bold.

101 Things in 1001 Days -- Retirement Edition
Begin 5/1/2019 -- End 1/26/2022

HOME ORGANIZATION

1. Finish organizing basement.

2. Sort/discard stuff with goal of 10 items per month.

3. Redo photo corner.

4. Store saved quilts.

5. Clean/reorganize garage and deck; maintain them.

6. Sort/reorganize kitchen.

7. Sort/reorganize dining room.

8. Sort/reorganize dining room closet. 
9. Sort/reorganize living room.

10. Sort/reorganize sewing room.

11. Sort/reorganize my bedroom.

12. Sort/reorganize my bedroom closet.

13. Write daughters' documents & photos to thumb drives for them 

HOME IMPROVEMENT

14. Paint D#2's room.

15. Paint sewing room.

16. Re-paper/paint upstairs bathroom.

17. Fix plaster & paint my bedroom

18. Replace light fixture in dining room closet & install new outlet.

19. Paint walls & ceiling of bath/basement entry.

20. Strip paper & paint my bedroom closet.

21. Add battery-powered light to my bedroom closet.

22. Figure out how to fix up 3rd floor bedroom.  Do it.

23. Have storage cabinet built for space between folding doors.

24. Finish removing green stuff from deck & power-wash.

25. Sand & paint deck.

26. Replace hand rails in front.

27. Sand & paint front doors; remove paint from hardware (interior & storm doors)

28. Fix storm door handle & door closer.

29. Remove carpet from upstairs hall & steps (at least).

30. Frame at least one of the two prints from women artists.

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

31. Keep up with balancing checkbook & filing bills/paperwork.

32. Pre-arrange cremation.

33. Organize photos on computer & on paper.

34. Sort & reorganize all paperwork: permanent/semi-permanent/ephemeral.

HEALTH
35. Go to gym 3-4 times weekly with a goal of 12 times monthly.
36. Brush teeth 2x per day & take vitamin at least 5 times per week.
37. Do a 1 to 2 mile walk-a-thon.
38. Swim at least 10 times in the summer.
39. Replace mattress.

FAMILY/FRIENDS/SOCIAL
40. Write catch-up letter to distant friends for Christmas 2019.
41. Print photos at least twice a year.
42. Find a place to meet with Kim (or whole family) for a visit.
43. Continue Book Group.
44. Continue Uvulati.
45. Join & attend "Hearts and Hands."
46. Find one additional group to join which meets at least monthly.
47. Go on bus trip through school district.
48. Attend quilt retreats & quilt days each year.

ENTERTAINMENT -- BOOKS & MOVIES

49. Watch 150 movies (up from 125)
50. Read 125 books (up from 60), including at least 30 I already own.
51. Include 15 titles read by Book Group before I joined.
52. Keep up with reading monthly Book Group books.
53. Complete annual Read Harder challenges.
54. Finish previous Read Harder challenges (2015 & 2017).

ENTERTAINMENT -- SOCIAL/TRAVEL

55. Do something social with each daughter at least once a year.
56. Go to NYC for play or musical at least once a year.
57. Go to a concert at least once a year.
58. Eat at 3 restaurants with new cuisines.
59. Go on a pleasure trip of at least 3 days by myself.
60. Visit University of Pennsylvania Museum for non-Egypt exhibits.
61. Go somewhere with D#1 where we haven't been before.
62. Go somewhere with D#2 where we haven't been before. 
63. Go back to Europe (London alone? With D#1? Somewhere with D#2?)
64. Plan family vacation (for all 3 of us), even is short & nearby.
65. Visit 6 more new states.
66. See & photograph sculpture of man breaking free at 16th & Vine.
67. Visit Museum of the American Revolution.
68. Visit Barnes Museum.
69. Visit museum at Eastern State Penitentary.
70. Re-visit Philadelphia Museum of Art.
71. Visit Rodin Museum.

HOBBIES
72. Make queen-size t-shirt quilt for D#2. 
73. Make curtains for my bedroom.
74. Make curtains for D#2's bedroom.
75. Set batik star blocks into top.
76. Set black & white stars into top.
77. Make temperature quilt for 1950-2020.
78. Put together rainbow quilt kit. 
79. Make cat quilt for BARCS auction or ?
80. Make cat pillowcases for Forgotten Cats or ?
81. Finish top (at least) of Grandmother's Flower Garden.
82. Finish 2 quilts from Civil War repros (Amelia, MSQC pattern)
83. Organize or make quilt for ALA auction.
84. Make at least 1 quilt from Asian fabrics.
85. Make minimum of 3 healing/comfort/Baby Bureau quilts per year.
86. Make "Stairway to Cat Heaven" wall hanging & embellish with beads, etc.
87. Plant more small bulbs all over yard & flower beds.

CHARITABLE/RELIGIOUS
88. Give blood once a year.
89. Read Bible daily during Lent.
90. Volunteer somewhere for at least 6 months.
91. Join Worship Committee at church for minimum of 1 year.
92. Work (with others?) to replace ribbons in hymnals.
93. Sign up with Libravox & record an audio book.
94. Make a gratitude journal & add on entry -- large or small -- daily.

EDUCATION/SELF-DEVELOPMENT
95. Take a yoga or dance class for minimum of 6 weeks.
96. Re-start blog for Day Zero Project, Part 2 & update progress at least monthly.
97. Write a least 2 blog posts monthly.
98. Research how to do genealogy research & begin Hunt/Miller lines.
99. Go on Road Scholar civil rights tour.
100. Enter movies seen into spreadsheet & keep up-to-date.
101. Enter books read into spreadsheet & keep up-to-date.

DZ Year 1 = May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020

DZ Year 2 = May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021

DZ Year 3 = May 1, 2021 to January 26, 2022

Progress report: month 30 (December 2012)

Completed:
59. Take both daughters on vacation for at least 5 days.

Progress:
7,26,28,33,99,101. Kept up to date. 
48. Saw 8 movies: 
    Death at a funeral
    The Savages
    We need to talk about Kevin
    Room with a view
    Brave
    Hope Springs
    Up
    Jeff, who lives at home
49. Read 5 books:
     Blasphemy (Sherman Alexie)
     V is for vengeance (Sue Grafton)
     Fallen angels (Tracy Chevalier) [audio]
     The sense of a ending (Julian Barnes)
     Bleeding Heart Square (Andrew Taylor)

Priorities for January:
71. Finish quilt top and get it quilted.
72. Finish top.
80. Finish quilt photo album.

 

Where am I now?

I am here.  My first post on this blog was dated 6/23/2010 -- just over two years ago.  I chose the name "howdidIgethere" because I found myself somewhere that I never expected to be: on my own again after my husband of ~20 years had suddenly announced he didn't want to be married to me anymore.  I was also, at that time, newly moved into my home which I bought after having to sell the home I lived in with my (now-ex) husband and our daughters.

The blog was started as a part of my Day Zero Project, as a way to keep track of my progress, since I found myself a little lacking in focus and direction, which were helped along by the Project.  With a "new" home, one daughter mostly out of the house, the other headed to college in the fall, I had the opportunity -- and the need -- to set down some new roots as a single person, as well as continuing to heal and put back the pieces from the devastation I'd experienced.  

I have now been divorced for a little over a year.  D#1 graduated from college last year and recently took a job in Washington DC, while D#2 is halfway through her college years.  I am close to them both and see them or communicate with them regularly.   My home is slowly becoming "mine", reflecting my style and personality.  (Notice the purple chairs on the porch!)   In addition to my family (blood and "adopted:"), I've been blessed with a group of friends who I've known for a number of years, joined by some new ones who know me only as a single person.   I have traveled on business but also visited D#1 when she studied in Egypt, and vacationed by myself to attend the major quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky.   D#1 and I are now planning to spend Christmas in London, meeting D#2 when she finishes her fall semester studying there at Queen Mary College.  

In general, I can say honestly that I like where I am (both physically and mentally) right now.  Given where I was almost 5 years ago, when my life had been shattered, I believe I have made incredible progress in re-creating a good life from those shards. I no longer think of myself as a "left-behind spouse" but just as a single adult, with almost-grown children.  I believe I have been a good role model for my daughters, as well as being a source of strength and support for them as they faced the changes in their lives.

"How did I get here?" is still a valid question.  But "here" is not the same place I was back then.  And I no longer ask it out of confusion  Instead, I look back on where I was then, and where I am now, and vow to continue on the path that got me this far.   Thank you to all of you who were there for me at any time in the past.  I am blessed to have you in my life.

Edited to add this, with my deepest thanks.  It was posted to my Facebook page by Nancy and seems to sum it up succinctly.

Progress report: month 23 (May 2012)

May 31 = Day 700!  Seventy-percent of my 1001 days behind me.  So!  How am I doing?   Let's see...

Completed:
87.  Co-lead Deborah Circle (Fall 2010-Spring 2012)

Progress: 
7,26,28,33,99. Kept up-to-date.
  48. Watched 12 movies: (193/125)
        The Lovely bones
        Super 8
        American dreamz
        Extremely loud and incredibly close
        The Descendents
        Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (theatre)
        Best in show
        Driving lessons
        Dangerous liaisons
        Valentine’s Day
        Temple Grandin
        Burlesque
(Yeah, I know -- all over the place!)
  49. Read 6 books: (82/60, 44/30, 35/10)
        Operating instructions (Anne Lamott)
        With no one as witness (Elizabeth George)
        Death with interruptions (Jose Salamarago)
        A Trick of the light (Louise Penny)
        An Awfully big adventure (Beryl Bainbridge)  
        The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (May Ann Shaffer)
  84. Extra contributions: St. Paul's Memorial Garden, Baby Manna/Philabundance
101. Blog posts (3)
        White Oak retreat (April 2012)
        Paducah KY
        W.I.B.W.O.

Quilts: bound and finished Rubik's Rings, gave Asian Anvils to D#2's friend for graduation gift

Priorities for June:
6/9.  Back to basement...
20. Get estimates for electrical work.
30. Make a will.

Progress report: month 22 (April 2012)

This month, I passed the two-thirds mark on my 1001 days.  Coincidentally, on that precise day, I was in the middle of completing one of my goals.

Completed:
61. Go to Paducah, KY for big quilt show (was here on Day 666)
82. Gave small gift to White-Oakers (bookmarks on 4/20)

Progress:
7,26,28. Kept up-to-date.
33. Went to gym (unless traveling).
48. Watched 8 movies: (181/125)
      The Debt
      Seven pounds
      Midnight in Paris
      Impromptu
      Rabbit hole
      Memento
      Truly, madly, deeply
      The Bible tells me so
49. Read 4 books: (76/60, 43/30, 30/10)
      The Lovely bones (Alice Sebold)
      Bury your dead (Louise Penny)
      The Union quilters (Jennifer Chiaverini)
      The Black tower (Louis Bayard)
84. Extra contributions: St. Paul's Memorial Garden, UNICEF
90. Read Bible daily throughout Lent. (year 2 of 3)
99. Updated blog post with progress (22 out of 22)
101. Blog posts (3):
      W.I.B.W.O.
      That toddlin' town
      Water, water, everywhere

Extra quilts: Finished Asian anvils and mini-Morris quilts.  Completed novelty "Bricks & Stepping Stones" as healing quilt.  "Pastel fish" healing quilt top is done; next healing quilt top (30's V-blocks) just needs a border.  Need to get going on some machine quilting.

Priorities for May:
6/9.  Back to basement...
  20. Get estimates for electrical work.
  30. Make a will.
100. Blog posts for White Oak and Paducah.

Progress report: month 21 (March 2012)

At the end of March, slightly less than one full year remains until the end of my Day Zero project.  Though the end isn't really in sight yet, I like to think that this is the view looking back, rather than forward.

Completed:
12. Small things around house
60. New ethnic cuisines: (had Vietnamese pho in DC)

Progress:
7,26,28. Kept up-to-date.
33. Went to gym (most weeks).
48. Watched 15(!) movies: (First month of Netflix)
      Pulp fiction           
      Somewhere           
      Downton Abbey (1st season)
      Restoration            
      50/50                
      Better off dead
      Crazy/stupid/love
      An Ideal husband
      Something the Lord made
      Venus
      An Awfully big adventure
      Say anything
      Gladiator
      The Bride wore black
      Midsummer Night’s Dream
49. Read 5 books: (72/60, 41/30, 29/10) [2 were YA, count as 1]
     The Absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian (Sherman Alexie) [YA]
     The Same stuff as stars (Katherine Paterson) [YA]
     The Brutal telling (Louise Perry)
     Bossypants (Tina Fey)
     Caleb's crossing (Geraldine Brooks)
     Assassination vacation (Sarah Vowell)
54. Went to Philadelphia to see "The Mousetrap"
84. Extra contributions to St. Paul's Memorial Garden, St. Paul's
     (Lenten services), additional amount to PlanUSA
90. Read Bible daily during Lent: started on Ash Wednesday with II Chronicles;
      will finish Job before Easter
99. Updated blog post with progress (21 out of 21)
101. Blog posts (3):
      A.two 'fer
      One small step = one large leap
      Flowering trees and pho
Extra quilts: Asian anvils needs only label and photo; mini-Morris ready to bind; blocks done for Amelia Schnibble quilt, 12 granny square blocks done

Priorities for April:
6/9. Back to basement and books (still stuck...)
61. Paducah!  
96. Learn to load music on my MP3 player

A milestone -- or two

Friday marked the 500th day of my Day Zero (aka 101 things in 1001 days) project and the day before that was my birthday.  Seems like a good time for reflection.

Day Zero is coming along well.  I'm working away at some of the larger projects and have completed many others.  The sole remaining goal under Legal/Financial is to make a will, which I want to accomplish before the end of the year.  The items that have a price tag, particularly travel, are the ones that linger, quite expectedly.  I have discovered that some other things aren't really important, or I've changed my mind entirely.  I'm going to give myself a "do-over" to make a few revisions to the List in the next few days.

It's true that I'm a list-maker and find satisfaction in checking off the individual tasks.  But the larger goal of the List was to help me focus on making a future by figuring out some of the actions I could take that would put me on the path to being a now-single, more-than-middle-aged woman with an almost empty nest.   I wanted to identify activities I enjoy and encourage myself to do them, to think of others that I've wanted to do and push myself to try them, to take concrete action to make my new house into a welcoming place of comfort and peace for my children, my friends, and -- most of all -- me.   Progress is being made on all these mini-goals, I think. 

Adjusting to my life as a single person, living alone, has been something of a challenge.  I don't lack for things to do (quilt, read, watch movies on DVD, etc.) and I generally enjoy my own company.  But it's easy to slip into the habit of withdrawing from people and outside-the-house activities.   Given my newfound free time, it would have been easy to over-commit, but I have been careful not to do so.   However, there are times when my solitude slips into loneliness. 

The addition of Sassy and Smidgen to the household has infused a giant portion of joy into my life, a feeling that has been rare for a couple of years now.    I am enjoying their presence and their affection so much I talk about them, even at the risk of being thought a "crazy cat lady".   And they are one more step in creating a new life, linked to, but separate from the one I had a few short years ago, which I never expected would end as it did.   Another step forward.

Progress report: month 15 (September 2011)

September!  The second "new year" of each calendar.   In which I helped both daughters settle into their autumn surroundings -- #1 in DC for a fellowship, #2 back at college for her sophomore year -- and returned to my empty nesting. 

Completed:
17.  Plant shrubs around front porch and perennials and shrubs in side yard.
48. Watch 125 movies (actually 128).
77. Set 1 set of swap blocks into quilt top. (Finished Almost Amish [photos to
      come].  Given away as wedding/housewarming gift)
Extra quilts: 2 small quilts finished and donated to the children's hospice at the local hospital.  (Photo to come but Nancy posted a description of the group effort.)

Progress: 
    6. Resumed work in basement.
    7, 26, 28.  Kept up-to-date.
    9. Gave away 20 more books to HS teacher for classroom "library".
  10. Started sorting clothes for donation to costume shop.
  12. Completed a few "small things" around the house.
  33. Went to the gym 2-3 times a week -- usually 3!
  48. Watched 7 movies:
        Come back, little Sheba
        Of mice and men
        Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison
        The American
        Cry Baby
        The Road
        Scott Pilgrim vs. the world
  49. Read 5 books (45/60, 29/30, 13/10)
        The Eyre affair (Jasper Fforde)
        Through a screen, darkly (Jeffrey Overstreet)
        Room (Emma Donoghue)
        High fidelity (Nick Hornby)
        Celebrity detox (Rosie O'Donnell)   
  75. Started cutting scrap fabric
  78. Scrap quilt (first EVER from100% scraps and stash; background for RR was
        purchased) sent to quilter.
  84. Extra contribution to ASPCA; pledged higher amount to St. Paul's.
  99. Updated blog with progress (15 out of 15)
101. Blog posts:
        W.I.B.W.O. -- Leader-ender project
        If I were a widow
        Taking a class with a friend

October priorities:
  6. Continue work in basement.
  8. Get bookcases into living room and sorted out.
  9. More book sorting.
12. More small things around house.
44. Attend Family Weekend at M.C.
74. Label and mail quilt to sponsored child. (Her 9th birthday is 10/21)

Progress report: month 14 (August 2011)

I wanted to find a picture of a single stream of water droplets, suggesting the constant drip, drip, drip of a leaking faucet -- or the seemingly unending stream of monthly updates from me.  No luck.  However, given the amount of rain brought to this neck of the woods by Irene, the drop in a puddle image seemed like a fair substitute. 

Completed:
49. Read 10 books from the library. (actually, finished 11th)
52. Go to the shore once a year (3 days)
59. Take both daughters away for at least 3 days.
      (downtheshore -- not a "new" place, but we all love it & enjoyed our stay!)

Progress:
   6. Resumed work in basement.
7, 26, 28.  Kept up-to-date.
48. Watched 14 movies (121/125):
      Margot at the wedding
      The Verdict
      The Accidental husband
      Sunshine Cleaning
      Jerry Maguire
      The Blind side
      Akeelah and the Bee
      Harry Potter and the deathly hallows, pt. 2 (theatre)
      Four Christmases
      The Kids are all right
      The Book of Daniel (TV)
      Crimes of the heart
      The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the desert
      Mississippi burning
49. Read 5 books (40/60, 26/30, 11/10):
      Stories I only tell my friends (Rob Lowe)
      New Orleans, mon amour (Nicolai Codrescu)
      Emily, alone (Steward Nan)
      Neverwhere (Neil Gaiman)
      American Rose (Karen Abbott)
50. Took both daughters to meal and movie at theatre (Harry Potter...)
74. Bound quilt for sponsored child (to do: label, photograph, mail)
84. Made extra contribution to George Harrison Fund for Unicef
99. Updated blog post with progress (14 out of 14)
101. Blog posts:
        Seeing through a glass, darkly
        Vacation downtheshore
        Tube quilting

September priorities:
(These are starting to look TOO familiar)
  6. Continue work in basement.
  9. More book sorting.
12. Small things around house.
17. Plant last 4 shrubs (Labor Day weekend should be suitable weather).
18. Wash deck.  Staining will probably have to wait until spring. 
33. Get back to exercising at gym. (curtailed post-surgery)
36. Resume taking vitamins.
77. Finish "Almost Amish" swap block quilt for wedding/housewarming gift.
     (bind, label, photograph)

Progress report: month 13 (July 2011)

 

Completed:
34. Check out nearby fitness centers. Join... (July 17)
38. Stop at doctor's office for cardiogram. (July 25)
78. Make quilt top from scraps. (Finished "Rubik's Rings" top July 4)
81. Make quilt for Godson for graduation (Finished top in May; mailed July 18)

Progress:
   6. Got back to working in basement.
   9. Returned to dealing with books.
      (Several boxes packed up; some already gone)
33. Started to exercise (Fitness center in goal #34).
48. Watched 10 movies (107/125):
      Take the lead
      Failure to launch
      Paris is burning
      Invictus
      Gone, baby, gone
      Proof
      Dan in real life
      Gaslight (1944)
      Fame
      Last chance Harvey
49. Read 1 book (35/60, 25/30, 7/10):
     The Book thief (Markus Zusak) -- EXCELLENT!
54. Go to NY or Phila for play/musical:
      "Miss Saigon" at Walnut Street Theatre
      (Top-notch production; music/show less so)
74. Make quilt for sponsored child (Currently at long-arm quilter)
84. Extra contributions to Philabundance and Unicef.
99. Updated blog post with progress (13 out of 13)
101. Blog posts:
      Calling for opinions (July 8)
      None of the above (July 22)
      W.I.B.W.O. -- Godson's quilt (July 28) 

August priorities:
(These are starting to look pretty familiar)
  6. More work in basement.
  9. More book sorting.
12. Small things around house.
17. Plant last 4 shrubs (Need a break in the nasty, hot, and humid weather!).
18. Wash and stain deck.
77. Finish "Almost Amish" swap block quilt for wedding gift.

Progress report: month 12 (June 2011)

End of the first year of my 1001 days.   Wonder how I'm doing?   Monthly progress first:

Completed:
69.  Mailed quilt to C.B. (bargello on previous post)

Progress:
  8. Got 2 of 3 bookcases into living room.
17. Planted one shrub and various perennials in side and front yards.
48. Watched 7 movies (97/125):
      Shall we dance (Japanese)
      The Women (original)
      Rachel getting married
      Georgia rule
      Cairo time
      Shutter Island
      Big Bang theory; season #3
49. Read 4 books (34/60, 25/30, 6/10)
      Freedom (Jonathan Franzen)
      Lucky man (Michael J. Fox)
     "U" is for undertow (Sue Grafton)
      Mary Ann in autumn (Armistead Maupin)
52. Made reservation for 3 nights "down the shore" in August
59. Taking both daughters "down the shore" in August
     (not a new place, but we all love the beach)
78. Almost finished Rubik's Rings scrap top
81. Had Godson's quilt quilted -- ready to be bound
84. Extra contribution to F.E.A.S.T.
99. Updated blog with progress report (12 out of 12)
101.  Blog posts:
       Keep your *&*& junk to yourself! (June 7)
       W.I.B.W.O. (June 20)

July priorities (nearly identical to June's):
6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
17. Finish planting shrubs (4).
18. Get deck power washed and stained.
77. Set 1 set of swap blocks into top.  (gift for June wedding)
81. Finish Godson's quilt: binding, label, photograph, mail.

One year in: 
Finished: 28 of my 101 goals
Progress up-to-date: 14 of 101 goals
In process (active): 12 of 101 goals
Total: I've actively worked on 58 goals (over half)
I've done the best with "Financial/Legal" and "Family/Friends" and worst with "Health".  Many of the rest are more-or-less dependent on time and money available, but I'm trying to seize any do-able opportunity as it comes along.

Next up: Year Two

Progress report: month 11 (May 2011)

May 31st was Day 333 of my 1001 -- puts me 11 months in and almost exactly one-third through my 1001 days.

Completed:
45.  Attend D#1's college graduation.  (5/7)
46.  Attend Godson's high school graduation. (5/27)

Progress: 
17. Began to plan plantings in front and back yards
      (Bought/ordered some shrubs & perennials).
48. Watched 8 movies:
      17 again               
      The Jane Austen book club
      Toy story 3                
      Crazy heart                
      Atonement                
      Date night
      The Goodbye girl
      Unbreakable
49. Read 2 books + 2 YA (count as one): total 3 books (30/60, 23/30, 4/10)
      The Help (Kathryn Stockett)
      A Visit from the goon squad (Jennifer Egan)
      Fairest (.5) (Gail Carson Levine)
      The Seer of Shadows (.5) (Avi)
69. Almost finished quilt for C.B. (label needed)
81. Finished quilt top for Godson (get quilted)
84. Extra contribution to PP.
99. Updated blog with progress report (11 out of 11)
101. One additional blog post: "Left behind?" (5/22) 

June priorities:
6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
17. Plant shrubs & perennials.
18. Get deck power washed and stained.
69. Label & photograph C.B.'s quilt; mail to her.
77. Set 1 set of swap blocks into top.  (gift for June wedding)
81. Finish Godson's quilt; bind, label, photograph, mail.

Conclusions:
My goal for movies to watch was embarrassingly small -- either that or I have watched an embarrassingly large number in the past 11 months!   Don't know if it's against the Day Zero rules to change a goal, but I should probably adjust it upward, since I'm not likely to give up this pastime.  Similarly, my goal for total books is a little low.  Have read 50% in 33% of time allotted.  Perhaps I'll bump it up a bit also.
 
When I am finished with the in-progress quilts, I plan to spend more time on working on stuff around the house.  I made a master-list of all the projects -- large and small -- and want to be able to knock some of them off while D#2 is home from college for the summer, since she often enjoys helping.

Progress report: month 10 (April 2011)

April was a lot like March -- not much completed, but plodding progress on a few goals:

Completed:
EXTRA quilts not on list:
    William Morris for friend's birthday: delivered 4/10
    Nine-patch for cousin: delivered by my sister around 4/13
90. Read Bible every day in Lent.  Only missed the few days I was out of town.
     Started with I Samuel and read through I Chronicles.  There were a bunch of
     kings and a lot of battles and thousands upon thousands of people killed in
     those books.  Wish I was more excited about starting with II Chronicles next
     year.

Progress:
48. Watched 8 movies: (82/125)
      Pushing daisies, season 2 (last season for this delightful and unique show)
      How to make an American quilt
      The Reader (entire cast was excellent)
      Big fish (worth watching)
      The Outsiders (dated, but so many and so young...)
      The Invention of lying
      Driving Miss Daisy (Morgan Freeman is always excellent)
      Point break (two words: Patrick Swayze)
49. Read 4 books: (27/60, 21/30, 4/10)
      The immortal life of Harriet Lacks (Rebecca Skloot)
      Broken dishes (Earlene Fowler)
      The Imperfectionists (Tom Rackman)
      Delectable mountains (Earlene Fowler)
69. Make a quilt for C. (nearly done; hand sewing binding)
81. Started quilt for Godson.
84. Extra contributions to church for Lenten services and to the women's
     organizations that received the funds from Muhlenberg's production of
     "Vagina Monologues"
99. Updated blog with progress report (10 for 10)
101. Two additional blog posts: Reclaiming a favorite place (4/15) and
     Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Part 2) (4/27)

Priorities in May: (very similar to April, alas)
  6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
17. Begin to plan plantings in front and back yards.
18. Get deck power washed and stained.
69. Finish binding C's quilt; make label, take photo, and ship.
77. Set 1 set of swap blocks into top.  (needed for a wedding gift in June)
81. Finish quilt for Godson.

Looking forward to:
45. Attending D#1's college graduation on May 7.
46. Attending Godson's high school graduation on May 27.

Progress report: month 9 (March 2011)

Not much completed this month, but continued progress on several fronts.

Completed:
85. Donate minimum of $xxx to church in honor of Y.Z. before 4/12/11.
     (done 3/23)

In process:
48. Watched 5 movies/tv shows: (74/125)
      Last tango in Paris (Brando was phenomenal)
      Big Bang theory, season 1 (a comedy about physicists!)
      Big Bang theory, season 2 (more phun with geeky physicists)
      Pirate radio (great 60s music!)
      Dark City (very stylized sci-fi film -- almost German expressionistic)
49. Read 3 books: (23/60, 18/30, 3/10)
      Sunshine and shadows (Earlene Fowler)
      The Way the crow flies (Anne-Marie MacDonald)
      The Making of "Quantum Leap" (Hal Schuster)
90. Read the Bible daily during Lent.  (Began on Ash Wednesday with I Samuel.)

Progress:
29. Steps toward divorce. (Received and acknowledged service of papers;
      met with my lawyer)
69. Added borders to quilt for C.  Going to quilter this week.
(Almost finished the two extra quilts:  Nine-patch for my cousin only needs a label and I can send it to her; I'm currently hand-sewing the binding on William Morris birthday quilt. Party is April 10.)
84. Extra contribution to Church World Service for Blanket Sunday.
99. Updated blog with progress report (9 for 9)
101. Four additional blog posts: "Making a list" and "What I've been working on" (3/8), "Quilt retreat" (3/18), and "Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Part 1)" (3/25).    

Priorities in April:
  6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
17. Begin to plan plantings in front and back yards.
69. Get C's quilt quilted, bound, labeled, photographed and shipped.
81. Start quilt for Godson's graduation at end of May.
90. Continue Lenten Bible reading until Easter on April 24.

Progress report: month 8 (February 2011)

February is my least-favorite month of the year, as it marks the birthdates and deathdates of several loved ones, not to mention over-hyped "Valentine's Day".   Thankfully, it is also the shortest month of the year!   On top of that, February 2010 was the worst month for snow last winter.  I was afraid of a 2011 repeat, following a January in which we were clobbered every few days.  Fortunately, my fears were for naught.  

Completed:
27.  Enter checking account data, balance account.  (done 2/28/11)
88.  Do something pro-active for eating disorders awareness.
      (Washington DC NEDA walk on 2/20; raised over $450)

In process:
48. Watched 8 movies (69/125):
      The Truth about cats and dogs    
      Nine                    
      Strictly ballroom (LOVED it!)          
     A Single man (Colin Firth = Excellent)          
     The Bucket list (Morgan Freeman ++)          
     It’s complicated           
     La Vie en rose (in French; English subtitles)           
     The Woodsman (disturbing subject but great performance by Kevin Bacon)
 49. Read 3 books (20/60, 16/30, 3/10):
     Seven sisters (Earlene Fowler)
     Arkansas traveler (Earlene Fowler)
     This is not chick lit (Elizabeth Merrick, ed.)
89. Gave blood  (1/3)

Progress:
29. Steps toward divorce. (still waiting...)
36. Get back to taking vitamins daily.
54. Go to NYC [or Philadelphia] for play or musical once a year.
      (Lantern Theatre Company in Philly for "A Skull in Connemara")
84. Extra contribution to F.E.A.S.T.
99. Updated blog with progress report (8/8)
101. Wrote two additional blog posts: Egypt (2/6) and NEDA walk (2/14)

Priorities in March:
  6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
17. Begin to plan plantings in front and back yards.
69. Quilt for CB: add borders and get ready for quilting
(Two other quilts that weren't on my list have been added and their completion has taken priority over #74.  One is for a relative who has had surgery for uterine cancer.  The other is destined for a friend with a special birthday in April.  Serious illness has also struck that family.)  
93. Start volunteer project.

In March, I am looking forward to having my daughters home for spring break followed by a White Oak quilt retreat! 

Progress report: month 7 (January 2011)

percent

Mid-way through the month -- January 17 marked the 200th day of this journey -- or 20% of my 1001 days.  At that time, I analyzed what I had accomplished and determined that I had completed about 22% of the items on the list.  I was up-to-date on 9 of my "in process" goals and behind on about the same number.  Not bad. 

Completed:
25. Sort and file all bills and papers (1/31/11)
37. Had colonoscopy (scheduled 11/19/10; done 1/13/11)
41. Help D#1 get her driver's license. (passed her test on 1/8)
66 & 67. Baby quilts (finished in 12/10, but delivered in 1/11)

In process:
48. Watched 18 (!) movies: some very good, some not (61/125):
      Smilla’s sense of snow
      Kate and Leopold
      Emma [BBC]
      Junebug
      New York, I love you
      The Family Stone
      Because I said so
      Milk
      Lost in Austen
      Last of the red-hot lovers
      Changeling
      Gods and monsters
      Turn of the screw [BBC]
      Joan Rivers: a piece of work [SHO]
      Jersey girl
      Precious
      Grey Gardens [HBO]
      St. Elmo’s fire
49. Read 8 books, but ignored 1 YA and counted 2 others as 1
     Also reconsidered counting some earlier "throw-aways"
                     Current total: 17/60, 12/30, 4/10
      Water for elephants (Sara Gruen)
      The Book of time (Guilliame Prevost, not counted)
      Goose in the pond (Earlene Fowler)
      A Small hotel (Robert Olen Butler)
      Lee: A Gesture life (Chang-Rae Lee)
      Mariner’s compass (Earlene Fowler)
      Into the wild (Erin Hunter) [count as 1 with Gaiman]
      The Graveyard book (Neil Gaiman) [count as 1 with Hunter]
60. Ate at a Persian restaurant in San Diego: “Fessenjan”, a stew with chicken,
      ground walnuts, and pomegranates over basmati rice

Progress:
29. Steps toward divorce. (waiting)
78. Working on a quilt top from scraps. (Rubik's rings)
84. Extra contribution to St. Paul's.
99. Updated blog with progress report (7/7)
101. Wrote one additional blog post about losing our special and wonderful black cat (1/16/11) 

Priorities in February:
  6. Get back to working in basement.
12. Work on more small things around house.
27. Enter checking account data and balance for 2010.
36. Get back to taking vitamins daily.
69. Quilt for CB: add borders and get ready for quilting
74. Quilt for sponsored child: add borders and get ready for quilting
89. Give blood (signed up for 2/21)
93. Start volunteer project.