Update 2: My 101 things

I was thinking the other day and realized that the 2 washers and the dryer I had removed would technically be 3 things that I got rid of that I didn't need. So I have now gotten rid of 4 out 101 things I didn't need. Go me!

My savings is also now at $851 out of $5000. Once again GO ME!!!

I also bought some storage bins and shelves for my basement so I can start organizing it.

So a small update but a nice one.

Update on my 101 things

As promised by my 101 things list a blog an the current accomplishments. As you can see I completed my list. It took me a while and a lot of thought but it is done. Go me!!!

I marked that I have started my camping goal, we went to Gales creek in the Tillamok Forrest. It was a really nice place. Bobby and I took his Mom this time which was neat because at the age of 57 this was here first time ever going camping. I am proud to report that she had lots of fun. I enjoyed myself as well. I was a total pain in the ass to find a space though. Out of the 3 main camp sites on hwy 6 in the Tillamok Forrest there were only 2 spaces available when we got there on Saturday and they were right next to each other. This place really made me want to plan a huge camping trip next year though. Lots of Friends and family involved, I learned form my 21st birthday camping trip that those types of trips are really the funnest. So who wants to be part of my plan of campsite domination next year???

I also read a whole book while I was camping called "Baby Proof" by Emily Griffin. Basic chick lit fluff, decent writer. I found it entertaining enough, but if you don't well then ok. If you really want to know what the book is about I can tell you. Or you could read it. Just a thought there.

Ok so next the reusable bag thing, not a particularly exciting topic I guess. I have purchased 4 bags so far and planing on buying 4 more. I don't want to get stuck paying $0.20 a bag if the proposed tax passes. Plus currently Fred Meyers gives you $0.05 off per bag when you bring in your own so eventually they will pay for themselves. The bags also carry more and have thicker handles so I don't get the circulation cut off from my fingers as I am carrying them into the house like the plastic ones do then they are heavy. So this so far is my single contribution to going green. ok... and the once in a blue moon when I unblock drains using baking soda and vinegar, but that is mostly because it works and I have it in the house. Whoo Hooo for going green... or something like that.

Making a budget. I've been off and on about this for about a year now and I was never that serious about it until last month. So I made a budget and well it kinda worked. It still needs a lot of tweaking so until I can get us and it to a realistic compromise this will just stay in the "in progress" category. Either that or I need to will the lottery jackpot, then I really doesn't matter how much I spend on hookers and blow (j/k) life would be grand.

Ok so I cheated a little on the saving $5,000 thing, I counted money I have already put into our emergency fund over the last year. Oh well, I'm ok with it, and my list mean it becomes my rules. Haha 20 double aught, I win. (if you know what that meant, then yes you are a dork, but is ok I am the one making D&D references so guess what that makes me.)

I will also be transfering my whopping $15.00 into savings for the 3 tasks that are compleated when I am done with this post, hey which of course will bring my savings up a bit.

Buy a new washing machine, yes it happened, I bet you are all so giddy for my mundane grown up purchase of a Kenmore 80 sieres washing machine. We got it from a discount appliance store on 104th and Sandy. Whooo Hoooo. We brought it home and it leaked. Just like the one we were replacing. Whooo Hooo. We took it back and got a new one. Whoo hooo. Ok so the old one did sit in our drive way for a week and a half because we didn't really know what to do with it. We considered putting it in the shed with the washer and dryer that my parents gave us out of thier basement when we moved in here, that also had a leaking washing machine ( I swear it is a coincidence). Anyways, I was just about it put it in the shed and call it the laundry room grave yard when a man knocked on my door asking if I wanted to take away the machine sitting in my drive way I jumped on the chance and offered the other ones in the shed to him as well, and he took them. So really whoo hooo no my laundry room grave yard for me, and no more saving quarters and planning my time around doing laundry at my moms house. Plus the guy gave me his number in case I have any more scrap metal laying around. He uses them money from it to drive to his landscaping jobs, way to be creative with the insane gas costs.

Ok so I am obviously writing in my blog. This is proof, you heard it here first.

I gave a sheet set to Dajah for her new bed since our bed is so thick that the only sheet I can find to fit it cost $100+ ( don't get me started on the BS of this, for the amount I paid for that bed....., I probably would have picked a different bed had of known, the bed is sooo comfortable though) and my old ones just don't fit. I plan it give her another set too. Which will mean I got rid of (2/101) thinks I don't need. Wow maybe I should be making a little more effort on this one.

Not too exciting but I am making an effort to pay off the Credit Cards it is part of the new budget plan. I do however hate my CC now though. They raised my APR to 17.99%. I was is shock when I opened my statement. Here is a post I made about it on a money message board I frequent:

"So I just received my statement in the mail today and my interest rate jumped up
8% and is now 17.99%. I am pissed. I called and talked to someone on the phone
who told me that it was because of my FICO score. After trying to get her to
explain why that was since my FICO score has gone up 100 points since I got the
card last year. I also have been paying more then the minimum trying to pay it
off for the last 6 months. I have never been late on a payment and I haven't
opened any other accounts anywhere in 6 months as DH and I have learned the
error of our past MM mistakes and have been in debt pay off mode. After getting
no where with the rep I asked to talk to a manager. Manager gets on the phone
and after explaining my irritation and what the rep told me he tells me the only
thing he can do for me is close the card and he can put the card back to 9.9% so
I have a lower interest rate to pay off the card. I found it crazy that they
would just throw away a customer like that. He also tried to tell me that the
account was reviewed in May and they found that I had become more of a risk
which is why they raised my interest rate. The only way I am more of a risk is
that I may actually pay them off and they won't earn as much interest off of
me."

So as you can see it sucks but I plan to get a new credit card with a 0% or low % APR transfer the balance and cut up the current card or lock it in my safe.

I beat "Champions: Return to Arms" on PS2 with the hubby( I beat "Champions of Norath" a couple of weeks ago as well), while fun it makes me remember why we sold our PS2 and Xbox last year. Video Games are addicting and I spend way too much time playing them when I feel challenge to finish it. So I have only played once since I completed the game, and only for about 15 minutes. The system has been sitting on my floor untouched for the last week now though and I hope my little bro comes around soon so I can give it back to him before I find an new game to obsess over and monopolise what little time I have left in my day. You hear that Trevor, come save me from your PS2!!!

Ok, I stared the free rice thing as well, it is a good filler while you are waiting for a client to show or a conference call. Its a cool and noble idea and kind of like charity.... hmmm wonder if I can write rice off on my taxes.

101 things to do in 1001 days

So it has been a few months since I posted but I have decided that I am going to start making a more conscious effort to keep up with this. So as a motivation to do so I am going to be doing the 101 things in a 1001 days project. I started on August 1st and didn't post until now because my list wasn't finishe but as you will see from my #1 it fit in with my goals.

For anyone not familiar with this you can get more info form: http://triplux.stilljournal.com/dayzero/ or here is the rundown on it.

Creating your own 1001 Day Project

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 organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.Some common goal setting tips:


1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.
2. Stay Focused. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.
3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.
4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.
5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking..

And my list:

Not done In progress Done

101 things to do in 1001 days (8/1/1008 – 4/29/2011)

1. Finish this list by 8/14/2008 - as of 8/14/2008
2. Go to Ashley’s garden and plant flowers
3. Go Camping 3 times (1/3)
4. Read 10 non-school books cover to cover (4/10)
5. Get a one hour massage 3 times (0/3)
6. Switch to reusable grocery bags.
7. Make a budget
8. Save $5.00 for each completed task (4/101)
9. Get a new computer
10. Identify 101 things that make me happy (0/101)
11. Do OAMC (once-a-month cooking) 4 times (0/4)
12. Write a personal mission statement
13. Build an emergency fund of $5,000.00 (250/5000)
14. Open a 401k or IRA
15. Eat at 10 restaurants I have never been to before (3/10)
16. Buy a new washing machine
17. Write in my blog at least 50 times (12/50)
18. Get rid of 101 things I don’t need (4/101)
19. Donate $5.00 to a charity for each task not completed at the end of 1001 days.
20. Go to an art museum
21. Go to an amusement park or carnival and ride some of the rides
22. Buy 3 stocks (0/3)
23. Watch all 100 movies on AFI’s 100 years…100 movies list 2007 version (18/100)
24. Get Pregnant
25. Get weight down to 170
26. Get weight down to 160
27. Get weight down to 150
28. Get weight down to 140
29. Change out ceiling fan in Living room
30. Put crown molding in Dinning room
31. Change out light fixture in entryway
32. Install lights in basement
33. Put curtains in Living room
34. Paint the kitchen cabinets
35. Quit smoking
36. Do the 26 Things Project (Take a picture of 1 thing for each letter of the alphabet) and make a photo book of it
37. Pay off the credit cards
38. Make a 5 day emergency kit
39. Buy a new (to us) car
40. Finish the baby blanket I have been making
41. Go tanning
42. See Rocky Horror Picture Show
43. Organize files
44. Make a will
45. Switch to CFL bulbs throughout the house
46. Fix the drip in the bathtub
47. Decide on a major and start school for it.
48. Write a blog of each task I complete on this list
49. Have a girls only night out
50. Crochet or knit a scarf
51. Complete 9 weeks of the Couch to 5k challenge
52. Get a facial
53. Replace dimmer switch in dinning room
54. Get my transcript sent to PSU
55. Start a vegetable garden
56. Have a romantic weekend away with Bobby
57. Vote in the November 2008 election
58. Buy a treadmill or an elliptical machine
59. Can something – (jam, fruit, veggies, ect.)
60. Plant flowers around the tree in the front yard
61. Organize the bedroom closet
62. Set up organization system in basement
63. Get patio furniture for front porch
64. Take a hot bubble bath
65. Go to a concert or play twice (0/2)
66. Go to a casino and play a round on the slots
67. Get renters insurance
68. Apply to be on a game show
69. Make 10 of the 50 best cookie recipes on the internet (0/10)
70. Make a bag out of plastic grocery bags
71. Learn to make cheese
72. Learn to make bar soap
73. Make my own laundry soap
74. Set up arch in front yard
75. Put pictures in large frames and hang up
76. Create a control journal or buy one and customize it
77. Go to the Chinese or Japanese Gardens
78. Get a second hole piercing in my ears
79. Beat a video game
80. Go through an entire bottle of vitamins (0/100)
81. get a henna tattoo
82. Steam clean the carpet on the main three times (0/3)
83. Get Nana’s recipe for jam
84. Renew vows on 5th wedding anniversary – 06/11/2010
85. Get life insurance for Bobby and myself
86. Read 10 of MLA's 30 Books Every Adult Should Read Before They Die (0/10)
87. Organize this list
88. Keep my planner up to date and use it every day for 30 days (0/30
89. Donate 100,000 grains of rice to http://www.freerice.com/ (2700/100,000)
90. Buy four more tin signs for the kitchen (0/4)
91. Make or buy curtain or valance for the kitchen
92. Go on a vacation to another country
93. Get my passport
94. Throw another Halloween party
95. Clean and organize my work office
96. Go to the dentist
97. Get dental insurance
98. Replace burner on stove
99. Finish a 3000+ piece puzzle
100. Write a Christmas letter and mail it to all my family
101. Try out 10 new recipes