Author Archive
complete –> #68 swim in the ocean
68) visit the beach/ swim in the ocean
This week, the family and I took a vacation to visit some friends in Houston. Somehow, aquariums, turtles, the beach or some form of water recreation always seem to figure into our vacations. This trip was no exception.
Last time we were in Houston, we visited the [...]
complete –> #84 - learn how to groom dog
84) learn how to groom dog
I learned how to groom the dog, bought a pair of pet clippers, and the pup hasn’t looked better.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me a comment to encourage me as I work to accomplish my goals.
update –> #60 regular dates and D3D’s
60) date night twice a month, and D3D’s once per month for a year
We’re still working on this one, but it’s getting better. I always spend a lot of time with my family, just not a lot of one on one time.
Lately, my wife and I have been getting out an average of once [...]
update –> #33 read 3 classic novels
33) participate in book club and read 3 classic novels and at least 10 books not mentioned here
I haven’t joined a book club yet, but I have, err, read four classic books. Ok, I didn’t really read them; I listened to the audio book version from Librivox.org. That counts doesn’t it? For [...]
complete –> #8 set up criteria to go back to school full time
8) set up criteria to go back to school full time
I figured out what I need to do to be able to quit my job and go back to school full time. There’s only two criteria, really. First, I would have to have some kind of income to support my family. Second, [...]
update –> #32 read a book in Portuguese
32) increase Spanish, Portuguese and German vocabulary, as shown by reading a book in each
The other day I was browsing the foreign language section of the big used bookstore in the city and was thrilled to find a Portuguese translation of Agatha Christie’s The Secret Adversary. I like a good mystery, and though I [...]
complete –> #64 Attend Fa-Dau Ball
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Tonight was the annual Father-Daughter Ball, and I went with one of my daughters. We had a BLAST! It was SO MUCH FUN! They had an excellant DJ who kept it going upbeat and lively, with only a few slow dances. I haven’t danced that much in I don’t know how long. It was a two hour dance and we were on the floor for the better part of the night. My little one is already making plans to go next year. |
I am marking this one a resounding 100% complete!
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me a comment to encourage me as I work to accomplish my goals.
update –> #79 Christmas decorations up after Thanksgiving
79) put Christmas decorations up the day after thanksgiving and take them down new years day
We totally missed this one this year any way you slice it. We went out of town for Thanksgiving, which for those of you don’t know is on a Thursday, and didn’t get home until Sunday. That was [...]
complete –> #59 run a local marathon
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This weekend, the kids I walked and ran to complete the 1 mile fun run of the local winter marathon. It was a cold Texas morning, and despite how much I absolutely dislike running, we had a lot of fun. I enjoyed it so much that I am thinking that doing the fun run might inspire me to jump into another goal, #56, loose 30% of body weight. You have to start somewhere, right? |
update –> #5 25 websites
5) get 25 profitable niche websites up and running
I brainstormed this week and came up with about 30 possibilities. The next step is to brainstorm articles ideas for each topic. Once I have a good list of possible articles for each topic, the next step will be to come up with a schedule [...]
update –> #2 PMP certification
2) get PMP certified
This week, my company sponsored a Project Management Symposium, which I attended. Although attending the symposium wasn’t directly related to my goal of earning my PMP certification, I am reporting it here because after the symposium, I felt reenergized to pursue it.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in [...]
update –> #64 Fa-Dau Ball
64) attend Father-Daughter Ball
The ball this year is in December, and I have already bought my tickets.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me a comment to encourage me as I work to accomplish my goals.
update –> #101 polymer clay dictionary
101) write polymer clay multi-language dictionary
I’ve started a multiple language dictionary project for polymer clay artists. So far, I only have a list of the terms in English that I think would be helpful to the polymer clay community. I have very few foreign language terms, but will be populating those columns soon.
In [...]
update –> #88 weekly art project
88) complete one artistic project [drawing, origami, card, clay, etc.] per week for a year (52 total)
I have to admit that for this goal, I have been a total slacker. I haven’t really made any headway here.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be [...]
complete –> #85 train dog
85) train dog to use paper/go outside, heal, lay down, speak, roll over, fetch, jump
I’ve ceded this job over to my children, who are making steady progress with our puppy. Since I am not working on this one anymore, I’m going to go ahead and mark it off my list.
Be sure to check out [...]
complete –> #81 fix hard disk recover photos
81) fix hard disk on computer and recover photos
Our computer crashed back in 2008. We had most of our pictures from 2003 to 2008 stored on that computer, and although there were some CD back ups from 2003-2007, none of the 2008 photos were backed up.
I muddled around with it for a few months [...]
story and complete –> #77 new car
77) buy a new family car
I bought a new minivan for the family back in May. The family had been wanting a new car since our old one was all banged up and had over 100,000 miles on it, but I kept putting it off. What changed my mind, you ask?
Well, on the [...]
complete –> 65) go bowling
65) go bowling in a bowling alley with family (not Wii)
Since we got our Wii, bowling has been a very popular activity at our house. The kids liked it so much that when I was writing my 101 in 1001 list back in January, I decided to make bowling at the bowling alley one [...]
update –> 59) run a local marathon
59) run a local marathon
The kid’s school is using one of the local marathons as a fundraiser for gym equipment, so they talked me into it. We’re going to do the fun run this year. OK. Maybe it isn’t a full marathon, but considering how out of shape I am, and how much [...]
completed –> 57) take a yoga class
57) take a yoga class
One of the local malls was offering free yoga classes this summer, so I took one. You’ve gotta love free things. I enjoyed the class too. One thing I learned was that my left side is stiffer than my right side, which I favor. I [...]
update –> 50) get a physical
50) complete physical/doctor visit by St. Patrick’s day
I haven’t seen the doctor yet this year. I was going to put it off until next year, but since my deductible is so high (>$2000, before they cover anything), and it will reset in January, I will probably get this done soon. My wife has [...]
update –> 47) learn IPA
47) learn International Phonetic Alphabet
IPA is HARD!!!…a lot harder than I thought it would be; therefore, I have made very little progress as of yet.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me a comment to encourage me as I work to accomplish my [...]
update –> 35) random Wikipedia article
35) read one random English language Wikipedia article per day for 3 months
I subscribe to the Wikipedia article of the day, but I don’t read it consistently. What I have read has taught me a lot, but I will do it every day for 3 months before I mark this off. Check [...]
update –> 26) build up cash reserve
26) build up cash reserve
This goal is really a re-iteration of financial baby step 1. See step 11 (Work on Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps 1, 2, and 3) for my latest update. (Hint: As of this posting, I had one but it was wiped out, so I’m back to square one.)
Be sure [...]
update –> 15) remember important dates
15) remember important dates, send cards [birthday/anniversary/etc.]
I am doing a little better with this, thanks to Facebook, which gives me birthday reminders. I am still working on remembering the dates on my own.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me a comment [...]
update –> 12) file incm txes
12) file incm txes on time [no extensions]
I’ll go and and address this since I hadn’t updated the blog since February. I didn’t make it this year. We’ll try again next year.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things in 1001 days list. Follow along, be inspired and leave me [...]
update –> 11) Financial Baby Steps
11) Work on Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps 1, 2, and 3
Dave Ramsey’s financial baby step 1 is to save a $1,000 emergency fund. At one time over the past few months, I had that one knocked out, but something came up and we had to use the emergency fund. We’re back to square [...]
completed –> 28) enroll in college
28) enroll in college
I’ve been very picky about college. In the past, I’ve tried night school, but with a family and career, it just didn’t work out. I wanted to attend a flexible program, from a real university (some place that you’ve actually heard of), which would allow me to earn a real [...]
update –> 8) go back to school full time
8) set up exit criteria to go back to school full time
I’m still working my J-O-B, but I have enrolled in school. See #28 (Enroll in college) for more information. I still need to come up with a plan to go to school full time.
Be sure to check out my full 101 things [...]
update –> #5 niche websites
5) get 25 profitable niche websites up and running
I have two sites going right now, a turtle themed site, and another site which focuses on building strong stronger families through making memories, and enjoying those memories every day. I haven’t updated either of these in a long time. In fact, the turtle website [...]
complete –> #1 get a mentor
1) get a mentor and work to develop enterpreneurship, leadership and soft skills
I reported back in February that I had gotten a mentor. That was the real deliverable, for the purposes of this list, so I am going to mark this as complete, with ongoing green status.
Be sure to check out my full 101 [...]
I’m not a total slacker….
I promise! OK, it’s true that my last update was on February 21st, but I haven’t forgotten my 101 in 1001 goals. Over the next couple of days, I will post some updates on my individual goals. I am also going to update the list page, making it into more of a [...]
My first week updates 2/21/09
My first week of the 101 in 1001 challenge is over, and what a whiz-bang of a week it has been. Here are my updates:
Under the Career category:
01 - get a mentor — I got one! I made a list of people who I thought would be good mentors, people who I trusted and [...]
#1 - get a mentor
Under the category of Career:
#1) get a mentor and work to develop enterpreneurship, leadership and soft skills
#2 - get Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Under the category of Career:
#2) get PMP certification
#3 - join and participate in Toastmasters
Under the category of Career:
#3) join and participate in Toastmasters
#4 - show progress toward improving professional IT skills4
Under the category of Career:
#4) show progress toward improving professional IT skills [see list]
Under the category of Career:
#4) show progress toward improving professional IT skills [see list]
#5 - get 25 profitable nich websites up and running
Under the category of Career:
#5) get 25 profitable niche websites up and running
#6 - post regularly on websites (min=5/week)
Under the category of Career:
#6) post at least 5 articles online on those per week (min. 5 for all the websites)
#7 - publish 5 ebooks on LuLu.com
Under the category of Career:
#7) publish 5 ebooks on Lulu.com
#8 - plan return to school strategy
Under the category of Career:
#8) set up exit criteria to quit job/go back to school full time
#9 - write critical documents (will, etc.)
Under the category of Financial:
#9) write a will and living will; write a letter about my children to appointed caregivers, to include with will
#10 - increase income 10% year over year
Under the category of Financial:
#10) increase income 10% year over year
#11 - work on Dave Ramsey’s financial Baby Steps 1, 2 and 3
Under the category of Financial:
#11) Work on Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps 1, 2, and 3
#12 - file txes on time (no extensions!)
Under the category of Financial:
#12) file income taxes on time [no extensions]
#13 - learn to remember people’s names
Under the category of Personal Development:
#13) learn to remember people’s names
#14 - show progress toward ongoing Personal Improvement goals
Under the category of Personal Development:
#14) show progress toward ongoing Personal Improvement Goals
#15 - remember important dates and send cards
Under the category of Personal Development:
#15) remember important dates, send cards [birthday/anniversary/etc.]
#16 - write 4 plans
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#16) create 4 plans [Financial, Missionary, Spiritual, and Emergency Preparedness]
#17 - implement 4 plans
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#17) implement 4 plans
#18 - work scripture study plan
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#18) work scripture study plan
#19 - achieve 100% home teaching every month
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#19) achieve 100% home teaching every month
#20 - complete pedigree and 4 generation chart (geneology)
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#20) complete pedigree and 4 generation family history charts
#21 - donate 40 hours to Habitat for Humanity
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#21) donate 40 hrs to Habitat for Humanity
#22 - drive for Meals on Wheels
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#22) drive a Meals On Wheels route
#23 - write to a soldier and a missionary
Under the category of Spiritual and Service:
#23) send a care package to a soldier in Iraq and to a missionary
#24 - gather in a year’s supply
Under the category of Preparedness:
#24) gather in year’s supply [food storage]
#25 - get first aid and CPR certified
Under the category of Preparedness:
#25) become first aid and cpr certified [adult and child]
#26 - build up a cash reserve
Under the category of Preparedness:
#26) build up cash reserve
#28 - enroll in college
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#28) enroll in college
#29 - learn greetings, goodbyes and pleasantries in 100 languages
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#29) learn greetings, goodbyes, and pleasantries in 100 languages
#30 - learn Japanse Hirigana and Katakana scripts
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#30) learn Japanese scripts Hirigana and Katakana
#31 - take JLTP level 4 (beginner) test
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#31) take Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLTP) level 4 (beginner) test
#32 - increase foreign language vocabulary
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#32) increase Spanish, Portuguese and German vocabulary, as shown by reading a book in each
#33 - participate in book club, read more books
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#33) participate in book club and read 3 classic novels and at least 10 books not mentioned here
#34 - participate in 3 Paperback book swaps
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#34) participate in 3 paperback book swaps
#35 - read one random English language Wikipedia article per day
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#35) read one random English language Wikipedi article per day
#36 - learn rules, history, trivia and stats of popular sports
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#36) learn rules, history, and trivia/stats of football, baseball, soccer, and cricket [conversation skills]; and learn rudimentary plays of play soccer, volleyball, basketball, and golf ["get game"]
#37 - memorize US Declaration of Independence
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#37) memorize U.S. Declaration of Independence
#38 - re-read the United States Constitution
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#38) re-read the United States Constitution and the amendments, memorized tenants of each
#39 - reasearch and write out 25 word studies
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#39) research and write out 25 word studies
#40 - write English course based on the Book of Mormon
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#40) write English course based on “Book of Mormon“
#41 - write book with 5 short stories
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#41) write book w/ 5 short stories
#42 - write young adult Christian novel
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#42) write young adult Christian novel
#43 - monthly learning focus
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#43) monthly learning focus [How Stuff Works]
#44 - noticeably increase entertainment skills
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#44) noticeably increase entertainment skills [see list]
#45 - learn basic ASL signs
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#45) learn basics signs ASL/American Sign language
#46 - learn Gregg shorthand
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#46) learn Gregg short hand
#47- learn the International Phonetic Alphabet
Under the category of Intellectual/ Skills:
#47) learn International Phonetic Alphabet
#48 - complete 10 Volkssport events
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#48) complete 10 Volkssport events
#49 - 10,000 steps a day for 5 consecutive months
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#49) complete 10,000 steps per day for 5 consecutive months
#50 - complete physical/doctor visit by St. Patrick’s day
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#50) complete physical/doctor visit by St. Patrick’s day
#51 - do 100 push-ups and 25 pull-ups
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#51) do 100 push-ups and sit ups and 25 pull ups [military style]
#52 - ear 3 karate belts
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#52) earn 3 karate belts
#53 - increase exersize for 6 months at a time
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#53) exercise at least twice a week for six months [2/6], at least three times per week for six months [3/6] and at least times five week for six months [5/6]
#54 - get a 30 minute massage once a year
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#54) get a 30 minute massage once a year
#55 - improve swimming skills by increasing laps in pool
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#55) improve swimming skills by increasing laps in pool
#56 - loose 30% of body weight
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#56) loose 30% of body weight
#57 - take a yoga class
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#57) take a yoga class
#58 - read all 3 “You:An Owner’s Manual” books and implement 10 suggestions from each
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#58) read all 3 of the “You an owner’s manual” books [not "You: The Patient"] and implement 10 suggestions from each
#59 - run a local marathon
Under the category of Physical/ Health:
#59) run a local marathon
#60 - regular date nights with wife
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#60) date night twice a month, and D3D’s once per month
#61 - do something to make my wife feel special everyday
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#61) do something to make my wife feel special every day
#62 - take wife on formal date
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#62) take wife on date dressed up in tux/formal, picked up in limo
#63 - participate/organize Bring Child to Work day
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#63) participate/organize bring child to work day
#64 - attend Fa-Dau Ball
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#64) attend dad-daughter ball
#65 - go bowling with family
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#65) go bowling in a bowling alley with family (not Wii)
#66 - take kids camping
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#66) take kids camping and back porch camping
#67 - take family to Utah and Dog Bark Inn in ID
Under the category of Family/ Home Life:
#67) take family to Utah, and Dog Bark Inn in ID