101 in 1001

On October 15, 2010, I was surfing blogs and found one with a page entitled "101 in 1001". The author had made a list of 101 things she wanted to accomplish in 1001 days. I was inspired by her idea and decided this was something I'd like to do myself. I adjusted it to fit my lifestyle and this is what I've come up with. I'm going to make this post a page, and will keep myself accountable by tracking my progress on this page.
So, here goes... My starting date is 12/1/2010 and my end date is 8/29/10

1. Read my Bible every day (0/1001)
2. Stay on top of my blood sugar
3. Send a long-distance friend a card monthly (0/33)
4. Walk 10,000 steps every day (0/1001)
5. Have a face-to-face visit with a local friend monthly (0/33)
6. Go through 6 tubs of photos Dan brought back from his dad’s house (0/6)
7. Monthly overnight with Sunny (0/33)
8. Visit Columbia, SC
9. Create wedding scrapbook for Jess’ wedding
10. Create wedding scrapbook for JD’s wedding
11. Create scrapbook of Sunny
12. Create "A Few of My Favorite Things" scrapbook for me
13. Cross-stitch seasonal quilts series for myself
14. Make a quilt for Jess
15. Make a quilt for JD
16. Make a quilt for Zach
17. Buy a house
18. Take a knitting class
19. Take a photography class
20. Go to the movies once a week with Dan (0/143)
21. Cook one new recipe per week (0/143)
22. Do a 365 photo blog
23. Take 30th anniversary trip
24. Organize charity drive twice each year (0/6)
25. Host a giveaway on my blog
26. Attend VNSA book sale each year (0/3)
27. Post on political blog at least once a month (0/33)
28. Post on recipe blog at least once a week (0/143)
29. Visit Seattle, WA
30. Visit OK City Memorial
31. Lose 30 pounds (0/30)
32. Try 5 new restaurants (0/5)
33. Read 100 books in 2011 (0/100)
34. Buy 2nd car... with cash
35. Visit each MLB park in a single season
36. Write a book for my grandchildren
37. Visit Padre Island, TX
38. Organize a "Cousin's Day" for my grandchildren four times per year (0/12)
39. Read four new fictional authors (0/4)
40. Share the plan of salvation with a Jehovah's Witness who knocks on my door
41. Attend a Homes Tour at one of the Historic District Neighborhoods in Phoenix
42. Conquer my scrapbooks supplies by de-cluttering or using them all (so I can start fresh)
43. See my out-of-town kids at least twice a year (0/6)
44. See my in-town kids once a month (0/33)
45. Visit Leavenworth, WA
46. Spend Thanksgiving at Disneyland
47. Choose nine angels every Christmas to symbolize my kids and grandkids (2010, 2011, 2012)
48. Make a complete budget and follow it
49. Attend the ballet
50. Attend the opera
51. Go to the Arizona State Fair
52. Go to Bronner's Christmas Store in Frankenmuth, MI
53. Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet (A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z)
54. Get a massage
55. Attend at least three Spring Training Baseball games
56. Attend at least three Diamondback games
57. Learn American Sign Language
58. Design an English Garden for my backyard
59. Design an outdoor dining room for my backyard
60. Create a dedicated indoor playspace for grandkids
61. Stay at a B and B in Prescott
62. Visit all of the Presidential Libraries
63. Go whale watching
64. Give away a Christmas Jar in 2010, 2011, 2012 (0/3)
65. Tip 100% on a meal
66. Visit the Phoenix Zoo
67. Visit the Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium
68. See an IMAX movie
69. Set up a Roth IRA
70. Tour the Rosson House at Christmas
71. Visit Tempe Town Lake
72. Purchase a Nook
73. Attend a game at Cardinal’s Stadium
74. Learn to use my food processor
75. Ride in a horse drawn carriage
76. Volunteer for a political campaign
77. Plant a tree
78. Attend a taping of "The Price is Right"
79. Cross stitch "All Holidays" Door for myself
80. Purchase a set of Christmas China
81. Get professional photo of entire family
82. Go to Canada
83. Set foot in the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
84. Get a closet organizer system
85. Purchase new bridal set for 30th anniversary
86. Subscribe to Real Simple magazine
87. Purchase a laptop
88. Purchase a GPS
89. Refurbish Bee's rocking chair
90. Get a passport
91. Take "fear of flying" class
92. Cross-stitch baby sampler for A.
93. Visit the Phoenix Botanical Garden
94. Ride the Phoenix Light Rail
95. Organize my photos
96. Finish Katie's Quilt
97. Visit Mount Rushmore
98. Make a will
99. Take a dance class
100. Join a bowling league
101. Complete everything on the list

completed
in progress
gave up on

It Doesn't Have to Be Perfect

You may have figured out by now that when I do an essay on perfectionism I’m really preaching to myself. I tend to be a perfectionist and I am way to analytical. On just about everything. It is something that I am aware of and I try each and every day to let go of some perfectionist tendency in my character. That counts for something, doesn’t it?

Today I’m writing about the annual Christmas Letter. First let me say that I love to read Christmas letters from everyone else. I find them to be humorous, informative, entertaining, and fascinating. I’m amazed at all the different styles people come up to write their letters in. Some of my past favorites have been the ABC style; this is where the author writes each line of the letter in alphabetical style. Very clever. Another favorite is the month-by-month style. This method has the author writing about each month of the previous year. One friend employs the newspaper style. Her husband writes it and it looks like a mini-newspaper, complete with captions, photos, and quotes pulled out of each item. It is so good!

I use the simple style. I write two-four sentences on each kid and include photos. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? It should be easy. But I, of course, have to make it difficult because each and every year I agonize over the photos. Specifically I agonize over the lack of a great group shot of all of us. Together at one time. Looking like we love like each other. I procrastinate about writing my letter just because of the lack of that special photo.

I started whining about it this morning. I don’t have a good picture. What am I going to use for a group shot? Why can’t everybody be together at least once a year so I can get a good picture? My letter’s going to be ruined. Then I realized, I don’t judge everyone else’s letters like that. I just enjoy them. Maybe, just maybe, that’s how people feel about my letter. Either that, or they just throw it away without reading it so what difference does it make if the photo is perfect or not.

Relief. I am going to write my Christmas letter today or tomorrow. Stuff it in the envelopes that are already signed and addressed. Mail my Christmas cards by the end of the week. Then I’m going to write myself a note for next year reminding myself that the photo doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to reflect the joy I derive from my family.

(By the way, if you would like to be included on my Christmas card list so you can read my simple Christmas letter, send me your address and I'll add you. Seriously, I will. I love to send Christmas cards!)

The ABCs of Me

I saw this on another blog and thought it was a fun activity for the weekend after Thanksgiving! Maybe you’ll learn something about me you didn’t know. If you post a list on your blog, comment on mine so I can read yours, thanks!
A - Age: 54
B - Bed size: CA King
C - Chore you hate: cleaning the bathroom
D - Dog's name: Duke, Daisy, Rascal
E - Essential start your day item(s): Gratitude List, Bible Reading, Fox News Channel
F - Favorite color: Purple
G - Gold or Silver: Gold
H - Height: 5' 2”
I - Instruments you play: piano
J - Job: Contract work for Buyer’s View
K - Kids: Jessica, JD, Katie, Zach
L - Living Arrangements: It’s just me & Dan
M - Music you love: REAL rock! you know, The Who, The Stones, etc.
N - Nicknames: Vic
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: none
P - Pet Peeve: Lying
Q - Quote from a movie: “Another Halloween, and we’re all a year older” Katie in Meet Me in St Louis
R - Right or left handed: right
S - Siblings: 1 brother
T - Time you wake up: 6 am
U - Underwear: Yep, I wear them!
V - Vegetable you dislike: Cauliflower
W - Workout Style: I walk
X - rays you've had: teeth, left foot
Y - Yummy food you make: Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Z - The best place to visit: The ocean

Thanksgiving Fun

Yesterday was great fun at our house. Although it was too cold to eat outside, we managed to crowd around the dining table and still have room for a couple of fun games. Adam (Jessica's husband) had to work at Starbucks, so he came by after work for his Thanksgiving leftovers.

I'm up early because Dan had to be at Sam's Club at 5:00 am today. I have a long list of things to accomplish today, including putting away Thanksgiving and putting up Christmas. Here's a look at our Thanksgiving, as you can see Sunny managed to get into almost every photo. Hope you enjoyed a great one too!

Yes, she's this happy almost all the time

Katie, Sunny, Gabe

Carl, Zach, Dan, Gabe, Sunny

Ashley, Vicki, Jessica, JoAnne, Katie

The greats with Sunny

Whew... we made it through another one!

Crockpot Heaven

As promised, here's some photos of my crockpot set up. My pride and joy is the triple crockpot that I received last year for Christmas. I tag each crockpot with what goes into it (as if I could forget). Fortunately, lining them up on the island leaves me a little counter space to use for other preparations.

My house smells delicious right now... the turkey will be coming out of the oven in about an hour!



Focus... Focus... Focus...

Today I need to see the little pictures one at a time rather than focus on the big picture. My house is in chaos. My kitchen is so small, with such limited counter space that it is barely a one-person kitchen. There is no way to get two people in there at the same time. So, I spend a lot of time moving items from one place to the other and then back again when I have a large meal to prepare.

I've decided the only way to get through that today without losing it is to focus on one small task at a time. If I look at the big picture, I might scream.

I have Sunny today, which just adds to the challenge. Thankfully great-grandma is coming over to play with her this morning so I can hopefully get one or two things accomplished.

I'm roasting my turkey today. This is a necessity since my kitchen is so tight on space. I learned last year at Christmas that it is too difficult to try to cook a ham & turkey in the same space. The turkey will be roasting this afternoon, Dan will carve it when he gets home tonight, and tomorrow we'll stick the slices in a crockpot with broth to warm up and to fill the house with that Thanksgiving fragrance.

I have my triple crockpot out and ready for the corn, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Which leads me to the best Thanksgiving tip I can give you. I heard this tip over 10 years ago on the Today show one Thanksgiving morning. Make your mashed potatoes first thing in the morning after the turkey is in the oven. When they're completely prepared, stick them in the crockpot on low until ready to serve. They can sit in there for hours. If you have a newer crockpot with higher temps, use the warm setting instead.

Then five years ago, I learned a great stuffing tip from FLYlady. Instead of baking the stuffing in the oven, use the crockpot. It yields the moist-est stuffing I've ever had.

I'll try to take some photos of my crazy set-up and post them later on. So, for now, I'm concentrating on Sunny. As soon as great-grandma gets here, I'm off and running! What's on your "to do" list for today?

It’s Thanksgiving Week… take a deep breath

It is so easy to get stressed out every year during this week of Thanksgiving. We have company coming, but not enough chairs. We forgot to put the turkey in the fridge early enough to be thawed in time. We realize no one’s bringing the sweet potatoes. That’s really true at my house this year. The solution? They’re no longer on the menu. That was easy.

As we move through this week and on into the Christmas season, let’s get our priorities straight. This week is for being thankful. Take a few moments every day this week to jot down five things you’re grateful for and stick it on your fridge for the day. Every time you open the door, you’ll be reminded of your blessings.

As we enter the Christmas season, be aware that this is a time when people are open to hearing about Christ. After all, Christmas music is playing everywhere and the name of Jesus is not taboo in public for the next four weeks. Take advantage of it and share what He means to you.

Don’t try to please everyone. Don’t try to achieve a “perfect” holiday. It’s impossible. Focus on the traditions that bring you and your family the most joy and let the rest go. One of the things that has stressed me out over the years is my failure to make Divinity at Christmas. I love Divinity. I made it a few times when I was younger, but gave it up when I had kids. Last year I discovered that Sprouts sells Divinity. It comes in a small block and was the perfect size for me to have a little bit every couple of days for weeks. It was delicious… way better than any that I ever made. Look around, see what tradition you can modify to give you more time for family fun.

Oh yeah, and put that turkey in the refrigerator to thaw today!

The Secret Keeper

I am the secret keeper in our family. Now I know, some of you will read that and say, “are you kidding? She tells everything she knows!” That’s true, if you don’t tell me it’s confidential I do pretty much tell everything I know.

But if you tell me to keep it quiet, I keep it quiet. The only person I tell is Dan. He’s privy to everything I know.

And that’s where the problem lies. He forgets that I tell him that it’s a secret and next thing I know, he’s blurting it out to whoever we happen to be talking to. I look at him with horror and exclaim “that was a secret!”. He shrugs and says “I forgot” or “you didn’t tell me it was a secret” or some other lame excuse, followed by “what difference does it make?”. This happens so much that now, when I tell him a secret and we’re going to be seeing friends or family, I have to run down the list of things he’s not allowed to talk about.

I enjoy my role as family secret keeper. First off, it shows they trust me to keep their secret. Second, it shows that they know that if they keep a secret from me, there’ll be h**l to pay! Third, and most important, when they tell me their secrets I get a head start on praying for it. Be it praise or request, I jump right on it.

Thanksgiving is this week. Thursday morning I’ll be cooking, cleaning the bathroom one more time, and giving Dan the current list of things he’s not allowed to talk about.

Traditions are Meant to Evolve

I grew up in Overland Park, KS, a suburb of Kansas City, MO. One of the Christmas traditions of Kansas City is the turning on of the Country Club Plaza lights. When I was girl, this took place on Thanksgiving night and signalled the start of the Christmas season.

If you're ever in Kansas City on Thanksgiving, I highly recommend you attend this event. It's beautiful. I can only remembering going to the lighting ceremony once, but we drove the Plaza lights every single year, often more than once. One of my prized possessions is a cross-stitch I did of the Plaza lights. I'll post it when I unpack it to decorate.

Anyway, when Dan & I got married, one of our traditions was to put up the exterior Christmas lights on Thanksgiving after everyone left and light them that night. As our "helpers" grew up and left home, that tradition has undergone some change. The past few years we've put the lights up the weekend before Thanksgiving. We still light them on Thanksgiving night, though.

I say all that to say this: the weekend before Thanksgiving is this weekend! My goodness, it doesn't seem possible. Dan is so busy between appraisals (praise!) and Sam's Club, that I'm a little concerned about our lights getting up this year. Zach is going to try to come over on Sunday to help decorate.

Back to the Plaza lights. One of the best parts of seeing the Plaza lights was stopping at Putsch's Cafeteria for a cup of hot chocolate... I wonder if they're still around?



Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is next week. On Thursday to be exact. I am so excited for that day to arrive. There are many elements that go into making Thanksgiving a special day for me. I want to share some of them (in no particular order).

The Macy’s parade: Now let me clarify that. I love the Macy’s parade as it was when I was a child, not today’s commercialized version. Seriously, who’s ever even heard of some of the featured personalities in the parade? It’s become a huge advertisement for NBC and the latest show(s) that are doomed to failure. I know, I sound a tad jaded. But I miss the focus being on the local marching bands, the floats, the traditions. I still turn it on each and every year and have it in the background as I go about preparing for the onslaught of guests coming my way.

The turkey: I don’t know why the myth persists that it’s difficult to prepare a turkey. It’s got to be the easiest thing in the world to cook. Just spray it with Pam, cover it with whatever herbs and spices appeal to you, throw it in a 325 degree oven and leave it alone for a few hours. Check on it a couple of hours in to see if the breast is getting too brown, cover it with a tent of heavy duty aluminum foil if it is, and leave it for another hour or so. Take it out, let it set 30-60 minutes to set the juices, then carve. I love the smell of turkey roasting. It’s such a cozy fragrance. (I bought my turkey this weekend, it’s in the freezer just waiting to be thawed!)

The HUGE crossword puzzle: The past few years The Arizona Republic newspaper has carried a mammoth crossword puzzle on Thanksgiving Day and on Christmas Day. Oh my gosh, it is such fun. It takes up the centerfold of the paper. It’s large enough that everyone can work on it. The only challenge is that there are some guests who need to work on it in pencil. We prefer ink. It can look pretty messy by the end of the day. And we’ve yet to actually finish one. Somehow it’s just not as fun the day after…

The guests: I’ve been so blessed over the years to host some really big (at least to me) feasts. If there are less than 25 guests, it’s just not a party! We’ve had a variety of friends, neighbors, family, and strangers join us over the years. This year, we’re only going to be a total of 10, but I know as our family grows, we’ll get back up into the high numbers. If you don’t have any where to go this year, come on over. We’ll have plenty of food, plenty of pencils for the crossword puzzle, and plenty of fun and fellowship. Just holler at me by the Tuesday before so I’ll know you’re coming!

The reminder: We should be thankful every day of our lives. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day that we forget to express our gratitude. I appreciate the reminder of Thanksgiving Day to reflect on all of the things that I am grateful for. Not just the usuals; friends, family, jobs, etc., but the little, seemingly insignificant things too. I am thankful, and I want my life to reflect the gratitude of my heart.

Veteran's Day

World War I involved 35 countries. It lasted five years, 1914-1918. The US fought from 1917-1918. The Armistice to end the "war to end all wars" was signed on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. The Veteran's Day that we celebrate today was originally called "Armistice Day". This day was set aside to reflect and remember the sacrifices men and women made during WWI in order to ensure peace.

Almost 20 years later in 1938, Congress voted Armistice Day a federal holiday. World War II began the next year in 1939. So much for the "war to end all wars" theory.

As time went on, Armistice Day evolved into Veteran's Day so that all veterans would be honored. Congress decided to change the day to an occasion to honor those who'd served America in all wars. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11th as Veteran's Day.

In 1968, a law changed the national observance of Veteran's Day to the 4th Monday in October. The people protested. In 1978, Congress returned the observance to its traditional date.

Today, take a moment to give thanks for the veteran's who have served and fought through the years for our freedom. It's because of them that we have the rights we have today. Also give thanks for those who continue to serve. We owe them respect and a debt of gratitude.

DST Ends... yippee! (and other stuff)

I am so glad that Daylight Saving Time expired last weekend. Now I'm only two hours different from JD. One hour different from Melanie and Pam. It makes it so much easier to communicate! Of course, CA is now one hour behind us, but that's not too bad. That three hour difference from Spring to Fall really sucks.

Sunny is totally into Sesame Street. She's also into bringing babies and animals with her to my house. Yesterday she brought her Dalmatian and a little teddy bear. She had them in the rocking chair with her as she was watching Sesame Street. Then, when we went to check the mail, she had her Dalmatian, her teddy bear, a baby, another teddy bear, another doggie, and a kitty-cat with her. You could barely see her in the stroller for all the companions!

Elmo!

Grammy, I’m trying to watch TV.!

As you can see in the above photos, it’s cold here now. She has her jacket on. The high yesterday was 81, and today it’s in the 70’s, brrrr!

What a Weekend

Whew, I’m glad it’s Monday. I need a rest! I got a lot of holiday tasks accomplished this past weekend. On Saturday I “ribboned” all of JD and Janel’s gifts, packed them in boxes, and they’re ready to mail (as soon as the rest of the family brings their gifts over). I started shoveling cleaning out the guest/craft room and now I can actually see the floor. yippee! I wrapped all of the Christmas gifts I bought last week. And I started decorating. Just a little. Just one item actually.

On Saturday and Sunday I had the Christmas music on channel 933 blaring, putting me in the spirit as I worked on some gifts that I’m still stitching.

I began decorating by putting out my newest nativity set. I collect nativities and while I’m not sure how many I have, I thought I’d share them in photos as I go along. So, here we are with Nativity #1. I placed it in the secretary’s desk which I moved into the living room (from the dining room where it was holding my cut glass collection) for the express purpose of holding some of my nativities. I apologize upfront for the lousy photos. I know I need a photog class and I promise I’m going to take one… next year!



Too bad you can’t see how beautiful their faces are. I have a thing with faces. If they’re not perfect, they don’t come into my collection. That’s not to say that I don’t have some unusual pieces. It just means I don’t have pieces with poorly painted faces.

Just Seven Weeks From Today…

… is Christmas Day!

Today I’m busy wrapping gifts. I also want to get JD & Janel’s gifts ready to mail. I need to start my Christmas letter. My cards are all signed, addressed, waiting for the letter, then ready to mail.

I’m ready for Thanksgiving, except for buying the turkey and the fresh fruits & veggies. I’m hoping to start decorating some of my trees this week. I need to rearrange furniture first to have a place to put them.

I have the Christmas music on channel 933 cranked up and I’m in the spirit!

More Fun at Grammy’s House

We’ve had a fun week at Grammy Daycare. Three new puzzles to conquer, new snack time routine, Sesame Street every morning, a visit from great-grandma. And today we’re having a play date with some friends!

Yesterday, Great Grandma came over for some playing and reading…

Get Out and Vote... Today

Today is election day. Please. Get out and vote. Don't worry if you're voting for the right person or thing. If you're voting, you're doing it right. Today is the day for your voice to be hear. Go vote.

It’s November 1st… do you know where your Thanksgiving turkey is?

Now that the Halloween festivities are over, it’s time to turn our focus to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. I enjoy the food, the fellowship, the fun with family and friends. In fact, what’s not to like about Thanksgiving? If you have a normal family you probably have an answer to that question. The one thing that seems to rob our joy at Thanksgiving is the ongoing drama that can occur when distant portions of our family get together for one day out of the year. Or maybe it’s the recurring drama. Or the drama that’s just waiting to burst into existence.

I feel your anxiety.

I think I finally figured out a way to combat those worries about who might say what to who. Who might not be speaking to who. Who might drink too much. Who might drink too little (haha, that’s joke. I just couldn’t resist). Or any other prickly family situation that seems to occur year after year.

I decided that my goal for Thanksgiving was that I (primarily) and my immediate family (secondarily) would be my focus. That I would focus on having a great time myself and offering the opportunity for my family to have a good time as well. That as for the rest of them, if they wanted to find something to criticize, or someone to loathe, or something to complain about, oh well. Their loss.

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t actually perfected this yet. I still find myself hurt or frustrated or sad or angry or just plain p***ed off at some of the shenanigans that happen at loving family get-togethers. I still wonder why my family is so ornery when I’m just sure that everyone else has a Norman Rockwell experience every single year. But then I re-enter reality, realize that everyone has issues (even me, rarely), and that for better or worse, this is family God placed me in. I am to love each and every one of them with the love of Christ. And that’s what I try to do.

Of course, I also invite tons of friends on the hope that my family will all behave themselves around strangers!

Halloween Photos
I did not get very good photos last night, but I’m going to share what I have even if they’re blurry, off center, etc. We went over to Katie’s and went trick-or-treating with Sunny’s two cousins Naiya & Aziza. We hit around eight houses and then we were done! It was a lot of fun…

Wonder Woman, Snow White, Cow