Day 1

Day 1 of Day Zero. I went shopping with my list in hand. I decided to tackle as much as I can at first because I may loose momentum in the future with the holidays coming up. I wanted to gain as much headway now that I am enthusiastic about the start. One thousand and one days is a long time. The time line should consist of crossing an average of 3 things off per month. Better not get off track. Back to my shopping list. I'm a very list-y kind of person. It makes me feel accomplished to cross things off, which off-sets all the things in my life I'm unhappy with. I'm sorry to say my shopping trip didn't cause me to cross anything off the list already. However, I made some real progress. Large projects take preparation. I've learned that taking time to plan cuts time in the long run. 

I started today's shopping adventure in book department. My first trip to the book department proved unsuccessful. But it led me to the home office department where I picked up the materials to start my Art Idea Book. Let me explain. My Art Idea Book is sometime I came up with (or read of rather) where I can keep up with monthly art trends. At least once a month, I spend time at a magazine rack picking out the right magazine. Once I make the purchase, the object is to rip out articles that give inspiration to future art projects or that are just informative to where the art community is going. Then, when I'm reach a block or am looking for an idea, I have a comprehensive, personalized book to reach for. Good idea, huh? So that's one project started. I picked up a few other things I needed at Target. 

Then headed to Borders to try a more sophisticated book department than can be found at Target. I wondered and looked and searched. Nothing. I was going for the craft book to get projects out of and also a cookbook to cook my way through. The cooking/food section was ridiculous. I was so overwhelmed just walked over to the 4 isles of cookbooks. Diets and cooking for dummies and famous chefs and nothing that was what I wanted. So I walked away. I decided I just wasn't into searching through those four isles right at that moment in time. Then I saw it. It was in the bargain book section. I only went over there because of the big sale sign. "Buy 2 get the 3rd free." Bargain books tend to be super cheap anyway, so I went over there and immediately, the book jumped out at me. "1001 Short, Easy, Inexpensive Recipes." I didn't even read the back, I picked it up and bought it. I still haven't read the back or looked inside or anything because I had a feeling. One thousand and one. Now that's a sign. Devon should be happy. I'll have something to cook for the next 2.75 years!! I look for almost an hour through the bargain books to find 2 more I wanted, but nothing appealed to me. I did find a craft book that looked helpful. "500 Bad Ass Crafts." It looked my style, but it was $20 and considering all the shopping I was doing, I thought it best to look for something on Amazon. 

As I was leaving Borders, I remembered that I wanted to pick up a puzzle to get that project going. There happened to be a Wal Mart right there. I scooted over and after I fought my way through the parking lot, I made my way to the toy department. None of the puzzles were catching my eye, except for one. But it wasn't 1000+ pieces, only 750. It was the New York Skyline, honoring the twin towers. I thought it would look nice on the wall once it was done. Especially since our whole life pretty much revolves around what happened that day. That's what takes my husband away from me. That's what leaves me so alone and takes me so far away from my family. Leaves me to make new friends in a new town I've never been in. So I bought it. I figure that we'll see how it goes. If I have fun doing it, then I'll try to locate something matching. If it turns out I hate puzzles, then I'll just change my list. How convenient.

I came home. Or what I can only refer to as my home right now. We're living in a hotel. And by we I mean my dog and myself because my husband is off somewhere playing army. I have to say, it's not the best neighborhood. I would be lying to say I'm not scared to take the dog out after dark. Today is Day 1 not only of Day Zero, but of the true life as an army wife. Alone in an unknown world.

Time to start the puzzle!