My starter puzzle of the New York Skyline.
My souvenir from giving blood. October 30, 2009 at the Armed Services Blood Program 1st SF Group.
My recipe book in which I intend to cook every single recipe over the next 1001-13= 988 days. Friday, October 30, 2009
Day 13- Photo Blog Entries
My starter puzzle of the New York Skyline.My souvenir from giving blood. October 30, 2009 at the Armed Services Blood Program 1st SF Group.My recipe book in which I intend to cook every single recipe over the next 1001-13= 988 days. 
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Day 11
We're now into week 2 of the 101 list. This week so far has proved a mixture of good and bad. Monday started with some news about the house. Apparently our offer wasn't accepted by the bank, it was only accepted by the selling agent. That was slightly disappointing, but we got all the paperwork done for all 3 packets and they are all sent into the bank. Now we wait. I really really want to be in the new house by Christmas.
On the way home from the realtor's office, my brakes went out on the 240. I'm very grateful that I just happened to be on the phone with Devon because I most likely would have just sat there in the middle of the intersection hyperventilating because I had no idea what was going on. Devon talked me through it so I finally got the car started again and home. However, now I can't drive it so I have to drive the Z. If anyone reading this is good at recognizing details, then you may have noticed that learning how to drive the z is on my list. So, in a way that was good because it has forced me to figure out how to drive it. I've been doing pretty good. Each time gets better and better. I think right now parking is my biggest challenge.
Today I managed to drive on post and get some errands done. I slacked on grocery-related list items though. I remembered to use my re-usable shopping bags, but by the time I remembered them, I was also able to remember that they were in the other car. So I had to use plastic. I also couldn't concentrate enough to make my list so I gave up and just went inside. Devon would have been upset with my purchases because I didn't plan enough. In my defense, it's super hard to cook for one person, especially with limited cooking tools.
I did, however, make it to the gym. I worked out harder than I have in a good while. It feels good to be back at the gym. I was dreading it, afraid that my lungs wouldn't hold out. They're still not 100% from the flu. I'm going to have to go a lot to make up for the absences. I felt fairly productive when I left. It was nice. I'm definitely doing a lot better today than the passed couple days. Now I just need to keep it up.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Day 8
Yesterday started off alright until around lunch time. I tried to make myself some lunch and since I have recently ruined any food I touch, I overcooked my mozzarella bites. I had to cook them in the microwave, which I hate but had no choice. Zoey looked interested and because she's such a good sport I gave in a popped about four of them her way. It ended up in disaster. She puked it all up and I lost it. Everything at that particular moment went completely wrong. I was screaming and crying and yelling about everything. I wanted to talk to Devon and couldn't find the phone. But it was Saturday so he was working and didn't answer when I finally found the phone. So I screamed about that. My face was read and I went into my hyperventilating mode. It was just bad. It must have taken me almost an hour to stop crying, calm down and figure out how to clean it up. I just couldn't think straight. It was something so small to get upset about but I couldn't help it. Finally, I talked to Carrie for a few minutes. Enough to get my thoughts together. So finally I made my way to Mt. Rainier. I eventually want to go hiking there. Yesterday's trip was more like drive up and walk around on trails for 45 minutes. I went to a place called Sunrise, which is the highest point you can reach by car. From there you can hike higher. The 25th was the last day the road was open. It was about 30 degrees there, so it snows there and when it rains it freezes. They have to close it during the winter. It was a very scenic drive up the mountain. There are tons of places to pull over and look. There was a creek I would have loved to get some pictures of but it was all dried out. Still, all I could think about was that I want to go back with Devon. I hope it eventually gets to be more than just passing the time.
I have been talking to a few of my new friends a lot lately, so that's good.
I attempted to make broccoli and cheese soup from scratch the other day. It didn't turn out so well. I am willing to bet it had something to do with the flour. I'm not exactly sure what I did wrong though. But I did it, so that's what matters; even though I threw away an entire pot because it was very unpleasant tasting.
Today I'm planning to take the dog to the park. I hope to read at least 100 pages while I'm there. I need to get some headway on this book rather than reading half a page every day. Then come back, go through my cookbook, pick out some recipes, make a list and head on post. I think I'm going to do some shopping at the PX before going to the commissary. I need some cute shoes to wear to work. Besides, Devon told me I should go shopping and who am I to argue with that!
I have been talking to a few of my new friends a lot lately, so that's good.
I attempted to make broccoli and cheese soup from scratch the other day. It didn't turn out so well. I am willing to bet it had something to do with the flour. I'm not exactly sure what I did wrong though. But I did it, so that's what matters; even though I threw away an entire pot because it was very unpleasant tasting.
Today I'm planning to take the dog to the park. I hope to read at least 100 pages while I'm there. I need to get some headway on this book rather than reading half a page every day. Then come back, go through my cookbook, pick out some recipes, make a list and head on post. I think I'm going to do some shopping at the PX before going to the commissary. I need some cute shoes to wear to work. Besides, Devon told me I should go shopping and who am I to argue with that!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Day 5
Apparently, I'm on the every other day blogging schedule. I'm doing alright for anyone that's curious. It's still hard. It will always be hard. But, as long as I can keep my mind on something or another, I'll be okay. Today was my third day at my new job. I like it. Sometimes it can be a challenge, but the fact that I don't have to stress about how much money I'm going to walk home with is a big relief. Its like a real job. Christmas makes me nervous. I have to have a good performance review to keep my job. More importantly, I don't want to let anyone down. Not the team and not the client. Milestones are important and I don't want to screw that up for anyone.
Moving on, I ordered my craft book today from Amazon. Hopefully it won't take too long to get here so I can get started on something for October.
I took my list and went to the commissary today. Being on post without Devon was really sad. I've been there without him several times, but for some reason it was a lot worse today. I guess it had something to do with everyone in uniforms. I was proud of myself for actually sitting down, going through my 1001 book, picking a few recipes out and actually making a list. I even remembered to use my re-usable shopping bags. Even though I am fairly certain I left one at the grocery store. That's a pretty good start to learning how to plan meals. Then I came home and actually made my first 1001 meal! It was something easy, as stated in the title of the book. It doesn't count as a new recipe or a new food, but I was pleased with the results. It is hard to cook just for one, so I don't want to get into anything too fancy when no one is around to enjoy the fruits (meat, or veggies) of my labor. It was skillet cheese quesadillas. Its not as if I've never had a quesadilla before, but I planned and followed the book and that's what counts. It was good, I approved of my meal!
Zoey and I had a small adventure today. I tuckered her out at the Fort Steilacoom Dog Park. It was really well kept and full of life. There were a couple dozen dogs there over the 22 acres of fencing. She is suck a scared-y cat! She got a little freaked out for a while when other dogs or people came close. But she calmed down and eventually ran a few yards away from me. We stayed for a good 30-45 minutes. I think that counts for a lot. I took her to the park where we both got some exercise. It got us out of the house so the cleaner could come in without being scared out of her mind by how big and loud Zoey is.
I started planning a trip to Mount Ranier for this weekend. I am hoping to get some great pictures. But nervous about going on the trip by myself.
I think I have a better outlook today than the previous few days. I hope I can keep this up! But in the meantime, I am going to keep cooking, keep planning, keep working and keep on hoping.
Moving on, I ordered my craft book today from Amazon. Hopefully it won't take too long to get here so I can get started on something for October.
I took my list and went to the commissary today. Being on post without Devon was really sad. I've been there without him several times, but for some reason it was a lot worse today. I guess it had something to do with everyone in uniforms. I was proud of myself for actually sitting down, going through my 1001 book, picking a few recipes out and actually making a list. I even remembered to use my re-usable shopping bags. Even though I am fairly certain I left one at the grocery store. That's a pretty good start to learning how to plan meals. Then I came home and actually made my first 1001 meal! It was something easy, as stated in the title of the book. It doesn't count as a new recipe or a new food, but I was pleased with the results. It is hard to cook just for one, so I don't want to get into anything too fancy when no one is around to enjoy the fruits (meat, or veggies) of my labor. It was skillet cheese quesadillas. Its not as if I've never had a quesadilla before, but I planned and followed the book and that's what counts. It was good, I approved of my meal!
Zoey and I had a small adventure today. I tuckered her out at the Fort Steilacoom Dog Park. It was really well kept and full of life. There were a couple dozen dogs there over the 22 acres of fencing. She is suck a scared-y cat! She got a little freaked out for a while when other dogs or people came close. But she calmed down and eventually ran a few yards away from me. We stayed for a good 30-45 minutes. I think that counts for a lot. I took her to the park where we both got some exercise. It got us out of the house so the cleaner could come in without being scared out of her mind by how big and loud Zoey is.
I started planning a trip to Mount Ranier for this weekend. I am hoping to get some great pictures. But nervous about going on the trip by myself.
I think I have a better outlook today than the previous few days. I hope I can keep this up! But in the meantime, I am going to keep cooking, keep planning, keep working and keep on hoping.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Day 3
The last 2 days have went by with fairly smooth results. I haven't gotten anything else crossed off the list yet, but I think I've made some real progress. I'm almost finished with my puzzle. I learned that I'm actually pretty good. Sometimes I just pick up a piece and know where it goes without even looking at the pieces. I just know. It's actually somewhat creepy. I think I'm going to try and find a 1000 piece after this. I think I have an addictive personality. It's like I just can't stop until the whole puzzle is done. I want to stop and concentrate on other things for a while, but I just can't let it go.
In other news, I started my new job today. One big step in having a real career. It was nice. I found out that I get 75% off products in the portrait studio, so that's a good tip to know. Maybe we can get out wedding pictures taken. Both of the people there seemed really nice and helpful. There is definitely friend potential there. I know this is going to be a good job for me because I after 5 hours, my manager said I could go because she kept me there longer than she originally said and I didn't want to leave. All I could think of was that if I left, then all I could do was go home to an empty room. It was too late to go to the commissary. Besides, I hadn't went though my new cookbook to plan out my meals. Since that is a challenge on my list, I wanted to make sure I did that before high tailing it off to the grocery store unprepared. I also almost went to the gym, but my cough is still taking over my body, so I decided against it for now. I ended up at Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. I sat at the bar, hoping that could keep me busy with conversation because I really did not want to eat alone. It didn't work because there were no other customers and the bartender was busy with some tables. Even the manager noticed I could barely get through my meal without busting into tears, but I didn't want to talk about it. I couldn't have gotten the words out.
I met with my Realtor today to put a new bid in on a house. It was a fairly successful meeting. I hope we get a lead on a house soon. The sirens are doing no good for my current situation.
I order the WEN hair care system. Hopefully this will work and can contribute to my hair quality and allow me to wear my hair down for those 2 whole weeks.
Oh! And I made a new friend today! There is a group on facebook called Fort Lewis Army Wives. I posted last night that I am new here and needed some friends. I got a message from a really nice girl named Chelle. She has a puppy and said I could take Zoey over there to hang out in their back yard. I think we're on the same level because she has never been through a deployment before and neither have I. Her husband is leaving next week for Afghanistan. She even invited me to a 'girls night in' thing she is having with a couple other army wives and about 15 of her daughters friends. Pizza, movies, that kind of thing. I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm really happy to have a friend! Hopefully I can meet her soon and see how well we click together !
I'm well on my way to having a friend!
In other news, I started my new job today. One big step in having a real career. It was nice. I found out that I get 75% off products in the portrait studio, so that's a good tip to know. Maybe we can get out wedding pictures taken. Both of the people there seemed really nice and helpful. There is definitely friend potential there. I know this is going to be a good job for me because I after 5 hours, my manager said I could go because she kept me there longer than she originally said and I didn't want to leave. All I could think of was that if I left, then all I could do was go home to an empty room. It was too late to go to the commissary. Besides, I hadn't went though my new cookbook to plan out my meals. Since that is a challenge on my list, I wanted to make sure I did that before high tailing it off to the grocery store unprepared. I also almost went to the gym, but my cough is still taking over my body, so I decided against it for now. I ended up at Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. I sat at the bar, hoping that could keep me busy with conversation because I really did not want to eat alone. It didn't work because there were no other customers and the bartender was busy with some tables. Even the manager noticed I could barely get through my meal without busting into tears, but I didn't want to talk about it. I couldn't have gotten the words out.
I met with my Realtor today to put a new bid in on a house. It was a fairly successful meeting. I hope we get a lead on a house soon. The sirens are doing no good for my current situation.
I order the WEN hair care system. Hopefully this will work and can contribute to my hair quality and allow me to wear my hair down for those 2 whole weeks.
Oh! And I made a new friend today! There is a group on facebook called Fort Lewis Army Wives. I posted last night that I am new here and needed some friends. I got a message from a really nice girl named Chelle. She has a puppy and said I could take Zoey over there to hang out in their back yard. I think we're on the same level because she has never been through a deployment before and neither have I. Her husband is leaving next week for Afghanistan. She even invited me to a 'girls night in' thing she is having with a couple other army wives and about 15 of her daughters friends. Pizza, movies, that kind of thing. I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm really happy to have a friend! Hopefully I can meet her soon and see how well we click together !
I'm well on my way to having a friend!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
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!
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!
The List
The best place to start is with the list!
Health/Body
001. Exercise at least 3 times a week (8/429)
002. Loose a healthy 8% of my body weight (7/12 lbs)
003. Continue to not drink Soda
004. Learn how to bake without Sugar
006. Take my vitamins every day for a month without forgetting (31/31)
007. Loose 8% of my body weight a 2nd time (0/11 lbs)
008. Be comfortable in a bathing suite
009. Drink a whole bottle of water everyday for a month (1/31)
012.Drink 1 glass of black tea per week (0/143)
Financial
016.Pay off Credit Cards (1/3)
017.Save 20% of each paycheck (2/71)
019.Improve my credit score
022.Keep a job that I like
Travel/Adventures
024.Go to the Fair
025.Take Zoey to the dog park once a week (5/143)
026.Take a road trip by Myself
027.Visit every state in the US that I have never been (0/14)
028.Take a trip to San Francisco
030.Go on Our Honeymoon
032.Go to a Haunted House
033.Go to Western Canada
035.Get a Passport
036.Visit 5 unmentioned West Coast Cities greater than 2 hours away (1/5)- Forks/La Push
037.Take a trip on a train (me + Haley = Nebraska)
038.Go Kayaking in the bay
039.Learn to Snowboard
Knowledge
040.Take at least 1 Class/semester (1/8)
041.Read a book for each letter of the alphabet (6/26)
042.Learn how to drive the Z
041.Read a book for each letter of the alphabet (6/26)
043.Read world news everyday for a month (0/31)
Cooking/Food
045.Plant a small Garden
046.Make 1 new recipe a week (25/143)
048.Cook my way through a cook book (41/1001)
049.Make Home-made Jam051.Learn how to use my espresso machine
Career
053.Become a Freelance Photographer
054.Complete one themed Photo project per month for 12 consecutive months (0/12)
055.Take a photo of myself everyday for a month
058.Enter 5 Photo contests (0/5)
059.Photograph A-Z Subjects in 1 month
060.Build my Studio
062.Sell a Photo
063.Start and Keep up with an ‘Art Idea File’
Creative
064.Make and send Birthday cards to my family at least 20 times (3/20)
065.Buy a craft book and complete 1 Project/Month (3/33)
066.Decorate the new House as craftily as possible
067.Build a custom shelf for my shot classes
069.Make a hat rack for Devon
070.Make a piece of clothing for myself
071.Build a picture wall in our new house
070.Make a piece of clothing for myself
Extras
*072.Donate blood once every 3 Months (1/12)
073.Start and Finish our wedding albums
074.Make at least 5 good Washington Friends (5/5)
075.Learn to be happy when my husband is away playing Army
076.Donate unused material things
077.Stop swearing on a regular basis
073.Start and Finish our wedding albums
074.Make at least 5 good Washington Friends (5/5)
075.Learn to be happy when my husband is away playing Army
077.Stop swearing on a regular basis
081
082.Make sure my dog gets back to 52 lbs (4/29)
084.Host 5 holiday parties (0/5)
085.Go shopping once a week (17/143)
087.Finish a 1001+ piece puzzle
088.Grow a Flower to replace my grandmother’s flower that died
091.Participate in at least 10 FRG charity events (2/10)
092.Figure out which one to write to and write to my congressman
094.Attend every Yoga class for an entire month (0/8)
List Related
097.Photo Blog each Goal (11/101)098.Donate $5 for each un-completed item
099.Celebrate day 1001
100.Make a new 1001 list
101.
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