Day Zero Project

Been A While

2010-11-15T15:10:00.000-08:00

Wow, it's been a while. And a lot has changed. For one; I'm pregnant!!! I am very excited but definitely lost focus on the list. I am looking forward to seeing how much I have accidentally been able to cross off!!

Day 129

2010-02-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

Ok so here is the map wall.. I realize the one in the middle is crooked but I fixed it after this picture. There are maps of
Fort Drum, NY
Savannah, GA (Fort Stewart)
Trinity, NC
Rock Hill, SC
Sierra Vista, AZ (Fort Huachuca) and
Fort Lewis, WA
also more general maps of NC and SC.. All the places we've lived together plus where both of us are from.

The rest of these pictures are from Forks/La Push Beach where I went this weekend. I counted it as one of my west coast cities more than 2 hours away. It actually took us about 4 hours to get there. It was crazy beautiful and I can't wait to take Devon there! He'll love it! Haley and I certainly did, I can't even explain how pretty it was and how the sun looked setting on the Pacific Ocean. And we saw Seals! Baby seals were so amazing. It was a good day and definitely worth the trip! If anyone else comes to see me, we're definitely going there.

Day 128

2010-02-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

I just took a ginger bath. I'm still waiting to see the results. I tried it the other night but the water was cold so today I had to try again. I couldn't stay in there very long because it made my heart beat really fast. I only lasted 10 minutes. But I can feel it on my skin so I think it will work nonetheless.

Haley and I went to Forks and La Push. I was very excited to be visiting a new city. Especially those cities and besides Twilight it was gorgeous. I am so glad we went there. I am thinking of getting a group of people together to go t Portland, that would be 2 cities. Haley and I are planning a train ride to Nebraska-ish. Its in the middle.

The day zero website says I've done 32% of my list and I have over 800 days left to do the rest! I think that's pretty good progress.

The doctor said I can get back to all my normal activities slowly. I can go back to running but I have to take it slow. I'm glad but now I have to get back in the routine of going to the gym.

But first I have to figure out how to get back in the routine of life. He's been gone almost 2 weeks now so hopefully that switch will kick in soon and I can find some kind of routine to be in. Any kind at all will work for me at this point.

Day 118

2010-02-13T09:08:00.000-08:00

Today's the 3rd day since Devon left. Hopefully no tragedy will happen today. Yesterday my brand new car got busted into. I started to flip out at first but Shawn was here and I'm very glad he was. By the time I talked to Devon I was pretty calm so I'm proud of that. I guess that's all I really have to say for now..

Day 116

2010-02-11T10:36:00.000-08:00

Devon left this morning, giving me more time for me to devote to my list lol. I can't believe how well I'm doing. These new pills are amazing. I'm slightly conflicted because I hate the idea of having to use drugs to alter my mood, but on the other hand, I feel so much more put together and calm and collected and most of all, not a big huge mess.

Moving on to list related items, I've completed quite a few recently. I got my website up and working. JenFramePhoto. I have my business cards printed with the correct information and all. I got my car. We ended up going with a 2010 brand new Xterra in night armor. I love it, although as much driving as I've been doing lately I wish it was a little better on gas. It's not horrible on gas, just could be better. We moved into the house. It's all coming together pretty nicely but we have big ideas that may not be feasible to actually accomplish. We'll see. Haley and I might be going to Forks and La Push which will be cool because, ya know the whole Twilight thing but also La Push is supposed to be incredibly beautiful and that's one city knocked out, also I have to go to San Diego in July and that's 2 cities down. Hawaii is planned for as soon as Devon gets back the end of summer so that's 1 more state and the honeymoon knocked out. Then Alaska is hopefully being planned for next summer. Hopefully I can fit Vegas into my San Diego trip then that's 3 states out. Oh, and I finished my 5 foods I've never tried before. And now that Devon's gone, I'll have a lot more time to work on projects and stuff. I bought my Starry Night puzzle so now I'll have time to get working on that.

I hope I can keep taking those pills in order to get stuff done rather than sit around and cry all the time. And hopefully this all will lead me into making some new friends.

Day 70

2009-12-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

So Christmas is over now, and things are really going to start rolling. We are set to close on the house January 12th. We will be going to Portland about January 13th to pick up my new car! Black 2009 Nissan Xterra with only 20,000 miles! I've been looking forward to this for about 8 months. We will going on a trip to Seattle soon for our message, so that's something to look forward to. Devon will be leaving anywhere from January 1st to January 30th for Afghanistan, so that bomb is about to be dropped. I'm nervous about living in our new house without him, I hope it isn't as bad as I think it's going to be. But then my mom and sister are coming for a couple days, and hopefully a trip to San Diego in February. March starts school, so thats something to keep me busy. I need to work on getting a new job though. Since I broke my foot, I haven't been back to work, but now Christmas is over and they wanted to keep me but since they don't know when I'll be able to walk again, I'm really no use to them until then. Plus our new house is in Yelm, which is not far from post, but about 45 minutes away from my job now. It certainly doesn't pay enough to drive all that way in this traffic every day, but there isn't much in Yelm. And the fact that I can't even walk into a place to try to get myself a new job is going to play a part. Devon says I need to get in the mind set that I won't always be fucked up, but I feel like I always will be. I am so tired of not being able to do anything, and then Devon's going to leave and I'll have to figure it out by myself and ask Shawn to help me, but that's just awkward. I'm afraid that our house is going to stay in boxes for months because I can't carry anything so unpacking is going to be hard and take forever. And I don't have time for that because I need to find a job and also I need to stay on the couch with my foot propped up and not do anything. January 7th is my next appointment, then I'll go back to going every week and hopefully it won't be too long. Although I have a feeling she's going to put me back in a cast. There is something wrong with my toes. They're swollen really bad and that's not anywhere near where the break is. I think it's just from being up and moving so much, so I'm trying to take it easy the next few days. Devon's such a good help about it, even though he hates every minute of doing chores or walking the dog or anything. I guess I really need to learn how to take care of myself again before he leaves and I'm left here to take care of everything.

day 54

2009-12-10T10:17:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been so long without an update. I've been keeping up really good with my cooking and a few other random things.. I ordered some business cards today and I am super excited about it. The only thing I'm concerned about is going to the gym. I broke my foot (I fell down 2 steps and broke the cone shaped bone connected to my pinky toe and tore ligaments on both sides of my ankle), so no running for me. I will be having to go every day when it gets better to make up for all the time I've lost. I also can't take Zoey to the park since I can neither drive or walk her on crutches. I still need just a couple pictures to be caught up with all my goals marked off so far. Other than that, I really haven't made any major progress. I've been keeping up, but not getting real into it lately. There has just been so much going on. Devon got back, then Thanksgiving, then the broken foot and working tons in between. I did go on my first snowboarding adventure! It was really fun, but also very hard. I think I could really get into it. Except that now I can't go until January sometime (Stupid foot).

Day 24- Pics

2009-11-16T03:40:00.000-08:00

I spent the last little bit playing catch up with my pictures.

Day 24

2009-11-10T15:52:00.000-08:00

Today is Tuesday. I feel like I have no concept of days anymore. I've been doing good keeping up with the list. I need to focus on the photos before I get too behind. I've already cooked, worked out, and played at the dog park. Not much left for today's focus. Otherwise, not much to say on this dreary day.

Day 20

2009-11-06T15:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's day 20. Sometimes I feel like it's been a lot longer and sometimes I feel like the 20 days have flown by. Not too much to update since Sunday. I have been working on a lot of list-like things today, so I wanted to share it while it was fresh in my mind.

I made a birthday card for my dad. It's not super fancy or anything, but he'll like it.

I am feeling more confident about crossing the z off the list, even though I haven't been driving it lately since the 240 got fixed.

I took the dog to the park on Wednesday, and I've went to the gym twice this week so far.

Last night I cooked an amazing Hawaiian ham from my cookbook after planning a week of meals and going to the grocery store on Tuesday using my re-usable shopping bags!

I went to staples and got a lot of printing done. I had the pictures printed so I can start on my November craft project. I'm waiting on them to dry right now and see how the first three turned out before continuing the project.

Most importantly, I finished my 5 people letters. For the most part, they came pretty easily. I had issues with one. It took me a while to get my words into place because I kept getting so worked up. But it after leaving and coming back to the letter, it came into sense a lot quicker. I'm glad I did it, and I'm going to send them. Four of them definitely but in one, I wasn't so nice. I couldn't be nice because it wouldn't have worked in my best interest if I sugar coated my thoughts. I think it was worth it though, taking the time to write and mail them. For the most part, I hope they feel good about themselves after reading it. They deserve to know they made a difference in a positive way.

Day 15

2009-11-01T09:54:00.000-08:00

I feel the need to update today to keep things straight in my head. I keep looking at the list to find more things I can do and I repeat to myself all the work I've already started on many of the items. So this entry is more for me to get the words out of my head onto paper so I can visually see it straight down the list. It may be pretty boring for any followers that may be reading.

I've been good about going to the gym this week. But no more driving until Brice comes up to fix the cars on hopefully Monday.
I can get on the scale again on Wednesday to see how well I'm doing on my weight. I'm down to 148.
I haven't drank soda in a while. Not even a sip since Devon left. I think he may be a bad influence on my soda intake.
I need to email Joanna Frame. Diabetic.
I bought some lip gloss yesterday. I wore it yesterday. Now to remember about it.
I need to drink some tea today.
I tried my WEN hair care. I think so far I like it. I was able to wear my hair down all day yesterday. That's a start.
I haven't started getting paid yet.
I started using mint.com. Carey told me about it and so far it's been helpful. It creates a monthly budget for you, so once I can get our Family Trust information in there, it should be accurate. Although it still has some stuff from our trip, so it's off a little. Maybe after November it will be all in there and correct.
I was doing good taking Zoey to the park, but I can't put her in the Z and the 240 is still broken. Actually they're both broken now. So after they're fixed I can get back on track to that.
I didn't go to a Haunted House this year, so I'll definitely have to get on that next year.
I think Christmas gifts will take a couple things off the list.
I went to Mt. Rainier, so that's good. I can't wait to take Devon there. And anyone that comes out to see us. I did go by myself, so I might be able to count that as a road trip by myself, but I haven't reached a verdict on that yet.
I started looking at stuff for our honeymoon. Since Devon will be deployed this year, he gets free air ride anywhere on R&R, so that will be a good time to go hopefully. I'm super excited about Hawaii, which will count towards the 14 states I have left to visit.
I'm currently reading Twilight. I am having a hard time finding time to really sit down and read. I can't do it in the room for some reason, but it's too cold to sit outside. I read a lot at the dog park, but there's no way I can finish 26 books if I don't pick up the pace on that. I would be glad for any suggestions on how to fit that in.
I think i might be able to cross learning to drive the Z off my list. What do you think? I drove it for a week. I'm not that smooth, and I still stall out a decent amount. But I did it. I drove it all week by myself and I haven't wrecked it. I even figured out how to park it in reverse without stalling out.
I've been slacking a little on planning meals. I think it's because I'm by myself and don't really have an appetite. I need to work on it. I was doing good for a while.
A few things can't be done until we move into our new house, which in itself would cross 'buy a house' off the list.
I started on my business logo the other day. I like it, but I feel like I need another opinion. However, I'm still too shy about it to ask anyone. I really want to ask Devon, but he's not here. Maybe I'll send it to my mom.
I also started on some business cards. I will likely change them once I have a photo better fit for a business card. Right now I used a scan of an etching on homemade paper. I really like it, but it doesn't market my photography skills at all. Has nothing to do with photography. But its original and its pink, which I really want because its so me.
I started my art idea file folder. I put a few things in it, but I need to go magazine shopping again soon.
I got my craft book in the mail Friday. I have already stocked up on supplies for the 1st month's project: antiquing photos. I am trying my first one later on today, so I'll post how it goes.
I donated blood on Friday. It went well, but I forgot to get a picture while I was there, so I had to document it my taking a picture of my souvenirs. I'll remember to get some more pictures later though.
I have picked out my albums for the wedding. Just waiting for them to go on clearance now, since I have to buy so many. They should definitely go on my Christmas list for mommy.
I met my new friend Holly yesterday. That was pretty fun. We got along well I thought. I really would like to know what she thinks but how do you ask someone if they like you. Kinda weird. I need to figure that out. Hopefully we'll be good friends and such. Also, I am going to Chelle's house on Friday night to meet a bunch of people so hopefully I can make some new friends then. I haven't really been friends yet with the people I work with. They're nice and all, but I'm just too new I guess.
I made an appointment with a photographer here who is going to take some wedding portraits for free. And we get 5. I'll see how that goes and if I'm not happy or want more, then we'll get them done at work. Tonya said whoever makes it to Christmas Eve gets like almost $400 in free wall art and photos as a Christmas bonus. So if I get that, then I'll use them for wedding attire. Maybe some others too.
Carey showed my Skype, which I have only talked to her once, but I told my mom and now I talk to her on Skype a lot, so hopefully it will work out so Devon can use it too.
I have some more photos to take to keep up, but I need help to do them, so hopefully that'll work out soon.

And I think thats all. I'm exhausted now from all that. And just think, all that was in my head a few minutes ago just swimming around.

Day 13- Photo Blog Entries

2009-10-30T15:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Day 11

2009-10-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

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.

Day 8

2009-10-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

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!

Day 8- Mt. Rainier PICS

2009-10-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Day 5

2009-10-22T19:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Day 3

2009-10-20T22:38:00.000-07:00

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!

Day 1

2009-10-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

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!

Dates

2009-10-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

Start Date:

Sunday, October 18, 2009

End Date:

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The List

2009-10-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

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

~~005. Take a Ginger Bath~~

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)

~~010. Eat Vegetables on a regular basis~~

~~011.Wear lip gloss~~

012.Drink 1 glass of black tea per week (0/143)

~~013.Get a couples massage with my Husband~~

~~014.Wear my hair down for 2 whole weeks (14/14)~~

015.Get my hair trimmed every 6 weeks (3/24)

Financial

016.Pay off Credit Cards (1/3)

017.Save 20% of each paycheck (2/71)

~~018.Organize our Papers into a Filing Cabinet~~

019.Improve my credit score

~~020.Buy a House~~

~~021.Get a new car~~

022.Keep a job that I like

~~023.Create a monthly budget~~

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

~~029.Go Hiking at Mt Ranier~~

030.Go on Our Honeymoon

~~031.Go to Seattle~~

032.Go to a Haunted House

033.Go to Western Canada

~~034.Go to the Pacific ocean here in WA~~

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~~

043.Read world news everyday for a month (0/31)

Cooking/Food

~~044.Learn to plan meals~~

045.Plant a small Garden

046.Make 1 new recipe a week (25/143)

~~047.Try 5 new foods (5/5) (eggplant, fennel, Brussels sprouts, beets, sourkrout)~~

048.Cook my way through a cook book (41/1001)

049.Make Home-made Jam
~~050.Bake Cookies for my co-workers~~
051.Learn how to use my espresso machine

Career

~~052.Create a business logo~~
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

~~056.Design a Real and Professional Website~~
~~057.Create and Print my own Business Cards~~
058.Enter 5 Photo contests (0/5)

059.Photograph A-Z Subjects in 1 month

060.Build my Studio

~~061.Save up to buy a really nice camera~~
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

~~068.Find, Print and Frame maps for the ‘map wall’~~

069.Make a hat rack for Devon
070.Make a piece of clothing for myself
~~071.Build a picture wall in our new house~~

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

~~078.Have a housewarming party~~
~~079.Pick 5 people who have changed my life and write them a letter (sending is optional) (0/5)~~
~~080.Get a stick family for my new car~~
081~~.Habitually use my re-usable shopping bags~~
082.Make sure my dog gets back to 52 lbs (4/29)
~~083.Get professional Wedding Portraits done~~
084.Host 5 holiday parties (0/5)
085.Go shopping once a week (17/143)
~~086.Clean out Storage Unit~~
087.Finish a 1001+ piece puzzle
088.Grow a Flower to replace my grandmother’s flower that died

089.Participate in TAMAC and attend the 2010 Gala
~~090.Buy an I-tunes card and update my I-pod~~
091.Participate in at least 10 FRG charity events (2/10)
092.Figure out which one to write to and write to my congressman
~~093.Make a recycling container and use it~~
094.Attend every Yoga class for an entire month (0/8)
~~095.Figure out how to use my web-cam to talk to my husband over-seas~~
~~096.Surprise my Husband~~

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.~~Finish this list and make the blog~~