2009-02-26T21:11:00.000-08:00

It's almost March first. I am so proud of myself for completing 20% of my goals in the first two months. I'm enjoying this process so much. Thanks Amanda!

2009-01-09T12:56:00.001-08:00

Here I sit on January 1, 2009, creating goals for myself to create more happiness, peace, organization, and meaning in my life. It seems so cliche, like setting new year's resolution, but this is very different.
I want to thank my friend Amanda and her husband Damien who inspired my husband and me to take on this great project of 101 in 1001.
The task is simple. Create a list of 101 measurable, achievable goals. Then complete them in a period of 1001 days, which is just under 3 years.
I've always found goal setting to be very motivating, but sometimes my list of goals becomes overwhelming. With this project, I have plenty of time to achieve my goals, and I've chosen goals that will help me improve my life in many ways.
I look forward to this adventure of setting and, of course, achieving all of these goals. I'm sure at the end of 1001 days I will be a much better mother, wife, friend, and overall person as a result of this.
I can't wait to find out how much I can achieve between today and September 18th 2011.
Thanks for looking!

2009-01-04T13:43:00.001-08:00

My list of 101 things that make me happy....

The feeling of sand on my bare feet
Watching children play
Salty ocean breezes
Fine red wine
Baby toes
Motherhood
The sunset’s reflection on the water
Listening to really good Music
Hot coffee with lots of cream
Naps in the afternoon
Fresh flowers
Random acts of kindness
Hugs
Hot baths
Long talks
The breeze in my hair
Laughing so hard I cry
Solitude
Massages
Chocolate

Family time
Sunshine
Foggy mornings by the coast with a hot mocha
Love songs
A cat’s purr
Holding a baby
Helping people
Crashing waves
Calm water
Perfume
Floating across the water in a boat
Waterskiing
Playing board games
Group trips
Champagne
Getting dressed up
Mountains
Trees
Heated seats
Exchanging smiles
Sending and receiving cards
Puppies
Hot tea
Unexpected phone calls
Dancing
Free Time
Family Gatherings
Super soft blankets
Meditation
Fine dining
Playing my flute

Date Nights
Singing
Running on the beach
Step aerobics
Just hanging out with friends
Looking at pictures
Good movies
Cooking
Being kissed passionately
Reading a good book
Spa treatments
Email
Cold drinks on hot days & hot drinks on cold days
Scented candles
A perfect fitting pair of jeans
Early morning road trips
Children learning
Learning new things
Inspiration
A Fantastic Sweaty Workout

Snuggling with my girls
Shopping by myself
Getting a pedicure with a friend
Getting Organized
A totally clean house
Fresh sheets
Getting rid of clutter
Taking a dance class
Yoga
Taking a long hike
Watching moonlight on the water
Star Gazing
Hearing good news from a friend/loved one
Watching the girls dance
Mommy & Me Classes
Swimming
Sitting in the shade by the ocean
The perfect margarita
Andy Pederson’s Cosmopolitans
Red Wine & Chocolate
Going to Church
Playing practical jokes on people
Reading Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy
Doing something sweet and unexpected for my husband
Sailing
Traveling to new places
Hawaii
Sleeping In
Long Walks
A long talk with a close friend
Deep conversations
Sharing

2009-01-01T15:16:00.001-08:00

Health & Fitness Goals

~~Purchase bike helmets for both girls.~~ 2/11/09
Ride my bike 40 miles on the bike trail with Greg or a friend.
Establish a workout schedule and stick to it for 30 days. (I'm well on my way to this one. I have been attending Zumba and SET classes at the gym at least 3X per week!)
Swim laps.
Go snow shoeing.
Go horseback riding.
~~Consult with a Naturopath or other holistic medical practitioner for total wellness for myself and both children.~~ (Both girls had blood tests at Dr. Godby's naturopathic wellness center on Friday.We should have the results in 2 weeks. He tested for 96 different food sensitivities) 1/20/2009 - Well, here we are $500 later and no real answers. It was an interesting experience seeing the naturopath, but I just can't put my faith in it. Im so research based. I'm glad we went, but we won't be going back.
~~Find a new primary care physician.~~ (I have an appointment on Jan 26th w/ Dr. Barish, who specializes in internal medicine but has a focus on creating wellness through holistic approaches, nutrition , and a mind/body/spirit approach!) Update: 1/2009 I had my first apt. w/ Dr. Barish and LOVE her! She went through my list of concerns, ordered vitamin D blood tests for me, ,referred me to a physical therapist for my knees, and recommended GRATITUDE and MEDITATION exercises for overall health and wellbeing!
Take a nutrition class.
Purchase new skin care products. Use them every night for one month. ( I started this on Jan 2, 2009)
~~Get a professional facial at the dermatologist office. (This is scheduled for February 26th)~~ Ouch!! 2/12/09
Take vitamins every day for 30 days. (started 1/1/2009)
~~Shop at a local farmers market with the girls.~~
Go for a long hike in Yosemite.

Household Oranization Goals

Update Elliana's baby book. (got a lot done on Jan 7)
Update Lauryn's baby book. (got a lot done on Jan 7)
Finish Elliana's first year scrapbook.
Finish Lauryn's first year scrapbook.
Create an organizational system for photos and use it.
Create an organizational system for all digital photos and use it.
Reorganize/purge paper files.
Creat a new mail management system and file box.
Sell or donate all books I no longer need.
Sell or donate all clothing I no longer need.
Update Outlook address book.
Creat a "fly lady" control journal.
Create a morning routine and follow it for 14 days.
Create an evening routine and follow it for 14 days.
Create a cleaning schedule and follow it for 30 days.
~~Obtain a good laptop.~~ 1/10/09 Yay! Thanks to my DH!
Obtain a good camera with no delay (Canon Rebel?)
Organize all children's books.
De-clutter for 15 minutes every day for 30 days straight.
~~Create a list of 101 goals and post it by January 1, 2009.~~ (1/1/09)
Organize all of the girls arts & crafts supplies
~~Reorganize the girls bathroom~~ (1/17/09) This feels so good to have accomplished this, so I actually added it to my list so I could cross it off!! LOL

Spirituality and Personal Growth Goals

~~Create a blog.~~
Read 1 Classic Novel
Learn how to do a Mail Merge with Outlook data and teach one other person how to do this.
~~Hang curtain in meditation room.~~ 1/28/09
Find a family church.
Attend a meditation class.
~~Buy a meditation timer.~~
Meditate for at least 10 minutes every day for 14 days straight.
Read Obama's book The Audacity of Hope
Attend the Women of Faith Conference with at least 3 friends.
Read a book about boundaries. (downloaded "Boundaries" on audible 1/13/09)
Read a book on self esteem.
Attend church as a family at least 2X per month for 3 months. (began 1/1/09)

Relationship Goals

Finish Relationship Rescue book and workbook with Greg.
Plan and go on a surprise romantic overnight trip with Greg.
Play a board game or card game with Greg 10 times.
Have sex with Greg once a week for 2 months.
Rub Greg's head every night for one week.
Read and discuss 3 books with Greg.
Carry out our relationship tradition of sitting at our bar having a margarita and talking, just the two of us, on Friday nights after the kids go to bed at least twice per month for 3 months. (so far so good in January 09)

Career & Financial Goals

~~Update resume.~~ 2/26/09
~~Create a cover letter.~~ 2/26/09
~~Distribute resume & cover letter to principal atStarr King~~ Christina and I submitted a proposal along with my resume to the principal of Starr King today for an 80/20 shared contract! I'm so excited! 2/26/09
Go back to teaching elementary school 1 day per week.
Get 80/20 shared contract approved to work 1 day a week at Starr King teaching kindergarten with Christina.
~~Set up a Baby Signs Blog to sell products.~~ 1/12/09 http://www.babysignsbylisa.blogspot.com/
~~Find out where I am on the pay scale and how many units I need to move up.~~ 1/28/2009 I am at step 10 , column IV. I need 91 hours by September 1, 2009 to move to column V. I will now start plugging away at these hours!
Take necessary classes to obtain the units to move up.

Family/Children Goals

Create a house fairy schedule and follow it for 30 days.
~~Take Elliana & Lauryn to the bank and help them each open their own bank account.~~ 1/5/2009
Start giving the girls an allowance every week.
Frame at least one piece of each daughter's artwork and hang it in their rooms.
Frame at least one picture of Elliana and Lauryn and hang it in their rooms.
Create a list of family traditions with Greg.
Start at least one new family tradition.
Go to DISNEYLAND! (The dates are set! June 26-28, 2009)
Take girls to the Discovery Science Museum.
Take girls to the Exploratorium.
Take girls to Habitot Childrens Museum.
Write a letter to each of my daughters as a keepsake for them.
Visit all great grandparents at least once.
Spend at least one full day helping my mom and dad get their house clean and organized.

Friendship Goals

Put birthdays of all family members and close friends into my outlook calendar with an annual recurrence.
Send birthday cards (e-cards or snail mail) on time to all of the above mentioned people.
Send a heart felt letter to 5 of my closest friends telling them everything I love, admire, and appreciate about them.

*Spend more time with people I enjoy and admire and less time around people who bring stress and negativity into my life. (I know this one isn't really measurable, but I had to include it!)

Philanthropy/ Social Responsibility Goals

Find and implement at least 3 ways to reduce my carbon footprint.
Visit a convalescent home with the girls once a month for 6 months.
Visit/donate to the food bank with the girls.
~~Give a new coat to a homeless person on the street with the girls.~~ 2/1/09 This was so amazing! Elliana became obsessed with trying to find homeless people to give jackets to. She finally found a guy standing holding a sign on the corner of Fair Oaks/Howe and he took the coat. She was SO excited o share the coat with him. What a great lesson!
Volunteer in any elementary school classroom at least once per month from Jan-June 2009. (volunteering in PJ's 4/5 combo 1/15/09)
Captain a team of at least 20 people for the Susan G. Komen race for the cure. (Let me know if you'd like to join my team!)

Enjoy Life Goals!

Buy /put together 1 complete outfit including shoes and accessories that makes me feel like a million bucks!
Take a photo shop class.
~~Take a zumba class.~~(OMG-become a Zumba addict is more like it!!!!!)
Take a belly dancing class.
Try at least 101 new recipes. (chicken cottage cheese enchildadas, bell pepper soup, red mashed potatoes w/ garlic, chicken tarragon crepes, spinach stuffed chicken breast, fruit salad with limocella, artichoke heart salad, baked shrimp scampi, clam chowder, chicken tortilla soup by Ina Garten, corned beef sandwiches, banana caramel crepe dessert, steak au poivore, roasted garlic potatoes, gugeres, garlic broccoli chicken, marinara sauce, )
Get a psychic reading.
Take 2 hours of "me time" to do whatever I want once per week for 2 months.
Attend a performance at the Mondavi Center for Performing Arts.
Attend the Ballet.
Try 2 new hobbies.
Obtain a nice set of mixing bowls.
~~Compile a list of 101 things that make me feel happy & spend more time doing those things.~~ 1/4/2009
Visit the ocean and get my feet in the sand at least 10 times.
Take at least 5 cooking classes. (Attended a free technique class at Williams Sonoma 1/11/2009 loved it!!
Apply for an HGTV show.
Win a sweepstakes or the lottery!

Lisa's 101 Goals in 1001 Days