101 Things
Welcome to ToyLady’s 101 Things in 1001 Days!
from Day Zero
The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days as long as it takes.
The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).
Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past – frequently simple goals such as New Year’s resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.
So let’s get right to it, shall we? A bit of administrivia:
- As items are completed, they will be crossed out like so and the completed date will be inserted (in red) and, where applicable, a hyperlink to the blog post documenting the task will be included thusly.
- Items that have more than one part will list each part in a different color as the part is completed, and the main item will be crossed out when all bits are completed.
- Start Date: Sunday, September 28, 2008
- End Date:
Sunday, June 26, 2011Wednesday, November 7, 2012It’ll be done when it’s done and you’ll like it.
So without further ado, I present my list of 101 things. Wish me luck, and feel free to add any comments or encouragement below!
About The Project Itself:
- 1. Write a letter to myself on Day 1 to be read on Day 1001 (09.28.08 ) Link
- 2. Photographically document/blog about each “thing,” wherever possible
- 3. Save $5 for each “Thing” completed, to be used for celebrating the end of the tasks
- 4. Donate $10 from the “$5 saved” for each “Thing” that is not completed to a charity to be determined.
On Homes and Castles and such:
- 5. New roof (08.20.2010) New hotness!
- 6. Remove carpet in dining room (03.18.09) The ripping of carpet!
- 7. Get the cat out of the basement (09.27.2010-ish) I guess this is as good as it’s going to get.
- 8.
Remove carpet in living room(03.30.2011) Out with the old - 9. Redecorate bathroom
- 10.
Front walkway – step fixed; sidewalk installed(08.09.2011) - 11.
New window treatments downstairs(05.04.2011) So much better! - 12. Organize recipes (03.18.09) Too many cookbooks!
- 13. Find shelving/cabinets for dining room
- 14.
Reorganize bookshelves(08.10.2011) - 15. Paint master bedroom
- 16. Plant a flower garden in front yard
- 17. Learn how to change my own oil
- 18. Put up a clothesline (07.01.2010) The answer, my friend
- 19. Have a yard sale
- 20. Get quotes for an addition to house (08.20.2010) Maybe in a couple of years
- 21. Put a birdfeeder or a birdhouse in the yard
- 22. Sort through photos on computer – delete, print or store to CD
- 23. Update front entry
- 24.
Clean out my desk(11.26.2012) Not really much to say other than it’s done. Finally. - 25. Develop a going vegetable garden (05.27.09) Call me Mary.
- 26. New ceiling fan in dining room (09.09.10) Nice Labor Day Weekend project
- 27. Establish and maintain a compost pile (10.11.08 ) Read all about it!
Living a Healthy, Fit Life:
- 28. Create an exercise/fitness/workout area somewhere indoors
- 29. Get back in single-digit size
- 30. Have teeth straightened (08.12.2009) Loving that oatmeal!
- 31. Do 50 sit-ups at once
- 32.
Complete the Couch-to-5K Plan(06.26.2012) Well I tried, anyway - 33. Take a dance class
- 34. Have a facial. Or a massage. Or visit a spa. Something.
- 35. Take a martial arts class
Living to Eat:
- 36. Make croissants (01.03.2009) Excruciating Details!
- 37. Make bagels (11.10.2009) Sourdough no less!
- 38. Go on an honest-to-god picnic with a basket and everything
- 39. Try 10 things on the Omnivore’s 100 list that I’ve never tried
- 40.
Make hot chocolate from scratch(08.10.2011) - 41. Make fudge
- 42. Make fresh pasta
- 43. Try 3 new-to-me restaurants (07.31.2010)
- 44. Make one fabulous dish using saffron
Because the Learning Never Ends:
- 45. Create and print a cookbook
- 46. Talk to a financial planner/advisor
- 47. Tour a winery
- 48. Write and submit something for publication – somewhere
- 49. Go to the zoo
- 50.
Read at least three of Time’s all-time best novels (that I haven’t read already)(03.16.2011) Some were better than others. - 51. Take one community ed course
- 52. Learn to swim
- 53. Go to an art gallery
- 54. Learn the phonetic alphabet
- 55. Learn a new word starting with each letter of the alphabet
- 56. Acquire and learn to use MP3 player (12.25.2009) And I figured it out, too!
- 57. Read a book (or series of books) by an author I’ve never heard of (09.22.10) A new way to read
- 58. Take a visitor to a local attraction that I’ve never visited
- 59.
Make and wear one item of clothing(08.10.11) - 60. Take at least one photograph worthy of framing – then frame it
- 61. Take 4 seasonal pictures of the same place (02.09.2010) The Four Seasons
- 62.
Do a 26 Things project(08.31.2011) so it was actually 30 things
Fun & Games:
- 63. See an IMAX movie
- 64. Go to a drive-in movie
- 65.
Take a real vacation – at least a week!(11.30.2010) This is as good as it gets, I guess - 66. Have a Dortmunder film festival
- 67. Go to a hockey game (01.28.2010) Hey, Hockey Puck!
- 68. Go to baseball game (07.18.2010) The Old Ball Game!
- 69. Make a snowman
- 70. Test drive a car I’ll never buy
- 71. Go to the circus
- 72. Attend the Renaissance Festival
- 73. Go bowling
- 74.
Get DVD recorder(08.10.11) - 75. Go on a weekend getaway. With the dog
- 76. Stay in a bed and breakfast
- 77. Pick an obscure holiday and celebrate it (09.24.2009) Yay Punctuation!
- 78. Go to an amusement park
- 79. Go miniature golfing
- 80. Make an advent calendar
Because We’re All Connected (Kind of Like on Heroes, But Without the Freaky Super Powers):
- 81. Get a haircut and donate hair to the cancer kids again (11.20.2008) Read about the shearing!
- 82. Get a passport
- 83. Host a holiday meal (07.04.2009) The festivities!
- 84. Give blood
- 85. Send flowers to someone for no reason
86. Buy Christmas gifts for needy child (Toys for Tots, etc.)(08.10.2011)- 87. Participate in Post Crossing
- 88. Participate in Gimme Your Stuff (10.21.2009) Sent & Received!
- 89. Send someone a handwritten letter
- 90. Do something nice and unexpected for Surly Boy
- 91. Write a letter to the editor
- 92. Send a care package to a soldier
- 93. Write letters of appreciation – personal or business
- 94. Go see one local band perform
- 95. Go on a double date with another couple
And Just Because:
- 96.
Fill a jar with pennies07.18.2012 - 97. Create a scrapbook
- 98. Find (and buy) a classic-styled, quality handbag
- 99. List 100 things that make me smile
- 100. Rebuild wine cellar – at least 75% full
- 101. Find the perfect little black dress
can i borrow this idea from you?? LOVE it i would also like to keep track and see what you do and how. the hair thing, my 19 year old gave 14 inches of hair in November to Locks Of Love so i think that was very cool
Hi, Melinda – welcome! Of course you’re welcome to the 101 things idea – I “borrowed” it from somewhere else. . . enjoy it!
So far, the project has been. . . fun. I have several things that are “in process” – #96 is gonna take a while!
Feel free to stop by any time – or any time you can find time – you must have your hands full with that houseful of handsome young men.
When did the 1001 days end and how did it turn out? I started my own 1001 days, inspired by yours and it has revolutionized my life. The bad part is… by kickstarting myself I started working on so many other projects that many of the 101 items have gotten sidelined. But the important thing is… I’ve started actually living life and DOING things. Please post more about your 1001 day journey and thanks for the inspiration! (btw, I found your 101 days because I was looking for a lentil recipe (cheap-ass monday came up) and I make the lentils & rice regularly now…. love it!
Heather, thanks so much for stopping by! I’m still working on the 101 things – I actually extended my deadline, that’s all. You’re right – you start doing stuff, and you get sidetracked and have all sorts of things going on, and, well, this little list just gets shoved to the background.