Is Spring Really Coming Soon?

Well everyone, it's been another long time between posts. 

 I've been struggling the last few weeks to keep an upbeat attitude.  I've been continuing on my list journey, mostly with # 78.  I read when I need a break from real life.   The problems of literary characters sweep me away from the seemingly endless trials, troubles, and annoyances in my own life.   I know that that isn't healthy.  So, I've also been trying to write some things out in my journal.  

Add to my ennui a cold shared with my husband for almost 2 weeks, a crack in a windshield, and the pressure of making the house presentable to in-laws, and I'm fried.  I'm also fighting to accept people as they are, and fighting against myself and my Charlie Brown football tendencies.  I know that I will always always always run for the ball, for that great kick.  It's worth the times flying through the air for the times I make contact.

Anyhoo.  I will be back in a few days, hopefully well-rested and with a clear head, to fully update you on my progress.  

Laura

Too Long To Be Away...

Hello faithful followers!  

  I feel like I've been gone from the blogging world forever.  In reality, it's only been about 12 days, and I do have a good excuse.  My hard drive died!  I went to turn it on one morning, and all that came up was a grey screen with a blinking question mark box.  That was a sad day.  I'd like to give a shout out to The MacGuys for all their assistance in getting me a new, bigger hard drive for the same price as the old and for their quick service.   If anyone would like to contribute to the "Dear God, that was still soooo expensive fund", please contact me directly.  

  I've been very productive in the time it's taken to get the old compy up and running again.  I've crossed off two more items from my list, and have been really blessed with some great experiences. I've also come to an important decision.

The two items I've crossed off are # 73 and # 89. 

  #89 was cool.  I had been thinking a lot about my friend Cindi for a couple of days when I finally decided to call.  It's hard for me to call because she is sooo busy and I don't want to intrude.  I mean, she has 3 young kids, a husband, a teaching job, and everything that entails.  But the day after I called, she sent me an e-card that flat out said I had made her day by calling, and that I shouldn't ever feel like I'm intruding because apparently, I give her a break from her life.  She is one of the coolest people I know, and I just felt great about it.  So, even though #89 is technically complete, I'm going to continue to try and do it again and again.  It's an awesome feeling!

 #73 was to watch all the episodes of the show Freaks & Geeks.  I wanted to give it a try because I've heard a lot of people talking about how funny it was... the same reason I initially watched Arrested Development.  Now, I don't know what those people were talking about, because the show is not all that funny.  But it's real.  It took about 6 or so episodes before I was hooked, and until the end of the last episode before I was in love, but it really is a very good show.  I understand why it wasn't a huge hit when it was on the air.  It wasn't a sitcom, and it wasn't really a drama.  As my husband said, it was kind of a newer, funnier version of The Wonder Years.  I would strongly suggest it to anyone.  The cast is full of recognizable faces, and the best (and sometimes worst) thing about it is that they are all so human, all the time.  You really got to know everyone and see inside their lives.  And relate to it. 

Oi, this is getting long.  

The big decision I've made is to cancel my Curves membership.  It's just not working out for me.  When I went last year, it was at the same time everyday, at a smaller location, with the same group of wonderful people.  That branch was closed and sold, and the cool people scattered, and it's all different now.  But as it turns out, those women- Patty, Diane, Kristen, and a few others were really the driving force behind my going.  Sure, losing weight was great, and the exercise was a good program.  But it's so hard for me to go and not relate to anyone I'm exercising with.  So, I've changed #5 from go to Curves at least 3 times a week to use our elliptical at least 3 times a week.  We'll see how it goes.

Anyhow.  That's enough for today.  Remember to just keep trying, keep smiling, and never be afraid to adapt.  That's what it's all about.

Laura

Month Two!

Hello again internet people!  Here we are, at the beginning of another wonderful month.  Let's dig right in, shall we?

Life is pretty good.  

Going to Curves was a trouble spot last month, but I've been feeling more and more like I want to go.  And, even better, I have been going!  Well, once anyhow, but it's only the 3rd!  I'm going tomorrow and Thursday, and then I'm aiming for 4 times a week!

On a more serious note, I started writing a letter to my first born on Sunday.  I didn't expect it to be so intense.  I guess I thought I would say something to the effect of, "Hey, can't wait until you're here..."  Not quite.  I started writing about my childhood, and the things I would want to do differently, and I don't know.  I started tearing up!  In a coffee shop while waiting for a friend, no less.  Oh well.  If these goals weren't difficult, I wouldn't try at all.

I'm attempting to teach myself to juggle.  I just have to learn to loosen up a bit.  Sheesh.  It's juggle, aren't you supposed to look a little silly?

Anyhow, I must stop writing about these things, and get to doing them.

Toods,

Laura

First Month of My List is Nearly Complete...

With a month nearly  behind me, I'm still very excited and inspired by my list.  I feel that overall I've been doing pretty well.  There's always room for improvement, of course, but let's count the good things first, huh?  

I've crossed off 3 items on my list- numbers 85, 96, & 97.  Victories!  

Altogether, I'm currently working on 23 other items... wow, that's a lot all at once!  I really do enjoy having goals.  And this experience, while it's only been about 30 days, has really opened me up to learning about and attempting new things.  I'm enjoying stepping out of my comfort zone, and I'm trying to just relax about everything in general.  Life's funny like that, you know? 

 I must admit, working at the library is just spectacular!  I'm really reading again for the first time in years.  I'm reading things that I've never read before, which is pretty awesome as well (I tend to re-read and re-read...).  I've read 21 books this month (since Jan. 5th), and I'm well into 3 others.  That's actually something I could scale back on... haha.  Goals are easy, limits are hard.  

My husband and I have both enjoyed trying to get rid of our VHSs.  We really enjoy our movie collection, but let's face it- tapes are practically obsolete.  It will be a while before we get them all replaced.  There's one in particular- The 60s, a mini-series that was on NBC about 10 years ago.  Finding it on DVD is doable, the price tag is not.  Apparently, it's really rare.  Ah, challenges!!

Item # 99- This was fantastic!  I was working at B & N in the cafe the other night, and my friend Lauren and I were talking about poetry.  I was describing my favorite poem (The Cremation of Sam McGee, Robert Service) when a customer came up.  I told her I would finish telling her about it after he left because it's an epic and very interesting poem.  However, this customer-guy starts reciting the poem!!!  It was such a beautiful moment, I swear my mouth dropped open and my eyes welled up.  Anyhow, that's one out of five.  And also, read Robert Service- it's wonderful.

It's all the big things and the little things, and the people who are interested and willing to help me out.  My husband is great at making sure we use only cloth napkins, and the wonderful women at Curves are really supportive, not just in exercise, but with everything I've been doing on the list.  

Speaking of Curves, it's one of the things I really need to start going full force on.  I've been worn out the past two weeks because of a sinus infection and working two jobs, but I don't want to make excuses, I just want to tap into that part of me that goes all out on everything.  Same with yoga- it really does energize you for the day.

Anyhow, wrapping up this post and this month, here are a few of the highlights:

Attempting to donate blood- it was an experience that probably would keep most people from doing it again, but it just makes me laugh.

High-fiving a stranger... so much fun!

Donating rice- almost 120,000 grains this month. 

Sticking to saving money from our checks specifically to put towards bigger credit card payments.

Trying eggplant- turns out, it tastes like tomatoes, I thought.

And finally- reading, reading, reading!!!!

Keep the hope alive,

Laura

The Good in the World...

Sheesh.  Another morning spent tearing up over wonderful people found on the internet... there are worse things out there, I guess.  If you're reading this (and I hope you are), take a minute to check out the following websites.  I guarantee they will improve your mood, and maybe even get you to go out and help someone.

www.1000thingsthatmatter.com

www.theburiedlife.com

www.bestkisses.com

Never forget that this is a good world, and that there are good people out there.  There are also people who need our help.  If you can do it, do it.  If you can help, help.  Don't leave it up to the next person, because eventually, there is no next person.

First they came for the Jews and I 

did not speak out because I was

not a Jew.

Then they came for the 

Communists and I did not speak

out because I was not a 

Communist.

Then they came for the trade

unionists and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade 

unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left to

speak out for me.

Pastor Niemoller

Free Rice!!!

Hello All! (Ha, all 3 of my followers...)  Things are going well, in life and in my list undertakings.  

First off, let's discuss list item # 18.  I have been answering trivia questions about English vocab, grammar, math problems, etc... on freerice.com.  For every question you get correct, the site sponsors donate grains of rice to people who have nothing to eat.  It's completely awesome and I love it, but I have a bone to pick with said sponsors... Where's the generosity, peeps?  When I began my rice endeavor,  you got 20 grains of rice for each correct answer.  This was just a couple of weeks ago, but now you only get 10 grains!  Come on!  Perhaps I was becoming overzealous in my quest, although it can't be blamed on myself totally... unlike the destruction of my German program in high school.  So far, I've donated 113,070 grains.  And I encourage everyone to try it out- it's fun, it's easy (until you hit level 51 in English vocabulary), and it helps people in need.

What else have I been up to?  Well, it's come to my attention that my list is in need of some tweaking.  That's the beauty of it though, as you make your way through the weeks and months, you realize what is and isn't working for you.  So, what needs tweaking?

Let's go in order and start with # 7: Do yoga at least 3 times a week.  This has been difficult for me.  I'm a person who craves time by myself to read or write or whatever.  Let's say I choose to get up 3 hours before work (which I do).  I like to use that time to brace myself for the day, and to talk to my little sissy in London, and check email and whatever.  Because of my damn personality and inability to be flexible, I feel like I have to get up a half hour early to fit anything else in. Ugh.  So, I'm really trying, but this is one that actually takes me out of my comfort zone, even though it's not taxing.  I think the revised version will be once a week.  

Moving right along- # 54: Journal at least one hour each week. I would love to actually do this, but that's not how my writing works.  I'm either in the mood to write, or I'm not.  So, it becomes journal at least once a week.  Much more realistic.

Alright, now we move onto a practically an entire section that needs updating: Music, Movies, & Books.   Numbers 70, 71, & 78 - Turns out, I really have no interest in reading either the Lord of the Rings books or the Chronicles of Narnia.  And I've also got no inclination to read banned or challenged books.  Actually, I do, but I tend to read them anyhow in the course of my life.  However, I don't know what I'm going to replace them with.  And as I have to go to work soon (last time I left late, I accidentally ran into my garage door) I'm going to end this entry.  

Have a wonderful day everyone!  

P.S. A special message to those out there who say "Oh Hot Dayum"... you sound like damn fools.  Give it a rest.

Another Day, Another...

It's been 2 weeks since I officially started my 101 list.  You have no idea how much it inspires me in every day life.  I find myself being more open to new things, to forgetting about my ridiculous need to schedule each day completely.  I think of other things that I want to try or experience.  Making this list has woken me up to the possibility that happiness can exist so simply.  Even better, making this list, and following through on my goals has awoken my mind.  I'm thinking again!  Sure, it's not superior thoughts that will get my MacArthur Genius Grant, but it might be. I guess I would like to continue to encourage anyone who is reading this... Write your own list!  Make your own choices, wake up your mind and body and spirit.  Don't be discouraged.  Recognize the impossible!  And let everyone know what you're doing, for your own encouragement and to encourage others.  Back later to update some more! 

Laura