My Hodgepodge Plans

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there, because comments make the blog world go round. Here we go-

1. When did you last have cancelled plans? Were you happy about that or disappointed? 

This past weekend actually. You'll find the details here-What To Expect When You're Expecting (not that kind).  I was super disappointed at first, but I got over it and embraced Plan B. 

2. On a scale of 1-10 how much of a planner are you? 

1= I go where the wind takes me  

10=I've got a power point on it, no matter what it is

I'm definitely NOT a 1. And 10 sounds like someone who can't go with the flow when going with the flow is required, so I'm not a 10 either. I am a planner and in general, enjoy planning. I like lists and adding things to the calendar and figuring out what there is to see when we travel, etc. But I can also flex when flexing is necessary and it so often is. I'm calling myself a 7. 

3. Do you have a menu plan for the week? If so tell us one or two things that are on it. If not, what's your plan for not having a plan lol? 

I do. I hold it loosely because if someone suggests a meet up someplace I'm on board. I make a general meal plan at the beginning of the week and adjust as needed. We're out a lot and on the go a lot but since we're home this week, I'm trying to eat on the lighter side. 

I used to love the California Pizza Kitchen's BBQ salad and I'm making a knock off version of that this week. It calls for jicama which I like, but I've never cut into one so that's something new. I'm also making a slow cooker swiss steak on Thursday because I'm out for a good chunk of the day and like not having to think about dinner when I get home. 

4. The Hodgepodge lands on National Bucket List Day. Do you have a bucket list? Is it written down or just in your head? What is one thing on your bucket list? If you don't have a list, what is one thing you'd add to a list if you did? Yes I'm going to make you think about it. 

Not a written one, but I suppose there's one running through my head. I used to keep a list on my sidebar called 101 in 1001 which was a list of 101 things (both large and small) that I wanted to see/do/try/complete in the next 1001 days. I might revisit that now that I remember it's there. 

Okay, true story I went down a rabbit hole reading back over my lists and I'm definitely going to revisit. I might make it a link up if anyone would be interested in trying it too. Here are the links to my first list, and my second. The last one was 'completed' in 2018 so it's been a while. 

101 in 1001-Volume 1

Ready, Set, Goal-Volume 2

Back to today...what's one thing on my bucket list? A trip back to the UK with my hubs. Since moving back to the states in 2009 we've both made trips back, just not together. It's time. And it's on the calendar so whoohoo! 

5. Rain buckets, a drop in the bucket, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, sweat buckets, cry buckets...which 'bucket' idiom applies to your life in some way currently? 

Nothing stands out, but 'couldn't carry a tune in a bucket' always applies lol. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Many of you who've been around the Hodgepodge a long time used to also read my daughter's blogs. They both more or less set them aside because life is busy and they're trying to be intentional about how much time they spend online while raising young children. 

Both are back, not in daily posting (ain't nobody got time for that!!), but they're figuring out what works in this season of life. Hop over and say hi if you're interested in catching up. Daughter1 shares some exciting news I will definitely be weighing in on, and Daughter2 most recently shared her baby's birth story, which isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoy reading them. I love the details written out to remember and wish I'd recorded more of life's everyday 'stuff' when mine were little. 

Daughter1-Sincerely Shannon

Daughter 2-It's Elementary 

Have a great Wednesday everyone! 

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Ready, Set, Goal

Day 10-Ready

I've been working for several weeks now on a new 101 in 1001 list, and today feels like a good time to add it to my blog. If you're not familiar with what that means, it's simply a list of 101 somethings you'd like to accomplish in the next 1001 days.

I wrote my first 101 list back in July of 2012, and was just sure I'd have it all checked off by day 1001, aka April 28, 2015. Well that didn't happen. In fact I only completed about one third of the items and I learned a few things in the process.

Firstly, I dream big. In other words my eyes are bigger than my pocketbook-ha! I had myself traveling all over God's green earth in that first list, and while I did do a fair amount of coming and going, I didn't come close to the goal I'd set in that first list.

Secondly, not every dream needs to be big. Small accomplishments are rewarding in their own way, so I've included both big and little in my new list. Overall I put more thought into this new list, jotting down ideas as they pop into my head, and saving them in the notes section of my iPad. I also went back through my first list, considered all the items I didn't check off, and weighed whether or not they were still relevant, possible, or interesting. Some are back on the new list, others I've bid adieu. 

Since I wrote that first list a lot of life has happened. We've moved from north to south, my husband retired, I gained a son-in-law, and we're presently building a house from the ground up. Roll with the changes people.

Roll with the changes, but don't throw out all the old to make way for the new. There were a few things I checked off my original list that are worth repeating. Memorizing scripture, exercising regularly, and reading through the Bible are three I'll have on endless repeat.

I will add too, that I didn't obsess about my list during the 1001 day period. I looked it over from time to time, reminded myself of my hopes and dreams and short term goals, then refocused my energies to make a few reality. If you decide to make a list of your own, let me know and I'll cheer you on.

Okay...on with the new...

Start date-10/10/2015

End date-7/7/2018

1. transfer our videos to DVD-01/11/18

2. organize my photos in the new format on my Mac

3. Read 6 non-fiction books-4/07/16

4. crochet something

5. pay for a soldier's meal or coffee 

6. visit Symmes Chapel aka Pretty Place SC-10/14/15

7. bake a coconut cake from scratch

8. move into our lake house-11/10/16

9. learn to confidently drive and dock the boat

10. buy new furniture for our master bedroom-07/2016

11. furnish the screened in porch and covered deck

12. buy new furniture for main level family room-07/2016

13. learn to paddle board

14. get comfy chairs for beside the kitchen fireplace-11/2016

15. host a dinner party under the stars

16. visit all the islands in our lake

17. take a cooking class

18. Read 20 books on the BBC's Book List Challenge

19. re-label my blog posts

20. send 36 handwritten notes

21. buy pretty monogrammed or engraved stationery 

22. create an inspiration board for my new office space

23. visit Vancouver

24. leave a 100% tip on a restaurant bill

25. read through the Bible in a year-2017

26. learn calligraphy

27. make a trip back to London

28. join or host a women's Bible Study-11/2016

29. perform random acts of kindness every day the week of my birthday

30. complete 3 scrapbooks

31. learn to fly fish

32. find a church in lake town

33. tour Biltmore House-02/1016

34. take the Banff train

35. make homemade ice cream

36. volunteer to pack boxes in a packing center for Operation Christmas Child

37. see a Vol game in Neyland Stadium-11/7/15

38. plan a birthday surprise for hubs

39. read 10 pieces of classic literature

40. visit Oregon-10/17/17

41. learn to make grits

42. hike to a waterfall-3/26/17

43. see the SC state capitol

44. make our own limoncello-06/2017

45. do something special for each of my three siblings

46. see Cirque du Soleil

47. Memorize 30 verses 

48. publish something

49. sip Prosecco in Italy

50. read all the Harry Potter books

51. travel to a state I've never visited-Oregon, 10/17

52. make a playlist of my 100 favorite songs

53. go to the shooting range

54. try tai chi

55. visit three museums or galleries I've never been to before

56. make homemade rolls like my grandma did for a holiday meal

57. take a southern road trip

58. write a letter to someone I admire

59. grow my own tomatoes-summer 2017

60. swim in the ocean

61. find a great lipstick

62. go berry picking

63. stay in a B & B 02/2016

64. fly a kite

65. host a holiday open house

66. attend a Clemson football game, tailgate too-09/23/17

67. spend a girls only weekend with my sisters, daughters, and niece

68. make at least ten of the recipes and/or crafts I've pinned on Pinterest

69. add to my Portmerion Christmas dish collection

70. vote in the Presidential election and state races 

71. do something creative with my daughter's wedding bouquet

72. visit a state park I haven't seen 

73. attend a Greenville Drive game

74. try a yoga class

75. organize and sync all my contacts, update all address books

76. attend a professional Ballet

77. spend a weekend in Charleston

78. visit Ft. Sumter

79. read 2 works of Shakespeare 

80. memorize the US Presidents in order

81. make an Indian curry dinner with hubs

82. give our will info to my sister in law and the kids 

83. host a brunch-08/2017

84. bake cranberry bread for our apartment neighbors

85. notice good parenting and then anonymously buy that family dinner

86. see Callaway Gardens (Georgia)

87. submit a travel piece to a magazine

88. compile emergency preparedness supplies 

89. create a flaming dessert

90. order a custom embosser for lake address

92. participate in at least one blog writing challenge-4/29/16

93. road trip up the California coast-10/17 (Northern End from SF to Tacoma WA)

94. buy and complete Rosetta stone-French
95. visit a French speaking country after completing Rosetta Stone 

96. make Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls and give them away

97. write our sponsored children at least four times a year

98. perfect my own salsa

99. pay for a camper to attend summer camp

100. blog about ten items on my list

101. inspire someone to make a list of their own 

Dream On

Way back when...July 31, 2012 to be exact...I posted a list. It was something I'd seen on my Daughter1's blog, but it was also making it's way round the Internet. I thought it looked like fun so I hopped aboard the copycat train and joined the party.

The challenge was called 101 in 1001 and the idea was to create a list of 101 to-do's, and then tick them off in 1001 days. 1001 days is just under three years, which sounded like a long time, but here it is April 2015 and time's up. I thought today I'd revisit my list and share some thoughts I have about the project. You'll find my list here. 

Q is for Quite a List 

Do you set personal goals for yourself? I mean actual write them down and have a plan to meet them kind of goals? How about a bucket list? Things you want to do in your lifetime? A wish list? Things you'd do if time and money and circumstances allowed?

I think my 101 is a combination of all three.

I've always been a list maker. A dreamer and a list maker. When there are things you want in life, be they noble pursuits such as to develop healthier habits, or just enjoyable things you hope to experience,  like one day speak French in France, you're going to need  more than a dream and a list. You need to articulate what it is you want, but then you need a plan to make it happen.

Otherwise all you've got is a list. 

As the saying goes, 'If you want something different, do something different.'

You know that other saying, 'Her eyes were bigger than her stomach'? Yeah, well I guess you could say her dreams were bigger than her reach. Or maybe her pocketbook-ha! A little of both probably because wow, my list was ambitious in some areas, particularly travel. Not sure how I thought I was going to manage all that, but it sure was fun thinking about it.

So where exactly do I stand on Day 993?

I've completed roughly 30 items, so 30% of my list. That might not sound like a lot, but I actually feel pretty good about the number. As I've periodically revisited my list I've realized there are some things that no longer need doing, and a few things I no longer have any real desire to do.

Also, there were several items on the list whose success rate I found hard to quantify. For instance anything involving a change in habit like #93-Exercise at least 4x week'. There are many, many weeks where that happens and some weeks where I get close but don't quite hit the number 4. The important thing to note is that exercise has become a regular part of my weekly routine and that's a huge gain from where I was in 2012. Winning!

#1 on the list is staring me down (transfer our videos to DVD). That's been on my to-do list far longer than 1001 days, and probably the one thing I feel most guilty about not completing.

Yes lists and guilt occasionally go hand in hand.

Some things on my list were heavy, some frivolous.
I think a balanced life requires a little of both.

There are several items on the list I've made a dent in, but where I fell short of my actual target. #97- Write our sponsored children once a month lands under this heading as does #83-try one new recipe a month. We sponsor three children, and while I haven't written each one monthly I have written each one several times a year. I've also tried loads of new recipes, but not necessarily one each month.

I think I'm okay with falling a bit short in those areas where I overoverreached a little in scope. I did  make a good effort to do better than I've ever done before, and that feels like an accomplishment.

Still working on #52-make a playlist of my 100 favorite songs.
You can't rush greatness.

So what's my plan going forward?

To make a new list of course! Who's with me? 

36 and 99

In tidying up end of the year bloggy stuff I wanted to post a few fun pics of some crafty Christmas love.  And yes, I know this is Day 2 of a brand new year, but in my mind it's still December.

One item on my 101 in 1001 list (#36) was to make homemade Christmas ornaments for my extended family.

Check.

These turned out super cute, and were fun to put together. I'd seen the original idea on Pinterest with a link to instructions here. I bought my letters pre-painted (A.C. Moore), but you could buy them unfinished and paint them yourself if you didn't have a list as long as your arm like I did in December.  I chose wintery themed scrapbook paper and mod podged til it stuck.

I had a little help from Daughter1, who is an actual crafty person as opposed to just playing one on her blog, and she designed the tags for me. I've scribbled the names out with my magic computer, but the tags read 'The Smith Family' est. 1984. Except of course  I used actual family names and dates.

I bought charms at Michael's and modpodged the tag to the charm.  I tied it on with a coordinating ribbon, added an eye hook for hanging from the Christmas tree or anywhere, and BAM-homemade ornaments.

I found cute sparkly bags at The Christmas Tree Shoppe to package them in, and I think everyone really liked this little gift.

Another item on my 101 in 1001 list (#99) was to put all of our Christmas card letters through the years into books for my girls. Originally I imagined scanning all the letters and creating a photo book,  mixing Christmas photos with the letters. In the end I went old school and made them binders. They're more user friendly and can be easily added to in the future.

I am so pleased with this little project, and my girls absolutely loved their books. I bought binders at Staples, along with plastic sleeves for the letters, and photo sleeves for the pictures. I found a free printable for the cover, a saying I particularly love and relate to at Christmastime, and I ordered copies of Christmas photos via Shutterfly.  We didn't send a letter every year, but most years we did, and I printed all of those onto card stock.  

In addition, I got some cute holiday recipe cards from Current and added our favorite family holiday recipes to the back of the binder. My girls already have a lot of my recipes copied, so they can easily add the holiday themed ones to their books.

This is one reason I went old school as opposed to a bound photo book. I definitely think it's nice to have your mom's recipes in her very own handwriting.

This took some time and planning, but once I got everything together was simple to assemble.  Best of all, it's a gift I know they'll treasure.

Friday Fragments Volume Deux

Its Friday.  It doesn't feel like Friday, I guess because it's been a four day work week here.  Course I don't work so I don't know why I even mention that, but we were traveling last weekend and didn't get home until Monday night which meant hubs didn't go in to his office until Tuesday.  He works.  Yay hubs!  

It snowed here Wednesday night. I normally enjoy the first snow of the season, but on top of a hurricane it just felt wrong. It took hubs two hours to get home from work Wednesday night, but thankfully temperatures warmed up enough on Thursday to melt the roadways.  

We are hoping for a precipitation free weekend...the NY/NJ area needs it. Temperatures are supposed to hit 60 on Sunday.  Whoohoo!  

Some of you are happy I'm back to talking about the weather.  

Today is my big brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Brother! He's actually my only brother, but he's also older than me and it's especially important to remind him of that today. I honestly don't know anyone who doesn't like my brother. He has the most easy going personality, and while I'm sure he probably stresses about stuff on the inside you never see it on the outside.  

How about a photo to mark the day....

That's him on the right in case you were wondering.  

This picture was taken in Edinburgh Scotland back in 2008 when he and my sister-in-law hopped the pond for a visit. I can't remember this woman's exact deal, but I believe she holds the world record for most piercings. Not sure if that's correct, but it's certainly plausible.  

What's everybody reading these days? Our neighborhood book club met last night and this month's book was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Mixed reviews on the actual storyline, but everyone agreed it was a page turner.  I'm currently reading The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman and really like it so far.  

One item on my 101 in 1001 (remember that?) was to read six non-fiction books. So far I've read two,  most recently Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala, pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle. If ever we as a nation needed to amp up our prayer life, now is the time, and this book addresses that very thing. It's not a new book and I ordered it for something like a nickel off of Amazon.  

Speaking of my 101 in 1001, how about an update? Some of the items on my list are ongoing,  either monthly or over the course of the 3+ years the challenge runs, so I likely will evaluate those on day 1001. It's never too late to make your own list...be sure to let me know if you do!  

Here's what I've checked off so far-

#3-get my hearing checked (happening on Monday)...should have already happened, but Sandy forced cancellation of my previous appointment

#12-visit Boston (September, 2012)...super fun weekend you can read about here

#13-have piano tuned (October, 2012)...I wanted this one done before Daughter2 comes home for Thanksgiving.  She notices when it's sour.  

 

#32-paint laundry room (September, 2012)...actually hubs did the painting and I supervised. ahem.  I've also purchased a pretty rug, but haven't found exactly what I want for the walls so pictures will come later.

#35-redo driveway pillars (in process)...the place that makes the slate tops only had their power restored a couple of days ago so they're running a little behind.  Once that's done, and the lamps reinstalled the pillars will be finished.  We are so pleased with the new look.

#43-sort out side hill (October, 2012)...it looks great!  I'll post pics once the pillars have been completed.

#53-rent canoes at Waywayanda (August, 2012)...a fun day I wrote about  here.

#70-vote in all elections and primaries at the local, state,  and national level...done so far as they've come round

#83-make one new recipe a month (this is ongoing, but so far I've kept it up)...perhaps I'll link up the recipes later, but right now I have the bug man inspecting the house, I'm still in my sweats, and I have a hair appointment in thirty minutes, so the recipes will have to wait.  

Hmmm, seems I had more fragments today than I initially thought. Go here to add your own Friday Fragments to the list~

Have a great weekend everyone!

101 in 1001

Ever since I saw daughter1's blog post last week with her 101 in 1001 list, I've been mulling over a list of my own. I really love the idea of living intentionally and I'll also admit that I'm a bit of a list junkie. I'm especially a fan of the notes app on my ipad and the notion that I have a never ending supply of legal pads at my fingertips.

Making my list was something of a challenge. I think if you're under 30 it might be less of a brain strain but at almost 52 I know myself well. I know what is possible, but also what is likely. If I had an unlimited bank account to go with my list then no problem, but since I don't I tried to include only those things that fall within the realm of do-able.

I hopped around to a few blog lists and noticed some bloggers have categorized their goals according to genre-home improvement, personal development, spiritual, physical, etc. Mine is more of what might kindly be referred to as 'free flowing'. If you decide to make a list of your own let me know so I can cheer you on, and more importantly, cross off #101.

In no particular order, here's my 101 in 1001~

Start date-8/1/2012

End date-4/28/2015

1. transfer our videos to DVD

2. host an English tea

3. get my hearing checked (completed 11/12/12)

4. crochet something

5. pay for a soldier's meal or coffee (does a beer count? If so, completed 12/18/13)

6. find a small table for the upstairs hall

7. read through the Bible chronologically (completed December 31, 2013-best.thing.ever.)

8. figure out Dish network on my ipad

9. make a trip back to London

10. learn to fly fish

11. volunteer to pack boxes in a packing center for Operation Christmas Child

12. visit Boston (9/27/12-9/30/12)

13. get piano tuned(10/23/12)

14. frame something for the hall bathroom (completed, 2/28/13)

15. Lose 10 pounds (completed, 1/15)

16. buy and complete Rosetta stone-French

17. take a cooking class

18. visit the Statue of Liberty with hubs

19. re-label my blog posts

20. send 36 handwritten notes

21. buy pretty monogrammed or engraved stationery (completed, 9/18/13)

22. see Niagara Falls

23. take an organized NYC walk

24. drink 8 glasses of water a day for at least one week

25. Read 6 non-fiction books (completed, 1/15/15)

26. volunteer at a soup kitchen or food pantry (monthly beginning 1/14/12)

27. get all loose photos in albums, scrapbooks, or photo boxes

28. go out west

29. perform random acts of kindness every day the week of my birthday

30. complete 3 scrapbooks

31. host a wine and cheese evening

32. paint the laundry room (autumn, 2012)

33. frame something for the back bath

34. take the Banff train

35. redo the driveway pillars (10/26/12)

36. make Christmas ornaments for the whole family (completed Christmas, 2013)

37. see a Vol game in Neyland Stadium

38. plan a birthday surprise for hubs

39. read 10 pieces of classic literature

40. have my everyday makeup professionally done

41. figure out wall over the sofa table (completed, August 2013)

42. settle on where we will retire and narrow down housing wants/needs (completed, February 2015)

43 sort out the side hill (10/26/12)

44. send at least 2 random care packages to the girls every year

45. plan a 30th anniversary trip (Portugal, 6/14)

46 see Cirque du Soleil

47. Memorize 30 verses (completed, March 2015)

48. publish something

49. sip Prosecco in Italy

50. read all the Harry Potter books

51. travel to a state I've never visited

52. make a playlist of my 100 favorite songs

53. rent canoes at Waywayanda (10/6/12)

54. attend a sorority reunion (7/26-28/13)

55. dine at Anthony Bourdain's Les Halle's

56. make homemade rolls like my grandma did for a holiday meal

57. pray weekly with my hubs

58. write a letter to someone I admire

59. take a golf lesson

60. visit the NY Botanical Gardens

61. move my blog to my own domain (first, find out what that means) (1/19/13)

62. drink frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity

63. stay in a B & B

64. see all the films on 'Roger Ebert's 102 movies you must see' list (as of Aug 1-26/102)

65. make Thai dishes learned in my UK cooking class

66. go to Governor's Island

67. spend a girls only weekend with my sisters, daughters, and niece

68. replace dining room chandelier

69. add to my Portmerion Christmas dish collection

70. vote in the Presidential election and all eligible primaries and races (done)

71. be disciplined in my quiet time (I got there in 2013, but feel this will always remain a goal)

72. visit a state park I haven't seen (2/2013-Ft. DeSoto Park, Tampa FL)

73. walk across the Brooklyn Bridge-eat pizza at Grimaldi's under the bridge (walked bridge, 5/14)

74. take a piano lesson

75. organize and sync all my contacts, update all address books

76. attend a professional Ballet

77. visit The Cloisters

78. open, sort, repack or give away all the boxes in the basement (completed, April 2015)

79. read 2 works of Shakespeare

80. memorize the US Presidents in order

81. make an Indian curry dinner with hubs

82. give our will info to my sister in law and the kids

83. try at least one new recipe every month

84. visit Hyde Park, NY

85. notice good parenting and then anonymously buy that family dinner

86. go thru saved magazines and clip recipes-file

87. submit a travel piece to a magazine

88. compile emergency preparedness supplies

89. create a flaming dessert

90. send a care package to a soldier I don't know

91. spa day at Crystal Springs followed by dinner at Latour

92. participate in the A-Z blog challenge (04/13)

93. exercise at least 4 days/week

94. eat in a top 10 NYC restaurant

95. visit a French speaking country after completing Rosetta Stone

96. paint the back bedroom (completed, 5/1/13)

97. write our sponsored children once a month

98. find a piece of furniture for family room corner

99. scan family Christmas photo cards/letters into photo books for us/ the girls (completed, Christmas 2013 done in binder format)

100. Blog about 50 or more items on my list

101. Inspire someone to make a list of their own (8/1/12-Sherrie at Food for Thought)