Numbers 13, 17, 44, 46, 88, 90 and 93 - It's been a while

So let's start with the one that's really no big deal.  Number 88 - send Christmas cards to family and friends.  This was a gimme so that I could mark at least one off my list.  If you got a Christmas card from me last Christmas, consider yourself very loved.  :)

Number 13 - Put a mantle on the fireplace.  So I got this mantle from my great aunt's house and up until last week, it's been leaning against the fire place - but I've still kept it decorated.  Now it's mounted to the fireplace and looks better than ever.  I won't be able to enjoy it since I'm moving out, but it sure looks nice!

Number 17 - take one photo a day for a year.  If you follow me on Instagram, I apologize for the obnoxious #bde101in1001 hashtag you saw ALL YEAR LONG in 2013.  So, if you want to hop on over to Instragram and check out what I did every day last year, just type that hashtag in and there ya go!

Number 90 - donate blood.  Another silly one, but donating blood used to be something I did every time I could.  I started slacking a bit, but was able to give here recently at the TCS blood drive.

Number 93 - Dye Easter Eggs - something I haven't done in years and years.  Kayla and I dyed them this year.  We probably broke 5 and dad was very unhappy with the mess we made.  It was good sister time, though.

Speaking of my sister - Number 44 - Have lunch with her!  In March, I had a job interview in Hoover and decided to take the entire day off.  I was able to go meet Kayla's work friends and have lunch with her.  This was something I so very much loved when she lived with me in Tuscaloosa.  Finally, we are able to spend lots more time together since we're neighbors.  I'm looking forward to a lot more dates with her!

And finally....the one WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR....

NUMBER 46 - GET ENGAGED!

Y'all know this is the only one on my list I truly cared about :)  And by now, this is old news because I'm a big slacker when it comes to updating this for everyone to know.  On March 16th, James Paul proposed to me in the house we are remodeling.  It was the perfect day and I was completely surprised.  He even allowed my mom to be there to take pictures - something I had requested though never thought he would do.  We are getting married on December 13, 2014 (12/13/14 - cool huh?) at his home church in Buhl.  Things are rocking and rolling for me.  I've already got the dress and picked out the dresses for my girls.  If you haven't already, check out our website on the knot for a longer version of the proposal story and other information about our wedding www.theknot.com/wedding/englebert-mills.

Paul proposing 

Wedding dress shopping!

Numbers 49, 51, 71, 76, and 85

So I've been slacking a little - on completing goals and blogging about the ones I have done.  It's time to get my butt in gear and start marking things off this list!

Number 49 Get A Pedicure - For Kayla's wedding, I decided to get my nails and toes done.  Mom, Kayla and I went together and it felt absolutely amazing!  And my feet were oh so soft.  However, even after asking them not to touch my gimp toe (remember the TV story?) they did anyway, and a few weeks later I had a horrible ingrown toenail (or something like it) KILLING my toe.  It hurt so badly.  I'm seriously not sure that I'll ever have a pedi again.

Number 51 Go On A Hike - Last weekend Paul and I took advantage of the beautiful semi-cool weather and went over to the Arboretum for a nice little hike.  This was only our second time over there, but it's such a nice place and only 2 minutes from my house.  I need to start going there more often.  This time, we decided to take the dogs.  Mellie has learned very well over the years how to walk on a leash.  She went from the absolute worst walker to a very well-trained walker.  Todd, on the other hand, has probably  never been on a leash.  He was ready to pull Paul down.  I think by the end of the trail, though, he was much better.  We didn't see much wildlife other than birds, but we saw LOTS and LOTS of SPIDERS and walked through many a spider web.  FYI - Paul is a total girl when it comes to spiders, so every time he accidentally walked through a spider web, I was very entertained!

Number 71 Buy New Furniture For The Front Living Room - When Kayla lived here, we made an agreement that she could take the red furniture in the front living room when she moved out.  It was a hand-me-down from mom and dad and Kayla always loved it.  So when move out day came she was going to take it and I was going to have an empty room.  A friend of Paul's gave us some furniture to try.  Y'all, my grandma had this same couch back in the day, and while it may have been lovely back then, it is AWFUL now.  Other than it having the ugliest pattern in the world, the couch was nice - clean, no smells - so, I thought I would just buy a slipcover.  Well, I bought a slipcover and it basically looked like I just draped a sheet right over it.  No thanks!  Mom had also found a nice oversized chair at an estate sale.  Again, it was in great condition and they only charged us $60, so we took it!  So - I didn't buy a bunch of new furniture.  I spent $60 on one chair and the rest is furniture that was in other rooms around the house and an entertainment center from my shed.  I seriously am in love with that little room.  It's a great sitting room and oh so comfy!

Number 76 Eat At City Cafe - I finally at at City Cafe!  Can y'all Tuscaloosians believe that in the 5 years I've lived here, I just now visited them?  I can't believe it.  I was missing out!  The food was delicious and Oh so cheap!  The downside - fighting the crowd.  However, we got lucky and only waited about 5 minutes for a seat.  I'll be visiting again soon!

Number 85 Host A Pampered Chef Party - Well, how about we revise this to "Host an Initial Outfitters Party"?  Or how about "Become a Direct Salesperson for Initial Outfitters?"  Y'all, I could go broke on all the cute jewelry and gifts we sell.  If you haven't checked out my website, do it now (www.InitialOutfitters.net/BRITT), and then scheduled a party because our hostess rewards are INCREDIBLE!

I still have over 70 things to mark off my list and a little over a year to do so.  It's time to get on the ball!  Hope y'all enjoyed keeping up with my project 0 list from the past couple of months.  Stay tuned!

No. 36 and 41

So far, 2013 has been a good year for progress!  I've completed two goals this month...

Number 36 - Throw a surprise party.  Most of you already know, but I threw a surprise party for Paul's 30th.  I'm really bad with surprises, but I pulled it off.  I couldn't have done it with out my mom and sister, though.  While I got Paul out of the house, they put up all the decorations and got the house looking awesome.  We had a great turnout - almost every person I invited showed up.  That meant so much to him!  Mom set up a backdrop and did a photo booth with crazy props.  It was so much fun!

 Number 41 - Leave a 100% tip.  I did it!  This was one I was  really looking forward to.  I know nothing about waiters' salaries, but I always hear that the bulk of what they make is in tips.  I went with the girls to Jim N Nicks, and we had a very nice waiter who took excellent care of us, so I thought this might be the opportune time.  I hope he got a little blessing from it.

Lent begins tomorrow.  I've never participated, but decided to this year.  So, during the next 40 days, I am fasting from soft drinks and chocolate.  Guys, this could be the death of me, but this is going to be a good time for me to reflect on Jesus' life and death and to kind of think about my life and my relationship with Him.  This isn't something huge and life changing that I'm giving up, but it's a start.

 There are two things on my list that I have made revisions to:  Finish knitting the pink and brown scarf, and knit scarves for Christmas presents.  Ya know, I'm totally over the knitting thing.  However, I've started sewing and am loving it!  So, new goals:  sew a scarf and sew things for Christmas presents.  I've started on an infinity scarf for Kayla, but just can't get it perfected.  Of course, I will update you when I do :)

Ok, so how boring was this blog?  Let's make it a little exciting (bare with me, I get excited over the littlest things!).  Since I'm all into sewing, and have perfected the pocket, I'd like to give away a pocket t-shirt.  So, everyone who leaves a comment on my blog post (NOT MY FACEBOOK POST) by 10:00 pm on February 14 will be entered in a drawing.  You pick the color of the pocket and the size of the t-shirt.  You can also choose to have it monogrammed.  No, I'm not cool enough yet to have a monogram machine, but I can monogram with fabric - kind of like this:

Good Luck! :)  Maybe I'll have some more fun prizes in the future - like a scarf :)

I know this blog is long enough, but I wanted to leave you with a sweet Valentine.  Isn't this the cutest little Valentine you've ever seen? 



"In Progress" Goals

I wanted to give you all a update on how things are going.  When I started this, I was completing goal after goal so fast, and now, I'm slowing down.  I guess I'm not as motivated about it as I was when I first began (typical bad habit of mine).  I'm making progress on a few of my goals, but it's taking longer than planned.  So, I wanted to give you an update of those that are "in progress."

17 - Take 1 photo a day for a year.  So far, I've completed January 1-10.  I'm using the hashtag #bde101in1001 on Instagram to kind of keep track of each day.  If you don't follow me on Instagram, you can click the link on the right of my page, or search for me (bdenglebert).  You can follow as I go, or wait until I have completed this one.

20 - Finish reading the Hunger Games series.  I've finished 1 and 2.  Started #3, but got very bored.  As much as I'd love to be, I'm really not a reader.  So it takes a lot for me to finish a book.  But, the second movie is coming out this year (I think) so I'm hoping this will motivate me to finish the series.

22 - Lose 40 pounds.  This one has been in progress since last summer, but I fell off that band wagon and gained every single pound that I lost and then some more.  I started dieting again right after Christmas and lost weight fast (couldn't eat much because I was sick).  I'm down a total of 6 lbs as of Sunday.  I believe if I would actually get up and move, the weight would start pouring off.  Exercising makes me feel so good when I'm done, so I don't know why I never do it.  BTW - I just had an AWESOME Zumba Wii workout.  :)  (One of my goals for 2013 - I do goals, not resolutions - is to lost weight.  I have a few more I'll mention throughout the blog)

38 - Read every chapter of the Bible.  Another 2013 goal - read through the Bible in one year.  I found a neat plan that goes through chronologically.  So far, I've stuck with it.  I've read Genesis 1-11 and Job 1-28.  If you'd like to check out the plan I'm using, click here.  I encourage everyone to do this if you're not already - it's not too late to start!  You'll only have to catch up a few days!!!!!

47 - Devote 30 to 45 minutes each day to God.  I started this one out on the wrong foot, but am happy to report that I'm spending true quality time with the Lord.  Spending time in the Word and talking with God each day has made me feel so much happier and more at peace with things.

50 - Laugh out loud everyday.  I LOVE to laugh!  It's true that laughter is the absolute best medicine.  When you're having a bad day, try it!

58 - Save all my change for 1001 days and cash it in when the challenge is done.  At Christmas Village I got this glass jug that says Rollin in the Dough.  I now put all my change in it instead of spending.  I don't care cash much, but have got a good bit saved in there right now.

62 - Do 10 nice things for random people I know without telling them.  So far, I have found the opportunity to do this twice.  One person did find out that I did the random act of kindness.

80 - Complete all the workouts on my Zumba for the Wii.  As I said before, I had a fabulous Zumba workout just tonight!

81 - Complete 10 DIY projects from Pinterest.  I'm sad to report that I have only done 2 since this began.

82 - Try 25 recipes from Pinterest.  I'm slacking on the projects, but I've been a cooking maniac!  I've done at least 20 of these!!

So these are my "in progress" challenges.  I hope to put a huge dent in my list in 2013.  As expected, there will be some things that though I thought I'd be able to afford, I won't before this list ends.  But, that's ok.  It's just good to have goals.

One other 2013 goal that I didn't mention - learn to budget.  My sister will be moving out in May which means I'm short a roomie.  However, I'm ok with that because it will be a learning experience.  My dad tells me almost every time I see him that I really need to start a budget.  I agreed, but blew it off and was LAZY and never did one.  I made one for January and it's a real eye opener to how much money I really spend.  So, I'm learning to budget this year and learning to really manage my money.

I'm excited to see what all is in store for this year!  I hope you all have a fantastic 2013.  Stay tuned for more updates!!

Numbers 18, 19, 89

Wow!  I have not blogged about any of my projects since September!  I've been a slacker.  I haven't even thought about my list in the longest time and didn't realize that I had a few things on the list I could mark off.  So where do I start?  Let's start from the least exciting...

First, I got a nice new Keurig plus a ton, ton, ton of coffee!  I LOVE it.  I love it so much, day 2 with my Keurig, I drank about 5 cups of the different drinks I had and got very sick.  Oops...overdid it just a little bit.   My favorite drink (and I highly recommend it if you have a Keurig):  Cafe Escapes - Cafe Caramel.  YUMMY!  However, it is a tad more fattening than the plain coffee.

Secondly, I got a New Year's kiss from James Paul.  New Year's Eve 2011, we decided not to be together.  So, he stayed with his family, I stayed with mine which meant no sugies to bring in the New Year.  Well, this year I got it, but it was not very exciting.  I was SICK and told him not to even come near me actually, but he insisted.  Sweet boy knew how bad I wanted a New Year's kiss before I was sick, so he thought it was important I got one.

Last:  I got that bug, ugly TV out of my shed.  That sounds exciting, right?  No, not really.  And it wasn't an exciting thing, but what an eventful day that was!  I had been on an overnight work trip to Louisiana (and sick - Alabama weather really kills my sinuses) and returned home tired and ill.  The electric fence had not been working and Riley was hitting his body as hard as he could against my semi-new sliding glass doors.  Set off #1.  Anyway, being the sweet roomie that I am, I had decided that even though I was sick, I was going to get all the Christmas decorations out because the roommates had wanted to decorate a little early so that they had plenty of time to enjoy it before going home for the holidays.  I opened up the shed only to find a jumbled up mess.  I couldn't get to any of the decorations.  Set off #2.  So, I'm sick, tired from traveling, and MAD.  I notice that big TV in the corner of my eye and decide it has to get gone right then and there, and I am going to do it all by myself.  Well, it was a lot heaver than I thought and I couldn't slide it through the yard to the street.  So, I decided to try to shimmy it through the yard.  In the process, I pulled the TV over my foot, snagging my toenail.  I have lost a toenail before, but this was worse.  The nail stayed in tact, but was ripped from the skin a little.  It hurt and bled worse than when I actually lost my toenail.  That's been two months ago, and I still have a nasty brown toenail, but I've still got it!

Number 5

I haven't seen my friend, Haley in over a year. We have maintained a very good long distance relationship, but I still miss her. Well, this week I had the opportunity to see her! We had a nice lunch date to Panera Bread and then did a little shopping at Kohl's. Haley is the queen of bargain finds at Kohl's. I'm very glad I was able to spend a little time with my friend!! :)

Number 25

See that satellite dish?  I haven't had DirectTV for a couple of years now.  I have U-Verse (which is awesome by the way and doesn't include some ugly metal piece to go somewhere in your yard).  When I cancelled DirectTV they said "Oh, by the way, you are responsible for removing that dish." ...oh great...

I have mentioned to Paul a number of times (especially when I'm mowing the grass and have to go around it) that when WE have time  I would like to get rid of that old thing.  I also emphasized that there was no rush.  Just needed it gone at least by the end of my 1001 days. 

Three weeks ago my amazing boyfriend was weed eating my yard.  It was a very very hot day and he had to take a number of milk breaks (Yes, milk, not water...).  He finally came in and I could tell he was so exhausted.  I told him to just wait and I'd maybe weed eat the rest during after work one day.  He only had to do the back yard, and it really wasn't more than I could handle.  He then explained to me that he wouldn't be so exhausted had he not tried to dig up the satellite dish.  Of course, I don't have a single tool in my shed to make removing the dish easy.  He basically bent the thing back and forth until it snapped in half only to realize that it was in about 2 feet of cement under the ground. 

Oh, that boy is crazy, but he loves me and that's why he did it and didn't ask for help I guess.

So now the yard looks much better.  No more ugly dish.  The cement is still there for the moment, but it's underground.  Also, this picture is just after the tornado - which is why you see such a mess.  All of that is gone as well.  So my yard looks quite nice!