I am back!

I am soooo excited to get back on my blog!  Man, I have a lot of goals to update!!  Stand by!

First thank you card going out in today's mail

Today is the 6th and marks my first Thank you card I am sending to our soldiers. Here is a link I found with the assistance of Uncle Google. If you are inspired to send a thank you card or drawing, even a care package, please look into it. Make the day of a soldier fighting for you!!
Thank you!
MJ and her 101 goals

A Million Thanks | Send a Letter

www.amillionthanks.org

Send a letter (snagged this from their site)

We are asking individuals, schools, churches, businesses, and other organizations to write cards, letters, emails, and prayer messages of appreciation to our military. It is our goal to see that our military (active, reserve, and veterans) receive these messages, whether they are serving at home, abroad, or are injured in hospitals. To get started, read the guidelines below:

1. Do not put letters in individual envelopes. Send multiple letters in bundles
2. Do not send edible items
3. Do not use loose glitter, confetti, or anything that is not attached to the letter or card
4. Only include positive messages. Any negative messages will be discarded
5. Be creative! Draw pictures, talk about you, and let them know their work does not go unnoticed
6. Include your address or email address if you wish. Most military will write back to you!

Mail To:

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail

Here it is...the trail...goal #34:  Who is coming with me?  I am thinking this is going to be done on a nice Spring Day when it isn't sweltering in the Tri-Cities heat or in the early Fall when it isn't sweltering in the Tri-Cities heat!  What say you? 

Sacagawea Heritage Trail

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail Project is a recreational and educational trail along twenty-three miles of beautiful Columbia River shoreline in Tri-Cities, Washington. The trail is dedicated to the lone woman on the Lewis and Clark expedition. The bi-modal trail and all trail amenities enable all outdoor enthusiasts to experience an environmentally sound and unique shrub-steppe habitat and gain a greater awareness and appreciation for the experiences of the Corps of Discovery in the Mid-Columbia region.

The Sacagawea Heritage Trail plays on the vision for a continuous bicycle and pedestrian route connecting the Tri-Cities. The trail, showcasing interpretive opportunities, is intended to serve as an amenity for both local residents and visitors to the area. The non-motorized loop routes along the riverfronts in the Tri-Cities area, and create linkages with waterfront parks. The trail system includes Class I multi-purpose trails, sidewalks, Class II bike routes (striped bike lanes) and Class III bike routes (signed bike routes).

The Tri-Cities area is fortunate to have extensive river frontage along the Columbia, Yakima and Snake Rivers. Much of the riverfront is in public ownership, either through the Army Corps of Engineers, Cities, Benton and Franklin Counties, Port districts or State Parks. Portions of the trail route have been developed through parks, and along levees and streets. Individual jurisdictions have also completed trail improvements in conjunction with other waterfront development.

Interpretive topics are portrayed along the route. This includes a variety of natural, historical, and cultural topics with an emphasis on specific sites of local interest. This list could be expanded if other appropriate topics come to light. These displays are of interest to both locals interested in preserving the local heritage, and to tourists learning about the area. The actual interpretive displays take a number of forms, from signage to sculptural elements. Interpretive displays add substantially to the enjoyment of trail facilities by the public.

Creation of the Master Plan involved input from a number of local jurisdictions, including: the Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland; Benton and Franklin Counties; and the Ports of Benton, Kennewick and Pasco. Overall coordination for the planning process was provided by the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau. An Interlocal Staff Committee composed of representatives from each of the above agencies and jurisdictions met with the consultant team to review and discuss existing conditions and proposed planning elements. The planning process began in December, 1999, and was completed in August, 2000.

Let the goals begin:

Happy New Year to you all.  Today begins an exciting journey for me.  I was talking to one of my best friends last night, telling him about my goals.  He asked which goal I think would be the easiest.  I told him that I hope it would be goal # 42 - Locate my best childhood friend Andrea Huxoll.  I was hoping all I'd have to do is type her name into a search bar in this really neat networking site.  (You know the one).  Well, I did just that, and voila'! There she was!  She looks so beautiful!  I sent her a message with a friend request.  I hope she remembers me and we can catch up! 

As far as the list, well, it has begun.  I hope you all come with me on this fun journey.  I hope it inspires you as well. 

Have a blessed New Year!  Come back and visit me often!

MJ

My goals, all 101 of them...

THE BIGGEST LOSER (Nice way to start my first blog post aye)?

1. Lose 10 pounds*
2. Lose 10 more pounds*
3. Lose another 10 pounds*
4. Lose final 10 ponds*
5. Become a gym rat (get in there 3 - 4 times a week)
6. Ride my bike (I can't say more because I don't ride it)
7. Wear and update my fitbit daily (that piece of tracking genius is expensive)
8. Join Bikram Yoga (hot yoga) and go!
9. Park in the farthest parking spot as often as I can (as long as it is under a light)
10. Sigh...so hard to type this...swap pop for tea for one month

THE ATHLETE NOT IN ME

   11.  Learn to golf
   12.  Play on a community sports team for one season (hey, if I like it, I may stick with it)
   13.  Participate in 2 local walks/runs
   14.  Go out for Roller Derby, I would be a jammer.  I have a need for speed.
   15.  Go roller skating at least one time a month
   16.  Participate in the Susan B. Komen "Walk for the Cure" in Seattle

THE HUMBLE ABODE AND IT'S DWELLERS

  17.  Keep up on dishes (as in not let them stack in the sink)
  18.  Keep up on the laundry (the couch is not a folding table, dresser, or closet)
  19.  Go on a date with Jeff (the hubs) at least once a month.  (This really is harder than it seems)
  20.  Go on a date with Hailey (the daughter) at least once a month.  (Errand running doesn't count)
  21.  Have a second child*
  22.  Help Jeff finish our back yard
  23.  The garage...to be used as a 2 car garage
  24.  Game and craft closet.  (This some how managed to be a collect all and it is impossible to see what is in there, my fault)
  25.  Decorate our home for the seasons and holidays
  26.  Use shed for tools and equipment
  27.  Deep clean the banos at least once a month (this sounds gross, let me assure you we keep our bathrooms clean.  But when I say a deep clean, I am talking toothbrush to the grout, I am talking dust off the light bulbs, I am talking squeegy to the shower doors, and I am talking organized drawers and closet).
  28.  No more water sippy cups for Hailey at bed time (I have chosen my battles wisely, this is one I am going to have to fight and win)
  29.  Take my Gram on a Volkswagen Bug test drive.  She is 90 and wants to ride in a "slug bug"
  30.  Find or build OUR home  (we are in our starter home, I am afraid we are and will continue to out grow it)

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

  31.  Hike to the top of 2 waterfalls (I have only been to the top of 2 waterfalls in my life)
  32.  Camp at Crater Lake
  33.  Take the family camping at Lake Wenatchee
  34.  Walk/ride the Heritage Trail

LAW ABIDING CITIZEN

  35.  No talking on my cell phone while driving for 1001 days (after the 1001 days are over, I will remain off my cell phone while driving.  Pretty sure "IT CAN WAIT")

COMPUTER WHIZ?  MORE LIKE CHEESE WHIZ

  36.  Give up Facebook for one month
  37.  Start a blog (hey, what do you know?  Began this blog at 9:05pm 12/30/10...)
  38.  Post 2 videos on You Tube (of what? To be decided)

YOU'RE A PAL AND A CONFIDANT

  39.  Find my favorite teacher Mrs. Mayer and send her a Thank You Card and a photo
  40.  May Day to Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Jacobsen (May 2011, May 2012, and May 2013)
  41.  Treat a friend to lunch once a month
  42.  Locate my best young childhood friend Andrea Huxoll

CREATIVE ME

  43.  Make 12 scrapbook layouts a month (3 a weekend is manageable)
  44.  Try out for a local production
  45.  Finish UFO's (WHAT? Let me explain, I have a box of crafts I have started but not finished.  They are affectionately called UnFinished Objects)
  46.  Take a painting class

NOW THIS MAKES CENTS

  47.  Transfer $20.00 into savings account once a month
  48.  Do not touch savings account for 1001 days


GOOD EATS - GOODBYE TREATS

  49.  Eat all home meals at the table
  50.  Learn to make 10 new dishes (meals, that is)
  51.  Try 5 new to me fruits
  52.  Try 5 new to me vegetables
  53.  Go to lunch with my mother
  54.  Make 10 new meals in the slow cooker
  55.  Sit with someone dining alone (I am not going to give an amount or a time frame on this, I'd like to do it every time I see someone dining alone.  Of course I will ask them if I may join them first)
  56.  Try a "new to me" item off the menu each time I dine out (breaking out of the mold I am, I have my particlars right?  Branch out MJ)!
  57.  Substitute every side of fries, except at Red Robin (owie, that one hurt to write too).
  58.  Give up all added and/or unnecessary sugar for a week.

THAT'S MRS. DEMETER DEEDS TO YOU

  59.  Recycle all I can
  60.  Use reusable bags at all stores, or decline the bags
  61.  Pick up all garbage I walk over or past (I always have hand sanitizer in my reach then I will make my way to a washroom).
  62.  Adopt a Highway (This was added as a goal before any prior research.  I will look into this and get back to you).
  63.  Perform community service, when my community calls, I will volunteer.
  64.  Send Thank You cards to our soldiers three times a month (on the 6th, 25th, and 29th of each month)
  65.  Ride the bus to/from work for one month (I hope this will be more frequent than one month)
  66.  Donate blood (you know I have NEVER done this)
  67.  Donate plasma (NEVER done this either)
  68.  Donate bone marrow (NEVER done this one, I hear it is painful, but can you imagine what pain the recipient goes through)?
  69.  Donate to Locks of Love on 9/30/2013 (that's right, not cutting or hi-lighting my hair for 1001+ days.  I mean, I will trim the ends but that's it.  There is someone out there that needs my hair more than I need it).
  70.  Compliment a stranger once a week
  71.  Donate my time to a local charity once a month (another goal that I hope doesn't end)
  72.  Thank a soldier every time I see one

DEVOTION

  73.  Give up pop for Lent 2011
  73.2 Give up sugar for Lent 2012
  73.3 Give up TBD for Lent 2013
  74.  Adopt a Family at Christmas
  75.  Join a Bible Study  (I hope this will continue as well, after these next 1001 days)

BLEEDING HEART

  76.  Walk Oliver once a week (Jeff's job, Oliver walks me, but I will do it once a week)
  77.  Take Oliver to the Dog Park at least once a month
  78.  Adopt a shelter animal

EXPANDING MY HORIZONS

  79.  Read 10 books cover to cover (I can read and I like to read, I just do not make time to do so.  Oh, and Hailey's books will not count towards this.
  80.  Get up early than normal for one week
  81.  Read to preschoolers/kindergartners
  82.  Read to Senior Citizens
  83.  Join a book club

BIG SPENDER 

  84.  Go on a cruise
  85.  Purchase a tent camper

I WANNA TALK ABOUT ME, WANNA TALK ABOUT I

  86.  Braces (Do you know I still have a baby tooth?  Not joking. My permanent tooth is there, up in the gums, lying on it's side.  It didn't develop in my mouth correctly so it never pushed that baby out.  Because of that, my front 2 teeth never closed the gap.  You know, that baby gap every child seems to have?  So, I have a gap between my front two teeth.  But because it bothers me, I have had it closed cosmetically.  The closure isn't forever and I have to be extra careful when eating certain foods.  So I have decided that next time they "break," brace yourself for this (pun intended) I am getting braces.
  87.  Lasik eye surgery...I think.  I haven't looked into this yet, but right now, it is a goal of mine
  88.  Learn to play piano
  89.  Self breast exam once a month
  90.  Take a self portrait of myself once a week for 1001 days.
  91.  Become a Close to My Heart Consultant
  92.  Learn to ski
  93.  Have a successful "Subway Art" side business
  94.  Go to a movie by myself
  95.  Get my college degree in Business Administration - with hopes of taking that degree into HR
  96.  Land my career in Human Resources (My long term goal, which will not happen in 1001 days, is to eventually work for Corporate Disney)
  97.  No TV for one day per week - this means no morning news either
  98.  Do something that I never thought I'd do
  99.  Listen to instrumental music instead of turning the TV on
  100.  Learn the lyrics to a song that is nearly impossible to understand
  101.  FINISH THIS LIST

*So, let's address the weight loss.  As you have read, there is a goal to have a second baby.  Which means there is natural weight gain in there.  Once I have our second child, I hope to get back on the weight loss track.  Ideally, my goal is to lose 40 pounds.  I have high hopes that 40 pounds will be gone within 1001 days. At 30 years of age, I am at my heaviest that I have been in my life.  Wish me luck!