#89. Read 115 Books - Progress

My goal this year is to read 2.21 books a week and so far I'm on track with 18 completed. I knew this was going to be a large goal. I mean 115 isn't for the faint of heart and there was a week or two where I was in a reading slump and couldn't get into anything so I had around 5 on the go at one point.

BUT, reading is very important to me and I have a lot of extra time taking to bus to and from work so I have no excuse.

The 5 Stars during the month of February were:

I could not put this book down, and while it was kind of creepy with the addition of antique photos, it was pieced together perfectly.

I mean, this was obviously a favorite. I don't even think it needs an explanation. This was chosen as a book club read so I finally got around to reading it entirely.

Oliver Jeffers is one of my two favorite authors. I love his work, I love his art and I love the lessons in each of his books. I firmly believe his messages aren't just for children but adults also need a reminder.

#50. Ensure My Adopted School Has at Least 50 Books Donated - Progress

It was my little sister's birthday today...what better gift than one to Chapters/Indigo? Though I would for her to spend it on books, there are many other things the website offers.

I even bought B's 12 month Xbox Live membership from the website.

(Of course I bought the gift card through Adopt a School)

21 books!!

#26. Reach 200,000 Points on Fitocracy - Progress

Fitocracy was the only thing that made me actually want to work out. It made it a game for me; getting achievements and completing quests.

I have a lot of fitness goals this year and in order to help me get there I knew 200,000 was  the point target I wanted to reach.

My workout tonight pulled in a 3,040...at one point I was happy doing a 500 point workout or even a 1,000.

I've stepped up my game.

82,144 more to go! 

#50. Ensure My Adopted School Has at Least 50 Books Donated - Progress

In order to promote participation in my book club, I set up monthly contests in which someone would win a $25 gift card to Chapters/Indigo.

Not only do the members get a chance at a book, it supports my Adopted School in helping them reach their donated book goal.

I feel good giving, member wins a gift card, school recieves a book. It's a beautiful circle.

Today marked the 20th book donated to the school when only a few months ago they had zero.

I want to make sure they get at least 30 more this year so if you would like to adopt my school to help make this happen 1.) You're an awesome human and 2.) You would be helping make sure younger generation had books to read.

Here's how to help:

#60. Organize Pre-Move Treasures By Room - Progress

I realized that if B is home nightly for the next little bit, I wouldn't have an opportunity to be moving the furniture around to organize bins full of stuff. Especially since the only thing that will be on his mind is relaxing.

Therefore I took advantage of it being Sunday and him working (oh yes, he does work 7 days a week) and moved the couch and shelf out so I could pack away more future home stuff.

I wanted to focus on the bin full of kitchen stuff and then put a few more bins that were already packed, or rather never unpacked in there; childhood stuff and Christmas decorations.

It was definitely a lot harder to put the living room back together today for some reason. Maybe I should have kept up with working out the last few days but to be honest I'd rather spend time with B while I can. 

Finally, in order to keep my head straight in the however many months it will be until everything is unpacked, I created a note in my phone labeling all the containers. 

 I wish we were ready to move right away but it will still be a couple more weeks until the condo goes up on the market and then we have to decide whether we will go the new build or reno route. I guess it depends how long we can wait. And if they have any of the lots left from our preferred builder.

#20. Go to the Dog Park with Friends - Completed

Today I met up with one of B`s friends. We`ve been talking for awhile now but we had never actually met. She was bringing some of her no longer needed Canuck Jerseys, and well, how could I pass up taking them off her hands?

She picked Jax and I up and we went to the dog park (it`s an awfully far way to just drop off jerseys) to let the dogs get to know each other while we got to know each other.

She`s such an awesome girl, such a positive person despite whatever life throws at her so I`m really glad I finally got to meet her. Plus the dogs hit it off and couldn`t stop playing together. Joey is a couple years older than Jax but she was so patient with his puppy tenancies.

My little monkey has not moved from his bed since we got home. Just exhausted. 

#83. Sell Items on Kijiji - Progress

In October we are planning to go to Disneyland for my birthday. We would like to take that trip with as little out of pocket expense as possible.

Solution: Sell items that are no longer needed.

Image via Weheartit

Right now those items are a Flames jersey I`ve never worn and Xbox 360 games plus my Kinect. 

I bought the jersey because I thought I was obligated to because I was born in Calgary, even though I`m a Canuck fan, that said I would never wear a Flames jersey so it`s been sitting in my closet for the last couple years. Time to get rid of it. 

The Xbox games I`m just over. 

The funds from the sale will go directly into our Disneyland fund which is sitting at $581.80. I`m budgeting that we`ll need about $2,500 for that week so we still have a bit to go.

#98. Acquire Another Oliver Jeffers Book - Completed

Yesterday I was having one of those days, Dane Cook describes it perfectly. B tried to snap me out of it and my reply was "I almost bought a book today, I almost gave in." Then of course I started telling him about it.

"It's an Oliver Jeffers' book"
"Like 'This Moose Belongs to Me'?"
"Yea! But it's about a bear, who cuts down trees or something."
"Well that's weird."
"No. It's sad."

Today I sent him the summary of the book. I'm not really sure how he puts up with my antics.

But, this is what I came home to today. Complete with a Bucky Ball heart.

I'm a very lucky girl. Also, the book is amazing. If you haven't become familiar with Oliver Jeffers, it's about time. 

#19. Create and Print a Photo Album for the Last Year - Completed

Last night I went to the post office to pick up my three packages (3!) and was happily surprised to see that one of them was from Blurb. This was going to be our 2012 family instagram yearbook.

I pulled it out of the packaging and immeadiatly started taking pictures, I didn't even finish looking at the whole thing before B said "Common, time to go to work. We can look at that together tonight."

The quality is beyond excellent. I debated back and forth about doing an actual scrapbook but I'm very glad I decided on this route.

I'm so excited to continue this little tradition and have a stack of books for each year full of our favorite memories. Now I just have to figure out where to actually display these fun little books.

#18. Watch a Musical - Completed

I told one of my girlfriends that since she is more into the musicals that I would need her help in accomplishing this goal.

The deal was any musical, her choice. She brought over Phantom of the Opera.

Her and I have watched this movie before a couple years ago but I couldn't remember the ending. I did remember how I felt about the phantom and I thought maybe my feelings would change round two.

They didn't. I still prefer the "Prince Charming" Raoul. 

I did enjoy the movie more the second time though and maybe I was a bit more open minded.

She would like me to go see Les Mis but I would like to read the giant book first. 

Wait. Does The Lorax count as a musical?

#33. Organize and Properly File Important Documents - Progress

The binders that I ordered arrived however when I excitedly opened the box I found that they had shipped the wrong ones. I had originally ordered the Cotton/Linen binders which look like this:

Image via Naked Binder

The ones they ended up sending were all Black. Womp Womp.

Normally I'd be fine with black binders however two factors make me feel otherwise. 1.) The desk I want them to sit on is black and I think that will be too much and 2.) I paid $60 (shipping and taxes) for two binders so I feel quite strongly that I should receive the binders that I actually wanted.

For the time being, I'm going to email the company and explain the situation but put my documents in the black ones so I can have use of my table again.

I really was impressed by how quickly the binders shipped, I just would have liked the ones I ordered.

Until then, still in progress.

#60. Organize Pre-Move Treasures By Room - Progress

This has been on my list for weeks and weeks, before the 100 List even existed. We've been collecting stuff for our new home over the last few months because I think it's smarter to buy stuff before we move and I only want to fill our house with stuff we (I) love rather than buying something just because we need it as soon as possible and only being something we kind of like.

So when I first moved in, we hurriedly shoved two bins and a Christmas tree under the stairs and then barricaded them in with a shelf, a couch and side table. This is the main reason it's taken me so long to start. I needed some sort of running start to work up the energy to make this happen.

Somehow I woke up with it and didn't waste any time. Of course I forgot to take a picture of how my living room looked pre-hurricane.

Once the couch and table were moved out of the way, I started slowing pulling the shelf out. And because I'm stubborn and lazy, I left most of the stuff on it for easier clean up. This step took the longest because I was scared of discovering spiders. Actually. 

Once I got a good solid workout in, I finally pulled my bins out.

After the bins were out and I had sufficiently destroyed my living room, I started organizing our treasures by room: loft, guest room, kitchen, bathroom.  

The guest bedroom was the biggest amount of stuff, so I got that into a bin right away.

The next was the kitchen stuff. I've only got half of the bin filled right now but I know I have a delivery coming from Anthropologie that will also be going in this bin so I'm not inclined to pack it away just yet.  

It's time for a serious lunch break and to find out if the package delivered was in fact my Anthro goods. Worst comes to worse, I will put that bin closer to the front so it's easier for the next round of packing. So far I don't have a home for the bathroom or loft items but I'm sure I'll want to get this project done soon so I'll find a way.

One step closer to my organized sanity.

#92: Get Drivers License - Completed

This was such an important goal for me and I was so bummed last weekend that I didn't pass but I retook my test again this morning and I received the words I wanted to hear:

"You passed!" 

I squealed, I said thank you and then I proceeded to tell all my close friends and family. They were just as happy for me as I was. 

I can`t explain why it took my 8 years to accomplish this other than when I was younger, I knew I would spend all my money on a car and never be able to save to move out. Then the years passed and driving became a scenario where I would get really stressed out. It was like a weight bearing on me that I didn`t drive, yet I couldn`t find the courage to get in the driver`s seat. 

B was very understanding when we first started dating and one day turned to me and asked "Do you think you will get your license one day or would you rather not drive at all?" I knew I wanted to drive, or had to drive at some point but I appreciated how understanding he was in regards to it. 

He helped me renew my Learners and that very day he took me out driving. There were tears, but the stress was overcome soon after and within a couple days I was actually asking him if I could drive.

After a few months of him patiently teaching me, I signed up for driving lessons and now I`m confident enough to drive out of town to visit him at work, provided he stops working nights. I`ll keep hoping on it one.

The point is, if you decide you can do something, you can. If you want something bad enough, you will find a way to make it happen. 

Image via weheartit

Never give up and always believe in yourself. 

#35. Go Through and Backup Pictures on My Laptop - Progress

Well. I organized 10 years worth of pictures on my laptop...mainly deleting those that I would be embarrassed by should I leave the room and my slideshow screen saver popped up.

Luckily at one point I had been fairly obsessive about how I arranged my photos and so it was easy in that regard, I just wouldn't go through them and delete the blurry ones or too candid ones.

It took a few hours but I managed to get my Pictures folder looking a lot cleaner.

So that was all fine and dandy but when I went to look for my flashdrive, it was no where to be found. I feel like this has happened before I might even own two flashdrives.

Wondering if I left it at my condo in the desk drawer for my tenant to take a gander through.

Image via Google 

(That counts right?)

#30. Complete 12 Assisted Pull-Ups - Completed

I have yet to do a single pull up unassisted but 12 assisted is still a huge accomplishment for me. Around 8 my arms are already killing me.

I just started a new 12 week workout program so I won't lie, I was kind of excited to see Pull-Ups on the list for Back and Biceps tonight.

I managed to finish and it was hard especially since we saved Pull-Ups for the end after we had already done 3 other too failure exercises.

Day 1 - 83 days to go.

#50. Ensure My Adopted School Has At Least 50 Books Donated - Progress

Last year I wanted to find a charitable organization that I could get really passionate about, I didn't have to look far before I found Indigo's Adopt a school.

Here's how it works:

When I first adopted my school in November, they had zero out of 550 books. I felt like they needed it the most so they were an easy choice.

My boss at work is really into charities and donating his time and money to help someone else. I asked him when he was going to donate a book to my school. Right away he was on board and adopted the school as well.

As of today they are at 19 books! We still have a long ways to go but every book counts so if you want to partisipate in helping our school reach their goal, please stop by and buy yourself a gift card!

*Images via Indigo Adopt a School

#21. Spring Clean for Nana - Completed

My Nana just came home from the hospital last night having been in there for over a month. She's thankfully feeling better and ended up losing a lot of extra weight (to the point her pants struggle to stay up) so she's tired but in bright spirits.

Every year she asks me to spring clean for her and my papa, the jobs that their regular cleaning lady doesn't do but that don't need to be done often. This usually only consists of wiping up and reorganizing their cupboards in the kitchen.

While I was creating this list, she was still under care in the hospital so I knew then that I would be adding it to the list.

I didn't even give her time to ask me before I went over after work today and started cleaning. She tried to resist and talk me out of it but the last thing I wanted for her to think about once she got home was all the stuff that needed to get done.

Within 5 minutes I had the cupboards emptied out and began my task.

One by one I put everything back onto their cleaned shelves.

When I opened up the other corner cupboard and saw the mini pink frying pan I realized that I needed one of my own. I have a mild obsession with miniature kitchen stuff that I can't explain and so this was definitely added to my wishlist.

After an hour or so everything was organized, empty cleaning supplies were thrown out and the cupboards were looking a lot fresher.

I can't count how many times they thanked me but in the end, that was really the least I could do. Anything to help my family out especially in a time they need it is nothing I'm too busy for. 

Family always comes first. 

#12. Learn Something New About Calgary - Completed

I was born in Calgary and I've lived in Calgary for a total of almost 18 years but I won't go as far as to say I know everything about my city.

I wanted to discover something new and be wowed. Like when I was younger and found out that there were tunnels under downtown because they wanted to build a subway back in the day.

Or that Calgary is tied with Miami for being the worst drivers in North America.

I let Google take me on a little adventure and found this website for those thinking about moving to Calgary.

Think again.

Just kidding.

Image via Delta Hotels

One reason you might want to move here is that Calgary has the same geographical footprint for size as New York City but with around 10% of the population according to this website.

You decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

What really excited me on the "Moving to Calgary" list was finding out that the University of Calgary offered a survivial course in which you learn to build an igloo.

Did I just figure out what I wanted #96. Take a class to be?

As Dale Doback in Step Brothers would say "Yep!"

#33. Organize and Properly File Important Documents - Progress

I had a clear vision in my head as to what I wanted to do in the way of organizing the piles of documents.

I wanted a binder with dividers and pockets to put the files in rather than hole punch tax returns. I wanted something simple yet nice enough to place on my desk in plain sight.

I found the perfect binders from the site Naked Binder which is a sponsor of Young House Love (advertising works!).

Image via Naked Binder

What I love about this company is the binders are made from 100% post consumer waste. Hooray for being green. They also shipped a couple hours after I placed my order. Hooray for being efficient.

I ended up buying 2 but in hindsight, I think I may need more after creating the 22 dividers for them.

Needless to say, I need to buy another couple of page protector packets but I'm one step closer to getting this all sorted out. And that feels very good. 

#94. Update My Resume - Completed

I'm not planning on getting a new job but I do think it's important to update your resume yearly (and maybe more often depending on how your life changes; moving, new phone number etc).

The point is, if something happens to my job, writing up a resume will be the least of my worries now that it's done.

Some tips to remember when doing up your resume are:

• Use a basic font. Some employers won't take you seriously if you use a "cute" font.
• Keep it all to one page, to the point.
• Only list 3 to 4 previous jobs.
• Proof read, you don't want any spelling mistakes or errors that Word might miss.
• Don't be modest, sell yourself. You earned it! 

Good luck and be confident.

Image via weheartit

#19. Create and Print a Photo Album for the Last Year - Progress

I saw this idea back a few months ago; print your instagram pictures into a Blurb hardcover book.

I love the idea of a family yearbook but I wanted a simply format and I didn't want to increase the number of pictures. I thought 110 pages was more than enough, B would say even that's too many.

Image via Jen Loves Kev

The thing is I'm pretty cheap and the books can get pricey fairly quick (Mine was $47.95 not including shipping) so I wanted to wait until there was a nice coupon code.

I found one that is good until February 15, 2013 that saves you 20% on your book. I'll take it! 

My 2012 book is ordered and I managed to save $9.19 making it a grand total of $48.03 including my book, shipping and taxes.

#33. Organize and Properly File Important Documents - Progress

I have a feeling this will be a long and maybe painful process. This task was on my to do list for quite awhile because it got so out of hand.

There was binders, and boxes and folders of random unorganized papers. Papers that I didn't need to keep anymore or papers that I needed more accessible.

I managed to start sorting them into groups depending on their subject.

• Certificates
• Employment
• Health
• Home
• Insurance
• Taxes
• Warranty

I would like sort it all into a binder, because I'm sure when B comes home he will want that table cleared.

I want to make it kind of a fun binder because how exciting are insurance documents? I've got some planning to do.