#24. Go on a Hike - Completed

One of the reasons I love Tofino is that it's so dense with trees. The other reason is it right on the ocean, it's the best of both worlds really.

I asked B if we could go on a little hike I had taken the last time that I was in Tofino and he agreed hoping I wouldn't lead him astray.

The whole path takes you the thick forest courtesy of Schooners Cove for about one kilometer. I seem to remember this hike being a lot longer and much harder but it's likely I was just largely out of shape. Pun intended. 

After you wind around for a bit, it opens up to the ocean. I think this is actually the place I first fell in love with the town,

We walked along the beach for a bit but I think it was a little too early in the season to see any cool sea life. Last time I came was in August and that same beach was covered in colorful starfish and
other forms of life, including a huge crab.

It was very foggy but I think it just made it that much more of a romantic place. I actually prefer it foggy there rather than sunny. I'm hoping next time the trip lasts longer. 

#15. Go on a Double Date - Completed

After we picked up B's friend's girlfriend at the ferry, we started the day by going to the Vancouver Aquarium (we saw sharks!) just trying to kill time until we were able to check into our hotel at 3pm.

I'm not sure how we lasted on such little sleep, B only having two hours at that point.

Finally we were able to get into our room and we had a couple hour nap. I'm pretty sure it took us like 15 seconds to fully pass out because the alarm at 5:10pm to get ready for the Vancouver Canucks game with his friend and girlfriend !

B wanted to move the truck since the parking lot was less full at that point but when we got back to it the battery was completely dead, we couldn't even get the driver side door open because he squeezed into the last empty spot and ram jammed up against a wall. 

His mood changed from exhausted to frustrated quickly and understandably so but we decided to worry about it after the game and try to enjoy our evening regardless. 

Canucks won 4-1 and B's normal happy mood was restored and we even found someone nice enough to boost the truck on the way back to the hotel. 

Thanks David from Telus for being a Good Samaritan and helping us out! We really appreciate it!

#5. Go out of Province - Completed

In continuum with the last post, our 10 hour road trip (it was really 14 hours if you count dropping Jax off at my mom's) took us out of Alberta and into the beautiful, tree filled, mountainous British Columbia.

I've wanted to live in BC since I was young, and as I get older, the desire just increases. But, sadly we can't afford to move to this province as the job situation is not as demanding as it is in oil country.

Though, we can always look at it many years down the road for retirement but for now it's just nice to visit. 

#2. Spend a Night or two in the Mountains - Completed

Last night we literally spent a night in the mountains. We drove from Calgary to Vancouver overnight starting at 7pm and getting there at 5:30am.

B was such a trooper and drove the whole way so that his friend and I could sleep part of the way. I kept offering to drive after I got my second wind around 2am but he wouldn't have it. Obviously today he is exhausted and super run down but we are making the best of the time we have in Van until we head to Tofino tomorrow.

It's so beautiful here. A nice change from Alberta prairie.

#54. Paint Easter Eggs - Completed

With everything going on with the house purchasing and condo selling and vacation preparations, I wanted to take a night off and just do something to take my mind off of everything.

Since we will be gone over Easter weekend, I thought tonight would be the perfect opportunity to paint Easter Eggs.

I found this little kit at Chapters during lunch at work and was sold on it. Rather than those little dye pellets, this came with all natural ingredients from beets and flowers etc.

This turned out being more fun then I thought it would be, especially trying to create six colors from 3 different dyes. 

Yay science. 

Now I'm just debating if I want to eat them or just admire them in the fridge. 

#81. Save $500 in Change - Progress

Is it weird that I get really excited about rolling coins? Its like a form of relaxation for me.

B was cleaning out his truck and found a whole cup holder overflowing with change in his console. Christmas had arrived early for me.

$33 later in spare change, I deposited it all at the bank bringing our coin fund up to $265.03 and our total Disneyland Vacation savings to $815.03.

Best way to celebrate a birthday. Let's ignore the fact it will be my 25th and I'm a grown adult.

Image via Dear Lizzy's instagram

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

Every month on the 25th, someone from my bookclub wins a $25 gift card to Chapters through the Love of Reading program.

The winner receives a gift card and my adopted school receives a book. This is one of my favorite ways to give back because reading was such a large part of my childhood that carried well into my adult years and I still can't read enough books.

So far my school has been given 22 books which is amazing, we are almost half way to my goal of 50 for the year!

It's too easy for kids to sit in front of the tv or play games on their phones now. I'm hoping with more books available to them, reading will have a comeback.

Image via weheartit

#7. Go to the Telus Spark Science Center - Completed

B traded working a night shift in order to have the weekend off. This meant we ran errands this weekend, together.

It was really nice having him home though and being able to actually spend a day with him so I suggested we take advantage and go to the Science Center together.

It opened up awhile ago but neither of us had been to the new one so we decided that would be our Sunday afternoon.

We ended up staying for about an hour and a half. B's brother and sister in law with their kids also came along but it was soon determined that the center was more geared towards young, young children though there was some cool things there we found.

Overall, it was a little underwhelming and we likely won't make a return trip but the big plus side was that I got to spend time with my guy and he didn't have to spend the day working.

#77. Sell Condo - Progress

Well my condo has offically been on the market for 1 week. I've never done this before so I have no idea what to expect or what is normal.

So far I've had 8 showings but zero offers so I find myself constantly wondering if the price is too high, if it's not staged well enough etc etc.

There are 97 properties for sale in my neighborhood so the competition is high but each day that goes by I'm getting a little more stressed.

We have so much riding on this sale so I have to keep reminding myself that patience is all it takes.

It will happen and we are bound for good things in the next few months.

#27. Run 5km - Progress

Let's just start this out by saying I am not a runner. I don't know what that Runner's High is or ever feel the need to go for a run when I'm feeling things.

I was actually diagnosed with "Exercise Induced Asthma" when I was in Jr. High because of running.

That said, this is why I want to be able to say "Yea, I ran 5km. What of it?" I'm in awe of runners and their ability to just keep going.

Last night at the gym I set out to get to that 5km and previously I've never been able to run more than 1 km without stopping to walk.

I made it to 2 (!) and then slowed down to accommodate the stitch in my side and made it to 3. 26 minutes.

It was a huge accomplishment for me.

I realize this needs to be something to work towards, you aren't just going to go from not running at all to a 5km home run. Tomorrow I want to make it to 3.5 possibly 4.

I'll get there.

Image via weheartit

#48. Pay For the Food of the Person Behind Us In A Drive-Through - Completed

It was a very busy, busy day. B had to go to work but we both had to meet at the builder for our hopeful home to sign a purchase agreement. We will find out probably next week if the offer gets accepted or not.

Our fingers are crossed.

After all the paperwork was done, I headed over to my grandparents since it's my Papa's Birthday and I decided to bring him a Tim Horton's coffee.

This was the first time I'd ever been in a drive through myself. I might have pulled a little too far away from the window so I had to actually get out and pay but chances are it would have been awkward regardless with the 6 inch lift on B's truck.

Image via Tim Hortons

I decided before I even ordered that I wanted to pay for the person behind me. The weather was crappy and if something small like that could brighten a stranger's day, it was a small price to pay.

Pay it forward, it whatever way you can.

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

Tonight was leg's night. Normally my favorite workout next to arms.

I'll admit I haven't worked out for about a week and a half. I actually wanted to level up last Friday.

I seem to have a lot less motivation to do so when B is home nights rather than working out of town. I'd rather hang out with him but tonight I knew I needed to get back into it so I did a home workout and we both watched the Canuck's game. Living lunges are where it's at. Yes, it took awhile but I eventually got over the self consciousness of working out in front of him.

With 2,430 points, I leveled up to 30!

69,329 until 200,000. Easy. 

#41. Go To A Hockey Game Together - Completed

I truly thought by completing this goal it would be from the game in Vancouver we're going to in a couple weeks, BUT every now and then my work gives out tickets to games and it's a first come first serve basis.

It turns out that I was able to score (no bad puns intended) 4 tickets to our WHL league's game for tonight.

Suite style.

I told B that he could bring 2 friends from work and I'd drive so they could have some drinks at the game. I know right?

Just kidding.

The box was really nice and it was a first that I had ever been in one. I was a little nervous about who else from my company would be there but everything was fine, everyone had fun and chatted with each other.

Plus the Hitmen won the game too. Woo Calgary! 

#76. Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage - Completed

It happened last night. I was so excited that I forget it was even one of my goals for the year.

This past week has been a combination of stress and hoping somehow, the stars aligned.

• We were waiting to hear back from the bank on whether we could afford the house we wanted
• We were waiting until the listing for my condo became active (today!)
• We were waiting to hear back from the builder on whether the hold was lifted by another person

*He put an offer in on the house so we're now waiting to see if it gets accepted.

The biggest part of this process was being assured we could even afford the house in the first place. It was quite over our inital budget but we saw the value in having a rental suite below. Luckily so did the bank.

Our Mortgage Specialist gave us the update a day early making it was the best way to end Monday.

"Hi Jenn,

Thank you for the awesome news! I am able to now go ahead and make the builder a conditional offer? That being subject to financing and the sale of my condo? 

Regards,

Ashley"

"Yes, you certainly can."

Image via Weheartit

#77. Sell Condo - Progress

Yesterday was such a busy day. I actually attempted to have 3 naps.

My tenant moved out of my condo on the 8th so early Saturday morning we met there and did a walk through so he could get his damage deposit back.

I then put the condo back together and did a thorough clean and touched up some painting with the help of B.

We finished with about 10 minutes to spare before my Realtor got there at 8pm.

He then did his own walk through and we talked about numbers.

When we first talked about listing he quoted me 219 as a list price and that I should expect to sell for around 190. To be honest that amount really stressed me out because I knew financially I couldn't sell for less than 205.

But last night he said the list price should be 229 and I shouldn't sell for less than 219. I was elated. I couldn't stop smiling because my stress instantly vanished with what we would be able to do with the extra money.

My condo goes on the market officially Tuesday so until it sells it will be my primary residence but I'm so excited that everything is falling into place.

#52. Write a Praise Letter to Someone's Boss Thanking Them For A Job Well Done - Completed

Every month on the 8th B and I have a date night. It marks the monthly anniversary of the day we started dating.

I affectionately call it Eight Day Date Day.

We had planned to go bowling but once we actually got to the alley, we had to wait another 30 minutes and because it was already 9pm and we go to bed early we decided to just go for something to eat.

Early to bed, early to rise. I'm still working on the early to rise part.

We went to Earl's, which is my go-to restaurant (this is why "try a new restaurant" is one of the goals) and they just opened a new one down the street from us.

We had such a great server experience that I thought she definitely deserved a letter to her Manager acknowledging what a great job she did.

Earl's has a Feedback form rather than a specific email address so this is what I entered.

Last night we visited your new restaurant on 130th in Calgary. The atmosphere was really nice and the restaurant looked beautiful.

The blonde hostess that showed us our table was very friendly, making conversation all the way to the table rather than just leading us and walking several feet ahead.

Our server was Caroline and immediately she seemed professional yet very pleasant. I asked for an Earls drink, Sunset on Saturn, that isn't available anymore and she asked the bartenders if they could make it anyways and she came back with it shortly after. 

Our food arrived very quickly and  the server came back several times to check on us, the food and refill our drinks, always with a smile. 

The only downside to the night was there were no limes in my boyfriend's Coronas. Overall we had a very good experience at your restaurant with the friendly staff and good food. 

We will definitely be back. 

Regards,

Ashley

B requested I include something about the limes. I told him he was missing the point of the letter but I obliged.

I hope it gets through to her because she definitely went above and beyond in today's customer service standards. Friendliness goes a long way. 

Image via Weheartit

#41. Go To A Hockey Game Together - Progress

Last week B suggested we take a trip to BC because his coworker who is from there needed a ride to bring his truck back to Calgary.

I couldn't pass up the opportunity (we are heading to Tofino as well!) and we all worked together to plan to go to a hockey game with a stopover in Vancouver.

The tickets came in the mail and now it's a countdown.

This is the perfect date for us, even though it will be a double date. Watching our favorite team in their hometown will be amazing. 

Yes, we are shameless Non-Flames fans even though we are both from Calgary.

Go Canucks Go! 

#76. Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage - Progress

I'm a bundle of nerves right now, I couldn't sleep.

I debated getting out of bed at 4am. Normally B has to pull me out of bed.

After my alarm has gone off 5 times.

We have been actively searching for our next home for the last few months, taking it more seriously by the day since my tenant moves out on Friday. We thought we found a home, then we found a better one, then a better one and so on.

We finally settled on one that would suit our needs for the next little bit and that was well within our price range. The plan was to pay it off as soon as we could so that we could start saving for a rental property since we enjoyed renting the condo so much.

We were just looking for fun at this point but it must have been fate because we found a home that came with the basement developed as a legal rental unit and fell madly, madly in love with it. I even liked the modern exterior. Wood and metal is a sure win over for me.

Image via Excel Homes

The downside was it almost double what we intended to spend. The arguement being that there is a tenant below helping pay down the mortgage. B even secured a tenant by asking his friend while I crossed my fingers that didn't jinx it.

Today I emailed our Mortgage Broker and asked her pretty please if we could have this home. I'm waiting to hear back so my heart is jumping at every other email I recieve wondering if it's her.

How very highschool crush of me.

It's a big investment but the way we see it is we can get this house paid down in half the time and when we do save up for the next home, this one becomes two rentals as a self contained basement and the upstairs. We then become ahead of the game.

I'm just hoping the bank sees it the way we do.

#43. Buy Something From Ten Tree - Completed

I heard about Ten Tree a couple months ago because my cousin had liked one of their Facebook posts and it showed up on my main feed. With as much as I love trees, I was smitten by the business plan.

I wanted to start transitioning my summer workout wardrobe to this more earth friendly company since my current gear is all Nike. Which is fine, but this line just looks comfy. I appreciate comfy.

Image via Ten Tree

Last week I found out that one of the stores in Calgary started carrying the brand so when we ended up in the mall yesterday, I knew I couldn't leave without getting a top. The picture doesn't do it much justice but its a teal green sort of color with yellow lettering - the Pura Vida

I had told my friend about the company a while back and so I of course had to tell her immediately when I actually bought one. 

"I bought a ten tree tank top. I feel like I single handedly saved the planet."

"How many moneys."

"$30."

"That's a lot."

"But. The trees."

I feel like $30 is a small price to pay for supporting a company that has such a great business plan. 

I'm such a Lorax.

#83. Sell Items on Kijiji - Progress

I recently put my Flames Jersey and various Xbox 360 games on Kijiji in an effort to bring in more money to put away for our Disneyland trip (I'd like the trip to cost as little out of pocket as possible).

In a couple days all items were gone and I made $135 which is $135 off a budget of $2,500!!

Right now we have $767.03 (31%) saved towards our trip so I've been scouring my stuff to find what else I don't want or need.

So far I've put my used less than 5 times perfume on there. Not sure how that will go but you never know right?

Image via Sephora

Ps. Did you know Sephora carried a Disney Makeup Collection?!

I would like to put my P90x up for sale but B keeps telling me he's going to use it one day and to keep it.

Oh fine, alright.

In the meantime I'm trying to remember all the furniture that's left at my condo that I will have to get rid of because it won't have a home at our current place or the one we will move into.

Right now, every nickel counts (since they got rid of pennies).

#84. Buy A Good Everyday Purse - Progress

Kaelah's blog has been one of my favorites for the last...4 or so years. I love her style, her beautiful tattoos and her closet full of tea party dresses.

I can't totally considering this a "Progress" post but she is hosting a giveaway on her blog for the month of March to win a Michael Kors Travel Tote.

Of course I entered. This looks like a good everyday purse to me. Amiright?

But let's make it fun and share it so that more people get a chance to win this beauty. To enter you'll need to follow her blog (but trust me you'll want to) and then comment on the Contest Post.

Value: $229

All images via Little Chief Honeybee