NaNoWriMo Winner!

I won NaNoWriMo!

Are you sick of hearing about it yet? No? Good because I'm not done talking about it. For the last 30 days, I spent hours typing away on my MacBook to hit 50,000 words in a novel. I have been fairly on track throughout the month but learned that I did best when I'd take a day or two off from writing, and then write 3-5k words in a sitting to catch up. I had an idea in my head when I started, but had no clear map of how the story was going to go. I had moments where I didn't know where the story was heading next, and then my fingers would just start typing the next time I sat down. 

My novel is titled Proposing the Truth, and my description of the book is A college senior runs a business helping dudes plan proposals while she dates losers and chronicles the dating foibles throughout. 

There were times it was really fun to write, and times I was just o-v-e-r it. I had a mild panic moment Sunday morning when I was less than a thousand words from hitting the 50k goal and decided to validate my word count on the nanowrimo website. Imagine my surprise when the word count showed I had 800 words LESS than I thought I did. I did some searching on the forums and learned that Open Office, which I had used to write my novel, had some word count glitch having to do with the quotations used, and had been skewing my word count all month. GAH.

I had a mild temper tantrum and then just pushed on. I finished writing the story I had planned, and checked my word count. With the glitch: 50,008. According to the validation, I was still ~800 words off so I added an additional chapter/scene that made up the difference. When I was done with this, I was at 50,101 words and was officially done!

I don't know if I'll ever let anyone read this book. It certainly needs some editing. It's funny and fun, and has some serious moments. It's definitely the type of book I like to read, but it's not the type of book I'd recommend to everyone because it's just so OMG good. So we'll see. 

But in the meantime, I'm going to bask in the awesomeness that is finishing my first novel!

NaNoWriMo Progress Continued

Because I'm sure you're all waiting on the edge of your streets to see how my NaNoWriMo project is going since my last post, here it is:

November 14th was a monster writing day for me. I had the day off from work for Saturday and was determined to get caught up! I started the day with a 686 word 20 min sprint. I followed this up with a 1182 30 min sprint. Later I hit 708 words during a 20 min sprint and then another 600 during 20 min sprint, leaving me with 4400 for the day. I also hit the 25,000 word mark earning myself another badge! This put me ahead of pace by one measly day.

And I used that buffer on the 15th by taking a writing "rest day".

On the 16th I got in a measly 500ish words, and another 700 on the 17th.

On the 18th I had a big goal of hitting 30k words and I got there with a 469 word 20 min sprint,  a 915 30 minute sprint, and a 998 20 minute sprint. I ended up hitting 2848 words for the day and hitting my goal. Wahoo!

So naturally I took the 19th off and wrote nothing. Ugh.

On the 20th I wrote about 1200 words, and followed that with zero on the 21st.

The 22nd was a major catch up day and I easily knocked out 1000 words in the 30 minutes I had  before going to yoga. After yoga I hit 978 words in a 30 minute sprint and 5400 words total for the day. By far my best writing day so far!

Sunday the 23rd I struggled for motivation to write, which I'm noticing happens the day after my monster writing days. It's almost like I need to write everyone day or something. I did manage to write 1100 words to get me up to my word goal for the day.

I hope to hit 40k on Monday and hopefully finish up before Sunday the 30th, but I might need every last minute. We'll see!

NaNoWriMo Progress

I started off NaNoWriMo with a bang. I was ready early for work on November 1st, so I sat down and got rolling. I had 250 words written before I was off to work to host a kickoff at my library. I came home incredible inspired and attended some online nano chats that were doing some sprints, and before too long I was just over 2k words for the day.

November 2nd I was up super early because of DST, and I spent an hour writing before the NYCM coverage kicked in. After the race started, I wrimo'd during commercials. I hit my word goal before the race was over. Wahoo, this writing stuff is easy! I picked up my laptop yet again after dinner, determined to earn my 5k badge. Badge earned, wahoo! So I rewarded myself with some blog writing. Which apparently you're not supposed to do in November, because it's "wasting words." Oops.

November 3rd I was again up early because of the time change, so I quickly banged out a thousand words before I went to yoga, and somehow managed to knock out 700 words in 20 minutes before work on November 4th. Thanks again time change!

November 5th and 6th were my first days were I fell behind the daily word count total nullifying my giant word count cushion from the weekend, I wrote about 800 words each day.

November 7th was my first thought of quitting NaNoWriMo, and I text Krista as such. She told me no and to get going. We did a little 20-25 minute sprint, and 900 words later I felt back on track! I did some more writing until Kyle came home from work and got myself caught up to only being one day (1667 words) behind. I also hit a wordcount milestone and earned myself a badge.

10k!

Saturday morning I got up and couldn't decide if I wanted to go to yoga. On one hand, if I have a good chunk of time to write, I tend to find something else to do, but if I only give myself a little bit of time, I can crank out the words. I hit 1200 words in under an hour and decided my award would be some Vinyasa yoga. I came home and showered and sat down for some sprints. I hit 560 words during a 15 minute sprint, and a whopping 1491 words during a 25-30 minute sprint. My new PR. And with that I was back ahead of the word count goal game, ever so slightly!  I ended the day with about 3900 words written.

Sunday's goal was to get to ~18000 words to put me at an average of 2k/day. I wasn't nearly as motivated as I was on Saturday though. I did manage 979 words during a 30 minute sprint but nothing else to crazy. I think I hit 3300 for the day, and was just shy of my 18000 word goal.

Monday I had a weird work schedule, resulting in working from 5:30-9pm. You would think that I had spent all day writing, but you'd be wrong. Luckily once the final hours of my "day off" were trickling away I sat down with some writing motivation and knocked out 1800 words. After work I was further motivated by being OH SO CLOSE to 20k words so I spent some more time plunking down words on my laptop to hit 20k! Wahoo!! And this resulted in my first 2k+ average daily word count. Whoop. I hit almost 2600 words for the day.

Ollie helped. Obvs.

Tuesday I had the day off for Veteran's Day so after a glorious power vinyasa class, I sat down to write with a delicious Coffea latte in my hand. Now if that beast isn't writing motivation, I'm not sure what is!  I hit just shy of 2100 words for the day.

Wednesday And Thursday I took the days off from writing. Still slightly on track to finish on time!

101 in 1001 Take Deux

I attempted 101 in 1001 previously with it ending on my 30th birthday. I did an okay job of completing the tasks, but I had a lot of fun trying. On weekends that I didn't have any plans, I'd often reference the list to see if there was anything I could knock off the list. I also loved the challenge of watching the Oscar best picture nominees each year because I'm not normally a big movie goer. I decided to attempt another list with some repeat items that I failed at, and some repeat items that I completed but want to do again. 

Who's coming with me?!??

(The permanent link for this challenge where I'll update my progress is here: http://jerbear8.blogspot.com/p/101-in-1001-take-2_27.html) 

_________________

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

in progress: italic / completed: bold
Goal Start Date: January 17, 2014
Goal End Date: October 14, 2016

Life

• Take a photography class
• Go to a Packers game at Lambeau
• Grow an herb garden
• Go on a brewery tour
• Earn a promotion

Connect

• Meet 5 new people
• Make 3 new friends
• Meet 3 bloggy friends
• Make a new running buddy
• Send Christmas card/letter
• Send a random care package to 3 friends
• Have a running weekend with Jenn and Megan

Travel

• Get my passport
• Take a trip and leave the country
• Go on a cruise
• Go to NYC
• Go on a vacation that doesn’t revolve around running/racing
• Take a random road trip
• Visit 3 states I've never been to
• Visit a famous landmark I've never seen before
• Visit a random/wacky landmark I've never seen before

Running and Fitness

• Run 180 miles in one month
• Run 190 miles in one month
• Run 200 miles in one month
• Run 50 miles in a week
• Run 55 miles in a week
• Run 60 miles in one week
• Run 70 miles in one week
• Bike a half century
• Bike a century race
• Learn how to change a bike tire
• PR in a marathon
• Run Sub 4 hour marathon
• Sub 3:55 marathon
• Sub 3:50 marathon
• Sub 1:55 half marathon
• Sub 1:50 half marathon
• Sub 1:45 half marathon
• Sub 50 minute 10k
• Sub 49 minute 10k
• Sub 24 5k
• Sub 23 5k
• Run a sub 7 minute mile
• Run the Goofy Challenge
• Run an International race
• Run an Ultra marathon
• Do 100 pushups
• Stay injury free for one year
• Get back to peak race weight when in peak training
• Maintain peak weight +5-10 when in off-season
• Attend a group fitness class (non-yoga related)

Crafty and Creative

• Paint bookshelf
• Begin Cross-stitching again
• Learn to knit
• Start t-shirt quilt
• Complete t-shirt quilt
• Sew an outfit for Ollie
• Sew a skirt for myself (possibly matching Ollie's)
• Complete Project 365
• Make a photo book of completed Project 365

Book Worm

• Read a book in a day 
• Participate in NaNoWriMo
• Win NaNoWriMo (complete the 50k words)
• Read Printz Award winning book 2014
• Read Printz Award winning book 2015
• Read Printz Award winning book 2016
• Read Newbery Award winning book 2014
• Read Newbery Award winning book 2015
• Read Newbery Award winning book 2016

House and Home

• Donate Clothes 2x/year (fall/spring) (0/5)
• Decorate dining room
• Purge wardrobe of anything I haven't worn in the past two years
• Purchase a home (!)
• Try five new dinner recipes
• Try five new baking recipes

Finances

• Pay off car
• Go one week without spending any money at all (not including direct debits for bills etc.)
• Pay off grad school student loans

Entertainment

• Kiss in the rain
• Ride in a hot air balloon
• Go ice skating
• Go ice fishing
• Watch all 2014 Oscar nominated movies (Her, 12 Years a Slave, American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Nebraska, Philomena, The Wolf of Wall Street)
• Watch all 2015 Oscar nominated movies
• Watch all 2016 Oscar nominated movies
• See a 3D movie
• See a psychic and get my fortune told
• Go to a roller derby match
• Go to a wine tasting
• Go to the Harry Potter theme park
• Make sushi rolls at home
• Go to a Drive in movie
• Watch a meteor shower 
• Participate in a fishing tourney
• Attend a ballet performance

Random

• Rescue another pug
• Buy a lottery ticket
• Get professional pictures taken
• Learn how to change a car tire
• Get wisdom teeth removed

A Letter to Myself in 10 Years

One of the items on my list of 101 in 1001 list (I'm attempting to finish 101 things in 1001 days, and the deadline is SOON!) is to write a letter to myself to open in 10 years.  It was one of the things I could do last Sunday, so here it is.

October 27, 2013

Dearest Jerbear,

This letter is reaching you less than two months away from your 40^th birthday. I'm assuming you're freaking out, I would be (heh, get it?). I hope that google docs still exists in 40 years, otherwise this letter will be non-existent, as I'm fairly certain that this MacBook would be the most archaic laptop in use in 2023. Unless I become a mega-hipster in the next ten years, in which case... that's so uncool, it's cool. Congrats almost 40 Jeri.

Right now I (we?) are finally hitting our stride with life. We just wrapped up a tough two years of grad school. During those two years we FINALLY landed a job in our dream library after trying for seven long years to snag a position there. You recently got passed up for a promotion, but that surely doesn't squash our passion for librarianship, and bringing awesome programming to teens at your/our/my (this is really hard) brand new library branch. I have no doubt that when you're reading this you are currently the best librarian the library system has ever seen. Keep up the good work! Reward yourself with a sassy new cardigan and/or glasses. I also hope that you've gotten a chance to sit on the Printz or Newbery award committee, because that would be a dream come true.

I hope that you're still a runner in your almost 40s. I hope that your knees aren't completely shot because of my crappy running form for so many years. The good news is: we finally get an extra five minute cushion now for that BQ, so let's get to it, eh? More importantly I hope that you still love running, even more than I do now. Some days I don't love running, but I know that I'm a runner deep down, and when I re-find that head over heels in love with running passion again, we'll never again have a break up. Also, full disclosure: I hope this happens long, LONG before you read this letter. :)

By the way, are you still using emoticons in emails/texts/etc.? I wonder what those will be replaced with.... emojis are pretty amazing, but I can only imagine there will be something even crazy awesomer in ten years... can't wait.

In a few short days you are getting ready to embark on your first novel writing experience! I hope it goes well. I hope we have many more attempts at this in the next ten years, and maybe even a couple we feel are well-written enough to show to other human eyes, and maybe even get published!

I hope that you're happily in love with yourself in ten years, and give yourself the opportunity to love someone else and be loved back. If you're a mother, I hope you're only a fraction of the neurotic mom you envision yourself to be. If you're not a mother, I know you're the best pug mom in all of the land, rescuing all the pugs your living situation will allow (but, um, not so many that you border being featured on Hoarders, because that'd be embarrassing). I hope you have a super large bed with all of these pugs, because I can imagine it will get really cramped with more than one snoring away in there.

I hope you're happy with how you've turned out as a person, but I hope you continue to be a better version of yourself every day.

Best,

You

P.S. You should totally write one of these today to your 50 year old self!

101 in 1001 Check In

I started 101 goals to be accomplished in 1001 days back in March 2011.  I thought this would be fun, because I rarely set goals further than a year out, and long term goals are just as important as the short ones.  I also have a tendency to have a terrible memory, so if something isn't written down I won't remember it.  I spent a long time crafting this list, looking at many others for inspiration, and putting out some "dream big" goals of my own.  I set my 30th birthday as my final 1001st day.  Since I'm nearing the final year of my goals, I thought it'd be fun to take a look back at the goals, and strategize how I'll accomplish the remaining ones.

I hope to accomplish something off the list each weekend, even if it's to watch a movie that's on one of the lists!  And I vow to look at the list whenever I complain about being bored and want Kyle to do something fun with me.

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

in progress: italic / completed: bold
Goal Start Date: March 30, 2011
Goal End Date: December 26, 2013 (The Big 3-0!)


Life
Take a photography class  I may settle for some one-on-one photography instruction from friends that are great photographers.
Fall in love
Get accepted into master’s program (4.27.11)
Go to a Packers game at Lambeau  We were planning to attend a Packers game this fall, but it didn't work out with our schedules.  This will happen in 2013.
Get a library position (8.13.12)

Grow an herb garden  This could be hard if we stay in the same place, but perhaps a small little potted herb garden on our deck would be feasible.
Go on a brewery tour (several in San Fran with Megan 10.12.12)



Connect
Meet 5 new people (2/5 Niki who came up for the Sioux Falls Marathon, Dominique long time bloggy buddy at the Dallas Marathon expo and race.)  Keep on keepin' on.


Make 3 new friends (4/3 New running buddy Karla, Kyle's bff's gf Liz, two new co-workers)


Meet 3 bloggy friends (3/3 Met Lisa at the Fargo Marathon 5.20.11, met Susan for Twin Cities Marathon weekend 9.30.11, met Shawn enroute to Philly for the Philadelphia Marathon 11.18.11)
Send 5 letters/cards to friends that don’t live nearby
Join a running club (ran with the Runners Block group several times)
Make a new running buddy (Rachel!  Yay!)
Call (skype) one person each month I haven’t spoken with in awhile (4/33) Definitely need to pick up the slack on this one.  Need to plan a more frequent catch up with my nephew Harrison for sure, and friends with little ones.
Send Christmas card/letter  I took an adorable pic of Ollie and sent out the image (or technically posted it to my blog, facebook, and instagram, but a full on letter is in the cards for Christmas 2013.
Send a random care package to 3 friends (1/3 2 are sitting around waiting for me to mail them.  oops.)  STILL need to send these out.  Yikes.
Join a stitch and bitch group (tried but meeting times conflicted with class)  Working to start one at work with one of the librarians for January!
Host a swap party with friends  I was envisioning this to be a clothes swap party, but most of my friends and I aren't the same size.... Not sure if this'll work out.

Travel  There is no way that my finances will allow for travel outside of the U.S. by the end of 2013, so getting a passport, leaving the country, and due to $$$, go on a cruise will be crossed off the list.

Get my passport
Take a trip and leave the country
Go on a cruise
Go to NYC  Hopefully a trip to see Susan is still in the cards for next Fall!
Skate at the Rockefeller Center
Go on a vacation that doesn’t revolve around running/racing (mini-vacation with Kyle 2.17.12, and 12.14.12)
Take a random road trip I'm such a planner that nothing is ever "random."  What IS a random road trip anyway??

Running and Fitness  You can tell that many of these goals were set while I was on a major running high with awesome race performances.  Given my battle with injuries, many of these are no longer feasible.  Waaaaaaah.

Run a Boston Qualifying Marathon
Win a race  There's always a chance in small 5ks in the summer.  Maybe I'll stalk a good one!
Run 200 miles in one month (working on this for March 2012--didn't happen)  Definitely doable once I get my mileage up there again.
Run 60 miles in one week Ditto above.
Complete half Ironman
Bike a century race  Megan and I are potentially planning to do one of these in June!  Yay biking!
Run Sub 4 hour marathon  The jury is still out as to if I'll run a marathon in 2013, but if all goes well, this goal isn't out of the question.
Sub 3:50 marathon
Sub 1:50 half marathon  The 100th time is the charm, right?
Sub 50 min 10k (5.7.11)
Run 22xx 5k  I <3 speedwork, so this could be fun.
Run the Goofy Challenge  Still a SMALL possibility to do this in 2014 as my graduation gift to myself (which is technically after the end date, but only by a couple of weeks).
Run NYC marathon (applied for lottery for 2012, didn't get in)
Do 100 pushups  Good tough goal!
Take a bikram yoga class (12.26.12 birthday sweatfest!)


Crafty and Creative
Decide on Scarves for PRs logo (Megan created a sweet one! plus it's green!)
Create Scarves for PRs business cards  I don't have time to crochet currently, so I've backed off almost completely from making scarves unless sought out by someone.  Maybe I'll get excited to make them again next fall.  
Start Scarves for PRs Etsy shop (no longer plan to do this, maybe once grad school is over!)
Create blog business cards (meh, that'd mean I'd have to blog consistently)
Complete 52 photo project (1.4.12)
Take a photo every day for 1 month (done January 2012)
Create 5 new Etsy items to sell (0/5)  ditto to above notes
Paint bookshelf
Learn to knit
Start t-shirt quilt
Complete t-shirt quilt
Decorate office (new job, no longer have an office)
Make office artwork (see above)
Take photos for all completed projects (as applicable)


Book Worm
Read 15 classic novels (currently reading Little Women and Pride and Prejudice)  I need to do some MAJOR work on this one.  I will plan to do 3/month once I'm done with school to get me 15 by the end of 2013.
Read a book in a day (6.20.11 Normal Gets You Nowhere)
Get book tattoo (slated for graduation 8.13!)
Join a book club (4.14.11 attended 2nd lunchtime book club)


Health
Get wisdom teeth removed  Don't wanna slash ouch slash $$$$.
Have moles checked (7.2012, and one removed, ouch and $$$)
Stop tanning (have not visited a tanning salon since 12.2011 1x)
Find out my blood type (9.2012, O+!)
Donate blood (9.24.12)
Get a professional massage (7.12.11)


House and Home
Donate Clothes 2x/year (fall/spring) (3/5)
Clean Coat closet (5.12, slightly cheating because I moved, but I cleaned and purged!
Clean Bedroom closet (5.12, ditto above)
Thaw Freezer (5.12, ditto above)
Decorate kitchen No kitchen space to decorate, will switch this to dining room.  I know what artwork I want to put in there but haven't seen the exact thing to buy yet.
Finish decorating living room  Kyle! Grab your hammer and nails.
Transfer files from old computer (didn't happen before it was trashed, if I haven't accessed it in 5 years, I probably don't need it)
Get rid of old computer (sell/donate/trash) (5.12)
Back up MacBook (I have tried to do this but I must be d-u-m-b)
Purge wardrobe of anything I haven't worn in the past two years  My name is Jeri, and I'm a hoarder.  [Hi jeri]


Finances
Pay off car  I calculated how much I'd have to pay each month to accomplish this and it's not feasible.  I do plan to up my payment to take care of it sooner than the 5 years originally planned.
Go one week without spending any money at all (not including direct debits for bills etc.)  Must get groceries, pack lunches, and then I should be golden.
Pay off road bike (6.3.11)


Entertainment
Kiss in the rain
Ride in a hot air balloon
Go golfing
Go ice skating
Go ice fishing I'm sure I could accomplish this any weekend this winter by hopping in the truck with Kyle.  But brrrr.  Trip currently planned for January 18th weekend.
Watch 10 of the top 50 IMDb movies  Need to decide which movies and GO.
Watch all 2011 Oscar nominated movies (Black Swan 5.18.11, The Fighter 5.1.11, Inception, The Kids Are All Right 1.26.12, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours 5.8.11, The Social Network 4.3.11, Toy Story 3, True Grit 2.4.12, Winter’s Bone)
Watch all 2012 Oscar nominated movies (The Help 1.16.12, Midnight in Paris 1.22.12, The Artist, The Descendants 3.22.12, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Hugo 3.4.12, Moneyball 3.12, The Tree of Life 3.6.12, War Horse)
Watch all 2013 Oscar nominated movies  These have been my favorites to work on, because I have watched movies I never would've picked up.  Can't wait for the 2013 list to be up, I haven't seen any of the predicted nominees yet!
See a 3D movie
See a psychic and get my fortune told
Go to a roller derby match
Go to a wine tasting
Go to the Harry Potter theme park
Rewatch LOST! (currently rewatching Season 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Make sushi rolls at home
Go to a Drive in movie
Watch a meteor shower (summer 2011, I don't remember the exact date)


Random
Make a fabulous dessert I’ve never made before
Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years
Write down everything that happens on 11/11/11 and 12/12/12 (11.11.11 Tom & Sara got married and I got to celebrate with them! 12.12.12 I went to work, wore green and gold in honor of Wisconsin's Aaron Rodgers day, ordered pizza with my Wednesday afternoon students, snuggled on the couch with my pug and finished my final paper for the semester!)
Invest in a digital SLR camera I still want to buy one, but it's not a top priority currently.
Encourage someone to make a list (1.3.13 yay! Convinced Megan to make one!)
Get a pet (6.8.12 And Ollie is the love of my life!)

Lazy Runner + Sucktastic Runs = 200 Mile Month?

I must start this post by saying, thank God it was a cut back week, because mentally I did not want to run.  Friday I hit the gym's treadmill along with my nookie nook to get in some miles because it was freezing cold/snowy/wet out.  Blech.  Little did I know that this would be the best/easiest run of the weekend.  Go figure.


I was so excited to run with some friends on Saturday morning for a group run.  I had plans to run to the meet up and home, so I'd get in 8.5-9 miles for the day.  Well at some point in the middle of the night, I must've shut off my alarm, because it never went off (and after careful review, I couldn't see that I had set another alarm for a different time, so this was my final verdict).  After missing the group run, my motivation was roughly zero.  I watched a few episodes of Say Yes to the Dress (currently obsessed with this show... it's ridiculously) and then headed out for a run.  TOTAL SUCKFEST!


It was windy.  The bike trail was flooded.  So I went around.  It was flooded in another area, so I started trampling through the muddy woods to get around it.  Only to realize that there was no getting around it, only through it.  So I walked back, through the mud yet again....cranky.... to be met with the wind in my face.  Efffffffffffffff.  If I had my cell phone, I guarentee that I would've been calling Kyle to come pick me up.  My shoes were roughly 20 lbs. a piece with all the excess mud and the 20-30 mph winds were helping to keep me at a standstill.  If you want to see a not-her-usual-chipper-self-Jeri, please create a time traveling device and go back to Saturday at 4pm.


I got so pissed off that I walked part of the run.  A few times.  I figured it was roughly the same pace I was traveling at anyway, plus I could cover up my face with my gloves to lower the level of "ouchies" from the wind.  And then I went out to dinner and ate like I had done my full run.  :)  Yayzies.


Sunday was grade 'A' lazy day.  I slept in.  I got caught up on twitter while in bed.  I cuddled with Kyle while he watched a fishing show (oy!).  I got him back by watching an episode of Say Yes to the Dress.  Followed by two more episodes.


 [I should note:  I was willing to stop watching after the first but Kyle became "emotionally invested" in the show, so we kept watching.... bahahahahha.  P.S. I really hope he doesn't read my blog because I have a feeling he'll be maaaaaaaaad about this confession.  heheh.]


Of course we then had to watch some more LOST while eating Girl Scout cookies in bed.  Followed by naps (because this was a reallllllllllllllllly stressful day obvs).  More cookies, more LOST, perhaps more Say yes to the Dress.  I love my life.  :)


Finally I went and ran.  Clearly I had to wait until the weather forecast was 80-90% chance of precipitation.  Because I'm smart.  The drizzle turned to rain which turned to baby snow flecks which turned to snow flakes which turned to sweet baby jesus those are giantess snowflakes that feel like shards of glass in my eyes.  It was neat.  But it was stil 1000x better than Saturday's sucktastic run.  :)


Now I know what you're probably thinking.... "Jerbear.... you're the queen bee slacker.  Why did you finish your runs for the week?  Normally you'd just say eff it. "


Well after knocking out a 50 mile week last week, I got to realizing that if I didn't miss a run for the rest of April I would be able to knock out a 200 mile month.  My best month ever was April 2010 at 180, and 200 miles is on my 101 in 1001 list, plus I think it'd be huge mentally for me going in to Fargooooooooo.  So guess who's not going to be a slacker for the next 12 days?  This girl.  I've been promised dinner to wherever my heart desires by Kyle for completing my goal, and clearly I'm most motivated by fooooooood, so this shall help.  Also Jodee (jokingly or not, I will hold her to this) offered up a sweet new eraser for getting to 200.  YAYZIES!


A sincere thanks for all the kind thoughts and words from my post on Friday.  I had to write it in increments throughout the week because I kept getting so emotional.  For those that mentioned donating $$, I set up a fundraising page through the race site, and all the funds will go towards the local cancer research center.  Feel free to donate.  :)

101 in 1001

I started compiling this 101 in 1001 list a few months back.  I'm 100% a list girl, and think it'd be fun to accomplish a huge subset of goals over the next couple of years.  Enjoy.  :)

***Check out my progress on my 101 in 1001 page***

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? 
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organising and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

in progress: italic / completed: bold



Goal Start Date: March 30, 2011
Goal End Date: December 26, 2013 (The Big 3-0!)

Life
Take a photography class
Fall in love
Get accepted into master’s program
Go to a Packers game at Lambeau
Get a library position
Grow an herb garden

Go on a brewery tour

Connect
Meet 5 new people (0/5)
Make 3 new friends (0/5)
Meet 3 bloggy friends (0/3)
Send 5 letters/cards to friends that don’t live nearby
Join a running club
Make a new running buddy
Call (skype) one person each month I haven’t spoken with in awhile
Send Christmas card/letter
Send a random care package to 3 friends (0/3)
Join a stitch and bitch group
Host a swap party with friends.
 

Travel
Get my passport
Take a trip and leave the country
Go on a cruise
Go to NYC
Skate at the Rockefeller Center
Go on a vacation that doesn’t revolve around running/racing
Take a random road trip

Running and Fitness
Run a Boston Qualifying Marathon
Win a race
Run 200 miles in one month
Run 60 miles in one week
Complete half Ironman
Bike a century race
Run Sub 4 hour marathon
Sub 3:50 marathon
Sub 1:45 half marathon
Sub 50 min 10k
Run 22xx 5k
Run the Goofy Challenge
Run NYC marathon
Do 100 pushups
Take a bikram yoga class

Crafty and Creative

Decide on Scarves for PRs logo

Create Scarves for PRs business cards

Start Scarves for PRs Etsy shop

Create blog business cards

Complete 52 photo project

Take a photo every day for 1 month

Create 5 new Etsy items to sell (0/5)

Paint bookshelf

Learn to knit

Start t-shirt quilt

Complete t-shirt quilt

Decorate office

Make office artwork
Take photos for all completed projects (as applicable).

Book Worm

Read 15 classic novels

Read a book in a day

Get book tattoo

Join a book club

Health

Get wisdom teeth removed

Have moles Checked

Stop tanning
Find out my blood type

Donate blood
Get a professional massage

House and Home

Donate Clothes 2x/year (fall/spring)

Clean Coat closet

Clean Bedroom closet

Thaw Freezer

Decorate kitchen

Finish decorating living room

Transfer files from old computer.

Get rid of old computer (sell/donate/trash)

Back up MacBook

Purge wardrobe of anything I haven't worn in the past two years

Finances

Pay off car

Go one week without spending any money at all (not including direct debits for bills etc)

Pay off road bike

Entertainment

Kiss in the rain

Ride in a hot air balloon
Go golfing
Go ice skating

Go ice fishing
Watch 10 of the top 50 IMDb movies

Watch all 2011 Oscar nominated movies (Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception, The Kids Are All Right, The King’s Speech, 127 Hours, The Social Network, Toy Story 3, True Grit, Winter’s Bone)

Watch all 2012 Oscar nominated movies
Watch all 2013 Oscar nominated movies
See a 3D movie

See a psychic and get my fortune told
Go to a roller derby match
Go to a wine tasting.
Go to the Harry Potter theme park.
Rewatch LOST!
Make sushi rolls at home

Go to a Drive in movie

Watch a meteor shower


Random

Make a fabulous dessert I’ve never made before

Write a letter to myself to open in 10 years

Write down everything that happens on 11/11/11 and 12/12/12

Invest in a digital SLR camera

Encourage someone to make a list

Get a pet