Complete: Buy a Snow Blower

Ever since we moved into our house, we knew we needed a snow blower.  We bought our house in March, and the snow blower season at the main chain box stores was long over, so we shoveled...and shoveled.

The following years, we just never got it done.  I have to admit, to a degree it was rewarding to shovel the driveway and our walks, especially on those days when it was cold but not utterly cold.

The real pain was those cases where I couldn't get the snow moved fast enough, and then it froze.  Or, the eastern sidewalk where the snow drifted from the hill in our front yard -- sometimes up to 2 feet or more high.  On several occasions my neighbors took pity on me and brought their 'blowers over.

So, now we have a snow blower....I hope we never have to use it.

Finished A Separate Peace

I finished my second Essential Man's Library book, A Separate Peace by John Knowles several nights ago in a single reading session when I couldn't sleep.  I'd never seen the movie, so was uncertain what to expect.

The book's themes and plot seemed oddly familiar to me even though I'd never read it before.  Perhaps it was merely the setting: a boy's prep school.  It reminded me a bit of one of my favorite novels I was compelled to read in high school, Beneath the Wheel by Herman Hesse.  It also had a feel of the movie, Dead Poet's Society, to a degree.

The plot was solid, but didn't have the depth of more modern novels.  I did enjoy the book nonetheless.

It had a good feeling of nostalgia.  I also thought the idea of taking on the clothes and characteristics of a close friend at that age had a true feel to it, especially when that friend exemplifies the traits you admire and don't see in yourself.

Complete: Inspire someone else to 101

Just received an email from a co-worker today who was inspired to make her own list of goals under this program.  She also gave me some data on becoming a notary public in Iowa.  Sweet!

Weekly Update -- September 25 (week 11)

Completed  7 / 101
Getting much closer to having 101 on my list. I have set myself a goal to have a completed list by the end of this weekend -- no more stalling....no more hesitation.






Additionally, spent some time updating the template for this blog.  I am fascinated by the XML functionality, but still have very limited understanding of what code does what.  I've been tinkering a bit, but it is almost like doing watch repair with a sledge hammer.



In Progress

• Catalog books on LibraryThing -- I'm hoping to have this task completed by the end of this coming weekend.  Basically, I have just a few books here and there, plus the books in the craft room.  I think if I spend about 1 1/2 hours, I can have this done.

• Recycling bin -- still loving the recycle bin.  Have virtually all cardboard and newspapers out of the house.  Getting much better about rinsing out cans and glass bottles as well.  

• Take a beginning Latin class -- first class was on Tuesday.  We spent most of our time talking about verb forms and conjugation, largely with first and second conjugation forms.  Our instructor set up a small blog site for homework assignments and additional readings here.  I really think I'm going to enjoy Latin, and will want to either take additional classes or do some sort of self-study (maybe a Rosetta Stone program?), but I am a little apprehensive of the grammatical forms both for nouns and verbs.  It's amazing to think how concise the language is. 
  

Complete: 2009 Vacation

Finished a wonderful vacation (September 12-20).  It had been awhile since I had actually taken a full week off.  We didn't go anywhere, but it was very nice to be able to play a bit, but also to do some major items and complete a few little nagging ones.

Saturday, September 12 -- made mulligatawny soup and cucumber sandwiches

Sunday, September 13 -- Danced at the Scottish Rite Park retirement home.

Monday, September 14 -- helped Dad move some furniture, sort through items, and prepare for his move. In the evening, we had dance practice.

Tuesday, September 15 -- finished 2 books.

Wednesday, September 16 -- painted the dining room. Looks great! Made stuffed squash with italian sausage.

Thursday, September 17 -- tried to get a safety deposit box -- FAIL. Cable modem went out on Tuesday, so I picked up a new one through the cable company and got it installed. Yes, internet is back!

Friday, September 18 -- Jive Junction dance

Sunday, September 20 -- Helped Dad move some furniture.

It sounds like I did a lot more work than vacation, but I feel like I got a lot of little things done and got to stay up late a few nights....

Complete: Pay off 1st mortgage

Bank confirmed that the mortgage is paid off. Whoo hoo!  We now own a bit more of our house and continue to pursue part of the American Dream,

Weekly Update -- September 18 (week 10)

Completed  5 / 101
Getting much closer to having 101 on my list

In Progress

• Take a 1-week vacation in 2009 -- only two days left of my vacation, but it's been a full one. Will post a summary on Sunday.

• Pay off 2nd mortgage -- I think everything is complete, but I've been unable to look at my account online because the system is unavailable. My guess is that they are posting the payment, closing the account, etc. Did get a notice today that automatic payments are now stopped. Should be able to complete this shortly.

• Get a safety deposit box -- On Thursday I stopped at my bank, assuming (naively) that I could easily get this done. Unfortunately, they only had 3 x 2 boxes available, so I'm on a waiting list for the larger size. They said it might take up to a year for a box to open up, so this might take awhile.

• Buy a snowblower -- Janet and I went to the home store on Tuesday night, found a good model, but the store didn't have any in stock, so we'll have to try again perhaps next week. I AM NOT going to shovel again this year.