Water Reminder

Drinking enough water is a challenge for me. I don't think to drink if I'm really busy at work or at home unless I feel physically thirsty. I read somewhere once that by the time you are physically thirsty you are already becoming dehydrated. You should drink 8 - 10 8oz glasses of water per day and I am nowhere near that!

Goal # 78 on my list is to drink 6 glasses of water a day. I hope that I will do more than that but I wanted to set an atainable goal too. I found a gadget on Google desktop that is a water reminder. I have mine set to remind me every 10 minutes to drink some water. I was afraid of it being an annoying alarm or something but it is just a sound affect of swishing water. Very appropriate and somewhat soothing. I just thought I'd tell everyone about it so that if you want to try to drink more water you can try it out too!

Read your Bible in a year with help from this site

I found a cool Bible reading site called Christianity.com. It has a tool that tracks your reading for a year, it has every possible version (I chose New American Standard). I think this will help me to reach my goal of reading the entire Bible. Just thought I'd share for others who want to read the Bible cover to cover!

Waiting for the First of Octember (ahem October)

I got a book out of the library for Henry yesterday, it was Dr. Seuss' The First of Octember and this was a page out of the book. It reminded me of my little list that I'm starting on the first of October.

If you can't read it, it says "You'll get all that you want, You just write out your list. Everyone has an Octember First list. Write slowly now! Don't break your wrist."

I love it!

Countdown!

Has anyone noticed my countdown on the right side of my blog (for those of you reading this on FB you obviously won't see it unless you go to my blog. http://hawklady-sarahsblog.blogspot.com) Even though I have not started my 1001 days yet I went ahead and did a countdown. I have 1008 days left right now. So on Oct 1st it will say 1001 days I also put 0 / 101 tasks complete. I hope that I will keep up with updating that as I complete my tasks and hopefully when June 28th 2012 rolls around it will say 101/101 tasks completed! I am itching to start but I know I have others that are going to start with me so I'm waiting til October 1st!

The List, My 101

Here is my list!

Code: Completed
In progress
Failed to complete

Let's broaden our Horizons!
1. Read the whole Bible
2. Read 5 books (5/5)
3. Try one new recipe every month (20/32)
4. Pray every day
5. Order something new off of a restaurant menu 10 times (3/10)
6. Learn how to crochet a hat
7. Get a Tattoo
8. Enter a Photo contest
9. Get a Passport
10. Beat (win) a video game I have started playing Little Big Planet
11. Participate in post crossing
12. Plan and host a scavenger hunt
13. Try letterboxing at least once
14. Learn to drive a stick shift
15. Send a secret to post secret
16. Do the "Love Dare"
17. Get good at french braiding
18. Make homemade chicken soup
19. Sell something on Ebay
20. Sell a photo
21. Go yardsaling at least once
22. Get up early and watch the sunrise.

Let's make something!
23. Sew a dress for Zoe
24. Sew a quilt
25. Paint a picture worth framing
26. Take a self portrait for 365 days straight
27. Get ABC book made
28. Make an advent calendar
29. Color an entire coloring book
30. Do a 365 project with Henry and Zoe.
31. Write a song
32. Finish Henry's scrapbook (to date)
33. Finish Zoe's scrapbook ( to date)
34. Frame a photo of something other than a person that I took.
35. Sing on video and post it to youtube
36. Do an ABC project of Zoe
37. Come up with a signature recipe
38. Make a loaf of bread from scratch
39. Paint a shark for Henry
40. draw a picture of my kids.

Let's get together!
41. Take the kids to the aquarium
42. Take the kids to the zoo
43. Make Matt breakfast in bed
44. Invite someone over for dinner
45. Plan and execute a progressive meal
46. Make 3 new friends
47. Spend an evening with each of my sisters, my mom and mother in law 1/5
48. Spend time one day a month with each of my children (their special day with Mommy)
49. Find Willow and write her a letter
50. Meet 2 more Pink Sheep
51. Send all my "Pink Sheep" friends a letter
52. Meet all of my neighbors.
53. Kiss my husband every day for at least 1 minute straight (unless he's traveling)
54. Have a bread bowl party
55. Have a big party for Matt's 30th birthday.

It's all about the Benjamins!

56. Pay off Credit cards (0/3)
57. Save $500 just for me to buy new clothes (guilt free) (0/500)
58. Have $3,000 in savings by day 1,001 (0 / 3,000)
59. Start a college savings account for Henry and Zoe (yes, I know I should have done this by
now!)

Let's start a photography Business!
60. Create a logo for my photo business
61. Get business cards
62. Get a business license
63. Take newborn pictures
64. Get a website

Let's make our house better
65. Organize the garage
66. Put baseboards in the dining room / hallway
67. Put moulding in Henry's room
68. Hang some pictures in my bedroom
69. Get new couches or at least a nice slip cover

Let's give back!
70. Give flowers to someone "just because"
71. Send a shoe box at Christmas (1/2)
72. Donate blood
73. Get on the bone marrow registry
74. Send a carepackage to a soldier
75. Do random acts of kindness on a regular basis
76. Make a cake to bring to work and share 5 times (2/5)

Let's get Healthy!

77. Get 30 minutes of exercise 3x a week (at least) (1/429)
78. Drink 6 glasses of water a day
79. Drink only water or milk for 1 week
80. No sweets for a week
81. Lose 20 pounds (20/20)(WOOT!)
82. Walk to work once a week or 143 times (4/143)Failed!
83. Go on a hike
84. Take a vitamin every day for a month.

Miscellaneous
85. Go away for a weekend with Matt without the kids
86. Go the whole time without cutting my hair (split ends, shape ups and bangs excluded)
87. Get a family portrait made
88. Spend one day a month internet and tv free (0/32)
89. Write a will
90. Go on a picnic
91. Clean out my cars
92. Plant a vegetable garden
93. Plant flowers in the spring
94. Potty train Henry
95. Read Henry all Dr. Seuss books (0/64)

List related actions
96. Save $5 for every task complete
97. Donate $5 for every task not completed
98. Write a letter to myself on day 1 and read it on day 1001 Letter written!
99. Blog about each item as it is completed. (2 / 101)
100. Inspire one person to complete a list(1/1)I think I've inspired more than 1! Yay
101. Make a new 101 things list and start all over.

New Project: 101 in 1001

I have my list completed! What list? You may ask. Well my list of 101 goals that I want to achieve in 1001 days! I am going to share my list in the next couple of days but day 1 will not be until October 1st (10/1). It seemed like an appropriate day (10/1 - 101 get it?) I want all of my readers to consider doing this with me. Make your own list and play along! We can encourage each other to keep going.

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.

Some common goal setting tips:
1. Be decisive. Know exactly what you want, why you want it, and how you plan to achieve it.

2. Stay Focussed. Any goal requires sustained focus from beginning to end. Constantly evaluate your progress.

3. Welcome Failure. Frequently, very little is learned from a venture that did not experience failure in some form. Failure presents the opportunity to learn and makes the success more worthy.

4. Write down your goals. It clarifies your thinking and reinforces your commitment.

5. Keep your goals in sight. Review them frequently, and ensure that they are always at the forefront of your thinking.Once you have created your site, you can add it to the master list here at Day Zero.Calculating the End Date
You can easily find out when your project will end by using this handy tool at timeanddate.com.
1,001 days from October 1st 2009 is Thursday, June 28, 2012

Get more information on Day Zero. you can even look at other people's lists for ideas!

Nine Eleven

Today is 9/11, Nine one one, Nine Eleven, Patriots Day.I don't feel like there is anything I can write that would be worthy of this day. I just want to say I hope that we all remember this day. Remember the innocent people who lost their lives and remember how blessed we are that we continue to live in freedom and liberty. Remember the Men and Women in our Armed Forces who have protected us since 9/11/01 from any more terrorist attacks.

Treasure Hunt!

Here is a short video of the treasure hunt ending with singing Happy Birthday. After the video are the clues that I wrote out. We had a chest that had a lock on it so before the treasure hunt I put the key on a string and tied it around the birthday boy's neck to hold for safe keeping. I think that added a nice touch to it.

Here are the clues I used for the treasure hunt, these were for 3 and 4 year olds (and one 6 year old) if the kids are older at your party you may want to make them a little more challenging.

The front door is where ye greet yer hearties
Sometimes we call 'em friends
Welcome to the pirate party
This is where the hunt begins!


This is where you get your mail, packages and bills
Go there fast and get your clue or else the scallywags will



Go to the place that ye watch tv, movies and other shows
This is where ye find yer next clue that is where ye should go.


This is where you find your snacks salty, sweet or fuity
You’ll also find your next clue to lead you to the booty



Avast me hardies listen up! you’re almost there you see.
Go to where you swing up high underneath a tree.


This is where you walk the plank and take a swim for pleasure

It’s also where you should look if you want to find your treasure!

I got lazy with the you / ye's toward the end but you get the picture!

I found this website that had a lot of pirate verbiage that can help you with your clues.

I have the best family!

Yesterday was Henry's Birthday Party and it was a lot of fun. We all got together at my Mom and Dad's house for Labor day and I threw in a couple pirate decorations and games for the kids. We had a treasure hunt. I wrote out clues to lead them to the treasure. I will post the clues in another post if you are interested in doing a pirate treasure hunt sometime.

Let me just tell you, I have the best family that anyone could ask for!

My mom made a great cake with sharks and a pirate ship. My sisters, Becky and Katie helped me fill up water balloons. It took them about 30 minutes to fill them up and they were all destroyed within 3 minutes. Kelly brought some yummy food and half of Henry's guests. :)Henry got a lot of shark / pirate themed presents from everyone that he loves! He also got some new play-doh which I know he will have me shape into sharks for him. Thank you to everyone who came, thank you for Henry's gifts. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for letting me crash their Labor Day cookout! Thanks to everyone for all the yummy food and especially thanks to my mom for the beautiful cake!

I will post pictures and a video of the party later.

Henry is Three! Happy Birthday Henry

Henry Patrick Hawkins was born 3 years ago today. I love him more than I ever knew I could love something or someone. I thank God for him every day. Here is a video montage I made for him. He loves watching it over and over again. I hope you will enjoy it too!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A perfect party

Henry's birthday party is Saturday and I am still without a present for him and I have yet to figure out what I am going to serve our guests for dinner. At Henry's 1st birthday Matt smoked a pork butt (sounds weird, right?!) last year at his 2nd birthday I served pick up type things instead of a meal. I am thinking of doing Hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill but haven't decided yet.



Last year we got Henry a fishtank which needs some serious attention, it looks more like a breeding ground for algae than a fishtank.