So much ...but never enough

...time.

Don't we all wish we had more time LOL.

As in time measured by the a ticking clock (yes we have one sitting on the bench somewhere maybe that's my probleme -)

and the turning of pages on the calendar.

Time seems irrelevant when life is waiting to be lived , the other boring stuff just gets in the way.

Though our time is measured; like it or not.

I feel guilty , dis' or un'satisfied ? that I'm just not doing "enough" to make a difference to our home or my children.

I feel unfulfilled with everything happening or not happening and the uncertainty about our future (that is whole dozen posts) . I'm not contributing as much as I'd like to.

Well today , even though it felt like a " I'm wasting my life " kind of day...and I have the guilts - I needed it.

I have so much to write (thankfully not just today).

I have many great stories to tell (well in my opinion).

I have so many blessings to be grateful for.

Though truthfully ... I haven't had much time for anything I should be doing ...as they say the dust will wait . So will the housework, packing and the tax returns but eating and a bit of sleeping are still on the top of my list. Eventually I'll get to the former.

Today, I cleared by bulging goggle reader and I did read all a majority many some a few before marking all as read. I even commented on a few blogs *waves*

I am excited about completing my list 101 in 1001 days ...onward to the challenges.

Personally ...it is all about stretching myself and having something to look forward to...making good things happen.
Identifying my strengths and weaknesses (don't mention Chocolate please).
Paying it forward and looking for opportunities to have more fun.
Remembering it has to have fun elements ...a lot of them or it's not worth the effort.
Opportunities for personal growth and encouraging others , and being open to change along the way (it's not cheating to change tracks).

This week

• I am on day 5 of no chocolate for 7 days ( 7 of 101 ) ...(enough said)
  

• I've been to the library both for my own book list and a change for the kids (rather for me to read to them). I learnt to use the Library online reservation system from home.

• I have autobiographies of Dr Chris O Brien & Tracy Wickham, and DVD's and other books. (I have the Time traveller's wife DVD waiting to viewed too and the book on reserve)

• I started my endeavour to get to bed earlier (by 10pm) - our 17yr has his first real job that starts at 6.30am and DH has been getting up to drive him ...so the fallout is I wake or get woken at a very ungodly hour (5.30am this morning and we all got up). I fall into bed exhausted just after 10-1030pm now.
  

The bonus is DH thinks he (WE) will get so much more done. The teen needs a few more driving lessons but in the MEANtime his push bike is now fixed so he can ride the 10kms or so ...from tomorrow. DH has a prior commitment and I can't drag 2 x 4yrs old out of bed at 5 30 am. I will get used to it too ... I was a Regsitered Nurse on shift work for 12 years and had to rise at 5-45-6am every week 2,3,4 days in a row ...Argh ! Once a week it was after going to bed after midnight or after.

• I've got the info for my First Aid course ...just need the TIME factor to figure when to do it and people to encourage along with me.
• I bought a little elephant charm to remind me you eat an elephant in Small bites ...it was the first pretty thing I'd bought myself in years.
  

All in all it is the small things that are making me happy this week.

I know hungry tired children will not wait much longer ...so carry on without me !
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I'm not ready

I feel a bit unmotivated today.
All around me is chaos because we were away at the farm for 4-5 days. I don't quite know where to start ...

• on the washing & folding

• or general cleaning

• or tidy the rest of the mess & crap boxes from having de cluttering in progress

• or to go shopping for food (we are out of everything)
  

• or to the library (to collect my reserved book)
  

• or to walk my butt off on the treadmill (because I ate too much on the weekend and I feel very sluggish)

• or save water my precious wilting roses with Seasol . I tried to transplant a few from ~Charlotte's~ garden. (The garden I know I'm feeling heartbroken about leaving, already. I accept it has to happen but it makes me sad to think about it)

• or just mopp about some more and eat more chocolate... I think not eating chocolate at the moment is going to one the harder challenges.

• or pick up the 101 toys scattered about.

Nah ...nothing grabs me. I promise I will get to them in time.

I am unrepentant about doing nothing much but updating a few things on my blog, leaving a few comments and a little tweeting... while my DH is away catching up on a few work errands.

I did actually manage to do some monthly business accounts earlier this morning and send a few business emails.

I'm getting closer to finalising my Day zero 101 list.
I found this goal generator which will help me get started and a few other ideas to keep track of my projects/actions.

I just decided I must add a blog reading action to my 101 in 1001. My goggle reader must be ready to explode. It doesn't help I've added a dozen new Aussie blogs recently. I just wish I had more than 5 mins to read them all.

NEWSFLASH - my or rather 'the boys' DVD prize from Me & Boo arrived home by Daddy mail a short time ago (lucky I was working on a work email at the time). I can't wait to watch it with them .... another good excuse for a sit down later !!!

Tomorrow I have a plan of action ... I'm off to donate plasma again. This I feel passionately about because of Ivy the daughter of my friend Tiff @ Three Ring circus.

I'll be around to visit your blogs soon too and have a quiet cuppa while I catch up on your news creativity & writings.

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10.10.10.10

Not quite 101 in 1001 days but a bit close.
One week in and I have completed a few challenges on my list and started on a few of the '101' ones...(read two books and one RandomActKindness).
The hardest bit has been actually thinking of 101 achieveable things and typing them all in one at a time LOL ...patient I am NOT !
I am up to 63...
You can't cut and paste !
Oh, you wanted to know a bit more about what 101 actually involves.
Plan. Create.Motivate. Achieve.

The Challenge:
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 your part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple challenges such as New Year's resolutions or a 'Bucket List'. 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, study semesters, or outdoor activities.

Who runs this website?
The Day Zero Project was started in 2003 by New Zealander, Michael Green (personal website).

It is still whatever it means to you if you can't measure or clearly define it.
The cancer diagnosis of my husband's has certainly had us both thinking about our priorities in life.
We have a lot of changes in the wings ...the biggest being preparing to sell our family home of the last six years, virtually closing down our own business of over 15 years. It's keeping us very busy. So I am sorry I haven't had time to reply to all the comments.

Ps Had I started my challenge today (what an awesome date by the way), I would have finished on my birthday in just under 3 years time.
Still I am excited about eating the 'elephant'.
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Q: How do you eat an elephant?

(I found this pic at the hospital fete on 28th Aug 2010 coincidently and I had to buy it )

A: One bite at a time...

Today is Day Zero !
Today marks the start of my epic 101 things in 1001 days journey.
I've thought about doing it for some time.
A month ago exactly on Sept 3rd, I saw it mentioned on twitter by Faeriesarie and I got excited I gave her a few ideas.
Super relish decided to join in too.
I knew I needed something else to focus on .
I needed goals and dreams to inspire me.

I said to myself ...I'll start in a month.
I went and registered ... I discovered October 3rd 2010 plus 1001 days is July 1st 2013.
S & J's 7th birthday.

The big picture means 101 things in 1001 days ...almost 3 months short of 3 yrs

Broadly that means 1 challenge (I prefer it to thing) a minimum of every 10 days.

MY plan

• 10% list is to be chosen by others ..asking for your help here on 5 things or else my husband gets 10 bits.
• 10% is me things
• 10% Altruism http://www.altruism.org.au/ principle of living and acting to help others http://www.altruists.org/about/altruism
• 10% one of events
• 10% I can finish within a 101 days
• 10% I can finish in a year (any one year)
• 10% achieve or finish within 2 years
• 10% ongoing for duration of the 1001 days
• 10% learning a new skill or renewing an old one
• 10% achievable at home
• 10% no monetary cost
• 10% involve a series of steps or more than one task to complete (A -Z)
• 10% physical basis ( actions )
• 10% writing projects
• 10% will be things I don't want to do ...but will do IYKWIM
• 10% I want to do with/for my children
• 10% things with my hubby
• 10% things to watch /see\
• 10% are whimsical one off things ( kiss in the rain, build a snowman, sleep under the stars, fly a kite, grow sunflowers )

Here are the top 1o things I don’t want to do:

1. Don’t eat fast food for 2 weeks
2. Don’t watch TV for a week
3. Don’t swear for a week
4. Don’t eat out for a month
5. Don’t use internet for a week
6. Don’t go on facebook for a week
7. Don’t eat chocolate for a week (actually 101 days but I'm breaking it down into achievable segments LOL )
8. Don’t speak a single word for a day (I may have to resort to anaesthesia or laryngitis)
9. Don’t eat for 40 hours (ie World Vision 40 hr famine ...which I have done before)
   
10. Don't drink alcohol for a week
    

If you are paying attention and doing the maths ...

It won't add up ...of course some will fit 2 or more categories

Overall I aim to achieve one challenge or piece of a challenge every 10 days.

It's like a puzzle where slowly it will all come together

So what’s your elephant?

When you know what it is ... how do you start?

1. Grab your cutlery: Tools, friends, whatever you think you may need for the job. If you don’t have the right ones, you’ll find out quickly and adjust as you go.

2. Choose a part you can reach. Tackle the easiest piece first. It will build confidence and you will gain expertise as you go.

3. Take your first bite. You may actually like it. (haven't tasted it yet ...)

4. Repeat #3 until finished.

When you see the elephant, commit to taking a single bite at a time.

“One day at a time.”

A friend recently told me all about swimming with elephants and riding one in Kuala Lumpa ....I won't be adding that to my list nor finding what one tastes like either

Some of my other challenges are

• Update my CPR /First aid certificate
• Roadtrip to Western Australia
• Reach 101 blood/plasma donations ( I think I am at 46)
• 101 randoms acts of kindness
• Go to bed before 10pm every night for a week (this is very hard for me an ex nurse and longtime nightowl because I love to read or browse the internet now)
• Spend only 101 dollars for a whole month
• 31 photos in 31 days
• 30 things in 30 days
• Make a wish at 11:11 on November 11, 2011
• Bake an Epic Rainbow Cake
• ask 10 people to suggest their favourite book and read them all
• Make a playlist of 101 of my favorite songs
• Get a facial or pedicure
  
• 10 candlelight dinners
• Create a recipe book/folder for me
• Go to an outdoor Concert
• Take a picture for each letter of the alphabet
• Build a blanket or teepee fort
• Put away $10 for every goal completed (already started the account goal #1)
• Run or walk a marathon
• Watch 26 movies I've never seen starting with each letter of the Alphabet - including see 10 classic movies I've never seen or forgotten ;)
• Wear a frock every Sunday in Frocktober
• Grow giant sunflowers (I have before if I can find the seeds)

The biggest problem with anything BIG is starting.
If I look at the entire task, it will depress me before I even start.
I see it as no different to eating an elephant. (Not that I intend to add this to my 101 list)
I cannot contemplate eating it in one mouthful, I may never attempt it ...

However making the decision to do it one bite at a time, it does not even look like a BIG task at all.

So I'll relax sit 'back' , dig in and just realise that every mouthful is taking me nearer to my destination.
Ultimately I'll always have something to look forward too.
More on this and my 101 list later.

Also hand trunk holding with me on 101 things are Superrelish & Sarah. Tell me and I'll add you if you decide to join or are already eating your elephant.

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