Trying Again!

I've just set up a new 101 Challenge for myself here:

Rachel Tries 101 Challenges in 1001 Days...Again

My unofficial goal this time is to complete more items than I did with this first one! :)

Wrap Up

So, I ended up completing only 58 of the 101 items on my list. I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed with that. I figured I wouldn't finish all 101, but I hoped to get a little closer than 58. Anyway, we were really busy this Spring, and I neglected all my blogging, unfortunately right at the end of this challenge. So, I'm thinking about starting a new 101 challenge, and trying to top my measly 58! :)

I wanted to point out a few of my favorites, or things that we implemented that really stuck:

1. Start using our cloth grocery bags.
I'm really proud that we are still using them. We've saved money with them, and eliminated so many plastic bags from our lives. Love these, my only regret is that it took us so long to get started using them!

25. Write a novel from start to finish.
I cheated a little when I crossed this off, because I'd just finished the book I'd been working on for years. But, I did write a new book from start to finish at the beginning of the year, in 2.5 months, and I'm pretty proud of that!

93. Foster an animal in need.
This had been in the back of my mind as something I'd like to do, but I didn't imagine us becoming foster parents while Liam was still so young. We've had 4 foster dogs so far (Moose, Murphy, Mojo, and Justice) and it has without a doubt been one of the most meaningful and rewarding things I've ever done in my life. Our last foster especially, Justice, was our first dog straight from the shelter, and watching him blossom with us was amazing. We fell in love and very nearly kept him, but it does make me happy to know he is now happy and well loved in his new home.

And then, there were a few things I was really disappointed I didn't get to cross off, so I think I'm going to give the 101 list another try, and see if I can do better this time! :)

The Final Tally

19. Complete 30 new arts and crafts projects with Liam.
I didn't get pictures of them all, but we enough arts and crafts to complete this one.

33. Learn a new skill.
This skill ended up being writing. I thought I knew how to write when I started this blog, but once I started taking classes, I realized I had no idea what I was doing! I do understand the mechanics of writing now. I'm still learning to implement it all into my work, but I'm sure writing is a skill that you never stop improving.

43. Organize the office.
Oh, how I wish I had a proper "before" picture of the embarrassment that was our office. Let's just say it was a mess. Piles of boxes, paper and junk covering the whole floor. A Bow-flex taking up the middle of the room. It was also bright blue (which we loved, but painted over to put the house on the market) and we had started to cover the walls with concert posters and other fun stuff, but never finished. Anyway, here's what it looks like now that it's been cleaned up, repainted, and organized:
(Photo coming soon!)

77. Regain my abs and core body strength.
This was sort of a post-baby goal, and yes, my abs and core body strength are back to what they were before I had Liam.

87. Redo our guest bath.
This wasn't a huge re-do, but I dressed it up some before we listed the house. A new shower curtain, accessories, towel, etc.

Total Completed: 58/101