I'm requesting a mulligan, please!

Mulligan, please! Golfers know this term well!

Wikipedia defines a mulligan, "in a game, happens when a player gets a second chance to perform a certain move or action. In golf, a mulligan is a retaken shot on the first tee box, usually due to a previously errant one."

Simply put, if a golfer messes up his first shot on the first hole, he gets a second shot off the tee. He/she can only take a mulligan on the first hole.

Where does this come in, you ask? I've messed up on some of the numbers on my 101 in 1001. I have completed some of my numbers (#29, #54, and #97), but others I have messed up on. (Some of the daily ones.) So, rather than say I failed them and just quit on those, I'm requesting a mulligan on the first month (or rather, little over a month.) So, what do you say on a second chance, or a mulligan?

#54. When I get my Trifle bowl, make the Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle.

I have now completed my third task of my 101 in 1001! #54 When I get my Trifle bowl, make the Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle. This recipe came from the Pampered Chef's Season's Best Spring/Summer 2009 Recipe Collection. One of my close friends sells Pampered Chef and I found this recipe because of her. I made this dish September 1st.

Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle

Ingredients:

• 18 Whole Graham crackers (5 x 2 in.), divided
• 3/4 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• 1 Container (12 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
• 1 Pkg. (3.4 oz.) banana cream instant pudding and pie filling
• 1 Cup milk
• 1 Lemon
• 4 Large Bananas

1. Finely chop half of a graham cracker using a chopper; set aside. Coarsely crumble remaining crackers into small mixing bowl.
2. For ganache, place chocolate morsels and 1 1/2 cups of the whipped topping into a small bowl. Microwave on HIGH 45-60 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds or until melted and smooth, stirring every 15 seconds. Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium mixing bowl; whisk until mixture begins to thicken. Fold in remaining whipped topping; set aside.
3. Juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp. juice. Peel bananas and cut into 1 1/2 in. pieces. Slice pieces into medium batter bowl. Add lemon juice and toss gently. Set aside 12 slices for garnish.
4. To assemble trifle, place half of the crumbled graham crackers over bottom of Trifle Bowl. Place half of the bananas over the crackers, arranging some of the bananas against sides of bowl, and top with one-third of the ganache (see Cook's Tip). Spread half of the banana filling over ganache, spreading to edges. Repeat layers one time. Decorate with remaining ganache. Sprinkle top of trifle with chopped graham cracker. Arrange reserved banana slices around the edges of trifle. Yields: 16 Servings

Cook's Tip: To get a good visual of the ganache layers, spoon ganache into resealable plastic food storage bag. Trim corner of bag to allow ganache to flow through. Pipe around the inside edges of the bowl, then drizzle remaining ganache over the bananas.

#29 Get Wesley's room the way I want it, including or excluding, but not limited to painting and full cleaning.

So, I can now cross off another number on my 101 in 1001 list!! Jud and I got Wesley's room completely cleaned and straightened. So, without further ado, here are the before and after pictures.

Wesley's wagon full of toys from his Birthday toys!


Wesley's crib and a basket of clean clothes.

His room had come to hold extra stuff.

And, here are the after pictures:

This is the afghan that Wesley's NaNa made for him before he was born on top of the chest that his PopPop made.

This is above Wesley's crib. Below his name, is a poem that Aunt Jamye framed for him with a picture of Wesley's late Grandmother.

Notice that his name matches the trim in the room. And, the big red dog was given to me when I was pregnant with Wesley.

Notice how his coat/hat rack matches the trim in his room!

This room took a full day to get cleaned out. Then, we began the straightening, adding curtains, painting the letters and coat rack. But, we are very pleased with the finished project!! We can put Wesley down on the floor in here and he can play to his heart's content, and everything he can get to is his stuff. So, he has free reign!

Yayy, me!!

#97. Catch up on Wesley's Posts.

So, I can officially cross off my first 101 in 1001 task completely!! #97. Catch up on Wesley's Post. (15/15) I have completely finished catching up on all of Wesley's posts. And, it was amazing looking back on how much he's changed and grown! It was like watching him grow all over again! Check them out!!

• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- His First Day Home 08/15/08
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- His First Month- Aug. 15- Sept. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Second Month Sept. 15- Oct. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Third Month Oct. 15- Nov. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Fourth Month Nov. 15- Dec. 14, 2008
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Fifth Month Dec. 15, 2008- Jan. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Sixth Month Jan. 15- Feb. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Seventh Month Feb. 15- Mar. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Eighth Month Mar. 15- Apr. 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Ninth Month Apr. 15- May 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Tenth Month May 15- June 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Eleventh Month June 15- July 14, 2009
• In Honor of Wesley's First Birthday- Wesley's Twefth Month July 15- Aug. 14, 2009
• Wesley's First Haircut- August 14, 2009
• Wesley's First Birthday Party!! August 15, 2009

101 in 1001

I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I love lists. I like making them. I like seeing what all I have to do in one place. And, I really like being able to cross things off to see what I have accomplished.

So, I found this idea on another blog, and wasn't quite sure that it was what I thought it was. So, I enlisted my friend, Morgan, in helping me find out more about it. And, did she ever!! It's called The Day Zero Project.

The Day Zero Project

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 comlete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

So, Morgan and I decided to take on this challenge together for the accountability! Some of my tasks are things that I need to get better about, some that I want to become habits, and some that are just things that I've wanted to do. So, here is my list!

My 101 in 1001

Jud (My Husband)

1. Go on a date just Jud and I once a month. (0/33)

2. Identify and utilize the "Love Languages."

3. Play a full 18 holes of golf with Jud.

4. Complete the Love Dare. (0/40)

5. Kiss my husband in the pouring rain.

6. Have Jud teach me to play Texas Hold 'Em to where I understand and can play.

7. Put $5 back every time Jud plays golf.

8. Put two days a year aside to do what Jud wants to do and nothing but. (One of these days being his birthday. (0/6)

Friends & Family
9. Go on a date with my two guys once a month. (0/33)

10. Reconnect with some old friends that I seldomly or never talk to.

11. Send out birthday cards to friends and family.

12. Get Wesley out of the house for little fieldtrips one day a week. (0/143)

13. Make a bedtime CD for Wesley.

14. Make a "Real" bedtime routine for Wesley & follow it every night for two months. (0/60)

15. Send surprise packages to at least three people that I'm close to. (0/3)

16. Get a picture of Wesley on my Great-Grandfather's old porch. (This is around an hour and a half away from us.) (11/26/2009)

17. Send a letter to at least one friend or family member a month. (0/33)

18. Teach Wesley his colors, numbers 1-10, shapes, alphabet, and animals (0/5)

19. Private

20. Cook and have friends and/or family over at least every other month.

21. Plan a playdate for Wes & his cousins (or other pals) at least every other month. (0/16)

Personal Improvement

22. Read the whole Bible in one year (spread out over the year). (0/365)

23. Stay off the computer for one day a week. (0/143)

24. Memorize 1 Bible verse a week. (0/ 143)

25. Get up every weekday by 8 AM for two months. (0/ 40)

26. When I get wound up, work on not raising my voice.

27. Find a home church.

28. Girl time once a month either to myself or with others. (0/33)

Home

29. Get Wesley's room the way I want it, including or excluding, but not limited to painting and full cleaning. (08/31/09)

30. Same with Living Room.

31. Same with Kitchen.

32. Same with our Bedroom.

33. Same with the Hallway.

34. Same with the Bathroom.

35. Make a clothes washing schedule and follow it. (0/143)

36. Catalog all of my books.

37. Catalog all of our movies.

38. Set up a house cleaning schedule and follow it for 2 months. (0/8)

39. Get all VHS videos converted to DVD.

40. Go through everything in the shed & get rid of anything that's no longer needed.

41. Wash and clean out my car once a month. (Weather Permitting)

42. Bathe Summer once a month & take her to get bathed and nails cut once a month.

(0/33) (0/33)

43. Choose and print pictures for the picture carousel.

44. Choose and print pictures for the wood album.

45. Fill our Wedding album.

46. Make our bed every day for 2 months within one hour of getting up. (0/60)

47. Do dishes and clean up the kitchen right after dinner every night for two months. (0/60)

48. Talk Jud into finishing the cabinet doors.

49. Work with Jud to build flower beds in our yard. (0/2)

Cooking

50. Try 25 new recipes. (0/25)

51. Organize a favorites recipe notebook.

52. Cook 572 meals over the 1001 days. (0/572)

53. Fix one recipe that requires one or more spices from my spice rack.

54. When I get my Trifle bowl, make the Chocolate Banana Cream Trifle. (09/01/09)

Health

55. Go walking or biking five days a week. (Can be exchanged for an inside exercise activity due to weather.) (0/715)

56. Do WII Fit two days a week. (0/286)

57. Track my weight twice a week. (Sundays & Thursdays, when possible) (0/ 286)

58. Cut down to one soda a day for a month. (0/30)

59. Fit comfortably in a size 12 again.

60. Brush AND use mouthwash twice a day. (0/1001)

61. No fast food for two weeks straight. (0/14)

Photography

62. Take one picture a day that has nothing to do with the list. (0/1001)

63. Complete the 100 Snapshots List. (0/100)

64. Catch up on backing up my pictures on my external hard drive & keep them caught up every month.

65. Have 1 picture taken of Wesley and I together every month and 1 family picture once a month. (0/33) (0/33)

66. Decide on & order Business cards.

67. Scan all of our hard copy pictures to my laptop & external hard drive.

68. Find all of the historical markers in Shelby county & take pictures.

Crafts

69. Put together our Wedding Scrapbook.

70. Put together a scrapbook for Wesley's first year.

71. Make a scrapbook for the 1001 Days.

72. Make a scrapbook for our trip to Las Vegas.

73. Make a scrapbook for our Honeymoon.

74. Create a family tree of my side of the family.

75. Create a family tree of Jud's side of the family and, then, combine the two.

76. Learn how to decorate cakes & make a birthday cake for Wesley.

Fun

77. Read the 15 books that I own, but have not read. (0/15)

78. Reread each of the series to the above books.

79. Read 15 of Times Magazines Top 100 Books. (0/ 15)

80. Participate in the Club Championship at least once. (0/1)

81. Find 101 quotes that I like. (0/ 101)

82. Write a book.

83. Go to the horse races in Shreveport and bet on a horse.

84. Start & complete a 1000 piece puzzle.

85. Pet a dolphin.

86. Watch 26 movies that I've never seen from A-Z. (0/ 26)

87. Read at least 10 books in my collection, excluding any mentioned elsewhere in the list. (0/10)

88. Read all of Jane Austen's novels. (0/ 6)

Travel

89. Take a family trip on the train from Rusk to Palestine and back.

90. Go to a ghost town.

91. Go to a Civil War Reenactment.

92. Go to Galveston.

93. Take Wesley to his first Astros game.

94. A-Z Challenge

Blog

95. Get 15 followers on my blog. (2/15)

96. Comment on 1 blog that I follow each week. (0/ 143)

97. Catch up on Wesley's posts. (15/15) (08/26/09)

98. Post at least 1 blog a week. (0/ 143)

List

99. Document the meeting of each goal with a picture. (When Possible.)

100. Blog about the completion of each goal. (0/ 101)

101. Celebrate the end of the 1001 days with a girl's night out with Morgan.

Start Date: August 24, 2009

End Date: May 21, 2012