I found this awesome idea at http://justenjoythejourney.blogspot.com/ :

The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (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 organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. Need help figuring out your ending date? GO HERE.

The Reward: Personal satisfaction of a job well done...and lots of things accomplished you really needed or wanted to do!

I will post a list next week. Maybe I should add that to my list. ha ha ha.

Home: the search, loneliness, and a storm

Update on house:
The bank countered our offer, so we countered their offer. And they countered that offer and I'm not sure what will happen next! It's exciting and scary.
In other news, my roommate is gone for the week, so I have the whole house to myself! I have enjoyed it, but I get a bit lonely. So I've been cleaning, decluttering, and watching WAAAAY too much Gilmore Girls. I'm sooooo glad I bought the entire collection; I'm on the 4th season now. Long story:
Last night there was a HUGE thunderstorm that actually woke me up (I can normally sleep through anything: tornadoes, trainwrecks, screaming babies, fighting cats...etc). When I woke up to horrendous thunder, I realized that my cat, Tussa, was still outside. The other two cats came in before I went to bed, but she was being a wild thing & didn't come when she was called. So I grabbed my blanket (don't know why, but i did) & walked towards the front door which is where they usually come in. As I passed by the kitchen, I saw my roommate's "old man kitty", Couddles, sitting on the windowsill, staring at Tussa, who was outside, as if to say "It's ok; I'll wait with you until help arrives." Her presence at the window was reassuring because standing on my front porch, calling "Here Kitty-Kitty" for all the neighborhood to hear just didn't appeal to me at 1:18am. So I ran to let her in through the back door (through the garage in my bare feet--which is not something I enjoy doing). When I opened the door (which is 5 feet away from the windowsill where she was sitting), she was not there. I assumed she ran around the front door. So I opened the overhead door and called for her...then a small branch fell and scared the snot out of me! Finally, Tussa came in crying and whining and went straight to her food and chowed down. I dried her off and went back to bed.
Yay. I'm alive and so is she.

US Redneck Special Forces

Please read the following news bulletin:

The Pentagon announced today the formation of a new 500 man elite fighting unit called the US REDNECK SPECIAL FORCES (USRSF).
These North Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, Texas and Tennessee boys will be dropped into Iraq and have been given the following facts about Terrorists:
1. The season opened today.
2. There is no limit.
3. They taste just like chicken.
4. They don't like beer, pickups, country music or Jesus.
5. They are DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE for the death of Dale Earnhardt.

This mess in Iraq should be over IN A WEEK.

--I found this in an old e-mail from my dad who got it from one of his Navy buddies.--
I would add to that list some of the good ol' boys from Indiana. There are plenty of rednecks here. They are always asking if they can use the fridge on my front porch, but I have to tell them: that's where I keep what I've caught on my hunting trips: squirrels, 'coons, catfish, sandals from the 2 for 1 sale, single men, etc.

Also, (although I don't think I have any regular readers except my roommate and my aunt) I would hope that no one takes offense to this post thinking that I am belittling our military. I firmly believe that our military is making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom; they are using their talents and gifts as their government has asked them to.

Blue Mood

Inspirations for my bedroom:
I also love this simple, elegant floral fabric from Rachel Ashwell (although I'm not typically in love with rose prints).

From a B&B somewhere: I looooooove the black-white-blue combination!

Un-hip parenting

This is one of my favorite essays about modern parenting that I've read lately. I'm not entirely sure how I found it, but I really like what the writer has to say. It's not terribly profound, but it makes a strong statement about selfless love in a selfish world:

http://www.beingdaddy.com/archives/000740.html

We made an offer on the house! I'm so excited and nervous...will the bank accept the offer? Will the inspection reveal that everything is in good enough shape for us to tackle? Will all the financing pull through? Ack! I was nearly sick to my stomach on Friday when we went to Kokomo to talk to the realtor, and now that I'm thinking about it again, I'm getting some butterflies inside of me. I'll post more info soon!

On the random side of things:
Although I'm not getting married any time soon, this is for a guestbook at a fall wedding--and it is the neatest idea I have seen today:
Basically, the guests write their names and messages on leaves, and hang them on the tree, then the couple places them in a frame around a wedding photo.

(courtesy of B2bFall2005 http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=B2bfall2005 beautiful do-it-yourself details in this wedding!)

Also, I've also decided that I want to have a "craft swap" with some of my creative friends. Not quite sure about the details, but it will involved bringing out some of my items that I haven't put to good use & trading with friends! There will be food involved of course, and maybe a craft project for that night. hmmmm