Cha-Ching

One of my goals that hasn't got much attention on my journey of 1,001 days would be Number 3--that is, Save $5,000. That's probably because I don't have a job, or any source of income, for that matter, and when the numbers in your bank account stay stagnant, there isn't really much to report. However, I got an interesting email yesterday that just may let me cross off that pesky little Goal Number 3...

I know, I know. As a general rule, emails "giving" you money are NEVER legitimate. So this may sound kind of sketchy, but bear with me, please! I entered a contest back in April sponsored by AllState. Basically, they were offering $2,000 to students who had encouraged safe driving in their communities, and as I am an active member of my local SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) chapter, I definitely help target teens on matters of safe vs. dangerous driving. I submitted my entry a little haphazardly and certainly at the last minute, and I wasn't really expecting to win anything. So you can imagine my surprise when, via email yesterday morning, I was notified that I was one of the selected winners of the contest--and have a fat $2,000 check headed my way. Hello, money!

Now, I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, and I won't really say I've met Goal #3 until I have my brand-new, $2000 increase marked on my bank balance slip. But, in the meantime, things are looking pretty good! I got my dad (a CPA) to check it all out, and he says it sounds like I will definitely be getting my money--a little reward for all the work I put into my SADD chapter, this year. I guess it goes to show you that some good deeds do, in fact, get rewarded.

... But still. I can't believe I actually won two grand! How crazy is that?

The Greatest Time of Year

Well, the site has been made over for Christmas! I have time to do that now, since my novel is officially complete! That's right! 50,000 words in only 29 days this time! But I've got to move on to other goals before I get a sunburn basking in this triumph.

Lately, I've been volunteering at Rescue Ranch, a rehabilitation/adoption center for abused horses, in tune with goals #5 and #11. That means dodging the hooves of angry stallions and mucking out empty stalls while I jam out to the country station. Seems like a lot of work for only one volunteer hour a week. But I'll get my 125 hours one way or another.

I've also finally gotten a job, although I don't think it really counts for goal #2. I landed a gig babysitting for two grammar school cheerleaders and their six-year-old little sister. I can't really tell you if that's better or worse than volunteering at the horse shelter, but I do know that it at least pays. Goal #3, here we come...

And with Christmas cheer in the air, I'm getting ready to tackle several goals during the holiday season. I plan on volunteering at the retirement home over Christmas break (#4) and baking some holiday treats for my family and friends (#10 & 15). It's also the time of year for hot chocolate at the barn (#16) and stocking stuffers for my equine friends (#17). And as the presents and Christmas cards go out, I should be able to manage Goal #59 and at least some of Goal #18. Plus, all those presents need bows! (#76) It's also the time of year for spontaneous kindness, and I figure over the two week break that I get from school, I can fit in some Random Acts of Kindness (#83) and inspirational post-it notes (#88) and maybe even some more free rice (#95).

Now, I doubt I'll get to all of these in the 20 days left in the Christmas season or even the week or so that I have off following it, but if I at least get to half of them, I'm in pretty good shape for the New Year. And from there, who knows?

July Updates

So I haven't blogged in forever. But I have a good excuse - kind of. Basically, I came down with this awful cold/flu/bronchitis thing and for a couple of days I was absolutely awful. I've been feeling better since then, but not 100%, and I guess since I wasn't actively working on my 101 list, I didn't really know what to write about. But I have a few updates to the list...

3. Save $5,000 - I officially have over $2,000 in the account I'm using for this goal. So, yay!

24. Hang out with Georgeanna at least three times - Georgie and I went to a party last weekend, and we seemed to get along pretty well, which means this goal (and the next) shouldn't be too impossible.

33. Go to Global Wildlife with friends. Whoa, I actually forgot this was a goal. But believe it or not, I have plans to go tomorrow for Kyla's birthday. Funny how that works.

39. See a play or ballet I saw the play White Noise in its dress rehearsal. It's going to Broadway next (with the same actors and everything) and I definitely recommend seeing it. It was AMAZING.

41. Clean my room once a month Going to do this now...

48. Learn a new French phrase every week I missed this one last week because I was so sick, but I'm going to catch up on that by doing two another week.