May Update

May was the first month that i started my 101 list of things to do and as the month progressed, i feel pretty good about what a jump start i got on my list. I accomplished 8 tasks for the month, and i feel that's not to bad, if i can only accomplish 8 tasks every month, but i fear that's not going to happen. On the lighter side, i did start several other tasks that will come to fruitation at the first of June, so at the least there will be 3 more things being stricken from the list at that time. The plans are in the works to accomplish at least 5 more things in the next month, so we'll see how that goes. I do have the drive and desire to see my list through, so there's no question about my motivation. Guess that's all for now. Until next post....

#95 Visit my Mom on her birthday

Today(Sat. 24th), i went to visit my Mom on her birthday. It was a beautiful spring day out and there could not have been a more perfect day for my Mom's birthday. The day was perfect, set aside the one fact that still revels pain in my heart. My mom passed away just a day after her 66th birthday, but it was a day that she always loved. She loved the spring time of the year with everything blooming full of life, but she was not around this year to enjoy seeing new life spring up from the abyss of winter. She was a healthy woman, who feared dying from cancer, yet she got stricken with pneumonia and succombed to that illness some 26 days later. For we know not what lies ahead of us each day, but we know two things in life are certain. We are born into this world, and death we will all face. I sat down beside Mom and talked to her for about a half hour. It was refreshing and i felt good that i was able to visit with her. I wished her a happy birthday anyway, for her to celebrate in heaven. Until i am able to tell her again myself.

#54 Read from the Bible every night for seven days

This task sounds easy to accomplish, but is much harder then it sounds. Even though 7 days aren't alot, try doing it when you have a full time job, have a business to run, exercise every day, volunteer at the fire dept., play in a tennis league, going out some nights with friends to relieve some stress, birthday parties to attend and whatever numerous other things that may pop up in those 7 days that you didn't expect and had no control over. With all that said, the task was completed entirely the second time that i had set my mind to do it. First time that i tried, i was 2 days short of completeing the task. I didn't think i was still so busy, since i took a 24 hour shift job, but i guess i was wrong. With all of the extra time off, i thought i would relax more, however, i guess that just gives me more time to add things to my already overflowing plate. Ah well, the task is accomplished, move on to the next one and see how much more i can put on myself.

#50 Write my cousin in prison

Well, today i sat down and finally knocked off another one of my 101 to do list. It is something i should have done sooner, but things don't always get done when you hope they will. This is kind of a sad story. I had a cousin go to prison for drugs. I can't remember if he used or sold, but that's not the point here. He basically took the rap for the higher ups and he didn't snitch on them, so the judge made an example out of him and sentenced him to nine years in prison. Let me explain, that my cousin is not a bad person, one of the most likeable people you would like to meet. He just got caught up in the wrong crowd, like so many other young people do. Our family is not a family of rough necks and have no problems with the law. Every now and then, things happen. Today, then i sat down and wrote my letter and it was quite nice. Got to just sit and reminisce about the good ole days. Now, that this task is done, i have a few more that i am currently working on.

#35 Run a 5k

On Saturday, i was able to complete yet another one of my 101 things to do. Luray, VA held a 5k run in conjunction with their Festival of Spring street festival. I'm not sure if many of you know it, but i am an avid runner, so i decided to participate in my second 5k of the year. This was the first ever 5k, that was hosted by PMH, so there were not so many participants; maybe 30 or so. I did fairly well, covering the 3.1 mile course in 19:26 and finishing 3rd overall and second in my age division. The overall winner was a re-known tri-athlete, so i finished just 30 seconds behind him and 10 seconds behind a high school cross country runner. Not so bad i guess, but i had a good time. Next up will be to try a 10k, so i'm excited to see how i'll do in that. Until next post.

#94 Participate in Relay for LIfe

The same evening that i planted the flowers, i moved on with task 94 on my list, and that was to participate in Relay For Life. After i had planted the flowers, it was time to shower and head to harrisonburg for several hours to walk for the cancer research. This is something i had always wanted to do, and as it seems with a written list of things to accomplish, i am more apt to do them, then to just have them in my head. If its on paper, it's kinda like a constant reminder to just do it. I was able to meet up with a good friend of mine and his wife and mom, and their team and be able to walk with them for several hours. It was a great exerience and i am going to try to do this each yeah now.

#79 Plant some flowers outside my house

I was able to complete another item from my list since i was on my five day break from work. I planted some flowers in the flower pots outside on my porch to make the entrance look a lot nicer. Again, not a big task to complete, and didn't take alot of effort, but one less item remaining on the list. Now my goal to to try to keep them alive.

#84 Organize my fire safe

Well, i was off work today and decided to accomplish another one of my to do list tasks, since i was bored to death. I can now marked off #84 on the list, even though it wasn't a major task, it was something that needed to be done. Onward to the next task.

#31 Start a rainy day fund

I started my list with the rainy day fund. What a better way to start off a brand new task then to try to save some money and have for that time when i may need it. To clairfy my rainy day fund a bit, the ultimate goal is to put a $1 bill in jar every day, outside some pocket change as well. This goal should add up to a nice chunk of change if left untouched. We'll see how it goes.

updates to my list

As i review the list that i had created over the past two months, i come to realize that there were a few items on my list that were, in no way measureable or attainable. The goal of the list is to have items that are achievable and understandably since this list will be completed over the next three years, some things change and additions or upgrades will have to be made. There were at least three items that i had to change or make updates to. I will do my best now to leave the list as is, to accomplish all items.