99 Red Balloons (plus 2) 101 in 1001 - A Year Without A New Year Resolution

I am a list person, and I had a very specific New Year's Resolution, or more of a goal, in mind for 2018. I've been setting monthly distance running goals for two months now and have successfully completed both, including running over 64 miles in the month of December.  I wanted to set a goal for running for 2018, to run 800 miles total for the year, which I'm still going to do, but I want it to be a part of something even bigger and a lot more fun.

Today I read  an article about creating a 101 in 1001 list instead of a traditional New Year's resolution list.  Basically it's a combination of 101 goals and bucket list items to be completed in 1001 days (so around two and three quarter years).  Since I'm about to celebrate a major milestone in 2018 (the big 40) I thought it would be very timely and more fun than a resolution list.

I am well aware that it's very unlikely that I get to knock every item off of this list, but it will be fun getting there.  I will add check marks when I complete something and enter the date that I complete it, and write some entries on some of them as well.  Here we go! This list is in no particular order.  I hope I inspire others towards not just meeting goals, but sharing things and pursuing some dreams!

Cheers to the things I'll complete before September 28, 2020!

1. Run 800 miles in a single year
   (Progress: ran 75.44 miles in January 2018, ran 75.76 miles in February 2018, Ran 58.01 miles in March 2018, ran 59.94 miles in April 2018, ran 60.93 miles in May, ran 45.91 miles in June)
2. Write a children's story about and for Molly & Jack
3. Take the kids to Disney✔ Completed March 2018
4. Donate blood
5. Successfully complete the license plate game on a road trip (got 48 states on July 2018 road trip)
6. Indulge in a scalp massage✔ On February 2, 2018 I had this and it worked wonders on my laptop neck!
7. Run 1000 miles in a single year
8. Have a pay per view article go viral (and earn me the freelance white whale of $1000)✔ on January 31st, 2018 I broke this record and have received over 2 million hits for this article
9. Run an 8KM race
10. Run a 10KM race
11. Have a big 40th birthday bash✔
12. Learn how to better use photo shop
13. Grow my business by 20 percent in one year
14. Go hiking in the Catskill Mountains✔ Completed on July 12, 2018
15. Read the entire Harry Potter series with Molly and Jack (read book one with Molly and half of book 2)
16. Be able to complete a 3 minute plank
17. Learn to do a Kart Wheel
18. Be able to do a headstand (I was able to do these thanks to a regular Hatha Yoga Class in my 20's but have lost it over the years)
19. Go horseback riding with Molly and Jack✔ Completed August 10, 2018
20. Take a nature survivalist class
    
    
    

    

    
    

21. Get professional family photos that I love
22. Take an archery class
23. Swim at the bottom of a waterfall
24. Make a balloon payment on our mortgage
25. Send a message in a bottle (with the kids)
26. Paint a painting✔ See my blog entry on this here
27. Attend a blogger conference
28. Create a strategic business plan
29. Read Anne of Green Gables with Molly✔
30. Visit 5 new MLB stadiums for games (with Chris)✔ PNC Park July 2018
31. Get a professional biography photo I love
32. Run a 5KM colour run
33. Go to the outdoor movies in the summer for a picnic✔ August 13, 2018 - Before Sunrise in Christie Pitts Park
34. 10 pieces of mail for a friend in one month to show them I'm thinking of them (one per year)
35. Go on a special family vacation to celebrate my 40th
36. Get an article or short story published in a prominent magazine
37. Frame and hang my Alice in Wonderland prints
38. Write a fictional short story
39. Write a fictional novella
40. Grow my business by 25 percent in a year
41. Clean out the spare room closet✔
42. Use my office as an office to better divide freelance life and home life
43. Indulge in a professional cleaner for our house (just once)
44. Get published in a prominent newspaper (article or short story)
45. Participate in philanthropy that is Molly and Jack's selection
46. Complete 31 days to Building a Better Blog (not necessarily in 31 consecutive days)
47. See But I'm A Cheerleader on Broadway
48. Go on a date to see classical music in the Casa Loma Garden✔
49. Run a 12.5 minute mile✔ Completed on February 20, 2018 during mile 3 of a 5 mile run
50. Walk along the ocean in Myrtle Beach✔ Completed on March 26, 2018
51. Annual girls spa weekend to reconnect with friends✔
52. Finish Jack's baby book ✔ Completed February 24, 2018
53. Create a 3-7 year old photo album for both Molly and Jack
54. Get a croquet set and play croquet with the kids✔  Given to me by my parents on August 10th, 2018, played with M& J on August 14, 2018
55. Save up $1000 in coins and spend it on something indulgent for me
56. Run a 12 minute mile✔
57. Invest in a good camera✔
58. Learn to grow my brand/business using Instagram✔
59. Have my blog reach a million hits
60. Go on a winery tour/tasting with friends
61. Buy the perfect little black dress
62. Go Geocaching with the kids
63. Save up $1000 in coins and spend it on something indulgent for the family
64. Take a photo of the same view in all four seasons
65. Teach the kids how to tie their shoelaces
66. Celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary with something special
67. Visit Central America with the kids
68. Teach the kids how to fish (take them fishing) - Molly has been taught by Chris
69. Get eyelash extensions for a special event✔
70. Get more photos of the kids with their grandparents (Trip to Disney March 2018 some)
71. Run a 11.5 minute mile
    
    
    

    

    
    

72. Get more photos of Chris and I with our parents
73. Learn how to curl my hair with my straightening iron✔ achieved September 14, 2018
74. Go to a class to learn something new with the kids
75. Celebrate a friend with a really expensive bottle of sparkling wine
76. Run a 11 minute mile
77. See Vampire Weekend in concert  June 5, 2019✔
78. Join and play in an co-ed fun sports league
79. Treat the family to a special meal of cornish game hens
80. Find the perfect meal of beef wellington
81. No take out or fast food for a month ✔ Completed on February 28, 2018
82. Go on an annual date day with each kid one on one
83. Read Lemony Snicket Series to/with the kids (Book 1 - February 3, 2018, Book 2 - February 23, 2018 Book 3 - March 24, 2018, Book 4 May 10, 2018), 
84. Go out west to visit Chris's grandmother
85. Visit Redwood forest
86. Save $1000 in coins and spend it all on charity
87. Redo the basement bathroom
88. Visit The Thousand Islands
89. Go snowshoeing ✔ Completed January 19, 2019 
90. Go ice fishing
91. Take Chris to try Korean BBQ✔ Completed on February 24, 2018
92. Hike the Elora Gorge Trail✔ Hiked May 26, 2018
93. Donate and reduce 2 garbage bags of clutter each month for a year ✔  (done more in a big chunk thanks to Marie Kondo
94. Run a trail race
95. Treat my family to a themed dinner and a movie (at least one per year)
96. Get myself professionally measured for a bra
97. Go on a family vacation with my cousin and her girlfriend
98. Run a 10 minute mile
99. Stay overnight at the ice hotel in Quebec
100. Write 200 blog entries about my life with the kids
101. Teach the kids to ride their bikes

Anything you'd add?  Did I inspire you to write a list?  Let me know, I'd love to hear it.  

There's A Hole In My Bucket: Family Winter Bucket List

The minions really loved knocking items off of bucket lists since we started the project last winter, and we've continued it each season.  I'm happy to report that we keep getting better at knocking things off of our list and actually managed to complete 18 out of the 24 items on our autumn bucket and I'm looking for us to beat last year's winter bucket list where we only completed 14 times on our 2016/2017 winter bucket list!  There are some things that I want to do each winter that we never get to, like visiting Chill Ice Lounge or checking out a Maple Syrup festival - so I'm going to do my best to make that actually happen.

I love bucket lists because the have inspired us to book activities, appreciate what each season has to offer and get out and move, even when we were tempted to just curl up and binge on some Netflix - which when it's cold outside is really easy to do.

This list is designed to get us out there and enjoy everything that fall has to offer; I'm hoping that we keep improving our records and eventually complete all the check marks.

Feel free to steal ideas from our list, and if you have any must see / must do suggestions please let us know so we can keep adding to our own list.  I'll be adding check marks and writing posts as we cross stuff off our list.

Molly & Jack Grabbing Life By The Wavy Wacky Inflatable Santa

1. Learn to skate✔
2. Make a big snowman
3. Go tobogganing 
4. Make a snow fort
5. Freeze Bubbles (I saw a cool tutorial online about this here)
6. Go on our annual ski trip✔
7. Visiting the Santa Street (Mount Pleasant and St. Clair)
8. Rating our neighbours Christmas decorations
9. Sing Christmas Carols✔
10. Visit some greenhouses✔
    
    
    

    

    So far this is the best holiday display in our neighbourhood

11. Watch Home Alone Three (this is ALL Molly & Jack)✔
12. Make our gingerbread men and decorate them✔
13. Watch CoCo in theatres✔
14. Watch Ferdinand in theatres
15. Go to Great Wolf Lodge (scheduled for Spring)
16. Throw snowballs at targets in our backyard
17. Go Visit The Chill Ice Lounge✔
18. Eat Maple Syrup snow
19. Maple Sugar Bush Activities (Late winter)✔
20. Go to an indoor playground✔
21. Visit Lego Land✔
22. Plan our spring vacation✔
23. Go swimming in an indoor/outdoor pool in the winter✔

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Warrior - Fighting Cold & Flu Season

There is an illness that has been ripping through our family.  I guess it "Tis" the season.  Chris was the first one to be taken down and spent the better part of two and a half days in bed.  This meant a lot of disinfecting (which apparently didn't work), cleaning, laundry, in addition to running hot baths for him and making sure he stayed hydrated.

Image Courtesy of YouAndMeme.com

Last night Jack got sick.  It came on quickly, like a tidal wave, and all over the staircase (thank you mucous).  Today he's at home with me, binge watching Netflix, and feeling a whole lot better.  I probably could have sent him to school today, but thought better of it.  Kids need R and R too, and I'm guessing the other parents don't want us to gift this to them for the holidays. I'm crossing all my fingers and toes that Molly and I get to skip this one.


I am not happy that Jackie is sick, however I am thankful for the capabilities of ill six year olds  compared to coping with sick infants and toddlers.  When I think back to the run six month span of infant illnesses when they were toddlers, like the Strep Throat of 2012, I am thankful that we're not living those days anymore. Here are some important illness milestones we've reached.

1. My kids can make it to the toilet (most of the time) when they need the facilities.
2. They know how to use disinfectant wipes to help minimize the spread of germs.
3. They can tell me what's wrong.
4. They can tell me what they need, whether it's a blanket, a bucket, or a cherry Popsicle.
5. Losing a few pounds due to lack of appetite isn't going to warrant a trip to the doctor.
6. They can wash their hands properly.
7. They have an understanding of why we kiss on the cheek and sneeze like a vampire.
8. They can take their own temperature and understand what the numbers mean.
   
   And Most Importantly
9. They still want extra cuddles from mom and dad when they're not feeling well. 

May your holidays bring you health and wellness with your family, and if someone gets sick don't forget to enjoy the extra cuddles!

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Paperback Writer: Sharing My Writing On Other Sites

This is a pretty exciting month for my writing.  I had a fun and rather scandalous article I wrote on Confessions from Babysitters reach 1.5 million hits and counting - click on it and share the love to help me reach 1.6!   I also found out that I'm going to be writing for a local (Toronto) print publication in 2018, but more on that in the new year!

In case you haven't guessed it's that time of the month again when I share some of the writing I've been completing for other publications.  This is where I learn all of that delightful trivia that I can wow people with at cocktail parties and with the holiday season upon us, it's time to read up.

Nowadays as my full-time job I write and ghostwrite articles for online publications, organizations and blogs, in addition to providing public relations services.  While I can't really share my ghostwritten articles on this platform, cause then I wouldn't really be a ghostwriter would I, I can share some of the other stuff I have been working on.

Click on the links for the topics that interest you most, and if you enjoy what I wrote please share, like, and follow, and keep parenting and reading on!  If you have any ideas for a story, a playground review, or article on any front, feel free to shout it out!  I'm always looking for new sources of inspiration!

Scandal & Trending Articles

15 Confessions from Babysitters 

15 (Fake) Celebrity Rumors Hollywood Is Obsessed With

15 Netflix Stars Who Can’t Stand Each Other

Reality TV

8 Reality TV Shows That Pay The Cheapest Per Episode (and the 8 that Pay the most)

Retro/Humour

15 Parenting Fails From The 1990's

Pregnancy & Infants

15 Money Mistakes Moms Make In The First Month After Labor


13 Things Doctors Wished You Knew About Pregnancy Tests

My Kids in 140 Characters (or less) - now upgraded to 280 characters strong

We spend a lot of time with the minions and I'm fortunate enough to record the things that they say and do so I can look back on it and laugh.  Some of it makes the blog and other smaller moments don't.  One of the brilliant things about Twitter is how it's the ultimate parenting "elevator speech", because you have to keep it short. Below are Tweets, conversations, parental musings and things that the minions have done or said over the past month, for your reading pleasure that haven't made it to the blog.

1. No genetic testing. She's mine #parenting #NapLife

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2. Just finished watching #Annie J: Did you know that Venom wrote all of the songs? Dad: Wow, Venom is talented! #parenting


3. Coldest day so far Me at school pick up: Where's your coat? M: I lost it at lunch but I'm wearing a sweater (SMILES) #facepalm


4. M: I had a bad day today. I found out the wedding I attended at recess wasn't real OR legally binding #parenting #ThingsKidsSay

5. What happens when you tell your mini me to play outside. He brings a book.

6. Watching #Grease for the first time with the kids. J: is this the part of the movie where Sandy touches a statue and turns into the ghost?#BestSequelEver

7. Parenting Fail of the day: Giving your child access to their own alarm clock before they can properly tell time and understand why it's not a good idea to set an alarm for random times just because they felt like it.

8. Me: I think I'm going to have a long relaxing shower. At least one of my children: I am going to bust into the bathroom, talk to mom, and take the stinkiest poop imaginable while mom "keeps me company" #parenting #facepalm


9. The girl child figured out how to unpause the judgey #Netflix warning. There is going to be so much #TeenTitansGo binge watching happening in our house #parenting

To read more blogs featuring the wacky things my kids say as featured on twitter, follow me @Sarabethbug & click here, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, &here.