9. Go an entire winter month without complaining about the weather (31/31)

To be honest, I started this post nearly a month ago. I was in a great place - the sun was starting to shine again and the clocks moved ahead making even my longer days feel more productive. And then, it happened. I drifted back into the negative realm caused by this harsh, disgusting winter.

In case you're reading and do not live in Massachusetts, we had one of the worst weather-related winters that I can remember. It didn't just snow often.. it pounded us nearly every day. I commute between 60-70 minutes each way to work every day. I am unable to work from home and my organization never shuts down due to weather (or anything) so I fight Mother Nature on the daily.

I decided to stop being a Negative Nelly and take on this task head-on so I declared to S and all those who would listen that I would not complain about the weather for 31 straight days. And then on day two, this happened...

Source

That may be a slight exaggeration but I swear Mother Nature taunted me and dropped over a casual foot mid-work week on us. And it happened, I just laughed. I realized there are some things that are in my control and others that simply are not. I need to worry about the things that I can control and just exhale about those other situations.

Yes, I made it the entire thirty-one plus days.. maybe I should start doing this whole "only worrying about things you can control" thing more often. And yes, the sun is shining today and there's no snow in the five day forecast.. life is good :)

7. Recommend five enjoyable books and have those people read them (2/5)

My dearest, Kevin Patrick, asked me for a book suggestion a few months ago. Immediately, I got a little stressed. Kevin is intelligent, thoughtful and someone I respect a great deal. I wanted to suggest something thought-provoking and interesting but not daunting and cumbersome.

I decided to rely on one of my old favorites, The Perks of Becoming a Wallflower.

Source

Here is Kevin's review on it:

"I really enjoyed this book and found a lot of it rather compelling. More than just a story about a shy kid who comes out of his shell, this box coaxed me in with a simple enough premise and then surprised me with its follow through.

I drew many connections with the main character and enjoyed sharing his perspective of being an incredibly awkward teenager navigating the social mindfield of high school. I thought it was a very good book and an easy read to boot."

I'm glad you enjoyed it, Kevin! Three more book suggestions.. who's next?!

57. Visit a country that I've never been to

Now that the snow in Boston has reached over 60 inches this winter, there is no better time to transport oneself (even if it's just in our minds) to a warmer climate. The first week of (last) October, S and I embarked in our first real vacation together. Yes, Saratoga is an escape from life but I don't count a vacation as a "real vacation" unless there's a plane ride involved. Anyone else?

Regardless, we had been planning this for what seemed like forever and I was dying to introduce him to the "all-inclusive" vacation lifestyle. I have been fortunate to have visited Turks & Caicos, Dominican Republic and Mexico in all-inclusive hotels previously and let me tell you, there's nothing better than arriving and not having to worry about paying for anything you do, eat or drink.

So, without further adieu, here was our home away from home for seven days...

Source

Yes, that's two miles of private beach and mountains in the background. And why yes, every room does have an oceanview and it is as warm as it looks. It was glorious. Sandals Whitehouse did not disappoint and the experience was so incredible. In fact, it was so fantastic that S and I are planning our honeymoon back to Jamaica, just a year after we first traveled there.

I'll leave you with a picture.. from my own point and shoot camera. We were walking back from breakfast and I decided to take a picture just outside my room in our hallway.

Only 248 more days until we're back there.. not that I'm counting or anything.

43. Hug 15 people in one day (15/15)

It's well-documented that I'm not a hugger.. like whatsoever.. or at all. It's never personal to those who want to hug me - I just feel hugs should be reserved for special occassions, not "oh my god, you just got back from the bathroom - hugsies!".

Fresh off my eight days, post engagement trip in Jamaica, it was time to head to my alma mater for the annual Homecoming Alumni weekend. It's a great opportunity to see those fellow alums that I haven't seen in forrr-eee-verrrr (emphasis for those reading my blog out loud) and chat up with those I see on the regular. I decided that it was the perfect day to show off my new bling to my pals AND cross off another number off the 101 list. I knew it would be a challenge but I was ready to do it (maybe it was the diamond high but it was positive anyway).

All my friends were on board as soon as word got around that I wanted to hug 15 people in one day.. and some were a little too anxious to help...

I think my hair (and resistance) is proof that Erin got a wee too excited to hug me. She's a self-aware creeper so this was right up her alley. Big thanks to Amy for documenting for me.

The numbers were adding up quickly so I had to plan my number 15. It only seemed appropriate to hug someone who hated to be hug as much as me. Enter my darling pal, Jill, who loathes hugging and touching in general. And go figure, she was completely honored to be my number 15.

Here we go...

Done and done! Thanks to all who were part of my 15 - I appreciate it!

78. Find 101 quotes that inspire me (2-10/101)

The beginning of the new year is time where it's trendy to make New Year's resolutions. Now, whereas I'm not a new year's resolution person - I thought some quotes about the new year would be appropriate and maybe inspiring for the two people who read this :)

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey

"One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this - To rise above the little things." - John Burroughs

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called "Opportunity" and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith L. Pierce

"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"What the New Year will bring to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year." - Vern McLellan

"Be at war with your vices; at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man." - Benjamin Franklin

"It's difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago." - Jim Bishop

and one last one...

"Take hold of the future or the future will take hold of you - be futurewise." - Patrick Dixon

Happy New Year's all! :)

33. Spend an entire day in my pajamas

2011 is here and I wasted no time with crossing another item off my list. Granted, I still left a couple 2010 blogs on my to do list (yes, I need to do those asap) but let's focus on the present rather than the past here, eh?

Number 33 on my list is something I'm sure many people do on a weekly basis (or based on some recent observations in Fitchburg, a daily basis) but I absolutely hate the idea of hanging around in my pajamas all day. Typically, as soon I wake up, I throw a pair of jeans and sneakers on. I have no idea why.. maybe I think on a subscious level, it makes me feel more productive?

Anyway, what better day than New Year's Day to hang around in my pajamas and do absolutely nothing but eat, sleep and watch How I Met Your Mother all day? NYE wasn't a crazy one - we stayed at home but had a great time with food, drinks and friends. I woke up early (8am, yikes!) and decided that it was going to be the day I tackled number 33.

I didn't take any pictures for evidence (frankly, if I'm in my pajamas all day - it's not going to be pretty) but I have witnesses. It was a nice incentive to make myself do absolutely nothing and really enjoy my weekend. And although it was a nice and comfortable day yesterday, I'm back to jeans and sneakers today.

90. Learn to cook 10 new recipes (4/10)

I'm a meat and potatoes kind of gal. I'm also super frugal.. I totally check out circulars (do they still call them that? I swear I'm incapable of keeping up with current lingo) before I go grocery shopping so when I saw an ad at my local supermarket for super cheap pork ribs.. I jumped on that bandwagon.

You'll notice quickly that I had absolutely no idea how much to buy or what kind of ingredients I would need to complete this meal.

Seriously, I just started pulling stuff that I already had from my fridge and pantry. Let's see there's minced garlic, honey bbq sauce, worcestershire sauce, regular bbq sauce, TJ's sweet chile sauce (seriously, amazing - get some now), garlic salt and ketchup.

After looking at various recipes online, I just started mixing stuff together and tasting it until I wanted to consume it by the spoonful. Yes, that's my "seasoning" method.

With just salt and pepper, I put these bad boys in the oven - See! I told you! Massive pork ribs. I mean, there are ONLY two of us (Murphy does not count when people food is involved) and look how much I bought! Whoops!

I can't even explain how much balance it took for me to take a picture WHILE flipping the meat. I'm just thrilled I didn't knock the entire pan over. Back in the oven they go!

They were fall-off-the-meat tender when all was said and done. And my house, the smell was insane. I tore off a piece and slathered my mix all over them. Yes, the picture is fuzzy because they were pipping hot!

I let them cool down a touch before taking another picture. Yes, I still use paper plates.. don't all the great cooks do that? I'm not sure if I've ever had pork ribs before but I would love to make these again. NOM!