I'm Officially Living in the Year 2007: I Signed Up for Netflix

If you're asking, "What took you so long?" I don't have an answer. I believe I've mentioned a time or two that I'm a procrastinator.

I am having a ball adding films to my Netflix queue. The last movie I saw in the theatre was Up in the Air. Steve and I used to love going out for movie dates, and I don't know why we stopped. I think it's because I was choosing the movies, and I was choosing bad movies. 

The first film in my Netflix queue is Easy A, starring Emma Stone. I love her.

In an effort to complete more items on my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days, I have begun adding movies to my Netflix queue that are Academy Award Winners for Best Picture, to fulfill item #73: See all of the films that have won the Best Picture Oscar.

I got the idea from my friend Jill, who began a similar project a few years ago. Last time I checked, she had made impressive progress. I should have taken a close look at the films on this list before committing to the task. No backing out now.

A few guidelines: I'm beginning with the most recent winner and working my way backwards. I need to ease into this by starting with current films. If I have already seen a Best Picture Winner in its entirety, I do not have to see it again. Halfheartedly watching the edited for TV version and missing chunks of it doesn't count. That's why you'll see classics like The Sound of Music, Casablanca, and The Godfather on the list and wonder how in the hell I've been on this earth, in America, for 29 years and have managed not to see these films. I haven't not seen these films. I just haven't really seen them. I don't remember The Sound of Music having Nazis, let's put it that way. I also have to re-watch Driving Miss Daisy, because I saw it once, in the theatre, in 1989. I was seven. My memory of the film is hazy at best.

I'll update this post to denote when I've watched a movie. I'll even grade it for you--taking a cue from In Living Color's Men on Film: every film I watch will get a grade of "Love it" or "Hate it". If it really rocked my world, I'll give it Three Snaps in Z Formation, known as the Zorro snap.

I don't want to rattle off a list of winners, you can find that on Wikipedia. I will,  however, give a quick run-down of my lineup:

Best Picture Winners I've Already Seen
2009 - The Hurt Locker - Loved it
2008 - Slumdog Millionaire - Loved it
2007 - No Country for Old Men - Loved it
2006 - The Departed - Loved it
2005 - Crash - Loved it
2004 - Million Dollar Baby - Loved it
2002 - Chicago - Loved it
2001 - A Beautiful Mind - Loved it
2000 - Gladiator - Loved it
1999 - American Beauty - Loved it
1997 - Titanic - Loved it
1994 - Forrest Gump - Loved it
1991 - The Silence of the Lambs - Loved it
1989 - Driving Miss Daisy - Loved it
1983 - Terms of Endearment - Loved it
1979 - Kramer vs. Kramer - Loved it
1939 - Gone with the Wind - Loved it

Films I've Always Wanted to See
1993 - Schindler’s List
1985 - Out of Africa
1977 - Annie Hall
1975 - One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest
1954 - On the Waterfront
1953 - From Here to Eternity
1950 - All About Eve
1943 - Casablanca
1940 - Rebecca
1934 - It Happened One Night
The Theme Here: Highly acclaimed classics. I want to see what all the fuss is about.

Films I Wouldn't Normally Watch, but I'm Now Looking Forward To
2010 - The King's Speech
1973 - The Sting
1969 - Midnight Cowboy
1967 - In the Heat of the Night
1955 - Marty
1949 - All the Kings Men
The Theme Here: Crime, Drama, Classic Films

Films That Will Make My Husband Happy
1995 - Braveheart - Hated it
1992 - Unforgiven
1990 - Dances With Wolves
1988 - Rain Man 
1986 - Platoon
1978 - The Deer Hunter
1976 - Rocky
1974 - The Godfather Part II
1972 - The Godfather
1971 - The French Connection
1970 - Patton
The Theme Here: westerns, action, war, crime dramas

Films I'm Kind of Dreading
2003 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
1996 - The English Patient - Hated it
1987 - The Last Emperor
1984 - Amadeus
1982 - Gandhi
1962 - Lawrence of Arabia
1959 - Ben-Hur
1957 - The Bridge on the River Kwai
1956 - Around the World in 80 Days
1952 - The Greatest Show on Earth
1948 - Hamlet
1935 - Mutiny on the Bounty
The Theme Here: epics, war movies, period pieces

Movies My Husband Will Refuse to Watch
1998 - Shakespeare in Love - Hated it
1968 - Oliver!
1965 - The Sound of Music
1964 - My Fair Lady
1963 - Tom Jones
1961 - West Side Story
1958 - Gigi
1951 - An American in Paris
1944 - Going My Way
1938 - You Can't Take It with You
1936 - The Great Ziegfeld
1928/1929 - The Broadway Melody
The Theme Here: musicals, films set in Europe, films featuring a cast of carnies and/or street urchins

And All the Rest
1981 - Chariots of Fire
1980 - Ordinary People
1966 - A Man for All Seasons
1960 - The Apartment
1947 - Gentleman's Agreement
1946 - The Best Years of Our Lives
1945 - The Lost Weekend
1942 - Mrs. Miniver
1941 - How Green Was My Valley
1937 - The Life of Emile Zola
1932/1933 - Cavalcade
1931/1932 - Grand Hotel
1930/1931 - Cimarron
1929/1930 - All Quiet on the Western Front
1927/1928 - Wings

Wow. This looks like I'm taking on quite the endeavor. How long do you think this will take to complete? Are there any movies I'm dreading that you think I will like?

Everybody Loves A Christmas Baby!

Remember my list of 101 things to do in 1001 days? Surely it seems I've all but abandoned it, but I haven't. Just turns out that I've all but abandoned writing about it. I will work to remedy that situation over the next few weeks. 

I'll start with one of my favorite items on my list, which I fulfilled happily on Thursday, December 9, 2010: Be Present at a Birth.

My friend Amy gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy named Hudson Scott, and I must say, he's an absolute doll!

Here's Amy's sister, a very proud Aunt Angie:

If Angie were a branch on my family tree, she would adopt a "clever" moniker to use in place of "Aunt Angie". She'd call herself "Auntgie". I'm not joking.

We're so thrilled Baby Hudson has finally arrived! I expect in the future we'll see lots of pictures of Rob and Hudson on the blog, as they will be best buds. I've been really looking forward to this! Know what else I've been looking forward to? Sushi and cocktails with my ol' pal Amy. We've been pregnant for a year! Time to let the good times roll!

So Good, So Good, So Good!

Put the champagne on ice, honey--I've waited years for this day to finally come. It makes me almost as proud as the day I graduated from college. This took longer.

After 72 equal monthly payments, My 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, affectionately known as "Caroline" is PAID IN FULL.

Caroline is a special lady. I bought her right after I began working at my first job after college. It was more than I could afford, but I wanted to buy something new, that I liked, that wasn't going to look old and dated in a couple of years, and I planned to drive that little mama until the wheels completely fall off and I'm calling AAA from the side of the road to say that Caroline finally went peacefully. Hopefully sometime around 2020.

This achievement fulfills Item #1 on my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days: Pay off my car.

I'm bursting with pride. Bursting, I tell you.

Let My Love Open the (Dog) Door

I haven't published any posts related to my 101 Things list lately, but that doesn't mean I haven't accomplished anything in that time. Most notably, I have helped George lose weight and taught him how to use a doggy door. Neither of these tasks were simple. Above is a photo of us trying to coax George to come inside for a treat. He wants to so badly...if only he knew how to get back in the house!

There have been some changes in our household recently: George has gone to stay with my mom. George is a sweet boy, but he requires special care and I was concerned that his needs wouldn't be met while I'm so focused on caring for a newborn.

Having George is like having a "Forever Puppy".

For reasons which remain a mystery, it's as if his mind never developed past about four months of age. Just as I wouldn't adopt a puppy at this juncture, I can't devote the time to George that he deserves and needs.

Besides, staying at my mom's house must be like going to a Sandals Resort. She sprinkles the yummy canned food on top of his dry dog food, she walks him twice a day, and he gets to snuggle. What more could George want? We miss him, but hopefully he'll be back soon.

I Went to Avenue Q

I haven't seen a musical in ages, so I made a point to include it on my list of 101 Things in 1001 Days. Last week, Steve and I saw Avenue Q with our friends, Ashley and David. Ashley described it as "Sesame Street for adults" and that's a great description. It was very funny and entertaining, and a great musical to take the heterosexual man in your life to see. Avenue Q features great songs, with titles like:

"What Do You Do with a B.A. in English?"
"It Sucks to Be Me"
"If You Were Gay"
"Everyone's a Little Bit Racist"
"The Internet is for Porn"
"I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today"
"You Can Be as Loud as the Hell You Want (When You're Makin' Love)"
"There Is Life Outside Your Apartment"
"I Wish I Could Go Back to College"

I did learn something new: I've officially crossed a threshold where theatre seats are uncomfortable. I will be seeing no more plays or movies for the forseeable future.

Crossing Another of the List

Note: Post contains subject matter of a purely "pregnancy" nature. Nothing graphic, just dull. They can't all be winners, right?

I've worked in the salon and spa industry long enough to lose my grip on reality and consider massages and pedicures as necessary to life as getting the oil changed in my car or brushing my teeth (and I mean daily, Jessica Simpson!) Nevertheless, I strongly believe in the benefits of getting both massages and pedicures on the regular, which is why I included on my list of 101 Things, #93: Get a Massage.

Massage is generally recommended for all healthy pregnant women beginning as early as their 10th week. Certainly, you would want to run this by your doctor and use your best judgment. Also, be sure to choose a massage therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage. There are certain techniques and pressure points that are to be avoided in pregnant women. There is my disclaimer. I'm responsible, y'all!

I've had probably five massages during my pregnancy so far. It is so relaxing, and a great way to take care of myself during a pregnancy that has been filled with so much discomfort. Massage has many benefits, including reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, improving lymphatic drainage (we're talking about cankles, ladies!), soothing tired, sore muscles, and working out all the kinks, aches, and pains that come with growing a human. I leave feeling relaxed and possessing an overall sense of well-being. Soon enough, everything I do will be for my little guy. I'm indulging in a little "me time".

I decided to include this on my list and write about it because well, if all the pregnant ladies are out there having massages and pampering themselves during pregnancy, they aren't talking about it. I am here to sing the praises of pregnancy massage and encourage others to treat it as a part of their prenatal care, not just something that you do once during pregnancy if a thoughtful friend gives you a gift certificate. Take care of your baby's mother!

Because They Don't Come With Instructions...

Last week, we attended a "Baby Care Basics" class. This helped to boost our confidence that we are capable of caring for a baby, and it also fulfills Item #3 on my List of 101 Things.

Steve and I haven't spent much time around other expectant parents, and this colorful cast of characters did not disappoint. One couple we nicknamed "Ben Franklin and Dad Jeans" because the dad, who looked like Ira Shalowitz from City Slickers, wore loose jeans up high (presumably secured with a woven belt) resulting in saggy old man butt. He had so many questions for me about how to fill out the sign-in sheet (which only required our initials), and he was so socially awkward, it lead me to ask Steve how in the hell this guy managed to impregnate a woman.

His wife, who is expecting twins in a month, looked like a less glamorous Yeardley Smith (the voice of Lisa Simpson). She made the brave choice to wear compression stockings with capri pants. This made her look like Ben Franklin in his stockings and knickers (with gout). She kicked off her Dr. Scholl's sandals and propped her feet up on a chair. Her stocking feet sticking out from under the table reminded me of the Wicked Witch of the East (you know, the bitchy one who got the house dropped on her).

We had this exercise where each couple was handed household items and had to share with the group whether our items were safe or unsafe for a baby. Ben Franklin and Dad Jeans had a handful of small items that were found between some couch cushions. Her voice was like an angel's...or Bobbi Mohan-Culp from Saturday Night Live...

As soon as she starts talking, I am fighting back the giggles. I hope that she shuts up in a hurry, but of course she goes on, and on..."Well this here is a button, and I guess that could go right down the hatch. And this is a penny, and that could go right down the hatch...this is a paper clip, and that could go right down the hatch...this is a...battery...and that could go right down the hatch...this is an acorn, and that could...well, he could just chew that up into bits and bits! This is a plastic soldier, and that could go...

Steve and I are both hiding our faces and shaking with silent laughter. The kind where you occasionally gasp for air and hope you don't let out a scream. Tears are streaming down my face. I am certain this is one of those "ya had to be there" situations, but it bears repeating. I can't believe we didn't get kicked out for being disruptive. But hey, I paid $75 for the class, and Shaylee, our instructor, couldn't even get the frickin' Power Point presentation to work. The least the hospital owes me is some entertainment.

Steve and I have to compose ourselves, because it's our turn to share whether the item on our table represents safety or danger for our baby. Sounds easy, but our item was...a straw hat. "What the hell are we supposed to say about Blossom's hat? Steve asks, throwing the fashion "don't" down on the table with disgust.

"You could plop a newborn in it for a picture. Like Anne Geddes does." Steve gives me one of his "don't even start with me" looks. Yeah, that's probably not what Shaylee had in mind...

"Umm, I guess babies can smother on anything...a baby could suffocate on this straw hat..." Uh huh, that's exactly what I said to the entire class. Baby Safety FAIL. The hat is to protect baby from sunburn; since he can't wear sunblock til he's six months, he needs a hat to block the UV rays.

"What a load of sh*t," Steve whispers, picking up the hat and tossing it on the table again. "It doesn't even have a wide brim, how's it supposed to keep him from getting burned?" "Yeah, for real," I replied. "The only thing this hat would protect him from is looking cool." We both snicker at my joke; I may have snorted.

The highlight of the class, by far, was Chanel. This is not pseudonym I cleverly chose. This is her legit name. Chanel looks like Kobe Bryant's wife, Vanessa...if Vanessa was cast in The Real Housewives of New Jersey. This quote by Teresa from Housewives has zero to do with Chanel. Chanel is a delicate flower. I just can't get enough of Teresa and her meltdown. It always brings the LOL's.

Chanel announces that she has twin girls at home...and that she is six weeks from delivering triplet girls...so she'll have five girls under two. The parents in the room collectively gasp as if we're in a screening of "The Hills Have Eyes". Chanel brought her nanny, a young, overweight, sloppily-dressed African American woman. I wonder why the nanny is in need of a class called "Baby Care Basics". She seems nervous, even with the baby doll we're supposed to practice swaddling. I hear the nanny tell Chanel that she can't swim. She's bursting at the seams with qualifications. I don't think the nanny is gonna make it.

"I knew that was the nanny as soon as they walked in together," Steve says, shaking his head with a smug expression. "Did you pick up on that? Because I picked up on it instantly."

"Nah, I was too busy checking out Chanel's six inch heels and poofed hair," I said with sincere admiration. "It's amazing, really. I will say, she made a wise choice of nanny."

"What do you mean?" Steve asked, genuinely puzzled.

"She chose a nanny her husband won't run off with," I replied. Steve's jaw drops like I just said something provocative.

"Are you serious?" 

"Of course, and I guaran-damn-tee you that's what every woman in the room is thinking." 

As it turns out, I may be right on the mark here, because as the class went on it became more and more apparant that the nanny truly had no experience caring for a baby--let alone three babies. Then again, Chanel's parenting skills were subject to question as well. We had another exercise where we had to pass around a baby doll--that represents our crying baby--and each of the 14 couples in the class has to offer a different way to soothe the baby. Chanel went last since she was the only one in the class who has children already. Her suggestion? "Give the baby some Mylicon and take her out by the pool." All of us were perplexed by this answer, because most of us were not familiar with the baby gas medication, Mylicon...or the baby-sedating powers of the swimming pool. 

"What good does she think a swimming pool is gonna do?" Steve whispered to me, through suppressed laughter.

"I know, right? Why does she think the baby is crying, because she is distraught over having pasty white skin?"

And, another fit of giggles. Luckily the class was almost over, and Steve and I escaped to our cars, so we could laugh as loudly as we wanted. And maybe gloat over the fact that we are The Coolest Parents-To-Be in Collin County.

I Sent Flowers--and Not Because I Need to Say "Sorry"

Since I live in Texas, and my mom lives in Alabama, she hasn't gotten to really experience much of the "exciting" aspects of pregnancy that (I guess) grandmothers look forward to. Namely, she wouldn't be here to celebrate the news of whether we're expecting a girl or a boy. I wanted to include Mom and share the news with something more ceremonious than a text message, so a month or so before I was to learn the baby's gender, I began brainstorming ideas for how to share the news (with the help of Google.) Here are some of the ideas I stumbled upon:

1. Mail her a pink or blue cake that is frosted in a different color so she has to cut into it to find out! (cute, but impractical given my proximity)
2. Insert sonogram picture displaying the baby's private bits into a stained glass lamp. Mom thinks it's just a stained glass lamp (which is a great gift in and of itself) and then she also gets to see her grandbaby's junk!
3. Give her an "It's a Boy!" jigsaw puzzle and make her work for it. (I would totally make it a 500-piece)
4. Send her a greeting card. Write the baby's gender inside. (for the creative types)
5. If you're finding out close to Easter, fill a bunch of Easter eggs with tiny blue socks. (That's much better than blue...candy...for...Easter)
6. Custom fortune cookies.
7. Give her some blue yarn and a pattern for baby booties and put her ass to work knitting.
8. Give her a teddy bear wearing a blue t-shirt. (She gave me a bear holding pom poms when I made the 7th grade cheerleading squad, so this would be coming full circle.)
9. Give her a t-shirt that says "Proud Grandma of a Beautiful Boy" (for those who want to be very direct)
10. Give her a bunch of balloons. Each balloon has a letter inside it. Have her pop the balloons and arrange the letters to spell out the sentence, "It's a Boy!" (Have you met my mom? The only thing she'd pop is me!)
11. Send her a pinata full of blue goodies. As she hits it over and over, the anticipation builds until- BAM! (ugh)

Google FAIL. Good thing I came up with a brilliant idea all my own. It also fulfills Item #56 on my list of 101 Things: Send flowers.

Mom's made no secret of how much she wants the baby to be a boy. The only problem is, she believes that karma will only give me girl babies, so that I am forced to raise dramatic, high maintenance daughters who are just like me. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't a bad kid, but my mother will tell you, she's exhausted. So, for four months I had to listen to her tell me about how karma is a bitch who has her sights set on me. Fully believing her, I brace myself for this outcome. Of course, we now know this is not the outcome, so I was even more thrilled to share the news. She loves flowers and rarely receives them, so I called Dorothy McDaniel's Flower Market in Birmingham and ordered a small arrangement of brightly colored flowers. This part would have been easier if I were ordering a "girl" arrangement, because I could have just said "make it pink!" but since it was for a boy, I had to say "make it something that doesn't scream 'girl'". Something like this, for instance:

This is the card message I had enclosed, notifying her that she would be having a grandson:

Karma will have to wait.

Love,

Samantha, Steve and Robinson

Chelsea Handler Book Signing

I recently attended a book signing for Chelsea Handler's latest book, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I watch her talk show, Chelsea Lately, nightly, and she has been talking about her comedy and book tour quite a bit. I have read her previously published memoirs, My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands and Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea, and I had been really looking forward to the release of her newest book. Each memoir is a collection of essays chronicling her life that is irreverent, engaging, and hilarious. Chelsea has a real flair for storytelling and a talent for pulling her readers in with the vivid accounts of her life's adventures. If you're reading this and thinking, "Samantha, I don't believe that Chelsea is as funny as you claim," I can provide photographic evidence that she is indeed funny. Here's a snapshot of Baker and me reading Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea aloud to one another at the beach last summer:

Disclaimer: While I find Chelsea Handler to be a brilliantly funny writer, I do not--I repeat--do not recommend this book to the conservative reader or those who are easily offended. You've been warned.

2nd Disclaimer: While I am a big fan of her books and talk show, I am not endorsing her as a stand-up comedian. Stand-up simply isn't where her talent lies. I've seen her Comedy Central special, and I've read reviews of her act, and I would personally not pay $70+ to see her. Neither would Chelsea, according to Chelsea.

Now that that's out of the way, I will continue:

I had never been to a book signing before and sort of wondered what they were like. I figured, if
I were to attend a book signing just for the fun of it, she'd be the kind of author I would want to meet. Also, this accomplishes item #4 on my list of 101 Things: Attend a Book Signing.

The rest of this post will be both anecdotal and informative, should you ever decide you'd like to attend a book signing (probably not.) First, the nitty-gritty about book signings, in case you don't give a flip about my brush with fame:

• 
  
  Call in advance and ask if this is a ticketed event (Paula Deen and Dog the Bounty Hunter's book signings were ticketed, Chelsea's was not), how many attendees they are anticipating, how far in advance they recommend arriving, and if there are any restrictions (which items will the author sign, is proof of purchase required, will the author pose for pictures, etc.)
• 
  
  Arrive early. You're gonna be there a while no matter what, might as well get a good parking spot and a decent place in line.

I asked if Chelsea would be signing anything in addition to Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, and the clerk said that her handlers (pun not intended) had strict guidelines and would only be permitting autographs for Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. She also mentioned something about my not being allowed to bring anything else with me (previously purchased books, bottles of Belvedere, etc) and that I would probably be asked to return said items to my car. Oh, and she told me that Chelsea would not pose for pictures, but that there would be a designated area where I would be permitted to take photos of her...like I'm a paparazzo, or like she's the new panda at the Dallas Zoo. No thanks, I can find plenty of other ways to look like a pathetic loser.

Now, the skinny on Chelsea and the booksigning:

• 
  
  I arrived two hours early, got a front row parking spot and secured a spot in line at around 60 out of 400-500 attendees.
• 
  
  I sat quietly in line for two hours while reading Waiter Rant, a memoir I snagged off the shelf. Good book.
• 
  
  The book signing began right on time.
• 
  
  The line moved quickly and efficiently, but I was unable to see Chelsea until the girl directly in front of me was having her books signed, so I have little to report in the way of personal observations. 
• 
  
  Despite what the bookstore clerk told me, Chelsea totally signed items not purchased at their bookstore. Attendees had to provide proof of purchase for Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang, but her earlier works and bottles of Belvedere were permitted. Had I brought more crap for her to sign, I would have had a little more face time with her.
• 
  
  There was an iPod on a dock right beside Chelsea that blasted music by The Black Eyed Peas and Natasha Bedingfield, so couldn't hear a word she said until it was my turn.
• 
  
  "What was Chelsea like in person?" This is the question I've been asked by friends. Chelsea was friendly, gracious, and seemed genuinely kind. Also, she was strikingly pretty. Much has been made about Chelsea's appearance (she has been criticized in the media for looking rode hard and put up wet; many doubt her claim that she was born in 1975.) I, Samantha (snotty little priss that I am), do hereby solemnly swear that Chelsea Handler is as pretty in person as her most flattering airbrushed publicity photos. She has a smokin' bod and an enviable tan. Ok, enough already.
• 
  
  "Did she say anything to you?" While signing my book, she said hello to me and said, "Hey, your brother, Brad, is here!" She is referring to Brad Wollack, the comedian who appears on Chelsea Lately and who would be her opening act for that evening's comedy show.

I see the resemblance. Everyone knows that all redheads look alike. 

Here's what I have to show for my afternoon at the bookstore:

101 Things

My friend Marcie has a terrific blog, and her most intriguing post features a list of 101 things she hopes to accomplish in 1001 days. The point is not so much to adhere to the deadline as it is to thoughtfully articulate goals both big and small, and commit to achieving those goals. What's more, Marcie encourages others to follow suit (don't mind if I do!)

Some of her goals are philanthropic (go on a mission trip); thoughtful (host a baby shower for someone); practical (pay off her car); adventurous (Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and do an African Safari); and lighthearted (go to a drive-in movie). Now, the only thing I plan to climb over the next 1001 days is a flight of stairs, but I think this list is a stroke of genius because it combines two of my interests: compulsive list-making and blogging. While my to-do lists aren't enumerated and published for all to see (until now), I do have a small legal pad, a spiral bound notebook, and a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet outlining various goals and action items. So yeah, I'm down with list-making. 

I'm going to view this as a less ambitious version of a bucket list. First of all, bucket lists are morbid and tend to be elaborate and involve a lot of world travel. With a baby on the way, it's highly doubtful I will be visiting the Eiffel Tower anytime soon. On the other hand, a new baby can easily make me an overwhelmed, one-track-mind mama in need of broadening her horizons. This could prove to be a very healthy exercise for me at this stage in life. In this post, I will list 101 goals and activities that I hope to complete within 1001 days. As I cross items off the list, I'll also blog about it. January 23, 2013 is 1001 days from today. Giddyup!

1. Pay off my car

2. Teach my dogs how to use a doggy door

3. Learn how to care for a newborn

4. Attend a book signing

5. Finish decorating the baby's nursery

6. Take a class: Spanish, photography, pole-dancing...

7. Have a baby

8. Paint my front door

9. Go to the opera

10. Regain my figure after having the baby
11. Babysit for somebody
12. Take a second honeymoon.
13. Sew something.
14. Watch an entire television series I've never seen before
15. Go back to New Orleans
16. Rip the carpet out of my house
17. Make sushi
18. Go to the rollerderby
19. Make a scrapbook
20. Learn a new recipe
21. Ride a bicycle
22. Float the river
23. Revisit Napa
24. Plant flowers in my front yard
25. Participate in a fitness bootcamp
26. Host a party
27. Attend an event out-of-state that's in someone else's honor
28. Go to a concert
29. Go to New York with Steve
30. Teach somebody something.
31. See a musical
32. See a stand-up comedian
33. Create a canvas painting
34. Participate in a charity walk
35. Play a practical joke
36. Visit a haunted house
37. Sky dive
38. Read a book a month for a year
39. Renew my wedding vows in Vegas (with Elvis, of course)
40. Sleep under the stars
41. Celebrate my 30th birthday
42. Mail a fan letter
43. Have cosmetic surgery
44. Vote
45. Go to Mardi Gras
46. Thoroughly rid my home of clutter, junk, and anything we don't use
47. Attend the Kentucky Derby
48. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of our 1st date
49. Eliminate the word "awesome" from my lexicon
50. Attend a wedding
51. Learn how to read a map (per Steve's request)
52. Ride a horse
53. See Citizen Kane in its entirety.
54. Don't ask Steve to take me to see any crappy romantic comedies.
55. Read A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
56. Send flowers
57. Celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary
58. Go to a Dallas Cowboys game
59. Go to a Dallas Mavericks game
60. Send gifts to the babies in our family
61. Help George lose weight
62. Learn how to grill
63. Attempt to donate blood
64. Watch the final season of The Hills
65. Spend the day at Six Flags Over Texas
66. Enroll Laney in Therapy Dogs
67. Sell something on eBay
68. Try a new cuisine
69. See an IMAX movie
70. Go to a Dallas Stars game
71. Go to the Texas State Fair
72. Play matchmaker
73. See all of the films that have won the Best Picture Oscar
74. Attend Steve's 20th high school reunion
75. Sing karaoke
76. Go to the horse races at Lonestar Park
77. Read a memoir
78. Visit the Dallas Farmer's Market
79. Go rollerskating
80. Go to a drag show
81. Tour a Texas vineyard
82. Go to the flea market
83. Tour the Sixth Floor Museum
84. Go to the Fort Worth Zoo
85. View the Dallas skyline from Reunion Tower
86. Be present at a birth
87. Go to a drive-in movie
88. Attend a parade
89. Tie a necktie
90. Learn how to throw a football
91. Learn how to play poker
92. Make wine
93. Get a massage
94. Re-paint my bathroom
95. Watch the local news, in its entirety, every day for a week
96. Take a surfing lesson
97. Dance with Steve
98. Go to a Texas Rangers game
99. Build a snowman
100. Read another Chuck Klosterman book
101. Celebrate Robinson's 1st birthday