101 in 1001

Sorry I haven’t updated for over a week … sadly my father-in-law died on the 4th which has you can imagine has taken up most of my time.

I have, however, managed to complete 2 things on my list.

Number 10 – Go to a photo exhibition.

The 2009 Wildlife Photographer of Year exhibition was on at Bristol Museum again this year. I had planned to go tomorrow, however my FIL was in the BRI (Bristol Royal Infirmary) and I walked passed the Museum on my way to the hospital. So on the Sunday I went into Bristol earlier so I could pop in on my way to the hospital. The photos were gorgeous. I didn’t get to spend as much time as I’d have liked looking at the photos as I was anxious to get to the hospital but I’m glad I went.

Number 70 – Send a care package to the lads in Afghanistan.

My Husband is currently meant to be in Afghanistan at the moment – the Navy brought him back due to his Dad taking a turn for the worse. I’ll be eternally grateful to them as they got him home on time to see him (he was back on the Sunday and he died on early Monday morning.) We went to Tesco later in the week and bought a load of sweet goodies to send to the lads that Sam works with. I will send another care package later in the year but I consider this task to be completed.

So there we have it – thats me up to date. I’m not 100% sure I’ll get all my monthly tasks done this month – my father-in-laws funeral is this coming Thursday – hopefully once thats done things will go back to normal. I’ll try and have a more cheery update next time.

Well its been a long time – the last list, well what can I say, I gave up on it. When Sam went to Afghanistan earlier in the year I basically struggled to do anything and the list got forgotten about. He’s gone again but I am coping so much better this time. I looked at my existing list but decided that I didn’t really want to do some of the things I’d put on there anymore so I’ve redone my list.

My project starts tomorrow and I cant wait!! Haven’t put very many daily tasks on there so hopefully there will be less pressure this time.

Roll on tomorrow!

Number 79. Buy 5 “Just because” gifts.
I bought my Mum a scrapbooking kit when we were shopping yesterday

And I’ve already done Chloe’s portrait for the new week:

Can’t believe how fast the time is going! We’re on week 7 already!!

Right – here’s Adams portraits from the last couple of fortnights.

I forgot to put the photos of me and Sam on Flickr so will update with those later in the week.

Kids portraits for the last week:

Have completed number 57. Create a book of photos, memories and messages for Sam for when he is away.

Have been working on this for the last couple of weeks – trying to do it secretly.

Have also have worked towards number 21. Create a recipe file and cook everything listed in it.
When shopping in Street yesterday I found a really cute little recipe file so bought it. Technically the wording for this one isn’t quite right – as I’m going to add things to it once I’ve cooked it (if its something I’ll want to cook again) so obviously everything in it will have been cooked. So, once I’ve added my 2 recipes I made a couple of weeks ago for Sam I am going to consider this crossed off as I will add a recipe every time I cook something new from scratch!

Number 26. Send 101 random cards/postcards. (2/101)

I have registered with www.postcrossing.com and have received my first address to send a postcard to – a lady in Finland. Will get a postcard this week to post to her.

Number 27. Identify 100 things which make me happy. (1/100)

Have identified and photographed the first thing – see the photo of Callum above for the photograph.

Watching Callum playing his computer makes me very happy. I love watching him working out how to do the activities – he’s started to do adding up and spelling and I am so proud at how quick he is learning these things at 3 and half.

I am also amazed at watching him playing his games – and the speed in which he is learning the logistics is just amazing. He has gone from just trying to get the character to move in the way he wants him to go to making sure he picks up every single honey pot along the way (Its a Winnie the Pooh learning game) – and if he misses one he goes back to get it.

Not sure what I’m going to work on this week – I find its easier not to plan so will just update once done! lol

Ooops another change!
Number 13 was save a £ everyday for the duration.
Now I thought this one would be quite easy and would be a fab way of having a nice wad of cash at the end of it – however life obviously gets in the way, I keep having to dip into it to get bread and milk, and if we dont have any cash lying around it soon mounts up. So I’ve decided to change this.

I have now changed it too: make a list of 50 things that I love about each of my children.

The reason I’m doing this is because I follow a blog by a very brave Australian woman called Sheye Rosemeyer.

http://sheyerosemeyerphotography.com/blog/

She is a very talented photographer and I found her through her photos on Flickr. 2 years ago, in February 2007, her precious little girl Ava died at the age of 3. Her blog often details the pain and anguish she has gone through, along with her family at this loss and it is something I fear greatly. (By coincidence we nearly called Chloe, Ava). Anyway, was catching up with her blog and as it had approached the 2 year anniversary of Ava’s passing her friend suggested to her that she write a list of 50 things she loved about Ava. Reading the list put a smile on my face as some of the memories were ever so sweet. I thought it would be a really nice thing to do for each of my children so have decided to add it to my list!

Oh and some updates I forgot about:

64. Buy 10 music albums – including 1 artist I’ve never heard of before.

I bought an album by the band The Saturdays. Now although I’d vaguely heard somewhere there was a band called The Saturdays, I’d never consciously heard any of their music. I decided to give it a go and I have to say I love it! I listen to it all the time and am really really glad that I bought it.

68. Buy some inspirational photography books.

I have bought 2 books on Wedding photography which have been really helpful. Have also ordered another photography book which I cant remember the name of – however it has not arrived yet.

On my last post I said we were Day 34 but Mrs Magic rightly pointed out that I was wrong! lol – uh not sure what number day I’m on now – will work it out later.

Haven’t updated for a little while – life has been hectic.

I have completed a couple of things on the list.

Number 20 – have a massage.
Sam bought me a relaxation day for 2 so on Thursday Mum and I went to a spa and we both had a massage and a facial – was lovely!

Number 60 – Buy Monopoly and play it with Sam.
Well Sam knew about this one so bought me the Simpsons monopoly and we played it. I was doing really well until Sam started buying houses and hotels! Grrrrrr.

Number 67 – Make a 3 course meal for me and Sam – everything from scratch.
Well technically I cant cross this off yet as I didn’t make the pudding from scratch as Tesco didn’t have all the ingrediants I needed and I didn’t have time to go round other shops. But I made garlic breaded mushrooms from scratch, and lemon chicken burgers from scratch. Was both really really yummy and infact Sam loved it so much I had to make it again for the following 2 nights. lol. I had a weight watchers lemon cheesecake for dessert and Sam had a chocolate and raspberry truffle thing. I will definitely do this again and make the pudding from scratch so I can cross this off.

Right I have done little photoshoots with my kids this week – I could bore by putting them all here but I wont.

Chloes and Hope’s count as their portrait for the week 7th to the 13th.

The rest of Chloe’s can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alidadas/sets/72157613657257394/

The rest of Hope’s can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alidadas/sets/72157613738420461/

Then their portraits for the past week (14th-20th)

Callum:

The rest of Callum’s can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alidadas/sets/72157613899834852/

Hope:

Chloe:

I did take a photo of me and Sam last week but haven’t put that on the computer yet so will upload that for the next update. Same with the photo of Adam.

I have read another book to go towards nunmber 7 (Read 101 books) – Murder Most Fab by Julian Clary. Was actually quite good – when I started it I wasn’t so sure but after the first chapter or so it did get quite interesting and I really enjoyed it. I haven’t done my Amazon review of it just yet but will do it soon.

Number 15 – Document Clevedon (my birth town) in photographs.

There are quite a few churches in Clevedon – I dont intend on photographing them all but have photographed this one – St Andrews Church. I got married in this church. My Husbands brother and sister are buried at this church. Our best friends brother is buried at this church. My friends little boy is buried at this church. My best friend is getting married in this church in May and I am photographing her wedding.

Well I think thats it for updates just now. Not sure what I plan on doing this week towards the list

I really need to do more to number 17 – Donate 1 million grains of rice at www.freerice.com. After setting this I worked out that I would need to donate 1000 grains a day! Whoops – I’ve only done 1700 so far so really do have to have a good crack at this.

Oh and I’ve taken steps towards number 18 – get my children christened. I spoke to the Vicar of our local church and have his number and need to arrange a meeting with him.

I’m also working on number 57 create a book of messages/photos/memories for Sam to take away with him. Well he goes to Afghanistan on the 13th April so I’ve been working on this – have put quite a few photos in, been round to some friends and got them to write messages in it and its looking really good. Am really pleased!

Ooops just realised I never got round to posting Callum’s and Chloe’s portraits from last week – here they are:

I am halfway to completing number 60 – Buy Monopoly and play it with Sam. Sam, bless him, has bought me The Simpsons Monopoly. Delivery was attempted yesterday but we were out so I’ll pop to the post office on Monday to collect it and then hopefully we’ll get to play it during the week.

Here is my photo of Sam and I from last week.

And here is Callum’s portrait for the new week:

Also the proof that I have begun learning how to knit:

As you can see I haven’t done very much, have had a few evenings with a very unsettled Chloe so just haven’t had the chance to do any – will hopefully get some more practice in this week.

So week 5 begins – I can’t believe how fast thats gone already!

Lots to update.

First off weekly portraits of the children – was Hope’s birthday this weekend so managed to get lots of photos.
Though actually thinking about it I haven’t uploaded all my photos to Flickr so can’t share them all yet, lol. Whoops! Will do that when I get back on the PC.

Here’s Hopes:

Number 97 – Buy flowers once a month.

Bought some tulips and roses on Saturday night.

Number 10 – Learn to knit.

My Mum bought some wool and knitting needles down with her on the weekend and has started to teach me. I’m just practicing at the moment with varying stitches so not making anything in particular – I’d imagine that it will end up being a blanket for Hope’s doll or something similar. Will take a photo of what I’ve achieved so far later.

Number 14 – To learn more about photoshop.

I have bought a book and have been leant a book. Sam is now off for 2 weeks so I’m hoping to get some time to have a read through them.

Number 7 – Read 101 books.

I have finished another 2 books.
* Safelight by Shannon Burke

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Safelight-Shannon-Burke/dp/0812971744/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233584119&sr=1-3

* A Mothers Story by Sara Payne

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sara-Payne-Mothers-Story/dp/0340862785/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233584161&sr=1-1

Both books were really good, the one by Sara Payne was completely heart wrenching.

Number 30 – Write amazon reviews for every book I read.

Am just about to write my reviews for the 2 books above.

Number 2 – Buy some pretty girly clips and wear them out once a month.

I bought some clips yesterday and am looking forward to wearing them. Have guests coming this afternoon so may even put them on in a minute.

Number 86 – Make the kids a birthday cake.

Due to time I didn’t make Hope a birthday cake for her little party yesterday – however she is having a couple of little friends round this afternoon and I have made her a chocolate sponge. I am going to practice making some character cakes so that I can make them more exciting cakes in the future.

So that my updates. Will be back later with my portraits of Callum and Chloe. I havn’t done my photo of me and Sam yet.

I have done my weekly shot of me and Sam

Have also visited the village of Yeovilton to discover if there are any hidden services or anything exciting there – there isn’t!

Its basically one long road – which at one point branches off with a little road which leads to the church (will take a photo of that another day, its dark and dreary here, I will wait for a blue sky). There are no little shops or anything aside from houses and the church (as far as I could see).

As you leave one end there is a stream – I took a couple of photographs there – this was my favourite –