November, 2025: Score

November 28, 2025November 28, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

By November the setting sun has moved from the west to the southwest so we get really stunning sunsets over the water.

The sun goes down in an orange ball then fires up the sky when it sinks below the horizon.

In addition to the numbered list below I (we):

went birding at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge with 3 experts. Apparently we saw over 48 different species of birds. I learned a thing or two but (unfortunately) not much more than that. Happily I will have more opportunities in the future.
We saw many bald eagles — one of our companions with a real camera took fabulous photos.
watched the 1957 film Funny Face starring Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn.
had our outdoor TV antenna upgraded.
There’s a man at the top of our antenna tower pulling up the antenna on a seriously windy day.
witnessed the Northern Lights across the marsh — an unusual sight in Maryland.
Not only is the Aurora visible but I can also see Orion’s Belt, Taurus, and the Pleiades. I’m learning!
donated the first 4 Thursday Murder Club books to my local library since they do not own them.
I’ve donated 1-4 and am still waiting for #5.
saw bright shooting star during the Leonid Meteor Shower.
bought 2 cords of seasoned oak for the wood stove.
2 cords — some need stacking; other need splitting and stacking.
began an Advent study at a local church.
had Thanksgiving dinner on Tilghman Island at a local crab shack.
Thanksgiving buffet was loaded with seafood specialties. I enjoyed short rib Wellington after baked oysters.

In November I had planned to:

Continue to take apart kitchen.
We started taking down cabinets from right to left — one by one.

The upper cabinets are mostly down and removed from the kitchen. Charlie is planning to use them in the shed.
Bring down Christmas decorations to go with this year’s theme — Wildlife: whales, ponies, polar bears, birds. The theme highlights this year’s travels.
I inherited this little bird sculpture.
Work on new appliances for kitchen renovation. I ordered a new dishwasher, sink, and faucet.
I’m sticking with a champagne bronze finish for the fixtures.
Order backsplash tile.
Enough fish scale tile for the backsplash.

I came up against a little issue where I had to visit more than one Lowe’s store to get the full amount we’ll need. Done and done.
Wrap, pack up, and mail Christmas gifts.
All wrapped up — no peeking.
Read a book. I’m working on the Thursday Murder Club Mystery series. Just read the 4th in the series: The Last Devil to Die. I’m waiting for The Impossible Fortune (5th installment) to become available digitally through my library card.
Work on contractor possibilities for kitchen remodel. I have contacted 4 possibilities by email with photos of the project.
I’ve decided on a 2-tone kitchen — blue (Upwards) on bottom, cream (Sandhill Crane) on top.
Work on a paint/stain project. Charlie continues to stain the exterior of the house while I spray painted dead olive trees for some outdoor Christmas decoration.
Spray painted silver/bronze.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ENJOY.
Write a goal list for December, 2025.

November, 2025: Aims

November 2, 2025October 24, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

Wow! This year has flown by! Already November and we still haven’t finished staining the entire exterior of the house which we started in June.

A lone great white egret studies his reflection in the marsh.

More recently I have been exploring the local area with some experts in birding.

In November I plan to:

Continue to take apart kitchen.
Here’s a preliminary plan for the renovated kitchen.
Bring down Christmas decorations to go with this year’s theme — Wildlife: whales, ponies, polar bears.
My polar bears made the trip to our new house unscathed.
Work on new appliances for kitchen renovation.
Order backsplash tile.
Multi-toned blue fish scales in my first choice for the backsplash.
Wrap, pack up, and mail Christmas gifts.
Read a book. I’m working on the Thursday Murder Club Mystery series.
Just finished this one.
Work on contractor possibilities for kitchen remodel.
Work on a paint/stain project.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: ENJOY.
Write a goal list for December, 2025.

October, 2025: Score

October 31, 2025October 31, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

Often Charlie and I travel in October but this year we are staying home and enjoying our beautiful surroundings while also planning and scheming some future events.

Even at high tide the bay and marsh are beautiful.

The longer we live here the more interesting activities we’re discovering.

In addition to my planned list I (we):

received 3 dozen fresh from the henhouse eggs from our neighbor so we made a pound cake. Yummy!
We found a great pound cake recipe that calls for a dozen eggs.
attended a revival at a local church. Charlie was the musician.
trained for a walking 10K.
Some days I started slightly before sunrise while the fog lingered.
began an online study focusing on history, literature, and a general understanding of the Bible.
Fought hordes of swarming gnats in the house most of the month.
Attended a local production of Hot ‘n’ Cole: A Cole Porter Celebration! Cole Porter is one of my all time favorite composers who also writes his own lyrics.
The onstage band is getting ready.
Planted some daffodil bulbs and a peony root.
Not much to look at now but hopefully pink Shirley Temple peonies will bloom in spring.
After a long hiatus from reading, I read The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman.
The next one on the list.

I plan to continue reading the series.

We also focused on finishing some of the major projects we’ve already started:

staining the exterior of the house,
The front of the house is totally stained.
planning a new kitchen,
We’re moving the stove from the center of an island to an outside wall.
starting with the demolition of the current kitchen,
lost the “e” key on my computer which ended up costing about $20 to replace. It would have been half of that but I was unwilling to try and replace it myself.
The new key works just fine.
clearing out the garage,
One of the streamlined areas in the garage.
making a heartfelt effort to minimize clutter in the primary bedroom. I started by washing the windows which were very murky due to spray from the gnat infestation.

The numbered list for October has some time-sensitive, must-do items:

Purchase a major appliance for the kitchen. The first major appliance I bought for the newly designed kitchen is a side-by-side refrigerator.
I can’t wait to start using this BIG BOY.
Choose excursions for Norway trip.
After the sled ride we’re being treated to dinner by a famous Norwegian chef.

Among other things we have an evening dogsled ride for me and an organ concert for Charlie on his birthday. Of course we’ll attend everything together — that’s part of the fun.
Drink a glass of water every morning for an entire month. I drank a glass of water every morning for the past month while brewing my coffee. I’m planning to continue the habit.
At least one tall glass every morning.
Clear everything out of pantry. This was a BIG project — basically I packed up everything I had unpacked when we moved in a year and a half ago.
From this . . .

. . . to this.

Then I had to find a place for it which turned out to be any empty spot on the first floor.
Unpack 3 boxes. I got rid of 3 boxfuls of old stuff when they fell over in the garage and spilled all over the floor. GONE!
I’ll used these newly emptied boxes to pack up more of the kitchen.
Bird tour at Blackwater Federal Wildlife Preserve. I planned to go on a second birding tour since this is the season when migrating birds are prevalent in our area. The weather didn’t cooperate so I’ve rescheduled for early in November.
There’s an eagle in those trees.
Finish shopping for Christmas. I ordered all my gifts and have received all of them including a few souvenirs from our trip to Canada to mail and distribute closer to Christmas.
I’m planning on a calm and unhurried holiday.
Donate or throw away something we don’t need anymore. I got rid of an old refrigerator, a wooden bench, and a pair of box springs thanks to my darling son who hauled them away.
Among other items this working refrigerator is gone — hoping someone else can use it.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: FOCUS.
Write a goal list for November, 2025.

October, 2025: Aims

October 1, 2025September 29, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

October is a beautiful time to be in Maryland — fall colors, temperate days, cosy nights.

Soon the color of the trees will echo the evening sky.

Before I jump into any new activities I want to focus on finishing some of the major projects we’ve already started:

staining the exterior of the house,
planning a new kitchen,
starting with the demolition of the current kitchen,
clearing out the garage,
making a heartfelt effort to minimize clutter in the primary bedroom.

I wish it always looked like this.

The numbered list for October has some time-sensitive, must-do items:

Purchase a major appliance for the kitchen.
Choose excursions for Norway trip.
I’m hoping to get my first choice of excursions.
Drink a glass of water every morning for an entire month.
Clear everything out of pantry.
This is just the beginning of clearing the kitchen.
Unpack 3 boxes.
Bird tour at Blackwater Federal Wildlife Preserve.
Finish shopping for Christmas.
I hope Charlie can find another sprig of fresh mistletoe this year..
Donate or throw away something we don’t need anymore.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: FOCUS.
Write a goal list for November, 2025.

September, 2025: Score

September 28, 2025September 28, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

Charlie and I took 10 days out of the middle of the month to celebrate our wedding anniversary while traveling so I had to really get busy with the rest of my to-do list in the remaining 20 days.

We left Baltimore on our cruise to Canada which took us under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Here’s what I (we) did in addition to the numbered list:

Had the oil changed in my car.
I even sprang for a new license plate from a local charity.
Had the piano professionally tuned for the first time since we moved.
A pleasure to listen to — even the low notes.
Started talking to a kitchen designer.
I’m planning to use the same person who designed our last kitchen.
Attended a bluegrass concert while it poured down rain.
Hammer Creek Bluegrass Band from Lancaster, PA
Went birding with an expert ornithologist at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. (#12 of 101 in 1001 list)
Our guide carried equipment to help us “see” better.
Continued staining the outside of the house. We’re onto the detailed work now. This side made the front seem easy.
From this.

To this.

My ambitious numbered list for September follows:

Cruise to Canada to watch whales. (#59 on previous 101 in 1001 list and #68 on my current list) We saw whales, porpoises, and seals in the Bay of Fundy from the port of St. Andrew in New Brunswick, Canada. I have no photos of the animals; I just enjoyed the experience.
We sailed on a small boat from St. Andrew’s harbor into the Bay of Fundy for an opportunity to see whales.
Work on 2026 travel. (#19 on 101 in 1001 list) Here are our plans with an added adventure that I’ll blog about later.
We may have been bitten by the cruise bug.
Shampoo rugs. (#28 on 101 in 1001 list) I shampooed all the rugs on the first floor. Whew, more of a project than I thought.
All 5 of the first floor rugs have been shampooed
Research slipcover makers. Since my chairs will have to go to the workroom of whomever I select I started close to home with local upholsterers. I plan to continue looking by talking to friends and neighbors who might know a seamstress or tailor that will take on the job. Last resort — I’ll do it myself.
These chairs were always slipcovered when I was growing up.
Unpack 3 boxes. I needed to make room for the things I took from the pantry so we can gut the kitchen. I actually emptied a bunch of boxes and added storage on the garage wall.
I hung a cabinet near the garage door and emptied a box of lubricants and cleaners into it.
Take boxes out of pantry. I put some in the garage and some in the downstairs bedroom.
From the pantry heading to the garage.
No sugar or sweets for 7 days. I started strong in the very beginning of the month so I could have a rich dessert everyday on our cruise to Canada.
So many choices – so little time. I never chose the healthy option from the bottom row!

Both actions were successful.
Move DR chest of drawers to first floor bedroom. I cleared out this chest of drawers, installed drawer liners, fixed the doors (which were falling off), and moved it to the downstairs bedroom. Not as pretty but more functional.
From this.

To this.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: POISE.
Write a goal list for October, 2025.

September, 2025: Aims

August 31, 2025August 31, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

Charlie and I plan to be really busy in September. We’ll continue with the large tasks we’ve started (staining the house) and with enjoying our Maryland seafood while the warm weather keeps the supply going.

I’m working on a better layout for the kitchen floor plan.

Then we’re going to start gutting the kitchen which will be totally redesigned.

We added a few new perennials in August some of which are already blooming.

My ambitious numbered list for September follows:

Cruise to Canada to watch whales. (#59 on previous 101 in 1001 list and #68 on new 101 in 1001)
The humpback whale is the most prevalent species in eastern Canada at that time of year.
Work on 2026 travel plans. (#19 on 101 in 1001 list)
We’re already scheduled to cruise to Norway to go dogsledding.
Shampoo rugs. (#28 on 101 in 1001 list)
The living room rug has had a lot of traffic since we moved in last March.
Research local slipcover makers.
I would like to have this chair and its twin slipcovered.
Unpack 3 boxes.
I still have boxes in the garage that need to be unpacked.
Take boxes out of pantry.
We’ll be emptying and removing these pantries for the kitchen makeover.
No sugar or sweets for 7 days.
I’ve been indulging in way too many sugary foods this summer.
Move DR chest of drawers to first floor bedroom.
The oak dresser I bought in Greenwich Village (NYC) in 1977 is moving from the dining room to the downstairs bedroom.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: POISE.
Write a goal list for October, 2025.

August, 2025: Score

August 27, 2025August 27, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

August was a month of getting things done. The hot weather decreased and the biting flies showed up.

Charlie catches them, steams them, and serves them up.

The crabs were running and so were the stinging sea nettles.

My photo of a sea nettle under the surface of the water. (The darker area is a shadow from my camera.)

In addition to the preplanned numbered list below I (we):

finally got Dash his new license at the city office.
Dashie proudly wears his tags — I think he likes the jingle jangle.
worked on the foundation planting at the front of the house with new perennial plants.
We added a few new perennials in August which I’m hoping will take hold in September.
hung new house numbers.
I used 3-D posts and a modern font for the new numbers.
went to some free outdoor concerts including the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters — always good.
The Sea Chanters — one of my favorite service music groups.
attended a Night Sky Tour at Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. (#13 on my 101 in 1001 list)
replaced rotten wood under the front door.
Rotten wood replaced.

I started working on the numbered list early in the month. Mostly the chores were both fun and satisfying. Staining the house was very satisfying however not so much fun.

Organize house papers. Now if there is an issue everything is in one box. Such a bore but it’s done!
Get Canada cruise documents together. I have a completed folder of everything we need to travel. At the same time I purged the papers from Turkey and Greece.
We’ll be traveling on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas.
Transplant orchids. I got busy at the beginning of the month and transplanted my large old orchids. (#100 of 101 in 1001 list)
I kept only the best roots.
Work on a paint project. We made a lot of progress on the house stain in August.
Before

After
Picnic on the sandbar. While I made it out to the sandbar in our kayak the only picnicking was done by birds — blue heron, egret, geese, gulls.
Honestly, I love being on the water.

I’ll need a better boat (with a sail or motor) if I want to actually stop for lunch.
Write handwritten notes to friends. I wrote letters on my personalized paper to connect and encourage and congratulate. (#4 of 101 in 1001 list)
Clean car headlights. The headlight clarity, while not perfect, is greatly improved. (#88 of 101 in 1001 list)
Before and after
Work on Christmas gifts. I have some good ideas which I have listed in my Christmas document — I’ll start buying soon.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Write a goal list for September, 2025.

August, 2025: Aims

August 3, 2025July 22, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

We’ll be busy in August — driving to the western side of the bay for work, entertaining family, continuing house projects.

Dash uncomfortably positions himself between table legs then gives me the “side-eye”.

Dash will no doubt continue to be his cheeky self reminding us over and over that August is National Dog Month.

We haven’t used our deck yet this summer due to the heat and humidity and bugs — even in the cool(er) of the evening.

I’ve tried to keep my numbered list as cool as possible with projects and tasks that can be done inside in the AC. This is what I’m attempting to complete in August:

Organize house papers.
Get Canada cruise documents together.
We’ll be traveling on Royal Caribbean’s Vision of the Seas which often passes by our house.
Transplant orchids.
I haven’t tended my orchids since 2017. They need a little help.
Work on a paint project. The paint project which we began in June and hope to finish before the end of the year is staining the exterior walls of the house.
Hoping to continue making progress.
Picnic on the sandbar.
The sandbar is not too far from our dock.
Write handwritten notes to friends.
Clean car headlights.
My car headlights are decidedly foggy.
Work on Christmas gifts.
Hoping to be prepared this year.
Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: SELF-DISCIPLINE.
Write a goal list for September, 2025.

101 in 1001 #7: A Fresh Start

August 2, 2025August 2, 2025 / Jo / Leave a comment

I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009. I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. Now I am starting on list #7 which begins August 2, 2025 and runs until April 29, 2028. It’s been difficult coming up with 101 new things to see and do.

In past adventures we ballooned over the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

My 6th list began November 4, 2022 and ran until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Black is the color for original post. Completed items are in blue. Pink items are plans. Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

Buy a car.
Betty is still running strong after 10 years but she won’t last forever.
Start taking RMD in 2026.
Visit Wallops Flight facility.
Charlie and I experienced the last shuttle launch at Cape Canaveral. Hoping to find something exciting at Wallops Island in Virginia.
Send 10 handwritten cards.
Build frame for full length mirror.
A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.
Throw away or donate 30 things and don’t replace them.
Organize trip to a Caribbean island.
Redesign kitchen.
The kitchen needs a new layout, new cabinets, and new appliances.
Picnic on the sandbar.
The sandbar is a short boat ride from our dock.
Refinish tall dresser.
My grandmother’s dresser might look great in navy blue.
Make a photo album of Mommie.
Bird tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Night Sky Tour at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
Refinish green vanity.
I’m not sure of the direction in which to go but the dressing table is getting dilapidated looking — needs a zhuzh.
Read 30 books.
Attend 5 concerts.
London theatre trip.
We enjoyed theatre in the West End on our last trip to London.
Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Go dog sledding.
I’ve done extensive research on just where to go dogsledding.
Increase net worth by 25%.
Zipline in rainforest.
Parasail or hang glide or skydive.
This looks like something I would really like — just have to convince Charlie.
Work on side hustle.
NYC/Broadway/Cabaret.
We haven’t been to NYC since the COVID pandemic.
Visit Morocco.
Take a repositioning trans-Atlantic cruise.
Get rid of 5 big things – furniture, toys, tools
The oak dresser I bought in Greenwich Village (NYC) in 1977, might have to go.
Shampoo rugs.
Visit some place out west – Seattle or Alaska, etc.
Try 5 new restaurants.
Go on a road trip.
Redesign primary bathroom.
The primary ensuite bathroom is rather basic.
Landscape front yard.
Get together with sister.
Order new curtains for living room.
The living room curtains need to be replaced with something a little more elegant — these can go in the primary bedroom.
Paint or replace venetian blinds.
Focus on entry window coverings.
Take 3 Bible studies.
Paint the entry hall.
The entry hall walls are 2 stories tall and impeded by a staircase.
Design and rebuild top of breakfront.
Host 5 get-togethers.
Finish painting trim in DS bedroom.
Find new dermatologist.
Stain interior wood doors.
All doors are an orangish wood tone.
Rejuvenate the deck.
Clean up the marsh.
Collect driftwood.
Get new vanity for heron bathroom.
The only bathroom with a tub needs a major upgrade.
Repair dining room rug.
Get a new music system.
Visit 2 states where I’ve never been (not just driven through).
Sort out my wardrobe and donate or get rid of 10 items.
Have a dinner by candlelight.
Can’t wait to celebrate a special dinner.
Take a trail ride on horseback.
Fix curtains in master bedroom.
Visit Mount Rushmore.
Visit Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water. Southwestern PA
Have ring appraised.
Shred old files.
Find tai chi on Eastern Shore.
We have tai chied on vacation but I haven’t found any local practitioners yet.
Clean up and organize old photos.
Eat vegetarian for a week.
Work on studio/office in back bedroom.
Put outdoor shower at shore house.
Once upon a time a temporary shower (brrrr) had been rigged up outside the laundry room. I think we can do better.
Install dual system heater/AC in master bedroom at shore house.
See 5 theatrical productions.
Carpet stair treads.
The risers on the stairs are open.
Visit Canada.
Get a security camera.
Paint and renovate laundry room.
So far the only improvement I’ve made to the laundry is to switch out the lighting fixture.
Drink a glass of water every morning for a month.
Organize personal files.
Set up a music system at the house.
Paint the exterior of the house.
We started the shed before the house to check the color.
Visit 5 local thrift stores.
Meet and remember 5 new people.
Hang some art.
I loved the gallery wall in our previous home.
Take dance lessons.
Paint trim in downstairs bedroom.
Add shoe molding to downstairs.
Outdoor shower at The Landing.
The shower is installed here but the enclosure is still on the drawing board.
Repair and refresh dock.
Upgrade railings on back deck.
The deck railings are basic.
Visit Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay
Paint one wall an outrageous color.
Paint studio walls.
Visit a lighthouse.
Our nearest lighthouse is a beauty.
Clean car headlights.
Watch a meteor shower.
Take a cruise to the Panama Canal.
Wear Shamrocks on St. Patrick’s Day.
Walk across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.
I’ve driven across more times than I can count.
Eat no sugar for a week.
Plant a dogwood tree at The Landing.
Buy a stranger a meal.
Travel first class.
Get rid of 10 pieces of clothing.
Have living room Bergere chairs slipcovered.
I have 2 chairs that I would like to have slipcovered.
Get a boat.
Transplant my orchids.
Private

101 in 1001 #6: Finished

August 1, 2025July 31, 2025 / Jo / 2 Comments

I posted my new 101 in 1001 list on November 4, 2022. I try to include something from this list on my monthly to-do list. My first check-in is here with some details I have omitted in this post. Here is my progress at the end of 2 years, November 4, 2024 — 731 days since beginning. And today, 1001 days in — August 1, 2025 — this is what I’ve accomplished.

The pyramids and sphinx at Giza viewed from the roof terrace at our hotel.

I have been making 101 tasks in 1001 days lists since 2009. I have never totally finished one but I have made more progress than I might have done without the list as a guide. This list began November 4, 2022 and runs until August 1, 2025. My 5th list began February 6, 2020. It ended on November 3, 2022. Fourth list started May 10, 2017 (first list ended 11/13/2011, second list 8/11/2014, third list 5/9/2017) Completed items are in blue, black is the color for original post. Pink items are plans. Red items are cautions due to the situations out of my control.

Retire from work. Complete! 1/31/2023
Start looking for house on the water. Requirements: First floor bedroom and bathroom, 2 or 3 bedrooms, outbuildings, waterfront, dock, utility room. All requirements have been met. Complete! 1/13/2024
How ’bout this view from the bedroom balcony??!!
Get new Global Entry. Complete! 6/6/2023
Get new passport. I renewed my passport as soon as we returned from Egypt last November. It took less than 4 weeks to receive my new document from the date I mailed the application. Complete! 12/4/2023
My new biometric passport.
Find a new Primary Care Physician. I’ve had the same PCP for about 40 years and he has recently retired. Complete! 1/425/2024
Find a new dentist. Complete! 2/6/2025
Find a new dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
Visit St. Louis, Nashville and ~~Great Smoky Mountain National Park.~~ Charlie and I visited Saint Louis and Nashville on our quest to see another solar eclipse. Complete! 4/10/2024
Charlie and I went to the top of the Gateway Arch in Saint Luis, MO.
Solar eclipse in North America between Saint Louis, Mo and Nashville, TN. Apparently we are umbraphiles. Who knew? Complete! 4/8/2024
The moon covers all but the sun’s corona in a total eclipse. (Taken with my iPhone.)
Lead a Bible study or Book Club at home. Led a Bible study in July, 2023. Hosted a Book Club in July, 2024. Complete! 8/1/2023
We read and discussed The Alchemist in mixed company.
Tour Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Visit the National Archives
Visit Greece. Charlie and I cruised from Istanbul to Athens then made a 5-day tour of Greece in a rental car. Complete! October 1, 2024
Charlie and Jo near the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens.
Get rid of 50 books. Complete! 6/22/2024
Host a swap meet. This will be challenging since we have moved houses.
Host a dinner party for 6. Complete! 2/25/2023
Learn to copyright (watermark) photos. Complete! 1/31/2024
I think I figured it out.
Make a photo album of Mommie .
Mother (left) and grandmother (right) in the 1940s.
Increase net worth by 25%. Missed by about 5 percentage points.
Adjust automatic reinvestments. Complete! 11/25/2022
Paint landscapes/seascapes on canvas/wood.
Make a household inventory with photos. Since moving houses we are profoundly aware of everything we own/moved. Still a visual list would be helpful.
Design Etsy boutique packaging.
Get rid of 5 big items from the house: ~~Cedar chest~~, ~~Gold mirror~~, ~~Saddle/horse gear, Dollhouse~~, ~~Bird file cabinet,~~ ~~Skittles game~~, Easel, ~~Chandelier~~, Sleds Complete! 7/7/2024
This large (about 3′ by 5′) gilded wood mirror sold almost immediately on Facebook Marketplace.
Design and print business cards. Complete! 5/29/2025
Attend 5 concerts. Complete! 5/20/2023
Love the U.S. service bands.
Paint all trim. Had to do it to sell the house Complete! 9/1/2024
Repaint exterior parts of house that have weathered. Another project to sell the house. Complete! 9/1/2024
Why is it always overhead and out of reach?
Clean out car. Complete! 5/13/2024
Vacuumed and ready for another trip with the pup.
Remove 10 boxes from the attic. Complete! 6/15/2024
Build frame for full length mirror.
A frame should stabilize this mirror on the back of a bedroom door.
Give 5 parties. Complete! 6/27/2023
At 2024 holiday party Both the Egyptian and non-Egyptian food were a hit.
Paint green vanity.
Clearing off the top was a good start.
Refinish tall dresser.
I use my grandmother’s dresser and might like to lighten it after we move.
Clear out mudroom closet. Complete! 9/2/2024
Always a challenge.
Whiten my teeth. Complete! 8/16/2023
Fast for 24 hours. Complete! 11/21/2022 This challenge has repeated multiple times.
Work on side hustle.
Teach Dash a new trick. Complete! 8/31/2023
Dash lives up to his name when he obeys the “come” command.
Zip line in tropical forest.
See 50 movies. Conclave has been my favorite so far. Complete! 4/10/2023
Read 50 books. Only 37 books.
Parasail or hang-glide.
Take a stargazer class or lesson. Complete! 12/2/2022
The Big Dipper, part of Ursa Major Constellation (the Great Bear) was clearly visible outside the window of our Dune Shack in Massachusetts
Learn to forage. Complete! 11/12/2022
Turkeytail mushroom on an oak log — just beautiful.
Be part of a TV audience.
Throw away/donate 30 things and do not replace them. Complete! 6/22/2024
Drink 60 ounces of water each day for a week. Complete! 1/10/2023
Try 5 new restaurants. Complete! 2/8/2023
~~Build deck onto conservatory.~~
Upgrade dollhouse castle. Complete! 6/19/2024
Ready for a new owner.
~~Paver patio around fire pit.~~
Clean up pond.
Paint shore house sheds.
The sheds at the shore house need a lick of paint.
See 5 theatrical productions. Complete! 5/3/2023
Put outdoor shower at shore house. We love ours at The Landing.
A soft rain shower falls from the showerhead at The Landing.
Install dual system — heating and air conditioning — in master bedroom in shore house.
Get together with Sister. Complete! 12/12/2024
Maine whale watching. Will be Complete! 9/14/2025
Visit Cylburn Arboretum. Complete! 5/17/2023
We were inspired by the split bamboo structures in the garden.
Egypt, pyramids, camel ride. Complete! 11/6/2023
Camels, pyramids and the Sahara Desert were included in our Egypt experience.
Have large painting appraised.
This painting should be valued by a pro.
Visit Yellowstone.
Visit Winterthur – Complete! 5/30/2023
I was fascinated by the koi ponds — my favorite area of Winterthur gardens.
Get rid of 101 items. Complete! 8/4/2024
Everything has been dispersed.
Host a dinner party for 8 (actually 12). Complete! 7/14/2023
When storms rolled through at party time we re-set up in the dining room.
Visit Longwood Gardens. Complete! 6/21/2023
The conservatory was a haven.
Go to the beach for a long weekend. Complete! 6/1/2024
Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts
Wash all the windows in the house. Complete! 9/2/2024
We have lots of windows.
Maintain my personal weight goal. Complete! 6/17/2024
Build a structure for trash cans and recycle bins.
Clear out the basement. Complete! 7/31/2024
I’m leaving the new owners tile that matches installed tile, paint for exterior of the house, and a short ladder to access valves and crawlspace.
Visit Vieques to see the bioluminescent bay Complete! 3/19/2023
A large Adirondack chair on the Malecon in Esperanza, Vieques, PR.
Take 3 Bible studies. Complete! 6/4/2023
Renovate Treetops bedroom. Complete! 6/20/2023
The Treetops room is ready for guests.
Celebrate 15^th wedding anniversary Complete! 9/12/2024
We celebrated in Turkiye.
Have a yard sale. Complete! 6/22/2024
Glad that’s over!
Sort out all frames. Complete! 10/11/2023
Go to dermatologist. Complete! 9/26/2023
Visit New England. Will be Complete! 9/12/2025
Work on genealogy family tree. Complete! 11/15/2022 This is one of those items I work on from time to time — it will never be fully finished.
Ride in a dog sled. Planned for March, 2026 in Norway.
Stay in a remote place with few services – Dune Shack Complete! 6/1/2024
The dune shacks at Cape Cod National Seashore are meant to be private places.
Unplug completely for a full day (no phone, no TV, no internet, no camera) Complete! 12/3/2023
Go on a road trip. Complete! 7/26/2023
A beautiful entrance hall in the French chateau style at Nemours. Over the fireplace “Aimer et Connaître” (to love and to know).
Declutter shed. Complete! 9/2/2024
I’ve been waiting a long time to see this counter cleared off.
Celebrate milestone birthday. Complete! 2/24/2023
We celebrated with a coffee morning get together.
Re-landscape front yard. Complete! 11/7/2022
A few tweaks and the foundation planting looks better
Try archery. Complete! 4/4/2023
We all tried.
Take an art history class. Complete! 12/8/2022
I learned about the valuable antiquities of Egypt, Greece, and Rome. (I saw Narmer Palette in Cairo.)
Visit friends who can’t get out. Complete! 1/1/2025
Try tai chi. Complete! 11/17/2022
We even tai chied on vacation.
Clear up/organize photos. So far I have just moved them to the new house.
Eat vegetarian for a week. Complete! 4/8/2023
Free up 10 hangersin my clothing closet. Complete! 5/12/2023
10 hangers ready for action
Send 10 handwritten cards for no special reason. Complete! 8/20/2023
Have ring appraised.
Get rid of 5 pairs of shoes. Complete! 3/9/2023
Now some of the shoes on the floor can be stored in a shoe cubby.
Go to a Chincoteague pony penning. Complete! 7/29/2025
Assateague ponies in the Chincoteague marsh.
Shred old files. And shred. And shred. Complete! 7/19/2024
Private