I just bought a bike! This one, to be exact:

I was looking for a bike with a “natural,” or upright, riding position (hunching over the handlebars in the normal position was always really uncomfortable for me). I also wanted to have at least a chance of keeping up with J and his road bike, so thin tires were a must. Trek describes this little number as a “true hybrid,” the “perfect marriage of toughness and efficiency.” I love it! It even has a bell! And it certainly has helped out with no. 13.

We’ve already taken short jaunts to the library and our local farmer’s market, as well as a longer, 12-mile ride on a nearby greenway. I bought a pair of these (the capri, not short, length, but the exact style doesn’t seem to be on the site) with biking in mind this weekend and love them. Now I’m dreaming of the perfect basket. Which is your favorite? Do you have any great online cycling sources I should know about?

1. Here
2. Here
3. Here
4. Here

As many of you know, I’m entering the third and final year of my 101 in 1001 challenge. It ends on September 28, 2010. I’d like to complete as many goals as possible before then, so to keep myself accountable, I’m reporting on my progress on the first of every month (or close to it!). I’ll tell you how many goals I’ve completed, how many goals are in progress, and which goals I’m going to be focusing on for the month.

So how did I do on my March goals? Umm, not particularly well…

Did I…
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3? Nope.
2. Read another faith-related book for no. 5. Yes! I read 24 Hours That Changed the World in a small group at church.
3. Pledge to my (new!) home church for no. 6. No, but I expected to join this month and didn’t. Soon!
4. Do no. 7. No. I actually forgot about this one!
5. Do no. 8. No.
6. Complete no. 35. YES! And it was AWESOME!
7. Do no. 53. Not yet.
8. Try no. 63. Nope.

Where am I now? 42 completed and 23 in progress.

Now before you write me off as a failure, know that I’m getting back on the horse! What will I be tackling in April? I will…

1. Complete no. 16. Does anyone have any experience with either site?
2. Read another classic for no. 27.
3. Memorize another poem for no. 28. April is National Poetry Month, after all!
4. Attempt no. 53. Again. I’m planning to switch to stretching in the middle of the day instead of in the morning, as that feels more beneficial to me.

And that’s that! I’m keeping things simple but hoping to complete even more than I’ve listed. See more details on any of these goals right here!

As many of you know, I’m entering the third and final year of my 101 in 1001 challenge. It ends on September 28, 2010. I’d like to complete as many goals as possible before then, so to keep myself accountable, I’m reporting on my progress on the first of every month (or close to it!). I’ll tell you how many goals I’ve completed, how many goals are in progress, and which goals I’m going to be focusing on for the month.

So how did I do on my February goals?

Did I…
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3? Yes! (II Kings + I Chronicles + II Chronicles)
2. Send one handwritten letter for no. 10? Yes!
3. Attempt to get safety certified for no. 20 and look into local builds? Not yet.
4. Read another classic for no. 27? Several chapters into Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Loved the movie, loving the book.
5. Memorize another poem for no. 28? Not yet.
6. Contribute to my IRA for no. 44? Yes!
7. Just do it already for no. 48? No. Apparently you need a doctor’s appointment to really figure this one out, and on top of that you need to have blood drawn. I have narrowed it down a bit, though, based on my parents’ types.
8. And — this is the big one — attempt to complete no. 59? I’m going to go ahead and say yes on this one. I didn’t actually get up at exactly the same time for the last month, but I did get up within 20 minutes of the same time for the last month (except maybe one or two Saturdays…). And we’ve committed to getting up earlier on a regular basis going forward, and, honestly, that was the point anyway. It feels so good!

Where am I now? 39 completed and 21 in progress.

So what will I be tackling in March? I will…
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3.
2. Read another faith-related book for no. 5.
3. Pledge to my (new!) home church for no. 6.
4. Do no. 7.
5. Do no. 8. I know I’ll probably feel awkward, but hopefully it will be worth it.
6. Complete no. 35. A frosting tutorial from a local expert is on the schedule!
7. Do no. 53. I’m hoping now that it’s warmer it’ll be easier.
8. Try no. 63… risky.

See more details on any of these goals right here!

As many of you know, I’m entering the third and final year of my 101 in 1001 challenge. It ends on September 28, 2010. I’d like to complete as many goals as possible before then, so to keep myself accountable, I’m reporting on my progress on the first of every month (or close to it!). I’ll tell you how many goals I’ve completed, how many goals are in progress, and which goals I’m going to be focusing on for the month.

So how did I do on my January goals?

Did I…
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3? Read two! (II Samuel + I Kings)
2. Send one more handwritten letter for no. 10? Yes! I sent another letter to my best pen pal Molly.
3. Buy a book of New York Times crosswords for no. 25? Not yet.
4. Look into local opportunities for mini internships for nos. 34-38? Yes! But unfortunately without much success. I did find one potential local letterpress printer, but their hours are 9-5, Monday through Friday, which is not exactly compatible with a full-time job. I also looked into adult education opportunities through my pretty amazing and reasonably priced local Parks & Rec department, and have my eye on two separate bookmaking courses, a papercutting course, an upholstery course, and an embroidering course.
5. Read another financial literacy book for no. 43? Yes! I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It was okay.
6. Post snack list for no. 45? Yes! It includes, among other things, hardboiled eggs, cheddar cheese and reduced-sodium Triscuits, popcorn with dark chocolate shavings, hummus and pita chips, clementines, and any combination of peanut butter and bananas.
7. Complete no. 57? Not yet. Man, this one is hard.
8. Research growing vegetables for no. 86? Yes! I figured out the last frost date for our area using the NCDC charts, I took notes on Martha’s growing tips, I decided on the varieties of tomato, lettuce, and (maybe) cucumber that I’d like to grow, and I ordered seeds from Seed Savers just in case I attempt to start the plants as seedlings.

Bonus! I completed no. 76 by making a loaf of bread from scratch (thanks to sister Kate and her KitchenAid Mixer!).

Where am I now? 35 completed and 23 in progress.

So what will I be tackling in February? I will…
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3.
2. Send one handwritten letter for no. 10.
3. Attempt to get safety certified for no. 20 and look into local builds.
4. Read another classic for no. 27.
5. Memorize another poem for no. 28.
6. Contribute to my IRA for no. 44.
7. Just do it already for no. 48.
8. And — this is the big one — attempt to complete no. 59.

See more details on any of these goals right here!