12/11/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (8/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 11, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – overcast & hazy, high will be 58 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:12am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: National App Day & National Noodle Ring Day

 

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Holiday Dinner – 12/10/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (7/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 10, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – cloudy, high will be 57 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:12am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: Human Rights Day, Dewey Decimal System Day, & National Lager Day

Tonight I attended an Annual Holiday dinner with my nonprofit / service club – Active 20-30 Club of Greater Sacramento #1032. This is a fun evening to get together and socialize with current and past members. It’s always to short of a time to chat with everyone. We also get a visit from a “bad” santa that hands out gifts to a few people, pretty funny what script he reads from has to say about them.

past members that were there

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Chocolate Covered Strawberries – 12/09/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (6/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 9, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – cloudy, high will be 60 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:11am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: National Pastry Day

Okay so this is not a pastry, but it’s a treat. Walked around the mall the other day and got so tired of the crowd and frustrated in not finding just that “perfect” gift. Going by the window display and saw the chocolate dipped strawberries. I decided I deserved a treat to relieve this stress. Godiva chocolate is tasty and it was definitely a treat with the strawberries. Haven’t had chocolate cover strawberries in a long while.

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Music Monday 01

I grabbed a list from a site regarding the 1,001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Hopefully it’s an accurate list. I’m going to try to get through list in one year, which would be about twenty songs each week. I will be creating this Music Monday Playlist to share which songs I will be listening to, for the week.

1. 96 Tears – ? and the Mysterians (released 1966, album “96 Tears”, Garage Rock, Pop Rock, Psychedelic Rock)
2. Voices Carry – ‘Til Tuesday (released 1985, album “Voices Carry”, Pop, New Wave)
3. Because the Night – 10,000 Maniacs (released 1993, album “MTV Unplugged”, Alternative Rock, Folk Rock, Soft Rock)
4. Dear Mama – 2Pac (released 1995, album “Me Against the World”, Hip hop)
5. Bonita Applebum – A Tribe Called Quest (released 1990, album “People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm”, Alternative hip hop, Jazz, Rap)
6. More Than a Woman – Aaliyah (released 2001, album “Aaliyah”, Pop, electoro, hip hop)
7. Dancing Queen – Abba (released 1976, album “Arrival”, Disco, Europop, Euro Disco)
8. Voulez-Vous – Abba (released 1979, album “Volulez-Vous”, Disco, Europop, Euro Disco)
9. The Winner Takes It All – Abba (released 1980, album “Super Trouper”, Disco, Europop, Euro Disco)
10. Whole Lotta Rosie – AC/DC (released 1977, album “Let There Be Rock”, Hard Rock, Rock and Roll)
11. Back in Black – AC/DC (released 1980, album “Back in Black”, Hard Rock, Rock and Roll)
12. Kings of the Wild Frontier – Adam & The Ants (released 1980, album “Kings of the Wild Frontier”, Post Punk, New Wave)
13. Walk This Way – Aerosmith (released 1975, album “Toys in the Attic”, Hard Rock, Funk Rock)
14. The Sun Always Shines on T.V. – A-ha (released 1985, album “Hunting High and Low”, Synth-pop, pop rock, new wave)
15. Save Me – Aimee Mann (released 1999, album “Magnolia” Soundtrack, Contemporary folk)
16. Kelly Watch the Stars – Air (released 1998, album “Moon Safari”, Space pop, chillout)
17. Tired of Being Alone – Al Green (released 1971, album “Al Green Gets Next to You”, Soul)
18. The Snake – Al Wilson (released 1968, first released as single only, Soul)
19. Woke Up This Morning – Alabama 3 (released 1997, album “Exile on Coldharbour Lane”, Electronica, acid jazz, trip hop)
20. You Oughtta Know – Alanis Morissette (released 1995, album “Jagged Little Pill”, Alternative Rock, Post-grunge)

12/08/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (5/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 8, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – mostly sunny, high will be 63 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:10am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: National Brownie Day & Pretend to be a Time Traveler Day

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Remembering Pearl Harbor – 12/07/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (4/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 7, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – partly sunny, high will be 64 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:09am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Rhubarb Vodka Day, & Skywarn Recognition Day

My mom and I went to see Midway in the theater. I told my mom that we should go see it as part of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The movie starts with the attack at Pearl Harbor and shows events leading up to, and the battle at Midway. It is interesting to read about the general strategy and events, but it really hits home with the personal stories. Things like this should definitely not be forgotten.

 

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese – 12/06/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (3/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 6, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – mostly sunny, high will be 66 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:08am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: Microwave Oven Day & St Nicholas Day

I wasn’t feeling all that great today. When my body gets achy, it’s usually fighting a flu virus, especially this time of year. I had also been craving tomato soup and grilled cheese. Stopped by Panera Bread for dinner (I know, it doesn’t beat homemade, but I wasn’t in the mood to cook). Eating this and watching a sappy Hallmark Christmas movie was perfect way to end the day.

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Fall Leaves – 12/05/2019

Challenge: Journaling for 100 days. (2/100) #100HappyDays

Daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 5, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – partly cloudy, high will be 61 degrees.
Sunrise: 7:07am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: National Repeal Day (end of Prohibition), International Ninja Day, Bathtub Party Day, & International Volunteer Day

One of the “bucketlist” things to do is jump in a pile of leaves. I’m not sure I really want to do that, the leaves could be wet, have bugs, etc. I did take a photo trying for a little artistic viewpoint with the tree in front of the house. Loving the fall colored leaves.

Would you jump / have you jumped into a big pile of leaves?

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

100 Days of Writing Something

I have been reading people’s posts about their participation in “Blogmas” or “December Daily” challenges. These are to get people posting each day for December, and can be Christmas (or other Winter Holiday related) or create their own month-long theme. I got inspired to do something similar but expand on the idea, especially as I have been trying to get motivated to post more moments on my own blog.

I decided to use the 100 Happy Days Challenge and start journaling daily for 100 days. This blog has perfect for me to record new experiences for me to be able to look back at. I’d like to add a few daily details I’d like to remember for the fun of it. Little things, such as the weather for the day, sunrise, sunset, any National or International theme days I’d like to recognize, and maybe a photo-a-day. I want to find some journal topics to write on for the 100, as well as any “thing to do before dying” memorable moment.

Cheers to journaling for 100 days. (1/100)

Here are some of the daily things I plan to record:
Date: December 4, 2019
Weather: in Sacramento, California – 55 degrees & rainy
Sunrise: 7:07am & Sunset: 4:43pm
National / International themed Days I’d like to recognize: National Cookie Day, National Sock Day, and International Cabernet Franc Wine Day

Have you participated in Blogmas, December Daily (a small section of Project Life), or the 100 Happy Days Challenges?

Ideas for Journal prompts?

Enjoy a Fluffernutter Sandwich

Every once in a while, I will take a look at the National and International days to see what is being celebrated / observed / remembered. Each day, and month, has several officially recognized days and some of them just seem so odd that I either laugh or scratch my head and wonder why. October 8th is recognized as National Fluffernutter Day.  A simple enough food item, but it’s one I’ve never had. Now, it’s just bread, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff. I have always loved peanut butter, but haven’t been all that fond of marshmallow.

Being on this “let’s try new things” attitude, I figured I’d give it a try.  Made it as a snack one afternoon, and it tasted okay. I didn’t have a “oh my, this is soooo yummy!!!” moment. At least now I can say I have given it a taste. Need to figure out what to do with the rest of the marshmallow fluff.

Have you had fluffernutter sandwiches?

Things to Do in the Fall Season

Saying there’s a seasonal change in the year is nice in that it breaks up the year. It gives you things to look forward to doing that’s related to that part of the year. Stuff that you do each year that have become traditions, and new things you are wanting to accomplish and experience. Fall season is my favorite, with the changes of colors in the leaves, and my birthday month of October. Some of the following things I’m looking forward to are traditions and some new experiences to try.

• Watch 31 Halloween-ish movies from the “1001 Movies to Watch Before you Die” List
• Apple Hill road trip (located around Camino, California)
• Apple donuts, apple juice, apple pie, apples, pumpkin donuts, pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream
• hiking, see the colorful foliage
• pumpkin patch, pick a pumpkin, carve a jack-o-lantern
• corn maze (located in Dixon, California)
• pumpkin flavored food hunt (not pumpkin spice)
• Hayride
• Fall Festivals
• mountain mandarin festival, in November (located in Auburn, California)
• Pizza, go to a new place (October is pizza month)
• fall picnic
• Make some fall recipes
• Fall themed music playlists (Halloween one for sure)

Items listed in the “2001 things to do” book

• order yourself a birthday cake (birthday in October)
• be the guest of honor at your own party
• build a birdhouse
• roast marshmallows in your backyard
• pick, then bob for apples
• have a Halloween bonfire with hot apple cider
• See a ghost
• levitate someone
• have a séance
• work at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving
• learn the Rocky Horror Picture Show routine by heart
• walk knee-deep in maple leaves
• learn to carve a turkey like a chef
• buy a perfect tomato from a farm stand and eat it like an apple
• bake the best apple pie
• Sing Christmas carols around the middle of August
• Have a cookout that ends with S’mores
• Tell ghost stories in a pitch-black room
• Develop your own recipe for chili
• Exorcise demons
• jump into a big pile of leaves
• Cast a spell
• Spring clean in October
• Carve a smiling jack-o-lantern
• Sleep with a ghost in the room
• Cruise the backwoods of Vermont between Oct 7 and Oct 14
• gather a bunch of friends for a Halloween hayride
• perform an exorcism
• study witchcraft

Any other fun things to add for the Fall season?

That was a memorable day

I am looking over my online journal here (aka a blog), and I realize I don’t really think of my lists and my stories as checking things off a bucket list. Sure it’s an easy term, and makes for a good check list or goal list, but I’m NOT trying to check things off just to get it down once before I die. I want to use the lists I find to help keep life interesting. If you have a plan and go experience these things you want to do, at least once, then you won’t feel bored. You have that memorable moment in your life. Thinking of moments, it brings to mind a snippet I grabbed when reading Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

That’s what I want my journal to be; those moments of life, big or small, experiences, new things, adventures, or goals reached. Plus, it has been fun taking photos and writing up the memories as I check off the item in a list.

Autumn Feels

Been a moment or two since I last posted in here. With it being officially Autumn (even if you cannot tell by the weather temperatures, 92 degrees in Sacramento, California as I write this) I think it is a perfect time to write up some fall things to do. That will hopefully help get me motivated and/or inspired to check some list items. At least to keep life interesting and not a same old work/home routine rut that I find myself currently doing

What’s your go-to things to do in the Fall?

On the Bookshelf: In Cold Blood

read about this challenge and see the full list here

Title: In Cold Blood
Author: Truman Capote
Publication Date: 1966
Country: USA
Genre: Non-Fiction / True Crime
Pages: 343

Synopsis: On November 15, 1959, in the small town of Holcomb, Kansas, four members of the Clutter family were savagely murdered by blasts from a shotgun held a few inches from their faces. There was no apparent motive for the crime, and there were almost no clues.

As Truman Capote reconstructs the murder and the investigation that led to the capture, trial, and execution of the killers, he generates both mesmerizing suspense and astonishing empathy. In Cold Blood is a work that transcends its moment, yielding poignant insights into the nature of American violence.

My Book Report: Very different from the type of fiction I normally read. This was pretty good. “In Cold Blood is regarded by critics as a pioneering work in the true crime genre” Now I can watch the movie.

The List: 100 Ways to Shake Up Your Life

book by Gail Belsky

Get a tattoo, ride in a fire truck, or use food as foreplay—in short, get out there and shake things up! Fun, inspirational, and incredibly motivating, The List offers one hundred ideas—ranging from challenging to outrageous—for women who have been craving a little novelty in their lives.

With instructions and inspirational stories from women who have risen to the challenge, The List will excite, scare, and push readers to do something they’ve always dreamed of, or better yet, to do something they’ve never dared consider. Whether it’s writing a novel, running a marathon, or taking on a lover, The List delivers what many women are missing—taste of adventure and a light kick in the butt. (description from Amazon.com)

1. Write a novel
2. Do a triathlon
3. Strip
4. Catch a big fish
5. Learn a foreign language
6. Witness childbirth
7. Join an ambulance crew
8. Learn to surf
9. Audition for something nerve-racking
10. Join a relief effort
11. Get a tattoo (or a piercing)
12. Enter a poker tournament
13. Run for office
14. Brew your own beer
15. Do a polar bear swim
16. Drastically change your hairstyle
17. Bake a wedding cake
18. Go horseback riding, bareback style
19. Launch your own website
20. Join a cattle drive
21. Build your own piece of furniture
22. Organize a rally
23. Get hypnotized
24. Learn trapeze
25. Go commando
26. Visit an ashram
27. Shoot a gun
28. Record your own music
29. Buy yourself a sex toy
30. Take a lover
31. Hike Machu Picchu
32. Have nude pictures taken
33. Have a cosmetic surgery procedure
34. Drive over 100 miles per hour
35. Learn an exotic dance
36. Swim with sea creatures
37. Dive off a cliff
38. Sneak backstage
39. Spelunk
40. Create a sacred space
41. Learn to sail
42. Take up an instrument
43. Leave your marriage
44. Start your own business
45. Ask someone out
46. Make over a room
47. Hire a personal shopper
48. Make a big move
49. Conquer a fear
50. Skydive
51. Eat something really weird
52. Become a bartender or sommelier
53. Tell someone to screw off
54. Take singing lessons
55. Switch careers/go back to school
56. Learn to box
57. Get a makeover
58. Buy something outrageously expensive
59. Escape (for the day, weekend, or week)
60. Kiss a total stranger
61. Bike across America
62. play in the snow
63. Ride in a fire truck
64. Watch porn
65. Skinny dip
66. Break a long-held tradition
67. Join the Peace Corps
68. Plan a girls’ vacation
69. Learn survival skills
70. Paint your house a wild color
71. Try high-stakes gambling
72. Play ice hockey
73. Throw an all-girls party
74. Make a sex tape
75. Learn to drive
76. Lie about something
77. Go topless
78. Scuba dive
79. Get a Brazilian wax
80. Use food as foreplay
81. start a charity
82. Find love online
83. Go to Burning man
84. Plan and prepare a seduction dinner
85. Quit smoking
86. Read the classics
87. Blow glass
88. Get a pilot’s license
89. Spend 24 hours in bed
90. Lose 50+ pounds
91. Take a year off
92. Have a baby late in life
93. Live with less
94. Mount an art exhibit
95. Find religion
96. Bungee jump
97. Sleep with a younger man
98. Buy a negligee
99. Blow off the day
100. Make your own list