Thursday I cut off ten inches of hair to donate to Locks of Love. The last time I donated was over six years ago, two days before I went to the hospital to have Joe. I’m so glad to cut off all that hair!
Category Archives: 101 Things
101 Things in 1001 Days Challenge
Peace Out 2016
Like the vast majority of us, I feel that 2016 was . . . . a bitch of a year. I don’t really want to rehash all the stress and duress that filled up the calendar, but let’s just say Team Colley is very much looking forward to 2017.
This has been a pretty quiet place for 2016, something I hope to rectify in the new year. I miss this space and hope to make it more of a priority. I’ve been writing here since 2007 and I think that this year it was, by far, the least amount of posts.
I finished up my third round of “101 Things in 1001 Days” back in November and decided to hold off for the latest re-boot to coincide with New Year’s. I’ve updated the page with my new list, if your so inclined.
Wishing all of you only peace & love in 2017.
101 Things: Retired List (2/19/14-11/16/16)
The Mission: Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. This is my third attempt at this project, so this is a new list as of February 19, 2014. It includes some previous goal as well as some new ones. Wish me luck! The Criteria: Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part). Due Date: November 16, 2016.
001. Go to Stella & Dot’s Hoopla Event
002. Promote to Star Stylist
003. Earn enough money to take family on vacation
004. See 10 concerts:
- Musicians from Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute – 3/22/14
005. Go to a classical concert/opera with Roz
006. Go to a book reading event
007. Read 50 books:
- The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1)
- Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2)
- The Goldfinch
- Frog Music
- Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy #1)
- Authority (Southern Reach Trilogy #2)
- Positive Intelligence
- The Fault in Our Stars
- The Vacationers
- Mistborn (The Mistborn Trilogy #1)
- The Well of Ascension (The Mistborn Trilogy #2)
- The Hero of Ages (The Mistborn Trilogy #3)
- The Double Bind
- We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
- Acceptance (Southern Reach Trilogy #3)
- The Fire Seekers (Babel Trilogy #1)
- A Tale for the Time Being: A Novel
- We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
- The Kitchen House
- A Tale For the Time Being
- Yes, Please
- The Bassoon King
- The Girl on the Train
- #Girlboss
- The Martian
- When Breath Becomes Air
- The Nightingale
- The Passage
- All the Birds in the Sky
- The Passage (The Passage Trilogy 1)
- The Twelve (The Passage Trilogy 2)
- The City of Mirrors (The Passage Trilogy 3)
- Homegoing
- Find Your Extrordinary
- The Steerswoman (Steerswoman 1)
- The Outskirter’s Secret (Steerswoman 2)
- The Lost Steersman (Steerswoman 3)
- The Language of Power (Steerswoman 4)
- The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo
- Wool Omnibus (Silo Series Book 1)
- Shift Omnibus (Silo Series Book 2)
- Dust (Silo Series Book 3)
- Beacon 23
- Yellow Crocus
- The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Stories
008. Visit Madison, WI
010. See 25 movies:
- The Imitation Game (1/3/2015)
- American Sniper (1/18/2015)
- Jurassic World (Summer 15)
- Spectre (11/12/15)
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/23/15)
011. Go on Chicago Architectural Tour
012. Lincoln Park Zoo
013. Rent a cabin
014. Go to 10 different museums:
- Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art
- DuPage Children’s Museum
- Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
- Morton Arboretum
- Frederick Meijers Gardens
015. Teach Joe how to swim (taking swim lessons)
016.Teach Joe how to read
017. Get Joe potty trained
018. Commission painting of Walter
019. Get Joe a passport
020. Go to The Morton Arboretum
021. Buy a higher quality sewing machine
022. Teach someone to knit
023. Make a pie for Pi day (3/14)
024. Get certified in CPR
025. Start golfing again
026. Join a yoga studio
027. Finish a 5K
028. Go fishing
029. Go camping
030. Go canoeing
031. Go to Great America
032. Find a reliable babysitter for JWC
033. Get a home safe
034. Participate in March of Dimes Walk again
035. Get a safety deposit box
036. Find doctors/dentist for Joe
037. Find a new church to attend
039. Make a will
041. Organize and edit digital photo library
042. Find new doctors/dentist for Shawn and myself
043. Get a massage
044. Get a facial
045. Take Shawn on a surprise trip
046. See all Academy Award Best Picture Nominees before the awards show.
047. Take Joe to see a parade
048. Get personalized stationery
051. Go to a Chicago Bears game
052. Go to a Chicago Cubs game
053. Go to NorthernGRADE
054. Go to a Chicago Blackhawks game
055. Go to a Kane County Cougars game
056. Complete Couch to 5K
057. Go iceskating
058. Take a cooking class
059. Host a beer/wine tasting
060. Get window treatments for master bedroom
061. Find local non-profit to volunteer
062. Knit preemie caps/blankets and donate
063. Make a quilt(s) to donate to a worthy cause
064. Make another quilt for Joe
065. Make a quilt for nephew
066. Make ice cream using a recipe from Jeni’s cook book.
067. Get couch for master bedroom sitting area
068. Create cookbook of family recipes
069. Cook 10 things from Mastering the Art of French Cooking
070. Cook 10 things from 1080 Cook Book
071. Make pasta from scratch
072. Host a cookie exchange
073. Go to a wine tasting
074. Host a potluck
075. Visit a country I’ve never visited before
076. Go to the drive-in
077. Go to a National Park
078. Go strawberry picking
079. Make strawberry jam
080. Go apple picking
081. Make applesauce
082. Go to a county fair
083. Join a CSA
084. Join or start a book club
085. Go back to Hawaii
087. Get all artwork framed and displayed
088. Use Aveda points to go on vacation (I have enough!)
089. Go to Las Vegas
090. Have a girls weekend
091. Have a dinner party
092. Plan a surprise party
093. Plant a garden
094. Get a bike
095. Get a play set for Joe
096. Have Family Christmas party
097. Figure out what to do with Instagram photos
098. Plant a tree for the twins
099. Get a tattoo in memory of the twins
100. Put $10 into savings for every completed item
101. Donate $10 for every completed item
101 Things: 9. Go to the Brookfield Zoo
This past Sunday Shawn and I took Joseph to the Brookfield Zoo. I have not been there since I was a kid, so it was a bit of a surreal experience. I must admit, it isn’t quite as amazing as the Columbus Zoo, but Columbus was recently voted one of the best zoos in America – plus it has Jack Hannah!
Anyways, back to our Brookfield trip. It was a gorgeous day on Sunday, perfect fall weather. Perfect for walking around outside and checking out the animals, fountains, and carousel. Plus, there was barely anyone there because of the Bears v. Packers fiasco game was going on.
Joe loved the carousel, we went on it once in the beginning and again right before we left. He like checking out the giraffes and walking through the primate exhibit, however I think his favorite was playing on the playground equipment and going to the children’s zoo exhibit.
I was excited to carry on a Torto family tradition by getting him a figure from the Mold-A-Rama machine to bring home. I remember getting them when we were little, Roz has gone with Luke and he has quite a collection at this point, now we can work on Joe’s.
I’m looking forward to taking him there again in the future, plus going to Lincoln Park Zoo sometime as well.
101 Things: 40. Get a Library Card
A couple of weeks ago, I went to the St. Charles Library and got myself and Joseph library cards. Its a great local library that is a five minute drive away from the house. I’m looking forward to taking Joe to some of their story-time programs. He loves to look at books and be read to, so I hope this turns into a love for reading as he gets older.
101 Things: 1. Go to Hoopla
A few weeks ago, I attended Stella & Dot’s national sales conference in Orlando. It’s called Hoopla and I can definitely say it lived up to its name. Imagine over 3000 women getting together to learn, celebrate, and support one another. It was such a great experience and so much fun! While at Hoopla, the new fall line kicked off with an amazing fashion show, we learned about a new collaboration with the non-profit organization, Every Mother Counts, and we had tons of great training on how to build our business.
I was truly amazed at the sense of camaraderie and friendship among my fellow stylists. It felt more like a family reunion/wedding reception than a work conference. What struck me is the lack of competition and cattiness. Everyone is so supportive and welcoming and wanting to help you be the best you can. Pretty great stuff, considering that sometimes women can than gracious in that area.
I could bore you with all the details, but I think I’ll just give you my big take away and share what my new goals have become for this adventure.
1. I’ve realized that I have really missed my Stella & Dot business these past months while dealing with the move and living with my parents. It motivates, challenges, and thrills me in a way that can’t be replicated by being a mother and wife. It helps me remember who I am as a person and makes me better in other areas of my life.
2. I need to get over being afraid and making excuses. I’ve been holding myself back by using this move and relocation as a reason that I am not succeeding in my business. I have to make it a priority because I will only get out of it what I put in it.
3. I am setting a goal of having 15 trunk shows and building a team to gain the rank of STAR stylist by the end of 2014. This is huge, but they say that if you’re goals don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough!***
***This is going to be a lot of work, luckily I have the world’s best support/cheerleader with Shawn. I couldn’t even dream of this without him.
101 Things: 84. Join or start a book club
Mom started up a book club this winter with some neighbors and friends from school and asked me to become a member. I’ve been participating for the past few months and its been fun. I’ve enjoyed discussing books with others – reading can be such a solitary pursuit – and hearing such similar/different points of view regarding the same material. I’ve also been branching out to different authors and genres that I might have passed over. Some I’ve enjoyed, some not, but either way its been great to stretch out and try new things.
I still hope to start/join a book club that is a little closer to the genres I enjoy. It would be great to be able to discuss and dissect something like Annihilation or The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
101 Things in 1001 Days: Round Three
This will be the third time I’ve participated in 101 Things in 1001 Days. Its so interesting how your focus and interests change over time. I started my previous list on May 24th, 2011. I was living in Wisconsin and was not yet pregnant. I didn’t have any idea the roller coaster that was to come with moving, the twins, Joseph,moving again. I was focused on my Etsy shop, knitting and starting to think about learning to sew and make a quilt. Amazing how much has changed. I’m looking forward to starting anew with this list and to see what life will bring over these next 1001 days.
Here’s my new list, I’ll be updating my official 101 Things page soon, but thought you’d like to see the old one to compare. Let me know if you want to join me this time around!
001. Go to Stella & Dot’s Hoopla Event
002. Promote to Star Stylist
003. Earn enough money to take family on vacation
004. See 10 concerts:
005. Go to a classical concert/opera with Roz
006. Go to a book reading event
007. Read 50 books:
008. Join the Chicago Art Institute
009. Join the Brookfield Zoo
010. See 25 movies:
011. Go on Chicago Architectural Tour
012. Go to Lincoln Park Zoo
013. Rent a cabin
014. Go to 10 different museums:
015. Teach Joe how to swim (with professional help)
016.Teach Joe how to read
017. Get Joe potty trained
018. Commission painting of Walter
019. Get Joe a passport
020. Have a picnic
021. Buy a higher quality sewing machine
022. Teach someone to knit
023. Make a pie for Pi day (3/14)
024. Get certified in CPR
025. Start golfing again
026. Join a yoga studio
027. Finish a 5K
028. Go fishing
029. Go camping
030. Go canoeing
031. Go to Great America
032. Find a reliable babysitter for JWC
033. Get a home safe
034. Donate to Locks of Love again
035. Get a safety deposit box
036. Find doctors/dentist for family
037. Find a new church to attend
038. Take Joe to the beach
039. Make a will
040. Get a library card
041. Organize and edit digital photo library
042. Teach myself how to crochet
043. Get a massage
044. Get a facial
045. Read 50 books:
046. See all Academy Award Best Picture Nominees before the awards show.
047. Take Joe to see a parade
048. Get personalized stationery
049. Get new business cards
050. Get address stamp made
051. Go to a Chicago Bears game
052. Go to a Chicago Cubs game
053. Go to NorthernGRADE
054. Go to a Chicago Blackhawks game
055. Go to a Kane County Cougars game
056. Complete Couch to 5K
057. Go iceskating
058. Take a cooking class
059. Host a beer tasting
060. Go to 30 movies:
061. Find local non-profit to volunteer
062. Knit preemie caps/blankets and donate
063. Make a quilt(s) to donate to a worthy cause
064. Make another quilt for Joe
065. Make a quilt for nephew
066. Make ice cream using a recipe from Jeni’s cook book.
067. Host a wine tasting party
068. Create cookbook of family recipes
069. Cook 10 things from Mastering the Art of French Cooking
070. Cook 10 things from 1080 Cook Book
071. Make pasta from scratch
072. Host a cookie exchange
073. Go to a wine tasting
074. Host a potluck
075. Visit a country I’ve never visited before
076. Go to the drive-in
077. Go to a National Park
078. Go strawberry picking
079. Make strawberry jam
080. Go apple picking
081. Make applesauce
082. Go to a county fair
083. Join a CSA
084. Join or start a book club
085. Go back to Hawaii
086. Fly somewhere with Joe
087. Get all artwork framed and displayed
088. Use Aveda points to go on vacation (I have enough!)
089. Go to Las Vegas
090. Have a girls weekend
091. Have a dinner party
092. Plan a surprise trip
093. Plant a garden
094. Get a bike
095. Clean up track information in iTunes
096. Have Family Christmas party
097. Figure out what to do with Instagram photos
098. Plant a tree for the twins
099. Get a tattoo in memory of the twins
100. Put $10 into savings for every completed item
101. Donate $10 for every completed item
101 Things: Getting It Done!
044. Unpack all books/photos/artwork in basement
This was accomplished by Shawn and I to prep for the garage sale we had back in September. No more boxes! Woot!
049. Get new business cards
Hello, my name is Samantha Colley, Independent Stylist for Stella & Dot. Please, take my card.
054. Go to a Columbus Blue Jackets game
Watched CBJ lose to the Bruins. Highlight was watching Charra on the ice, he’s 7ft 4 in in skates!
097. Replace back deck
Thank you, handy man!
084. Renovate the master bathroom
Didn’t go with the full renovation, but we got rid of that god-awful carpeting and replaced it with tile. Looks like a day spa in there now!
101 Things: 50. Purchase address stamp
I know this might seem fairly trivial, but I’ve been wanting a personalized address stamp for quite some time. I am rather tired of using the “free” labels that I receive from donating to certain charities, so I did some research and decided to purchase one fromLemon Tree Paper Co. This husband and wife team, based in Nashville, create some amazing custom stationery, party invitations, and stamps. I only wish that they were around back when I was planning our wedding.
I chose the Remington style for our address (see above) I love the combination of fonts and how the design reads both modern and contemporary. Plus “The Colleys” just sounds awesome, right?
I decided to go with a hand stamp rather than a self-inking one (they other both options) so I could change inks based on what I was addressing -I’m already dreaming about using metallic ink for Christmas cards and red for Valentine’s Day. Plus, it will make paying the bills a little bit less painful when I get to use this lovely stamp to address those nasty tasting envelopes.
photos courtesy of Lemon Tree Paper Co.
Widdershins 