Not the most exciting one on the list, but definitely one that was needed. Shawn and I finally met with our financial advisor and set things up. This is something separate from the stuff Shawn has at through work, he’ll still contribute to that, instead this is another venue to help us plan for our future. Very adult, don’t you think? 


I have to admit that I’ve been pretty much set up with my new studio since the end of June, but still working on the finishing touches. But since I’ll soon be refocusing my attention to the nursery, I thought I should share and cross this off my list.

I decided that I would commandeer this spare bedroom as my own as soon as we bought the house. I was stuffed down in the basement in Wisconsin and I hated being down there even though it was a walk out with great windows to the back yard. I was far away from the rest of the house and it was cold down there! This room is the smallest of the bedrooms, so it is quite cozy while still giving me plenty of room to spread out. I love the giant window that looks out over the trees in the front of the house. My one complaint is that we have carpeting -white!!- in here and I am paranoid about spilling on it. Shawn seems to think it is only a matter of time, but so far so good!

We went to IKEA and purchased some EXPEDIT shelving units, parts to make a desk/worktable from the VIKA system, and a BEDDINGE sofa bed. Shawn was AMAZING at helping me with the assembly. It was actually pretty easy with the both of us working together. Score another one for Team Colley!

I decided to keep it simple and go with white for the furniture, I knew that all of my supplies and accessories would give the room enough pop and I didn’t want it overwhelming. I kind of wish that I would have painted the walls – they’re the original off-white from when we moved in- but I think that once I get more up on them I won’t mind so much.

So that’s it, Widdershins has finally found an official home. I am so happy and excited to have my own special space to create. It’s really a dream come true.

(Please click over to the full post to see more pictures.)

I have been keeping an address book for as long as I can remember. I think that this possibly stems from my obsession with lists. I know that most people these days keep this information on their phones or computers (I have them stored there as well) but for some reason I need to have it on paper. In some instances, it is actually easier to flip through the address book than scrolling through your phone. Writing invitations or Christmas cards, for example. I’ve had the same address book for quite some years now and it has probably needed to retire for some time. However, finding a replacement was a process. I wanted something that had a hard cover and plenty of room for additional addresses in the future. I also wanted something that would look good laying out on the desk or counter, as it inevitably ends up there. After a bit of a search, I found exactly what I was looking for . . . the Moleskine address book! I already use them for notebooks for my art and knitting projects as well as carrying small one in my purse. I got this one in red to differentiate it from the many others floating about the house. I just finished transferring all the addresses last week, an arduous task, and I know that I won’t have to do it again for many more years now that I have this guy!

I just completed another task on my 101 Things by teaching myself “magic loop” knitting. This fabulous technique allows you to create a small tube such as the leg of a sock, on one circular needle! By taking advantage of the flexible cable on a circular needle, you have an alternative to knitting a sock or a sleeve on double point needles (DPNs). It is a truly wonderful concept, so much easier and faster! I was pretty intimidated at first, but this tutorial really helped me a ton. I can’t wait to try it out again on another project!

A couple of weeks ago I bit the bullet and bought a new set of golf clubs. I’ve had the same set since high school, and after . . . ahem . . . 18 years they are beyond ready to put out to pasture. I got a super deal on a set of Maxfli Fires from Dicks, a fairly decent set to start hacking away again.

Since then, Shawn and I have hit the driving range and have played a few times at the club. I’ve decided at this point to not keep score, it will help keep my frustration level down and let me focus on just getting back into the swing of things. (Insert groan here.) I have to admit that I was surprised how much I missed playing. It’s been years and I regret letting it get away from me. I used to be fairly decent and it is hard to start over. I’m just trying to have fun and have some patience with myself. I know that the more I play, the better I can get.

I also have to say that I am really enjoying being able to play with Shawn. It is a sport that we can both enjoy together. I can’t run with him, I have to sprint the entire time to keep pace due to my short legs, and he’s not into yoga so this is a great way to spend time together. My goal is to be able to beat him at a match by the end of the summer. (Sorry, honey, but I think that this is a reasonable goal.) I’ll report back and let you know how it goes.

Well, I completed the first thing on my list. Funnily enough, it was 1. Overhaul Etsy Site. I updated the images with my new logos, updated my profile, shipping information, and added a few items for sale. I’m pretty happy with how it turned out so far. I’ve decided that I’m not going to be adding too many more items to the shop until I have enough stock for NorthernGRADE. Now I have to get back to knitting!

Well, my first attempt at the 101 Things in 1001 Days project ended back in April. I wasn’t able to complete my list, so I decided that I’d give it another go. I’ve updated my list, rewriting some and replacing others, and will reboot the project effective today. I’ll continue to write posts when I complete an item and you can always check on my progress on the ‘101 things’ link above. Wish me luck!

After some inspiration from a friend and fellow blogger, I have decided to participate in 101 things in 1001 days. To to quote my 101 mentor, “Life’s about the journey right? So it’s good to shake shit up here and there.”

And that, folks, is what I am trying to do. As you all know, I am a list making maestro, so I am hoping that this will challenge me to expand and explore my horizons a bit and help me figure out what I “want to do” in the next phase in my life. I have decided to work on this list and will promise to record my triumphs and failures. If you are interested in making a list of your own, check out the above link for ideas.

Here is a copy of my list, but I have also added a “to do list” page to keep it a bit easier to keep track. My deadline is April 11, 2011. Wish me luck!

MUSIC
001. Organize CDs
002. Organize and back up itunes library
003. See four local concerts a year (0/4 for 2008)
004. See four concerts in Chicago a year (0/4 for 2008)
005. Go to a classical concert with Roz.

ART/CREATIVE
006. Relearn Photo Shop
007. Join the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art
008. Take a pottery class at Lakeside Pottery Center
009. Log minimum of 10 hours a week doing art in some form
010. Enter an art show
011. Post artwork on blog
012. Learn how to knit
013. Go to the Chicago Museum of Contemporary Art and The Chicago Art Institute twice a year.
014. Scan parents photos and make into album for myself and siblings
015. Collect recipes from family and organize into one cookbook
016. Refinish dresser that is a Mom’s house
017. Repaint vanity
018. Make new skirt for vanity
019. Figure out sewing machine
020. Take a cake decorating class
021. Make t-shirt on cafepress.com
022. Buy a good camera and learn how to use it
023. Make one item of clothing that I can actually wear out
024. Organize, scan, frame photos

HEALTH
025. Find an optometrist and have eye exam
026. Work out a minimum of 3x a week
027. Finish a 5K
028. Go down 2 clothing sizes (0/2)
029. Take vitamins every day
030. Get a massage

FINANCIAL
031. Put $5 in savings for every task completed and $10 for every one not completed
032. Open a CD
033. Open a separate savings account for long-term savings
034. Start contributing to our IRA each month
035. Get a safety deposit box
036. Update homeowner’s insurance with valuables
037. check our credit reports twice a year
038. Pay off all credit cards by Dec. 2009

READING/WRITING
039. Read 5 "classics" (0/5)
040. Use Middleton Library
041. Organize book collection
042. Write a letter to a magazine about an article I read
043. Read 10 books recommended from others (0/10)
044. Read 50 books each year (0/50 for 2008)
045. Update Shelfari account
046. Send a postcard once a month to a friend (0/8 for 2008)
047. Write a letter once a month to a friend (0/8 for 2008)
048. Read the Sunday NYT, every article, cover-to-cover

ENTERTAINMENT 
049. Go to a Bears game
050. Go to a Cubs game
051. Go to The Hideout again
052. Go to 8 movies a year (0/8 for 2008)
053. See a movie at an IMAX theatre
054. Go to Lollapalooza
055. Go to Six Flags Great America
056. Go camping
057. Take each sibling out to dinner – separately (0/3)
058. Go check out the DeJope Casino
059. Watch 100 movies from Netflix (0/100)

GIVING BACK
060. Donate 1 million grains of rice on freerice.com ( 0/1,000,000)
061. Find local non-profit to volunteer
062. Make an effort to compliment someone at least once a week
063. Hand make a gift for someone
064. Commit 50 random acts of kindness (0/50)

FOOD/WINE
065. Try out one new recipe a month
066. Keep track of wines I like
067. Start wine collection
068. Can tomatoes
069. Bake something once a month
070. Organize recipes and copy on disc
071. Make pasta from scratch
072. Host a cookie exchange
073. Learn how to make Mom’s pie crust

TRAVEL/ADVENTURE
074. Try out 10 new restaurants in Madison a year (0/8 for 2008)
075. Visit a country I’ve never visited before
076. Explore 5 new places in Wisconsin (0/5)
077. Go explore alone: Middleton, Madison, Chicago . . .
078. Plan a road trip
079. Plan a girls weekend getaway
080. Go to DisneyWorld
081. Go back to Mexico
082. Go to the zoo

HOME
083. Blinds for the entire house
084. New bed, king size – and new bedding
085. Get kitchen table and chairs
086. Get office furniture
087. Get a grill for Shawn
088. Patio furniture

SOCIAL
089. Contact and old friend that I’ve lost touch with
090. Do not get angry at strangers for being stupid
091. Have a party
092. Make new friends in Madison

MISC.
093. Attempt to earn Italian
094. Get a bike
095. Make a blog post for every finished goal
096. Buy and external hard drive
097. Figure our Airport Extreme and hook it up
098. Send a postcard to postsecret.com
099. Get another tattoo
100. Take earrings to get new backs from jeweler
101. Send a to-do list to todolistblog.blogspot.com