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84. Pick fruit at a UPick farm
Last Saturday the dude and I went to Linvilla Orchards and picked strawberries. It was fun. We picked the perfect day--sunny but not too hot--and the perfect time of day so the fields weren't crowded at all. We couldn't believe it was so close-by. Who knew we lived in the country? 8^P

We picked 14 pounds of the fruit so the dude could make strawberry jam (old fashioned, no pectin!) and strawberry sorbet, which got gobbled up in an instant. We had three pounds left over. We put two pounds in the freezer and are snacking on the other pound. I think we will be back this summer for raspberries and peaches. Maybe more especially since the picking didn't take nearly as long as the jam making!

Overdue Update

22. Take a cookbook out of the library every other month and make dishes from each
This month, I checked out Fresh Mexico. I made Chipotle Cream Shrimp for dinner last week. OMG! The shrimp was so delicious, we practically came to blows over who would eat the leftovers. Not really, but I could imagine it. Fortunately there was enough for two small servings the following day. I also made cucumbers and radishes as a side dish. Not much of a recipe, but it was very refreshing and a nice light side with the heavier main dish. I would definitely make this again. There are a few "small dishes" I would like to try as well.

23. Trace my ancestry back to the old country (not Canada)
It turns out that some branches of my family have been in Canada for yonks. I’m still working on confirming my connection to Isaac Bedard (paternal grandmother’s family) but it looks like my ancestors may have been among the first 3000 white settlers in New France (Canada). I am back to “the old country” in my mother’s paternal family. I found the ship her grandfather came over on. They self-identified as Poles from Vilni, (now Vilnius, Lithuania) but on the manifest they are listed as Russians from Vilna. One of the interesting things about family history is its relationship to world history and global politics. I am still trying to trace his wife. No one seems to know how to spell her last name.

Map of New France. Source: Charles Holme "Art in England During the Elizabethan and Stuart Periods, 1908. Map of “New France” (Canada). From the engraving by Benjamin Wright (circa 1608).

26. Fix couch in guest room
When we started to put our Ikea couch together a month after bringing it home, we discovered that the bolt holes on the arm were misaligned. Unfortunately, we tried to force it and we ended up stripping one of the bolts. We cut it with a hacksaw and just left the arm of the couch leaning in position. Unfortunately, Stella would occasionally lean up against it with her full weight, knock over the arm, and tumble off the couch. Of course, the bolt that was left sticking out of the arm was an (expensive) accident waiting to happen. Adrienne’s visit gave me the impetus to ask our neighbor for his engineering help. Pete and I had talked a good game including the phrase “liquid nails” but Mark actually took a look at the arm and came up with a proper fix. He opened the arm and replaced the internal workings. It’s perfect. He was impressed with my liquid nails fix, however; usually, he thinks we’re two of the biggest dufuses on earth. He’s not far wrong.

42. Finish current WIP—Spots II
Done! I’m bringing this to the framing sale, so it should be hanging in our bedroom soon.

77. Write a note to my grandmothers each month
In January I wrote some thank you notes. In March, my maternal grandmother celebrated a birthday and I sent a note to both of them. For mother’s day, I sent a note to both of them again. So three for five. Not bad.

79. Go OUT on a date once a month with the dude
We have occasionally gone out but I haven’t been keeping track. Last month we went to see Date Night, which we both recommend. Then to make it a real date we went for a drink afterwards.

80. Meet three new blogging friends IRL (2/3)
Adrienne’s visit is going a long way here. I really enjoyed meeting Adrienne. She’s a delight.

86. Try to be more positive-- At the end of each day, take five minutes to write down in a journal every good thing I did or experienced that day
Since our trip to England, when I lost track of the days, I have only written in this journal three times. I am going to start back on this tonight. Instead of keeping track by “day” (Day 203—of 1001, for example) I am going to mark the date. It will help me keep better track.

87. Take a Pilates class
Class finished last week. I wanted to continue, but for the next five weeks our class is being held at 6:00 instead of 7:20. Next fall, we’re going to reup. If I can, I’m going to schedule doing a Pilates DVD a few times a week over the summer. I really enjoyed it.

93. Create and practice my 3 minute elevator pitch for myself
I really really really need to make this a priority. I had an opportunity to sell myself to a head hunter that I met through my library volunteerism, but I was much more articulate talking about the dude’s job than my own capabilities! And this is a real gimme question on an interview. I need to take advantage. (Not thrilled with my answer at a recent interview.)

100. Talk to my mother on the phone—or in person—weekly
Is it very sad that I have to write this down in order to do it? Not if you knew my mother! Although I do have to say she has been much less critical since I lost my job. Coincidence? I think not.

101. Post updates about this list once per month
I have to avoid my avoidance when I am not actively working on the list. I have to be sure I revisit this just to keep myself on track.