Goal #14 COMPLETED

Goal #14: Pay it forward seven times

2/16: Gave a $50 gift card to a table of three elderly people at Olive Garden. While Lauren, Maks and I were eating, and planning to use my gift card, I asked God to show me who to give it to instead of using it on us. I thought I had decided on two other tables until I spotted this trio of elderly folks. When their food arrived they held hands and prayed. That was the sign I needed. Our server gave them the anonymous gift.

2/25: I'm not a regular drive thru-er but I "needed" to go to Chic-Fil-a today. A lady cut in front of me in the drive thru line and I was pretty ticked. The line was looooong (at 2pm, go figure!). As she pulled up to the window she took forever because she had a huge order. I was getting more and more perturbed. I suddenly realized I had a "pay it forward" opportunity. I've always wanted to surprise someone at a drive thru. I looked in my rear view mirror and decided to provide a treat for the females behind me (looked like a mother daughter duo). Afterall, the rude lady had also delayed them. I paid for both orders and I drove away with a totally different attitude. Rude lady didn't ruin my day afterall! It was so fun! I was I could have seen their faces.

5/20: I headed to Target today to do a major "restock" shopping trip. I decided that I would purchase a gift card and ask the check-out clerk to give it to the person behind me in line. Well, Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider, had other plans. Target had a special promotion for one of the items on my list...buy 3 and get a $5 gift card! Since I was restocking I didn't mind buying 3! So I got the gift card for free! But when I headed to the registers, they were NO lines. Every clerk was waiting for customers. Great...slim chance that anyone would get in line behind me when there were open registers. Oh me of little faith. As I was paying a woman and little girl got in my line. The clerk handed me the gift card which could only be used for a future a purchase of course. I left it on the counter and whispered, "Give it to the next customer in line." She furrowed her brow and said, "Are you sure?" I smiled and nodded. Thank You, Jesus!

7/1/11: Another Chic-fila stop (I really don't go that often!). This time I bought a $10 gift card. I told the window man to give it to the car behind me. I had to repeat myself because he didn't get it. We finished with my order and he said, "So I guess you know the person in the car behind you?" I said, "Nope!" and drove away. Wish I could have seen his face or heard the discussion amongst all the employees behind the window. I actually was surprised it was unfamiliar to him. Even a little disappointed. I thought it happened more frequently.

7/11/11: anonymous

11/4/11: another drive-thru surprise

12/3/11: an anonymous Christmas surprise

Goal #8 COMPLETED

Goal #8: Visit 7 unfamiliar places this year

Place #1: Seattle 2/10-17/11

Place #2: Leesburg, VA 4/1-3/11

Place #3: Bolton Landing, NY 8/19/11

Place #4: New River Trail State Park, Foster Falls, VA 9/2/11

Place #5: Asheville, NC 9/2-10/11

Place #6: Highlands, NC 9/3/11

Place #7: Damascus, VA 9/10/11

Goal #21 Progress

Goal #21: Complete 7 craft projects

Project #1: Stamp pics for two Nook cover windows

Project #2: Scrapping with Lauren

Project #3: Christmas cards

Project #4: Card-making with the Yoders

Project #5:

Project #6:

Project #7:

Goal #12 COMPLETED

Goal #12: Try 7 new recipes in a month

Coming off the "eat from the pantry" month, I thought it would be fun to start this month with the recipe challenge since I can buy ingredients soon (2/8). Today I'm trying a fellow blogger's recipe since I have the ingredients on hand. Send me your fav and you just might make the SEVEN list!

Recipe #1: Thai Chicken COMPLETED 2/1/11

KEEPER!!







Recipe #2: Simple Ranchy Fish Fillets COMPLETED 2/2/11

AMAZING! Go to the link for the pic.

Recipe #3: California Classic Salad COMPLETED 2/4/11

Recipe #4: Anytime Fruit Salad COMPLETED 2/4/11

Recipe #5: Mac N Cheese COMPLETED 2/5/11
Average. Recipe was on the Campbell's Cheddar Cheese soup can.

Recipe #6: Nutella Brownies COMPLETED 2/5/11
OH. MY. WORD. Amazing! Only thing missing was vanilla ice cream.

Recipe #7: Grilled Chicken Paninis COMPLETED 2/27/11

A "Chef Drew" Original:
Grilled chicken
Bacon
Cheddar cheese
Foldover flatbread
Zing Sauce: I have no idea what was in it but it was AMAZING! My nephew Drew raided the fridge to find ingredients and made his own concoction. We dipped tortilla chips in it also. Totally forgot to take a pic until after we had devoured them.

Goal #10 COMPLETED

Goal #10: Write 7 blog posts in a month 1/31/11

Goal #9 COMPLETED

Goal #9: Do organizational projects for 7 friends this year

Friend #1: Suzie, COMPLETED 1/14/11

Friend #2: Kathi, COMPLETED 1/21/11

Friend #3: Ivelisse, COMPLETED 1/22/11

Friend #4: Chloe and Isabella, COMPLETED 1/30/11

Friend #5: Heather, COMPLETED 2/5/11

Friend #6: Kathi, COMPLETED 3/11/11

Friend #7: Heidi, COMPLETED 5/13/11

Goal #17 COMPLETED

Goal #17: Complete 7 home improvement projects this year

Project #1: Install wrap holder in cupboard
COMPLETED 1/8

Project #2: Update basement lighting
COMPLETED 5/19

Project #3: Fix back door latch and trim
COMPLETED 5/17

Project #4: Finish master bathroom
COMPLETED 5/19

Project #5: Replace bedroom shades
COMPLETED 6/1

Project #6: Touch-up deck paint
COMPLETED 5/5

Project #7: Paint repairs in office
COMPLETED 5/12