The End!

Finish date: November 26, 2016
Total items completed: 60

Today marks the end of my 101 in 1001 journey.  I was not able to complete all 101 items, but I am proud and grateful to have completed the items that I did complete.  Here are the highlights:

Participating in a Color Run with my mom - May 2014

Getting back into the sport of swimming in 2014 (pictured winning my age group in 2016)

                                     

Completing an obstacle race in 2016

Adopting my cat, Sabrina, in December of 2014

Finding my wedding dress! October 2016

Seeing a show at the Grand Ole Opry in April 2016

Going on a hot air balloon ride in February 2014

Going skiing for the first time in February of 2016

While I was not able to check everything off of my list, I am so happy to have checked off the items I listed above.  Had you asked me almost three years ago, I would not have believed that I was capable (and able to!) achieve these things.  To me, it was always a list of things that I wanted to do.  Now, however, over half of them are fond memories that I will cherish forever.  

Things on my list that I still want to complete:

1. Paying off the credit card.  Oh, finances. This is a major goal that my fiancé is helping me prioritize and improve.  

2. Visit another country.  Luckily this is getting closer to becoming a reality!  We are currently planning our honeymoon. We will be going to Europe in 2017!

3. Learn how to french braid my own hair.  One of these days I will be able to do this!

4. Experience a white birthday or Christmas.  My family has talked about spending Christmas in NYC.  Hopefully this will happen!

5. See the Colts play in Indianapolis.  The fiancé is totally getting dragged to a game within the next few years!

Thank you to my wonderful family, fiancé, and friends for supporting me on this journey!  I could not have done these things without your support!  I love you all.

~Heather

Wedding Dress

59. Try on a wedding dress.

I admit, I added this item to my list because I had hoped to be married (or engaged) before the end of my 101 in 1001.  It's now true!  I have a wedding date set and am in the middle of planning our wedding.

The first wedding dress that I tried on was my mother's wedding dress.  As beautiful as the lace train was, my swimmer's shoulders could not move in the sleeves.  I knew that I would need to find a different dress to wear.

My mom's dress.

I took my mom, my matron of honor, and one of my bridesmaids with me to a local wedding dress boutique around the end of October.  By the end of the appointment, eyes were teary and we were almost positive that I had found my dress.  After visiting another nearby bridal store, we quickly returned so I could say yes to my dress.

I am very excited to wear my dress in June of 2017.

Items completed: 60

Professional Photos

67. Have professional photos taken.

Getting engaged is a great excuse to have professional photos taken.  My fiancé and I knew that we did not want to spend a ton of money on engagement photos in Arizona, especially when we would have additional "engagement" photos taken in New York before our wedding.

Luckily, my matron of honor's husband's hobby is taking photos.  He graciously agreed to take a few pictures of us on a warm November evening.  At first, my fiancé was not excited about taking the photos, but he wound up having a great time.  Thank goodness for wonderful (and talented!) friends.

Items completed: 59

No More Soda and Fast Food

57. Give up soda for six months.

Growing up, I frequently drank soda.  Soda is how I survived college.  Now that I've discovered my love for salted caramel mochas at Starbucks, I rarely drink Coca Cola.

However, giving up soda completely for six months was more difficult than I thought it would be.

I had several strong cravings for a fountain drink throughout the summer months.  Luckily, I was able to avoid the fast food restaurants and stay soda free for six months.  Now that I have completed this challenge, I will occasionally grab a soda on my way home from work.  I do not think that this will become a habit, though.  

Items completed: 57


79. Stay away from fast food for at least two weeks.

Cooking is not one of my best skills.  When I lived alone, I would grab fast food for dinner at least once a week.  Now that my fiancé and I live together, we prepare meals together at home every night.

Because of this, I do not have a specific set of weeks in mind for this list item.  I'm pretty sure that we have avoided fast food for several weeks over the past six months.  

Items completed: 58