Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find

I've been reading Catch-22 on Time Magazine's Top 100 English Language Novels list to fulfill one of my other goals.  I got it from the library, and I'm going to return it, so it seemed like the perfect time to get this goal done too.

Since the story is set during WWII, it seemed apt to hide a quote from the time period, and Winston Churchill just seemed like the right guy to draw from.  Can't ever go wrong when you quote a drunk, after all.  So if you check out Catch-22 from the Bucktown-Wicker Park library in Chicago in the next couple of weeks, you might find this in my handwriting:

"Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world: 'We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls.'"

Winston Churchill

Finished Goals: 68/101
Days Left: 304

Make 3 Scarves for Knit Your Bit

Today I finished the last of my three scarves for Knit Your Bit. The reasons why I chose to make three are because one or two just didn't seem like enough, and the project has been going on now for three years. It seemed like just the right fit.

Originally, I downloaded the patterns they had available on the site, but after doing the first one, I decided to look for another pattern to use instead of the other two I got from them. I found one I really liked, and so I used it for both of the other scarves, but with different colors. I think they turned out pretty well. My plan is to continue looking for new patterns and make one or two each year going forward. I hope the vets who get my scarves enjoy them!
Finished Goals: 21/101
Days Left: 943

Surprise Rich

Normally we take Rich's car whenever we go anywhere together, but Saturday night we took mine when we went to a party because his was out of gas. Since he didn't go out yesterday, he didn't have a chance to fill up, and I just knew that he would be late to work if he waited until this morning.

So yesterday I stole his car out of the garage when I went to volleyball, and got gas and cleaned it out while I waited for the pump to finish. I really would have liked to have been able to vacuum the interior and wipe down all the windows and dashboard, but unfortunately because it was so late in the evening and also because I was on the way to meeting some of my teammates for a drink, I didn't have time.

Truth be told, he wouldn't have noticed anyway. While Rich did see that I had gotten him gas, he didn't even realize that I had cleaned it out. So I just have to assume he wouldn't have noticed the next step either.

But I'm counting this as an accomplished goal even if he didn't really appreciate it. I may have missed my mark a little, but I still tried. And, if nothing else, he wasn't late for work.

Finished Goals: 12/101
Days Left: 977

Donate blood

Today I donated blood for the first time ever in my life. I have to say, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It helped that I had a friend with me too. Margaret came, and we popped our blood donation cherries together. And then we ate Cheez-It crackers and Oreos while chatting and drinking Sprite.

I didn't realize it would be such a process, though. When all was said and done, I had been at the Red Cross for almost an hour and a half. The actual blood-letting only takes 10 minutes or so, but all the questions and preparation before, and then the resting and eating after, take a long time.

But, in the end, I feel pretty good. And I'm really proud of myself. I didn't totally freak out (or pass out or throw up) like I thought I would. I'm even considering making that a part of my regular routine (you can donate every 56 days).

So, if you are interested in doing a good deed for the day and possibly saving someone's life, I highly recommend it. You can make your appointment online. And you don't have to find a blood drive to do it; you can just go to the blood donation room at the Minneapolis Red Cross (which is what I did). I think they may even take walk-ins if you decide to do it on a whim.

And by the way, Margaret and I got a chuckle out of this little nugget at the elevator as we left: