50. Keep chickens

Not done!

I have decided that this isn't for me. Which is an achievement in itself, to think that you want to do something and then investigate further and realise it's not what you want. MrPBR and I do live a kind of Good Life; we grow our own vegetables, we try not to use the cars too much, we make do and mend, we cook from scratch (or he does, anyway!). We wanted to add a chicken coop to this, but in the end decided it was more hassle than it was worth. We don't have a lot of outdoor space, we both work full time (and more!). I don't eat meat, and we don't actually use that many eggs....

78. Clear out my parents’ garages

DONE!

I have FINALLY succeeded in clearing out my mum’s garage! She rented some space from one of her friends with the intention of keeping it for about a month. However, she then moved abroad and left me to sort it which I have now done. SIX YEARS LATER!! I know I am useless (my mum’s friend asked me what took so long, and I couldn’t give her a proper answer!), but now mum’s garage is empty, so we’re not paying rent on it and I feel so much better. The downside is that my bedroom is full to bursting with boxes of mum’s stuff and I am sleeping on the landing! I obviously can’t throw/sell/recycle her belongings (which include a box containing a replica of Darth Vader’s head, holiday brochures from the 70s/textbooks from the 60s and a box of brand new CDs – the mind boggles) but it has certainly focused the mind on getting rid of my own clutter which I’ve done with a vengeance.

Which reminds me – would anyone like my mountain bike wheels?!

47. Actually make it to May Morning in Oxford!

My challenge ends in November, so the last opportunity to go to May morning within the 1001 days has been and gone, so I have reprimanded myself for failing to tick this off my list...and what was I doing instead? I was throwing knobs of course!!

http://www.dorsetknobthrowing.com/

85. Get private clients for PR (including music!)

Long time, no blog! I have been so busy with work and life in general that I haven't had time to think about the 101 in 1001 challenge but notice there's only 7 months left!! So, I must crack on with this, and number 85 is one that I've actually succeeded at, although there's always room for improvement! I work full-time (until recently in two jobs) so I've only managed to get three private clients so far through word-of-mouth and networking. That's not a bad start! I am a PR manager, specialising in public relations for small businesses, and I've been successful in raising awareness for three local businesses -all, I note, run by women. As a former journalist, writing is my passion, and while gaining PR for other people is no problem, I am painfully shy and am no good at promoting myself. Being shy, I've found it easier to get female clients on board, so perhaps I should stick to my strengths and pursue women entrepreneurs! This challenge is deeper than it seems! Hope everyone else is getting on well! I read your blogs and find them very inspirational! I have another blog over at www.charity365.blogspot.com which details my journey through a different charity each day throughout 2011, so please feel free to come and join me over there!

76 – Learn more about plants, trees and wildlife.

I’m going to tick this off the list as I have been reading up and also volunteering with a local wildlife group who volunteer to protect the local countryside. From my knowledge of absolutely zero about plants and trees, I now have a reasonable knowledge of what’s what, when and where it grows and plants that are native to the UK. There’s still a lot to learn though!

http://www.pangandkennetvalleys.org.uk/page3.html

10. Learn to sleep better

I don't know how this made it onto the list, as it's not quantifiable and it's something that most people manage to do quite easily! My sleep problem is quite unusual and comes in waves depending on how stressed and worried I am. I have absolutely no trouble getting to sleep - my problem is night terrors - a problem that is very rare in adults, although some children get them, but grow out of them.

My problem is that in the middle of the night, I will "see" someone in my room, usually standing right over me. I wake up and scream with my heart pounding, but quite often do not remember the episode the next day. It is absolutely exhausting, not just for me, but also for Mr PBR who gets quite upset to see me so agitated.

I've got a nightlight, which seems to help but doesn't eradicate the problem completely. What does seem to help is wearing earplugs as the problem seems to be caused by hearing noises. Mr PBR also has to run through what we call the "pre-flight checks", comforting me and telling me that the doors are locked, the alarm is set and everything is switched off.

The problem seems to be caused by worries that I try to surpress during the day, manifesting themselves quite viscerally at night. While this seems to be better at the moment, I'm not cured, but I am going to tick this one off the list - one less thing to worry about, you see -haha!

20. Read all of the BBC’s greatest 100 books

Just finished one of the books from the list: Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. Having actually grown up in Hardy's Wessex, including Casterbridge which features as the main town close to the village of Weatherbury where the action is set, it was pretty embarrassing that I'd not read this before. I think Weatherbury is based on nearby Puddletown, but I'm happy to be corrected!
After a difficult start to the book, and having been haunted by the misery of Jude and the Woodlanders which are the only Hardy novels I've read, I found it hard to get into, but then really enjoyed the historical detail and the highly descriptive drama of love in its various guises. Onto the next book from the BBC’s 'greatest 100 books' which I think will be Catch 22 as I've spied amongst my partner's books on the shelf.....