An Accounting

Most years on or around my birthday, I make a list of things I want to do an accomplish in the next year.  The last one I made had to count for two years because I accomplished so few things the first time around.  Plus, I didn't get around to writing another one on my 42nd birthday.  Last year was a tough year.

My birthday is on Monday, so I am putting some serious thought into my next list.  Here is an accounting from the last one.

41 things to do before I turn 42

1. paint my front door & shutters & add new house number;  Oh, we did a lot more than that.  Yay, us. 
2. submit an article to the Somerset family of magazines; I'm afraid that I am still a big chicken. 
3. buy a Lisa Leonard necklace; I actually didn't do this one.  I just changed my mind. 
4. create at least one lesson a week for the Smart Board
5. turn Keri's 100 ideas into a regular blog feature
6. meet at least two new blog friends in person; I met one.  Hi, Marilyn.
7. write and MAIL at least one letter a week
8. plan and host a parent night for my students and their families
9. interview my father-in-law about his childhood
10. spend my time well this year
11. take four camera classes at my local photography store; They were fantastic!  So glad I did this one. 
12. attend the theater at least twice
13. create and hang my inspiration board
14. make walking a daily habit
15. have at least 5 paid photoshoots this year
16. plan and attend an artsy-crafty art night for 4 or 5 girlfriends; Turns out I'm not very artsy-craftsy.  But, I did plan a few play dates for several girlfriends. 
17. learn how to quilt
18. be brave and attend the women's retreat this year; It was wonderful, too.  Also glad I did this one.  
19. transfer all my home videos to DVD; Is this even possible.  How much will it cost me? 
20. finally find the perfect apple crisp recipe and bake often for Jeffrey
21. tearoom date with Dulcy
22. call my mother every day
23. go visit Grammy
24. write thank you notes promptly - all year long!
25. participate in some street art of my own
26. have at least five weekends this school year with absolutley no working
27. have a date night at least once a month
28. begin art journaling
29. mail out Christmas cards this year - on time - not in February; Ha.  This may be on my list forever.  I did make it by January this year, at least. 
30. read all the forgotten books that are living on my shelves
    
31. begin to learn Photoshop Elements - at least learn how to put a logo on my photos; All I really learned in the logo part.  I've decided to let go of the Photoshop idea for the foreseeable future.
32. finally finish compiling all of Sloane's Friday Album (a picture every Friday from her first year of life)
33. spend more time with my brother, Persephone, and her Mom
34. spend real time with my parents at least once a week
35. begin a girls cooking night with Sloane; Might have to give up on this one.  I really, really don't want to do it.  
36. make and purchase a book of my blog's greatest hits; Nope.  I did, however, make my first family yearbook and I love it. 
37. go cliff jumping with Sloane and Jeffrey at Johnson's Shut Ins
38. attend at least two concerts
39. frame and hang all pictures I've collected; We are more than half finished with this surprisingly big project. 
40. family trip to Disney; We tried to make good on this one.  Prices had gone up too much.  Still saving...
41. do something I absolutely think I can not do; I left my beloved school.  And survived. 

Well, whaddya know?  It only took me two years to accomplish 21 things.  That doesn't really sound impressive, I know.  But, here's what I discovered.  Having stated the goal, I automatically begin to make changes toward the goal.  I don't always accomplish them, but I make strides.  For example, I did not mail a letter once a week this year.  I did, however, send a letter at least once a month.  That's a lot more than I would have done otherwise.

So what about you?  Do you make BIG lists of your own?  What do you put on them?  Come on... give me some ideas.  I have another list to make soon.