Thursday, September 19, 2013

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.

8 comments:

alexa said...

I have not yet made a list of ts sort, Relyn, but can see the power in it and that having articulated it, some part of us already starts moving in that direction. Letting go of things you realise you don't want to do sounds like a good plan! Wishing you success with the next one too!

S. Etole said...

This isn't something I have ever done, but I can see the wisdom in it. Blessings as you prepare for your birthday.

Mac n' Janet said...

I do make lists of things I want to accomplish and I'm pretty good at starting them, just not very good at finishing them.
I'm amazed at what you did accomplish, never mind the ones you haven't gotten to yet.

Roban said...

Happy birthday, Relyn! I think your list is a wonderful idea, and at least it gets you thinking and pursuing a bit. I especially love the one about not working on a few of your weekends. I pretend that I don't have to work only to get bogged down on Sunday evenings.

I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

Marilyn Miller said...

Hi, back to you!
What an impressive list. I have never made a list such as this one. Right now I am reading This I Know by Susannah Conway and making a list of 10 things my blog friends don't know about me. Just started it.
I will be reading your list again, as you inspire me. Thanks!

Jeanne said...

.......*((*.... * )
.........*)..... ((* ´ *
.......c(¯¯)..(¯¯)3 ´¯`.¸¸.☆
▂ ▃ ▅ ▆ █ HAPPY FALL █ ▆ ▅ ▃ ▂

Happy Birthday dear friend.
May Heaven smile and hear your every wish.
Love Jeanne

Jeanie said...

Well, first, more birthday wishes! I hope it was splendid. I'd also say you are making quite a dent on the life list.

Speaking of which, you might like Lori Nelson Spielman's book "The Life List" -- a novel that reads like a Hallmark movie. Totally predictable, yet sweet, lovely and gives one much to think about.

I think you are doing better than the woman in the book was when she started!

Jennifer Richardson said...

I really like tis idea.
I'm gonna borrow it....thanks
for the sweet inspire,
Jennifer

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