The BIG List, Take 3

43 things to do before I turn 44

1. catch up on my Best Reads of 2011 and 2012 posts; Yeah, I'm a little behind. 
2. buy a macro lens
3. stop drinking Cokes
4. go visit my Papaw
5. make a family yearbook for 2011
6. revisit this awesome place and ride the rooftop Ferris Wheel
7. spruce up our yard, plant some flowers
8. submit an article to the Somerset family of magazines
9. turn Keri's 100 ideas into a regular blog feature
10. be brave and finally use the Impossible Project film
11. buy three things (one each for Jeffrey, Sloane, and I) from the Pinterest wishlists, for no reason at all
12. follow this new rule: no food after 8:00 pm
13. meet two more blog friends in person
14. have more Moo cards made
15. post my Best Reads of 2013 the first week of January 2014
16. write and mail at least one letter a week
17. give at least one (wrapped and tangible) gift each week all year long
18. interview my father-in-law about his childhood and start writing that story book 
19. make walking a daily habit
20. join a local photography club
21. finally visit the Chicago Art Institute
22. learn how to quilt
23. eat breakfast every day
24. transfer all my home videos to DVD
25. make a family yearbook for 2012
26. go visit Grammy
27. while at Grammy's, go to Trade Days in Canton
28. take Jeffrey on a train ride
29. pay for Sloane's braces
30. see three theater performances, at least one should be a professional troupe
31. teach summer school in order to fund a return trip to Glacier
32. begin art journaling
33. learn to sew pillows for our sofa
34. mail out Christmas cards by December 12 this year
35. go to Austin and Cut N Shoot, Texas to visit my family and Jeffrey's
36. take Sloane to see Wicked
37. read all the forgotten books that are living on my bookshelves
38. finally finish compiling all of Sloane's Friday Album 
39. make a family yearbook for 2013
40. meet my new niece, Athena Relyn, and spend more time with my brother, Persephone, and her Mom
41. take a family trip to Disney
42. make the highschool girlfriend reunion happen
43. do something I absolutely think I can not do

What's on your list? Go ahead, inspire me.

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.

another BIG list

Week 43 of the Wednesday lists.
I have a confession to make before I share my list for this week. Two years ago I wrote a BIG List and it was energizing and wonderful. Last year? Well, I... uh.... well... OK, OK, I wrote one and then didn't do a thing. Actually, I did one thing. And it was the most important one, but still... I have no idea why. I guess I was preoccupied with other things. But, it's a new year (my years always begin in October) and I find myself full of energy and optimism.

41 things to do before I turn 42

1. paint my front door & shutters & add new house number
2. submit an article to the Somerset family of magazines
3. buy a Lisa Leonard necklace
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
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
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
17. learn how to quilt
18. be brave and attend the women's retreat this year
    
19. transfer all my home videos to DVD
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 absolutely 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
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
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
36. make and purchase a book of my blog's greatest hits
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
40. family trip to Disney
41. do something I absolutely think I can not do

What's on your list? Go ahead, inspire me.

The photo is one of Jeffrey's favorites of mine.

Autumn Celebration

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.

~ George Cooper

The Autumn Celebration Swap is an exchange of lovely things with an emphasis on autumn. October is when the days begin grow cooler and the nights longer. It's a perfect time for curling up with a good book and wearing something cozy. The Autumn Celebration Swap is for anyone who appreciates autumn, personal mail, and presents. I love, love, love mail and presents top my list of favorite things. I love the shopping, the choosing, the wrapping. I love ribbons and paper, stamps, and addresses. I even love going to the post office. I adore this season, and I want to celebrate with other like-minded souls. Care to join me?

Exchange Details

Swap Partners: I will do my best to pair you with someone who has similar interests. You do not have to have a blog to participate, but you should have some sort of online presence. Please remember that it will be harder for your partner to get to know you if you don't have a blog, Facebook, Flickr account - something. You are also welcome to participate if you do not live in the USA as long as you are OK with the shipping.

Interests: Please be sure to include all the requested information in the comments section of this post. You can email me with questions, too. You'll find my email address on the profile page. You'll want to include your favorite links, Etsy shops, etc. so you can give your partner an idea of your style and tastes.

Gift Details: Your package can include anything you care to wrap and ship. However, please be sure to include at least these three things:

• something created by you - by hand, on the computer, with a camera...
• a perfect book for these long,long evenings - gently used books would be even better
• something, anything that speaks of autumn to you & a note explaining the connection

As to financial guidelines, please plan to spend around $20, not including shipping. Obviously, you are welcome to spend more, but having a guideline might make everyone more comfortable. If you sign up, you are committing to sending a package filled with thought and love. Please plan to put real time and effort into the things you send, as well as how you present it. I think this could be great fun.

Dates: Sign ups will remain open until Friday, October 2 at midnight Central time. That gives us one week to sign up and to spread the word. Please do tell a friend! Partners will be assigned Saturday, October 3, and you will have 2 weeks to get to know your partner, shop, wrap, and send your package. Plan to mail your package by October 17.

Sign Up

To sign up, just comment on this post. Be sure to include all the information requested below. You won't need to include your address, as you can exchange that via email after you receive your partner.

Name
Website (blog, Flickr, shop)

Email Address
Location (city, state, country)

Are you willing to send overseas?
What are your interests?

Favorite shops?
Anything else you'd like to mention? (special requests, notes, etc)

If you are participating, would you please consider adding a link on your blog? Feel free to use the photo, too, if you'd like. I hope you'll play along. Let's celebrate autumn together.

Number 31 of the BIG list. Yay!

An Accounting

Week 23 of the Wednesday lists.
Tomorrow is it. I turn 40 and my self-imposed time limit is up.

I have to admit it, I am bummed that I didn't accomplish everything.
But, the truth is, number 39 kind of eclipsed everything else and my mind was suddenly
all on my new camera. Nothing else really grabbed my attention again. Thank God for another year.

The BIG List update
39 Things To Do Before I Turn 40 (gulp!)

1. write that article and try to get it published not sure why I didn't...


2. get back to doing this brilliant idea


3. bake some bread from scratch


4. start saving for a Big Girl Camera


5. do this
   


6. read at least three professional books from cover to cover instead of just dipping in and stealing ideas


7. make my Blog Camp St. Louis idea really happen maybe this coming year...
   


8. read a book in a genre I never read ie. a biography instead of a memoir


9. buy and play with a fun camera; Polaroid, Holga, or Fish Eye


10. interview my father-in-law and capture the real version of the story I want to write tried to do this one, but funerals and hospitals took precidence
    


11. have a real life pen pal


12. take a class and learn a new skill I have a photography class scheduled
    


13. finally let go of some of those magazines I still have horded


14. get settled in and feel at home in our new church


15. eat Indian food again


16. make walking a regular habit we have been doing this, but not long enough for me to count it
    


17. meet in person at least four new blogging friends tried hard on this one, too
    


18. attend this


19. find the perfect apple crisp recipe and bake often for Jeffrey still on the quest for perfect


20. spend an entire afternoon in the hammock


21. buy a vintage record player I tried, but can't find one
    


22. go see Wicked (or another Broadway show)


23. take a weekend trip with Mom and Dad to an unexplored Missouri destination


24. have my own Moo cards made


25. find a way to turn my blog into book form


26. go visit Grammy


27. take an online course


28. participate in some street art of my own


29. start up date nights again


30. begin art journaling


31. host a swap on my blog details Friday
    


32. make a gift for someone


33. read all the forgotten books that are living on my shelves one down, eight to go
    


34. buy Photoshop Elements


35. learn Photoshop Elements anybody else as intimidated by this as I am?
    


36. read all of Jane Austen's novels


37. wreck a journal


38. transfer all my home videos to DVD oops! didn't even get started


39. try something I absolutely think I can not do

Photo of me taken by the photographer formerly known as Tangobaby.

number 20

August Break, day 7. Photo: number 20 on the Big List

number 22

August Break, day 2. Photo: Number 22 on The Big List - accomplished.

updating The Big List

Week 16 of the Wednesday lists.
We've been enjoying having Jeffrey's parents with us so much this week that I missed my Wednesday list. Oh well - better late than never. A while back I wrote a list of 39 things to do before I turn 40.

The BIG List Update:

1. write that article and try to get it published - not sure why I keep postponing this one
   
2. get back to doing this brilliant idea
3. bake some bread from scratch
   
4. start saving for a Big Girl Camera
   
5. join GKGirl in doing this
6. read at least three professional books from cover to cover instead of just dipping in and stealing ideas - one down, two to go
   
7. make my Blog Camp St. Louis idea really happen
8. read a book in a genre I never read ie. a biography instead of a memoir
   
9. buy and play with a fun camera; Polaroid, Holga, or Fish Eye - I'm half way there. My friend loaned me her Poloroid 600. Now I just need the film.
   
10. interview my father-in-law and capture the real version of the story I want to write - he's here till Tuesday. I guess I'd better get busy on this one.
    
11. have a real life pen pal
12. take a class and learn a new skill
13. finally let go of some of those magazines I still have horded
    
14. get settled in and feel at home in our new church
15. eat Indian food again - done on our trip to Columbia
    
16. make walking a regular habit
17. meet in person at least four new blogging friends
18. attend this - I traded this for the family trip to Columbia. We had a wonderful time.
    
19. find the perfect apple crisp recipe and bake often for Jeffrey - I've been working on this one. Jeffrey would like me to find a recipe that has the sweet crumblies on top. Can anybody help?
    
20. spend an entire afternoon in the hammock
21. buy a vintage record player
    
22. go see Wicked (or another Broadway show)
    
23. take a weekend trip with Mom and Dad to an unexplored Missouri destination
24. have my own Moo cards made
25. find a way to turn my blog into book form - I have tried and tried. Does anyone know how to do this with Blogger??
    
26. go visit Grammy
    
27. take an online course
28. participate in some street art of my own
    
29. start up date nights again
30. begin art journaling
31. host a swap on my blog - who's interested?
    
32. make a gift for someone
33. read all the forgotten books that are living on my shelves
34. buy Photoshop Elements - Yeah for Jeffrey and Sloane. This was my Mother's Day present.
    
35. learn Photoshop Elements
36. read all of Jane Austen's novels
    
37. wreck a journal
38. transfer all my home videos to DVD
39. try something I absolutely think I can not do - This turned out to be my biggest surprise. I really didn't think I'd be able to save enough to buy a great camera. I did.
    

Only four months to go. I'd better get busy. Good thing I have the summer off. What about you? What are you working on right now?

Confluence

Don't you love it when so many things come together and seem to point you in a particular direction? It feels like a great big signal, like a nod of approval from a Father who loves me. This post is about one of those confluences. Let me explain.

Over a year ago I read this list and thought that I should do something similar. Later I read this one and got really excited. You know me and lists, after all.

Last July I was talking to Robin about my struggle with the birthday that was fast creeping up on me. I told her that it wasn't the age so much as the lack of goals for the future. That I was wondering, wondering, wondering what it was I wanted next. Till now my growth had always been job oriented. But, I don't want a new job. I am supposed to be a teacher. I love being a teacher. The problem is that no matter how hard I work or how much I grow, in 15 years, I'll still be a teacher. Personally, I need a clear milestone marker. I want to grow, to try new things, to become... more. And to have a clear indication that I've accomplished something. Hmmmm...


A few days ago, I wrote this. It was one of those completely unplanned posts that just sort of popped out of me. I was stunned at how many of you were so sure that my list was doable. It got me thinking. The truth is that the one I most want to do is least likely. A good camera is just too, too expensive right now. But, you're right. The list is pretty doable. Maybe not the achieving part, but the doing part. And we already know it's the doing that matters.

Recently, I made a new blog friend who inspires me with every blog post. I've been going back and reading her older posts. When I read this, I knew what I had to do.

See? A confluence of events. Wish me luck. Better yet, hold me accountable.

39 Things To Do Before I Turn 40 (gulp!)

1. write that article and try to get it published
   
2. get back to doing this brilliant idea
3. bake some bread from scratch
   
4. start saving for a Big Girl Camera
5. join GKGirl in doing this
6. read at least three professional books from cover to cover instead of just dipping in and stealing ideas
7. make my Blog Camp St. Louis idea really happen
8. read a book in a genre I never read ie. a biography instead of a memoir
   
9. buy and play with a fun camera; Polaroid, Holga, or Fish Eye
10. interview my father-in-law and capture the real version of the story I want to write
11. have a real life pen pal
12. take a class and learn a new skill
13. finally let go of some of those magazines I still have horded
    
14. get settled in and feel at home in our new church
15. eat Indian food again
    
16. make walking a regular habit
17. meet in person at least four new blogging friends
18. attend this
    
19. find the perfect apple crisp recipe and bake often for Jeffrey
20. spend an entire afternoon in the hammock
21. buy a vintage record player
    
22. go see Wicked (or another Broadway show)
    
23. take a weekend trip with Mom and Dad to an unexplored Missouri destination
24. have my own Moo cards made
25. find a way to turn my blog into book form
    
26. go visit Grammy
    
27. take an online course
28. participate in some street art of my own
    
29. start up date nights again
30. begin art journaling
31. host a swap on my blog
32. make a gift for someone
33. read all the forgotten books that are living on my shelves
34. buy Photoshop Elements
    
35. learn Photoshop Elements
36. read all of Jane Austen's novels
    
37. wreck a journal
38. transfer all my home videos to DVD
39. try something I absolutely think I can not do

All images are by Elle Moss and are used with permission. Click on each picture to be taken to the original source. Until Saturday only, all of Elle's work will be on sale. What are you doing still here? Go, go. Buy some lovely for your walls.