I used to love to make lists.
I'm not quite sure how I got out of the habit.
------------------
No time like the present to rediscover this important organizational tool...
As I breach a new birth year, I want a positive sense of direction. I can't possibly do that without making an list. I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now. It would be great to record some practical, wanna do activities alongside some more adventurous, determined, and serious tasks and then CROSS them off over the course of the next year.
Hence....
THE 36 LIST:
1. Declutter - an true ambition. I'm really looking forward to sifting through and cleaning out the basement, kids' rooms, and closets this summer. Bring on those rainy days just right for indoor adventures.
2. Vintage design - There is truly, something about a clean, symmetrical line and old-fashioned Rachel Ashwell shabby chic that I want to work with in our home.
3. Street photography - I've got to shake this out of my system. I desire the freedom to walk along downtown streets and straqight down lengthy city blocks with my camera in hand, with no care for the glances or glares of the surrounding world. My head is constantly snapping away, but I need to make it a permanent fixture of me.
4. Hometown tourist - Maybe this matches my above mentioned goal. I do love Chicago. I'm a fan of the design and history. I need to learn it more, though. If I am ever to leave it, I need to be able to say I truly knew it.
5. Sew for Aly - This is something that my mom did for me. I don't want it to go by without me saying I didn't take time to put together a sundress or cute outfit for Aly. I'm on the look out for something cute that she will wear, knowing that her Mommy made it for her, not just something that her Mommy helped her pick out at the store with matching earrings.
6. piano lessons - I've mentioned it to Chato, and my Mom might consider letting me have our old piano. I would love to take lessons again and start playing again. It has been forever. Maybe, Aly will try it with me, too.
7. change diet - We are creatures of habit. With that being said, I want to make some changes in how we buy food, prepare food, and eat food. Our week days don't give us much time, and we do not put tons of effort into making healthy decisions day in and day out. With a bit of old fashioned research and a big planner, I want to revise what we eat for the long run.
8. blog book - At the back of my mind for a while now, I've been dreaming of putting my virtual thoughts down on real paper. A hardcover binding is my intention, but I have to wrap my head around design and display before I commit to it. This has been a goal that I wish to see met this year.
9. BIKE - Eyeballing for the past year, I am a bike lover that needs to find two tires and a basket. Where as the men in my family are ON FOOT people, I prefer the breeze of clear day sitting atop a padded seat and peddling myself to and fro. Destinations arrive much quicker by the speed of wheels, and just imagine all the shots I can stop for on a BIKE.
10. garage sale - I've been after my mom for a while now. We really need to jump on this since the house construction has helped her to start purging, I want in to aid me in organization, too!
11. Find more antique pictures - This past weekend, I spent some time delving into some of my most treasured family pictures. I know there have to be more out there that are eluding me. Even if I could come across one or two more, I would be content to see into just one more vintage window in time.
12. Amtrak - It is something I have been aching to do. I SO want to take an overnight trip, so that the kids can enjoy a family sleeper car! As long as I have a window view for me and my camera, you could take me anywhere.
13. The "History of Us" by Joy Hakim - Maybe it is the vintage nerd in me, but I really want to invest in this set (there are eleven in all!) so that Brandan and I can read them together. The boy recently confessed that he abhors any history outside of the states, which cracks me up. Only in my old age have I truly come to appreciate a more world centered past.
14. BFFs - I have a handful that I don't know what I would do without. It is my goal to make more "outings" for us. We all deserve it. If we could manage to get ourselves together at least FIVE times (one planned date from each of us) this next year - I would be elated!
15. Mexico album in Spanish - I started it last fall, but putting the pictures into my Mexico album has surely challenged me. I can lend excuse to not having the right patterned paper colors or lacking on my ability to word things the way I want to in my second language, but ultimately, I need to complete this album SOON!
16. garden lights - This is me in my backyard, with a sculptured lawn, new grill, a canopy, and lot and lots and lots of white glowing lights at night. I know that our Chicago summers are short, but I would love to make this dream become a reality in our backyard for summer evenings.
17. Michigan Avenue - I pass by it nearly everyday, but for some reason I desire an evening in one of the infamous highrise floors to lounge and watch the city travel below.
18. Beach bum - It is my will to head to the beach MORE this summer. I can totally see the kids enjoying this prospect. Maybe Pam is influencing me here, but I can't get over that we can travel to ocean's edge, east or west coast, but never frequent what is in our own "backyard" enough.
19. catch up with scrap - I know that I will never be completely done. But I would love some whole days here and there to really knock a hole in some projects that are wandering around in my head.
20. french braid - I never really took the time to learn it. When I was little, my mom would do it for me, but not having another head to practice on, I never took interest in it. I would love to find this creative twist, but I'm thinking Aly might not agree with me. :(
21. WITL summer edition - Ali Edwards will influence me again. I loved doing this last year. I think I ALMOST convinced the entire family that it was cool to do. This year I am looking forward to a summer version in comparison to last year's spring edition.
22. Farmer's market - This is something that bugs me every year. I would love to have easy access to a nice fresh food market. I'm looking for tips. I know it would make great impact on our eating habits.
23. carbon footprint - I'm in research mode alongside the whole declutter debate. I want the kids to UNDERSTAND the importance of it all, and I, too, want to be a better role model.
24. invest - my least favorite pasttime, or rather a habit that I grew away from, is anything with numbers. I struggled TONS with algebra and equations in junior high, so my brain is not a fan of the stock market or playing games with high risk attached to it. (Don't take me to the casino, I would stink), but I know that, for our sake, I need to realign myself and start planning for the future.
25. educate ME - I spend so much time planning out lessons and grading papers, that I really DO wish to find a self selected area study. I want to learn ONE thing that is brand new this year.
26. YOGA - Maybe this is my ONE thing. I would really like to make time to sign up for yoga this year. Maybe it is the "temper tantrum" in me or the craving to find "inner peace" with the world, but I would adore the chance to participate in something like this on a weekly basis.
27. Super secret SPY lens - This puppy has been on my TO GET list for awhile, and TOTALLY matches my street photog goal, but everyone who know me and knows my daughter really knows WHY i want this lens...
28. make JELLO work - Stop the snickering please... I have admitted it before, but for those of you who haven't laughed out loud at me for it already; I CANNOT make JELLO, well, uhm...gel! It seems that following the directions on the box are something that I can't handle. I am determined to make a JELLO mold that sets and lasts standing up on its' own surface. I will conquer this!!
29. quilt - I'm going to need some ancestral assistance here, but I do dream in fabric colors almost as much as I do patterned papers. I want to cut and sew. I want to stitch and hem. I want a quilt that my kids will want to fight over long after I am gone, like I once did of my grandmother's patchwork masterpieces.
30. superstitions - I want to shake free of all the evil eyes and notions that society comes up with!! I used to be deathly afraid to walk under ladders and broken mirrors. This year, as Chato and I prepare to celebrate our 13th year of marriage, I say "pfbttttt!" There are no unlucky number other that the ones we ourselves create, and thus far I think we are doing a pretty good bang up job at life and love.
31. Understand FAITH - And all of that superstition stuff leads me here. I want to follow my heart more often. I want to trust that there is no wrong road. I want to believe that things happen for a reason. I want to be trusting and advance compassion.
32. Become more resourceful - With a grain of salt, I most definitely wish to compile the ideas of less clutter and clean design, but I want to do it in a way that maximizes what we have and makes use of the things we no longer need. I do not have the goal of tossing things out just to toss them, but rather repurpose items or put them in the hands of those who need them.
33. to do lists - hmmm...I may get to cross one off my list before this even gets published! As I said earlier, I used to survive on lists of items to stay organized, so I am planning on getting a new notebook and starting again. It is one of my favorite things that I just can't explain. Maybe it is the sense of accomplishment of the scratched off item... :)
34. DIY Pinterest - whether it is sewing, scrapbooking, or painting, I want to create something from all of my items that I have been gathering up over at Pinterest. There is nothing better in the world than a virtual corkboard. Well, okay, making something from that corkboard would be pretty awesome.
35. Grants - Winning the CFE grant has motivated me. I want to write MORE this year. I've got technology in mind, and I'm looking for a philanthropist to fund my kids! Any takers?
36. quotes - I've always loved them. I want to start using them more in relation to pictures. And if I haven't rambled and ranted long enough here, in this wishy-washy list of "WANNA DOs" just remember:
------------------
No time like the present to rediscover this important organizational tool...
As I breach a new birth year, I want a positive sense of direction. I can't possibly do that without making an list. I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks now. It would be great to record some practical, wanna do activities alongside some more adventurous, determined, and serious tasks and then CROSS them off over the course of the next year.
Hence....
THE 36 LIST:
1. Declutter - an true ambition. I'm really looking forward to sifting through and cleaning out the basement, kids' rooms, and closets this summer. Bring on those rainy days just right for indoor adventures.
2. Vintage design - There is truly, something about a clean, symmetrical line and old-fashioned Rachel Ashwell shabby chic that I want to work with in our home.
3. Street photography - I've got to shake this out of my system. I desire the freedom to walk along downtown streets and straqight down lengthy city blocks with my camera in hand, with no care for the glances or glares of the surrounding world. My head is constantly snapping away, but I need to make it a permanent fixture of me.
4. Hometown tourist - Maybe this matches my above mentioned goal. I do love Chicago. I'm a fan of the design and history. I need to learn it more, though. If I am ever to leave it, I need to be able to say I truly knew it.
5. Sew for Aly - This is something that my mom did for me. I don't want it to go by without me saying I didn't take time to put together a sundress or cute outfit for Aly. I'm on the look out for something cute that she will wear, knowing that her Mommy made it for her, not just something that her Mommy helped her pick out at the store with matching earrings.
6. piano lessons - I've mentioned it to Chato, and my Mom might consider letting me have our old piano. I would love to take lessons again and start playing again. It has been forever. Maybe, Aly will try it with me, too.
7. change diet - We are creatures of habit. With that being said, I want to make some changes in how we buy food, prepare food, and eat food. Our week days don't give us much time, and we do not put tons of effort into making healthy decisions day in and day out. With a bit of old fashioned research and a big planner, I want to revise what we eat for the long run.
8. blog book - At the back of my mind for a while now, I've been dreaming of putting my virtual thoughts down on real paper. A hardcover binding is my intention, but I have to wrap my head around design and display before I commit to it. This has been a goal that I wish to see met this year.
9. BIKE - Eyeballing for the past year, I am a bike lover that needs to find two tires and a basket. Where as the men in my family are ON FOOT people, I prefer the breeze of clear day sitting atop a padded seat and peddling myself to and fro. Destinations arrive much quicker by the speed of wheels, and just imagine all the shots I can stop for on a BIKE.
10. garage sale - I've been after my mom for a while now. We really need to jump on this since the house construction has helped her to start purging, I want in to aid me in organization, too!
11. Find more antique pictures - This past weekend, I spent some time delving into some of my most treasured family pictures. I know there have to be more out there that are eluding me. Even if I could come across one or two more, I would be content to see into just one more vintage window in time.
12. Amtrak - It is something I have been aching to do. I SO want to take an overnight trip, so that the kids can enjoy a family sleeper car! As long as I have a window view for me and my camera, you could take me anywhere.
13. The "History of Us" by Joy Hakim - Maybe it is the vintage nerd in me, but I really want to invest in this set (there are eleven in all!) so that Brandan and I can read them together. The boy recently confessed that he abhors any history outside of the states, which cracks me up. Only in my old age have I truly come to appreciate a more world centered past.
14. BFFs - I have a handful that I don't know what I would do without. It is my goal to make more "outings" for us. We all deserve it. If we could manage to get ourselves together at least FIVE times (one planned date from each of us) this next year - I would be elated!
15. Mexico album in Spanish - I started it last fall, but putting the pictures into my Mexico album has surely challenged me. I can lend excuse to not having the right patterned paper colors or lacking on my ability to word things the way I want to in my second language, but ultimately, I need to complete this album SOON!
16. garden lights - This is me in my backyard, with a sculptured lawn, new grill, a canopy, and lot and lots and lots of white glowing lights at night. I know that our Chicago summers are short, but I would love to make this dream become a reality in our backyard for summer evenings.
17. Michigan Avenue - I pass by it nearly everyday, but for some reason I desire an evening in one of the infamous highrise floors to lounge and watch the city travel below.
18. Beach bum - It is my will to head to the beach MORE this summer. I can totally see the kids enjoying this prospect. Maybe Pam is influencing me here, but I can't get over that we can travel to ocean's edge, east or west coast, but never frequent what is in our own "backyard" enough.
19. catch up with scrap - I know that I will never be completely done. But I would love some whole days here and there to really knock a hole in some projects that are wandering around in my head.
20. french braid - I never really took the time to learn it. When I was little, my mom would do it for me, but not having another head to practice on, I never took interest in it. I would love to find this creative twist, but I'm thinking Aly might not agree with me. :(
21. WITL summer edition - Ali Edwards will influence me again. I loved doing this last year. I think I ALMOST convinced the entire family that it was cool to do. This year I am looking forward to a summer version in comparison to last year's spring edition.
22. Farmer's market - This is something that bugs me every year. I would love to have easy access to a nice fresh food market. I'm looking for tips. I know it would make great impact on our eating habits.
23. carbon footprint - I'm in research mode alongside the whole declutter debate. I want the kids to UNDERSTAND the importance of it all, and I, too, want to be a better role model.
24. invest - my least favorite pasttime, or rather a habit that I grew away from, is anything with numbers. I struggled TONS with algebra and equations in junior high, so my brain is not a fan of the stock market or playing games with high risk attached to it. (Don't take me to the casino, I would stink), but I know that, for our sake, I need to realign myself and start planning for the future.
25. educate ME - I spend so much time planning out lessons and grading papers, that I really DO wish to find a self selected area study. I want to learn ONE thing that is brand new this year.
26. YOGA - Maybe this is my ONE thing. I would really like to make time to sign up for yoga this year. Maybe it is the "temper tantrum" in me or the craving to find "inner peace" with the world, but I would adore the chance to participate in something like this on a weekly basis.
27. Super secret SPY lens - This puppy has been on my TO GET list for awhile, and TOTALLY matches my street photog goal, but everyone who know me and knows my daughter really knows WHY i want this lens...
28. make JELLO work - Stop the snickering please... I have admitted it before, but for those of you who haven't laughed out loud at me for it already; I CANNOT make JELLO, well, uhm...gel! It seems that following the directions on the box are something that I can't handle. I am determined to make a JELLO mold that sets and lasts standing up on its' own surface. I will conquer this!!
29. quilt - I'm going to need some ancestral assistance here, but I do dream in fabric colors almost as much as I do patterned papers. I want to cut and sew. I want to stitch and hem. I want a quilt that my kids will want to fight over long after I am gone, like I once did of my grandmother's patchwork masterpieces.
30. superstitions - I want to shake free of all the evil eyes and notions that society comes up with!! I used to be deathly afraid to walk under ladders and broken mirrors. This year, as Chato and I prepare to celebrate our 13th year of marriage, I say "pfbttttt!" There are no unlucky number other that the ones we ourselves create, and thus far I think we are doing a pretty good bang up job at life and love.
31. Understand FAITH - And all of that superstition stuff leads me here. I want to follow my heart more often. I want to trust that there is no wrong road. I want to believe that things happen for a reason. I want to be trusting and advance compassion.
32. Become more resourceful - With a grain of salt, I most definitely wish to compile the ideas of less clutter and clean design, but I want to do it in a way that maximizes what we have and makes use of the things we no longer need. I do not have the goal of tossing things out just to toss them, but rather repurpose items or put them in the hands of those who need them.
33. to do lists - hmmm...I may get to cross one off my list before this even gets published! As I said earlier, I used to survive on lists of items to stay organized, so I am planning on getting a new notebook and starting again. It is one of my favorite things that I just can't explain. Maybe it is the sense of accomplishment of the scratched off item... :)
34. DIY Pinterest - whether it is sewing, scrapbooking, or painting, I want to create something from all of my items that I have been gathering up over at Pinterest. There is nothing better in the world than a virtual corkboard. Well, okay, making something from that corkboard would be pretty awesome.
35. Grants - Winning the CFE grant has motivated me. I want to write MORE this year. I've got technology in mind, and I'm looking for a philanthropist to fund my kids! Any takers?
36. quotes - I've always loved them. I want to start using them more in relation to pictures. And if I haven't rambled and ranted long enough here, in this wishy-washy list of "WANNA DOs" just remember:
2 comments:
First of all, Happy Birthday!
Secondly, I love your list!!! Get me in on your "planning" events for BFFS...I'll help plan an event too!!!
Thirdly, if you are looking for a bike, there is a great little bike shop in Frankfort, not far from me. Cute VINTAGE and traditional bikes!
WTG on the list! You are once again an inspiration to me!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLIE!!!!
I love love LOVE your list, it is wonderful. I am so doing this on my next (30...gulp) birthday.
Let's be buds...I am with you on the food thing...it is my quest to buy fresh as much as possible and try to limit prepacked foods the best I can...we can do this together!!!
Love the shout out, hee hee..
oh, and I hear you on the pinterest thing (btw, have you gotten the app? I am awaiting the day it comes out for android). I have not been pinning lately because I want to do some of the stuff I have pinned first, lol. Although I did just make some zucchini bread that I had pinned this weekend;)
I hope 36 is a wonderful wonderful year for you!!!
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