Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Better Me...

In March of 2006, I made a layout and list about the things that I wanted to accomplish by the time I was 40. At that point in time, I had 4 1/2 years to complete the list. Then, surprise! I got pregnant and a lot of that list simply went out the window with the re-focusing of my life to raise a baby/toddler.

As I just passed my 39th birthday, I thought that it was time for a new list. I have 1 year until I turn 40 and a lot of it will be spent as a single (sahm) parent. The trap in that is that it is so easy for life to become a pj life...no one else around to know that you didn't do anything all day so I thought some goals in life would be a good thing and created a layout so that I would have a written record of those goals.


I will list the things written on here so that you don't have to strain to see all the journaling. They aren't in any sort of order...basically in the order that I wrote them down (it took about a month to come up with the list.)
1. write a book (I think that this is just a good goal for me...to accomplish something BIG!)

2. self-publish that book (I want to do something very custom and artsy)

3. 135 lbs (I am not so sure that this is attainable since I have been exercising 6 times a week and eating really healthy) so I would be happy with a size 8 jean that's comfortable.

4. artwork published in a US magazine

5. est. a good working weekly routine (ie. Mondays- dust; Tuesdays-wash sheets; etc.)

6. repeat my 12 Days of Christmas this year on the blog

7. Create an inspiration board (I have plans here that hopefully I will be sharing soon)

8. create monthly inspiration stash (I love the way Mish creates inspiration stations and want to recreate the idea.)

9. Maintain my weekly exercise routine

10. Submit to magazines weekly

11. Become part of another DT ( I am really thinking some sort of sketch team...I don't want to do anything that competes with Unity.)

12. Mail all birthday cards at least a week in advance of birthdays (this is something that I am AWFUL about and there is NO EXCUSE with the amount of cards that I make each month.)

13. Finish my daily to-do lists.

14. Work on my photography skills weekly

15. send out 4 RAK's/month
16. prep calendar books a year in advance

17. reduce, reuse, recycle- Simplify!!!

18. make stamp room more workable

19. create every single day
20. picnic with the kids more

21. eat healthy

22. read the Harry Potter books

23. read 3 literary classics

24. learn a new skill

25. be friendlier/more outgoing (I struggle with being an introvert and being comfortable around people that I don't know very well.)

26. jump in puddles more

27. get a haircut (I know, this may seem like a strange one, but I haven't had my hair professionally cut since Kat was about a week and a half old so I thought that it would be a good goal for the year.)

28. control the piles in the house

29. Make more gifts.

30. get all of my layouts into albums (this goes along nicely with #28)
31. Organize my cards (also goes along well with #28)

32. Write more letters

33. Make more phone calls (this is that introvert thing again...it's so much easier just to not make chitchat...I need to be better about staying in touch.)

34. Make calling cards (I just have an infatuation with calling cards and want to play with the art this year.)

35. Mail Christmas cards (one of my major downfalls this past year- I will get them made AND sent this year!)

36. declutter

37. organize my submission process (harkens back to #4 and #10)

38. draw more (I used to be fairly artistic...I would like to find that skill again.)

39. stretch myself out of my comfort zone

40. More quality time with the kids (i.e. less time playing on facebook...LOL!)

41. Conquer my Mac computer (yes, I still have issues!)

42. sew more (I used to sew all my clothes and I have no desire to go back to that, but I would like to be friendlier with my sewing machine on a regular basis for fun things.)

*********
And that's my to-do list for the next year, esp. the next 5 months. It should keep me busy to pass the time quickly, right?!?

And just real quick, here are the supply details for the layout...
supplies used:
*Unity Stamp Co. Frame this alpha
*Unity Stamp Co. Confession: i luv Unity
*Unity Stamp Co. Bevy of Butterflies
*MM paper and trim
*decorative file folder
*Tattered Angels chipboard and glimmer mist
*flat-backed pearls
*Bazzill kraft cardstock
*MME paper (dark pink)
*Fiskars border punch


13 comments:

Mom said...

A very interesting & very do-able list. I'm sure you will succeed!

Jenn said...

Wow, what a list, but you can do it!

Lydia said...

Great Layout, love the butterfly monogram, so pretty.

Julie Campbell said...

Wow! What a list! You're inspiring ME! Wow! Your picture is adorable, btw! :)

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Oh my oh my, what a list. But what a cool page to show it and keep track. Oh speaking of "keeping track, do you have a keeping track page started?

Dave said...

Whoa sis, that's quite a list. For me, just being organized enough to make a list that long would have to be on my list. But it's not on my list since I am not organized enough to make the list. So, since this becomes a chicken/egg issue, I guess I just won't make a list. :-)

I know you can do it; now conquer that list (and not vice versa).

Margaret Kane Ward said...

What a nice marker for your place in life now.

If I may be so bold (as a complete stranger) to share words of wisdom from my late (now-ex) mother-in-law....... "After 40, it's all maintenance."

Learn that now BEFORE the auspicious 40th birthday and work at keeping what you have. :)

Good luck with all your goals for this next year.

Charlene said...

that is a very cool idea and I love your page, gorgeous! I think I'll have to make one of those layouts!

Rona said...

Wow that's some list!!! I just turned 40 I think I'll make a goal to "make a list" before I turn 45 - not complete the list just make one :) okay so I'm just not as ambitious as you!! But seriously, this is an amazing thing for you to do for yourself and also for your children to see when they are older!!

Christine said...

I love your list. Quite a few of them are on my list too but alas I will have to make it my "I want to accomplish by the time I am 50" list. Well maybe 45. I love your layout. I need to make one too. I have not done enough in my All about Me album. I've got some wonderful news to share with you but I will email you tomorrow about it. Have a wonderful day!
xoxo, Christine

Eva said...

I totally love this layout and your list is awesome!!!! Wishing you reaching many of those goals this next coming up year!

Lori Kae said...

This is absolutely precious and you have fantastic goals. I wish you success and happiness as you achieve each of them. :)

Lisa said...

Great goals and I really like your layout. You have inspired me!

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