Last January – In the year of our Lord, Two Thousand and Nine
I made a list of 100 Lifetime goals and dreams . It wasn’t an exhaustive list, just a list of 100 or so things I’d like to “do/be/buy/give/see”.
Here’s how 2009 measured up for me:
- Snow ski —–February — just a few days following my 50th birthday – which was another goal I had set years earlier …”to snow ski by the age of 50″.
- Go on a beach vacation —August -Jekyll Island, GA. It wasn’t a Caribbean beach like I am still hoping for, but it was a beach, and it was vacation.
- Increase blog readership—Without doing any math….I’m guessing readership increased by 50% !
- Have a huge garage party (with dancing) in 2009––July – to celebrate 50th birthdays, friends, family and summer days!
- Take dance lessons in 2009 —February and March — took levels I and II of Swing Dance
- Blog more often —Blogged nearly 5 days a week — taking some weekends off
- Learn to use camera confidently in different situations ––I have started to shoot more photos on manual settings and experimenting more.
- Increase the size of our garden – and give away produce —The garden was definitely bigger — but unfortunately not necessarily better. We gave away apples this year.
- Go to a beach and walk the shore —Jekyll Island, GA — August…5 days in a row! I’m still keeping this one on my list! I can never get enough beach walking.
- Put a patio by front door—Oh yeah! Thanks to Nate and DIY Guy!
- Take better pictures—Working on it. Have improved since January 2009.
- Plant a pumpkin patch —Planted one — but it failed. New plan for next year. My experiment didn’t work.
- Use my re-useable shopping bags more —Used them way more than previous years — still going to work on this one in 2010.
- Make a eat-at counter in kitchen —The plans are coming along — and pulling DIY guy along on this one.
- Entertain more often in 2009 —Did more entertaining than in 2008, will continue to work on this in 2010.
- Cook more —Hmmm….maybe I did? Working full-time sure cuts into my cooking energy.
- Own a good belgium waffle maker —I bought one for DIY Guy for Valentine’s Day 2009. We eat belgium waffles more often now.
- Ring Salvation Army bell in 2009 —Did it — December, 2009 — with DIY Guy and Coby, the Bernese Mountain Dog.I also was the coordinator for our church bell ringing.
- Be more real/authentic ––Trying. Really trying. But I still won’t tell you how much I weigh.
- Take more photos of my kids —Did — they aren’t tired of it yet, so must not be overdoing it!
- Meet a need for someone —I met a few needs over the year.
- Do more random acts of kindness (pay it forward) —Did a little of this –could do it more.
- Stop worrying about what others think of me —This is dangerous territory — but I’m making progress, and it feels good.
- Love unconditionally —Several instances where I needed to remember this one.
- Throw away and give away all the things that don’t make me happy ––A continuing work in progress — I really just need more time!
- Give away more eggs ––Gave some to my neighbor who doesn’t speak to us often — he was VERY excited to receive them!
- Make “stupid coffee” —I think I will make this tomorrow!
- Teach kids how to make turnovers ––Danae made them with me this year. She was a quick study and did great!
- Host a wine tasting party —February, 2009. We won the party at a silent auction. Good time!
- Own a shallow depth of field lens. –Bought a used one. Starting to use it more. DIY Guy was right — the lens he bought me with my camera gets the most use.
- Learn Yoga — Class starts Sunday night!
2009 was a wonderful year.
I am full of gratefulness.
Thank you for joining me on my journey through 2009 and sending me so much love and encouragement in the comments.
Happy New Year !