Plans for 2013

Well, since 12-21-12 came and went and there was no appocalypse......I suppose it's safe to go ahead and make my plans for 2013!!  (wink-wink!)

1.  I want to continue our weekend trips, exploring the local areas and finding cool places to visit!!

2.  I want to continue to exercise and be physically active!  I really DO feel better when I exercise regularly and it's now become a habit!!  Yay!!!

3.  I want to learn to take better pictures....hone my photography skills! I want to learn to do creative pictures and maybe even frame a few shots for my office.

4.  I want to decorate my office at work.  It's a disorganized messy mess right now. I think I could be much more productive and positive at work if my environment was neat and pretty!!

5.  I want to dress more professionally....and less frumpily.  I have a few new things in my closet now that actually fit me...I just need to learn how to put things together to look less "Aunt Bea" and more pulled-together. 

6.  I want to celebrate.  EVERYTHING!  Big things, little things....all things.  I am so blessed...I need to exude more of an attitude of gratitude!!! Be more mindful of the blessings, and complain much less.

7.  I want to take some more painting classes...maybe some writing classes? Pottery classes?  I just want to flex some creative muscle and learn!!!

8.  I want to make use of my new craft-room and be crafty!!

9.  Trips for the year?  This year, we are planning a trip up the New England coast to see as many light-houses as possible....and perhaps in the fall....a trip out to Nevada to the Grand Canyon and to Las Vegas. I made it to the airport in Vegas this year...but was only passing through.  I don't care one bit about gambling....totally not my thing...but I do want to see the magnificant hotels and sights in Vegas!  We were thinking about a trip to Europe this year....but maybe not....maybe we will see more the the US and tackle Europe next year. 

10.  I want to continue motorcycle trips with Steve...SO much fun!!!

11.  I want to become an encourager.....to reach out to at least one person per month who is struggling and lighten their load....either spiritually, emotionally or physically.

12.  I want to learn to take time for myself without feeling guilty.  Maybe set aside one night a week to do something I enjoy instead of working:  a bubble bath, coloring in my coloring books, snuggling with my puppy, watching a show with my husband....the activity doesn't matter....the fact that I just take some time off and DO it and not feel guilty for doing it is the important thing.

13.  I want to learn how to effectivly parent my adult children. It's hard being hands-off and so far away from them.  The last 25 years of my life I've spent focusing on being their Mommy.  Now I need to learn to step back and let them be their own selves...even when I don't agree with their life-choices, their circumstances or values.  My prayer is (as it has been the last 25 years)....."Lord, Just let them know how much I dearly love them...even when I don't get it right."

14.  I want to write more.  I have good intentions....but not so good follow-through.  And writing is SUCH good therapy!!!

15.  I want to go horseback riding!  I've lost 94 pounds so far....so it won't be as unfair to the horse now...maybe in the spring time?

16.  I want to enjoy antiquing with my husband.  I just love browsing around, looking at vintage and old things.  There's just a certain charm about items with a history that intrigues me!

17.  I still want to go to a drive-in movie.  Didn't get to mark that off my list last year, so it's a carry-over! 

18.  I want to go on picnics!!!

19.  I want to visit an amusement park....and be more adventurous than I have been about riding the rides.  I've always been a scardey-cat.  I'm tired of being afraid of everything!

20.  I want to have a systemic way of keeping my house cleaner and clutter-free.  Hmmmm. Organization is not my strong point.  I need to research a way to stay on top of it and not let it become overwhelming.

21.  I want to become a more "giving" person.  In so many ways, I'm selfish and I need to learn that there's more joy in giving then in keeping.

22.  I want to grow a kitchen garden for REAL this year.  Last year, I had a good start, but got lazy with it.  I really, really want to grow my own vegetables and herbs. 

23.  I want to make my own soap.  I just love hand-made soaps!! I have some of my own herbs I've grown.....and I want to try my hand at making my own soap!!  :)

Things on my MASTER BUCKET LIST!!  (In no particular order...and a work in progress!):

Visit all Seven Continents
Visit the Redwood Forrests in California
Swim/Float in the Dead Sea
Ride in a Gondola in Italy
See the Aurora Borealis
See Mt. Rushmore
Go on a Safari
Visit/bathe in a Geothermal Spa
Milk a Cow
Visit New York City
   Broadway Play
   Statue of Liberty
   Central Park
   Times Square
Have dinner at a Murder-Mystery Theater
Have dinner at Midevil Times
Visit France
  Eifel Tower
  Coffee at a Sidewalk Cafe
  Lourve
  Notre Dame
Visit Hershey Pennsyvlania
Ride in a Helicopter
Visit the Holyland
Grand Canyon
Niagra Falls
Ride on a Zipline
Go on a Sleigh ride with jinglebells!
Walk thru a Corn Maze
Ride in a Dune Buggy
Go Kyaking
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Ride in a stretch limosine
Go Parasailing
Ride one of those giant Ferris Wheels
Visit the Taj Mahal
See a Radio City Christmas show
Send a message in a bottle
Visit the Rainforrest
Ride in a fanboat in a swamp
Learn how to Ski
Walk through a field of sunflowers
Have my potrait painted by a sidewalk artist
Go tubing down a river
Go for a horseback ride on a beach
See the Pyramids in Egypt
Visit Chile
Visit Rio de Janerio
Get an "Extreme" make-over
Have a surprise party thrown for me
Visit European Castles
Write a Book
Visit Prince Edward Island
Visit the Florida Keys
Visit Hawaii
See the Tulip Fields in Holland
Visit Hawaii
Visit Alaska
Visit all 50 US states

Looking back over 2012

 Well.  It's been a very busy and eventful year here in my crazy life!!  Since this time last year, I've managed to lose 94 pounds.....but I'd rather focus on what I've gained this year!! I was looking back over my list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2012 and I'm very pleased to say that I've managed to cross off quite a few things!!  This was the year that I stopped THINKING about living and started DOING THINGS!!! 

Before I make my list for 2013, I wanted to look back over my personal goals for 2012 (they were all a bit silly and shallow...but they were things I wanted to DO!!!) and see how far I've come!

Wear a pair of Go-Go boots! I've wanted a pair my whole life, but they've never fit!   Well, I didn't exactly get Go-Go boots...but I got a pair of combat boots that I wear when we ride motorcycles and they make me feel VERY bad (in a very good way! Hahaha!!!) and yesterday, I bought a pair of dress boots to wear with my winter skirts!!!!  I've always, always, ALWAYS wanted to wear boots!!!  So I'm gonna say that this goal was MET!

Ride Steve's motorcycle with him! I've always been too heavy.  We've been riding all over tarnation!!! And I LOVE IT!!!!!  I love the feeling of flying through the country roads and seeing the scenery close-up...but mostly I love the feeling of holding my man tight and sharing in something he loves so much!  This goal was MET!!!

Go Horseback riding (Don't worry....I'll wait until it's fair to the horse!) haha! :)  Still haven't had a chance to do this activity....I will add it to my "to-do" for 2013!!! 

Go Hiking!!  This goal has been MET!!!

Wear high-heels!  This goal has been MET!!  (But my feet still ache.)

Go on a romantic Picnic  This goal has been MET (twice!)

Dress up in Fancy Clothes and go to a Fancy Party.  This goal has been MET! 

Wear a Swimsuit (It's been a while). I haven't worn it in public yet.  Still building up the nerve. Will move it to 2013's list.

Keep my toenails painted nicely (now that I'll be able to SEE them!) :)  I've even gotten a few professional pedicures!!  This goal has been MET! 

Get a massage on a monthly basis for pain control (Thank you, Massage Envy!) This goal has been blissfully MET!!

Create and organize my craft room (which is an empty room with boxes right now). This goal has been MET (with the wonderful help of my amazing husband!)

Take more painting classes.  I haven't had a chance to do this because of the press of time with the changes at work...so I will have to move it to 2013!!

Get involved in a small group at our new church.   Still haven't managed to find the right fit. :(

Consistently do my Bible Study.  Not as consistently as I'd want to admit.

Learn how to apply my make-up. I'm in a bit of a rut.  This goal is partially met.  I've been experimenting! :)

Visit Nappa Valley.  This goal is MET!!!!  The trip was FABULOUS!!!!

Make my Japan Scrapbook (I've got hundreds of things to put in it...I'm just intimidated!!)   This goal was MET!!!  It took a total of 4 scrapbooks, but they are DONE!!

Cruise to Mexico for 25th Anniversary (scheduled for Feb. 2012!!!)  This goal is MET!

Schedule at least 3 romantic weekend "get-aways" (Day Trips)  Callaway Gardens, Atlanta, and Chicago!  This goal is MET!!!

Study local history and visit local historic places  This goal is MET!!  (Belle Meade Mansion, Cheekwood Mansion and Botanical Gardens, Percy Warner Park, Centennial Park, TN Bicentennial Mall, Nashville Farmer's Market, Antique Archeology, Burgess Falls, Natchez Trace, Red Boiling Springs, Nollensville, Stones River Battlefield, Murfreesboro Greenway, Cannonsboro, Milky Way Farms in Pulaski, and more so far!! )  Will continue this goal into 2013...there are still TONS of local places on my list!  :)

Take more thoughtful photographs (go back to my plan of photographing churches and such)  I've taken over 20,0000 photos this year!! This goal is MET!  (and will continue!)

Send at least 1 encouraging note a month to my friends who are struggling.  This goal is MET! I find that I end up being the one encouraged.....will most definitely continue this practice! 

Open my home to my friends more often for entertaining. I'm tired of being lonely!!! This goal is MET!  Definitely doing more entertaining and I don't feel nearly as isolated.

Do something extra special for Steve on a consistent basis (monthly??) to let him know how much I appreciate and love him.   This goal is MET!  I also find that I enjoy doing things for him.....and it only serves to strengthen our relationship!  I will most definitely continue this practice as well!

Get a frilly 50's style retro apron to wear while I do housework and cook!  This goal is MET!  Not only did I purchase one....I received one as a gift from a dear friend!  Now I feel like Donna Reed! :)

• Plant a fig tree in the back yard....I want a cutting from my Grandpa's tree!  This goal is partially met.  I have 5 "Fig-Twigs" that I cut from my Grandpa's tree that I've nursed all summer long and pray that they winter over and become "Fig-Sticks" in the spring with leaves! 
• I want a lemon tree! And maybe a lime tree too! I will bring it inside in the winter and keep it outside in the summer! Still no citrus trees.  Will have to move this one to the 2013 list.  :)
• I want to be serious about my little garden this summer and not be lazy and forget to water it like I usually do. I want a big beautiful harvest!! And I want to use my produce to cook healthy meals!   Partially met.  I made it until late August before I got lazy with the watering.  I had a few peppers, tomatoes and lots of fresh herbs.  I will definitely try it again next year!!
• I want to organize my closets and drawers! And have them STAY organized for more than a week! My closet is FINALLY organized!!  Goal is MET!
• I want to FINALLY make a fairy garden for my back porch! I've talked about it for years...I want to actually DO it! Still didn't do it.  Will move this one to next year!
• I want to decorate my work office....something with a cohesive theme! It's plain, depressing, ugly and non-inspiring right now. Moved to a new office.....still need to decorate it.
• I want to make at least 2 new friends this year. At least 2. I'm so tired of being lonely!! This goal is MET!! I still get a little lonely...but it's getting better!
• Maybe in the spring when it's not too hot, I'd like to go to a Drive-In movie! I haven't been to one since I was about 5 years old!  Haven't made this one yet.  Will shoot for spring 2013!
• I want to learn to use an ipod or MP3 player...whatever it is you call them (just realized that I sound like I'm 80 years old now!) and I'd like to upload all of my favorite music to listen to while I work out at the gym. Instead, I'm watching Roku and working out at home now...so it was a trade off, but a good one! :)

Now, I'm ready to begin the list for 2013....what things do I want to accomplish?  Where will I be this time next year?  What do I want to do, see, experience and become?  I'm going to put on my thinking cap the next few days and do some soul searching and settle on about 20 things I want to do in 2013.  No more sitting on the sidelines for this girl!! I'm meeting life face to face these days!  No time for being timid or ashamed or embarrassed of who I am anymore.....I'm gonna let my (slightly wobbly, definitely wonky, a bit off-center, but still sparkly) light shine!!!! So thankful for the blessings of 2012!!!!!!