Yes, I know it's a bit behind (my birthday was in April), but my excuse is that I was finishing up Item No. 38 and literally could not post anything new to my blog. I'd say it's a pretty good excuse. Of all the items on this list, No. 38 was the one I wanted to make absolutely sure happened this year. And I did!
One thing I did learn this year is that I really enjoy items that involve (or can involve) friends — see Nos. 6, 12, 20, 21, 32, 33 and 34. And I love talking to people about the things they dream of. So, I'm putting this out there: Can I help you in any way? Whether assisting you with developing a list that works for you, or doing an activity with you — I'm up for most anything but jumping out of a plane — I'd love to be a part of your life goals and challenges. Comment below, or pop me a note.
Anywho, per usual, I've bolded completed items, and added italicized explanations on many that I either completed or started ... or changed my mind about. And, if you're new to all of this, find the what, why and how my birthday lists began here.
Visit Greece — This is where I was for a couple weeks during May 2016, teaching yoga on a Star Clippers sailing ship and falling in love with all the cats. That was a big and longtime travel bucket list item checked off!
Watch every episode of MASH — A rollover from last year. And will continue into next year. My hubby and I are watching together, and, dang, there are a lot of episodes.
Read at least 90 books — I wrapped this cycle with ... 91 books!
Refine Project 333 to my own version of a minimalist closet project — I'm shifting my process, based on what I've learned doing Project 333 for a couple years now. I also participated in the Un-Fancy 10x10 Challenge, constructing 10 different outfits out of just 10 items, and wearing them over a period of 10 days. It was pretty eye-opening. Learn more about that challenge here.
Get will and living will in order (OMG I still haven't done this. Next year. Seriously. For sure.)
Attend a Switchbacks soccer match — Done. Super fun.
Attend the Santa Fe Opera
Do a Georgia O’Keeffe tour around New Mexico (Ghost Ranch, Abiquiu, etc.) — Also didn't happen this year, but I'm on tap to do this in June 2017.
Hike to Hanging Lake, as part of a larger summer/fall hiking goal (see No. 10)
Stay at the Beaumont Hotel in Ouray ... and hike Blue Lakes while there
Attend Judith Lasater’s Advanced Restorative Yoga teacher training — Hoping to get into the August 2017 session so this will go on the next list again. I did take her 21-Day Savasana Intensive.
Be involved with a stage show (maybe a play, maybe a fashion show) in some way — Done! Modeled for GOCA's annual art fundraiser Brilliant. It was super fun, aside from the fake eyelash removal, which was kinda painful. #firstfalsiesat42
Choreograph a country line dance (and see if Barb will teach it at Cowboys) — Talked with Barb, my instructor, about this. She's all in for reviewing my choreography when it's ready. I've picked a song and am working on the choreography. Leaving on next year's list.
Attend a Soul Mechanics session at Ormao
Take a birding and/or bird banding class
Take French language lessons
Try surfing
Nurture a green thumb into existence (re: learn how to properly care for my indoor plants) — My plants are doing really well! And I keep adding more to the house because I love the greenery. I forced daffodils (see picture at top!) and have an indoor basil plant in addition to a new bonsai and aloe plant.
Learn to make pizza, Roman Villa-style
Learn to bake (not-just-quick) bread — So much fun! Made a variety of breads, rolls, sourdough in a pot. AND, bonus, butter! Thanks to my friend "Chef Steffi."
Learn to make my own maraschino cherries (and a fancy cocktail to go with them) — I did this in December. And they were BRILLIANT in fancy Old Fashioneds. And the, ahem, cherry on top of it all? My chocolatier friend Stephanie (see "Chef Steffi" above) and I took some of the berries and made chocolate-covered cherries for Valentine's Day. Heaven.
Renew my #newrecipeaweek commitment — I really enjoy this process, even if I don't hit every single week.
Perform at a poetry slam/open mic
Learn to play an entire song on my ukelele
Remember to use reusable bags when grocery shopping — Did really well with this!
Plan my next trip to France (perhaps running a retreat at Little French Retreat) — Been chatting with a couple different people about this. I think it's going to be further out for me but someday!
See the sandhill crane migration in March/April 2017
Go storm chasing
Go on a train trip
Visit a new-to-me national park
Visit Best Friends Animal Society's sanctuary in Utah — I did attend the Best Friends Annual Conference on behalf of A Voice for Lil Olive last year, and that was pretty cool. And I've found a friend to make the trek to Utah with me. It may not happen before April, but next summer for sure.
Snail mail cards to six friends for no reason. — Done.
Share a bottle of bubbly with a friend once a month — Didn't do so well with this, but I did share a gifted bottle of Dom Perignon with some friends, which counts for, like, 12 bottles, right?
Play Catan with friends — Done! Oh my gosh, way fun. And the couple who joined us is up for a monthly Catan evening.
Try out a new hair color (or highlights, or a streak) — Added red highlights. (Honestly, not a super fan. But that's part of doing new stuff!)
Have a new pair of jeans tailored to fit
Find a new go-to layerable dress that accentuates my fabulousness — Also done!
Wear "grown-up" clothes to bed — Haven't done this every night, but I've done a major clean-out of what I've often worn as pajamas, and am spending more time thinking about wearing something comfortable and cozy, not just pulling whatever I happen to find in the drawer.
Plan for a fun photo shoot
Launch a new website — My biggest accomplishment this year. And you're lookin' at it!
Interview at least one of my bucket-list celebrities — Admittedly, I haven't interviewed from my bucket list. However, I've interviewed some amazing people this year. You can read my interview with Mary Roach here, and my interview with Shaka Senghor here.
Place freelance writing with at least five new publications (a mix of print and online) — I pitched a ton of new places, and added Rodale's Organic Life to my portfolio. Will keep this goal next year.
P.S. I'm out of town and completely off the grid next week, so I'll be sharing my #43before44 list the first full week of June.
