The Countdown to 40

Merry Christmas!
I am enjoying Christmas with a full belly and cheesy movies on TV, crocheting.. and also doing a little reflecting (tis the season for reflecting)

 January 1st, 2017 I decided there were 40 things I wanted to do by the time I was 40 (#40by40) I still have a little under a month, but I know that I am going to making another list! But, I wanted to update my journey so far. You can follow my journey from the beginning here.  I had some lofty goals.. but that were fairly attainable.  I already know how I am going to change up a few! I do know, however, that I have had so many great adventures with my wonderful husband, fabulous family, and amazing friends! I LOVE that I have had help in all sorts of different places!

*Side note! I am actually about to reach my goal in Good Reads for this year! My final book of the year.. Where the Crawdads Sing.. SO good!

The ones with * are ones that have been completed

Travel
1. Book and pay for a vacation to Ireland- moving this to my next list
2. Take mom to New York- moving to my next list
3. Take a trip to New Jersey- moving to my next list
4. Tour a vineyard- moving to my next list
5. Drive Route 66- moving to my next list
6. Camp in a National Park - moving to my next list (but will hopefully be doing soon with my troop!
*7. Go on a haunted tour- April 2017 in San Antonio on a knee scooter!
*8. Go to Canyon with Elaine- July 2017
9. Float the River- moving to my next list
10. Go Skiing- ? Still deciding if this is really something I want to do?
11. See the Grand Canyon- moving to my next list
*12. Go on a girls weekend- YES! I had an amazing time with the #skurtcrew Jan. 2019
13. Go fishing with my dad- moving to my next list
Adventure
14. Take a wine tasting class- moving to my next list
*15. Get 3 tattoos- I LOVE my 3 tattoos that I got!! My parents signature are 2 of them and then the other one is From Where the Wild Things Are to represent my husband
16. Indoor skydive- moving to my next list
17. Learn to drive a stickshift- Trying to decide if this one is really important??
Family
18. Renew our vows- moving to my next list- Want to do for my 15th anniversary which is June 17th, 2020
19. Have photos taken- Want to do this on our anniversary as well
20. Host a game night- This is coming up Jan. 3!!
Life Goals
*21. Learn to crochet- My Aunt Rebecca taught me some simple crocheting this summer when they were in town.. and this year I learned how to crochet coffee coozies (made about 25 of them) and I am currently working on a scarf!

*22. Attend a New Years Even party- I attended my first one last year!!
23. Write an article for Family Fun- I have tried SO hard to get in contact with someone at this magazine! I have written a couple of articles for the ATPE magazine, so I think I am going to change this up for the next list.
24. Write a poetry book- this one will be changing up a bit
*25. Learn to make moms biscuits- done (and I even made some for breakfast Christmas morning)
*26. learn to make dads gravy- done (they were So good this morning!)
27. learn to make William's Death by Chocolate Crepes-Might happen before my birthday!
*28. Learn to make bread from scratch- learned how to do that this summer (2019) will probably have to make it from a recipe again
29. Make a photo book of my photos- I think I might do this as a gift to myself! I have loved taking pictures!
30. Make a t-shirt blanket- this one might never happen.. I keep collecting.. and never making!
*31. Send birthday cards- I did SO much better at this and everything is in my calendar so I can keep working on it- so I consider a success (if you haven't got a card from me.. and I asked for your address.. don't judge me too much)
*32. learn to play a song on a guitar- changed this to Ukulele.. and I LOVE it!
Random
33. meet Bill Murray- changing this to be my FAVORITE author!!
34. Watch all the Liam Neeson movies-changing this up a bit
*35. Do 40 Random Acts of Kindness- I think I have done more than 40.. but a random act of kindness happens.. and you don't really post every where that you have done something.
36. Go to a drive in movie-moving this to my next list
37. Get new luggage-moving this to my next list
38. Watch a meteor shower-moving this to my next list (and will also require me to stay up after my bedtime :)
Financial
39. Be in a better place with credit- I think I will be working on this for the REST OF MY LIFE!
*40. Purchase a groupon and use it- SO.. I totally purchased a groupon.. and then didn't use it because I realized it was for a baby blanket and not a regular size one :)


So.. officially 13 out of the 40 completed and at least 2 more that are going to be completed before the 20th of January!

Because it is Christmas and I am TOTALLY in love with this pic.. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year to you and yours.

Are you a list maker?  Do you have any milestones coming up that you are planning for? Here's to LOTS of new adventures!

A Year In Review- Top 3 Best and Worst Moments

2017 is ending soon, and what a year it was.

This year my word has been Seek, and I have done a ton of seeking in myself, friends, and family.

This year brought graduations, wedding announcements, breakfast with friends, loss of friends, knee scooters for sprained ankles, gaining of understanding of family, and the beginning of the work on the 40x40 list, and so much more! Do I have more than 3 GREAT moments of the year.. of course!  Do I have more than 3 of the WORST moments of the year, absolutely.  But what makes a year other than the memories of what happened and how you get through both good and bad. 

Before I get into the top 3.. I wanted to share my dreams for this past year (William and I had some as well.. and we actually did over half of them!!)

I had this frame sitting next to my bed.. and reminded myself often.  The first one... don't feel guilty and enjoy life- I am finally getting to that stage.. but I had to do some of my own scripts of how to handle situations in order to achieve this (of course I am still working on it) 4.0 average for TWU.. OMG.. when I talk about my top 3 BEST and WORST you will understand more why this was amazing :) Be at a better weight.. yep.. down 10 pounds!  #40by40 adventures, you can check out the blog hear about my updates

Now to the lists (and if you know me.. you know how much I love to list!)

Top 3 BEST Moments of 2017

1. I graduated from TWU!!  Not only did I graduate, but I a did it with a 4.0 average and was also recognized as an outstanding student. I am now officially a librarian!!!

2. My husband was diagnosed bi-polar.  Mental illness is not something to joke about, but because of the diagnosis it has changed how our household runs. It has also helped with my own understanding of how important it is to help support those that have mental illness.. but also support myself.  I could NOT have made it without all the friends that I have, my husband getting the help that he needs.. and the love of my family and 2 amazing ladies. It is not easy to say that someone needs help.. and it is not easy to recognize that you need extra support to make it through too.  I am proud of my husband and the talented created chef and person that he is.  I am thankful for my parents that have been with me every step of the way.. and I am so thankful for Robin and Elaine being there ALL THE TIME!

3. Working on my #40by40 list.  I LOVE lists, and working on my #40by40 list has helped me branch out of my comfort zone.  I have learned how to make my moms biscuits and my dads gravy, I have gotten 3 new tattoos, I have learned how to play the ukulele, I have been more mindful in birthday cards (guys.. I even sent out a few Christmas cards this year!), went on a photo journey to Canyon with Elaine, been on a ghost tour (on a knee scooter too) and so much more!! As petty as this sounds.. I love my #40by40 list because it is things that make me happy.  You can check out my list here .  I have done an updated blog about adventures so far here .  Side note... my goal was 3 tattoos.  One was the one to represent William (which is from Where the Wild Things Are) and the other 2 were to represent my parents. In my family if you love someone, you don't say I love you this much.. because that is not very much, but you love someone This Manys.  On my feet (because my parents have been with me every step of the way) I got This Manys.  One side is my dads handwriting and the other side is my moms.  My other tattoo is on my back.. because William always has my back!

 Top 3 WORST Moments of 2017

1. Losing an amazing friend. In May I (and HUNDREDS of other people) lost a truly amazing young woman.  Kylie was one of a kind and I sure do miss her text messages, phone calls, dates, and hang ups.  I wrote about her here. But she also has helped me with my word of the year Seek.

2.  Going to school. Okay, I LOVE school (and learning).. but doing 2 classes a semester and keeping up with my life in general was REALLY tough.  I know that I am an over achiever, but between home life, school life, librarian life and going to school.. it was ROUGH. 

3. Getting my husband diagnosed bi-polar.  A diagnosis of being bi-polar is only the beginning.  In order to get true help.. it requires doctors visits, medications, strength, support, love and so much more.  Although we are finally on the right path.. combining life in general (see number 2 and 1) made for some really tough times.

But, here comes 2018! I am excited to see what adventures it has in store.  One of my husbands favorite books is Where the Wild Things Are. I carry a Max in my purse with me, and when I go out of town.. Max goes with me too.  I recently read the book again.. and I loved it even more.  Of course it tells the story of Max who is just a little too wild, but who goes out to find adventures, be the king, and still comes home to a warm plate of food.  I know that I am ready for 

The Wild Rumpus To Start!

P.S.- I know that there are SO many people that have helped me along on this journey that I call my life.. and please know that I am SO thankful for each and every one of you (even if I don't say it enough)

P.P.S.- I am going to work on bullet journaling this year to help with my own mindfulness. You can follow me on Instagram to see what I am up too.. but I do plan to be adding more Youtube videos and be better about blogging here and at Bee in the Bookends! I also have lots of adventures in store for this year!