Remember My Birthday Post... A 35 Things Recap

Some of you might remember my blog post from my 35th birthday in August.  As 2012 winds down, I thought I would do a little recap of what I've accomplished or haven't accomplished so far.   I'm not trying to make myself feel bad... I don't really hold that list as written in stone.  I don't plan on being hard on myself.  I wrote the list to give me some goals and ideas to look forward to and as I've learned over time, goals are always more attainable when written down and reviewed.  So here it is:

1.  This one makes me laugh.  Yes, I have stripped many many times.  In the comfort of my own bedroom and bathroom (sorry about too much information).  Oh and yes, the wallpaper in our upstairs hallway has been almost completely stripped but that is thanks to the kids.  One evening they decided to take as much as they could down and I was probably on my laptop looking through pinterest as they were doing it!  Thanks kids!  Maybe in January I'll plan to paint... we'll see!

2.  No I have not lost any weight... and it won't start now as we go into Christmas!

3.  YES our vacation to Florida and Walt Disney World is planned!

4.  This one will be easy - go on that vacation - at the end of January!

5.  I am volunteering at our school every Friday morning and for most of their classes special events.  Tomorrow I am helping in Grace's and Alex's classes.

6.  I have certainly continued blogging... and loving it!

7.  Work on the blocks for my winter quilt... still behind on that!

8.  Yes I did complete a very special "pink" quilt for some special girls out in B.C.

9.  I did make a batch of salsa... and it is yummy!

10.  I am trying to drink more water.  I've brought out my water container that I try to finish every day... it is harder than you might think!

11.  I am having no trouble drinking more red wine.  After years and years of drinking only white wine, I now prefer red... that was easy!

12.  Ian and I did go away to Quebec City over a week ago... it was heavenly.

13.  Watch less t.v. - yes I do!  After becoming a Jockey Consultant, I spend many evenings doing all things "Jockey".

14.  I am not sewing very much... and I miss being with my wonderful sewing machine.  This morning I hemmed 2 pairs of pants and realized that I am really missing it!

15.  Make lots and lots of jam!  No problem there.  I've had record sales for jam this fall and continue to make batches and batches.

16.  No I am not finding it easy to purchase more eco-friendly products.  I have many in my cupboards but I still want to purchase and use more!  Still working on this goal.

17.  Still trying to teach our kids to eat more healthy foods...

18.  Eat more fruits and veggies myself - always a challenge in the winter months but I think I'm doing it!

19.  Ha!  This goal was to run 5 km... maybe in the spring??

20.  I've decided I am not going to read the 3rd book in the 50 Shades trilogy... moving on to better reads.

21.  I have not made my own pasta yet... saw the attachments today for my kitchenaid mixer and not sure if I want to make that purchase.

22.  Hug and kiss my kids more.  Oh this is a good one, especially after the many tragedies that have occurred recently.  I love this goal and I am doing it every day!!!!

23.  Kiss my husband more... that is for only me to know (but I will say that during November it was a bit less due to his silly mustache!)

24.  I am trying to breath through my stress.

25.  I need to work on this one... call my mom more often!

26.  I am not going to bed earlier - too many things to do! 

27.  All of my teaching supplies from years ago are still in my basement.  That is a MARCH project!

28.  I think my big deep freeze is in pretty good shape - I did this job early in the fall!

29.  Take a yoga class... I tried but the one I wanted was full.  I am on her waiting list.

30.  Yes I made zucchini relish and it is delish!

31.  Take skiing lessons:  I am hoping a friend will help me with this one!

32.  We are planning on skiing a few times this winter and have already been in touch with a friend who will help us teach the kids (and myself!).

33.  I am not walking as much as I should these days...

34.  This is a good one:  Show my husband that he is the most important person to me.  I think we have a very strong relationship.  I had the best time on vacation with him recently and didn't want it to end.  Every day we are a team and I feel comfort from that... he is my favourite person.  I hope that I show that to him as much as I should.

35.  Love myself a little bit more.  This fall I found myself floundering (is that a word?).  Then something came along, an opportunity that initially I put aside but then realized that I really really wanted to go for it.  Being a mom and a farmer's wife (and proud of it), my own desires can easily get put aside but this time I made the choice to do something JUST FOR ME.  I think this is a great way to love myself more. 

Well I've made it to the end of my list and I feel pretty darn good about it.  Heck, I still have almost 9 months to continue to work on some of them...

I hope that some of you have your own lists and that you review them periodically.  It is so rewarding to see accomplishment but I also think that it is good for our self-esteem and self-worth to see how far we've come.  We are all capable of change but sometimes all we need is to realize that what we are doing and how we are living is really good. 

Take care of yourself and those around you.  I am thinking of a wonderful family that we know that are going through a very, very hard time.  I am praying for them every day and wishing them peace.