How in the world do these months keep flying by so fast? Didn't I just turn 40?
Apparently not. I will say it's been another productive month on the list. (Still featuring the three sections: Done, In Progress, and Ahead of Me Still. Notes intermingled.)
• 40 Before 41 •
Done!
• Develop a new website for my blog — Do you like? • Have a tarot reading done — A friend read the cards for me on my birthday. They indicated a lot of challenge over the next year, but lots of potential success too. She's offered to read my cards again on Oct. 23 for my half birthday. She'll probably use her own deck, but I finally purchased these and love them. • Find more opportunities to dance — Still trying to tap dance weekly at Ormao (the evening changed so it's gotten a little harder) - made some new friends through it, which I wasn't expecting. Also line dancing every Sunday. • Visit a hot springs in Colorado — I visited Mount Princeton Hot Springs in Buena Vista, Colorado, with my dear friend Jessica. It rained as we sat in the pools and it was a lovely, sensory experience. • See my byline in a national magazine — Woot! This happened! I've got a story in the Sept./Oct. 2014 issue of Spirituality & Health magazine. Look for it on newsstands now. • Climb Pikes Peak — My #CouchTo14er is complete. This was the biggie on my list. • Take a trip with a girlfriend — Not only did Amber climb Pikes Peak with me, but she and I travelled to Breckenridge for a training hike weekend, which was loads of fun. I am still hoping to take at least one more trip with a girlfriend who I don't see regularly. • Skinny dip — Ahem. Done. And I have photos to prove it. Whether or not YOU will get to them remains to be seen. Lol. • Learn to make ginger beer — The super fun one this month! A friend who makes ginger beer for a local bar let me come along and learn his process. We made 45 gallons, which isn't exactly what I'll do at home, but I feel ready to tackle a gallon on my own now. Planning to do so in October.
In Progress
• Yoga and meditation, daily — Up and down with this. Getting to the mat each day is a real practice. • Blog at least twice a week — I think I'm averaging twice a month, which is much less than I'd hoped. I'm looking for a blog project to join to help me along. • Read at least 52 books — Still ahead of schedule. Twenty-five books down, six in progress. I'm debating whether or not to start the second in the Game of Thrones series. • Send a snail mail letter/card/postcard/gift once a month — On track. • Plant and grow something edible outside — One tomato plant, chard, basil, baby lettuce and mint in the pots. Regularly using the mint and basil. My tomato, which at the beginning of the week had seven wee tomatoes on it, now has two. I suspect the squirrels found it. • Journal at least weekly — Still working on this. • Invest in a week’s worth of matching bras and panties (foundations matter!) — Five new sets purchased. Lots of lace. • Intentionally play music in the house every day — This has been awesome actually. Somehow it makes the house feel more like a home. • Participate in a stage show (play, musical, etc.) as cast or crew — No callback from my audition for me, so it's time to do more research for new options. • Play paintball — Recruiting friends to join in because this seems like it would be more fun with a group. • Continue to reduce my wardrobe, a la Project 333 — It's amazing, really, how much easier it gets each time. I think I'm going to join in on her #33in33 challenge. • Facilitate and participate in at least one improv writing session a month — Summer schedules and sickness got in the way this and last month. Hoping to get back on track in September. • Build a terrarium — Haven't built a full terrarium, but I do now have a mini hanging terrarium with rocks and an air plant. • Learn to bake French macarons — Looking for classes, have one potential option. • Plan my next trip to France — I've been chit-chatting and plotting and planning with my British friend Tamsin, owner of the Little French Retreat, about this ... • Take French language lessons — Tracked down a local French language Meetup group and two friends to go with me. On the calendar for October. • Show up (my 2014 “one-word” soul mantra) — I kinda think all of this is about showing up. Right?
Ahead of Me Still
• Have at least one item of clothing tailored to fit • Visit Ojo Caliente • Make new connections with at least three bloggers I respect • Attend the Santa Fe Opera — Unfortunately, I didn't jump on this, and it looks like I won't be able to attend until next summer, after my birthday. Kinda sad about that, but perhaps if I ask for tickets FOR my birthday that will count? • Take classes on how to use all the buttons on my DSLR • Figure out my signature style • Find the perfect red lipstick (and wear it) • Add a piece of original art to my collection • Give generously what I want to receive • Stay up once all night until sunrise • Perform at a poetry slam/open mic • Get will and living will in order • Get make-up tips from a pro • Take performance driving lessons •