From November 2011 to November 2012, I’m celebrating my 40th birthday! This list was made in a short time, but thought about & prayed over numerous times :: not to mention all of the great conversations with my husband
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Here are GUIDELINES I’ve set up for myself:
1. all monies needed will come from birthday funds gifted to me or from selling one thing to do another {have I ever mentioned my love for ebay, craigslist and etsy?}
2. I am not a slave to this list. Though it’s BIG, it fits well with our life, but only as I can see it now.
3. As I approach each one, I’ll blog about the story behind the choice {and even tweet under the hashtag #40while40}. Follow along? — this will be fun!
So without further ado…
{follow the blog posts to see how I’m doing!}
Forty Things I’d Like to Accomplish While I’m 40
Learning & Growing (6):
read 10 books to inspire & encourage personal growth
take a cooking class from my Mother (Haitian cooking)
start & finish photography lessons gifted to me
attend a homeschooling conference
learn about organizing my speaking & writing, and developing this space towards this
evaluate all crafting materials & separate into keep & sell :: sell crafting materials :: started, ongoing!
Pen to Paper experiences (writing) (5)
start & keep an ‘idea’ journal :: blogged
develop new avenues of sharing on the blog (podcasts? video? ebooks?)
read 3 books (ebooks or other) on writing & publishing
with discernment, welcome opportunities to write for blogs or other :: blogged
connect with DIY Ministry and other resources for some consulting
Spiritual & Service (5)
establish a monthly giving allowance for the children – an amount to share with ministries on a monthly basis :: blogged
read the Bible all the way through (using the Narrated Bible)
re-evaluate how to best serve our congregation with my spiritual gifts and abilities
embrace opportunities at church that match those gifts, release others
intentionally seek mentoring relationships (formal or informal)
Travel & Experiences (6)
Vacation in Portland, Maine (with the family)
Visit Lexington Market in Baltimore
Visit the city of Philly for a window-shopping day
Visit a vineyard
Visit Longwood Gardens
Go on a long scenic drive focusing on taking photographs
Celebrate Marriage & Family (6)
with my husband, attend a music concert of interest
plan for & spend a family weekend looking at our mission statement
evaluate our family traditions, establish new ones, affirm old ones
go away on a 1-2 overnight stay (gifted to us!) with my husband
enjoy a summer high tea party with my girls
host a messy party for my boys
For Fun (3)
go sailing at least once
eat at 3 new ethnic restaurants (with friends or with my husband)
host a shrimp boil or salad party with friends
Health & Wellness (3)
continue with healthy habits established — less processed foods, green smoothies, etc.
purchase a bike and try out at least two trails
take a personal retreat (a yearly practice)
In the Kitchen (6)
purchase a grain mill & grind my own grain regularly
make my own vanilla extract
learn to grow sprouts
learn to make water kefir for our smoothies
make liquid hand soap :: blogged
plant and maintain a small herb garden (think 3!)
** follow the blog posts, see how I’m doing! **
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