34.5

Today I'm 34.5. Time just clips by and by. I thought I'd provide an update on where I'm at with my list of 34 to-dos in this year of my life. I'm thinking of each of these as an adventure - like in the movie UP - which I highly recommend. I love that. And I love figuring out how to document them in the little book I put together in November. It's an adventure and project all in one! What could be better, I ask? :)

1: love - definitely. I've been working to feel love in situations that might not immediately draw that emotion out from me. It's good.
2: start an etsy shop
3: finish five books - 2 down, many started. What will end up being the five (or six or seven) will tell a story about my year.
4: cross an ocean
5: bake bread from scratch
6: have a "Clare's Well day" once a month - haven't missed a month yet :)
7: sister's weekend trip with Jodi
8: take a book class at MCBA
9: hike
10: kayak
11: dinner (again) at the Harbor View Cafe in Pepin
12: host a party
13: de-clutter - yes! And the progress continues. . .
14: go fishing with dad - I'm neutral about this one happening as I planned. I have a back-up experience from January.
15: go to a Gopher football game with Andrew
16: go on a picnic
17: stay at a B&B - made a reservation today at The Magic Door in Northfield for the end of June :)
18: smile - like love, this continues. I often tell myself while walking through my daily life to smile, and then I do it.
19: make a favorite childhood recipe with mom - completed on Mother's Day. Ripe olive hotdish it was.
20: sing in the rain - completed last weekend at the Clare's Well work day. Sang quietly with Tammy.
21: buy handmade - many yeses to this one.
22: support literacy - it's been a year since I completed training to become a volunteer tutor, and now nine months of tutoring. This is the most meaningful volunteering I've done so far in my life. I'm considering how my financial support this year of the Minnesota Literacy Council will reflect my feelings about this experience.
23: blog everyday for one month - completed, November 25-December 25.
24: close a big gift
25: date - 1.5 dates. Hoping for more :)
26: fit more comfortably in my clothes - working on this one. . .
27: watch the oringinal Star Wars trilogy
28: ice skate at Ivy Hills Park - completed in February
29: find something lovely at a consignment shop
30: go bowling
31: bake a rhubarb pie from scratch - I might call the rhubarb upside down cake I made for Mother's Day as completing this one. . . maybe :)
32: fill my red wall with art - the art and frames are all here in home. Not on the wall(s) yet. I've got so much there will be some more art walls in my space :)
33: pray - everyday
34: document this list - in progress

Pretty good for six months of living 34, eh? I feel proud and accomplished.

helping

thanks!

Ali is profiling some Week in the Life albums over on her blog this week. I love seeing all the interpretations of this project - what people photographed, collected and wrote about their week - I feel somehow connected to all who played along with this idea. Great feeling. And I felt both thrilled and humbled when Ali said she'd like to include some shots of my album among her reader submissions this week. Go take a look at her blog - you'll be inspired to believe that your day-to-day life is amazing. Thanks Ali :)

completed : the story of today 2010 album

I finished my the story of today 2010 album yesterday. So pleased about this experience for a few reasons. First, wow, it's amazing to capture moments of my day-to-day with my camera - and then combine them with the words that came to me that day. I know I'll be pleased for years to come that I took the time to document my life, just as it is right now. Second, I loved piecing this album together. Selecting the papers, the page protectors and the accents the carry the story through to the end. Third, I finished it. It took time and motivation, but it's done and on the shelf. So grateful right now for the time and resources to enjoy this craft. And so grateful that I believe my life is worth celebrating in this way. More photos of the completed album here.