My List and I

The make-up of this blog will mirror who I am - a mishmash of interests, bouncing back and forth as the mood strikes me.  My  hope is that by blogging daily it will keep me on track and motivated to finish projects I start, help me learn more about myself and maybe help others learn from my experiences, too.

Shortly before I turned 30 I decided that I didn't want to fall into the "Oh-my-God-I'm-30-I'm-so-old" mindset.  Logically, I know 30 is NOT old and I also know that I am in a good place in my life, for the most part.  I have a beautiful and sweet 10 year old daughter, wonderful husband, a job I love and good friends.  But, there is always a part of me that wants to shake things up, make life unpredicatable and break out of the box.  Unfortunately, in my family, unpredictable = the apocalypse; so, I decided to come up with a list of "30 things in my 30th year"as a compromise.  It's a list of projects, tasks, stuff that I want/need to do sometime during my 30th year.  Some of the list is responsible goals (like make a dental appointment, which I've avoided for 2 years), some is designed to help me reach a goal (quit smoking - for a goal of healthiness) and the rest are just fun stuff that are actually doable in a 1 year time frame.  I'm hoping this list will make me more aware of the kind of person I want to be and give me an excuse to do things a little different.

I'll be posting a list of my 30 things (even though I haven't thought of all 30 yet) and writing about my successes and failures (plus other stuff in between).

One of the things I'm working on right now is to slowly quit smoking and complete a 5k.  Both very hard tasks (I've been smoking for about 8 years and I am horribly out of shape).  Both things I would be proud to accomplish.  So far, I have made a new rule for myself to NOT smoke in the car.  That is my first step to quitting.  I've stuck to it (for the most part) for about 1 week.  Next, I need to start preparing for a 5k so I am going to work up to running a mile.  I think I can run 1/4 mile, I think.  We'll find out tonight - I've made a date with myself to go to the local college track and see how far I can get.

Applesauce and Lieutenant Dan

OK - now a few things about me:  I live in the same small town that I grew up in and my daughter goes to the same school that I did (and has some of the same teachers - strange), I have 2 younger brothers - 26 and 18 years, I like to cook and I LOVE to eat, I am a book whore and have the ability to tune out a nuclear attack if the plot is good, I work for a child welfare nonprofit agency and my idea of an awesome vacation is a trip to Whole Foods (we don't have one anywhere close to where I live so I usually get to go in my dreams) and I have 3 spoiled cats.

The Queen, herself, Forrest

I plan to post everyday and welcome and comments/suggestions!