A gal I've met over the internet, through a real friend who is her real friend (God Bless the internet connections we are able to make) has this project on her blog. I thought it was fantastic so I am going to take my own variation of it and spend the rest of this year living and documenting it out.
Project 35.
What does it mean? Starting May 1, there are 35 weeks left in 2011. 8 months of this fabulous year to still take courage and squeeze every last drop out of. Below is a list of 35 statements, each with their own unique quest. I'll update as I go, share the awesomeness of it all and the challenges. Anything you want to join in on, lmk. Here goes...
1. Read 8 books. (3/8) I'm currently reading Radical by Platt. (never finished this book, hum, guess it didn't grab me).
Finished: The Ambition by Lee Strobel, Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo w/ Lynn Vincent
A Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards, All 3 Hunger Games Novels by Suzanne Collins, and this morning I finished LA Candy by Lauren Conrad (I think that counts!). So, I finished 7 books. Stoked about that!!
2. Prepare 35 new recipes. (1, 2, 3&4, 5, 6, 7&8, 9, 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14, 15, 16/35) ...I guess the one new recipie was a little ambitious... but the 15 new recipes were awesome!
3. Send 35 personal notes via snail mail. (22/35) A personal note a week in the real US Mail...tough. Very aware of how much communication occurs via FB, text and email.
4. Complete 3 sewing projects. (1, 2/3) ...2 times my sewing machine came out this year after being in the closet for 3-4 years... And I like sewing but I can admit it doesn't grab me like other craft projects. I like it but I get board of it quickly.
5. Host friends for a spoon tasting party. ...Next year!!
6. Host a Christmas Cooking exchange and coffee. Yes! Had so much fun with the girls!! I made Mini-Reese's PB cup mini cookie dough muffins and peanut blossoms. I loved all the new yummy cookies I got to try too!
7. Share my faith 8 times. (3/8) ...Walking up to strangers and striking up a conversation about Jesus didn't happen, but I'm pretty sure that life and work are faith walking around in my body. Straight up Jesus-talk to a complete stranger... going to have to work on that.
8. Go on one family hike. (1/1) Palm Springs...w00t!
9. Pick up my Master's Degree diploma. Haha...still haven't picked it up. Ought to be an easy check on the list in 2012.
10. Lose 50 pounds. (30.5/50) Amazing! Not 50, but still pretty awesome by my own affirmation to myself! Excited to do this again this year. Love what I am learning about making better choices.
11. Purge closets at end of summer and end of the year. (1/2) End of year closet purge didn't happen. Maybe part of spring cleaning in 2012.
12. Attend at least one Angels game. check
13. Visit at least two museums, preferably art. (0/2) Well, this was clearly wishful thinking. Will continue to wish right into 2012. I think B would say our Anniversary Date to the Griffith Observatory was kind of a museum, but I would say the museum was a nice room to walk through while we waited for the show. While neat, not what I meant by visiting a museum for a museum sake.
14. Try 16 different taco recipes. (1, 2 , 3, 4, 5/16) Love tacos, ran out of ideas that sounded better than the already tried and true Farley taco recipe. The Shrimp Tacos, hands down, were delicious!
15. Go for an exercise walk in the neighborhood once a week. (2/35) I did go to the gym, but I don't think I walked the neighborhood because I, um, am lazy. hahaha! Not really funny, but I am lol right now b/c I have to get over the lazy factor this next year!
16. Floss twice a week. (??/70) Maybe 20 times I flossed. New habit I will absolutely enforce for myself.
17. Leave the state at least once. I went a lot of places this year, but all were right here in our beloved Poppy State! I love you California!
18. Through use of coupons & club card, save $700 at grocery story. ($913/700) Holy Moly...that's awesome! Excited to keep even better track this year.
19. Have professional family portraits taken. ...Nope.
20. Attend a weekend at our church camp. Staff Retreat 2011
21. Learn about 8 different countries. (0/8) This was a weird goal. Does watching Aerial America count as learning about states in the US? Because I fell in love with that show this year. Or how about House Hunters International... I learned snippets of things about other countries from that show.
22. Eat vegetarian for one week. ...Nope; long live eating meat.
23. Unplug from cell & computer for 2 whole weekends; Friday @5p to Monday @9a. ...Nope.
24. Go to the movie theater to see a movie 4 times. (8/4) Boo-Ya!! We love the movies!
Water for Elephants
Cars II
One Day
The Hedgehog
The Lincoln Lawyer
The King's Speech
Moneyball
Mission Impossible: 4
25. Try 17 new crock-pot recipes. (1/17) I tried more than one; I used by crock-pot at least once every other week but I didn't keep good track...will do better next year. I don't think I did 17 new recipes.
26. Make three Q4 decorations for our home: Oct, Nov, Dec. Yes, Yes, and Yes! Cute ribbons for my nested pumpkins on my porch, a beautiful bean filled glass vase centerpiece for Thanksgiving and several Christmas things!! Huge round of affirmation to Pinterest for the inspiration and motivation!
27. Share stories of life change at least 8 times. (9/8) I'm getting better at Story time...I actually feel pretty comfortable in that space- emphasis on the "pretty" comfortable.
28. Visit 5 different farmers markets. (1, 2 /5) ...Will achieve this next year.
29. Enter something into the OC Fair. Didn't get to it in time - Next Year
30. Speak or teach one time. CSN on Networking and Walking in Your Purpose.
31. Attend one Food Truck Rally. Check.
32. Go to Disneyland at least 10 more times this year. (7/10) ...I heart the Mouse House!
33. Memorize 17 new bible verses. (4/17) In progress... Eph 3:12 ...This is not cool. I am moving this to the top part of the list for 2012.
34. Stay overnight at least 3 different places besides home. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5/3) Whoza - Super Fun!! Let's make this a habit!
35. Get a professional massage, no complaining if there is more than one. ...Oh!! Just barely, I went on Tuesday 12/27. So many more to come!
35 weeks, they will come and go just like that, just like they Lord willing do...so make the most of them!
What a fun list to look back over this New Year's Day 2012. I will write a new list, carrying some of these over and adding new opportunities! The 35 weeks did come and go just like that and I'm glad I did all I wanted to make the most of them!
