Along the path...

I was looking through some old posts on my blog today...trying to pin down which years I've completed reading through the Bible...and happened upon this post from April 2009.  It was very interesting to see which topics I have completed, which ones no longer interest me, and to find that most I still long to do!


It was entitled, "Along the path to personal growth and happiness." 

I would like to...
1...have my entire house clean and decluttered all at the same time
2...see the King Tut exhibit
3...be physically fit
4...visit Maine
5...Canada
6...and Washington DC
7...walk for 45 minutes every day
8...have another Jack Russell
9...take a cruise to Alaska
10...start a new Bible study
11...finish a quilt for each of my children and grandchildren (four down so far)
12...speak Spanish fluently
13...spend quality time in a swimming pool
14...read more
15...paint rooms
16...and canvases
17...have a vegetable garden
18...plant a fig tree
19...and a pecan tree
20...volunteer for hospice
21...learn to make beautiful polymer clay beads
22...go bowling
23...visit Oregon
24...make myself an apron
25...and dresses for the girlies
26...get all of our photos in albums
27...give up TV for a month
28...travel to put flowers on my parents' graves
29...and to see Kevin and Carla
30...have a girls' weekend with Rita May
31...and with Nancy
32...be able to summer in a cooler climate
33...invent something useful
34...play with the dogs more
35...journal
36...send one card/note to someone each week
37...install sliding units in several of my cabinets
38...make a vintage recipe book
39...have a flower garden
40...hang clothes to dry outside
41...visit Ireland again
42...and Debbie in Seattle
43...start an Etsy store someday
44...if I could think of something to sell
45...get my passport stamped a few more times
46...visit my reflexologist once a month
47...follow through with more of my creative impulses
48...play classical guitar
49...go down three dress sizes
50...sell the stamps I no longer use on e-bay
51...take a class in almost anything

The ones I have completed have been struck through. The ones which are no longer relevant have been grayed out.  I think I may make this its own page under the blog title to keep these within easy access to remind myself of more often.

2018 word of the year and goals...

Two thousand seventeen was not my most productive year...all that time reading, I guess.

My mother always said, "Have something to show for your time."  She was not a big fan of reading for that reason...very hard to read and knit (or sew or bake or clean) at the same time.

I had already decided not to do another reading challenge this year (not that I won't be reading).  Then I started thinking about what my focus for the year should be, and the word 'produce' popped into my head for many reasons.

• I feel the need to be more creatively productive.  (see definition verb 1 above)
• There are jobs needing doing around the house.  (see definition verb 2 above)
• I need to work on my health.  (see definition noun 1 above)

With my word of the year being 'produce,' here is my goals list for the year:

Attempt to reset sleep patterns -- this means I will strive to be early(er) to bed and early(er) to rise.

Eat breakfast -- that is my main health goal for the year.  I've decided to try a breakfast smoothie as a way of getting more fruits, vegetables, vitamins/nutrients, and fiber into each day.  

Be more productive both in work and creativity -- chores and art covered by the same goal?  Yes!  Produce!

and continue to:

Write it down -- continue with weekly listing goals and to-dos...this is the best way of keeping me on track and making progress  

Finances -- focus on frugality, weekly blog post for accountability (It did keep me thinking about it when I knew I had to blog weekly, so I guess I will keep it up.)

Home -- Swiffer one room daily 

Reduce possessions -- Divest myself of ten large items (furniture, etc)  I can't think of one thing that I managed to get rid of in 2017.  I will list items this year.

Quilting -- complete ten quilts/quilted projects  (keeping this at ten, though I only finished 4 projects last year)

Read the One-Year Bible

52 Letters in 52 Weeks

And with that I will wish you all a very Happy and Healthy (and productive) New Year!

I'm exhausted...

Making it Monday...

I feel like I've gone on ad nauseam, (and here ) about my need for a to-do list, my need for simplicity, and yet still yearning for pretty.  All the pretty ones I look at had too much stuff that I wouldn't use and would only clutter up my brain.

I like a spiral to keep a pen or pencil tucked in the spiral.  My original true love is a steno pad, but the part I don't like is rewriting the staples of my week over again on every page. 

I was inspired by this weekly layout by Kate Louise.  Hmmm, I wonder if 'Kate' is short for Kathleen, because Louise is my middle name too.  :)  

 So I started playing around with my publisher program.  I didn't arrange mine by days of the week, as I tend to prioritize things on the fly, and I don't like assigning things to specific days.  I kept a place for my monthly goal and my 3 major weekly goals for the things that I have to remind myself to keep working on or toward.  I arranged the constant repeats in a way that made sense to me...daily tracking my swiffering (my only real New Year's resolution this year), loading and unloading the dishwasher, decluttering with 27 Fling Boogies (á la Flylady), keeping up with laundry loads, and even my 52 Letters in 52 Weeks.  Oh, and the colorful banners really satisfy the pretty factor for me.

I was able to fit all of this on a 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" space, which means I could fit two per sheet of printer paper.  I printed them out, and cut them apart.  Then I stacked them up and I rummaged through my craft room and found some chip board that came as part of shipments of something or other.  I cut two pieces of chipboard (a handy bit of recycling, this) the same size as my list sheets, and I took them to Office Max to have them spiral bound.

 The chipboard gives it a nice firm writing base.

And now I have the best of both worlds...my world and the world of pretty planners.  :)  I've already started this week's list.  It is exactly what I need, because it was made just for me, and it has all the recurring chores preprinted.  It has enough pages to last over a year.  And it's pretty!

And other than my printer ink and printer paper which I had on hand, it cost exactly $3.24 for Office Max to add the spiral binding.

I can live with that.  :)

It's not a bargain if I don't need it...

Planners.  Bullet journals.  To-do lists.  I love the pretty ones I see on Pinterest and blogs.  The pretty inks and stickers and printing.  

All planner-related goods are 30% off at Michael's right now.  A good sale always makes me think I should reconsider upgrading.   I did have a look, and they all seemed...overwhelming...pretty, but overwhelming.  I could see myself wanting lots of supplies, and a place to keep them, and spending hours on organizing the pages and accoutrements.  Frankly the last thing I need right now is another hobby...and I could see myself making a full-blown hobby out of these.

 I've talked before about my need for simplicity in my calendars; the same goes for my lists.  So I decided again to stick with what I know.  A spiral notebook that fits in my purse and keeps a pen handy in its wired spine.

Of course, it's a pretty-colored pen.  :)

Seven random thoughts on the 7th...

1.  This is the fourth day I've worked this month...only ten more to go.  So many days scheduled at the same branches means they may notice my wardrobe repeats.  Normally I don't work more than a day or two a month at the same branch since leaving full-time work, so I scaled back my work wardrobe dramatically.  Ah, well, I'll switch up the accessories and call it good.

2.  "If a 'g' comes at the end of a word, the pronunciation is a hard 'g':  bug, frog, jug, mug, pig, wig, zigzag."  I really, really hate it when people type 'frig' as an abbreviation for refrigerator, when it should be 'fridge.'  A former co-worker used to use it all the time.  One day I wrote in the margin, "Did you know this means f*ck?"  I see it all the time in Blogland when clicking over to check out recipes or projects I see on Pinterest.  I never, ever correct anyone on their blog, but I figure I can vent on my own.  I don't think I've ever seen it on any of my favorite blogs, so I'm not trying to call anyone out here, and I truly hope I'm not offending anyone.

3.  Monday as I was running errands on my way to quilt at the library, I noticed a clicking noise.  I got out to check my tires and found this.  :(  

The tire was still inflated, and I was very near the library, so I headed straight there.  I texted Carey the photo, and he texted back that he would come and change it for me.  So happy he was home to do it. I used to actually like changing tires, but the spare on my SUV is really hard to get to, and I'm not sure my knees are up to it these days.  I happily quilted while my man came and took care of it.  

4.  Costco trip required this weekend.  Prescription refills.  Pecans.  Dishwasher tabs.  New printer?  

5.  We are down a car this week (unrelated to tire problem above).  Sharing hasn't been too bad...yet...as I've been working in town this week.  If repairs aren't finished by Monday I may have to rent a car.

6.  I have made no progress on cleaning out the storage shed.  I just realized that maybe knowing that is what I really should be doing, I instead booked up my month full of work days.   The heat will be on us before we know it, and then...I know me...I will put it off till fall. 

7.  I was so happy to see 5 o'clock yesterday.  I really must get more sleep.

2015, the year in review...

I always enjoy the year in review posts on blogs...particularly Caroline's, who did hers via vlog this year.  When I saw that Pamela had posted an idea for a year in review post, I decided to copy her (again), and will follow that with a few other highlights.

From the first line of the first post of each month this year...

Jan 1, 2015:  I wish everyone a fabulous new year ahead! My word for this year is 'action.'

Feb 1, 2015: I decided to forego a flu vaccination this year. Perhaps not my best decision.

Mar 3, 2015:  I love imaginative advertising.  I love Alfred Hitchcock.

Apr 6, 2015:  Today was our monthly quilting day at the library.

May 5, 2015: Tip of the week.  This tip is another one that saves fingernails/manicures.

Jun 2, 2015:  It always surprises me, this bright color of green when the sun shines through the leaves of the tree outside my kitchen window. 

Jul 1, 2015:  Holy cats, I can't believe it's July already! 

Aug 5, 2015:  I've been on the reserve list for this e-book at the library for a long time. 

Sep 1, 2015:  As is my usual, last night somewhat after 10:00 post meridiem I got a spurt of energy to do a few little chores before turning in for the night.

Oct 2, 2015:  I just put two chickens in the oven to roast.

Nov 1, 2015:  At about 2 a.m. this morning I decided to get an 'early' start on making today's dessert. 

Dec 1, 2015:  I snagged this photo-a-day challenge from Pamela at The Lady of the House Speaking. 

Hey, that is pretty representative of my life...reading, cooking, and quilting are mentioned; as are random observations and talk of my insomnia.  :) 

Now a few highlights...My word for the year was ACTION, and though I can't say I got a ton of things done, I did accomplish some things.

*REMODELING...the kitchen remodel was completed!  Yippee!!!

*REDECORATING...We completed the guest room.

*HOSTING...Carey's mom was here for three weeks.

*WORKING...I logged a lot of work days in the first half of the year.

*READING...I read 37 books this year (down from 58 the year before).  I found a new favorite author, and read four of hers, three of which I rated 10 points out of 10 (which pretty much means I would take those to the proverbial deserted island if I was expecting to get stuck there.)

Best books:   The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss, Falling From Horses by Molly Gloss, The Jump Off Creek by Molly Gloss.  I also rated The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo a 10/10

Worst books:  The Memory Thief by Emily Colin and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North...these were each rated by me as 2 points out of 10.

*GOODBYING...We lost our sweet Minne, but were blessed to have her for thirteen years.

*QUILTING:  I completed piecing 2 tops and had them machine quilted;  I got 1 vintage quilt basted and ready to hand quilt.

*BAKING...I made lots of desserts for Sunday Family Dinners.

*WRITING...I fell down on the job with my 52 letters in 52 weeks challenge...only 36 letters were mailed this year.

and of course

*BLOGGING...I posted 161 blog posts.

So that wraps up another year.  I'm so thankful to have been here for it.  Each day since the car accident a few years ago, I find myself counting every new day as a bonus.

New Life for an old table...

I'm about to make a recommendation, but it is for a product I have been buying for decades, not for any freebies, as I have never received any.  

I'm still working on my list.  Since the promised delivery date of the glass top I ordered for the kitchen island/table is almost here, I decided to tackle cleaning the finish on the table top so it's ready.  I don't want to have to move the glass any time soon after it is in place.

I can't remember exactly when I found New Life Furniture Masque, but it was probably almost three decades ago.  I used it on the custom built cabinet fronts in the entire kitchen of a previous house to try to clean off twenty years of use and second-hand smoke build up of the former owners.  The cabinets looked FABULOUS when I finished.

It is more of a liquid than what one would expect of a masque.  It has a pleasant orange scent, and says you can apply it with your fingertips.  When I did the entire kitchen job, I did not think about ventilation or wearing gloves, and I think my hands were in it so much that some was absorbed through my skin.  I felt rather nauseous the next day, though quite possibly that was from absorbing nicotine from the smoke stain build up that I was cleaning off and not from the product itself.  (No kidding.  All surfaces in the house looked so bad that my Avon lady couldn't be budged from her opinion that there must have been a fire in the house at some time.  There wasn't, but that's how bad the smoke stains were.  That's what three adult chain smokers can do by not taking their smokes outside.)

Anyway, today I wore gloves since this was kind of a big job.  

This table is one that was my parents' when I was growing up, and it belonged to my great aunt and uncle before that.  Carey and I have had it and used it since our kids were little.  It has also been in storage some over the years.  See the dirt and grime that started being dissolved immediately?

I used an old diaper to wipe the masque off after five minutes.  (Yes, these are the diapers my children wore as babies.  I've still got a stack of them in the linen closet.  Nothing's better for cleaning.)

After the first application, I repeated the process.

 These photos were taken from one angle.

And these photos were taken from the opposite angle.  

Does it look perfect now?  No, it looks like the antique that it is.  But now it looks like a much cleaner antique.  I'm thinking I may go pick up some very fine steel wool and go over it (as recommended on the product container for heavy build up) one more time, as there is still some build up in places.

I didn't do the legs as they don't have the damage that the top did.  I probably will use a wood moisturizer made by the same company to go over the legs.

Ahhhh.  Another chore marked off the list!

T minus and counting...

this photo is here for lack of a better post illustration  :)

You may or may have not noticed the countdown widget on the right side of the page.  It is my reminder to get off of the computer, because I have a lot of work to do before my mother-in-law arrives for a visit.  The countdown days have been fluctuating, because I didn't have an exact date of arrival.  She is making a sort of round robin of sibling visits, and so there were a lot of households' plans to consider and schedule around.  Her arrival date here is pretty firmly set at Sept 17th now.

I really have been doing things to get ready...probably nobody but me could possibly tell by looking.  But maybe soon.  

We've been using an antique headboard in our room, but I want to move it to the guest room.  The round mirror in the photo above (which has been sitting on the floor for about a year and a half) is going to go over our bed, and eventually I would like to make an upholstered headboard for us.

The guest room was freshly painted right before we started on the kitchen remodel, and I never got around to adding the finishing touches, so there's a lot of that to do.

Here's a partial accountability list:

put Goodwill donation box near back door
put library donation box near back door
     fill and replace above as necessary
order bed
assemble bed
attach headboard
find side rails and foot board
make up the bed
finish quilt for bed?
hang art
hang vintage towel rack
stock medicine cabinet
order shower bench
assemble shower bench
*clean shower/bath surround
put up hand held shower head
put up new shower curtain rod
pumice hard water deposits on toilet
clean office desk
organize office
organize fabric
move sewing machine into office
   (need to retreat while m-i-l & dh watch baseball every night)
make template for kitchen table/island to take to glass shop
order glass top for kitchen table/island delivered
clean finish on kitchen table/island
change mantel decorations
dispose of old magazines...got rid of some
shred/file/recycle paper clutter
refresh window seat
go through makeup and discard unused
straighten my bathroom vanity
caulk kitchen seams I missed previously
plan menus
prepare some menu items ahead
move in counter-top microwave temporarily
    (m-i-l won't be able to reach built in)
*dust
*vacuum
*mop
*baseboards
*window sills
*windows
schedule maid service for '*' items?

Yeah.  That should keep me busy for the next three weeks.

Good news/Bad news...

The good news:  I have successfully completed my three major goals for the week...and it's only Tuesday!

The bad news:  I can quite easily think of three (hundred) other major things that need to take their place.  :)

Ah, well...

I've knocked quite a few things off the regular to-do list as well.  In fact I've clipped along at such a pace that I forgot to take photos of some really cute creations, and now it's too late as they have been gifted.

This week my back and head seem to have left the aching of last week behind, so I'm hoping I can make up for the lost time.

Ten things to make your day better in one minute or less...

I saw a list like this on How Does She the other day, and it was great.  It inspired me to make a list of my own that would work better for me at the moment.  

Minne...our 13-year-old German Shepherd

  1.  Pet your pet, and tell them how wonderful they are...it's good for them and good for you.

  2.  Drink a glass of water.

  3.  Look around whatever room you are in, and throw away any trash that may be hiding in plain sight.

  4.  Stretch.

  5.  Brush your hair 50 strokes, or massage your scalp with your fingertips.

  6.  Close your eyes.  Deep breath in...hold...exhale...repeat.

  7.  Smile at yourself whenever you are facing a mirror.  Or make a funny face.  :)

  8.  Do a super-quick purse purge getting rid of used tissues, old receipts, lists, etc.

  9.  After you tinkle and flush, grab the toilet brush and give the bowl a quick once 'round...with or without cleanser. 

10.   Before you toss that damp dish cloth or towel in the laundry, give your kitchen counters and cabinet knobs/pulls a quick wipe down.

Did it, do it...

 I feel okay about what got done last week.  Grumpy hubby did not agree, but that's okay.  Everyone is allowed to their erroneous opinion once in awhile.  :)  (I mean, come on, I had the flu!)

None of the big items were completed this week, but most of the general to-dos did get scratched off.

The new list is started.  A couple of things have been added since photo was taken.

One thing I haven't added to the list yet, but DEFINITELY needs to be done this week, is BAKE something...anything...everything.  The stove arrives Tuesday, and I think/hope/wish it will be installed at delivery rather than waiting for the microwave to be mounted above it whenever THAT installer can be scheduled.  It would be logical to wait, but I want to use the oven!!!

Seven random thoughts on the 7th...

1.  The new stove and microwave will be delivered Tuesday!  The end is in sight.  :)  

2.  Looking forward to Sunday dinner with the kids tomorrow.  I missed it last week thanks to the flu.  Wonder what I will take for dessert tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to that new oven to bake in!

3.  The hubs went to the hunting lease today.  He doesn't hunt.  He just goes to spend time with his brothers (they DO hunt).  And it gets him out of my hair.  Win/win.  :)

4.  I did manage to get quite a bit done this week, all things considered.  I love scratching things off the list.

5.  I have thirteen minutes to finish this post before it is no longer the 7th!

6.  I have thirteen minutes before I can check the Daily Deal at Missouri Star Quilt Co.

7.  I really NEED to start quilting up some of that fabric I've been buying from them.

Did it, Do it...

This week I had some really good progress, and I had a really painful setback.  I somehow injured my right arm.  The next day it got worse...much worse...the pain was making me very unhappy as I'm not supposed to take anti-inflammatory meds.  Then yesterday it was a tiny bit better, and today it is a great deal better...much less painful, and my range of motion is much improved.  

Anyway, my progress on the list for the week was not stellar, but I am happy with having three long-procrastinated jobs done!

I got the borders on the quilt.  I got the carpet stains out.  And I removed water marks from the coffee table.  I also did some of those never ending chores that don't stay done for long, like laundry, dishes, changing bed linens, etc.

This week I hope to get more done on the quilt, and I have another sewing project to knock out.  I also have to get some things done before they install the kitchen counter tops this week.  THEY'RE INSTALLING THE KITCHEN COUNTER TOPS THIS WEEK!!!  YIPPEE!

I got my list for the week started today.  I'm sure it will look completely different by the end of the week, as I will be adding things as the needs come up.  Hopefully it will have a lot of items scratched off as well.

Today I...

...emptied the dishwasher
...cleaned out the refrigerator
...worked on decluttering my closet
...assembled a big box of clothing to donate
...cleaned the toilet
...washed towels
...took a test
...lost my temper with customer service on phone
...re-boxed a purchase to be returned 
...loaded the car with donations to drop off, box to mail, library books to return, and sewing machine
...drove to the city
...took sewing machine to repair shop
...mailed return item and a bill at the main post office
...dropped off donations at Goodwill
...took two Advil
...drove back
...returned library books
...changed the bed
...washed linens
...folded towels
...swept the sidewalk
...stashed some empty boxes in the garage
...texted cartoon to former boss
...looked up a youtube video on how to put quilt in frame (it's been a LONG time)
...and welcomed home hubby...yes...I only work this hard right before he is due home.  :)

Friday five...

Four out of five ain't bad.

Tuesday's tidying tally...

My very sweet husband--who hates to paint, but hates to be idle even more--took up my suggestion that it might be a good time to tackle the accent wall in the living room.  He started at the top, so the color you see nearest the ceiling is the new color.  Yes, we took it from a dark brown wall to a new, improved dark brown wall.  :)  Actually, it hadn't completely dried in this photo...you can see how it went on almost an olive green, which was kind of scary till it dried true to the color swatch I chose.

The color you see at the bottom left to bottom center is the color it was when we moved in.  It was a little too red for my liking...and a little too glossy.  I am not a fan of semi-gloss paint on walls...door and window frames, yes...walls, NO.  I'm really happy with the new paint, and look forward to accessorizing it.

Oh, and other than a very little taping in the prep stage, I had no part in the painting process.  Sometimes I feel guilty for all the work that Carey does around here, but honestly he does not seem to be able to sit still, so I try to make suggestions as gently /slash/ productively as I can.  :)

Well, if you look at my To-Do list here, you'll see that my progress on it was not bad.  I squeezed in a few things that weren't on the list.  I researched and ordered some material for yet another home project.  I had fun when the children came over.  And I will tackle the rest of it starting after work tomorrow.

Making ready Monday...

Inspired by my friend in the Frugal Trenches and her Must Get Things Done Monday,  I present Tuesday's TO-DOs and Tidying...

or Hovel, Rubble, Toil and Shovel...

okay, now I'm just procrastinating.

So here's my list:

LAUNDRY
wash jeans
wash dark clothes
wash whites
two additional loads done

ADMINISTRATIVE
pay bills
make dentist appts
clean out purse

KITCHEN
clean off kitchen counter
clean kitchen sink
clean out refrigerator

BATHS
clean toilets
clean sinks
clean bathtub

LIVING ROOM
assemble 'table' (in process)
rearrange living room? (decided against for now)

CREATE
make wedding card x2
make 'hello' card x3

MISCELLANEOUS
order birthday present
sewing machine tune up
knit on Sky Scarf
27 Fling Boogie
daily reading
entertained the children :)

Wish me luck.

Planning...



I distinctly remember a question asked one morning in a Sunday School class I attended.  Are you a dreamer of dreams, or a doer of deeds?  I thought about that for awhile before deciding that I was a dreamer of deeds.  I plan to accomplish a lot of things, but action frequently fizzles in the planning stage, or gets pushed behind something of a higher priority.  But like a lot of people, I always do better when I make a list and can scratch through the tasks I actually finish.

I have a real issue with finding just the right calendar/planner too.  I usually end up making my own.  That way I can feel like I'm accomplishing something, even if I am just planning to plan.  The one I just finished will give me a monthly calendar page, and then facing that a weekly task page.  I can keep track of things I want to blog about as well as tasks around the house.  And then at the end of the year, they can go in a 3-ring binder as a sort of work journal.

And if you're wondering why I am just getting this little project done two and a half months into the year...well...you know...

But now I can scratch it off my list!

List of 100 things...

I have somehow managed to bring on another muscle spasm in my back.  Luckily I still have some muscle relaxers in the medicine cabinet...hope they are still good.  Also trying a little electro therapy and taking it easy.

Anyway, I decided to go through my list of posts and see if there was anything in draft form worth saving, and came across this one.  Not sure where I found this originally, but it has been sitting in draft form for a l-o-n-g time.  Decided to go ahead and post it.

You bold the ones you’ve accomplished. Some of these I have no interest in.  Some I hope to accomplish in the soon-to-someday range...those are the ones in green.  And looking at it in preview, I see there are some formatting errors...and I just don't care...publishing as is.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (I've watched one from above in an airplane--that was super cool.)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child (No, but used to be a foster parent.)
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping...(well, not completely, and not on purpose...don't ask)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language (well...I had a teacher, and I'm not very good, but I've spent a lot of time and effort on it)
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - - doesn't take much to satisfy me
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (hmmm... I've paid for the coffee of the person behind me at a drive thru)
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout cookies
62. Gone whale watching.
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma...I tried

65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - that's what happens when the hubs is in charge of balancing the checkbook
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy.
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.
77. Broken a bone - OH yeah

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book (participated in a publishing a cookbook once)
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car (not the brightest thing I've done)
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Called 911
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cellphone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day