20X40

Thanks to Heather, I have been encouraged to think about what I would like to accomplish before I become the wise old age of 40. My friend Heather is much more ambitious than I am and she has come up with 40 things she would like to do before her 40th birthday. I was having a terrible time coming up with 40 things so I decided that since my 40th birthday is less than one year and two months from now, I'm going with a 20X40 list. I figure I'll see what I can get done in the next year or so, then I'll make my 50 By 50 list and I'll have ten years to get that stuff done! It's good to have a plan. You can make a list, too. Please let me know if you do. So without further ado, here is my list of 20 things to accomplish before I turn 40.

1. Get a tatoo. updated 10/26/11
2. Make a microloan through Kiva.org. updated 6/7/2010
3. Visit our Compassion International daughter Imani in Kenya.
4. Be debt free (except for the house).
5. Make money online (enough to pay for 3 days of childcare per week).
6. Take a vacation with just Jon for at least four days.
7. Finish a quilt. I finished a small quilt for Sarah, and am working on several more 3/16/13.
8. Make a microloan through ModestNeeds.org.
9. Visit Kalavai Colony in India.
10. Take a girlfriend vacation.
11. Visit a new state (some day go to all 50).
12. Find a vendor for my handmade rugs.
13. Start and/or join a bookclub. updated 3/29/2010
14. Attend an art/craft conference.
15. Attend a writing conference.
16. Attend a business conference. updated 4/29/2010
17. Volunteer for a Compassion International local event. updated 2/11/2011
18. Hold a Gather Arts event. updated 7/27/2010
19. Finish the bathroom remodel. Jon finished the remodel December 2011.
20. Take a class.

Planning

Friday - Amish Acres Art Fair

Saturday - Family picnic with friends from high school

J'man has friend's birthday party

Sunday - Harry Potter Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago!

Hm. All of a sudden I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. But this is what summer is. At least, this summer, and for us. We have been on the go since July 2nd, it seems, when we left for South Dakota. Soon the schedule will settle into a routine again, the air will turn crisp, and we'll all begin to wonder aloud when the first snow flakes will fly. Actually, our neighbor already predicted September for that little bit of fun. Isn't she great? Until then, I'll continue harvesting yummy purple and green beans, tomatoes we've finally convinced to turn red, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, cauliflower.