True Confessions and the 38 List

Here is my bold truth. Prior to Pocket Full of Stones, I had a private blog. I know shock, horror. How could I? Well frankly, there are just somethings best left out of the public eye. Now don't take that to mean that I am in fact some kind of Private Eye, 'cause I am not.

Some of the things I blogged about on my private blog are fit for public, so as it is appropriate, I will bring them over just for you.

That's where the 38 list comes in. This list was not my original idea, but I couldn't tell you whose idea it was. The concept is to create a list of things you would like to accomplish prior to your next birthday. One "thing" per number of years on the planet. For you aliens from somewhere in the solar system that would like to have a list such as this, start counting from the year your feet (appendages?) hit Earth.

So here is my list:
*Note and Disclaimer: This is not meant to be the "be all end all" bucket list of things I would like to accomplish in the totality of my life. Think of this list as a stepping stone along the way. This is not a comprehensive list, nor is it in any special order. This is not a guilt inducing list, so should there be things on this list not completed by next year, they can be added to my 39th year list. Nice built in "out", eh?

I look forward to your help in keeping me on track with accomplishing all the items on my 38th year list and I will keep you posted on my progress.

1.Grow our family
2.Find a new place to live
3.Exercise consistently
4.Learn how to swim (meaning breathing correctly for the stroke) (Already had a private swimming lesson with my friend and swimmer extraordinaire Candice, so progress has been made on this one, but there is much room for improvement.)
5.Get a business license
6.Get business cards, website and logo
7.Start online business
8.Make jewelry and other goods to stock business
9.Create a dream board
10.Make crazy quilt or strip quilt (instead of the bloody difficult Radiant Star Quilts all the time)
11.Fix bike
12.Ride bike
13.Take a Sunday bike ride with TOIL
14.Go on a weekend date at one of the McMenamins (use the gift card to do this)
15.Learn more simple, tasty, blood type recipes
16.Take a yoga class
17.Take a photography class (was signed up for this, but timing was in conflict with #37, so it's still on the list)
18.Send three friends a gift for no reason (one down, two to go)
19.Make stationary/cards and use them
20.Thrift more, pay full price less
21.Make a plan to simplify and really enjoy the holiday season, and stick to it (did pretty good this year, may leave it on next years list to make room for improvement.)
22.Learn 4 sets of songs for ceremony
23.Go to a museum
24.Sew myself a Skirt & Shirt (I quilt, but clothing patterns make my knees quake a bit, ok, a lot - weird right?)
25.Create more family rituals - like going to the pumpkin patch, or?
26.Take a couple weekends off to myself
27.Go to a live concert with friends
28.Take TOIL on a surprise date (this is officially done, but you never know, I like taking TOIL on surprise dates, he likes them too)
29.Be there when someone needs me
30.Create a piece of art
31.Learn how to make good goat cheese
32.Take a walk in the park
33.Completely clean out all my closets (one to go)
34.Get unworn items up on ebay, donated to Goodwill or recycled in some other way
35.Have a garage sale
36.Hike Mt. Pisgah
37.Use travel voucher for a Honeymoon with my husband (in the works)
38.Learn more about Photoshop

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5 Things I Do Each Day...

Update: I just found out that this 5 things for mental health idea originally came from Mindapples. You can read others 5 things posts there.

My friend Liz recently challenged me to post about the 5 things I do each day to keep my mind healthy.

Everyone take a deep breath. Grab something you love to drink. Read this when you have a few moments - 'tis a tad lengthy. Someday, someone might ask YOU what you do daily to maintain your mental health. Ponder that for a moment.

To be fair - this list is a snapshot of the things I do regularly to live in good health. I am and always have been one to switch things up, challenge predictability, and go with the flow. So, I shall list the mundane and lofty things I do most often on a daily basis. Because of course, my mental health is of great import to me - and others too.

1. Love up the critters. Cecil (All black, Alpha - even over the dog), Breelan (gray and white), Malachi (big, black and white), and Zeke (dog). Every day we have serious love sessions, both individually and as a family. Nothing like that for mental health.

2. Laugh. TOIL (T.he O.ne I. L.ove - my husband, he picked the acronym) is always doing something to get me to laugh (like pick ridiculous acronym's to describe himself). It's one of our "things". If I am not laughing, something is SERIOUSLY wrong.

3. Pray. People pray in different ways. I do too. Every morning I pray with water to nourish my body, the earth and her people. I sing prayer songs throughout my day out loud and in my head. Often, I pray when I am walking, exercising, thinking, dreaming. However it manifests - prayer is critical to my mental health.

4. Be creative. I love to do crafty things which includes but is not limited to; photography, quilting, knitting, designing, making pesto, making drums with my husband, sewing all manner of things, writing stories, collecting stories, collecting rocks on walks, making jewelry, painting and on and on... I challenge myself to learn new crafts and attempt new projects regularly. No doubt, I will share a goodly portion of them here as they occur.

5. Connect with someone I love and that loves me too. This includes,on a daily basis TOIL. That may seem to be obvious, but I am willing to state the obvious here. Love, twroo luv takes daily effort. That is good for my whole picture of health. I also make a point to talk with my Mom on a nearly daily basis. She helps me process life, keep my perspective and challenges me to be all that I can be. Other family and friends are critical to my health as well. I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing people. Thank you all.

Here are some of the other things I do - these are all critical too. I never was good at coloring within the lines. Or keeping a list to 5 things when in actuality, list is soooo much longer than that.

Read. Write. Dream. Exercise. Take my vitamins. Sleep. Help others. Smile. Expand my perspective. Listen to music. Recycle. Reduce. Reuse. Practice critical thinking skills. Learn. Risk.

And how about you? What do you do to keep your mind healthy? Feel free to leave comments, or write your own 5 Things post.

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