44 Things

Last year just after my birthday I wrote a list of 43 things I wanted to do while I was 43. At the end of the year, I looked back at the list to see how much I had achieved. I enjoyed having the list last year, it was fun. Some of the items got done, or partially done, some I didn't get around to and others just fell by the wayside as I changed my mind about wanting to do them.


My birthday came around again on January 1st, and this is my 44 things list. I try to keep the items to things I am reasonably interested in doing, I like it to be a fun exercise. This is why the list doesn't include 'clean the oven' or 'wash the windows', despite the fact that those things need doing! I  plan to get to them, but they are not included in my 44.

44 things to do while I am 44

1. Write a small stone every day in January
2. Take the  Blogging from the Heart e-course
3. Take the Photo Meditations e-course
4. Learn to crochet. I tried and failed years ago, then again last year. Third time lucky?
5. Become healthier. I won't bore you or myself with the details here, but I have a plan involving poundage to lose, exercise to enjoy force myself into, sleep to get proper amounts of and fresh air to breathe occasionally. Starting when the Christmas goodies are gone...
6. Write more letters
7. Work on the To Be read pile, actually more of a small bookcase than a pile
8. Fill my moleskin sketchbook with drawings
9. Write. I find so many excuses not to. As a start I am working my way through 'Old Friend from Far Away', by Natalie Goldberg, one of my birthday presents. 
10. Learn more about my fabulous new camera
11. Choose and print our wedding photos, put in albums/frame
12. Organise all my old photos into albums
13. Organise all my digital photographs, print some and put in albums
14. Learn how to back up the computer and do it regularly (I know)
15. Paint the garden bench again
16. Paint the doorsteps
17. Make a birthday cake, in fact, bake in general. I don't know why I never have, really, as I enjoy cooking. This may be incompatible with aspects of number 5, we will see how it goes! 
18. Renew my passport
19. Go out with the Prof for proper London pie, mash and liquor
20. Grow sweet peas from seed
21. Grow vegetables
22. Keep a list of all the books I read this year
23. Make some presents
24. Keep a record of what meals we have and new recipes we try, for inspiration when it’s lacking
25. Declutter every room in the house
26. Declutter the loft and the shed
27. Sell some unwanted things on ebay
28. Have a boot sale
29. Put the proceeds aside for a few days away
30. Learn how to put eyeliner on
31. Go to London more.
32. Visit Kew Gardens
33. Go on a London Walk
34. Go on a picnic
35. Go out for a drive through Kent to see the bluebells
36. Visit this restaurant again
37. Establish a routine for dealing with house stuff and prevent me from getting overwhelmed
38. Create a comfort drawer
39. Visit the Isle of Wight
40. Streamline wardrobe, work out what I need to fill gaps and get those items
41. Buy some dresses and skirts
42. Grow my hair colour out (hello grey!) Not quite sure I have the courage, we will see
43. Find and buy some non-stretch jeans if any still exist in the world in my size
44. Personalise our 3 new red felt Christmas stockings BEFORE next year’s Christmas frenzy