happy birthday to me.

another birthday! time to celebrate! and by celebrate i mean i made a list.
also: this list was totally inspired by katy (@katyinthehammer) and you'll find her over here. so thank you katy. your list is inspiring. and i hope you cross all your things off, as i hope i can cross all my things off too.


so it's a list of things i want to accomplish *ideally* before my next birthday, but really i am extending this "deadline" to the birthday after that. when i turn 35, the year 2013. and they're things i want to do anyways. this is a bit of motivation to really get my butt in gear to get er done...


so here goes: 101 things i want to do before i turn 34 (ideally) or 35 (realistically)

1. take an out-of-province road trip
2. cook a turkey by myself
3. get rid of 101 things
4. get up to date pictures printed and put into albums
5. organize & back-up all computer files on BOTH computers
6. give only homemade gifts (by me!) for Christmas
7. donate blood
8. take a weekend or day trip with my mom and sisters
9. complete the 200 Sit-ups Challenge (http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html) um?
10. host a wine-tasting/dinner party, sans kids
11. wake up at 630am every day.
12. take a creative art/computer course
13. explore more of Hamilton and surrounding neighbourhoods. on foot.
14. see the top 10 falls of Hamilton
15. read more books. children’s books do not apply, obviously.
16. drink 8 glasses of water a day, (or try to drink more water/day)
17. take a cooking class
18. make homemade bread. at least 12 different kinds. (1 per month)
19. go to the movies by myself.
20. fundraise for cp. - clothing donations, toy donations. anything.
21. create a family picture wall in the basement
22. clean out my gmail & hotmail inboxes
23. knit ozzie’s newborn/lap blanket
24. be crafty during naptimes while miles is at school (at least 2x a week)
25. meal plan twice a month. (two week plans)
26. make more muffins for snacks and lunches
27. make every recipe from Earth To Table (or other cookbook i love - super natural food?)
28. get a membership for the royal botanical gardens and USE it.
29. watch our movie collection, in no particular order. WITH brendan of course. make list.
30. make a time capsule with the kids and bury it in the backyard
31. plan out our main floor renovation
32. paint the two bathrooms
33. write a letter to miles for him to open when he’s an adult.
34. write a letter to ozzie for him to open when he’s an adult.
35. write a letter to brendan for him to open when he turns 60.
36. write a letter to myself to open when I turn 60.
37. make an indian feast and invite some family over to enjoy it!
38. take the wallpaper off the master bedroom walls, (ugh) and paint it
39. start up my etsy store
40. sign up for a craft show (fall 2012)
41. publish/print favourite family recipes in book format. (blurb?)
42. be more consistent w/pen pal letters.
43. save money to buy a kitchenaid stand mixer.
44. write about where i want to be in 10 years
45. learn how to fancy ice a cake
46. take miles to hockey by myself
47. dare i say more date nights.
48. design my own fabric. get it printed.
49. new real haircut/style.
50. look up urban legends and/or ghost stories in waterdown or hamilton. investigate! ghost walk?
51. alphabet wall - find at least 13 more letters
52. plan & have a brunch party
53. plan our family's escape route in case of fire.
54. design our new main floor - open concept
55. go to craft shows to get ideas for my own craft show table set up
56. go to craft shows by myself for FUN, day out
57. have family portraits taken
58. marketing for graphic design, more clients!
59. save money to go towards a fancy new sewing machine
60. visit the aberfoyle antique/flea market
61. order a dress online - without having tried it on. don’t be afraid!
62. spend a day in toronto with my boys - riding subways, streetcars and buses.
63. have ice cream sundaes or banana splits for dinner.
64. make a summer wish list - things to do with the family over the summer holiday
65. make a new wreath for each season.
66. TRY to make a to-do list for that day, every morning.
67. make a crewel sampler
68. design a large king size quilt
69. make said designed king size quilt - 1 block at a time.
70. sew the binding on by hand. (king sized quilt)
71. design/create wedding invites for annie + ben
72. jello playdough.
73. compile a list of 100 random things about myself.
74. design our new bathroom.
75. fly somewhere with only carry on luggage (!)
76. make a board of pins (pinterest) and make at least 10 of them.
77. widdle down my reader to blogs i actually read. aquire new blogs to read.
78. in one of the 2 week meal plans: make it ALL vegetarian. 2 weeks.
79. play hooky and take the boys on an adventure - the art gallery? science museum? the rom?
80. list 20 things i like about someone and give the list to that person and make their day.
81. geocaching. check it out in our area, if it is in our area...?
82. put together some photo puzzle blocks. give as gifts. http://content.photojojo.com/tutorials/photo-puzzle-blocks/
83. since i signed up months ago:  Exchange postcards with a stranger.
84. buttertart trail anyone? yes please http://www.wellington-north.com/uploads/userfiles/files/buttertarttrail%202010%20%20%20(2pages).pdf
85. help with the organization of the garage.
86. start drawing again.
87. pack a big picnic lunch and go to a “new” to us park (not in our neighbourhood) for the day.
88. psychic reading. probably with my sisters.
89. blow gigantic bubbles http://www.instructables.com/id/GIANT-bubble-blower/
90. find a really interesting restaurant online, take a dish from their menu and try to copy it at home.
91. attempt to make homemade ice cream.
92. make an ice cream cake.
93. this has been in my to make folder for some time: Use crayons and wax paper to create faux stained glass
94. photobooth portrait with my family
95. learn how to tie a necktie.
96. document my day in photographs.
97. turn the big green jar into a terrarium.
98. with the boys: build a baking soda volcano.
99. quit facebook.
100. more time with my family. less time with my computer.
101. plan and have a 35th birthday party for myself (in 2 years)

i'll leave you with some pictures of me. through the years.

happy birthday to me folks.