20 x 40 Update

Last year, I posted about my 20 x 40 list...the list of 20 goals I want to accomplish by the time I turn 40.  I figured it was a good time for me to recap and update the list, marking off what I've already accomplished and updating some of the goals to fit what I've decided are now more pertinent.

Learn to can fruits and veggies

Last year, the dad of my best friend taught me how to can fruits and veggies.  It was a great night.  I spent the evening giggling and recalling stupid things that my bestie and I did as teenagers.  Best part...I came home with 10 cans of green beans and 5 cans of stewed tomatoes.  Also, I brought home a canning bounty for Christmas.  Can't wait to give it a go myself.

Learning the ropes

my bounty...

Sew a quilt

Sew something for ME

Road trip across the United States
I did this several years ago, when I was headed to Colorado to write my comps.  However, we were on a time frame, so I never got to stop and see the random things along the way...like the world's largest porcupine or world's tiniest dog.  So, I'd really like to do it again, but this time stop to enjoy the trip.

Take a calligraphy class

I took a calligraphy class, and I've decided it isn't for me.  I just didn't love it...although, my teacher did tell me I had great attention to detail.

Complete a triathalon

MAKE all my gifts for a year

Shop the World Longest Yard Sale

Learn to use power tools

Write a children's book

Make Gran's cookbook

Adopt from Africa

Fear not, you haven't missed a big announcement that there is a baby living in my house.  However, I have initiated this process.  The next step on my adoption check off is a "home visit."  During this step, professionals come into your house, interview you, and make sure that you have a house that could support a child.  I haven't wanted to begin this part of the process in my current house because it is not the best set up for a child.  However, once in my new ranch style house, this will be towards the top of my to-do list.

Improve my digital photography skills (and learn to use Photoshop Elements)

Become a foster parent

After much thought and prayer, I don't believe fostering is for me right now.  I don't have the schedule and set up to be a great support for a child.  So, I decided to do the next best thing.  I'm working on my final week of training to become a CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates.  These people are appointed by judges in juvenile cases where a child has been removed from their home and are in state care.  The CASA is the advocate and voice for the child.  I'm very excited to start this process because I feel like it is an opportunity to use my God given gifts of love, passion, and empathy for children.

www.casaforchildren.org

Travel to 6 of the 7 continents (sorry Antarctica) - getting closer

I haven't totally completed this component of my 20 x 40 list, but I am getting closer.

Last summer, I had the opportunity to teach in China.  The experience was interesting.  I pictured China to be very technological with large buildings and lots of people, similar to Beijing.  However, I taught in a "rural" area of two million people.  It was a great experience.  I'd like to get back to see more of the sights.  Because of my teaching schedule, I didn't have a lot of time to sightsee.  

Bikes, bikes and more bikes

Last month, I also traveled to New Zealand.  Now, that might be a stretch to call this part of the Australian continent, but I did find on-line that some people clump New Zealand, Australia, and the South-pacific together as the Oceania or Australasia continent.  So, in case I don't make it back to Australia...I'm counting it.

Also, I'm in the process of submitting a presentation proposal for a conference in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  So, hopefully I will be totally finished with this goal by the end of next year.

Write 365 thank you notes

Take 365 photos

Learn to UTILIZE my serger

Visit a fortune teller
Well, I didn't pay a fortune teller to read my future, but I did partake in a fun little children's literature tarot card reading.  One of the professors at NGCSU, kindly agreed to read the children's literature card and relate it to my current and future life.  It was a fun break from writing while we were working hard on several manuscripts...and such a lovely bonding experience.

Live in another country for 6 months

Obviously, I still have plenty of room to grow.  I have well over half of my list still to go, but some of them are getting closer.  I have to admit that it has been liberating altering parts of the list.  Sometimes experiences aren't what you thought they'd be and other times your wishes change.  So, here I am...content with where I've gone and what I've done, but also with lots of room to grow.

Top 5 (well, maybe 6) Least Favorite Olympic Moments

#5 - Prince Harry Shooting Hoops

During the pre-olympic coverage, the media paid special attention to the royal family and their presence at the games.  Most of the coverage included Harry, William and Kate meeting athletes from various sports.  Prince Harry made an appearance at a pre-olmypic basketball activity, where he was challenged to shoot a few hoops.  Now, I've always thought Harry was the cuter and more exciting/fun of Prince Charles and Diana's boys; however, that all went out the window that day when I saw this...

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Having shot a few baskets in my life, I was a little mortified at his form and the shank that came after.  I deal breaker for me is a guy who I can beat at basketball.  I guess I'll have to mark Harry off my list ;)

#4 - Lochte and the bling

Supposedly, the Olympic Committee informed Lochte that they would not place the medal on his neck if he was wearing his grill.  So, he slipped it in his pocket and put it in his mouth following the medal being placed around his neck.  Seriously, it is a moment in history...

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#3 - Usain Bolt's flashiness

I know Usain Bolt is the "Fastest Man in the World."  However, there is something to say about being a little more modest.

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My favorite quote I heard about Usain Bolt was from Bob Costas who said, "As great as he is, I guess it is hard to have a higher opinion of Usain Bolt than he has of himself."

#2 - Jordyn Wieber and All Around Rule

As I'm sure you've heard, there is a rule in gymnastics that only the top two gymnasts from each country's team can participate in the all-around competition.  Some people may think this is fair, but what if the gymnast who is the third best gymnast on her team and scores fourth out of all gymnasts at the meet is left out of the all-around competition?  Well, they feel how Jordyn Wieber felt at the olympics.

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Jordyn Wieber, who many proclaimed was the top gymnast for the US, was upset after the team competition when she did not qualify for the all-around competition.  The media did nothing to help as they stuck a camera in her face and followed her closely while she watched one of her dreams diminish.  However, hats off to Jordyn for composing herself for the interview that followed.

#1 - Gabby Douglas and The Hair Controversy

I was awestruck with Gabby Douglas who came out of her shell and shined at the London Olympics.  Amazed by her poise, confidence, and ability to handle such nerve-wracking situations, I was even more impressed with how she handled the ridiculous controversy surrounding her hair.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to see this picture (and caption) circulating Facebook.  Sorry, I couldn't find a source.

I planned to only include my five least favorite olympic moments, but I couldn't hold this one out.  So...

#0 - Fox News complaining about the "lack of patriotism" shown by Olympic athlete uniforms (LINK).  Seriously...

Well, I bet they appreciated Ryan Lochte's American flag grill.  I assume that was patriotic enough.

Top 10 Favorite Olympic Moments

I decided to stretch out the ending of the Olympics (since I'm in denial that the closing ceremonies is currently airing).  In David Letterman style, I put together a post of my Top 10 Favorite Olympic Moments. 

#10 - P&Gs Thank You, Mom Campaign.  I loved seeing the P&G commercials of the olympic athletes thanking their mothers.

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#9 - Athletes going to see other events.  It honestly seemed like Kobe Bryant was at every sporting event.

Kobe at USA women's volleyball match.

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Kobe at a men's tennis match at Wimbledon.

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Kobe at a cycling event.

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#8 - Ashton Eaton winning the decathlon and the title of "World's Greatest Athlete."

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#7 - The US women's soccer team gold medal win over Japan...what sweet revenge.

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#6 - Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 medals (18 of which are gold).

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#5 - McKayla Maroney's amazing vault that left the judges awestruck.  Also, can I just say that she has the most adorable personality?

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#4 - The all-American women's beach volleyball championship.

                                            Kerri and Misty vs April and Jen                                                                 

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#3 - Gabby Douglas...need I say more?

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#2 - The gold medal win of Kerri Walsh and Misty May.  I know this is crazy, but I actually follow beach volleyball.  I think it is amazing.  I've followed the two of them for close to a decade, so I was thrilled to see them pull out another gold for Misty's retirement.

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#1 - Oscar Pistorius, the first double amputee to participate in the Olympic games.  I also couldn't leave out my favorite of his quotes.

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"You're not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have."

20 x 40

Some of you may have read or heard on the news that my Dad was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at the end of last year.  Although his prognosis is good, I think our family has taken the opportunity to reevaluate the "important" parts of life.  

One topic that gets more discussion as of late is the "bucket list."  Dad talks about being a cattle farmer, seeing more Major League Baseball games, and tracing our family's lineage.  All of this talk encouraged me to think about what I'd want to do if I created a "bucket list."  So, I created the 20 x 40 list.

The 20 x 40 list entails 20 things I'd love to do by the time I turn 40.  Some of the items on the list are probably unrealistic...I mean seriously, I'm not ever really going to complete a triathlon.  But I'm going to throw out my goals, my bucket list, or the 20 things I'd do if I had endless time, money, and/or energy.

So, here is my 20 x 40 list...20 things I hope to achieve by the time I turn 40

Learn to can fruits and veggies

Sew a quilt

Sew something for ME

Road trip across the United States

Take a calligraphy class

Complete a triathalon

MAKE all my gifts for a year

Shop the World Longest Yard Sale

Learn to use power tools

Write a children's book

Make Gran's cookbook

Adopt from Africa

Improve my digital photography skills (and learn to use Photoshop Elements)

Become a foster parent

Travel to 6 of the 7 continents (sorry Antartica)

Write 365 thank you notes

Take 365 photos

Learn to UTILIZE my serger

Visit a fortune teller

Live in another country for 6 months

I've had this list sitting on my desktop for more than a year.  It really stared me in the face for over a year.  I kept thinking, "you know, I should really work on that!"  Well, I will admit that I've begun my list (just yesterday).  I have 19 more to go.  I'm planning to start tomorrow by detailing each of the items on the list (starting with the ONE I can mark off as complete), the ones I've begun, where the dreams came from, and how I hope to complete them...

More to come...

Finally

I certainly don't talk often about this (especially with people I don't know first-hand), but my dad ran for Governor of Georgia over the past year and a half.

He was Governor for four years, elected while I was in college.  After eight years of sitting idly by, Dad decided he was frustrated with the direction of the State of Georgia.  So, he ran for Governor again.

Having grown up in politics, my siblings and I all had apprehension about the run...because we selfishly wanted him to our selves.  However, we supported his desire to improve the current state of affairs.

(Will's homemade sign the day before the election)

Well, after a tough race, he was defeated in early November.  A defeat is always difficult.  We've experienced them before, and they never get better.  However, you can only put yourself out there and allow the public to choose who they want.

(Yup, even the cows made their political debut!)

Growing up with an amazing leader as a father is one of the biggest gifts I've ever received.

The Crash

I figured I'd start the week with the good, and end with the bad.

Several moths ago, my sister and her oldest girls (6 and 4) were in a terrible car accident.  I won't bore you with the details, but the driver of the car (17 years old) passed away the following day after hitting my sister and the girls head on.

CLICK HERE to read one of the news stories on the accident.

My sister broke her big toe (which sounds like nothing but is definitely still mending), the oldest girl (Lilly) had some facial bruising and a concussion (caused by the airbags), and the second oldest (Ella) broke her arm and had surgery to repair/set.

(Ella at the hospital awaiting her surgery)

Situations like these definitely make you thankful for family and all the time we have together.  

Moo! Moo!

For the last several years, Dad claims to be working on his "bucket list."  One of the top items on the list was to own and raise cattle again.  Having grown up on a dairy farm, Dad LOVES farm life...me, not so much!

Since my last blog post, Dad's first two cows arrived.  Initially Dad wanted two calves, but he decided at the cattle auction that they were too expensive.  So, he chose the next best thing...two pregnant cows.

Meet Molly and Polly.  Yes, I agree!  They're terrible names.  Dad has ALWAYS wanted to name cows Molly and Polly.

Well, in September or was it October?  I don't really recall, but two calves arrived.  My brother's kiddos named the first one...Tiger!  My sister's children donned the second one...Frisky (the same thing they named their caterpillar last spring).

We (and all the neighbors) have thoroughly enjoyed watching the growth of the cows.  They're very friendly, juvenile, and absolutely adorable.  Never did I think I'd say that about COWS!