#8 Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #28 on the 40/40 list)

#46 Scuba Diving: Continue practicing my newfound SCUBA skillz by going to the rock quarry at least once.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written (#7 on the 40/40 list): I mostly have really long ones left so out of the 10 remaining, I’m going to tackle 4 this year. As ONE of these things to read is the ENTIRE works of Shakespeare, I also want to see 2 plays performed live.

#65  Shout ‘Drinks Are on Me!’ in a Pub or Bar (#17 on the 40/40 list): I’m waiting to go my bar on a Tuesday afternoon at 3pm. I can swing buying drinks for 5 people.

#68 Save Someone’s Life (#8 on the 40/40 list): Donate 6 pints I’ve gone back and forth on this. I know they say donating blood can help save someone’s life but I guess I feel like I can’t be sure if MY blood actually saved somoene’s life. But most people seem to think this counts so let’s compromise. If I donate 5 gallons (which is 40 pints and the quickest I’d be able to accomplish that is 7 years), then can we say the likelihood of ONE of those 40 pints actually saved somebody’s life?

#84 Learn to Ski (#32 on the 40/40 list): As a hold over from the original list I had in high school, it’s high time I did something about this one.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I completed this goal in 2011 but I’ll have my plate unveiling this year.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#1 Be Able to Do a Pull Up

#11 Learn to Rock Climb: Already have the Groupon in hand to make this happen!

#18 Watch the Top 1,001 Films: Watch 100 this year

#25 Drink All the Beers on the GQ List: Drink 20

#35 Visit all of the NC Breweries: Visit 10 this year

#36 Learn How to Ballroom Dance: Have the Groupon in hand to do this one as well! I think I’m going to try Salsa!

#37 Start Using Coupons

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: I’m putting a stipulation on this one. If they simply insist on showing family movies I’m not interested in, I’m not going to force myself to sit through some animated drivel just to check this one off. I think it would be super fantastic if they showed something like Star Wars. Could you imagine seeing that outside at a drive in movie theater? You’d really feel like you were in space!

From the Sports List:

#18 Attend a rugby game (and learn the rules): There are actually some local teams

#19 Attend a cricket game (and learn the rules): There’s actually a local league!

#24 Attend the Kentucky Derby: There is SOME talk about going this year with my good friend Jessica so hopefully this is happening this year.

Also, not officially on any lists but I’m hoping they do the “Over the Edge” event this year so that I can repel down the side of a building and I have also never been to a tea room and I want to try that out.

Think that’s enough? What’s on YOUR goals for 2012?

#1 Write a Novel:  Big FAIL on the National Novel Writing Month again. I feel like I keep coming up with excuses but seriously I just had WAY too much going on in November. I said this last year but maybe I just need to pick another month.

#11 Visit Every State:  Original goal was to go to Pennsylvania but I’m not going to complain about checking Hawaii off the list instead!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records: I haven’t donated blood all year so epic fail on that. HOWEVER…AANR didn’t try to break 2010′s Skinny Dip Record, so that still stands!

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: The only one I read this year was The Master and Margarita. I spent all of my time working on the Global Challenge. But I also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run, Mildred Pierce, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the latest Sookie book. 13 books total for the year. Not my best effort but better than most, I guess!

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: Originally I was going to attempt to actually see some plays performed but my schedule never worked out. I really haven’t put any energy into this one

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: COMPLETED! I read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), Out of Africa (Africa), The Master and Margarita (Europe), The Road (Future) and Love in the Time in Cholera (South America).

#89 Learn to Cook:  COMPLETED! (Sorry, I haven’t posted about my last 5 recipes yet. I’ll do that in the next couple of weeks).

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  COMPLETED! Planning on hosting my plate party in 2012.

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  Warrior Dash: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: COMPLETED!

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): FAIL!

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: Anytime I thought about it and had a free weekend, they weren’t showing anything I wanted to see. Pushed off to 2012.

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: COMPLETED!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but still to be noted:

• joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life
• visited Savannah
• saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament.
• attended a Ren Faire 
• got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.)
• While SCUBA diving in Hawaii, I saw a Sea Turtle in the wild; that’s not on the “official” list but still cool
• went to the VA Derby where I was in the top 10 finalists for the hat competition.
• visited the Biltmore Estate.
• attended a Demolition Derby,
• finally went to Rocky Horror Picture Show
  
• got into my girly side by doing a pin-up shoot.

On the official list but not planned at the beginning of the year:

• #7: Eat Exotic Foods: I ate Haggis at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and bugs at BugFest
• #98: Go on a Demonstration: COMPLETED!
• #22: Go up in a Hot Air Balloon: COMPLETED!

So in 2011 I completed 11 of my goals, 4 of which are from the original 101 things to do before you die list, which brings the total to 38 things completely done and 13 things partially done. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. And I’m thinking 2012 is going to be even better!

So how did you do with your goals for 2011?  What do you have planned for 2012?

Alex and I are separated. I also had a close friend pass away suddenly in October.

It has not been easy.

So much was going on I didn’t have time to write for much of the Fall and then when I did have time, I just didn’t have the energy. I did what I’ve always done in these times of my life: I retreated. I hid out, I avoided phone calls, I didn’t return emails. My response to an incredible outpouring of love from friends and family was with abbreviated gratitude followed by stony silence. So suffice to say, I also became antisocial and uncommunicative with my friends in the blogosphere and I missed that part of my life too. I don’t know what you guys have been up to for the last few months and I feel like I have so much catching up to do!

I debated long and hard about writing a post like this. It’s really personal and that’s just not me, in real life or on the web. But I figured a blog about my life should probably include a post about a person who played a large part in it for 6 years. If anything, I guess I figured someone would ask eventually when they realized he was no longer included in my adventures.

But it’s almost 2012. And with a new year comes changes for the better and a brand new start. I can’t wait to start blogging again and, more importatntly, begin shaping my new life. Already I’m incredibly excited about the future and what it holds. There are so many possibilities and I have every reason to believe that things can only get better from here on out. I’m so thankful for all that I have and, honestly, despite the last few months, I can’t even say that my life is even all that bad. I’ve experienced so many wonderful things, I have my health, a job I love, a caring family and supportive friends.

The world lays open before me and I gratefully welcome it with open arms.

Thank you all for following me this year in my adventures and I wish you much love and joy this holiday season.

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet. Big plans to do the National Novel Writing Month in November.

#11 Visit Every State:  Managed to cross Hawaii off the list.

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records: I haven’t donated blood all year so epic fail on that. Plus, I bought the Record Book for last year because I thought I’d be in it for the Skinny Dip but it wasn’t included. It doesn’t mean I’m not in it, it just means the Skinny Dip record is in the BIG official books that Libraries get, not the fun little one available for simple people like me.

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I spent all summer on The Master and Margarita but I’ve mostly been working on the Global Challenge. I’ve also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run, Mildred Pierce, and the latest Sookie book. I’m really not doing very well with reading this year compared to my last few years.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: Originally I was going to attempt to actually see some plays performed but my scheduled never worked out. I really haven’t put any energy into this one

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: So far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), Out of Africa (Africa), The Master and Margarita (Europe), and The Road (Future). All that’s left is Love in the Time in Cholera (South America), which I’m currently reading.

#89 Learn to Cook:  I was working toward 52 recipes this year and I’m currently up to 47.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  COMPLETED this one too! We’re planning the “plate party” as we speak.

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  Warrior Dash: COMPLETED!

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: I only have Shane and Intolerance left.

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: I’ve been making excuses on this one. Anytime I’ve been free, the Drive-In movie theater closest to us wasn’t showing something I wanted to see. Hopefully the stars will align and I’ll get both a free weekend and a good movie.

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: COMPLETED!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life. I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament. We went to a Ren Faire and I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.) Also, while SCUBA diving in Hawaii, I saw a Sea Turtle in the wild; that’s not on the “official” list but still cool.

We went to the VA Derby where I was in the top 10 finalists for the hat competition. I ate Haggis at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and bugs at BugFest (both part of #7 on the 101 list). I went on a demonstration (#98), Hot Air Ballooning! (#22 on the 101 list) and visited the Biltmore Estate.

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Only 3 more months until 2012!

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet. Big plans to do the National Novel Writing Month in November.

#11 Visit Every State:  Originally the plan was that we would go to Pennsylvania but that got scrapped when I got a new job without vacation. But then Alex had to go to Hawaii for work and I decided to tag along!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records:  Working on being the world’s largest blood donor.  Between being on antibiotics and having a low iron count, I still haven’t donated this year yet.  So far I’m up to 6 pints over my lifetime.

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  COMPLETED! (Well, at least the SCUBA diving portion. Time will tell about whether I’ve conquered my fear of water)

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I’m working on The Master and Margarita right now but I’ve mostly been working on the Global Challenge. I’ve also read Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rabbit, Run and the latest Sookie book.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: I’m supposed to be reading 12 plays this year but I’ve got nothing yet.

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: So far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America), Evil Angels (Australiasia), The Good Earth (Asia), and Out of Africa (Africa) as part of the challenge. The Master and Margarita counts for Europe and then all I have to read is The Road (Future) and Love in the Time in Cholera (South America).

#89 Learn to Cook:  So far I’ve done 32 recipes (Look for a coming post about the last 4 I’ve done).  That’s a little better than one a week so I’m doing really well with this goal.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I’m currently up to 174.  My new job is only one block from the Flying Saucer and I’ve gone there after work a number of times for a pint.  I’m getting this one done this year!

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  We’re also signed up for the Warrior Dash for August.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: One thing I HAVE been doing is watching films (for proof visit here, here, and here). I only have 20 left.

#20 Sing Karaoke: COMPLETED!

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: No plans yet

#39 Lose 20 Pounds: So far I’ve lost 13.4 pounds by using Weight Watchers!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life.  I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament.  We went to a Ren Faire and I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.) Also, while SCUBA diving in Hawaii, I saw a Sea Turtle in the wild; that’s not on the “official” list but still cool.

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Is the year flying by for you too?

• Finally booked the Hawaii trip, officially. We’ll only be in Honolulu for 5 days and outside of a day trip to the Big Island to see the volcanoes, this will be more a relax-and-rejuvenate vacation rather than an adventure vacation. But I’ll check off #27: See an Erupting Volcano (if I see lava) and it will help towards #11: Visit Every State.
• SCUBA Lessons were canceled this past Saturday so we may not be certified before going to Hawaii. I’m not too concerned; I’m sure we can still go diving with an instructor while there if we’d like.

BBQ Porkchops with onions

• I’m kicking butt at cooking lately, having made three dishes in four days. That’s like a record for me. I made Fried Rice (added chicken), BBQ Porkchops, and a Slow-cooker Chicken and Rice dish, Recipes 21, 22, and 23. The Fried Rice tasted like…fried rice, so nothing special but good to just have something “classic.” The BBQ Porkchops I liked; citrusy and spicy. The Chicken and Rice was …okay; it tasted fine but it smelled like feet. Must have been the mushrooms.
• I’m up to beer #159. Being on a diet is obviously slowing down my beer intake (they take up a valuable 5 points each!) but I should still finish this year.
• And finally, films I’ve seen recently:

Suspicion I’ve seen quite a number of Hitchcock films, mostly his later stuff.  This is one his earliest and while it certainly has the appeal of suspense, it doesn’t quite deliver like his later films.  Of course, it could be one of those times where by the time I’ve gotten to it, I’ve already seen it rehashed in every other way.  And, after seeing a number of Cary Grant films recently where he plays comic figures, it was hard to separate him out as a threatening figure.  I never quite bought the idea that there was any real danger.

Jezebel I guess I may get blasted for this, but I really don’t think Bette Davis is very attractive.  Great actress? Yes, but really not very pretty.  That aside, I liked this movie in the beginning.  A very strong lead female character but then everything just kinda falls apart and I didn’t feel I was given enough reason for why the characters made the decisions they made.

Anything random you’d like to share about what’s going on in your life?

157.4/-6

Check out the video below and be sure to check out Phil’s blog too!

I’m not sharing this to bum you out, ask for sympathy, or exploit loved ones for the sake of a blog post.  It’s just that with each funeral I attend, I think more and more about my list.  I think it’s natural for most people to think about their own lives, what they’ve done, what they’ve yet to accomplish, when attending a service that celebrates the passing of another.

My original reason for starting my list isn’t a noble one.  In high school I was simply bored and knew I wanted a more interesting and exciting life than the one offered to me in a small town.  This list stayed in the back of my mind but was shoved to the forefront shortly after I separated from my husband in 2005 and I found the 101 Things to Do Before You Die book by Richard Horne.  At that point I felt like I needed a new beginning, a fresh start.  Progressively since starting the blog in 2009, it’s been more about keeping me from being stagnant, my motivation for trying new things. 

And this year, more and more, it’s taken a very literal meaning: things I want to do before I die. Life is truly so fleeting.  Grandparents that lived full lives surrounded by loved ones is the ideal we all hope for but for two people this year, lives were ended far short of where they should have.  There are no guarantees that tomorrow on my way to work I won’t be killed in a car accident.  And the very least I can do is experience all that I can while I’m here.

So I apologize for this bummer of a post but I increasingly felt the need to talk about it.  Hope you don’t mind.

So in honor of April Fool’s Day, I’m asking you guys to give me an idea of something I could do.  Something that would be epic, that my friends and I will talk about for years to come.  I know the best ones are done when you actually know the person and can plan accordingly and I guess it would be best if it was something original and unique…but maybe you guys are better at this than I am and can dream up something that’s never been done. 

I have faith in you.

#1 Write a Novel:  Nada, yet.

#11 Visit Every State:  Dang.  With no vacation for the first year at my new job, I won’t be able to do the Pennsylvania trip.  Oh well, we have lots of little weekend vacations planned, including a trip to Myrtle Beach, SC in April, the NC Mountains for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games  in July, and Asheville, NC for Hot Air Ballooning and the Biltmore Estate in September.  We’ll stay busy, even if we’re not very exotic this year!

#16 Get into the Guinness World Book of Records:  Working on being the world’s largest blood donor.  Between being on anti-biotics and having a low iron count, I haven’t donated this quarter yet.  So far I’m up to 6 pints over my lifetime.

#46 Scuba Diving/#87 Conquer Your Fear:  I have a Groupon for a SCUBA introductory lesson scheduled for April 16th and plan to complete the course in June.

#52 Read the Greatest Books Ever Written: I haven’t read any from this list yet.  I’ve been focusing on the Global Challenges.

#52.1 Shakespeare Reading Challenge: I’m supposed to be reading 12 plays this year but I’ve got nothing yet.

#52.2 Global Reading Challenge: This got added to the annual goals a bit late but so far I’ve read Winesburg, Ohio (North America) and Evil Angels (Australiasia) as part of the challenge.

#89 Learn to Cook:  So far I’ve done 15 recipes.  That’s a little better than one a week so I’m doing really well with this goal.

#93.5 Get Your Name in the Ring of Honor:  I’m currently up to 146.  My new job is only one blocks from the Flying Saucer and I’ve gone there after work a number of times for a pint.  I’m getting this one done this year!

#105 Krispy Kreme Challenge: COMPLETED!  We’re also signed up for the Warrior Dash for August.

Goals from my 40 Before I’m 40 List:

#6 Start Saving for Retirement: COMPLETED!

#19 Watch AFI’s 100 Best Films: One thing I HAVE been doing is watching films (for proof visit here and here). I only have 21 left.

#28  Sell a piece of art (and realize my childhood dream, which is #8 on the 101 list): Nada, so far.

#38 See a Movie in a Drive-In Movie Theater: Gotta wait until it warms up a bit!

Not on the list for this year’s goals but I also joined the Bone Marrow Registry, so between that and donating blood, I’m working on #68 Save Someone’s Life.  I visited Savannah and I saw UNC play (and win) in the NCAA tournament.  I also got a star named after me, which could fulfill #94 Get Something Named After Me (I’m still holding out hope for a street or a building or something.)

So how are you doing with your goals for 2011?  Is the year flying by for you too?