January ...a 31 Things update.

This year, I've decided to challenge myself to complete a list of 31 things that will challenge, inspire, and renew me. You can find the complete list here. 

I hope you'll let me know that you're following my adventures by clicking on the link to the left that says "Join this site" or by entering your email. I appreciate having you here and always read every comment!


One of the goals around the "31 Things..." list is to help me re-engage with my blog; to give me a few things to talk about and get me back into the writing routine.

You have no way of knowing this (so you'll have to take my word for it) but I've been writing a lot lately without posting it. Nothing is quite finished... nothing is quite good enough... I can't make the point I want to, or I follow some tangential thought until it doesn't make any sense any more.

But in an effort to live out both the spirit and the details of my "31 Things..." I thought I could at least give you an update on how the list is going!

Here are a few areas where I've made some strides:

#3. Make one new recipe each month
January's recipe was Broccoli/Mushroom Casserole from the "Moosewood Cookbook" by Mollie Katzen. My lovely friend Meredith (who has a few more culinary "gifts" than I) gave me this for my birthday TWO years ago and I finally put it to excellent use. 

One of the best dishes I've ever made, and one of the best casseroles I've ever tasted. Lots of fresh veggies, "healthy" sauce using sour cream & cottage cheese (all things are relative folks), and lots of yummy leftovers.

Not sure what next month's dish will be... but I know I'll be coming back to the Moosewood Cookbook again before the year is up.

#7. Read 12 "real" books
I just finished "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown, and if we've had a conversation even once in the last few weeks, you probably already knew that. I loved this book. I've been talking about it with everyone I know. One way I've described it is that it is filled with a truth that you realize you have always known; and yet no one else is saying it! 

This book has helped me to think more clearly about my own sense of vulnerability and has given me some tools to live more fully in the moment -- even when the moment feels really scary, and I'd rather be defensive or hide away.

I'm sure I will be writing more about this book in future writings. More books up for consideration are "Tattoos on the Heart" by Gregory Boyle and "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin.

#26. Grow my savings account
Late last year, right before I moved to Redford, I re-opened a savings account and starting contributing small amounts. Up until a couple years ago, I was spending a lot of energy at getting out of debt, which I did (yay!) But I wasn't giving any attention to a savings account.

My friends Jeff & Bridget introduced me to a savings plan they've recently adapted called the 52 Week Money Challenge. Each week you put away that week's amount in $$$. (Ex: Week One = $1, Week 18 = $18, Week 43 = $43) Each week's amount is added to the amount already collected, and at the end of 52 weeks, you will have accumulated $1,378.

It's a pretty pain-free start... but check in with me around November and we'll see how I'm feeling then. ;-)

Those are the three areas I have actually "done" something, but I already have plans to fulfill #4. Perform a poetry open mic; and #25. Watch a film at the Detroit Film Theatre; as well as offers for a few more! 


How are your goals for the new year going as we wrap up the first month? Are you keeping your resolutions, or thinking about re-starting again?

31 Things To Do... the Final List.

The List is complete!! 

I put a couple screen shots below so you can see it in all it's glory. (I even picked out a new font just for the occasion.) But in case you can't read it or open the pictures -- I also included the list below:

31 Things To Do In 2013:

1. Parasail over one of the Great Lakes
2. Lose 31 pounds
3. Make one new recipe each month
4. Perform at a poetry slam
5. Unpack - boxes, bags, bins, and all!
6. Visit Steve in Virginia Beach
7. Read 12 "real" books
8. Get my bachelor's degree
9. Spend a day in downtown Detroit
10. Get a physical
11. See a show on Broadway
12. Take an art or photography class
13. Create some "Found Letter Art" with Allison Kyro
14. Dye my hair a neon color (pink, purple or aqua)
15. Increase my blogging audience to 25 "followers"
16. Make some art for my apartment
17. Go on a date
18. Do a 5K run/walk
19. Right a wrong
20. Sleep outdoors
21. Volunteer 31 hours
22. Watch Titanic, Braveheart, and Singin' in the Rain
23. Simplify my 'stuff' (give it, sell it, toss it)
24. Have something published
25. Watch a film at the Detroit Film Theatre
26. Grow my savings account
27. Spend a whole day in silence
28. Go canoeing
29. Drive to Canada
30. Go to the Detroit Zoo with a kid (parents welcome)
31. Visit my grandparents' grave sites

31 things... the idea

Happy New Year!

If you’ve been missing my blog posts, let me first say: Thank you! And I’ve been missing you too!

This year is possibly the ‘newest’ New Year that I’ve had in quite some time. Three months ago I packed up, gave away, or threw out most of my worldly possessions (minus some odds and ends hidden away at Mom & Dad’s house). I moved downstate to a small town in the big area of metro Detroit and started a new job. And so far it has been quite a ride.

Now, I usually *hate* the tradition of making a New Year’s Resolution, but this seems to be a season of all things ‘new’ and I just can’t resist.

But here’s where I need your help… For the year 2013, I’ll be making a list of 31 things to do before the year is up. (One of those things will be – turning 31!)

So far I have 18 19 things that include (in no particular order):

• make one new recipe a month
• perform at a poetry slam
• get a physical
• take an art or photography class

 And lots of other things...

But I could really use some help because as it turns out, the first thing on my list is already stumping me: #1 -- Come up with a list of 31 things to do in 2013.

I’ve already received some great suggestions from friends, and I’ve been able to add quite a few to my list. So if you have suggestions, I’m looking for challenges! The idea is to step out of my comfort zone in a variety of ways from the mundane to the terrifying, and to give myself permission to be vulnerable and emotionally aware in these new experiences. And of course -- to get some great pictures and crazy stories.

I’ll be posting my completed list by the end of this week and then blogging about some of my experiences as the year goes on. Here’s to a year of taking chances, opening up, and telling everyone all about it!