364 days to go

Today, I begin my 40 before 40 challenge...although I haven't quite finalized my 40 tasks.  Number 8 on my list was to start a blog, so here it is!  Thanks to may favorite twin sister for giving me the nudge to do something I've wanted to do for a year. 

#1:  start a blog!  I've been inspired by the blogs I find on Pinterest.  One of my favorites is Kate at The Small Things Blog...http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/.  She always has fun new hairstyles for me to try and includes videos for the hair-impaired like me.

#2:  run a 1/2 marathon - my friend, Julie, planted this seed at the beginning of this school year.  At the time, it seemed like an impossibility, as I can barely run a 5-K now, but what is life without a big goal???

#3:  donate blood every 2 months - as my son told me when I donated for his school, it saves three lives!  I always mean to do this, but I'm not always punctual about it, so I've set this high on the goal list.

#4:  not cut my hair until my next birthday...the big 4-0!  Now, I don't mean to let it get all scraggly--that woul defeat the purpose!  I'll do the 6-8 week trims, but I've always wanted to see how long I could grow it.  Usually, I get annoyed after two bad-hair days and chop it off.  This way, I won't be able to, and I might finally get it long enough to donate for Locks of Love.

#5:  make a new recipe every week - I am the ultimate fast food junkie.  When someone asks me for directions, my landmarks usually include Taco Bell and McDonalds.  I've pinned about 50 recipes on my Pinterest board, so it's about time I tried cooking some of them.  Challenge accepted!

#6:  start journaling - practice what I preach.  I'm always encouraging my students to write daily, so it's time I tried it.  This bloomed from the goal, "Write down one positive thing about every day."  Hmmm...does blogging count as journaling?  Am I cheating by counting this as two separate goals?  I'll have to ponder that...

#7:  read 10 books on the 100 best books list - there are many, but I settled on this one for no reason other than there were many that I wanted to read.  http://www.modernlibrary.com/top-100/100-best-novels/  I'm reading The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand right now.

#8:  use up all of my random make-up and miscellaneous beauty supplies so I can FINALLY join Birchbox - they send a boxful of beauty goodies right to your house for a $10/month subscription.  It looks like a fun way to try out some new products, but I've been trying to restrain myself since my closet is already over-flowing.  Check it out at http://www.birchbox.com/

#9: drink pop only with meals (modified from "stop drinking pop") - that was truly a recipe for disaster, and it would only be punishing my children, husband, students, and anyone else who might unfortunately come in contact with me on a bad day.  This way, I have the flexibility of having a Pepsi with breakfast if I really need one but stops me from carrying one around at school all day! 

#10:  put my shoes in the closet and out of the hallways - this one is for my husband who is constantly grumbling about the shoes when he walks in the door.  It seems relatively easy and will make him VERY happy.

Look for #11 tomorrow...I want to make these meaningful (and fun) so I'm going to take my time with the rest.