25 Before 26

I have finally completed/figured out the list of 25 things I want to accomplish before I turn 26.  Not only have I listed those things (in a handy dandy new notebook I might add), but I created a picture-thing as a daily reminder.  Once I start completing things, I'm either going to write the date on the picture, or post a picture or some other memento to commemorate its completion.

25 before 26

1. Etsy shop- vintage
2. Collection of short stories- ready to submit
3. New tattoo
4. Finish framing prints
5. Blog redesign
6. Buy nice camera
7. Learn how to do my hair
8. Go on a trip somewhere new
9. Bring Crookston to dog training class
10. Figure out Spanish creds
11. No credit card debt
12. Send more letters
13. Create realistic workout plan
14. Learn to crochet
15. Grow closer to God
16. Complete a 5K
17. Volunteer
18. Finally go to the drive in theater
19. Renaissance Festival
20. Read 40+ books
21. Print more photos
22. Create more
23. Go camping
24. Make a quilt
25. Get my passport

Each goal get its own page in the book so that I can write a plan of action, or track progress.  If you look closely, you can see Crookston on his baby blanket at the foot of the chair.

Like I mentioned earlier, I created this picture thing as a daily reminder of my goals.  I bought this old picture at the thrift store and wrote my goals around the frame.

Friday the 13th Playlist

This playlist actually has nothing to do with Friday the 13th other than the fact that I made it today.  It's a pretty mellow collection of songs that I've been listening to on repeat as of late.  Enjoy :)

It is my birthday.

 

I've always been a big birthday person.  That's a lie.  Not always.  After I turned 16 or 17, I began to love my birthday.  Not the gifts, but the general outpouring of love.  I get excited for the week of, or the day of, that magical time because it's a time of happiness and greatness.

 

Birthdays are kind of like new years resolutions to me.  I reflect on the previous year.  Set goals for the next one.  I try and figure out what went wrong and what can go better.  This year's birthday is a tough one for me.

 

Lately, my life has been a country song of sadness.  I could list the things weighing on me, but those who need to know, do, so why bring up unhappy memories?  The point, however roundabout, that I'm making is this: 25 is going to be amazing.

 

If this past week has taught me anything at all, it's that I'm stronger than I thought.  I've been kicked repeatedly while I've been down and I've decided that I'm going to use 25 to be happier, healthier, and more generous.

 

Almost every blogger that I seem to follow does a list.  A list of goals that they want to accomplish before their next birthday.  The general set-up is that you try to accomplish one thing for every year you've been alive, before you add another year to that number.  Long story short, this year I'm doing a 25 before 26. 

 

The next few days are going to be spent figuring out what I want to accomplish and then figuring out the steps to accomplish these goals.

 

To give you a quick idea of what this will look out, here a few examples from bloggers:

 

25 before 26 - Goal List

24 before 25 (+ 23's recap!)

from Little Chief Honeybee

 

28 Before 29.... a goal list.

27 Things Before I'm 28 (Recap)

from A Beautiful Mess

 

36 things to do before I turn 37 by hula seventy

 

You get the idea....

Coat Weather

This past weekend had the kind of weather that makes me feel superior to everyone else in the country.  I love North Dakota, but when I'm faced with an average temperature of -21, it can get a little depressing...but that's mostly because I always forget gloves and almost lose my fingers. 

The thing is, I hate ugly coats, but I've learned that more times than not, they're the warmest.  Columbia just keeps me warm.  I see girls on blogs running around town in peacoats and the occasional pleather, but all I can think is, yeah, it's warm where you live, it's probably even above 0.

This is the cross I bear for living in a place that continually makes national news as one of the coldest cities in the United States ( #2 in this roundup of 25).  I'm always trying to find a balance between warm and cute.  These are a couple of coats I have my eye on that might fit the bill.

UNIF Cara Puffy Parka

Mesa Verde Visit Coat

 

Members Only Faux Fur-Lined Parka

 

ASOS Parka With Quilt Stitch Detail

 

Grief, by Charles Bukowski

For Jane

225 days under grass
and you know more than I.
they have long taken your blood,
you are a dry stick in a basket.
is this how it works?
in this room
the hours of love
still make shadows.

when you left
you took almost
everything.
I kneel in the nights
before tigers
that will not let me be.

what you were
will not happen again.
the tigers have found me
and I do not care.       

I have shared this poem before, but it is more fitting this week than it ever has been before.  Charles Bukowski just seems right.

no help for that

there is a place in the heart that
will never be filled

a space

and even during the
best moments
and
the greatest
times

we will know it

we will know it
more than
ever

there is a place in the heart that
will never be filled
and

we will wait
and
wait

in that space.