The only advice I have about having a birthday list, is to start one when you are in your twenties.  When you get to be my age, my half birthday list is in the twenties!

My reason for coming back to the birthday list is it helps me do fun and significant stuff I wouldn’t otherwise.

I’ve learned a lot about myself since doing The Healthy, Happy, Sane Teacher  – yes, I did the program and wrote it. What? It’s good stuff.

One thing I learned is that days, weeks and months can get away from me if I don’t actually take control of my schedule. I have a gold medal in time-wasting/mindless internet surfing thus leaving almost no time for things that are important let alone fun.

So now every Tuesday afternoon I plan my life: meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), movement, quiet time, work and most importantly fun.

I’ve been working on my half birthday list since mid-September because that is actually the six month mark for me and I wanted to be sure I wanted to publish another list before I actually published it.

Apparently, I do, so there you go.

22 Before 44: A Half Birthday List

1. Take a dance class series. I have always loved dancing, but haven’t taken any lessons in years. I’m currently thinking intro to tap dancing. How much fun would that be?

2. Pay off my teaching credential loan. It is time.

3. Set up system for depositing checks. What? Doesn’t everyone struggle with getting checks deposited before they expire? You didn’t know checks expire? Well, you heard it here first.  Get a pretty box by the door and put a banking day on the calendar each week.Get that app that lets me never go to the bank again.

4. Take a solo spa day in Calistoga to use the gift card in my wallet. Sometimes waiting around for someone to be able to go with you means you never get to go. So before my birthday, solo spa day.

5. Buy a bigger food processor from Crate and Barrel to make life easier. Why Crate and Barrel? Gift card in my wallet.

6. Read 22 books for pleasure. I have gotten away from reading fiction the last decade or so of being in a constant quest for knowledge. The next 6 months are all about the novel. Please leave your must read titles in the comments.

7. Enjoy a restorative yoga class each month. Taught by someone else. I mean really.

8. Celebrate family day with a day off at Apple Hill.

9. Write 22 thank you notes to people who have touched my life.

10. Take control of my calendar – clearing one day a week to schedule everything. Another brilliant tip from The Healthy, Happy, Sane Teacher. My day is Tuesday. Game changer. I plan all meals, exercise, meditation, work time, family time and fun. And it all gets done because it is on the calendar. What? I know. Revolutionary.

11. Teach a restorative/writing workshop – Restoration NOT Resolutions is scheduled for New Year’s Day at It’s All Yoga. Save the date! More details later.

12. Create a business with the city and or state. This is a by the end of 2013 goal.

13. Set up business checking account. This is also a by the end of 2013 goal.

14. Take a cooking class. I did this in Thailand and absolutely loved it. Do more of what you love. I think I’ve heard that somewhere before.

15. Pretty up the back yard. Ideas include: a new gate, make under laundry room into a cute play area with shelves and cover, deal with the toy clutter, adding more shade, adding more flowers, adding an herb garden and more!

16. Attend an author event. Inspiration? Yes, please.

17. Make bread in the bread machine. Just how long must one own a bread machine before one uses it? I’m at about two years. Crazy train, I know. This will stop or I will give it a new home.

18. Wrap up 25 winter books for the kid to unwrap each day of December. Yay for new books! From the library!

19. Pare down wardrobe/reestablish my personal style. More accessories and less yoga pants/jeans and striped t shirts.

20. Investigate/start college fund for kiddo.

21. Eat vegan treats. Make vegan cinnamon rolls, make vegan biscuits and gravy, eat a vegan doughnut.

22. Mini redecorate our bedroom. Ideas include: add shelves as foot board and night stands, new bedding, recover head-board.

Do you keep a birthday list? 

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