Making a birthday wish last year
I am a big fan of lists, as you all know, and in recent years I’ve loved the idea of making a list on my birthday – of things to accomplish, enjoy, start and/or finish before my birthday. Twenty-eight sounds awfully grown-up – but here I am! – and here’s my list:
1. Try out the Project Life system to document either some of my time in Oxford or our first year in Boston
2. Go to New York to see Ben in The Lion King (and visit friends)
3. Plan a trip to Europe/Oxford
4. Hang out with my family in Texas
5. Dig into some classics I’ve never read
6. Visit a place I’ve never been (this one comes up every year for me)
7. Clean out my desk at home (currently full of stuff I don’t use)
8. Visit my loves in Abilene
9. Go apple picking again
10. Knit some swoon-worthy autumn accessories
11. Buy a new pair of black high-heeled boots
12. Keep in better touch with far-away friends (stolen from Bethany’s list)
13. Explore more of New England
14. Try at least 2 new recipes a month
15. Visit half a dozen area bookstores I haven’t been to yet
16. Go see The Civil Wars in concert with my Jeremiah
17. Take another writing course (at Grub Street or Emerson)
18. Take a financial management course with J
19. Put together new outfits from pieces I already own
20. Schedule a checkup (it’s been far too long)
21. Start or join a book club
22. Buy a sassy red handbag
23. Drive up to New Hampshire or Vermont to see the fall foliage
24. Fill a new notebook with a super-secret writing project
25. Get a Massachusetts driver’s license
26. Learn to pay attention to one thing at a time
27. Send 28 handwritten letters (Christmas cards don’t count)
28. Go to a literary festival/conference/event
Do you make lists like this? If so, I’d love to know what’s on them!
cakes, tea and dreams 
Great list! I hope 28 treats you as well as it has me. Happy birthday, friend.
If you want to kill a couple birds with one stone: you should check out the bookstore “Manchester by the Book” in Manchester by the Sea, Massachusetts. It’s my favorite small bookstore, and the town is really cute too.
I love making lists, and they especially include visiting lots of new places all the time. Good luck with getting yours done.
What a wonderful idea! I’m going to try it this year, my birthday is at the end of December so will work on a list until then. I grew up in New Hampshire, and I hope you go see the foliage although Massachusetts looks just the same.
Happy birthday beautiful girl! I love Vermont and New Hampshire this time of year… Do share photos of your trips and the foliage. Also, if you feel like pampering yourself a bit on your birthday, the restaurant at the Prudential (Top of the Hub) has a cafe that is ten times more affordable than the actual restaurant. The cafe does not take reservations, but show up relatively early, ask for a window seat, watch the sunset and order the Cookie Platter. I promise you will not be disappointed.
I hope you get to cross off many items on your list, and that you add many more. It is such a treat being along for the ride. Much love to you!
You’ve inspired me! Although 29 seems like a lifetime ago…you are never too old to make a “new” list! Good Luck with Yours!!
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