I’m turning 30 (!) in just a few days, so here’s my last update on the list I made last September of things to do/accomplish/try/enjoy before then.
Items completed (or jettisoned) are crossed off; items begun are starred.*
1. Go back to Europe. Specifically Oxford (where I used to live). Not happening this year, between my newish job and various financial commitments.
2. Read or donate at least half the books I own that I’ve not yet read.* I’ve cleared out a lot of books. Done.
3. Go back to the Glen Workshop. Couldn’t swing it this year. See #1.
4. Visit my loved ones in Abilene. (Loved being there over Christmas.)
5. Finish a draft of my memoir. On hold for now.
6. Pay off my student loans. DONE!
7. Go apple picking for the third time. (It was glorious.)
8. Visit a place I’ve never been. (Newport, RI; the Berkshires in MA; Portsmouth, NH; Upper Cape Cod; Camden, ME; Lower Cape Cod)
9. Read 10 new-to-me classics of any genre. I’ve read 18, including Les Mis.
10. Participate in a cooking challenge with fellow Shelf Awareness reviewers. (Read all about it!)
11. Visit New York in the fall. (A weekend full of wonder.)
12. Cuddle my sweet nephew a lot. (Yes – at Christmas and in March. Planning more cuddles this fall.)
13. Conquer the snooze button.* (Still working on it.)
14. Knit a few beautiful things. (See my late winter knits.)
15. Go to the dentist.
16. Visit Canada.* (Birthday trip in the works!)
17. Reach out to two friends every week. (Social media makes this easier.)
18. Reread the Mother-Daughter Book Club series. Done.
19. Take a vacation with friends.* (Planning on this soon.)
20. Try 2 or more new recipes a month. Delicious.
21. Develop a steady, focused routine for my workdays.* (Still working on it.)
22. Re-imagine our cluttered guest room.* (Major progress.)
23. Invest in sturdy, chic black flats. Finally.
24. Eat at the food truck on the Common. Yum.
25. Get a pedicure. Ahhhh.
26. Invite friends over at least once a month.
27. Write half a dozen more essays. (I’ve written for Art House America about laundry, mending, and prayer. Now working on a series of three essays for TRIAD.)
28. Order myself a new “brave” necklace.
29. Savor the last year of my twenties. (Absolutely.)
What lists are you working on lately?
cakes, tea and dreams 
You have had such a productive, fun year – I can’t believe all that you’ve accomplished! I hope you have a wonderful birthday celebration in Montreal!!!
“Going to the dentist” caught my eye. It’s the only thing that lacks some comment. Do it – it’s worth it. (I know because I went last week.)
Also: I hope you’re going to make it to Europe soon (and come to Germany, too).
Have a nice birthday in Montreal! I’ll eat some gelato for you in Rome 😉
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday. My daughter and my husband have September birthdays and we were married this month too. I love September and I love #10. Can’t wait to make your Cranberry Right Side Up Cake. That sounds so perfect for fall. I made a list on my 50th birthday (this year) of 50 things to do while I am 50. I’m encouraged to see that not all of the things on your list got accomplished. There’s always next year, right?
I forgot to ask. Will you share the recipe for the Cranberry Right Side Up Cake? Please and Thank you.
Most of my lists are reading lists. I am working on the 1001 list and also embarked on a quest to read all the Newbery Medal and Honor books.
Maybe I should make a list of things I want to accomplish before the next big birthday that ends with zero.
Happy Belated Birthday! I love your list. I only have one thing on my list and that’s to remain single for a year; to heal. It’s tougher than I thought. Enjoy the thirties!
You’ve not been to Canada? As a Canadian I highly recommend it! And don’t sweat turning 30, it doesn’t get really brutal until 40.
Sounds like you’ve had a fun year! Hope you had a lovely birthday too. I just started my list of 30 things to do before 30 this September so was interested to read yours 🙂