November 26, 2011. The big 3-0. It's kind of a scary birthday. No longer "in my twenties". There is something about 30 that just seems so old, so "adult". Never mind that I'm already married, a homeowner, an attorney and a mother of two. I'm not officially an adult until that day. Its made me think a little about where I am in my life. What I've accomplished, what I still want to do. I'm sure my 10 year class reunion is also responsible for some of this introspection.
A lot of the food blogs I subscribe to in my Google Reader are from the ladies of the
What's Cooking? Board on the
Nest. It's a website I used to spend an unearthly amount of time on before I had a full time job and a child. I haven't posted for a year or so, but I still follow these blogs. Most of these women are my age, some a little older, some a little younger, but mostly right around my age. As a result, a lot of these women are also seeing that scary number come just that much closer. I've been seeing a lot of 30 by 30 lists pop up, mostly relating to food, but I'm inspired by
one that includes other aspects of her life. So here it is- my 30 by 30 list.
I'm sharing it mostly so I have my list in a convenient place and not on a piece of paper that will inevitably end up in the recycling or as a two-year-old's art project, but also to keep me honest. Now you can ask me how my list is coming! I'm also starting this a few months before my 29th birthday because those of you who know me well also know that I'm never on time for anything so anything that gives me a little bit of extra time is great. Let the adventure begin!
Linda's 30 by 30
Cooking, Baking and Eating
1. Make cinnamon rolls from scratch- Done! Made them Christmas morning.
2. Try 5 new restaurants. (Iron Barley 8/28, Lily's Mexican Restaurant 9/25, City Diner 11/7, Spin 11/26, Crayola Cafe 12/30)
3. Surprise Matt with breakfast in bed.
4. Make my own gnocchi
5. Make my own cheese.- Done! Made it as a gift for family.
6. Use my fondue pot at least once
7. Make a soufflĂ© that doesn’t suck.
Health and Fitness
1. Run another half-marathon.
2. Run a race pushing each of my girls.
3. Reach my goal weight.
Home Improvement and Craftiness
1. Finish the basement!
2. Finish Charlotte’s first year scrapbook. (In progress. I'm almost up through Christmas!)
3, Finish wedding scrapbook.
4. Finish Charlotte's cross-stitch. (In progress. I'm almost finished with the border and then only have accents to do.)
5. Start Audrey’s first year scrapbook.
6. Print, frame and hang family pictures for the picture wall.
7. Sew a dress for both girls.
8. Make the throw pillows for our new bedroom.
9. Decorate the girls room. (In progress. We've moved all of our stuff out and their stuff in, so I'm getting there!)
Travel
1. Take a weekend trip with Matthew.
2. Take the girls camping.
Loving St. Louis
1. Go to the Farmer’s Market at least once a month, even in the winter. (Failed in August and September, but went in October. Failed in November and December. Not doing so great on this one...)
2. Take the girls to the Great Forrest Park Balloon Glow.
3. Plan a block party.- COMPLETED 10/30/10!!!
4. Attend Our Lady of Sorrows Carnival
5. Take the girls up the arch.
6. Take our family on a picnic.
Making Me Better
1. Read 10 new books that are not work related. (Started Me Talk Pretty One Day, Finished House Rules by Jodi Picoult, Started 100 years of Solitude)
2. Update blog at least once a week.- Not doing so well on this one lately. Will improve!
3. Get a picture with just my girls. Completed 11/28- thank you, Meredith!