last outfit of 2010
I’ve gotten really into list making recently, largely because I seem to be at the age where writing things down is the only way to remember to do them. Wade gave me two very pretty Moleskine notebooks for Christmas, which I love both because they’re so pretty (mine are pink, of course) and because writing with a pen is still faster than typing things into my iPhone (again, I seem to be at That Age).
As part of my list making, I’ve been trying to get beyond the daily to-do lists and think about my life list. It’s hard for me to come up with big things that I want to do with my life, not because I’m not ambitious but because I’ve been fortunate enough to do most of what I wanted over the years (although I am still holding out for that trip to Europe). But there are things — bigger than the daily to-do list but not as big as traveling to Paris — that I would like to do this year. For 2011, I’ve come up with a list of 11 projects; each is totally doable, I think (I hope!) and each is something that I am looking forward to, if only for the satisfaction of crossing it off the list.
Run
I’m running a half marathon this year — actually, I’m running four. I’m already registered for the half marathon in Austin on February 20; my goal is to run the entire 13.1 miles, without stopping. On May 1, I’ll be running a half here in Oklahoma City; in October, I’m hoping to run the half in Chicago. In addition, Wade and I are planning to do the Redman Triathalon in September, as a team; we’re plotting to have Kristen come and do the swimming, because neither of us is up for that.
Read
Charlie is all about Harry Potter right now; he’s counting down to the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II” in July, and we’ve told him that we’ll take him to the midnight show for his birthday. Before we go, I want to finish reading the novels — I started “Order of the Phoenix” a while back (after reading everything before that) and then got bogged down with other things. So I’m going to finish Harry Potter before July.
Write
Christmas always reminds me how nice it is to get real mail, something other than bills and unsolicited offers for car insurance and home repairs. In 2011, I’m going to write one real letter each week, with a pen and paper and a stamp. The post office will love me.
Cook
This is going to be the biggest challenge of 2011. I hate to cook; I don’t find it pleasurable or rewarding or interesting. But I’m tired of eating out and my family is tired of eating the four things I am currently able to male, so this year, I’m going to do some cooking. One new recipe a week. If you have simple recipes that you are willing to share or cooking sites that you love, I’m all ears. Because sometimes the life list is a group project. Help.
Decorate
We’ve lived in this house for three and a half years and the walls are still essentially bare, which is just sad. Rita has offered to help me make some decisions about what to hang where (because I’m pretty sure she dies a little every time she comes over here and sees all that empty space); we’re going to start with the office, in the next few weeks. I can’t wait.
Party
If I’m going to start cooking and finish decorating, I need to have a party! I might even have a couple. You never know. But certainly one, soon; I’m thinking about a small dinner party in February. I’d also like to have a fancy girls-only cocktail party and a block party. Please note that none of these parties involve the children. That’s what laser tag and the club swimming pool are for. Duh.
Craft
I love the idea of being able to say, “Oh, I made that,” about a sweater or piece of furniture or whatever, but I have no idea how or where to start. This year, I’m going to paint my kitchen table (with Rita’s help) and embellish a sweater using Maggie’s simple DIY. And then I will sit at my pretty table in my pretty sweater and feel crafty. For once.
Organize
I spent a lot of time this weekend cleaning my closet; now I think it’s time to paint the inside of it, and do something about the bare light bulb in the ceiling. And possibly add some better storage. But as far as Wade knows, I’m just painting, because the idea of a closet makeover freaks him out a little, so shh. It’s our secret.
Learn
I put makeup on (almost) every day, but I don’t really know what I’m doing. 2011 seems like the time to learn. I’ll be making a date with the experts at Balliets for a full makeover; I’m hoping they can teach me how to look less tired and more glam.
Photograph
Last year, I planned to do a daily outfit photo; instead, I shot about half of what I wore. This year, I’m going to try again — I’ll photograph my outfits every single day in 2011 , no matter what I’m wearing (seriously, I’m going to do it this time). I’m also going to start shooting what other people are wearing — more on that later.
Rebrand
I started this blog almost six years ago; my kids were little, and writing about my life with them made the days go faster and helped me feel connected to the bigger world. It was a good thing. But after six years, I am done writing about my children, for a lot of reasons. Friday Playdate has run its course, and it’s time to start over.
In 2011, you can find me at The Working Closet. The site is still under construction, so please be patient; eventually, it will have a fancy template and some other really cool features (more on that later). I will also still be writing a weekly Working Closet post at Work It, Mom!, as well as overseeing The Working Closet Flickr pool (which I hope you’ll all join). I’m slowly moving style content from here to there, so if there are posts from the archives that you would like to see again, let me know — and if you have questions, please ask!
Happy new year — may 2011 bring only good things for all of us.