Getting Stuff Done - A Year Of '100 Before 40' Goals...

My goal for the year is explore but I'm also still striving to complete some of my 100 Before 40 goals that I created a number of months ago.  I thought the best way to do that was to break them down in smaller batches (remember the old saying about how to eat an elephant?) and aim for completing at least 2 per month.  Totally doable, ya?  And, of course, I'm giving myself leeway and flexibility with this idea.  I mean, what if Athens get a freak weather system and I get to build a snow fort next month?  I'm certainly going to do it despite it being scheduled for December...duh.  My goals are supposed to be fun...not some standardized test kind of thing.

So, here's my plan:

I received a calligraphy book as a gift (thanks Darrin!) and I'm planning on stopping by our local art store to pick up 2-3 pens and ink to get me started on this project.  Ooooh, I can't wait!

The ASL signs are coming along (my friend Cliff was here for the holidays and he took several years of ASL...big help to me!) and I'm hoping that I might have a special guest stop by and talk about here experiences with the language.  Hmmmm...

I tried making a dress from a Pinterest site months ago but it was a huge failure...bleh.  This go 'round I'm going to try a simple pattern that I picked up while thrifting and take my time with the project.  

A paint fight sounds fun and unbelievably messy and just perfect for a quirky couple's photo shoot!  This project will take place outside somewhere (probably just our backyard) and we'll only use environmentally friendly goodies.  I found this recipe for a flour paint that should work just dandy...

Gah.  I have so many crafty projects in mind but I'm going to narrow down to 4 in the month and I'll just have to catch up with the weekly average at another date.  I'm thinking of doing this (patches), this, this and this.  The latter will come in handy at work!  And maybe this if I'm feeling adventurous?

At the moment I don't have a charitable organization in mind - local, national, world-wide or otherwise - but I'm going to explore option using these guidelines.  Suggestions for organizations are welcome...

I'd really love to learn how to cook a traditional French meal.  There's something about simple yet inherently complex fresh food that makes my heart go pitter patter.  Now, I just need to find where I can go to create such a feast...this may call for a jaunt to Atlanta, eh?  And yes, the French do cook meals that cater to vegan/vegetarian options.

Athens is one hell of a place for art...it's everywhere!  Every single time I go for a 'lost town tour' (aka I decide to go exploring areas I haven't been before or I really get lost trying to find the freaking Asian Market) I end up stumbling across something creative that blows my mind.  I hope to share more about some of my finds soon.  But, anyhooo, I hope to paint something that I'll be proud to hang in my house...or at least laugh at!

Self-portrait = see above statement about painting.

Palak paneer has been one of my favorite dishes for forever but I've yet to make my own version that I can get behind.  If anyone has a vegan recipe for it that they'd like to share then I'm all ears...

 

Brady's taking Spanish during summer classes at UGA so this will be perfect month to blow the dust off my old language books and get crackin'.

When I was 12 I bought a bonsai tree during a family vacation to Epcot...and I killed it within 2 months.  In my hormonal youth I swore that I'd never own another one (its death weighed heavy on my teenage angst-y heart) but I think that at 37 I'm a bit more responsible.  Plus I've heard that trimming bonsai is supposed to be a meditative experience as opposed to just sheer foliage drudgery.  I like that.

I don't want to overwhelm you so I'm going to stop here.  Stay tuned for the 2nd segment tomorrow!