I was incredibly inspired this morning, reading Karen Walrand’s post on her blog  Chookooloonks, in which she outlined “100+ Things I’d Like to Do Before I Go”.  She made reference to Might Girl, Maggie Mason, who, about a year ago, had come up with something she called her “Mighty Life List:  100 Things to Do Before I Go,” listing all the things she’d like to accomplish in her life.  Maggie encouraged Karen to come up with a list of her own, saying that, for her, the processes had been transformative, even life changing.

As I read through Karen’s list of “things”, places she’d like to go, goals she’d like to achieve, I was struck by how incredibly individual a list like this is.  Would I want to kiss the Blarney Stone? Maybe.  Sing Blues in a bar? NO way – and it’s likely best if I refrain from anything involving singing.

When John and I were first married, (14 years ago this summer – yikes!) we each made a list of things we wanted to accomplish.  I came across the lists about 4 years ago while sorting through piles of papers in preparation for the move to our current home.  I recall having listed learn to play cello, go to Hawaii, run a marathon… all things that would likely make the list today.  Except for marathon.  I love racing the half marathon but I can say with confidence that I’m not sure my body would survive a full marathon!  

As I started my own list of “100 Things”, my mind began to wander and I found myself thinking about things I wanted to do now. Soon. Things that deserved to be on a shorter list, things that were possible to accomplish in a few years rather than sometime during the rest of my many many years left here on Earth.  I turned my attention to creating a “40 Before 40” list…. And as we all know, nothing so simple can be that simple for moi… I started to wonder if a “40 Before 40” list would be as transformative as “100 Things To Do Before I Go”?  Yes friends, I am just that anal…. must transform.  must do it “right”.  must be perfect.  Sheesh, for a joker I sure do take an awful lot of fun stuff way too seriously! UGH!!!

I’m so used to own stupid mind clutter that I forced myself to step away.  I went back to Chookooloonks and read through the rest of Karen’s list.  At the end of her post she writes, “I think Maggie’s right — we should all have a life list, no matter how long or short.  I mean, even if we don’t accomplish everything on our lists, just by attempting some, our lives are bound to get a little more interesting, right?“

There it is. Make a list. There is no perfect and there is no right or wrong in this exercise – just get it down and see what it tells you and what great things it can inspire.  I can’t wait to see what is on your list….

Hello bloggy loves.  Are ya wondering what happened to my list of Top 5 Unwritten blog posts I promised on Friday? They are sitting right here on a note card, all 21 of them.  Yep, 21.  That’s a lot of brilliant banter never to see the light of day!  I was having a meeting of the minds with a few of my gals from wildly popular Mile High Mamas on Friday and we were solving all the problems PR, Marketing, Social Media … all of them…. In any case, I mentioned my idea to make use of the unwritten post idea note card that I have at the end of each week.  They all thought it was a fantastic idea and Barb Likos (@chaoticbarb) said it would even make a great Meme.  Oooh la la!  This is perfect, I can be a complete under-achiever and post my list in mini snips of what could have been! Many of the ideas and topics are relevant when I think of them but fade to old news whilst I tend to the insanity that is my life.

So, this is so much easier than Casual Friday, join me this Friday and share your Top 5 Unwritten Blog Posts, we’ll call it Top 5 Friday and you can bet I’ll have an honorable mention list tacked on to mine.  Come back here Friday and link us all up. 

I’m begging someone, please release me from my photoshop disaster and make a new banner for this! 

See ya Friday!

My middle guy reminded me this morning that it is Earth Month, and that while we may have celebrated Earth Day earlier in the week I should be “loving the Earth” all month long.  I love the Earth every day, in fact my husband’s job is all about saving the Earth. My kids will give anyone who asks what Daddy does a lesson on renewable energy that would make your head spin.  They know more about smart grids, electrification of vehicles, solar power, wind power, and renewable energy storage than any kids in the US and I’ll put them on a panel if anyone wants to challenge it.  My kid is way more Earthy than your kid.

I’m always blogging in my head, in fact I started my blog because I love to write.  It was a great outlet for massaging my aching copy-writing brain.  All the bloggy advice will tell you that you need to be consistent to gain followers.  Don’t jerk your audience around, be consistent and they will habitually come back to you.  (I’m not questioning that logic but judging from my stats, most people are coming to my tweets because I shamelessly spam self promotion each time I release a post into the sphere.) 

I’m not regular.  Well, thanks to my healthy diet and the occasional bowl of Total, I’m regular enough.  Regular poster?  Not always.  I’m always inspired to write, in fact I’ll often write ideas down (and what sparked the idea) so that I won’t forget later when I sit down to write.  The problem lately is that every time I sit down, work or other writing commitments take precedence.  This makes sense though, right?  Working for myself from home is the bomb but it’s also a seriously disguised sand trap that can suck every minute of time.  I prioritize my time wearing my “Mommy” hat and since that is non-negotiable it means everything else gets to fall where it will.  I haven’t decided if making time to write falls on the list of “must do’s or you will turn into a lunatic” list.  Yoga and running top that list and you can always tell when I missed a day of exercise; I turn into an even bigger ball busting bitch than I already am within hours.

So, where should my “me” writing fall? 

Not sure.

If I am being totally honest, there is a lot of “me” writing thrown in to the mix.  The only difference is that it comes in the form of 140 characters or less.  Twitter is my little notebook of ideas, thoughts and commentary. If I have a brain fart or a tweet-able moment I throw it to the wind and it will often result in a dialogue.  What is is missing is the unabridged version, and maybe that’s ok.  I’ve decided to stop looking at my lists of un-posted blog ideas with angst.  I’m going to take them and publish them.  It’s what we call efficient use of detritus. 

And now, I have something to post tomorrow.  Toodles!

I’m a total GLEEK! If you have no idea what I’m talking about Google it and prepare to be entertained.  Fox’s hit musical comedy drama television program, Glee, even has a Wikipedia page.  I can’t seem to stop watching the remake of Madonna’s Vogue video with Sue Sylvester/Jane Lynch, she/they are brilliant!  Don’t believe me?  Just watch both videos and prepare yourself to be thoroughly entertained…….

Now check this out this side by side comparison! I love it!