The Bank Account

Saving $4,000!

Well, another listed item to accomplish in the next 4 years is saving $4,000. This shouldn't be so difficult. I already have a savings account and as a family we live pretty simple lives on the day-to-day so we can do the playing we want to on special occasions. Well, this savings must be separate from the family savings account. As of today, as of day one I should say, the balance is ZERO. Not a dime has been added to This savings account. This is a challenge because this is going to test my ability to up my budgeting skills; to increase or freedoms later; and open up our opportunities in the future. It is also really going to test my saying NO abilities in the next few years.

I am excited about this one. I am not going to flash a bank statement as this is the internet and all but I will do an update on the struggles or the ease of it throughout the four years.

(Picture found on google search images)

The Truth of it ALL

Okay, there are some things on that list that are personal. Let's just tackle the first one. I'm trying to get healthy and part of that is I am going to lose 40 pounds. 

Lots of comments and lots of secret and quiet mumblings of "Big Dreams" have already been tossed around while I was getting input on my list of 40 challenges. (If they were easy they would not be on this list and they would not be challenges.) YES, they are Big Dreams. But I have on there to climb mountains and to run/walk/swim/bike/or some other form of racing there too. I'm going to increase my weight lifting. I am going to get my body healthy. I need it and my kids need it. How can I truly get the satisfaction from accomplishing things on my list if I am not accountable. 

Here we go. I have been heavier and I have been embarrassed to leave my home. Right now I am actually healthier than I have been in the past. And I am being proactive in getting myself there. I am terrified of what lies ahead but I know if I am smart and work hard at it I will get there. And honestly...STOP the mumblings and become my cheerleader! That is what we all need in life. People around us to cheer us on in our goals. I learned that after years of just being miserable: I especially need cheerleaders. Everyone of us does. No one wants to be beaten down by judgments and disappointments. Lift us on the fight and help us in a loving and kind way. I need it because I love food and sitting with a book or crocheting or watching "my Youtube shows." That doesn't help with the weight loss. I LOVE FOOD! I enjoy it so much and it is not easy to say no to a delicious decedent treat. 

I stood on the scale and I found myself on the up again. So here is my honestly and my accountability:

I don't have to win a race but for my sake and the sake of my family this has to change. I need to see the scale say 160 in 4 years. It is not impossible.    IT IS DOABLE!

40 Books

1. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
2. Elizabeth and her German Garden
3. An Old Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. How to Win Friends and Influence People
6. Heidi
7. Jane Eyre
8. Anne of Green Gables Series
9. Little Britches Series By Ralph Moody
10. The Wealth of Nations
11. Etiquette in Society
12. Good to Great Series
13. The Mightiest Touch
14. The Art of the Deal
15. Start with the Why by Simon Sinic
16. Find Your Why
17. Jo's Boys
18. Morth and South
19. Waldon's Pond
20. Salad Bar Beef
21. Urban Gardener
22. Emerson Essays
23. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
24. The Walking Drumb by Loui Lamore
25. The Faltner Stars
26. The Infinite Atonement
27. The History of Standard Oil
28. How to Live on 24 Hours a Day

I am not quite to 40 yet. With each book I will do a book review.

Do you have a favorite book  you recommend want to recommend?

Let me know in the comments.

40 Types of Meat

Seriously! Why would I agree to this one for a bucket list!! Well, because I need to show my children that there are many different things in the world and we should not be close minded. How do we know if we like something if we don't try it? Well, it took a really long time to come up with this list. Don't go all PETA on me. There are more than 40 items on this list. I don't plan on eating all of them but I will find 40 I can try.

1. Pork
2. Alligator
3. Beef
4. Buffalo
5. Carabou
6. Goat
7. Horse
8. Kangaroo
9. Sheep
10. Moose
11. Chicken
12. Rabbit
13. Snake
14. Squirl
15. Turtle
16. Venison
17. Elk
18. Bear
19. Duck
20. Goose 
21. Emu
22. Osterich
23. Phesant
24. Quail
25. Turkey
26. Yak
27. Crab
28. shrimp
29. Trout
30. Salmon
31. Tuna
32. Lobster
33. Scalop
34. Clams
35. Muscles
36. Octapus
37. Escargo
38. Caviar
39. Peacock
40. Sardines
41. Eel
42. Seal
43. Whale
44. Shark
45. Ants
46. Llama 

I'm scared. I think a lot of these are going to be eaten in the form of jerky. But I will review each one I try and I will hopefully be able to keep them down!

 Can you think of a meat not on the list I should try? let me know in the comments.

The FINAL list!

Here we go! My 40x40 in 4 years begins. I am committing to accomplish these  items over the next four years. I am nervous and hesitant. Okay, that isn't even the full of my emotions but I am not sure I could express how I really feel. Let's just say I am going to enjoy many of them but break out of my comfort zone on some as well.

Enough is enough! Let's get to that list!

I will (In NO particular order):

1. Read 40 books
2. Climb a collective 40,000 ft in elevation
3. Travel to Houston for 4 nights
4. Send 40 cards/mail 
5. Find and prepare 40 ancestors in Family History
6. Race 40K in races collectively
7. Make 40 quilts (or quilt tops for the Humanitarian center)
8. Golf 4 courses
9. Catch 40 fish using 4 different methods
10. Host 4 family gatherings
11. $40 on Black
12. Save $4,000
13. Float 4 rivers
14. Ride 4 roller coasters a year
15. Lose 40 lbs
16. Paint 4 pictures
17. Curl 40 lbs 40 times
18. Eat 40 different types of meat
19. Make 40 new recipes
20. 40 acts of kindness in 40 hours
21. 4 hour fishing trip on the ocean
22. Jump in a lake (body of water) in all 4 seasons
23. Take the same picture in all 4 seasons all 4 years
24. Eat at 40 dives
25. Meet 4 new relatives
26. Find $40 in gold 
27. Sit in row 4 at a sporting event
28. Find 4 gems
29. Take 4 detours/byways
30. Visit 4 lighthouses
31. Touch 4 new Temples each year
32. Build 4 new pieces of furniture 
33. Participate in 40 different games/activities
34. Play 40 songs on the piano
35. Write 4 research papers/essays
36. Travel to 40 National/State Parks or Monuments (visiting Mary Smith on the way to one of them!!)
37. On the 4th day of each month go on a date with one of my children
38. Write 4 histories of ancestors
39. Complete 4 home projects
40. Collect 40 magnets along the way

These all may seem silly or ridiculous to some of you but I will say. they encourage playfulness and enjoying life as well as developing my mind, body, and spirit. I will reach out to those I know who have gifts and talents to help me. Though I want to develop myself again, I will not be doing it all on my own. And hopefully if you know anything exciting ways to help be pass off anything on this list....PLEASE SHARE YOUR IDEAS!!!

NOW Lets Begin!!!

The Rules

I'm making some rules to follow. This will help me not take the easy way out--as I have developed the bad habit of doing so these days.

1. The challenge starts on my 36th birthday. 
2. If I have eaten somewhere, visited or done something before my 36th birthday, it can't count-with a couple of exceptions to be stated in the final draft of the list of challenges. 
3. Nathan, my hubby, my biggest supported and sometimes most severe critic, will keep me honest.
4. As of my 36th birthday what is on the list is 'THE LIST of CHALLENGES'
5. No substitution of a challenge unless health or financial restrictions (I haven't researched going back to school and all it will take to get my degree)
6. If a substitution is approved (by Nathan) it must be along similar interest.
7. A challenge will be proved by video or picture or, in some cases, documentation. 
8. The challenges are to broaden my intellect, improve my health, help me regain my adventurous side, remind me simple things make me happy and to get out of my comfort zone a little more. 
9. The challenge list must be completed by my 40th birthday! (I wonder if I can find what time of day I was born...)

I'm Drafting My List

I'm drafting my list and have to admit a few things:

•  I'm a strange person...or...I have strange interests. Which leads to #2
•  A lot of things may come across as boring to some people.
• I'm trying to keep my list from straining on my family.
• I'm so glad I have people willing to support me in these! And better yet jump in with me!
•  I'm so glad I have four years to do these challenges.
• Why is it so difficult to find a challenge to be done on the 4th of each month? HELP! IDEAS? ANYONE?
• I need help filling my 40 challenges....
• I realize I already do so much of what I want to do that extremes really are losing their luster as I get older. --MOM, I think I may be growing up! HA HA HA
• I don't want to do all of these alone. Anything on this list I am always factoring my kids and hubby into. I love having my family!

Hence the purpose of this list....bringing me back. What are some ideas I can do to accomplish this. I am in mom mode all the time and though I love it I need to find things challenging for me to do. 

What would you put on your bucket list??