40 by 40

Welcome to the countdown to my 40th birthday! I made a post several months back that detailed out my 40 goals to accomplish before turning 40 years old, and this is my first update! If you want to read the original post, start here. I’ve made a little progress on the goals and I wanted to update as I went. I’ll do this several more times over the course of this year to keep myself accountable and to keep you all updated! I turned 39 last week, so the countdown is on!

Original Post – 40 by 40

Ambition – What Have I done?!

I’ll tell you right away, this list may be a little ambitious. A lot ambitious actually. But I LOVE this list and I’m so excited to continue to work on it. I’ve got just short of a year left to work on it!

And by putting it all out here for you guys to see, I’m building in accountability partners in you! I plan to give a quarterly update on how everything is going and keep you all posted.

Now, on to the goals! February 12, 2021… here I come!

Structure

Rather than a list of 40 things that jumps around all over every subject, I’ve grouped the goals into different categories including health, personal development, blogging, travel, projects, purchases and money goals. I won’t be working on all of them at once, obviously. There are 40 of them! This will make updates easier too!

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Health

#1 – Lose weight and get a healthy BMI

100 pounds to be exact. That’s the number of pounds I am currently overweight according to my doctor. And that aligns with medical with BMI charts and graphs. I’ve been chunky all my life and it’s gotten worse since I’ve had our kids. I’ve always carried it relatively well, but it’s really beginning to affect my health. Not to mention my energy levels and overall stamina.

And hey – I’ve got two crazy active little boys – I’ve got to get my act together. Not only for me, but to be a good example for them as well.

So, the goal is that I’ll be losing weight to get to a healthy BMI with healthy blood work, high energy and to overall be a size that I’m comfortable with.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’m proud to say I’m 20 pounds down and well on my way to my goal! So far I’ve just been watching what I eat. I’ll be adding in exercise this very week! So excited!

#2 – Complete the body boss 16-week program

I purchased this fitness program a while back thinking I could do it easy peasy with no problem. WHEW was I wrong. This program is no joke. But, to be able to do it you would have to be in good shape, and at the end of it you’d certainly be in excellent shape. This will come later on after some weight comes off, but I am stoked to complete it!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I would need to start this by the end of September to finish by my birthday. I’ll definitely need to take some more weight off to complete it without injuring myself!

#3 – Give up artificial sweeteners

They are just flat out terrible for you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not preaching. I’m drinking a Diet Coke as I type this. I have enough risky factors going on my own. Adding liquid “poison” to my system doesn’t need to be one!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’ve cut way back already, but this month is the month to eliminate Diet Coke from my routine! I’ve been searching for other substitutes. Really, I’m looking for something bubbly and refreshing is all. It can even have calories. Let me know if you have suggestions friends!

#4 – Try 2 new types of workout classes

I love a good gym workout class. With Little Guy starting preschool in the fall and the fact that our sweet GG has now retired, I may have a chance to try out a few new workout classes. I’ve always wanted to try yoga class. And lately I’m seeing these Barre Classes popping up (You know, the ones with the ballet bars!). I’m so excited to try out some new classes!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I haven’t tried any new classes yet. I’ve got my eye on trying out Orange Theory Fitness, as well as Barre and Yoga. I love a good Zumba class too – I just need to find one to perhaps fit into my schedule.

#5 – Be Able to Jog/Run for 30 Minutes

This feels like a far away goal at the moment, as I’m so out of shape. But I’ve always wanted to run, and I will get to the point where I can at least jog for 30 minutes. Truth be told, I’ve got some crazy goals in my head of stuff I’d like to do running (like races and marathons!) but that’s so far away from where I am, I don’t’ want to make the goal so scary and big that I’m paralyzed by it. So, for now, I want to be able to jog for 30 minutes. We’ll see how my body responds to that and I’ll unpack those extra goals when I have a better idea of how my smaller body will adapt to running.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Just starting to layer in exercise this week, so running is still a while off. I’m aiming to give it shot starting in May, after I’ve gotten into a solid exercise and walking routine.

Woman doing yoga at sunrise on the beach with the ocean in front of her

Personal Development & Self Care

#6 – Take a photography class

We have a crazy nice camera that we bought when we had our first child. And also the cameras on iPhones now a days are INSANE! And I just don’t understand how everything works, but I’ve always wanted to. I had always envisioned taking a class in person, but there are so many amazing photography classes online too! I’ll sift through and see which classes best meet my goals and decide from there what kind of class to take.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I haven’t taken a class yet, but already I’m SO much better than I was. So imagine what my photos could look like if I had some instruction under my belt! Photo Class is my April project!

#7 – Watch the 100 Best Movies of All time

There’s a caveat to this goal. This list is my OWN list of 100 Best/Most Need to Be Watched Movies of All Time. I looked at a bunch of lists and some of the movies were scary (think “Silence of the Lambs”) or really heavy (like, “Schindler’s List”). Scary and heavy just aren’t for me. So, instead, I’ve pulled from several movie websites plus added in movies of my own to do list that I’ve never seen, but should have by now. Also, I’m the mom of two little boys. I best get my act together on all these superhero movies. It just won’t do if I don’t get why Captain America is awesome…

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’ll hide behind my keyboard while I tell you I’ve watched 1 movie on this list. YIKES! I better get to it. Incidentally, the movie I did see was “It’s a Wonderful Life” and I loved it. Especially the last 20 minutes when the entire town comes through for George. That gives you all the feels! I have developed a Hallmark Movie addiction that is getting in the way of my progress on the list. What can I say, those little movies bring me joy! I’m working on it!

#8 – Get a Will and Power of Attorney

Everyone should have a will and Power of Attorney. Especially if you have kids. There’s no excuse. We’ve been lazy and it’s stressed me out. No more. Time to take care of business!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Everything is drafted and ready to go. All that is left to do is have the papers notarized and witnessed and we are good to go.

#9 – Call In To A Radio Show

I’ve always wanted to call in to a radio show, but I’ve always been too much of a scaredy cat. I have no idea why. I’ve listened to the same radio morning show for 14 years now (The Taylor Strecker Show). I’ll pick a morning when I can listen in live and call in.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Not Yet!

#10 – Start and Keep a Daily Journal

I love writing. And there are so many daily life details that I think I’ll remember that I really don’t. This will be a kind of digital scrapbook for me to remember the tiny things along the way, and a general outlet for stress as well. I’m going to keep it on the computer. My mind works way faster than my hands do anymore!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I don’t keep the journal every single day, but I do get some thoughts out most days. I love writing and I can totally lose myself in it. It’s so therapeutic.

#11 – Have an Entire Day at the Spa

I’ve never spent a whole day at the spa, but I’d love to give it a go. Facial, manicure, pedicure, the works. I’m guessing a whole day is probably 6-8 hour package.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I haven’t gone yet, but my husband did get me the gift card to go! I’m so excited!

#12 – Read the Bible cover to cover

I grew up going to church every Sunday, but I’m embarrassed to say that I know shockingly little about the actual Scripture of the Bible. I’m going to purchase a guide on reading the bible and then get going. I’ve always wanted to understand a little more what’s in the bible and what it really means. We don’t go to church every week, but I think we will when the kids get a little bigger. And I’d like to be able to answer a lot of the questions that they will have.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I bought a guide and started my reading last week! Here’s what I’m using:

Woman’s Guide to Reading the Bible in a Year: A Life-Changing Journey Into The Heart Of God

#13 – Take a Cooking Class

I’ve always wanted to take a cooking class! I think it’d be so much fun! Our local university has class offerings regularly. I’ll pick one that meets with my interests.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

This one is scheduled! My aunt and I are taking a Hibachi Cooking Class in April. She gave me the class as a birthday gift! I’m so exicted! And since with both love Hibachi food and no one else in the family does, we are perfect classmates!

#14 – Plan a Monthly Date Night

We are doing a terrible job of making sure we get in date nights. Like, super terrible job. I need to make sure it is a priority for us and that we don’t keep putting it off and putting it off. Sometimes the kids can go to GG’s and sometimes we may need to hire a sitter. And sometimes it will just be a date night at home. But either way, we have to be way more diligent about this! Plus, how fun! A date night each month!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

We have done a little better! Our entire family spent the month of January sick, so that was a no go. But I’m proud to say we have had 2 dates already in February!

#15 – Do a DNA Portfolio

I am fascinated by these commercials for companies like 23 & Me. I would love to do one of the portfolios for health screening, genetics and ancestry. The results would be absolutely facinating! And the genetics part could be helpful too!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Not yet. But soon!

#16 – Try a New Recipe Each Week

I have tons of cookbooks and all these pinned recipes and printed out recipes to try… and I make the same stuff over and over again. Trying new recipes can be so fun and you never know when you’ll find a new family favorite. I’ll keep a running tally of the recipes tried with reviews and report back each quarter

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Ummmmm… yeah… so I’ve totally neglected this goal. Lucky for me, it’s never too late! Here’s the new recipes to try for the next 4 weeks:

#17 – Read 3 Books Per Calendar Quarter

I’d like to read at least three books per calendar quarter. One for business, one for self-help and one for just plain fun. I love to read, and buy books (especially business and self help books) and then never take the time to read them! I’ve got a pile that’s embarrassingly huge of self help books! I’ll report in on each chosen book in my quarterly update.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Much like the recipes, I’ve neglected this goal a smidge. I’ve done plenty of reading for fun, but haven’t done much on the self-help and business category. My next reads will be:

cartoon woman sitting at a computer on a desk

Blogging Goals

#18 – Learn Adobe: Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign

I’m in awe of all that the Adobe software can do. I’m slowly learning Photoshop and will add in Illustrator and InDesign as I get better with each. My husband has a graphic design background, so he is my ultimate walking textbook!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’m doing quite well with Adobe Photoshop! Still have to work on InDesign and Illustrator!

#19 – Run a Successful Blog

I’ve got a separate list of the metrics I want to hit that I’d consider making my blog successful. But unless you are a blogger, it’s like readying another language. I’ve got my list of goals and metrics here if it’s of any interest to you.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Supermom Shuffle is growing and coming right along! I’m very proud of how well it’s doing so far and am so excited to see how it will grow in the coming year!

#20 – Create a Product to Sell via my Blog

I am not at all sure what it will be yet. I’m currently thinking some type of e-book or planner. Perhaps a class. I’m all ears if there is any subject anyone would like for me to elaborate on!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I plan to launch not 1, but 2 products this year. It’ll be later in the year for sure, but the ideas are there and the outlines are in place!

#21 – Have an Outline for A Book Manuscript

I would definitely like to turn a lot of my ideas into a book one day. But if you keep saying one day, you won’t get around to it. Therefore, I’d like to have a solid outline for a manuscript ready to go by the end of 2020. This will take some time and will require so much work. But I would LOVE to have my own book. NY Times Bestseller List… HERE I COME. :o)

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

This outline takes shape more and more each week. I’m working on it step by step and bit by bit!

#22 – Learn to do Video for my Blog

Whether it’s Facebook Live, Instagram or just a video on my blog, it’s the way of the future, and it must be done. I best get on board. Which means getting comfortable in front of the camera and behind the camera as well. There are a ton of classes out there, and I’m sure I’ll find one that helps. And it will take a ton of practice as well.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’ll need to find a class on video for sure. Editing and formatting and getting a video online is way above what I know how to do at the moment. But I have my ideas in place for what I want to do with video and the structure of how I want to do it! Progress has been made! Next up is find a class to take!

#23 – Attend a Blog Conference

I can’t wait until I can do this! It will be so awesome to put faces with names and see all the rock star bloggers that are my mentors every day! Plus, I’ve never gotten to go to a professional conference for myself. This will be great. There are lots to choose from. This will happen some time in 2020.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

There are SO many conferences to choose from! I’m not sure I’m quite the size to justify going just yet, but I’ll be booking a conference at some point, even though I may attend it in 2021. I want to make sure to get the most for my money because these things are expensive!

Travel

#24 – Ice Skate Under the NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

I love New York City. I love Christmas. And for my whole life so far I’ve wanted to see the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center. And ice skate in front of it. I’m going to plan this trip for Christmas 2020 for me and my husband. We will need time to save up the money, get reservations and get in shape enough to ice skate!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

We haven’t picked a date and time yet, but this is on the agenda for this year. It’s happening!!!

#25 – Visit Pawhuska, Oklahoma and The Pioneer Woman Empire

I love Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman. She’s my most favorite person on TV. I love her show, her writing, her parenting, her life philosophy and all that she does as an entrepreneur. I want to go to Pawhuska and stay in her bed and breakfast, see her store, tour the lodge and (gasp!!) maybe even get to meet her! This has been a dream for a few years now. And my husband is happy to oblige going with me! I think we will plan on the Spring of 2020 OR MAYBE even go for my actual 40th birthday weekend in February 2021. Her hotel is booked solid through 2020 already, so I better get on finding a reservation. If we want to stay at her Boarding House, we may have to go whenever we can go!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I keep checking the booking dates to see when they will come open for 2021. I had the idea to maybe for my actual 40th birthday weekend! It may be smart to call and see if we could get on a waiting list. I’m fine with going whenever they have an opening, but it’d be way easier to plan around the kids if we had a little notice!

Projects

#26 – Grow a Vegetable Garden

This will be a small garden. I’m not going to plow the South 40 or anything. I’ve wanted to have a vegetable garden for a while now, so next spring (Spring 2020) I’m going to do it! My grandpa, Pop, was an avid gardener. I don’t know that I have any bit of his green thumb, but I’d sure love to throw my hat in the ring and give it a try! I’d love to have tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries, bell peppers, jalapenos, herbs, and lettuce!

It should also be mentioned that I know squat about gardening. Guess I’ll be brushing up between now and Winter 2020!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I’m researching now and planning my garden strategy. I need to start the baby seedlings inside soon!

#27 – Re-do Our Master Bedroom

We will have to save up for this project, but I’m so excited to do it. I’m not good with matching and decorating, but I have a wonderful friend that sure is! She’s already helped me with the downstairs of my house. I can’t wait to start upstairs! I’m aiming for Fall/Winter of 2020 for this project. We’ll have to save up!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

This may get pushed to 2021 for financial reasons. But I want to definitely have my plan in place and maybe go ahead and paint in 2020. This will be a fall project for sure!

#28 – Re-Do our Master Bathroom

This will go hand in hand with #27. But it’s a big enough project it gets it’s own number for sure.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Just like the master bedroom, we may have to hold up on any major reno work until 2021. But I can plan away to my heart’s content. This gives me more time to talk my husband into the fact that we need navy blue bathroom walls. He is unconvinced. I’m as certain as he is unconvinced. We have a stand off.

#29 – Catch Up my Baby Books

My kids baby books are embarrassingly behind. I have all the details noted down, but I need to get it in their books. This is an excellent project for spare time here and there. (I’m laughing out loud at the spare time…)

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I still haven’t started this project yet. It’ll be a good summer project I think! I have all the notes. I just need to translate that into our actual baby books!

#30 – Make My Europe Trip Scrapbook Album

My dad and stepmom and I took a three week trip to Europe that I have so many beautiful pictures from. I’d love to get them all into a scrapbook. I’ve been meaning to do that since we got back, and so far I’ve not gotten around to it. Oh… and by the way, we got back from that trip… 17 years ago. It’s time. Mercifully I kept a journal when we were gone, so I can still match up what we did, where we did it and when we did it. I have the scrapbook even! Just need to work on the project in the margins of time.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Summer project. It’s a plan!

#31 – Get Photos In Order – Both Paper and Digital

I have all the paper photos in safe boxes. And I have all the digital photos backed up. But the organization of these photos — it’s an absolute hot mess. And that needs to be fixed.

This is another great project to work on a little here and a little there until the job is done!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

This is a tall order. At the very least, I have all the photo’s on a back up system now so they are all safe and stored! I’ll just do a little at a time.

#32 – Photo Project Up The Stairs and Down Upstairs Hallway

I’ve wanted to put a photocollage up the walls of our stairs and upstairs hallway for a good while now. I’ve already got some of the frames, and I have a ton of portraits of the kids, just waiting to be framed and hung. The hallway and stairway definitely needs painting. And to avoid major issue when it’s time to do that, and to not stand in the way of going ahead with my project, I plan to use Velcro command strips to hang all the pictures.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

Truly, it’s time to paint the stairs and hallway. And the entire downstairs really. I’m not sure if I’m going to attempt this myself or if we will hire it out. But as soon as I paint, then we can do the picture collage!

Purchases – High Dollar Items (to Me at least!)

#33 – Buy a Pair of Cowboy Boots

I’ve always, always, always wanted a pair of cowboy boots. I can’t meet The Pioneer Woman in standard footwear! No, No, that won’t do. I want to buy a pair of genuine cowboy boots on our Oklahoma trip.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

To be purchased on the trip to Oklahoma!

#34 – Buy a Pair of Tieks flats

I love looking at these shoes. And they look like they would be comfy and great shoes. But they are $200 a pair. YIKES. But nonetheless, I want to see what it’s all about. They are so flipping cute!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I think I’ll ask for this for Christmas 2020 from my husband!

#35 – Buy an Expensive Purse Done!!!

I’ve never been one to buy expensive shoes or purses. However, I’d like to have one ridiculously expensive purse that I love. Now, I consider “ridiculously expensive” to be under the $400 mark. We should just keep that in mind. There are purses that you can spend thousands of dollars on. I could be a millionaire and I’m still not going to be able to get on board with that. But I’d like to have one nice purse that I adore.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

I got a brown Italian leather purse for my birthday and I could not love it more! It’s perfect, and by far the most expensive purse I’ve ever had. Though it was only about $100. But I honestly don’t think I could enjoy a purse knowing it was so crazy expensive any more than that! That’s just not where we are in life! If it’s going to have diapers and sippy cups in it, it doesn’t need to be designer!

Money

#36 – Save all the Money for a Disney Vacation for Spring 2021

It will surely take us until Spring 2021 to afford this trip. And by then our kids will be almost 8 and 6, which would be the perfect age to go to Disneyworld. But if we are going, I’m not going on a budget. I want a room at a nice resort, with an awesome pool for the kids and buses that pick me up and take me everywhere. I don’t want to worry about budgeting. So, we’ll save for a while for it. And let the kids get to the appropriate age too!

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

We will keep saving, but it might need to be an extra year down the road in Spring 2022. We will see how it goes for saving both the money and for the kids development and interests. I don’t want to make the investment of this trip if the kids won’t enjoy!

#37 – See a Financial Planner

We need to set up college funds, have an investment strategy, retirement plan and I’m sure many other things I’ve not even thought of. This is a very grown up and necessary item on the list, and we need to get it taken care of soon.

UPDATE – 02/23/2020

We haven’t jumped this hurtle yet! Maybe in the fall.

Open Items

I’m definitely not out of ideas, but I’m leaving the last 3 spots open. In case other goals come up that I’d like to add in. I don’t want to be too rigid. I have a few in mind, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to put them out into the universe yet. Let’s just see how everything develops!

38 – LEAVE OPEN FOR POSSIBILITIES!
39 – LEAVE OPEN FOR POSSIBILITIES!
40 – LEAVE OPEN FOR POSSIBILITIES!

Wrap Up: 40×40 – An Update!

Well, if you are still reading at this point, thank you! This was a long post! But I’ve got a lot of goals to work on! I’ll update this quarterly for everyone (As a MUCH shorter update! LOL!) I’m so excited to get started on my list and I can’t wait to report back to you all! Maybe this inspires one or two of you to make a list of your own! I’d love to see yours if you make one! Happy Shuffling as always!