30 BEFORE 30 [2017]

I posted this list in October 2014. I'm just now "re-finding" it and now I am a year and a half from turning 30. I thought I'd re-visit it and try to find motivation to keep up from now on. :)

FIT LIFE

Make self care a priorty [eating habits, skin, etc.] (in progress)
Walk/run at least one 5K per year (0/2)
Drink nothing but water for 30 days (__)
Find a medication remedy to maintain my health/skin [and sanity] (X)
Plant a vegetable/herb garden [and eat from it!] (__)

FULFILLING LIFE

Achieve inner peace with my medical condition (__)
Buy a journal and complete Keri Smith's 100 Ideas (__)
Volunteer 30 hours (__)
Pay it forward at least once a month [coffee, cards, etc.] (0/18)
Turn off Facebook for at least one month (__)

TRAVEL LIFE

Go on five mini-vacations (0/2 [Branson in June])
Visit New Orleans (__)
Take another cruise (__)
Go on a roadtrip to HOUSTON (X)
Visit a friend who lives out of state (X)

NERD LIFE
Continue my education [Doctorate, Certificate, etc.] (__)
Earn my state Special Education certification (X)
Read 50 new books (0/15)
Grow my blog [followers, dot com, etc.] (in progress - Let's Taco 'Bout It)
Complete a Project 365 (in progress)

REAL LIFE

Become a mother (X [Nessie])
Get caught up on all my scrapbooking (__)
Go fishing for the first time as an adult (X)
Put together a cookbook of my favorite/mastered recipes (__)
Buy a house (X)
Send 20 handwritten notes/cards to family or friends (0/10)
Tour a local winery (__)
Have an EPIC 30th birthday party (__)
Learn to drive a manual car (__)
Host a holiday meal (X)

2017 thus far

Keeping up with this blog hasn't been something I've focused on lately, just because I've been limiting my openness to the world while I struggle through some things. Today, though, I sat down and I realized that if I don't at least update every once in a while, I won't have my commentary on the events later when I want to look back. I don't share this blog with anyone anymore, it's just for me, but I think it's something I'd like to do anyway.

2017 has been a challenge so far. I did well on my weight-loss journey until about a month ago. I meal planned, prepped, and dropped 15 pounds in 2 months. Since then, I can admit, I've become a little lazy. Working out is hard. Eating well is hard. I'm trying to jump on the band wagon again, because I've officially gained 2 pounds back and it's not sitting well with me.

  

The Chiefs made the playoffs again this year. With records finishing the way they did, the Chiefs ended up earning a first round BYE week and a home game for the second week. They ended up falling short at the last moments of the game, but it was a great experience and I got to see some good friends in the process.

  

February brought some fun things like having my phone featured on the KMBC9 NEWS website, celebrating 4 years since shaving my head, and the third installment of the Red Queen series coming out.

  

At the end of February, I took a long weekend and went to Houston, TX with my friend Shelby to continue my search of the perfect taco, visit NASA, and try Texas BBQ. It was a fun weekend, and it allowed me to really reflect on my life and what I'm doing personally and professionally.

  

Jumping forward a couple weeks, I had an entire week off from school for Spring Break. In addition to starting a new medicine, and relaxing around the house, I took a day trip to my favorite place [Columbia, MO] to eat/visit campus/hike Devil's Ice Box, celebrated St. Patrick's Day in Westport, and celebrated both my dad's 70th birthday and my goddaughter's 2nd.

 

  

I also was able to watch my girl Katie tie the knot recently. We met when we both got jobs in Cameron, MO and have kept in touch since both leaving last year. I miss this crew/seeing them daily.

  

Last, but not least, I went on a ride around the Robinson farm in their tractor. What an experience...