Winter bucket list update #1
A month has gone by since I posted my Winter Bucket List, so I am pleased to present my first check-in.
Health & fitness
1. Choose a race for 2019 and get registered.
Mission accomplished! I registered for the Swiss Days 10k in Midway. I chose that one, because it takes place late in the summer, so I can start the serious training after our Mazatlan trip, and because it is close to our cabin, which means I can do the longer training runs in the area where the race will take place. I may even do a trial run following the race course.
2. Four weeks of clean (semi-clean?) eating. I’ll be focusing on lean protein and vegetables, supplemented by whole grains, fruit, and healthy fats–and the occasional treat (thus the semi-clean).
I am two weeks into this goal and feeling great! I even managed to eat reasonably healthy on numerous eating-out occasions–not perfect, but definitely improved.
3. At least one yoga session a week to improve balance and flexibility.
I am on target with this goal as well.
Joy
1. Visit the Midway Ice Castles.
I have purchased tickets! We are going next weekend, as long as the weather cooperates. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
2. Make time for at least three sangha gatherings.
This one is a bust for the first month. That just means I will need to double up this month.
3. Pause and breathe. Use washing my hands as a reminder to pause, take a couple of deep breaths, and observe how I’m feeling before proceeding with my day.
I have been doing this regularly and it is now becoming a habit.
Learning & growth
1. Purchase and listen to a French-language audio book.
I have not purchased a book, but I did discover some TED talks in French. I’ve listened to two so far with the English subtitles on. I’m thinking for the next one, I will use French sub-titles and see how my comprehension is.
2. Visit one new blog a week. I’m open to suggestions!
I’m on track for this one. I found the new blogs through comments on the blogs I read regularly and through a Meet & Greet post on the BlogAid Facebook page. Here are the new blogs I’ve visited so far.
https://www.passingdownthelove.com/
http://pennyspassion.blogspot.com/
https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/
https://strategiclivingblog.com/blog/
3. Start querying agents about my book.
Nothing to report on this one. It is our busiest season at my full-time job, so I have to choose how to spend my limited writing time on blogging or my book. Or maybe that’s just an excuse I’m giving myself. Hmmm…
Relationships
1. Take a weekend trip to visit my mother-in-law.
Mission accomplished, and a good time was had by all. (Second photo courtesy of Larry’s Facebook page.)
2. Celebrate my 20th wedding anniversary.
In progress. I have purchased Larry’s gift (20 years=china), and we are making reservations for dinner at our favorite steak house, Ruth’s Chris.
3. Schedule the ground transportation and activities for our upcoming family vacation to Mazatlan.
Not started yet, but we’ll get on this one before the next update.
To summarize
According to my calculation, I’ve completed two of 12 items; six are underway; one I’ve substituted with a similar item; and three are not yet started. Hey, I had to save something for the next update, right?
Your turn
I’d love to hear about your plans for this winter–what you’ve been doing and what you plan to do. If you have a winter bucket list, please link up with us. If you don’t have a formal list, share something in the comments. Looking for inspiration? Follow the link below to see what my fellow bloggers have on their lists. Happy winter!
Well done with your list, Christie! I hope you’ll have perfect weather for your visit to the Midway Ice Castles. Congrats on your 20th wedding anniversary!
Thank you Natalie. We had a big snowstorm today, so hopefully Mother Nature got it out of her system and will bless me with sunshine and clear roads on Saturday!
Hi, Christie – I always find your Bucket List Updates to be very inspiring — and this one was no exception. Thank you for visiting Sweet Peas & Saffron. I have already made many tasty, healthy recipes from that site. 🙂
Thank you, Donna, for the recommendation. I’m always looking for good, healthy recipes.
Bonjour Christie!
Thank you so much for featuring our blog post of suggested Ted Talks as part of your winter bucket list! If you’re looking for more ways to engage with French, we have a couple other posts I think might strike your fancy 🙂 Practicing French… Outside the Classroom and our podcast series will both give you options to help with your audio comprehension (in the same way an audiobook might).
Bien à vous et bonne journée,
Ingrid
Bonjour Ingrid! I am loving the suggested Ted Talks, both for the opportunity to listen to native French speakers and for the amazing content.I will definitely check out the other posts you’ve recommended. Merci!
You’re doing great! Happy 20th ♥ My plans for winter include staying as warm as possible and praying spring hurries and arrives 🙂
Amen to that Dee! We just dug out of a major snow storm here.
Good for you, you have inspired me. I have been a runner for 35 years and now at 65 I’m a run/walker. Good luck in your race,
Thank you Jackie. I started running 12 years ago. I started with a marathon and have worked my way down to halves and now 10ks. I usually finish solidly in the middle of my age group, so I’m not breaking any records, but I do enjoy it.
Love the progress you’ve made in such a variety of areas. Keep it up!
Thank you Janet.
You’ve finished – or at least started – most of your list, so that’s awesome. I didn’t put a ton on my list, so I’m off to a good start. We’ll see how the rest of the Winter goes. 🙂
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Hello Lauren. I do feel like I’m off to a good start this time, but as you say, we’ll see what the rest of the winter brings!
I don’t have a bucket list, per se, but I do have a couple of challenges in place. I’m doing the #stitch9challenge on Instagram and Goodreads Reading Challenge. I’ve blogged about both of these. Check them out and maybe you’ll add me to your list of new blogs to follow.
http://www.retiredintrovert.com
Hello Linda. Thanks for stopping by. I’ll definitely head over to your blog and check it out. Have a lovely day!
I love the picture of the snowmen in their bobble hats. They look so happy. You seem to be doing well with your list.
Hello Anne. I struggle a bit with winter, so I thought I’d choose a smile-inspiring picture. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I have been seeing more posts about Winter Bucket lists and it’s such a good way to get through winter — which I hate, with a passion.
I’m not a winter person either, so it’s good to have some positives to focus on. I love those lists that are centered around joyful activities.
Playing catch-up on my blog reading. Hate to fall behind because it is so hard to get everything read that I want to read. You are making terrific progress on your list. Glad you enjoyed time with your MIL. I was supposed to have visited my in-laws shortly before Christmas but with my mom’s health issues, I wound up staying with her instead.
So glad you have purchased the tickets for the ice castle event. I cannot wait to see pics. I remember this activity was on your list last year and I was looking forward to learning more about it then. I know you were disappointed that you didn’t make it in 2018.
My word of the year is peace – repeat from last year. I have learned a few things about seeking peace in this first month of 2019 and realize I went about it all wrong last year. Love the idea of catching your breath while you wash your hands. I am going to borrow this in hopes of making it a habit as you have.
Congratulations on your 20th anniversary. Hope you are reading this from Mazatlan. Or at least will soon be there enjoying sun and family.
Welcome back Leslie. I hope all is well with you and your mom and that you are finding your way to peace. I love that word choice. The Ice Castles were amazing. I’ll share some photos on my next update. Larry and I celebrated our anniversary close to home, but we are planning our Mazatlan trip with the family for June. Now that we’re in the gloomiest part of winter, it is even more enticing. Enjoy your week, Leslie!