So, as I mentioned before, this is now a 35 IN 35 project!!! But before I start working on the last 15, I thought I’d do an update post to document my progress!

1. Dye My Own Hair – ACCOMPLISHED! I box dye my hair in between salon treatments…it helps save me money!!! In addition, I’ve found a new colorist who is less than my previous girl. (And he does a better job – bonus!)
2. Budget – So, I’ve kinda accomplished this. My financial planner sent me a budget and I track my expenses! I watch where I have overruns, but I haven’t started using it for shopping/planning purposes, yet.
3. Give Up Diet Coke – I’ve killed my addiction, and it was gnarly…but I still have ONE every day. I don’t have a problem with that!
4. Fall In Love – Well, I’m dating someone, so I definitely think this counts!!!
5. Clean Out My Freaking Garage – Nope, haven’t done a darn thing about this…and it’s atrocious…and shameful!
6. Lose 10 Lbs. – ACCOMPLISHED! As of today, I’ve officially lost (20 lbs since I started) the 10 pounds that I challenged myself to lose when I hit my plateau! HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE, HAPPY DANCE!
7. Learn to Use My Grill – I’ve grilled a few times this year, but certainly not once a week. Urgh.
8. Get More Involved in Church – Different than volunteering…I adopted a family in Mexico for Christmas, but I still want to find other ways to meet new people and make my big church feel smaller.
9. Book Club – I joined one…but haven’t gone, yet. Scheduling is the bane of my existence!!!
10. Duffy Boat Sunset Cruise – I got close…the company did duffy scavenger hunts in October!
11. Ocean Kayaking – I didn’t make this happen before it got cold, but I definitely WILL do this in 2012!
12. Outdoor Entertaining – I haven’t quite figured this out. I’ve cleaned the deck up, but then it got cold. With that said, I’m going to use it for the bar at my Christmas Eve Eve Open House!
13. Spend time with My Godkids – ACCOMPLISHED! My Godson will be here in January for his 5th birthday, too!
14. Go to a TCU Game – ACCOMPLISHED! Fun!
15. Organize my Closet – ermmmmmm
16. Volunteer at Church – I’ve reached out to the college group to volunteer!
17. Snowboarding – I’m planning to take my board up to Seattle in the next month or so. I’ll get to see the GC and my uncle has a ski in/out place now!
18. Photography “Office Hours” – Not there, yet, but close!
19. Jogging/Biking – Well, I’m spinning at least once a week…but I don’t think that really counts. I started jogging and then got the worst sinus infection for two weeks and I haven’t started up again. Grrrr.
20. Brother – still trying to determine how to grow our relationship, but they’ll be out here for a few days at Christmas and I hope to spend some quality time with him!

Today is my birthday and I have NOT completed my 35 BY 35 Challenge, but I don’t care. I’ve decided 35 is all about grace and making failure look good!

I’m having a party tonight…if you saw the invitation, you’d be confident it was a party for a 12 year old. We’re wearing pajamas and watching Girls Just Want to Have Fun. No, I’m not kidding.

At least, there will be booze.

Also, my Gentleman Caller will be there…meeting my friends and family for the first time. DOUBLE CRAPBALLS!

Anyhoo, just thought I’d stop in and let you know that now that I’m 35, my blog will be MUCH more mature and filled with intelligent and thought provoking essays about world events, the economy, and culture.

PSYCH!

PS – Tune in Tokyo

Woot, we’re at 20 already…only 15 more to go by Saturday. {snort}

This one is kind of a big one; it’s one that I shouldn’t have to make a “goal,” but in all honesty, it’s something that I do need to make a better effort at, so why not?!

#20 – Develop a Deeper Relationship with My Brother

My brother is a good kid. He’s super likable, is funny, and has a big heart. At three years younger than me, we didn’t have a lot in common and he was always my annoying baby brother. When I was a senior in HS, he was a freshman, and I can remember trying to talk to him when I’d drop him off at golf team practice after school, but we didn’t have too much to say.

When I moved to Texas for college, then on to DC, he grew into a great kid. He moved to CO for college, then got married and stayed there. We have a good time during the holidays and on family vacations. He’s an AWESOME dad and really involved husband.

But I still don’t feel like I know him all that well.

This year, I want to do a better job of calling, texting, and emailing out of the blue. My brother and SIL aren’t great at keeping in touch and while that has annoyed me to no end in the past, I’m not going to let that interfere with my plans. I’ve finally realized that if I want to have a better relationship with him, it will be my responsibility…and I’m ready for that.

If our relationship never grows, at the end of my days, this will be something I’d deeply regret. Wish me luck!