28 in 28: how did i do?

1. paint the living/dining room – pending – paint has been purchased and is ready to go – will do after roommate's departure – see #27
2. throw a big party – COMPLETE – did this for Halloween
3. read 10 books of my own choosing – COMPLETE (half were about greyhounds, but I chose that topic)
4. bake an apple pie from scratch, including the crust – COMPLETE – thought it was a strawberry rhubarb pie instead of apple
5. plant that big ol' vegetable garden I keep pining for – COMPLETE – not as large as I’d wanted, but not too shabby either
6. finally hang the curtains in the living/dining room – pending – see #27
7. take a "family" photo in a snowstorm – FAIL
8. get another tattoo (or two) – FAIL
9. join a gym - COMPLETE – best decision ever
10. whole-heartedly commit to daily exercise (work out at least 4 days a week - no ifs, ands, or buts) – ONGOING – I'm really happy with this goal: feeling much better, not seeing visible results, but living with less pain
11. pay off my credit card debt - pending – setbacks and unexpected medical bills threw a wrench in this one, but am getting back on track
12. go to Ikea – COMPLETE – went twice, and actually bought stuff the second time
13. finish my thesis, get it conferred, shut the book on that damned project – PARTIALLY COMPLETE – all that is left is the defense
14. visit Kristen in Door County (before she finds a fabulous new job and leaves) – VOID – she already left for a new job...I have, however visited her in the places she has lived since
15. fix the ding in my windshield before it cracks – COMPLETE – actually had to do this twice
16. make at least one home-cooked meal each week, regardless of the roommate's whereabouts – COMPLETE – it happened, but not necessarily well
17. get new tires for the car – COMPLETE – it was pricey, but I did it before the first snowfall
18. visit my nephews and the new baby at least twice – COMPLETE – have seen them three times
19. go to some sort of professional development that I actually find useful – COMPLETE – have attended four useful conferences
20. cardio – even though I despise it, I will do cardio at least 3 days per week (my cardiologist and my physical therapist will finally be happy) – COMPLETE – reluctantly plugging away at this one, and am doing cardio each day I go to the gym
21. complete the landscaping around the perimeter of the house – COMPLETE – expansions will likely occur, but the perimeter is finished
22. make a calendar for our family members – it will be funny, the man and I have discussed it for a couple years – COMPLETED – and we've begun a calendar for 2011
23. take another college class – PENDING – I am, however, taking a couple community-based short-courses not at college level
24. send/give thank-you cards for each gift given – COMPLETED – not including birthday gifts I've just received
25. six-pack abs, or something close to that without being too manly – PENDING – not quite a six-pack yet, but definitely closer
26. write to my grandmother at least once per month – FAIL – didn't do it every month, but was well over 50%
27. make the transition away from having a roommate – FAIL – I’m glad that murderous rampage wasn't on my list, because I surely would have completed it. Roommate is draining my will to live, one day at a time – oh, and he had a mini-nervous breakdown and has guilted the man into not throwing him out just yet. We won’t get into that right now.
28. complete three NaBloPoMo month-long blog runs – FAIL – I find this to be nearly impossible, as I like to go weekends without turning on my computer

28 things I did in my 28th year

This isn't my goal list from the past year, but it is a list of accomplishments, which is ultimately better in my opinion, because the word "FAIL" doesn't show up in this one.

1. I chopped off all my hair again.
2. I got new glasses.
3. I created a new ottoman.
4. I developed an affinity for New Glarus Totally Naked beer.
5. The man and I became official domestic partners (at least official in the eyes of my employer and health ins. company).
6. I got a new laptop.
7. I finished planting around the perimeter of the house.
8. We were "adopted" by a new cat. His name is Chuck Norris.
9. I thrifted (or bought at extremely discounted prices) nearly all the items we needed for our “new” house.
10. The man and I bought a car – together.
11. I had great evenings spent with wonderful friends.
12. I created a new coffee table.
13. I added a niece to my list of loved ones.
14. I said goodbye (for now) to my oldest friend.
15. I finally began to see my parents as people, not just parents...people who I would love whether they created me or not.
16. I went through a terrifying health scare with the man.
17. I made a homemade pie.
18. I finished my chair makeover.
19. I fell in love with the man all over again.
20. I had a no-spend month (moratorium on spending).
21. I joined a gym.
22. I started wearing heels again.
23. I pared down my closet and donated things to charity.
24. I threw a big birthday party for the man (he helped).
25. I paid off one of my student loans.
26. I embraced the fact that I cannot commit to blogging daily without going batshit crazy.
27. I learned my “personality type” according to Myers-Briggs.
28. I realized that I’m far too young to not be having more fun – hello, 29, we’re going to tear up the town.