Day one down, and my cell battery is showing signs of fatigue. I spent the day checking to make sure I hadn't missed Jordan's call. I am going with the theory that he is having too much fun to call or worry about home, which is as it should be.

Trying to turn my mind to other things I made my birthday list today. Its in no way finished, isn't that what you call a living document? Still changing and growing. Those who know me may be taking a moment here to take a mental inventory of the time and will indeed be right when discovering that my birthday is a short 11 months away. why then work on the list?

The list I refer to is the list I make for each year of things I challenge myself to accomplish. Its hard to measure growth. At a certain point when you sift back through your memories they blur together. Does that mean that the days between were wasted? I think not, but you need a way to gauge growth and change throughout the years, so that one year is separate from the next. I do this by creating a list of challenges. Some are easier than others and some send me into a cold sweat, but they serve to clarify things and give my ambitions a more clear timeline. I can tell you for example that my 34Th year was the year I saw drag queens and my first strippers. In year 33 I bought and wore my first grown up leather jacket. So the question begs what will year 35 bring. What exciting and new developments will add to me as a person?
I have a few things on my list already.

• I must read a book from at least 5 genres 1 of which must be non-fiction. (any ideas?)
• I must wear my beautiful green shoes. They are high heel and backless. Very sexy and not vampish...in a nutshell they don't scream "teacher and mother of two!" (that would be a denim jumper and a pair of danskos.
• I must incorporate a dress into my working casual clothing choices (and actually wear it more than once)
• I must do something out of the box in the realm of my career. I have often said that I wasn't sure the classroom was where I would always be. If that's the case i need to see where else I might fit.
• I must make or break 2 habits that improve my health
• I must make a strong valid attempt to become published in some way. )look out readers digest...all in a days work!)

I have always hesitated to tell people about the list. It seems to me that making the statement that you are under construction, you are a work in progress, and are actively working to improve yourself, invites suggestions.

"you are working on being better...oh well its about time, don't forget to work on you ginormous ass while your at it"

Not being ready for that type of suggestion I have kept the list relatively quiet for years, but its time for the rest of you poor slobs to realize that I too am working on improvements. You are not alone in your quest for betterment and I shall lead the way! (very Joan of arc-ish....only not so many voices in my head or burning at the stake)

And so I invite you to join me on my quest to be a better person. I encourage you to keep your suggestions to a minimum, and I challenge you to challenge yourself.