#30: Forgive yourself.

Date Completed: 12/21/2010

Forgiveness can be tough, all around. Sometimes we find it easier to forgive others (and believe that others forgive us) than we do to actually forgive ourselves. The irony is that we're all human. We all make mistakes. What better time of the year to think of forgiveness, though, than December. Whether it's because it's a month where we often focus externally, a month when some connect more with their faith, or a month where we see the dawn of a new year coming, now is a perfect time for forgiveness. Rather than carrying the weight of something very heavy any longer, set that weight down, forgive yourself, and move on to pay it forward. That's what I've chosen to do. We may never forget the weight itself, or the fact that we set it down, but we can make a choice to move forward, carry someone else's weight, or do something positive to help make it right. Now is the time. Set down the weight. Your back (and your heart) will thank you.

#69: Schedule annual blood work and medical exams.

Date Completed: 12/20/2010

Blech. No one enjoys getting their annual exams and blood work done, do they? But, it's a necessary part of staying healthy. I tend to put this off and last year, it kind of caught up with me. So this year, I added it to THE LIST to ensure I got in on time. To my surprise, better nutrition and exercise actually paid off! I'm happy and healthy and ready to take 2011 by storm. You know who else is ready to take life by storm? MY FRIEND JAMIE!!! I've written about her in this blog several times this year and will take another opportunity to sing her praises. December 21, 2010 was the winter solstice and on the darkest day of the year, shined the brightest light. Jamie received her double lung transplant at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. She is recovering well and will hopefully take her first unassisted breath with her new lungs as soon as today. We may never know the family of the angel who saved Jamie by so selflessly donating these lungs, but that person will forever live on in our hearts. One organ donor can potentially save more than 60 lives which is why this year I registered as a donor (#6 on THE LIST). We all have a choice. If your choice is to donate, please let your wish be known by ensuring that you are officially registered and that your family and friends know your decision. Thank you to the family of this stranger from Kansas who saved our Jamie. Thank you to every donor family. May you find peace in your hearts this holiday season knowing that the spirit of your family member lives on.

While we wait for Jamie's first breath, we continue to press forward with J's Crew and our Climb for a Cure fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis. Someday, we want CF to stand for CURE FOUND! If you are interested in joining our climb team in Minneapolis or would like to make a donation in Jamie's honor, please click this link.

#49. Run three free credit reports.

Date Completed: 12/5/2010

Most people close to me know that health and fitness are a big part of my life. This year, I made a commitment to focus on my financial fitness as well. I wanted to take advantage of free opportunities to help. So, I decided to get my three free credit reports this year. Now, you might wonder "Why three?" Because they're free, of course! You're allowed to get one free each year from each of the three main credit agencies. So, if you plan well, and stagger your reviews, you can spread them across the year. The reason it's important to check all three reports is that each creditor may vary in terms of how they report and how often, so you may see different things on each report.  Also, not every creditor reports to every agency, so there is indeed variability.

So you might wonder "Yeah, but what am I really going to find? If I pay my bills on time, why would I need to review my report? No one has ever told me my credit wasn't perfect." You might find it interesting to know that sometimes even if you've cancelled an old credit card, the company may not have reported it as such to one or more of the credit agencies. So, it might look like you actually have more open credit than you really do. This may or may not affect you when you seek funding in the future. If you're like me, all of that is good info, but really, I just want things to be accurate. I'm sure you're all dying to know what I found through this process, so here goes. Of the three reports that I ran (Transunion, Equifax and Experian), only one report was accurate. The other two had several closed accounts still listed as open and active - some from up to 10 years ago. I submitted a simple online "dispute" form for each issue and soon after that, I received notice that the accounts had been closed officially per my request and that my credit reports were updated accordingly. If you would like to run your free reports, there's a centralized link you can use. You will be asked to confirm some details about yourself in order to authenticate your identity, but it's a simple process.

#75: Earn a referral bonus at work.

Date Completed: 12/3/2010

If there was one item on THE LIST that I thought I might not achieve before end of year, this was the one. I like helping people with their careers, whether it's serving as a mentor, refurbishing a resume or serving as a reference. I was happy this year to help a friend secure a job at one of my company's sister organizations. It was neat to see her find something that will provide her family more flexibility since she is now able to work from home in a more stable industry. I'm also excited that my company will also be able to leverage her talent and help her further develop her skills at the same time. I'm so proud of you, Rachel! Wishing you all the best.

P.S. I want to credit Cupcakes for Clara for this adorable .jpeg that I found on Google image search.  This is an AMAZING blog and she is truly gifted in her adorable creations.  I am partial to the bluebirds and am hoping to make contact with the artist soon to see about placing an order to the U.S. from the U.K.

#24 (December): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 12/1/2010

It’s hard to believe it’s nearly the end of the year and this is my final of 12 monthly volunteering posts. I hope I’ve been able to give you some creative ideas over the past year for how you might get involved in your community. Whether it’s dedicating time to one organization, or a couple of hours to a single event, it’s all time well spent and much appreciated. This post might give you another idea, especially if you’d like to help but have limited ability to drive, etc. I got connected with the St. Paul Fire Department recently through my time with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF). St. Paul Firefighters have published a calendar over the past few years with proceeds benefiting the CFF. My December project didn’t require me to travel or arrange my schedule – it was all from the comfort of my office chair and laptop. The firefighters were in need of help to promote their calendar and a number of signing events they have. So, I built them a Facebook page with photos, event dates, promotion links from the local media which in turn helps them promote and sell more calendars to benefit the CFF. It was so much fun and they’re very appreciative. Take a look at the site and if you’re interested, consider purchasing a calendar! We're also still graciously accepting any donations to the J's Crew Climb for a Cure team.

#60: Send out actual Christmas cards for 2010.

Date Completed: 12/5/2010

Whew! Now I know why fewer people are sending holiday cards each year – it’s exhausting! Cards, labels, sentiments, stickers, stamps, sealing envelopes, oh my. And I didn’t even do that many! Last year I took advantage of technology and posted my holiday letter on Facebook, in addition to some individual emails. I’m feeling good about actually taking time to do some paper cards this year, because it might brighten at least person’s day. I now have a greater appreciation for those cute photo cards I’ve seen though – simple, simple, simple. Next year I may need to consider that. Then again, next year is another year away so maybe I’ll have another burst of motivation by then. In the meantime, please accept these online wishes for a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. Cheers to 2011!

#54: Do something nice for someone you don’t like.

Date Completed: 11/24/2010

I'm not sure how this item even found its way onto THE LIST, but in hindsight, I do actually like it because it was not an easy one for me. First, there are very few people whom I do not like. In fact, even people whom I don't enjoy spending time with for various reasons (e.g., don't share common values, etc.) aren't people I'd go so far as to say I do not like. I don't have negative feelings toward those individuals - I'm simply indifferent. So this was actually a bit of a struggle for me. However, once I identified the individual, the challenge was actually completing the task while being genuine. I mean, it really wouldn't be list-like to cross off an item just because it was on THE LIST - everything needs to be for the right reason, even if there's a list involved. So...I'll be honest...I'm not a fan of one of the security guards at my office. He's probably a good person, but he always seems grumpy and when I used to say good morning to him on occasion, he never acknowledged me. And to reiterate, it's not that I dislike him - I simply do not like him. There, I said it. Believing that most people are inherently good to some degree, this was a good opportunity to reach outside my comfort zone with this individual. So, as I was leaving my office on the evening before Thanksgiving, I made eye contact, smiled, and told him that I hoped he had a nice holiday and to be safe on the icy roads. He thanked me and returned the greeting. So while this was a very small exchange, sometimes little things make a difference. It's easy to be nice to people you care about or even for strangers. If you want a challenge though, try this one. It's not as simple as it seems.

#10: Have a garage sale.

Date Completed: 11/2/2010

I must apologize in the lag between posts. It's starting to feel a lot like winter here in Minnesota and for me, that generally means cold/sinus season. I've been trying to get over this cough for some time and haven't felt much like blogging.

Today's post is kind of a trade. If you know Minnesota at all, you know that garage sales in November aren't a possibility due to the weather. I kind of missed "peak season" for this list item, but the point of having it on THE LIST wasn't the actual garage sale experience. Rather, it was to ensure that I got rid of the extra items I have lying around the house that I had been saving for a garage sale effort. So, I'm crossing this off THE LIST, because I decided to simply donate all the items to my local non-profit who kindly picks up donations from your doorstep. I'm a fan of ARC and the work they do to help individuals with disabilities (#24 on THE LIST), so I was pleased to trade this list item to help our community instead.

#24 (November): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 11/10/2010

For November, I participated in an event onsite at my employer. We assembled craft activity packets for Children’s Hospital of Minnesota so that the kids and their familiar could have some fun projects to do while they were in the hospital.

Also ongoing is my quest to support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I’m continuing to collect online donations and friends who would like to climb with me on the J’s Crew team in February. Please contact me or follow the link for more information. Thanks!

#65: Do something great.

Date Completed: 11/7/2010

“Something great” is hard to define, but Lisa and I think we’ve done it. As some of you know, we have been volunteering more than usual this year and spending more time with non-profit groups locally. We starting thinking about how we could make a difference. We turned to what we know best - clothing - and had our brainstorm.

We'd like to help our friends clean out their closets for charity – we’re thinking of it as "Consignment for a Cause." We're taking any gently used clothing (or accessories like shoes, purses, belts, or jewelry) off their hands and turn them into funds for local non-profits. Maybe it's the items they no longer wear or need, styles they’ve pushed to the back of their closets, or sizes that no longer fit. It doesn't matter if it's women's, men's or kid stuff - we'll take it all!

We both have steamers and know how to use them. So, what we're doing is collecting the clothing and other items, making them look all nice and fresh and then taking them to our favorite consignment store where we've set up a charity account. Then, they sell the item and we pick up checks for our non-profits.

So, what are we asking of our friends? Well, it would be great if they would consider de-cluttering their closets for a cause. If you are in the Minneapolis metro and have any items you'd like to donate, let us know and we'll handle the rest. Not only will you have extra space in your closet for fun new styles but you'll also have a warm heart knowing that you contributed to something great.

#6: Become an organ donor.

Date Completed: 11/4/2010

Today I made one of the most important decisions I’ve ever made. While this decision might not be right for everyone, it’s right for me. I chose to become an organ donor. Becoming a donor provides me with the opportunity to potentially heal up to 60 lives. My friend Jamie (#24 on THE LIST) is struggling with her health because of her cystic fibrosis and has been recommended for a lung transplant. Waiting lists are long and there are never enough donors to save every person in need. Someday, I hope that I can help someone just like Jamie. I respect that this could be a controversial post and that not everyone will share my same perspective. For those who are interested in finding out more though, please visit the Organ Donor site which can direct you to more information in your state to help you make an informed decision that is right for you and your family. If you're in Minnesota, more information can be found here.

#24 (October): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 10/31/2010

Since I started sharing THE LIST, I've probably had the most interest in this series of posts about volunteering. A frequent question has been "How do you find time for all of this?" My reply is usually the same. In order to be most efficient with my time, I try to combine lots of things - friends, fun and volunteering. Whenever Lisa and I can, we volunteer together which is enjoyable in itself! I also find fulfillment in participating in events that I enjoy or have a close tie to. For example, I like to run, so it's fun for me to help at races. This particular post relates to helping a group I'm closely tied to.

In February (#24 on THE LIST), I wrote about my very special friend, Jamie, who is fighting her battle with Cystic Fibrosis (CFF). Jamie is simply the most amazing woman I've ever met. She has spent the month of October at the University of Minnesota medical center as she is struggling with her condition. If you'd like to learn more about her, read Jamie's Caring Bridge site. My October activity was to sign up as the team captain for the 2011 Climb for a Cure event in Minneapolis. Traditionally, Jamie would have led this team but since she needs every ounce of energy to fight her fight, I'm going to champion this cause. In February, our team (J's Crew) will take on the IDS Center stairwell again by climbing over 50 flights of stairs as a fundraiser for CFF in Jamie's honor.

If you are in the Minneapolis area and would like to join the J's Crew team, please register - we'd love to have you! If you're not able to climb, but would like to donate to support me as I make this trek for the third year in a row, I would be honored. Any donation is welcome and more than appreciated! Last year, J's Crew was over 50 climbers strong and we raised nearly $10,000 for this wonderful non-profit.

#55: Dress up for Halloween.

Date Completed: 10/29/2010

Wow - this has been such a busy couple of weeks! I apologize for being so slow to post an update. This list item was one I actually stole from Lisa way back when. The reason it made the list is because a year ago, I couldn't even fathom the idea of putting on a costume. Well, times have certainly changed! Now, I'll dress up for any occasion I can find (mostly just brunch, but still - haha). Anyway, it was so much fun doing the costume thing this year. I swear I spent so much time in the Halloween store by my house that the manager wanted to give me a commission for everyone I brought in. The big event downtown was on a Friday night this year. I went as Little Red Riding Hood, but our group had a ton of diversity (prom king, Glee Cheerio, caveman, cowboy, Alice in Wonderland, Minnie Mouse, Mario and Luigi, mechanic, Rocky Horror Picture Show characters, 1950's housewife, devil, etc.). It was pretty crazy. We had so much fun though! Sign me up for this kind of fun ever year!

#37: Spread the ashes.

Date Completed: 10/17/2010

This is definitely the most special item on my list and honestly, without THE LIST, I probably would have continued to procrastinate. It was a beautiful experience – one that words can’t begin to describe.

#66: Make an effort to be objective, especially when it’s most difficult.

Date Completed: 9/24/2010

We don’t always agree. And, we don’t have to. But when we disagree, we have an opportunity to do the right thing – to listen, be objective and show respect. Depending on how heated the moment becomes, instinct might drive some to lash out or chose words unwisely. I believe that the true depth and quality of a relationship, though, can be revealed in the way that two individuals seek to resolve conflict. Think for a moment about the last argument you had. What was your goal? How did you act? How did you react? If given the opportunity to handle it again, would you respond differently? I am checking this item off THE LIST because when faced with an opportunity to make the right decision, act responsibly and stand up for what I believe, I was mature, objective and respectful. It was difficult at the time, but we make choices every day, whether it’s the little things or big decisions. Each decision has consequences – and each decision can have great rewards. Robert Frost’s quote below resonates in my mind:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

#51: Try a new recipe.

Date Completed: 10/9/2010

Things I learned the night I threw a “Girls Night In” party at my place:

1. Everyone should own a food warmer. It was one of my smartest purchases…right up there with the pineapple corer.
2. Girls love kitchens. Don’t worry about preparing other areas of the house. It’s all about the stories, laughter and munchies. Just bring out the folding chairs and enjoy!
3. It’s fun to try new appetizers, but remember that nothing beats a ham/pickle rollup so you don’t actually have to be gourmet.
4. Stemless wine glasses rock. Buy them. Lots of them.
5. Don’t even attempt to stuff cherry tomatoes. They’re so not worth it.

Below is one of the new appetizers I made.  It was a huge hit!

Endive Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Walnuts
1/2 C. chopped walnuts
2 T. honey, divided
Cooking spray
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. orange juice
2-3 heads of Belgian endive leaves
1 small tub of crumbled goat cheese
2 navel oranges, peeled and segmented

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Toss walnuts and 1 T. honey; spread on baking sheet coated with cooking spray; bake 10 minutes at 350°, stirring after 5 minutes
• Combine 1 T. honey, vinegar and orange juice in a small saucepan; bring to a boil (be careful it doesn’t boil over) and cook until reduced to 3 tablespoons
• Cut orange segments into pieces (I made three pieces out of each segment)
• Arrange endive leaves on a serving plate; fill each leaf with 1-2 orange sections; top each section with cheese and walnuts
• Drizzle a small amount of the vinegar mixture evenly over leaves

#24 (September): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 9/25/2010

Before I write about this list item, I wanted to say thank you. Thank YOU for supporting my blog! This blog has had over 800 hits from 10 countries, which is more than I had ever imagined. I hope you're finding it enjoyable and inspirational.

This month, I donated time to support Arc in New Hope, MN at their Value Village thrift shop. The day started with me preparing jewelry for the shelves and ended with me sorting clothing donations. I volunteered here in 2009 as well and found it an enjoyable experience both times. Arc’s mission is “to secure for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families the opportunity to realize their goals of where and how they live, learn, work and play.” It was a fun morning for me and everyone was super nice. Even a couple hours of your time is appreciated by non-profits. If you’re looking for an event where you could help, consider VolunteerMatch.org.

#1: Remove the Sony sticker from the TV.

Date Completed: 1/7/2010

Yes, this is how it all started. This is the first list item. I added it as a joke, really, just to get me started, but looking back, it’s sooo why I’ve made it this far with the list. We all have our quirks. This one I’ve never been able to explain – that’s how ridiculous it is. But, here goes. When I bought my first flat screen TV, I refused to remove the Sony sticker that had all the bright colors on it, the logo, and the summary of features. I know, you’re probably shaking your head right now, but I just couldn’t do it. On multiple occasions, friends would approach the TV and tell me they could help by just peeling it off. I literally would have increased anxiety and my blood pressure would raise. One time, I swear I almost cried. Again, don’t ask me why – I don’t know. I still don’t. Perhaps a simple OCD-ish moment.

We’re all friends here, so I’ll admit that I was embarrassed at first to post this “achievement.” But, it hit me this week that any item marked off the list is a good thing. Why hold onto this any longer just like I did with the sticker? It’s unfortunate that I didn’t snap a photo of this one – it was before the time I thought about graphics and blogs, actually. It’s fun posting this one now, though, because I can see how far I’ve come in nine months. Who knew a list could help me to leave behind some of those characteristics and be more of the person I want to be. At this point, we’re about 75% through the year and I’m only about 60% through the list, but I’m OK with that. I’ll do as much as I can, and probably have to tackle some carryover items next year. Something to look forward to!

While this is not my actual Sony, let it be noted that at least one other person keeps their sticker on too!

#11: Accept compliments graciously.

Date Completed: 9/18/2010

I don’t know why it has always been difficult for me to accept compliments, but Lisa and I both put this one on our lists this year. We’ve been making a concerted effort to try to say thank you more often, hoping that we could re-train ourselves and our common reactions. An example of how it usually goes:

Nice Person – I like how you did your hair today!
Me – Really? Ick. My hair never holds curl. Humidity makes it worse.

Since this list item was more of a behavior change goal, it was more challenging to determine when I could cross it off the list. But, I think I demonstrated progress at a recent formal event, so I'm crossing it off THE LIST. I attended Opera Tasting 2010 (wine tasting and MN Opera sampling) with several of my friends and wore a dress that I bought in a rush, three hours before the event. All night, random strangers kept approaching me telling me they liked my dress. It was a little overwhelming because people also continued to comment through Facebook even after the event. Anyway, one notable exchange occurred as we were all departing to the after-party. Three girls stopped us and commented about my dress. Instead of my usual type of reaction, the exchange went something like this:

Nice Girls – We have been talking about your dress all night. We absolutely love it!
Me – Thank you! That’s so sweet of you! I found it at BCBG and the best part is that when I checked out, the gal told me it had just been marked down. They have a couple more if you hurry.
Nice Girls – That’s what’s great about Minnesota. People are so cool. Only in Minnesota would someone tell you where they got a great dress!

Mission complete.

#59: Push yourself beyond your limits.

Date Completed: 9/18/2010

Wow - this list item ROCKED! I had so much fun, but it was definitely the most challenging morning I've ever had. Four of us friends from work got together to do the Team Ortho Go Commando Adventure 5K. It was an intense obstacle course run - or as I like to call it, a cosmic run (because it covered all elements - air, water, fire and earth). Some of the challenges (other than avoiding all the potholes and cowpies):

1. Hay Fever Ridge - climb over bales of hay
2. Log Jam - up and over a stacked pile of storm-downed trees
3. The Serpent - serpentine path up the side of a hill
4. Black Holes - climb through 48” black conduit pipe
5. Into the Wild - steep runs of switchbacks on a surface of pine needles
6. Over the Falls- water slide down the side of a hill
7. Run the Sahara - natural mounds of sand up the side of a hill
8. Minefield - a field of car tires to jog through
9. Fire in the Hole - jumping over burning logs
10. Swamp Commando - a trek through the swamp and mud

We had a blast and can't wait to do this again next year! Some pics (before and after) are below.

#3: For one day, go no-tech.

Date Completed: 9/11/2010

I developed a headache and I swear I started to twitch, but I did it. I went technology-free for an entire day. It nearly killed me because as most of you can probably guess, I’m addicted to technology. Whether it’s my iPod, iPhone or MacBook, Facebook, blogs or something else online, the Good app to connect to my office, texting or emailing, I'm generally always connected. It’s rare that my iPhone is out of my possession and it’s even more rare than it’s turned off, because after all, it does serve as my alarm clock and calendar! I feel lost without my phone but when I left for the weekend in Fargo (#40 on THE LIST), I had been pre-warned that AT&T service was limited (go figure) and coverage would be spotty at best. I knew if I had half a shot at marking this off THE LIST that I needed to take this opportunity to go no-tech. Needless to say, I survived. Barely. I may not have fully broken any habits, but I do have an appreciation for quiet time. In fact, I even attended a couple of meetings today at work without my phone. Baby steps.

#40: Take a road trip.

Date Completed: 9/12/2010

Destination Fargo! During our first theme brunch event (#78 on THE LIST), our group decided to celebrate our next birthday with a road trip. I’m not sure any of us even remember how this type of planning came up in casual brunch conversation but it seemed like a novel idea at the time and we are a group that follows though. So, it had been decided and when the time came, we packed up the car on a Friday after work and headed to what I like to call the biggest Minneapolis suburb – Fargo. We had a wonderful weekend, laughing all the way there, spending time with family and new friends, celebrating and laughing some more. My favorite part of the trip (other than the fabulous dinner experience at Hotel Donaldson) was our quote game. We tend to say silly things all the time (at truly random moments which makes it that much more entertaining), so I decided to keep a pen and paper handy to jot down these little gems of wisdom all weekend. Then, on the drive back to the Cities, we pulled out the quotes and reminisced. The pic below is the beautifully renovated Hotel Donaldson dining area. This is a local landmark and well worth the visit - the food was AMAZING. The HoDo bar (a modern style lounge setting) was perfect for our pre-dinner time together.

#78: Host a theme party.

Date Completed: 8/22/2010

When some groups of friends get together, you never know what might happen. That’s the case with this list item. I had intended for this item to encourage me to host a party at home, but I've decided that it's actually way more fun to throw a theme party where more people are involved. In July, a group of us decided to celebrate a friend’s birthday and another friend’s graduation by going to brunch. Somewhere in the planning, this became a themed event…as in costumes. Our theme was “school” so we had a teacher, student, coach and graduate. Silly as this may seem, it really was a hit - our favorite brunch venue loved the entertainment and before we knew it, we were deciding to make this an ongoing experience. I collected various ideas, randomized the Excel list (in true statistical form) and our second theme was identified. The theme was “heritage” and you’ll see from the pic below that we really did it up. We had Thai, German, Irish, French and Greek represented and once again, it was a huge hit with the crowd. We've made so many new friends through these theme brunches to the point that several people have asked to be included for our future events. We've decided to be really careful about this, though, and try to keep our group small and our audience large because we don't want the spontaneity or uniqueness of our brunches to wear off. The location does stay the same, though (why mess with a good thing). Our next brunch theme has been selected as “seasonal” so we’re planning our costumes as I type. I’m taking credit for our second brunch though because this was the event where we did the most planning, really engaged the crowd and turned this into a party.

#41: Mentor someone.

Date Completed: 9/10/2010

I suppose I could have checked this off THE LIST sooner, but I waited until this date for a good reason. This is the date that my mentoree officially provided notice of resignation and acceptance of a well-deserved promotion opportunity. This same week, my mentoree was also appointed as a Board member to a fabulous local non-profit, so a celebration is in order, but in the meantime, I’ll leave you with some tips in case you consider implementing a mentorship relationship:

1. Ensure that you have the right fit. This might be linked to a mentor’s expertise in an area that interests the mentoree. The link might be made because of a strong professional network. Or, it might be even more simplified in that the mentor has a genuine interest in helping the mentoree. Either way, a mentor should be trustworthy, non-judgmental, ethical and supportive of the mentoree’s growth and goals. The mentoree should be open minded, ready to receive feedback, and prepared to tackle challenges in order to grow.

2. Establish ground rules and expectations. Be sure you both a ready for this investment. The mentoree should drive their own learning and development, so in turn, the will likely drive the relationship by identifying initial learning goals, seeking feedback, taking an active role in learning, and allocating the necessary time and energy to achieve their goals. Mentorship is definitely a longer-term commitment for both parties. It takes work, but in the end, it's so rewarding.

#28: Apologize to someone - genuinely.

Date Completed: 2/22/2010

Do it. Kanye did it. So did Elizabeth Hasselbeck. You can too. If you even think you may have hurt someone’s feelings, or you might have made a mistake, just do it – apologize. Life is too short not to. At worst, the person may tell you that it’s no big deal and you can both move forward. At best, you can repair a friendship or stop a snowball of a misunderstanding. The latter was the case I faced this year and I’m so glad that I took time to apologize because it allowed us both to talk through a series of unfortunate misunderstandings that were beginning to snowball. The result: a relationship that is closer today than ever before.

#45: Send someone flowers for no special occasion.

Date Completed: 1/6/2010

This was a fun one, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to blog. It felt nice to brighten someone’s day. Most people enjoy floral deliveries – maybe it’s because fresh-cut flowers brighten up almost any room or maybe it’s the element of surprise. If you’re ever looking for a nice bouquet delivery, I recently found Costco Online. They do a beautiful job and an attractive vase as well as the shipping/handling is generally always included in their prices (these can skyrocket a price with other online stores). When I’m looking for local bunches for my home, my Costco store is also definitely my first choice. Their blooms seem to last the longest of any place I’ve found. The only exception is that I’m not fond of their roses – they don’t seem to last as long as my local grocery store’s.

#62: Buy skinny jeans. Wear them.

Date Completed:  Ongoing, but technically 8/21/2010 and 8/27/2010

I’m pretty sure I’ve already established that I’m a creature of habit.  This is no different when it comes to fashion. If I can find a pair of jeans that fits, I’m happy – couldn’t care less about much else.  That is, until this skinny jean trend came out and I cringed. I’m not sure which part of this concept bothered me more – the fact that my rear is anything but skinny, or the fact that the tapered legs made me claustrophobic just looking at them.  Hoping they’d go out of style as quickly as the poncho, I avoided them at all cost.  Somehow, they’ve stuck around, so I figured it was time to give in.  I've actually bought a few pair throughout the year, but I’m not actually taking credit for those purchases, even though I did wear them.  I am, however, taking credit for these dates in August because two uber-fashionable friends on two totally different occasions at two totally different venues actually complimented me on two different pair!  Go figure – now, they’re my favorite jeans to wear with heels.  I’ll even admit that one pair isn’t just skinny – it has...GASP...zippers at the ankles!  I KNOW!  Zippers!  I won’t even quote which decade I owned jeans with skippers to spare myself the embarrassment. Bottom line though – try something new every now and then.  It can be fun.  As for this year’s newest fashion sin (that would be the jeggings), I’ll pass.  Permanently.  Oh, and nooo, this is not my rear in the pic below.  It is one of the said jeans with compliments though!  They're actually really flattering on.

#67: Connect with someone from your past.

Date Completed: 8/18/2010

“Out with the old, in with the new.” All year I’ve been decluttering, reorganizing, refocusing and trying to bring about positive change in my life. At times, I’ve felt as if I was purging the past and creating the future. Seems like a positive experience, right? Well, I had all the right intentions, but, this particular item reminded me how special the past can actually be, whether it’s revisiting memories, remembering lessons learned or possibly changing a perspective. When I added this item to my list, I had no idea how thankful I would be for having done so.

As with most of the items on THE LIST, I didn’t plan to mark this one off yet. I had not identified a specific individual. I had no real goal to achieve. I just wanted to have an opportunity to meet someone new this year (#33 on THE LIST) and also look back. Part way through my evening (and as we were talking about THE LIST), it crossed my mind that this event did actually qualify for this list item. The evening actually couldn’t have been nicer. The discussion did not revolve around history - the focus was the present and even the future - but it was shared with someone special from my past and someone whom I’m happy to have had the opportunity to spend time with in the present. I genuinely believe that life has a way of unfolding exactly as it should…even when it doesn’t quite feel that way in the moment. This experience was a perfect example. Some pieces of the past deserve a special place in your heart, because you never know when they'll move into the present, or even the future.

#2: Hire electrician to replace outdoor light control.

Date Completed: 1/8/2010 Purchased Replacement Switch, 8/13/2010 Identified Electrician, 8/16/2010 Fix Complete

This list item is all about the switch inside my house that controls the outdoor garage carriage lights (you may recall these from #31 on THE LIST). From the dates above, it’s probably clear that I procrastinate on home repairs. The truth is that the switch actually worked intermittently for several years so while it was annoying to re-set every couple of months, it didn’t necessarily bother me enough to hire an electrician (clearly). I knew early in the year that I needed to get this fixed, so I did at least buy the new switch as a first step. I’m sure I got distracted and also kept putting this off in general. However, a few months ago, the switch stopped working altogether and the carriage lights started staying on around the clock. At that point, I found myself less motivated (and honestly, a little cheap) so I had this brainstorm that I’d simply shut off that switch altogether at the circuit breaker – I mean, who needs outdoor lights anyway, when there are street lights. My brilliance failed me though, when I tried to go to the gym and the garage door wouldn’t open (apparently the same circuit also controls the garage door – grrr). I should have just called the electrician, but alas, I was busy and well…I had my nose pushed out of shape so I just tried to ignore it. That worked for a couple of months, but eventually the energy inefficiency got to me. I found a nice electrician to fix the switch, and for those of you who are wondering, no, he wasn’t single.

#24 (August): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed: 8/14/2010

My August volunteer effort supported the American Cancer Society (ACS). The 2nd annual ACS 5K run was held in Bloomington at Normandale Lake. It was a beautiful, yet very humid, morning for the 600+ runners. I worked the pre-registration area helping with runner check-in which is always fun. Over $16K was raised in online donations and a number of runners were registered on race day, so it was a great fundraiser for ACS.

#13: Treat yourself to a pedicure.

Date Completed: 8/6/2010

I love my at-home spa time. It's usually Sunday nights when I realize that I'm tired, my feet ache and the weekend flew by. Nothing refreshes me more than a warm shower and a little pampering. I never go to a spa for facials or massages (I like my knots, thank you), but I do splurge on my skincare routine. My favorites are La Prairie Cellular Microdermabrasion Creme (a truly magical exfoliant, if you ask me), Chantecaille Foaming Cleanser (heavenly - a tiny bit is all it takes), La Mer Eye Concentrate (this has changed my life - people ask me all the time why I have no wrinkles), and finally Creme de la Mer (probably the most remarkable moisturizer on the planet). My skin loves me. My feet, however, wish they'd been born to someone else. Between high heels every day for work and tennis shoes every night at the gym, my feet take a beating. I just always run out of time for a pedicure. So, when I went to Arizona, Cristina, Sarah and I decided to have our first annual "Protein and Pedicures Day." We enjoyed foot spa treatments at Madison Avenue and then ate at a Brazilian steakhouse. Mmm! It was a great dual birthday celebration for Cristina and I.

#61: Play hooky.

Date Completed:  Undisclosed (to protect the not-so-innocent)

I consider myself a dedicated professional. My closest friends have actually nicknamed me “Corporate” – not sure how I feel about that, but I let them have their way (ha). I’ve really been working to find balance in my life this year, though, and THE LIST has been instrumental. It’s taken me out of my comfort zone, reminded me of the importance of quality time, and given me an excuse every now and then to simply lighten up. This particular day, Lisa texted me about an opportunity to see a country band we like perform an unscheduled show at a local establishment we also tend to enjoy…in the middle of the workday. While I waivered on the idea for a few minutes, I decided I was in. It was a fun show, quality girl time, and amazingly, my company didn’t fall apart without me there for a while. Hmm…I might actually want to do this again some time!

#58: Complete a SARK activity.

Date Completed:  7/11/2010

Back in college, my roommate Juliet introduced me to my sense of creativity and imagination by exposing me to SARK. Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy (SARK) is an author who was actually born in Minneapolis. She has written a number of books including Inspirational Sandwich: Stories to Inspire Our Creative Freedom. Included among the doodles, stories, random musings and quotes are some fun and light-hearted activities. I wasn't sure which activity I wanted to complete, but as with several of the items on THE LIST, I’ve felt that my answer would just come to me. So, I recently sat down and flipped through the pages, and then it hit me. I knew exactly which activity was calling. Page 137 reads:

Make little signs that say yes and post them all over your house. Yes. It is a powerful word. Yes can affect us subliminally, even when we’re not concentrating on it. Yes can move us in fascinating directions and transform our thoughts.

To support my local 3M industry but also conserve natural resources, I opted to use only one wall in my house for this activity. Nevertheless, it’s one of my favorite walls in my office bearing a photo collage of some special memories from my trip to Colombia (fitting because this was the first time I really went all in to say YES to something).

Over the years, I’ve been the Queen of "No" and "I Can’t." Those days are over though. Whether it’s Nick Bez who motivates us in Warrior Sculpt Yoga by chanting “Yes you can!” or Lisa tossing out “The answer is yes!” whenever I have a moment of indecisiveness, YES is all around me is it's quite refreshing. YES makes me smile. Yes makes me laugh. Yes inspires me. Yes helps me inspire others.

Some readers have remarked that they especially enjoy the outward facing/inspiring components of this blog, so I leave you with thoughts to ponder and if you’re feeling creative, YES, a little homework.  From A Creative Companion: How to Free Your Creative Spirit by SARK, "Write down a creative idea or dream you have. List five wonderful things that could happen if you let your dream come true. Be as wild and hopeful as your dreams are."

#24 (July): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed:  7/11/2010

Now before anyone says I got off easy this month, it’s been really busy at work lately and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed balancing my work/family/social calendars. So, this month I’m going to claim a technicality and participate in one non-profit “activity”. It’s nearly back to school time and PRISM is doing their annual collection of school supplies at my church, so today I hit up my local Target and purchased a ton of items to donate. I’d highly recommend participating in an event like this if you can – there are so many sales this time of year and even a small donation goes a long way for a family who can’t afford the basics for their child’s education. I’m going to shamelessly promote my favorite store on EARTH and let you know that backpacks are only $9 right now (calculators are only $1, rulers are $0.27, crayons are $0.79)! A gift of $20 in school supplies can actually fill up a brown sack to it’s brim and equip a little one with tools for success and perhaps the confidence they might need to feel comfortable going back to school. It was fun to shop and I know it makes a difference in the local community.

#52: Find a home for all the pop tabs.

Date Completed:  6/17/2010

I collect things. Don’t get me wrong though – I collect nothing of value. Instead, I generally collect dust in my home, cobwebs on my “to do” lists, My Coke Rewards points online, and other silly things. I also collect soda (i.e., pop, if you’re from the Midwest) can tabs for some reason. I have no idea where this habit came from, but I vaguely remember someone once telling me, “No! Don’t recycle that can without first pulling off the tab!” because they were valuable to Ronald McDonald House. So I saved and saved – probably for years because I don’t drink that much soda and when I do, I drink from bottles because of the Coke Rewards that Hadley got me addicted to. Anyway, I eventually ended up with a bag of these tabs but no idea where I needed to deposit them. So many times I wanted to dump them in my recycle bin for convenience, but I held back. Then, one day, I found a tab collection “station” (i.e., cardboard box) at my office. Can you believe it? Someone else was collecting these too! This was my opportunity to rid myself of this collection so I brought in my bag and crammed them all into this little box. The box is now practically overflowing which is great, so I hope someone takes it somewhere. I figure I did my part! Of course, now I have a habit AND a collection because I still can’t bring myself to recycle my cans without pulling off the tab. Oh well – that makes something else to add to next year’s list!

#39: Attend a concert.

Date Completed:  6/25/2010

My last “real” concert was in 2008. It was Coldplay’s Viva la Vida show at Xcel Center in St. Paul with someone special and it will always bring back good memories for me. Since Coldplay is probably my all-time favorite band, I was doubtful that the experience could ever be topped…until now.

This summer I’m making up for lost time with outdoor festivals and concerts. In July alone, I’ll be at Taste of Minnesota reminiscing about my early years at Hayden Square Amphitheatre in Tempe watching the Gin Blossoms and Counting Crows. Then, there’s the Bascilica Block Party with Weezer and Barenaked Ladies also in July. However, the event I most looked forward to this year was Country Fest in Cadott, WI where acts included Eli Young Band, Darryl Worley, Jo Dee Messina and Lady Antebellum.

This was a completely impromptu purchase late one night – as in, tickets purchased online within five minutes of chatting over Facebook with Lisa. We had wanted to see Lady Antebellum all year and since Cadott is only two hours from Minneapolis, we figured it would be a fun road trip. It was amazing.

Lisa and I packed up our things (seriously, it was basically just a change of clothes and a toothbrush) and were ready…MONTHS in advance! When the day finally arrived, Sharon and Casey joined us for the road trip. It was a little scenic since we missed the freeway exit after lunching and stopping for munchies and shenanigans along the way, but we finally got settled in next to some awesome “neighbors” in the parking lot. We set up our card game and cooler, laughed a lot, and then headed into the concert area. Ten hours later, we were soaking wet from a rain storm, stuffed full of cheese curds and hops (when in WI, right?) and headed back to our hotel in Eau Claire – another scenic drive – to meet up with my cousin Josh and his friend. It was a Perfect Day.

#12: Meet someone famous.

Date Completed:  6/19/2010

This item ended up on my list because last year, I thought it was pretty neat to meet both Tim Pawlenty and Amy Kloubuchar at a couple of events. Regardless of any stand on politics, it was just plain cool to shake hands with these local representatives and discuss healthcare in such an interesting political climate. But what really defines a term like “famous”? I recently turned to dictionary.com for help and noted the following definition so that I’d have an idea when I had completed this item:

1. having a widespread reputation, usually of a favorable nature; renowned; celebrated
2. first-rate; excellent
3. notorious

One could argue that many individuals are “famous” based on that definition. I mean, imagine how many first-rate individuals you’re already met this year! This has presented a bit of a challenge for me in terms of THE LIST because there are so many people to choose from.

I could take credit for meeting Katja Jordan, whom I met through work. I consider Katja and her husband Nick famous because they’re going to be completing the Multiple Sclerosis Challenge Walk in September and they’re doing a fabulous job at fundraising through garage sale benefits and other creative ideas. To me, this makes them first-rate. Please consider donating to their fundraising effort - it's simple, just click here.

At a recent MN Orchestra benefit (Crash the Ball), I met violist Matt Young who is an absolute doll. I’d consider him famous as a celebrated and accomplished musician with the gift of humility.

And, I spent some time with MN House candidate Rick Rice recently at the Parktacular event (#24 on THE LIST). In between shaking hands and meeting his constituents, he helped me move orange cones from the street when cars needed to come through the neighborhood. His election isn’t until October, but by the definition above, he’s famous.

So, I’m going to consider this item complete. If I happen to cross paths with a celebrity any time this year (slightly different definition than famous), I’ll update this post. In the meantime, I’ll bet most of you are famous and I like that about you too!

#24 (June): Participate in one volunteer/non-profit activity each month.

Date Completed:  6/19/2010

It turns out that this month’s volunteer event was a double-header for THE LIST, so I’ll be checking off two items eventually. I spent the morning helping the City of St. Louis Park with their annual event, Parktacular. I was assigned an intersection to direct cars and keep parade traffic out of the neighborhood. I was a little hesitant when they showed me the neon orange mesh vest I needed to wear (under no circumstance could this be deemed fashionable) but almost died when the volunteer coordinator asked me to pair it with a bright blue volunteer t-shirt. For those of you who keep up with this blog, you know that immediately caused me anxiety because I had arrived in a black running skirt and have this whole “black with blue” thing. Anyway, I realized none of this really mattered because I had burned my neck earlier in the week with my curling iron, so I was a mess to begin with. I found it quite funny when a guy from the neighborhood actually asked me out after he clarified that the burn wasn’t a little love mark left by my boyfriend! Too funny. Stay tuned for the other item to be posted soon…

#44: Lighten up.

Date Completed:  4/15/2010

What I like about THE LIST is that some of the items take planning, while others unfold naturally around me without any thought. This list item falls into the latter category. When I first added this item, I thought it might be a hard one to measure, but it turns out that after the actual experience, it was really easy to spot.

April 15th was a Thursday, I remember. The sun was shining, there was a Twins game, and Minneapolis rooftops had just opened for business. Lisa and I wanted to go to Brits, so we let some friends know where we’d be and we headed there after work. I was still working from home that week, and I remember being excited to wear a casual sundress to celebrate spring. That was probably my best decision ever.

The rooftop was packed, so we had to sweet talk our way to secure tables and chairs from some people who were leaving. There were a couple of partially-full beverages still on the table and as we sat there chatting, a huge wind gust knocked over one of the glasses, and literally soaked my cotton dress (of course we had no napkins). Rather than dying of humiliation, I simply stood up, smiled, did a little curtsy, and shook the excess liquid off my soaked dress. Guys at nearby tables smiled with approval. I remember our friends suggesting the restroom hand dryer, but I knew it would dry on its own and we weren’t planning to leave our table any time soon anyway. So, I laughed a bit more and that was that.

I was proud of myself for not letting this get to me like it might have a year ago, but I was more excited when the nicest girl came over to me with a stack of napkins and said, “I just had to bring these over because your reaction was great and it made me think to myself that this girl doesn’t even know she’s wet!” Lisa even noted how amazing this situation played out. We proceeded to have one of our best evenings out and that wind, well, that which caused the problem, solved the problem. I was dry in 30 minutes.

#25: Fix your smile, once and for all.

Date Completed:  5/20/2010

I almost can’t remember a time when I wasn’t working on my teeth. It all started with braces in 7th grade. I was so impatient and they came off way too soon. Then there were the retainers (never a head gear thankfully). Over the years, my teeth continued to shift, though, and it got to a point where I wanted my smile to look like it did after my braces. So, I found Boger Dental and Dr. Joe Madden and we started back at it. I ended up getting with an Essix retainer which is truly a torturous device. Basically, a mold is taken of your current alignment. Then, through computer imagery, a new appliance is formed of hard acrylic to match what your teeth *should* look like. Then, you just force it onto your teeth and wait for them to move. You can probably imagine how much your teeth and surrounding nerves hurt. Eventually, they do conform though, and if you survive the headaches and intense pain for the first couple of weeks, you begin to adjust to wearing it almost all day and night like Invisalign. I swore I’d never go through the process again, but after a while I still wanted my teeth to shift a bit more. So, I went through a second iteration of the Essix and then decided to get a lingual wire put on the back of my top teeth to keep them in place so I could dump the retainers. Years ago, lingual wire these were stainless steel bars that were cemented on your teeth. Now, they’re very thin threaded wires made of nickel and titanium for added strength. They’re coated with acrylic so you get used to them quickly. I was even able to have a new whitening tray made that is molded around the wire so I can still do night treatments as I like. The whole process has taken several months, but I’m glad I took care of this before they shifted more. Lisa is part way through her Invisalign which was on her list, so we're both all smiles these days!