Life To Do’s

on August 20, 2012
in FAQ Mondays

It was a great weekend but, alas, all good things must come to an end.  Hello, Moan-day.

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Our fridge is (predictably) totally tapped out.  No time to do our normal Sunday grocery excursion because Lauren’s flight out wasn’t until 10 PM, which was really great.  So – put ‘grocery shopping’ on my list of things to do today.

 

Literally the best breakfast I could pull together. 

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Not nearly enough Cinnamon Spiced Granola (a gift from my friend Erin).

 

Apples and PB:

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FAQ Monday

 

One of the things that Lauren and I discussed this weekend was our Life To Do List.  She told me this funny story of how she once found a To Do list written on a whiteboard in her friend’s bathroom.   He had everyday stuff like, “Take out the trash” on it, but also bigger goals like, “Get married,” “Find a job I love,” and “Travel.”   This leads me to this week’s FAQ Monday question…

 

What’s on your Life To Do list?  My list includes:  getting another tattoo, going to Thailand and Hawaii, doing a Half Ironman, starting a retirement fund, learning the basics of a foreign language, buying a vacation home, and volunteering abroad. 

 

Your turn!

{ 62 comments }

 

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More August 20, 2012, 9:50 am

    I definitely want to find the person I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with and get married; I want to run a half (maybe even full) marathon; I want to move to Boston and settle; and I want to get my personal training certificate and really establish myself as a respected personal trainer and healthy living professional. I’m working on a couple of these as we speak. 🙂

    • Alex @ Brain, Body, Because August 20, 2012, 10:03 am

      “I definitely want to find the person I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with and get married”

      I really hope you do! Everyone deserves to find this happiness 🙂

  • Allie August 20, 2012, 9:52 am

    Travel to Alaska, Israel, Switzerland, Spain, Paris again…(pretty much anywhere), get my helicopter pilot’s license, buy a house, have babies! Crossing marriage off my list in t-minus 12 days 🙂

  • Mandy August 20, 2012, 9:58 am

    That granola looks delish!

    On my life to-do list: Get married, have kids, travel everywhere (but esp South America, Scandinavia, Southeast Asia and New Zealand), find a career I love, run a race longer than a 5k!

  • Cassie D. August 20, 2012, 10:04 am

    Spending extra time with a friend you don’t get to see often enough > grocery shopping! Glad you had such a great weekend!

    On my life to-do list: Get published in a national publication, start a blog, have a small sheep farm, travel back to Santorini (where my husband and I went on our honeymoon!), and have two healthy children.

  • Alex @ Brain, Body, Because August 20, 2012, 10:04 am

    Thailand is on my to do list, as well!

  • Christine @ BookishlyB August 20, 2012, 10:07 am

    Write a novel, go back to Europe, raise a family, pay our house off in less than 30 years, combat wrinkles without Botox, stay married to the same person until I die, never “let myself go,” start donating to causes I care about consistently (Planned Parenthood and the ASPCA), and maintain my friendships.

  • Courtney August 20, 2012, 10:13 am

    I want to get married, have some babies, have a steady job, start my own company, earn a ton of money, then donate it all. 🙂

  • Lisa August 20, 2012, 10:16 am

    Save a horse, ride a cowboy.

    Seriously.

  • Jill August 20, 2012, 10:22 am

    You can totally conquer a half-Ironman! My husband just did his first (he is insane – he started with a sprint on a whim, did an olympic a couple weeks later, and followed it up the next week with the half-ironman. First three tris, and now he’s jacked to do a full Ironman. I’m hoping for Hawaii!) and loved it.

  • Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life August 20, 2012, 10:23 am

    Finding a job that I love is definitely on my Life’s to-do list…. Hopefully within the next 1-2 years I can figure this one out!

  • Liz @ An Interesting Year August 20, 2012, 10:25 am

    Oooh, I like yours! Mine would have to be travel to Asia, do a triathlon, do a marathon, live in northern California, and learn a foreign language.

  • Ali August 20, 2012, 10:46 am

    I’ve scratched off a few things like live abroad (5 years and counting in South Korea), travel to SE Asia (Bangkok and Burma so far), but I want to get married, travel a LOT more, get a job at an international NGO, have/adopt a child.

  • Gillian @ Money After Graduation August 20, 2012, 10:48 am

    Yummy ! On my life to-do list would be to finish my tattoo, get out of debt, get a job in my field full-time, get married, and travel to Europe and Egypt.

  • Erin @ Big Girl Feats August 20, 2012, 10:57 am

    I was just talking with my fiance about this topic this weekend! Mine is find a teaching job that I love, build a great relationship/marriage with my fiance/husband, have two healthy children, road trip across the country, backpack in Europe and learn to surf 🙂

  • Maria August 20, 2012, 11:07 am

    I love writing goals and know that the key to accomplishing them is to write them down so here goes: have at least one baby, adopt a shelter dog, plant my own vegetable/flower garden, hike Machu Picchu, spend an entire summer at the beach, and hike through Alaska.

  • Rachel O. August 20, 2012, 11:07 am

    i want to travel abroad/live abroad
    have a baby
    make my own beer
    start my own business
    drive down the west coast
    annnnnd win a million dollars.

  • Stacy @ Stacy Eats August 20, 2012, 11:07 am

    Ah I love life to do’s. Mine would be to start my own company, have a family, give back to those in need (possibly with my own company) and travel the world!

  • Katie @ Soulshine and Sassafras August 20, 2012, 11:12 am

    I want to go to Thailand, too! (I’m going to stay at an elephant orphanage and play with baby elephants…someday….when I have money.) I want to get my actor’s equity card, have some chickens, get married and have kids as well 🙂

  • Claire August 20, 2012, 11:14 am

    What is your current tattoo of?!

  • colleen August 20, 2012, 11:20 am

    Life goals:
    get everything paid off
    find a job I love to do
    putting more into my retirement funds
    take a family ski trip
    move back to the east coast
    travel to Europe

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance August 20, 2012, 11:35 am

    My to-do list includes:

    Earn certificate in health coaching
    Have a “place” in Colorado
    Get a dog!
    Begin practice as a health coach . . . and see where it takes me!

  • Jennifer August 20, 2012, 11:35 am

    Life goals:
    – pay off my house
    – travel (Greek Islands, Italty are first on the list)
    – fnd a job I love, not just feel “ok” about

  • Lekki Wood August 20, 2012, 11:35 am

    Get academic tenure; watch my students achieve their goals; see my child display a good, caring moral compass; visit every state in the US; visit Australia; see women, homosexuals and minority races achieve equality,be able to sew my own curtains

  • Lekki Wood August 20, 2012, 11:36 am

    P.S. What is your current tattoo???

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat August 20, 2012, 11:59 am

    Oh wow, life to do’s… I have many! Go on a cruise, buy a house, get a dog, find my soul mate, travel more, try surfing (and actually be half decent at it), finish my current health coaching certification and grow my practice, do yoga regularly… and it doesn’t stop there!

  • Kelli August 20, 2012, 12:12 pm

    I love thinking about goals too- from daily to life.
    Daily goals include grocery shopping, calling to pay a medical bill, interviewing pediatricians for upcoming baby boy’s debute, cooking a good dinner and doing the dishes after I cook. 🙂
    Life goals include:
    -being a good parent to my soon to be born son (and any future children too)
    -being a great wife & having a life long romance with my husband of 8 years
    -debt free by retirement
    -aquire more rental properties while the market is favorable
    -quitting my day job in a few years to manage our rental properties full time
    -make domestic & international travel a high priority (solo trips w/my hubby as well as many trips w/kiddos)
    -remember how blessed my life is & try to not take it for granted!
    -keep living a healthy & active lifestyle a high priority

  • Lisa August 20, 2012, 12:12 pm

    I thankfully have a retirement plan already (yay!), which is good because SS will be gone by the time I retire….

    My life goals: get married, have a kid or two, get a dog, travel, go back to school, publish my book, do a sprint tri.

  • Cindy August 20, 2012, 12:17 pm

    I want to meet someone and start a family (but time is running short on the baby front!), finish this PhD, move to London and teach (or work in some way), travel, and find a way to be happy.

  • Erin @ The Grass Skirt August 20, 2012, 12:23 pm

    So glad that you’re enjoying the granola! I’ll have to make you some more very soon. 🙂

  • Sonia the Mexigarian August 20, 2012, 12:48 pm

    Life To-Do List:
    1.)Show in at least 3 major galleries from LA, New York and Japan. That’s be kick ass.
    2.)Publish my urban fantasy novel and the following series.
    3.) Open my own gallery/studio/wine bar/brewery /food. . .
    4.) have a kid or 2
    5.) Travel with my husband

  • Cindy August 20, 2012, 12:53 pm

    Great topic!! Mine includes: Have at least one more kid. Travel to Africa and Australia. Have our own business, which also means buying more properties. Make time for the small stuff. And try to see the good in everyday.

  • Beks August 20, 2012, 1:02 pm

    I want to become a full-time, self-employed writer, train for 5k, 10k, 1/2 and full marathons, get married, buy property in the country, or a condo in the city (I’m really a one way or the other, no half-assed attempts-type girl), have a couple kids. This is actually the order I’d like to do them in, but the 5k/10k might come before the full-time self-employed writer thing.

  • Dani @ Dani, Redesigned August 20, 2012, 1:07 pm

    My life to do list includes relocating to Chattanooga TN eventually, getting married, buying a new car (that I actually like), buy a home, lose 40 lbs, you know, the normal stuff.

    My WEIRD things are: Participate in a girl’s roller derby, win an amatuer night at a strip club, travel to Japan and Europe, own a snake, create my own comic book, the list goes on.

    🙂

  • Ali August 20, 2012, 1:09 pm

    I totally put little things on my life to-do list. Some days, crossing something off like “send that e-mail” or “clean out refrigerator” are more than I can manage!

    For my (real) life to-do list (in particular order):
    1. Get my MS (done)
    2. Get an awesome job (done)
    3. Buy a house (done)
    4. Find the person I want to share my life with
    5. Have a child
    6. Travel abroad
    7. Be happy and grateful every day of my life
    8. Reach and maintain a healthy weight for the long term (so. close.)
    9. Learn from every mistake I make
    10. Be a fantastic friend, daughter, and sister (and hopefully one day also a great wife and mother!)

    • Ali August 20, 2012, 1:10 pm

      In NO particular order. (sorry)

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles August 20, 2012, 1:20 pm

    Oh goodness, my list:

    – do a half marathon AND a marathon
    – get married
    – have babies (at least 2-3, and hoping for at least one girl. I like dresses and frilly things)
    – get my masters degree
    – go to: Scotland, Fiji, Greece, California, Paris and New Zealand
    – get a pug or a daschund
    – find a job that makes me happy

    There’s probably more, but that’ll be my cutoff. 🙂

  • Natalie August 20, 2012, 1:22 pm

    Write a book, get my PhD, and hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail

  • Karen B August 20, 2012, 1:43 pm

    My list:
    To own a cow and chickens and my own country home near a lake.

  • Hillary August 20, 2012, 1:48 pm

    I made a life to-do list my freshman year of college, and I’m happy to say I’ve crossed a few items off that list in the last few years! I’d still love to travel to Hawaii, buy a home, get married, have a child, and (possibly) get my PhD!

  • Annette@FitnessPerks August 20, 2012, 1:50 pm

    I’m about to DO one of mine on Saturday—complete a Half IronMan!!! 🙂

    Others include- live in Switzerland again (but this time with my husband), buy a home, start a family, raise good kids, travel a lot (esp to Greece & Hawaii & Switz), and go on a cruise!

  • Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut August 20, 2012, 1:52 pm

    So fun! My list:

    -Fluent in Spanish
    -Travel more, especially to Greece to see “my people” 🙂
    -Be a published author (one day!)
    -Have a successful health coaching practice
    -Get married + have a couple kiddos
    -Increase my fitness level + more advanced yogi
    -Become my absolute healthiest+happiest+BEST self!

    I’ve already got a start on this list—just need to keep at it!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats August 20, 2012, 2:30 pm

    Mine includes run a marathon, finish law school an pass the bar, travel abroad, fall in love and get married, find a job I love but maybe be a stay at home mom and find organizations to volunteer with (dream life), and make a difference in others’ lives!

  • KnSPeace August 20, 2012, 2:48 pm

    Caitlin, I just wanted you how much I love your blog and that I think it is one of the few blogs that is truly about balanced, healthy living. I’m so happy that you have found such happiness with your son and husband and through your success in work.
    On my life list is to work in the medical field. I’m really afraid that I won’t be able to because of my disability, but I’m trying really hard to figure that out! The most important thing is to find a fulfilling career. My other big goal is to live abroad for a while. I’ve been to Thailand, it’s amazing!

  • crystal August 20, 2012, 3:01 pm

    – Finish nursing school (4 months)!!
    – half marathon / marathon
    – para sail
    – see Italy, then Japan
    – learn how to do a kipping pull up

  • Erin August 20, 2012, 3:10 pm

    Wow, there are so many awesome goals in the comments! I love Karens “To own a cow and chickens and my own country home near a lake.” – I’m in the same boat but I want to own goats and lots of dogs 🙂

    Also on my list ::
    Finish my novel (and write a few more!) – self publication date :: December 1st!!!
    Become spinning, Reiki and yoga certified
    Get my NASM Personal Training certification
    Be married to my best friend (working on a Fall 2013 wedding!!)
    Complete a half marathon
    Spend a week in silence

    Good luck everyone!!!

  • Susan August 20, 2012, 3:20 pm

    Starting a retirement fund is a good goal for you, but seriously think about expanding that goal to have a certain amount actually in that account, in say five years.

    • LizP August 20, 2012, 4:10 pm

      Agreed! Saving for retirement is so key! There are a lot of great financial planners out there that help you with a 5 year plan! Unfortunately, who knows what the state of Social Security will be when we retire….

      I’m about to say something controversial but to me it makes total sense:

      In my opinion, your retirement fund is more important than a kid’s college fund. Your child can always get scholarships, government aid, or low interest loans (hopefully). You can’t get a loan for retirement!

      Best of luck with starting a retirement plan!

      • Lauren August 20, 2012, 11:44 pm

        Really focusing on my retirement fund has been a goal of mine since last year. I’d love to get the help if a financial planner in doing so, but I’ve always been leary about using one.

        • Kristen August 21, 2012, 7:58 am

          Hello All!

          I could help but comment on this thread. I am a financial advisor and I this is exactly what I do. I help clients map out their financial goal and we create a plan to accomplish it all. Depending on what state you live in I would love to be of personal help.

          LizP – Definitely agree! Retirement planning trumps saving for a child’s education.

          Best of luck to you all!

  • Anna August 20, 2012, 4:25 pm

    I love these bucket lists. And your breakfast would be perfect for me.
    On my list:

    complete a marathon, learn yoga, travel to shanghai, go backpacking, eat s´mores by the campfire, finish a book in a language other than my mother tongue (on this right now), do a handstand, fall in love, buy a flat or house and host a little party as a welcoming, travel alone.

  • Amber K August 20, 2012, 8:32 pm

    I’d love to get a degree in nutrition, but still on my life to-do list is to become a mother. I think that will remain at the top of my list until I become one!

  • Jenifer August 20, 2012, 8:33 pm

    Complete the Tough Mudder, Payoff my house early, write in my blog more than twice a year, run a full marathon, and learn to ride a bike.

    • Brooke August 20, 2012, 10:18 pm

      Tough Mudder is on my list too!!! 😉

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin August 20, 2012, 9:14 pm

    On my list is to travel to Italy, fall in love and get married, grow my own garden with every veggie imaginable, go on a hiking trip, do a triathlon, and have kids!

  • Erin Margaret @ Bishella August 20, 2012, 9:22 pm

    Figure out what makes me happy. Chase it and run it down and stalk it until I have it.

  • Lauren T August 20, 2012, 9:55 pm

    Getting married, having kids and owning a home are the big ones on the top of my list. I’d also love to find a job I love, start my own photography business, travel, and rescue/adopt as many dogs as possible and run the Disney Princesses Half Marathon 🙂

  • mollie August 20, 2012, 10:18 pm

    i have many to-dos! hope there’s enough time… 🙂

    -see the northern lights/milky way
    -go to a van morrison concert in ireland/scotland
    -swim with dolphins
    -learn french
    -run a 5k
    -sky dive
    -have 2 healthy kids; adopt one or two others
    -move to the west coast
    -get a tattoo sleeve
    -road trip around the u.s.

    and travel as much as possible! 🙂

  • mollie August 20, 2012, 10:19 pm

    also, what is your other tattoo(s) of?

  • Katie August 21, 2012, 10:20 am

    I currently have a 30 before 30 list going, one of them does include “get married” “buy a house” but there are others like “bake a cake from scratch.”

    I blog about all of these lists which helps keep me accountable!

  • Vicki August 22, 2012, 2:20 pm

    Funny, I recently had this ‘bucket list’ convo with my BF recently, and the only things that are a must for me are to adopt a greyhound and take a crusie to Alaska. Already knocked one of my dreams off the list, which was a trip to Australia 🙂 Currently working on a goal of running a race every month (six 5k’s, one 10k down, four more 5k’s and the Hershey Half to go! )

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