These are goals to accomplish in the next thirteen years, some sooner and some later. I put an range of time next to each one. Here goes.
1.) Take the kids to Disney World(2-3 years).
This is not counting this coming January when we’ll be there for marathon activities. I lived four hours south of Mickey world for 15 years then moved to Orlando. We went each year or every other year for as long as I can remember and once we lived there? Annual passes. I haven’t been since 2005 and it’s high time.
2.) Finish a book and write a second, if not a third. (3-4 years)
For a while after I graduated I was like, “Who am I kidding? I can’t write.” But I can, and I still do really enjoy it. And I have read enough utter garbage to know if I finished and pitched and even if I got rejected, I could eventually get published.
3.) Lose 20 pounds. (1 year)
This should be attainable within 6 months, to be honest. With dieting and continued running. The last few pounds are rough and after having a baby, nothing is the same. It’s so hard but I am not giving up on this one.
4.) Find a higher paying job. (2-3 years)
Be it still within the realm of academia or elsewhere, I have the skills and the experience to warrant way more money than I make now. Nothing phenomenal but at least 5-10k more. Those people… they just don’t know how awesome I am. š
5.) Move. (2-3 years)
I mentioned it before but we’ve got to get out of Florida. Rick Scott’s going to doom this place and I’d like to get out while I am still right-side up on my mortgage and before the kids get too much older to really notice the change.Ā I have dreams of the West. I have dreams of a larger home, open spaces, more relaxed living.
6.) Really master cooking. (4-5 years)
I don’t make a wide variety of recipes but I really enjoy cooking. I’d like to branch out and experiment and get really good at creating new dishes.
7.) See my kids become upstanding people. (5 + years)
My Father-in-law likes to talk about how Ash used to be this squirmy kid who whined a lot and now, he’s quite well-rounded and accomplished. Sometimes I look at Elliot and think, “Oh my God, how is he going to make it?!” He whines about the tiniest things, he’s afraid of, well, lots of things, and he doesn’t listen. He’s thinking of something else at all times. But he’s young. And holds so much potential. I cannot wait to see how the years will change him.
8.) Create an altered book. (5-7 years)
This is a project for our FYC program here and though they turn out well, the kids’ work is never as amazing as some of these hardcore crafters’. I am intrigued by these projects and definitely will make one.
9.) Get real blog hosting and boost my blog to higher standing. (years tops)
I’ve gotten a lot more readers over the last year (I love you all!) but I’d love to make my own layout and finally get real hosting. I’m afraid to take that plunge though.
10.) Get back to Hawaii. (2-3 years)
Totally doable if Ash’s new business prospect takes off. I NEED to go back.
11.) Learn how to quilt. (7-10 years)
I always thought it would be cool to do this but I told myself I could wait until I was older. This is a long-term goal.
12.) Go camping. (3 years tops)
I have always wanted to do real camping. When I was younger, I did this YMCA father/daughter thing and we had a camping trip to a state park but we slept in those gigantic 20 person tents. I’d like to do this just the four of us and get serious about it. Ash has never been one for it but after a couple conversations over the years, I can tell he’s warming to the idea. I think the boys would love it.
13.) Become a great photographer. (6 + years)
It could take less time than that but I want to build a portfolio, do some small-time photo shoots for people (this is in the works, actually) and master Photoshop. I can do it. I know it.
incognitusscriptor.com 
1. Quilting is overrated. It’s a lot of work for something else you have to store/move. And fabric is ‘spensive and getting harder to find as the American public becomes craftier and less quiltier. š
2. The West is worse off than we are and is more likely to get worse as time goes forward. I loved living in Arizona but the political and economic climate is terrifying. California and Texas are the same. New Mexico might be okay but haven’t read anything about that lately. Colorado might be a good place to set your eye on…
3. Camp in the backyard where you can still access a bathroom and shower. It’s the only way to go. š Plus if you have a fire pit you can still make s’mores.
Spend the time and money you would use for camping and quilting to write books and get good at photography and then you can save the money from your books and photographer gigs to go to Hawaii. š BOOM problem solved. š
Damn, you have it all figured out. Want to be my personal organizer?? š
Pay me and I’m there. š Honestly though, reconsider the quilting thing.
All of those are admirable goals.
As to the camping–make sure the tent is big enough for cots or air mattresses. Sleeping on the ground is very uncomfortable. We go camping but have a camper for comfort. Sleeping on the ground makes me cranky and that’s no fun for anyone.
Oh gosh, I love your list! So many things on it, I could copy. And I like your time frame too. I’m so bad about wanting to get it all done NOW, then giving up because, of course, that’s impossible. I miss camping. My son and I used to go when he was a Cub Scout. And write the book! I had to smile when you mentioned having read so many… I know! I don’t think I could write, or that I do at well at all – but sometimes I do think I could write something better than what I’d just read! I love how you have felt that too š Thank you for taking the time to share your list. I enjoy it.
AUSTIN OR BUST!!!!!!!!!!!! š
I think quilting might IS overrated too but there is def an art to it. Hand quilting or machine quilting or have you not thought about that yet? I think you should modify this goal to include knitting. I know a great teacher š
It’s no wonder we are good friends, we share a lot of the same goals. Numbers 3, 4, 5 (if you move to ATX, I can postpone this goal), 7, 9, 10, 11 and 13. It’s true what they say….great minds do think alike.
This is totally true.
Only learn to knit if you’re going to move to a cold state or if you know people who do. Knitting is almost as big a financial suck as quilting and it takes a long time to learn.
The writing is certainly the first step. You can’t sell what doesn’t exist.