A Big Week

Last week was a big week for me.

I accomplished two of the big goals on my infamous “Goals in Life” list.

Yes, such a list does indeed exist, a fact that many find weird and slightly disturbing.

I don’t care.

I made the list in high school, or maybe even before that. It’s filled with some silly goals like “try frog legs” and bigger once-goals, like “become a midwife.”

I’m a goal person; I love setting goals and working to reach them. Sometimes, it’s more about the process of having a goal and working so hard to obtain it then it is about the goal itself. I love words and seeing my list written out just helps me to visualize it and re-visit the goals that are important to me.

And now, it’s become a “thing.” The list is so old, it’s a joke to my husband that it’s still around, yellow and tattered, fluttering around on my desk. He makes fun of me and my list, but secretly, I know he likes to see each one get crossed off as I achieve it.

About halfway down the first column on my list was this goal:

“Run 10 mile in Crim.”

That stinken goal has been there awhile. But as of Saturday, thanks to the awesomeness of two girlfriends who signed up to run with me, my checklist now looks a little something like this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I am weird for having a list of life goals, I am even weirder for taking a picture of that list.

But the point is, I finally did it. I finished the 10 mile race and it felt great. And I have to say, I did it in a time this momma-of-two can feel good about. 1 hour and 44 minutes, averaging about 10 minute miles. And to top it all off–I got a medal! Nevermind the fact that everyone got a medal…

The race was so much fun, and I highly recommend it to anyone needing a little ego boost or pick-me-up. At every corner and around every bend were crowds of well-wishers cheering, offering Gatorade and water, even beer in some strange instances. My racing partner Danielle and I even passed an 82-year-old man who was running his 30th race. Talk about inspiring!

Which brings me to my second life goal completion, the one I am so excited about, the one that I have been DYING to tell my imaginary friends about…

I GOT MY FIRST ACCEPTANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, my fake friends, you are now looking at a bona-fide, no longer wanna-be, but an actual, official, real writer!!

I don’t have a picture on my list to show you, per se, but I can tell you that the article was accepted by the awesome online parenting magazine Babble and that it will run in November. And I actually will be getting paid real (non-Monopoly!) money for it!! I’m so excited I can barely stand it. The moment I read the email for the editor was a moment I have dreamed about for a long time. It went something like this: (not that I’ve memorized it or anything. Please. I’m a professional.)

“super. one of our editors will be in touch soon. nice job.”

Do you see that? No caps, baby–this editor is a Person of Importance. And yet, still chose my article. Yess!!!

One week, two checks on the ol’ List of Life.

That’s what I call success.

Along with the amount of calories I was able to consume after I ran my 10-mile race. Sweet, sweet success.