One hundred

Thanks to Jake for taking this picture of me.

I feel good about making it to my 100th post here at Toothwhale. I feel good about recording thoughts, feelings, and moments, about taking and sharing more pictures, about being in the habit of writing, and about connecting with people through blogging. To mark my 100th post, I'm sharing 100 things I want to see and do in the future of my life. Some things will happen, some won't, and I'll change my mind about others. Here and now, this is my list. I'd like very much if you would share in comments some of the things you would like to experience in the future of your life. I'd like to know.

I'm looking forward to milestones ... when Harper sleeps in a bed rather than a crib and wears panties instead of diapers 1, 2, two first days of kindergarten 3, 4, when they learn to read 5, 6, write all the letters of the alphabet 7, 8, tie their shoes 9, 10, and ride bikes without training wheels 11, 12. ... when they lose their front teeth 13, 14, go to their first sleepovers 15, 16, win their first trophies for athletic or intellectual accomplishments 17, 18, and get dropped off at the mall or the movies with only their friends 19, 20. ... when they go on their first dates 21, 22, get driver's licenses 23, 24, and go to proms 25, 26. ... when we go on college visits 27, 28, and laugh and cry at high school graduations 29, 30, college graduations 31, 32, engagement parties 33, 34, weddings 35, 36, and grandchildren's births 37, 38.

I hope to... renew my wedding vows with Jake and return to San Francisco for a second honeymoon 39, 40. ... go with him on eating tours in the places we've lived before -- chicken salad and shrimp po' boys in Pensacola, Fla. 41, 42, barbecue brisket, chicken fingers, and burritos in College Station, Tex. 43, 44, 45, and pizza slices as big as your head in Tallahassee, Fla. 46. ... return to the Florida Keys 47, to Asheville, N.C. in the summertime 48, and to the hill country of Texas as the wildflowers bloom in spring 49. ... see the Grand Canyon and the aurora borealis together 50, 51, and take in Charleston, S.C. 52, Sedona, Ariz. 53, the Pacific Northwest 54, and American history in the Northeast 55. ... visit El Morro, the beaches, and extended family in Puerto Rico 56, 57, 58. ... make it to Europe 59, Hawaii 60, and even Australia 61.

I want to ... read To Kill a Mockingbird and the entire Harry Potter series -- first by myself, then again, with the kids 62, 63, 64. ... really learn to speak Spanish 65, to sew enough to craft a Halloween costume 66, pillows 67, and a simple curtain 68, and to knit well enough to make scarves as gifts 69. ... find a religious home 70. ... buy a jukebox and a brilliant red Fiestaware pitcher 71, 72. ... ice skate 73, hula hoop 74, paddle surf 75, hand crank ice cream 76, do a cartwheel 77, swim with dolphins 78, take the perfect family picture 79, ride in a hot air balloon 80, and drive my dream car -- a vintage Volkswagen Beetle, red with a tan convertible top 81.

I'd like to go ... back to see my grandfather's burial site at Arlington National Cemetery 82, to Busch Gardens and Disney World with Henry and Harper 83, 84, and on a cross-country trip as a family one summer when the kids are at an age to enjoy it 85.

I hope to see ... my mom find the perfect watermelon once more 86, all of my sisters get married and become mothers 87, 88, 89, my dad relax in retirement 90, and my parents celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary 91. ... women in the offices of vice president and president 92, 93. ... my husband write and publish a novel 94, 95, myself happy in my next career 96, my children be best friends 97, my husband live a long and healthy life 98, all my children's dreams come true 99, 100.

Enough about me. What about you?

Comments

[Cassandra Kellogg]

Great "to do" list. But you forgot one thing--one day you hope to get your kids to preschool on time ;)

[Meredith]

Congratulations. 100 posts is a big milestone, and I feel grateful to have read so many of them.

[Rebecca at Toothwhale]

Cassandra, the list of things I SHOULD do ... now that is another list altogether.

Meredith, thank you, and thanks even more for reading. You saying there was room for everyone in blogging is something I tell and re-tell myself.

[Heather]

what a sweet and soulful list. love this!

[Cassandra Kellogg]

And I guess right after getting your kids to preschool on time on the "Should Do" List is folding that laundry in the background of this picture!!!

Love you. Congrats on the 100th post.

[Rebecca at Toothwhale]

Thanks, Heather. :)

You know it, Cassandra. xoxo

[Mary@The Writer's Block]

I LOVE this! So comprehensive. So informative. I feel that I know you much better.

So, have you never done a cartwheel or never learned? Or you just want to do one again?

When I turned 30, I made a similar list. I need to think of mine and make a post.

[Jessica]

I still think about those burritos we ate when I visited you (helped you move) in College Station.

P.S. Your list made me cry at right about the part where you mention Henry and Harper going on dates and getting drivers' licenses. That handsome Spiderman and that sweet princess and aren't allowed to get there any time soon.

[Rebecca at Toothwhale]

Mary, thank you so much. I've never done a cartwheel. I took gymnastics when I was a little girl (4 years old?) for a very, very short time. I quit -- walked out and wouldn't return is the way I remember it -- over a cartwheel. I was asked to do one, and I refused. I didn't know how, and wouldn't try. I probably never will do one, but my kids, who now take gymnastics, may.

Jessica, I've eaten a lot of burritos since then, and even the good ones aren't Freebirds. :) I'll be crying when those two start driving.