# 60 The Very Last One

As I write this final blog on what has been twelve months of discovery and enlightenment with a bit of frustration thrown in, I am at a loss on what should be said about this journey. The year began with a burst of energy, sustained momentum in the middle, and is now slowly closing in on the finish line (similar to my running style). I would like to write a profound statement that encompasses this pilgrimage but it escapes me at the moment so will choose to ramble on and on and on.  Please bear with me.  It will be my sixtieth entry and I simply have run out of words...

I thought this mission was all about me until I realized it had far reaching tentacles and what I learned was not so much about myself but about others.  The revelation has left me humbled, amazed, and proud of the generosity of family and friends, the dedication of the many volunteers working at various nonprofit facilities, and the courage of our brave troops serving selflessly overseas. This was confirmation that there are magnificent compassionate people living among us.  A good lesson to remember as we enter another political hunting season.

One of my fears beginning this next decade was that old meant the brain cells would start to deteriorate and retaining information or learning new skills would become problematic.  What a relief to determine that has not been the case.  My increased vocabulary, newly acquired foreign phrases, and other mentally challenging activities debunked that foreboding--at least from my perspective--my children may have a different view but I 'm not asking them.

Physically, I am thrilled to report a much stronger, lighter, and more fit me than when I was a mere fifty year old.  And to digress and brag just a bit, my stash of first place race medals are piling up now that I've moved into my new age group.  Ahhh, the results of outlasting the competition.

What did I learn from this experiment?  What didn't I learn is a better question and with reflection and deep soul searching, I do believe it settles into a rather straightforward and actually quite uncomplicated answer.  Drum roll, please...Set goals, keep a record of each accomplishment, and marry (or buddy up with) someone who will embrace this folly and encourage you to the end.  It is as simple as that.

What will I do now that 2012 is just around the corner and I can retire my list?  Sitting back and relaxing for the last third of my time on this earth doesn't represent my life after this year so I will revise a few of the goals (60 things of 60 things was a bit ambitious) and tackle next year with the knowledge that absolutely anything is possible (even the cookie and mitten making did not stop me).

Thanks to those of you who read my blog, gave me feedback, and encouraged me throughout this endeavor.  It made for an extraordinary year.  My plans for the future--and  I invite all to join me--are to set goals, reach beyond my comfort zone, and most importantly, celebrate the joy of living.

Oh, and with my words running near empty,  I will end this blog proclaiming the number one lesson learned this year was that turning the dreaded 6-0 has not been so bad after all.

Use the words below to begin writing your  own________ (fill  in the blank) list.

1.    Read
2.    Climb
3.    Swim
4.    Learn
5.    Bike
6.   Volunteer
7.   Write
8.    Love
9.   Practice
10. Invite
11. Fund raise
12. Fly
13. Run
14. Accomplish
15. Purchase
16. Dance
17. Ride
18. Sample
19. Serve
20. Plant
21. Acquire
22.  Bet
23. Assemble
24.  Sculpt
25.  Cantor
26.  Pen
27.  Skype
28.  Make
29.  Compose
30.  Remember
31.  Select
32  Share
33.  Recycle
34.  Identify
35.  Film
35.  Brush
36.  Try
37.  Study
38.  Visit
39.  Produce
40.  Practice
41. Draft
42.  Do
43.  Recruit
44. Bestow
45.  Correspond
46.  Knit
47.  Quilt
48.  Photograph
49.  Send
50.  Enjoy
51.  Experiment
52.  Lift
53.  Attend
54.  Eat
55.  Travel
56.  Contribute
57.  Hike
58.  Communicate
59.  Research
60.  Document

# 47 Sixty Bottles of Wine on the Wall

Sampling sixty bottles of wine.  I need to preface this with the statement that I am not a oenologist or even enjoy (gasp) wine as much as I like the taste of a good martini, but this was a engaging goal to celebrate with friends.  Toasts and victories were all made possible with homemade brews from my neighbor, Roger, to fine Italian and French wines selected by husband (who loved this goal), Rob.  Actually the California wines and a few Wisconsin wines were pleasant surprises and a treat for my palette.

There are a massive number of books written about wines featuring tips on tasting, identifying the differences, and picking the best wine for every occasion.  I guess my palette is rather unsophisticated, but I did enjoy the camaraderie of sampling each bottle with my ever helpful friends.

So, cheers to the end of this goal and bottoms up!

# 59 Chaos in the Kitchen

Okay so cooking is not, has not, and never will be an interest of mine.  I knew this before I started the goal, but I thought there might be a glimmer of hope after making sixty different recipes.  No, the project was not a success.  I still don't enjoy cooking, baking, or anything to do with the kitchen.  Has my cooking improved?  Who cares.   I am fortunate to be married to someone who (compared to me) is a culinary genius so why in the world would I want to interfere with his expertise?

I did persevere on this endeavor and, of course, the results were less than stellar.  The magazine, Cooking Light, offered healthy and disaster proof recipes that were also satisfying to the pallete, but I did not have the same flair with the spatula or the satisfaction of making these as Rob did on his cooking days.  I think we are both grateful that this goal can finally be checked off and he can return to his cooking throne.  I will admit defeat (not really a failure in my eyes), bow out of the kitchen detail, and thank my lucky stars that Chef Gooze still ranks as the best cook in this house.

# 49 The Aprons

The goal of making six aprons has been completed.  Thank heavens I did not add a zero to that six because I would be knee deep in cutting, sewing, and cursing.  Six was a manageable number and they will be given to some very special people who will remain nameless until they receive their gift.  Picking out the variety of patterns and colors was addicting and now I am motivated to continue to sew in the future.  Could I have found my new passion in the creative and crafty department?  I will not hold my breath on that one but will revel in the thought that I may be able to sew something without it falling apart.  Mark this goal as a success.

Need an apron for your cooking sessions?  Call 1-800-APRON and without the time constraints of my sixty list, I would be happy to whip together one of my creations.

# 58 Crispy Cookies

I never thought I would see the day when I could finally blog about the cookie goal being done.  Really, what was I thinking?  Why would I choose this goal instead of  eating sixty dozen cookies or buying them or even watching someone else make them?   Silly me, I thought I could use this opportunity to find a recipe that everyone would love and request it anytime the masses needed a scrumptious cookie.   Hah! Baking sixty dozen was a pain for this lass.  In hindsight, making six dozen toothsome(using my increased vocabulary) cookies would have made better sense.  But no, I had to make 720 cookies!

Even when I carefully measured the ingredients, madly mixed them in a bowl, and then slammed them on to the cookie sheet, I was only half way through the process and already losing patience (I feel my blood pressure rising as I write this).  Setting the timer led to either an under baked gooey mess or the total opposite of burnt offerings for the cookie gods.   This was not a win win situation no matter which ones you ate. When I did produce a few edible ones, I would pawn them off on some brave souls--my youngest son being the bravest and eating the majority of these morsels.

This lingering and labor intensive goal has now been completed and the lessons learned are obvious except for one--"As God as my witness"(my apologies to Scarlett O'Hara), I will never eat another bite of cookie dough again.

# 57 Sculptured Biceps--Dream On!

Sixty days of lifting weights only became a challenge because I had not anticipated the rest days in between lifting to reap the benefits of building muscle.  The Zone Fitness offered a variety of classes so burn out or boredom never became an issue, however, it took months to get to that demanding sixty mark.

What were the benefits?  One recent occurrence presented itself when I was boarding a plane I proceeded to place my cumbersome carry on in the overhead bin and nearly clocked an unsuspecting flight attendant--two rows behind me.  I looked around to see if anyone witnessed this bizarre launching of my belongings and fortunately no one acknowledged my near assault on her.  But right then I knew that sixty days worth of lifting had finally paid off--this normally weight laden baggage felt as light as a...well, not quite a feather, but lighter than it had prior to completing goal number 53.

Weight training can be a lonely activity unless you are lucky enough to be surrounded by high energy instructors, motivated friends and my buff husband; I have literally slammed this goal into the ever increasing "done" pile.  Now I must continue for there is no rest for the weary, the old, or the undeveloped biceps because I don't want these fine sculptured muscles to return to their wimpy spongy selves.  Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a bit on the sculptured part but after a strenuous workout there is a level of confidence and a bit of euphoria that has transformed me.  Could the future include a stint with Body Builders for America?  No, no, no, no, no; but the next time I am on a plane, I will gracefully lift my bag, show off my newfound strength, and try not to bop anyone's head who may be within satchel range.

# 56 Digging in the Dirt

The planting was completed when sixty holes were dug and sixty bulbs were methodically (or haphazardly) placed in the upturned soil.  With any luck, next spring I will be greeted with a host of vibrant red and yellow tulips and a kaleidoscope of colorful wind flowers waving their blossoms in my direction; a souvenir of this memorable sixtieth year.

Cultivating the soil has always been a fall ritual in our family.  My mother loved to dig in the dirt and every spring was blessed with an explosion of color when these former bulbs emerged from their underground dwellings.  Will this tradition continue with the next generation?  Fond memories have kept me digging, however, I do not know if my children share the same sentiment.

I do hope they inherit the desire to sow instead of my inability to keep any type of greenery alive. Possessing a green thumb has not been my strength but I have found that these motivated bulbs are never deterred from surfacing regardless of the color of my pollex.

As the year progresses, I look forward to a new bed of flowers, a renewed outlook on life, and--after this eye-opening goal setting year--a jubilant me waving goodbye to age sixty and embracing the inevitable passage of time.