Every year for the past ten years as the New Year comes close I make out what I call my life list.  I have saved them for more then ten years and when I deeply reflect on where I have come and where I am going…...I have to giggle.  For example, in year two thousand I wrote “Marry Mike”.  That’s an amusing goal as it’s not like I had to do anything to accomplish it.  The poor bewildered man had already asked me and I had accepted.  We were planning something small and intimate for say: five in our living room so we weren’t exactly putting in calls to the wedding planner.  Second on my list: have another baby.  Yes interesting goal: easily accomplished.  I won’t get into the details but it’s got something to do with the birds and the bees and in my case- sometimes a husband sometimes a soon to be husband.  I’m seeing a pattern for young Becky- add things to list easily accomplished, makes Becky feel good, makes an easy check mark.  Hahah I’ve gotten married and had sex….ALL In ONE YEAR!  AMAZING!  How does she do it?

And then there’s the impossible- yes yes I know the psycho babble “Nothing is impossible”, but lemme tell you:
Number six in year two thousand was hike the Appalachian trail…..the whole thing.  Considering that year I had a seven year old in tow, no money, 1500 in bills a month, and not a speck of hiking capability, much less a tent, hiking shoes or for that matter a water bottle- impossible. Number seven on the impossible agenda was sell a painting.  IMPOSSIBLE.  I am an accomplished girl.  I can do things.  I cannot paint, as anyone who has ever mistaken my paintings for Donovan’s well knows

And then there’s the repetition.  Like a bad commercial, like elevator muzac playing over and over, like that annoying jingle you can’t get out of your head, year after year after monotonous year: quit smoking.  That one took me eleven years so obviously for the first ten I was just adding it to the list for continuity sake.
Another one that’s made the list year after year- get extensions.  Really?  That’s a life goal to look like Axel Rose for slightly under a thousand bucks.  My husband tells me growing my hair out is probably a better solution but darn it that’s so hard it’s never even made the list once.

Oh here’s a good one- 2004- be in Olympics.  In my defense I believe that was the year I saw Geena Davis almost made it for archery.  I think I figured I’d find some obscure sport and get to work: how hard could it be?  Seriously I sound delusional- seek psychiatric care has not made the list yet but after latest review I am considering it.

Some things I have accomplished:
Get a response form Dr. Phil- Why?
Get health insurance- Good idea
Pierce nose- So you can take it out five minutes later when you got to work
Get drivers license before I turn forty- (Ok so I renewed my learners three times, they said it was a record people..a record)
Win a race in my age group- what’s not important is that there were only twelve people in the race, what is important is that I got a ribbon
Organize my “memories”) yeah I finally pasted cut trashed trimmed scrap booked all those boxes of crap I’ve been moving from apartment to apartment in the Fan for the last twenty years
Get paid for writing- I think you’re familiar with the accomplishments of this goal

Looking back over the years I realize all I’ve got to do now is live in a tree house, publish a book, re-pierce my nose, get a tattoo on my foot, go to the grand Canyon, drive cross-country, kayak, coach a little league team, visit an Amish farm, pay off all my debt, and get those damn extensions and I will be almost half way through half of my life lists. 
Daunting isn’t it….pass the bubbly people it’s gonna be a long year.