*CHALLENGE!*

This is my favorite challenge I have done in quite some time! I hope you enjoy it too! I got the idea *here*.

(24 things to do before I turn 25...)

I LOVE challenging myself and having dreams and goals.... and since my birthday is only a few months away, this will keep me VERY challenged! :) Some of the things I want to do are big and some are small... but they are all things that I have been wanting to do for quite some time, but have been putting off due to a busy schedule. 

You can make a layout or you can simply do a blog entry with your goals before your next birthday.... If we were hanging out in real life today I would make you pinky swear to only make goals that you *can* and *will* actually do. This stuff makes me REALLY excited and inspired, so I hope it gets you excited about your own life in the same way!

Post a link here in the comments to your layout or list. I will look through them tomorrow night and choose one at random...the winner will get a free *Red Velvet Kit* next month (compliments of Emma and Rachel).

Have FUN! :) 

Comments

[Michelle]

oooh fun...here I go! I will be back to post
Michelle in Fullerton

[polinka]

my veru first goal before my 25th birthday (in october) is to find a real and good job for me.
Don't have time to make a LO now, but I'll try in the next days... ;)
What a fun blog party here!! :)

[Eeffie]

Love this challenge! I'll be turning 30(AAAAAAHHHHH!) this October so my b-day is kinda special this year. I'll be back to post my layout.

[Jill Hinton]

this is fun!! I will work on this tonight when I get home from work :)

[Lisa L.]

my goals before my November birthday are to

a. lose 10 more pounds
b. remain off of insulin
c. apply to teacher's college
d. pursue the publication of my children's book
e. have more fun

thanks for the great idea - I don't have time for a layout yet but I will work on one!

[Rachella in Lufkin, TX]

I wish I could say 24 things before I am 25...I'm well past that! My challenges change with every year or day or minute even:) But my first real challenge is going back to school:)

http://justussyessam.blogspot.com/

[Lisa]

My birthday is next month and I like the idea of goals going with the birthday, rather than resolutions at new years. Thanks Elsie. Creative as always :)

[kansas]

Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! My b-day is at the end of the year pretty much. I am 28 and PROUD of it! LOL!

[alison holcomb]

oooh! awesome challenge! :)

[B]

Wow, this is hard!
Ok, here are my goals:
* learn to relax and listen to myself
*not be so terrified to try new things/meet new people
*find a J.O.B. that I am cofortable and happy with
*become a better cook (or, really, ANY kind of cook!)
*try to remember my 12 year-old is 12, not 4
*really understand my photo editing software
*learn to relax...have I said that already?

[Erin Gudge]

http://flutterinbygirl.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the challenge. I will probably do a layout about it later, but for now, I have the list!

[Shannon Keenan]

Hm...31 things to do before I'm 32 in January...I don't think I can accomplish that many, so I'll list my top 5 things I want to do:

1. continue to work on my scrapbooking skills
2. continue to take pictures! I love it!
3. visit a place I've never been before
4. get to go home and really understand what that means
5. find a new band to listen to and maybe even go to their concert

Thanks for the inspiration, Elsie - you are a doll!!

Shannon

[Janine]

I passed 25 a WHILE ago :-) My quirky but do-able, ongoing list is posted on my Myspace Blog dated 1/11/2007:

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=7238776

Aloha- Janine

[Dani]

I did a page like this in my 22 art journal - which I used the Red Velvet Kit Club June Project Kit for!!

I started at the end of June and did a page every day til my 22nd bday on July 27th, The whole journal was about the person I wanted to be at 22 years old - the whole thing is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danijohnston/sets/72157601305100568/

BUT - I also did an entire page with a list of things I wanted to between my 22nd and 23rd birthdays which is here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danijohnston/755893538/in/set-72157601305100568/

yay! I'm glad I got to share this!

[Sarah]

This challenge just makes me want to leave work and do something creative for MYSELF today! I guess that's my dream for so many days lately. Take my job, add some fun and creativity and make that my job.
Rock on!
Sarah

[Cortney Young]

I have a few accomplishments that I can think of before my next birthday... http://addartmovement.blogspot.com/

[Danielle]

Thank you for this Elsie! I wish I was turning 25 again but I will definitely do a blog entry or layout by the end of the day!!! I need the challenge so thank you so much!!

[Isolde]

OMG, my birthday is only 21 days away!! So I better get started, don't you think.
Love, Isolde

[emma]

j'adore cette page elsie : bravo !!!

[leslie j]

My 31st birthday will be on October 14 and I can't wait. I am finding myself more and more everyday. I will do a layout later but here is my list.

30) Take a Yoga Class
29) Get a Tattoo
28) Get my Nose Piereced
27) Take a Photography Class
26) Start a Blog
25) Volunteer Time @ a local charity
24) Explore new places in town
23) Quit making excuses and get in the game
22) Express my true feelings instead of hiding them
21) Go out with the girls more often
20) Write a letter to my father and truly forgive him for the pain he has caused me when i was younger
19) Start a book list and read a book a month
18) Follow through from start to finish
17) Learn to say no more often
16) Say meaningful words instead of gossiping
15) Smile more
14) Try bright colored contacts
13) Do more scrapbooking
12) Start an etsy shop
11) Find a new hobby
10) Go Junk diving
09) Do something creative everyday
08) Start a Journal and actually write in it
07) Practice what I preach
06) Listen more talk less
05) Have my palm read
04) Come up with a signature cocktail amd serve it at my 31st birthday party
03) Cook more often
02) See more live bands
01) Meet Elsie Flannigan --- haaa I'm serious

[Lisa Day]

Oh gosh...that was really hard, but I did it...and I plan to follow through on all 30 items. My list is on my blog at http://lisaday.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/08/30-things-to-do.html

[Julie]

This is a funny challenge! Funny-only becuase I was searching on the web one day and found a site about making a list of 43 things (http://www.43things.com/) that you want to do in your life. I made my list, and have been trying to complete things off it. Some of them are simple, like scrapbooking at least one hour a week. Some are health related (drink two glasses of water a day, eat at least one vegetable and one fruit a day). Some are just fun, have "date night" every Friday night, give Justin (my boyfriend) a massage, or just to stop and smell the flowers - literally. I never thought about scrapbooking these things though! Thanks for a great page idea!!
Julie in Canda

[hannnah]

cool page

[Tracy Luv_My_Boyz]

Oh this is soooooooo COOL, LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! Love what you did with yours OMG, LOVE IT WOW~ that is SUPER!!

[Jenipher]

I can add so many more. These are all the ones that popped into my head the moment i saw your post.

24 things to do before i'm 24...

1) Enjoy everyday.
2) Learn to cook.
3) Stop criticizing myself.
4) Play a show with all of my songs.
5) Sell jewelry to someone important.
6) Grow my business.
7) Find out what I'm supposed to do.
8) Roller blade more often.
9) Take more pictures.
10) Stop hibernating.
11) Clean my house completely.
12) Paint my room.
13) Organize my studio.
14) Decide where I'm supposed to be.
15) Be myself.
16) LAUGH more often.
17) Cook for my family.
18) Ask my relatives about their lives.
19) Listen to my mother and father.
20) Read more books.
21) Be spontaneous.
22) Go on a road trip.
23) Try to stop overanalyzing.
24) Say Thank You more.

Thank you so much for this challenge. I really needed it! Have fun reading them all!

[Stephanie]

Well Iam turning 21 in Feb.7 and Iam full of Goals!!

1) Finish school
2) Plan my Perfect wedding
3) Get Fit and Active
4) Become closer to my Family
5) learn to be a great wife
6) Become a better cook
7) Find a Job I love
8) Learn to Sew
9) Help my Husband Accomplish his goals

10)NEVER TO GIVE UP ON MYSELF and to keep trying my best to accomplish my goals as best I can..

Thats some for now..And when I done with those I will always have more to add..

Steph

[Holly P]

Got them finished.......I listed them on my BLOG!

http://chippypieces.blogspot.com/

[hilari]

I posted the list of 23 things to do before I am 24 on my blog...thanks for the challenge! I am LOVING this blog party!

http://hilaribrooke.typepad.com/

[Catherine Schwartz]

Dani--LOVE your art journal. :)

[Carly]

Can't post a layout now because I should be working :) But here's a list of a few things to do before my next birthday in May, that should give me plenty of time!

*Read Sherwood Anderson's Winesburg, Ohio
*See the broadway play *WiCKED* in California
*Spend more time creating and less time organizing supplies!

Thanks for the challenge; your blog is always so refreshing and full of new ideas.

[Charin]

What a cool idea!! :)
I just posted mine on my blog...
http://charinreed.blogspot.com/2007/08/23-things.html
thanks for the inspiration! :)

[Catherine Schwartz]

http://cupcakesandcoffee.blogspot.com

Here is my list! :)

[Meredith Taylor]

Oh this is a great challenge! I'm off to do the layout and I'll post it later this afternoon! My birthday is in November but this is such a huge transitional time for me so there are a TON of goals I was to achieve before my 25th!

[dawn]

I just celebrated my 40th B-day last month! So this gives me a whole year to reach my goals, right? :-)

1.)Get back into a regular exercise routine. (I always feel so much better!)

2.) Make more time for me (and not feel guilty about it!)

3.) Try to get published. (My friends and family are so encouraging). I so LOVE this hobby, I just feel that I got into it a little late.)

I truly think these goals are very realistic for me. :-)

Dawn :-)

[Jenni]

Here my list of 25 things before I'm 26. My birthday isn't until April so I can probably accomplish all this before then. And I'm definitely making a layout about this, just don't know if it'll get done today.

[Jenni]

Helps if I include the link...

http://jenyiferh.blogspot.com/2007/08/elsies-challenge-25-things-to-do-before.html

[Jen K]

lordy, i don't think i can come up with 33 goals before i'm 34...but a couple things would be..
1. start doing Yoga?
2. get published in a scrap mag.
3. win something from this awesome blog!!
4. lose a little weight, gotta lose in baby steps, right?
5. finally get into a house, and paint every wall in said house! i hate white walls.
6. sto peating out so much...

so there are a few...i should really scrap this on a layout...

[Ami D.]

http://blessthismess-3girlsmomma.blogspot.com/

This is the link to my blog and my entry.

While you are there...take a look at my cute kiddos!!!!

[Mary]

awesome challenge elsie! my b-day is a month from tomorrow... & man, i wish that i was turning 25! i guess i better get started on my list & my layout! thx for the inspo! ;)

[Julie Berard]

I love this for the same reason I love you book....I love a challenge!!

Okay here is my list,

Make my daughter laugh everyday
Learn French
Take my scrapbooking to the next level.....what is the next level?
Step up my Volunteer work with Make a Wish Foundation
Tell my husband I love him everyday, sealed with a kiss
Take a dance class
Mentor a child
STOP buying cookbooks and scrapbooks....lol!
Inspire the artist within my daughter
Go to dinner with my husband once a month
Listen to up in coming music
Write a childrens book
and last
Smile at everyone I see.....

[Pixelle]

my birthday is in november, so far away and so near...
I am so old that I can't write all the dreams or goals I want since that 27 november come....

so my first and principal, my only goal (all the other depend of it at least) my health....

1* to find a pleasure in every thing I see, taste, heard, touch, eat...
2* to accept that my body is my best friend on this world and listen to his message...
3* to explore it form inside and outside, in my soul and heart...

all that and only that, this is my biggest dream and hope...

I will make a layout for sure...

[Emily Meachen]

my birthday was just last week...so I have a long time until my 35th birthday! But, I did take a bunch of self portraits the morning of my birthday...I tried to be cute and sassy. Most of them are really funny, but I did take a couple of ones that are okay! I was going to do a page about my 34 favorite things at 34. Hopefully, I will complete this page before I turn 35!!

[Kendall]

find mine here:
poombaberry.blogspot.com
and I am totally doing a layout. What a great idea!

[Kim]

Here ya go:

http://kimboyajian.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the great challenge! :)

[Mudpuppy Michelle]

What a great idea! My birthday is August 21st and I will be 48, so I better start my list now! I will make it my goal to complete the list before my birthday, and do my layout as a gift to myself! I will let you know how it turns out! Have a super day!

[Liz]

LOVE THIS!! So I posted mine on my blog... http://lizmartig.blogspot.com
My 30th is in April, so I should be able to accomplish all my goals. Thanks for the great idase Elsie!

[Jolynn Payne]

great challenge elsie!

here's mine: http://darljo.blogspot.com/

[sannaf]

What a fun challenge! That will really make me think A LOT ; )

[Nicole Maki]

Fun idea. Thanks.

I'll be 35 (yikes) in February, so I have a bit of time to complete my list:

1. Knock down CC debt by at least half.
2. Plan a fabulous trip for my birthday.
3. Plan and execute an over-the-top romantic night for my sweetie.
4. Drink four glasses of water per day
5. Eat at least some fruits and veggies
6. Shop at the farmer's market until they close for winter.
7. Eat more fresh corn on the cob. Bliss.
8. Work through digital scrapbooking book.
9. Read Anna Karenina
10. Read 1984
11. Stay up to date on my 2007 scrapbook.
12. Paint livingroom.
13. Paint downstairs bathroom.
14. Build drain/dry river with found materials.
15. Build a waterfall in yard.
16. Take a class at LSS.
17. Call my grandmother monthly.
18. Start christmas cards in September.
19. Take each of my boys on a date.
20. Frame and hang my enlargements.
21. Stay off meds.
22. Buy a puppy.
23. Clean and organize the basement.
24. Create art most days.
25. Kiss my hubby more.
26. Walk at least five days a week.
27. Spend on what matters and skip the rest.
28. Rekindle my faith in the Lord.
29. Send notes of encouragement to other HS moms.
30. Play more Fluxx with kids.
31. Find a new band to love.
32. Update my blog at least three times a week.
33. Publish another article (or two).
34. Laugh more.

[Morgan]

What a wonderful page! I LOVE the big 24. Who/what makes those big numbers? Thanks for inspiring me. I think I will have to come up with 22 before my 23rd birthday in november. Thanks again!

morgan