My book club recently finished the book The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski. In it, a woman named June Parker is living a good, but mediocre life. In her 30's, June likes her job okay, adores her rent-stabilized apartment in Santa Monica, and struggles with losing a few pesky pounds. She falls in and out of relationships and plays second fiddle to her brother with her parents.
After a Weight Watchers meeting one night, June offers a fellow attendee, Marissa, a ride home. A freak car accident leaves Marissa dead and June guilt ridden and depressed. When articles from the accident are returned to her, June finds herself in possession of a list Marissa wrote entitled, “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.” Even though they barely knew each other, June is compelled by both guilt and a desire to set things right and finish the list for Marissa.
The tasks on the list ranged from inspiring (Run a 5K), to daring (Go braless), to near-impossible (Change someone’s life), and as June raced to achieve each goal before the deadline, she learned more about her own life than she did Marissa's.
My book club really enjoyed this book and it's funny, realistic heroine. Before we met, we agreed to come up with "Lists" of our own to share with each other. We didn't stipulate whether our lists needed to be completed by our next birthday, or how many things we should write down. Just to make a list of things you want to accomplish in your life, big and small. Our thought was putting them down on paper would be the first step at making them a reality. We all agreed to help each other achieve at least one thing from our lists in the next 6 months!
It took me awhile to come up with "things." Being a wife and a mother are what I have always wanted to do. So those goals have a big check next to them. But I managed to find a few. I'm sure my list will grow the more time I think about it!
MY LIST
After a Weight Watchers meeting one night, June offers a fellow attendee, Marissa, a ride home. A freak car accident leaves Marissa dead and June guilt ridden and depressed. When articles from the accident are returned to her, June finds herself in possession of a list Marissa wrote entitled, “20 Things to Do By My 25th Birthday.” Even though they barely knew each other, June is compelled by both guilt and a desire to set things right and finish the list for Marissa.
The tasks on the list ranged from inspiring (Run a 5K), to daring (Go braless), to near-impossible (Change someone’s life), and as June raced to achieve each goal before the deadline, she learned more about her own life than she did Marissa's.
My book club really enjoyed this book and it's funny, realistic heroine. Before we met, we agreed to come up with "Lists" of our own to share with each other. We didn't stipulate whether our lists needed to be completed by our next birthday, or how many things we should write down. Just to make a list of things you want to accomplish in your life, big and small. Our thought was putting them down on paper would be the first step at making them a reality. We all agreed to help each other achieve at least one thing from our lists in the next 6 months!
It took me awhile to come up with "things." Being a wife and a mother are what I have always wanted to do. So those goals have a big check next to them. But I managed to find a few. I'm sure my list will grow the more time I think about it!
MY LIST
1. Learn to Knit
2. Lose weight
3. Go to Ireland
4. Go to Valencia, Spain for Fallas with Matthew
5. Learn ASL fluently
6. Complete a Triathlon
7. Go Line Dancing with Matthew
8. Get Published
2. Lose weight
3. Go to Ireland
4. Go to Valencia, Spain for Fallas with Matthew
5. Learn ASL fluently
6. Complete a Triathlon
7. Go Line Dancing with Matthew
8. Get Published
9. Get Haute Tots off the ground
10. Buy a House
11. Visit every state in the USA
12. Take the kids to Europe
13. Live to see my children be happy, confident, contributing Adults
14. Get a Cavalier
15. Have one full night of uninterrupted sleep
16. Learn to make a souffle well
11. Visit every state in the USA
12. Take the kids to Europe
13. Live to see my children be happy, confident, contributing Adults
14. Get a Cavalier
15. Have one full night of uninterrupted sleep
16. Learn to make a souffle well
What's on your List??
Today I am Thankful for my girlfriends. Some of us have bought season tickets to the theatre together and last night we saw The Color Purple. Preceded by some drinks and apps and good conversation. We have so much fun together and having them to talk with, laugh with, get a little crazy with is priceless. It makes coming home and being the best wife and mother I can be all that much easier. Thank You God for my girlfriends! I love them.
4 comments:
Sounds like a great book!! I might have to check that one out...i'm always looking for new reading material! I'm going to have to give some thought to my own list....thanks for this challenge!
That book sounds utterly fascinating! And I love your list.
I'm trying to think if I could come up with a top 10. I've accomplished a lot of goals in the last 4 years!!! Get married, buy a house, have kids, back to pre-preg weight.
I'll definitely be posting mine.
I'll be your ASL learning partner! Want to? Where could we start?
I posted my list. ASL is on my list too but for different reasons.
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