It's My Wake!

When I was about 14 years old, I had a dream about my own funeral.   I don't remember how I died in the dream, or any of the other details of the dream before the funeral.   What bothered me about this dream was the fact that no one attended my funeral.   I decided to make sure there would be a few people attending by writing out a detailed plan for my funeral.   Of course, I forgot to put this plan up and my mom found it.   She checked me out of school because she thought I was suicidal.   I wasn't.   Just planning ahead.

I still think about my funeral occasionally, usually after someone I know has died.  The plans changed pretty frequently until the last few years. 

At the time of the original plan I was still sort of attending church, and most of the songs I chose were religious in nature.   Since then my choice in music for my wake has changed significantly.   Mostly.   There are three songs I want played at my wake, in no particular order:

Amazing Grace

The Parting Glass



Feel Like Going Home



Beyond these three songs, the music is in the hands of two people, my sister and my best friend.  I want lots of music, good food and drink.  Especially the hard stuff, like Dr. Pepper.

I've also decided that I want to be cremated.   The thought of being buried in a box is just more than I can take.   It's not logical, but there you go.   Also, cremation will prevent any possibility of my becoming a zombie.

Progress Toward Goals

You may remember, I set some goals for myself. The progress has been a little hit and miss, but I think I'm gathering momentum now. Progress to date:

1. I've managed to limit some of my "want" purchasing. This tends to happen more consistently when I have a big project to concentrate on at work (thank you, Med-Verify). Since I have trouble leaving work at work, these projects tend to consume my time and attention to the detriment of pretty much everything else.


2. Limiting my carbonated soda intake has probably been the most difficult and the most hit and miss. While those big work projects may help with unnecessary spending, they also usually involve longer hours and extra stress. Since Dr. Pepper is the strongest beverage I drink, I have been know to hit it a little heavy while under stress. What can I say??? Now that the previously mentioned project is finished (my part, at any rate), I have managed to limit myself to one Dr. Pepper a day.


3. I think I am most proud of my progress this goal (to actually go to some of the places I have on my list to visit. Since establishing goals for myself, I've actually been to two of the places on my list: Callaway Gardens and Atlanta Botanical Garden. There are still 50+ places on the list, but those two trips are two more than I took all of last year. Baby steps.

April looks to be a pretty busy month. I have 2 work related trips and a photography class at Callaway Gardens scheduled already. Hopefully, I'll be able to make time to go to Providence Canyon sometime this month, as well.

In other news, I hope to have some new stained glass work done soon. I've been working on some patterns based on quilt squares. I also have a new turtle pattern I want to try out.

Changes

I know it's sort of late in the year for this, but I've decided to set some resolutions, or goals for myself. For the next few months anyway. The plan is to start March 1st.

1. Limit "want" purchases for myself. While I have more disposible income than some, I'd still like to have a little more of cushion for myself. Also, I'll hopefully be able to pay my car off early.
2. Limit my carbonated soda intake. I drink way too much Dr. Pepper. I think I'd feel better and eventually have more energy if I were drinking more water.
3. Actually go to some of the places I have on my list to visit. I'm not talking Europe (though that would be enjoyable), just place around Alabama and Georgia. I noticed last year I'd spent so much time waiting/wanting to go places hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away, when there are dozens of place much closer to home I've never been. Dismals Canyon, anyone??

I think that's enough for now. No need to get carried away and set myself up for failure. :\