<3. Cute !
(Whoa, you've changed a lot since that picture was taken ; I had to read it was you to be sure it was.) [I'm complimenting you.] [I'm saying this more now, because I'm afraid people will take what I say the wrong way - it happened once and it was once too much.]
I think you're pretty close to having completed step one on your list. But I guess you're more critical about yourself than I am about you, just like I am about me.
To come back to the subject, I just want to cuddle your pets !