Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Forty Six

Today I begin the journey into my forty-sixth year. Because I love nothing as much as a list, last year, I started a 50X50 list of fifty things I'd like to do/accomplish by the time I turn 50. Today only leaves me four years to do those things. As I read back thru the list, I wonder a little at the wisdom of including some items, but I left them anyway.

I think I only got up to about thirty-something last year, so I've rounded out the list and haven't gotten very far on checking things off. Here it is below. What are some of your 'bucket list' items?


  1. Build a regular blog
  2. Start an Etsy shop
  3. Dive at the Great Barrier Reef or visit the Galapagos Islands (provided it is financially possible!)
  4. Get out of debt
  5. Learn to play tennis (with Ray)
  6. Help my kids develop and complete a service project
  7. Learn to screen print
  8. Become comfortable in my body
  9. Really work toward getting my body healthy
  10. Get a tattoo
  11. See Al Green Preach
  12. Take my kids to a bluegrass festival
  13. Hike in Big Bend
  14. Stay up for more than 3 seconds on water skis
  15. Cook a prime rib
  16. Pull a skier on the boat - done
  17. Finish my book
  18. Be able to do Wheel again – with grace
  19. Get the children’s books that are in my head onto paper and out to publishers - finished one and sending.
  20. Maintain an organic garden thru an entire summer
  21. Travel for a year with the kids
  22. Renew my yoga practice
  23. Simplify my stuff - work in progress
  24. Simplify my life (this one is loaded and probably needs much more definition!)
  25. Regularly practice random acts of kindness – have it be part of my everyday thoughts
  26. Be kind to myself without thinking about it
  27. See the Grand Canyon
  28. See Orcas in their natural home
  29. Buy a quarter side of humanely raised beef
  30. See the fireflies in the Great Smokey Mtns in TN
  31. Take a road trip with my mom
  32. Learn to knit (it may not be possible!!!)
  33. See Asleep at the Wheel in concert
  34. Take my kids to a bluegrass festival (this one is listed twice – it must be important)
  35. Teach the boys yoga
  36. Make daily meditation a priority - work in progress
  37. Give up the foods that make me sick
  38. Catch up my nieces’ and nephews’ journals
  39. Start journals for my boys
  40. Make my house a haven
  41. Make a dream catcher
  42. Make a wedding photo album for Kyle - started
  43. Get my family photos into albums for the boys - started
  44. Try stand up paddleboarding
  45. Build something with power tools – by myself
  46. Visit Palo Duro Canyon
  47. Ride in a hot air balloon
  48. Help build a tree house for my boys
  49. Update my living will
  50. Be on track for a comfortably amazing retirement