Tuesday, March 11, 2008

39 Things to do Before I'm 40

Nope, not turning 40 this week or even this month. But, in the eternal words of Meg Ryan in "When Harry Met Sally"... "it's OUT there!" (Of course, she was talking about turning 30, but still...)

I won't be 40 until the end of the summer, but I've been thinking lately how the Big Birthday is coming up very soon. And, I also recently read about my blog (and "in real life") friend Kelly celebrating her 40th birthday (and when a friend who you used to play "Charlie's Angels" with when you were ten-years-old has just celebrated the milestone, it kinda puts it in proper perspective).

I'm not one of those women who worries about the "big" birthdays; in fact, I'm looking forward to wearing my 40th birthday as a badge of accomplishment. Still...it IS momentous, I think. It's another turning of the page.

So...I happened upon this incredible idea from this cool BLOG, and I just knew I had to adopt it as my own.

So, I'm posting this list now...with the hopes of actually accomplishing these in the next five months. Let it inspire you to think about the things--both big and small--that you want to feel, and accomplish, and dream, and experience in your life right now and very soon. (and maybe create a similar list on your blog?)

Here are 39 things I want to do before I'm 40 (in no real particular order)...

1. Stick my toes in the Atlantic Ocean.

2. Stick my toes in a cold creek.

3. Try Indian food.

4. Read three classics that are "new" to me (no re-reading allowed).

5. Sew something.

6. Interview Gan Gan.

7. Interview Grandma.

8. Visit relatives in Texas.

9. Throw a party. (No superheroes or princesses allowed. This is for adults, not kids.)

10. Meet a blog friend "in real life."

11. Write a letter to someone, telling them how they've positively influenced my life.

12. Go somewhere overnight...with Gary... just us.

13. Plant some flowers.

14. Go blueberry picking.

15. Ride a rollercoaster. (Of everything on this list, it's the least likely to ever happen. But, why now try overcoming my fears right now?)

16. Fast.

17. Write at least a chapter in my novel.

18. Get my scrapbook pages organized.

19. Paint something (not a wall or a fence...but something that resembles "real art").

20. Get published in a magazine/newspaper I've never been published in.

21. Go to a BIG sporting event.

22. Dance with Gary.

23. Star gaze.

24. Get a manicure.

25. Eat more meals at the table.

26. Stay better in touch with old friends.

27. Journal on a regular basis (blogging doesn't count).

28. Visit the Civil Rights Museum.

29. Save more money.

30. Have a scrapbook swap with someone.

31. Have fondue (make it or go to a restaurant).

32. Conscientiously be more "green" (not the color... environmentally).

33. Do the "pay for the car behind me at the drive thru" random act of kindness thing.

34. Exercise (no, really. like on a regular basis).

35. Get in the car and just drive somewhere unplanned.

36. Drink more water.

37. Pray. Every day.

38. Surprise my loved ones (Gary, the girls) with something...even if it's something little.

39. Make homemade doughnuts.

There you go... now, I'm inspired.

(Updates to appear here , I'm sure.)

35 comments:

Kelly said...

I'm first again! Indian food is great. Get Chicken tiki masala. It is mild. (I think that is how you spell it)

Adrienne said...

What a great list!!!!!!!

Monogram Queen said...

I love it! I share alot of those with you. I miss my Grammie's homemade doughnuts. She was dutch and boy were they good! I hope you get to do all 39 of those (i'm very confident you will) and more!

Linda said...

so a lot of thought had to go into this and let me just say from experience, you might want to start your 49 things to do before turning 50 list now. LOL...Love the list...I'll take you on a rollercoaster ride and hold your hand if you want...that would take care of 2 of your 39 things....ride a rollercoater and meet a blog friend irl. LOL.... I love ROLLERCOASTERS

Mississippi Songbird said...

Those look great! I guess I need to make a list of "Before I turn 50"..lol
Have a wonderful day!

Cheryl Wray said...

Kelly--Oh, GOOD! Thanks for the recommendation! Since I've never tried Indian food, I wouldn't really know what to order! Yumm...

Adrienne--:-)

Patti--My Mom used to make homemade doughnuts every Saturday night for several years. I haven't had any in ages, and want to learn how to make them.

Linda--LOL I'm very UN-sure about the rollercoaster thing. Maybe if I had a buddy like you beside me it would be better (Delaney's alreadysaid she's doing it with me! We'll see...)

Songbird--LOL Definitely do a list too!!

Auburn Kat said...

Great list! I've been working on my life list, which are things I would like to accomplish in my life.

I love the one about putting your toes in a cold creek...I haven't done that since I was little!

Nina Diane said...

Well Cheryl, if you come visit me, we can head down to OBX and that way you would accomplish #1 and #10

Anonymous said...

VERY cool list Cheryl...and you know, the same thing is "OUT there!" for me, too. My bog 4-0 will be next year so I will have to start thinking of a list, too! :D

Anonymous said...

For trying Indian food, I recommend SIlver Coin Indian Grill on Lorna Road in Hoover. If you're not into spicy, be sure to let your server know you want it mild or even extra mild. If you like spinach, a favorite of a friend of mine who likes milder foods is Saag, with chicken or lamb. And make sure to get naan bread and some raita, a yogurt-based dip/relish that is very cooling if you do get something a little too spicy.

Anonymous said...

I just love this idea. You always inspire me, Cheryl.

Unknown said...

That is one cool list you have happening there Miss Cheryl!! Love it!!!! Hope your get the 39 done!!

hippo chick said...

Oh, I love your list, Cheryl. I did manage to ride a roller coaster on my 60th birthday. I had to do it alone at Disneyworld as Jim just wouldn't go with me. So, I did. It wasn't as much fun as I thought it might be, but I did it and that was the important thing to me. I also wanted to get a tattoo, but that had to wait a year. I got it just after my 61st.

Anyway, I wish I could be the blogger friend you meet this year. We have much in common and your blog just makes me happy.

Have a great day.

Cheryl Wray said...

Kat--I think that a life list is an AWESOME idea!! I would love to hear about yours!! And, yes, I haven't stepped in a cold creek in a while. We're going to the Smoky Mountains sometime this summer, so maybe then!

Nina--Ooh, wouldn't that be FUN!!

Maria--I didn't know we were the same age. That is SO cool!!! It's a big one, huh?

Deb--The Silver Coin was on my list for the place to go. I really can't wait to try it. Thanks for the recommendations!!!

Gin--You're so sweet. Thanks!!

Sharmaine--I hope I get them done too. I love having things to look forward to!!

Hippo--I just LOVE that you rode a roller coaster and got a tattoo after you were 60. You inspire me so much!!!!!

Phats said...

Cool list cheryl
I have an idea
I will come meet you and you can mark meeting blog buddy off your list, then we can tackle a roller coaster because I love them, and you can make me homemade donuts! Who needs Gary! haha

Dawn Bibbs said...

Wow, what a great post, Cheryl. Hmmm, should I join you on this or not? This is a tough one for me, as I'll have to do 41 things before my 42nd birthday in November. I'd better get a move on... :-)

Thanks for sharing.

Edleen said...

love your list Cheryl :)
hope you'll fulfill them all!

have a great Wednesday!

Lynilu said...

Good list, and it's do-able!! Smart girl! Good luck on it!!

Michelle said...

BRAT! I am 42!

Mandy said...

I love lists like these and your's is such a fun list! I hope you get every single one of them accomplished.

Susie Q said...

I love Indian food! You will too I think! The Saags are what I like best (Less spicy)...with chicken. The Nan (bread) is wonderful.
This is a wonderful list filled with special things...I hope you get to do each one of them soon. I am still working on my list of things to do before I turn 50. I will be 52 this year! *laugh*

Love,
Sue

Leah said...

wow that took a lot of thought! Great list!

Unknown said...

You've done a lot of these... just want to do them again?

Jenster said...

I love that idea and I'm so stealing it!! And I think you have a spectacular list!

40 sort of sucked for me, but I've got a great feeling about 43 (in November). Guess I'd better go make my list.

Cheryl Wray said...

Phats--You're right!! Who needs Gary? LOL Actually, I think you only want to meet me for the SWEET DESSERTS I make. I can tell you have a sweet tooth like me!

Dawn--You DEFINITELY should do it! I think it's really cool to always have things to look forward to!

Ed--Thanks!! Hope you had a good day too!

Lynilu--I'm looking forward to doing them!

Michelle--Ha ha!!

Cheryl Wray said...

Mandy--I like fun lists too!

Susie--Yumm...thanks for the Indian food recommendations. I can't wait to try it!

Leah--It really didn't take too much thought. They all just kind of "came" to me! :-)

Gary--Actually, there are just some that I've done before...but that's okay (like going to Texas, organizing my scrapbooks, etc.). I can't wait to do them all!!

Jenster--Ooh, I hope you do your list too. Can't wait to read it! And I know that 43 will be GREAT for you!

Kimberly said...

Sounds like a good list..hope you get do all those thing.Have a great day.

hippo chick said...

Cheryl,

After reading this post, I pulled out the writing I started three years ago - part of my "book". I am going to start working on it again. Thanks for egging me on.

Theresa Tyree said...

LOVE your list, Cheryl!! There are things on your list that are on mine as well. Please let your blog friend that you met IRL be ME! Once we get settled in, I wanna have a pajama crop weekend at the house! I hope you can come!!

Don't fret about turning 40. It's just like any other day. You still have Scout to keep you young, just like I have Connor. I don't feel any different emotionally at 40 as I did in my 30's. Physically? Well that's a different story. The aches and pains are more pronounced, for sure. Plus I'm a different mom in my 40's as I was in my 30's. For the most part, a better mom. But that little buggar sure tires me out more easily than my older ones did when I was in my 20's!

Adriann said...

Wonderful list! I want to do some of those things too! The big four O is around the corner for me. Sigh!

Travis Erwin said...

Interesting list. Hope you accomplish them all.

Bare said...

You've inspired me! I'll be turning 30 this summer, and there are so many things I've always wanted to do, but just haven't gotten the motivation, now, I believe I'll be writing them down! Best of luck with completing your list! *hugs*

Babydoll said...

Great idea!! I love the list!

Nancywithajones said...

I LOOK forward to bein 40. that is 10 years older than they said id be BY GOSH! whehehehew.

Katrin said...

This is a wonderful list! Loved everyone of the items. The best is that all of them are "realistic", as you didn't include things like flying to the moon or diving in Antarctica.