So… I’m still 37… but 38 is right around the corner. I attempted a ’30 Before 30′ bucket list… and did mostly pretty well… until I got pregnant with my first child (which was actually on my list!) and was SO sick the entire pregnancy, that I didn’t finish. (My 29th birthday was in April and I was pregnant by the following September… so I only got 5 good months.)

If living through Covid has taught me nothing else (and OMgoodness… it has taught me so-many-things), it is to give myself extra time for long term goals. Because things happen, plans get canceled and need to be rescheduled… and… who the heck knows when we will actually get back to ‘normal’ life??

My list has been written! It brings me so much joy to imagine accomplishing each item on it! As it happens, I’ve already begun working on it! (But, more on that later.) There are some things that have been left vague on purpose. Sometimes the fun is getting creative with how it ends up being accomplished. (It also gives some flexibility, which I feel is paramount right now.) And I can totally double dip… one adventure may meet the criteria for more than one item on the list.

Without further ado… the list:

40 Things Before 40

1. Take a road trip, by myself. _{(DONE: October 2021)}
2. See a Randolph HS football game. _{(DONE: October 22, 2021)}
3. Have a “yes” day with the girls.
4. Finish ALL photo albums (1 Florida, 1 Cali, 1 New York, South Dakota-family trip, wedding, JapanX2, girl’s baby books, etc.)
5. Read every unread book on my bookshelf.
6. Complete the Disney Princess Challenge weekend (virtual). _{(DONE: 2/21/21)}
7. Go back to a place I used to live as a child. _{(DONE: October 20 & 21, 2021)}
8. Learn how to use my Nikon camera.
9. Finally finish purging and organizing basement.
10. Purge and organize my craft room.
11. Take a painting class.
12. Take a Bestie Trip… for any length of time.
13. Pack a picnic and fly a kite at a park with the family.
14. Visit a body of water. _{(DONE: March 2022- Pacific Ocean)}
15. Go stargazing.
16. Submit something to get published.
17. Go a solid week of absolutely NO social media.
18. Reschedule that trip to Disneyland… and GO. _{(DONE: March 16, 2022)}
19. Complete one Japanese language workbook, cover to cover.
20. Binge-watch an entire movie series in 24 hours.
21. Spend a day at a museum.
22. Write a blog post every day for one month. ^{(Completed: June 2021)}
23. Laugh until I cry… or pee a little…. whichever happens first. _{(DONE: February 26, 2022- Nate Bargatze)}
24. Camp… somewhere. Even if it is in the living room or backyard.
25. Write my story.
26. Have an entire day dedicated to board and card games.
27. Fly somewhere for the weekend with Jared.
28. Go to a high tea at a restaurant.
29. Take Mommy/Daughter trip with each child.
30. Spa Day at a real Spa.
31. See the Titanic exhibit at the Luxor in Vegas. _{(DONE: March 14, 2022)}
32. Make my own birthday cake, as beautifully as if it were for someone else.
33. Get rid of 40 things I don’t need anymore. _{(DONE: Fall 2022)}
34. Finally finish reading through the entire Bible.
35. Experience a weekend (48 hours) without electricity… (plan ahead for food storage and outside temps.)
36. Try one new recipe a month… 24 total.
37. Go see a movie by myself.
38. Go on a solo writing weekend retreat.
39. Earn every virtual race medal I currently have but haven’t completed yet.
40. Bullet journal this list.