In exactly eleven months, I'll be fifty. Yeah, whatever, but damn. Fifty? I'm not much for new year's resolutions - but fifty? It's that kind of round and divisible number that demands something, something big, special, tangible, memorable. The only time I've ever thrown a surprise party was for my mother's fiftieth birthday. Lauren (a/k/a Mental P Mama) is running a marathon for her fiftieth. And so, I've decided to mark my fiftieth year on this planet with a list of eleven things to accomplish.
In no particular order, and with nary a nod to work or self-examination, here's my list:
- Read Gödel, Escher, Bach - which I started about 25 years ago. I just bought a new copy, because the old one had a complete and utter glue failure and had to be thrown out. A book! Discarded!
- Finish the patchwork baby quilt that I started when I was pregnant - I don't know what we'll do with it, but I'd rather have a finished quilt than that box sitting dolefully in the cellar.
- Teach myself how to make croissants - probably with Julia's help.
- Get off my ass and start running - I've downloaded a Couch to 5K app. I still need to buy some sneakers, but I might have wait until it's a teensy bit warmer out - it was 10°F when I went out to get the paper this morning.
- Learn to play the ukulele - I bought one on a whim. I do need to figure out how to get the kid from untightening the strings - one was loose and floppy the other day.
- Create printed books for each year of my blog - I've started this a dozen times, and gotten fed up with all of the editing involved to get the photos in the right places. If you know a better solution than Blurb, let me know, okay?
- Knit my girl a sweater - I've got the yarn and the pattern, I just need the gall.
- Weed out my closet. You know that rule about "if you haven't worn it in two years"? Well, there are a lot of things in there that haven't been worn in way more than two years.
- Leave the country temporarily - after all I've got a passport that I should use at least once before it expires. Maybe we'll go visit the Maritime bloggers, Bon and Kate and Mad, if they'll have us.
- Take the girl to Washington, DC - she's itching to meet the President, and her cousin goes to college there, and maybe Stimey will show us around.
- Have a quarterly potluck party and invite the neighbors in. You can come too, if you're around.
39 comments:
That's quite a list, my friend. I wish you butt-loads of motivation!!!!! And seriously? I would applaud you if you only did ONE of those things. Happy almost-half century! :-)
If you go to DC, let me know. I'll meet you there! Also #8? I thought you had 5 years. If it's only two...damn, I need to clean out my closet too.
Good luck with all those lofty goals!
So funny, I've been pondering what I will do to mark this milestone which also comes for me this year too. I was thinking more along the lines of GOING....Going to Timbuktu or Kathmandu or Guangzhou or some other exotic destination....but no decisions, no tickets booked yet...but nice to consider possibilities.....
One piece of advice: start thinking that you're 50 NOW, so that by the time you actually get there the only thing to do is have the party. (Your invitation to mine is in the mail.)
I'm coming up on 50 just 2 years behind you. I like your list. And I suspect that whether you do those things or not, you'll have some great stories to tell. And I'm glad I get to listen, sometimes, when you do.
Ooh! If anyone tells you any other than Blurb, PLEASE share!!!
(SO fed up with Blurb)
What a GREAT list!
What a fantastic list. Wishing you luck!
I so want to come to one of those potluck parties. Preferably the one where you serve homemade croissants. And play the ukulele.
I think that's a great list! When you come to DC, I'll try to get the president to come along on our squirrel outing.
Also, I print out each of my blog posts, three-hole punch them, and put them in a three-ring binder. It takes a fair amount of paper and ink, but there is zero editing. And it takes an evening once every six months. Not as pretty as a book, but just as functional.
I'm working on a similar list as I approach 40 at breakneck speed. I already tried the running thing -- lasted about three months and then my knee packed up. It still creaks when I go up stairs. I have the very same Godel Escher Bach thing going on -- with my husband. We keep stealing it back from each other to not-read some more. The ukelele? Insanely cool. My goal (suggested by my friend's husband) is to get a couple of piano pieces back up to scratch and invite people over to hear them. Maybe I'll bake croissants. You, me and Julia Child (NOT Julie).
Those sound like some great goals! I won't be turning 50 for a few more years yet, but maybe I should make a similar list. I'm so slow moving I probably need several extra years to get stuff done.
I haven't looked into it yet, but someone recently mentioned this place for converting a blog into a pdf:
http://www.blogbooker.com/
I love that you want to learn to make croissants and play the ukelele. And I should totally read Gödel, Escher Bach. (Not to mention purging my closet. And other places in my home.)
I look forward to your progress updates!
You make 50 sound great.
I highly recommend #8. Ah, the joy that comes from a light, airy, manageable closet that only contains loved items that you actually wear...
If you do come to DC, make sure you let me know. Lots of good stuff for kids round here--and lots of good food!
I should learn to play the ukelele. I tell Pete Seeger's Abiyoyo and the ukelele's an integral part of the story. Of course, Pete always uses a banjo....
That's a great and totally do-able list. Have fun with it!
I got tired just reading your list!
Let us know how the blog book turns out! I've been meaning to do that forever, and blurb was where I was planning to go.
Good Luck!!!
What a great list!
I can't wait to hear your updates.
We were just talking about going to DC the other day! My 6 wants to see the president's house and the pandas at the Nat'l Zoo.
I'm ashamed, I watch TV and have no idea what Gödel, Escher Bach is about. *sigh*
Yes to croissants, DC, Canada, knitting, dinner and ukeleles. NO to running!
PS -- forgot to say thank you for the book! It arrived safe and sound. My mom and I joked that we really need to give it to my sister!
Very ambitious list -- brava! I like your approach to the big 5-0.
I turned 50 last week. So I don't have to do anything now. Right? ;)
For mine, I just want a really long peaceful tropical vacation during which I can dream up my goals for the second fifty.
WOW! I can't even get motivated to make a list.... sad slacker am I!
Start with the closet. I'm just saying.
Stimey! What about meeeeeeeeeeeee? I would love to join you around DC if you make your way down here.
I will totally help you on the knitted sweater! You can do it!
Sounds like lots of fun. Especially the potluck party. Can I come? Pleeeease??
Perfect list. Hope I get to see you one of these months. I guess in August, if nothing else.
Brilliant!
Let me know when you start taking ukulele lessons. We could do a duet (I know how to play, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star on the violin now)
This sounds purposful. I bet you get it all done.
And just so you know, they don't stamp anything on your passport when you go into/out of Canada. Just look at it.
T.
I *think* we'll be coming to NYC the week after the 4th of July. I'll check in with you in case you're hosting a potluck that week : )
great, great list. good luck!
I have the book after Godel Escher Bach. Maybe when we are both done, we can switch.
Looking forward to hearing about your progress. And. If the trip to Canada doesn't work out, you can always try out your passport in Switzerland.
My ex-husband's dad was an evangelist for Godel, Escher, Bach. I've never been inclined to read it myself, but will be interested in your thoughts on it.
We're going to DC in June, for about a week. Is there a chance we could cross paths?
Great list - good luck with it!
I started a list for this year of things I want to do.
Most involve food and sitting on my arse.
Your goals are way awesomer.
Whoa mama. That's a list to be proud of. I'm rooting for you! Also, I think the idea of learning an instrument is great. Rima of Rimarama is taking violin lessons, which is awesome. So rock that ukulele!
Wow, that is quite a list. I'm sort of tired just reading it. Good luck...and have fun along the way!
Sounds like a great list!
We're throwing KayTar a surprise party this year...after all 5 is a big milestone, too. ;)
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