tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40368195763035669262024-03-13T08:18:25.449-04:00Barb's 53 x 50A list of 53 items I want to complete by my 50th birthdayBarbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826805504666373045noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4036819576303566926.post-29492266759024946822010-11-13T23:15:00.001-05:002010-12-07T10:16:53.772-05:00What AM I Doing?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I guess I should have started this blog before I did anything on the list but anyone who knows me knows I never do things the way they should be done.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So my much younger cousin (we won’t lament the fact that she is almost 2 decades younger than me) has a 30 x 30 list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a list of 30 things she wanted to do before her 30<sup>th</sup> birthday …<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and here’s the kicker … SHE’S DOING THEM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just recently she went to <country-region w:st="on">Thailand</country-region> (by herself) for 3 weeks and she ran the Marine Corp Marathon in <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Washington</city>, <state w:st="on">D.C.</state></place><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The “kid” is amazing me.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It made me think about things over the years that I said I wanted to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then it inspired me and I created my own list – a 50 x 50 list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually it ended up being a 53 x 50 list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway it is a list of things I want to do by my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday in 3 ½ years.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is different than a bucket list because I have a definite time frame in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bucket list has an end date but we have no idea when it is.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The reason my list has 53 instead of 50 is twofold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While growing up my family had a tradition of an extra candle on your birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you were turning 8 , you had nine candles on the cake – one for each year and one to grow on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in keeping with that tradition my list had to have 51.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">After looking at the list, I made the decision that everything on the list should be something under my control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise it is set up for failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I could put win the lottery on the list but I have no control over the final outcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can buy tickets for every drawing but I still may not win and then I would fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there were 2 items on my list that I could do everything possible to make them happen but the final outcomes were out of my hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I created 2 alternate items in case the original should fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hence 53 items on the list.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">So here is the list:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Get out of debt.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See the rest of <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">California</place></state></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Colorado</place></state></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Connecticut</place></state></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See <state w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Delaware</place></state></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Get a pattern published</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Clean out my house and storage unit</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Remodel the upstairs of my house</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Lose<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>120 pounds</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Hike part of the <place w:st="on">Appalachian Trail</place></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Do my $100 deal at the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Atlantic City</place></city> casinos</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Have a $40,000 year of sales</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See Barry Manilow in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Las Vegas</place></city></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Be on TV</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Have my teeth fixed</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Have a spa day</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Get a western outfit for Schweetie</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make a Christmas ornament for the White House</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to an on Broadway play</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Drive north to south on the east coast</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Drive a motorcycle</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Take part in a play somehow</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Finish the wild cat crosstitch I started many years ago</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Finish the crosstitch Santa tree skirt I started before the wild cat picture</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Crochet 12 afghans</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Finished my beaded Ornamental Lady sign</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Remodel a room all by myself</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Read the Bible</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Win 1<sup>st</sup> prize at one of my art shows</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Meet Clint Eastwood</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Get a sleep number bed</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Stay at the Sayre Mansion Inn</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Eat at Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to 5 festivals as an attendee instead of a vendor</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">For 1 year decorate the house for each holiday</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go jetskiing</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to a psychic</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">See major museums in <state w:st="on">New York</state>, <city w:st="on">Philadelphia</city> and <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Washington</city>, <state w:st="on">DC</state></place></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go off roading in an ATV – me driving</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Take a ride in a stretch Hummer limousine</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make a beaded doll</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Learn ASL</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Tucson</place></city> bead show</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Take a bead (and yarn) crawl of PA (with Hedge)</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go see the David Letterman show</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Stay at a haunted bed & breakfast</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to the <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Philadelphia</place></city> Flower Show</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Play bingo at Foxwoods</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Walk a marathon</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Learn to play guitar</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Make a gourmet meal for family & friends</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Read Sue Grafton’s books A-?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>wherever she has gotten to</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">Go to the Bead & Button show in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Milwaukee</place></city></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I know none of these are going to change the world but I am hoping maybe they change me somehow – just a little – make me grow – appreciate the world more – bring more joy to my life.</div>Barbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14826805504666373045noreply@blogger.com0