40 before 40

Just after my 39th birthday, I decided to make a list of 40 things I want to do before I turn 40. I suggested Gary make a list of 50 things he wants to do before he turns 50. He's way ahead of me.

Here's the beginning of my list, in no particular order:

1. Create a last will and testament.


2. Wear a piece of really expensive jewelry.


3. Have my first mammogram.


4. See the place Colter's namesake discovered.


5. Start playing guitar and piano again.


6. Buy a house!


7. Take Colter to Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.


8. Thank my family for their love and support through the years.


9. Hold my dad's hand one more time.


10. Meet someone famous I admire James Taylor.

What do you want to do before your next birthday?

Comments

[VJ]

One of the most important things you should do first is number one, the last will and testament. I know that thinking of such stuff is hard because you don't want to see yourself as dead, but think of Colter. Without a will, he would be at the mercy of the state, and certainly that wouldn't be the best. If for no other reason, do it for Colter.

There are software programs out that will take you step by step through a will in just about 20 minutes. Have a witness and a nortory sign it and you're done. That's what Angelo and I did.

[fran]

I was exactly 30 when I got my first book published. I'm 61 now and still writing and publishing. I've done everything on Julie's list except owning a house. Now what are my goals by 70? Tough question!

[Gary M.]

I can try to help with all of those, but number nine.

Maybe you can hold Colter's and know that a little part of your dad lives on.

I love you Honey.

[Heidi]

I gave up trying to finish the list/goals before my birthday or New Years a couple of years ago. I found that the time would come and go and I wouldn't always reach the goal. I do think making goals is very important. But I say don't worry about when it happens only that you are ticking things of the list regularly. Priories change over the year and life happens (for better and worse). I say three cheers for reaching any goals and keep going if you don't reach them all by a set deadline. It’ll happen.

I wanted to have my first book finished by the time I turned 30. With two small kids at home (and because I was learning about writing as I was aiming for that goal) I didn't finish by 30. For a moment I thought I failed because I didn't reach the goal I’d set—now that I’m coming out the other side I see it was an unrealistic goal to finish that quickly. Boy did I learn a lot along the way.

I couldn't give up the dream though. I'm 32. Book 1 (a different book than I was working on at 30) is done, revised and with an agent. I don’t know exactly when a contract will come in or when it’ll be in print, but I know it’ll happen because I’ll keep trying until it does.

[AGK]

30 is my next - I want to have one of my books accepted and slated for publication before 30 :)

[Helene]

Sleep in until noon and read the newspaper in bed :) -- That's my busy mom's answer.

BTW: I haven't been able to do either since having my first child.:)

[Terry]

I doubt I can afford and/or achieve these before my next birthday (January).

- I want to go to Scotland.
- Failing that, a gondola ride in Venice.
- Win the lottery so that I can travel to the above two places.
- Learn to drive a car and buy something really cute to drive.
- Buy a farm and have as many animals as I damned well please.
- Learn Spanish.
- Take a photography course and get a really kickass camera.
- Hire a housekeeper full-time to cook and clean for me.
- Send my son to a really good private school or, at the very least, get him a top-notch tutor so that he can do well in life with a good education.

If I keep thinking about this, I'm sure the list will never end, but those are tops.

[April]

Things to do before my 25th birthday:

1.) Sleep atleast 6 hours in a row without disturbance.

2.) Lose 50lbs and keep it off once I get there. (only 13lbs to go)

3.) Break nail biting habit.

4.) Get business under control and establish devoted customers.

5.) Perpare huge party for hubby's 40th birthday. (to occur in September of 2005)

[emily]

I made a list of things to do before I turn 30...which is in October.I don't think(sadly)that I have done any of them.