I mulled over my list all week and added new things every day. brimming with big ideas. that's me.
…to do before i turn 50
1. learn how to crochet
2. rent a tandem bike and ride along the boardwalk with sister
3. ride in a helicopter or little plane
4. make an instagram book
5. discover a little town in the middle of nowhere.
6. explore it.
7. pick strawberries
8. go on a lot of walkabouts to see what’s what and who’s who
9. go visit joyce in carpenteria
10. go to pink’s hotdogs for a martha stewart dog
11. go spend the weekend with d.e. & o.e.
12. attend at least one solo reading retreat (two is better)
13. make a new friend
14. lay down in the middle of an orange grove and stare up at the sky
15. fly to chicago and see suzanne
16. find a new european city to explore
17. find a new mexican town to explore
18. roadtrip to the lost coast
19. long weekend in san francisco with lianne!
20. plant a catnip patch in honor of cookie
21. say yes more than no
22. teach another online class
23. practice sketching on the ipad often
24. form an itty bitty local journal group {is a group of 2 a group?}
25. or at least think about it
26. swim in an ocean or sea
27. fry some chicken
28. paddle a boat somewhere
29. wink at people in cars that pull up next to me
30. paint
31. cook lots of one-pot meals in my new orange dutch oven
32. drink more red wine
33. spend time in the garden
34. dance
35. plant a lemon tree
36. eat some catfish
37. do handstands in the ocean
38. find a dentist who is not an asshole
39. have a mammogram
40. set up a facebook page
41. sign up for an online nikon class
42. eat more superfoods
43. go on a hill walk in portland
44. pet a llama
45. float on my back in the carribean
46. spend the night on a train
47. plant sunflowers!
48. use up all the wood panels in the garage
49. make an issu magazine
Portland is awesome! tell me what is a issu magazine, i google but couln’t figure it out. Dear Mary Ann, mammograms are must, that way we can enjoy more.
p.s. you make me happy i adore you!
Tonopah, NV, I’m most certain, is in the middle of nowhere. I’m not certain, however, that there are actual people that live there…it’s always so ghostly when we drive through on our way from here to another here. Keep your eyes open for the cemetery. It’s the most eerily beautifully sleepy thing I’ve ever seen.
Oh, and when you plan that trip for the Portland Hill walks, swing by my place on your way up the 5. Better yet, I’ll be waiting at the bottom of the offramp. I’ll bring my book all about Portland Hill walks. We can snag ol’ girl Judy W. and drag her along too…though I’m pretty sure she’d rather wait in the car at the bottom of the hill with her journal all spread out before her in the back seat. Those back seats always lead to tomfoolery.
Oh boy, I’m way past 50 I have to think up a list of things to do before I reach 100 – hmmm. But I love the idea of #24, it’s a shame you live so far away.
You chose the best time to get a mammogram because at some centers they now have digital, these are much gentler. Mind you, If the girl flattens you too much, try somehere else the following year, I have noticed that some technicians hurt more than others. Same with your dentist, fire him! You’re now old enough to shop around – I have the quickest, nicest dentist around.
I like your list. I will be turning 50 this year, and you have inspired me to make a list of my own. Oh! Careful with #29. That wink led to my marriage of 22 years. : )
I have the most wonderful, kind and painless dentist who is definitely not an asshole! His staff is great too.
His name is Analoy Vaisman, he is located in San Fernando ( right off the 210 @ Maclay, or you can get there from the 5 freeway)
His number is 818 365-7191. Good luck to you.
Great idea! I just turned 70, does that mean I need a list of 70 Things? I have a new ipad and am little lower on the learning curve so far.
Also, we’re friends on FB, and I’m local, O.C., so am available for #13 or #24?
And, what’s an issu magazine?
I hope you find a kind dentist and that I do too. Also, don’t believe the often heard nasty about llamas spitting. Yes, they do but only when they are threatened. It is their first line of defense. My dearly departed and I raised them in Conifer, Colorado for a number of years and they have the most amazing EYES and are great to hug with those long long necks. And the babies, oh, be sure to see some babies. Up on their feet prancing around within minutes of being born. AMAZING!!!!
Find a dentist who has adopted laser technology. Your visits will be way more pleasant (and less painful). I also theorize that tech early adopters are less likely to be assholes, on account of being more open-minded, but that’s just my bias talking.
Oh, what a great idea! Happy Belated Birthday, my fellow Capricorn!! Turned 49 myself just a few days ago- I am thinking this is going to be a very good year! WOOT!!
Happy Birthday!!!
The Lost Coast is astounding. I drove it a couple of years ago with my Mom and son and I can’t wait to do it again. 1,400+ pictures. Yup.
I’m in West Hollywood (not too close but not too far) if you’re interested in a mini art journal group.
Here’s to a great year!
I am your gal for #13, 28, and 43. Could also help with exploring a small town, there are lots of fun ones here in the Northwest. Thanks for sharing your list it has inspired me to start one for my bday in March.
I don’t mean to be critical of this amazing list but aren’t #14 and #31 the same thing? You can substitute, “travel to Toronto and visit Cynthia” for the duplicate entry and if you come in the summer, you could cross off #3 (helicopter over Niagara Falls), #5, #6, #7, #13, #28 (canoe) and #44, as a minimum. And #21 if you say yes! 🙂
How fun – your lists are so inspiring! I’m thinking red wine, dutch oven food, making new friends in an itty bitty journal group session in your garden sounds great – please count me in 🙂
#29 made me laugh but I really like #22. Another class? Sign me up now.
Portland,for hills, is nothing! Come to Seattle and I will show you some HILLS! Though, now that I think of it, there are many very lovely walks in Portland, the city of my birth. And some involve hills.
38 also made me laugh out loud! If you find one, I might even come to LA to check him/her out. And 39 IS a must, it is really not that bad.
Let me know when you are ready for a hill walk in portland
Your inspiring! I should make a list for myself for ‘before 50’…what I really like is how your blog friends are helping you in their comments! Wonderful idea!
Selfishly, #22 is my favorite. Have fun crossing things off your list, Mary Ann.
Lemme see….I’ve ridden in a helicopter and I’ve been to Carp (but I didn’t visit Joyce); I flew to Chicago (but didn’t see Suzanne); I found a dentist who is not an asshole and have been her patient for 22 years……..I love your list! Why isn’t there something about chocolate on there?
I am going to suggest Prague for #16 (although Tallinn or Vilnius come in close seconds)…
and for #42, sauteed kale with a sprinkle of crispy bacon pieces on top is so yummy!!
Love your list!!
As do the rest, I am loving #22! Please move that one to the top.
And a little warning: note this down for next year, please. Once you turn 50, your gynecologist will tell you, approximately three seconds before it actually occurs, that another “minor” test must be performed. And then he or she will proceed to violate you in a most undignified way. Actually, it won’t do any good to warn you, as there’s no way you can prepare for it short of not showing up. So, never mind. 😉
#1-I am turning 50 on the 28th/Jan..and I too will be learning this by way of friend and cousin. For #19. be sure to visit the Mission and go to Paulina’s Wine bar. You will experience farm to table organic tapas plates crafted by my daughter Chanette Purser-Smith aka Chef Chi.Drink wine that is paired with you food and ENJOY…you will be glad you did.
peace
denita
Very inspiring. Good luck with the dentist.
Awesome list! Let’s see…I’m happy for myself regarding 22, I love-love-love the thought of 21, 29, 37, and 45…can I steal those for my own list?…and I can totally help ya out with 32, 33 and 45!!
Wishing that all these things become realities for you this year. xo
Now that I think about it my best friend was (is) Lil and she was in her eighties when they took her away, so I actually might be able to help you out (even if you are quite a bit on the young side).
Tell Doc Moegling Dominick said ‘Howdy!”
As a nerdy teen I probably cannot help you with #13, but I can help you with 16, 18, 35, 38, Dr. Gregory J. Moegling, D.D.S, 13203 East Hadley Street, Suite 205, Whittier, CA. 90601 Telephone (562) 698-9903 (He is amazing), 47, Have tons of seeds from all varieties, and 48, I love to hammer.
22 is my favorite one on your list but I like and would enjoy all of them except I have had my mamo so check that off. Actually drinking wine at our little journal art group while eating one of your dutch oven dinners rank right up there for me.
What an inspiring list! I just made a list of my own for my 34th and am excited to start crossing things off! I absolutely LOVE the randomness!
Well, I can help you with crocheting,local journal group as I am kinda local 30 mins away and friendship. ;). Great list and very inspiring !!!
Love your list! If you do make it to the Lost Coast, or thereabouts this year, you could easily tick off several items at once, including finding a new town in the middle of nowhere. Got a good laugh out of “find a dentist who isn’t an asshole” — good luck on that.
Ah, yes, the #38 problem. Good luck with that! Just did #39 myself. That one should be on ALL our lists!
XO
I am selfishly loving 22 and 49!!!
Hope you have a wonderful year.
hahahaa I love number 38!!
#38 is my favorite! Let me know if it is possible. I’d say the same for all of the perky dental assistants who will (I wish) drown in their own sea of critical parent attitudes.
Happy Birthday Girl!!! Great list, enjoy your year!
I must be contacted if you start a little “group”! I’m not to far away…then I can be your new “friend”!! And the online class, cant wait
Make number 50 at trip to London, I’ll give you 50 great days things to do here!!
Okay, what’s an Issu Magazine?!?
Yee Haw, it’s going to be a whirlwind year for you! I am busy making my 52 and 29 list. Can’t wait to take your new on-line class. And good luck with finding a dentist that isn’t an asshole — I can recommend mine, I did a thorough asshole check and he passed with flying colors! He looks like a midget Lurch, but I don’t care as long as my checkbook isn’t being robbed and my perfectly acceptable 52 year old teeth aren’t being criticized for not being white enough, or straight enough, or large enough!
I love this list! I also really liked your video photo retrospective, it cracked me up! How fun and clever.
I can’t remember if I’ve ever posted a comment, but I’ve been stalking your blog since Michelle LaPoint Rydell talked about your ROTD class. I really really like being an virtual participant in your adventures, crafty and otherwise.
Anyway, I’d like to help you with #13!!! : .)
– Linda
Definately need #’s 38&39 on my bucket list with 46&47 close behind. You are so much darn fun to follow – you make my day! Happy birthday young one!
#29 made me laugh hard enough to wake up my dogs. I want to hear about the reactions when you try that one out. I turn 50 in June so I’m going to add #50-Give some agaves to a friend to plant in their garden. I have a lot of agave pups sprouting up around their mamas. More than I can have in my garden so I spread the love and give the pups away. I can deliver in March when I come out to LA for Spring Break. let me know if you’re interested, I have 4 different varieties.
Marissa
Oh my I love your List and read it a few times but you know the one thing that stood out to me was “do another online class”………..and yes, we are all ready for Item #22 and that would be sooner rather than later, right? LOL I did a helicopter ride on the Island of Kuaui in the interior of it where the waterfalls are and it was awesome.
Oh, I love your list. I laughed out loud at the ‘find a dentist who is not an asshole’ item. I need to do that, too. Also, big YES to #s 22, 24-25 as long as Virginia Beach could be considered ‘local’, and 40!! Plus if you wanted to come explore my little town we could knock off #s 26, 27, 28, 32, 36, 37, and maybe 44–I bet I can track down a llama. 😉
Happy birthday fellow Capricorn!
I say floating on your back in the Caribbean should be way up on the list too. We just took a trip to Turks and Caicos for Christmas and it was heaven! Do it! Oh, and I can’t wait for the next online class!
agree with mammogram AND can’t wait for the nest online class!!! cheers!!
Wow! That’s quite a wonderful, happified list!!!
A comprehensive list! It will be fun to see them crossed off one by one.
All good but the one you MUST DO is have a mammogram. Do not wait until you are 50!