Closer to 50

Last week was my "half birthday".  You know, 6 months between one birthday and the next.  (Apparently, for some people that 's a thing.)  Even though I don't normally observe half birthdays - this seems like a good time to give an update on how I'm doing on my "Before 50"  list! 

 

1.  Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying

2.  Visit at least 1 new destination.

3.  Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list
So far I have read:

•   Anna Karenina
•   Fahrenheit 451

  
4.  Be vegetarian for a month
We did this for two weeks, rather than a month.  I think the Man of the House and I could have gone the full month, and may still give that a go later this year.  But after going along for two weeks, the Male Offspring was ready for some meat-based protein.  

  
5.  Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore

  
6.  Join a crochet/knitting group

 7.  Learn to meditate
I used "The Basics" on Headspace to help me get started. After that I switched to an app called Insight Timer for another series on meditation basics and now use it as a timer for most of my meditation sessions. I like that the timer includes options for nice ambient sounds and bells. Occasionally, I use a Christian meditation app, Reflect, for some Scripture focused meditation.   I practice meditating several days a week and I am really enjoying the quiet time to give my mind and spirit a chance to clear out and refresh.  

  
8.  See a play (or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)

  
9.  Get my office organized once and for all

10.  Take a yoga class

11.  Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist

12.  Go to a movie by myself

13.  Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
I tried to do this last week, but life got in the way and I never seemed to make it into bed until 10pm every night.  So, now this week is the week!

14.  Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new

15.  Overcome my fear of heights

Before 50

Last week I officially celebrated my very last 40-something birthday.  Which means that in slightly under one year, I will turn the big 5-0!  It's hard to believe that I am facing down a whole half century of life.

Birthdays always make me reflect on the past and dream about the future.  This one even more than usual. I've never created a "bucket list".  In all honesty - for some reason the term "bucket list" makes my skin crawl a little bit.  I don't know why.  Just does.  Maybe it seems a little morbid.  I'm not slamming anyone with a bucket list.  If you have one - more power to ya!  I just don't. 

I want to make the very most of this last year of my 40's, and face 50 with joy and excitement for whatever the next half of my life may hold.  Which led me to make a list of 15 things I would like to do, see, or accomplish over the next year before I turn 50 .  Some of those "someday I should" things, a few things that scare me a little and a couple of "well, why not" things.

1. Finally lose that extra weight that I have been carrying.  
2. Visit at least 1 new destination
3. Read at least 5 books I've never read before from this list 
4. Be vegetarian for a month
5. Take one of the specialty tours at Biltmore
6. Join a crochet/knitting group
7. Learn to meditate
8. See a play ( or two. I adore live theatre and don't know why I don't go more often)
9. Get my office organized once and for all
10. Take a yoga class
11. Get a really good haircut by a curly hair specialist
12. Go to a movie by myself
13. Go to bed super early and get up super early for one week.  Or a  month.
14. Send postcards whenever I go out of town or visit somewhere new
15. Overcome my fear of heights