The List

I am a list maker, always have been.  I'm very good at it.  I make lists for my babysitters, grocery lists, daily, weekly and when-I-have-time To Do lists, people to call lists, and the list goes on and on....I even keep paper by my bedside in case I think of something to add to a list in the middle of the night.  Although those notes sometimes look a bit cryptic because of the hour at which they were written.  I once woke up to a note that said "look at nose".  Still haven't figured that one out. 

As of late I have been feeling very melancholy and I am wanting to create some sort of positive change in my life, I just don't know where to start.  I think about my mortality a lot, not in a scary way, but in a reminiscent way.  I want to make sure that I leave some sort of a mark.  And, I want to be sure that I don't waste anymore time wishing that I could do certain things, feeling sorry for myself or regretting things that I have done or said.  The past is the past, time to move forward, dummy.

So, I have created yet another list.  And, I'm sure you've already figured it out, but, I have made my Bucket List.  It's really more of a combination of a bucket list and a karma list.  If you ever caught an episode of the sitcom "My Name is Earl" then you'll know exactly what I am talking about.  I am now a woman on a mission.  So much to do and so little time, as they say.

When I started writing down all of the things that I want to accomplish before I kick the bucket it began spiraling at warp speed.  So, I did a tiny bit of condensing.  As ambitious as my ideal list is I have to be realistic, so there's nothing too out of reach on my current version.  I will allow myself an addition here and there.

I'll be honest with you, writing all of this down was very cathartic.  It's as if I relieved my brain of the stress and tension of thinking of all of the life goals of mine that have been taking up real estate there for far too long.  So, now I can look at this list and check things off one by one, whenever possible.  Let's just hope I don't get hit by a bus or trampled by an elephant anytime soon because it would be a real bummer to not be able to finish my list. 

THE LIST

1. Lose 50 lbs.  I'm sure you're just as tired of hearing about it as I am thinking about it.

2. Learn how to Tango   I just think it would be awesome, it looks so sexy!

3. Apologize to a certain ex-boyfriend   May seem trivial but it has bothered me for many years.  (I was young and stupid and not nice.)
4. Write a book   I have wanted to do this for 20 years.  I have started.  Eeek!

5. Run a 1/2 marathon   That's as ambitious as I get.

6. See Madonna in concert   Assuming she tours ever again.

7. Take my boys to Disney world   :)

8. Fall in love   Someday....I watch my parents after 57 years of marriage and they are still completely in love.  I hope I get to have that feeling again someday.

9. Go to a hockey game   Just have never been to one.

10. Go back to my Alma mater, FSU   I get to check this one off of the list after this weekend!!!!!

11. Visit Graceland   I'll honor my mom by visiting the king.  Next visit, Poochie, okay?

12. Buy a pair of Christian Louboutin stillettos   They may not be so fabulous in a size 11, but I don't care!

13. Cook dinner for my boys 4 nights a week, minimum   I am horrible about this!!!

14. Wear a bikini again   After losing those 50 lbs., 'cause, lordie, that would be a HOT mess.

15. Quit drinking diet soda   Something I know I need to do but it's gonna have to be gradual because I am a severe caffeine addict.

16. Get fitted for a bra   Again, probably best after losing the lbs.

17. Re-open my Etsy store   In the process, I'll let you know when it's ready!

18. Go on a Princess Diana tour in England   There has to be one!

19. Take my boys on a vacation to Hawaii   It's something we talk and dream about. 

20. Write thank you notes   I think I quit this after getting married, but, it's one of those little things that mean a lot.

21. Become a volunteer   For something, I don't know what, but, it's so selfish not to!

22. Be content   This may be the hardest one of all.  But, it's up to me.

Well, there it is.  Now I have it in writing and I can refer to it from time to time and see what I can be working on.  Like I said, this weekend I will be working on #10!  And I am going to have to start on #1 as soon as possible after this weekend.  Shew!  It's going to be fun!