I went on a train the other day. Normally I take whichever novel I am reading at the time with me to pass the time, but the book that I’m reading at the moment is the size of a brick and just wouldn’t fit in my bag. Staring out of the window is boring when you’ve made that journey hundreds of times so I dug out the notebook I always carry around with me and started to write a list. Not the usual “I am on a rare day out by myself and this is what I need to buy” sort of list, but more of the “Fifty things to do before I die” variety. I didn’t keep tabs on numbers and some of the things on my list I’ve already done. Some things are achievable, and others are just wishful thinking. Still, it was fun, passed the time and better than reading First Great Western’s safety instructions card!
- Drive onto a slip road without wanting to close my eyes and panic
- Wear high heels
- Tapdance
- Go on a cruise
- Sail a boat
- Spend some time on Christmas Day helping out in a homeless shelter
- Own a red coat
- Grow vegetables
- Paint with watercolours
- Be a contestant on Great British Bake Off
- Learn how to use a DSLR camera
- Meet someone famous
- Hold a tea party or coffee morning for charity
- See my boys successful and happy
- Drive coast to coast in the US
- Treat Mr R to a visit to Berlin to see the Berlin Philharmonic in concert
- Get Mr R on a plane
- Watch a musical
- Learn to decorate cakes
- Own an iphone
- Learn to knit
- Learn to crochet
- Climb a mountain
- Sing in a choir
- Go to an opera
- Take my mum to the Italian lakes
- Be an extra in a film
- Lose weight
- Walk fast, up hill, up lots of stairs without panting
- Have a spa tratment
- See the Northern Lights
- Move to Bristol
- Swim in the sea
- Eat in a Michelin starred restaurant
- Wear false eye lashes
- Type with more than one finger
- Write the Mrs Flowers stories
- Paint my own toe nails
- Own a cafe by the sea
- Ride a bike
- Win a pub quiz
- Go to New York
So there you have it. This list is by no means complete. Every now and again something new pops into my head. But this will do for now. The things listed are by no means numbered in order of importance. Of course I would rate seeing my boys happy above tap dancing!
Now if anyone reading this can help me tick off anything on my “to do” list, then you would be my friend forever!
afiftysomethingme 
Hello afiftysomethingme! I read your Blog this morning and loved it! Had to smile as there seem to a lot of lists about at the moment – one of the other blogs I follow, posted a list of all the things she wants to get done during the summer holidays (she’s a teacher). I felt quite relieved to realise that it’s not just me that has a list…… I have a daily list – well 2 actually as I have one for the office and one for home… (is this sad…?). My grown up daughter tells me that I am causing myself more stress just by having a list…..but without one I feel rather lost and do tend to forget things (well that’s my excuse anyway!). I think, if I were you, I’d start with some of the easy things on your bucket list – like painting your toe-nails, wearing false eye-lashes and buying a nice new red coat for the winter – from John Lewis of course! I also like the idea of moving to Bristol – I’m with you on that one. Would you mind if I mentioned you on my next Blog update as I like to share some of the blogs I follow – especially when they have posted an interesting one!
Ellen
x (a fellow fifty something!)
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Hi Ellen. How lovely of you to leave a comment. I always get very excited when I see that I’ve got one. It makes all of my ramblings worth while. Thank you! I’m not, as a rule, a list writer. My husband thinks I’m mad for not writing shopping lists which often or not means that I forget something vital that we need such as wine! He is the great list writer and always makes one for what he needs to pack when going on holiday. Meanwhile I just throw everything in and then cry when I discover that I forgot to pack my knickers!! I’m afraid the painting my own toes nails is a near on impossibility. My spare tyre would easily fit a tractor and I’m not sure where my toes are. I haven’t seen them in years! I did buy a mac yesturday that was pinkish red, but it’s not what I quite had in mind. A trip to John Lewis is definitely on the cards! Please go ahead and mention my blog. That would make me very happy indeed! By the way, my name is Brigitte xx
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Dear Brigitte,
How lovely to hear back from you too! I’ve left lots of comments on other people’s Blogs but they rarely respond. I’m beginning to think we are losing the art of ‘conversation’ in the UK as so much is done by text these days! I still love getting an old-fashioned letter and also birthday cards etc. I haven’t had a chance to update my Blog yet as had ‘one of those weeks’ last week which ended with us having to have our elderly little Jack Russell put to sleep. For such a small dog, she’s left a huge hole in our lives and the house is very quiet. I think I might be following you on Twitter – didn’t make the connection before – I’m under FatFairy6 (and if I keep on eating birthday cake then I will be very fat indeed……!). Have a good day, love Ellen xx
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Well you’re well on the way to number 22 thanks to our lovely WI ladies and as far as I’m concerned you need to get your application in for next year’s GBBO now! 🙂
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