Tuesday, September 8, 2009

40 Before Forty

So, today marks the first day of my last year in the 30's...for some reason turning 40 seems so ominous and looming. Some days I can hardly believe that I'm this old! Then I look in the mirror and see the gray streaks staring back at me and I know it's true. Of course, I started turning gray at 18, so that's not really an indicator of aging for me. Anyway, I digress. I'm turning 39 today and I thought I'd challenge myself to accomplish 40 unique, never before accomplished things in the coming year before I turn 40. After giving it a lot of thought, this is the list I've come up with.
  1. Finish and fill every page of the scrapbook I started in 1998
  2. Lose 40 lbs.
  3. Attend the temple 40 times
  4. Grow my hair 4 inches
  5. Take another tap dancing class
  6. Learn to knit and purl
  7. Drink hot chocolate at a ski lodge
  8. Bike ride in Southern Utah
  9. Volunteer at a local women/children's shelter
  10. See a Broadway show on Broadway
  11. Go to Pike Place Market in Seattle and buy fresh flowers
  12. Go fishing
  13. Attend the Utah Symphony
  14. See Jim Brickman in concert
  15. Re-read the biography of Gordon B. Hinckley
  16. Create and stay on a budget
  17. Grow my own cilantro
  18. Hang pictures on the walls of my apartment
  19. Take more baths
  20. Visit Yellowstone and Jackson Hole, Wyoming
  21. Make and send more birthday cards
  22. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
  23. Figure out my true life's passion
  24. Play tennis
  25. Start and finish the Book of Mormon (again)
  26. Catalog my CDs
  27. Read 40 never-before read books
  28. See Donny & Marie in Las Vegas
  29. Eat Thai food
  30. Finish a Sudoku puzzle without looking at the solution
  31. Finish what I start (applies to all things, not just dessert)
  32. Go on a first date
  33. Have a second date
  34. Kiss on the third date
  35. Sleep under the stars
  36. Refinish the living room side table
  37. Visit all of the temples in Utah
  38. Buy a rocking chair
  39. Learn to make decent fudge
  40. Feel good about turning 40
This is my list. What are some things you would have me do? Maybe I can come up with another list called "40 Things My Friends Want Me to do Before I turn 40"!

Look for posts about the accomplishment of these 40 things. I may even add them to the sidebar just to keep myself reminded of what I want to do.

Happy Birthday to Me!

10 comments:

Melynie said...

I'm going to say "Visit Seattle", which will work nicely with number 11. When should I expect you?

Tam Tam said...

Happy Birthday...but seriously....you've never eaten Thai food? That is just wrong.

debily said...

I, too, would love to see Jim Brickman in concert.

And don't worry about 40. It's only a number. In fact, I can see where this decade will be the best of my life.

Kate Nelson said...

Happy Birthday!!! We drove by Lehi on our very rushed trip to and from St. George this weekend and I thought of you. Next time we drive through, I will have to be better planned, call you ahead of time and come see you (of course that means meeting you somewhere that my sweet little monsters can release some energy after being strapped in their car seat for several hours). 40 sounds a little scary to me, too. I'm sure I will spend most of my 40's being in denial, just like I am still in denial that I am in my 30's. Because, in my heart, I am still a carefree college student (I just have many more responsibilities).

Julie L said...

I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday! Tried to visit with you but your phone just kept going into voicemail! I love your list! Sounds ever so fun, and yummy, and challenging. 364 days to go! What's on for today?

rad6 said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LESLIE!!!!!!!!!!
I love you, you are the bestest ever! I hope your day is too. I am going to celebrate you too... hmmm... I think ice cream... that's weird, me eat ice cream. Actually it has been a few days and I am going to have some otday in your honor. What kind should we have???

rad6 said...

just read the list... ok, you are going to be really busy this year. Ugh! And why wasn't "Visit my friend Ruth in Sacramento" on that list huh????????

Devin & Anisa said...

Love the list and think you will feel like a new person when you accomplish all those. But I'm mad because that puts pressure on me to set and accomplish something, hmmm..

Amy said...

I hope you get it all done. But I guess if you don't... there's always 50. But I won't add to your list. I will just say I'm glad your dad is here in town so we have a chance at seeing you now and then.

Holly said...

There is a good Thai food restaurant in American Fork.