I realise I’m not the first person to do this, and nor will I be the last. But I suppose what’s a bit different is that most of the time these lists start on a 39th birthday. I turn 34 in May.
It’s something I’ve been jotting down for a while now on one of my many notebooks dotted around the house. After a conversation with a friend who’s starting her list on her 39th birthday in few weeks time (her blog coming soon) I thought I’d make my list a bit more official and publish on my blog as there’s things that are going to happen this year that are on my list. (Is that cheating?)
I don’t actually turn 40 until May 2020 and although that sounds ages away I know it’ll be here before I know it. I’m usually someone who leaves things to the very last minute so for once I am going to do this with plenty of time to complete.
So here’s my list so far of my 40 things to do before I’m 40-
(there will be 40 eventually, I’ll add as I think of more!)
1. Take part in The Great North Run
I used to run long distances in my teens and early twenties. I was no superstar but I enjoyed it. During that time I always said one day I would do a marathon but to date that has never happened. A few years back I decided I would attempt the Great North Run to ease myself in. I have gained a place and I am going to be running this in September 2014.
✔️ 7th September 2014 – DONE
2. Visit Dubai
For years Dubai has been top of our “To Visit” list. We have a friend that lives there & we’ve been promising to go visit for a while. We hope it lives up to all our expectations and we aim to find out very soon – DONE!!
3. Study & gain a qualification
I haven’t narrowed down the subject yet. I have two main ones and a couple of others floating around my mind. The main one is Psychology with a view to becoming a counsellor. The other is bookkeeping / accountancy as I thought the job opportunities it could provide me with would be good.
4. Start in employment again – part time
I was made redundant when pregnant with our first child. It was probably a blessing as I’d have probably gone back to work if I hadn’t and missed out on being a stay at home mum. It’s now 4 years and 3 months since I last had paid employment. I have looked into going back to work but by the time I paid a childminder I’d have nothing left. So once the girls are both at school (September 2017) I will seek employment. What depends on number 3. I suppose!
5. Have a weekend away with my husband – child free
I think I’ve only spent 4 nights away from my eldest in her 3 years & 9months of living and no nights from my youngest who is now 14months. Hopefully one day my husband and I can go off somewhere for a couple of nights leaving the girls in Nanny’s care.
6. Take part in a London Marathon
Just the natural step after completing number 1. right?!! I know there are other marathons but London is the most prestigious. – (I got my name in the ballot for 2015. Find out October ’14 if I get a place)
UPDATE – 1st October 2015 – I got my place & will be running on 26th April 2015
✔️ 26th April 2015 – DONE!
7. Have a touristy few days in London seeing all the sights
I have been to London. Many, many times. I’ve even been inside Buckingham Palace but I really want to do it all again – The Palace, Tower of London, Houses of Parliament, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Harrods, Selfridges, London Eye………….
8. Join the PTA at the girls’ school
Bit of a weird one but those that know me will know that being part of the PTA would suit me down to the ground.
✔️ September 2015 – DONE!
9. Move house
I think this is a bit of an ambitious one if I’m honest. It could happen, but it might not. I’d like to think we’d move one day but whether it’ll happen before 2020 I don’t know, but for now it’s on the list.
10. Have a “make up lesson” and make more of an effort with my appearance
The only time I wear makeup is on special occasions. I don’t need to put any on before leaving the house. I never have really. Think part of it is laziness, but part of it is I don’t really know what suits me. When I say make up lesson I mean one of those counter things in a department store or something similar where I then know what to use (and costs me a fortune!)
11. Do some volunteer work
I don’t know what, or when, but everyone should do a bit in their life shouldn’t they? Mainly inspired by our friend who spends one day of her weekend helping out various causes.
12. Give blood
I’m registered but I’m yet to donate. I used to hate injections and giving blood but by the end of my second pregnancy I’d happily watch them stick the needle in.
✔️ DONE – 14th July 2015
13. Take the girls to watch football with Daddy (at Emirates to see Arsenal)
How dare I say this as a Manchester United fan?! But I know how happy it would make my husband. And Taylor’s first ever match was at Old Trafford, only fair Lauren’s is an Arsenal one.
14. Hold a dinner party with friends
We used to see friends and invite them round a lot but it hasn’t happened for a long time. It’d be fun to have friends round and cook for them.
15. Have a drunken night out with friends
I honestly cannot remember the last time I was drunk. I don’t really drink. I’ll have a glass of fizz at Christmas but for best part of 5 years that’s all I’ve had. When I go out with friends I drive. So a mental night out drinking should be on the cards.
16. Have a family day out at a theme park I don’t know which one because eldest will just be about to turn 10 when I turn 40, but a good family fun day out on rides is what I’d like.
17. See a musical in London
Broadway would be more exciting but there’s no way I’m getting to New York in the next 6 years, so London it will have to be! Can’t decide which one yet
18. Go on a proper shopping trip with my mum with plenty of money to spend!
I do go shopping with mum but we’ve never been on a trip where we just go for nothing in particular but end up with lots, with a nice lunch in the middle. Would have to be a city…..
19. Go ice skating
2001 at an ice skating rink in Dundee I fell and displaced my kneecap. Had it been a time of camera phones I’d no doubt have a photo to insert here, but you’ll just have to imagine being in a toilet cubicle and pulling down your jeans to see that your right kneecap is on the left hand side of your knee, not in the middle where it should be. Safe to say I haven’t skated since……. But I should.
20. Complete a cross stitch
When I visited my aunt in New Zealand in 1998 I bought several cross stitch kits. My aunt is very good at cross stitches and I think I wanted to emulate her skills. I still have those kits unopened. I really should complete one.
21. Read this book list
I’ve compiled a list of 40 books from recommendations of others that I should read. I will blog about The Book List as I read on my side blog which can be found here
22. Visit every house I’ve lived in
I was googling 40 things before 40 and have pinched this idea from Slummy Single Mummy I have only lived in 4 houses in my life; 2 of which are local, the other two; one is in Essex, one in Portsmouth. It’ll be fun going to see them.
23. Grow a plant and not kill it (added 27.2.14)
After sharing my blog post on Twitter, my friend was inspired to write her own list. One of hers is this so I pinched it but we’ve now decided we are going to buy the same plant at same time and see who last longest!
24. Go Nessy hunting
(added 28.3.14)
I’ve always wanted to go to Loch Ness and look for Nessy. Yes, I know, it’s most probably not real and if she really does exist it’s unlikely I will see her but I still want to go.
25. Go to Bingo
(added 30.4.14)
I’ve never been and played proper Bingo in a Bingo Hall. I’ve always thought it’d become quite addictive but I imagine with a group of friends it could be quite fun. So off to Bingo I go!
26. Go sit in the viewing gallery at court for the day
added 11.6.14
Knowing my luck I’d get a load of boring cases but I’d love to see the court at work
27. Go to Ladies Day at the races added 2.7.14
Preferably at Ascot but would settle for one of the others. Would have to be done with group of friends and us all doing it properly with posh dresses & hats!
28. Do a ghost tour / overnight stay added 27.7.14
It would freak me out – and yes they are most probably all just set up for entertainment purposes but I’d still like it!
29. Attend pole dancing classes added 28.7.14
Where I go to my boxercise classes, the instructor also does pole dancing classes. I keep wanting to have a go but am nervous! I will do it soon!
I did a pole dancing session for my hen night and loved it, so should love the classes too
30. Watch 40 films suggested by friends (added 28.7.14)
I asked my friends what the film is that they think everyone should watch and is the one that they say “you’ve never seen that film?”
So my 40 list is here
31-40 to be added
As I aim to blog as I complete tasks and hopefully there’s 40 big ticks on here by the time the next 6 years, 2months and 17 days have passed.
Moments from my mind 