<p>Although I am not planning to retire for several (5 or more) years, and my H is 2 years younger than me, I am thinking about what I want to do, see, experience before I can’t because of health or finances. Been knowing too many people dying in their 50’s and 60’s.</p>
<p>I do not think this is as easy as it sounds. What do you really want to do, and can, before you die? I would love to fly to the moon. Ain’t gonna happen.</p>
<p>I find it is easier to come up with some things I realize I really can’t, even if I think I want to. Parachuting out of an airplane ( I’d be too darn scared), any technical mountain climbing, run for mayor.</p>
<p>So what do I want to do??</p>
<p>The first is the most obvious, and that is to travel. The whole earth is open to us now. </p>
<p>Eat at every great restaurant I can and drink a great bottle of superior wine too boot.</p>
<p>Attend as many Broadway shows in NYC as I can.</p>
<p>Attend as many community theater shows my S1 is starring in as I can.</p>
<p>Sublet my D2’s apartment in Manhatten because of its location and comfortable size.</p>
<p>I have found that my ideas change through the years. I have trouble calling it a bucket list because it is for me too morbid. I prefer ‘things I would like to do’ list. I consider myself and my life a work in progress. Here I go:</p>
<p>I would like to be able to exercise and eat more healthy (already working on it). </p>
<p>I would like to not worry or care about work stressors (already working on it) which eventually will be a non issue.</p>
<p>I want to dive the Great Barrier Reef. First I have to learn to dive. And before that I have to do a ‘test run’ (maybe SNUBA) to be sure my ears can take it; I have some issues when I go to deep while snorkeling, but I might be able to overcome them.</p>
<p>Now that we’re going to be ‘empty nesters’ next year, I am going to try to get started on this.</p>
<p>I’d also like to go to the Galapagos Islands.</p>
<p>If I DO learn to dive, the nighttime Manta Ray dive is on my list. If I can’t dive, then I might try to do it as a snorkeler.</p>
<p>Hard to think of much else. I would like to take hubby to Egypt, he would LOVE the historical stuff so much. </p>
<p>Skydive - check.
Hike the Kalalau Trail - check.
Start a blog - who said anything about keeping it going? Check, then.
Travel to a couple of 'stans - check.
Get another degree - check.
Qualify for and run Boston - check.
Run 50 States? Maybe. Visit every state - sounds great!
Galápagos Islands - sounds great!
Learn to dive and dive the Great Barrier Reef - sounds awesome!!!</p>
<p>@intparent let me know when you come to Iowa’s state fair, maybe we can do coffee.</p>
<p>I want to read more. My H and S '16 both have ADHD and they are distracting to me when I don’t want to be distracted. I can’t wait for S to be out on his own, so I only have one to interrupt my thoughts.</p>
<p>I want to learn to cook more gourmet type meals. (I could be good if I wanted to be.)</p>
<p>I want lots of plants. (the kid needs to take the cats with him when he goes first).</p>
<p>I want to go on day trips, explore things within a days drive and stop at all of the historical markers along the way that I don’t bother to take the time to do now.</p>
<p>I want to want to lose weight. I like cooking and eating too much. Maybe I want to learn to cook low calorie foods and learn to like eating them.</p>
<p>There is probably more, I just need to think about it.</p>
<p>I backpacked the coast one time (BC, “before children”). Saw some kayakers getting rolled again and again as they tried to launch in high surf. Although I love kayaking, I was kind of glad I was walking that day. :)</p>
<p>@bajamm, it is probably next on my list. I live one state north (where as you may know we have a great state fair!), but I have heard good things about the Iowa fair and intend to get down there before I move away a couple of years from now. Not this summer, but maybe next year.</p>
<p>Also backpacked part of the NaPali coast, in what now seems another lifetime. We turned back after a night or two, as it was rainy, and we felt like salamanders, wet and muddy constantly. At a point it felt dangerous, sliding above the cliffs, though there were plenty of trees to grab onto. </p>
<p>Play a mean fiddle/violin. I play now, but not well. </p>
<p>Loose weight. Yes, the solution is right here, on THAT thread. To join in time, though I’m on the way. </p>
<p>Become better at the technical aspects of photography. </p>
<p>Improve my Spanish to greater functionality. </p>
<p>Learn more about the technical aspects of writing. </p>
<p>Then, I can perhaps realize the dream of being a travel journalist, playing music with the locals at night. </p>
<p>Haha. I’ve done many things on my list and discovered some experiences by luck. My list is now down to dumb things. Take a road trip in an RV (fascinated my small, efficient spaces.) Would love to live on the S. Cal coast again (not likely, may settle for long vacations.) And, I’d like to get down to looking good in skinny-ish jeans. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Windsurfing, I was envious of these old folks zip and zap through the water in Hawaii. Not a single fat layer on their body. If I can do that I certainly will get back to looking good in any jean. My kids like the Lucky brand and maybe I can ditch " It’s not your daughter’s jean" seriously and try one of the Lucky jeans.</p></li>
<li><p>Learn some tongue twisting language for fun, I learned German BC(before child) for six months, but maybe I can also learn Italian.</p></li>
<li><p>Get back to my artistic side, taking enough art classes that I can at least paint my own garden and family picture. Maybe do more photography. My kid, the artist one took better pictures than DH and I now and we used to own 5 cameras together. She kept remind me that she has an artistic eye because she gets paid for her work.</p></li>
<li><p>Do a helicopter trip to see road to Hana, the last time we went by car it was horrible. I was car sick. Next time, I will try to stay in Hana and do the Seven Sacred Pools.</p></li>
<li><p>Visit some of the countries in Europe, Austria, Poland, following some of Rick Steve’s shows.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I used to have a windsurfer. It is hard work (hauling the sail up out of the water). I don’t know if my back could take it any more. It is a great feeling, though, when you get going! I would like to try surfing, never have done it.</p>
<p>This guy and I used to work for the same company and in fact he was a good buddy of my roommate over 30 years ago. At that time or any time thereafter, I couldn’t even imagine thinking of aiming for most of the stuff that he has pulled off.</p>
<p>Hey Bunsen, I can just steal your list almost…</p>
<p>Skydive - check. check
Hike the Kalalau Trail - check. check
Start a blog - who said anything about keeping it going? Check, then. check
Travel to a couple of 'stans - check. Not this one, but I’ll substitute NZ and Australia
Get another degree - check. check (although I don’t think I wanted to, it just had to be done)
Qualify for and run Boston - check. NOT NO never. I don’t run. I have walked though, We did the Coast to Coast in England so that is my substitute
Run 50 States? Maybe. Visit every state - sounds great! Visit every state AND visit every National Park (not counting the memorial places and etc, there are only 57 National Parks). I doubt I’ll get to two in Alaska and one off Florida, but I can dream.
Galápagos Islands - sounds great!
Learn to dive and dive the Great Barrier Reef - sounds awesome!!! I’ve tried diving, not for me. I can’t think of my substitute for this one, hmmmm…</p>
<p>spend a week, or part of one, at a house on a beach. Never have done that
take a cooking class
put a sunroom on the house
establish a community outreach project that outlives us
get highlights and cut my hair scary short
go to anyplace out west
lose 4 more pounds and stay there</p>
<p>the unrealistic list</p>
<p>go to Ireland or Australia
sing on stage or community theatre
learn to tap dance
take my dad to Nova Scotia
get a job that pays well and doesnt make me crazy</p>
<p>“I want to dive the Great Barrier Reef. First I have to learn to dive. And before that I have to do a ‘test run’ (maybe SNUBA) to be sure my ears can take it; I have some issues when I go to deep while snorkeling, but I might be able to overcome them.”</p>
<p>I wonder what those issues are. Last summer we snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef. I had a lot of difficulty with the snorkeling as I seemed to start hyperventilating, my mask filling up with water and probably taking in some water through the snorkel. Besides this, the water was somewhat cooler than I expected.</p>
</p>