I have a list of things I want to accomplish before I end my fiftieth year (July 13, 2025). These are things I have not done before – trivial things (make choux pastry) to large things (leave the North American continent). They are all things that are important to me and dreams, hopes, goals, and things I want to accomplish. I made a similar list the year I turned forty but did forty things in the forty days leading up to my fortieth birthday. They were much smaller in scale.

This list is not complete. It is my plan to make sure I have things on the list that are meaningful and impactful to my life. They, of course, do not have to be deep and meaningful. Life is whimsical and fun, but I want to ensure they are pushing me forward (in life). If you Google ‘things to do before…’, you’ll find a whole host of lists, tips, tricks, and inventive ways to come up with lists. Many of which tell you that if you’re struggling, you’re not trying hard enough.

The problem I’ve found with these ‘helpful’ sites is that they are not practical. They say, ‘pretend money is no object’. Well, money is a concern. I want to see the world, but my pocketbook says I’m going to the Olive Garden and ordering the “Tour of Italy.” I want to learn to ride a motorcycle (it is on my list) however, to take the training course, I learned that I must have full protective gear. Which isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but because my feet have problems and I can only wear very specific footwear, I cannot wear the necessary riding boots. Marrying the practical, the whimsical, and the realistic has proven to be a challenge. Currently, I have thirty-three items on my list.

Some of the items may seem a bit at odds with other things on the list and I’m excited to share why some things are on the list to begin with. Others are going to be a challenge (like learning math or learning to quilt). Figuring out choux pastry shouldn’t be too much of a challenge, but I’ve heard here in Alberta that it can be largely weather dependent (my Mom always said it was best to make cream puffs on a hot dry day… Or was that a humid day?) Reading twelve books should be easy as well, but reading twelve books that are significant to our time may be harder than I think (and perhaps, less interesting).

Coupling all this while dealing with a terrible bout of depression is a challenge. “Doing” anything is proving to be an exercise in itself. I spend a lot of time staring at the TV, something I actually don’t like to do. But I am working towards a new project.

Making a chesterfield for my son’s cat.

Yup, you read that right. I started it once before, but I was making it in black and admission number one of turning fifty is seeing things in all black is really hard. I am attempting it in gray (with black accents, because Kiddo wants it in black and gray). This is item No. 33 on the list, because I have never made a Cat Chesterfield and to be honest, I have not actually finished a crochet project since I finished a shawl for my sister-in-law days before her marriage to my brother in 2022. I am also drafting my own pattern for it, which I’ve done before (though, not a cat chesterfield).

I’ll be writing about the things on the lists, things I’ve done, things I’m working on, why, and my motivation behind them. I’m certainly open to suggestions. I want to move forward in life. Fifty seems like a good age to get my act together!