My Bucket List

12/9/2016

I’m nearly 50 and I feel much younger, much more confident in myself than I did at 30 … and 40. I didn’t feel like having a party for my 40th but for my 50th it was a nagging desire that eventually resulted in me booking a venue last week for 60 or so of my friends and family to celebrate with me.

Bucket Lists have become much more popular recently and an article I read this weekend prompted me to think about mine a bit more. Like many today, mine is a series of lovely photographs on Pinterest but mostly it is in my head, stored under ‘I really should get round to doing …’

Of course with my children grown up and soon to be leaving me (my son is nearly 19 and my daughter is nearly 16) my fifties will be a lot more carefree with less commitment so maybe it is time to take my Bucket List seriously and actually get on and tick a few more bits off.

Here are some of the things on my list:

Ride the cable car across the River Thames at Greenich.
Go horse riding along a beach.
Ride a Segway.
Have a wardrobe full of clothes I actually like.
Travel First Class.
Design my dream house (with a dressing room).
Stay in an ocean hut somewhere exotic.
Own a mini convertible.
Rent a cottage on a beach.
Have a flat stomach and be fit and healthy.
Go to New York and Rome – and many others but these are top of the list.
Overcome anxiety and low mood once and for all.
De-clutter my house so life is easy and organised.
Be happy and positive!

Next week I will share with you the list of things I have already crossed off!

Michelle x

4 Comments

Nicky

13/9/2016 10:09:49 am

Hi Michelle.
Good for you organising a party for your 50th. I didn't have one, through choice, but had a lovely surprise family meal in local hotel then was whisked away, travelled first class to London, where we stayed in the fabulous Rosewood Hotel in a suite with our own butler, we stayed three nights and it was really luxurious. I had a beautiful cake to greet me with champagne and on the morning of my actual birthday had the most indulgent champagne birthday breakfast. We went to see Mamma Mia, this was because my favourite childhood song was Dancing Queen (Abba)
my daughter helped organise that. We went in our own private pod on the London Eye and enjoyed Champagne and chocolate, we dined at a famous Michelin starred restaurant in Covent Garden can't remember the name, we shopped and generally had a fabulous time, because my birthday is in November, it is always extra magical as everywhere is sparkling with Christmas trees and lights, which I love.
I think your bucket list is fab and all totally achievable, I hate these ones that are so unachievable and ridiculously expensive. I am lucky enough to have done or had some things on your list. I had a lovely brand new Mini Cooper convertible a couple of years ago, it was black with rooster red interior! It was a lovely little car that was totally not practical ie too small, the roof hardly ever came down as our weather isn't always good, it was hopeless for getting people in and doing the shop, but it was fun and everyone should have one sometime. I hope you enjoy yours. My poor dad thought I was having a crisis!! I've been to New York a few times always on my birthday, never been to Rome but want to. Have ridden a horse on the beach many years ago. I have always wanted to stay in an exotic place in a beach hut. I would definitely love a flat tummy, but I'm glad I'm healthy and am thankful for that. I try to be positive as that is a failing I always have the 'what ifs' but I'm getting better with age. I'm 53 this year. I do believe being in your 50s is the best time, as you say we are fairly free the kids have grown up, my son is 22 and lives with his girlfriend and my daughter Charlotte is 18, doing her A levels and off to Uni next year to study law. So generally life is good, we are building our dream house with dressing room, which hopefully will be filled with clothes I like and enjoy wearing. If I could get my OH to slow down a bit work wise that would be perfect.
I'm looking forward to seeing your birthday plans come together and hope it's filled with Family, fun, love, laughter and lots of champagne and a few surprises along the way.
Enough of my rambling off to hoover.
Love Nicky xxx

Michelle Green

15/9/2016 09:36:25 am

Oh wow what a lovely birthday you had! I love Mamma Mia! and have been three times now! I do enjoy days out in London and it is very easy to access from here (only 25 mins on the train). My hubby isn't too great on surprises but a couple of years ago for my birthday he booked a day out in London with personal shopping and afternoon tea. I took him to Venice for his 50th, absolutely loved that (great treat for me too). I'm waiting for the mini until my daughter is driving so the smaller size won't affect me too much (I hope anyway) but it doesn't have to be forever. My husband has a convertible Jag and we love having the top down. When we first met he bought me a MG Midget and restored it for me, it was red and I kept it until I was pregnant with my son. Certainly wasn't practical after that!
Happy hoovering - I'm loving this weather but the dead flies are driving me mad.
Michelle xx

Belinda James

30/9/2016 10:40:12 am

Love your posts and updates. I too am 'almost' 50, in fact I've got 99 days to go according to my countdown on my phone! After reading your bucket list, I decided to share some of my 50th year thoughts with you. I too have never had a proper birthday party, (unless you count the tea parties you mum put on for you when you were a child) so I've booked a venue, a disco, booked a cake, bought some decorations, plus a couple of other surprises for some of my best and closest friends and family. Everyone was asking what I wanted to do for my birthday and as it's straight after the hullabaloo of Christmas, and my birthday actually falls on a Saturday, I felt it was 'fate' that I should throw a party. Initially I thought it would probably be quite stressful but I'm now of the opinion that I fully intend to enjoy myself with my nearest and dearest and that's what matters. Therefore that'll be something off my bucket list.
Also, in 3 weeks time, myself, my hubby and another couple are off to NYC for 5 nights in a swanky hotel on Times Square (soooo excited).
Last year we had 5 nights in Vegas for my hubbys 50th with 2 other couples, I wasn't that fussed about Vegas but he'd always wanted to go, oh my word, I would go back there in a heartbeat! Uh-maze-ing!
I also did a Segway tour with my 13 year old son on holiday in Cyprus this year, it was great fun (and easy too!) He even got me to go parasailing with him (me and swimming aren't really good friends!)
But I have also booked a little break in a caravan next year to take my parents away with myself and my 2 kids (my eldest is 22). I think the feeling behind it is that getting older, and looking back at your childhood and family memories, I'd like another holiday with mum and dad like we had when we were kids, and (without sounding a bit maudlin) them being able to enjoy it fully while they can.
I think getting to a 'milestone' age also makes you think more about 'you' and what you 'want for yourself'. Not to be selfish, but in an 'achievement' kind of way.
Hope I haven't bored you too much with my comments. Keep us posted on your party xx

30/9/2016 10:41:24 am

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