UPDATED Bucket List

50 BEFORE 50

1. Be thankful and grateful and be positive every day
2. Hug my kids everyday
3. 50 random acts of kindness-
4. Volunteer-
5. Stand up paddleboarding-Well I tried, I did sit down paddleboarding...
6. Jet skiing
7. Lose 50 lbs
8. Try all 30 shots on my Pinterest post, NOT AT ONCE // 
9. Learn Sign Language
10. Take a water aerobics class
11. MEET ONE CELEBRITY!
12. Leave a note in a library book, or cash or gift card
13. Learn to make my grandmother's lasagna 1/24/16
14. Get a small, tasteful, possibly matching tattoo with my daughter on her 18th birthday
15. Attend a Blue Jackets Game
16. Visit Margaritaville in Cinci and attend a Reds game
17. WIN A MAJOR JACKPOT LOTTERY-I believe it will happen to me!
18. Drive a Can Am Spyder for a day!
19. Rent or test drive my dream car -Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Sport preferably red
20. Sit front row at a concert or play 
21. Zip the Mega Cavern in Louisville, KY
22. Make a photobook with all my Grandmother's cookie, cakes and lasagna recipes
23. Restore a rocker that belonged to a great, great, great (might be an extra GREAT, not sure)grandparent
24. De-clutter and organize my home
25. Get new laptop and sweepers
26. Go to Clay Café with friends my girls-Jan 2, 2016 MOM DAY DONE 2 x
27. Go to one of those PaintNites with friends
28. Sand and paint the desk in the garage
29. Go to a real spa and have a mud bath.
30. Go on a date.
31. Donate items to Nationwide Children's Hospital from their Wish list.
32. Visit 1 of my childhood homes
33. Go out with friends at least 1 time a month.
34.  Try a meatball sub.
35. Hang up my pictures.
36. Have a campfire and cook smores.
37. Start a blog....duh should have been #1.
38. Try Broccoli - Still gross!
39. FIND MY JOY
40. Try new hair color
41. Laptops for both girls
42. Make homemade mac and cheese
43. Try bacon brittle
44. Try hot tea or a coffee and find one that I like. (didn't find one I like)
45. Try Red Berry Sangria
46. Go 48 hrs without tv or wifi or texting. (Thank Jeep Momma for the idea)
47. Watch The Notebook, from beginning to end. Jan 3, 2016
48. Finish a book required in high school I didn't read.
49. Throw my grandmother a 90th bday surprise party.
50. Vegas!! or maybe the beach!

#13 Lasagna Making!!

Whoopy!

My sister(in-law) and I, invaded my Grandmother's house today.  We made 3 whole pans of lasagna!! My grandmother thought we were crazy!  We ate one and froze the other 2.  My brother said it tastes just like grandmothers, so did Paige.  I am not sure if it did, but I am glad, I did it.  It was so much fun. Heather and I tagged teamed on all three pans. 

The Notebook and Clay Cafe

Check and Check
Jan 2, 2016

I declared it MOM's Day! I chose what we were going to do and where we ate.
Side note: My kids HATE dining in places, they are the princesses of Drive-thru, that is totally my fault.  My good friends will make excuses for me....Your a single mom, you work and have to run the girls around and you're tired, etc.  YEP and YEP but other mothers seem to be able to make it work and cook real meals, me...not so much.  That is a work in progress
Back to MOM's Day. So We hit Target, woohoo picked up necessities, Panera SIT IN for lunch....Did I mention that any complaining and I would add things on as we went.  Panera having to go inside and eat, lol I knew I would get at least one more item to add on.  Next we hit the Clay Café, there were no complaints. HMMMM.  I only have been trying to get someone to go with me for a year. SMH.  I took them and we had fun, they were creative and it was nice.  So I didn't get to go with friends, but this turned out better. 
OH the hardest part of the day for them was I CONTROLLED THE RADIO IN THE CAR....lol.  I might have to pull that one more often it was so nice not having to listen to the Beibs or 1D for a day.
I was a day out, I got company while I did stuff I needed to get done, they girls seemed to have a good time.  Teens, hard telling.
Few other stops but not as much as I wanted. I had hoped for a movie, but over did it and my back was back to not cooperating.  That is 51 FIX MY DANG  BACK ISSUES

Jan 3, 2016
I just watched The Notebook from beginning to end.  I thought I had seen all of it bits and pieces at a time. NOT. AND THE END....OMG.  I don't know if it was because this TV version had 'extended scenes or what, but very little of it I had seen. I was bored thru most of it, sorry to those diehard fans.  But the ending was good and sad.

2 things in 2 days checked off my list. 

Still working on the Nationwide Children's wish list.  I bought as many lotion and gel from the Bath and Body Works online sales over the Christmas season and I need to go drop off, because my girls are wanting very badly for some of the lotions.  I got some other items, with my cousin's help.  I got some books and dvd, nail polish, matchbox cars and some baby items.  I may have to settle for one copy box of items.   If you can donate take a look at my other blog, it gives the whole wish list.  If you can't donate to Columbus Nationwide Children's Hospital, donate locally.

Also remember if you got new bedding for Christmas and want to get rid of old bedding or towels or washcloths, check with animal shelters near you or homeless shelters.

Comments are welcome below, but keep them kind.  There is plenty of negativity in the world lets add positivity.  Spell check let that word through so it must be a real word.

The list is Complete! Now to do all of them!

50 BEFORE 50

1. Be thankful and grateful and be positive every day
2. Hug my kids everyday
3. 50 random acts of kindness- This isn't a new thing, I have been doing simple things buy someone's meal in the drive thru, hand out flowers, give money to someone at an off ramp.  The hard part is coming up with other more creative things on a budget. I have 2 done, might try to do one a day for the next 48 days. Please share any suggestions you might have. I will post when I do one but not what it was. I hope that isn't considered bragging. ////  ////  //// //// //// //// //// //// //// ////
4. Volunteer-I love babies and animals, but haven't found a good fit yet, still researching this one.  I have some health issues that keep me from doing some things.  Working on figuring the actual cause of the problem.  It isn't anything major, that can effect anyone else.
5. Stand up paddleboarding-Well I tried, I did sit down paddleboarding...
   

   

   
   
6. Jet skiing
   

   

   
   
7. Lose 50 lbs.-hopefully more, but that keeps with the theme
8. Try all 30 shots on my Pinterest post, NOT AT ONCE //
   

   
9. Learn Sign Language
   

   

   
   
10. Take a water aerobics class
11. MEET ONE CELEBRITY!
    

    

    
    
12. Leave a note in a library book, or cash or gift card
13. Learn to make my grandmother's lasagna 1/24/16
14. Get a small, tasteful, possibly matching tattoo with my daughter on her 18th birthday
15. Attend a Blue Jackets Game
    

    

    
    
16. Visit Margaritaville in Cinci and attend a Reds game
    

    

    

    
    
17. WIN A MAJOR JACKPOT LOTTERY-I believe it will happen to me!
18. Drive a Can Am Spyder for a day!
    

    

    
    
19. Rent or test drive my dream car -Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Sport preferably red
    

    

    
    
20. Sit front row at a concert or play
    

    
21. Zip the Mega Cavern in Louisville, KY
    

    

    
    
22. Make a photobook with all my Grandmother's cookie, cakes and lasagna recipes
23. Restore a rocker that belonged to a great, great, great (might be an extra GREAT, not sure)grandparent
24. De-clutter and organize my home
25. Get new laptop and sweepers
26. Go to Clay Café with friends my girls-Jan 2, 2016 MOM DAY
27. Go to one of those PaintNites with friends
28. Sand and paint the desk in the garage
29. Go to a real spa and have a mud bath.
30. Go on a date.
31. Donate items to Nationwide Children's Hospital from their Wish list.
32. Visit 1 of my childhood homes
33. Go out with friends at least 1 time a month. //
34.  Try a meatball sub.
35. Hang up my pictures.
36. Have a campfire and cook smores.
    

    

    
    
37. Start a blog....duh should have been #1.
38. Try Broccoli - Still gross!
    

    

    
    
39. FIND MY JOY
40. Try new hair color
41. Laptops for both girls
42. Make homemade mac and cheese
43. Try bacon brittle
44. Try hot tea or a coffee and find one that I like. (didn't find one I like)
45. Try Red Berry Sangria
    

    

    
    
46. Go 48 hrs without tv or wifi or texting. (Thank Jeep Momma for the idea)
47. Watch The Notebook, from beginning to end. Jan 3, 2016
48. Finish a book required in high school I didn't read.
49. Vegas!! or maybe the beach!

#31

 

Not exactly very far along with my donations for Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus.  But I thought I would share my process. I have some movies, nail polish and lotions.  I guess I am thinking mainly of teens, that are hospitalized, because of my teens.  I will need to expand my thought process.  If you have any ideas or know of any good deals on any of the items on NCHC wish list please let me know.

 

Here is the link to the Wish List:
http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/wish-list-for-donations


Infants and Toddlers (area of HIGH NEED)

Musical mobiles (especially need washable mobiles without cloth parts) Musical toys Light up toys Soft vinyl books and board books Crib mirrors and toy links Stacking and nesting toys

See and Says Lullaby and soft music tapes and/or CDs Busy boxes Rattles and teethers Exersaucers, swings, infant seats Plastic links Cause and effect toys

Preschool Age

Crayons and coloring books Toy medical kits Toy cash registers Play food and dishes Play tools Washable (not cloth) baby dolls Toy musical instruments Wooden puzzles Pop-up books Magnadoodles

Light up and musical toys Play Doh and accessories Construction toys like: Bristle Blocks, Duplo, wooden blocks, etc. Simple games such as: Memory, color and number games Little Tike and Fisher-Price action structures (house, farm, garage) and accessories like: people, animals, cars, planes, and furniture Puzzles with knobs

School Age

All sorts of games like: Clue, Clue Jr., Monopoly Jr., Yahtzee, Yahtzee Jr., Connect 4, Uno, Guess Who, Trouble, Sorry, Apples to Apples, etc. Bubbles Travel games Craft kits like: posters to color, beads, bead and hemp jewelry kits, ink stamp kits, stickers, paint kits, wood kits, etc.

Matchbox cars and trucks Toy dinosaurs, insects animals Non-violent action figures Building sets - Lego, Bionicle, etc. Dolls and doll clothes Walkie talkies 60 and 100 piece puzzles

Teens (area of HIGH NEED)

Games for young adults like: Monopoly, Scrabble, Battleship, Life, checkers, chess, Scattegories, etc. Craft kits such as: latch hook, stitching, bead kits, leather craft, fabric painting, posters to color, etc. Model kits (cars, planes, boats) Journals and scrapbooks (blank) and materials Disposable cameras Lotion and bath gel sets New fingernail polish Walkman type radios, CD players or MP3 players

Hand Held electronic games (20 Questions, etc.) Stationery sets Attractive spiral bound notebooks Playing cards Gift cards for iTunes, common stores, movies, book stores and clothing Word search, crossword puzzle, Suduko books

Washable Games

Guess Who Kerplunk Tip It Trouble Up Words Yahtzee Catch Phrase Simon 20 Questions

Pefection Battleship Bop It Connect 4 Scrabble Blokus Master Mind Fishing Dominos

Audio/Visual Items and Game Systems

Blank CDs CD Players or MP3 Players Recent release DVDs (rated G, PG, or PG13) CDs appropriate for children and youth Small electronic keyboards

iTunes gift cards Play Station II systems and games* Wii Systems and games* * Games must be rated for all ages and be non-violent

Arts and Crafts Supplies

Glitter glue Glue sticks Safety scissors Acrylic paint Feathers Construction paper Finger paint paper Sculpy or Fimo Pom poms Gel pens Crayola Model Magic Glue dots Coloring posters Glitter glue pens Colored pencils Scratch Magic Scratch Art sheets

Tacky glue Stickers Fancy edging scissors Buttons Pipe cleaners Crepe paper Glitter Beads Paint brushes Shaving cream Crayons Paint with water books Craft kits from Oriental Trading Washable markers Elmer's 3D paint pens

Additional Gift Ideas

Large Toys

Little Tikes Explorer Wagons (blue, tan and red - no other wagon styles are used in the hospital)

Books and Magazines

Donations of new and gently used children’s books and family-oriented magazines are welcome. We especially need: I Spy books, board books, new coloring books, crossword and word search books. The following types of materials are NOT acceptable: Encyclopedia, textbooks, news magazines over a year old, books or magazines with adult themes, religious themes, violent themes, or scary characters.

Other Gift Ideas

You may want to consider Gift Cards for patients and families from any of the following corporations that support Nationwide Children's Hospital:

Big Lots Giant Eagle Kohl's Kroger Macy's Meijer Schottenstein Stores Speedway Walmart

 

 

I have hit a slump and not much progress.  I am only 2 away from my 50 random acts of kindness being reached.  That is really something that will continue. I urge you all to do something random also. 

Still waiting for the winning lottery ticket, it can happen.

I know the alphabet in sign language is all the progress there.  I have 7ish months.  I need to get busy.

Please leave any suggestions for the remaining items.

If you can give me any leads, on driving my dream car, I would be happy with half hour to an hour!  Same with the Can Am Spyder.

PROGRESS

My Progress so far:

So far the easiest items on my list seems to be #3.

 #4 Has been the hardest.  A sweet friend said find something your passionate about and what brings you joy. UMMMMmmmm.... I feel bad. I am not passionate about anything.  I can't find my joy! UGH! That is horrible.  Isn't it? I love to laugh, I love making people laugh.  But to find MY JOY, what brings me joy? Is that even possible for someone to not find their joy? Well I guess it is, maybe #40 will be to find my joy.

#4 Volunteer:
 I did help out with the Women's Club at my daughter's old grade school.  I helped prep pumpkins for their family night selling pumpkins and having carving contests, I think I am going to count that. What about helping an older family member, who needs help or is just lonely.  Would that be considered volunteering?  I really don't know.  I do know I need to start doing that anyway.

I still need about 9 more items for my list to be complete.  Have any suggestions?  Come on share.  Am I just typing for myself, well probably.  I know how many views, most of them are me looking at my own blog. SMH really sad. 

I know they say you are losing it if you talk to yourself.  So if you are typing and answer yourself, does that mean you already lost it?  I really think it does.  Thanks. You're welcome.

Back to my list.

#9 Lose weight.  LOL seem to be going the WRONG direction on this one.

#31 Collect donations for Columbus' Nationwide Children's Hospital
I have finally bought some items.  WOO HOO.  Some family friendly dvds....almost said videos, shows my age right there. Got some monitory donations, to help me reach my goal.  I have until my birthday in JUNE, but I really like crossing things off.  So I might be hitting the after Christmas sales.  I asked at work if I could send out an email. NO.  I asked if I could put up a sign. NO.  All I can do is ask friends and my few twitter followers.  I guess I could buy BIG items that will fill up the boxes faster, lol. 

If someone does read my blabbering could you let me know?  Make suggestions, give me encouragement, prefer no nasty stuff- but I can't stop ya from doing that.  Just let me know, if I am at least entertaining you with my GREAT WIT...Hey I make myself laugh someone that's something I guess