50 and Fearless – Don Manuel Presents Shop

Originally published January 1, 2020. Most recent update: 03-07-2020

After I completed my Last 40 Days of My 40s adventure, I made a list of things I wanted to do in my 50th year. Some of these things were things I didn’t get to do in my Last 40 Days (a few have been revised), others were goals I was setting for myself or just things that I think sound awesome.

Here is my 50 and Fearless Goal List:

Finance – Save $1000 in an account as an emergency fund – DONE March 6, 2020 – it took me a couple of months, but I did it! I also put it in a different bank than more everyday transactional bank without a debit card so I can’t get to it too easily. Go me!
Finance – Pay off three debts using the Debt Snowball method
Volunteer locally
Road trip
Buy lottery tickets
Hire a spring cleaning service or lawn service
Make beauf bourginon
Climb Cascade and Porter
Girls weekend
Karaoke
No social media for 24 hours!
Host a tea party
Create something – Turn picnic table into funky art piece
Create something – Paint a mural on the old dog kennel wall
Do the 30 days to do a split challenge
Have drunk sex
Get Raised Beds ready
Plant fruit trees and bushes
First burlesque performance – DONE January 27, 2020 – this was empowering and life-changing!

Finance – Do a No Buy July challenge
Moorogel space: better tables, vignette areas, replace ceiling
Create something – paint stairway wall in chalkboard paint
Read 24 books
Goal weight achievement
Climb a volcano in Bali
Do water purification ceremony in Bali
Do yoga in Bali
Pet a monkey
Learn to make arroz con gandules that doesn’t taste like paste
Business – Make Creating Dreams Movement a 501(c)3 non-profit
Finance – start a Roth IRA
Finance – move all accounts to USAA
Business – earn $5000 from donmanuelpresents.shop
Do a 4 day weekend in Puerto Rico
Take 2 trips to see grandsons/son
1 absolutely spontaneous trip
Make 3 new friends…would be super awesome if one turned into a best friend
Take husband to see Ludacris in concert
BONUS: Hot air balloon ride

Check this blog for posts and updates on the 50 and Fearless goal list! Obviously, since this is me, I will be editing, revising, and adding to this list throughout the year. Because I can. Because it’s my life. Because really living is an adventure.

As my 50th birthday approached on October 31st, I decided to do a Last 40 Days of My 40s bucket list. I felt fabulous and fearless about turning 50, but I still wanted to celebrate the last days of my 40s. My husband is super supportive, so we had a great time with my Last 40 Days list! I brainstormed a bunch of things I had always wanted to do and have never done or that I wanted to do again.

Here are the 40 things that I did:

Public belly dance performance – DONE
Cover up tattoo – DONE
I had this crappy old tattoo with an ex. I got a beautiful cover up with things I love: books and lilacs!

Chicago tower glass floor – DONE
103 stories up in the air! So cool!

Eat something new – DONE
I ate Wisconsin cheese curds…delish!
Do something daring with my haircut or color – DONE
I put red streaks in my hair!
Drink my $150 bottle of wine – DONE
Ok…I lost an earring, almost fell into a window, and passed out on my husband. But I did it!
Boudoir photo shoot – DONE
I just can’t recommend this enough! It makes you feel sexy, beautiful, and badass! Go do it! Right now!

Get under 200 pounds – DONE
Speak at EDUCAUSE national conference – DONE
Yes, I’m a boss babe.

Go skinny dipping again – DONE
Raise money for charity – Mission 22 Fun Run and Event – and did a Facebook fundraiser for my birthday – DONE
I firmly believe in putting good out into the world every chance you get!

Choose and put a down payment on a 2020 vacation – DONE
We’re going to BALI in March!!!!!
Teeth cleaning – DONE
This is so important…and I had let it lag. Did you know gum disease is a leading cause of heart disease? Yeah…take care of your teefers!
Junk the crappy undergarments…get new sexy bras and panties – DONE
Join/start a book club – DONE
Dance class with Luis – DONE
We’re taking salsa lessons. So much fun! It’s like group date night!
Cut people loose…Give myself permission to stop trying to connect with “friends” who don’t reach out to me…let go – DONE
This one was hard…I’m a people-pleaser. But…nope. Not anymore.
Take a mental health day – DONE
Begin 21 Day Fix on October 7 – DONE
Break a bad habit – DONE
I floss daily and don’t go to bed with makeup on my face anymore
Watch a documentary on an issue you don’t understand – DONE
Oh Man. This might result in me becoming a vegan. Be careful what you know!
Have dessert without feeling guilty – DONE
Make a Will…again – DONE
Create “kevin’s favorite recipes” book (apple salad, super chicken, awesome chicken, red white and blue pie, banana bread, pulla bread, ect) – DONE
I took all of my son’s favorite recipes and put them in a book for his girlfriend and his sons.
Wear red lipstick – DONE
Pierce nose – DONE
I was afraid to do this for 20 freaking years. Didn’t hurt at all! So embarrassing….

Organize my closet – DONE
Anything that didn’t fit had to go!
Check my credit report – DONE
Begin Composting – DONE
Find someplace in the house to make a sanctuary for myself – DONE
This took some creativity, but I did it…and I’m really happy with the space!

Dance on a bar – DONE
I highly recommend doing this too! I chose Lizzo to dance to….

Create budget…get finances in order – DONE
Try CBD – DONE
Acquire the LEGO Corner Garage – DONE
My husband can tell you just how long I coveted the Corner Garage! It’s now happily installed in Moorogel