Last 40 Days of My 40s

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

• Attend ComicCon in costume! – DONE
  I mean, if you’re going to attend ComicCon, you HAVE to cosplay!

• Meet James Marsters – DONE
  Oh my fangirl heart will never recover!!!!!

• See Hamilton – DONE
  This was a “bonus” item as I didn’t think there was any way I’d be able to accomplish this. I should have more faith in me!

• Try Fire Cupping – DONE
  A wicked cool experience!

• Burlesque boas and gloves – DONE
• Makeup lesson – Ready for My Closeup with Jo – DONE

These are the things I didn’t do that I will try to do in my 50th year:

1. Have a say “yes” night with friends
2. Pay off one debt
3. Volunteer locally
4. Road trip
5. Buy lottery tickets
6. Hire a spring cleaning service or lawn service
7. Make beauf bourginon
8. Learn Spanish…
9. Climb Cascade and Porter
10. Girls weekend
11. Karaoke
12. No social media for 24 hours!
13. Host a tea party
14. Create something – Turn picnic table into funky art piece
15. Go to a movie alone.
16. Do the 30 days to do a split challenge
17. Have drunk sex
18. Get Raised Beds ready
    
    BONUS: Hot air balloon ride

All-in-all, this was an incredible experience!!!! I highly recommend CELEBRATING your milestone birthdays! As my shirt says, “Don’t die wondering!”