50 Before 50 List

Getting Started

(Updated December 2023) We all struggle with growing older. Every passing moment is a precious gift. It can slip through our fingers in a blink of an eye. In my own journey of self-discovery, I decided to start living my life to the fullest.

However, as I get closer to the big Five-Oh I am starting to freak out a little. 

My Solution 

Crafting a "50 before 50" list. This journey to find pleasure in the simple things. A chance to try new things. Simple every day pleasures. Things most everyone has done, but me. 

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Scroll to the end of this post for my complete list

My Story 

I decided embarked on an fun journey to savor life's moments, and it all began with a simple list.

Try a Slurpee for the First Time 

The first item I checked off surprised my son. He asked, "What is on the list?" So, I named a few things off. When I said I've never had a Slurpee from 7-11 his jaw dropped. He said we need to do that right now. My boys teach me the proper Slurpee process. 

It was a great moment seeing them teach me something so simple. I was a little hesitant to pull the knob, and my son laughed at me. When it was time to test out the Slurple my son was very anxious for my response. The texture was different then I expected, but it was just too sweet for me. 

Bake a Cake from Scratch

My 49th birthday some of my friends got together to surprise me. They had all the ingredients ready for baking a cake from scratch, something I had never done. With a little guidance from them I did some measuring, whisking, pouring, chopping and mixing. 

The cake was a chocolate cake with a cup of coffee, chopped chocolate, cocoa and mayonnaise in it.  

I also mixed up the chocolate icing from scratch.  Then iced my own birthday cake. This was my first time making a cake from scratch. Pretty good for my first home-made cake, moist and tasty.

My First Power Tool 

It was suggested I get an impact wrench to help me install my aftermarket Jeep bumper. I returned the power tool the next day. When I his the trigger it overwhelmed me. I ended up getting a Black and Decker drill with less power. I thought it best I start out small and work my way up. 

Try a New Veggie

Like most all kids I hated my veggies growing up. As an adult I have a greater appreciation for them. I decided I would try a new vegetable I have never tried. I picked Eggplant. I made eggplant Parmesan. 

Check out this recipe and my other clean eating recipes here. 

Bake Bread From Scratch 

It was quite fun AND... it was a huge success with my family. Especially my 16 year old. He raved of my bread for days! 

Girls Getaway & Buy an Every day Dress

When my dad's sister died recently, I began to realize how short life can be. My aunt and her daughters would take little getaway trips. I found my sisters, mom and I hadn't done that. Knowing how quickly things can change we all got together for our first weekend getaway. We headed up the North Shore of Lake Superior for a little shopping and taking in the sites of the beautiful fall landscape. 

I donated a pint of blood to the National Children's Hospital. My blood will in turn help three to four kids with cancer.

Getting a tattoo is very cathartic for me. The pain, which is bearable, is like a release of negative emotions.  This 4th tattoo is of gladiolus, my birth flower, and three butterflies. The three butterflies signify three moments in time that altered my most recent life's path. One small moment in time can change the direction of your life. For me it is about embracing the little moments. 

Visit Wells, Maine a town my ancestors settled

Go Dancing

It was a night of good old fashion dance at  Cafe Saint-Ex.  The last time I hit a dance floor was -- well...let's just say it was way before my mom days began. The DJ began spinning tunes they called "Oldies" -- songs I grew up listening too.  

We finally had enough of a work out on the dance floor and headed back upstairs to sit back and relax for one more cocktail. A very surreal moment as I sat and watched all the patrons drinking and chatting realizing how much time has gone by and that life is too short to sit around and wait for it to happen.

Jeep Momma's Simple 50 before 50 list 

 I began this list the year before I turned 50. Through out the year I changed it as I made new goals. other 

1.  Write a book and send it to publishers - I completed this 5 years after I was 50
2.   Try  Sushi
3.   Bake a cake from scratch 
4.   Get another tattoo
5.   Donate a pint of blood 
6.   Go to Karaoke Night
7.   Visit Wells, Maine -- the town my ancestors settled
8.   Buy shares in a company Earn Trail #11 at Rausch Creek
9.   Go on a haunted Ghost Tour
10. Eat a new vegetable
11. Watch The Godfather trilogy  Drink a Bloody Mary
12. Watch Gone with the Wind
13. Ride a scenic Train in West Virginia  Crawler Ridge Trail at Rausch Creek badge
14. Get a Facial 
15. Go Dancing
16. Do a good deed... Pay it forward
17. Meet an online friend in person
18. Add purple highlights to my hair
19. Make a loaf of bread from scratch
20. Pay for a stranger's lunch
21. Buy my first power tool for myself
22. Try a Float Spa  Wheel Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area
23. Girl's Overnight trip
24. Go 24 hours without technology
25. Buy a lottery ticket 
26. Remove the carpet in the living room   Start Running again
27. Tape some change to a parking meter
28. Visit the National Gallery of Art  See ACDC in Concert but they cancelled the DC concert
29. Eat at Good Stuff Eatery 
30. Finish a novel required in high school I didn't finish
31. Grow an indoor Herb Garden
32. Buy a coffee table for our living room   Smoke a Cigar
33. Cook something with Truffle oil
34. Wear my hair in a braid
35. Drink a glass of Brandy
36. Get a bikini wax   Play a game of pool at a bar (just like I did in my 20's)
37. Take a Yoga class at my gym
38. Take a pole dancing class  Drink a Margarita 
39. Get a Slurpee from 7-11
40. Try a Moon Pie
41. See the Cherry Blossom's in bloom in DC
42. Start a fire without matches    Swim (for me wade) in a Great Lake (Lake Erie)
43. Learn how to tie a man's tie
44. Name a star after myself   Drink a Martini
45. Take a 10 mile bike ride   Try a white wine spritzer
46.  Lose 10 pounds
47.  Buy a dress to wear as an everyday dress 
48.  Watch a TED talk on you tube
49.  Send a random gift to a random friend
50. Make a no bean chili