Before Forty

It shouldn't bother me to turn 30, but I'm not going to lie.  It kind of does.  I think that's mostly because 20 was so incredibly great.  I got married 6 weeks before that birthday, and I spent the following 10 years doing the greatest stuff I've ever done.  I mean, at 20-something, I gave birth.  Three times.  I played both of my dream roles.  I graduated with a bachelors degree and a 4.0.  I shared literally countless hours at one table or another playing games with Kirk (and many other friends).  I gained two brothers-in-law.  I bought a house.  And the list just goes on.  I mean, the 20's - or at least my 20's - were pretty exciting.  Decisions to make.  Adventures to choose.  What if it literally doesn't get better than that?

In some ways, I feel like the choices are done.  I have the husband, the kids, the degree, the job, the house, the theatrical opportunities.  My groundwork is all laid.  And that's great.  But...

I love the journey.  I'm not so great at destinations.  I love the rehearsals and actually get bored by performing.  I'm so into the process that I often don't even think about the results.  And I'm a bit bothered by the thought of a decade of destination.

So here it is - my great plan to make sure I can look back at my 30's and see more than laundry and stages and students and dinner and routine.  In the order in which the ideas came to me, my "40 BY 40" list:

1. Read the "missionary library"

2. Take our family on a cruise

3. Buy a motorcycle or a convertible

4. Go skydiving

5. See a musical on Broadway

6. Get a masters degree in education

7. Take a photography class

8. Take a tap class / learn the time steps

9. Learn more about autism

10. Do work in each of the Utah temples

11. Make a childhood photo book for both me and Kirk

12. Write my personal history through age 18

13. Audition at Hale, Centerpointe, Pioneer, and Desert Star Theaters

14. Go to a show at Tuacahn

15. Cook a turkey

16. Memorize the 100 scripture mastery scriptures

17. Learn to repel

18. Write a musical

19. Read "The Chronicles of Narnia"

20. Plan a Nelson/Norris family reunion

21. Make missionary and armed forces plaques for the boys' rooms

22. Have a $0 balance on all credit cards

23. Get a passport

24. Go skiing

25. Complete and submit foster care forms

26. Learn three classical piano pieces (well)

27. Learn to play a new instrument

28. Take golf lessons

29. Learn to make/use fondant

30. Create a physical representation of our Scottish ancestry

31. Take a trip to visit Steph

32. Sing Karaoke - for real

33. Start a used book collection

34. Start mission funds for the boys

35. Go to an art gallery

36. Buy an un-crappy camping trailer

37. See a TMJ specialist

38. Xeriscape the front yard

39. Do something really cool for Kirk

40. Make a good recording of Grandma Casdorph's "Annie and Willy's Prayer"

Some may be easy.  Some I planned to do anyway.  Some I've always talked about doing.  And, knowing me, some probably will just remain dreams.  But with my groundwork laid and my foundation sure, I'm ready to rock my 30's!