My Bucket List

So I was thinking today that summer is supposed to be easier, I think, for teachers...at least that's what everyone else thinks, right?

For 25 years I've seen the t-shirts...you know the ones:
Three reasons I teach...June, July, and August
Those who can't do, teach

And the sweet ones:
Teachers touch lives forever
Teach a child, change a life

Well, I'm here to tell you that summer is definitely NOT easier...not so far anyway. I don't know where the days go!! Anyway, I was thinking tonight of the things I want to accomplish this summer. And then I started thinking of the things I want to accomplish...period. Ever. In my whole life. My Bucket List. So I decided to write it down so I could sort of keep a record of my progress :)

1. I really, really, really want to go to the Grand Canyon. I'm always sooooo envious when I hear people say, "We're just gonna ride out west and see a few things...the Grand Canyon, maybe." Ahhhhhh!

2. My book...I want to finish it. I've been working on it for years. All my material comes from years in the classroom. The saying should be, "I teach your children; therefore, I have LOTS of stories to tell!"

3. Make my online sewing business a success. It's an easy way to be a contributor to the family coffers, and I love doing it. Just got to find more time in the day!!

4. Alaska seems like a paradise for me. The weather would be right up my alley, I think. My sweat glands would have a well-deserved rest! So a trip there is on my bucket list.

5. Learn to cook. Really cook, I mean. I can follow directions on a box. I just don't get the "just substitute this for that and reduce this by half and lower the temp and..." well, you get the idea.

6. Learn to eat. Quite honestly, I don't see this one happening. By learning to eat, I mean eating like normal people. It amazes me to watch people just put new food in their mouths WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT'S IN IT!! How, I ask you, HOW does one do that? I'm working on it, but this is a SLOW go.

7. Be able to dress up and be ready for the day no matter what is going on or how much I have to do. Have you seen those commercials where the woman is mopping--mopping, no less-- in dress clothes and heels? Isn't she just dressed to beat the band in case company comes, her in-laws drop by, or she gets a call from school to come for a conference? One day...

8. Get my boating license...and then really learn to back the boat in, unload it, and actually drive it. I'm not sure that Robbie's nerves can take this, but it's my bucket list, right?

9. Somehow, someway, convince the powers that be in this house to build a carport/garage thingy on the end of the house and change that window out to a door. This IS going to be done. I may have to use serious and severe powers of persuasion...heck, I may have to use bribery and blackmail...but it will get done.

10. Find the skinny, energetic, pretty thing that I KNOW lives inside of me!! I'm working on it-- really, I am. But it seems that person is extremely shy and not really anxious to show her face...or body. I just keep reminding myself (while I guzzle water and walk on the treadmill and try to convince myself that chocolate is of the devil) "Never give up. Never give up. Never, ever, ever, ever give up."

I'm thinking that my bucket list should begin as a manageable list of 10 things. At least, that's what all the "get organized" articles say-- don't be unrealistic, set reasonable goals, celebrate each victory." That's what I'll do. Celebrate. And add new ones as old ones are completed.

And I'm not even talking about my wish for new flooring...because it probably won't ever happen. Or not for a long time.
My main goal is to still have a list when my time comes to move from this home to the next. I think it would be awfully sad to be alive and have no goals. Don't you? What's on your bucket list?