News flash: 32 days from today, I will turn 32 years old.
This is a big deal, mainly because I don’t feel anywhere close to 32. I know my grandma used to say that she didn’t feel her age, and when she looked in the mirror she was surprised to see her mother looking back at her. I’ve heard other people say that as well, including my own mother at times. And of course, I know the whole “time flies” bit already. But now the past few years I’ve been feeling all of this myself, and it’s bizarre. I can’t even blame it on my age, or even on the fact that I’m facing the looming prospect of marriage, which is kind of the ultimate in “grown-up”-ness…. because it’s been coming for a while.
Do I look 32? Because I literally feel, at the absolute oldest, maybe 21. Okay… so that photo is from back in May, but still. I wake up some mornings and still feel like a 16 year old kid. Other mornings I wake up and I feel so completely disconnected from the fact I’m actually in my 30’s that the concept of it is almost shocking. As if it just can’t be. Like there’s some mistake or miscalculation. Maybe I graduated from high school at age 8 or something? Maybe I was really born in 1991? Can that be? Because I cannot actually be in my 30’s. It’s just impossible. No way time can go by that fast, can it?
Just two weeks ago, I painted my nails with a multicolored glitter nail polish & there was a Candy Land band-aid on my finger (covering a cherry jam-inflicted) wound. That’s not very grown-up, is it?
Actually I can’t say that I give a shit whether or not it’s grown-up.
Anyway, inspired by AB CHAO’s Life List, I decided to make one. As in, things I’d like to do/have happen at some point in my life, as of right now at (almost) age 32. I’m of the opinion that this list doesn’t have to be a “bucket list” (I hate that phrase) nor does it have to contain things that are incredibly important, nor do I have to explain any of them to anyone other than myself. It does NOT have to consist of things that are achievements. It does NOT have to be about work, or family, or anything. Just stuff that you want to do. I see so many people make these over the top lists of things they feel they need to accomplish… and so much of it involves making more money, or having better things than others do, having the biggest house or nicest car, etc. That’s not what this is about. This isn’t about impressing anyone or making anyone else feel inadequate. This isn’t about changing yourself.
And there’s no “Achieve world peace” or “Get the Nobel Peace Prize” stuff here; I’ll save that for the Miss America pageant.
- Vote for a female presidential candidate (not just in a primary- but an actual election, and not a Vice President).
- Open my own bakery/coffee shop.
- Attend the Met Gala.
- Plant & successfully grow an edible fruit tree in my yard, probably apple. I love me some apples & they do great in NY.
- Own a brownstone in downtown Manhattan or Brooklyn, or a home built prior to 1940. The older the better, in fact!
- Travel all over Europe, with no specific time frame or monetary restraints.
- Buy a car from a cooler decade to drive around on weekends. For example; A Studebaker from the 1920’s, or Ford pickup truck from the 1930’s… hell, I’d settle for a ’50’s Buick or Chevy, or even a 1960 Chevy Delivery sedan. Old cars > new. All day, everyday.
- Get my driver’s license so I can drive my awesome 1920’s car around on weekends like Daisy Buchanan (hopefully sans killing anyone).
- See a favorite band perform in another country (not Canada, doesn’t count… too close!).
- Have pink hair one more time.
- Buy a farm. Literally.
- Grow enough tomatoes in one season to make a few jars of homemade sauce, with NO store bought ingredients.
- Complete the family tree, equally, so that one side isn’t traced back to 1300 and the other is still stuck at 1830.
- Win more than $500 on a lottery ticket (okay, so I know this is a matter of luck & has nothing to do with me, but still).
- Learn Gaelic, French & German.
- Write (& publish) a book.
- Replace all the jadeite pieces of my grandmother’s that I broke.
- Learn to sew on a real sewing machine.
- Fix up my mom’s vintage blue 1967 Columbia Thunderbolt bicycle with new chains, new white wall tires & a basket on the front.
- Learn to clean, de-bone & cook fish perfectly.
- Hire Chrisie to paint a portrait of Indy in a stately, dignified pose. Like this!
- Finally make a t-shirt quilt.
- To be one of those super organized people with an actual home office.
- Make my own usable pottery- dishes, bowls, etc.
- Learn how to Marcel wave my hair.
- Make a jelly roll without the cake “cracking.”
- Get back into watercolor painting.
- Learn how to really work the shit out of my camera like a pro.
- Buy a working antique gramophone/phonograph.
- Start to do yoga.
- Make macarons that are perfect on the first try.
- Finally get those tattoos I have all drawn up.
I’m sure I’ll think of more as soon as I stop writing this post, but I thought I ought to confine it to 32, you know, 32 being the big number and all. C’est la vie. I think I’ll revisit this post in one year & see how much I’ve done.
What would be on your life list?
I'm Marilla. A 30-something artist, hobby baker, home canning enthusiast, gardener, DIY-er, wife, mommy of a baby boy and dog mom (to another baby boy) from New York. 
I want to teach you number 18 so you can make 22 <3
You are a beautiful, driven young woman. All of us could learn a lot from you, and as I read your blog I have learnt a lot, not just baking and cooking but some life skills I have held on to. Your age or being “grown up” should have no matter in how you see or do anything. Who says that growing up has to be dull and boring? I have rainbow colored nails and Hallo Kitty is the only band aid I use. That just makes us fun people. I look up to you, you ALWAYS put a smile in my heart, don’t change who you are EVER!
I totally understand what you mean by not feeling your age. I asked my mom once about how old she felt inside, and she said “Not a day over 24….and I’ve always felt like that.” I feel that way too. I need to do a list like this too. My dream vehicles are either a 1967 GTO or a 1950ish Ford truck…both matte black preferably. So many of your things to do are similar to mine! I would like Diesel and Bella painted in Victorian attire….go figure. Love this list!
Aww, Yoyo… ♥
Thank you Jorette! That was so sweet. It made me smile!
Hillary- let’s buy our dream vintage cars & drive around wearing bandannas tied up Rosie the Riveter style together!
I’ve been thinking of doing something similar! Love this list!!!!!
You totally should, I’d love to read it! And thanks 🙂
I love the concept to this list! I’m going to turn 32 this year which I find stranger than when I turned 30. At least age 30 was still connected to age 29…
There are several items on this list that I would put on mine if I were to make one: #4 (mine would be a Haas Avocado), #10, #31, and #32 specifically.
Thanks Heather! I think it’s a great idea. I really hope next year I can cross a bunch off this list, and compile a new one. 😀
Rattling good information can be found on web blog.
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It absolutely useful and it has aided
me out loads. I’m hoping to give a contribution & assist different customers like its helped me.
Good job.
Hey There. I discovered your blog the use of
msn. That is a really smartly written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your helpful info.
Thank you for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I needed to compose you the little bit of word to give many thanks again regarding the gorgeous ideas you have provided on this
site. It is quite unbelievably open-handed with
you to present publicly what a lot of people might have made available for an electronic book
to generate some dough on their own, chiefly considering the fact that you
could have tried it in case you considered necessary.
The tricks also acted to become a great way to recognize that other people have similar dream much like mine to understand a
good deal more when considering this issue. I believe there are numerous more pleasant instances up front for those who start reading your website.
Thanks for finally writing about > CUPCAKE REHAB | est.
2007 < Loved it!
Howdy very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful ..
I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?
I am glad to find numerous useful information here within the put up, we’d like work out more strategies
on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Ahaa, its pleasant discussion regarding this piece of writing at this place at this
blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Hi there, I found your website by way of Google even as searching for a comparable
matter, your website got here up, it seems good. I have bookmarked it in my
google bookmarks.[X-N-E-W-L-I-N-S-P-I-N-X]Hello there, simply changed into aware of your blog via Google, and located that it’s truly informative.
I am going to be careful for brussels. I will be grateful when you continue this in future.
Many folks can be benefited out of your writing.
Cheers!
Howdy! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new
project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a extraordinary job!
I like this weblog very much, Its a rattling nice
position to read and incur info.
What’s up every one, here every one is sharing these experience, so it’s fastidious to read this blog,
and I used to pay a visit this website every day.
I am sure this post has touched all the internet viewers, its really really pleasant piece of writing on building up new
website.
Hi there to every one, as I am genuinely keen of
reading this website’s post to be updated regularly.
It contains fastidious material.
Great blog here! Additionally your site loads up very fast!
What web host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate
link for your host? I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know a lot about this, like you wrote
the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little
bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.
A great read. I will certainly be back.
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out.
Please let me know where you got your theme.
Many thanks
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your site by accident, and I
am stunned why this twist of fate did not took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
Hello, I read your blog on a regular basis. Your writing style is witty, keep
it up!
If you desire to take a great deal from this post then you have
to apply these methods to your won weblog.
Very good blog you have here but I was curious about if
you knew of any user discussion forums that cover the same
topics talked about here? I’d really like to be a part of community where I can get
advice from other knowledgeable individuals that share the same interest.
If you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Kudos!
Great site you have got here.. It’s hard to find high
quality writing like yours nowadays. I really
appreciate people like you! Take care!!
constantly i used to read smaller content that also clear their motive, and that is
also happening with this paragraph which I am reading here.
I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a
blog that’s both equally educative and engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit
the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I am very happy that I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.