Monday 4 February 2008

Fun Monday IV: My (Kick the) Bucket List

Tiggerlane over at The Neophyte Blogger is hosting this week's Fun Monday. The assignment: Have you heard of The Bucket List? Well, that's what I want from you! Make a list of things you want to do before you die. It must be at least five items - and you can make it as long as you desire. Photos are optional. And let's hear about some of the wackiest, most bizarre to-do's on your Bucket List!

I've been thinking about this one a lot. My husband and daughter were in a car accident on Saturday that could have been so, so much worse. I could have lost two-thirds of my family. But I didn't. And there's not a scratch on them, though the car is looking much the worse for wear. So this accident has added a certain poignance to the assignment. What do I want to do before I kick the bucket?

1. Move back to the States to get reacquainted with my family. The years and the distance have made us virtual strangers. Before I die, I want to get to know them better and in a different way.

2. Hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, then go white-water rafting, then hike back up, then retire to a spa to have my sore muscles tended to.

3. Hire a boat and crew and sail around the world to different islands and countries to toast each and every sunset with a different cocktail every day.

4. Write that book that I think about all the time, but never do anything about.

5. Read the books I've always wanted to read but never seem to have the time for, including everything by Dickens, one of the best observers of human nature ever.

6. Sir Anthony Hopkins recently celebrated his 70th birthday by returning to his hometown in South Wales and having a huge party. He invited people he went to school with way back when and others from his past and present. I'd love to do the same -- go back to Tampa and get together with a load of people I grew up with, used to work with, and are friends with now. I love a good party!

7. Travel all over the world staying in the best hotels and eating exquisite food.

8. Most of all, I want to tell my husband, daughter, and son every day that I love them dearly, and life is not worth living without them.

That's my list. What's yours?

43 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Hiking down and up the canyon would be a LOT of fun, but no white water rafting for me. I'll be on the sidelines photograph YOU. LOL

My Fun Monday is posted. I had a good time this week, voicing my opinions on Fun Monday.
Happy week to you.

-Ann said...

That's an excellent list. Glad to hear that you husband and daughter are okay.

laurie said...

yikes i'm glad the car crash wasn't worse.

you and i are soooo different. i hate parties. a party with everyone from my past sounds like a big honkin' nightmare to me.

Jill said...

i think i'd skip the WWR on the CR as well.. brr and oh no what if you fell out!

Detroit said...

Great list - I especially love #3

Robocop said...

Nice list. I would like to see my home state before I die.

Kim said...

I'm with Laurie on parties. Blech. I'm really glad your hubby and daughter survived without injuries. Those close calls can be so scary. It makes them all the more precious when you realize that they could have been hurt or worse.

A Slice of My Life said...

I once wanted to hike to the bottom of the canyon...that was until I saw how exhausted the folks looked when they came back up. I think I'll just go take a walk by the slough....

So scarey about the crash. I'm glad everyone was ok.

Simply Jenn said...

I was born in AZ and haven't seen the Grand Canyon since I was a baby. I'm not sure I want to hike up and down, but I sure want to see it.

ChrisB said...

Sorry to hear about the accident glad the only casualty was the car!

White water rafting was one of mine!
I hope you get re-aquainted with your relatives and get that party off the ground!

Karmyn R said...

I'm glad to hear your son and daughter came out unscathed! How scary.

Climb the Grand Canyon. Whew - I just want to look at it. Maybe ride a burro down.


Dreaming What ifs...

Sandy said...

I love the idea of a different cocktail with a different sunset every day.

Thank you for that and I am so glad that your family is fine!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

I'm so glad everyone is OK...that must have been a scary moment.

Dumdad said...

That's a pretty good list. I hadn't heard about Hopkins and his 70th party (70 already!) I've a long, long way to go until I'm 70 but that would be a cool idea to invite everyone from your past. It could be slightly depressing, though, to find out many had died or had had a bad life.

Write the book! You just sit down and write "Once upon a time..." Easy.

the rotten correspondent said...

Wow. That car accident sounds scary. So glad they're okay.

Your list is really nice and heartfelt. I'm not a big party person myself, but I'd certainly meet you for island cocktails!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting list. Write the book. You have the ability.

I think to have a huge party and invite all my old school friends would be my idea of a nightmare. I hated school!

Crystal xx

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

hi hootin anni: I'm coming over to see your Fun Monday now.

-ann: Thank you. I can't wait to read yours.

laurie: The key to parties is in the cocktails.

lil mouse: I've done white water rafting in France where I was PUSHED in by a French asshole. I survived.

detroit: Yeah, I'd really, really love to do that.

Hey robocop: Where are you from?

kaycie: I still tear up when I think how close...

a slice of life: Well, isn't getting exhausted part of the experience? I would get myself in super shape first.

gibnjen: My husband shares your sentiments. He'll watch me hike down.

karmyn r: I would think riding the burro would be harder. Think of trying to walk after that.

chrisb: Well, you're invited if I do get the party going.

sandy: Thank you. Get the glasses ready...

aoj: I wasn't in the car when it happened but getting the phone call was not a pleasant experience either.

dumdad: Oh, I make everything much harder than it needs to be. I saw Hopkins being interviewed on TV by Jonathon Ross or some such and he talked about it. I thought, "What a great idea!"

RC: So shall we start with Key West and Margaritas?

CJ: There were parts of school I didn't like and people I didn't like, but going to my 30th high school reunion showed me that people change and grow.

Fire Byrd said...

scary stuff car accidents, glad it's only the car that's damaged.
pxx

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

kaycie: I'd leave a comment on your blog but sadly I've not been invited to join.

Carrie @carrieloves said...

Love your list. Traveling the world by boat {with hired crew} would be amazing!

ellen b. said...

You are so adventurous. Putting on a party like that would be so much fun. Love your last one...

the planet of janet said...

awesome list. hope you get to do it all!

Attie said...

So glad Your Daughter & Husband are fine...makes for a very special post!!

Serina Hope said...

That sounds wonderful.

Jenni said...

I would love to do the Grand Canyon hike. I've seen pictures of (I think) Lake Havasu and Havasu Falls and they are beautiful.

I have a similar goal to your #5, but Steinbeck instead of Dickens. Oh, I'd like to read all of Dickens' works too, but Steinbeck first--because I think *he* was one of the best observers of human nature ever.

The traveling and food thing sounds wonderful, too, though I don't care whether I stay in a hotel or a yurt.

Pam said...

i haven't been by in awhile, and thought i'd catch up. my goodness you've been through a lot. i'm glad that your family wasn't hurt in the car accident. i know that would freak me out especially if the car looked like it was bad. i'm sure it's also a relief that it's a cyst...is your mom doing well? i'll keep you all in my thoughts.

and obama..yeah, i'd like to see him there, too. tomorrow is super tuesday, and i will be voting. i never liked hilary either, and there's something about bill that's rubbed me the wrong way. of course we haven't had good solid presidential candidates in a long ass time. lol

my daughter, who just turned 11 yesterday, has a frenemy of her own. weird to have one at 11.

Sauntering Soul said...

I love your list!

I'm so glad your family wasn't hurt in the accident. I had two car accidents in the month of December (good times) and while my car was not pretty I was thankfully not hurt either. (And neither one was my fault by the way!)

Heather said...

Great list. Glad your hubby daughter are okay. I love 2,3 & 7! Sounds awesome!

Alison said...

what a wonderful list...especially your last item!! I am so glad your family did not get hurt in the accident, cars can be replaced, loved ones cannot!!

Michelle said...

What a beautiful list!! I hope you get to accomplish them all!

Tiggerlane said...

Great list - I forgot about the Grand Canyon - that is a must see on my list. And books...I totally forgot how many books I still want to read! Thanks for participating!

Linda said...

That is a great list! Love the story about Anthony Hopkins and Wales. Thank you for sharing.

Joy T. said...

Down the canyon, rafting and then UP the canyon?? I definitely say you deserve a nice spa after that! Your list was fantastic.

Pamela said...

number 8 is terribly sweet....and probably most significant after a car accident. Life could change in an instant.

I'm going to steal your number 2!

Flowerpot said...

great list wakeup. I'm so glad your husband and daughter weren't hurt.

Detroit said...

lol - I added an explanation about sitting on the floor...actually it just means that I have a seat at the floor level so I basically sitting with the players. Thanks for stopping over!

-Ann said...

There's an award waiting for you at my place. :)

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

Carrie Sue: Thank you. Yes, I would love let someone else actually sail the boat so I can read and write and drink.

Ellen B: Well, I'm glad somebody out there is a party animal. Thanks.

Janet: Thank you

Jettie: Yes, it puts things in perspective.

Serina Hope: thank you.

Jenni: I've read most of Steinbeck already.

Ciara: Happy Birthday to your daughter.

Sauntering Soul: You definitely have an angel looking after you.

Heather: Thank you.

Alison: How true, how true.

Michelle: Thank you. I hope I do too.

tiggerlane: And thank you for coming up with such an interesting topic.

Linda: Thanks for visiting.

Joy T: I don't do things by half measures.


Pamela: Of course you can steal my No. 2.


Flowerpot: Thanks. Now we have the nightmare that are insurance companies to do with.


Detroit: thanks for clearing that up.

-ann: Oh, I just love awards. I'll be right over.

Kim said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DJ Kirkby said...

My list has one wish, to grow old in the company of my man and our sons.

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

kaycie: just sent the email.

DJ: That's a lovely wish.

Peter said...

Most of that soundslike fun, but I think I'll skip the hiking up and down the Grand Canyon... a few years ago... yes.

Unknown said...

Glad to hear your family was okay after the accident!

Amen to #1. I hear you;).

#2? I could totally do that.

#3 - good one!

Nice to see you over at my blog;). Thanks for visiting.