In January, I joined Leslie, Mireille, Joanne, Bo, and Christie to blog about our bucket lists and goals. I pretty much stink at following through on things like this! But, trust me when I tell you I’ve known I needed to do a follow up and kinda maybe shoulda woulda tried to do some of the things! I think I’m sorta on time with this one, give or take a week or two. If I were grading this, I think I may have gotten a C. You can read about my last bucket list/goals post here if you like. Leslie is no longer blogging so I don’t think there was a link party at all. But, you can always join the Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot on Thursday nights (or Friday mornings).
Without further ado…
I think I did ok with my goals. Far more of my time was taken up with being a docent than I anticipated. I am at the museum two to three days a week. I love it and am happy to be there. I feel like my brain is just bursting with all the neuroplasticity going on in there!
Last quarter’s goals…
- Find and study three pieces of art at the museum, then develop into a tour. I am currently working on this one. I have selected the pieces of art and am actively researching the art and artists. Then, I have to figure out the questions.
- Give at least one public tour at the museum. DONE!!! I have actually given two of these.
- Finish at least one UFO (knit or crochet) Well, I have one UFO pinned together so we’ll call this a half-way!
- Do photoshoots at Friend Park – Nope, though I did go to my daughter’s new house and take photos there.
- Clean out Nigel’s closet. Nope. I don’t know why I have such an aversion to doing this. I think it’s because there’s just so much, and I’ll need his input. He’d be fine with just getting rid of most of it. He doesn’t wear the sweaters, and a lot in there doesn’t work for his hips at the moment.
- Join gym. I am serious about this one because if I strengthen my legs and glutes, I can put off knee replacements (yep, I need them but not for a long time) for a long time. Nope. I have looked at a couple, but I can always make an excuse not to sign up and go.
- Continue to save toward new shower in primary bathroom as well as fall trip – this will probably be ongoing. I have saved more than enough for the new shower and a fall trip! But, until I commit to one or the other, I will continue to save.
- Plant more perennials, including mums this fall, if I can get to the clearance section at Lowes. Sorta…I have the mums. I’m waiting on more rain to soften the clay around the maple in the front yard.
- Add to plantings around the house. Again, maybe I can find some perennials in the clearance section. Nope. The summer was so hot, and I was so wrapped up in caring for Nigel that I never made it to Lowes let alone the clearance section.
Bucket list revisited…
I really hope to accomplish quite a few of the items on this list. You’ll notice there are repeats here, too. I look at a bucket list as something that is not necessarily easy to accomplish. I am not going to feel badly if I don’t accomplish anything on this list as I can always move it to the next quarter. I’ll be honest. I just cut and pasted this from the last post because this is how I feel about bucket lists.
Last quarter’s bucket list…
- Go out to lunch with a friend. I have plans with a couple of friends, but we haven’t set anything in stone yet.
- Take a road trip. This is on hold for a couple of reasons. I’m really not sure where to go, and Nigel still struggles a bit at night. I know that sounds like a cop out (does anyone still use that term), but I don’t want him falling after coming so far.
- Continue to plan trip to London/Liverpool – Yes! I am looking solely at London because my son and his SO are on their way to Ghana. I don’t know if he’ll have the funds for a trip to Liverpool. But, I’m still looking at late October/early November. Yes, I know it will be cold and rainy, but I love cold and rainy! UK friends, I’m open to tips. I know my way around London pretty well. I’ve never been out alone at night in London, though. So, I’m not sure if I’d be up to that.
- Begin to think about Spring trip with my travel buddy. We are going to get together in the coming weeks to decide on destinations and the hows, whys, and wherefores!
- Find out about a college level art history course in person – I’ve put this on hold, too, because I’m so busy just learning at the art museum.
- Meet up with a blogger or two in the area or travel there. Nope. I really need to search and find one or two before I can actually plan something…that’s what happens when you’re an extroverted introvert.
New quarterly goals…
I know these are supposed to be quarterly. But, at the rate I’m going, I should probably call them triannual goals!
- Find and study three pieces of art at the museum, then develop into a tour.
- Continue my VTS training and become certified to do VTS tours.
- Finish at least one UFO (knit or crochet)
- Do photoshoots at a location other than my front porch
- Clean out Nigel’s closet
- Develop a home workout routine. I know I won’t be able to use weight machines for my legs, but maybe I’ll get into a routine so that I’ll be motivated to finally join a gym.
- Continue to save toward new shower in primary bathroom as well as fall trip – this will probably be ongoing. .
- Contact landscape company about fixing the front yard. Our front yard has a strip about six feet wide that begins at the driveway. It’s where they dumped the pea gravel. Of course, they didn’t remove it all and just graded it all down, then sowed the grass seed. Anytime we go without rain, the grass just dies. Nigel was supposed to do this, but you know how that goes.
- Decorate for the coming holidays because, let’s face it, this is going through the end of the year!
New Bucket list…
- Throw myself a birthday party!
- Take a road trip.
- Continue to plan trip to London
- Begin to think about Spring trip with my travel buddy.
- Give a VTS tour
- Meet up with a blogger or two in the area or travel there.
- Lose that last ten pounds
- Install moulding in the living room to make it more Marsha than builder!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I know this seems like I really don’t get much done in the course of several weeks and months. But, what I should have put on my goals was presenting at my church’s retreat. We do buy a program, but you also have to personalize it. I was going to share this duty with a friend, but she had the opportunity to go to Europe with her daughter. Of course, I told her not to worry about it, and I would be fine. I think, in the long run, it actually went more smoothly with just one presenter. I talked for several hours this past Saturday about my faith and my struggles. I’m planning a post on the retreat soon. And, I’ve also been busy working on museum tours as well as giving them. So, can we talk? Do you think there is a difference between a goal and a bucket list item? Do you have any tips for how to break through a block (like cleaning Nigel’s closet)? What would you absolutely do in London? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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Are you going to make the trip to London alone? That would be brave. I wished I could meet you there, that would be fun!
Oh, Nancy! I would so love to meet you! How far is it from where you are to London? I really don’t have an itinerary or anything set in stone yet. But, yes, my plan is to go alone to prove I can do it and because no one else will!
I feel like I’m a seasonal planner. Spring is my favourite season for its energy and potential. I am ready to burst out of winter too by that time. I am at my most energetic then with ideas to go places and meet people. By summer, it is hot and heady and my enthusiasm for such outings begins to wain. By autumn, I’m tired and in winter I like to stay home. Buckets lists? I have one somewhere lurking on the computer. I do short daily or weekly lists, but mostly it is jobs that need doing.
Hmm, Rosie, you’ve got me thinking! I think I may be a seasonal planner, too. During the late winter/early spring, I’m thinking about gardens and flowers. I’m afraid it’s been many years since I’ve been “energetic” about traveling since Mike’s health is such a roadblock (no pun intended). I keep hoping against hope we’ll be traveling again someday, but I fear my future travels will be solo or with a friend. It’s really not the same at all when your absolute best friend isn’t there with you. Thanks, Rosie!
I have a to do list for small things, but I don’t make a bucket list. To me it looks as if you are doing quite well and I love that being a docent works so well for you!
I also hope you’ll make it to London, so I can live vicariously through you as I know I won’t be able to see it again myself.
Thanks, Cat! Honestly, I really would love to visit Germany as both of my grandparents on my mom’s side were first or second Americans. We have the Ellis Island signatures for two or three of them. But, I really hope I can make it to London…I’m the only one holding me back. I just need that push, you know? I usually make small to do lists which help immensely. I really should start doing that again.
I hope you get to London, it will be wonderful! I also hope you get to take a road trip soon, prayers for Nigel’s healing. I totally get what you are saying and it is not a cop out, it’s a real concern.
I am impressed with the college level art course – I think that would be amazing for you and you would be such a benefit to the class!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! I love London. I find it’s one of the easiest cities to navigate. I will still say to Mike, “Oh, you remember, you turn here and then that’s there!” We spent our 25th anniversary there…10 days which was way too much time in one place, but we did get to know the city quite well. I am putting the college course on hold for a bit since I’m so busy with planning tours and church things. But, someday!
Here’s my tip on Nigel’s closet. Take it one category at a time – Oh, if I do the sweaters people are going to be needing those soon and someone can benefit from them. Bring the bin of sweaters out to him to go through. Then, do the pants, etc. Immediately put them in your car and take them.
Your bucket list stuff is big and not simple like mine – buy a Halloween graphic tee – lol. So, don’t be too hard on yourself. What about breaking them into chunks. Call a shower reno company. Ask on Facebook if anyone has done a shower reno.
Thanks, Amy! We have a shower reno place because we’ve already redone one. That is the bathroom Mike uses, and it was a tub/shower combo. We replaced it with a walk in shower that is amazing! But, there’s really nothing wrong with mine other than aesthetics. The only reason I would do it now would be that it’s probably cheaper to do now than later. Yeah, I’m a bit of an overachiever when it comes to writing the goals but not so much when completing them. I like having variety! But, you have got me looking at Halloween graphic tees even though I’m not big on Halloween! As for his closet, it’s all jumbled together because that’s how he puts stuff away. So, we’ll have to tackle the whole daggone thing! But, once I get it organized again, I’m going to keep checking it every week to make sure it stays organized!
I shared a Link code in our Quarterly Bucket Bloggers Insta chat and have one up on my blog (you’d have to scroll to Monday’s post). Actually here: https://www.myslicesoflife.com/2025/09/how-i-did-with-my-summer-bucket-list-my.html That’s easier. I love that you have plans to throw your own birthday celebration! So many of us women have to do that and it is TOTALLY worth it!
Thanks, Joanne! I forgot about our Insta chat completely! I guess I was thinking since Leslie was gone, we didn’t do it anymore. Yes, I am throwing my own celebration though my son did buy my cake. I can’t wait to see it!
When in London Marsha, visit Greenwich Park. You can walk up the hill to the Observatory for a wonderful view of London. Back down the hill to Greenwich Market, full of art and craft stalls also some very good food stalls.
If you get a chance eat a London cheesecake – not a cheesecake at all. I grew up in that area ( til I was 5) it’s full off beautiful buildings and lots of history. Don’t forget all the museums and art galleries in London, The National Portrait Gallery is my most favourite and the cafe in the crypt at St Martians in the Field
If I was there now I could have met up but now living in North Yorkshire.
Thank you so much, Linda! I had forgotten about Greenwich Park. I would love the art and craft stalls. You had me at cheesecake! I will look for one of those. Oh, the National Portrait Gallery is one of my very favorites. I will never forget seeing the iconic paintings of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and the Bronte sisters for the first time! I just love that whole area. I will note down the cafe in the crypt, too. That would certainly be an experience!
Not that you asked for my opinion, but with Nigel’s sweaters, you could cut them and make them into ones that fit you. I follow a ton of creators who do this sort of thing…and they’d be great for practice.
Working out alone is hard. I always think it’s easier to have a friend to go with…better accountability too.
XOXO
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! I think the sweaters will stay. It’s all the shorts, pants, joggers, etc that create such havoc! I actually don’t mind working out alone. At our last house, we had an actual workout room with a tv so we could play videos and do our yoga practices. The only thing we didn’t have was a weight bench. I would love to get one of those, but it would have to go in the garage.
You have done so well on that bucket list Marsha. Glad you’re so enjoying your gallery time, it is so important to keep our brains active. I am not a gym person at all and far prefer to exercise at home with weights and a weight bench using a variety of dvd,s that I have used on and off for over 20 years. Most are by Joyce Vedral who was big in the US back then.
I do hope your trip to London happens, it is such a great city to explore . Do make time for those lunches with friends , they add so much to our lives .
Thank you, Jill! I love the museum and all I’m learning. I’m starting a couple more things in the near future at the museum so my brain is definitely getting workout! The other good side is there is a lot of walking during tours, practices, and trainings. We use Leslie Sansone videos. Unfortunately, somewhere along the two moves, we lost the two best ones. But, I can find her on YouTube, too.
I am still hoping to make it to London yet this year. I love the museums as well as the regular touristy spots. My biggest thing is being alone at night…do I go out, or do I stay in? I have a couple of lunches coming up so I’m really working on that aspect of my life.
I love London! It’s my favorite city I’ve ever visited. I can’t wait to hear your plans!
Thanks, Laura! I love it, too. It’s just so easy to get around the city as well as getting out to the countryside. I am still hoping to pull it together.
I can relate so much, Marsha! I create a daily “to do” list and also a monthly one – it’s something I started when I was teaching/mothering/doing life just to keep myself sane. I’m still doing it but those monthly tasks keep getting pushed to the next month now that I’m retired. LOL!!! Maybe next month has become my motto at times! I do like that you create a “goals” list and a “bucket list” for each season. Two lists that have different focuses but equally important!
Thanks, Laura! Hahaha!! I love that…”Maybe next month! I feel like I’m a lot like that myself. I have gotten out of the habit of writing lists. Maybe, that’s why I’m always one step behind. I need to do that again because I really do accomplish so much more that way.
I love your philosophy on bucket lists, Marsha. I agree that we shouldn’t feel bad about anything we don’t accomplish. Sometimes priorities change, and sometimes we just don’t get around to something. If it’s really important, it makes it to the top of the list eventually.
Thanks, Christie! I feel like bucket lists are those things we really, really hope to do but may never accomplish. And, you’re so right about things making it to the top because they’re more important!
You will love London, I used to live there and I went to Liverpool uni. I have a gym, but since I travel a lot for work, I use an app called FitOn. I love this list and post! /Madison
Thank you, Madison! I love London and have visited several times. But, I was always with my husband. I want to go alone this time (as he’s said his overseas traveling days are done) just to prove to myself I can do it.