Hello 39

So I turn 39 this week. Where the heck did the years go? I find Five for Fighting's 100 Years playing in my head often. Well, okay, I admit it... it's on my Spotify playlist.

I've been thinking a lot about this 39th year of my life and what I want it to be. Where do I want to be when I get to 40? Who do I want to be when I get to 40?

I'm not fearful of the big four zero. I kind of like the woman that I've become over the years. I'm totally in awe of the milestones she's tackled. Yes, there's a few things I'd love to improve, but overall, I like her.

After some serious thought, I've decided to celebrate the year of 39 for twelve whole months! I'm going to savor each moment of 39, and I'm going to take you all along with me. Oh, and there's a list. I love lists! 39 adventures. Things I've never done, things I haven't done in forever, things I just want to do more of just for the heck of it, and things that I dream of but who knows if I'll really do it. Yes, that's the tattoo bullet point below. Some of the 39 adventures, I need advice on too. Like which 39 books should I try to read this year? Where should we day trip to this year? Which foodie experiences do I need to tackle? How should I push my fashion boundaries? What area lectures, gallery openings or theater experiences are a must? What local volunteer experience should I try?

So drumroll...

DelightStruck Jen's 39 Adventures

• Learning to be comfortable in my own skin for photo shoots. I'll try to keep my eyes open and move Elizabeth Pack Photography (in progress)
• Monthly fashion adventures with fashion loving bud or two to push my boundaries, maybe even have a Dia and Co. box delivered direct to my doorstep too. I'm intrigued by this service.
• More free lectures at area colleges. Really enjoying the Distinguished Lecture Series at Butler University! (in progress)
• Visit a lavender field (complete)
• Unplug more, plus more family dinners around the table and game nights. (in progress)
• Take in the views from historic Crown Hill Cemetery
• Ponder 39 new books (in progress)
• Build an awesome blanket fort (complete)
• Attend more summer concerts in parks and at wineries (complete)
• Get a facial and a massage. (complete)
• Star gaze, maybe try out Holcomb Observatory
• More day trips. (in progress)
• More arts experiences - gallery openings, theater, pottery studio (in progress)
• Find a new fun volunteer experience (in progress)
• Family trips to Victory Field for more summer baseball fun
• Laugh and smile more (in progress)
• A tea room afternoon with friends (complete)
• A Handle Bar evening on the circle with friends
• A retreat experience (complete)
• A drive-in movie
• New foodie experiences - I've never tried Cafe Patachou. Oh and real poke! (complete)
• Write a letter to an old friend and mail it (complete)
• Find my own personal wellness and a healthier lifestyle (in progress)
• More walks in the state and local parks. Historic Garfield Park is definitely on the list.
• Hug more chickens (complete)
• Experience a practice day at IMS and the 500 Museum
• Experience mass at St. John's in downtown Indy
• Get my toes in the sand at the beach (complete)
• Spend as many days at the pool this summer as possible (complete)
• Go to a balloon glow
• Experience the Irvington Halloween Festival
• More date nights with Coach Man (in progress)
• Do the Santa train or the Polar Express experience
• Reconnect with an old friend (complete)
• Visit the downtown Indianapolis library
• Bike on the Monon
• Downtown Indy Catacombs tour
• Teeth whitening at the dentist
• A simple tattoo or a boudoir photo shoot with Cindy Johnson. It's a toss up. Not sure I'm brave enough for either. Ha!

...there's never a wish better than this. When you only got hundred years to live...

Cheers to 39, peeps! It's going to be a fun year of adventure!