That was never Me ... I never did things like that. But, it can be Me 2.0.

[magical thyme]

3. never went to the prom, and don't regret that

My middle sister was determined to go to the senior prom, so invited either a sophomore or junior to go with her. Not me. I somehow didn't think it would be a good memory that I had to invite somebody 1 or 2 classes younger in order to get a prom date. No regrets there.

There are things I wish I'd done back in my late teens/early 20s, but when I take myself back memory-wise, I understand why I made the choices and I realize that had I chosen differently, it may not have worked out well at all due to family interference. Family disapproval is one thing; family deliberately sabotaging relationships, enabling jealous, would-be competition to kill your (horse) partner and your dreams takes disapproval to a whole new level. I had others to think of beside myself.

So the first order of the day, I think, is to forgive yourself for not living up to your fullest potential. No prom? Meh. You did the best you could at the time; this is a different time. Go. For. It.

I have done a couple things I'm really glad for...my 2 dogs and my whitewater rafting trip down the grand canyon are at the top of that list And I wish I'd done more of them, or had the opportunity to do more.

But we do what we can. I'll turn 60 this fall and have a revised bucket list now, filled with things I will do or die trying, and things I'll do if life gives me the opportunity.

My base dream was to have a farm. My mini-farm was supposed to be 5 1/2 acres and I was defrauded and ended up with 2 1/2 acres. But I'm able to squeeze in most of what I wanted, and if the real estate market ever recovers enough for me to sell here, I have my eye on a right-sized cottage with lots more land to my north, so maybe I'll get a second chance. Certainly don't regret my first stab at this dream...