Once in a Lifetime

[minimama]

I really like doing things that you may only get the chance to do once in a lifetime. So, I got to thinking about it and was wondering, what have you done in your life that was once in a lifetime.

I went to teh 50th Anniversary of Disneyland with all of my family this year. We go there each year but this was very different and it will never be that way again. Very exciting!

Tomorrow I plan to take the kids to see the statue of the Virgin Mary that looks to be crying blood tears.

I competed in the National Sporting Clays Championship. I don't know that I will ever be able to afford to go to that again so that was incredible.

I helped deliver both of my nephews. WOW!!! Very cool. (maybe that is a twice in a lifetime LOL)

I took care of my Grandfather when had a stroke and moved Grandma with Alzheimers and Grandpa wiht stroke damage in to my home to take care of them. Difficult and would not want to ever do it again, but glad I did it then.

I saw the Grand Canyon last year, may never get to do that again.

Thats all I can think of at the moment. What about you?

What are your once in a lfetimes? Those things that you can never replace, and never forget and probably never do again.

Thought of another one that was very important in my life!

I met my birth mother ten years ago and found out I have two sisters and a brother. Got to meet my birth Grandmother too. Very rewarding! I just recently have met some of my birth fathers family. He has passed on so there will be no meeting him. His half sisters and half brothers are wonderful though!

And I got back together with the love of my life after being apart for almost nine years and we have now been married for 9 1/2 years. got married one year to the day after being reunited.

 

[chandab]

I don't know that they are that big of a deal, but I'm pretty sure, I won't be doing it again...

I worked for a Thoroughbred race horse trainer for a summer.

I went to the Black Hills and saw Mount Rushmore and other points of interest as a kid.

I worked for a fabulous Arabian horse breeder and trainer off and on for 3 years during college (mostly just the first year, but did a little for a couple more years). Her husband has already passed and I'm sure her time is limited. Their place was a home away from home while I was in college.

 

[minimule]

Cool thread Stacy.....

I went to Zimbabwe, Africa on a 10 day safari. Now that country is in such unrest I will probably never get to go there again (would love to though)

I went to South Africa on a 21 day safari, spent 3 days in Kruger National Park......Ok so I KNOW I'll be going back to this place again

I went to the Black Hills and saw Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. On the way to Mount Rushmore, we saw 3 Rocky Mountain goats (ewe and 2 kids) just grazing on the side of the road. WAY COOL!!!!!!! Momma got scared by a large person trying to get a closeup picture and almost got in the truck with me.

Met John Schnieder and served him a pitcher of beer and a pizza

I've seen the Grand Canyon.

I've caught a shark.

I rode my horse with the Bicentinnial wagon train from Las Cruces, NM to the old Fort Seldon.

Saw the Northern lights here in NM.

I went from the Pacific ocean to the Atlantic ocean within a week. During this trip we saw: Indianapolis 500 track/museum (got to ride around the track); the Arch in St. Louis (went to the top); Niagra Falls; Boston, MA; Providence Town, MA (went on a whale watch and saw a Right Whale cow & calf); NY, NY (went up the Empire State building, saw Statue of Liberty); Philadelphia, PA (saw Ben Franklin's gravesite, Liberty Bell, the Mint, Independence Hall); Jersey shore; Washington DC (went to the Space Museum of the Smithsonian, saw the Senate/House)

We are adventurers and never pass up an opportunity to go somewhere. Most of it is a "once in a lifetime" thing but some......you just get lucky!

 

[jayne]

I think I have a few unique 'once in a lifetimes':

-I was on Jeopardy (December 3, 1998).

-I was an extra in the movie Major League.

-I went to Australia last year, ate every non-american thing I could find, and I went surfing (I'm a fat 44 year old!).

-I was 38 before I ever even touched a horse and now I have 2 minis, a pony and a CLYDESDALE!!

I hope to have more to add to my list some day!

Jayne

 

[luvmycritters]

Interesting topic. Like Chanda said - dont know that these are a big deal - but they are what sticks in my mind and yah - will no doubt ever do em again.

Bred, raised / trained and showed A.P.B.T. 's for five years. In doing so - got to do lots of traveling around the states and meet some wonderful people. Also was fortunate enough to have some pictures of some of my dogs and my self put in two different limited addition hard cover books.

Managed an in-store bakery in Milw. for close to ten years. Learned every thing I know about management - hiring, training, giving reviews / raises, pep talks, ordering of product, merchandising, bake - off, taking product orders from customers, ect. All this from a high school drop out - guess that's why it's a big deal to me. ( Notice my spelling errors - though I do try hard not to make them! )

That would be about it I guess...sure pales in comparison to some of these posts though! Lori

 

[runamuk]

Well call me odd but......I would say the birth of my children were each once in a lifetime experiences.......you never have the same pregnancy/birth/child...no matter how many times you do it

I also feel that each and every animal I have delivered was a once in a lifetime experience...something I cherish more than most would know.....for me assisting anything during delivery is extremely spiritual/religious..........

I probably won't be going back to the caverns in Arizona again but who knows......

Meeting and being with my hubby.......still

I suppose there are bigger cooler things and sure I would like to do some of them...visit a bunch of castles in europe or all the french royal palaces....

but that all seems less inspiring in some ways than watching a beautiful sunset (sure seen alot over the years not ever have two been the same)

 

[nootka]

--Spent my Summers when I was 8-10 yrs old working on the troller my mother and stepfather ran off of the SW WA. coast. We caught Salmon for the most part, but red rockfish and such as well. Saw sunfish and whales up close, porpoise and sharks, and the capper was a 70 lb. salmon we caught while participating in a derby one Summer. Trollers are kind of extinct, now....but it was fun and I loved the life. Our boat was a 48-ft fiberglass boat w/twin Caterpillar engines. It was FAST and made about 25 knots, almost twice what the other similar boats went. It was not our boat, but I loved it like it was. We went out one time in stormy weather w/14-20 ft. seas and watched a boat behind us on the bar roll over several times, and another hit w/a wave and knocked out one side of their hull. I was SO SICK (usually I got used to it), but we made it through and out across the bar (Columbia River bar) to fish that day.

--Received an Arabian filly as a wedding engagement "ring" (or in lieu of) and got to spend an entire Spring and Summer getting to know her and riding her on the beaches on the OR. coast due to the fact that my hubby or then fiancee let me just enjoy life and not have to find a job right away (not that I ever did!). I really enjoy that time and that gift of a second freedom after I quit my job and moved down here to be with him.

--My baby's births, pregnancies, etc. Just nothing in life compares.

--Drove (well rode along with) cross country from Portland, OR to Staten Island, NY when I was 11 w/my parents and grandmother. That was awesome, but the best part was turning 11 years old in SD, we rented horses and rode trails out in the Black Hills. (Heheh, I KNOW where Wall Drug is!). We saw so many amazing things. I really want to travel the old Route 66, someday, too.

--Going out on the Columbia River Bar not too many years ago on my husband's crab boat. It was blowing 70+, and the waves were horrible. This bar is notorious for being one of the world's deadliest. The boat was scooting across the sandy floor at times, but I could not care less. I was so sick I was praying to be swept overboard to end it all. Waves were going over our back deck, but the guys had to hurry and get the gear off of the bottom as it was getting sanded in and stuck/lost. It was like being in a washing machine for four hours or more. Never again!

--Driving my old Bronco 130 mph or thereabouts...young and foolish and never again.

--Dating a "sort of rock star (local celebrity)" for a while when I was a teenager. *LOL* Was fun, but he was too old and I'm glad it was just dates and stuff. Fun to remember, though, going out w/someone who had more money than they knew what to do with.

I know there are more things, that I am not remembering, but these come to mind right now. I also hope to add more of these once in a lifetime adventures to my list. I have enjoyed reading all of yours, too. I never knew there were so many adventurous souls here, but I should have guessed!

Liz M.

 

[Ashley]

Well I havent done much in my young life. But so far would have to say my trip to Florida last almost a year ago was once in a lifetime. Going to all the different parks and just seeing how different it is there from back home here.

 

[sharon]

The births of both my children. Both were very difficult and could have ended up with very disabled children, but we were blessed and they are both fine. (21 & 17 years old now)

Went to Bermuda for our honeymoon.

Saw the tides at the Bay of Fundy as a kid. Truely amazing thing to see.

Was at Disney World for their 25th anniversary when Cinderella's castle was made up to look like an enormous birthday cake.....complete with candles.

Rode in a hot air balloon twice. Never will again as it has gotten way to expensive.

Being right next to my Dad and holding his hand as he passed away. Both a heartbreaking and an amazing experience at the same time.

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Being there for the birth of my grandson. I was total shaking puddle of Grammy!

Being there just before my daddy died and giving him some peace as he was so afraid.

 

[Cronewolf]

Once in a lifetime hummmmmm, I got to meet Misty of Chinkoteague, thanks to my granddad I got to ride on Gene Autry's Champion, the TWH one. My grand dad paid his handler $500. to let me sit on his back and the guy put me up there and let me ride him around for a few mins.

 

[FairytailGlennMinis]

Once in a lifetime things...

1) repelled out of a helicopter with my ROTC group--yup, I was a dope on a rope!

2) went to Berlin while in Germany before the wall came down (got pieces of the wall, went up to the Mercedes tower, saw East Germany in all it's sadness through the train windows) and got to go to Moscow that same year (traded all sorts of goodies back and forth with the young soldiers and still have T-shirts and military pins that I traded chewing gum, American eagle pins and rank insignias)--both with ROTC

3) when I was 16 I got to help with a BLM mustang round up where the horses were herded in, vaccinated, the very old horses, mares with young foals and some of the young stallions were kept and the rest were released.

4) being an Army brat I guess I got to see a lot that other kids didn't. I got to see the castles and gardens of Europe, Oktober fests, Kristkringle marts, got to have my first prom in a tower of a real castle in Stuttgart and see how other cultures really live.

-Amy

 

[minimomNC]

Married the love of my life.

Had a wonderful daughter.

Saw Washington DC at night.

Toured the Pentagon. (with a relative that worked there, not the guided tour)

Walked on the Battle Field at Gettysburg.

Took a horse drawn carriage ride in Historic Charleston, SC.

Met Charlie Daniels at a roping in TN.

Met the Kentucky Head Hunters (now you know I am aging myself)

Met Lane Frost (ok so most won't know who he is)

Got to shake hands with George Strait (1984) and Terri Clark (1998)

Made $3.75 on my 21st birthday with a button thats said Irish Kisses $.05.

Got to ride a champion cutting horse.

Fell off a champion reining horse. (I hope that only happens once)

 

[stormy]

Hum,

Drove from California to Michigan stopping all the interesting places along the way, the Grand Canyon, YellowStone Park and the Grand Tetons, Mt Rushmore and Crazy Horse, saw the Sequias and the pueblo ruins, the badlands, lots to see in this country!

Rode and drove in Michigans Sesquacentenial wagon train across Michigan, got to meet a talk to a lot of older teamsters, hear the old stories, introduce a lot of people to minis.

Served in Peace Corp. That is truely the greatest three years I ever spent.

 

[billiethekid40]

Not much but:

Almost won the provincial title for 4-H hostess in 1998? or 99? one of the two.

Rode in a Helicopter over Niagra falls

Toured the parliment buildings in Ottawa -not so much once in alifetime but... the gay pride parade we walked into after the tour was over I sure hope was a once in a lifetime!

I can't really think of anything else. Haven't been on any great trips that I'll never do again. Although, I DID get to see Pearl Jam in concert this September, it was my first concert ever and I really doubt I'll get to see them again, so I guess it counts!

Edited to add it wasn't the gay pride part of the parade that bothered me...it was that some people just simply should NOT be allowed to go topless, or wear leather in public *shudders at the memory of yucky old men in leather straps* My harness has more leather than they were wearing. heck, my sandles have more leather.

 

[Candleliteranch]

Went to meet someone I met on the internet. He came all the way to PA from MO. I told NO ONE where I was going or what I was doing for three days. Will never, never do something so stupid again in my life!

Rode in a lifeflight helicopter to UPMC in Pittsburgh to get my transplant. Hope to never do that again either.

 

[Miniv]

** Was born and left on a doorstep all within 24 hours.

** Adopted by a wonderful set of parents and an older brother.

** Older brother was murdered and family had to go through the nightmare of trials.

** Visited Russia and parts of Europe I don't expect to ever see again in this lifetime.

** Raped, got pregnant, and aborted the child.

** Married a wonderful man.

** Discovered I had scar tissue from my previous experience and was infertile.

** My mother and best female friend crossed over.

** Got our very first miniature horse.

** Went through 3 failed adoptions.

** My father crossed over in my arms with a massive heart attack.

** Fostered 19 wonderful pre-teen and teenagers, each with their own issues.

** Successfully adopted our little girl.

** More still to come, I'm sure!

MA

 

[Hosscrazy]

Met Lane Frost

You met Lane Frost????

Yes, I know who that was!!! WOW!!!

I started out with a tough childhood, and successfully turned my life into a positive, wonderful experience.

I worked as a professional stuntwoman for almost 10 years.

I traveled across Europe with a backpack for 2 months.

I spent 2 weeks in Alaska filming a video on Columbia Glacier.

I was rear-ended by Milton Burle and cussed him out for it.

I successfully delivered my first foal Cody, witnessing the miracle of his birth.

I was able to hold Misty in my arms while she crossed over the rainbow bridge.

Liz R.

 

[REO]

Nothing really exciting.

Was an extra in a movie with Doug McClure.

Lived in Ireland and was a care taker of 30 champion horses at a Manor House.

Saw Charlie Pride, Tammy Wynette, Hewey Lewis and the News, and John Denver in concerts.

Lived in Germany.

I might remember more later.

 

[horsefeather]

Wow, my Once in a Lifetime's certainly pale in comparison to many others on here. But, I will list as many as I can remember.

. Had my picture taken with Mr. Walt Disney right after Disneyland opened. (Wow, that dates me!!)

. Was able to spend 2 weeks in Long Beach when I was 12 as my Mother was a participant in a Mrs. U.S. Navy contest. I can't remember what areas she represented, but I know it was California, Nevada, Arizona and several more states.

. Married young, but it's lasted over 42 years and still going

. Spent 2 weeks roughing it for 3 different years in the High Sierras in California. Rode in on horseback. Three couples, each rode a horse and each couple had 1 packhorse.

. Barrel raced in the Cow Palace in San Francisco.

. Rode in a hot balloon with my Dad.

. Attended the Rose Parade with my daughter and grandson.

. The best.....I know Christ as my Savior!!