The Star Wars Saga Flash Forward to Flash Back

Just to clarify to all those who love the Star Wars Saga--sadly, I am not a fan. Lets start with when I was  thirteen my Dad retired from the Fire Department. One of his many activities to fill in his free time was going to see movies. Most of the time he went by himself but sometimes as was what our family of three motto was; if he wanted to do it, we all did it. Don't get me wrong, I love movies just not this particular type.

Flash to the opening of the first Star Wars. I don't know that the hype of today happened back then, my guess is no.  I had to look up when the original actually opened, thinking maybe they opened this one to coincide with the first but, nope again the original opened May 25, 1977.  As a sixteen year old girl my idea of fun wasn't going to the movies with Dad but guess what we went to see? I remember the time distinctly because I had a terrible, ear infection and head cold, hard to believe May in California would create such a perfect storm. I remember I could barely hear and my head throbbed from sinus pressure. The only seats available were pretty much in the first couple rows of the packed theater. Go figure.  The only impressive thing I remember is the musical score. I knew as soon as I heard the opening music that every other person would be skating to routines to it in the near future. Did you doubt that this post would have some sort of skating connection?

Now cut to Christmas season of 2015 the first in an almost five year new generation of movies starting. Articles in the newspaper, cards and action figures in the store. Thank goodness no one in our family put Star Wars requests on Santa's list this year probably because they are too young to appreciate and truth be known I think after only a few days if I hear one more utterance I may implode. Could it be that my sinus have been bothering me the last few days? Brings back uncomfortable memories of childhood? Thanks George Lucas, putting you on the naughty list. Bah Humbug.

Sunrise, Sunset-December 2015

This past weekend I did something I haven't done in a long time. I was actually able to see a full sunrise and a full sunset both in the same day. Some would say, "Big deal" others would say "What a gift".

Lifestyle changes, demographic changes sometimes dictate how our days begin and end. As we age just the fact that we get up in the morning and go through a complete day and end our days is something lately isn't a given for everyone.

When I was skating, especially when I was doing team skating, many a weekend required me to get up at the "butt crack of before dawn" and drive to the skating rink and step on the ice at an ungodly hour. Some would say "why do such a thing" but when you love something so much you do practically anything to have the chance to do it. Those years were a gift that I miss dearly.

One year when I was in junior high school, I literally walked the few blocks to school in the dark. I would pick up a few friends along the way, but without fear we did it. Today, you sometimes wonder if stepping out to get your newspaper each morning, if you are safe.

Last week a horrific event happened in California. I am sure those worker's never thought in the morning when the woke up that it would be the last day they would.   Although the reasoning behind it is different, workplace safety has always been in question for as long as I can remember. Civil servants especially can be targeted because the public feels "they pay your salaries". I personally had several instances where between the public and the people you worked with created issues that your comfort level was taken into consideration each and every day I stepped into the office. 

The event that allowed me to see the above sunset was a road trip with a friend to attend a board meeting. I had distanced myself somewhat from the organization and was lured back after a request from the State President of the organization to handle some social media for them. Since I thought it would be a great opportunity to maybe guide the group into another direction my hope was that the weather would be great and the group listen to what I had to say. I think both reasons were successful. We shall see.

Many things can happen between the time you get up in the morning and the time you go to sleep at night. Not every day is a given anymore. Although I would rather see a sunset from the Pacific Ocean, this one was a keeper and the ending to a productive day.

When is a Good Time?

2012

2009

Well I guess it is that time again. Time to get on the soapbox. The media and just about everyone is filled with opinions about everything. That is the way the world turns today. You either get on the train and ride through the overly positive rainbow thinking people, or the doom and gloom or don't bother to get a ticket on the train at all.  Everything is a battlefield today, everything is a hot topic. The long line that is drawn in the sand seems to go into infinity.

At a time when people are quick to erase history by ripping flags down, or removing monuments that were meant to stand forever--history what does it mean anymore? You learn bits and pieces of it during the time you are in school but even that has changed drastically.

A simple question posted on a Facebook page that I am an administrator for (or as I was called recently a web guru) has brought me back to a  hot topic that I have been going back and forth with for the past six years if not probably my entire life.

The new movie entitled "Suffragette" written by Abi Morgan, Directed by Sarah Gavron and starring known actresses, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter, takes place in 19th century 1912 London and centers around the working wife and mother (Mulligan) and how she gets recruited to join the U.K's suffrage movement. (A note of concidence: Helena Bonham Carter is the great granddaughter to former Prime Minister of the U.K. during the early 1900's H.H. Asquith who was not in favor of the movement).

Unfortunately, this movie was released to only a few areas across the United States on October 23, 2015 and opened to a little larger market in the past week. I contacted our local theater and they will not be showing it.  I am assuming cost was involved and also they probably assumed that possibly not enough interest in our area for viewing. Our closest viewing possibilities are about 1-3 hours away depending on which direction you go either east or west.

This movie starts at the beginning of the movement at a time in history where even the voting privilege wasn't available to women.  After reading a couple reviews posted by Variety and History Today about the movie, some of the comments listed were interesting. Several made mention that because they didn't live in a major city they had the same dilemma. I myself have in that the movie seems to be only as important as the time it takes to get to go see it. Several comments I myself have come across in mentioning going to see is "well it sounds interesting but not sure if it can be fit into the schedules at short notice".

My question is "When is a Good Time?" Was the time during which this movie is depicting just the right time to bring up that women's rights were needed?  It's obvious that the initial opening of the movie was significant since October 23, 1850 was the first Women's Rights Convention held in Worcester, Massachusetts, October 23, 1915 women flooded New York for Women's Suffrage. Recently a posting on a Facebook page, ERA Coalition posted an article from USA Today about Feminist Majority President, Eleanor Smeal call for the ERA to be passed by the year 2020. "Twenty-twenty is the 100th anniversary of the women's vote", she stated "Seems like a good year to us, but pushing for it as soon as possible".  I find this attitude a little disconcerting.

Suddenly other issues become more important.   Sometimes I think it boils down to actually who brings up whether it is a good time rather than actually when is it a good time. Sometimes killing the messenger also kills the message that is staring you at that point in time. I believe things happen for a reason. History sometimes repeats itself and our fight may be far worse down the line if we don't take notice. Every day things happen that we don't expect, either personally or just by an event that may not directly affect us. Actually, there is never a perfect time, or perfect scenario for issues that could not just concern one but a whole group.   Whatever the case may be, I hope people will make the time to see the movie Suffragette. It's a part of history that could change very soon.

The way our world is today, our rights as women and society as a whole could change in the blink of an eye. Will it be a good time? You be the judge.

Filling our Life with Positivity

For anyone who really knows me they know I am pretty much game for just about anything; within reason that is.

I haven't always had a big adventurous streak.  When I was a kid I pretty much did what I was told and kept to a pretty routine life. Figure skating taught me discipline, interpretation skills, and the ability to move with freedom. You don't realize what you had until you no longer have it. Although I keep abreast of things in the skating world with the help of many and the Internet I have not found anything in my life that compares to the time I spent on the ice. Whether it be a bad day at school or work keeping a positive outlook becomes really difficult in the world we live today.

 Lets face it not everyday will be a walk in the park no matter how positive you think.  I seem to do so much inhalation breaths during the course of a day I sometimes wonder if I might pass out. Today we live in a society of social media bullying, constantly being told be positive not negative but lets face it---sometimes its not always that easy.

A few months ago, I received a flyer that has coupons and ads for local businesses in the area. Most of the time I toss it in the recycle pile, but it had been a while since I thumbed through and thought maybe something new and useful might catch my eye. I had heard from the town grapevine that a new Yoga business was getting started in town.  Truth be told I have done some form of Yoga all my life. Stretching is a big part of prep before you step foot on the ice or any form of dance so my interest was peaked as to what actually was taught in a full-fledged class.

So off I went just to observe what the class was like. I don't like to jump in and get my feet wet with anything right at the beginning, I like to ease my way into things before I fully commit especially when it comes to manipulating this body. It was fascinating to see what the different positions are named and what they stretch.  Just the fact the for a few minutes of your day you can focus on yourself, the music and the movements (a little like I did skating) is a much needed distraction.  It is also a treat that I truly enjoy the instructor. She is a breath of fresh air two times a week when my day has been sucky; I know this is not probably the proper word but inserting it anyway. 

Loosing yourself in the moment can be oh so relaxing and since I started over two months ago; (gee has it been that long already) I have been able to get back to a limber me, lose a couple pounds and inches and change a little about my eating. I fall off the wagon once in a while but really who doesn't.

So far the class has been a positive in my often negative world that I live in. I truly hope our town embraces this new world of yoga, that has been around for thousands of years. Sometimes it takes them a little while to fully embrace things, they don't always except big changes but I am trying to think positive. 

For those who actually read my blog, Go to Facebook page Body Retreat 2. They also offer other classes that might interest you. I highly recommend Audrey, she is our red headed gem.

The Man of Few Words--90th Birthday Celebration

What can you say about someone who has lived 90 years?  Some have traveled the world, other's have worked exciting jobs. That doesn't define a man I have known for 33 years.

 The first time I met my father-in-law was as a surprise Christmas visit to Missouri. We had just had our son a few months before and secretly planned a special Christmas delivery of our family. The trip is still vivid, one because we had just moved into our home a couple weeks before the trip and were in the process of trying to get settled and two because we would be arriving just a few days before Christmas and I was hoping for snow. The surprise went off without a hitch. I remember my mother-in-law opening the door with utter shock, my father-in-law probably had a funny smile on his face. You have to know; this man rarely shows any emotion. 

I have heard tales of him being so mad that he jumped over the hood of a car. A story about when he was a custodian for the local school district came to mind recently after my encounter with a snake at our storage unit.  The principal at the school he worked came upon a rather large snake and went into extreme panic. My father-in-law was called to access the situation. In he came with a shovel and hacked the snake in half and turned and left. A true farm boy reaction.

His life has been filled with the love of bowling, baseball,  Las Vegas trips, making things out of wood, his love for his family and enjoying many other things in life from his easy chair in later years. I know everyone in our family has probably at least one special story about him that may bring a laugh or a tear. Another story that I remember was an old fish story, literally.  

When they moved back to Missouri from California after retiring, they purchased a lake trailer. Many a weekend were spent down at the lake by many in the family (yes even by myself surprisingly). One weekend they went down with his sister and brother-in-law. He loved to go night fishing. He and his brother-in-law ventured out one summer I am sure humid evening to the peace and quiet of the lake. Many hours had passed and my mother-in-law started to get worried when they didn't return as expected. (Mind you it doesn't take much to get her worried). Finally out of the dark they both appeared soaking wet. I can only imagine the picture in my mind of what occurred next. As the story was told his brother-in-law stood up in the boat to get a better grip on his line and tipped himself and my father-in-law over into the water. Neither had life vests on, and neither were swimmers. They were in the water for sometime, lost the fish, fishing equipment, boat motor etc.  I don't think my mother-in-law ever allowed him to night fish again after that.

Dad holding our son Matthew, Dad on picture day for Sedalia School District, Dad in his favorite seat in the house, Dad carving meat for holiday dinners.

The Young Goalder Family-Mom, Dad L to R (Back) Tim, Harvey Dean, L to R (Front) David, Steve

Over the 33 years I have been in the family probably the last several years have been the hardest for him. He has lost his two oldest son's way to soon and has dealt with my mother-in-laws 10 plus year cancer battle with all he has in him. I have seen the sadness in his eyes and also tears.

 I am sure I speak for everyone in our family when I say he has been above and beyond a great brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  

No pomp and circumstance for this celebration. Pizza, cards, scratch-off tickets and cupcakes with family around was all this wonderful man needed. The man of few words, smiled and blew out his candles on his big day.

MO State Fair 2015 Highlights-From Beginning to End

Thursday 1st Day of Fair 2015 

All photos courtesy of Cindy Goalder

I can probably count the times in the 19 years we have lived in MO that I have went to the fair. I still am not sure how people can manage to go everyday and also attend all the concerts. Apparently the consensus is wide that do, but yet I talk to many who don't step foot at the fair ever. Usually our attendance is based on two main categories: schedule, weather. These two aligned perfectly for some strange reason this year.

The actual festivities started the day before the fair when the Budweiser Clydesdale's and the local distributor celebrated the 82nd Anniversary of the First Delivery of Beer to the White House. It was definitely an experience to have that many people on one street and see the larger than life horses make a few stops along the way.

We were able to attend some of the actual opening parade for the beginning of the State Fair. Although it didn't seem as organized as a few we had seen in the past, the day was beautiful, not to hot and no rain which is always a plus for fair goers. The picture above showed off the colorful sunset at the end of the first day.

It was definitely interesting to observe and or hear some of the people and comments about the week.  The first concert was old rock and roll Def Leppard,Styx and Tesla. Apparently it was a sold out crowd and I know just living blocks away we could hear them pretty clearly. That seemed to be the norm for all the concerts the air and weather was just right for just about every concert for me to sit out on my front steps and sing along with most if not every act.

Thursday was MO Women in Agriculture, Governor's, Legislature and Judge's Day for which ladies had free admission to the fair.  The weather was again very beautiful (I have a feeling we have been spoiled for spring and summer and that fall and winter may not be so kind to the Midwest). Starting off walking down the midway and wondered why everyone was just standing around, only to discover they were playing the National Anthem (rather softly from where I was standing) for the start of the day.

 I made it a day, not really what I had planned but got a early start with my daughter and granddaughter. I actually thought I would save space in my bag and leave my keys in my daughters' car, NOT A GOOD IDEA.  I was surprised that the crowd that day was rather light.  The first sighting of the day was our MO Governor, Jay Nixon and his group of dark suited guards. I don't know if he thought he was hiding out from the front gate admissions crowd but  he looked as though he was ready for a long day of meet and greets and handshaking.  We later saw the Governor's wife at the pie judging contest at the Home Economics Building.

It is always entertaining to just people watch at the fair. Young, old its something that brings a smile and a chuckle to my face.  I know the food during the fair is greasy, fried heaven for most people but since I have tried to stay away from such gastronomical cuisine, we chose a newer trendy food. The AgriMissouri Bistro and Market had a delicious lunch. Anyone who asked I pointed them around the horse stalls and near the cow pens to savor this wonderful food. One such couple had indicated to me that they were tired of eating the usual fried, fattening food for the past three days and wanted something real. This was definitely the place. I hope the fair continue the bistro for years to come, just move it to a better location.

 Braised Short Ribs, polenta corn and green beans-Agri Missouri Bistro

 Butterfly hitching a ride

We couldn't go without stopping at the Floriculture Building with all the beautiful plants and flowers. Of course by Thursday some of the flowers had already stood the test of time, but the winning ribbons still sat proudly on the table. I also was able to finally locate the type of mystery plant that appears each year in front of my windows. Who would have thought that a Mimosa wasn't just a brunch drink. Another peculiar sight was this tiny butterfly attached to this plant entry. As I always say a butterfly comes from out of nowhere at any given time.

 The Trash to Treasure Division was also something new for me. Who would think you could recycle used kitchen ware and sports items into works of art. I wonder how many you might find around town hanging out in yards?  Isn't recycling and grand!

 Trash to Treasure Division

  At the end of my over 8 hour day and 14,000+ steps walked on Thursday, the funnel cake stop just as you leave the Midway was calling to me. I decided on the  Red Velvet Funnel Cake as my last stop of the day. I walked home with it so that was all the justification I needed. Unfortunately, by the time I got it home it slightly resembled an early Halloween decoration. Admittedly great tasting. 

By the last day of the fair, hubby had returned home so we made another trip. As all the last visiting customers attended the Amazing Anastasini Circus, not without controversy this year the Amazing Rainforest Experience, or any of the other fair attractions it was a little sad that another fair had come and gone. One bathroom attendant in the Family Fun Center said it best. "I have worked in several areas during the fair and this place is my favorite". "I usually strike up conversations in the weirdest place expected, but I hope every year that I can work in the Center" she said. 

 In clicking my last picture as we were leaving, not until I got home and looked through the pictures did I notice the 10 day fair had come full circle with almost identical pictures from the beginning to the end. 

Last Day of Fair 2015

Coloring Your World-- No Staying within the Lines Required

If you are like I was as a kid I had Crayola's and coloring book's to keep me occupied. It was one of my favorite past times in childhood. Whether it be a rainy day, or no kids to play with which happens often for only children, a coloring book can provide hours upon hours of fun. My early pictures were I am sure scribbles all over the page with no concept or reasoning. Then as I got older I came up with my own technique of color schemes and outlining the pictures. Somewhere down the line I decided to add the date then my picture was complete.

Back then I figured coloring books were invented by someone who knew that not everyone could be a free-handed artist, for which I am definitely NOT.

The closest I ever came to artistic design was as a figure skater. In school figures you could draw a figure eight with or without a scribe and follow the intricate pattern. In ice dancing each dance has a pattern to follow and most if looked at in a book or up close on the ice you can determine what dance it is.  Each skater's routine is usually plotted out with precise steps by a coach and choreographer.  Go to iceskatingresources.org or usfsa.org to check ice dancing/compulsory figure diagrams. They are not as detailed as they were at the start of figures but still a lost art of sorts since figures are no longer a requirement (sad but true).

Another fascinating use of coloring or art therapy is used for Alzheimer's patients. Used as an alternative therapy, The Alzheimer's Association of Orange County (AAOC) and artist Selly Jenny and Marilyn Oropeza developed Memories in the Making art program. This program works with persons with dementia and helps them express themselves through art when they otherwise may have little or no communication skills.  For some patients this outlet of expression has opened doors that were otherwise closed due to this terrible disease. Training sessions are available and additional information about this program is available by going to the alz.org website. Many chapters around the country are participating in this program.

Recently I came across several articles on adult coloring books. These are not just ordinary books. Most have themes as the one's I purchased below on Amazon. They have a wide variety of prices and styles to chose from. Other's are large scale posters with thin, fine lines that sadly even the older adult eyes might have difficulty in completing. Pull out that trusty lighted magnifying glass if you tackle those books!

Pinterest also has pinners who have started coloring book boards (myself included). Most pages you can print out and add your own unique colors too. Also the coloring craze seems to have a wide variety of printable pages available for free you just have to know where to look.

To keep with my connection to my figure skating roots a few months ago I found that former Two Time Olympic and World Champion Tai Babilonia was in the process of developing her own coloring book.  So far the pictures on her Facebook page "Tai Art" looks like it will be a fun one to add to my collection. I look forward to its release soon. 

Coloring is great therapy for any age, it can be a calming way to get your mind off hectic schedules or just a bad day in general.  I guarantee  your kids and grandchildren may want you to share your colors with them. It's your choice to stay within the lines, but it isn't required. 

Tai's Facebook Page is "Tai Art".

It Is Not Fair I am Not Ready for It

Well it is another where has the time gone moment. Just a few short weeks until the school year starts, the state fair will start in less than four days, and a friend of mine from my skating days mentioned that practices and competitions will be starting very soon.  Where has the time gone? Oh and to also top that have noticed way to many social media mentions of how many days, weeks and paychecks until Christmas!

When I competed in synchronized skating we had many practice sessions to iron out what our yearly program would be. Change after change, decisions about costumes, planning where we would go and what competitions was always a major decision making process; and with 20+ women and coach that was no small task. Everyone had opinions, ideas and was typically a challenge to agree. Not so different than anything else in life.

The state fair starts this week in town so a barrage of people from all over will be upon us. Planning how to get out of my subdivision will be a challenge for most of the time, avoiding some areas entirely will also be top on the list. Hearing "have you went to the fair yet?" surely I will hear at least a dozen times over the course. I am pretty sure I will at least go once. Sometimes I think I dislike going to the fair because I know that when it is over, so is the summer.

Which brings me to the third unfair moment. Time flies and it is truly unbelievable that our oldest grandchild will be starting Kindergarten. I am not sure who is having a harder time with this her mother or myself. I mentioned to several people that I don't believe I had as much of an issue sending my own two children away to school as much as I am having a difficult time with her going. I chalk it up to our changing society. I hope what we have all taught her doesn't get ruined by going to school. How silly does it sound?  Her old soul characteristics that shine frequently hopefully won't be ruined by whatever system is in place for the moment.  Keeping up with what everyone else does, has or wants was not a part of what my kids dealt with in school early on. Now it seems to be a whole different kettle of fish. I think we might get t-shirts that say "Just because so and so told you too do it doesn't mean you have too".

Oh well usually no one is ready for what life has to throw at you, but guess I will have to continue to skate through life as best I can. No blog pun intended. Better strap on my sharpened blades, may be in for a bumpy ride.

Trust

"Trust me, everything will come out fine". How many times have we heard that? Trust is something you have to build just like a house or relationship. Neither is an easy task.

A baby takes its first steps and usually it is with something or someone standing in front of it coaxing them forward one step at a time. Most of us do not remember those early days, but the days since we remember pretty vividly. Trusting to take the right step can be a tricky one.

I remember in my early skating days an instructor told me it would be beneficial to me if I tried a certain technique the way she taught me rather than the way I had learned by watching someone else. I had already gotten into a bad habit which was not helping me in my progress. So along with my instructor I had to "re-learn" the trick from scratch. It took constant practice over and over and over again to break the habit and the move did improve over a long, long period of time.

Often when you watch figure skating the commentator sometimes will comment that "oh he/she doesn't have the best technique" or "he/she recently changed instructors after many years and they had to go back to the drawing board and break down the trick in a better way". That can be a make or break situation sometimes when all the bad habits have to be erased. Easier said then done!

In today's society trusting others and even your gut instinct have battles all the time. Throughout my life it seems my "gut" instinct prevails over most anything. Sometimes I like to also call it my "Scorpion stinger" because most times when I get stung once, most often I don't get stung again in the same way.

Trust played a big part in our first start in our own truck business also.  I have always took the cautious route while David sometimes not so much. Our ying and yang complex. The offer he had been approached about didn't seem realistic to me but to him--a great deal. The little small voice kept insisting NO but I gave in with much reservation. The to good too be true situation lasted longer than I expected but eventually it did sour. It was definitely a learning experience for both of us and several years later when we again had the opportunity we went into it with a whole different perspective. Thank goodness twenty years later we have been blessed. We have managed well with only a few bumps in the road. Expansion was never on the list because too much of a good thing can lead to disaster. We have seen it happen with many in business for themselves. Taking on more than you can handle, giving up control to other's can lead you down the wrong path. That little small voice has won out.

Trust me, everything in life will eventually come out fine, or so I am told. Over and over and over again.

Summer Days--Summer Nights

What is summer without hot days? I have expressed many times I dislike humidity. The hot, breath of summer hitting you in the face the same in the morning and also late at night--not my idea of fun summer life. Warm with a breeze in which you can sit out and enjoy the sunrise or sunsets is more to my taste. We have only had a few of those lately with a helping of cloud formations for storms either coming or going by. We may have not had 100 degree weather (yet) but it inches closer and closer to three digit temperatures. Maybe if we are lucky (fingers crossed) we won't have any this season.

One night recently when it was cool enough to sit out on the porch and actually enjoy a breeze, made me think of summer evenings as a kid. We didn't have fans, or air conditioning, we really didn't need them living close to the coast but sometimes all you could do is find a place on the floor, open the sliding glass window and think cool thoughts. With the lights on and some form of music playing your imagination took you to places only a youngsters mind could.

Summer vacations typically started out with summer school to curb boredom in the mornings. I was one of those strange kids that didn't mind going at all. Trips to the library to get books to read and skating sessions at the skating rink. What kid didn't want to go to the rink in sub zero temperatures and come out from the rink only to have your feet steam from the sudden temperature changes. While spending time on Pinterest recently I found the picture below that summarized it oh so well.

If enough time was to be had for the rest of the day you spent some time in the sun to get a little of the white ice rink pale face a little color. If we only had spray tans back then like they do today. Somehow the orange tan lotion just didn't cut it.

This summer enjoyment will be coming to an end soon hopefully all the other social uproar that has been a part of our lives lately will also just be a memory also. Only we can make that possible. The weather well you know Mother Nature does what she wants--doesn't every woman?

Wake Up People

Well this past week has been an interesting one. The weather has been soggy, and my schedule, thank goodness I use pencil when I am actually writing it down and with my new phone my alerts would buzz on the 10 minute before it happened.

The older we get the more we seem to need a little push or sometimes a slap on the head to either remember something that needs to be done or maybe just to change the perspective that needs updating. Living where we attempt to get all seasons (they may be a month or two off in some cases or stuck on the same weather event) but I like to compare people sometimes to hibernating animals. We have been in the warm winter comfortable blanket and when its time to shed it, I am usually the first person stripping to spring clothing, airing the house or just making the change over as quickly as possible.

Some people might consider the town in which I live a small bedroom community, other's would say boy are you wrong it is a big town of almost 23,000. However you look at it,some people's desire to kick it into gear can be slower than slow.

This past week we had many people from according to the local newspaper, all over the globe. The weekend was a get together for Red Power Roundup International Collectors. I personally did not come into contact with any of the visitors but the traffic it brought to town made for some unique driving skills and patience for which mine became ragged. The sudden, although by the article businesses knew at least a year in advance of the event, it seemed as though most of the businesses I frequent on a regular basis were ill-prepared to say the least. I have always said don't wait until the last minute to hire someone and expect them to learn the entire operation under excessive pressure--most are ill-equipped.

I think the one major thing that never sits well with me is how people have to be told to "make visitors extra welcome so they think highly of our town". This leaves a bitter taste in my mouth each time I actually see it in print.  Hence, the title of this blog. WAKE UP PEOPLE, do you really think that impresses people when they act different than the normal everyday way? Why leave a false sense if security. This town or no town that I have ever visited rolls out the perfect red carpet.

I always go back to the same movie scenario "Funny Farm". Rent it, Netflix or however you want to watch. It's one of Chevy Chase's funniest and fits any small town to a tee.

Our society seems to have many "wake up people" moments on the horizon. With elections coming up, the economy ever changing, sometimes we need to be hit over the head. Alarm bells sound every day for the varying amount of diseases, remedies to take and ways to change our life. I am all for making changes, but don't change who you are to make everyone else feel welcome.

Over the weekend I volunteered at out annual golf tournament for the organization I have volunteered for over 10 years. The beautiful scenery, even with the rain storms brought out all the wonderful nature the hosting town has.

I captured the picture of the hummingbird, (not always an easy task). The wing speed is always fascinating to me. The fact that pictures of the little birds are a little hard to get, I felt fortunate it stopped to get a quick drink before going off somewhere else. I guess the feeder was its welcome to the clubhouse, red carpet moment and no one really made that much out of it.

I May Have Lost My Mind, but Not My Heart

I am borrowing our pastor's sermon title again. I felt it was a rather good fit for the past several weeks.

When I worked full time, had an hour commute and dropped off kiddos and navigated my way through routines in my 20's and 30's ice skating was my sanctuary. Pregnancy brain, fast-paced life I attempted to keep from losing my mind and skating was such a wonderful outlet. The ice rink was cold and would calm me and I could blow off steam all at once. Skating will always hold a dear place in my heart. Now its keeping up with skating friends on social media and gliding through a next generation of skaters.

I am still a Mom and now a MiMi, and sometimes have those lose your mind moments. You take on extra responsibilities,  have a list of projects you want to complete and those honey-do's for the hubby.  I possibly might lose my mind during the completion of the many house projects we have on the list. Doing as many as possible during the nice weather months sometimes turns out to be like the shell game. Too many things need attention before the luxury just want updates. Hopefully the smaller list will get done before the weather turns, I am hopeful. I had happiness abound last week to have two rooms painted. The older we get the more basic changes can make us happy.

Our fourth grandchild arrived the end of last month. Not soon enough for my daughter who had an eventful first trimester of the pregnancy  and by the last few weeks was feeling ready for the blessed event. It was funny how slightly similar our deliveries of our second child were. If it is any indication Gentry will be a force to be reckoned with. Now that she has two little ones, I am sure she will have many instances in the next several years where she may think she will lose her mind. Rest assured every parent but especially Mom's wonder if they are giving enough time to each kid and yet still have time for themselves.  I am a firm believer of "ME" time. If you don't give yourself a break I don't believe you can truly be the best parent you can be. Children need to grow just like the plumeria flower in the above picture. They need nurturing, water, food, a trim now and then and eventually they will blossom into what you see in front of you with maybe a little extra help.

I questioned all the time if I was around enough when they were little, was a stay at home Mom  when they were teenagers and probably around more than they wanted. I didn't always get my lost my mind time away for the last several years but tried to make do with the arrangements that I was given and roll with it. 

I have probably lost my mind more than I care to admit, but at this stage in life my heart continues to grow with the love of family, finding things I enjoy for fun and connecting with friends although most are far, far away.

Thanks pastor for the inspiration.  Starting the week with a clear mind, but a happy heart.

A List of First Time's in a Lifetime

We have all heard, "first time for everything" throughout our lifetime. I remember my first skating competition. I wore a blue dress that my mom made and I beaded myself. The rink the competition was held at has been gone for years but it was one of my favorites because it had a mural around the entire rink so it made it look like you were skating outside.

Think of how many times a first comes into your life. First kiss, first time riding a two-wheel bicycle, driving a car, first time you try a new food.  Many firsts come in and out of your life during your entire lifespan.

Recently my daughter and granddaughter and I experienced a first time going for a spa day. As the due date comes closer and closer  for our fourth grandchild, my daughter wanted a relaxing pedicure. My granddaughter got to experience her first time getting her toes painted by someone other than Mom or MiMi. She took it all in and we had a good time. While at the salon we encountered a couple and their first pedicure experience. The young lady talked her boyfriend into getting a pedicure. He didn't seem too enthusiastic at first, lots of laughter and strange facial expressions between them but it provided laughter and chatter among the customers and staff. He was definitely a trooper to go along. I know my husband even when we were dating would have never and will never have that first experience.

Our other granddaughter had her first dance recital. She definitely has showbiz in her blood already.  Watching all our grandchildren experience many first time things will be a joy.

It is not just about one time situations though. Repeating things you enjoy helps too. We watch sunrises and sunsets many times throughout our life, yet each one is like seeing it for the first time.

I guess the music group Foreigner knew what they were doing when they had the song "It Feels Like the First Time".  Each experience in life is different and sometimes better as time goes on.

What we Want to Do and What we Have to Do

How many times have you heard your child say, "Do I have to do that?". I know I heard several times with my kids and I was guilty of doing it also when I was a kid. I can remember my go to tag line when I didn't want to do something right away was "Just a minute".  That minute didn't go over well for my parents when they wanted me to do it right away.  I wanted to do what I was doing at the time and didn't want to interrupt my flow. Has that changed since I am older now? Probably a little but I still hate to be interrupted when I am deep into doing something else.

Even as we get older we still have to do things we really don't want to do. My list varies. I don't like to clean the toilet but since I don't have someone to clean my house I don't have a choice. I have a few choice words while I am doing the task as I am sure most people say those same words.

Everyone has their own way or technique in doing things. Most of the time you do what is easiest for you to get the job or task done. I am always for the less steps possible to still get to the final conclusion.

I recently came across a thimble in my sewing tote. I had to have it as part of my sewing kit when I took sewing in junior high school. Along with a seam ripper, sewing chalk, and several other accessories. My teacher Mrs. Keane was very old school in the techniques she passed on to her students. Many were the same rules that my mother and grandmother used because that was how they were also taught.   I have recently been doing a few small sewing projects.  So when I saw my thimble I thought about how little I have ever used it and wondered why I have kept it all these years.  I know why I was suppose to use it back in the day. Mrs. Keane always wanted us to get used to it on our fingers while we were learning. It was suppose to be an assistant in pushing the needle through the cloth and also I always figured so we wouldn't stick our fingers with the needle. It made my finger sweat more than anything and being who I am I would put it on while the teacher was in front of me but as soon as she walked away, off the thimble went. For me it seemed more of a hindrance than a help.

Sometimes I feel like I spread myself so thin on what I have to do that what I need to do sometimes gets put aside. I am trying to be more aware of trying to add those things I want to do to the front of the list, but sometimes what I don't really want to do seems to take over.  I remember when I was younger people would tell me oh you will have plenty of time to do what you want when you get older. Hummmm that hasn't been the case. I still have things piled up that I need to finish.

I think I have heard a saying about a thimble. Something like "it wasn't enough to put into a thimble". I guess that means very little? Well maybe that is why I kept it in the first place. Maybe I thought when I got older I wouldn't have much to put in it to do. Boy, was I wrong.

Sometimes a Human's Best Friend Isn't Always Human

I am not sure who penned the phrase "A man's (or women's) best friend is his dog" but I am pretty sure it was probably a dog lover. I have almost always had a dog in my life from birth to present day with a few fish, birds, turtles, mice and one cat thrown in for good measure. But dog's for me have always been a special companion. In my 53 1/2 years I have had five. My two boys now are in their senior days of life. I cherish each day I have them both and know I will be a sad sight when they do go on to the rainbow bridge.

Pets provide comfort and companionship usually when you need it most. Most of the time they rule your roost just like a human does unfortunately sometimes even more.

Many times I have had dogs appear at my door because they decided to see what it was like beyond their own backyard. One time I had the same experience when our Bishon  Frise decided to take a vacation. It ended a week later on a good note.

I find lately being a social media follower that between the postings of dogs being lost or found, the funny videos of animals interacting with each other or with other unlikely pairings it definitely brings a chuckle when you need it most. The negative side is those sick individuals who chose to abuse animals, who in my book should be tared and feathered. Cowards take the easy way and go for animals when they can't express themselves. It seems like it gets worse or maybe its just again social media brings it to our attention.

Christmas 2014 Scooby Doo and Snookie

Many times I have had people ask me how can I stay by myself all the time with my husband gone on the road. In 30+ years I really haven't been alone.

My one public service announcement that I would suggest to those that have animals goes like this. As Bob Barker used to say on his closing of the Price is Right, "Have your pets spayed or neutered". Although I have never had a rescue animal myself, I am an advocate if you can find the right one that fits your needs and the needs of your family.  Be very sure because they are like children in my mind. A true thoughtful, caring person wouldn't give back a child so don't give an animal back--they have feelings too. They take time, money and more time to take care of.  When you take your dog for a walk--pick up the poop! I equate it too when you go to someone's house and use their bathroom don't you flush?

 While my daughter was away at school years ago, I picked this sign up at a craft fair. It pretty much says it all. 

Letters and the Joy They Can Bring Anytime

I often find some very interesting stories in the Parade Magazine section of the weekend paper. I came across one recently that I had saved to read for later. The cover had Al Pacino on the front and his new movie coming out called Danny Collins. It is based on a true story about a letter John Lennon wrote to a British folk singer back in 1971. The folk singer never got the letter until 2005 from a collector that had found it.  I am not really a Al Pacino fan but this looks like a movie maybe worth seeing.

What caught my eye was after reading the article that maybe the lost art of letter writing might be making a comeback. (Not sure if maybe it ever really left, at least not for me).

When you stop and think, there are many types of letter you can write. When I think back to all the letters I have written over the year's, several important ones come to mind.

When I went through my quest to find my adopted family, I wrote MANY letters. The final one was to my birth mother. I still have a copy today that I occasional reflect over.

 As a student in school I remember having writing assignments where you had to write to a business asking for information. I remember at the end of junior high probably in a social studies class we had to locate a person (pen pal) to write to from another country. The teacher had located somewhere the class could write too. The teacher sent the letters and you waited to hear back.  We eventually heard back from a class in Korea. The girl that was assigned to me wrote back a few letters but eventually after a short time I didn't hear from her. I was very disappointed but she had somehow sent my name to a girl in Sweden. I remember in the last letter she sent to me she stated she didn't have time to write so she was sending my name to this other girl because she wanted me to have someone to write too.  I eventually wrote the girl a few times and she wrote that she had too many people to write too also (guess by today's standards its like having too many Facebook friends) so she was passing my name to a relative.

The true pen pal letter writing campaign started in 1976 and lasted until 1981. Lisette was the same age as I was but lived a very exciting life. She was going to university (equivalent to our high school at the time) and was working as an au pair. She would send me postcards of all her travels in Europe with the different families she was employed with. She wrote frequently about drinking and other things at the time I had no clue about. I remember my mother thought she was just too advanced but it was so fun reading about her adventures. I kept the letters and occasionally think back how innocent I was and how much of a jet setter she was.

I now wonder what that 54 year old woman is up too. Is she living in Europe? She had always talked about visiting me and I her which never happened. Is she married with children? She talked about wanting to work for the airlines also at one time. I am sure our lives are completely different but I would love to find her now and catch up.

One of the letter writing stories mentioned in the article was a website started by a girl in Atlanta. MoreLoveLetters.com was started by Hannah Brencher in hopes of inspiring more letter writing. She has also wrote a memoir If You Find This Letter: My Journey to Find Purpose Through Hundreds of Letters to Strangers. 

One of the sad statistics listed in the article was since 2007 the U.S. Post Office receives 20% less letters.  One  positive statistic is 1 million+ kids in America alone sent letters to Santa Claus last year (he would still rather get a letter than an e-mail or text in my opinion).  I know I still enjoy sending a letter to a few people during Christmas and I really enjoy getting a response from them.

  It also reminds me of a song I heard as a kid called "I'm Going to Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" from the musical Ain't Misbehaven'. I might just write a letter to a friend I haven't heard from in a very long time. You can too!

Today We Are All a Little Irish

A poem was read in honor of this day at a recent meeting I attended it goes like this:

May love and laughter light your days,
And warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
Wherever you may roam....
(Celtic Blessing)

Today we are all a little Irish. Well maybe. I had my yearly Shamrock Shake from McDonald's this past weekend all 660 calories of it. It was so much better than corned beef and cabbage or green beer. We wear our green today in honor of St. Patrick. According to lore, Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Lutheran's celebrate the feast of Saint Patrick with food, parades, shamrocks and drinking alcohol. But today everyone shows their Irish.

This past year I had the pleasure of traveling to Ireland without even leaving the comforts of my computer. The youngest daughter of friends of ours in California attended a semester abroad in Galway. Every couple of weeks she posted on her blog (unfortunately it has since been removed) her travels to various castles and interesting towns and tourists spots, along with all the different foods, drink and other Irish must see and do. The many pictures were breathtaking and her step by step adventure and beautiful stories made it like you were walking along with her on this adventure of a lifetime.

I have had many friends that have kissed the Blarney Stone, toured the Guinness Brewery, walked the moors. Each time I saw Megan's pictures with new friends and also family that visited I couldn't help think what a lucky girl!

I have missed two opportunities to visit Europe over the years. Not sure if it will be in the cards to visit but it was a wonderful adventure seeing bits and pieces of Ireland through a young girl's dream trip.

May you explore your Irish roots today.

Facebook Throw Back Thursday; Meaningful Skating Memories

I enjoy Facebook’s Throw Back Thursday for various reasons. Sometimes longtime friends post pictures from bygone days, I post childhood photos of myself and my children, and the really interesting pictures are those of objects that most kids of today probably have no clue what they are.

Some of the interesting “old timer” items: typewriter, pencil sharpener, television rabbit ears, etc.

Figure skating has changed through the years just like everything else.  Techniques change and instruction has changed drastically.  A visit several years ago to one of my home rinks made me realize how teaching skating has changed.  For beginning skaters’ who may have a difficult time standing on skates most rinks have an apparatus made of PVC pipe much like walkers for elderly people. They scoot rather easily along the ice while providing ease to stand up for those who are not adept yet.  When I took my first steps on the ice I walked along the railing until I felt comfortable and then ventured out further and further until I was skating on my own. I fell a few times but as they say “you must fall a few times, get back up and go on”.

Recently I came across a picture on Tai Babilonia’s Facebook page (shown below) of a routine 78’ record. Way back when I was a young skater most if not all rinks had an area where a record player sat along the ice rink railing or off in a small room close to the ice surface. Hours and hours were spent listening as is still the case music joinders’ from classical to show tunes to current hits. Once the coach/student decided what music they were doing, a routine record was recorded. These records were played over and over and over again. Most competitive skater’s had several copies made so one was for competition and one for just in case the needle stuck. My competitive career did not start until cassette tapes so I never had a 78’. With the evolution of music now it is all about music played from your phone, ear buds, CD’s and digital rink systems.

Photo by Tai Babilonia

While going through my closet recently I came across my scribe. What is it you ask? Well along with the massive changes in skating one big one happened starting in figures in 1968. In competitive skating it accounted for 50% of scoring. Then again changes were made in the 70's and 80's to now compulsory figures or no longer included in ranking competitions. The only hold out group that still continues to enjoy the mastery of figures is adults who can still compete in competitions recreational with the ISI (Ice Skating Institute). The scribe device was a great tool to help you master the two or three circles used in figure skating. The size of the circle was based on your height and the scribe could be used before or after your initial tracings. Some skaters would resort to using it first to make the circles to trace, most instructors preferred that you trace the circles yourself first and use the scribe to trace over and see if you were accurate in the sizing. Most of the time my figures looked more egg-shaped (which was not good).  Compulsory figures used to be the separator of the men from the boys so to speak. Today with the scoring system it's about who can do the bigger quad. 

My scribe will go back in its comfy place in the closet along with my skates in their bag. Oh that has changed too. I had to hoof the bag on my shoulder, now they use roller bags. What won't they think of next?

Leave it to Oscar to Create a Social Media Firestorm

Although I only saw one of the Oscar nominated movies (Gone Girl), I still enjoyed the Red Carpet Highlights and the Academy Awards this past weekend. Although the fashion was a little blahh for my taste, I enjoyed getting on Facebook and conversing with a friend about some of the fashion hits and misses.

Although I have not seen the movie Boyhood which took twelve years to complete, I have followed a little of the actress who played the mom and also won the Supporting Actress Oscar, Patricia Arquette. She is from an acting dynasty. Grandfather, Cliff Arquette (Charlie Weaver) was best known to me as a regular on Hollywood Squares. Dad, Lewis Arquette, played J. D. Pickett for many years on The Waltons.  Her brother is actor, David Arquette and a sister, Rosanna Arquette.

I always enjoyed Patricia's role on the program Medium and I am looking forward to her new role in CSI Cyber. In any interview I have ever seen of her she always seems to be a very soft-spoken woman. I am sure when you win the top honor of Academy Award and you have that short window spotlight on you many struggle with the thank yous to family, agents and everyone you ever have worked with.  She did all that and then some in my book. After her thanks to all the really important people in her life, she chose to end with this.

"To every woman who gave birth, to every tax payer and citizen of this nation, we have fought for everybody else's equal rights. It's our time to have wage equality once and for all and rights for women in the United States of America".

Of course social media exploded after her speech. Some positive and of course the naysayers were also quick to add their two cents worth. The first that popped up for me was a piece on Fox News by news contributor and actress Stacy Dash (ironic that she played in the movie Clueless) and that she was appalled at Arquette's speech. Dash insinuated that Arquette needed to "do her history" because in 1963 President Kennedy passed an equal pay wall that is still in effect. I think if I hear this 1963 quote again in 2015 I will choke.

Yes, it was passed but what people both men and women still seem to ignore is it is outdated, laws are broken each and every day.  Yes, the National Partnership for Women and Families, according to a recent study (more recent than the 60's or the last census) women make on average 78 cents for every dollar paid to men amounting to a yearly wage gap of almost $11,000 per year. 

The next day after the Oscar's I posted my displeasure about the Stacey Dash comment. To my surprise a dialog/debate started about men and women and equality.  I realize men and women are  different. We process things differently, we approach things differently. We work differently. But, in the end if we tackle a task and come out with a successful result shouldn't we get paid the same??  I realize today equality should also include gender, race, religion etc. Society seems to be on super fast forward and our laws and thinking sometimes stays stuck about 10 or more years behind. 

Today the burn your bra group and the sports bra groups seem to be in completely different universes. As I said in my Facebook post: "I have a son and daughter and two granddaughters and two grandsons. I would hope that by the time they go into the workforce that they can say, "ERA oh yes I remember my grandma talking about it and how hard it was to get equality, but we have it NOW".

Facebook has many pages if you are interested in learning more about the causes: 

The Alice Paul Institute-located in Mount Laurel, New Jersey helps to educate the public especially young girls about equality.

ERA Now-is a advocacy community that shares information regularly about equality

ERA Once and For All-based in Newport Beach, CA is another source of great information on equality

I always like to share a story about equality that took place in 1982. I was a young, civil servant that volunteered to help with our office relocation across town. Single, unmarried and weekends free I chose to spend a Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the office. A young, handsome man from a state contract authorized moving and relocation company and about 25+ young men made the move happen. This young, ambitious woman flitted here and there for hours on end making sure boxes, furnishings and records got securely on the truck and sent over to the new facility. I would enter and exit the door many times. Each time I did this I would see most of these same young men, taking smoke breaks, getting refreshments and standing around.  The young, handsome man finally after many long hours of work, made this statement "WOW you work harder than most of the men I have here today, for a little thing you work hard".

Today, 33 years later I still work with that man 24/7 365 days a year. I may not work as fast or as hard as that little thing I used to be but the determination will be with me until the end.

Thank you the Patricia Arquette's of the world for speaking from the heart and believing it can and will happen someday soon.

The Shortest Month of All can Sometimes be Very Long

Some years you are lucky and February has 29 days and then there is the 28 day one like this year. You wouldn't think that two or three less days would really matter that much, but they do.

The rare time that it was a good thing was when I worked (we only got paid once a month) and it was nice when the 28 or 29 days would wiz by until another pay day. Guess that also works both ways. You just get done with January bills and February has three less days in which to pay bills for the month.

It is great that February is during the winter months because Groundhog's Day is the first day of February and we wait patiently to find out how much more winter weather is in our future. We have been fortunate this year that we haven't had it really bad, thankful for that at least.

As we get older the days seem sometimes to fly by, this month is almost over with only a few days left until we will be into March and spring and day light savings will be here. I am ready for those few more hours of day light and sun.

I am sure for the east coast they are also waiting patiently either to dig out from all the snow they have had or to at least not be home bound for what seems like the entire month of February.

Two holidays in February (Valentine's and President's Day) is also unusual as most month's have only one.

No morals to this story, just observations. Life is short, and so is February. On to March.....

What is in a Name? Unique or Euphonious

On my morning journey to and from daycare to drop off #1 granddaughter I listen to Kid Kraddick in the Morning. I find myself laughing out loud sometimes to some of the things they talk about. It takes me back to when I used to make my hour plus commute in Los Angeles and I would listen to Mark and Brian (my LA people will remember them both).

One of today's topics talked about child naming. It made me think of an episode of  I Love Lucy. The one where they are trying to come up with a name for the arrival of Little Ricky. Lucy keeps changing her mind and says she wants a name that sounds Unique or Euphonious. Ricky comments, "Well if its a girl name it Unique and if its a boy name it Euphonious". Back in those days these names were not popular.

When we were expecting our son I just remember hearing from someone in the family (not sure who) just don't use a name that has already been used. There was no real reason for naming him Matthew other than it was a name we both agreed we liked. When it came time to name the second baby; mind you this was back in the day when you were lucky to get one ultrasound and they did not give you a copy or multiple copies as they do today. I was pretty sure I was destined for another boy so we planned Kevin Wray for a boy and Jennifer Elyse for a girl.  We didn't go the unique or uncommon route.

One of the DJs on the show commented how hard it has become when you go to buy general personalized items how names can be hard to find. I even have a hard time now finding things with my name on it much less any of my grandchildren. Both of my kids have picked very unique names for all the kids: Hadleigh, Greenlee, Greyson and soon to be Gentry.  He also stated how difficult it is sometimes they way people spell names phonetically just to throw you off.

Whatever the case unique names can be euphonious in today's world.

Just Do Something-2015

Well as figured this year didn't start off as hoped. But do they ever? No resolutions, too difficult to keep. Everyone has a new spin on how to live life, improve your outlook, and just go on.

I am an avid Pinterest pinner and two things came my way recently. One was, "Do Something Different or New in 2015". I am always tired of the same old, same old so this got me seriously thinking. So far a few items pinned I have followed through on or am working on. One was to utilize the Christmas tree for other holidays throughout the year.  This might prove to be a little interesting finding articles to decorate the tree with but I have some ideas in mind. Guess those creative juices better not be frozen by the winter weather.

The other item I pinned so far was Word of the Year. It took me a while to really think this through. Finally it came to me. My word is HOPE. I can only hope things are not always what they seem and improve over time.

The other pin was "100"+ Things to Do Before You Die". Humm probably not the best title for someone over 50 was my first thought. Some call it a Bucket List. I went through the 100+ items on the list just to see what might be accomplished (some are pretty lofty and expensive. Must have  money, time and really be an exceedingly adventurous individual). Many include being able to swim (which I can't do and won't be one of the things on my list to learn at this late stage. No 

problem with using a life vest where water is involved).

I was surprised at some of the items on the list I have accomplished already:

Watched Cinderella Castle Fireworks

Made a Snow Angel

Made Own Pizza

Been to a Broadway Musical

Dog Sledding

Rode Vespa/Moped

Feed Giraffe

Finish Book in One Setting

Prepare Care Pack for Homeless

Experience Northern Lights (faintly)

Stand Under Hollywood Sign (Think that as illegal although I have been close to it several times)

Night in Teepee (thanks to Scouts)

Visit 50 States (well almost all of them 45 is pretty close)

Helicopter over Volcano (very small plane)

Many of the items call for traveling to far off lands. While picking a few on the "To Do" List. Some I think may not be as hard to possibly accomplish.

Stay in a Treehouse (Pete Nelson here we come)

Eat a Cronut

Go Lavendar Picking

Leave Your Mark in This World

Dance in Rain

Stay in Overwater Bungelow

Zipline

Go to Lock to Love Bridge Paris

Ride in Hot Air Balloon

Bathe in Milk

Jump in Pool Full of Jello

Make a Rainbow Cake

Create an Ice Cream Flavor

Celebrate 50th Anniversary (30 already accomplished)

Eat Vanilla Pudding in Mayo Jar in Public

Make Gingerbread House

Make a Rainbow Rose

Be in a TV Audience (came close several times)

Make Family Recipe Book

Pay a Strangers Restaurant Bill

Visit Chocolate Factory

Swim with Dolphins (with a life vest)

Travel Somewhere New Each Year

Name A Star

Send a Message in a Bottle

I will be knocking off one of the items tonight. Bathe in Milk sounds wonderful.  I hope many more get checked off this list over the coming year also. What ever you call it have a list of things and make an effort to put a check before it and after it.

By the way this original post on PopSugar.com was posted by someone very young and would really like to see how many of these items will be checked off the list in her lifetime. Stay tuned.