To Do List

This is the start of my To Do List. I will update/add as necessary, and eventually there will be a link over to the side so you can see what I'm doing. This is in no particular order.


*Complete NaNoWriMo (I've participated, but not yet completed)
*complete the 100 push up challenge (this starts 1/1/09)
*play a game of tennis
*learn a song on the piano
*list of 25 things that inspire me (to be looked at when I need some inspiration)
*get a college degree
*publish a second fiction book
*read the bible
*publish a non fiction book (I've always wanted to write Rick Springfield's biography)
*get a family photo taken (more often!)
*read all Harry Potter books
*travel to Australia
*travel to Greece
*create a book of my favorite photos (more inspiration?!?)
*inventory CD's, DVD's and books as well as electronics etc around the house
*complete AHA instructor course
*go to a non Rick Springfield concert (2/15/09-Motley Crue, Hinder, Theory of a Deadman and Last Vegas!)
*participate in a walk/run for charity (4/11/09 Red Shoe Run for organ donor awareness)
*take kids to Disney
*join a writer's group
*write a book/story with the girls
*create a family "holiday" calendar
*See Lyric graduate High school
*See Lyric graduate college
*See Lyric get married
*See Jazz graduate high school
*See Jazz graduate college
*See Jazz get married
*host an annual family game night
*participate in a support group for infant/child loss
*learn to knit

Meet Rick Springfield has always been on my list. Nice to finally cross that off!
So has meet Barbara Delinsky- does a 15 minute phone call count?
Publish a book- done!

"101 Things" to a "Bucket List"

I'd like to say that I'm blogging with my Ipod touch, but I'm not that savy yet. Maybe someday.

I started working on my 101 things list 12/1. It's 12/30. I'm giving up. Well, not so much giving up as changing. I decided to transfer it to my "Bucket List"...or as I like to call it, "All the things I want to do before I die" or "My Lifetime to do list". some of the 101 things will transfer very nicely to the new/revised list. Some will just have to be forgotten. But I'm okay with that. I spent some time thinking about all the things I want to do and all the things I need to do. Then I decided that having a list of 101 things was too much pressure. There will still be things to do, items checked off, and photos of aforementioned things. Just here, instead of a seperate blog. And since I have "A lifetime" to complete them- the pressures off, or at least lightened.

So, once I get the new list written, I'll post it here. You'll get to see it and maybe get some ideas of things that you would like to do too! And now I'll be able to put things on the list that are farther in the future (trip to Greece for 20th anniversary, see Lyric & Jazz get married, be a grandma!)

I don't look at it as quiting. I look at it as realizing I jumped in with both feet before I really thought out the whole process. 1001 days is a really long time. And what if there was something that I didn't get done?!? Would I beat myself up about it? Would it really matter? A To Do list is nice because it is just things that I would like to do/make happen in a less stressful form.

Another nice thing about a to do list is you can add things and take away things as necessary. With the 101 things, I was kind of locked in to, well, 101 things....LOL

So, here's to a new year. A less stressful, more organized, fun year!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Return Everything That Doesn't Fit/You Don't Want Day...





Okay, not really. At least not at our house. Everybody liked what they got. The kids were thrilled. I'm not sure what their faves are yet but Lyric got Harry Potter Clue and all the Twilight books. Jazz got a HSM Build A Bear. They both got new radios and socks, warm stuff, movies, etc.





Wanna know what I got?? Do you really?? Okay. I got this...

unexpected but much appreciated! Don't get me wrong. I like my nano and it has served me well, but I LOVE the touch! I haven't worked out all the settings and what not yet, but I did carry it around with me all day yesterday. It helped keep Jazz busy when she was "bored" because I already had a few games on it. I'm going to put Mama Mia on it for traveling, too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Merry Christmas and all that! I'm starting to get a little more excite about tomorrow. I have a feeling that this might be our last "santa" Christmas, and I'm going to enjoy it as much as I can. I have a few gifts left to wrap, but overall, I'm ready for tomorrow.

We are getting more snow today and even though it is making the roads crazy slippery, it's the kind of light, fluffy snow that you should get at Christmas time. I wanted to take a pix but my memory card is full, so tonight I need to dump everything to the computer so I don't miss anything tomorrow.

Lyric got an ipod touch for her birthday. I'm hoping that Santa is bringing me one tonight. I know I won't get the camera or the car (and probably not the vacation) so I'm holding out for the touch. I must say though, Fisher is a very good gift giver. He is very generous and sometimes gets me stuff I didn't even know I wanted (like a couple years ago when he got me an ipod nano- that now I can't live without) So, whatever he gets me will be great. And since I know I've surprised him (because his gift is at my mom's) I'm really looking forward to tomorrow.

Side note- Fisher called last night to make sure he had my mom's phone number. Do you think that he's hiding my gift over there as well?!? Wouldn't that me funny.

Don't forget- Jesus is the reason for the season

Dear Santa....

I've been a good girl and I know that I don't usually post twice in one day (especially one right after the other) but since Christmas is so close, I wanted to make sure that you knew what was on my list. In case you are out finishing up some shopping or something. (these gifts are in no certain order or importance)


Yes, I'm a gamer. I've always loved video games and if you bring me a Wii, I promise to share with the rest of the family. I will, really!

I know our family vacation was like 7 months ago, and I know that you want me to relax after working so hard to be so good this year, so if you want to send Fisher and I to Greece for a week, I'm sure that I can get the time off of work.

Ipod touch. What more can I say. I'm a music fan. and a gamer. and a internet freak. So what better gift for me.

I love my current camera, and I think I even figured out a good setting for concert photos, but doesn't this camera look awesome!??!

This is my favorite car right now. The Chevy Impala. I've driven a couple of different ones (This is what I get whenever I need to rent a car) and I LOVE this car. I don't usually have any preferences for cars. It goes, stops, heats, plays music- good enough. But if I could have any car it would be this. I know it won't fit under the tree but it would fit in the driveway.

Thanks for flying all over the world to bring good kids like me just what they want on Christmas!

Fourth Photo

Lynn has the fourth photo in the fourth folder meme on her blog right now. She said if you read it, you are tagged. So, I'm tagged. Here's the fourth photo from my fourth folder. Nice, huh? This was from Beloit Riverfest, taken shortly before Rick Springfield took the stage.

One less photo and it would have been this:

Even nicer!

So, if you are reading this: go to your fourth photo folder and post your fourth photo. Link back to me or comment so I can check it out.

Phriday Photo Phinish

I don't think I've shared this one before. It was taken at my Great Grandma's 90th birthday party. I snapped this because I thought it was cute that the girls were getting along and smiling. Late I found out that they had snapped a photo on my phone. So basically, I took a picture of them taking a picture of them(selves).

If you want to see who else is playing today, head on over to Candid Carrie .

All I want for Christmas is....Kisses

okay, not really but look at this...





I got a gift from a co worker today. In it were these kisses. How many different flavors do you think they have?? These are mint truffle (green), peppermint (red on the left), cheesecake (gold on the right), hot cocoa(tan/orange on bottom) but the best is the one in the middle. Look closely. Can you read the tag??

I don't know if there are "nice" ones out there too, but how funny are these. I think they are just "regular" chocolate, but I haven't actually tried it yet.

So, have you been naughty or nice this year??

Phriday Photo Phinish Phiesta Phun- Where would we go....

if there was a tornado? This is what Jazz asked me when we were on vacation this year. We always stay on a lake. This year we were someplace new and for some reason she was really worried about tornados. The property used to be a family homestead but has been converted into a resort. The building we stayed in used to be the main house but now is 5 units. The building across from us used to be the guest house. As we were walking around the property, we found this.

"That's where we would go!" I exclaimed.

Okay, now that you've checked out my photo, head on over to Candid Carrie and see who else is playing along today.

holiday Traditions

In getting ready for Christmas, there are lots of things to be done. At our house, Fisher puts up the tree then the kids and I decorate. This year, I've realized that when the kids move out, I won't have any ornaments for my tree. LOL. Well, that's not entirely true. We have "our First Christmas" ornament and I get the fabulous decade ones from Hallmark. (one for each year). There's a few others in there, but I think I get new ornaments when Lyric moves out. :-) Fisher usually hangs the first Christmas one, so that is one of our traditions.

I do 90% of the Christmas shopping for the kids and the family. I usually don't mind shopping, but I hate buying just to buy, especially when I don't know what the nieces and nephews are into. I also do the wrapping of the previously mentioned gifts.

Fisher puts up some sort of lights outside. This year it's a spotlight on the wreath hanging on the house. Very cool.

The kids and I usually bake cookies with my mom. We don't have this set up yet, but Jazz was just asking about it the other day.

Christmas Eve is at our house with a 10pm church service to follow. Christmas eve is at Fisher's older brother's house. It's been that way for years, and it works out pretty good.

What are your holiday traditions???

Rain, Sleet and Snow- Oh, my!

yes, my fellow readers, I am getting the most awful winter weather! Rain starting last night, into sleet and, since the temp has dropped, now snow. The roads are slippery...the sidewalks slushy....and my brain mushy!

Finals are over (for me) and I'm *this* close to getting an A in art. Seriously. I took my final last night and then was able to figure my percent overall right away. 89.7% So, if they round up to an even percent, I'll have a 90- which is an A. If no rounding, a B. I hate, hate, hate being that close and not being able to do anything about it. I really, really,really want an A. Grades are due by Friday, and will be available to me next week. I'll let you know.

Jazz's first performance at her new school got cancelled due to the aforementioned weather. Which is good, we don't have to be out in this stuff, but bad because when will they reschedule it?? Next Tuesday when we are having our girl scout holiday party? Wednesday, when she has dance? After the winter break? I'm sure she'll bring a note home today.

Speaking of winter break- when did it become winter break instead of Christmas Break? Same with Spring Break instead of Easter?? Spring Break is for College kids. Not my 9 year old. I know that it's basically the same thing, and I am very open to other people, cultures, ideas and whatnot. I do however take offense that my kids can't sing "traditional" Christmas songs at school (you know, all the ones we sang) because we might offend somebody. If you are that easily offended, well, I don't know what to say. Instead of "Silent Night" or "Away in a manger" Jazz is singing some song about Martha Stewart. Yup, that's right. Martha has made her way into the Holiday Program. I know this, 1) because Jazz has been practicing and 2) because Lyric did this same performance when she was in 4th grade.

I hope that I have not offended anybody as that is never my intention. What are your thoughts on Holiday vs Christmas? Let's dish.

This Blog Measures Up

Thanks to Paula over at http://www.paulafasciano.blogspot.com/ for this award. Because I like to do things my own way, my tagged friends are below.

1. Say one nice thing to a man in your life.

*I'm assuming this means "THE" man in my life, right?!? I want to say thanks for thinking about storing the boat for the winter so I can park in the garage. I appreciate the thought, even though the storage thing is not necessary. I love you!

2. List at least six ways that you measure success in your life (or for your blog).

*Success is my kids being in bed at 9pm

*Success is my kids out of bed at 6:30am

*Success is the completion of the goal to write and publish a book

*Success is achieving a balance between what you want to do and what you have to do

*Success is the feeling of accomplishment- be it the conclusion of a class, figuring out a puzzle, or creating something out of nothing

*Success is being happy with what I have

3. Assign this award to five other blogs and leave them a comment telling the blogger that you’ve assigned them this award.

I’m awarding this to…

Amy

Sooz

Charlene

Two new friends (like two people who don't regularly read my blog but would like to play along) Just comment that you are playing!

I was so mad...Friday Foto Finish

I was so mad because the photos I wanted to post today weren't in my snapfish albums. But, then I had a moment. They are on my handy dandy flash drive that I carry around. (I'm thinking I did that on purpose for FFF but who knows). So, anyway, here are some photos I've taken recently. I've been in a "Sky photo" frame of mind.

(This was taken from my front yard during a fall storm)

(This was overlooking the neighbor's house during the afore mentioned storm)

This was the sunset over the lake -duh- when we were on vacation this summer

hello, my cold friends....

Okay, maybe some of you aren't cold, but if you live in the midwest you probably are. I went out to my car this morning and couldn't get in. The locks were frozen. Then I thought I'd start Fisher's car to get Jazz to the bus stop. Nope. he had to come out and start his car and unlock my car doors. My car has a history of not opening when it gets cold. I hate it. When I get done with school (if not before) I getting a BRAND NEW CAR! Right now, I choose an Impala, but I like the Dodge Journey and the Honda Pilot or Odyssey.

Here's to keeping warm!

Sisters and Snow

My mom took the girls for pix the other day. They did Christmas and then Birthday photos for Lyric. Here's a couple of my faves.

(This is her fave- we got wallets for her to share)

We're getting snow today, and Saturday, and Monday. I took a couple pix the other day, but I'm going to try for some more tonight. If any turn out, I'll be posting them here.

I'm Back...with my T list

I hope somebody noticed I was gone...LOL

I had a long weekend away from work, and except for studying for my final, I wasn't on the computer much. Now, I'm back.

I stopped by Lynns Life Online and she had a favorite things sort of post. I'm playing along. I got the letter T and it was not easy, but here's my list.

*Tinkerbell (she's cute, funny, and a little bit naughty!)
*tea (green or white- hot or cold)
*The Shield (I know this is a bit of a stretch, but since the series ended last week, I figured it would count)
*Thanks (as in giving thanks to those that deserve it)
*Taking pictures (again a bit of a stretch, but it's my list)
*Traveling (as long as I know where I'm going, I love to travel, either by car, train, plane or boat)
*theatre (musical theatre usually but I love a good play)
*time off (see note above)
*Telling stories
*Talking with friends ( I know, this is another stretch, but it's my list! )