Surprise...Surprise...Surprise....

Yesterday wrapped up yet another long stretch of planning and organizing in my life. It seems as though that is what "my calling" in life is. My closest and best friend, Karri turned the big 5-0 and the last 6 months of secrets and planning have been called a big success. With only a few mishaps, I'm satisfied with the outcome....because what's important is that she was surprised and that she knew how truly loved she is by all.

The party was catered by a local catering company and they did an excellent job. A big thanks to Josh and Caitlin for bar tending for us...I think it added a personal touch and no doubt they enjoyed free access to the alcohol.

It was a first time for me to see my older children all dressed up and WOW...they looked awesome! Amanda was quite beautiful in her dress and her hair all fixed up. She certainly didn't look a mere 17 years old. Joshua was very handsome in his pin-stripe suit...I honestly thought that the first time I saw him dressed up like that was going to be his wedding. Both kids standing with their "significant others" really hit home for me that they are not my babies anymore, but grown, mature, beautiful children. I have to give myself a little credit for raising such wonderful kids!

So despite the limo going to the wrong place at the wrong time, people who RSVP and never came and Keith Urban not showing up..(just kidding), it was a memorable night. It was my pleasure to create such a special night for a very special friend. Happy Birthday, my friend!

My Bucket List

As I get settled into a new year, I can't help but think about my own bucket list and what I hope to accomplish this year. Of course there is the usual stuff such as exercise more, eat healthy, work less, yada, yada, yada.

But since I like to challenge myself, lets start off with skydiving. I am scared to death of heights but something about jumping out of an airplane at 12,000 feet strapped to a stranger and plunging towards earth at a speeds I don't even want to know...sounds like an amazing rush and a life appreciating experience to me.

Run a marathon....Well it's not at the top of my list but none the less, it's on my list. As out of shape as I am, I should start training. Well maybe next year!

Sell everything and move to a foreign country. Not sure which country and really, I'm not picky...but life has so much to offer each of us and I feel guilty, like I am cheating myself, for not exploring everything that's out there.

Take helicopter flying lessons. I know this is an expensive hobby, but it's something that I have always wanted to do. I guess I should start out with baby steps and ride in one first.

Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person. Something about seeing those huge balloons and floats makes me feel like a kid again.

Volunteer to work in a soup kitchen for the homeless on Thanksgiving Day.

Ring in the new year in Time Square, NYC. Amidst the freezing weather and a bazillion drunk people...it's a celebration like no other.

Spend a week of pure relaxation on the warm beaches of Tahiti. I have always wanted to stay in one of those little huts that are out in the middle of the water with glass floors; watching the fish swim by and taking a moonlight dip in the warm salt water sounds amazing.

Ride in an old fashioned cattle drive. I'm sure my butt will be sore after the first few hours and my back sore after the first night, but count me in for the cowboys, campfires and beautiful scenery!

Fill up my new passport with Stamps from all over the world. Particularly France, Italy, China, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Greece and Germany.

On a simpler note, I plan to donate blood, join the National Bone Marrow Registry in hopes of saving someone life, spend more quality time with my family and try to not sweat the small stuff. Although I don't plan to cross everything off my bucket list in 2011, I hope to chip away at it the best I can.