15 Minute Update

I’ve been MIA on the blog recently.  2016 has got away from me.  I read an article recently that was about capturing and embracing what is remaining of this calendar year.  It was an article about focusing on the present versus getting caught up in the hype that 2016 is almost over.  It was about embracing the now versus giving up and waiting for that January 1 fresh start marker.

This year I turned 29.  The idea behind this blog was to capture 30 things that I hoped to accomplish before I turned 30.  30 is getting closer every day!

The reality is that I have already knocked quite a few things off of my 30/30 list, I have just failed at updating this blog.  Also, in my mind I revisit the list sometimes and consider giving it a refresh.  Since I’m changing all the time, there are new things that I want to accomplish and do that might not reflect what I had originally intended when I started this blog.

Things that I have done that I need to update you on:

·      Held a garage sale

·      Saw a show on Broadway

·      Learned to play a new song on the piano

·      365 photo/day challenge

·      Photo collage wall

·      Paid off student loans

·      Started (tried) a craft group

·      Completed wedding scrapbook

·      Identified my signature drink

Things that I want to take on this winter:

·      Swim lessons at the YMCA

·      Learn to knit mittens

·      Take dancing lessons with hubs

·      Send a secret to PostSecret

Time to start updating the blog again!

Random Thursday

1.  I am challenging myself to finish my wedding scrapbook this month.  It's only taken me 4 years to get this far.  Time to wrap it up!

2.  I started reading "Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert this week. 

3.  I haven't been to the gym in a few weeks.

4.  I want to get back into this blogging thing.

2015 Recap

2015 was a great year!  This year, I captured the highlights on my camera as I also completed a 365 photo-a-day challenge. Here are the highlights:

January:  Para-sailed in Mexico

On one of the last days of our anniversary vacation, we splurged and took an adventure to remember!

February:  Took a cake frosting class

Aren't they pretty?  I made fancily frosted cupcakes later in the year and took them to work.  They were a hit.

March:  1st Emergency Room Visit

Here are the flowers Hubs sent me at the event I was supporting  prior to me passing out on our kitchen floor.  That was scary!

April: Z classes zentangle and zumba

The Bieber poster hangs at the school I take the zumba class at.

May:  Volunteered

We participated in Vermont's annual "Green Up Day" and picked up a few bags of trash in our neighborhood.

June:  Hosted my family for a weekend

Not pictured:  epic badminton tournaments and pool time.

July:  Saw Weird Al in Concert & Bought Plane Tickets to AFRICA

Weird Al was amazing in concert, if you ever have the opportunity to see him live - DO IT!  Also, buying international flight tickets will give you a rush and something to look forward to!

August:  Hiked 2 Mountains in 1 Day

We did this in preparation for Mount Mulanje.  We hiked Mount Mansfield and Camel's Hump back to back.  We went to bed at like 7:00 the night we did this!

September:  Visited my sister in Africa and:

• Went on a safari

• Experienced third world village life

• Hiked Mount Mulanje to Sapitwa Peak

October:  Cake for Breakfast & Daft Punk Halloween

Hubs made me pancakes and chocolate cake for my birthday breakfast.  My brothers visited us for Halloween and won a couples costume contest downtown.

November:  No BS Brass Band & Start of Epic Risk Game

We saw No BS Brass Band in Concert and it was very good!  We also started a  game of Risk with my brothers that lasted who knows how many hours over two holidays. I didn't win, but I beat Hubs and that is all that matters!

December:  Ugly Sweater Dace Off 

I won an ugly sweater contest with my abominable snowman design.  I had to compete in a dance off with Hubs who tied me for best-ugliest-sweater.  You could say we are quite the crafty/nerdy couple.

2015 was great!  Cheers to the new year!  I've got goals for 2016 that I'll share in an upcoming post.