Bucket lists

Heather and I all geared up and ready to learn!

I have a bucket list.  I'm probably not the only one out there.  But there are some things that I would love to cross off that list!  A few years ago, I was lucky enough to cross off a 1/2 marathon.  That was pretty sweet, but HARD!  Not gonna lie.  This past Saturday I am excited to say that I crossed off another one...kayaking!  Might seem like a strange bucket list item, but for me this is a big deal.  A) I don't like being in water that I can't see the bottom of and B) it was just something new for me that took me out of my comfort zone.

We signed up through Shank's Mare Outfitters for a 5-hour comprehensive kayak course.  At first I thought "wow, that's a LONG time".  But it went really fast and we learned a lot.

The first 1/2 was done on land. They went over the anatomy of a kayak.  What everything was and what it's purpose is.  Then we went over the paddle.  Different paddle strokes, different ways to position your paddles (feathered or straight) and how to use a paddle to get yourself INTO the kayak itself  (this was a great trick, would have never thought of it).  We practiced getting ourselves in and out of the kayak.  And also practiced putting the skirt around the cockpit (to keep water from splashing into the cockpit) by ourselves.

We took a lunch break, then it was time for the water part of the course.  (YIKES!)  They were very upfront with what the water part would consist of.  The very first thing we had to do was do a "wet exit".  In Amber terms, that meant "TIP YOURSELF OVER IN TO THE WATER AND GET YOURSELF ABOVE WATER".  OK, the Amber term sounds scary, but to me it was anxious anxiety till it was my turn to do this. The reason they have you do this first was so that it was out of the way.  Everyone would realize that as soon as you tip over, your legs automatically pop out of the cockpit and your life jacket brings you up to the surface.  I admit, I did not like this, but I did it anyway.  LOL  I survived.  (side note:  there was a qualified instructor standing right beside your kayak while you did this and we were only in shoulder-deep water.)

Once everyone went through the wet exit we paddled out pretty far for the next part.  "Rescues"  GULP! There were three kinds of rescues  we learned.  Self rescue, T-rescue and the group rescue.  They demonstrated each one with a volunteer (no, I did not volunteer).  It was a very good learning experience.  I liked knowing how to use all the emergency equipment.

After that we took a group tour up the beautiful Susquehanna River (not too far).

here's a view of our beautiful Susquehanna River (taken by me)

I'm happy to report that I escaped with no bruising (I bruise easily!); however I did receive a cut on my leg. I walked in to the back of someones kayak and the rudder cut my leg.  DUH!

My only battle scar (this is a miracle for me!)

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day.  The weather was perfect, not a lot of wind and it was not as humid as it has been.  We had a blast and I think I am ready to do a little kayaking on my own thanks to our two awesome instructors!

Do you have a bucket list?  What's on your list?

Fab Friday!! 6/27/14

source

Oh boy, isn't this the TRUTH!!!!

Have a groovy weekend!
 

Finish This! 11th edition

Linking up with:

Nicole @ Three 31 http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/

Lisa @ Coastlined http://lisadenoia.com/

Jen @ The Arizona Russums http://www.theazrussums.com/

Becky @ The Java Mama http://www.thejavamama.com/

This week totally got away from me!  I usually try to write my blogs for the week on Sunday's but life happened!


Here we go with this weeks "finish this"....


I have a quarter to use a pay phone, I call..... First of all, a pay phone?!  Wow, can not remember the last time I saw one of these!  But to answer the question, I'd probably call my Mommy.  :)

I found $25 in my pocket, I buy.....   MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC!!!!!!!!!



I have 25 minutes to watch anything on TV, I turn on....Real Housewives of....... I know, I know...it's my guilty pleasure!



A meal I can prepare, from start to finish in 25 minutes or less is....anything with Bisquick.  I love this stuff!



At the age of 25, I wish I had known....that I'd still be at the SAME JOB I am now.  



If I drove 25 miles south from my house, I'd be in... pretty sure I'd be in Maryland.  Or Delaware.  OK, I'm not really sure.  LOL




Now it's YOUR turn!!!!!!!   And GO!

Prompts for WEEK 26 (July 2) are:
It’s never too late …
I compare myself to others …
My personality is …
I can …
I embrace change …

Fab Friday!! 6/20/14

source

I LOVE NAPS!!!  enough said.  :)


Have a groovy weekend!

Finish This! 10th edition

photo credit: DCSL via photopin cc

Wednesday means another Finish This post!  I hope you are enjoying these as much as I am.  I am linking up through:

Nicole @ Three 31 http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/

Lisa @ Coastlined http://lisadenoia.com/

Jen @ The Arizona Russums http://www.theazrussums.com/

Becky @ The Java Mama http://www.thejavamama.com/

Let's get to it!  

I could spend all day......  At the beach.  But then you knew that already.  LOL!


My primary and most essential goal in life.......  Wow.  I think I would have to say, to be the best person I can be.  The best daughter, the best sister, the best friend, wife, Mom etc....  I am human though and I screw up quite often, but my intent is to use all the tools my parents gave me growing up.


You might be surprised to learn......... That I used to sing in the church youth choir, play the piano and flute as a youngster.  I was in my high school marching band for a few years.  I can still hear the lead flute player screaming "FLUTES UP!!" during the hot summer practices.  :)


My favorite place to be in the world is.......  Really?!  hahahahaha!  Once again, the beach.  I would live there if I had no responsibilities.  :-)


I wish I had known sooner......  that I would regret giving up my music lessons.  I am thankful my parents were involved in music at our church growing up because that meant that my sister and I were also involved in music.  However; as a growing kid in to the tween years into the teen years, I was more annoyed by the music lessons than anything.  As soon as I didn't have to keep taking those lessons, I quit.  Now I wish I had not done that.  I still play the piano a little (forgot a lot!) but haven't played the flute in quite some time. As for singing, well I am always singing in my car to my favorite music.  LOL

That's it for me!  Now it's YOUR turn!  How would you "finish this"?!?

Prompts for WEEK 25 (June 25) are:

I have a quarter to use a pay phone, I call ….
I found $25 in my pocket, I buy …
I have 25 minutes to watch anything on TV, I turn on …
A meal I can prepare, from start to finish. in 25 minutes or less is …
At the age of 25, I wish I had known …
If I drove 25 miles (direction) from my house, I’d be in ..

30 Day Ab Challenge

Guess what I'm talking about today?  hehe  You got it!  I am participating in this ab challenge with a group of local friends.  It started Saturday (June 14), but I encourage you to join in NOW!  It's pretty easy in the beginning so you could catch up fairly easily.

I'm not going to lie....it looks tough, but I'm going to give it a try.

I challenge YOU to do this with me!  I'll report back after it is over to let you know I am still alive. LOL

Good luck!  I know I'll need it!

Fab Friday! 6/13/14

source

bwahahhaha!  #truestory

Have a groovy weekend!

Finish This! 9th Edition

Happy Wednesday!  I hope everyone is enjoying the warm weather we are having now.  It was such a LONG winter that I didn't think it would ever end!

Like every week, I am linking up through:

Nicole @ Three 31 http://nicoleandkevin.wordpress.com/

Lisa @ Coastlined http://lisadenoia.com/

Jen @ The Arizona Russums http://www.theazrussums.com/

Becky @ The Java Mama http://www.thejavamama.com/

OK, let's get going!

The best compliment I ever received..... was that someone thought I was my daughter's sister (not her mother).  WOW!  Must be the good genes I inherited from my Mommy!  

Wearing red lipstick makes me feel...... self conscious.  I know that sounds weird, but it does.  I do not like drawing attention to myself; therefore, the red lipstick isn't something I reach for.  :)

The best investment I've made......is in my daughter, Heather.  All the years of sacrifice and scariness of being a single Mom has paid off.  She truly is a bright spot in my life and to everyone she comes in to contact with.  And not to mention she just got promoted to Assistant Manager at her work (salon) so I am very proud of her!

My best childhood memory.....would be camping with my family.  So many memories that I will never forget!

even though we're doing "chores" in this picture, we were having fun.

That wraps it up for me!  How would you answer these questions?

Prompts for WEEK 24 (June 18) are:I could spend all day …
My primary and most essential goal in life …
You might be surprised to learn …
My favorite place in the world is …
I wish I had known sooner …

Public Speaking

source

So the topic is simply....public speaking.  I think I broke out in a sweat just thinking about it. 

I don't like it.  I avoid it at all costs.  I refuse.

Yep, those are my thoughts on that subject.  I don't even like going to seminars where you break out in to groups and someone has to report back to the entire room what your group came up with. I don't like talking in groups of people.  I don't really enjoy talking to people I really don't know that well.  Wow, that makes me sound like a snob.  I'm really not -- honest!!!  It's just who I am I guess.

I noticed that a lot of fellow bloggers are the same way as I am.  Perhaps we use writing as out outlet instead of speaking.  This might be why we all get along so well!  I prefer to write my thoughts down instead of presenting said thoughts out loud to a room full of people.  

So tell me....are there any people out there who "enjoy" public speaking?  If so, let me hear you! Or maybe it's not something that is enjoyed, rather they just get through the first 5 minutes then they are fine.  HA!

How do you feel about public speaking?

Fab Friday! 6/6/14

source

HAHA!  Now that's my kind of work out!

Have a groovy weekend!

Finish This! 8th edition

Taken by my Hubby in Outer Banks, NC

So another Wednesday is upon us already.  I can't believe how the weeks are just flying by!  Like every week, I'm linking up through fellow bloggers:

Check out their blogs to either link up or read other blogger's answers:  Nicole, Becky, Jen & Lisa



1.  I conquer fear..... by taking Celexa - true story.  The older I get, the more I seem to have anxiety and fear over certain things.  This helps me cope so I can function.  hehe


2.  I follow my heart.....I'm still working on this one I think.  I try to listen to my inner gut (intuition) but sometimes I ignore it.


3.  I feed my soul by......writing and drawing/painting.  I'm not an artist by any means, but the doodling and smearing paint around on a canvas seems to feed my soul.  I even have an adult coloring book that I purchased from Amazon.  Sometimes I get my colored pencils out and color away.  It helps!

awesome color pencil set!

4.  I used to worry about ______ but then I......I used to worry about what other people think of me, but then I realized that no matter what I do, someone will always have a problem with it and have an opinion.  So I'm learning to "smile & nod" and just move on.


How would you answer these?  I think they were tough ones this week.  Really made me think!






Prompts for WEEK 23 (June 11) are:
The best compliment I ever received …
Wearing red lipstick makes me feel …
The best investment I’ve made …
My best childhood memory …




**This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no cost to you, I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using the provided links**

13 Things I Love About VaCaTiOn!

It's finally June!  Which means many of us will be vacationing away from our homes, or doing a "stay cation".  Both are fabulous and enjoyable.  My vacation of choice is the BEACH!  The ocean does something to me.  So here are 13 things that I love about vacation with the beach in mind.  :)

1.  I can "unplug" for a week.  Well, OK...I'm not being honest here.  I'm the first to admit that I take along all my gadgets (phone, tablet).  I guess I should say I unplug from my work phone and computer.  I don't have to talk to anybody if I don't want to.  LOL  And I try not to check my work email while away.

haha I'm on Facebook....shhh don't tell anyone!  LOL

2.  I eat food I don't normally eat!  Yes indeedy.  While at home, I try to follow a food plan (doesn't always work, but I try) but while I am away, I can loosen the reigns a little bit and enjoy things I don't normally eat.

3.  I get to spend time with my BFF!  She lives in New Jersey and I live in Pennsylvania.  We normally vacation together with our families, so I look forward to a week of giggles, good eats etc.

CHEERS!

4.  I drink a lot (A LOT) of alcohol!  I'm not sure if this is something to be proud of or not, but one vacation my BFF and I went through 2 handles of Bacardi Rum (just the two of us).  We LOVE Mojitos, so this would be why we went through so much rum.  Each day of the week we tackle a different liquor/drink.  Such as beer one day, rum day, vodka day.  You get the picture.  LOL

Must have been a "beer day"  hehe

5.  I get to sit on the beach!  Who doesn't love this?!  I suppose if you're not a sand person, you might not enjoy this.  I love the sand between my toes.  I would sit out there all day as long as I had drinks.

Doesn't take me long to get my shoes off once I'm on the beach

6.  No schedule!  I love this about vacation!  We spend most of our days going by some sort of schedule.  I am normally a schedule person, but not during vacation.  I love doing whatever we want, whenever we want to do it.

7.  Sunset/Sunrise.  There is nothing more beautiful than a sunset on the bay, or a sunrise across the beautiful ocean.

8.  Swimming in the ocean!  If the water is warm enough, you'll find me in the ocean.  Since I was a kid I would spend a lot of time in the water with my cousin's.  Even as an adult, I will ride waves with a boogie board or just plain old body surfing.  Occasionally I get wiped out by a huge wave and loose my sense of direction.  LOL  That's not always fun though.

9.  Campfires!  Oh I love this....so much!  We sometimes have them here at home too, not just at the beach.  But there is nothing more relaxing than a campfire right on the beach (if it's allowed of course).  S'mores are my favorite thing to have around a campfire.  We also will roast hot dogs if enough people want them.

10.  Pool time!  Nothing better than coming back from a day of sun and sand and taking a dip in a nice cool pool.

11.  Making meals together.  This is always fun.  We usually menu plan a few weeks before we depart.  Each family will make a dinner or two (depending on how many there are of us).  And no doubt it's always yummy!

12.  Sight seeing!  Even though we have been to this spot several times, there is always something to see.  Usually if the weather is unsettled, we'll venture down to where the horses are on the beach (Corolla, NC).  It's a beautiful site.  We'll usually do some shopping too because who doesn't like to bring "OBX" souvenirs home?

13.  The site and sound of the ocean.  I saved this one for last because it's the most important one to me.  I often refer to the ocean as my "therapist".  It's so true.  There is something about staring out at the waves rolling to shore and hearing the waves roll about.  If you have never been to the ocean, I highly recommend it.

Here we are just taking it all in.  Nothing better.

And then there is the sad ride home picture.  :(

So there are my favorite things about vacation!  What are some of the things that you love about vacation time?