Updated and EXTENDED ~ 40 x 43 "Riding the Ocean Waves of Life"

As the day of my 42nd birthday draws near, I once again wonder "Where has the time gone?"  When I made this list of goals almost 2 years ago, I was sure I would see the words COMPLETED next to each one.  Unfortunately, I didn't take into consideration time, scheduling conflicts, life changes and all the curve balls that seem to have been thrown my way over the last year.  But I decided that I will not give up.  Just because I didn't complete them all in the 2 years I had originally planned, doesn't mean that I still can't push forward and continue.  Sure there are often time constraints on meeting deadlines, etc but that's not the case when it comes to one's life goals.  It's not the time it takes to complete them, but the journey you take to get there & be able to say "I did it."  So having said that, I have not only extended my time frame but I have also changed a few.  Goals, just like us, are always changing and evolving.  So here's my current/new list of 40 x 43 goals.  I hope that you will continue to follow along with me as I work toward these experiences and challenges.  I look forward to sharing some of them with you along the way.  

1.  Finish our 50 States Dinners - IN PROGRESS
2.  Train to run/walk a Disney themed Marathon - Completed 1/7/18
3.  Observe sea turtles hatching in their natural environment & head out to sea - Completed 8/10/16
4.  Finish the basement remodel ~ we have lived in this house for 16 years and that area has always been the bane of my existence! - Completed but always evolving
5.  Take dance classes with Honey - Completed and on-going  :)
6.  Open an Etsy store for scrapbooking, paper products and party supplies ~ this has been a dream of mine for years! - IN PROGRESS
7.  Go ice skating ~  I know this sounds weird coming from a girl who prefers the warm sun & sand to the ice & snow, but I think it will be a fun thing to do with the family
8.  Remodel/Redecorate L's room ~ he is in major need of an upgrade to a teenage style room!! - Completed 9/18/17
9.  Have a facial ~ I have always wanted to learn more about skin care & I just happen to have a friend who is an amazing esthetician. - Completed 7/17 & Fell in love ... now I get one every 5 weeks
10.  Complete our wedding scrapbook ~ you'd think after 15 years I'd have that one done by now, nope!
11.  Have professional family photographs taken - Completed 8/9/16
12.  Host an amazingly themed backyard party ~ finally put some of those Pinterest pins to good use!
13.  Have a classic movie marathon with Honey: Casablanca, Singing in the Rain & Breakfast at Tiffany's ~ yes, he has agreed to this ahead of time :) - Casablanca = check! "Here's looking at you kid." - Singing in the Rain = check!  "Gotta Dance!"
14.  Attend the Nutcracker Ballet - Completed 12/10/16
15.  Redesign our backyard landscaping ~ Honey is thinking a mini beach area, but we will have to see if we can pull it off 
16.  Participate in NAMI walk (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
17.  Create/ Paint a "Masterpiece" at a local art studio
18.  Watch the sunrise on the beach - Completed 8/10/16 and 11/13/16
19.  Learn to meditate and be more present in the moment, enjoying life and all it has to offer.  As a society, we are always on the go... moving from one thing to the next that we often forget to stop and just be.  I want to slow down and take the time to breathe in life's adventures. - IN PROGRESS
20.  Remodel/ Redecorate our bedroom.  It's time to get rid of the brown walls & give it that coastal, relaxing vibe I love so much.
21.  Attend a Broadway show ~ Phantom of the Opera is my first choice, but I have several on my list to see
22.  Take a vacation to Charleston & Savannah
23.  Take a yoga class - Completed 7/14/17 ... Hot Yoga = Amazing!  Continuing to practice
24.  Learn to make the "perfect"  Disney themed caramel apples ~ just like the ones you find at the parks...Yum Yum!
25.  Attend another Florida Georgia Line concert ~ they are our favorite group & we LOVE to see them live!  - Completed ...Not remotely embarassed to say we saw them 4 times last year, ending with the Concerts of all Concerts = FGL, Nelly and the Backstreet Boys at WRIGLEY FIELD!!!!
26.  Learn how to make TRUE Southern Sweet Tea - Completed 7/23/16
27.  Take a photography class to learn how to utilize the Manual setting on my camera & expand on my current skills
28.  Become a certified Yoga instructor 
29.  Spend Spring Break 2017 at Disney ~ no shock here that we are already planning our next trip back - Completed 3/12/17 thru 3/18/17
30.  Learn how to make grits ~we simply cannot move South one day without me not knowing how to make this staple food
31.  Complete the QC Half Marathon ~ even if I have to walk some ... definitely not going for record time, just to cross the finish line
32.  Put $xxx in our savings account - IN PROGRESS
33.  Attend Maks & Val - Live on Tour ~ I am a die hard Dancing with the Stars fan & these two are my absolute favorite professionals!  Not going to lie, when Honey gave me these tickets for Mother's Day, I literally squealed with excitement!  I have the best husband EVER!!! - Completed 7/29/16
34.  Share my story of living with Mental Illness - Completed 1/29/18
35.  Try one new food a week ~ this correlates to #34 - IN PROGRESS
36.  Remaster the ability to French Braid hair ~ I do not have a working tendon in my left thumb due to a not smart moment on my part, so the dexterity is not there.  Therefore, braiding and a lot of other fun hairstyles for Miss B & myself have proven difficult.  - IN PROGRESS
37.  Pay it forward/ Not-so-Random-Act of Kindness ~ We have always wanted to do something for those less fortunate to show/teach the kids the value of the things they have and to remind them the importance of helping others when they can.
38.  Finish organizing the kitchen pantry closet ~ I started it about 8 months ago & it drives me crazy that I haven't completed it as of yet.  The ideas are all there, I just need to do it. - Completed 1-21-18
39.  Re-read and watch the Harry Potter books & movies as a family ~ there may be a hidden agenda behind this one.  I would love to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando, but it doesn't seem right to go without everyone knowing the back story behind what is sure to be an amazing experience!! - IN PROGRESS
40.  Celebrate the accomplishment of completing this list in style!


XOXO
N

Salad Dressing with the Stars

For those of you that know me, or have visited here before, know that I am a huge Dancing with the Stars fan!  I have been hooked since Season 1.  There are a lot of very talented pro- dancers, but one of my favorites is Sharna Burgess.  She is not only an extremely talented choreographer and dancer, but she's got such a kind, generous and positive nature about her.  Very inspirational!  I have followed her on Instagram for quite some time ... her "Random Ramblings" Instastories are hilarious!  Anyway, when she announced that she was starting her own blog, I was beyond excited.  :)  If you are a Dancing with the Stars fan or just looking for a new, fabulous blog to read ~ head on over to sharnaburgess.com.  You won't be disappointed!

Recently, she posted a recipe for her homemade Go-To Salad Dressing.  It looked super simple and delicious.  Now if you are like 99% of the population who made a New Year's Resolution to eat healthier, than you have got to try this.  Honey & I are included in that 99% by the way, so we decided to make it last night for dinner.  I am delighted to say that IT WAS AMAZING!!  Even the kids tried it!  :)  

The ingredients are the following:

• 3 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar (I substituted white wine vinegar)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1/2 cup olive oil (I was out, so I substituted vegetable oil instead)
• salt & pepper to taste

Whisk the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl to blend.  Then, gradually whisk in the oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  It can be prepared up to 8 hours in advance.  Cover and chill.  (I made it about an hour ahead of time) Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes & rewhisk before serving.  Makes about 3/4 cup.

According to Sharna, this dressing is great on so many different kinds of salads.  I choose to make one using your basic iceberg lettuce, carrots, cucumber, mushrooms, grape tomatoes and garbanzo beans. 

Time to add the dressing ...  :)

Honey also baked chicken breasts that he had marinated in lemon juice and poppy seeds.  I sliced mine up and added it to the salad to make a delicious and healthy meal.  

Yum!!!!  It was a super simple Sunday night dinner that the whole family enjoyed.  Not to mention, since it was packed full of healthy vegetables and protein .... I was able to justify eating a Coconut Pecan cookie for dessert.  :)  (Don't even get me started on those!!! Oh-My-Goodness!)

Thank you Miss Sharna for a new GO-TO recipe!  And for helping Honey and I keep our New Year's Resolution going .... minus the cookie, of course.  (I just couldn't resist!)

Happy Monday!

XOXO

N

*This is not a paid ad.  The opinions and comments are my own**