Thursday, December 22, 2011

35 Things to Do in my 35th Year


2012 is the year that I turn 35.  Is it just me or does 35 sound so incredibly old?  I don't know how the HECK this happened.  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was pinning up New Kids on the Block posters all over my room?  And now today I'm a wife and mother of three who homeschools and drives a mini-van.  Crazy, I tell ya.  Who knew that being a responsible (well, that's debatable) adult and having children would make time pass so much quicker?  

Each year I create a list of things I'd like to do or see or learn for that year. Most years I have a lot of ideas but only accomplish a few.  In fact, some of these are carry overs from my 2011 list that I never got around to completing!  In 2012, I have listed 35 things--one for every year of my life.  And this time, THIS TIME, I am determined to complete this list.  I've already been writing things on my calendar of when I am going to complete each thing.  It's going to be a fantastic year!  

So without further ado...here is my 35 Things in 2012 List:

Adventure/Active 
1.  Run six 5Ks (TENTATIVELY:  Cupid Crawl in February, Habitat for Humanity in March, Ocracoke 5K in April, Beaufort Road Race in July, Pink Ribbon Run in October, Dash for Cash in December). 
2.  Go ziplining (planning this with a few girls from my weight loss group at the gym!).
3.  Go parasailing (during our annual beach vacation).
4.  Take a surfing lesson (? during beach vacation). 
5.  Run a Half Marathon (gotta get this leg issue straight first--see #10.  Possibly will do the Outer Banks half in October). 
6.  Run a 10 minute (or better!) mile. 

Healthy
7.  Finish what I started and lose 30 (or 40!) more pounds.
8.  Be a Vegetarian for one month (planning on February--the shortest month!). 
9.  Go to the dentist. 
10.  See a chiropractor about my thigh and neck issues. 
11.  Get a skin cancer check by a dermatologist.     

Trips/Places to Go
12.  Take the girls to Ocracoke. 
13.  Go to the zoo. 
14.  Go to a music festival (planning on Floyd Fest in July). 
15.  Go camping (again, Floyd Fest in July). 
16.  Go on a trip with Aaron alone. 
17.  See the ponies at Shackleford Banks (again, during our annual beach vacation). 

Things to Do
18.  Get another tattoo (I've had two planned for awhile but haven't had the time or money to get them yet).
19.  Try sushi.
20.  Stop biting my nails (again) and get a manicure. 
21.  Wear a LBD (little black dress) on a date with my hubby (I even have the dress, just haven't worn it out on a date). 
22.  Sew some apron tops and hippie skirts for me and the girls (I used to sew these all the time and haven't made one in years). 
23.  Take a wire jewelry class with Annagrace. 
24.  Paint and decorate our bedroom. 
25.  Learn how to make Pad Thai. 
26.  Read 12 books. 
27.  Change the van tire by myself.
28.  Read a book to Layla every day. 
29.  Try one new recipe a month. 
30.  Read Harry Potter to Madalyn. 
31.  Go to a driving range with Aaron. 
32.  Learn the Thriller dance with Madalyn (she's already told me she doesn't think I can do it!). 
33.  Finish kitchen backsplash. 
34.  Teach the girls Psalm 23. 
35.  Get my Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse Certification.    

The one that I think will be the hardest is #35 (finding the time to study will be difficult).  The one that will challenge me the most is the surfing lesson (not because I'm scared of the water but because I'm scared of falling and looking like an idiot!).  I can't really pick one that I'm most looking forward to...there are several that I am excited about!

What plans do you have for 2012?    

Best Drink Ever

Okay, so promise me no judgment on this one.  If you don't drink alcohol, then click on to your next blog now.  If, like me, you occasionally like to have an alcoholic drink then you will not want to miss out on this recipe.  I had this at an office party a few years ago and had to get the recipe because it was so good!  I'm not a big drinker but this is the one drink that I like to have every year at the holidays.  

BRANDY SLUSH
Ingredients:

4 tea bags
8 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 6-ounce can orange juice concentrate
1 12-ounce can lemonade concentrate
750 mL apricot or peach brandy 
7-Up

Steep 4 tea bags in 2 cups of water. 
Boil 1 cup of sugar in 6 cups of water for 3 minutes. 
Add the can of OJ concentrate. 
Add the can of lemonade concentrate. 
Allow to cool. 
Add brandy. 
Freeze for about 24 hours,stirring occasionally. 
Fill glass with 1/2 slush and add 7-Up, stir and enjoy.



**I have a large plastic pitcher that I keep this in in the freezer.  An empty ice cream bucket would be even better because it freezes to slush consistency and you have to scoop it out with a spoon.  

It is SO good!