Happy New Year!

For 2016, one thing that I've decided that I'd like to do is to blog more.  When we first moved to Florida, blogging was a short lived way for me to vent some frustrations and keep my friends and family up to date on what was going on in our new life.  Then life happened and the blog took the back seat to everything else that was keeping us so busy.

Sooooo...without further adieu....the moment I know you've all been waiting for...the blog is back.  God willing,  I'll stay on top of it.

For the first post of of 2016, I decided to list some goals/bucket list items that I created for the year. Since I'm turning 38 this year, I chose 38 items to put on the list.   I put a lot of thought into what I want to get out of this year and I know putting it in writing will hold me more accountable.  Heck! I put on Facebook that I was going to run the half marathon and I actually followed through...couldn't let down all my adoring fans, now could I?

In no particular order, these are the things that I plan to accomplish in 2016.

1.  I'd like to lose another 15 pounds and maintain that weight.  Since September of 2015, I've gotten into better shape and lost 23 pounds (we won't talk about the 5 pounds I've gained back over Christmas break...so really I guess I need to lose 20 pounds to reach my goal but who's counting?) It's not just about losing weight.  Sure, my clothes fit better and I've gone down two pants sizes.  I feel great.  My muscles are more defined and I don't have heartburn anymore.  It's been easy and it's been hard. I still indulge every once in a while but I haven't starved.  If you'd like to know what I've done, feel free to reach out.

2.  My goal for 2016 is to run 12 5Ks.  At first, I thought one per month but I think I'll just sign up as my schedule sees fit.  I also like to run virtual 5Ks so I'll definitely be doing some of those.

3.  I am running in the Walk Like MADD 5K in April and my goal is to raise $200.  Already 1/4 of the way there and if anyone would like to contribute the link is Walk Like Madd.

4.  Do something nice and unexpected for someone at least once per month.

5.  Travel to one new city this year...just fly there, stay a couple of days and explore.  Some cities I've been throwing around are NYC, Boston and San Diego.  (Can you believe I've never been to NYC?)

6.  Go on a cruise. We live in South Florida.  This is a no brainer.  Not sure why we haven't done it since we've lived here.  Daniel and I are cruising in February but I'm not counting that one ;)  I hoping to sneak in a summer cruise and/or a Christmas cruise.  I love cruising.  Daniel does not so I have to convince him that my plans are better than his. Happy wife, happy life!

7.  Go to South Beach.  I ran the Half Marathon through there but I was delirious and crazed at that time.  I don't really remember much except about how much I wanted to die.

8.  Run a 5K without stopping.  Yes, friends, with all my training and all the miles I logged since June, I have never ran the entire 3.1 miles without stopping (hangs head in shame).

9.  Complete the 21 Day Fix Beach Body workout at least two times through without cheating on the workouts.  They are killer.  Truth be told, I did a couple days of the workouts before and could barely sit on the toilet.  Truth is I had to hold onto the wall to squat down.  Thought. I. Was. Going. To. Die! Daniel even joked that he had to do Pilates...until he was about to die too.

10.  Every month go an entire week without going out to dinner.  We have NEVER done this.  We eat out entirely too much, which costs entirely too much money.

11.  Join the Cooper City High School Football Boosters and attend the meetings.  Ben has two years of football left and I want to be present for that.

12.  Volunteer at least two times at the football games.

13.  Convince my husband to buy me a new bridal set :) since the diamond fell out of my engagement ring this week.  I may as well bookmark Jared and Kay Jewelers on my laptop because I've visited the sites so many times.

14.  Just quit wasteful spending.  Only bring new things into my home if they are food, have a purpose or we can't live without it (unless its a new bridal set, Stella and Dot jewelry, shoes or perfume...those things don't count).

15.  Find balance at work.  I have a lot of responsibilities and a to do list that never ends.  I want to accept that the work will be there tomorrow and to let it go! And no more checking work email at home. No more bringing work home.  A'int nobody got time for that and I don't get paid to work at home.  I'm cutting all ties of working at home.

16.  I've considered hiring a housekeeper for a while now and I have mixed feelings about it.  BUT I think I'm going to go with maybe trying one out once a month.  We have a yard guy (his name is Ben...jk...Ben cuts the grass...we really do have a yard guy that does the hard work) so I'm feeling a little left out.  I want/need someone to dust my baseboards and scrub my tubs...stuff like that.  Stuff I honestly don't want to do.

17. Speaking of cleaning.  My windows are disgusting.  I am going to hire someone to come and clean them all.  Why? Because I don't want to do it.

18.  I want to be more present around my family so less time being distracted on Candy Crush, Face Book and reading other blogs.  I admittedly spend way too much time mindlessly playing around on my phone and laptop.  Need to tone it back!

19.  My goal is to blog one time per week at the least.  I enjoy blogging and enjoy writing so it's just a matter of finding the time.

20.  Have to try Cuban food.  Yes, I've lived in South Florida for a year and half and I have not eaten Cuban food ever...unless you count the Cuban sandwich that I ate at the seafood restaurant in Ohio.

21.  For the last few months, I've gotten my nails done weekly.  Sometimes it's manicure, sometimes it's just a polish change and I LOVE getting it done weekly.  My nails look great and I get to try a fun, new color every week.  I plan to continue this little bit of pampering  through 2016.

MOST IMPORTANT GOAL  OF 2016 RIGHT HERE---> 22.  This may be the most important goal of 2016.  Find the BEST cupcakes in South Florida.  Here's the deal.  I love cupcakes.  Like I'd marry one if I could.  I am addicted to the mini cupcakes at Misha's here in town but I have to wonder, could there be a more delicious cupcake hiding in plain view in South Florida? Stay tuned...it's my mission to find out.  I won't let you folks down! Pinky promise! I take this job very seriously! 

23. Speaking of delicious food...my next goal is to sample every wing flavor at JT's Bar and Grill.  This place is a dump, hole in the wall but I swear they have the best wings on the planet.  So far, I've tried the Dano, Southern Slant and Maddy wings.  Next up on the list- Tornado, Pat, Pooch, Wally, Malena, CP,  and STH.  Heck, I might even be able to convince them to create an Emily.  I can see it, (I mean taste it) now.

24.  Do something as a family at least once per month.  Go somewhere, explore something, visit a new restaurant...whatever.  I don't care what it is as long as it's valuable, quality time with my favorite peeps.

25.  Find an easy to read and understand Bible and read it.  I don't know that I'll necessarily finish it  in 2016 but I at least want to get started.  I've even thought about downloading a Bible app and spending time reading it that way.

26.  Seriously start looking for a church in South Florida.  We've totally slacked on this and it's time to get serious especially so our kids can get involved.

27.  This may sound silly but I really want to learn how to do my make up.  I feel like I just wing it every morning.  I want to learn how to apply lip liner and eye liner without looking like a clown.

28.  Start reading again. I used to be an avid reader...several books a month..  Now I'm lucky to ready a couple a year.  I really want to pick this habit back up because I do miss it.

29.  Keep my garage clean.  It's a never ending, uphill battle.

30.  Wear sunscreen EVERY time I go to the beach or pool.  I am awful about this and I feel very fortunate, that after years and years of being irresponsible, burning and not wearing sunscreen, I have perfect skin.  I started going to the dermatologist for yearly check ups and am not going to waste the blessing of having no skin issues after years of abuse.

31. I plan to fill up my recycle bin to the brim every week!

32.  The next time Nordstrom has a huge sale, I'm snatching up the Michael Kors Lexington bracelet watch faster than a speeding bullet.  They can't keep the watch in stock and I can't seem to beat the crowds to buy it.  Michael Kors Mission Impossible 2016 is in effect.

33. Take care of my Stella and Dot wish list. LOVE their jewelry!

34.  Stop stressing over the little things that are not really important.

35.  Drink more water! Easy enough.

36.  Try one new South Florida restaurant every month.  The choices we have here are unbelievably amazing and never ending.  We love to go out to eat and going to Beef O'Brady's is only exciting once.  We need to broaden our horizons!

37.  Stop giving a crap that I am offending people or really just stop giving a crap.  I don't post things on Facebook sometimes because I don't want to offend someone of expose a differing view point than people I respect but no more of that in 2016.  If I have an opinion on a person, issue, politician, etc. I am going to post it.

38.   Just enjoy life.  I know it goes by fast.  I sit and think that I have two more years before Ben goes to college and it just crushes me. He was just a baby.  Lizzie was just a baby. Daniel and I were just dating.  Since time slows for no man, I am going to make the most of the time I have here.



Whew! That was a lot! I feel like I just ran a half marathon! Ha...I lie! I don't feel like I'm dying right now.  Thanks for reading! Love to you all!