2017 recap

  I can't say that I have never had a year I wanted to hold onto and this was definitely not one either.

  I started 2017 out with some bad health news in my family and then problems just continued after that.  You know that saying, "When it rains it pours."  I don't want to over exaggerate my problems because there is worse out there but, I did have doubts of how much I could tolerate at one time.

  Thankfully some issues have resolved themselves and others I'm carrying with me into 2018 sadly.  I have nonetheless also accomplished some goals and had proud moments.

  In 2018 I crossed off 2 bucket list items!
Stand up Paddle Boarding and Zip line in addition to hanging out in a tree obstacle course!  Of course what I didn't get around to doing just gets rolled over and hopefully some will get crossed off again this year.

  I read a total of 40 books and went to the movies at least 16 times.

  I shared firsts with my kids like a hockey game, a carriage ride and laid wreaths.

  I had more collaborations both paid and with complimentary products compared to my previous year (this was my 2nd year blogging).  I even was selected for the Chick Fil A moms panel!

  Kudos to me for even donating blood for the first time!

I also tried aerial yoga and that wasn't even on my list! Bonus!

  So I can sit back and smile with satisfaction of my success as a blogger.  I can't wait to see how I grow in this new year.  I have a few blogging goals I would like to accomplish so amongst everything else like my bucket list and resolutions. I'll be working towards those too.

  Happy New Year everyone and I wish much success on everyone. 

2017 is Going to be Epic

2017

  All any of us can do is go into the new year with a positive mindset.  To go into it any other way is setting ourselves up for disaster.  Why would we purposely do that to ourselves?  There are already going to be bad days so lets not run out the gate seeking it out.

  My new year may not be quite epic but close enough is good enough for me.  I will shoot for epic and if I fall slightly short that's ok.  At least I aimed for it.  At least I set it not as a goal but as motivation.

  I do set up objectives.  I don't want to call them resolutions because I don't want to and because I don't want to be put in that pot of here's my resolutions and I didn't complete any, some or all of them so; I'm changing the terminology.

  Let's just keep it simple.  If they are simple I am more likely to take them seriously if I can actually achieve them.  Lol and to keep it simple I'm going with lucky number 12. Why?  Because there's 12 months so every month I'm responsible for them.

  My objectives:

1.  One book a month! (Number 12!)  This should almost be easy as I'm in a book club so that helps a little.

2.  Volunteer- once a month.  I will look into local organizations to schedule it ahead of time as much as I can so that stays on track!

3.  Organize a week out for posts and more organization for engagement.  I picked up a new planner today, yeah!

4.  Find time for me without guilt on a weekly.  

5.  One new recipe weekly!

6.  Finish state park visits! (15-16 left)

7.  Bucketlist items to be done THIS year. (I didn't do any least year)

8.  Water I need to drink more water!! I would love to see the results from actually following through with this.  I need to devise a plan and make myself accountable.

9.  Random act of kindness monthly.  You will only know after its been done. ;)

10.  I would like to become more centered.  Take things less personal,  increase my patience and be more restrained.  This will involve more reflection, mediation and maybe even asking for help on my part.

11.  I would love to continue outside appreciation. Hiking, pictures and exploring! 

12. Monthly craft or DIY project.  Remember I did get a couple toys for Christmas! 

  I would like to think all of these are obtainable but I already know some upcoming changes that are coming and can only think positive and hope for the best that I can stay on track and push through.

  I appreciate your encouragement and motivation! 

  2 more days and its a New Year! Good luck, be safe and have a good year! 

What are you most looking forward too this year? A birthday milestone? A trip? Graduation?

A Day Out On the Bike

  A couple weeks ago it was supposed to hit 70°.  Prior to that a week or two before that was warm as well.   I thought that that was probably the last good day before the winter made its mark and decided to stay so it was time to take full advantage of it.

  I loaded up my bike to hit the VirginiaCapitalTrail.  This trail has been a focus for several months.  It's a nice solid even trail over 50 miles long.  This trail runs from Jamestown Settlement to downtown Richmond.

  I am an amateur cyclist.  I have ridden topping off at only 12 miles.  Mostly off road and strictly on a mountain bike.  A mountain bike weighs more, requires more effort to pedal and doesn't reach the speed of a road bike at least with any real ease.  Maybe these are all excuses but they are tidbits I have heard, and again I'm an amateur.

I started at mile marker 0. No pressure!  I can do this.  I am so excited.  I have my water bladder for hydration, my phone is locked onto the bike (extra battery packed too), helmet, sunglasses, cycling gloves, fruit and a protein bar!  I think I'm as prepared as I could be! 

Along the way each mile excited me more as I passed it and got closer to the end.  The trail was such a great surface.

I picked the perfect time of year and day.  The temperature was just right.  It wasn't too hot or cold.  I did run into some strong wind at the end but in the beginning I was completely comfortable.  Our fall comes later so I was able to catch the colors on this mid November ride.

The trail took me over bridges big and small.

The water views were the rewards.

I am not sure at what point of me taking pictures did I realize that it was taking time away from me finishing.  This was never a race.  It was my first time.  I had nothing to compare it to so there was no record to break.  

There was so much history to see on this stretch.  Plantations, the home of a past president and other history markers declaring momentous acts!

So many signs so little time to read.  I started the trail at 10:45 am.  I was planning to make it a 4 hour trip.  I exceeded it by an hour.  I stopped at two main trailheads to stretch and go to the bathroom.

It was always so reassuring to see how close I was getting.  The signs were in addition to the mile markers.  I never really felt alone and isolated either. There was always someone coming from the other direction, passing me or cars on the nearby road.  

I'm almost there.  When you have ridden 40 miles and you see that you are here.  It's truly amazing, such an accomplishment, such a feat!  

I will not lie and say I was not in pain.  The week working up to this day.  I had rode he 12 miles and another day 4 miles, I had ran a couple random days as well.  That was the extent of my training.  I do know that I have the endurance.  So not completing the trail wasn't an option.  My legs hurt particularly my thighs and around my knees.  My butt had been lost some where around mile 20 something.  It was so numb and I couldn't use one leg long enough to give either a rest or my butt.  

I pedaled on.  I hit a strong wind after that last trailhead and already exhausted that I couldn't even motivate myself anymore.  I had did multiple stretches at that stop but nothing was enough.   I had 12 miles left I had to keep going; there was no way I wasn't going to finish! 

I knew there were supposed to be more hills on this end so I was slightly prepared.  I laughed hysterically at them when they popped up.  I still pedaled on.

Then on one hill I saw the city.   The sun was starting to set.  It was so pretty and what a relief.  I had made it.  I was done. I had did it!  

My husband was parked shortly after marker number 50 so I didn't hit 52.1 which is the whole trail but that's ok.  Hek, had i known he was right there I would have snapped a picture of me and 50 but oh well I guess that will have to be next time!

What did I learn from this trip?  That I was as prepared as I was going to be.  That I could do it.  That alone time is nice.  That being alone is not scary.  That I am independent and can do things bigger then me.  That even when told I maybe shouldn't try it that I can try it and see what happens.  This was probably my biggest and definitely last accomplishment for he year but I'm so happy with it that that's fine by me.  

Next time of course I will beat my record because of the sheer fact I don't need  to take so many pictures.  

I also must add.  Although I was sore that night.  The next morning I was completely fine.  I woke up and waited for alarms to go off in my body and nothing did. I sat up and moved and all was actually just the way it was before!

I have already looked to see where else I can ride and I saw a 100 mile race.  I am not sure I'm ready for that just yet but I would like to continue riding my mountain bike and get a road bike and have the ability to ride either.

Have you completed a final item for the 2016?  Do you have a big goal for next year?

#NaBloPoMo

Fall Bucketlist

I don't need to make a bucketlist I have children.  The children are always submitting their requests to me.  Each season and even regardless of the season.  Sometimes they try to use the season as an excuse to request something or go somewhere.  

I like to take it easy when the season changes.  I don't need to run out the gate to a pool on the first day of summer.  Nor do I need to build a snowman when winter hits.  There will be plenty of time to do it so there's no point of stressing with a list.

  What I would like to do this fall in no specific order.

1.  Go to ColonialWilliamsburg. I have been several times but never during Halloween time but they have some amazing wreaths to look at.

2.  A corn maze would be fun for everyone

3.  Last year I went apple picking and that was a fun experience for my little ones.  I would love to check out the trees again and of course the donuts and cider are just a bonus.

4.  Carve a pumpkin.  This year we picked up a dremel so let's see what happens with that.

5.  Visit some more state parks and check out those leaves!

There I have made a list.  One I may or may not follow but it's there for bragging rights.  Fall is all about leaves, apples and pumpkins.  I promise I will partake in viewing or consumption of all the appropriate fall season necessities.

Does drinking pumpkin lattes count?  If so strike that off a bucketlist because I have nailed it.

Fall bucketlist

  We have already done alot this month and it's only just begun.  I have assembled items I would like to accomplish for fall.  This will be easier than breaking things down monthly.  I look at various sites for daily,weekly and monthly activities and events so those will get added at the bottom. My list is comprised of things for me to do as well as my kids or as a family.

Fall Bucket list
1. Apple picking -DONE
2. Cider and donut eating (we already did at the orchard but that was one donut and a small bit of cider)
3. Check out some changing leaves (leaves do not change here as pretty as there are when I drive away from the area)
4. Carve pumpkins
5. Attend the lighthousechallenge in NJ (next weekend fingers crossed I haven't made overnight accommodations)
6. Leaf crafts with my kids
7. Sewing project (beanie)
8. Shopping (score thrift store deals) Let's shoot for 2! Hoping I can reuse as gifts or repurpose.
9. Which brings me to be on the look out for Christmas presents.
10.  Finish my pumpkin challenge 30 days (not all homemade but let's focus on eating the pumpkin, lol)
11. New face! I have been wearing makeup, watching tutorials of different styles, techniques and products and hope to break into that area as well.  So far I have applied daily and am up to day 6! Pictures are on  my instagram.
12. I would like my daughter to know her money and time
13. Take a nature walk and scavenger hunt with my little ones.
14. A nice toasty night out with a fireplace would be nice ( might not happen as I like heat and my husband doesn't)
15. 1 new recipe a week (let's make it more complicated I have been doing this pumpkin challenge and all those recipes are new to me but how about 7 new vegetarian meals.  That will get me through Nov.)

Ok, I feel more fulfilled having wrote down some ideas.  Now to remember them and take the time to complete them.

Follow along as I will post updates when I have completed them and share with you how I am coming along.