Checking In: 101 in 1001

About a year ago, I began my journey to complete 101 things in 1001 days.  At the time, I thought to myself, "Self, you have all the time in the world to complete these - dream big!"  Now?  Well now is a different story.  I have about a year and a half.  To travel, eat, make memories, and so so much more.

Today I wanted to check in on myself and see what I've accomplished, and what I have left.  For each remaining month I have left, I will be breaking this list down in to "monthly to do lists".

To date, I have completed 30 items, seen here.  Some others I have made good progress on and intend to cross off soon.  This month, I will focusing on these:

|| Go to a flea market

|| Take new portrait pictures

|| Go on a picnic

|| Finish two books (Part of "Read 20 books")

|| Paint Pottery

We, as a family, have some big life things going on this month (all good and I will share very soon!), so I chose items that I can do easily during the summer months.  I'm looking forward to checking back in in early August!

Have you done a 101 in 1001 list?  Leave the link so I can check it out - and if you'd like, I'll add it to my 101 in 1001 page.

The Vacation of All Vacations

How, exactly, do I begin to tell you all about my vacation?  Quite simply, I can't.  It was exactly what Tim and I needed.  I could probably spend an entire week telling you about what we did, sharing pictures, and reminiscing about how I wish we were still there.  But instead, I'll put it in to one long, picture-filled post because I have some other exciting things going on this week that I can't wait to share.  Bear with me while I picture and memory dump below!

Our flight Saturday was delayed, but after a limo ride to O'Hare and knowing that we would be on the beach in half a day, there wasn't much that could bring us down.  We had a direct flight and watched a few movies on the way down.  Upon arriving at the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas, this was our view - we were off to a great start:

Sunday was spent at the spa, where I had a fabulous massage, and then on the beach.  Monday, we chartered a boat and skipped over to the British Virgin Islands - mostly Jost van Dyke, including Sandy Spit - which is where the Corona commercials are filmed.  To say that this little spot was my happy place is a huge understatement.  I just laid on the sand for at least an hour, soaking it all in.  We also stopped for a quick hike to the "Bubbly Bath", which is a spot where waves come through walls of rock and make a fun little wave pool.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone = none of my own pictures.

Sandy Spit.  source

Tuesday we went in to Red Hook, where after a few cocktails, I decided to try one of those fish pedicures.  The fish are pretty small, and they rub all along your feet to loosen dead skin and then suck it off.  I had seen it on tv before (The housewives did it in Thailand!) but never in person.  It felt like little bubbles - and only really freaked me out when they tried to go through my toes.  But here's the kicker - my feet are still soft.  After a week of the beach and sandals.  I am a believer!

Wednesday, we took the ferry to St. John and rented a Jeep.  We hit three different beaches, then had the best dinner I've ever eaten at a place called Fatty Crab.  If you are ever in the vicinity of St. John, go here.  It is a "funky southeast Asian restaurant" and only has locations in New York, Hong Kong and St. John.  It was so, so good.  St. John is quickly becoming my favorite of the Caribbean islands I've been to.

Thursday was another boat day - this time we went to Tortola, another British Island.  We first snorkeled, where we saw two different sea turtles and hundreds of fish.  We spent the afternoon here - eating, drinking cocktails and just enjoying the views.

The second picture is one of my favorites from the trip, complete with the British phone booth.  It's a framer!

Friday, I woke up with a migraine.  I did my routine that always seems to help - drink a regular Coke, slather Peppermint essential oil on my forehead and sit in a warm bath.  Just over an hour later, it was gone - so out to the pool I went.  We spent the day reading and soaking up the sun.  I finished two books in one week - that is definitely a record for me!

Saturday was our travel day home.  By that point I was ready to see my babies again, but so so sad to be leaving paradise.  I can't wait to go back again - maybe next time to stay on St. John.  Has anyone done that?

All in all, it was a fabulous trip.  We loved our time together, the girls loved their time with the grandparents, and I wouldn't have traded it for anything.  I was able to cross five things off of my 101 in 1001 list!  Also, a special note to my Midwestern readers - we brought the warm weather home with us.  You are welcome. :)

My Fitness Semi-Fail

Last month, I shared with you my fitness goals as part of the "Create Your Own Adventure" link up with  Not Entirely Perfect, Keeping Up with Ashley and Cody, and Life According to Steph. 

My goals and outcomes were:

- Drink 60 oz of water every day for at least one week
I accomplished this one, but once the week was over I slacked a little.  Overall, I am drinking a lot more water, and honestly feel like I have more energy than before.  I also was able to cross this off my 101 in 1001 list.

- Walk or do workout videos for 30 minutes at least three times a week
Major fail.  I went walking maybe twice.  I really need to start this up again!

- Start using MyFitnessPal regularly
Semi-Fail.  I used it maybe 2-3 days a week all month.  I wanted to use it every day, because I know that it works, but weekend trips here and there put a damper on my calorie counting.  Who wants to count calories while on vacation?

- Eat in moderation
I did this!  Not every day, but I wasn't planning on it.  I mentioned in my first post that I can't deny myself any kind of food, but instead of eating an entire pizza, I ate a few pieces and would save the rest for the girls for lunches.  Instead of an entire chocolate bar, I'd have half and hide the rest from myself.  (This actually works - and when it's found it's like Christmas!)

- Really quit drinking Diet Coke
Success!  There was one day that I felt like I really needed one, so I went to McDonald's and ordered a small.  When I pulled up they handed me a large!  I drove off feeling like I won the lottery, until I took my first drink.  It was a regular Coke.  I took it as a sign, threw it out, and haven't had a slip up since.

Overall, the month was a semi-fail.  Some of my goals were reached, others were not.  I am not perfect and see some room for improvement, but everything has room for improvement!

This month's challenge is food.  I'm going back to my 101 in 1001 list for these.

1.  Make homemade pasta
2.  Try a new food
3.  Make one new recipe each week

Wish me luck!  Are you linking up? 

It's My Party

Today is my actual birthday, but I celebrated over the weekend.  Friday night I had dinner and drinks with some of my best girlfriends - all of the girls I wrote about here.  We ate way too much, discussed our celeb crushes (mine is Ian Somerhalder, anyone else?!) and began planning our next girls trip.  Win win win in my book!

Saturday was hard to beat.  For Christmas, "the girls" had gotten me a gift certificate to a hotel and spa in Geneva, IL - The Herrington Inn.  I've been craving some one on one time with my husband for awhile now.  This was the perfect opportunity!  I left early and headed to the spa.  I started with a Swedish massage and it was probably one of the best I've ever had.  The therapish focused exactly in the areas I told her about, and I definitely fell asleep at least twice.  After waking up, it was time for my first facial.  I still can't decide if I'm a fan or not - but there was one moment when my face was wrapped in hot towels as a treatment set.  She left the room and I absolutely fell asleep again.  Either I was extremely tired (yes) or very relaxed (also true). 

The Herrington Inn, via Google

After my three (or more) naps courtesy of the spa, I got ready and went off for a solo shopping trip.  This alone would have made my entire month!  I had time to browse, go in to any store I wanted, and try things on in silence.  Perfection!

As if all of this wasn't enough, I have to share my dinner experience.  If you live in the Chicago area, or are ever in the Western suburbs - you have to go to Bien Trucha in Geneva.  I ate so much delicious food that I could barely walk out, and I'm not kidding.  But let's back up a bit.

We knew that they didn't take reservations and had been told that in order to eat there at all on a Saturday, we should get in line by 4:45 to put our name on a list when they open at 5.  So we did - and still had about 20 people in front of us!  (I also need to go ahead and apologize for the iPhone pics... didn't plan that out very well.)

 

Luckily, once they opened we were in the first wave of tables to be seated.  We ordered some delicious drinks - cucumber margarita to be exact - and the "Guacamole of the Day".  It's always traditional guac with fresh fruit - Saturday was watermelon.  Delish!

 

 

We ate so much food, but I only thought to take a few pictures.  Bacon wrapped shrimp, pork tacos, roasted corn, shrimp tacos, mexican rice.  All menu items are in small plate form, and so so delicious.

 

 

While walking back to the hotel, we passed a bar that advertised "200 Craft Beers".  As if we weren't full enough already, we thought that sounded like a good idea.  We ended up staying a few hours because they had a live band.  It was so fun and amazing knowing that we didn't need to get home for a babysitter.  (The girls stayed with my in-laws).

 

We got to sleep in yesterday morning!  And just lay in bed.  We were laughing because we honestly don't know the last time that happened.  Normally, when we wake up its because one of the girls is awake so we have to hit the floor running.

 

It was a perfect weekend and I'm so thankful to have been able to spend that time with my husband.  We really, really needed it.  And - I was able to cross off "get a facial" and "have a staycation" from my 101 in 1001 list.

 

It's Monday - which means I link up with Emily from Ember Grey for Grateful Heart Mondays.  Today I am grateful for time to laugh with my friends.  For time with my husband without any distractions.  This birthday will definitely be remembered as one of the best yet - and the actual day has just begun!

 



 

That Time I Met a (Small) Celebrity

My sister in law just got back from a bachelorette party in LA.  My first question to her was, "Who did you see?!"  I love hearing about celebrity sightings - it's like finding an amazing item on super sale and then having it be even cheaper at the register - it just doesn't happen very often.  But when it does, it's exhilarating!  She saw Emma Roberts, which is fun.  But the best part?  One of the girls at the party went to school with Prince William and Kate!  I know, right?!  She even knew them and went to the same parties.  Kate once gave her a ride home!  

While she was telling me all of this, all I could think of was "I wish I had stories like that!"  I always feel like I'm hearing about the time one of my friends or family members met someone famous.  Not me!  I like to think they have been around, I just haven't noticed.  There is one time that I remember, however.

Growing up in Iowa, the shopping wasn't ideal.  When it came time for my sister's prom, my Mom packed us up and we headed to the Mall of America outside of Minneapolis.  In the hotel, my friend and I were taking the elevator down to the pool when Alex Mack walked in!  I know that this isn't as exciting as Prince William or Kate, but to a 6th grader that grew up with The Secret World of Alex Mack, this was huge.

She was also in 10 Things I Hate About You, and recently made an appearance in Pretty Little Liars - all grown up.

10 Things I Hate About You

Pretty Little Liars

 I was 12 at the time, so speaking to her or getting my picture taken wasn't on my mind. (Apparently I met the Oak Ridge Boys and Raffi when I was younger, I've seen the pictures but don't remember at all!)

My dad had drinks with Charles Barkley, my sister has a picture of her shaking Obama's hand, my aunt is friends with Bill Clinton, and I'm still waiting for my big moment.  It's on my 101 in 1001 list after all - "take a picture with a celebrity".  I'll get there!

Who have you met?  Any good stories - I love hearing these!

Who Needs Sleep?

Apparently when I go away on a girls trip, I decide to live it up and forget about things like sleeping, eating well and exercising.  I had a blast in Vegas this past weekend but am really paying for it now.  I think I slept a total of 12 hours in 3 days and today I am feeling like a walking zombie.  But, it was very much worth it and I would do it again!

We spent a lot of time at the pool (it was 90+ degrees and SUNNY!), eating/drinking, and then of course there was the Britney Spears concert!  Britney was fun, but she definitely was not giving it her all.  We know she doesn't sing live, but I really thought her performance would be better.  You could tell that she was thinking "this is my third performance this week and I'm so not in to this", and it showed.  She did a lot of older songs, which was fun, and I still managed to lose my voice screaming singing along. 

Thursday night I was up for 24 hrs, Saturday night I slept 3 hours - so I think it's safe to say I made the best of my time away!  Now back to reality - I missed my little family so much! 

Today I am also linking up with Ember Grey for Grateful Heart Monday.  My weekend trip made me realize that I have a lot to be grateful for:

- A husband that encourages me to get away and have time to myself.  He's a great daddy and had some fun daddy-daughter time without me!

- The friend I went with has been there for me for 17 years.  We've been through a lot together and knowing that we've been friends for that long makes my heart happy.

- She invited two other friends - who are now my friends.  I love meeting new people and now have two girls in Texas that I'm happy to call new friends.  (This also had me cross something off my 101 in 1001 list!)

 

What was your best "time away"?  Who did you go with and where?

Finding the Good

It's easy for me to become overwhelmed when something isnt going the "right" way - which basically just means it isn't going how I expected it to.  I can quickly become tied up in the negatives in my life.  Last year, while talking with a friend that was going through some struggles, I told her that she needed to focus on "one good thing every day".  It's like someone else was speaking, as I don't even know where that advice came from, but it stuck with me.  When things start to take a turn for the worse, I remember those words and find something to bring me back up. (Hence the tagline and name for this blog!)

Lately, I have been finding myself needing to focus on one good thing each day more than I'd like to.  Sure, I could write a post about how E and aren't getting along lately (I mean really, how hard is it to get along with a 4 year old?  Turns out it can be difficult), or why we've decided to not put our house on the market, or really shitty things that my friends are going through right now, but instead I've decided to focus on all of the good in my life. 

The people I have met so far through blogging are awesome, and very encouraging.

My pup Charlie cuddled with me all night, didn't leave my side.

Hubby has the day off tomorrow and we are spending Easter Sunday with family.

The sun is shining today!

I got the biggest smile from A this morning when I went to get her up.

Along with these, I've decided to hop on the 101 in 1001 train.  If you haven't heard of this, it's a challenge to do 101 new things in 1001 days.  I love this idea because it will push me to do things that I've always wanted to do, help others in the process, and help myself become a better person.  I also discovered that the end date is after my 35th birthday. (35, really?!)  Check out my list here - and let me know if you have one too!

So, what is the good in your day today?

I am linking up with ember grey and The Grits Blog for Little Friday Link Up!  Check out other great posts here.