11 Things to Do in 2011

Mar 08, 2011 | Filed Under: 40x40

I enjoyed last year’s 10 things to do in 2010, over traditional New Year’s resolutions. So, I wanted to come up with 11 this year. Duh. But I got so bogged down with a 13th birthday party, school stuff, work things and general busyness that everything else got shoved aside. Which is exactly why I need this list in the first place.

One thing we are doing this year is a monthly family fun day—we’re only a couple months in, but it’s a pretty big success! The girls are loving it, and I’m utilizing freebies & Groupon to keep it within budget. But, that’s not about me—and this is all about me.

Over my birthday weekend, I took a look at my 40×40 list—I’ve crossed off 15 items so far, blogged about 13 and made progress on 2-3 more. Next year, I turn 35. That puts me “halfway” to 40, since I started this list around age 30. I want to be halfway through my list, too. Which means I need to finish 5 items in the next 11 months and 26 days.

And, that puts me halfway to 10, so I’ll just round it out for 2011, even if we are a few months into the year already.

Plan a monthly family fun activity—it doesn’t matter if the house is clean or the girls are good all week. Once each month? We do something together. Just the 5 of us.
Get a tattoo. Kahuna plans to film this one, I believe, so it should provide some quality entertainment for everyone, while crossing off #3 on my list.
Start roller blading again. This should go along nicely with my Mamavation efforts, cross off #6 on my list and help me work towards my weight loss goals for #4. Three birds, one stone. Or, something like that.
Replace my VHS movies with DVD. I’ve got some Amazon certificates & birthday money to finally get #13 knocked off.
Go to the Harvest Moon Festival. Every year, I say we should go to this festival in the next town. Every year, I say maybe next year. This marks year #10 for us living here and it’s #17 on my list, so I think it will be our October Family Fun event.
Officially launch The Cosmo Moms. This project was an idea the hubby & I had over a year ago, and it’s a fun project for MFJ and me to work on together.
Attend an Indians game. This might work as a Family Fun event, plus it helps me get a little closer to #27 on the big list.
Plant flowers. Every year I buy a package of wildflower seeds for the girls to plant in the backyard. Every year the big patch under our living room windows remains barren. This year, it’s written down on an official list. Now, I have to do it.
Start scrapbooking again. That’s a little too vague, but tackling my wedding album (#2) & baby albums (#11) would be a little too much for someone who hasn’t cropped in years. I think I’ll start with finishing the mostly done vacation album and/or holiday traditions book. At the very least, I want to do the old/new wedding page I’ve had in mind since our renewal ceremony last year.
Build a snowman with my girls. I can’t control the weather, though, so I’m giving myself a pass if I can’t get #24 finished in 2011. First big snow next winter, though? My butt is out in the cold.
Go to a drive-in theater. It didn’t make my 40×40, but it probably should have! There’s one near the in-laws’ lake house, so it will be another motivator to get us up there more often.

34. Picnic at the ocean.

Aug 28, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40

I added this one to my 40×40 list on a bit of a whim—it just sounded so idyllic. The sun setting on a gorgeous day at the beach. The waves lapping at your feet. The children enjoying our picnic lunch before building a sandcastle, flying kites or hunting for seashells…

I sort of didn’t think about the sand all over your picnic blanket. I didn’t consider the seagulls swarming nearby. And, I was clearly picturing someone else’s children—3 adorable blonds who didn’t fight, whine or sulk through every meal.

We did enjoy building a sandcastle, flying kites & hunting for seashells throughout our week at Myrtle Beach, but those are stories for another day. As for picnicking at the ocean? I’ve pretty much decided it’s no picnic—and I’m never doing it again.

But, at least I get to cross it off the list!

Chasing #27: Attend a Fever Game.

Aug 12, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Go Team!

The Pacers.

The Colts.

Supercross.

The Brickyard.

I’ve done it (almost) all. And, when One2One Network offered to send my family and I to a Fever game, I got a step closer to attending every major sporting event in the Indianapolis area. (#27 on the list, if you’re counting.) It was the girls’ first experience at a game, in their memory anyway and all 3 loved it.

Yes, even Stacia who is usually way too cool for family night. Brenia was obsessed with the score—she didn’t just want to win; she wanted to see the Fever cross 100. I tried to tell her WNBA games tend to score lower than men’s, but she didn’t give up.

And, neither did the Fever. “The girls” just seem to play with more intensity. I wonder if it’s because they have more to prove…? I have been to no less than a dozen Pacer games over the years, but this was a completely different experience. Their final score was, indeed, 100. Brenia was beyond excited!

Even Lorelai did well at this event. She’s not really one to sit still, and I think taking her to a venue filled with excitement & noise was perfect. I thought she’d be over it once the cotton candy was gone, but we were in luck—in celebration of Freddy’s birthday, mascots from across Indiana showed up for fun & games.

We enjoyed the game, the mascot shows and our autograph session at the end. Tully Bevilaqua and Tamika Catchings were truly gracious. They spent time chatting with my girls, signed all of our shirts and I can’t wait to see them play again. There’s only a couple more weeks left in this season, but if you want to see them in action, One2One Network has a coupon code for you!

Buy one Fever ticket, get one free when you use coupon code WNBABLOG. The coupon code is also good for discounts with teams across the league—have fun!

I received a family pack of tickets through One2One Network to facilitate this review.

Finding Me in Mini Moments

Jun 04, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Sponsored Post

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Dove Ice Cream. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of the things I had lost in years of being a wife & mom was me—and I’m taking it back. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the grocery shopping, shoe tying, dinner prep & laundy—oh, the laundry! Somewhere along the way, I kinda forgot how to be Just Heather. Then, I sorta forgot how to be a good wife.

That’s where the 40×40 list & alphabet dating projects come in. It’s not about stressing myself out to cross off a list. It isn’t even just about having an excuse & motivation to do things I’ve always wanted to do. It’s about trying to figure out who I want to be when I grow up. It’s helping me take the—like riding a carousel like a kid—to relearn who I am again.

From big moments like graduating from college to small ones like eating cotton candy at the carnival, I’m discovering how to be someone other than Stacia, Brenia & Lorelai’s mom or Spencer’s wife. Then, there are the even smaller moments—indulging in a piece of chocolate I bought just for me, curling up with a book in a quiet house or soaking in a hot bubble bath at the end of a long day.

Dove Ice Cream gets mini moments! I am dying to try the miniatures—tiny bits of ice cream wrapped in Dove chocolate. At only 70 calories, I won’t even have to pretend to feel guilty.

They are sponsoring a “My Mini Moment” contest, with the chance to win a mini-getaway to Napa Valley, Spa services for a year or a mini-home makeover. To enter, submit a photo & essay by June 7th.

I think I would choose a mini-home makeover right about now—I’ve been on a declutter & clean kick and I’d love to cap it off with a redesign. What would you choose?

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Editing the 40×40 List

Jun 01, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Go Team!

I put a lot of time & effort into creating my 40×40 list. I revised, edited & felt pretty confident that I was publishing my official, permanent, final draft. A couple years into the project, I’m editing it for the very first time.

Blame Casey.

Well, okay—so it’s not all her fault. The original sports-related item stated “Own season tickets to a local sports team—good seats.” And, while that’s still a wish list item, I am changing it to something that is both bigger & more attainable.

The idea started when I added “Attend an Indians game.” to my ever-growing summer fun list. It grew when One 2 One Network offered me tickets to take my family to a Fever game in July. I was thrown completely over the edge when Casey wrote about her Indy 500 experience. I don’t just want to see one, single Indy team.

I want to see them all!

The 40×40 list has officially been edited. I’ve been to many, many Pacer games. I’ve been to a Colts game. I’ve been to the Brickyard. I’ve been to Supercross—10 times! This summer, I’m checking out the Fever. By the end of my 40×40 journey? I’ll add the Indians, the 500 and the Ice.

27. Attend every sporting event in the Indianapolis area at least once.

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31. Meet a celebrity.

Apr 27, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Music Notes

Here’s something you should know about me first—I’m not majorly into celebrity gossip. I don’t read celeb magazines. I don’t care who is married and who’s getting divorced. I don’t even have a long list of celebrities that fascinate me—just a short, ever-changing list of celebs I’d do if given the opportunity. Wait, I mean..no, that’s exactly what I meant.

I’ve met Gallagher—sort of. I’ve met Paul and Storm. I’ve met Tim Gunn. And, yet, I just couldn’t cross this one off 40×40“>the list.

I wanted one of those Wow! celebrities. You tell people you met so-and-so and hear “Wow! Really?” instead of “Who?” My sister has met Hulk Hogan, Mark Cuban and B.B. King. B.B. King! And, she didn’t even know who he was. Her blues fan brother-in-law was incredibly jealous. For me, crossing this one off meant I needed to see some serious envy!

I just couldn’t figure out how to make that happen. It seemed like one of those wishful thinking entries that I couldn’t plan, control or possibly even do. I was resigned to reaching 40 without crossing this one off the list, even as I challenged MFJ to get me on Rachael Ray. She would totally count!

Enter the beautiful, fabulous Alli Worthington and her completely awesome sidekick Barbara Jones!

A few weeks before Blissdom, these amazing women announced a special appearance by Harry Connick Jr. complete with meet ‘n greet! Harry Connick Jr.? Harry Connick Jr.?! O.M.G. It’s like they designed the entire weekend just for me. I freaking love Harry Connick Jr. Obviously.

Then, the Saints went to the Superbowl. And, HCJ had to be there! Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But, did this amazing guy stand us up? Afterall, we were just a small group of women—a drop in the bucket compared to the Superbowl.

Heck no—he’s amazing, remember? Instead of the keynote and Saturday night event they had originally planned, Harry Connick Jr. offered a private, mini-concert & short photo session instead. Short? You mean, I might not get a chance to meet him?

That was not going to work into my plan. I was determined to be one of the lucky bloggers to meet him. Of course, I should never have underestimated the fabulous duo of Alli & Barbara—they found a way to make it work! Harry would greet bloggers in groups of 6 so everyone could have a photo with him.

And yet, I wasn’t sure that would be good enough for my list.

So, I managed to finagle my way to the front of a group. And, to be the first to Harry when it was our turn. Did you expect anything less of me? I had to introduce myself. To officially meet him. To stand next to him. To touch him. (Although, I promised Alli I would be totally appropriate—she felt the need to warn me twice!)

I walked up to him, he took my hand, turned his gorgeous eyes straight to mine and said, “Hi, I’m Harry.”

{swoon}

Yes, I totally cropped everyone else out of my picture. Shuddup.

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Once Upon a Fashion Disaster

Feb 24, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Fashion Disaster

How Yummie Tummie is helping with my 40×40 list:

25. Overhaul my wardrobe. (Alternate: Hire a fashion consultant.)

This is one of the 40×40 items I’m working on for the year. I have come a long way, truly. I think most of my fall/winter wardrobe is pretty good but I still have to make it through the spring & summer before I can cross it off the list. Teaching Lorelai how to take pictures on my phone has been a big key. She sends pictures to MFJ for approval, and I’m starting to pick up on what looks best. I also made huge leaps & bounds earlier this month with one, single article of clothing.

My Blissdom roomie won a Yummie Tummie fitting—and returned to our room looking absolutely fabulous! I was super jealous of her new Yummie Tummie and mentioned that to their PR gal when I met her at a cocktail party later that evening. She rustled up a tank top in my size, and it’s changing everything. With my Yummie Tummie, I can shop from the back of my closet or rock my favorite shirts solo instead of under a baggie hoodie.

I got so many comments last weekend about how great I looked. I finally admitted to my mom & sis that it was a bit of an illusion. I’ve stuffed myself into Spanx before (okay, their Target low-end brand) but this is much more comfortable. It’s just like wearing a t-shirt. That hides all your momma bits. It’s like dropping a size just by wearing an undershirt! Of course, this presents an entirely new problem as several of my jeans no longer fit. Are belts in style? I just never know these things—I told you I was a disaster.

I like the idea of being a size smaller, though, especially as I shop for bridesmaid gowns with my sister. (Yep, working on #33 next!) The new Slippie is coming to my fitting with me. In fact, I’m ready to buy one in every style—and my mom wants one too. The price tag no longer scares me—it will be the best $68 I’ve ever spent. But, I will definitely keep my eye out for a coupon! It’s just what I do.

I was given a free Yummie Tummie at Blissdom (because I am super charming after 2 martinis). However, I was not asked to write this review and the opinion is 100% mine.

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22. Visit Las Vegas.

Feb 09, 2010 | Filed Under: 40x40, Road Trip

I’m not much of a traveler, but when I think of places I’d like to visit it tends to be because of something I saw on television. My life is so glamorous! Of course, if I’d included everywhere I’ve seen in a movie on my 40×40 list, there wouldn’t have been room for anything else. I had to be very selective about my travel choices, but Vegas was always on the list!

When Deb invited me to join her Mom Bloggers panel at Affiliate Summit West, I jumped at the chance, especially since Vegas is on the hubby’s 40×40 list too! Combining a few days of vacation travel with a business trip sounded like the most inexpensive way to make it happen. We headed to Las Vegas a few days before the conference, got married by Elvis on our first day there, and spent the rest of the weekend exploring the strip.

Doing Vegas on a budget meant we weren’t planning to spend a ton of money on shows. I checked out a huge list of free things to do in Vegas, and discovered the popular Show in the Sky Parade is in the conference hotel. We managed to stumble on it our first night of the conference. In the meantime, we checked out the lions at MGM, watched the fountains at the Bellagio and saw the Volcano Eruption at the Mirage.

Our most anticipated—and geekiest—part of the weekend was not entirely free. It appeared on the free list because there is no admission fee, but we did have to take a cab off the strip. It was way, way worth it and the rest of our afternoon at the Pinball Hall of Fame Museum cost just one roll of quarters! There were pinball machines from the 70s, 80s, 90s and current models—play was at the original cost.

I played Star Wars pinball, Super Mario pinball, Q-Bert pinball and so many more! I also spent a single quarter playing Asteroids—and had a blast watching the hubby spend $3 trying to beat my high score. If we ever make it back to Vegas, this is definitely on the list again. Of course, a return trip to Vegas is practically guaranteed. The New York roller coaster was on the hubby’s 40×40 but it was closed for repair during our entire stay!

We did get see it, though, along with Ceasar’s Palace, Paris, Flamingo and Harrah’s. It was pretty much our goal to walk through every well known casino. We’re not huge gamblers, but it was tons of fun anyway. We did try our hand at Craps but my only money maker was the sports pit. If only the hubby had given me a larger gambling allowance in there! Next time, maybe he’ll have more faith in my sports knowledge.

Because there will be a next time! (Hopefully soon.)

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Scrapbooking the Journey

How Yummie Tummie is helping with my 40×40 list:

25. Overhaul my wardrobe. (Alternate: Hire a fashion consultant.)