Goodbye 2014.

Out with the old in with the new!

I can't believe we are already saying goodbye to 2014!
Tomorrow we will wake up with the whole year laid before us.
The possibilities of a new year always excite me.
But tonight we party ;) 
Lets celebrate the year behind us: the challenges and accomplishments.
Be safe and have fun. 
In that order! 
Cheers!

List Makers Unite!

I think the world can be divided into two types of people--

the listmakers

and the non-list makers.
I can hear the murmurs of agreement from...the list makers. Non-list makers you probably didn't have a clue it was even a thing.

That's ok. I just want you to know, it's a thing.
List makers, do you ever feel weird about the lists? Like you should be embarrassed for being such an organized planner?
 This very reason is why I embrace...like physically embrace other list makers in life. Because they just know... I'm not weird or wasting my time.

They also own notebooks half filled with lists. And make lists just to cross stuff off the list. They are never discouraged by incomplete lists because they see it as an opportunity to make ANOTHER list as soon as possible. 

We are a bunch of crazy ink loving writers just looking for our next list making fix.

I found my fix. Lately, I've been preoccupied with the ultimate list. 
The bucket list. A life to-do list with all the most amazing things you want to experience in life. It started innocently enough perusing Pinterest. Then I began branching out with 40 before 40 lists and 101 in 1001 days. Before you know it I am scavenging for an empty notebook and colored pens. Because what's a list without colored pens?!?

 I must have spent three nights writing my list. Just for fun ;) Then for good measure, I took an extra night to review what I wrote. Let's be honest, I took another night after that to rewrite my list and by rewrite I mean categorize ...the ultimate!

My husband (who is a non-list maker) thought I was mad at him because I was spending so much time doing nothing. Forgive him! I explained to him that my inner nerd needed to be released. Groceries lists and work to-dos only suffice for so long!

In the end, I decided against the bucket list. I'm too young for that. I went with the 101 list. Just a few things to make life interesting. I've decided not to post it on the blog. I figure when I start crossing things off and feeling accomplished, it will be easier to share. For now, I'll just keep re-reading my list and making doodles in the side bar!

Big Bear Lake Adventures

When you grow up with snow in winter, then Christmas will never be right without it! My husband struggles with the sunny and 75 Christmases more than I do. In fact, he declared next year we will go somewhere with snow for Christmas. I hope he changes his mind before then! Playing in the snow at Big Bear reminded me of how cold snow is. Or how cold it has to be for snow to be on the ground. I think I like the idea of snow...from a warm house, with a good book, and hot chocolate.

#notafan 

But you know who is a fan...

#bestdayever

We went to hike but snow play overruled.

Snowball fight?!? He is so mean to me.

And sledding! I think we managed all the snow fun you can have. 

Minus snowman building.

Here are a few pictures I couldn't quite fit in.

Many of my favorite views are from the top. They always put things into perspective.

Abbreviated Christmas Card

I had the best of intentions to send out Christmas cards this year. We took the pictures. I managed to pull some photos together on Shutterfly but I could never commit. I guess I will be sending a Happy New Year card instead. Close enough, I suppose. I'll have to make a mental note to start earlier next year ;)

If I had gotten my sh*t together, then there would have been a letter. What would have been worthy of sharing with family and friends in that Christmas letter? 

Hmm...

• One whole year at my current job - I started here but moved mid year to a new-to-me (unphotographed) site.
• We finally took time to go see the "trees"- now we want to do it again!!
• We celebrated our 15 year anniversary
• An unexpected but much needed trip to Iowa
• He left then came home again :) It was a shorty but felt terribly long at the time!
• Ky started high school, Zac middle school, and Derrick is still hanging at the elementary school. Big transitions for Ky and Zac (and parents) this year but they love it!
• The last few months have passed quickly. We look forward to a new year of adventures.

I hope everyone enjoys these last few days of 2014. Lots of celebration and family time will be happening for most of you. We are on winter break which means lots of free time! There are no plans to travel this Christmas. It's never easy to make that decision but as a military family it's one we make each holiday season. So if you are hanging with your extended family this year enjoy it just a little bit more for me ;) Because as much as they might drive you crazy, you'd miss it if it weren't so easy!

Hearts and Smiley Faces for Winter Break!

 It was a yoga pants kind of day for me. I didn't stress a bit about what needed to be done. Or what I didn't get done. In fact, I found this really cozy spot on the couch and didn't feel an urge to get up all afternoon. This is the epitome of winter break for me. I've got another cheesy Christmas chick lit downloaded on my Kindle (I love them), an overabundance of Hallmark movies on the DVR, and a limitless supply of chocolate. Now all I need is snow!

Charlie (@pupstigram123) says 'Snow would be great' too. And more candy canes cause he can't eat chocolate :)

Sandia Creek Trail Hike

Our latest hike-from Fallbrook-Sandia Creek Trail. Fallbrook isn't the most interesting place to hike but it's local and there are many scenery options. Sandia Creek had a lot of water which is always nice to stumble upon on a hike. I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Time Well Spent

These days our lives revolve around one thing--or should I say person. The teenager. It has been a tough couple of months adjusting to high school and all the things that comes with it. Our perfect little angel grew her big girl wings and she's been testing them out in a big way. She likes the freedom of fluttering around her social groups depending on me to get her there. It's been a big lesson and still remains a big lesson in letting go. Or maybe trust is the better word.

Since the first day of high school, we've be introduced to upperclassmen friends, boys in the social groups, makeup, wardrobe issues, among other cringe worthy things. It's not that any of these things are particularly bad but when they hit you all at once...it's a lot to process. I will spend my whole life regretting the way I wished those early years away. If I had only known these days would be so much more challenging than the terrible twos. Way back then I could corral her safely in our home, away from the outside influences. Oh how I took that for granted.

The only thing I know to do is keep influencing her when I get my moments. Mommy and me time. Yep, still important in the teen years. She has really become interested in photography. This semester she is taking a photography class and has a big semester project finding alphabet letters in everyday things. I offered to take her to a couple places around town that she might find a few "letters". The time out and about may have been more beneficial to me than her. We don't take a lot of time anymore to do something unscheduled or unnecessary. So sad but true. We just have too many activities between five people. Yet moments together sharing a hobby or down time is way better than running to get groceries together. Or supplies for this week's work projects.

Why are the simplest revelations always the ones that take so long to discover?

Here are some pictures from her photography sesh...

She loves to take pictures of flowers. Honestly she spent five minutes trying to get the perfecta angle on a purple flower I didn't post here.

Her school camera is so much better than mine. I love the way it captures the water drops on the petals. My lens isn't that powerful.

Let's see if you can guess the letters in the pictures below...

What letters did you guess? I think they were pretty obvious.

I asked her if she has done portrait photography yet. She said no, then took my picture.

I guess a person needs to start somewhere. Hmm, maybe that is the life lesson for both of us today?

Save November!

During my weekly Target trip, I was reminded how quickly the calendar changes after we celebrate Halloween. It wasn't so much the multiplying rows of Christmas decor. Nor was it the bare aisles of marked down Halloween candy and decorations. What really got me was the Starbucks red cup in the hands of fellow shoppers. The snowflaked covered red cup which marks the Christmas season. Shame on you Starbucks. You jumped right over the best holiday on the planet... in my opinion. And sadly, it seems everyone else has followed suit.

What is so wrong with November? The middle child of the holiday season. Not quite so bold and robust as the first born October Halloween or as dazzling as the wintery December Christmas. However, November Thanksgiving brings something to the table... substance...emotion...relationship.

I'm making a stand to Save November! Think gratitude and giving! Family and friends! Turkey and carbs! Slow the pace of the month. Enjoy your days. We can debate Black Friday/ Thanksgiving Day shopping later. Right now... resist the urge to skip the best foodie holiday. Tell Starbucks you want the white cup. And don't forget to say 'Thank you!' ;)

Wiens Family Cellars Winery

Wiens Family Cellars in Temecula California.

This winery is a perfect wine tasting location for those wanting a quieter atmosphere. 

The wine is amazing. We took home a bottle of Wiens Viognier 2013. It's my new favorite summer white wine. 

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