I talked about studying yoga at an ashram in India in my #4 Bucket List post. #10 is along the same lines, only more focused on the yoga and a home practice. I’ve always had a hard time doing yoga on my own because I really like being in classes for any type of training that I’m doing. In teaching I don’t like planning curriculum and in exercise I don’t like planning workouts. That’s part of the reason Couch to 5K is so great, because I have an app telling me when to run and when to walk. I think it would be a great practice in discipline to have a home yoga practice, and I think I’ve found a way to have the best of both worlds in my #10.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.
Travel to a far away destination by boat.
To be exceedingly generous to my family and friends.
Write a book.
Complete all three courses designed by BKS Iyengar in his bookLight On Yoga, over the prescribed 300 weeks (5.7 years).
~If you need to catch up on any of my bucket list items, find the corresponding post # on the list at the right hand side of this page.
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Introducing Porter to tether ball.
We go to breakfast at Elmer’s pretty regularly. They are friendly, have good food, have plenty of seating and are pretty quick. Porter calls it the “boon” restaurant, for obvious reasons. Plus, they love him. Can you blame them?
Over the months I’ve ordered P his own pancakes, eggs, fruit and toast. I’ve also shared my own breakfast with him. None of those times has he sat and eaten for the duration of the meal. Today I got it together and asked for a plate of veggies. He received broccoli, carrots and zucchini. He then proceeded to eat most of the food for the entire meal and was perfectly content. Maybe he’s making up for all the Oreos he was subjected to in the womb.
Props to JC Penny and their Father’s Day catalogue for moving along with the rest of society into the new millennium and recognizing different, but normal, types of families.
For the first time ever, Porter ascended the ladder thingy at the local school all by himself. A proud, and terrifying, moment for me as his mother.
Writing a blog is lots of fun for a few reasons. One, it’s easy to share with friends and family about what’s going on in our little corner of the world. Two, I think I’m a bit of an exhibitionist (this goes hand in hand with my voyeurism- put your blinds down when your lights are on in your house if you don’t want me looking in while I walk by). Three, writing is cathartic for me.
In high school I kept a journal. It was mostly about my love life, but it helped me process emotions and feelings in a safe space. I also really like reading other peoples blogs. In fact, I would say I’m a blog junky (aka voyeur?). Daily, I wait for my RSS feed to show a new blog post. When a new one appears my heart beats faster, a smile spreads across my face and I get giddy with excitement. It’s like getting a letter in the mail almost everyday, sometimes 2 or 3. If there aren’t any posts for awhile, I go through withdrawal and wonder why my bloggers have forsaken me. Luckily I follow enough blogs that it doesn’t happen too often, and I’m quick to forgiveness. Here are my favorites:
I guess what this is leading to is that I like to read other peoples writing, and I like to write. An important part of this particular Bucket List challenge is that it requires me to write everyday. This has the bonus of increasing my readership, keeping my creative juices flowing, and allowing my fingers to maintain keyboard dexterity (a most important skill). Another goal for my blog, which I’ve learned from following other blogs, is that I’d like it to have more focus. Maybe I just need to come up with a few sub-sections to give it clear outline? I’m not sure. What I am sure of is my #9. Whether it be another 30 day challenge like this, or a more traditional bound version that can end up on a library shelf is to be determined. What I do know is that writing is in my future.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.
Travel to a far away destination by boat.
To be exceedingly generous to my family and friends.
Write a book.
These are Misty’s true colors coming out…begging/clawing/meowing for attention. P is usually her best bet. These two are made for each other.
So cute.
The wild flowers in my front yard weren’t cutting it, and therefore had to be cut. They provided me with this sweet bouquet before getting the final yank.
It’s become clear to me through this list that my upbringing has had an large impact on the things I wish to accomplish in my life. For that I must give thanks to my parents for providing us with so many opportunities to learn, but mostly for just being themselves. They aimed high when it came to making sure Steve and I knew that the world was our oyster, and I’m want to affirm that success to them.
As much effort as they put into showing us the world and all it has to offer, I think I’ve learned the most from their interests and how they have led by example in pursuing them. My mom’s love of art, Asian culture, alternative healing, good advice and good listening. Dad’s love of plants, design, beautiful things, loud and emotional music, and cooking. Both of them love to travel, embrace optimism, and are exceedingly generous. Generous to me and my family, but also to my friends. If you know my parents, you probably know what I’m talking about. So thanks mom and dad, for being you and being great parents. #8 is inspired by you.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Tonight Luke and I went out to dinner to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary. I asked him what he would put on his bucket list, and it was a good one. I’ve been toying around with the same idea. #7 is dedicated to him.
6/7/8 Kathryn Albertson Park, Boise
It’s only been 4 years of wedded bliss, but the last 12 years have been filled with love and tenderness that will last a lifetime.
This should have been our wedding song. So I dedicate it to my husband Luke. I love you!
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Dance has always been a part of my life that brings me joy and happiness. My brother and I took traditional ballet/tap/jazz classes growing up, and as adults we took salsa classes. We also got to watch our mom’s BFF, Louise, do competitive ballroom dancing. In 5th grade I got a pair of gold and diamond dancing heels. So mature and so cool. Paired with the amazing dresses and Vaseline smiles, it calls to my inner Barbie.
Memories of ballroom dancing competitions, so tender.
Dance has made me coordinated and comfortable in my body. I’m sure that’s why I’m so confident trying new sports and physical activities, except snowboarding. I also learned that in pairs dancing I’m a terrible follower. During salsa dances I’ve had partners stop dancing and tell me to “stop leading.” I’m sure it helped me be a better kindergarten teacher, but not a dance partner. I don’t know if Luke would be willing to help me with #6, but I’m pretty sure my brother would be into it. Or I may just have to put myself out there and accept whoever is willing to try and break me of my bad leading habit. As long as I’m dancing, I’ll be happy.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Take ballroom dancing classes so I can ballroom dance for fun.
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Porter was ready to go pretty early this morning, so before our 10:30 library date we went to the Foothills Learning Center and did a short hike (walk) on their interpretive trail. Porter saw his first bunny rabbit and was very excited to see a “ditty”. Surly it’s just kitty with long ears and a short tail.
He’s an outdoor enthusiast already.
Interpreting the trail.
He was so good at following me because I was the keeper of the crackers. Or maybe he’s just really into hiking?
My mom was an Art Docent in our local elementary schools and enjoys water color painting. My dad was an Interior Landscape Designer and is an avid gardener. It is only fitting that my favorite artist growing up was Claude Monet, famous for his Water Lillies.
One of my favorite books is Linnea In Monet’s Garden. It’s a kid’s book, but one of my top 5 favorites of all time. If you have a child, get them this book! Or buy it for yourself and enjoy the beautiful art, photos, cartoons and awesome art education.
Monet painted flowers, family, and the lush gardens at his home in Giverny, France. I got to see some of his originals at the Musee d’Orsay in Paris. For me, seeing original Monet pieces was akin to seeing a celebrity, only better. This is me next to an original of his water lillies and the bridge in his garden. When I saw people taking pictures throughout the museum I thought they were totally corny, until I saw this and then succumbed to the corniness within.
I kick myself for being a short train ride from Monet’s Gardens on our French Honeymoon and not going to see them because, according to books, it’s too commercial. Tour guides be damned! It’s my #5.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Every year my family would go camping in Big Sur for a week. We car camped with tents, propane stove and silverware. It was great and I loved it. One year we took a camper instead. Maybe it’s because I was an angsty 14 year old, but I was sure that it wasn’t the same. Now that I’m older I’ve changed my mind. Campers seem pretty nice, with real mattresses, plumbing, refrigeration and warmth. I still plan on doing plenty of car camping in the future, but #4 will require an RV.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
Lately we’ve been spending lots of time at the park and jogging on the greenbelt. I also just got a new iPhone and Porter and I are loving the self portrait mode.
He’s become quite a good hugger, and nothing feels better than his little arms holding me close. This is the one armed hold, because heaven forbid he should let go of my water bottle. Somehow it’s water tastes so much better than the H2O from his own water bottle.
My mother once told me she believed that a child who sings is a happy child. She told me this when I was 5 or 6 years old and she found me sitting in the backyard, making daisy chains and singing to myself. There was a feeling of embarrassment at being caught singing to myself, but thankfully I was assured that I was still normal. Occasionally I would go to church with my godfather Brian. I would sit quietly, drawing on the collection cards, until it was time to sing. Opening the hymnal (and figuring out how to read it) was a wonderful feeling. Listening to Brian’s lovely voice, the one lady who always sang louder than anyone and to the entire congregation in song was a truly heart opening experience. When I was older I took a singing class, which was an unfortunate turn in my enjoyment of singing. My voice is naturally low and the teacher never instructed me on how to use it correctly. It was embarrassing when I sang a final solo in front of the class in what I’m sure is an octave or two above my natural range. That experience didn’t discourage my love of singing, and since then I have continued to do so.
I sing along with musicals, the radio, other people, I sing a lot. When I don’t know the words, I hum. One of the biggest perks of working at Challenger, as a teacher, was their very thorough use of songs as teaching tools. It was a dream, I got to sing every single day and with other people. Usually it was with a bunch of kids, but occasionally the teachers would sing together too. I often got goose bumps when that happened. It was so nice to feel the human connection that comes with singing in a chorus and to listen to children burst into song in the middle of an activity. They all knew the words and it was the closest I’ve ever come to living in a musical.
It got to the point where I was singing so many school songs at home every night that Luke asked me to please stop singing Challenger songs. Luckily, country songs are nice and easy to belt out, and living in Idaho there is an abundance of country music. As much as I love singing with Porter, in the car, doing yard work, cleaning the house and in general I would love to have some more formal experience singing, and that is number 3 on my bucket list.
Travel to 6 of the 7 continents. Let’s be honest, Antarctica is a long shot. So far I’ve been to North America (Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica) and Europe (France).
