Sunday, December 31, 2017

Things That Made Me Happy in December

Here are the things that made me happy in December:
  • Receiving the advent calendar I ordered from the Ingham Family
  • Receiving a Christmas card from The Ingham Family (you can find them HERE, HERE, and HERE)
  • Putting up the Christmas tree (and decorating it) and decorations
  • Buying and wrapping up presents for Christmas
  • Listening to Christmas music
  • Buying some baked goods from my church's annual bake sale
  • Celebrating Christmas with my family
  • Celebrating a birthday
  • Going to the annual Winter Fest/Cookie Walk in town
  • Seeing Coco in theaters
  • People on my home delivery route giving us (there are four people doing home deliveries for the library) presents for Christmas, to thank us for what we do for them
  • Seeing The Last Jedi in theaters
  • Going to my work's Christmas party
  • Decorating cookies, playing a couple games, and eating dinner at a friend's house
  • Celebrating New Year's with my family
What made you happy this month? I hope that it was filled with lots of joy and happiness, and that next year brings just as much, if not more, joy and happiness!!

My Favorites of 2017

I can't believe today is the last day of 2017!!! This year went by sooooo fast!!!

I figured I would share my favorites from this past year, with you guys.

My favorites from this year, in no particular order, are:

Harry Potter Magical Creatures coloring book
I am a HUGE Harry Potter fan, and I love to color, so this brings the best of both together. I got this for Christmas this year, and am soooo thankful I did!!

Baking and decorating stuff
These are also Christmas presents from this year. I LOVE to bake, and was/am VERY excited to have recieved these :D

A Q & A a Day 5-year jounal, and one of the Pentatonix Christmas CDs
I have always wanted one of these Q & A journals, and am very excited to fill it out. Also, Pentatonix is/are one of my favorite artists/bands.

Tangle fidget toys
I found out about this fidget toy from a workshop I went to at work. Someone from a local housing facility had come in to talk about mental health, and had brought in many figdet items, one being this. I absolutely loved it, so I put it on my Christmas list. I was really hoping I would get this, and am so very happy I did.

Dove Refresh + Care Detox & Purify Dry Shampoo
This stuff is awesome!! It has a light, fresh scent, doesn't weigh my hair down, and actually does what it is supposed to do. I was at Walgreens, looking at all the different dry shampoos they had, and trying to figure out which one would work for me. This one looked the best, si I went with it, and I am so glad I did.

Muk Luk slippers
I really needed a new pair of slippers, as my old ones were pretty worn out. I found these when I was shopping for a new coat, and really liked them. They actually keep my feet warm, they fit just right, and I love the look of them.

Ingham Family hoodie
I LOVE hoodies, so when I saw this, I had to get it. It is one of the merch items from one of my favorite YouTubers/YouTube families, The Ingham Family. It is warm and comfy, it fits well, and it has a pocket on the front.
 
 
The Simpsons: Tapped Out app game
I play this on my phone (an Android), but it is also available on the iPad, and most likely other phones/devices. Basically, Homer blew up Springfield, and you help him rebuild the town. There are different tasks for you to complete, and once you do complete them, you get money and points. The more tasks you complete, the more money and points you get, and it helps you unlock more land, characters, buildings, other tasks, and more. It's pretty fun!!
 
My Favorite YouTubers
 
Mary and Peter Frey, and their service dog Ollie, chronicalling their lives while living with Cystic Fibrosis (Mary's condition). They always find the good in everything and every day, even if it's not such a good day.
 
Mom and dad (Sarah and Chris), their 3 girls Isabelle, Esme and Isla, and their adorable puppy Prinny. They document their everyday adventures/everyday life.
 
Mom and dad, and 9 kids (4 biological and 5 adopted), capurting their life of travel, adoption, making memories, and more.
 
Taylor does makeup tutorials, shopping/holiday hauls, DIYs, and more.
 
Nikki mainly focuses on makeup, but also does baking tutorials, trying foods from different countries, hauls, her favorites, and more.
 
Alyssa does product testing, funny skits, DIYS, holiday hauls, and more.

FunsizedStyle
Michaela is whom this channel, and she is another beauty vlogger. She does unboxings, tutorials, product reviews, and more.

Kayla Mochi
Kayla is such a caring, bubbly, friendly person!! She does skincare tips, lifestyle, hauls, bullet journaling, stories, and more.

The movie Coco
I saw Coco in theaters, and absolutely loved it!!! It's an animated movie about celebrating loved ones on Day of the Dead. I love animated movies, and learning about different holidays, traditions, and cultures, so I just had to see this movie (and I am so glad that I did!!!).

Yes, I know this is long, but it was a good year, and I have found a lot of things and people this year, that I love. Did you have any favorites for 2017? What were they?

I hope that you have a wonderful, safe New Year's, and that 2018 is good to you!!

The Most Memorable Moments of My Year: 2017

This year was a good year for me, and I am very thankful for that.

There are a few things that have been the most memorable to me this year, and they are (in no particular order):
  • Getting my job at the local library
  • Getting my first credit card (yes, I am including this on the list)
  • Seeing the Bean and Crown Fountain in Chicago
  • Celebrating birthdays
  • Getting to see one of my brothers, whom I hadn't seen in years
  • Going to ukulele nights with a coworker
  • Cooking Thanksgiving dinner for me and my family
  • Game nights at a friend's house
  • Celebrating Christmas with family
  • Getting a new return belt installed at work (I work at my local library)
  • Decorating cookies for Christmas, playing games, and eating dinner at a friend's house
***Thanks to Sarah Jo Burch for the idea for this post!!!

Saturday, December 30, 2017

My 2018 Goals

I always make resolutions every year, and hardly ever stick to them.

So, instead of making "resolutions," I have decided to make goals instead. I feel like goals would make it more motivating for me, as I can be more specific with them.

My 2018 goals are:
  • To put away whatever I use in my room, after I am done with it, or if it is clean clothes, hang them up/put them away for future use.
  • To put at least half of each paycheck into my savings or checking accounts each pay period.
  • To exercise in some way at least 30 minutes each day.
  • To graduate from college with my baking certificate by the end of this year.
  • To register for a baking/pastry degree
  • To reister for a photography degree
  • To practice cake decorating skills at least once a week (twice to three times a week at most)
  • To get better at creating videos
  • Learn how to sew
  • To get my license by the end of Fall
  • Go to sleep each night by midnight
  • Wake up each moring by 9 am
  • Drink at least 2x more water
  • Donate anything (that is in good shape) that I do not want anymore, to charity
  • Explore someplace new once a week
  • Go for a walk every day
  • Meditate each morning and evening
  • Start and keep up a regular essential oil routine
  • Color in a coloring book every day
  • Take karate classes
  • Take self defense classes
  • Spend at least an hour outisde as often as I can
  • Keep a recipe journal
  • Save up for a good DSLR camera
  • Learn one new word a day (English and foreign words)
  • Write in a journal on a regular basis
  • Buy a laptop that works for me
  • Learn how to cook better
Yes, I know this is a lot, but it's worth it.

Friday, December 29, 2017

My Washington D.C. Bucket List


  • White House
  • Smithsonian Institute
  • United States Capitol
  • National Mall
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Washington Monument
  • National Zoological Park
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • United States Holocaust Memorial
  • National World War II Memorial
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Ford's Theatre
  • Washington National Cathedral
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • United States National Arboretum
  • Lincoln Memorial reflecting Pool
  • Space Window at the Washington National Cathedral
  • Darth Vader Grotesque at the Washington National Cathedral
  • Zero Milestone
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  • Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
  • Titanic Memorial
  • Albert Einstein Bronze Statue
  • Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega
  • Frederick Douglass's House, Cedar Hill
  • Temperance Fountain
  • Serenity Statue
  • Cuban-American Friendship Urn
  • Civil War Nurses Memorial
  • Chinatown Barnes Dance
  • Carousel on the National Mall
  • First FDR Memorial
  • Blind Whino
  • Churchill and Mandela Call and Response
  • Mary's Garden
  • Ulysses S. Grant Memorial
  • Thomas Jefferson Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial

Thursday, December 28, 2017

Where Do You See Yourself Next Year?

One of my Christmas presents this year was/is a Q & A a Day 5-Year Journal, and while looking at the questions, there are quite a few that I thought I would answer on my blog as well as in the journal.

This is the first one I decided to answer, as it seems fitting for this time of year.

Where do you see yourself next year?
Next year, I see myself finishing up my culinary certificate, and graduating. I have been going to school for this for long enough, and I just want to get it over and done with already.

I also see myself in a relationship with a loving, caring significant other. I am ready for a relationship (I have been for quite some time now), and would love to have someone to call my own.

Also, I see myself in the process of starting to write a book (fiction) to be published someday. Writing is one of my passions,

I also see myself beginning to get into the baking and pastry field of work, as it is another passion of mine, and it is what I am going to school for.

Another thing I see myself doing next year is becoming more confident in who I am, and more outgoing. I am a very shy, reserved person, and in some situations, that is not a good thing. It has prevented me from doing things that I really want to do, and things that I need to do. I get severe stage fright as well, so I am hoping to become more comfortable (at least by a little bit) with having attention be on me for a while, and having to talk to people.


Where do you see yourself next year? I hope next year brings you many good/great days, and that you have the best year yet!!

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

My Washington Bucket List


  • Olympic National Park
  • Mount Rainier
  • Space Needle
  • Puget Sound
  • Riverfront Park
  • Chihuly Garden and Glass
  • Grand Coulee Dam
  • Woodland Park Zoo
  • Manito Park and Botanical Gardens
  • Seattle
  • Snoqualmie Falls
  • Whatcom Falls
  • Cape Flattery
  • Fremont Troll
  • Seattle Aquarium
  • Northwest Treck
  • Seattle Great Wheel
  • Seattle Japanese Garden
  • Hall of Mosses
  • The Ape Cave
  • Museum of Pop Culture
  • Olympic Hot Springs
  • Walker Rock Garden
  • UPS Waterfall Garden park
  • Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge
  • Beacon Rock
  • Kubota Gardens
  • Afterglow Vista
  • Bordeaux
  • Vashon Island Bike Tree
  • Wallaby Ranch
  • Palouse Falls
  • Thornewood Castle
  • Northern State Hospital Farm
  • Seattle Meowtropolitan Cat Cafe
  • Hobbit House
  • Leavenworth's Bavarian Village
  • Tree Graveyard
  • Goldendale Observatory State Park
  • Hisey Dinosaur Park
  • Jimi Hendrix Memorial
  • Dry Falls
  • Barron Ghost Town
  • Gravity Hill
  • Blue Lake Rhino Cave
  • Bob's Java Jive
  • Ladder Creek Falls and Gardens
  • Lenin Statue of Fremont
  • Twin Sisters
  • Howe Art
  • Piece of the Berlin Wall at Cafe Turko
  • Hi-Life/Fire Station No. 18
  • Winlock Egg
  • Teapot Dome Service Station
  • Dick and Jane's Spot
  • Little Norway on the Fjord
  • Washington's Largest Frying Pan
  • Untitled (Johnson Pit #30)
  • Graffiti Garages
  • The Wall of Death
  • Garbage Eating Goat Statue
  • Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies
  • Big Red Wagon
  • Center of the Universe Sign
  • J.P. Patches Statue
  • Olympic Game Farm
  • Bergen Place Park and Mural
  • Port Townsend City Hall
  • Hammering Man
  • Ballard Centennial Bell Tower

Monday, December 25, 2017

Christmas 2017

To those who celebrate, merry Christmas!!!

I had a good Christmas. Christmas Eve, my sister and her family came over, and we ate, opened presents, and relaxed and talked for a while.

Today was a relax day, since we opened all of our presents yesterday.

So, here is my present haul for this year:

Harry Potter Magical Creatures Coloring Book

Cake Pops Cookbook, 100 Buttercream Flowers Tutorial Book, Cookie Decorating Set, and round fondant cutters

Q & A a Day 5-Year Journal and PTXmas by Pentatonix CD

Albus Dumbledore Funko Pop, and Harry Potter holding his prophecy Funko Pop

Gilmore Girls Season 3 on DVD

The Lorax, The Book of Life, Coraline, and Hidden Figures DVDs

Joking Hazard card game (yes, I got 2 of them; one of my friends gave
one to me, as well as my sister. I had no idea that was going to happen!!!)


Tangle Fidget Toys

 
Harry Potter Undesirable No. 1 poster


A very soft, warm, purple robe
 
So, that was my Christmas. I hope that your Christmas was joyful, warm, and cozy.
 
If it wasn't, I hope 2018 will be better for you, and that you see better days ahead.
 
Merry Christmas!!!

Friday, December 22, 2017

My Virginia Bucket List


  • Shenandoah National Park
  • Busch Gardens Williamsburg
  • Monticello
  • Arlington National Cemetery
  • Virginia Aquarium
  • Maymont
  • Luray Caverns
  • Mount Vernon
  • Historic Jamestowne
  • Jamestown Settlement
  • Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
  • Natural Bridge
  • Shenandoah Valley
  • Cape Henry Lighthouse
  • George Washington Masonic National Memorial
  • Roanoke Star
  • Hollywood Cemetery
  • Governor's Palace
  • Marine Corps War Memorial
  • Shenandoah Caverns
  • Appalachian National Scenic Trail
  • Vietnam Veterans Memorial
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial
  • Korean War Veterans Memorial
  • Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
  • Virginia Safari Park
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island
  • The Natural Bridge
  • Virginia's Natural Tunnel
  • Dinosaurland
  • The Raven Room
  • Foamhenge
  • Edgar Allan Poe Museum
  • Richmond
  • Alexandria
  • Kiptopeke's Concrete Fleet
  • Barboursville Ruins
  • The Grand Kugel
  • The Ruins of Rosewell Plantation
  • Williamsburg
  • President Heads
  • Jefferson Pools
  • Swannanoa Mansion
  • Ruins of the Chapman Beverley Mill
  • Patowmack Canal
  • Connecticut The Indian

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Winter 2017/18 Bucket List

I love making bucket lists, so I thought I would share my list for the winter season.
  • Make, drink hot chocolate
  • Go sledding
  • Go ice skating
  • Visit the city
  • Watch Christmas movies
  • Build a snowman
  • Bake cookies
  • Read a little every day
  • Go on a winter photo shoot
  • Clean up and redecorate bedroom
  • Color in some coloring books
  • At least one game night with friends, family
  • Make a gingerbread house
  • Buy my first nutcracker
  • Donate toys, clothes, money, time
  • Have a snowball fight
  • Make paper snowflakes
  • Build and stay in a fort
  • Make s'mores
  • Take a picture with Santa (DONE: this was done at the beginning of the month, when there was a Winter Fest in town)
  • Give bags of basic items (socks, gloves, hats, scarves, food, etc.) to those in need
  • Mail Christmas cards
  • Decorate a cake, cupcakes for the holidays
  • Knit a sweater for dad/start one
  • Make, give out DIY Valentines
  • Take at least one bubble bath
  • Develop an indoor workout routine
  • Binge watch The Walking Dead
  • Put physical copies of photos into albums/scrapbooks
  • Decorate my bedroom for Christmas/winter
  • Visit a German Christmas market
What is on your bucket list this winter?

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

My Vermont Bucket List


  • Lake Champlain
  • Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
  • Vermont Teddy Bear Company
  • Vermont State House
  • Emerald Lake State Park
  • Quechee Gorge
  • Rock of Ages Granite Quarry
  • Bellows Falls Petroglyphs
  • Wilson Castle
  • Vermontasaurus
  • Flying Monkey Sculptures
  • Santa's Land
  • Naulakha
  • Old Round Church
  • Vermont's Marble Mansion
  • Stone Man of Bowman Family Crypt
  • Hildene-The Lincoln Family Home
  • Shelburne Farms
  • Church Street marketplace
  • Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
  • VINS Nature Center
  • President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site
  • Park-McCullough House
  • Eshqua Bog Natural Area
  • Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
  • Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory Tour
  • Lake Champlain Chocolates
  • Appalachian Trail Adventures

Monday, December 18, 2017

The Ways I Love to Have Fun

Everyone has their own ways they love to have fun, and I am no exception. I'm not much of a partier, but there are ways of having fun without some of the things people like to get into "for fun."

Here are the ways I love to have fun:
  • Game nights with friends, family (and playing single person/player games)
  • Shopping (yes, shopping!!)
  • Movie nights
  • Baking (I LOVE to bake, so this is fun for me)
  • Photography (this is another passion of mine)
  • Listening/dancing to my favorite music
  • Knitting, crocheting for myself/others (yes, I consider this fun)
  • Decorating for the holidays
  • DIYs
  • Playing, snuggling with my cats
  • Watching my favorite YouTubers
  • Swimming in the summer
  • Going to local festivals throughout the year
  • Going to fun/interesting museums
  • Ukulele meet-ups (a get-together where people play the ukulele and sing)
  • Writing/blogging
  • Carving pumpkins for Halloween
  • Ice skating/sledding during the winter
  • Bike riding
  • Roller blading
  • Dyeing eggs for Easter
  • Reading/listening to books on CD
  • Giving presents during the holidays, birthdays, other celebrations
Yeah, boring, basic stuff, but I am totally fine with that. I am not one for bars, and drinking, and things like that. Fun takes on many forms, and is different for each person. This is just my version of fun.

***Thanks to Sarah Jo Burch for the idea for this post!!!

Friday, December 15, 2017

Different is Beautiful

I am linking up with Kate Motaung for this week's Five Minute Friday.

Today's FMF is: Different

Why is different so bad?

Being different is what makes life beautiful.

If everyone and everything were the same

Life would not be the blessing that it is.

We are the way we are for a reason,

and no one should feel that that is bad.

Different doesn't necessarily mean bad, or wrong.

It means being who you are,

Doing what you love

Without the fear of others' opinions.

We just want to live the way we want to live,

Be who we are meant to be,

Without being judged for it.

Do not make people feel like

how they look,

How they talk, or dress,

Or live their life is wrong.

There are as many ways to live life,

To be different,

As there are people.

And that is how it is supposed to be.

Life would be much more enjoyable if people accepted each other's differences

As well as their own.

My Utah Bucket List


  • Zion National Park
  • Arches National Park
  • Canyonlands
  • Wasatch Range
  • Great Salt Lake
  • Hogle Zoo
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
  • Dead Horse Point State Park
  • The Narrows
  • Rocky Mountains
  • Goblin Valley State Park
  • Angels Landing
  • Big Cottonwood Canyon
  • Antelope Island
  • Delicate Arch
  • Herber Valley Railway
  • Utah State Capitol
  • Church History Museum
  • Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
  • Liberty Park
  • Lake Powell
  • The Wave
  • Monument Valley
  • Goosenecks State Park
  • Mesa Arch
  • Rainbow Bridge National Monument
  • Landscape Arch
  • Timpanogos Cave
  • Nine Mile Canyon
  • Bryce Canyon
  • Homestead Crater
  • Fantasy Canyon
  • The Spiral Jetty
  • Sun Tunnels
  • The 'Up' House
  • The Wahweap Hoodoos
  • Saltair
  • Salt Lake City
  • Gilgal Sculpture Garden
  • Hell's Backbone Scenic Road
  • Grafton Ghost Town
  • Church Rock
  • Kennecott Utah Copper-Bingham Canyon Mine
  • Upheaval Dome
  • 17 Room Ruin
  • Ralphael Plescia's :Christian School"
  • This is the Place Monument
  • Metaphor: The Tree of Utah

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

My Texas Bucket List


  • San Antonio
  • Dallas
  • Fort Worth
  • San Antonio River Walk
  • Alamo Mission in San Antonio
  • Houston
  • Natural Bridge Caverns
  • Texas State Capitol
  • Dallas World Aquarium
  • Moody Gardens
  • Big Bend National Park
  • Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
  • Dallas Zoo
  • Houston Zoo
  • Guadalupe River State Park
  • Pedernales Falls State Park
  • Caprock Canyons
  • San Antonio
  • San Antonio Zoo
  • McKinney Falls
  • Downtown Aquarium, Houston
  • Hamilton Pool Preserve
  • Fort Worth Zoo
  • Hermann Park
  • Fort Worth Botanic Garden
  • Caddo Lake State Park
  • Galveston
  • Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
  • Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
  • Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
  • Fort Worth Water Gardens
  • Munster Mansion
  • HOPE Outdoor Gallery
  • Royse City Futuro House
  • Stonehenge II
  • Waco
  • Forbidden Gardens
  • Mueller SunFlowers
  • Mayfield Park
  • Art Car Museum
  • Starshipo Pegasus
  • Bracken Cave
  • Old Tunnel Bat Colony
  • Dinosaur Valley State Park
  • Dr. Pepper Museum
  • The Quadrangle
  • Ms. Pearl
  • Ozymandias on the Plains
  • Amarillo
  • El Paso
  • Hueco Tanks
  • Painted Churches of Texas
  • The Traveling Man
  • Largest Virgin Mary Mosaic in the World
  • Stonehenge Replica
  • Caverns of Sonora
  • Palo Duro Canyon
  • Mission San Jose
  • Cowgirl Hall of Fame
  • Texas Eiffel Tower
  • McKittrick Canyon
  • David Adickes Studio
  • Alamo Village
  • Ruins of St. Dominic's Catholic Church
  • The Texas Woofus
  • Lee Harvey Oswald's Grave
  • Grave of Pat the Horse
  • Jesus in Cowbowy Boots
  • Larry Monroe Forever Mosaic Bridge
  • 'Eye' Sculpture
  • Sam Houston Statue
  • The Big Tree
  • Paisano Pete
  • The Kettle House
  • Big Bertha Drum

Monday, December 11, 2017

The Happiest Moments of My Life So Far

There have been quite a few happy moments in my life, which I am very, very grateful for.
  • Raising my GPA in high school (I wasn't a very academically inclined person back then)
  • Graduating from high school on time
  • Getting a job at the local library on my own (and having the job for almost 10 months so far)
  • Becoming an aunt to two wonderful kids (a niece and a nephew)
  • Getting the intern at a local bakery, through my school's work experience class
  • Being a bridesmaid in one of my brothers' wedding
  • Going to my sister's wedding
  • Adopting my 2 current cats
  • Getting a new violin, so I can play again (yes, this is a happy moment for me, as I love the instrument)
  • Getting to go to northern California for a couple weeks
***Thanks to Sarah Jo Baker for the idea for this post!!!

Friday, December 8, 2017

My Tennessee Bucket List


  • Great Smoky Mountains
  • Dollywood
  • Graceland
  • Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
  • Parthenon
  • Grand Ole Opry
  • National Civil Rights Museum
  • Rock City
  • Centennial Park
  • Tennessee Aquarium
  • Blue Ridge Mountains
  • Ruby Falls
  • Gatlinburg Space Needle
  • Cades Cove
  • Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum
  • Cheekwood: Estate and Gardens
  • Memphis
  • Memphis Zoo
  • Tennessee State Capitol
  • Carnton
  • Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum
  • Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park
  • Nashville
  • Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
  • Old Stone Fort
  • Savage Gulf Natural Area State Park
  • Zoo Knoxville
  • Knoxville
  • Cumberland Caverns
  • Memphis Botanic Garden
  • Ijams Nature Center
  • Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park
  • Fireflies of the Great Smoky Mountains
  • Minister's Tree House
  • Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness
  • Fall Creek Falls State Park
  • Forbidden Caverns
  • Peabody Hotel Duck March
  • Crystal Shrine Grotto
  • Mud Island River Park
  • Titanic Museum Attraction
  • Rugby Colony
  • Spaceship House
  • Montgomery Bell Tunnel
  • Lookout Mountain Incline Railway
  • Sun Studio
  • Timothy Demonbreun's Cave
  • E.T. Wickham Sculpture Trail
  • House of Mews
  • Elmwood Cemetery
  • The Grave of Merriweather Lewis
  • The Sunsphere
  • Walnute Street Bridge
  • Tina Turner Museum
  • Bear Spring Furnace
  • Minnie Pearl Chicken Wire Statue
  • Clinton 12 Statue at Green McAdoo Cultural Center

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

My South Dakota Bucket List


  • Mount Rushmore
  • Badlands National Forest
  • Crazy Horse Memorial
  • Custer State Park
  • Reptile Gardens
  • Black Elk Peak
  • Chapel in the Hills
  • Black Hills Central Railroad
  • Great Plains Zoo
  • Sylvan Lake
  • Falls Park
  • Needles
  • Bramble Park Zoo
  • Jewel Cave
  • Bear Country USA
  • Mammoth Site, Hot Springs
  • Rushmore Cave
  • Dinosaur Park
  • Storybrook Island
  • Palisades State Park
  • Butterfly House & Aquarium
  • Cathedral Spires Trailhead
  • Bridal Veil Falls
  • Black Hills Aerial Adventures
  • Thunderhead Underground Falls
  • Porter Sculpture Park
  • Cosmos Mystery Area
  • Depression Era Dinosaur Park
  • Devil's Gulch
  • Hall of Records in Mount Rushmore
  • Hotel Alex Johnson
  • Giant Prairie Dog
  • The Rapid City Presidents
  • Termesphere Gallery
  • National Music Museum
  • Spirit Mound Historic Prairie
  • Petrified Wood Park
  • Center of the Nation Monument
  • Sioux Falls Michelangelos
  • Big Stone Lake

Monday, December 4, 2017

Things That Make Me Excited

There are things in life that make my days more enjoyable, that get me wanting to enjoy life more.

Things that get me excited are:
  • Getting to see my oldest brother (he lives half a country away, so I don't get to see him very often)
  • Baking
  • Photography
  • Holiday food, decorations, movies, and music
  • Outings with friends and family
  • Getting a letter, card, or package in the mail from friends, purchases that I have made
  • Making my favorite foods (or ordering them from a restaurant)
  • Watching videos from my favorite YouTubers
  • Knitting and crocheting
  • Listening to my favorite music/artists
  • Playing board/card/video games
  • Learning something new
  • Celebrating holidays, birthdays, other special occasions with friends and family
***Thanks to Sarah Jo Burch for the idea for this post!!!

Friday, December 1, 2017

My 2017 Christmas Wishlist

I can't believe the holidays are upon us already!! It feels like it was just here, and now it's back again. But, I love the holidays, and am looking foward to them this year.

I know some people like reading about/seeing what other people ask for Christmas, and I figured I would post my Christmas list, for anyone who is interested.

NOTE: I am not trying to brag in any way, nor am I saying that I will get any/all of these items. These are just things that I would like to get.

  • Wilton Cookie Flooding Decorating Kit
  • Wonder Woman DVD (2017)
  • Q&A a Day: 5 Year Journal
  • Tangle Fidget Toy
  • Fleece Robe
  • Bicycle Tire Pump
  • Trolls DVD
  • Ukulele case
  • Ukulele shoulder strap
  • Hidden Figures DVD
  • Cinema Lightbox
  • Illustrated Harry Potter 1 book
  • Illustrated Harry Potter 2 book
  • Illustrated Harry Potter 3 book
  • Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone book on CD
  • The Big Book of Disney Songs-Violin by Hal Leonard Corp.
  • Ateco Plain Edge Round Cutters in Graduated Sizes
  • Elf on the Shelf
  • Harry Potter coloring books
  • Harp Attack CD by Camille & Kennerly (The Harp Twins)
  • PTXmas by Pentatonix (CD)
  • Bike helmet
  • Star Wars: The Phantom Menace DVD
  • Star Wars: Attack of the Clones DVD
  • Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith DVD
  • Star Wars: A New Hope DVD
  • Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back DVD
  • Star Wars: Return of the Jedi DVD
  • Star Wars: The Force Awakens DVD
  • Once Upon a Time Season 1 on DVD
  • Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 DVD
  • Coraline DVD
  • Inside Out DVD
  • A Bug's Life DVD
  • Brave DVD
  • The Book of Life DVD
  • Big Hero 6 DVD
  • Disney's A Christmas Carol (2010) DVD
  • The Lorax (2012) DVD
  • Cinema CD by Andrea Bocelli
  • No Muggles Beyond This Point Poster
  • Harry Potter Undesirable No. 1 Poster
Yes, I know this is a lot, but I am NOT expecting/hoping to get all of them. I am not even expecting half. These are just things that I would like to get, and to give my family ideas of what they can get me.

I am looking forward to the holidays this year, seeing family and friends, and the presents. I can't wait!!!

My South Carolina Bucket List


  • Riverbanks Zoo
  • Fort Sumter
  • Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
  • Patriots Point
  • Congaree National Park
  • Boone Hall
  • Myrtle Beach
  • Myrtle Beach SkyWheel
  • Drayton Hall
  • South Carolina State House
  • Falls Park on the Reedy
  • Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge
  • Greenville Zoo
  • Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens
  • Alligator Adventure
  • Rainbow Row
  • Coastal Discovery Museum
  • Freestyle Music Park
  • Isle of Palms County Park
  • The Angel Oak Tree
  • Pearl Fryar's Topiary Garden
  • Dorchester-South Carolina's Abandoned Town
  • Lansford Canal State Park
  • Poinsett Bridge
  • God's Acre Healing Springs
  • St. Helena Parish Chapel of Ease Ruins
  • Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve
  • Tunnelvision
  • Old Sheldon Church Ruins
  • Gullah Heritage Trail
  • Tiny Town of Easley
  • Neverbust Chain
  • Busted Plug Plaza
  • Old Charleston City Jail
  • Atalaya
  • King Neptune Sundial
  • Gaffney Peachoid
  • Myrtle Beach Colored School Museum
  • Walterboro Water Tower
  • Thelma and Louise