My pretties

I wasn't sure I was going to do this one.  I did.  They're beautiful.  (And really tight, I actually went back to the store and was like, um, will these ever fit me??)

Pigalle 100mm - not a super sexy name

I don't think you can wear these in Sonoma -- need an excuse to head to SF & break them out!!
#74 - a guilty, sly, pleased little check!

15 year goal

I know that I have been trying -- for at LEAST fifteen years -- to watch Citizen Kane all the way through. It constantly tops Best Movie lists and is randomly referenced in pop culture/trivia.  But I couldn't get through it.  Ever.  So much so that it got it's own specific number on the list (#87).

I remember that once every summer I'd go to the Neenah library & check it out.  And then turn it on and PROMPTLY fall asleep.  Like, 30.6 seconds in to it.  Without exaggeration.  I had never made it past the Rosebud scene. 

It's the first scene.

Anywho, courtesy of our super random Netflix list -- it showed up.  And we watched it in one sitting!  And it wasn't terrible!  I'm so proud.

Ever seen it?  Got any movies you can't make it through??

And #87 -- check!!

It's ok...

To change goals.  Or not like everything.

A life lesson learned from the 101 list.

More specific examples: 
I have a goal to read a book a month -- and I'll be way over that.  I read a lot - I get the ideas from magazine reviews or I don't know even where.  Our library (I included the link so that you can see how awesomely old school the website I'm talking about is) has a nice feature where you go online, click your book, get on the wait list, then when it's in, you get an email - by then, it's either a fun surprise or I've completely forgotten why I chose it in the first place!  (A frequent conversation leaving the library:  Nick -- "What's that about?" C -- "Oh, some random period piece about sisters, chefs, and sorcerers in Texas/a non-fiction piece exploring decision making in modern humans."  Nick -- "What??"  C -- "Yeah, don't know.")

This show is so awesome-- that's why it takes 1000s of pages to describe everything!!

Anyway, I've signed up for a lot of books & I'm trying to get through the Song of Ice & Fire series (Love the show, does anyone else watch it??) -- and you know what?  Some times, I just don't like the book.  And then... I don't finish it!  It's part of my clean-plate-club mentality, that if you start something -- you finish it!  But (life lesson alert) I don't like everything.  Including some books whose blurbs sounded good, but are actually boring.  So,  The Casual Vacancy & Gods and Beasts -- I don't like you.  And you're both British contemporary fiction, so maybe there's a clue.

Next.

Ours is kinda like this -- but dirtier.

When we moved to Sonoma, I was SO INSISTENT that we get a patio set for our back patio.  We were on a HUNT for one and got it and..... it gathers dust.  Well, dirt more than dust because it's outside.  So I put as #15 - eat dinner outside once a month.  And guess what?  We don't like it.  We don't like to eat outside.  At restaurants on perfect days, sure.  At home, with the dirt and the Lucer & a lack of tv -- nope.  So, to #15 -- I ax you off.  And feel only minimally guilty about it.

Anybody agree with my life lessons??

Small brain

Or maybe it's "too full" brain .

I really would like to know how to do 5 little origami pieces.  Like, hey, you need a party trick? I can make a duck!  I dunno - sounds like a situationally useful skill.  I have tried a couple different ones and I can make them just fine - but anyone can MAKE them, I want to REMEMBER them.  To be able to DO them at some unknown point in the future.  Must just not have room in the noggin.

My little sister tears "Dollar Bill Origami" how-to's out of the Southwest airlines magazine.  What a perfect thing! No fancy paper required!  Waiting in the airport in Hawaii -- I tackled what seemed the easiest of my options: a bow tie!

Not bad, right??  

I'll be honest, this was attempt two.

Ok, so it's been 2 weeks -- and I don't remember how to do it.  Gah! 

One of these days....

Fail check: #77 - but not defeated! 

New-ish state

It's been two months since I checked something off this list? For real??

Well, this is a cheater check, but I'm going to count it.

Nick & I headed to Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend -- the cheater part is that we've been to Hawaii before (Oahu twice), the non-cheater part is that we went to a totally different island which is basically a different state. I'm counting it.

Kauai is known as the Garden Island and is the furthest west of the main islands. It reminded me a lot of Moorea in French Polynesia: a big island with a mountainous, forested middle. We spent four days on the four sides of the island. We also did some fun things: helicopter rides, ATVing, snorkeling, hiking, 8 mi run as part of our half marathon training -- we barely spent ANY time on the beach!!

Happy 33rd birthday Nick!  

The helicopter ride got you to see parts of the island that were otherwise inaccessible and gave you a really beautiful overview.

The northwest shore - to get here takes a strenuous 11 mi one-way hike and then you have to camp.  We just looked from the sky!

A view of the west coast from a viewpoint in Waimea Canyon State Park

A view of the canyon from our first hike in Koke'e State Park

Oh, that's pretty - now let's go run in 75 degree humidity for an hour & a half

We ate simply - Hawaiian BBQ, poke, shave ice.  It's not shaveD ice, just shave ice.  And it's a big soft snow cone that is yummy yum yum yummy - I liked it over a scoop of ice cream (Mac Nut - that's macadamia nut to all you non-Hawaiians).  Nick got his with condensed milk on top.  Both pretty darn refreshing after busy activities!

It was a quick trip, only 4.5 days - that ended with an injury!  But we can't wait to get back!  Anyone want to come with us??

#46 - a new state: Check!