Before 40: March: Disney Trip - Day 3

Before 40: March: Disney Trip - Day 2

Before 40: March: Disney Trip - Day 1

Before 40: February

The great thing about "Before 40" is that is has made trying new things a priority.  I've had to actively search for new things to try each month.  The one for February, though?  Well, it just fell into my lap!

Jim and Dylan and I were going to go to The Science Center one Saturday.  Dylan had been wanting to go for quite some time.  When we got there, it was so crowded that the parking lot was actually full.  Poor Dylan was sleeping, so when he woke up, he discovered that we weren't at the Science Center.  We were at The Children's Museum!

He ended up having a blast there, and we discovered there was a "Wheels" exhibit going on.  Then we discovered there was a roaming unicycle group in the Wheels exhibit.  Well, you know I couldn't pass that up, right?  I mean, it isn't every day you have the opportunity to get your 39 year old butt on a unicycle!  But, that is exactly what I did...

Jim and Dylan got in on the action.  Unfortunately, they both got on one at the same time.  Plus, Jim just got his new iphone, and I didn't know how to use it yet.  I completely missed getting the footage of Jim falling on his 46 year old butt and turning 3 shades of red!  Oh well.  I'm sure I'll have other opportunities to do that.

If you're on Facebook you know what my "Before 40" was for March - taking Dylan to Disney!  Those posts will be next.

Before 40: January

Yes, I do realize that it is actually MARCH.  I might not blog about the Before 40 activities when I'm supposed to, but I am happy to report that so far, I have indeed done one new thing each month since my birthday in August.  January's Before 40 definitely isn't the most exciting.  January kind of got away from me.  I found myself driving to the grocery store on the last day to get supplies for the "Fruits We've Never Tried".

I love fruit, and I've tried most kinds, but I had never had...


                                                                            1.Papaya

My impressions on Papaya?  Yuck.

2. Mango

Better than papaya, but still yuck.

3. Avocado (It IS a fruit, right?)

Perhaps you are only supposed to eat avocados in recipes?  Because,  YUCK!

4. Starfruit

This is the only one I actually finished and somewhat enjoyed.  I wouldn't buy it again, because it is expensive, but it wasn't bad.

(I would like to apologize for the atrocious quality of these photos.  It was dark outside and the lighting was horrible).

As an extra... a few days ago, Dylan, Jim, and I were discussing fruits that start with the different letters of the alphabet.  We were stuck on "K", until we thought of "Kumquat".  "What do they even look like?", I asked Jim.  "I've never seen them in Giant Eagle".  Of course a couple days later, while doing my weekly shopping, there was a bag of Kumquats just staring at me saying "Hello?!  We've been here all the time!"  Today we tried some.  

Personally, I think they taste like a cross between an orange and a lemon.  (They look like an orange, but are much smaller).  Dylan made a face like he just sucked on a lemon, and said "Blech!"  That's okay.  Now I know why most people have never had one!

What about you?  Know of any unique fruits I should try?  Have you had any of these?  Are you completely disappointed by my efforts in January?  Don't worry.  February is better.

Before 40 - December : Part 2

My friend who attempted the rock wall with me for last month's "Before 40", called me with an idea for this month.  Have I told you how much I LOVE when other people come up with ideas?  It happens SO rarely that I get ridiculously excited.  Plus, it was a really great idea.

We had never been on a carriage ride.  A white carriage ride,  pulled by a beautiful big black horse, with SANTA inside to be exact!  Of course, we took Dylan.

Waiting in line in the cold wasn't fun.  I would say we waited about 20 minutes, and it was pretty cold, but we did get a coupon for a free hot chocolate and mini cookie from Panera Bread, so that helped.

Would you believe that we were the last group to go... not just that day, but for the season!  A family came while we were in line, and were told they couldn't go.  The little girl immediately burst into tears.  It was awful, but the friendly elf told her she could wait and pet the horse, and say hello to Santa and she cheered up.

The ride was fantastic!  Me, my friend, and Dylan got quality time with Santa, and he was just a sweetheart.  The guy was so much in character, that I started to believe in Santa.  Two of my favorite moments...
1.  When Santa asked Dylan what he wants for Christmas and he answered "batteries"!  I love how simple his wants are at this point in life.
2.  When Dylan asked Santa, "Who is your favorite reindeer?".  Santa said, "Well, that's a great question!  To answer it, I have a song... You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer..."  He sang the whole song, and who knew that Santa had such a lovely singing voice?

After our ride, we went into Panera for gingerbread men cookies!   The day was one of my favorite holiday memories for sure.  Thanks Santa!  We'll get to work on those cookies you requested.

(All the pictures of me are on her camera, so I couldn't add them).

Before 40 - December : Part 1

A little background is required to tell this story correctly.  When I went to college many moons ago, I had no idea what to major in.  I was interested in many things, and considered many things, but somehow decided to major in Art.  (One in a long line of mistakes, probably, but for the sake of keeping this story short(ish), I won't go there).

I loved being in college.  I loved the freedom to make my own decisions.  I loved meeting all new people.  I loved being an art major.  I was a bit odd, because unlike a lot of kids that age attending college, I wanted to learn.  It wasn't about what classes were the easiest, or which teacher gave out the most A's.  For me, it was wanting to learn as much about everything as I possibly could in four years.

Which is exactly why my Printmaking class upset me so much.  Printmaking was a required class for all art majors.  Some of the students didn't have the slightest clue what printmaking was, nor did they care, but I was excited to start making some prints!  Relief Printing, Intaglio, Lithography, Screenprinting, and Monotype/Monoprint!  I arrived at the first class, early and eager to get started.  Pretty soon, the whole class and I were waiting outside the classroom door.  "The guy is late to class on the very first day?", someone commented.  We waited about 15 more minutes, before a very ill prepared, oddly unapologetic professor showed up.  I think he shoved a syllabus at us, before saying something about not feeling well, and said he would see us at the next class.  

I arrived on time for the second class, along with most of the other students.  Ten minutes after the class was supposed to start several people left, 5 minutes after that, several more left, and 10 minutes after that I looked at someone and said, "Well, what's up with this?"  The rumor was that the professor was an alcoholic.  Sometimes he showed up, but usually he didn't.  One of the students informed us that he gave everyone A's, and that seemed to satisfy everyone... except me.  I showed up for every.single.class.  Most of the time, I waited 15 or 20 minutes before leaving.  I didn't learn a stinking thing about printmaking.  There is an "A" on my transcript next to "Printmaking" even though I don't know a darn thing about it, and that always annoyed me.

So, for the "Before 40" in December, I went back to school.  That's right.  At the age of 39, I took a Printmaking class.  Unfortunately I have about as much money now as I did when I was a college student, so I could only afford a one day class.

I showed up early (of course), found the room, and said "Hello" to the other students.  The instructor wasn't there yet.  (Do you see where this is headed?)  Fifteen minutes later, I told the other students what had happened the last time I tried to take a Printmaking class, and they all laughed.  "I'm sure she'll be here any minute", one assured me.  Five minutes later, I went out to call Jim.  "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!", I shouted.  "MY TEACHER IS A NO-SHOW!  CAN THIS SERIOUSLY BE HAPPENING AGAIN?!"

She did eventually show up (30 minutes late!), and I did learn how to make a Monotype.  That's pretty much all we had time for.  So, I didn't learn much, but it's a step in the right direction.  Maybe by the time I'm 50 I'll be a printmaking expert?  It was fun to get my creative juices going again.  A person should never stop learning, after all.  (As you probably guessed by the "Part 1", I did another new thing in December.  That one needs its own post, so stay tuned for that).

Before 40 - November

I've never been super athletic.  I enjoy sports, and I certainly wouldn't be considered "girly", but I never excelled at any particular sport either.  I played softball for many years, and I would say that I "wasn't bad".

Now let's talk about exercise.  I have a strong desire to do it... in my head.  Just there.  Not in practice.  Not so much that I join a gym, or get up an hour early to work out, or even squeeze in a walk now and then.  I watch The Biggest Loser every week, and every single week, I think "I'm going to eat better and work out!"  Then the week goes by, and I'm sitting on the couch again, eating snacks while watching another episode.  I'm motivated in my head, but my body doesn't get the memo.

I've signed up for fitness classes and not finished.  (In my defense, I have a weak back, and I seem to always hurt it when I exercise.  I know.  Excuses, Excuses.  Wah, Wah, Wah!)  I've bought fitness videos and used them for a while religiously... A WHILE.  I bought the Ab Cruncher and used it faithfully... for A WHILE.  My most successful exercise experience was the Water Aerobics class I took years ago.  Those old ladies and I rocked it out!

This past week, the day before Thanksgiving, my body finally got the memo.  I told Dylan that he and I were going to "do an exercise video".  I had bought "Billy Blanks Basic Training" DVD months ago at the library's used book sale.  It is 55 minutes long.  I figured, "How hard can it be?"  HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  I amuse myself.  Put it this way... the people IN THE VIDEO were looking like they might die.  Put it this way... Thanksgiving day I was thankful I could lift my arms.  (Note to self:  You are NOT in shape, dummy!  Pace Yourself!)

So, I'm in horrendous shape, and I am the complete opposite of flexible.  I'm surprised I can bend over to tie my shoes.  All this to explain why I was a little nervous about my next "Before 40" feat.  I have never climbed a rock wall.

When I was out to dinner with a friend of mine, I told her about my "Before 40" thing.  She wanted in.  She had never climbed a rock wall either.  I found the place.  We just needed to coordinate a day we could each go.  It wasn't happening.  I called her yesterday (Saturday), and asked if she could go today (Sunday).  "No, I have to....  Can we wait until next weekend?"  Well, that's the thing about a "Before 40" list.  If you spend too much time "waiting", you don't spend enough time "doing".  I said I was going to do one new thing a month and I'm doing one new thing a month!  I was going to tell her that, too, but when she called me back later, she said she was in!

After a slight miscommunication about where the place was ("Oh!  You're in the South Side?  I thought you said the Strip!"), we were ready to go.  We got our fancy climbing shoes, and signed the form.  I told her, "You don't need to read it.  It just says you won't sue them if you fall and die".  I'm a fountain of encouragement, aren't I?  Just for that, she made me go first.  I had to stop a couple times and consider 1. If I was going to be able to get my huge feet in the next tiny crack.  and 2. If my arms shaking from exhaustion were going to prevent me from continuing.

Before 40 - October

I've told you that I'm not a good cook, but did you know that I don't bake either?  Martha Stewart would be appalled at my complete lack of culinary interest.  So, for "Before 40"'s month of October I decided to do something totally out of character.  Would you believe that in my 39 years I have never baked a cake?!  Weird, I know.  We are big birthday celebrators in my family, but apparently we are big birthday cake BUYERS, not bakers.

Since it was October, and I didn't have any birthdays coming up, I decided to make a Pumpkin shaped cake.

Dylan never passes up an opportunity to eat cake.

He found the whole Mommy-is-baking thing quite entertaining.  So much so, that he wanted to film it...

The recipe I was using made two pumpkin cakes.  We certainly didn't need to eat two pumpkin cakes after all that Halloween candy, so I figured I'd give one to my neighbors.  Um.. yea... that didn't happen. They weren't horrible, but I didn't feel they were neighbor worthy either.

My wonderful (also never baked a cake) husband was highly amused as he pointed out that I was supposed to flip the cake over, out of the pan, BEFORE icing it.  DUH!  Martha Stewart can kiss my pasty white butt!

Since I was on a roll, I decided to make my first PIE for Thanksgiving.  

It's a Turtle Pumpkin Pie, and OH MY was it rich!  Too much so for my taste, although Jim liked it.  For me, anything that rich should have chocolate in it.  I'm not a big pie eater, though.  I would say that it was better than the cakes.  I would have given my neighbors a piece, but Jim called "DIBS!" on the leftover pieces.

I've also never made cupcakes or cake pops.  But, considering the fact that we just ate way too much food for Thanksgiving, and the fact that we still have Halloween candy, I think I'll put that off for a while!  Don't miss my "Before 40" for November!

Before 40 - The Explanation

The Explanation

Everyone has certain routines they follow.  It's not a bad thing.  Routines allow us to feel safe and in control.  Once we find a good way to do things, why alter it?  Routines make life easier.

I like my routines, but I have to admit, without a little variety to my days I start to get a bit... twitchy.  I remember one time in particular that this became obvious.

It was Saturday morning, and Doug and I were in the car, going to lunch.  He pulled into a certain restaurant's parking lot, when I suddenly freaked.

Me:  "What are you doing?" (I asked, in my pitch-an-octave-too-high voice).

Doug:  "What are you talking about?  I'm parking!"

Me:  "You just assumed I wanted to go here?!"

Doug:  "We always go here for lunch on Saturdays!"

Me:  "EXACTLY!  Why do we do that?!  It's ridiculous!  We do the SAME exact thing every time!  You park in the SAME spot.  We sit in the SAME booth.  We get the SAME waitress.  We order the SAME thing.  AARRGGHH!  I can't stand it!"

Doug:  (Who was now quite exasperated and angry at this supposed insinuation that he was boring)... "FINE!  WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?"

Me:  "It doesn't matter.  I'm just trying to make a point.  Where do you want to go?"

Doug:  "Well I DID drive here, didn't I?"

Me:  "Then we'll eat here!  What...EVER!"

(At that point, he turned the car back on and put it in reverse, before angrily backing up and driving across the parking lot to the other side.  Then, he parked sideways across about three spots, before jumping out of the car).

Doug:  "I usually hold your hand, but I wouldn't want to be predictable!  Oh, and I usually hold the door or you too", he yelled over his shoulder, as the door shut in my face.

(By this point, I was pretty amused, and wanted to see how far he'd take this.  As the hostess led us to our usual booth, Doug exclaimed "We'll take a table!  Over there, if that's okay?"  He made a point to order a different drink and entree than usual, and when she asked what dressing he wanted for his salad, I sat there looking at him.  Doug always asked for the same two dressings... on the side.  So when he asked for two completely different dressings... on the side, I lost it.  I started laughing at our ridiculous fight, and he started laughing, and our waitress walked away shaking her head.  After that, he tried to put more variety in our weekends together, and I just tried not to be so... twitchy.

Yes, I enjoy new experiences.  I like to try new things and go new places.  I've done improv, rode a jet ski, went parasailing, rode a horse on a beach, shot a gun, dressed like Mrs. Edward Scissorhands on a stage in front of tons of people, danced until morning with Italian guys who only spoke a few words of English, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower, learned to juggle by a guy named Thor, met a famous person, went to a party of strangers and kissed a guy, and got married in a gazebo overlooking the ocean in Jamaica.  Not too shabby.  But there are SO many things I haven't crossed off my list.  So many things I still want to experience before turning 40.  "Before 40" is the result.  What WILL I do next?...

Before 40 - August

It all started with my son's birthday card.  Here it is...

"I drew all 39 candles, Mommy!", he happily announced.  Out loud, I said, "Wow!  That's great, buddy!"  In my head, I said, "Damn!  That's a lot of candles!"

For weeks beforehand, I had been saying "I'm going to be thirty nine.  Thhhhiiiirrrrttttyyy nnnniiiiinnnneeee" (as if saying it slowly would make it sink in).  How the heck did I get to be 39?!  I mean, I did turn 38 last year, but 39?  It just blew my mind for some reason.  Why?  Because that meant that next year I was going to turn 40.  Fffffoooorrrrttttyyy.  It makes sense that 40 starts with F, because it brought to mind a few other F words.

I'm not even saying that 40 is old (so don't hurt me, you people already older than that).  It's just that there are so many things I thought I would have done by then.  Made my first million, for example.

So, when I saw the cake with so many candles that it appears to be falling from the weight, I formulated a plan.  I was/am going to make a list and cross off at least one thing each month before turning 40.

August was the first month.  August flew by, but I did cross one very important thing off my list.  Ever since Dylan was born, I've been wanting to take him to the ocean.  He needed to search for seashells, feel sand between his toes (and apparently in every last crevice of his body), eat ice cream on the boardwalk, and run through the salty waves.  He needed to experience those things and I needed to experience him experiencing it.  Done.  Check.

Before 40 - September

I have a confession.  First, a little background.  For as long as I can remember, I've been tall.  I was taller than all the other girls AND boys in grade school.  My grandma told me that boys mature slower than girls, and that they would catch up to me.  Well, a few did, but most didn't.  Throughout my school years, I was always one of the tallest.

Now, I'm 5'11".  I'm used to looking down at people.  I'm used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it.  Being tall and clumsy isn't exactly a recipe for a graceful creature who glides effortlessly across the room in stiletto heels.  Which brings me to the confession.  Brace yourselves.  Come closer and I'll whisper it in your ear.  I've never worn heels.  I KNOW!  It's crazy, right?!  When I told my hairdresser recently, she almost cut off a chunk of my hair, before screaming, "ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"  Uh... yea... I am.

I'm 5'11" and clumsy, and my husband is 6 foot.  Why would I wear heels?  It just seemed like a ridiculous concept, but in true "Before 40" fashion, I bought these...

Go big or go home, I always say.  Okay, I don't say that, but I should.  I might have mentioned (complained profusely about) the fact that I wear size 11 Narrow shoes.  When you wear size 11 Narrow shoes there are only 3 shoe stores to shop at.  One, a very lovely establishment with very expensive shoes.  Two, a reasonably priced establishment with unreasonably ugly, old lady shoes.  Three, a cheap shoe store with okay looking shoes that come in Size 11, but not in Narrow.  I chose option 3, due to the plain and simple fact that I suspected this was not going to be a raging success.  I.was.correct.

I wore them as far as the car.  Seriously, HOW do you crazy people do it?  Do your feet eventually go numb and stop feeling the intense PAIN?!  Do your toes ever get used to being jammed into that small of a space?  How do you avoid looking like a tight rope walking giraffe?

My hairdresser claims the problem was that I bought heels that didn't fit perfectly.  I'm just not buying it. Oh well, I'll just wear them at home... in a certain room...ahem.   Unless someone needs a pair of size 11 Narrow black heels?  Didn't think so.

New Stuff

Rants & Raves has a new look, designed by my talented, and VERY patient husband, Jim.  I might be a tad opinionated, and difficult to work with?  Maybe.  Anyway, let's see which of you is most observant.

Computers and I?  We aren't really close friends.  We mostly just tolerate each other.  For me, starting a blog years ago was about the desire to write.  I didn't know the first thing about a blog, or buttons, or headers, or html.  Lately, though, I was feeling it was time for me to learn a few things.

So, now you will see a place in the sidebar where you can subscribe to my posts and subscribe to get my new posts sent to your email address.  I will probably add some more things once I get over the trauma of figuring out how to make a BUTTON.

That's right, little old me, created a button, (after way too much time and a little beating of my head against a wall while saying "buh, buh, buh, buh").  Click on the button and it will take you to an explanation of "Before 40".  Yep, I'm 39, and I'm proof that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks... it just takes longer... a LOT longer.