The Ultimate Life List: September 2011

Thursday, September 29, 2011

That's NOT for Me! : Join The Mile High Club

Personally this is the most ridiculous things I can imagine wanting to become a member of the Mile High Club. Let's forget about the fact that the bathroom on an airplane barely fits one person comfortably. When I am on an airplane it is all I can do to keep myself from going into cardiac arrest. I like to spend my flying time shaking, sweating, crying, praying and checking my pulse-being intimate is the absolute last thing from my mind! Obviously I am not a good flyer, well not right now but it's on my list to calm the f word down when I get on an airplane, but I like to post things that I think others might like to put on their LIFE LISTS! So best of luck!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

TRAVEL TIPS: MARYLAND

Maryland is such a beautiful state to visit, my Aunt lives there and I have been there to visit many times so I have seen/done most of the things on this list (i will review them at a later date) but obviously these are the top things to do in MD--in my opinion.

MARYLAND

Patuxent Medthodist Church

Chesapeake Beach Water Park

Seacrets Bar

Mexico

Ashley Cove

Thursday, September 22, 2011

That's NOT for Me! : Eat Raw Sushi

We are not supposed to be eating raw animals: tapeworms, salmonella, mercury are just some of the risks taken- that is why we were given the gift of fire. When it's cooked, it's proof that it's dead. It looks so gross, I'm sure the texture in your mouth leaves something to be desired. Cooked sushi tastes great but you couldn't pay me to eat it before that sucker sits in a frying pan for at least 15 minutes! I like to make sure my food has time to reconnect with their family members in heaven before I begin to put parts of their dead bodies in my mouth. So this is not something that I will be adding to my list but I think it is a good thing for the person who is culinary adventurous.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

TRAVEL TIPS: NEW HAMPSHIRE

I have only driven through New Hampshire, but it seems to be an excellent destination for families with young children. This is also a place you could visit inexpensively. It looks scenic and there's alot to do outside. One day I will visit all these places and take notes and pictures!

New Hampshire

Anheuser Busch Brewery

Stonewall Farm

Moose Tour
Charming Fare Farm

Storyland
Omni Resort

Friday, September 16, 2011

FIX IT FRIDAYS: BLOG

As I have said -this is a journey and many of these items cannot simply be crossed off in one afternoon. LIST LIST ITEM WRITE A BLOG is something that I hope to do for a long time and I don't think I can cross it off until I make it perfectly presentable. My friend, the same one who suggested I write the blog, also suggested I get myself a "blogging for dummies" book. This was the silliest thing I had heard yet, a book about blogging ???? At that time, just a few months ago, I had no idea what a big thing blogging was, and what it could become. There are many many books about blogging. Lesson learned: whatever it is that your interested just type it into Amazon and I am certain you will find a book written about it. This has lead me to other amazing books I could have never dreamed actually existed. So my goal is to fix/change at least one thing/week. It's not alot but 52 things/year is better than ZERO things/year. If there is something you want to do and don't think you have the time or keep putting it off, just start small with once/week, or even once/month, it is enough to get you going and even though it may be at a snails pace it will make you feel accomplished.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

That's NOT for Me! : Drive a Motorcycle

DRIVING A MOTORCYCLE
I have been on motorcycles before, only with my dad, I do not think I would ever get on one with anyone else, in fact I will probably never get on one again. I just have no desire and I have heard so many horror stories--that were too close to home. My husbands uncle was in a Motorcycle accident, he lost his arm. A friend of my father in law was in a motorcycle accident and lost his legs. It's one thing to trust yourself when you get on the road in any sort of vehicle but you CANNOT trust anyone else that is driving. Why not? Because they all have their head up their ass. And with so many people now texting while driving it is so much more dangerous. So I personally have no desire to do this but I think it's a great idea for someone else to put it on their life list. If I had it my way I would drive an army tank to the grocery store with the car seat in the back and and a 'Caution Baby on Board' bumper sticker and then I would have everything else delivered. People on the road scare me...they are not 'accidents' someone was either going to fast, not obeying the laws or doing something other than driving-these are not accidents, these are all intentional. If you are interested in learning how to drive a motorcycle here is a good place to start http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

TRAVEL TIPS: FLORIDA

Here is my list of the most important things to do in the Sunshine State or as I like to call it the Hotter Than Hell State. We are planning a trip to Florida in two years, for our daughters third birthday so at that time I will be able to give my synopsis of each activity, and post pics and video. I have already done some of these things but it was long ago. Click on each one to visit the link.

FLORIDA

Disney World

Sea World

Penguin encounter

Mammal keeper for a day

Rent jet ski

Air boat tour

Eat at Cinderellas Castle

Eat alligator

Friday, September 9, 2011

NEW SCHEDULE: THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY

That’s Not For Me Thursdays- There are many things out there that I personally have no interest in doing but I think would be great ideas for others. So this is just for fun and to maybe inspire some new ideas for your life lists.

Fix it Fridays- There are many LIFE LIST items that involve a lot of work, so I will dedicate Fridays to those items beginning with this blog itself. I have a overabundant amount of things to fix, change and add.

Surprise Saturdays- I have already completed nearly 150 items on my LIFE LIST and I will share with you my story and I will include everything from how I got the idea to how much it cost and what I would do differently.

NEW SCHEDULE: WEIGH IN WEDNESDAYS

Weigh in Wednesdays- Like money, I cannot look at my LIFE LIST item REACH MY LIFE GOAL WEIGHT and cross it off in one day, I am not a genie. So reaching my life goal weight is also a journey that I am currently working on and doing a good job at it if I must say so myself. I will share with you how much I’ve lost, how I lost it and I how I plan to lose the rest. I will also be telling you……how much I weigh AAAHHHHHH!!!! That’s why I am calling it Weigh in Wednesdays, I will reveal my weight loss each week. I think it will really encourage me to be diligent with my diet and exercise as this is highly embarrassing to share this information with my friends, family, my husbands friends and family-ugh!

NEW SCHEDULE: TRAVEL TIPS TUESDAYS

Travel Tips Tuesdays- If you have even glanced at my LIFE LIST for even one second you will notice a common theme-I love to travel like a crackhead loves chemical dependencies! Traveling is my drug, I am addicted to it, I am obsessed with it and I’m always trying to scrounge up money for more trips. It is a true passion of mine and my interest that I devote the most time to. For the last ten years I have spent extensive amounts of time doing travel research, just for myself, it’s my hobby to plan trips that I hope to one day take. I have close to five hundred travel books, magazines and brochures. I probably should one day open up a travel agency but I really have just done all this research for myself with no intention of sharing it with the world. But since you all are nice enough to read this blog of mine I will share my notes with you. I will post a location and what I think are the best and most essential components of traveling to that location. I include hotels, restaurants, activities….everything with the goal being to make the most out of visiting that location and not have to spend money to revisit because you missed things. I am not saying that you shouldn’t visit the same place twice, I am saying the world is amazing, there are thousands of places to see and we only given a short amount of time to take advantage of.

NEW SCHEDULE:MONEY MONDAYS

Money Mondays- Nearly everything in my Life List revolves around money in one way or another, so I will discuss how I am working on accomplishing these items. It is a journey, much to my chagrin I cannot look at my list and say ‘ok I’m going to raise my FICO score today to 800’ I wish I could but that’s not how it works and I thought it would be silly to spend the next year or two working on certain items and not be writing about them. I hope you will follow me on my financial journey, I can teach you things- I am open to any advice anyone has to offer, the best way to learn is from each other, we just need to communicate- and THAT’S FREE! If you struggle with financial issues, or want to buy a home, or wish you had more money to travel or keep putting of setting up your savings account-I think this will be a great resource for you, luckily for you I have dealt with just about every cash problem out there and I have been working hard to turn it around and fix all the problems and become someone a lender is dying to give money to, I want to be able to afford all the things I want in life, I want to give my children everything in the world and I want to be secure in my old age. I think these are things that everyone has on their life lists, and if not, then they probably should be.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

LIFE LIST: HOTELS TO STAY IN

HOTELS

1. Thornbury Castle-England http://www.thornburycastle.co.uk/

2. The Connaught-England http://www.the-connaught.co.uk

3. Castle in Scotland www.balfourcastle.co.uk

4. royal Scotsman trail-Scotland www.royalscotsman.com

5. Skibo Castle-Scotland www.carnegieclub.co.uk

6. Delphi Lodge-Ireland www.delphilodge.ie

7. Adare Manor-Ireland www.adaremanor.com

8. ballynahinch castle-Ireland www.ballynahinch-castle.com

9. Ashford castle-Ireland www.ashford.ie

10. northern lights inn-Iceland www.northernlightinn.is

11. Bedouin Directions-Jordan www.wadirumjeeptours.com

12. Four Seasons Amman-Jordan www.fourseason.com/amman

13. Movenpick Resort Petra-Jordan www.movenpick-petra.com

14. American Colony Hotel Israel www.americancolony.com

15. Arctic Hotel Pohtimo/Lapland Hotel Bear’s Lodge-Finland

16. Kakslauttanen Igloo Village-Finland www.kakslauttanen.fi

17. Ritz-Russia- www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Moscow/Default.htm

18. Victoria Angkor Resort and Spa-Cambodia www.victoriahotels-asia.com

19. Villa Paradiso-Cambodia www.thevillaparadiso.com

20. Jade Screen Hotel-China www.sinohotel.com

21. Palacio Guendulain-Paloma Spain www.palacioguendulain.com

22. Hotel 1898-Barcelona www.hotel1898.com

23. Catalina las cortes-Madrid www.lascortes.madrid.it

24. Taj Lake Palace-Udaipur

India

www.tajhotels.com/palace

25. The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur www.theleela.com

26. Oberoi Udaivilas www.oberoihotels.oberoi_udaivilas.com

27. Oberoi Amarvilas-Agra www.oberoihotels.oberoi_amarvilas.com

28. Kerala houseboats-India www.keralahouseboat.org

29. Uma Paro-Bhutan www.uma.paro.como.bz

30. Taj Tashi Thimphu-Bhutan www.tajhotels.com

31. Taktshang/Tiger’s Nest-Bhutan

32. Borana Lodge-Kenya http://www.borana.co.ke/

33. Giraffe Manor-Kenya http://www.giraffemanor.com/

34. Le meridian pyramids-Egypt www.lemeridien-pyramids.com

35. Mena House Oberoi-Cairo Egyptwww.oberoihotels.com

36. mercure cairo le sphinx-Egypt www.mercure.com

37. Saalbacher hof-Austria www.sallbacherhof.at

38. Hotel Tyrolis-Austria www.tyrolis.cc

39. Aqua Dome Hotel-Austria www.aqua-dome.at

40. Das Park Hotel Sewer Pipe Hotel-Austria www.dasparkhotel.net

41. Gstaad-

Switzerland

www.palace.ch

42. Dolder Grand Resort-Switzerland www.thedoldergrand.com/en/

43. Hotel Derby-Switzerland

44. Hamburg

Germany

www.hvj.de.

45. Hotel Traube Tonbach Germany www.traubetonbach.com

46. Hotel Zugspitze-Germany www.hotel-zugspitze.de.

47. Mandarin Oriental Munich-Germany www.mandarinoriental.com/munich

48. Villa Toucan-Costa Rica

49. Springs Resort and Spa-Costa Rica

50. Sloth Hotel-Costa Rica www.slothrescue.org

51. The Pacuare Lodge-Costa Rica www.junglelodgecostarica.com

52. maccu piccu sanctuary lodge www.sanctuarylodge.com

53. Explora Rapa Nui-Easter Island www.explora.com

54. Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort-Bora Bora www.hilton.com

55. La Balade des Gnomes-Belgium www.labaladedesgnomes.be

56. Jumbo Stay-Sweden www.jumbostay..com

57. Kolarbyn Hotel-Sweden www.kolarbyn.se

58. Utter Inn-Sweden http://www.privateislandsonline.com/utter-inn.htm

59. the capsule hotel-Netherlands www.capsulehotel.info

60. Wine Barrel Hotel-Netherlands

61. Ritz Carlton-France www.ritzparis.com

62. Hotel Duquesney-France www.duquesneeiffel.com

63. Ball in a Tree-Canada www.freespiritspheres.com

64. Pikes Lodge-Alaska www.pikeslodge.com

65. Alyeska-Alaska www.alyeskaresort.com

66. Chena Hot Springs-Alaska www.chenahotsprings.com

67. Adobe Grand Villas-Arizona www.adobegrandvillas.com

68. Wigwam-Arizona www.wigwamresort.com

69. El Tovar-Arizona www.grandcanyonlodges.com

70. Shady Dell Trailor Park-Arizona www.theshadydell.com

71. Exotic Animal Resort-Arkansas www.gwpark.org

72. Riddles Elephant Sanctuary-Arkansas www.elephantsanctuary.org

73. Winvian Country Inn-Conneticut www.winvian.com

74. The Argonaut Hotel-California San Francisco www.argonauthotel.com

75. The Innsbruck-Colorado

76. Ghost Town- Colorado

77. Home Ranch-Colorado www.homeranch.com

78. Animal Kingdom Lodge-Florida www.disneyworld.disney.go.com

79. Jules Undersea Lodge-Florida www.jul.com

80. Hamilton Turner Inn-Georgia

81. The Gastonian-Georiga www.gastonian.com

82. The Drake Hotel-Illinois

83. Dog Bark Park Inn-Idaho www.dogbarkpark.com

84. Amish B&B-Indiana

85. Soniat House-Louisianna www.soniathouse.com

86. Boston Harbor Hotel-Massachusetts

87. Houseboat Rental-Minnesota www.voyaire.com

88. Nordic Inn-Minnesota www.vikinginn.com

89. Paws up Ranch-Montana www.pawsup.com

90. Tipi Village-Montana

91. Grand Hotel-Mackinac Island www.grandhotel.com

92. La Posada de Sante Fe-New Mexico www.laposada.rockresorts.com

93. Grand Bohemien Hotel NC www.bohemianhotelashville.com

94. Guest Ranch-N. D.http://www.innsnorthamerica.com/nd/Dahkotah.htm

95. Kokopelli Cave-N.M. http://www.bbonline.com/nm/kokopelli/rooms.html

96. The Bellaggio-Nevada

97. Omni Resort-New Hampshire

98. Treesort-Oregon www.treehouses.com

99. The Chanler at Cliff Walk-Rhode Island

100. Plimouth Plantation-Virginia

101. Trapp Family Lodge-Vermont www.trappfamily.com

102. stockyards hotel Texas www.stockyardshotel.com

103. Driskill Hotel-Texas www.driskillhotel.com

104. dolly partons cabins-Tennessee

105. Utah www.redcliffslodge.com

106. Utah www.steinlodge.com

107. Utah www.hotelparkcity.com

108. Bill Cody Ranch-Wyoming

109. Star Clipper Sailing Cruise

110. Hotel de Glace-Canada

111. KONA VILLAGE RESORT- HAWAII-DONE

112. HERSHEY HOTEL- PENNSYLVANIA-DONE

113. INN BY THE SEA – MAINE-DONE

114. THE ALGONQUIN- NYC-DONE

115. THE ROOSEVELT-NYC-DONE

The End of THE ULTIMATE LIFE LIST

I missed a few days, my 11 month old daughter was super ill-she is back to her normal self and now we can return to our normal lives. Here are the final two sections of my list, I will post the entire list all at one also so it can be seen in its full grandeur that it deserves.