The Ultimate Life List: January 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

A FUN LIFE LIST PROJECT!

Right now I am working on a LIFE LIST goal I've been wanting to do for YEARS....actually watch all the Oscar Nominated films before the Academy Awards. This is shaping up to be one of my favorite projects, it's like a scavenger hunt trying to track all of these movies down, there was one that was down right terrible and a waste of my life but it is interesting to watch these movies that I wouldn't typically be interesting in renting i.e. Star Trek Into Darkness. Also I hadn't been to the movies in nearly 4 years and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. There's a few I plan to just see by myself and a few that I will see with my international students so it's an easy goal to do with others too! I have 45 more movies to see in 32 days...I might have to sneak out to the show tonight!

There are several other things that I'm working on at the moment like home improvements, weight loss and perfecting my teeth I post updates, daily photos and which Oscar nom I'm watching that day on The Ultimate Life List facebook's page so if you haven't already please LIKE The Ultimate Life List on facebook by clicking here.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

LIFE LIST: KANSAS CITY BOTANIC GARDEN

Where: Kansas City Botanic Garden

When: June 2013

OBVIOUSLY this was my favorite. I heart BUFFALO!

Cost: $10

Why this is on my list: As I mentioned, Kansas City is not very 'touristy' so I had to dig to find things to do...however the things that I did find to do were very unique and interesting. I always enjoy botanic gardens and always try to find one when I'm traveling but I had no idea that this one was hosting a large nature themed LEGO exhibit which made it so much more fun to me and my 2 year old.

Something I'd recommend? It's definitely a great day out if you live in the area!

Will I go again? If I find myself in Kansas City again and the Powell Gardens are holding another exhibit, then yes. But even if we do go back this was about an hour away from where we were staying so I would probably only make the drive to see a new exhibit. When we go out of town we always drive which is a lot to ask of a toddler so I try to limit the drive time after we reach our destination.

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

10 places to take your kiddos during this COLD winter

It's colder than heck outside so taking advantage of the opportunity to play in the snow is out of the question particularly with the smaller kids but that doesn't mean the fun has to stop! Here is a list of some great INDOOR play areas in the tri-county area, several have multiple locations. My girlfriend asked me the other day if I knew of a good place to host children's birthday parties...I said I wasn't sure, then as I looked at this list I had already made I realized that most of these facilities have birthday party packages too! So keep them in mind this frigid winter I've included the links to each website for you to check the hours and prices.

LIFE LIST: VOLUNTEER

When: I started last January 2013 and I'm still doing it!

Where: In the nursery at my church.

Why this is on my list? I have always wanted to volunteer and have tried many, many times over the years. I was unsuccessful for a myriad of reasons; either they didn't need me, I wasn't 'qualified', or they just never responded to my inquiry...back in 2008 when the economy really took a nosedive in Michigan I couldn't find a job so I thought that would be a good time to become a Big Sister....they said they had no need for me. So, the economy in Michigan was actually so bad that I couldn't even get a job that paid nothing. Last year I chose the nursery at my church so it could be something I could do without spending time away from my daughter...and they accepted

Something I'd recommend? Certainly, below I created a list of possible places to volunteer both locally and globally. Obviously, wherever you volunteer you will feel fulfilled, it's very rewarding and volunteers are always appreciated.

1.Churches
2. Zoos
3. Women's Shelters
4. Hospitals
5. Museums
6. Big Brother/Big Sister
7. Habitat for Humanity
8. United Nations
9. World Wildlife Fund
10. UNESCO

Will I continue with it? I will, right now I'm working a lot and feeling a little overwhelmed so I'm going to cut back for a few months but I do intend to volunteer there indefinitely. Before I had a child, I remember driving past daycare facilities and thinking 'you couldn't pay me enough to work at a daycare.' I often find myself shaking my head thinking about the person I was before I was before I had my child....they say 'people don't change' uh, yea they do. Now, I not only LOVE working with the kids but I do for free, I drive a long distance to get there and I've got to get up early on Sundays but I genuinely enjoy it, those kids are so stinkin' cute!

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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

The Ultimate Life List

My list needed some attention, so here it is in one comprehensive long list...'my' Ultimate Life List the first chunk is things I want to do and the second block in pink are things I've already done.

Meet a President
Take the Polar Plunge
Cage dive with sharks
Plan an Event for The Wounded Warrior Project
Snowboard
Dog Sled
Start a Fire Without Matches
Stay at the Ritz in Paris
Go to Antarctica
Own a months' worth of Michigan themed clothing
Finally get my CPL
Get my book published
Wear a Trench Coat and Heels and Nothing Else in Public
Take my Daughter to Santa's Village in Finland
Ride in a Submarine
Attend the Lederhosen Festival in Austria
Go to Mardi Gras
Open a Champagne Bottle With a Knife
Walk Across Hot Coals
Travel From Russia to China on The Trans Siberian Railway
Take Archery Lessons
Go Zorbing
Walk Along the Great Wall
Take a Tour of The White House
Spend the 4th of July in D.C.
Take a Glass Blowing Class
Wear an Abaya in the Middle East
Zip Line
Storm Chase in Tornado Alley
Take a Bagpiping Lesson in Scotland
Ride a Segway
Indoor Skydive
Parasail
Chop Wood
Earn a second B.A. in German
Become a certified translator in German
Get a job with the U.S. Government
Volunteer at a Veteran's Hospital
Join the Daughter's of the American Revolution
Stay on a Working Ranch
Stay at the Taj Lake Palace in India
Be in a Flash Mob
Sleep in an Ice Hotel
Ski
White House Easter Egg Roll
Ride an Ostrich
Be buried in a Veteran's Cemetery
Join a shooting league
Dive in The Great Barrier Reef
Tutor French
Make an Ice Sculpture
Rent a Horse
Have High Tea at the Ritz in England
Go Horse Back Riding in all 50 States
Carry a Concealed Weapon
Go up in the Skyview Globe in Sweden
Get a 14K Gold Facial
Ride in a Reindeer Drawn Sleigh in Finland
30 Days of Michigan Inspired Clothing
Ride a Horse on the Beach
Go Horse Back Riding on a Glacier in Alaska
Go to the Top of Chimney Rock
Read 1 Book About Each U.S. President
Ride in a Helicopter
See the Lost City of Petra
Take a Sailing Cruise
Get a Snake Massage in Israel
Take a Sea Plane Tour
See Cirque du Soleil
Have Boudoir Photos Taken
Cattle Drive With Double Rafter Cattle Drive
Run Across the Golden Gate Bridge
Buy a Fur Coat
Go on a Lobster Boat Tour
Surf
Swim With Sea Lions in the Bahamas
Swim With dolphins
Become SCUBA Certified
Stay at the Igloo Village in Finland
Wear a Drindl in Germany
Buy a Giant Amethyst Geode
Get a Geisha Facial
Spend July 4th in D.C.
Stand Under Niagra Falls
Drink from Das Boot in Germany
See Neuschwanstein Castle
Be on a Game Show
Volunteer With the UN
Learn 50 Words/Phrases in Aramaic
Take a Hebrew Class
Be a Bee Keeper for a Day
See the Karst Mountains in China
See wulingyuan scenic area in China
Visit a Buffalo Farm
Ride the Atomium in Belgium
Become a Better Poker Player
Become Better at Billiards
Oktoberfest in Germany
See the Terra Cotta Warriors
Swim With Crocodiles in Australia
Walk Along Giant's Causeway in Ireland
Mud Walk in the Netherlands
Kizi Pogost in Russia
Experience Weightless Flight (cloud 9)
Ice Fish
Attend a Live Taping of a Talk Show
Reach my Life Goal Weight
Trapeze!
Spend a Night in an Aquarium
Take a Few Ice Skating Lessons
Walk Around the SkyWalk at the Grand Canyon
Learn How to Make Balloon Animals
Go Glamping
Drive on the Autobahn
Cooking Classes
Stand Underneath Niagra Falls
Attend a Flamenco Workshop
Own a Hot Tub
See a Baob Tree
Ride a Beer Bicycle in Germany
60 Mile Breast Cancer Walk
Have my Daughter's Name Tattooed on me
Go to The Kentucky Derby
Go to T.I.G.E.R.S. South Carolina
Donate my Hair to Locks of Love
See San Francisco by Trolley
White Water Raft
Have a Flamenco Dress Made in Spain
Go to SeaWorld
Hold a Baby Panda Bear in Chengdu
Stunning Flower Gardens at my House
Hand Painted Mural in my House
Opera Singing Lessons
Ride a Funicular
Plan a Family Reunion
Learn to Fence
Ride on a Yacht
Eat Alligator Meat
See Big Ben in England
Make a Quilt From my Daughter's Baby Clothes
Take at Least 1 Fencing Class
Be In a Commercial
Ride a Mule Inside the Grand Canyon
Watch a Khmer Dance in Cambodia
Go to a Horse Race
Visit All 7 Continents
Stained Glass Windows
See a Show at the Moulin Rouge
Swim With Manatees in Crystal River Florida
Have a Chalkboard Wall in my House
Bobsled in Switzerland
Have a Wall With all my Life Listing Pictures
Buy an Ice Sculpture
Mud Bath
Mud Wrestle
Climb the Sydney Harbor Bridge
See Wild Kangaroos in Australia
Sleep in a Cave
Go to Confession
Send an Anonymous Letter
Send a Secret to P.S.
Go to a Zydeco Bar
Rent a Houseboat
Kiss the Blarney Stone
Take an Elephant Safari in India
See the Liberty Bell
Get a boob job
Ice Fish
Have a Perfect Credit Score
Take a Covered Bridges Tour
Visit the Pineapple Farm in Hawaii
Pay Cash for a New Car
Renew our Vows in Vegas
Have a Security System and Emergency Back Up Plan
Donate to Doctors Without Borders
Donate to St Jude
Eat at a SPAM Restaurant in Hawaii
Hold a Lemur
Buy a Large Globe
Hire a Bagpiper for Something
Paint my Face for a Sports Game
Grow Pumpkins
Take a Flamenco Lesson in Spain
See a Flamenco Show in Spain
Ride a Tandem Bicycle
Visit a Flower Farm
Watch Sufi Dancers in India
Paddle/Swim with Orcas
Have a Dress Made
Eat Rattlesnake in Texas
Sydney Opera House
Pick Apples
Get a Cocktail at a Swim Up Bar
See the Highland Cows in Scotland
Pick Oranges in Florida
Pick Peaches in Georgia
Go to The Lobster Festival in Maine
Go on a Mission Trip
Ride a Snow Machine in Alaska
Retake a Childhood Photo at Wall Drug
Watch 100 French films
Take a Roman Bath in England
Tithe 10% for a Whole Year
Swim
Create a Panic Room
Join the Red Hat Society
See the Forbidden City in China
Join the PTA
Horse Ski in Switzerland
Watch 100 Documentaries
Visit a Traditional Beer Hall in Austria
Volunteer With Habitat for Humanity
Be able to play 25 songs on my violin
Learn to Play the Cello
Go on a Splash Tour in the Netherlands
Swim with Whale Sharks at Nigaloo Reef
Try Puffin in Iceland
Stonehenge
Become Debt Free
Ride a Camel to the Pyramids in Egypt
Become a Foster Parent
Llama Trek in the Smokey Mountains
Stay at the Elephant Sanctuary in Arkansas
See the Lipizzaner Stallions in Austria
Take a Pottery Class
See a Bull Fight in Spain
Angkor Vat Cambodia
See the Taj Mahal
Hold a Tiger Cub
Hold a Lion Cub
Galapagos Island
Wear Fake Eyelashes
Attend an Islamic Service
Visit the Sea Horse Farm in Hawaii
Stay at Dolly's Cabins in the Smokies
Eat in a Revolving Restaurant
Get a Bird
Surprise my Daughter With a Bunny on Easter
Buy a Bottle of Cristal
Lactation Consultant
Get Up Close With a Gorilla
Create a Living Revocable Trust
See the Christo Statue in Brazil
Hold a Koala Bear
Attend a Service at a Synagogue
Go to a Hindu Temple
Snorkel in Jelly Fish Lake
Have an Interaction With a Beluga Whale at Shedd Aquarium
Sheer a Sheep
Take 1 Tennis Lesson
See a Rodeo Out West
Give up Solids for Lent
Drive Around the USA in a Rented RV
Go to the Top of the Statue of Liberty
Visit All 50 States
Try Caribou in Alaska
25 Christmas Themed Outfits
Dye my Hair Brown
Go Snow Tubing
See a Toucan in the Wild
Get a Henna Tattoo
See the Pinnacles Desert in Australia
Actually Watch All the Oscar Nominees
Go on a Date Wearing our Wedding Clothing
Buy and Wear a Hat with Feathers
Churchill Canada Polar Bears Tour
Stay at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Gamble at a Casino in Las Vegas
Watch a Sumo Wrestling Match
Husky Safari in Finland
Video Tape my Grandpa's Stories
Make a Scrapbook
See the Giant Buddha in China
Ride in a Karaoke Taxi
Dance with my Step-Dad's Flamenco Group
Go to a Drive in Movie
Night Dive With Manta Rays in Hawaii
Work on a Project With UNESCO
Dine at the Top of the Space Needle
Easter Island
Pick Cotton
See St Basil in Russia
Buy a Sari in India
Run with the Bulls
Take a Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride in the Snow (gentlegiants.com)
Pick Grapes
Purchase a Large Amount of Butterflies for an Occasion
Go Christmas Caroling
Sleep at a Sloth Rescue in Costa Rica
Willis Tower
Acknowledge my Perfect Attendance in 5th Grade on an Application
Wear a Fun Wig
Own a Peacock
Learn a Square Dance
Pig Out on Fat Tuesday
Spend Thanksgiving in Plymouth Massachusetts
Covered Wagon Tour (wagonswestwyo.com)
Ride an Icelandic Horse...in Iceland
Take a Native American Indian Tour
Ride the Aquarium Elevator in Berlin
Go to The Newseum in D.C.
Have Dinner in the Sky in Belgium
Jump a Horse
Eat at Ninja New York
Drive Across the Millau Viaduct Bridge in France
See a Ballet in Russia
Write Something on the Black Lava in Hawaii
Float in the Dead Sea
See a Cactus in the Desert
Learn the 'Single Ladies' Dance
Walk the Walking Roller-coaster in Germany
Take an Airboat Tour
Take a College Class With my Husband
Take a Dance Class With my Husband
Swim with Humpback Whales
Cage Dive with Hammer Head Sharks
Ride a Longhorn Bull Down the Street in Texas
Hitachi Sea Side Park in Japan
Stand in 'Garden Tomb' Where Jesus Was resurrected
Go Inside the Mendenhall Ice Caves in Alaska
Walk Through a Bamboo Forrest
See the Tianzi Mountains in China
Actually Know Everything on the Voting Ballet
Attend a Service at Notre Dame in Paris
Donkey Trek in The Swiss Alps
Train Exotic Animals in Oklahoma
Surprise Someone with a Puppy (again)
Maple Sugaring
Stay at a Working Farm
Sign up for the Mrs. Michigan Pageant
Take Another English Literature Class
Attend a Pow Pow
Visit Anne Franks' House
Take a Picture With a Guard at Buckingham Palace
Join the 300 Club
Get a Personalized License Plate
Lounge in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Ride in a Cable Car
Walk Through Antelope Canyon in Arizona
Eat at a Waterfall Restaurant in the Philippines
Buy an Insanely Expensive Mattress
Walk on the Salt Flats
Take the Sound of Music Tour in Austria
Maccu Piccu
See Noah's Arc
See Belly Dancers in Egypt
Go Inside an Ice Cave in Austria
Live to See a Female President in the USA
Cook Everyday for 1 Year
Tour Buckingham Palace
Recycle All my Garbage
Buy a Green Grapes Costume
Watch a Live Birth....Preferably an Animal
Put a Prayer in the Western Wall in Israel
Have my Favorite Songs in One Place
Buy an Entire Set of Cutco Knives
See the Dazu Rock Carvings in China
Climb to Taktsang in Bhutan
Ride a Recumbent Bicycle
Attend Church Every Sunday for 1 Year
Wadi Kharrar
Spend the Night in a Castle
Guest Ranch
Gullfoss in Iceland
Wear a Bikini in Public
La Segrada Familia
Buy a Wet Suit
Ride in a Tuk Tuk
Finally Buy the $200 'Le Bon Usage' French Dictionary
Eat Icelandic Sheep
See a Real Geisha
Visit Swarovski Crystal World in Austria
See The Great Sphinx
See The Great Pyramids
Try Kangaroo Steak in Australia
Review Hotels
See the Northern Lights
Ride a Totora Boat in Peru
Buy a Cigar Store Indian
Ballet Clothing
Hike Through Arches National Park in Utah
Drink a Cocktail out of a Fruit
See a Glacier
Giraffe Manor in Kenya
See Uluru in Australia
Fissure Snorkel in Iceland

Watch a Cage Fight
Krav Maga
Tour The Pentagon
Pass the Level 1 Krav Maga test
Shoot a Handgun
Shoot Sporting Clays
See the Mona Lisa
Spend a Day at Versailles
See the Bank Jesse James Robbed
Stay at the Hyatt at the Arch Hotel
Spend Christmas Day at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier
Sneak into a Stranger's Wedding
Eat at Cinderella's Castle
See the Kansas City Public Library
Eat at a Restaurant featured on the Food Network
Get my Braces Off
See My Daughter Dance With Prince Charming
An Onstage Flamenco Performance
Fly First Class to Paris
Skydive
Go to Punxatawney for Groundhog Day
Go to the Top of The Arc de Triomph
Skinny Dip
Take a Flying Lesson
Write and Submit my Book Proposal
Swim With Sea Turtles
Visit a Gospel Church
Go to Shipshewana
Mt Rushmore
Go to the Top of the Eiffel Tower
Find my Giant Lobster
Visit the Louvre
Visit L.L. Bean in the Middle of the Night
Ride a Trolley
Learn to Play the Violin
Swedish Massage
Go to Sesame Place
Sesame Place Halloween Spooktacular
See an Active Volcano
Get a Black Eye
Translate a Book Into Another Language
Oil Paint
Snorkel
Ice Skate in Rockefeller Center
Play With Baby Bears
Millennium Park in Chicago
Surprise Visit Someone in Another State
Fly in a Surprise Visitor
Take an Amish Horse and Buggy Ride
Dye my Hair Red
See the Shoe House
Buy a House
Donate Blood
Take Dressage Lessons
Polynesian Dance Class
Perform in a Hula Dance Show
Ride a Train
Meet my Soul Mate
Visit an Alpaca farm
Wait to Discover the Sex of our Baby
Earn my Associate's Degree
Eurobungy
Earn my B.A. in French Language and Literature
Hire Cinderella
Become a Certified French Translator
Rescue a Kitten
Take a Castle Tour in Loire Valley
Drive Down the Curviest Street in the World
Stay at the Kona Village Resort
See Cloudgate
Walk 5 Miles/Day for 50 Days
Study College Level Russian
Study College Level Arabic
See The Akaka Falls
Get a Physical
Get a Cocktail to-go
Experience Pregnancy
See an Active Volcano
Visit Savannah
Stay in a Bed and Breakfast
Stay at The Animal Kingdom Lodge
Feed a Giraffe
Give a Gag Gift at a Wedding
Eat at Paula Dean's Restaurant
See the Giant Redwoods in California
Take a Boat Ride in Central Park
Hold an Alligator
See Wormsloe Plantation
Have Surgery
See The Blue Man Group Live
Buy a Pair of Gucci Shoes on 5th Ave
Take a Ride in a Pedicab
Hot Air Balloon Ride
Dance on Top of a Bar in NYC
Dance on Stage at a Concert
Meet Someone Famous
Go to the Top of the Washington Monument
Go on a Mystery Dinner Train Ride
Eat at Cheers in Boston
Meet the Naked Cowboy in NYC
Hold a Monkey
See The Changing of The Guard in D.C.
Go to the Opera
Ride in a Limo
Go to a Luau in Hawaii
Become CPR Certified
Legoland
Disney World
Top of the Gateway Arch
Stay at the Hotel Hershey
Get Engaged Under the Eiffel Tower
Drive Through Safari
Translate Professionally
Learn How to Crochet
Drive Around an Entire Island
Hula Outfit
Buy a Flamenco Dress
Flamenco Shawl
Stand Barefoot in the Black Sand Beach
Hot Stone Massage
Facial
Manicure/Pedicure
Give Birth
Have Something Waxed
Have Something Pierced
Go to Cedar Point
Ride a Jet Ski
Milk a Cow
Drink Dom Perignon
Genealogy of my mom's family
Own a Dodge Charger
Sleep in the nude
Gain Recognition for The Best Hugger Award
Be a Bridesmaid
Get Braces
Get a Funny Tattoo
Get Matching Tattoos
See a Psychic
Get Acupuncture
Sing in a Band
Plant 100 Trees
Have my Portrait Painted
Have my Portrait Painted Along the Seine in Paris
Swedish Massage
Kansas City Botanic Garden
Own a Piece of History
Work With Horses
Start a LIFE LIST Blog
Tour a Brewery
Do Wedding Flowers Out of my House
Take a Spinning Class
Aerobics
Buy a Nice Camera
Juice
Buy Meat From a Butcher
Become a Mother
Have a daughter
Breastfeed
Donate my Breast Milk
Become a Floral Designer
Work at a Horse Stable
Have a housekeeper
Make a blanket
Shop at Tiffany's on 5th Avenue
Fancy Photo Shoot
Eat Kobe Beef
Go to the Movies Alone
Go to the Top of the Empire State Building
Get an iphone
Volunteer
T Rex Cafe
Good Furniture
Eat Black Truffles
Grow Sunflowers
Stand in the Southern Most Tip of The USA
Paint a Coconut and Mail it
Watch Square Dancers
Buy a Flat Screen
Buy a Pair of Gucci Shoes on 5th Ave
Buy a Versace Top in Paris
Medieval Times
Buy Cast Iron Pans
Have my Make Up Professionally Done
Apologize to those I've hurt
Go Fishing
Be A Part Of A Flashmob
Put a Boa Around My Neck
Swim With Sting Rays
BYOB Painting
Watch All The Oscar Nominated Films Before The Academy Awards
Go On A Cruise To The Bahamas

Monday, January 20, 2014

LIFE LIST: T-REX CAFE

When: June 2013

Where: T REX CAFE in Kansas City Kansas

Why this is on my list? I took my daughter on a day of LIFE LISTING fun, we went to Legoland, the Kansas City Aquarium, a train themed restaurant, a crayola restaurant and then I thought if we had time we'd go to this T REX CAFE for dinner...what I didn't realize was that it was in Kansas. As I crossed over the state line into Kansas from Missouri I was thinking how cool this was because it was a new state for me, I was also thinking about the fact that there was not 1 person who even knew I was in Kansas at this point. The T REX CAFE is a sister restaurant to the Rainforest Cafe which we love for the ambiance so to find a dinosaur themed restaurant...this was a no brainer.

Something I'd recommend? This was indisputably the coolest restaurant I've ever been to. I loved everything about it. Every flawless centimeter was in either the Jurassic, Mesozoic or Ice Age motif including the titles of the meals and drinks. I live for places like this! Anything fun, over the top and wild has my full attention and enthusiasm. This place was a million times better than I had hoped it would be, I thought the Rainforest Cafe did a good job with its animatronic jungle creatures and decor-the T-REX CAFE blew them out of the water. I certainly recommend a visit though there are only 2 locations that I am aware of, the other is in Downtown Disney World in Florida.

Will I go again? Are dinosaurs extinct? Of course I'll go again, we were going to go to the one in Disney but there was a really long wait. What I loved about Kansas City was that even though it is not a huge vacation destination we found some of the most unique things to do there. I was a great trip.

The Bathroom..that's hysterical.

For a very small fee you could go inside the play-totally worth it!

2 of my favorite things in 1 place...dinosaurs and huge amethyst geodes! I was in heaven.

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What's the most unique restaurant you've been to?

Thursday, January 9, 2014

50 life list ideas

These are all experiences that I think everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. The items on this list are attainable to anyone regardless of gender or adult age and are affordable. The following list of 50 life list ideas are all things that I have done and all right here in my home state of Michigan. Though this list is not exclusive to Michiganders, in fact, these are things you could pretty much do wherever you live with the exception of Deleware, I assume you can't do any of these things in there because there is absolutely nothing to do in Deleware. So if you want to start a LIFE LIST but don't know where to begin, begin right in your home state!

Skydive
Ride a Motorcycle
Hot Air Balloon
Ride a Horse
Surprise Someone
Hot Stone Massage
Ice Skate
Fly First Class
Volunteer
Buy a Puppy
Rescue a Kitten
Acupuncture
Take a Flying Lesson
See a Psychic
Go Tubing Down a River
Sing Karaoke
Shoot a Handgun
Shoot Sporting Clays
Ride a Jet Ski
Take a Self Defense Class
Go Camping
Go to a Casino
Crash a Wedding
Go to the Opera
Meet Someone Famous
Learn How to Make a Flower Arrangement
Graduate From College
Learn a New Language
Get a Tattoo
Plant 100 Trees
Get a Manicure/Pedicure
Get a Facial
Paint a Picture
Crochet a Scarf
Fish
Learn to Play a Musical Instrument (violin)
Go to an Inflatable Bounce House
Plant a Garden
Go on a Blind Date
Donate Blood
Milk a Cow
Go Skinny Dipping
See a Drive In Movie
Hula Dance
Learn to Flamenco Dance
Take a Spinning Class
Take a Mystery Dinner Train Ride
Become CPR Certified
Fall in Love
Drink Dom Perignon

If you have any inquiries about any of the above LIFE LIST experiences please email me at Allisonslifelist@gmail.com

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Which of these experiences have you had? Will you do any of these things this year?

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

LIFE LIST:GROW SUNFLOWERS

“There are not too many fables about mans misuse of sunflower seeds” Richard Brautigan
Where: Originally I planted these in my back yard but my dad didn't realize they were there and mowed over them. He was trying to be nice doing us a favor when we were out of town, I didn't say anything about it but I had been watching them grow for about 6 weeks and was a little bummed, but I decided even though according to the instructions, it was a little late in the season (late June) I'd try replanting anyhow and this is what they looked like by the middle of August!

When: I planted these in June and they bloomed in August.

Cost: Less than $5

Why this is on my list: I just like sunflowers. I love passing a large field of bloomed sunflowers and always knew that when I had a house one day I wanted to plant my own.

That's one happy little bee right there.

Something I'd recommend? Yes, in fact, I read this article in Time Magazine after mine had bloomed about the possibility of the Bumble Bee going extinct and it made me feel so fulfilled about my contribution to their food supply. "One thing we can all do to help is by planting bee friendly flowers in backyard gardens and keeping them free of pesticides." Not only do I recommend planting sunflowers but I'd like to encourage you to plant just a few seeds each year in an effort to help save the Honeybee!! Honeybees were all over my sunflowers, so it's a win-win, they get to eat organic pollen and you have the pleasure of watching these enormously beautiful flowers grow right in your yard.

Will I do it again? Absolutely. Not only is it a fun thing to do with my daughter, they are beautiful to look at but now that I know what I know about bees I will plant more this year just for them! Some people like to feed the birds...I'm gonna feed the bees. The annual value of the Honeybee to agricultural farming is over $15 billion and unfortunately they are dying off in extreme numbers most likely due to the large amounts of pesticides used on our foods today. Without the Honeybee we will start to see our fruit and vegetable supply diminish rapidly, and there are some foods like almonds which are completely dependent on Honeybee pollination. Hannah Nordhaus wrote a book called The Beekeepers Lament and says that "Honeybees are the glue that holds our agricultural system together". So, who's with me?

“The sunflower is mine, in a way” Vincent Van Gogh

If you have pictures of sunflowers you have grown please post them to The Ultimate Life List's facebook page!

Have you grown sunflowers?
Will you this year to help save the Honeybee?

Monday, January 6, 2014

15 awesome finds at one of Michigan's finest small businesses

Several years ago I found this unique small business in one of my favorite towns in Michigan. Over time I've become close with the lovely family who owns The Birdfeeder/Bonnie and Clyde in Clarkston. They like to offer their customers a large variety of locally made and Mitten inspired products. About 2 years ago I decided to start a blog for the Michigan Enthusiast but have not found the time, recently one of the owners of this family run business mentioned they were looking for someone to blog about their store. Without hesitation I accepted the job...it was not necessarily offered to me...but I accepted none the less.

This family owned store has blossomed over the past 22 years into 3 different, yet combined shops; there's the boutique called Bonnie and Clyde where you can find the latest trends in clothes, jewelry, shoes, belts, scarves...etc. The Birdfeeder is where you can find every thing you need to take care of the wild birds in your yard but also is where you can find home decor items, Michigan made products and gifts. Then they also have The Clarkston Flower Shoppe with a group of very talented designers who love to think outside of the box to create unforgettable floral arrangements. It's basically all things that I love in one spot. In fact, if I owned a business it would be very similar to this one, so I am very excited about my new opportunity to write about this store that is totally Ultimate Michigander worthy. Though this charming boutique has no shortage of Michigan made treasures you can also find all sorts of other unique goodies...

1. It's so cold in the D koozie from Detroit Apparel Factory out of Clarkston $4