12.30.2016

PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION - LOOKING BACK AT 2016

I'm a big time goal setter and always have been.  I love how having a goal means I have a clear vision of where I want to be or what I want to do.  It helps me stay focused.  However, just because I set goals doesn't mean that I always hit them.  I'd say I might hit 50%.  Is that discouraging sometimes?  Of course!  I want to do what I want to do, right?  So, I've had to learn to be ok with progress, not perfection.  Let me explain...


During 2016, I have had some BIG goals:

1.  I wanted to hit Platinum with Young Living Essential Oils.  I didn't hit that goal, but I did work hard all year to help people live healthier lives and make some extra income to help Ironman and me out financially!

2.  I also wanted to attend Young Living Essential Oils International Convention (which I did), the Gold Retreat (which I didn't get to attend), and all my team Lemon Dropper events (which I did)...2 out of 3 is pretty good in my book!

3.  The East Coast Road Trip with Ironman didn't happen, but we basically traveled all year to places like Salt Lake City, Denver, all over South Carolina, North Carolina, some in Tennessee, drove the Blue Ridge Parkway, went on a cruise and more.  So, no...I didn't get my road trip, but I'd still say we did a good bit of traveling!

4.  Finish writing my book...haha, that's funny, but I worked on it a good bit this year during the Winter and Spring!

5.  We did good with paying off $3,000 extra towards debt...done!

6.  I didn't follow along The One Challenge exactly, but sort of made up my own version.  Since I am not in the habit of exercising regularly, I wanted to make that change in my lifestyle.  I worked hard all year long and now work out 5 days a week consistently!

7.  And not all the renovations are done, however we are done with the bathroom, the laundry room is at least inside the house now, we re-piped the new bathroom and we insulated the attic.  So, we have a lot left to do, but we got a lot done this year!

As you can see, I didn't hit every single one of my goals.  But, because I made those goals, I spent the entire year focused and working towards getting things done.  So, remember not to focus on being perfect, but focus on your progress...look at where you were and how far you've come.  Check off your goals and make new ones.

What are some goals that you set and hit during 2016?




12.29.2016

WINTER 2016 BUCKET LIST

Did you know that Winter didn't officially start until December 21st?  I didn't!  I thought it began on December 1st.  Lesson learned.  Tuesday on the blog, you saw my Fall 2016 Bucket List wrapped up...now, it's time to move on and do my 1st Winter Bucket List!

My table is ready for winter...and yes, I'm standing on my table.

1.  enjoy the Christmas lights in town
2.  watch ELF just one more time (if Ironman will let us...he's sick of my obsession)
3.  ride in a horse drawn carriage
4.  make my own homemade hot chocolate (didn't get around to it)
5.  build a snowman (which means it has to snow enough...so no snowman this year)
6.  go ice skating (nope)
7.  build a gingerbread house
8.  watch my top Christmas movies
9.  make a pine cone wreath (still have the pine cones...)
10.  spend a weekend in Beaufort (we spent a day instead)
11.  bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail (fail)
12.  take a day trip to Camden (didn't get to this)
13.  write down my goals for 2017 before January 1st
14.  get a massage (I wish)
15.  go on a romantic Valentines date
16.  host a bonfire with friends
17.  go to the gym to enjoy the sauna...a lot
18.  go sledding for the 1st time (no such luck)

To see my lifetime Bucket List click HERE!

Now, tell me what's on your Winter Bucket List...I can always edit mine!



12.27.2016

FALL 2016 BUCKET LIST WRAP UP

So, this was the first time I did a seasonal Bucket List and I'd say that it was a success!  Here is my list, I checked it twice.

Things to do and see during Fall 2016...

1.  play hide and go seek in a corn maize
2.  have a picnic in Charleston...went to Charleston and had a great time, but didn't do a picnic
3.  carve a pumpkin for my front porch

4.  find the best pumpkin spice latte around
5.  play tourist in my own town...check it out HERE!
6.  jump in a pile of leaves...I decided this was dumb and I didn't want to do it after all
7.  go on a hayride (ended up going on a wagon ride instead!)
8.  bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail...the weekend we planned this turned out to be too cold

9.  get a Fall pedicure (no hot pink allowed)
10.  make and eat some caramel apples (this turned out to be a Pinterest fail)
11.  host an open house...hosted my first Friendsgiving instead!
12.  enjoy the Lights Before Christmas at the Riverbanks Zoo...it was meh
13.  have a sauna and whirlpool day at the gym with friends
14.  go geocaching...another one I decided I really don't care to do
15.  take a hike...done on our weekend camp trip, check it out below

16.  participate in The 6 Items Challenge
17.  go on a weekend camp trip...check it out HERE!

18.  cruise the Blue Ridge Parkway...DONE!  I was excited about this one because it's been on a huge lifetime Bucket List for a decade!
19.  go on a moonlight kayak trip...I really want to do this, but it didn't work out
20.  explore Lynches River County Park...want to go?  
21.  bake an apple pie
22.  get a facial
23.  go see the lights during Christmas at Biltmore for our anniversary...turns out that was way more expensive that we thought, so we didn't do it this year
24.  watch ELF 5,786,932 times...ok, I might not have watched it that many times, but I got in a few!




Did you do anything fun during this past fall?  I'd love to hear so that I can be ready for next fall!

Now, it's time for my first Winter Bucket List...check back here Thursday to find out what I have planned!


12.24.2016

THE STORY OF A SURVIVOR - 15 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

Here is an old post that comes up at the same time each year:

On December 21st, 2001 my mom was severely burned...over 35% of her body was 3rd degree burns.

We were having an early Christmas dinner and when we went to refill the Fondue burner, it exploded.  While my sisters ran upstairs to hide and my dad threw my mom on the floor and rolled her around, I ran back and forth to the kitchen 2 times with water in a faded green tupperware container.  When the fire was out, my mom held up her arms and her skin was hanging off.  She asked for a mirror and ibuprofen.  We had no idea what we were doing, so we ran to get our beach towels, soaked them in water and covered her skin in them.  After calling one of my parents friends, Greg Bryce, he arrived and we helped my mom walk, yes walk, out to our land cruiser and drive her to the nearest hospital. 


She sat in the Bolivian hospital for 5 days, slowly dying, because they didn't know what to do with her either!  My dad was snapping photos like crazy and sending them back to a friend (and Doctor) in the USA, Peter Zavell, who told him that my mom needed to get to the USA or she wouldn't make it.  My dad, a doctor, two nurses and a friend flew my mom on a regular airplane to Miami and then from Miami they were picked up and flown to the Augusta Burn Clinic. 

My dad left me and my sisters behind in Bolivia.  I remember going to the airport to say goodbye.  She was in the ambulance and we were peeking in the window to look at her and talk to her.  I didn't think that I would even see her again.  A week later my dad returned to Bolivia with plans to take me and my sisters back to the USA with him.  We had trouble getting out of the country because my mom wasn't there to sign paperwork.  I remember my dad had brought back gifts from North Metro Church...a purple hairdryer and a makeup case.  After he told us to pack 2 weeks worth of stuff for our trip, I took my new hairdryer and makeup, some clothes and shoes and packed them into my pink monogramed duffle. 

Once we arrived in the USA, we were picked up in Miami by my Uncle Russell and we went home to our 800 sq ft house.  My 3 sisters and I shared a tiny room with 2 bunks.  When we went into our room to dump our bags, we found that people had left gifts on our beds.  Sweet Pea Body Spray from Bath and Body Works was one of my gifts and Cucumber Melon Body Spray was one of my sisters gifts...to this day, if I smell those scents, I am immediately brought back to that bedroom.  People had furnished our entire house, decorated it for Christmas, filled up the kitchen with food and so much more. 

My mom ended up surviving, so we stayed in the USA for 5 months, enrolling in private school during that time and waiting until she could travel again.  I went one time to Georgia to visit my mom in the hospital with my mimi.  My mom had something that looked like seaweed stapled all over her skin.  I got so sick, I had to sit down and put my head between my legs so that I wouldn't pass out. 

A few weeks into our time in the USA, I remember Margaret and Sarah Charles picking us up and taking us shopping at the mall.  I still remember getting into her car, sitting down, leaning my head back on the seat and feeling so relieved that someone (an adult) was taking care of us.  I felt like I could relax a little and that someone else was in charge.  Margaret bought me a pair of Express Jeans a red T-shirt from American Eagle.  I will never forget it.  Things were so hectic and I was the oldest, so I felt very responsible to "mother" my little sisters...do their hair, get them dressed for school, make sure they are ok, etc.  But, I was still only 16 myself and, at that time, I wanted to be babied a little bit too!

After 5 months, my mom was finally able to return to Bolivia.  When we got back, we still hadn't celebrated Christmas, so we got to open all our gifts and celebrate Christmas in June!  For 2 years after her accident, we helped my mom with taking off her compression suit, bathing, applying creams, putting a clean compression suit on, taking her meds and much more! 

Because she was burned, she began to visit the burn clinic in Cochabamba, Bolivia and from that she ended up founding her own non-profit, Burn Care International.  She saw that, just like her, burn victims in Bolivia were not getting good care.  Today, she not only has her own office in the Burn Clinic in Bolivia, but she travels around the world and helps burn victims in developing countries like China, Ethiopia and many others!

Every time I think about my mom's accident, I am reminded of Romans 8:28 - And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose.

Although that was the hardest time in my life, I know that it was in God's plan.

I am so thankful to each and every friend and family member who helped us and cared for our family...I know that we are truly loved by many!

And I am so thankful that my mom not only survived, but now she is changing lives all around the world!


Please take a moment to visit her website and consider making a donation so that she can continue to help burn victims around the world!  We would greatly appreciate any mention of this ministry to potential donors, especially for year-end donations, corporate donations, and family trust donations!  All donations are tax deductible and no amount is too large or too small - 100% goes towards ministry.  It is an investment that changes lives and gives patients a chance for a good recovery.

Click HERE to visit Burn Care International's website to learn more about this non-profit, my mom, the patients and the ministry around the world!


12.15.2016

THE 4 PLACES I DO AND DON'T RECOMMEND FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Christmas lights are a must during this time of year.  I love to drive through neighborhoods and see houses all lit up and bright, but it's hard to find neighborhoods where enough houses do it to make it worth driving through.  Because of this, we usually get our Christmas light fix in by visiting places that specifically set up their lights for visitors.  I know there are lots of options, but I want to share my own recommendations this year!

Night of a Thousand Candles
at Brookgreen Gardens

Lights Before Christmas at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - This was our first outing to see lights this year and it was just meh.  So many people talked about how much they enjoyed the lights at the zoo, so I had been really excited to put it on my Bucket List and go see it for myself.  It cost $11 per adult.  We had dinner at the restaurant and it wasn't that great.  Then we had s'mores and it was pretty expensive.  Most of the animals were asleep, so we didn't get to see any (which we knew was likely so that was ok).  However, I had been expecting some pretty great lights and was really disappointed.  It was cold and we basically just walked through the zoo once, thought that several hours had passed, checked the time and saw it had been only an hour and a half...so we decided we had seen everything there was to see and went back home.  This was not worth the price, so I wouldn't recommend it...but, I have to say, we still had fun because of the great company!

My sister, Yahyee, and me!

Ironman and my brother in law, Jason, making s'mores.

Ironman and me :)

This was the best looking display at the entire zoo!

Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park - I really enjoyed seeing the lights at Saluda Shoals because we got to stay in our warm car the majority of the time!  There were tons of other cars there too, so it was a long wait to drive into the park and we had to drive pretty slowly throughout the lights, but it didn't bother me at all.  It cost $15 per car and there was an area where you could stop, get out of the car to walk around a bit, participate in some kids activities and get some snacks like hot chocolate and make s'mores.  I highly recommend you go before the year is up!  Plus, if you are trying to spend less while having fun, this was more affordable than the Riverbanks Zoo and Brookgreen Gardens.

The train was my favorite lights set up!

Us with Ironman's brother, Kevin, and his girlfriend, Allison!

Lights4Paws on Mears Drive - This was short and sweet and I really enjoyed it!  There is no fee, just a donation box and all donations go to the Florence Area Humane Society.  It is a short walk with more lights than I've ever seen in one place.  There is also a little station with a bon fire and hot chocolate.  The people were so nice and friendly and it seems like a great place to come with kids.  I would highly recommend this place if you live in Florence!

Us with my sister, Magpie!

Night of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens - Ironman and I see the lights here every year.  It's been our tradition since our honeymoon!  I love it because there are different areas with lights and they decorate each area slightly different every year, so I'm always curious to see how it's changed.  There is a food tent with food, drinks and snacks and tons of tents with skits and music and various entertainment.  It costs $18 per person (the prices have increased over the years), but it makes a great date night spot.  Take your significant other to a dinner at Bonefish Grill and then come see the lights and I guarantee you, you'll have a great time!  We love this place and it's our favorite every single year!

I love when they have the lights
hanging down from the trees!

We take a photo here, in the same spot, every year!
Where do you like to go to see some amazing Christmas lights?  I'd love an idea of where to go in town on Christmas Eve!


12.13.2016

OUR TOP SIX CHRISTMAS MUST WATCH LIST

It's beginning to look at lot like Christmas.  Which means, Christmas movies...lots of Christmas movies.  

I'm not ashamed to say that I absolutely love to watch the Hallmark Channel Christmas Movies.  Yes, I know that they are corny and usually have bad acting, but I love them anyway and don't mind the endless teasing from family and friends.  They are probably just jealous.  I came to the realization yesterday that I must love these cheesy movies so much because there is no snow here in South Carolina, which makes it oftentimes not feel like Christmas.  So, when I snuggle up and watch a Hallmark Christmas movie with snow and all, it makes me feel more festive.  Basically, I'm living through the Hallmark movie characters all through the holidays.  The downside is that I don't have cable, so unless I go to my parents house, or Dan and Dee Temples house or Emily Christopher's house, I don't get to enjoy Hallmark!  Sad, right?  So, instead, when I am home, I watch my few DVD's, rent RedBox movies and stream Netflix.


Ironman and I are not afraid to relax.  We are actually pros.  And practice makes perfect...we practice a lot.  Our favorite thing to do is enjoy our Friday night date night at home, instead of going out.  We've usually spent the entire week with people and been all over town for work and errands, so it's so great to come home Friday and have a night in to catch up and have some down time together.

By 5pm Friday night, I put on my pjs, my purple polka dot bathrobe and fuzzy slippers, get on the couch with my soft blanket and am totally content.  We love to get out our huge cutting board and load it up with finger foods like salami, cheese, grapes, olives and bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil with oregano, basil, thyme and rosemary essential oils.  And we have recently become wine snobs after watching all the seasons of White Collar, so of course, we've got to have our red wine.  Don't forget a bar of dark chocolate either.  We know how to party.

During the year, we stumble upon different Netflix shows, but during the holidays, we have certain movies that we always enjoy watching.  A Christmas Carol used to freak me out as a kid, but now I love it!  We always watch ELF the night that we set up our Christmas tree...and treat ourselves to hot chocolate with marshmallows and whipped cream too.  I always look forward to singing along to White Christmas.  We love all the Harry Potter movies all year, but they do feel like Christmas because of the scarves and gloves and coats and snow, so we watch them during the holidays too.  Miracle on 34th Street used to be boring, but I love it now!  And even It's a Wonderful Life has gotten better with time...we watched it every year when I was growing up so I think that I sort of burned out on it for a while!  We even love to watch Home Alone and Home Alone 2.

It's funny how much we love our traditions.  It's not that these movies are the best movies ever, but now I feel like it's not Christmas until we have watched them!  What are your favorite movies to watch during the holidays?  Or if you don't like to watch movies, what is your favorite tradition?



12.08.2016

9 LESSONS IN 9 YEARS

Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary!  I can't believe how quickly time has flown.  Sometimes it feels like we have only been married a few years.  But, then I think of all we have done together and how much we have traveled and it feels like a lifetime.  I can't even describe how much I love Ironman.  He is faithful to me, my biggest encourager, patient when I'm crazy, sensitive to my needs, a hard worker and good provider, a great listener and loved by all who know him.  Every time I think about him, I thank God that He put us together!

Summer 2005...where it all began!

I remember before we got married, a lot of people were warning us of how hard it was going to be.  Many people said that the first year would be the worst.  We were both so freaked out.  However, as the first year passed, we kept talking about how we didn't feel like it was hard.  I mean, sure, it was hard in some ways...we were still full time students (I took 21 hours each semester) and we worked all the hours that we weren't in class or sleeping.  But, I think that we were so happy to be together that we didn't even care that it was hard.  So, we got to the end of our first year and I remember us being so happy that we made it through and had loved it!  Then, people said, "well, it's really year 3 that's the hard one".  We also heard year 5.  Finally, year 7 was "if you make it past year 7, you are set".  I'm happy to say we "made it" through all those years: 1, 3, 5 and 7.  Why do people even say those things?  It scared us and had us prepared for the worst when being married has actually been the happiest time in my life!  So, it got me thinking that maybe it wasn't that it wasn't hard, but maybe it was that Ironman and I set up some good habits that carried us through.  With that in mind, here at the top 9 things that I believe helped us and could help you too!


1.  Go to bed together at the same time every single night.  Before we got married, someone told us this advice and I thought it was sort of weird, but we did it anyway.  I can only remember maybe 3-5 nights that we were home and went to bed at different times over the past 9 years.  No, it's not fun when you aren't tired and your husband is, but that gives you a great chance to whip out a good novel and get in some reading.  Now, after 9 years of doing it, I believe that everyone should.  There's something special about deciding together that it's time for bed, shutting all the lights off in the house, brushing your teeth together, talking about your day, discussing what's happening tomorrow and falling asleep together.  It makes me feel like we conquered a day together and we are a team.

February 14th, 2006...1st Valentines together!

2.  Be a good fighter.  If you are mad, say it.  If something hurt you, say it.  If you are irritated, say it.  Don't hold things in and bottle them up.  Eventually you will burst and it will most likely cause a huge fight.  If you handle each small thing as it comes up, it gives you the chance to talk through it before it's been going on for too long.  Also consider how the other person is feeling.  Just because Ironman hurt my feelings, didn't mean that he wanted to.  I know his character and I know that he would never do something hurtful on purpose.  I think that Ironman and I get along so well because we fight so well.  When we have a disagreement, we talk it out right then and there.  I say everything I'm thinking.  Ironman says everything he is thinking.  We get it all out.  We talk through every detail.  We do not leave until we have resolved it.  Then, it's done...for good.  I've heard that it's common for couples to get in fights and throw past offenses at each other, but I can't really remember what we have fought about over the past years of marriage.  I truly believe this is because we fight it out until it is truly over and resolved, so there is never any need to revisit the fight and never any grudges held.

3.  Put each other first.  You may want to go out with friends, but your wife wants to stay home and relax.  You may want a new pair of shoes, but your husband really needs a new pair of work pants.  You may want to vacation in the mountains, but your wife wants a cruise.  I'm not saying always do what they want and never what you want, but talk through things together and come to an agreement so that no one feels taken advantage of forgotten.  Plus, when Ironman gets to have something he's really been wanting, it feels good to watch his excitement and enjoy the time with him.

June 2007...we're engaged!

4.  Don't put each other down.  I always heard my Grandma Jackson say how she hated how TV shows will make it look like the wife is smart and runs the family and the husband is just some dumb loser that causes problems.  She wouldn't watch shows like that and told me I should never say anything bad about my husband in public or private.  No one is perfect, so why concentrate on someone else's less desirable qualities?  Do you want them to, in turn, focus on yours?  So, I have done my best to only say things that encourage and support Ironman.  Sure, I'm a joker and love to tease, but I have never said something negative about his character and never plan to.  The world is harsh and I've heard other people put Ironman down and seen how it hurts him, so I want to be the one that he can count on to always have his back.

5.  Make your house a place of Peace.  A few years ago, Ironman told me that his favorite part of the day was coming home.  I was so happy to hear that!  He told me that he really appreciates how I keep everything straight and tidy, it always smells good and it's quiet and comfortable.  Because I know that he appreciates those things, I have always tried to keep it that way for him.  He works hard and deserves to come home and feel rested.

December 8th, 2007...we're married!

6.  Be friends with each other.  I think that this is so important.  Ironman and I love to watch Netflix together once we find a good series.  We also love to travel.  We love pizza.  We recently have become wine snobs.  We enjoy going on bike rides together.  We talk about everything.  We miss each other during the day when Ironman leaves for work.  We laugh.  We make plans.  We dream.  We are truly friends.  I still need my girlfriends, but I'm so thankful that I'm friends with my husband.  He knows me better than any one else and I can totally be myself with him, the good and the bad, and he still loves me.

7.  Pray for one another.  I have to admit, I'd not great about taking the time to sit down and pray for things.  I'm better at praying here and there throughout the day as things and people pop up in my mind.  But, one thing that I started to do is pray for Ironman each morning when he leaves for work.  He always wakes up at 6am, has his shower, breakfast, etc and comes back to the bedroom to hug me and kiss me goodbye (I'm still snuggled up in my warm bed at this point).  As I hear him walk through the house and shut the back door, I begin to pray for him.

Caribbean Cruise for our Honeymoon!

8.  Be the type of spouse you want your spouse to be.  I heard this a few years ago and loved it.  I know that it's easy to see the faults in your spouse and wish that they would change, but they may never change and that may only cause you to be depressed and bitter.  It is better to make sure that you are the type of spouse that you want to be married to.  For example, if I wish for Ironman to give me thoughtful gifts, then that's what I should do for him.  Or if I wish that Ironman would work out and stay in great shape, then I should do so.  If I wish that Ironman would spend time reading his Bible more, then that's what I should do.  It's not fair to expect Ironman to do things that I'm not even willing to do.  And even if I am, it doesn't mean that he will ever be.  The point is to put Ironman first.  Be the things that you want to see in your spouse.  You never know if your actions will influence them to change!

9.  Take care of yourself.  When you meet your spouse and fall in love, you are most likely very attracted to them...their physical appearance, shape, way they dress, their hair, style, etc.  I know I really liked how tall, muscular and fit Ironman was!  But just because we have been married, doesn't change that. I really appreciate how he still takes care of himself, eats well and exercises.  And I know that Ironman appreciates when I take care of myself too...me caring for myself shows him that I care about him.  So, I think it's important for us to do our best to keep the qualities that our spouse fell in love with from the beginning.  It's true people change over the years and as we age, but it doesn't have to mean that we neglect ourselves and "let go".

Thank you Tom, Sally, Jim and Ruth for raising such a wonderful person!  And thank you Nick, for choosing me and giving me these 9 exciting years...I will always love you and look forward to many more adventures with you!







12.06.2016

OUR REVERSE BUCKET LIST

We have a HUGE Bucket List and I'm always trying to cross things off, but I don't want to forget to be grateful for all that I've already done.  In order to remind myself to be thankful for what we've already accomplished, I've written down my reverse Bucket List...a list of things that we've already checked off!

3.  drive the ENTIRE Blue Ridge Parkway

Blue Ridge Parkway 2016


6.  run a Color Run (5k)

Greenville 2013

7.  do the Cooper River Bridge Run (10k)

Cooper River Bridge Run 2016

13.  tour the Greek isles

Greece 2003

23.  fly first class internationally26.  live on a boat

Logos Hope 2009

31.  ride in a helicopter34.  spot The Little Mermaid in Denmark
36.  smell the flowers in Holland

Holland 2009

37.  hit Gold with Young Living Essential Oils

On stage in front of 20,000 people!!!...Salt Lake City 2016

42.  go island hopping in the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands 2012

46.  stand on the equator

Ecuador 2001

54.  go to a Ball60.  live in a foreign country65.  go surfing on sand dunes

Peru 1997

69.  spend the night in a castle

Ireland 2014

86.  go on a Caribbean cruise

Cozumel 2015

87.  go skinny dipping
93.  go white water rafting
97.  get a Tattoo
98.  hike the Inca Trail


Bolivia 2001

103.  see the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon 2012

105.  own a pair of Cowgirl boots
106.  float in the Dead Sea


Dead Sea 2005

107.  ride a camel in Africa
108.  go to the top of the Eiffle Tower


Paris 2003

109.  learn to surf

Myrtle Beach 2000

110.  dye my hair purple

August 31st, 2016

113.  chop off and donate my hair

August 31st, 2015

116.  own our own home

First morning in our first home!!!...June 20th, 2015

117.  take Ironman to the Jungle

Chepare 2015

118.  live in Greenville, SC
121.  see Giant's Causeway


Giant's Causeway 2014

122.  see castles in Scotland

Scotland 2014

125.  USA Road Trip (loop to the West Coast)

126.  take Ironman to Bolivia, my childhood stomping ground

Bolivia 2015

127.  pay off Ironman's student loans
128.  play Professional Baseball (this was Ironman, not me…in case you were wondering…)




132.  bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail

Swamp Rabbit Trail 2014

137.  go rock climbing

92.  tube down a river

Shoot the Hooch 2014

102.  go repelling
138.  see a musical in NYC

NYC 2004

139.  go to a Clemson football game

Clemson 2006

140.  work at Disney (Magic Kingdom and MGM Studios)

MGM Studios 2006

141.  tour the Holy Land

Israel 2005

142.  go snowboarding (then switch to skis on day 2)

2002

143. ride on the most dangerous road
144.  see the Redwoods

Redwoods 2012

145.  see Yellowstone

Yellowstone 2012

146.  tour the Biltmore

Biltmore Estate 2009

147.  start camping together every fall

Our first camp trip!!!...Fall 2011


I'm not saying that I don't want to continue crossing everything else off of our Bucket List, but I do want to remember to be grateful for the amazing things I've already done!

So, tell us what's on YOUR reverse Bucket List!  What things have you already done that you are proud of or thankful for?