Mid-year Review - 18 in 18

At the beginning of the year, I posted 18 goals I wanted to achieve by Dec. 31. Let's check my progress! 

1. Play all the games and put together all the puzzles in our game closet at least once.

• I didn't count how many we have, but we've played seven games so far. And, bought one new one (Exploding Kittens, so fun!). 

2. Make all the craft kits and science projects in the game closet. 

• We did all of the science projects and crafts! We made super balls, glow sticks and a birdhouse.

3. Try kayaking.

• I signed up for a day trip, but couldn't figure out how to make it work with Father's Day weekend celebration for my dad and the husband.

4. Watch The Godfather Trilogy. It comes on on Netflix this month. I would prefer to read the books (I hear they are so, so good), but movies will have to do for now. 

• I've watched Parts 1 and 2. Engaging storyline, but I can't keep the characters straight.

5. Blog at least once every two weeks.

• I fell off the wagon. After writing for work all day, my creative juices are squeezed. I gotta find a way to make it work. 

6. Meal plan for at least one week each month using at least one new recipe. I got a Lidia's cookbook for Christmas!

• I plan meals at least two weeks a month! Overachieved! We cook/grill/bake two or three main dishes on Sunday and match up some sides. We've tried three of Lidia's recipes, and I've worked in a few other new ones. 

7. Do a latch hook project. I was obsessed with these when I was 10-11 years old. I am super excited to give this a whirl.

• No latch hook, but I finished one jigsaw puzzle and just started a 2,000 piece one. Just haven't found a latch hook that catches my attention. 

8. Refinish the coffee table-turned-bench that I bought for $7 at Savers last year.

• I still have five months!

9. Restain the entryway woodwork.

• Got it stained, just need to slap on a coat of polyurethane.

10. Read at least 18 books.

• Just finished number 16!

11. Find a financial planner.

• Still in the research stage.

12. Get our estate in order. 

• I still have five months!

13. Practice mindfulness with my eating, which includes tracking my sweets. 

• In progress. I'm not physically tracking my sweets, but I am being more mindful of how many sweets I eat. I've all but cut out my afternoon sweet treat.

14. Connect more often with people I admire, enjoy and like being around.

• This one is hard because of crazy schedules. But, I met my BFF for a quick weekend getaway, and I met another BFF for a local women's event.  

15. Have more outdoor adventures. Go hiking at least once a month when the weather gets warmer, plus camp at least three time this spring/summer/fall.

• Our winter lasted until mid-April and then we jumped right into a blazing hot summer. We went camping over Memorial Day weekend. But, it's been too hot to do much outside. Eagerly waiting for fall.

16. Upgrade our camping gear.

• Done!

17. Refrain from climbing into bed before 9 p.m. at least three days a week.

• Honestly, I forgot about this one. I still have five months! But, I LOVE my bed!

18. Teach the peeps a few more cooking skills. 

• I still have five months!

Did you set any goals for the year? If so, how's it going? Every day is a new day to try, try again. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real!

Time in New England: A Vacation Recap

My love affair with New England began two years ago when we took a work/vacation trip to Long Island, NY. 

We were so smitten with the New England area that we vacationed there again last year, this time visiting Connecticut and Rhode Island. I fell even deeper in love. Everything about it just feels right, like I was meant to be there. It was one of those rare vacations in which my ideal reality and my real reality were one and the same. I love it when that happens.

Here's a glimpse of how we spent our time. Maybe it will inspire you to make a trip of your own. 

Long Island Sound from Lighthouse Point Carriage House

How We Got There & Where We Stayed
We visited in early August. Perfect weather. High 70s-low 80s. Completely comfortable. We flew in to/out of Bradley International Airport (Windsor Locks, CT). We rented the Lighthouse Point Carriage House in New London, CT, through HomeAway. The rental was AMAZING! It's probably one of the top five places I've stayed  ... ever. In addition to having over-the-top amenities and lovely owners, it had a private beach. New London has a lot to offer, including great highway, train, and ferry access (Block Island and other points).

Where We Explored
The carriage house was the perfect base for exploring Connecticut and Rhode Island. I would recommend all of the below except maybe the aquarium. It was pretty pricey for what was actually there, and it was crazy crowded. (I recommend the Long Island Aquarium).

Fort Trumbull (New London)
Ocean Beach Park (New London, within walking distance from our rental, such a cool, retro  place)
Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT)

Gillette Castle, East Haddam, CT

Mystic Seaport (Mystic, CT)
Newport Mansions (Newport, RI) These were the summer "cottages" of America's original one percenters. There are 10. We had limited time, so we picked purchased the two-house ticket and toured The Breakers and The Elms. If you hate crowds, plan to get there when the mansions open. The extra tours fill up weeks, if not months, in advance, so plan ahead. We would have loved to take the Beneath the Breakers tour, but it will full up.
Sailing Excursions Day Cruise - Adirondack II (Newport, RI, harbor)
Essex, CT - We stopped in this beautiful town for a picnic lunch and a look around. 
Gillette Castle (East Haddam, CT) - This little gem is a MUST SEE. Well worth the time. It impressed us more than the Newport Mansions. 

Where We Ate
I recommend all of these. Great food, great service, great views. 
Fred's Shanty (New London)
Michael's Dairy (New London)

The fam getting ready to chow down at Abbott's.

Abbott's Lobster in the Rough (Noank, CT)
2 Wives Brick Oven + Eatery (New London)
Aloha Cafe (Newport, RI)

Stuff We Thought About Doing
Napatree Point Conservation Area (Westerly, RI)
Watch Hill Beach & Carousel (Westerly, RI) - Taylor Swift has a home in the Watch Hill section of town.
Sugar Bakery & Sweet Shop (East Haven, CT) 
Essex Steam Train & Riverboat (Essex, CT)
Connecticut Science Center (Hartford, CT)
Cushing Brain Museum - Yale Medical Library (New Haven, CT)
Coltsville National Historic Park (Hartford, CT)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real (and go on an adventure this summer!)

I Want Love to Win, Too, Dammit!

I've been planning a post about the peeps turning 11 and how overnight they seem to have morphed into  responsible, mature people that I'm excited to watch continue to grow, change, discover and explore. Yet, at the same time, I find myself sentimental than ever about them growing up. 

And then, Parkland, FL, happened yesterday. Another school shooting. This morning, I dropped them off at school just like any other day. I know in my heart they are as safe there as anywhere. But still, it was hard. At the same time, I was grateful to have another day with them on a morning that so many parents in Parkland didn't get to do that today. They will never get to do it again. All the excitement they felt yesterday morning about watching their son or daughter grow, change, discover and explore was taken from them in the cruelest way. Just thinking about that crushes me. And I have no words. Only fear, sadness, helplessness and even a guilt. 

Ironically, just days before the shooting, I started reading Finding Jake, a book from the perspective of a father whose son has been accused of shooting up his school. 

And then my friend Heather, who truly tries to live happy every single day, summed up everything I'm thinking and feeling, everything I can't eloquently put into words myself, into a Facebook post that spoke not just for me, but for so many others. She has a way of doing that with words. She told me I could share the post, so here you go.

"I couldn’t quit crying tonight during Ash Wednesday service. Some days, it just feels like the world is so broken. School shootings. Car accidents. Cancer diagnosis. Broken relationships. Lost dreams. My arms and heart don’t feel big enough to surround all that hurt with love.

Our pastor tonight talked about love’s sorrow. That being open to love, even giving our love away, also means we suffer hurt and sorrow and unspeakable pain. Sometimes they are a package deal, which really freaking sucks. I love the fire burning bright and beautiful, not the ashes, soft and lifeless, so easily blown away. The cracks in this world scare me. Tonight I cried for how big those chasms can be.

Do I believe love can fill in these cracks and holes? Yes, I do. Without a doubt. I find that I have to refocus on the little things before the big picture comes back to center. I listen more carefully for the sound of laughter and feel the security of a heartfelt hug from a friend. I soak in the words of an encouraging note, then read them one more time for good measure. I express gratitude for every single scar, listing them one by one, and then the abundance of blessings that always pile up way higher.

Sitting in the pew tonight, I kept thinking...I WANT LOVE TO WIN! Damnit, I do. Not just a little, but in the biggest baddest way ever. And it will. We just might have to hold each other a little tighter until we get there. Big hugs tonight, dear friends. Hold tight to the love."

I plan on holding tight to the love and focus on the little things. I hope you will, too. At home, that's pretty easy. Out in the world, thought, it's a little tougher. I came up with a few ways I can show love to complete strangers that take less than 10 seconds and cost nothing. 

• Smile.
• Let someone merge in traffic or change lanes.
• Hold the door for someone and make eye contact. 
• Let someone go ahead of you in line. 
• Put a filter on your thoughts so the words you speak are kind and respectful, even if they present a counter argument. 
• Make eye contact on the street, in the hall at work, and in public in general. It's a quick and easy way to say, "I see you," to someone who may be feeling invisible. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, keep it real (and full of love).

Just Add Magic: Amazon Prime's Totally Binge-worthy Show for Preteens and Adults

If you have a preteen girl in your house and you haven't yet discovered Just Add Magic, you are missing one of the best shows on streaming TV! The peeps and I stumbled across this gem a year or so ago, and we were instantly hooked. (True confession: I enjoy the show so much, I would watch even if I didn't have two preteens. It's that fun.)

The Recipe
The TV series is based on the book of the same name by Cindy Callaghan (which I'm totally adding to my Goodreads To Read list). When Kelly and her two BFFs Hannah and Darby find a mysterious cookbook in Kelly's attic, they quickly find out the recipes aren't quite what they appear to be. They're magic spells! In the first season, the girls cook up a storm trying to break the spell Kelly's grandma (played by Dee Wallace for all you ET fans) is under. Along the way, they find more clues about Grandma's mysterious illness and her even more mysterious past. As the series unfolds, the secrets and spells just keep coming. Recommended viewing age: 9+.

Why It's Magical

• Clever, intelligent writing and engaging intelligent story lines 
• Solid acting performances by every single person
• Funny, but not silly or slapsticky
• The main characters are all smart, just in different ways.
• Authentic portrayal of friendship. The girls support each other, but they also hold each other accountable for their behavior and choices.
• Realistic consequences. For example, when Darby screwed up her school play audition, she didn't get a second chance. It was basically, "Too bad, so sad. Try again next year." And, she dealt with it.
• Real-life scenarios. For example, the girls are figuring out how to handle the feelings of jealousy that can pop up when old friends make new ones and friendships begin to change.
• Conflict resolution isn't always easy and clear cut.
• Really good cliff hangers in every episode. Turning off the TV is tough, even when I'm the one who sets the limits. On more than one occasion, I've been known to agree to "just one more episode."
• The episodes are only 24 minutes long. Bonus!

If you're looking for a binge show for the family, give Just Add Magic a try. (And, when the kids go to bed, switch gears and check out Mindhunters on Netflix. Totally different viewing experience.)

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing ... Keep It Real.

18 in '18

Happy New Year! Yep, long time, no write. Ah, life. 

Life's been good. No complaints. Just dropped out of site for a stretch. 

Like so many people, with the start of the New Year, I'm looking for something, well, new. Different. Challenging. 

That's why I jumped on Gretchen Rubin's 18 in 2018 bandwagon. It's a list of 18 projects, dreams and curiosities I want to tackle this year. 

When I put pen to paper (God, I love me some good old fashioned pen and paper action), I expected it to take a while to come up with 18 things for my list. But, the ideas started flowing, and it took no time at all. Apparently, there's more going on in my noggin than I realized! In fact, in true overachiever fashion, I initially cranked out 25 goals. 

I've read that pushing your goals out into the world makes you more likely to achieve them, or at least make steady progress. So, here goes!

Mari's 18 for 2018

1. Play all the games and put together all the puzzles in our game closet at least once.
2. Make all the craft kits and science projects in the game closet. 
3. Try kayaking.
4. Watch The Godfather Trilogy. It comes on on Netflix this month. I would prefer to read the books (I hear they are so, so good), but movies will have to on this one.
5. Blog at least once every two weeks.
6. Meal plan for at least one week each month using at least one new recipe. I got a Lidia's cookbook for Christmas!
7. Do a latch hook project. I was obsessed with these when I was 10-11 years old. I am super excited to give this a whirl.
8. Refinish the coffee table-turned-bench that I bought for $7 at Savers last year.
9. Restain the entryway woodwork.
10. Read at least 18 books.
11. Find a  financial planner.
12. Get our estate in order. 
13. Practice mindfulness with my eating, which includes tracking my sweets. 
14. Connect more often with people I admire, enjoy and like being around.
15. Have more outdoor adventures. Go hiking at least once a month when the weather gets warmer, plus camp at least three time this spring/summer/fall.
16. Upgrade our camping gear.
17. Refrain from climbing into bed before 9 p.m. at least three days a week.
18. Teach the peeps a few more cooking skills. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing  ... Keep It Real.