Bucket List

My bucket list: Here is a small list of things that I wish to do before the Lord takes me. I hope you can read this and inspire yourself to step out and begin or complete your list.

1.)    Write a book. I am sure there are a lot of people out there with this same dream. The difference is they probably have some experience. Past this blog… well that’s it, that is all of my experience is writing. I do not even feel as though I need it to be published, although it would be nice, I just want to have the accomplishment.

2.)    Hike with my children over night. I feel as though a lot of families these days use the technology to complete their days. I want my children to enjoy the free gifts that I had as a child. We camped and road bikes, went for walks and fished. We were outside a lot, and spent a lot of time as a family. Hoping that my children have memories more than just the TV and video games, I will make a point to get them outside and moving.

3.)    Donate art to homeless veterans. I know that sounds crazy; there are hundreds of veterans that have gone homeless, and a lot of it contributes to fighting in wars in their lives. Coming out of the military with only having training of killing, does not make it easy to get a job these days. So to give them a small token of art to keep with them, while they struggle with everyday events, seems like a small gift to let them know that they are appreciate for what they have done.

4.)    Take my children to donate toys to sick children. I again want my children to have certain values. One is knowing that they are lucky in life. I also want them to know that giving will always be more than receiving. Being able to bring happiness into the life a child that has battled so much is something that I want to make sure and cross off of my list over and over again.

5.)    Run a marathon. I feel as though we try and live a healthy lifestyle, although we stray from here to there. But I would love to complete a full marathon, in hopes that someday we can run one as a family. I would love to be able to complete the Breast Cancer 3 day walk.

6.)    Get a sleeve. That is right all, tattoos. Shocker right, a military wife with tattoos! I have some already, but I think there is a beauty in women with them. I have also decided that we live once, and no matter what others think or stereotypes that are made, I will do things that make me happy.

7.)    Instill manners into my children. I was once told by a friend that she should have taught her child at a young age to say please and thank you, like I had mine. Do not get me wrong, my children have to be reminded to say it, but they say it. I feel as though, manners have gone out the door these days. I cannot go through a drive thru it seems and not get an ornery person at the window. So my husband and I have made it a point that our children treat others with manners, no matter what they are doing.

8.)    Own a Harley. No, I have never driven a motorcycle. But I think that they are beautiful pieces of machinery. I have also rode with my brother and felt freer than I had ever felt. Hoping to ride across country with my husband someday.

9.)    Learn sign language. I feel as though knowing another language is important. I also feel as though sign language is something that we should learn at an early age. That is something that is not chosen to ‘have’ to speak, and I feel as though it would benefit many to know sign language.

10.) Say thank you to all that have served, and continue to do so. There are many that agree and disagree with the things that go on in the war today. Whether you agree or disagree just remember that these heroes have been through more than most. They are fighting for us to be able to argue or praise what is being done. It is simple to just say thank you, and let them know that they are not forgotten.

11.) Never stop making a bucket list. I will continue to add to my list, and make sure that I start knocking things off. I plan on living at least another 80 years, or more, so I have plenty of time to complete it. The faster I knock things off though, the more things I can accomplish. Do not forget that these years go fast, it is easy to sit and get into a routine, but get up and do something you have not done before. Then do another, again and again.

My love Affair With My iPhone

I was reading an article in this month’s Military Spouse magazine, talking about how we are in love with our iPhones. The author then goes on to state how she realized at that moment that military spouses are literally in love with their phones.

The study says that we are not addicted to the phones as once thought; as compared to the addiction to caffeine, or cocaine, but that rather we are in love with our phones as compared to loving another human being. I did some research of my own and found an article that explains in a little more detail for those of you interested in digging deeper into the frenzy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/you-love-your-iphone-literally.html

I stated in a previous blog that I could take technology or leave it. I am not going to lie, I enjoy a nice game of Angry Birds, or the freedom to search the internet while driving down the street. (My husband driving at the time, of course.) To feel as though I am addicted, I really do not feel as though I am. If I had to choose something on my phone to keep, I would have to say texting is the one thing that I truly enjoy. I can have conversations with people, and yet not feel as though I am stuck on the phone unable to do other things at the same time. Let’s face it though nobody is addicted to texting, right?? (Insert sarcasm.)

Along with blogging already about the freedom from technology, I had also stated that I 100% understand and feel blessed that I was able to have contact with my husband while he was deployed to Iraq. I will never take away the hardships that families must go through spending weeks without hearing from their loved ones.

Until I read this article in Military Times though, I never really understood at what level those in the military truly depend on our cell phones. At the moments that my husband was deployed or even gone on training expeditions, I never left the house without my phone, or at least not very often. If I did happen to walk out without it, or leave it at the bottom of my purse while in the grocery store I would panic for a minute, worried that I had missed his call. Even though they had explained to us at a briefing to not stress if we miss a call, they stated that the reality is there would be more. But in the situation that we were in I was worried that we may not get another call.

So I would say that for those times that my husband is away, especially the past 12 months, I was truly in love with my phone. I was in love with the voice I heard on the other end, I was in love with the emails I would get to read on the go, and I was in love that for a moment that phone reassured me that he was safe for right then. So thank you iPhone, you were a great love affair to have for a short time in my life.