Merry Christmas, Dad!!

My dad's Christmas present is a blog post. Weird, I know, but a few weeks ago we got an email saying he had too much stuff and can't fit anything more into their house. Instead he has been inspired by Penelope and her "I Got A Bed" video. For his Christmas present he wants each of his kids to write down what makes us yell "I Got a Bed" Here were the options for our Christmas homework...ahem...gift!

1) Write out your “Perfect Day” – what would you do, who would be there, what is the weather, describe your perfect day.

2) What are the 10 things that make you the feel the best, either in your whole life or just this year. Things you did, things you like to do all the time, events that happened, beds you were given etc. Then let me know what was it that it made you feel – you were proud, you were just happy, you just enjoyed the tranquility.

3) What are the top 10 things on your “Bucket List” and why

Dad,

I was going to send this to you in a card, but I've been procrastinating and thinking about it so it got too late. Plus, it all started with a blog post so it makes sense that you get mine on the blog. I'm going with #3. I thought it would be the easiest, but there's some stress in it. I mean what if I put it on my bucket list, do it, and then it wasn't bucket list worthy? Do I have to add something else to the bucket list? See, why I procrastinated? Also, there are many things I'd say are bucket list worthy that I've already done like live abroad, visit Italy, see Broadway shows, hike the grand canyon...oh, wait, I wimped out on that one...

Anyways, this is my "bucket list" as of today, subject to change and not in any specific order:

• Dance the fox trot with Chris at our 50th wedding anniversary. I guess I'm a romantic at heart. We'll be 73 years old and hopefully both laughing, still in love, and spry enough to take dance lessons again.

• Take Penelope camping in one of the big national parks. I really want to go to Yellowstone or Yosemite. Plus, I want Penelope to have memories of camping like I do.

• Visit Turkey. I know this is an odd one. While we were living in NY, I checked out all of Rick Steves' videos from the library. I watched Greece and Turkey because I wanted to know about Greece and instead fell in love with Turkey. I want to stay in those cave hotels on the side of the mountain.

• Finish 1001 books to read before you die. I'm almost at 200 books if you combine all the lists. So annoying that they keep coming out with new editions. Since there are now close to 1300 I've decided as long as I get through 1001 I will have accomplished this goal.

• Play the violin in a local symphony/ensemble group. This one is harder than the others. I feel like I should set a goal, like if I start now I might be able to join a group when I'm 50.

• Keep my house clean, organized and DECLUTTERED! Okay, this isn't so much of a bucket list as "This is the type of person I want to be" I think you get this one. I'm trying to get better. Nothing makes me breathe easier than walking into a somewhat clean and organized house...too bad it doesn't happen very regularly. Maybe it is because I still believe in the Spic and Span Fairy, instead of taking a half hour a day to keep things in place and clean up.

• See Penelope happy in life in whatever she chooses. I know I can't shelter her from everything so I know she'll have hard times and ups and downs like everyone. Oh, and I'd like her to not think I'm a crazy embarrassing mom...is that possible? Probably not.

• Volunteer in a 3rd world country. I've gone back and forth on this one. First, I should volunteer in my own neighborhood. We have so many immigrants trying to assimilate here that there's really no reason to fly to Africa or South America to be helpful. Second, I've heard from people inside international aid non-profits that it usually isn't very efficient to be training and sending volunteers on a weekly basis compared to having people give money for people to live in the countries and train the actual citizens. BUT...I always hear how rewarding it is and eye opening/change of perspective it is to volunteer in a very poor country so although this sounds like an altruistic goal, it is probably more about me and understanding my world than the change I could make.

• Take Penelope to Disneyworld. Okay, by #9 I'm kind of wracking my brain on what else is on my bucket list, and it seems Disneyworld should be there. I want to wait until she is around 5 or 6. That's when I remember you and Mom taking us and the Seguis. I remember one specific moment. We were all eating lunch on a bench and you came around the corner with puppets for all the kids. I was so excited to get Minnie Mouse. Then lo, and behold, Mary Poppins and Bert showed up. It was everything that Disneyland should be to a kid. I'm going to love seeing Penelope's face when she sees all of the magic.
• Learn to snowboard\water ski\ cross country ski. Okay, these should probably be 3 separate ones. I guess out of all 3 the snowboarding is higher on my list. I'm not sure why. I liked skiing as a kid and everyone says once you get the hang of it, snowboarding is so much better than skiing. And there's fun clothes and accessories :)

So that's my bucket list. Not sure if there are any surprises, but I'd say those are all big things that would make me yell "I Got a Bed!"

Merry Christmas!!! (I must say this is a lot harder than buying golf accessories and books, but I was just joking about the homework comment.)

Merry Christmas All! This is Chris's X-Mas assignment. I have to agree with my lovely wife that this is much harder than it looks. Here's my bucket list.

• Learn to play the guitar. I've always harbored the secret desire to learn to play a musical instrument. Even though all evidence would suggest that I have no musical talent what so ever. Just ask my parents about my foray in playing the trumpet in my elementary school band.
• Create an original recipe. As most of the readers of this blog know, I like to cook. I'd really like to develop my own recipe. I just haven't a clue on what that would be.
• Finally write that story that is always running in my head. This might be getting a little deep...but I have some what of an over active imagination. As a lover of Science Fiction and fantasy I must have come up with a million of my own stories but just cannot get past putting the first word of chapter 1 down on paper.
• Write another play. Have you figured out that I fancy myself the creative type? Back in high school and for a project in college, I wrote a couple of plays. Always enjoyed writing lines. Mostly because I like to make myself laugh.
• Scare the crap out of my daughter's boyfriend. I am sure John can agree on this one. (Again mostly because I like to make myself laugh).
• Buy/Bottle a cask of Scotch whiskey. O.k this one is a little bucket list a little if I win the lottery. I love Scotch...not in the I am an alcoholic and can't make it though the day without kind of love, but it was apart of one of the greatest experiences of my life way. It would just be cool to sign my name to something that has been sitting for 12-20 years and would be unlike any other Scotch in the world.
• Enter a recipe in a cooking competition. This goes sort of with # 2. Would love to see how my cooking would match up against other peoples.
• Visit Sweden/Norway. My family takes a lot of pride in their Scandinavian heritage. It would be cool to see the place my ancestors left in order to settle in Minnesota of all places. You'd think after living in the land of ice and snow, they might try a warmer climate.

Unfortunately, it is rather late and while I know this isn't the full 10 items requested, I think I've bared my soul enough for those in reader land. I hope you all have a healthy and happy holiday.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!!