Have you ever felt like you’re out of words, that you don’t have anything to say or anything new to add to the conversation? Have you ever felt emptied out and ready to just rest from going after your dreams and goals? Like you want to sit on the sidelines and watch for a little…
priorities
Being Present in Transition
We’re a family in transition. We have been for a few months now. My husband started a new job in early May. Our eldest graduated from high school a few weeks later and then left the state for a summer job. Our sixteen-year-old took her first job a month after that. It has been exciting…
Why I Didn’t Create an Over-the-Top Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day yesterday was low key at my house. My husband cooked an amazing meal for me on Sunday. I gave him chocolate and each of my girls a little Valentine’s candy on the 14th. Compared to the heart-themed-breakfast, love-notes-in-lunch-boxes fusses many of my fellow moms made, it doesn’t sound much like a bucket list…
Bucket List Bonds: Another Reason the Cubs Win Was Such a Big Deal
I have talked often about the way going after life goals brings connection (it’s the theme of my video course, Build Stronger Bonds Writing Bucket Lists). And usually I’m talking about connection in the present tense, with those in your life today. But this past weekend in Chicagoland I witnessed how powerful that bond can be…
When Life Goals Yield Big Visions: An Interview with Bev Hawley
For the most part, a bucket list contains straightforward personal goals. But for some people visions for something beyond themselves come out of a bucket list goal – like a vision for opening a gallery to showcase a bucket list project. Bev Hawley, a professional children’s photographer in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, is such a…
How Do You Spell Success as a Parent?
I nearly blew it again. My youngest daughter turned thirteen this past weekend and I almost didn’t have a card for her. As a rule, I don’t buy cards. I’m a crafter and I know I can make a card that I like much better than anything I’d find in the store. And I enjoy…
Daddy/Daughter Trip to the Olympics
David Williams and his wife Sarah are longtime friends of mine. One of the things I have always admired about David is his desire to see the world. In his 20s, David made it his goal to travel to every continent (so far he’s made it to 6 continents and 80 countries). But he didn’t…
Pinch Me Moments: The 2016 Olympics
The 2016 Olympics have begun! If you watched the opening ceremony on Friday, you’ll know that it began with as much flash and regalia as previous Olympics. Famous Brazilian singers, large-scale dance performances, Gizelle taking her final walk as a model. It was spectacular! Now imagine being one of the Olympic athletes there that evening….
Deciding When to Splurge on a Bucket List Experience
The nine days my husband and I recently spent in Italy were filled with dream-come-true events. Just being in that country and seeing the sights I’d heard so much about would have been enough. But the extra tours (and a class) that I booked, along with some first-class travel and hotels brought the trip up to…
A Bucket List Trip in Pictures
Two weeks ago we left for our bucket list anniversary trip to Italy. It was amazing! The weather cooperated, we reached all of our destinations without incident, and we had a great time experiencing a variety of settings. There isn’t anything I would change about our trip. I plan to share some tips about things…