Still Trying to Get to That Bucket List...

It's funny...I thought I had it all together back last year and was on my way to really making 2009 a great and accomplished year...whatever that means anymore. For the new year I found these really cute books at Starbucks that had wonderful quotes in them and a place for you to make lists and plans. I bought one for each of my kids and my husband (and myself) and gave them out on New Years Day. Everyone loved the books but they are now all sitting in various locations in the house and collecting dust. To say I'm disappointed would be a true statement but how can I be in others when my own book is in the trunk of my car.

However...I did have a start at the list. Late last year I told my husband that one of the things I wanted to do - at some point - was take a hot air balloon ride. This was just said in passing - nothing major. And it was weird...I told him this one night and it was a few night later that he came home and threw a business card on the kitchen table for hot air balloon rides!!! Turns out, someone he works with helps out with hot air balloon rides. So a the very least, we had made contact and knew where to go for this when we had the time to plan it...

So our anniversary was Jan 4th and it fell on a Sunday this year. The day turned out foggy and dreary and although it was just nice to be at home and relaxing after the Christmas rush, etc., what I didn't know was that my sweet husband was upset because he had planned to surprise me with - you guessed it - a hot air balloon ride that morning... We tried to reschedule the next week but the weather would not cooperate. But the third time was the charm and we got to go on the coldest Saturday I could remember. We dressed in ski clothes - many layers and headed out earlier than I had been up in ages.

And despite the cold and the early hour...it was one fun and exhilirating experience! The calm and quiet hovering over familiar sections of Birmingham were breathtaking. I almost forgot that we were hovering way up in the air in a large basket!!! Once we landed and got back to the departure point - to pick up our car - we celebrated a successful flight with a bottle of champagne courtesy of our pilot. A perfect 23rd wedding anniversary - even if it was a few weeks late!

So...while the Bucket List is not "officially" a list...I want to say I've gotten off to a great start with one of the items...and it was one that I didn't think would be first to be crossed off either!

The other big item on the list is storm chasing.....but not from a hot air balloon.