My to-do list

1. Make the most of each day: Get off rear and do something. Whether it's completing the to-do list or taking a road trip across the country, just don't sit there.
2. Don't belittle the little things: Sometimes just staying in and watching a movie, playing a game, baking, or whatever with your family is the best time you could have. Don't forget...these times will soon be behind you and you can never get them back. The little things are the ones that matter the most.
3. Make the special moments: Don't wait for the moment to happen, if you want to wear that dress on a special date, make it. It doesn't have to be romantic, sometimes a dress-up night with the girls can be even more fun!
4. Look fear in the eye: Don't turn away because your scared or unsure. Ask for help if you need to, but the only way to get through it and over the fear is to face it head on. Don't let the "worst that could happen" scare you from making it happen (Unless it's spiders, then you can run). : p
5. Live today like it's your last: We've all heard this, but make each day count the most you can. Whether it's calling an old friend, taking flying lessons, or even ride in a rowboat with a loved one. Take time from everything that HAS to be done to do even ONE thing you WANT to do. No matter how small it is. It's a wonderful break and makes the entire day so much better.
6. Don't listen to nay-sayers: There are always going to be those people who have to put in their two cents no matter how depressing it is. The best advice for that one is actually said in the kids' movie Madagascar by the penguins..."smile and wave boys." Let them think what they want. Their opinions aren't roadblocks unless you allow them to be.  
7. Stand up for yourself: Not to be confused with #6, if someone is insulting you, and needs to be called on it, don't be afraid to do it. You deserve respect. Don't worry about hurt feelings, they're obviously not worried about yours if they're hurting you.

I want to open a clothing store. I will offer maternity and clothes for women who are in the process of losing weight. The closest place to get good maternity clothes is over 1hr away, and plus size clothes here are less than unattractive. It's awful. 

For years I have told hubby  someone should do this, and one day I realized there's no reason it shouldn't be me. No, we don't have any money, and no I don't have experience managing a store. But I have retail experience, and hubby's been a store manager. Plus I like to think I have good taste in clothes, and I listen to the public. Since there are no maternity stores around here, I know for a fact there is definitely a demand for it. There's always space to rent/buy. I can do this. I also have friends who would be more than happy to help in the planning and conception process.

I have already begun the business plan for it, and until I have what I need, I will save up for it. I would like to be able to do this without getting a loan, and saving up for it will allow me time to study and do some research on owning and running a retail store. Not to mention looking up clothes and deciding exactly what products to offer and not to offer.

Imagine being pregnant and walking into a store where no one touches the belly unless you say! I have ideas for my store to be THE place to go to get your clothes, and I will make it happen because I can. 

I am having some challenges in coming up with an inventive name for the store. I would like it to be "tongue-in-cheek" and kind of fun, but not too long, and easy to remember. If anyone has any suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Where in the world?

If you could pick anywhere in the world, where would you go? I have been asked that question, and I don't have an answer for you. The only answer I could give you is I want to see all of it. I would LOVE to go to Alaska, I would love to see real live penguins in their habitat, and whales jumping in the ocean. 

I yearn to see the ruins of the Colosseum, and Greece as well. Seeing the Scandinavian lands of my ancestors would be awesome, and I will tour an maybe even stay in a castle! To party with the Irish would probably leave me recovering for days. New Zealand seems like Heaven on Earth, and I've been obsessing over Australia since I was a child. 

I plan to visit all of these places and more, and it will take many years. That's perfectly fine. I have a lifetime to fill with stories, and that's what I plan to do.  Some of these adventures will be for the whole family, some will be just me and hubby, or even just me. 

My first excursion next year will be to Jamaica to do the tropics as so many have done already. It will be a perfect starting point. The year after that...who knows? We could pick a location close to home, or we could choose to travel abroad. That's the beauty of the whole thing. There's no reason, no rhyme, just pick a destination and make it happen! :)