So many things to do, so little time...

Just another update for those that are following me and my 32 things. ;)

I officially crossed item #33 off my list in mid-March. I am head over heels in love with Mike, and he loves me too. When I made my list, I wasn't even thinking about love, yet here I am, several months later, in love with the most wonderful man in the world. I never knew happiness like this could exist. Don't worry-- I'm not giving up on my list!!! Here's what's left:

6. build a snowman (too late for that...hopefully! I mean, this is CNY!)
7. learn how to make Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce (I HAVE to learn now that Mike has tasted it!)
8. eat at a Thai and/or Indian restaurant
9. drive a motorcycle (I don't think Mike will teach me on the Harley though)
10. go whitewater rafting
13. stay overnight at a bed and breakfast
14. buy a fabulous piece of jewelry for myself
15. milk a cow
16. go to a St. Patrick’s Day parade (nope)
17. go to Washington, D.C. OR Chicago, Illinois OR another major U.S. city (does Myrtle Beach, S.C. count?)
18. kiss someone under the mistletoe (nope)
19. learn how to do an oil change and/or how to change a flat tire
21. get a bikini wax
22. buy flowers for myself
24. submit a teaching idea to an education magazine and have it published
25. send a letter/postcard to all of my graduating students (they are written, I just need to send them)
28. pay for the person behind me in line at a drive-thru restaurant or coffee shop (I always forget when I am in the drive-thru, and I don't want to plan it!)
29. drink a mint julep while watching the Kentucky Derby (on TV)
30. spend a day in Cooperstown, NY
32. make a scrapbook of photos

So, about 16 things to go. I am thinking the bikini wax should happen in early summer... ;)

33 in 32

Long time no blog! SO MUCH has happened since January that's it hard to believe that March starts next week. To make a long story short:

• "Gone With the Wind"...check!
• ride a carousel...check!
• go on a wine tour in the Finger Lakes...check!
• I didn't buy flowers for myself, but someone bought be flowers TWICE. My best friend says that counts, so... check!
• I didn't buy myself a fabulous piece of jewelry, but the man I am dating bought me some ruby/gold hoops for Valentine's Day, which my best friend says ALSO counts, so...check!
• I'll be building a snowman and milking a cow soon!
• Only $208 left to pay on my student loan-- should be paid off by the end of March!
• Does Myrtle Beach, SC count as a major US city? Don't know if I'll make it to DC or Chicago, but I'll be spending my Spring Break in Myrtle Beach-- I've never been!
• Will go to the St. Patty's Day parade in Syracuse next month. :)
• Started writing postcards to my graduating students last night. Only 5 or 6 more to write.

I've decided to add one more thing to the list:

33. fall in love

My Rochester 2-fer...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! As 2o10 begins, I am reviewing my list and looking forward to the next 8 months. For now, though, let's talk about last weekend, which my best friend Tori refers to as my "Rochester 2-fer." Hmmm...intrigued? Read on... :)

Tori and I arrived in Rochester last Sunday afternoon. After checking in to our hotel, we headed to the Blue Cross Arena, where the Amerks were hosting the Binghamton Senators. An employee led us to the ice and I had my sound check. WOW-- this was really happening! Tori and I walked around and killed time for about a half hour before we went to our seats (by the way, a very nice usher called us "the two beauties" on our walk there--NICE!). Just before the 5pm start, I walked behind the ice and met a game operations intern, who went over the order of the pre-game program. It was at this time that the arena workers placed a long carpet runner on the ice. This carpet would be my stage in a few short minutes. :)

FINALLY, the lights in the arena went down and the starting line-up was introduced for both teams. As I listened, I stepped from side to side-- nervous energy as I waited to sing. It was not long before I heard, "And now, would you all please rise as Kristy Alberry sings our national anthem..." The intern handed me the microphone and I walked down the carpet, into the spotlight...THE SPOTLIGHT! :) I stared at the American flag and started singing. I thought of my list and cracked a smile- I kept wondering what everyone in the arena was thinking. Was I doing ok? Did I sound ok? And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see MYSELF on the JUMBOTRON! I kept thinking, "Don't look! Don't look!", but it's pretty cool to see yourself on something like that. :) Standing a few feet in front of me was the goalie for the Binghamton Senators, who apparently was so pumped up he deemed it necessary to slam his stick into his leg numerous times while I was singing. BOOOOO! Now I would definitely be rooting for the Amerks. :) As I came to the end of the anthem, and sang "o'er the land of the freeeeeeee...", the arena broke into cheering and shouting--WHAT A RUSH! I finished the anthem and enjoyed my favorite part of it all-- the applause. What a great feeling! I paused for a moment to breathe after walking off the ice, then headed to my seat where I received many compliments from the people around me. SUCCESS! It had gone well. :) Check out my performance by clicking on the title of this post!

The BEST part of the night was being surprised by my sorority sister, "J.T."; her husband, Mike; and son, Owen. Living in Rochester, they came to support me and bring Owen to his first hockey game. Mike said Owen wants to be a hockey player now. :) It meant so much to me that they came to the game. I rarely talk to them, yet they still came to hear me sing. Thank you, Fredonia, for giving me these lifelong friends.

After the game, Tori and I enjoyed dinner and drinks at our hotel. We ended up meeting the gentleman who runs the hotel, who was curious about my list. So, that is how, after several gin and tonic's, I was taught how to tie a neck tie. :) I know it sounds crazy, but what a great experience. Anyone could've taught me how to do it, but the fact that I was learning from a stranger made it way more fun, and now I have a great story to tell! I still need some practice, but I officially know how to tie a neck tie and can cross that off my list. So, singing at a major sporting event and tying a neck tie in the same day-- hence, my "Rochester 2-fer." :)

I can't talk about my big Rochester weekend without talking about the person that made it so special...Tori. I wouldn't have gone through this experience with anyone but her. I'm certain this is a weekend we'll be talking and laughing about for years. There are many blessings in my life, and one I am especially thankful for is Tori, my "BFF." :)

No mistletoe for me this season...looks like it's going to be 31 in 32. :(

BUT...who says you can't use mistletoe on Valentine's Day????

TURKEY TIME!

The holiday season is upon us and I haven't had any time to let you know how things are going with my list! Well, my first turkey was a HUGE success! Everyone thought it was super moist and delicious....and it was so easy to make!!!! I basted it with butter and italian seasonings, and put a small onion inside it. I injected its juices into it every couple hours (thanks, Grandpa, for the great turkey tool!) and it was ready about 5 hours after I put it in the oven. DELICIOUS! I don't have a photo of it because, for some odd reason, my camera doesn't work at my parents' house....SPOOKY!!

So, what's next? Singing at the Amerks game on the 26th AND 'tis the season for mistletoe.... ;)

I haven't forgotten!

I haven't blogged in a while, but, trust me, my list is on my mind everyday! The Amerks had to cancel my performance for the 6th, but I am still on to sing next month. It should be extra fun seeing as my best friend and I plan to make a night of it in Rochester. :)

I'm all set to cook the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner in a couple weeks! Hopefully, it goes well since it's the only turkey we have and it is feeding the entire family!

Mistletoe season is coming...THIS could be a challenging thing to cross off my list. It may have to involve alcohol and one of those hats where the mistletoe hangs over my face. ;)

Making a change...

Well, I've decided to sell my house, so it looks like I won't have to paint the guest room and office, which is on my list. Since I don't want it to be "31 in 32", I'm going to replace it with "sell the house". :) I will be painting some trim this weekend to get the house ready for showings, so at least paint is still involved in some way!
I haven't submitted an idea to an education magazine yet, but I did submit something to "Real Simple" magazine. If it gets published, it TOTALLY counts and I will cross that off my list! :)

An Apple a Day...

I had a GREAT time apple picking in Mexico, NY with my family yesterday! We decided to meet at Behling's Orchard around 11:00am. The drive up was beautiful-- the sun was shining through the trees and the bright oranges, yellows and reds of the leaves stuck out against a clear blue sky. It was about 45-50 degrees, perfect sweater weather and perfect for apple picking!

I arrived at Behling's before my family, so I decided to walk around for a bit. Walking into the main store brought back so many memories. The smell of Fall was in the air-- maple syrup, apples, cinnamon, pumpkins-- it reminded me of visiting the Behling's in Adams, NY as a child. Every year, my Aunt Linda and Uncle Den would take my cousins and me there, and my cousin Christopher would drag me into the haunted house. And, without fail, he would hide somewhere in their house later that night and scare the @!&%!#@ out of me (thanks, Chris)! I also thought of my Grandpa. I knew that I would. This is the same orchard that the ENTIRE Fortunato family went to for apple picking when I was younger. We still have pictures of several family members on ladders reaching into the tree for apples. Those are the memories I savor from my childhood-- the ones that look like a Hallmark commercial in my head. :)

My brother and sister arrived with their kids and we walked around Behling's together. My first thought??? EXPENSIVE! They were charging for everything from a walk through the corn maze to a ride on the hay wagon. I can't imagine raising a family in an economy that is so money starved it has to charge kids to walk through a corn maze. :( Anyways, we headed across the street to the orchard where we got our bags and then the apple picking began! There was a lot of laughter and silliness (another one of those Hallmark commercial memories) and even some booty shaking from Aunt Kristy and Uncle Tim. :) It was even fun when my niece, Jayna, threw an apple, not noticing me on the other side of the tree. Yeah, that's gonna leave a mark! ;) I filled my bag with a mere 7 pounds of apples but my sister and her boys were the winners with 45 POUNDS of apples!

I couldn't leave without eating funnel cake with powdered sugar (which, it turns out, did not have nearly as many calories as I thought it did). By the way-- have you noticed how many things on my list involve FOOD?? ;)

We ended our day with Jayna and Hunter taking pony/horse rides, and then Aunt Tina bought Hunter a HUGE box of popcorn. He was happy! We definitely want to go apple picking again next year. Actually, Tina mentioned strawberry picking. I'm in!

The Anchor Bar

Before heading to Fredonia for my 10 year college reunion, I stopped for lunch at The Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY. I've always heard great things about it and how it is famous for its award winning wings, which is why I added it to my list for this year.

As I pulled up to the bar, I was quite surprised! I had expected to see a "fancier" kind of place, similar to a restaurant chain of some sort like Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday's. The Anchor Bar was very simple, as you can see from the picture. Not at all what I had pictured in my mind! I walked in and was again, surprised. The atmosphere and decorations were similar to Dinosaur BBQ, with rusty license plates hanging on the walls. The only thing missing were some Harley Davidson's and some biker babes!!! Anyways, I sat down between 2 guys and asked for a menu. I asked the guy next to me how "hot" the "hot" wings were. I decided to get a single order of medium wings ($11.00) and a salad. While waiting, I chatted with the people next to me, 2 couples in town for the Bills game. SO FRIENDLY! In general, EVERYONE in the place was friendly! I did not feel at all uncomfortable sitting at the bar by myself.

My wings came and I took a bite into my first official Anchor Bar wing and it was....ok? Don't get me wrong, it was good, but I wasn't highly impressed. The wings are crispy with not a lot of sauce at all. I am definitely a sauce girl so it might just be your own personal preference as to how you like your wings. I ate 6 wings and most of my salad before I paid for my $20 meal then looked at the souvenirs. I bought an Anchor Bar pint glass since I actually do need new drinking glasses. It was $10, but I figured it was worth it. Every time I drink from it I will think of yet another goal accomplished!

What am I waiting for?

I've been thinking about what kind of fabulous piece of jewelry I want to purchase for myself, which I plan to do on or near Valentine's Day. A tennis bracelet? Earrings? A pearl necklace? I've always wanted one of those. I saw a ring at Zales that I liked and I have been browsing jewelry counters and stores hoping something catches my eye.
I was lying in bed the other night and my eyes glanced at my jewelry armoire. I had a random thought about my Great-Grandma Jaquith's diamond ring, which was given to me as a teenager after she passed away many years ago. I never wear the ring, mainly because it is too big for my tiny fingers. At sometime during the past few years, I somehow came to the decision that I wanted that diamond removed from its current setting and placed in my engagement ring or wedding band. My boyfriend/fiance' to be would have to get the ring from my parents before he proposed, a way of him asking for my hand in marriage. But, in the words of Carrie Bradshaw, "I can't help but wonder..." what if that doesn't happen? What if I do not end up getting engaged/married? I am saving that diamond for a day that I don't know will ever come. I don't know where life will take me or who it will lead me to, but I do know that if I never get engaged/married, the ring will never have been worn. It will remain in a gray box in my armoire, worn only on special occasions, taken to the jeweler on occasion to make sure the prongs are tight.
So, the question is...what am I waiting for? Why am I waiting for someone else to give me a ring I already own? I can't think of one good reason NOT to take the ring to a jeweler and have the diamond placed in a new setting. OK, money is a factor, of course, but this is what payment plans are for, right? :) The point is that I can't live in a future that I am so unsure of. What I AM sure of is TODAY and that I have a beautiful diamond ring that has been in a box way too long. I'll be on this Earth once and once only. I have one life and I don't get a do-over. So, again, I ask...what am I waiting for????

When life gives you apples...

...make apple cider! Yesterday I went to Hollenbeck's Cider Mill in Virgil, NY. Note to self-- DON'T go to a cider mill on opening day! It was packed with community members (I even saw one of my students) waiting in long lines for donuts fresh out of the fryer and cider fresh from the vat. I went with my favorite neighbors, The Mead's. Aidan is their 6 year old grandson and a Kindergarten student at my school. Together we watched the workers show how the apples are pressed for the cider. I can't believe I have never seen this done before! I am 32 years old, for heaven's sake! I left the cider mill with a 1/2 peck of apples and a 1/2 gallon of cider. On the way home, I cheated on my diet and ate a plain donut...DELICIOUS! I figured since I am only one pound from my goal weight, I deserved a little treat. :) The Mead's also sent me home with 2 pieces of Dutch Apple Pie, made at the mill. I ate a piece for snack last night and can't wait to eat another!

As you can see from the photo, Aidan was exhausted after our trip to the mill. I'm sure he had a donut when he woke up.