Valentine's on the 15th

Okay, this year my wife and I did something we have often heard about but never actually done ourselves - celebrate Valentine's Day on the 15th instead of the 14th. Don't worry guys, we talked about this weeks in advance. This year it seemed to work out pretty good being that the 15th was on a Friday. I have to admit that when the 14th rolled around, it was very difficult not to pull out the flowers, balloons, candy, etc. On the night of the 14th, we actually baby sit for some friends of ours who went out to eat (they returned the favor on the 15th - saved some nice $ with that move!).

After it was all said and done, we had an amazing Valentines (15th) Day! And, I must admit, that we learned some great benefits by waiting until the 15th.

1. It is easier to get a reservation at a restaurant. (I started calling the second week of January!) We ate at the famous Del Frisco's in Fort Worth. WOW! Amazing place - highly recommend it.
2. It is easier to find a baby sitter. Although we did work out the free babysitting gig (see above notes).
3. You can get through the card aisle at the Hallmark store much easier than the day before - AND, you would be surprised how many cards are left over.
4. You never have to worry about flowers being delivered on time. The day after Valentine's may be the slowest day of the year for florists.

They key to the whole thing is simple. It really is not about a particular day, but the fact that you take time to celebrate the one you love and to show them how much you care. My wife is my best friend, and I love spending time with her. Even after almost 12 years of marriage, we still never run out of things to talk about. So, start now to make your plans for the new Valentine's Day - February 15th!

My Bucket List

Wow! It's been awhile since I put anything on here - my fault. Things have been very hectic lately. You may or may not know about a new movie that is in theaters right now starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. It is called "The Bucket List". It is the story of two older guys who are friends and they are both diagnosed with some type of life ending ailment. They begin thinking about their time on earth and all of the things they "wished they had done". So, they create a list of things they would like to do before they "kick the bucket" - hence the title of the movie.

That got me thinking about what I would like to do before I "kick the bucket". No, I don't have any terminal illness and I am only 34 years old - but, it is never to late to get started. Here it goes, my bucket list (in no particular order):

1. Go to one Super Bowl game - any one will do.
2. See a baseball game at Fenway Park.
3. Vacation in Hawaii with my wife.
4. Run a marathon (not a big one - maybe a 10k).
5. Meet and talk to a sitting President and walk through the Oval office.
6. Meet Michael Jordan.
7. Run through the "T" at a Tennessee football game (the last guy to do this donated one million dollars to the University).
8. Earn a million dollars.
9. Slap a bull on the backside (see the movie Wild Hogs).
10. Fly in a helicopter.
11. Write a book.
12. Ride the zamboni at a Hockey game.
13. Give someone a car.
14. Go to any summer Olympics opening ceremony.
15. Drive a race care around any NASCAR track.

Who knows, check back periodically and I'll let you know if I get to cross any off my list. The main thing is to enjoy life everyday! God has given us so many wonderful things, so start living!