Buy and Drink a Bottle of Opus One - Check!

It's about Ray. As it so often is.

We are sitting at dinner, the San Diego skyline is sparkling in the distance and I have just been gifted with the most incredible bottle of wine, a check for the Life List, and a question.

Opus One?

The answer is so much simpler than the feelings behind it.

For Rays' 70th birthday, a group of friends took him out to dinner and bought him a bottle of Opus One. And then they drank it... right then.

Ray wasn't really a wine drinker. He liked Crown Royal, on the rocks. This man, whom I loved and respected above all others, and who normally drank Crown Royal, thought Opus One was a great wine. A wine to celebrate your 70th birthday.That fact, made an impression on my 21 year old, no wine knowledge self. A mere three years later he was gone, and I made a note:

Buy and drink a bottle of Opus One.

Memories. Tucked away and stored like the silver spoon Nanny's Mama buried in the back yard when those damn Yankees came.

My memories.

And that night, a new one.

This is my nephew Joe and his terrific girlfriend Katie. Joe goes to a great college here in San Diego and it is for that reason that we get to see much more of him... and his family!

Next we have my nephew Luke and Karen Ray. Could there be cuter cousins? I'm not entirely sure. My nephew Sam isn't pictured because it is Baseball Season. There are no vacations during Baseball Season. Or trips from college for a family dinner. Which is why you don't see my lovely Megs and Erin...

And then we have Nancy. I am lucky to call her my Sister. There are so many people in my life that I am blessed to know. Nancy tops the list. Her equally awesome husband Mark is not pictured, because he is in the CIA. I'm just kidding. Mark was unable to make the trip this time, but next time... LOOK OUT San Diego!

So the story is this. Nancy and Mark decided that I needed another check for my Life List (which is amazing and wonderful and kind and thoughtful)... And because they love food and wine as much as Tim and I, they bought me a bottle of Opus One.

I'm sorry, I need to repeat that.

They bought me a bottle of OPUS ONE!!!

I nearly fell over.

And then I teared up.
Joe asked me why Opus One.
And I told my story.
We ate.
We laughed.
I loved every single drop and every single minute.

And I am pretty sure Ray was there with us.

Run a 10K - Check.

About 30 minutes after I posted my Life List, I received this.  That's right.  You've never met my husband, but there is nothing that Tim likes better than a training plan.  He likes goals.  He likes to be supportive and motivational. He likes to make sure you get enough protein, go to bed on time, and Lord help me... get up in the morning.

You see, I thought by putting my Life List on my blog, I was holding myself accountable.  

I forgot who I married.

And so...

I have completed a 10K.

And truthfully, it wasn't that bad.  The training plan Tim found for me was excellent.  The race we picked was flat  (Glory be).  The day was the perfect temperature and wind free.  

I survived.  

In fact, I enjoyed myself!

You know it's real because this is my number.

The Goose hopped in and ran the last 100 yards with me!

And this is my incredible support network... minus 1.
My dear friend Katrina manned the camera!
Thank you Todd, Katy, Caden, Karen Ray, Jody, and last but not least Tim.
I couldn't have done it without you Love!

Charlie's Life List

I have been thinking about New Year's Resolutions lately.  Exercise more, eat healthy, lose weight, spend more time reading/less time watching tv... you know the drill.  The problem is that I'm not very good at resolutions.  My will power and motivation last less than the one month average most people maintain their resolutions.  There are many reasons for this.  Some of which are: I like the way I eat now, and I like to drink wine.  I guess, much like Popeye, I yam what I yam.

So I'm taking a new approach this year.  I am starting a Life List.  Not a bucket list, because I don't really want to plan on dying, but a list of things that I want to do in my life.  There are adventures, skills, and opportunities to give back.  Some of them involve healthy living, which is a great life goal all on it's own.

For now the list is 37 items.  Generated for my years on this earth so far, and because I was reaching to come up with more.  The 37 here are valid and true, and that seemed like a logical place to stop.  That said, I reserve the right to add to it and edit it, as I see fit.  It is my life after all!   

Charlie's Life List:
1.  Build a well. 2.  Learn to speak 3 languages (conversationally), other than English.  Spanish, French, American Sign Language. 3.  Hike Angel Falls in Venezuela. 4.  Complete my Grandmother's book.  5.  Race in the Camp Pendleton Mud Run.  6.  Buy and drink a bottle of Opus One. 7.  Hike the Mayan ruins. 8.  Make my own bedding for my room.  Quilt, Shams, Pillows, Dog beds. 9.  Tithe. 10.  Drive cross country. 11.  Visit all 58 National Parks. 12.  Learn to make pasta.  13.  Go back to France.  14.  Attend the Olympic Games.  15.  Learn to Swing Dance.  16.  Volunteer abroad.  17.  Volunteer at home.  18.  Hike to the top of a Volcano.  19.  Go Whitewater Rafting.  20.  Learn to knit.  21.  Knit a sweater.  22.  Learn to do a Back Handspring.  23.  Spend a romantic weekend in San Francisco.  24.  Improve my piano playing to be able to sightread proficiently.  25.  Sing Karaoke in a bar.  26.  Soak in a natural hot spring.  27.  Run a 10k.  28.  Fly on a Trapeze.  29.  Make my own tortillas.  30.  Design this freakin' blog.  31.  Visit Monique in Australia.  32.  Texas-OU.  33.  Snow Shoe.  34.  Hike Mt. Marcy. 35.  Financial Independence.  36.  See Alaska  37.  Kiss my Grand Babies.

So there you have it.  It may not be much, but just looking at it makes me want to get started!

Oh, and if you have a list, or you just want to share a few goals leave it in the comments. 

Share your dreams, they might inspire someone else!