#23. Visit a chocolate factory or other confectionary.

While in NYC visiting a friend, I was taken to a chocolate restaurant. They also made their own chocolates there. It was fabulous. I couldn't even begin to tell you how good it was and how much I enjoyed it. The picture is of me and Britt enjoying a hot chocolate before we get started sampling the chocolate treasures. The website is here. YOu can buy chocolate if you want or you can visit for yourself.

#10. Think of a new use for an old product.

My reinvention of a new use for an old product is this. For Christmas, I made this bag for my sister. The outside is made of granny squares I crocheted while I was in England. That is not the reinvention. It is when you look on the inside. I needed a lining for the bag but did not want to spend alot of money to buy new fabric. So, I took an old pair of Curtis' pants and turned them into lining. When you look on the inside, the pockets and hoops for the belt are still visible and useful. She can hang her keys on the loops and use the pockets to hide valuables. I love it. Carol calls it Curtis' butt bag, but she loves it too!

#17 Host a Party at your Home

So, I was going over the list and realized that I have done this and forgot to post about it. Every Christmas, we host a Christmas party at the parsonage where both churches are invited. This year was no exception (sorry, no pictures. I forgot. If proof is needed ask the church members. :). It took forever to get the house cleaned and decorated, but everything went off without a hitch. I like hosting parties. I like for my house to be full of life and laughter, not to mention the excuse to eat great food.

#13 Attend an inaugural ball

When we set this goal, we had no idea who would be the next president, but I sure am glad it's Barack Obama! Our church friends hosted an "Inaugural Ball - Owen Style" in their friend's apartment building in Arlington. Here we are with the FBC crew, and it was lots of fun!

#20. Eat at a famous chef's restaurant.

I am so excited about this one. I have been wanting to eat at Paula Deen's restaurant forever, and this list gave us a reason to stop in Savannah on our way down to Florida. I love her show and I do not care if she cooks with 2 pounds of butter...that is why it is good. I heard her say one time that if you are coming to her restaurant looking for a healthy version of Southern food, then you came to the wrong place. By it's nature, Southern food is not healthy....it's Southern AND good! I enjoyed fried chicken, ooey gooey butter cake, rice, black-eyed peas, cheddar biscuits and hoecakes...yummy! Can I do a repeat on this goal?

#22 Participate in an fundraising event for a cure

David and I participated in the Help the Homeless Walkathon again this year. This had to be the coldest year ever. Also participation and visibility seemed to be down, and I suspect it has to do with the economy (Fannie Mae is one of the largest sponsors).

This event has several special meanings to me. The first year I did it, David coordinated the sponsoring church group, and so that was my very first interaction with him. Who knew he would later become my husband!

Second is that, also on that first year, Claire and I had our apartment fire later that evening and, in the span of about 12 hours, I went from walking to becoming temporarily homeless myself! Although I am extremely lucky that I had friends and resources to help me, I can definitely see how one can become homeless very quickly and very unexpectedly.

This is the fourth year that I've participated, and I hope to continue the tradition well into the future. I just hope next year is warmer!

#15 Try a food that you've never tried before

As part of one of our kaiseki dinners (12 courses of the chef's freshest foods), I tried raw shrimp (pictured on the right). I tried many kinds of raw fish, but unfortunately the shrimp is one of the few that I can identify. Actually, it was quite good; I loved the texture. But I would never eat it raw in the U.S. Somehow our standards don't seem as high as in Japan. Hmmm.