Not even a big huge blizzard packing THAT MUCH snow on the deck, patio furniture, driveway, house, entire neighborhood, and metropolitan area is going to squelch my spirit. So since that quick little Hawaiian vacation is not looking imminent, I've managed to escape the winter doldrums while snowed-in at home by sipping Sangria and playing scrabble words like ZONER, PLEX, & JAM - 3 words you would think would have me winning the game, right?

Alas... nope.

Total justification for ordering up some authentic Hawaiian pineapple wine, if you ask me.

With the overabundance of Arctic-like weather keeping me all cooped up and trapped indoors these days, I felt this mental flashback to a certain Hawaiian vacation to be a much needed escape from bitter-cold reality. Another hike up to the top of Diamond Head and trek out to the North Shore sound like the perfect recipe to regain sanity, and I'm ready as ever.

As planned, here I am enjoying appetizers and sushi at a local favorite restaurant with the very person who lured me into this situation by texting a certain photo from Minnesota. This is exactly the kind of thing that happens as the result of sushi texting - thus proving you just cannot get away with those kinds of shenanigans in my presence. Unless, of course, you take the recipient (me) out for a big plate full of sushi goodness, complete with a doggie-bag for lunch-time sushi the next day.

Consider yourself warned.

While in Minnesota this week, my oldest texted me this photo of grocery-store-purchased sushi, thus requiring a visit to HIRO88 to acquire actual restaurant-style sushi now that she has arrived back home. Proof that I do not take these teaser pics lightly - perfect excuse to take mom out for sushi, right?

Stay. Tuned.

The view from my high-rise office feels somewhat apocalyptic as the usual steam from nearby factories emit a mushroom-like appearance today.  And parking in Arctic temps kind of gives an end-of-the-world feeling to match this doomsday view.  

Hot espresso and chocolate greatly needed.

What better day to shop for new eyeglasses than on Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday, the day upon which we celebrate the life, actions, and words of a leader who inspired all with visions of hope and unity. So in honor of MLK Day, the family and I took advantage of my newly acquired vision benefit by getting fitted with these swanky new glasses. And not only did I feel all excited about getting huge discounts, but I also felt special in having a paid holiday on which to celebrate and shop.

"Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope."
— from "I Have A Dream" speech, Washington, D.C., August 28, 1963

Tonight the family and I concocted the Cheesy Black Bean and Chicken Enchiladas recipe via Blue Apron Shipment-of-the-Week, and it tasted much better than it looked. Our only advice for next time around?  More cilantro + sour cream mix in the enchilada stuffing.  Otherwise, tonight's meal was a great family team building moment and tasty dinner - although, being down one family member meant extra leftovers.  

​Not a bad deal, after all.

When the heavens opened today and dropped me and my peeps right smack down HERE for the day, you'd better believe we loaded up on all kinds of Nike, Under Armour, and Columbia goodness - all washed down by an Iced Camelicious from Scooters. (Ok, that was the oldest peep's beverage since I'd already imbibed a triple-shot espresso before leaving the house and didn't require any more caffeine, but it really was a necessary part of the adventure and worth mentioning, nonetheless.)

And then as we were leaving, not so strangely the idea of taking up residence at the nearby Super 8 crossed my mind - for future convenient power shopping purposes, of course. That along with my own personal U-Haul truck to transport everything home.

Hmmm... new bucket list item? Check.

I'm so ready for this year to be the new beginning I never knew I needed... for family to set out into new horizons... for new awareness of the world around me and, hopefully, newfound rounds of tennis once again.

I miss you, tennis, more than words can say here on this blog. *sniff*

I have seen my share of disappointment, desperation, and grief over 2018 which led me to new beginnings and unexpectedly uplifting opportunities. So while there are certain life events I would like to erase from the past year, I am also looking forward to all kinds of amazingly great stuff ahead. Biggest lesson learned?  Life is too short and could end any time, so live every single day to the fullest and take care of that "Bucket List" now, because tomorrow is not guaranteed to even happen.

I AM SO ON IT.