#27 of 101

Finish a 1000 piece igsaw puzzle.

Taaadaaa! There isn't much to say about this bad boy. I got it as a Christmas gift. I slaved over this for a couple weeks off and on. AND it is a 2000 piece, baby! I've always loved puzzles...although after this one, I think it'll be awhile before I do another one.

#69 of 101

Buy top quality pots and pans.

It only took about a year! I've been salivating over this Calphalon Unison Slide and Sear Cookware Set for AGES. It took my cheapy set to crack its handles and a new temp job to make the pocket not hurt so much. Whenever I fork over that much moolah for something, the sudden loss of funds hurts my feelings somewhat. The little frugal angel who sits on my shoulder usually pickets a purchase before I go through with it...but this time he couldn't stop me.

And so here are the new beauts who sit pretty in my kitchen...

I've given a review of this set previously. They are non-stick, with handles that won't crack or melt, AND dishwasher-safe. We've used it about twice since we got them yesterday...no oil, grease, spray needed. Nothing sticks to these babies.

And a great bonus....whenever you purchase over a certain amount...you are gifted with a gift of this pretty dutch oven/roaster deal...($250 value). Sweet!

I thought there would be a possibility I would regret it. But I am all-out giddy with this set. Great investment!

#51 of 101 Cirque du Soleil

I've been putting this off all day. In truth, I have to admit I am intimidated about writing of this fantastic experience in the chance I cannot provide it true justice.

The deets: The mainstay attraction of the Mirage. We opted for the 9:30 pm show as it was less expensive...not by much, but every little bit counts in Vegas,doesn't it? Performed by a Cirque du Soleil troupe with acts centered around the songs of the Beatles.

The good: Well, what can I say, it's Cirque du Soleil, after all. This company holds the reputation for being THE best there is in terms of artistic acrobatics. Anyone who begs to differ deserves a quick pop to the mouth. Everything was just beautiful. The songs were classics. I liked that they channeled the more artistic side instead of just twirling and stunting around with just the songs in the background. They really centered the performance around the lyrics of the songs. My favorite: "Something"....the ballad was perfection in itself. Four (gorgeous) ladies with long flowing hair and white gauzy leotards swayed back and forth from wires toward a man in center stage trying to catch them. It was slow and poetic and those girls moved with such breathtaking grace I was almost moved to tears.

The bad: The price. At 165 a pop plus taxes and fees, we thought we were getting the prime seating in the auditorium. BUT, the place was small enough that you got a really great view from every seat in the house. So if you go, unless you really really want to, opt for the tickets that run from 105 each and still be equally satisfied. Another thing, my sis was a little confused as she tried to make sense of the "storyline." Really, although there is a theme (duh, LOVE) there is not one plot. If you try to intellectualize it, I promise you when "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" butts up against "Octopus' Garden"....you WILL be confused.

Tips: Buy your concessions elsewhere. Given, everywhere in Vegas will end up costing you your first-born, but they'll ask for the rest of the brood as well if you try to purchase a soda from the Beatles Concessions.

Next on my agenda as I will be returning to Sin City at least two more time this year....watch "O" at the Bellagio. (It was sold out when we went.)

Another to cross off the list. I am on a roll, people!

Girls Only Vegas

For my sister's birthday, my mom and I took her to Vegas for the weekend. She had never been before and a a couple of days sans children was a VERY appealing concept. :-) We booked a night at the Bellagio in a queen guest room overlooking the swimming pool (yes, it was nice and warm enough to be soaking in the sun).
After a six hour drive, we finally got to check in...and by golly the lobby of the Bellagio was teaming with people. Amidst all that stood a silver-gilt horse poised beneath an umbrella of a colorful array of glass peonies. What a sight.

Freshened up, we headed straight for the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace. Shopping was the main agenda, after all. Most of it was of the window-type, however, considering the high-end stores that could be found there. But we Cabilan girls had the greatest time. One bummer, though, I had promised my abandoned kids gifts from the famous toy store FAO Schwartz, but we had found it CLOSED.....and not just for the day....but for FOREVER! BUMMER!!!!

After three hours of perusing the racks, I only came out with a perfume from Coach, a Coach scarf for my birthday gift to Abby, and a frame with a photo of Holmes' winning touchdown catch of the latest Steelers' Superbowl victory for Dylan.

Next destination: The Mirage. We picked up our tickets to the late night showing of Cirque du Soleil's Love. Separate post on the review of that.

We picked the Onda Ristorante at the Mirage to eat dinner. The antipasto platter had prosciutto, cotto, grilled eggplant, marinated olives, machego cheese and some pink caviar. My sister had the best veal chop of her life (or so she claims), I had a perfectly flaky garlic crusted sea bass, and mother had the salmon. A shared creme brulee with almond crisp, a glass of riesling, an apple martini, and 200 buckaroos later (all my treat, btw), the three of us were pleasantly full and ready for the show. (Which was fab!)

To complete the night, we made it back to the hotel just in time to see the last fountain show of the night. The water synched beautifully with the song "Proud to be an American." It was a perfect way to end the night.

The following morning, we simply ate at the buffet downstairs for a champagne brunch, and we spent the next three hours gambling. Some of us won (Abby and mom) and some of us lost (me). But not much.

It was a great weekend.

It's MY Turn!

This is just a taste of the everyday conflicts the girls get into. No children were hurt in the making of this video. LOL

Livy Singing a Song

#47 of 101

LEARN HOW TO SKI

Here's another one to strike through. Mister Och and I took advantage of Utah's Lucky 13 locals program ($13 lesson, $13 equipment rental, $13 all-day ski lift tkt) and learned how to ski last week!

We decided on Wolf Creek Resort, a small ski/board place only thirty minutes northeast of us. Park City and the surrounding area is teaming with Sundance Festival celebrities and attendees, and we would rather not have to deal with the chaos over there.

Here is what I learned:

1) Ski shoes are almost unbearably painful when learning to "walk" in skis, a skill the instructor insisted we learn first.

2) Skiing without poles (another necessity the instructor claimed) left me feeling utterly vulnerable.

3) Chanting "A" repeatedly (to remind myself to keep my skis in an A formation to keep from going too fast) does not necessarily work to decrease velocity.

4) When pushing off a chair lift, it is best not to push off of your husband instead of the chair since you may inadvertently shove him to the ground and consequently get bulldozed by the chairs traversing by. (Poor thing)

5) Wiping out violently and skidding several feet is not as painful on snow as it is on pavement.

6) Everything is worth trying once. (This sport may just fit that category.

Sorry, no pics. I was way too pre-occupied with keeping my neck intact to snap any for posterity's sake.

#76 of 101

#76 of my 101 goals in 1001 days is to take the children sledding.

Mister Och and I have adamantly promised ourselves to take the children sledding each winter for the past few years. Sadly, there was always some reason we couldn't make it. But because this year is a brand new start to accomplishing our goals, we decided there was no better time.

Although the conditions for proper sledding weren't ideal (it was sunny and the snow was starting to slush up and melt), we trekked down to the hills on base to try out the sleds the kids got from Santa this Christmas.

Unfortunately, for Little Liv, she was asleep yet again when we got ready to play, and she stayed that way until the last minute we decided to call it a day.

Miss Soph was fearless as she sped down the slope again and again. Mister D had a great time as well, regardless of his constant complaints that the snow was too slushy.

So there's one to cross off the list!