Full Disclosure

In full disclosure... I actually saw Luke Bryan again in February in Greensboro.  The date was actually postponed by a crazy snow storm that rocked our city and state... see below... we are talking white out conditions it was snowing so hard.  Hello... there are a lot of building out there that you can't see!

But back to the point.... hello Luke Bryan for the third time in 2014!

 

 

And a few moments, courtesy of You Tube... including the moment that Luke took quite the tumble on stage!

 



Super Bowl.... in Chicago?!?!?

As I mentioned, I have a few trips to catch up on.... so the first of many - CHICAGO!

Back in January I traveled with a friend to one of my favorite cities.  We stayed at the most amazing hotel and just enjoyed four days in the city. 

Oh no big deal, just the entrance to our hotel, complete with fountain.

The amazing view from our balcony.  I think I could have spent the entire time in the room because it was so amazing!  Actually - pretty sure I would have loved to live in our room permanently!

 

 

The snow started falling the first night we were there - and it kept coming and coming.  I was terrified I was not making it out of the city... and then I remembered... they deal with snow all the time!

 



One of my favorite things about Chicago - the food!  And our trip was not complete until I had Garrett's popcorn and Giordano's pizza (twice!).  Plus... a trip to the Sprinkle's cupcake ATM.  People you heard me right.  CUPCAKE ATM!  Ahhhhhhhh......

Our travels were over Super Bowl weekend, in case you didn't figure that out based on the title, so this is how I enjoyed the Super Bowl... before going to dinner and staying updated on the game on a cell phone in the middle of the table!  (and yes... that is a fireplace in our room... told you I could have lived in this hotel "room" permanently!)  This was exactly what I needed after a long six months of working hard and wishing my Panthers were in the Super Bowl.  So though it sounded crazy at the time, it was just what I needed for Super Bowl Sunday!

Chicago never seems to disappoint as a city!  So another fun trip - and check one more box on the 14 in 2014 list... fun travel with friends!

New York State of Mind

Back in January I had the opportunity to meet one of my great girlfriends in New York for some shopping, girl time... and wait for it.... LUKE BRYAN!

The weekend started for a fun evening at Morton's with some old friends from Charlotte that now live in the City.. and I miss the terribly!  (So come back home soon!  But pretty sure the City is now their permanent home!)

 

 
We went to some trendy places and tried to take selfies, of which I am horrible at!  For some reason, this is our only photo of two great friends taken during the trip!  (side note - that is One World Trade Center in the background)

Saturday included the concert (we will hold that until the end because I will get beyond sidetracked!), as well as shopping, a great Carnegie Deli experience and checking out the Super Bowl preparations for the next weekend in Times Square.

Sunday finished with a wonderful (yet overpriced) brunch experience at The Plaza.  But hey - we can say we did it and check the box.  But it is an amazing hotel (Tip for future travelers - don't do the Bruch... look at it then travel downstairs to the Todd English Food Hall and enjoy!).  And don't get me wrong - the amazing company made the overprice glass of orange juice worth it!

Now... to the main event:  Luke Bryan at Madison Square Garden!  Where the country hits the city.  It was quite interesting being a events person to see how they had to stack all of the trucks along side streets.

We had amazing seats (thanks Buschie!) and had a great night singing at the top of our lungs.  And we kept inching our way closer and closer - such fun!!

Now... thought the highlight was getting to experience it with Kendra... the close second highlight was this moment...

So all in all - a successful trip to New York City! 

A few snippets from the concert (and yes in the first video I was able to pick us out in the crowd!)

 

14 in 2014 Update

Well - to help keep me on track, each month I will post an update on my progress in the 14 in 2014.  So... here is the current update:

1.  See the inside of my locker at the gym a lot more than this year!  Well, as of right now, this has not been successful.  But I am still hopefully for a turnaround!

2.  Finish redecorating my cozy home with plush rugs, final bookcases, warm bedding and pictures on the walls.  The bedding is on, the bed has been moved, the last bookshelves put together, pictures kinda on the walls.... and wait for it - a garden planted on my patio.  This is success people!  CHECK! 

3.  Take more vitamins, drink more water and eat less French fries.  Check.  Check.  And Check.  And.... I have completely come off of drinking Dt. Dr. Pepper and dark Diet soda.  Once in a while I will have a Sprite Zero or Diet Ginger Ale... but so have reduced the caffeine intake!

4.  Limit my trips to the Mothership and spend less on things not needed!  Since February I have been on a strict budget.  And I am happy to report it is going great!

5.  Participate in #chryseveryday2014 on Instagram where I document something good about each day to remind that life really is great no matter the small ups and downs. Okay - I am not going to lie.  This is hard people.  I have never been someone who liked to take photos of what I was eating or doing each day - and I really think this is a better project for people with kids.  So I  finished January and was happy with my 30 day project. 

6.  Learn that a day with nothing to do is a blessing and don't try to fill it. I haven't really had a day yet that was free, so keep you posted on this one.  

7.  Be open to new possibilities. 

8.  Take some fabulous trips with amazing friends and make incredible memories (using all of my vacation in 2014!)  Knoxville, New York, Chicago, New York are in the books.  Coming up are New York, Boca Raton and Nashville.  Working on this one!

9.  Cook more meals at home and learn to like leftovers.  As I sit and type this, I have chicken coking in my slow cooker for Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps tonight.  And now I make a weekly trip to the grocery store.  This is MAJOR progress people!

10.  Continue my blogging journal journey.  Wellllll... we went off the rails a little.  But we are going to try and get back on track!
 

11.  Learn to breathe and relax and not let stress cause health issues. Ummm....here is hoping to the next few months... right?!?!?!

12.  Limit my Mexican and queso intake to once a week, not once a day.   And some times, once a month.  So CHECK!

13.  Triple the amount in my savings account and pay off all my credit cards. Savings account is in progress and two credit cards are gone.  So we are still on track!

14.  Reflect on each day and see the blessings that exist no matter what else is going on.  This one is hard to define, but I am trying to stop and enjoy more.  

Life Lately.

It is interesting that the last post is January 22, 2014.  That day will remain a pretty big day in my life and was the day that my year got turned around and sent down a different direction.  A good direction.  Actually a great direction.  But a different direction. 

So I haven't left my love of my blog journal - and have so much to catch up on.  And make a promise on May 1st that I will get back to it!  This blog became my outlet, a place to reflect and count my blessings and believe it or not, a relaxing opportunity. 

So hold on to your hats - know that life in the last 4 months has been filled with amazing highs, a few lows and lots of fun adventures along the way.  And I can't wait to fill you in on some of the adventures!