The Busy Giffs

January 3, 2024

Happy New Year - a 40 by 40 update


Happy New Year!

It's crazy to think another year has gone by. It was a big year - I traveled so much and bought my own home! Things I didn't think I'd be able to to do, I did! Next month I turn 38 and I'll have two more years to work on this list. 

I'm finding my list is changing as I thought about what I want to accomplish this coming year, but for now, I'll keep this going and see what it looks like in two more years!

6. Go on a cruise. - We have one scheduled for next month! Nick, the kids, and I are going to the Bahamas on a Royal Caribbean cruise and I am both terrified and excited. 

4. Do the AFSP Overnight walk NOT in Massachusetts or New York - I completed the walk in DC in 2023 and it was absolutely amazing. Post Covid, my cardio health is way down and I was really proud of myself for making it through the 20 miles. It was especially wonderful to see Nick in the Medical tent at the halfway point - he really pumped me up to finish!

8. Cross stitch something - I bought a kit and I am so excited to give it a try!

I've got a good dent on things, I just need to keep working through (and focus on some fitness stuff - oops!) and see what else I can accomplish!

40 by 40

TRAVEL

1. Disney World or Disney Land with the kids (again) - August 2021

2. Lego Land in New York - check! So much fun!

3. Travel internationally - Europe ideally Iceland in February 2022!

4. Harry Potter World - Another we checked off on our trip!

5. Go to a Tropical Island

6. Go on a cruise. 

7. Go on a road trip that's at least a week long a different place every night or two. - this was unreal! Check out the post all about it!

8. Fly 1st class.  - this was a surprise! On our way to Nashville, we got a free upgrade!

9. Go Glamping/ Stay in a Tree house

10. Camp at least 10 days in the five years

       - We did 3 nights to celebrate my sister's graduation - June 2021

11. Go to Ohana at Disney or real Luau in Hawaii.

12. See 5 National Parks

            1. El Yunque, Puerto Rico 2/23

13. Go to an all-inclusive resort

14. Make a bucket list of travel locations  - done and done - check out my list here.

15. Get a new passport 

16. Visit 5 new states

    - California to see my brother and North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee this summer!


FITNESS

1. Try Barre or a new type of fitness class

2. Bench a full plate on each side

3. Run an in person 5k or 10k.

4. Run a half marathon.

5. Do a pull up

6. Try a pole fit class


FOOD

1. Try a juice cleanse

2. Eat vegetarian or vegan for a week

3. Go to a fancy dinner and splurge without looking at menu prices - Nick and I went to a deliciously amazing steak house.  We ordered amazing steaks and sides and drinks and didn't pay attention to the bill.  It helped that it was even less than we expected, but it was such a fun experience since it's so out of the ordinary for us!

4. One month take out/fast food free

5. Try barbeque in the south - so many times on our road trip. It. Was. Amazing.

6. Tip 100% on a bill /$20 on a small bill


FOR WORK

1. Take a spanish or ASL class - I signed up for DuoLingo Spanish! I'm a couple weeks in and I'm relearning so much.

2. Masters + 30 or a CAGS


FOR ME

1. Be comfortable in my body

2. Get another tattoo

3. Buy a piece of art -- real art, not a print from Marshalls/Home Goods  I was beyond excited to support my former co-worker at SAPedrosa.com. I bought the most gorgeous print, but hope to buy this one day when I own my own house again and can decorate.

4. Do the AFSP Overnight walk NOT in Massachusetts or New York - I completed the walk in DC in 2023 and it was absolutely amazing. Post Covid, my cardio health is way down and I was really proud of myself for making it through the 20 miles. It was especially wonderful to see Nick in the Medical tent at the halfway point - he really pumped me up to finish!

5. Unplug completely for 24 hours

6. A spa day  I originally meant this as a massage and facial and all that, but we ended up at Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik and it was the most amazing, relaxing spa experience.

7. Try diamond painting or another new craft with Em

8. Cross stitch something

9. Take a baking class -- cookies or cake decorating.

10. Pay off the car

December 31, 2023

November and December Books

44. In the Likely Event, Rebecca Yarros

45. Just the Nicest Couple, Mary Kubica

46. The Last to Vanish, Megan Miranda

47. Nine Lives, Peter Swanson

48. Speak, Laura Halse Anderson

49. Christmas Presents, Lisa Unger

50. You Make It Feel Like Christmas, Toni Shiloh

51. How She Died, How I lived, Mary Crockett

52. Betrayal, Phillip Margolin

I read 52 books this year! That's basically a book a week. I love consuming books and plan on more next year. Feel free to check out my GoodReads to follow along and see what I read in 2024!

xo, Heather

November 13, 2023

Dreamworks Water Park, New Jersey

 Our goal last summer was to go to as many theme parks as we could and were super excited to check out DreamWorks Water Park in American Dream in New Jersey. 

The coolest part of this park is that it is INSIDE a mall, so you can play in the water all the time - no need to worry about the weather. Plus it's right next to Nickelodeon Universe so you can make a whole trip out of it!


There are tall thrill slides, a Penguins of Madagascar area for the littles, and a huge wave pool. They have a FlowRider to practice wave riding and a snack shack!


The theming is amazing and was such a great trip!



Happy New Year - a 40 by 40 update

Happy New Year! It's crazy to think another year has gone by. It was a big year - I traveled so much and bought my own home! Things I di...