#8: Go to Villa Von Trapp

Anyone who really knows me is aware that I am a “Sound of Music” FANatic, and my 30 for 30 list would not be complete without an item related to my most favorite of favorite things. Tickets for the Sound of Music tour in Salzburg are only $50 US dollars, but the airfare to get to Austria is a bit out of my price range this year. When I realized I couldn’t go to Maria’s homeland, I went to the closest thing this side of the Atlantic: Villa Von Trapp in beautiful Stowe, Vermont.


In the early 1940’s, after having fled the Nazi regime in Europe, the Von Trapp family settled in Stowe, VT. The story goes that the Captain and Maria found Vermont’s rolling mountains and magnificent views “reminiscent of their beloved Austria.”
The Von Trapp’s began welcoming guests to a rustic family home/lodge in the summer of 1950. After a devastating fire in 1980, the original structure was replaced by a new alpine Lodge. The entire property is still owned and operated by the Von Trapp family. The modern-day Villa Von Trapp even includes the recent addition of a Trapp Family Brewery!

There was so much to do at the Trapp Family Lodge that my friend Jen Whitlock and I made it a two-day event. Our first night, we started out in the Lounge were we had a cocktail hour and listened to John Cassel on the piano. The piano man found out about my 30 for 30 list, and he presented us with a special medley of Sound of Music show tunes just for me and Jen. I secretly knew that he probably performed this musical bit every night, but he made us feel special, so we just kept on pretending that he was putting on a show just for us! Our cocktail hour was followed by a delicious meal in the Main Dining Room. I was dedicated to an authentic Austrian night, so of course I ordered the wiener schnitzel. Deliciousness!

The next morning, Jen and I went back to the lodge for breakfast at the bakery, followed by a mid-morning beer tasting at the brewery. The beers were so good that Jen and I each bought beer for consumption back in Boston. Jen’s husband, Geoff, is a chef so he graciously cooked up more homemade wiener schnitzel the following week; we thanked him by drinking all the Von Trapp beer.

Villa Von Trapp was everything I hoped it would be, but unfortunately I do have one regret. I really wish Jen and I would have had the nerve to crash the wedding that was going on that Saturday night. Next time...

#16: Find a Pilates/Yoga class and attend 5 times

When I told my friend Chelsea Paxton, who teaches yoga in Tulsa, OK, that I was looking for a studio in OKC, she encouraged me to visit Spirit House Yoga and attend one of Martha McQuaid’s classes. Chelsea and I lived in Boston together (and now we are both in OK!), and she is aware of my previous Pilates/Yoga practices and the ski accident that resulted in my back injury. I completely trusted her recommendation, and the weekend after Thanksgiving I went to my first class at Spirit House Yoga (SHY).

I was a bit nervous returning to yoga practice; every time I’d attempted yoga post-ski accident I always ended up feeling like I had been hit by a truck the next day. I intentionally arrived at SHY a bit early so that I could speak with Martha, and her co-teacher and husband Ted, about my injury. They were incredibly welcoming and very willing to work with me so that I could experience a pain-free yoga class, but also to begin to heal my back. My first class with Martha and Ted was so positive that after class I asked Martha if I could give her a hug.

Since I attended my first class a little over a month ago now, I’ve been back ten times, definitely achieving my 30 for 30 goal! Recently, it struck me that some of my 30 for 30 “goals” that began as items to check off my list actually have the potential to change and shape my life long-term. Thinking about my desire to continue yoga as a long-term commitment to myself is exciting and inspiring.

I have experienced a great deal of transition in my life over the past three and a half months, and I am so grateful to have found a yoga studio that is helping me continue my journey to a more balanced life while working my body, mind and spirit. SHY has given me a place to continue to ask life’s questions, yet encourages me to find happiness in the present and sitting with the unknown.

#21: Schedule Boomer a play date with another cat

Boomer has had several play dates since my 30th birthday. In fact, last April I would never have guessed, but he actually has a new roommate!

When Boomer and I made our respective treks to Oklahoma (he flew to OK with Tom, not me, which is a story all to itself), he and I moved into a house that was already occupied by a cat named Maggie. Maggie and Boomer spent their first two weeks under the same roof in separate quarantine spaces. During that time they made up a game I fondly named “Playing Paws.”

At the end of the first two weeks, the kitties got to switch spaces. Boomer hung out in Maggie’s territory, and Maggie went into Boomer’s space.

Boomer and Maggie met for the first time in their carriers. All nerves where calmed when they just sat there, like cats do, staring at one another.

The final step was lifting the quarantine and giving both cats full roaming territory in the house. Boomer was so excited to come out and play. He went right up to Maggie and gave her a kiss on her nose. They’ve became fast friends and have been best buddies ever since.

Boomer and Maggie are frequently found together lying in the sun, cuddled on the down comforter, or chasing anything with string, feathers or a laser beam. Their favorite time of day is feeding time. They are most active around 9pm when they run through the house on the romping obstacle course.

#12: Go to a Thunder Game

When I moved back to Oklahoma City I took a look at my 30 for 30 list and realized there was an item on the list that was going to be very difficult to check-off now that I’d returned to a land-locked state: #12 “Go Whale Watching.” I gave myself permission to amend my list, and #12 became “Go to a Thunder Game.” With enthusiasm and excitement I announced this to my family. They grimly informed me that my alternative might be equally as hard to complete in this land-locked state due to the NBA lockout. Boo!

Keeping the faith, I reminded them that I was a lucky charm for professional sports teams in the city where I reside. While I was in Boston (2003-2011) the city’s pro football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams were all the cream of the crop at least once! The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl back to back in 2004 and 2005. The Boston Red Sox saw the end of the “Curse of the Bambino” and won the World Series in 2004, and again in 2007. The Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship in 2008. And the Boston Bruins won the Stanley cup in 2011. I was absolutely convinced that the NBA lockout would be resolved, and I would get to go to my first Thunder game. After all, I’m a lucky charm.

Then it came to pass...

On Christmas Eve my new friend Ashley Armstrong, who works for the Thunder, called and offered me two tickets to the Christmas night, opening game of the season. What a blast! I took my cousin Elisabeth, and we had the full Thunder experience: Rumble in his Santa suit, KD’s 3-pointers, and yes, a Thunder victory! I could not have been a more perfect night.
Oh, and by the way, the Thunder have started off this new season with a roaring boom. This lucky charm is definitely holding out for a Championship season for the OKC Thunder in 2011-2012!

#18: Go to Vegas

As mentioned in my last blog post, I was in Vegas for my cousin's wedding in October. The trip was a quick one, but Sin City did not disappoint.

Thirty-six hours in Vegas gave me plenty of time to spend, lose and win money. No whammies!

Two nights at New York New York.

Food, food, more food and free drinks for all.

LOVED the Bellagio fountains!

The wedding bells rang and Elvis was in the building at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel.

By far the most unlikely thing I did in Vegas was ride the roller coaster at our hotel. My dad and I made a pact that if OU won the game against Texas that we would ride the coaster. Win we did, and sure enough, we kept our pact. I was terrified. Roller coasters are not my thing, but I couldn't back out. When in Vegas.... Here's a video clip of someone riding the New York New York roller coaster. If you listen closely you can still hear me screaming: "Oh Jesus, please let it be over!"

#28: Go to a casino and bet something

Last weekend I placed my first bet! I was in Vegas for my cousin's wedding, which happened to be the same weekend as the OU/Texas football game...only Oklahoma State fans plan their wedding over OU/Texas weekend. :-) Fortunately, my mom and dad were traveling with me, so together we found other OU (and some Texas) fans to watch the game with.

The night before the game, I won $50 off of $5 at a Wizard of Oz penny slot machine. VIVA! I took the $45 profit and used that money to place my first bet at Caesar's Palace on the OU/Texas game. I bet the over in the total points of the game (56.5). Thanks to all of the OU touchdowns, the points rapidly rose to a final score of 55-17. And hey, I'm willing to be a truly thankful OU fan; thanks Texas for the 2 points that put the score over 56.5! Winner of my 30 for 30 bet. Boomer Sooner.

#7: Go to Ben and Jerry's Factory

I scream, You scream, We all scream for ICE CREAM!

In July I had the opportunity to go to Stowe, VT with my good friend Jen Whitlock. Of course, one of the reasons we went was for a 30 for 30 item that desperately needed action: Visit the Ben & Jerry's HQ. That famous ice cream in the sky is an irresistible temptress.


For $3 visitors can purchase tickets to tour the one and only Ben & Jerry's factory, which incidentally makes a quarter of a million pints of ice cream a day! Photography is not allowed of course; B&J don't want any potential ice cream entrepreneurs or spies stealing their famous recipes.

By the end of the tour, we were all screaming for ice cream. Thank goodness, the tour ended with a sample of a flavor that is yet-to-be released. Jen and I got to try "Late Night Snack": vanilla ice cream with a salty caramel swirl and chocolate covered potato chips. It was delicious. Look for it in stores soon, folks, you've got to try it for yourself.