Thank You Very Much!

I'm trying something new today!

Here's how it works:

It's Free Therapy Day!! That's right, it's Thursday, which means it's the Thank You Very Much day. The way it works is that you post your little peeves that may have affected you in some way during the week and say, Thank You Very Much in a slightly sarcastic tone. 

To the people using the pool who went into the camp building that was off-limits, apparently because the open bathrooms were too far to walk, and dragged sand all over the floor and generally made a mess of what took me FOUR hours to clean the other day.....Thank you very much....because with summer season about to start, I have to time to go back and do it all again.

To my husband who has reawakened the bug to return to Alaska.....Thank you very much....Like I needed another big trip to plan!

 To my coffee, which I can't seem to start my day without....Thank you very much.

To my van....Look, I love you.  Would you please stop dropping parts all over the road?.....Thank you very much.

To my beloved kids who think they need a new, clean glass every time they want a drink and thereby fill my sink full of dishes on an hourly basis....Thank you very much.

*phew*!...well that felt kinda good!  

Give it a try!

 

Homesteaders Heart: Here it is! Mini kitchen makeover and giveaway!

Homesteaders Heart: Here it is! My mini kitchen makeover and giveaway!


I'm not sure who all is gonna see this, other than Bloggers who are already friends of Kim's!....but none the less, if you haven't checked out this give-away, well GIT ON OVER THERE!!!!...IT ENDS TOMORROW!

(Well, better late than never, right?!)

My new best friend....

....is a store.

LOL!...well, not really, but I've found a store that I absolutely LOVE!

Hobby Lobby!

Never heard of those back in New England! Can't say I ever really saw one in Florida, either, although that doesn't mean they aren't there. I just didn't see one where we were. But here in Texas, they have Hobby Lobby!

Best. Craft Store. EVER!

The scrapbooking section is to die for.... I saw it briefly while there with my kids the other day, but I must go back alone and really take it all in. I also like that on the entrance door they have posted this sign under the hours of operation:

"Hobby Lobby stores are closed on Sundays so that our employees may have time for family and worship."

HOW cool is that??! Sure don't see that much anymore.

6 of 52

So I don't have a picture of myself with one of my kiddos for this week, but I got such a kick out of how this one turned out that I had to use it this week...

This photo was NOT taken at Walt Disney World!! It was, however, taken at Busch Gardens. Just can't get away from that "theme park" theme... At least we all know how I like to spend my free time! lol!

5 of 52

Alright, alright, I know....it's another picture of me from Walt Disney World. So shoot me. But I'm discovering that if I want to find a picture of me, that's the folder they are in!! Apparently I do, indeed, take all of the pictures around here.

So here we are again, looking particularly lovely this time! Hey, if you can't laugh at yourself...! This was at Animal Kingdom. It was hot. We'd been there all day.... But it's a picture of me, so there you have it...

4 of 52

Hey LOOK!....A picture of me that was NOT taken in Disney World!!...lol! And yet, it's still a theme park. Oh well! This is from Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH, a couple of summers ago....

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I'm participating in a year long challenge, created by Carin (click the image above!). The goal is to be in one picture a week, for 52 weeks. Since us moms are always behind the camera, this gives us a chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. Fun challenge, right? You can join too! Just jump in right now and let me know you're playing along! Carin has added a Mr. Linky on Thursdays...so that we can check out each others pictures.

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So here's me!.......in Disney World!! Where else, right?!

Me and DS7 on the bus, headed for Epcot (is it weird that I can look at this

picture and remember exactly what day it was and where we were headed?!!)

2 of 52

And....yet another Disney World photo!....lol! Ah, well, I guess that's where I am most likely to have my picture taken. This one's from a few years ago but it's one of my favorites....I am literally beaming over having my picture taken with Buzz Lightyear! Yep, I love me some characters, I do...

1 of 52!

What??!!....another post from this crazy lady with numbers in the title?!!

NO!...no no no, it's not that at all...I've decided to officially participate in the "52 Weeks" challenge to post a picture once a week for a year that actually has me IN it! (for a change, since I am the photographer in the family.)

So, without further ado....

*drum roll please!*

TA - DA!....Here's me!!







That's me with DS9 and DS7, in Epcot on our last night in WDW last September. A really nice CM who was passing by offered to take a picture of the three of us!

91!

91??....What's that about?, you may be asking yourself. Please, allow me to enlighten you....

You see, I have determined that 91 degrees is a perfect summer day to me!

Ok, ok, a bit of a letdown, I know....but that's what it is! lol! I was at my dad's earlier today, and he has an indoor-outdoor thermometer. The outside temp was registering 91, and I gave it some consideration when we went out for lunch. I was enjoying it. The air is muggy but bearable, and it just felt nice to be out there. Now granted I wasn't running a marathon or laying down a black asphalt roof or anything!...but just being outside was very pleasant.

It also occured to me that when we have been at Disney World in September, the temperature has averaged 91. I always loved the weather when we've been on those trips. I actually enjoy the feel of the heat rising up off the pavement, like between Innoventions in Future World at Epcot, or the looooong trek around World Showcase!

So, I have come to the precise conclusion that 91 degrees is my perfect temperature.

And so with that bit of useless information, I have sucessfully taken 60 seconds of your life that you can now never get back!! lol!

But at least you know what 91 is all about....

Show & Tell Saturday - My Favorite Vacation!

My favorite vacation.....are you KIDDING me??!....I'm supposed to pick ONE!? lol! Well, DH and I had a "vacation" of sorts to Alaska when we were first married, but it was for the purpose of a missions trip so it's not like we were up there just doin' our own thing. Plus that was in the day before digital cameras so all my photos are a) hard-copy, and b) packed!! For a true, honest-to-goodness vacation Show & Tell, it would have to be....

*drum roll please*....

WALT DISNEY WORLD!!!

(sorry Kim, no great new ideas for you from this blogger!! LOL!)

Our family just LOVES the World. Can't quite put my finger on it, but there truly is a magic to that place that is nowhere else. They go above and beyond in making a guest's experience special and unique. True escape from reality!

As a family, we've been three times, most recently last September. We always brave hurricane season because the crowds are generally lower. I think pictures will do the best job in this post, so I'll keep quiet and let you enjoy them!


(left to right: heading for the Magical Express bus - the grounds of Port Orleans resort - meeting Prince Caspian!)

(my guys w/Mickey! - with Tigger - Cinderella's castle in the Magic Kingdom - "Hallowishes" fireworks at the Magic Kingdom)

(boys w/Goofy & Pluto at Animal Kingdom - Expedition Everest ride @ Animal Kingdom - Magic Kingdom entrance)

(Epcot's Spaceship Earth at night)

Show & Tell Saturday

It's "Show & Tell Saturday" over at Homesteader's Heart, and Kim asked us to share a book that has inspired us to be better than we are. And as I thought about the many, many books I've read in my adult life, I kept coming back to one that has been there in recent years as a help, a guide, an idea bank, and an overall inspiration.

Except, it's not exactly a book.....

It's The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!

This little gem is only published four times a year (many of us wish it would go to bi-monthly!!) but oh do I look forward to each issue. From the letter from the editor at the beginning to the unit study ideas at the end, I usually read each issue cover-to-cover before it's all said and done. It's about homeschooling, yes, but it's so much more....it's about families, and what God wants for His families. We are not currently home schooling, but I hope to again in the future and "TOS" will be there with me! When I have been hs'ing, the info I've found between its covers has often helped me to keep on keepin' on when it got tough. It has showed me, through letters from other readers, that I'm not alone in whatever obstacle I've been up against at the time. And most recenlty, it has kept the fire alive in me to want to pursue hs'ing again when the time comes (for those who don't know my story, we're on the verge of a BIG move!!....for those who do, stay tuned for an update entry sometime this weekend!).

So that's my "book" for Show & Tell Saturday! Thanks for stopping by!

The Name Game

This is from my friend Kim at http://homesteadersheart.blogspot.com/ (I have GOT to learn how to embed a link with its own text!!) I haven't done this in years and it's really quite fun. Hope you have fun reading, and feel free to copy it over to your own blog and fill in your own answers!

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I). YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pets name and current car)---Bootsie Club Wagon

2). YOUR GANSTA NAME (favorite ice cream flavor and fave cookie)--- Phish Food Oreo

3). YOUR FLY GUY/GAL NAME (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)---M-McK

4). YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)---Green Horse

5). YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)---Lee Boston

6). YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)---McK Ma

7). SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)--- The Blue Coffee

8). NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)---Stefan Joseph

9). DANCER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)--- Lilac Symphony

10). WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) --- None William

11). TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)---Scire Seattle

12). SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower)--- Summer Hyacinth

13). CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)---Apple Fleecy

14). HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)--- Coffee Maple

15). YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)---The Scrapbook Heat Tour (lol!!!!!!!!....oh my goodness that one cracks me up!!)

Great Backyard Bird Count!

Today begins the annual Great Backyard Bird Count. I'll be peeking my head out now and then to see who's around, and at the end of each day I just go to the web site and record my results. Lots of fun! You don't have to do all four days, nor do you need to be a bird expert. If all you recognize are Blue Jays and Chickadees, then you can just keep track of them. If you want to know more about this project, click the little button just down on the right here!

I'll be posting my results here on my blog, too, so come back and check it out!

Show & Tell Saturday

Alright I am going to toss a little humor into the mix today with my favorite gift from hubby! After nearly 17 years of marriage it's really hard to say there's one particular favorite, but this is the most recent gift and it means a lot to me, so without further ado, may I present to you......

Ta - da!

An official Travelocity Roaming Gnome!!

Now, I'm sure this seems very, very strange indeed, so let me offer a wee bit o' explanation if I may! Hubby and I are huge fans of The Amazing Race. This show is sponsored by Travelocity, and their mascot is this guy. He is in all of their tv ads, and I have just always had an affinity for him. Despite the fact that it never even occured to me to actually own one, DH picked up on this and did all his own investigating and ordering and stealth concealment until my birthday came. I was so touched by this (and, of course, just tickled to have my own gnome!) that this immediately became a favorite gift.

Book challenge!

I'm overdue for a post in this little blog, but really grasping at thin air for something to write about! Sad. I thought writers were supposed to be full of inspiration?!...lol! I guess that's what they call Writer's Block.

Anyway, something I've been thinking of lately is trying to get in more time to read. Mostly that means keeping the tv off at night. I'm in the middle of a few really good books, and I'd like to finish them and do a little review here on my blog.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, or even if you're not and you just popped in or followed someone else over, I'd like to open up a book challenge. See how much you can read in a week, or a month, or whatever time frame will motivate you to read a bit more. Especially if you're in a northern climate, it's a great time of year to curl up with a good book! So...

*What have you read lately?
*Briefly summarize the book.
*Tell us a little of what you liked or didn't like.

Sounds like a book report from grade school, huh?!! lol!!

I'm going to post once a week on my own progress, and I'll probably do it on Thursdays. If you want to join in once, or every week, or once in a while, that's fine! Just leave me a comment with a link to your blog entry.

Happy Reading!

"Show & Tell" Saturday

CUPS!

I've been excited about this day and just waiting for this chance, so here we go!....

TA - DA!!

This is my absolute favorite mug in all the world. And I have lots! It was purchased at Disney World a couple of years ago, for me by my dear hubby. I had admired it earlier that day, and when he went out shopping by himself that night, he picked it up and surprised me with it. How cool is that...

It has Disney characters all over it, of course, and one of the features I love best is that is has "Mom" going down the handle:

I always, ever and only drink coffee from this mug! I'm a coffee drinker. Pure and simple. And every time I sip from this mug, I can close my eyes and go back to a wonderful, magical trip that my family and I shared....and I don't think it gets too much better than that!

Oh, and just for fun, here is a picture I took on our most recent trip to Disney World.....

The Wall of Mugs!

(cue choir of angels!...lol!)