Lessons Learned While Camping...

Yesterday I shared with you our 4th of July camping adventure.  It was lots of fun, but also a good learning experience.  We are going to do it again sometime next month, so the information gained will be helpful.  Here are a few things I picked up along the way.

• Who are we trying to kid?  An air mattress is a must!  The ground is hard and mean.
• Bring more blankets then you think you'll need... even in July!
• Socks are required for sleeping.  Cold feet equals cold Bethany.  Bring socks!!!
• Laurie seemingly thinks it's perfectly normal to tell people she is going to give them a "huckle knuckle sandwich".  (Then look at you like you are the weird one for never hearing such a thing.)
• The Amish do not feel the need to keep their dogs quiet at night. 
• Some Amish dogs are apparently nocturnal.
• Bullfrogs really are nocturnal and will serenade you all night long.... whether you like it or not!
• Multiple shooting stars can be seen in one night.  Who knew?
• No on knows how to multiply fractions.
• The ground, the tent, and everything else will be soaking wet from dew.  Yep, even in July.  Don't touch the tent!!!
• Flip flops are not the greatest thing to wear when traipsing through six inch high, soaking wet grass all the way down the hill and to the house to pee (in the middle of the night).  Especially when you are already cold.
• A little cake for breakfast never hurt anyone.
• Don't stand where you can secretly be surrounded by two horse heads at once.  You might get a little scared and spook the horses!
• Horses can sneeze too.  ON YOU!
• Who know diapers were use on an injured horse's foot?  And when burning said diaper in the fire, it is probably not the best time to roast your marshmallow.

Ahhh.... can't wait to do it all again soon! :)

Update on Michael

I mentioned back in April that Michael had gotten "bumped" from his job at AT&T.  I'm sure many of you are wanting to know what's going on now.  I get asked all the time if Michael has gotten a job yet.  The answer to that is no.  Actually, we are OK with that.  He has decided that he is going to go back to school.

While this wasn't necessarily our plan, it's seems to be the next logical step and we are at peace with it.  He will start the summer quarter at the end of this month.  As of right now he's just going to go for an associates in IT (more specifically, Network Administration).  Hopefully after that he can get a job where the company will pay or have some sort of tuition assistance to go further if he wants.

We decided this would be the next step for us shortly after the job loss.  Unfortunately it was too late to get into the spring quarter.  It's been quite the waiting game (almost three months by the time he starts), but it's been good for him to have some time off.  His job was way too overwhelming, time consuming and stressful.

Thankfully he has a little bit of time left on his GI Bill.  That will help cover the first two quarters.  The plan as of now is for him to go full time.  We can live comfortably on what I make, so that should be good.  After he gets into the swing of things and sees what this college thing is really like, he may try to get a part time job.

We'll keep you posted on any other news or changes.  As of now, we wait...

Polar Bears!

Michael and I decided to go to the zoo yesterday.  I have been to the zoo more in the last two years than all the previous 28 years combined.  I'm not even exaggerating either!  Michael hadn't been in a while, and we get in free with my work membership.  Even though I have been to the zoo a lot, I hadn't seen the new polar bear exhibit that opened a week and a half ago.  Plus, it's nice to experience it and share it all with my husband and not always just a 4 year old!  It turned out to be the perfect weather for it too.  It was a great date afternoon. 

Here's some of what we saw.

Wolves

Moose

THE POLAR BEAR AREA!!!!!

It's pretty cool.  There are outside areas and under water areas.

sitting on the glass

playing with a toy

close up of the face

outside

Michael next to the size of a brown bear and a polar bear

artic fox

lions

Mom, Dad and three cubs

Well, I took about 50 more pictures before my camera died (including lots more of the polar bears), but this post is getting long enough.  Hope you enjoyed them!  I'm taking Little Man to see the polar bears for the first time this Friday and I can't wait.  He's going to love it!

The Back Up Plan

Michael and I don't go to the movies together very often.  Mostly because it's so expensive, but also because I am just not a huge movie person.  Michael will go to movies by himself.  Since he use to have random days off, and not necessarily weekends, he'd go to the early showings where the price was low.  That way he got to see his movie (that I don't really care to see), pay a reasonable price, and not fight the crowds.  It's a win win! :)

However, every once in a while we'll see a movie together.  Luckily I have a husband that will see chick flicks with me.  He does have his limits--no criers--but he compromises.  We had a gift card to the movies (through our bank rewards) and decided to go see The Back Up Plan.

All the previews I saw were pretty funny.  Even Michael thought the previews made it look like a funny comedy.  Yeah........ not so much.  It was one of those where all the funny parts were in the previews.  I hate it when that happens!!!!

But I did do my share of laughing.  However, my laughing wasn't really at the movie, but more at my husband who was squirming in the seat next to me.  You have to understand--Michael is a very modest guy and doesn't like things like kissing scenes and gets embarrassed when people (yes even fictional characters) do  embarrassing things.  Like The Office... he loves the show, but watches half of it hidden behind a pillow because Michael Scott embarrasses him with his crazy talk.  So there we were.  Kissing scenes, pictures of Jennifer Lopez's naked butt, people making fools of themselves, love scenes and an over-dramatized birth scene that showed more than my husband bargained for.  The movie was definitely not worth our $19 (whether it was a gift card or not), but watching my husband turn shades of red and wait for the woman screaming and talking about pooping during labor was really quite entertaining.

The moral of this story--if you haven't already gone to see The Back Up Plan, wait until it comes to The Red Box and pay $1.

Vacation

By the time you read this, I will be in the air headed to beautiful, sunny

I hope you all have a fabulous Easter and remember the gift that was given to us through the cross so long ago.

I have decided that while I am on vacation, my blog will be vacationing as well.
I could have had posts lined up and scheduled to automatically post every morning, but I decided I needed a break to rejuvenate my creative juices.  Hope you don't mind! :)  Have a fabulous week and I'll be back next Sunday with some fun and exciting posts for you all.

Love ya!

Happy Birthday to my see-sta!

That's right.  My sister is turning 40 today.  I know I shared her birthday party with you a few weeks ago.  I don't want to keep beating a dead horse (you know--the one where I keep telling you she is turning 40 and is old!).  But I thought I'd like to take a post to honor her today and to tell you 40 things I love, appreciate, and adore about her. 

1. She is one of my best friends

2. She is gorgeous

3. However, she is way more beautiful on the inside

4. She's hilarious

5. She thinks I'm hilarious :)

6. She has been a mom to me when my mom wasn't

7. She's always ready to listen

8. She gives good advice

9. She looks out for me-and always has

10. She is generous

11. She has a great laugh

12. She lets me make fun of her laugh and silly accent

13. She doesn't take herself too seriously

14. She's loyal

15. She's super smart

16. She's eager to help others and share what she has learned

17. She's a good mom

18. She understands and "gets" me

19. She may not always agree with me, but she respects my opinions

20. She'll always have my back

21. She's always positive

22. She believes the best in people

23. She's persistent 

24. She moved to Ohio for me.  What more can I say?

25. She is an encourager

26. She's an amazing friend

27. She's a fabulous cook

28. She's a survivor and an over-comer

29.She loves my husband! :)

30. She plays games with us--even when it's not her "favorite" :)

31. She's willing to try new things

32. She's a good shopping buddy

33. She enjoys her job and is great at it

34. She's one of the kindest people I know

35. She tries to live a healthy lifestyle-food and exercise

36. She is always trying to better herself

37. She puts others before herself

38. She is genuine and sincere

39. She is supportive of me and others

40. She is the most amazing person ever! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANGELLA! LOVE YOU!

(P.S. You still have time to submit questions to the "ask me anything" post.  See yesterday's post for details.)

Six for Saturday

1.  Last night we had a surprise 40th birthday party for my sister.  Seeing as her birthday isn't for two more weeks, she was surprised!  It was mostly people from work, and then a few of us stragglers.  We all had lots of fun.  If you know my sister, you know that she's a princess.  This was the theme of the party.  She had a feather boa and tiara to wear.  The cake had princess stuff on it, as well as the gifts. (more on this later)

2.  I bought myself a new pair of purple heels for the occasion.  Who doesn't need a good reason to splurge on shoes?

3.  Happy First Day of Spring!  I'll admit.  Spring is actually my least favorite holiday.  I'm not a fan of the rain.  I would honestly rather have snow.  HOWEVER, I am happy spring is here.  I'm ready for some sunshine!

4. Speaking of the first day of spring.... today is my friend Laurie's birthday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAUREL!  We'll be going out to celebrate soon... I'm looking forward to it.

5.  Even though it's going to be a busy weekend... I'm glad it is the weekend.  I don't know about you guys, but that time change really seemed to mess me up this time around.  I'm starting to realize more and more that I am 30 now and things are starting to affect me and my body now that never did before.  (Side note:  I also learned this week that a drink from Starbucks at 8 o'clock at night is not a good idea.)

6. Michael and I are going to be on vacation in a few weeks.  I'm looking forward to having a week off together to hang out and enjoy each others company.  I can't lie though.  As much as I want to be out of debt, and am proud of the progress we are making........ I really, really, really would rather NOT be having another "staycation" to save money.  I'd much rather be enjoying something like this...

I'm just saying...

Six for Sunday

Some bloggers do a "five for Friday" post, which is basically just a bullet formed way of giving 5 highlights of their week, five thoughts, five pictures, whatever....

Well, I decided to be a rebel and make mine six... 

Oh, and while I'm at it, I'll do it on a SUNDAY.  

So here it is.  My "six for Sunday".

**One**

Saying good bye to Bob was sad.  He was and is THE most generous person I have ever met in my life.  He was my buddy.  He made me laugh.  Always.  He treated my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law like royalty.  He will be greatly missed.  I found out his nickname for me was "queenie".  That just makes me smile.

**Two**

I love the snow and don't mind the winter, but even I was feeling it was getting to be too much.  The sun has been shining the past few days, and I can't tell you how grateful I am.  It just makes everyone so happy.

**Three**

Michael's (not so) new contract for work states that he is suppose to get at least one full weekend off a month.  He is off this weekend and I love it.  No matter what we do.  Even if we end up just staying home and being bums. I love being with him.  Weekends off are cherished.

**Four**

I'm having a hard time figuring out a balance in my life.  Does anyone else feel like this?  In the past I've always felt I've had a pretty good balance, but for some time now my life has been out of balance.  There just aren't enough hours in the day.  How do you juggle family time, with relationships, with cooking, working, cleaning, exercising, grocery shopping, time with God, and on and on?  I think I'm also lacking motivation.  Where can I buy some more of that?  "I'll take motivation for a thousand, please.  Thanks Alec".

**Five**

Church was just what I needed last night.  I love my church.

**Six**

I think it's hilarious how kids are so in awe of teacher spottings in public.  I find myself in places where former students are (not necessarily mine, but maybe just went to my school) and they always stare.  It's hilarious too, because they always think they are being sneaky when they sneak a peek but to an adult it's so obvious.  I was spied on by three different kids last night at church.  So cute.  I probably would have done the same thing as a kid.  (Only I went to a baptist school where all the teachers had to attend that church, so I was never given the chance. :)

Happy Sunday.

I hope you are enjoying some sunshine today!

Ho-hum

Were you faithfuls worried I wasn't going to post today?  It's only a couple of hours late.  What some people may not know is, I usually write my blog the night or weekend ahead of time, so that I can set them to automatically post in the mornings.  I've been sort of at a lull these past few days when it comes to blogging.  Don't get me wrong, I have a notebook with a list of about 30 ideas for future blogs... just none have seemed right lately.  Anyway, so my apologies for keeping you waiting (and for a dreadfully boring post--but that's life sometimes, right?).

I'm getting ready to run errands with Michael.  It may seem kind of boring to you, but I'm quite exited!  Michael works a lot of weekends and we usually only have one weekend day to spend together (if we are lucky).  We are both usually worn out from the past week that we just hang around the house doing nothing.  He is off both today and tomorrow, so we actually have a real weekend to spend together.  It's a treat to have a weekend to be able to do what most husbands and wives do--the mundane stuff of life.  We're going to get an oil change, get our ink cartridge for our printer refilled and buy energy efficient light bulbs.  You're jealous, aren't you? :)

So... that's it.  I don't have much for you today... except a quick reminder to enjoy the every day things in life.  Appreciate that morning coffee with your spouse, sibling, roommate or friend.  Be happy that you get to go grocery shopping with your best friend (spouse).  Enjoy the little things in life--like running errands with the one you love.  Happy Saturday friends!!

My birthday/Christmas list

A couple of weeks ago I asked you what you all wanted for Christmas.  I was trying to come up with a list and had absolutely nothing.  You did not help me.  Thanks a lot.  Not even one suggestion....  Well, anyway :)
I've been making my list for the last few weeks and this is what I've come up with.

#1  I really, really, really want this house.  I guess number one should be for my condo to sell so I could buy this perfect house.  Whatever.  I just want this house.  Now.

#2 I really want a craft room.  I'm sick of living out of totes, drawers, and bags of supplies.  I'll take one like this.

#3 I've heard fabulous things about this cookbook.  OK, yes, I have a cookbook addiction, but I really want it for all the healthy AND yummy recipes.

# 4 I already told you that I wanted these.

#5 These pieces are pretty expensive, but over time I would like to collect the entire nativity set.

#6 A laminator at my house?  Are you kidding me?  Sign me up.  Oh, and with any necessary supplies!

#7 I can't believe I've gone almost 30 years without one of these.........

#8 I have been following The Pioneer Woman's blog for about two years now.  She has recently come out with a cookbook and I would love to have it!

#9 I need an embossing heat tool.  My hair dryer is just not cutting it anymore.

#10 I have grand crafting plans and need one of these...

#11 I simply need one of these.

#12 Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors  I would love her newest book.

#13 I have grand plans for this as well

I could probably use the magnetic paint too. :)

#14 Lastly, I need some more non stick pans.  I have some, and I have some stainless steel ones that I don't like a ton.  I specifically need the ten inch one.

That's my list.  Any thoughts or suggestions?
What's on your list?