Earliest Memory & Tumblr

Welcome Friends & Happy Saturday! I'm so glad you stopped by!  Yesterday was chaotic, so I'm posting day 14 & 15 of Paula's Challenge, together.  The prompt for day 14?  YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY

Maybe it was the excitement of having my entire family {aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, etc.} under one roof, or the shock of having a tree crash through the kitchen and wind howling around us, but one of my very first {and most vivid} experiences was my very first hurricane, which I wrote about HERE.  

Ironically, I don't remember being terrified, or sick with worry, but absolutely amazed by all the excitement.  I guess at that age, you trust that your parents will take care of you and don't worry about anything else.  Ahhh, the innocence of childhood. :-)

And now......Day 15, where the prompt is:   MY FAVORITE TUMBLRS

Ok, here's the deal.....I'm pushing 40 and had not even heard of the Internet until I was in college.  Considering I'm now comfortable with blogging, Twitter, Facebook, Bloglovin, etc. I'm feeling pretty good.  When it comes to Tumblr, however, I haven't a clue what it's really all about, only that I've seen quite a few funny pictures online.

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So there you have it.....a few Tumblr funnies.  Hoping your Saturday is SUPER!

Take Me Away....to my cabin

I'm laughing as I read prompt 13 , thinking that you guys are probably SO SICK of hearing me talk on this subject! What's the prompt you ask?  SOME PLACE YOU'D LIKE TO MOVE OR VISIT.

So, instead of repeating a lot of the same information, here's a quick recap of what I've said before:  

"I'd love to move North,where the leaves change colors, or to the Eastern seaboard. The location isn't as important as the fact that there be a cottage...with a fireplace and walls of books."  

Maybe some place like this?

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Or, you may remember me mentioning my daydream of living in a little cottage near the ocean, spending my days on writing, blogging, and reading.  A place where the humidity + heat are non-existent?

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Regardless, I think you get the general idea. :-)  Hopefully, one day you'll find me tucked away in a place like this.  Just know that you're all invited for dinner when it happens. Have a great Friday friends!!

My Day & A Winner!

Happy Wednesday Everyone! You know what time it is!.....time to pick a winner for the Grab Bag o'Bling Giveaway! I used random.org to pick a winner, and that LUCKY Lady is:

#6 CRISTY S.!

                                                                                                                                            

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:6Powered by RANDOM.ORGCongratulations Cristy!  You'll be receiving an email from me with all of the details.  I thank you all for playing along and hope you'll join me again, for two more giveaways taking place this month!  
Now, it's on to today's {Day 12}prompt, which is:  BULLET YOUR WHOLE DAY
This is a typical summer day I'm describing, and not the dreaded school days.  Get ready friends, because this is some kind of excitement you're about to see here:

• 5:00 ish  Wake up and immediately run to pee....TMI?  I'm sorry, but you know I pride myself on honesty.  It's like I'm 80 some mornings, praying I'll make it.  Second stop....COFFEE!
• 5:15-6:30  It's ALL about ME....computer time, checking/responding to email/ finishing up posts, etc.
• 6:30-7:30  Run around like a mad woman trying to get everything done.  It honestly takes me 10 minutes or less to shower and get ready, and then a good 30 to drag Ramsay kicking and screaming from bed.  {humming along to MEMORIES......}
• 7:30  Out the door and headed to the sitter's house, where I drop off Ramsay.  #goodlucklady
• 8:00 From here I usually stop by for a coffee at the store that has my favorite French Vanilla cream.  One of two things usually happens next:  spill coffee on myself or spill coffee in car 
• 8:30ish  Arrive to work, turn on lights, check messages, and spend a few minutes getting paperwork together for the day.
• 8:31  My uncle the attorney usually starts calling me at this point, as I'm listening to his 5+ messages from the night before, explaining what we need to do today.  I try to stop him by explaining, "But I'm still working on documents from 3 days ago!"  Nothing like a little pressure to get you going.
• 8:32-12:00  I watch as the entire block locks up and goes to lunch.  I remain at my desk, still trying to catch up.
• 12:40  I quickly run to the post office and then back  to work.
• 1:00-4:50  work, work, work all the day long
• 4:50  leave to pick up Ramsay from the sitter's and head home.
• 6:00 arrive home and run to my computer to check email and visit with my online friends 
• 7:00  we do the supper, bath, play thing
• 9:00  bedtime for everyone but me.....I head back downstairs to do my blogging and more visiting
• 11:00 Around 11 or so, I head back upstairs for bedtime

Geez....even I'm looking at this schedule thinking......how sad.  I told you.....just like I'm 80.  Hope you have a great night and hope to see you back tomorrow!

Last Day to Enter! & June Blogging Challenge {Day 11}

Welcome Friends! I'm so glad you're here, and hope that you're having a great week!  As you know, today is day 11 of Paula's June Blog Challenge.  However, before I get to that, just a quick reminder that the Grab Bag O' Bling Giveaway ends tonight @ midnight!  It's open to EVERYONE, and you still have plenty of time to get your entries in here:

Enter to WIN

Now, how bout that day 11 prompt?.......Put your iPod on shuffle and share 10 songs

First, I have to be really honest here, and admit that I don't own an i-ANYTHING:  No iPod, iPad, OR iPhone.  Isn't that sort of sad?  It's not a huge deal, but seriously, I do sometimes feel like un-cool girl, since EVERYBODY has one. I know, I know, in the grand scheme of things, what's it matter, right?  Only thing is, I sure would love to be able to use all the apps and other fun stuff.  Actually at this point I'd be happy to have any type of device that guarantees I can get online.  My computer seems to be slowly dying.

But alas, you didn't stop by to hear about the long, painful deaths of my electronic equipment...or did you?  You sure?  Ok, so instead of sharing what's ON my iPod, I'm sharing what I WISH were on my iPod:

You know how I like it:  old school, rap, dance, Christian, southern rock, country, etc. so expect a hodge podge, and in no particular order. :-)

1.  Joan Jett - I Love Rock n Roll!

2.  Casting Crowns-  "Does Anybody Hear Her" & "Praise You In This Storm"

3.  Tone Loc- Funky Cold Medina

4.  Sarah McLachlan- "Angel"

5.  Pink- Pretty much anything....she rocks!

6.  Kelly Clarkson- "A Moment Like This"

7.  Beyonce- Again, pretty much want to dance anytime I hear her songs.

8.  Boyz II Men- "End of the Road"

9.  MC Hammer- "You Can't Touch This"

10. Puff Daddy - "I'll Be Missing You"

Like I said, a big mix, but all songs I love nonetheless.  Now, I'm off to check out what you're all dancing to when no-one is looking. :-)  See you back here tomorrow!

First Love & First Kiss {Day 10}

Happy Monday Friends---So glad you're here!  Today is all about L-O-V-E......1st Love that is, including that sweet first kiss {or gross depending on the experience}, lol.  I'm linking up with Paula's June Challenge for Day 10:  DISCUSS YOUR 1ST LOVE AND 1ST KISS

Paula's June Challenge

Oddly enough, I don't have to give this topic a second's thought or struggle to remember.  It pops into my head so vividly:  His name is Jay.  In 3rd grade, not only was he polite, good looking, and have a great personality, but he also had that dark hair and skin....swoon.  He made my heart pitter-patter every time I saw him..

We officially become girlfriend and boyfriend around the end of 3rd grade, and were together at least 3 years.  The first kiss happened over a game of spin the bottle, at Jay's birthday, during our 5th grade year....and yes, I was scared to death. I remember telling him we were entirely too young for that game, lol.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Jay and I had great times together, including playing Cinderella and Prince Charming during our 6th grade production.  While our 'relationship' ended after three years, our friendship continues to the day.  He's a great guy, with a huge heart, and is now living off somewhere with a family of his own.

Who knows, maybe he'll stumble across this one day and smile, remembering those sweet, simple times.  Now it's your turn.  link up with us and have a super Monday!!                                                                                                    

Satisfaction & The Future {Day 8 & 9}

Right now, as I sit and type this, I'm having to literally hold myself back from tossing my computer out of a window and screaming in rage.  I wrote a long, thought-out post and published it earlier.  I even linked up with the Challenge.  But NO!......It couldn't be easy......Just now, when  I went to add day 9, I discover day 8 has disappeared. Seriously?  So rather than waste a lot of time whining and looking for it, here's day 8 & 9  of Paula's June Challenge all rolled into one.  Ergh.....

Paula's Place

Day 8 -A MOMENT YOU FELT THE MOST SATISFIED WITH YOUR LIFE

There have been a few similar moments:  Helping a particular student reach his goals {finally}, the birth of my babies, standing in a Chinese forest all alone {thinking}.....and then there was my graduation from college.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       As far as graduation goes, it wasn't the actual schooling or degree that gave me satisfaction, but the fact that I did it, despite the naysayers.  You see, I'd always been a terrific student...until High School that is.  Whether it was divorce issues at home, immaturity, or laziness, I stopped caring so much about school in high school.  All I thought about was getting out of there and never looking back.

That's probably the reason for the critics when I mentioned going to college.  I had plenty of advice givers telling me things like, "Are you sure you'd even finish?  College doesn't seem like your thing. You can't afford to go."

The day I finished, there were no big parties or celebrations.  I didn't even walk in the ceremony.  For me, it was enough to have the satisfaction of knowing that, despite the odds and some people's expectations......I did it!


Day 9 -WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR FUTURE WILL BE LIKE?

Ahhh...the future.  Seems I'm always looking that way, trying to see what's ahead, although I never get a clear picture of what that time will be like.  If I have my choice, my future will look something like this:

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Okay, so maybe not this place exactly, but for sure a place with beautiful scenery {like the one pictured here on the Northwest Coast}, cold weather, and snow fall.  A place where life is a little slower and relaxed.  This is where I'll hang with my girls....read, craft, and blog.

Here, in my coastal retreat, I'll write those books I always meant to, and run my {very successful} business from my home.  And no, I am not yet aware of what that business will be.....if I knew, I'd be jumping in right this second, right?

Because of the business' success, I should be able to afford to travel throughout Europe and Asia.  Maybe I could have cabin here and a cabin there.  Have you seen the beautiful, old English cottages?!

But alas, despite these grand plans, the simple truth is this:  I want the future to be better.  I want to be financially secure, at peace,  and healthy.  I want to have more courage, to try the things I currently am afraid to.   I want to have a deeper peace and understanding of those around me, and I want {very much} for my life to make a difference somehow.  The rest would be icing on the cake!

So there you have it....future plans and DREAMS.   Where do you see yourself in the future?              

Don't forget there's a fun giveaway going on right now!  You can enter to win HERE:

ENTER TO WIN!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

A #Giveaway & Day 7 {What's Your Sign?}

It's Day 7 {make up time for me}, and I'm answering the prompt:

Your Zodiac Sign?  Do you think it fits your personality??

First of all, I have to confess that I didn't know much at all about astrology and had no idea what answers I may find there.  The only thing I knew for certain was that my birthday is September 11th, and I'm a Virgo.  

Here's what I learned abut Virgos from this source:

Strengths are:  Analytical, Precise, Helpful, and Observant

Weaknesses are:  Skeptical, Fussy, and Interfering

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Virgos are:

• independent
• do things for themselves
• may dwell too much on the past
• think critically of themselves
• straight thinkers
• good friends
• problem solvers
• help others
• remarkable ability to probe into a person's emotions and can see/detect people's motives
• rational thinkers
• keep the world in order
• their perception is their reality {it's like they wrote some of these exactly for ME}
•  Deep inside, Virgo is very sensitive and they need to be appreciated for all the things they do. .

Virgo in a Nutshell:

"Virgo exists in the mind, everything is inside. To the world, Virgo presents a calm and collected exterior but on the inside, nervous uncontrolled intensity in the mind, trying to figure things out, how to improve everything, analyzing and thinking. Virgo can tire itself out without even moving! Virgo has a constant drive to improve and perfect, this can lead to extreme pickiness and finickiest. They are pure, their motives are honest never malicious and they want to accomplish something."

And then, I just sat, mouth agape thinking of how many of those points described me perfectly, WOW.  So yes, to answer today's prompt, I think my astrological sign definitely fits with my personality....okay maybe not that sexy as hell part in the picture, lol.  Hoping your weekend is going great!  Don't forget to enter to win, HERE!