Camera Critters ~ 44

Can you spot the critter?

Here's a hint...it's my daughters hamster, princess.

It's been a while since I have participated in camera critters, and I've missed it.
Hopefully I am back for good!

Fun For Everyone

What is your favorite vacation activity to do with your kids?

I know some of you will say amusement parks, especially if your kids are older, like mine. I was about 16, I think, the first time I went to a real amusement park, and it took all my courage to get in line for that huge roller coaster. In fact, it was the first summer that particular ride was open, and it was great! We went back several times over the next few years, and I always made sure I rode that ride.

I have been thinking about taking my kids to ride some NJ Amusement Rides this spring, and I heard a rumor that there will be a new ride at Morey's Piers. I am not sure if it is a roller coaster or not, but I am sure the kids will enjoy whatever it is.

I like the fact that I can save 35% during their Spring Sale. I know it will not be cheap for the five of us to go, so saving any amount of money is a blessing. It also helps that my sister lives in New Jersey, so we can crash at her house instead of a hotel.

I mean, how can she turn away family?

The Phone

As most of you know, I have two daughters. Kasi is going to be 13 in a couple of months, and Brandi Rose is 8.

One of them spends every waking moment on the phone. Her friends call here, or she calls them. All the time. It's insane!

The funny thing is...it's Brandi! Kasi hates using the phone...she's like me...but Brandi loves it! She will literally spend hours talking to her little friends.

I am not looking forward to her teen aged years...if she's this bad now...

The Sun Is Shining!

Yesterday was a beautiful day! The sun was shining, the kids were happy to be out of school, and they played outside for most of the morning. I love living where we do now, because they are excited about getting out in the fresh air every day. There are tons of kids around, and Ryan especially is having fun playing football and basketball with the neighborhood kids.

Today is supposed to be just as nice as yesterday. We are heading to my dad's in a little while to celebrate all the march birthdays...there are a lot in my family...and the kids are looking forward to fishing for the first time this year.

It's going to be a great day!

San Francisco

When ever I see pictures like this, I think of the television show Full House. I love these three story houses, nestled so close together. If I ever visit San Francisco, this is definitely something I want to see for myself.

My mom visited San Francisco when my brother graduated from college. She loved it. They did a lot of site seeing, checking out San Francisco Hotels and the Golden Gate Bridge. That's another thing I would love to see if I were ever to visit there.

Have you ever been to San Francisco? If so, what are the best places to visit? You know, the "must see" tourist attractions? I wouldn't want to miss a thing.

My New Favorite Etsy Shop

Last night, I was browsing through etsy, trying to find some new magnets for my fridge. I only have a million already, but I love them.

Anyway, I came across this adorable little lollipop being eaten by a worm...and it's purple! I love it! It is in Clayful Creations by Becky's shop, and there are so many cute things. She has a bunch of Easter stuff, too, so if you are looking for Holiday stuff, this is definitely the place to go.

Trust me when I say that she is extremely talented and creative! And you all know that I can not pass up an elephant, so this little guy, who is in her shop, too, is waiting for me to buy him.

Soon, little elephant. Soon

Start Here Giveaway At Anna's

Start Here
Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are
by Alex & Brett Harris

You want to do hard things.
But you don’t know where to start.

You are changing the world around you.
But you are tired and burned out.

You feel called to do the extraordinary for God.
But you feel stuck in the ordinary.

Do Hard Things inspired thousands of young people around the world to make the most of the teen years. Now Alex and Brett Harris are back and ready to tackle the questions that Do Hard Things inspired: How do I get started? What do I do when I get discouraged? What’s the best way to inspire others? Filled with stories and insights from Alex, Brett, and other real-life rebelutionaries, Start Here is a powerful and practical guide to doing hard things, right where you are.

Are you ready to take the next step and blast past mediocrity for the glory of God?

START HERE.

Sounds like a great book, right? Anna is giving away a copy, and I would love to win it for my kids to read. If you want a chance to win, head over to Beth & Cory's Mom and enter for yourself!

The City Of Love

I was researching vacation destinations, again, and this time I was focusing on Paris. I have always heard that this is the city of love, where you can take moonlit strolls and enjoy romantic meals. I know girls dream of having their significant others propose to them in this city. When I think of Paris, I think of love.

That said, I think this would be the perfect place for Junior and I to go to for a second honeymoon. We could stay in different Paris Hotels and take in all the sights. Of course, this would have to be a virtual second honeymoon, because we do not have the money, or the time, to take such a luxurious vacation. Plus, I am still afraid of flying.

All you men out there should consider taking the loves of your lives there if you are planning a proposal. I bet it would be really hard for her to say no.

Happy Games

I love all the games on Facebook. I have a farm, and a cafe, and an aquarium, and an island....wait...I have two different islands. I also have pets. Kitties. Lots of them in all different colors. The past few days, as I have logged into different games, I get messages saying that they have improved the games, making it easier to level up.

I am already obsessed...did they really need to make it easier to play?
I seriously lose too much time out of my day to these games as it is.

What Is My Biggest Regret?

Ryan asked Junior and I this question the other night. Junior was quick to answer, saying he wished he had done better in school, that way he would have a better job right now.

I couldn't answer. I told Ryan that every decision I ever made has made me the person I am today, so how could I regret becoming who I am? He seemed to take that as an answer, and off he went.

But I can't stop thinking about that question. What is my biggest regret? It has been weighing heavily on my mind, and I don't know why. Maybe it's because I think I should have an answer.

I just don't.

Are there decisions I wish I had made differently in the past? Sure.

Do I wish I had quit smoking before I was pregnant? Sure.

Do I wonder what life would have been like if I had never moved down South? Sure.

But do I regret any of it? No, I don't think so.

Can you answer this question?

Out Of The Way Getaways

I know I have been talking a lot lately about getting away from the everyday, mundane things and hitting the road for a nice little getaway. I have been researching different destinations online, and have come to realize that I really do not want to visit a major city. I am sure that all the Hotels In Rome are wonderfully luxurious, but I want something more than a nice hotel room.

I want an experience I will remember.

When Junior and I went on our honeymoon, we had no destination in mind. We just packed a few days worth of clothes and hit the road. We ended up in the mountains of North Carolina, visiting every little hole in the wall place we could find. Our greatest find was a tour of an underground cavern. At one point I was scared to death, because we were on this tiny little metal walkway that went over a bottomless pit, and there was no where to turn around, and we were stuck while the guy spoke about what was beneath us. I about had a panic attack! But, it was an awesome experience, and I don't think we would have found this place if we had a moment by moment itinerary.

Sometimes spontaneity is the way to go.

Part Smurf?

A guy that works with Junior gave Ryan a bed for his room. It is a bunk bed, with a twin on the top, and a full on the bottom. It came complete with mattresses, which is awesome. The only thing it cost Junior is doing a tune up on the guys car.

Not a bad deal.

The only thing is that the bed is metal, painted blue, which Ryan hates. He wants it black. So last weekend, him and Kasi started sanding off the blue paint so he can spray paint it black. As you can see, Kasi got a little one her face.

When she came in the house, I told her she looked like she was part Smurf. She looked at me like I had lost my mind, then shook her head and walked away.

I guess I kind of dated myself, and she had no idea what I was talking about. But, I hear there is a Smurf movie in the works, so maybe when it comes out, she will understand what I said.

Keith And The Dixie Chicks

I just read online that Keith Urban and The Dixie Chicks are going on tour together.

Really?

I find this a little odd. I used to love the Dixie Chicks. I even enjoyed their last album, where they sang about not being sorry for the things they have done. They have one song on there, called I Hope, that I really like.

But, they have been shunned by the country music industry for so long, I just don't see them as being a good fit for Keith Urban.

That's just my opinion.

I'm A Food Junkie

What makes a vacation memorable? Is it the excitement of visiting a new place? Is it the comfort of re-visiting a favorite destination? Is it the food?

Okay, for me it would be the food. What else would you expect from this girl? Whether it is staying in New York Hotels or fancy foreign places, if the food is bad, I will not remember that vacation fondly. It's no secret that I like to eat, and that most of my memories revolve around food. Of course. most of our vacations have been local, because we can only afford to go for a few days at a time. I would love to taste foreign cuisine, and I have been reading a lot about traveling on a tight schedule. If we planned right, we could fit a lot into a one week vacation.

I bet the food in Southeast Asia is amazing. I just hope they don't serve cat. Those rumors aren't true, are they?

Check This Out

These ice cubes came from my freezer. Ever since we moved, it has been making hollow ice cubes. It's so weird! I asked Junior if maybe he switched a setting or something when he hooked it back up, and he said it doesn't have setting. Then I got to thinking that maybe since the fridge is not level, it only fills the tray to a certain point, but that wouldn't make them hollow, would it?

What do you think?

Do You Know What's Nice?

Not having to bomb for bugs.

Junior and I are seasoned renters. In the 14 years we have been married, we have lived in several rental places. Most of the time, within a few days of moving, we find out that the new place is infested with creepy crawlies. It happened with the apartment, and with several places before that.

It's been a month since we have moved in here, and I have only seen one spider. Thankfully, I haven't seen any roaches. Those are the worst! One time, I made Junior move us out after two weeks because the bugs were so bad. I was afraid to turn the lights off at night and go to sleep. The landlord, of course, wouldn't do a thing about it, so we left. Thankfully, we hadn't signed a lease, so we didn't owe them any money.

It's so nice living in a pretty, clean house.

Cheese

We love cheese.

That's a funny statement to make, I know, but it's the truth. I love any white cheese, especially mozzarella. In fact, it is one of the things I can not keep in the house, because I will eat it all. It's in the same category as chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter ice cream; I only buy it on special occasions.

Junior is a huge Cheddar fan. Sharp, extra sharp, mild, it doesn't matter. He loves them all. I can buy a one pound block when I grocery shop, and it will be gone in a day or two. This love of cheddar cheese led me to look into places we could go where he could enjoy the best cheddar in the world. I did not know it, but staying in London Hotels puts us close to the perfect place to sample some of the best cheddar in the world, Somerset, England.

I think Junior would enjoy that more than a week of fishing!

The Girl's Room ~ Part One

If you read my post yesterday, you'll remember I mentioned the circle stickers on the walls in my girls room. The above picture shows what they look like right now. I really like them, but I think I might need to get another package. I want to put some a little lower, and also on the walls below. The girls have so much stuff, and right now it is boxed up and piled along the wall. I don't know what else to do with it. I am hoping to get a few of them into their closet, but first I have to rearrange their clothes. As mush as we are settled into this new place, I still feel like I have so much to do!