31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 29

What I learned: I LOVE JASON MRAZ

How I learned it: I first heard him sing Geek in the Pink and loved that song. But it wasn't until I caught a bit of his video "I'm Yours" that I really started listening. Then came Lucky and I was a total nutcase for JM! I loved hime on SNL with Colbie. I loved finding funny videos of him on YouTube. The one where some of his fans are waiting for him outside (somewhere in France, I think) and they are playing one of his songs on guitar. He walks out, hears them singing and he goes over and sings a few songs with them. Love him! So if you are listening to the music on my blog, you will hear a number of songs from my man, Jason. Check out his version of Rainbow Connection. Kermmie would be proud.

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 29

What I learned: UNDER DURESS, YOU CAN AND WILL DO THINGS YOU NORMALLY WOULDN'T DREAM OF DOING.

How I learned it: Under normal circumstances, if someone asked me to crawl through a man hold cover and step down onto the floor of the run off drain/sewer I would say "NO WAY"! But if my chihuahua, Ginger, has slipped down the drain and is stuck down there I wouldn't heasitate a moment to crawl down there and save her. Just add some flip flops, SpongeBob PJs and a wretched odor coming from the sewer and last Valentine's Day that is exactly where you would have found me at 3am!

31 Things I learned in 2008-Day 28

What I learned: THAT COWS AND HORSES HAVE AN "UNDER COAT" JUST LIKE CATS AND DOGS DO SO THAT THEY CAN GROW IT OUT WHEN THE WINTER COMES.

How I learned it: Driving by cows, horses and donkeys every day and seeing them get fluffier and fluffier. It is really kind-of cute seeing a cow all fluffy. I really have the urge to hop a fence and go pat one or two of them. I do think the farmers would think I'm off my rocker. Hey! Mabye Tony will let me come and pet some of his cows...hummm...

Project Life

2009 I did Project 365. 2010 I am doing Project Life. Same thing different name. I am spending another year taking a photo a day. I had such a great time with it I am doing it again. Sadly this means that y'all get to sit through another year of photos from me! So, here we go again...

Kiwi waiting for us one evening when we came home.

One of Charles' designs is used in an issue of Timber Home Living magazine!

Alex getting some love from Kiwi when they were all over for supper.

Charles sitting in our movie theatre! The Arcadia has three theatres, and this is one. Yes, that is ALL the seats there are!

The plants take advantage of a "sun day".

Every night, the moment Charles comes home from work, he cannot wait for supper to be put out on the table. He "hunkers down" over the stove and eats some! Try as I may, I cannot break him from this habit!

Hair Nets...It's what all the cool Lunch Ladies wear!

The cats all enjoy a special treat for supper.

All the ornaments for the tree get packed up and wait for next year...

A frozen river on our way home from Sunday fellowship.

Charles and I visit the Pennsylvania Welcome Center. A beautiful building that Woodhouse designed.

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 27

What I learned: PAPA JOHNS MAKES HEART SHAPED PIZZAS AROUND VALENTINES DAY TIME.

How I learned it: Being all sad and alone on Valentine's Day I didn't feel like cooking for one so I decided to order a pizza from Papa Johns. When it showed up heart shaped I was so excited! It was the cutest thing, but pretty sad for me to be eating a heart shaped pizza all my lonesome...

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 26

What I learned: Don't let Sisterdear or Brian go to Ruth Eckerd Hall for ANY event.

How I learned it: The first time we went with them, we went to see Spamalot. It was a fun show but towards the end, poor Brian had an "attack". I was positive it was a heart attack, but no. He ended up being carted out in an ambulance and spent a number of days in the hospital. He is better now and learned not to eat a huge steak and fried onion rings in one sitting! Then, I won tickets to a New Years Eve event that I couldn't use since I was up here in PA. So, I gave the tickets to Sisterdear and Brian. While getting ready Sisterdear started feeling poorly and ended up being taken to the hospital. She is better now, too, but she ended up with surgery for a blocked intestine! I don't know what kind of bad juju my sister and brother-in-law have with Ruth Eckerd Hall, I just know they need to stay away from there!!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 25

What I learned: How to make homemade marshmallows.

How I learned it: Saw them in a magazine years ago and always wanted to try it out. Found a recipe online and just did it! They are a little messy, but once you get it, it is easy to make them! what is great about homemade marshmallows is that you control the size & thickness. So if you want to make them fit on graham crackers for s'mores, then you can make them square/rectangle! Very cool indeed!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 24

What I learned: THAT I TAKE TOO LONG WHEN OUT TO DINNER TO DECIDE ON WHAT COCKTAIL I WANT

How I learned it: Normally when we go out to "speciality" restaurants, I know what kind of food will be served, so I know ahead of time that I'm gonna get something to compliment the food. For example if we are going to Bombay Masala for Indian I'll be having either a Kingfisher or a Lassi (not alcoholic, but still needs thought!). If we are going to Ceviche for Spanish tapas then it's a Mojito all the way. But if we are headed to a non-ethnic restaurant, then I need to either plan ahead on my cocktail and make my food compliment it, or look at a menu, pick my food and then pick my cocktail. I don't consider myself high maintenance, but I guess I am particular about making my food and drinks "go together". Like a Pina Coloda does NOT go with Mexican food-that would be a Margarita. It is bad, but usually the waiter has to come back to the table just to take my order. Maybe it's just me... Maybe I am high maintenance after all.

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 23

What I learned: HUSBANDS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO EMPTY AND REFILL ICE CUBE TRAYS

How I learned it: After finding the ice bucket empty in the freezer day after day and having to refill the ice cube trays day after day. I would find some trays empty of cubes, like "someone" would pick out a few cubes and not empty the whole tray and refill it with water. Finally I asked "someone" in December (note-we moved into the new house in July) to empty the trays and refill them. I saw him struggling to line up the stacking trays (circle, square, circle=stacked BUT circle, circle, circle=nested)and realized that he had not emptied the trays in 6 months! 6 months! Good golly!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 22

What I learned: WHEN INVITED TO "EXCITING" KID'S BIRTHDAY PARTIES (LIKE AT CHUCK E CHEESE) DO NOT BRING BOOKS AS GIFTS!!

How I learned it: Stacey invited us to Nico's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese. Very exciting place, lots of noise, things to do, crazy stuff going on. Tons of presents wrapped up and just waiting until we finish playing and eating pizza to unwrap. Birthday boy hyped up on video game adrenaline, chocolate cake and prizes. Well meaning Aunt who knows that Nico LOVES Barack Obama, so she buys him an age appropriate book about the President. (Seriously...this kid sings made up songs about Barack Obama and when asked what his favorite movie is answers, "the Barack Obama party" AKA The Inauguration.) The time comes to open gifts and he gets tons of great toys. In fact, he opens toy after toy with much excitement. Then comes the Aunt Cissy gift. All wrapped up in a red polka dot bag with lots of ribbon and green tissue paper. He rips into the bag, pulls out one book and tosses it on the ground. Then pulls out the second book. Looks at me with a very mad expression and tosses the second book on the ground. Dives back into the bag, finds nothing but more tissue paper. Proceeds to get really pissed and sits under the table and sulks. Good job Aunt Cissy! Next year he gets Legos!

There is Something about Spring...Weekend Crop!

Announcing the "There's Something About Spring..." Scrapbooking Weekend Retreat in beautiful Wellsboro, Pennsylvania!*



*Note to my Florida friends, the white stuff you see on the ground will be gone by the end of April. Temperatures are normally high 75, low 50. (This is what I've been told...)

Join me this spring on Friday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 25th for a weekend of creativity and fun!

We will be setting up our crop room in the Wellsboro Fire Department's Annex located just off the corner of Route 6 and Main Street. This is a huge facility with loads of room, great lighting, excellent parking, a huge kitchen (the better to feed you from!) and a mini-bar area! The Annex is located within walking distance to chain locations such as Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, BiLo (grocery store to the non-locals!) and CVS and local favorites like the Wellsboro Diner, the Frog Hut, the Arcadia movie house and Main Street shopping & eating. There is also a wine & spirit shop within walking distance.



Your crop will include:

MARATHON CROPPING HOURS
A GOODY BAG FOR EVERYONE
FUN GAMES with the chance to WIN PRIZES
MAKE-N-TAKES

During the weekend we'll be eating:

HOME COOKED BREAKFAST ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY
HOME COOKED DINNER ON SATURDAY & BRUNCH ON SUNDAY
GROUP DINNER OUT AT TIMELESS DESTINATIONS
and
DRINKS SERVED ALL DAY LONG
SNACKS SERVED THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The cost for the Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat is $150**

You can register by printing out the Registration Form at the bottom of this post and following the printed instructions.
**If you would like to split the payments, you can make two payments of $75. One would be due when you register and the second one due before April 1st.

For those of you traveling great distances for this crop here is what you need to know...

The motel we will be staying at is called The Canyon Motel.


Their phone number is (570) 724-1681. Space there is limited, so you MUST call to book your room ASAP. I cannot stress this enough. Call now! They are giving us a special room rate of $76.50 per night for either a room with 1 queen bed or 2 double beds. They have mini suites with 2 queens and a living room that are $89.10. When you call to book (which will be right when you finish reading this post, right?) mention that you are with "Jen's Scrapbooking Retreat" and they will give you our rate. Each of the rooms have a microwave, TV, either a VCR or DVD player and some movies to borrow in the lobby, coffee maker and best of all a separate bathroom and vanity area. The motel also has an indoor, heated swimming pool, workout area and hot tub. The Canyon Motel is located directly across the street from the Annex.


You will want to fly into Elmira, NY. Ginni just now booked her ticket directly with Northwest, she is flying from Tampa round trip for (base price) $156.28. When I looked the other day it was higher, then the very next day it went even higher. So I don't know too much about the air fare games, but this is a pretty low fare.

Transportation to and from the airport can be one of two ways. You can rent a car to drive the 43 miles. If you do that you will have a car to get around if you want to venture further than Wellsboro. If you are fine with walking around Wellsoboro, then I am working up a transportation van that for 10 people will be $15 each way. If there are fewer folks for the van, then the cost will go up. I will arrange this for you, just let me know if and when you will need ground transportation.

Wellsboro is a quaint town with a town square and a classic Americana style Main Street that is filled with shops and restaurants. The whole Main Street area is an easy walk and if you do not wish to venture too far, you will not need a car. Nightlife in Wellsboro is the Arcadia movie house. That is pretty much it. There are a few bars but I think we will pretty much be our own night life. Wine & liquor are sold at state stores and there is one located just a few blocks from us. Beer is sold by the case-so don't drink beer! There is a mini-bar in the crop room that we can store our liquor at easily. They do allow drinking on premises, so feel free to BYOB. There are a few things to do out and about and if you want to read about it, please feel free to visit the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce sight.

This is going to be a fun weekend and I am so looking for y'all to come up to my neck of the woods! For those of you who went on The Doodle Caboose Train Trip last year with Whim So Doodle...this is the trip that is replacing it. We couldn't do a big trip through the store this year, and Jill said that if I wanted to do one on my own that I had her blessing! There will not be as much trouble to get into as in Savannah, but I promise we will have lots of creative time and good fellowship with friends!

Hope to see loads of you soon!
Jen

PS-I wanna say this ONE MORE TIME, but the Annex is huge and that will not limit the amount of people who will come. The hotel has limited rooms, and that WILL limit the number of out-of-towners that can come! There are other hotels, but they were full or near full when I called. There are two bed-n-breakfasts that I would recommend, but their prices are much higher. BOOK YOUR HOTEL NOW!!!

31 Things I Learned in 2009-Day 21

What I learned: KEEP THE CAMERA CLOSE AT ALL TIMES

How I learned it: I got a kit called Project 365 and for those of you now familiar with the concept it is a quick and easy album project ready to hold a photo from each day in a year in your life. I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED doing that project. Doing it again this year. But what I didn't do before 2009 was keep my camera with me always. Sometimes I would be caught without a camera and missed something cool. Now I look for purses with pockets that are camera sized so that my purse isn't packed until there is a camera inside. I know the weight of my purse and know just by picking it up if my camera is missing. It always sits out when I am at home. Just it's silver presence on the dining room table will remind me to take a daily photo. I've was caught a few times without my camera in 2009-once when I went out to celebrate Sisterdear's birthday and when I went to the post office to drop my tax return in the mail box. Those are the only two empty spaces in my P365 album. My sister swears she'll get me a photo from the event one of these days and the other I'm gonna have to recreate when I am down in Florida next.

*BLOGGERS POST SCRIPT (1/22): Last night Charles called and said to meet him around 6pm at the mechanic's to drop off my car so I grabbed my keys, the garage door opener, my cell phone, wallet and Kiwi (per Chrarles' request) and rushed out the door. Then while driving down the backroad to get to Matthew's I encountered a deer as she walked out in front of my car. Of course, she wasn't interested in the slightest in moving, so she made an excellent photographic subject, but my camera was in my purse at home... As she took her time and "la-la-la'ed' across the road I sat there cursing myself that the first time that a deer crossed in front of my car while I was driving and I had no camera! AND I had just posted that I had learned this lesson. Goes to show that some lessons just need to be re-learned over and over!!

31 Things I Learned in 2009-Day 20

What I learned: IPODS ARE COOL

How I learned it: I am not at all a techno junkie. I do not have to have the latest electronic gadget. Every time I turn in a cell phone they laugh at how "ancient" mine is. So when I "inherited" an IPod from someone who had two, I thought I'd use it for the beach or maybe on an airplane. But NO! I love it and use it whenever I can! I love picking songs to add to my playlist. I love having many different playlists saved on my computer so I can switch 'em out. I loved putting Christmas songs on my IPod and sharing an ear bud with Charles so we could listen in the car. I've even bought a home boom-box thing so I can listen to my IPod music in the house, while I'm scrapbooking! (I think I can buy one of those boom-box things for the car too, right? Gotta look into that.)
I am not a big text-er and one of these days I'm gonna have to get Stacey to explain what an "app" is to me, but for me who believes that life is better with it's own soundtrack, my IPod is perfect!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 19

What I learned: EMBRACE THE GREY

How I learned it: I take after my dad in a lot of ways. Mainly I look like him and I know I got his hair genes. My dad was 100% grey-headed by the age of 19. I was almost there by 24. Yuck. I've been dying my hair to cover the grey since I was 20. My brother-in-law, Brian, gave me some advice back then, "If you start dying your hair now, you'll never be able to stop." He was right. I really didn't want to be going grey or grey-headed in my 20's and 30's. Really not in my 40's either, but I have started to mellow to the idea. My grandmother's (on my dad's side), Minnie Mae, had the most beautiful head of white hair ever and I guess when I am 60 or 70 that will be ok, but now? No thanks! I did decided to just see how much grey was under the dye, so I went to the salon and asked for a streak of grey. Who knew they couldn't dye hair grey. I had to bleach it and die it blond and let the grey appear as it grew out. The neighbor hairdresser to the lady who did my hair just couldn't understand why I would choose to put grey in my hair. In fact, she was a bit of a creep about it. But I just told her that I was "embracing my grey". No idea what that meant to me, just like the way it sounded and it seemed to shut her up! The blond streak was cool and it looked kind-of hip, so I was really liking the way it turned out. Now all I had to do was wait for the grey to start to show. Then I was going to see just how much I liked this idea! I waited. It took awhile for it to really come in all the way and just before Christmas I cut my hair short, so that took care of the leftover blond patches! Now I have a 100% grey streak. I know that my hair is totally grey and guess what? I am fine with that. It is what it is and I really enjoy my grey streak. I guess that is what I meant by "embracing my grey". I am who I am-even if I choose to let only a tiny patch of my innerself show! It makes me chuckle when people say they like it and wonder how I dyed it grey! HA! I say that I didn't dye it I earned it! Now I just have to decide at what age do I take out the streak and go ALL grey?! gulp...

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 18

What I learned: STAYING ORGANIZED IS EASIER THAN GETTING ORGANIZED

How I learned it: I have not always been an organized person. In fact, I really do not consider myself to be all that organized, I've just started on this path and think that I've done some really great things towards my goal. My closets. Now they are something I am proud of. I believe in "road testing" something before I go all the way, so I road tested a few different ways to organize before I found the way that works for me. I have bins, some with lids others not that line my closets and hold everyday essentials and things for short and long term storage. All things in bins! In my cleaning cupboard, all the cleaning supplies are in green, plastic, no lidded, handled tubs. They all face the same way and have tag that hang off them that say things like, "dusting", "car", "floor", "bathroom", etc. In the hall closet I have similar tubs that say, "batteries", "flashlights", "light bulbs", etc. In the coat closet I have ones that say, "Jen's hats", "Charles' gloves", etc. Now if Charles is looking for AAA batteries, he doesn't need to ask me. When I go to clean the bathroom I don't hunt all over for the cleaners, they are always where I store them. It took me almost a whole year to put this in place, but now as long as I continue to put my hats in the hat tub, the luggage locks in the travel accessories tub and the extra shampoo in the sundry overstock tub every day then I have discovered it is VERY easy to STAY organized!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 17

What I learned: TAZO PASSION BLEND TEA MAKES THE BEST ICED TEA

How I learned it: Jo and Kim at work had been drinking this tea for awhile. Jo actually brought in a tea maker and kept at the store so she could always have a pot going. I would see them drinking this pinkey-red tea and when Jo offered me a taste I was hooked! It is very yummy and you do not need to add sweetener to the tea, it is just a very flavorful herbal blend. It is described on the box as "a magical blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, rose hips, mango & passion fruit flavors". I bought the stuff every time I went to the grocery store, but when I moved up here it is nowhere to be found. Some stores carry the Tazo brand, but not Passion flavor. I have found it at Wegman's, but I find that I need the tea more than I visit Wegman's. I have found an on line source that carries all their flavors and even with shipping, is cheaper than at the grocery store! So I stock up all the time from Lucky Vitamin and now have a "tea bar" next to our coffee bar!

31 Things I learned in 2009...Day 16

What I learned: IF IT ISN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

How I learned it: I know that this is an old saying and not too much there to "learn", but I was reminded of this as I was packing up all of our stuff from the Tampa house for the move. A natural thought would be to throw stuff away and start fresh, but in today's economy it really isn't a wise thing to spend money for stuff you already own. So I was really very good about this. Plus, I like my stuff. Case in point-my master bath shower curtain. I purchased this maybe about 10 years ago. That seems a pretty long time in the life of a shower curtain. I got it because it had all my favorite colors in it, and that his how I've decorated my bathroom for a decade now, I guess! Colors like olive, dark green, sage, ivory, pumpkin, rust, mustard.... I still LOVE those colors, so I thought that I would just keep my curtain and see if it matched once we got up here, so I packed it. Lo and behold, it matches the wood walls perfectly! The shower curtain is in perfect condition. It is in colors that I love. It matches the new bathroom. I didn't have to part with some of my favorite dollars. I didn't have to add to a landfill. It wasn't broke, so I didn't fix it.

There's Something About Spring...

Announcing the "There's Something About Spring..." Scrapbooking Weekend Retreat in beautiful Wellsboro, Pennsylvania!*

*Note to my Florida friends, the white stuff you see on the ground will be gone by the end of April. Temperatures are normally high 75, low 50. (This is what I've been told...)

Join me this spring on Friday, April 23rd through Sunday, April 25th for a weekend of creativity and fun!

We will be setting up our crop room in the Wellsboro Fire Department's Annex located just off the corner of Route 6 and Main Street. This is a huge facility with loads of room, great lighting, excellent parking, a huge kitchen (the better to feed you from!) and a mini-bar area! The Annex is located within walking distance to chain locations such as Dunkin' Donuts, McDonalds, BiLo (grocery store to the non-locals!) and CVS and local favorites like the Wellsboro Diner, the Frog Hut, the Arcadia movie house and Main Street shopping & eating. There is also a wine & spirit shop within walking distance.



Your crop will include:

MARATHON CROPPING HOURS
A GOODY BAG FOR EVERYONE
FUN GAMES with the chance to WIN PRIZES
MAKE-N-TAKES

During the weekend we'll be eating:

HOME COOKED BREAKFAST ON FRIDAY & SATURDAY
HOME COOKED DINNER ON SATURDAY & BRUNCH ON SUNDAY
GROUP DINNER OUT AT TIMELESS DESTINATIONS
and
DRINKS SERVED ALL DAY LONG
SNACKS SERVED THROUGHOUT THE DAY

The cost for the Weekend Scrapbooking Retreat is $150**

You can register by printing out the Registration Form in the below post and following the printed instructions.
**If you would like to split the payments, you can make two payments of $75. One would be due when you register and the second one due before April 1st.

For those of you traveling great distances for this crop here is what you need to know...

The motel we will be staying at is called The Canyon Motel.


Their phone number is (570) 724-1681. Space there is limited, so you MUST call to book your room ASAP. I cannot stress this enough. Call now! They are giving us a special room rate of $76.50 per night for either a room with 1 queen bed or 2 double beds. They have mini suites with 2 queens and a living room that are $89.10. When you call to book (which will be right when you finish reading this post, right?) mention that you are with "Jen's Scrapbooking Retreat" and they will give you our rate. Each of the rooms have a microwave, TV, either a VCR or DVD player and some movies to borrow in the lobby, coffee maker and best of all a separate bathroom and vanity area. The motel also has an indoor, heated swimming pool, workout area and hot tub. The Canyon Motel is located directly across the street from the Annex.


You will want to fly into Elmira, NY. Ginni just now booked her ticket directly with Northwest, she is flying from Tampa round trip for (base price) $156.28. When I looked the other day it was higher, then the very next day it went even higher. So I don't know too much about the air fare games, but this is a pretty low fare.

Transportation to and from the airport can be one of two ways. You can rent a car to drive the 43 miles. If you do that you will have a car to get around if you want to venture further than Wellsboro. If you are fine with walking around Wellsoboro, then I am working up a transportation van that for 10 people will be $15 each way. If there are fewer folks for the van, then the cost will go up. I will arrange this for you, just let me know if and when you will need ground transportation.

Wellsboro is a quaint town with a town square and a classic Americana style Main Street that is filled with shops and restaurants. The whole Main Street area is an easy walk and if you do not wish to venture too far, you will not need a car. Nightlife in Wellsboro is the Arcadia movie house. That is pretty much it. There are a few bars but I think we will pretty much be our own night life. Wine & liquor are sold at state stores and there is one located just a few blocks from us. Beer is sold by the case-so don't drink beer! There is a mini-bar in the crop room that we can store our liquor at easily. They do allow drinking on premises, so feel free to BYOB. There are a few things to do out and about and if you want to read about it, please feel free to visit the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce sight.

This is going to be a fun weekend and I am so looking for y'all to come up to my neck of the woods! For those of you who went on The Doodle Caboose Train Trip last year with Whim So Doodle...this is the trip that is replacing it. We couldn't do a big trip through the store this year, and Jill said that if I wanted to do one on my own that I had her blessing! There will not be as much trouble to get into as in Savannah, but I promise we will have lots of creative time and good fellowship with friends!

Hope to see loads of you soon!
Jen

PS-I wanna say this ONE MORE TIME, but the Annex is huge and that will not limit the amount of people who will come. The hotel has limited rooms, and that WILL limit the number of out-of-towners that can come! There are other hotels, but they were full or near full when I called. There are two bed-n-breakfasts that I would recommend, but their prices are much higher. BOOK YOUR HOTEL NOW!!!

Registration Form...

Lunch Lady Land!!

Yesterday was my first official day as a substitute lunch lady! Let me tell you, being out of regular work for sometime has really made me mushy and lunch lady-ing really kicked my patoot! Those ladies work hard! My day started bright and early at the kitchen entrance at 7:15am. The kitchen was already warm and bustling! I was given a tour of THE cleanest commercial kitchen I have ever seen! There was not one speck of dirt anywhere! I was given a few small tasks before I set to helping a nice lady named Mary Ann make hundreds of "Cosmo Sandwiches". These toasted ham and cheese deals were put on a pretzel bun and boy did they look good! We also cut up some veggies while another lady assembled the fruit. There actually was another whole team that put together the salad bar and juice area. After that there was a bit of last minute stuff before the kids hit the line. I happily got to work the line and hand out food. Kids came in waves. It was an elementary school and the kids were so cute-and shockingly well behaved!! About 500 kids in the whole school. I was the lady at the end of the line who put the sandwich, fruit and veggies on the tray/in the bowl. So there was a lot of talking with the kids. I made the mistake of asking what kind of fruit they wanted and that held up the line a bit! Oops! I quickly learned that they could switch fruit amongst themselves in the cafeteria! Too funny. Working on the line was crazy! In between kids coming in you had to reset the line, take empty trays to the wash room and help out in the wash room getting all those trays washed and back out! Mayhem! Organized mayhem! These ladies work like a well oiled machine, each knowing what their roll is and getting that job done! After the last kid was served, we had to break down the kitchen and clean it! There is a reason why that kitchen is so clean! It is cleaned every day! Good old fashioned elbow grease! Each lady has her responsibilities for cleaning and when they are done with their section, they come together around one of the kitchen tables to enjoy lunch together. It was so nice sitting around the table after our work day and enjoying lunch. So cute! I really enjoyed my day and was happy when I got booked for 4 more days with this crew!

PS-If you are wondering about the hair net thing...When I got there they offered me either a hair net or a visor. I thought I was being cool when I picked the visor. Yuck! I hated that thing! It limited my vision so much that it was a bother. I quickly switched to hair net. (no laughing!) The kitchen manager said that we could leave our bangs out and I fixed my hair under that net just so! A couple of the other ladies gave me the hair net 411. Sally's. Go to Sally's and they have hair nets to match your hair that are super lightweight. I couldn't even tell that they had on hair nets. So get this, they put the hair nets on from home, so they can fix their hair nicely under it! I am all over that! AND even with my hair in a net, a couple of the little girls said, "Oh! I really like your hair!" to me (not one bit of sarcasam from them, thank you very much!). That made my day!

OK...so it's 2010...

I know that this is the normal time to talk about resolutions and what we wanna do better on in the new year. I could talk about the path ahead and the limitless possibilities for 2010. I could say that this year I wanna be a better person or to work towards a fantastic goal. Nah. Not me. I am gonna take a peep back at 2009 and see just what that good 'ole year taught me. I think that I can come up with 31 things that I learned in 2009. May be some brand new things I learned, some things I had to re-learn or some things that needed to be re-enforced. Some, I'm sure, are gonna be just dumb little things and others might be so profound that even I'll be confused. Whichever way the learning came, I would like to impart my 31 Things I Learned Last Year. I might even share with you how I learned some of these lessons.
Many of you who know me know that I am a wise and learned sort of gal and I love to share my vast knowledge...what a laugh! (I couldn't even type that with a straight face!!) I am more of a "if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to serve as a horrible warning*" kind of gal!! It must also be said that these are my truths. They don't need to be your truths if you don't like 'em! Heck! You don't even have to read them if they are too annoying!
I'm gonna post a new thing each day of the month in January just to keep you visiting! Have I mentioned how much I love blog visitors? I especially love it when my visitors say "hi" or some such thing!
Hope you enjoy my retrospective moments!

*Catherine Aird

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 15

What I learned: WHEN THEY COINED THE EXPRESSION "THREE DOG NIGHT" THEY WERE NOT TALKING ABOUT CHIHUAHUAS!

How I learned it: The expression came from the thought that on cold nights the Eskimos would bring dogs in to sleep with and if it was a "three dog night" it was a really cold night! Those dogs were not Chihuahuas! I know this because Chihuahuas do NOT generate a lot of body heat! They are more like the space heater of the dog world. You can put them on a specific body part and that part will get warm enough, but to heat the whole bed...not so much! Now if we could just position all three cats AND the two dogs on the bed, we might be able to save a bit on the heating!

31 Things I learned in 2009...Day 14

What I learned: GO SEE A DRAG SHOW WHENEVER POSSIBLE

How I learned this: For the second year in a row Whim So Doodle has hosted a cropping adventure called the Doodle Caboose Train Trip! We load a bunch of fun and crazy scrapbookers up on a Amtrak train and head off for a fun weekend of cropping and playing! In 2009 we headed off to Savannah. Holey moley did we have a great time! The trip was amazing and the ladies who went were just a hoot and a half! But, one of the things that I really wanted to do was to go to the drag show where The Lady Chablis preforms. She is the actress from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and she is on stage all the time in Savannah. Sadly, not the nights we were there, but we got a group together and went anyways. The club that she appears in is Club One. Not a very upscale club, but fun none the less. There was a big group of us who went, and I think that the early show that we went to was the "tourist show" since there really were not the usual drag show groupies around. (I'll save the story of how I know what "usual drag show groupies" are for another day...) We all got our drinks and headed into the show room. A few minutes later the show started with the most amazing drag queens (and one or two that should have stayed off the stage...) I've seen. These gals lip synced and were 100% glam-ed up. These ladies know how to put on a show. Small stage, big personalities. Some would come out into the audience, some would stick with the big tippers and others would stay lost in character and live center-stage, under the spotlight. Drag shows are just good rip-roarin' fun. You can laugh out loud. Wonder... Order a third drink. Tuck a tip into the performers fingers. Sing or dance along. Wonder some more... And applaud like mad! We all had a great time and couldn't wait to show off the hundreds of photos we took when we got back! It could be a once-in-a-lifetime thing or if you are like me a every-chance-I-get thing, but I recommend seeing a drag show!!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 13

What I learned: HANGING AROUND WITH LEISA RICE HAS MADE ME A BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER.

How I learned it: For many years Whim So Doodle has held an event called "Santa Sittings" where we get Santa to come in for 1/2 hour photography sessions. Many years ago I saw a cool set of photos in an old scrapbooking magazine, Pebbles, that had these really unique shots with Santa. So I asked if we could do these at the store. I cannot claim to be a good photographer, but Kim Brett knew that one of the Doodle Diva was. We showed the pictures to Leisa and as they say, that is all she wrote! Not only did Leisa get the concept, she vastly improved on it! I was lucky enough, for many years, to be her lovely assistant at these "shoots". (FYI-When we do these they are normally 3-5 days of 8 hours worth of sessions that sell out in just a few hours after announcing them!) I am the person who straightens skirts, tames fly away hair, coaxes smiles, hands Santa special toys and holds stools that Leisa perches on. And afterwards I am the person sitting in front of the computer monitor with Leisa just crying at the captured moments. (Honestly, these photos are spectacular!) So after all these years I have watched her lighting, angles, prop choices and scene set up and like a sponge I have absorbed it all. Now I look at the photos I've been taking and think to myself...that looks like Leisa could have taken it! When I think that it means I'm proud of the way a photo turned out.

(Thanks Leisa for letting me be your sidekick all these years and I wish we could have been together last Christmas. I saw some of those photos and I really missed the whole process.)

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 12

What I learned: I WORK AT THE BEST PLACE ON THE PLANET!

How I learned this: Well, this is one of those things that I had really learned many years ago, but in 2009 that lesson was enforced in a big way. Let's see...where to begin? When I was packing/unpacking boxes while moving I would find little notes written to me on the boxes by Jo that would say things like, "we miss you" or "hello". Before I left, Jill, the owner threw a party for the Doodlers to come to a private class and make a beautiful altered canvas-her treat! When I am in need of scrapbooking supplies, I just make a call and I have a personal shopper and shipper, so I am not without current product! (Heaven forbid!) I get "thinking of you" cards all the time from one or the other Diva, they remembered my birthday and made sure I had a care package complete with Starbucks goodies! Oh! And most importantly, when I said, "Jill, I'm moving 1,200 miles away. Do you think that there is any way I can still keep my job?" Her response was, "Of course! We'll find a way!" Simply amazing! Jill is a blessing as a boss and a revelation as a human. She surrounds herself with a collection of the most amazing women that I not only get to work with, but I am happy to call them friends. Best job ever-WHIM SO DOODLE!

Remember Family Circus

Do you remember those Family Circus cartoons? Not sure if they are still one of the cartoons that are going strong, haven't read newspaper cartoons in years. But I do remember the ones where the little boy went wandering around the neighborhood and the cartoon showed his path with little trail marks. I was reminded of that yesterday when I was out and about. The fresh snow sitting on the ground is a blank canvas waiting for some critter to walk on. I saw all these little paths in the snow that was made by all kinds of critters. In fact, just outside our bedroom window a big, 'ole rabbit was jumping around. I just thought it was cute...these huge expanses of snow with crisscrossing trails leading to and from the woods. In fact, right now I am looking out my window and just following the edge of the brush are a new set of tracks. So far my favorite tracks have been made by chihuahuas in deep snow. You will see four tiny feet struggling to lift out of the snow with one big belly-drag imprint down the middle!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 11

What I learned: PET TURTLES STINK!

How I learned it: We inherited a turtle that was being kept in a too small tank with no "ammenities", so we upgraded the whole thing. New rocks for climbing, a filter, a basking lamp and ramp, greenery and occasional live fish! Well...one thing that I simply had no idea about was the vast amount of tank cleaning that needs to go into keeping a turtle stink free. The filter did help a little, but at the least we had to empty out the tank, clean out the inside glass and ammenities once a week. If we let it go just one extra day the WHOLE HOUSE would reek of stinky turtle. He was so gross to me that I couldn't even pick him up out of the tank-I had to use tongs! Mr. Squeeks has a new home now and I am extremely thankful for that! I have learned that I am NOT cut out to be a turtle "mom"!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 10

What I learned: THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT FLAVOR COMBINATIONS OF BOBO SMOOTHIES, BUT MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE IS ORANGE AND YOGURT WITH BOBO BALLS ON THE BOTTOM.

How I learned this: I love experimenting with flavor combinations, but once I find one I like, I usually stick with the same thing. I LOVE the smoothies from Tropical Splash on Anderson and Gunn in Tampa (near Publix). They make the Bobo style of smoothies and have so many different flavors. Traditional like strawberry or banana and non-traditional like red bean or avocado. Charles is more adventurous when it comes to the odd flavors (he tried red bean and didn't really like it). I found that I loved the orange/yogurt combo (tastes like a healthy version of a creamscicle) but after about a year of only those I branched out. I made some wacky combos and tried the flavored jellies instead of the bobo balls. But after many attempts to top the orange/yogurt, I failed. So, whenever I head back to Tampa, I must hit Tropical Splash and order up "the usual"!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 9

What I learned: I CANNOT CONTROL THE BAD DECISIONS MADE BY OTHERS, I CAN ONLY CONTROL HOW I LET THEM EFFECT MY LIFE

How I learned this: (If you know me, you know how I learned this sad lesson. If you don't know me...sorry, too long and too sad a story.)

Some new P365 photos

The lonely snow critter sitting out in the yard. Looks like she needs some company.

My sad 'ole rocking chair. Not much porch sitting these days!

The view from the top of Armenia mountain. So pretty. We went in search of the wind turbine farms.

Lucky relaxes after his long drive from south Florida.

My feet in the snow...I got stuck and Charles just waved me away when I yelled for help! You cannot see the tops of my boots here. VERY deep!

The mountain man and his cookie!

On the drive up to the mountain. Poor Johnnie, we thought she was gonna have a break down in the backseat with all the narrow, high, slippery roads we were taking up to the top!

Jeeze-oh-pete but it was cold up on the mountain! Wind chill about -10degrees! It was pretty, but hard to breathe!

The glorious cheese aisle at Wegmans!!

Loading up on holiday scents! Oh boy, but I love Yankee Candle!

Hey! We've both got on red coats! Johnnie thought that Ginger looked stupid in her little coat! Aawww...poor thing, she needs an even bigger coat for these cold days!

Do not want a repeat of last year's Christmas Chihuahua medical scare with Ginger eating food from under the tree. Very smart sister-in-law!

Our neighbor dropped by on Christmas morning and he stayed for breakfast! Poor thing didn't know what he said "yes" to...a southern breakfast with biscuits and sausage (veggie) gravy! Too funny!

Dogs love Christmas too! Chritmas morning with my girls and new 'do!

Free donuts at Eddie's on Christmas Eve!!

Charles walking on the (mostly) frozen pond at the old farmhouse next door.

Ann wins a big, $500 jackpot at Christmas BINGO!!

Christmas gifts waiting to be opened!

One for shoveling snow, the other to make sure we have correct snow placement....in-laws are GREAT!

The snowman (AKA Snow Piglet) that Charles and his mom made. Lucky (her dog) kept taking the arms of and chewing them up!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 8

What I learned: KEEPING YOUR HOUSE "COMPANY CLEAN" MAKES FOR STRESS FREE LIVING

How I learned this: For some reason I was never very good at house keeping. I really do not like to clean and with my pinched nerve/carpel tunnel I pay for it when I scrub too much. I do ask Charles to do the heavy scrubbing, and he is usually willing to help! Once I got all my stuff organized and a place for everything, cleaning and keeping the house "company clean" has been really easy. I have to say that my closets are really a thing to behold. You know you are doing something right when your mother-in-law compliments your closets!! Now when someone drops by, I do not feel panic that the house looks messy. I'll always have a "lived-in" house, but not the "lived-in-by-a-slob" look! Cleaning a little bit everyday also helps because there is never that dreaded one day of big cleaning. I am not a strict Fly Lady devotee, but I do try to follow some of her cleaning goals and as much as I hate to admit it, I really don't mind cleaning anymore...just please, no one tell Charles!!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 7

What I learned: HEATING IS EXPENSIVE!

How I learned it: This is one that I am still trying to learn about. In the spring/summer/fall there is no large utility bills because there is no AC to run. But just wait for winter! We have three different, no, make that four different heat sources in our house-electric, furnace/propane, pellet stoves and now a smal electric heater. Each heats a different part of the house and in a different way. What I am learning is that in the other months I have to have a "heating fund" jar out, so what I am saving in electric/propane bills during those months, needs to go into that jar for the winter months! All I can say is "yow"!!

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 6

What I learned: HOW TO CHANGE A CAR BATTERY

How I learned it: The hard way! One day my car wouldn't start. Normally that would be an easy fix-call Charles. Well, Charles was living 1,200 miles away and I was going to have to handle this myself. Not having that second person was tricky, but I DO have a ton of friends and one of them just happens to live about 5 minutes from my house and she was not at work. Great joy! More than great she was willing to cart my butt over to WalMart to get the battery and even more willing to get her hands dirty right along with me! We found the owner's manual, read through the instructions a few times, gathered what we thought would be adequate tools and set about to changing the battery. We got the idea of how to do it, but we were lacking a bit of muscle to actually remove one of the screws. Luckily a nice man was visiting the neighbor and he helped us out in that department. Technically, changing a car battery is not too challenging, but for me a total spaz in that department, it not only was a accomplishment, it was one of my most proud-of-myself moments! (Thanks again Jackie!)

31 Things I learned in 2009-Day 5

What I learned: CEDARIFIC KITTY LITTER IS THE BEST KITTY LITTER EVER!

How I learned it: I found this product sitting on the shelves at my neighboorhood Kash-n-Karry (later Sweetbay Market). Charles normally handles the kitty litter and since he had moved up to Pennsylvania, I was on my own. The first thing I noticed about this brand was that it is SUPER lightweight. I can lift 4 bags easily at one time. This made luging it around by myself a breeze. Second thing I noticed was the very pleasent smell. It smells just like cedar, and is continues to smell like cedar long after the cats have visited the box for a week. Which is the third thing I discovered. It is a TRUE odor absorber. If I let the litters go a few days past thier due date, you really couldn't tell! I also have to keep my litters elevated so small dogs do not use them as their personal buffet bars. I use plastic tubs as "lifts" and one of these bags fits perfectly in the lift tub. One bag fills two litters. Now, the sad thing is that not many places carry this brand. It is REALLY hard to find. Sweetbay discontinued it. BUT I found it at BiLo in Wellsboro when I moved up here. Sadly, now BiLo has discontinued it and I have to order it online. But being that it is so lightweight, the shipping is not bad! And since I have had to order it online I was able to read more about it and discovered that it is "a blend of hardwood and cedar chips. Careful screening and aspiration results in a virtually dust-free product. Cedarific contains no clay or silica dust. Cedarific is made from reclaimed, renewable wood fiber and contains no added chemicals. It is 100%biodegradable and can even be composted or incinerated!" Cool. Right?! RENEWABLE and CAN BE INCINERATED? Both very good! (I burn my trash, you see.)
Now I know that kitty litter discovery isn't a grand life lesson, but finding something that really works and is good for the enviroment is a GREAT discovery in my book.

Toss Ten Tuesday!

Today is the first day to toss your ten items. No one can be more excited than me, but I think some of y'all have really embraced the idea. I have heard reports of whole closets and pantries being cleaned out! In the process of finding ten items much more is being found to say "good bye" to. Very great news! I know it feels good. Keep it up y'all!

For me I had a few items that I knew were going today and a few I had to hunt for. With the in-laws leaving today and having to do a good "after company" clean, I didn't have the will to empty out any closets! But that's cool for me since I moved in a few months ago and my closets have not had a chance to get out of control.

What did I find to say good bye to....?


GOOD BYE TO A STACK OF MAGAZINES, I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU ARE NEW AND SHINY BUT YOU ARE MY BIGGEST ENEMY! (Notice that the one on top is about organization?)

GOOD BYE LEARN-TO-PAINT BOOK THAT I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU CAME FROM!

GOOD BYE BAG OF COOL-LOOKING PASTA WITH BUGS ON THE BOTTOM!

GOOD BYE HANDMADE PAPER MACHE REINDEER WHO HAVE SAT IN THE CHRISTMAS TUB FOR THE LAST 4 CHRISTMAS BECAUSE 5 CHRISTMASES AGO THE CATS CHEWED OFF YOUR ANTLERS!

GOOD BYE TELEPHONE BOOKS FROM 2008 AND 2009, THE NEW ONE CAME AND FOR SOME REASON Y'ALL WANTED TO STAY!

GOOD BYE BAGGIE FULL OF TAGS MADE OF FUN FOAM. I PLANNED ON USING YOU TO HELP LABEL THE TUBS IN THE CLOSET, BUT YOU DECIDED NOT TO BE FOUND WHEN I NEEDED YOU SO YOU WERE REPLACED AND I DO NOT NEED YOU ANYMORE!

GOOD BYE CHEAP LIP PENCIL THAT NEVER WORKED!

GOOD BYE PLASTIC LEGS TO A SHELF THAT HAS LONG SINCE LEFT US!

GOOD BYE THREE STRANDS OF PUFFY HEART CHRISTMAS GARLAND. I USED YOU ON MY CHRISTMAS TREE WHEN I WAS MRS. SOMEBODY-ELSE AND YOU DO NOT MATCH MY CURRENT DECORATIONS. I'M SAD TO SAY YOU JUST CANNOT HANG AROUND IN THE HOPES I MIGHT LIKE YOU AGAIN!

AND GOOD BYE CAN OF MUSSLEMAN'S LEMON PIE FILLING THAT COST $1 AT BIG LOTS, HAS DUST ON THE TOP AND WHOSE BROTHER CAN POISONED CHARLES AND I!




If you want to share your progress, feel free to share! Love hearing from everyone!

31 Things I Learned in 2009...Day 4

What I learned: HOW TO KNIT

How I learned it: Well, Miss Barbara is a good knitter. She was doing some knitting around The Doodle and some of the Doodle Divas decided that they wanted to learn how to knit and I jumped on the bandwagon. Miss Barbara, who lives a few blocks from the store was going to host Kristen, Jo, Stacey and myself at her house to a "learn-to-knit" party. Stacey and I were stoked and we went right on over to Joann's and bought the needles that Miss Barbara told us to get and some yarn. Of course, since the class was a few weeks away and we were very excited to start we got on-line once home and started to "self teach" ourselves with on-line videos. I decided to start with a scarf-not too hard. I learned and practiced casting on and the basic stitch. So did Stacey. I had trouble picking it up. Not Stacey. I had to go to Miss Barbara for help. Not Stacey. I finished a Chihuahua sized scarf by the time Stacey had finished a scarf, a hat, a felted wool tote bag, a pot holder with the "yes we can" logo embossed in it and a few knitted critters for the boys. (mumbled under my breath...."overachiever") I have not picked up the needles since being in PA. I have a beautiful fuzzy pink scarf in a tote just waiting for me to finish it. I read on Stacey's blog about all the projects she has mastered. She can do a whole sock in one evening now while I am still only on my third scarf. I think for 2010 I'm gonna have to get a refresher course. Oh! And we never did have that knitting party at Miss Barbara's!

31 Things I Learned in 2009...Day 3

What I learned: YOU CAN BE STANDING ON A SCARY LEDGE, BUT YOU ARE PERFECTLY SAFE

How I learned it: One morning Charles and I had made some plans that had fallen through so we decided to grab breakfast from the Native Bagel in Wellsboro and go hike the path at Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon/Leonard Harrison State Park. Since I am game to try just about anything, I was ready. I put on my heavy boots, long johns, big coat and hat and was ready for our hike. We took Kiwi because she just loves these kinds of outings. Charles explained to me that the path was a series of switch back trails that lead down to the canyon falls. He also explained that it was a 2 mile hike to the bottom, which he estimated would take us about 1 hour down and 1 hour (2 more miles) back up. If you know me, or have seen a photo of me, you know that "Jen" and "physically fit" do not usually go together so I was a little nervous about making it-or worse yet, make it to the bottom and not be able to make it back up! I told Charles, and he being the kind husband that he is said we would only go as far as I was comfortable with. Off we went! It was GLORIOUS! The views were magnificent! I took tons of photos which let me take many mini breaks as we went down. After about 30 minutes my knees were NOT happy at the steep declines and I had to go slow. What made it worse was that our hike was during the fall and the leaves were falling and it had recently rained...which made the ground slippery. I slipped a couple of times and was going VERY slow! What my sweet husband failed to mention was that the pathway was supremely narrow at spots and with the huge drop offs it was pretty spooky at times. Kiwi was fearless, never considering the heights she just trotted along. Charles has vertigo so I was pretty much on my own walking those tiny spots along the path. I have never had any fear of heights, but at one point I became truly and utterly frozen in fear. I was standing on a 14-16" ledge, looking down about a 150' drop. I couldn't move forward and I couldn't move back. I couldn't even take baby steps-I was stuck. I called to Charles to help, but knew that if he looked down, he would be a goner too. He came right over and reached out to put my hands on a root and quietly talked me through the steps to move me back to a safer spot. I stood there for a few moments knowing that I was not going to "conquer" the rest of the hike and decided to head back up. But I realized that I had learned something...no matter how high, how narrow, how scary my "ledge" might be, I know that I am perfectly safe because I am wearing sturdy shoes, there is always a root to grab a hold of to make me feel secure and there will be someone there to help guide me when I call out for help.

31 Things I Learned in 2009-Day 2

What I learned: THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS IT CAN SNOW

How I learned it: Simply I learned this by moving to Pennsylvania and watching the sky. Technically I learned this many different ways. The first time it snowed here it was mid October and nobody was ready for it. Least of all me, who was just getting used to all the fall leaves and colors. I was not ready for that to go away. But that first snow was just a "dusting". Lightweight snow that drifted to the ground and didn't want to stay too long 'cause the ground was too warm for it. Next came the afternoon I was unloading groceries and it had just started to rain. As I was walking in I was pelted with these hard, cold "ice drops". I came inside and quickly called Debbie, the office manager at Woodhouse (Charles' office) to find out what was going on. She informed me that it was "sleet"-wet, cold, hard snow, very much like hail. After that I installed a Weather Channel icon to my desktop so that weather news and information was just a click away. Now my computer makes a great noise to alert me to "winter conditions". We missed the blizzard that hit almost every other part of PA, but I watched on TV and learned about hard snow. The kind that dumps 20 or more inches of snow on the ground. Now we have "snow showers" which is plain, old, everyday snow. The kind that comes down fast or slow. Light or hard. Straight down or slant ways. A little or a lot. It is the stuff that blankets the ground (now cold enough so that it won't melt) , that sits on top of frozen lakes and tree branches and that make great snowmen! I'm waiting for the blizzard to hit us as everyone tells me it will. I am sure this Florida girl has more of an education in the snow-falling department coming, but hey, that is what 2010 is for!

31 Things I Learned in 2009-Day 1

What I learned: DO WHAT MAKES THE BETTER STORY

How I learned it: Just the other day I was listening to a really funny comedian on Comedy Central and he was doing a bit where he had decided his new motto in life was going to be: "Do what makes the better story." He had some really funny examples but one thing he said really struck me as such a true thing in my life..."I think to myself, "I shouldn't do this. But if I do, I can think of at least eight people to call when I do!" That is SO me. I love to share stories-always have. But you have to DO things that create the really good stories. For example, when Charles suggested we go on a flashlight tour of a bat cave I could have said "eeewwee, gross" and picked a movie instead. But instead, I said, "sure" and I have a great story about walking around in a dark bat cave, I learned the sad plight of these little critters and the white-nosed fungus and I have the photos to document the day. And a great day it was and a GREAT story!!

I think I have known this for quite awhile, but in the adventure that was 2009 for the Peck family, doing what makes for a better story also makes for a better life!

Just thinking of the past and if I had taken the safe choice (or surrounded myself with those kinds of people) I would not have such stories as: "The Berm", "How I Met Randy Travis", "What's in the Restricted Part of a Cruise Ship", "Stacey and the Oversized Bed", "Happy National Scrapbooking Day, Paris Hilton", "Can You Get a Subway Sandwich for Free?" or "Sylvia, Doug and the Brownies".

A big 'ole "yeah" for doing what I shouldn't, but telling all about it when I do!