Category Archives: Holidays

Reasons the Month of June Will Be Awesome

  • My birthday on June 18
  • My sister Meredith’s birthday on June 18
  • My parents’ anniversary on June 5
  • It’s SUMMER!
  • Family trip to Arkansas
  • Time with people I love
  • World’s Largest Swim Lesson
  • Finishing the next to last class for a certification I want
  • Warm air
  • Planning more summer vacations
  • Nights on my patio
  • Outdoor swimming
  • Tan lines
  • Tank tops
  • Green grass & growing fields
The sunset reflected in my porch door
The sunset reflected in my porch door

Reasons Why I Still Have a Christmas Tree Up in My Bedroom

  1. I never bought my 2014 annual ornament to represent my year and if I take my tree down before that happens, I will lose it (once I eventually buy it).
  2. All my favorite ornaments that remind me of the places I’ve been and the people I love still make me smile every time I look at them.
  3. It is covered in blue lights and sparkly blue snowflakes and glittery silver balls and that make me shiny and happy.
  4. It is something tall in the corner of the bedroom which is aesthetically pleasing.
  5. Green is a sign of life.
  6. It’s a pretty nightlight.
  7. I like it and I don’t want to takeĀ it down.

christmas tree

Friday the 13th

1/13/2012 – Cruise ship Costa Concordia wrecks off the coast of Italy
3/13/2009 – “Saw – the Ride” roller coaster opens at the Thorpe Park amusement center in England
4/13/2004 – Famous chef Julia Child dies at the age of 91
10/13/1989 – Dow Jones Industrial stocks take the 2nd greatest plummet as of that time
6/13/1986 – Twins Mary Kate & Ashley Olson are born
10/13/1972 – A plane crash sets off an epic tale of survival & rescue, eventually retold in the book and movie “Alive”
2/13/1976 – Figure skater Dorothy Hammill wins gold at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria
9/13/1940 – Five German bombs destroy the chapel at Buckingham Palace
6/13/1930 – England’s first nudist colony officially opens
7/13/1923 – California land developer Harry Chandler unveils “HOLLYWOODLAND” sign
1/13/1894 – America’s first patent for an accordion is filed
7/13/1832 – American explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft discovers the source of the Mississippi River
11/13/1789 – Benjamin Franklin writes his famous line “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

hollywoodland

Out Like a Lamb (And other spring like phrases)

  • March comes in like a lion but goes out like a lamb.
  • April showers bring May flowers.
  • Spring forward, Fall back.
  • Spring fever
  • Spring training
  • Beware the Ides of March!
  • He’s no spring chicken.
  • March Madness
  • Luck O’ the Irish
  • St. Patty’s Day
  • Spring up, Oh well!
  • Spring into action.
  • Hope springs eternal.
  • Sing of spring!
  • Easter celebration!

Green Things (In honor of the upcoming St. Patty’s Day)

  • Shamrocks
  • The Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day
  • Grass in the spring
  • New buds on a tree
  • Cash
  • The sky when a tornado is brewing
  • The Christmas tree still up in my living room
  • Moss
  • Turtles
  • The cover of the book I’ve been reading
  • Towels in my guest bathroom
  • The Northern Lights
  • Ivy
  • Poison Ivy
  • Apples
  • The Green Bay Packers logo
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Dinosaurs (or so we theorize)
  • Oscar the Grouch
  • Kermit the Frog
  • Lizards
  • Chameleons
  • Kiwi
  • Seaweed
  • Mint chocolate chip ice cream
  • Lime sherbet
  • Emeralds
  • Watermelon
  • The new shirt I bought to wear on Monday
  • Aged copper
  • Avocados
  • Jealousy
  • Health food
  • Romaine Lettuce
  • The BP Logo (which, as it turns out, is designed by a friend of a friend)
  • Evergreen trees
  • Bananas that aren’t ripe

 

My Sister Michelle (In honor of her birthday today!)

  • Brilliant
  • Generous
  • Attentive
  • Loving
  • Quiet until you get to know her
  • Gracious
  • Thoughtful
  • Thought provoking
  • Mathematical genius
  • Puzzle solver
  • Actress (at least in murder mystery dinners)
  • Baby sister
  • Adoring Aunt
  • Youngest daughter
  • Soft spoken
  • Adventuresome
  • Funny
  • Sweetly silly
  • Gentle
  • Determined
  • Role Model
  • Marvelous
  • Magnificent
  • Michelle!

 

Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions Which Have Already Likely Been Broken (according to no scientific research but my own imagination)

  • Stop eating junk food
  • Visit gym daily
  • Visit gym 3 times a week
  • Visit gym once a week
  • No more smoking
  • No more gossip
  • Meet neighbors
  • Be involved in child’s school
  • Volunteer time for good cause
  • Call mother once a week
  • Read a new book every month
  • Finish project X
  • Organize garage / attic / basement
  • File taxes early
  • Leave work on time every day
  • Leave work on time at least once a week
  • Leave work on time once in a while
  • Reduce alcohol intake
  • Start Christmas savings fund

Birthday Party Themes for Your Teenage Son

  • Laser tag / Paint ball
  • Hometown Treasure Hunt Ā – one responsible driver per group, clues take teams to locations important to your son’s life
  • Amazing Race – similar to the treasure hunt but to landmarks in your area
  • Tailgate party – grilling from the bed of a truck, parking lot football, coolers full of soda
  • Camping / Hiking trip
  • Pool Party/ Beach party & cookout
  • Racing theme with a trip to the GoKarts
  • World’s Most Interesting Teenager – make the meme your own
  • Redneck / Manly Man games – log throws, target practice, crushing soda cans
  • Dapper Dan – dress nice, fancy dinner, moustache photo props, (provide tips to fine dining)
  • Movie Marathon – all night viewing of LOTR, Star Wars series, etc.
  • Spy Games – strategy games in teams
  • Bonfire night
  • Ski trip / Snow party & hot beverages at the lodge
My son’s Golden Birthday (19 on the 19th) — Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket theme. Golden tickets gave clues to places around town. Winning team got most creative pix at each location.