10 on the 10th ~ June 2022

Hosted by Leslie and Marsha!

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1.  Are you planning to take a vacation anytime soon?  Please share!

The hubby has the week of July 4th off of work.  We'll be staying close to home with a few day trips and camping for a few nights.

2.  Have you recently gone on vacation?  Tell us all about it!

No.  No vacations here :(

3.  What is your favorite way to travel?

I absolutely LOVE road trips.  Give me a car (or van) and a map (or GPS) and I'm good to go :)  I love that I can stop anytime, anywhere I want and see the sites!

4.  If money were no object, where would you go and why?

I've always wanted to see Ireland, Scotland and England.

5.  Who would be your favorite person (living or dead) to take on vacation?

The hubby, hands down!

6.  What do you absolutely have to pack when you go on vacation?

My meds!

7.  What are your memories of your all time favorite vacation?

For our 10th Anniversary, we took a road trip to Niagara Falls, NY.  We stopped and stayed the night in Erie then drove up the coast of Lake Erie and then Lake Ontario.  We rented a bungalow right on Lake Ontario.  I was a great trip :)

8.  Where would you never ever go on vacation and why?

South America.  It is scary!

9.  What is the worst thing you ever experienced on vacation?

I can't really think of a "worst" thing.  Maybe the downpours while we were at Disney World.

10.  What is the best thing that ever happened to you on vacation?

Watching my girls get to enjoy themselves :)

Colletta

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge ~ 5 Best Places I've Visited ~ 1/13/2021

I found this Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge hosted by Long and Short Reviews through Lydia and thought I'd give it a go!  The prompts look interesting.  You can check out the weekly prompts at the bottom of this post.

This week's topic is:  5 Best Places I've Visited

The very first place that comes to mind is DISNEY WORLD!  I've been to Disney World twice in my 42 years.  I live in Pennsylvania so it isn't right around the corner for me.  It entails a 2 hours plane ride or a 16 hour drive!  The first time I went was for my honeymoon in 2000 (we flew).  The second time was to take our daughters in 2012 (we drove).  The first was romantic, the second a bit stressful but both were amazing adventures!

Look how little my babies were!

The second place for me would be NIAGARA FALLS.  We drove the six hour drive in our mini-van for our tenth anniversary in 2010.  We took my parents along as well as the girls.  We rented a little bungalow in Olcott, NY (about 30 minutes from Niagara Falls) and spent the week exploring the area.  We had plenty to see and really enjoyed this trip!

Lake Ontario at sunset.

Third for me would be DAYTONA BEACH.  My Aunt Mary and her family live there so I've visited a handful of times even though, once again, it is quite a trek from Pennsylvania.  We have gone to the races, the beach, and visited Ponce de Leon Lighthouse.  Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is one of my favorite memories.

The fourth best place I've visited is GETTYSBURG, PA.  The first time I visited was in the 5th grade with my class.  It was the very first time I was on a charter bus :)  I absolutely LOVE history so I was amazed by the battlefields and the museum.  I've since visited maybe 3 or 4 more times and always learn something new.

I had to really think about a fifth place because for the most part we stick pretty close to home and love to camp and rent cabins in Pennsylvania State Parks.  However, I'm going to go way back to 1996 and VIRGINIA BEACH, VA for my Senior Trip.  It was really my first time away from home and my parents.  I was a rebel and got my second ear piercing.  (My first ear piercing was when I was 5 years old).  We went to Water Country USA, Busch Gardens and the Boardwalk.  It was only a 3 day trip but we had a blast!

So, what are the 5 best places you've visited?  I'd love to know so I can put them on my bucket list :)

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Journal Entry ~ 5/7/20

A few sentences about each day...

April 29, 2020 - May 5, 2020

Wed/29 ~ Kaylee's first day at work went well, I think.  She made it through, anyway :)  I was emotional all evening that my baby is all grown up and now working.  I made the mistake of looking at baby pictures and was a blubbering mess for a bit.  I stayed up until she got home so she could tell me all about her evening.

Thurs/30 ~ While waiting up for Kaylee to get home, Laken and I watched "Be Our Chef" on Disney Plus.  It is a really cute Disney themed cooking show where families compete against each other.  I admit that I dozed off on the couch.  I'm not used to staying up that late!

Fri/1 ~ I love turning my calendar to a new month.  I pray that May sees some improvement to our current pandemic situation.  Pennsylvania is starting to move some counties into phase "yellow" but my county is still on "red".  It makes no sense as to how they are picking counties to upon up.  Oh well.  Patience is a virtue.

Sat/2 ~ We finally had a nice day with no rain!  We spent a lot of time outside.  Kaylee enjoyed her Saturday off but said it went too fast.  Isn't that they way it goes?

Sun/3 ~ It dug out our Amazon Kindle fire and signed up for a free 2 month trial of Kindle Unlimited!  It was so much fun "shopping" for new books!  After home Church, we had Sunday dinner complete with homemade Apple Pie :)

Mon/4 ~ Today was gorgeous but very windy.  The wind about blew my car door off when I opened it at the gas station!  This is Kaylee's first Monday of working.  Over the weekend, we got her a lunch box and a metal water bottle to take with her to work.  Laken and I are watching "Mulan" while we wait up for Kaylee to get home.  Doug is on 3rd shift this week and already left.

Tues/5 ~ We sat in the bank drive-through for an hour today waiting to make a deposit!  After 1/2 hour I was ready to leave!  Patience prevailed and I got my banking done.  I've never seen such a line like that at the bank.  Kaylee is headed home from work as Doug is getting ready to leave for work.  She was able to leave early tonight.  I'm glad because I'm tired and ready to go to bed!

Until next week,

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 12/12/19

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

 

~Oranges and Cookies!  The hubby told me that when he was young they always got oranges at Christmas.  We have mandarin oranges on a regular basis but he doesn't like them so when I went to the grocery store I bought him some naval oranges as a surprise.  I also made a cookie that he requested:  Reese's Pieces Cookies!  They are super yummy :)

~Disney+ !  The hubby also decided that for his Christmas present he wanted a PS4.  The PS4 also comes with the Disney+ App.  As a surprise for the family, I went online and purchased a subscription for the Disney+!  The first thing I watched was The Sound of Music but the hubby and girls have been watching Star Wars Rebels :)

~Winter 2020 Project #1!  I finally decided to use the yarn that I bought for my first Winter Project to make a Granny Square Afghan for my daughter's boyfriend's Mom.  Her name is Linda so I'm calling it "Linda's Prayer Blanket".  I'm not sure if I'll have it done in time for Christmas but I'm giving it a go :)

~Christmas Tree(s)!  We put a tiny table top tree up in the Family Room for the girls to put their ornaments on.  It is so cute!  We also went out to a tree farm on the top of a mountain to get the real Christmas Tree for downstairs.  It was freezing and muddy and snowing and so much fun :)

~Harvester's Christmas Party!  Tuesday evening we had our Church Ladies Group (the Harvester Class) Christmas Party.  Each month on the second Tuesday we have a potluck, devotion and meeting.  However, in December, we treat ourselves to a meal out and exchange gifts.  This year we picked a steak house to make reservations for our party.  The food was good.  The company was good. And did I mention presents?!?!?   :)

What made you smile this week? 

Colletta

TT ~ Vacation Disasters ~ 11/22/12

THIS WEEK’S topic is:

My biggest vacation disaster?

I really had to think long and hard about this.  I couldn't remember having any disastrous vacations.  Sure there were bits and pieces of vacations that could have been better.  Like, it would have been nice if our 5-year-old hadn't puked for the first 300 miles of our drive to Disney World this Summer.

It also would have been a bit more comfortable to have an air conditioner in our cabin a few years ago when we went to Gifford Pinchot State Park and it hit 103 degrees for at least 3 days straight.  But, it was kinda fun roughing it a bit :)  We survived and had fun and after a few days it cooled off.

Oh, and when we went on our Niagara Falls trip and forgot to take "Blankie" in the van with us on our day trip to Fort Niagara.  THAT was almost a disaster because if we hadn't found a Wal-Mart and bought a faux-Blankie I would have gone insane listening the crying!  (FYI, after that vacation we started the weaning of Blankie.  Blankie no longer leaves home.)

And, of course, there was always the counting of the days on the calendar and hoping that my "friend" would come either before or after our vacation.  It is just NO fun being menstrual on vacation, especially on our "Anniversary Getaways".  Can you say "bummer"?  I find it is VERY nice not having to think about that anymore!  Whoot!

Come to think of it, there was a bit of a vacation disaster the summer after I graduated.  My best friend and I took the train to my aunt's in Daytona Beach, FL.  We were only there a few days when a hurricane was predicted to hit.  My friend's parents spazzed and made us come back home early.  The ironic thing is that the hurricane didn't hit my aunt's area but DID follow us the whole way up the East Coast as we drove home.  It still wasn't all bad and I can say that I traveled on a train and then had a teenage road-trip home.  Ahh... Memories...

I'm really not that particular when it comes to vacations.  I'd be perfectly happy to just get in the car and drive stopping at places along the way that we find intriguing.  There's always something that can be seen or done to make a trip entertaining. 

Maybe I just haven't hit that terrible vacation yet.  Maybe it will be next year's vacation!  Did I just jinx it?!?

I'll have to let you know...

Next week's topic:

Things I've had in my mouth since becoming a parent!  lol

Listicles ~ Birthdays ~ 7/23/12

I'm not sure what I want to do with this prompt simply called "Birthdays".  I've seen reasons people hate birthday, why people give awesome parties, the good, the bad and the ugly of birthday, etc.  What to do?  What to do?

Maybe I'll talk about actual "birth"days.

"10 Birthdays"

1.  My birthday is March 24th.  I was born at 7:14 am by C-section.  It was the best day of my mother's life.  lol  My birthday usually marks Spring for me.  I know that the daffodils will be blooming and that even though I have had snowy birthdays, Spring is just around the corner.

2.  Doug's birthday is June 9th.  He was a surprise baby for his parents.  His older brother was heading to college when they found out Doug was on the way.  Later, his mom would say how much of a blessing Doug was even though she wasn't thrilled at the time to find out she was expecting!

3.  Kaylee Ann was born on June 13th at 6:22 pm.  My water broke the night before but she just did not want to come out into this world.  Finally it was decided that a c-section was necessary.  After struggling to give birth for all that time, it was such a relief to know that there was an end in sight.  Her birthday is usually associated with summer now :)

4.  Laken Amelia was born on February 2nd at 1:15pm by c-section.  The whole time I was pregnant I kept saying that I just hoped she wasn't born on Groundhogs Day.  And don't you know, she was.  Now I enjoy the fact that she is my groundhog baby and we look forward to making the trip to Punxatawny sometime in the future for her birthday.

5.  My Dad's birthday is July 3rd and of course it is always associated with the 4th of July.  We usually combine the celebrations.  This year he turned 65.  Now he's an official Senior Citizen!  Side note:  he was 13 lbs when born.  My poor Grandmother!

6.  My Mom's birthday is November 14th.  She's the only November birthday in the family.  Her birthday means Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  She is the 4th of 8 children but has the mindset of a first-born.

7.  My brother's birthday is August 17th which is a popular birthday in our family.  Shares it with 2 other extended family members.  He was the firstborn for my parents.  I always associate his birthday with school coming soon.  School shopping, etc.
8.  My nephew, Dexter, was born on March 29th, just 5 days after my birthday.  I've always been the lone March birthday until now.  His Mommy, Steph, is actually my first cousin but we grew up more like sisters.  I am an honorary aunt and I take my job seriously :)  I love that baby more than I can say!

9.  I have to talk about my other birthday.  My Spiritual Birthday.  On June 3, 1990, I made a committment to follow Christ for life and was baptised in Wills Creek.  The water was flowing so swiftly that I remember holding on to a bolder in the middle of the Creek to keep from floating downstream!
10.  And most recently is my daughter, Kaylee's, Spiritual Birthday.  July 19, 2012 at 6:40pm, my firstborn was baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I was never so proud and happy in my life!  It was all a bit surreal!

So that is my take on the "Birthday" prompt.  Maybe not as fun as some lists go, but to me when I think "Birthday", I think of the people whose special day it is.

What about you?

Have fun!

High 5 Friday Fragments and Favorites ~ 7/20/12

  

5 Highlights from the past week:

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1.  The absolute best thing that happened this week is that my oldest daughter, Kaylee, made the decision to be baptized!  Her daddy did the honors.  Such a joyous occasion!

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2.  Last Saturday my BFF, Erica, and I went out for dinner and a movie to celebrate her 34th birthday!  It had been a while since we had gone out together.  We had a great time!
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3.  I had a much needed Grammy/Pappy day.  The girls went for groceries with the grandparents which gave me some quiet time.  ahhh.....
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4.  We now have a Redbox in our little town!  It is so exciting to be able to rent new movies and only have to go a little over a block to return them!  So far we've rented the new "Three Musketeers" and "The Vow".

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5. I finally got the pictures from our trip to Disney World loaded on my computer from the camera.  Here are a few favorites:

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I look forward to reading everyone's highlights from the week!

Have a great weekend!

High Five Friday Fragments & Favorite Things ~ 6/22/12

  

5 Highlights from the past week:

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1.  We're home from our Florida vacation.  It was great seeing my family in FL and we had a wonderful time at Disney World, but it was so good to sleep in my own bed.  We drove straight home only stopping for bathroom and food breaks.  It took us approx 16-17 hours and we got home about midnight.  I flopped straight on my bed and sleep solid until morning.

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2.  It was so good to be back in Church!  We mised 1 Sunday and 2 Wednesday night studies while we were gone.  I really missed the fellowship and feel of family.

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3.  I'm participating in the "Wicked Wildfire Read-A-Thon".  It is a 5 day RAT and I set my goal at 4 books.  I've already read 2 and have 2 more to go!

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4.  I had 13 books waiting at the Post Office for me when I got home!  You can see all of them on my Stacking the Shelves post but I was really excited about getting a book a had ordered while at Disney World.  It is "Off Balance" by Dominique Moceanu.  I remember when she was in the Olympics and I saw a recent interview clip about her book and life.  It looks amazing and I can't wait to read it as part of my "35 X 35" goal to read 10 non-fiction books before I turn 35.

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5.  I haven't even downloaded my pictures from our trip yet, but we met Merida from the movie "Brave".  She was wonderful and taught the girls how to do a Scottish dance.  So naturally we will be going to see our good friend's debut movie this evening.  We're going to have dinner out and then on to the movie!  Here's a trailer of our new BFF's movie:





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I look forward to reading everyone's highlights from the week!

Have a great weekend!

Its OK to be 34 ~ 5/14/12

Cole from "All the Small Stuff" and Andrea from "My Chihuahua Bites" are hosting linky that asks a fun question every Thursday.  Make sure you follow their blogs so you can get the question ahead of time and have your answers ready!

This week's topic is:

"What are 3 things you like best/worst about being your age?"

I'm going to go with the best.  Happy thoughts today!

1.  I'm done with childbearing.  I love my girls and I love that I most likely will never have to go through pregnancy again.

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2.  I'm more confident.  Or at least, I'm not shy anymore.  I was painfully shy as a child and teenagers.  Now, I'll tell ya what I think!
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3. I'm more settled now than I've ever been.  I've been married for 12 years, have two daughters, 2 dogs, 1 bird, 4 rabbits, a house, 2 cars.  I'm a SAHM doing what I love to do.  Yeah, 34 is good :)

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Its OK

...that I'm ready for vacation to be over

...that I'm ready to get back to our normal routine

...that I miss blogging everyday

...that I haven't picked up a book since the day we left home

...that I miss reading

...that instead of packing up our stuff, I'm creating this post

...to say good-bye to Disney World

...that I won't miss the long lines, heat and waiting

...to be homesick.

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Have a great Thursday!

Hodgepodge & Chats ~ Disney World Edition ~ 6/13/12

This week's questions:

1. In what way are you your own worst enemy?

I'm very critical of myself.

2. Jacques Cousteau's birthday was Monday, June 11th...ever been scuba diving? Is that something you'd like to try? What's your favorite 'under the sea' creature?

I've never been scuba diving.  I'm not sure if it is something I would try to not.  Maybe snoorkling ...  I like dolphins :)


3. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you in and around the water? (1=not at all, 10=very) Do you know how to swim and if so how and when did you learn?

Probably a 4.  Well it depends on how deep the water is because I can swim only on the level of around the pool.


4. What's something you do to motivate yourself to tick an item off your to-do list?

Knowing that if I hurry up and do it I can move on to something I enjoy.

5. What makes a good neighbor? Are you a good neighbor?

Giving privacy yet being nice and saying "hi!' while passing each other in the driveway :)  I like to hope I'm a good neighbor.

6. Who loads the dishwasher at your house? Is there a right way and a wrong way?

I load the dishwasher 99% of the time.  The other 1% my husband does and he only puts a few items in it.  I have a very specific routine for filling the dishwasher.

7. You know it's summer when_________________________.

School gets out and we open up the pool!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

Vacation is lovely, but I'm looking forward to go home...

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Here are the questions:

1.What do you do when friends or family pull out a camera? Hide, pose, smile, pull out your own camera and take a photo of whatever they are photographing, or something else?

Run away screaming if it is pointed at me!  If it is pointed somewhere else, I join in the fun.

2.Did you take any type of music lesson in elementary school?

I played flute for 7 years (6th grade through 12th grade).

3.What is your favorite color of cat (even if you aren't a cat person)?

Gray.  Though, I'm more of a dog person.


4.What did you have for dinner yesterday?

Yesterday for supper I had Chicken Penne Alfredo from the Pop Century Cafeteria.  It was yummy!

5.Do your feet hit the floor running in the morning, or do you drag your self out of bed?

I'm definitely a dragger in the morning.  I'm so glad school is out and I don't have to set the alarm clock to get Kaylee out of bed.


Have a great day!

Tune in Tuesday ~ 6/12/11 ~ Disney World Edition

We're off to Disney Studios to see the Beauty and the Beast musical today.  Does this song get stuck in your head the way it does mine? :)



Enjoy!

Hmmm?? ~ DW Edition Listicles ~ 6/11/12

"Top 10 Things That Make Me Go Hmmm..."

(Disney World Edition)

1.  "Duffy" is the (apparently new) official Disney World Bear?  huh?

2.  Why would anyone create an amusement park that you can't get through in 1 day?

3.  Why would anyone create an amusement park that makes you feel like your feet are falling off by the time you make it back to the exit?

4.  Why do you have to pay to do a load of laundry at a resort that costs an arm and a leg to stay at?

5.  Why did we travel 950 miles and all the kids really want to do is swim in the resort pool?

6.  Why do we stand in line 2 hours to see/ride an attraction that lasts 2 minutes?

7.  Will my 5 year old remember anything from this trip?

8.  Do our hounds think we've abandoned them for good?

9.  Why can we only get our Disney World refillable cups filled at our resort and not everywhere Disney World?

10.  What could ever replace the time spent and memories we're making together as a family?  Nothing.

So, what are your top 10 things that make YOU go hmmm?

Have fun!

Linking up to:

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 6/11/12 ~ DW Edition

Would you like to linger on the simple things...then join me and many others in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those who are focusing on simplicity...beauty of the everyday moments.  Click the button above to go the hosting blog.

FOR TODAY:

Outside my window...  is Disney World!

I am thinking...  About where we will go today.

I am thankful...  for the opportunity to bring the kids on this vacation!

In the kitchen...  no kitchen for me :) .

I am wearing...  Brown shorts, tan shirt with roses, flip flops.

I am creating...  memories with my family.

I am going...  probably to Epcot.

I am wondering...  When Mom and Dad will get here.

I am reading...  "Under a Maui Moon" by Robin Jones Gunn  (still).

I am hoping...  that it doesn't rain.

I am looking forward to...  showing Mom and Dad all the sights!

I am learning...  to be flexible.  Nobody wants to do the same thing at the same time.

Around the house...  my brother, aunt and cousin are taking care of the livestock back home.

I am pondering...  which footwear would be best for today.

A favorite quote for today...  "Hakuna Matata!"

One of my favorite things...  being on vacation with the family!

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Disney until Thursday, Aunt Mary's Thursday night and then roadtrip home Friday and Saturday.
A peek into my day...  Get Mom and Dad checked in an then out and about :)

Good Monday Morning!