In A (Coco)Nutshell

This was such a great vacation…I loved every bit of it, but I don’t have any idea where to start writing about it.  I should have taken a pen and paper and wrote down things from each day but obviously it’s too late for that now.  I guess I’ll just post the pictures and see where I get from there.  =)

		Anniversary Cruise VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Um…now I guess I have to figure out how to go into the album and edit the captions…lol.  And then maybe I’ll just come back and wrap this up with a list of unforgettables.  LOL. 

Unforgettables: (not in any order…hey…it’s late and my brain is already asleep)

1. The Mayan Battery.  So we’re climbing up the 80 steps to the Mayan ruins and this kid behind us spots a discarded AA battery on the ground.  “Mom, look, it’s a battery,” he said.  And my husband, who overhears him, says to the kid, “Oh, that’s a MAYAN battery!”  So the kid turns back to his mom, “Mom, is that really a Mayan battery????  That was a joke, wasn’t it, Mom?!”  We are still laughing about it. 
2. All the formal dinners.  Especially the last one, which we spent laughing almost the whole time at goofy stuff.  Our dinner friends, Kelly and Collin (her son) were laughing as much as we were…that’s always fun!  All of the nightly dinners were great though.  The other couple at our table (John & Sherry) were really nice, too, even though they were only there a couple of the nights.  And we even enjoyed ourselves the first night when it was just KC and I at our assigned table. 
3. Snorkeling on the coral reef.  Even though the disposable underwater camera didn’t really show all the cool things I thought I was catching, we did see a sea turtle, a small shark, a stingray, a few Dory’s, barracuda, Nemo, and a dolphin (on the way back, on the Catamaran).  And the water was so clear…way clearer than the underwater camera showed. 
4. Country Strong
5. The Vortex of Terror (basically on one end of the top deck on the back of the ship, the wind was REALLY bad on the last day…worse there than anywhere else on the ship).  Let’s just say that I had to comb my hair a few extra times…and…um…I had a very light, full skirt on.  Thankfully, the vortex of terror was unoccupied when we walked through, so there weren’t any witnesses.  Except KC, who thought it was funny.  LOL. 
6. Looking out and seeing nothing anywhere except…WATER! 
7. Trying to use the bathroom in the catamaran.  *gulp*  It was literally a bucket with a hole in the bottom.  You couldn’t put any paper in it and it had no seat.  AND the boat was rocking enough that you had to hold on to something to stand up…probably would have made a great funniest home video.  LOL!
8. Speaking of bathrooms, it was pretty challenging to take showers in the 3x3 shower while the ship was rocking back and forth.  Not quite as challenging as the catamaran bathroom, but still…a little different. =)
9. Walking through the centrum on the first full day at sea and hearing the live band playing the song that the band was playing on the Titanic – as it was sinking. 
10. Being old people and going to bed before midnight every night…but then we slept really good because the rocking was really soothing….except for the pillows, which were too flat to use one, and too thick to use two.  We both came home with cricks.  LOL.  Oh well.  Totally worth it. 

And that’s pretty much our trip in a (coco)nutshell.  LOL.  Okay, so there really was a lot more than that, but I am so tired and this post has taken all day.  =)  So…in a nutshell, loved it and can’t WAIT to do it again. 

Still Working

The one big bummer about vacations is the trying to get everything caught up when you get back.  I’ve only had a small amount of time to work on pictures but I think I’m almost done with all the pictures that are worth sharing.  I was really bummed that the underwater camera pics didn’t turn out well at all.  I probably won’t even bother scanning most of them into the computer.  Maybe one or two but that will probably be it…*sigh*  Oh well.  Next investment…a real waterproof case for a real (digital) camera…lol. 

Oh well.  I could post the pictures I’ve already edited tonight, but I don’t have time to write a post about them all, so I will have to hold them until I have time to write. 

Except that one picture over there just snuck in here somehow…I have no idea how it got there…*innocent face* LOL! 

And KC is already ready for bed so I am going to wrap it up for tonight. 

Adios.  =)

And The Winner IS:

Okay, so my second grader picked number 3…which is:

Rarole said...

Faith - this looks very interesting! Putting together simple but functional things that will even save money - well that's a win-win! Thanks for this post!
Well - chalk it up to old age - forgot to leave my kit!
Joyeux Noel by Becca

However, Rarole didn’t leave an email with her comment, so Rarole, if you can email me (it’s in my profile) I will get your code to you for you to get this program on your computer and start playing! 

I will also leave you a comment on your blog in case you don’t come back here to see this post.  If I don’t hear from you in a few days, I will choose another winner. 

So…congratulations on winning, Rarole!  =) 

Honey, I’m HOME!

Yep….we made it back!!!  I popped on here to delete this post that I wrote last Sunday and scheduled for this coming Monday (in the event that we didn’t make it home) and then I decided…lol…I’ll just share it anyway…except I AM home safely (thank the Lord).  So for what it’s worth, this is what I was worrying about before I left home last Monday morning. 

In the unlikely event -- that something should happen to me and I should not return from this trip…

I am pretty sure that my kids will be taken care of because lots of people love them…but nobody likes my dogs, so Mom…or somebody, can you please see to it that somebody will love my dogs the way I do…even if it’s not you? 

And I shall schedule this post for the future…if it posts, it must have been my time, and don’t cry about it.  Much. =)

Or it’s possible that I might have forgotten to delete this post…in which case, never mind all that. 

But perhaps I should just let it post so whenever my time DOES come, ya’ll know that I really want somebody to love my dogs.  Cause they’re God’s creatures, too…even if they don’t have souls. 

OBVIOUSLY, I worry about my kids first, and we’ve got guardianship papers and power of attorney stuff, so in case of emergency, that stuff should be all in order, but dogs don’t really qualify in that sort of thing, so…

Please…love my dogs.  Let them stay inside and be your babies and let them visit my kids (if you’re not the one who has the kids) every so often and let them love you back and sleep with you and guard your house for you.  For me.  Okay?  Thanks in advance. =)

By the way…I love all ya’ll.  Mean it. 

AnyWHO.  Now, I feel rather silly for even being worried but I’m very grateful for safe travels and that our kiddies were safe here at home with the in-laws. 

But we spent all week with no internet or phone (it cost TWO arms and TWO legs for that stuff on the boat) so now I’m trying to catch up on everything.  I don’t remember if I mentioned where we were going, but we took a cruise ship to Mexico for our 10 year anniversary.  Celebrating a little early since our anniversary isn’t til next month, but we didn’t want to miss Christmas with the kids…so all week, we were on THIS:

And by the way, the above picture was NOT color enhanced in photoshop.  That’s straight out of the camera (just a slight sharpen action and that’s it).  That was on the dock in Costa Maya.  I have tons of pics but I’ll make that another post later this week. 

Also, don’t forget, if you’re interested in getting into the digital scrapping thing, the giveaway for that ever so fun and helpful program ends tomorrow…uh….I guess tomorrow night since I’m usually too busy on Sundays to get to that before then.  So…CLICK HERE and leave a comment on that post. 

Oh, and one more thing before I go….

Ain’t we cute?  This was formal night on the cruise…they had photographers set up in like 10 different places taking photos…but we only bought two.  Notice, you only see one arm on each of us in this picture…that’s because it took our other two to buy the two photos.  HAHA.  I’m kidding…sort of.  LOL. 

So…more to come.  Stay tuned (or if you don’t care to see any more, then I guess it’s more like “be warned” hahaha)

Oh and BY THE WAY…it’s not quite our ACTUAL anniversary yet, but I still really like this post I wrote on our fifth anniversary…and if you’re a nerd like me who likes to see then/now photos, there is a THEN photo of our wedding day on that post…I love that sort of thing.  LOL.  Okay…leaving for real now…

A Review–AND GIVEAWAY!

Okay, so I got this email from My Memories wondering if I wanted to review their program and give away a copy on my blog to one lucky winner.

Well, first, I said, um…is this for real? LOL…because I have never actually gotten anything for free to review on my blog before, so I was pretty sure it was just a gimmick. But then I emailed back and forth and it WAS for real, so WOOT! =)

The essence of the program (quoted from their website):

My Memories Suite version 2 software is a complete digital scrapbooking solution that provides a powerful set of creative tools and multiple sharing options that no other software can offer. Its intuitive workspace and enhanced time-saving features are perfect for a beginner to build an entire album in minutes, or to empower the design pro to build a scrapbook album masterpiece.

So I tried it out. Now I have to be 100% honest, if you are a Photoshop or other mega-graphic-editing genius software user, this is probably not the route for you. But since there are a lot of non-digi-scrappers out there, this would be a great way to jump into it.

Confession: I had to go on their website and read the (very simple) directions to figure out how the program works. I’m not sure what that says about me, perhaps that since I’m a Photoshop user, I am so used to complicated that simple is hard for me. Haha. But it wasn’t hard to figure out after a quick run-through of the online directions.

Since I’m in Christmas card mode right now, I decided to try my hand at a digi-card:

What I liked:

• Ease of use (after quick overview of instructions)
• Capability to mimic shadows and such to make it look less “digital”
• The option to use kits that aren’t already in the program, like this one was one I had from Sweet Tomato (retired designer) and it was extremely easy to grab and drop in. So if you’re one of the kind (like me) who pick up lots of free kits from places or if you’ve already got some purchased kits, you’d be able to use them with ease with this program.
• That My Memories has free digital options in addition to the ones available for purchase (although, I wasn’t a huge fan of the freebies, at least there ARE some)
• Capability to easily “Share” your creations from the program (ie: it doesn’t just save as a specific program file that won’t open in anything else, it exports everything to however you want it: jpeg, web, photo album to print, whatever)

And now that you have my two cents, let me get to the good stuff…are you interested in winning a copy? If you are, here’s how you can get up to two entries to win:

1. Go to MyMemories.com and find a kit that you think is cool, and then come back here and leave me a comment telling me which one you liked.
2. "Like" My Memories on Facebook and then come back here and leave me a SEPARATE comment telling me you’re following them on FB.

Oh, and if you’d rather skip trying to win it and just want to go buy it, I’ve got a special code that provides a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store ($20 value!)

Here’s the code: STMMMS8730

Giveaway ends on Sunday 11/27/11 and I will have my second grader tell me a number between 1 and whatever number the last comment ends up being and that comment will win (can’t get any more random than that…lol). The winner will receive a code to download My Memories Software (a $39.99 value).

A huge thank you to My Memories for giving me the opportunity to review this product and for providing a copy for me to give to one of you. =)

**EDITED TO ADD**
Wanted to note that the facebook "like" doesn't appear to be a freebie, it appears to be a $5.00 coupon off a purchase in the MyMemories store. I "liked" them and I didn't see anywhere that said there was anything for free just for liking them (other than a free extra entry into the giveaway here).

ALSO...all comments are welcome, but if you are commenting as anonymous, please leave me some way to reach you in your comment, otherwise, if your comment number is randomly selected, I will have to draw again because I won't know who you are. =)
**END EDIT**

In the interest of full disclosure: I did receive a free copy of this program to review, but no further compensation was provided and all opinions are completely my own.

Headless Chicken

I’ve never actually witnessed that type of event, but from what I hear, my life these days just might resemble it. 

I would love to have more time to talk, but I’m just going to have to say for today, I’m thankful for teachers. 

It’s a gift I don’t possess, but I’m sure grateful.  Oh yes, and I KNOW I don’t possess it because after two hours of keeping up with a classroom of 23 second graders….well.  Let’s just say it’s not a gift I possess.  *gulp* 

I can say with much feeling after two days of volunteering in two different classrooms, teachers are severely underpaid.  I don’t know what their salary is, but there is no way it could be enough. 

On a completely unrelated topic, I made this page today.  Now the look is immortalized.  Or not. 

I used a kit called Puzzle Bug by Sweet Digi Scraps, in case anyone wonders. 

And in case you can’t read the fine print, it says (and God willing, for many, many more years to come) Because 2001-2011 is just how much it’s been so far.  =) 

And anywho, that’s all I have to say for now…it’s time for me to round up the kid-lin’s and pop them in the shower for their daily decontamination. 

Awesomesauce

Okay, so not really, I just saw another blogger use that word, and I thought it was funny, so….

A title was born. 

I am wracking my brain to think of something to blog about that would BE awesomesauce, but…

It’s blank.  My brain, that is. 

These days, that’s pretty normal.  It’s called too much to do, and not enough time.  I have decided my plate is now full, and for awhile, the answer is “NO.” 

For the last three days, I’m thankful that I don’t have a (paying) job, and I have the freedom to volunteer for worthwhile causes.  Although, the volunteer thing could easily take over my life, evidently, and I’m not going to let it do that, which is why the answer for any more requests for awhile is going to be “no.”  But I’m still thankful that I CAN help. 

This week, I should have said a few less “yes-es” since the week is already nuts with other stuff, like making sure all our affairs are in order in case we don’t return from our anniversary trip.  And FYI: KC and I made a pact with each other that we wouldn’t push each other off the boat, no matter what, because we’d like to see our 11th anniversary…and 12th…and…well, you get the picture.  =)  But because our parents worry, they made us promise to put our affairs in order before we leave, so they wouldn’t have to clean up our messes if we don’t come back. 

I try not to worry.  But sometimes their worry rubs off on me.  As if I don’t have enough of my own.  LOL.  Love them anyway.  =)  Especially since they’re always good about keeping all our balls juggling while we step away.  *grin*  This is especially handy when you have kids in school and giant dogs that no one else is willing to brave. ;-)  And let’s face it, facing kids in school takes MONDO BRAVERY!  Bwahahaha…okay, so facing the dogs takes bravery, too.  I’m not mad about that though, because they are intensely protective and I worry LESS knowing that.  =)

WELL, awesomesauce.  I have to get running or I’m gonna worry about being late to Munchkin’s class.  That’s where I’m heading today…it’s Duty Free Lunch week where volunteers take over the classes for two hours and give teachers free time to go out for lunch.  My dad is going to help me (see what I mean?  Love it!) and I have to get moving or I’m going to be late. 

Have an awesomesauce day.  =)  (Oh, and say the word awesomesauce a few times….lol…it’s kinda fun!  hahahaha)

Tragic

Wow.  We happened upon this today in our travels…we must have came upon it (it was on the other side) not long after it happened, but this picture was several hours (3+) later and it still looked like this.  We could see traffic was still backed up when we were heading home, so we picked an alternate route back to 85.  So sad for the family and those involved.  And I’m thankful we didn’t go through any earlier…would have hated for any stray bullets to happen our way. 

I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many lighted vehicles in one place at one time.  When we first saw all the lights, we were like, that must be a doozy of a wreck, and then we got closer and it’s ONE car off the road and doesn’t look that damaged, but there was crime scene tape all around the area…yeah, I was like, that wasn’t *JUST* a wreck.  Crazy!

Anyways, yesterday…

Yesterday I was thankful for chocolate. 

Oh my heavens. 

Yes, I ate it all. 

Yes, it was oh, so good…

But…

Today I was not thankful for yesterday’s chocolate.  lol. 

Today, I’m just thankful we didn’t go through that area of SC any earlier today.  =) 

Thank You

Well, today’s thank you is probably more obvious than the nose on my face (which…well, no comment…lol).

Today, 11-11-11, my thankful thing is to all those who serve (or served) in the efforts to preserve our safety and freedom. I know many who have fought for our rights, some friends, some family, some aquaintances, some I just see in the news and feel my heart break for their families.

Their sacrifice and service doesn’t go unnoticed, even though a lot of times, it, unfortunately, goes unsaid.

It seemed like I had something else to add to this post, but evidently it will also go unsaid, since I don’t remember at all what it was.

So, Happy Veteran’s Day and Happy 11.11.11 Day. =)