Good Monday morning!
NOTE FOR JENNIFER: If we could get one more person who is married to a "Plaque Reader" to come forward, we could start our own support group. It only takes three people to make it official. We could go to dinner together and discuss vacation destinations that have no plaques. We could write letters to our state representatives asking them to ban the making of any and all plaques. We could feel sorry for each other. We could turn this "Plaque Reader" thing around to benefit the silent minority out there who will not speak up. I've already thought of a name... MAPs (Moms Against Plaques). It feels good to be involved in something that really matters, doesn't it? (All joking aside... I feel your pain.)
My Readership Count has grown. Thanks for sharing my blog address with friends who might be interested. The count went from an average of 27 (hits a day) last week to 28 (hits a day) this week. Very exciting. And you know me... still trying for 30!
Weekend Update -- Austin and Mike had a great time at their college day. Roxie won her basketball game 14 - 12. Josh had a fun football party that turned into a fun basketball party. We enjoyed having Katie spend most of the weekend with us. We had a wonderful dinner at my Mom's after church on Sunday with my sister and her family... And last, but not least, the Steelers won the Super Bowl. On a scale of 1 - 10, this weekend would have to be a 9 or more, wouldn't it? Lots of memories. Lots of moments... great and small. But do you want to know my most favorite moment of all? When we all came home Sunday night from church, friends' homes, etc. and we were all under the same roof again. Everyone safe and sound... in their own bed. I used to take that for granted, but I'm much more aware of it nowadays. (Can you say "depressing?" I'm going to have to do some major shopping or something today to snap out of this "mood!" And then Mikie will be in a mood because of the major shopping thing. Oh, well. I can't make everyone happy, can I?)
In the Gallery today, you may recognize my daughter Roxie... or you may not. We decided we wanted a perm more than anything in the whole world and we would just "die" if we didn't get one, so with the agreement she had to pay half, here she is in all of her curly glory. I think she's beautiful any way, but she's at an age where she wants to experiment and experiment she does! With gusto. I try to keep my opinions to myself, but it is very difficult since I have the one and only correct opinion, and she is of the mindset she has the one and only correct opinion. I think this may be the main difference between the male and female gender. (1) My guys never asked to get a perm (and if they had they would have changed their minds when I mentioned the "paying half" part); and (2) They may think they have the correct opinion, but at a very early age, they learned never to say that to my face. (They'll make good husbands some day, I think.)
I'm learning, too. The day after she got the perm and asked me what outfit went with "curly" hair, I just agreed with the one she had already picked out... even though I knew that outfit went with straight hair with bangs pulled over to the side. I didn't say a word!
I've also added some Blast From the Past pics. With Austin looking at colleges all day, I got a little nostalgic (meaning I cried a lot this weekend), so I'm putting up some pics from a time they were little and college was still far, far away. (I'll be adding one or two a day for the rest of the week.)
The Showcase Pic of the Week is a tubing picture. I miss tubing right now. I'm ready for the water to warm up so we can go again as the Fabulous Faulkner Five. It's one of those water sports you can start fairly late in life... unlike water skiing. I tried to learn to ski in my late 20s. It just didn't work. I felt my arms being pulled out of my body and after five or six tries, I decided it wasn't for me. I enjoyed riding in the boat backward and letting Mikie know when a skier went down, but it was evident skiing was not going to be my sport.
However, tubing has easy hand signals, and there's much less wear and tear on the arms being pulled out of socket. I find I like a gentle "breeze blowing in my hair" kind of speed. I'm not fond of "getting air" (a phrase the kids like to use when said tube rises up, up, up off the top of the water three or four feet before it crashes back down onto the lake's surface). Nor do I like to be flipped. Again, I do not see the fun in this. Anything fun should NOT require large amounts of drugs (or several Blue Hawaiis -- see last Wednesday's post) for two to three days after participating in said sport. Holding on, wind blowing in my face, spray hitting me ever so gently... that's refreshing AND fun.
We can't wait to go tubing again. We try to go several times a summer, and this past summer we went seven or eight times. Thankfully, since we found a lake so close to our home (only 30 minutes away), we'll be able to up our "tubage time" to ten or more trips.
Since I've mentioned my inability to water ski, tomorrow I think I'll tell you the story of my one and only snow skiing experience. Something for you to look forward to, I'm sure.
As promised, just a few more conversation starters for your jar:
If you had four eyes, where would you put the other two?
If you had one minute to grab something of value as your house burned, what would it be?
What is the hardest part of a teacher's job?
If you could give $1,000 away, to whom would you give it and why?
What would you miss most without the sense of smell?
If your pet could talk, what would it say?
What would you miss most if you were stranded in the mountains for two weeks?
If you could buy any car, what would it be?
What are some objects you particularly remember from your grandparent's home?
Where is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The 12 Days of ??? Party
Technically, this isn't really a party. It is a 12-day celebration of someone's life. When each of my kids turned 12, I counted 12 days before their actual birthday and began. (Their birthday should be the 12th day). On each of the 12 days leading up to their birthday, they received a gift. It wasn't always a store-bought gift. However, it was something the child would consider a gift, a treat... something special. One day, grandparents took them out to dinner by themselves. One day, they spent the night with their cousins. One day, they had a wrapped book on their bed when they got home. One day, their favorite candy bar was wrapped on their pillow with a note which said, "No chores today." The 12th day was their actual family birthday party.
Anything Mike and I bought for them as birthday gifts were given to them on one of the 12 days. Mind you, we do not spend hundreds of dollars on birthdays, so if we only had two small gifts and one "big" gift for their birthday, that took up three of the days. On their actual birthday, the gifts came from siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc. You have to know your child and know what they like and consider "special."
Roxie's 12-year old gifts from me and Mike included a lime green shag rug for her room, a new hot pink comforter, and a book she had been wanting. On the day we gave her the rug, I told her to look for her gift in her room when she came home that day. Josh had come home early and watched me put the rug down. "She is NOT going to like having a rug as one of her '12 Days of Roxie' gifts."
"Trust me on this, Josh. Girls are different. She will like this rug."
"All I know, if you had gotten me a rug for my room for one of my '12 Days of Josh' gifts, I would not have been pleased... at all."
He was wrong. She came in, ran upstairs and squealed with delight.
Three days later, I told her the same thing, and once again Josh was watching as I put her new comforter on her bed. "She is NOT going to like have a comforter as one of her '12 Days of Roxie' gifts."
"Trust me on this, Josh. Girls are different. She will LOVE this comforter."
"All I know, if you had gotten me a comforter for my room for one of my '12 Days of Josh' gifts, I would not have been pleased... at all.
Again, he was WRONG!! She came in, ran upstairs and squealed AGAIN with delight. He shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
Use your imagination. This is not an expensive idea. You can even get friends involved. My cousin, Amy, whose daughter, Monica, you have seen every now and again on the blog, had a free coupon to Alabama Adventure (a local amusement park). She asked if Roxie could go on one of two weekends. One of the weekends just happened to be the first day of the
"12 Days of Roxie." Perfect. A really, really nice day spent with her beloved Monica and uber-fun Miss Amy at an amusement park (that wasn't very crowded) was a great way to kick-off her 12-day celebration.
Every child's "12 Days" will be a little different. The three things that were a constant in our three celebrations were the grandparent dinner, the no-chore day and favorite candy bar and the family birthday party on the 12th day. The other nine days just depended on the child.
Have fun with it. Don't spend a ton of money, and make a memory that will last a lifetime!
Tomorrow's recipe is a not so much a recipe as it is a fun LOVE dinner you and your children can prepare together.
Have a great, wonderful Monday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow. GO STEELERS!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
Can you believe the weekend is already here? We started out a nice balmy 67 degrees on Monday, and on Friday we've plunged back down into the 30s and 40s. It's no wonder people in Alabama stay sick during the winter months.
As promised, here are some more conversation starters for your jar:
What would be your ideal vacation?
What is your favorite Christmas decoration? How did it become special to you?
Tell what someone said today that made you feel good about yourself.
What is your nickname?
If you won the lottery, how would it change your life?
Tell about a time you were frightened.
Which holiday has the most meaning for you and why?
What is your favorite time of day?
Where do you want to be in ten years?
If you could own a store, what kind would it be?
These are very good. Is everyone working on their Conversation Jar? Have you gotten to use it yet? I'll have more starters to put in the jar (from Jennifer) on Monday AND Tuesday. Also, if you think of one and want to e-mail me or leave it in the comment section, I'll be glad to add those, too. The more, the better. (And don't worry. I'll give you credit!)
Again, our weekend is looking pretty easy. Austin and Mike are heading to a college campus Saturday to a reception, and while they are there they are going to explore the area, visit with Mike's folks and probably hit the new Bass Pro Shop on the way home. It's a pretty sure thing they're going to have a good Saturday.
Katie's spending Friday and Saturday with the rest of us, and Roxie has a game in the middle of the day... which means a late lunch out somewhere.
And, of course, our Super Bowl Party Sunday night with one or two of Austin and Josh's friends. Small, but loud. And I'll prepare enough food for 20... and it will all be gone by the end of the evening. Amazing!
Talking about museums yesterday brought something to mind. I always tease Mike about it, mainly because it was something I didn't know about him until after we were married... but is anyone else out there married or associated with someone who is a "Plaque Reader?" If you know someone like this, the term is not odd at all. If not, you're probably wondering what I'm talking about, so I will explain.
When we married, we went to Washington, D.C. for our honeymoon. I know it sounds like an odd place to go, but it was really quite wonderful. Mike loves history. I love snow. Mike loves ALL museums. I love snow. Mike loved the fact we were going to a place neither of us had ever been. I love snow. Well, I got my snow... 4" the day before we landed, and it stayed with us the entire seven days of our trip. Beautiful. And Mike's dream came true. We were honeymooning in the "Land of Plaques." There are probably more plaques per square inch in that city than anywhere else in the world.
I am a skimmer. I read the title on the plaque. I look at what the plaque is standing beside. I skim a couple more sentences and then I'm off to the next plaque. Mikie "absorbs" the plaque. He reads it carefully. He looks at the object carefully... and then re-reads the plaque again in case he missed something the first time. Can you say, "KILL ME NOW!!!"
We actually have a picture from our honeymoon of me sitting on a bench in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (my favorite kind of museum)... asleep. I just couldn't take it anymore. What takes most people one, two or three hours at the most to go through was taking us six to seven hours... and we still weren't finished.
Almost five years ago, Mike and I had the opportunity to drive down the Natchez Trace. If you've ever been, it is a beautiful ride and along the way, there are places "of interest" to pull over. Well, you know what that means. Plaques in the middle of nowhere. After pulling over to our fifth (AND FINAL) Indian mound and reading the accompanying plaque, I had to put my foot down. (Have you ever seen an Indian mound? It's just a grassy hill in the middle of a grassy field. But the plaques are huge and probably have two-pages worth of information regarding the grassy mound.) Can you say, "KILL ME NOW!!! I REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME!"
We had the opportunity to visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. A relatively small area in which plaques live and prosper. "Mikie, it would be different if we didn't know this story or if we had never heard of Davy Crockett or Jim Bowie or the Alamo. We watched the John Wayne movie before we came. We know what these plaques are going to say. Heck, we could have written some of these plaques."
And, deep in thought and concentration, he continued to read and learn... and I found a nice shady bench in the garden to wait.
This past summer, we went to Graceland with the kids. We had a great time, but not surprisingly, Graceland has almost as many plaques as Washington, D.C. The boys and I breezed through the tour in about 90 minutes... and we enjoyed it. However, Roxie and Mike hung back... reading plaques. As you can imagine, this was very disturbing to me because I had no idea Roxie had inherited Mikie's "Plaque Reader" gene. As the boys and I waited at the end of the tour for Mike and Roxie to catch up (60 minutes later and complaining we had RUSHED them), they were content to listen to their I-pods. I don't have an I-pod. I was not content. When we rode the bus back to the main complex across the street, everyone wanted to see the airplanes... more plaques. And the new military uniform museum... more plaques. And the costume museum... more plaques than grains of sand on a beach! "They" tell you to plan on spending three or four hours at Graceland. Well, we closed it down... and we still weren't finished.
I know there are worse things in life. Being married to a "Plaque Reader" isn't the end of the world. I've learned to adjust. Most of the time now, I just take a quick picture of the plaque in question and say, "Come on. It will give you something to read when we get back home." (I know the people at Wal-Mart think I have the most boring scrapbooks EVER because two-thirds of all the pictures I develop are plaques.)
I'm thinking about getting him a plaque for Christmas next year to put on an attractive stand near our front door. It will read, "In this house lives a wonderful husband and a terrific dad. He is funny, generous and loving. He is a Christian man, a fisherman, a camper, a racing fanatic, an Auburn alum. He is a good listener and great partner... but most of all, he is (and will always be) a "Plaque Reader."
Now, for our sweet little book of the week.
Book
This book is written by one of my favorite Christian authors and her husband, Emilie and Bob Barnes. It is called A Little Book of Manners for Boys, and it would be a good book to read with your little man from ages 4 to 7. It is divided into 14 different sections (including the introduction), and in a short, fun way it talks about some of the following topics: Watch Your Words, Taking Care of Things, A Good Sport, Places Where You Don't Feel Comfortable, Talk to Big People, You Might Do That with Your Friends, etc., etc.
It is very well written, and you could read this for 14 nights instead of your regular devotion. It is a wonderful way to teach your guys manners do matter... even for those of us who enjoy making "boy noises."
While it doesn't totally get rid of all the bad manners (and noises), it does bring up the topics in a good, teachable, age appropriate way. It's a great little book.
Next week starts our LOVE MONTH with anything and everything to do with Valentine's Day... except for our first party on Monday. The party for Monday is for 12 year-olds everywhere, and it is the MOST FUN.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I hope the Steelers win the Super Bowl (in honor of Josh). But more than that, I hope if you don't like football, you're not in a house where you have to watch football!
Take care and I'll talk to you on Monday.
Can you believe the weekend is already here? We started out a nice balmy 67 degrees on Monday, and on Friday we've plunged back down into the 30s and 40s. It's no wonder people in Alabama stay sick during the winter months.
As promised, here are some more conversation starters for your jar:
What would be your ideal vacation?
What is your favorite Christmas decoration? How did it become special to you?
Tell what someone said today that made you feel good about yourself.
What is your nickname?
If you won the lottery, how would it change your life?
Tell about a time you were frightened.
Which holiday has the most meaning for you and why?
What is your favorite time of day?
Where do you want to be in ten years?
If you could own a store, what kind would it be?
These are very good. Is everyone working on their Conversation Jar? Have you gotten to use it yet? I'll have more starters to put in the jar (from Jennifer) on Monday AND Tuesday. Also, if you think of one and want to e-mail me or leave it in the comment section, I'll be glad to add those, too. The more, the better. (And don't worry. I'll give you credit!)
Again, our weekend is looking pretty easy. Austin and Mike are heading to a college campus Saturday to a reception, and while they are there they are going to explore the area, visit with Mike's folks and probably hit the new Bass Pro Shop on the way home. It's a pretty sure thing they're going to have a good Saturday.
Katie's spending Friday and Saturday with the rest of us, and Roxie has a game in the middle of the day... which means a late lunch out somewhere.
And, of course, our Super Bowl Party Sunday night with one or two of Austin and Josh's friends. Small, but loud. And I'll prepare enough food for 20... and it will all be gone by the end of the evening. Amazing!
Talking about museums yesterday brought something to mind. I always tease Mike about it, mainly because it was something I didn't know about him until after we were married... but is anyone else out there married or associated with someone who is a "Plaque Reader?" If you know someone like this, the term is not odd at all. If not, you're probably wondering what I'm talking about, so I will explain.
When we married, we went to Washington, D.C. for our honeymoon. I know it sounds like an odd place to go, but it was really quite wonderful. Mike loves history. I love snow. Mike loves ALL museums. I love snow. Mike loved the fact we were going to a place neither of us had ever been. I love snow. Well, I got my snow... 4" the day before we landed, and it stayed with us the entire seven days of our trip. Beautiful. And Mike's dream came true. We were honeymooning in the "Land of Plaques." There are probably more plaques per square inch in that city than anywhere else in the world.
I am a skimmer. I read the title on the plaque. I look at what the plaque is standing beside. I skim a couple more sentences and then I'm off to the next plaque. Mikie "absorbs" the plaque. He reads it carefully. He looks at the object carefully... and then re-reads the plaque again in case he missed something the first time. Can you say, "KILL ME NOW!!!"
We actually have a picture from our honeymoon of me sitting on a bench in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History (my favorite kind of museum)... asleep. I just couldn't take it anymore. What takes most people one, two or three hours at the most to go through was taking us six to seven hours... and we still weren't finished.
Almost five years ago, Mike and I had the opportunity to drive down the Natchez Trace. If you've ever been, it is a beautiful ride and along the way, there are places "of interest" to pull over. Well, you know what that means. Plaques in the middle of nowhere. After pulling over to our fifth (AND FINAL) Indian mound and reading the accompanying plaque, I had to put my foot down. (Have you ever seen an Indian mound? It's just a grassy hill in the middle of a grassy field. But the plaques are huge and probably have two-pages worth of information regarding the grassy mound.) Can you say, "KILL ME NOW!!! I REALLY MEAN IT THIS TIME!"
We had the opportunity to visit the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. A relatively small area in which plaques live and prosper. "Mikie, it would be different if we didn't know this story or if we had never heard of Davy Crockett or Jim Bowie or the Alamo. We watched the John Wayne movie before we came. We know what these plaques are going to say. Heck, we could have written some of these plaques."
And, deep in thought and concentration, he continued to read and learn... and I found a nice shady bench in the garden to wait.
This past summer, we went to Graceland with the kids. We had a great time, but not surprisingly, Graceland has almost as many plaques as Washington, D.C. The boys and I breezed through the tour in about 90 minutes... and we enjoyed it. However, Roxie and Mike hung back... reading plaques. As you can imagine, this was very disturbing to me because I had no idea Roxie had inherited Mikie's "Plaque Reader" gene. As the boys and I waited at the end of the tour for Mike and Roxie to catch up (60 minutes later and complaining we had RUSHED them), they were content to listen to their I-pods. I don't have an I-pod. I was not content. When we rode the bus back to the main complex across the street, everyone wanted to see the airplanes... more plaques. And the new military uniform museum... more plaques. And the costume museum... more plaques than grains of sand on a beach! "They" tell you to plan on spending three or four hours at Graceland. Well, we closed it down... and we still weren't finished.
I know there are worse things in life. Being married to a "Plaque Reader" isn't the end of the world. I've learned to adjust. Most of the time now, I just take a quick picture of the plaque in question and say, "Come on. It will give you something to read when we get back home." (I know the people at Wal-Mart think I have the most boring scrapbooks EVER because two-thirds of all the pictures I develop are plaques.)
I'm thinking about getting him a plaque for Christmas next year to put on an attractive stand near our front door. It will read, "In this house lives a wonderful husband and a terrific dad. He is funny, generous and loving. He is a Christian man, a fisherman, a camper, a racing fanatic, an Auburn alum. He is a good listener and great partner... but most of all, he is (and will always be) a "Plaque Reader."
Now, for our sweet little book of the week.
Book
This book is written by one of my favorite Christian authors and her husband, Emilie and Bob Barnes. It is called A Little Book of Manners for Boys, and it would be a good book to read with your little man from ages 4 to 7. It is divided into 14 different sections (including the introduction), and in a short, fun way it talks about some of the following topics: Watch Your Words, Taking Care of Things, A Good Sport, Places Where You Don't Feel Comfortable, Talk to Big People, You Might Do That with Your Friends, etc., etc.
It is very well written, and you could read this for 14 nights instead of your regular devotion. It is a wonderful way to teach your guys manners do matter... even for those of us who enjoy making "boy noises."
While it doesn't totally get rid of all the bad manners (and noises), it does bring up the topics in a good, teachable, age appropriate way. It's a great little book.
Next week starts our LOVE MONTH with anything and everything to do with Valentine's Day... except for our first party on Monday. The party for Monday is for 12 year-olds everywhere, and it is the MOST FUN.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I hope the Steelers win the Super Bowl (in honor of Josh). But more than that, I hope if you don't like football, you're not in a house where you have to watch football!
Take care and I'll talk to you on Monday.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Museum Dates
Good Thursday morning!
I asked Jennifer if she bought her Conversation Jar or made it herself. Yesterday, she sent me a note saying it was a simple mason jar, and she gave me a list of conversation starters. I'm going to give you a few each day so you can start your own Conversation Jar. (Thank you, Jennifer.)
Give a sincere compliment to the person on your right.
What is one new thing you'd like to try?
Where is one place you would like to go?
What is your favorite smell or fragrance?
Tell about a time you broke a bone or were injured in some way.
What is your favorite song?
What is the funniest thing that happened to you today?
What is the most interesting thing you learned today?
What is the saddest movie or television show you have ever watched?
If you could be a guest in any one's home, whom would you choose?
Since our date for the day is called Museum Dates, I wanted to tell you about one of my visits to the Birmingham Museum of Art. You may have gone yourself or seen the billboards around town, but there was a Leonardo DiVinci exhibit in town recently, and Mike was given two tickets. (Last year he was given two tickets to the Pompeii exhibit. We had a blast.)
The exhibit itself was over a dozen sketches and writings of DiVinci, not actual paintings, but it was very interesting nonetheless. We went in a gallery in small groups, and walked around reading plaques and looking at the intricate sketches. It was quite the learning experience, and I was feeling very artsy and "with-it" as I strolled around the room looking at one exhibit after another.
I reached out and started to point at something in one of the drawings when the tinniest tip of my finger ACCIDENTALLY touched the glass box holding the priceless document. Immediately, a security guard was standing at my elbow hissing, "Don't touch the glass. Step away from the glass."
Knowing this was her job and she was taking it very seriously, I profusely apologized and assured her I had not touched the glass (WE'RE NOT TALKING THE DOCUMENT) on purpose, and it would not happen again. She showed me a temperature reading in the lower right hand corner of the glass. The slightest temperature change could cause damage OR destroy the document. This was VERY serious. I again assured her I wouldn't be touching the glass again.
After we had gone to a few more of the exhibits, I noticed she was keeping close tabs on me. Very close. I smiled at her to let her know I was aware she was STILL watching me, and then I stepped back from an exhibit to call the kids and make sure they were okay.
Once again, she was beside me hissing in my ear, "You are NOT allowed to use cell phones in here."
"I am so sorry," I said. Then, to ease the building tension between me and someone who had an automatic hook-up with the Birmingham Police Department, I jokingly said, "Is there a sign or something I missed when I walked in here? I need to see a list of rules." I said it in a very light-hearted way and was smiling sweetly trying to get her to soften... just a little.
"There's the sign about NOT touching the exhibits, and there's the sign about NOT using a cell phone in here."
"Oh, I see. I missed those," I said weakly.
The rest of the evening was spent with me standing four feet away from each and every priceless sketch, unable to read the plaque explaining what the heck it was. Mike had free reign as he had quickly disassociated himself from me after the cell phone incident. (Translation -- He wasn't standing anywhere within a hundred feet of me.)
Toward the end of our allotted time in the gallery, I became overwhelmed with an almost uncontrollable urge to lick my fingers and touch two or three of the glass containers before I ran out of the gallery into the crowd in the food area. If I could have been certain she couldn't catch me in her made-for-running-security-guard-footwear while I was in my go-to-church-metallic-heels, I think I would have tried it... but that wouldn't have been a very mature, artsy thing to do, now would it?
It might have made for interesting reading though. You know, when I posted Jail Week on the blog. Five days of tips and tidbits about how to survive in the Birmingham City Jail System. Thankfully, I guess (I hope) we'll never know.
Museum Dates
I would recommend museum dates for boys and girls from second grade through fifth or sixth grades. However, you know your child best, and if you have a first grader who is really into space, and will enjoy the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center, then go for it. I've taken one of the kids to the Space and Rocket Center on a Saturday afternoon before, and we had a ball. Even if they get to go with their school class at some point, it's still fun to be one-on-one with a parent exploring all the things these museums have to offer.
I'm not someone you would probably expect to see hanging out in museums in large metropolitan cities. (You probably already knew that by reading about my Exhibit Fiasco above.) However, I love Museums of Natural History. Those are my favorite, and since we live in Central Alabama, we are fortunate to have one only 90 minutes away in Anniston. This is a nice little museum. It isn't very expensive and it has animals, dinosaurs, and anything and everything else you would want to find in a museum of its kind. It would be an excellent date for you and your child (boy or girl).
I'm also very fond of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum located beside the BJCC. Josh and I went when he was 12 years old, and we practically had the place to ourselves. It is three stories of exhibits from every athlete Alabama has ever produced. When you first enter the museum, they give you a scavenger hunt sheet for all three floors. It is a lot of fun, and most boys would definitely enjoy this one.
Vulcan Park and Museum is a great place to go on a date. Since they renovated Vulcan, they added a hands-on mini museum beside the gift shop. There is scavenger hunt sheet for this museum, as well as fun computer stations set up throughout. Vulcan is a great place to visit the museum, climb to the top of Vulcan AND have a picnic.
We cannot forget the McWane Center. It's a little more expensive, but it is a wonderful hands-on children's museum. (If you want to travel a little bit, Tuscaloosa also has a very good hands-on children's museum.) If you are only taking one other person on your date, it doesn't cost as much as a whole family, of course, and you can spend more time doing what the one child is interested in. (I also like the fact the IMAX is separate, so if there's a movie you want to take your child to see and not go to the museum, that's a date possibility, too.)
How about that? Six possible dates in one post! (Seven if you count the IMAX.) Plus, I didn't mention all the other museums in the city of Birmingham. Check out the Yellow Pages, and have a fun, educational date.
Tomorrow's book is a "go out and buy me right now" sort of book, so tune in. Have a great Thursday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
I asked Jennifer if she bought her Conversation Jar or made it herself. Yesterday, she sent me a note saying it was a simple mason jar, and she gave me a list of conversation starters. I'm going to give you a few each day so you can start your own Conversation Jar. (Thank you, Jennifer.)
Give a sincere compliment to the person on your right.
What is one new thing you'd like to try?
Where is one place you would like to go?
What is your favorite smell or fragrance?
Tell about a time you broke a bone or were injured in some way.
What is your favorite song?
What is the funniest thing that happened to you today?
What is the most interesting thing you learned today?
What is the saddest movie or television show you have ever watched?
If you could be a guest in any one's home, whom would you choose?
Since our date for the day is called Museum Dates, I wanted to tell you about one of my visits to the Birmingham Museum of Art. You may have gone yourself or seen the billboards around town, but there was a Leonardo DiVinci exhibit in town recently, and Mike was given two tickets. (Last year he was given two tickets to the Pompeii exhibit. We had a blast.)
The exhibit itself was over a dozen sketches and writings of DiVinci, not actual paintings, but it was very interesting nonetheless. We went in a gallery in small groups, and walked around reading plaques and looking at the intricate sketches. It was quite the learning experience, and I was feeling very artsy and "with-it" as I strolled around the room looking at one exhibit after another.
I reached out and started to point at something in one of the drawings when the tinniest tip of my finger ACCIDENTALLY touched the glass box holding the priceless document. Immediately, a security guard was standing at my elbow hissing, "Don't touch the glass. Step away from the glass."
Knowing this was her job and she was taking it very seriously, I profusely apologized and assured her I had not touched the glass (WE'RE NOT TALKING THE DOCUMENT) on purpose, and it would not happen again. She showed me a temperature reading in the lower right hand corner of the glass. The slightest temperature change could cause damage OR destroy the document. This was VERY serious. I again assured her I wouldn't be touching the glass again.
After we had gone to a few more of the exhibits, I noticed she was keeping close tabs on me. Very close. I smiled at her to let her know I was aware she was STILL watching me, and then I stepped back from an exhibit to call the kids and make sure they were okay.
Once again, she was beside me hissing in my ear, "You are NOT allowed to use cell phones in here."
"I am so sorry," I said. Then, to ease the building tension between me and someone who had an automatic hook-up with the Birmingham Police Department, I jokingly said, "Is there a sign or something I missed when I walked in here? I need to see a list of rules." I said it in a very light-hearted way and was smiling sweetly trying to get her to soften... just a little.
"There's the sign about NOT touching the exhibits, and there's the sign about NOT using a cell phone in here."
"Oh, I see. I missed those," I said weakly.
The rest of the evening was spent with me standing four feet away from each and every priceless sketch, unable to read the plaque explaining what the heck it was. Mike had free reign as he had quickly disassociated himself from me after the cell phone incident. (Translation -- He wasn't standing anywhere within a hundred feet of me.)
Toward the end of our allotted time in the gallery, I became overwhelmed with an almost uncontrollable urge to lick my fingers and touch two or three of the glass containers before I ran out of the gallery into the crowd in the food area. If I could have been certain she couldn't catch me in her made-for-running-security-guard-footwear while I was in my go-to-church-metallic-heels, I think I would have tried it... but that wouldn't have been a very mature, artsy thing to do, now would it?
It might have made for interesting reading though. You know, when I posted Jail Week on the blog. Five days of tips and tidbits about how to survive in the Birmingham City Jail System. Thankfully, I guess (I hope) we'll never know.
Museum Dates
I would recommend museum dates for boys and girls from second grade through fifth or sixth grades. However, you know your child best, and if you have a first grader who is really into space, and will enjoy the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center, then go for it. I've taken one of the kids to the Space and Rocket Center on a Saturday afternoon before, and we had a ball. Even if they get to go with their school class at some point, it's still fun to be one-on-one with a parent exploring all the things these museums have to offer.
I'm not someone you would probably expect to see hanging out in museums in large metropolitan cities. (You probably already knew that by reading about my Exhibit Fiasco above.) However, I love Museums of Natural History. Those are my favorite, and since we live in Central Alabama, we are fortunate to have one only 90 minutes away in Anniston. This is a nice little museum. It isn't very expensive and it has animals, dinosaurs, and anything and everything else you would want to find in a museum of its kind. It would be an excellent date for you and your child (boy or girl).
I'm also very fond of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum located beside the BJCC. Josh and I went when he was 12 years old, and we practically had the place to ourselves. It is three stories of exhibits from every athlete Alabama has ever produced. When you first enter the museum, they give you a scavenger hunt sheet for all three floors. It is a lot of fun, and most boys would definitely enjoy this one.
Vulcan Park and Museum is a great place to go on a date. Since they renovated Vulcan, they added a hands-on mini museum beside the gift shop. There is scavenger hunt sheet for this museum, as well as fun computer stations set up throughout. Vulcan is a great place to visit the museum, climb to the top of Vulcan AND have a picnic.
We cannot forget the McWane Center. It's a little more expensive, but it is a wonderful hands-on children's museum. (If you want to travel a little bit, Tuscaloosa also has a very good hands-on children's museum.) If you are only taking one other person on your date, it doesn't cost as much as a whole family, of course, and you can spend more time doing what the one child is interested in. (I also like the fact the IMAX is separate, so if there's a movie you want to take your child to see and not go to the museum, that's a date possibility, too.)
How about that? Six possible dates in one post! (Seven if you count the IMAX.) Plus, I didn't mention all the other museums in the city of Birmingham. Check out the Yellow Pages, and have a fun, educational date.
Tomorrow's book is a "go out and buy me right now" sort of book, so tune in. Have a great Thursday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Classic Movie Night
Good Wednesday morning!
Well, last night was really something. Over 1,000 women came to Chit Chat and Chocolate, and I think a good time was had by all. I was very fortunate in my break-out session. I was blessed with many smiling, nodding moms which is so encouraging. We had a good time, and then we made our way to the sanctuary to hear Sherri Burgess' testimony. She is a wonderful speaker, and while her talk was different than what I expected, she was so sweet and humble, and so eloquent. The scripture she used throughout her testimony, and the pictures she verbally painted, and her obvious desire to be with her little boy again in Heaven was overwhelming. It is so evident God is using her in such a mighty way. I cannot begin to imagine being able to do what she has done this past year since Bronner went to Heaven. If you ever get a chance to hear her or Rick speak, please do so. And take an unsaved friend or family member with you if you can. It was a very powerful evening.
On another note, if you've ever read Confessions of a Pioneer Woman on my Blog List, you know how entertaining and fun and excellent her writing is. She has been nominated for several "Bloggie" awards. If you get a chance, click on her website and look at Monday's post. There will be a place for you to click to vote for her blog in several categories. It's really easy, and I think she's very deserving. Reading her blog is just like watching a really fun documentary on the Travel Channel about living on a farm in the country in the middle of the United States. She has four children (all cowgirls and cowboys), she is a wonderful cook (check out her Cooking section), she is a fantastic photographer (beautiful pictures of landscapes, animals and people)... the list goes on and on. (She is also crazy about her family (kids AND hubby), homeschools, and loves her dogs... especially a little basset hound named Charlie.) It's not a hard read at all. It's quick, easy and very enjoyable. I like it because there are usually pictures with every little story. Anyway, if you couldn't tell, I think she should win. You have until February 7 to vote.
I thought I would share something I spoke about in class tonight. I was talking about the importance of "dating" your children, and I went back in time to when Austin was ten years-old. At the old Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham, they were going to be showing the Elvis Presley movie, Blue Hawaii. If you don't know this about me, know it now... I am a big Elvis fan. I was at his last concert in Birmingham when I was only 14 before he passed away. Anyway, I think it's important to share the things you love with your kids, so I asked Austin and he eagerly agreed to accompany me to the movie.
When we arrived, it was wonderful. There was going to be an Elvis impersonator (which as everyone knows, is just about as good as the real thing), and the organ was going to come up out of the floor and we were going to sing Elvis songs before the actual movie. Can you say FUN!
The first thing we spotted as we walked through the door was a counter with a large turquoise blue drink in a large fancy glass sitting in the middle. Austin noticed it at once and asked if he could have one. "Of course," I replied.
I was feeling very generous, so we walked over to the counter and Austin slapped his hand down and said, "I'll have one of those!"
"I'm sorry," the lady replied. "You can't have one, but your mom can."
I totally understood. We were in the beautiful Alabama Theater and they didn't want a ten year-old boy walking down the aisle carrying a bright turquoise blue drink in a large glass spilling here and there as he walked. I would have been the same way at home. "That's fine. I'll have one."
Well, at that moment, I started to look in my purse for my money, but thankfully looked up in time to see not one, but two, large bottles of some kind of alcohol being poured into a large glass with some other liquid that was a bright turquoise blue. "Wait a minute! Is that alcohol?" I asked shocked and amazed.
"Yes, it is," she replied.
"On a Sunday? At the Alabama Theater? At the Blue Hawaii movie starring Elvis Presley? You serve alcohol? Really?" The questions just kept flowing.
"Yes, ma'am. It's legal to serve alcoholic beverages on Sunday in Birmingham."
"Two cokes and chocolate covered raisins, please," I requested changing my order.
"Well, that was a little disappointing," Austin said as we settled into our seats. All I could think about was if I hadn't looked up at the right time or had been distracted in any other way, Austin would be drinking a large alcoholic turquoise blue drink at that moment. I shuddered. I had just taken my ten year-old son on a date where I had somehow become "The Designated Driver."
I have never had a drink before, much less one called a Blue Hawaii, so I will forever plead ignorance. As for Austin walking up to the counter and ordering said alcoholic beverage, I had to give him the benefit of the doubt, too. After all... like mother, like son!
Speaking of Elvis and classic movies, here's your Seasonal Tradition for today!
Classic Movie Night
For something fun on a cold winter's night, rent some movie classics (Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Three Stooges, etc., etc.), get out your fluffiest blankets and pillows and snuggle up. During intermission make some indoor snowballs to eat.
Indoor Snowballs
Quickly roll scoops of hard ice cream in mounds of shredded coconut. Serve snowballs on a chilled platter with chocolate sauce, nuts and sprinkles on the side.
This idea was taken from 101 Ideas for Making Family Memories.
Fun Variation #1 - Check your TV listings for old shows like Bonanza, That Girl, Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family (my favorite -- LOVED David Cassidy), I Love Lucy, Gilligan's Island, Get Smart, etc. When you find an old show you like, tape several episodes for an evening like the one described above.
Fun Variation #2 - For dinner before you start your Classic Movie/TV night, make it a fun "themed" meal. For instance, if you are watching I Love Lucy episodes, you could make Ethel Eggs, Fred French Fries, Ricky Rice, and Lucy Lemon Ice Box Pie. (The idea isn't really to have a "balanced meal" this one night, but a fun one.) Use your imagination.
We did this watching old Bonanza episodes. We had Hoss Hamburgers, Hop Sing Hot Dogs, Adam Apples and Lil' Joe Jello for dessert. (Be careful watching Bonanza reruns... it starts getting hard to explain why every time they get engaged to a girl, an Indian kills her or something else tragic happens. We finally named it the "Cartright Curse," and whenever an episode came on with a romantic interest for one of the boys, we watched to see if she got killed off in the first half or the last half of the episode.)
Of course, I like this one because it is dinner together AND and a Seasonal Tradition. Nothing heavy. Nothing hard to prepare. Just fun and memorable.
Tomorrow's date is fun, too (and educational). I hope you have the best Wednesday ever, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Well, last night was really something. Over 1,000 women came to Chit Chat and Chocolate, and I think a good time was had by all. I was very fortunate in my break-out session. I was blessed with many smiling, nodding moms which is so encouraging. We had a good time, and then we made our way to the sanctuary to hear Sherri Burgess' testimony. She is a wonderful speaker, and while her talk was different than what I expected, she was so sweet and humble, and so eloquent. The scripture she used throughout her testimony, and the pictures she verbally painted, and her obvious desire to be with her little boy again in Heaven was overwhelming. It is so evident God is using her in such a mighty way. I cannot begin to imagine being able to do what she has done this past year since Bronner went to Heaven. If you ever get a chance to hear her or Rick speak, please do so. And take an unsaved friend or family member with you if you can. It was a very powerful evening.
On another note, if you've ever read Confessions of a Pioneer Woman on my Blog List, you know how entertaining and fun and excellent her writing is. She has been nominated for several "Bloggie" awards. If you get a chance, click on her website and look at Monday's post. There will be a place for you to click to vote for her blog in several categories. It's really easy, and I think she's very deserving. Reading her blog is just like watching a really fun documentary on the Travel Channel about living on a farm in the country in the middle of the United States. She has four children (all cowgirls and cowboys), she is a wonderful cook (check out her Cooking section), she is a fantastic photographer (beautiful pictures of landscapes, animals and people)... the list goes on and on. (She is also crazy about her family (kids AND hubby), homeschools, and loves her dogs... especially a little basset hound named Charlie.) It's not a hard read at all. It's quick, easy and very enjoyable. I like it because there are usually pictures with every little story. Anyway, if you couldn't tell, I think she should win. You have until February 7 to vote.
I thought I would share something I spoke about in class tonight. I was talking about the importance of "dating" your children, and I went back in time to when Austin was ten years-old. At the old Alabama Theater in downtown Birmingham, they were going to be showing the Elvis Presley movie, Blue Hawaii. If you don't know this about me, know it now... I am a big Elvis fan. I was at his last concert in Birmingham when I was only 14 before he passed away. Anyway, I think it's important to share the things you love with your kids, so I asked Austin and he eagerly agreed to accompany me to the movie.
When we arrived, it was wonderful. There was going to be an Elvis impersonator (which as everyone knows, is just about as good as the real thing), and the organ was going to come up out of the floor and we were going to sing Elvis songs before the actual movie. Can you say FUN!
The first thing we spotted as we walked through the door was a counter with a large turquoise blue drink in a large fancy glass sitting in the middle. Austin noticed it at once and asked if he could have one. "Of course," I replied.
I was feeling very generous, so we walked over to the counter and Austin slapped his hand down and said, "I'll have one of those!"
"I'm sorry," the lady replied. "You can't have one, but your mom can."
I totally understood. We were in the beautiful Alabama Theater and they didn't want a ten year-old boy walking down the aisle carrying a bright turquoise blue drink in a large glass spilling here and there as he walked. I would have been the same way at home. "That's fine. I'll have one."
Well, at that moment, I started to look in my purse for my money, but thankfully looked up in time to see not one, but two, large bottles of some kind of alcohol being poured into a large glass with some other liquid that was a bright turquoise blue. "Wait a minute! Is that alcohol?" I asked shocked and amazed.
"Yes, it is," she replied.
"On a Sunday? At the Alabama Theater? At the Blue Hawaii movie starring Elvis Presley? You serve alcohol? Really?" The questions just kept flowing.
"Yes, ma'am. It's legal to serve alcoholic beverages on Sunday in Birmingham."
"Two cokes and chocolate covered raisins, please," I requested changing my order.
"Well, that was a little disappointing," Austin said as we settled into our seats. All I could think about was if I hadn't looked up at the right time or had been distracted in any other way, Austin would be drinking a large alcoholic turquoise blue drink at that moment. I shuddered. I had just taken my ten year-old son on a date where I had somehow become "The Designated Driver."
I have never had a drink before, much less one called a Blue Hawaii, so I will forever plead ignorance. As for Austin walking up to the counter and ordering said alcoholic beverage, I had to give him the benefit of the doubt, too. After all... like mother, like son!
Speaking of Elvis and classic movies, here's your Seasonal Tradition for today!
Classic Movie Night
For something fun on a cold winter's night, rent some movie classics (Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, Three Stooges, etc., etc.), get out your fluffiest blankets and pillows and snuggle up. During intermission make some indoor snowballs to eat.
Indoor Snowballs
Quickly roll scoops of hard ice cream in mounds of shredded coconut. Serve snowballs on a chilled platter with chocolate sauce, nuts and sprinkles on the side.
This idea was taken from 101 Ideas for Making Family Memories.
Fun Variation #1 - Check your TV listings for old shows like Bonanza, That Girl, Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family (my favorite -- LOVED David Cassidy), I Love Lucy, Gilligan's Island, Get Smart, etc. When you find an old show you like, tape several episodes for an evening like the one described above.
Fun Variation #2 - For dinner before you start your Classic Movie/TV night, make it a fun "themed" meal. For instance, if you are watching I Love Lucy episodes, you could make Ethel Eggs, Fred French Fries, Ricky Rice, and Lucy Lemon Ice Box Pie. (The idea isn't really to have a "balanced meal" this one night, but a fun one.) Use your imagination.
We did this watching old Bonanza episodes. We had Hoss Hamburgers, Hop Sing Hot Dogs, Adam Apples and Lil' Joe Jello for dessert. (Be careful watching Bonanza reruns... it starts getting hard to explain why every time they get engaged to a girl, an Indian kills her or something else tragic happens. We finally named it the "Cartright Curse," and whenever an episode came on with a romantic interest for one of the boys, we watched to see if she got killed off in the first half or the last half of the episode.)
Of course, I like this one because it is dinner together AND and a Seasonal Tradition. Nothing heavy. Nothing hard to prepare. Just fun and memorable.
Tomorrow's date is fun, too (and educational). I hope you have the best Wednesday ever, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Easy Pecan Pie
Good Tuesday morning!
Monday went pretty well. Josh was a little under the weather... there's a lot of "stuff" going around, but he was able to go to school today.
If anyone was interested in yesterday's Backward Party Night and the conversation starters, read the comments. Jennifer, did you buy the Conversation Jar? Did it come with starters, or do you make them up and put them in yourself? I'm going to try that, but give me a few more details. Thanks.
Also, if you get a chance, go to my Blog List and click onto Nitty Gritty and read yesterday's post. Read to the bottom because Jody re-wrote the journaling that shows up on the picture. If you have good eyes (which I do not have any longer), you may be able to read it on the picture... but I was extremely thankful she re-wrote it for all of us over-40 types. What she says is so very true, and I loved how she expressed herself.
I wanted to share a little something from one of my favorite writers today before we start baking pies. I love Becky Freeman. She has written several books (Chocolate Chili Pepper Love, Real Magnolias, Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs, etc.). She is extremely funny, and I love the way she writes about her life, and how she lives it with her husband and four children. She writes essays, but here are just a few snippets she puts in between her chapters from her book Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs.
Important Things I've Learned from Kids
If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.
Ask "Why?" until you understand.
Even if you've been fishing for three hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.
It doesn't matter who started it.
Ask for sprinkles.
If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.
If you want a kitten, start out asking for a horse.
Just keep banging until someone opens the door. (Even if it's unlocked. I, Belinda, added that part. One my many pet peeves... Hey, here's a thought. I need to write a week's worth of pet peeves!)
Pint-Sized Psychology
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.
If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
Never ask your three year-old brother to hold a tomato.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
A pencil without an eraser may as well just be a pen.
Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time.
And one of my favorites... Real Mothers
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens, and happy kids.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It's marked by the progression from "Mama" to "Mommy" to "Mother."
I know it's not Friday (Book Day), but if you ever get a chance to pick up one of her books at the library or book store, I highly recommend doing so. You'll find yourself smiling and sometimes laughing out loud while you read about her and her family.
Now, let's get baking!
Easy Pecan Pie
You will need the following:
2 regular frozen pie crusts (not deep dish)
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1. Using a fork, make several holes in the bottom of each pie crust.
2. Stir together eggs and next five ingredients.
3. Stir in pecans.
4. Pour filling into pie crusts. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set.
5. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream.
NOTE: After 30 minutes in the oven, pull the pies out and cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent burning.
This pie is easy and takes only a few minutes to put together... and it just seems like a "fall" or "winter" pie to me. Enjoy.
That's all for today. I'll be getting ready for Chit Chat and Chocolate the rest of the day. No one knows exactly what to expect number-wise per class, but we do know that 1300 tickets have been sold. That means "Sold Out." I'll let you know how everything goes tomorrow. I'll also have one more January Seasonal Tradition. And then it's on to Valentine's Day. Tons and tons of stuff for the month of February!
Until then, have a great Tuesday.
Monday went pretty well. Josh was a little under the weather... there's a lot of "stuff" going around, but he was able to go to school today.
If anyone was interested in yesterday's Backward Party Night and the conversation starters, read the comments. Jennifer, did you buy the Conversation Jar? Did it come with starters, or do you make them up and put them in yourself? I'm going to try that, but give me a few more details. Thanks.
Also, if you get a chance, go to my Blog List and click onto Nitty Gritty and read yesterday's post. Read to the bottom because Jody re-wrote the journaling that shows up on the picture. If you have good eyes (which I do not have any longer), you may be able to read it on the picture... but I was extremely thankful she re-wrote it for all of us over-40 types. What she says is so very true, and I loved how she expressed herself.
I wanted to share a little something from one of my favorite writers today before we start baking pies. I love Becky Freeman. She has written several books (Chocolate Chili Pepper Love, Real Magnolias, Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs, etc.). She is extremely funny, and I love the way she writes about her life, and how she lives it with her husband and four children. She writes essays, but here are just a few snippets she puts in between her chapters from her book Peanut Butter Kisses & Mud Pie Hugs.
Important Things I've Learned from Kids
If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.
Ask "Why?" until you understand.
Even if you've been fishing for three hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.
It doesn't matter who started it.
Ask for sprinkles.
If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.
If you want a kitten, start out asking for a horse.
Just keep banging until someone opens the door. (Even if it's unlocked. I, Belinda, added that part. One my many pet peeves... Hey, here's a thought. I need to write a week's worth of pet peeves!)
Pint-Sized Psychology
No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.
If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.
Never ask your three year-old brother to hold a tomato.
You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
A pencil without an eraser may as well just be a pen.
Never hold a dustbuster and a cat at the same time.
And one of my favorites... Real Mothers
Real Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it.
Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils are probably in the sandbox.
Real Mothers often have sticky floors, filthy ovens, and happy kids.
Real Mothers don't want to know what the vacuum just sucked up.
Real Mothers sometimes ask "Why me?" and get their answer when a little voice says, "Because I love you best."
Real Mothers know that a child's growth is not measured by height or years or grade. It's marked by the progression from "Mama" to "Mommy" to "Mother."
I know it's not Friday (Book Day), but if you ever get a chance to pick up one of her books at the library or book store, I highly recommend doing so. You'll find yourself smiling and sometimes laughing out loud while you read about her and her family.
Now, let's get baking!
Easy Pecan Pie
You will need the following:
2 regular frozen pie crusts (not deep dish)
3 large eggs
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
1. Using a fork, make several holes in the bottom of each pie crust.
2. Stir together eggs and next five ingredients.
3. Stir in pecans.
4. Pour filling into pie crusts. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set.
5. Serve warm or cold with vanilla ice cream.
NOTE: After 30 minutes in the oven, pull the pies out and cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent burning.
This pie is easy and takes only a few minutes to put together... and it just seems like a "fall" or "winter" pie to me. Enjoy.
That's all for today. I'll be getting ready for Chit Chat and Chocolate the rest of the day. No one knows exactly what to expect number-wise per class, but we do know that 1300 tickets have been sold. That means "Sold Out." I'll let you know how everything goes tomorrow. I'll also have one more January Seasonal Tradition. And then it's on to Valentine's Day. Tons and tons of stuff for the month of February!
Until then, have a great Tuesday.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Backward Night Party
Good Monday morning!
It's back to the old schedule starting today, guys! January Party/Event time! I can't believe this is the last week of January. It's gone by really, really quickly to me.
Let's get a few announcements out of the way first:
Readership Count - It is 27 hits a day, folks! That is much, much better than last week. Let's try for 30 this week, shall we?
The Picture Gallery has a couple of pictures from our anniversary weekend. We stayed at Embassy Suites in Homewood. We've stayed there six or seven times in our 21 years of celebrations, but it has never been as busy as it was Saturday. We couldn't figure out what was going on until we asked one of the employees... Eagles Concert! And then all the attendees of that concert came down and ate all of our bacon at breakfast yesterday! But we're not bitter... oh, no. Not us!
We also had a nice dinner at McCormicks and Schmick's Saturday night. We had never eaten there before, and it was delicious. We were both in the mood for seafood, so that was our pick. I highly recommend this restaurant!
We shopped, talked, rested and planned the next 21 years of our lives together. We'll see how that turns out, won't we? It was nice to get away from everything, but it's always nice to come home, too.
The other pictures are about the upcoming Senior Prom. Austin, of course, planned on asking Melia. However, he said he couldn't just ask her. You have to do something special nowadays. Scavenger hunts, rose petal trails, etc., etc. So he asked everyone he knew (girl-wise) and got tons of ideas, but decided on something he thought was "funny." I thought it was "funny," too, but I've got that weird sense of humor thing going for me.
He bought a carton of milk and covered it in light blue paper. On the paper, he wrote, "Got Prom?" Get it? Got Prom? Got Milk? Do you get it? He kind of decorated the rest of the carton with prom stickers and put the milk back in the refrigerator. Just in case Melia didn't see the humor, he also bought her a beautiful long-stem red rose. My job was to leave everything in his truck in the parking lot of the school 15 minutes before the bell rang. Not 30 minutes before because the milk would sour, and not 10 minutes before because then I would be stuck in the parking lot because of the buses, and I had to pick up Roxie. I had to be there 15 minutes before the bell rang. And I was. I put the milk carton, the rose and the digital camera in his front seat. He took Melia's picture reading the milk carton, so I think he did an excellent job. (By the way, she said yes!) Prom is in April, so those pictures will be forthcoming!
The Showcase Pic is a picture of a guy and his bird. We met him at Amelia Island this past summer. He was just walking down the beach with this beautiful, giant parrot on his shoulder. We thought it was fake, but when he was standing next to us, it was evident it was a real parrot (almost the size of the pigeon that fell on my head). We talked to him (the young man) for a few minutes, and then he and his pet parrot got in his little red pick-up truck and drove off. It was just a very neat thing to see as we were leaving, and since Amelia Island is known for pirate history, it was very fitting to see a modern day "pirate" walking around with a parrot on his shoulder. (I think the parrot's name was "Dan" or "Bill" or something very "unparrot-like." A little disappointing.)
Also, don't forget about Chit Chat and Chocolate this Tuesday night. Remember, if you want a copy of the handout, e-mail me and I'll be glad to send you a set.
Today's little Party/Event is just for your family, and is very simple. You could even do it tonight!
Backward Night Party
Plan a "Backward Night" where you do everything backwards. When the family arrives home for the evening, greet them with a kiss and wish them a "good night's sleep." Invite them to gather in the living room for a short bedtime story. Afterward, everyone brushes their teeth, takes a bath, and gets into their PJs. With teddy bears in hand, everyone heads to the dinner table for a yummy dessert? Don't forget to warn them: "If you don't eat your dessert, there will be no dinner!" Dessert is followed by a nourishing dinner, and... Well, you get the idea. You'll have an evening your children won't soon forget.
This party idea was taken from 101 Ideas for Making Family Memories by Ruthann Winans and Linda Lee. Short and simple, but fun and memorable. The best kind of party.
Since this is a short little post, I'll give you a little bonus for the dinner you'll be having at your Backward Night Party. As you have dinner together, use one or more of these conversation starters as you sit around the table:
1. What do you love most about each person in our family?
2. What is your favorite joke?
3. Describe the perfect day.
4. What was your favorite part of the day today?
5. What was the hardest part of the day today?
6. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
7. If you could have any actor/actress play you in the movie of your life, who would it be? (I would pick Jennifer Aniston to play me because the resemblance is uncanny!)
8. If you could have any superhero characteristic, what would it be? (Fly, turn invisible, etc.) If you have boys, they really get into this one!
9. Which person in the Bible would you most like to meet?
Tomorrow I have another easy recipe for you to try. Sweet and easy (and man-pleasing)!
Have a great Monday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
It's back to the old schedule starting today, guys! January Party/Event time! I can't believe this is the last week of January. It's gone by really, really quickly to me.
Let's get a few announcements out of the way first:
Readership Count - It is 27 hits a day, folks! That is much, much better than last week. Let's try for 30 this week, shall we?
The Picture Gallery has a couple of pictures from our anniversary weekend. We stayed at Embassy Suites in Homewood. We've stayed there six or seven times in our 21 years of celebrations, but it has never been as busy as it was Saturday. We couldn't figure out what was going on until we asked one of the employees... Eagles Concert! And then all the attendees of that concert came down and ate all of our bacon at breakfast yesterday! But we're not bitter... oh, no. Not us!
We also had a nice dinner at McCormicks and Schmick's Saturday night. We had never eaten there before, and it was delicious. We were both in the mood for seafood, so that was our pick. I highly recommend this restaurant!
We shopped, talked, rested and planned the next 21 years of our lives together. We'll see how that turns out, won't we? It was nice to get away from everything, but it's always nice to come home, too.
The other pictures are about the upcoming Senior Prom. Austin, of course, planned on asking Melia. However, he said he couldn't just ask her. You have to do something special nowadays. Scavenger hunts, rose petal trails, etc., etc. So he asked everyone he knew (girl-wise) and got tons of ideas, but decided on something he thought was "funny." I thought it was "funny," too, but I've got that weird sense of humor thing going for me.
He bought a carton of milk and covered it in light blue paper. On the paper, he wrote, "Got Prom?" Get it? Got Prom? Got Milk? Do you get it? He kind of decorated the rest of the carton with prom stickers and put the milk back in the refrigerator. Just in case Melia didn't see the humor, he also bought her a beautiful long-stem red rose. My job was to leave everything in his truck in the parking lot of the school 15 minutes before the bell rang. Not 30 minutes before because the milk would sour, and not 10 minutes before because then I would be stuck in the parking lot because of the buses, and I had to pick up Roxie. I had to be there 15 minutes before the bell rang. And I was. I put the milk carton, the rose and the digital camera in his front seat. He took Melia's picture reading the milk carton, so I think he did an excellent job. (By the way, she said yes!) Prom is in April, so those pictures will be forthcoming!
The Showcase Pic is a picture of a guy and his bird. We met him at Amelia Island this past summer. He was just walking down the beach with this beautiful, giant parrot on his shoulder. We thought it was fake, but when he was standing next to us, it was evident it was a real parrot (almost the size of the pigeon that fell on my head). We talked to him (the young man) for a few minutes, and then he and his pet parrot got in his little red pick-up truck and drove off. It was just a very neat thing to see as we were leaving, and since Amelia Island is known for pirate history, it was very fitting to see a modern day "pirate" walking around with a parrot on his shoulder. (I think the parrot's name was "Dan" or "Bill" or something very "unparrot-like." A little disappointing.)
Also, don't forget about Chit Chat and Chocolate this Tuesday night. Remember, if you want a copy of the handout, e-mail me and I'll be glad to send you a set.
Today's little Party/Event is just for your family, and is very simple. You could even do it tonight!
Backward Night Party
Plan a "Backward Night" where you do everything backwards. When the family arrives home for the evening, greet them with a kiss and wish them a "good night's sleep." Invite them to gather in the living room for a short bedtime story. Afterward, everyone brushes their teeth, takes a bath, and gets into their PJs. With teddy bears in hand, everyone heads to the dinner table for a yummy dessert? Don't forget to warn them: "If you don't eat your dessert, there will be no dinner!" Dessert is followed by a nourishing dinner, and... Well, you get the idea. You'll have an evening your children won't soon forget.
This party idea was taken from 101 Ideas for Making Family Memories by Ruthann Winans and Linda Lee. Short and simple, but fun and memorable. The best kind of party.
Since this is a short little post, I'll give you a little bonus for the dinner you'll be having at your Backward Night Party. As you have dinner together, use one or more of these conversation starters as you sit around the table:
1. What do you love most about each person in our family?
2. What is your favorite joke?
3. Describe the perfect day.
4. What was your favorite part of the day today?
5. What was the hardest part of the day today?
6. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
7. If you could have any actor/actress play you in the movie of your life, who would it be? (I would pick Jennifer Aniston to play me because the resemblance is uncanny!)
8. If you could have any superhero characteristic, what would it be? (Fly, turn invisible, etc.) If you have boys, they really get into this one!
9. Which person in the Bible would you most like to meet?
Tomorrow I have another easy recipe for you to try. Sweet and easy (and man-pleasing)!
Have a great Monday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
Well, Camp Week comes to an end today. Along with answering the question of the day (What do I look for in a good State Park?), I have also typed a Summer Checklist - Complete Guide to Camping Mike picked up at a sporting goods store. You won't need everything on the list, but it is definitely a good "go by."
Next week we'll get back on our Monday through Friday schedule and finish up January with more fun winter things to do.
I also told you I would have a commercial/announcement for today's post. Next Tuesday, January 27, Sherri Burgess, will be speaking at our church, First Baptist Gardendale, at a Chit Chat and Chocolate event. We will meet for dessert at 6:30 and then go to break-out sessions. There are 29 sessions, and I was honored to be asked to do a traditions class for one of them. Not only will I be giving my testimony regarding why I'm passionate about all things family/traditional, but I will have a handout with over 20 traditions, devotions, dates, and parties. I will also have a resource sheet with books, magazines, etc. to use when planning things or coming up with new ideas for your own family. Some of the ideas will show up in February on the blog; however, I'm going to try to not repeat myself too much. If you're not able to come to the event or you want to go to a different break-out session, let me know and I'll get you a copy of the February handout.
Also, I have been wanting to hear Sherri speak for quite a while now. (For those of you who live out of state and do not know her story, she lost a son in a pool accident a year ago January 19. She and her husband, Rick Burgess, live here in Alabama, and anyone who has heard their testimony has come away deeply touched.) Rick is part of a very popular radio show called Rick and Bubba stationed here in Birmingham. Right now, over 1,300 tickets have been sold to the event, so I am not the only one who is looking forward to hearing Sherri speak.
Mikie and Me
Although it may not be a camping story, since it is our 21st anniversary today, I would like to share a little of bit of our beginning.
I met Mikie at Shades Mountain Baptist Church when I was 22. I was visiting with a friend, and she had gone out with Mike the night before. "There he is," she said as we sat in the balcony looking down.
"He's cute," I approved. "Are you going to go out with him again?"
"No. It's just to soon after the break-up," was the reply. She had just broken up with someone after a long-term relationship.
"Well, it's a shame. He is cute," and then I settled back into my seat and enjoyed the service. As God would have it, Shades was the church He wanted me to join, and I began many new and wonderful friendships within the Singles Department there. Mike was one of my friends. Mike was one of my best friends. When he wasn't dating (and he dated A LOT), we were together or on the phone or hanging out with a bunch of mutual friends. It was an easy and enjoyable friendship.
Three years into our friendship, it became apparent to me that Mikie and I were supposed to be together. As he continued to date every girl in the entire Singles Department (I think it must have been a goal or something), I began to think of a way to tell him the obvious... I was the one he was supposed to be courting.
It was a Sunday afternoon in March, and I asked him over for lunch after church. Since he didn't have a date until after church that night, he was agreeable. As I finished getting things ready in the kitchen, I sent him into my living room.
"Why can't I stay in the kitchen?" he asked.
"Because I have to talk to you," I replied.
He rolled his eyes and went into the living room. From the kitchen, I yelled, "Why don't you ever ask me out?"
"What!" and I could tell he had gotten off the sofa and was coming toward the kitchen.
"No, no, no! Back in the living room... and answer my question!"
"Well, I guess I thought it might mess up our friendship," he yelled back.
"We're supposed to be dating," I again yelled.
About this time, he popped his head around the corner grinning, and said, "So would you like to go out sometime?"
"Yes, I would. Thank you for asking."
Then he started thinking again... always a sign of trouble. "What if something happens and the dating thing doesn't go well and everything is awkward?"
"I've already thought of that. You'll have to change churches immediately. Dawson has a very good Singles Department. I think you'll be happy there."
"You've already thought about this?" He was incredulous (good word).
"Yes, and I'm not kidding. It will be easier for you to change churches. You meet people much easier than I do. Plus, I'm not leaving Shades."
"Okay. Okay. I have a few commitments to take care of the next couple of weeks. Can we go out in three weeks?"
"By commitments do you mean other dates?"
"Uh, yes."
Long story short, I told him to go ahead and finish his "commitments," knowing in my heart of hearts those would be the last girls other than me he would ever get to go out with. (Don't worry. I told him he couldn't kiss his "commitments" good night at the door!)
Three weeks later we had our first date. He took me to Milo's (his favorite hamburger place) and we went to a movie (my favorite thing to do), and we talked about things like how many kids we wanted, and where we wanted to live, and things like that. You know, first date kinds of things.
At three weeks, there was no doubt in our minds we were supposed to be together. We waited three months and met with Dr. Carter, our pastor at the time. We waited three more months and became engaged in August. We waited five more months and married January 23, 1988. As Martha Stewart would say... "It was a good thing."
We've had ups, downs and all-arounds, but it's been a good 21 years. I have never thought I was supposed to be with anyone else. To the contrary, the longer we're together the more convinced I am he's the only one I could ever, ever be with for 21 years... and longer.
Happy Anniversary, Mikie! I'm looking forward to our anniversary celebration.
NOTE: Mike and I never exchange gifts. We exchange cards. Ever since our first anniversary, we've always gone to a nice hotel and had dinner and maybe gone to a movie. Even if we stay in town, it is just such a treat. Some people think it's silly to stay 20 minutes from home, but it's a gift we give each other, and over the years it's one of those things we look forward to all year long. On our 10th and 20th anniversaries, we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina, respectively. I highly recommend getting away for an entire night (even before you have kids... but especially after you have kids).
Part 5 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
What do I look for in a good State Park?
Do you know how real estate agents will tell you the three most important things to look for in real estate are LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION? I bet you know what I'm going to say before I even write it down... BATHHOUSE, BATHHOUSE, BATHHOUSE!
Really, everyone is going to look for different things. We like nice, shady wooded areas. We always like to go somewhere near a lake. And we do want to go somewhere that has fairly decent bathhouses. If the bathhouse is not good, we will not be going back. That's what they call a deal breaker.
You'll just have to decide what's important to your family. Do you have a boat? Do you like to fish? Do you love to hike? Do you want to be near a city with restaurants and shopping? Do you want to be close to home in case of inclement weather? Do you want a campground that has a nice playground for the little ones?
After you answer those questions, start talking to people and checking on the campgrounds near your home. You'll make some mistakes, but eventually you'll find one that will probably become your favorite. Again, while you are looking for YOUR campground, flexibility is key.
Here's the list I mentioned earlier.
Complete Guide to Summer Camping
Air Mattress or Camp Pad
Camera and Film
Camp Stove
Coffee Pot
Compass
Cooking Utensils
Cooler (2) One for Food; One for Drinks
Cot
Daypack or Fannypack
Dishpan and Pot Scrubber
Eating Utensils
First Aid Kit
Flares/Mirror (We've never had to use flares. We're not so adventurous we would get lost in the woods!)
Flashlight for Each Camper
Folding Chair or Stool
Fuel for Stoves and Lanterns
Games and Books
Griddle
Ground Cloth or Tarp
Hand Axe or Saw (I didn't have time to tell you the axe story, did I? Hmmm. Maybe another time!)
Ice
Insect Repellent
Jug of Water
Knife
Lantern
Lighter or Matches
Mantles for Lanterns
Maps
Paper Towels
Plastic Zip Bags
Radio and Batteries
Rope, Cord or Wire
Small Folding Shovel (For burying dead fish!)
Sleeping Bags
Soap
Sunscreen
Tablecloth
Tent
Tool Kit, Hammer, Mallet
Toilet Paper
Trash Bags
Water Purifying System (We use the old fashioned water bottle.)
Whistle (DO NOT give your child a whistle in a CAMPGROUND. The other campers will do bodily harm to a kid riding a bike or a scooter tooting a whistle all day. The whistle is for hiking use only.)
Well, it's been a fun week. I hope you have a wonderful weekend... even if it isn't your anniversary. Make the time you have with your family count. Don't waste a minute.
I'll talk to you on Monday!
Well, Camp Week comes to an end today. Along with answering the question of the day (What do I look for in a good State Park?), I have also typed a Summer Checklist - Complete Guide to Camping Mike picked up at a sporting goods store. You won't need everything on the list, but it is definitely a good "go by."
Next week we'll get back on our Monday through Friday schedule and finish up January with more fun winter things to do.
I also told you I would have a commercial/announcement for today's post. Next Tuesday, January 27, Sherri Burgess, will be speaking at our church, First Baptist Gardendale, at a Chit Chat and Chocolate event. We will meet for dessert at 6:30 and then go to break-out sessions. There are 29 sessions, and I was honored to be asked to do a traditions class for one of them. Not only will I be giving my testimony regarding why I'm passionate about all things family/traditional, but I will have a handout with over 20 traditions, devotions, dates, and parties. I will also have a resource sheet with books, magazines, etc. to use when planning things or coming up with new ideas for your own family. Some of the ideas will show up in February on the blog; however, I'm going to try to not repeat myself too much. If you're not able to come to the event or you want to go to a different break-out session, let me know and I'll get you a copy of the February handout.
Also, I have been wanting to hear Sherri speak for quite a while now. (For those of you who live out of state and do not know her story, she lost a son in a pool accident a year ago January 19. She and her husband, Rick Burgess, live here in Alabama, and anyone who has heard their testimony has come away deeply touched.) Rick is part of a very popular radio show called Rick and Bubba stationed here in Birmingham. Right now, over 1,300 tickets have been sold to the event, so I am not the only one who is looking forward to hearing Sherri speak.
Mikie and Me
Although it may not be a camping story, since it is our 21st anniversary today, I would like to share a little of bit of our beginning.
I met Mikie at Shades Mountain Baptist Church when I was 22. I was visiting with a friend, and she had gone out with Mike the night before. "There he is," she said as we sat in the balcony looking down.
"He's cute," I approved. "Are you going to go out with him again?"
"No. It's just to soon after the break-up," was the reply. She had just broken up with someone after a long-term relationship.
"Well, it's a shame. He is cute," and then I settled back into my seat and enjoyed the service. As God would have it, Shades was the church He wanted me to join, and I began many new and wonderful friendships within the Singles Department there. Mike was one of my friends. Mike was one of my best friends. When he wasn't dating (and he dated A LOT), we were together or on the phone or hanging out with a bunch of mutual friends. It was an easy and enjoyable friendship.
Three years into our friendship, it became apparent to me that Mikie and I were supposed to be together. As he continued to date every girl in the entire Singles Department (I think it must have been a goal or something), I began to think of a way to tell him the obvious... I was the one he was supposed to be courting.
It was a Sunday afternoon in March, and I asked him over for lunch after church. Since he didn't have a date until after church that night, he was agreeable. As I finished getting things ready in the kitchen, I sent him into my living room.
"Why can't I stay in the kitchen?" he asked.
"Because I have to talk to you," I replied.
He rolled his eyes and went into the living room. From the kitchen, I yelled, "Why don't you ever ask me out?"
"What!" and I could tell he had gotten off the sofa and was coming toward the kitchen.
"No, no, no! Back in the living room... and answer my question!"
"Well, I guess I thought it might mess up our friendship," he yelled back.
"We're supposed to be dating," I again yelled.
About this time, he popped his head around the corner grinning, and said, "So would you like to go out sometime?"
"Yes, I would. Thank you for asking."
Then he started thinking again... always a sign of trouble. "What if something happens and the dating thing doesn't go well and everything is awkward?"
"I've already thought of that. You'll have to change churches immediately. Dawson has a very good Singles Department. I think you'll be happy there."
"You've already thought about this?" He was incredulous (good word).
"Yes, and I'm not kidding. It will be easier for you to change churches. You meet people much easier than I do. Plus, I'm not leaving Shades."
"Okay. Okay. I have a few commitments to take care of the next couple of weeks. Can we go out in three weeks?"
"By commitments do you mean other dates?"
"Uh, yes."
Long story short, I told him to go ahead and finish his "commitments," knowing in my heart of hearts those would be the last girls other than me he would ever get to go out with. (Don't worry. I told him he couldn't kiss his "commitments" good night at the door!)
Three weeks later we had our first date. He took me to Milo's (his favorite hamburger place) and we went to a movie (my favorite thing to do), and we talked about things like how many kids we wanted, and where we wanted to live, and things like that. You know, first date kinds of things.
At three weeks, there was no doubt in our minds we were supposed to be together. We waited three months and met with Dr. Carter, our pastor at the time. We waited three more months and became engaged in August. We waited five more months and married January 23, 1988. As Martha Stewart would say... "It was a good thing."
We've had ups, downs and all-arounds, but it's been a good 21 years. I have never thought I was supposed to be with anyone else. To the contrary, the longer we're together the more convinced I am he's the only one I could ever, ever be with for 21 years... and longer.
Happy Anniversary, Mikie! I'm looking forward to our anniversary celebration.
NOTE: Mike and I never exchange gifts. We exchange cards. Ever since our first anniversary, we've always gone to a nice hotel and had dinner and maybe gone to a movie. Even if we stay in town, it is just such a treat. Some people think it's silly to stay 20 minutes from home, but it's a gift we give each other, and over the years it's one of those things we look forward to all year long. On our 10th and 20th anniversaries, we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Charleston, South Carolina, respectively. I highly recommend getting away for an entire night (even before you have kids... but especially after you have kids).
Part 5 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
What do I look for in a good State Park?
Do you know how real estate agents will tell you the three most important things to look for in real estate are LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION? I bet you know what I'm going to say before I even write it down... BATHHOUSE, BATHHOUSE, BATHHOUSE!
Really, everyone is going to look for different things. We like nice, shady wooded areas. We always like to go somewhere near a lake. And we do want to go somewhere that has fairly decent bathhouses. If the bathhouse is not good, we will not be going back. That's what they call a deal breaker.
You'll just have to decide what's important to your family. Do you have a boat? Do you like to fish? Do you love to hike? Do you want to be near a city with restaurants and shopping? Do you want to be close to home in case of inclement weather? Do you want a campground that has a nice playground for the little ones?
After you answer those questions, start talking to people and checking on the campgrounds near your home. You'll make some mistakes, but eventually you'll find one that will probably become your favorite. Again, while you are looking for YOUR campground, flexibility is key.
Here's the list I mentioned earlier.
Complete Guide to Summer Camping
Air Mattress or Camp Pad
Camera and Film
Camp Stove
Coffee Pot
Compass
Cooking Utensils
Cooler (2) One for Food; One for Drinks
Cot
Daypack or Fannypack
Dishpan and Pot Scrubber
Eating Utensils
First Aid Kit
Flares/Mirror (We've never had to use flares. We're not so adventurous we would get lost in the woods!)
Flashlight for Each Camper
Folding Chair or Stool
Fuel for Stoves and Lanterns
Games and Books
Griddle
Ground Cloth or Tarp
Hand Axe or Saw (I didn't have time to tell you the axe story, did I? Hmmm. Maybe another time!)
Ice
Insect Repellent
Jug of Water
Knife
Lantern
Lighter or Matches
Mantles for Lanterns
Maps
Paper Towels
Plastic Zip Bags
Radio and Batteries
Rope, Cord or Wire
Small Folding Shovel (For burying dead fish!)
Sleeping Bags
Soap
Sunscreen
Tablecloth
Tent
Tool Kit, Hammer, Mallet
Toilet Paper
Trash Bags
Water Purifying System (We use the old fashioned water bottle.)
Whistle (DO NOT give your child a whistle in a CAMPGROUND. The other campers will do bodily harm to a kid riding a bike or a scooter tooting a whistle all day. The whistle is for hiking use only.)
Well, it's been a fun week. I hope you have a wonderful weekend... even if it isn't your anniversary. Make the time you have with your family count. Don't waste a minute.
I'll talk to you on Monday!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Camping Story #5 - One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish
Good Thursday morning!
First things first, thank you, Jennifer, for my Fireproof coupon. I'll be using it next Tuesday. I like that magazine, too, but I didn't pick up the February issue.
Secondly, LeAnna, is NCIS a good show? I've never seen it! I absolutely cannot add another show to my season... but I will put in a good word for you in my School Board letter!
As Camping Week wears down, I find that I am exhausted. Just talking about all the trips wears me out. But it's a good kind of tired when you come back from a camping trip, and you do eventually recover from it!
Camping Story #5 - One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish
Ahh, Guntersville. Our favorite campground. Familiar, familiar, familiar. We even got in our regular Section... close enough to see the lake and enjoy the benefits thereof, but even closer to the bathhouse!
We had gone camping with other families from our church, and we were busy just watching kids on bikes, kids on scooters, kids playing ball, kids walking along the lake borders, kids getting really, really dirty... you get the picture. Kids having a ball!
As always, our attention was mainly on the now five year-olds as they went hither and yon. (Have you noticed the more familiar a child becomes with a place, the more courageous they are exploring said place? That's what we were having to really watch for. We had been to Guntersville several times now, and the familiarity was almost against us... almost like being in our own backyard, but not child-proof in any way, shape or form.)
We could see their little heads as they picked up rocks and threw them into the water. We were pleased they were obeying and no wading was taking place... but we knew not to take our eyes off them.
There they went. They were bending over. I wondered what on earth... Between the two friends they carried something large and cumbersome. They would bend over and put it down and then get a new grip on it before hoisting it up between them again. They were walking toward us, and we waited to see what they had discovered!
Into the campsite they marched, red-cheeked and breathless, holding onto their prize. It was a huge (and I mean bigger than the pigeon that landed on my head) fish. And the problem they had carrying it had nothing to do with the fact it was fighting them or wiggling or anything normal like that. It was a huge dead fish. Ugh!
"Look what we caught!" they excitedly said.
"Well, I don't know if 'caught' is the right word," I said.
"We did catch it," they claimed indignantly.
Uh-oh. I had offended them. "Well, that is certainly one big, dead fish," I said smiling.
"We want to cook it and eat it," they demanded.
"Uh, I don't think so. I think there's a rule about eating a fish that's dead when you catch it," I said, hoping they would buy that one.
"Oh," they replied looking at their catch.
One of the dads came up at that point and walked back to the side of the lake with them to dispose of the giant dead fish. (But not before I got a picture of the two boys with their "catch" of the day.)
"Well, that was pretty gross," the moms all agreed.
We settled back into our positions of watching the kids all around us, and special attention was given to the five year-olds once again walking along the lake. There they went. They were bending over. They held something huge between them and started walking toward us. I didn't have to wonder what it was.
If possible, this dead fish was bigger than the first. "Guys, what did we say about picking up dead fish?" I asked.
"We're pretty sure this one was alive when we picked it up. Can we cook it and eat it?" was the sly reply.
"I'm no expert, boys, but that fish has been dead for quite a while. No, we will not cook it and eat it! Take it back, wash your hands UP TO YOUR ELBOWS and stop picking up dead fish!"
Now I was getting worried as to why so many dead fish were showing up on the banks of Lake Guntersville. That couldn't be good. (One more picture to remember the "Year of the Dead Fish" and off they went.)
Again, we settled down. I was staring a hole into the back of the five year-olds' heads. Hands on hips, they were in deep discussion. Glances over their shoulders to see if we were indeed watching them. More discussion. And then I guess it was more than their five year-old little bodies could take.
There they were. They were bending over. This time they came up easily and started the walk toward the camp... each holding one small dead fish. For them to be so forthcoming about turning themselves in, I knew the discussions had brought forth what they thought was a reasonable explanation as to why they had disobeyed us for a third time.
They stopped in front of me. I went ahead and took the picture before they started talking, because when you punish a child, it kind of takes away from it if you start posing them right after you lower the boom.
"We just wanted to know what the difference is in catching the fish with our hands, and taking a fishing pole and catching them with that? The fish are going to die right after we get them out of the water anyway, right?"
Good one. "Yes. That's right. But for fish to be floating on top of the water at the edge of the lake means something is wrong with them. They could be sick or something, because a normal fish does not float on top of the water at the edge of the lake." Could I make myself more clear!
"So you're saying we can't eat these fish because they were sick before they died?" one of them asked.
"Yes! Yes! These are not healthy fish! This is not a healthy hobby! This is not like fishing with a pole from the dock! This is bad!" They were finally getting it.
They dropped the fish like they were poison. Since I thought the point had been made, I didn't want them to pick them back up and take them back to the lake. (I'd get Mikie to do that!) But I did tell them once again to wash their hands UP TO THEIR ELBOWS and never touch another dead fish again.
Communication is so important in parenting, isn't it? However, when I got the pictures back, I gave a set to each one. They were pretty proud of the giant fish they had "caught." I think they were much bigger than they remembered.
And after years and years of fishing, Josh has never "caught" one as big as the one he picked up with his buddy those many years ago. It's kind of sad really.
Maybe I should have had them mounted!
Part 4 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
Tent vs. pop-up camper?
So your first camping trip was a huge success. Everything went great. You loved it. Your spouse loved it. The kids loved it. But wouldn't it be better to camp in something you could use all year round. Something you could pack a set of kitchen things and linens in and be ready in a moment's notice to head to the great outdoors? Yes. That is a question you must ask yourself.
Do we stay in a tent, or do we invest in a pop-up camper?
We've never used a pop-up although we've had an opportunity here and there to try one out. I personally like the tent and the four months a year we camp. However, I know many, many people who like to go camping during the heat of the summer months, as well as in the colder months, too. A pop-up will allow you more flexibility as to when you can camp (with fans, heaters, and more protection from the weather). A rainy night and day in a tent is a little different than in a pop-up.
Also, people we know who use campers enjoy the kitchen facilities and sometimes even the bathroom facilities they may come with.
You just have to ask yourself if you're going to camp enough for the investment. A tent is very inexpensive in comparison to the pop-up, but if you're in it for the long haul, and some of you will be, you'll recoup your money with a pop-up.
I would suggest you camp several times in a tent before purchasing the camper. That will help prove to yourself that you are committed to camping long term and not just for a couple of years.
Also, there are always pop-up campers and larger campers for sale in the paper. It's not hard to buy a used one from people who have outgrown camping or have just gotten too busy to continue to camp.
Before you make the decision, just take a while to think about it. Our decision to stay in a tent had much to do with wanting to one day buy a boat (which we did after eight years of camping). What we would have invested in the camper went straight to the boat, and the last four years we have enjoyed taking it with us on our spring trips, as well as just going to the lake on Saturday or Sunday afternoons to go tubing or fishing.
Everyone is different. There's not a right or wrong answer to this question. It's just what you feel your family would enjoy more. (And a lot of people have more time in the summer to camp than in the spring or fall months with school being out.)
That being said, tune in tomorrow for our final installment of Camp Week.
Also, I'll have my little commercial/announcement at the beginning of the blog, as well as the story of "Me and Mikie" on Friday's blog, our 21st anniversary.
Have a wonderful Thursday! (Who's favorite day of the week is it?) I'll talk to you tomorrow.
First things first, thank you, Jennifer, for my Fireproof coupon. I'll be using it next Tuesday. I like that magazine, too, but I didn't pick up the February issue.
Secondly, LeAnna, is NCIS a good show? I've never seen it! I absolutely cannot add another show to my season... but I will put in a good word for you in my School Board letter!
As Camping Week wears down, I find that I am exhausted. Just talking about all the trips wears me out. But it's a good kind of tired when you come back from a camping trip, and you do eventually recover from it!
Camping Story #5 - One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish
Ahh, Guntersville. Our favorite campground. Familiar, familiar, familiar. We even got in our regular Section... close enough to see the lake and enjoy the benefits thereof, but even closer to the bathhouse!
We had gone camping with other families from our church, and we were busy just watching kids on bikes, kids on scooters, kids playing ball, kids walking along the lake borders, kids getting really, really dirty... you get the picture. Kids having a ball!
As always, our attention was mainly on the now five year-olds as they went hither and yon. (Have you noticed the more familiar a child becomes with a place, the more courageous they are exploring said place? That's what we were having to really watch for. We had been to Guntersville several times now, and the familiarity was almost against us... almost like being in our own backyard, but not child-proof in any way, shape or form.)
We could see their little heads as they picked up rocks and threw them into the water. We were pleased they were obeying and no wading was taking place... but we knew not to take our eyes off them.
There they went. They were bending over. I wondered what on earth... Between the two friends they carried something large and cumbersome. They would bend over and put it down and then get a new grip on it before hoisting it up between them again. They were walking toward us, and we waited to see what they had discovered!
Into the campsite they marched, red-cheeked and breathless, holding onto their prize. It was a huge (and I mean bigger than the pigeon that landed on my head) fish. And the problem they had carrying it had nothing to do with the fact it was fighting them or wiggling or anything normal like that. It was a huge dead fish. Ugh!
"Look what we caught!" they excitedly said.
"Well, I don't know if 'caught' is the right word," I said.
"We did catch it," they claimed indignantly.
Uh-oh. I had offended them. "Well, that is certainly one big, dead fish," I said smiling.
"We want to cook it and eat it," they demanded.
"Uh, I don't think so. I think there's a rule about eating a fish that's dead when you catch it," I said, hoping they would buy that one.
"Oh," they replied looking at their catch.
One of the dads came up at that point and walked back to the side of the lake with them to dispose of the giant dead fish. (But not before I got a picture of the two boys with their "catch" of the day.)
"Well, that was pretty gross," the moms all agreed.
We settled back into our positions of watching the kids all around us, and special attention was given to the five year-olds once again walking along the lake. There they went. They were bending over. They held something huge between them and started walking toward us. I didn't have to wonder what it was.
If possible, this dead fish was bigger than the first. "Guys, what did we say about picking up dead fish?" I asked.
"We're pretty sure this one was alive when we picked it up. Can we cook it and eat it?" was the sly reply.
"I'm no expert, boys, but that fish has been dead for quite a while. No, we will not cook it and eat it! Take it back, wash your hands UP TO YOUR ELBOWS and stop picking up dead fish!"
Now I was getting worried as to why so many dead fish were showing up on the banks of Lake Guntersville. That couldn't be good. (One more picture to remember the "Year of the Dead Fish" and off they went.)
Again, we settled down. I was staring a hole into the back of the five year-olds' heads. Hands on hips, they were in deep discussion. Glances over their shoulders to see if we were indeed watching them. More discussion. And then I guess it was more than their five year-old little bodies could take.
There they were. They were bending over. This time they came up easily and started the walk toward the camp... each holding one small dead fish. For them to be so forthcoming about turning themselves in, I knew the discussions had brought forth what they thought was a reasonable explanation as to why they had disobeyed us for a third time.
They stopped in front of me. I went ahead and took the picture before they started talking, because when you punish a child, it kind of takes away from it if you start posing them right after you lower the boom.
"We just wanted to know what the difference is in catching the fish with our hands, and taking a fishing pole and catching them with that? The fish are going to die right after we get them out of the water anyway, right?"
Good one. "Yes. That's right. But for fish to be floating on top of the water at the edge of the lake means something is wrong with them. They could be sick or something, because a normal fish does not float on top of the water at the edge of the lake." Could I make myself more clear!
"So you're saying we can't eat these fish because they were sick before they died?" one of them asked.
"Yes! Yes! These are not healthy fish! This is not a healthy hobby! This is not like fishing with a pole from the dock! This is bad!" They were finally getting it.
They dropped the fish like they were poison. Since I thought the point had been made, I didn't want them to pick them back up and take them back to the lake. (I'd get Mikie to do that!) But I did tell them once again to wash their hands UP TO THEIR ELBOWS and never touch another dead fish again.
Communication is so important in parenting, isn't it? However, when I got the pictures back, I gave a set to each one. They were pretty proud of the giant fish they had "caught." I think they were much bigger than they remembered.
And after years and years of fishing, Josh has never "caught" one as big as the one he picked up with his buddy those many years ago. It's kind of sad really.
Maybe I should have had them mounted!
Part 4 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
Tent vs. pop-up camper?
So your first camping trip was a huge success. Everything went great. You loved it. Your spouse loved it. The kids loved it. But wouldn't it be better to camp in something you could use all year round. Something you could pack a set of kitchen things and linens in and be ready in a moment's notice to head to the great outdoors? Yes. That is a question you must ask yourself.
Do we stay in a tent, or do we invest in a pop-up camper?
We've never used a pop-up although we've had an opportunity here and there to try one out. I personally like the tent and the four months a year we camp. However, I know many, many people who like to go camping during the heat of the summer months, as well as in the colder months, too. A pop-up will allow you more flexibility as to when you can camp (with fans, heaters, and more protection from the weather). A rainy night and day in a tent is a little different than in a pop-up.
Also, people we know who use campers enjoy the kitchen facilities and sometimes even the bathroom facilities they may come with.
You just have to ask yourself if you're going to camp enough for the investment. A tent is very inexpensive in comparison to the pop-up, but if you're in it for the long haul, and some of you will be, you'll recoup your money with a pop-up.
I would suggest you camp several times in a tent before purchasing the camper. That will help prove to yourself that you are committed to camping long term and not just for a couple of years.
Also, there are always pop-up campers and larger campers for sale in the paper. It's not hard to buy a used one from people who have outgrown camping or have just gotten too busy to continue to camp.
Before you make the decision, just take a while to think about it. Our decision to stay in a tent had much to do with wanting to one day buy a boat (which we did after eight years of camping). What we would have invested in the camper went straight to the boat, and the last four years we have enjoyed taking it with us on our spring trips, as well as just going to the lake on Saturday or Sunday afternoons to go tubing or fishing.
Everyone is different. There's not a right or wrong answer to this question. It's just what you feel your family would enjoy more. (And a lot of people have more time in the summer to camp than in the spring or fall months with school being out.)
That being said, tune in tomorrow for our final installment of Camp Week.
Also, I'll have my little commercial/announcement at the beginning of the blog, as well as the story of "Me and Mikie" on Friday's blog, our 21st anniversary.
Have a wonderful Thursday! (Who's favorite day of the week is it?) I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Camping Story #4 - Our First Camping Trip Ever
Good Wednesday morning!
Things are warming up here in Alabama. We're going to be in the 40s today... and that's how we Alabamians like our winters. If it isn't going to snow 2 to 3" (with electricity uninterrupted), we aren't really interested in the 20 and 30 degree stuff. The 40s are fine... just right for wearing attractive sweaters and light-weight jackets.
A few announcements before we get into our next Camping Story. Lost starts this Wednesday night. Survivor starts February 12. Amazing Race begins February 15. Austin and I watched 24 Monday night, and it really delivered. (I promise. If I was expecting right now and it was a boy, I would name him Jack Bauer... not just Jack. Jack Bauer. And that's what I'd call him in the grocery store, at church and at school... Jack Bauer Faulkner.) Personally, I like things spread out a little more. I also do not care for all the homework that interferes with our Lost/Survivor/Amazing Race/24/Jon and Kate Plus 8 schedule. I'm thinking about writing a letter to the School Board. I'll let you know the outcome.
For the next three months or so, it is going to be TV dating for the Faulkners. Economically, very good. Mikie will still do the breakfast dating, and in February he has some special dates planned with the guys, but my dance card is pretty full!
I'm thinking about planning a theme dinner night to go with each of our favorite shows.
Lost -- We would have fish and a lot of fruit... you know, island food.
Jon and Kate -- I would make an "organic" dinner... whatever the heck that is.
Survivor -- It would probably be a repeat of the Lost food... except we would add rice and leave the table hungry.
Amazing Race -- We would eat things like octopus heads and drink goat milk.
24 -- We would probably just eat a pack of peanut butter crackers and drink a Red Bull. I don't know if they ever eat on that show. That's probably the theme dinner I'll enjoy the most... little, or no preparation!
Well, enough of my ramblings. Let's move on to our Camping Story.
Camping Story #4 - Our First Camping Trip Ever
We decided to bite the bullet and take our little family camping. Austin was five and Josh was three. Roxie was a toddling baby, so we decided to leave her at her grandparents' house. In my mind, if everything went well, she could start camping when she turned three. (Actually, I was hoping she was going to be a prissy little thing who didn't like camping, and on camping weekends while the guys were out and about, she and I would have manicures and shop and watch chick flicks, etc. That dream never came true... but that's another story.)
With another family who had boys our boys' ages, we planned our very first camping trip. Oak Mountain was our destination... only 35 short minutes from home. We planned a weekend in May (usually a mild month in Alabama). We borrowed the tent and gathered the rest of the equipment from different places.
We arrived at the campground mid-afternoon, picked out our spots and started for the first time ever to set up camp. The boys were thrilled. They had brought their box of dinosaurs (a camping must), other various toys and they had each other in the woods. They were happy. Near our campsite was a large branch which was semi-broken and hanging from a tree almost touching the ground. Our guys were just the right weight NOT to break the branch, and it was like having a tire swing in our back door. They had a ball playing on the almost broken tree branch.
While we were setting up camp, the three year-olds needed to go to use the bathroom and rather than walking all the way to the bathhouse, the dads told them to do what all little boys love to do... skip the bathhouse and find a tree. Life was good.
After camp was set up, we all walked down to the lake to let the boys wade. We hadn't planned on swimming, and we hadn't really packed a lot of extra clothes... plus, if your three year-old swims that means mom has to be ready to swim. We, as the moms, had definitely not packed our swimsuits.
We were very specific in our instructions "to wade" and "not swim." We even went so far as to explain, "Do not put your head in the water. Do not let the water get above your knees. Do you understand?" There was a lot of nodding going on.
And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... go completely under the water. Right in front of the parents who had just told him "Do not put your head in the water!" He came out the water, and flashed another smile.
We've all been there. You tell your child not to do something, and they decide to disobey you then and there... and smile at you. He was quickly punished, and we were on our way to the campsite. We had handed all the boys water bottles. "Drink it all. Do not pour it out. Do not waste the water." And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... pour the water out of the water bottle onto the street.
Sputtering, the dad of this particular three year-old uttered the punishment then and there.
"NO WATER OR DRINKS FOR YOU THE REST OF THE TRIP!"
Don't get self-righteous on me. We've all done the same thing before. I've told my kids they could never go outside again; never have ice cream again; never watch TV again; never... well, you get the picture. Parenting is hard on the best day... and three year-old boys... WHEW!
"What are we going to do?" I asked the other mom as we walked back to camp. "He'll be dehydrated if he doesn't get to drink until we leave tomorrow."
"I know. I know," she replied. I could see the wheels turning and she walked up to her husband and whispering began.
"We've figured it out," she said as she dropped back to walk beside me.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"We're going to give him mercy," she replied.
"Oh. Yeah, that will work," I said. Actually, I didn't know what in the world she was talking about.
When we got back to the campsite, Dad and mischievous three year-old boy went to a picnic table to sit down and talk. A few minutes later, hugs were exchanged and the the little boy came up to me. "May I have a drink, please?" he asked.
"Well, what did Mom and Dad say?"
"They said it was okay. I got mercy," he said simply... and I handed him a bottled water.
Mom and Dad had turned the whole incident into a devotion. Every day we do things we are not supposed to do, and this does not please God. But God has mercy on all of us, sinners that we are, and forgives us when we ask. This little guy had asked for forgiveness and, in return, had received mercy (a/k/a bottled water).
Of course, just like all of us (adults, too), mercy isn't given just once and that's it. We need it time and time again as we go through our daily lives. What a great lesson.
And by the way, the three year-olds ALMOST made it to bedtime before mercy had to be bestowed upon them yet again.
Our first camping trip was short, memorable and went well enough we were hooked. I hope your first camping trip will be just as pleasant and fun to get you over the fear of sleeping in the woods, using questionable bathhouses, and hearing noises you cannot identify in the middle of the night.
Tomorrow will be Camping Story #5. I like to call this one "One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish." (You're probably saying, "That's not how Dr. Seuss says it." You're right. The story is a little different.)
Part 3 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
When is the best time to tent-camp?
As tent campers, I enjoy camping in March/April and October/November. In a tent, weather is always a major consideration. In Central Alabama, anything can happen during those four months, but in general, they do appear to be the mildest of the year. While spring camping is fun, I prefer fall camping... not just because I am an autumn nut, but because the bugs seem to be a little bit under control. There are very few yellow jackets out late October and early November.
We have been in the months mentioned above and it has been horribly cold, terribly windy, unseasonably warm, etc. Again, flexibility is key... that and a check with your local meteorologist. We've changed a three-nighter to a two-nighter because we wanted to avoid a night of thunderstorms. And, unfortunately, we have had to cancel altogether once or twice because of the weather.
Always, always have a back-up weekend in mind.
We determined early on to camp AT LEAST once a year. We were afraid if we missed a year, it would be that much harder to start back. By making that vow, so far we have been at least once a year for 12 years... and many years, two or three times.
Having a senior in high school this year, we have again scheduled a camping trip during Spring Break. We know Austin may or may not be able to camp with us this fall. And, he could very well have other plans next spring. Things are changing as our family continues growing up. But nothing can replace the memories we've already made... and we'll just keep trying. Sometimes it may be Four Faulkners and sometimes it may be Three Faulkners. But maybe, just maybe, sometimes it will still be the Fabulous Faulkner Five.
Have a happy Wednesday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Things are warming up here in Alabama. We're going to be in the 40s today... and that's how we Alabamians like our winters. If it isn't going to snow 2 to 3" (with electricity uninterrupted), we aren't really interested in the 20 and 30 degree stuff. The 40s are fine... just right for wearing attractive sweaters and light-weight jackets.
A few announcements before we get into our next Camping Story. Lost starts this Wednesday night. Survivor starts February 12. Amazing Race begins February 15. Austin and I watched 24 Monday night, and it really delivered. (I promise. If I was expecting right now and it was a boy, I would name him Jack Bauer... not just Jack. Jack Bauer. And that's what I'd call him in the grocery store, at church and at school... Jack Bauer Faulkner.) Personally, I like things spread out a little more. I also do not care for all the homework that interferes with our Lost/Survivor/Amazing Race/24/Jon and Kate Plus 8 schedule. I'm thinking about writing a letter to the School Board. I'll let you know the outcome.
For the next three months or so, it is going to be TV dating for the Faulkners. Economically, very good. Mikie will still do the breakfast dating, and in February he has some special dates planned with the guys, but my dance card is pretty full!
I'm thinking about planning a theme dinner night to go with each of our favorite shows.
Lost -- We would have fish and a lot of fruit... you know, island food.
Jon and Kate -- I would make an "organic" dinner... whatever the heck that is.
Survivor -- It would probably be a repeat of the Lost food... except we would add rice and leave the table hungry.
Amazing Race -- We would eat things like octopus heads and drink goat milk.
24 -- We would probably just eat a pack of peanut butter crackers and drink a Red Bull. I don't know if they ever eat on that show. That's probably the theme dinner I'll enjoy the most... little, or no preparation!
Well, enough of my ramblings. Let's move on to our Camping Story.
Camping Story #4 - Our First Camping Trip Ever
We decided to bite the bullet and take our little family camping. Austin was five and Josh was three. Roxie was a toddling baby, so we decided to leave her at her grandparents' house. In my mind, if everything went well, she could start camping when she turned three. (Actually, I was hoping she was going to be a prissy little thing who didn't like camping, and on camping weekends while the guys were out and about, she and I would have manicures and shop and watch chick flicks, etc. That dream never came true... but that's another story.)
With another family who had boys our boys' ages, we planned our very first camping trip. Oak Mountain was our destination... only 35 short minutes from home. We planned a weekend in May (usually a mild month in Alabama). We borrowed the tent and gathered the rest of the equipment from different places.
We arrived at the campground mid-afternoon, picked out our spots and started for the first time ever to set up camp. The boys were thrilled. They had brought their box of dinosaurs (a camping must), other various toys and they had each other in the woods. They were happy. Near our campsite was a large branch which was semi-broken and hanging from a tree almost touching the ground. Our guys were just the right weight NOT to break the branch, and it was like having a tire swing in our back door. They had a ball playing on the almost broken tree branch.
While we were setting up camp, the three year-olds needed to go to use the bathroom and rather than walking all the way to the bathhouse, the dads told them to do what all little boys love to do... skip the bathhouse and find a tree. Life was good.
After camp was set up, we all walked down to the lake to let the boys wade. We hadn't planned on swimming, and we hadn't really packed a lot of extra clothes... plus, if your three year-old swims that means mom has to be ready to swim. We, as the moms, had definitely not packed our swimsuits.
We were very specific in our instructions "to wade" and "not swim." We even went so far as to explain, "Do not put your head in the water. Do not let the water get above your knees. Do you understand?" There was a lot of nodding going on.
And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... go completely under the water. Right in front of the parents who had just told him "Do not put your head in the water!" He came out the water, and flashed another smile.
We've all been there. You tell your child not to do something, and they decide to disobey you then and there... and smile at you. He was quickly punished, and we were on our way to the campsite. We had handed all the boys water bottles. "Drink it all. Do not pour it out. Do not waste the water." And then, Joshua's partner in crime at the time, smiled the smile three year-old boys smile right before they... pour the water out of the water bottle onto the street.
Sputtering, the dad of this particular three year-old uttered the punishment then and there.
"NO WATER OR DRINKS FOR YOU THE REST OF THE TRIP!"
Don't get self-righteous on me. We've all done the same thing before. I've told my kids they could never go outside again; never have ice cream again; never watch TV again; never... well, you get the picture. Parenting is hard on the best day... and three year-old boys... WHEW!
"What are we going to do?" I asked the other mom as we walked back to camp. "He'll be dehydrated if he doesn't get to drink until we leave tomorrow."
"I know. I know," she replied. I could see the wheels turning and she walked up to her husband and whispering began.
"We've figured it out," she said as she dropped back to walk beside me.
"What are you going to do?" I asked.
"We're going to give him mercy," she replied.
"Oh. Yeah, that will work," I said. Actually, I didn't know what in the world she was talking about.
When we got back to the campsite, Dad and mischievous three year-old boy went to a picnic table to sit down and talk. A few minutes later, hugs were exchanged and the the little boy came up to me. "May I have a drink, please?" he asked.
"Well, what did Mom and Dad say?"
"They said it was okay. I got mercy," he said simply... and I handed him a bottled water.
Mom and Dad had turned the whole incident into a devotion. Every day we do things we are not supposed to do, and this does not please God. But God has mercy on all of us, sinners that we are, and forgives us when we ask. This little guy had asked for forgiveness and, in return, had received mercy (a/k/a bottled water).
Of course, just like all of us (adults, too), mercy isn't given just once and that's it. We need it time and time again as we go through our daily lives. What a great lesson.
And by the way, the three year-olds ALMOST made it to bedtime before mercy had to be bestowed upon them yet again.
Our first camping trip was short, memorable and went well enough we were hooked. I hope your first camping trip will be just as pleasant and fun to get you over the fear of sleeping in the woods, using questionable bathhouses, and hearing noises you cannot identify in the middle of the night.
Tomorrow will be Camping Story #5. I like to call this one "One Fish, Red Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish." (You're probably saying, "That's not how Dr. Seuss says it." You're right. The story is a little different.)
Part 3 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
When is the best time to tent-camp?
As tent campers, I enjoy camping in March/April and October/November. In a tent, weather is always a major consideration. In Central Alabama, anything can happen during those four months, but in general, they do appear to be the mildest of the year. While spring camping is fun, I prefer fall camping... not just because I am an autumn nut, but because the bugs seem to be a little bit under control. There are very few yellow jackets out late October and early November.
We have been in the months mentioned above and it has been horribly cold, terribly windy, unseasonably warm, etc. Again, flexibility is key... that and a check with your local meteorologist. We've changed a three-nighter to a two-nighter because we wanted to avoid a night of thunderstorms. And, unfortunately, we have had to cancel altogether once or twice because of the weather.
Always, always have a back-up weekend in mind.
We determined early on to camp AT LEAST once a year. We were afraid if we missed a year, it would be that much harder to start back. By making that vow, so far we have been at least once a year for 12 years... and many years, two or three times.
Having a senior in high school this year, we have again scheduled a camping trip during Spring Break. We know Austin may or may not be able to camp with us this fall. And, he could very well have other plans next spring. Things are changing as our family continues growing up. But nothing can replace the memories we've already made... and we'll just keep trying. Sometimes it may be Four Faulkners and sometimes it may be Three Faulkners. But maybe, just maybe, sometimes it will still be the Fabulous Faulkner Five.
Have a happy Wednesday, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Camping Story #3 - Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
Good Tuesday morning!
Sorry about the long, long post yesterday. That will probably be the longest of the five (I hope), but going camping is not a spontaneous act. Preparation is key.
I've posted the bowling pictures from Katie's 15th Cousin Birthday Party. We are not great bowlers, but the Faulkner/Martin clan are definitely passionate bowlers. Of all six of the kids, Katie is the most fun to play any game with... she smiles if she loses, she squeals if she wins... she enjoys the game -- not the outcome. She makes any game (even bowling) so much fun... and I keep hoping that GOOD attitude will rub off on my three. Not yet... but still hoping!
I have a little commercial/announcement for Friday morning for all the women out there, so if you read nothing else this week, come back Friday for a little peek.
Now, on with Camping Story #3!
Camping Story #3 - Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
A year or two AFTER the Georgia fiasco, we did indeed decide to try another out-of-state camping trip with the family we usually camped with. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great state of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm!
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we set out on our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long a drive is it from the campground?"
"About five minutes give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER: If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Are these stories hurting or helping? Are they strengthening your resolve to never camp, or are they getting you excited about this spring when you can begin camping? I can tell you one thing... good or bad, our family has always come away from these trips closer and with a bond that has lasted over the years. Every camping experience is different, but one thing remains the same... you're in it together and that makes you a stronger "family unit."
Tomorrow I'll share Camping Story #4 - Our First Trip Ever.
Part 2 - How To Camp With Your Family and Survive
Where do we need to camp for the first time?
Some people will tell you to set up camp in your own backyard. We had done this before, but to really get the total camping experience, you need to be AWAY from your home and the conveniences there. Anyone can survive a backyard camp out. If things get rough, unless you lock yourself outside, you can open the door and you have your bathroom, clean clothes, and your refrigerator. (And a TV and movies and all the other trappings of home.) In the woods, it's you vs. the elements. Will you survive? Will you come across wildlife (and I don't mean a teenage boy Sunday School Class outing)? Will you run out of food and have to eat bark and berries? Not if you're in your backyard!
Since we live in Alabama, we can call 1-800-ALA-PARK and get a recording of all the State Parks. We are fortunate we have one only 35 minutes away, as well as several others two hours away and under. As I mentioned previously, our first camp out was the closest state park we could find. Also, it was just one night. We have plenty of memories from this camping trip, but we found for the work involved in packing up and then setting up a campsite, we wanted to stay a minimum of two nights/maximum of three nights to really enjoy the experience.
In Alabama, we have camped at Oak Mountain (1 time), Guntersville (too many times to count), Wind Creek (4 or 5 times), Rickwood Caverns (1 time), and Tannehill (2 or 3 times). Guntersville is the one we go back to time and again. We love the campsite, the lake, the deer at night, the roads which are great for bike riding, the hiking trails, the tennis courts, basketball courts, etc., etc. It is where we are most comfortable, but everyone has different criteria for what makes a campground their favorite.
Again, I would suggest that closest is best, and one night is plenty to get a taste of what camping is all about.
NOTE: Some of the best pictures you will ever take will be in the morning when the sun is coming up before the kids are awake. The light is perfect in the tent to get pictures of the kids sleeping. Get as close to their faces as you can. Great pictures!
Tomorrow we will be answering the question, "When is the best time to tent-camp?"
I hope you have a great Tuesday. Talk to you soon.
Sorry about the long, long post yesterday. That will probably be the longest of the five (I hope), but going camping is not a spontaneous act. Preparation is key.
I've posted the bowling pictures from Katie's 15th Cousin Birthday Party. We are not great bowlers, but the Faulkner/Martin clan are definitely passionate bowlers. Of all six of the kids, Katie is the most fun to play any game with... she smiles if she loses, she squeals if she wins... she enjoys the game -- not the outcome. She makes any game (even bowling) so much fun... and I keep hoping that GOOD attitude will rub off on my three. Not yet... but still hoping!
I have a little commercial/announcement for Friday morning for all the women out there, so if you read nothing else this week, come back Friday for a little peek.
Now, on with Camping Story #3!
Camping Story #3 - Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
A year or two AFTER the Georgia fiasco, we did indeed decide to try another out-of-state camping trip with the family we usually camped with. Roxie was three or four, so she was along for this one. We went to a campground in the beautiful state of Tennessee known for it's hiking trails, waterfalls and beautiful foliage. The pictures on the brochure were lovely, picturesque even, and we looked forward to spending a fall weekend in the great state of Tennessee.
When we arrived, we were surprised to see the "set-up" of the campground. There was a huge circle and campers set up tents and pop-ups under trees as you went around the circle. In the middle of the huge circle, across a grassy field, was the BATHHOUSE. There were no trees in between the tent and the BATHHOUSE, but it was still quite a little hike. However, the campsites were great. Picnic tables intact, fire pits ready to go, level spots to pitch the tents. We were excited.
As the guys got busy with unloading, Roxie, the other mom and I made our way to the BATHHOUSE to check it out. Oh, my! "Rustic" is a kind word to describe the facilities. Very kind.
"Well, maybe there's another bathhouse we can drive to and use," we reasoned. There was... and in comparison, it was a twin. Hmmm!
"Did you bring flip flops?" we both asked. We had, so once again, we decided to trade in the beautiful scenery and great weather for a less than perfect bathhouse. (MUCH less than perfect!)
The first night of our trip was peaceful and relaxing. The weather was great and after our trek to the Bathhouse in the Middle of Nowhere, we bedded down. We had planned on hiking to a waterfall the next day, so we knew we needed our rest.
The following day was gorgeous, and after breakfast we set out on our hike to the famous waterfall. On this hike, we had to go across a swinging bridge (always interesting), through creeks, and up the famous Tennessee mountains. When I say up, I mean up the entire way. We hiked forever... and then we hiked some more. Roxie and Grant (both three or four at the time) were troopers and thankfully, did not ask us to carry them. That would have been very difficult. Several hours later (or maybe just 90 minutes), we came upon the waterfall. Yes, it was beautiful. We looked at it for about five minutes.
Then we noticed how many people were with us looking at the waterfall. We hadn't hiked up the mountain with all these people. They weren't hot and sweaty. Some of the women even had on make-up and their hair was done. Some of them had the nerve to be wearing cute shoes, too! Who were these people? Where had they come from? Why were they looking at OUR waterfall?
So I asked, "Did you hike up here?"
"Uh, no. We drove," was the smug reply.
"What do you mean you drove?" I asked.
"There's a main road right over there." I turned around and there it was. A perfectly good paved road.
"Where did you come from?" I inquired.
"Oh, we're staying in a RV down at the campground," Miss Priss answered before she walked back to her BMW!
Before she could get back into her car, I yelled, "How long a drive is it from the campground?"
"About five minutes give or take a minute," she called over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
"I think I hate her," I mumbled to Mikie.
He assured me that 90 minutes up a mountain would translate into 30 minutes going down the mountain. That made sense. And at this point, hot, sticky and more than a little grumpy, what was 30 more minutes.
Down we went, and 60 minutes later (NOT 30), we were back at our campsite. We stayed in our little cluster of tents for the rest of the day hydrating ourselves.
On Sunday, we decided to just hang around our campsites and play which was fine with the six kids. But we started noticing something strange around the noon hour. It was like an exodus of some kind. Everyone was leaving.
"Well, just because Alabama has a three-day weekend doesn't mean Tennessee has a three-day weekend. Everyone has to go back to school and work tomorrow," Mikie reasoned.
That was fine, except by 2:00 p.m. we were IT. I mean NO ONE was left in the huge circular campsite. It was like we had been dropped off by a helicopter in the wilderness.
"Do we have a gun or a knife or a big stick or something in case there's a wild bear attack or a bunch of hillbillies descend upon us," I asked Mike.
"I have my pocket knife, and we have those plastic knives you bring to spread peanut butter," was my husband's reassuring answer.
"This could be a very long night."
And it was. Just the last walk to the bathhouse alone was unnerving because someone (one of the people leaving... probably Miss Priss) had turned all the bathhouse lights off before heading out, and we walked across a field in pitch blackness looking for the building. And, of course, when we found it, it hadn't changed a bit... still very gross.
We went to bed a little early, and I think the four adults slept with one eye open. (I was, again, unable to pass out and painfully aware of how vulnerable we were in the middle of nowhere with no communication or weaponry of any kind... unless you count throwing screaming children at whatever is attacking you as "weaponry.")
I have never been so happy to see the sun in all my life. We ate breakfast and packed up our campsite in record time to head home. Think, think, think of the Good Things from this trip.
Good Thing #1 - Roxie and Grant were WONDERFUL hikers. If they had been even a little less sturdy, it would have been the end of the adults as we took turns carrying them up to the top of the mountain.
Good Thing #2 - The waterfall was pretty... not Niagara, but pretty, just the same.
Good Thing #3 - We weren't bitten by any of the spiders in the bathhouse... and there were a lot of spiders in the bathhouse.
Good Thing #4 - We weren't attacked by any bears or hillbillies. I think this is huge.
Good Thing #5 - That's it. Once again, I did the best I could to come up with Good Things #1 through #4.
And for some reason or another, we have never even discussed camping in Tennessee again. I'm not sure, but I think it was the bathhouse. I may forget dates and events, but a bad bathhouse... that's burned on a woman's brain forever!
DISCLAIMER: If you are a hillbilly (or are related to a hillbilly), I meant no offense by the reference above. I'm just saying if a hillbilly had happened to come out of the woods in the dead of night in Tennessee in an abandoned campground, it would have been very, very frightening. (In all fairness, it would be frightening in Alabama and Georgia, too.) Again, no offense.
Are these stories hurting or helping? Are they strengthening your resolve to never camp, or are they getting you excited about this spring when you can begin camping? I can tell you one thing... good or bad, our family has always come away from these trips closer and with a bond that has lasted over the years. Every camping experience is different, but one thing remains the same... you're in it together and that makes you a stronger "family unit."
Tomorrow I'll share Camping Story #4 - Our First Trip Ever.
Part 2 - How To Camp With Your Family and Survive
Where do we need to camp for the first time?
Some people will tell you to set up camp in your own backyard. We had done this before, but to really get the total camping experience, you need to be AWAY from your home and the conveniences there. Anyone can survive a backyard camp out. If things get rough, unless you lock yourself outside, you can open the door and you have your bathroom, clean clothes, and your refrigerator. (And a TV and movies and all the other trappings of home.) In the woods, it's you vs. the elements. Will you survive? Will you come across wildlife (and I don't mean a teenage boy Sunday School Class outing)? Will you run out of food and have to eat bark and berries? Not if you're in your backyard!
Since we live in Alabama, we can call 1-800-ALA-PARK and get a recording of all the State Parks. We are fortunate we have one only 35 minutes away, as well as several others two hours away and under. As I mentioned previously, our first camp out was the closest state park we could find. Also, it was just one night. We have plenty of memories from this camping trip, but we found for the work involved in packing up and then setting up a campsite, we wanted to stay a minimum of two nights/maximum of three nights to really enjoy the experience.
In Alabama, we have camped at Oak Mountain (1 time), Guntersville (too many times to count), Wind Creek (4 or 5 times), Rickwood Caverns (1 time), and Tannehill (2 or 3 times). Guntersville is the one we go back to time and again. We love the campsite, the lake, the deer at night, the roads which are great for bike riding, the hiking trails, the tennis courts, basketball courts, etc., etc. It is where we are most comfortable, but everyone has different criteria for what makes a campground their favorite.
Again, I would suggest that closest is best, and one night is plenty to get a taste of what camping is all about.
NOTE: Some of the best pictures you will ever take will be in the morning when the sun is coming up before the kids are awake. The light is perfect in the tent to get pictures of the kids sleeping. Get as close to their faces as you can. Great pictures!
Tomorrow we will be answering the question, "When is the best time to tent-camp?"
I hope you have a great Tuesday. Talk to you soon.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Camping Story #2 - The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Good Monday morning!
I hope everyone had a good weekend. The best part is it isn't over yet! One more complete day! Life's good.
Welcome to Camp Week here on the old blog. I hope this week inspires some of you to try a little camping adventure of your own. Even if you just go one time, I assure you, it will be memorable. Next week, we'll get back to our regular schedule, because I still have a ton of "January" stuff to share with you.
I was so upset last week when we almost lost the puppies, I tried to take several pictures of them when Roxie came home to help, but I have never seen a more non-photogenic dog than Copper Faulkner. He has warm brown eyes, beautiful coloring, a well-proportioned body (even with a crooked front leg), but he takes the most goofy pictures I've ever seen. His eyes will be half-shut, his tongue looks a mile long and he is a constant blur. This in turn makes trying to photograph Sparkle difficult because she refuses to look at the camera while Copper is running crazy around the yard. Thus, it became a little weekend project to try to get a pretty picture of the two of them for the Gallery. You see the pictures. That's the best we can do!
I'll also be adding some pictures tonight of Katie's birthday bowling party. We were supposed to have her party Friday night, but she had a stomach bug. How ironic! You'll know what I mean in a few minutes after you read today's story.
The Showcase Pic of the Week is just Roxie and our Katie. It's so hard to believe she's 15 years-old.
Readership Number - I had a really good week. I had 165 hits on the blog. That number divided by seven days of the week means 23.5 hits per day. It's growing by little leaps and little bounds.
Camping Story #2 - The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (a/k/a The Night Mom Tried to Pass Out in Georgia)
We had been to Stone Mountain many times, but never on a camping trip. We planned a trip with two other families and headed for the park which is only two and half hours away. When we arrived, we were very pleased with what we saw. Beautiful campsites, places for the kids to ride their bikes, the lake within viewing and walking distance... and the best -- a brand new bathhouse. We pitched our tent as close as possible to the brand new bathhouse.
Everything was going well. The kids were playing great. We had a good dinner. We sat around the fire and told stories and ate s'mores. Josh, age five, ate too many s'mores... way too many s'mores.
It was time for bed, so we brushed our teeth and climbed into our nice, warm sleeping bags on our nice, soft air mattresses smelling of campfire smoke and other outdoorsy smells. Everyone dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. It's probably mean to say, but when you're in a tent, you can hear everyone and everything within ten campsites of your own tent... so in your heart of hearts you're kind of hoping it's a kid in someone else's tent. No such luck! "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were already climbing out of sleeping bags to assess the damage... and damage there was.
It was Josh. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked Mike feebly since he was already up and trying to find the lanterns.
"Nope. Just him, his sleeping bag and one coat." Minimal damage in camping terms.
Mike stripped Josh down, tossed him over to me for a change of PJs and illness assessment, and headed out the door with the bag, coat and Josh's clothes. (We decided to toss the PJs.) Mike spent an hour in the new bathhouse cleaning the nylon sleeping bag and the coat, and came back for the verdict.
"No fever. No stomachache. My professional opinion is too many s'mores."
"How many did he have?" Mike asked.
"I would have to say from the damage report... more than one or two." And then we slept. The next morning, Josh woke up happy and well, and we decided to count our blessings we did not have a stomach bug. (Not to mention, we gave him a s'more limit he was to abide by for the rest of his life -- 1 or 2 per sitting. NO MORE!)
We spent the day hiking, exploring and playing with the other families. It was a good day. We were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for our dinner, and I was setting the picnic table when I looked over at three year-old Grant. His flushed cheeks and droopy eyes could have been the result of playing hard all day, but there was something else... something I had seen before. "Grant, are you feeling... ," I started to ask... but never got to finish. Grant got sick all over the picnic table. I knew for a fact no s'mores had been eaten yet, so I feared this might be something more serious.
His mom came over to check him out and in our professional opinions, Grant had a stomach bug. As the dads cleaned the table, discussions were held as to what we should do. Grant's family decided to pack up and head to Alabama as quickly as possible so they could be home in the event other family members came down with the illness, also. One problem. It is not a five minute job to take down a tent and pack everything up, so it was decided Mike, Grant's mom and dad and all the boys available would help pack up... and I would hold and comfort sick little Grant.
I sat in a chair away from the commotion and held the feverish little boy for a little over an hour knowing the possibility of my catching his illness was going to be huge. (To this day, I can't hold a sick little boy and not kiss the top of his head, rub his back and whisper in his ear that everything is going to be okay.) So in my mind, I knew in just a few hours I, too, would be in the brand new bathhouse at Stone Mountain, Georgia throwing up. I just decided to "go with it."
We said good-bye to Grant and our friends about 10:30 that night, and once again headed to bed. No s'mores had been eaten. Everyone seemed to be feeling okay. I was feeling okay. Maybe, just maybe, we had dodged a bullet. We all dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. I'm sorry to say, I again hoped it was some other kid in some other tent down the way. And unfortunately it was not. "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were climbing out of our sleeping bags trying to assess damage. This time it was Austin. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked.
"Nope. Sleeping bag, two coats and PJs." Mike was already gathering everything to head to the bathhouse (Mike is a GREAT dad and husband), and I held a shaking, feverish little boy in my arms. This wasn't a case of too many s'mores. This was the dreaded stomach bug.
Mike and I decided to nickname our tent the "Death Tent," because... well, to be honest, it had lost that woodsy smell two nights earlier and things were not getting any better. We stayed up with Austin most of the night, and the next day he and I stayed in the brand new bathhouse while Josh and Mikie took our campsite down.
There really isn't a moral to this story. It was a weekend of just trying to survive... trying to have a good time in a really bad situation... being a family looking for the blessings in a series of very unfortunate events and living to tell the tale. If it had been our first camping experience, no doubt about it, it would have been our last. But we had several great camping trips under our belt, and we considered this one a little bump in road. I guess if we sat down and tried to think of the good things that weekend we could come up with one or two.
Good Thing #1 - No one ever got sick in our shoes. That was a biggie for me.
Good Thing #2 - No one else in our family got the stomach bug, which was pretty much a miracle considering our close quarters.
Good Thing #3 - We discovered at an early age that Josh can't hold his s'mores (and this fact has helped during other camping trips).
Good Thing #4 - I'm sorry. I think I'm going to have to stop at #3. I can't seem to think of Good Thing #4. (It's taken me ten years to think of Good Things #1 through #3.)
If you're wondering about the title of this story (The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia), we found Georgia is incredibly dark in the middle of the night in a campground when you're wandering around trying to clean sleeping bags and such. And part two of the title (The Night Mom Tried to Black Out in Georgia) refers to my inability to pass out until all the bad stuff stops happening. I'm just one of those people who is going to be painfully aware (and fully awake) of any situation I'm in -- good or bad. Not a very good trait as far as I'm concerned.
Tune in tomorrow for Camping Story #3 -Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
Part 1 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
What do I need to get started and how long should our first camping trip last?
Okay. This is strictly for people who have not started camping yet. And I am not the final source of information regarding camping start-up. Before your first try, talk to many people. Pick and choose what you think would be best for your family and go for it. "Perfect" is not a word you are striving for in a camping trip... especially your "first" camping trip. You want to "survive" and have several good memories. You don't need huge expectations.
I've decided to break this week up as follows:
Day One - What do I need to get started and how long should our first camping trip last?
Day Two - Where do we need to camp for the first time?
Day Three - When is the best time to tent-camp?
Day Four - Tent vs. Pop-Up Camper (an age-old question)?
Day Five - Which drugs work best when trying to sleep in a tent for more than one night? (Just kidding -- sort of -- Tylenol PM!) Really though -- What do I look for in a good state park?
DISCLAIMER - IF YOU ARE A CAMPER, I MAY NOT HAVE PUT EVERYTHING YOU WOULD CONSIDER NECESSARY FOR A FIRST CAMPING TRIP. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD, FEEL FREE TO ADD IT TO THE COMMENT SECTION -- WITHOUT BEING CRITICAL. I DON'T DO WELL WITH CRITICISM.
To get started tent-camping, first things first, you need a tent. If you have four people in your family (regardless of the size of the kids) go for a six to eight-man tent. We learned the hard way, tents that "sleep four people" do not give you much room to play games at night, store duffels, or move around. We camp with five people now, and we have a tent that sleeps ten to 12. Not only do we have room for our duffels and air mattresses, we also have room to walk through the middle of the tent and change clothes in the tent if we choose not to walk to the bathhouse.
If you are not sure you are going to continue camping, try to borrow a tent. There's no need in making a $100+ purchase in this economy (or any other economy for that fact) if you have a family member or friend who will let you borrow. Assure them you will replace the tent if anything gets ripped, damaged, etc.
You need sleeping bags for each person. Again, if possible, borrow instead of buy to see if it is something you are going to be doing on a regular basis. If you decide to buy, these are available at Wal-Mart and are not very expensive. Also, the kids can use them time and time again for sleep-overs during their growing-up years, so it is an investment that will not be wasted if you don't camp again.
Soft duffels opposed to nice suitcases are the way to go for packing. They stack easily in the corner of the tent or under cots if you use those rather than air mattresses. (We have tried both. We slept on cots for years, but as the kids got bigger, the air mattresses became much more comfortable.) Again, you can use cots and/or air mattresses for sleepovers, so consider them an investment unless you can borrow for the first camping trip.
Take pillows and blankets that can easily be washed in your washing machine at home. Even if they don't get "dirty," everything smells like a campfire when you leave the campsite area.
Always check the weather, but layers are always good when you go camping (undershirt, T-shirt, long sleeve T-shirt, lightweight jacket). A very cool morning in the woods can turn into a hot afternoon. (Most state parks have washing machines and dryers, so you can wash clothes if you run out or if you have a "fall in the mud" incident, etc.) If possible, take two pair of shoes for each kid. Chances are you are going to need both pair.
Take your own firewood. Whether you cut it yourself in a nearby wooded area or whether you buy it somewhere nearby, you will want a fire at least twice a day -- at night and in the morning. (We put our wood standing upright in one or two large cardboard boxes. It's easier to carry and it keeps the wood all in one place -- not rolling around in the back of the truck.) Also, take two bags of self-starting charcoal. If you haven't started a fire before, you can put a small pile under the kindling to help get the fire started quickly.
You will need two or three large boxes/containers -- one for food and one for plates, cups, silverware, tablecloth, matches, and anything else you can think of you might need for meal times. Having been campers for over twelve years now, we have invested in plastic containers for permanent items (pots, stove, cookware, etc.), but we still use cardboard boxes (copier paper boxes are a good size and they have lids) for food, paper goods, etc. The first time around, you will probably just need one large cooler for drinks and food items (hot dogs, cheese, jelly, mayo, etc.). To make it easier for your first camping trip, make breakfast simple. You can make biscuits at home, wrap them in foil and warm them over the grill. You can also have a cold breakfast of cereal and milk with fruit. You can boil water on the grill and have oatmeal, coffee and hot chocolate. Again, keeping it simple for the first camping trip, you can have sandwiches, fruit and yogurt for lunch, and cook hot dogs and/or hamburgers over the fire or on the grill for supper. (Before you invest in a Coleman Stove -- which is a must if you're going to be camping for years to come -- keep the food "easy" the first trip.)
Other things that are a must are as follows:
Flashlights - You'll need them and the kids love them.
Battery Operated Lanterns - You'll need at least two, especially after the kids have lost the flashlights or left them on so long the batteries are dead.
Extra Batteries - See above.
Ceramic Heater - So important. You turn it on about ten minutes before you go to bed, and your tent is nice and toasty. The ceramic heaters are electric, cool to the touch, and they make them so if they are kicked over they will shut off automatically.
Flip Flops - If you have never taken a shower in a public bathhouse, please take my word on how important this item is. NEVER leave home without them!
Separate Toiletry Duffel - Pack a duffel with just toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, Q-tips, lotions, bath clothes, hair dryer, etc. When you do go to the bathhouse for a shower or to get ready for the night, you do not have to make two, three or four trips back to the tent to get things you forgot. You'll only need to bring a towel and your change of clothes. Send the same duffel with your husband, sons, daughters when they head to the bathhouse, too. You'll have to go in shifts, but again, it's always nice to have everything you need in one place and not have to worry about forgetting anything.
Extension Cords - You'll need these for the heater... at least for your first trip. Don't forget your extension cords!
In deciding how long your first camping trip should be, I would suggest a one-nighter at a nearby state park. It will probably seem like a lot of work for one night, but it will definitely give you an idea of whether this is something you and your family are going to be able to enjoy. Our first camping trip was one night at a state park only 35 minutes away from home, with a borrowed tent and all of the things I mentioned above. Very, very simple.
When we got home, we decided to buy a tent (bigger than the one we borrowed), try air mattresses and picked a different state park located an hour and 15 minutes away for a two-night camping trip. We tweaked our food, clothes, bedding, etc., etc. We asked ourselves what we needed to make it better, and what had we taken we didn't need.
NOTE: You do not have to have a truck to go camping. We've gone several times in our van. However, if you have access to a pick-up truck or a pull trailer, it's a good thing because it is easier to pack (having more space to spread out) and you can add things like bikes, fishing equipment, scooters, etc.
ANOTHER NOTE: You will be asked upon arrival at a state park if you want primitive or electricity and water. ALWAYS say electricity and water. Believe me... if you're in a tent, you're as primitive as you want to be. (That, and they put the primitive sites a lot farther away from the bathhouse.)
I'll be back tomorrow for Day #2 of Camp Week... and some more handy-dandy tips to enhance your camping experience.
Have a wonderful Monday, and I'll talk to you soon.
I hope everyone had a good weekend. The best part is it isn't over yet! One more complete day! Life's good.
Welcome to Camp Week here on the old blog. I hope this week inspires some of you to try a little camping adventure of your own. Even if you just go one time, I assure you, it will be memorable. Next week, we'll get back to our regular schedule, because I still have a ton of "January" stuff to share with you.
I was so upset last week when we almost lost the puppies, I tried to take several pictures of them when Roxie came home to help, but I have never seen a more non-photogenic dog than Copper Faulkner. He has warm brown eyes, beautiful coloring, a well-proportioned body (even with a crooked front leg), but he takes the most goofy pictures I've ever seen. His eyes will be half-shut, his tongue looks a mile long and he is a constant blur. This in turn makes trying to photograph Sparkle difficult because she refuses to look at the camera while Copper is running crazy around the yard. Thus, it became a little weekend project to try to get a pretty picture of the two of them for the Gallery. You see the pictures. That's the best we can do!
I'll also be adding some pictures tonight of Katie's birthday bowling party. We were supposed to have her party Friday night, but she had a stomach bug. How ironic! You'll know what I mean in a few minutes after you read today's story.
The Showcase Pic of the Week is just Roxie and our Katie. It's so hard to believe she's 15 years-old.
Readership Number - I had a really good week. I had 165 hits on the blog. That number divided by seven days of the week means 23.5 hits per day. It's growing by little leaps and little bounds.
Camping Story #2 - The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (a/k/a The Night Mom Tried to Pass Out in Georgia)
We had been to Stone Mountain many times, but never on a camping trip. We planned a trip with two other families and headed for the park which is only two and half hours away. When we arrived, we were very pleased with what we saw. Beautiful campsites, places for the kids to ride their bikes, the lake within viewing and walking distance... and the best -- a brand new bathhouse. We pitched our tent as close as possible to the brand new bathhouse.
Everything was going well. The kids were playing great. We had a good dinner. We sat around the fire and told stories and ate s'mores. Josh, age five, ate too many s'mores... way too many s'mores.
It was time for bed, so we brushed our teeth and climbed into our nice, warm sleeping bags on our nice, soft air mattresses smelling of campfire smoke and other outdoorsy smells. Everyone dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. It's probably mean to say, but when you're in a tent, you can hear everyone and everything within ten campsites of your own tent... so in your heart of hearts you're kind of hoping it's a kid in someone else's tent. No such luck! "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were already climbing out of sleeping bags to assess the damage... and damage there was.
It was Josh. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked Mike feebly since he was already up and trying to find the lanterns.
"Nope. Just him, his sleeping bag and one coat." Minimal damage in camping terms.
Mike stripped Josh down, tossed him over to me for a change of PJs and illness assessment, and headed out the door with the bag, coat and Josh's clothes. (We decided to toss the PJs.) Mike spent an hour in the new bathhouse cleaning the nylon sleeping bag and the coat, and came back for the verdict.
"No fever. No stomachache. My professional opinion is too many s'mores."
"How many did he have?" Mike asked.
"I would have to say from the damage report... more than one or two." And then we slept. The next morning, Josh woke up happy and well, and we decided to count our blessings we did not have a stomach bug. (Not to mention, we gave him a s'more limit he was to abide by for the rest of his life -- 1 or 2 per sitting. NO MORE!)
We spent the day hiking, exploring and playing with the other families. It was a good day. We were grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for our dinner, and I was setting the picnic table when I looked over at three year-old Grant. His flushed cheeks and droopy eyes could have been the result of playing hard all day, but there was something else... something I had seen before. "Grant, are you feeling... ," I started to ask... but never got to finish. Grant got sick all over the picnic table. I knew for a fact no s'mores had been eaten yet, so I feared this might be something more serious.
His mom came over to check him out and in our professional opinions, Grant had a stomach bug. As the dads cleaned the table, discussions were held as to what we should do. Grant's family decided to pack up and head to Alabama as quickly as possible so they could be home in the event other family members came down with the illness, also. One problem. It is not a five minute job to take down a tent and pack everything up, so it was decided Mike, Grant's mom and dad and all the boys available would help pack up... and I would hold and comfort sick little Grant.
I sat in a chair away from the commotion and held the feverish little boy for a little over an hour knowing the possibility of my catching his illness was going to be huge. (To this day, I can't hold a sick little boy and not kiss the top of his head, rub his back and whisper in his ear that everything is going to be okay.) So in my mind, I knew in just a few hours I, too, would be in the brand new bathhouse at Stone Mountain, Georgia throwing up. I just decided to "go with it."
We said good-bye to Grant and our friends about 10:30 that night, and once again headed to bed. No s'mores had been eaten. Everyone seemed to be feeling okay. I was feeling okay. Maybe, just maybe, we had dodged a bullet. We all dozed off.
We were awakened by the unmistakable sound of a child being sick in the middle of the night. I'm sorry to say, I again hoped it was some other kid in some other tent down the way. And unfortunately it was not. "Which one is it? Which one is it?" Mike and I were climbing out of our sleeping bags trying to assess damage. This time it was Austin. "Please tell me he didn't get sick in our shoes?" I asked.
"Nope. Sleeping bag, two coats and PJs." Mike was already gathering everything to head to the bathhouse (Mike is a GREAT dad and husband), and I held a shaking, feverish little boy in my arms. This wasn't a case of too many s'mores. This was the dreaded stomach bug.
Mike and I decided to nickname our tent the "Death Tent," because... well, to be honest, it had lost that woodsy smell two nights earlier and things were not getting any better. We stayed up with Austin most of the night, and the next day he and I stayed in the brand new bathhouse while Josh and Mikie took our campsite down.
There really isn't a moral to this story. It was a weekend of just trying to survive... trying to have a good time in a really bad situation... being a family looking for the blessings in a series of very unfortunate events and living to tell the tale. If it had been our first camping experience, no doubt about it, it would have been our last. But we had several great camping trips under our belt, and we considered this one a little bump in road. I guess if we sat down and tried to think of the good things that weekend we could come up with one or two.
Good Thing #1 - No one ever got sick in our shoes. That was a biggie for me.
Good Thing #2 - No one else in our family got the stomach bug, which was pretty much a miracle considering our close quarters.
Good Thing #3 - We discovered at an early age that Josh can't hold his s'mores (and this fact has helped during other camping trips).
Good Thing #4 - I'm sorry. I think I'm going to have to stop at #3. I can't seem to think of Good Thing #4. (It's taken me ten years to think of Good Things #1 through #3.)
If you're wondering about the title of this story (The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia), we found Georgia is incredibly dark in the middle of the night in a campground when you're wandering around trying to clean sleeping bags and such. And part two of the title (The Night Mom Tried to Black Out in Georgia) refers to my inability to pass out until all the bad stuff stops happening. I'm just one of those people who is going to be painfully aware (and fully awake) of any situation I'm in -- good or bad. Not a very good trait as far as I'm concerned.
Tune in tomorrow for Camping Story #3 -Where, Oh Where, Are All the Campers?
Part 1 - How to Camp With Your Family and Survive
What do I need to get started and how long should our first camping trip last?
Okay. This is strictly for people who have not started camping yet. And I am not the final source of information regarding camping start-up. Before your first try, talk to many people. Pick and choose what you think would be best for your family and go for it. "Perfect" is not a word you are striving for in a camping trip... especially your "first" camping trip. You want to "survive" and have several good memories. You don't need huge expectations.
I've decided to break this week up as follows:
Day One - What do I need to get started and how long should our first camping trip last?
Day Two - Where do we need to camp for the first time?
Day Three - When is the best time to tent-camp?
Day Four - Tent vs. Pop-Up Camper (an age-old question)?
Day Five - Which drugs work best when trying to sleep in a tent for more than one night? (Just kidding -- sort of -- Tylenol PM!) Really though -- What do I look for in a good state park?
DISCLAIMER - IF YOU ARE A CAMPER, I MAY NOT HAVE PUT EVERYTHING YOU WOULD CONSIDER NECESSARY FOR A FIRST CAMPING TRIP. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD, FEEL FREE TO ADD IT TO THE COMMENT SECTION -- WITHOUT BEING CRITICAL. I DON'T DO WELL WITH CRITICISM.
To get started tent-camping, first things first, you need a tent. If you have four people in your family (regardless of the size of the kids) go for a six to eight-man tent. We learned the hard way, tents that "sleep four people" do not give you much room to play games at night, store duffels, or move around. We camp with five people now, and we have a tent that sleeps ten to 12. Not only do we have room for our duffels and air mattresses, we also have room to walk through the middle of the tent and change clothes in the tent if we choose not to walk to the bathhouse.
If you are not sure you are going to continue camping, try to borrow a tent. There's no need in making a $100+ purchase in this economy (or any other economy for that fact) if you have a family member or friend who will let you borrow. Assure them you will replace the tent if anything gets ripped, damaged, etc.
You need sleeping bags for each person. Again, if possible, borrow instead of buy to see if it is something you are going to be doing on a regular basis. If you decide to buy, these are available at Wal-Mart and are not very expensive. Also, the kids can use them time and time again for sleep-overs during their growing-up years, so it is an investment that will not be wasted if you don't camp again.
Soft duffels opposed to nice suitcases are the way to go for packing. They stack easily in the corner of the tent or under cots if you use those rather than air mattresses. (We have tried both. We slept on cots for years, but as the kids got bigger, the air mattresses became much more comfortable.) Again, you can use cots and/or air mattresses for sleepovers, so consider them an investment unless you can borrow for the first camping trip.
Take pillows and blankets that can easily be washed in your washing machine at home. Even if they don't get "dirty," everything smells like a campfire when you leave the campsite area.
Always check the weather, but layers are always good when you go camping (undershirt, T-shirt, long sleeve T-shirt, lightweight jacket). A very cool morning in the woods can turn into a hot afternoon. (Most state parks have washing machines and dryers, so you can wash clothes if you run out or if you have a "fall in the mud" incident, etc.) If possible, take two pair of shoes for each kid. Chances are you are going to need both pair.
Take your own firewood. Whether you cut it yourself in a nearby wooded area or whether you buy it somewhere nearby, you will want a fire at least twice a day -- at night and in the morning. (We put our wood standing upright in one or two large cardboard boxes. It's easier to carry and it keeps the wood all in one place -- not rolling around in the back of the truck.) Also, take two bags of self-starting charcoal. If you haven't started a fire before, you can put a small pile under the kindling to help get the fire started quickly.
You will need two or three large boxes/containers -- one for food and one for plates, cups, silverware, tablecloth, matches, and anything else you can think of you might need for meal times. Having been campers for over twelve years now, we have invested in plastic containers for permanent items (pots, stove, cookware, etc.), but we still use cardboard boxes (copier paper boxes are a good size and they have lids) for food, paper goods, etc. The first time around, you will probably just need one large cooler for drinks and food items (hot dogs, cheese, jelly, mayo, etc.). To make it easier for your first camping trip, make breakfast simple. You can make biscuits at home, wrap them in foil and warm them over the grill. You can also have a cold breakfast of cereal and milk with fruit. You can boil water on the grill and have oatmeal, coffee and hot chocolate. Again, keeping it simple for the first camping trip, you can have sandwiches, fruit and yogurt for lunch, and cook hot dogs and/or hamburgers over the fire or on the grill for supper. (Before you invest in a Coleman Stove -- which is a must if you're going to be camping for years to come -- keep the food "easy" the first trip.)
Other things that are a must are as follows:
Flashlights - You'll need them and the kids love them.
Battery Operated Lanterns - You'll need at least two, especially after the kids have lost the flashlights or left them on so long the batteries are dead.
Extra Batteries - See above.
Ceramic Heater - So important. You turn it on about ten minutes before you go to bed, and your tent is nice and toasty. The ceramic heaters are electric, cool to the touch, and they make them so if they are kicked over they will shut off automatically.
Flip Flops - If you have never taken a shower in a public bathhouse, please take my word on how important this item is. NEVER leave home without them!
Separate Toiletry Duffel - Pack a duffel with just toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, Q-tips, lotions, bath clothes, hair dryer, etc. When you do go to the bathhouse for a shower or to get ready for the night, you do not have to make two, three or four trips back to the tent to get things you forgot. You'll only need to bring a towel and your change of clothes. Send the same duffel with your husband, sons, daughters when they head to the bathhouse, too. You'll have to go in shifts, but again, it's always nice to have everything you need in one place and not have to worry about forgetting anything.
Extension Cords - You'll need these for the heater... at least for your first trip. Don't forget your extension cords!
In deciding how long your first camping trip should be, I would suggest a one-nighter at a nearby state park. It will probably seem like a lot of work for one night, but it will definitely give you an idea of whether this is something you and your family are going to be able to enjoy. Our first camping trip was one night at a state park only 35 minutes away from home, with a borrowed tent and all of the things I mentioned above. Very, very simple.
When we got home, we decided to buy a tent (bigger than the one we borrowed), try air mattresses and picked a different state park located an hour and 15 minutes away for a two-night camping trip. We tweaked our food, clothes, bedding, etc., etc. We asked ourselves what we needed to make it better, and what had we taken we didn't need.
NOTE: You do not have to have a truck to go camping. We've gone several times in our van. However, if you have access to a pick-up truck or a pull trailer, it's a good thing because it is easier to pack (having more space to spread out) and you can add things like bikes, fishing equipment, scooters, etc.
ANOTHER NOTE: You will be asked upon arrival at a state park if you want primitive or electricity and water. ALWAYS say electricity and water. Believe me... if you're in a tent, you're as primitive as you want to be. (That, and they put the primitive sites a lot farther away from the bathhouse.)
I'll be back tomorrow for Day #2 of Camp Week... and some more handy-dandy tips to enhance your camping experience.
Have a wonderful Monday, and I'll talk to you soon.
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!