State Fair Date

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pic is of a little gift I received last night! Did you know they make SINGING BALLOONS? Well, they do! I received a Facebook message from my friend, Janet, wanting to know if I had a mailbox. I replied I DID have a mailbox, but for some reason it was next to my neighbor's driveway. Odd, but that's how we roll around here!

Thirty minutes later, it hit me. Why would Janet want to know where my mailbox was? Hmmm. I walked out the front door, and I had three BUSH BALLOONS! And one of them sang to me! How fun is that?

CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! - I know you are ready for the winner to be revealed. I appreciate everyone who entered the contest. I appreciate how much time and effort everyone spent trying to figure out which Project 365 pictures were my favorites. I appreciate your comments concerning some of the pictures.

Unfortunately, only two people guessed correctly. The first person who picked one of my favorites was LEANNA BROWN! LeAnna chose Day 88 as one of my favorite pictures, and she was so right. LeAnna, I need to talk to you today about your favorite restaurant. You pick... I pay!

A close second was Dawn Gorman. Since she had correct answers (Day 200 and Day 226), but she guessed AFTER LeAnna, she will receive a smaller (but fun) prize within the next two days!

Now, I will tell you my six favorite pictures from Project 365 (and some of my reasoning for picking said photos)...

Day 30 - I love this one because Roxie is not holding back. She is not worried about her hair being messed up by the giant sombrero. She is not concerned about the perfect smile while I'm taking the perfect picture. She is just having fun eating salsa and chips in a big old purple hat! It made me smile.

Day 88 - Austin looked so handsome in his JSU Marching Southerner's uniform. I picked this one because it was a milestone for both of us. The fact he was living his dream (and the fact I was letting him do so) was a pretty big feat for this helicopter mom. He was so happy. It made me smile.

Day 160 - I'm about to watch one of my favorite TV shows EVER, and I'm dressed up in 24 garb. I thought I was SO clever. It made me LOL.

Day 200 - We have camped for years and years and years, but this picture captured what I really like about camping. The tent. I love the kids waking up in a big tangled mess of legs and arms and sleeping bags all over the place. I love the Faulkner Five being enclosed in a fairly small area and not killing each other. And I love the view from the tent. Oh, to be able to wake up to that view every morning. It made me smile.

Day 226 - I didn't want to alarm anyone, but for the past year or so, I've been pretty convinced Sparkle wasn't going to be with us much longer. She is lethargic and gray-headed and slow moving... kind of like me on a good day. So when I captured her acting young and spry and puppy-like one day, I was ecstatic. There is still some life in the old girl... kind of like me on a good day. It made me smile.

Day 300 - After I made sure she hadn't passed out, I thought it would make a pretty funny picture. And it wasn't staged. Roxie, after helping Josh with mowing duties, stretched out on the cool tiles of the bathroom floor in front of an air conditioning vent. (She is SO like her mother.) It made me smile.

There were many other pictures I loved. I didn't pick any with Josh, Mikie or other family members, but that doesn't mean I don't love them or the photos I have of them. I didn't pick any photos of pumpkins, inflatables or magazines, and I love those, too.

I quickly ran through 362 photos, and when I started smiling, I knew I had a winner.

Thanks for playing... and feel free to enter the Project Life Contest which will be held in exactly 365 days!

PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! PROJECT LIFE! - Okay. The new blog is up and running. It already has my picture for the day waiting for your perusal. You can get to Project Life by clicking on it under My Blog List. Or you can go directly there by using the web address... www.belindasprojectlife.blogspot.com. You choose, but it begins today, Baby!

Blog Linkage - I only have one link for you today, but it's a biggie. I've discovered a website called www.penelopeloveslists.com. She's an organizational guru, but she seems very likable and approachable and doable. I've been browsing through her website, and I thought I would share it as my Blog Linkage today. There is a lot of info there. Enjoy!

State Fair Date

I haven't been on this date myself, but I did grow up going to the State Fair every year. I loved it. I haven't been since they moved the venue to Pelham, but I thought it would be a very good one-on-one date with your guy or gal. Here's the pertinent information...

The Alabama State Fair is back at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, August 27 through September 6. Come ride the rides, eat your favorite fair food, and see some fantastic shows. Kids can bottle feed baby farm animals, be part of the action with the interactive roaming circus, visit the exotic petting zoo, watch monkeys riding dogs, and much, much more. All the shows are included in the price of admission.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids (5-12). Children 4 and under are free.)

Wristbands for rides cannot be purchased in advance or at the gates. Wristbands may be purchased at wristband booths on the grounds. For $20, you can ride all day.

If anyone has been to the State Fair in recent years, leave me a comment about your experience. Would you still recommend the State Fair as a fun, family event? Let me know!

Have a terrific Thursday. I know I already have had a great beginning! Friday I'll share Weekend Happenings, my 48th Year in Review AND details from my Birthday Day!

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting and Getting Older by the Second Belinda