Backyard Date

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pic is a leftover from this crazy week of volleyball... but it isn't volleyball-related! This weekend, I'm planning on taking over 100 pictures of Austin and Joshua... even if they are just sitting in the recliner. I know what you're thinking... "I can't wait!"

RANDOMNESS #1 - I saw two yellow trees on the way home from taking Roxie to school this morning. I was excited until I took off my yellow-tinted sunglasses and saw they were really more brown than golden. I think they've just given up... and they are skipping fall. I hope these two trees are the exception and not the rule. I MUST have a fall after this unbearably hot and humid summer. I simply MUST!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I read an article this morning about the 14 most beautiful national parks in the fall. Of course, Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite made the list. But one caught my eye... Guadalupe National Park. I LOVE that name. It's located in a little town in West Texas.

And then I thought to myself, that would be an interesting goal to have. How many national parks can you visit before you are 90 years-old? Hmmm. I'll have to think on that one. (No matter what... Guadalupe National Park is now on my "List.")

TOTAL RANDOMNESS #3 - Another national park listed was Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Do you remember the 1965 Jimmy Stewart movie entitled Shenandoah? Do you remember the theme song? Do you? I love the movie, and I really LOVE the song. Fun fact for you... It's the first song I learned to play on my harmonica when I was 16. (See Belinda's Project Life dated September 15.)

This confirms what you've thought all along... I've ALWAYS needed to get out more! And I'm ordering Shenandoah on Netflix as soon as I finish this post!

RANDOMNESS #4 - Okay. Here are the last five goals for the upcoming third year of A Simple Life. After this, I have to get busy. I have a lot to do and only 12 short months to complete the list.

16. I want to parasail. But I want to parasail "tandem." I do not want to be a mile high in the sky with sharks swimming underneath and the captain of the little boat yelling instructions to me which I will not be able to hear. I want an able-bodied parasailing professional at my side to make my parasailing experience perfectly SAFE and totally ENJOYABLE! (And if his name is Sven, that would be great, too!)

17. I'm not sure what the item will be, but I want to bid on (and WIN) something exciting at the Silent Auction Mikie and I attend each year in the spring. This past year, there was a week in a beautiful cabin auctioned off... in CANADA... and I could have used my Amelia Island envelope money and won! I thought it would go for thousands, but it was definitely within range! I can't wait until next year's auction!

18. I want to visit a new zoo or aquarium in the coming months. So far I've visited seven different zoos and aquariums (aquariums in Baltimore, Florida, Tennessee and and Georgia and zoos in Alabama, Georgia and Florida).

19. I want to meet at least one "new" famous person. I met Ken Lass last week, but he doesn't fall into the time frame of October 19, 2010 to October 18, 2011. I missed it by five weeks!

20. I want to attend TWO Sips N Strokes classes and create paintings for my home MYSELF! I have no artistic talent WHATSOEVER, but I want to try (and hopefully succeed) in painting something I could be proud of! (If you find a wrapped canvas with a big red bow on your front doorstep, you'll know I tried, but it just didn't work out in my house. But I'm sure it will be lovely in your home!)

Blog Linkage - Technically, I have three links for you today, but two are on the same website. I'm trying to make life easier for you! That's what I do. I'm a giver!

1. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List and read her post entitled "Crying My Eyes Out" dated September 15. One of her boys is turning eight in a few days, and she wrote a funny, bittersweet ode to her child (complete with photographs). Excellent.

2. While you're visiting the Pioneer Woman, click on the tab at the top of her page entitled "Photography," and enjoy all the pictures she collected last week entitled "Funny." There are some great, great shots. Expect to be smiling when you leave her page.

3. Next, go to Sherri's Blog under my Blog List. If you are concerned about where our political leaders and nation are headed, but you feel you are incapable of changing anything so HUGE, read Sherri's post entitled "Allied Women" dated August 12. It is very informative, and it totally answers the questions, "What can I do?" and "How can I be heard?"

Backyard Date

The weather is about to be perfect for this kind of date. If you have several children, arrange a sleepover at the grandparents' house OR a Daddy Date for the siblings while you and ONE of your kiddos enjoy an evening in your own backyard.

You can do a number of fun things right outside your door.

Plan the perfect picnic for you and your child eating only their favorite foods. Start with dessert first!

Play catch, Frisbee or jump on the trampoline together while there is still light outside.

Move the television or computer to the deck and enjoy a movie together under the stars.

Set up the tent and use air mattresses, eat popcorn and play cards before camping out together... just the two of you.

Around 9:30 or 10:00, slip out of the house or tent in your pajamas and make a milkshake run.

Take a late night walk around the neighborhood with flashlights.

AND if you have more than one child, make plans to have a similar date with each and every other child in your family... because they are going to hear about it and they are going to WANT THEIR TURN!

Have a terrific Thursday. Friday's post will consist of Weekend Happenings, several reminders and a little Randomness. Nothing major... which is how a Friday post should be, I think.

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

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda