Things I’m Looking Forward to in MAY ~ Top Ten {Tuesday}

There is so much coming up for me and my family in the month of May, so I thought I’d make a post about the fun things I am looking forward to (I hope I can limit it to 10) - - -

1. The GHEA convention in Atlanta, GA

This particular convention was not originally on my list of “to do conventions” this year; but when my boss asked if Ashley and I could fly down for the weekend and promote the planners, I went for it!  I love going to homeschool conventions and meeting the people that I “know” from online!  So, if you’re coming to GHEA, be sure to stop by the TOS booth and say “Hi” (oh, and leave me a comment and let me know you’ll be there, so I can add you to my checklist!)

2. Our homeschool evaluations

I don’t really dread these – we have an amazing evaluator that we just love!  We do need to get our portfolios together before the 10th though, so I better get booking!  Our portfolios will be smaller this year, as rather than printing out “scrapbook” pages for our field trips, we’re going to make a video and include the cd in our portfolio. I hope it turns out the way I want it to.

3. The CHAP convention in Harrisburg, PA

I get excited for this convention because it’s “mine” – in other words, it’s in MY state.  If I wasn’t going to represent TOS, I’d be going to shop!  In fact, I’ll do most of my shopping for our next school year while I’m there.  Will YOU be there?

4. Seeing Tim Hawkins LIVE (again!)

Yes, we saw him in Cincinnati last year, but it’s Tim Hawkins, people – we can’t get enough of him!  LOL    When we found out we wouldn’t be doing the Midwest convention this year, we went to his website and found that he’ll be about an hour from us in May – so we’re going!

5. Homeschool Night @ the Harrisburg Senators Game

While I’m NOT a sports fan in the least, Gracie is really looking forward to this; so, therefore, I am too.

6. Seeing my nephew David

He’s been away – at basic training and at a base in Mississippi – for months now and we really miss him!  So, we’re hoping for some time to spend with him before heading to . . .

7. Our Florida trip

Yes, I’m looking forward to the trip itself and not just the destination.  For one thing, we have a “new” (to us) van to drive – it’s spacious and comfy, not to mention pretty!  And, I bought some Mary Higgins Clark books for my Kindle (thanks to my friend Jodi) and I plan to read them aloud to Brian on the way.  He’s not a reader, but he enjoys when I read to him. :)

8. FPEA

This will be the last convention I’ll be helping with this year.  Will YOU be there? 

9. Spending time with some really special people

We are looking forward to several opportunities (aka conventions) to spend time with my boss’s family.  What a great group of people that I am  blessed to work with and for – we just love them!

Also, I have a special friend in Florida (Becky) and my whole family enjoys spending time with her sweet family.  We are looking  forward to some quality time together.

10. DISNEY!

Yes, no trip to Florida is complete without a visit with the Mouse, right?  So, we’ll plan to spend a couple of days in the Disney parks, and some time at Downtown Disney too.  Oh, and we’re excited to spend a few days at a Disney resort (for the first time EVER) – watch out Port Orleans Riverside – here come the Strawsers!

~~~~~~~~~~~

We’ve got a busy month coming up!  Wow – out of 31 days on the calendar, only 3 of them currently have NOTHING on them.  And that could change!  LOL

And, this isn’t in May, but it’s worth mentioning anyway because I’m looking forward to it - - -

Field-tripping with Jodi and her kids this Friday!  It’s been too long since we’ve seen them!

P.S. I’m linking up to Tiggerific Tuesday today!

Top Ten {Tuesday} UPDATE

I was planning on posting a Top Ten {Tuesday} of things I’m looking forward to – but as I was visiting some old Top Ten {Tuesday} posts, I can across THIS ONE, and thought it would be fun to post some updates.  So, here are my thoughts on this “wish list” of things I was wanting to buy (if money were no option, of course!):

1. A Kindle.  This little baby is going to be a reality soon – thanks to a very generous gift from my Homeschool Crew and the $5 gift cards I’ve been collecting from Swagbucks.  Oh, Kindle, you are very soon to be mine! 

Got it!  And I didn’t have to pay one red cent for it.  That’s always exciting!  The Kindle is an amazing gadget.  I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about e-books, but it’s come in very handy for our schooling, and I’m very much looking forward to taking it on some trips with us this year.  How much better a little gadget than a big stack of books?! 

2. A new camera strap.  I’ve found some on Etsy that I really, really like.  It’s just so hard to choose!  I know two things for sure --- (1) I want a real strap, not a cover and (2) I want one with soft, furry stuff at the neck.  If you happen to know anyone who makes these lovely things and would benefit from a review, please send them my way – it’s a win/win!

I finally broke down and ordered myself a camera strap.  I ordered this one from Sassy Strap.  Fun, isn’t it?  I haven’t received it yet, but hopefully it will arrive soon!  I can’t wait to try it out on my camera.  I ordered it with the quick-release option and already I’m thinking I might want to order a 2nd strap.  This could turn into an addiction!

3. The Little House on the Prairie – Special Edition Movie Boxed Set.  We’ve watched all 9 seasons – as of yesterday – and now we need to finish up that series with the movies.  Otherwise, season 9 ended rather oddly, if you ask me.  I’m hoping the movies will redeem that. 

Haven’t gotten this one yet. 

4. The Waltons Movie Collection.  We finished all the seasons of the Waltons quite some time ago and have been sitting on this set in our Amazon cart for some time.  Again, we really need these movies to wind up the series a little more “cleanly”. 

Got it!  When I ordered my Kindle, I had some extra Amazon gift certificates, so I just added this onto my order.  I’m glad I did!  We enjoyed watching these movies together as a family. 

5. A new purse.  I have a friend who makes the most amazing purses and I’m thinking I just may have to commission her to make me a new one because I’m just in the mood for a new, wonderful, unique to me purse.  Man, if I was rich, I’d just order this one.

I didn’t even remember posting this!  Though it’s not the exact one that I linked to, I am just beyond thrilled because I WON a Disney Dooney & Bourke purse last week and it arrived in my mailbox YESTERDAY.  Needless to say, I’m just a teeny, tiny bit excited about this!!!

6. Since I’m getting a Kindle, I’m going to need some sort of sleeve or cover for it.  Why are they so stinkin’ expensive on Amazon?!  Once again, I may look to Etsy.  Anyone need a review?!

A friend of a friend makes Kindle cases and is going to send me one of her creations to review.  I hope it comes before our Florida trip!

7. Even though I just added a pair of fuzzy Crocs to my shoe collection, I’m going to have to add a regular pair again.  Mine are getting worn out and though they’re fine for around the house, etc. I want new ones for Disney World.  Come to think of it, I do have a brand new pair of Crocs flip-flops in my closet.  But, I still need more.  I’m living dangerously here – I’d like a whole rainbow of colors and styles!

No new Crocs – yet.  But I WILL have a new pair soon.  Because walking all day at Disney and/or standing all day at convention is definitely cause for comfy shoes!

8. All 5 seasons of Psych on DVD.  Because we’ve watched the first 4 seasons on Netflix and are DYING to see season 5.  (This is really Ashley’s wish, but I’m seriously running out of ideas – guess I’m a pretty simple girl.)

Ashley bought seasons 3 & 4.  Does that count?  We ended up switching to Monk and loved it too.  We watched all 8 seasons of that on Netflix.  Now we’ve moved on to some reality-type shows, such as Man vs. Food and Pantry Raid.  LOL

9. And since this is just dreaming . . . I’ll take a Toyota Camry in Blue Ribbon or Barcelona Red.  But, I’ll wait and get it AFTER I get home from Florida in my van.  LOL

Hmmm . . . does a Toyota Sienna in Blue Mirage Metallic count?! Who knew, back when I wrote this original post, that I was going to find myself in need of a new vehicle?! 

10. I’m running out of ideas and livin’ large here – how about a timeshare and/or membership in the Disney Vacation Club.  I’ve got to fuel my Disney habit a bit more . . . .

This isn’t exactly the Disney Vacation Club – but we ARE going to Florida in May and we ARE staying at a Disney resort – for the first time EVER.  So, yes, I think that counts.  We’ll be staying 3 nights at the Port Orleans Riverside (yippee!!!) and a week at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort. 

With the exception of a few small(er) things on this list, I’m doing pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

Things We’ve Been Watching on Netflix: Top Ten {Tuesday}

1.  Psych – we all got addicted to this show!  We’ve watched the first four seasons and are not so patiently waiting for Season 5.  I love a good mystery and this show not only has mystery, but comedy too (hence the term “dramedy”). 

2. Monk – when we ran out of Psych episodes, we decided to give Monk a try.  My nephew David recommended it.  We’re only a few episodes into Season 1 of this show, but I do like it.  Like Shawn in Psych, Adrian Monk is extremely observant.  Unlike Shawn, he’s got a major case of OCD, which is always good for a laugh (though sometimes I find myself relating to him a little too well!)

3. The Cosby Show – Bill Cosby, ‘nuff said, right?  I get a kick out of all the 80’s fashions.  The kids (and Brian) just laugh and laugh at Bill.  I love his parenting style.  He’s so calm, yet the kids always seem to really respect him. 

4. The Incredible Hulk – as unrealistic as this show is, it still makes me sad – every single episode.  Yes, I’ve actually cried a few times.  I know I’m a sap, but it’s just so sad to me how poor David can never stay put in one place long enough to establish relationships.  We haven’t watched this for awhile, since finding Psych and Monk, but it’s still on our queue.

5. Say Yes to the Dress – Ashley and I got addicted to this show.  Brian and Gracie – not so much!  LOL They would cringe when we’d turn it on.  We’ve watched all 5 seasons that are available on Netflix; and, when we were done, Gracie promptly removed them from our queue.  Wonder when Season 6 will be available?  I just love Randy.  I need to talk someone into buying their dress at Kleinfeld just so I can tag along.  Any rich friends out there?

6. Cake Boss – can we just say AMAZING?!  I am in awe of the cakes that Buddy and his employees create on this show.  I love to watch the siblings spatting too – they’re some good Italians, that’s for sure!

7. Murder She Wrote – we haven’t really watched too many episodes of this one, but they have all 10 seasons.  Geesh – that would keep us busy for awhile!  I can’t help it – I like these old detective shows.

 

8. The Wizard of Oz – we watched this the other day for “school”.  We have been studying about the 1920’s in history.  Though the movie was made in 1939, the book was written the decade before.  We used to own this movie on VHS, but it got ruined somehow.  It was fun to be able to watch it.  Gracie was amazed by how simplistic the special effects were. 

9. Disney Channel Movies – Netflix didn’t have many of these until recently.  Since we don’t have tv service anymore, we miss most of these movies, and some of them are pretty good.  We watched this one this afternoon ===>  I liked it.

10. Disney Documentaries – Ian is the one who started watching these, then he got us all hooked. This one particularly – the one about Disney Cruise Lines – has us all dreaming of a Disney cruise.  Wonder if we can make that dream a reality in 2012?!

Honorable Mentions:  These would be on my Top 10 list; but, unfortunately, Netflix removed them so we can’t watch them instantly anymore.  Why, oh why, do they do that?!

Magnum PI                       Simon & Simon

Top Ten {Tuesday} – things on my wish list

There are some things that I’d like to buy – if only money weren’t an issue, or I had an unlimited supply of Amazon gift cards!  Some of these things are in my Amazon cart – others are just things that I’m thinking dreaming about  . . .

1. A Kindle.  This little baby is going to be a reality soon – thanks to a very generous gift from my Homeschool Crew and the $5 gift cards I’ve been collecting from Swagbucks.  Oh, Kindle, you are very soon to be mine! 

2. A new camera strap.  I’ve found some on Etsy that I really, really like.  It’s just so hard to choose!  I know two things for sure --- (1) I want a real strap, not a cover and (2) I want one with soft, furry stuff at the neck.  If you happen to know anyone who makes these lovely things and would benefit from a review, please send them my way – it’s a win/win!

3. The Little House on the Prairie – Special Edition Movie Boxed Set.  We’ve watched all 9 seasons – as of yesterday – and now we need to finish up that series with the movies.  Otherwise, season 9 ended rather oddly, if you ask me.  I’m hoping the movies will redeem that. 

4. The Waltons Movie Collection.  We finished all the seasons of the Waltons quite some time ago and have been sitting on this set in our Amazon cart for some time.  Again, we really need these movies to wind up the series a little more “cleanly”. 

5. A new purse.  I have a friend who makes the most amazing purses and I’m thinking I just may have to commission her to make me a new one because I’m just in the mood for a new, wonderful, unique to me purse.  Man, if I was rich, I’d just order this one.

6. Since I’m getting a Kindle, I’m going to need some sort of sleeve or cover for it.  Why are they so stinkin’ expensive on Amazon?!  Once again, I may look to Etsy.  Anyone need a review?!

7. Even though I just added a pair of fuzzy Crocs to my shoe collection, I’m going to have to add a regular pair again.  Mine are getting worn out and though they’re fine for around the house, etc. I want new ones for Disney World.  Come to think of it, I do have a brand new pair of Crocs flip-flops in my closet.  But, I still need more.  I’m living dangerously here – I’d like a whole rainbow of colors and styles!

8. All 5 seasons of Psych on DVD.  Because we’ve watched the first 4 seasons on Netflix and are DYING to see season 5.  (This is really Ashley’s wish, but I’m seriously running out of ideas – guess I’m a pretty simple girl.)

9. And since this is just dreaming . . . I’ll take a Toyota Camry in Blue Ribbon or Barcelona Red.  But, I’ll wait and get it AFTER I get home from Florida in my van.  LOL

10. I’m running out of ideas and livin’ large here – how about a timeshare and/or membership in the Disney Vacation Club.  I’ve got to fuel my Disney habit a bit more . . . .

Top Ten Tuesday – Favorite Things to Feed My Family

So, I just discovered oh Amanda.  Not only does Amanda host a fun Tuesday meme called Top Ten Tuesday, but she’s also a Disney Mom (think: Disney World Moms Panel).  I’m jealous, very jealous!

Since my life is so scattered lately and I can barely rub two thoughts together to come up with a quality blog post, I thought I’d try this list meme.  So, for my first attempt at Top Ten Tuesday, I’m going to share my 10 Favorite Things to Feed My Family - - -

1. Lasagna – this is definitely the most-requested item on my list and an all-time favorite both to make and to eat.

2. Stromboli – as a matter of fact, I plan to make this sometime this week in honor of my dad’s birthday (it’s one of his favorites).

3. Homemade Pizza – I’m adding this to my list but have turned over the making of the crust entirely to Ashley, and I just do the rest.

4. Crock Pot Pepper Steak – yum!  Not sure if I enjoy it more served over noodles or rice.

5. Baked Potato Soup – as we enter fall and cooler weather is coming, it’s time to start preparing soups again and this one is definitely our family favorite.

6. Baked Oatmeal – this doesn’t sound like it would be a favorite family meal, but I so love this stuff!  I eat it for 3 meals a day as leftovers.  LOL  (I have to confess, Gracie isn’t too crazy about this one.)

7. Homemade Mac & Cheese – this isn’t a main dish, but it’s my most requested item to bring to family get-togethers (especially on Brian’s side of the family)

8. Crock Pot Lasagna – a quick and easy take on an old original.  This is Ashley’s absolute favorite crock pot dish!

9. Ham & Cheese Canneloni – this is so easy that it’s almost impossible to mess up and is always very well-received both with my family and with guests

10. Beef roast & potatoes in the crock pot – this is an especially fun meal to come home to after being away all day -  the house smells amazing!

To see other Top Ten Tuesday lists, click here.  If you post a Top Ten Tuesday list, leave me a comment and let me know!