Day 12- Your Blog Story

I don't really have one.  I'm doing it mainly out of curiosity to see if I have anything to say that would be interesting to myself or anyone else.  Also to keep me entertained while in my down time at work.  In the process I have found pictures that I haven't looked at in a while.  I even came across my wedding video which was great to watch!  I don't write much.  I work and live in a world of numbers, spreadsheets and bullet points.  I love bullet points!  So it has been interesting to actually write more than a couple of sentences.  Maybe it will help me with my spelling (I'm a horrible speller...spell check is one of my best friends!)

Day 11- A person you would love to meet

This is easy!  If you know me you know I love John Travolta.  Since I was 4 and saw Grease for the first time.  I literally wore out 3 cassette tapes listening to the soundtrack so many time (this must have driven my parents crazy!)  Then there was Welcome Back, Kotter...hmmm maybe I should stop...I'm starting to date myself a little.  I love to hear and see him sing and dance.  I even had a dream one time that he left his wife for me...a little crazy I know...but a girl can dream...(sigh:)

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

I tend to turn on the TV to the HGTV channel and have it as background noise.  I used to sit and watch but don't have much time for that anymore.  One of my good friends gave me 4 tickets to the Tim McGraw concert a couple of weeks ago.  While I was there singing and dancing along with the songs I realized what a good mood music puts me in (something I tend to forget).  So I decide to buy something for our kitchen to dock our iPhones or iPods in to listen to music on a regular basis.  I was so excited when I found this new gadget!  (I don't usually buy gadgets, my spending in usually on clothes and household items and for Benjamin:)  Now, I just need to load more music on my iPhone because I'm already tired of what's currently on there.

iHome iP39 Kitchen Timer and Alarm Clock Radio Speaker System for iPhone/iPod

I like almost all kinds of music and don't really listen to certain songs when I'm in different moods.  I do like to listen to Nickelback when I'm a work (with headphones on) to drown out noises (people) around me.  It's amazing what you hear in a cube!

Day 09- Something you’re proud of

I'm having trouble with this one because I'm proud of so many things.  But I guess what I'm most proud of is my little man.  He is the best thing to ever happen to me and is such a little hand full right now.  One thought I remember having while still in the hospital after delivery is that having a baby shows you there should be no question in your mind that there is a God.  It's the miracle of them all!

Benjamin 17 Months

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

I make lists...a lot of lists.  Some of the same things are always on the list.  Fun stuff like:  clean bathrooms.  But right now my focus is finishing our kitchen and doing touch up painting.  Nothing extremely exciting but we started remodeling our kitchen in April and it's time for it to be DONE!!  Things just take a lot longer when there is a little one around. :)

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

My sweet Mom; Patricia Mary Power Haithcock.  This picture was taken at my wedding and is one of my favorites. 

With my Mom and Dad

I wish I still had my Mom to talk to and confide in.  I once heard a quote from a book by Condoleezza Rice Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family.  I cannot remember it exactly nor can I find it but it went something like:
"A women will never have a better supporter, confidant and friend as she does in her mother."


I truly feel this way and cherish everyday I had with my Mom.

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why

I don't really have a favorite super hero, I kind of like all superhero movies.  So I'm going to change this up and write about the fact that my wedding reception was at the same location as the "Wayne Manor" in Batman Begins.

Mentmore Towers - Just outside Cheddington, England

Home to Mentmore Golf and Country Club, established in 1992, which has two eighteen hole golf courses, the Rothschild Course and the Rosebery Course.

 In front of Mentmore Towers

In front of Mentmore Golf and Country Club

Mentmore Towers is a Neo-Renaissance English country house in the village of Mentmore in Buckinghamshire. It takes its name from the village in which it stands, and from its numerous towers and pinnacles. It was built by Baron Mayer de Rothschild in the Goût Rothschild.  Mentmore was at one time owned by Harry Primrose, 6th Earl of Rosebery of Scotland.  One of my Aunt's was brought from Scotland to work at Mentmore.  (She meet my Uncle while in England)  Both earls bred numerous winners of classic horse races at the two stud farms on the estate, including five Epsom Derby winners.  Mentmore was sold in 1977 for £220,000 to the Transcendental Meditation movement founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  In 1997 Mentmore Towers was sold to a company, owned by Simon Halabi, now named Mentmore Towers Ltd, that, while restoring it, plans to turn it into a luxury hotel with 101 suites, including 62 in a new wing on the slope below the house.  It due to become England's first and only 6 star hotel.

I think Christian Bale did a great job of being Batman.

Christian Bale walking down steps in from of Mentmore Towers in Batman Begins.

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

My first thought when I saw today's subject is "A" picture?  I have been lucky enough to travel and live in some beautiful places.  So, I'm going to break the rules and post a few pictures.

"The Old Swan"

This is a 13th Century Pub in Cheddington, England

My Mom grew up in this village and this pub was once in our family.

I have a Aunt and Uncle that live behind it and my Mom grew up directly across the street.

(I will do a blog about my wedding and I will post more pictures of this beautiful village)

Jamie and I honeymooned in Ireland.  This is at the Guinness factory. :)

Blarney Castle

Kissed the Blarney Stone

May 2005

Atlantis Paradise Resort, Bahamas

Girls Trip

June 2008

Mallorca, Spain

Jamie and I took a side trip on our last trip to England.

Mallorca is an island off the coast of Spain.

Mallorca is known for their pearls.

May 2009

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn't have, or something that you are looking forward to

The bad habit one is easy.  I have played (twirled) with my hair for as long as I can remember.  When I was little it was the piece at the crown of my head.  Some how Mom got me to stop doing this since I was starting to have a little bald spot.  But then I started playing with the piece behind my ears.  I can't tell you how many times I've had my hand smacked because I was starting to get bald spots there too.  So I got smarter with it and still twirled but managed to not pull it out.  Still got my hand smacked and told that it made me look funny, trying to get me to stop.  But I can say that I still twirl my hair when I am tired, stressed or bored and it is a comfort to me.  Sometimes I might not do it for months at a time but it's always there:)

Mind you this is nothing like the Trichotillomania disorder, which is classified as an impulse control disorder by DSM-IV, is the compulsive urge to pull out one's own hair leading to noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional impairment.

I guess the looking forward to something is easy too.  I have always been fairly optimistic. When things get bad that only means they can only get better.  I'm a glass half full kinda girl.  I look forward to the future.  Watching my little boy grow up, having more children, growing old (but trying not to look old :) with my wonderful husband and enjoying life. 

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

This was our trip to the Bahamas.  We stayed at the Atlantis Paradise Resort.  It was beautiful and we had a wonderful time.  From left to right;  Lisa, (meet her when she sold Jamie his first house, which was our first house together) me, Marla (my college roommate), Nichole (Marla's sister, who is also one of my best friends.)  Marla, Nichole and I have lived together off and on for almost 20 years.  We are like family!  Wow that makes me feel old!

My friend Melissa that I have know each other since the 4th grade.  Our dad's were both in the Air Force and we meet while living in Spain. She now lives in Colorado.  Too far away but that's okay...we make often trips to see each other.  (Just found out this morning she is coming in September...so EXCITED)

The girls out for dinner.  From left to right.  Me, Marla, Nichole and Lisa.  Lisa and I meet while I was living in Wilmington (she cussed me out the first time she meet me...we have been best friends ever since)  It's actually a funny story but I won't go into that now.  Let's just say we used to have a really good time and laughed A LOT!!

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name

I asked for some suggestions on Facebook and this is one that I really liked.  It seemed to fit perfectly.  Thanks to Amanda of Eloquent English.

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

This picture is a few years old but at this age I don't think I've changed that much...and I'm going to stick with that philosophy for years to come!

1.  I was born in Dover, Delaware.
2.  My dad is retired Air Force so I have lived in two different countries and 3 different states.  Spain for 7 years; Delaware, Oklahoma and North Carolina.
3.  My mom was English so we travel to England on a regular basis.  I love England and would move there tomorrow if I could.  It's been two years since we last went.
4.  Jamie and I meet 13 1/2 years ago on a blind date...set up by really good friends...we were married 6 years ago.
5.  We were married in an 11th century church. Same church that my parents were married in and I was baptized. In Cheddington, England.
6.  I lost my best friend and mom 2 1/2 years ago to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.  I miss her more than words can say!
7.  I had my baby boy Benjamin on Valentine's day in 2010.  He is wonderful!  I love being a mom!
8.  I'm a sucker for dogs. I want them to all come home with me.
9.  Not cats...very allergic! 
10.  I tore my ACL snow skiing and had knee surgery. It's been about 8 years and finally wouldn't mind trying to ski again.
11.  I love to shop...just don't get to as much anymore and when I do it's usually for Benjamin.
12.  I like to exercise but don't get a chance to much anymore...again Benjamin :)
13.  I started making Benjamin's baby food and I'm finding out that I actually am starting to like to cook (this is new to me)
14.  Love home improvement projects!  We just remodeled our kitchen but I'm still working on the decorating piece.
15.  My family, friends and God are the most important things in my life! 

30 Day Blog Challenge

I have been trying to decide for a while if I wanted to do a blog and finally have decided "why not"?  A co-worker is doing one called 30 Day Clothes and Accessories Challenge which I find fun but I thought I should give a little background to me and my family first.  I also have my own garden for the first time and will be doing some canning so that might be either replacing some of the below or be additional posts.  Hopefully, I won't bore anyone to tears, if nothing else you will get to see posts of my little baby Benjamin (who is now 17 months old). 

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
Day 02- The meaning behind your Blogger name
Day 03- A picture of you and your friends
Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn't have, or something that you are looking forward to
Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to
Day 06- Favorite super hero and why
Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why
Day 09- Something you’re proud of
Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad
Day 11- A person you would love to meet
Day 12- Your Blog Story
Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently
Day 14- A picture of you and your family
Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play
Day 16- Another picture of yourself (baby pic!)
Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have
Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them
Day 20- What does your future hold/where would you like to be?
Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy
Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else
Day 23- Something you crave for a lot
Day 24- A letter to your parents
Day 25- What I would find in your bag
Day 26- What you think about your friends
Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge
Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?
Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned
Day 30- Who are you?