Monday, May 31, 2010

May 31-June 6 Holidays

May 31 - Macaroon Day
June 1 - National Dare Day
June 2 - Bubba Day
June 3 - Running Day
June 4 - Old Maid's Day
June 5 - World Environment Day
June 6 - National Trails Day

May 30 - My Bucket Has A Hole In It Day



Well today I did a good job at making excuses for not doing things…

I must say this song reminds me of many conversations that Jared and I have…I told him that, and he laughed knowing that it’s true.

Where is this, where does this go, how should I do that….all common questions when Jared is doing something he would rather not be doing…

And if I’m being honest, I do the same thing at times…(don’t tell Jared I admitted that)

I guess it goes back to if you want something done the way you want it done...do it yourself!

May 29 - No Holiday

That's right people there is NO HOLIDAY on this day...so if you have a good idea, this is the day to have it on. 

I for one am LOVING not having a holiday!  Whew all this celebrating is really taking it out of me...I am enjoying my day off!

May 28 – Slugs Return From Capistrano Day

GROSS is all I have to say about this day:

La MisiĆ³n de San Juan Capistrano de Sajavit, or the Anglicized The Mission of Saint John Capistrano of Sajavit, is perhaps best known for its swallows. Every year on March 19th flocks of migratory cliff swallows return to this SoCal chapel. Flash forward two months and instead of swallows coming it is slugs going. Zany holiday Slugs Return from Capistrano Day celebrates the slugs’ return to lawns and gardens.

While slugs do play an important role in the ecosystem some people prefer to keep these slimy mollusks out of their yards. As you celebrate the spring and summer seasons, and the animals these seasons bring (such as swallows and slugs), in your garden there are several ways to keep your plants slug-free:

• crushed up eggshells work as a slug deterrent,

• lining your garden with copper tape

• try sprinkling leftover coffee grounds (regular, not decaf) in your flowerbeds. Caffeinated coffee is a scientifically proven slug repellent.

The above is from Zany holidays…basically the slugs are coming to invade you! GROSS!

May 27 – Body Painting Festival Day


Today I took my mom and we went to get Pedicures! I LOVE pedicures and recommend them to everyone, men and women a like. I got my toes painted bright pink! I usually do some sort of pink, and this one is BRIGHT! I was talking to my mom and suddenly looked down and at my toes and WOW they were PINK! It’s like a Barbie pink, and I LOVE it.

I didn’t get into it as much as you are supposed to…mostly because I like to keep my clothes on…but hey if you are into it…today is the day to do it.

There actually is a body painting festival, but it isn’t until July. If this day inspired you check it out at: http://www.bodypainting-festival.com/

May 26 – Sally Ride Day

This day is to honor Dr. Sally Ride:
In 1983, Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space as an astronaut on the shuttle Challenger. She was a mission specialist on STS-7, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, FL, on June 18. She was accompanied by Captain Robert Crippen (commander), Captain Frederick Hauck (pilot), & fellow mission specialists Colonel John Fabian & Dr. Norman Thagard. This was the second flight for the Challenger & the first mission with a 5-person crew. During the mission, the STS-7 crew deployed satellites for Canada & Indonesia; operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System to perform the first deployment & retrieval exercise with the Shuttle Pallet Satellite; conducted the first formation flying of the orbiter with a free-flying satellite; carried & operated the first U.S./German cooperative materials science payload; & operated the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System & the Monodisperse Latex Reactor experiments, in addition to activating seven Getaway Specials. Mission duration was 147 hours before landing on a lakebed runway at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on June 24, 1983.
                     - Space.about.com

May 25 – Tap Dance Day

At first I was thinking how great it would be if everyone wore tap shoes everyday. You would always be able to tell when people were coming. You could tell what kind of mood they were in, spice up a boring conversation, add a little jig when delivering bad news…you know those sorts of things.

Then I realized that I am one of those people who bounces their knee all the time, (runs in the family, my grandma did it, my dad does it…), anyways, I was thinking that I may be shot by a co-worker if all day they just heard me tapping away…I still think it could be great.

This day was signed into law by President George Bush to honor tap dancing as a uniquely American art form. This date was chosen because it’s the birthday of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

May 24 – National Brothers Day


I grew up with no brothers…my sister Katie wanted a brother, so since I was her last chance she took to calling me Michael instead of Michelle…it was ok…I was a tomboy at least…

Now I have all sorts of brothers, 2-step, and 3-in-law…it’s great. I called some of them up today and let them know it was National Brothers Day, and I think they felt pretty special. For Jared’s two brothers, I am currently the only sister they have…an honor I am very proud to have.

Day History:
National Brother’s Day was founded in 2005 by three young brothers, ages 2, 5 & 7, who wanted to do something special for each other. The first Brother’s Day was spent historically at “Build – a – Bear” in Las Vegas, NV.

So go do something with your brother…maybe Build-A-Bear…

When searching for pictures of my “brothers” for this page, I discovered that they are a little trickier to get pictures of then sisters…we’ll have to work on that. This picture is me and my broooothwa (that’s what I call him) Todd!

Monday, May 24, 2010

Holidays May 24-30


May 24 - National Brothers Day
May 25 - Tap Dance Day
May 26 - Sally Ride Day
May 27 - Body Painting Festival Day
May 28 - Slugs Return From Capistrano Day
May 29 - NO HOLIDAY!
May 30 - My Bucket Has A Hole In It Day

May 23 - Turtle Day


I love turtles, already this yearn my mom and I have saved Snappy and his cousin Snip-it from the golf course. (Every year my mom saves at least 3-4 turtles from the road). Snappy had to be nursed back to health and then they were released into “Turtle Haven” also known as “the swamp behind my mom’s house”. When I think of turtles I have to think of 2 things, one my friend Mari who always had a pet turtle that she found on a golf course or somewhere random…Mari and turtles just go hand in hand, and 2nd the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles…I was a BIG FAN…had TONS of their toys, movies, you name it…oh I miss those guys!

May 22 - Buy A Musical Instrument


I have bought many instruments in my life…or had them bought for me. I am a strong believer that everyone should at least attempt a musical instrument. I have owned in my life:

• Snare drum
• Bells
• Trumpet
• Recorder
• Keyboard
• Guitar
• Piano (family)
• Organ (family)
• Drum set (Jared)

I was definitely the best at the trumpet. Today I am stuck in a gym literally all day (7am-10pm) so well I can’t go buy an instrument I have decided that I would not want a whistle. Although it does give you a sense of power…you always listen to the person with the whistle…perhaps I should rethink this…maybe I NEED a whistle…

May 21 – National Waiter/Waitress Day


Well, I have never technically been a waiter or waitress; a waiter because well…I’m not a man, and waitress because I hate doing anything with food besides eating it. I was a server at a banquet hall however, in my poor high school days. My hatred of serving food has made me have an appreciation for those that do it. Therefore here are some of my complaints for you customers:

1. Don’t Shoot The Messenger
If a restaurant is out of something or the coffee is bad…it’s not the waiters fault. I highly doubt that they are the ones who order the food and prepare it…and obviously they don’t taste test everything before they give it to you…would you prefer that. Instead try politely and respectfully letting them know or just pick something else, that would be great!

2. Tip!
Sorry for those of you who think that it is dumb to tip and you think that the restaurant should just pay the employees more…A) that would raise the cost of food, at least now you get a choice, and B)it’s not the servers fault so put a few more bucks down on the table cheapo! If you can’t afford a decent tip (minimum of 20%) then maybe you shouldn’t be eating at a restaurant where you need to leave one. There are plenty of other options…go make your own food.

3. Waiters and Waitresses Are People Too
Maybe your server is grumpy, or forgetful, or any number of things…take a deep breath and instead of adding to their problem realize that they to are just a person. Maybe they just got some bad news, maybe they are stressed out, maybe they just need someone to smile at them and treat them with respect. Try it instead of getting all high and mighty and talking down to them. Instead of ruining their day you could make it better…think about it.

To the waiters and waitresses of the world I say, THANK YOU!!! You put up with a lot of crap!

May 20 – Eliza Doolittle Day

At First I thought we were going to get to try to talk to animals today…that’s the only Doolittle I know. Then I stumbled across this…

Today is Eliza Doolittle Day, which is most likely a meaningless event for anyone but film buffs and Audrey Hepburn fans. For the uninitiated of the musical and film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, this holiday is derived the scene in which Eliza, angered at her teacher, fantasized about the day she'll have her revenge:

One day I'll be famous, I'll be proper and prim,
Gone to St. James so often I will call it St. Jim.

One evening the King will say, "Oh, Liza, old thing,*
I want all of England your praises to sing.

Next week on the twentieth of May, da-da-da-da-da-da-DA,
I proclaim Eliza Doolittle Day!

All the people will celebrate the glory of you,
And whatever you wish or want I gladly shall do."
"Thanks a lot, King," says I in a manner well-bred,
"But all I want is 'enry 'iggins 'ead!" dum-da-dum

May 19 - Boys Club Day


This is a day that left me out, but one that Duke and Jared loved. I think that boys clubs are definitely necessary. Of course for boys, but also for men...I think we often forget that as we get older we still need boys and girls clubs. Being married, I know first hand that boys need boys…to do what with is a little confusing to me, but they love it. To guys sitting all day barely speaking to each other watching sports is a day well spent and full of male bonding…odd…but it works for them and who am I to say otherwise. Men need their silent days in front of the TV, and other male activities as much as girls need “Girl’s Night out” and Spa days!

Enjoy Boys…This is your day!

May 18 - Visit Your Relatives


This was my number 1 reason for wanting to move back to Michigan. I didn’t think that I would be seeing my family this much, but I am loving every minute of it. I am now working for my dad, which means that I get to see my dad and step-mom Mon-Fri. Then Duke goes to day camp at my mom’s house so I see her and my step-dad at least 3 times a week. Today I saw all of them and I forgot to take a picture with any of them!

I also see my sister every once in a while but WAY more then I used to, and well I don’t see my oldest sister as much, we do have plans to hang out. I wish that all my relatives lived close. On my dad’s side we have week long family reunions every other year and they are like my favorite thing EVER! So go visit your relatives today and never take it for granted. I would give anything to be able to go hang out with my Grandma for just one more day.

May 17 – World Communications Day


Well, I missed the boat on this one…on some websites I was looking at it said “World Telecommunications Day” and it was today…Monday May 17. As I am researching this more it seems that “World Communications Day” is May 16 and is a Catholic thing. There is far more data and research suggesting that that is the true day and May 17 World Telecommunications Day is for people who missed yesterday…like me…oops.

It is a day in the Catholic Church to reflect and focus on spreading The Word using modern technology in today’s society. Below is a link from the Vatican. Apparently they decide on the theme for this day back in January. This is the 44th World Communications day…or yesterday was…

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20100124_44th-world-communications-day_en.html

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Hoidays May 17-23



May 17 - World Telecommunications Day
May 18 - Visit Your Relatives Day
May 19 - Boy's Club Day
May 20 - Eliza Doolittle Day
May 21 - National Waiter/Waitress Day
May 22 - Buy A Musical Instraument Day
May 23 - Turtle Day

May 16 – Sea Monkey Day

I don't know about you, but this does not look like a pet I would like to have...eww.

"Sea monkeys are small shrimp-like specimen that have been sold as pets to children in the United States since 1960. They are also sold in the United Kingdom, where they are known as "Artful Arties." The name Sea Monkey was chosen for these creatures because of their playful, monkey-like behavior. When purchasing a Sea Monkey, a person will receive a water purifier package, a food package, and an instant-life-eggs package. When the eggs are released into the salt water, the Sea Monkeys emerge from their cysts. This instanteous hatching is known as "instant life.""

Did you know?
• Sea Monkeys breathe through their feet
• Sea Monkey eggs can survive for years without water
• They are born with 1 eye but develop 2 more--that's 3 eyes
• They are attracted to light so you can teach them tricks with a flashlight
• They require water and feeding once a week
• SeaMonkeys are actually a fascinating shrimp, Artemia nyos, that are easy to take care of and will provide your family with hours of amusement and education.

(discoverthis.com)

May 15 – Chocolate Chip Day

I am a BIG fan of Chocolate Chips…big surprise I know. However, I nearly let this day pass without eating them! Jared and I were fortunate enough to go to a Detroit Tigers game tonight and we had AMAZING seats…it was awesome. The game was in extra innings and it was about 10:30-11pm and I realized I had still not eating the glorious little marcels of chocolate called Chocolate Chips… then like a message from above I looked over and what vendor did I see walking down the aisle towards me…non-other then the Nestle Tollhouse lady with Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream sandwiches! Needless to say I got one and it was fabulous! I also love eating chocolate chips in the following ways:

• Plain, straight from the bag
• Melted on a bagel
• In brownies, cookies, cake, or any other baked good
• And thrown to me, and caught in the air!

Classic Friends Moment!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1ShzUEKqgc&feature=related

I couldn’t get the Embeded Info so go to Youtube and watch…it’s great!My

May 14 – Dance Like A Chicken Day

Another chicken day…I thought we already had one of these...ok so that was Chicken Lady Day (November 4), which I mistakenly took for becoming a chicken lady by doing the dance…that was an honest mistake. Now the official day has come everyone up on your feet…thought I would teach you some new Chicken moves…

May 13 - Frog Jumping Day



I would like to start by saying this day was even in the LA Times today!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/unleashed/2010/05/happy-frog-jumping-day.html

Here is the history of this day:

In 1865, Samuel l. Clemens (Mark Twain) penned “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County”, a tall tale of the life and happenings of the gold rush town, Angels Camp. The narrator details a story he heard in a tavern. It is about a frog, Dan’l Webster, who could out jump any other frog, and a man, Jim Smiley, who was the “curiousest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side; and if he couldn’t he’d change sides.” (1) Jim Smiley had bet forty dollars. Smiley was figuring that his frog could “out jump any frog in Calaveras County”. (2) He met a stranger who filled Dan’l Webster with buckshot, therefore winning the frog jump and the forty dollars in gold. Figuring out what happened Smiley ran after the stranger but he never caught him.

In Calaveras County they still have a frog jumping contest every year. This year being celebrated May 13-16.

Here is the winner from 2009

May 12 – Limerick Day

Limerick (from Dictionary.com)

–noun

a kind of humorous verse of five lines, in which the first, second, and fifth lines rhyme with each other, and the third and fourth lines, which are shorter, form a rhymed couplet.

Where does the term 'Limerick' come from?

The word derives from the Irish town of Limerick. Apparently a pub song or tavern chorus based on the refrain "Will you come up to Limerick?" where, of course, such bawdy songs or 'Limericks' were sung.

Limericks - The form
Limericks consist of five anapaestic lines.
Lines 1, 2, and 5 of Limericks have seven to ten syllables and rhyme with one another.
Lines 3 and 4 of Limericks have five to seven syllables and also rhyme with each other.
(http://www.poetry-online.org/)

Here’s one I liked today:

Bubble Trouble

There once was a diver named Hank
who had to go sit on the bank.
He ran into trouble
when friends saw a bubble
that didn't come out of his tank.

May 11 – Eat What You Want Day

This day could not have come at a better time. I recently started using this “APP” on my phone to count my calories…man I HATE it! So, today I didn’t use it, and I ate what I wanted. I drank Pepsi of course and also added in a Mountain Dew. I had vanilla pudding, PB&J, and a Tostino’s Pizza for dinner! Fabulous, now if only the food new it was Eat What You Want Day, and took all the calories out but kept the same taste…now THAT is a holiday I would like to celebrate!

May 10 – Clean Your Room Day


HA, this is a joke, my entire house has been chaos ever since we moved in…thankfully this day is just pertaining to one room. Thank goodness it’s not clean your house or your area or something major…however, this did seem pretty major to me today.

Our room is pretty basic, a bed and a couple pieces of furniture. Our bedding doesn’t match the walls since being newly painted…the bedding needs to catch up, but we are waiting on that. Then we have a white piece of furniture and also a wood colored one which don’t match very well either, but have no plan of being replaced any time soon. So even with our room clean it still looks a little disheveled.

Anyway, I did the task!

Have fun cleaning your room…this isn’t a punishment from your mother…look at is as an opportunity to start over on messing it up…a do-over…and who doesn’t like a do-over!

**Speaking of do-overs I forgot to take a picture of it clean so here is a replica of what it looked like before I cleaned it! - Then just image it sparkling and neat and that is what it looked like clean!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

May 10-16 Hoildays!

WHEW now that we are all caught up here we go again!

Here are the holidays coming up this week!
May 10 - Clean Your Room Day
May 11 - Eat What You Want Day
May 12 - Limerick Day
May 13 - Frog Jumping Day
May 14 - Dance Like A Chicken Day
May 15 - Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 - Sea Monkey Day (Also Duke's Birthday!)

May 9 – Lost Sock Memorial Day

I am not one to give up on socks, but honestly how does that happen! Everyone loses socks, but you never lose the other one, only one. I have a pile of single socks that I keep together, sometimes they meet new mates, they may look a little different but they are basically they same. I keep hope that the lost socks will some day return to me. Sometime I have found my lost socks floating around Jared’s sock drawer…THIEF!

These socks are the ones currently waiting for their mate to come back. We remember them, but we never forget or give up hope that one day they will return!

May 8 – No Socks Day

I had the best intentions of participating in this day, dreaming of running around in my Tevas and other flip flops…however, we awoke at 6:30 this morning…A SATURDAY to go to Chicago for the day to go furniture shopping! Craziness I know, but we couldn’t find any furniture we liked and now we are back and have TONS of furniture that we LOVE!...all in all well worth it! However, I was sick, it was cold, and I forgot my sandals!

My mom, being the genius that she is wore no socks today and so she celebrated to the fullest!

I am a big sock fan, I love them, but I LOVE in the summer being barefoot all the time…I can’t wait!

May 7 – International Tuba Day



“Joel Day founded International Tuba Day in 1979 while attending Lower Merion High School in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Being one of only two tuba players in the band and finding a lack of respect from his fellow classmates, he decided to set a day aside for our recognition as reputable musicians. Joel went on to study at Millersville University, where he established very popular International Tuba Day celebrations that continued for close to twenty years.”

This is a very popular holiday and is celebrated in many countries such as: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and of course the good ‘ol USA.

If you would like to learn more about tuba day there is a website dedicated to it:
http://www.tubaday.com/

May 6 – Beverage Day

Three drinks pretty much sum up my beverage life: Milk, Water, and Pepsi! LOVE EM!

I am learning to love water more, I discovered that I will drink more if it is ready to grab in the fridge…not so much a “pour a glass” type of person.

Milk…OOO I love it. Sometimes I get cravings for Milk and I feel like I could drink a whole gallon!

Pepsi is my guilty pleasure of drinks, I figure – I don’t drink coffee, I very rarely drink alcohol, so Pepsi is my thing that I have to have. As much as I drink it though, if I stop I do not get headaches or anything…unlike some people I know…(Jared).

Enjoy your beverages today…maybe try something new!

May 5 – National Hoagie Day

I actually did not know what a Hoagie was until today so THANK YOU for this holiday! Jared was in disbelief when I asked him what a Hoagie was.

The library at Prinston University defines Hoagie as:

• S: (n) bomber, grinder, hero, hero sandwich, hoagie, hoagy, Cuban sandwich, Italian sandwich, poor boy, sub, submarine, submarine sandwich, torpedo, wedge, zep (a large sandwich made of a long crusty roll split lengthwise and filled with meats and cheese (and tomato and onion and lettuce and condiments); different names are used in different sections of the United States)

So I ate one! I call them subs. I am pretty boring and always get the same thing…Turkey with Provolone…MMMMMM Yumm I could eat another one right now.

Go order your favorite Hoagie today and take one for the team!

May 4 – Candied Orange Peel Day

Yupp it’s just what it sounds like…Orange Peels that are candied…and here’s a recipe:

Ready in: > 2 hrs
Difficulty: 3 (1=easiest :: hardest=5)
Serves/Makes: 8

Ingredients:
4 large navel oranges
9 cups hot water
3 1/2 cups sugar

Directions:

Remove peel with white pulp from oranges. Cut into 1/8 inch strip. Place peel and 5 cups water in 2 1/2 quart dish, cover with plastic wrap and microwave 100 percent for 14 minutes. Drain and return to dish, add 4 cups water, recover and microwave for 14 minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water. Stir in 1 1/2 cups sugar. Cover loosely.

Microwave 10 minutes, stir, recover and microwave 10 minutes. Lightly oil 3 feet wax paper. Separate peel on paper so not touching. Let dry 2 hours or more. Put 2 cups sugar in bowl and toss small batches of peel in sugar. Air dry 2 hours and store in airtight container.

May 3 – Lumpy Rug Day

“Lumpy Rug Day is intended to appreciate a good rug. A rug should be smooth, even, and definitely not lumpy.”

I need some rugs for my house and they are hard to come by these days. I found online stores that were having Lumpy Rug Day Sales. There is no known creator of this day or reason it exists, perhaps a house wife made it up one day when she found an amazing rug and bought it. Either way I looked for rugs today and found NOTHING!...The search continues…

May 2 – Fire Day


Too bad yesterday wasn’t fire day because I saw a HUGE fire. An apartment complex was on fire as I went to Lowe’s this morning. In the video you can’t see the flames, but you can see all the smoke!

Once I was in Montana when they were having huge wildfires…I was the last car they let go through and then they closed the road. There were flames right on the side of the road, helicopters flying right over me with HUGE things of water and firemen running all over! It was CRAZINESS.

I am glad to say that I have never been in a fire, but I do always think about what I would grab if I had only a few seconds. I would get our removeable hard drive, Duke, Chubba, and my pillow…I figure Jared would take care of himself.

On the happier side of fires, I LOVE roasting marsh mellows to make s’mores and making things in those fire irons…grilled cheese or a pizza variety are the best. I also love laying in front of the fire in the winter, makes me feel all warm and cozy while it is nasty outside.
Duke is also a HUGE fan of the fire. That picture is from Christmas a couple years ago.

May 1 – Save The Rhinos

Rhinos are hunted by poachers and traded on the black market. Today there are less then 24,500 Rhinos left worldwide, down from 70,000 in the 1970’s. There are five species and three of them are listed as “Critically Endangered”.

Rhinos are very important part of the habitat in which they live, they are called Umbrella Species because in their habitat they help many other species of animals survive.

To learn more about what you can do to help Save The Rhinos check out these links:
http://www.savetherhino.org/
http://www.rhinos-irf.org/
http://www.savingrhinos.org/

April 30 – Honest Day

If May is in like a lion and out like a lamb then April is in with a lie and out with the truth.

A little known holiday, National Honesty Day was created by M. Hirsh Goldberg, an author and former press secretary to a Maryland governor. Goldberg, came up with the idea for an Honesty Day in the early 1990s, after he had finished writing (ironically, enough) “The Book of Lies”. Goldberg wanted to end April, which begins with a lie – April Fools- in a more positive way, an honest way.

National Honesty Day also reminds Americans of the honesty of its forefathers, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Remember, Washington cut down a cherry tree, but ‘never told a lie’. It also provides a good reason just to be completely honest for a day.
(hulic.com)
Try being honest about a few things today…I know it’s scary, maybe really answer the question, How are you? Or be honest when someone asks you if they look good in something or if the report numbers look good. Don’t be rude when you say the truth…could have a bad outcome, but be tactful and honest.

April 29 – National Dance Day

When I told Jared this he immediately started to do a little jig…if I had captured it on tape I would have had to put a warning to STOP drinking, make sure you didn’t have to go to the bathroom, and hten it would be safe to watch it because it was…interesting to say the least. I love it though that he just busts out into these random things all the time. At least he is getting into the day. I have a few different dance styles…my favorite and Jared’s favorite for me to do too is my car dancing. I don’t mean to brag, but I would put myself in the top 3% of people, however, only a select few get to see my real moves. If you are ever so lucky…watch out and prepare to be AMAZED!

I love how everyone dances on Ellen – just one more reason it is one of my favorite shows ever! (sadly because we have been moving I have not been able to watch her for a few weeks…I’m getting a little upset about it!)

BEST DANCE EVER...just another reason I love Ellen!

April 28 – National Kiss Your Mate Day

This Australian theme is really catching on…

Make sure you pucker up today and kiss your mate!!!

April 27 – National Mantanzas Mule Day

HUH? That was the first thing that came to my mind when I learned of this holiday…

Here it is:

Apr 27, 1898. In one of the first naval actions of the Spanish-American War, US naval forces bombarded the Cuban village of Matanzas. It was widely reported that the only casualty of the bombardment was one mule. The “Matanzas Mule” became instantly famous and remains a footnote in the history of the Spanish-American War.

Not really what we are supposed to do to celebrate it other then learn what it actually is...so not you know!

April 26 – Hug An Australian Day

Now THIS was a holiday I have been looking forward to since I started this whole thing…I don’t know any Australians, but the day is very clear on what you are supposed to do, so it presented a nice challenge.

When I thought I was still going to be living in Seattle at this time, my sister met someone one on a trip for work whose sister was going to be in Seattle about this time…(I told you I was serious about this). Then she wasn’t going to be in town on this day so then my plan was to go over to Microsoft and stand outside with a sign explaining that I needed to take a picture with an Australian…there are people from EVERYWHERE that work there…and just hope and pray someone would come hug a random girl with a sign!

Luckily, I am back in Michigan! I put out the call on Facebook that I needed to Hug an Australian and my good friend Becky answered! She is about to graduate from Michigan State University Vet School and knows someone there who is an AUSTRALIAN!

Today about 5:30 Becky and I loaded in the car drove an hour to Lansing to go out to drinks and HUG an Australian! His name was Matt, and he is from Australia! His family used to live more on the west side of the country, but recently moved to Sydney to be closer to him…I thought that was kinda funny. It was great…we went out to eat with a bunch of others who wanted to participate in the day. I gave him a great big hug when we got there…even thought I had never met him before…at least he knew it was coming…and then a hug again to get the picture!

Movies he suggested:
• Strictly Ballroom
• Lentel
• He Died With A Falafel In His Hand (gotta say that last one intrigues me!)

He also said that the movie AUSTRALIA was so embarrassing so…don’t bring that up when you find your Australian to hug!

April 25 – World Penguin Day

Another animal that I LOVE! I always want to jump over the little barrier at the zoo to swim with the penguins...they have places where you can swim with the dolphins, at Sea World they swim with the whales…why not Penguins?

“World Penguin Day coincides with the annual northward migration of penguins. This happens each year on or around April 25th. Penguins do not fly. Rather, they walk, or waddle their way to and from.” (Holiday Insights)

I think that those Penguin documentaries are fascinating and highly recommend everyone to watch March of the Penguins. = Fabulous!

Here are some facts about Penguins…you can learn more at http://www.penguinfacts.net/

• Penguins are birds.
• The name is derived from Welsh terms ‘pen’, meaning head and ‘gwyn’, meaning white.
• Penguin is an unofficial symbol of the United States Libertarian Party.
• They mate for life.
• They are ancient species that appeared 40 million years ago in the Eocene.
• Penguins don't fly, they swim.
• Penguins lay eggs.
• Penguin chicks have fluffy feathers.
• A group of penguins is called colonies or rookery.
• Penguins use their wings for swimming.
• Penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Some penguins live in Antarctica, Coast of South America, South Africa, Galapagos, Southern Australia and New Zealand.
• Most penguins can swim about 15 miles per hour.
• Penguins have insulating layers of air, skin, and blubber.
• Penguins open their feather to feel the cold.
• There are at least 18 different species of penguins.
• There may be as many as 100 million penguins in the world.

April 24 – Hairball Awareness Day

WE MOVED INTO OUR HOUSE TODAY!!! SO exciting! Not sleeping there tonight but all of our stuff is in!

This leads to an interesting day for Hairball Awareness…I did not want to become aware of hairballs…so I hired a friend to come in and clean the bathrooms and cupboards for me. My sister kindly offered to clean the carpets with the Rug Doctor…which turned into something interesting in itself…but that is a different story. I am sure that they found hairballs and Duke and I were choking on one at the same time today so that was interesting.

Cats typically suffer this problem…and mostly this time of year because of shedding. From http://www.petfinder.com/ here are some suggestions if you are faced with Cats and Hairballs…

The following tips can help reduce the yucky little surprises many cat parents face on a regular basis:

• Stop the Shed: During peak shedding season, cats tend to over-groom themselves. That increased excess of hair isn't just found on clothes and furniture -- much of it is ingested by the cat. Proactive grooming removes the loose hair before it is ingested and can reduce hairballs dramatically. The FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool for cats is a great option and can reduce shedding by up to 90 percent.

• Home Remedies: Try adding a little canned pumpkin to a cat's meals once or twice a week. If hair has been ingested, the fiber in the pumpkin can help move any hair clods through the cat's system.

• The Watering Hole: Cats have primal instincts and the location of their water bowl can prove it. In the wild, a cat would never drag its kill to a watering hole to eat and drink at the same time. House cats have inherited this same instinct. Owners should keep a cat's water bowl in a separate location than her food bowl. Cats will drink more water and this increase will help their system clean itself of ingested hair.

• A New Menu: There are several specially formulated cat foods and treats with increased fiber that aid in the fight against hairballs. Each pet is different, so always consult the cat's vet first before making any drastic diet changes.

• Stay Active, Stay Healthy: Twenty-one percent of cats are considered obese or overweight by their veterinarians. Play and interactive toys encourage cats to leap, stretch and stay active. Keeping a cat active helps him maintain a healthy skin and coat and increases balance and coordination.

• Ask Your Vet: Concerned about a cat's chronic hairball problem? Be sure to consult a veterinarian for the best course of action to help alleviate the problem. Simple measures can be taken to ensure your cat's overall health is in tip-top shape, but always consult with a veterinarian when it comes to major changes in health, diet and behavior.

April 23 – Zucchini Bread Day

I am a BIG fan of Zucchini Bread but I have never made it before…as usual with me in the kitchen it can get exciting. First I had to figure out how many Zucchinis to buy, then what size chucks to chuck them into…you professional kitchen people take these answers for granted…they are very tough for someone with very little experience.

I tried shredding the zucchini into 2 different sized pieces and ended up going with the smaller ones. Then we finished the bread making and my sister suggested this “topping” thing saying that it was REALLY good…

Well, again I tried it…however it turned out to be plopped on in gobs not really looking as I was hoping…and it tasted…well, I made it…that’s good enough for one day!

April 22 – Jelly Bean Day


I am 99% sure that this day was made up by stores to get rid of the extra Jelly Beans they had in for Easter. We have had a little bowl of Jelly Beans sitting on the counter downstairs in my parents’ house since just before Easter…

Today I was at the store thinking about today’s holiday looking at Jelly Beans to buy…then I remembered that we had some already at home…at this point in my life any money I can save is GREAT! So I passed up my favorites…Starburst Jelly Beans to eat the old classics we had at home. I didn’t get home until late and then…THE BOWL WAS GONE! I couldn’t believe it, they had been untouched for over 2 weeks now and now when I need them…they are gone!

Therefore I did not eat any Jelly Beans today, but instead am sitting here thinking about all the Starburst ones I could be eating…Darn!

April 21 – Kindergarten Day

I love kindergarten! I love those books that you would get for each letter; the building blocks and my favorite…NAP TIME! I remember picking out my “Nap Rug:” with my mom. Then they were all in a big bin in the back of our classroom.

It’s funny when you are young how you HATE naps, you feel like you are missing great things…a nap is a more of a punishment then anything else. Now days I LOVE naps! I would give anything to have a scheduled nap time in my day!

My kindergarten teacher was Mrs.Zuiderveen (sorry, I don’t know if that is spelled correctly!) She was the coolest, and when you were out of Kindergarten you could go visit her at lunch time and she would make a smiley face or a star on your hand with her red pen…highlight of my day!

And don’t forget that special day…Kindergarten Graduation….congratulations you are officially at the bottom and going to be in school for a long time…I think it’s more of a pep talk then anything else.

Think back to your favorite kindergarten moment today!