365 Holidays - My 26th Year of Life

September 1-17

2010-08-02T10:48:00.001-07:00

1 - Emma M Nutt Day
2 - National Beheading Day
3 - Sky Skraper Day
4 - Newspaper Carrier Day
5 - Be Late For Something Day
6 - Fight Procrastination Day
7 - Grandma Moses Day
8 - International Literacy Day
9 - National Teddy Bear Day
10 - Swap Ideas Day
11 - Libraries Remember Day
12 - Chocolate Milkshake Day
13 - National Celiac Awareness Day
14 - Cream Filled Donut Day
15 - Make A Hat Day
16 - Anne Broadstreet Day
17 - Citizenship Day
18 - MY BIRTHDAY!

August Holiday's

2010-08-02T10:45:00.000-07:00

1 - Sister's Day
2 - Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3 - Watermelon Day
4 - Backgammon Day
5 - Work Like A Dog Day
6 - Fresh Breath Day
7 - National Lighthouse Day
8 - Sneak Some Zuccini Onto Your Neighbors Porch Night
9 - National Polka Festival
10 - Lazy Day
11 - Presidential Joke Day
12 - Middle Child's Day
13 - Left Handers Day
14 - Kool-Aid Day
15 - Best Friend's Day
16 - Joe Miller's Joke Day
17 - Meaning Of "Is" Day
18 - Cupcake Day
19 - Aviation Day
20 - Pony Express Day
21 - Hug Your Boss Day
22 - Be An Angel Day
23 - Ride The Wind Day
24 - Vesuvis Day
25 - National Second Hand Wardrobe Day
26 - National Dog Day
27 - Global Forgiveness Day
28 - Race Your Mouse Around The Icons Day
29 - According to Hoyle Day
30 - National Toasted Marshmellow Day
31 - Love Litigation Lawyers Day

Holidays from July 19-July 31

2010-08-02T10:41:00.000-07:00

July 19 - Fitch Day
July 20 - National Hug Your Kid Day
July 21 - National Junk Food Day
July 22 - Hammock Day
July 23 - Gorgeous Erma Day
July 24 - National Day Of The Cowboy
July 25 - Candles On A Cake Day
July 26 - Aunt & Uncle Day
July 27 - Take Your Houseplant On A Walk Day
July 28 -National Milk Chocolate Day
July 29 - National Lasagna Day
July 30 - Parents Day
July 31 - Mutt's Day

Saddness –

2010-08-02T10:38:00.001-07:00

I regret to inform you that I will not be able to complete my blog. This brings me great sadness, but I must be honest. I am not celebrating the holiday’s anymore, I am becoming embarrassed of my posts and don’t even want people to go check it out. Thank you for those of you who have faithfully checked back, and those who have participated in the holidays thus far…I am sorry to let you down.

I have had bouts of depression in the past and when I have nothing to do and no “purpose” it tends to creep back into my life. The blog was created to give me that reason, that purpose for every day. It was tons of fun and I kept up with it nicely while in Seattle. Upon moving back to Michigan I started feeling like my old self again, I was meeting friends, had things to do, took classes at the local college, planned road trips, and joined sports leagues. Needless to say I became very busy. The blog started to be more of a stressor on me and taking me away from my family and friends…totally opposite of what it was supposed to be doing.

I had TONS of fun celebrating the holidays that I did, and I almost made it a whole year. I have to be honest that I am not celebrating and stop faking it on my blog.

I will post the rest of the holidays for the year, and I will celebrate them on occasion, I just can’t keep doing it with the pride and enthusiasm that I would like, so I must resign.

Thank you again to all the readers! I have learned a lot this past year and can’t wait to see what the rest of my 26th year of life and beyond has in store for me.

Thank you!
Michelle

July 18 – Woody Wagon Day

2010-07-21T08:22:00.001-07:00

This day celebrates the old cars from the 40’s and 50’s said to symbolize American freedom and casual style of life!

I know these more as an excuse to punch someone next to you and yell “Woody!”

July 17 – National Yellow Pig Day

2010-07-21T08:21:00.001-07:00

Yellow Pig Day is apparently a day celebrated by Mathematicians…Odd…they celebrate yellow pigs and the number 17…now I am no Math genius, but these things do not seem to be related at all! I am so confused by this day and I am not sure how to celebrate it at all…I don’t even think there are yellow pigs. Maybe you are supposed to figure out the probability of two pigs having a yellow pig…I have no idea…this is really confusing to me…this is why I don’t do math!

Apparently on college campuses math people usually celebrate with yellow pig cakes and yellow pig carols…so confusing.

July 16 – National Hot Dog Night

2010-07-21T08:20:00.003-07:00

Hot dogs…I think they are great, I could never do a hot dog eating contest…1 maybe 2 that’s good enough for me. I am a bit particular though. I like hot dogs in the microwave with the ends cut off and slit down the middle.

I will eat them off the grill, but not my first choice, made over a fire while camping – that’s good, boiled…again not a fan.

I was not able to have hot dogs tonight, I went to my brother-in-laws birthday party and so we had pizza.

Can I just say…why is this on ESPN…this is not a sport although you may think it is by how much these people are sweating, glad they all have their little wrist bands on…gross! Also, I love at the end after the contest that the first thing he picks up is Pepto Bismol!

July 15 – Cow Appreciation Day

2010-07-21T08:20:00.001-07:00

Cows bring about this urge for me to Moooooo. Whenever I see them while we are driving, I suddenly feel like I have to Moo. Jared is well aware of this, and I am pretty sure it doesn’t even faze him anymore.

Cows are great creatures and I LOVE what they give us…MILK, ICE CREAM, CHEESE! YUMM!

In Michigan I always see “Ruthie” the Country Fresh cow…and who did I see driving down the highway today…RUTHIE!!! I tried to take a picture, but I was driving and it was about to get messy!

Jared and I saw Ruthie about 2 weeks ago as well when we were going up to the UP…it was Jared’s first “Ruthie” experience. We took a picture then…but now I can’t find it...BOO. I could only find this video of Ruthie online…no pictures came up so I don’t know who these people are or what they are doing…but the cow…that’s RUTHIE!

July 14 – Blueberry Picking Day

2010-07-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

I didn’t pick blueberries today…however; this makes me think of my dog growing up…Fido. He LOVED blueberries! He would go blueberry picking every year with my step-dad and between the two of them…the blueberry farm probably lost money with the amount of blueberries they ate while they were picking others to bring home.

Oh Fido…we miss you little buddy!

July 13 – Embrace Your Geekiness Day

2010-07-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

This was actually celebrated by a news station in Charlotte, North Carolina today! It is exactly what it sounds like…celebrate your geeky qualities.

Best Buy’s Geek Squad should have the day off or something...their job title says GEEK.

I am a geek in a lot of ways…not tech savvy geeky…at least that would be useful. Celebrate those things about you and those around you that make you geeks! It’s a wonderful thing and today is the day to be proud!

July 12 – Different Colored Eyes Day

2010-07-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

This day is a holiday for 2 reasons:

1. Celebrate different color eyes!

2. Bring awareness to an eye condition called Heterochromia

Heterochromia is when you have two different colored eyes, it only affects about 1% of the population – with today’s colored contacts and things, it is not as big of a deal or as widely known who has this condition.

I have blue/green eyes – they are both the same color, but depending on what I am wearing they can look green or very blue, or somewhere in-between…I like it.

Some famous people with Heterochromia include Dan Aykroyd, Jane Seymour, and Kiefer Sutherland.

July 12-18 Holidays

2010-07-21T05:59:00.000-07:00

July 12 - Different Colored Eyes Day

July 13 - Embrace Your Geekiness

July 14 - Blueberry Picking Day

July 15 - Cow Appreciation Day

July 16 - National Hot Dog Night

July 17 - National Yellow Pig Day

July 18 - Woodie Wagon Day

July 11 – World Population Day

2010-07-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

Current estimated world population: 7,028,287,668 _ this changes all the time you can go to: http://www.ibiblio.org/lunarbin/worldpop to watch it!

Current USA population: 309,784, 247 you can watch this one at: http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html

Current State of Michigan Population: 9,969,727 (2009)

Current Grand Rapids population: 193,083 (2006)

Current Home Town Population: 6,997 (2008)

Current Home Population: 3 people, 1 dog (2010)

July 10 – Don’t Step On A Bee Day

2010-07-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

How did this day come about, was there a real problem wih stepping on bees? I don’t think anyone EVER sets out to step on a bee…do they? Unless there is some ancient culture who did this as a sport I am thinking this is a null holiday…so avoid the bee’s…apparently you are NOT supposed to step on them…who’d a thought!

**after further investigation this day is to help raise public awareness of the crisis in U.S. beekeeping and the potential implications for the nation's food supply. - I still think it's a weird name for the day.

July 9 – National Sugar Cookie Day

2010-07-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

I must confess, I forgot about this day…I can’t say I was too sad once I realized it because I am not a big sugar cookie fan…I can say however, I ate a LOT of sugar today and I did have a cookie…

I llike to make Christmas cookies every year and decorate them…but I don’t like eating them. Thankfully Jared does so I just make him a special batch every year.

July 8 – Be A Kid Again Day

2010-07-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today is actually my 4 year wedding anniversary! HOORAY…and today I was a little “irresponsible” like a kid. I worked for 3 hours only, and then headed out to get my hair cut and highlighted, and I took myself out to eat…I would say this is going back to my teen years, where you spend all your money on food and fun things. Then Jared and I drove to Detroit to have lunch with a friend visiting from Seattle, it was great, I got chicken and noodles ( I basically eat like a kid every day so that was easy) … Jared and I LOVE playing on playgrounds so we made plans to do that soon…couldn’t today cause we were so busy with friends! Therefore this celebration will last a few days I think!

July 7 – Father Daughter Take A Walk Day

2010-07-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

My dad takes a walk every morning at 5:30…I elected NOT to join him for this walk, but instead we went on a walk around our work building at about 3 today. I am LOVING working for my dad. I get to see him all the time, and it made today especially easy. I think that everyone needs to do things with their parents individually to build relationships. I am a big fan of the father daughter walk, the father daughter breakfast, and anything else father daughter like…it’s the best! Not that I don’t like other people too, I just love doing stuff with just my dad!

July 6 – Take your Webmaster to Lunch Day

2010-07-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Our webmaster at work is getting married this weekend…in preparation he has been on a strict “no eating out” plan. Hence, he was not up for going out to lunch, plus he had a lot of work to get done before this weekend. But I did make sure that he knew about the day, and I told him to mark it down cause he should FOR SURE cash in on this day in the future. I don’t envy webmasters at all, always getting called when something is wrong or broken…I do however envy their skills, and I will continue to try to learn them!

July 5 – National Work-a-holic Day

2010-07-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

Today I actually thought about going into work, before I even knew what the holiday was. Today is a day that many people get off of work, at least here in the USA because of the 4th of July…Independence day! I needed to make up some hours at work and seriously contemplated going into the office…so I decided that since it is work a holic day maybe I should work. However, I choose to work around the house, mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, and all that good stuff. I hope that I am never a work-a-holic…hard work I think is great, but it is not my first priority and I hope that I never get disallutioned enough to where work and money become more important then anything else. I hope to always be a friend-a-holic, and a family-a-holic…but no work-a-holic.

July 5-11 Holidays

2010-07-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

July 5 - Work-A-Holic Day

July 6 - Take Your Webmaster Out To Lunch Day

July 7 - Father/Daughter Take A Walk Together Day

July 8 - Be A Kid Again Day

July 9 - National Sugar Cookie Day

July 10 - Don't Step On A Bee Day

July 11 - World Population Day

July 4 – Build A Scarecrow Day

2010-07-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, Jared and I were in the car 90% of the day…at least 14 hours. I didn’t build a scarecrow, but I did think about scarecrows and how to build them…mine were not nearly as detailed and massive as this:
Here are directions for serious scarecrows!

Step 1 - Cut a 10-foot bamboo pole into two pieces, one 4 feet long and the other 6 feet long

Step 2 - Place the 4-foot section across the 6-foot piece, 1 foot down from the top.

Step 3 - Wire the two pieces together with floral wire, twine or raffia.

Step 4 - Place an old shirt on the short cross-piece of the frame and button the shirt in front.

Step 5 - Stuff the shirt loosely with straw, dry leaves or rags.

Step 6 - Place gloves at the end of the "arms" and secure them with rubber bands.

Step 7 - Pull one leg of a pair of trousers onto the long bamboo pole. The other leg will hang freely.

Step 8 - Tuck the stuffed shirt into the waist of the trousers.

Step 9 - Secure the waist of the trousers to the pole with a rope or belt , tying the belt or rope to the cross-piece if necessary to keep the pants from falling down.

Step 10 - Stuff the pants with the stuffing material of your choice.

Step 11 - Make a head for your scarecrow by stuffing straw into a pillowcase. Tie the pillowcase opening onto the top of the long stake with rope.

Step 12 - Draw a face with felt-tip pens, or glue on buttons for eyes and yarn for a mouth.

Step 13 -Stick the scarecrow in the ground or tie it securely in another location.

July 3 – Compliment Your Mirror Day

2010-07-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

I wasn’t sure if I was actually supposed to compliment my mirror on its shine and reflective qualities, or me in the mirror…so I did both.

Take sometime to day to let your mirror know that you appreciate it and how great a job it does. It boosts your confidence at times, sometimes acting as a true friend and telling you something you don’t want to know. It’s a tough job being a mirror, so let it know how great it is today…and throw in some compliments for that pretty face starring back at you too!

July 2 – “I Forgot” Day

2010-07-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

Jared and I left for a trip up to the U.P (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan today. We successfully participated in this day as well.

Jared forgot a pillow.

I forgot to take my vitamins.

And I know there were a couple more things, but now Jared and I have forgotten what we forgot!

SUCCESS in celebrating this day!

July 1 – International Joke Day

2010-07-05T07:17:00.000-07:00

I do not think these types of jokes are that funny…therefore I let other people opinions decide what to put up here…these are some of the top rated international jokes on Jokecenter.com:

A Texan farmer goes to Australia for a vacation. There he meets an Aussie farmer and gets talking. The Aussie shows off his big wheat field and the Texan says, "Oh! We have wheat fields that are at least twice as large".

Then they walk around the ranch a little, and the Aussie shows off his herd of cattle. The Texan immediately says, " We have longhorns that are at least twice as large as your cows".

The conversation has, meanwhile, almost died when the Texan sees a herd of kangaroos hopping through the field. He asks, "And what are those"?

The Aussie replies with an incredulous look, "Don't you have any grasshoppers in Texas"?

Q. What's the Cuban national anthem?
A. "Row, row, row your boat..."

Q: Why do New Zealand horses run so fast?
A: Because they saw what happened to the sheep!

June 30 – Meteor Day

2010-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

I tried, but I did NOT see a meteor today…even though millions occur everyday…I failed to see even one…sadness!

A meteor is a bright streak of light that appears briefly in the sky. Observers often call meteors shooting stars or falling stars because they look like stars falling from the sky. People sometimes call the brightest meteors fireballs. A meteor appears when a particle or chunk of metallic or stony matter called a meteoroid enters the earth's atmosphere from outer space. Air friction heats the meteoroid so that it glows and creates a shining trail of gases and melted meteoroid particles. The gases include vaporized meteoroid material and atmospheric gases that heat up when the meteoroid passes through the atmosphere. Most meteors glow for about a second. (www.nasa.gov)

Best meteor show I ever saw was on a white water rafting trip in Utah…they were EVERWHERE! It’s so black and dark out there you could see the entire show, and it was AWESOME and highly recommended!

June 29 – National Camera Day

2010-07-05T07:08:00.000-07:00

Again falling on my photography class day! PERFECT! I love cameras and pictures, I scrapbook a little (I’m not a crazy scrapbooker, just a small hobbyist). I do have a problem when people take pictures an entire trip, and instead of enjoying the event or trip they are just snapping away…they are missing so much.

The first practical photograph method was invented in 1835 by Louis Jacques Daguerre. It was named daguerreotype after him. The process included coating a copper plate with silver and then treated with iodine vapor to make it sensitive to light. The image was then developed by mercury vapor. It was later fixed with a solution of ordinary salt. The process was then perfected by William Fox Talbot in 1840. The calotype produced a negative picture on paper, which had the lights as darks and the darks as lights. The positive would be made on another sheet of sensitized paper which was exposed to light through the negative. (www.buzzle.com)

Now days we have cameras everywhere! Spy cameras, traffic cameras, phone cameras, car cameras, cameras in outer space…we can now put a camera anywhere I am convinced.

June 28 – National Handshake Day

2010-07-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

You can tell a lot about a person by their handshake I believe. You have the “I’m so strong and in control I am going to break your hand” shake, the “wet noodle”, the “lobster pinch”, the “warning” handshake (perhaps most often given by a father to a daughters new boyfriend or husband), and the “confident” handshake. To me those are your major categories.

In college for my marketing class it was our homework to go out over the weekend and shake hands with 400 people, making sure to practice eye contact, nice firm but not too firm grip and a healthy “HI, nice to meet you”.

I am usually a fan of handshakes, although I HATE when people are greeting you and they don’t look at you, and use the handshake to PULL you to where they want you to go, or think you are going. This often happens to me at church, so now I stand on the other side of the hallway and wave.

Practice your handshaking skills today…they are very important.

June 28-July 4

2010-06-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

June 28 - National Handshake Day
June 29 - National Camera Day
June 30 - Meteor Day
July 1 - International Joke Day
July 2 - "I Forgot" Day
July 3 - Compliment Your Mirror Day
July 4 - Build A Scarecrow Day

June 27 – Paul Bunyan Day

2010-06-27T16:17:00.000-07:00

The legend of Paul Bunyan started with stories told by men in lumber camps. He was supposed to be a giant lumberjack who performed incredible feats - such as scooping out the Great Lakes to get water for his blue ox, Babe. The stories probably date back to the 1800's. They appeared in newspapers in the early 1900's and turned Paul into part of American folklore.

June 26 – Chocolate Pudding Day

2010-06-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Pudding Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 large egg
• 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Four 6-ounce ramekins or custard cups

1 Whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a heavy 2-quart saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly, and boil, whisking, until pudding is thick, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

2 Immediately beat the egg lightly in a medium, heat-proof bowl, such as a hard plastic or ceramic mixing bowl. Very gradually add the hot chocolate mixture to the egg, whisking constantly. Whisk in the chocolate chips until they are melted and the mixture is smooth.

3 Pour the pudding into the ramekins or cups. If you want, cover the surface of each of the pudding cups with some cut out wax paper to prevent a skin from forming on the top of the pudding. Refrigerate, covered, until cold, at least 2 hours.

June 25 – National Log Cabin Day

2010-06-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

My sister and brother-in-law just recently bought a real log cabin in the U.P. (that’s the upper peninsula for you non-michiganders) of Michigan and it is AWESOME. It is available to be rented out as well so if you are interested…I highly recommend it. It is called “Wildwood Cabin” sits looking out over the water and the BEST little restarant is down the road…it’s actually one of the only places to eat around there, but it is AMAZING!!!!

http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p291944

June 24 – Celebration Of The Senses Day

2010-06-27T16:03:00.001-07:00

Today I took some time to appreciate all of my senses. Concentrating on each one for about a minute or so, really smelling the smells and listening to the sounds. I discovered a weird bussing noise at my work that now I can’t seem NOT to hear anymore, and a smell that woke up parts of my nose I don’t even think my nose knew existed. Our senses are taken for granted so much of the time, it was nice to sit there and appreciate each one. I am very lucky that I have all five. Although, I would like to change my taste a little bit if I could to like healthier things, but we can work on that. Take some time to day and be thankful for the senses you have!

June 23 – National Pink Day

2010-06-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Pink day and my Hubby’s Brithday! Two things I LOVE. Well, this is obvious everyone should wear pink, buy pink fowers for your wife, girlfriend, co-worker, a random person…do anything pink. Eat pink food…CELEBRATE PINK PEOPLE…it’s FABULOUS!

Other suggestions:
*Pink Margaritas
*Buy Pink Shoes

Check out this website:
http://thegloss.com/fashion/12-ways-to-celebrate-national-pink-day/

June 22 – Stupid Guy Thing Day

2010-06-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here are some I found online:

- leave the toilet seat up
- never asking for directions when you are lost for 20 minutes
- “babysitting” your own kids = this one really gets me
- forgetting birthdays & anniversaries
- starting a fight so you can leave the house
- never answering the cell phone when your wife, girlfriend, or significant other, partner calls

Feel free to add to the list…

June 20 – World Refugee Day

2010-06-27T15:20:00.000-07:00

This is a day to bring awareness to all those who are forced from their homes, who need shelter, medical attention, education, food, water, etc. There is a HUGE production with live video for 12 hours and all sorts of information about how you can help.

These websites are very informative…check them out and do something to help refugees today, even if it is just spreading awareness to others.

http://www.refugeedaylive.org/
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home

June 19 – World Sauntering Day...& Katie’s Birthday

2010-06-27T15:12:00.000-07:00

Katie, my sister, wanted to declare this day Katie’s Birthday instead of World Sauntering Day, since in my family birthday’s are a big deal and you can do pretty much whatever you want…this has become Katie Day where Katie gets to make all decisions and everyone loves her. So we relaxed on our hotel balcony overlooking the beach, went to the beach and Erin & Katie “swam with the dolphins” (the dolphins were way out in the water, but they were all swimming in the same water- you can kinda see them in the picture), and Erin was trying to jump after and catch a fish in the water…don’t ask. We went to an island with “wild” horses on it, and drove back to Baltimore for a cookout for Katie’s birthday where we had some of the most AMAZING cake I have ever had. All in all I thought it was a great day!

June 18 – National Splurge Day

2010-06-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

Today my sisters, mom, and I started our annual Girl’s Weekend trip! Every year we try to do something and this year we went to Maryland to visit my sister Erin…today we went to Ocean City, MD…which by the way is AMAZING and I highly recommend it to anyone who is in the area. Awesome beach, great boardwalk and people watching…overall relaxing (not in a Zen sorta way though). Anyways, tonight we walked out on the boardwalk making all the necessary stops. We ate some Thrasher’s Fries, stopped at the Candy Kitchen, got some Ice Cream, Pizza, and did a little shopping. It was great! So go out and splurge on something today…You’ll be glad you did!

June 17 – Eat Your Veggies Day

2010-06-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

This is something I am NOT good at. In Seattle in the grocery store you could buy little individually portioned veggies that you would throw in the microwave in those steamer bags…they do not have them in Michigan and it is NOT helping my veggie intake. I don’t like to make them over the stove, and canned are just GROSS, so then I am left with HUGE bags of the steamer ones, or waiting for Jared to make them over the stove...neither of which is a convenient option. When it comes to doing things I already don’t like…convenience is everything. I am working on getting better at eating my veggies, and today was a great reminder!

I may not love eating veggies...however, I LOVE Veggie Tales! (Larry is the best!)

June 16- National Hollerin’ Contest Day

2010-06-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

I think this video will explain…

Actual video:

(The second guy needs to get that thing out of the middle of his lips...PS Duke Really Liked this video!)

June 15 – Smile Power Day

2010-06-27T14:45:00.000-07:00

Again, falling on my photography class day! I truly do think that if you smile at someone it can brighten their day. I try to smile at people who look really grumpy sometimes too, it’s sad how some people never smile, I could never live with someone like that. Always a downer, always looking on the down side of things, thinking everyone is out to get them…sucky way to live if you ask me and all it takes is an attitude adjustment to live differently.

So SMILE today and think of all the good things, spread your smile to others, and MAKE today a great day!

June 14 – Family History Day

2010-06-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I am just going to say that I encourage everyone to start a Family Tree if you don't have one going already...take some time today to talk with members of your family and learn about your ancestors. It is very important, medically and just to know. So stop reading this...go talk to your family...or get online and do some research!

June 13 – National Juggling Day

2010-06-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

I can juggle three balls!

June 12 – Sewing Machine Day

2010-06-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Sewing Machine Day celebrates a very important invention ----- the sewing machine. The first sewing machines were made in France in the 1830s. It wasn't until 1846, that they were patented in the U.S. What a great invention. Prior to its creation, clothes items were sewn together by hand...stitch by stitch.

I have no idea how to use a sewing machine; I think that it would be cool only if you were really good at it. I do not like “homemade” looking things a lot, so if I could make it look like it was from a store GREAT; however I am fairly confident that I do not and could never possess those skills. The only sewing I do is to Duke’s Toys so that we can prolong their life a little bit…I may have sown on a button before…that’s good right?

June 11 – Nursing Assistants Day

2010-06-27T14:34:00.000-07:00

I have to be honest I didn’t know there were nursing assistants; I thought someone who assisted a nurse was just another nurse or a physicians assistant. There are though, I was wrong…this was my thing that I learned today. Maybe the name nursing assistant through me off, is this the same as medical assistant because I have definitely heard of that before. There are so many kinds of assistants and things in the medical field, you have Dr’s, residence, interns, PA’s, RA’s, RN’s, nursing assistants, medical assistants, medical transcriptionists…I am sure there are 5,000 others, but those are the ones that come to mind right now. Some I get the difference between, others I have no idea.

Thank you to all you Nursing Assistant’s out there, I’m not sure why you aren’t nurses, but I am sure there is a good reason!

June 10 – National Yo-Yo Day

2010-06-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

Middle school…that is what yo-yos make me think of. Man they were popular. I could do some tricks, the Eiffel Tower, Walk the dog, Cat in the Cradle…but I was no expert. I had a green yo-yo that I remember saving my money for and going to the Mackinaw Island Kite Company to buy!

(I was almost this good)

Did you know the yo-yo is considered to be the second oldest toy in the world, only behind the doll…although the yo-yo as we know it didn’t appear until about 1930 – the original Duncan Yo-Yo.

June 9 – Donald Duck Day

2010-06-27T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is the day that Donald Duck made his debut back in 1934 in the Silly Symphony Cartoon, “The Little White Hen”. It is thought though that Donald Duck was born on March 13, 1914…there was actually quite a bit of research that went into this…and it actually is interesting, follow this link:

http://www.simplecodeworks.com/ndcc/313/

My friends dad used to be able to do the Donald Duck voice and I thought it was hilarious…I was not blessed with this gift. Can you talk like Donald Duck?

June 8 – Upsy Daisy Day

2010-06-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

I am currently taking a photography class and today was a great day to be Upsy Daisy day! I was selected to show some of my homework for the class to look at along with a couple other people. We looked and the others and you heard things like “great use of positive and negative space”, “oh the shadowing there looks really good”, “what setting was that, it’s great”…then we got to my pictures and you heard, “what was the focus, I think it’s a little off”, “here is a good example of ‘noise’ in photography”, “I would have used a different setting for that one.” OH well, that is why I am in the class…UPSY DAISY!!!

June 7 – Chocolate Ice Cream Day

2010-06-27T14:26:00.000-07:00

I definitely made sure to actively participate in this holiday. I am playing on a Kickball team, which is AWESOME and I highly recommend everyone to look in their area to see if there are any leagues to get in…and do it! WE won our game tonight and went out to ice cream afterwards…of course getting a big chocolate cone.

Chocolate is a classic and never gets old, and you can still spice it up, soft or hard, you can get toppings on it, or mixed in with it. I wanted hard ice cream, but they gave me soft…it was still amazing!

LONG LIVE Chocolate Ice Cream Day!

COMPUTER MALFUNCTION - POSTS COMING

2010-06-14T12:21:00.001-07:00

June 7-13 Holidays

2010-06-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

June 7 - Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 8 - Upsy Daisy Day

June 9 - Donald Duck Day

June 10 - National Yo-Yo Day

June 11 - Nursing Assistants Day

June 12 - Machine Day

June 13 - National Juggling Day

June 6 – National Trails Day

2010-06-06T14:39:00.000-07:00

Today Duke, Jared, and I went for a walk around our house on a small trail. It was great. We have a lot of trails around us, there is one that goes from my mom’s house to the city Zoo, and there is another one that goes I am not sure where…and they recently made another trail that connects the two. I realize you have no idea what I am talking about and that was like the WORST description ever, but oh well, it’s the best I could do.

On nice paved trails I like rollerblading or riding my bike, but I also enjoy walking down trails through the woods or in the mountains! Jared and I recently decided that we are going on a trip to New Zealand and I am very excited to check out some of the trails there…if you have any suggestions of what to do while we are there please let me know!

Go enjoy the trails to day!

June 5 - World Environment Day

2010-06-06T14:34:00.000-07:00

I must say that living in Seattle made me much more environmentally aware. I try to always use re-useable bags, or just put whatever I am getting into my purse. I have trash and recycling service. I know those aren’t the biggest things, but every little bit helps, and it erks me so much when people have like 1 or 2 small items and they put it in one of those huge plastic bags. Or like one box of Kleenex into a bag, and that is the only item…isn’t it just as easy to carry the box as it is the big bag?

Oh, I also try to turn off the water when I am not using it, I prefer to have the windows open to air conditioning, and I would rather not leave the lights on…for environmental as well as financial reasons!

Today try to make one change to help the environment…and encourage others to do the same!

June 4 – Old Maid’s Day

2010-06-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

I remember playing this when I was younger, we had the coolest card and the old maid was…well old and I could see why she was single.

However, 99% of the “maids” I know are GEORGEOUS and I have decided that they must intimidate people or something. What is the deal with AMAZING people not having a line waiting to even just talk to them…boggles my mind. Then you have the people who you think would be an old maid forever and they have guys fighting over them, or been married multiple times…well that could be a problem.

Anyways today if you are a Maid…give the “Old Maid” name a new look. Live and Love being a maid…even if you can only do it for today, if you are happy being a maid that’s awesome. Today is the day to celebrate all of ya!

HaHa, I love how this picture has the "Old Maid" with a cat! CLASSIC!

June 3 – Running Day

2010-06-06T14:19:00.000-07:00

Today I did actually run! Not in the “I’m going out for a run” type of thing, but I played soccer with Jared and Duke in the back yard and I was running around and it was SUPER fun!

I have never been one to just “go run” however, I am thinking more and more that as much as I hate it, I may need to make it something I do…we’ll see.

Anyways, if it is nice today go outside and RUN! Run to chase your kids, a ball, run to get a brownie…whatever works for you!

June 2 – Bubba Day

2010-06-06T12:43:00.001-07:00

Bubba Gump Shrimp….that is the first thing I think of when I hear Bubba. Second is my friend’s baby in Seattle, cause he is so cute and they call him Bubba (that’s not his real name don’t worry).

Interesting Fact: Bubba is the Yiddish word for grandmother

Today is the day to walk around and call people Bubba, and just have a good ol day. I read that if you are a true Bubba you will have a party and play cards, etc…You can decide how “Bubba” you want to be.

June 1 – Dare Day

2010-06-06T12:39:00.000-07:00

Today I dared myself to keep up with this blog! I started this blog when I lived in Seattle, Jared went to work and school full time and I was bored out of my mind. Since then we have moved back to Michigan, by family and friends, there is nice weather, I have a house to take care of instead of just a small apartment, we have a yard, I have a job, I am on a kickball team, and taking a photography class! My life has gone from a level activity of 1 to about 9.5. Needless to say I am having trouble keeping up with my blog, participating whole heartedly in the holidays, and having the energy to write about it.

I really want to finish the year and make it through my holidays, but this is getting to be quite a challenge. I am daring myself to continue and make it all the way…

You think Christmas time wears you out…try a whole year of holidays…I will be glad when my celebrating is up, although I am learning something everyday, and that’s always good.

May 31 – Macaroon Day

2010-06-06T12:31:00.000-07:00

Macaroons are a type of cookie or confection that is made without flour or yeast. There are many variations of macaroons, which generally fall into one of three categories: French macaroons, Italian macaroons and coconut macaroons. Italian macaroons usually contain almonds, and one well known Italian variation of the macaroon is called amoretti. They are flavored with either amaretto or chopped bitter almonds. French macaroons generally have top and bottom layers of meringue with butter cream filling. These popular desserts are available in a almost endless variety of colors and flavors. In the United States, macaroons are usually made with sweetened coconut.

Macaroon Background and History

It is not exactly clear who first invented Macaroons, but historians say they first appeared around 1533 from an Italian monastery. Amoretti, the Italian version of macaroons, was first created by Francesco Moriondo, the pastry chef for the Court of Savoy in the 17th century. (mahalo.com)

To be honest I thought a macaroon was a nut…apparently I was wrong.

May 31-June 6 Holidays

2010-05-31T07:50:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T07:45:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

GROSS is all I have to say about this day:

La Misión 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

2010-05-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T07:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

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!

Holidays May 24-30

2010-05-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T17:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T17:16:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T17:06:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T17:00:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T16:51:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-24T16:41:00.000-07:00

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

Hoidays May 17-23

2010-05-16T16:31:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:23:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:22:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-16T16:11:00.000-07:00

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!

May 10-16 Hoildays!

2010-05-09T13:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T13:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T13:21:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T13:14:00.000-07:00

“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

2010-05-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T13:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T12:54:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

“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

2010-05-09T12:39:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T12:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T12:08:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:57:00.001-07:00

This Australian theme is really catching on…

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

April 27 – National Mantanzas Mule Day

2010-05-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:49:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:36:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:19:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-09T11:08:00.000-07:00

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!