Leadership

It's Funny - Traveling

When you travel a lot, and for long periods at a time, you begin to learn a lot. One thing that I realized on our two month "vacation" to California - from the ocean by LA and Sand Diego - to the middle of the desert - to the top of the snow peaked mountains, and to stunning San Francisco, we experienced a lot, I learned that it isn't necessarily the big experiences that make the trip memorable. Rather, it's the little things. Disneyland? Ha, that was fun but nothing compared to being stuck out in the middle of the desert in the middle of no where, with night falling upon you. Or how about coyotes howling right outside you camper door in a campground in the mountains while you are the only camper there? Or raccoons climbing up the steps and the camper trying to get in!

Another something that I love about our camping trips is probably want my friends would put in their least liked lists....driving. Driving to and fro, from La to the peak of a mountains how ever many hours away. Goodness, even driving the many miles from home in Minnesota to California! It may be a crazy long ride, but you see a lot of amazing things, have a lot of great conversations, and learn to embrace not taking a shower for three days (ok, I didn't grow attached to that one).

When it comes to food and camping - one of the first things that come to mind is Coca Cola. See it's an ongoing disagreement in my family - some like Coca Cola others like Dr. Pepper. They are so different! Agreed? Well, to settle that we bought regular Coke and Cherry coke. Few. Satisfying for both sides. Anyways, Coke played a part in our trip because it was always the perfect thing to throw in the bag to go with the many sandwiches we ate on the many days on the road. Or, for the campgrounds that's water was "a la gris".....(gray) Divine, eh?

Well, for those days when you really want to spice things up and are extremely sick of the usual sandwiches and want something special, here's an extremely easy "recipe" that uses Coca Cola - Cherry.

Cherry Coca Cola Floats

1 can of cherry coca cola
2 - 3 scoops of vanilla ice cream
a spoon and cup
And of course, fabulous you waiting to indulge yourself in this great concoction!

Now, to even add more deliciousness to the mix....my friend taught me this little trick. Stir the float until it's all smooth and turns into a float shake, absolutely delicious indeed!

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Coca-Cola® blogging program. If I am one of the first 100 blogs received by SocialsMoms, I will receive a $25 gift card. For more information on the program, click here."

Image Via Sarah Klassen Image Vogue Russia April 2011

Gotta love Movie Nights

H-I-G H

I have a confession to make....

....I rarely will rent a Redbox movie unless I have a free code. *Blushes.* Nope, I didn't miss that they are only $1. I don't know, I guess it's a physiological thing!

After reading tweets on Twitter, laughing along with other people, I found out that I'm not the only one! If your like me, your going to feel lucky with the Redbox Lucky to be friends with you promotion going on right now!

I've been really wanting to rent "The Romantics" and "Life as we Know It." Any movies that you are looking forward to?

Here's the deal....

First, you sign up on the Redbox website, here: www.redbox.com/luckymoms
Redbox will then email you with a personal web address link...
You'll then share the link with your friends....
And every time someone reserves/rents a movie using your link, you'll receive a free code to get one yourself!
Plus - if it's your friends first time reserving a movie, they'll also receive a free one!
You can tweet, Facebook, email or blog to spread the word and luck!

Disclosure: I am entering a giveaway at Mom Bloggers club to win free snacks and two free movie rentals.

Its a Charmed Life

You know the feeling? The feeling when you feel absolutely, fantastically, giddy? High on life? Charmed in every way? I love the feeling. Maybe we can narrow and pin the feeling down to "lucky." I don't know - I think it's a mixture. A mixture of all of the above and more. So much more.

Many times, I will listen to a song, and feel ecstatic after wards. I feel so amazingly lucky that the lyrics from the song explain my life.

Now...that's just one time that I ever feel lucky.

There are a hundred more times, every day, every hour, every minute. Sure, there are times when I feel down, angry, frustrated, and just plane kap-poot. I'm so happy that most of the time, it's the other way around though!

I can't even begin to list all of the things that I feel "lucky" about. I am happy that I have a wonderful family, friends, animals, dreams, goals, a warm house. A lake that I can walk to and a friend and a brother that loves to swim at that lake with me.

I am lucky to have you guys! Leaving comments, supporting this blog! I also feel overwhelmingly lucky to all of the blogs out there that are at my fingertips to read. I love the inspiration that I have found and the person that I have become because of it! Isn't it amazing that others, people that you don't have know in "real" life, can inspire you so much? Amazing indeed!

I also feel lucky to travel a lot. Our family and I just got back from a two month vacation in California. Previous years, we've spent months in Texas and Florida. So many crazy experiences! Very crazy experiences that are unforgettable - like the fish hook getting stuck in the dogs belly, getting stranded in the middle of the desert, camping at a campground that smelled very strongly of sewer, and coming across a camel on a bike ride with some friends that we met.

While traveling, sitting in the camper away from our friends and family, I have to say you get a little lonesome for normal things. Not to mention bored at times (for example...when brother and dad go hiking for three days in a row leaving the girls to sit around in the camper in the middle of now where....). However, I was lucky enough to find free Redbox codes to rent a movie and escape from it all and get a little imaginary socialization! Redbox is seeming to give us the luck of the Irish, and is offering a promotion, Redbox Lucky to Have Friends Like you, where when you refer friends to rent a movie, you'll get a free code for a night of a great movie to watch! I'm really wanting to watch "Life as we Knot it" and "The Romantics" right now, how about you?

Image

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and redbox blogging program, for a $25 Walmart gift card from redbox. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

J'Taime Love Notes...

How darling are these note cards that are available as a free download over at Eat Drink Chic? Love! And, I think that they are perfect for year round greetings - not just Valentines day!

DIY J'Taime Mini Card Set - Eat Drink Chic

Shipping of to COLD Wisconsin!

One of my favorite things is sending and receiving blessed little gifts that I didn't know where coming. I think it's so fun to open up something and know that someone else put the time and thought in it, thinking of you all along the way! It makes me smile.

Seeing this idea, I'm planning on making one for my little cousins who are stuck in the snowy cold weather!



I can just imagine how excited they'll be to receive this little delight!



And on the way, learn the joy of giving.

Images and idea from Katherine Marie

Carnival Umbrella

Thought I'd share this sweet little yellow umbrella to make your day happier! Plus, it's on sale for $15!