Wordless Wednesday

What's Up Weekend! january.nineteenth.eighteen

Happy Friday!  I hope your day is starting off amazing and that your weekend will be even more amazing!


Each Friday there is an awesome link up that takes place with Lindsay http://theflynnigans.com/ Charlotte http://mypixieblog.com/ and Beth http://coffeeuntilcocktailsblog.com/  called What’s up weekend?  Bloggers share their gratitude lists and it is a great way to start the weekend as we look back on the positives of the past week.

• Monday was a holiday!  Working in the government, we get a lot of paid holidays off.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is one of them.  There are so many good MLK Jr. quotes it was hard for me to pick just one to put on here.

• This past weekend I attended a Girl Scout event called Owl Prowl.  It is a yearly event where girls get to stay up ALL night long in a safe environment.  My girls are teens, so they got to plan a booth.  They did Moon Survival, we adapted it from this NASA lesson plan.  Try it out and let me know how you did.
• My car is still broken, but I am grateful for everyone that has given me rides, let me borrow their cars and helped me out with this business.  It might remain broken for it a minute as it is a major problem.  The silver lining: I only have 79k miles and it should be covered under the PowerTrain Warranty.
• My daughter got a chinchilla and it's quite lovely.  His name is Furby.
• I'm working on starting my own monthly link up.  Still working out the kinks, but I think it will be a fun one!
• This weekend is a game weekend!  The Victory Vixens are taking on the Knockouts.  Wish us luck!
• I was hoping to post that I had passed my Chemistry 2 test, but I didn't.  I think I might have over studied.  I did everything correct on the pretests and study questions, but totally messed up on the test.  So I'm just going to study hard.  Again.  Hopefully, not too much.  Haha.  But here's the thing, Chemistry 2 is the only class I actually have left.  I only have my practicum left and due to more awesome friends, I have a lead on a placement. So close! 
• Our Alaskan Cruise with our family is booked.  I am looking into roadtripping it out to Seattle instead of flying.  It will save me about $2000 and we will get to see more of the country!  It will add a few extra days to our vacation, but I have plenty of time with work.

How are things going for you this week?  what are you looking forward to?

top ten thursdays: things that make me happy!

Hey!  It's Thursday and it's time to make a list.  Join me over at: Part Time Working Hockey Mom's to link up!


This weeks list is ten things that make me happy!


1. Cats
2. Books
3. Fall Weather
4. Writing
5. Puffs Tissue with Lotion (because it doesn't hurt my face!)
6. Lush Bath Bombs and long baths.
7. Traveling
8. Roller Derbies
9. Getting my stuff together
10. Blogging!


I kept my list simple.  How bout you?  What makes you happy?

recipe: tomato tortellini soup

This past Sunday I had a little get together at my house.  I made some soup for my guests.

It was a simple tomato tortellini soup.  January is soup month, so I'll have a few more soup recipes after this one.

Tomato Tortellini Soup

A large can of tomato soup

2 cups of half and half

1 cup of milk

Frozen Cheese Tortellini

Traders Joes 21 Seasonings Salute

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

All the Seasonings I did to taste.  I put it in the crockpot on low for a few hours and it was good to go.

I served it with Parm Cheese, Moz Cheese and Garlic Bread.

My daughter got a new friend this weekend.  His name is Furby and he's the cutest Chinchin.

I can't wait for Chinchilla adventures.

My get together was a small Mary Kay party.

Four of us had Green Eyes, so we went ahead and did the Green Eye makeup packet.

I loved some of the colors with it.

Also, that table is going up for sale soon.  I need one that better fits my space. 

Here is what I am looking at:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50392128/

It's not available until April though.

Get to Know Me 2018

Happy Tuesday!  It's cold and blistery here!  Schools are even canceled due to the extreme temps. Curious as a Cathy shared Getting to know me…2018. I like the idea and I decided to play along. I lifted the questions from her webpage with the original author’s link back at the end, so please visit both bloggers.

I like to call these old school blogs.

Remember when blogs first started out?  It was surveys and

such like that.  I think they are fun.  Maybe a series of old school blogging?

Here are my answers:
Share your profile picture if you have one.
Click on my name at the bottom and it will take you to my Google Plus profile.  That's my current pic hanging out there.

Who are you named after?
My middle name, Ann, is after my grandmother.  Her middle name was also Ann. 
Do you like your handwriting?
Absolutely!  It's very legible and adorable.
What is your favorite lunch meat?
I guess ham?!  I don't eat a lot of lunch meat.
Longest relationship?
What kind of relationship are we talking about?  I was married for eight years...so that might have been the longest one legally.  I can tell you we were both not into it after three years though.
Do you still have your tonsils?
Unfortunately.
Would you bungee jump?
Yes!  When are we going?
Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
No.  Who has time for that?
Favorite ice cream?
This is a hard one.  The peanut butter cup ones are pretty yums though!
What is the first thing you notice about people?
It's different for everyone! 
Football or baseball?
Baseball, obvs...
What color pants are you wearing?
I'm wearing jeans....
Last thing you ate?
Last night I ate nachos.If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Dark red

Favorite smell?
Don't laugh, but I still love the smell of CK One. 
Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
My oldest son.
Hair color?
Brown
Eye color?
Green
Favorite foods to eat?
Pizza!
Scary movies or happy endings?
I enjoy both.
Last movie you watched?
It might have been "Whip It" when my interwebs went out and that video was in my laptop.
Favorite Holiday?
Christmas!
Beer or Wine?
Both!
Night owl or early bird?
Again, both!  Don't ask me how it works, but it does.
Favorite day of the week?
Wednesday
Can you crack an egg one handed?
Yes.
Coffee or Tea?
Neither
Favorite go to beverage?
Monster or Water
Mac or PC?
PC
Do you prefer to read or watch TV?
Both!  I love both!!




It’s your turn! Lift & create your own “Get to Know Me 2018” post and be sure to either add a backlink to my place or leave me a comment. Have a fun!

1. Share your profile picture if you have one.
2. Who are you named after?
3. Do you like your handwriting?
4. What is your favorite lunch meat?
5. Longest relationship?
6. Do you still have your tonsils?
7. Would you bungee jump?
8. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?
9. Favorite ice cream?
10. What is the first thing you notice about people?
11. Football or baseball?
12. What color pants are you wearing?
13. Last thing you ate?
14. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
15. Favorite smell?
16. Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone?
17. Hair color?
18. Eye color?
19. Favorite foods to eat?
20. Scary movies or happy endings?
21. Last movie you watched?
22. Favorite Holiday?
23. Beer or Wine?
24. Night owl or early bird?
25. Favorite day of the week?
26. Can you crack an egg one handed?
27. Coffee or Tea?
28. Favorite go to beverage?
29. Mac or PC?
30. Do you prefer to read or watch TV?

100. For the original post – Copy this link


Share your link in the comments if you participate! 

Happy Monday! Enjoy the Kittehs!

Happy Monday everyone!

It's icy out, but this afternoon it's going to be in the upper 40s!

Ice be gone!

Enjoy some kittehs this morning.

Yes, lil Jager is obsessed with the bathroom.

No one in the house is allowed in the bathroom without him.

Maggie is still as majestic and awesome as ever.

derby picture fun

Duck!  My favorite bout duty!  I sell ducks that people chuck at a target and win a gift certificate.

Our BABS (Big Ass Banner)

Shanks took an elbow to the head.

Did Karma pay attention during the league meeting?

Pre-game

More pregame Shenanigans.

Kansas

Kansas consists of 82,278 square miles.

What is all incorporated in all those miles?  This year, hopefully, my family and I will find out.  What fun and unusual things can we see and learn about in our adventures?

Let’s take a moment and learn about Kansas.

Kansas received it’s name because the Kansas River flows through it.  The Kansas River is actually about 1.5 miles from my house.  The Kansas River was named after the Kansa tribe. It is said their name means “people of the wind”

Did you know the smallest incorporated town only has 5 people in it?  It’s called Freeport.  It’s southwest  of Wichita, which is the largest city in Kansas.

The state flower is the Wild Sunflower.  That’s what you probably think of when you heard the name Kansas (or the Wizard of Oz).

The Kansas state animal is the American Buffalo, which is actually a Bison.  Our state animal is a slang term for bison. 

The state insect is a western honey bee.

Home of the Range is the state song of Kansas.  I remember in 4^th grade we had to perform this song during our Kansas unit. 

The capital is Topeka.  I call it the 666. 

There are 26 state parks in Kansas.

There are 10 National sites; historic sites, historic trails and a national preserve. 

There are a ton of “ghost towns”.

We have Kansas State University and the University of Kansas, so lots of sports watching to have!

Pretty much, there are a lot of things to do in Kansas.  We will see how much we can cover in a year!


Our first trip will be in March to Hutchinson.  We will be visiting the Salt Mine and Cosmosphere.

Top Ten Thursdays -- My Fun Stuff to Do List

Linking up over here: https://thethreegerbers.blogspot.com/2018/01/top-ten-thursday-fun-stuff.html

Top Ten Fun Things for 2018

We all make our resolutions list, so why not make a list of fun things you want to do in 2018?

Here are mine, in no particular order:

Alaskan Cruise!

Camping.  Somewhere.

Find my way out of an Escape Room

Watch Game of Thrones

Go to the Urban Axe Throwing Club (I figured I’m good at throwing tomahawks, I would probably be good at this)

Have a fun year!  If things happen, be like a duck.  Have it roll off my back.

Plan our 2019 super awesome vacay.

Take a Train to Chicago!

Take in a themed movie at the Alamo Drafthouse

Visit the Salt Mine and Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, KS

writers workshop: reviewing the goals from 2017

Here is my goal post from 2017:
http://onceuponatimeinhaz.blogspot.com/2017/01/2017-goals-resolutions-things.html

Finish Chemistry by the end of January. -- I did this!  Now, I just have to finish Chemistry 2 by the end of this January!

Become a Roller Warrior. Yep, joining another league. -- I did this too!  I am a Victory Vixen with the Kansas City Roller Warriors.

Eat better. -- HAHAHAHA!

Post more often.  I have ideas, yo. All the ideas.  -- I did okay with this.  I had times where I sucked at it though.

Take an awesome fam vacay to South Dakota/Wyoming. -- IT was amazing and AWESOME!

Finish my Master's by December. --  Nope, but will be done in the next few months.

Get the car fixed -- Yep!

Here are my goals for 2018:

http://onceuponatimeinhaz.blogspot.com/2017/12/actual-goals-for-2018.html

How did your goals shape up for 2017?

Did you accomplish all the things?

IWSG #1 - January!

Happy New Year!  We made it to 2018!  I know I already said that in a previous post.  But still, new year, new you, right? 

What are your writing goals and plans for this upcoming year?

I want to encourage others to write and blog.  I want to write more about travel and how to do so cheaply and with families.  I want to write about my life because I have some crazy stories to tell. 

 

January 3 question - What steps have you taken or plan to take to put a schedule in place for your writing and publishing?

My writings are primarily on my blog.  I have a schedule in place for my travels and the research I am doing before the trips.  I want to blog about the things I find to do, explore and eat at the places we are visiting.  I want to blog about how to keep the trips cheap and reasonable for family travel.

I plan on participating in as many link ups as I can and commenting on others blogs.  I am excited to see what others are writing about.

What’s your schedule for your writings and blogs?

Check out other great blogs at this link:

The Insecure Writer's Support Group

Sharing Your Blog: Favorite Blog Link Ups!

Participating in Link Ups is an easy way to share your blog with others.  I am sharing four of my favorites and that I try to participate in.  Sometimes I slack a bit, but I love participating in them!


I am sharing ones that are weekly, monthly or themed challenges.  I also participated in the A to Z Challenge last year, but will link that later on.


Mama Kat's Writers Workshop
This is the blog I started participating in link ups with.  I have found a few blogs from it that I follow regularly now.  I always try to comment on others blogs.  She posts blog ideas on Tuesday and you link up on Thursday. 

Part-Time Working Hockey Mom's Top 10 Thursdays


I love her ideas!  I also love lists, so this is a perfect link up for me!  Put your name on the linky list and visit the other blogs.

A 'lil Hoohaa

Themed challenges on this one.  The 20 days of Chill is happening in January.

IWSG

Once a month challenge.  You put your blog on a list.  Each month, on the first Wednesday, you make a post.  People visit you, you visit other the people.  The more people you visit and comment on, the more visits and comments you receive.


What are your favorite link ups and blog challenges?  Post below, I would love to read about them.

Blog Ideas for the Year!

In January, a lot of new blogs pop up, which is awesome! But some fizzle out just a few months in, which makes me sad, especially when the content was decent to read.

I always look up ideas for blogging and wanted to share some of my favorites, that way if you are stuck and you don’t know what you want to write about, you can pull a few from this list.  This list is an accumulation of lots of lists.  I pulled from Pinterest and others blogs.

January

• Have a new blog?  Introduce yourself!  Then, you can move that post over to the about page. 
• New Year’s Resolutions and Goals
• Organization tips and tricks
• Purging of the home, computer, car, etc…show us your progress
• Fitness tips: everyone joins the gym in January…
• January is Soup month, post up your favorite soup recipes.
• Favorite Warm Beverage
• Winter thoughts and feels
• General How-To Post
• Snow Day fun
• What did we do before the Interwebs?
• Monthly Recap

February

• Goals review: how you doing?
• What’s in Your Bag?
• Ground Hog Day moment
• Random Act of Kindness story
• 10 Fun Facts about Yourself
• Pinterest Fail?  We all want to see!
• Valentine’s Day Recipes
• Fun Date Nights
• Valentine’s Décor
• Dessert Recipes
• Show your day…in photos
• Monthly Recap

March

• $20 Target Haul post
• Write about your pets! 
• It’s Spring!  How will you be celebrating?!
• Spring Décor
• Spring Cleaning ideas and tips
• Happy St. Patrick’s day!  What did you do?
• Favorite Instagrammers: make a list and share with us!
• Goal Check up!  How are those resolutions keeping up?
• What would your perfect day be?
• Indoor garden starting tips

April

• Easter Traditions
• Easter Dinner
• Take a Nature Walk, tell us about it.
• Share your favorite bloggers.
• Meal ideas for the month
• What scares you?  Why?
• Rainy Day Activities
• How do you decorate your home for Spring?
• Tell us about your job
• Make a vlog!
• Are you planning your summer trips?  Tell us about it!
• Five weaknesses you have and describe them.

May

• Gardening Tips and Tricks
• Show us your garden
• What would your dream garden contain?
• Mother’s Day Dinner ideas
• Mother’s Day Gift Ideas
• Tell us about your May Flowers
• Wordless Wednesday: post a pic with no explanation.
• Book Reviews
• Memorial Day ideas
• Memorial Day recipes
• Favorite Movie Round Up
• Do a Before and After post
• Write a Tutorial on something you are awesome at
• Write about a compliment you received
• List five things that make you happy right now

June

• Father’s Day Gift Ideas
• Summer Bucket List
• Graduation time!  Tell us about yours.
• Favorite TV Show
• Summer Reading List
• How will you be celebrating the first day of Summer?
• Goal Recap: are you hanging in there?
• Tell us your favorite funny story?
• Five Strengths you have and describe them. 
• How is summer in your part of the world?

July

• What are you favorite Hiking Trails?
• Tell us about your National Park adventures…which park is your favorite?
• Fourth of July recipes
• Tell us how you celebrate the holiday
• Must have summer list
• Travel must haves/tips and tricks list
• Camping stories!
• What are your pet peeves?
• Create a 101 things of do this summer list
• Show us around your city in the Summer
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
• Favorite beach?

August

• Back-to-school shopping hacks
• Back to School tips and tricks
• August is hot!  How do you keep cool?
• Tell us about your favorite teacher
• What was your favorite subject in school?
• Create a top 10 list!
• Share with us things you cannot live without!
• Show us your closet!
• If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?
• How’s that garden shaping up?  Show us!

September

• Fall is here!  Share your favorite fall activities
• Fall Fashion!
• How do you decorate your home?
• Slow Cooker Recipe ideas!
• Back to School Pics!
• What made you smile this week?  Share…it might make someone else smile.
• Do an A-Z list
• Middle School was the worse!  Tell us about something that made it slightly better.
• Who inspires you?
• Favorite Lunch ideas!
• What is your perfect day?
• Are you a night owl or an early bird?
• Monthly recap

October

• Tell us about sports that you follow.
• Recommend a book!
• If you have a song that describes you, what is it?
• Halloween Recipes!
• You are a piece of candy on Halloween, tell your story.
• The morning after….
• Candy Recipes
• Write about the color orange!
• Halloween costumes!
• What do you do on Halloween?
• Since the weather is getting colder, what is your favorite hot bev to cuddle up with?

November

• Thanksgiving Décor
• Thanksgiving Recipes
• Thanksgiving Activities
• Veteran’s Day: share your thoughts and feelings
• Pull out five random things in your bag: what are they?
• Tell us about your “Me” time
• Worse movie ever!  Why is it the worse?
• What blogs do you follow?  Link us up so we can see them too!
• Show us your Thanksgiving!
• How do you spend time with your family?
• Black Friday shopping: yay or nay?
• What are 10 things you would share with your 16 year old self?

December

• Goal Check!
• Christmas/Holiday ideas
• Christmas/Holiday Activities
• DIY for Christmas/Holiday crafts
• New Year’s Eve Plan?
• New Year’s Eve Menu?
• Appetizer Recipes
• Favorite Christmas movies?
• Go back through your blog…what was your most popular post?
• Reflect on the past year.
• Holiday gift guide
• Winter Bucket List
• What’s on your Christmas List?
• Do you travel in the winter to go somewhere warm?  Where do you go?