Objects in this blog are not as they appear.

I hope you know I was kidding in the last post.  I won't send you out with my GPS if you come to visit.  My GPS blows chunks.  It needs to be updated.  Plus, I'll probably want to spend time with you.  

Anyway.  What I was really wondering was this: all you bloggers, why do my pictures come out so pixelated when I upload them to blogger?  Some of my best pictures totally stink when I put them out there.  I hate that.  Help! 

To whom the weather may concern,

It's not snowing here.  Unless the blossoms being carried in the breeze counts.
My house is big.  And I'd love to have you.  Well.  If I know you somehow.  No random strangers, please. When we hit the heart of summer and the humidity is unbearable here, I might need you to return the favor.  Not to mention, this is the best time for sightseeing in this area.  From what I hear.
And I believe it.  We did DC mid-summer a couple years ago and it was far from ideal.
Even the shade offered no relief.  That being said, if you want to come mid-summer, my AC is up and running.  I'll welcome you.  I just might send you off alone on your sightseeing adventures.  You can use my GPS, though.

The gift of flying

These people (my neighbors) are like State Farm.  Get it?  State Farm? Good neighbor?  Oh, whatever.  I know I'm a geek.  You can pretend like I'm hilarious for once.

 For real, though. Those people up there, pictured with my kids?  The best thing about Virginia.  Hands down.  Well, 'cept for the girl in the middle with the striped shirt.  We don't know her.  She just joined us on the swing.  No biggie.  We hit it off with these neighbors.  Seriously.  I feel like I've known Lisa for years. She knows more about me than most (new) people will eek out of me in a few years.  I'm so thankful that we seized this opportunity, because I think I've made a lifelong friend with her.  We're very similar.  Although, I think she is my personality on speed.  So, I totally understand her.  And we married the same man.  Basically.  And she doesn't judge me for the number of kids I have.  Ever.  She gets it.  She came from a big family and is surrounded (relative-ly speaking) by big families.  It's an easy friendship.

That's not even what I was going to tell you about.  Sheesh.  I was going to tell you about this park and how it warmed my heart up, the way a cup of soup warms you from the inside out.  This guy donated money to build a park that all children could enjoy.  Children of all needs and abilities.   Remember the feeling of being a child, swinging on a swing?  Complete freedom.  Like you are flying.  And you are so sure that you will touch the sky.  Something so simple, yet so magical.  And a tickle belly?  Oooh, when you can get a tickle belly... I'm madly in love with swings.  Even to this day.  Anyway, my point is: they have swings here that every child can enjoy.  Even those that are wheelchair bound.  The whole chair attaches.  Isn't that amazing?  Imagine what a blessing for that child to be able to feel that for the first time in their life! And to be the parent and watch that?  It's something that most of us take for granted.  I was able to see a child in a wheelchair, swinging.  The sheer joy on her face was a sight so beautiful, I could never explain it in words.

What an amazing man to think of such a park.  I hope that all of us could have a little of that inside of us.

Showing Off.

When someone in Virginia recommends something, you best listen.  

They haven't let us down yet.  

One might even say they are connoisseurs of just about everything.

Sheesh.  

 Especially food.  It's amazing that I have been able to shed some of those 

ell-bee-ess things, while living here.  You need to come out and devour it. 

 The Cherry Blossoms are no different.  They smell as good as they look. 

It's a gorgeous sight to see.  And if there weren't any people around, it would

be a photographers dream.  

 Picnicking with this view is not horrible.  Ever.  

 I'm sorry you missed it. 

Mother Nature is such a show off.    

(Stole that line from Mother Peterson on FB. What? It was a good one. )

 I hope she has painted beautiful scenes around you.
Mother Nature.  Not Mother Peterson. 

 And that you are savoring it.  If not, then I guess it's time for a trip out east.  

I'm just sayin'. 

M-i-c-k-e-y M-o-u-s-e & Savannah.

Before April rolled around, I was able to scratch two items off my bucket list.  

 Disney World.  And Savannah, GA.  

 But, now that I have, I am not really sure why Disney was on the list in the first place.  

I put it on my list when I was a kid.  Maybe I built it up.  

This kids loved it.  However.  I expected an amusement park. 

It's a big variety of rides, shows, restaurants, character meet and greets, etc.  

 I could have saved a lot of money by going to Six Flags.  

Oh, well.  It's a check off the list and the kids will remember it forever. 

That, in itself, is a success. 

 If you are going, don't let me burst your bubble.  

I did actually enjoy Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios.  

I think your first day is basically going to be a doozy.  

Use it to get yourself oriented and figure out how the parks work.  

 I scoffed to myself at the people who told me you need to get there when the park opens and you need a plan.  My neighbor lady actually had a book on Disney and a whole folder full of info that she borrowed me.  I thought it was overkill.  Boy, was I wrong!  Planning is a must. 

 It's not like Valleyfair.  *grin* 

 And Savannah.  Beautiful, gorgeous Savannah.  I'm not done with it.  

 I actually put "Another trip to Savannah" on the list.  Sigh.  I'm in love.  

I hope however you spent your spring break, you enjoyed it! 

D to the oozy.

Life isn't all roses.  You know that?  Take parenting, for example.  Oooof.  It's a doozy.  How are these kiddos of mine ever going to turn into the adults I envision?  They won't.  They'll be their own person and there isn't much I can do about that.  I just hope I'm laying the groundwork for them to be (hopefully) better than what I dream.  That's what's weighing in my heart and mind today.  Sigh.  I need a nap.  And chocolate.

Chocolate.  Grease.  That's what I want to eat right now.  Just so you know.  This watching my food intake is a doozy.  I'd say it's for the birds, but I can actually fit into all of my pants, capris and shorts.  So.  It's partly good.  But, geez!  I just want a big, fat, juicy cheeseburger.  Followed by a brownie.  Is that too much to ask?

Also, I want this doozy of a sinus infection to evacuate.  I'm over it.  I want my energy back. Thanks.

The thing that isn't a doozy in my life right now is my friends.  Man, it's been a loving my friends type of month.  They are pretty awesome.  I love them all.  And they teach me so much.  And I miss most of them.  MOST, because I do have one really good friend here already.  Lisa.  Her and I are so much alike.  We even married guys that are alike.  So, I can't say I miss her.  I can see her house from mine.  Kind of like how Sarah Palin can see Russia from hers.  Heehee.

Anyway.  So.  What I'm saying is, I miss you.  I can't wait to see you again.  MUAH.

Some tings are chest too krate.

Oh, kosh.  I chest feel so tum.  I titn't ket to writing a real post for da kratest tay of da year.  St. Urho's Tay.  If you rememper correctly, I was awartet da trophy in 2012.  After much consiteration, I passed da honor on to my wonterful sister in law, Kate.  She is so amacing.  My brudder Klenn was working all ofer da country and she chest tealt wit it.  Put dis year, she chanched dere life.  She manached to ket him to work from home!  So dey spend so much more time togedder.  It's so wonterful.  I chest know dat it was all tanks to her.  I can chest tell.  She chest remints me of St Urho so much.  So, conkrats to her.

Also, I tefinitely tink dat you shoult reat dis article, if you haff any prains in your het:
 http://www.herald-journal.com/archives/2013/stories/st-urho-invisible-parade.html

Ket on wit you ketting on and if you are effer stuck, chest ask yourself, "Whut woult Urho to?"