Lessons Learned from Camping

Well, I did it. I survived my first camping trip! Although it rained hard & often it was still a great time.



What did I learn?

1. Food cooked over a campfire is way better {and a lot easier to clean up}
2. Camping is absolutely exhausting but relaxing by the fire makes it well worth it
3. My mattress at home that I aways complain about....it isn't so bad anymore
4. Try and remember to pack a pillow...
5. ...and a toothbrush
6. Old jeans and TShirts....glad I went with them
7. There is no way to water proof a tent
8. You WILL get wet & dirty no matter what
9. I can deal with the rain and dirt but I cannot deal with spiders
10. I could definitely do this again!

...{I'm a very traditional person}...

If you read my last post you could probably tell that I am feeling a little stressed out. This is kinda unusual for me this time of year because I just love the holidays and I always try and enjoy them no matter what. But this year things are a bit different;

* We wont be spending Christmas with my Dad's side of the family because they are traveling.

* It's the first Christmas without my father-in-law Tom who passed away last year. I will miss seeing him in his goofy slippers

* And Christmas is always a little sad with out my grandmother. She always made Christmas so special for us.

* Even my mother's side of the family will be split up.

* And I have no church to go to. There are some major conflicts in my church right now because the pastors son was molesting a 15 year old girl in the youth group. And this girl...was very good friends with my younger brothers. I can't begin to tell you how this has affected the kids and my family. The worst part is...the church is supporting the creep and not the victim. I can't even deal with this because it brings back memories of something similar that I have had to deal with as a young girl.

With all this being said...{I'm a very traditional person}...I like things simple. I am trying to accept all this but its tough.

So I thought that it might be best to flip things around and be a little positive. I'm hoping it makes me feel a better. Here is my Top 5 things I am looking forward to this Christmas...

1. This is my first Christmas in my first home, that's a pretty special thing to me. There is nothing better than spending this Christmas with my hubs, pup and cats
2. Getting together with neighbors for some Christmas drinks and fun games
3. The Italian feast that awaits us on Christmas Eve at Nan & Pop's house
4. Going to Mom's Christmas morning for breakfast and presents...ahhh, the wood burning stove will be roaring and the Christmas carols will be playing...so lovely
5. The advent service at my grandmothers on Christmas Eve, I have something special to say this year {to be posted later}

Falling in love with Fall

I was reading Melissa's post today about fall and I just had to do one of my own...who doesn't love fall? Here are my top 10 things I love about Fall...

• Dipping spiced wafers in a cold glass of iced tea
• The aroma of spiced pumpkin, cloves and nutmeg
• Cute little pumpkins and gourds and of course pumpkin carving
• Clear sky's and a crisp cool breeze
• Hay rides and haunted houses
• Little kids dressed up in adorable Halloween costumes
• Warm sweaters on brisk days
• The colors of fall - orange, red, green, brown
• Warm apple cider
• Pumpkin roll, pie, lattes, fraps, muffins...everything pumpkin!

Okay, a few more!!!...

• Going to bed with the windows open and then waking up to cool fresh morning air
• Getting all hyped up for the up coming holidays!...starting Christmas shopping!
• Going for nature walks and seeing the trees that have changed colors and hearing the leafs crunch under your feet

So there are a lot more than 10 things that come to mind! What do you love about fall?
Now go check out Melissa's Fall Favorites!

Top 10...Things I LOVE about Summer!!!

This one is a re-post from my myspace page. You will probably see more re-posts but that is because they are funny stories that never get old in my book. I also love doing Top 10 lists and this is my most recent one.

Top 10 Things I LOVE about Summer!!!..
1. The smell of fresh honeysuckle
2. Walking into air conditioning after a hot day
3. Cold showers after a hot day
4. Funny tan lines on other people (not me!)
5. Long walks outside when the sun is going down
6. Watching children trying to catch firefly's at night
7. Night swims in a warm pool
8. Good BBQ's with friends & family
9. The feel of soft grass between my toes
10. Spontaneous trips to the beach!

What are some of your favorite things about summer???