Sunshine...lollipops...and a Big Box of Awesome!

I heard about a contest that a "not famous blogger" is sponsoring...and I got curious. Here's the premise...remember the "grab bags?" They were generally brown, paper bags with some mystery gift inside. Drewbie's gonna give away a grab BOX. A grab Box of Awesome!! When I heard this I immediately had memories of picking up the bags...weighing them...holding them...trying to see which one would have the best mystery prize. I ended up with more roach clips than you can imagine...I don't think the lady that was selling them knew what they were. We wore them in our hair like Mr. T...but that's a story for another day. Back to the Box of Awesome!! So, I said to myself..."self, you MUST know what's inside!! You can't wait to see who wins it and what will be revealed!! Go then, and seek your plentiful fortune!!" (I live alone and sometimes, after 2 nights of the intrusion alarm going off...at 2 am...waking you from a blissful necessary sleep...sometimes talking to yourself is ok. Don't judge me!!)

So, I took my own advice...and thanked goodness the gas prices are so low right now. I hopped in Diego and we took a road trip north. We saw several things, at very high speeds, because I had to get back here and write this post. I would have taken pictures...but seriously...I drove fast. So, using my excellent sleuthing skills, I tracked down the Legendary Box of Awesome.

My friends, it was amazing. You wouldn't believe the joy it will bring some lucky winner! Not kidding...you know how in Indiana Jones, when they open the Lost Ark...and it's all glowy...and then melts everyone's faces off? It was like that...sans the melting faces. Man, if that happened...Drewbie and I would be in a F. I. G. H. T. I spend way too much money on my makeup to not be able to use it! So anyway, (can you tell I haven't slept in almost 48 hours? A good Doctor I would not make) I opened the box and this is what I found...


CAN YOU STAND IT??? IT'S A COLLAPSIBLE FLYER!!! WITH A POUCH!!!! And that's only ONE of the fantastic treasures within the Legendary Box of Awesome!!!

I could barely contain my excitement, and I know you wouldn't have been able to either!! So as I was screeching with glee...I was confronted by two feline critters. They were all "what are you doing here?" And I was all "I'm looking in the box!! Do you mind?" And they were all "Uh, ya...we DO!! We're the Sacred Guardian's of the Legendary Box of Awesome and while we are stunned and jealous of your excellent sleuthing skills...we have mad cage fighting skills...mostly because we have claws. So lady, if you don't step off...we're gonna have to take you down." I concurred that they had the advantage...and the claws...come on people...we already talked about the makeup thing...it wouldn't have been alright with me. And I heard them exclaim...as Diego and I drove out of sight..."Yeah, you better run...recognize! Oh! And tell your friends to enter the contest to WIN the Box of Awesome at The Benspark...or else!"

A weekend with good friends...

Ok...I've spent lots of hours making this album up and I should have gone to bed a long long time ago...so please follow this link to my flickr set of the weekend and enjoy!!

Why haven't you gone yet? There are Sea World pictures! AND MICKEY MOUSE!! Yes...THE MOUSE!!! GOOOOOOO!!!

A "Sweet" Housewarming Treat!

After a pretty miserable morning at the dentist (and a wallet draining one at that!), I came home to find the UPS man left me a little love note on the door. He missed me! Mostly because I wasn't there...and he wanted to give me a present. Wow, this just took a weird and unnecessary turn! So I went to the office to pick up my package and the lady asked me if I'd ordered anything from m&m's? I was all..."no." She then asked if it was my birthday. I was all "no." I don't get the interrogation...just give me my stuff!! So, she comes out with this ginourmous box with colorful m&m's all over it...oooh...pretty. (I'm so easily amused!) Then she wants me to open it in front of her...she's a little pushy...but I oblige because I want to rub in the fact that I got a present...nah nah nah boo boo! (I've matured SO much this year!) I unwrap this adorable Red Sox emblazoned m&m dispenser/coin bank! And along with it...3 packages of Red Sox m&m's!! Way too cute to consume...and luckily...anyone who tries to has to pay the toll! Sure, there are directions for just getting the superfan candy free...but the only ones who will enjoy the Red Sox m&m goodness sans a penny would be those who provided them in the first place!! So I'd like to give a warm and sincere THANK YOU to Drew, Allison, and my little buddy, Eva for this very thoughtful gift! I'm very blessed to count you as friends!! I can't wait to see you all next month!!

Northern Invasion...

I took this last year at Cocoa Beach...a practically empty beach-just the way I love it!

It's about to happen...just a few more days and I will be greeting my family in my new home. Can you believe I've been a Florida resident for close to 7 months? I can't! So yes, the vacation begins this weekend and I'm really in need of it. Mostly I need my "Peggy fix." I haven't seen her since February, and a lot has happened. I just miss that kid!

The best part of the vacation, besides being reunited with the fam...is that I'm actually going to relax. Crazy...I know! Usually our vacations are crowded and hectic. We've all made a pledge that we're going to take it easy. The place we are staying in the first week even has it's own pool and hot tub. Add some beer to the equation and there will be zero need to leave! We'll be preparing our own meals, and just enjoying some peace and quiet. What? You've been around my family and know there is no such thing as "P & Q?" Yeah, but that's what makes us special! The only missing link will be Brother Bob as he's off in Michigan working. Boo.

I've also made a pledge...wait for it...I'm going to keep a photo journal. I know...it's just crazy enough to work. But it means I'll have to actually work for it. It's OK...I found a bunch of my rechargeable camera batteries on clearance...so I've stocked up! In no way will it be professional-just for fun:) I'm not that great a photographer...but I'm excited to get to the beach for some shots!! No worries...there will be no pictures of people I don't know...unless they're sporting permed mullets and speedos. And it truth that will just be to warn you all that combined or separate...big no no.

So it's been awhile...here's a brief "fun-down" of some goings on...because I know you all are anticipating my BS with bated breath!

-Last weekend I traveled to Boynton Beach, FL to see Allison and Eva, and Allison's parents Marcia and Dan! It was my first road trip since moving down here and it was a blast! We laughed and gossiped and went swimming in the pool. Eva is a marvel and has the sweetest personality! I'm already looking forward to a reunion in September...and Drew will be there this time too!

photo from photobucket.com
-I did see "Sex and The City" and in truth, not all that impressed. I legitimately watch SATC every night on TBS. I acknowledge, that might have been my issue. I've been watching the PG versions. But after I saw the movie I brought out the DVD's and yeah...still not completely digging the movie version. I did my best to avoid teasers and such...but too much of the plot line was already revealed. The ending was predictable. The overall voice of the film was not that of the television show. It just didn't make a lot of sense to me. I'll try it again when it comes out on DVD...but for now...I'll stick with my nightly marathons of the real thing.


-I bought a Wii. I know! I'm 33 and playing video games...but I like them so bite me! I have to hook it up to the Internet so I can play my other friends (who I assure you are adults and over the age of 16!!) online. I've purchased two games so far, Wii Play and Boogie. Boogie is hilarious. Aliens, karaoke and dancing...how can one go wrong? I love baseball...though I might have to graduate to one that allows you to pitch a little less perfectly. I think it's more to get used to the "wii-mote" but this girl takes her ball seriously. Ok...this girl takes her "virtual video game ball" seriously.

-My new favorite beer is Yuengling. Many friends told me of this lovely lager over the years, but as it's only dispensed in PA and here in FL...well...I didn't have access to it before. Now I do...and it makes me happy to be a Floridian! If you're ever in the way of trying it...I highly recommend you do. It might make you want to vacation here more, and if that's the case...remember I have the extra room:)

There's more I could bore you with...but I won't. Work has been busy...I make mad apologies again for not keeping up with the blog! I'm a jerk. Again!

Happy 1st Anniversary to Nancy and Stephen!!

I Heart Sea World!

Seriously, I think I could go there every day. Well, that might be excessive...but I love it...so deal!

Yesterday I met up with the Bennett's (Drew, Allison, and Eva) and the Sparks' (Allison's parents Marcia and Dan) at Sea World O-Town. We decided to meet up at 11...but both arrived a little early. By the time I got parked and through the line it ended up being 11...so it was all good.

We started off in "Key West" and visited the Dolphins...then straight past "Journey to Atlantis." It was a little early to get soaked...and even though Eva really wanted to go on she's still just a little too short:( So we went to see Clyde and Seymour take "Pirate Island." I won't spoil the "fun" for anyone who's never been...but I did suggest we get there a little early so as not to be part of the pre-show "entertainment." I got to feed Eva a bottle during the show, but finally had to give her back to Allison as Eva just kept giggling and not eating much. The kid is so happy!! So she fell asleep right after...which I think she did on purpose as the next stop was "Shark Encounter." "Awww...they don't let strollers in...that's a shame. I know...I'll stay out here and let her get her cutie sleep while you go explore those treasures of the deep!" Eva saves the day!! At least she saved Auntie Mo from the shark tank!!! She woke up a few minutes later-which was fine...she was just so fun to be around.

We then walked toward Shamu Stadium, with a layover at the "Hospitality House." Love it. Actually-I didn't indulge in any of the free beer goodness. I think I was still in the mode that I'm usually there in July and I get too warm. So there's always next time...maybe even next week because Joe Nichols is playing there and I might need to partake! I digress...so after roaming the Clydesdale Hamlet...with one very inappropriate Clydesdale, well, let's just say "greeting" us...we hit the Hospitality House for a little break. We went to Shamu Stadium for the big "Believe" show. Only problem was that the whales didn't "Believe" in performing for us at that moment. They finally got their act together and did some flips and such. Hopefully next time it will be better:)

We did the walking tour of "Wild Artic" and got to see Belugas, and Walruses, and Polar Bears...oh my! We finished out the day with some dinner and shopping...and then hit the parking lot before the fireworks started and would wake up a finally sleeping Eva!

I had a great time, and I hope you enjoy my slide show! I've also posted the whole album at Flickr...so please stop there and leave some comments if you like!!!

Long time gone...

I took this of the "big guy" last summer...get ready for a bazillion more!

Yeah, remember how I was all "I'm going to be able to blog more" when I get to FL?

Ooopsie.

I'm very excited today because tomorrow I will be going to one of my favorite places to see some of my favorite people!! Tomorrow is Sea World day and I will be in the presence of the effervescent Bennett family!! I've charged the camera battery and downloaded excess photos...so now I can add to my collection of Sea World photos with bonus shots of Eva swimming with the dolphins and training Shamu. Alright...she might be a little young for that...but perhaps she can do a little jig with the penguins. What? She's not walking yet? That's cool...we'll hold her up!! :) I'm also happy because the wise people of Anheuser-Busch not only give out free samples of their fine product at the World O' Sea...but the ticket I bought to get in is good for the rest of the year too. I can mosey up to O-Town whenever I feel like it. I like living here:) It's very convenient to my whims!

Today is also "leap day." What's the significance? Well folks, today only comes around once every four years...and to celebrate the fine people at the Q put EVERYTHING on 4 easy pay schedules! Not that I can afford anything right now...but when you can break it up over four months-come on. I indulged in some un-necessary Bare Minerals and philosophy product. I'm an addictive personality. I can't be stopped. Sadly, I brought people down with me...but we'll all survive...in the poor house!

Now I must go to bed...there will be pictures by the end of the weekend. This I promise you.

Happy Friday!

Dreams really do come true!!

I did it!! I won Drew's contest!! Everybody jump up and down and say "yaaaayah!!!" I would like to thank all those that made it possible for me to triumph...mostly Drew for having the contest! I'd also like to thank, well, me...who tirelessly racked up the "pwants" day and night!! I must also thank you all for supporting me by not voting for me in last month's contest when, if you remember, I came in "dead last." I solemnly believe that the embarrassment that was my showing in last month's contest truly inspired me to embrace the competition of the Benspark Add It Up Contest!! So everyone pat yourselves on the back and say "way to go!!"

I still absolutely recommend you all visit Drew's family of blogs and photo hosting sites. He puts a LOT of work into all of it and without fail there is new content every day.

Here's the rundown:

The Benspark

The Wired Kayaker

Benspark 2: Electric Boogaloo

Flatwater Tech

And his photography is located thusly:

Flickr

Zooomr

Buzznet

I will keep you all in the loop regarding my fabulous prizes...that's right...prizeS...plural! I have a choice betwixt a Flickr Pro or Zooomr Pro account...so I have to figure out what I want to do. Once that is all set up I'll make sure you are all aware so you can see my pictures. And the other nice bonus I won is 25 bones to spend at the Kodak Gallery. VERY nice!

Stay tuned for September's big Benspark Contest...I can't wait!

Wouldn't it be fun?

Do you like to win things?

I like to win things.

Who doesn't like to win things?

Well, I'm sure if the prize awarded was a rusty can full of slugs I wouldn't like to win...but beggars can't be choosers...right?

I love to win prizes, or at bingo. One time I won $65 at bingo. It should have been $365...but I wasn't paying attention to my own cards...and well...it's something I have to live with. I guess it really is important to mind your own business.

I like to win contests.

Speaking of contests....Drewbie is hosting another contest next month!! SERIOUSLY!!! I know it's shocking and amazing all at the same time. For this contest you need to have the thing I didn't win in last month's contest because I went on vacation. "The thing," if you remember, was the XShot...the hand held tripod that could have helped me take pictures of myself with nice fun people and hella cool things. But I came in dead last...so that was a bust. So now, if I want to be in next month's Benspark contest...and if you want to be in next month's Benspark contest...then we need to get our act together and order the XShot. Luckily, the kind people of XShot like The Benspark a lot...and are offering his readers a discount code again! So even though I came in dead last on last month's contest...it's all good. I can order a lovely XShot...just for me. Head over to the Benspark for details of the special promo code.

Did you go yet?

Why not?

What are you waiting for?

Don't you want to win prizes? CASH prizes? Don't you want to achieve everlasting joy won in the conquer of defeat? Don't you? I do. I'm ordering one. I don't want to be dead last again. Remember that...when I only got like, 9 votes? It makes me sad a little...and who wants to be sad? No one that I know. Well, a few people I know...but those people don't have to enter the contest now do they? That just makes the odds of winning all the better for us...doesn't it? :)

Get involved in your blogging community. Do it!! Do it!!

Kickin' the contest up a notch!

Drew has added a new bit of "pwahnt" collecting to his current contest in the form of a tag (meme) challenge. Fine, I'll play.

Obligatory Rules, Copy and put in your post.

You post the meme rules before you start listing the facts of the darn meme. For each letter of your middle name, list a fact/statement relevant to you and/or your life, in some way. Alright? If you don’t have a middle name, pick one.
Next, it’s your world, make up your own rules for the rest of this one and tag people accordingly .

My rules for the meme are simple, leave a comment on this post that you saw it with a haiku or free form poem about how your life has changed in the new blogging generation! Ha! Ready, set, go! (PS-You don't have to have a blog to participate...but I am going to have to tag some old standby bloggers!!)

His rules were to favorite some of his photos on Zoomr...which I did with pleasure. I had a hard time getting them to "come over" to this post...so if you go here you can see them with much better quality! These are just a spattering of my faves!!

So here's my middle name magiggah:

Television is my favorite.
Hate my commute
Extremely obsessed with "podcasts." (Seriously, it's scary!)
Revels in all things Justin Timberlake.
Endlessly searching for something I've misplaced.
Someday would like to write a book.
Addicted to BareMinerals.

OK...it's been awhile...so let's see who wants to play...

Nancy
Julie
Maggie
Lauren
Katie
Meghan
California Mo

Come on! You know you want to!!! :)

Saturday Shopping Spree

Did everyone see The Benspark Photo-A-Day today??

The BenSpark Photo-A-Day

Look how adorable Sparky is all preggo! That is a picture of Drewbie's Baby Mama with the new crib they got at IKEA. (For more info on the shopping day...hit this link!) I've never been to IKEA, but something tells me it would be dangerous in there for me!!! I'm so excited to meet Baby Benspark in October!!

I had an exhausting shopping day myself...it seems like I've been spending money like I actually have it lately! It's expensive to be me! Ha! Anyway...after I woke from my JT coma (totally worth the exhaustion!)...I got up and had some b-fast with my moms. Then I got the cats into their little pet taxis to send them off to the vet. Simba doesn't "meow." He just growled like a dog...seriously...it was freaky. Nala just whined her little monkey whine. What is it with my pets not sounding like the creatures God made them? Weird. So anyway...after they were off I got myself together to head over to Linen's N' Things. I bought a new mattress last weekend that was delivered yesterday while I was at work. It's beautiful. It was expensive-but totally worth it. My back already feels better...no joke. At any rate, it's a very deep mattress so of course I needed the deep sheets to fit them. I went to L&T's and was there for an hour, just in complete disgust. The least expensive sheets I could find were $80. $80. For an effing fitted and flat sheet. No pillow cases, no dust ruffle, no purchase for me. They had some sets that included those items...but that would cost me over $120 bucks and I wasn't having it. I had a coupon that I thought would ease my woes...but then after reading the fine print the set I finally decided on was excluded from the coupon. See ya. However, I did find that the Simmon's BeautyRest body pillows were on sale BOGO 50% off...so for $15 bucks I got 2 body pillows. That and they "match" my mattress...as it's a Beautyrest too...I felt the purchase was fated. There was no avoiding it. Then I got suckered into the cases for them and I don't even want to talk about how much those cost. Thankfully, there was the coupon and all was well. However, leaving L&T's I still needed some dang sheets. I went to Kohl's...there was a sale...and I got there too late to find sheets that I actually liked in the size I needed coinciding with a price I could afford. I wound up going with some plain white sheets...boring...but not being a shopper...I was ready to go!!! I hit BJ's for some supplies...and found a cute quilt WITH pillow shams for $40. I wish I had gone there first! I actually might return the sheets from Kohl's because for the same price I could get some pretty, frilly, high thread count sheets AND pillow cases for the same price. Yeah, I'm going back. At that point, my reason was being overshadowed by my JT hangover...so I just left to go home and nap. I frigging love naps. Apparently I'm 60. But the nap has made me more lucid and now realize even more so that I miss Justin...I mean that the Kohl's sheets have to go back. Could it be nappy time again? I only made one more stop at a roadside Veggie stand on the York Kittery line on Route 1. If you are driving by in the next few weeks...it's on the left hand side going north, as I said...right on the Kittery and York town line...just before Salmon Falls. It's a truck that looks all ramshackly and like they are just parking there randomly for the day...but don't let that fool you. The quality of the veggie's is unreal. They have the best corn on the cob, tomatoes, and even blueberries. It's one of the best parts of living in Maine in the summer. Digression over...I got home to find out that the cat's need dental work because apparently they have gingivitis. Nuts. Just more $ to spend!!!!

I've never been really good at math...

So obviously I should enter a contest that would call for addition!!!! Since I defeated everyone for the final slot in Drewbie's last contest...woo woo...I really thought my days of blog contests were over. It took a long time for me to recover from the defeat and sorrow...I locked myself in my room, I called in sick to work and vowed never to vacation again. I became obsessed with shows like Maury, Dr. Phil, and Oprah. I was suffocating from depression when like a gift, a light shone through my bleak existence! Drew announced another contest on The Benspark that would allow me to attempt a go at my own path to victory!! Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!

It's called the Benspark Add It Up Contest...and it's all about the points! I'm going to go the Jerry Maguire/Cuba Gooding, Jr. way here though and pronounce "points" like they pronounced "kwan." So from here on out, I would appreciate it if you would read the word "points" as "pwants." Show me the money, baby!!

So, some details...basically...Drew has taken on a lot of math by awarding "pwants" every day to visitors of yonder ye olde blog The Benspark! A LOT of math. Seriously, far more than I would ever be comfortable with. Honestly, I went to a college that did NOT require math for English majors BECAUSE the college did not require math for English majors. Again with the Jerry Maguire references...but here it is...they had me at "you don't have to take math, Mo." And the rest they allege, is history!!

So back to the contest...when you visit The Benspark you can get more info, but basically he's looking for comments and constructive feedback regarding his Photo-A-Day project which continues to be a staple in my "blog checking day." In all seriousness, (I know that's hard to believe I can in fact be serious), I love to see what Drew is photographing every day. He travels so much for work, it's something different all the time. The whole blog phenomenon started with The Benspark...as it used to say at the link on the right...it was my gateway drug to the blogland! And Drew has the decency (ahem...this is self criticism) to literally update The Benspark EVERY DAY! Even when he went on his honeymoon he had guest bloggers! I was one of them:) So check out the contest, I know several of you are photography enthusiasts and would be very interested in what The Benspark has to offer. I think you would be further interested in entering the contest because the prizes are photography related. And I believe you can get in on the action right here and now by leaving a comment on this post! What are you waiting for?? Do it, do it!!

To see more of Drew's Photo-A-Day project check out one or all of the following links:
The Benspark
Benspark at Buzznet
Benspark at Flickr
Benspark at Zooomr

You can also click on the hosting link on the right of this page.

Dead Last...

To some it might be a place of honor and distinction...but not for me!! Currently, my rank is dead last on the XSHOT contest over at yonder BenSpark blog! Whaaat?!?! I returned from my vacation to be dismayed and forlorn as only 1 person had given me a pity vote!! So sad!! Haa! I've discovered that either the person gave me a repeat pity vote-or someone else found the kindness in their heart to vote for me at least ONE other time!!

So right now I'm just askin'...please vote for me!! I know I don't have a shot at winning considering voting ends Friday...but my new goal is to not be last!! Tell your friends to vote for me-vote for me on different computers-vote for me everyday until Friday...it would be swell and I'd do it for you!! :)

Thanks!

Respectfully,
Mo

My 15 minutes...

And it only took me 3 days to discover! Ha! I realize that some of you are not "Lost" freaks as I am. Even more so I realize that you probably don't read message boards relating to the show...as I do. However, there are really only 2 that I frequent...the discussions at The Benspark Forum, and the weekly discussions on Pop Candy. So, my story is thus...I have been laid up all week from some virus that is circulating. I have coughed so much that I feel like someone has bashed in my chest and set fire to my throat. And some of you would be pleased to know that I also have laryngitis...when I do try to talk I sound like a cartoon character. My lack of vocal stability caused me to have to go back and forth to the pharmacy 4 times yesterday because the lady at the counter couldn't understand my insurance plan. I had to come home and print it out for her. I'm not even kidding. Then she said that I should have just showed her my card in the first place...which I had. Easy for her because I didn't have the will to argue with her nonsense. Now, to give you an example of the level of my sickness...not only did I not watch the Red Sox get brutalized by the Blue Jays, but I didn't watch American Idol either. Hold on to your hats folks...Gilmore Girls was all new...but I didn't see it until today. Do you get me now?

I digress...so, I haven't spent any time on the computer...which means that until today...I didn't see that one of my comments from last week's "Lost Discussion" on Pop Candy was highlighted in Whitney's "Lost in a flash" blog post! I think this officially makes me a geek...but it's fun nonetheless:) Of course last week's episode was chock full o'Desmond...a character I have no love for. He just aggravates me...if you watch the show...you have to understand why! So here is my comment...and again...forgive me if you don't watch the show...but you should...so I shouldn't be begging forgiveness!

2. Mot412 wrote:
Oh "Brother."
Has anyone ever noticed that Desmond and Juliette have been on the Island about the same amount of time...3 years?

Yup...I got the number 2 comment...but only because I think it posted pretty quick on the discussion. For all the "losties" out there-it makes you wonder, doesn't it? Someone made a comment as to why this had significance...and truthfully...I don't know...I just thought it was an interesting observation that I interestingly observed. Give me a break!! There is a new episode on tonight...just in case you are interested.

Hopefully I'll get back to posting more frequently, forgive me for the brevity of this post...but I'm a sick woman! (Don't think I don't know you are snickering!)

A new addition...

To the blog!!!

I don't know why I haven't done this before, but you should notice a link on the sidebar of my blog that will get you to Drewbie's Photo-A-Day project. He's been chugging along on it for over 2 years now, and that's an awesome commitment! So I am one of the many now that are smart enough to host the photo a day. I was thinking of doing it myself, but I just can't commit. I hate letting my blogging public down...so I can't make promises I can't keep. :) So look for this little bugger under "the list" as a permanent addition to the "We're in a Fight." Peruse, and enjoy!

The BenSpark Photo-A-Day