Hats off to Memorial Day

Mon 5/26 Blog Prompt: Today we celebrate Memorial Day in the US. Did you have any family members who served our country in the Armed Forces. Let us know so we can remember them.

We have a long line of military personal in our family. All of which are now retired or discharged:

Scamp, US Marine Corp
Nuke, US Navy
My cousin, US Army
Pan's brother, US Marine Corp
Bear, US Marine Corp
My uncle, US Marine Corp
My dad, US Air Force
Pan's dad, US Navy
A great uncle, the German mounted Calvary
A great-great grandfather, the Florida Mounted Volunteers
A great-great great grandfather, the Florida Mounted Volunteers
The possibly
A gggg grandfather in the war of 1812
A ggggg grandfather who may have been a Soldier in the North Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War
Same for a gggggg grandfather

Can you tell I have been doing some genealogy research of late? If any of you few readers out there know anything of the Registers who moved from North Carolina, to Georgia and finally settled in Florida, I would love to hear from you. :) More to the point I am looking for proof of a father/son relationship between David Register (1813-1885) and Samuel Register (1786-1869). My email is on my sidebar if you know of anything :)

Shabby Sugar (c)Sherry Ferguson; Scraplift of "You are so Beautiful to Me" by Fortissimo; Font: Times New Roman

Belated Birthday Tribulations

Okay, okay, actually we have been back all week. (guess you already figured that one out huh?). We got back last Saturday and with just enough time to relax before the festivities began the next day with a celebration of Indy's birthday. As you should well know it fell in the middle of the week, while we were gone. Luckily for us the Daughter decided to hold the party when we got back.

He made out... with the Terminator 2 movie from his mom and a skeletal terminator from Pan and I. Along with nerf gun and a marshmallow gun. He was in heaven trying to shoot all the balloons and anyone who got in his way. After the presents and cake we all headed over to the pool to round out the day. He still has NO fear and acts just like a fish in the water.

Everything Zen (c)Ziggle Designs & Kami Leonard; Word art (c)Jennifer Maceyunas; Template by Monica McGill

Jurassic Park & BTTF Tribulations

Did you miss me? Didn't think so... LOL. We had a wonderful week of lazing around. Okay... I Had a wonderful week of lazing around. It was one conference after another for Pan. Universal is fun, but really, after the first day, there isn't much to do. And, get this, they close the parks at 7 p.m. By the time Pan got out of his meetings there was no time for him to go over and enjoy them. At least he got to spend the first day there and a couple of hours on a day he got out early. For me it was a time of walking and walking and walking and taking pictures (you thought I was going to say walking again didn't you?)

My favorite ride is still Men in Black. Though it helps when the other people in the car are just as dedicated as you in eliminating those nasty aliens. Which in our case, just wasn't the case. They have changed to the Back to the Future ride to Krustyland with the Simpsons. Cute but I like BTTF better. You have to hunt around but the train engine and the de Loren are still about. Nope not going to tell you... you go find them.

Easy Breezy (c)Connie Prince/DigiDiva Design

A Loaf, a Bread, a Tribulation

Fri 5/23 Blog Prompt: week is National Bread Week. Describe your favorite bread.

We are home. And boy is next week going to be a dozy. What with catching up with two weeks of work at the end of the month. I'll be at the office every day, I guaruntee (I know it's not spelled right, lol). But now it is about bread.... Give them bread, oh that's give them cake. Still same premise wouldn't you say?

I'm not a big bread eater. The loaves I buy usually end up moldy and in the trash just about the time I really want a sandwich. But if I have to pick a favorite it would either be rye with thin slices of turkey and mayo or pumpernickel with loads of sweet/salty butter. That rye with turkey is sounding really good right now. Wish it wasn't so late, I'd go to the store and get some.

So Everything (c)Connie Prince/DigiDiva Design; Font: Windsong

Squirrely Tribulations

Sometimes things just work out. Like having the camera with me at just the right time. Seems this month's challenges have been a little different, but for just about each one, I had the perfect picture. Like this one which had to be a picture of an animal. Some may not really consider the squirrel an animal but for the purposes of this page it is.

If you will notice the danged thing is running straight for us. My first thought was "Oh no rabies," but he did change directions and sat upon a stump chattering away with that acorn in his mouth. Well, maybe, he was eating it and it just sounded like chattering.

May Mega kit, Paper (c)Sarah Meyer, Doodle (c)Silvia Romeo, Paper (c)Paula Yagisawa, Paper (c)Rose.Li, Template by Trish H. Designs; Fonts: Ameze'font, Arial, Milk Run

Black & White & Leafy Tribulations

Color to Black and White Photography. Your challenge this month is to convert a photo you have taken within 2 weeks to black and white. The photo needs to contain the image of a plant; a tree, flower, grass, etc. The plant does not need to be the main focus, but it does need to be included.

I, of course, chose Indy as the main subject with the sun shining through the leaves of the bushes onto his face. In addition, I chose to convert it to black and white using the channel selections. I really like how it turned out.

A Catchlight of Tribulations

The trip to mom's was a treasure trove of photos indeed. In this challenge our aim was the catchlights in the eyes.

Tribulation of Photographing Children

Next in line at the photography challenges was to photograph children. Still at mom's, Indy condensended to be photographed.

An Animal Challenge Tribulation

Gotta Pixel had several photography challenges this month. One of which is the animal photography and more specifically .... Birds. It was just luck that we had gone to see mom the weekend before the challenge and I was taking pictures of the birds and feeders in her backyard.

Childhood Tribulations

At times practical jokes just seem to spring forth unaided from my brain. And when I play them, they are very detailed. :)

Since this is the month of my sister's birth, a story of our childhood together seems to be appropriate (or maybe several). Being military brats, oft-times we had to play together or with no one at all. Fortunately we liked one another. But even then my practical joke side would win through as in one evening when I told my darling sister about the tiny folk that lived underground in our back yard. Oh it was full of detail on how I would shrink to their size on special nights and dance at a beautiful ballroom. The next day I showed her the "entrance" to this magical land. Within you could see the tiny tables and chairs set about. She so wanted to attend one of the balls with me, and I had to deliver the bad news that she wasn't yet old enough. The entrance was a hole I had dug in the yard, the tables and chairs the shiny white rocks which had fallen from the roof. But power of a child's imagination transcends the obvious.

So Everything by DigiDiva; Template by Trish H. Designs; Font: Park Avenue BT

Happy Birthday Ballerina

Today, my little Ballerina turns five years old. How I wish she was here so we could celebrate together. Maybe next year.... She is growing up so fast. We love you Sweetie, Pan & Tink

Blue Fairy (c)Elke Romero; Template by Carena's Template; Font: A Yummy Apology, The King & Queen font

Such are the Tribulations of a Kindergarten Princess

I do so look forward to getting the annual photos from Scamp and Honey. Each year is something a little different and every year includes some very special pictures of Ballerina. This year she wanted to dress up as a princess and she most certainly did.

Timeless (recolored) (c)Brenda Miller; Stitching from Spring Blossom kit (c)Krissmess; Template by Lilia Mendonca Graphs; Font: The King & Queen font

Unexpected Pictorial Tribulations

There's something to be said about getting bored while traveling. During our latest jaunt from Nuke's place, I pulled out my camera and just started playing. Any other time, I probably would not have noticed this demolished house with just the chimney standing. I wonder if it was destroyed by one of the hurricanes, a tornado or even a fire? Guess I will never know, huh?

Considering we pacing ourselves at around 70 miles per hour, I was very pleased to see that the picture came out.

My Discovery (c)alexa b.; Template by Tracy Drane; Fonts: Arial, Times New Roman

Happy Birthday Indy

Hard to believe that you are already 4 years old. Hope you are having a wonderful day. We love you, Pan and Tink

Discover by Andrea Gold; Template by Simply Yin; Fonts: JaneAusten, SF TransRobotics

A Masculine Birthday Tribulation

The card challenge at Gotta Pixel this month was to make an adult male birthday card using an alpha and at least 2 brads. I think this would qualify for an adult male, but I'll let you be the judge, :).

Still I would not be adverse to give it to say, my grandson who turns 4 tomorrow nor my sister, ddpup, who turned 50 on the first. I had lost my voice that day so was unable to call and wish her a very happy half-century birthday. But I thought about her all day and it was rather depressing to know I couldn't needle her about growing old. At least she is doing it more gracefully than I am. So Sis, Happy Belated Birthday from your "older" sister. Love you.

Ara kit (c)Imagine by Fran; Template by Becky Fleck; Alpha & brads (c)CompooperTeacher, SNL #25

Happy Mother's Day

Template by Cheri Shields; Flights of Fanci (c)Cheri Shields; Calendar (c)Kristmess

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. You are an extraordinary woman and I have been blessed that you are a part of my life. You are the kind of person everyone should strive to become. Kind, considerate, loving and loyal with just a smidge of orneriness thrown in. Where others would become discouraged when things go wrong, you hold your head high and proceed forward aiming for that spot where it is better. You are a true inspiration and there really are no words for how deep my feelings and respect for you go.

To all mothers you should take a moment to head over to Derek's for a very special read. :) I know it has been passed around the web via email and blogs, but take time to read it again today.

A Running Tribulation

One of the things that kept me pretty busy the last couple of weeks was attending various functions at the Princess' school, such as Field Day.

Cute Stuff with Daisies (c)Kathryn Estry; RicRac (c)Kathryn Estry; Template by Trish H. Designs; Font: Astigma Regular

Oh, Mother of My Tribulations

Fri 5/9 Blog Prompt: May 11 is Mother’s Day. Tell about your mother or a mother figure in your life.

Interestingly enough my layout for today is of my mom. At her graduation. With her uncle and her dad. There is so much you can say about my mother. She's a strong person who is very capable of keeping her emotions in check. Wish I had gotten that from her. I always tended to fly off the handle about any little thing, but not her. She always seems to analyze before making a decision or comment. What a great world this would be if more people acted like her.

Flights of Fancy (c)Cheri Shields; Scraplift of "My Love" by heb1976; Font: Arial

Dog Days of Tribulations

Thurs 5/8 Blog Prompt: On May 8, 1877, the first Westminster Dog Show was held. What is your favorite kind of dog?

I must admit that I am rather partial to Great Danes. I had one named Rocky when I was married to the ex and it was always so reassuring to have him around when I was home alone. Although we ended up replacing a number of windows since every time we would leave then come back he would get so excited and start wagging his tail. We tried chaining him up to his dog house since it was spiked into the ground rather firmly, but as we were driving away we kept hearing this kerlump, kerlump and as I looked back Rocky was galloping to catch up dragging his doghouse behind him. But he was so gentle.

We had a kitten at the time too. Dust would curl up by Rocky's ear and snooze away. Even if he was wide awake, Rock would just lie there until the cat woke up. What a great parent he was to Dust too. Whenever Dust would do something bad (like pee on the floor), Rock would very carefully pick him up in his mouth and put him on the bookshelf. Then stare at him. After about 10 minutes he would take him down and they would play together. I sure miss him.

Scraplift of Impossible is Nothing by zakirahzakaria; Rustic Fields (c)Doro; Fonts: Sue Ellen Francisco, Xoxo

Stuck a Feather in His Cap and Called it Tribulations

Wed 5/7 Blog Prompt: On May 7, 1660, Isaack B. Fubine of Savoy, in The Hague, patents macaroni. What is your favorite macaroni dish?

If we are speaking just of "macaroni," then I would have to say my favorite would be, of course, mac and cheese. Homemade is the best of the best made with provolone, cheddar, jack and mozzarella. Oh yum. But sometimes I am to lazy to grind up all that cheese and will resort to just using the prepackaged Velvetta mac and cheese.

Now if we are speaking of pasta in general, spaghetti would head my list (although I do use macaroni a lot of times as it is not as messy when eating as trying to twine spaghetti noodles around a fork.)

Golden Moments by Ina's Scraps; template by Trish H. Designs; Quote by Margaret Atwood; Fonts: Da Vinci Forward, Docteur Atomic, Primer Print