All I want for Christmas....

well, a few things I want for Christmas....

Someone to pay for a hotel for me for a week in New Orleans and someone to watch my kids for the week.

Zum products

Poison Apple Earrings

Black Emily Necklace

That's all for now. Christmas is still a few months away though....

I changed my blog name...

so if you had the old one saved....change it. :)

I'm not doing so well here...

Well, on blogging. It looks like I've taken an unintentional break. I've been busy and haven't had a lot of time to blog. When I actually get on the computer, it seems that I do not get a lot accomplished.

day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad

Reminds me of a certain thing that makes me sad...

day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy

Sara Bareilles songs make me smile!

day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry

Hole is a band to listen to while angry. Just pick a song!

day 19 - a song from your favorite album

day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio

day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio

day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate

Pretty much anything by Green Day or Breaking Benjamin

Day 15-- A song that describes you

I had to have a little help with this one. Thank you, Renee and Jess. :)

day 15 - a song that describes you

I have no idea....anyone want to help me with this??

Hermit Crab 1 -- Tanner 0

The offending crab. He got Tanner pretty well this afternoon.
They made a mess of their cage.
Here is a lesson for you all. Never under estimate me. I got this big damn thing from my car, down the stairs and into my front room. I do what I have to do.

day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love

day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure

I've always wanted to be a "Bad Girlfriend"

day 12 - a song from a band you hate

I hate Breaking Benjamin. Over them. I used to like them, but I now cannot stand them. I even wasted money on concert tickets to see them once upon a time.

day 11 - a song from your favorite band

I think Mumford & Sons is my current favorite band. This changes a lot though.

day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep

Another Tarantula...

This is my new friend. A very lively, young tarantula. I kinda like her a little. She hasn't bit me yet.

day 09 - a song that you can dance to

:) Does this work?

day 08 - a song that you know all the words to

Yep....

Visitors Day in Dragon Country

My friend, Renee and I ventured down to Osceola, MO (yes, think cheese) to visit our sons at Bartle Scout Camp. We had an awesome trip down. We even managed to leave before 8 am. Both of us running a tad bit late. :) The boys were proud of their tent city. I was impressed about how clean they were.
Tanner in front of his tent with all his goodies from the Trading Post.
I had the missing slurpee cup the boys were looking for. I was listening to them look for it. They even asked to search the tent for it. I tried to hand it off to one of the boys without the boy looking for it knowing, but they so gave it away! That's not how we play the game.
The point. Tanner looking out over the lake. Trying really hard here not to freak out over my fear of falling. I have no fear of heights, just falling from them. As long as I am safe and secure, I am good.
Dragon Patrol cheering on their boys in the Regatta race. They rocked it.
Mic-O-Say Dancers. I always love watching them. I can't wait until Tanner can join.
The hoop dance.
Tanner and I towards the end of the day.
At his tent.
He didn't want me to leave. I think he is missing me just a little this summer.

I was exhausted by the time I got back home. I didn't sleep that much the night before and the humid weather did not help. I passed out as soon as I got home. It was an early bedtime for me!

day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event

I know it is California Gurls, but it so reminds me of my trip to Florida last summer.

Day 6 - A Song That Reminds You of Somewhere

day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone

Day 4 - A song that makes you sad

Happy Summer Solstice!

The Summer Solstice is the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The word solstice means "sun" and "stand still".

With this solstice, I have changed my mind and opinions on some things. I'm not going to elaborate right now. That seems to mess things up when I do that.

Enjoy your summer friends. I know I will...

day 03 - a song that makes you happy

This song just makes me smile right now! It reminds me of other times.

Could this possibly help me sleep?

Direct Link

"Healthy Sleep: The New, Surprising Way to Get to Sleep Faster

Do you sometimes have trouble falling asleep? Lately, I've been having trouble shutting my mind OFF! I feel like my brain just keeps going, going, going into the wee hours of the morning, even when I'm really exhausted. No good! Researchers may have something that will help (and it's really surprising)...

It's the curse of insomniacs: not being able to turn your brain "off." And researchers now believe that people who have trouble falling asleep may have more active brains (particularly the frontal lobes) than people who doze off like babies. And those over-active brains are warmer brains, they believe.

The sleep secret? Cool the brain off. When researchers from Rush University Medical Center had people wear special caps that circulated cool water over their heads, it took less time for them to fall asleep (13 minutes) as compared to people with no caps and zero insomnia problems.

The experts believe that cooling off the brain works in the way melatonin does to lower the body's temperature enough for it to get sleepy.

Yes, being too cold will have the opposite effect, but in light of this study, taking a lukewarm shower and going to bed with wet hair might have the same sleepy effects.

Do you take a shower before bed? Does it help you sleep? And, if they developed a "cool cap" would you buy one?"

Another one!

Found it!

Day 2 - My least favorite song

I think it is pretty self-explanatory. I should find my video of Tanner dancing to this song. He loves it when I show it to people.

Day 1 - Your Favorite Song

My Favorite Song right at this minute is




Adele - Set Fire to the Rain

30 Day Song Challenge

So, I seem to be better about blogging, when I have a specific reason to come to my blog and blog. So here is the new "Challenge" and then that leads to me talking about other things.

Here is the 30 Day Song Challenge:

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

Another 5K to my list!

A few weeks ago, Erin and I went to eat lunch at Grinders. Loved it. One of the perks of the location where I work is all the awesome places to go for lunch. While at Grinders I saw a poster for the Rock The Crossroads 5K. I registered and will be running July 9th with Cassandra. Who wants to come cheer us on?

MOMS Club

I have been involved with MOMS Club since February 2006. If you have no idea what I am talking about, check out the International MOMS Club website. For the 2006-2007 term, I was elected as Administrative Vice President. This is the person who takes over for the President when needed and the person who sets up the community service projects. We totally rocked it out that year. We adopted a family for Christmas and gave them over a $1500 Christmas. Did meals for Ronald McDonald House and formed a team for the March for Babies that raised over $2500. By 2007, our chapter had grown to over 100 members, so it was required by the International MOMS Club to "sister". I founded the current chapter that is running in the KC/Gladstone area.
I stayed on as President for a year, then took a backseat.

This last week, I was elected back to the Administrative Vice President position and I am super excited about it. It seems in the last few years that the chapter has lacked in community involvement. But never fear, that is my strength. I already have a list of things for just 2011. I haven't even started on 2012 yet.

Here are my ideas and if they are voted in, I will make them all happen!

• Community Blood Drive
• Bikers For Babies volunteering (September 18th)...I already volunteer for them, so I would love others to join me.
• Collecting food at the Ren Fest for Harvesters
• Mud and Muck Run to support Harvesters
• Meal and collection for Ronald McDonald House

What are your ideas? What do you like doing in your community?

Remember, you never become poor by helping others. And as the great man, Ron Poplau said "The doer of good becomes good"

Warrior!

Getting pumped for the Warrior Dash! It's gonna be a great time, yo!

"Red Zones" really?

When I went to school, there was no such thing as a "red zone". I went to an ---get this-- un-air conditioned Middle School and only ONCE did we get out because it was "too hot".... When I was little, we WALKED to the pool, to the library and community center and to get things to eat during the summer and it would have been considered "red zone" weather. Missouri/Kansas weather has not changed a whole lot. We still have the heat and the humidity.

Here is a link to explain the red zone: ChildCare Weather Watch

This is my rant. No wonder children never want to play outside. They are told by their parents and teachers that it is "too hot" or "too cold". So, they all sit in a climate controlled building all the time.

My children, if you know them, cannot stand being inside. They want to ride bikes, play at the park, play baseball, go swimming....they like to stay active.

While I understand the part about the sunburns, dehydrations, whatever else people come up with.......aren't those th reasons for sunscreen, water bottles and all these things we have to make outdoor play available.

I am going to camp next week with Girl Scouts and I know that it will be in the "Red Zone" all week. But, then again, that is why we have water and sunscreen. To keep use hydrated and to protect our skin. I went last year at the very end of July, where it was over 100 degrees each day and guess what? No heat related problems happened at all in the whole camp....

On another note: My new MU shirt has been shipped! Woo hoo! I wish they would have had children's sizes. I would have purchased 3 more!

Warrior Dash Tips

A friend from MOMS Club sent this out this morning. I just wanted to pass it on to my fellow Warrior Dashers. Mike Brandt (guy who has run tons of marathons), and lo and behold, Mike has run a few Warrior Dashes too. He had some advice for those of us who are running the Warrior Dash here in KC. Here is the advice:

1.) Wear shoes you will not want to wear again. In fact they will get so muddy and there is a "donation pile" where many people leave their muddy post-race sneaks to go to Warrior Dash heaven.

2.) You will be started in a wave with hundreds of other people. When you get to an obstacle, you must commit to getting over/through it or risk being shoved aside or run over. If you need to catch your breath or strategize or watch how someone else gets over an obstacle.... stand back from the base of the obstacle. Once you are at the obstacle, commit and go!

3.) Many people (especially ladies or those with fancy costumes) hesitate and the first mud/water crossing and try to tiptoe, keep clean, and be somewhat prissy.... Mike says that by the end of the race everyone is covered with mud so you might as well dive right into the first one so you don't get shoved for slowing down the others behind you and besides, you will get a better time.

4.) If you know you will be going fairly slow, try to start late in your wave so you don't have so many people shoving past you.

5.) Advice from Pam: watch Warrior Dash videos on You Tube. You will see how people get bottlenecked at the obstacles. From Me: They are also fun to watch how people traverse the obstacles.

6.) From yours truly: Enjoy the Beer and festivities afterwards! It's gonna be a blast.

Dragon, Koi Fish, Sun and Cherry Blossom Tree

I'm having a difficult time coming up with the dragon........the others are beautiful and I cannot wait!

Oh, how I have missed writing...

I seriously have. I have pictures to post and things to rant and rave and just type about...but I haven't been at home. Therefore, I have not downloaded any of my pictures from the past week.

I want to be at home. I want to be in my bed. I don't think I can ever house sit again. Everyone knows I have this strange fascination with my bed. Okay. It's just really comfortable and I sleep so well in it. I haven't been to my apartment in three days and I miss it. I really truly do.

There is stuff I want to blog about, but I want the pictures to go with them. The kids last day of school, the Awards of Excellence that I actually won an award at, being a Warrior then eating the best sushi I have ever had.

So, hang on a few days. And I will be back home.....THURSDAY!

Something that pisses me off

Did you not see the lines? Are you that stupid that you think someone is going to hit your "new" car? Super annoyed!

The True Meaning of Memorial Day

I just have a few links to post.

Ben & Elaina Tribute

I grew up with Elaina. Reading this blog brought back a lot of memories for me.

Zombies....really kids?

For some reason, my sons have become obsessed with the movie "Zombieland" since they found it on Netflix. I like this movie too, but come on kids, let's take a rest from Zombieland and move onto another more family friendly movie!

Speaking of Zombie, I will be going to the Rob Zombie concert on July 16th with one of my oldest friends! If any knows me, you know I have liked Zombie since I was in ummm.....7th grade.

My boring posts on books...

I have read two new books that I really enjoyed. The first one: "These Hidden Things" had a twist at the end that I would have never even guessed.


The 2nd one was "The Girl Who Chased The Moon." It is a cute easy read kind of book. I enjoyed it. :)



Also, I am now about a 1/4 of the way through the 5th Harry Potter book. I have until July 15th to finish them all! And watch the movies!

Neglecting the blog...

Dear Blog (and blog readers) --

No, I have not been neglecting you. I have just been really super busy. But don't worry, I will update you soon with lots of fun stories and pictures and whatever my heart desires. You might just have to wait until I have more than 5 minutes to type something up.

Love -
Morgan

Rockfest 2011

I love this concert! It is my favorite one of the year. I love going to shows and this one is just so much fun. Went with great people and had a great time.

It was also reported that Bikers for Babies raised $15,000 at the event! Where else in the world would you ever raise that much money? This is one of the events I volunteer at annually. You can usually find my working my ass off at the registration booth!

Here are some pics....enjoy....

The sink...why would I lie about a sink?

The sink in my classroom has been making sounds on and off for the past week. It turns itself on and freaks the children out. Well, we reported it to management so we could get a plumber in to get it fixed.

One member of management actually thought it was okay to say "I think she is making it up". Really, when how many people have heard it? So, I recorded it for them on my camera. Just think of having to listen to this numerous times throughout the day.

When I showed them this video, I asked "Do you believe me now?" and the answer was "We never didn't believe you". Yet, said in front of numerous people that they said I was making it up.

Why the hell would I lie about a sink making noise? What benefit do I get from that? I just wanted it fixed!

What I am looking for....

I keep getting asked....what am I looking for in a relationship? I have a simple answer. I am not looking for a relationship. I am perfectly happy where I am in life right now. I don't need a relationship to bring me down. Hello, I just got out of an 8 year marriage. I don't want to jump right into something right after that!

So, my point being: I am looking for friends. Friends make me happy. They make me smile. Of course, there are different types of friendships I have with people and I am certainly fine with each one. That's why they are still my friends!

And if you know me, there is not one particular kind of a friend that I seek. Everyone is so diverse and different, but we get along wonderfully!

New Fish!

I got some new fish for the kids. It was kinda weird having an empty fish tank in my front room. I got them two bubble eyed gold fish and two large goldfish. They like'em!

Last Meeting as Daisy Girl Scouts

We had our last meeting as Daisy Girl Scouts! Next meeting, we will officially be Brownies!

Day 30 - A Picture of Someone I miss

I can't even look at this picture without tears welling up in my eyes. I miss her so much.

Day 29- Something that always makes me smile

Reading and seeing this always makes me smile! It is so true!

Day 28- Something I'm Afraid of

I have a fear of falling. Therefore, the Ripcord at Worlds of Fun would be my ultimate fear. Which, by the way, I am going to face this summer and go off of it! Thus, completing one of my 30 before 30 goals!

Day 27 - A picture of myself and a family member

Day 26 -- Something that mean a lot to me

I seem to be repeating myself on some of these!

March For Babies 2011

For the past 5 years, I have been volunteering for the March of Dimes -- March for Babies event.

It is so encouraging to see so many people out to help babies have a wonderful start at life.

This year, I created a Family Team for our Better Together Committee at my work. We had 5 people sign up.

I had such a great time and I am proud of my team members that raised money and actually showed up at the walk. Maybe next year, more will attend and participate. It is so much fun!

Day 25 - A pic from my day

Alli and I having lunch at Perkin's. We even got the same thing. : )

Day 24 - Something I wish I could Change

I wish I could change where I live.....this is where I currently live. I want a house! Hence, one of my goals!

Pay it Forward Day

It was International Pay It Forward Day. How did you Pay It Forward? Did you buy someone's coffee for them? Did you help someone out that didn't really deserve it?

I paid it forward by paying for someone not to have to wear their uniform for a week at work. I'm not telling who it was, it would just ruin the surprise for them.

http://payitforwardday.com/

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

My favorite book that I have read this year is "The Hunger Games". I really enjoyed the two that followed also. Cannot wait for the movie!

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

I'm working to become better at this!!!

Day 21 - A pic of something you wish you could forget

Don't we wish we could all forget this day. Like this day never happened.

Day 20 - A picture... of somewhere you'd love to travel.

I want to go back to New Orleans! And I will! It's on my list of things to do before I am 30!

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

I was two and my sister was an infant, obviously!
I was two! I was a darn cute two year old!
This is one of my favorite pictures ever of myself. I was three.

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

I'm insecure about two things about the way I look.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Money is the root of all things evil and necessary.

Alli's Learning Express

Alli's school, Gashland Elementary, had the cutest idea for the Open House this year. It was the "Learning Express". You received a train ticket and there were people around the school dressed up as train conductors. Alli took me around to her classroom, the music room, the gym, the library and showed me her art!