Google Rocks :)

I spent some time this weekend whipping up a little website for a friend - and have to give google some props. A little google calendar here - a little google maps there - and voila :) I think it's a cute little page with major usefulness!

Check it out.

You also gotta love google doodles :)

Today:Valentines 09:New Years Day 09:Election Day 08:
They make me smile :) You can view all the old google doodles here.

PS. How bout that snow! FINALLY :)

Siam Sunrays

Thailand hopes new cocktail can lure back tourists

BANGKOK (AP) -- Cuba's got the Mojito. There's the Singapore Sling and the Manhattan. Thailand hopes a newly created drink called "Siam Sunrays" will enter the world's cocktail lexicon and help draw tourists back to the country.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand unveiled the drink Thursday, calling it "Thailand in a glass - the new punch in Thai tourism."

The cocktail consists of a shot of vodka, coconut liqueur, a dash of chili pepper and sugar, lime juice, a few slivers of lemongrass and ginger - shaken not stirred, then strained into a glass - with ice and soda water.

It's the latest strategy to revive Thailand's key tourism industry, which was battered by political protests last year that culminated in a weeklong shutdown of Bangkok's two main airports. The airport seizure stranded more than 300,000 travelers at the start of the peak holiday season, dealing a devastating blow to Thailand's tourist-friendly image.

"Successful signature drinks are one way to fast-track holiday destinations onto the world tourism map," the tourism authority said in a joint statement with the Thai Hotels Association.

Siam Sunrays was the winner of a competition sponsored by the two agencies to create a national cocktail.

"Thailand's new signature drink is based on very Thai ingredients," the statement said, adding that the drink was now available at hotels and resorts across the country.

T & I are looking forward to reviewing Thailand's new national drink! It'll have to be pretty tasty to compete with the Mojito!

Yoga vs. Pilates - What's the difference?

There are quite a few blogs of people I do not know IRL that I read regularly. Strange maybe (I originally only read blogs of friends & family!) but these women (mostly) are super talented writers with all kinds of wisdom, humor, craftiness, and experience to share. The blogging 'community' is quite and interesting world - kinda makes me want to go back to school and do a big paper/study on it. But not really :)

I've enjoyed reading The Shared Journey over the past year. Super talented writer who lost her dad recently. She's been so real and open about about that journey. I relate so much - just can't put into words the feelings like she can :) It's been as healing for me to read as it is for her to write probably.

Anyways - she also writes freelance and recently wrote this article for Fox News which I really enjoyed! I do some pilates (videos) and just started participating in a yoga class once a week - so I'm not real familiar with either. I do know I need to spend more time on my core and stretching!

Yoga vs. Pilates: What's Right For You?

pathetic

That's what my bloggin has been. Haha - and I considered 'blogging more regularly' as a possible new years resolution!! I have many lists around of 'things to blog' - just haven't been able to find the time and motivation to create them. No promises, but I'll try to be better! I hope I have some friends that still drop in once in a while :)

I know what you want for Christmas.....

A Wii and Wii Fit.... for free!!!

Enter to win here.



My fingers are crossed that I win so you can come over and play :)

Happy Birthday Josh!!

The best big brother a girl could ask for :) LOVE YOU!

Pretty sure AB will soon be saying "The best daddy a girl could ask for" :)

4th

I took Todd to DC for the 4th this year. I really wanted him to experience 'the mall' and all it's craziness. Plus I think DC fireworks are the best! This was also the first time the 'grandkids' were invited to accompany us to Fairfax :)

Look who is spoiled! Someone spread a sheet on the couch so they'd be comfy since they didn't have their 'chair'.

My boys :)

We actually didn't make it into DC for the show - but we did have sweet seats at Bolling AFB. It was kinda nice not to have the crowds - but next year we plan to 'do it up' all day on the mall :) To include the Metro crowds so T can have the full experience!

You can see the Capitol across the river.

Photo by mom :)

Pop Quiz - Answer.

I was.... in my grandparents basement in WI.

The whole family traveled to WI to spend time with my grandma and some extended family, and to celebrate the life of my grandpa who passed away in June. It had been 6.5 years since my last visit to WI and it was sooo good to be there! I have LOVED my grandparents house since I was a little girl - I remember when I was still in the single digits begging my grandma to leave the house to me in their will :) They built the house themselves over 50 years ago. My grandfather was an engineer and put his skills to use in the house. His set up is so extreme that even by today's standards it's 'overkill'. There are many parts of that house that are so uniquely 'Douglas' - it always makes me smile :)

He set all this up...

...to run a one story house (w/ full basement). 3 BR. 2 Bath.

Here's one set of kitchen light switches. On the wall in the breakfast nook heading to the dining room. Yes - you have 12 switches to choose from. Yes the switch plates are wallpapered to match. Yes the wall paper design is lined up exactly :) This is common throughout the house. Most places have 1 light switch, maybe 2 - at their house the minimum is 5 :)

My favorite feature has always been the glass blocks between the garage and the (enclosed) porch. LOVE THEM :)

Additional quirkiness - their electricity rate in the evenings and on the weekends is WAY cheaper. Something they set up years ago - and for some reason the electric company hasn't changed. To mesh with this the water heater is set to only heat from 7pm - 7am. So you better be careful when you shower :) The place is special in many ways :) Plus... so many memories in that house and surrounding our many road trips to WI as kids!

Check out these awesome lamps....

In the dining room:

These are both in the basement:


This is my favorite! In the living room:

My 88 year old grandma - still mowing her own lawn! She's pretty awesome.

The Grandkids.

A sweet kiss from Great Grand Daughter AB.

It was a fun trip. It was great to introduce Todd to my Grandma - and WI :) We ate Kopps Frozen Custard 3 of the 4 nights we were there. Of course I missed my dad :) He was there in so many ways though.

(More pictures to come of our trip to the zoo. Someday)
(I promise - no more two part blogs!)

Happy Birthday Daddy :)

Not a day goes by that I don't miss you!

My Cutie Niece

All pictures taken last month during our family trip to WI! She's a delight :) Full of expression, hamming it up, curiosity, and adventure. I wish I had video of her and a boy (probably 4) who was sitting at a table nearby flirting like crazy when we went out for Friday fish fry.

(Click image to view larger)