Not BlogHer, Just Tornado, Rain and Disney

photo courtesy of visitflorida.com

So, I'm back from my road trip but what can I say, I don't have anything BlogHer-ish to share. Bu huu me! But that shouldn't stop you from reading my post, should it?

I promise you'll enjoy this one. What about a little taste of Tornado, thunderstorm and a soaking wet adventure, Disney style?

Yes, tornado. you read 'em right. Intrigued now?

So, while everyone is making their way to BlogHer09 in Chicago {woe is me}, my 5 year old daughter, my mom, her husband, my husband and my silly self, were weaving our way to sunny Florida.

No, I take that back! Sunny doesn't even begin to describe Florida as we have discovered that Friday afternoon.

We have just taken our last stop in one of the rest areas in the Highway by Daytona Beach, so hubby and I can switch driving. It was his turn. 15 minutes into the highway, we were met by a sudden gust of strong wind, lightning and rain that turned into a blinding, swirling storm. In an instant, we were engulfed in darkness and no visibility. All you see was this swirling rain and strong wind pushing and shaking the car both ways!

The busy highway slowed to a crawl. Thank heavens for smart drivers who turned their hazards on so we can see each other. As we snail-crawl our way forward, we saw cars parked on either side of the roads. Dang it! I've never been so scared. Hubby was glad I wasn't driving. I would have freaked out! It got to a point where it was so hard to even see the hazard lights flashing ahead of us, that we too, decided to detour on the side of the road amongst others who were already there. Poor bikers! Imagine us all clueless and shaking with fear.

As soon as the storm let up a touch, we crawled back into the highway. We were 20 minutes away from our exit and it was the longest and grueling 2o minutes drive of our lives! Driving blind as we go. Then slowly, we saw the sky brightening up a little above us, we drove a little faster. Then some more. Then all of a sudden it was clear sunny skies! What the heck?

I looked back. Half of the highway was engulfed in dark storm clouds and half of it was not! It felt like going through a dark tunnel in a horror movie. To make the long story short, we made it to the hotel unscathed. We immediately tuned in on the news that night and whaddya know? A tornado touched down {click on this link and scroll down to see pictures of the damages} on Osmond Beach and Port Orange! Exactly where we were. We were right in the middle and we were right inside the band of the tornado! Honestly, I'm still creeped out to this day! Gosh, I would have hated being part of that show 1000 ways to die! - one way to die: drive towards a tornado! ugh.

The next day, we saw this :

Double rainbow in Orlando, Florida

Not just one rainbow but two! side by side. True to its' promise, the day remained sunny and we got to enjoy our tour of the Holy Land and indulged ourselves in the pool at the hotel for the rest of the day. Glorious!

Last Supper with "Jesus" @ Holy Land

Now Disney was a different story! My oh my! I'll save the rest of the story for next time so I can post pictures without boring you to death about now. Let's just say that Disney made more money selling rain coats that day! Sweeeettt!? nah!

Till next post. Thank you for reading. You rawk!

Nay or Yea? Are you in or out? - PR Blackout

There is so much talk about this issue and mixed reactions from other bloggers. And though it's my choice to remain neutral for personal reasons, others finds it outrageous, some think they're just misunderstood. Whichever the case maybe, It's good to know that a wonderful person & bloggy friend is taking this as an opportunity to reach out to non-participating bloggers and to discover fresh and upcoming new ones.

I really do think that this is a good initiative. A way to bridge the gap. And it doesn't matter which side of the fence you are. It's always how you behave inside your fence that defines who you are and how you want others to see you as. It all boils down to two things: integrity and trust.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for new bloggers to shine! If given the chance. If you want to be included in this brilliant campaign and invitation by Jessica, who of course, everyone knows as Jessica Knows, this is what you need to do according to her own requirements quoted below:

"Bloggers, are you game to be contacted that week { week of August 9-15 }? Even if it’s a cold call or email to make an introduction and to find out more about you, your blog, and what makes you tick?

If you are, please leave your name, your blog url, what you’re passionate about when it comes to blogging, a fact about you we might find surprising and…if you care to…your contact information (alternatively let us know if we can find that contact info on your blog…we don’t mind having to look for it there)."

Give it a shot. Who knows { I'm sure Jessica would know! } you might be the next big thing she's looking for. As for me, if a good opportunity comes my way, I'll take it. And Only, of course, if it's a win-win situation and adheres to my guidelines. So, Click here to get to Jessica's blog or you can click on her name on my side bar. Now go break a leg! { Not Jessica's or yours I hope }.

The irony of road trips : Packing { again! }

And though it is soooo outrageous that I haven't even unpacked the luggage we had from our last trip yet {what can I say? I'm a mom with a wicked headache}, this is in a sense a bittersweet treat.

Remember last year, when we were forced to give up our Disney vacation that we intended as a gift for our daughter and how sad it made us because she might not see it in a loooong, long while?

Well, that changed recently. A blessing in disguise! We're actually going to Disney this week. It's not our dream vacation but what matter is, WE'RE. GOING.

My mother and her husband who lives in California are coming for a short visit then are heading to Holy Land in Orlando for a tour - which is of course where Disney is. We're driving them there. An 8 hour or so drive from Charlotte NC. Thankfully, my mom agreed to compensate her taxi drivers with a one day Disney experience which I'm really grateful for.

And though this trip will greatly impact our finances with me missing more days off from work , the sheer delight this news brought to my daughter was more than enough to force me to complete surrender and to just deal with the consequences later. I'm trying to stay positive. All for the love of my child. Just a few of the sacrifices we do for our kids which I hope they'll appreciate when they're older.

Now that Free $250 Shell Gift Card being given away by friends @ BlogHer.com can really come in handy about now but too bad it is drawn right on the day we leave but I'm hopeful. Go join if you haven't yet. They're giving away 5 GC's.

And oh on the flip side, that unpacked luggage collecting some of my BFF dust bunnies by the foot of our bed right now actually makes me semi packed! Funny how things work in your favor sometimes, doesn't it?

Now, while I'm away {enslaving myself as a chaperone}, I'll let you have a wild party in my blog! Just make sure you clean up after the party OK? So, go list your your giveaways and have fun meeting new friends and new blogs - and Oh don't you forget! Save some goodies for me!

Mr. Linky has been moved at the bottom of the blog. If you have a current giveaway, feel free to link it up. And make sure you spread the word! FREE Goodies for all. Thank you!

Death of a Legend, a money making deal for others: Michael Jackson Frenzy

photo courtesy of TMZ.com

With the unexpected death of Michael Jackson, while fans are thrown into hysteria, proliferation of entrepreneur- driven minds seem to have taken advantage of this tragedy to make money. One of them in the form of books.

I was just at the bookstore today and the first thing that greeted us at the door was this display table and shelf filled with several so-called biography books from different authors documenting Michael Jackson's life.

I could not believe it. Michael Jackson is not even dead for a month! Everyone is still practically mourning his death. But I guess, this frenzy has a lot of income-generating potential that it's too hard to pass up by some.

I flipped through some of the books and most of them featured picture gallery of Michael Jackson including current ones surrounding his death. What boggled my mind was how fast these authors whipped up these books and published them in less than a month? Some of them were really thick even without the picture gallery inclusions.

Fans should know better than to buy these books on an impulse. Because the question is, are these books even worth buying?

You think these authors would bother writing about Billy Mays? I doubt it.

Just saying....

Headless

That's exactly what I wanted to be so bad the other day.

You're probably wondering why I wanted that. Well, I'm not really one to talk a lot when it comes to personal details but I've been suffering for quite a long time now and I feel isolated. More so, when a friend of mine actually labeled it as a symptom caused by depression and that I've been exhibiting the worst of it. Seriously now!

Let me tell you what I have. I'm a Migraine sufferer. This is my condition. This is my illness. It's NOT depression! For crying out loud.

It is my silent prosecutor. I suffer alone. In darkness. In utter silence. Streaked with mild starvation and dehydration...not depression.

I hate my migraines with a passion. Migraine is NOT fun. It can go on for days. It's a condition that fills you with misery and pain. I wish I CAN just wish it away and be gone forever. I'll be happier without it.

Recently, I had one and it was the worst kind. Felt like my head was going to explode. It was so painful, I couldn't even get myself to cry! All the nerves in my brain was shut with pain. I was at the verge of passing out. Painfully aggravated when I puke. Aah the pain that comes after each puke was insurmountable! It left me non-functional for 2 days.

It was all I needed after a glorious beach vacation. Not fair. My head is still spinning from the after-effect. Not fair. Now this, is depressing.

Is there hope for sufferers like me? My migraine seem to occur at instances like:

a)when I get really sleepy in the middle of the day and don't nap right away {impossible when I'm at work}.
b) A week prior or after my period
c) Sky is overcast
d) Heat from sun
e) Winter cold
f) Changing weather

I can't win.

Is there anyone else like me out there? Have you found natural alternatives to remedy the symptoms? Or is there even an effective means to get rid of it permanently? And can I say it again? It is not depression but IT IS depressing... I'm done suffering...

Toasty Brown {not the blog}

the flight of stairs leading to ocean paradise on a rainy day

But me. Yes, I'm a tad {sun}burnt. A little browner than your regular gal but I'm loving it. A little proof that showed how much I enjoyed my vacation at the beach.

celebrating 4th of July on the beach under a moonlit sky
{Pier illuminated in the background}

We went to Oak Island just off the coastline of NC. Sands were white and shores were filled with tons of sea shells and rocks. Great for collectors. The Pier was the highlight of the beach where Fishermen crowded the deck hoping to catch the King Fish , but instead has been catching several sharks, a hammerhead shark as long as 10 foot and baby sharks, for two straight days.

The Pier - a fisherman's paradise during the day
{8-10 foot shark and baby sharks were caught there too}

We stayed in one of the rental houses at Oak Island Accomodations. It is not a gated community as compared to Oceanlakes in Myrtle Beach SC so the rental rates are a lot affordable. A plus for families on a budget.

My New BestFriend- a Huge Pelican sitting on top of a lamp post

One thing that enamored me at this beach was the Pelicans! I've never seen so many. I took a picture of one of them sitting on a lamp post on the pier and was there for hours waiting for a treat from the fishermen.

Sea Weed or part of a coral reef ? Washed ashore by heavy waves

It rained a good 2 straight days and 2 stormy nights while we were there but we did manage to make the most out of the little sunshine we had. If you ever chance this area, it's a bit of an old part of town and the only Cafe' close by is the Flying Pig Coffeehouse which luckily offers free Wi-Fi. For some local icy treat, visit Luna Pops homemade gourmet frozen ice pops! So yummy! One great thing about this shop is that they have recycling buckets for the sticks which is upcycled in their Craft classes. And for your grocery needs? There's always Food Lion close by.

And if you're heading back to mainland via I-74, take a little detour on Pee Dee Orchard Farms shop right by the highway for some luscious, freshly picked Peaches and homemade Peach Ice cream! Wish I could bring it all home.

Friends Forever

Thank you to the Harrisons who invited us to join them in this getaway from it all vacation. It was a real treat, mostly so, to my dear daughter who bawled her eyes out when it was time to leave. Time does fly when you're having fun...

Life's too Short to clean the house

A Mother's unending battle with dust bunnies and little toys.

It was a lovely Saturday Morning. Perfect for a cup of Coffee. My dear daughter was fidgeting next to me while we sat in one of the comfy lounging sofa of a local Coffee house in Huntersville NC waiting for our drinks.

I glanced at the stack of papers and magazines strewn on the center table and started flipping through them when this flier blared right into my eyes!

"Life's too short to clean your own home"

Life speaking to me? As a mother, this is one of my great stressors. Self-admitted neat freak {blame this on my mother}, mess became my ultimate nemesis the day my daughter was born. Toys that comes in all sizes has found refuge in every nook and cranny of the house. Best of all, their favorite spot is the floor where I walk on. Each day is like "under the sea". Except that my sea is made up of toys, toys and dust bunnies!

So, Is life really short to clean your own home? I think it will be shorter if I don't. A messy house begets a messy life. Imagine your house full of clutter. How does that translate to being organized? Impossible!

But, I'd rather spend quality time with my daughter and husband than enslaving myself cleaning. Life is too short after all.

I've accepted that my battle with the messes will not cease anytime soon. My daughter is only 5 years old. I've got a long time ahead of me. So for now, here is what I do: {or not do anyway}

DO:
a) Place Catch basins - I have this big laundry basket stationed in the living room for the sole purpose of "catching" loose toys, books and whatchamacallits at the end of the day. Makes for less trips carrying collected stuffs back to the kiddos room.

b) Subtraction - Implement the power of subtraction. The rule is, if she wants to play with something else, she has to put away the previous one. It's still a work in progress but she's getting it. Less toys to deal with, less stress when it's time to clean.

c) Employ the help of an Elf - I've started teaching my daughter the "art of cleaning". Who else will help me but the one who creates the mess. Little help goes a long way. Start them early.

DO NOT:

Be a SOFTIE - you're not a paper product. You're the mother! My daughter knew that whenever she flutters her eyes and flash me that cute smile and say "please", she's in for instant victory! BUT I've learned my lesson (except my husband. He's still in training camp}.

Be the Role Model - For mess and clutter. What they see, is what they copy. I have enrolled my husband and his office in Bootcamp to fix this. AND you didn't hear this from me.

If all else fails, be BFF with the dust bunnies! I am. Then just snuck the toys under the couch, the coffee table or anywhere that's out of your sight!

Life is too short...

Going to Kokomo

"Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you Bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Jamaica

Off the Florida Keys

Theres a place called kokomoThats where you wanna go to get away from it all..." - Kokomo by Beach Boys

Yes, I'm going skinny-dipping in the Bahamas! Of course not! But yes, my family and I will be at the beach for a much needed break - FROM LIFE - for several days. It will be our first vacation getaway in years. We're ecstatic! Sand, sun and tan! July 4th and the Fireworks at the beach...Perfecto!

If you're going too, try your hands on this Homemade Sunblock Lotion courtesy of Instructables.com. I'll see if I can whip up one as good.

Nonetheless, Make yourself at home here while I'm gone. Stay a while. Kick back your shoes and browse through my new cool creations and some helpful tips:

Mommy Bracelet - Ask me about it.

Go International

Golden Flower Creations

Have a Fantastic day! Happy 4th to you!