Today feels like Monday since both Princess Nagger and the hubby were off yesterday.Β  Of course every day this week is going to be a little off-kilter since the hubby took a vacation week this week to work on the house and yard so we’ll be one step closer to our move this summer.Β  While heΒ  will probably get a lot done, having Mr. Interruptus hovering about will hinder meΒ  from getting a lot done.Β  Just sayin’.Β 

I really need to pick up the pace and start getting everything purged and packed, though – the next two months are going to fly by way too fast.Β  I’ll keep you posted on the progress.Β  I might have to take a hiatus to immerse myself in mega piles’o’stuff that tend to be borderline hoarder-ish.Β  Ahem.Β  But I’ll definitely let you know if that needs to happen.

In an effort to procrastinate one more day, let’s join Emmy’s “10 Things to Smile About”, shall we?Β  She has this party every month on the last Tuesday of the month so we can reflect back on that month and remember what made us smile.Β  So let’s get to it, shall we?

1. Getting to capture the baby birds in a nest out in our Back 40 definitely made me smile:

BirdsNest6

One week later:

BabyBirds4

They’ve since flown the nest, so I’m glad I had a chance to snap pictures of them before it was too late.

2. Getting to finally see Princess Nagger’s drawing that she won an award for at the annual art show hanging in the hallway of her school in a display case definitely made me smile:

PNDrawing

She finally was able to bring it home last week – I need to scan it and then get it framed.Β  I am happy to report that she still expresses rabid interest in art and drawing – here’s hoping the passion never fades.

3. This dorky cat of Princess Nagger always makes me smile:

BigEarsBlackspot2

Yes, he’s laying perfectly on Princess Nagger’s fox ears like he’s dreaming of big ears.

4. Winning a medal for the third year in a row in the International Winemaker’s Competition definitely made me smile:

WinemakerCompetition

What you’re looking at is a sea of wine that was entered in the competition – tasting all the entries would be one heck of a fun job!

5. Finding out that Saturday happened to be National Wine Day made me smile:

NatlWineDay

6. Finding the new Bacon Hot Dogs on sale made me smile, because it made Princess Nagger deliriously happy:

BaconHotDogs

7. Powering through the complicated process of registering the kids for school in another state definitely made me smile.Β  Plus their new school looks pretty cool:

NewSchool

Everyone I’ve talked to in the school district has been extra kind and very nice, and I’m happy that Princess Nagger isn’t as bummed about moving away from her friends as I thought she’d be.Β  Her response?Β  “There’s always Skype!”Β Β  I love that kid.

8. The prospect of the move itself and being able to see this sight any day of the week makes me smile:

MtRainier

Well, OK – maybe not any day of the week, since it won’t always be sunny – you know how Washington State can be.Β  But I’ve sure missed always seeing the mountains in the horizon, especially Mt. Rainier.Β  I’m looking forward to getting to gaze off in the distance and be in awe again.

9. While I’ve loved our house since we bought it 10 years ago this summer, I’m looking forward to our new adventure.Β  At least I’ll always have pictures to gaze upon fondly and remember our very first house:

House-AFTER

10. Getting to hang out with this motley crew a lot after we move definitely makes me smile:

Family

Pictured in the center are my parents, who are flanked by my nieces (my brother’s twins who are only a year older than Princess Nagger) with my favorite brother in front with Little Dude and my favorite sis-in-law behind Princess Nagger (the hubby is peeking from behind my mom).Β  Being 3000 miles away from them for 13 years has been way too long.Β  Can’t wait to get back and party like a rock star with them again.

What made you smile in May?

That’s a wrap for this week – link up and join in the fun, everyone is welcome, random or not. Be sure to visit your fellow randomizers so they don’t feel so lonely.

 

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Keeping the random alive – feel free to snag a badge and play along – one for my wino friends:

Stacy

And one for my non-wino friends:

Stacy

I’m also linking up with two stellar ladies, Shawn and Impulsive, the lovely hosts of Talk To Us Tuesday. There are no rules so link away.

Seriously Shawn

BranchDivider

The awesome Emmy’s Mom has 10 Things to Smile About – guaranteed to make you smile:

More Tuesday hops – if you’re stopping by here from there, please do me a favor and follow via LinkyFollowers – since I was robbed of my GFC followers when the cads at Goggle decided to boycott non-Blogger blogs. The Tuesday hops seems to have diminished – if you have one let me know and I’ll add you here, too!

 

36 Comments

  1. We are looking forward to our new adventure too! And Bacon Hotdogs..what can be better??? Ummm How about some Bratz cooked in dark beer and then put on the grill…now that is eating!!
    Ha
    Hugs
    SueAnn

    1. We’ll both have stories to tell, won’t we, SueAnn? πŸ™‚ I’m not a fan of hotdogs in general – but PN kindly let me have a bite of hers the other day, and I must say those bacon dogs are delicious!! πŸ™‚ But I will have to try Bratz cooked in dark beer then put on the grill – that’s something I have not yet tried! πŸ˜€
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..The Month of May Brought Lots of Smiles – with More to Come in a 10 Things to Smile about RTT Rebel kinda wayMy Profile

  2. this post made me smile…. and I can so understand how having the hubby around will stop your productivity.. what is it about men anyway?
    Hilary would like you to read ..Eyes Wide ShutMy Profile

  3. I thoroughly enjoyed National Wine Day. Glad that you will be loving your move, even if it is a ton of work!

  4. That painting of Princess Naggers made me smile HUGELY! What talent that girl has!!

    Congratulations on your medal, too!

    This thought made me smile as well: “Blogging” friends are great because you’ll still “see” them just as often after they move across the country. πŸ™‚
    Jan’s Sushi Bar would like you to read ..Lemon Blueberry MuffinsMy Profile

    1. I’m flabbergasted with her talent, too – I really hope she keeps the passion. She did mention she only has 3 pages left on her sketch pad, so I better get another STAT! πŸ˜€

      I like that thought, too – blogging is so cool because all your friends will still be able to visit (and vice versa) no matter what. πŸ™‚ And depending on the route we decide to take when driving out West, we might have to make a pit stop in Ohio. πŸ˜‰
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..The Month of May Brought Lots of Smiles – with More to Come in a 10 Things to Smile about RTT Rebel kinda wayMy Profile

  5. Yea!! So glad you played along, I love these lists. I love your last house, looks like something out a novel– but yes moving and being closer to family will be so wonderful.
    Bacon dogs?? How did I not know these exist!! Totally going to the store today.
    Her picture is amazing!! Seriously so good.

    Thanks again for linking up.
    Emmy would like you to read ..Ten Things to Smile About This MonthMy Profile

    1. It does look like something out of a novel, doesn’t it Emmy? It was built in 1817, so it definitely has lots of character. And I love the high ceilings – to give you perspective, the windows pictured are 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide. πŸ™‚

      Definitely see if they have bacon dogs in your store – and hopefully they’ll still have the ‘save $1.00 now” coupon – they were 1.50, so each pack was only 50-cents…score! πŸ˜€

      I’ll pass your compliments to PN about her picture – that will make her day. πŸ˜‰
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..The Month of May Brought Lots of Smiles – with More to Come in a 10 Things to Smile about RTT Rebel kinda wayMy Profile

  6. I would so have trouble if we moved away from the mountains. Trees are nice, but I like seeing the mountains in the distance.
    Congrats on your winning wine–from personal experience, you make a mean wine!
    VandyJ would like you to read ..Birthdayish, Randomish TuesdayMy Profile

  7. I lived in Seattle from 1975-1979! I loved it there! Seeing Mt Rainier in the distance was incredible! Ferry rides, Pike Place market, Seattle Center, riding the monorail to work! It was so much fun there! I wonder how much of that is still the same after all these years! Good luck on your move. I think you’ll all be glad you did!
    Sylvia would like you to read ..Doctor Visits, Road Trips, and CarouselsMy Profile

    1. That’s too funny that you were there when I was there, Sylvia! I grew up there – moved to PA in 1997, but will be SO HAPPY to finally be ‘home’ again. πŸ™‚ When we were visiting my family there last summer I was amazed at how much has changed – but happy that those things you mentioned have not. πŸ˜‰
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..The Month of May Brought Lots of Smiles – with More to Come in a 10 Things to Smile about RTT Rebel kinda wayMy Profile

  8. Congratulations on winning the award. It is well deserved.
    You won’t see as much of Mt. Rainer as you might hope but when it does peek out it is glorious. Speaking of Seattle, I’ll be at a conference there in early August. Will you be there by then?

    1. Thank you, Michele! πŸ™‚ When we were visiting last year, we (luckily) saw Mt. Rainier every day – probably because my parents live in the Southend where it’s inevitable to view it (on the days there weren’t low clouds which only happened once or twice) since we have to drive on the road that looks like you’re driving straight towards the mountain to get to my parents house. πŸ˜‰

      Hopefully we’ll be out there in time to meet you while you’re there for your conference! I’ll keep my fingers crossed and keep you posted – we’re hoping to move as early in August as possible. πŸ™‚
      Stacy (the Random Cool Chick) would like you to read ..The Month of May Brought Lots of Smiles – with More to Come in a 10 Things to Smile about RTT Rebel kinda wayMy Profile

  9. WOW. Great week – congratulations to you on the wine – awesome, and to Princess Nagger, her painting is REALLY good!!!
    Meryl would like you to read ..Truth be ToldMy Profile

  10. This month I’m thankful that everyone stayed pretty healthy and that my husband got a new job! Your house is gorgeous! I hope everything continues to go smoothly with your move. Yay for being close to family though! It’s really hard living so far away.

  11. This is my first visit, but I think my friend Andrea spends quite a lot of time over here!

    You have so many reasons to be happy. Congrats on your move!

    Linking from Emmy’s blog,
    Ricki Jill

  12. When I married hubby, he was an enlisted guy stationed at Fort Lewis, WA. I loved seeing Mt Rainier every single day!!! You just never tire of staring at it. I did get over the rainy winter months, though πŸ™
    Kay would like you to read ..Thankful.. well, sort of πŸ˜‰My Profile

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