Weekend Update/August Blog Challenge!

I was so excited when The North East Blogger Network posted that there was going to be an August challenge. Basically the same as the Everyday in May. I, like many other blogs lately it seems, have been finding that I dont have much to write these days. I have a few things in my mind but putting them into a post is a different story.

After our fun day Saturday I knew I had to share and it just so happens that the prompt for the challenge yesterday was Summer Traditions/Activities. It was perfect timing!

As I've mentioned before, we live in a "city". Thats what the people who built this place call it anyway. Comparing it to a place like Boston, or Chicago, or something, its nowhere near a city. It takes 15 minutes from our house to get downtown. You dont even have to touch downtown 95% of the time to get anywhere. We probably drive into downtown once every few months. And then there's the other side of this place. The side we love so much more. We live 5 minutes from pure country. Farms, tons of land, way too many farm animals roaming around, fields of food growing. It's wonderful. Why do we love it so much?

We get to go picking! Ever since I can remember this has been a tradition. Every year my mom and I, my grandmother, my aunt and my cousin pick a day during the summer and spend hours picking and laughing and just having a good time. My grandmother told us a story the other day about how that was like the "family" trip in the old days. They'd drive a good distance and have a family day. My cousin and I were very young when we first started so the memories are endless. We pick strawberries, blueberries, and raseberries. It's fun having to dig to find the good ones. This time around the bushes were small for some reason and the blueberries were very tiny. But after awhile, we caught on to the fact that we had to basically bury ourselves in the middle of the bush in order to get big good ones. My grandmother thought this was wonderful and kept saying "another one! we've found a gold mine". We cant wait to go back! Here are some pictures:

Note: I totally dress better than that! That was my "getting dirty" outfit :)

Here are a few random things that have been happening:

• Dad pulled his back. He had surgery on it back in 2002 and was out of work for about 3 months so its a big deal when he hurts it
• We are going up to Maine to visit family on the lake..so excited!!
• We start school in less than a month and I'm not even ready!
• It's only supposed to be in the 70s this week. Right now its about 40. 
• Big and Littles Network starts today and I'm so excited to be part of it!

Have a wonderful Monday! :)

5 on Friday

I cannot believe it's August 2nd already! We were watching TV last night and a commercial came on that was about Christmas. Some CD or musical thats happening in December. Really? I love Christmas but not this early. My wonderful father remind me that it's in just 5 months!

I'm linking up for 5 on Friday

One

I cannot believe what happened on the Bachelorette. Although this season hasnt been my favorite, this episode was such a heart breaker. I totally respect that Brooks had a gut feeling but at the same time I semi feel that this date would of changed it all. Des openly said she'd married him if he asked. You could truly feel the love she had for him.

Two

On Tuesday Brian and I hung out with my two cousins. It came down to going to play mini golf or going to the amusement park. Prices for parks are getting crazy! I told Brian that these "thrill" rides arent as thrilling as they used to be. Brian hates heights (a pilot yet hates heights..) which means the ferris wheel isnt his favorite. The one time he decided to be brave they had closed it for the night. It was so pretty though!

Three 

We went to the mall the other day and my mom finally found this in one of the stores. Such a great philosophy on life. I think it's called the Tree of Life or something. These are things we try to do in our home, in society and just in general. I've made the picture real big so the words can somewhat be read

Four

This may not seem big to most people but rainbows signify alot in my family. My grandmother used to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow in front of many audiences. It was her song. When we see a rainbow, we stop and pray. She's saying hello, or she's letting us know that she's there to help if we're having troubles, she's there to let us know that the sun will start shining again. We are fortunate enough that 9 times out of 10 we'll see a rainbow over the neighbors house.

Five
When I saw that Kaitlyn posted this on instagram yesterday, I knew I had to do it! It'll be nice to capture a picture a day. I love taking pictures whether it be of other things or with myself in them. I feel pictures tell a story. Some days I barely even pull out my phone yet alone take a picture. this challenge will make me get out there and start doing what I love. It's just a hobbie but something fun!

The world of auto correct

January of 2012 is when I got with the program and got a "fancy" phone. Quickly I learned that these phones have a mind of their own. One learned thing being that you dont want to mess with the auto correct! Luckily, I was always on my game and payed attention to every word I typed. Then there's my father. His work gave him an iphone 4 at the beginning of the year. While he can text and knows how to do most stuff, he didnt realize that auto correct was front and center when he sent those texts. There have been many times where he's sent me a message and it makes absolutely no sense. It's quite humors. Below are some funny auto correct mistakes: