My View of the Honeypot: January 2014

Thursday, January 30, 2014

What do the Hawks Say?

Had to post this because I just can't help myself and it is funny.

12 Things you should know about the Seahawks

I like the quote below about Marshawn Lynch who doesn't like to talk to the media

Pete Carroll on Marshawn Lynch:

“He is a live wire ... at times because he has a great energy about him. But for the most part it isn’t with his words, it’s with his actions. And we respect the heck out of that.”

Monday, January 27, 2014

Booking it January 2014

I am linking up with Life as Mom and Booking It. Check out what everyone else is reading.

Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman has been on my list for a while. I attempted to watch the Netflix series but it wasn't my cup of tea. I did however like the book. I think it was a good dialogue on what it looks like on the inside and whether prison is really rehabbing prisoners or not. Piper makes some good observations about prisons and I have to say I agree with her. I liked that she set out to make the best of her situation and look at the positive side of her incarceration. Her story is told with a lot of humor. We all have situations in our life that seem awful and we can make a choice on how we can deal with it. I think Piper made a point about that when she first entered prison she was sorry that she was putting her family and friends through this but prison actually brought home to her the magnitude of her crime how the drugs she smuggled impacted others lives.

Matched by Ally Condie was recommended to me after I read the Hunger Games. When I literally stumbled across it in the library, I checked it out. It is similar in nature to the Hunger Game Series and a young adult book. I think I might have liked it a bit more than the Hunger Games. The first book in the series. was good and I had a hard time putting it down. I read also read Crossed, 2nd in series. It was OK but felt choppy to me. Reached is the last book and I thought it was outstanding.

Lastly, I read Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. I have this book on my "Books to Read for 2014". This is one of these books that have many stories within the story. Initially the book is set in Italy. I have mixed feelings about this book. Though I have to say I kept reading it. The characters are flawed and basically ruined their lives in different ways. Because there are many stories going on here, it was a much slower read for me.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

The Week

Well, we had a week. The bad news of the week was Charlie has to stay in THE BOOT for another 2 weeks. His foot hasn't completely healed. Charlie was bummed. He also got the privilege of getting 2 cavities filled. It was quite the production because his braces had to come off and be put back on. He was getting new wires anyways. He chose Sea Hawk colors for his bands.

We did a little geocaching Saturday. I love this Rat Race one. Yes, the cache was inside a plastic rat. It was a little hard to see in the picture.

Lastly, we had the ceremonial burning of the Broncos jersey's.

Just kidding. IT was so nice we had our first fire of the year. It seems while the rest of the country has been suffering polar temperatures, we have had some beautiful weather.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Inspiring Football Player

We are getting excited about the Super Bowl at our house. A lot of talk in the media has been focused on Richard Sherman and his comments after the 49er Game. I like to think that the Media just wants/likes a villain.

Well, I want to give a shout out to another player - Derrick Coleman. I love the commercial above because it highlights a great Seahawks player and how he didn't let his hearing stand in the way of his success. I keep telling my kids that if you have a passion for something you will find a way.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Hmmm, Un-Word of 2014

The Nester is doing an un-word for 2014. She and some other bloggers are having a linky party.

The UN-word is a word that you are rejecting for the new year. You would like to Un-Do it.

I have one little word for 2014 - Evolve. I am a big fan of the one little word so my anti one little word for 2014 or un-word would be the opposite of evolve. Of course my mind goes to combust but I am picking STUCK. You can't evolve if you are STUCK. I have actually had the quote below on my blog side bar FOREVER -

"You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time?"- Bob Moawad

I think some people thinks it takes a monumental effort to get unstuck. I have found that not necessarily true. I think if you make a little change or little effort it generates energy for movement. Stuck is what I am avoiding this year -Stuck in my thoughts, Stuck in my rut of life, Stuck in not trying and taking risks.

Things that help me from getting stuck or how I un-stick myself

1. Play the game of "What is the worst thing that can happen?"

2. Get moving (physically) Get off the computer! Get off your butt! When I am more active, my brain is clearer.

3. Old military trick I have - I can do anything or almost anything for a set amount of time. I use to say when I was doing the physical fitness test. I can do this for 18 minutes. Because after 18 minutes, I am done. Sometime timelines are good. They push us to do the unpleasant task and sometimes after we are done we say, "That isn't too bad." Sometimes 1 little unpleasant task stands in the way of a truly great opportunity.

4. Get Creative! When I am being creative, I am less likely to be stuck. I take risks. Sometimes the risks propel me forward.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Skittle Hangover or the Trash Talking has Begun

12th Man

Way to go SEAHAWKS! I think I consumed too many Skittles. Skittles is the preferred candy of Marshawn Lynch of the Seahawks. I have to say that yesterday's game was exciting. I have a dilemma. I am a Colorado Native living in the Pacific Northwest who cheers for the Seattle Seahawks.

The trash talking from my Colorado relatives has begun.

"The Canadians have knocked the sense right out of you did you get hit in the head by a runaway cart full of milk?! Maybe all that saltwater you live so close to is causing you to say crazy things. You were born in Bronco country silly girl! Oh well the seachickens did deserve to have that one LAST win... " - my former sister (Ha, Ha)

"Cheer for the Broncos in the super bowl or we are disowning you as a family member." - former nephew

Sunday, January 19, 2014

New Year, New Linky Love

Slow Sunday? Football got you down? Need some reading material? Here your go.

16 Books to Read Before They Hit Theaters this Year

15 months in Virtual Charter Hell found via Teacher Tom's Blog

How to Raise a Son to be a Great Guy (lots of food for thought here)

What doing the Laundry taught me about Goals Angela at The Coupon Project

Lastly, 29 Things you Should Know Before Moving to Bellingham, WA. Even I learned a few things and I only live near Bellingham. It is pretty funny. I noticed they left off a donut category and coffee shop etiquette. Our local talk radio station had some bones to pick about the list.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Tea Snob

Along with being a coffee snob, I think I might be turning into a tea snob as well. Shh! Don't tell those die hard Pacific Northwest Coffee Drinkers. I discovered the Nutcracker Sweet Tea from Celestial Tea over Christmas break. I fell in love with it. The Nutcracker Sweet Black tea is sweet without any added sugar with hints of vanilla. It is simply delicious. This is a seasonal blend that is only in some stores during the holidays. I also became a tea hoarder buying up a bunch of boxes during the holiday season. It is an obsession.

This in no way a sponsored post. Anyone have tea suggestions for when I run out of the Nutcracker Sweet?

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Valentine Card Ideas

Every year I try to come up with a homemade valentine to send. Need some ideas? Here are some previous years Valentine's

2013 was a bit of hybrid Valentine. I made it in photoshop. Chalkboard writing was the rage. I actually did 4 different versions. I am little bit of an overachiever. Details here.

2012 were very unique and involved lots and lots of coloring. Details here.

Oh 2011 Valentine's involved the use of an exacto knife. Lots of intricate cutting. Details here.

Charlie made these to hand out at school. Thought they turned out cute. Details here

I am still working on my idea for this year's Valentine.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

The Universe Smiles

Sometimes the universe does smile. I found this smile on the back side of my front door. I assume it was left by my youngest. He is known to leave me little love notes or just a hi.

Smile improve your face value!

Monday, January 13, 2014

What is on My Reading List for 2014?

Well, I have been scouring the best reads lists to complete a reading list for myself for 2014. These are books that look promising to me. Depending on library availability and the lure of the hot reads table, will determine what I read. My time is precious so if a book isn't speaking to me after a couple chapters I don't feel any guilt over abandoning the book.

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell ( Young Adult Book)
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Going to be in Theaters this Year) NON FICTION
Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Fault in our Stars by John Green (Going to be in Theaters this Year)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Already in Theaters)
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Young Adult Book)
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
What Alice Forgot by Laine Moriarty
Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
Me Before You by Jo Jo Moyes
The Boys in the Boat By Daniel James Brown
The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls By Anton Disclafani

Saturday, January 11, 2014

First to Find

We had our very first to find of 2014 in Lynden Wa. The cache was called, "Down the Drain." It was rainy and windy but we braved and were the first to find this geocache! We had to use a Tool of the Trade (TOT) tweezers to remove the log.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Because I got that Kind of Time

Sometimes, I get a wild hair. I made this 12th Man - Go Hawks mural with post it flags from the dollar store. I love temporary art.

Mural in Hallway
made with post it flags
from the Dollar Store

Evidently, I have that kind of time. I am a little odd. See evidence below. I am a fan! Go Sea Chickens!

me and Russell Wilson January 2013

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Sunlit Mt Baker

A couple days ago Mt Baker was aglow. My son desperately wanted to take a picture of the sun hitting the top of Mt Baker. I was driving so I handed off my phone to him.

Charlie took the photos above. He also accidentally put my phone into airport mode and took a video of his pants, OH WELL.

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Thinking About Valentine's Day

It is not too early to start thinking about Valentine's Day, really. Loveland, Colorado has released their special cachet that they will stamp your envelope if your re-mail your Valentine through Loveland. So if you are looking to do a little something special, you might consider having your Valentine sent through the Sweetheart City and stamped with a special cachet. See cachet poem below.

From the Sweetheart City
Scenic, Safe and Strong
Comes a flood of Valentine wishes
To you, where they belong.

The cachet has special meaning this year because of all the flooding.

Details HERE and HERE for directions on how to re-mail your Valentine.

Loveland is my hometown so I you bet I will be re-mailing some Valentine's.

Monday, January 6, 2014

One Little Word Graphic Quote

I should mark this as a item I spent WAY TO MUCH TIME ON. I made my One Little Word quote a graphic poster. I made this in Photoshop Elements. It turned out great. I based it on AAA ad. (see below)

AAA inspiration ad

It is now on the magnetic board in my Command Center near my desk. Hopefully this will keep my word front and center.

Ali Edwards had a list of all the word that people are using for their ONE LITTLE WORD (OLW). So if you need inspiration, check out the list.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

First Cache of the New Year

It took us until the 4th but look at the date - 1-4-14. It is 14, 14. How cool is that? I know I am a dork. We cached in Lynden,WA on a chilly morning.

Caches found - Lonely Road PNG and Lonely Road PNG II

Cache On!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

North Kitsap Cache Machine

Point No Point Lighthouse

On last Saturday, Kev and I headed to the Kitsap peninsula for some geocaching. This was our 2nd cache machine. A cache machine is a pre determined route that a group of cachers take in a certain locale. It is fun to cache with a large group but as the day progresses the main group splinters into smaller groups. This cache machine had a number of hikes.

Somewhere in the Buck's Lake Rec Area

Interesting Fungi

cemetery - Chief Joseph's Grave

We always meet some amazing geocachers this time was no exception. We ended our day with one last cache at the ferry landing.

It was a whale of a good one. Sorry I couldn't resist. We found 49 caches and 1 event. All in all not a bad day to be out caching.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

LeMay Family Collection

Last Saturday, Nonna treated us to a visit to the Lemay Family Car Collection. There are just a few hundred cars there. What a collection!

Reflection Picture
I love you can see the cars stacked up behind us
Pic by Nonna

We even got a guided tour through two of the warehouses. Our guide was very knowledgeable and this really made the experience remarkable. We are a family that loves a good story and even better if it is about a car.