MapperSnapper.Com

A few days ago was my one year mark of this blog. One year of making web stuff? Nah. All the good stuff is locked away in other top secret web locations, and if I told you where it was I would have to kill you. (I jest. Sort of. Maybe. Ok, get off my back so I don’t have to hurt you! I’m kidding! KIDDING!) Seriously, it’s been one year of MapperSnapper.com. To celebrate I thought I should do SOMETHING. I have been pondering what if anything would be fitting. Not like you can really throw a cyber party. Though I did once, and it was fun. People dropped in, left comments, it was sort of amusing. Anyhow… what should I do? Have a give away? Give aways always seem to make people talk! And they bring NEW readers magically from no where! Poof! I have been thinking for awhile about putting a photo up to give away, just not sure which one. I haven’t traveled as much this year, so my most recent stuff is limited to Eastern and Midwest shots. Doesn’t EVERYONE want a signed photo by me? With my REAL name? Not this fake Mapper Crapper stuff?! Yeah, that would thrill the masses. Oh yes. I also thought about having a guest blogger. I have had a few requests of folks who would be willing to do so. Anyone of you want to guest blog? Anyone out there who WANTS to guest blog here? (I have final edit, sorry, I am a control freak! haha) It also occurred to me to just close up shop. Maybe I have said all there is to be said blog wise in a year. Maybe it’s simply run it’s course. (I know I know, don’t quit, blah blah blah!) Wouldn’t some terrific game be fun? But alas my brain is currently fried and I am not feeling all that creative. Usually I am. But this week, I have nothing. I see these wonderfully creative things on others sites and think, WOW that would be so fun! But now, my mind is a blank slate. Ok, not really blank, more like cluttered. Cake? Parties usually have cake. Re makes beautiful cakes. Not like I can mail you all cake though, so I would post a goofy photo, and eat it all. Hence gaining back all the weight I had lost (ok, I exaggerate) and regretting ever starting a blog all because I ate cake to celebrate the one year blogiversary. Cake is not a good idea. I talked myself out of cake. Maybe I should redesign the page. Oh I hate this option. Why? Cause I am a perfectionist and I would tisk and task and worry. I wouldn’t just try on different themes, no, I would probably write my own new code or something. I don’t like to look like someone else, so I tweak things and I annoy myself at times even. Oh I don’t know. Maybe I should just write some long annoying post about all the things I could do to celebrate it being one year, and then, simply do nothing. That would throw everyone off wouldn’t it? Are you STILL reading? This is how my brain works. Scary isn’t it? After a year you’ve officially climbed inside of my thought process. And now you are thinking, “I barely knew her! Run Run Run!” Well, for now, I guess I’ll just tell myself Happy Blogiversary, and chalk it up as another of hundreds of posts. No big deal. Maybe someday I’ll surprise you all with a grand plan to celebrate, as you can see right now, there are too many disorganized thoughts flying through my head today. Must find coffeeeeeeeeeee……

Tags: Blog, Humor // 4 Comments »

Awhile back, The Boy was having a really bad day. On that SAME day, I was having a good day, having spent it with a good friend who had just moved home from California. (Hi W2!) She and I discussed The Boy as we went to lunch (It was also HER birthday!). One of the silly ideas she suggested was to do something silly with his food for supper, just to crack him up. Now, I would have, except I think we weren’t even home that night for supper. But, I never forgot her suggestion, and went looking online at “food art” to find some goofy project that maybe he and I could even create together.
You see, inside me is an artist. I know, this MAY surprise some of you, it may not others. But I confess, I like to play with my food. And quite honestly, right now while realizing I have another 60 pounds to go to get to my goal weight, I think I would rather play with food than eat it! (I am half way there, I am not discouraged, just at a plateau phase, so food play sounds fun!)
I found many amusing things. But, by far the BEST site I found was a French one that combined a number of my interests. Photography, food, miniature things, humor, and an artistic quality that makes you think when you look at the pieces. Now, we certainly aren’t going to do anything like this most likely, but it’s a site worth sending folks to for sure. There is a long intro, but the Galleries once you are there are both interesting and humorous. It’s worth a click over. Come on, you know playing with food is fun!
Check out this link:
minimiam.com

*** Adding something to this post. THIS is so on my Christmas list, JUST BECAUSE. It’s food related so I thought I should stick it in this post ;) I know, I am totally goofy.

Tags: Food, Humor, Photography, The Pie That Is My Life // Add Comment »

This photo of The Boy was a fun one for me because we have always loved state welcome signs. However, living in the east, you often can’t safely GET to said signs along crowded unsafe highways. However, my home state, along with some others have begun installing some fun signs at the Welcome Centers! We love it. It’s a really cool way to get the “Personal Glorification Shot,” (as we call them) and keeping your kid safe all at once.
This is a relatively new ad campaign tourism wise in Pennsylvania. The whole “State of Independence” theme got me thinking. What freedoms as an American are you thankful for? I could list a mile long list, as I am sure many of you could, but leave a comment saying something you are thankful for. Election is over, our country is what it is now. We move forward and pray for the best. In an effort to never lose sight of those freedoms and liberties we hold so dear, take a moment and leave a comment to say something you are thankful for! I hope to get more than a few comments on this post. Mostly I don’t care if people comment on my posts, I write to write and enjoy when someone comments as a bonus, but it would please me to no end if my friends stepped up and really shouted out they were proud to be Americans! Go for it!

Tags: Blessings, History, Roads and Retro, The Boy, Travel // 6 Comments »

I was not a doll kind of girl. Sure, I had Barbies, and I had other baby dolls, and I did play with them, but I was more into other toys as a kid I suppose. I liked my Matchbox cars, and I don’t really ever remember asking for a doll growing up, though I didn’t really mind getting them I guess, it just wasn’t high on my priority wish list.

Then came the American Girl dolls. I was way too old by the time they came along, but I was in love with Williamsburg, from a purely historical standpoint, and I thought I needed that Felicity doll. There was a time when I almost bought one, thinking I would have a baby girl of my own eventually. But, after multiple miscarriages, I thought better of the idea and held off, especially knowing those babies had been boys. For years, an American Girl catalog has come to my house. For years, I have continued to find refuge in the centuries old town of Williamsburg as a favorite getaway. I continued to think I needed that Felicity doll, even though I was all grown up and would not have a thing to do but look at it!
A little boy came along. I lost sight of the idea. More Matchbox cars came to my home. (And by more, I mean THOUSANDS more!) No doll made it’s way from the Wisconsin company though. Then about five years ago, well, five years ago next week in fact, a little girl did come into my life in the form of a very special girl. When Re had “The Girl” I began plotting right away for the purchase again. Yep, she would be my excuse, my reasoning, but the timing would need to be right. Guess what? It’s right. Birthday number five is coming up in days. And Felicity will be hers. And well, sort of mine to have tea with too I suppose. I am so looking forward to having a Colonial tea party with The Girl and her new doll! And I will watch the Felicity Christmas movie with The Girl, having her all snuggled up beside me, with her holding her own Felicity American Girl doll!
I actually posted something last year about not thinking she was ready. She has grown up SO MUCH this past year! It’s totally time. She understands the specialness of these dolls, having played with them at her friend’s house, we’ve seen how gentle she is. I am so excited and I can’t wait to give it to her! I am quite sure she will be more excited than me. (Really, trust me!) Pictures will be posted soon!

Tags: History, Me, Re, The Girl, Toys // 3 Comments »

One of the girls from my youth group asked to take this photo of The Boy and I today at church. I’m not used to having other’s cameras turned on me, but I do like having shots of my son cuddling into me like this!

Tags: Me, MomStuff, The Boy // 1 Comment »

It’s a Sara Evans kind of day around here. I was soooo Born To Fly. (They won’t let me embed the video!) Click to hear the BEST intro to a song ever. Yep. Crank it. It’s an older song but a good one.

Tags: Me, Music, The Pie That Is My Life // Add Comment »

Every now and then it occurs to me not so much the mother I am, but the mother I am not. I don’t mean for this to be a negative post, but I have just given some thought to the things I don’t do. And if you do these things, I am not knocking them, more power to you. I’m just not THAT mom. And the sooner I accept it and acknowledge it, the cooler I will seem with it all myself.

1. I’m not the mom who meets all ten neighborhood kids getting off the bus with fresh hot baked goods. She lives across the street.

2. I’m not the mom who is always smiling and chipper. She lives in the other house across the street.

3. I’m not the mom who is full of school spirit. I am not sure my son owns a shirt that fits him right now in our school color, let alone one with the mascot.

4. I’m not the mom who thrives on party day at school. I avoid it in fact. I hate bags of bubble gum and cheap candy. That’s what usually comes home. And I hate things made with glue and glitter. I abhor glue and glitter. All school parties I have attended are chaos. I don’t enjoy chaos.

5. I’m not the mom who’s always dressed perfect and has her hair and make up perfect. You will never catch me in a dress. I usually have a hat on. I barely wear make up at all. I clean up ok, but don’t expect miracles. I am who I am.

6. I’m not the mom with the cool car. My vehicle runs. My vehicle works. I’m good with that.

7. I’m not the mom who throws huge parties that every kid can’t wait to attend.

8. I’m not the mom who puts up with crap from other people’s kids. Neighborboy tried to shove trash in my son’s pocket while getting off the bus the other day. I asked The Boy, “Is this your trash?” It wasn’t. I told neighborboy to take trash back. He refused. I stuck it in the hood of HIS jacket as he walked away and told him to keep his TRASH to himself. * I’m not the mom who is the best example possibly might be the better way to word this one.

9. I’m not the mom who enforces bed times. If he gets up ok, gets perfect grades and isn’t grumpy, who cares if he goes to bed a touch later every now and then. I pick my battles in life.

10. I’m not the mom with the HUGE golf umbrella at the bus stop. I only THIS year owned an umbrella for the first time in my life. Why? Because I have gotten old I guess. But it’s a small umbrella and as I tried to keep both me and The Boy dry today I realized I didn’t get the memo that good moms have HUGE umbrellas. I suck at umbrella purchase know how. I thought dainty was cute. Apparently function might have been a better avenue.

I AM THE MOM who loves my son more than anything. I AM THE MOM who tries. I AM THE MOM who constantly questions every little thing wondering if my little screw ups in life matter or if he’ll be just fine. Mostly I know he’ll be fine, in the big picture he’ll be fine, but there is a mile long list I could shoot off of “I’m not THAT moms…” It’s alarming how little I seem like the rest of the pack. Who knows, maybe that’s a good thing in the end.

Tags: Blah Blah Blah, Confessions, Humor, MomStuff, Small Town, The Pie That Is My Life // 2 Comments »