Friday, August 30, 2013

Frank Fridays: 3 Day Weekend!

Not only is it a weekend, it's the super charged, extra shot, pour on the glitter you only have 4 days to work next week, kind of weekend.  It's a 3 day weekend!!!  *and the crowd roared*

I know you're all super sad about being away from your chains desks for an extra day so I'm going to cheer you up with some random rantings on the who/what/where/why of Labor Day! 
You're welcome.

Here is a great explanation straight from the good 'ol D.O.L (that's Department of Labor to you!)

The History of Labor Day





 

How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

Founder of Labor Day

The father of labor day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.
The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.


There you have it folks, straight from the horses mouth!  On behalf of the American workers I would like to thank Mr. Maguire & Mr. McGuire (tomato, tomatoe?) for the opportunity to work less, relax, eat awesome BBQ food and bask in the last short days of summer! And let's be frank, who doesn't want another day off??  Gentlemen, we salute you!

Until next time!

Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays
Link!

Leaping Leibster

Since I know you can't get enough of me, I thought I'd answer a second round of questions from Amy!  Don't forget to check her out, here!

1. What is your least favorite word?
 
It starts with a C and I'm not going there because I'm a lady!

2. Have you ever been in the newspaper or on the news?
 
I have!  When I was in 1st grade I was interviewed about a puppet show dealing with some sort of preventative drugs/violence thing.  I was in heaven!!

3. Have you ever done something really unbelievable, only to have no one around to see it?
 
All. The. Time.
I'm apparently a ninja when it comes to being amazing.  
Maybe I should be less ninja-esque? 

3. Harry Potter or Ron Weasley?
 
The Boy Who Lived all the way!  (nerd alert!) 

4. Who is the person who has inspired you the most?
 
My Mother or Grandmother.  Both were single mothers at one point and rocked it.  I would not be the person I am today without them.  I have learned strength and grace in the face of the hardships of life, a never say die attitude, amazing sense of humor and some seriously wicked cooking skillz.  I owe them everything. 

5. Han Solo or Luke Skywalker?
 
 Hans Solo!  I love his defiance and bad boy demeanor!

6. Guy Fieri or Bobby Flay?
 
 Guy all the way.  I find him to be fun, down to Earth and with a serious love of finding awesome food.  Bobby seems super pompous and I'd like to punch him a little.

7. If you could join any music group, who would it be and why?
 
 Destiny's Child.  I know I don't quite "fit the bill" but I love their message of girl power and independence- plus, rockin' vocals and hot dance moves!  I've got a J-Lo that would love to move like Beyonce!

8. Favorite smell
 
 PUMPKIN for my home and Juicy Couture for my sexy boday!

9. What is one website you visit way to often that you don't want anyone to know about?
 
 If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret now would it?

10. If you could one thing for an entire week, what would it be?

Travel!  I have an unquenchable wanderlust for the world.  If only I had the unlimited funds to make it happen.... One day, one day!!

11. What is one of your goals for September?

Complete my Advocare 24 day challenge and start my new healthy lifestyle!  Also, I would like to focus on consistency in my life.

Thanks Amy, that was fun!  Would you like to know anything else about me?  Random burning questions?  Wait- you might need a DR for that... 
No judging here! 

Until next time...

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Liebster Award


Well, Heeeyyy!  Look at this.  I've been nominated for Liebster award.  No idea what this is, but it looks fun so why not?  Madi over at And So I Did bestowed this honor upon me and you should probably go check out her blog, it's pretty fantastical!  No really, she's oozing with awesome with a whole lot of hilarity on top.  Go. Now.  ... and then come back!


Here are the rules for the Liebster Award:
  • Answer the 11 questions that the blogger who nominated you asked.
  • List 11 random facts about yourself.
  • Mention some blogs you're loving reading at the moment
  • Set 11 questions for those newly nominated bloggers to answer.
  • Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.

Madi's Questions:
1.  Favorite vacation spot?
Of all the places I've been travelling through Europe, The US and Mexico, I have to say that Hawaii has been my favorite place so far.  Give me an ocean, awesome climate and lucious landscape and I'm yours!
My favorite wedding picture of us!


2.  Favorite song of all time?
Baby Got Back.  I know every word will rap it to you with the biggest, corniest grin ever!

3.  What is your guilty pleasure?
TV!  When the boob tube comes on, my brain turns off and I finally relax....

4.  What is the one thing that will guarantee your smile?
Besides Baby Got Back?  Seriously sweet texts from my Husband!  Love your face!

5.  Favorite drink?
Water or Gin & Juice- extra lime.


6.  Describe your 'fantasy lifestyle'...
My fantasy lifestyle would include never having to worry about money (dolla dolla bills y'all), traveling all over the world for pleasure & philanthropy and photographing/writing/cooking/creating for a living.

7.  What is the one food you couldn't eat if you were starving to death?
Pickled Pig's Feet- I've never tried them but they make my stomach turn just thinking about them!!

8.  Favorite animal and why?
I have too many to just pick one: Starfish, Manatees, Pandas and Pugs (Kaiya hold my heart!)

9.  Why did you start a blog?
I orgionally wanted to start a blog when I found out I was moving to Alaska.  It was such a different world and I wanted my friends/family back home to see what I was going through!  Fast forward to last April when I actually got off my procrastinating butt and started it... it was still to document my fun/changes/experiences and for a creative outlet.  I have a need to create and be heard!  It warms my heart each time I see a comment or someone tells me how much they love my blog.

10.  If you could visit one place you've never been, where would you go?
I can't wait to go to Austrailia, Africa and Asia.  I can't pick just one!  It will happen!!

11.  What's your favorite season and why?
FALL!!!  I love everything about this time of year!  When the leaves change colors, Starbucks pumpkin lattes are released and scarves can be seen on every man, woman and child my heart skips a beat!  Swoon!




11 Random Facts:
  •  I only eat half folded chips.  Ok, in desperate situations I will cave- but I don't want to!
  • If I hear something go bump in the night, I put on my big girls pants, trash talk and yell at it until I feel comfortable that the ghost, vampire, werewolf or real intruder thinks I'm just cray cray enough to fight back.
  • If you compliment my outfit I will imediately tell you where I got it and how much it was- word. vomit. #ican'thelpmyself
  • I loathe kitchy looking things.  No special S&P shaker collection here, nope.
  • I was an exchange student in Belgium after HS for a year.  Vive la Belgique!
  • I have no will power when it comes to food/drink.  No really, it's a problem.
  • I can pick things up with my toes.  Yum!
  • I lived in 3 countries in 4 years.  Bonjour, Hey, Hola!
  • Dance parties with myself are my favorite thing.  Oh, I put on concerts too.  You're welcome.
  • I love TV and I don't care who knows it.  #PLL,VampireDiaries,DropDeadDiva,Awkward,Greys,TheVoice&more #notalking,noseriously
  • I play the saxophone.  Giving Kenny G a run for his money since 1992.

My Nominees:
Abby @ Always Abby
Tiffanie @ Life with the Little Man
Amy @ Fabulously Getting Fit
Christina @ Serene Ocean Wave
Mallory @ Mal Smiles
Ashley @ A Mess of Beautiful Chaos


Questions for my ladies:
1.  If you could be any superhero who would you be/why?
2.  First person you call when something amazing happens?
3.  Original or Extra Crispy?
4.  Three things you would take to a deserted island (non-essentials)?
5.  If you could change one thing in your past- what would it be?
6.  NKOTB or BSB?
7.  Favorite place in your home?
8.  What do you want to be when you grow up?
9.  What's one thing that really get's your goat?
10.  What was your favorite cartoon growing up & can you still sing the theme song?
11.  If you were ice cream, what flavor would you be/why?

This has been seriously fun and entertaining!  Thanks to Madi for nominating me!  I'm ecstatic! 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Happy Hump Day


Who came up with this anyway?  Also- what, exactly, were their intentions??
Either way, I'm two days from a 3 day weekend!  Boo yeah!!  

Until next time...

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Searching for Nessie

Before you get too excited, this is not about Bella and Edward's love child.  Sorry, I'm not sorry.  This is about an elusive and awesome creature known as the Halibut!  It was my first halibut fishing trip and was a constant on my 35x35 bucket list!  Well, my Husband shot me full of Dramamine and threw me on a boat this past Sunday for better or for worse.  I can honestly say it was for better!  

I caught my first Halibut!! 


Early Sunday morning we took off from the Harbor for some shrimping & fishing.  It was a gorgeous and rare sunny Cordova day.  I was all hopped up on Dramamine, lunch was packed, pots were stacked (that's shrimp pots to you) and Lou was on board.  Oh, you don't know Lou?  Well riddle me this Batman- where do you go to the bathroom on a boat with no bathroom?  Well my friends I'm here to shock and horrify you... you use a bucket!  Ha!  I can see your face know and I'm LOLing SO hard!!  So there's this thing called a Luggable Loo (that I named Lou, cute huh?) and I'm just gonna let you see for yourself, here.  Or, if you are so inclined you could use the She wee, I am not so bold or talented.  Mind. Blown.  But I digress...



 My husband's boat and a couple of his goofy co-workers!

The USS Sycamore


First things first we set out our shrimp pots after filling them with catfood- yum.  *insert gag reflex* Wait, does this mean we're eating cat food?  Well D said if I wanted to look at it that way then- kind of, but you don't eat the stomach of the shrimp so we're probably good.  Whew.  Fancy feast is not on my gourmet list!



Our first pot- 2 shrimp!  Shrimp tally ended up at 22 for the final count, enough to feed us, but now we know where to hit!  It was a lot like watching the Deadliest Catch and feeling your stomach heart sink every time it came up empty!




 Here shrimpy shrimpy... 

No judging, it worked for the Halibut!







 Most people think that Halibut is this really pretty fish swimming through the ocean in some underwater Little Mermaid song and I'm about to burst your pretty little oxygen filled bubble. 

Let me introduce you to the Halibut.  My halibut.  That's Hal.  Bam- what a looker not.
He sure is tasty though!
At 53.7lbs and 4ish feet long this fatty was hard to pick up!!!  Get in my belly!!!
Here are a couple more pics of our awesome adventures in the deep blue sea!

Catching a ride on our shrimp pot- lazy!
Fun fact: I'm OBSESSED with starfish.  You're welcome.
The underside to a starfish... he was totally feeling me up.  Inappropriate!
Da plane, Da plane!  Anyone?  Bueler....?
Well, hey there!
Rude... pssssstttthhhhh to you to.  Good day sir.  I said good day!



 All in all it was a fantastic day.  Heck, any day I spend on a boat and don't spend the majority of it sick I put in the win column!  D and I had a wonderful day and I'm so thankful for my husband coming up with all of these new experiences for me! 

What will be next?  What else can I conquer on my 35x35 this year?  Should I go fishing again, just for the HALIBUT?  Haha, had to.

Until next time...


 

Friday, August 23, 2013

Frank Friday: Random Rantings


Hello there!  Ready for today's installment of Frank Fridays?!  I am!!  Guess what, I've decided to take Frank Fridays to the next level!  There is a little button at the bottom and a link up!  So go forth and be frank!

Today's Frank Friday will deal with all sorts of random rantings.  Let's get to it, shall we.


1.  Talk to my eyes.  First of all, I want to thank everyone who checks out my lady lumps.  While I may be .5 seconds from punching you and slightly offended in the there's nothing here for you, kind of way I am also secretly flattered.  Now, before you go all 1960's women's feminist movement on me, let me just say this: I like my fun bags.  I am proud of my pillows and therefore take it as a slightly skeezy compliment when someone checks them out.  Also, I should note that this "look" is not reserved for the male species- ladies do it too!  Whether it's envy or objectification, let's try to talk to the eyes people- they're pretty too!

2.  Not all showers are created equally.  I have seen so many wonderful and beautiful showers on Pinterest lately!  They look extremely inviting and you can only imagine living in the lap of luxury in these beauties.  However, have you ever taken a shower in one of these "open concept" showers?  Let me be the first to tell you that they are freezing!  Think warm waterfall while you're in and Antarctica for any body part that should happen to venture outside the circle of trust!  The moment you reach for anything, some part is going subzero.  There's your warning.  You're welcome.

3.  I am not a mind reader, like Team Edward here.  I know I look like the Great and Powerful OZ with my powers of perception and persuasion, but alas little readers, I am not.  Well, I am really observant but I digress.  If you would like me to do something you must ASK ME.  Foreign concept, I know.  It really gets my goat when people would like you to do work for them but yet fail to actually ask you for something and then blame/get aggrivated when it is not done correctly.  If you come at me like that you will see my Eye of the Tiger and hear my roar.  Thank you, Katie.  However, if you would like dating advice, know if someone is totes crushing on you or if your BFF is seriously MIA because you LMFAO'd at the wrong moment- I'm your girl.  

How was your Friday?  
Did you want to drink at noon?  I did... apparently that's frowned upon.  

Link up and tell me about it!

Life, Laughs and Ladds: Frank Fridays
Link!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

My 3 worst traits

They ask you this at every job interview- but if you're a savvy in the ninja ways of interviewing then you know you always flip it into a positive.  I say, I'm a perfectionist and I like things done perfectly.  I mean, how can that be a bad thing in the job world right?  Well, this isn't the job world.  

When I first started blogging I tried to complete the Everyday in May Challenge.  I lasted -oh- 20 days, maybe... and by that I mean I did it faithfully for like 2 days and then started doing multiples when I realized I was 5 days late.  Yeah.  Did you ever read my awesome post on how I am a master of procrastionation?  Well if not, check it out here.  And yes, I give private lessons, for a fee...which can be paid in chocolate.  You're welcome.

I've decided to finish the challenge on my own time whenever I'm lacking inspiration and lately that's been the norm from a lot of the blogs I've been reading.  I blame the end of summer.  Who wants to summer to end?  Baby haters and communists, that's who.  (That was a joke, who could hate a cute cuddly baby- geez, I'm not a monster!)  But seriously, no one in their right mind wants summer to end.  

So, without further adieu here are my worst 3 traits:

1.  When I argue with you I go Stone Cold Steve Austin meets the Ice Queen and has little lawyer babies.  I'm talking sharp words in a black out state people.  I will go from happy bubbly person to straight faced walking nightmare.  It's happened.  Luckily one of my best traits is that I am a communicator (ironic, I know) and will calmly and openly discuss feelings and how to avoid this situation in the future when I return to earth and stop breathing fire...

2.  I over eat.  I love food.  I need to run more and stop eating my feelings.  Also, I saw this on Pinterest and did a serious hand to forehead action.  Ouch.
You win little doggy poster.  Touche.
3.  I suck at follow through in my personal life.  I'm getting better-thank God.  I have all of these awesome ideas *cough, blog 2 years ago* and sometimes they never make it to the light of day.  Also, I'm pretty sure my friends think I died on a weekly basis and don't even get me started on the ones I left in WA when I moved up here.  I'm bad....  Is there an AA for that?  There should be!!!  So, little disclaimer there.

Wow, I feel more naked than Torrence's bad dream in Bring It On.  I'll get the door, Torr!  There you have it!  Don't they say that owning your flaws makes you a super hero or some crap?  Well, I own them and am working on it.  I mean, nobody's perfect right- but I'm super close... bahahahahaha.  Yeah, no.  

If I've learned anything from bareing my soul to blog land it's that we are who we are and it's ok to constantly be working on yourself.  The big 3-0 is in exactly one month and I'm starting to love the person I am, and the person I'm becoming.  I'm more good than bad and just to solidify that I'll share something really cute with you.  My carabox buddy asked my husband to describe me in 5 words- believe me, I braced myself.  He said: Beautiful, Loving, Energetic, Compassionate and Supportive.  Swoon.  I must be doing something right to have such a great guy in my life.  

Take the good with the bad.  Face your flaws head on and own them, they are a part of you but they do NOT define you.

What are you flaws?  How do you overcome them?  Are we still friends? 

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Moments in Time

I am a huge believer in pictures and I really think they capture a moment in time, never to be forgotten.  However, family pictures are such a hard thing to coordinate when not all of your family lives with you! 

This was high on the "to-do" list while we had Donald's girls during their summer visit.  I did lot of research on photographers in the area and finally found someone who wasn't going to cost an arm and leg but still took amazing pictures!  We decided to go with Cherie from Dashing Life Photography!  Best. Idea. Ever.

Right off the bat I knew this was going to be a blast!  Cherie is so quick to answer e-mails and is so hilarious to talk to.  I'm pretty sure we would hangout if we lived closer!  I mean, I already invited her to our house- takers??  She answered all of my questions and went above and beyond for us! 

We met her at Eklunta lake the day of our shoot and were immediately taken back by the beauty of the surroundings!  Cherie's style and amazing pictures exude quality, professionalism and some seriously fun times.  I was right, when we had our shoot it was nothing short of an amazing.  Cherie is a huge ball of energy that was awesome with the girls and even got D to relax and have a great time.  Check out how good she made us look!

Don't forget, even though we're models you do not have permission to take these photos... I mean, don't you have enough of me already?  #famouspeopleproblems!


 We had such a fun time being silly!

They love their Dad SO MUCH!


 Seriously Gorgeous Girl...                     

One of my favorites!
 How can you not love this face?



 This lady is so amazing, even her iphone pics look awesome!!  Check it out below!
#familyofhams #wehadwaytoomuchfun


 We had such an amazing time with Cherie!  If you are ever in Anchorage and need a photographer, look up Dashing Life Photography.  Maybe you can become a celebrity like us?!

Until next time...