Five Gift Ideas for the Royal Wedding

As you may have heard about 8 million times in the past few months, Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married.

A royal wedding!  How exciting!

Don't they look so happy?  [Note:  Happy and uncomfortably forced into an awkward pose sometimes look the same.]

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Sadly, I was overlooked on the royal invitation list.  It's okay.  I was too busy not caring to attend anyway.  

But for those who were rich fortunate enough to get an invitation, here are five gift ideas for the couple who has everything:

1:  For Princess Kate:  How about a lovely bedazzled neck brace for when that huge crown puts too much of a strain on her delicate frame?

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2:  Or, what about a big giant poster of Princess Diana to hang throughout the royal home as a reminder that she will be compared to Princess Diana for the rest of her life?

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3:  Now, we all know Kate loves her some hats.  

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Okay... you get the point.  

So, what about adding another hat to the collection?  Something that says, "I can wear this hat if I want.  You know why?  Because I'm the future queen... and I do what I want."  

If any hat in the history of hats has ever made such a statement, it'd be this one.

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4:  Now, we can't forget the groom.  For Prince William, I recommend a disguise so that when he feels the need to get away from the old royal ball-and-chain he can roam around without being recognized.

Before awesome disguise:  "Haye, look.  It's Prince William... at the bar!  I'm telling Kate!"

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After awesome disguise:  "Haye, who's that dork!?  Oh wait, who cares?!"  Such a classic gift.  And one that keeps on giving!

5:  And finally, a gift for the couple.  Recently William and Kate have announced that they would love to add to the royal family in the future through adoption.  

So, if you need a gift for the couple, might I recommend one of the Duggar children.

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...or possibly even one of the Jolie-Pitt children.

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Let's face it... neither family would probably even notice one of them were missing.

This post idea came from Mama Kat's Writing Workshop.  Be sure to stop by there for creative inspiration!

Bedtime

[edit:  Several of you have complimented/asked about his choice of headwear.  It's a hooded towel (equip with wings and tail) depicting the night fury dragon from How To Train Your Dragon.  It actually came in last year's Easter Basket and he still loves it.  Here he is with it on in April 2010.  Please note:  The red plastic cups on the table were from dying Easter eggs, not playing beer pong.  ;)]

Versatile Blog Award

I was awarded the Versatile Blog Award!

I know what you're thinking, it's SUPER cheesy!  Duh.  That's one reason I love it.  Plus, I'm just honored that someone would think of me.  :)

When given this award you're supposed to:
1:  Thank the individual that gave you the award, including a link back to his/her blog in your post.
2:  Tell your readers seven things about yourselves.
3:  Pass along the award to 15 recently-discovered new bloggers.

1:  I was given this blog award by Johanna from Moms Tree House.  I found her site a few weeks ago and really enjoy it.  [My favorite part of her blog are the weekly writing prompts.  I mentioned them in my post here.]  So stop by there and take a look around.

2:  Seven things about myself:

1. I am a lefty, but play all sports right handed.  
2. I graduate law school in 233 days.  (But who's counting?)
3. I never cook.  NEVER.  That's my hubby's job (and he does it well.)
4. I've had The Cat In The Hat by Dr. Seuss memorized since I was three.  
5. I gave birth to twin boys as a gestational surrogate (meaning I wasn't biologically related to the babies) in March 2008.
6. People often tell me I'm very intimidating, which is crazy because I'm constantly in awe of all of those I know and just how amazing they are.
7. The saying I try my best to live by is, "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle."  

3)  Pass along the award to 15 recently-discovered new bloggers:

1. Organized Chaos
2. The Little Fat Girl That Could
   
3. The Things We Do
4. Tryfection
5. Butterfly Ashes
6. In Our Bubble
7. Not a Notting Hill Mum
8. All Grown Up
9. Life As 5
10. Mama in the Middle
11. Eyes of a King
12. The New Modern Momma
13. Shar's Daily Ramblings
14. One Practical Woman
15. Our House of Pink

Storm Damage to the Base

Last night a severe storm hit parts of the south, including our state.  Ten people have been confirmed dead and there are many missing.  We knew the base had been hit by a tornado but we didn't know the extent of the damage until this morning.

My husband is in the military and my son goes to daycare on base.  I went to take him into school this morning only to realize what exactly had happened.  I will say that it could have been a lot worse and thankfully no one was injured on base (as far as I know).  So I snapped some pictures before turning around and heading to class (with my five year old).  

Trees were down in the residential area of the base.

This tree was completely uprooted.  It's hard to understand just how large this tree is.  But, notice the power line toward the left of it that's leaning?  

Here is another photo of the same tree pictured directly above, this time from further away.  Notice how small the red car to the right of it looks next to this massive tree.

Several power lines were down all over the base.

In fact, this was my first indication that his school might just be closed today.  Roadblocks?  Check.  Down power lines?  Check.  Taking 5 year old to sit through 4 hours of law-school classes?  Check.

But, because his school was still a little further down that road, I didn't know if just a small section was blocked off, so I decided to try the other side.  (Can you tell I really didn't want to torture the child by bringing him to class with me?)  But, this is what I found when I tried to enter on the other side.  

On our detour through the base to see if his school was open we really got an idea of the extent of the property damage.

Dozens of vehicles were completely totaled by the storm.

Many roofs were damaged as well.

This was a small building.

It's hard to tell from this photo but the cart returns were very mangled (if not missing) and some of the glass had been shattered in the shopping center.

Unfortunately, tornado season is in full-swing and many more dangerous storms will be crossing through  the south over the next week.  Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers.  

And if you're located in an area that's notorious for tornados or dangerous storms during this time of year, please have a safety plan in place.  My son, my sister, and I practically set on top of one another last night in our hallway closet as this tornado ripped through the base, as well as another town less than 30 minutes from us.  And despite how uncomfortable it was, we'll do it again when the time comes!

Saving the Planet: A Sliding Scale

Okay, I have a confession to make but you have to promise not to judge me.  You promise?  Well, then lean in.  Close.  Closer.

I've never participated in Earth Day before.  

(BTW, that was my attempt at cyber-whispering.  Just go with it.)


Now where were we?  Oh yes.  I'd just admitted that I'd never participated in Earth Day before.

Is that a crime?  Depends on who you ask.

So, let's ask George.  (Note:  I did't actually know George Carlin but if I did I'm almost certain he'd like me calling him George.  And again, just go with it.)

George, do you think it's a crime not to participate in Earth Day?  What's your opinion on all of this "saving the Earth" business?

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Hmm.  Well, I think we can all agree that George doesn't think I've committed any crimes.  And I happen to think the man is a genius, so maybe I'm not so bad after all.

However, all [well, most] humor aside, I decided that I need to start becoming more conscious about the environment.  Don't get me wrong, I'm with George.  I don't think we're going to destroy the planet.  I think that's giving humans entirely too much credit.

To me, Earth Day or "being conscious about the environment" isn't about "saving the planet."  I think of it this way.  I may not be on a diet, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't pay any attention at all to what I eat.  I may not be counting calories, but I know not to make a habit out of eating ice cream everyday.

So what's my point?  I view everything on a sliding scale.  I can believe that there is no way to "save the planet," even that the planet doesn't need us to save it, while still realizing that I need to make better habits and teach my son to just be conscious.

What will we do to be more environmentally conscious you ask?

Ah.... slow down little grasshopper.  Earth Day isn't until tomorrow and it shall be revealed to ye then.

Update:  Want to find out what changes we made on Earth Day?  You can read about it here.

My Muse

"A muse is someone who has such an influence on another that he or she becomes the focus and inspiration for that person's creative work."

My sister, Stevie, is such an inspiration to me.  And, I absolutely love taking photos of her.  Because she's so naturally beautiful, I often find myself spontaneously saying, "Oh, stay right there while I grab my camera."  I'm so thankful to have her in my life, and now in my home.  I love you Stevie.  

This post was inspired by Ordinary Miracles and the Crazy 8

Shh... Vinny is sleeping.