Wow! Summer...

The last couple of weeks have been really busy for me. 

We've had Vacation Bible School, and I was up until midnight-ish every night updating the photography website for that.  It's really and exciting time and it's so thrilling to watch the children's enthusiasm as they participate in games, music and crafts that help them learn about Jesus. 

Our family joined the YMCA back in June.  We're trying to get more exercise, but it has been really difficult to fit it in.  Slowly, we're getting there.  We're taking an Aikido class as a family.  Interesting.  It's been a long time since I've rolled around on the floor.  I know it's good for me.  Princess E is going to be taking swimming lessons in August.  She does know how to swim, but it would be nice if she learned official techniques for breathing and specific strokes.  They have an indoor track, so we've been using it, too.  Princess E is "training" because she is going to enroll in a kids mini-marathon next Spring.  King J is most enthused about the weight room.  He and I work out with weights and do cardio exercises in there.  For me, the best part of cardio is I can safely listen to my MP3 player while I work out.  Woohoo!

My family prepared dinner Wednesday night for our church.  I don't quite know how many attended, but there was food for 80 people.  I planned, shopped and cooked for 80 people...with help of course.  That was a first.  I've not been above about 40 before.  Two days later, my back is still tired from all the standing.  I'm thankful for the great help I had.  Princess E worked right along side me for all but about an hour of the nine we worked.  Yesterday, I took her out to lunch as a thank-you for her hard work.  We went to Firehouse Subs because she's been asking. 

Part of me wants to apologize for missing out on the blog world so much.  Most of me is enjoying this active time.  Winter will be back soon enough.  In the meantime, we're enjoying our summer.  I do try to keep up with reading, but I do want to do better on commenting. 

Stay tuned in August.  I've got a good giveaway coming up. 

And the winner is...

The winner of the Cheerios Do What You Love Giveaway was selected using Random.org, based on the entries that were received before midnight on July 23, 2010.  My apologies for the delay in posting the winner.

The winner is mami2jcn!  I'll be emailing you as well.  Please respond within 24 hours.

Sponsored Giveaway - Cheerios Do What You Love

Last week, I received a goodie box from MyBlogSpark and Cheerios. When I heard about this review opportunity, I jumped at it. I don’t do a whole lot of reviews because I only participate when the product being reviewed is something I use, or at least am willing to try. Well, Cheerios is a perfect match for me. You may even remember me mentioning them in previous blog posts. What can I say? We eat a lot of Cheerios in this house.
Cheerios is made with 100% whole grain oats, and we know that whole grains are heart healthy choices. I’m just glad they taste good, too.

Anyway, Cheerios is running a promotion to get you to “Do What You Love”. Here is an excerpt from the information provided through MyBlogSpark:

"Cheerios is partnering with country music superstar Martina McBride and professional athlete Cal Ripken, Jr. for the "Do What You Love" Contest. McBride and Ripken will recognize two lucky people with prizes that will make their hearts race.


One music lover (and a guest) will tour the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum with McBride, hang out with her in her recording studio - the world famous Blackbird Studio in Nashville, Tenn. - and even get VIP tickets to one of her upcoming concerts.


Another lucky baseball enthusiast (and a guest) will have the chance to hang out and play catch with Ripken and to tour the Ripken Youth Baseball Academy in Aberdeen, Md., with the "Iron Man" of baseball himself. In addition, the winner will throw out the first pitch at the Cal Ripken World Series and sit in Ripken´s reserved seats at a Baltimore baseball game."

Now, I’m sure you want to know how you might win. Of course, you have to enter to win. But, I bet you knew that, huh? So, here’s the deal. To enter, you’ll need to submit a short story (150-200 words) and photo showing off what it is that YOU love to do. (I wonder if loving to read blogs would make a good entry….hmmmm.) Once you have your story and photo ready to go, you’ll need to visit the official website to submit your entry. Do that by going to http://www.cheerios.com/love and enter. Watch the deadline though. This contest ends July 23, 3010. (I really think they should pick me to meet Martina McBride. Just sayin’.)

Now, only two people are going to win that prize…but…get this…Cheerios and MyBlogSpark are sponsoring a giveaway on my blog, too. That’s right, one of you is going to win a prize package, just for entering here. The winner will receive a package just like what they sent me. Inside will be a box of Cheerios and an American Express gift card worth $25! Maybe you can use the $25 to do what you enjoy most. This giveway will be open to US residents only.

To enter the giveaway on my blog, please leave me a comment and let me know what it is you love to do and how Cheerios can help you “Do What You Love”. That’s all it takes. Now, you do need to make sure I have a way to reach you. If your email is not shown with your profile, you will need to leave your email address in the comment. This contest will also end July 23, 2010 and the winner will be chosen randomly the next day. I will notify the winner by email. The winner must contact me within 24 hours, or an alternate winner will be selected.

Go ahead. Enter both contests. Then, go do something that you love…and don’t forget to eat your Cheerios.

Oh yeah...one more thing...when you buy Cheerios, please be sure to clip the "Box Tops for Education" and give it to your favorite school.

Disclaimer – This giveaway is sponsored by Cheerios and MyBlogSpark. They provided me with my gift package of Cheerios and a $25 American Express gift card. They also will provide my winner with their gift package. The opinions expressed are mine alone. I have received no further compensation for this review.

Bunker Hill Covered Bridge

There are only two public covered bridges remaining in North Carolina. One of them is the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge, in Catawba County, which is named for the farm that once stood nearby. 

This one is the only remaining of this particular structural style. 

It was miserably hot that day, so we didn't linger. However, the canopy of trees provided a brief respite from the beating sun and allowed for a sweet breeze.  I couldn't resist taking a few snapshots of Princess E.



She is a huge fan of Strawberry Shortcake.  Can you tell?

Biltmore

During our recent vacation, we took a day and visited Biltmore, the largest private residence in the United States.  King J had visited previously, but it had been many years.  Princess E and I had never been.
This photo was taken by our server at the Stable Cafe.  They converted the old stables into a restaurant and shopping area, while maintaining the structural integrity of the place.  We were sitting in a stall that we think was originally used to wash horses.  I guess that means we were eating in a bathroom.  The food was delightful!



Here's Princess E standing out front.  She was fascinated by the place.



A view from the bowling green...



The trumpet vine was in full bloom while we were there.  It's a beautiful plant.


King J challenged me to try to capture a photo of this bumble bee.  Not too bad...



...but this one is better.



Pretty flowers


These grapes were growing over the walkway leading to the Biltmore Winery, where we sampled a variety of the Biltmore wines.



Beautiful hydrangeas and a beautiful Princess E



On the way out, we passed this pasture where the sheep were grazing.  See that little lamb in front?  He kept calling for his mama.  We stopped and watched while he searched for her.  The picture doesn't show it, but he was really quite small. 

Ears...

I've still been really quiet in the bloggy world. I try to keep up my reading, and I've tried to (somewhat) keep up on my commenting. We went on vacation for a week, but I was still fighting this issue with my ears.

Anyway, today I went back to the doctor. It's been 3 1/2 weeks since this all started and I was still too far from "well". It turns out my ear infection has not healed. It IS greatly improved from where I was, which I knew simply because I can sleep lying down now and couldn't early on. However, it's not over. So, now I have an even stronger antibiotic to hopefully knock this thing out. I'm tired of it. In fact, I'm just tired. I know that my ears are nothing compared to the illnesses and pain so many suffer. I am thankful it is nothing worse.

On another note, this past week, the younger sister of one of Princess E's friends passed away. She was just 2 years old. From what we understand, she managed to swallow the battery out of a musical greeting card. When the battery disintegrated in her stomach, her stomach and esophagus were burned so severely that it was irreversible. My heart goes out to her family. Please remember the family of little "S" in your prayers.