MarytheKaytheBlog

Hey Hey for the WEEKEND!!! Linky Dinks

Well, well, well, what have we hear, my dearies?  It's THE WEEKEND!!!!!! 

(insert wild screaming and shouting here)

Okay, not really.  I am not sure I have EVER wildly screamed or shouted in my entire life.  Well, except maybe on that county fair ride from the devil.  I think it was called The Zipper. Such an innocent-sounding name for a ride that the devil invented.  I remember thinking inside that small and smelly cage that kept rolling and rolling and rolling over and over again--all the while heavy metal music was BLASTING out the speakers, "What if this thing never stops?  This is exactly how BAD hell could be."

Upside down rides are not my thing.  But, twirl me around, and I will squeal and giggle like a smiley 6-year-old.  Anybody wanna ride the Tilt-a-Whirl or the Scrambler with me?  And can we please please please get a giant cone of pink cotton candy?  Nothing says "county fair" to me like some cotton candy.

Okay, enough about the carnival life.  Let's get with some links already!

 

Oh. My. Word.  The Honest Toddler makes me LAUGH OUT LOUD.  The recent letter to the Juice CEO was no exception.  That little toddler--he's a FUNNY ONE!  Read it and tell me you don't laugh out loud!!

 

I LOVE this family art project!  We are totally making one of these canvases.

 

Okay, since we're on the subject of things to make...Oh. My. Word.  This Pinterest Challenge Link-up on Young House Love blog (which I LOVE) is almost like Pinterest on Crack Cocaine.  Dang.  I could spend hours and hours just clicking on all the links...  Look at me--sharing my addiction with YOU!  (Be sure to scroll down far enough to find all the link-ups!)

 

Okay, you ready for some serious?  Here are a couple of serious reads lately that made me THINK.  Sometimes (not always), it's nice to think.

 

Grace.  I love that word.  But, do I really love it for everyone?  Everyone?  This letter to Lance Armstrong made me ask such a question...

 

Wow.  I kept reading this post to the very end...because I HAD to find out the "why" in "Why she stopped telling the stories..."  I have to be honest--words like Abby's really stir something up inside of me.  I don't know what God is doing, but He is definitely stirring something up.

All right.  Enough linky links for now.  Go prop up your feet and eat some bon bons!  You've earned it--it's the WEEKEND, people!!!  Go ye forth and enjoy!

Let's Go Retro...Linky Dinks

Well, hello, ye lads and lasses!  I don't know about you...but I am kind of tired of all the poe-litical talk.  Instead of delivering a very scholarly discussion on the Electoral College and its diminutive algorithmic homonyms, I thought we could have a little FUN today.  (Not that algorithmic homonyms aren't fun, mind you!)

But, let's take a break from our divided country, and chat about things we ALL can agree on!  

Let's chat about The Good Ole' Days!!!  Now, I understand that for some of you, those days may be not quite so far back...  But today--we're talking about the 1970s and 1980s, baby!!!   Come on!  Join me in the FUN!

 

Oh, NOTHING takes me back to my childhood like this.  My sister and I played with this for hours and hours on end.  Sometimes, my big brother would even join in the fun...as King Kong, that is!   Or, when he wanted  to mix things up...Godzilla.

 

When my daughters were younger, I bought them books on tapes and cds because of this little 1960s and 1970s toy--the GE Show 'N Tell Record Player.  I spent hours and hours listening to stories like The Three Bears, Jungle Book, and Robin Hood.

(Click here if you can't view the video below)

 

Speaking of watching things...how many of you looked forward to watching filmstrips in your elementary school library?  I just loved it when Mrs. Reynolds picked me to TURN THE KNOB on the projector.  Remember that?  

(click here if you cannot view the video below)

 

 

These companies sure had GREAT jingles...because (cough cough) 30ish years later I still remember their quirky little tunes.  Do you remember any of them?

Come on!  Sing along!!!

Monchichi

Coke makes ME smile!

Does your bologna have a name?

Who wouldn't want cereal that was magically delicious?

My favorite part is the You think you're really Mr. Groovy part

 

*Sigh*  I'll never forget my 13th birthday--the day I got my OWN phone!  It was aptly named the "Princess" phone.  Just recently I asked my sister if she remembered our "Children's Line" phone number.  I am proud to say that I still remember it--862-5802.  Oh yeah.  Wonder whose number it is now? (Oh, and by the way--it was a BAD IDEA to list our number as "Children's Line" in the phone book.  There are some icky perverts in the world...)

 

 

Okay, enough walking down the misty-eyed memory lane...  But, before I go...Lookie what I found on Pinterest under "Retro"

Source: google.com via Tish on Pinterest

 

Hmm...that sure looks familiar...I think I remember seeing that lovely RETRO fashion on a cool RETRO DUDE...

Smile, honey!  You're the STAR of today's RETRO post!!!!!  Everybody say "Hey, dude!" to this handsome, and 1980s fashionable, fella!

Want to spend a little more time in Retro Land?  Check out my Good Ole' Days Pinterest board!!

Now, go ye forth and enjoy your weekend!  See ya back here on Monday!!

What cool retro stuff do you remember?

It's Fall, it's Fall, it's Fall Linky Dinks

Well, well, well, what do we have here, my little pretties?  I do believe we have what is commonly known as THE WEEKEND!!!  Woo hoo!  I hope your neck of the woods is as gorgeous as it is around here.  Everywhere I look is like a postcard of vibrant fall foliage.

So, go on and get cozy on your couch, and prop up your feet--here are a few links to help entertain you.  Don't forget the bon bons!

 

I. Cannot. Stop. Giggling!!!  Seriously, how FUN would these be to give?

 

I just found this GEM of a blog--Mama Scout, and I can't stop clicking on more and more of her posts.  Her 10 things to do while sitting in a restaurant (with kids) reminds me to take a break from electronics, and enjoy the simple things WITH my kids.  100 creative kickstarters for families are just plain INSPIRING.

 

I like to think I would have stopped...  Would you have stopped? 

 

Anyone that has kids, or works with kids, or knows kids should read this!

And if you're a writer/blogger-type person, you may be interested to find out "the rest of the story"--how blogger Checklist Mommy's "Tricky People" story was plagiarized by a television reporter.  (Good to know:  Google Alerts!)

 

Well, it's time to go start your WEEKEND!!!  I sure hope it's a GREAT one!

See ya back here on Monday.  Same bat time, same bat channel.

 image credit

How about a laugh to two Linky Dinks

All right, good people, it's been a while since I've posted any links.  I've been saving up a couple of funnies lately, and thought I'd share a few...

 

The best Halloween costume I have EVER seen!!!  Seriously.

 

The dad that dresses up in costumes to wave at his--high school--son's bus.

 

Do not scoff at the Banana Slicer...until you have read the Comments.  I laughed out loud several times!

 

Oh, but wait!  Please please please read the comments of this recipe!  I laughed out LOUD.  There are some FUNNY people in this world!

 

Click here if you cannot view the video below

  

 Well, whatcha got going this weekend?  I hope you have enjoyed some GORGEOUS Fall weather like we have this week.  

Speaking of gorgeous weather...Would somebody please tell me if I can trim my roses?  Poor little things get so neglected in the summer, and they are all leggy and overgrown now.  Can I do a little chop chop this weekend?

Happy FALL weekend, good people!!

I'll leave ya with a little subliminal message...

Funny, Serious, Serious, Funny Linky Dinks

 This photo-shopping of celebrities made me laugh out loud!!!  I did struggle to figure out who a few were, though.  Can you figure them all out?

 

Omelet in a bag?  Um, YES M'AM, SIGN ME UP!!!  (Shh!  Don't tell anyone, but--for the life of me--I canNOT flip the dang omelet.  So this idea is PERFECT for flunkies like me!)  How fun would these be for a breakfast for dinner night?  Everyone gets to make an omelet bag!

 

Why We Need to Struggle - This post by Kristen of We are THAT Family knocked my socks off.   Warning:  It is serious, and it will make you THINK, and may be convicting...  Ouch.

 

Well, while we're on a serious note, I might as well let you read about the greatest gift you can give your child.  It's just a simple 4-letter word, yet we so often make it complicated.  I am new to Emily Wierenga's imperfect prose blog, but wow.  Her words are poetry.

 

Okay, okay, you know I can't leave you on a serious note here.  In honor of George Jefferson's movin' on up...to the everlasting, and in case my math video wasn't instructional enough for you--I give you Math: Bunker and Jefferson style!

May you rest in peace, George and Archie...

 

 Now, go ye forth and ENJOY your weekends!!!  

Goodnight, good people.

What are you up to this weekend?

Giggleth and the Fourth Linky Dinks

Let's start our day with some giggles.  My friend Dawn recently sent me a link to The Honest Toddler blog, and my life has not been the same since.  Or, maybe, I've just giggled a LOT since then.  And also read tons of The Honest Toddler OUT LOUD to my husband...when he's lying down and trying to go to sleep.  Poor husband, it's hard to understand the words I'm reading when I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.  So, go read. And tell little toddler baby that Dawn sent ya.

 

(Insert awkward transition here.  Wipe that grin off ya face, sister, we're getting serious now.)

 

Sometimes, when I get too focused on myself, and my stress, and my needs, and my-my-my...I like to click on Katie Davis' blog to get some real perspective. Such a great reminder to look outside myself, and really see the others around me--the opportunities all around me to make a difference. (This is the same Katie Davis that wrote the amazing, life-changing book Kisses from Katie.)

 

How about I leave you good people with some 4th of July inspiration as you head into the weekend...  All of these projects seem do-able, super cute, and not too complicated--my favorite kinds of projects!!

Source: livinglocurto.com via Danielle on Pinterest

 

 Mason jars for drinking?  Check

Bandanas for napkins?  Check

Aluminum retro tray for cuteness?  Check

Possibly the most awesome table setting ever?  Check CHECK.

Source: thehighheeledhostess.com via Stacie on Pinterest

 

You want an EASY recipe for the YUMMIEST ice cream ever???  Here's the world-famous recipe for Dr. Pepper ice cream...or as my friend Jenn calls it--Dr. Pepper Passion!

Source: marythekay.typepad.com via MarytheKay on Pinterest

 

What a FUN idea for kids to decorate the yard for the 4th!  Kids decorating AND having fun at the same time?  This is the FUTURE of another HGTV generation, people.   I love it!

Source: pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com via Annie on Pinterest

 

Oh my goodness gracious!  This recipe is CALLING MY NAME.  I will be making this one SOON.

 

Source: witandwhistle.com via MarytheKay on Pinterest

 

Twizzlers on the 4th?  Why, YES, thank you!!  Adorable.

Source: pinterest.com via Judy on Pinterest

 

All right ye good people of the weekend variety:  Go ye forth and prepare to celebrate the Fourth.   

May the Fourth be with you.  Alwayths. 

What are your plans for the Fourth?

Pointer Hatchet Schoolroom linky dinks

Well, well, well.  What have we here?  

I do believe we have what is commonly called...A WEEKEND!!!!

(Imagine that I am doing a little jumpy dance over here.)

We have no big plans this weekend, which makes me vury vury happy.  We are about to head into our cuh-ray-zee busy summer mode, so a lazy weekend sounds heavenly!

You want some links?  I got some links.  Don't say I never gave you anything.

Word.

 

Honey, I changed my mind (again.)  THIS is what I want for Mother's Day.  A week would be nice.  (pretty pretty please?)

 

If you're not a mother, and sometimes you want to RUN AWAY rather than attend church on Mother's Day morning...I wish I could give you a hug right now.  I've been right there...and I am really sorry if Mother's Day is a sad day for you.  I don't even have the best words to say to you to make things all better.  Because, sometimes nothing can make it better.  Right?  Anyway, I just wanted to say that I will be thinking of you this weekend.  And if I know you, I'll even be saying a little prayer for you.

 

We don't have any plans to homeschool our daughters in high school, but this box of books for a high schooler totally fascinates me. I found myself mesmerized by some of the books. I want many of them FOR MYSELF--namely, The Visual History, Our Century in Pictures, and Made You Look.

 

I really LOVE seeing how different people organize. The painted pantry INSPIRES me to paint mine a fun color! Which space is your favorite? Also--Jen's colorful blog just makes me happy.

 

This Tim Hawkins clip about hand raising in church made me laugh HARD. Do you have hand raisers at your church? (Click here if you can't see the video below)

In closing, I leave you with 3 words..."Pointer, hatchet, schoolroom."

Hometown Pride, and Hometown People linky dinks

 I'm feeling a little bit nostalgic and homesick.  My hometown has been in the news a couple of times this week, and I just had to share about it!   Then, when my cousin posted a hilarious video of her husband, I just knew this would have to be a whole post dedicated to MY PEOPLE. 

Speaking of MY PEOPLE...I've recently gotten addicted to the show Friday Night Lights.  I've been hearing about it for ages, and when I saw that there were 5 (count 'em!) seasons on Netflix, I knew I'd get hooked.  One of the reasons I love the show is because the characters talk like my people, and the town of Dillon reminds me of my hometown just a little bit.  All in a very good--makes me miss my hometown--kind of way!

All right, good people, I give to you my hometown of El Dorado, Arkansas.  (Please hold you applause until the end...)

 

House eye candy alert!!  This story is about a house I grew up across the street from! For those in my hometown, this is the lovely old Breimo house.  How fun that a family friend, and amazing interior designer, now lives there!  I have seen first-hand some of the beautiful design of Andrea Brooks Interiors in my brother's house. 

 

Have you ever heard of a company that paid for an ENTIRE TOWN'S college tuitions? 

I've never been prouder of being from El Dorado, Arkansas, than in 2007, when Murphy Oil Corporation announced their $50 million scholarship program, which would pay for every El Dorado graduate's college tuition!  (Or apply the in-state tuition amount toward any private university of the student's choice).  A couple of days ago, President Clinton spoke to the 2012 Senior Class on their Academic Signing Day about The (AMAZING!!) El Dorado Promise.

Here's the story The Today Show produced about The El Dorado Promise:

 

 Can you IMAGINE what our country would look like if more companies invested like this in an entire generation of young people?

 

I thought I'd leave you all with a little giggle.  My FUNNY cousin videoed her husband coming out of anesthesia after kidney stone surgery.  She is my HERO for posting this.  However...after seeing this, my husband used his most serious voice and scrunched up eyebrows to tell me, "Don't EVER video me after surgery.  I mean it." 

But, honey, what if it's really REALLY funny????  Then, it's okay, right?

 

 My favorite parts:  Beef jerky for the first 80 hours...slushy water..."She sold me my stone"...the only-at-the-hospital cup and curtain...and thumping the IV at the very end.  Oh my word--just watch it--ALL of it is funny!!

 

Thanks for indulging me in my little nostalgic trip "back home" today. 

Happy weekend, everybody!  We've got BIG PLANS this weekend...which include running a 5K (WOO HOO!!!!), a kids' choir performance, and an off-the-charts Broadway musical on Sunday that I can HARDLY WAIT TO SEE!!!!  I'll tell you all about it on Monday.

What do you love about your own hometown?

No Man's Land has been redeemed...linky dinks

Happy weekend, lovely readers!  I hope you have fun and relaxing plans ahead.  If I weren't so doggone tired right now, I would go take pictures of my daughters' No Man's Land.  If you read yesterday's post, you saw some pretty messy pictures.  After much nagging, threatening, giving of consequences, and gnashing of teeth, both girls' rooms are sparkling clean!  Now, we all need to GO SOMEWHERE QUICKLY--before anything gets messed up!

Here are some fun links I've found recently.  Prop up your feet, nibble on some bon bons, and read on. 

 

Easter craft ALERT!  Wouldn't these paper mache eggs be fun to make with your kids?

Darling art prints that make me wish I were an artist...  I keep thinking I need to purchase Daisy and Rose for my two daughters.  What do you think?  Yes?

Want to try out the funky new hair colors--without any long-term commitment?  Brilliant--hair chalk!!  My daughter Rebecca would DIE to do this.  Hmm...shall I show her this article, or not???

If you have young children, Impress Your Kids is a wonderful blog resource!  Go there now and check it out!  You might recognize the author from her blog Oh Amanda.

Grammar nerds, unite!  20 common grammar mistakes (almost) everybody gets wrong...  What's your most common one?  "Farther" and "further" always trips me up.  If you're a REAL grammar nerd, the Comments are interesting to read.

 

That's IT.  I'm moving to LA--I mean, a SPRINKLES CUPCAKE ATM????  I am in.  I am way way way in!!!

 

Happy weekend, good people!  I love ya all as much as Oreo cookies and milk.  Really, I do!

What are your plans this weekend?  Has anyone started some Spring cleaning?

The Tooth Fairy is a little broke over here...Linky Dinks

You can see what we've been up to lately...  Sweet Sara Beth had to have 4 teeth pulled at the oral surgeon's.  She was SUCH a trooper!  She knew she was going to receive anesthesia, and she was really hoping she would act funny--like she's seen on YouTube videos.  She even asked her big sister to come along--so she could video her acting silly afterwards.

A girl after my own heart.  It's not about the PROCEDURE you're going to have done...it's about HOW FUNNY you'll be.   She'll be here all week, folks.

 

Here are some links I wanted to share with you good people...

 

 Man, I'm a real sucker for cool kitchen gadgets.  Picture the Recipe

 

What a wonderful craft idea!  Just in time for Valentine's Day!!  We are THAT Family

 

Mmm.  Super Bowl appetizer idea?  Pizza Monkey Bread appetizer  The Sweets Life

 

My sweet friend, The Hollywood Housewife, is telling her story of faith this week.  She is an AMAZING storyteller.  Please go check it out!   The Hollywood Housewife

 

Now, go ye forth and ENJOY the weekend!  I sure hope you have a chance to kick back and relax a little...Just don't forget the bon bons! 

What fun things do you have planned this weekend?