MarytheKaytheBlog

Branson's Best Hiking Trail, and How I Realized I'm Not in as Good of Shape as I Thought...

First, I should be honest.  I have only hiked a couple of places in Branson.  Now, I do plan to remedy that fact, because our family had the BEST TIME this weekend hiking a GORGEOUS trail--the Lakeside Wilderness Hiking Trail.

In case you didn't notice in the title, this is also the story of how I felt pretty confident going in...and came out a sweaty, huffing, tired, and muscles quivering kind of mess.  Albeit a smiling sweaty mess.

Our family has been wanting (okay, maybe only ONE of us has been wanting) to hike this trail for quite a while.  However, we sort of stumbled onto it this weekend, as we were on some geo-caching hunts.  This particular hunt was called "Soldier's Cave."  And it was a spectacular hunt, indeed!

Our hunt for the soldier's cave took us down the blue trail, and we ended up going even farther--as far as Rebecca is pointing.  On our way back up, an experienced hiker told us the trail leads as far as Sunset Park--at the Branson Landing. (Although, supposedly, a land owner recently put up a fence blocking part of it at the end.)

This hiking trail is located on Fall Creek Road--directly across the street from Dick Clark's theater.  There's a nice gravel parking lot, and even public restrooms.

From the moment we arrived, all 4 of us kept saying, "This is just so neat!"  "This is beautiful!"

One of my favorite things about this hike is the fact that Dr. Lyle Owen's abandoned old rock home is in the middle of the woods on the hike.  Even though we knew the house was nestled in the woods there, when we came up on it, we felt like we were the first ones to discover it!  Surrounding the old homeplace are beautiful hand-laid rock walls.  I could just picture Dr. Owen, a rocket scientist who retired to this homesite in Branson in the 1930s, carrying rock after rock after rock to form the graceful wall.  

The picture above is the lovely entrance from the home's yard to the staircase of hand-laid fieldstone that winds down the bluff towards Lake Taneycomo.  Dr. Owen and 2 other men spent 2 years (1937 and 1938) building the lovely staircase--315 steps in all.

Exploring down these weather-worn and foot-worn steps made me feel like we were traveling back in time.  It made me wonder what the men were thinking each day as they'd add another couple of steps.  Did they have any idea that 75 years later, people would still be admiring their beautiful craftsmanship?

Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, we kept going.  We were on the hunt for a secret cave that a Confederate soldier hid in during the Civil War!  All along the way, we just marveled at the beauty surrounding us--the lush greenery, little peeks of Lake Taneycomo down below, the rock cliffs carved out by dripping water and waterfalls.

We met a couple of families on the way, whose kids were just as thrilled as ours to be running ahead of the parents, in search of the next "amazing thing" ahead!

We found 2 caves, both of which we braved it, and walked into the darkened caverns.  The girls loved learning how quickly their eyes adjusted to the darkness just by closing them for 30 seconds.  The Confederate's cave was larger than we had imagined.  It was thrilling to imagine him living there, and braving the elements.  (Yes, we FOUND the geo-cache!)

Sweet Sara Beth was excited to find some pretty wildflowers along the way.  By this time, we were on our way back up the stairs--remember there are 315 of them!!  Of course, she handed the delicate bouquet to her mama, who in an out-of-breath huffing voice said, "You.  Are.  Going.  To.  Have.  To.  Hold.  Them.  Mama.  Is.  Too.  Tired.  To.  Hold.  Thank.  You.  Sweet.  Girl."

We stopped and rested a few times on the way back up--mostly to give the mama a chance to catch her breath, and wipe away more sweat.  We had to move up the steps pretty quickly, as we were trying to "beat the dark home" (a quote from one of my FAVORITE movie sequels) and get some dinner in our ravenous tummies.

We all fell into our seats in the car, and were silent for a few moments as we all sucked on water bottles.  I noticed that, even though we all were exhausted and sweaty and tired, we were all smiling.

This was a family hike that I think we will all remember.  It was just a family MOMENT we will all remember--a family adventure that was free of fussing and complaining, and that was just plain FUN.

What's a memorable adventure YOU'VE experienced?

A New Family FAVORITE!!! The License Plate Game!

I just have to tell ya'll about our family's new FAVORITE car game!!!  It's the U.S.A. License Plate Game (board) by Melissa & Doug.  (And nobody's paying me to talk about it, dangit.)  I have my friend Janna to thank for the idea in the first place.  

Here's how we play (and how Janna's kids taught us):  We keep the game board in our car at all times.  The License Plate Game re-starts every month on the 1st.  All states' "license plates" on the board are turned so that the license plate picture is showing.  Starting on the 1st, whenever we see a car with a license plate not turned over on our board, we turn it over.  (The plates are attached with sturdy elastic bands)

That's it!  It's EASY!

And guess what?  My kids are LEARNING while playing.  They are not only learning state names and placement on the U.S. map, but they are using their BRAINS riding in the car--instead of being "plugged in" to electronics.  

Even more thrilling for my girls, is that they are in a huge competition with Janna's kids (even though Janna's kids don't know we are!!)--because they know that Janna's kids' record is 43 license plates in a month.  My girls are DETERMINED to beat that record.  We've had the board about a week now, and we are up to 41 plates already.  Of course, our hardest plates here in the Midwest are Alaska, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and several of the North Eastern states.

 Now, I will say that living in a tourist town definitely helps with this game.  However, this would make a GREAT gift for your family's next car trip.

And you tourist town folks--I CHALLENGE YOU to try to beat our girls!  I have some pretty competitive girls at my house...as well as a mercilessly competitive husband...who would probably rather drive our daughters around parking lots filled with cars (and license plates!) all night long, rather than lose a challenge.

So, who's in?  Everybody run out and get yourself a License Plate board, and let's get our kids busy using their brains in the car!

Locally, I bought my board at Mardel's, but Toys R Us also carries them.  You can also buy them online at Amazon.

(No one paid me, or gave me anything to talk about the License Plate game.  Dangit.  I'm just telling you about it from the goodness of my little heart.  But, if Melissa & Doug happen to ask about me--please send 'em my way, and be sure to say I accept both cash money and alll-expenses paid vacations)

A Couple of Things I'm Into Lately

I love hearing about new products--or just new to me products--that other people are enjoying.  I thought I'd share a few things I've been enjoying lately.   

 

 1.  This is not the tanning lotion of the 1990s.  Gosh, I distinctly remember the icky smell of that stuff...that stayed with you all day long.  My sisters turned me onto the Jergens Natural Glow--and it is just like putting on lotion after my morning shower.  Uhh...well that was brilliant.  This IS EXACTLY like putting on lotion--because it IS lotion.  It has a pleasant smell, and best of all, makes my boss wonder if I'm sneaking off to the pool during work hours to work on my tan.  Currently, I'm using the lighter variety, but I really think I could use the darker one.

 

2.  Ya'll know I am ALL ABOUT my snack food!  I picked this bag of Great Value Tropical Trail Mix on a whim.  I couldn't find the Cajun variety, so I decided to give this one a try.  Boy, oh boy, was I pleasantly surprised!!!  This is like eating CANDY.  Only, you get to feel HEALTHY, because it's dried fruit.  Oh, it very well may have just as much sugar as a Snicker's bar--but I'm certainly not looking on the back of the package to find out.  No sirree.  I am eating FRUIT, and that's all there is to it!  The sugared pineapple chunks and banana chips are my favorites!

 

 

3.  G2 powdered mix - In case you didn't know, G2 is Gatorade's low calorie performance thirst quencher.  I have been re-using a water bottle, filling it with half the powdered mix (half the calories), and chilling it until after my morning run.  It is SO REFRESHING!! Grape is my favorite flavor--but I haven't found one I dislike.

 

 4.  Maybe I have developed an iron deficiency this summer, because I am LOVING crunching on some ice lately!  Too bad Sonic is a 30-minute drive from our summer camp... But, lucky for me our dining hall has ginormous ice machine.  

 

 

5.  Just in case you think this post sounds like somebody has kidnapped me, and exchanged me for a healthy girl--not to worry.  My fridge is full of icy cans of Coca Cola, and I have a stash of peanut M&Ms in my sock bin.  (A girl's gotta hide her valuables!)

 

So, what are YOU into lately?

How Dental Flossers Changed my Life

 

 

 

 

Oh, all right.

I *may* be over-stating the title just a teensy tiny bit.

But I really LIKE how dental flossers have changed my teeth-flossing habit.  Okay, so maybe THAT would be a more appropriate title:  How Dental Flossers Changed my Teeth-Flossing Habit.

But, who in the heck would read THAT post???

Well, besides dental hygienists and flosser manufacturers.

But, back to my riveting topic...  Tonight, as I was flossing my teeth...Oh, I just WANT to type that sentence again, because it makes me feel so superior.  Tonight, as I was flossing my teeth, I thought about how dental flossers have revolutionized my teeth flossing habits.

I never was much of a flosser before.  Okay, okay, I must be honest.  I *cough cough* NEVER flossed my teeth before.  There was just something gross and weird about wrapping string around my fingers, and then getting everything all slobbery and stinky and slippery.  And then my fingers going purple because I was working to hard.  And then having to RE-wrap the slobbery stinky string BACK around my fingers...

You see?  I had flossing issues.  

But, THEN (cue the harps) my big sister introduced me to the wonderful world of dental flossers.  (everybody say "aahhhh")

With dental flossers, there is no injury to the fingers, and no stink and slobber on the hands.  Just toss that flosser right into the trash when all the work is done!

And THAT, my friends, is the story of how dental flossers CHANGED MY LIFE.

P.S.  I'm pretty sure this post breaks all previous world records on the number of times the word "flosser" appears in a single blog post.  Excuse me, Mr. Guiness is on the line...

Now, it's YOUR TURN:  What household or beauty product has CHANGED YOUR LIFE??  

 linked up with:

Works for me Wednesdays at We are THAT Family

It's Teacher Gift Time!

This is one of my favorite little teacher gift ideas.  I am actually re-posting this, in case you didn't see it the first time around.  I love this idea because it is quick and easy--which is what we all NEED this crazy time of year!

------------

How about a Sonic Happy?!!

Just today I needed some last-minute gifts for our daughter's choir teachers.  I love to be able to give small, thoughtful gifts to the adults who help with our church's children's musical.  Somehow, I had forgotten all about these gifts...until THIS MORNING--the MORNING of THE MUSICAL.   AAAHHHHHH!!  Sometimes, I really wonder what is wrong with my feeble brain.

The quickest thing I could think of was a $5 gift card from Sonic.  Because WHO doesn't like Sonic???  And, in my world, Sonic = Happy. 

In order to help the Sonic gift card look more thoughtful and creative...you know--to AMP IT UP a little...I thought it would be fun to place the card inside a small Sonic cup and wrap it in a clear cellophane bag.

Stick around here a while, and you'll find that I use these bags for everything!

Quickly, I printed up some colorful gift tags that said,

"Thanks a 'TOT' for helping with our choir!"

(Update:  My niece used this idea for her school teacher, and chose to use this cute phrase:  "Thanks for all you 'TOT' me this year!")

I punched a hole in the corner of each, and slid them into a ziploc bag.  (An easy way to print these creative gift tags is with MS Word, using the insert "Word Art" feature.  I used the rainbow-colored template to type out my message.  After sizing my message to the size I wanted on the page, I copied it, and pasted it 5 more times down the page.  Literally, this took me 60 seconds to create and 60 seconds to print.)

I gathered some yellow ribbon, cut into appropriate lengths, and slid those along with some cellophane bags into the same ziploc.

I also thought it would be fun to have some colorful M&Ms in the bottom of the Sonic cup, for the gift card to rest on top.  (If I'd had some Hershey's Kisses, I would have LOVED putting those in the cups.  M&Ms are what I had on hand, so that's what I used.)

 

Here's a pic of my very-quickly gathered supplies to take in the car with me to Sonic:

At Sonic, I ordered 6 $5 gift cards, along with 6 small cups and straws, and 2 empty bags.  It took 2 tries to get Mr. Sonic to understand what I was asking.

I began assembling those puppies right there in the Sonic parking spot!

First, I plopped a handful of M&Ms in the bottom of each cup, then placed the gift card on top.

 

Then, I put on the lid, slid in a Sonic's happy red straw, placed the cup into the cellophane bag, and tied on the yellow ribbon and gift card.

 

Voila!  You have zee Sonic Happy!!!  Doesn't zees just make you SMILE?

I placed the 6 Sonic Happies into empty Sonic sacks to transport them into church.  I sure did notice lots of glances toward my Sonic sacks.  I think they were wondering if I was transporting TOTS into church!  Yum Yum, me love tots!!

There you have it!  A QUICK, CREATIVE, THOUGHTFUL and INEXPENSIVE gift idea! 

 Those are my 4 favorite words when it comes to gift-giving!  How about you?

(Need MORE teacher gift ideas?  Click here!) 

What is your favorite teacher appreciation gift?

Linked up with:

Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family

Sometimes it's the little things that make me happy...

Yesterday, I bought myself a little present.  At the time, I knew I should wait, and tell my husband or daughters that I would love this item for Mother's Day.  Dave loves when I give him good ideas for gifts.  Especially inexpensive ideas--like this one.

But, did I wait?

No, I did not.  I picked it right up and put it into my shopping cart before I could change my mind.

And I have to tell you--I could NOT WAIT to get home and try it out!  I was just like a little kid with a new toy!

So...what did I buy?

Here, I'll show you!

 
No, no, no.  Not the apples or bananas.  Look closer!

I bought a ScentSationals Scented  Wax Warmer Plugin!  Isn't it the cutest little thing?  Plus--double score--because it covers up my awkward plug in the middle of the wall.

I have wanted a Scentsy warmer for a long time, but Santa did not catch my hint the past couple of years.  Yesterday in Walmart, I saw the ScentSationals products nestled in between all the candles. When I saw their new line of plugins, I knew I had to have one!  Plus, it was only $10!  (Walmart is not showing the plugins online, but I bought mine in the store.)

I know this is only a little thing...but walking into my pretty-smelling kitchen sure did make me happy today!  Also, there is just something cozy feeling about the sweet little light.

Sometimes, it's just the little things...

Do you have a scented wax warmer?  What's your favorite flavor?  So far, I've only tried the Tranquil Spa.

What little things have made you happy recently?

What I've been snacking on lately

Well, if that's not a riveting, life-changing title, I don't know what is.

However, if you were me, (and be THANKFUL that you're NOT) you would know that snacking IS a very important topic in my life.  I'm just being honest, people.  If you need to judge me for my snacking abilities, well then, you're probably also judging me for my toenail color, too.  And I always say--people who judge other peoples' toenails should not throw rocks.  Because throwing rocks is mean.  And dangerous.

And I am all about 3 things here on this blog:  Safety, Snacking, and Soda Pop.

What the heck was I talking about?  Oh yeah.  Snacks.

All right.  First of all, the whole motivation behind this post is I found a favorite new snack.  Well, new to me.  Probably old to Walmart  and Country Mart and probably Piggley Wiggley, too.

1.  Snyder's of Hanover Sourdough Hard Pretzels - (Not to be confused with the Snyder's of Scranton Pretzels)  These pretzels are gigantic in the world of pretzels.  Yeah, gigantic in taste and crunch, too.  Pretty much gigantic in every single way that a pretzel can be.  When you need a good crunchy snack--these just hit the spot! 

2.  Gala apples- Have ya'll eaten a Gala apple recently?  Mmm--mmm, they are delish.  Mid-afternoon, there is nothing better than a crispy apple.  Well, okay, tater tots might be better...and cheesy tots even better.  But, a Gala apple is a good substitute.

3.  Just so ya'll don't think I've gone all crazy on  ya, I'll just be honest.  I am kind of addicted to McDonald's $1 Coke in the styrofoam cup.  I have about 5 extra pounds that I can thank my friend Jenn, who first told me about these beautiful $1 Cokes.  I hate to admit it--but I like these Cokes better than a Sonic Coke.  I KNOW!!!!  Crazy.

4.  Okay, now I am going to tell you about a snack that I just CANNOT buy...because I CANNOT STOP EATING THEM.  Have ya'll tried Golden Oreos?  Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious.  They are very dear to me.  Now, I have to tell you, I am a real cookie snob.  I don't like most cookies in a bag.  But, the Golden Oreo?  Pure gold good.

5.  Okay, I am going to tell you about another snack that I should not buy...but I do anyway.  Because, what's a life of eating turkey sandwiches at home every stinking day if you cannot have some good chips on the side?  That would be a cruel life, I tell ya.  So, in order to keep my daily life from being cruel, I buy Lay's Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ chips.  If ever your life is feeling a little blah or bland--you just buy yourself a bag of these tasty chips, and you will not feel bland anymore.

All right, I'm done making you people hungry.  Now, it's YOUR turn to make ME hungry. 

What have you been snacking on lately? 

The 10 Smart Phone Apps I Use Most

I could write a Broadway musical about how much I love my smart phone. 

Is that terrible? 

Should I even admit this shallow fact about myself? 

But, it's true.  I NEVER thought I'd like my DroidX phone as much as I do, and I NEVER KNEW just how helpful a little phone could be to my everyday life.

Part of my motivation in writing this post is to share the smart phone applications I find most helpful, but also to hear what apps YOU love most.  I'm sure there's so much more I could be doing with my beloved phone. 

And you know...I'm doing research for that award-winning musical...

The TOP 10 apps I use the most (on my DroidX phone):

1.  Alarm & Timer - My phone charger is on my bedside table, so I am able to use the alarm on my phone every single day.  I LOVE that I never have to worry about a power outage (not that uncommon in our neighborhood) messing with my morning alarm.  I hope I never have to go back to a traditional alarm clock.  This is one of my favorite features on my phone!

2.  Facebook and Twitter- I know those are 2 separate apps, but I use them pretty much the same on my phone.  I rarely look at Facebook or Twitter on my home computer anymore...I just don't have the time.  But, when I have a free moment in the carpool line, or waiting for an appointment, I am able to search all the latest goings-on in my social media apps. 

3.  Instagram- I JUST joined the Instagram ranks--since they just rolled out the Android version.  I'm still learning how I will use it, but so far I'm enjoying sharing photos.

4.  Gmail- I really drug my feet in making the switch from my old e-mail account to a web-based account like Gmail.  But, now, I cannot imagine switching from Gmail!  I LOVE being able to access my e-mail from anywhere--especially my phone.  My favorite feature is the ability to search old e-mails from ANY word or phrase inside the e-mail--or from the sender's name or e-mail.  I use the search feature all the time!

5.  Calendar - I am an old fashioned wall calendar hanging on the side of my fridge kind of girl, but I have recently started using my phone's Calendar app, and am feeling much more organized when I'm out-and-about.  Mostly, I use the Calendar app to schedule my family's appointments.  Standing at the receptionist's desk, I open the app and type in the next appointment as we're setting it.  Then, I always set a 24-hour-ahead reminder, so that I never forget about an appointment!

6.  Netflix- I must admit that my KIDS love this app most of all!  Since signing up with Netflix a couple of months ago, I found out there was an app--score!  I have a love-hate relationship with Netflix on my phone, though...because my kids want to "borrow my phone" ALL THE TIME.  Netflix comes in handy when we have a long wait at a restaurant, during long car travel, or when waiting on a long appointment (with the volume turned way down, of course!)

7.  TV.com- This app came pre-loaded on my Droid X, otherwise I might not have found it.  Sometimes, I will use this app to watch t.v. while I'm on the treadmill.  (I do use headphones, in order to hear better.)  This is a CBS-owned app, and it plays full episodes (as well as short previews) of some shows I would not normally have time to watch...like NCIS Los Angeles, Blue Bloods, 60 Minutes, 48 Hours Mystery, and Undercover Boss.  I don't use this app often, but when I do, I really appreciate how well it works!

8.  iHeartRadio - This is THE app I use for music when running.  I really love listening to the K-Love radio station; however, there are hundreds of other stations to choose from.

9.  Pandora- Okay, so sometimes when I'm in the mood for a particular style of music (like classical piano or Josh Groban-style ballads), Pandora is where I go. 

10.  Bible and Daily Bible - I love having a Bible with me at all times!  I use the Bible app for looking up a reference when I'm on-the-go.  The Daily Bible app sends a Bible verse or passage to my phone every single day.  I like that when I see the little Bible icon pop up (telling me there's a verse waiting to be read), I can wait until I have time to focus on that day's verse(s).  It's such a small way that I can help keep my day focused on important things.

Honorable Mentions:  I use these apps, but on a much-less consistent basis.

AccuWeather, Car Dock (for navigation), Where (for finding yummy FOOD on vacation!), Brightest Flashlight, Flixster, Shazam, and StumbleUpon (my favorite app for long road-trip "surfing")

What are your favorite smart phone apps?

photo credit

Celebrating a Birthday...Airborne!

I want to give a birthday shout out to my sweet 12-year-old Rebecca!!!  Where have the years gone?  It seems like only yesterday I was holding a sweet little fuzzy blond-haired baby girl. 

Well...she wasn't all that little... (Click here if you want to read about Rebecca's birth story, as well as find out how much she weighed at birth.  I PROMISE you will not guess her birth weight...)

Dave and I prayed and prayed a long time for a baby.  Every day of her life--now for 12 years--we have thanked God for such a sweet blessing, our daughter, our Becca Boo.

To celebrate her last year as a pre-teen (sigh), we invited a couple of dear friends to go ziplining!  Because nothing says "Happy Birthday" like FLYING THROUGH THE AIR!

Sweet friends, and an adoring little sister who was thrilled to be included!

We started out at the Sky Surfer Zipline.  This is brand new to our town, and is the only one of its kind in the world!  I have to tell you--it is AMAZING!!!  We all LOVED it! 

Even I rode it--and I am afraid of heights.  I just hiked up my big girl pants, and decided I didn't want to miss out!  The fact that I could sit down on the "surf board" and hang on for dear life made it much easier.  I am SO GLAD I joined in!  I loved every second of my ride!!

Our Flight Instructor was amazing!  In fact, everyone at the Sky Surfer was all about good customer service!   (I promise they didn't pay me to say this!  They were just so friendly, and so helpful!)

 

You can even STAND UP on the Sky Surfer!  A couple of the girls--and Dave--literally surfed through the skies!

 

Next, on our airborne adventures was the Adventure Ziplines of Branson...

And, once again, the people there could not have been ANY nicer or more helpful!  (Big shout out thank you to Kate and Jared Story!!!)

I may have been a big girl at the Sky Surfer, but this spiral staircase at the entrance told me I would be the designated "picture taker" and "watcher." 

And, very contently, I sat in one of the rocking chairs on their back deck with Rebecca's Grandma and Grandpa, and sipped on a cold Coke while we enjoyed the GORGEOUS afternoon!

Look what we got to watch...

Well, here's the birthday girl herself!

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 I really love this pic...Photo credit: Kate Story, Adventure Ziplines

 

After a full afternoon of ziplining, and after a starving girls dinner at Freddy's, we loaded up and headed to our FAVORITE place for ALL celebrations--COLD STONE!!! 

What a sweet way (literally!) to end a fun day celebrating our Rebecca.

Cold Stone treats = Smiling girls!  (And smiling mama taking the picture)

We love you, sweet girl!

(Just so you know, no one paid me to say any of these nice things...but if they WANT to pay me--I would happily accept some cash-ola!  *grin*)

What's your favorite birthday adventure memory?

The Flip Flop Exchange: A FUN Way to Celebrate Spring!

Oh my word, I can hardly contain myself!  I am just sooo excited to tell you about my FAVORITE Spring Party!!!  I mean--picture this:  You've endured a long winter--this year much longer than usual.  You are sick and tired of the brown, dead grass in your yard, the barren branches overhead casting dismal shadows.  One day walking to the mailbox, you SEE it.  That teeny tiny green stalk peeking up from the ground!!! 

 And you feel like cheering.  Right there at the mailbox.  And doing a little jumpy dance.  Wheeeee!  Spring is a comin'!!!

 So, instead of the embarrassing jumpy dance, you know how I like to CELEBRATE Spring's arrival?  With a FLIP FLOP EXCHANGE party!!!

Because, what says SPRING better than a sassy Flip Flop???

 For the past 3 years, a group of my friends has gotten together in late March/early April for a Flip Flop Exchange Party.  It has gotten to be a real highlight for us each year...and has really grown in numbers.  You could use this idea for any women's group--a book club, a church women's group, a group at work, a neighborhood get-together...

 Here's how it works: 

1.  Pick a date.  For us, weeknights work best (free childcare, if Daddy keeps the kids!!)

2.  About 3 weeks ahead of your party date, send a mass e-mail to all the women you even think might be interested.  In your e-mail, tell the ladies about the Flip Flop Exchange idea, tell them the date of the party, and ask if they would like to come.  If they DO want to come, they need to do these things: 

-Reply to you (the party hostess) with your FLIP FLOP size (give closest WHOLE size, since most flip flops don't come in half-sizes)

-Start checking out fun flip flop shops--either in town, or online.  Be looking for a return e-mail, with your secret flip flop pal.

-Once you receive your Flip Flop Pal and her Flip Flop size (our group keeps our pals a secret until the party night), purchase a fun pair of flip flops that fit her personality--spending between $15-20.  (That is the limit our group sets.)

-On the party night, wrap up your flip flops--including a gift receipt (in case they don't fit). 

3.  This year, our Flip Flop Party hostess has really amped up  things.  Each of the attendees is bringing $2 to put towards 2 contests.  The first contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the CUTEST Flip Flops.  The other contest winner is awarded cash for bringing the best PERSONALITY MATCH for her Flip Flop Pal.  (The party attendees will vote on little slips of paper.)

 
4.  I love the contest idea!!!  Because some of the girls coming this year I don't know as well, it will be up to me to find out from others in the group the personality of my Flip Flop Pal...or I can always chat with the hostess, who knows everyone coming.  And WHO doesn't like winning a little CASH in a fun contest???Now, go ye out and planeth some Flip Flop Parties!!!!  I'd love to hear back from ya, if ya do!!!