Sundays in My City: Light Up Middletown

We are traveling the world together with the Unknown Mami.

Click on the button to follow our photographic journey!

I am joining you from Middletown, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

One of my very favorite things to do in my town during the holidays... it's fun, it's festive, it's free.

It's Light Up Middletown, my city's drive-through light display!!

This one's for you, Bug!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Huge Blog Giveaway from my friend Emily

My blogging and in-real-life friend Emily is having a HUGE giveaway on her blog!! She is very talented and this is a generous package, I must say. Check it out:

For a chance to win all this awesomeness, visit her blog and become a follower!

Random Dozen

It's time for another Random Dozen Wendesday  Thurday with Linda!

Click on the button for more random fun!

1. Gingerbread: For or against? Discuss.

For, but mainly in the photographic sense. Pictures of my kids decorating gingerbread men are priceless. Eating said gingerbread men, laden with all varieties of candy and sprinkles, is a different story.

2. Is it important to you to always stay (live) close to family?

Moving back to my hometown when I was ready to start having my own children was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Having family close by to help out has really made a difference, and I feel good knowing that my children had the opportunity to have a relationship with my grandparents.

3. Which holiday pretend character do you wish really existed?

Santa. Duh.

4. Which holiday movie best represents how you feel about Christmas or life?

This will sound corny no matter what movie I choose, so how about “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”? (the one with the Island of Misfit Toys). I really dig the message that everyone has special gifts and talents. I work with children with disabilities, so that theme is very important to me throughout the year.

5. Is there a particular Christmas song that you're enjoying now? Any that you're tired of?

I really dislike that one about the Shoes. It is completely sappy and makes me cry, even though I think it’s ridiculous. I recently pulled out my old Harry Connick Jr . Christmas album and enjoy that quite a bit.

6. What is your favorite way to remember those less fortunate at Christmastime?

Every year my kids and I have a discussion about kids who don’t have as much as them. A few weeks before Christmas we clean out their playroom and donate a lot to Goodwill or some other organization. If feels good to teach my kids about generosity, and it makes room for the new gifts they will be receiving! This year we gathered 4 large bags of donations.

7. Does it upset you to see "Xmas" instead of Christmas? How about "Happy Holidays" etc., instead of "Merry Christmas?"

It does not bother me morally to see it used as an abbreviation. However, if it is on clothing or decorations, I don’t like it. Last night I was looking for a few last-minute gifts and saw these cute baby bibs at Target, in the Dollar Spot. Upon closer inspection, they said “Merry Xmas”, so I put them back.

8. How many Christmas programs are you attending this month?

None! Yea!

9. Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? Any chance of that dream becoming a reality?

Snowing once over the kids’ Christmas break is ok with me, because I am off work and they enjoy it so much. Anytime after that, yuck! I hate driving in snow. We have had some flurries the past couple of weeks, but I haven’t heard of anything major on its way.

10. Tell me about a Christmas present you received as a child. Pics are always nice.

I think most of my childhood Christmas photos are with my maternal grandmother in Texas. But here are some gifts I especially remember:

Age 5- Strawberry Shortcake doll. I had chicken pox so our spots matched!
Age 10ish- keyboard
Age 17- coffee maker (no one else in the house drank coffee, so this was exciting to me!)

11. How many Christmas parties are you attending this month?

Work- 1
Extended family- 2
Cookie decorating party with friends- 1

12. How do you keep yourself centered on the significance of Christmas?

Christmas Eve church service always brings me back. The music, candlelight, and memories of my mother are very special to me.

I {heart} Faces: Pets Only!

Click on the button to enjoy a week of Pets Only!

Here is Luna, our cat. Not the best picture, but I love it because she was such a playful kitten. My youngest daughter would crawl under the table with her and play ball! 

She called it playing "two kitties". I say, too cute!

Sundays in My City: The Murals of Eric Henn

We are traveling the world together with the Unknown Mami.

Click on the button to follow our photographic journey!

I am joining you from Middletown, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

I am really enjoying this meme. It has encouranged me to seek out things I see everyday and really explore them. This week I am showing you the mural artwork of Eric Henn, an artist from my town. He has several large-scale murals here in Middletown, as well as in neighboring cities. The art in Middletown focuses largely on our history as a port on the Miami-Erie canal. Visit his website here to see more of his commercial work, including tanks, towers, zoos and aquariums all over the country.

Enjoy your week!

Writing Workshop: Fighting a Battle

This poem is inspired by a writing prompt at Mama’s Losin’ It. It is a reflection on living with a rare, chronic disease. Now that I read it, it seems really self-indulgent. I guess we all deserve a pity party now and then. Here's mine. For more information about Relapsing Polychondritis, please check out this article.






An army of One.


Fight the elusive disease


That may hit


With a surprise attack


Any day, any time.






An army of One.


Every day, make the choice.


Choose to be a wife, a mom.


Choose to be ME.


Not this disease.






An army of One.


Dizziness. Confusion.


Pain. Stiffness.


Ringing in my ears


Leads to madness.






An army of One.


Those that stand beside me


In battle cannot fight for me.


They watch. They worry.


They ask, How are you doing?






An army of One.


My body is the battlefield.


Each day I go to work, cook a meal,


Climb the stairs, tie my shoe


Is a victory.

I {heart} Faces: Sweet Dreams photo

This week's challenge at I ♥ Faces was to capture someone sleeping.

No problem there!

The hectic antics of an energetic four-year old are put into perspective

when I catch her napping. Sweet Dreams, Baby.

The editing was done at picnik.com, using their Holga camera function.