Technologically inadequate...

Today I had to run some errands. I needed to pick up some face wash, parchment paper, and a few other things so Wal-Mart was the store for me. After picking up my items, I went to the check out area...the self check out.

Now, I'm a fairly technologically literate person. I have electronics and use them on a regular basis. I have an understanding of how computers work and how to use technology for what I need. I'm writing this via a blog on gmail and I understand how to use this media. Between an iPhone, iPad, Mac Book Pro, and all of the other electronic devices I have learned how to use them for what I need to do. I teach "technological advancements" for goodness sake!

However, technologically literate or illiterate I feel, I was stumped by this self check out. I scanned a bunch of things and it told me to put the items in the bag. I did. "Please place the item in the bag" I DID! "Item not placed in bag." I did that!!! "Please remove item from bag until scanned." ARE YOU KIDDING!?!?! After some frustration, the cashier came to help. Then, I realized an item I scanned was more expensive than what I wanted to pay so I had to remove that. Yeah...right! She came back over and helped. Sigh! Time to pay.

"Insert cash or select payment method." What?! Where do I put the money? There are 30 different slots on that thing! Finally figured it out.

As I was leaving, I thanked the cashier for helping but couldn't help but think of people that aren't used to technology. I mean, even most technology was new to me when growing up and the current generation can maneuver almost any device, but what about people that don't? It must feel very frustrating and embarrassing. I know how I felt and that was just a self checkout at Wal-Mart.

Are there classes or sessions that people could attend to be a bit more informed in technological advancements? Maybe then, creeps wouldn't want to take advantage of such nice, innocent people.

Just a thought...

Dirty 30

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone that wished me a happy birthday yesterday. I know it may not be a big thing for you to write on my wall or send a text but it is truly appreciated and makes me feel very special. So thank you again for such wonderful well wishes on my 30th.

Second, although I called you all names, thank you to those that came to my surprise party last night. You fooled me big time! I had no clue what-so-ever and that's shocking in and of itself. I usually have no problem figuring things out. And I can really say, you shocked me. Thank you all so much for taking time to share with me on my special birthday.

Now for a few more personal thank you's...

Noah- Thank you more than you could ever know for treating me to such a wonderful party. I am not sure how you pulled it off but you did a wonderful job and I was totally surprised. I love you so much and look forward to every day I have to grow old with you.

Mom and Dad- You little sneaky ones! You knew about this the whole time and never even made a slip?! I love you guys so much for all you do for me and continue to do even now that you don't have to. Thank you so much for everything. You were such a huge help to Noah during this process and we are both so thankful for you both! Love you!

Shey and Jimmy- You are also little sneaky ones! Thank you for making the drive for such a short period of time. I love you guys and am so glad I got to see you. Thank you for all you did and thank you for my amazing gift. It was awesome!

Pop and Nev- Thank you for hosting. I know you were busy this weekend and could have easily not had people at your home, but I'm so glad you did. It was so much fun to see everyone and hang out. Thank you again for doing so much. Love you both!

Cyndi, Jan, Richard, Kimi, David, Jeanne, Josh, and the Georgia clan- Thank you all so much for giving me 2 days to party and have great potato salad. ;-) It was so nice to be able to share my birthday with people that I never get to see. And meeting Lacy and Landon was super cool too. Britty- watch out for that little lady. She knows EXACTLY what she wants. Thank ya'll so much. I love you guys!

Aunt Debbie, Uncle Linc, Uncle Barry, Scotty- It's a hike for you guys to travel up here for a few hours and then head home again. I'm so glad to see you whenever I can and when it's down here, it's even more amazing. You are like an extra piece of home and it's nice to have that in Chester County. Thank you again for making the trip. It was so nice to see you.

Stacey, Elise, Greyson, Jess and Rob- It's rare to find such friends in a work place, especially teaching. We are always going and rarely have time to really get to know anyone else, except for students and their parents. However, I have been really lucky. To find great friends at East in the Counseling department, just to be moved to STEM and find great friends there too... It's awesome. Thank you all so much for coming and hanging out for my birthday. It was so great to see you outside of the Downingtown walls. (and good one Stace- "I hope your boys take good care of you today"- They did!)

Sarah, Keith, and Ethan- I cannot believe you came all the way out...well actually I can but still. Thank you so much for doing that. I love you three so much and I'm so glad that we still see each other- even if it takes us a while to do it. Thank you for coming. I miss you guys so much!

Heather, Little, Evie, Amy, Cory, Grif- You guys are my little college family that remind me of days when I could actually hang...now not so much. But that hasn't stopped you from hanging out. Thank you all for coming. Heather, you can keep a secret girl. Damn! Little- you just kept pushing drinks and I love you for it. Evie- you will always be my link to the "fun" pre baby days...and my personal trainer. Amy- I was shocked to see you and so thankful you came. I miss you girlie! Cory- it was so nice to meet you more formally, even if I don't remember much of it...hehe. Grif- you are one of the sweetest dudes I know and I'm so glad you are part of our family. Thank you for all you do!

Brad, Johanna, and Tyler- You guys have become very dear to our hearts and I am so glad that we live right across the street from such wonderful people. Thank you for so many things but most importantly thank you for your friendship. I'm so glad we started yelling across that street. Even if it tooks us 4 years to do it! Love you guys!

If I missed anyone- I am truly sorry. I had such a great time with you all yesterday and I'm sad to see my birthday go but I'm very excited about the next chapter. Thank you all for being a part of it!

Up today: THE SUMMER OF GEORGE!

Make a plan day...or? (t-hours)

In the last few hours of my 20's, I have encountered a dilemma. Not something like "omg! I'm 30!" or "I'm so old". (and no I would never actually say the term "omg" in my late 20's...EH!) I don't really feel like I'm getting old or my "fun years" are over. I feel like my 30's will be amazing with so many fun things happening in my life. I'm actually looking forward to the next chapter.

However, my dilemma... today I am supposed to come up with goals for the next chapter of my life. This doesn't sound difficult...it is. But that's still not my dilemma. My situation is this.

I wonder if I should even plan...

See, I'm a planner. I constantly have to have a project. I have to have something to occupy my brain even when my brain should be resting. I enjoy having a busy day with a to-do list. I love post-its. I have multiple apps that help me organize my day. I have a paper book planner to keep my stuff hard copy, just in case my phone doesn't get the job done. Sure, I enjoy a day off here and there but generally, I like to have a plan and something to keep my busy and moving.

Although I like to plan, should I really lock myself into what I want to do in the next chapter of my life or should I just live it? By lock myself in, I mean, why plan something that could change because that's what life does...it just happens. So do I bother planning or just live it?

Up tomorrow: BIG BIRTHDAY! :-)

Dutch Wonderland Day (t-2)

Today was originally set to be "learn a new language" day. Honestly, I'm all up for doing this, however, I haven't found a program that has worked yet. I've heard that Rosetta Stone is fabulous...well for 500 buckaroos... it better be. So today was changed.

Instead we went to Dutch Wonderland. I cannot believe we've never been there before. I mean, Noah's been there- when he was a kid. I had never been there- not even as a child. How much fun is that place?

Ayden had a blast and we were able to let him ride some things on his own. (tiny tear for my baby boy who isn't so much of a baby anymore) Other things, we rode together as a family or just one of us and Ayden.

On top of that, everyone in the park was so nice. All the workers were very helpful and very kind. Not to mention that everyone in the park has kids, so they can commiserate when your son hasn't had a nap and wants to be on the ride RIGHT NOW! Either way, so much fun and I highly recommend it. Check out our pics!

Up tomorrow: Set goals for the next 30 :-)

Yay for Dutch Wonderland Day!

Monster Trucks!!!

These crazy people jump from the top of that thing!

Love this pic!

Even Ayden thinks these guys are nuts!

There's a frog jumping!

Bulldozers!

WEEEEEEE!

"Guys, I don't think you know how tired I am"

Hi Ty!

Hi Daddy!

And on the carousel again...

Turtle Whirl...AH VOM!

Choo Choo!

What do you mean I can't jump off?

Not even 5 minutes into the ride home...

HERSHEY SPA DAY!!!

First, I apologize for not posting last night but I didn't get home until late and crashed immediately! Relaxation is exhausting. ;-P

View from parking at dinner- people riding the Great Bear

Awesome sunset at dinner

The Hershey Spa is AMAZING. First Heather and I got to the spa and checked in. They give you a locker, robe, and sandals to use. After that, there is a tour around the three quiet rooms. The first one is down by the locker room and is scented in "island breeze". Then there is a silent room- you aren't allowed to talk at all in that room so Heather and I avoided it entirely. The "quiet room" was the best. It looks like an old study or library and has all kinds of drinks and food. The best part- the balcony. Granted, we probably liked it best because of the gorgeous weather.

Not even half of the 1 locker room

Staircase to the other quiet rooms and spa facilities

view from staircase- over the manor

still in the staircase

From the balcony- my stupid iphone camera does not do this justice

We waited for a while just catching up and then I was called back for my "hydrotherapy". I really didn't know what to expect with this because even the description on the website was vague. So it turns out, it's a giant bathtub. And when I say giant...I mean...GIANT. The tub is in the middle of the room and is filled to the brim with water and chocolate scented bubbles. Then they turn on the jets and you sit there for 20 minutes. While you're there, there is water at your disposal, as many chocolate kisses as you could eat, and a cold wash cloth soaked in chocolate essential oils. Oh yeah... When you get out, your skin is super soft.

Then Heather went and I chilled on the balcony, eating more chocolate muffins and drinking Hershey's hot chocolate.

Then it's time for lunch. There is a restaurant in the spa called "The Oasis". It's entirely buffet and you can eat as much as you want. They obviously try to make it lighter food because you wants to go for a massage after eating their weight in all the food downstairs. But I did. I ate tons of food and desserts. To be honest, we had some wait time before our massages so I was able to eat and then feel comfortable before my massage. Great food and we were able to again be outside on the patio. Awesome weather!

Then it's time for your massage. Let's just say, that money was WELL spent. I LOVE getting massages and wish I could do it more frequently but not having one in over 2 years made this one even better than I remember.

Then it's off to your facial. I had never had a facial like this before. I was in there for almost an hour with her putting lotions and potions all over my face and arms. I have to say, although I'm a massage girl, I didn't mind the facial AT ALL! :-) Plus the girl giving me the facial has the same birthday as me, so that was cool.

Only a portion of the hotel- just a PORTION!

View from the parking lot over Hershey Park

After that, the day is technically done but not for me and Heather! We went back to the locker room and wanted to get ready for dinner. Took nice long showers and went out to Houlihan's in Hershey for some Ahi Tuna Wontons and their signature Chocolate Martini. Yep. This was an AWESOME FREAKING DAY!

Just the dessert at Houlihan's- Serious Brownie Sundae- they weren't kidding!

 PS. I hate that I don't have a picture of Heather and me at the spa. You didn't want to see us in those robes though! ;-)

Up today: Dutch Wonderland with Ayden and Noah! YAY! 

Make a dress day (t-4)

I have never been a seamstress. I am not GREAT at making things. Oh, I have great ideas and details but I have a difficult time putting them all today.

So today was not going to be an easy task.

I wanted to create a dress. Of course, I had ideas of what I wanted to create but I also have no patterns or guidelines to go off of. This also gave me a hard time when it came to design ideas. Too many ideas. :-)

So I decided to make my own pattern and go from there. Check out my results... Not couture but comfortable.

Stretchy fabric is the hardest to work with...

I realize I need a black belt now... :-)

 Up tomorrow: HERSHEY SPA DAY WITH HEATHER!!! YAY!!!!

Find your roots Day (t-5)

I think it's common for people to reflect on their lives, especially when doing something like I'm doing or coming up on a momentous occasion. I've always wondered where we came from...my family that is. I know the Heckman side because we have a book that goes all the way back to Germany in the 1500's. That is hugely helpful but I wanted to know about my mom's side as well.

So this morning, I logged on to Ancestry.com to try a 2-week trial. I figured it was all a ploy to get you to stay for 2 weeks and then they would charge you and finally get you some information about your ancestry. Man was I wrong!

They aren't kidding in the commercials. As soon as I put in my name, one of those little leaf thingys came up and gave me information about my parents and everything. Public record of my birth and all. Now that wasn't exactly what I was looking for. I want the stuff from WAY back.

So I put in my parents and grandparents. Luckily they are all still living and I was able to get birthdates as well as their parents names. That really got things going. And before I knew it, I had spent literally all day on the website just adding information.

I was able to get records all the way back to the late 1600's from Germany on my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents...yep that 10 greats. I don't even know if that's how one would write that but hey, it's there. And I can keep that going.

All of those little leafy things are possible connections and records to give me more information (mostly census, immigration, and registration) on my ancestors. Such a cool site!

However, I do want to cancel this once I have all the names/dates. Does anyone know of a neat and orderly way to record this information to make family trees eventually? I have no idea where to begin- don't think there is a book big enough. HELP!

Up tomorrow: Make a dress...no pattern or template...oh my!

Get a strike! (t-6)

I have been bowling before and yes, I'm very competitive. I am that person that will get irate over the ball not going the way I want it to go. Even though, I don't bowl on even an amateur level. So why get so mad? I can only answer as I am Monica Gellar...

From Friends? Yes. I am her! Crazy OCD, competitive, loud Monica. I admit it!

Either way, one thing I've never been able to do is get a strike in actual bowling. I'm not counting the Wii. So today was the day.

We went to Hagerstown... a place called Seven Ten. It's a "classy" place as my sister said. She wasn't kidding. Compared to good ole Nellie Fox, this place was the Bentley of bowling alleys. Very nice.

I pick out my ball and my shoes and off I go. After setting everyone up in alphabetical order, I was ready. Game face on!

I put my fingers in those awful tiny holes in the ball and focus on my throw. Dad gave me a strategy before leaving so that was the plan. I set it all up. Move my feet. And throw the ball.

Down the lane is goes, for what seems like an eternity and BAM! FIRST THROW! Nope! NINE FREAKING PINS! ARE YOU KIDDING!?

First try...

Shey's up.

Yay Momma!

And the pro-bowler...

With a VERY close trail...

Ayden was coaching everyone.

And a cute coach he is!

C'mon Shey Shey!

It's okay Scotty! Daddy's just really good at bowling.

Ok, I have a new tattoo reminding me to let it go so I took in it stride and proceeded to play the game with Shey, Mom, Noah and Scott. And my turn again...nope.

Let's just say, we got through almost two games and it hadn't happened. Everyone else had gotten at least one strike...but me. EVERYONE!

Yep...first strike of the game.

My last shot. It's make it or break it because Ayden's tired and frankly, I didn't want to buy more games. I have to get this.

My lucky charm

ooooooooooooo!

I wind back... line up... and off it goes. *whispering a little prayer* and...

BAM! I GOT IT!!!!!

YAY BABY!

STRIKE!

Didn't break 100 but who cares!? I GOT A STRIKE!

Up tomorrow: Find your roots...ancestry day.

We survived... (t-6)

You would not believe how easy it is to plant seeds in my head. Thanks mom and dad...

We didn't get mauled by a bear. Or chewed up by a coyote. Or sprayed by a skunk (that was close though). Camping actually turned out pretty great.

Noah was amazing. He set up the tent and got the fire started with my dad. We had everything in the tent before Ayden and I even made it outside. Sitting around the fire for a little, I knew we would need a pacifier for the little guy so I headed in. On my return, I smelled skunk...very close skunk.

So Ayden and I got in the tent with Mac, followed by Noah after he adjusted the fire. Needless to say, the fire was a great deterrent- both for skunks and for Ayden to sleep. He kept crawling on Noah and Mac- even threw Mac's ball in the 2-person tent. Yeah that was fun!

After a little while, Ayden realized that we were all sleeping or dozing off so he laid down and out he went. Noah and I slept fairly well but we had to keep checking on Mac. When he heard a sound or caught a whiff of something that he wasn't sure of, he would jump up. We didn't want him to wake Ayden up and we wanted to check on things. He's such a good little watch dog.

I think I got the best sleep after sunrise- after the roosters calmed down. :-) And yes, I would totally go camping with these boys again. Love them.

Helping daddy

Yep, put my pillow right there!

Both foremen... :-)

Just checking on things

With pappy, maintaining the fire

Dad's anti-gravity chair

 

so fidgety

see...

and yet again

George was in the picture but no Mac Dawg

Now with Mac...LOVE Ayden's face in this one!

Up later today: Get a strike! I will get a strike in bowling if it's the last thing I do!