The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 31

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 31: Free day.  Whatever you like!

These are a bit old and I think I've shared them already before.  But I figured I'd end this month long challenge with the faces that not only inspired this blog but inspire just about everything I ever do!

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 30

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 30: Your spouse or significant other.
This is my husband and I at the boys Cub Scout dinner last month.  If you missed the posts back then please note we were dressed for the 80s theme, we don't usually look like this.  Although the 'Members Only' jacket he's sporting was found in HIS stuff in our house!!!

We'll celebrate our 8 year anniversary this September.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 29

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here.  

Day 29: Your Dream Vacation

As I mentioned in a previous challenge post, I really want to visit Ireland someday before I die. But my dream vacation....that would involve white sand beaches and crystal clear water.  It would mean laying around on the beach for hours and having someone bring me refreshing drinks with umbrellas. I would LOVE to go to Hawaii but I'm not even that picky, I could be a beach bum on any tropical beach and be VERY happy.

Photo credit: JimMunnelly from morguefile.com

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 28

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 28:  If someone gave you $1,000 to spend on YOURSELF, what would you buy?

Well, gee, if I HAD to spend it on myself, I'd first get myself a Coach purse.  I've wanted one forever and have a wallet that I got as a gift that I LOVE.  This would be something I wouldn't have to share with anyone!

And then I'd buy a toy I want, but I would share with the whole family....ah a glorious iPad 2.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 27

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 27: Your favorite meals or recipes.

Unless you're new here you probably already know I don't like to cook.  But CLEARLY I enjoy eating.  Some of my favorites are seafood, pastas and Mexican food.  I thoroughly enjoy eating out.  You know where they cook AND clean up for you!  It also means everyone gets something they like.  One of my many favorite restaurants is Olive Garden.  The only down side there is having to pick between so many good choices.  I usually get something from their limited time menu because they always look so good.  But if I'm really ready to splurge, I'll order this to fill the craving for a little of everything.

Tour of Italy

Homemade lasagna, lightly breaded chicken parmigiana and creamy fettuccine alfredo.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 26

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 26: The best gift you’ve ever received.

I think the BEST gifts I've ever gotten are my kids.  I truly LOVE being a mom. There are totally moments that make me crazy, of course, but overall there is NOTHING I'd rather do than be a mom.

Photo credit: jdurham from morguefile.com

But the best gift that was actually like wrapped up and given to me for an occasion was a diamond pendant, I got from my mom. Sadly, I can't remember for sure, but I THINK I was my 21st birthday.  It was the stone from my mom's engagement ring from my father.  After they got divorced she had it reset into a pendant and wore it for years.  When I was old enough that she thought  was responsible enough she had the setting redone (it had worn through from years of sliding around on a chain) and gave it to me for my birthday.  It was a gift which I loved for its beauty and what it was, materialistically.  But it was also a special gift because of all the symbolic meaning.  That stone was part of something that symbolized in a small way the beginning of my life and also my mom recognizing me as truly being an adult.  I am so beyond grateful that when our house was broken into several years ago that they somehow missed this necklace in my jewelry box.  It was definitely the single most valuable item in that box but somehow they must have over looked it because it was the only thing left behind.  Unfortunately, because of that, I've had it safely put away since then as I'm paranoid now.  So I don't have a photo. But just trust me it's really pretty!

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 25

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 25: Something you are looking forward to.
Right now I'm looking forward to spring.  We had a few days of what almost looked like spring here in IL last week and then it was cruely ripped away from us for this...

Not only did the evil white stuff start falling on Wednesday evening but it had the nerve to stick!!!  I am so ready to put the hats, gloves and boots away for GOOD for the season.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 24

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 24:Your favorite book or author.
I don't read much except for with and to the kids.  When I read for myself it's usually selfhelp or bible study type books.

Some of the most life changing books for me were read in some of my hardest times.  When I was in the midst of dealing with the addictions of my spouse and trying to learn how to cope with things I read some really great books.  One of my favorites was Courage to Change. It deals with how YOU are the only one who can give someone one the power to affect how you feel.  That if you chose to be happy, you can do so regardless of what anyone else in your life, no matter how close they are to you, is doing.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 23

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 23: How you came up with the name of your blog.

Well, Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy is for my 3 boys of course.  But it also represents the head shaking exasperated expression that their antics sometimes brings on.   

This past Sunday was a rainy yucky day.  I was trying to convince my older boys to help with with a vlog, but instead we ended up taking a ton of goofy photos in my Photobooth program.  It's fun to play with the warp settings.

Bryan

Timmy

Johnny

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 22

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 22: Your favorite holiday.
 I love a lot of holidays but considering I start planning for Christmas in the spring, I think it's safe to say its my most favorite!!  I love giving to those I love!  I love the sites and smells of Christmas.  Really the only thing I don't love about Christmas is that its usually pretty cold here for Christmas.  But I can't imagine having Christmas when it wasn't cold either.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 21

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 21: Something you love about yourself.

Eek, well I was gonna say my eyes. But I'm not loving the bags and dark circles that have popped up since I've hit my 30s.

Aside from that, I love my devotion to my family and living each day to its fullest.  I don't always have the cleanest house or the best kept appearance but I do try to do all I can with each day I'm given, creating as many memories as humanly possible.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 20

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 20: Your biggest insecurity.

I am always insecure about the way I look. I'm way over weight and I know this is something completely within my control.  However, I always find excuses not to do something about.  But my many chins, flabby arms and cottage cheese....everything, are always on my mind.  Someday I'll get busy on changing it. Hopefully before it's too late.


Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 19

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 19: A skill you’d like to learn.

I'd like to be able to knit.  My mom started to teach me VERY basic.  I made a ton of super simple scarves as something to keep my hands busy when I was strictly dieting many years ago.  I've totally forgotten what I've learned.  But I always see such gorgeous creations real knitters can make.  I'd love to be able to do that, partly because of the creations I could make but also as a way to feel connected to my mom.  She was ALWAYS working on a knitting project some sort!!

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 18

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 18: Something you are afraid of.

I am a worrier.  As such I have a lot of fears.  I don't like anything small that moves quickly, especially if it's inside my house. I don't care how cute this guy is in a photo, when he comes running out fro behind a piece of furniture it scares the bejeebs out of me.

And while I don't have a serious fear of them like one of my closests friends, I do NOT like snakes at all.  (Hope she doesn't read this post or I'll be in big trouble for including a photo!)

And I've always had a fear of heights/falling. I can't even really do ladders which often caused an issue in high school when I worked retail.

And then there are my fears related to my children.  Partially blame those darn magazine shows on tv. One time I watched one about a familiy who's car went off the road into a river.  They had like 4 or 5 kids and weren't able to unbuckle them all and keep them all with them.  They lost a child simply because they weren't physically able to save them.  So since having a second child I've had a fear of a situation like this where I as simply unable to save all my children.  Whether it be in the water or in a fire, its always a worry in the way back of my mind.

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 17

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 17:Are you named after anyone?

  Not so much a who, as a what.  Well, that sounds all kinds of wrong.  But I wasn't named after a person, but a song.  For my first name at least.  My middle name is a family name after my aunt and my great grandma.

If you're interested in hearing the song, here it is. 

My parents were undecided whether to go with Lisa or Julie until I was born!

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The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 16

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 16: Your least favorite chore.
I hate all chores. I'd much rather  be having fun!  But here are just a few that I hate.

not our actual house. but it does tend to get a little out of control every now and then

Join me and more bloggers at It's Gravy Baby to link up if you're taking part in this challenge.

The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 15

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 15: Something that bugs you.

Ok this is totally a two for one. I LOVED Full House. I still watch it in reruns so I just HAD to use this graphic to symbolize what bugs the crap out of me.  RUDE PEOPLE.  I don't know why I am ever surprised by it anymore but I am constantly taken back my how rude people can be.  It truly seems like it's getting worse every year.  And people are letting their kids be ruder younger and younger. 

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The 31 Day Photo Challenge, Day 14

Thanks to It's Gravy Baby, I am taking part in a 31 Day Photo Challenge in March.  Visit her blog if you'd like to participate too, do one day or all of them, it's up to you.  Check out all my Photo Challenge posts here. 

Day 14:One thing you want to do before you die.

Before I die I'd like to see my kids graduate high school, go to college hopefully (if they want) get married and have kids of their own!

But since that's really all up to THEM. 
One of the few things I really have on my 'bucket list' of things to do before I die is to visit Ireland and see where my father's family came from.  This is supposed to be (I haven't seen it so I can't say for sure that it is the right one) a photo of the castle of our ancestors.
























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