When Cameras Required Film

I remember dropping off film to be processed.  The excitement of picking up your photos to see what actually developed.  I miss those days.  This was long before the days of 1 Hour Photo developing.  110 film. 35 mm film. Polaroid pictures came along a bit later for me.  Instant gratification these days robs my nieces and nephews of the joy of waiting.

Don't even get me started on flash cubes!

BlogHer '11 - I'm Going!

Guess who's going to BlogHer '11?!  I am!  I have been dreaming of going for some time now.  I'll be a first timer.  My husband knew how badly I wished to go and offered to pay my registration fees.  Truly sweet of him but I wanted to make my way there without him buying my way in.  I have been getting my feet wet again in the blogging arena since I had dropped the habit back in 2004.  I  couldn't quite justify the cost.  Especially since I have been a bit directionless.  OK not directionless - just headed off into EXCESSIVE directions!  I'm all over the place when it comes to blogging.  I can't find my niche.  Quite honestly, I don't want one.  I don't want to be wedged into any one place no matter how much I'm told it is a necessity.  Maybe I'll change my ways once I have a few sessions under my belt at BlogHer.  I'm stubborn though - so I doubt it.  It's bad, but I don't always care what "experts" think.  I do what makes me happy.

I looked into doing sponsored posts as a means of  raising funds to spend on my BlogHer registration.  I do work outside of the home and earn a decent living but I refused to spend our family resources on my blogging venture.  So far I'm proud to say that I've earned a pretty penny dabbling in  Sponsored Blog Posts.  Enough in fact to cover the cost of registration PLUS a couple of cute outfits!  It's been a gratifying experience earning money doing something that I enjoy.  Especially since I would be doing it ANYWAY.

I was thrilled when I was invited to participate in a contest sponsored by Naturalizer Shoes & MyBlogSpark (Blog Post: BlogHer '11: Cynthia The Super Hero?!).  The prize?  An entry to win a sponsorship for my attendance to BlogHer '11 and to share some great shoes with conference attendees!

I even attempted to volunteer a few months ago.  The volunteer positions were all filled.  Apparently they fill up quickly.   Recently BlogHer re-opened their call for volunteers.  Of course I had to find out all I could about that.  They were only looking for a few spots to fill.

Today I registered for the conference.  The cost?  $0.  Lesson learned:  Where there is a will, there is a way!

Hmm...now I've got to find a way to obtain a SmartPhone to use while at the convention!  My current phone is ultra low tech!  Do I have time before the conference to locate a sponsor for a SmartPhone and learn how to use one?!  That way I can leave my laptop at home.  If not, how about a sponsor for a stylish and comfortable laptop bag?!  Oooh....a clothing sponsor to help me with my BlogHer '11 "Look".  Maybe a company to offer new hair & make up?  I'm dreaming but like I said: Where there is a will, there is a way!

Wordless Wednesday

          

Link Up!

Roll Down Your Car Window!

Photo credit: USAToday

This morning my husband got into his car a bit before I did and I had to ask him something before he drove off.  I motioned for him to "roll down the window" as if there were a handle to do so.  You know, like the good old days pre-automatic style!  I laughed and joked with him about how silly my motioning would be to our nieces and nephews who have never in their lifetime "rolled" down a car window. Instead they push a button and the window lowers. Sigh...my niece is here with me and I worked my imaginary hand crank for a car window and asked her if she knew what my motioning looked like to her.  She looked at me puzzled!  When I explained to her she then lit up and said OH....like in grandma's car!  I found a picture online to show her.  Talk about a generation gap!

When People Wore Watches

Photo Credit: Ashlandpics

I remember when people wore watches.  It was a conversation starter.  You see someone that you might be interested in (or is interested in you) and your approach could start off with: "Excuse me, do you have the time"? That line can't be used now since everyone has a cell phone or other device that keeps time.  I'm sure that many watch wearers are older folks like me and do so out of habit. For others a fashion statement.  Today I'm going to observe how many people I encounter that still wear a watch.  I may throw them for a loop and ask for the time!

My all time favorite watch that I had ever owned was my Mickey Mouse watch.

Bubble Gum Memories

Photo credit: Croaker Inc.

Juicy Fruit Gum. I still have the smell memorized. In the 70's there was a commercial of people picking packs of Juicy Fruit Gum off of a tree as if it were actual fruit that had grown from that tree.   I was a very young girl at the time but I distinctly remember the commercial because I would HOPE & DREAM to have a tree like that!  I wanted a tree like that for my birthday for a couple of years!  I think I'll have to do a search on YouTube for the commercial!


Now don't even get me started on Fruit Stripe Gum! I can still taste it's yummy-ness! I used to keep the packaging and enjoy smelling it once the gum was all gone!

Photo credit: whateverhappenedtothat

As I entered middle school and into high school the "stick" type of gum switched to the HubbaBubba, BubbleYum and Bubbalicious types!

Photo credit: Hubba Bubba on facebook

I don't chew gum anymore since I have TMJ and my doctor and dentist discouraged banned gum chewing. But I still have happy memories of my gum chewing, bubble blowing days! I was oh so proud of myself when I first learned to blow a bubble!

And YES I have had gum stuck in my hair many times!!  Ever fall asleep with gum in your mouth? I think I was five or six when that happened!

Wordless Wednesday: When I Was A Kid...

Photo Credit: The Guardian

Link Up!

I Remember When...

...Watermelon had SEEDS!

Photo Credit: Google Images

Yes, this is ANOTHER "When I Was a Kid" Story.

My childhood memories of summer include family picnics/bbq at the beach or park.  Watermelon was naturally part of the menu.This post was prompted by the recent 4th Of July holiday.  We had watermelon and my son loves it.   It was pre-cut and seedless.  Oh how convenient. Boo for convenience. I like it better the old fashioned way cut in wedges and eating it down to the slightly salty rind.  I vividly remember spitting out the black slippery seeds to see how far they would fly!  Now kids eat seedless watermelon.  Well that takes the fun out of it.  Does anyone else in the world remember swallowing a seed accidentally and being told that a watermelon would start to grow in your tummy?