Aloha Friday

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
What is the longest/farthest road trip you have taken?

My husband & I had taken lots of road trips before we had kids.  We have taken a few with the kids, but many more before kids came into the picture.  The farthest trip we have taken was before we were married when we drove to Huston, TX.  We were planning on moving there because my husband was going to attend a college there.  We drove from Buffalo to Huston in August to check it out, find a place to live and find jobs.  That was a LONG drive.  On a side note, while we liked Huston, we decided on that trip that we were going to stay in Buffalo.  Sometimes I wonder what it would have been like to move there.  It was HOT & HUMID the week we were there....not necessarily a place to visit in August.  A far cry from Buffalo in January.

Oy Vey...I am in for a LONG ride with this little one in the car.... (these photos were taken in the car a few weeks ago while waiting for my friend).

Aloha & A Flashback

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Have you ever been to Disney World?

In 3 weeks from today were are going for our 3rd time.  I am sooo excited and can't wait.  It's going to be the kids 1st time going.  We booked it right after the new year.....time has flown by and I can not believe in 3 weeks and a few hours we will be getting in our car and driving.  Yep, we are driving instead of flying...wish me luck.  =)

The first time we went was on our honeymoon in July of 1998.  We did not stay on property.  At the time I worked for a Comfort Suites and we got an employee rate ($25.00 per night) at a Choice Property.  Couldn't beat that.  We bought a hopper pass (back then hoppers were good forever).  We had a great time.  Magic Kingdom was our favorite.

We did character dining a couple times.  The first one was at the Crystal Palace.

Way Back When-esday posts at Twinfatuation.

Aloha Friday #40

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Do you celebrate Valentine's Day?  If so, what are your plans?

Today is typically the day my husband and myself do something small to celebrate Valentine's Day.  You see, 14years ago today (Feb 11th) my husband asked me to marry him.  So ever since then we have beaten the crowds and celebrated Valentine's on the 11th instead of the 14th.  We usually just have a special lunch or dinner together.  Tonight my husband works until 7pm and my family seems to be fighting a cold, so it will be takeout dinner around the coffee table for the 2 of us tonight.  (Our kids go to bed early, Ian 8pm & Lily 7pm)  Sounds perfect to me.  :)

Aloha Friday #39

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
How was your 2010?

Mine was great!  Personally and professionally it was fantastic and I definitely can not complain.  I am definitely looking forward to a wonderful 2011.

Here is just a portion of the custom orders I created this holiday season.  Some are one of a kind, some were added to my shop this year after creating them and some will be definitely added next year.  (I do create ornaments all year round, so if there is something you would like for next Christmas please keep that in mind.)

A BIG thank you to all of my customers this year!  I am very grateful for all of you.

A few stats as of today:

I have had 605 sales in my etsy shop.
367 of those sales on etsy were from 2010!
My etsy shop has 1212 "Hearts".
My blog has 923 Blog Followers and 986 google reader subscribers and 123 e-mail subscribers.
There are 1077 Fans of Whimsical Creations on Facebook. 

Those numbers are just mind blowing to me.

Here's looking forward to a Fantastic 2011!  Have a safe New Year!!

Aloha Friday #38

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:

Have you ever eaten raw potatoes?

As a child I can remember my mother cutting potatoes in the kitchen and running in and asking if I could have a piece.  She would oblige, first by putting some salt on it for us.  When Jeff and I were dating he would do the same thing when I cut potatoes.  Turns out he did the same thing as a child growing up.  My children now do the same thing.  It makes me smile every time they run into the kitchen and ask me for some of the raw potato. 

Funny thing was, I thought most people had done this.  I mentioned it last year at scrap and spa that my kids LOVE raw potato....the weird looks I got from everyone was hilarious.  Evidently, my husband & I are strange.

Aloha Friday #37

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:How many bathrooms do you have in your home? 

I have one.  It did make it interesting when we had 5 extra people in my tiny home last weekend. 
Growing up we only had one, too.

Aloha Friday #36

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Have you ever been camping?

I went camping as a child when I was in girl scouts.  That was FOREVER ago.  OK, not forever...but sure seems like it.  We are going camping this weekend.  I am not sure where we are going to shove everything we need for the extended weather forecast.  There is a 40% chance of showers and it's only supposed to be 65 degrees for a high one of the days.  Brrrr!  I guess it could be worse.

On a brighter note, I have made enough fried chicken to feed an army and my camera lens is all fixed and waiting in my camera bag to take lots of photos.  =)

Wish me luck, I am going to need it. 

And because the weather they are predicting makes me think of fall, here is a new bow center I made the other day. (she is only about an inch tall and I made them for All Tied Up Bows.)  =D

Have a great weekend!

Aloha Friday #35

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Have you ever left your bank card in an ATM?

I had never done this...until yesterday.  What a terrible feeling to look into your wallet and notice your debit/credit card is missing.  Thankfully I knew exactly where it was....in the bank ATM I had driven through earlier in the day.  This morning they opened the machine and retrieved my card.  My husband had put a hold on the card though just in case someone took it.  The only bad thing about putting your card on hold like that is they ask you 101 questions in order to turn it back on.  Great for security, but bad for me because my husband filled out all of my info with his own info (I had no idea he had done this and he didn't know that there were separate login info that should have been done for both of us...we have had this account for FOREVER...you know before on-line banking).  So when I told them answers for myself, they were ALL wrong.  NIGHTMARE.  I finally got something right and they turned it on.

And because I need to look at something that makes me smile...

(taken at the Erie County Fair a couple weeks ago.)

Aloha Friday #34

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Seeing today is Friday the 13th....
Are you superstitious? 

I am not.  I remember as a kid thinking that Friday the 13th was something significant.  Not sure why.  Probably because other kids made such a big deal about it. 

On a completely different note:
I am trying to reach 500 fans on facebook.  The top 3 people who refer the most friends will receive a $5, $10 or $15 gift certificate to my shop (including custom orders).  Make sure you tell them to post who sent them.  =)


And in case you are superstitious....here is a lucky elephant. ;)  Hope you have a fantastic Friday!

Aloha Friday #33

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
How long have you been blogging?  Why did you start your blog?

My blog turned 2 years old July 18th.  I started this blog as a way for me to share my creations with customers, family and friends. I still remember contemplating starting one and wondering if anyone would read it and also wondering if my family would think I was being silly.  I am very glad I took the leap and created this blog.  It has turned into so much more over the last couple years.  Thank you to each and every one of you who have read my blog, supported my business & all of your wonderful supportive comments.  I have made some wonderful friends all over the world while blogging.  I have also been able to share my life with family & friends.  It also warms my heart when my husband comes home and says he showed people at work pictures of the kids on my blog.  {he looked at me funny when I told him I was going to start blogging}  It has been fun to look back over those years while creating my blog books.  {you can read more about the books, here.} 

Looking forward to many more years.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Aloha Friday #32

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Are you a bath or shower person?  Do you prefer to take them in the morning or evening?

I am a shower person and I prefer to take them in the morning first thing.  It seems to wake me up and I feel more productive after I take one in the morning.

Aloha Friday #31

It is Aloha Friday! In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that people take it easy and look forward to the weekend.

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
When do you think it is old enough to join facebook?

My son has been asking me lately to ask me to join.  He is going to be 9 on Sunday and is going into 4th grade.  Some of his friends from school are already on it.  I think he is too young and have told him no, not now. 

Aloha Friday #30

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:  Do you prefer Dry or Sweet wine?

I am not typically a wine drinker, but when I have a glass I prefer a sweeter wine.  I found some good ones when I went on that wine tour a couple weeks ago.  I can't wait to take Jeff to those wineries when the kids are at my mom's this summer.

Aloha Friday #29

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is: 
What is your favorite cheese?

I love all types of cheeses, but Cream Cheese is my favorite.  YUM!

Aloha Friday #28

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is: 
Have you ever had a bad experience at a restaurant?

The reason I asked is because my friend posted this about her experience last Friday night at a local restaurant called Tantalus Restaurant Bar & Cafe in  East Aurora, NY.

"HORRIBLE! I am so disappointed because I have been to Tantalus before and loved it each time. Tonight was by far, the worst experience I have EVER had in a restaurant. We invited some friends who had never been to Tantalus to join us for my birthday. We arrived at 7:00 to find a one hour wait for a table. No problem, we enjoyed a drink at the bar, although we did have to stay on the hostess so she didn't forget about us. We were seated at 8:00 pm and promptly ordered drinks and apps. We were eating our apps by 8:30 and had placed our dinner order a few minutes before the apps came. Then we waited, and waited, and waited. Around 9:15 the waitress, who had been over to apologize once already, brought us 2 bowls of "complementary soup" (there were 4 of us at the table) and again apologized for the wait. At 9:40, she came over again and promised to throw in desserts. At this point we started to express some dissatisfaction with our wait time. At 10pm, we decided that it was time to go, without our food because 1.) who wants to eat lobster and fettuccine at 10pm? and 2.) we both had babysitters who needed to get home (time is money, right?). When we requested the check for the food and drink we HAD consumed we were then greeted by the owner of the restaurant who came table-side and proceeded to yell at us and accuse us of trying to eat and run without paying. He insisted that we wait for the food to be boxed up, and that we pay for it. He told us that if we did not take the food or pay for it he would be contacting the authorities. He was rude, obnoxious and sarcastic. At no point did he try to apologize for our excessive wait time, nor did he offer us any kind of restitution. In fact he told me to stop talking to him or he was going to put the soups and desserts on our tab as well since he did not authorize that those were given to us. I will NEVER set foot into that establishment again under any circumstances. There is no food worth that headache."

My friend updated us on Facebook, Monday night...
"Just to let everyone know that I found out this morning that when my friend went to eat the food that she had ordered on Friday night and were forced to take home and pay for, her CHICKEN WAS COMPLETELY RAW! I just got off the phone with the Erie County Health Department and they told me that they have had some other complaints are they are planning a visit to Tantalus in the near future. A surprise visit."

I personally have never had an experience like that.  I probably would have told him to call the police.  I will not be going to that restaurant ever now because of what happened to my friend. 

Aloha Friday #27

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Do you watch Lost?  

I have watched it from the beginning and will be sad to see it end on Sunday.  I am looking forward to them tying up loose ends though.

Aloha Friday #26

Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your comment below and link in Kailani’s blog. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

This weeks question is:
Do you eat breakfast?

Once I became pregnant with my first child, I started eating breakfast every day.  Actually when my son was younger we all used to sit and eat breakfast together every morning.  My husband went to work @ 9:30am and didn't come home until after bedtime, so that was the one meal we ate together as a family.