Northeast Ohio Bucket List of Family Friendly Events | Nov 20 - 26, 2014

There is no denying it - winter is here!

The dread of it coming is finally over and now we can get on to the business of living in winter.

Despite the snow, the hubs and I celebrated our birthdays with a bar crawl through our city and by the end I was not feeling the cold.

We are very lucky and I am looking forward to all the winter events

Featured Events 

Sage Advice Found in a Bathroom Stall

Today's post comes straight from the the toilet...

Sage words (while i pee) #shinnybday

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2014 at 6:29pm PST

Funny thing is, I had this on a note-card many years ago.

Instagram Again Saturday - My View of CLE

I love Cleveland, the view from my office, and even the drastic weather changes.

Cheers to the CLE!

Instagram from last year -

Lake effect in CLE

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2013 at 6:40am PST

Instagram from this week -

Yes, Icebox Overnight Oats Oatmeal is Possible

It is all over pinterest and even HuffPost - cold oats in a peanut-butter jar, but does it work?

And, why am I jumping on this post your oats bandwagon? Because it is NaBloPoMo and I needed to write about something tonight, before midnight, so I can count today.

This is what's going on in the fridge tonight - ice box oatmeal. I wonder if this will really work... #breakfast #instafood #instamood

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:06pm PST

Who Says 'I'm Sorry' by Text? 5 Quotes About Apologizing

In a world where #SorryNotSorry is a thing and texting has replaced most forms of communication - when is it okay to text an apology?

You may say never, but I wonder if it could not be considered an icebreaker of sorts for someone who struggles with their emotions.

Of course, that does not mean that the intended apology translates well to the person on the receiving end. I can't help but think that I would feel cheated if the person doing the apologizing misses the hurt they inflicted because they could not do it in person. The follow-up, phone call or in person, is so very important.

I think apologizing takes a bravery that can only be found in the very depth of your soul, where love lives. But, these 5 authors say it so much better than I do.

5 Quotes About Apologizing 

Holiday Lighting Events for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio in 2014

Snow?!!?

I thought I saw a few flakes over the weekend, but thankfully it did not! 

This prediction of snow for the weekend has got me thinking of the holidays and the community lighting ceremonies! I was actually going to do this with my bucket list this week but that would have made for a ridiculously long post so be sure to check out the list of events for this week, too.

There are three that the kids go to every year and one we plan on attending for the first year. I created a very special calendar dedicated to communities with holiday kick-off.

The ones I am highlighting are only a few in and around Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. They are also ones that I have been to and know that they are worth going to except for Crocker Park, but I've been to enough of their events to know that it will be spectacular. They don't do anything half-way.

Feel free to suggest ones I missed and I will add it.

Our Holiday Lighting Favorites in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio (and why we love them)

Northeast Ohio Bucket List of Family Friendly Events | Nov 13 - 19, 2014

We spent this past Sunday at the Art Museum for Second Sundays. I love this event and could not have asked for a nicer day! Exploring the museum, creating art, and enjoying the day. It is always a brilliant day.

And, can I just say - the teen volunteers are fantastic! Helpful, sweet, and ready to help the kids with crafts and in the children's room. I know RD very much appreciated her new friend not only for playing with her but for helping her to find her lost Hello Kitty toy.

RD making new friends with the awesome teen volunteers at #CMASunday #familyfunday #PlayatCMA #humansofcleveland #clevelandgram

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:52pm PST

The weather really was incredibly gorgeous so we stopped at the Irish Cultural Garden which is one of the many cultural gardens located on MLK Blvd and ran around for a bit. It may have ended in tears when one pushed the other but, eh, that's kids.

Letting off steam before going home. #instakids #fall #love

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:59pm PST

Featured Events 

It's #HintingSeason! @BestBuy Has Entertainment Covered with LG OLED #sponsored

 

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions are my own.

We are a movie watching family. 

Well, let's be honest, we are a TV watching family and nothing brings us together faster (and with lots of snuggles) then something good to watch. Of course, a TV with an amazing picture and looks cool would probably have us glued together on the sofa forever.

When I first saw the commercial for LD OLED, I knew this would be on our Christmas wish list. The brilliant design of LG OLED TV is only 0.21" thick at its thinnest point - that's pencil thin!

The picture quality of this TV should be impressive, with Infinite Contrast that ranges from the whitest whites to the deepest blacks. Plus, it features LG's exclusive 4 Color Pixel technology to deliver bright, vibrant colors. Did I mention that this TV is curved? Talk about feeling like you are in the movies!

The breakdown on LED OLED TV:

A List of 40 Things to Do Before Turning 45

Today, I turn 40.

Yep, the big 4-0!

This year has been challenging with some stress, a loss, a bit of anger and forgiveness, but also some really wonderful, beautiful things.

I am really okay with this whole forty thing. How can I not? I don't have the stresses of youth and the challenges of middle age come with a partner. Plus, I have kids and neither are in diapers so all in all I'd say life is really pretty okay. Not perfect, not great, but very, very - okay. I'm fine with that today.

This year will be better and I am looking forward to New Years. Challenges, changes, and all the other bits that make life interesting.

It's me! Out on a Friday with good hair #latergram #noway

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Oct 10, 2014 at 4:05pm PDT

I did not finish my list of things before I turn 40. I did 25, which is is a little more than half so there's that.

I'm going to try again. Yes, again, I am going to try and give myself a few more years.

39 40 THINGS TO DO (IN THE YEAR) BEFORE I TURN 40 45

Instagram Again Saturday - Starbucks with Kids

I spent my twenties contemplating life in smoky coffee shops and I even worked at an Arabica for a week or two.

Now, I take the kids, to a smokeless Starbucks and contemplate things like - which pony is prettiest and finding minecraft villages.

I would not trade it for the world.

Instagram from last year -

Coffee date

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Nov 11, 2013 at 7:23am PST

Instagram from this week -

5 Quotes About Wine That Will Help You Live a Better Life

Wine is best when shared and since I am unable to share a bottle with all of you here are some quotes I found to share with you.

5 Quotes About Wine That Will Help You Live a Better Life

Why #Uncorked Ventures is an Adventure in Wine Clubs #sponsored

There a dozen wine clubs out there but when you make it to a Forbes list I would say you have something going on. Uncorked Ventures is on a list and I was recently sent a shipment to facilitate this review. I have not received any other compensation and views are all my own.

Wine delivered to your home! Such a great idea especially when one enjoys wine but doesn't have the time, patiences, or resources to really search for something new. 

The difference to joining Uncorked wine club is that they focus on California, Washington and Oregon wines, mainly from hard-to-find smaller wineries with limited distribution. These are wines I would never have discovered but is available at my door monthly.

Northeast Ohio Bucket List of Family Friendly Events | November 6 - 12, 2014

Fall or Winter?

I never know what to call this time of year. Technically, winter begins December 21, but that seems like mid-winter to me. Since I love fall, I am going to continue to go with the fall bucket list until the first snow fall in Northeast Ohio - which could be any minute.

Our Fall Favorites for this Week

I only have one this week, what can I say - It's my birthday and this is where we will be...

Looking Back on Fall in Northeast Ohio

Autumn is coming to a close and with it all the fun fall activities!

I feel like we did a lot more outside last fall than this but we certainly did a lot and I wanted to take a moment and share our memories.

Looking Back on Fall in Northeast Ohio

Halloweekends at Cedar Point pretty muched kicked off the season for us.

Halloweekends #bloggingatcp

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Sep 9, 2014 at 12:15pm PDT

The Ultimate House Cleaning Playlist

Happy Housewife Day!

No, I am not a housewife.

In fact, when I mentioned to the husband that today is Housewife Day he responded with, "That's something you don't have to worry about."

I wish I could be a stay at home mom - but it's just not in the cards,

So while I am not a housewife and cleaning is something I only seem to do when company is coming, I do have a pretty great playlist for house cleaning which I made into a YouTube playlist to share with anyone who wants to join me in rockin' while cleaning.

Ultimate Cleaning Playlist on YouTube

Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass

or 17 secs of my daughter lipsyncing it.

5 Favorites from Last Year's NaBloPoMo

It is November and that means National Blog Post Month! A post a day, everyday in November.

I did this last year and succeeded, the first time since in the three years I tried. You would think it would be easy to come up with thirty posts in thirty days and actually write them but it is not always that easy for me. I am going to try again.

Looking back on last year's posts I came up with my five favorite to share. 

Sorry Kid, You are Not Special.

The one I let know my kids are special to me but not to everyone else.

Instagram Again Saturday Take 8 - Halloween

Halloween! My second favorite holiday! Any guesses on my most favorite?

Instagram from last year -

The Doctor and his new companion #doctorwho

A photo posted by Mary Johnson (@mryjhnsn) on Oct 10, 2013 at 4:50pm PDT

Instagram from this Halloween... okay, not really. Would you believe it - no instagram this year of the kids in their costumes! So, here is one from last week when they got their pictures take with Captain America!

I Have a Voice for Blogging

Source  /  By Alejandro Escamilla

"You have a face for radio."

I think about that sometimes when I am blogging.

I write to be creative and because I was not as good as I needed to be at drawing and photography.  Goodness knows I can't sing to save my life

I tried.

My talent was in commercial art but before Photoshop.  I am positive if Photoshop was a class when I was in high-school, I would have gone down a whole other career path.

I was told that I write like I speak.  I disagree but only by a little.  I am nicer when I write than in person.  I think my voice as a writer is thoughtful but I do tend to rush a bit.  In real life I tend to say the wrong things but with the right intention.  I guess I do write like I speak.

My Monday Top 5 - About Me

I really don't think I am an interesting person.  I suppose that is not true since I blog but that could be perpetuating my illusion that I am interesting when in fact, I'm not.  The point is I try and really, that is all we can do - try to be interesting.

My Top 5 Interesting Things About Me

1. I have 11 posts dedicated to coffee.  There will probably be more.

2. I can draw, not well but I can.

3. I can sing off key better then anyone I know.

4. I have fantastic hair.

5. I have been featured on BlogHer twice and on Mama Kat's World Famous Writers Workshop twice.  I am hoping to break this tie.

What are your top 5 interesting things about you?

#NaBloMoPo in 6 Words