We've Moved!

Finally! The new blog is up and running.  If you get the chance, please hop over to...

http://blueskiesandmudpuddles.com

Don't forget to leave us a note! We love to hear from you!

Updates on Changes...

(c) 2016 Jack McCallum

All I can say is "Ugh!" You would think it would be a simple process to make changes to this blog, but apparently there is a world of complications involved.  It looks the projected April 4th launch date of the new blog is going to have to be pushed back.  On the bright side, it looks like it may only be pushed back a few days but I'm actually going to push it back a week - just in case.

You know how it is... Best of intentions and all, but I don't want to say the new blog will launch in a few days and find out there are more problems.  So, I'm giving it another week.

Check back on Monday, April 11, 2016 and I will have extra bonus stuff to make up for the additional wait.  See you soon!

Big Changes Are Coming...

My apologies for being absent from the Blogosphere but there are big changes happening, and one of the places those changes are happening is this blog.  I'm super excited to reveal all, but for now I'm concentrating on getting everything ready for launch.

My projected "live" date for the new Blue Skies and Mud Puddles blog is April 4, 2016, but it is dependent on a few tweaks that need to take place.  But if all goes well, this blog will launch with a new look, new posts, and some new features that will make things easier to share.

See you soon!

Blogmas Fail... Already?!:!

Can you believe it? I've already failed at Blogmas!  As you've probably noticed, I didn't blog on Friday or Saturday.  Yep, no blogging.  I do have a good reason, though.  The Fam and I had to make a quick trip to the other side of the state to help out my aunt. 

We're back, though, and I plan on picking back up where I left off on Blogmas.  I just wanted to post this quick note to let all of you folks know I haven't forgotten you nor have I slipped back into old habits.

See you soon!

Blogmas!

I know... I know... So much for my determination to be more current on my blogging.  Life has a way of kicking my best laid plans in the gut.  But no fear!  I have another plan.

YouTube vloggers have what is known as Vlogmas.  Vlogmas is where YouTubers vlog every day from Thanksgiving to Christmas.  I'm not a vlogger, but I am a blogger.  My plan is to take Vlogmas and turn into Blogmas.

So, every day from Thanksgiving to Christmas I am going to post a blog.  I recognize I've made the promise to kick up my blogging but I'm determined to do it this time.  I've even made myself a little calendar and planned out several fun blog posts.

See you on Thanksgiving!

BlogHer Conference Prepping

Everyone knows that when you go to a conference, you should bring your business cards.  Right? A conference for bloggers is no exception to the rule.  The only problem is I didn't have business cards.  Well, I had business cards for myself but since Mum and Dawn are attending... I felt it only right they should be packing cards as well. 

Since blogs tap into the creative part of life... mixing thoughts, writing skills, and artistic qualities that set your blog apart from the rest, I thought a little creativity was in order for our business cards.  I wanted them to still look and serve the purpose of a business card, but show a little gumption.  This is what I came up with...

 

This is the front of mine....

 

This is the back.

 

This is the front of Dawn's business card...

 

This is the back.

 

This is the front of Mum's business card...

 

This is the back.

Tell me... What do you think? Do you think it will serve the purpose it was intended? Do you believe it is creative enough?  I have my fingers cross that you agree 'cause they're already at the printers!

Happy Wednesday!

The New Year Brings More Activity...

My hiatus from blogging has ended.  I would like to report that I spent the time kicking back, enjoying the cold temperatures and brief fit of snow, reading book after book, and snacking on holiday sweets and treats, but that definitely wasn't the case.  Nope.  I spent my time working, scrambling to prepare for the next project, and fighting bronchitis.  But I am back now and ready to dive back into the blogosphere.

I feel the need to recap what has happened and is going to happen, but I have decided against it.  Instead, I will focus forward instead of backward, and I will resume my postings on photography, cooking, genealogy, life, and much more. But please know what has happened has been good (even the case of bronchitis didn't last as long as it could have lasted).  Booming businesses, lots of teaching opportunities, and plenty of projects to keep me beyond busy (and may have contributed to my hiatus lasting longer than expected).  But now on to even more fun, laughter, and adventures!

Welcome 2014!

Blogging

I don't have to tell all of you how remise I've been at blogging lately.  Normally I'm not like this, but the whirl-wind of business that engulfed me for the last 6 months has really put a damper on my blogging time and plans.  That's about to change.

Next month I'm heading to a blogging conference, BlogHer Pro.  I have to say, I'm very excited about it.  I have no idea what to expect as this will be the first blogging conference I have ever attended.  However, my ticket is bought, my room at the Sofitel is booked, and my freshly minted blog biz cards are on the way... I think I'm set.  One of the main reasons why I'm attending this blogging conference is becasue I want to revamp this blog and turn it into something bigger and better than it already is but I'm a bit stuck in how to do just that.  I have the plans, but I need direction on how to incorporate those plans.  Plus, I really like the idea of connecting with other bloggers out there... Sharing ideas, resources, and support.  Hence, the conference. 

 

So, I appreciate your patience when visiting this blog.  I know how frustrating it must be to log on and not see anything new for weeks, but changes are in the air.  The ideas are on paper and the laptop is itching to get started.

BlogHer Bound...

Looks like I'm heading to BlogHer Pro '13 in Redwood City, California.  I registered yesterday and booked my hotel stay at the same time.  So, while I'll be spending two days learning, meeting fabulous bloggers, and soaking in as many details as possible - Mum and Dawn will be lounging pool side.  It's definitely a hard knock life for those two.

Will be sharing more soon...

A Blogging Conference...

Hey, Everyone... I have exciting news. I'm in the process of planning a blogging conference. Yep. You read correctly. A blogging conference.

I want this blogging conference to be different from all the others out there, so I'm turning to you for help. Here are some questions I need answers to...

• What is it about a blogging conference that would make you want to attend?
• Who would you like to see as a speaker?
• What topics do you believe we should cover?

If you could share you ideas... Provide me with a little guidance - it would be super appreciated! And, if you are interested in participating in the planning... Let me know because I can certainly use the help!

It Begins July 1...

I posting this quick note to let everyone know that I'm taking a break from blogging.  I know... I know... I've apparently been taking a break for a while now.  I will be back on July 1, but I have been spending this month trying to get a load of things off my plate.

I am making slow progress, but I should be ready to jump back into the blogosphere on July 1.  Until then... Enjoy the start of summer!

Still Alive and Kicking...

My apologies for my absence.  I've been distracted by travels and work.  However, I wanted to post this quick message to let you know I'm still alive and kicking... Just trying to play catch up on everything.  I promise to post more on Monday, but I need to get cracking on processing all the photographs I plan on sharing with you.

Until then... Happy Thursdsay!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?

You know that old saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder?"  Well, hopefully that is the case with this blog.  Sorry for being obviously absent for well over a week.  It's been incredibly busy on this end and squeezing out the time to blog a little has been more challenging than I thought it would be for me.  Just know that while I was gone, you were not forgotten.

Now that I'm back, I plan on playing catch up - filling you in on the latest, sharing some fabulous recipes, and posting a fun photos from some adventures (and misadventures) I've had over the time I was gone.  In the meantime, I'll leave you with this quote that I believe sums up why reading blogs and making blogging friends is so wonderful...

“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one.' ”  C.S. Lewis

Friend Makin' Monday

 
Here we are… Monday.  You know what that means… Friend Makin’ Monday.  For this week, Kenlie has provided a simple meme for everyone to participate in.  You know the routine, post your responses to the questions on your blog and then hop over to All the Weigh and post a comment on her Friend Makin’ Monday’s comments section with a link to your post.  And while you’re at it, check out a few of the other bloggers who are participating.

FMM: Quick Questions

What are your plans for Independence Day? I plan on spending the day with my family (nothing new there).  We are planning to grill outside until it gets dark and then shoot off fireworks.  We may go to a couple of parades that are happening around the Sound, and there is a car show I’d like to check out.  But, in general, I believe we’re just going to wait-and-see.

What is the last thing interesting thing you drank? There are essentially three things that I drink… water, Simply Lemonade, and caffeine-free diet Coke.  That is about as interesting as I get… Well, I did take a sip of a Wild Cherry Icee the other day.

Share one of your favorite quotes. “Your DNA must cry itself to sleep at night.”

Name someone or something that makes you smile.  Dawn – my sister.  She can make me smile every time.  And most times, she can make me laugh too.

What will you/did you eat for lunch today?  I will eat a green salad for lunch.  I’ve been eating green salads for the past few days, and I will probably have it for lunch for the next few days.

What’s the last movie that you watched and enjoyed?  In the theater or at home?  In the theater, it has to be the last Harry Potter movie (though I thought Voldemort’s death was a bit too easy for someone who has been such a plague).  At home, that would be “Sherlock Holmes:  Game of Shadows.”

Share something sweet and unexpected that someone did for you recently. Hmmmm… That’s a good question.  I would say a friend of mine bought me salt and pepper shakers that are shaped like Fred Flintstone and Dino.  It was totally unexpected.  I think she did it because I had mentioned that my little family likes fun salt and pepper shakers (we don’t collect) and that the Flintstones were a big part of my childhood.

If you could spend ten days on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go?  I want to take my family to New Zealand, but 10 days won’t be enough time.  I also want to take them to Europe, but 10 days won’t be enough time there either.  So, I would say I’d take them to England.  Normally we’d be going to London, but with all the bru-haha over the Olympics – I would avoid London.  I think we would go to Cornwall.  Or, head north to Scotland.  That way I could visit Lisa-Marie, check out Edinburgh, and take a lot of photographs.

What are you currently reading?  Nothing – unless you count the countless articles I’ve been reading to prepare for the big retreat I’m co-presenting the end of the month.  It is a doosy – with people coming from all over the country.

Share at least one thing that you’re looking forward to this week.  I’m looking forward to grilling in the backyard, turkey sliders, and fireworks.

Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and into Friend Makin’ Monday!  Post your own responses to the questions, and then head over to All the Weigh to post a link to your blog.  And don’t forget to check out some of the other bloggers who are participating as well.

Friend Makin' Monday

You know what day it is... Monday! So that means Friend Makin' Mondays.  If you're new to this blog, Friend Makin' Mondays is a meme started by Kenlie over at All The Weigh and involves answering a few theme-based questions about yourself.  Simply answer those questions in a posting on your own blog, then head back over to Kenlie's blog and post a link to your post in the comments section.

Once you've done your post and provided a link in the comments section, take a few minutes (or hours) and go visit the other bloggers who participated.  You'll meet a lot of cool, interesting people and might even find a few blogs you want to follow too. 

FMM: Dating

What is your current relationship status? (Be as specific as you’d like to be!) S-I-N-G-L-E!!! Did I mention I'm single?  Lovin' it!

 

List a few qualities that you look for in a significant other.  Intelligent, sense of humor, creative, family-focused, and tall. 

If you could choose to date one character in TV or film, who would you choose?  And which characteristics are most appealing?  I like the character of Owen from Drop Dead Diva.  He's funny, smart, and cares. 

 

How long should you date before becoming exclusive?  I think it depends on the couple. 

What are your thoughts on public displays of affection? I hate them.  I think they are ridiculous.  I don't consider hand holding or putting your arm across someone's shoulders or around their waist as public displays of affection.  But, the sloppy kissing, snogging, groping, etc. is ridiculous.  Often times I believe people do it more for others to see rather than the actual affection.

How has what you want in a mate changed throughout your life?  The qualities I appreciate haven't really changed.  It's probably because my focus has always been on character instead of physicalities.  The only exception is height.  I won't settle for someone who is less than 6-foot tall but that is because I'm 6-foot tall.

Do you kiss on the first date?  I have kissed on the first date, but I also have not kissed on the first date.  It all depends on the guy and what he ate on the date.

Would you date someone shorter than you?  No.  Call me superficial, but I want height.  I have a friend who is as tall as I am, and she married a man who is roughly 6 inches shorter than her.  While they love each other deeply and easily joke about the height difference, I notice the awkwardness.

What’s the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?  Height.

Is it important to be friends first?  Again, it really does depend on the individuals.  Some people need that foundation friendship offers while others do not.  I've never had luck with dating guys who were friends first because when we have never been able to go back to friends after the romantic relationship ended.

How long should you wait before becoming intimate?   That's another one that depends on the individuals involved.  For me? I've become intimate probably sooner than others, but I've also waited longer than others.  There are too many factors that influence that decision to list here.

Do you prefer to date older or younger?  I've dated younger and older.  I prefer older.  That said, not too much older.  I believe those who have 10+ years of difference in age actually have Freudian issues that run deep.

Biggest turn-on? Two things... humor and voice.  It's how you talk to me, and if you make me laugh.

 

Biggest turn-off?  How you talk about others.

Describe your dream date.  I've never really thought about a "dream" date.  I suppose it is because I don't like dating, and I'm now at a point in my life where I won't even humor the idea of dating.  But, I suppose I would love to spend a day - out and about - taking photographs, visiting museums and/or galleries, or even going to the theater.  I'm not really interested in restaurants, but I would love to just go to a grocery store or market, buy a bunch of things like fruit, cheese, and bread, and have a make-shift picnic.  No dressing up.  Just a relaxing, fun, and casual experience.

Now it is your turn... Have fun!

Friend Makin' Monday

It’s that time again… Friend Makin’ Monday.  In case you aren’t familiar with the process, Friend Makin’ Monday is a meme for everyone to take part in.  When you post your Friend Makin’ Monday response on your own blog, head over to Kenlie’s blog, All the Weigh, and post a link to your blog’s post in the comments section.  Then go visit a few (or all) of those bloggers who participated in Friend Makin’ Monday.  It’s a great way to meet several fantastic bloggers and introduce your own blog to others.

FMM:  What’s In Your Bag?

  Snap a picture if you can, and tell us about what’s inside your bag today.

So as you can see, I’m a gal that packs a lot of stuff with her.  I almost always have a big bag, and this big bag is a black leather tote I bought for myself when I first opened my consulting company back in 2003.  I have gone back and forth using different bags – to suit my mood – but I’m back to the big, black, leather tote.

This is what is inside…

• An orange eyeglass case that I put my black sunglasses in.
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70 (I usually have 100 SPF, but I’ve been ordered by my doc to not use 100 because it blocks the absorption of Vitamin D from the sun)
• 3 notepads (each has a different purpose)
• 2 tissue packs
• Burt’s Bees lip balm
• Roll of Tums
• 4 business card cases (one for each business and each blog)
• iPod (in a black case)
• Cell Phone
• Cell Phone charging plug
• Mirror compact (just a regular mirror)
• 3 hair bands
• Butt end of a camera lens cover
• 2 pens
• Fingerless gloves (I wear them all the time)
• Wallet (I need a new one because the strap on the wallet is broken, but I cannot find one that I like)
• Guide to National Parks book (because I’m planning a camping trip for the family)
• Canon Powershot SX200 IS (which is really Dawn’s camera, but carrying around my DSLR cameras around would make the bag too heavy to carry).  You cannot see the camera because I’m using it to take the photograph.

I also usually carry…

• A pocket planner too but it is on my desk right now because I’m planning some day trips for July and August.
• 1 or 2 flash drives (but they’re hooked up to my laptop at the moment)
• A scarf (but since it is summer the scarves are hanging in my closet)
• Red and white Brach’s mints (but I have to restock my supplies)
• Aspirin (because I suffer from migraines and taking 2 regular strength aspirins at the onset usually helps diffuse the intensity of the migraine, but I need to replenish my supplies of that as well).

As you can see, I carry a lot.  Hence the big tote bag.  But you should see my mum’s bag… it’s a leather messenger bag (which I originally bought for myself, but it mysterious became stuffed with all her stuff) packed full of her things.  She comes loaded for nearly every emergency (she even carries a small first aid kit).

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s question! Feel free to participate even if you can’t snap a picture for us and be sure to go to Kenlie’s blog and link up in the comments!

Blue Skies and Mud Puddles

I have always had a grand fondness for mud puddles.  Since I was a youngster, I always found great potential in the shimmering, shallow waters that always appeared after a good rain and/or melting snowfall.  And there has never been a moment when I didn't take advantage of the opportunity to jump in it - both feet first (of course!) - or peer down and admire the reflective qualities of the puddled water.  On rainy days, I prefer to leave my umbrella behind - letting the rain soak my hair - while my feet itch to be doused in that lovely puddled water.

Luckily for me, I live in an area of the world where mud puddles are very common.  We get a lot of rain in these parts, but what many people don't realize is we get a lot of blue skies also.  I don't think there is an area in the world that has so many instances of blue skies AND rain. It is a phenomenon that I truly appreciate (though others have lamented).  As long as I have my sunglasses within reach, my SPF in my bag, and my wellies nearby - I am golden.

Blue skies and mud puddles is also a metaphor for my life.  There are plenty of days when life appears to be going well (hence, the blue skies) but then there are days when life isn't going so well, so I look for the positive to get me through (hence, the mud puddles).  This metaphor is now translating into a new blog.

I've been whurrling around the blogosphere since 2007 - when I started my first blog.  Now I've decided to branch out and do a blog that focuses in on some of my interests - as well as my life.  In the past, I've written under a pseudonym, but now I believe it is time to throw caution to the wind and write under my own name.  I plan on sharing all sorts here, so my hope is you will return each day to see what I've been up to.

In the meantime, "Welcome!" and don't forget to drop me a note.  I'd love to hear from you in the comments section of each post or by email.

On to blogging...