Girls Weekend Getaway in Eminence

 

one of our kayaks, loaded down with coolers and dry bags

I've been a 9-1-1 Dispatcher for almost 17 years now.  Throughout the times, I've made good (and bad) connections with my co-workers.  During the past three years, I've become close friends with three girls who, honestly, could be my daughters.  They're all younger than 25 years old.  For whatever reason, I've been included in their girl group.  All of the three have moved on to other jobs, but we still keep in touch.  For the past six months, we've planned a float trip at Current River/Jacks Fork River in Eminence, MO and it finally came to fruition last weekend.

Alexis sorting through her belongings.

This is the same girl who forgot to bring burgers and hot dogs for supper on Saturday.  So, at 5:45 in the morning, she ran into a nearby town to get our food.

On Friday, we met up at the cabin we were renting.  It was small, but cute and cozy.  We headed into Eminence and ate at Double 0 Saloon.  Then we visited Rocky Falls, a beautiful waterfall that people like to hang out at.  Afterwards, we went back to the cabin and hung around a campfire.

hanging with the dino at a Sunoco gas station

Saturday morning, at 8:30 am, a bus picked us up from the cabin for our kayak adventure.  I'm no watercraft pro, but own my own kayak and thought I knew how to navigate the waters.  This river showed me who's boss!  

Within the first hour, Kylla tipped over trying to get around a rapid.  While trying to help retrieve her water bottle and speaker, I ended up going under.  It took a good 20 minutes to get out of the current and keep from drowning.  It ended up being a rescue mission for several people and their belongings.  That first overturn took a lot of people out.  

Me and Jordan in front of Rocky Falls

I ended up going under twice more.  The last time, I declared that I was gonna let the Good Lord take me if I went under again.  On the third turnover, my phone got waterlogged.  I had to buy a new one when I got home.  All of my stuff was able to be transferred over, minus six years worth of pictures.  Devastating!

The 14-mile kayak trip ended up taking us eight hours to finish.  We were all sore, tired, beat up, and sunburnt.  There were times it was assholes to elbows with all the kayaks, canoes, and floats.  

Rocky Falls

I was going to climb up it, but my "so-called friends" kept throwing rocks at me.  So, I gave up on that mission.

At the end of the day, we ended up back at the cabin and cooked supper on the grill.  We were in bed quite early.  One week later and I still have second-degree burns on my shoulders from the sun.  We took off early on Sunday and headed home.

Despite all the obstacles, I had a blast and would do it again!  

our cozy little cabin

It had one queen-size bed and two bunks.  I shared the bed with Jordan.

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Meet Panama: New Member of Our Fur Family

I already own a large German Shepherd and three cats, so I don't know what possessed me to get another kitten.  But, I sure did!

There I was, minding my own business, working a 16 hour shift at 9-1-1.  I would've only worked eight but there was overtime and I was nice and took it so the other guy could go home.  During the overtime part of my shift, the police sargeant requested that an officer stop by and pick up this kitty to take to the animal shelter.  Someone had dropped it off outside headquarters, in a box.  

We were super slammed that shift and couldn't immediately get an officer out there for some time.  So the sargeant sat for almost four hours with this kitty on his lap.  He made a mistake of sending a picture to dispatch.  It was then that I decided this sweet little thing wasn't going to be dropped off at the shelter.   So, arrangements were made and an officer brought the kitty to me at work.   The kitty's been named Panama because she was wearing a conch shell necklace.  It is my guess that she is 7 to 8 weeks old.  

I had some explaining to do when I got home.  Jason was pretty adamant that we not own another cat.  But, after some sweet talk, he decided we could keep Panama.  And truth be known, Jason secretly loves her.  I do too; She's so darn cute and playful.  Not only did I get overtime pay that day, I also got a kitty.  Win, win!

Check It Out: Savings.com #FathersDayAtMacys Giveaway

Savings.com is giving away two $250 e-gift cards to spend at Macy’s!

Giveaway ends on Thursday, June 17th at 11:59 PM PT.  Two (2) winners will receive a $250 e-gift card to spend at Macy’s.

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Rock Dog 2: Rock Around The Park - Blu--ray Giveaway

The True Blue band is back to rock the place when Rock Dog 2: Rock Around The Park arrives on Digital June 11th, and on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) and DVD June 15th from Lionsgate.

 

This family-friendly film features Andrew Francis (My Little Pony franchise, TV’s “Ninjago”, “Marvel Super Hero Adventures”), Ashleigh Ball (My Little Pony franchise, TV’s “Ready Jet Go!”, “Rev & Roll”), Brian Dobson (Norm of the North: Keys to the Kingdom, Norm of the North: King Sized Adventure, TV’s “Tarzan and Jane”), Brian Drummond (TV’s “Dragon Ball Z”, Norm of the North: Family Vacation, “Bob the Builder”), Cathy Weseluck (My Little Pony franchise, Barbie franchise, TV’s “Littlest Pet Shop”), Donny Lucas (Open Season: Scared Silly, TV’s “Van Helsing”, The Christmas Doctor), Graham Hamilton (TV’s “Snap Ships: Dawn of Battle”), Jason Simpson (TV’s “The Dragon Prince”, “Tobot Galaxy Detectives”, “Line Rangers”), James Higuchi (TV’s “Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch”, “The Deep”, “Superbook”), Kathleen Barr (TV’s “Ninjago”, My Little Pony franchise, “Dragon Tales”), Michael Adamthwaite (TV’s “Ninjago”, Cold Pursuit, War for the Planet of the Apes), Richard Newman (My Little Pony franchise, TV’s “Doraemon”, “Beyblade Burst”), and Sabrina Pitre (My Little Pony franchise, TV’s “Ninjago”, “Lego Jurassic World: Legend of Isla Nublar”).

One year after the events of the original Rock Dog, Bodi and his band, True Blue, have become locally famous in the village of Snow Mountain—they even have devoted fans! But when a music mogul named Lang gives them the opportunity to tour with pop sensation Lil’ Foxy, Bodi and his friends learn that fame comes at a price, and ultimately discover that only by staying true to yourself can you unleash the power of rock ‘n’ roll!

From the award-winning producers that brought you Norm of the North, “Clifford the Big Red Dog”, and “I Got a Rocket!”, this heartwarming family film will have you and your little ones unleashing your power of Rock ‘n’ Roll alongside Bodi and his band!

Rock Dog 2: Rock Around The Park will be available on DVD and Blu-ray+Digital combo pack for the suggested retail price of $19.98 and $21.99, respectively.

Win It!

One person will win Rock Dog 2: Rock Around The Park Blu-ray.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

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Is underwear a stupid gift to give dad on Father's Day? - Discount Code

Is underwear a stupid gift to give dad on Father's Day? According to the makers of SwampButt Underwear it is not. In addition to their obvious bias, making underwear for men, the plain fact is that many men will not buy underwear for themselves.

Relying instead on their wives or girlfriends to keep them supplied. This approach is not conducive to a reliable set of undergarments for the male populace as the women in their lives tend to come and go (mostly go). "A man will literally walk right out of his worn, stained, droopy, drawers before admitting he might need something new," said fashionista, social commentator, and SwampButt Underwear spokesman Nick Heraldson. "So before he has to tie his sad undershorts in place with a rope or piece of electrical cord, please order him some new SwampButt Underwear."

Origin of Father's Day                                                                                                    

According to Google (www.google.com) Father's Day was founded in Spokane, Washington at the YMCA in 1910 by a woman, Sonora Smart Dodd, who was born in Arkansas. Its first celebration was in the Spokane YMCA on June 19, 1910. Her father, the Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart, was a single parent who raised his six children there. "You have to admire a man who survived war and single parenthood, especially before indoor plumbing was universal," said amateur historian and SwampButt Underwear spokesman Nick Heraldson. Dodd's attention strayed to art and art school after the initial celebrations of Father's Day. In the 1930's Dodd finished with art school and returned to Spokane where she again promoted the celebration of Father's Day.

Counterpoint to Mother’s Day

Given that Dodd and her five siblings were raised by their widowed father it made sense to her that fathers were due some recognition. With the help of businesses that would profit from Father's Day, (the manufacturers of ties, tobacco pipes, crudely worded t-shirt makers, golf equipment, lawn tools or fishing gear, and any traditional present to fathers) Dodd and her day for dads was set.  In 1938, Dodd had the help of ‘The Father's Day Council’, founded by the New York Associated Men's Wear Retailers to consolidate and systematize the commercial promotion of Father’s Day. The rest is retail history. “It would be cynical for us to speculate that the people who helped Sonora Smart Dodd promote Father’s Day were only interested in making money,” Heraldson said. “So, we will leave that to others who are already cynical about what motivated the original supporters of Father’s Day to continue with their skepticism.” 

Scheduling to Coincide                                                                                                              

The U.S. Open golf tournament is scheduled to finish on Father's Day, as was the 2016 NBA Finals. The FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR auto race at Michigan International Speedway is sometimes held on Father's Day.

Non-Cynical Bargain                                                                                                                  

Get 25% off your purchase of SwampButt Underwear this Father's Day. Just use the code "Dad 2021" and get 25% off your entire purchase. The amount will be subtracted during check-out. This applies to all  SwampButt Underwear Made In the USA Brand garments.

 About SwampButt Underwear                                                                                   

SwampButt Underwear is a real company that makes and sells a product that helps solve a real problem.  SwampButt Underwear is perfect for the guy who has sweat issues south of the belt or just likes to be comfortable. These incredible drawers were created to draw sweat away from the skin and are made with 91% polyester and 9% spandex.

Form fitting with natural coverage

Wicks away moisture for improved wear-ability

Quick drying

Extends to mid-thigh

Great strength and resilience

Signature logo on waistband

Machine wash and dry

SwampButt Underwear™ is a registered trademark in the USA and other countries. 

I will receive product in exchange for this post.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

Check It Out: Savings.com #WinWithHP Giveaway

Savings.com is giving away one $500 e-gift card to spend at HP!

Giveaway ends on Friday, June 4th at 11:59 PM PT.

One (1) winner will receive a $500 e-gift card to spend at HP.

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This post contains affiliate links.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

PAW Patrol: Moto Pups - DVD Giveaway

The PAW Patrol pack is back in the brand-new DVD release PAW Patrol: Moto Pups! Available on June 1, 2021, this DVD features the newest member of the PAW Patrol, Wild Cat, and all-new high-speed bikes and high-tech gear from the hit preschool series PAW Patrol, airing on Nickelodeon and produced by Spin Master Entertainment. The beloved pups are in for a wild ride as they stop the Ruff-Ruff Pack from trashing the town, wrangle giant runaway donuts and even gear up for an epic rescue of one of their own—Chase!

For some extra fin-tastic fun, the DVD also includes a bonus episode of Nickelodeon’s brand-new preschool series Baby Shark’s Big Show!, based on the world-famous pop culture phenomenon. Co-produced with SmartStudy, the global entertainment company behind the beloved children’s brand Pinkfong, Baby Shark’s Big Show! follows Baby Shark and his best friend William as they journey on fun-filled comedic adventures in their community of Carnivore Cove, make new friends and sing original catchy tunes along the way.

 

PAW Patrol: Moto Pups is available on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment and Nickelodeon Home Entertainment now, for the suggested retail price of $10.99.

 PAW Patrol: Moto Pups episodes:

Pups vs the Ruff-Ruff Pack

Pups Save the Donuts

Pups Save the Kitties

Pups Save a Moto Mayor

Rescue at Twisty Top Mesa

Pups Save a Sneezy Chase

 Bonus episode:

Baby Shark’s Big Show!:  Baby Tooth

 PAW Patrol: Moto Pups synopsis:

The pack is back! The Motorcycle Stunt Show comes to town bringing famed stunt cyclist Wild Cat and the troublemaking Ruff-Ruff Pack with it. Wild Cat joins the PAW Patrol to help stop the baddies from trashing the town. Then, the Moto Pups use their tastiest tricks to wrangle giant runaway donuts, save Mayor Goodway and even rescue one of their own—Chase!

Win It!

One person will win a PAW Patrol: Moto Pups DVD.

*This is a Rafflecopter giveaway open to residents of the USA.*

I received no compensation for this post.  This post is in partnership with PR firm.  Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services.  Your opinions and results may differ.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Logan's Graduation Party

Logan with step-sister, Emma

 As I mentioned in my last post, Logan graduated from Quincy University with a major in Human Services and a minor in Psychology.  Friends and family gathered a couple weeks ago to celebrate his accomplishment.

I stuck a poster print of Logan on canvas and had each guest sign it with marker.

My original plan was to have the event at a park that's just a couple blocks away from where I live.  I didn't want to clean my house, to be quite honest.  And, I didn't want a ton of people hanging out at my place.  I don't mind entertaining, but 30 people is a lot to handle in my home.  Turns out, that's just what I did.

Logan's best friend of five years is on the left and his brother is on the right.

Brandon and Faythe took some time out to take a nap on the couch.

Partly my fault and partly theirs, the Park District claims they didn't receive my emails to reserve the park shelter for the day.  When I finally did get a hold of them via phone, all park shelters in town were already booked.  Soooo, my home it was.

Shelby, Logan and Adam wouldn't behave for pics of the three together.  The nuts don't fall far from the tree!

Although we had to take turns making our way around the kitchen for food, it was a great day.  Having so many people together to talk, run around, and celebrate was a good time.  Jason grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, and there was no shortage of sides.  Definitely a good day to celebrate a great grad!