Want to stay in the magic at Walt Disney World, but don’t want to pay the enormous price tag of some of the resorts? I’ll let you in on a little secret: Pop Century Resort is a fun, affordable Walt Disney World hotel with many of the perks of the moderate and deluxe resorts. Continue reading “Five Reasons to Stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort”
Sisters: Travels with My Mother and Her Siblings
This weekend I had the privilege of spending uninterrupted time with the three ladies that I admire the most: my mother and her two younger sisters. It started Thursday morning with a 400 mile road trip that paralleled one that we’d taken together twenty years ago with my “other mother”–my amazing, vivacious, forever young grandmother. Continue reading “Sisters: Travels with My Mother and Her Siblings”
Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom
Looking for something special to do with your family? Want to make your night at the Disney’s Magic Kingdom a little more romantic? Consider booking the Fireworks Dessert Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace. Continue reading “Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party at the Magic Kingdom”
A Teacher’s Take on Back to School Gifts
This week the Target back to school ads come out. I’m definitely not ready, but my date to go back is only 30 days away. Because I’m a middle school teacher, I’ve been working all summer on new materials for my classroom and started my classroom shopping the beginning of July.  I’m proud to say that I’ll have three new book shelves and rolling carts donated by The Cleland Clan. Okay, really they’re just from my family since my lifetime blog earning are only $1.28 so far. I’m in several crafting groups on social media, and people are starting to talk about what they are making for Back to School gifts for teachers. So, I thought I’d address the topic of teacher gifts today. Continue reading “A Teacher’s Take on Back to School Gifts”
Adventures in Grandparenting
This week is fair week. Aubree is a 4-H adviser, and she and Jeremy spend all week living in their camper at the county fairgrounds. After three years, I know to expect to have the kids a lot during this week, but honestly, I forgot how hard it is to have two at once. Grandparenting as a part-time gig is much different from grandparenting full-time. Continue reading “Adventures in Grandparenting”
Walt Disney World: How to Plan the Perfect Trip
People often ask me how I plan my Disney World trips. Now, here’s a disclaimer for you–I am not, nor have I ever been, a travel agent. I’m not an expert. I’m just an average person who likes to read and do research. I’ve learned through experience. And, I’ve decided to share my strategy with you. Continue reading “Walt Disney World: How to Plan the Perfect Trip”
Pymatuning Deer Park
Located in Jamestown, Pennsylvania, not far from Pymatuning Lake State Park, Pymatuning Deer Park is a small family-run zoo full of fun for all ages. Over 250 animals and birds live at the park, including lions, tigers, and black bears (Oh my!). Since 1953, visitors have been flocking to Deer Park to feed and pet several varieties of deer and farm animals, as well as marvel at exotic animals from around the world. Continue reading “Pymatuning Deer Park”
Linesville Spillway at Pymatuning Lake: Where the Ducks Walk on Fish
The Spillway
Every state has its curiosities, those weird places that people are just drawn to visit. One of my favorites is the Pymatuning Lake Spillway in Linesville, PA. The spillway was created in 1934 at the upper portion of the lake and is a catch-all for thousands of carp. Visitors bring their families to see the thousands of fish thrashing in the water each day.
Continue reading “Linesville Spillway at Pymatuning Lake: Where the Ducks Walk on Fish”
The 45th Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast
Mesopotamia
I spent today in a small town that’s dear to my heart: Mesopotamia, Ohio, home of the famous Ox Roast. Mespo, as it’s affectionately called, is a small town in Northeast Ohio. nestled in a bucolic setting. Approximately 3000 people live in the township, many of them Amish. The center of the town has a green at the intersections of State Routes 87 and 534, known as the “Commons.” Twenty-eight buildings surround the square–21 of which were built before the civil war. The cemetery dates from 1818; several generations of my family are buried there. Continue reading “The 45th Annual Mesopotamia Ox Roast”
Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World
Most of us have heard Benjamin Franklin’s saying ” Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise;” however, many people have not applied that wisdom to the Walt Disney World Resort. However, we like to make the most of our vacation. By waking up early, we can do and see more than most people do at Disney. Continue reading “Early Risers: Making the Most of Your Time at Walt Disney World”