#AtoZChallenge - The Kid

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

The Kid - or as I refer to her in posts, the Spawn.

September 1997

1st day of Kindergarten vs last day of 12th grade

I could write a novel about all the years she did dance, but here's the AtoZ 2019 post instead....

and another novel about her in general, for example - I just had a FB memory pop up yesterday saying I recommend for anyone who has children to keep a notebook (or file on the computer) to keep track of what they say and/or do.  And I had checked in with her at the local district court building....

also, no matter the gender of said child - when you threaten to send them off to military school - DO IT!  Or drop them off at the local recruiter and tell them to pick a branch.  Seriously wish I would have not just threatened!

#AtoZChallenge - Jewelry

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

Jewelry, earrings in particular. 

I don't wear a whole lot of jewelry - my wedding rings and a ring with the US Navy crest that I've worn since before I got out of the Navy in 2000.  That's it for my hands.  I have a beautiful string of pearls that the Spouse got me for our 10th anniversary - that's for special occasions.  I occasionally will wear a bracelet.  I have a watch that I usually wear for search & rescue events, especially if I'm on the radio. 

But earrings...

I go crazy with earrings! 

Here's a post on my other blog with all my skeletons

Easter

Valentines Day

St Patricks

Thanksgiving (missing a couple, tho)

The container of all my Halloween earrings

Container of my Christmas earrings.

I bet I could wear a different pair ever day for a year!

#AtoZChallenge - Inquisitiveness

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

Inquisitiveness

Wow - that's a word, isn't it? 

I wasn't anywhere near the top of my class in school. but now?  I like to learn about random things. 

Sometimes I get sucked into a rabbit-hole about a topic and I'm sure the Spouse rolls his eyes at me, since he isn't as interested as me and I try to tell him about it. 

latest topic?  The Medal of Honor recipients. 

Of course, with my search & rescue team - there's a lot of courses I've had to take and also continuing education that is required to maintain qualifications.  That's actually easy since it's interesting. 

The FEMA courses, not so much, but the rest is good to go. 

I also have a fascination with cemeteries and what the carvings on headstones mean. 

Many moons ago when I was in the Navy, a bunch of us in my office had to option to get Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications.  It wasn't required, but gave us the right to have (AW) after our rank.  Basically we had to be very familiar with every type of aircraft affiliated with the carrier we were stationed on.  Then we had to take a written test and go in front of an oral board, which meant a bunch of higher ranking people who asked a LOT of questions.   Not long after I got my AW, the navy made it mandatory that one had to earn Surface Warfare Specialist first - which means all about the ships.  Which makes sense. 

I also love to watch YouTube videos with people making art or doing furniture restorations.