Ready to Roll with the A to Z Challenge

At the stroke of midnight, the A to Z Challenge for 2012 will begin. Bloggers will start posting alphabetic entries daily for an entire month.

And Practically at Home will be ready again this year.

In case you missed last year's posts, here's the full lineup.

Mission Accomplished - A to Z Challenge 2011

·  Aretha and April Fools

·  PB&J Day

·  Considering Coats

·  Do You Dare to Deceive?

·  Echoes of Elvis

·  Fluffy Fun Food

·  Gaga for Gardening

·  Hearty Hygiene

·  Idols' Identities

·  Jealousy and Jousting

·  Kicky Kabobs

·  Loving Laundry

·  Makin’ Muffins

·  No News Is Good News for Tax Day Tomorrow

·  Oops and Odd Typos

·  Pajamas and Pancakes

·  Quick Quiz on Palm Sunday

·  Residential Ratings

·  Schedules Seem Scary Sometimes

·  Tardy Trowel

·  Upbeat Understanding

·  Vital and Verdant

·  Weirdest Wives' Tales

·  X Marks the Spot

·  Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

·  Zoom for Zucchini

Are you playing along with the A to Z Blogging Challenge?

You’re invited, and it’s not too late! Simply sign up online to join the A to Z Blogging Challenge for 2012. Find the Facebook page too. If you sign up, you will want to add the A to Z Blogging Challenge graphic and link to your blog.

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. You are also invited to join this writer's fan page, as well as the Chicago Etiquette Examiner, Madison Holidays Examiner, Equestrian Examiner and Madison Equestrian Examiner on Facebook.

Image/s:

Clocks at Midnight

Public Domain

2012 A to Z Blogging Challenge logo

Fair Use

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Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

Yikes! It’s a Yodeler!

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

Y is for Yodeling.

OK, I admit it. Reaching the end of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, I may be growing a little giddy. Perhaps even punchy.

Today is Y-Day, the 25^th consecutive day in the alphabetical array of daily posts.

Anyone else feel like yodeling?

Here’s yodeler Bobbejaan Schoepen with “The Cannonball Yodel.” (Are you intrigued yet?) Crank those speakers, if you dare.

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If that wasn’t annoying enough, c’mon back tomorrow to see what I have cooked up for Z-Day.

Or, if you are still game, check out Veggie Tales' "Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps."

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Yodel-odle-ay-hee-hoo!

Try it. You’ll feel better.

Image:

Public domain photo

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Schedules Seem Scary Sometimes

Schedules Seem Scary Sometime.

(posted for the A to Z Challenge)

S is for Scary Schedules.

Returning from an extended weekend trip, covering a major Midwestern equestrian exposition, I unpacked my stuffed suitcase and began sorting through paperwork. I started several loads of laundry and restocked the pantry cupboards.

We made our trek to the stables to stow our saddles and supplies.

Then it happened.

A single phone call transformed my smug satisfaction into sheepishness, as a medical professional revealed that I had missed an early morning appointment. How did that happen? How did I overlook something so important?

Blame overbooking.

Have you ever scheduled too many commitments in a single day? Have you ever skipped a meeting or appointment?

Color me embarrassed.

Sometimes hurrying only leads to scurrying. Perhaps it is easiest to forget when we try to remember too much.

That’s why I like to make to-do lists. Now, where did I put that silly list?

Seriously! Do you ever feel as if your cart may be a bit overloaded, even if all of the contents are abundantly positive?

How easy is it to become a slave to the schedule?

Image:

The White Slaves of England

by J. Cobden

1853

Public Domain – copyright expired

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A New Year's Auld Lang Syne

A New Year's Auld Lang Syne

What does "auld lang syne" mean, anyway? Loosely translated, this perennially popular New Year's Eve phrasing means "long time ago," "long time since" or "long, long past."

New Year's Eve is a traditional occasion for reflecting upon cherished memories from past years and looking forward eagerly to the future with family members, friends and other loved ones.

How will you celebrate New Year's Eve this year?

Will you play "Auld Lang Syne" at your New Year's Eve party?

Here's "Auld Lang Syne," from the soundtrack of the 1940 film, Waterloo Bridge. (Subtitles are included - revealing the lyrics:

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What's on your New Year's Eve playlist?

How about this favorite, "As Time Goes By," performed by Frank Sinatra, from the soundtrack of the 1941 film Casablanca?

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Happy New Year! Be safe!

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter.

Countdown to Summer Vacation

We have nearly made it through another school year. How the months have flown. It's almost time to toss those weekly planners and stash those books for another year.

Teachers, students and parents - get set to celebrate!

Celebrate summer!

How will you spend the summer? Are you planning a family vacation? Will you go to summer camp, attend summer school, play summer sports or get a summer job? How about summer theater, art classes, team sports or vacation Bible school?

What hobbies or crafts have you wanted to practice or pursue all year long? Do you have a summer reading list or a pile of fascinating books you have planned to read this summer?

Are you simply itching to start digging in your garden?

Will you take a trip to Europe, Australia, Hawaii or another exotic spot? Walk on the Great Wall of China or the French Riviera? Will you visit Cape Cod, Door County, the Jersey Shore or the Pacific Coast?

What are your summer plans?

Countdown Clock by Zoodu.com
Related Items of Interest:

Summer Jobs for Teens - Camp Counselors
Summer is coming, and teens seek summer jobs. What can parents do to help teenagers prepare and qualify for summer camp counselor positions?

Super Summer Fashion Trends: Must-Haves for Women
Take a look at our top 10 summer fashion must-have items for women. This summer, smart women are returning to figure-flattering fashion styles. Summer fashions call for a fun forecast, featuring classic styles in bright and bold basic colors.

Swimwear for Summer 2009: Top 5 Swim Shorts Sites for Women
Surfers, sunbathers and beach strollers are snatching up swim shorts for coverage and comfort. Trendy swim shorts fashions may be found in swim and surfer shops, but more mature women may enjoy slightly more modest styles. Check out these options.

Four-Season Acrostic - Summer
Acrostic poem - reflecting on the summer season

Glad Tidings for Summer - Caring for Gladioli, the Joys of the Garden
How to select, plant, and care for Gladioli. These elegant, showy flowers produce a brilliant display of glorious color in the home garden and serve as excellent cut flowers too!

The Family Staycation: Saving Money and Sanity in a Struggling Economy
Seeking a stress-buster without breaking the budget, we will embark on a different sort of family adventure this year. We have planned a remarkable recreational week without sacrificing memory-making. We will have a stay-cation, vacationing at home.

Vacation Crafts: Simple Sand Candles
Going on vacation to the beach? Why not make your own sandy souvenirs while you are there? Enlist the children, and have fun in the sun together with this delightful beach candle-making craft!

Horseback Riding Basics: Have You Got What it Takes?
Going horseback riding on vacation or nearby? What equipment and supplies will you need for a basic ride? Here's a simple checklist for occasional equestrians.

Beach Volleyball
A Spiked Retort on Olympic Sport- "They spike and set out in the sand; The Californians say it's grand...."

Our Sandy Surprise
Even during family gatherings at the beach, natural consequences may teach children important lessons of life. What happens when kids do not listen to adult instruction? Things can get a little scratchy.

Swimwear is Life - a Rhymed Retort to Suits We Sport
First toddling with a padded seat To catch the items we excrete, We graduate to ruffled skirts, As we delight in sand and dirt.