December already … yes it is and I like to add a little fun during the craziness of the holiday so here are some ideas.  OR You can reply with your ideas for all 500 of our followers to see while YOU get the credit!

 

Dec 1 – Put your prettiest present under the tree or whatever your décor is

Dec 2 – Watch for those crazy discounts and jump on them ASAP

Dec 3 – Give your guy or yourself Breakfast In Bed

Dec 4 – Get a facial or manicure or something special to you

Dec 5 – Become a shopping maven … make and sell jewelry, save cans or bottles to sell, check out charity shops to save money

Dec 6 – Find that outfit that makes them all go … WHOA

Dec 7 – Make Malted Milk Ball Cookies or any new Cookie recipe

Dec 8 – Create a Backyard Bowling Alley in the Snow or Sand (no children required be that child!)

Dec 9 – Thrill your child with a Real Surprise Gift by getting input from their BFF

Dec 10 – Smell the Beach Day with something in your house that reminds you of the Beach

Dec 11 – Enjoy guilt free party food by making smart choices: Brownie bite with fresh fruit; cocktail with splash of club soda (NOT Tonic Water); Six shrimp with cocktail sauce; bruschetta with double sauce not second bread; chicken skewers no bread … OK you have the idea

Dec 12 – Live in your PJs for the Day and relax your way

Dec 13 – Start planning your summer vacation and take a mental break

Dec 14 – Mix a mean cocktail and call it a day

Dec 15 – Bespangle your hat just for fun

Dec 16 – Chose last-minute gifts that give back

Dec 17 – Make a Family Cookie Baking Day as you prepare for the Cookie Exchange

Dec 18 – Wrap something in Bacon – anything and enjoy Bacon

Dec 19 – Make a family banner like: Merry Christmas from The Geanakos

Dec 20 – Give your house guests a five-star experience by putting a basket in their room (Holiday socks; toothbrush; toothpaste; shave cream; band-aid; mouthwash; lotion; chap stick; knit hat; glasses; water pitcher; alarm clock; extra blanket; etc.)

Dec 21 – Break out those pearls and wear them

Dec 22 – Give The BEST Gift Ever the gift of Loving Your Family UNCONDITIONALLY All Year long, My Daddy would say: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

Dec 23 – Go Nuts for your snacks – nuts are super foods

Dec 24 – Master the art of fancy but comfortable dress

Dec 25 – Enjoy your Family and Friends to the Utmost and let them know How Special they are to You all year-long!

So What are YOUR Ideas … make Your Comment NOW so you do not forget!

Until next time, keep it Real … REAL FUN that is!  Brenda 🙂

Well the regular trivia went over so well last night so here we go on Football!

• Traditional of Thanksgiving Day award began in 1989 with John Madden’s Turkey Leg for the MVP player of the game.
• In 2002 the Galloping Gobbler award replaced the Turkey Leg
• NFL traditionally hosts Thanksgiving Day games in two Cities – Dallas and Detroit
• IN 1920 the NFL first recognized six games being held on Thanksgiving Day
• Lions hosted their first Thanksgiving Day game in 1934
• In 1934 NFL broadcast began for Thanksgiving Day games
• In 1956 the FIRST Thanksgiving Day Game aired on TV
• NFL has hosted Thanksgiving Day game since – November 2006
• Panthers and Jaguars have Never played on Thanksgiving Day
• Texans made their first appearance in 2012 to NFL Thanksgiving Game Day
• Lions have the most Wins/33 and most Losses/38 at Thanksgiving Day
• Lions have not played what years at Thanksgiving Day – 1941 and 1944
• Lions began the tradition without NFL approval in 1934
• Cowboys have second most Thanksgiving Day wins with all time 28-16-1
• Cowboys began playing in 1966 but in AFL
• Emmitt Smith won the Turkey Leg or Galloping Gobbler award FIVE times
• Herman Moore won BOTH Turkey Leg and All Iron Award
• Tony Romo won Both Turkey Leg and All Iron Award
• DeMarcus Ware won Both Turkey Leg and All Iron Award
• Randy Moss won Turkey Leg Award in 1998 and 2000
• Troy Aikman 455 passing yard in 1998 is mot of any QB on Thanksgiving Day
• Ernie Nevers holds the record for most touchdowns during Thanksgiving game in 1929
• Sterling Sharpe holds modern day where he scored four touchdowns in 1994
• Packers have the second most Losses during Thanksgiving Day with 18
• Tampa Bay and Cincinnati are the only NFL teams currently to play on Thanksgiving Day and have not had a win
• OJ Simpson has the most rushing yards in a single Thanksgiving Day game with 273 in 1976
• Vikings have the highest winning percentage of any team on Thanksgiving Day
• Record for most pass receptions in a game is 12 by WR Marvin Harrison/Colts in 2004 along with WR Perriman/Minnesota in 1995
• Most receiving yards on Thanksgiving was 303 by Benton/Cleveland in 1945
• Since then most is by Alworth/San Diego in 1965 at 185
• Redskins are 1-6 on Thanksgiving for a .143 Winning Percentage
• Chargers have not played on Thanksgiving in over 40 years or since 1969
• From 2006 to 2011 the NFL Network broadcast the Thanksgiving Game in the evening
• NBC began broadcasting in 2012
• Red Grange made his professional football debut for the Bears in 1925 at the Thanksgiving Day game

HAPPY THANKSGIVING every one and Enjoy the Games!  Until next time, keep it Real … REAL FUN that is!  Brenda 🙂

Here’s to some fun family/friends/troop or other gathering conversation starters of some “Turkey Trivia or Information” before you watch all those football games.

• TV dinners have Thanksgiving to thank. In 1953, someone at Swanson misjudged the number of frozen turkeys it would sell that Thanksgiving — by 26 TONS!  
• Placed named Turkey: Louisiana’s Turkey Creek; Turkey, Texas; Turkey, North Carolina; and Turkey Creek, Arizona. Then two townships in Pennsylvania: the creatively named Upper Turkeyfoot and Lower Turkeyfoot!
• When Abe Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, it was thanks to the tireless efforts of a magazine editor named Sarah Josepha Hale.
• Females, called hens, cackle ONLY Male Turkeys Gobble
• Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday but Celebrated by Canadians in October
• The first day of Hanukkah and Thanksgiving come together today (2013) for the first time since 1888
• A turkey less than 12-weeks-old is called Fryer roaster
• Why is it called a turkey? Back in the day, the Europeans took a liking to the guinea fowls imported to the continent. Since the birds were imported by Turkish merchants, Later, when the Spaniards came to America, they found a bird that tasted like those guinea fowls.
• The New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers baked the Guinness World Record pumpkin pie back in 2010, weighing 3,699 pounds and sitting 20 feet in diameter. The pie was created with 187 cans of pumpkin, 233 dozen eggs, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 525 pounds of sugar, 7 pounds of salt, 14.5 pounds of cinnamon and 3 pounds of pumpkin pie spice
• Greek Goddess of Corn is Demeter
• First department store to hold Thanksgiving parade was Gimbel’s
• Famous rock credited to where the pilgrims first landed was Plymouth Rock
• The Indians were invited to the Thanksgiving feast were of the Wampanoag Tribe and their chief was Massasoit
• What was the name of the ship the pilgrims came over on – Mayflower
• Who was the captain of the Mayflower – Christopher Jones
• Franklin D Roosevelt was the first President to establish Thanksgiving as a legal holiday and to hold it on the Fourth Thursday of November Annually.
• The term Cornucopia means – Horn of Plenty
• What was the original name for the Pilgrims – Puritans
• What part of the Turkey is saved and snapped for good luck – Wishbone
• The word Turkey is said to come from what Hebrew word “Tukki” which means Pheasant Bird
• Which President moved Thanksgiving up one week to help with the Christmas economy – Franklin D Roosevelt
• Captain John Smith founded what Colony in Virginia – Jamestown
• What poet wrote: The Courtship of Miles Standish – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
• The Pilgrims took beer with them on their voyage – TRUE
• Plymouth Massachusetts celebrates: Forefathers Day every year on December 11^th
• The Real Plymouth Rock is cracked – TRUE
• Indian corn is for decorating purposes or cooking – Decorating only
• In what year did the First Macys Day Parade take place – 1924
• Thanksgiving Day is not a religious holiday it is for Harvest Celebration
• Why is the male turkey called: Tom Turkey is named after Thomas Jefferson
• After the First Thanksgiving in 1621 only FIVE women survived
• The First Thanksgiving in 1621 celebration lasted THREE Days
• The Kiddie Table for children only to eat at was started in the 19^th Century as a new part of Thanksgiving Celebrations.
• June 20, 1998 in Bellevue Ohio, Dale Gasteier built a 52 foot Free Standing Star to celebrate the American Thanksgiving Holiday.
• President Harry Truman started the Annual President US Pardon of a Turkey where the Lucky Turkey goes to a Public Farm called Frying Pan Park in Herndon VA.
• Cranberries must bounce at least Four Inches before being harvested and sold to make sure they are ripe enough.
• The Day after Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year
• Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren were the first Astronauts to enjoy a turkey dinner with all the trimmings while on the Moon.
• Felix the Cat was the first balloon in the 1927 Macys Day Thanksgiving Day Parade
• True that Turkeys can drown if the look up at Rain
• October 1777 George Washington declared: All Colony Thanksgiving” due to their Victory over Saratoga.
• Pilgrims Never worn the funny hats or buckles on their shoes we show in photos
• Longest balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is 100 ft long Superman
• In 1943 Norman Rockwell created his famous Freedom Fron Want illustratin in the Saturday Evening Post
• In the early 1600 the Pilgrims did not have Forks to eat with
• How many pilgrims were on the Mayflower – 102
• How long was the voyage from England to the New World – 66 Days
• The Pilgrims all dressed Very Colorful
• The original 102 pilgrims at the First Thanksgiving only had 50 Percent Survive the next year.
• The Mayflower did NOT dock at Plymouth Rock but this was the first rock they stepped onto
• Codfish was one of the Original foods that the pilgrims at back in 1600s
• Both Blueberries and Concord Grapes are fruits native to North America
• Cranberries can be harvested either wet or dry – TRUE
• The Mayflower was built as a Merchant Ship to Carry Wine
• At the First Thanksgiving there were more Indians than pilgrims.
• Some of the travelers on the Mayflower came over to get Furs and Lumber to send back to England
• Plymouth Rock today is as big as the Size of A Car Engine as it has been broken Three Times
• The original approved table manners for the First Thanksgiving was: Eat with your hands; Spit on the floor; and Thrown bones into the earth
• Back in the early Thanksgiving they also enjoyed sporting events after eating but they did Knife Throwing
• Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a National Holiday but also allowed Whenever the Governor of that State said so
• The Boylston Street Fire Station in Boston that Every year hosts Free Thanksgiving meals to the needy
• 1879 to 1883 Governor Roberts of Texas refused to issue a Thanksgiving Proclamation because he felt it was a Yankee tradition
• First Thanksgiving football game was started n 1934 by Detroit Lions
• Charity during Thanksgiving has been around since the Colonial gave to the poor either Firewood; Turkeys or whatever they could share
• By the end of the 19^th Century Victorians expressed their wealth by presenting their meal courses in FRENCH.
• The Ragamuffin Parade is said to be the Origin of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade
• The Pilgrims went to church Sundays and Thursdays so they wanted to use the mid prayer day as a day of Thanksgiving that is why we observe the Holiday on Thursdays.
• In 1621 which of the following foods that we eat did they NOT serve – Pumpkin Pie
• By 1690 what became the priority of Thanksgiving – Food
• In 1705 a ship in Colchester, Conn port was stuck frozen in the harbor so they had to delay Thanksgiving for one week the ship Held MOLASSES to be taken to the stores
• Early 1602 the Pilgrims celebrated: Day of Humiliation for their day of Prayer and Fasting
• In 2005 President Bush pardoned Two Turkeys named Marshmallow and Yam also they get Special Pardon and Were Grand Marshalls of the 2005 Disneyland Thanksgiving Day Parade
• The turkey is considered a sacrificial bird in Mexico
• North Carolina produces the Most Turkeys
• Turkeys can run 75 Miles Per Hour
• Wild Turkeys can Fly 55 Miles Per Hour
• Turkey is also consumed at Christmas with 50 Percent of US recognizing this
• Turkey is better for you as it is Lower in Cholesterol than any other type meat
• Baby Turkeys are called POULTS
• Old wives tale is that Pumpkin Pie is a cure for Freckles
• Turkeys lay Brown eggs always
• Blue Slate Turkeys are the most endangered of Turkeys and CANNOT be eaten
• Domestic Turkeys weigh more than wild turkeys
• When Male Turkeys puff up their feathers, strut and make the gobble sound they are trying to attract the female hen for mating
• A pilgrim is defined as Traveler; Wayfarer; or Journeyman
• The Snood of a Turkey turns bright red when he is upset or during courtship
• Wisconsin produces the most Cranberries
• Full Grown Turkey has Approximately 3500 Feathers
• The dangling skin under a Turkeys neck is called Wattle
• Unhappy Cranberries are called Blueberries (hahahah)

Until next time keep it Real … REAL FUN that is and Happy Thanksgiving to you ALL!  Brenda 🙂

 If you remember back on September 18, 2013 I had a blog topic: Actions Speak Louder than Words, my top 10!   I was surprised that very few people responded to be included in a drawing but that made the participants odds excellent.  With that said, the top prize was $150 Gift Certificate to dine at THE PALM TAMPA!  This is a very upscale wonderful restaurant and the other participants WON Chick-Fil-A meal cards.  See it pays to play people … just sayen

Ron and Pamela Burgets won The Palm Tampa, and forwarded onto me this picture to share as they plan their Date Night Out to enjoy their winnings. The Palm in Tampa boasts the famed walls adorned with classic cartoons and caricatures of celebrities, politicians and socialites who make up its impressive customer base. At The Palm their philosophy since 1926 when Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first restaurant in New York City was simple:  Treat your guests like family, serve great food and always exceed expectations.

I might Highly Suggest you do like I did in 2010 and ask The Palm about joining The 837 Club, as you will enjoy the perks and rewards of good taste, great food, and The Palm experience, just ask anyone working there and tell them Brenda sent you to be a 837 Club Member also!

All other runner ups received a free meal card from one of my weekly hot spots which of course has to be: Chick-Fil-A!  Who does not love Chick-Fil-A or as one of my old office Friends use to say her grandson would call it: Chick A Lay, Chick A Lay don’t you just love it.  So precious and I catch myself singing that tune periodically as I walk through the doors of either the Gulf to Bay Store or Oldsmar Store.  Thanks to my Friends Jane, Ronnie and Russ for always supporting o2b Fun!

I might also suggest purchasing for ALL your stocking stuffer needs the Chick-Fil-A Calendar so your family or friends can enjoy a treat each month.  I already have mine and at Six Dollars Each you cannot beat all the free treats you get monthly with that calendar … what are you waiting for go get them!

I like to keep all my blogs short and sweet (like myself hahaha) but I would be remise if I did not once again give you My Top 10 and ask you please be sure to frequent them especially now for their HOLIDAY SPECIALS:

Holiday Inn Clearwater Beach; The Palm Tampa; Janie, Ronnie, Dan & Russ at Chick-Fil-A; Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater; Straz Center Tampa; Shephards Beach Resort Clearwater Beach; Tampa Bay Rays; Flamestone Oldsmar/Besa Grill Safety Harbor or Oldsmar; PF Changs Tampa or Clearwater; and Watercolour Sand Key Beach

Until next time, keep it Real … REAL FUN that is and be sure to enter my next contest!  Brenda 🙂

So I wanted to share with you something I read lately and maybe it will enlighten or humor you.  I recently read for the third time, Dr. Kevin Leman book entitled “The Birth Order Book.”  First do not shoot the blogger as you read this, second I found this to be very accurate on me and third Dr. Leman says you will have all the traits from your birth order plus you might have a few traits from the other birth orders.

Last Sunday my Son, Thea and I laughed at these traits while we all three agreed these traits were so each of us (i.e. my Son first born; Thea baby and I am that middle child.)  I open with the first snippet from the book page 4 but know the book is worth the whole read even if you go to your library to check it out:

• First born are perfectionists, reliable, conscientious, list maker, critical, serious, scholarly, organized, detailed with lots of questions asked and has the most photos in the family photo album.  (Example, you have brother who was born first yet you are the first daughter born then both of you will have first born traits –i.e. first born son and first born daughter –)
• Middle born is good mediator, avoids conflict, independent, extremely loyal, has most friends, is a maverick, creative and fewest photos in the family photo album.  Middle born seeks friends and groups outside of the family to be accepted but they get offended if you do not include their family.
• Baby of family is engaging, blames others, charming to get what they want, manipulative, has to always be center of attention, good salesperson and makes sure their photos are in the front of the family album.

So with that read here is some more information from studies Dr. Leman did on birth order:

First born (one from each gender noting some cultures give more importance to boys than girls such as Orientals) is a guinea pig for Mom and Dad as first born is their representation to the world.  Studies show to a first born child takes everything serious as they feel they represent the family in every aspect of their life.  They are the little adult that often goes on to become leaders or scholars.  First born need to learn how to say no,  to take small bites of life knowing they are going to mess up, and become spontaneous.

Middle born has to follow in the smart perfectionists first born shoes so they tend to feel like a fifth wheel, not as smart, wants to make the family proud yet they look outside the family approval from friends.  Studies show middle born is the most secretive of all birth orders, consider themselves the most monogamous, prone to be embarrassed easily, yet but that they do not have as many hang-ups as the other birth order children because they think, “this is not perfect but it is kind of nice.”

Baby birth order typically has I will show them attitude, are people persons, demands the limelight, born with ambivalence, photogenic but do not take responsibility for their actions.

Studies show these are the most self centered and un willing to compromise because they never have had to after all by the time they came around Mom and Dad just thought they were cute and did no wrong.

This book also has 3 chapters on birth order marriages which is worth the mention if you are interested in reading here are the titles:

• Why two first born end up fighting as two perfectionists might not have a perfect marriage
• Why two middle children may not be able to negotiate happily after
• Why two babies will let the good times roll to the point of causing major marital problems

Again all of this is just the research of Dr. Leman so those that know me, know I believe God can work in any life or situation or problem you might have we just need to know what we are up against.  PS – This was not written for anything but to be enjoyed, laugh at ourselves and make me a better person.

I truly am that middle child and have ALL the middle child traits 100 percent, oh yes I do so now you know me a little better.

Until next time, keep it REAL … REAL FUN that is 🙂 Brenda

Every year many businesses Nationwide honor our Current and Past Military people with discounted or free items.  It’s always my pleasure to share this information.    Here is the 2013 list as of today:

• Golden Corral Nationwide Free Dinner from 4-9pm MONDAY only 11-11
• Applebee’s Nationwide (limited meal choices) Dine in only all Day
• Arby’s Nationwide get Free Roast Beef Sandwich all Day
• Bar Louie with Free Lunch or Dinner with value up to $11 only 12 noon to close
• BJ’s Free Lunch Entree or One Topping Mini Pizza all Day
• California Pizza to enjoy A Pizza All Day
• Chili’s Free Meal from a seven (7) pre-selected meals all Day
• Denny’s all Day get All You Can Eat Pancakes only
• Friendly’s get Free Big Two Do Breakfast and coffee all Day
• Einstein Bagel all Day for one Free Bagel
• Great American Cookie all Day for One Free Cookie
• Hooters all Day get 10 Free Boneless Wings with purchase of a drink
• Krispy Kreme all Day get One Free Donut & Coffee
• Longhorn Steakhouse all Day get Free Appetizer and Free Drink
• Olive Garden all Day 11-11 Free Meal from limited menu
• On the Border all Day 11-11 Free “Create you own Combo Menu”
• Outback Steakhouse all Day Free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca-Cola
• Red Lobster all Day Free Appetizer
• Shoney’s all Day 11-11 Free All-American Burger Meal
• TGI Friday Free Lunch from selected menu 11-11 from 11 am to 2 pm
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill vets get Free Churrasco Meal on 11-11
• Sweet Tomatoes all Day Free Meal with purchase of one meal
• Texas Roadhouse is doing Free Lunch from 11 am to 2 pm on 11-11 Only
• Tony Roma’s all Day Free Entrée
• Village Inn all Day choice of Free Pie or Free stack of buttermilk pancakes
• Hooters Nationwide Free Meal on Monday 11-11 ONLY
• Hoss’s Family Steak House Free Entree on Monday 11-11 from 11 am to 9 pm
• Spaghetti Warehouse all Day With COUPON On Website 15 layer lasagna + Second Entrée FREE

Let’s Honor our Veterans if you are at these locations by allowing them to go ahead of you or like Audrey celebrate with BUBBLES … just a suggestion!

Until next time, keep it Real … REAL FUN that is, Brenda 🙂