Throwback Thursday #TBT #Cassette Tapes & 80's Music From My Youth

#TBT

Throwback Thursday 

Cassette Tapes

and Music From My Youth

circa the 80's

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the music from my youth.

Things To Do in St Pete-Clearwater #Florida #SpringBreak #travel @vspc

Fun Things to Do In and Around St. Peterburg and Clearwater Florida 

For years I have been going to Clearwater at Spring Break. From beaches to Blue Jays the Communities of St Pete-Clearwater Area each have their own unique attractions and things for a family to see and do.

Beaches: 

There are lots of beach options in the St. Pete - Clearwater area. Below are a few of my favourites.

• Clearwater Beach: Voted #1 on TripAdvisors 2015 list of Top 25 US Beaches. It has lots of white sand, activities and sunshine. Sunset Fun at Pier 60 Clearwater Beach is filled with fun. Buskers and performance artists entertain the crowds, and along the pier merchants sell handcrafted items. 
• Honeymoon Island State Park: This lovely and quiet undeveloped beach is a perfect location for a family day at the beach, and always a favourite for us when the kids were young.
• Fort De Soto Park: "Fort De Soto park consists of 1.136 acres made up of five interconnected islands (keys). These keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods, and scores of native plants." Although I have not been here myself I hear if is very nice. 
• Indian Shores and Indian Rock Beach: I always associate this beach with lots of pelicans since the first time we visited we stayed at a hotel right on the beach beside the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary. At the time my kids were young and they loved seeing all the pelicans on our daily walks on the beach.

Things To Do:

There is no shortage of things to do for all ages and interests when visiting the St Pete Clearwater area. We always divide our time between eating, fishing, shopping, skateboarding and visiting book stores.

• Tarpons Springs: I found this to be a lovely destination for lunch and an afternoon of shopping in the unique shops at Tarpon Springs. In this historical village famous for it's sponge beds you can experience Greek culture and cuisine. The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is another family friendly attraction option. 
• John's Pass Village and Boardwalk: I highly recommend a visit to this quaint village filled with shops and restaurants. It's a free activity to walk the boardwalk and window shop. I found the prices in the shops to be very competitive and perfect to pick up some gifts and keepsakes. In my opinion a visit to John's Pass for lunch, souvenir shopping, and a walk along the boardwalk makes for a perfect afternoon. Pirate Ship at John's Pass: offer another family friendly activity option. 
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: There are Aquarium Exhibits and the option of Boat and Kayak Tours
• Dali Museum:which currently has the Disney and Dali Exhibit
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Skateboard Parks: Ross Norton Rec Center Extreme Sports Park in Clearwater and Fossil Park, St Petersburg. Although Thing 2 has been to both, we always had to fit at least a couple visits to Ross Norton into our itinerary.

• Fishing Options and Hot Spots: There are lots of fishing options from chartered deep sea day trips to fishing off piers. Skyway Fishing Piers are huge piers you can fish from and a must do at least once for the angler in your family. You can also fish off Clearwater Beach Pier 60.

• Baseball Spring Training: 15 Major League Baseball teams do their spring training in Florida. The Toronto Blue Jays train in Dunedin. Be warned the fans are just as enthusiastic at spring training as in the regular season. 
• Jolly Trolley: The Clearwater Beach Jolly Trolley is a very economical option. It was always a favourite with my kids when they were younger, and was almost an attraction in itself. 
• Other Kid Fun Ideas in St Pete- Clearwater

Some Favourite Family Friendly Eateries:

Some of our favourite restaurants chains to dine at are Panda Express, Chili's and Smokey Bones, but the ones below are particularly family friendly and fun for younger kids.

• Chuckie Cheese: This was a must do for years when my kids were younger. My only real issue is having to share my game tokens with my kids. Kids are sooo demanding. Be sure to do some online searches for coupons for extra tokens, or specials and deals. Chuckie Cheese has locations on in Clearwater and in St Petersburg. 
• CiCi's Pizza: This is one of our favourite budget friendly pizza places. 
• Crabby Bills - Clearwater Beach: I don't think I have ever visited Clearwater without dinner at Crabby Bills after a day at the beach. 
• Frenchy's Rockaway Grill: Known for the best Grouper Sandwich in the area! 

I hope I have given you some ideas to add to your St. Pete - Clearwater trip itinerary. 

Happy Travels!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about visiting Florida.

Note: I was not compensated for this post. It's purpose was merely to share my experience and information with my readers. All opinions are my own.

Five Action-Military Movies #What2Watch #WhattoWatch #W2WW

What to Watch

Five Action - Military Movies

As you know "What's Good to Watch?" is a common question among my friends and family, and the reason I share movie and show recommendations on Cathy Thinking Out Loud every Wednesday (aka #W2WW). This week's recommendations are NOT for the kiddies, since all but one have an "R" rating. You can find all of these movies currently on Netflix Canada.

• Acts of Valor 

• Black Hawk Down
• Special Forces
• Tears of the Sun
• Zero Dark Thirty

Sharing is caring, so do tell...what are you streaming these days?

Happy Streaming!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post, and my #W2WW, What to Watch posts are simply something I like to share with my readers. They are not specifically connected to Netflix, or my involvement in the Netflix Streamteam.

Join the #SupportPrincessMargaret #TwitterParty & Periscope - Feb 17th 7pm No RSVP

On Wednesday February 17th Help Support Cancer Research and Join In the #SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party and Periscope.

On February 17th, at 7:00 pm est the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation and Princess Margaret Home Lottery are hosting a twitter party and Periscope to share information about their cancer research and how purchasing a Princess Margaret Home Lottery ticket helps support those efforts.

Twitter Party Details:

Hashtag: #SupportPrincessMargaret

Date: Wednesday February 17, 2016

Time: 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET

Hosts: @thePMCF and @PMLotto

NO RSVP 

Prizing: $1500 in Visa Gift Cards

(Canada Only)

More Details: Twubs - Support Princess Margaret

Spread the word, and see you there! 

Why is it important to #SupportPrincessMargaret?

Here in Canada we're lucky enough to have the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top five cancer research centres in the world.

Buying a Princess Margaret Home Lottery ticket supports the research and services provided by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation. 

• The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) is home to Canada's largest cancer research and clinical program.
• The PMCC sees more than 17,000 new patients each year, and 1000 patients daily. 
• More than 2900 people are employed in patient care and research positions. 
• The PMCC runs Canada's largest clinical trial program
• The PMCC has Canada's largest surgical oncology team, and one of the largest in the world.

What this all means is more patients cared for, with new treatments developed, and the top cancer treatment and research teams right here in Canada. 

What makes buying a Princess Margaret Home Lottery ticket a WIN-WIN for everyone, is while supporting cancer treatment and research you also have the chance to win BIG! 

I mean really BIG! With Princess Margaret Home Lottery's BIGGEST Grand Prize ever! 

That's right! The Grand Prize Winner gets a $3.7 Million Kleinburg ShowHome PLUS a $700,000 Muskoka Cottage PLUS $100,000 Cash!!!

Be social and follow Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery on Social Media. 
PMLotto Website
On Twitter
On Instagram
On Facebook
On YouTube

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about PMLotto and a Big Time Win - Win! 

Note: I was compensated for this post but I'm proud to participate in sharing this information with my readers and support PMCC and the PMLotto. All opinions are my own. 

Couple & Family Time #ValentinesDay #FamilyDay #Streamteam @Netflix_CA

Finding Ways to Include Both Family and Couple Time in Your Life.

It's February which means February 14th is Valentine's Day and February 15th is Family Day.

February 14th - Couple Time

After 23 years of marriage it's easy to let Valentine's Day slip by without making time to express our love and affection for each other. The demands of life and time pressures often take priority. But, being together and loving each other for more than a quarter of a century deserves at least some sort of acknowledgement. Certainly after raising two boys aka Thing 1 and Thing 2 together we deserve some couple without the evil offspring. It doesn't need to be a big deal or something fancy, but it should be a thoughtful specific effort. 

Being home-bodies who generally prefer a night in together rather than a night out, ordering take out, a couple of gin and tonics, and watching a movie or show together is a good fit for our Valentine's Day celebrations. Any show in the We Say - Sweet Spot are perfect options and ensure we both equally enjoy what we watch during our time together. Making time for Couple Time was much easier before the kids, aka the "evil offspring", but even so it's important to make time for couple time. 

February 15th - Family Time 

Evolution of the Family Movie Night: Meet my family: Me, Hubby, and Thing 1 (20 year old) and Thing 2 (18 year old). What the offspring watch and what we watch with them has changed since we first started our family movie night tradition when the kids were toddlers. Now that they're older I worry less about what is age appropriate and more about whether I want to sit through it. Never, I repeat never will I be watching Trailer Park Boys or South Park. Never are they going to agree to watch Korean rom-coms or Bollywood movies (actually my husband won't agree to watch those either). So I like to find movies and shows to watch together as a family that appeal to all of us. Throw in some yummy "snackages" and sodas and we have the makings of a great family night in.

Two genres that seem to work well are Comedies and Action. There are many comedies and action movies that have just enough humour, action and a love interest to make the plot interesting for all of us. I call these the "middle ground", and fall somewhere between South Park and Bollywood. Movies without overly graphic violence (for me) or nudity (Awkward! and best not shared with your Mom) seem to work best for family viewing time. It's not that we don't watch other types of movies we each like, we just don't watch them together. Selective family viewing make for happy family viewing.

Coming Soon to Netflix:

Starting February 26th, 2016 you will also be able to stream Fuller House on Netflix. Take a jump forward in time to when the Full House kids are grown and dealing with their own life and parenting challenges, and that is where Fuller House begins. This sequel welcomes many of the Full House characters back, giving us insight into what they've been doing between then and now, and what circumstances lead to an even "fuller house". It's a great show to add to your "Family Fun Night In" streaming list and is perfect for all ages.

Whether as a couple or as a family I hope you find ways

 to make time together with loves ones extra special. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

and 

Happy Family Day!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about time with the ones I love.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purposes of my Netflix Streamteam posts. All opinions are my own. 

Also, my weekly #W2WW - What to Watch posts are simply something I like to share with readers, and not related to Netflix and my participation in the Streamteam.

Terms of Endearment for Your Main Squeeze #GrowYourVocab #WordList

I'm In The Mood For Love

14 Terms of Endearment for Your Main Squeeze

Word List:

Boo

(just in case you feel the need to hear boo used in a sentence)

Angel, Angel Face
Babe, Baby
Beau 

Darling

Honey, Honeybunch

Lover

Pookie

Poochie, Poochie-kins

Snookums

Sweetie, Sweetness

Sweetheart 

Sugar
My Valentine

Spread the love, grow your vocabulary and incorporate some of these 
into your writing and conversation with your Valentine. 

I'm kinda partial to Hot Stuff and Beefcake as well.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about ways to say snookums.

Big Time Legit Slang From the 80's I Still Use #TBT #ThrowbackThursday

#TBT

Throwback Thursday

Five Deadly, Decent and Excellent 

Slang Terms From the 80's I Still Use

circa 1980's

Later / Later Gator:

Goodbye

Scarf / Scarf it down: 

eat food very fast

Upchuck: 

barf or throw up

Veg / Veg Out - I'm just going to Veg:

relax or chill out

What's Your Damage? 

what is wrong with you

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about deadly, decent and excellent terms from my teens I use on my teens.

Stream Romance: Movie #ValentinesDay #What2Watch #W2WW

What To Watch

Valentine's Day 

As you all know, "What's Good to Watch?" is a common question amongst my friends and family, and the reason I share movie and show recommendations on Cathy Thinking Out Loud every Wednesday (aka W2WW). Being just days away from Valentine's Day I'm recommending you stream romance by sharing the rom-com movie Valentine's Day with your honey. You can find it on Netflix Canada. 

Need more Valentine's Day streaming ideas? Try these 14 Movies to Watch Before Valentine's Day. 

Sharing is caring, so do tell ... what are you streaming these days? 

Happy Streaming!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about what to watch. 

Note: I have not been compensated for this post. All my opinions are my own, and the purpose of this post is merely to share with my readers.

Thought We Had A Thing?! #BrandsandBloggers Expectations & Disappointment

Brands and Blogger Relationships: Dealing With My Disappointment 

Hey! Over Here! Remember Me?! I thought we had a thing.

It's not often I question a brand's choices when it comes to who they pick as influencers, ambassadors or to work on a given campaign. Each brand has a vision for their overall branding, specific campaigns, and targets they want to reach. I understand that many factors go into each campaign, and there is no shortage of great bloggers who bring impressive skills to the table. But every now and then I feel disappointment in a brand which I find hard to brush off. 

This post is not about a single brand or campaign. I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt this way about a brand in relation to my blog and blogging. It is not a rant, but rather a personal reflection and a statement that "it's just business, and not personal" isn't true for me. It is personal for me with each post, or decision to share content. 

I find it hard not to feel snubbed, if after willingly supporting a brand, sharing their content, and working with them more than once on a specific campaign I discover by way of social media I have now been overlooked for that campaign. It could be that the brand is looking to a whole new group of bloggers, or influencers in a specific niche. But Nope, that was not the situation in these cases. It could be they didn't think I was a good fit, but I have had nothing but positive feedback about my participation in the past. It could be that a different PR team is handling the campaign, but it's the brand that hires the PR team., surely there is some conversation about who has participated in the past. So I can only assume they have simply failed to see me, or my value. While for the brand this choice may be for a single campaign, my feelings about being included or excluded last much longer. 

Realistically the bloggers participating in these campaigns or ambassadorships are successful, with a proven track record, and numbers I only aspire to have, but even so I think my long-term value makes it worth including me in select and specific campaigns. I don't begrudge those chosen to participate. I'm at the same time both happy for the bloggers' success, and disappointed in the brands short sightedness. I'm small but not invisible or insignificant, and besides I thought we had a thing.Wait! Did I just get the brand equivalent of being dumped by text message?! 

So I respond in the only way I can. I simply stop sharing or engaging with that brand. They won't notice, nor will the PR firm for the brand that has made the decision not to see me. It's unlikely that the brand or the PR firm will ever read this, or know I feel this way, and that's okay. The posts I write aren't about getting something or getting back. Writing it down helps me to take a critical look at what I'm feeling, and gives me a place to file those feelings, and move on. Plus it helps me to better manage expectations for future brand relationships, and these are all good things.

Blogging is similar to being a stay-at-home mom, in that it rarely comes with the clear and easy to interpret feedback regular performance appraisal provide. I do wonder if others feel this way, or am I just being too sensitive. I try not to think out loud about this type of thing because I don't want my expressing these feelings to be misinterpreted as whining or having entitlement issues. Although I'm quite capable of both of those it's not the case today. Well enough of that, time to file this under Blogger Issues and move on, because tomorrow is another day filled with possibility.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about my #BloggerIssues

Mom's View: Conflicting Feelings About My Kid's 1st Solo Trip Abroad #travel

Mom's Perspective: My Teen Is About to Take His First Solo Trip Abroad

In just over a month my youngest and three of his friends will board a flight to Europe. 

Actually it's connecting flights in an airport I've never been in (and I've been in many) to a country I've never been to (and I've been to several). What if he gets hurt, or mugged or there is an emergency? It would take at least 24 hours to get to him. So I worry, because Moms do that. 

Weighing the Pros and Cons to Each Decision:
When he asked I had mixed feelings: Say No you're too young and hold on tight, or say Yes and let go so he has the chance to be part of this adventure with his friends and have his own life experiences.

It doesn't matter that my youngest child is legally an adult, all I see is a kid that's a work in progress on his way to adulthood. 

So what if at his age I had gone on two Spring Break trips to Fort Lauderdale with my friends. Like somehow I was more mature and Fort Lauderdale at spring break was in any way about mature activities or experiences. But Thing 2 has always been independent and strong willed. He's not easily dissuaded, persuaded or likely to listen to words of wisdom and parental advice. That kid seems determined to reinvent the wheel at every stage of his life, and that kinda worries me.

The perspective is very different from this side of the parent-child equation.

You may not be here yet, or maybe you've already gone through this and lived to tell the story. For me this trip my youngest child is about to take abroad without me there to guide, help and be the voice of sanity is a first and a big step for both of us.

My job is to love, teach and protect him. His job is to grow, learn and eventually pull away and be independent. So what do I do with all my concerns, or how do I deal with the things parents worry about when their teen goes abroad for the first time. How do I make him understand that the majority of the world did not grow up with the same privileges he has had, and he is not invincible. That sometimes caution and a clear head are good options in a world where some things are out of his control. How do I get him to understand the really important messages and life lessons I have to share with him without being a hover-mother? I tell you it's tough. But I opted for yes, pressed enter on "book ticket now", and his tickets are confirmed.

I'm hopeful that he'll have a wonderful time and make some incredible memories, without being arrested, maiming himself, or losing his money or passport. I'll keep you posted.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about parenting Thing 2.

I Like It Better When We Netflix Together ...Sometimes #Streamteam @Netflix_CA

I Like It Better When We Netflix Together ... Sometimes.

The secret to a lasting relationship is the ability to be together and still maintain your own identity within the relationship. Same goes for the shows we watch, some are perfect for watching together, and others are best watched separately. There is that sweet spot in the middle of the He Says watch this, and She Says watch this, that is the We Say watch this. 

My husband and I have been together a long time, and back in the day long before streaming we learned to share the remote and give and take when it came to what we watched. Not that learning to give and take isn't a good thing, but I like being able to stream the shows we both like together, without the need for me to sit through an episode of Farscape. I'm guessing he's just as happy not to watch a 3 hour Bollywood movie with subtitles. In my opinion Netflix is a relationship saver, and peace keeper. It brings us together, while allowing us to retain our own viewing identities. It really does make me happy that my husband can spend his downtime enjoying a show he really likes, and even happier I don't have to endure it. 

It's interesting what our show and movie preferences say and reveal about our personalities. Even more interesting is how those preferences might even predict compatibility. I think you'll enjoy this infographic and the interesting stats it reveals. With Valentine's Day right around the corner why not stream a few romantic movies with your honey, or find a show both of you will love watching together. It could be the beginning of a very special showmance. 

Happy Streaming! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about the Netflix Streaming "Sweet Spot".

Note: I was not compensated for this post, but as a member of the Netflix Steamteam I do receive Netflix free of charge for the purpose of writing my Netflix Streamteam posts and reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Grrr... #ValentinesDay I'm Just Not Feelin' It

It's almost Valentine's Day and I'm not feeling all lovey-dovey and romantic.

I'm "Bearly" (pun intended) feeling like-y, and closer to no-likey, take a hikey. I'm seeing red at everything around me - including my husband.

There are rules to a happy marriage:

RULE: Only one at a time.

So I'm feeling grumpy and tired. No big deal right?! It happens to everyone now and then. What's not okay is the fact the my husband of 23 years is also grumpy and tired. The only one at a time rule means only one of us can have a mental breakdown, be overwhelmed or "grumpy" at any given time. I'm pretty sure it's my turn! 

Each time he says something to irritate me, or sounds grumpy or rude I'm thinking:

• It's My Turn!
• Take a number and get in line for grumpy time.
• Go have your breakdown on your own time.
• Did you say something? I didn't hear you because I'm not listening to you. 

Yes I understand I'm feeling the equivalent to a Valentine's Bah Humbug, but knowing that doesn't make it go away for myself or my husband. But I'm not worried. After 23 years and 27 Valentines I know it's okay to just go with the flow sometimes. It has nothing to do with love, or caring, it has to do with acceptance. Accepting that grumpy is not a reflection of how much we love each other. Accepting of each other with all our moods and ups and downs. Accepting that this will happen from time to time, especially if you've been together a long time.  

Should I/We Be Worried?

It took me many years of marriage to let the little things slide in my relationship with my husband. If things were not happy in marital bliss-land I felt the need to overanalyze, rehash, and fix it. I had appointed myself keeper of the happiness for every aspect of our lives. Each time my husband was in a bad mood, or grumpy, or angry I assumed it was somehow related to me. He's a man, so it's not like he'd say: "Honey I'm having a bad day, but it has nothing to do with you. Just give me a little space and it will pass". That small but vital piece of information would come out somewhere around the mid-point of the Why are you being so mean to me?-What did I do? argument. (Full Disclosure: I didn't give him the "Honey I'm having a bad day" spiel either, but he just assumed it had nothing to do with him unless otherwise notified.) Turns out he could be angry or upset without being angry or upset at me. Apparently it is possible to just have a bad day or be grumpy and have nothing to do with anything I did or said. 

• In the first decade with my husband I took it personally.
• In the second I was more likely to just ignore it.

RULE: If you laugh you can't be angry at me anymore. 

(my husband made up this ridiculous rule - and now the evil offspring use it on my too! Endless efforts are made to make me laugh in order to invoke the rule Grrr...)

• In the third decade I tell him "you're a grumpy old man, get some friggin' sleep and chill", which usually leads to an exchange of sarcastic but funny one-liners, laughter, a lightening of the mood and the If You Laugh Rule being invoked. 

I think the source of the problem (grumpiness, being irritable) is very important in deciding whether to worry about it or just let it ride itself out. Why am I or my husband grumpy? Is it external reasons impacting a person in a marriage, or is it something within the marriage impacting the person. I'm tired, so is my husband. When I'm tired I'm grumpy. When my husband is tired he is very grumpy. My husband being grumpy to me, can result in me being grumpy too, and vice versa. (Note: in this situation the "only one rule" is immediately invoked, and it's my turn) Sometimes life is a grind. We have two sons, an 18 year old and a 20 year. Need I say more? I think not, because clearly they are 75% of the reason we are tired and grumpy. 

I don't feel very lovey but I love my husband and I know he loves me. That is not to say we always like each other, or like each other's actions. We argue over the kids, money, and what to have for dinner, but I can't imagine my life without him in it, and if I had to pick someone to grow old and grumpy with it would be him. So maybe it's just low blood sugar, and all I really need is chocolate. 

How about you, are you feeling love for Valentine's Day? 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about chocolate and sleep. 

Throwback Thursday #TBT #FisherPrice Great Adventure Western Town CD circa 1997

#TBT

Throwback Thursday

Fisher Price, Great Adventure

Wild Western Town CD

(Minimum System Requirements: Windows 95) 

circa 1997

The Fisher Price Great Adventure CDs (released by The Learning Company) were one of the earliest computer experiences my kids had, and this Wild Western Town CD is the lone survivor of that Great Adventure CD collection that included:

• Wild Western Town
• The Castle
• The Pirate Ship
• Big Action Garage

We had the accompanying Western Town, Pirate Ship, Castle and Big Action Garage toy sets, including the All-In-One Adventures (mini Castle, Pirate, and Western Town). Except for these few characters which I didn't have the heart to let go, I very reluctantly placed the bigger pieces in loving homes, so other kids could have great adventures with them as well. We were big fans of both the CDs and the toys, and they became some of our all time favourites. In my opinion the Great Adventure toy sets and All-In-One toy sets are timeless classics which I sincerely hope Fisher Price brings back. No electronics or bells and whistles, just great toys that provide hours of imaginative fun. 

How about you? Did you have any Great Adventure Toys or CDs?

Yep, just me Cathy Thinking Out Loud about great adventures.