Reminder: Giveaway Ending Tonight

My Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut giveaway is ending tonight! Make sure you get your entries in soon!!

Thursday Thunks - Walking in Memphis

1. Robins have red breasts. Why are their eggs blue?

Around here, the eggs are blue because the Robins lay them so early in spring that things are so chilly.

2. The doorbell buzzes at the same moment the phone rings. Who was on the phone?

I don't know. I'd rather talk to the person at the door. I hate talking on the phone and almost always screen the calls!

3. It seems that there are several very popular memes each day of the week. Which meme did you first become a regular of?

I think this may be the first one I'm even close to being a regular on. I do different ones once in a while, but this is probably my fav.

4. It is about time that Berleen and Kimber meet in person. Should we start a collection to fly one of them to the other, or just hope Thom's bus and get from Hawaii to Kimber in Arizona and take her to Berleen in Minnesota?

I think we should just have a big get together among all thunkers in the Bahamas. LOL.

5. Tell us about your pets. Do you have one that you wish would run away?

We have one dog, a cocker spaniel, named Chip. We love him a lot! I don't think we'll probably get any more pets after he's gone though. We like our independence and spontaneity. Having a pet makes that a little more difficult.

6. What was the last thing colored red that you wore?

Boxer briefs under my workout shorts this morning.

7. I have a train that runs by where I live several times a day. I actually find it peaceful. What's the longest journey that you have taken by train?

I think the only time I've ridden a train was a scenic railway train in southern Ohio. Maybe 3 miles?

8. If Kimber threw a five dollar bill off a building that was five stories high, and Berleen threw a twenty off a build that was six stories high, who do you think would find the money?

Some one legged bum with a beard sitting on the sidewalk.

9. If reincarnation really happens, whose life would you like to know that you have already led?

I don't believe in reincarnation and don't think I'd want to even consider living the life of anyone but myself.

10. What are your three favorite possessions?

Bible, iPod, Grill

11. A lot of people still believe that Elvis is alive. Have you ever worn blue suede shoes?

Nah, the way I wear out shoes, they probably wouldn't last more than a day on my feet.

12. Do you have siblings? If yes, are you anything alike?

I have a brother and a sister. I think the only think alike between us is that my brother and I are both working in the computer field. Other than that...we're all three on Facebook...lol.

13. Has anyone ever asked you to strip naked and cluck like a chicken?

No. I love the Chicken Dance though.

Monday Mayhem - The Biggest Meme

1. What is the biggest thing you have ever seen?


I'd have to say the Sears Tower in Chicago.


2. Who drives the biggest car?


In our house, I do. I drive a small pickup truck.


3. Do you watch The Biggest Loser?


We watch it occasionally, but usually find something else on.


4. Would you ever want to be the Biggest Loser?


I don't think I have enough to lose to be worth even trying out. I would love to have Jillian as a personal trainer for a week or two to get into some sort of workout routine.


5. What is the biggest thing you like about yourself?


I think my eyes are my favorite thing about me appearance wise.


6. What is the biggest thing you like about other people?


Physically, in women, I like eyes, boobs, and butts. Otherwise, including men and women, I like honesty and trust the most!


7. What is the biggest thing about other people that bugs you?


The biggest thing that bugs me about other people is when they talk behind each other's backs. I see a lot of that at work and it drives me nuts.


8. What was the biggest meal you have ever consumed?


I would have to say the BLT sandwich in Birch Run, MI or the Thurman Burger at Thurman's in Columbus, OH. The BLT had a pound of bacon on it. The burger was a 3/4 pound burger with about a 1/4 pound of ham and all the other toppings. Mmmmmm.


9. Who is the biggest idiot?


I plead the 5th.


10. What is the biggest trouble you have ever been in?


I'd have to say it was the time I hit my brother in the head with a baseball bat.


11. Is it better to be the biggest or littlest?


I think both big and little can be used greatly by God.


12. Is it true, the "bigger the better"?


I'd have to say it depends on what you are talking about. Ask more specifically and I'll share my opinion.


13. What is the biggest thing you've ever accomplished?


Graduating college.


14. What was the biggest mistake you have ever made?


I think the biggest mistake I ever made was allowing my our finances to get so screwed up early on in our marriage. At least we're on the right track now!


15. Who is the biggest celebrity?


Maybe Sandra Bullock?


16. What celebrity is in the biggest trouble?


Tiger Woods.


17. How big was the biggest person that you have ever met?


We saw the Power Team one time. Those guys and ladies were huge, muscle wise anyway.


18. Who is your biggest fan?


I'd have to say my wife. She's a great cheerleader when I need the encouragement!


19. Who are you the biggest fan of?


Ohio State Buckeyes


20. What was the biggest meme that you have ever completed?

I usually only complete ones of about this length. If they are real long, they're too difficult to get completed in a sitting.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing: The Meme Time Meme

01. Real First Name: Matt

02. Birthday: October 12

03. Where do you live: Ohio

04: What are you studying/What are you working as: I'm working as a computer systems administrator.

05. What makes you happy: My family.

06. What are you listening to now/have listened to last: Right now, I've got the Country Music Awards on...just because there's nothing else on.

07. What is particularly good/bad about your blog: I don't keep up with it as much as I'd like to. I need to do some much better time management in my life right now.

08. An interesting fact about you: I completed my bachelor's degree online.

09. Are you in love/have a crush at the moment: I'm totally in love with my beautiful wife of almost 10 years!

10. Favorite place to be: Outdoors

11. Favorite lyric: I really can't think of anything specific.

12. Best time of the year: Spring and Fall

13. Weirdest food you like: Green Olives on pizza...don't like them any other way

RECOMMEND

01. A film: Not a big movie buff.

02. A book: The Shack

03. A song: Forever and Always...Shania Twain

04: A band: Black Eyed Peas

PLUS

01. One thing you like about a blogger that you have not met: Annissa Mayhew is a powerful lady. I've been following her blog for a while now, but have gotten particularly interested in her and her husbands posts since her most recent stroke. She's a real inspiration!

02. Two things you like about yourself: Eyes and arms

03. Name three things that you need in a lover: Trust, Beauty, Honesty

Vacation Planning

I'm looking into vacation ideas for my family this year. I just like to get away. Personally, I just want to get away. Some years, I have a specific location or activity, but I just need the time away anywhere this year. We don't want to go too far because we're on a budget. I've been looking at places around Lake Michigan since it's fairly close to home. I'm really interested in Door County, Wisconsin. My son wants to go somewhere there's a beach. There are lots of beaches up there. I'd really like to find something on the beach up there, but it appears that's hard to find.

I found Sand Bay Beach Resort and Suites. They have suites that overlook a large sand beach. The best part is that they have a full kitchen in the rooms, so we could do some of our own cooking to cut down on expense. I think this might be a great fit, but I'm still looking.

Has anyone out there been to Door County, Wisconsin? Do you have ideas for a vacation near a beach around Ohio? Do you have ideas for saving money on vacations? Any vacation tips would be appreciated as I try to decide what we'll be doing this year! Thanks everyone!

Holey Donuts Offer

As a fan of my blog that really cool Low Fat Donut company, Holey Donuts! is offering us a store credit that is good toward any purchase on their website www.holeydonuts.net. Although this has no cash value, you can use it toward any NEW orders placed between today and this Friday. At midnight Friday 4/16/2010 it will expire worthless.

This credit is as good as cash for the purchase of any yummy Low Fat Donuts, Donut Holes or any products they sell!

Hurry, this $19.27 credit offer will expire worthless this Friday if you don't use it, so place your order now for any 3 or more assortments (that's the minimum purchase), and enter the code 1crdt at checkout to activate your credit. Be sure to hit recalculate to activate your store credit.

Please look for the gift messages section and add Meandering Matt there to also insure the proper credit is applied. If you have any problems entering the code or questions just email my friends at Holey Donuts! at info@holeydonuts.net

All Holey Donuts! products not only taste great, but are lower in fat and calories! These great handmade treats will store frozen for as long as 3 months and take up very little freezer space. With this FREE MONEY credit share an order with a friend or co-worker. Isn't it time you finally treated yourself? Great donuts and free money!

Great tasting donuts without the fat, calories, and guilt!
www.holeydonuts.net

• Go to Holey Donuts


• Place an order (there's a three assortment requirement)


• Enter the code 1crdt at checkout


• Click Recalculate


• $19.27 will be deducted from your total


• Please type Meandering Matt in the gift message section at checkout to give me an opportunity to win $100.

Friday Fill-Ins

1. I'd like to take a very long vacation far away from the stresses of life right now..
2. One of my most favorite romantic memories is the October day that I crawled out from under a rock bridge thing and proposed to my now wife.
3. Last night, I had spaghetti for dinner.
4. Sorry for the problems with my blog background. The images for my main blog layout are housed on someone else's photobucket account and it appears something happened.
5. Can we go to bed now?
6. One of my worst temptations is to eat, eat, eat; food is hard to resist!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, tomorrow my plans include relaxing at home and Sunday, I want to worship God with all my fellow believers!

Thursday Thunks

Got your taxes done?

Yes, in fact, we already have our returns and are planning out how to spend them.

What do batteries run on?

Battery Acid.

What do chickens think we taste like?

Hmmm. That's a good question because the roosters hated me when I was little. They all knocked me over and pecked at me. Not good memories!

What do they call a French kiss in France?

A french kiss is a french kiss no matter where you are.

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor and dishwashing liquid made with real
lemons?

LOL. I would have to say because dishwashing liquid is not edible, therefore, the lemon juice could go bad in dishwashing liquid without harming anyone.

How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

I'm pretty good at listening twice and then just nodding. My mom used to say she could tell when I had an ear infection because she would stand behind me and talk and I wouldn't respond. Or she'd ask a question and I'd just nod.

I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Darn it!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

LOL. Usually this happens when I call them back and they decided to call someone else or they are leaving me a voicemail.

So Mel Gibson left his girlfriend - think he's finally heard of me?

Good luck!

Why do they call it "getting your dog fixed" if afterwards it doesn't work anymore?

You know, we've had lots of conversations about this. We've never really figured it out.

Are you bothered that I didn't number these?

I was very bothered, but didn't want to take time to add numbers or insert list tags.

There's a Froggie Treasure Hunt going on... winner wins a $20 Amazon gift certificate ~ Why haven't you joined ICForums and started playing yet?

I don't get too excited about Amazon gift certificates unless they are really high amounts.

Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut Review and Giveaway - CLOSED

I'm so excited to share with you about another great product from Tropical Traditions, their Shredded Coconut!



I received the bucket of Shredded Coconut a couple weeks ago and had to try it in the Chili-Coconut Crusted Shrimp recipe I found on their site. I made one adjustment to the recipe because my son doesn't like spicy stuff yet. I removed the peppers. This shrimp went over very well, even with my wife who's not a big shrimp fan! I have to admit it would have been even better if we could get fresh shrimp in Ohio instead of previously frozen shrimp. We made a dip using coconut cream, vanilla yogurt, and crushed pineapple for them. It was kind of similar to Red Lobster's dip for coconut shrimp.



I also made a batch of Classic Coconut Macaroons for our small group one Sunday night. They went over pretty well among those who like coconut! My wife said they were great just as they were. Other's thought dipping them in a little chocolate would make them even better. There's a recipe for the chocolate glaze right below the Macaroons recipe, so be sure to check that out too.



The best part is that the container (bucket) that their Shredded Coconut comes in is resealable. I mean it really seals tight to keep the coconut fresh! It has a rubber gasket inside the lid to make it seal air-tight. You don't get this from a bag of coconut bought in the store!

Hopefully, the recipes and pictures of foods using Tropical Traditions Shredded Coconut have enticed you a little!

The Giveaway

Tropical Traditions would like to give one of my readers their very own 1-gallon bucket of Shredded Coconut (2 lbs). (retails for $16.00).

Note: Please be sure to leave an email address in your comment if it's not public on your blogger profile.


Main Entry

Go here and look through the recipes at the bottom of the page. Come back here and tell me which recipe you'd like to try if you win the Shredded Coconut.

Extra Entries

• Sign up for Tropical Traditions Newsletter (1 entry)


• Become a fan of Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (1 entry)


• Follow @troptraditions on twitter. (1 entry)


• Follow me (@matt0701) on twitter AND tweet the giveaway (Leave the direct link to your tweet) You can tweet once per day. (1 entry per day)


• Follow me on blogger. (1 entry)


• Subscribe to my blog by email OR RSS feeds. (1 entry)


• Add my button to your blog and leave me the link (1 Entry)


• Blog about this giveaway, linking back to this post and to Tropical Traditions. (5 entries. Please leave one comment per entry.)

Note: Giveaway open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

Contest ends April 30, 2010. I will choose a winner using random.org sometime on May 1, 2010 and contact the winner by email. You will have three days to respond by email with your contact information.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.

Excuse the Background Problem

Please excuse the problem with my blog background. I'm not sure what happened. I've contacted the blog design person who created my design. Hopefully we can get it fixed soon!

Monday Mayhem: Mayhem Goes Stealing

Welcome to Monday Mayhem. This week Mayhem is locked up in a jail cell some place in Illinois. You might ask why? Well it went on a stealing binge this week. It passed go and didn't collect the $200.00. Rather it went right to jail. You can get it out of jail by answering each question and sending a Margarita to Harriet. Cheers!


From 2nd Cup of Coffee:


1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I don't remember a whole lot about what I wanted to be growing up. For a long time, I wanted to be a chef. Later in school, I was pretty interested in repairing electronics, specifically computers.

2. If you had one word to describe yourself , what would you choose?

Bald.

From Sunday Stealing:


3. You have been given the opportunity to create the half-hour TV show of your own design. What is it called and what’s the premise?

Chef's in Training. It would be a weekly show teaching people how to become gourmet chefs. I believe a half hour could highlight the training someone would have to go through to become a true chef.

4. You discover a beautiful island upon which you may build your own society. You make the rules. What is the first rule you put into place?

Everyone must where sunscreen at all times.

From Good Mourning Glory!:


5. This weeks theme if Four Seasons. Share a video.



From Saturday 9:


6. What age would you encourage your children to get married?

I would encourage them to get married when they feel they are ready. I believe we are all ready for marriage at different ages. It takes love and maturity to be ready for marriage!

7. Who got married at the last wedding that you attended?

A friend of my wife's family.

8. Do you enjoy weddings and receptions?

I like short weddings. I enjoy some receptions when there isn't an overabundance of alcohol.

From Thursday Thunks:


9. Your thoughts on truck drivers?

I'm thankful for truck drivers. Without them, how would we get all the things we need? I do admit that some of the truck drivers out there are weird and sometimes scary.

10. What is in your kitchen sink right at this very moment?

dishes from supper. Ran out of gas in the grill and ended up having to cook on the stove.

Thursday Thunks

1. Why do they ask you to get on the plane? Shouldn't you get in it? When was your last flight?

Hmmm...good point. It would be a really rough flight if I was on the plane rather than in it. My last flight was from Ohio to New York to Casa Blanca to Mali and back. It was for a missions trip. I am hoping to go back soon, but that's in God's hands right now. I'm open to whatever he may have planned.

2. Why do they call two planes getting too close a near miss? Shouldn't it be a near hit? Have you ever been on a plane that was in trouble?

Another good point. Man, I just don't think about these things much. When I flew to Seattle several years ago, it was my first time flying. We got in the air and the pilot came on the speaker stating there was a problem with the landing gear doors. They circled waiting on engineers to determine what to do and ended up going back and switching planes. When we got back to the airport, the entire fire crew followed us down the runway.

3. If a mute swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap? What have you done when your child sweared?

Hey, maybe mute have cleaner hands than the rest of us...ha. I don't think my 4 year old has sworn, but we've had to tell him many times not to say things that sound bad. He usually listens and doesn't say it again.

4. How about a restaurant for anorexics? What would you call it? The Empty Plate? When was the last time you went out to a fancy restaurant?

LOL. My wife and I went to P.F. Chang's last week when we got away for a night. It was so good. They were running a special where we could both eat for $40. We got appetizer, soup, meal, and dessert. I love that place!

5. Where do forest rangers go to 'get away from it all'? What do you do to get away from it all?

Forest Rangers probably go to the big city to get away from it all...since they probably do the opposite of what I do. I personally enjoy going somewhere there's cabins and hiking trails or a beach.

6. Why do people who know the least know it the loudest? What do you do to get a know-it-all to shut up?

I think when someone knows the least about something, they often pipe up to make it sound like they know more than they do. I either walk away or change the subject.

7. If a man speaks in the forest and there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong? Men: does your woman (or most recent) think that you are always wrong? Women: Do you believe that men are always wrong?

I think that if there is no woman to hear him, then he is surely right. It doesn't happen often after all! My wife is pretty good at calling me out when I'm obviously wrong, but she accepts what I say most of the time when I actually am right.

8. If a turtle loses his shell, is it naked or homeless? Tell us about a time when you were caught naked.

Boy, being naked and homeless would really suck for the turtle!! I'm not sure I've ever been caught naked. Even if I go to bed naked, my wife usually doesn't notice...lol.

9. Would a fly that loses it wings be called a walk? How badly do flies annoy you?

I think it'd be called a wingless fly. I really hate flies buzzing past my head. I also hate that you never know where the flies have been.

10. Why do they report power outages on TV? When was the last time that you went without power?

I think they report them on TV for those of us that go to a fast food restaurant to get food when the power's out. It gives us the opportunity to find out what the problem is with the power if we go out. Our power has flickered several times in the past month. I honestly don't remember the last time it went out for more than a minute or two.

11. If vegetarians eat vegetables, what do humanitarians eat? Have you ever been or considered to be a vegetarian?

Humanitarians eat whatever they want to eat. I've considered it before, but I just don't think I could completely give up my red meat!

12. If the cops arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent? Tell us about a time when either you were arrested or came close.

I think they would tell him he has the right to remain silent because of the laws. I've never even came close. The closest I've ever gotten to meeting a police officer outside of work was when I had the two car accidents I've had.

13. Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food? Have you ever owned a cat?

Very good question. Maybe I'll patent this idea before someone else does. LOL. No, I've never really owned a cat. Had lots of strays at the house I grew up at.

Some Time Away and Saturday 9: Hurts So Good

It's been a long and stressful February and March this year for me. We did a major software upgrade at work and still haven't been able to close out our January accounting. There were so many errors in the data conversion that we're really struggling. As the IT/IS guy, I've taken a lot of the problems personally even though there's nothing I can do to fix them. I am struggling that I have no control over the situation.

You know, as I typed that, I realized this is a lot like my relationship with Christ. I have to leave it up to Him because I know that life on this Earth is not in my control.

Anyway, I decided to leave early from work yesterday and take all of today off. My wife and I headed out of town for one night just to relax and get away from it all. It's been awesome so far, just being away from the stresses that have been getting to me. Today, the temperature is supposed to be in the 80's, so we're going to do some outdoor shopping and maybe a park or something. Tomorrow, there's a wedding shower for my brother and his fiance. I'm really excited for them. Then, on Sunday, it's Easter!!! Christ is Risen!!

Now my Saturday 9 post for this week.

Saturday 9: Hurts So Good

1. Tell us about the last time you really got hurt.

I think the last time I really got hurt was when I was building our raised bed garden for strawberries last year. I was putting screws in with a drill to hold it all together. Suddenly, the screwdriver bit slipped off the screw and went through my fingernail. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain. It hurt the worst of any pain I've felt for a very very long time.

2. What's your oldest possession?

My oldest possession is probably two of the cigars my dad passed out when I was born. He says I shouldn't try smoking a 30+ year old cigar. I wouldn't smoke it anyway.

3. Do you have any phobias?

I'm slightly afraid of water. I have never really enjoyed swimming. I'll go in as long as I have some kind of floatation device or a safe boat.

4. What values did your parents instill in you?

I think my parents instilled amazing moral and relational values. They tried hard to keep me on the straight path with God, which led to good moral and relational values.

5. What are your plans for Easter?

Sunrise service at my Dad's church (he's a pastor), then maybe regular church service later in the morning. The rest of the day depends on when my brother and his fiance are headed back to Wichita.

6. I like sun more than snow.

I love sun way more than snow, although running my new snow blower was a lot of fun!

7. Tell us about 3 fads from your teenage years.

I'm not sure I know anything about fads.

8. Tell us what is the most important attribute in a lover.

I think the most important is trust/honesty.

9. What new piece of technology have you resisted buying and what would it take for you to change your mind?

I've put off buying a flat screen LED/PLASMA/LCD TV. I think if my TV at home goes out, that's when we will break down and buy a new TV. The last time our TV broke, I was lucky enough to find someone who was getting rid of an older TV, so I didn't need to spend much.