Monday, June 29, 2009

Flip Flop Summer

by Kenny Chesney
Sprin's sprung, the sun's up and shinin'
School's out, and everyone's smilin'
Let's pop the top off, and lie for a while
And some take it easy days.

Let's tell that old grind where to stick it
Put the rest of the stress in there with it
Don't you think we've had enough
It's time to get away.

It's gonna be another flip flop summer
Kick off your shoes, and call up your lover
Say hey baby, the winter is over
Let's head south awhile
We're going to take us a long vacation
Mix us up some strong libations
No worries, just good vibrations
And lazy days in style
It's a flip flop summer, It's a flip flop summer.

Put your coat away in the closet
You won't need it, baby
Because it's a clear blue sky
And the weatherman says it looks that way for weeks
Baby, we'll cruise down to Montigo
Raise us a glass as we pass Puerto Rico
It don't matter 'cause wherever we go
Its where it's good to be.

Let's sail away, where no problems can find us
We've got 90 days
To watch that ole Tequila sun rise
And leave all our troubles behind us.

It's a flip flop summer...

Click here to get your AOII Flip Flops!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

BOOK CLUB: Love the One Your'e With

LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH: Emily Giffin
Ellen and Andy's marriage doesn't just seem perfect, it is perfect. There is no question how deep their devotion is, and how naturally they bring out the best in each other. But one fateful afternoon, Ellen runs into Leo for the first time in eight years. Leo, the one who brought out the worst in her. Leo, the one who left her heartbroken with no explanation. Leo, the one she could never quite forget. When his reappearance ignites long-dormant emotions, Ellen begins to question whether the life she’s living is the one she's meant to live.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Welcome Summer Series: Philadelphia, PA


PHILADELPHIA, PA: For many, this may be an easy one-day trip... but of course, Philly's more fun when you stay!! Philly Overnight is offering hotel packages including free parking for 2 nights and a teddy bear at check-in!

IF YOU GO: Check out these Off the Beaten Path and Historic Philadelphia itineraries to plan your visit.

Here's a list of OUR suggestions:

1. FOR THE FAMILY~ Italian Market, which runs along approximately ten city blocks of Ninth Street in South Philadelphia, is one of the oldest and largest open-air markets in America. Make a day of it: pick out ingredients then enjoy cooking them at home! Easy parking at Anastasi Seafood (9th & Washington)... watch them make fresh pasta at Talluto's, pick up meat at Esposito's and stop by for a "Mozzarella lollypop" at Claudio's (really a small mozzarella ball on a toothpick)... sample cheeses at DiBruno Bros.
Stop for lunch and vote for yourself: Pat's or Geno's... or if don't feel like cooking, you must try Ralph's for a real South Philly home-made meal.


2. "OLD FAITHFUL" DAY TRIPS WITH LITTLE ONES~ Philadelphia Zoo and Adventure Aquarium are always a big hit. For something different, visit Franklin Square: playground and sand sculpture, or for a small fee, you can ride the carousel or play Philly-style themed miniature golf, and putt through the Liberty Bell's crack on the 18th hole.

3. OLDER CHILDREN / EDUCATIONAL~ Lights of Liberty an outdoor, nighttime sound and light spectacular. Headsets provide 3-D surround sound with an original musical score. Walter Cronkite, Ossie Davis, Charlton Heston and others narrate the story of our nation's birth as hand-painted images and dazzling special effects are projected upon the buildings where the historic events actually took place. The shows begin at dusk, departing every 15 minutes from PECO Energy Liberty Center.
Use the code: FUNSAVER for discounted tickets (more than 1/2 off).

4. OLD PHILLY STYLE~ City Tavern - When John Adams arrived in Philadelphia in August of 1774, to attend the First Continental Congress, he was greeted by leading citizens and immediately taken to the tavern he would call "the most genteel tavern in America." The tavern has been preserved with that "18th century feel"... their primay mission is to interpret the culinary experience inspired by the customs and foods of 18th Century Colonial America, including roasted duck, braised rabbit and "Martha Washington Style Colonial Turkey Pot Pie". This is unique watering hole is somewhat 'family friendly': enjoy sitting on the benches in the backyard as the kids play outside... and you must try the Champagne Shrub!

5. GIRL'S NIGHT OUT~ SIPS Happy Hour: Wednesday nights through August 26th from 5 - 7 pm, Center City bars and resturants host summer happy hours with $4 cocktails, $3 wine, $2 beer and half-priced appetizers... some restaurants even offer a 15% dinner discount after 7 pm. If you're in town mid-week, be sure to take advantage of these great offers! May we suggest: Mace's Crossing, both Irish Pubs and Tir Na Nog great for drinks, for a different dinner check out Roy's Hawiian Fusion!

YOUR suggestions???

Monday, June 22, 2009

FREE MOVIES at Regal

It's back!!! Check out Regal Cinemas Free Family Film Festival. Since 1991, this 9-week festival offers selected G and PG rated movies for FREE on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 am during the summer. Festival begins June 23rd and runs until August 19th, 2009.

Our favorite selected movie??? Now come on, you know it's that "Kung-Fu" one... with the PANDA, of course!!!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

What Makes A Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... DAD

Author unknown

Friday, June 19, 2009

Father's Day Offers

Check out how these participating restaurants are honoring fathers:

TCBY is excited to announce their second annual Father's Day giveaway. In honor of deserving dads, TCBY, The Country's Best Yogurt, will be swirling free cups and cones for Dad at participating TCBYs nationwide.Said Steve Willes, Director of Marketing at TCBY: "The Father's Day giveaway last year was such a huge success, we want to keep this great tradition going."

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will celebrate Dad with the golf-themed sweepstakes, delicious and affordable menu specials during Father's Day weekend and a complimentary dessert for all fathers on Father's Day.

Wendy's is helping consumers to treat Dad and help foster children at the same time. Wendy's third annual Father's Day Frosty Weekend provides an easy and tasty way to support the cause of foster care adoption and help the more than 129,000 children in the U.S. who are waiting for the love of forever families. During Father's Day Weekend, Wendy's will donate 50¢ from every Frosty product sold to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption (DTFA), a non-profit public charity dedicated to increasing the number of foster children adoptions in North America.

A&W Restaurants, home of the Original Drive In, Draft A&W Root Beer and Root Beer Floats, is kicking off its 90th Anniversary Weekend with a Free Float Day, Friday, June 19 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, June 21, Father's Day, A&W Restaurants will offer fathers 90-cent Papa Burgers, famous double patty, 100 percent U.S. Beef burger dressed perfectly with A&W signature Papa sauce.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Welcome Summer: Washington, DC

WELCOME SUMMER SERIES: We're looking for some really great topics for the infamous 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation' essay in September... ideas for fun places to go and things to do for the next three months... so please share your vacation hot spots or favorite one-day trips!

Washington, DC: fun, educational, relatively close to home, and reasonably priced: About a 2 1/2 hour trip for us and although our children are a little young to appreciate most of it, we plan to visit every few years since we're so close. Believe it or not, this was the top vote when asked where we should go! They watched TV coverage of the Innauguration of President Obabma, and Disney channel's "Corey in the House" is one of their favorite shows... So although their idea of a visit to DC included a tour of the White House (and the thought that we'd run into Corey or the President in the hallway!), the trip far exceeded our expectations.

HOTEL: Of course, for the little ones, half of the fun of any trip IS the hotel!! We suggest staying outside of the city in Arlington, where more hotels offer a pool. We stayed at Embassy Suites in Arlington, VA (Crystal City). All the rooms in the hotel are 2-bedroom suites, there was a manager's reception evey evening (veggies and chips for appetizers with free drinks!), PLUS a full made-to-order breakfast((which contributed to the notion of a "reasonably priced" weekend!)) The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle to the METRO (which is about 8 blocks and easy to walk) and it is a 10 minute train ride to get into the city.

DC: As you know, there is SO much to do in DC... but one of the BEST parts is that most of it is FREE!!! We packed a picnic lunch and checked out every site from the Lincoln Memorial, to Arlington Cemetery, stopped for a quick view of the White House (where they were both convinced that they may get a glimpse of Obama when they heard a tractor, insisting that maybe HE'S the one mowing the lawn!) then we moved onto visit a few of the 14 Smithsonian Museums! Of course we didn't get to ALL of them, but our favorite was the Museum of Natural History, the lobby is pictured on the left...one of the highlights was in the OCEAN exhibit: not only did we see a Nemo fish, but also a Dory one!... once we saw all we were interested in, we moved on to the next museum, the Museum of American History to get an up close look at Dorothy's Ruby Slippers and Babe Ruth's uniform... (and didn't feel guilty when we only spent 20 minutes at this each location, because, after all, we didn't pay an admittance fee!) it was too crowded, so we checked out the next one:Air and Space Museum...

With more time, we would have spent another day and visited the PANDAS at the National Zoo (yes, you guessed it... admission is FREE!!!)

For our family, DC was truly the place to BE!!!

DC over July 4th: What better place to celebrate America's 233rd birthday than Washington, DC? To plan your trip, check out washington.org.

Where do you suggest? We'd love to hear...

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Recipes, Please


FINAL DAYS... PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RECIPES; OTHERWISE WE MAY HAVE TO CANCEL THE BOOK... NOTE: If you wish to email us, we would be happy to add your recipe for you!!! Send your addition to taulambdaalum@gmail.com.
WE ARE CREATING A COOKBOOK!!! SO… we’re hoping for your help… we’re looking for your favorite "secret family recipes" you're willing to share.

It's EASY!! Go to: typensave
Contributor: Type your name as it should appear in your entry (please include maiden name)
Group Login
: ship
Password: yk8mj Click to "Add a Recipe"

Under "List up to 2 Contributor names", your name should appear and then enter the semester you pledged. We welcome everyone to share their creations: spouses, parents, children, past sweethearts?!?... If you are not an AOII, please use this section to list your relationship (ie. daughter of...)

You can also submit more with your recipe… In the "Recipe Notes" section:
- you could tell a funny tale or share a quick story from your SHIP days
- let us know what you’re up to – include info on your career, family, etc.
- write a ‘congratulations’ for the 25th
- share a few words about what AOII means to you
The idea is that we’re all original, so the compilation of our ideas or thoughts should be original – which will make this even more fun to read than JUST a cookbook!!!

Please have ALL information submitted by JUNE 1, 2009 so we may have the books ready by the fall for Homecoming. Cost per book will be about $20. Stay posted for details when the books will be available and how to get your copy!

*All money raised will be used in the event planning and to offset the costs for our 25th Anniversary Alum Weekend to be held next spring.

Monday, June 15, 2009

AMC Summer Movie Camp

Explore the Wild Side of AMC for a Good Cause... select locations will offer $1 movies from June 17 - August 5th Shows starting at 10 am every Wednesday to benefit Variety - The Children's Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
The following is a list of the movie line-up:

June 17: Space Chimps
June 24: Kung Fu Panda
July 1: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
July 8: Tale of Despereaux
July 15: Horton Hears a Who
July 22: The Spiderwick Chronicles
July 29: Nim's Island
August 5: Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Visit AMC to find a participating location.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

It's FLAG DAY


When : Always June 14th

Flag Day, is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.

As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Did you Know? If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

Do you recall... which F-R-I-E-N-D-S character explained his excuse for a party, "Hey.. it's FLAG DAY!!"

It was Monica's boyfriend "Fun Bobby" who she would later find out is not so 'fun' sober!

Friday, June 12, 2009

Monday, June 1, 2009

The Green Expectation: June


Make Health Conscious Environmentally Conscious: Buy locally grown or organic foods. Look for local farm markets or roadside fruit and vegetable stands! You can buy organic everywhere from the farmers market to the local grocery store. The organic section may be a little pricer, but it is a healthy choice with fewer chemicals and pesticides. For some healthier options, try organic raised poultry, fish, or seafood. When preparing these foods, choose cooking methods that use less energy and oil. Try roasting, baking, broiling, or grilling foods instead of frying them. These foods are not only good for you, but just as tasty. Eating organic helps your body and the environment, making it the best of both worlds!