Geekly Pleasures

:::::::::::::::::Court of Honor:::

Aaron conducted the meeting for Scouts. We had a pretty good turn out and the boys, Aaron's age got most of the merit badge and advancements. The slideshow ended up being finished on Michael's laptop because mine kept shutting off. The whole thing came together just fine. I used songs from Jack Johnson, U2, Jars of Clay and Switchfoot.
:::::::::::::::::Layouts:::::::::



This is the cake from lesson 4 of Wilton 1 cake decorating class. My mom was so kind to give me a gift certificate. My roses came out ruffled because my icing was too stiff, but my DH said he liked the shabby chic look.

<sub>Credits: Serenity Now by Anna Benjamin http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20848&cat=0&page=1


Vintage Lace Alpha by Anna Benjamin


http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20739&cat=0&page=1

Font: DJB Messie Amanda by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick</sub>

:::::::::::::::::Podcasts::::::::

Michael has hooked me up with some cool podcasts for my daily walks. So far, I've listened to Astronomy Cast with Fraser Cain and Dr. Pamela Gay

Wave Particle Duality

Getting Around the Solar Systemand

Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett:

Inside Mormon Faith

A History of Doubt

Here are some things from blogs of two awesome cyber gals:

From Carol's blog:

Righto. A bit of background, it apparently started at Smokey Mountain Breakdown and the rules are that you answer each of the five questions, then tag five bloggers to pass the meme to. Have them link back to you and to the original post as the source meme.


1. What food do you consider the best "date" food? In other words what meal or food item do you think is sexiest to eat in the company of someone you would like to look sexy around?

Any food you have to eat using chopsticks, because dexterity is sexy! :)

2. What well-known person would you like to share a meal with—with or without clothing. (saying whether or not clothes are involved is optional).

Well if the beach towel is big enough...I would love a sit down and share a meal with Russell Crowe. I would like to ask him about some of the movies he was in that I enjoy like "Master and Commander" and "Gladiator".

3. What does your perfect breakfast-in-bed look like? (Food AND the details, please. Candles? Music? Flowers? Hot tub? Dancing girls?

French Toast, Grits, Orange Juice on a Spring day with a cool breeze fluttering through open windows and the morning light streaming in. Birds happily chirping in the trees.

4. What do you consider the best application of whipped cream to be?

Whipped cream screams for a nice warm brownie and vanilla bean ice cream.


5. Oh-Gosh-No, Biff, the yacht is sinking! You are sent to the galley to retrieve the food. What luxury food items do you snatch first? The champagne? The caviar? Smoked Salmon? Truffles? Chocolate? Or something else?

The chocolate, as I rush quickly for the life jacket.



From Julie's blog prompt:

ONE WORD


answer with just one word...it's harder than you think...

1. Where is your cell phone? none
2 . Your significant other? hottie
3. Your hair? highlighted
4. Your mother? cool
5. Your father? busy
6. Your favorite thing? walking
7. Your dream last night? forgot
8. Your favorite drink? milk
9. Your dream/goal? Mini
10. The room you're in? living
11. Your ex? none
12. Your fear? falling
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Australia
14. Where were you last night? Scouts
15. What you're not? simple
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? lasik
18. Where you grew up? suburbs
19. The last thing you did? chauffeur
20. What are you wearing? sweats
21. Your TV? off
22. Your pets? ferret
23. Your computer? wonky
24. Your life? busy
25. Your mood? thoughtful
26. Missing someone? Granddaddy
27. Your car? Voyager
28. Something you're not wearing? earrings
29. Favorite Store? hardware
30. Your summer? sticky
31. Like someone? yes
32. Your favorite color? green
33. When is the last time you laughed? minutes
34. Do you cry a lot? no

Now it's your turn!


Smiles!

T-Shirt Truths

This is one of the pages for my SIL's Christmas album. Their family always has hilarious t-shirts and this one is all too true:




Credits: background paper from Exploring Solids by Catrine
Kate Hadfield's Fall doodles
Mo Jackson's Bark Alpha and Squirrel's from Fall Pixibelle
Carol Abram's Twig frame
Jan Crowley's Comic Book Junkie


:::::::::::::::::::::::::Pins & Needles:::

My wonderful friend, Carol, from Australia gave me this award . I was truly pleased as punch to have someone say this about me. Carol is so full of mirth, talent and perserverance (overcoming the dreaded dpns for one thing) that she always inspires me when I read her blog. I will be presenting this award to some others soon. Thank you, again!

Smiles!

Horsin' Around

A day late on Blog Day, but here are my 5 recommendations:
Concealed Stars Beth is a writer and an amazing lady. Well worth the stop over to her blog.

Pins and Needles Carol is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Her wit and humor come through in spades. I love her "Things That Never Really Happened" layouts. She is a super knitter to boot.

Free Philosophical Discussions I'm completely biased on this one since it is my husband's blog. I love to read his book reviews and his thoughtful musings are deep and never contrived. There is often fun geeky stuff there, too!

Paper_Moons Anna Benjamin is a super talented and creative lady with a heart as big as the moon. She is the queen of pink and of list making, too.

The Argentinian Digiscrapper Her heritage pages are amazing and I love her quirky style. She is in inspiration.

:::::::::::::::Medieval Times update::::::::

First off, we had a blast! The horses were absolutely astounding with all of the intricate foot work and even dance type numbers. The horses even were called on as mounts during a sword fight. I kept being concerned about them getting an eye poked out. The falcon was released for a free flight around the small arena and then captured a lure. Falcons have such a regal appearance. We ended up as part of the green knights supporters. My SIL recommended the black and white section, but the attendants at the front were so busy we didn't push the issue. Noah's favorite color is green so we just went with the flow. The black and white section is a great one becuase you are positioned mid field to see everything. The green section is on the section by the King's box. The nice thing was that it appeared that all sections gave you a good view. The green knight is the bad boy of the champions, which my kids thought was super cool. My mom purchased the kids each a one dollar pennant to wave for our guy. The kids, Michael and I whooped and hollared ridiculously for our side. There were a couple of times that the crowd is supposed to make the decision for life or death of a knight after a battle. My bloodthirsty heathen children, Aaron and Noah were like a page out of Philip Zimbardo's book. Noah being the biggest heathen of all with wild eyes and crazy hand gestures...what a nutter. The menu included vegetable soup, garlic bread, half of a chicken, spare ribs, herb-roasted potato and apple pie. The food was tasty, but what ever wasn't finished was placed in the handy-dandy Tupperware containers my mom brought. Our "wench", Kyle, said that someone bringing there own Tupperware was a first for her. After the performance we made the kids photos with the green knight and they got his autograph on their crowns. Recommendation: Definitely worth the price of admission. The horses, the falcon, the fight coregraphy and the food are well worth the price.





Cool story: Stone, the kitten

Off to play with my family! Smiles!

Quirky stuff I Like:

Mental Floss magazine is one I look for every time I go to the library. It is a mixture of science, history and popular cultural presented in a fun and quirky way. The most recent edition is full of interesting Top 10 lists.
Here is a list, from their website, of what is in this edition:

IssueThe Annual 10 Issue
All the world's most important information presented in convenient list form.

features:
• 10 Songs that Changed the World
• 10 Greatest Guerrilla Marketing Campaigns of All-time
• 10 Massive Screw-ups in Paleontology
• 10 Places to see Before They Die
• 10 Landmark Moments in Animation History
And feel smart about:
• 10 Cats Who Changed Civilization
• 10 Nicknames for Natives
• 10 Not-So-Bright Ideas in Science
• 10 Trailblazing Scientists About to Change Your Future

+ a "Squeaky Clean" scatterbrained, a Know-It-All's look at the letter O, a 25-question quiz to end all quizzes, and more!

This magazine is informative and a fun diversion from say...laundry!


::::::::::::::::Strong Bad:::::::::::




This is probably only funny to Americans...well funny to only a few Americans, but our family happens to consist of 6 folks who find this zany humor funny. Strong Bad has a unique way of answering emails about his life and when the segment is over you can usually hover your mouse over some portion of the image to get an additional joke. The other thing I find hilarious is that when you put the address for the site in your computer the window will list it as "Denny's Menu". Denny's is a family eating place in the U.S. The kids love to eat there when we go on rode trips because they can have breakfast any time of the day. The guys who work on this site are in Dunwoody, Georgia, not too far away from where we live. Here is the entry from wikipedia.


:::::::::::::::::::::::Vacation Update::::::::::::

Michael made reservations for a campsite for two days in the Shenandoahs. We have never camped there before, so it should be an adventure. Then, it is off to Colonial Williamsburg. Stop in Amish country at the Shady Maple, then on to Philadelphia for a couple of days. Then up to Hoboken, New Jersey so we can be across from NYC without driving into the city. Site see for a couple of days, then drive to Niagara Falls.

I have finished packing, except for the last minute odds and ends. I have my medicine box filled with bandaids, ointment, stomach relief stuff, swimmer's ear drops, headache medicine...and that reminds me...I need to get another box of junior chewable tablets for Rachel.

Michael returned a slew of library books for me in the last two days and the rest we extended our holds. The family reading book we borrowed is due back the Monday after we get back and I couldn't extend the hold, but it works out. The kids groan every time I end a chapter because they want to know what happens next. I do too, but I have to get to bed so that I can drift in and out of a fitful slumber.



:::::::::::::::::::Rachel::::::::::

_{Peachy Keen Kit by Rhonna Farrer, Font: DJB MICHELLED}

Text: Rachel, as I watch you interact with the world I see your sensitive nature. Your loyalty to family and friends is strong. The reality of death causes you much heartache and tears. Anyone who makes in impression on your life can be assured for an eternal place in your memories and your emotions. I hope that you are able to keep these memories dear, but that you never stop seeking and finding happiness in something everyday.


::::::::::::::::::Carol is a Card:::::::::::

Carol's newest layout for things that didn't really happen is a classic...like all of her stuff. I get the best laughs! She is so clever!


Smiles!

Life's an Adventure With You

Life's an Adventure With You


Text: Eve you make me laugh when you choose to eat regular sized carrots that you call "Mommy Carrots", so you can have a treat. You love to pretend you are a horse, a lion or a house cat. You love to get your photo taken. You could play at the park all day, but if you are told you have to walk somewhere you protest. In the morning you call my name and when I go to check on you you are hiding under the covers. You giggle as I "look" for you and give me a big hug when I find you.



::::::::::::::::::::Mad Libs:::::::::::



As a kid I always looked forward to book fair time. My parents didn't have a lot of money, but I would be able to at least get one book and a Mad Lib. I would have hours of fun with my family and friends asking them to come up with adjectives, nouns, names of body parts, verbs, colors and names of places. So, it was funny for me when we went for lunch at Arby's and the kid's meals came with a Mad Lib booklet and one Mad Lib printed on the bag. Invariably, the word "butt" is used as a body part and the kids snicker and giggle.
Aaron and Rachel stayed up last night laughing over the Mad Libs they were coming up with using the little booklet. I suppose I will need to make a run to a book store and grab a couple of these for the trip.

Mad Libs as described by Wikipedia.

Here is an on-line version that is similar: Wacky Web Tales

Here is another site: Madlibs.org

Here is another Mad Lib generator from a teaching site.
::::::::::::::::::::Earache::::::::::::

My ear still hurts and I think it is getting worse. I suppose I'll call for a doctor's appointment if it doesn't improve by tonight. JOY!

:::::::::::::::::::::Carol has done it again!::::::::

For a side-splitting laugh...this really is a good thing...think of all of the endorphins and life extending qualities of a good laugh!...check out her newest layout of things that never really happened: Carol's Blog




Have a great day! Smiles!

Shearing Time:

Having some more fun with these un-Historical layouts:



Gracie Belle's face was full of enthusiasm as she entered the room, but the sad fact soon came out that it was shearing time again and the coat she had worked on all winter would be gone!


Vintage Floral by Shabby Princess,
Shear from internet,
Font: Another Typewriter,
Ripped and Torn by Jen Caputo,
Say It journaling block by Dani Mogstad,
photo from art-e-zine


And...check out Carol's newest post: Poor Julie!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::SPF 50:::::::

has little great effect on my melanily challenged skin tone. I am a bit crispy after yesterdays swim. We also stayed out in the pool for about 4 hours. The water was cool and salty and the kids were like a little school of fish. There were aunts, uncles and cousins, oh my! The kids barely ever got out of the water. Noah is so close to being able to make it across the length of the pool. Rachel was bravely scooting around in all directions and Aaron showed off what he had time to learn in his swimming class. They all need to learn technique, so I will need to sign them up for that type of class. Eve took a couple of dunks under when she fell off her noodle, but she desperately wanted, "to be like everybody else". She wanted to take off her floaty suit and be a big kid.

On the way home we stopped for ice cream. Eve looked like she was attacked by a chocolate ice cream monster, since that substance covered her in spots from nose to toe.

The kids were invited to spend the night with my parents, so after a bath for the whole tribe we loaded up for the short drive. My mother made the kids some grits for dinner. All of them, save Aaron, will eat grits any time of the day if granny makes it.
Jim was able to acquire a target, arrows and bows for the kids to practice archery which is going to be such fun.
Michael and I stayed to watch "The African Queen" with Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Jim said he saw that it was on and set it on the channel for our arrival. How sweet! I am so impressed by the acting of those two characters. They are brave, stubborn, inventive and loving. The leech scene gets me everytime! If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend it!

I'm off to apply more aloe with lidocaine...or is that lidocaine with aloe?

Smiles!

How to Dress Up Square Feet:

_{Springtime in Paris kit by Michelle Godin, Scalloped Circle Doodle, Scalloped Edge, and Sparkle Papers by Gina Miller, Vintage frames by Nancy Comelab, Naked Stamps by Meredith Fenwick, Cancellation mark and date stamp (modified) by Amber Clegg, Ribbon by Natalie Braxton, Oh La La Girl by Jenna Lynne, Fonts: French Script, SA Kiss, Franklin Gothic Med., CK Good Point, corner doodle by Jackie Eckles, nail polish photos from the internet}

Text: If there is one thing I'm not it's being a "Girly Girl"! But, an occasional French Manicure makes my very square feet kinda pretty, and that makes me happy!


::::::::::::::Yesterday, Morning:::::::

Eve woke up and she felt very warm to the touch as I carried her down stairs. She said she wasn't sick, but I knew she was quite sick. She requested some orange juice, which I got for her. I, also, knew she would be spewing that same orange juice all over pretty soon. I had Rachel get a towel in readiness for the upcoming event and a cool wet cloth for Eve's forehead. I called Michael and asked him to pick up some Sprite and bring it home during his lunch break. About an hour after getting up and drinking her orange juice she said she felt like she was going to throw up. I got into the catch position with towel in hand. She was a trooper! Rachel stayed with her while I put the towel in the wash and grabbed a replacement. The second time Rachel got a bit of stray stuff in the eye, but she handled with a smile and went to lavage her eye. Michael soon arrived with the Sprite elixir. Right as Michael left to return to work he heard Eve go onto Round Three. Luckily, this was the last round. She was exceedlingly chipper an hour after that and was ready to play Strawberry Shortcake.com Rachel was such a great helper and sister.

:::::::::::::::::Today:::::::::::

Rachel had two more brackets placed on her upper teeth to get them in the right position for the rest of her hardware. She is a little achy, but I gave her some junior strength acetaminahen. She was wearing her violet gaucho pants and sequined top, so she matched her bands to her outfit.

::::::::::::::::Close To Home::::::::

Debbie at my mom's work always looks out for me and when she saw these cartoons she copied them for me:



An interesting denoument for a home schooled kid!




:::::::::::::::::::Scout Camp::::::::::

So far so good is the word. Michael leaves tonight to go to the camp for the next few days. I refrained from asking him to ask Aaron if he had brushed his teeth and changed his underwear. It's killing me though! I am still a mom no matter the distance.

:::::::::::::::::::History That Never Really Happened:

Carol's site has some of the best layouts. I showed them all to Michael yesterday and he laughed at them all. She is a riot! I have an idea for one and I will try to get it finished by Wednesday.

Smiles!

Tagged Tuesday:

I was tagged by my digi pal Julie P., so here goes.
The rules: Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...They MUST be real places, names, things...NOTHING made up! If you can't think of anything, skip it. Try to use different answers if the person before you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question...
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks!
Your Name: babyofmine
1. Famous Singer/Band: Vedder, Eddie
2. 4 letter word: Vest
3. Street: Victoria St.
4. Color: Vermillion
5. Gifts/Presents:
6. Vehicle: Buick
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop:
8. Boy Name: Vernon
9. Girl Name: Valerie
10. Movie Title: Vacation
11. Drink: Vermouth
12. Occupation: Veterinarian
13. Flower: Vanilla
14. Celebrity: Viveca Lindfors
15. Magazine: Veterans
16. U.S. City: Valhalla
17. Pro Sports Teams: Vikings
18. Fruit: ?
19. Reason for Being Late for Work: Vexed at sleeping in.
20. Something You Throw Away: Vacuum
21. Things You Shout: "Varmint"!
22. Cartoon Character: Veronica (from the Archie and Jughead Comics)


::::::::::::::::Just When You Thought You Were Safe:::::::::

Two more Shutterfly Albums came in yesterday:


<sub>Doodlebird by Meredith Fenwick, Crayon Doodles by Ida, Background paper by Rhonna Farrer, City Limits Doodle by Andrea Burns, Glassy blue brads from Movin' On by Sandra Boddington at Scrapbookgraphics, Glitter swirl from Michelle Coleman's Birthday Elements, Weather Doodle and Birthday Girl Doodle by Kate Hadfield, Font: Tk doodle by Taran Conyers, The "rose colored glasses" were from the letter "g" in 2Peas DW Summer Fun, Journal paper From Just Need to Write My Thoughts by Lauren Grier



Papers and brushes from Peachy Keen by Rhonna Farrer, Font: Jane Austen/ Hello Sark</sub>


:::::::::::::::::::My Knight in Shinging Armor:::::::

rode up on his steely grey iron horse and fixed my tire. Aaron, Evey and I went to the library to deal with my crazy dvd requesting situation. We were there about an hour and a half. The librarians were kind enough to explain some nuances of the library system to me. For example, now I know how to use the suspended request and my list functions to delay my requests, while maintaining them in an accessible form. I did end of checking out the collections on religion for kids for a comparative religion study I'm doing today, Inventors, several Eyewitness films, and a series for health on the human body. For Noah I checked out all the movies on the Transformers so we can get steeped in Transformer history for the upcoming movie. For Evey I checked out a couple of My Little Pony movies, Angelina Ballerina and Strawberry Shortcake. Rachel really likes the Eyewitness stuff, so everyone was covered.

Sooooo, we walk out and deposit the 3 plastic grocery bags and one armful of videos into the car and I noticed the front tire was flat. We were already running late for our end of the year party for Homeschool run club, but I didn't want to drive on it and bend the rim. We went back in and the librarians let Aaron call Michael at work. He took the rest of the day off and came to get us. He said I had enough air in the tire to drive the short mile home. We grabbed the stuff for run club from my car and all of us went to the park for the party.

The got to eat pizza and snacks, while the kids had a squirt gun fight on the lawn. Eve, Michael and I stayed dry and ate strawberries and brownies. The squirt gun fight was halted long enough for Aaron and the other children to recieve trophies and awards for participating the the Presidental Fitness program. Then, back to another half hour of maniac squirting.

When we got home Michael found the problem with my tire. I had run over a nasty old screw. He put a plug in the tire and filled it with air. I need two new front tires anyway since my car is front wheel drive the tires loose tread much quicker in the front than the rear.

::::::::::::::::::::A Good Knight's Work::::::::

is never done! Michael took a quick shower then went off to his scheduled apheresis appointment at the Red Cross. They accidentally missed his vein in his right arm and the fluid created a golf ball sized swelling. He called their attention to it and they fixed the problem. OUCH! He watched Mission Impossible 3, which he said was awful, while he gave platelets.

::::::::::::::::::::New Suit:::::::::::

I took the girls to Target and the grocery store, while the boys watched Transformers. Eve informed me that she liked my flip flops and it didn't bother her to have the strap between her toes anymore, and she wanted some right now. Rachel needed another swimsuit, so we picked up one for her. It is a light robin's egg blue and brown with a hibiscus pattern. It is 3 pieces, so she can get to the restroom quickly. She will wear the surf shirt with the bottom piece and the bikini top will stay in the drawer to pair it up when she grows out of it. On Saturday, Michael and I picked up a tankini for Eve. It is pink with a hibiscus pattern. The surf shirt and shorts look adorable.

::::::::::::::::::::This is hilarious::::::::

A great digi-gal, Carol, is participating in an amazing challenge about things that never really happened.Carol's blog. Her layout is so funny. I'm going to have to try this bit of nuttiness!

::::::::::::::::::::Jaw Dropping Amazing::::::::

Dream House post by Sande Krieger is BRILLIANT! She has crafted an intricate home symbolizing some of the wonderful aspects of her family. I am in AWE!