Fire and Ice

Here is Aaron making his glass flower using black and violet:



I'll post some other things this weekend.

**************Zooniverse****

One of the things I love to do with my time is to help researchers go through their mountain of data. If you would like to help out, scientifically, with a bit of your time here are several things to check out:

Ancient Lives

Help transcribe ancient papyri, written over 1,000 years ago by the citizens of Oxyrhynchu, the City of the Sharp-Nosed. Everyday life and writing, that we need your help to uncover.

I "helped" out transcribing and measuring a couple of fragments. It is quite hard, but I can see where familiarity would make things easier in a little bit of time.

Ice Hunters

Help to discover Kuiper Belt Objects with just the right orbit and just the right characteristics to make them eligible for a visit from the New Horizons mission.

This is the one I've been working on the most. I was invited during the beta phase and Eveybug even came an sat down with me to look for solid round objects and possible asteroids. Super cool...literally!

Planet Hunters

Using public data from NASA's Kepler mission, we are looking for planets around other stars.


The Milky Way Project

Sorting and measuring our galaxy, the Milky Way; we're asking you to help us find and draw bubbles in beautiful infrared data from the Spitzer Space Telescope.


Old Weather

Help scientists recover worldwide weather observations made by Royal Navy ships around the time of World War I.


Moon Zoo

Explore the Moon in unprecedented detail using images from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.


Galaxy Zoo: Hubble

The latest version of the original Zooniverse project. Help astronomers figure out how galaxies form and evolve by classifying their shape. Now with added Hubble galaxies.


Solar Stormwatch

Help spot explosions on the Sun and track them across space to Earth. Your work will give astronauts an early warning if dangerous solar radiation is headed their way. And you could make a new scientific discovery.


Galaxy Zoo: Mergers

Understanding what happens when galaxies merge is one of the most important questions in astronomy. Help astronomers by trying to match a merger from SDSS with a simulation.


Galaxy Zoo: Supernovae

Help us to catch an exploding star. Astronomers are following up on your best candidates at telescopes around the world.

Shiny Things!

(Paislee Press, Oscraps, and font called Pea Our Best Bites)
The kids were thrilled to make their own glass flowers on our vacation.

Rachel creates a glass flower at The Holdman Gallery at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah:



I will upload photos and video of the boys tomorrow. I tripped the breaker, on purpose, but didn't realize my computer was on that particular breaker and I was working on some photos of Noah.

***********Hanging with Eve*****

Eve has been sick since yesterday and has turned the corner this evening. Her siblings have been getting her water, cool damp wash clothes, fresh towels, and sitting with her if I had to step out for a moment. I was able to finish painting our bathroom during a Rachel covered break. It was nice having such willing help.

***********Bathroom Renovations*****

Rachel well tell you I lack a bit of creativity. I found a color I really liked and a style, so I used it for both of our bathrooms. I went with white painted bead board on the bottom of the wall with a chair rail, and white crown molding. I am pleased as punch with the color I chose from Home Depot's primer paint in one. The color is "Crystal Waters." I just need to throw on another coat of white on the crown molding in both bathrooms and one on the bead board in our bathroom to finish the painting. Michael and I will get the vanity sometime this week. FINALLY!

Smiles!

We're Back!!!

(Noah riding Cisco with Margie looking on).

Thank you to Lynette and John for throwing a fun family reunion! Thank you to Shalene, Grant, and Sharon for letting us shower and do laundry at your house! Thank you, Carol and Myron for inviting us to the parade and birthday barbeque! Thank you, Don and Margie for inviting us over, cooking us wonderful food, teaching us about horses and letting us ride, giving us a place to sleep, shower, and wash clothes, taking us on a tour of Durango, and the companionship of Crazy Cooper (and sometimes Cosmo).

I will post some photos later, but I am going to see the last installment of Harry Potter. I hope to remember the tissues. Rachel is going with her friend Sabrina, and a towel.

Match!

Staying hydrated:

Practicing serves:


I used an old umbrella for a parasol for all three days, which was super helpful. I was bitten only once during my three day vigil. Rachel came over to take a drink of water and I turned to say something to her and felt a painful sting inside my shirt. I pulled my shirt open at the neck and peeked down. Sure enough an ant was in there and I promptly flicked the dude out. He had bitten me on the...rhymes with Mr. Whipple...that little jerk of an insect. Luckily, I brought Caladryl with me and I discreetly applied some soothing balm to my bite. YIKES!

Still practicing serves:




Eve's refreshment for the day was strawberries:
Practicing bouncing the ball with the racquet:
My lap was good for a few seconds of rest:
Eve fiddling with her sunglasses:




Each of the girls got a shirt from the camp:

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Another layout from Vacation (last year):::::::

:::::::::::::Blast From the Past::::::

Here was one of the places I found one of the most magnificent in the world:

This is an old layout, but I just love Yellowstone National Park and was waxing nostalgic.

I hope y'all have a great weekend! :)

Game...

:::::::::::::::::::::::Tennis Camp:::::::::::::

Rachel and Eve had a good start to their tennis experience. The weather was in the high 70s Fahrenheit, low humidity with light breezes. Rachel is fortunate to have the 8:30am to 10:30 time slight, while Eve gets the hotter part of the day starting at 11:00am. There are 2 coaches and an assistant coach to help the kids. The groups were manageable at about 16 or 18 each. The girls learned what stretches to do before beginning to play and then how to hold their racquet. They also learned the areas of the court. Then, they practiced their forehand stroke, followed by backhand. Our kids are not athletically gifted (genetic...I think), but they both said they had a good time.

The Williams sisters are currently secure on their tennis throne.


Rachel was in the first group:

I love the shrugged shoulders and the funny expression:
Working on her forehand:

Eve was in the second group and prepares with some stretching:
Coach Lauren helps Eve with holding her racquet correctly:
Eve works on her backhand:
Coach Nick helps Eve with her backhand position:
Eve works her backhand:
Eve smiles for the camera:



:::::::::::::::::::::::A Visit to Troop 129::::::::::

Grampa Jim blogged about Michael and Aaron visiting his Troop with photos.

::::::::::::::::::::::::2007 Summer Vacation Album::::

I'm almost finished!!!! :) Shutterfly has a free 20 page thank you book and I'm trying to take advantage of the deal.





Take care! :)

Who Needs Low Flow When You Can Get...

,No FLOW?!


Family vacations often take us to interesting places and some a bit more mundane. The kids thought the "No Flow" toilet at the public gaol in Williamsburg, VA was pretty fascinating. Aaron did the classic "man pose" of reading while sitting. You would think Eve was doing an Olan Mills photo shoot. I think she was bit confused. So this is my, tongue-in-cheek, rendering of our silly, historical stop.:)


_{Credits: Background by Christina Renee,
Book and pressed flower from Needful Things by Sausan Designs, Vintage frames by Nancy Comelab and Christina Renee, Numbers by Vanilla Hush for CR, Sassy glitter by CR,
Overlay by Lorie Davison from her Brownie Collection, black brush frame from O.N. Designs for CR, Catrine's Laura alpha, Michelle Coleman's HandStamped Alpha, Star Bazaar by Linda Gill Bildal, Font: DJB LIZ by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick}


::::::::::::::::Vimeo:::::::::::
I saw a link to them at Heather Ann Melzer's site. They are a great video site with family-friendly rules for uploading and sharing. Here is one of Noah working on his Pinewood Derby popsicle car:


Untitled from Victoria Taylor on Vimeo.

::::::::::::::::::::::Up Early::::::::::::

this morning and already been to the vet for Jasper. Jasper is old in ferret years. We found him as a stray, so can't determine his actual age. He is, at least, 4 years old and is suffering from a common ferret problem. He has adrenal disease. He had a shot of Lupron to see if it might help. Aaron and Eve played with him until he went back for his shot between the shoulder blades. It was funny at check out because the thumbnail of Jasper on the vet records is a cute photo of Aaron and Jasper cheek to cheek.

::::::::::::::::::::::Art Show and Book Fair::::

It was the Book Fair Shake Down by my kids. They know I love books and I love them to read, so the begging commenced quite early. I bought several books and one that had to be put on order. I'll have to look up the title and list it here. It looked like a really cool book. Then, we went to the gymnasium and purchased Rachel and Noah's paintings with a portion of the proceeds to the art department. My kids love Mr. Mazzata, the art teacher, so it was a good investment on two levels. We listened to the violin class play a short recital, then home for homework, chicken soup (homemade by Michael) and baths.

:::::::::::::::::Platelets:::::::::

Michael came home and made, aforementioned, chicken soup after giving a triple product of blood for The Red Cross. There are never many folks when he goes to donate. It is so wonderful that he makes it a matter of habit and unselfish love for his fellow man.

Later, gators! :)

Down and Derby Time:

Third times the charm
Three Strikes you're out
Hat Trick
Three is a magic number



Noah participated in his Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby on Friday night. His car was designed as a melting Creamsicle. Noah's car was consistently 3rd in each heat. After the third heat Michael asked Noah how he was doing and Noah responded, "I came in third all three times. HUGGIES?!"

After the 5th heat coming in last Noah said, "This is embarrassing!" After the 6th heat he told my mom, "I'd rather eat my own poop! HUGGIES!?!" Later awards were given out for different categories and Noah won, "The Best Non-Car" category.




















::::::::::::::::::::Here Is Another Vacation Layout:::::



"The kids thought it was fun to pretend to be in the gaol because they knew that they weren't going to be a resident there for more than a few miniutes. I was happy they didn't resort to trying to figure out how to create their own shanks. I didn't want to contemplate for too long what the smell of these places were like, or the presence of vermin."

"The story of Matilda, by Raold Dahl, is a family favorite. The Trunchbull is always throwing the kids in "the Chokey" for any reason she wants."

_{Credits: Sausan Designs: Needful Things Book, Christina Renee and Shabby Princess: French Countryside, Rachel Young: Stamped Alpha, Antonio Rafello: Vintage frames, Darcy Baldwin: DJB MICHAEL}


::::::::::::::::::Out And About:::::::

We went to a Wish Day celebration for our niece, Teresa, who is in remission from leukemia. We were scheduled to go to a petting zoo, but a torrential down pour side-lined us to a nearby church. We had fun with the family and the lovely ladies who arrainged the day.

On the way home Noah struck up the "Category Game" that we started last week. The categories today included: Dr. Who, Cyberman, Yellow, Astronomy, Road Kill, Transformer, and Girl Scout cookies. The funniest one was the last category, which Michael announced as we neared our home. He said, "Photosynthesis". To wit, Rachel responded enthusiastically, "We get to talk about cameras!" Laughing, Michael says, "The next categories are "Cameras" and "Blondes". Rachel, quickly, stated she knew what photosynthesis was then gave the definition.

Off to work on some Easter layouts:

The Weekend is Hopping!

:::::::::::::::::Busy Friday:::::::::

Decorating sugar cookies was a big hit for Eve's preschool class. The kids were so polite. Rachel helped me cut out flower, bunny, and egg shapes for the cookies. I bought some whipped vanilla frosting and I already had a variety of Spring themed sprinkles. Aaron read a really cool book about the Easter Bunny who is an "Artiste"


This is Eve showing me how to swing. "You kick out your feet, mommy!"

"Then, you pull them back!"


In the afternoon I went to help in Noah's class. I got to lead Noah's group on a scavenger hunt for goodies through the school. Then, I poured Sprite for the kids while they made dirt cups.
Noah's painted pail for the scavenger hunt.




In the evening the Girl Scout meeting went pretty well. I remembered the snacks and we talked about In-gathering. I plan to go as a chaperone.

:::::::::::::::::This Girl Has Skillz!

This is a layout of my SIL, Lettitia, helping the twins make a bracelet.



_{coming soon at sophia sarducci.com
http://sophiasarducci.com/warehouse/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=16&zenid=0246c82678e3f99bd71a76b5bed284e1
Sketch It alpha by Luisa Leandro
Also: Debut kit by Luisa Leandro at Sophia Sarducci
By Dawn Inskip: A Little Sunshine, Guest C.T. mini kit
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=6f749e8e3eef36755bd930bff3df535c
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43
Font: DJB My Dear Marsha, and DJB LENA by by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17789&cat=273&page=2
Meredith Fenwick: Arrow from Caution brush set.
Scarletheels Media: Doodle Teeny Alpha
Rhonna Farrer: Snapshot Frames}

::::::::::::::::::::::A Crooked Kind of Perfect::::


by Linda Urban was such an enjoyable read. Her short chapter styles keep the book fresh and fast paced. The main character, Zoe Elias, is 10 years-old (almost 11) at the beginning of the book. Zoe has grand dreams to play piano at Carnegie Hall and be the next Vladmir Horowitz. Her dream takes a detour in reality as her father, who has issues with people and flashing lights, buys Zoe a Perfectone D60 organ, instead of a grand piano. Zoe learns to play the organ and enjoy the campy feel of being able to replicate such standard hits as the theme song to Green Acres.
Zoe's father is such an interesting agoraphobic. He buys into every diploma at home you can think up. He finally finds his niche in baking and surprisingly becomes a mentor to Wheeler, a class mate of Zoe's.
The title's meaning comes out, to me, in every facet of the book. Zoe wants to play a grand piano at Carnegie Hall. She gets to play a Perfectone D60 in a hotel conference room with metal folding chairs. Zoe's dad wants to support his daughter and family, but his agoraphobia limits how long he feels he can stay out in public. He compensates by finding a job baking in the morning away from the crowds. Zoe takes toe socks to a party that is filled with girls who like "Brats" apparel and knows that "nobody wears socks!" Zoe learns that with practice you can burp upside down due to her, unlikely, good friend Wheeler. The characters have the great quality of believeability, like "I know that person" type quality.
One of the great messages comes on page p165, "Perfecton itself is imperfection. I attributed to Vladimir Horowitz who went on to explain,...Each note can only be right in one way. A B-flat is a B-flat. A robot can get a B-flat right. But getting the heart right is something only a person can do. And the ways to do it are as many and as different as there are people in the world."

Zoe meets a girl at her Perfectone competition who makes this humorous observation: "Wouldn't that be funny if everybody wore shirts with true stuff on them?..."Like 'No Mind of Myh Own' or 'I Hope This Shirt Makes Me Look Cool."

I recommend this book for all ages. It is a fun refreshing book that is a bit off center...just like I like things!

btw, Thanks, again, Kim! :)

:::::::::::::::Recommendation Friday (on Saturday)::::::::

Dual purpose items that I find really cool are SKORTS and SPORKS. Folks, this REALLY is the best of two worlds colliding for a single great purpose in their respective spheres. (I haven't had much sleep lately...could you tell?)

Evey loves skorts and I love them, too! You get to have a girly fashion thing going on without worrying who in the world can glimpse you underwear. Active miniature fashionistas can be so happy.

Then, there is the spork. I was first introduced to the spork at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Though, I haven't supped from that fine fast food establishment in years I still have fond memories of the spork. Since Aaron needed a new cook kit and utensils Michael went to R.E.I. and picked Aaron up a really nice new cook kit and a spork. Aaron was really happy for both items. So handy and only one utensil to clean. Yippee!

:::::::::::::::::::Bead Socks::::::::::::
Here are the socks I make for the little girls in our family:





Happy Easter, y'all! :)

Day Dream Believer...

and the homecoming queen Ordinary Princess.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::Day Dreams:::::::::::::::


Journaling:


"Noah's face looked so serene as the warm Summer sun cast its warm light on his face. Our destination was Shenandoah National Park. You were cuddled with your best pal, "Oinkey" and his side kick "Danny" the stuffed dog. I wonder if they came along with you on your imaginary journey during the afternoon series of ..."

<sub>Credits:
Midnight Diamonds - coming soon (have your eyes wide open maybe on thursday)


by Dawn Inskip at NDISB


Also by Dawn Inskip the “Oh Boy” kit doodles:
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=58&zenid=6f749e8e3eef36755bd930bff3df535c
TTS
http://digistore.treasurestoscrap.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=20
SSS
http://shop.scrapscandistyle.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=43


Font: DJB ANOTHER MANDY by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17789&cat=273&page=2</sub>


:::::::::::::The Ordinary Princess


My friend, Kim, has come through with her record of great book suggestions intact. I, thoroughly, enjoyed the story of Princess Amy, The Ordinary Princess. Amy was given a gift by those, often meddlesome and flustering, fairies from around the kingdom. Having the fairies come was against the king's wishes, but the queen and councillors insisted on inviting all of them. All was going well, in the king and queen's estimation, until the arrival of the elderly fairy, Crustacea. She bestowed upon the radiantly beautiful baby the gift of being "ordinary". From that moment Princess Amy was a girl with a turned up nose, freckles and mousy brown hair that was a bit unruly. She grew up to enjoy being in the forest and disdaining the stuffiness of castle life. The funniest parts, to me, were the ways her parents contrived to have their 7th daughter married off...lowered lighting, having the plainest attendants in the room with her. Those wishing to possibly marry Princess Amy never stayed long after seeing her. The last straw was the scheme to hire a dragon to lay waste to a portion of the kingdom to inspire a valiant prince to kill the dragon and then feel compelled to marry her after having gone to all the effort to save her. She ditches castle life for a home in the forest, but a tattered dress makes her find a job. The story continues and is simply a fun story about enjoying the life with out the stuffiness and pretensions of class.

:::::::::::::::::::::Tornado:::::::::::

Some kind folks have inquired if there is any storm damage at our house from the tornado. There was only a lot of rain, but no damage for us.


:::::::::::::::::::::Crocheted Socks:::::::::

I'm off to crochet some beads onto bobby socks for my future niece and another niece turning 2. Eve will probably help, which means beads all over creation. :)


Later, gators.

Ear We Come To Save The Day...

...mighty pediatrician on the way!

Eve is complaining that her right ear hurts. This happens to be the same ear that is infected on Noah. I wondered if it was a sympathy pain, but as Michael was washing her hair she cried in pain. I'll be calling to make a sick child appointment this morning. :(

I didn't reach my goal of having our Summer vacation pictures completed by the first, but I did create another layout:


Credits:
Darcy Baldwin: DJB MANDY at The Digichick
Shabby Miss Jenn: Trashed Brackets and Folded Paper, staple from Old Letters lil kit
Birgit: Summer Foliage
Jenna Desai: Brick stickers
Linda Gil Billdal: Torn cardboard
Natalie Braxton: Things on Stringz
Alpha is from "Promises" a freebie by the Shabby Princess
Kate Hadfield: Black Doodle Alpha
Nancy Comelab: Cluster frame

:::::::::::::Laptop Update::::::::::::::::

We went to an electronic store called Fry's and found a Gateway notebook with 3 Gigabytes of RAM and a 250G Hard Drive for $50 less than the one we were looking for, so we bought the better one instead. Success, me thinks!

:::::::::::::My Husband?::::::::::::



My husband, Michael, blogged about this cartoon. It really is how he answers stuff and how some people perceive his responses.

:::::::::::::One of My Favorite Photos::::::



I love this photo and I have it scrapped in Noah's album, but I enjoyed playing with a sepia tone for this layout.

This is a scraplift of Omega021 (Monika)http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=279759&cat=fav


Credits:


Darcy Baldwin's DJB CHLOE, DJB CHRISTINEC at The Digichick
Catscrap's: Primavera Collab and Come Out To Play
Catrine's: Doodle flourish
:::::::::::::Library Books::::::::::

I had a slew of books due today, but I turned in several last night. I can't find a book Eve checked out, so I'm off to seek out her different reading spots to see if I can find it.

Samoas...Close to My Heart...

...but even closer to my bottom! ;)


::::::::::::Noahism of the Weekend::::::

Noah wanted, desperately, to open a box of samoas and devour the contents, but I was having to make sure the inventory I received was accurate. He asked if he could help, so he could get the cookies faster. He was an enthusiastic helper. As we were sitting down counting cookies, sorting, rubber banding and putting labels on the boxes with the recipients name Noah jubilantly, "I Can't believe it's Girl Scout season. I LOVE GIRL SCOUT SEASON!" Shortly after he was rewarded with his heart's desire.

::::::::::::::::Layouts for Dawn Inskip's C.T.






This is my daughter doing her "happy dance" and her brother in the background completely ignoring her.

Credits:
Dawn Inskip: A Little Sunshine at TTS, NDISB, SSS
Darcy Baldwin: DJB DONNAR, DJB SANDRAK, "My Own Outline" at The Digichick




My sweet niece, Isabell

Credits: "A Little Sunshine" by Dawn Inskip at NDISB, TTS, and SSS


Font: DJB SILJE by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick


:::::::::::::::::Saturday Build::::::::

Grandpa Jim took Eve to Home Depot for their monthly build. She built and decorated a Nascar style vehicle. She was SOOO proud. Building and crafting are Eve's comfort zone.

:::::::::::::::::Japanese Food:::::::::

Michael and I went to Brandsmart to find a replacement for our microwave that died last month. After our purchase we went over to grab a bite of Japanese food. Michael chose katsu curry and I had tempura. The tempura came with shrimp, sweet potatoes, zucchini and Japanese pumpkin (which kinda of looked like an acorn squash). Tasty eats, I say!

::::::::::::::::El Presidente Taylor:::

Aaron was called to be the President of the Deacon's Quorum at Church. He chose requested his 2 counselors and secretary. He gave us several hugs and was the least embarrassed to show affection in front of the other boys. I don't know how long that will last, but I think it's pretty cool. Michael said Aaron did a good job at his first presidency meeting by showing concern for others not just in the ward family.

:::::::::::::::::On-line Conference::::

Aaron and I have an on-line chat with his teacher this morning I hope their are no glitches. Should be interesting. I'll let you know later.

Smiles! :)