Odd(s) and Ends

I love movie and tv quotes. Eve has been running around lately asking the questions that the bridge keeper posed in the movie "The Holy Grail". She also loves to say, "It's just a flesh wound!" She is such a nut!

Here are my responses to Jim's blog prompts:

Name a favorite movie...The African Queen

Name a favorite old TV show... The Carol Burnett Show

Give one line (or quote) from any film or TV show and see if we can all remember it. The line does not have to be from the movie or TV show you chose in Parts 1 and 2...

Elwood: "It's got a cop motor, a 440 cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspensions, cop shocks. It's a model made before catalytic converters so it'll run good on regular gas. What do you say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

::::::::::::::::::Flower Layout:::::::::



_{Midnight Diamonds - coming soon (have your eyes wide open maybe on thursday)
by Dawn Inskip at NDISB
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
by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17789&cat=273&page=2
Misc. Font: CK Cursive}

:::::::::::::::::::::::Still Crocheting::::

I've crocheted beads to 6 pairs of sock. Only 6 more to go! :)

Smiles, until later!

Hu (LU) Loves You, Baby?

:::::::::::Recommendation Friday:::::::::

I was listening to Clark Howard, a nationally syndicated consumer talk show host, talk about how cool hulu is, so I checked it out. I am so stoked that they have some of my favorite shows like: Kojak, The Bob Newhart Show, Buck Rogers, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Addams Family, WKRP, Night Gallery, Bewitched, The Rockford Files... YIPPEE. There are a few shows I'm interested in checking out like: My Name is Earl and some National Geographic Channel presentations. There are several more shows on there, but one I was looking for they didn't carry is Barnaby Jones. Maybe some day.


::::::::::::::::::International Folk Dancing:::::::

was the order of the morning. The second grade at Noah's elementary school performed dances from different countries. There were dances from Israel, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, England and the U.S.A. Noah's class was the U.S.A. He was so excited to see Evey and me in our seats. Michael felt bad that he was called to a meeting at the same time and couldn't attend. Here are some picks of my happy, dancin' boy:
Noah's normal, big-eyed, psycho look...mom has a camera pose:



Put a fork in him, people. He's done!


::::::::::::::::::C.T. Layouts for the Fresh kit by Dawn Inskip






<sub>Credits: Fresh kit by Dawn Inskip at NDISB
http://www.ndisb.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2296
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
also, gems from "A Little Sunshine" kit.


Fonts: DJB Another MANDY, DJB My Dear Marsha by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/product.php?productid=17789&cat=273&page=2


Alpha: Spring Collab at TLP by Jacque Larsen</sub>

::::::::::::::::Weekend Plans::::::

are up in the air due to the thunderstorms coming in soon.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!

Smiles!

Right Field...It's Important You Know...

:::::::::::::I'm Not The Only Thing Headed For A Break Down::::::::

I sent the kids off to the bus top, then a couple of minutes later Rachel rushed back up to the house to get her terrarium with a worm for school. I said, "Hey, luckily the bus is running late so you were able to run back and get that." Then, 2 minutes later I hear a rush of thundering kid feet and yelling voices. The kids from the bus stop are running to my house. The said the bus was broken down and they needed a ride. So, I loaded 3 of the neighbor kids and my 2 in the car and headed for school. I was third in line and we just had to wait 10 minutes until the school was open. That was a valuable 10 minutes. I used the time to sing with the radio and dance in my car seat to the utter and complete embarrassment of the children. That was a satisfying 10 minutes.

::::::::::::::Almost There:::::::

I took Rachel for her last braces adjustment before their removal next month. She is so happy to be getting so close to the end of her tooth confinement.

:::::::::::::Right Field:::::::::

This is a 2 page layout of my boys playing trap ball at Colonial Williamsburg. It is an English game that was part of the evolution of modern baseball.


Kate Hadfield: http://www.digiscrappingqueen.com/blog/ created the super amazing Dandelion Doodles as a request. Thank you, Kate!
Wordy Bits, Messy Staples, New Home doodles
Jen Wilson: Simple Expressions
Michelle Coleman: Color Me Solid (freebie on her blog)
Amber Clegg: Date Stamp


Font: DJB MISH/ DJB LIZ by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick





::::::::::::::::::Zneet Znatter Zneet:::::::

Rachel has been watching Season 2 of My Hero. The Christmas episode is hilarious...hold your sides, tear up and start laughing like a seal hilarious.


::::::::::::::::::: A "Relatively" Nice Evening:::::

Reuben, Ang, Gabriel and Afton came over for dinner last night. The kids had fun on the computer and making bead watches. Reuben helped roll up the egg rolls, which I can not figure out how he does it. His fingers are like thick sausage links, but he can make quite an attractively rolled egg roll. Michael made some tasty ginger beef soup, breaded chicken cutlets, and rice. The Hmong eggrolls were so delicious!
After dinner we just talked and then Eve wanted to watercolor, so Afton, Reuben, Noah and Rachel were given watercolors and the watercolor paper. They left about 11:00p.m. Noah and Eve were instantly asleep and the rest of us soon followed.

:::::::::::::::::::Always Behind::::::::::

Laundry, a couple of subjects for school with Aaron, homework with Noah and trying to remember where I left my mind. Time to go do a couple of science experiments in kitchen stadium.

And Guess What Else?!

...(Take a quick breath), And Guess What Else?! (Try to answer, but no use because...) Guess What Else?! I just realized that Noah was asking me a rhetorical question. He was quite ready to tell me without me having to exercise any brain power on my part. He also had to ask his question in a rapid fire succession that made me just laugh. I took him for a hair cut today and he looks mighty fine! Since it was just the two of us he was able to tell me all about every alien and plot point in the last seasons of Ben 10. He also let me know all about the history of Xiaolin Showdown, another cartoon. His eyes flashed with excitement of each exciting episode. He even told me he loved me, so what a great couple of hours with me chatty dude!

::::::::::::::HEYYYYYYY YOUUUUUUUUUUU GUYSSSS!::::

I'm not sure who will be more excited when I give Rachel one of her birthday presents that I ordered from Amazon.com. It's this:


I absolutely loved this show as a kid! Rachel was at a sleepover with her friend Julia and they watched a pledge drive where they showed interviews and episodes of the old show. They have been laughing and quoting from the show since. I'm "Ex" "Cited"... "Excited"!

::::::::::::::What?! Another Vacation Layout!:::

Why, yes!



Text: After a long day of walking the kids were ready to dive into a large New York style pizza. Eve loved the stretchy margherita cheese. Aaron was so hungry he ordered a pizza just for himself. Our only surpise was that John's Pizzeria charged for refills.

_{Background Paper from Festive Papers by Shabby Princess
Water Color heart by The Powers Sisters designs
Pop Alpha by Holly McCaig
Circle Journal paper by Catrine
Cluster Frame Doodles by Ida
Wordy Bits Basic Alpha by Kate Hadfield and Tiff Brady
Font: DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick
New York skyline was created using a charcoal filter on an extracted photo of a crystal sculpture of the skyline from the internet.}


:::::::::::::::::::::::What A Fun Surpise:::::

Rachel learned that she really like tennis. She attended a Girl Scout clinic on sports and fitness and they introduced the girls to a few sports and Rachel was just gushing about how cool tennis was to her.

Smiles!

Bits of This and Bits of That

Miscellaneous vacation layouts:



_{Really Big Bow by Natalie Braxton, Vintage Frame by Nancy Comelab, Background paper from Be Kind by Corina Nielsen, Font by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick}



My niece, Rebecca, blowing bubbles during our family reunion.


<sub>***Edited to add: Photo by Marcus J. Taylor
Cool Summer paper by Bren Boone

Star Stitches by Emily Merritt

Journaling papers by Catrine

Doodle by Ida

Going in Circles and Doodle Alphaby Weeds and Wildflowers

MnM Sparkle Blooms by the Powers Sisters

Snapshot frame (recolored) by Rhonna Farrer

Brush from January freebie by Tia Bennett

Punch alpha by Christina Renee
Date Stamp by Amber Clegg

Font: DJB EUROSCRIPT / DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin at The Digichick</sub>

:::::::::::::::::::Friday Nights::::::::::

are always a laugh with the show

Their pop culture references are a riot! The show is so well cast. Rachel loves to watch it with us, too! Rachel is such a cool hippie chick!

:::::::::::::::::::Labor Day Plans::::::::


My mom has already made a reservation for all of us at Medieval Times at Discover Mills. The jousting and other performances should be a lot of fun.


:::::::::::::::::::Busy Day::::::::::

Michael's poison ivy has cleared up and he will be able to go give platelets for his apheresis appointment. I think he goes every three weeks.

Tonight is also curriculum night for the second graders at the elementary school, so I will be running over there to hear about plans for the year from Noah's teacher.

I was able to pick up a few German language books for the library, so we will be checking those out today. BTW, Aaron was accepted into the Georgia Virtual Academy, so we will be receiving the curriculm books soon. I hope this hybrid public/homeschool curriculum will be a success.

I'm sure y'all are busy too, so ciao!

Drivin' All Night, My Hands Wet On The Wheel:

Yes, that is a line from the song "Radar Love" by Golden Earring. Michael drove from Niagara, New York to Cleveland, Ohio, then I took the figurative reins. We took 77 South to 85 South as our route. I got to beep the horn in West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. We only had one emergency pit stop on the way. Poor Eve had a tummy upset and held on valiantly until we located a Wendy's at exit 65 in Ohio. The siblings were trying to comfort her and told her she was so brave. Once we pulled in I through the car in park and grabbed her from the back and rushed in. We made it and with that out of the way she chatted and colored in her coloring book for the next couple of states. Before giving her the crayons I had to go over the "No Coloring On Dad's Truck Rule". A few days before she decided to do some modern art using her crayons on the back of Michael's seat. She said the coloring book just kept moving.

We arrived safely this morning. We went to bed about 3:30am. I got up at 9:15am and Michael ran to the grocery store for breakfast fixin's and made the kids french toast. I started the laundry and paid some bills on-line. The kids wanted to go to the library, so Michael loaded them up and instructed me to take another nap and a refreshing shower.

I slept about an hour and when I woke up Rachel was excited to show me a new series of books she found that are based on Colonial Williamsburg. I had Noah read a book from the reading list his teacher sent home at the end of the year. He enjoyed the book and his fluency gets better every time.

We went to my mom's house so the kids could get hugs and kisses, eat Granny's cheese grits, watch cartoons and pick up Jasper. My mother is very good with her "grand ferret". We watched the new season shows for Monk and Psych. The writers of Psych had similar likes and upbring because their one liners are warped. Tonight's episode included a line about Viger and Stephen Collins from Star Trek. It was hilarious. Tim Curry was on the season premiere and he was at his biting best. I love his condescending attitude. It is so tongue in cheek. One of the lines attributed to him in tonight's episode was, "He said we were a curious cocktail of inbreeding and type 2 diabetes!" Crazy hilarious!

:::::::::::::::::Next Week:::::

Is our family reunion at the lake. So I hope to get some scrap booking done about the trip before we leave, but the kids are clamoring for computer time. I also need to get the photos from Michael's computer so I can start. There is also a photo scavenger hunt we are supposed to have ready for the reunion so I need to print the list and keep it with me for photo ops.

:::::::::::::Saturday:::::::::

We plan to see the movie "Ratatouille" it looks fun and the kids were looking forward to seeing the movie with my mom.


I saw these quizzes on Janna's blog and they seemed a perfect quirky fit for me:

$5375.00The Cadaver Calculator - Find out how much your body is worth. From Mingle2 - Free Online Dating

Mingle² - Free Online Dating

49% GeekMingle² - Free Online Dating

I also printed an avatar of myself as if I'm a character from the Simpsons, but I want to create one of the whole family before I post.

Later gators!

Review Day:

Greyfriar's Bobby


The movie "Greyfriar's Bobby" is not one I remembered from childhood, but it looked interesting. I grabbed it off the shelf at the library and put it with my other selections. I thought the movie had dog appeal, so the kids would want to watch it...I was wrong. The kids were entirely disinterested the two times I suggested watching the film. Yesterday, they were playing on the computer, so I decided to pop in the movie and watch it. The story was given at a slow pace, but was such an endearing story of loyalty and community that is was well worth the time. I love how this little skye terrier was able to soften the hearts of all around him as he showed unswerving loyalty to his deceased master. A few tears were shed in this little gem, so be warned to have a hanky available...or long sleeves! I recommend this for all ages!

:::::::::::::::::::::::Tree Castle Island::::::::



We finished this family reading book last night. I would describe this book as teenage version of Survivor Man in the Okefenokee Swamp. The main character Jack Hawkins paddles and poles through the Okefenokee Swamp in his hand made canoe called L'il Possum. Jack is helped through several situations by using his handy Leatherman. Rachel was put off by some of the book because of the creatures Jack kills and eats to survive his trip. She decided to continue listening to the book. There is a surprise for Jack on one of the islands in the form of a person he meets.
I thought the description of the swamp features was well done and the different ways Jack was able to survive was interesting. The story line of Jack and the person he meets on one of the islands is okay, but the way the story ties up the loose end was pretty lame.
So, the book gets high marks for the description of the landscape along with its flora and fauna. The low marks come in the way the author decided to the trite way Jack's story was tied up.

:::::::::::::::::::Ear Update::::

I have an appointment for 11:40a.m., today. I told the advice nurse at the facility that I didn't care if the primary care physician was available. I just need someone to stick an otoscope in my ear and tell me what to do to make it better. I told the nurse I wasn't dizzy (so far) and that I wasn't running a fever. The pain is around the tragus (that little triangular flap) and feels inflammed. Hopefully I'm not harboring any small farm animals in there. This reminds me of the show Rachel and I watched on satellite t.v. called "Eaten Alive". This show was all about parasites that get into the human body. The squirm factor was high! Rachel was surprised to find out that when I was about 12 I had an experience with microoganisms multiplying in my ear canal after a swim in a lake during girl's camp. After getting home from camp I remember waking up with a fever and it seemed as though you could draw an imaginary line down the center of my face. Anything on right side was excrutiatingly painful. I just cried. It must have been on the weekend when my mom took me to the doctor because it was a Doc-in-a-box type place. The doctor diagnosed an infection and gave some antibiotic drops. Three days later there was no relief, so we went back to the doctor. He irrigated my ear, which felt something like a bullet heating my ear. With the ear cleaned out the drops were able to work.
The world is an interesting place, indeed!

::::::::::::

I'll let ya know how things go!

Smiles!

Burning the Midnight Oil:

...which makes me think of the group...Midnight Oil. I really loved to crank up the radio and with the window down and sing along (here are the lyrics):

Out where the river broke
The bloodwood and the desert oak
Holden wrecks and boiling diesels
Steam in forty five degrees

The time has come
To say fairs fair
To pay the rent
To pay our share
The time has come
A facts a fact
It belongs to them
Lets give it back

How can we dance when our earth is turning
How do we sleep when our beds are burning

Four wheels scare the cockatoos
From kintore east to yuendemu
The western desert lives and breathes
In forty five degrees

(live - on scream in blue
The time has come
A facts a fact
It belongs to us all
Lets give it back)

...as I recall, MTV used to play music videos and I would also dance around the house or work out on the stationary bike when no one was at home. Fun stuff!

ANYWAY... I'm up looking up vacation information. I love the extra info on Williamsburg Monet was able to provide in the comments. I think they will have fun. I'm also checking into the Apprentice program for kids. They would learn about 3 trades and then pick what they would want to learn. We will see if that fits in with all of the plans.

I have been rather spoiled with the camping opportunites going our usual Western route, so I am having to make a mental and financial adjustment for going North. It should be quite hot, so being in a hotel room should make things more comfortable all round. One of the concerns I have about doing too much reserving for rooms and tickets ahead of time is possible illness with all the driving and activities. Aaron is our historic puker, Rachel is bathroom girl, Eve doesn't want to walk anywhere and you have to keep Noah from urinating on National Monument signs. I can hear it now... "Young man did you know it is disrespectful to urinate on monument signs?"
Noah would respond..."But, I had to go...How about a HUG!?!"

...This leads me to a Noah story for the day...

We dropped the kids off at my parents' house for Friday night sleepover where upon my mother cooked shells and cheese for Aaron and grits for the other three. She was back and forth getting them drinks and qualling arguments and then she would attempt to sit down, which set off some silent alarm. Then, there would be a piercing voice from the bedroom..."GRANNY!"

Finally, my mom was able to sit down for a moment and Noah popped into the living room and gave me a big hug. He said he had finished three servings of grits and would like some ice cream for dessert. Then, in his Noah way said, "Mom, you can sit. I'll get granny to do it!" Mom and I just laughed! What a silly twit that kid is sometimes. I told granny to remain seated and that I would handle the current ice cream request.

...

Noah, also, accompanied me to the credit union today to deposit a couple of checks and I had fun listening to him explain the Fantastic Four and the motivations of the Silver Surfer...again. He was so eloquent and loquacious and I just enjoyed listening. After about fifteen minutes he wraps up by telling me that the destroyer from the Fantastic Four movie was dark matter from the Big Bang he looked at me and sincerely asked, "So, tell me about Nancy Drew."

I was kind of surprised that he was even curious and I couldn't come up with the same enthusiasm to explain all of the characters and plot. He seemed fine with what little information I gave him. Once we pulled up to the credit union his main concern was asking the teller for 4 lollipops so that his siblings weren't left out and turning old before he could roll up his window. He voiced his desire, again, that I get a car with electric windows.

:::::::::::::::::::Gil Mayo Mysteries::::::

We watched two episodes of Gil Mayo Mysteries at my mom's house. I thought the show was interesting. I, especially, liked his habit of correcting grammar and then explaining the rule. This show looks worth the time.

:::::::::::::::Off to::::::::

sleep, perchance, to dream.

Smiles!

Who Loves Ya Baby?!:

I used to watch a lot of television as a kid and the ones that drew me in the most were the detective shows. My kids think I'm weird because if we are watching t.v. at my mom's house (satellite dish) I choose shows like Forensic Files, Mystery Diagnosis, Investigative Reports or Cold Case Files. Since the new version of Nancy Drew was out I started thinking about what guy detective shows I liked growing up. Here are a few:



I love the way Columbo would fluster people as he asked them questions. I wanted a huge car like Cannon. I always thought Kojak was ultra cool because of the lollipop.


Raymond Burr was always sharply dressed and spoke directly and to the point. Barbara Hale as his girl Friday added sharp wit, intelligence, and loyalty.


The good guys were always fun to watch, too. I really loved Barnaby Jones and I wanted to be Lee Meriwether. Barnaby was always seemed like the nicest guy. The Hardy Boys was another fav. I was enamored with Parker Stevenson. I thought Shaun Cassiday was cute, but that his adam's apple needed its own zip code. One day when Michael and I were driving somewhere I asked him if he knew who had the biggest adam's apple in the entire world and he answered immediately...Shaun Cassiday. I was in awe of his quick response and like thinking. It is weird to say that somehow I knew this guy could think like me with my quirky sense of humor. We have been married for almost 18 years and he tells people he can speak "Wife". He says that he speaks the "Victoria" dialect of "Wife", so it doesn't apply to all women...just to me. He can try to translate what other women are really saying, but he tells people it won't be as accurate. So, when I think of the Shaun Cassiday's adam's apple story I just laugh a goofy laugh and think of my wonderful husband's quick wit.


I almost forgot one of my favorites and that is James Garner as Jim Rockford in The Rockford Files. He has a mix of intelligence, charisma and downright good looks. He is still quite handsome in his old age.



_{Borderline Frames by Sande Krieger at TwoPeas, Arrow by Holly McCaig, Doodle Circle by Erica Hite}

Have a great day! Smiles!

Waxing Nostalgic...Cartoon Style:

Michael and I will often spontaneously break into snippets of old television shows from our memories of Saturday Morning cartoons. One of our favorites is Super Chicken, which was taken off the air because he became Super Chicken by drinking a concoction called the "Super Sauce". The network or pressures from outside saw the drink as having a negative drug example for kids. I have fond memories of times watching Henry Cabot Henhouse III and his faithful sidekick, Fred.

I have listed several other theme songs and their shows. I had fun as a kid watching them and I wonder if you had similar favorites.


Artist: Lyrics
Song: Super Chicken Lyrics
When you find youself in danger,
When you're threatened by a stranger,
When it looks like you will take a lickin', (puk, puk, puk)
There is someone waiting,
Who will hurry up and rescue you,
Just Call for Super Chicken! (puk, ack!)

Fred, if you're afraid you'll have to overlook it,
Besides you knew the job was dangerous when you took it (puk, ack!)

He will drink his super sauce
And throw the bad guys for a loss
And he will bring them in alive and kickin' (puk, puk, puk)
There is one thing you should learn
When there is no one else to turn to
Call for Super Chicken! (puk, puk, puk)
Call for Super Chicken! (puk, ack!)



Lyrics
Song: Tom Slick Lyrics
Tom Slick.
Tom Slick.
Let me tell you why,
He's the best of all the guys.

Tom Slick
Tom Slick
In the thunder boat grease slapper once he's on your tail.
He won't quit because you know there's no such word as fail to
Tom Slick
Tom Slick!


Artist: Lyrics
Song: George of the Jungle Lyrics
George, George
George of the Jungle,
Strong as he can be.
(Ahhhhhhhh)
Watch out for that tree.

George, George,
George of the Jungle,
Lives a life that's free.
(Ahhhhhhhh)
Watch out for that tree.

When he gets in a scrape,
he makes his escape
with the help of his friend,
an ape named Ape.
Then away he'll schlep
on his elephant Shep
While Fella and Ursula
Stay in step.

Well....George, George
George of the Jungle,
Friend to you and me.

Watch out for that tree.

***I still laugh when he hits the tree!


Battle of the Planets

I loved watching this cartoon. I thought all the characters were cool. I, especially, wanted to fly the ship.



Artist: Lyrics
Song: The Bugaloos Lyrics
The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere
Flying high, flying loose
Flying free as a summer breeze

The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're climbing high and diving low
Through the sky, 'cross the land
Straight to you
With a helping hand
Ready with a helping hand

We're friends indeed
Should you need
If you ever need

The Bugaloos
The Bugaloos
We're in the air and everywhere
Flying high, flying loose
Flying free like we all could be....



Artist: Lyrics
Song: Land of the Lost Lyrics
Marshall, Will, and Holly
On a routine expedition
Met the greatest earthquake ever known.
High on the rapids
It struck their tiny raft.
And plunged them down a thousand feet below.

To the Land of the Lost.
To the Land of the Lost.
To the Land of the Lost.


I loved the Sleestacks!


Artist: Lyrics
Song: Fat Albert Lyrics
Hey, hey, hey!
Here's Fat Albert
And I'm gonna sing a song for you
And this is gonna show you
A thing or two
You'll have some fun now
With me and the gang
Learning from each other
While we do our ???
Na, na, na
Gonna have a good time
Na, na, na
Gonna have a good time
Hey, hey, hey!

This is Bill Cosby coming out with music and fun
If you're not careful, you may run something before it's done!
Hey, hey, hey!

Na, na, na
Gonna have a good time
Hey, hey, hey!
Na, na, na
Gonna have a good time
Hey, hey, hey!

I was partial to Dumb Donald and Mushmouth.

Electra Woman and Dyna Girl


Dr. Shrinker


Wonder Bug:





Come on and Zoom, Come on and Zoom,
Come on and Zoom, Come on and Zoom,
Come on and Zoom, Zoom, Zoom-a, ZOOM!
ZOOM! ZOOM! ZOOM!
Come on and Zoom, You call the tune,
Come on and Zoom, We're starting soon,
Come and Zoom-a, Zoom-a, Zoom-a, ZOOM!
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM,

I loved to do the experiments I saw on Zoom. Unfortunately, those experiments were messy and I had to do a quick clean up before my mom found out. If she doesn't know about them, now, I figure I was successful!

Space Giants:



Boy howdy, I thought it would be cool to transform into a robot. That is one reason I am looking forward to the new movie Transformers. Weird. I know. I'm cool with that!

:::::::::::::::::Bouldering on Memorial Day:::::





Text: Noah and Rachel were keen to try bouldering. They smeared, clung, and grasped the course rock face. Eve tried to conquer a few rock faces, too. They searched for good hand holds and foot holds in the cracks. Noah and Rachel get very serious and concentrate on what they are doing. The weather was warm and the kids were able to gain more confidence.

_{Chalk Full of Fun kit and Add-on by Lisa Whitney, Scribbly Alpha by Studio Sandra Boddington at Scrapbookgraphics, Cluster Frames by Nancy Comelab, Cardboard flowers by Amanda Rockwell, Animal Doodles and Bows (Pirate Doodles) by Kate Hadfield, Baby Bead Alpha by Mo Jackson, Nessa Font by Erica Hite, Backwards Staples by Jenn Patrick, Journal paper by Catrine, Font: DB Michael}


:::::::::::::::::::::::My Nice Family::::::

Let me take a nap, yesterday. I am on the last legs of this yucky cold.

::::::::::::::::::::::Sande Krieger::::::::

is so talented and she sent me these:

I was one of a few folks who had their name pulled for her new stamps.

Smiles!

Barefoot in the Spring:

Text: “If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.”

_{Sing Spring kit by Sausan Designs at Scrapbookgraphics, Curled Edges by Anna Aspnes, Font: Jane Austen}

This layout uses an excerpt from this poem:

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax, I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles,
but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live
sensibly and sanely hour after hour,
day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments,
And if I had it to do over again,
I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
Just moments, one after another,
instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere
without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat
and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

Nadine Stair,
85 years old.


:::::::::::::::::Paint, Caulk and Sheetrock::::

Oh, my! Michael, Aaron and I went to help Reu and Ang work on their house to ready it for sale. The taupe wall color Ang picked looked great. Michael spent his time working on taping the sheetrock and sanding the walls. Michael's hands were cracked and painful from being dried out by the sheetrock dust. He used my watermelon scented Shea butter. He is now a shea butter convert.


:::::::::::::::::My Hero::::::::::::
Granny Sue bought this for Rachel:



Here is a synopsis that I found on Amazon.com: George Sunday's life took an unexpected turn when he met and fell in love with Janet Dawkins, a nurse from Earth. The thing is, George is also Thermoman, from the planet Ultron, who dashes from one catastrophe to another as he juggles his two jobs: superhero and health food shop owner. Keeping George's identity secret is very difficult for the young couple, but luckily Janet's parents and colleagues just think he is an idiot.

70's Girl

If you were a little girl in the 70'S

I saw this at DST:

You had that Fisher Price Doctor 's Kit with a stethoscope that actually
worked.
You owned a bicycle with a banana seat and a plastic basket with
flowers on it.
You learned to skate with actual skates (not roller blades) that had
metal wheels.
You thought Gopher from Love Boat was cute (admit it!)
You had nightmares after watching Fantasy Island.
You had rubber boots for rainy days and Moon boots for snowy days. YEAH!
You owned a "Slip-n-Slide",on which you injured yourself on a
sprinkler head more than once.
You owned "Klick-Klacks" and smacked yourself in the face more than
once.
You had either a "bowl cut" or "pixie," not to mention the "Dorothy
Hamill". People sometimes thought you were a boy.
Your Holly Hobbie sleeping bag was your most prized possession.
You wore a poncho, gauchos, and knickers.
You begged Santa for the electronic game, Simon.
You had the Donnie and Marie dolls with those pink and purple satiny
shredded outfits.
You spent hours in your backyard on your metal swing set with the
trapeze. The swing set tipped over at least once.
You had homemade ribbon barrettes in every imaginable color. (Oh yeah!)
You had a pair of Doctor Scholl's sandals (the ones with hard sole & the
buckle). You also had a pair of salt-water sandals. (is this an east
coast thing??)
You wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder really bad; you wore that Little
House on the Prairie-inspired plaid, ruffle shirt with the high neck in
at least one school picture; and you despised Nellie Olson!
You wanted your first kiss to be at a roller rink.!
Your hairstyle was described as having "wings" or "feathers" and you
> >>kept it "pretty" with the comb you kept in your back pocket.
When you walked, the "wings" flapped up and down, looked like you were
gonna "take off"
You know who Strawberry Shortcake is, as well as her friends, Blueberry
Muffin and Huckleberry Pie.
You carried a Muppets lunch box to school and it was metal, not plastic.
With the thermos inside!
You and your girlfriends would fight over which of the Dukes of Hazzard
was your boyfriend.
YOU had Star Wars action figures, too!
It was a big event in your household each year when the "Wizard of Oz"
would come on TV. Your mom would break out the popcorn and sleeping
bags!
You often asked your Magic-8 ball the question: "Who will I marry. Shaun
Cassidy, Leif Garrett, or David Cassidy..?"
You completely wore out your Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Fame
soundtrack record album.
You tried to do lots of arts and crafts, like yarn and Popsicle-stick
God's eyes, decoupage, or those weird potholders made on a plastic loom.
You made Shrinky-Dinks and put iron-on kittens on your t-shirts!
You used to tape record songs off the radio by holding your
portable tape player up to the speaker.
You had subscriptions to Dynamite and Tiger Beat.
You learned everything you needed to know about girl issues from Judy
Blume books (Are you there God, It's me, Margaret.)
You thought Olivia Newton John's song "Physical" was about aerobics.
You wore friendship pins on your tennis shoes, or shoelaces with heart
or rainbow designs.
You wanted to be a Solid Gold dancer.
You drowned yourself in Love's Baby Soft - which was the first "real"
perfume you ever owned .. .
you glopped your lips in Strawberry Roll-on lip gloss till it almost
dripped off.

To this list I need to add:

If you had a CB Radio and had your own "handle". (My handle was "Moonbeam" or "Ladybug" dependent upon my whim).
If you owned a satin disco jacket with matching “short shorts”.






frames by Lisa Whitney

"Excuse ME!

You have a CUSTOMER HERE!" This is what Eve said to me last night at dinner when I didn't get her orange juice poured fast enough. I asked the other kids where Eve came up with that phrase. They said it was from Spongebob. Luckily, we don't have dvds of the old t.v. show Alice. She would probably tell me to "Kiss my grits"!

::::::::::Good News:::::::
We are currently healthy and the kids have caught up with their missed school work! Laundry is under control, which, as defined in this house, means all children and adults have, at least, 2 pairs of matched socks!

::::::::::::A Disney Layout::::::::::::

The Disney Characters, particularly, liked to put their hands (paws) over Rachel's face, which sent her into peals of laughter. I'll have to find and scrap the photo with the dragon Mushu doing the same thing Stitch was doing.



_{background paper by Leah Riordan, Overlay from DD Fontchat, Amelie Alpha by Sara Carling, film strip from Primitive Photography by Mo Jackson, Disney brad by JLR, Date Stamp by Katie Pertiet, arrow doodles by Ida, staples by C Wyckoff, Font:Walt Disney Script, SA_Apricots/Mimi}

Kid Logic and Dr. Who:

A new Noah story...
Noah and Aaron were rough housing in the den when Michael and I heard Noah squallin' his head off. I ran down to check on him and Aaron met me half way saying that he didn't mean to hurt Noah. Aaron explained that Noah had charged him from behind, so Aaron had stuck his foot up to fend off the blow and kicked Noah in the mouth. Aaron was apologetic and Noah was apoplectic! In the midst of his heaving sobs Noah said, "When I was charging him...and I was about to head butt him...he kicked me in the face!"
Well, with that explanation and the way Noah said it Michael and I couldn't stop laughing. Here was a kid who didn't think it was a problem to try to use his full force to slam into his big brother and reasoned that getting kicked in the face by a defensive blow was completely unjustified! Noah should fit right in with a whole lot of "wronged" people and maybe he can look forward to being the plaintiff in several frivolous lawsuits growing up!

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My kids are Dr. Who fans. I used to watch the shows when I was a kid and even when to a sci-fi convention and got my Dr. Who book signed by John Pertwee. GEEK! (happily so, Thank you)! I really liked John Pertwee, Tom Baker, , Sylvester McCoy, Peter Davison and Christopher Eccleston. Now we the show has the tenth doctor with David Tennant and I like what I've seen, so far. The kids are completely fascinated and creeped out by the Daleks.
My mother bought Aaron the complete first season of the Dr. Who series with Christopher Eccleston and the kids have watched them all, including the interviews.

My mom had given me the movie "Shada" starring Tom Baker as the Dr. along time ago. One day we were talking about the crazy sets on Dr. Who and the kids were curious and they popped the movie in and Aaron and Rachel loved it. Noah and Eve are scared a bit watching, so they walk out of the room and back in to watch some of the show.

Michael is funny to have around during the show because he understands enough about science to get annoyed about things he thinks the writers should get correct. He can suspend his belief about some of the crazier stuff, but don't mess around with proven mathematics. It's like the Hiesenberg Compensator on Star Trek that they use to explain why they can beam particles of matter back in the same order. Heisenberg uncertainty principle states (in general terms) that one cannot know the quantum state of a subatomic particle to arbitrary precision. Therefore, matter transportation in this way should be impossible.GEEK! (happily so, Thank you)! By the way, I really miss K-9!


::::::::::::::::::

My daughter, Rachel, and I have gotten sucked into the drama on Project Runway on the Bravo network. We only see cable shows when we visit my mom's house and this one is kooky. Rachel gets mad at Jeffrey because he flips everyone off and is rude most of the time, but she is a fan of Uli. Rachel likes the fun colors and patterns. She also likes Michael Knight. I really like the chic looks of Laura's designs and Michael Knight. I remember designing doll clothes for my Barbie's out of old slips and cast off thread from my mother. My favorite look was a sleek white wrapped dressed in a Grecian style with a neckline resembling an onyk. I would sweep the dolls hair up like the drawings of the muses and weave gold thread through the hair to hold it in place. Fun stuff!

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COOL SITE ALERT:

Seishido.biz has some kickin' brushes. I use photoshop 6.0 and their freeware brushes are 6.0+ compatible. Can I hear a Whoo Whoo! I was so excited! They are Japanese, so that was a bonus for Michael's mission pictures from Japan. The brushes were of so many different things I felt like a kid in a candy store. I got this sweet tip from Lanne over at the Shabby Princess discussion board. So, thank you!

Remember 9/11

As many Americans today ponder the devastation of the terrorist attacks 5 years ago I would like to remember those who valiantly risked and gave their lives to save all those they could from the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon. The words for how I think many of us felt is Blind-sided. I recall watching the news in awe as the towers were burning. Confusion reigned as people tried to get a handle on what was happening and get help where it was needed, which was so many places at once. I cry tears of sadness thinking of the inhumanity of man against one another perpetrated in the name of God. It is a bizarre juxtaposition that from this inhumanity that compassion, charity, sacrifice and love comes like a phoenix from the ashes. I just wish it didn't take such atrocities to see that humanity emerge.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

I haven't said anything about the death of Steve Irwin from the barb of a sting ray. I've been impressed with his family from the news reports. Steve's father, Bob, is such a straight-forward and level-headed guy. I hope he sticks around for awhile to be able to teach Bindi and Bob. My children and I love to watch Animal Planet when we go to my parent's home. My kids have such an enthusiastic love and respect for animals with the help of Steve's over the top and fun personality. I hope conservation efforts will be maintained by those who must take over in absence of such a dynamic personality. Terri has such an easy going and wonderful personality. My heart goes out to her and all of Steve's family and friends. I feel for the crew that was with him who were powerless to change what had happened. I am not familiar, at all, with Germaine Greer who spoke rather harsh words about Steve and his contact with animals, but I can speak on the positive impression he has given my family on how to protect and preserve wildlife and their habitate. I believe that touching even one person's life for good gives an eternal benefit and for this my family and I are eternally greatful to Steve Irwin and Terri.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

This is one happy girl who has to wear glasses and braces. Rachel's attitude is "I CAN SEE and I'll have GREAT TEETH!"


_{frame and papers by Sausan Designs, overlay by Shabby Princess in the Studio Chic kit, E alpha by Sande Krieger called French Laundry Alpha, staples by Fhunglie from Soul Searching Kit, Stitch corner, flower, leather rose trim, Hand Stamped Brush by Michelle Coleman form Gypsy Rose, Emma's Sundress, and Birthday Kits. Vintage hand from Maya's Weird is Wonderful, Date Tags by Janel Kretschman. Fonts: Farrah and Artistamp Medium}

My handsome brother and some layouts:

If you want to take a peek into the life of a profoundly autistic adult check out my stepfathers hilarious blog. My brother, Denny, has some interesting habits and I am convinced he is telepathically linked to my kids. Now, I'm not sure who is in charge in this situation, but I tell ya it gets kinda weird.




Circus Kit designed by Sandra Boddington at Sweet Shoppe Designs. Notepaper: Magnolia Kit by Katie Pertiet
Fonts Used: Stamped DSG,Pupcat, Too Many Secrets, Artistamp Medium, Tempus Sans ITC. Hand Stamped Alpha by Michelle Coleman.



Kit design by Melissa Rose at Liddy's Loft



Sketch by Jen Caputo.
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My kids are into vintage cartoons. I picked up a dvd pack at Walls...mart one day and gave it to the kids. Popeye was their favorite for a month. Now their favorite is Little Audrey. I can't find a decent photo of her on line, but the kids laugh out loud whenever they watch.

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Another show movie...50 First Dates with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler is a film we borrowed and Aaron and Rachel really liked. I, especially, like the end of the film. It is not a Hollyweird ending.

::::::::::::::::::::::::

School is going okay for Rachel and Noah. Rachel is keeping up her chatty ways...I've signed both notes from the teacher, but she likes school. Noah had a blast in science class. The teacher did a word assessment with him and he knew 45% of the words.... Did I tell you he liked science...!

Aaron has not been cooperative at all!!! ARGH! FUME! SIGH! Oh well! He does want to learn some history stuff and music. I have a few Usborne internet-linked books that are pretty cool! For health I had him read about puberty! He was creeped out, but that is normal for lots of folks. Michael has started Aaron's astronomy class. Michael is using his college book and outline as a basis for the class. Aaron thought is was a cool idea until he had to READ! SURPRISE! Did I say...ARGH! FUME! SIGH! The Teenager was arrived...!

Another cool music site...but different:

Michael found this amazing site that showcases the digital graphics and musical skills of some person who is trying to sell his dvd, but there are several sample videos of his work at Animusic. I warn you that these sample videos can be completely mesmerizing! Our kids were astounded by the exact timing and all of the funky instruments that were used. Check it out! FUN STUFF!

:::::

NEWS OF THE WEIRD...in the Taylor home...
Noah has developed this double eye blink this week. I found it kind of annoying because it was like talking to Barbara Eden on crack (I Dream of Jeannie...that one), and I asked him to stop. He said he wasn't doing anything, but that his eyes were dry. For the last 3 days he has been doing this, so I started to worry about it today and pointed it out to Michael and we would watch him when he wasn't aware anyone was looking at him and there was that double blink. My first inclination was that it was a physical manifestation of the all out tantrums and bickering he has with Aaron. He cries so much from arguing with Aaron over Legos and any misspoken word that comes out of Noah's mouth...and trust me Noah doesn't back down wrong or right...that he has little pimples on his cheeks from the salty tears. We went to Six Flags this morning and the first chance Michael had, which was about 9:00pm he got on his laptop and looked up causes of "eye twitching" and this is what he foundBlepharospasm
. I have never heard of such a condition, but after reading the symptoms I was looking for Noah's photo on the website as a prime example. Here is an excerpt from the website: "Blepharospasm usually starts with abnormal or excessive blinking that is accompanied by general eye irritation. Early on, the excessive blinking may only occur as a result of being exposed to bright lights, being tired or if you are under a great deal of stress."

ARGH! as Charlie Brown would exclaim! It is good that school is starting soon, so the boys can have a break from each other for a bit each day. TOO SAD!

:::::

On a lighter note two silly things from my kids:

I asked Noah to turn down the t.v. because the volume was up too high...Noah's response, "It's not as loud as it sounds".

----

After Finishing her breakfast the other day Eve drills me on a few things:
"Mom, did you talk to Heavenly Father and say in the name of Jesus Christ? Did you remember Tommy and Teresa? Did you say thank you for the food?

I said, "Oh, I forgot to say the prayer over the food because I was on the phone talking to daddy. I'm sorry."

Eve's response: "Then you are out of the game, mommy!"

...I have to say she might be right! Boy howdy I got a good laugh from these two!

Have a great weekend folks!

...57 Channels and Nothing On...

I was a t.v. junkie and didn't even have cable! (I still don't have cable). I loved to watch pretty much any show that came on Channel 17. There programming consisted of shows that the 3 major networks didn't want to waste their time showing. I watched old movies and especially B grade flicks like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes and anything Godzilla. Most of the movies consisted of disaster flicks where Airplanes were in danger of crashing, their was an apocalpse of some sort, and the world was being taken over by flesh eating mutants...great stuff...grab the popcorn! So, I present to you one of my favorite actors from my t.v. viewing during the 70's and 80's, Mr. Charleton Heston: