Bugs in the Desert

Bald Eagles on the MIssissippi

2008-12-20T13:29:00.001-08:00

Snowflakes On My Jacket

2008-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

#9 The Perfect Prescription

2008-12-10T07:07:00.000-08:00

I think this is some kind of kitschy souvenir shot glass. It's old.

Bug Girl For Real

2008-12-08T18:28:00.000-08:00

#8 The Foam Fyre Fyter

2008-12-08T18:25:00.000-08:00

#7 Lea & Perrins Has Been Around A Long Time

2008-12-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

#6 A Singer Sewing Machine

2008-12-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Coincidentally, my Grandparents live near the Singer Tract, which was once a forest with ancient long leaf pines where the Ivory Billed Woodpecker could be found. After logging and tree loss due to suppression of necessary fires, the woodpeckers are gone as are most of the old big trees. The long believed extinct Ivory Bill was re-discovered in the Pearl River Drainage in 2005.

#5 Old Cameras

2008-12-05T16:40:00.000-08:00

The Invisible Mom BY: Mary Lynn Plaisance ???

2008-12-05T10:53:00.001-08:00

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response,
the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone
and ask to be taken to the store.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?'

Obviously, not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible. The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this?
Can you tie this?
Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a
clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer,
'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around
5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the
eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life.

It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're going to love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right.

And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

I did not write this. It came in an email. Thanks Angela. This is exactly what I needed to hear.

#4 Some 45's Still Survive

2008-12-04T17:12:00.000-08:00

Creedence Clearwater

Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young

Swiss Polka???? *scratches head*

The Human Beinz, It's Fun To Be Clean. I'm sure Ben will understand.

An eclectic mix of 45's I found in the 150+ stack I acquired.

Yes! I scored a monster cache of 45's. They belonged to my Uncle David when he was a teenager. Thanks Uncle David! He doesn't want them any more. That might have something to do with the fact that they're not in the greatest condition. I might have had something to do with that when I was a kid. If your name is Ben and you are a digital music wizard, you're in luck. This veritable treasure trove of musical majesty will soon be yours. If you're not Ben, never fear, he's digitizing them and they might just show up on a blog someday. Seriously though, Uncle David, you listened to Swiss Polka???

PS. I forgot to put up the very good condition Kid Galahad Elvis Presley. My bad.

PPS. If you want to read the labels, just click the picture. I made them clickable this time.

#3 My Family Has Old Money

2008-12-03T08:38:00.001-08:00

The State of Louisiana Money ca.1863

Confederate States of American Money ca. 1864

WWI Era German Mark ca. 1922

Picture of the this has been removed. These two dollar bills are still in circulation. I'm not sure if posting a scanned image of US currency is legal or not. I believe that I've followed the Federal Code, and that it would be ok. Also the code doesn't seem to take into account blogging, as I see some gray areas. But just in case, I removed it. I don't need any governmental headaches.

Silver Certificate Two Dollar Bill ca. 1963

You thought I was kidding when I said we had old money. It may not be numerous or the blue-blooded east coast kind, but I assure it is very old. Who knew that Louisiana printed their own bills before the civil war. Either way, it's very cool. Why do I like old stuff?

*These are actual scans and not photos.

#2 Antique Bottles

2008-12-02T16:16:00.000-08:00

My graddaddy collected antique bottles. He dug most of these bottles all over the south, but probably mostly in Louisiana. The glass is beautiful and when the light hits it, you couldn't ask for a better photography subject. You know what the real kicker is? I took these pics manually!

14 Days of Cool Stuff I found

2008-12-01T12:04:00.001-08:00

I've just returned from a Thanksgiving trip that traversed at least 5 states and covered around 1200 miles. While there I made many discoveries and took tons of pictures of amazing and interesting old things that my grandfather collected over the years. Each day I'm going to post something new for your delight and entertainment.

Did you notice the green hat I'm wearing? Well that is our first item. What makes this hat so special? It is a WWII military hat. Stamped at the factory on May 29, 1953. The wool on the inside of the flip down ear cover has a few teeny moth holes, but other than that, the hat is pristine. How's that for cool?

For Julianne

2008-11-25T18:27:00.000-08:00

Brutus (You wouldn't believe it from that sweet smile.)

Active expression of the Hey-Look-At-Me gene on the Y chromosome.

Deep thoughts and twigs

The noodle

No more photos please.

Abandoned house across the street.

Yes you read right. Across the street.

Way Back for Wednesday

2008-11-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

Hey Adina! Remember this? How's Vegas? I'll be traveling tomorrow, so I did my way back post today. This is a truly vintage picture. Many many moons ago, when the earth was young, Adina, Darren, and I took a trip to Moab, UT. It was fun. We saw funny things. Like a German dude coming down from the arch wearing only a Speedo, hiking boots, and a fanny pack. Seriously, who dresses guys like that? I still have painful fits of uncontrollable laughter whenever I remember.

Feel Good Politics

2008-11-24T17:01:00.000-08:00

Check the link to see more. It restores my faith in our divided country.

Pictures and project from this guy.

Thanks to Gen for the heads up.

Me and That Velociraptor

2008-11-19T18:08:00.001-08:00

1 minute, 9 seconds

Created by Bunk Beds.net

Garter Snake: A Conversation

2008-11-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

Curses! I have been spied.

Keep your distance, I warn you.

There is enmity between I and thee, woman.

You venture too close! I leap, I fly...

...I fall short. Hiss. It is a lengthy problem I encounter often.

Mighty small Mr. Snake. But you get bonus points for bravery.

Discussion:

In the interest of science we will do a cost benefit analysis of playing with snakes you might find in your yard. On one hand, it is not a brilliant idea to play with snakes of any kind that you find unless you are prepared to be bitten. They *all* bite when agitated. On the other hand, a six inch garter snake who is all gums isn't going to do much damage. Therefore, we play. If he were bigger, we would have played at the end of a longer stick. Still we play, we get acquainted, we dance. I cannot resist.

How do I know this isn't a poisonous snake? Besides the obvious fact that it is a garter snake? Well, this snake as you can see in the last picture has round pupils. If you are ever foolish enough to approach a snake the proximity of which renders the pupils easily seen, as it bites your face, you will be able to notice their shape. If it is a pit viper, it will have vertical pupils. You can also see in the picture that there are no heat-sensing pits in the top lip of the snake. The head is also not beefy and heart shaped. We can very easily declare this to be a non-poisonous snake.

Bear in mind, my favorite snake encounter advice. When in doubt run, and get the hell out of there.

A Capella Star Wars

2008-11-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

Found this today. Must post. Too funny for words. Jana do you know this guy?

Blast From the Past! Garbage Pail Kids!

2008-11-08T15:35:00.001-08:00

Ummm. Remember these?

Found 'em in a box today.

Vote Tomorrow!

2008-11-03T20:13:00.000-08:00

I can't breathe. LMAO. Vote.

Shamelessly stolen from Frank, who probably stole it from someone else. Ok, I'm sure he stole it.

Photoshop and Art

2008-11-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

Photoshop is an incredible tool.

Photoshop can make an artist out of anyone.

And anyone into a work of art.

Threadless How Do I Love Thee?

2008-10-31T21:03:00.000-07:00

Let me count the ways.

1. I love thee because thy t-shirts rock (rocketh?)

2. Thy shirts come in child-size forthwith.

3. Enough with the midevial English. My phoenix shirt glows in the freakin dark.

4. If you buy a shirt off this link they will send me gifts and prizes.

5. If you submit a picture they will credit some t-shirt cash to your account.

Common Buckeye

2008-10-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

Common Buckeye

Junonia coenia Hübner, [1822]

On Politics

2008-10-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

"Feed the men, then ask of them virtue."

"In the end they will lay their freedom at our feet and say to us' Make us your slaves,but feed us."

-Dosteovsky-Grand Inquisitor

Much thanks to Shrodingers Cat for the quote

Don't Ask...

2008-10-27T20:36:00.001-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Pictures shamelessly swiped from 911 and these monster people

A Barge Full of GM Corn

2008-10-20T11:16:00.001-07:00

Technorati Baby!

2008-10-19T20:18:00.001-07:00

Technorati Profile

Decay and Beauty

2008-10-18T20:22:00.000-07:00

State of Repair

Lions and Fountains

Victorian House Art

My favorite house

My favorite picture

Lovely and Ethereal

Rock out!

Church Steps

Coming to a neighborhood near you

2008-10-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Or that could be me. They're just down the street. If ya' can't read 'em click the picture for the up close and personal. By the way, I think Missouri is beautiful. The countryside is incredible. The cars, not so much.

Do I hear five dollars? Gimmie ten?

2008-10-17T09:54:00.000-07:00

If possession is 9/10 of the law, I own an engine. I have no clue as to what kind of engine it is, or what it does. The landlord of this feces covered, spider infested rental home says that he is keeping it as collateral because the last tenant owes him money. I think I'm going to offer it up on eBay. It must have some value. One of those losers turned this place into a pig stye, and the other one neglected to clean it before I moved in. After hours of scrubbing and scat removal, I figure both of those guys owe me big time for supplies and labor costs. If possession truly is 9/10 of the law, that huge hunkin' heap of junk is mine.

Thoughts on Freedom of Speech

2008-10-15T17:23:00.001-07:00

After participating in a political debate with some friends, I began to contemplate freedom of speech. It is a right that defines the essence of what it is to be an American: the right to choose.

Here are some fabulous quotes that I found.

The fact is that censorship always defeats its own purpose, for it creates, in the end, the kind of society that is incapable of exercising real discretion. ~Henry Steele Commager

The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen. ~Tommy Smothers

Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too. ~Voltaire

We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859

Books won't stay banned. They won't burn. Ideas won't go to jail. In the long run of history, the censor and the inquisitor have always lost. The only weapon against bad ideas is better ideas. ~Alfred Whitney Griswold, New York Times, 24 February 1959

Assassination is the extreme form of censorship. ~George Bernard Shaw,

The test of democracy is freedom of criticism. ~David Ben-Gurion

To limit the press is to insult a nation; to prohibit reading of certain books is to declare the inhabitants to be either fools or slaves. ~Claude-Adrien Helvétius

We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. ~John F. Kennedy

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. ~Voltaire

Sayonara

2008-09-25T21:27:00.000-07:00

I'll be having an outage for the next month or so while move. Who even knows if the rural area I'm moving to has high speed internet. I guess I'll find out.

One day I'll be back, so don't give up hope.

Until then. I'm out.

Threadless

2008-09-24T12:03:00.000-07:00

Please ignore the bizarre expression on my face. Threadless has the coolest t-shirts ever! Just watch out for the rocking chicken.

Embrace Adversity

2008-09-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Gustav May Get My Family

2008-08-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

Let us all please take a moment to say a prayer or think positive thoughts, whatever it is that you do as this giant hurricane approaches. My family is in the path but more centrally located. Hopefully the trees and powerlines will stay up this time, and that there will be no tornadoes.

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

2008-08-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Chicken photo

WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

BARACK OBAMA : The chicken crossed the road because it was time for a change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON : When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure "right from Day One! " that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH : We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY : Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL : Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON : I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

GORE : I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY : Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON : Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL : The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE : That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN : To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS : Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY : To die in the rain, alone.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS : Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE : It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES : I have just released eChicken2008, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2008. This new platform is much more stable and will never craâ?¦#@&&^(C%..........reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN : Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?

A Little Confused...

2008-08-21T12:56:00.000-07:00

Little J can't decide whether he's Superman or Zorro.

The Dark Side

2008-08-15T16:30:00.001-07:00

Grandma reminded me a few days ago that I never posted pictures from S's birthday. This was the highlight. He's idolized Darth Vadar since he first met him at Legoland.

Mountain Springs

2008-08-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

You've seen this kid before. Maybe on youtube.

We got grandpa to smile jet-lagged and all.

Ben and Kim

Hide your eyes! It's me!

The area was ravaged by fire a few years ago.

It's a beautiful mountain spring where the water has bubbled up leaving a strange limestone marsh with pools. The plants are encrusted with the limestone deposits. It also has it's own endemic species of trout.

Grandma and Grandpa.

Burying beetle. Likes dung and dead animals. It's called Necrophora defodiens (probably.)

Way Back Wednesday

2008-08-05T19:47:00.001-07:00

Ok, so a little explanation and a few disclaimers. Yes, it isn't quite Wednesday, but this post is for Wednesday, ok? The pictures are fuzzy. They are scans of photos. We didn't have a digital camera back in the day. These pictures are from our spring break trip to Thailand several years ago. I cannot wait to go back. Oneday. I decided to do a way back post after using this really nifty application in Facebook, called Travel Brain. It is so much fun! Unfortunately for me, Darren's travel score beats mine by over 200 points. What can I say, he's a regular globe trotter.

This is the amazing beach house that we stayed in when we were in Krabi.

Aka Hill Tribe Village

Aka Hill Tribe woman

Me right before I entered the communist and slightly frightening nation of Myanmar.

Darren and I in front of a temple in Chiang Mai (I think.)

Buddhist monk ringing bell

A good visit to the Orthopedic surgeon

2008-08-05T10:02:00.001-07:00

We went to the orthopedic surgeon at the children's hospital yesterday for N's yearly visit. Since we didn't live here last year, this was our first visit to this doctor. I felt a little sheepish. I didn't have all of her records from Tucson, but I did have a letter from her geneticist, and an orthopod (that I didn't like) who saw her 10 months ago. Basically she's doing great. He seems to think that her muscle tone will improve, and her ligaments will tighten a bit also. Her knees are already less hypermobile than they were at the last visit. Her feet are exceedingly flat, but he says she has arch potential which means that they're not rigid. She could have surgery done as a teenager, but I think we'll have to cross that bridge when we get to it. She does have quite a bit of femoral torsion, which means a twist in the femur. But, it is usually benign and he expects that it will improve with time also. He mentioned that it rarely needs anything done, and I didn't exactly ask what would be done if it needed correction. I'm not sure that I want to know. So far through her orthopedically involved little life, we've managed to avoid surgeries of all kinds, and I'd like to keep it that way. We've moved from hip and leg braces, to just rigid plastic shoe inserts, to now no inserts needed at all!!! The doctor said that we could buy her any supportive insert over the counter. All in all it was a fabulous visit!

Grasshopper Series

2008-08-03T21:43:00.000-07:00

Traveling Back in Time

2008-07-31T20:09:00.001-07:00

To the 4th of July!!!

These guys were awesome!

He's too beautiful.

I'm a thinker, and I think I know that guy.

The Curious George was a hit with the kids.

As was Babar, even with a deflated trunk.

Ah yes, lawyers with a sense of humor.

Bagpipe girl working it.

While I stayed home with Little J, everyone else went to see fireworks.

Botticelli Baby

2008-07-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

This is my cousin's gorgeous daughter. Her full lips and beautiful eyes could make a Renaissance master cry. I'm really not sure if she doesn't have a twin somewhere in the Sistine Chapel.

I liked these other versions too, but not quite as much as the original.

I do have fun with photoshop.

I'd say that the divine Miss E gets her looks from her mama.

Here we have instant little girl bonding. These cousins were made for each other.

And tomboy Miss S hit it right off with Mr. S.

Little J just wanted to let you know he was here too.

A Visit to the Mountains

2008-07-02T21:48:00.000-07:00

We visit some cousins!

2008-07-02T20:58:00.000-07:00

Cousin A and his mom.

S and Cousin S

Men at work.

Vintage N in a backhoe

Cool picture of a jumping spider, taken by Darren. I love these things. They always match the flowers they live in.

I Have No Words

2008-07-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

to describe this child.

This was her response to being asked to move out of the shot.

She Sings and Dances

2008-05-21T17:03:00.001-07:00

Should we take her to Hollywood yet?

And My Favorite Song

2008-05-21T12:16:00.001-07:00

She's just too cute! Sorry to have to edit it, but J went a little nuts in the middle.

Patriotic Preschool Graduation

2008-05-21T12:10:00.001-07:00

How cute is this?

We've been planting.

2008-05-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

The red pear in the back yard.

Fuchsia

Planter basket from Darren's work.

Planter basket #2 from Darren's work.

The front flower bed that I planted with plants from Darren's work.

They S boy looking for rolly pollies.

Giggle girl who really didn't want to go outside. Can't you tell?

Do you wanna ride my Zebra?

2008-04-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here's J riding the zebra he got for his birthday from Grandma and Grandpa A. Can you tell that he loves it? Poor thing is lucky to get to ride it.

Everybody had to take it for a spin.

A ride on horse is Princess Pony Girl's dream!

Even Cousin J got to ride!

Fuchsia

2008-04-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

Darren took this picture and I shopped it. I love love love fuchsia. In my college botany class, I had a professor who pronounced it Fyook-see-ya. I had always pronounced it Fyoo-shah.

How do you pronounce it?

J Turns One!!!

2008-04-29T20:07:00.001-07:00

Hey!!! It's my birthday!

Mom, are you sure giving fire to a baby is a good thing? Pyromania begins during infancy, or so I've been told.

Look at the pretty fire.
.

I think it's speaking to me!!!!

Must...have...more...fire!!!!

Oh, is this for me?

Are you kidding me?

This could get ugly.

I'm gonna squish you like a bug...

rip ya to shreds...

Take that you pansy little cupcake!

Babybabble and Some Spit Action

2008-04-23T22:33:00.001-07:00

He's got a ton of words, I just can't get him to perform for the camera.

Hey you wanna buy a hanging basket?

2008-04-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

A bug picture!

2008-04-20T20:55:00.001-07:00

Here's a picture of my daughter and I checking out a damsel fly. Click the picture to see it a bit bigger. Yes, I still like entomology.

I didn't do it!

2008-04-15T20:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry. Just haven't been able to get to blogging. I thought it was time for a picture of Mr.S.

The Playground

2008-04-06T22:36:00.000-07:00

Is it just me?

2008-03-26T20:59:00.001-07:00

Or is this picture freaking hilarous? I love this kid!

Chicks Dig Me

2008-03-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

You know it's a gig.

With perks too!

Yeaggghhh! Get this chick off me. Sisters are NOT a perk.

I rock this country thing too. Chicks dig a country boy.

You know, sit back, soak up some rays, chew some grass...

Hey...you guys see any cops?

The mom?

I'm gonna smoke my elephant. Just kidding. It's really a musical instrument.

Hey ya there Sheila! Looking good...lookin' good

Heeeeeeyyyyy! Right back at ya sweet cheeks!

It's not my good looks. Or my wit. Chicks dig me for my brain.

Chartaceous Pericarp

2008-03-16T20:10:00.000-07:00

Allium tuberosum

Baby Hover-buns

2008-03-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

For the first time, I'm sitting outdoors and nobody's holding me! It's the moment I've been waiting for. I've been telling this lady for months that I could go it alone.

Strange...prickly...substrate...
Must...keep...feet...off...ground...

I've just about had it with holding my feet up PEOPLE!

I always thought that my abs were strong, but this is just too much to ask of a guy. How in the heck am I supposed to keep my feet out of this prickly itchy stuff?

I want my mommy!

Oh hello tiger. You don't like this grass stuff either, do you?

My, my, my. I think this grass has aggravated your allergies, your tonsils are enormous!

At this point, the grass has surpassed mere nuisance status.

Hey look over there! A space ship!

Dude! Do you think you could beam me up out of this grass?

My friend Angela!!!! And her kids!!!

2008-03-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Yo yo yo! Check it out! Check it out! Come 'n hang with me and my peeps! Dawg!

(Translation: We had some friends come visit!!!)

Me and My friend Angela! Please ignore my desk clutter.

Mr. J and Mr. B share the ball popper.

Miss A and Miss N, so cute together.

Here we see a serious B pausing his non-stop action to contemplate the ball popper.

A Blood Powered Cell Phone

2008-03-08T20:36:00.000-08:00

Would you look at that? It's a cell phone that runs off of your blood. The device actually is connected to a vein and an artery and then the blood runs into and out of a port. It's little "cell" converts glucose and oxygen into energy to power the thing. Did I mention that it's Blue Tooth?

At least I wouldn't lose my phone.

Does this disturb anyone besides me?

Just imagine when this becomes the norm and your kids are begging for a cell phone.

Here's the link if you want the full poop.

We Visit the Zoo, But They Only Want the Playground.

2008-03-07T20:53:00.000-08:00

Hey! It's me! In all my frumpy glory.

Ah yes, and the tiger charmer. She plans on moving to Vegas to work with Sigfried and Roy.

Gratuitous daddy shot, to prove that he was there.

Seriously mom, everybody lets their babies crawl around at the zoo. I promise I won't go far.

One of the monkeys has escaped.

Hi Grandma!

2008-03-05T08:26:00.000-08:00

New Camera! And A Family Get Together!

2008-03-02T21:07:00.001-08:00

An Interview With a Baby

2008-02-28T20:55:00.000-08:00

On days like this, when the sun softly filters in my bedroom, I like to ponder the mysteries of life. I'm a deep thinker you know.

We deep thinkers have all sorts of questions. Like why is the sky blue?

Are we alone in the universe?

Can I fit this whole crab into my mouth?

Where do babies come from? Just kidding mom, like I could forget THAT!

Yeah, my therapist says that by the time I'm two, I'll have blocked it all out. Talk about a path I never want to travel again.

Oh wow! Did you hear that? Dude, I'm like so, so, so sorry.

I mean, I do come with a warning label. It ain't just the giggle people.
.

Whew! THAT does not smell like roses.

It does kind of smell like taco meat though.

Hey, lady, this interview is O-V-E-R. Can you spell that?

Seriously! I wasn't kidding when I said I was finished. I've got some super important stuff to do, like chew electrical cords.

Help! I'm serious here. Help! I think I'm being stalked!

Artist in Residence #2 and the Blue Eyed Monster

2008-02-23T13:28:00.001-08:00

The sculpture.

The artist.

The Blue Eyed Monster

Yeah, chicks dig me.

Hot Action At My House

2008-02-22T19:38:00.001-08:00

Hey! Is that a camera aimed at me?

I know how to work it!

You don't mind if I share the limelight with you do you?

Let me just squeeze in here...if you could just scoot over a bit.

Well, actually I do mind.

Read my lips buddy! The camera loves me! The people need me. Deal with it.

Take that! And Hi Yah! I will use my substantial ninja skills to defend my territory lady.

That was just uncalled for. I think you smudged my mascera. Just wait until the tabloids get wind of this. It doesn't help my image. *sniff*

The Boppy (aka pacifier) Is Gone!

2008-02-18T21:24:00.000-08:00

Wahoo!!!! Finally! And the boy is still smiling, and sleeping at night! Although the boppy has left an indellible impression behind, we can always hope that it will resolve without orthodontic intervention.

Here are the other two just because they're cute!

When I'm using the computer

2008-02-12T14:43:00.001-08:00

This is what happens.

Things are Looking Up!

2008-01-28T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well, that tower is certainly up! My boy S likes to build with legos. He likes to build them tall too.

It is possible that kids are finally overcoming their illnesses and the RSV is being exorcised from the house. J is feeling so much better! He actually wanted to nurse today. I think the antibiotic we got last night is working. The pediatrician said his ears look like they are getting better already. Maybe just maybe he gets a reprieve from tubes. We'll keep hoping. Of course there is the runny nose that started today. Perhaps it's a new cold. We can always hope not.

Poor Miss N is still recovering from RSV. She's really started the bad sounding cough today. Because she's 4, it shouldn't affect her very badly. She's just crabby. But her appetite is coming back, so here's to hoping!

Ear Infection is Back

2008-01-27T21:52:00.000-08:00

We just got back from the doctor. The horrible horrible terrible yucky ear infection is back. The little ear drums are refilling with puss. The poor boy won't eat. He doesn't want boobs and he doesn't want the bottle. Before he started yanking his ear today, I though he just was done with the boobs. So I tried to wean him. I don't want to wean him. It hurts. And I'm not ready to stop. I am worried about giving him a complex. You know large boobs looming in his face and little J pushing them away screaming Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. I think it's due to ear pain now though. So I suppose if my supply drops a bit, he could build it back up when he feels more like eating right? I'm just so tired of fighting about it. I'm tired of not sleeping cause he's hungry, but he won't eat. He won't take a bottle these days either. It probably just hurts too much to suck.

Too Busy To Post

2008-01-23T23:03:00.000-08:00

Sorry everyone. I've been too busy to post as of late. I need to exorcise the sickness deamons from my house. My poor kids are battling RSV. For the older ones it's not too bad. S has just had a horrible case of ear infections and some wheezing. J is horribly congested and sounds like he's couging cottage cheese. I got a nebulizer yesterday and that has helped a lot. After being on the antibiotic Omnicef for 4 days, his ear infection had not improved at all. It had actually gotten worse to the point that he has puss coming out of his eyes. He wouldn't let me put him down today. My poor sweet baby. Yesterday his fever was 102 F under his arm. I was completely inspired or maybe just neurotic, and took him to the doctor on a whim today. (We've visited the doctor every day since Saturday with one kid or another.) They discovered that the ear infections hadn't gotten better at all as I mentioned earlier, so he got a shot of Rocephin. We have to go back and get another tomorrow. I'm shooting for a record for the most doctor visits in one week. Ok, just kidding. If the Rocephin doesn't heal the ear infection, we will probably have to do ear tubes. I think it's working though. His eyes at 6 pm were completely goopy and crusty. At 11 pm when I did his breathing treatment, they were nice and clear with no goop. I am very hopeful that this antibiotic is doing the trick. S is finally feeling better and getting hungry. N started her fever this afternoon, so I have at least one more week of this crap. I'm hoping that she won't get any associated infections with this horrible virus.

So sorry Grandma Hansen. We want to come visit, but you seriously don't want our bugs. One day when healing has come to my house, we will visit.

Oooohhhhh a Contest!

2008-01-17T09:23:00.000-08:00

Check out this contest this cool lady is having. This is her blog. And wait until you see what she is giving away. The coolest dinnertime conversation starter for families. No longer would my kids have to watch TV while I finish up dinner. We could all be talking about this cool little game/centerpiece thingy. How much fun is that?

If you would like to participate in the contest. Go to Dayna's blog here, if you'd like a chance to win one for yourself. And be sure to check out www.memorablemealtimes.com .

Little J had his surgery today.

2008-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

He's doing so well! They found his testicle!!! Yahoo! Fortunately for all involved the surgeon did not have to go into his abdomen. They were able to squish it down externally without putting a camera in his belly button. He has an incision in his groin and one in his sack. It has been dropped in and tacked into place so it can't torse or migrate anywhere.

The nurses of course were all in love with him. When he first woke up from anasthesia, he gave them some serious scowls and growled at them. They said it was all they could do to not laugh, he was so darn cute. The nurses assumed the growling was due to pain and promptly gave him some demerol which made him a little bobble head space case by the time I got to him. I told them that growling is a regular form of communication for little J.

His surgeon did mention that he appeared "very well fed" and this was why they had such a hard time palpating the testicle from the outside until he was under anasthesia. Hmmmmm. He's my skinniest baby so far too.

After sleeping for much of the day, J woke up at around 6 got some more Lortab and has a regular party rolling around the living room floor. He hit all of his favorite spots, the drawers on the entertainment center, the coffee table, his pile of toys, and daddy's shoes. He has been moving as if nothing hurts at all. I guess that he may "feel" things a little bit more tomorrow. Maybe he's just lucky!

Thank you to everyone for all of the prayers and positive thoughts. We truly appreciate it!

Too Much Cuteness

2008-01-13T20:42:00.001-08:00

The cuteness factor of this movie is just through the roof. Not only can he clap, but he can... I'm not telling, see the movie if you want to know!

Have you ever tried?

2008-01-12T09:44:00.000-08:00

Taking a picture of a baby in motion without a flash?

Wow! What a winter storm!

2008-01-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

*whine* Daddy threw me in a snow bank. *whine*

I want Daddy to throw me in a snow bank again!

Surveying his domicile.

We had one heck of a snow storm. We got at least 6 inches probably more in about 12 hours. That new snow piled up on top of the old stuff. I had never driven on hard packed snow before. It feels kind of slidy and squish when you drive. Darren also saw our 60 something neighbor careening down the street on a 4 wheeler with a plow strapped on the front doing about 40 miles per hour. He may look like a grandpa, but he's got more energy than my husband and I put together.

Meanest Mom' Sells Son's Car Over Booze Bust

2008-01-08T22:47:00.000-08:00

Did you see this on Fox News? I aspire to be this kind of parent.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the "meanest mom on the planet."
After finding alcohol in her son's car, the mother decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old's goof with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.
The ad reads: "OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don't love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet."
Hambleton has heard from more than interested buyers after recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.
The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.
"The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I'm telling people what happened here," Hambleton says. "I'm not just gonna put the car for resale when there's nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.

"It's overwhelming the number of calls I've gotten from people saying 'Thank you, it's nice to see a responsible parent.' So far there are no calls from anyone saying, 'You're really strict. You're real overboard, lady."'
Unless you count her son, who Hambleton says is "very, very unhappy" with the ad and claims the alcohol was left there by a passenger.
For the record, Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn't the best policy in this case.
Hambleton says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.
The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week — just for the feedback.

This Girl Can Draw!

2008-01-08T22:32:00.001-08:00

Here's the artist herself. All dresesd up.

J's Debut

2008-01-05T12:35:00.001-08:00

Get your fix Grandmas.

Babies Having Babies

2008-01-04T10:50:00.001-08:00

Dr. S is in the hizz-ouse! Lets give a holla for the fly pregnant girls!

Red-head Invasion

2008-01-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness! Look at all that cuteness seated at my kitchen table. We had cousins come visit. Three darling red-headed little girls their red-headed mama, and their not-so red-headed daddy came to visit. We had so much fun! The kids all got spinal adjustments before the cousins went home too. That's the benefit of having a chiropractor in the family.

I love Photoshop!

2007-12-30T20:08:00.000-08:00

I Photoshopped these pictures. I can only take credit for altering them all. Some were taken by family members. I don't know what you might think about my changes. But I like them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder right?

Gluttony

2007-12-29T22:17:00.001-08:00

It's a deadly sin. Or so I've heard.

Just look at that masticatory action. How on earth does one find a rice krispie treat of that proportion? It really gives meaning to the phrase "super size me."

As he moves in for more we will turn away from the glut of Rice krispie treats. A man needs his space after all.

Just Some of the Christmas Loot

2007-12-26T21:13:00.001-08:00

Did you know aliens visited us for Christmas?

Hey, what's in here?

Wow! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

What is this exceedingly soft substance?

I love this so much I must eat it!

The ball popper.

Hey...he's got my ball popper.

This kid was so excited for Christmas.

The stacking cups were also favorites.

The prized pegasus that Santa brought

One of the set of 3 mousies.

Finally J gets to play with his ball popper.

The new stove, complete with stainless steel pot and pan set, and pirates.

She's Lost Her First Tooth

2007-12-21T21:44:00.000-08:00

Here's the happy girl after daddy yanked out her tooth.

I promise it wasn't violent like it sounds.

It had been dangling out of her mouth for more than 24 hours, and we worried she might swallow it when it finally came out on its own.

She said it didn't hurt at all.

She's barely 4. How did this happen so quickly?

Smiley boy makes an appearance showing off his newly acquired teeth.

And Captain Laundry Basket, who has succeeded in tearing up my laundry basket.

All Ready for Church

2007-12-19T21:27:00.001-08:00

Somebody is always asking me to make his hair spiky. So I did. And I sent him to church that way. Oh yes I did. It made him happy. It's the simple things right? You should see the hair wax that I used too. That is some seriously stiff stuff.

On the 4th Day of Christmas My Grandparents Gave to Me...

2007-12-16T21:31:00.001-08:00

Christmas Pillowcases!

Halloween and Horses

2007-12-15T14:31:00.000-08:00

Back around Halloween time, we went to a nearby Halloween Carnival. This horse kept sucking in its breath in making the saddle slide sideways. So I had to hover. Bad horse! Bad horse!

Princess-pony-girl rides again!

We fished for spiders. Who knew there was such an activity?

We had balloon sculptures made. Butterfly wings...

and giant spiders.

All the boy wanted to do was climb into the pen with the goats.

This guy really gives meaning to the phrase "horny old goat".

Finally! A much friendlier steed, and a much better size for the boy.

Hey everybody! Look at me!!!

Everybody loves bath time!

2007-12-08T20:35:00.001-08:00

My kids have discovered that after all of the cleaning and scrubbing, if they turn on the water jets, an amazing amount of bubbles will appear.

Every night we hear "maybe we can turn on the jets tonight?"

Although it's a party. It's really messy.

Hey! What's Santa doing in our bathtub?

(Please notice my strategically placed bubble bikini wear. I'm coming out with a new line this spring if anyone is interested. Don't thank me, thank photoshop.)

Let it Snow...and Snow...and Snow

2007-12-02T10:07:00.001-08:00

It snowed at our house yesterday! It really snowed. My kids have been dying and waiting and anticipating a good snow.

Hey mom, it's snowing in my bucket!

This is my model pose.

Hey look! I see a trench of slush and freezing water.

Wow! This freezing slush really feels great on my hands.

The abominable snow booger. I can't say anything else.

This snow ball is for you mom!

I'm so perky cause I just woke up from a nap.

We Love Our Christmas Tree!

2007-12-01T18:18:00.000-08:00

These Goofy Kids

2007-12-01T17:04:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else noticed that my kids possess a high degree of silliness and giraffe-like tongues? They make me laugh on a regular basis. Today S told me "that was very smart mommy" because I let him do something that he wanted.

Please notice also that they are both with child. The furry stuffed animal kind.

The Polar Express

2007-11-27T21:53:00.000-08:00

The kids had the chance to go on a Polar Express re-inactment with their daddy and cousins. They had so much fun!

The anticipation and excitement!

The discovery of that hot molten deliciousness we know as hot chocolate.

And then the chocoholic embraces the concept.

Little J talks

2007-11-27T21:44:00.001-08:00

Finally I've got a video up for all of you grandparents who have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting...