Melissa's Idea Garden

The Pursuit of Happyness stars Will Smith and is inspired by a true story. This is a film of love and sacrifice and persistence. It is the story of a man who finds one avenue of life isn't working, so he stretches beyond the odds and tackles another possibility. It costs him his wife, he ends up losing his home, but through it all, he and his son are together and they defeat the odds. This is a feel good story, but before you get to the feel good part, you are going to feel bad. You are going to find yourself unable to believe what a person can take and how they can pick themselves up and keep on going. You are going to find yourself maybe kicking yourself in the butt a little bit (or a lot) for not showing a tenth of the iniaitive in life as Chris Gardner(played by Will Smith) does in this movie.

If you haven't seen this spectacular film yet, don't wait anymore! Rent it or buy it or borrow it from a friend. This drama will touch your heart and give you a new understanding of Thomas Jefferson's words: "The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Posted by Melissa Markham at 6:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ah...to see through the eyes of a kid again!

This movie allows us to do that. Remember the dreams you had as a child...to be an astronaut, a movie star, something big and important? And how often these dreams are pushed aside as the practical side of the world takes hold of us. How we are changed due to events beyond our control as we grow up and how we are changed by decisions we make when we are children. We lose focus on what is important and instead run after things that seem important, while we lose ourselve in the process.

The Kid is a smart movie that uses a child version of a 'successful' almost 40 year old Bruce Willis to show him what is important. It is a heartwarming movie that will make you laugh and maybe cry a little. In the end, hopefully it will make you think and reevaluate. Dreams are what makes us unique. And we are never too grown up to revisit those dreams, but if we let them go, we become mere walking husks...zombies if you will. So watch the movie and live a little...no, I take that back, LIVE A LOT!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last night we watched Deja Vu with Denzel Washington. This is a Jerry Bruckheimer production and it is awesome! If you are intrigued by the possibilities of how time can be bent and how what we do may or may not be able to influence the past and the future, then you will enjoy this movie. Add in some fantastic performances by Denzel Washington Paula Patton Val Kilmer and others and you have a splendid evening of entertainment ahead of you. This movie is fast paced, intriguing and will leave you pondering what happened and the various possibilities.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On a Star Trek movie years ago, Spock says "Nature Abhors a Vacuum". Now he didn't invent this idiom, but that was the first time I had ever heard it and I am hear to say it is so very, very true! No matter how I try to free up time in my schedule, there is always something else to take its place...

Last month we were busy with soccer and gymnastics. Then soccer practice got moved to the same night as gymnastics and since Katrina's enthusiasm was waning, we decided to stop going to gymnastics. Now instead of being gone 3 evenings a week, it would only be one (as soccer practice was going from 2 nights a week down to 1.)

Then a few days later, Jack fell while playing and broke his little finger. We were told there was to be no more soccer for this year. Now I had all my evenings back...But I don't seem to have anymore time. Instead, the house is now getting a little more attention, the laundry is getting done regularly and I have a little more time to blog. If I stop to think about all the things that fill my day, I just want to lay down and curl up into a tiny ball and disappear. And then when I think of all the things I don't get done everyday... well, I won't even say how that makes me feel.

My problem is I try to do too much. I try to be something for everyone including myself. What a perfect day would look like to me would be to get up at 6, spend 30 minutes on the computer, then 30 minutes with devotionals, then 30-60 minutes exercising. Then an hour gettting up the kids, eating breakfast and showering. Then from 9-12 do school work, then in the afternnon, maybe learn a little art or something along those lines and do some household chores, and me work some (I write ads for a local company that sells on Ebay and I sell on Ebay myself). Then I would fix dinner around 5, watch the news with my husband (he likes it and it is a chance for us to connect), then do dishes while Jack practices piano and Katrina takes a bath, then read stories while Jack takes a bath and then get them to bed and I get som emore odds and ends done, ending up with a little bit of reading time for me.

But that is my perfect day in a world without other things going on. I often oversleep because of being tired. My time on the computer takes more than it should if I have stuff that has sold, questions to answer on Ebay or if there is a lot of interesting news to read. Exercise usually gets dropped as do the devotions. By 9, we are usually at school (unless it is co-op day, nature group day or a field trip). We are usually done by 12 unless the kids are having a hard time focusing and staying on task. Monday afternoons, we go to town, library, store, piano...this takes up the afternoon and when I get home it is time to unload groceries.

Tuesday afternoons, right now we are here, except for this coming Tuesday we are going on a field trip and next Tuesday Jack has a doctor appointment for his broken finger and the next Tuesday my old co-op is having a gathering for closure. Wednesdays we go to co-op. We are getting home around 2:30, but some weeks, Katrina has a friend over or goes to a friends house. Thursday afternoons we are home. Every other Friday afternoon we are home.

The things I miss...playing Nintendo with my kids, playing with my kids in general. Having time with my husband. HAving time to exercise. I need to do this or I am going to work myself into an early grave. But I can't figure out what to give up. I already clean the house minimally. I am in charge of mowing and that season is starting back up...the grass is already about 1 foot tall in places (other places, our yard is bare). I have two picnic tables to stain, a doorway and rabbit hutch to paint. There is luandry every day. There is homeschooling everyday...There is getting groceries...paying bills...etc, etc, etc...

My life is running me instead of me running it. I am on a merry-go-round that doesn't want to stop and everytime something gives way...it seems something else fills its spot. I know many others struggle with this too. I was hoping that writing this would give me more insight or help, but it doesn't. So...if any of my readers (all 20 of them last week) have any suggestions, let me know... I could use some good suggestions.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hurry Up, Birthday! is another delightful book written by Paeony Lewis and illustrated by Sarah Gill.

Holidays are something we look forward to with great anticipation. Especially when we are children. Children can't wait until their birthday arrives. Visions of parties, presents, friends and a huge birthday cake fill their thoughts. In this story, it is the day before Bouncer's birthday and he is trying to get the day to hurry up so he can get to his birthday. His mother helps by giving him plenty to do to make the day pass more quickly. Then when the big day finally arrives, he tries to make it pass as slowly as possible...after all, it does only come once a year! A delightful book for young children, especially as a pre-birthday gift.

Hurry Up, Birthday can currently only be purchased from Amazon.co.uk.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

No More Cookies is written by Paeony Lewis and illustrated by Brita Granstrom.

This story will remind you of the cookie monster that resides in all of us. Florence and her monkey friend, Arnold, have eaten all of the cookies and consequently their mom tells them they may have no more cookies for a week! Florence and Arnold go through several plans to try and get mom to change her mind so they can get just 'one' cookie! They learn some fun lessons along the way (apples are good for teeth and bandages are good for wounds). And in the end they get to make something even yummier than cookies and we get to have the recipe too so we can make our own Magic Monkey Bananas! Every young child will love this story and the illustrations!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'll Always Love You is written by Paeony Lewis and illustrated by Penny Ives. Paeony is a talented writer from the other side of the pond who writes lovely picture books about children and the world they live in.

I'll Always Love You is a story of unconditional love. Alex learns that no matter what he does (whether an accident or an instance of naughtiness) his mother will love him. This is a great way to reassure children that mothers always love them no matter what because while we know this to be true in our hearts, sometimes children worry about these things. A gentle book with fun illustrations! You won't be disappointed with your purchase.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some studies show that there are cycles of mass extinction on earth every 62 million years. It is now believed that these mass extinctions could be caused by the Milky Way orbiting through space and periodically going through heavy cosmic radiation. Not all extinctions coincide with the 62 million year cycle (for instance, the large dinosaur extincition), but this would explain the 62 million year cycle pattern that has been noticed. The next predicted cycle is to occur in about ten million years...so I think we at least are safe. Stilll, amazing to think about. Here is the link to the rest of the article.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean, a brilliant green lizard and a palmlike shrub are helping to save a rare flowering plant from extinction. The blue-tailed gecko pollinates the threatened Trochetia flower while the shrubby Pandanus plant does its part by providing the lizard a safe haven from predators as it performs pollinations.

Previously, a nectar-sipping bird called the olive white-eye pollinated Trochetia, but the bird is nearly extinct. The Gecko has taken over as the key pollinator for this flower and the flowers that produce offspring are growing near the Pandanus plant (a cactus) because that plant provides protection for the Gecko from the Mauritian kestrel, which is a type of bird that loves to eat lizards. Isn't amazing the way God has designed the planet and species to adapt to changes in their environment! Amazing!

For more information, you can read the rest of the article here at National Geographic

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I will try to keep a list here of names of victims as they become available. If you want more in depth information, check out this article at MSNBC.

Christopher Bishop German Professor

Jocelyne Couture-Nowak: French Language teacher.

Kevin Granata: Granata served in the military and later conducted orthopedic research in hospitals before coming to Virginia Tech, where he and his students researched muscle and reflex response and robotics. Puri called him one of the top five biomechanics researchers in the country working on movement dynamics in cerebral palsy.

Liviu Librescu: Librescu was born in Romania and was known internationally for his research in aeronautical engineering, Puri wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "His research has enabled better aircraft, superior composite materials, and more robust aerospace structures," Puri said. This man died saving his students as he blocked the door with his own body while they escaped out of windows. He was a survivor of the Holcaust.

G.V. Loganathan: an Indian-born lecturer at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Ross Abdallah Alameddine: 20, of Saugus, Mass. He was a sophomore English major who was gunned down in French class.

Brian Bluhm 25, a civil engineering graduate student.

Ryan Clark: Resident assistant that came to the aid of the girl who was in an argument with her boyfriend. the boyfriend shot them both. He was a senior from Martinez, Ga., with three majors who carried a 4.0 grade-point average, said Vernon Collins, coroner in Columbia County, Ga.

Austin Cloyd: an international studies major from Blacksburg, Va.

Daniel Perez Cueva: 21, a student from Peru who was studying international relations.

Matthew G. Gwaltney: 24, of Chester, Va., a graduate student in civil and environmental engineering.

Caitlin Hammaren: 19, of Westtown, N.Y., was a sophomore majoring in international studies and French.

Jeremy Herbstritt: 27, of Bellefonte, Pa. A graduate student in engineering.

Rachael Hill: 18, of Richmond, Va., a freshman.

Emily Hilscher: 19, from Woodville, Va. She was a freshman majoring in animal and poultry sciences.

Matthew La Porte: from Dumont, N.J., a freshman majoring in university studies. He had been an Air Force cadet at Virginia Tech.

Jarrett Lane: 22, from Narrows, Va., a senior majoring in civil engineering.

Henry Lee from Roanoke, Va., a freshman majoring in computer engineering.

Partahi Lumbantoruan: 34, of Indonesia, civil engineering doctoral student.

Lauren McCain: 20, of Hampton, Va. According to her MySpace page, McCain was planning to major in international studies.

Daniel O'Neill: 22, of Lincoln, R.I. A graduate student in environmental engineering, he also played guitar and wrote his own songs.

Juan Ortiz: 26, a graduate student in civil engineering from Puerto Rico, was killed while teaching a class.

Minal Panchal: 26, a first-year building-science student from Mumbai, India.

Erin Peterson: Freshamn. Graduated from the same highschool as the shooter and another victim, Reema Samatha.

Michael Pohle: 23, of Flemington, N.J.

Julia Pryde: a graduate student from Middletown, N.J.

Mary Read: 19, of Annandale, Va.

Reema Samaha: 18, from Centreville, Va., a freshman who also performed with the school's Contemporary Dance Ensemble. Graduated from the same school as the shooter and another victim, Reema Samatha, three years after the shooter graduated.

Waleed Shalaan, 32, Grad student, Egypt

Leslie Sherman: age 20, a sophomore majoring in history and international studies.

Maxine Turner: from Vienna, Va., a senior majoring in chemical engineering.

Nicole White: 20, of Carrollton, Va. A junior, she majored in international studies and German.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 6:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If your children love those balloon animals, they will love this video!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yesterday, our favorite carpenters returned to do more work in our great deck project. We wanted to take out the windows in our dining room and turn them into French doors onto our deck. It was amazing how easily and quickly they destroyed the wall of our home...and the view now from our dining room table is superb! Thanks guys! (And thanks dear husband).

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I haven't met a child yet who didn't like a large box to play with. The other day we purchased a flat screen television (I wanted the deck, my husband wanted a better entertainment system...of course we both will enjoy both). At any rate, a lovely box was left behind that Katrina wanted. I told her to take it around back and put it under the deck (which helps protect it from the rain so the box last longer. You'll have to click the link to see her struggle...I warn you, in the end the box loses!

Check out this cool hummingbird video! What a neat tail the male has!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amur Leopard

Unfortunately, there are only about 30 of these left in the world. Also known as the Far Eastern leopard, the Amur has been painted into a deadly corner by habitat-slashing, conservationists said this week.

Researchers found at least four leopard litters, which they called "a sign the population has some hope for regeneration," according to a statement.

But experts say at least a hundred individuals are needed to ensure the cat's survival, and they are calling on China, Russia, and North Korea to cooperate in an effort to save the Amur.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Granny Gert and The Bunion Brothers is written by Dotti Enderle and illustrated by Joe Kulka.

This is a cute book about two brothers who go to work for a fiesty grandma and they fall in love with her lovely granddaughter, Starla Scissors. As I read the story, I couldn't help but fall into southern accent and different voices. My children laughed throughout the book and we enjoyed the sayings like "Buddy and Buck jumped at the offer like a couple of hound dogs on a ham". My daughter loved the identity of Mad Dog at the end of the story (she is 7).

The illustrations add to the story and are really right on the money. Some may not like the somewhat stereotypical portrayal of these southerners. We just took it as a fun story.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Grandpa for Sale is an excellent book. It is written by Dotti Enderle and Vicki Sansum and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry.

I am not sure which I like better in this book, the amazing illustrations or the original and thought provoking story. Gentry captures the essence of this story with his combination of black and white and color illustrations. There is color on every page which emphasizes the important parts of the story.

The story itself reminds me of when I was a child and how I would think "if I had a million dollars I would..." Lizzie, the main character, has the opportunity to fulfill her childhood fantasies but decides that they are not equal to the value of one beloved grandfather! A delightful story that my children thoroughly enjoyed (ages 10 and 7) and we will read again and again!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recent cold temperatures were thought to have made this eagles eggs unviable, but nature and God have a mind of their own and here is a web cam video of the Eagle tending its newly hatched chick. There isn't much of the chick to see (you look closely and you can see its movement), but just watching the Eagle is awesome!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you have never been to a Homeschool Carnival, then you are in for a treat! When you visit a Homeschool Carnival, you will be reading informative articles, funny articles, inspiring articles...now in its 68th week, the Homeschool Carnival is a great place to visit while you sip on your morning cup of coffee!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I love to read good news in the animal kingdom, especially when it concerns an animal that is a particular favorite in our household. My daughter loves tigers. They cavort across the border of her room and there are several of the stuffed variety and then the posters...she hopes to grow up to work with these magnificent creatures.

Today on National Geographic I read that the Siberian Tiger is at its highest population in the last 100 years. There are currently about 600 of them whereas there were only 40 in the early part of the century. This is fantastic news! Way to go to all who have worked so diligently to save this magnificent animal!

Siberian Tiger family

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I read a great article on the Big Socialization question today over at "Just Call Me Jamin". I am going to make up an index card with the definition of socialize on it and when people ask me if I am concerned about it, I will whip that card and and inform them I am worried about it and that is why I homeschool;)

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I cannot imagine how his parents must feel. They have lost their son and he took all of these other people with him. Pray for strength for them because they cannot just grieve for their child in peace. They have the added burden of the media and people who are angry and then the sorrow that all the rest of us feel as well.

One news report I read said that they were church goers. Pray that their faith will help them during this very difficult time.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Questions abound in the event that occured yesterday at Virginia Tech. Right now they do not know if there was one shooter or two. Bullistic reports will hopefully help answer that question this morning.

It does turn out that the shooter was a resident at Virginia Tech. Eyewitness reports say the shooter was carrying multiple clips, changed them with ease (professionalism), he was calm and expressionless. He was a 6 foot tall Asian American. The guns had the serial numbers scratched off. The shooter had no identifcation on his body. The doors to the building were chained shut from the inside. These last three facts are not the actions of a random act, of a person driven by a domestic upset. These are the actions of premeditation and criminal intent.

Who is this person? What was his motive? Were the two shootings related? No doubt the technical answers will come in the hours and days ahead. But there is never an answer for this kind of violence.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My heart weeps for the tragic loss of life that occured yesterday at Virginia Tech.

Please remember those who have lost their lives, lost their friends, lost children, lost parents, lost brothers, lost sisters, lost their innocence.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, it is over...for another year anyway....The week of birthday finished up yesterday with a three hour party and 15 good friends!

Friends of all ages having fun!

So first the children arrived, then went outside to play while waiting for others to get here...

The first activity was to paint ceramic critters that I picked up from Wal-mart. The theme for our party was pet animals, so we had birds, horses, dogs, cats, pigs and turtles to choose from. They all really enjoyed this and then they got to take their pet home as a party favor:) A twofer...activity and party favor and the price was great at 48 cents per pet and 44 cents per little thing of paint (which I still have tons left over).

Picassos, Rembrandts, and Pollocks at work:)

Then we played a homemade version of Pet World. A great board game if your kid likes pets! We put some small plastic dogs (about 40) on the floor (tube animals picked up on sale at Toys 'r Us). Then each child would take a turn and draw a card. The card would say things like...'you did all your homework, receive a free pet' or 'the dog ate your homework, pay 10.00". We played this game until all the animals in the middle (pet store) were adopted and then the children got to take home the ones they had adopted during the game.

Then it was time for cake and ice cream. I even caught the adults having fun:)

Then it was time for presents. Katrina received blendy pens, beaded butterfly craft, dolls, Pet Shop critters, My Little Pony, bookends, a cool pencil holder, coloring by numbers, balloon fun (making balloon animals), bunnies, stickers, coloring pencils, and wild animals in a tube. But in my opinion, the best part was the hugs!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My children and I just read "The Cotton Candy Catastrophe at the Texas State Fair" by Dotti Enderle and illustrated by Chuck Galey. This is a fun picture book and a very original story. Jake goes to the Texas State Fair and immediately heads to the booth selling sticky sweet Cotton Candy...but when the machine malfunctions the sticky concoction ends up everywhere! Only with Jake's quick thinking and Dotti's tremendous storytelling, is the situation resolved! My 10 year old and 7 year old both enjoyed this fun tale!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We have been in the midst of a construction zone since January. We finally decided that we probably aren't going to move anytime soon (who can afford to and our house is 1/2 paid for) and that we wanted to spruce up the place. We have also been having low water issues for 5 years. Bad low water issues. To the point of where we the kids couldn't bathe on the same day and I was doing laundry in the washing machine across the street.

Plus, while our house seemed like a palace when we moved in 13 1/2 years ago, we have stuffed it and stuffed it and I think the walls are beginning to bulge! We need to start coming up with places to store little used, but still wanted stuff and places where we can escape one another from time to time (this becomes even more of an issue when there are four people who are in the same house a major part of the time because of homeschooling and home based businesses.

So work has been good for Daniel in recent months and we decided the time was right to begin our home improvement plans. First we wanted a new well. I was tired of lugging laundry across the street. Now, it is true that it was good exercise for me, but it was time consuming and sometimes I would forget there was laundry to get out of the wash across the street until someone would be looking for a favorite piece of clothing!

We called the well company. They came out and suggested a place to dig a well and then we had to have someone come and clear the spot so the well truck (a monstrous thing) could get in place. Within about 8 hours they had dug down 405 feet and only come up with 1 gallon of water a minute...

Let me explain, our first well that was dug when we first moved in was pumping 7 to 8 gallons a minutes. We weren't exactly thrilled to start out so low, because what would happen if there was another drought or more people moved in. Plus there is rumors that we may eventually get a hot tub and we wanted to be prepared for that. The good news about the 405 ft deep well was that it filled up with 300 feet of water which translates into about 450 gallons...but we were still concerned. So, we decided to dig again!

We got another well permit from the county. Picked another location, prayed and they started up. On the first new well, they went down 200 feet before they even hit water. On this second attempt, they hit water at 90 feet. Yippee! We were on a good track. They went down to 405 feet as before, but we were dismayed there was only one gallon of water a minute again... Okay, well, we are out of funds for digging holes, so we decide to put the three wells together and use them all. Our original well was only 150 ft deep, so we hoped that with the storage capacity of the two new wells and all, we would be in business. We assumed the second new well would come fill up like the first one did...silly us!

They came back out to check the static level of the second new well and found there was only 50 feet of water in it! HUH? How does that happen when they hit water at 90 feet down? Well, they scratched their heads and finally figured that somewhere in that 405 feet there was an empty pocket and that it would have to fill up with water before the water would come up in the well tube. So we waited a week and sure enough that's what it did. We have no idea how big that empty pocket was, but we should have plenty water on tap;)

Now, before they could hook everything up, they had to dig trenches to the house with the water and electric for the pumps. They managed to cut our telephone line (which Miss Utility had not marked) and a fiber optic cable that connects our home with the office across the street which means our computers can no longer talk to one another.) We were without phone for 5 days, but the bill was minimal. The fiber optic cable bill is going to cost a pretty penny....but that's life.

Now, before they got everything hooked up, we ran out of water. Completely. Totally... In the past when water stopped coming from the tap, we turned off the pump, let it rest a few hours and the water came back. That didn't happen this time. We were totally without water in the morning. We couldn't believe the odds...we had limped for five years and now, now, we were without water when our new wells hadn't been completed yet (but we had been working on them for 3 months)

So I called the well company and they sent someone out right away. They pulled up the pump in our original well, because we assumed the pump had given out. The pump was 14 years old and the well guys told us they had a normal life span of 6 years...As he pulled it up, he started making clucking sounds....it turns out the electric cable that went to the pump was damaged from years of being whipped around in the well. See, there should have been a stablizer which would have kept the electric cable steady when the pump comes on...otherwise it whips around in side the well, hits rocks and so forth and cuts into the cable, shorting it out. It is highly possible that the damaged electric cord has been behind our problems all this time....thousands of dollars later is not when you want to find that out...Since they were in there, we replaced the cable and the pump and we had water again:) We had consulted with plumbers before to make sure our problem wasn't the pump, but since the water always came back, we were told it was probably a dry well issue, not a pump problem. NO ONE had ever said anything about the electric....

So then they hooked up our three wells, placed sensors under the house so the wells would work together and if one was low, that pump would cut off and rest. We have water out the yin yang now! And here's a picture of all you can see to tell they were here (well, I could have taken a picture of the well pipes sticking out of the ground, but I'll just show you the damage to the front yard instead). And you need to understand, we have struggled to get grass to grow here for 14 years and were feelling like we were finally making progress...back to the drawing board!

Front Yard

So yesterday, I called the well company and asked them to give us a final total of how much we owed. We had already sent payments for several thousand dollars because they would bill as soon as something was complete. Mark called me back and said he had spoken with the bean counters and we still owed several thousand dollars. But he told them to mark the invoice paid and said we were all square...WHAT??? I couldn't believe it....Needless to say we are very grateful and thrilled and now we are trying to figure out what to do with that extra and unexpected gift!

Now, on to the deck...it is the beginning of a several stage process. We had a 18' x 36' deck built (of course, there was more tree removal and land upheaval involved with that. The fellows who built our deck did a bang up job! We also got a sidewalk poured. Pictures are below. Jody is coming back today to give us an estimate on moving our window AC unit, putting french doors in the dining room and staining the deck. Then we hope to put in a hot tub (there is a huge concrete pad under one corner of the deck and the hot tub will sit on that). Eventually we will turn half of the deck into a room, but that is down the road....

The kids are already making good use of the deck. Jack has practiced for soccer. There have been pirate battles and marathon reading sessions. I hope to do jigsaw puzzles on the deck and we are happy to have a place to entertain visitors.

So here are pictues of our beautiful deck (which we love to sit on and play on) starting at the driveway where our sidewalk ends.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

My daughter has two more days left in her week of birthday and what a week it has been for her! She turned 7 this year and because Easter is a floating holiday her birthday coincided with Easter this year. In the next 13 years, this will happen one other time, when she turns 12. What excitement and it made her feel very special she said.

Katrina and Jack Easter 2007

So the week of birthday actually began on Saturday, April 7th when my dad and stepmother showed up for a visit. They arrived carrying Easter baskets for the children! So first Jack and Katrina got to enjoy those goodies...Jack's basket had a kick ball, a water bottle and candy. Katrina's basket had jewelry, makeup and candy. We visited for awhile, then we told Katrina it was time for her birthday present, but that she would have to put her shoes on first. We walked out to my dad's truck and nestled in the back was a beautiful bunny hutch that he had made for her (complete with stuffed bunny inside). If she had hugged my dad any tighter, his eyes might have popped out!

Rabbit Hutch

We found a suitable spot for the rabbit hutch and 'planted' the legs in the ground. I had planned to go out that evening and get her a bunny, but unseasonably cold temperatures made us decide to wait until warmer weather arrives (it was 17 with the windchill factor that morning). So we all came back in, ate lunch, then my dad helped me assemble two picnic tables on our new deck. These were necessary for the continuation of the week of birthday...

Sunday the kids were up bright and early looking for Easter goodies. Jack received a CD player, a soccer ball, some coloring pencils and candy. Katrina received two outfits, a horn for her bike, some bubbles and candy. We told her she would have to wait until the afternoon for her birthday gifts, but she was okay with that.

Sunday afternoon, our oldest, Bruce, who is 20, and his roommate Ryan arrived about 1:00. Then my husband's sister, Joy and her family arrived at about 2:00. We set down to a big Easter dinner with ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, green beans, homemade macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, raw veggies and biscuits. Everyone was a good sport and we got to use our new tables outside (the wind was blowing a little and the temperature was around 45 or so). But it was a beautiful day! Then we had cake...Katrina didn't have any trouble blowing out the candles as the wind was helping her along. Finally, time to open presents....

From her aunt, uncle and cousins she received a precious fairy princess doll. From her paternal grandparents, she received a beautiful bathing suit and dress. From her brother, Bruce, she received Viva Pinata (a game for the XBOX 360 which she absolutely adores). From her brother, Jack, she received 5.00. And from her dad and she received a Nintendo DS lite, Nintendo Dogs to play on the DS lite, a fur real kitten, a Conair Quick Gem and Conair Quick Bead (great for dressing up her hair). A very full day for a little gal!

Then on Monday, we went to Toys R Us where she spent the birthday money she had received. She had amassed about 80.00 from her maternal and paternal grandparents, brother, and great - grandmother. She purchased two more games for the DS lite (Hamsterz and Pet Vet) and a book to tell her how to play Viva Pinata.

So the rest of the week has passed with her playing with her new possessions. And tomorrow we are going to have a birthday party with 13 of her friends, Who knows what fun we will have then:) You'll have to tune in for more information! Last night I decorated her birthday cake which she proclaimed beautiful:)

Katrina's Birthday Cake

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

On February 24th, I wrote an article about the Tasmanian Devil and the cancer that is on the verge of wiping out the species. Today I read an article about a plan to move about 30 unaffected Tasmanian Devils to a nearby island to try and save some of these creatures.

The disease that was discovered in the 1990s has wiped out 90% of the population where it was orginally discovered and has been moving across Tasmania ever since. They estimate that the Tasmanian Devil will be wiped out completely in 20 years, except for those living in zoos. There is hope that they can preserve a colony on another island and that the disease will be wiped out when all the affected are gone, then they can reintroduce the Tasmanian Devil to Tasmania.

Now, I am all for trying to save the Tasmanian Devil. I haven't read anything so far that humans have anything to do with this disease that is devastating the population. I think if we have the ability and technology to prevent the extincition of a species, we should go for it. But I am concerned about what introducting the Tasmanian Devil to Maria Island will do. How will it affect the eco-system there? Some say it is a mistake, others say that they think the impact will be negligible. But the truth is, we won't know until the Tasmanian Devil is transplanted. Do we have the right to endanger other species to save one? I am not so sure of that. Why not just keep the well Devils in zoos and then reintroduce them to Tasmania when the disease has run its course. Just a thought.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

DH sent me a link to Dark Roasted Blend because of some amazing Dry Valleys of Anatartica photos. I stuck around looking because there were lots of other wonderful pictures and information. I haven't seen everything, but it appears to be a family friendly site. Check it out! You'll love the photos!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Your Vocabulary Score: A-

Congratulations on your multifarious vocabulary! You must be quite an erudite person.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 2:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

First, I want you to know that is not a typo! The title of the book is "These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine 1881-1901 Arizona Territories: A Novel" by Nancy E. Turner. I just finished reading this book which was published in 1998. I am sorry it took me so long to read it, but I have to say it is one of the best written, most interesting books I have read in a long, long time.

This book was Nancy E. Tuner's first novel and research shows me she has written more since, including a sequel to this book which I am going to have to get and read.

"These is My Words" is a fascinating historical novel. I felt like I was right there with Sarah Prine and her family and from what I know of the history of the time, the book is historically accurate. I came to know Sarah, Jack, Savannah, Albert, their children and others that came in and out of their lives. I was astounded to read the way they faced life and the hardships and kept going. Sometimes they were set back for a bit, but life goes forward and they showed that in fine fashion.

This was a novel about people who lived, loved, laughed, and cried. They overcame obstacles and took on tasks that today we would find daunting, but that they treated as common place events. I had a hard time going to sleep each night when I was reading the book, because I wanted to read just one more entry and find out what was in store for Sarah and those around her. I cannot say enough about what a fantastic book this is. You will enjoy it from beginning to end and you will be a little stronger in the end.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Some times you pick a great movie, a lot of times you pick a good movie and sometimes you pick a movie that turns your stomach and makes you determined never to do something again (in this time go to the hospital for a routine procedure).

On the back of this DVD box is a quote "Reminiscent of a really great Twilight Zone". Now I love The Twilight Zone and there were many great ones...this doesn't even come close, nor should it be counted in the same ballpark, it is an insult to Rod Serling. I politely suggest that Pete Hammond of Maxim go back and watch some Twilight Zones...

This movie starts on in a somewhat mundane fashion...the main character wakes up just before hitting the ground in a falling dream. It is his 40th birthday and we are told by his loving wife that the procedure the next day is routine and he shouldn't worry. They allude to this dreaded procedure several times before we learn it is a colonoscopy.

He has the procedure, but when he wakes up we are lost trying to figure out what has happened and is happening to poor George Grieves...This movie is not for those with a weak stomach (I finally left the room and told my husband I had had enough). I did come back for the end. While I am now terrified of having a routine procedure done in the hospital (in spite of 5 surgeries in the last 13 years that went well), this movie is best forgotten in my humble opinion.

I put it out here for two reasons though:

1. Just in case your curiosity is peaked and you want to know what grosses me out.

2. In case you were thinking about renting it, buying it, watching it and are now grateful that you know enough to stay the heck away;)

Posted by Melissa Markham at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My children and I have recently joined the Lynchurg Gem and Mineral Society. The group is for adults interested in geology and they have an offshoot group called Rock Raiders where kids learn aout geology. The group is a great group, full of adults who are interested in teaching the children what they know and sharing their own interesting rocks with the group. Today, this article was passed around to the group via email (isn't email a wonderful thing?).

Giant Gypsum in Mexico's Cave of Crystals

These Gypsum crystals were found in a cave discovered in 2000 (and who says there aren't wonders left to discover right here on earth?). They are as much as 11 meters (33 feet) tall. They have been able to grow so large due to perfect conditions in the cavern.

Posted by Melissa Markham at 7:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last weekend my husband and I watched the movie "Crash" which received 3 Academy Awards in 2005, including Best Picture. At first I wasn't sure I wanted to watch it because the title made me think of drug usage and I hate watching that kind of movie. This movie is loaded with talent and while I still am contemplating the story and how I felt about it, I believe that the acting was superb and I was definitely involved in the movie.

This star studded cast includes Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon, Jennifer Esposito, William Fichtner, Brendan Fraser, Terrence Howard, Chris "ludacris" Bridges, Thandie Newton, Ryan Phillippe, Larenz Tate, and Michael Pena. This film received two thumbs up from Ebert and Roeper. It is an urban thriller and you really aren't sure where it is going as you watch it. There are several lives that intersect. The movie is about prejudices and how we all have them.

About 15 minutes in there is a scene between Matt Dillon and a person he pulls over (he is a cop), his treatment of her had me ready to leave the room, but I stuck it out and I am glad I did. Each of these people had good and bad points about them. They were humans and ultimately, it was that fact that won me over. We all screw up, we all do, think and say things that are politically incorrect, but ultimately, we have the deire to do good and treat others well. There are a couple of eye popping, very emotional moments, so be prepared to be shocked.

My husband always says that a movie that he finds himself thinking about after he is done watching it, is a good movie. I find myself still thinking about this moive. Enjoy!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You know how you see items on television and they look good, but you are never really sure if they are going to work the way they say? Well, I want to let you know that the Hercules Hook definitely does what it advertises! We live in a doublewide and it is hard as heck to hang things here, but not anymore...

The wallboard used in doublewides and mobile homes is not designed to hold up pictures very well and unless you can find a stud, you can't hang anything heavy like a shelf without all kinds of special contraptions...Imagine my delight when I picked up a pack of Hercules hooks at Walmart for about 15.00 the other day. It included a laser level that alone is worth the $15! I simply took the laser level, attached it to the wall, lined up the bubble, turned on the light and in moments I had my hooks poked through the wall and a shelf hung on a straight line! I cannot tell say enough about what a great product this is! I know the shelf isn't going anywhere, it is hanging level on the wall and there are very small holes in the wallboard that will be easy to overlook if we take downt hat shelf!

You can purchase this item from Walmart, online from the Hercules Hooks site, or at Amazon. But whichever route you go, I give this item 2 thumbs up!

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last month, some fishermen found one of the oldest Alaskan critters caught in their fishing nets. The 44 - inch, 60 pound female shortraker rockfish is estimated to be between 90 and 115 years old. Some say, rockfish can live to be 157 years old!

Rockfish

The contents of the rockfish's stomach were examined and scientists took tissue samples to measure her reproductive potential. "The belly was large," Spencer said. "The ovaries were full of developing embryos."

Posted by Melissa Markham at 10:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)