Another Question - No Follow!
Would someone please explain what 'no follow' means? And how do I find out if I am no follow or not?
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November 30, 2007
Getting Rid of Your Old Clunker
Some people get new cars every few years. More people are like us, I think. They drive a car until it simply won't drive anymore! We have gotten rid of several cars over the years. They were too worn out and tired to sell. We could have paid to have them towed to the junk yard, but we found a better resource for our old cars. Now when we have an old car that isn't worth reselling either because it is broken or because it would cost more to pay for the ads to sell it than we could get for it, we know we have another option. An option that saves us money on our taxes. An option that helps others. An option that is easy and doesn't cost us money for disposal.
Car Angel will be happy to help you with your car donation. You may either call them or go online and fill out your information and they will contact you. They will handle all the details of towing (if necessary to be towed) and title transfers. They use these cars to help raise money for a variety of worthwhile programs. Car Angel Ministries creates Children's DVDs, Anti-drug Movies & prison literatureso that the generation growing up will have the same values that have made America great. They have given away over 2.4 million videos. They are a non-profit organization who is working for the betterment of people.
Here is the link to part of one of the videos they have made. Donkey Ollie is a Christian Children's Animation.
So before you pay to have your car towed away or before you pay for expensive ads and sit around waiting for the phone to ring, contact Car Angel and see if they would be interested in your automobile. Help someone else by sharing the automobile you no longer want.
Franck Muller - Get an Elegant Watch For Your Special Someone!
Franck Muller started taking apart and reassembling everything he could get his hands on when he was a kid. His love of discovering how things ticked led him to attend watch school. After he graduated in the 80's, he obtained a job repairing fine quality pocketwatches for museums and private individuals. It was during this period that Muller came in contact with some of the finest, complicated timepieces ever produced and was thus inspired to eventually produce his own masterpieces. He founded his own company in 1992. Franck Muller produces at least one world watch premiere every year and have done so since 14 years. These watches are elegant time pieces with quality mechanisms. Surprise someone you love this holiday season with a watch that they will treasure for life!
It's Not Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
Today we were supposed to start decorating, but my husband was not feeling well, so instead we watched a couple of Christmas programs. We watched Die Hard because my husband does not think it is Christmas unless he has watched Bruce Willis in that great action flick. It does have some great lines and comic moments! No we are watching The Krancks. It's not a great movie, but it is kind of fun. I read the book a couple of months ago, so wanted to see the movie. I am taping a Christmas movie on Hallmark to watch later. I think it is called A Grandpa for Christmas, but I don't remember for sure.
Tomorrow the kids and I will head to the Bedford Christmas parade. And we will be helping Daniel pack and if we are lucky, maybe we will get a little decorating done too. Daniel leaves at 6 a.m. to head to his new contract in Bloomington, IL. Sunday afternoon, the children and I are driving to Danville to listen to the pianist, Emile Pandolfi. A few months ago, a friend of ours gave us tickets to go this concert. We are really looking forward to it. We are sad though that Daniel will miss out on it. It will be the first time any of us have seen a professional pianist in concert.
So while it doesn't look a lot like Christmas today...hopefully by the end of the weekend, it will....a little bit anyway! What are you doing at your home to begin the month of December and get ready for the holidays?
Need To Send Gifts Far Away? Try Delightful Deliveries!
Whether you want to send gifts to business customers or to family and friends far away, one great option is a gift basket. You can choose a gift basket that is themed depending on a friend or family's taste. It can be as big or as little as your budget allows. We have been both on the receiving end of gift baskets and the giving end of baskets. We always enjoy receiving them and people have always thanked us for sending them.
Delightful Deliveries is a wonderful source for your gift basket needs and they currently are offering free shipping on thousands of delicious gifts! They offer everything from Wine Gift Baskets to Hannukah gift baskets to birthday gift baskets to thank you gifts and more! Check out the following press release. Delightful Deliveries has been ranked as among the best internet retailers in the nation.
DelightfulDeliveries.com Recognized as Hot 100 Retail Website
Internet Retailer Ranks Website Among Best in Nation for 2008
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DelightfulDeliveries.com, the premiere Internet Gift Retailer and America’s #1 Gift Basket Website, today announced it has been named one of The Hot 100 Retail Websites for 2008 by leading industry magazine, Internet Retailer. The Hot 100 list represents the best of what retailers are doing online, highlighting innovation and setting the standards in online for what the rest of the industry should be doing.
DelightfulDeliveries.com, a privately-held company, with one of the largest and most unique selections of gourmet gifts, ranked alongside larger sites such as Dell, Nike and Amazon.com, by building its award-winning site on selection, functionality, speed and the complete customer experience. A recent re-design has improved the customer’s shopping experience to make holiday gift-giving easy and enjoyable, including rating and reviews, behavioral recommendations and free shipping offers.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized as a pacesetter in online retailing,” said Eric Lituchy, Founder and CEO of DelightfulDeliveries.com. “We pride ourselves on using the latest technology to make gift-giving fun and easy. Being named among the best in the nation validates we are succeeding in our efforts to deliver the best possible customer experience.”
In addition to making Internet Retailer’s The Hot 100 list for 2008, DelightfulDeliveries.com was recently recognized by Inc. Magazine as part of its Inc. 5000, which highlights the fastest growing private companies.
DelightfulDeliveries.com offers over 2000 unique and delicious gifts from America’s best brands to the finest boutique shops. Consumers can easily shop the site by gift or food category, occasion, type and best-seller. Corporate gift-givers can choose from hundreds of customized gourmet treats.
For additional information, and to see a complete selection of gifts available, visit www.DelightfulDeliveries.com.
About Delightful Deliveries
DelightfulDeliveries.com is an award-winning website that began in 1998 and quickly established itself as one of the premier Internet gift retailers. Its mission is to bring great products to gift-givers, while providing world-class service. The company selects its offerings from a broad variety of fine food gift products for consumers and for corporate gifts, and gathers them in one place to make the selection process quick and simple.
Sea Monsters - A Prehistoric Adventure
I found out about a cool IMAX presentation that the monster lovers in your house are going to want to go see. National Geographic is presenting Sea Monsters - A Prehistoric Adventure. If you click on that link it will take you to a page that shows where it is playing currently.
You can also see the movie trailer, photo gallery, find educator lesson plans, and find kids activities too! Visit the site as soon as you get a chance. I guarantee your kids are going to love it!
Oohh...an added bonus! You can enter a contest to trip to Galapagos or the Bahamas! Check that out too while you are there!
Night Vision Goggles - The Cool Toy That Everyone Wants To Own!
Have you ever contemplated how much fun a pair of night vision goggles would be? Think of it, you could wear them and go hiking. You could leave before dawn, hike to the top of a ridge (and be able to see where you were walking). Then you could arrive at the top of the ridge and watch the sun come up.
Or maybe your kids want to have a fun time playing hide-n-seek after dark. Have a hard time getting all of your work done, or maybe you don't like the heat? Then you could mow in the evening when the sun goes down! My Dad is a hunter, perhaps night vision goggles would help him to find his way to his tree stand in the early dawn hours. Think about it! Night Vision Goggles would definitely be a different gift than normal. OpticPlanets.com has a huge selection to choose from too!
And don't worry, if you don't think night vision goggles would be particularly fun, you could always check out OpticPlanets other fine products: flashlights, microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, cameras, rifle scopes and more. If you are at a loss for gift ideas, OpticPlanets has
November 30th - A History of Art -Byzantine Art
Byzantine art is the term commonly used to describe the artistic products of the Byzantine Empire from about the 5th century until the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. During the classical period, artists tried very hard to make their pictures look as realistic as possible. Byzantine art was more abstract and anti-natural. To me it looks 'flat.' Having said that, the colors are beautiful and the art detailed.
Here are some examples:
The most famous of the surviving Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople - the image of Christ Pantocrator on the walls of the upper southern gallery. Christ is flanked by the Virgin Mary and John the Baptist. The mosaics were made in the 12th century.
Miniatures of the 6th-century Rabula Gospel display the more abstract and symbolic nature of Byzantine art.
Frescoes in Nerezi near Skopje (1164), with their unique blend of high tragedy, gentle humanity, and homespun realism, anticipate the approach of Giotto and other proto-Renaissance Italian artists.
Byzantine art saw the fusion of pagan and Eastern iconography with early Christian images to create a highly influential artistic language of spiritual religiosity. Byzantine art was concerned with symmetry and ornamentation rather than an imitation of life, reflecting the superior dimensions of an ideal universe.
Here is a lesson plan on Discovery Education geared toward 9-12th graders.
Here you can find some more examples of Byzantine art and some information as well.
And this class is part of an AP Art History course.
If you have younger ones, you could simply enjoy looking at the images and maybe they could try their hand (and you could try yours) at making your own Byzantine Art!
Have fun and remember to check out my Art History category for other art history posts!
Eight Random Facts About Me Meme
I ran across this at my buddy, Laura's blog and thought it would be fun to do. I love sharing random things abour myself! (BTW, if you haven't been to Laura's blog, you reall should go visit! Not only is she sweet, kind, funny and helpful, but everyday she posts about contests around the blogging world...you can win some great stuff! And she was recently voted #5 out of 20 of the top contest blogs!
Okay, on with the eight Random Facts....
1. I love the quiet hours in the morning when everyone else is sleeping. It is the time I think best during the day and get the most done. Somedays, I delay starting school, just so I can enjoy more quiet!
2. I am a hands on kind of gal. When I am mixing cookie dough, I will often use my hands...best mixer I have ever found and it doesn't break or wear out! When I am gardening, I usually start out with gloves on, then I give up and switch to my bare hands. I love digging my hands into the black dirt (purchased from the store cause we all know the dirt in Virginia is red, red, red).
3. I enjoy movie marathons. You know...where you get out the Lord of the Rings Trilogy or the Star Trek movies and watch them one after the other.
4. I miss exercising. Ever since my knee gave out this summer, even walking has become difficult for me. I miss the power I used to feel striding here and there...now I walk gingerly, afraid my knee will give out again.
5. Writing is in my blood (not a secret if you have been visiting my blog for very long). I have been writing since I was about 10 years old. I have written hundreds of poems, three non fiction books, a fiction book, and many, many articles and of course blog posts. I have been in charge of newsletters at several different jobs in my life time.
6. I love snuggling under warm covers on a cold winter day....preferably with a book in hand!
7. I enjoy playing video games. Role-playing and puzzle games are my favorite. I also really enjoy the Mario Party series.
8. I used to spend nights walking through my house with a baseball bat when my husband was working out of town. Now I sleep so soundly, I don't even know it when my daugther comes and gets in bed with me in the middle of the night.
Now I am going to take a page from my friend Laura's book. I love doing Memes. Partially because it gives me something fun to write about and it is yet another way for me to get to know more about you and for you to know more about me. I don't like tagging people though...there are many people who don't do memes at all and have a 'meme free blog'. I don't understand it...but hey, I don't have to!
So, here's the scoop. If you are looking for blogging material or are wanting to share with others and get a bit of linky love in the process, write a post about your eight random facts, then send me the link. I will link to you on my blog.
1.
What Makes A Gift Memorable?
I am 41 1/2 years old. In that time, I daresay, I have received thousands of gifts. Many I probably don't remember unless you hypnotized me. But there are ones that over the years have stuck out for a variety of reasons. When I was five, my parents bought me a swing set. I loved my swing set for many years after that. One of the most remarkable things about that gift was my parents sent to friends the day before and they put it together, and then brought me home after dark. The next morning I followed a trail of notes until I located my birthday present. It was awesome! And I still remember it clearly! One year my mom got me a Princess Phone for my room. I had been begging for my own phone line (my parents didn't allow me to have long conversations because someone important might be trying to call), but that phone went in my room and I was allowed to have the longer conversations, even though I was still sharing the phone line with mom and dad.
My husband has given me some truly amazing gifts over the years. A trip to Vegas for my 30th birthday. The complete DVD collection of the Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman. A limousine for my 35th birthday and we had a night out on the town...having all of those people staring at our vehicle as we pulled up at the restaurant andlater the club was very cool! Weekend trips to Maine, Lake Tahoe, hiking and a bed and breakfast for birthdays and anniversaires. All of these gifts gave me wonderful memories to last a life time.
I think the best gifts I ever gave my husband were 1) the year I bought him a piano for Valentine's Day. He had taken lessons for 12 years and it is a gift that not only he enjoys today, but both our children enjoy as they are now taking piano lessons. The other cool gift I gave him was gift certificates for plane instruction time. When my husband was in his teen years, he had a few flying lessons and he often spoke of wanting to do it again. So one year, my mom and I both gave him certificates that ended up to being the equivalent of five or six lessons. He took those and followed up with other lessons until he was a certified IFR pilot. He also took aerobatic flying lessons with Rich Stowell out in California.
Gifts like these..the ones that provide us with new adventures, new things to learn, new ways to push ourselves...they are the ones that we will remember when we are old and gray and sitting on the front porch with our grandchildren at our feet. If you want to give a gift like this, but aren't really sure where to start or what's out there, try visiting Excitations. They have several categories that you can choose from in your search for the perfect gift for a loved one! You can find something that will amaze them based on their interests.
For other memorable gift stories, go visit The Parent Bloggers Network. Put something different under your Christmas tree this year....something unique, something unexpected, something fun and adventurous!
November 29, 2007
Another Component of Weight Loss
Interesting new studies show that exercise is not enough to help get rid of that bludgeoning body fat. It turns out that standing up and puttering around is just as important. Apparently when we sit down, the enzymes that are responsible for burning fat just shut down. Can you believe it? They just stop doing their job! So for those of us who make our living sitting down, we are keeping our bodies from working properly.
Lots more studies need to be done, but in the meantime, it would probably behoove us to see if we can't get up and move around more during our days. I wonder if an invention will be forth coming where we can ride a bike while we work or find some other way to move our lower body around while we use our computers. I am sure Microsoft will be on top of inventing the next computer generation that will enable us to do our work and be on our feet at the same time!
November 29th - A History of Art - Bronze Horses at the Basilica Di San Marco, Venice
Basilica Di San Marco
Basilica di San Marco (Saint Mark's Basilica), church in Venice that was begun in its original form in 829 (consecrated in 832) as an ecclesiastical structure to house and honour the remains of St. Mark that had been brought from Alexandria. St. Mark thereupon replaced St. Theodore as the patron saint of Venice, and his attribute of a winged lion in time became the official symbol of the Venetian Republic. San Marco Basilica, built beside the Palazzo Ducale, or Doges' Palace, also served as the doge's chapel. It did not become the cathedral church of Venice until 1807.
The first basilica was burned in 976 during a popular revolt against the doge Pietro Candiano IV but was restored under his successor, Doge Domenico Contarini (d. c. 1070); the present basilica was completed in 1071. The plan is a Greek cross, and the building is surmounted by five domes. The design is distinctly Byzantine, and it is likely that both Byzantine and Italian architects and craftsmen were employed in the construction and decoration. Over the centuries, additions of sculpture, mosaics, and ceremonial objects have increased the church's richness. The famed four bronze horses on the west facade gallery, for example, were brought to Venice at the time of the Fourth Crusade (1204) from Constantinople, where they had been part of a Greco-Roman triumphal quadriga (a sculpture of a car or chariot drawn by four horses abreast). Though originally placed in the Arsenal, they were set up in the mid-13th century on the exterior of San Marco. They were removed to Paris by Napoleon but were returned in 1815.
The interior is decorated throughout with mosaics on gold ground and with many varieties of marble; the floor is of inlaid marble and glass. In the restricted light their colours glow. The screen separating the choir from the nave has marble statues, masterpieces of Venetian Gothic sculpture by Jacobello and Pier Paolo dalle Masegne.
San Marco Altarpiece
The Campanile, separated from the church, was originally begun under the doge Pietro Tribuno (d. 912). It was adapted into its present familiar form early in the 16th century. In 1902 it collapsed but by 1912 had been rebuilt on its original site.
The four bronze horses now seen at the Basilica di San Marco in Venice were orginally made for the Hippodrome in Constantinople (now Istanbul), which was then under Roman occupation. The Hippodrome, the largest in the ancient world, could seat 60,000 spectators. A low wall ran round much of the stadium and this was decorated with dozens of monuments, including the brone horses. In 1204, during the crusades, the horses were stolen by Christian knights and taken to Venice.
For many years the four horses stood on th eLoggia dei Cavalli (part of the basilica's facade), from where visitors can look out over St. Mark's Square. Today the horses on the loggia are replicas; the originals were removed in 1979, in the cause of their preservation, and can now be seen inside the cathedral's museum. For centuries during medieval times these horses symbolized the power and prestige of the Venetian Republic; they were probably made during the second century AD. Their sculptor is generally assumed to have been Roman. The material used was bronze, an alloy of copper and tin- the bronze used here was very rich in copper - and the bronze was then gilded.
Travel Insurance - The Smart Choice
Back in 2002, Daniel was working in Canada. We got to go visit him for two weeks and we had a blast! We weren't thinking that while we were there someone could get sick or hurt. That was the last thing on our minds!
We went to visit a nature center with the wife and children of one of Daniel's co-workers. It was all going well until I heard a blood curdling scream that sounded a lot like my son! Jack was 5 at the time. He and another kid had been looking at one of those wheel exhibits. You know the kind where there is a window in a wheel and as you turn it the window passes over different pictures? Well, Jack's hand was stuck in that window/opening! Jack had pointed to the picture, the other kid was turning...and OUCH! When Jack pulled out his hand, it was red and 'crunched' looking.
It turns out that there was no plastic over that opening to keep just that sort of thing from happening and further more the bearing in the wheel was broken ( a repairman had been called) and it was allowing the wheel to be out further from the wall than it should have been (thereby allowing the insertion of the hand). They were kind and supplied us with ice. As I heard their apologies about the accident, I found myself explaining we were from out of country and would they be covering the cost of our impending E.R. trip? They looked at me as if I had lost my mind and said no! To them it was the same as if Jack had smashed his finger in the door. HMPH! Faulty exhibit is not the same as having your finger smashed in the door!
Anyway, it was not the time or place to get into an argument about the situation. The other mom escorted us to a local hospital. I am sweating bullets as to whether they are going to want money then and there, how much it is going to be, are my sons fingers broken, and will they even see him... I have to tell you it was one of the best hospital experiences we have ever had. We were in and out in a couple of hours. They said they would try to bill our insurance (we had blue cross at the time) and if that didn't work, they would send us a bill at home. Jack's fingers weren't broken. They wrapped his little hand up and we took him back to the apartment. We were lucky. The bill wasn't too bad because the incident ended up not resulting in a major injury, but what if it had? Blue Cross didn't pay any of the bill. We could have been stuck in a world of hurt.
After that accident, we decided that should we travel to Canada again (or anywhere else out of country for that matter) that we would purchase Travel Insurance. Travel Insurance can protect you from accidents, injuries and illness for just a few dollars a day. I just ran our family through the options at Kanetix, just to see how much it would cost for us to get insurance if we visited Canada for 10 days. To cover the whole family, the cost ranged from 45.00 to 100.00 depending on how much coverage we wanted (10,000 -150,000). This money would be money well spent as far as I am concerned. We may never have a situation like that arise again, but if it does, I want to be focused on getting medical attention, not on how the bill will get paid!
Mary Poppins Gone Bad
It is funny when you see something like this video below. You realize with a slightly different twist, something very bright and sunny and happy can become something very dark and wicked and scary... I guarantee you will never look at sweet Mary the same way again!
Twisted Silver - Jewelry That Attracts Attention - Get Some for Free!
I recently received this gorgeous pair of Diva Earrings from Twisted Silver! Aren't they pretty! See how they dangle? See the intricate detail? They are antique brass and weigh vitually nothing (.1 oz) and they are mine, mine....all mine!
It's okay...sorry about that. I am all right now...really! It's just been awhile since I have received such lovely jewelry and it kind of went to my head...but now I am fine. Really!
Have you heard about Twisted Silver? Twisted Silver is known as jewelry with an edge. Their pieces are original, eye-catching and guaranteed to attract attention when you wear them! Do you like the unusual? Do you appreciate a company that provides quality service as well as opportunities for you to win beautiful jewelry? Then you definitely want to check out Twisted Silver!
Let me show you a couple of other pieces.
This newly released texture ring has three smooth twists and turns of hearty Sterling finished brass and it is surprisingly light on the finger.
This other newly released piece is called Hardware Convertible. Because the website says it best: Embrace the ultra-hip metal trend with these seven sumptuous chains. A strand of antiqued silver chain chills between six strands of polished sterling silver. If you think it's fabulous as a necklace, wait until you multi-wrap it for a bracelet!! Dressed up or down, this is THE necklace or bracelet for edgy cool and shiny bling.
And as if it wasn't enough that Twisted Silver creates beautiful jewelry, there are ways you can get some for free!
1. Twisted Silver has a 'You Spot You Win' game. It goes like this: anytime you spot Twisted Silver on the pages of a glossy magazine, or TV show, or anywhere being worn by a celebrity (before they have posted it on their site), and you pass on a digital or hard copy printing of the sighting, they will give you the Twisted Silver piece that you spot!!!! How cool is that! And celebrities are wearing them as you can see by the celebrity section at the Twisted Silver Website.
2. At check out, enter coupon code "Modify" to receive a free Beatnik Bracelet available in silver, antiqued silver or gold (value of $30) with your purchace of $100 or more. *** Make sure you select a Beatnik bracelet and add to your cart to receive the free gift ***
3. If you order $50 or more worth of jewelry, you will get free shipping! (In the U.S. only)
November 28, 2007
Moving? Need Help Finding Your Next Home? Read on....
I have moved several times in my life. I can remember when I was a child and my parents were looking for their first home. They rented until I was 9 years old. We spent our weekends riding around with a real estate agent looking at home after home after home. I enjoyed it, but it seemed to create some tension for my folks. Not only were they trying to deal with all of the financial issues, but spending their Saturdays running all over town looking at house put them behind in their work at home (mowing, cleaning, etc).
Every place I have lived as an adult has been pretty much a situation of 'falling into it' so there wasn't a lot of driving around and seeing different homes and picking the one that suited me the most. But over the years, we have a couple of times thought about moving. Once locally, and once we looked at many properties in West Virginia. When we were looking in West Virginia, it entailed long drives, weekends spent perusing a dozen different homes. We finally did find a home, and we spent several weeks of driving back and forth looking, videotaping, photographing and in the end, we ended up having to pass on the home. We got approved for the loan on a 200 year old plantation, but the lead test results came back looking bad (and we had a new baby at the time.) We had fallen in love with this place and it was doubly hard having to walk away after putting all that time and effort into the purchase.
Now with gas the way it is and children that are older and more involved, it is harder than ever to spend that kind of time searching for a new home. But the Internet has stepped in to help solve that issue. Now you can look for Real Estate from the comfort of your own home. Pick your location, then start looking.
It doesn't matter whether you are looking for an apartment, a house, or a condominium. It doesn't matter if you are looking to rent or to buy. City Cribs can help you find the home of your dreams. CityCribs list homes in 350 cities across America. And it is so simple to use!
Choose the city you are looking for. You can choose whether you want rental property or property to buy. You can ask to see homes with a certain number of bedrooms, bathrooms and your minimum and maximum price. Once you fill out those parameters, a bunch of places will pop up for you to choose from. Click on one, then you will get more detailed information and photos to look at. This gives you a starting point. You can view a bunch of places while sitting at home. You can really even make your decision from home without ever actually seeing your new home. This sure beats all that driving around town and it is better for the environment too!
Katrina's Humor for Today
Today, Katrina, who is still basking in the glow of praises she received from her last joke, came to me with another gem.
"Mommy, do you know what food pants like to eat?"
"Um...nope."
"Hot Pockets!!!!"
Hee hee....is she cute or what?
November 28th - A History of Art - Pompeii
Pompeii...a city frozen in time by a mass catastrophe. Can you imagine the amazement of those who discovered Pompeii in 1748....1700 years after life had virtually stopped in a moment? This tragic story does have a happy ending. It preserved a moment in time for future generations to explore and to learn from. We know what they ate, how their homes were designed, and what we wore. And we are able to study the art that was preserved through the centuries.
The town appears to have been moderatly wealthy and every house was decorated with wall paintings. Mosaics were also very common. Artwork found in Pompeii is known as Campanian Art, and is representative of all southern Italian paintint at the time. As Pompeii was then under Roman rule, it is also indicative of Roman art at this time, which had been heavily influenced by earlier Greek art.
Pompeii Lesson Plan for 6th graders - I Got a Lava Livin' to do in Pompeii - draw a random livelihood, keep a journal based on your lifestyle.Gives list of things to be aware of.
In Old Pompeii Lesson Plan. In this lesson, students take a virtual field trip to the ruins of Pompeii to learn about everyday life in Roman times, then create a travelogue to attract visitors to the site and write an account of their field trip modeled on a description of Pompeii written by Mark Twain.
Make a Two-Headed Snake BraceletUsing the images of snake bracelets found at Pompeii young students will create a snake bracelet out of card stock. Older students will create a snake bracelet using the papier-mâché technique.
Make Your Own Mosaic. These are directions for making the real thing with tiles and all. A few years ago, we made something like a mosaic with construction paper.
First we pencilled in a picture on a piece of construction paper. Make it something large and simple for your first try like a vase or a cat. Then choose the colors of construction paper you would like to use. Tear that paper into little pieces (about 1" by 1", but not all uniform). This is great therapy by the way! Then put glue on your drawing and start putting on the pieces of paper. This is great fun!
For other Art History lessons and information, be sure to click on the Art History category in my sidebar!
Pompeii Virtual Tour (the link at the beginning is a different virtual tour so check it out too!)
Take Me Out To the Ball Game....
Is there anything that says 'America' more than baseball? This is a game that is played by all kinds of Americans at all ages and from a variety of walks of life. Whether it is children playing on a city street or children playing at a community ballpark, whether it is a family reunion game or a game that is being played under stadium lights, it is a game that calls out to all Americans. It is a game that has been played in America for over 140 years (though not always with the same rules).
As exciting as Major League games are, there are many fans who prefer to go to the Spring Training sessions. Spring Training is held in warm climates and most folks can go during their spring breaks (both from work and from school). Spring training typically lasts almost two months, starting in early February and running until just before the season opening day, traditionally the first week of April. Spring training baseball gives fans a chance to get up close and personal to their favorite players. Spring training baseball also offers fans a chance to see match-ups you normally wouldn't see during the regular season because teams play against other teams practicing in their areas, not necessarily in their league. The teams that are going through spring training in Florida are part of the 'Grapefruit League.' There are other teams that go through Spring Training in Arizona (the Cactus League).
Find out where your favorite team is playing and pick out your tickets and make your spring travel plans now. Enjoy the excitement of seeing veteran players alongside the rising heros of the decade to come. For me, I think it would be fun to peruse the Yankees Spring Training Schedule and purchase tickets for my dad. I believe he would enjoy opportunity to see his favorite team up close and in person!
Blog Tour: Review: For Parents Only by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice Plus a Giveway!
UPDATE! Tonight I wrote everyone's name down, and let my daughter draw two names. Maria and Laura K. were the winners! Sorry I don't have a copy for everyone!
for parents only: getting insdie the head of your kid by Shaunti Feldhahn and Lisa A. Rice is a small (183 pp), easy to read book full of information and guidance for parents.
Shaunti and Lisa have prepared a book that helps parents to better understanding the following from their teens:
Freedom
Identity
Taking Charge
Security
Listening
Attitude
They question real live teenagers and then share their responses with us so that we can become better parents.
I have raised one teenager (now 21) and I have an almost 11 year old son and a 7 1/2 year old daughter. I could relate to so much of what was said in this book.
And while I was reading it, I found myself fluctuating between agreement, understanding, and disbelief. In some ways, it seems we parents are supposed to be above so much according to the teens. When they are hostile and upset, we are to remain calm (let me tell you, I failed miserably at this with my oldest). As I read the suggestions and scenarios, I was kind of feeling like I would never get it right. Even now, I know that I am guilty of rushing in to fix situations instead of encouraging my son to conquer them on his own and I don't listen as closely as I should because it seems like I am always busy. These are things I can fix and Shaunti and Lisa give some suggestions on how to do it (suggestions that came from teens).
I was also encouraged by the final chapter which reinforces that as long as we are trying, even when we make mistakes or don't always connect with our kids, things tend to work out in the end. I know in my own personal life, conversations that I have had with my 21 year old indicate that he thinks we did an okay job parenting him. Sure there are things we could have done better, but as he starts to come out on the other side, he sees that we were trying our best.
So that takes some of the pressure off of me to be perfect and once that pressure is removed, it gives me a chance to sit back and look at this book more as a book of helpful suggestions and ideas and not a manual that is saying...you are so screwed up!
I was surprised to learn that teens want their parents to still set limits. That they do actually want to talk to us. And that they do appreciate our opinions. I found some good tips on how to stay calm and focused. On how to be a better listener and to only help if my offer is accepted. This book reaffirmed something that I already knew: boys and girls do have different things on their mind. And these differences stay with us when we grow older. Which makes me want to go out and get copies of the for men only and for women only books!
An added bonus to this book is that there is a website where you can find even more detailed information that was gleaned by the authors during their research.
I will be keeping a copy of this book so my husband can read it and so I can refer to it in the future. But, luckily for you, the publisher gave me two extra copies to share with my readers! Yep, that's right, you too can learn how to have better relationships with your children that are growing up and becoming amazing adults! All you have to do is the following:
1. Live in the United States (sorry, wish I had the money to send the books overseas)
2. Comment below.
3. That's it...yep, that's really it! Honest!
I will have a random drawing on December 5th at 6 pm! If you are a teenager reading and you want to give a neat gift to your parent, go ahead and sign up! You will both appreciate it!
Good luck!
Oh yeah...and if you can't wait to win this book or if you do wait and don't win, you can just click below to purchase your very own copy!
If you ever been on a tour to Amsterdam, Holland, find a travel site that can get you cheap hotels available in Amsterdam. There are many nice hotels in Amsterdam to stay so you just have to find which of the Amsterdam hotels is good for you.
Book Review: Auralia's Colors by Jeffrey Overstreet
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
AURALIA'S COLORS
(WaterBrook Press September 4, 2007)
by
Jeffrey Overstreet
About the Author:
Jeffrey Overstreet lives in two worlds. By day, he writes about movies at LookingCloser.org and in notable publications like Christianity Today, Paste, and Image.
His adventures in cinema are chronicled in his book Through a Screen Darkly. By night, he composes new stories found in fictional worlds of his own. Living in Shoreline, Washington, with his wife, Anne, a poet, he is a senior staff writer for Response Magazine at Seattle Pacific University.
Auralia’s Colors is his first novel. He is now hard at work on many new stories, including three more strands of The Auralia Thread.
I just finished reading Auralia's Color's and I am wondering when the next installment will be coming out (I understand there are three more to come).
In the tradition of Tolkein, Donaldson, and Brooks, Jeffrey Overstreet has created a land full of mystery, mythology, heros, heroines, disaster and triumph. From the minute I read of a small baby being found nestled in a very large footprint, I was hooked. There is a huge cast of characters in this story and their lives are woven together in a colorful tapestry of love, sacrifice, deceipt and betrayal. Auralia is the main thread of this particular story...a position she doesn't totally understand or want. She lightens the lives of those around her and it is obvious she is destined for greatness, but she doesn't want to be great.
By the end of the story, Auralia remembers who she is and what she is to do. Along with her discoveries, others discover who they are and what their purpose is. Many fall along the way, while others are raised up to new levels of existence and responsibility.
If you enjoy good fantasy writing, you will enjoy this story. And, like me, you will be clamoring for more. I am hanging onto this book, but if you want to get your own copy, you can either buy it yourself, or leave a note for your significant other...they are wondering just what to get you for Christmas, aren't they? There is nothing better than a good book!
Happy Holidays! And Happy Reading!
Learn Search Engine Lingo! Impress Your Friends!
So, do you use a Captcha to help screen your blog's visitors? Have you tried PPC to increase traffic to your website or to make some money on your blog? Is your PR good?
Did you know that invisible text, cloaking and doorway pages can lead to the Google Death Penalty?
Have you considered working on your Meta Tag or your Keyword density in order to drive more traffic to your blog or website? Do you take advantage of website's RSS feeds so that you can keep up with your favorite websites latest postings and so that others can keep up with yours?
What? You don't have the foggiest idea of what I am talking about? Or maybe you have a small clue, but you aren't totally sure? I am not speaking Greek...I promise! Instead, I am speaking 'techy' lingo. And in the world of blogging and websites you are in need of a glossary to keep you current and in the know! For instance, I didn't even know that Google had a death penalty! Though I have become intimately familiar with their unfair PR practices recently! My husband has used PPC for one of his inventions (through Google), but next time says that he is going to check into a company like Dallas SEO to help him promote whatever his project is.
Don't be caught with that deer in the headlight expression the next time you are chatting with other bloggers and web designers! Be in the know with a Search Engine Marketing Glossary.
Sliding Rocks in Death Valley
My hubby sent me this
For more cool photos and interesting theories, check out the story at Geology.com
Cool Widgets and Quizzes for Your Blog!
We all like to decorate our blogs (well, most of us do) and a lot of us like to take those fun quizzes! Well, this morning I ran across a new place to get fun (and free) Blog Stuff.
In fact, as I have sat here taking quizzes and putting in my website addy, I have been laughing my head off! The quizzes are fun and the possible answers to choose from left me chuckling! There is one where you can generate a Wanted Dead or Alive poster for your blog. All you have to do is put in your website addy and a bizarre wanted poster pops up...also with a reward. The reward for me is $2300. I refreshed several times and each time got a different reason I was wanted for. These are pretty bizarre and I didn't find one I wanted to share here, but it was still good for some chuckles!
So then, I checked out to see what film rating my blog would receive. I am proud to announce that I have a:
This is based on the fact that there are no bad words on my blog!
Next I had to try the quiz for 'What Are Your Chances of Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse'. I hate zombie movies. In fact, they are one of the few horror movies I refuse to sit through at all...I just don't care of the genre...it creeps me out too much. So I had to know my chances of survival (I have to tell you my choices had me chuckling!)
Well, that's better than 50/50!
Then there are bumper stickers. Some are obviously geared toward the younger crowd, but there are a few cute ones. Here are two i liked:
You can check out serious and funny blog awards to send to your friends. This lets you choose an award you want to send and you type in the name of the blog and your information and off it goes. Again, some of these are obviously geared toward the younger set, but there are fun ones like Beautiful Blog Award, Interesting Blog award, Kitten Friendly Blog award...things like that.
There are other fun quizzes to take, but since I have to get on with my day, I just chose one more. So I picked the Geek quiz. I live in a Geeky household, so it seemed the right thing to do:
Have fun!
November 27, 2007
November 27th - The History of Art - Etruscan Art
Today, we are going to move from Greece to Italy and look at the Classical Art of the Etruscans. Etruscan civilization flourished in western Italy from c.900- c. 100 BC. Ancient Etruria encompassed modern Tuscany and parts of Umbria.
Etruscan art was mostly figurative art. They used terracotta, bronze, and wall-painting for most of their artistic endeavors.Etruscan art was influenced by the Asian, Greeks, and Roman civilizations. Red-figure painting was a technique for decorating pottery that had been initiated in Athens during the Greek period and remained common practice during Roman times. Prior to that, the decorative method had been "black-figure painting," in which artists painted their work in black pigment onto a base of red clay.
Red Figure painting
Black Figure painting.
It is important to remember that much of Etruscan art did not survive to present day. Most of what we have been able to find has been funerary items which can give us a skewed example of what their art was like. Just like in present day, the more money you had, the better your funerary items, so we are not really getting an example of everyday art. A lot of the art found today deals with gods and goddesses and how to please them. This presents us with a skewed view of Etruscan art work because the religious artwork is what has mostly survived.
Here you will find a lesson plan to practice the red and black figure painting methods. It is geared towards 8th - 12th graders, but can be used with younger ages very easily.
Scholastic offers some wonderful information on this topic as well! It is geared towards grades 4-6.
Remember, if you want to check out other Art History posts, be sure to click on the Art History category in my right side bar! Art is fun and we can all enjoy learning together!
A Busy Afternoon And Information on the Twenty Worst Foods
Okay, you are wondering where I am going with this after reading that bizarre title...well, follow along and you will see.
Actually, a busy afternoon isn't correct. It was a busy day. I spent my morning blogging, reading emails and RSS feeds and teaching the children. We are reading about Greek Gods and Goddesses right now. For science, Katrina and Jack spent some time with their rabbits. We continue to try and get them to like us! Then they worked on alphabetizing and defining this week's spelling words. Followed by learning more about verbs and how they work in sentences. Then this was followed by math. Jack is learning about decimals and Katrina is learning about adding and subtracting three digit numbers (she doesn't like this section very much).
After lunch, we headed to town for our Tuesday errands. We stopped at the dump first. While Jack was unloading our trash, I popped the hood and tried to get a better handle on why my car has smoke coming out from under the hood when I stop. Well, there have been two problems. One is that a hose that goes into the valve cover had popped loose. My dad fixed that a couple of weeks ago, but I was still steaming and couldn't figure out why. Then I realized I wasn't steaming all the time. Turns out that there must be a leak involving my air condition thingy. When my AC or defrost is on, fluid drips onto the manifold and burns. Since we can't spend money on repairs, I simply turned off the defrost and viola....no more smoke! COOL! Now I know that there are times when I will have to use the defrost, but at least, I know my car isn't going to burst into flames...
So then we went to the bank. I had some eBay money came in and I have realized in recent days that the kids need clothes. They are still wearing shorts because they have outgrown their long pants! So I took the money, apologized to the bill that will have to wait a little while longer and took the kids to get some clothes. My daughter loves to shop! First we hit one of the nearby Goodwills (we actually have two in our town). I picked up two pillows for 2.00 for me. Our couch arms are hard and since I spend a lot of time blogging, and since my old pillow wore out (it sprung a hole for some reason), I treated myself to these two matching fluffy couch pillow). We found one dress for Katrina, 3 t-shirts for Jack(from the dollar bin - like new) and a pair of pajamas. This all added up to less than 10.00.
Next we headed to a nearby consignment shop. We left with one shirt for 4.50 for Katrina. Not a great deal, but it was a cute shirt. Then we went to the Family Dollar Store. I really wasn't sure what size pants Jack needed. He is almost 11, but is now as tall as I am (5'3"). Turns out, we discovered he needs pants that are size 32/30. His inseam is actually longer than his dad's (who needs size 29 inseam). So since the jeans there were 10.00 each and he really needed pants and I wasn't sure if we would find others, I bought him two pair).
Next we hit another Goodwill. This is really the best one in town (which is ironic, considering the other Goodwill is in a more well to do part of town). We couln't find any pants for Katrina, though she tried on 10 pair. They were all either too tight or too short. She did, however find a belt (to hold up a favorite pair of pants that are at home) and two long sleeve shirts. Jack picked up 3 more pairs of pants. A couple that are Dockers and one pair that was nice corduroy. We spent 17.00 there. Then we had to head to Walmart. Katrina needed some pants. My money was low though so all she got today was two pairs of sweat pants (which is what she loves to wear anyway). At least, her legs will be warm! That set me back another 9.00.
At this point, we had literally been shopping for the better part of 4 hours. My legs, and my knee were tired and we were hungry. So we splurged with our remaining money and had dinner at McDonald's before heading to the grocery store. Not only did this give us a chance to rest my tired tootsies a bit, but it saved me from going to the grocery store with all of us very hungry!
I saved 40.92 between the items I purchased on sale and my coupons I had today (I got about 150.00 of groceries for 106.00.) So, all in all it was a good productive day.
Now, onto the twenty worst foods...when I was at McDonald's I couldn't decide what to get. I ended up choosing from the 1.00 menu and that was fine. But I couldn't help but think of an article I had looked at earlier today about the 20 worst foods (I am not implying that McDonald's is on that list. I haven't finished reading the whole article. But what I wanted to point out is that if we are trying to watch our weight, we will often choose chicken dishes or salads. But beware...sometimes they can be worse for us than a juicy hamburger!
Okay...if you are still here...thanks for reading about my day! Hope you had a good one!
What Holiday Are You?
I love those little quizzes, even though they often don't make a lot of sense with the questions they ask...I mean how do they come up with these things?
But today, I was out and about visiting blogs and I ran across this one about "What Holiday Are You?" I thought I would give it a whirl. I thought perhaps I would end up being Christmas, but have to agree with the assessment that I am Valentine's Day. I am a romantic and sentimental person and so this definitely fits my personality!
| You Are Valentine's Day |
 You are warm hearted, and you find it easy to care for people. Love is what drives you - and you have a love to give. You enjoy making someone's day. You're full of surprises. What makes you celebrate: Being with the person you love on a special day At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The sentimental one On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: See it as romantic and special |
Be sure to let me know what holiday you are!
Mom Makes Living Selling Weeds
I am always looking for ways to add to our household income. My main criteria is that it be something I can do and still be home with my children. So I always have my eye out for innovative ideas. Today I read an article about a lady who was learning to build a website. She lives in Kansas, so as a joke, she offered tumbleweeds for sale on her website! Imagine her surprise, when people started buying them!
She is now making at least $40,000 a year selling weeds that blow across her yard. People have bought tumbleweeds for dramatic productions, parties, and to remind them of their home on the plains. I guess the joke is on this entrepreneur!
A couple of years ago, my husband had a couple of suggestions for things for me to sell on ebay. One was for a bag of nothing...you know a lunch bag with a fancy label to sit around as a conversation starter... The other idea was to sell rocks we pick up from the Blue Ridge mountains...I am still not sure about the bag of nothing, but the rock idea may be a winner!
Are Puppies On Your Christmas List?
Are you or someone in your home wishing for a puppy or two this Christmas? You know...under the tree with a sweet red bow tied around their fluffy neck? Maybe you want an AKC registered puppy. One that has a history that you can follow. One that has been bred for certain traits. Free puppies are wonderful, but you don't always know what you are getting. It may look like a golden retriever, but have the temperament of a doberman pincer. Or it may be sickly and you not know it. While puppies from a breeder cannot be guaranteed to be perfect (after all, there are always glitches), you are going to have a much better chance of getting the dog of your dreams.
Also, the benefit of purchasing a puppy from a breeder is that a breeder knows that puppy inside and out. If you go to a pet store to buy your puppy, you really don't know the background of that animal or how it was treated. If you go to a breeder, they have been with the puppy since day one and they usually specialize in just a few types of dogs so they know them and their personality well! Breeders will be there with you for the long haul. Keep in touch with them. They will happily answer questions about your puppy's growth. If you go with a breeder that is registered with the AKC, they have to follow stringent guidelines and their operation is regularly inspected by the AKC. Good breeders usually offer guarantees on their animals too.
If you are looking for a small animal (for inside a house or apartment), consider Yorkie puppies for sale or maltese puppies. More and more people are adopting the smaller animals. They are easy to take care of and travel well.
Whichever kind of puppy you are looking for, be sure to consider a breeder. Adopting an animal is a big decision and one that will be with you for a long time. Don't make the decision and choice lightly. And remember, spay and neuter your pets!
100th Homeschool Carnival Is up!
Can you believe that this week marks the 100th homeschool carnival? That is amazing! The Cates at Why Homeschool really started a wonderful thing when they created this carnival and we all owe them a debt of gratitude! I have found so much helpful information from this carnival over the last couple of years and I hope I have contributed some useful information as well.
This week's carnival is being hosted by Mom Is Teaching As well as sharing homeschooling posts, she is sharing information on Oklahoma which recently celebrated its centennial.
Grab a cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa and settle in for some great tips and stories!
Want to Get Away From It All? Try Blueberry Lake Resort
It used to be my goal on vacations was to travel and see as much stuff as I could. I still like traveling for that purpose and I am looking forward to hopefully visiting Illinois in the spring as this is a state we have not yet visited in this great country of ours.
But as my life gets more and more hectic and more and more things seem to fill up my days, my ideal vacation is going someplace where we do nothing but read, play games and relax. I want solitude, not flashing lights. I want time spent one on one with my spouse and my kids...not being part of a throng in an amusement park. Don't get me wrong, those things have a time and a place, but right now, what I need in this season of my life is peace, quiet, and nature.
If that sounds like something you would like on your next vacation, you might want to check into Blueberry Lake Resort, which is located about 25 minutes north of .Mont Tremblant Quebec. This resort is tucked away in an area teeming with wildlife and beauty. Check out this beautiful log home that is an example of where you would be staying. You can ski, snowmobile, iceskate or other fun winter activities...anyone want to build a snowman?
The seclusion of your own private place, in a resort that offers activities you can partake in or not with first class customber service. And look at that snow....ahhh, I love snow and I would love to be enjoying this cabin this winter. Don't like snow? That's okay, the resort is beautiful in the summer as well! There are trails to hike, a pool and a lake to swim in, play tennis or waterski...these are just a few of the summer time activities available.
November 26, 2007
My Daughter's Joke
This morning, Katrina came to me and asked me a question:
"Mommy, which piece of furniture in a house needs a heart?"
thinking very briefly, I answered "I don't know."
"A chest!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA ....hey, that's pretty funny! Did you hear that somewhere or make it up yourself?"
"I made it up myself."
Yep, she's the performer in the family..sings, acts, plays the piano and tells jokes!
Quizzes - Take them and Create Them!
Do you like taking quizzes and finding out which celebrity you are? What song you are? What book character you are? Then once you find the answers to the quesitons, you can put the code into a post and share your quiz results with the world!
Do you like making quizzes for others to take? Maybe you like to come up with the cool questions and possible 'you are.....' based on those quiz answers? Who knows, you could create the quiz that everyone would be dying to take!
People who blog want to stake a claim in the internet world. They want to share with their friends. They want their friends to know what's going on in their lives. They want their friends to know more about their personalities. Many bloggers who are blogging for social reasons also tend to decorate their blog. They put awards, photos, and quiz results in their sidebars and it is their way of yelling to the world 'this is me!'
Myspace Quizzes can be found at the QuizMyMates website. You can make your own quizzes, take a new quiz or take a popular quiz. If you like the answer you get, share it with the world. If you don't, take another quiz. There are over 7000 to choose from!
Please remember, these are quizzes written by teenagers and twenty-somethings. The language of the quizzes is not always family friendly. In fact, a lot of the quizzes I visited were not only not family friendly, but they were not that great. They would have just one or two questions. How do you figure out a person's personality with just a couple of questions?
If you would like to raise the bar on the myspace quizzes, go create your own! You could be the cream of the crop in no time!
The World's 10 Most Famous Uncracked Codes
My husband knows I love a good mystery. He also knows I spent several weeks researching the famous local mystery, The Beale Ciphers, a couple of years ago for an article or book I was thinking about writing. If you have never heard of The Beale Treasure and the ciphers that supposedly lead to it, there is lots of interesting information out there to be had. People have come to Bedford County from around the world trying to figure out this puzzle. Some claim it has been found. Others claimed it was all a big hoax. Others claim that some of the most prominent people of the time were involved in this huge conspiracy...it really does make fascinating reading. Oh dear, I have wandered a bit, haven't I?
Anyway, my husband, who knows I love a good mystery sent me a link the The World's 10 Most Famous Uncracked Codes. The Beale Ciphers is number 6 on this list. Go check out the other famous uncracked codes! It makes for interesting reading.
Uncommonly Cute Baby Clothes - Free Shipping Today!
Are there baby clothes on your Christmas list? Or maybe, baby clothes are just on your everyday list. We all know that when you have a baby, they go through a lot of clothes because they grow like weeds. One minute, they are in the cute 3 month old clothes, the next day, they need the 6 month old clothes!
Well, if you need baby onesies and t-shirts and you are in seeing range of these words, hurry up and check out Uncommonly Cute baby clothes right now! Because today, Cyber Monday, they are offering free shipping! But only today. I wish I had found out earlier, but there are still a few hours left! Just enter 'Monday07' at checkout!
Even if you do miss out on their great free shipping deal, no matter. They have so many cute sayings you will be wanting to fill up your shopping cart! I like the onesie that says 'freshly baked' and the one that says 'worth the wait.' They also have cute t-shirts for boys, girls and some really cute onsies designed just for twins! The baby on your list will be sure to get extra smiles with these cute clothes!
Light At The End of the Tunnel
We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is growing closer and with that, the weight on my shoulders is easing a bit. Daniel has been doing some work in Ronoake over the last month which means there will be some money coming in in December. This means we will be able to catch up on a couple of bills and we will be able to actually buy some presents for our kids. Phew!
Today, he finally got the final word from the Bloomington, IL job. He starts on Monday! I am breathing a big sigh of relief today. This is the poorest we have been in a long, long time and it was getting scarier by the day. And my stress level was increasing hourly. Now I can breath a soft sigh of relief....
I know that Christmas is about way more important things than presents, but I like giving presents to my children and my family members and my close friends. The thought of not being able to do that and being unable to participate in other things that we normally do (like the angel tree) has been tough.
God has been gracious though. We have been able to keep on top of most of our bills through 6 months of very little money coming in. And while we are starting to reach critical mass now (you know...the kids need new winter clothes cause they have grown since last year and I am running out of household cleaners), we made it! A couple of more weeks and we should have some money show up in the mail and then it will be downhill from there (for awhile, anyway!)
Praises to God for the many answers to prayer.
Christmas CD - Michael W. Smith: It's a Wonderful Christmas
Last week, I was one of the lucky ones who was sent a free copy of Michael W. Smith's newest CD. We love Christmas music in our house and own over 20 Christmas CDs. My favorite radio station started playing Christmas music 24/7 last week and will do so until the day after Christmas. I couldn't wait to received a new sampling of Christmas music to add to our collection.
Tonight, as I wrapped up some gifts, I listened to the CD. It is beautiful! One of the things I really like about it is the variety. All of the songs are different. I know, you are saying, of course they are different...wouldn't be much of a CD with 11 of the same songs on it... Well, that's not what I mean. I mean, there are different types of songs an different types of instruments. There is pretty much something for everyone on this Christmas disc.
What I enjoyed about the CD was that I slowed down. Since it was a new CD, I took my time wrapping presents and slowed down and thought what Christmas means to me. The things about Christmas that are important and the things that are not. I put aside my worries for awhile and was swept away by the various songs. Christmas music is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Singing and listening to old favorites and learning new favorites brings great joy to my family.
During the holidays its never easy to find gifts for people. Being able to get Christmas baskets online is a convenience. When you can get unique gift baskets such as chocolate gift baskets its easy to getting that gift at christmas for a special someone.
Here is a list of the songs (and I will throw in a little of my two cents worth on some)
1. Christmas Angels (a lovely vocal song and I loved the words)
2. It's a Wonderful Christmas (this is a long instrumental song and I believe it is a medley that includes snippets of from at least a couple of movies).
3. The Promise (a majestic tune)
4. Song for the King (reverent and sweet)
5. Christmas Day (featuring Manidsa) - ( this is my favorite song...it is a nostalgic, vocal song and I really like it!)
6. A Highland Carol (another favorite, love those bagpipes
7. Sing Noel, Sing Hallelujah (this reminds me of a Christmas Carol CD we have that has songs sung through the ages. Lovely).
8. Son of God (another reverent song)
9. What Child is This ( a beautiful version on the piano)
10. Audrey's Gift
11. All Year Long (a song of wishes that reminds me a little of the sentiment behind White Christmas).
These songs are all beautiful. Below you can enjoy my two favorites:
Christmas Angels
Christmas Day
If after listening to these snippets, you decide you want to add this CD to your collection, you can easily order by clicking below!
November 26th - The History of Art - Greek Sculpture
We are leaving behind a dabbling of ancient art and heading into the Classical art period. (If this is the first history of art post you have happened on, check my sidebar for the Art History category and see what else I have shared).
One huge difference between Greek sculptures and the earlier Egyptian Sculptures is the fact that Greek sculpture was free standing. Where Egyptian sculpture tended to be part of a block of stone, the Greek sculptor cut away any unneeded part of stone. This left spaces between the arms and the body, between the legs and this made a sculpture appear more lifelike.
By 400 BC, Greek sculptures had evolved from rigid poses to fluid ones which included garment folds, curly hair and musculature. These sculptures, while not completely life-like were very close and seemed as though the sculpture could get up and walk away.
One example is The Supplicant Barberini which dates from 400 B.C. Study the real likeness to a person in the face, the folds of the gown, the position of the legs.
Another example is the Venus de Milo (believed to be the goddess Aphrodite). Originally the statue would have been decorated with paint to make her look even more lifelike, but all vestiages of paint is now gone.
For more information on classical Greek sculpture...it's development and the methods of sculpture, visit Classical Greek Sculpture.
Here is a lesson plan that deals with a lot of the aspects of ancient Greece. Scroll down to 'f' for some ideas on art lessons.
This lesson plan is about the Parthenon and geared towards grades 6-8.
This lesson has a lot of art activities for a variety of ages. There are some Greek activities, jus scroll down.
Thank A Soldier
Xerox has a wonderful program where you can send a beautiful thank you note to a soldier. There is no way of knowing which soldier which will receive it, but it is sure to be a blessing to whoever does get your message. This is a free service! Take a few moments and send a card. Send several cards! Your words of encouragement are needed and appreciated!
Product Review: Jump Start World 1st Grade New for 2008! AND GIVEAWAY!!!
UPDATE: Kristen is the winner of this wonderful program! Sorry, I forgot to do the drawing yesterday! It was one of those days!
My children have been enjoying JumpStart programs for 7 years. They have learned math skills, geography skills, computer skills, reading skills and memory skills by playing Jump Start games since they were about 3 years old! And the best part is that they had fun while they did it! I always felt like Jump Start games were well created. The games were engaging as well as educational, the kids didn't complete them in one sitting and the cost was reasonable.
I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to check out the JumpStart World 1st Grade educational software. JumpStart has gone to a whole new level with this game! It is an interactive game and what you initially get are 2 adventure packs. This includes over 80 learning games and missions. Once your child has mastered these two adventure packs, then you can subscribe to the online site and get a new adventure pack every month. This means that as your child progresses, the challenges will increase and at a very reasonable rate! (either 7.99 a month or the remaining 10 packs at once for 64.99.) But, you may just want to play the two games included on the disk and if you do, that is also more than fine. However, I have a feeling that once we get through these two adventure packs, we are going to want to enjoy more experiences in JumpStart World.
JumpStart World 1st Grade, an evolving 3D learning environment full of whimsical lands, lively activities and friendly characters. Your child can choose the character they want to play. They can explore the worlds, learn and win keys that help them obtain a new level. They even have a pet they can care for and they can personalize their world with photos and special dates.
Your child will be able to visit the Art and Music Studio and unleash their creativity. They can celebrate the seasons, holidays, and even their birthday!
They will learn about addition, subtraction, telling time, fractions, picture graphs, phonics, consonants, vowels, sentences and reading comprehension. They will learn problem solving skills, patterns, attributes, and classifications. They will also learn about friendship and dedication.
Information for parents:
You will receive progress report e-mails and Parent Tips
You will have access to a members-only website and educational experts
Your kids will be safe - they will never be online for this game
You will have access to the rewards center
I have watched programs like this add to my children's learning over the years. They pick up so much from playing any type of games. I am pleased to see that his new game goes beyond the previous games and take advantage of the most up to date software and hardware. I particularly like the idea that I can increase this games longevity for just a few dollars a month!
JumpStart World is curriculum based on national and state standards. It is designed to build math, reading and critical thinking skills and it is rated E for everyone. To use Jump Start World, it is necessary for you to have broadband internet connection. You must also have QuickTime installed (or you can install it when you install the program).
Here is a list of minimum system requirements:
Windows XP, Windows Vista
Pentium III (or equivalent) 1 GHz or faster
3D video card with 32 MB dedicated memory w/DirectX 9.0c-compatible driver
256 MB dedicated RAM (512 MB recommended)
1 GB RAM for Windows Vista
24x CD-ROM drive
1.4 GB available on hard drive
16-bit color
800 x 600 screen resolution
Direct X 9.0c-compatible sound card
Direct X9.0c(included with install
QuickTime 7.1 (included with install)
Windows Meida Player 10 (included with install)
Broadband Internet connection
Okay, now that you are convinced this is a great leap forward in children's computer gaming, let's get to the part you have been looking for. I have a free, unused, brand new copy to give away to one random lucky commenter! Yes, that's right, if you live in the U.S., you could win a free copy of this great game to put under the Christmas tree for your kid. All you have to do is blog about this contest and comment below with a link to your post. Now how simple is that? This contest will be open until Monday, December 3rd at 6 pm, EST. Good luck!
If you can't wait, just click on the link below. I guarantee your kids are going to love this JumpStart product!
Flying Mobulas Invite Questions
On Mexico's Eastern shore, in the Sea of Cortez, there lurk four species of mobulas (tarapacana, thurstoni, munkiana, and japanica) - relatives of manta rays. These mobulas don't seem to be sure whether they are sea creatures or creatures of the air as they often make spectacular jumps into the air!
Mobula Ray Breaches the water
Scientists are unsure why the mobulas take to the air. Are they playing? Are they practicing their underwater hunting moves? I think, they are just like man...they long to stretch their 'wings' and fly.
November 25, 2007
National Geographic Photos: Emperor Tamarin and Foggy Dubai
National Geographic always has the best photos! Here are two you are sure to enjoy!
The emperor tamarin, which lives in lowland forests across Brazil and Peru, was supposedly named after German emperor Wilhelm II, who sported an iconic handlebar mustache during his late 19th-century to early 20th-century reign.
A Prehistoric Riddle
What had an 18 inch spiked claw, was 2 foot longer than a man was tall, and hung out in coastal swamps and river deltas? A Giant Sea Scorpion that lived 390 million years ago!
A size comparison between the sea scorpion and man
This recent fossil of a Giant Sea scorpion claw is a part of the largest arthropod so far discovered.
Giant Sea Scorpion Claw Fossil
One Less Wedding Hassle - ITheeSnap.com!
When my father got remarried, he and Dianne had purchased disposable cameras from Sam's and set them on the tables at the reception. I thought this was such a cool idea! And what a great way to get a variety of pictures and to increase the chances of getting a decent photo or two! The idea is that the guests will leave the cameras on the table and the bride and groom will get the photos developed. This is a swell idea for those getting married, but the photographers don't get to see their handiwork. And sometimes the cameras disappear...perhaps by a well meaning guest who plans to develop the photos or perhaps by a not so well meaning guest. Either way, there are flaws with this plan.
Enter ITheeSnap.com! You simply sign up for how many wedding cameras you want to have delivered to you for your wedding. They arrive in a box, you set them out. People take the pictures and you return them in the provided postage paid box. You get to even choose the design on the camera so they will match your wedding colors! The film will then be developed and 4 x 6 prints as well as a photo DVD will be sent to the newlyweds. There will also be a secure website where your guests can view the photos, download them and comment on them. The really cool thing is you pay up front for the cameras. All of the rest...the shipping, the developing, the prints, the DVD, the website are FREE! This is a great help when dealing with a wedding budget.
Not only is this service as easy as 1, 2, 3...there aren't hidden costs or extra money for you to come up with when you return from your honeymoon! Just great candid shots that you and your family and friends can enjoy!
For more information, read this recent press release!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LIFE’S BEST PHOTOS HIDDEN FROM VIEW, UNTIL NOW
Freeing Wedding Photos From The Dustbin Of History
CHICAGO, Illinois — November 26, 2007 — We’ve all been to a wedding reception, grabbed a disposable camera at our table, and captured a moment we know the bride and groom will appreciate. Perhaps it was a bouquet toss, a laugh, or the joyous reunion of family and friends who’ve come together to celebrate a marriage. But what happens to all those moments afterwards? They disappear into albums and shoeboxes, seen only by the newlyweds. In time, the wedding is defined by the formal poses snapped by a hired photographer – and all of those great candid moments are forgotten.
It’s been like this ever since the advent of disposable wedding cameras. Even with the advent of social networking and web 2.0 interactivity, no one has come up with a simple and practical solution that allows wedding guests to revisit a wedding and view the moments they’ve photographed. Few newlyweds are up to the arduous task of scanning the negatives from their disposable cameras, let alone creating a way to share those digitized photos with their many guests. iTheeSnap.com, provider of complete wedding camera solutions, has the answer.
iTheeSnap.com has been listening to customer requests and adding features that improve and simplify candid wedding photography. With the launch of web albums, iTheeSnap.com now automatically scans, uploads and creates a secure web album that allows full photo-sharing access for wedding attendees. Say recent iTheeSnap.com customers, “Our guests really appreciated the preprinted cards pointing to the website and their handiwork! While iTheeSnap.com’s service saved us a lot of time and money, the pictures really speak for themselves!” Guests now have the opportunity to view, download, print and comment on their favorite photos, reliving the moments that would otherwise be forgotten. Available today at iTheeSnap.com, web albums unlock life’s best photos simply and beautifully.
Founded in 2007, iTheeSnap.com brings innovation and ease-of-use to the disposable wedding photography market, including online ordering of premium FujiFilm® cameras, film development, negatives, prints, photo DVD, free shipping and online photo sharing. More information and demo web albums, are available at www.itheesnap.com.
Press Contact:
Ditmar Schnetz, President
iTheeSnap.com
(224) 595- 8480
ditmar@itheesnap.com
www.iTheeSnap.com
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November 25th - The History of Art - Egyptian Art - King Tut
When Howard Carter found King Tut's tomb he gave the world a priceless treasure. So many of the tombs of the pharoahs had been ransacked in ancient history and there were more holes in our understanding of Ancient Egypt than there was substance. Take a virtual tour of King Tut's tomb.
I have always been fascinated with Egypt and hope to one day visit. The pyramids, the Sphinx, the Valley of the Kings...these things beckon me. The mysteries they still hold, call out to be answered. I loved the movie The Mummy because I could relate to the character played by Rachel Weiss. The treasures, the scrolls, the hieroglyphics that we have uncovered point to such an amazing civilization that in so many ways seems so far ahead of its time.
And the art that has come out of ancient Egypt has been some of the most spectacular the world has ever known. Take for instance the Death Mask of Tutankhamun. He was a minor pharoah in the grand scheme of things. A boy who was murdered after only 9 years on the throne. But even with his reign having such insignificance, his death mask and all the treasures that filled his tomb were spectacular.
Death Mask of Tutankhamun
King Tut's death mask was created from gold and precious stones, including lapis lazuli. The mask has symbolic significance; Tutankhamun's beard and headcloth were symbols of his royalty; the cobra on this forehead was protective, its role being to spit poison at enemies of the Pharoah; lapis lazuli was also believed to have powers of protection.
Everything from the paintings to the sculptures of the gods and goddesses (such as these images of Isis) not only tell us so much about the culture of Ancient Egypt, but provide us with a feast for the eyes. Beauty, detail, and bright pigmentation turn the art that was treasured in Ancient Egypt into art that is treasured today.
Painted Image of Isis
Sculpture of Isis
For more fun with ancient Egypt, check out these lesson plans:
For more on the history of art, check out my other posts in the Art History category (check out my categories in the sidebar).
Have fun!
November 24, 2007
November 24th - History of Art - Palace of Minos
Welcome to Day 2 of my History of Art posts. Yesterday we learned about the Cave Drawings in Lascaux, France.
Today we are going to travel about 12,000 years in time and south to visit the Minoan Civilization. The Minoan Civilization flourished from around 3000-1000BC. The Palace of Minos at Knossos, in Crete was one of three built by the early Minoans. It was ruined when an earthquake devastated the entire area in 1700 BC. The palaces were rebuilt, but destroyed again in 1450 BC by another earthquake. Minoan civilization collapsed at about the same time and the area was settled by the Mycenaeans.
Throne of King Minos
According to Greek Mythology Knossos Palace is the legendary site of Theseus fighting the Minotaur, Ariadne and her ball of string, Daedalus the architect and doomed Icarus of the wax wings.
There are several beautiful frescoes that have been discovered in the ruins of the palace. Note how colorful they are and in addition to the colors found in the cave drawings, there are now blues thrown in for more color.
Minoan Bull Jumping
The figure of the powerful and virile bull appears throughout Minoan civilization. In this fresco of bull-jumping, an athlete has leaped over the bull's horns and is about to flip over the bull's hind legs to the waiting woman. Usually the athletes were children who didn't often reach adult hood.
The Museum of New Mexico has a wonderful lesson plan on frescoes.
November 23, 2007
November 23rd - The History of Art - Lascaux Cave Paintings
I love blogging. I love writing. I love learning and sharing things that I learn. Blogs are a great place to do that. That is why I share interesting animal news. I am fascinated by the diverse life on this planet.
Something else that I am really interested in is art. I am art ignorant. I took an Art History class my freshman year in college and was quickly overwhelmed and ended up taking it pass/fail. The only course in my college career that I did that with. Our professor showed us slides twice a week for 1 1/2 hours...rapidly and I was soon completely and irrevocably lost. My professor was trying to teach us about all the art of the world in just about 36 hours total! This class left a bad taste in my mouth and I was certain that art was beyond my reach.
Age brings wisdom though (sometimes). I realized that I could learn a bit about art and that what was important was that there is different art for everyone. I mean, I don't care for Picasso (and that's okay), but there are plenty of other artists that I am learning to appreciate.
Since I like learning and sharing and I thought I would start a daily column where I take you through the history of art (and I can learn at the same time). Sounds like a win-win situation to me:)
Each day I will post about some art and give you a picture or two to look at and some links to follow. You can dig in as deeply as you want. Maybe you just want a piece of artwork to look at each day or maybe you want to do an art study too. Whichever is the case, I hope you will find the daily posts enjoyable and informative.
A few months ago, I purchased a History of Art book. This book follows the history of Western Art. So I thought I would start with it and see how that goes. It can be the springboard for my daily posts. As we go through the history of western art, I would love to hear from you!
Horse: Drawn 10,000-15,000 B.C.
The Cave of Lascaux is a wonderful place to begin our art history journey.
What is one of the first things a child does once they get to the moving around stage? They enjoy coloring. First scribbles and later circles and eventually various forms of symbolic art. Art is one of our most basic abilities. And as we go back in time, it is one ability that our ancestors had. Even before they had the ability to write, they decorated. They painted their faces, they decorated their clothing, they decorated their cavern homes with pictures of the animals that lived in their environment. They drew pictures of hunts. They left behind drawings of stories that they told around their nighly campfires.
By using charcoal, yellow ochre, and a red pigment made from hematite. they were able to not only draw images that others could understand, but brighten them up with color. In the Lascaux Cave in France, you will find representations of animals and people, but not of plants or landscapes. I wonder why? The Lascaux Cave Paintings were first discovered in 1940 by four teenagers. The cave was closed in 1963 due to damage to the paintings that was being created by the carbon dioxide that visitors were breathing out.
For more information, be sure to visit the Lascaux Cave website. There you can learn more about the cave, take a virtual tour of the rooms, and be amazed by the creativity of our ancestors (and the fact that it is still around for us to see today.) It is amazing to take the virtual tour and see that cow that is shown in the act of falling and the ibex that are confronting one another.
Lascaux animal cave painting: Drawn 10,000-15,000 B.C.
For more fun, make your own cave drawings at home. You can be authentic and try to make your paints our of natural substances in your neck of the woods and paint them on flat rock. Or you can get some construction paper and paint and you and your children can make your cave paintings on that. For even more fun, check out this free lesson plan! Have fun!
November 22, 2007
8-Foot Mekong Giant Catfish Caught in Cambodia
A Giant Mekong Catfish was caught by scientists in Cambodia last week. This particular specimen weighed 450 pounds and was 8 feet long. It is not the largest Giant Mekong Catfish ever caught. but it is significant because it is the only one scientists were able to catch this year. This makes them more concerned than ever about the fate of the Giant Mekong Catfish. Only a few hundred are thought to still be alive and the fact that the scientists were only able to find one does not bode well for the species.
The population of the Mekong Giant Catfish has declined 90-95% in the last century. The article in National Geographic says that 5-10 of the Giant Mekong Catfish are caught by accident each year. What I want to know is how do you catch a 400 plus pound fish by accident!
A Happy Thanksgiving
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We did at our house. I was up at 6 to get the turkey ready. We had purchased a 20 pound turkey to cook and the directions said it needed 5-6 hours to cook. I prepared it and got it in the oven at 7 because I wanted it done by 1:00 for our 2:00 dinner. I spent the morning doing some picking up, blogging, reading emails, working on some eBay auctions and watching the Macy's Day Parade with the kids.
We kept waiting to see if we would get rained out today because we really wanted to be able to eat outside (it's a bit cramped inside). At 11:00, my turkey thermometer popped and said my turkey was done! 2 hours early! What's up with that?
At 12, I peeled the potatoes for boiling and started getting out the pots and things I would need for the other dishes. We were expecting my two stepsons and their friends to show up around 1:00. They arrived at 12:30. Then my sister-in-law and her two sons got here shortly after 1. My brother-in-law wasn't feeling well, so he stayed home with his cold. We had a brief shower at 1:45, and then at 2:00 we were eating happily on our deck. What did we have...normal stuff mostly:
Turkey
Gravy
Stuffing
Mashed potatoes
Black Bean and Corn Ranch Salads
Baked Beans
Pasta Salad
Cranberry sauce
Macaroni and Cheese
Rolls
Biscuits
Pumpkin Pie
Lemon Pie
Pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing
Peach cobbler
While we were eating, my husband's uncle and wife came by (a surprise visit). We were glad to have them join us.
After we ate, my sister-in-law and I cleaned up and did the dishes. Then we sat around and talked (and we moved from group to group so we had plenty of time to talk to everyone a lot. About 4 or so, my husband broke out the Karoake disks. We sang for about 4 hours in a variety of combinations. It was fun! Then we visited some more. Our guest finally packed up and left about 9:30. It was a wonderful day and we were blessed to have our stepsons and their significant others join us as well as my husband's sister and uncle and their families.
I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving too!
Outdoor Enthusiasts Alert - Great Deals on Quality Clothing
If you are an outdoor enthusiast (yes, you know who you are), then you know how important quality clothing can be when you are out in the elements. You need clothes that will keep you warm, protect you from the elements and not tear easily. Perhaps your sport/hobby requries you to stand out and you need bright clothing or perhaps, you prefer to have a more camouflaged appearance so you blend in with nature. Either way, you will be able to find what you are looking for at Moosejaw.
One of the many brands of clothing that Moosejaw carries is volcom clothing. Volcom clothing first appeared in the early nineties. The clothing is highly rated for its breathability, weatherproofed fabric, and fun design. They carry dozens of other name brands. If you haven't visited Moosejaw, consider stopping there for your clothing needs.
CFBA Blog Tour: The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out (and a giveaway)
I just finished reading The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Decked Out by Neta Jackson. This is the 7th in the Yada Yada series and the last book. I haven't read the previous six, but I enjoyed this book and it stood fine on its own. There were enough references to past events to make me want to go back and read the other books that I had missed.
This book made me wish there was a prayer group like the Yada Yada's at our church. Of course, you know what that means, I should get out there and start one. Not only was it a blessing to get an example of how such a prayer group could be, but it was a blessing to read a book where a variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures came together in their pursuit of their relationship with God. The story is one of friends and family and holidays. It is a reminder of what is truly important during this time of year. And it is a story of challenges introduced, met and overcome by the grace and power of God.
And if that isn't enough for you to want to rush out and purchase this book, there are 30 pages of recipes and celebration ideas at the back of the book. The celebration ideas span cultures and cover Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. I particularly like the idea of Watch Night.
About the author:
Neta Jackson Neta Jackson's award-winning Yada books have sold more than 350,000 copies and are spawning prayer groups across the country. She and her husband, Dave, are also an award-winning husband/wife writing team, best known for the Trailblazer Books--a 40-volume series of historical fiction about great Christian heroes with 1.8 million in sales--and Hero Tales: A Family Treasury of True Stories from the Lives of Christian Heroes (vols 1-4).
Dave and Neta live in Evanston, Illinois, where for twenty-seven years they were part of Reba Place Church, a Christian church community. They are now members of the Chicago Tabernacle, a multi-racial congregation that is a daughter church of the well-known Brooklyn Tabernacle.
I would like to pass on my copy of this book to one random lucky winner (who lives in the U.S.). All you have to do is comment below and tell me something you are thankful for during this holiday season. This contest will end on November 28th at 6 p.m.
If you can't wait to get the book, go ahead and purchase it today!
Sorting Out Dieting Possibilities
Here it is the morning of Thanksgiving. My pies are made. My turkey is in the oven and I am having the inevitable thoughts of how I am going to lose the weight I am going to gain in the weeks ahead (never mind the fact that it would be easier not to gain the weight to begin with...that's a whole different post!)
I wish there was some type of Miracle burn. You know a pill I could take and instantly the fat would dissolve overnight and I would be the skinny person that is inside of me dying to get out. But, since that hasn't been invented yet, there is always the struggle over which diet to choose.
I honestly believe Weight Watchers or any sensible eating plan is the way to go. Diet pills can help with the process. But in the end it boils down to sensible eating. The problem is that with all the enticing foods out there, most of us don't want to eat sensibly. We want to be able to eat as much of those tasty dishes as we can and still be skinny too!
So, as you are looking ahead at a month full of parties and goodies, consider this...first, try to contain yourself (this is advice to myself but if it helps you, that's even better). If you don't gain it, then you don't have to lose it in January. But if that fails there are two sure fire things you can do to help you lose weight....eat less and exercise more!
Happy Thanksgiving!
November 21, 2007
Book Contest Winners!
The lucky winner of Splitting Harriet is......#7 commenter, Qtpies from Mom'sBlogging!
The lucky winner of my second copy of When the Morning Comes is....Tyna Begley at Begley Blessings
Congrats ladies!!!!!
Seven Things About Thanksgiving and Me
My friend Jamin shared seven things about her and Thanksgiving on her blog today. I am feeling chatty so I thought I would share seven things about me and Thanksgiving. Afterall...it's not like you have anything better to do than to read my mental wanderings (hee hee)!
1. I love breaking the wishbone! When I was a kid, my dad and I always did it. Now I give the honor to my kids, but sometimes I make a second turkey so that Daniel and I can give it a pull.
2. I enjoy watching the parades on television Thanksgiving morning! I am really looking forward to seeing it this year to watching them on HD TV.
3. I have never made gravy. I always buy it in a jar.
4. Part of our yearly ritual is to watch Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.
5. We have celebrated Thanksgiving with my husband's family for most of the 17 years that we have been together.
6. I love Thanksgiving leftovers!
7. This year I am going to try a new mashed potato recipe.
So there you go...now you know more about me! Aren't you thrilled!
Thousands of Dollars of Books Giveaway!
I love books! Do you love books!??? Well, here is an opportunity for you (or me) to walk away wih a library of books!
Encyclopedia Kevinannica is offering to give away a lot of books, videos and music! He is showing some of the books already. They are looking like some great books. He is accepting entries until December 24th! Go check it out and throw your name in the ring! What do you have to lose?
Fun Christmas Giveaway!
An American in Canada is having a fun giveaway! Go check out the Christmas goodies you can win and tell her what your favorite Christmas treat is!
7 Weird Things Challenge
My good friend, Lizzie, at Writing To Inspire, wants to know 7 weird things about me. Why, I don't know...but I figure if she wants to know weird things about me, other people might too... So here goes!
1. I like to mix mustard and corn with my mashed potatoes. Please don't ask me why or where I got the idea, but I have been doing it since I was a kid.
2. I love to watch thunderstorms.
3. I love to watch movies and read books that make me want to sleep with the lights on.
4. I love to drive fast with the windows down and the radio blasting!
5. I alphabetize my movies so I can find them easily.
6. I like being the first one in the tub after I have scrubbed it clean.
7. I enjoy watching tear jerker movies. Nothing like a good cry!
BTW, if you are interested in writing, I strongly suggest you visit my friend, Lizzie's blog. She has great writing tips and resources.
I am supposed to tag 7 friends, but I am feeling lazy and pies need to be baked, so if you want to share weird stuff about yourself, please feel free to do so and let me know so I can come and read them!
Are You At Risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
As we enter the holiday season and we are stuffing our mouths and our bellies with tempting foods that we don't eat any other time of year, it is natural for our thoughts to turn to our hearts. We know the extra weight we carry and the extra fat and cholesterol we eat is not good for our hearts. But we also tend to have a 'it won't happen to me' attitude. Did you know that many people suffering from a heart attack don't say anything because they are embarrassed or they think they are making mountains out of mole hills and they don't want to be a bother. People are afraid to go to the E.R. and find out that they are suffering from a bad case of indigestion instead of a heart attack. They don't want to spend the money and they don't want to be embarrassed or thought an overly dramatic fool.
This happened to me a few years ago. My arm got numb and tingly (all at the same time), I didn't feel right, and then I started having a hard time breathing. My husband was in D.C. working. I was home with Bruce, Jack and Katrina. After awhile of dealing with this I decided it best to call 911. They came. They did tests and said they weren't sure what was going on. It was up to me whether or not I wanted to go to the hospital. I made arrangements for the care of the kids and I went. My stepfather was there with me (at the time he was also my pastor). I went through tests, spent the night in ICU and in the end, they felt like it was a gallbladder attack. I passed my stress test with flying colors. I ended up spending several thousand dollars (between the ICU, the tests and the gallbladder surgery that followed). But I was glad I went. The only embarrassment I felt was when I was in the ambulance and had a panic attack...sure that I was dying and would never see my kids again. A parent's second worse nightmare.
Your heart is nothing to play around with and there is no money in the world that can bring you back if you ignore the signs and die quietly at home.
There are many types of heart failure and one is called Sudden Cardiac Arrest. With this condition the first, and usually only symptom, is a sudden loss of consciousness, due to inadequate blood supply to the brain.
Know the risk factors:
- Stress
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Cigarette smoking
- Excess weight
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- High fat diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
Contrary to the above, some risk factors cannot be changed. However, the knowledge that they often lead to heart disease may prompt an individual to make healthier lifestyle choices. Some of these factors include:
- Diabetes
- Advancing age
- Congenital heart disorders
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Previous heart attack or diagnosis of coronary artery disease, heart disease or Congestive Heart Failure
- Family history of arrhythmia, heart disease or Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Low ejection fraction (EF), which is the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart with each beat as measured by an echocardiogram in your MD’s office
- Certain medications, which include prescriptions as well as over-the-counter drugs, like decongestants, diet supplements and herbal remedies
Take the risk assessment and find out how you rank. Make changes so you can live a longer and healthier life!
Why I Publish Ads on My Blog...
My friend Laura tagged me a few days ago with a meme regarding why do I publish ads on my blog.
I have been writing since I was a child. I love to write and I have been looking for ways to turn that into a career since I was a kid. But even when I don't make money, I write. I can't help myself. I have done business and church and family newsletters. I email. I write stories and poetry. I write nonfiction articles and books. I love to write! So I was thrilled to find a way that I could use my writing talents to make some money and let others know of great products and services out there on the internet. The internet is a big place and if I can help my readers sort through the noise and make some money at the same time, I am happy.
I am also happy to be able to bring in some money to our family. I don't want my husband to feel the strain of being the sole provider. Plus I like having spending money of my own. It's more fun to buy Daniel a present with money I have earned than with money he gives me. There is freedom that comes with having a little money in my pocket to spend on things for myself, my children, the house, my friends.
So those are my reasons for publishing ads on my blog....
I am supposed to tag two other bloggers, but I am going to leave this open. I read a lot of blogs so I would rather leave it to you to decide if you would like to do this.
“BEHIND THE DECISION” originator: Thesserie
Instruction:
Please share the reason/s why you decided to do ads/paid posts. State how your earning is helping you in any way.
Pass it to 2 bloggers/publishers only.
After my name, list ALL your monetized blogs. If you have more than one blog, add the next blogs by using numbers only (such as 1, 2, 3, see my example) instead of long links.
Use the button but please no direct linking.
I would really appreciate it if you could drop me a line should you decide to entertain this tag. I would like to pay you a visit and add you on my list.
Thesserie, 2 & 3, HiPnCooLMoMMa & HiPnCooLMoMMa1, Chinneeq & Demoments & MyGoodfFinds1, MyGoodFinds2, Laura Williams' Musings, Melissa's Idea Garden & add yours here.
Find the Best VOIP, DSL, Satellite, Cable or Dial-Up Package For You
The world of technology is a fast place. YouTube and other great videos on the web often require a faster internet connection or else they stop and start throughout the video. Some videos won't even play if you don't have a broadband connection. Then there are the downloads. Microsoft updates via download...Norton Security updates via download. A lot of software can be purchased and downloaded directly from the website, but these programs are huge! If you don't have broadband, you can forget it...and yes, this is the voice of experience speaking! We live in the boonies. Really! We are 20 minutes from the nearest grocery store. And our choices here are Satellite and dial-up. Let me tell you, this isn't much of a choice! Dial-up is slower than snails when compared to today's modern technology, but it is reliable and available, even when it is raining or the wind is blowing or the trees are growing.
Satellite is faster than dial-up, even if not as reliable due to mother nature. But my biggest gripe with them is that they have a limit as to how much downloading you can do in a day. It is something like 300 mb. Now most days we are fine with that even though there are three of us on the computer. But say you want to watch a video or your computer has done an automatic update...then you go over your daily limit and what does satellite do? They 'throttle you back'. Which means that you have to switch to dial-up because for the next 24 hours it will be faster than satellite! And that's no lie! So, because we need both services, we are paying close to $80 a month so we can stay connected with the world out there!
I keep hoping DSL will make it to our neck of the woods. My mom recently got connected, but she is only about 10 minutes outside of a small town. One of my best friends who lives in a small town in the middle of nowhere has DSL because she lives in a small town, not out in the boonies. I keep visiting the DSL site (linked above) to find out if we qualify yet...I can practically here the laughter coming from the websites as they say 'sorry, we are not out in the middle of nowhere yet...better luck soon! We'll keep you posted!' GRRR!
But hey, not everyone is limited as we are and you may want to find out if you are getting the best deal for your area and needs. Feel free to click on any of the above links to do some comparison shopping. And if you are fortunate enough to already have a fantastic broadband service and you want to save even more money by switching to VOIP, then check out this list of best VOIP telephone services such as Vonage, Packet8 and Skype.
Meanwhile...I am speed handicapped here in the wilderness of Virginia!
November 20, 2007
A Busy and Productive Day
Well, it started a bit later than I wanted. Probably because I was up until almost 1 a.m. First I spent time instant messaging with my stepson, Bruce. We were making Thanksgiving plans and chatting about odds and ends. He and his roommate Ryan, Charles (my other stepson) and his roommate, Joann, are coming to eat with us on Thanksgiving, along with my sister-in-law and her family. When we were done chatting, I read for about 20 minutes before turning in.
I got up this morning around 7:45. I did laundry, made up a grocery list, shipped packages, read RSS feeds, got the kids through their school work, answered emails, and blogged a bit. We left around 2 to head to town. We went by the dumpster, the library, the recycling center, the drugstore, the bread store, then to group piano lessons. While at piano lessons, Katrina skated and I read about 70 pages of a book. Then we hit Food Lion for our grocery needs (did I tell you that last week I bought 190 worth of groceries for 120? This week, i only saved 20.00 on groceries, but that's still good!
Came home, unloaded the groceries. Had a bite to eat. Then did a bunch of blogging and did the dishes and worked on my friend's ebay stuff that I am selling for her. It's 11:30 and bed is beckoning. Must go.
Night!
Enjoy A Holiday Hypermarket Holiday!
Who says that travelling has to be expensive? Do you want to see more of the world, but don't want to spend your life savings to do it? Or maybe you got a great Christmas bonus this year and you are itching to spend it on something memorable. You want to choose quickly because you know if you don't, you will end up spending that bonus on things like car repair bills. But as much as you would like to travel, your time off is fast approaching and you are afraid you can't get any last minute deals that won't cost an arm and a leg.
No worries! There are cheap flights to be had and they are available even if you are making last minute decisions! Spin the globe and see where your finger lands! Be adventurous! See new places! Immerse yourself in new cultures! Try new foods! Millions of bargain holidays to destinations worldwide are available at the click of a button! Book a last minute holiday bargain! Pack your bags, set the timer on the lights, get someone to feed the pets and head off onto a great adventure this holiday season! You won't regret it! Memories to last a lifetime are just a mouse click away!
Learning Resources: A Great Resource For Quality Educational Toys
I recently had the opportunity to receive and review three educational toys from Learning Resources. I was pleased to get this opportunity as we have purchased items from the before and we have always been pleased with the quality of the toys, the pricing and the fact that the toys engage our children's imagination. With Christmas coming up, and people scrambling for gift ideas, I want to share information about each of these toys it may help you with your Christmas shopping.
If your child has never played with Gears! Gears! Gears!, they are in for a treat! My kids have a small set of Gears! Gears! Gears! and they have used it to make puppies that walk, cool looking aliens and other concoctions. That's why I was excited to get the chance to add to their Gears! Gears! Gears! set with the 121 piece Lights and Action set from Learning Resources! This set comes with a motor and has parts that spin, sparkle and glow in the dark! I can't wait to see what cool creations they make with it!
Gears! Gears! Gears! Motorized Lights and Action Building set contains 121 pieces with easy-to-assemble interlocking gears, bases, connectors, and lights that offer high action fun in daylight or you can watch them glow in the dark! The easy-to-use motor lets children control all the action!
This particular building set encourages children to figure out how gears work together. Because if you don't line them up correctly, they don't turn and your creation doesn't go. This is a basic engineering principal that they are learning while they play! Get your child something new and different this holiday season! My kids guarantee they will love it!
Do you have an animal lover in your home? An aspiring veterinarian? Are you looking for the perfect gift for them that will encourage them to use their imagination and to follow their dreams? Then you will want to check out The Pretend and Play Animal Hospital. This wonderful toy is designed for children ages 3 and up. My daughter, 7, loves it! She spends hours taking care of pets and she doesn't limit herself to the patient that came with the kit. All of her animals can receive treatment here.
Let me tell you what this kit includes:
Tri-fold Animal Hospital (think science fair set up, but not as large)
Dog (not a live one, silly)
E-collar (we had to get one of those for our last dog)
Cast (for that broken foot)
Two bandages
Patient Chart (write on, wipe off, use again and again!)
Thermometer
Stethoscope
Syringe
Ear Scope
Medicine Botles
X-Ray Cards
Treats
Appointment Card (write on-wipe off)
Open/Closed sign
Animal Hospital Sign
Crayons
Eraser
This toy is great fun and it is a great deal! Learning Resources can be counted on for providing quality toys that stir the imagination and hold up to a child's play.
Lastly, we spend a lot of time learning Geography in our home. I have heard from so many people over the years how ignorant people are of geography, not just around the world, but here at home. I have met people in California who weren't sure where Virginia was...come on! I didn't care for Geography when I was in school, so I have made a point of getting my children to understand the way the world lays and to have an appreciation for geographical information.
Learning Resources has just the item to aid me in my quest and to make it fun, fun, fun! Pretend and Play World Traveler is a game designed for children ages 3 and up. Katrina loves it! This kit comes with 91 different pieces!
Suitcase (to carry your travel supplies in, of course)
Travel Games
World Landmarks Guide
Passport
US/World Map
Static Cling sheets (so you can reuse and each child can enjoy figuring out which flag goes with which country)
Binoculars
Play Camera
Photo Journal
Airplane Tickets
Train Tickets
Bus Tickets
Wallet
Credit Card
Postcards
Crayon Pen
American Money
Euor Money
Canadian Money
What child wouldn't enjoy learning about geography with all of these great tools at their disposal! Play travel bingo, learn countries and landmarks, send postcards and see the sights! Learning Resources has put together a quality learning tool that is fun and reasonably priced! You can't beat that with a stick!
Choosing Corporate Christmas Cards
As business owners, my husband and I have a history of sending cards and or gifts to clients and vendors that we have done business with over the past year. When we have a particularly good year, we like to send gift baskets from Harry and David. When years are on the slow side, we like to send elegant Christmas Cards corporate greetings. My husband is a software project consultant, he wants his cards to reflect his personality and the message that our business is trying to spread. We want our Christmas cards to be professional and memorable. The Gallery Collection can help us attain our goals in this matter.
They provide cards printed on quality paper with beautiful scenes. We can choose our message and signature and then we can stick our card into a foil lined envelope. These may seem like little things, but they resonate with other business people and they will remember not only that we took the time to remember them during the holiday season, but they will also remember we didn't send them dollar store cards.
The Gallery Collection doesn't just stop with supplying the perfect corporate Christmas Cards at reasonable prices. They also give back to the community. They are affiliated with Soldiers' Angels and they help this marvelous program by providing Soldier's Angels with holiday greeting cards to send to the brave men and women of our military. Soldiers' Angels was started by a mom who had a son serving in Iraq. He told her that there were soldiers there that did not receive any mail or support from home. She decided to do something about that. Soldiers' Angels currently supports tens of thousands of American Service Members stationed wherever we raise our nation's flag, and that number continues to grow daily. Soldiers' Angels are dedicated in supporting our military during and after their deployment.
When I am looking for a company to do business with, I am attracted to one that is actively supporting a cause I believe in as well as provides a superior product at a reasonable price. The Gallery Collection definitely fits the bill.
Share What Gets You in the Christmas Spirit and Win a Christmas CD
Amanda over at OhAmanda.com is getting in the Christmas spirit as she prepares for a big Thanksgiving with family and she wants to spread Christmas cheer. She is offering an opportunity to win one of two Christmas CDs and all she wants in exchange is for you to share what gets you in the Christmas mood.
I actually have these CDs already, but I like the idea of sharing what gets me in the Christmas spirit. Music is a big factor. The radio station that I regularly listen to while in the car has already gone to their all Christmas music program and will play Christmas music until Christmas Day. Other things that get me in the mood for Christmas are:
Black Friday (I love the hustle and bustle and the deals. I love standing in line in 30 degree weather with other people - some in their bedroom slippers - and I love being done by 9 and having a nice breakfast while some are just getting started).
Decorations. Already I have neighbors putting up their decorations and we will probably put ours up in the next week. I love the sparkle and the lights.
Church. It is always a special time of year in church. The Christmas hymns, the Chrismon tree, the Advent candle.
Baking. Baking cookies reminds me of special times growing up when my mom and I made cookies together.
Well, now I have done it....I am totally in the Christmas mood now:)
November 19, 2007
Possums and Skunks - Fun Stories
Today my hubby sent me a short story and cute picture. The story goes like this...
So there I was . . . just relaxing in front of the T.V.,
when the kids yelled, "Hey Mom,
come see the kittens."
when the kids yelled, "Hey Mom,
come see the kittens."
I had a similar moment about 15 years ago...egads...how can I say something happened to me 15 years ago and realize at the time I was a 20 something adult???? Oh well, back to my story.
I woke up around 5:30...bleary-eyed and ready to take a shower. I opened the cabinet door under the bathroom sink and reached for my shampoo before recoiling in wide-awake horror! Even with my bleary-eyed condition, I could see that my cotton ball bag was MOVING!!!! That's right, I said MOVING! What in the world?
Was that a tail? A snout? Multiple tails? HONEY!!!!
'Huh...what...what is it???'
It turned out that there was not one, not two, not three....but four baby possums inside of the cottonball bag! We lived in an old trailer at the time and the best we could figure out was that they had crawled up between the tub and the sink (the wall had been cut there at one time, probably due to plumbing repairs). They found that nice soft bag of cotton and made themselves at home. Unfortunately, we found their mother beside the road. So for a few days, we put cat food in there and tried to make them as comfortable as we could until they decided to leave and go on with their lives.
Baby possums are kind of cute...in an ugly sort of way....
Visit Complete Loan Source for Your Online Financial Needs
There are things in our lives that don't last forever, but that we need. One of these things is an automobile. We tend to buy used cars and have been fortunate enough to always have cash on hand to purchase them with. But this is not always the case for everyone. Sometimes whether you are purchasing a new or used vehicle, you need to get an Auto Loan. I recently read an article that suggested applying for your auto loan before going to get your car. If you do that, you are in better bargaining power with the automotive guy as you have a check in hand and you will probably get better interest rates than if you go through the automotive financial office.
Other things can pop up in life that lead to a need for you to apply for credit. Medical emergencies, home repair needs, burial expenses, other emergencies of life. When these needs arise, you may or may not have a good credit history, but that doesn't make the need for money any less real. So what do you do? There are financial resources that help people get Bad Credit Loans. If you find yourself in the need of funds, and you have a steady job, Complete Loan Source may be able to help you.
A huge benefit of working with an online loan company is that you can fill out forms and so forth when you are at home or on your break. You don't have to take time off from work or spend hours in a bank office trying to jump through the necessary hoops. And it is not quite as nervewracking when you are filling out forms on a computer screen.
Wild Turkey Populations Thriving
Wild turkeys were on the tables of the first pilgrims. In the 1930s, they were on the verge of being wiped out with only a few thousand of them left. Now seven million roam the country and are making their homes in forests and in cities like Manhattan. Biologists have been shocked because they believed that turkeys needed forests to live in safely and to thrive. It appears as long as some cover is available and some trees to roost in, they do just fine.
When I was a kid, it was a treat when dad killed a turkey, he usually managed to get one or two a year. He doesn't hunt turkey now like he used to, prefering to bag a deer instead. Wild turkey is a tasty bird and has a much better flavor than its store bought relatives.
We have a lot of wild turkeys in the woods where we live. I remember one morning when I was walking Maggie, we scared a flock of them off of their roost. I don't know who jumped higher, them or me!
Here are some cool Wild Turkey Fast Facts
• The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was first domesticated by Native Americans. Spanish explorers took the birds to Europe in the 16th century, and the birds' tame descendents were brought back to the Americas with later settlers.
• Male turkeys, called toms or gobblers, weigh 16 to 24 pounds (7 to 11 kilograms). Hens are about half that size.
• Turkeys can run some 10 to 20 miles (16 to 32 kilometers) an hour and fly in bursts at 55 miles (89 kilometers) an hour.
• Turkeys roost in trees at night.
• Turkeys forage for many different foods, so a single suitable area can support a large flock without becoming depleted.
• Male turkeys (and a few females) grow beards that are about 9 inches (23 centimeters) long. Their tails, which they fan to attract females, are more than a foot (30 centimeters) long.
2 Cranberry Salad Recipes
One thing so enjoyable about winter is the products that you have this time of year that you don't have other times of year. Anymore, they are available year around, but not many people are making cranberry salads or pumpkin pies in the summer time. Since Thanksgiving is coming up, I wanted to share some of my favorite Thanksgiving recipes. Here are two Cranberry Salad Recipes. They are both very tasty and I hope you will enjoy them!
Cranberry Salad
Sheila Elaine Lemley Orndorff Galford, my mom
Ingredients:
2 pkg cherry jello
1 orange
1 lb whole cranberries
2 cups boiling water
1 cup chopped nuts
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
Directions:
Wash and sort cranberries, run through food processor or blender until well ground. Chop nuts and grind orange. Make jello with 2 cups hot water, then add all ingredients to jell0. Mix and put in mold to gel. Then serve.
Cranberry Salad 2
Melissa Dawn Orndorff Davis Markham, not sure where I got this
Ingredients:
1 can cranberries
1 can (15 ¼ oz) pineapple, crushed
½ cup pecans
8 oz cream cheese
2 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp sugar
1 envelope dream whip
Directions:
Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, sugar. Set aside – mix – up dream whip. Add pineapple, cranberries, and pecans to dream whip and stir and then add in cream cheese, mayonnaise and sugar. Freeze
For other great Thanksgiving Recipes check these:
5.11 Tactical Outdoors - Shop Here for Your Law Enforcement Needs
Whether you are in the military, federal law enforcement, or a local law enforcement agency, there are supplies that you need that are not always easy to find. Tactical eyewear, knives, clothing, and gloves for superior protection. A galco holster for securely carrying your weapon (whether it is a shoulder holster, ankle holster, belt holster or a purse is another important part of your attire. Footwear, gearbags, and other accesories that are on your shopping list all can be found at 5.11 Tactical Outdoors.
They also have some great freebies they are currently offering. Buy a pair of 5.11 boots and get three pair of socks free (for every pair purchased!). Order over $50 worth of merchandise and qualify for free ground shipping. Order over $100 worth of merchandise and receive a free tactical opps flashlight.
Grandma's Pumpkin Pie
I grew up eating my grandmother's pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving and I make my Grandma's Pumpkin Pie every Thanksgiving now, but not everyone wants to try it. I was astounded the first time I went to my husband's grandmother's house for Thanksgiving dinner...her pumpkin pie was ...well, let's say a pale orange. I didn't even recognize it...I thought maybe it was sweet potato pie or something else I had heard of but never seen. Instead it was pumpkin pie...unspiced pumpkin pie. There are plenty of people who like their pumpkin pie that way, but I am not one of them. In fact a few years ago, I took one of my pumpkin pies (a dark, rich orange), and no one at Nanny's would even try it. HMPH! So if you like your pumpkin pie to have a little kick, here's my Grandma's recipe. I guarantee it is yummy!
Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie
Sylvia Powell Lemley, my grandma
Ingredient:
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup white sugar
2 cups cooked (cooled) pumpkin
2 tsp corn starch
3 eggs
3 tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp clove
½ tsp allspice
½ tsp salt
Shake of pepper
1 tsp vanilla
1 large can evaporated
Makes 2 small or 1 large pie
Directions:
1. Beat corn starch into cashew or pumpkin, add eggs and beat. Add sugar, spices and milk. Beat well with a wire whip.
2. Bake 15 minutes at 450 degrees, then 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes.
November 18, 2007
Outdoor Kitchens - Choose Wisely
We added a beautiful deck to our home early last spring. It was a real blessing for us because our home isn't very large and there are times when we seem to be tripping over one another (and legos). The deck has become a place of refuge. We have completed school work on it, read books on it, skated on it, performed plays on it, had picnics on it, had a yard sale on it, created art on it, and had pirate battles on it.
As we look ahead at other things we might want to do with our outdoor space, we have considered a hearth so we could enjoy an outdoor fire in the year around. We have also considered a really nice grill. Something that I have run across this year in my visits to stores and online websites is that outdoor kitchens are becoming more and more popular. Think about it, everything there under your fingertips. A cooking surface, a sink, cabinents to store dishes and spices in. No more need for scurrying back and forth between the grill and the house. And you can have different dishes and glasses for outdoors...you know, ones that aren't breakable.
The other big advantage of an outdoor kitchen is this moves everyone outside (and keeps the house coole in the summer). So instead of your guests enjoying the ambiance of your deck, while you slave inside setting the table, preparing other dishes, you can all be outside together chatting and you will probably even find that your guests are more likely to help with the preparations. After all, it is a lot easier to not feel compelled to help when the work is going on in another room or inside. If the table is being set under your nose, you are a lot more likely to offer assistance.
An outdoor kitchen can be as intricate or simple as you wish. But however, you go, it is important to invest wisely. A lot of materials that outdoor kitchens are made out of break down when exposed to the elements. It is too big of an investment for you to be replacing regularly and who wants their beautiful outdoor space to be filled with disintegrating cabinets!?
Werever Outdoor Products are meant to last a lifetime and so these products are guaranteed for life. Outdoor kitchen components can be shipped throughout the US and they are easy to install. One not need be a carpenter to set up you outdoor cooking area. These outdoor kitchen cabinents are made of solid marine-grade polymer and are designed to never crack, warp or rot!
After reviewing this site and looking at the variety of lovely set-ups they offer, I am thinking these outdoor cabinets would be good inside too. Even our indoor cabinets get exposed to water and sun which shortens their life span. No matter whether you need something simple or extravagant, Werever has an outdoor kitchen product for you.
A Timely Reminder From God's Word: Luke 10:38-42
I know there are those that think the Bible is outdated and has nothing to offer to us today. The ones who believe that have never sat down and read the wisdom that is shared in God's Word. A story about an event that occured 2000 years ago has meaning for us today, particularly over the next few weeks. I was reminded of it this morning in church as we had our opening exercises for Sunday School.
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
"Martha, Martha,"the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." John 10:38-41(NIV)
Before we left for church this morning, I told the children that we would have to spend this afternoon cleaning up and keeping the house straight for our company coming for Thanksgiving and later in December. I have already been 'dreading' all the preparations for our company and trying to figure out how to squeeze in homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, piano and my job. Our home is small and I am wondering where we are going to fit in 8 extra guests. (I am hoping the weather will be nice enough that we can eat on our deck). My stress level is running high. I want our family to come and I don't want the responsibility and work involved....
I know that I am not alone in these feelings. And then there is the worry that some dish won't turn out right. The turkey will be too done or not done enough. People won't get along. And the thoughts of all the clean up afterward. Being reminded today of the story of Martha and Mary reminds me of two things.
1. It reminds me not to take myself so seriously. My family is not coming because they expect perfection. They are coming to enjoy food and fellowship. And if any of them thinks my house is a little messy or my meal isn't picture perfect they can always offer to help! But seriously, I need to focus more on the reason why we are together and enjoy the time we have.
2. Which of course leads to the second thing the story reminded me of. And that is no matter how busy the season is, it is really a time that we can honor God. Through our thankfulness, our praises, our love for one another, and our reaching out to others. There is a lot of commercialism built around the holidays, but underlying that is the increased desire to give to others. We join canned food drives, contribute to shoeboxes filled with gifts for children (good Samaritan project), we adopt angels from angel trees. It is a time of year that we give and we love.
So clean a bit, if you must, but don't put aside your daily devotions, don't run yourself ragged, don't have yourself hating the day and everything about it because you are feeling like you are falling apart at the seams. Take a deep breath, ask God to help you slow down and really appreciate the time you have and the opportunities that will be presented to you this holiday season. Ask God to quiet your heart and mind and fill you with peace and joy so that you can ignore the dust bunnies, not fret over the burned cookies, and bask in the love and togetherness of the season.
November 17, 2007
Is There a Treadmill in Your Future?
So, are you already counting up the pounds that you are going to put on in the next 30 days or so? I am ... cookies, candy, parties, Thanksgiving...all add up to added weight. Of course after the intake of the yummy food comes the weight gain comes the guilt...and the desire to get it off before swim suit season rolls around again. It would be good if we could just avoid that whole scenario and not gain the weight, but realism is probably a better choice in this matter. So, what do you do for exercise? What plan do you have in mind for losing those excess pounds?
Have you considered purchasing a treadmill? That is one of the two pieces of exercise equipment I would like to own. The other is an exercise bike. We have a stairmaster and when I was about 10 years younger, i got a kick out of it. But my knees are no longer up to the task of using it. We also have an elliptical, it is nice, but again, it is hard on my knees.
I would like to give a treadmill a try. I love walking, but I live in a hilly subdivision that has a gravel road. Not the best walking conditions for someone with a bad knee. And then you add in that I don't like to walk when it's hot and humid and I don't want to walk when it's real cold and I don't want to walk in the rain. A treadmill helps with all of those situations. I can exercise inside. I can choose an easy incline or no incline as my knee dictates. Daniel and the kids can set it to a higher level for their exercise and fitness needs.
Now I just have to figure out where to put it! What type of exercise do you like to do?
Zoo and Aquarium Visitor Website and a Contest
Today, I received an email about the Zoo and Aquarium Visitor Website. I had not heard of this particular site before so i hesitantly clicked the link...never know where one might end up when link clicking, but it took me to a neat site that I thought other animal, zoo and aquarium lovers might enjoy (plus they are currently running a contest for some beautiful pieces of jewelry.
There is tons of information on here and they are looking for bloggers to come on board as well. So, if you love animals as much as we do, you might want to take a few minutes and check it out!
Lavandou - Love your Skin
Did you realize that tanned skin only became popular in this century. Prior to that, fair skin was popular. Probably because fair skin denoted weatlh. Those with tanned skin probably had to work outdoors for a living, whereas a person with fair skin may have had servants and didn't have to be out in the sun and other elements. So even those that had to work outdoors, wore bonnets and gloves and long sleeves in an attempt to protect their skin.
With the advent of factories, people were moved indoors for difficult labor. Their skin became pale as they left the sunlight behind that came with outdoor and farming type work. Now, to differentiate themselves, the well to do, started enjoying outdoor activities. To show others that they did now spend their time inside working, a tan was essential. So now we strive for that healthy glow. But do you know what that healthy glow costs us? It wrinkles our skin. It discolors it. It toughens it. It dries it out. My grandmother loved to sunbathe and she smoked. In her 50s, she resembled a prune. My husband has a cousin who is also a sun worshipper and a smoker. She has skin that would rival leather.
As with all things, the commercial industry has come up with products to help us undo or lessen the damage done to our skin. Lavandou has a wide selection of skinceuticals so that you can revitalize your skin and slow down the signs of aging that are induced by your outdoor activities and pollution in our environment. We are living longer nowadays and it is only natural for us to want to look our best. Lavandou doesn't just offer products for your skin, but they offer information as well to help you repair the damage that the sun and pollution has done.
It is Interesting What A Difference One Word Can Make
I know that since my stepchildren were small, all I heard from the 'authorities' was to praise them for what they did. To say what nice colors they used in a picture (that looked like nothing) or to talk about their great grades. What I either missed or wasn't told is that you need to be careful with the words you choose.
A recent study showed that children's performances and the next task they were willing to tackle could be balanced on whether they were praised for being smart or whether they were praised for their effort.
In the one study, they gave children a puzle to do. For 1/2 of them, the test giver told them they were smart when they completed the puzzle. For the other half, the testers told them they put forth a lot of effort and worked hard. Then they offered all of these children the choice of another puzzle to do. The majority of ones who had been told they were smart, chose the 'easy test', the one that was like what they had already taken. The ones that were told they had put forth effort to complete their task, chose the harder puzzle (90% of the time).
Now, first of all, I find it interesting that the results give an exact number of how many kids chose the harder test, but would only say the majority of the other kids chose the easy test. Maybe the majority was 51%. I always question studies. What was their original hypothesis. How did they word the questions and do the statistics really support what they say or have they twisted them to do that. As a sociology major in college, I learned that statistics can say whatever a person wants them to say.
The next step of the test was to give each student the same test, one that they would fail (it was two years ahead of their grade level). For those who had been praised on effort, they didn't get nearly as bent out of shape as those who were praised for being smart. The ones who had been told they were smart, now seemed to feel they had failed. Whereas the other kids seem to feel like they just needed to put forth more effort.
The bottom line is that words do matter. Instead of praising your child with the empty word of how smart they are (and really, what does the mean?), praise their effort, their work ethic, their perseverance. Give them the tools to feel like they can lick anything with enough work. Don't give them empty words that sets them up for failure and feelings of mediocrity and for an unwillingness to take risks.
I highly recommend you read the complete article. There is lots of interesting information. As a parent, I want to help my kids to succeed in this competitve world.
Safe Utility Knives - Improve Your Workplace Safety Record
Utility knives come in handy for a lot of things. I use them to cut open boxes that arrive in the mail, to scrape old county stickers off of my car, and sometimes in crafts. They are sharper than scissors and the easier to use. My first job was in a grocery store and that was the first time I ever saw box cutters being used. The stock guys would have the tops off of those boxes in a New York minute (and we were always tickled when they got careless and cut open a bag of M & M's...treats for us!)
But utility knives have a downside, they are not all created equal and some of them are downright dangerous! I had one that I had to throw away. I picked it up cheap because I needed it and when the blade fell out on its own when I went to cut something, I decided it was really what I needed. Martor USA provides a large line of safe box cutters that are designed to protect the user and increase safety in the workplace. Their knives are tested specifically for safety. Request a free catalog and check out their complete line of products.
Nigersaurus Grazed Much Like a Cow
Scientists have long believed that long-necked dinosaurs grazed from the leaves in the trees, but further studies of a dinosaur species discoverd in Niger in the 1950s, now leads scientists to believe some of these long-necked creatures actually grazed from the ground much like a cow would. The Nigersaurus had around 500 teeth with 10 rows of back up teeth crammed in. It is believed that they replaced teeth faster than any other known dinosaur. The angle of the jaw, the orientation of the ears and the fragility of the backbone and skull all point to the Nigersaurus as being a grazer.
This artist rendering makes the dino look a bit like it has a hippo head, don't you think?
This computer generated image doesn't make him look like a hippo, but I can't see where those teeth are. This vision does have a very cow like quality to it. Check out that tongue! Have you ever been licked by a cow? I have. Yikes!
Hat tip: National Geographic
Get a Free Checking Account from WAMU
Do you remember the days when all checking accounts were free? When buying checks didn't cost an arm and a leg? How about when you knew the people at your bank and they knew you and if things were tough, you could count on a little bit of help from the bank? Banks like that seem to have gone the way of the dodo.
If you are paying fees for every little thing involved with your checking account, it may be time for a change. How would you like to get free atm withdrawals? Free checks? One overdraft fee refunded per year? Free out-going wire transfers? Free identity theft service and no minimum balance requirements? If all of that has your ears perked up and your heart beating with excitement, I encourage you to see WaMu(Washington Mutual) has a location near you.
They are a full service financial institution that can assist you with CDs, business accounts, credit cards, loans and more.
A Girl's Night Out At Church....A Recipe for Fun!
About a month ago the fathers and sons at our church went on an overnight camping trip. Unfortunately Jack missed out on that as he had a prior commitment. But they had so much fun, that our pastor suggested that moms and daughters doing something similar. Well, it's November and pretty chilly, plus we wanted to do more of a 'girly' thing, so two church members arranged for us to have a sleepover at the church.
Deeanna and Laura did a great job of setting it up! They suggested we bring sleeping bags, pajamas, a snack and drink to share, make up and hair stuff. Several of us also brought an extra game or two, coloring supplies, things to keep us all having fun. We met at the church at 6 pm. Many of the girls were in pajamas
and bathrobes.
Deeanna and Laura bought pizzas to cook and while they started, the girls and moms painted ceramic animal figurines.
After eating, the girls wanted to get their hair done, nails done and make up applied! They did this for one another and the results were...fun!
Next it was time for games. I didn't get pictures of everything, but there was tons going on. Board games (including monopoly and bingo), coloring of intricate seashell pictures, painting of suncatchers and Christmas ornaments, baking cookies in the kitchen, each child got to make a pillow, and then there was the sliding across the floor on blankets and pillows. And we had a devotion time too.
Many stayed the whole night. I wasn't up to sleeping on the hard floor, neither was Kaylie's mom. So Katrina, Kaylie, Cindy and I left after 10. Katrina went home with Kaylie to continue the slumber party there, but she wasn't happy about it. She wanted to stay at the church. Next year, I will have to find an air mattress or futon to use so we can. There were good-bye hugs, then it was time to head off into the night. We had a wonderful time!
November 16, 2007
Christmas Memories...Arrange for a Magical Phone Call From Santa
Childhood is a time for magic. Children grow up so quickly nowadays. The reality of the world is thrust upon them on a daily basis. I think it is important to help them to enjoy the innocence and magic childhood has to offer for as long as possible. I debate this with myself yearly. After all, I don't want my children to feel lied to. But I have such fond memories of Christmas magic when I was a child, that I decided it was important for me to pass on to my children a taste of that same magic.
When I think back to my growing up years, I remember the joy of leaving cookies and milk out for Santa, the belief that I knew I heard those prancing and pawing hooves on my roof, and the delight when the next morning would find the milk and cookies devoured and presents left under the tree.
When I turned 6, I lost my two front teeth on Christmas Eve. Imagine my happiness to find money under my pillow on Christmas Day and presents under the tree. Remember my surprise when I noticed a square piece of foil...the same one that I had left under my pillow the night before for the tooth fairy! We quickly determined that Santa and the Tooth Fairy must have been at my house at the same time! (And I missed it!) They probably got to talking. I am sure Santa shared some of his milk and cookies (what a treat for the tooth fairy) and in the joy of their meeting, the tooth fairy forgot my teeth. I left them under my pillow again for her that night and she rewarded me with two more quarters. What a year that was!
When I was 13, I wasn't so sure about all of this magic at Christmas, but even that year, I found Santa hadn't forgotten me. Buried under the present from my folks was a Shaun Cassidy album that I had been wanting and it said "To Missie From Santa" in handwriting that I didn't recognize. Santa...what a guy!
I have tried to recreate this magic for my stepchildren and my children. Letters have arrived from Santa. Every year we leave milk and cookies and my daughter has insisted we add carrots for the reindeer. She has also bought a present for Santa the last couple of years because she didn't want him to feel left out. She doesn't think it is write for us to get gifts and Santa just to get milk and cookies. As I browsed the internet, I found another piece of magic that I can share with my daughter. I can arrange for a Video Phone call from Santa. Unfortunately, our internet connection isn't the best, but that is okay because he makes regular old phone calls too.
What's so bad about a little magic...childhood innocence and fun? Nothing that I can think of.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Astronomy Headlines: Supernova, Formation of Rocky Planets, Leonid Meteor Shower
1. Competing Theories Proposed for Superbright SupernovaAn x-ray image taken by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory reveals supernova 2006gy (left) shining as bright as the nucleus of its galaxy. This puzzling brilliance has led scientists to propose two unusual formation mechanisms: a collision between two massive stars or a single, repeatedly exploding star.
2. Photo in the News: Star May Be Forming Rocky Planets The violent formation of a new solar system has left one heck of a mess around a nearby star—and suggests that Earthlike planets may be far more common than previously believed, scientists say. The debris indicates that the star system is in the midst of a violent planetary formation process, as dust particles—the "building blocks of planets"—form into comets and small asteroids and eventually into larger bodies, research team member Inseok Song of the Spitzer Science Center said in a press release.
The finding suggests that rocky planets like Earth, Mars, and Venus could be quite common in the universe. The vast majority of the 200 or so alien planets found so far have been giant gas worlds; only a few are less than 20 times the mass of Earth and only one is considered habitable.
"This is the first clear evidence for planet formation in the Pleiades, and the results we are presenting strongly suggest that terrestrial planets like those in our solar system are quite common," study leader Joseph Rhee, a postdoctoral student at the University of California, Los Angeles, said in a statement.
3. Leonid Meteor Shower Peaks Saturday The annual light show, which occurs in mid-November, will return this year with a maximum of about a dozen meteors an hour at around 11 p.m. EST. North American skywatchers will get an unusually clear view, as the moon will set early and leave a dark canvas for the illuminations to begin.
As always, thanks to National Geographic for helping me to keep up with the latest in animal news, archaeology news and astronomy news!
History Brings Europe to Life
We are studying in The Story of The World and we are in ancient civilizations. Currently we are studying Greece. Every since I was a child Greece has called to me. I even wrote my own original myth in 8th grade. I was fascinated by the tales of the gods and their petty behavior. When I was in college, a girl with strong Greek heritage lived down the hall from me. She was fascinating and she went on to marry a good Greek husband. One day I hope to visit Greece. I could visit the Parthenon, the temple of Olympus, and the Acropolis. I could imagine where the Athenians met at the Forum to discuss the matters of the day and vote in the first democracy of the world.
I am sure there are fine Athens Hotels to lodge in while I step back in time and enjoy the mysteries of Greece. Once I leave the Athens area, I will tour the islands, visit more historical sites and enjoy walking the ground that Jason, Hercules and Odysseus once called home. There will never be a problem with finding reasonably priced Greece hotels during my travels.
Did you know that Prague is the most visited city in Europe and said to be the most beautiful? My husband recently told me that. If I am going to go to Europe, surely I should be able to swing by Prague too. One thing I learned when we were in Paris is that it is relatively easy and quick to visit several countries at once. We could pick a historical Prague Hotel to stay in while we took in the sights. We could visit Old Town Square, Prague Castle, and Wenceslas Square while we were there, just to name a few must-see places. I love castles!
Before heading home to America, I think we would take a swing by Amsterdam. Another place that I have heard a lot about and would like to visit someday. The long history of Amsterdam has resulted in a city that is today one of the most beautiful, welcoming and relaxed in the world. I would find an Amsterdam Hotel to rest my aching feet from all of the walking I have been doing. I could enjoy some luxurious amenities, eat some yummy food and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Two Great Mail Days
Yesterday and today have been great mail days...funny how it all seems to come at once.
Yesterday the following showed up on my doorstep:
1. Gears and Lights by Learning Resources (be watching for a review)
2. Pretend Animal Pet Care by Learning Resources (be watching for a review)
3. Another copy of Cindy Woodsmall's Book When the Morning Comes to give away(check out my contest section in the right sidebar).
4. A $100 gift card to American Airlines that I won last month in a contest..
Today the following showed up:
1. Samples of Vive Pro Shampoo and conditioner
2. A lovely pink hairbow that I won from Vinny and Vernelle
3. Two samples of Warm Delights Minis (chocolate raspberry...need I say more)
4. A sample of "L" L.A.M.B. perfume.
5. Jumps Start World, 1st grade (be watching for a review of this too.
I love my mailbox!
Fish Stories from National Geographic!
For the last couple of weeks, National Geographic has been brimming with interesting news. And you know we love animals and archaeology here in our house, so I have been trying to catch up. Here are a couple of articles on fish that we found interesting.
1. 57 New Freshwater Fish Species Found in Europe The new species were discovered during a seven-year assessment of the conservation status of freshwater fish in Europe that was conducted in collaboration with the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This is great news. Just a couple of weeks ago, I read a story about how freshwater fish were nearing extinction in Europe.
2. Taimen's Last Refuge Is Mongolia The gigantic fish is the world's largest salmonid—the family of fish that includes salmon and trout. The species can live for more than 50 years, but they grow slowly, not reaching maturity until seven to nine years of age, experts say. A ferocious and even cannibalistic predator, taimen can grow more than six feet in length and can weigh up to 200 pounds.
The taimen, the only fish species from the salmon and trout family large enough to qualify as a megafish, has already been harvested to the brink of extinction in neighboring China. Its numbers are also shrinking rapidly in Russia. Mongolia's pristine Eg-Uur river basin now remains one of the last strongholds of healthy taimen populations.
Consumer Credit Debt Assistance
Early on in my marriage, my husband and I faced financial crisis. We had more bills than we could comfortably pay, so we sought help through our local consumer credit services. It has been more than 10 years, so I don't remember the name, but they were in the same building as the United Way and the debt counselling was free. We took all of our papers. Showed what we made, what bills we had and asked for help. In our situation, we were told there wasn't any help to be had. We needed the credit cards to be available for emergencies and to go through Consumer Credit Counselling would lead to shutting down of the cards. We were better off paying the late fees and finance charges than we were trying to consolidate. This was not the answer we wanted to hear. So a couple of years later when we ended up having to declare bankruptcy due to my husband not being paid for a couple of month's worth of work, we didn't even bother to go back to them, because we expected the same answer.
Now, more people are floundering under debt issues than ever before. Credit bills go higher and higher, income doesn't match it and pretty soon we are in over our heads. Every state now has tons of companies that offer to help you repair your credit score, consolidate your debts, and get out from under. I am glad to know that there is help with Virginia Credit Card Debt as there is in states across the country.For example if you live in California you would want to check out California credit debt.
If you find yourself stressed out because of bills or unable to get a home loan because of past problems, take a moment and check for credit card debt help near you. Get your feet back on the right track and get the monkey off of your back. Just remember, once you go through these steps, don't make the same mistakes again. Use credit wisely. Don't buy things you don't need unless you have the money in hand. Credit can be a great benefit if used wisely.
A Tribute From a Gold Star Mother
Today I was reading our local weekly paper. On the front page there is a moving tribute from a Gold Star Mother, Debra Booth.
A Gold Star Mother is a mother who has lost a son or daughter in the service of their country. Last October, Booth's son, Josh, was killed while serving in Iraq. He was buried in Bedford, Virginia. This article was originally published in The Boston Globe.
No matter how you feel about the war in Iraq, I urge you to read this tribute. It is heart felt, moving and honoring.
Warning: tissue alert.
Acne Myths, Facts and Treatments
I was lucky as a teenager, while I had some acne, it wasn't too pronounced. But when I did (and do) break out, it is mostly on my chin. My son, Jack, who is almost 11, has an occasional pimple show up. Since it has been awhile since I have dealt with acne issues and Jack is growing closer to his teenage years by the day, I thought I should see what the latest buzz is on the causes of acne and the treatments for it. I hope that Jack and Katrina will both be blessed with not much acne like I was, but I figure it is always best to be prepared. I had friends in highschool had a terrible time dealing with acne and I have known people left disfigured by it.
One thing that surprised me was this snippet:
"It's not your fault. Contrary to popular belief, acne is not caused by anything you're doing — what you eat, how often you wash your face or work out — but by a combination of factors at work far beneath the surface of your skin. "
I remember when I was growing up that greasy food and chocolate were high on the list of causal factors for acne. There are five known causal factors according to my research:
1. Hormones
2. Extra Sebum
3. Follicle Fallout
4. Bacteria
5. Inflammation
For more information about each of these causal factors and the exact growth of acne, check out Acne.com.
As I continued to peruse this site, I found information on skin care, types of acne, a variety of myths (this was very interesting, I hadn't even heard some of these), and treatments.
If you or someone else you knows suffers from acne, you will find tons of helpful information here! Don't wait to outgrow it, do something proactive today!
Interesting National Geographic Archaeology Headlines
1. Maya Rituals Caused Ancient Decline in Big Game. It turns out that even though the Mayans were seen as overall environmentally friendly, that the search by the elite for large game(status symbol) decimated the population in Mesoamerica. This hypothesis has come about through exhaustive research by Kitty Emery who studied some 80,000 bones found in a Mayan trash dump. Seems like even 1800 years ago, man was capable of hunting animals close to extinction. Want to teach your children more about the Mayans? Check out MayanKids.com!
2. Ancient "Fire Temple" Found in Peru. A massive clay temple with colorful paintings and an altar for fire worship has recently been unearthed in northern Peru, archaeologists announced Saturday. The temple dates back 4,000 years and is among the oldest sites discovered in the Americas, said archaeologist Walter Alva, who led the team that made the find. The temple was built by an "advanced civilization" that predated the Inca by several centuries, Alva told the Reuters news service. For more information about the Inca, check out CyberSleuthKids
Everyone needs Some Romance
A downside of being an 'old married' person is that sometimes we forget to make time for romance. After a day of working, tending to the house, taking care of the kids, settling disputes, paying bills, cooking...who has time for romance? But to keep your love strong and alive, you need to make some time! After all, once the kids are gone, all that is going to be left is you and your spouse. What if you have gotten lost from one another along the way? Don't wait until the kids are grown and gone, take time and create those romantic moments now.
What? You aren't sure how to bring romance into your relationship? I ran across a website this morning called Romance Tracker and it has tons of ideas, no matter what type of relationship you are in!
Here are some of their recent articles:
Love note: how to write the perfect romantic note
Romantic Christmas gift: give a holiday present of love!
The flavor of love: what does true romance taste like?
So spread a little love and a little romance in your life!
November 15, 2007
Clifford of Drummond Island by Nancy J. Bailey - Huge Event Coming November 15th! Lots of Freebies!
I was invited today to take place in a huge one day promotion of what looks to be a fabulous animal book.
Clifford of Drummond Island contains a series of essays about a very special horse, lifestyle and corner of the world.
Nancy J. Bailey's Clifford of Drummond Island will show you:
- How animals can help heal you in times of sickness and grief.
- How even wild birds can have individual personalities.
- How pets will bond to and care for each other.
- How animals can laugh and have a sense of humor.
- How a horse can be more of a friend than you ever expected.
Page after delightful page, this is what you will find in Clifford of Drummond Island:
- Heartwarming short stories designed to effortlessly illuminate your mind and heart
- An introduction to clicker training, the humane teaching method pioneered by dolphin trainers, that is now taking the world by storm
- Side-splitting humor to which any animal lover can relate
- Insight into the complex heart and mind of the horse
- Beautiful illustrations by the author
A portion of the proceeds from this campaign will be donated to Horse's Haven, an equine rescue and shelter for horses in need.
On November 15th, if you visit the Clifford of Drummond Island Promotion website and purchase a copy of the book, you will be able to collect one of 14 freebies (there may be more by Thursday). One of those freebies is my American Bison ebook!
So take a few moments, check this promotion out today. Think about the animal lovers that you have on your Christmas list. Think about how you can use all those great freebies and then mark November 15th on your calendar so you can cash in on these great deals!
DEJA VU: When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall (review and giveaway)
Yep, this is Deja Vu. Just yesterday I gave away a copy of When the Morning Comes. Today I received another copy in the mail that I can give away to a lucky winner! I thought about pulling a name out of my first post, but decided I wanted to give more people a chance to try. So if you signed up the first time and didn't win, you don't have to sign up again. I will toss your name into the hat. This contest will end on November 21st at 6 pm. So if you would like a copy, please comment below! Good luck! (sorry, this offer is available to U.S. residents only.
I was offered a chance to read and review When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall. This is the second book in the Sisters of the Quilt series, and even though I hadn't read the first book, I was told that I could would be able to understand and enjoy it anyway. I have always been interested in the Amish way of life and I thought this would be a good chance for me to learn more about it, so I volunteered.
When the Morning Comes is an excellent book. I was able to read it and never felt lost. Part of what helps with this is information about the main characters that is given in the front of the book. But the way Cindy weaves the story, also fills in any past information that I might need to make the current book make sense. Another delightful addition to this book is a glossary in the back that explains the meanings of some Pennsylvania Dutch words that seep into the book.
This is the story of an Amish community that is going through several problems concurrently and how they are attempting to deal with them. One young woman has been raped and ostracized because the community could not bring themselves to believe she told the truth. Hannah is really the main character of the story, but the tapestry of this tale has several other important characters woven into it. There is Hannah's family, particularly two of her siblings Luke and Sarah, and her Mamm and Daed who are trying to cope with Hannah leaving the community and other things going on in their lives. Sarah has some mental health issues and Luke wants to get married, but there are some problems there as well.
Then we have a friend of Hannah's, Mary who wants to marry Luke but some complications from an accident are getting in the way. And there is Matthew, a good friend to Mary, who wants to marry Elle, but she is going through adjustments of her own. This story is rich. I learned a lot about the Amish community and realized that though, as Englischers, we may romanticize their simple life, it does come with a price. But then again, so does our more elaborate lifestyles. There is green on both sides of this fence and it would be wonderful if the two cultures could come together on a ground somewhere in the middle.
There is so much in the pages of this book...survival, love, betrayal, hope, maturing, sadness, happiness. It's amazing that it could all be contained inside of just 320 pp.
I couldn't believe it when the book came to an end. I wasn't ready to let go of these characters and I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next book.
Cindy Woodsmall and her husband have three sons, whom Cindy homeschooled for a number of years. With two children grown and attending college and the youngest entering public high school, she began pursuing her desire to write. The first chapter of When the Heart Cries, became the first book in the Sisters of the Quilt Series, won second place in the Noble Theme Contest - a contest for unpublished authors sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Woodsmall and her family live in Georgia.
If you can't wait to see if you win or if you want to purchase a copy of this When the Morning Comes or When The Heart Cries, links are provided below.
Tis The Season to Send Cards
I love sending and receiving Christmas cards. In years past, I have prided myself on being the first Christmas card in the mailboxes of my friends and relatives. On the last day of November, I would put my cards in the mail, now I am getting Christmas cards the week before Thanksgiving! That's just a little too early for me. The great thing about Christmas cards is it is a way to keep in touch with people we don't often see. We usually put a newsletter in our Christmas cards and pictures of the kids (I try to stay out from in front of the camera). This way people know what we have been up to and it gives them a visual record of the children.
I love getting Christmas cards for the same reason. I catch up with faraway friends and relatives and I get to see how their family is growing and changing. Plus I use all the Christmas cards we receive as part of our Christmas decorations. I love seeing the pretty scenes and reading the pretty verses. I especially like the snowy scenes and the inspirational ones. Of course my children like the cute ones with kittens and puppies.
My mother-in-law loves sending Holiday cards. Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day, and birthdays are all card days to her. Since we love getting mail, it is always a pleasure to open up the box and find a special card from the 'card lady.' Cards show that someone is thinking about you and that they took the time to pick out a card that for whatever reason reminded them of you. Reach out to someone you love today...send them a card! They will love it!
November 14, 2007
Endangered Bears are Ranked
The Giant Panda maintains the dubious distinction of being the most endangered bear in the world. This is inspite of numerous Panda births in recent months. Approximately 1600 Pandas remain. Their biggest threat is the continued habitat destruction and degradation. There are currently 60 reserves set up for Pandas to try to save this adorable species.
The Sun Bear is second on the list. The Sun Bear is the World's Smallest Bear species. This is the first time it was listed as vulnerable because previously not enough was known about it to determine whether it was endangered or not.
Here are the other bears on the list:
4. Sloth Bear
5. Andean Bear
6. Polar Bear
7. Brown Bear
Leaning Tower of Pisa Loses Title to 13th Century German Church
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the 'most tilted building' anymore. A 13th century German church with a wooden foundation sitting on sodden ground actually a little more than a degree more than the Tower of Pisa. Both were stabilized a bit in the 1990s and that stabilization may have cost the Tower of Pisa the record.
I hope to get to visit them both before they topple over someday.
Photo and information are courtesy of National Geographic.
Mail Call
Today was a fun mail day.
The UPS man arrived with a toy from Learning Resources that I will be reviewing in a couple of days. It has to do with Geography and may end up under the Christmas tree.
Then the mail lady came. I had four samples of tylenol from Walmart.
I received an autographed copy of Crimson Eve by Brandilyn Collins.
I received two books by Chris Well: Tribulation House and Deliver Us from Evelyn.
Now all I need is snow, a roaring fire and a cup of cocoa. I will be set!
Homeschool Carnival is Up and Running
You will find a very grateful blog host over at Nerd Family. She shares what she is thankful about during this Thanksgiving season along with wonderful posts that you will be thankful to read!
Get the Life Insurance You Need
None of us like to think about the fact that we will one day die. Wills, life insurance, guardianships for our children are all things that we tend to put on the back burner. It is almost like we believe that if we don't do something about it,the event won't come to pass. And conversely, it is like we believe if we do make those preparations, we are tempting fate. In fact the opposite is true. In homes around the world, spouses, children and even parents are relying on you. What if the unthinkable were to happen and you were to be involved in a fatal accident? Would your family be taken care of? Don't put your family in a situation where they are not only having to grieve for you, but they are wondering if they are going to be kicked out of their home.
Don't know where to start? Which type of life insurance to get? Let Advantage Life Insurance Company help. They can explain the different types of policies that are available. They will help you save money on insurance. Whether you want whole life insurance policay or a term life insurance policy. Whether you are overweight or a smoker, they can help you protect your families future.
This Morning's Question
I am sitting here minding my own business, blogging away when Katrina comes up and says,
"I have a question"
"Um hmm..."type, type, type
"Why do bug bites swell up?"
"Well, I think it is because of the body fighting off the infection"
"Why do they itch?"
"umm...uh same reason, I think"
"Why do they hurt when I touch them?"
"Okay, that's enough questions. I am not sure of the answers, so let me look them up."
Open new tab...type, 'Why do bug Bites itch?'
Get 64,400 possible answers. Go with the first one...hey, I was pretty much right! PHEW! Thank goodness for the Internet!
Now if Google could only help me answer the question "What's for dinner tonight?"
Hiking tips
My family is full of contradictions. We love watching movies and reading books and listening to music and attending concerts and plays. We don't watch much sports. Okay, we don't watch any sports except for the Superbowl and occasionally a college bowl if a local college is involved. We don't play any sports. I have dabbled in tennis in the past. My son has enjoyed playing soccer when we can fit it in and afford the gas. My daughter likes gymnastics, again when we can fit it in and afford the gas. But something we do love is hiking.
I spent a lot of time in the mountains as a child. My father is an outdoorsman. He hunts, fishes, owns a cabin and 51 acres against National Forest, and would rather be outside than do anything else. Mom, Dad and I would go riding in the mountains most every Sunday afternoon when I was a kid. We would explore, fish and find treasures (rocks, neat shaped wood, feathers). That ingrained in me the desire to be out in the woods.
Over the years my family has had bouts with hiking. We have hiked along the Appalachin trail near our home. We have hiked in the Rockies. My husband and two stepsons hiked around in the Grand Canyon (I drew the lijne on that one). Daniel and Jack have recently been doing a lot of hiking. It has been a great father son bonding time. And Daniel has taught Jack about map reading, what to do should a wild critter be encountered, photography, what to do if lost, and all kinds of other topics that I am sure I haven't been told about.
Being outdoors in this beautiful world that God created for us is a gift and a blessing. It revives a person. If you haven't tried hiking through the mountains, make a plan today to do it soon. There is honestly nothing like it.
My husband never does anything half way. When we started hiking years ago, he insisted we get outfitted properly. This meant having a decent backpack in which to carry MREs (or other food items), a shovel, maps, water, things of that nature depending on how far we were hiking. We also carry fanny packs with emergency items. Whether you are a short trip hiker or a long trip hiker, here are some items recommended to have on hand:
flashlight
light sticks
water purifying tablets
bandaids
rope
whistle
poncho
mirror
emergency blanket
waterproof matches
compass
map of area
A cell phone is good to have on hand, but don't count on it working. One time my husband went hiking with some guys out in Lake Tahoe. It took longer than they expected and he was the only one prepared. Darkness descended and they couldn't see the trail. The lightstick was what got them off the mountain.
Online Coupons - More Great Deals!
Coupons are my friends! I am always looking for coupons to save money on items we need and items we want. So I am always on the lookout for new easy to use resources. And when I find them, I like to share because I know i am not the only coupon lover out there!
Today I ran across NCNatural's Adventure Resources. This site is mainly a website focused on North Carolina and in order to provide an added benefit to North Carolinians, they have branched off into linking up to great online coupons! So while the site talks about major retailers that ship to North Carolina, these coupons appear to be available to anyone.
Here are some of the major retailers you will find on this site: Dell, Cabelas, Hickory Farms, Toshiba, and PetSmart. This is just a smattering of what is available. And the coupons are updated daily and the site is easy to navigate. So, get out your lists and see what's out there! Remember...a penny saved is a penny earned! (And there are lots of pennies to be saved here!)
November 13, 2007
Splitting Harriet: Book Review and Giveaway
I just finished reading Splitting Harriet by Tamara Leigh this afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This book is about 400 pp long and is easy to read. The characters are well created and became like friends. I could understand what each of them was feeling as they went through the changes that life throws at all of us.
This story is mainly about Harriet. She was a rebel, now she is the prodigal daughter. She grew up a PK (preacher's kid) and had to deal with all of the extra pressures that come with that. For awhile she went her own way and when she did the repercussions in her family and her church were huge (more in her own mind than in reality, but still they were big).
She returned to the fold. Asked God's forgiveness and spent many years trying to atone for the damage that she had caused. But like so many of us who have messed up big, she didn't really forgive herself. She knew that the bible said once she asked for forgiveness that God removed her sins far from her and forgot them, but she still felt like she had the need to sacrifice to make up for what she had done. And she was afraid. Afraid that if she lived a little, enjoyed life a little, that one thing would lead to another and before long she would be smoking, drinking, riding on the back of a motorcycle and heaven only knew what else.
Harriet has a dream. Harriet cares about those she lives near. Harriet has spunk that really is covering up her feelings that she is sitll not good enough. And there is so much going on in her life. The church is changing and she is just not sure if she or the elderly in the church can take it. And then romance rears its head...
This is a delightful book. It is warm, it will make you laugh and cry. The characters are real and you will see a bit of yourself in them (or maybe a lot of yourself). One of the things I liked best in this book was how Harriet relied on the word of God in difficult situations. You always hear that it is important to keep the Word in your heart so that you will know what God wants you do do. Harriet puts this into action. I don't want to tell you all the twists and turns in this story. I would rather you read it yourself. It is well worth your time. Not only is it an enjoyable read, but when you are done you will have been touched and inspried.
Author Bio: Tamara Leigh’s first novel, Warrior Bride, was published in 1994 and was followed by six more bestselling, award-winning historical romances for Bantam, HarperCollins, and Dorchester. Leigh’s inspirational chick lit debut, Stealing Adda, was published in 2006 to great critical acclaim. Leigh has also written for Romantic Times magazine and been a guest speaker for WaldenBooks’s corporate conference. Leigh lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two sons and enjoys time with her family, volunteer work, faux painting, and reading.
So, did you remember when we first started reading this that I said there was a Giveaway? Well, there is! I have one copy of this book. It is my copy. I debated about keeping it, but it is too good of a book not to share. So I am going to choose one lucky winner to send a copy of this book to. I will choose you randomly.
All you have to do is leave a comment below and I will put your name in the hat.
But if you really want to win this book, then share a story about someone who inspired you and helped you in walk closer to God. If you share your story in a comment, I will throw your name into the hat twice.
If you blog about your experience or my contest on your blog, then I will throw your name into the hat three times! Just let me know so I can come read what you wrote!
So, depending on how much you want my copy of Splitting Harriet, you can earn yourself up to three chances! Good luck. I will have my drawing on November 21st at 6 pm. The day before Thanksgiving. When you win, you will have one more thing to be thankful for! Good luck!
I am sorry, but this is open to U.S. residents only.
Personalize Your Cell Phone With a Free Ringtone
13 years ago, I had my first car phone. It was a bag phone and we didn't use it very often. I honestly don't remember what it sounded like when someone called me. In fact, I don't think anyone ever did. It was more for me to use in case of emergency. Through the years, phones have gotten smaller and have picked up more and more options. We can take pictures with them, make videos with them, listen to songs on them, store our contacts on them, receive email on them, surf the web, calculate tips, and more.
People like to stand out as individuals. We don't want to show up at work and see others wearing our exact same outfit. We don't even like it much when we see others in stores wearing the same clothing we are. We do things to make our cars stand out. We hang things from the mirrors, put on pinstriping, stash things in the back window, put on bumper stickers. So why should our phones be any different.
Do you remember standing in the store, a phone ringing and you not knowing whether it was yours or not because everyone's phone sounded the same. Now, your phone can ring with a tone that you will most likely know it is yours. What are the chances that you will be in the store with someone else who has the same ring tone when there are now hundreds to choose from?
Your phone comes with a few ringtones to check out. But that is probably not individual enough for you. So how do you find a ringtone to suit your personality? One that not only will share your individuality to the world, but will grab the attention of your ear when there is so much else going on all around? Did you know that you aren't stuck with the ringtones that are on your phone? Did you know that you can download free ringtones from the web?
Whether you want country ringtones, polyphonic ringtones, dance ringtones, ringtones for your kids or funny ringtones, there are plenty out there for you to choose from. These ringtones are easy to install on your phone! So, what sound do you want your phone to make?
I like the Hamster Dance...even if it is a kid's sound! It is catchy!
Links To Inspiring Posts That I Can Relate To
Do you start your day out in The Word of God? Praising Him? Asking Him to help you through your day? Or, like me, do you get wrapped up in trying to run your busy life and forget to rely on God who can lift you up and sustain you during difficult times? I tend to rely on myself when times are tough. I spend more and more time trying to fix the situation and I end up tired, angry, disappointed, and still not on top of things. Anna at Homeschooling in Illinois had a great post for this today that you will want to take a few moments to read.
The next post I read as I continued through my RSS feeds was from my friend Jaminacema who reminds me that I have nothing to feel guilty about, I am not alone and I am enough! If you struggle with feeling overwhelmed and feeling guilty that you are home all day long, but still not everything gets done (i.e. you are caught up with housework, but schooling is behind or vice versa), then you will want to read this post.
Cindy at Our Family Adventures shares her family's last day together before her husband Brian's long term deployment. I am grateful that I found Cindy who puts a very human face on our soldiers and their families. I pray that God will keep Brian safe and hold this family in the palm of His hand while Brian is away.
And lastly, Scribbit shares a post that I can so relate to. This post is not inspiring like the other three, but one that left me nodding my head in agreement. If taking your husband to the store with you is worse than having your kids along...then you will want to read her post!
Now that I have shared my early morning reads with you, I am going to go spend some time with God and make sure my day is started off the right way! God bless!
November 12, 2007
What's Wrong With the Color?
We have a 1988 GMC Suburban. It is green and gold (the colors of my alma mater - William and Mary). Now, we are trying to sell it. We love our Suburban. We drove it to the beach in May (we had room for all kinds of stuff). We drove it to West Virginia last spring. With finances being tight as we wait for a new contract for Daniel to get finalized, we have been trying to sell the Suburban for the last couple of months.
We have owned it for 4 years. We have only put about 16,000 miles on it, but it has a total of 167,000 miles. Three of the tires are brand new. All the parts work. There is really not much rust for the age of the vehicle. It runs well and has had a transmission overhaul since we bought it. The guy who sold it to us said that he had put in a new engine. It has 4 wheel drive and a tow package.
We have only had maybe 6 people call in the last two months. The last few days we have had a couple of them call. And they both talked about how the mileage wasn't a problem, that they just wanted to be sure it ran. I drove it to the flea market just last Saturday. It did great. But they look it and run screaming into the night (at least we feel that way). Apparently green and gold are colors that are just too hideous for them to consider!
I am thinking back to all the cars I have ever owned. I never ever picked one based on color.
My first car was a silver Monte Carlo with burgundy interior. I loved that car. I wanted to repaint it black, but my parents said that would cost me too much.
My second car was a white Monte Carlo SS. I loved that car. It got dirty easily, but it was the car model that I was after.
My third car was a brand new off the lot Mitsubishi Precis. Grey. Not particularly pretty, but i got a good deal and the gas mileage was excellent!
My next car was a light blue Ford Station Wagon (I took it over when an inattentive driver rear-ended my Mitzi P and totalled it). It was my husband's.
We had a yellow Ford Pick-up I drove sometimes.
Then I got a blue van. Again, I didn't care about colors. I was looking for something big and comfortable to carry us all in. Loved that van...right up to when the transmission locked up and it was going to cost 2000.00 to repair.
Then we got a grey, black and burgundy Suburban. Diesel. Broken more than it worked.
Then the green and gold Suburban and my husband was driving his dream vehicle that he had had restored. A blue 1983 Scrambler. He did get that painted the color he wanted. He had it restored. Originally it was purple.
Then my mother and step father gave me a burgundy Chevy Caprice which is what i am still driving.
Never once in 25 years of car ownership did I pick a car because of color. Never...
Oh well, we will continue to wait until a green and gold lover comes along or until someone comes along who is more interested in the ability of the vehicle rahter than its color.
Chocolate, Dried Fruits, and Nuts....Oh My!
One of my many fond memories of a child at Christmas was the Christmas stocking. There was often a special gift hidden there. In addition to that, there was always yummy candy...peppermint candy canes, chocolate Santas and small dark chocolate candy bars (which my dad and I fought over!) There are three times a year that I spoil my kids with candy. Halloween, Christmas and Easter. Christmas is fast approaching and I am trying to decide which goodies to put in their stockings this year.
I like getting bags of Bulk Candy. It is usually less expensive than buying it all wrapped up and packaged. Then I can bring it home and put it in cute little baggies, or colorful plastic wrap and stuff it in the children's stockings. Another good feature of bulk candy is that there seem to be more choices than you might find in pre-packaged items. More exotic items as it were!
Remember, bulk candy isn't just great for stockings. Buy it and give it as party favors at birthdays, office parties, or weddings. Buy several kinds, then make up gift baskets for friends, co-workers or family members.
Don't want to hand out too much candy? Then think about nuts and dried fruits. Give a healthy gift that you purchase at a reasonable price! Homemade Christmas baskets filled with nuts, dried fruit and/or coffee beans will be sure to delight the recipient! Feel free to send me one if you find this tip useful! (hee hee).
Supervolcano is Active Under Yellowstone Park
Isn't that a pretty picture? Grand Prismatic Spring is one of Yellowstone National Park's many hot springs and geysers fueled by underground thermal energy.
A new study has found that Yellowstone is rising faster than has ever been measured before, due to an influx of magma several miles beneath the surface. It has been rising three inches a year since 2004! The surface is inflating like a bellows due to an infusion of magma about 6 miles (10 kilometers) underground.
Yellowstone sits on a volcano that is hundreds of times bigger than Mt. St. Helens. While there is no sign of an imminent eruption, it would certainly be something to see. Much of Yellowstone sits in a caldera that is 40 miles across! The caldera was formed when the cone of the massive volcano collapsed in a titanic eruption 640,000 years ago. The most recent flare up was 70,000 years ago. Volcanic heat continues to fuel the park's famous geysers and hot springs.
I had no idea that there was a volcano under Yellowstone. It is a place I have always wanted to visit. Isn't it amazing that such beauty can arise out of the ashes of destruction? Just like Hawaii...It gives added understanding to the legend of the Phoenix.
Finding Money for College
Do you have a child heading towards college?
Do you have funds set aside to pay for those college years?
Some of you may be lucky enough to have a student who qualifies for a scholarship, even luckier if they qualify for a complete scholarship, but for the vast majority of us, college means needing to come up with tens of thousands of dollars. And most of us parents don't have it. So what are the options? We live in a world where the need to have a college education is greater than ever before. More and more jobs are requiring a college education before they will even consider interviewing you. As parents, we want to help our child get the best start in life possible.
This is where federal financial aid can come in handy! Low interest loans for college students are available and they are usually available in a deferred payback situation (i.e., you don't start paying them back until after graduation from college). I was the first in my family to go to college and we didn't know about all of the options that were out there. We did qualify for a loan. My parents had most of the money in the bank for my college, but the payback rates were lower than the interest they were receiving on the bank where their savings was. So it was smart for them to take advantage of the federal loan and let their money continue to draw interest.
Plus, parents can be co-signers on these loans and allow their children to be the 'main' signers and the student can then be working on building their credit after graduation. Plus, the student is the one who ultimately benefits. I believe that it is not out of whack expecting students to pay for part or all of their college education.
There are a lot of different options. Scholarships.com keeps you up to date on what is out there! They not only alert you to the different types of loans, but they help you to figure out which option is best for you. Your child's last year in highschool is a busy one full of transitions and special events. Take this worry off of your plate. Turn to the people who know what they are talking about and let them help you sort it out.
Christmas List Carnival: Ideas for What to Get Those Hard to Buy for People
So...some ideas of unique gifts....
1. Probably the most unusual gift I have ever given was a dreadlocks wig to my 60 year old father. For his 60th birthday I wanted to purchase him the latest Willie Nelson CD. When I went looking, I discovered it was a reggae CD, instead of his normal country music. Then my husband had the fun idea to get my dad some dreadlocks. I have to tell you it was the hit of the party! My dad also got his motorcycle license that year and he said he was going to wear it under his helmet, but I don't think he ever did.
2. A Bag of gifts.... on several occasions, I have put together a bag of gifts. For a new mother, I bought a diaper bag and filled it with things like rattles, desitin, and the like. For my best friend's 40th birthday, I gave her a bag of goodies and the reasons for them (things like chocolate, a devotional book, a pair of gardening gloves). She got a kick out of that and enjoyed the effort I put in.
3. Old time radio shows on CD. We love listening to audio stories in the car because we travel a lot. A couple of years ago, I went to ebay and bought several classics, but the biggest hit was a radio show called "Cinnamon Bear". We all really enjoyed it and even though my son is ten, we are listening to it again this week. And check out this guys store, he has lots of classics available.
4. My mother is always saying not to get her anything and quite frankly, there isn't anything she really needs. So last Christmas we took the money budgeted for them and we gave 1/2 of it to a church Christmas prison ministry, and we sent the other 1/2 to an overseas orphanage. Then we told Mom and Jim that we had done these things in their name and it was our Christmas gift to them. They were tickled over the whole idea. So pick a charity and make a donation in the name of someone this holiday season. Two people benefit that way.
5. My mother-in-law has two things that she likes me to get her. Tea towels...she loves tea towels and it is neat to her to get ones someone else has picked out. If you think about it, that is one of those items we will use until they are rags, and getting new ones is a nice pick me up that we can enjoy regularly. She and Johnny also love McDonald's gift certificates. They are doing okay in their retirement, but they stil enjoy the fact that they get to go out and get a free treat at McDonald's, then they can use their other money for other things they want or need.
6. Last year we sent my son and his roommate a huge basket of stuff from Harry and David. It was something they would never have bought for themselves, but they enjoyed having the unusual goodies and they could share them with friends (though I am not sure they did).
7. One Christmas I gave my husband a gift certificate towards flying lessons. He had always wanted to fly, and this began his training.
8. One of my most cherished gifts from my husband was when he bought me the complete collection of Six Million Dollar Man and Bionic Woman shows and movies. They were my heros when I was a child and he actually had to get this on eBay from out of country. You cannot buy them in America because reproduction rights were never given here. So see if you can find an old cherished tv show for your loved one.
Go share your unique gift ideas with Rocks in My Dryer readers!
ESRB - What Does It Mean? How Can It Help You?
Our children are more plugged into the world than ever before. They have computers, iPods, greater television access and video games. Even the video games enable kids to get on the web and interact with people around the world. It used to be that you felt like you had more control over what information your children had access to. It seems like it is impossible to keep them in an 'innocent' stage these days. But the truth is you have the ability to be more in control than ever before.
TV's, Computers, and the newest generation of video game consoles have built in parental controls. What, you are not sure how to activate these controls? You can't find the directions? No worries! The ESRB (Entertainment Software Ratings Board) can help! Just click on the link belove and you will be directed to a website that will provide step by step directions on how you can activate the parental controls on Microsoft XBox 360, Microsoft Windows Vista, Nintendo Wii, and Sony Playstation. You won't have to worry anymore about what they may be doing because you will be in the driver's seat.
Another way that you can control what your children are playing is by being alert to ESRB ratings on the games you buy and what these ratings mean.
The ESRB is a non-profit, self-regulatory body that independently assigns ratings, enforces advertising guidelines, and helps ensure responsible online privacy practices for the interactive entertainment software industry. Here are the ratings and what they mean:
EC - Early Childhood, ages 3 and older. Contains no material a parent will find objectionable.
E - Everyone, ages 6 and older. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
E10+ - Everyone 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
T - Teen, 13 and older. Titles in this category may contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling, and/or infrequent use of strong language.
M - Mature, 17 and older. Titles in this category may contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
AO- Titles rated AO (Adults Only) have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Titles in this category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity.
RP - Rating Pending. Only used in advertising prior to release of game.
For more detailed information about how the ratings are achieved, be sure to visit ESRB and look around. There is lots of information there. You can also type in game titles and find out what they are rated.
Be in charge, protect your children. The tools are at your fingertips!
November 11, 2007
And The Winners are...
I want to thank all of you for your interest in The Meeting of Anni Adams by Lonnie Story. I wish I could have given all 57 of you a copy of the book, but for those of you who didn't win, please feel free to go and buy yourself a copy! You won't be sorry that you did!
I used a random number generator to come up with the numbers of the winners and I have already contacted each winner.
So without further ado, the winners are:
1. Cindi Hoppes
13. Lace
28. Audra
43. Pammy
52. Catherine
I know these five ladies wil be blessed by this book! Thanks again for participating!
Honoring the Veteran's in My Family Today and Everyday
Today in church, our minister asked all of those who were Veteran's to stand, introduce themselves and state their service to the United States. We have a small church, about 7 men stood up, they were all older men. Not one man from my generation or younger. I thought that was sad. The men who were Veteran's had served during Vietnam, Korea, and times in between. Some had served for 2 years, one man had served for 20.
I wanted to remember the the many in my family who have served America and have stood between this country and those who would like to harm us. From oldest to youngest:
John Fullerton my stepfather. He served in the Navy, then he went on and spent 20 years of his life serving in the Army.
Wallace G. Lemley, Jr., my maternal grandfather who passed away in 1966. He served in World War II in the Army.
Hink Powell, my maternal great uncle who passed away in 1990. He was a cook in the Navy. I am not sure which years.
Jimmy Orndorff, my uncle who served during Vietnam in the Army as a MP.
John W. Orndorff,my father who served from 1965-1967 in the Army in the Signal Corps.
Roger Orndorff, my uncle who served during Vietnam in the Army as a MP.
Daniel Markham, my husband who served in the Marines from 1984-1986.
Susie Orndorff, my cousin who served as a MP in the Air Force in the mid-80's.
I am proud to have so many Veterans in my family.
Thank you to all Veteran's from years past and thank you to each and every soldier in the armed forces today. May God bless you and keep you safe in the palm of his hand. And may He comfort and lift up your families while you are apart.
Happy Veteran's Day
I just want to remind everyone that I have a contest going on in connection with Veteran's Day. It ends tonight at 11 pm. You don't want to miss out on your opportunity to win one of five autographed copies of The Meeting of Anni Adams The Butterfly of Luxembourg.
You need to visit the post above to comment and enter for a chance to win a copy of this wonderful book. Honor a veteran in your life. If you don't want this amazing book for yourself, I can assure you that they would love it! Remember a veteran is not just a person who has fought in the armed services, but it is a person who is wise and experienced. Anni Adams has much to share with you and to teach you. Go find out what and enter today!
Layman Invents Cancer Killing Machine
If studies continue to receive the same findings, expect to see this man's face a lot...in places like Times Man of the Year or as a Nobel Prize winner.
Who is he? What has he done? This man is John Kanzius, a former broadcast executive from Pennsylvania. He is 63 and has a background in physics and radio. In his retirement, what has he done with the skills that makes him so remarkable?
He has invented a machine that uses gold or carbon nanoparticles and radio waves to destroy cancer cells in just minutes. Please, take a moment and read that sentence again.
Do you realize how wonderful that is? Do you understand how amazing it is that a man, who has no medical background, other than the fact that he himself is battling cancer, may have created a cure?
My grandmother died from cancer when she was 66 years old. My husband's father died from cancer before he was 50. Children, uncles, aunts, friends, cousins, grandparents, parents, and pets all can die from this insidious disease and if they don't, if they are cancer survivors, the survival often comes through a long and difficult treatment with painful side effects.
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy...lose your hair, lose your appetite, throw up, have your nails grow hard as rock, fear, anxiety, loss of strength, loss of jobs. What if Mr. Kanzius has created a treatment that will save lives and prevent people from having to deal with these kinds of issues? This would be a miracle guided by the hand of God.
Mr. Kanzius' treatment involves injecting the patient with the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles make their way through the body and attach to the cancer cells. Then the patient steps into the machine and after a few moments of being bombarded with the radio waves, the cancer cells are destroyed, completely.
So far they have tested 6 rabbits that had liver tumors. No side effects. Cancer destroyed completely, all other cells left untouched. In two minutes! Of course more tests will be needed before this amazing invention is put into use. The complete article will be in the December issue of Cancer, The American Cancer Society's journal.
Wow!
Hat Tip: MSNBC
November 10, 2007
More Great Deals!
Do you like flannel sheets? We love flannel sheets. I practically count the days during summer when the weather gets cool enough that I can put them back on the bed without my husband growling at me (he is a human furnace, I on the other hand am a human popsicle). The kids love flannel sheets too. I was noticing that Katrinas have gotten a bit thread bare and it is time for her to get a new set. Fortunately, Linen-N-Things is currently offering 50% off of flannel sheet sets...ah...maybe my flannel sheets are thread bare too! And if you don't like flannel sheets, they have lots of other great deals to choose from.
Best Buy is offering some good deals as well that will help with the purchase of a few items we need. Jack and Katrina need a new desktop computer. Theirs is about 4 years old and was a low level computer when we bought it. The graphics card is no longer able to run current software and the CD and DVD drives stopped working. I need a new laptop. Mine is three years old and is out of space, the video card in it can't keep up with newer videos (I can't watch videos on National Geographic anymore which makes me very sad) and I have typed so much on my computer in the last three years that the letters are wearing off of the keyboard. Plus I have to reboot daily because my computer becomes unhappy after I have opened too many explorer windows. It is just tired. And Jack wants a digital camera for his upcoming birthday and I would like to upgrade my digital camera as I got one of those 99.00 deals and it just doesn't do that great of a job. So, as you can see, we are glad there are some good deals going on at Best Buy!
Of course, there are toys on the list too...after all, I do have two kids. Fortunately there are lots of great deals out there for kids items this time of year. Just have to be careful what we are buying. I am sure our house is already full of lead, don't want to bring any more in! Fortunately my kids are past the chewing stage for the most part.
I have never shopped at Overstock.com, but after seeing the deals on top of what I hear are already great prices, I am going to have to go check out the 'O'!
Before you go out and pay the full price for items on your Christmas list, check out the deals that are being offered at your favorite store! Take the money you save and put it in the bank for a rainy day! Now that's a grand gift!
So...What's On Your Desktop?
Laura wanted to know what was on my desktop...so I am sharing it below. She has a pretty desktop, which actually has been on my before.
Here’s how it goes:
[TAG STARTS HERE]
My Desktop Free View Instruction:
A. Upon receiving this tag, immediately perform a screen capture of your desktop. It is best that no icons be deleted before the screen capture so as to add to the element of fun.
You can do a screen capture by: [1] Going to your desktop and pressing the Print Scrn key (located on the right side of the F12 key). [2] Open a graphics program (like Picture Manager, Paint, or Photoshop) and do a Paste (CTRL + V). [3] If you wish, you can “edit” the image, before saving it.
For MAC users: Press [ Apple] [ Ctrl ] [ Shift ] and [ 3 ]
B. Post the picture in your blog. You can also give a short explanation on the look of your desktop just below it if you want. You can explain why you preferred such look or why is it full of icons. Things like that.
C. Tag five of your friends and ask them to give you a Free View of their desktop as well.
D. Add your name to this list of Free Viewers with a link pointing directly to your Desktop Post
Here is what my desktop looks like.
So what does my desktop say about me?
1. I like Johnny Depp...what can I say?
2. I like to keep track of the day and the time and I prefer to have my little desk top icons sorted into folders instead of covering my desktop.
3. I am a multi-tasker...I am always working on several things at once. Not only can you see all the buttons on my tool bar below, but I have 6 explorer windows open concurrently!
Here is a list of the participants so far:
Francine of La Place de Cherie
Chez Francine
Bloggishi
Unchained Melody
LadyJava’s Lounge
Mariuca
Revellian Dot ComDesktop
iRonnie
Rebecca
Jon
Rolando
Speedcat
Brown Baron
Tish
Mike
Money Online
NoDirectOn
Max
Elena’s Photos
Comedy Plus
MeAndMyDrum
The Random Forest
Samir Bharadwaj
My Brain Dumper!
Go Visit Hawaii
Coming to a Nursery Near You
Pediascribe
Jamee Forever
Pregnantly Plump
Wiping Up Snot
ShooFly
An Island Life
Sherry at JustSher
Laura @ Laura Williams' Musings
Now Who to Tag....Who Do I want To Find Out What They have on their desktop?
1. Sherry at A Bibliomane Amongst the Butterflies
2. Denise at Heart N Soul
3. Amber at Trust in the Lord
4. Cindy at Our Family Adventures
5. Lizzie at Writing To Inspire
Web Based Training - Keep Your Business On Top
Technology changes every day. This fast paced, information based society that we live in means that you and your company have to stay on top of things in order to be competitive. But how does one keep up with rapidly changing technology and work at the same time?
Taking classes in night school used to be the way when I was a child. I remember my dad doing that a few times. But people have less time now than they did 20 years ago and a lot of times the colleges can't even keep up with the changes in technology. Not fast enough to keep your company on the leading edge, anyway.
So, how do you deal with this issue? How do you stay on the edge, keep your employees trained and keep track of which employee knows what? How do employees find the time to plug into training classes in an already full schedule? And if you allow on the job training, how does that get fit in and the company productivity still be kept up?
Web based training is definitely an answer. If you are trying to keep up with technology, what better way to do it than to use technology? ResourceBridge offeres a variety of web based training programs that you and your employees can take advantage of. Downloads are not required. The training is set up in an easy to learn, interactive style. Your employees will have fun learning. The training can be accessed by any computer with access to the web. And you can keep track of your employees progress.
These user friendly training sessions can do anything from teaching your employees how to use new software applications to introducting them to your company's policies and procedures. Step into the future with both feet! Your business and your employees will thank you for it!
Movie Review: Benny and Joon
My next door neighbor knows that one of my favorite actors is Johnny Depp so she asked me if I had seen the movie Benny and Joon. I hadn't, so she promised to bring me the movie so I could watch it.
Last night we sat and watched it. This movie was made in 1993, It has an all star cast: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Julianne Moore. Aidan Quinn, and William H. Macy. This is a wonderful film. It is about love, life, family, loyalty, and exploring new horizons. If you would like to see a sensitive movie that will make you laugh and will inspire you, you should definitely put this movie on your must see list! And Johnny Depp is soooo young looking! Despite his age, he does a wonderful job in this film!
Daniel and I give this movie two thumbs up!
Design Your Own Jewelry
Whether you want to surprise your significant other with a custom made piece of jewelry or you are a company that wants to have custom made jewelry to sell or give away at important events, you will be delighted with the creations of YouDesignWeCreate.com.
Whether you want platinum, sterling silver, gold, diamond, women's, men's, children's or titanium jewelry, YouDesignWe Create.com can assist you with making that perfect piece of jewelry. Their artisans will work closely with you. You create the design for a brooch, necklace, ring, bracelet or earrings. Then you submit the design to them and they will bring your creation to life.
Just think...a special anniversary, the birth of a child, a landmark life event can all be commemorated with your creative design. There isn't anyone who wouldn't be thrilled to own a piece of unique jewelry designed just for them! The fact that you spent the time and thought in coming up with the design will surely make it one of their most treasured pieces.
YouDesignWeCreate.com also carries a wide selection of pre-made jewelry from classic styles to modern styles. They are able to help you with all of your jewelry needs. To get a peek at some of the lovely items they have created based on the designs of others, be sure to visit their They Designed It, We Created It! section.
Treasures From the Sea
Terschelling, a Dutch island that was molded into its current shape by a violent storm in 1296, often is the recipient of treasures from the sea. This week, 6 crates of bananas washed ashore after they fell off of a cargo ship. In February 2006, tennis shoes and aluminum brief cases littered the beach.
Terschelling is about 70 miles north of Amsterdam and is surrounded by polders (which is land that has sunk beneath the waves). The unique surroundings have been causing cargo to wash up on the beaches for centuries and the island is surrounded by famous shipwrecks. The islanders have taken advantage of their location and make use of the treasures from the sea.
Hat tip: photo and information courtesy of National Geographic.
November 9, 2007
Two More Good Children's Books
Here are two books we read today as part of our study of the Medes and the Persians as we continue with The Story of the World. They are both well illustrated and while one story is familiar, the illustrations make it a wonderful edition to add to your library.
King Midas and the Golden Touch as told by Charlotte Craft and illustrated by K.Y. Craft - yes this is an age old story, but the illustrations held my children entranced and it did have a few small differences from the story that I remembered.
The Persian Cinderella by Shirley Climo and illustrated by Robert Florczak. This book is beautiful and while there are definitely some similarities between the two stories, this story is different enough for your children to enjoy reading (or listening to).
First Known Quintuple Planetary System Found 'Nearby'
A planet that is 45 times as massive as Earth has been found circling 55 Cancri, a star that is 41 light years away in the constellation Cancer. This discovery means that this is the first Quintuple Planetary system we have found! Scientists are jubilant as this discovery leads them to believe that our multi-planetary system is not as unique as originally thought! And this new planet that they have discovered is orbiting 55 Cancri in what is considered the 'habitable' zone. Other two or three planetary systems have been located, but this is the first with five! Yahoo!
Come on Zephram Cochran! Hurry up and get us that warp drive so we can get busy exploring!
Hat tip: more information can be found at National Geographic. Photo is courtesy of National Geographic.
The Amazed Homeschooler
My children never cease to amaze me. I love it when they come and say...I want to learn 'yada yada'. It just knocks my socks off.
Jack is now learning HTML at some prodding from his father, but he is really enjoying the whole idea and practice of creating his own web page. Katrina wants him to finish reading the HTML for Dummies book so she can get a crack at it.
Last week, Jack told me he wanted to learn Latin. WHAT!!!!???? So this week, we were at the library, he hopped over to the card catalog, found a beginner's Latin book, asked me for directions to the adult non fiction section (someplace he hasn't visited before), then found the book and started reading.
Katrina has about 40 more pages to go in her 2nd grade math book and it is only November! Look out 3rd grade math, here we come!
I love homeschooling!
The Bitter Homeschooler
A friend of mine, who is a secular unschooler, sent me this link to The Bitter Homeschoolers' Wish List. I don't like to think of myself as bitter, but I can identify with some of these. I may have to print it out and post it up at home or carry it with me for when someone gets ready to approach me with 'that look in their eye.'
Rare Bearded Monkey Discovered in Kenya
Check out this cute fellow! Thought to be near extinction in Eastern Africa, a new population of DeBrazza 's monkey has been discovered in Western Kenya.
The discovery of the group, as well sightings of other rare monkeys in a remote northeastern reserve, is a happy note at an otherwise grim hour for the world's primates. Researchers estimate that there are 200-300 monkeys in this isolated group in Mathew's Range.
These monkeys are hunted because of their crop raiding behavior. Another example of the continuous struggle between man and the animal world.
Hat tip: information and photo courtesy of National Geographic
There's a New Boar in Town...Whoa...Whoa...Whoa...There's a New Boar in Town...
Um...about the title...I saw Hairspray this week and all kinds of cool 60s songs keep floating through my head, so you'll just have to put up with it!
A large boar-like creature, which has been named the Giant Peccary, was recently discovered in the Amazon. Yep, that's right, I said discovered! Recently! This Giant Peccary is unafraid of people, much to its detriment as it makes it very easy to kill. It could end up being wiped out when we have only just discovered it!
The researchers recommend that the new species be placed on the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Just imagine...if something this size could be wandering around, unfound...what other cool things might be lurking...Sasquatch? Nessie? Living Dinosaurs?
Hat Tip: article and photo courtesy of National Geographic. My favorite source of interesting news!
King Tut Moved to Preservation Display Case
Ever since King Tut was found in 1925, he has fascinated the world. People have flocked to see his tomb. They have crowded museum exhibits to peruse his possessions. They have read stories about mummy's curses and speculated on the deaths of so many who discovered King Tut's tomb. But very few people have seen King Tut's remains. The 350 daily visitors to his tomb were creating changes in the environment which led to a change in humidity and temperature and CO2 levels in the tomb. Tut's body has deteriorated 70% and it was predicted that if he was placed in a protective environment immediately that his remains would be completely gone in 50 years!
He was carefully moved into a special box which will control the humidity surrounding his body. The box is also filled with a nitrogen-rich gas that kills bacteria and mold. These same display cases currently protect the Magna Carta, a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Abraham Lincoln family bible.
The added bonus is that now visitors will actually be able to see Tut's body themselves while he is being protected in ways that he wasn't when his body was hidden from the world.
Win a Pair of Hepburn Earrings from Twisted Silver!
Aren't those earrings just gorgeous? My friend, Laura, recently received this pair and another pair from Twisted Silver. She has decided that, even though she was told she could keep both pairs of earrings, she wants to share (isn't she sweet!), so she is having a contest where we can get a chance to win these beautiful earrings! These Hepburn earrings would look beautiful dangling from my ears, don't you think?
And there is lots of other fine jewelry on this website, so go visit Laura for your chance to win these earrings and check out Twisted Silver...Christmas is fast approaching!
November 8, 2007
Christmas Giveaway 2007
Christmas is in the air. There are Christmas lists posts, Christmas Open House posts, and now a Christmas Giveaway!
5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Christmas giveaway. There will be a new contest every day! Sign up for the ones you are interested in! And post a link either to the 'main' post or to the individual contests
Have fun and Merry Christmas!
Win 5 Free Bras from Playtex!
Playtex wants to show you how to figure out your correct bra size in 2 easy steps. And then they want to offer you the opportunity to win 5 free bras! Is that a deal or what?????
Click on this link to find out your bra size and get entered into the contest! Good luck!
Pink-eye Ointment Can Cure Frog Fungus
I often come across stories where scientists have discovered something that is secreted by an animal or some part of a plant has been found to be useful to cure some human ailment. It was with great delight when I read this article at National Geographic today that said scientists have discovered that the ointment used to treat human pink-eye can cure the deadly fungal infection chytridiomycosis.
This fungus is one of the factors that is pushing thousands of frogs towards extinction. Not only does the 'pink-eye' ointment cure the fungus, but it helps to prevent reinfection. Finally, we can give back to the animal world that we have taken so much from!
The Crater from the 1908 Siberian Explosion has been Found
On June 30, 1908 an explosion occured in Siberia that released 15 megatons of energy(a thousand times of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima). This explosion occured about 6 miles above ground and flattened 770 square miles of forest (this is about how much land burned in the recent California fires and it is an area 1/2 the size of Rhode Island) ! An expedition in 1999 explored Lake Cheko which is about 5 miles north of the suspected epicenter. This lake has an unusual funnel shape and it is long and narrow. By testing the sediments, it is believed that this is where the largest piece that was left after the explosion impacted the earth and slid in as it were (kind of like Superman's pod when he was a baby.
There are still a lot of questions. Why aren't there bits and pieces of extraterresterial matter found around the lake as is normal in other crater impacts? Other scientists had previously ruled out the lake as a possible impact crater filled in with water because their studies of the sediments led them to believe it was a centuries old lake.
The team of scientists that believe this is indeed the impact spot plan to go back this year and take more sediment sample from the lake bottom and hopefully provide a final solution to this century old mystery!
Hat Tip: National Geographic.
Thirsty Thursday: Share Your Worst Culinary Disaster!
I wanted to start a meme that I hope will be fun for my readers. You see, I am Thirsty for your answers and anecdotes. So each Thursday I am going to ask you a probing question. Just post your answer on your blog and sign into Mr. Linky below. I will come by and read your story. I also would appreciate it if in your post you would like back to Thirsty Thursday so others can join in the fun! Feel free to copy my image!
Todays Question:
What was your worst culinary disaster?
Probably my worst one...where we actually were unable to eat the food I had prepared was when I was experimenting with rice. We ate a lot of rice back in the early 90s. And I was always trying to find a way to flavor it. My grandmother had recently passed away and in cleaning out her stuff, my mom had given me a bunch of spices. Among them was a pizza spice. Now I am guessing pizza spice is probably best on pizza. But I thought I could flavor my rice with it.
That was the nastiest tasting stuff you ever want to put in your mouth...yuck! We ended up eating out. we figured we deserved it just for trying the pizza rice!
One time my oven caught fire. It was one year that I was making Thanksgiving dinner. Nanny wasn't feeling well, so we invited people here. Daniel wanted to try doing the full meal deal from Krogers. Part of that was a big old pan of green beans already seasoned and you just put them in this foil container into the oven. Well, the foil container had a hole in one end. The buttery/greasy juices leaked out of the whole and caught on fire. That added a bit of spark to our Thanksgiving that year!
So tell me about your worst culinary disaster!
Thanks for the Comments! I Will Catch Up! Contest Reminder! Busy Days!
As you can probably tell by the title of this post, I have been busy and I am going to try and put a bunch of stuff into one post!
First, I want to thank all of those that commented on my blog last week and this week. Many of the comments were in response to the giveaways related to The Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway...Wasn't that great fun? But I know some other personal comments were in there too. I make a point of visiting people who have visited and commented here, but I have done poorly over the last week and a half. I will at least comment on those more personal comments, and I will try to visit some of you who have entered a contest, but I wanted you to know that I appreciate your stopping by! Really I do.
In case you missed the contests that I am currently offering, here are the links:
Win High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain - Ends 6 pm November 9th.
Win One of Five Autographed Copies of The Meeting of Anni - Ends November 11th
Win When The Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall -Ends November 6 pm 14th
Now, onto busy days. Yesterday was particularly long. But it has been a full week and today will be full as well. Monday afternoon we had our normal piano lessons, then we met my mom to go see Hairspray (I really like that movie), then as a special treat, she took us to Cold Stone Creamery for dinner...yummy!
Tuesday after we completed school work, it was go to the library, the bank, the dumpster, and get groceries time. We also voted.
Then yesterday, we did school work in the morning, then I spent six hours driving to Lexington, VA and back. I met a very nice homeschooler there (actually we had met before a couple of years ago, but I had forgotten). Anyway, she and I have entered what is sure to be a mutually beneficial relationship. She had a bunch of items that she wanted to list on eBay and I am going to list them for her for a commission. So that will add to my business for the next couple of weeks.
Today we need to squeeze in some school work and we are leaving around lunchtime to go visit my dad for a couple of hours, then we are meeting a friend of mine who knows more about eBay than I do. She is going to help me look at some of the stuff I have just picked up and point me in the right direction. She is also loaning me a mannequin for picture taking.
While I was gone, my stepson called. He had been to an interview in Atlanta, Georgia. And it is looking very well. He has picked up a lot of technical knowledge over the years and should he get this position, he will be making 50K a year. Not bad for a 21 year old! We are proud of him.
Well, best get going. I have some paid blogging posts to write, a shower to take, stuff to unload from my car (it was dark last night so I left it out there) and I still hope I will get some school in today....really, I do:)
November 7, 2007
Book Review: Esther's Story by Diane Wolkstein
We are using Story of the World for History this year. We love it. The short, detailed sections. The activities. The literature suggestions. The literature suggestions are awesome. Today we read "Esther's Story" by Diane Wolkstein and illustrated by Juan Winjgaard.
This is one of my favorite stories from the bible. Esther's example of courage is one to inspire us all. I case you don't know the story of Esther, here is what is written on the dust jacket flap:
"When the prime minister of Persia decides to destroy all the Jews throughout the kingdom, no one stands in his way but a young girl.
Written in the rom of a diary, distinguished folklorist Diane Wolkstein's unforgettable portrait brings to life the story of Esther, revealing the transformation of a shy orphan girl into a compassionate queen who is willing to risk the wrath of a king in order to save her people. Award-winning artist Juan Wijngaard captures this biblical heroine's majesty and humanity with his jewel-like illustrations.
Together, two masters have created a picture book of rare beauty that pays tribute to Esther, whose courage and wisdom are celebrated throughout the world during the joyous feast of Purim."
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. It would make a wonderful gift for this Christmas season.
My Grandma and Thanksgiving
Scribbit is having a Winter Bazaar to give us all a chance to chat about recipes, crafty ideas or other specific topic items. Each Wednesday she will be hosting the Winter bazaar at her website. For the month of November she is looking for posts related to Thanksgiving.
When I was growing up my mom often came to have Thanksgiving dinner with us. My grandfather was dead and my mom an only child. So if Grandma wasn't working (she worked shift work in a factory), she would come for the holidays. On Thanksgiving morning, it was all about the parades for me. I was busily devouring them from 9 - 12 while mom and grandma made delicious smells issue from the kitchen.
I loved the Macy's Day parade, And the Hawaiian parade with all of the beautiful floral floats.
My mom did most of the cooking, but she always had grandma make her famous candied sweet potatoes. So here is that yummy recipe for you to try this Thanksgiving!
Grandma’s Candied Sweet Potatoes
Sylvia Powell Lemley, my grandmother
Ingredients:
8 large sweet potatoes
½ box brown sugar
½ cup white sugar (granulated)
Salt and pepper to taste
½ stick margarine
1 heaping spoon Crisco shortening
Directions:
In electric skillet place shortening and margarine, let melt. Peel and slice potatoes, slice them thick. Place in skillet, salt and pepper then add both kinds of sugar. Next cover with water, then place lid on top and put on medium heat (320 degrees) leave there till starts cooking good then turn down to low heat. Just high enough so they continue to cook. Let cook like this for about an hour or until all water has cooked off and there is a nice syrup around the potatoes. Do not stir. If necessary while they are cooking move them around gently in the pan with a pointed fork. If you stir them, they will get mushy.
Book Review: Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep
She can melt steel – and men’s hearts …
By day, Fiona Fine is a successful couture designer, catering to the high society players of Bigtime, New York. By night, she’s Fiera, a superstrong superhero who can create and manipulate fire with her bare hands. Fiera, along with the other members of the heroic Fearless Five, make life miserable for the ubervillains who want to take over the city.
But Fiona’s personal life isn’t so fine. She still misses her fiancé, who was killed by ubervillains a year ago. But men admire Fiona’s smoking assets, and she decides to get back in the dating game – especially after she meets Johnny Bulluci. But this notorious playboy has plenty of secrets to go along with his sexy smile. And, with two new ubervillains in town who are intent on raising hell, Fiona’s love life might just crash and burn …
Hot Mama Details
Release date: Nov. 6, 2007
Pages: 356
Price: $14
Format: Trade paperback
Publisher: Berkley Books
ISBN-10: 0425217345
ISBN-13: 978-0425217344
November 6, 2007
97th Homeschool Carnival
Dana at Principled Discovery has put together a terrific Homeschool Carnival. You will find my entry listed in the catalog as C&I400.
Dana's description:
This week, we are attending classes at Homeschool U, our own virtual university for homeschooling families. Each class is worth three course credits. Like homeschooling itself, these courses are designed to be taken at your convenience, anywhere you have access to a computer and your children are welcome. Attending courses here at Homeschool U entitles you to the right to display the accompanying graphic on your own blog, should you so choose.
When The Morning Comes: A Review and A Giveway!
Nov. 13th: 6:08 PM UPDATE! Thanks to all who came by and commented. I wish I had a copy for all of you, but alas...only one can win. So I put the names on paper, I folded them up. Tossed them. And Katrina drew a name. Lesha! Come on down! You are the next winner at my blog! Keep coming back. I hope to have at least one giveaway every week!
I was offered a chance to read and review When the Morning Comes by Cindy Woodsmall. This is the second book in the Sisters of the Quilt series, and even though I hadn't read the first book, I was told that I could would be able to understand and enjoy it anyway. I have always been interested in the Amish way of life and I thought this would be a good chance for me to learn more about it, so I volunteered.
When the Morning Comes is an excellent book. I was able to read it and never felt lost. Part of what helps with this is information about the main characters that is given in the front of the book. But the way Cindy weaves the story, also fills in any past information that I might need to make the current book make sense. Another delightful addition to this book is a glossary in the back that explains the meanings of some Pennsylvania Dutch words that seep into the book.
This is the story of an Amish community that is going through several problems concurrently and how they are attempting to deal with them. One young woman has been raped and ostracized because the community could not bring themselves to believe she told the truth. Hannah is really the main character of the story, but the tapestry of this tale has several other important characters woven into it. There is Hannah's family, particularly two of her siblings Luke and Sarah, and her Mamm and Daed who are trying to cope with Hannah leaving the community and other things going on in their lives. Sarah has some mental health issues and Luke wants to get married, but there are some problems there as well.
Then we have a friend of Hannah's, Mary who wants to marry Luke but some complications from an accident are getting in the way. And there is Matthew, a good friend to Mary, who wants to marry Elle, but she is going through adjustments of her own. This story is rich. I learned a lot about the Amish community and realized that though, as Englischers, we may romanticize their simple life, it does come with a price. But then again, so does our more elaborate lifestyles. There is green on both sides of this fence and it would be wonderful if the two cultures could come together on a ground somewhere in the middle.
There is so much in the pages of this book...survival, love, betrayal, hope, maturing, sadness, happiness. It's amazing that it could all be contained inside of just 320 pp.
I couldn't believe it when the book came to an end. I wasn't ready to let go of these characters and I am anxiously awaiting the release of the next book.
Cindy Woodsmall and her husband have three sons, whom Cindy homeschooled for a number of years. With two children grown and attending college and the youngest entering public high school, she began pursuing her desire to write. The first chapter of When the Heart Cries, became the first book in the Sisters of the Quilt Series, won second place in the Noble Theme Contest - a contest for unpublished authors sponsored by the American Christian Fiction Writers. Woodsmall and her family live in Georgia.
I want to pass this book on to someone else who wants to read an uplifting story. All you have to do to win it is comment below. I will draw a name randomly on November 14th.
If you can't wait to see if you win or if you want to purchase a copy of this When the Morning Comes or When The Heart Cries, links are provided below.
Reasons to Vote
I take voting very seriously. I have never missed a major election and haven't missed many of the 'minor' ones. I have tried to instill the importance of voting in my children. So much so, in fact, that I spent an hour during the last presidential election getting my oldest stepson to vote(his car was broken) even though he was going to vote for 'the other guy.'
A dear friend of mine and I sit on the opposite sides of the political fence. We don't talk about politics too much because we don't want it to harm our friendship. But there are some things we agree on and that is that every single vote counts.
The other day she passed me a couple of articles that I want to share with you. There is still plenty of time for you to get out and vote today! If you aren't registered, make it a top priority this coming year. We are so blessed to live in a country where we can vote for candidates. It is appalling how many people throw that priviledge and right away. Other citizens around the world are dying to have what we take for granted.
So You’re Not Going to Vote
(Adapted from the League of Women Voters Education Fund, Voting
Rights Project)
So you’re not going to vote, huh? You say your ONE VOTE is not going
to make any difference among all those thousands.
Well, we have news for you: It just might make a difference. Down
through history, some pretty important things have been decided by
just ONE VOTE. For example:
By ONE VOTE: Adolph Hitler won leadership of the German Nazi Party in
1923.
By ONE VOTE: Congress saved the U.S. Army from instant collapse by
voting on August 12, 1941, to extend the Selective Service Act of
1940 (about to lapse) for another 18 months, less than 4 months
before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.
By ONE VOTE: A Texas convention voted for Lyndon B. Johnson over ex-
Governor Coke Steven in a contested senatorial election in 1948.
By ONE VOTE: Thomas Jefferson won the American presidency over Aaron
Burr when the election was thrown into the House of Representatives.
BY ONE VOTE: Women won the right to vote in 1920 when Tennessee
became the 36th state to ratify the 19th Amendment because one
Tennessee legislator, 24-year-old Harry Burn, changed his vote at the
insistence of his elderly mother.
By ONE VOTE: Myrlie Evers-Williams was elected chair of the NAACP
Board of Directors.
By ONE VOTE: John Quincy Adams became President in a dead-lock
between Adams and Andrew Jackson in 1824.
By ONE VOTE: Rutherford B. Hayes became President over Samuel Tilden
in 1876.
By ONE VOTE: Charles I of England was executed in 1649.
By ONE VOTE: President Andrew Johnson was saved from impeachment.
By ONE VOTE: The English language was chosen over German for America
in 1775.
By ONE VOTE: Washington, Oregon, and Idaho became a part of the
United States.
By ONE VOTE: France was changed from a monarchy to a republic in
1875.
If one more person in ten Cook County (Illinois) precincts had voted
for Richard M. Nixon in 1960, John F. Kennedy would not have been
elected president.
So your vote does count. Don’t waste it by staying home.
And a brief excerpt on a woman's right to vote in the U.S.:
July 1917, suffragettes picket the White House demanding the right to vote
(they'd only been asking for approx 70 years). The police stood by as
the crowd punched several women in their faces, knocked them down and
dragged them along the sidewalks, and shot at them. Virginian to the
core, Pres. Woodrow Wilson, gets tired of the pickets after a time,
and orders the police to "stop the lawless picketers". Two civilians
stepped in to stop a policemen form beating a suffragette - the
civilians are arrested, and the police resume the beatings. This is
what happened to Alice Paul, one of the women arrested in front of
the White House, asking for her right to vote. This is why I insist
that my daughter votes:
"Alice Paul was tried and sentenced to 7 months in prison and placed
in solitary confinement at Occoquan Workhouse, a prison in Virginia.
For two weeks, she had nothing to eat except bread and water. Alice,
along with the other suffragists, including frail, older women, were
beaten, pushed and thrown into cold, unsanitary, and rat-infested
cells. Under orders from W. H. Whittaker, superintendent of the
Occoquan Workhouse, as many as forty guards with clubs went on a
rampage, brutalizing thirty-three jailed suffragists. They beat Lucy
Burns, chained her hands to the cell bars above her head, and left
her there for the night. They hurled Dora Lewis into a dark cell,
smashed her head against an iron bed, and knocked her out cold. Her
cellmate Alice Cosu, who believed Mrs. Lewis to be dead, suffered a
heart attack. According to affidavits, other women were grabbed,
dragged, beaten, choked, slammed, pinched, twisted, and kicked.
Weak and unable to walk, Alice Paul was taken to the prison hospital.
There she began a hunger strike--one which others would join. "It
was," Paul said later, "the strongest weapon left with which to
continue... our battle . . ."
"In response to the hunger strike, prison doctors put Alice Paul in a
psychiatric ward. They threatened to transfer her to an insane
asylum. Still, she refused to eat. Afraid that she might die, doctors
force fed her. Three times a day for three weeks, they forced a tube
down her throat and poured liquids into her stomach. Despite the pain
and illness the force feeding caused, Paul refused to end the hunger
strike--or her fight for the vote.
November 5, 2007
Flying Lemurs are Closely Related to Primates
Photo of Flying Lemurs/Colugo courtesy of National Geographic
DNA shows that Flying Lemurs (Colugos) are closely related to Primates. These interesting creatures are found in Southeast Asia.
They are largely nocturnal. It is usually seen perching against a tree trunk with its head pointing upwards. When disturbed, the Colugo has two defensive reactions: It wil either freeze and hope not to get noticed or scramble up the trunk higher into the tree.
They are not the cutest creature I have ever seen, but they do have an interesting appearance. I think the fact that there are animals that can fly (glide) without wings is very interesting.
Interesting High Definition Image of DaVinci's Last Supper
At the risk that some people may hurl insults at me, I am sharing this interesting news story. By using 1,677 digital pictures that give high resolution images of DaVinci's Last Supper, there is no sign of facial hair on the Apostle John/Mary Magadalene. The images are clear enough that it looks as it would if you were standing only a few inches away from the painting. And it is helping to provide an image of the painting before it deteriorates any further in the polluted air of Milan. The resolution is so amazing that you can even see peacocks painted on the table cloth. I never knew they were there. Did you?
Anyway...I don't have a problem with the possibility that Mary Magdalene and Jesus were married. It would make more sense for him to be married than not, given that day and age. And did not God send Jesus to experience life as a human? Being married would certainly be part of that. And it would make Jesus' sacrifice even more amazing. I can also see the disciples wiping out all records of Jesus' family to protect them because the people of the time had a mentality that if you were offended by someone or found them to be bad, you wiped out the whole family.
The possibility of Mary Magdalene doesn't change my faith that Jesus is my savior, it just means there is more to the story that I don't know. It would just go in the category of things to be explained when I sit at Jesus' feet. I have so many questions. Thank goodness, I will have an eternity to get the answers.
Hat tip: National Geographic
Memory Lane Monday: Childhood Pet
Heather has a new memory question for us over at MomsBlogging. She wants us to share information about our childhood pet.
I had one pet growing up. My parents weren't paricularly fond of pets. My mom had bad memories about cats (pretty gruesome actually) and my dad disliked cats because he wanted to feed wild birds. Dogs were okay, and that was what we had. One little sausage type dog, named Candy. I got her when I was maybe 2 or 3. She was my best buddy. She was almost yellow in color and shaped a bit like a sausage dog, even though she was just a mutt.
She and I went every where together. She swam in the pond with me, hiked through the woods with me, and always met me when I got off the bus. Until I was 8, we lived between two farms. She and I were always out exploring, particularly one area that was near a creek. It was our own private spot we could go to.
We moved to a subdivision and dad built her the coolest dog house out of plywood and shingles. It even had a porch she could hang out one. She loved to eat ice cream and gum drops (please, no dog lovers are to fuss at me here...what we fed our dogs back in the 70s was way different than today.
Candy didn't come inside very often. My parents didn't think animals belonged in the house. Three times during her life she was seriously injured and those three times she got to come inside while we cared for her. Once she got in a battle with a muskrat. I am not sure if there was a winner, but she was hurt. She healed.
She also got hurt by a female boxer who was in heat. And amazingly, she survived that too.
When she was older, a female German Shepherd attacked her and bit her. We didn't think she would live that time, but she pulled through yet again. In between her battles, the only other trouble we ever had with her was for some reason, she didn't like black people. We lived in an area where people liked to take walks and if we saw black people coming by, we would have to restrain her. We never knew why she was this way, nor were we able to train her not to run after them barking. She never attacked or anything. She would stand in our yard next to the road, barking her head off.
When we moved, I had to catch the bus a block away from my house. She was always waiting for me when I got home. Always!
When I was in eighth grade, I went out to feed her one evening, but she didn't come. She loved Gainesburgers. We looked all over for her, but we couldn't find her. The next morning we were looking again. We found her at the edge of our yard with a look of pain on her face. She had died during the night, alone and probably trying to come to me when i was calling her.
I was heart broken. My parents didn't want to get another pet, but they did buy me a stuffed dog that reminded me of her and I slept with that dog for many years. I missed the pet that had been by confidant and who would run up to me as fast as her short little legs would carry her. She was a special little dog.
I received permission to bury her where she and I used to play on the farm. My dad made her a beautiful cross and in the months that followed I visited her often. I never forgot her.
sniff...sniff...
Here is the poem I wrote after she died. It is dated February 28th, 1980. I did use a bit of poetic license as in my poem, I said it was summer when it was winter.
Dreamily I awoke from the night
Though it was summer, the sun was not bright.
A heavy mist hung overhead
The kind that oft' fills you with dread.
Intuition, you might say
Told me this was to be a sorrowful day.
Just then it hit me,
My dog I could not see.
I hunted and called for
My dog all day and then called some more.
I found her not until the next morn,
Her body still, cold and forlorn.
Death had touched my Candy,
My lovely companion, Candy.
I cried all day and all night too,
My Candy, what shall I do without you?
My dad and I buried her where
She used to run and play, there
In the golden sunset
Where she and I first met.
November 4, 2007
Leaf Color Is Indicative of Soil Content
As an undergraduate student, Emily Habinck, noticed that soil affected leaf color. Where there are more nutrients, the leaves tend to be yellow, but where the soil has less nutrients the leafs tend to be red.
While Habinck was at work on the project, William Hoch, a plant physiologist at Montana State University, wrote a paper suggesting an additional link between the red-leaf pigment anthocyanin and autumn sunlight.
I always thought that the leaf color had to do with the species of tree. Learn something new everyday! For more information, be sure to hop over to National Geographic!
So what color leaves dominate in your neck of the woods?
Ancient Spider Dissected Digitally
I am actually sharing this news for my buddy Chickadee. She is always collecting animals and sharing the photos of them with the rest of us...particularly spiders. I thought she would enjoy seeing an ancient spider...inside and out!
David Penney of the University of Manchester and colleagues from Ghent University in Belgium used a technique called very-high-resolution x-ray computed tomography (VHR-CT) to create a 3-D model showing an ancient spider's internal organs in exquisite detail.
So Chickadee, I hope you are fascinated with your close up view of the spider! I thought it was um....interesting! It will be interesting to see if they use this technology for other purposes...like frog dissection in classrooms or getting a picture of people's insides.
Arctic Fox Stores Eggs for Lean Times
Scientists have determined that the arctic fox stores stolen eggs in the food caches. These eggs can be stored for up to 1 year and they are what the foxes have on hand in case they can't find their preferred prey which is the collard lemming. The temperature of the permafrost combined with the natural preservatives in the egg are what keeps the eggs in an edible state for up to a year.
The arctic fox is not the only mammal to cache food, but it is unique in the fact that its stored food lasts so long. Most other animals eat their cached food in a few days. Scientists observed that there are natural fluctuations in the collard lemming population. When the collard lemming is plentiful, the cached eggs make up about 24% of the arctic foxes diet. If the collard lemming is scarce, then the cached eggs make up 78% of the arctic foxes diet.
For more information, read the rest of the National Geographic article!
Book Giveaway - The High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain
UPDATE: after tossing three names into the hat and having one randomly picked out, the lucky winner of this book is Christy! Thanks for chiming in Laura and Becci. Wish I had a copy for each of you as well! I meant to pull this name last night. I thought about it at 5, but that was too early, then I got busy doing other things and it completely slipped my mind.
I won this in a contest a month ago. It looks like a great book, but I didn't read the review well enough. This appears to the be the third in a series of books. Since I don't have the first two books and I have enough on my reading shelf to last me for the next year or so, I thought I would pass this on to a Kristen Britain fan.
This is a softcover, uncorrected proof desigend for limited distribuition and not for sale. The Hardcover book will be released on November 6th.
It you would like to win this copy, all you have to do is comment below. It would also be very nice if you would do a review for this author. I wasn't asked to do a review as part of the contest that I won, but was asked after the fact if I would like to do a review. Authors give out free books hoping to spread the word, and I have no problem doing that, so if you would like to show your appreciation for the free book, I am sure the author would appreciate your review.
Here is what the back cover says...
More than a thousand years ago, the armies of the Arcosian Empire, led by Mornhavon the Black, crossed the great sea and tried to conquer the land of Sacoridia using terrible dark magic. Eventually Mornhavon had been captured, and his spirit, immortalized but corrupted by the use of evil sorcery, had been imprisoned in Blackveil Forest.
Since the end of this Long War, the perimeter of Blackveil Forest - a dark and twisted land - had been protected by the magical D'Yer Wall. But in the ten centuries since the war's end, knowledge of the working of magic had slowly disappeared from Sacoridia, due to the fear and prejudice of a people traumatized by the memory of the terrifying sorceries of Mornhavon's invading army.
Karigan G'ladheon was now a seasoned Green Rider - an experienced member of the magical messenger corps of the King of Scaoridia. But during her first year as a Rider, a rogue magician had cracked the mighty D'Yer Wall, and tainted magic from Blackveil Forest had begun to leak into Sacoridia. Though Karigan had defeated the person responsible for creating the break in the wall, still the breach remained, and the knowledge of how to mend it was lost to the ages. The spirit of Mornhavon, sensing the weakness in his prison wall, began to wake, seeking vengeance, and causing frightening aberrations throughout the land.
With the ghostly help of the First Rider, Karigan had managed to transport the spirit of Mornhavon into the future, buying valuable time for her king and country.
But how far in the future was Mornhavon now? A hundred years? Ten years? Only one year? There was no way to tell.
And though Karigan and her fellow Riders scoured the land searching for lost magical documents, and members of Clan D'Yer camped at the wall hoping to uncovers its lost secrets, they were unaware of a threat to their kingdom that lay far closer.
For there were Arcosian soldiers who'd survived the Long War, and now, the descnedants of those Arcosians were ready to strike, reaching out to claim the land their forebears had tried to conquer. And these vengeful enemies had spent generations honing their powers of dark magic - a force against which the Sacoridians had no defense....
So leave a comment. I will draw a name Friday evening around 6 pm. U.S. entries only please. I am sorry, wish I could afford the postage elsewhere. If you are overseas, and want to paypal me the amount for the postage, then feel free to sign up too!
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Uncovers Archaeological Site
As the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers was in the process of building a dam in Puerot Rico that would help protect the region from flooding, they happened on a wonderful archaeological find. At first, they didn't realize the significance of the area, but continued excavation by a private American company has uncovered what is probably the largest Taino site ever found.
There has been controversy in the past whether there is a connection between the Taino population and the Mayan population. Perhaps the artifacts will help archaeologists to come up with an answer.
The U.S. Army Corps have been able to reroute their dam project so as to have minimal impact on the site.
Hat tip: National Geographic.
November 11th - Veteran's Day and a Book Giveaway
IMPORTANT: Below is a review that I wrote regarding a book I recently read. This contest is taking place on my other blog, but if you want, you may also comment here and I will pool all of the comments together when I have my drawing on the 11th. This is a wonderful book and would be a terrific edition to your living history book collection! BTW, For some reason in a couple of spots, I can't get the font size to change. Don't ask me why. It is changed where I am typing it, but when I preview it, it isn't. Sorry, but I don't know what to do about it.
How does one define the word 'veteran'?
Originally, the word veteran meant "a person of long experience" or skill. Derived from the Latin term veteranus. After the American Revolution the word veteran came to be associated specifically with former soldiers of old age who had fought for independence. As time went on, "veteran" was used to describe any former member of the armed forces or a person who had served in the military.
World War I, also known as the "Great War" was officially concluded on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of November, at 11 A.M. in 1918. On November 11th of the following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared that day as "Armistice Day" in honor of the peace. (The term armistice means "truce" or the end of wartime hostilities.) This day was marked with public celebrations and a two minute halt to business at 11 AM. In 1921, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated in Arlington Cemetery with a ceremony on November 11th. After this dedication, Armistice Day was adopted in many states and at the federal level as a day to honor veterans. This was made official in 1938 when an act of Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday.
In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower changed the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day. For several years in the 1970s, Veterans Day was observed in October by many states but in 1978 it was returned to November 11th. Today, Veterans Day is still observed on November 11th as a national holiday to honor all veterans of the United States Armed Forces. (If November 11th falls on a weekend day, the holiday is observed the following Monday.) Throughout the nation, Americans participate in parades, ceremonies, and observances to pay their respects to our servicemen and women, both past and present.
Through the years, we have come to think of Veteran's Day as a time to honor the men and women who have been involved in the Armed Forces (past and present). But if we think back on the original meaning of 'veteran', wouldn't it also be appropriate to honor people of long experience or skill? We often seem stuck in the present or with our eyes turned toward the future and we neglect the past. We discount the wisdom of those who have gone before us and paved the way for us. We forget to take time to simply reflect and we neglect to take the time to learn. And we all know that 'he is doesn't know history is doomed to repeat it.'
So this Veteran's Day, I am not just going to remember and honor the brave men and women who have been part of the United States Armed Forces. Today, I am going to remember a woman who was born on November 11th, 1926 at approximately 11:00 pm, Anny Jeanne Neuman was born in Luxembourg. Anny was born 8 years after the war to end all wars had officially ended. The day she was born had been set aside to commemorate peace that the world hoped would last forever. For the first 13 years of her life, Anny grew up in a home where she was loved and nurtured by her hard working parents. She visited relatives in France. She was an inquisitve and happy child who was a light in her family's home. But before she reached her 14th birthday, she was fleeing for her life with her family from the invading German army.
Anny and her family were not Jewish. They were Catholic. But in the initial invasion of Luxembourg, everyone was at risk of being shot on sight. They left behind virtually everything they owned to escape death in May of 1940. They entered France riding in the same type of cattle cars that would eventually be used to transport Jewish people and other 'enemies' of Germany to concentration camps. She had first had experience of what it was like to be in crammed in a train where there was standing room only for four days without food or water. When her family arrived in France, the French helped them as best as they were able, but they were under attack as well and supplies were scarce for everyone. They were given a place to live in while they were there. It was little more than a hovel, but they made the best of it.
In September of 1940, Anny and her family were allowed to return home to Luxembourg under German rule. But it was not the Luxembourg they knew and loved. Fear marched the streets. Friends disappeared in the dark hours of the night. There were rules to be followed. Anny was told she could no longer associate with her best friend who was Jewish. Indoctrination took place in the school as the Germans tried in vain to turn the citizens of Luxembourg to their way of thinking Anny even had to go through a name change to make her name more pleasing to the German conquerors. Her father was forced to fly a German flag from his window, to ignore friends, and to follow the German rules. He did these things in order to protect his family and to ensure their survival. Anni (her new name) walked a careful line. She was deferential when she needed to be, but she also visited her Jewish friends in secret. She carried messages and packages for what one can only assume to be some type of underground network. She watched, she learned and during years of deprivation and loss, she never gave up. She never lost her sense of who she was or what was important.
Eventually, the Americans came. And the hope that had kept the Neuman family alive (along with many others), was renewed. As the Germans were pushed back and countries regained their freedom, the Neumans rejoiced. Anni found love or maybe I should say love found her. Even though life was better now that the fear had been banished from the streets. It was still a struggle. Europe had been ravaged by war and it was going to take a long time for any sort of normalcy to return to this war stricken land. Food was still scarce as were jobs and all supplies.
But Anni had dreams and the darkness of the occupation had not destroyed them, only reshaped them. And while she did not live happily ever after, she did way more than survive.
I don't want to tell you the end of her story because that would be spoiling the book that I have to share with you. I do want to say that this book has taught me and touched me more than any book that I have read for a long time. While reading it, I felt much the way I did when I saw Schindler's List. I was reading about horrible things and because I was reading them through the eyes of Anni, I understood them way more than I ever have by reading history books in school. I saw this family triumph time and time again. I saw them not fall to bitterness as so many did. Instead they continued to struggle, to hope, and to dream. They helped one another and others as they could during some of the darkest days of our world's history.
The book that I read was "The Meeting of Anni Adams: The Butterfly of Luxembourg". I won this book in September but was unable to read it until the last couple of week due to other commitments. Lonnie D. Story wrote the story of Anni Jeanne Neuman Adams. He wove in excerpts of history so we would know what was going on in the world beyond Anni and her family. This story will capture you and carry you along as you cry, fear, hope, and survive alongside the Neuman family.
We all go through periods of difficulties and how we get through them is a measure of our character and our outlook. Sometimes we feel like no one else has ever dealt with as much as we are. They wouldn't be able to survive! How can we be expected to be in a good humor with all that is going on. Let Anni and her family be your guide. Let their courage lift you up and let their survival give you hope. Read of their struggles, then compare them to your own. Share this book with your older children so they can get a good inside look at World War II. So much is glossed over and forgotten in today's history books. Don't let them forget. Let's prevent history from repeating itself.
I wrote to Lonnie and told him how much I enjoyed the story and how I wanted to share it with others. I told him I planned to do a review of the book and that I wondered if he would be kind enough to bless one of my readers with a copy of The Meeting of Anni Adams The Butterfly of Luxembourg.
He wrote back and said that in honor of Anni's upcoming 81st birthday, he would share not one, but five copies of this wonderful book with my readers. Each copy will be signed by Lonnie and Anni. I am grateful. I am excited to be able to share this amazing story with you. And I look forward to hearing what you think of it when you are through.
All you have to do is leave a comment below. I will close this contest at 11 pm on November 11th, 2007 in honor of Anni Jeanne Neuman Adams. Lonnie will be mailing the book directly to the winners. He said he can mail to U.S. addresses, France, Luxembourg and Belgium.
UPDATE!!!! Lonnie has emailed me Anni's email address. He said she loves to get email, so if you would like to send her birthday wishes, please feel free to contact her. Remember her birthday is November 11th.
November 3, 2007
Boo Humbug Winners!
Thanks to all of the people who took part of my Boo Humbug contest! I wish I had a copy for each and every one of you. I used the Random Number Generator and the numbers 40 and 61 popped up. So the winners are:
Marie at Memarie Lane won one book. (Doesn't her blog have a cool name? And she has a great contest going on right now, so check it out!)
Jo at Life With Heathens won the other one. She picked a title that echos my life!
405 Year Old Clam Claims Title of Longest Lived Animal
A clam dredged from icy Arctic waters is being hailed as the world's longest-lived animal. Climate researchers at Bangor University in the United Kingdom recently counted 405 annual growth rings in the shells of a quahog clam.
So just think, when this clam was young, Jamestown was just being founded in America (Jamestown is 400 years old this year). Quahog clams are known for their longevity. Previous record holders lived 220 years old and 374 years old.
Scientists believe the secret to the clams' longevity is a slowed cell-replacement process. But why they age so slowly is unknown.
"It is possible that an investigation of the tissues of these real-life Methuselahs might help us to understand the process of aging," team member Chris Richardson said in a media statement.
Check out National Geographic for more information.
November 2, 2007
Best Wildlife Photos of 2007 Announced
This photo of a breaching Great White Shark was two years in the making! Talk about patience! Visit National Geographic for the other four amazing wildlife photos!
25 Most Endangered Primates Named
Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey
This cute little monkey from Vietnam is one of the 25 most endangered species of primates in the world according to a report by Primate Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union's Species Survival Commission and the International Primatological Society, in collaboration with Conservation International.
To see and learn more about the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey and the other 24 animals on the website visit this National Geographic Site and this one(the list is in two parts).
CrispyClean® Bacon Broiler - Microwave Bacon In a Totally Enclosed Unit!
I was priviledged to be allowed to test a revolutionary microwave bacon cooker. When you think of making bacon in your microwave, do you think about the bacon practically laying in its own grease? Do you think about the splatters that you are going to have to clean out of your microwave? Do you think about how you won't be able to get the bacon crispy like you like it?
Well, if you have given up on microwaving bacon or if you never even tried because you just thought it wouldn't work, I want to let you know that it can be done in a painless fashion! All you need is the CrispyClean® Bacon Broiler! This is the only totally enclosed unit on the market and it is easy to use! And it is cute.
Let me tell you something about the way it works.
The top locks and unlocks from the vertical vanes via a specially designed section in the top. The vertical vanes (there are six) are where you place the strips of bacon. One strip per each vane. Then you put the top onto the vanes and turn it. This locks the tabs into place. Then using the handle, which is part of the top, you pick the vanes up and set them into a plastic housing (a big cup). There are black clips that lock the lid into place. Next you place your CrispyClean® Bacon Broiler into the microwave, set the timer for the appropriate amount of time, then you go make the eggs or pancakes or sandwiches while the bacon cooks. Depending on how many slices you cook, how thick they are and the strength of your microwave will depend on how long your cooking time will be.
We had a package of bacon with 15 strips in it. It took 4 minutes and 30 seconds to cook six slices of bacon to crispy perfection. When you take the bacon out of the microwave, you unlock the black clasps, lift out the vanes using the top, then remove the top from the vanes and pull off your yummy bacon. The grease is all in the bottom of the cup. Pour that out into a can or bowl and then you are ready to go again!
There is a little bit of a learning curve as you figure out the cooking time based on your microwave's strength, but the ease and the crispiness of the bacon and the lack of mess make those few moments well worth the effort!
This totally enlosed unit is fantastic! It is small enough to store easily. It is easy to use. It is healthier than other ways you can cook bacon because the fat drips down to the bottom during cooking. The bacon is easy to remove from the vanes.
You would think this awesome CrispyClean® Bacon Broiler would cost a small fortune, but it doesn't! You can purchase one for $14.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. Or you can purchase two in a twin pack for 24.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. With a twin pack, you can keep one and give one as a gift or if you often cook for a large group, you can be rotating the bacon broilers through your microwave more quickly!
I give this product 2 thumbs up!
Map and Compass Exercises
Late last winter, the children and I joined in with a local homeschool nature group. We attended a couple of indoor classes, and then started meeting outdoors for hikes, water studies, flower identification, that sort of thing. Our fearless leader became pregnant with her fourth child and as the months have grown closer to the impending birth, we have seen and heard less from her. Two other moms decided to turn us into 4-H affiliated group. We were already doing 4-H type activities and this would look good on the kids transcripts. Today was our first meeting and the two leaders set up a map and compass exercise for us. All of the parents participated, but this was a nice guideline.
Since it went so well and the children had so much fun (except Jack who felt like this was old hat for him) I thought I would share the guidelines the two mom's set up for us. That way you can do it with your young'uns.