As I'm fairly new to the whole blogging world, I have to give a shout-out to a co-worker and friend of mine, Ramsey. This man (OK, I honestly think of him as a "boy" most of the time given the age difference, but I'm being PC here; he IS over 21!) has got it seriously going on in the world of techno-geekdom.
Not only does he have a very cool blog (albeit with sometimes questionable posts...I'll let you judge for yourself... http://www.acrosstheboardblog.com) he is also doing this new thing called a "life stream".
Essentially, he has a web cam that he takes everywhere with him. He has it at our work (muted, thank goodness!) and at home, out at a bar or bowling and even had permission to bring it into the T-Bones Baseball game when we went with work (AND he got a radio interview for it!). The camera is either focused on him and recording what he's doing (and giving us without a life a front-row seat to watch him) or he's wearing it on a red ball cap and we get to see the world "through his eyes".
When he first told me about this, I personally gave him grief. Called it dumb and seriously wondered about his sanity for awhile. However, for him, I see this as a wonderful addition to his life, at least right now. He's a very outgoing and impressive guy and this just puts him out there in the thick of things a little more. He likes to share pieces of himself with the world at large and this just shares it a bit more.
The reason for accolades to him on MY blog? He's teaching me. Maybe not directly and probably without him realizing it. But, I'm learning to be a little more open each day and share the cool stuff of my life and mind (not just the weird and morbid). Doing this blog is helping me express myself better and helping me learn that if I really want to make the world a better place for my kids, I have to start with ME. Without him, I wouldn't have started a blog - at least not yet.
So - well done Ramsey! May this be a truly positive experience in your life and something you can talk about with your grandkids someday (who will probably be doing the same thing in their day, but as a mandated government tracking program or something!).
http://www.justin.tv/ramsey - check him out!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sprint Center Opening Act Announced
Kansas City has a new arena downtown - the Sprint Center. It looks really freaking cool. And guess who gets to open it?
Now, if you know me AT ALL, you probably know this is my FAVORITE artist of all time. and I'm SO excited!
Joe told me to go ahead and buy two tickets. Then he told me to find someone else to take since he won't go. So, that's a bit of a downer. But, his reluctance to attend will not dampen my excitement or willingness to attend. Even if I go alone. Which I won't. Friend of mine has already said he'd like to go with me. Just gotta decide if going with another GUY is worth the 3 years grief I'll get out of it. Which it probably IS. =)
Anyway, read about the Sprint Center and all it's coolness and the Elton Concert right here:
http://sprintcenter.com/press_073007.php
Now - if I can just figure out how to go see Sir Elton in Vegas the following week with my cousin, I'd definitely have my fix for the year!
ELTON JOHN
Now, if you know me AT ALL, you probably know this is my FAVORITE artist of all time. and I'm SO excited!
Joe told me to go ahead and buy two tickets. Then he told me to find someone else to take since he won't go. So, that's a bit of a downer. But, his reluctance to attend will not dampen my excitement or willingness to attend. Even if I go alone. Which I won't. Friend of mine has already said he'd like to go with me. Just gotta decide if going with another GUY is worth the 3 years grief I'll get out of it. Which it probably IS. =)
Anyway, read about the Sprint Center and all it's coolness and the Elton Concert right here:
http://sprintcenter.com/press_073007.php
Now - if I can just figure out how to go see Sir Elton in Vegas the following week with my cousin, I'd definitely have my fix for the year!
Political post =)
I asked a group of chatters and bloggers what would be a good topic for me to post tonight. Several of them told me to do politics. My reply...ewww..
But, then I couldn't resist.
I can't really speak to politics too much. Simply because I refuse to follow them. I pop in a movie during the State of the Union address. I won't even watch the news. Why? Just one of those things I don't understand and leave to the hands of other people.
One thing I do and will continue to do - support the President. Yes, he might be a dipstick at times. And yes we're in a war that appears to not be ending anytime soon. But, he's our PRESIDENT. A symbol of American freedom as surely as if he was made of apple pie and holding a torch. So - voice your opinions about the actions, but as the PRESIDENT, support him!
Oh - and say a Prayer. The man could use them!
But, then I couldn't resist.
I can't really speak to politics too much. Simply because I refuse to follow them. I pop in a movie during the State of the Union address. I won't even watch the news. Why? Just one of those things I don't understand and leave to the hands of other people.
One thing I do and will continue to do - support the President. Yes, he might be a dipstick at times. And yes we're in a war that appears to not be ending anytime soon. But, he's our PRESIDENT. A symbol of American freedom as surely as if he was made of apple pie and holding a torch. So - voice your opinions about the actions, but as the PRESIDENT, support him!
Oh - and say a Prayer. The man could use them!
Hollywood's Newest Wild Child
This may seem a bit odd to the regular human, but I think we need to take a moment to say a prayer for Lindsay Lohan. This is a girl people are currently laughing at for getting so many DUI's and she JUST turned legal age! Instead of laughing at her or pitying her, say a prayer for her. She's a troubled girl, around bad influences, with too much money and incorrect guidance.
Do this - forget that she's a Hollywood starlet. Picture your best friend/girlfriend at that age. Imagine it was HER having these troubles. Would you laugh at her? Would you shake your head and wonder when she'll wise up? NO - you'd do something. And in lew of actually being able to physically do something for her, you would have prayed for her. And asked your family to pray. and other friends. and your church.
DO THE SAME FOR LINDSAY. And for Paris. And Britney. And Robert Downey, Jr. And any other famous person who seems to have trouble stay on a Godly and CLEAN path. They need our HELP, not our laughs.
Do this - forget that she's a Hollywood starlet. Picture your best friend/girlfriend at that age. Imagine it was HER having these troubles. Would you laugh at her? Would you shake your head and wonder when she'll wise up? NO - you'd do something. And in lew of actually being able to physically do something for her, you would have prayed for her. And asked your family to pray. and other friends. and your church.
DO THE SAME FOR LINDSAY. And for Paris. And Britney. And Robert Downey, Jr. And any other famous person who seems to have trouble stay on a Godly and CLEAN path. They need our HELP, not our laughs.
School Registry
Wow - where did July GO??
As today (as I've passed over the Cinderella hour just now) is the last day of July, it just strikes me as odd that it's already this far into summer. And I'm down to just two days before my little boys are fully registered for Kindergarten!
Thursday evening I have to go to the school and turn in the final paperwork - birth certificates, health records, etc. In two weeks, we have a back-to-school bash and a kindergarten open house where we get to meet the teacher. And in just three weeks from yesterday my babies enter the world of public education.
How am I preparing for this wonderful day? Well, I just read a book called "The Third Victim" that featured a school shooting in an elementary school. THAT got me right in the mood...to quit my job and home school my precious angels!
Also, their current day care asked me where they'd be going after school each day. And I had to break their hearts and tell them the boys weren't coming back there. That was hard for lots of reasons. Not the least of which is that these people have spent more time with my kids in the last year and half than I have! But, Joe and I also know that going to the after-school program at the school is going to be a big change for the boys. Especially Thomas. And we're just not sure how the change will affect them.
Anyway, I'm feeling very nostalgic tonight suddenly. So, along those veins, here are some pictures from the past.
As today (as I've passed over the Cinderella hour just now) is the last day of July, it just strikes me as odd that it's already this far into summer. And I'm down to just two days before my little boys are fully registered for Kindergarten!
Thursday evening I have to go to the school and turn in the final paperwork - birth certificates, health records, etc. In two weeks, we have a back-to-school bash and a kindergarten open house where we get to meet the teacher. And in just three weeks from yesterday my babies enter the world of public education.
How am I preparing for this wonderful day? Well, I just read a book called "The Third Victim" that featured a school shooting in an elementary school. THAT got me right in the mood...to quit my job and home school my precious angels!
Also, their current day care asked me where they'd be going after school each day. And I had to break their hearts and tell them the boys weren't coming back there. That was hard for lots of reasons. Not the least of which is that these people have spent more time with my kids in the last year and half than I have! But, Joe and I also know that going to the after-school program at the school is going to be a big change for the boys. Especially Thomas. And we're just not sure how the change will affect them.
Anyway, I'm feeling very nostalgic tonight suddenly. So, along those veins, here are some pictures from the past.
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| From Twins Together |
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| From Twins Together |
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| From Twins Together |
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| From Twins Together |
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| From Emily |
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| From Emily |
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| From Emily |
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| From Emily |
Monday, July 30, 2007
911 Call
As a mom of two 5-year olds this was just too funny not to pass on. I could SO see my boys doing this! =)
Mom Rant #1
OK - as a mom, there are just some things that really bother me in the world. And, I feel the need to rant about them. Can't think of a better way to do that than here...
Therefore, this will be the first of probably many "Mom Rants". They may not make much sense but if I get them out of my head, maybe someone else will agree and we can make a small change in the world. =)
So...first rant is about Reality TV. Specifically, a new show about to come out called "Murder" on Spike TV (yes, I'm a mom and I watch Spike - I like CSI and this channel does so many reruns of it!)
According to SpikeTv.com, "Each episode of MURDER will feature one real crime, complete with a gruesome recreated crime scene and real crime footage, ripped from the closed case files of Homicide Departments across the United States. Two teams of real people, comprised of three members each, will compete to be the first to solve the case, correctly, in 48 hours."
Now, as I professed/confessed CSI fan, you'd think this particular reality show wouldn't bug me. In fact, it might intrigue me. And it probably would have except for a few points:
Therefore, this will be the first of probably many "Mom Rants". They may not make much sense but if I get them out of my head, maybe someone else will agree and we can make a small change in the world. =)
So...first rant is about Reality TV. Specifically, a new show about to come out called "Murder" on Spike TV (yes, I'm a mom and I watch Spike - I like CSI and this channel does so many reruns of it!)
According to SpikeTv.com, "Each episode of MURDER will feature one real crime, complete with a gruesome recreated crime scene and real crime footage, ripped from the closed case files of Homicide Departments across the United States. Two teams of real people, comprised of three members each, will compete to be the first to solve the case, correctly, in 48 hours."
Now, as I professed/confessed CSI fan, you'd think this particular reality show wouldn't bug me. In fact, it might intrigue me. And it probably would have except for a few points:
- REAL crime will be featured. Basically, they are going to exploit a REAL person's death and their friends/families pain and anguish on a cable station for money and "entertainment". Shows of this ilk in the FICTION aren't too bad, as they can be "teaching" tools and you know it's not a real person that was run over, shot, etc. It's just a story, however real or reflective of reality it can seem. It's really different when you KNOW it's real.
- Gruesome recreated crime scene and real crime footage. Ok - minor aside here. My family NEVER watches the first 5 minutes of any CSI, ER, etc. Why? That's when the most horrific moments of the show USUALLY occur. When we watch them with the kids, we also listen closely to the music or already know the episode and change the channel when it will be graphic. Otherwise, the kids watch. Because we see this as a learning tool - logic and reason applied to solving a problem and [some] correct science. Back on point - this show will be showing the REAL recreated crime scene. See point number one above regarding reality versus fiction.
- Compete to be the first to solve the case. OK - these are closed cases. Meaning supposedly already solved. However, what if there was a loophole discovered during the show? Or ideas posted that no one followed through on previously? Now, you might be giving possible "ammunition" to convicted felons and basically treating everything like a GAME.
So - there's my main issues with this show. I'm not big on most reality TV - but that's another rant. Don't know if this makes much sense, but I needed to let this out. Thanks for "listening"!
Friday, July 27, 2007
Surprise Party
My friend Tina had her ** birthday recently and her family threw a surprise party for her (age hidden to protect the innocent - and my own hide!).
To be honest, I was seriously considering not going, based on the time and location and the fact that I'd be taking the boys alone - and I had no idea if it was a big party or really small, so I didn't know how the boys would react to anything in advance.
But, since Tina helped me through so much of the pregnancy (she was IN the delivery room taking pictures people!) and through so many other things in the 6 years we've been friends, I couldn't pass up a night to celebrate HER!
Here are a few pictures from the really fun dinner at Zio's.
From left to right: Tatum, Bil, Katlyn, Neil & the Birthday Girl
Tina with my boys.
Me with Tina's Girls
Tina's Yummy Cake - plain white cake with buttercream icing.
And, yes, that's a "50" candle - hubby's idea of a "cute joke". Ha ha...
To be honest, I was seriously considering not going, based on the time and location and the fact that I'd be taking the boys alone - and I had no idea if it was a big party or really small, so I didn't know how the boys would react to anything in advance.
But, since Tina helped me through so much of the pregnancy (she was IN the delivery room taking pictures people!) and through so many other things in the 6 years we've been friends, I couldn't pass up a night to celebrate HER!
Here are a few pictures from the really fun dinner at Zio's.
From left to right: Tatum, Bil, Katlyn, Neil & the Birthday Girl
Tina with my boys.
Me with Tina's Girls
Tina's Yummy Cake - plain white cake with buttercream icing.
And, yes, that's a "50" candle - hubby's idea of a "cute joke". Ha ha...
Monday, July 16, 2007
Past updates
Be sure to go back and read some past posts - been doing some post-dating to catch up on our world! =)
Boys Playing Basketball (video)
Boys Playing Outside (video)
Boys Playing T-Ball
Bikini Bread
Boys Playing Basketball (video)
Boys Playing Outside (video)
Boys Playing T-Ball
Bikini Bread
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Bow Wow Vows
One of our clients told me about this great event they had. Here, you can see a video of the Guiness Record event of over 500 doggies saying "I DOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Lucky Baby
As luck would have it, this is one lucky kid!
7 7 7 7 7
Jack Allen Falkner was born July 7, 2007, considered by many the luckiest day of the century. But Jack's luck didn't stop there. The infant weighed in at 7 pounds, 7 ounces, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chippewa Falls. He was born at 8:12 am.
The number seven is considered lucky by gamblers, numerologists and the slew of couples who chose Saturday as their wedding date. If the string of sevens in that date makes for auspicious associations, the extra digits in his weight could bode that much better for the infant.
The only way his luck would have been better is if he'd been born about an hour earlier at 7:07!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Bikini Bread
The first "fruits" of the garden are a half dozen tomatoes, a bucket full of green beans, a dozen squash and seven huge zucchini. These zucchini are, of course, the main ingredient for Bikini Bread.
Small aside here - the boys can't say zucchini all that well, so it comes out as bikini. Hence - Bikini Bread. =)
Emily is helping me make the bread. A single zucchini has produced 4 large loaves and 1 mini-loaf with some leftover! I think we'll make three sets like this, for a total of 12 large loaves and 3 minis. Assuming we have enough of the OTHER ingredients - running a little low on flour right now.
I'm going to take a couple of these to work on Monday and label them Bikini Bread. See if they disappear faster that way. Shh - don't tell Kim!
If anyone is interested in a loaf for themselves, just let me know - I'd love to give it away. Otherwise, it just sits in the freezer or lands on my hips (I ate almost whole loaf by myself in one day a couple years ago - just couldn't stop!).
Small aside here - the boys can't say zucchini all that well, so it comes out as bikini. Hence - Bikini Bread. =)
Emily is helping me make the bread. A single zucchini has produced 4 large loaves and 1 mini-loaf with some leftover! I think we'll make three sets like this, for a total of 12 large loaves and 3 minis. Assuming we have enough of the OTHER ingredients - running a little low on flour right now.
I'm going to take a couple of these to work on Monday and label them Bikini Bread. See if they disappear faster that way. Shh - don't tell Kim!
If anyone is interested in a loaf for themselves, just let me know - I'd love to give it away. Otherwise, it just sits in the freezer or lands on my hips (I ate almost whole loaf by myself in one day a couple years ago - just couldn't stop!).
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
New Laptop!
OK - for the record, it was not my idea to get a new computer. I didn't argue mind you, but it wasn't my idea. So, on Monday, I got this nifty little HP Pavillion dv6000 - built in webcam, Microsoft Vista and office 2007. 2 GB memory and 140 HD. I'm in heaven. Joe isn't so much.
Now, if you've ever gotten a new computer, you know it takes time to set it up - loading software, moving files, making sure everything works. I've been working on this thing for 3 days now - off and on - and I'm still working on it. iTunes doesn't like my new music, I haven't loaded my anti-virus yet and the printer won't connect. It's nerve-wracking. And then Joe tells me I need to put it away!
AARRGGHH!!
So - I'm using it to bllog more often (yea!) just to take a break from setting it up. Only problem so far - typing with these long nails of mine. Guess I'm gonna have to pare them down some or get a wireless keyboard.
Guess which one will happen first....
=)
Now, if you've ever gotten a new computer, you know it takes time to set it up - loading software, moving files, making sure everything works. I've been working on this thing for 3 days now - off and on - and I'm still working on it. iTunes doesn't like my new music, I haven't loaded my anti-virus yet and the printer won't connect. It's nerve-wracking. And then Joe tells me I need to put it away!
AARRGGHH!!
So - I'm using it to bllog more often (yea!) just to take a break from setting it up. Only problem so far - typing with these long nails of mine. Guess I'm gonna have to pare them down some or get a wireless keyboard.
Guess which one will happen first....
=)
Happy 4th of July!
Don't have a lot to say here other than Happy Independence Day! Hope you all enjoy the day with your loved ones and stay safe with the fireworks.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Flood rains + no canoes = Unhappy Camper
This past weekend we had our 9th annual Float Trip and it was a rather interesting and WET trip. Roach MO had rain from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon - with flash flood warnings and very wet camping conditions.
Joe & I spent all day Thursday shopping and packing for our annual canoe trip. If we would have been able to use my van, we would have been ready to leave first thing Friday morning. But, we had to take the time to take mine to the "car doctor" and pickup the rental van. Seriously, i talked to four different people at the rental agency and told them we needed a van - not an SUV, a van. So, what did they have when we go there? An SUV. So, we had to convince them to give us the van they had sitting right out front. Sheesh!
We finished getting the last few items for the trip (like marshmallows, since our two little monkeys got into the bag we had on Thursday night) and finished up the loading. We were literally leaving the house at noon - really good for us!
We went to a new place this year - ab out 2.5 hours LESS driving time. I didn't get nearly as carsick as I usually do. We got all set up and were ready to eat at 6pm - another first for us!
The rain came that night. luckily, of the 8 "groups" (6 couples and two single guys) 6 of them brought free-standing canopies. We set them all up BEFORE the rain and made a "condo" of sorts - in a big L shape around the campfire. If we hadn't had those, the trip would have been a total bust.
The float part of the trip was cancelled before 8:30 Saturday morning. But did that stop us? NO!
Most of us went down to the river and did some swimming and then they let us take the canoes on the wide part of the river that went right by the campsite. The river was disgusting as it had turned over in all the rain, but it was still freezing cold so that was good (yes, sarcasm is a strong point of mine).
We still drank a lot both Friday and all day Saturday and ate lots of good food. Saturday, since we weren't going to be exhausted from the canoing, a few of our group went and got LOTS of fireworks. Since it was so wet out, we were free to do more than just ground works and they shot off mortars and bottle rockets and all kinds of fun things. Have you ever shot a firework into a body of water? It's pretty funny!
Anyway, Sunday turned out to be the rainiest of them all - with flash flood warnings. We packed everything up in the rain and got the heck outta Dodge.
All in all, most said it was the best trip ever. I missed the float part and I'm not much of a camper, but I have to agree that it wasn't too bad.
I'll be getting pictures from Rex soon (I hope!) and I'll post them later.
Joe & I spent all day Thursday shopping and packing for our annual canoe trip. If we would have been able to use my van, we would have been ready to leave first thing Friday morning. But, we had to take the time to take mine to the "car doctor" and pickup the rental van. Seriously, i talked to four different people at the rental agency and told them we needed a van - not an SUV, a van. So, what did they have when we go there? An SUV. So, we had to convince them to give us the van they had sitting right out front. Sheesh!
We finished getting the last few items for the trip (like marshmallows, since our two little monkeys got into the bag we had on Thursday night) and finished up the loading. We were literally leaving the house at noon - really good for us!
We went to a new place this year - ab out 2.5 hours LESS driving time. I didn't get nearly as carsick as I usually do. We got all set up and were ready to eat at 6pm - another first for us!
The rain came that night. luckily, of the 8 "groups" (6 couples and two single guys) 6 of them brought free-standing canopies. We set them all up BEFORE the rain and made a "condo" of sorts - in a big L shape around the campfire. If we hadn't had those, the trip would have been a total bust.
The float part of the trip was cancelled before 8:30 Saturday morning. But did that stop us? NO!
Most of us went down to the river and did some swimming and then they let us take the canoes on the wide part of the river that went right by the campsite. The river was disgusting as it had turned over in all the rain, but it was still freezing cold so that was good (yes, sarcasm is a strong point of mine).
We still drank a lot both Friday and all day Saturday and ate lots of good food. Saturday, since we weren't going to be exhausted from the canoing, a few of our group went and got LOTS of fireworks. Since it was so wet out, we were free to do more than just ground works and they shot off mortars and bottle rockets and all kinds of fun things. Have you ever shot a firework into a body of water? It's pretty funny!
Anyway, Sunday turned out to be the rainiest of them all - with flash flood warnings. We packed everything up in the rain and got the heck outta Dodge.
All in all, most said it was the best trip ever. I missed the float part and I'm not much of a camper, but I have to agree that it wasn't too bad.
I'll be getting pictures from Rex soon (I hope!) and I'll post them later.
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