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Happy, Happy Birthday!
Apr. 2nd, 2011 02:13 pmIt's April already?
I missed a birthday---so sorry my dear![[livejournal.com profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
enomis57---I hope it all went down splendidly and you're already up and running into the next year of your future!
And BIG HUG & BIRTHDAY WISHES going out (and on time, thank you) towillow_wand!
Keep the home-state warm for me (shouldn't be too hard, right?) and keep looking on the bright side!
My f-list is the best...
I missed a birthday---so sorry my dear
enomis57---I hope it all went down splendidly and you're already up and running into the next year of your future!And BIG HUG & BIRTHDAY WISHES going out (and on time, thank you) to
willow_wand!Keep the home-state warm for me (shouldn't be too hard, right?) and keep looking on the bright side!
My f-list is the best...
Random Pervy Thoughts
Apr. 1st, 2011 11:02 pmAnyone watching the new Starz series, Camelot???
Jamie Campbell Bower is seriously too pretty...my tv is overheating. *fans self*
Jamie Campbell Bower is seriously too pretty...my tv is overheating. *fans self*
No Foolin...
Apr. 1st, 2011 08:07 amThis week has had some surreal moments...
Tuesday evening I was chatting on the phone with a friend and looking out my kitchen window and I suddenly see something moving about 100-150 yards in the distance that appears to be a black panther. Seriously folks. Definitely a cat---and since it was at that distance (football field/soccer pitch + a half away)---it had to be a HUGE cat. Seen in profile, solid black, long curving tail that flips up at the end. NOT A HOUSE CAT.
I go into very-excited-i've-spotted-sasquatch-mode and yell at the kids to get to a window, WTH IS THAT THING?, and they run around house in confused manner and NO ONE ELSE SEES IT. Of course.
I know what I saw. C'mon, I was raised in Texas with all kinds of strange, magical beasts.
I did some research that night and discover that the county I'm in has had the most sightings of black panthers in the state. In fact, the latest sighting on the website I was looking at occurred in January less than 10 miles away. The DNR's (Department of Natural Resources) website is very non-committal---says that cougars were gone from the state by the turn of the century. Sure, sure...
Michigan folks---ever heard of any sightings?
And the rest of you---ever seen anything strange? Something that later makes you wonder if you imagined it?
Tuesday evening I was chatting on the phone with a friend and looking out my kitchen window and I suddenly see something moving about 100-150 yards in the distance that appears to be a black panther. Seriously folks. Definitely a cat---and since it was at that distance (football field/soccer pitch + a half away)---it had to be a HUGE cat. Seen in profile, solid black, long curving tail that flips up at the end. NOT A HOUSE CAT.
I go into very-excited-i've-spotted-sasquatch-mode and yell at the kids to get to a window, WTH IS THAT THING?, and they run around house in confused manner and NO ONE ELSE SEES IT. Of course.
I know what I saw. C'mon, I was raised in Texas with all kinds of strange, magical beasts.
I did some research that night and discover that the county I'm in has had the most sightings of black panthers in the state. In fact, the latest sighting on the website I was looking at occurred in January less than 10 miles away. The DNR's (Department of Natural Resources) website is very non-committal---says that cougars were gone from the state by the turn of the century. Sure, sure...
Michigan folks---ever heard of any sightings?
And the rest of you---ever seen anything strange? Something that later makes you wonder if you imagined it?
An Updated Life
Mar. 24th, 2011 11:55 pmUpdates for the week:
--Kitchen is once again functional with new oven/cooktop.
--YOUNGEST PASSED HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE TEST (that deserves all caps)
--Wrestling season officially over...thank goodness.
--Taxes started. I'm missing a few things. And confused about a few things. Not surprising.
On the art front this week I was faced with two 'emergency' projects. The first was a parting gift kind of thing for The Youngest's wrestling coach. He is the most wonderful guy and coached each of my sons for 3 years each in middle school wrestling. The school he currently teaches at is slated to be closed down (indicative of Michigan's struggling economy and declining enrollment) and he's not sure yet where he'll end up. I did the following watercolor/ink pen sketch and presented it to him tonight at our end-of-season banquet. It's a picture of the front of the school building. Very sad---it's an old school, first constructed in 1935, but has some fiercly loyal parents and alumni.
( Home of the Highland Scots )
Also under the 'emergency' art section are these two theatre props---poppy 'bushes' that are being used for a children's production of The Wizard of Oz. Show opened tonight...
( Poppies! )
~~~~~
Oh---a reminder that the auctions over at![[livejournal.com profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
help_japan are open for bidders until the end of the month!
--Kitchen is once again functional with new oven/cooktop.
--YOUNGEST PASSED HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE TEST (that deserves all caps)
--Wrestling season officially over...thank goodness.
--Taxes started. I'm missing a few things. And confused about a few things. Not surprising.
On the art front this week I was faced with two 'emergency' projects. The first was a parting gift kind of thing for The Youngest's wrestling coach. He is the most wonderful guy and coached each of my sons for 3 years each in middle school wrestling. The school he currently teaches at is slated to be closed down (indicative of Michigan's struggling economy and declining enrollment) and he's not sure yet where he'll end up. I did the following watercolor/ink pen sketch and presented it to him tonight at our end-of-season banquet. It's a picture of the front of the school building. Very sad---it's an old school, first constructed in 1935, but has some fiercly loyal parents and alumni.
( Home of the Highland Scots )
Also under the 'emergency' art section are these two theatre props---poppy 'bushes' that are being used for a children's production of The Wizard of Oz. Show opened tonight...
( Poppies! )
~~~~~
Oh---a reminder that the auctions over at
help_japan are open for bidders until the end of the month!
Happy Nawruz!
Mar. 20th, 2011 07:17 pm
Happy Nawruz (Persian New Year) to everyone!
Eide Shoma Mobarak!
And Nawruz wouldn't be complete without plenty of dancing...
Here's something new and hip---
...and something more sentimental---
I'd like to do my part to help with the disaster in Japan so I'm donating a work of art over at help_japan.
My offer can be found here: Link
Check outwillow_wand's offer as well: Link
Auction posts are up until March 26th...
I haven't had time yet to page through all the posts over there so if anyone else is participating, let me know so I can post a link to your offerings as well.
help_japan.My offer can be found here: Link
Check out
willow_wand's offer as well: LinkAuction posts are up until March 26th...
I haven't had time yet to page through all the posts over there so if anyone else is participating, let me know so I can post a link to your offerings as well.
DANGER WILL ROBINSON!
Mar. 8th, 2011 11:32 amWARNING: Long bit of scientific/robotic geekiness follows...
This year The Eldest is once again on a robotics team. He helped out with mechanical build (robot), field build, CAD drafting of decals, and a bit of programming. Next year he plans to help more with programming (Labview & C+ languages) since the team is losing senior programmers.
Their first meet was a struggle but they're sure to be ready in 2 weeks for the next.
Rather than trying to explain how this year's 'game' is played just watch this:
And to get an idea of what goes into robot design (and keep in mind, teams only have 6 WEEKS to build their robot) check out Grant Imahara from Mythbusters (who was a FIRST mentor):
Side Note: the team shown in the video---Wildstangs (from Illinois) were in our alliance when we won the National Championship in 2009. :)
( Pic-spam from this past weekend's event )
For more info on FIRST visit their website or for a nice overview, the wikipedia article about FIRST.
There's also a new book out, The New Cool by Neil Bascomb (read an excerpt HERE) which offers a great look at FIRST robotics.
There was also an interview last week on NPR's Diane Rehm show: Listen Here.
Check out if there's a competition in your area---they're free to attend and are sure to stimulate the budding scientist in you and/or your kids.
This year The Eldest is once again on a robotics team. He helped out with mechanical build (robot), field build, CAD drafting of decals, and a bit of programming. Next year he plans to help more with programming (Labview & C+ languages) since the team is losing senior programmers.
Their first meet was a struggle but they're sure to be ready in 2 weeks for the next.
Rather than trying to explain how this year's 'game' is played just watch this:
And to get an idea of what goes into robot design (and keep in mind, teams only have 6 WEEKS to build their robot) check out Grant Imahara from Mythbusters (who was a FIRST mentor):
Side Note: the team shown in the video---Wildstangs (from Illinois) were in our alliance when we won the National Championship in 2009. :)
( Pic-spam from this past weekend's event )
For more info on FIRST visit their website or for a nice overview, the wikipedia article about FIRST.
There's also a new book out, The New Cool by Neil Bascomb (read an excerpt HERE) which offers a great look at FIRST robotics.
There was also an interview last week on NPR's Diane Rehm show: Listen Here.
Check out if there's a competition in your area---they're free to attend and are sure to stimulate the budding scientist in you and/or your kids.
Back to the loop...
Mar. 7th, 2011 01:14 pmIt's been a while since I posted...so here's an update:
Home front: I'm ovenless for 3? 4? weeks---I've lost count. I dream of baking bread, cookies, anything really. First oven that was delivered did not fit under the existing cooktop (wonky gas lines apparently). Solution was to either choose different brand of oven (NO!) or buy new cooktop (Well, sure, why not since this one's bound to die soon too). Now I'm waiting on cooktop delivery.
Art front: Did a very last minute portrait for Hubby to present to peer who is re-locating to Europe. Only good reference photo was him posing with a fish. A FISH. Okay, then a fishing portrait.
( That's a big one! )
More art postings to follow since the Wintervale challenge is finished (except for reviewing) over atpulped_fictions. I flaked out quite a bit considering what I signed up for but still managed to create some art---will share soon. And new challenge, thanks to moonlitwoods, is next on my list...
Pesky children front: The Youngest has taken his entrance exam for the same school that The Eldest is in and we're waiting for results. STRESS. He's worried he won't get in. He's worried the teachers won't like him. He's just...worried. The Eldest, on the other hand, who's already in the school is worried about flunking out. Progress report looked TERRIBLE this month and it's more to lack of organizational skills than not understanding the material so it's very frustrating. Add to that the fact that I'm hiding the bad grades for the moment from The Hubby, hoping they'll improve and that he'll never know. *sigh*
Watching: This weekend I was glued to my laptop, watching a live-feed of The Eldest's robotics tournament. Very geeky and boring to anyone else I'm afraid, lol. Their team's robot suffered serious IT issues but still managed to make it to the quarterfinals where they lost to the alliance of teams that went on to win. They will now frantically work on the 'bot' before their next meet in 2 weeks.
Need to catch up on Being Human---DON'T TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS YET!
Listening: Audiobook of Stephen Fry's, Moab is My Washpot. Very good.
What's up with you guys? Catch me up...
Home front: I'm ovenless for 3? 4? weeks---I've lost count. I dream of baking bread, cookies, anything really. First oven that was delivered did not fit under the existing cooktop (wonky gas lines apparently). Solution was to either choose different brand of oven (NO!) or buy new cooktop (Well, sure, why not since this one's bound to die soon too). Now I'm waiting on cooktop delivery.
Art front: Did a very last minute portrait for Hubby to present to peer who is re-locating to Europe. Only good reference photo was him posing with a fish. A FISH. Okay, then a fishing portrait.
( That's a big one! )
More art postings to follow since the Wintervale challenge is finished (except for reviewing) over at
pulped_fictions. I flaked out quite a bit considering what I signed up for but still managed to create some art---will share soon. And new challenge, thanks to moonlitwoods, is next on my list...Pesky children front: The Youngest has taken his entrance exam for the same school that The Eldest is in and we're waiting for results. STRESS. He's worried he won't get in. He's worried the teachers won't like him. He's just...worried. The Eldest, on the other hand, who's already in the school is worried about flunking out. Progress report looked TERRIBLE this month and it's more to lack of organizational skills than not understanding the material so it's very frustrating. Add to that the fact that I'm hiding the bad grades for the moment from The Hubby, hoping they'll improve and that he'll never know. *sigh*
Watching: This weekend I was glued to my laptop, watching a live-feed of The Eldest's robotics tournament. Very geeky and boring to anyone else I'm afraid, lol. Their team's robot suffered serious IT issues but still managed to make it to the quarterfinals where they lost to the alliance of teams that went on to win. They will now frantically work on the 'bot' before their next meet in 2 weeks.
Need to catch up on Being Human---DON'T TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS YET!
Listening: Audiobook of Stephen Fry's, Moab is My Washpot. Very good.
What's up with you guys? Catch me up...
HAPPY, HAPPY BITHDAY!
Feb. 16th, 2011 11:24 amHappy Birthday wishes going out today to owl_square --- it's already tomorrow where you're at so here's hoping your day is spectacular!
Counting down the days until you're back...
owl_square --- it's already tomorrow where you're at so here's hoping your day is spectacular!Counting down the days until you're back...
It's a perfect day to...
Dec. 13th, 2010 09:00 amI guess I should put up my Christmas holiday tree. (A local high school kid said he was chastised by school authorities when he said 'Christmas tree' and was told to refer to them as holiday trees. This ended up in the local newspaper, lol. Imagine the fall-out.)
SNOW DAY HERE. I'd estimate we got 6-9 inches of snow over the weekend and they've closed the schools. Good thinking since the roads are apparently really bad---The Hubby left late for work this morning and it took him 20 minutes to get less than a mile from the house. He turned around and found another route.
So since the kids are trapped here with me it's the perfect day to put up the tree! And drink hot cocoa. And make cookies. Except I have no ingredients and will have to brave the roads to go grocery shopping.
I had a cat do this once:
So---I'd like to know: if you celebrate this 'holiday' with a tree or put up other decorations, what do you use? Do you have certain sentimental items that you like to put up that only you know the story of? Or do you like to go buy new shiny things? Or make things?
My 'quirky' items on the tree are painted wooden ornaments that I bought (very cheaply) when I was an employee of the Sea World amusement park in San Antonio. They're penquins on skis. :)
SNOW DAY HERE. I'd estimate we got 6-9 inches of snow over the weekend and they've closed the schools. Good thinking since the roads are apparently really bad---The Hubby left late for work this morning and it took him 20 minutes to get less than a mile from the house. He turned around and found another route.
So since the kids are trapped here with me it's the perfect day to put up the tree! And drink hot cocoa. And make cookies. Except I have no ingredients and will have to brave the roads to go grocery shopping.
I had a cat do this once:
So---I'd like to know: if you celebrate this 'holiday' with a tree or put up other decorations, what do you use? Do you have certain sentimental items that you like to put up that only you know the story of? Or do you like to go buy new shiny things? Or make things?
My 'quirky' items on the tree are painted wooden ornaments that I bought (very cheaply) when I was an employee of the Sea World amusement park in San Antonio. They're penquins on skis. :)
HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Dec. 12th, 2010 01:25 pmHappy Birthday wishes going out today (a bit late for her time zone) to vnfan!
Hope your day went by in an awesome fashion and that you were able to kick back and enjoy some Spanish wine and something other than Chinese food. Yes?
Thanks for being my online buddy, dear---you've made the past few years very enjoyable!
vnfan!Hope your day went by in an awesome fashion and that you were able to kick back and enjoy some Spanish wine and something other than Chinese food. Yes?
Thanks for being my online buddy, dear---you've made the past few years very enjoyable!
I am very, very thankful today.
Thankful that I have abundant food---that's not on the table yet...because there's a certain turkey that's STILL IN THE SMOKER.
Seriously, if someone keeps on this kick of oh let's have smoked turkey on Thanksgiving there's going to be a serious crime committed.
My children keep coming in the kitchen looking for something to eat...
~~~~~~~~
Hope everyone's day is full of food and family and fun!
Thankful that I have abundant food---that's not on the table yet...because there's a certain turkey that's STILL IN THE SMOKER.
Seriously, if someone keeps on this kick of oh let's have smoked turkey on Thanksgiving there's going to be a serious crime committed.
My children keep coming in the kitchen looking for something to eat...
~~~~~~~~
Hope everyone's day is full of food and family and fun!
What if I don't want to cook?
Nov. 24th, 2010 12:19 pmThis morning on the way back from the grocery store I saw a herd/flock? of wild turkeys. Just standing around without a care in the world.
~~~~~~
Cooking...
So, if you don't have any basil in the pantry is it okay to go outside and pluck dead leaves off the frozen basil plant? I'm thinking yes...
I found a recipe for cranberry relish that uses a few fav ingredients that I always have on hand: red wine, pomegranate syrup, and fresh mint. I'll let you know how this turns out.
We're smoking our turkey again this year. It never seems to go as planned but oh well. The directions say that for a 10-12 pound turkey it should take 5 to 6 hours. Last year it took EIGHTEEN HOURS. WTF? Maybe we have a defective smoker? Maybe you should multiply by 3 if you're attempting this in Michigan? We'll see...
~~~~~~
Cooking...
So, if you don't have any basil in the pantry is it okay to go outside and pluck dead leaves off the frozen basil plant? I'm thinking yes...
I found a recipe for cranberry relish that uses a few fav ingredients that I always have on hand: red wine, pomegranate syrup, and fresh mint. I'll let you know how this turns out.
We're smoking our turkey again this year. It never seems to go as planned but oh well. The directions say that for a 10-12 pound turkey it should take 5 to 6 hours. Last year it took EIGHTEEN HOURS. WTF? Maybe we have a defective smoker? Maybe you should multiply by 3 if you're attempting this in Michigan? We'll see...
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Nov. 24th, 2010 12:02 pmLOTS OF BIRTHDAYS TODAY!
Happy Birthday wishes go out tofun4mikki, bratanimus, and katyhasclogs!
I hope the day, and the week, and the month, and the year, and all the rest, is a wonderful journey my friends!
Now back to my pie making...
Happy Birthday wishes go out to
fun4mikki, bratanimus, and katyhasclogs!I hope the day, and the week, and the month, and the year, and all the rest, is a wonderful journey my friends!
Now back to my pie making...
It's a Fine Life!
Nov. 23rd, 2010 11:04 pmPhotos from Oliver! have been posted...I can't copy/paste them here since they're the property of the 'official' photographer but they turned out great.
I'll have to resort to links---here's the set without the kids:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
And here's the set with the kids:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
And the whole cast and crew---this was the same photo they matted and autographed for me:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
They worked so hard on this production and it showed.
I'll have to resort to links---here's the set without the kids:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
And here's the set with the kids:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
And the whole cast and crew---this was the same photo they matted and autographed for me:
http://knave.photobiz.com/cart/photo_de
They worked so hard on this production and it showed.
Nice undies Harry!
Nov. 21st, 2010 07:43 pmI took the boys this afternoon to see Deathly Hallows.
The Youngest saw it yesterday so he spent most of the movie whispering a comic monologue in my ear. He loves to 'dissect' movies. I kept whispering back, DO NOT QUESTION THE PLOT! Sheesh...
Overall I enjoyed it, because I love HP so anything that brings it to life makes me happy. One thing that kept bothering me though, was the 'shaky' camera angle. Why use it? I just don't get it...
I don't want to talk spoilers here but feel free to comment if you've seen it!
The Youngest saw it yesterday so he spent most of the movie whispering a comic monologue in my ear. He loves to 'dissect' movies. I kept whispering back, DO NOT QUESTION THE PLOT! Sheesh...
Overall I enjoyed it, because I love HP so anything that brings it to life makes me happy. One thing that kept bothering me though, was the 'shaky' camera angle. Why use it? I just don't get it...
I don't want to talk spoilers here but feel free to comment if you've seen it!
I'd Do Anything...
Nov. 19th, 2010 11:40 pmLong day today...but theatrical! And I have several songs stuck in my head.
I sat in on the morning performance of 'Oliver'---they did the show for the local middle school and then I joined the cast and crew for a luncheon. My fellow painter, Pat, and I were each presented with a matted (and autographed) cast photo; very sweet. After the weekend they'll have some good photos (they've got a great photographer) that I can snag and share.
I also heard that our 'set' will be rented out to a neighboring community theatre group so my painting is going on tour! Wheeee!!!
Have a great weekend...
I sat in on the morning performance of 'Oliver'---they did the show for the local middle school and then I joined the cast and crew for a luncheon. My fellow painter, Pat, and I were each presented with a matted (and autographed) cast photo; very sweet. After the weekend they'll have some good photos (they've got a great photographer) that I can snag and share.
I also heard that our 'set' will be rented out to a neighboring community theatre group so my painting is going on tour! Wheeee!!!
Have a great weekend...
