tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55126874350780535202024-03-13T11:22:44.555-07:00The Incredible Weirdness of Being...*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-59426573190449286852010-10-21T19:45:00.000-07:002010-10-21T19:45:48.582-07:00Guess what???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This little boy?...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD54CXS7MI/AAAAAAAAApU/-Y4-X-64gqA/s1600/235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD54CXS7MI/AAAAAAAAApU/-Y4-X-64gqA/s400/235.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">He turned 1 today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD6aTZip0I/AAAAAAAAApY/dsaOpJOLWEY/s1600/281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD6aTZip0I/AAAAAAAAApY/dsaOpJOLWEY/s640/281.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday, beautiful boy. I love you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD6uWryEVI/AAAAAAAAApc/N_xWqRJcB6g/s1600/233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TMD6uWryEVI/AAAAAAAAApc/N_xWqRJcB6g/s640/233.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-38531899600025716412010-09-28T19:42:00.000-07:002010-09-28T19:42:26.678-07:00A Full Invasion<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Sylvia Plath - Mushrooms</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Overnight, very</div><div style="text-align: center;">Whitely, discreetly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Very quietly</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our toes, our noses</div><div style="text-align: center;">Take hold on the loam,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Acquire the air.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nobody sees us,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stops us, betrays us;</div><div style="text-align: center;">The small grains make room.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Soft fists insist on</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heaving the needles,</div><div style="text-align: center;">The leafy bedding,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Even the paving.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our hammers, our rams,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Earless and eyeless,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Perfectly voiceless,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Widen the crannies,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shoulder through holes. We</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Diet on water,</div><div style="text-align: center;">On crumbs of shadow,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Bland-mannered, asking</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Little or nothing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So many of us!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So many of us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are shelves, we are</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tables, we are meek,</div><div style="text-align: center;">We are edible,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nudgers and shovers</div><div style="text-align: center;">In spite of ourselves.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our kind multiplies:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We shall by morning</div><div style="text-align: center;">Inherit the earth.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our foot's in the door.</div></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdGeck30I/AAAAAAAAAoo/8oJtx_HW12c/s1600/more+shrooms+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdGeck30I/AAAAAAAAAoo/8oJtx_HW12c/s400/more+shrooms+007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even the trees can't escape. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdMh_0nMI/AAAAAAAAAos/c27Y63IATk8/s1600/more+shrooms+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdMh_0nMI/AAAAAAAAAos/c27Y63IATk8/s400/more+shrooms+008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I just noticed 2 mushrooms in this photo. I was only aiming to photograph one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdur_QPxI/AAAAAAAAApE/cvYIk4wmfTk/s1600/more+shrooms+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdur_QPxI/AAAAAAAAApE/cvYIk4wmfTk/s400/more+shrooms+027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdSHjvUBI/AAAAAAAAAow/7EIA7uwgU7A/s1600/more+shrooms+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdSHjvUBI/AAAAAAAAAow/7EIA7uwgU7A/s400/more+shrooms+012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I call this the ballerina mushroom on account of its tutu.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdA-oZ54I/AAAAAAAAAok/GqBGH_tqxzo/s1600/more+shrooms+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdA-oZ54I/AAAAAAAAAok/GqBGH_tqxzo/s400/more+shrooms+010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But, the top view is pretty prosaic.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdXTm-EcI/AAAAAAAAAo0/5BCAr85xT-A/s1600/more+shrooms+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdXTm-EcI/AAAAAAAAAo0/5BCAr85xT-A/s640/more+shrooms+015.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Remember the <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Mmj4kII/AAAAAAAAAoM/0VFWP9Y6yZk/s1600/DSCF4023.JPG">penis mushroom</a>? This is what it becomes AFTER it lives a few days as a phallus.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd5Kge0-I/AAAAAAAAApM/OFHTCcxOpx0/s1600/more+shrooms+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd5Kge0-I/AAAAAAAAApM/OFHTCcxOpx0/s640/more+shrooms+047.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd-vglK3I/AAAAAAAAApQ/qQmXq2NAbnU/s1600/more+shrooms+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd-vglK3I/AAAAAAAAApQ/qQmXq2NAbnU/s400/more+shrooms+030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And, after that, this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently the penis mushroom is called a shaggy mane, and it is one of the <a href="http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Mushrooms.Folder/Inky%20Cap.html">inky caps</a>. It's edible, folks. 8-/</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd0KbD2rI/AAAAAAAAApI/kvD6MauO2Cs/s1600/more+shrooms+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKd0KbD2rI/AAAAAAAAApI/kvD6MauO2Cs/s400/more+shrooms+031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These wee golden fellows were huddled together under some pine mulch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few more photographs from today:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdo1XvdCI/AAAAAAAAApA/MvYL2iZ2npA/s1600/more+shrooms+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdo1XvdCI/AAAAAAAAApA/MvYL2iZ2npA/s400/more+shrooms+016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A Manitoba autumn day. (The little building is our sauna)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdc4p46dI/AAAAAAAAAo4/EwSbpNL6Pcc/s1600/more+shrooms+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdc4p46dI/AAAAAAAAAo4/EwSbpNL6Pcc/s400/more+shrooms+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sun through Oak.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdiGMazFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/u1qNp8veEX0/s1600/more+shrooms+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TKKdiGMazFI/AAAAAAAAAo8/u1qNp8veEX0/s400/more+shrooms+024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sun through Elm.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I don't blog for awhile, it just means I have sun in my hair and leaves in my shoes.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Or...the mushrooms got me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-50092492823631323262010-09-27T20:19:00.000-07:002010-09-27T20:23:19.351-07:00Oh, how I love this:<object height="240" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DTp5MFgzqZk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DTp5MFgzqZk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="240"></embed></object><br />
<br />
It won't change your life, but it will make your day a little more magical. I can almost guarantee it.<br />
<br />
(I want an air piano now.)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-44741041270955222712010-09-14T20:28:00.000-07:002010-09-15T05:41:37.212-07:00Mushaboom...We have been invaded. Seriously.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5F_k7zVI/AAAAAAAAAoA/aov7imIce8A/s1600/DSCF4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5F_k7zVI/AAAAAAAAAoA/aov7imIce8A/s400/DSCF4029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Jls-ZgI/AAAAAAAAAoI/5aKwr_R42fw/s1600/DSCF4024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Jls-ZgI/AAAAAAAAAoI/5aKwr_R42fw/s400/DSCF4024.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5HZcjb9I/AAAAAAAAAoE/Bso-3qkmIro/s1600/DSCF4028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5HZcjb9I/AAAAAAAAAoE/Bso-3qkmIro/s400/DSCF4028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What kind of mushroom is this??</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Mmj4kII/AAAAAAAAAoM/0VFWP9Y6yZk/s1600/DSCF4023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Mmj4kII/AAAAAAAAAoM/0VFWP9Y6yZk/s400/DSCF4023.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Say it with me: O-M-G!!!! (blech!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Eybf4KI/AAAAAAAAAn8/gUS7_PIO_Ig/s1600/DSCF4022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA5Eybf4KI/AAAAAAAAAn8/gUS7_PIO_Ig/s400/DSCF4022.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Apparently autumn = mushroom season out here in the wilds of Manitoba. Or...well...at least in the wilds of my yard. Everywhere I look, I discover a new mushroom. They unsettle me, the way they show up overnight...poking their silent, creepy selves up out of the ground to be stepped on unwittingly, or touched accidentally.<br />
<br />
Have you ever lifted a damp board, or a rock, say...only to discover several surprised insects skittering away? Do you remember that strange revulsion that tingles up and down your spine and makes you want to dance a dance of convulsive horror? That is how I feel about mushrooms.<br />
<br />
Especially that phallic one. What...you didn't notice?<br />
<br />
(Yeah right.)<br />
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Flat little toadstools near the apple tree. Little umbrella under a pine. Phallus by the driveway (and it's still growing. It's an inch taller since yesterday.) Nasty brain-like thing near my flower bed.<br />
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*shiver*<br />
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Help?<br />
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In other news, this is happening at a rapid pace:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA86WDcoFI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/OhXXBy-3Zc4/s1600/DSCF4030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA86WDcoFI/AAAAAAAAAoQ/OhXXBy-3Zc4/s400/DSCF4030.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA88naZuLI/AAAAAAAAAoU/LIsqlEBTNTk/s1600/DSCF4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA88naZuLI/AAAAAAAAAoU/LIsqlEBTNTk/s400/DSCF4026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA8_ExEmlI/AAAAAAAAAoY/t0k5W9n6rv4/s1600/DSCF4021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA8_ExEmlI/AAAAAAAAAoY/t0k5W9n6rv4/s400/DSCF4021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA9B3FzQGI/AAAAAAAAAoc/zG1F9K2fdiw/s1600/DSCF4019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA9B3FzQGI/AAAAAAAAAoc/zG1F9K2fdiw/s400/DSCF4019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA9EquXIyI/AAAAAAAAAog/NXunuOxia8g/s1600/DSCF4016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TJA9EquXIyI/AAAAAAAAAog/NXunuOxia8g/s400/DSCF4016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, summer...it was good while it lasted, right?*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-58734714118789898672010-09-11T13:52:00.000-07:002010-09-11T13:52:55.777-07:00The Best Thing I Have Read in Awhile:<h2 class="title" style="color: black; font-family: georgia, times, serif; font-size: 14px; font: normal normal bold 27px/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-transform: none; zoom: 1;"><a href="http://www.theonion.com/articles/god-angrily-clarifies-dont-kill-rule,222/">God Angrily Clarifies 'Don't Kill' Rule</a></h2><div><br />
</div><div>Amen.</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-38012143502378903372010-08-30T10:49:00.000-07:002010-08-30T11:10:43.547-07:00Do Fun Stuff!!Ryan, form <a href="http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/">Pacing the Panic Room</a> worked his butt off to get this album together in honor of his son LB. LB has <a href="http://prisms.org/WhatisSMS/FAQs.htm">SMS</a>.<br />
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All proceeds from the sale of this album go to <a href="http://www.prisms.org/start.htm">PRISMS</a> to establish a SMS Research Fellowship that funds a graduate student to study SMS and support the SMS community.<br />
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Awesome, right??<br />
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This album is adorable, and will be enjoyed by kids and parents alike. Go ahead...have a listen. Try not to dance to Potty Time. I dare you...lol. If you like it, and have the funds...buy it. It's for a great cause.<br />
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<iframe src="http://dofunstuff.net" width="480px" height="719px" border="0" align="middle"> <p>Sorry, your browser does not support iframes.</p></iframe>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-76563432787049624182010-08-25T11:12:00.000-07:002010-08-25T11:15:10.022-07:00Wild Wednesday: DumboThis is Dumbo.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THVaWGM2njI/AAAAAAAAAns/d-Ny8T--4mo/s1600/dumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THVaWGM2njI/AAAAAAAAAns/d-Ny8T--4mo/s400/dumbo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From <a href="http://marinebio.org/">marinebio.org</a> (an absolutely fascinating site):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><h1 style="color: #0085cf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-left: 20px;">Description & Behavior</h1><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Finned deep-sea octopuses, of the genus <em>Grimpoteuthis</em> (Robson 1932), consist of at least <a href="http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxlist&tName=Grimpoteuthis" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">20 known species</a> and are poorly known. All octopuses in the genus <em>Grimpoteuthis</em> are nicknamed "dumbo octopuses," due to the ear-like fins that protrude from the sides of their mantles just above their eyes which resemble the elephant ears of the Disney character <em>Dumbo</em>.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><em>Grimpoteuthis</em> octopuses are part of the <a href="http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/itisca/next?v_tsn=555711" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Cirrina suborder</a>. Cirrates differ from other octopuses by generally having abandoned jet propulsion, relying on their fins as their primary mode of locomotion. Their two large fins are supported by an internal shell. Their arms are webbed, often with the webs reaching to the tips of the arms. Suckers are present in a single row along the length of the arm, as well as cirri (fleshy papillae or nipple-like structures along the bottom edges of the arms, see <a href="http://marinebio.org/cephs/FAO/a0150e02.pdf" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">the cephalopod glossary</a> for more details), generally two per sucker. Ink sacs and <a href="http://tolweb.org/accessory/Cephalopod_Digestive_System?acc_id=1993" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">anal flaps</a> are generally absent. Ink sacs are organs composed of a gland that secretes ink, a sac that stores ink and a duct that connects it to the rectum. The ink sac generally appears black from the outside although it may be covered by silvery tissue in some species.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><em><br />
</em></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><em>Grimpoteuthis</em> are in the family <span class="aptureLink " id="apture_prvw1" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-width: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span class="aptureLinkIcon" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/link_icons.gif?v12) !important; background-position: 100% -1348px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 11px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"> </span><a class="aptureLink snap_noshots" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthoteuthidae" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;">Opisthoteuthidae (umbrella octopuses)</a></span> and have short, squat, semi-gelatinous bodies with an internal U or V-shaped cartilaginous shell. They lack the secondary web (the web which extends from each arm to the primary web) and longer cirri found in the family <span class="aptureLink " id="apture_prvw2" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-width: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span class="aptureLinkIcon" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/link_icons.gif?v12) !important; background-position: 100% -1348px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 11px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"> </span><a class="aptureLink snap_noshots" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirroteuthidae" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;">Cirroteuthidae</a></span> and the eyes are much more developed. They can grow up to about <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=20+cm+in+in" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">20</a> cm in length. Species in the Opisthoteuthidae family have suckers without tooth-like structures. The radula (chitinous, ribbon-like band in the mouth of cephalopods that contains up to seven transverse rows of teeth that aid in transport of food into the esophagus) in Opisthoteuthidae tend to be reduced or completely absent, as most species swallow their prey whole.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><em>Grimpoteuthis</em> are benthic creatures, living basically at the bottom of the ocean at depths of around 3,000-<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=4,000+m+in+ft" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">4,000</a> m (the average ocean depth is <a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=3,790+m+in+ft" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">3,790</a> m). Some species alternate between sitting on the ocean floor and swimming above it (<span class="aptureLink " id="apture_prvw3" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-width: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span class="aptureLinkIcon" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/link_icons.gif?v12) !important; background-position: 100% -1348px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 11px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"> </span><a class="aptureLink snap_noshots" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demersal%20fish#Benthopelagic_fish" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;">benthopelagic</a></span>). Others are known to be completely <span class="aptureLink " id="apture_prvw4" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-left-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-right-radius: 4px 4px; border-top-width: 0px !important; cursor: pointer !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"><span class="aptureLinkIcon" style="background-image: url(http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/link_icons.gif?v12) !important; background-position: 100% -1348px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat !important; border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 11px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important;"> </span><a class="aptureLink snap_noshots" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagic%20zone" style="border-bottom-width: 0px !important; border-color: initial !important; border-left-width: 0px !important; border-right-width: 0px !important; border-style: initial !important; border-top-width: 0px !important; color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; display: inline !important; float: none !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 0px !important; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; padding-bottom: 0px !important; padding-left: 0px !important; padding-right: 0px !important; padding-top: 0px !important; text-decoration: none;">pelagic.</a></span></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Four modes of active locomotion have been observed in dumbo octopuses: crawling, take-off, fin swimming and pumping and one passive mode called umbrella-style drifting. Fin swimming is the mode of locomotion that is most often observed, wherein they use their fins to drift through the water. <em>Grimpoteuthis</em> is known to be neutrally buoyant, which allows the animal to drift passively with its fins expanded. The take-off mode is a sudden, single contraction of the brachial crown (the arms and tentacles surrounding the mouth) and surrounding web. Pumping is a slow mode of locomotion which involves peristaltic waves, which are symmetrical contractions of muscles, in the primary and intermediary webs.</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"></span></div><h1 style="color: #0085cf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-left: 20px;">World Range & Habitat</h1><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Species of this family are believed to exist on the deep ocean floor in all oceans of the world. Specific species have been found in the waters surrounding New Zealand, Australia, Monterey Bay, Oregon, Phillipines, Martha's Vineyard, Papua, New Guinea and the Azores.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><span class="nav1" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">ยป <a href="http://www.cbif.gc.ca/mapdata/kml/gbifkml-reflector.php?layername=Grimpoteuthis+%20&p_png=snow&p_skip=t" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">GBIF occurrence data in Google Earth</a> [<a href="http://www.gearthblog.com/basics.html" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Tips</a>] | <a href="http://www.iobis.org/OBISWEB/ObisControllerServlet?category=all&names=data&action=lookupbyname&searchCategory=%2FSciNameServlet&classificationCode=&view=searchResults&category=&autocomplete=n&searchTypeSelect=%2FSciNameServlet&searchName=Grimpoteuthis+" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) (World Distribution)</a> <a href="http://iobis.org/about/" style="color: #006daa; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">[about]</a></span></div><h1 style="color: #0085cf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-left: 20px;">Feeding Behavior (Ecology)</h1><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Little is known about the behavior and habits of <em>Grimpoteuthis</em>. They feed on worms, bivalves, copepods and crustaceans.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Each sucker has a pair of cirri, which are thought to have some role in feeding, perhaps by creating currents of water that help bring food closer to the central beak.</div><h1 style="color: #0085cf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-left: 20px;">Life History</h1><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Little is known about <em>Grimpoteuthis</em> reproduction. The male reproductive tract shows considerable variation between species, and thus there is significant confusion in the identification of certain parts.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">In the family Opisthoteuthidae, of which the <em>Grimpoteuthis</em> is a part of, a hectocotylus is absent, but some species exhibit other forms of sexual modification; enlarged suckers being the most common modification. The spermatophores of octopuses in this family have lost their ejaculatory apparatus and form sperm packets with an operculum. The sperm packets are transferred to the female's mantle cavity. The eggs of this family are very large, and covered with a tough casing which is secreted by the oviducal gland and hardens in seawater. Eggs are individually laid directly on the ocean floor, on the undersides of rocks or shells. The ovaries of these octopuses contain eggs at different stages, implying that they breed continually instead of having a distinct breeding season.</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">And, after all of that technical mumbo-jumbo...just watch this:<br />
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<object height="385" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fDxBVZhZZwI?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fDxBVZhZZwI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
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</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;">Dumbo is sure to steal your heart. :)</div><div style="margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 20px;"><br />
</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-22051708469436099232010-08-23T21:00:00.000-07:002010-08-23T21:02:53.514-07:00On a beautiful, hot day...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">my baby brother got hitched:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNCyxSsDfI/AAAAAAAAAnc/X2AkozTDGCA/s1600/mark+and+sylvia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNCyxSsDfI/AAAAAAAAAnc/X2AkozTDGCA/s640/mark+and+sylvia.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC2lD3oQI/AAAAAAAAAng/iRGrMoctgm0/s1600/bridal+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC2lD3oQI/AAAAAAAAAng/iRGrMoctgm0/s400/bridal+party.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC4yBxgZI/AAAAAAAAAnk/IDPzsvIRJ_o/s1600/fatlegs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC4yBxgZI/AAAAAAAAAnk/IDPzsvIRJ_o/s640/fatlegs.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC7SfoWnI/AAAAAAAAAno/AplcJEPbNzk/s1600/family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/THNC7SfoWnI/AAAAAAAAAno/AplcJEPbNzk/s400/family.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Best of luck (and oodles of love) to him and his absolutely adorable new wife.*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-81790450749405430132010-08-20T19:56:00.000-07:002010-08-20T20:00:24.100-07:00Dearest Bugaboo:Tomorrow you will be 10 months old!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I know, right? This means that I have somehow managed to keep you alive for 10. Whole. Months. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, trust me, little buddy? It hasn't always been easy, this keeping you alive thing. You hate to eat and fight me me tooth and claw if I have a bottle/bowl/spoon in hand. You flail your hands, purse your lips, scream, fake gag and slap any/all food items out of my grasp:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG80CSrunYI/AAAAAAAAAm4/COp4dFSpKR8/s1600/086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG80CSrunYI/AAAAAAAAAm4/COp4dFSpKR8/s320/086.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG80bqqBk7I/AAAAAAAAAm8/ZBEqgs940n4/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG80bqqBk7I/AAAAAAAAAm8/ZBEqgs940n4/s320/035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully this has gotten better since you learned how to feed yourself:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8zFINV5RI/AAAAAAAAAm0/CyuRHoQzgfk/s1600/300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8zFINV5RI/AAAAAAAAAm0/CyuRHoQzgfk/s400/300.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not many things are cuter than watching you try to put food in your mouth, and I love, love, LOVE seeing the pride in your eyes when you succeed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The most amazing thing about you right now is your inquisitive personality. "Wassat?", you whisper a zillion times a day as you point. It could be a doorknob, it could be my nose, it could be a tiny fleck on the carpet, but it's amazing and new to you. My days are spent telling you about your world. Doorknob. Nose. Dirt. Eye. Nose. Cat. Nose. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You do circuits throughout the kitchen and living room, touching and feeling. The slightly serrated edging on the stove. The wooden cabinet. You taste the glass on the coffee table and bang on doors. Your little fingers are always busy discovering, and when you find a sound/texture you like, you turn to me and grin...wiggle your fingers against your new discovery and clap your hands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can say Mama (Mamaaa), Grandma (Ama), Grandpa (Umpa), Bones (Bow), All Done (Aaaah daaaa), Down (Dow) Cat (Gat!) and Hi (Hiiiiiii) and are working on Hello and Wow. You do the sign for All Done (although you have not yet figured out how to rotate your wrists, so you simply look like you are surrendering) after every single bite of food, and have only signed Eat once. You wave like the queen and clap like a maniac if anyone says "YAY!!!!" or "WOO-HOO!!!!!" (to everyone's amusement. You can bet your adorable little tushie that we have fun with this one often!) and, if asked whether Grandpa is on the phone, you immediately hunt for one of your many "phone" toys. If there is not one nearby, any toy will do. Yesterday, you placed your firefly rattle against your ear and said "Hiiiiiii, Umpa!", followed by much baby rambling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You never stop moving, so most of your pictures look like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_hNLr3DI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/xSgZ6LV7sjo/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_hNLr3DI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/xSgZ6LV7sjo/s320/045.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_o9ztiNI/AAAAAAAAAnU/ESN4b1BgJY0/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_o9ztiNI/AAAAAAAAAnU/ESN4b1BgJY0/s320/046.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But you are, hands down, the dearest thing (and thank you for letting me capture at least SOME "still" shots)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG872LW4ogI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_mpJckwWJ24/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG872LW4ogI/AAAAAAAAAnA/_mpJckwWJ24/s320/018.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_y-wk4vI/AAAAAAAAAnY/nLjX1HnvfgU/s1600/060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8_y-wk4vI/AAAAAAAAAnY/nLjX1HnvfgU/s320/060.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I don't remember what my life was like without you in it, and I don't want to. I imagine it was pretty dull, because between your tantrums, grievances and attacks of love, I have my hands full.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, I wouldn't have it any other way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Happy (almost) 10 months, muffinlump. I love you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG89PSXZZ_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/5hEkjX-Ycp8/s1600/tongue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG89PSXZZ_I/AAAAAAAAAnE/5hEkjX-Ycp8/s640/tongue.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Moments old and already cheeky.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8917De6PI/AAAAAAAAAnI/vRjX-IiOCjw/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8917De6PI/AAAAAAAAAnI/vRjX-IiOCjw/s400/037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At 7 months. Still cheeky.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8-YhbaBPI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hH4XOyKy1cY/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TG8-YhbaBPI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hH4XOyKy1cY/s400/073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some things never change.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-14512179944832089722010-08-14T18:41:00.000-07:002010-08-14T18:41:20.790-07:00For Tracey......because she didn't get it. *grin*<br />
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<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEe_eraFWWs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iEe_eraFWWs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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Alanis actually made this song pretty...and managed to highlight the idiotic lyrics while she was at it...LOL. <br />
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Enjoy. Or not. ;)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-25780237279969677802010-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:26:36.867-07:00Alanis Morissette - My Humps<div><br />
</div><div>Whenever I am feeling a bit blue, I search out this video and watch it several times. It never fails to get me giggling...</div><div><br />
</div><div>I'm blue, so:</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
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</div><object height="295" style="background-image: url(http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/pRmYfVCH2UA/hqdefault.jpg);" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pRmYfVCH2UA?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pRmYfVCH2UA?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-91317537101001032982010-08-03T22:54:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:27:22.158-07:00A little bit of fun...I have seen this done in a few places, and it has always made me laugh.<br />
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You know the word verification thang you have to type out in order to leave a comment? If you want to (and I am not forcing you, here...*grin*) leave me a comment letting me know what your "word" was, and then make up a definition for it. Funfunfun...and a great little wakeup for the brain.<br />
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Here, I will start with one I got on <a href="http://tracey-justanothermommyblog.blogspot.com/">Tracey's blog</a>:<br />
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Pileati: [pyl-ah-tee]<br />
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Noun:<br />
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1) The unfortunate pile-up (see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twister_(game)">Twister</a>) in which some people find themselves in while attempting to do pilates in a group setting.<br />
2) An accumulation of sweaty, limber people.<br />
3) A brief, dynamic event consisting of the collision of 2 or more unsuspecting individuals during strenuous exercise, resulting in an abrupt breach of personal space.<br />
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Adj:<br />
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Pileative [pyl-ee-ah-tiv]:<br />
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1) "I have gotten myself into quite the pileative mess, haven't I?" exclaimed Tiffany as she extricated herself from the group of sweaty women.<br />
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<br />
;)<br />
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Your turn?<br />
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(Please? It's fun...I promise!)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-45610783297914920192010-07-28T15:33:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:28:21.488-07:00What have we been doing, you ask?Well, I am sure you haven't really been asking yourself such a thing at all because you have dar more interesting things to think about. *grin*<br />
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Nonetheless, this is what life looks like around here.<br />
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We play in the grass...with flowers and puppies (and the occasional skeeter):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqJR1nCjI/AAAAAAAAAmE/lWcY0hzg4-g/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqJR1nCjI/AAAAAAAAAmE/lWcY0hzg4-g/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqXHos72I/AAAAAAAAAmI/LwDlEBD8J74/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqXHos72I/AAAAAAAAAmI/LwDlEBD8J74/s400/009.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqfJ9TnKI/AAAAAAAAAmM/YALNIo_5yFQ/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCqfJ9TnKI/AAAAAAAAAmM/YALNIo_5yFQ/s640/024.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Yes, that is a skeeter on his head. :( </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We play in the pool:</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCq8sRKCvI/AAAAAAAAAmY/sNXp-fbZ9R4/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCq8sRKCvI/AAAAAAAAAmY/sNXp-fbZ9R4/s400/064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCrGSVJ0xI/AAAAAAAAAmc/NjE8HOaba7s/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCrGSVJ0xI/AAAAAAAAAmc/NjE8HOaba7s/s640/072.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCrGSVJ0xI/AAAAAAAAAmc/NjE8HOaba7s/s1600/072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCs316jhzI/AAAAAAAAAmg/iLq6zUbvdJU/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCs316jhzI/AAAAAAAAAmg/iLq6zUbvdJU/s640/066.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Those are totally my feet, yes...lovely. Be thankful I didn't show you my thighs...)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We experiment with new hairstyles:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCuAGBH0WI/AAAAAAAAAmk/rXOp25kEABo/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCuAGBH0WI/AAAAAAAAAmk/rXOp25kEABo/s640/050.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And we have been busy growing crazy amounts of teeth:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCuLFyOO9I/AAAAAAAAAmo/DaxVf0TWiwE/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TFCuLFyOO9I/AAAAAAAAAmo/DaxVf0TWiwE/s640/023.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope you are having as beautiful a summer as we are. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-42112837973313789212010-07-20T21:39:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:31:38.967-07:00Proof...that even the silver lining has a shadow:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEZ5NaIGunI/AAAAAAAAAl4/t4-ql2AWlCo/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEZ5NaIGunI/AAAAAAAAAl4/t4-ql2AWlCo/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEZ6b4iuYGI/AAAAAAAAAl8/mN_UXeBVVf8/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEZ6b4iuYGI/AAAAAAAAAl8/mN_UXeBVVf8/s400/006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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And, you know what? That's ok.<br />
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The glass is only half empty because I very much enjoyed half of my beverage and am happily contemplating drinking the other half. Santa Claus isn't real...I got gifts because my parents love me. Watermelon seeds will NOT grow in my tummy, but a baby did.<br />
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So, go ahead, silver lining. Be all shadowy and stuff, because even if I was incapable of making lemonade out of lemons, I could still go to the grocery store and buy it in concentrate form.<br />
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Just sayin'. ;)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-23587365080062208432010-07-20T08:27:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:29:25.886-07:00Feely Bugs and Odin the Owl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWqevzCwnI/AAAAAAAAAlc/y3R3P25fTFQ/s1600/045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWqevzCwnI/AAAAAAAAAlc/y3R3P25fTFQ/s640/045.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://becomingsarah.com/index.php?/becoming_sarah/category_listed/category/odin_the_owl_just_read/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="320" src="http://www.becomingsarah.com/images/uploads/Black_150.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Jude LOVES books. Big books, little books, board books, fragile books, colorful books, black and white books, cloth books and paper books.<br />
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But, he has a very favorite book. He enjoys thumbing through it himself...loves to touch and feel and taste. And, let me tell you...this book has it all! (Except, of course, it really isn't meant to be tasted...*grin*)<br />
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<a href="http://books.simonandschuster.com/Feely-Bugs-(Mini-Edition)/David-A-Carter/9781416903260">Feely Bugs</a>, by David. A. Carter, is part of a rather large series of "bug" books. Some of the other titles include Bugs In Space, How Many Bugs In a Box?, Bedtime Bugs and Snow Bugs. They are whimsical, colorful, cheerful little books that are sure to engage your child no matter their age. Heck, I never get tired of reading Feely Bugs...and we read it a lot!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWrI-fLH6I/AAAAAAAAAls/NrXmN9m3qIQ/s1600/050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWrI-fLH6I/AAAAAAAAAls/NrXmN9m3qIQ/s400/050.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Puffy Bugs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWq19txJRI/AAAAAAAAAlk/-y92saccQ_o/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWq19txJRI/AAAAAAAAAlk/-y92saccQ_o/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lacey Bugs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWq_V-HTqI/AAAAAAAAAlo/VfxQd_AZovI/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWq_V-HTqI/AAAAAAAAAlo/VfxQd_AZovI/s640/048.JPG" width="425" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fluffy Bugs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have stacks of books, and this is the one he chooses. Every. Time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't get me wrong...he loves to listen to other stories. Especially if he can clutch Feely Bugs while he listens. This book has been through it all. Diaper changes, car rides and trips to the store. It has been sat on, dragged, chewed and drooled on. The binding is held together with tape and there are tooth marks on the cover and several of the pages, but those things are simply indications of a well-loved book. ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWrSWidQqI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Iw1JZS6WL_k/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWrSWidQqI/AAAAAAAAAlw/Iw1JZS6WL_k/s400/042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reading tip: Let your child explore the book in his or her own way as often as possible. Books are meant to be loved, devoured and dog-eared. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWqsT1LxvI/AAAAAAAAAlg/0uaZP2lCExU/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TEWqsT1LxvI/AAAAAAAAAlg/0uaZP2lCExU/s400/046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Now, I am sure you noticed the cute little owl button near the top, right? Why is he there?<br />
<br />
Sarah, from <a href="http://becomingsarah.com/index.php?/becoming_sarah/comments/986/">Becoming Sarah</a> is hosting an awesome book giveaway in honor of her daughter's first birthday, and for the sake of pediatric literacy. 8 books, people. 8 very adorable books. To enter, you simply have to disclose your favorite children's book character(s). Easy peasy, no? So, get on over there and comment. You can enter once a day for the duration of the contest, which will end when there are 300 comments, or 10 days have elapsed.<br />
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Good luck, and happy reading.*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-74152421799063966492010-07-11T20:47:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:30:08.039-07:00Because they made me smile:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPdfjeW2I/AAAAAAAAAlY/ZJcfQQCn4cA/s1600/awwwww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPdfjeW2I/AAAAAAAAAlY/ZJcfQQCn4cA/s400/awwwww.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPbJ1nR1I/AAAAAAAAAlU/iuXczKmz2x4/s1600/us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPbJ1nR1I/AAAAAAAAAlU/iuXczKmz2x4/s400/us.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPWe4EjnI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/2VNNwHoK3Yw/s1600/hehe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDqPWe4EjnI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/2VNNwHoK3Yw/s400/hehe.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Could they be any cuter?</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-43291296241557349882010-07-07T19:59:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:32:19.636-07:00Black Tutu For Tanner<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">I am coming out of my (very long) blogging hiatus because this?</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://thebhj.com/journal/2010/7/5/the-black-hockey-jesus-blogher-5ks-for-tanner.html">http://thebhj.com/journal/2010/7/5/the-black-hockey-jesus-blogher-5ks-for-tanner.html</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">This speaks to me.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">BHJ, one of the most brilliant (sarcastic, beautiful-jaded) bloggers I have yet to encounter, will be putting on his running shoes, donning a black hockey tutu and running as many successive 5k marathons as his body will allow to help raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy in honor of this little boy:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDU7rc_5qPI/AAAAAAAAAlM/GvzHh573cNc/s1600/tanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/TDU7rc_5qPI/AAAAAAAAAlM/GvzHh573cNc/s1600/tanner.jpg" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">That little guy up there? His name is Tanner, and he is 8 years old.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that causes his muscles to deteriorate. It's fatal. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Tanner's aunt, Catherine of <a href="http://herbadmother.com/category/tanner/">Her Bad Mother</a>, and many of the bloggers attending BlogHer will be running in tutus for Tanner. BHJ is taking a slightly more manly approach, in the hopes that Tanner will appreciate a little bit of testosterone thrown into the mix. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">I would like to think that if my son was in the position Tanner is in right now, there would be people willing to help him, and others like him, out. So, I made a donation, and will be adding BHJ's widget here and to my sidebar in case you would like to do the same. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;">Thanks. :)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #525252; font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><embed allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="event_desc=How%20many%205Ks%20can%20I%20run%20in%20a%20row%3F%20How%20much%20money%20you%20got%3F&event_title=Run%20For%20Tanner" height="240" src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/c04a64427a007b7a" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="120" wmode="transparent"></embed></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-75218195098723401732010-05-27T15:19:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:32:56.140-07:00Banana-Palooza 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7tAAApJXI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XznhIKxqrAM/s1600/218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7tAAApJXI/AAAAAAAAAkk/XznhIKxqrAM/s400/218.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7tbeNwuJI/AAAAAAAAAks/DkbbRA4aX_Y/s1600/214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7tbeNwuJI/AAAAAAAAAks/DkbbRA4aX_Y/s400/214.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7t2aG1rxI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FlMM2KyDltw/s1600/221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7t2aG1rxI/AAAAAAAAAk0/FlMM2KyDltw/s400/221.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7uP1QqpxI/AAAAAAAAAk8/qyWElytUJws/s1600/226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7uP1QqpxI/AAAAAAAAAk8/qyWElytUJws/s400/226.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
He didn't eat much, but it's a start. :)<br />
<br />
I am still finding mashed nanner. EVERYWHERE. He even had some in his diaper.<br />
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And, just because it's cutecutecute (and oddly appropriate):<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7vy3h7_hI/AAAAAAAAAlE/A79YpguHUnk/s1600/095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S_7vy3h7_hI/AAAAAAAAAlE/A79YpguHUnk/s400/095.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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Hope you're well and smiling. :)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-20634129163209977002010-05-14T10:56:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:34:01.108-07:00HUH???!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>You might be wondering if I've been abducted by aliens...or, perhaps you think I have joined nudist colony, or a cult, or...I dunno.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xSNdJfsxI/AAAAAAAAAj4/4yvPBmRrbrA/s1600/062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xSNdJfsxI/AAAAAAAAAj4/4yvPBmRrbrA/s400/062.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">That little face up there? It says it ALL!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">The truth of the matter is, I have been finding things a bit overwhelming of late. It happens to all of us, I imagine...and it's nothing I can't handle with a smile on my face, but still. Things are a bit crazy, and my blog is one of the casualties for now. *patting my blog on the head* *wondering if it is possible for a blog to have a head*</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Jude is now mobile, and I spend my days chasing him around as he torments the cats, smacks the dog and gets himself into various sticky situations. He is not above trying to get under the couch, or into the cat's sleeping baskets. If he catches sight of the dog's rawhide, a dog toy or any kind of slipper/shoe/sock, he's SO THERE. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-2IOTsFUNI/AAAAAAAAAkY/rcCCSYHzUak/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-2IOTsFUNI/AAAAAAAAAkY/rcCCSYHzUak/s400/002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-2JBBrlcXI/AAAAAAAAAkc/mnKx2Je8fDA/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-2JBBrlcXI/AAAAAAAAAkc/mnKx2Je8fDA/s400/024.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What you can't see here is that he is pulling Rory's fur. Look how calm Rory is about it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I</span> just can't quite get over what a big boy he is getting to be. We have graduated to size 3 diapers and 12 month outfits due to his length. All of his pants are too big around the waist, however, because this kid? He HATES to eat. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Call me crazy, but I was under the impression that babies live to eat. I was wrong. The fight begins the moment he even sees the bottle or bowl of food and doesn't end until one of us gives up. I end up spending my whole day hovering a bottle over his mouth (and trying to restrain him as he whacks at it and screams), in an effort to at LEAST make 20 ounces. I know it's all about the teeth that are taking their sweet time ramming through his tender little gums, but come on. There have been a few times that we have both ended up in tears. Mine fearful, his frustrated.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Thankfully he is getting better at this:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xTCRLqDgI/AAAAAAAAAkA/oP5EjvULBYw/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xTCRLqDgI/AAAAAAAAAkA/oP5EjvULBYw/s400/016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I had to break him of this habit, obviously...so I bought him a snuggly.</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xTbo_-PNI/AAAAAAAAAkE/0ZBVJrreelk/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xTbo_-PNI/AAAAAAAAAkE/0ZBVJrreelk/s400/023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xURRehUNI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EddRHHKGfVw/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xURRehUNI/AAAAAAAAAkM/EddRHHKGfVw/s400/051.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm hoping that in a few weeks, I will be able to update here a bit more often...and have more time to visit and comment on the blogs I love to read. But, in the meantime, I hope you are all well. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go prick my finger and feed the tulips.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xSoNnj5oI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ZYTcaV96xxA/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S-xSoNnj5oI/AAAAAAAAAj8/ZYTcaV96xxA/s400/029.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">FeeeeeeEEEEED ME, SEE-MOAH!</span></div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-8399014915987095202010-04-19T23:27:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:35:01.185-07:00The Night Has Eyes...Tonight is one of those nights.<br />
<br />
The windows, the doors, are threats to my sanity. I half expect to glance at a window and find a face peering in at me. I can almost hear pounding at the door...the click of a lock, or the splintering of wood.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I am fighting the urge to duck as I pass panes of glass.<br />
<br />
Tonight, I am triple checking all of the doors.<br />
<br />
Suddenly, everything seems temporary, fleeting. This life, Jude's gummy smile. Spring will pass and summer will wilt into autumn and a first year will have passed. Winter will swallow us whole, and at the end of it, a little bit more of Jude's childhood will have been gobbled. Never to be seen again. There will be teeth and training pants. Soon, the widening of shoulders and the narrowing of hips...underarm hair and attitude. The unmistakable musk of approaching adulthood.<br />
<br />
It's going too fast.<br />
<br />
Today, I received my revised health card. Below my name and number is Jude's name, and a brand spanking new number that is all his own. Below all of this is the donor card. I want to do the right thing, and will, as soon as I am able. But, for now...I can't even allow the possibility that his heart could ever beat in someone else's chest, or that his kidneys could someday help eliminate someone else's waste. His heart still beats against mine when I hold him tight. I still change his diapers.<br />
<br />
And yet, day by day, his body gradually becomes less of an extension of mine and becomes more his own. He arches his back as I dress him. He turns in my arms to look where he wants to look. He imitates kisses and laughs at the dog.<br />
<br />
He is willful; strong. Every day, he needs me just that little bit less.<br />
<br />
We are being stalked by time. It plasters itself against the windows, mewls on the doorstep, glares at us from underneath the bushes.<br />
<br />
For now, I'm not letting it in.*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-76645239697025266532010-04-18T10:26:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:54:39.077-07:00Randomness...1) I can't wait for the microwave...even if I have only set it for 30 seconds. I pace, I find things to do, but time seems to stop when the microwave is doin' its business. I get so antsy that I HAVE to stop it...3 seconds, or 1 second left on the timer. And then I don't clear it, which drives the other members of the household crazy.<br />
<br />
<b>Mom</b>: WHY do you always leave leftover time on the microwave??!!<br />
<b>Me</b>: Oh, it's this new "no patience" thing I'm going through...I can't stand to let the microwave run its course.<br />
<b>Mom</b>: Yeah, but now we never know what time it is in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
2) The morning-time rainbows that live in the living room love my son. The moment he is on the floor, a rainbow comes and finds him...shines in his eyes, or hangs out in his ear. He doesn't seem to mind.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s6ig_RYSI/AAAAAAAAAjc/O-AFDwPAq4o/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s6ig_RYSI/AAAAAAAAAjc/O-AFDwPAq4o/s400/042.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Buddy? You have something on your face. No, no...right there.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">3) Spring has definitely sprung. The maples/poplars/willows/birches are all budding, and there are strange fingers poking out of the flowerbeds already. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s9fnpsEQI/AAAAAAAAAjk/h5mgn-M99xE/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s9fnpsEQI/AAAAAAAAAjk/h5mgn-M99xE/s400/028.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s980mxRlI/AAAAAAAAAjo/d7-5sN-SWQ0/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s980mxRlI/AAAAAAAAAjo/d7-5sN-SWQ0/s400/029.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s8h_KXZtI/AAAAAAAAAjg/fVgTJGkQUGM/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s8h_KXZtI/AAAAAAAAAjg/fVgTJGkQUGM/s400/033.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All of the above were actually taken on March 31st. Can you believe it?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">4) I am lovin' on this song lately...yum.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px;">"Why are you so scared<br />
You stand there shaking in your pew<br />
The icons are whispering to you<br />
They're just old men<br />
Like on the benches in the park<br />
Except their balding spots are glistening with gold"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RVHV2nL5JZ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RVHV2nL5JZ0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">5) Jude can stand with the help of the coffee table. The beginning of the end...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s_Tl4IAAI/AAAAAAAAAj0/j6o4mUoo1QY/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S8s_Tl4IAAI/AAAAAAAAAj0/j6o4mUoo1QY/s400/002.JPG" width="260" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">6) I changed my template...again. I can't stand a white page. I tried to conform, I really did...but I am just not a conformist.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">7) I don't know why I feel the need to do these posts in list form.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">8) I mean, jeez...I used to be able to write a paragraph.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">9) But, now it all has to broken down and numbered...methodically separated like Jude's rice and apples. Or oats and peas.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">10) *sigh* I want my brain back.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-66337843640700822742010-04-14T22:00:00.000-07:002010-08-19T10:36:47.015-07:005 Pet Peeves...because I am feeling peevish tonight, and it just can't be helped.<br />
<br />
1) Kate Gosselin. Just her name ticks me off.<br />
<br />
2) Improper use of quotation marks.<br />
<br />
This particular irritation began a few years ago when I went to pick my cat Rory up from the vet. On his carrier was a little "Hello, My Name Is" sticker, and the sticker read:<br />
<br />
"Rory".<br />
<br />
Why the quotation marks? Rory is not just what we're calling him these days. It's his name. I mean...I know that in the cat world his name is likely something different, like <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Zoomba, slayer of small creatures</b></span>...or <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>YYYYYYEEEEEEEoooooOOOOOOOOOOOwwwwwWWWWWWW, eater of moths</b></span>. But, he is Rory to me.<br />
<br />
After I had Jude, this sickness seemed to have infected several friends and family members as well. I cannot tell you how many cards were inscribed as such:<br />
<br />
To Baby "Jude".<br />
<br />
I can just picture the air quotes. What? His name isn't really Jude? What is it, then...because I should surely be calling him by his proper name.<br />
<br />
But the crowning glory?<br />
<br />
The use of quotation marks to emphasize a word. For example:<br />
<br />
What a "beautiful" day!!!<br />
<br />
*stomp-stomp-fume*<br />
<br />
(At this juncture, I would like to mention that I am aware that my grammar is not always perfect. I am much too fond of asterisks, parentheses and ellipses. I pepper my written conversations with emoticons and am never completely sure what to do with a comma, BUT...it's my blog. *grin*) <----a perfect example of my imperfect writing style.<br />
<br />
3) The fact that gravity works on everything but my underwear. WHY must it always ride up, even as my boobs succumb to gravity's relentless pull?<br />
<br />
4) The fact that my can of formula tells me that breastmilk is best for my baby:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/SwCYTwEYZSI/AAAAAAAAAK4/HF_h6OsrFG4/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/SwCYTwEYZSI/AAAAAAAAAK4/HF_h6OsrFG4/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I know. I failed at breastfeeding and I feel terrible about it as it is. Why rub it in?<br />
<br />
My mother and I were at BabiesRUs a month or so ago, and she picked up an Evenflo bottle-gripper thingy because she wondered what it was. Right underneath the Evenflo logo, it said "Breastmilk is the best nutrition for your baby". You could have knocked me over with a feather.<br />
<br />
I am tired of seeing these little reminders everywhere. There is more than enough guilt placed on moms as it is. Why add to it? And, what if I was using my bottle-gripper thingy on a bottle full of breastmilk?<br />
<br />
5) Do you ever watch What Not To Wear?<br />
<br />
I canNOT stand it when the wardrobe malfunctions turned fashion plates model-walk. I squirm. I comment on it every time. WHY is she twirling around a lamp post? WHAT is she doing to that hydrant? Something about those fake smiles and stiff-legged saunters make me twitch and flail.<br />
<br />
Case in point: (the insanity REALLY begins at 3:47!)<br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X2ZBObiof7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X2ZBObiof7k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
(Stacy and Clinton would totally toss my entire wardrobe because <s>I still wear my maternity jeans because they are comfy</s> it is outdated and ugly.)*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-30222167303790126572010-04-09T11:15:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:55:21.610-07:00Mean Milk Toof<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The past few weeks, there has been a lot of this going on:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79lSco9FUI/AAAAAAAAAjA/TgSIY4cF8rk/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79lSco9FUI/AAAAAAAAAjA/TgSIY4cF8rk/s400/008.JPG" width="266" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
And this*:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79k2CxAlLI/AAAAAAAAAi8/_cSp1zLeVzw/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79k2CxAlLI/AAAAAAAAAi8/_cSp1zLeVzw/s400/002.JPG" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
And this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79rqe4kMeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/jjsGWyDUfZw/s1600/122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79rqe4kMeI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/jjsGWyDUfZw/s400/122.JPG" width="266" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
And THIS:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79rKYvDDSI/AAAAAAAAAjM/c2lWuAycUQg/s1600/113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79rKYvDDSI/AAAAAAAAAjM/c2lWuAycUQg/s400/113.JPG" width="266" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
He shark attacks objects...fingers, elbows, toys, the dog...barely eats**, hardly sleeps...all in the name of this:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79sdasrJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/TsxoGMVufeI/s1600/meantooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S79sdasrJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/TsxoGMVufeI/s400/meantooth.jpg" width="400" wt="true" /></a></div><br />
The above sharp little sucker is smashing its way through my poor little son's tender gums. The one beside it is not far behind, and it feels like several others are not too far behind that.<br />
<br />
Way to go ahead and grow up too fast on me, baby boy. :)<br />
<br />
Oh, and...this is the cutest blog, EVER. It seems fitting, just about now. Enjoy:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://mymilktoof.blogspot.com/"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">My Milk Toof</span></strong></a><br />
<br />
<br />
* No, I did not buy that Sophie. It was given to Jude as a gift. I would NEVER spend $20 on a teething toy. ;)<br />
** has anyone else's child refused to eat while cutting teeth? What are your thoughts on this phenomenon? Jude wails, kicks, arches, turns his head side to side, slaps the bottle out of his mouth. Swaddling no longer works. What did YOU do? Thanks in advance!*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-86028194496007672862010-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:56:17.795-07:00Wild Wednesday: Sarcastic Fringehead<em>This was originally posted Nov.9th, 2009.</em><br />
<br />
<br />
In my next life, I would like to be one of these guys.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/SwYc6g9sevI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GR7B9xquSfE/s1600/fringehead_gayle-van-leer.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406040194311551730" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/SwYc6g9sevI/AAAAAAAAAL4/GR7B9xquSfE/s400/fringehead_gayle-van-leer.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BjexNXJYblQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></P><p></P><p><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></P><p></P><p><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></P><p></P><p><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BjexNXJYblQ&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
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<br />
I find them almost as funny as I find hippos...(and, I rarely laugh as hard as I did the time I watched a documentary featuring hippos) Sarcastic Fringehead! Best name ever.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
A description:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">The sarcastic fringehead - Neoclinus blanchardi - can be found in the waters of the Pacific Coast from San Francisco down to Baja California. Though the Fring</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ehead is a small fish, rarely reaching a foot in length, they are known to be quite aggressive, even swimming after divers. Their native habitat is empty shells and small caves or burrows - though they are often observed living quite comfortably in discarded beer bottles and so</span><span style="font-style: italic;">da cans. Milton Love, noted fish biologist and author of "Probably More Than You Wanted to Know About the Fishes of the Pacific Coast" has this to say about the fringehead:"Sarcastic fringeheads are occasionally taken by both sport and commercial fishermen, and when this happens, no one is completely comfortable. The fish tend to be cranky and the fishermen tend to be nervous. I have seen very rugged commercial fishermen, men who laugh in the face of danger, doing fairly amusing little dances while a 6-inch-long fish clamp sharp teeth around their thumbs."</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and this one:<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-style: italic;">These </span><a href="http://zipcodezoo.com/glossary/Fish.asp" rel="gb_page_center[500, 300] nofollow" style="font-style: italic;">fish</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> are found along open </span><a href="http://zipcodezoo.com/glossary/coastline.asp" rel="gb_page_center[500, 300] nofollow" style="font-style: italic;">coastlines</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> on </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD58');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">sand</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> or hard </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD59');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">mud</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD60');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">bottoms</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> , outside the </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD61');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">breaker zone</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> in </span><a href="http://zipcodezoo.com/glossary/depth.asp" rel="gb_page_center[500, 300] nofollow" style="font-style: italic;">depths</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> of 3-73 </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD62');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">m</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> (10-240 </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD63');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">ft</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> ). They live in various kinds of </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD64');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">shelters</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> , such as empty clam or snail </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD65');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">shells</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> , abandoned </span><a href="http://zipcodezoo.com/glossary/burrow.asp" rel="gb_page_center[500, 300] nofollow" style="font-style: italic;">burrows</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, and cracks in </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD66');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">clay</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> or rock outcroppings. They also find human trash such as cans and bottles satisfactory as a </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD67');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">home</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> worth protecting. Whatever the shelter used, a sarcastic fringehead claims it as its home territory, fiercely defending it against intruders. The larger the </span><span class="zoodio" onclick="soundManager.play('SoundD68');" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="toolTipElement">container</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"> , the larger the fringehead occupying it.</span><br />
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<br />
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These fish give a whole new meaning to coveting someone elses stuff. Imagine if that was our way of dealing with the real estate market. You like someone else's house, so you just...take it. Sarcastically. With a really grumpy look on your face.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I could get into that.*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512687435078053520.post-14999009331791126602010-04-05T20:58:00.000-07:002010-08-19T16:53:52.101-07:00Somewhere Over The Rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qsqVS4viI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vC7bWsGrA1E/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qsqVS4viI/AAAAAAAAAiY/vC7bWsGrA1E/s400/012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thunderstorms are unheard of here this time of year (heck...having no snow this time of year is unheard of), but this is what the sky looked like yesterday. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qtOqSxajI/AAAAAAAAAig/lQPAkS4dRf4/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qtOqSxajI/AAAAAAAAAig/lQPAkS4dRf4/s400/017.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, after the sky threw this beautiful hissy-fit...a rainbow appeared:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qtrMRdNgI/AAAAAAAAAio/mnj6CzPLdc0/s1600/162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7qtrMRdNgI/AAAAAAAAAio/mnj6CzPLdc0/s400/162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7quIS8gT_I/AAAAAAAAAiw/j1QUUp07LS0/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_byAKqa8u9Zw/S7quIS8gT_I/AAAAAAAAAiw/j1QUUp07LS0/s400/163.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">;) Happy spring everyone.</div>*~(boom)~*http://www.blogger.com/profile/02348537949678244654noreply@blogger.com2