Lemon Stand's Tribulations

Thur 1/31 Blog: Share something funny: a joke, a funny video, a story, whatever makes you laugh.

Kids, even teenage kids always say the funniest things. And none more so than my blog friend, Lemon Stand's 4 daughters. I always have to keep up with her blog, because you just never know when a gem is going to spew forth from those 'innocent' lips. Most recently it was Words of Wisdom from a 15 Year Old. Then, of course, you have to read The Warden... AKA Lemon Stand. And if you find that your thirst is just not quenched yet, make sure you click on her tag "Family Conversations."

And take a look at the gorgeous papers and elements in the layout below. They are part of the soon to be released Vintage Valentine by Derek M. Designs. I just love the rich reds, the scrumptious creams and the brass elements. I suggest you bookmark his blog so you can pick up the wonderful kit when it makes its debut.

Quick Page made from Vintage Valentine kit (c)Derek M. Designs; Fonts: Alleghieri Demo, Angelina

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCAMP

Here's to hoping you had a very good day (although I know you had to work, LOL). It was great speaking with you but it is so hard to believe you are no longer my little boy that would hug my leg as I washed dishes or stare at me with big beautiful eyes shining in a tiny porcelain face. You have grown up and I am so proud of you. Of the man you have become. Of the sacrifaces you have made for our country. For the love and adoration you lavish upon your wife and daughter. Yes, I am proud of you.

African Safari Page Kit (c)Lauren Bavin; Font: Primitive

Album Covers and Tribulations

I saw this meme over at The House of Zathras and thought it would be a lot of fun.

You are about to have your own band’s CD cover. Follow these directions Go to……

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together.

A Sense of Tribulations

Wed 1/30 Blog Prompt: Choose one of your senses and use it to describe something you experience today.

As I was contemplating this prompt, I remembered the other day when The Princess wanted to know why all of the lights in the house were off except the one in the room I was occupying. And explaining to her how I didn't need all the lights on throughout the house, it began thinking about the philosophy class I had taken in college. It was required but intriguing.

Metaphysical world.-- It is true, there could be a metaphysical world; the absolute possibility of it is hardly to be disputed. We behold all things through the human head and cannot cut off this head; while the question nonetheless remains what of the world would still be there if one had cut it off.

from Nietzsche's Human, All Too Human, s.9, R.J. Hollingdale transl.

The whole point of the previous is I remember in this class one of the philosophers had stated that what you cannot see or hear, must not exist. I thought it was Nietzsche, but I think I am wrong. Still I digress. We are talking about the senses. And right now I wish my sense of hearing was not as acute.

I have The Princess and Indy today. Seems The Princess was complaining about an earache and Indy may have pink eye. So as I sit, trying to get my blog caught up, in the background I hear the constant patter of argument. One wants to watch cartoons, one wants to play the x-box. Cartoons have been on for nearly 2 hours. Time to move on. One wants to play Star Wars Legos. The other wants to play Over the Hedge. Star Wars Legos wins out for an hour. Still there is the soft patter of argument, the theme song to Star Wars and the pounding of the keyboard as I try to type.

But what is that? I think my coffee has finished brewing as I can smell it wafting throughout house. I believe, I shall go fix myself a cup and lock myself in the bathroom for a while contemplating the philosophy of today. Toodle Pip.

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Timely Tribulations

Tue Blog Prompt 1/29: Have you ever thought (or been told) that you were born in the wrong time? When in history do you think you would best 'fit in'?

Can't say that I have ever been told I was born in the wrong time, nor do I think I was. I like looking back on history and daydream about what things may have been like then. But I like the time I'm living in now. Electricity, cars, planes, indoor plumbing, all appeal to me more than living in the past. Besides I don't even want to think about what it was like for women even 100 years ago.

So I think I will stay put, enjoy running water, washing machines and dryers, along with an air conditioned/heated house.

Scraplift of layout by twiddlebug; Grab Bag kit (c)Colleen’s Creations; Doodles (c)Bannerwoman Design's; Fonts: CK Sink or Swim, 2Peas Sandbox, Doodle Cursive

Toyland Tribulations

Mon Blog Prompt 1/28: Today is the 50th Anniversary of the Lego! In honor of that, answer this question. What were your favorite toys or games when you were a child?

Actually there are two toys that I remember quite vividly. One was a giant Panda bear that my uncles had brought up to ddpup and I when we were living in Arkansas. She and I loved that bear. The other was a walking doll. It was almost like having a second sister, LOL. She and the Pup were just about the same height so they could share clothes. Then, of course, there were the Barbie dolls. We had the best dressed dolls around since mom made all their clothes and most of their furniture.

Outside we loved to play hide and seek, especially around dusk. Living on an Air Force base there were always children around and a group of a half a dozen or more could be found at any one time to play. And there was always a game of tag to be played.

Something a little different today. Instead of a scrapbook page, here is my desktop for next month. This was a challenge at Gotta Pixel.


Template by Scrapittydoodah; Mega-Mall freebie kit (c)Paula Yagisawa, Michelle Swadling, Kristmess, Kathryn Estry & Christina Wall; Calendar (c)Lunica

This Week In Space #15

Seems Tink's computer is in space. Some virtual place that does not allow her to get any work done on it. A space that requires the help of Microsoft to fix it. Ahhh... the love of MS Vista.

The best I can do for you is a couple of links:

Mercury on the Horizon

Planetorama

I'll keep you updated...

APOD #3

I'm going to try and get on a better track here so that I'm not taking the last photo, downloading, writing the post and uploading all on the same day. Today will run from Sunday through Friday. Starting next week it will run Saturday through Friday with posting on Saturday. I had even thought about posting it each day (actually the day after). What do you think?

January 20: Pan's grandmother was an artist. This is one of her smaller paintings. We are lucky to have quite a number of them gracing our home. Some still need to be framed and some need to be reframed. I think I will wait for that until we paint the interior again.

January 21: We live in Florida and how can you live in Florida and not have a collection of shells. Truth be told, though, I don't think any one of these shells are from the Gulf Coast. More likely they were picked up in California or Guam. One was a gift. I probably need to take a picture of the large one that's holding the shells all by itself, it has a beautiful mother-of-pearl.


January 22: Several of the photos this week are for a challenge I'm doing at Gotta Pixel. One of which was to take a picture of a cemetary. I had never been to this one before and both the Princess and I were quite taken by it. Instead of rows, the tombstones are set in a circular fashion, at least in this area. It is a relatively new cemetary so exploring did not seem to be viable. No history and besides it was raining.


January 23: Another photo challenge picture. This time something blue. This is our 5 gallon aquarium which houses just one fish... a male beta. It has a pirate scene and ship in it and Eregon spends most of his time hiding in the ship. Placed within the aquarium is a blue light. You can see its reflection at the bottom. And the background is blue too, LOL.


January 24: They can be found everywhere now, but 17 years ago when I bought my ceramic jar, they could only be found in specialty shops. Mine says "Ashes of Obnoxious Teenagers." And it is filled with... what else, but ashes. Was a great conversation piece when the kids friends would come over. They would laugh about it until it was opened and there really were ashes in it. Funny, they were quite well-behaved around the house.


January 25: Ah yes, another photo challenge photo. This one was suppose to be of "horses." We have a horse farm just a couple of blocks away, but it has been raining all week and they were not where I could get a picture. Today would have been perfect, except Pan has my truck to get sod (and no, I will not drive his truck around, unless it is absolutely necessary). So I was in a quandry. What do I do about getting a picture of a horse, when I remembered the box of seahorses I had in my drawer. Pose them on a bit of sponge and there you have it. The sponge and seahorses both came from Gulf Shores, nearly 20 years ago.

A Library of Tribulations

Fri Blog Prompt 1/24: What's on your reading list? How many books are waiting in the queue?

Funny this should come up after I just bought three books, LOL. Right now I am reading "The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin Anderson. A sort of prequel to the Superman series, which takes us through the meeting and marriage of Jor-El and Lara, the relationship between Jor-El and Zod, and what really happened to Kandor.

Next on the list will be "Forever Odd" by Dean Koontz. I had said a couple of posts back that I had bought and read "Brother Odd" not realizing I had missed the second one. I am making up for it here :)

After which I will read "Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris, touted to be A Southern Vampire Novel. I have heard they were amusing and I guess I will find out for myself sometime in the next week. Part of me really wants it to be; another not so sure. I don't need to get hooked on a series of books.

After those, in no particular order, I will read "Deception Point" by Dan Brown; "Fortress of the Sun" by Paul Cook; "The Face" by Dean Koontz; "Star Trek Academy Collision Course" by William Shatner and Judith & Garfield Reeves-Stevens (which I have started on multiple occasions and just can't seem to get in to); and "Bag of Bones" by Stephen King (as well as about 4 other Stephen King books I didn't even realize I had). Oops, found another one we've had for ages that I haven't read yet, "The Hollow-Eyed Angel" by Janwillem van de Wetering. I will also try to find time to re-read "Infinity and the Mind The Science and Philosophy of the Infinite" by Rudy Rucker. I would also like to find time to really read "The Nag Hammadi Library" by James Robinson. It is intense though and really requires concentration which I don't have when the kids are around. Oh well, I'll still have it when Indy starts school, I can read it then, right?

I also have 5 different versions of the Bible and 3 different dictionaries that I would like to read as well. (Yes, I read dictionaries. Devour them, more likely).

Template by Monica McGill; Gotta Pixel November Mega kit (c)digidiva, Paula Yagisawa, Sarah Meyer & Michele Pieters; Font: Windsong

A Superhero Tribulation

I think I did this one once before and I think I got the same answer.

Your Superpower Should Be Manipulating Fire

You are intense, internally driven, and passionate. Your emotions are unpredictable - and they often get the better of you. Both radiant and terrifying, people are drawn to you. At your most powerful, you feel like the world belongs to you. Why you would be a good superhero: You are obsessive enough to give it your all Your biggest problem as a superhero: Your moodiness would make it difficult to control your powers

What Should Your Superpower Be?

Coffee, Tea or Tribulations

Thur 1/24 Blog Prompt: Is it coffee or tea for you in the morning? Give some free advertising for your favorite morning pick-me-up.

Green tea for me. Love the stuff though only about 2 cups of it, LOL. Right now I am relegated to using green tea bags, but I prefer loose leaf. When we go to Orlando this May, I will have to stop by Epcot and pick some more up from the Japan Pavilion. And while we are their I will have to stop by the Ghiradelli store and pick up some chocolate coffee. I do like that too. Funny, since I really don't like chocolate much at all.

Still nothing beats a fresh cup of hot green tea first thing in the morning or last thing at night.

Timeless kit (c)Brenda Miller; Font: Patient Page; FangSong

Tribulations of a Place and Time

Wed Blog Prompt 1/23: Where would you rather be?

That's a tough one. But I guess my answer would be right where I am at. Or maybe not... I just noticed the temperature dropped 3 degrees in the last hour. Actually I don't mind the cold weather. What I hate is where it is in the 70's one day and in the 30's the next. Still I think I would rather be right here. Or maybe Hawaii with the Ballerina, my son and daughter-in-law. I'm being wishy-washy, I know. And since I can't be in Hawaii right now, I like where I'm at. Though I probably should go vacuum the living room or something. Maybe bake a cake. Or just sit here at the computer, LOL. Actually I think I will go fix lunch and read "The Last Days of Krypton" by Kevin Anderson. That's the ticket :)

Brush by Acquired Taste; Sticker alpha (c)Sarah Meyer; Font: Windsong; Quote by Thomas Merton

Old Clothes and Tribulations

Tues Blog Prompt 1/22: Have you ever gotten 'attached' to a piece of clothing? One you didn't want to get rid of, even when you knew you should?

Oh yeah. In fact I still have it. Nuke gave me a Greeneville t-shirt many moons ago and I wore it out. It has holes all the way through it. But I just won't give it up. Everybody has forbidden me to wear it around them, LOL. I do have a replacement now, but I still can't seem to toss the old one in the trash. There really is no story behind it. It was just a shirt from the Nuke while he was in the Navy and stationed on the Greeneville. I guess I'm just a little sentimental :)

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I Would like... to get rid of this Tribulation

Mon Blog Prompt 1/21: Finish the sentence 'Today I would like ...'.

For Indy to be completely potty trained. He is driving us nuts about it. It's not that he can't do it or even that he won't do it. He is just so intense about what he is doing that he forgets. Then if he messes in his pants he feels guilty and won't tell anyone. We are at our wits end trying to think of something that will make he want to tell us. Let me tell you what we have tried and if you have any other suggestions, I'm listening..

1. Taking him every hour. He will go when you take him, but still won't tell when he has to between times.
2. Pan takes him every time he goes.
3. Cheerios. He just gives you that look that says your crazy.
4. Potty parties. Everyone gathers in the bathroom cheering him on, singing and clapping. He likes this but still won't tell you when he has to go.
5. The Princess very dramatically announces every time she has to go, especially if she is in the middle of doing something.
6. Food dye. So far he likes this the best and will go when you tell him. Most times with a fight, but loves putting the dye in the water when he gets in there.
7. This morning I did a mock routine with his toy monkey making him go potty. I turned the water on lightly so it sounded like he was going, talked to him and then flushed the toilet. I was hugging the monkey as I went back out and Indy was sitting there all upset. I asked him if he wanted to go and he said yes. But I don't think this is going to work a second time.

So if any of you have any ideas at all, I'm open for suggestions.

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This Week in Space #14

Astronomy Picture of the Day
January 13: Hurricane Ivan from the Space Station . Credit: Expedition 9 Crew, International Space Station, NASA
January 14: The Cocoon Nebula from CFHT . Credit & Copyright: Jean-Charles Cuillandre (CFHT), Hawaiian Starlight, CFHT
January 15: Double Supernova Remnants DEM L316. Credit & Copyright: Gemini Observatory, GMOS-South, NSF
January 16: MESSENGER Passes Mercury . Credit: MESSENGER Teams, JHU APL, NASA
January 17: Thor s Emerald Helmet. Credit & Copyright: Robert Gendler
January 18: Supernova Factory NGC 2770. Credit: A. de Ugarte Postigo (ESO) et al., Dark Cosmology Centre (NBI, KU), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC), University of Hertfordshire
January 19: Starry Night Castle. Credit & Copyright: P-M Hedén

Cosmic Log
January 15: The final frontier on the Web
January 16: Your daily dose of science on the Web
January 16: Mercury's hidden side revealed
January 18: UFO viewing tips

NASA Image of the Day
January 13: Galaxies of All Shapes and Sizes. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
January 14: Morenci. Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/METI/ERSDAC/JAROS, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team
January 15: All Is Illuminated. Image Credit: ESA, MPS for OSIRIS Team MPS/UPD/LAM/IAA/RSSD/INTA/UPM/DASP/IDA
January 16: New View. Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
January 17: A View of the Horizon. Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington

Sky & Telescope
January 14: Monster Black Holes Soon to Collide? by Robert Naeye
January 15: Reunion with Mercury by Kelly Beatty
January 17: Canadians Fight for Observatory by Stuart Goldman
January 17: A Bird's-Eye View of the Sun by Kelly Beatty
January 18: Overweight Neutron Stars? by Rick Fienberg
January 18: This Week's Sky at a Glance by Alan MacRobert

Space.com
January 16: Satellite Navigation Market Continues To Soar Worldwide
January 18: Space Probe Swings by Mercury
January 18: The Enduring Mysteries of Mercury
January 18: Sea Launch Rocket Successfully Returns to Flight
January 19: Russians Plan New Space Platform
January 19: Ulysses Soars Over Sun's North Pole
January 19: Black Holes Spin Near Speed of Light
January 19: Next Space Station Crew Looks to Spring Launch
January 19: Curious Clouds Seen at Mars
January 19: Spacecraft Beams Home New Images of Mercury
January 19: Space Station Modules Proposed by UK Scientists
January 19: SOFIA and KAO: Passing the Torch
January 19: Pools of Invisible Matter Mapped in Space
January 19: Moonwalker Film to Raise Funds for Apollo Memorial
January 19: Full Moon Names for 2008
January 19: NASA Picks Finalists for Space Station Resupply Demonstrations
January 19: There's Got to Be an Invisible Sky
January 19: NASA's Next Rocket May Shake Too Much
January 19: Report Cites Rocketship Builder in Explosion Inquiry
January 19: Giuliani Pushes Space Program During Florida Visit


Sketch by Amy Coose; Raspberry Goodness (c)Raspberry Road; Font: Sue Ellen Francisco

A Frazzled, Ailing Tribulation

It has just been one of those days. I couldn't get the formatting right on the pictures this morning and completely forgot to post the scrapbook page. So here it is. Another one of my darling in-laws fiftith wedding anniversary party in 2003.

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APOD #3

01/13/08. Another dual photo for today. Gotta Pixel is having a Camera Hunt challenge and one of the pictures you have to take is a close up. Now I want you to know it was very difficult to get this picture as the munchkin was very adament about getting his picture taken. That is until he thought I was taking a picture of the inside of his nose. Then all of a sudden it became imperative that I take that picture. Fortunately I got a close up, just not the close up he wanted, LOL. But look at that smile and dirty face.

01/14/08. Back when I was a young girl, my father was stationed in Thailand for a while. We did not go with him, but upon his return he brought back several souvenirs. This wood and lacquer boat is one of the things he brought back with him. On the sides of the boat are etchings which appear to be filled with gold paint. The sails are thin strips of wood. A search over the internet has not brought me any information about where in Thailand it may have been made. If anyone has any clue as to where it might have been made I sure would be interested in learning about it.

01/15/08. Early preparations for Cinco de Mayo? Not hardly. It appears the county is marking water, electric and cable lines in the neighborhood. Now if we just knew why.

From time to time they do this. The neighborhood kids get a kick of kicking them around and swiping them. Anyway, they are all over the place. We even had a few in our yard, but guess they decided our place needed to painted. I got home to paint on the driveway and in the yard. Wonder what will happen to it if it rains?

01/16/08. With the scanner broken and no new one in site for a while, I thought I would see what I could do about just taking pictures of my pictures. As you can tell it is going to take a lot of work to figure out the best way to do it. At least for me. But then maybe I had just better start saving my money and buy a new scanner.

01/17/08. When Nuke was in Japan, he picked up these adorable dolls for the Princess and Indy. Surprisingly enough they do reflect the attitudes and personality of each child. I keep them here so they don't get broken at home. Don't know what keeps them from getting broken here :)

01/18/08. Do you remember the crayons from grade school? The only ones I remember are pretty much the basic colors with periwinkle, burnt sienna and peach thrown in for good measure. Nowadays they come with colors like mauvelous, timberwolf, chestnut, wisteria, macaroni and cheese (m&c, come on now), tumbleweed, granny smith apple, purple mountains majesty, scarlet (which looks orange to me) and dandelion. I wonder who must make up the names for colors and can I get a job doing that?

01/19/08. It is such a dreary day with rain and the temperature has already dropped 3 degrees in the last hour. The kids are arguing about an x-box game so it is going to turn out to be a very frustrating day as well. Might as well make the most of it and take a picture of something that brightens my day. This is Claudia. She is a Build-A-Bear that the Princess made for us several years ago at Christmas. When you press her paw, she says "I Love You Tink & Pan."

A Chocolaty Tribulation

As found at Ack Thbbbt. And as for someone who doesn't care to eat chocolate, if I have to this would be the one. :)

You are Dark Chocolate

You live your life with intensity, always going full force. You push yourself (and others) to the limit... you want more than you can handle. An extreme person, you challenge and inspire the world!

What Kind of Chocolate Are You?

Humor Me Tribulations

Fri Blog Prompt 1/18: Let's make it a 'Fun Friday'! What kinds of humor do you enjoy the most? Tell us what makes you laugh!

1. When a small child tries to tell a knock knock joke and ends up making one up.
2. Some stand-up comics such as Jeff Dunham, Bill Cosby, Jeff Foxworthy and Steven Wright (and sometimes George Carlin when he isn't being down right vulgar).
3. When Jose Jalapeno says "on a steeck."
4. "Weird" Al Yankovic music.
5. At least one thing in each "Boston Legal" show.
6. Apparently getting married since I got the giggles at each of my two weddings.

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Bugless Tribulations?

Thur 1/17 Blog Prompt: Are you up for another interactive prompt? I thought that since on Monday we did 'Things that make us smile', maybe today we could do...Things that bug us. Make a list, then when the everyone else posts, cross off things that more than one person listed.

1. People who make you repeat yourself over and over again because they just weren't paying attention the first 10 times you said it.
2. Argumentative children (Indy falls into this group) But I am sure not nearly as much as it must irritate mom2triplets04 at Creative Triplet Mom.
3. People who don't take the time to really read the instructions (I fall into this category)
4. Waiters/Waitresses who don't pay attention to your needs (Our waiter tonight did NOT fall in to this group)
5. People who mope because they think you are mad at them without finding out for sure.
6. Doctors who make you wait and wait and wait then charge $120 for a 10 minute visit and then say they are loosing money.
7. Getting in line behind someone at the grocery store that feels they need to unload their life story to the cashier who lives next door to them.
8. People who feel like they have to talk constantly. In other words they don't shut up.
9. People who think they know everything and need to tell you so. Very close to Bonna's Fake People Peeve
10. People who spend their time at work picking the brains of co-workers so they can pass a test at school instead of doing their job.
11. A homeowner's president that feels he is a dictator and can do whatever he pleases including getting the association sue and we can't do anything about it.
12. For pet peeves that really .... me off please head over to My Life and Times "Things that Bug Me." I have to agree with each and everyone of those she put down.

I know there's more. Lots and Lots more, but this should keep you busy for awhile.

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A Meme of a Different Tribulation

From the House of Zathras

Here are the rules to the Book Game:

1. Grab the nearest book
2. Open the book to page 123
3. Find the fifth sentence
4. Post the text of the next 3 sentences (#5,6,7) on your blog, along with these instructions.
5. Don’t you dare dig for that “cool” or “intellectual” book in your closet! I know you were thinking about it. Just grab what is closest!

If you decide to play, copy and paste the rules into your blog. Then, follow the rules and put your book passage following. Easy and fun!

"In '93," he said. "I'd just joined."
"And now you're a post captain, and the most noteworthy one in the bottom half of the list," said Boldton.

From "Ship of the Line" by C.S. Forester

So What book is near you? I can honestly say this one was sitting right at my elbow.

I am a Tribulant Blogger

You Are a Life Blogger!

Your blog is the story of your life - a living diary. If it happens, you blog it. And make it as entertaining as possible.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

Picture this Tribulation

Wed Blog Prompt 1/16: Ready for another prompt? Today's is a little different again. I have three photos from stock.xchng posted on my blog (Ordinary Days). Go to my blog, choose one of the photos, post it on your blog and write something creative about it. It could be a description, a short story, a poem, how it makes you feel...whatever you want!



So many days, so many years have past since I have been down this road. Where does it lead, you say? Well, to the back roads of my memories.

On this particular occasion, it is leading to a stream well off the beaten track. A place where picnics and laughter abound. Friends and family gather to eat, play and have meaningful conversations.

It is also the scene where a tragedy was averted. Picture this if you will.

A group of children running, laughing, splashing in the stream. Soon it is time to settle down and eat. Afterwards a camp fire is built. Sitting down Indian-style the children begin the time-honored tradition of roasting marshmallows. The burnt, gooey sweetness dribbles down chins and hands making for a very sticky situation.

After consuming the marshmallows it was back to the stream to wash up. But, no, the tragedy was not averted here. No one fell in and was swept away. All wet and giggling the children run back to the fire to dry off.

One young girl had her back to the fire, when a breeze swept by lifting her long hair into the air and into the fire. Yes, you guessed it. Her hair caught on fire. Thanks to the fast reaction of all who were there the fire was put out and no injury sustained, except possibly the little girl's pride.

Now it is time to head back to the road and return to the present leaving another memory for another road and another day.

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Quotely Tribulations

Tues Blog Prompt 1/15: Post a quote that you like and write about why it means something to you.

Let us now set forth one of the fundamental truths about marriage: the wife is in charge. ~Bill Cosby

Pan would probably tell you that is the way it is our household (though not really true). But it reminds me of a conversation between my dad and myself about seven years after Pan and I had been married. I just wish I could remember why he had called, as dad didn't call that often, leaving that up to my mother.

Anyway, called he did and asked what I was doing. Then the conversation played out....

"Playing on the computer."
"What is Pan doing?"
"Washing dishes."
"Washing dishes?"
"Yes, that is what he does after he finishes the laundry."
"Laundry?"
"Oh yes. I also need to tell him the windows need to be cleaned."
"What ARE you doing?"
"Playing on the computer."
"Why aren't you washing dishes?"
"It was in our pre-nupt. I did all the housework for seven years and then he did it for the rest of the marriage."
"sputter, sputter... pre-nupt? sputter"
"Definitely. You do know I work for an attorney, right?"
"sputter, sputter.... YOU get off your @ss right now and do the dishes..."

I lost it about right there and was rolling on the floor. Pan had to take the phone and explain that it was part of the contract and that yes he signed it. Poor daddy. One of the best jokes I ever played on him. LOL. Guess it could be that he never got around to telling me why he was calling, which may be why I don't remember.

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A List of Happy Tribulations

Mon Blog Prompt 1/14: Write a list of things that make you smile -- which I know we've done before, but the twist is that each of our lists should be unique. So make your list, then when you read the others' posts, if both of you list the same thing, strike it out on your list. I want to see how many distinctly creative things we can come up with today!

1. Having Indy tell me I 'am so funny' even when he doesn't understand why it is (or shouldn't understand, lol).
2. Jose Jalapeno and Peanut.
3. Thinking of things to put on this list.
4. Having Tot ask when I was going to come visit again.
5. Having Indy say "Puhleassseeee" when he wants you do to something for him.
6. Listening to the quiet. (Katrina loves quiet too)
7. Looking at the pictures from Germany with the Princess.
8. Watching the Princess and Indy leave to go home for the night.
9. Seeing Pan get frustrated when he knows how to put something together and it just doesn't work.
10. Leaving work on Thursdays. :)

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This Week in Space #13

Astronomy Photo of the Day
January 6: Jupiter's Rings Revealed. Credit: (NOAO), J. Burns (Cornell) et al., Galileo Project, JPL, NASA
January 7: Quadrantid Meteors and Aurora from the Air . Credit: Jeremie Vaubaillon et al., Caltech, NASA
January 8: A Jupiter-Io Montage from New Horizons. Credit: NASA, Johns Hopkins U. APL, SWRI
January 9: Hidden Galaxy IC 342 from Kitt Peak. Credit & Copyright: T. Rector (U. Alaska Anchorage), H. Schweiker, WIYN, NOAO, AURA, NSF
January 10: Active Galaxy Centaurus A. Credit: X-ray - NASA, CXC, R.Kraft (CfA), et al.; Radio - NSF, VLA, M.Hardcastle (U Hertfordshire) et al.; Optical - ESO, M.Rejkuba (ESO-Garching) et al.
January 11: Mercury Chases the Sunset. Image Credit & Copyright: Doug Zubenel
January 12: Polaris Dust Nebula. Image Credit & Copyright: Steve Mandel (Hidden Valley Observatory) Research Collaboration: Adolf Witt (University of Toledo) et al.

Cosmic Log
January 7: Your daily dose of science on the Web
January 9: Strange science takes time
January 11: One year after China's satellite shootdown
January 11: Double bull's-eye for Einstein

Live Science
January 9: Deep Space Potato Chips by Tariq Malik

NASA Photo of the Day
January 7: Meteors and Aurora. Image Credit: NASA, Caltech, Jeremie Vaubaillon et al.
January 8: Ready for Liftoff. Image Credit: NASA
January 9: New Horizons Soldiers On. Image Credit: NASA, JHU-APL, Southwest Research Institute
January 10: Jet Power. Image Credit: NASA/CXC/CfA/R. Kraft et al.
January 11: Jupiter's Rings Revealed. Image Credit: NASA, JPL, Galileo Project, (NOAO), J. Burns (Cornell) et al.

Sky & Telescope
January 8: A New Cycle is Dawning by Kristina Grifantini
January 8: High Hopes for Hubble by Rick Fienberg
January 10: Astronomers Find Rare Double Einstein Ring by Rick Fienberg
January 10: Stars in the Middle of Nowhere by Rick Fienberg
January 11: Mars Dodges a Bullet by Kelly Beatty
January 11: This Week's Sky at a Glance by Alan MacRobert

Space.com
January 8: How Tennis Shoes and Tug-of-War Toppled the Mighty Saturn V By Alan Lawrie and Robert Pearlman
January 8: Gantry Delay Pushes Back 1st Soyuz Flight from Guiana By Peter B. De Selding
January 8: Our Universe: Dark and Messy By Dave Mosher
January 8: Precursor of Life Molecules Found Around Star By Andrea Thompson
January 8: Report: Russia's Mock Mars Mission to Cost $15 Million By Tariq Malik
January 9: China Discusses Third Manned Spaceflight, Rocket Launches By The Associated Press
January 9: Hubble Tune-Up Plans Detailed By Jeanna Bryner
January 9: Baby Versions of Milky Way Spotted By Dave Mosher
January 9: Lowest Radar Echo Detected from Moon By SPACE.com staff
January 9: Cosmic Blue Blobs Discovered By Jeanna Bryner
January 9: NASA: Safety First for Last Shuttle Flight to Hubble By Tariq Malik
January 9: Asteroid's Chances of Smacking Mars Dip By Tariq Malik
January 10: New Risk to Earth Found in Supernova Explosions By Laura Kinoshita
January 10: Alliant Techsystems Buys Canadian Space Hardware Firm By Brian Berger
January 10: Rogue Black Holes Might Fill Our Galaxy By Jeanna Bryner
January 10: The Surprising Evolution of Deep Space Missions By Jeremy Hsu
January 10: Faraway Planets Collided, Study Suggests By Jeanna Bryner
January 11: NASA Eyes Feb. 7 Launch Date for Shuttle Atlantis By Tariq Malik
January 11: Most Amazing Space Discoveries of 2007
January 11: Colossal Black Hole Shatters the Scales By Jeanna Bryner
January 11: Space Rock Won't Wallop Mars, Scientists Say By Tariq Malik
January 11: Hall of Fame to Induct Mir, Hubble, ISS and Space Shuttle Astronauts By Robert Pearlman
January 11: Even Thin Galaxies Pack Hefty Black Holes By Jeanna Bryner
January 11: Big Space Thing Looks Like a Moth By SPACE.com staff
January 11: Spacecraft Gears Up for Mercury Flyby By Tariq Malik
January 11: Astrobiology 101: Where Teachers are the Students By Pamela Harman
January 11: Spiral Galaxy Winds Backwards By Jeremy Hsu
January 11: Four Stars Found in Amazingly Tight Bunch By Jeanna Bryner
January 11: Source of Mysterious Antimatter Found By Charles Q. Choi
January 11: Space Cloud to Collide With Our Galaxy By Jeanna Bryner
January 11: 2008 Preview Night Sky Highlights By Joe Rao
January 11: NASA Sets Feb. 7 Launch Date for Shuttle Atlantis By Tariq Malik


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Namely that is a Tribulation

What Tink's Real Name Means

You are a seeker of knowledge, and you have learned many things in your life. You are also a keeper of knowledge - meaning you don't spill secrets or spread gossip. People sometimes think you're snobby or aloof, but you're just too deep in thought to pay attention to them. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

APOD #2

Sleepy little fellow. Bombshell brought him over and all he wanted to do was crawl under the covers and go back to sleep. He was not at all happy with me taking pictures. Later in the day we took down the Christmas tree and you were okay with it while it was just the lights and decorations. But once he came out to check, the tree was gone and he demanded Pan put it back up.


Red, red wine. Isn't that how the song goes? Good for you in moderation so they say. And how my taste in wine has changed over the decades. In my twenties it was the sweet dessert, white and zins that tickled my palette. In my thirties and early forties, the dryer whites and brut champagnes are what I craved. But somewhere in my middle forties, I discovered that very dry red wines were the ones I preferred the most. And what would this be without a list of some of my favorites:

Red:
HRM Rex-Goliath Pinot Noir
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Louis & Martini Cabernet Sauvignon
Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot
Marques de Riscal Rioja
Red Bicyclette Syrah
Fat Bastard Shiraz

White:
Santa Margheritta Pinot Grigio
Senor De Morana Verdejo
Toad Hollow Chardonney (this is wonderful for cooking with too)

And that delightful crystal red wine glass was a Christmas present from Bombshell.


Five days. That is all it has been since I took the picture of the icicles on the tree and the temperature plummeted into the teens. Today it is overcast and the temperatures are in the mid 70's. Like so many here in NW Florida, we don't care which way it goes at this time. Just pick one and stay there at least for a month or two.


"The Library" was always in what is now Pan's workshop room, but it is now sporting additional shelves to hold all the technical manuals he has accumulated over the years and which had been stacked in piles in front of the books shelves we already had in place and which now can be seen and reached. Although you are only getting a look at the middle section of it. But you can see how well read those books are. Even the hardback books get a good going over.


Memories of a Wedding include our champagne glasses, my headpiece, one of the wedding invitations, a marriage certificate, Pan's boutonniere, my floral fan bouquet as well as those of the bridesmaids, adorn a rice tray. If we manage to get a flatscreen tv for the living room then this will be moved to our bedroom. And after taking a look at it, I really think I need to get some canned air and try to clean it up.

Little trivia... We printed our own invitations. I had the headpiece specially made but I made the fan bouquet myself, both mine and the girls. We were married in a "ballroom" and as I was coming out from a side room, my garter slipped and I tried to gently kick it off, but it went flying into the midst of the guests. I also made all the finger foods for the reception except the cake and the shrimp platter. At the reception, I hit Pan's boss in the head with a rubber dart from a dart gun. He was not amused. As we were leaving and every one was preparing to toss the birdseed, Pan pulled an semi-automatic water gun from his jacket and started shooting everyone. My father-in-law bought a case of champagne and we ended up taking most of it on our honeymoon with us. When we were leaving the condo, Pan didn't want to tote them down 3 flights so he tied a rope around the handle of an ice chest, filled it and lowered it over the balcony. When it got the bottom of the 2nd floor the rope came untied. Okay, that was alot of trivia.


Technologically speaking Pan likes being on the cutting edge and have the latest and greatest techno toys. Who am I kidding here, certainly not you? I like them as well. And when Microsoft came out with their new smart phone last year, we had two of them put on hold for us. Except for me it is just something for showing off to geeky friends, since, other than the camera, it is just a phone. I have no internet access and limited texting. Pan uses his; but I'm afraid for me it is just a glorified toy, oh and a phone too.


This seems to be a week of me. That's probably good from my stand point. Sorry if it is boring to you. Here we have my cup of green tea that I have been sipping on all evening. Normally I wouldn't use tea bag green tea, but I have finally ran out of my loose leaf tea. When we head back to Orlando and Universal this May we will have to make sure to take some time to hit Epcot's Japanese Pavilion to pick up another year's supply. And how about that cup? Yes, my house if full of Tink souvenirs. I even have a set of china coffee cups with Tink on them. But that is a photo for another day.


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