tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50356687297523728202024-02-20T11:35:54.117-05:00The MellynDefinition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-66853812493210628632009-12-01T09:20:00.002-05:002009-12-01T09:22:31.049-05:00Been a long timeSorry, my blog kind of stopped in the middle of the trip. I will have to get it restarted again, picking up where I left off, and catching you up to date in our busy life.<br /><br />Ciao for now!Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-14489065196415494602008-10-01T10:10:00.004-04:002008-10-01T10:16:26.863-04:00Simon's CatI HAVE to post this. A friend sent one of the videos on my facebook. Well I certainly had to watch them all.<br /><br />THIS is nearly what goes on in my house with our cat Bootsie. Especially the paw to the face. Now replace the bat with her landing on my head from the window above the bed... and it's very clearly a tactic they teach at kitty boot camp.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w0ffwDYo00Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w0ffwDYo00Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-18475639972437592972008-07-10T11:03:00.001-04:002008-08-29T18:42:20.602-04:00New England - Day 2DING DONG! DING DONG!<br /><br />What in the world?? I woke up at 7a.m. by a seemingly possessed doorbell. I look out, but don't see anyone. Maybe I dreamed it? Maybe it was the Shipyard's dock bells... I go back to bed, Ms. Nicely didn't seem to notice it from her room.<br /><br />DINGDONGDINGDONGDINGDONGDINGDONG.... are you kidding me?! This time, there had to have been someone there. Right? Well, long story short, Ms. Nicely had told me about the neighbor kids, and how intrusive they can be. She wasn't kidding! But once they saw it wasn't anyone they really knew staying there, they left us alone the rest of the time. Seriously, I am on vacation, I don't want to be disturbed by kids if they aren't mine! Since we were up, we decided to get ready for the day.<br /><br />Today was Exploring Northern New Hampshire While Slipping Into Maine Day. We didn't officially name it that, but we should have. I guess I should say, we didn't really have a plan per se. Kind of a "wherever the road takes us" sort of trip. We had plenty of maps to help us in that journey. We had a few things in mind we wanted to see and do during our trip, the rest was visited as it came along.<br /><br />We were headed to <a href="http://www.thebalsams.com/AboutUs_MediaCenter_PressRelease_8.aspx">The BALSAMS Grand Resort Hotel</a>. We stopped along the way to get some gas. I saw a funny sign (Only because of the name). I had to get a picture. I swirled out the number so they don't get any drunk calls after you try Shipyard beer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGor5jfvoRh_Fq0k_p_mJHtT-JUESmjkPk2AaQHLnAmhKM1S4xQ7m4ljwFyny58DjWuRTcohURiM1O5-1wwmR_7nKps0vucZ0W-DVxKMe5LGr970HIW7jk4nCMZNCETLc6nA7e0yIDQxH/s1600-h/July+035a_filteredB1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGor5jfvoRh_Fq0k_p_mJHtT-JUESmjkPk2AaQHLnAmhKM1S4xQ7m4ljwFyny58DjWuRTcohURiM1O5-1wwmR_7nKps0vucZ0W-DVxKMe5LGr970HIW7jk4nCMZNCETLc6nA7e0yIDQxH/s320/July+035a_filteredB1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240011387976741634" border="0" /></a><br />I believe I was in complete photography nirvana. Land full of lush landscapes and nature, just waiting for me to capture them on film, er digital media. I really believe I could go back just as a photography trip for more than a week! And trust me, just after day 1 I was sure I was going to have to purchase another memory card or two for the camera! But through the miracle of cables, I checked out some shots on the TV and cleaned out the shots I didn't need or were not fond of. We made sure to do this each night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DvODI0G3hKTufEboVTPvb8dw7mk9U6BMSpms0a_sBZFulXFK6XM0_Drqx3LpQnPxm4ze9vE6EB06n0jhuph7gqvLDDHWnoZoEYAtAX1C6ZC0zf8U-kGzdT-l48reiH6wU0NWn7Bs5rk2/s1600-h/July+042a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DvODI0G3hKTufEboVTPvb8dw7mk9U6BMSpms0a_sBZFulXFK6XM0_Drqx3LpQnPxm4ze9vE6EB06n0jhuph7gqvLDDHWnoZoEYAtAX1C6ZC0zf8U-kGzdT-l48reiH6wU0NWn7Bs5rk2/s320/July+042a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240011398823651058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsScCaIpTFVN95WaXzy5Xl5fvxm-bDs-U_Tynvyd7_cJIrCpqivI8gAiDLu431yEpyxxxF74h5CTnq4unTNOobqy5RnQpyg1zHd5fzP24-VUPO7yjDdauXMLLWV1uMitCRKrWJZRoUMOhs/s1600-h/July+037_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsScCaIpTFVN95WaXzy5Xl5fvxm-bDs-U_Tynvyd7_cJIrCpqivI8gAiDLu431yEpyxxxF74h5CTnq4unTNOobqy5RnQpyg1zHd5fzP24-VUPO7yjDdauXMLLWV1uMitCRKrWJZRoUMOhs/s320/July+037_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240011392513143362" border="0" /></a><br />I loved their signs there. Now maybe it's because we don't have moose, but I am sure the road signs are not a main attractions for just anyone. And I will say, on this trip we saw a bronco on the side of the road. I am guessing it had a run in with a moose. Seeing how the how front end looked like a boulder had been dropped on top of the front hood, and there was no sign of a boulder...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzvQrCHQLk9HdGcsFeEOVU3eGNrnxLsILBvK80ExmSpQspzeDYjXMamGBW8eK6L-hzwoaKSPetysIa_wleMZjjWsUomcxyceViZrHc-rm7Xzt6IHDYjXChYGotwfEeUqbPMjHTnng1CZB/s1600-h/July+045a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzvQrCHQLk9HdGcsFeEOVU3eGNrnxLsILBvK80ExmSpQspzeDYjXMamGBW8eK6L-hzwoaKSPetysIa_wleMZjjWsUomcxyceViZrHc-rm7Xzt6IHDYjXChYGotwfEeUqbPMjHTnng1CZB/s320/July+045a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240011402451158754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCi7iZrLqZKHqpf9qpWTVWS-fSS2tIi-YsH3tihJMIRUDZ9hHmCHi8S6qgRqtnXShtvqNvG6aZdqo9crmMzHxRQG44tNae8yukXVGGNfcb8CUe-6KR90qFOx-0m4X9gndaJa98IFKnCZO/s1600-h/July+155a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCi7iZrLqZKHqpf9qpWTVWS-fSS2tIi-YsH3tihJMIRUDZ9hHmCHi8S6qgRqtnXShtvqNvG6aZdqo9crmMzHxRQG44tNae8yukXVGGNfcb8CUe-6KR90qFOx-0m4X9gndaJa98IFKnCZO/s320/July+155a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240011412040311570" border="0" /></a><br />Along the way, Ms. Nicely was having a contact issue, not good when you are the driver and are supposed to be able to see. So we saw a little babbling brook of sorts, she pulled off so I could snap away and she could fix her contact. I had read some info (thanks Mop) about water movement pictures. So this was fresh on my mind to try out. I maybe could have done a tad better with a tripod and did later on (you will see what I mean). Then as I headed back to the vehicle, I saw a sign. The 12 year-old in me came out and took a picture of it (you may have to click on it to read it).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ8vwFKZOQV4TR1P0X7fiWUK-Zvp5C3aN524afWiz1ADaaScJyAxeT4Cu1Gs5KYYfeQJTcMTtX8Nbu0vvYNz4qlEmzFj5oKtfz4GzUzT6ks5hH618npwoBP9xqy84tF8rWWrcc6uZ2RWU/s1600-h/July+052a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ8vwFKZOQV4TR1P0X7fiWUK-Zvp5C3aN524afWiz1ADaaScJyAxeT4Cu1Gs5KYYfeQJTcMTtX8Nbu0vvYNz4qlEmzFj5oKtfz4GzUzT6ks5hH618npwoBP9xqy84tF8rWWrcc6uZ2RWU/s320/July+052a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240022623417736802" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzpRBTYP_WQhd9pHR5BANTRMPRleEGmEz-V1_dGV0AgsDjyqgCPEyzixy4MgyFt9iFf_isG-iwz5WkBqTzBgJlEq9Ii-iSW6T9JV5ppqFyd3PVx62Qp4vyHH3Cktrb8sXMCEsyVUnHg-D/s1600-h/July+055a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzpRBTYP_WQhd9pHR5BANTRMPRleEGmEz-V1_dGV0AgsDjyqgCPEyzixy4MgyFt9iFf_isG-iwz5WkBqTzBgJlEq9Ii-iSW6T9JV5ppqFyd3PVx62Qp4vyHH3Cktrb8sXMCEsyVUnHg-D/s320/July+055a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240022632175944898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E1aVEIJYFEoBvb7rmiVRaAxhC1MIQskMx1TVg9o4JYGSKE3rPvJtk0skQG2W7xO95QNKJNPXSupmHzLizkMdd70WetWqbckVGqaFmBAaJi_REK3mEc8Y__yQSKUtB28Fh9s-TZOUTD8Z/s1600-h/July+054a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7E1aVEIJYFEoBvb7rmiVRaAxhC1MIQskMx1TVg9o4JYGSKE3rPvJtk0skQG2W7xO95QNKJNPXSupmHzLizkMdd70WetWqbckVGqaFmBAaJi_REK3mEc8Y__yQSKUtB28Fh9s-TZOUTD8Z/s320/July+054a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240022627543885138" border="0" /></a><br />Back on the road we make it to BALSAMS. Beeeeeauuuuutifuuuuullll. Another place I could have spent the whole day shooting! I will let it's beauty charm you! They seemed to be having a natural springs issue in the parking lot. A little reminder, we don't control Mother Nature!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZjxJ_sxlqc8mJ-C6CSctS7rsJxK-pCq9YerFltrZvqn_ucNagzMRG8sxwO9QBcW1dNYA5_H81jZEHdWJy5K7HgNy2zmkSGuonWUaOZXW8bapony5c8all8Y-s8hWRAlCr4p3n1Uipohk/s1600-h/July+058a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZjxJ_sxlqc8mJ-C6CSctS7rsJxK-pCq9YerFltrZvqn_ucNagzMRG8sxwO9QBcW1dNYA5_H81jZEHdWJy5K7HgNy2zmkSGuonWUaOZXW8bapony5c8all8Y-s8hWRAlCr4p3n1Uipohk/s320/July+058a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240022635652883042" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy20rcsf8gCE5NwksS_eNqQ354zowCHDpl9omkiUZlwEKcODeSbizdykqQBzSJ5lpAGnah2DKw5Y1-SvVy1voPIfHujo0zIdXglcqKpjo7OpOyaF1oJzo3JLE7k1BmP_TGi-j9yALYkNO/s1600-h/July+061a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJy20rcsf8gCE5NwksS_eNqQ354zowCHDpl9omkiUZlwEKcODeSbizdykqQBzSJ5lpAGnah2DKw5Y1-SvVy1voPIfHujo0zIdXglcqKpjo7OpOyaF1oJzo3JLE7k1BmP_TGi-j9yALYkNO/s320/July+061a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240022643815663154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHySekLvk25F4_oD3_ogNCcHWGUpdRpGb7h5qjyOYL3c6jfnFvvUF9oYaM9jkTHPROXEveJ5-Kx34mExfnKZsIx5itmue5suoFo7yyhtH4OMgZum154r_dHQFOYFUo33owgtZ1QU6vabEB/s1600-h/July+064a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHySekLvk25F4_oD3_ogNCcHWGUpdRpGb7h5qjyOYL3c6jfnFvvUF9oYaM9jkTHPROXEveJ5-Kx34mExfnKZsIx5itmue5suoFo7yyhtH4OMgZum154r_dHQFOYFUo33owgtZ1QU6vabEB/s320/July+064a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240053782991026626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewK9Drfm-FwywUtKoWnNkxiTmiex7EVJhJV_DYbZkqYgV2kt2pCfJAVZX4H2i8HhqcGNP4AM-UKoR0u1l2EgizJzfspgu6XwrhtqLNAGX48Lr4B9e8kCn_r9DzITSDkCd-y-QKyWZMbQB/s1600-h/July+072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewK9Drfm-FwywUtKoWnNkxiTmiex7EVJhJV_DYbZkqYgV2kt2pCfJAVZX4H2i8HhqcGNP4AM-UKoR0u1l2EgizJzfspgu6XwrhtqLNAGX48Lr4B9e8kCn_r9DzITSDkCd-y-QKyWZMbQB/s320/July+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240024890173038242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXSd95NqlvjkZj5dbJIzNjR4rJg0WxqmXCFuawPnWX-XflBLl6hp50qxRhU8fogVCgKjkGIz0lEFChXfpMWZnSGmlzMh825JBzOCcSgzRT1XrUmSVFd4j4RBQP_riHqNdqT-Gb4uQoAv3/s1600-h/July+074a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFXSd95NqlvjkZj5dbJIzNjR4rJg0WxqmXCFuawPnWX-XflBLl6hp50qxRhU8fogVCgKjkGIz0lEFChXfpMWZnSGmlzMh825JBzOCcSgzRT1XrUmSVFd4j4RBQP_riHqNdqT-Gb4uQoAv3/s320/July+074a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240024890663044194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLdCRMGbIJgmfj-0r_pXv-K8WzDaRfPH40tNCz_lB8EZmz3iVRCJGInWV3v5x7Sqf4lCR_tFG5KqWK-0SgJoA6iOVgcknp-5ZtUt6JxAm_ncJ4qogyOh8nkS4Uo7A5Vqdh-DWz3z3M2Jv/s1600-h/July+076a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLdCRMGbIJgmfj-0r_pXv-K8WzDaRfPH40tNCz_lB8EZmz3iVRCJGInWV3v5x7Sqf4lCR_tFG5KqWK-0SgJoA6iOVgcknp-5ZtUt6JxAm_ncJ4qogyOh8nkS4Uo7A5Vqdh-DWz3z3M2Jv/s320/July+076a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240024896882104546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5H89MdFVzsZYMLxD2nV14ehGtr5EuYYHyqDJnzs84kCH0aROYzuyJ40JQlOK7TkqCdETGyh6fFJCfL3XLRNLyyv88Q1Dmnh5fkIrwUTf26Uuz5hp1lR1RuCc7aiK9meNi_PbDeSF4k3d/s1600-h/July+080a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5H89MdFVzsZYMLxD2nV14ehGtr5EuYYHyqDJnzs84kCH0aROYzuyJ40JQlOK7TkqCdETGyh6fFJCfL3XLRNLyyv88Q1Dmnh5fkIrwUTf26Uuz5hp1lR1RuCc7aiK9meNi_PbDeSF4k3d/s320/July+080a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240024905084732466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavzdQN-8MVT3FfGaTa1MEA63UY0LMCOu48R18g9QizvXx8JXbGEC43pRnkKhSUKOVoLHiz23GmSbWB59jImMAzVYLPfQLFBF65OcdoiEchYc_JahX79IN26TkEv2NbWTVeUsoJ-pTq-6-/s1600-h/July+088a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiavzdQN-8MVT3FfGaTa1MEA63UY0LMCOu48R18g9QizvXx8JXbGEC43pRnkKhSUKOVoLHiz23GmSbWB59jImMAzVYLPfQLFBF65OcdoiEchYc_JahX79IN26TkEv2NbWTVeUsoJ-pTq-6-/s320/July+088a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240049879628319970" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dav8CcFGDpjtkLH37QLjoedQcD0ZovZHPT9ZV4WNIq9kFxMy21akgOX2ZIbMaabiByYeBBPXFNeyTIx7x41ooaNPNIuuD_jAUuYHDT9th0ANvv1lSbat0jKpC9fj7-OOPC-EyaHx9dwX/s1600-h/July+085a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dav8CcFGDpjtkLH37QLjoedQcD0ZovZHPT9ZV4WNIq9kFxMy21akgOX2ZIbMaabiByYeBBPXFNeyTIx7x41ooaNPNIuuD_jAUuYHDT9th0ANvv1lSbat0jKpC9fj7-OOPC-EyaHx9dwX/s320/July+085a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240049875493720674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcU_iSTvhCnrDIvjGThSqBqygY-qVUGSjB-T7fgVS7Pptt-M9AEOptseS0oc38c4BFd8DmN3T6PojX2iop1nAp8VFoLk4WqJ3FyrpmiGuDnO4Y0bZe0vJunV2cRp6mJI4Td_F47G4C0m2/s1600-h/July+083a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcU_iSTvhCnrDIvjGThSqBqygY-qVUGSjB-T7fgVS7Pptt-M9AEOptseS0oc38c4BFd8DmN3T6PojX2iop1nAp8VFoLk4WqJ3FyrpmiGuDnO4Y0bZe0vJunV2cRp6mJI4Td_F47G4C0m2/s320/July+083a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240049873294217250" border="0" /></a><br />If you didn't read up on it, there is a small town called Dixville Notch that holds their election voting there. It's actually a really big deal! They are the first to vote in New Hampshire!! For some light reading (and shorter blogging) you can go <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixville_Notch,_New_Hampshire">here</a> to find out more!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HkRu6bAZIvJAum6v91uKeLwl5PYE8bETPA_1KpchThf1W-BJ0QQJ6waifpJsxmEMEPws9Z4S7OZyI67qeqzuvUNHJ5MU9EUyFJxg7r6D5q09jCgLMsZSAfHepq_whbfSO4EcOaQ4Cv-6/s1600-h/July+091a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HkRu6bAZIvJAum6v91uKeLwl5PYE8bETPA_1KpchThf1W-BJ0QQJ6waifpJsxmEMEPws9Z4S7OZyI67qeqzuvUNHJ5MU9EUyFJxg7r6D5q09jCgLMsZSAfHepq_whbfSO4EcOaQ4Cv-6/s320/July+091a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240049883453578418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMinJMMRS914RVNxvcvmG1GYG3d6nFsp3raQft_cGjNk_LYpa4WJouLpAbeJsOOdUR42ol4bzQ8l4RpcqzyG8b2OdhK1hoBQnD43ZafgTZqmbqj48wwRPoIrW2t0gx3kwPuhhpD6iCc7W/s1600-h/July+093b_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMinJMMRS914RVNxvcvmG1GYG3d6nFsp3raQft_cGjNk_LYpa4WJouLpAbeJsOOdUR42ol4bzQ8l4RpcqzyG8b2OdhK1hoBQnD43ZafgTZqmbqj48wwRPoIrW2t0gx3kwPuhhpD6iCc7W/s320/July+093b_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240049888154889618" border="0" /></a><br />We left there and continued on the journey, this is where we ended up in Maine for a short time. We missed a road we were going to take, but we ended up with some really cool shots though. First we were at Umbagog State Park, took pictures by Umbagog Lake, and if you can say Umbagog ten times fast... you win. I don't know what you win, except the title of winner. Here is how beautiful it is! Please excuse the artist rendering of us, witness protection program you know! You would think their artist would be better than that...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFZ9NlgffPFP244MS_62AmGNshHm_iSrsWVeokyFxcYpvwEnWBMbKFkFx71rd2eyDMdN_iodn51JUxvvzRqcFk3_mRRN_oL0Pv71wIwC6ubivOa76LHO-kOvCpf0GE4VykBQgyjsBXmRV/s1600-h/July+102a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpFZ9NlgffPFP244MS_62AmGNshHm_iSrsWVeokyFxcYpvwEnWBMbKFkFx71rd2eyDMdN_iodn51JUxvvzRqcFk3_mRRN_oL0Pv71wIwC6ubivOa76LHO-kOvCpf0GE4VykBQgyjsBXmRV/s320/July+102a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240052686437590194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxA6aTLfwzy4Xjn64p7FnK3mkNejBo2luvKTLHuOOe2B3bHHq5OKVY3CP2qeX51hZFzuAdu5Zz_KcXQsIgqbogUjAtEtoUWh_kgBarDsSPVqoeSBbCe_HIcc4H5NjhcmHoshjorEJAvFJ/s1600-h/July+097a_filtered+stick.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZxA6aTLfwzy4Xjn64p7FnK3mkNejBo2luvKTLHuOOe2B3bHHq5OKVY3CP2qeX51hZFzuAdu5Zz_KcXQsIgqbogUjAtEtoUWh_kgBarDsSPVqoeSBbCe_HIcc4H5NjhcmHoshjorEJAvFJ/s320/July+097a_filtered+stick.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240052679381086402" border="0" /></a><br />We continued on in Maine, this time near Grafton Notch State Park. This is where we saw Moose Cave and Screw Auger Falls. Yes the latter was visited for it's name, incidentally I got some GREAT pics there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCgUyEpdJCH2l0A9MVeAgG-tPkMT08pJu5gpPzJDrTZIOpnwh9jYKh_KESrxVntTnueXoK72N6bIVIiqURIPyBsqlU6qETi8a6ijyYA2MKnsgcVKIf8APP8uowMG5sXst2bAGo-n9q5zq/s1600-h/July+109a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuCgUyEpdJCH2l0A9MVeAgG-tPkMT08pJu5gpPzJDrTZIOpnwh9jYKh_KESrxVntTnueXoK72N6bIVIiqURIPyBsqlU6qETi8a6ijyYA2MKnsgcVKIf8APP8uowMG5sXst2bAGo-n9q5zq/s320/July+109a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240052686626540098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-86GmIhLgXQ_RfsNPK_AsnlvtNGgaeNXYhsEQg_IQUlvbF49I_4j9v1sobtZDs29yaADnvMH5tCX65n_vmIHd_yB6Wak_PuggWbYsRq_EEMiIchDwIT-7SwrjXjYkkfvFBlp1Cf94yeU/s1600-h/July+112a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-86GmIhLgXQ_RfsNPK_AsnlvtNGgaeNXYhsEQg_IQUlvbF49I_4j9v1sobtZDs29yaADnvMH5tCX65n_vmIHd_yB6Wak_PuggWbYsRq_EEMiIchDwIT-7SwrjXjYkkfvFBlp1Cf94yeU/s320/July+112a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240052688560692946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cIHAoRflbg6rW15CbMqRDPLvmRftpa1WaJqxueBFgT24y9SaagsL1m29hau3rkBc4siHx0tCyc5VDbzNiD4bUauNWXtqKltGBcowT-CNySDqgzmWOCPsW1SAYNQH-U70asXTT21_LCUG/s1600-h/July+113a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cIHAoRflbg6rW15CbMqRDPLvmRftpa1WaJqxueBFgT24y9SaagsL1m29hau3rkBc4siHx0tCyc5VDbzNiD4bUauNWXtqKltGBcowT-CNySDqgzmWOCPsW1SAYNQH-U70asXTT21_LCUG/s320/July+113a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240052697639889362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoAMB9_GJ6MZ-OwSzdGkcZT90IwZ4CiT3CxbIHcbGPxU3sYfyhcDOO05T-YofmKBFSSDrFar45wOu1H_x0N3MQWw53ej6dWKLs7UbWxHwlUFhZlPCcDNs9OPo59i-h_EMBXoY1NWDmf1n/s1600-h/July+116a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBoAMB9_GJ6MZ-OwSzdGkcZT90IwZ4CiT3CxbIHcbGPxU3sYfyhcDOO05T-YofmKBFSSDrFar45wOu1H_x0N3MQWw53ej6dWKLs7UbWxHwlUFhZlPCcDNs9OPo59i-h_EMBXoY1NWDmf1n/s320/July+116a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240058416581339154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9Yni9awXJKnF3rL9XEXr1TP_zO0gV9NLnoHS6TYAtXL5OI_fMv6eekovAgydv82ZNOz4dSkjF0oAQrgOVitTJvdOnJHe6BL7W6GMyCJ1EcVHapUgHSgSI_W-V32V8D5NDQKjQKO2_rM2/s1600-h/July+122a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9Yni9awXJKnF3rL9XEXr1TP_zO0gV9NLnoHS6TYAtXL5OI_fMv6eekovAgydv82ZNOz4dSkjF0oAQrgOVitTJvdOnJHe6BL7W6GMyCJ1EcVHapUgHSgSI_W-V32V8D5NDQKjQKO2_rM2/s320/July+122a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240058418475758626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ORxR5K1Bv5L7PCu05xxAkW3AMtrgVCNF1Q-AP1v_RC_ji2-p4jQp2ngSgtvLnjTZdrHMp70QlLvUcFnBReUzoE4yQHoJkh_gYhWYClNy8awxLlSGMMJNyJlqhMO3MY-uX7VXKyhyJ0e/s1600-h/July+138a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE5ORxR5K1Bv5L7PCu05xxAkW3AMtrgVCNF1Q-AP1v_RC_ji2-p4jQp2ngSgtvLnjTZdrHMp70QlLvUcFnBReUzoE4yQHoJkh_gYhWYClNy8awxLlSGMMJNyJlqhMO3MY-uX7VXKyhyJ0e/s320/July+138a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240058422057935442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6RahdB7rfGY585Vs-iTSluZEODVkHdSm-OYtnwR9lDsXVdUllHLcac2i4x13DDB-GQVVD7ji1UWa4yYuo2-6F3J3HjqMr9e3FOB7lPPsnxkVL-XdkZk3cgVxBO-rG1_hy_XWUEgyU2RP/s1600-h/July+148a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6RahdB7rfGY585Vs-iTSluZEODVkHdSm-OYtnwR9lDsXVdUllHLcac2i4x13DDB-GQVVD7ji1UWa4yYuo2-6F3J3HjqMr9e3FOB7lPPsnxkVL-XdkZk3cgVxBO-rG1_hy_XWUEgyU2RP/s320/July+148a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240058433733447362" border="0" /></a><br />You have to admit that Ms. Nicely made a great equipment girl!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykhtDpFyUVfdH_PIFCFB74scT9eNYKfOriKVx04z2RA2UCq7vGv9By8KPk4WQ4slBwnZ_JczvcLtJA-J1HSKFIlIZgNhkJ_fLIZvOPqCgIgnv5MxofVkqvyqZVjoqdk6GKicn9Kwrz_cC/s1600-h/July+146a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykhtDpFyUVfdH_PIFCFB74scT9eNYKfOriKVx04z2RA2UCq7vGv9By8KPk4WQ4slBwnZ_JczvcLtJA-J1HSKFIlIZgNhkJ_fLIZvOPqCgIgnv5MxofVkqvyqZVjoqdk6GKicn9Kwrz_cC/s320/July+146a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240058426917131842" border="0" /></a><br />As we are leaving Screw Auger Falls, we passed by a cute little pie shack! She had it set up as an honor system, pick out your goodies and put the money in the box on the tree. She had a lot to choose from, we settled on the apple pie. It had a cute little moose on top! And let me tell you, that was THE best apple pie I have had in a long, long time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENbQRKLqL-e2iXBnH7UZ1loNk-D0q-ZNupwgOUFW3oN2hynGOBSZfj_uTyvzmObCO_HWb5pr9Q_TxT00lY7sXoeJ8XacIufeimR8zcM_JoRlnoF6FWKOxjhlqk8AAyB1k655ydNPyFiBf/s1600-h/July+153a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENbQRKLqL-e2iXBnH7UZ1loNk-D0q-ZNupwgOUFW3oN2hynGOBSZfj_uTyvzmObCO_HWb5pr9Q_TxT00lY7sXoeJ8XacIufeimR8zcM_JoRlnoF6FWKOxjhlqk8AAyB1k655ydNPyFiBf/s320/July+153a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061469862753010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0U-L0_YHXOvYduyvSJDoskZbiyQsCBjyneHhJkxIjJi5IpUut87dN-dN6geYHgR4inglXmcWVFM0tvDYVMmjNUvgI9PKmVTK8Dn1AIKiv1BuBiYf_2-p0Z4noNwaS6uC1Tsw31h8Pnon/s1600-h/July+152.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0U-L0_YHXOvYduyvSJDoskZbiyQsCBjyneHhJkxIjJi5IpUut87dN-dN6geYHgR4inglXmcWVFM0tvDYVMmjNUvgI9PKmVTK8Dn1AIKiv1BuBiYf_2-p0Z4noNwaS6uC1Tsw31h8Pnon/s320/July+152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061465240112322" border="0" /></a><br />We head back into New Hampshire into the White Mountains Region.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t1bt5eHx0pu8Zk-m15yKxBJ8TQyD4wyNTwIH29bRJH5sb5CrW7wTiJrDZbQKNPF86P2vMR1dMW0DLXxCwuxnUD_pI2avJ0sQPJVku_PYHcPj_CcJ9MwEciv_t9ilumRc6Zhhtf92fflv/s1600-h/July+156a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4t1bt5eHx0pu8Zk-m15yKxBJ8TQyD4wyNTwIH29bRJH5sb5CrW7wTiJrDZbQKNPF86P2vMR1dMW0DLXxCwuxnUD_pI2avJ0sQPJVku_PYHcPj_CcJ9MwEciv_t9ilumRc6Zhhtf92fflv/s320/July+156a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061471231525570" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0WTDNTl7OIMZpU2cJZjoTpv3WnXAg9FjrCboErxPwKUhrW2RVbw3TEbzz0qXnghRpm0UzpPpoyeLRYrEG9-oGNrCdFXHbHPUwZJA7fF8rhRmZcdSye9Dfe3rcsJEiF1Aogiab3hF6vLW/s1600-h/July+157a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0WTDNTl7OIMZpU2cJZjoTpv3WnXAg9FjrCboErxPwKUhrW2RVbw3TEbzz0qXnghRpm0UzpPpoyeLRYrEG9-oGNrCdFXHbHPUwZJA7fF8rhRmZcdSye9Dfe3rcsJEiF1Aogiab3hF6vLW/s320/July+157a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240061482427735010" border="0" /></a><br />On the way back to her family's house, we stopped where the family sugar shack is. After trodding through Poison Oak, oh yes we did, in flipflops, we finally found it. I didn't get very good pictures here like I had hoped, but the mosquito population must have been having a big family reunion that we disturbed and we were losing daylight. After looking around making sure local punks hadn't done too much to the place, we carried an old trunk back out to the road. Then immediately went up to the house and scrubbed our legs,feet, and shoes in the shower. Miraculously, we got it within that 30 minute window you supposedly have after contact, and we didn't break out! We did end up with a few mosquito bites to annoy us though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoN8rQuR3xvZS-XaAOjPLqTL7NyOg2SNe4lBRZJ7vK_XQ0cb1p6QBzCoE_BBW4LYrvoB0l27lm4BcKqqbEuY0cgpqps6b3l6GENi_8sobzEgjQP1_LL4GgNvy7jLj-FkiS9ZyGhPOHvSm/s1600-h/July+158.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoN8rQuR3xvZS-XaAOjPLqTL7NyOg2SNe4lBRZJ7vK_XQ0cb1p6QBzCoE_BBW4LYrvoB0l27lm4BcKqqbEuY0cgpqps6b3l6GENi_8sobzEgjQP1_LL4GgNvy7jLj-FkiS9ZyGhPOHvSm/s320/July+158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240066802249807730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheolTSlZq-MyfjjbSo8Xv6XW17ukBmf2S9OorfGT0RbvyubumFbhCntRhmlT55tndXYHNq1uIhTAF-6BpcOR_LF_3ooFShNSasjTGijnt1yw33CcDNvPPweVBCt3v_l3MvLHgJRRiq2vAe/s1600-h/July+159a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheolTSlZq-MyfjjbSo8Xv6XW17ukBmf2S9OorfGT0RbvyubumFbhCntRhmlT55tndXYHNq1uIhTAF-6BpcOR_LF_3ooFShNSasjTGijnt1yw33CcDNvPPweVBCt3v_l3MvLHgJRRiq2vAe/s320/July+159a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240066806175735410" border="0" /></a><br />I cooked up a quick supper, boneless pork chops, crash hot potatoes, and corn on the cob. Fabulous! And yes, that was our one meal of the day - see, the trend really had started. Aside of some cereal for breakfast and a couple helpings from the candy stash, that was all we had. Frankly, neither of us were even hungry until supper!<br /><br />We sat down with some more beer, turned on the TV, and talked all evening long. Oh and you better believe we had some pie! What a perfect day. I had made it through without missing the kids and hubby too badly. It was just the break I needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUiLKwTU58rzX7F2OIYic432UjoMIHThiNxQ8T3Ce12LhHQ_TgrhQks-bHdADs7GvgNm7xRULpUz3Z0oEbQyBpgCygePBojn50GLSvFKjLSqMwgys5bXARwdIEyeP6WHvUt2WDaaDvNFk/s1600-h/July+162.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUiLKwTU58rzX7F2OIYic432UjoMIHThiNxQ8T3Ce12LhHQ_TgrhQks-bHdADs7GvgNm7xRULpUz3Z0oEbQyBpgCygePBojn50GLSvFKjLSqMwgys5bXARwdIEyeP6WHvUt2WDaaDvNFk/s320/July+162.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240066811691213234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Product rave:<br />More of a food rave<br /><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/">Crash Hot Potatoes</a><br />I love Pioneer Woman's blog, and when she added this recipe to the collection, I knew it was going to be a must have. They are perfect. They are not real heavy (as far as a potato is concerned) and they seem to go great with just about anything!<br />Give them a try!Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-88312724402118554752008-07-09T09:05:00.002-04:002008-08-29T11:02:17.387-04:00New England - Day 1So in the next few days, you get to hear all about the trip to New England I took with my best friend from high school. She needs a nickname... Tanner Nicely, Ms. Nicely will do for short. Her family owns a house just barely inside northern New Hampshire. She wanted to go there, stay, and travel around neighboring states and head into Canada as well. I was so excited and ready to go! It had been ages since she & I had gotten to do anything like this that didn't involve the rest of my family. Finally, our chance to hang out and chat without the many interruptions my two lovely children can bring.<br /><br />So this brings us to the first day. Nothing extremely interesting this day, it was travel day. We were flying into Boston, renting a vehicle and driving north. Well, ashamedly, it had been 4 years since I had flown (I have kids remember), and I frankly couldn't remember what to do, what not to do. I had all my metal chains and swords in the bin to run through x-ray. I had my shoes off. We were only doing carry on so we could skip baggage claim in Boston. Admittedly, I was a little worried about my carry on contents, so I made Mr. Wizard and the kids wait on me to get through. See, I was traveling with my camera, the whole lot of it, the cables, the lenses, and my tripod (AKA club to a could-be grumpy security person). I wanted to take it after all, I did want to be in a few pics at least! And you never know if you might run into something beautiful along the way that would require a slow shutter speed that ISO can't make up for. I am boring you all already now, I can hear the snoring...<br /><br />Security was tough! I had to dig in to my carry on to grab my license (oops forgot that part). The guy wasn't very friendly at ALL, but I made it through, tripod intact, and we headed for our gate. Now, I need to rewind a tad because I left out an important fact. I didn't eat that morning because as I had been looking at the airport stuff, I had seen on their list of restaurants - Kolache Factory. My heart skipped, my stomach growled, and frankly the drool was leaving stains. Anyone who hasn't experienced this deliciousness in an all-contained roll, well, who <span style="font-style: italic;">are</span> you people?! Kidding, they aren't well known yet. So as we arrive (on the opposite end of the airport where we needed to be), I was disappointed because it seems for some reason, the airport needs to update their restaurant list. NO kolache, not even a crumb...<br /><br />So after settling in at the gate, the coffee hit, I had to search for the restroom. While I was up, there was a vending woman with some great looking muffins, not kolaches, but I am starved and jittery at this point. So I get a blueberry muffin and a bottle of water. Though as the girl gave me the total, I had wondered if she heard that I was grabbing a water out of the cooler, and asked if that was included in the price. "Well, I hope a muffin doesn't cost $4!" And a good morning to you too witch. I didn't want to walk off with a water you didn't get paid for... Prices these days, no one can be too sure, especially in an airport! Seriously, if this was a red-eye flight out, I could understand the lack of friendly people... what gives?!<br /><br />So as we wait, our plane pulls up, everyone rushes to the gate. Now, this phenomenon always gets me. This wasn't a Southwest flight, there are assigned seats. So what is the hurry? Also, there were maybe 30 seats on this particular flight (maybe more I didn't count)... do we really need to board by rows? I mean really... So as we sat down, and got our belongings all stowed under the seat, it was time to read all the magazines I had held onto for this trip.<br /><br />Ever land in Boston? Well, let me fill you on a surprise. You actually begin your landing pattern - over the OCEAN. Now since Ms. Nicely had forewarned me, I was prepared and took it all in, it was actually very pretty. I was sitting on the side nearest the beach. Then I glanced out our neighbor's windows... and realized just how spectacular that really is. Ocean as far as the eye could see. I don't think we are in Kansas anymore! In fact, we were never in Kansas...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iDtMiaXl8bdkBHEyhusmM2EQ-AYfgbcNIFF-z4avwCnkeTh3GfmhhJAQziEyYQshDpXFG5txK_oFoFIpUhWH3e2BDLvMVl2D9-6IY1u31ka5ECVah5a6grumQLGSCqwokv-LsqYyDjVC/s1600-h/July+007a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1iDtMiaXl8bdkBHEyhusmM2EQ-AYfgbcNIFF-z4avwCnkeTh3GfmhhJAQziEyYQshDpXFG5txK_oFoFIpUhWH3e2BDLvMVl2D9-6IY1u31ka5ECVah5a6grumQLGSCqwokv-LsqYyDjVC/s320/July+007a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239945604493552434" border="0" /></a><br />Want to know how small the plane was? In Boston, we left the plane using stairs and walking down onto the tarmac. I felt like I was in Pennsylvania again! The airport is huge but easy to get around. No baggage claim since we did carry on only. We head out to wait for the rental's shuttle. Not to bore you with all those details, we got our vehicle... LOL low milage, for NOW (check our trip odometer in the future post).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBId2BlVA-YS2gyevIPlyehh5inaA5SeldnAK-ETlagxXKV3GS7Mt20BVBNDTAHBbpC2ZooVJPp7JuOesOabDEHtajIMBU2KVzkNCNfx3lzu_pTWF7sacSnW_EZrIrLUzToUrl59bXBlgP/s1600-h/July+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBId2BlVA-YS2gyevIPlyehh5inaA5SeldnAK-ETlagxXKV3GS7Mt20BVBNDTAHBbpC2ZooVJPp7JuOesOabDEHtajIMBU2KVzkNCNfx3lzu_pTWF7sacSnW_EZrIrLUzToUrl59bXBlgP/s320/July+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239945621619792674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3gqNFLtYFzAdcxZ1RmNAmv6G0qaYUb6npZj6l-sVXHUE_pBaTQsrp3gstjlidKY_8xKEW6zMN9H24WV2NwStR9vg7LXojUkbYfMkSHscHRx-Cz5Q0H-yAeC3QF1-xrukVGZwm0ZToVz9/s1600-h/July+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3gqNFLtYFzAdcxZ1RmNAmv6G0qaYUb6npZj6l-sVXHUE_pBaTQsrp3gstjlidKY_8xKEW6zMN9H24WV2NwStR9vg7LXojUkbYfMkSHscHRx-Cz5Q0H-yAeC3QF1-xrukVGZwm0ZToVz9/s320/July+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239945602634764450" border="0" /></a><br />We loaded up and headed north. You could see some rain clouds in the distance after a bit into the trip. But no big plans today, so we should be fine. Our only plan was to stop along the way at Wal-mart to get the necessities we needed more than 3oz of, razors, sheets for Ms. Nicely's bed, soda, and car food. Not to mention the candy stash we gathered!! Man I should have taken a picture of that! LOL.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxZ_-JYMhFhO0QaUAeAuBv6aXLZxYnYFXwaPO7hkXfcp-o6J-tmCItqGANva2AU5yQkKaw1gBXRx33GNsLDYy23bQC29FML9umsClEyJCRXg9xxdUZgAvp9kfr1W3sIyR0q_tpa1h1neU/s1600-h/July+015a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxZ_-JYMhFhO0QaUAeAuBv6aXLZxYnYFXwaPO7hkXfcp-o6J-tmCItqGANva2AU5yQkKaw1gBXRx33GNsLDYy23bQC29FML9umsClEyJCRXg9xxdUZgAvp9kfr1W3sIyR0q_tpa1h1neU/s320/July+015a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239945605925952338" border="0" /></a><br />We were leaving Wally, it had been raining the whole time we were inside. Somehow, we missed it! We decided we need to eat, we had only had muffins after all. This started a pattern for the trip... we only ate like one meal a day. Kind of cost effective! We went across the street to Ruby Tuesdays and had an excellent meal. Grabbed some Dunkin' Donut coffee and continued north. May I pause here and reflect again... I love New England and their plethora of Dunkin' Donuts. They were seriously as thick as Starbucks are, here at home!<br /><br />Here are a couple of pics along the way. And for some reason, I was NOT supposed to see where the "Man in the Mountain" used to be (he fell in case you didn't know). But I got a picture of the clouds all around that particular mountain. It was the same way headed back past it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzxZFtGUtnTLqxUAqvOmTJzB4wxQWYC5VaGkVaiLsOpos1kYgjVoAk_Ax_3_980WZhkcA5sz2P_zERwIVUfmuM9Cx7Zt9CnNP8OLSx3Ga4mLIYLgD4HCCRDH12rwa_4Y1kXlIu-Nz31Y9/s1600-h/July+018a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzxZFtGUtnTLqxUAqvOmTJzB4wxQWYC5VaGkVaiLsOpos1kYgjVoAk_Ax_3_980WZhkcA5sz2P_zERwIVUfmuM9Cx7Zt9CnNP8OLSx3Ga4mLIYLgD4HCCRDH12rwa_4Y1kXlIu-Nz31Y9/s320/July+018a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239945612517775810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMvRA8PcMvAYSgvqFlyvx7Q_uAa3lNu_50Vfvioxx75zvvJO1JZ6MoGweNaVCbKDT40d7hwb4_wBa0pb5w7AZEOsoQtnBMGv1vnMITNVkXhccEjaUc7NcCl8BItkutczz04Y-B_R4LAjN/s1600-h/July+023a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMvRA8PcMvAYSgvqFlyvx7Q_uAa3lNu_50Vfvioxx75zvvJO1JZ6MoGweNaVCbKDT40d7hwb4_wBa0pb5w7AZEOsoQtnBMGv1vnMITNVkXhccEjaUc7NcCl8BItkutczz04Y-B_R4LAjN/s320/July+023a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239946755469290050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKtYldaDIsCniWCMImN6QcuM6MlVPtcNE2Y0YK38I0N1I8y9adM_M6OvXEAXKwucMcykYbh-UQAT3yhUKpsVsjSGgDIZ1IsVCeB3QDh3TpyS6Dd-SHInIoKxYo3hY7ynxlZcy4qIpkQol/s1600-h/July+026_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKtYldaDIsCniWCMImN6QcuM6MlVPtcNE2Y0YK38I0N1I8y9adM_M6OvXEAXKwucMcykYbh-UQAT3yhUKpsVsjSGgDIZ1IsVCeB3QDh3TpyS6Dd-SHInIoKxYo3hY7ynxlZcy4qIpkQol/s320/July+026_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239946757667259858" border="0" /></a><br />We get to the the neighboring town, and head in to get groceries. Our plan had been to cook at "home" for at least one meal a day, to keep our cost down. Got to the house, busted open a few beers, and relaxed and chatted on into the night. You want to know how to get a good night's sleep? Sleep where there is NO children! The beer maybe helped too...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0jbveGKVv_SsemDca7P8qRpIBQgSRrVFMRc-gEhnJyNkKQodhyAbRSIS06T-xzZda-lTWDBXwxZjjkow4sOt6cxanm2SpxxnwcP_9atEZuf__dUhuM3uKTFThV2DyVKjLg5eYBaktuiV/s1600-h/July+029.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0jbveGKVv_SsemDca7P8qRpIBQgSRrVFMRc-gEhnJyNkKQodhyAbRSIS06T-xzZda-lTWDBXwxZjjkow4sOt6cxanm2SpxxnwcP_9atEZuf__dUhuM3uKTFThV2DyVKjLg5eYBaktuiV/s320/July+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239946763524944898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Product rave:<br /><a href="http://www.shipyard.com/">Shipyard Brewing Company</a><br />Beer, it's what's for breakfast!<br />Not really, we wanted something somewhat local and this was mighty tasty. Just be ready to actually chew the stout as you drink!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCX58DqEWnwxl5OVQq4KHQ0lKAtdBEcTNlM5o7RNxP6iInVXR4ikstn_DNvT0Hl4yz2acyJN2GjLQhkJUrpJjaNJlPuw5pT30CCphIgejAUOc3KBkndfOtvsSPbekGWYXyVV1nbOJndf3/s1600-h/July+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCX58DqEWnwxl5OVQq4KHQ0lKAtdBEcTNlM5o7RNxP6iInVXR4ikstn_DNvT0Hl4yz2acyJN2GjLQhkJUrpJjaNJlPuw5pT30CCphIgejAUOc3KBkndfOtvsSPbekGWYXyVV1nbOJndf3/s320/July+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239946765004264322" border="0" /></a>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-12185082980542159722008-07-04T12:33:00.009-04:002008-08-29T09:58:37.488-04:004th of July Visitors!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwAG8w1eqEggtLMJ6QeJ_p_iTvMRViKDTOXyzBRtK7EiV_BY3so_VhZmdvuRP-B7171KQlHWZxv-Eiazw4_b2AW7vSjvUP6-qhIWaqaL_AqCo1xPkpDwbk4RGuvwebreELDcSdQp8Gx9m/s1600-h/July+071a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwAG8w1eqEggtLMJ6QeJ_p_iTvMRViKDTOXyzBRtK7EiV_BY3so_VhZmdvuRP-B7171KQlHWZxv-Eiazw4_b2AW7vSjvUP6-qhIWaqaL_AqCo1xPkpDwbk4RGuvwebreELDcSdQp8Gx9m/s320/July+071a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236779611621952978" border="0" /></a><br />Well, as we had already decided earlier in the year to go home for fireworks, we got a surprise! We found out that Mr. W's brother and his family would be home (from Texas) for a long weekend as well. So this introduces a few more into the cast of players! So we have my brother-in-law, who I will call Moon. Use your imagination, yep you have it figured out, I am almost certain. My sister-in-law, who for blog purposes will be Sister. Then my darling, beautiful niece of who we adore so much, which will be D(rama). Queen. Honestly, George could also have a role as D.King in this family. Never a dull (quiet)moment when those two are together!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhQoiNJvb8cfzsYdWN709tJmrBMZwdpwfHG0DKPE2JEJzw_WoCclZSCpS4mVrxsgVlGgyG6XZ7_RrH__dhYKUKP77jFqee28mUiQFRg3G2v5TdmBItX-ayL-AilTZYp1mYH1dG7V9WJc4/s1600-h/July+015a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhQoiNJvb8cfzsYdWN709tJmrBMZwdpwfHG0DKPE2JEJzw_WoCclZSCpS4mVrxsgVlGgyG6XZ7_RrH__dhYKUKP77jFqee28mUiQFRg3G2v5TdmBItX-ayL-AilTZYp1mYH1dG7V9WJc4/s320/July+015a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236779613329285250" border="0" /></a><br />So to start it all out, we meet up for a cookout at Sister's parents home. I won't go into naming her whole family to save time. They are an outstanding bunch and so accommodating to include us "inlaws" into their fun and games every time they are visiting. There is a pool... oh man this could spell disaster, I left the suits back at my parent's house. Everyone is there, the kids are getting reacquainted. Uncle Moon goes to see his niece and nephew, kissing on Miss I. and joking with George acting like his was going to throw him in the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c-O6jy4jGTdpFFjDElfcFoImk1sJzxYrng2k9dCOdwo6qYDvMsCeaG33dP94sdM6oY3uQi6MaD81wyJ4XFEXxHz5Dq-l1T9RRZOwfvJlK7MeUcKgq3Bar2h3NbcrLjh_arkzcYfrSSlb/s1600-h/July+012a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c-O6jy4jGTdpFFjDElfcFoImk1sJzxYrng2k9dCOdwo6qYDvMsCeaG33dP94sdM6oY3uQi6MaD81wyJ4XFEXxHz5Dq-l1T9RRZOwfvJlK7MeUcKgq3Bar2h3NbcrLjh_arkzcYfrSSlb/s320/July+012a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236779624613328946" border="0" /></a><br />D.Queen and Miss I. found that American flags make great window washers, once dipped into the pool. What a fun game that turned out to be!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv5YIjYPTgvzoh5zvUAMDfl02ser5GYtc62q_lfQH0FFffExSWD6Ohums6l925KuCbTWANDbz6MS1hnIdftvE4MY-aR0fLHShPCOx6z9sAs9MgFGyaDE03LN3rNkNTTiXhvne3WnEQgWx/s1600-h/July+024a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrv5YIjYPTgvzoh5zvUAMDfl02ser5GYtc62q_lfQH0FFffExSWD6Ohums6l925KuCbTWANDbz6MS1hnIdftvE4MY-aR0fLHShPCOx6z9sAs9MgFGyaDE03LN3rNkNTTiXhvne3WnEQgWx/s320/July+024a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236779619071433186" border="0" /></a><br />So everything is going well, food and conversation excellent, and it happened. D. Queen came running naked with swimsuit in hand... crap! I am still eating, maybe Mr. W is done. His plate almost bare, he laughs when I say "We forgot the suits, and D.Queen is ready to swim. Can you go to Wal-mart?". I won't lie and say his response was music to my ears, so I took off in a mood. After purchasing suits for all 3 (Mr. W included - hey someone needs to be in there with our kids) , swim diapers, and swim muscles too, I head back. I walk in to find a crying, upset George... who is sopping wet, head to toe. Apparently Uncle Moon, held true to his threat and George went for a swim. Unfortunately, he doesn't swim well without muscles...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RhzA9-YljMdqCVsYmaGW5fI_ij0qJ6aWRHOSYA2scB838G5wJqLBStCNxkxx5WjQBLkfzyifzV0tPFSTHU7JU-WKCOiVjfoniZCvDgDv9coekYIOxN7sIRtqhwBaz9UdV_Jb9thO2Xex/s1600-h/July+014a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RhzA9-YljMdqCVsYmaGW5fI_ij0qJ6aWRHOSYA2scB838G5wJqLBStCNxkxx5WjQBLkfzyifzV0tPFSTHU7JU-WKCOiVjfoniZCvDgDv9coekYIOxN7sIRtqhwBaz9UdV_Jb9thO2Xex/s320/July+014a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236781617023614850" border="0" /></a><br />So, George is all upset ONLY because he thought he was going to get in to trouble with me for getting wet, not because he had a near death drowning. Crazy kid, it would be Moon catching my wrath if I had been upset! Okay, okay I should say the guys were all right there and Sister's nephew who was in the pool grabbed him up, he was fine. Sister gathers up the clothes to toss in the dryer, Mr. W is getting Miss I. all suited up and blowing up muscles. George in his new trunks gets all excited and starts to run towards the deep end of the pool to jump in... and falls, scraping both of his knees on the concrete. This is where I could insert a D. King reference. An HOUR he cried and screamed. He finally agrees to get in with Sister's nephew to swim, but not exactly without tears or hesitation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErSOsw62PAZ-C4LeLC6IjKr-qP9cjfN_Hl4hL2E4SNGChfhBRr3dm28OhqsjoJ8mSyRWOwyBN3mPpyA2BYusGFaJpDrcc4kBJzx0S3-TBhjFxTVkh9SWPhe1j18clBXCkNxODfUeH6bdJ/s1600-h/July+034a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErSOsw62PAZ-C4LeLC6IjKr-qP9cjfN_Hl4hL2E4SNGChfhBRr3dm28OhqsjoJ8mSyRWOwyBN3mPpyA2BYusGFaJpDrcc4kBJzx0S3-TBhjFxTVkh9SWPhe1j18clBXCkNxODfUeH6bdJ/s320/July+034a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236783916322413410" border="0" /></a><br />Time to get dried off and redressed, it is almost time for the parade! We get ready, drive to the other side of town, we have 2 very sleepy and whiny kids lagging behind us while walking to our spot. We find a clear spot and toss a blanket down. What can I say about it, it is a small town parade. Lots of politicians, bands, clubs, and spaces. You know, the spaces where you think "OH, that must have been the last float. Kids, grab your stuff so we can go... Wait, there's more coming around the corner sit back down." We did that like 3 or 4 times. Parade is now over, 2 really tired kids barely making it back to the van.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Piwy3JjcGJwLRnMbTIgns80IgnSvhiJyC_skGZ9Ww8SlAssmsr-p29W_slHVWPpFb4sL3zoNeL36Ps1mfPY9zZiVKdjYS9dMTkNilPAuKdAceuq_nHBqcO_1OT4T6Uw9fGyKk_XAflGj/s1600-h/July+278a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Piwy3JjcGJwLRnMbTIgns80IgnSvhiJyC_skGZ9Ww8SlAssmsr-p29W_slHVWPpFb4sL3zoNeL36Ps1mfPY9zZiVKdjYS9dMTkNilPAuKdAceuq_nHBqcO_1OT4T6Uw9fGyKk_XAflGj/s320/July+278a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236783918758627586" border="0" /></a><br />Now we head to Mr.W's friend's house for friend's mom's birthday. We hardly ever get to see them, and never have time when we are down to visit. We stayed WAY too long. The kids should have had a nap, if nothing else, and we didn't get supper. Next thing you know, time for the fireworks. Now the convenient thing about visiting them, they live across the road from the viewing area, so we have really good parking! We gather up our stuff, throw pants on the kids along with jackets, and hose them down with bug spray.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOHYTv_1GCAGucMWiwl3aFQFmeKa9kDV126LpqsEPHCf1H6Tp_hFszIGcOi3ZSrgg8EBl7KZXSHv9RoxQKwvxwTzBlomk1uEVoaq1fMTww8gb3qFGe-Ft19wb6ebcDr90yg3vGYj5LN9m/s1600-h/July+087a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOHYTv_1GCAGucMWiwl3aFQFmeKa9kDV126LpqsEPHCf1H6Tp_hFszIGcOi3ZSrgg8EBl7KZXSHv9RoxQKwvxwTzBlomk1uEVoaq1fMTww8gb3qFGe-Ft19wb6ebcDr90yg3vGYj5LN9m/s320/July+087a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236784543670626818" border="0" /></a><br />George was excited, he was finally old enough to "get" the fireworks. Miss I., not so good. She was tired, cranky, and to top it all off she now had bright loud things bursting above her. She covered her eyes and started screaming Go Home, Go Home, Go HOME! You were supposed to tap your red ruby heels together, my dear. I had Mr.W snuggle her head into his stomach and arm to help muffle the sound. I decided then we may as well stay for the rest of them since she had fallen asleep, eyes covered and a scowl on her face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNXgB248ZJ24efrKnEetSlRgVAbA5CENm8W9e7OAq0f_6ImuEng0b9gnhYvov1MEvXwCjWTi92L_Fu4yN6gX6X8NYOsoJIFE7jrTWwF9YL3zO1Oe1QI7OfASG3_04fRdcU_XTDbBQxnhI/s1600-h/July+280a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNXgB248ZJ24efrKnEetSlRgVAbA5CENm8W9e7OAq0f_6ImuEng0b9gnhYvov1MEvXwCjWTi92L_Fu4yN6gX6X8NYOsoJIFE7jrTWwF9YL3zO1Oe1QI7OfASG3_04fRdcU_XTDbBQxnhI/s320/July+280a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236784551541738418" border="0" /></a><br />After the fireworks, we headed for the van. Miss I. stayed as she was, scowl even intact, and George drifted off just after we managed to get out of town. They both were sleeping so sound by the time we got back to my parent's house, neither of them budged as we got their pajamas on them. Such sweet angels when they sleep.Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-24989243215090185222008-06-30T23:23:00.001-04:002008-08-18T21:58:50.605-04:00Am I losing it?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHu81OVhVhMGptsEsUFslK8ZNQmp8QrhsPvHfO_oiPMnXnzV3gzIZrJWj_tr4h-QLI-Rzh1S0q6sLLMASXdbsvog9wWM9-xsaTqp51aiZaMUFTlDuEfmjCkVJj3jtt6KYx86leh3T6CD1/s1600-h/June+100a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHu81OVhVhMGptsEsUFslK8ZNQmp8QrhsPvHfO_oiPMnXnzV3gzIZrJWj_tr4h-QLI-Rzh1S0q6sLLMASXdbsvog9wWM9-xsaTqp51aiZaMUFTlDuEfmjCkVJj3jtt6KYx86leh3T6CD1/s320/June+100a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5236037357408668850" border="0" /></a><br />So here is a chance for you to laugh at me. I seriously thought I was coming to the place in life where everything turns white, including the straitjacket I would be wearing. Now admittedly, I likely qualify for that kind of establishment, but I like to put off the inevitable. You know, fully procrastinate to the best of my ability.<br /><br />We had a nice day out, meaning we had to go get groceries or we would be licking the peanut butter jar clean. So a trip to Sam's was in store. After spending a LOT of $$, reviving Mr. Wizard there at the checkout lane, and dragging the back end of the van down the road, we went home. Next up, the hauling in of the groceries.<br /><br />Miss Independent, remember her? Yeah, loves to do what we are doing and needs NO help?! Well, carrying in groceries is not one of those tasks. She asked to go swing, and frankly, it was one less person or animal I would stumble over while carrying stuff in. Mr. Wizard and Curious George are among the helping hands.<br /><br />Molly and company is involved too... I kind of imagine their thoughts going something like this "Yes! I am so excited they are back! I bet they bought more food for us! Let's trip them so they drop it! Wait, she is grabbing the hamburger next, let the butter and half & half go by first." Do I really think they are after us and our loads of food? Answer me this, do they have four feet?!<br /><br />So as I am loading up with the 4 gallons of milk to carry in, I swear I hear a moo. But that would be ridiculous and all too coincidental. Besides, we may live in the country, but no one around here has cows. Coming for yet another load, this time may have been the hamburger... another moo-ish sound. But it isn't a cow, so that can't be it.<br /><br />After hearing it another 2 times later while pushing Miss I. on the swing, I went to investigate. Keep in mind, our humble 5 acres is surrounded by my neighbor's 71 acres. Old MacDonald I will call him. He has talked of cows before, so maybe he decided to do it. I listen, and hear it again. That was off to the north, I am gathering my kids at this point, I need them to prove I am still sane. Then I saw it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuydZlgrL0exaTL1Ns1Q56gz8PDnKdLj0je4ySpbSiOtGMX6IYIMHtl2t00zFbWAj4U3LsuqW35veQUVLPa6UbhwTFv5sFGVOLLN_gILO2jUAVUfKkVSE6fbmNg-SHZgrVib3CPexMhWk/s1600-h/June+003a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnuydZlgrL0exaTL1Ns1Q56gz8PDnKdLj0je4ySpbSiOtGMX6IYIMHtl2t00zFbWAj4U3LsuqW35veQUVLPa6UbhwTFv5sFGVOLLN_gILO2jUAVUfKkVSE6fbmNg-SHZgrVib3CPexMhWk/s320/June+003a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235702293898087906" border="0" /></a><br />A mother and a calf. Squinting into the setting sun, I am trying to decide which side of the fence they are on. Are they loose? Are they inside his fence?? I holler at Mr. W at this point. My eyes just aren't what they used to be. "Honey! There are cows! Are they supposed to be there or do we need to call someone?!" His reply was no surprise... "Oh yeah. I forgot to tell you..." He knew they were coming, Old Mac had stopped by while mowing and filled him in a couple days ago. Some other farmer needed to rent his pasture. Cool! I'm not insane and have cows to play with!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOMLWT4kbwuF4IOmPtERGg1RGlZUKioesi0eAqAmZXHda8FH8vwbXFwPFKszXXzxUNIb8a9qll164iFaSXQrHp-UsfCYdMuAXEc_SGbF8tso3-k6B5o8VzWZ9l4jEsGWQijgRsd0U__lf/s1600-h/June+021a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOMLWT4kbwuF4IOmPtERGg1RGlZUKioesi0eAqAmZXHda8FH8vwbXFwPFKszXXzxUNIb8a9qll164iFaSXQrHp-UsfCYdMuAXEc_SGbF8tso3-k6B5o8VzWZ9l4jEsGWQijgRsd0U__lf/s320/June+021a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235702587361620386" border="0" /></a><br />So off we went on an adventure to check out the cows. Now anyone not familiar with the beast, you need some info. This particular mammal tends to be Nervous Nellies when out of their "norm". They tend to bellow a lot, especially to calm their frightened calves, or to at least locate them in the tall weeds. I should also paint the picture more clearly, weather has been beautiful, our windows are open. Yeah, we can hear them when the windows are open. Wonderful to hear... unless you are trying to sleep.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83GHx1gTPds8flcfnMkXysgZTfP_SZDp8YhVTzkBNQGdr1E7A08Z2n7FqREkduGW5ROgYlqEJM73y5MzuC6AknzUK0WWBY_8uxL4LYEYVA-kuliwFgZRTiWFOhtGAr9fC0OWPDTYq9iH2/s1600-h/June+044b_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83GHx1gTPds8flcfnMkXysgZTfP_SZDp8YhVTzkBNQGdr1E7A08Z2n7FqREkduGW5ROgYlqEJM73y5MzuC6AknzUK0WWBY_8uxL4LYEYVA-kuliwFgZRTiWFOhtGAr9fC0OWPDTYq9iH2/s320/June+044b_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235702806648594818" border="0" /></a><br />I take the kids to see them. I am explaining to George that when approaching them, we need to be quiet, and stop now and then so we don't frighten them. Sometimes bovine can be a tad skiddish and could run into the woods away from us. SO not the case. They didn't run, but they didn't come close enough we could touch them either. I decided to take count. We had four cows and three calves. Wow! Seven new neighbors!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2VGQ0GDeAKbi0zOPt55T_pM9bpU_uQ6FXoSwHiG85L8ekpfGA1x_barjgkMQN-uVWMTpRTvlH-F8M1Xa6T7zW_V7vYk2zdGjmxOCW2RFjNLYC0twHqMpHvQPSOljJQExw7QID81xKJZe/s1600-h/June+069a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2VGQ0GDeAKbi0zOPt55T_pM9bpU_uQ6FXoSwHiG85L8ekpfGA1x_barjgkMQN-uVWMTpRTvlH-F8M1Xa6T7zW_V7vYk2zdGjmxOCW2RFjNLYC0twHqMpHvQPSOljJQExw7QID81xKJZe/s320/June+069a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235705602862826882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkas1AS7JDAus2LIYNcKAyyzqg6T-YIg-ZUFb11sM9Bw6Lvq82gxXWyQmC5wZLVaPVMp4kZXvuSV4OaBmgwiq8thHNt908fWqgH98w0FD3JYq4q1oriFOSzPRxCAbIl5fs-Ehdmm4b_zT4/s1600-h/June+084a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkas1AS7JDAus2LIYNcKAyyzqg6T-YIg-ZUFb11sM9Bw6Lvq82gxXWyQmC5wZLVaPVMp4kZXvuSV4OaBmgwiq8thHNt908fWqgH98w0FD3JYq4q1oriFOSzPRxCAbIl5fs-Ehdmm4b_zT4/s320/June+084a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235705610363552450" border="0" /></a><br />As the sun started settling in behind the trees in the west, I knew it was time to head in. It was time to listen to our crickets, frogs, and now COWS as we sleep. Goodnight moooooooooon...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-ri8NggdXY4OiIzH3FkyP6Qp54CamlPGEz1i3Nwi4v8_h0A0ArNfwWtdRBTnPhoobAatTNs8lkaobztB6VcuEx6i5HzzIVQdVq8kws76s545cCf_brSxOyf6iE0K5yi4XSPRP07d75z7/s1600-h/June+076.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-ri8NggdXY4OiIzH3FkyP6Qp54CamlPGEz1i3Nwi4v8_h0A0ArNfwWtdRBTnPhoobAatTNs8lkaobztB6VcuEx6i5HzzIVQdVq8kws76s545cCf_brSxOyf6iE0K5yi4XSPRP07d75z7/s320/June+076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235705606941779314" border="0" /></a>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-83113417484924069592008-06-22T22:58:00.000-04:002008-08-18T21:47:20.779-04:00Amber Waves Of Grain<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSs_AabgtuQU8QI_azDMtMFJbaaiAL3c_doaWlDFbZZcVEZGmaBmWWCiR84XFxh0q3rFHAI6yzgd0UGUbINAlQJNOm3wj6X4lzW1wfkW99M9EVYzi-WdRKBKC7gpi26BFFhMopFJY5v3Y/s1600-h/June+366a_filtered.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSs_AabgtuQU8QI_azDMtMFJbaaiAL3c_doaWlDFbZZcVEZGmaBmWWCiR84XFxh0q3rFHAI6yzgd0UGUbINAlQJNOm3wj6X4lzW1wfkW99M9EVYzi-WdRKBKC7gpi26BFFhMopFJY5v3Y/s320/June+366a_filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><br />So this may be obvious, but this is wheat.<br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05gWdnRyBQs373SfCK3-jEpibA0BY_OQ-yrws66pdNCLH5z49s6ppBy8vIaBPlQrK_MxQHWqDY9BgsX8DN30gCpKeTWCKms3RU2jQIQffvlcc_yGA3Q5fwW-RLMQUnOqGHyO2JKQrp8XS/s1600-h/June+369a_filtered.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05gWdnRyBQs373SfCK3-jEpibA0BY_OQ-yrws66pdNCLH5z49s6ppBy8vIaBPlQrK_MxQHWqDY9BgsX8DN30gCpKeTWCKms3RU2jQIQffvlcc_yGA3Q5fwW-RLMQUnOqGHyO2JKQrp8XS/s320/June+369a_filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I looked out my window and could not believe the color I saw. The way the sun hit the wheat, it was the most pure color I had ever seen.<br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAymlr2p-Zp8hVLikKVMj_34-SfEK9tgQsDgTzTBS7keEuoX-s6VxtslJriXohC79VNI32SpyZnUTmn9nDHIE1GPtVIA66Kh6g4z8WcJp7oOAWkBukgSFBHaqA9xae8xu5PcZQiGHH5o4/s1600-h/June+403a_filtered.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpAymlr2p-Zp8hVLikKVMj_34-SfEK9tgQsDgTzTBS7keEuoX-s6VxtslJriXohC79VNI32SpyZnUTmn9nDHIE1GPtVIA66Kh6g4z8WcJp7oOAWkBukgSFBHaqA9xae8xu5PcZQiGHH5o4/s320/June+403a_filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With each passing cloud, it seemed to change hue. It was so amazing, amazing enough to take over 100 pictures just of wheat... seriously?! No wonder I was hoping my neighbor wasn't looking over here. I wanted to hide my obsession with his field.<br /></div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKJCIYSkBjUs-_5hkG4ITSSuDf0zlnqYB02nLisxihUv2ybnr5pj5-H91Gm9TJ9mzSQQWVtVMBsndphZzQztROgbHiu0w7D3nuJvPz3wL3dbs1qVjXF7krImfXyEalBRz_OKvuu9grD8N/s1600-h/June+417a_filtered.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhKJCIYSkBjUs-_5hkG4ITSSuDf0zlnqYB02nLisxihUv2ybnr5pj5-H91Gm9TJ9mzSQQWVtVMBsndphZzQztROgbHiu0w7D3nuJvPz3wL3dbs1qVjXF7krImfXyEalBRz_OKvuu9grD8N/s320/June+417a_filtered.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />But seriously, storm clouds behind beautifully green trees, with yummy golden stalks. All that behind a very rustic fence, how could I not obsess. The color and opportunity it offered to me was not something I have seen yet out here! Not to mention how peaceful a field can be when my windows are shut and the kids are inside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhfdeJU85V8rn8Se70xLvpUkFamn4xi3IbsNKphYPEfTt56fEzSB3veXfyfb0XWa0YSKOBnlzkoG7Uq7aZeUrhyrBFTpLikgVn_5IqsHDTxEWwcPqwwT3iEbRG3-WS175ILdRtCopZ9MU/s1600-h/June+455a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhfdeJU85V8rn8Se70xLvpUkFamn4xi3IbsNKphYPEfTt56fEzSB3veXfyfb0XWa0YSKOBnlzkoG7Uq7aZeUrhyrBFTpLikgVn_5IqsHDTxEWwcPqwwT3iEbRG3-WS175ILdRtCopZ9MU/s320/June+455a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235688480157148738" border="0" /></a><br />And only one person saw my insanity the whole time...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcmSI5lv6Lf79utMg6jwjlwmvVVQx-QZeXJeegkwuQFoPZQGPQwGesnjVjHOjXL64Hv40rmYS9GDQ8bE_SHdxS-7QpRQlWvmnwAPUe9z9H9FVUqI_Iv5HhyCr2qp0rBjKOTCgAy3N56Jg/s1600-h/June+415a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcmSI5lv6Lf79utMg6jwjlwmvVVQx-QZeXJeegkwuQFoPZQGPQwGesnjVjHOjXL64Hv40rmYS9GDQ8bE_SHdxS-7QpRQlWvmnwAPUe9z9H9FVUqI_Iv5HhyCr2qp0rBjKOTCgAy3N56Jg/s320/June+415a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235688888748698882" border="0" /></a><br />He will never tell.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Product Rave: Kool-Aid Singles.<br /><br />(Photo to be posted when I have more!)<br /><br />That's right! Your all time fave as a kid is now portable. You can take an assortment of flavor with you and enjoy it on the road if you like. Go get some! You will enjoy it!<br /></div></div>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-75980031168316551762008-06-22T15:19:00.001-04:002008-08-18T21:46:33.748-04:00I am SO behind...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOAjuhPAw0TQXUmjnNiGs9sNVG3fU9cf6l4zn9Z-Z_Dc0PUrQ6VUTwGZRqV7EvMH6cB_nJ6A4ZFMTAZa82xqpmo7iJzgzjeAwbu7-IlFbNe7EtZIgYA6z8OccPv4f5Kwm3Jrjo-Emkl5/s1600-h/Barn+art3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGOAjuhPAw0TQXUmjnNiGs9sNVG3fU9cf6l4zn9Z-Z_Dc0PUrQ6VUTwGZRqV7EvMH6cB_nJ6A4ZFMTAZa82xqpmo7iJzgzjeAwbu7-IlFbNe7EtZIgYA6z8OccPv4f5Kwm3Jrjo-Emkl5/s320/Barn+art3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235574280327449346" border="0" /></a><br />I realize it has been a while since I have blogged. Faithful readers, no fear, I am going to get you all caught up. All 2 of you!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00XMkCKxJ1Uqee-czp2vcyJA6zelKrhiLv-jxIpP_J4c8wZbxpHJCEvmVqT0iLicLNq23NOwU9Rg6-hr8QyzPKdfHqn3b1kAMTisHWreO5du3GAN3_8yN4_nje6ZEJyYipJO3wSaSeuUV/s1600-h/Barn+art.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00XMkCKxJ1Uqee-czp2vcyJA6zelKrhiLv-jxIpP_J4c8wZbxpHJCEvmVqT0iLicLNq23NOwU9Rg6-hr8QyzPKdfHqn3b1kAMTisHWreO5du3GAN3_8yN4_nje6ZEJyYipJO3wSaSeuUV/s320/Barn+art.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235574274782762066" border="0" /></a><br />I wasn't doing too bad, then had writer's block, had a vacation which is one BIG blog coming, a visit to the parent's, school prep, school starting, anniversary, and a 3yr old's birthday tomorrow.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlkpohHZkblL_lSdgMNIr_zEw-P757wy95lwSWcXrcWQJQuApGjPXd-4SOATM_Y0IaAnrkJ-Q_ipKouYo4p_6CmRy-uFWuJsbFQJHz7TiBsRO1bJjjACRj2byPz6dYxsC6GtWtJxm0ahb/s1600-h/Barn+painting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlkpohHZkblL_lSdgMNIr_zEw-P757wy95lwSWcXrcWQJQuApGjPXd-4SOATM_Y0IaAnrkJ-Q_ipKouYo4p_6CmRy-uFWuJsbFQJHz7TiBsRO1bJjjACRj2byPz6dYxsC6GtWtJxm0ahb/s320/Barn+painting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235574262045168194" border="0" /></a><br />So do not despair, this week is ketchup week. OH, I mean catch up... I have canning tomatoes on the brain.Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-48335413418285726012008-06-20T12:36:00.018-04:002008-06-22T15:07:45.839-04:00For The BirdsMock...<span style="font-style: italic;">yeah</span>...ing...<span style="font-style: italic;">yeah</span>...bird...<span style="font-style: italic;">yeah</span>...yeah...<span style="font-style: italic;">yeah</span><br /><br /><div style="width:220px;height:55px;"><object width="220" height="55"><param name="movie" value="http://www.deezer.com/embedded/small-widget-v2.swf?idSong=169794&colorBackground=0x555552&textColor1=0xFFFFFF&colorVolume=0x39D1FD&autoplay=0"></param><embed src="http://www.deezer.com/embedded/small-widget-v2.swf?idSong=169794&colorBackground=0x525252&textColor1=0xFFFFFF&colorVolume=0x39D1FD&autoplay=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="220" height="55"></embed></object></div><br />I will give you two guesses what this blog is about. I will even make it multiple choice for you!! It is either about me horribly singing along with an oldie, or about a Mockingbird. Surely you have it guessed right!<br /><br />We seem to have a resident Northern Mockingbird here! I was letting the dog out and could hear this LOUD singing bird. I had never heard it before. So I listened, and spotted it up on our light pole. He sat there just as proud as he could and sang his heart out. So in true Mellyn fashion, I run for my cameras. I knew I would need the zoom lens, switched it out, and he was still there. I never run into that kind of luck as usually, my wildlife subjects hightail it as they hear me thundering through the house towards my camera.<br /><br /><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Bird/photo?authkey=cJhXdL1wmIM#5214028690826651186"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFvzeB1q5jI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Tp7rQiEK-5A/s400/June%20021.jpg" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I took a few pictures of him and realized, what made this bird so brilliant, was not his looks. It was his song! So I ran in and grabbed my other camera, that has video, so I could record him. I got a little bit while he was up on the pole. He then displayed the most beautiful wings as he flew over to the nearest tree. I pursued him, kind of like Jeff Corwin would have, and recorded the tree, since I couldn't see him. He then decided he needed a new spot. I once again bellycrawled over to that pole he perched upon. OK, so I actually walked there, but it was for the good of the story.<br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Bird/photo?authkey=cJhXdL1wmIM#5214028708567180354"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFvzfD7V5EI/AAAAAAAAA8I/ew7CjaN9TX4/s400/June%20022.jpg" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I recorded a tad more before he decided to head towards the creek. All that singing must have made him thirsty. I decided that was pretty cool, and needed to confirm what kind of bird this was anyhow. I head in, telling my friend Mop all about this wonderful bird and what it was. I started showing her the first pics I had snapped. That's when through the open window, I could hear he was back!<br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Bird/photo?authkey=cJhXdL1wmIM#5214028728693743266"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFvzgO543qI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/LVQLjNVCk-k/s400/June%20023.jpg" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I grabbed the Rebel again and out the door I went. This time taking over 50 pictures... hey, it was on continuous shot, I wanted a picture of his beautiful wings. As he sings, he will sometimes leap 3-4 feet into the air and land back down where he was. What a showoff! I nailed it, I got a picture of his wings! I decided I was going to try to get closer to him so I could get a bigger shot of him. My zoom lens is good, but I always want more.<br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Bird/photo?authkey=cJhXdL1wmIM#5214028745993315106"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFvzhPWbYyI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/_mmybcvDWFY/s400/June%20028.jpg" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />After those 57 shots, I went inside, showed off my trophy photos and changed my desktop background. I decided to try to load the videos of the sound to the internet to share as well. I am not sure why this bird got so much attention from me. I hope he has the same luck with his fellow Mockingbird ladies. I don't think you could have too many in your backyard. I did read however, they loves berries. Elvis (yes I named him), I will make you a deal, you eat all the mulberries you want, don't touch my blackberries, and you can raise a family here with us!<br /><br /></span><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Bird/photo?authkey=cJhXdL1wmIM#5214028761922663954"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFvziKsR9hI/AAAAAAAAA8g/MBgT9FX0LtY/s400/June%20049.jpg" /></a></span></center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />You can imagine my surprise and excitement, he was back this morning on top of the pole greeting me! They truly live up to their name, they do mock other birds and sounds. Apparently the more sounds he knows, the more attractive it makes them to the females. This morning, I could recognize a few sounds he made! One being the song of a robin, the sounds of a small frog croaking, and this last one cracks me up. I heard it yesterday and thought it sounded like a baby cry. As I stepped out this morning to feed the cats, they were all crowded around at my feet meowing and crying... Elvis started in too!</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /></span></span><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vKUBiWiMlA4"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vKUBiWiMlA4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-49443644348339980482008-06-19T15:02:00.000-04:002008-06-19T15:05:36.497-04:00Water, Water Everywhere And Not A Drop To Drink<center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212517159312304418"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaUvUJwKSI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Xv3q_vkCVLI/s400/June%20028.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Flood gate in place</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212517390325653202"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaU8wvoHtI/AAAAAAAAAlw/BRHVo510tdY/s400/June%20033.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">River runs at far tree line. This is looking from park pavilion.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212517671700353970"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaVNI8lU7I/AAAAAAAAAmk/p8iJUI2O07M/s400/June%20040.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Viewing the levee from other side of pavilion. Local steel mill grandfather retired from, in background. Note mud on all the grass.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212517861346396482"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaVYLbuSUI/AAAAAAAAAnE/cGr2IgzZOjE/s400/June%20051.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Tree trunk under water</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212517882693378786"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaVZa9PYuI/AAAAAAAAAnM/Be6DD3mUf60/s400/June%20053.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Water line on the building in the park.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518080023443090"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaVk6EZNpI/AAAAAAAAAns/my3BDxO5hEQ/s400/June%20059.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Anyone up for a quick game?</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518261194490818"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaVvc-8A8I/AAAAAAAAAoU/nhftlzqdxqs/s400/June%20068.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Water has gone down since the pics I found online.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518360585094226"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaV1PPgRFI/AAAAAAAAAow/Iy0GjoUxK50/s400/June%20074.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">The house that has somehow not flooded yet.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518492254027346"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaV85v0vlI/AAAAAAAAApI/i8Ifrf4qV3I/s400/June%20078.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Gift shop is almost submerged</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518539102878034"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaV_oRdeVI/AAAAAAAAApQ/oUrAOSR_Www/s400/June%20079.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518592840702066"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaWCwdjmHI/AAAAAAAAApY/Kk3hCMCGcBQ/s400/June%20080.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518635237725234"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaWFOZy1DI/AAAAAAAAApg/DXeDmD-7qtE/s400/June%20081.jpg" /></a></center><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212518719506253442"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaWKIU-hoI/AAAAAAAAAp4/4QZgfUmE9TM/s400/June%20087.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">My uncle's tavern</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519396798683314"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaWxjcE2LI/AAAAAAAAAsc/Y7P1HFyxkds/s400/June%20120.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">People, not cars, using the bridge to get to the other side.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519433202921746"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaWzrDhcRI/AAAAAAAAAsk/LuMxhYYGAT8/s400/June%20127.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">My pic of the railroad bridge.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519503374199682"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaW3wdqK4I/AAAAAAAAAs8/kyA2_mO6Mo8/s400/June%20140.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">River from the Memorial</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519529028463842"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaW5QCHLOI/AAAAAAAAAtE/T5gSijdDrNQ/s400/June%20143.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Sandbags at the Memorial</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519925509608642"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaXQVClVMI/AAAAAAAAAuo/_KXH2jtnANE/s400/June%20149.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Barn on the other side of the river and flooding.</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519954640223762"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaXSBj3PhI/AAAAAAAAAuw/YOlfxsUqyB4/s400/June%20151.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Flooded field, no irrigation needed, crops are ruined</span></span></div><br /><center><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/mellynpar/Flood/photo?authkey=n6UO94giX9Y#5212519620742412258"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/mellynpar/SFaW-lsa9-I/AAAAAAAAAtc/FvDZ0e_WU9E/s400/June%20002.jpg" /></a></center><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:78%;">A very common sight.</span></span></div>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-52614909924091962772008-06-19T15:01:00.001-04:002008-06-19T15:04:23.543-04:00What a trip!So I left off with the trip to my parent's house. It is about a 4hr drive from our house, if we take the back way. I would love to say I like taking the back way, but really, I would much rather take Freeway, major highways, and only drive for 3.5 hours. Yes, that 30 minutes truly makes a difference. However, Mr. Wizard & I have been taking this route for quite sometime now, since we learned how to shorten it a bit. We pass by and through several small towns along the way, with sights to see the whole time. I find it actually occupies my kids a tad better than a freeway through forest, pasture, and field. We occasionally get to see an Amish horse-drawn buggy, old bridges, old covered bridges, and the heart of small communities.<br /><br />This trip was going rather well. We stopped at the local town to get gas. Bear in mind, I was nearly empty... $91 to fill it up. Thank goodness, that will last the whole trip and some into the week. We hit the highway, headed for the next town. I have always wanted to go to their Strawberry Festival, but never know quite for sure when it is. It was going on this weekend... looks like we missed it this year too since we have no time to stop!<br /><br />Kids are doing great, we keep motoring on. Down towards our favorite campgrounds and the neighboring town. Past the lake and through the next State Park campgrounds. Turning onto another highway to head South, we see it.... a road closed sign. GREAT! Would have been nice if we had prior warning. I had even checked the DOT website for road closings since I knew we were headed to a flooded area. Construction closings maybe would have been a good thing for them to ADD to that list. Mr. W was right on, the detour set in place was taking us back to our camping area's neighboring town.<br /><br />Forty minutes later, we are back on track. Just as we get out of this quaint town, Miss Independant starts screaming "Stinky Butt!!" over and over almost in a screaming chant. No, she still isn't potty-trained, so I figured either she had gone in her diaper, or needed to and didn't want to be sitting while doing it. Somewhat of a good sign though! Already delayed, and halfway between towns. We try calming her down and telling her we were almost there... the whole way... never-ending screaming. When finally reaching the outer limits of the town, I pulled into an ice-cream shop. To say it was the first and only thing, would only be a lie. I saw it, I knew where I was going, I now needed chocolate. This would also provide some standing time for my NON-stinky child.<br /><br />Ice cream cones eaten... we are on the road again. The rest of the way going smoothly and full of kid's songs (purposely scanning over the Chipmunks). As we neared Mr. W's hometown, I got out the camera and got warmed up. Up to this point there had been little to no standing water. We had called his mom to inform her of the impromptu trip and made plans to visit with her for a bit.<br /><br />Turning off onto a familiar exit, things became very clear and very real. The one road we thought we would take towards the river... shut off at the beginning. Venturing further into town, I had Mr.W turn off onto my grandfather's street. He lives only a block from the levee and I wanted to check on him. Since he had no warning of a visit, I decided we better not just stop in. No need to see him in undies today. We followed the road to the first park, climbed over the wall (flood gates were down) and headed in with camera equipment primed.<br /><br />We left there and headed for the Memorial Bridge, his mom and her husband are coming by Harley to meet us there. I couldn't believe it. I have seen flooding in that area before, but NOTHING like this. I leave this blog now, to let the pictures in their own post, speak for themselves. I only shot pictures from 3 areas, but I will tell you, there is MILES and MILES of water to be seen.<br /><br />Product rave: Soft serve ice cream from small town shops.<br />Go find a local shop today!Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-75143929666658590712008-06-16T17:31:00.014-04:002008-12-08T20:00:49.086-05:00Safety First<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfegsFHn1R3dxvVx68Rm8u_pDonrSKDk7k2mcqVqRcuSKakpn9JDROwkAD_vQOKzOo45E5u6aSim8AXZVT6xCGqTaZ9cZ6jvLAMke5xNg_ilmN4AQFSV0tHXjBewx5u6Y47FrMcIXWaS1M/s1600-h/June+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfegsFHn1R3dxvVx68Rm8u_pDonrSKDk7k2mcqVqRcuSKakpn9JDROwkAD_vQOKzOo45E5u6aSim8AXZVT6xCGqTaZ9cZ6jvLAMke5xNg_ilmN4AQFSV0tHXjBewx5u6Y47FrMcIXWaS1M/s320/June+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212655134209617906" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we went to my parent's house for the weekend. A total impromptu trip. Being Father's Day, and my mom's birthday, I felt like I needed to be there. I broke it to Mr. Wizard Friday night about 8pm or so. We didn't tell the kids until about the 100th time Curious George asked if we were going to "Mammaw & Pappaw's" house. Darn smart kid, he is. We had already planned on going to a Safety Day our county was having on Saturday, so our trip would be more delayed than normal. Not to mention, I needed to call mom and give them a heads up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX4e3yNr-A-R9BCdeHFR5VQSrvj3ae8jj2vNEIrdKuAejjzNysj9YhyphenhyphenL-DRWCUkxnukRZoOwLw7rkNDkDHwaFxFESkjREFS9p4i6Xhyphenhyphen8lghjF-kLe1wkhp5vrjkWV4QGVXas9xSBKQXax/s1600-h/June+004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZX4e3yNr-A-R9BCdeHFR5VQSrvj3ae8jj2vNEIrdKuAejjzNysj9YhyphenhyphenL-DRWCUkxnukRZoOwLw7rkNDkDHwaFxFESkjREFS9p4i6Xhyphenhyphen8lghjF-kLe1wkhp5vrjkWV4QGVXas9xSBKQXax/s320/June+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212651371540768914" border="0" /></a><br />So Saturday morning, we get up... unwillingly early thanks to Miss Independent. She is the alarm clock on the weekends, too bad she wasn't equipped with a snooze button. We all got up, grabbed our various breakfast faves, and slowly got out the door to head into town. George was excited, because his alias is Mr. Safety. In preschool, the school had a safety presentation for all the students. Since then, anytime I hang a towel on the oven door, I get scolded and he moves it to the fridge handle. He points out that it is a fire hazard and I need to be more careful. This among many other safety related scolds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissMigDH5uXMK9s6GqyuDF88C1aXtRPmEHstjZnGWcOekGiv_lp6No9WW8mb_hxYGo8uCdJPphCTbHxhsZnWWeDQhd0nbFvq6zDUZuMtnVVibV4QjRmrrojjyqSUsdzdE_kzOzEb15fuZh/s1600-h/June+007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissMigDH5uXMK9s6GqyuDF88C1aXtRPmEHstjZnGWcOekGiv_lp6No9WW8mb_hxYGo8uCdJPphCTbHxhsZnWWeDQhd0nbFvq6zDUZuMtnVVibV4QjRmrrojjyqSUsdzdE_kzOzEb15fuZh/s320/June+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212656301959747090" border="0" /></a><br />So we pull up, get parked, and first thing to see was a lifeline helicopter. Miss I. has a thing about 'copters when they fly overhead. Loves them, points wildly, and gets so excited. She was none too impressed by this one that is just sitting there. She did finally decide to sit down next to her brother for a picture.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Em_wHgxXwFY6wTzGGTTZvlwp9sHLxMRoMbCJEDIpMgeTCEr0yz-5y6TZMmYiT4FAuH_gxcz4bIFMhVKO__QLQgPTgp2AOL6WfduI8ZGDLKY7x9cHt2boSA892zgYr5DPlH1yA7hSWqE/s1600-h/June+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ6Em_wHgxXwFY6wTzGGTTZvlwp9sHLxMRoMbCJEDIpMgeTCEr0yz-5y6TZMmYiT4FAuH_gxcz4bIFMhVKO__QLQgPTgp2AOL6WfduI8ZGDLKY7x9cHt2boSA892zgYr5DPlH1yA7hSWqE/s320/June+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212656931298892066" border="0" /></a><br />Off we headed towards the major gathering of miscellaneous booths. I was secretly searching for the bicycle safety booth, to snag a free helmet for the kids. Well, then we got caught up in the SWAT vehicle, George got to climb in and look around. Miss I., still unimpressed, patiently waited. P.A. overhead lets us know there will be an extraction demo in 5 minutes... darn, still didn't see that bicycle booth. Guess we will go grab a spot to watch this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYkMdUC7gLUuhpB4sc5db8t27_5lIHd2lCvLTSi1i6BBoKXIayfRxInc7DgUW2gbZFMQ9Pam-V4X_6BL25CA-tl_0MKGWbzrdy_QonsIlyS6USOg6IIqcy2N4ovFdYKt_yZuaWows433E/s1600-h/June+049.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYkMdUC7gLUuhpB4sc5db8t27_5lIHd2lCvLTSi1i6BBoKXIayfRxInc7DgUW2gbZFMQ9Pam-V4X_6BL25CA-tl_0MKGWbzrdy_QonsIlyS6USOg6IIqcy2N4ovFdYKt_yZuaWows433E/s320/June+049.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212657826307815218" border="0" /></a><br />First off, I half wondered why they were showing us how to cut the car and what first responders do. Honestly, I couldn't figure it out, I blame it on the heat. But then it occurred to me last night... now kids would know what to expect if they were the ones to be rescued. Not a half bad idea! George was asking questions all through it, he was intrigued as they rolled the roof of the car backwards to expose the victim (a life-size, true weighted dummy) and all the glass everywhere. Little Miss loved all the movement, it didn't matter to her whether the dummy made it, he shouldn't have wrecked there in the first place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurEjXr2danflMKOTGmYin1_vG6O6qJmG038r0XEm_xK3IadrimithYOv9aSg30j2Ybmex5cfEjBnRRuCOUigAcTmMpp5iCRGElcVEgcYT6aN_-fo_3rZbtwhDS2bz7UFHwec4tVyD7ZSJ/s1600-h/June+060.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurEjXr2danflMKOTGmYin1_vG6O6qJmG038r0XEm_xK3IadrimithYOv9aSg30j2Ybmex5cfEjBnRRuCOUigAcTmMpp5iCRGElcVEgcYT6aN_-fo_3rZbtwhDS2bz7UFHwec4tVyD7ZSJ/s320/June+060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212658464029611378" border="0" /></a><br />On to the State Police 'Copter. We walked up to it, but didn't seem like it was to be climbed in. No one was really standing there to say yes or no so we played it safe. The kids did get some AWESOME shades, dog tags, and a Junior Pilot sticker. I saw a good photo op with the ladder truck so we headed that way. Just then, P.A. informed us, there was to be a repelling demo from that very ladder in 5 minutes... awesome. Chose our seats wisely, we had first dibs. No bicycle booth yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL4lETgiRyUT8tQFQbPAAO1dTYiSQexBC5mwV4ADpf9nlKLm6-A7jKWuh3oAxBg5FaOMJT3aoZ8qYqdohTZwfn5ZPiO99b0K_qzrEQLlF7XIDm-a7DSSvpDphHxqVvgDMB4RgLuOjCiXf/s1600-h/June+098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQL4lETgiRyUT8tQFQbPAAO1dTYiSQexBC5mwV4ADpf9nlKLm6-A7jKWuh3oAxBg5FaOMJT3aoZ8qYqdohTZwfn5ZPiO99b0K_qzrEQLlF7XIDm-a7DSSvpDphHxqVvgDMB4RgLuOjCiXf/s320/June+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212660348082782994" border="0" /></a><br />As the insane man made it to ground level we went exploring. There was a long line for the child ID booth, let's keep moving. Next stop was the bicycle booth... and guess what - no helmets left in their size... great. Across from the bicycle booth, kids were getting to use a fire extinguisher on a fire. Way cool, unless you are Little Miss. George could barely contain the smile as he started sweeping that water back and forth at the flames. He has now proclaimed, he wants to be a firefighter. Sorry Disney, you lost out on turning my son into a chef. The force of the firemen was too great for your little rat chef.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKnAmvHqL8oImcQZf7jsRO8phyphenhyphenX3Bc-_McymfMrbGosH6visv3mJc4hMj_zZTo0OrxmuOd2KjfmZCv9BK7OqUmRSl26yDOcppghgzygjSg3uMFWLSA1loSGdYdNXjnrUFJIdnifN3X7Qz/s1600-h/June+112.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKnAmvHqL8oImcQZf7jsRO8phyphenhyphenX3Bc-_McymfMrbGosH6visv3mJc4hMj_zZTo0OrxmuOd2KjfmZCv9BK7OqUmRSl26yDOcppghgzygjSg3uMFWLSA1loSGdYdNXjnrUFJIdnifN3X7Qz/s320/June+112.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212664413181564946" border="0" /></a><br />After we picked up coloring books, firemen hats, and fridge magnets we looked for more freebies, er I mean, info. That was when Little Miss spotted the balloons and stuffed dogs. Of course, she got her pink balloon, George a blue one, and both a dog. Daddy looks good carrying a pink balloon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYLGHwsJe0Mzyzps4rVg0Bx9N9LvqMq-ANH5EqmG1dgprG8IVPOp9moHdyli2-f0tGyNyFT_GqslEZRUD8HJb4qfQUdTdxbDAqMt5z14cbUcztxOwjmsgNcp5oBSZuNg6AhVO7La2sEhp/s1600-h/June+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYLGHwsJe0Mzyzps4rVg0Bx9N9LvqMq-ANH5EqmG1dgprG8IVPOp9moHdyli2-f0tGyNyFT_GqslEZRUD8HJb4qfQUdTdxbDAqMt5z14cbUcztxOwjmsgNcp5oBSZuNg6AhVO7La2sEhp/s320/June+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212664423145282066" border="0" /></a><br />Next demo - LOL... had to pause for yet another chuckle. REMC is having a power line safety demo. About halfway through, the lights quit working and they had little to no power... LOL... in true REMC fashion. Seeing how we had 25hrs with no electric AFTER the storms were over last week, Mr. Wizard and I had to laugh. They proved themselves to be top notch this day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOPkqawFKOlOMrOWjIIttg8L3841_VPa1Gb5gI7bouIOMLzYWIrn1u0X02xFxQo8vsDKdWl_NxpYtQjUsnc3TKAkWDpqZ6p-Vf7oO4UGcaSnSMdD0qoA4brWGU1u1V1KGVpnSNo66nHdb/s1600-h/June+119.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOPkqawFKOlOMrOWjIIttg8L3841_VPa1Gb5gI7bouIOMLzYWIrn1u0X02xFxQo8vsDKdWl_NxpYtQjUsnc3TKAkWDpqZ6p-Vf7oO4UGcaSnSMdD0qoA4brWGU1u1V1KGVpnSNo66nHdb/s320/June+119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212664428721231154" border="0" /></a><br />K-9 demo next... what a good dog. I bet they had us all sitting so far back so the dog chose the boxes and not some of the citizens of this fine county. P.A. announcement, there will be a SWAT demo in five minutes. This demo will have use of flash bombs for those with small children. You know, they maybe should have told us WHEN it would happen in the demo so you can steady your camera on the right car! I jumped, I did, practically missed the rest of it. Miss didn't like it and was short of crying... dang it, I knew better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CUsGX_B_LHKqIetr4CMTgiRlZbokmsBzgqQUZf88Lrwn9YMV0MTX-aGI0ftUTqchkABkFTvMslMiVCupBCoAQLecpOU3Jie-_rJUQC8JG6ewcH5JnW0aZZJzF8Ih4liz6nzSLmRAlOkT/s1600-h/June+149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CUsGX_B_LHKqIetr4CMTgiRlZbokmsBzgqQUZf88Lrwn9YMV0MTX-aGI0ftUTqchkABkFTvMslMiVCupBCoAQLecpOU3Jie-_rJUQC8JG6ewcH5JnW0aZZJzF8Ih4liz6nzSLmRAlOkT/s320/June+149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212664441281446402" border="0" /></a><br />Hey, line for Child IDs is lower (ran all of them off with the flash bomb!) I practically ran to get in line. While standing there, I saw one of George's good friends. I took him over so he could see him, little boys are so cute when they have spent a whole 2 weeks away from each other! Back in line, line moving slow, I reach for my phone. OH NO! No I didn't! Great! I am in a panic, line isn't moving, I head back to the van leaving the crew in line. Thank goodness, I had left it in there. I recently gave up my Palm Treo to use my RAZR... that thing is too darn small!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8UTCf-hmYnElRSPDC64xvXdooaO-JqodzvxXGSHmAIy75RT-BvkBcYPHTVoZb87NqqT_ynVKiM8YzgnDv2yCeJLwf5v8ufs4GegZWlmOT0vCHlbsHQJBTnzHmTDrPk2XiabV6zj-Vb27/s1600-h/June+160.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8UTCf-hmYnElRSPDC64xvXdooaO-JqodzvxXGSHmAIy75RT-BvkBcYPHTVoZb87NqqT_ynVKiM8YzgnDv2yCeJLwf5v8ufs4GegZWlmOT0vCHlbsHQJBTnzHmTDrPk2XiabV6zj-Vb27/s320/June+160.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212664451513484818" border="0" /></a><br />I came back, phone in hand and there is another announcement. The State Police helicopter was going to be leaving soon. We knew we needed to tie down small children and hold our hats. So we grab the balloons, George holds his hat on, Mr. Wizard somehow manages a balloon, his hat and Little Miss's hat. 'Copter takes off and Miss I. is taking it all in. Best part of the day for her I think!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcSX2OMLNwjgA0Bg2iSPfDDqSeohj8LyRtdTKP_-awT3kZvrzb-s24cmD53M0jtp5cSBSrgWAyFFPdb2_AWldnHRUxV78U6Xty95rw7Tz2cXLEgoPGpMurGjNTDvC7RueOUk5X_iwRaFl/s1600-h/June+324.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcSX2OMLNwjgA0Bg2iSPfDDqSeohj8LyRtdTKP_-awT3kZvrzb-s24cmD53M0jtp5cSBSrgWAyFFPdb2_AWldnHRUxV78U6Xty95rw7Tz2cXLEgoPGpMurGjNTDvC7RueOUk5X_iwRaFl/s320/June+324.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212669288021389890" border="0" /></a><br />Child IDs in hand, it's time to head home. I needed to empty out the van and go upstairs for the quick packing job. Mr. Wizard needed to spray our weeds since we actually had no wind! 3 hours later... van is packed, weeds are choking, and Mr. W is cleaned up. Floodwaters here we come.<br /><br />To be continued....<br /><br />Product rave: Depends Adult Briefs<br />For those times when flash bombs are going off unexpectedly.<br /><br />No, OK seriously... home fire extinguishers<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjbs2XvxLRMa89WCuPP0n8FCjsYv6WCXSL5yFARGNrMVD37-OzpCvycyoK6pJOfPuv5D09yJj6T-q1jnES0NTtlfCt_Kos7nzUnUd0GYwOK7wOXU-5Vw1KbxhHcCBgd74yWWlALRfQUDV/s1600-h/June+342.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjbs2XvxLRMa89WCuPP0n8FCjsYv6WCXSL5yFARGNrMVD37-OzpCvycyoK6pJOfPuv5D09yJj6T-q1jnES0NTtlfCt_Kos7nzUnUd0GYwOK7wOXU-5Vw1KbxhHcCBgd74yWWlALRfQUDV/s320/June+342.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212669295021018546" border="0" /></a><br />If you don't have one, get one. Keep one in your kitchen, keep one by a fireplace, and if you have a workshop or anything else where a spark can land... have one handy. They are relatively inexpensive and there is no reason to not have one.Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-61106713085752201482008-06-12T09:20:00.012-04:002008-12-08T20:00:51.030-05:00Build your ark, Noah!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigANBQZNfdvhK53v78H38bqtzARAmpui9CemvGsqI0S3N8IB-Jf7hvzlrXojyPIM_wbXhsVrEn_irji9Ji4gs2Hgg8s9xxC-LYbxhBH2rKeqp2kZ5afsdy0pTJcZUyxKVrnQyOFHj28oTp/s1600-h/fawn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigANBQZNfdvhK53v78H38bqtzARAmpui9CemvGsqI0S3N8IB-Jf7hvzlrXojyPIM_wbXhsVrEn_irji9Ji4gs2Hgg8s9xxC-LYbxhBH2rKeqp2kZ5afsdy0pTJcZUyxKVrnQyOFHj28oTp/s320/fawn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211029768082109010" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Poor baby!</span></span><br /></div><br />I am just amazed at what's happening in our hometown area. I have no personal pics, but will share some I saved from the local paper's coverage and what I can find online.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKFegInpdwyWLYQE5H2hVA6XjiYjz5_tbta7P6BG_7eX6sTzn2zGzyh5ucMkv4K9-sOq7fHGPUprho1vSi1PoEhoUOz87YV1JRASZ6K8MVxi9z-hnE6Uh9mBuNrfKsYF1s75mqyCJQJ1I/s1600-h/field.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKKFegInpdwyWLYQE5H2hVA6XjiYjz5_tbta7P6BG_7eX6sTzn2zGzyh5ucMkv4K9-sOq7fHGPUprho1vSi1PoEhoUOz87YV1JRASZ6K8MVxi9z-hnE6Uh9mBuNrfKsYF1s75mqyCJQJ1I/s320/field.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211029775962837714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Field irrigation system, won't need that right now...</span></span><br /></div><br />This has been the worst flooding the area has ever seen. Even people who thought they would be in relatively safe areas, had to be evacuated. Some of my family members included. My cousin's son, girlfriend, and baby were evacuated right before their trailer was tipped over sideways. My uncle they went to stay with, isn't far from the flooding. A friend's grandmother (who we all love for her spunk) absolutely refused to leave her house... it got to where she had no choice.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv2Byh7pVLzMuTvpibWEmO_UhDtLbJFzN9_RXy_dhZsphhEh-LNDEEiW8j2Qym4zzQJlxEbJMOMc69etYmII_-6SuU3cw9RKx3FCXWTBvsaOI1s9jStut2LaGhqJ4bND-6yVsd-y0_AQ6/s1600-h/railroad+bridge+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv2Byh7pVLzMuTvpibWEmO_UhDtLbJFzN9_RXy_dhZsphhEh-LNDEEiW8j2Qym4zzQJlxEbJMOMc69etYmII_-6SuU3cw9RKx3FCXWTBvsaOI1s9jStut2LaGhqJ4bND-6yVsd-y0_AQ6/s320/railroad+bridge+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211039329620613650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6se3kcJwfjaNLKRlmBnW8kbWGQkahrgOM6lI1SDgilwgTmw9NZVIaPM-ZvWBrH57GKFxgDWoqYZziLj8KwqA5LDxuMlZca17YGZQk0mxQr11YpVK4cU8nDRiU2jzfXl9HNJFiP87hj05Z/s1600-h/Railroad+bridge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6se3kcJwfjaNLKRlmBnW8kbWGQkahrgOM6lI1SDgilwgTmw9NZVIaPM-ZvWBrH57GKFxgDWoqYZziLj8KwqA5LDxuMlZca17YGZQk0mxQr11YpVK4cU8nDRiU2jzfXl9HNJFiP87hj05Z/s320/Railroad+bridge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211039331285819570" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is a railroad bridge over the Wabash river... it is at least a good 20ft usually from bottom of bridge to the water level.<br /><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pshahBxlIAbW0RjzLzNjvWlTc4DIgAMt3apMHuBLnFEKg1tgbYfrn1VaUQok5W5CaesPtMQxPTIFuO5oxYBseRzcY9sxVM1Xnj2GVrxJ4a1fDZ0fJi7qgDsE_zZ_YHHURIqGtDC0PUiB/s1600-h/2569458572_3598a8615a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6pshahBxlIAbW0RjzLzNjvWlTc4DIgAMt3apMHuBLnFEKg1tgbYfrn1VaUQok5W5CaesPtMQxPTIFuO5oxYBseRzcY9sxVM1Xnj2GVrxJ4a1fDZ0fJi7qgDsE_zZ_YHHURIqGtDC0PUiB/s320/2569458572_3598a8615a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211037412084028914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Very typical view of levees right now, thankfully this one still holding on.<br /><br /></span></span></div>Levees breaking everywhere. The area is now without water due to a water main break which is UNDER the flooded area. They have been told it could be 2 weeks. They did set it up with another water municipal, to hook in with them. The county seat provides water to my hometown, which then provides water to a neighboring town. So basically, there is little water for anyone. It trickles from the tap. And not to mention, what comes out is in a boil order. Several of the county roads are closed, roads that didn't surprise me, and some that really did!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIQ08GlXAsvGRj7R6OHCQgLMjXTDlSIIXlJln487vXVxLGNHfMq3LBlZlB1iU7t596G82fr_ytqJmpGVSN4WdxShDWEqb9U3uNoIlhVXz35qdtPvS-g23vm0w41zOlL01FZyctHbJjmYt/s1600-h/gallery_Flooding_P6100072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIQ08GlXAsvGRj7R6OHCQgLMjXTDlSIIXlJln487vXVxLGNHfMq3LBlZlB1iU7t596G82fr_ytqJmpGVSN4WdxShDWEqb9U3uNoIlhVXz35qdtPvS-g23vm0w41zOlL01FZyctHbJjmYt/s320/gallery_Flooding_P6100072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211073797919238162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1koujjzM51SP6Jul7_tWzl-FbnN-1N0MSm7TtPmfi1BmTtEOxF9-4g79NnmsJEvRfjUvflkCaH7Pn79ioRacu3KtXRmloszShIIzzl4CnwvBHHfpqu559L2J4bt2zLNvmWMUR9IQcE_pK/s1600-h/Anon1213162005-IndianaAndIllinoisFloodPictures379103_lg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1koujjzM51SP6Jul7_tWzl-FbnN-1N0MSm7TtPmfi1BmTtEOxF9-4g79NnmsJEvRfjUvflkCaH7Pn79ioRacu3KtXRmloszShIIzzl4CnwvBHHfpqu559L2J4bt2zLNvmWMUR9IQcE_pK/s320/Anon1213162005-IndianaAndIllinoisFloodPictures379103_lg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211051650263703842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffoCF5r9yca5iYYg9NQ71RfhaSCeGM0NVsDYITXVTNjETR1afa-I3CtsdZ1w-aW5TFX21Ujauni1SjfXgzdqFldy1fhmVUyggGWfAmAYlfLQv7iPttRSDaxk0o26Izz8ZS0q0cFieO92d/s1600-h/memorial+bridge+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffoCF5r9yca5iYYg9NQ71RfhaSCeGM0NVsDYITXVTNjETR1afa-I3CtsdZ1w-aW5TFX21Ujauni1SjfXgzdqFldy1fhmVUyggGWfAmAYlfLQv7iPttRSDaxk0o26Izz8ZS0q0cFieO92d/s320/memorial+bridge+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211029776552642354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This is the area where Mr. Wizard proposed to me. The picture is hard to tell, but there is a tall wall, basically barely holding that water in. In front of the people standing there, looks like water filling in the railroad track there.</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBtKbv7BOPeg5foDHUC_kDCWIqxyXyRwduciRtvdXBFKVbUexj0-2J23OZtXe10w-C-RTFqvyMqdgDiqWxVfG7Olri6KrM8zcaKWCuMLeXXzTuxXPX3ScGLV-81-6TrNwL_SgBWy09183/s1600-h/grcmemorial2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBtKbv7BOPeg5foDHUC_kDCWIqxyXyRwduciRtvdXBFKVbUexj0-2J23OZtXe10w-C-RTFqvyMqdgDiqWxVfG7Olri6KrM8zcaKWCuMLeXXzTuxXPX3ScGLV-81-6TrNwL_SgBWy09183/s320/grcmemorial2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211049334986590066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVLTxPQjimRvNgIy1EXwzqOOFB4KpeuA4bKZhzxneC4oI6VHIPVXZK8YvXVgmuxX77UzIrF6l96C0yRO3NSzi9hCRUGAra3OBWULknz4rr_ctWiOVL47XBEOL7OFLev7EU_FdvCuKHS3l/s1600-h/joethefig_333670_1%5B558580%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVLTxPQjimRvNgIy1EXwzqOOFB4KpeuA4bKZhzxneC4oI6VHIPVXZK8YvXVgmuxX77UzIrF6l96C0yRO3NSzi9hCRUGAra3OBWULknz4rr_ctWiOVL47XBEOL7OFLev7EU_FdvCuKHS3l/s320/joethefig_333670_1%5B558580%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211049338881442738" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here is without all the water</span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:78%;" ><br /></span></div><br />This area has a very poor population. Years back, the closing of the big refinery caused some desperate times down there. A lot of people moved, especially the young people, like me. We had nothing to go back to for our hard earned diplomas. The ones that stayed behind, stayed for family, and because that was their home. You have all the farmers there, that basically is losing almost every crop they had planted. This will only make harder times more difficult.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGrbZNWuzSKETcK_B9OjEt4Vxu5Hz21yz885bnVt1dzcvOOYwlYNrwiZ_6w63sFWbJaBH65YVMYyjXMgPm3BsvKtMhm23ot14WdZaHt3eLpTNbflyzq8VA1fPQdeKp7Pu5oZOTAHyZ-5J/s1600-h/flood+gate.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGrbZNWuzSKETcK_B9OjEt4Vxu5Hz21yz885bnVt1dzcvOOYwlYNrwiZ_6w63sFWbJaBH65YVMYyjXMgPm3BsvKtMhm23ot14WdZaHt3eLpTNbflyzq8VA1fPQdeKp7Pu5oZOTAHyZ-5J/s320/flood+gate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211039901458401042" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Flood gate in place.</span></span><br /></div><br />I know this blog is a tad forlorn, not the sarcastic, humorous blog it typically is. This is just very disturbing to me, and makes me wish I could go back and help. Too bad, I would likely have to arrive by boat at this point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiO-YySFRHeQGSeej2Cly2vgVZpHpB_76s1zFFqHSRhSmEMOUBdIrdQXTwfafKx9nLetCCLsRLWBNiviIKqzJhWVYB_vZTN3cs8hIeqGDJbX2pqm486ema3Sixg7McjC9y1eV8tab1ICo/s1600-h/2256339697_3876f2c24f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiO-YySFRHeQGSeej2Cly2vgVZpHpB_76s1zFFqHSRhSmEMOUBdIrdQXTwfafKx9nLetCCLsRLWBNiviIKqzJhWVYB_vZTN3cs8hIeqGDJbX2pqm486ema3Sixg7McjC9y1eV8tab1ICo/s320/2256339697_3876f2c24f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211029766036455442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">This picture shows about normal levels of water<br /><br /></span></span></div>This is the Connonball Bridge, an old railroad bridge converted to a one-lane car passable toll bridge. I drove over this bridge MANY times, and the water was never even close!! This freaks me out! Oh, and I may want to add, the bridge is closed right now. Take a look at the videos.<br /><br /><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! 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important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-04748763366024428 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><a style="left: 0px ! important; top: 17px ! important;" title="Click here to block this object with Adblock Plus" class="abp-objtab-06121621430426255 visible ontop" href="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"></a><object height="370" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="menu" value="false"><param name="flashvars" value="height=370&width=448&autostart=true&autoscroll=false&showstop=false&showicons=false&showdigits=total&controlbar=34&backcolor=0xFFFFFF&screencolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xDEDEDE&lightcolor=0x00A2FF&logo=http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/data/images/ireport_wm.gif&file=http%3A//ht.cdn.turner.com/ireport/big/prod/2008/06/10/WE00032285/119027/Anon1213145210-CannonballBridge173520.flv&image=http%3A//i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2008/06/10/WE00032285/119027/Anon1213145210-CannonballBridge173520_lg.jpg"><embed src="http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/mediaplayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" menu="false" flashvars="height=370&width=448&autoscroll=false&showstop=false&showicons=false&showdigits=total&controlbar=34&backcolor=0xFFFFFF&screencolor=0x000000&frontcolor=0xDEDEDE&lightcolor=0x00A2FF&logo=http://www.ireport.com/themes/custom/resources/swfplayer/data/images/ireport_wm.gif&file=http%3A//ht.cdn.turner.com/ireport/big/prod/2008/06/10/WE00032285/119027/Anon1213145210-CannonballBridge173520.flv&image=http%3A//i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2008/06/10/WE00032285/119027/Anon1213145210-CannonballBridge173520_lg.jpg" height="370" width="450"></embed></object><br /><br />I am crediting the photos and videos to Daily Record, Sun Commercial, and iReport.<br /><br />No product rave this time around except maybe some good hip waders.Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-10313594565410363472008-06-08T10:20:00.013-04:002008-12-08T20:00:59.040-05:00No longer in the Dark Ages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd2t_fdubyI2-YHyguEBOlcRcBBjrdjrrlmNvppg1nNmaD80bZMr2ARc1qt8OAXUxsM1S5wwTTTCGKVzEZs9j4IHE05JnjFe266X6jXhcqiAzLGwSYwrrQ8IpM3FMv9OTRAuZ6-qyMFo3/s1600-h/June+273_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd2t_fdubyI2-YHyguEBOlcRcBBjrdjrrlmNvppg1nNmaD80bZMr2ARc1qt8OAXUxsM1S5wwTTTCGKVzEZs9j4IHE05JnjFe266X6jXhcqiAzLGwSYwrrQ8IpM3FMv9OTRAuZ6-qyMFo3/s320/June+273_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209648341775825682" border="0" /></a>For those that didn't know, we had HORRIBLE storms through here this past week. I am so sick of rain! Well, Friday evening, in the calm, we lost power. THANKS REMC! 25hrs later it returned. Let me tell you about country living, with no power. It may not be that different than when living in the city, but I want to whine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErxzpTdQS64HmrTCCBcA54z5bwKD5gG_Eg7HD8LddSEDb7ebBb4fvUamJaqgMwW3C0hyphenhyphen51zS3h9OMHe7q4BvF8CVoCTREIl8oCmWEGstHtJ9olmdbXOOnb5jZKT0wHs7rBkIIE5owCgMB/s1600-h/June+138_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErxzpTdQS64HmrTCCBcA54z5bwKD5gG_Eg7HD8LddSEDb7ebBb4fvUamJaqgMwW3C0hyphenhyphen51zS3h9OMHe7q4BvF8CVoCTREIl8oCmWEGstHtJ9olmdbXOOnb5jZKT0wHs7rBkIIE5owCgMB/s320/June+138_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209652025162277490" border="0" /></a><br />First there is no light... ANYWHERE. In the city, you may have a neighboring subdivision you can see lights from, local businesses that may help light up a tad. Out here you have fields, pastures, and darkness. Pure darkness. While it makes it awesome for nighttime star viewing, not as fun when it is rainy & cloudy and need a nightlight for your almost 3yr old to sleep. Thanks mom for buying that "Moon In My Room" thing. It is awesome that it is battery powered. But could it have been manufactured with an option of leaving it on for more than 30 minutes at a time? Little Miss, I swear, was waking up every 30-45 minutes and would scream until I fumbled, in the dark, for the tiny remote, to turn the moon back on. By the time I did, she was all a mess, and would need one of us to soothe her... Good times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYjvIvu8Cna6UipmYJYo11eWUfjqzxU4Q__bBuu5IlhOLrc2mJMZ_7HZZxM0C3i9N9pTq7s3DdBq21ODH1B1UZUNlmVqzZ7LmMcVag7NQijdxu8Xt_oAzdtPfN0mEw4qumLYCYAxBNLhp/s1600-h/June+308.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYjvIvu8Cna6UipmYJYo11eWUfjqzxU4Q__bBuu5IlhOLrc2mJMZ_7HZZxM0C3i9N9pTq7s3DdBq21ODH1B1UZUNlmVqzZ7LmMcVag7NQijdxu8Xt_oAzdtPfN0mEw4qumLYCYAxBNLhp/s320/June+308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209644723427103058" border="0" /></a><br />Second there is no water. What you say? How can electricity affect water? When you are on a well is how. Those darn wells, need a water pump to get the water out, and those darn pumps, need wattage. True, they do pressurize and hold so many gallons, but you have to go sparingly on those, until you know when the electric is back on. What does that mean... *shudder* no flushing. Now... believe me, when #2 comes along, it gets flushed. I didn't care if I had to go out into the rain, lightning, and wind... I would have gone to the madly rushing creek to collect water to flush with if I had to. Luckily the wheelbarrow was full of rainwater by this time, I knew where the easy water was. Incidentally, did you know if you pour a large amount of water into the toilet bowl, it flushes... I didn't until we lived here! No water also means, no dishes, no laundry, no showers... sounds great huh?! Oh and the obvious, no computers or TV to keep all entertained, no air conditioning, and no cordless phones... and no charger for the cell phones. Good times!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2HNO_gU-t2BX_RXZupLP6aKtu2sLP_K_e-VDfAD4c65k-sCC-QfS1WoL8if1yHdfolVtcVK6tHj_umEjE31U6wlil7WmERMMH8d2HKyKo74ElJKihLNBcei34If4toPFvXlsbeLTGAdo/s1600-h/June+293.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2HNO_gU-t2BX_RXZupLP6aKtu2sLP_K_e-VDfAD4c65k-sCC-QfS1WoL8if1yHdfolVtcVK6tHj_umEjE31U6wlil7WmERMMH8d2HKyKo74ElJKihLNBcei34If4toPFvXlsbeLTGAdo/s320/June+293.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209643899009037346" border="0" /></a><br />R.I.P. beloved gazebo. We had a nice 6 weeks together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9Ie_U4P_JrcKPjjWw6FY2CjqEknT753-2AfRTTIwhLmVAOaEse8dcSmFUt9Apww6kY4MrEF7P4Yt9x2VFO-ww-Gyq5kbdt4alWzs517wco4X0BAWgNC0DzT9ky3XXC0lvocccBsMuJHd/s1600-h/June+292.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy9Ie_U4P_JrcKPjjWw6FY2CjqEknT753-2AfRTTIwhLmVAOaEse8dcSmFUt9Apww6kY4MrEF7P4Yt9x2VFO-ww-Gyq5kbdt4alWzs517wco4X0BAWgNC0DzT9ky3XXC0lvocccBsMuJHd/s320/June+292.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209643881880979842" border="0" /></a><br />Third, how to cook? Well, thankfully we have a grill. The food! Ack! Our freezer is stocked and fridge has the milk. Great. Anyone want percolated coffee on the grill? We could have, but decided on breakfast out on Saturday, had a birthday party at 2:30, I only had to worry about supper... hot dogs and brats!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6U2N6YQa-zC9HQfuD2N4cosbXNur0rHePDjD_NuwnFN2Lq0QloqwiE3Iz020h3fquH3eXZ-N2zWoL7pm7Vuu43jOjGITooo2kt3457UkY6qPrkLUwvfujbUoqNHbyd41cT60D2MBqILn/s1600-h/June+291.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6U2N6YQa-zC9HQfuD2N4cosbXNur0rHePDjD_NuwnFN2Lq0QloqwiE3Iz020h3fquH3eXZ-N2zWoL7pm7Vuu43jOjGITooo2kt3457UkY6qPrkLUwvfujbUoqNHbyd41cT60D2MBqILn/s320/June+291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209643865595665442" border="0" /></a><br />The generator that kept our frozens solid, and the fridged frigid. This thing is ANCIENT, which is why it is still working today. Good old Craftsman!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OpFc_9YJqbwtcc3iuzHxGkIOgxRYN0hSOLnkiZRHPxy72q6y3KmDDH7bneKy8tL-mCwZirVQna_VpeVpWZu-XJnx5BGcMWxRVzQsD-sunlcW0h7iUBTGPRy3tf5tXMlul2Kd_MzeSOjA/s1600-h/June+294.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OpFc_9YJqbwtcc3iuzHxGkIOgxRYN0hSOLnkiZRHPxy72q6y3KmDDH7bneKy8tL-mCwZirVQna_VpeVpWZu-XJnx5BGcMWxRVzQsD-sunlcW0h7iUBTGPRy3tf5tXMlul2Kd_MzeSOjA/s320/June+294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209643875558061730" border="0" /></a><br />See the red spot in the field off in the distance? That's the umbrella off the wagon. We'll go get that when we won't sink to our knees in the mud.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVpDWyNx1Qn8Q5lJNQ5FdLvI-_IArsNH6gEj8LKWQmyjLt8GfeNKal_lOleUmkMHqJcA6YTJDfA0K5UMLW53i-M-EQjnjTdPOi_9IDn_CSUl26CmulgCpDBrGT4qE6sFCNj82kD4qXZyn/s1600-h/June+289_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVpDWyNx1Qn8Q5lJNQ5FdLvI-_IArsNH6gEj8LKWQmyjLt8GfeNKal_lOleUmkMHqJcA6YTJDfA0K5UMLW53i-M-EQjnjTdPOi_9IDn_CSUl26CmulgCpDBrGT4qE6sFCNj82kD4qXZyn/s320/June+289_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209647308952529730" border="0" /></a><br />The kids LOVED the darkness, this makes a great time to play Flashlight Hide and Seek with daddy upstairs before bed. However, not so impressed when they could see in the morning and not watch the beloved cartoons and/or use the computer for their favorite learning games. V.Smile? Nope. Watch a movie? Nope. Go outside? In the lightning, are you crazy? Awwwww, we don't have anything to do.... Then go grab a book and read like Mommy & Daddy are. They chose to play with the light sabers and Darth Vader Helmet instead. Together... hey, maybe this no electric is a good thing! Fighting over who wears the helmet starts, nevermind.<br /><br />So here I am, between laundry & dish loads, and pondering over what to actually COOK for lunch. Here are more shots of the area after the storm just before our electric went out:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1AsL5ZDxg3t0cdkyj5RPcgoIL8JGn5SRuRMwCPt-Z-xuVGqCT0GvaLFG1BEp6yCEPyQI6qXA20bcTzUNNGTjR2IV14Bjd_ztQMxsDAl4hIW7KP7W7buyHT2fu7a01vO0XPGnPJnPtsRS/s1600-h/June+119_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl1AsL5ZDxg3t0cdkyj5RPcgoIL8JGn5SRuRMwCPt-Z-xuVGqCT0GvaLFG1BEp6yCEPyQI6qXA20bcTzUNNGTjR2IV14Bjd_ztQMxsDAl4hIW7KP7W7buyHT2fu7a01vO0XPGnPJnPtsRS/s320/June+119_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209652423810977234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ-pbYm7aERSCUPSQ0of3DHeBQxQj-9kQCjwBYzu95tGZRo-9OKR2NvN2S9NVvXqrGRPoDg7JsMbNlC8hWsIkAa_ybF_PtytO8J06phmIECh25QEdnOLZJYNBuytUotIN7d14aNczV_2y/s1600-h/June+207_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZ-pbYm7aERSCUPSQ0of3DHeBQxQj-9kQCjwBYzu95tGZRo-9OKR2NvN2S9NVvXqrGRPoDg7JsMbNlC8hWsIkAa_ybF_PtytO8J06phmIECh25QEdnOLZJYNBuytUotIN7d14aNczV_2y/s320/June+207_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209649973595180674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoIp9JeuCPg2Uka-tPtY6C6oNbB-h4r_9afXFEeRy9bG5hK6aSSKl7GauEJ3eUhrzfrV7YW5HbXnKef-SSnk97H7Id7xeWXC4Xe9Kb5WkIUACAMTl94rpnigFcdq54pe_BcdwdkNdNgx1/s1600-h/June+272a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoIp9JeuCPg2Uka-tPtY6C6oNbB-h4r_9afXFEeRy9bG5hK6aSSKl7GauEJ3eUhrzfrV7YW5HbXnKef-SSnk97H7Id7xeWXC4Xe9Kb5WkIUACAMTl94rpnigFcdq54pe_BcdwdkNdNgx1/s320/June+272a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209648877522722946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMOF58Ik3eZ6ONMA9CvLu6RDZLchb4jWnPZ4cIaGSaISsqHn1-LQTApKorsvc58HykTt_wum3yQ8jB8a_O65dEMGVmSKNnudjcy0-ZwK7LeNMWNskcjpLeBLWS6soHlH39DuZllv1HCQ/s1600-h/June+287_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgMOF58Ik3eZ6ONMA9CvLu6RDZLchb4jWnPZ4cIaGSaISsqHn1-LQTApKorsvc58HykTt_wum3yQ8jB8a_O65dEMGVmSKNnudjcy0-ZwK7LeNMWNskcjpLeBLWS6soHlH39DuZllv1HCQ/s320/June+287_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209648072290637474" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Product rave:<br />Homemade Moon Sand!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EuSLwQ0kOasYLBx-ZwbZqk3V7xNy_ELB7gWS3VSht0EiB01Td_NmaOhqs9avQjjxUyZgRop7JFFGXnF2iII1tjjA16vr8shZTCHU3XYGVGWrHD_MntMRUjxHBA6uqx6wE5KswS2JNaDr/s1600-h/June+309.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EuSLwQ0kOasYLBx-ZwbZqk3V7xNy_ELB7gWS3VSht0EiB01Td_NmaOhqs9avQjjxUyZgRop7JFFGXnF2iII1tjjA16vr8shZTCHU3XYGVGWrHD_MntMRUjxHBA6uqx6wE5KswS2JNaDr/s200/June+309.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209559991554696882" border="0" /></a><br />Though I have never paid for an actual batch of the brand stuff, I think this rates right up there with it! Check out the link to the right and follow the directions... as a hint though, either try to color the flour before adding oil or go with the "natural" color.<br />Moldable - check<br />Crumbly - check<br />Stays moist - check<br />Makes a mess - checkDefinition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-10618595178278060802008-06-06T08:37:00.018-04:002008-12-08T20:01:00.594-05:00Random Funnies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1MZgbLOr7b9riDJE8Urd0ducXX-wyo0kwZj0h_sZ766LfLt6A0e3Y9O6h_HToY4kUOABjOIXFacGe4aVCI-_5D_y_Hcbqx8h3vkZpU27Pgq1OCvsZ0GhNfMPMnmeQbLlsuCy6YuOhggN/s1600-h/June+003_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1MZgbLOr7b9riDJE8Urd0ducXX-wyo0kwZj0h_sZ766LfLt6A0e3Y9O6h_HToY4kUOABjOIXFacGe4aVCI-_5D_y_Hcbqx8h3vkZpU27Pgq1OCvsZ0GhNfMPMnmeQbLlsuCy6YuOhggN/s320/June+003_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208773493007550930" border="0" /></a><br />So in the last day or so, I have heard and witnessed some rather funny things. Where best to share these... blog them! As I sit here eating our nutritious breakfast Little Miss has chosen, I pick up another marshmallow and start typing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2giTwd-H81UNk9us6RTXrSAJxeja8W4gcNTmrNCL308CsxjWiR3JywDNpv-67xe6iSku7OnUyaBoLQMCHeNKl0wm95viPpmciuNKAJPDhqQQrwrVkhxZrwq3yBRWdjTsITeUwONn2dqCW/s1600-h/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2giTwd-H81UNk9us6RTXrSAJxeja8W4gcNTmrNCL308CsxjWiR3JywDNpv-67xe6iSku7OnUyaBoLQMCHeNKl0wm95viPpmciuNKAJPDhqQQrwrVkhxZrwq3yBRWdjTsITeUwONn2dqCW/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208791914462883954" border="0" /></a><br />Thursday night my kids were inside happily playing for once, so I went out with Mr. Wizard to walk the garden. He was busy showing me the difference in the sprouts versus the new weeds popping up alongside. To tell the truth, I couldn't tell much of a difference in anything other than the carrots... I felt we had been outside long enough, there could be trouble brewing inside. You never leave my kids, especially Little Miss, for more than 5 minutes. As we are walking towards the house, she is greeting us at the door, with a much droopy diaper. She wanted to put shoes on to come outside, I figured we should change her before going out. Then I found out WHY her diaper was so droopy... George had "helped" her go "potty"! He then fastened her back up once she was "done". And yes I quoted all that, because even at almost 3, she is NOT ready to potty train. I went through this with George, so I am not stressing, it will be fine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIiutddvdgP0YwO9SF7nyKsDv3vKvH15-eHS73ZMPNOz5i5X3aBnTMi9DK296-eDAX2I8iZsDj_3xfJXvA4jHL7rGKk1i3SLSOZUbqlQkOUb9Z1MEVI3iui2fQ4yE8vUgrpaqF4wPnJ_g/s1600-h/June+018_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfIiutddvdgP0YwO9SF7nyKsDv3vKvH15-eHS73ZMPNOz5i5X3aBnTMi9DK296-eDAX2I8iZsDj_3xfJXvA4jHL7rGKk1i3SLSOZUbqlQkOUb9Z1MEVI3iui2fQ4yE8vUgrpaqF4wPnJ_g/s320/June+018_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208771888445611266" border="0" /></a><br />George is full of it, and no I really mean full of it! The things that kid comes up with!! I think he will be one of those heavily pierced kids (once he moves out of my house). He has found that Magnetix are a cool way to look like you have your nose pierced, as well as other parts, please don't make me explain! He even made a ring, placed it in his nose, and was impressed how it made him look like a bull. And yes, another "Judge Me As A Mother" moment... they have Magnetix and I make sure they don't eat them. For breakfast anyway...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlPwi7Eyqtv6vMVqAycZRIiXIVd8vhFjkf3cP-ht2rZ8QWjAWb7pP5eghP8YA6vh7bgO9SJoJ9p62q2zxf97oyy6WuNKZXkZleoljf26gyLaUAeka2kimJxmnzBQKhgkya8HZjfivXf_B/s1600-h/April+Mel+033.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlPwi7Eyqtv6vMVqAycZRIiXIVd8vhFjkf3cP-ht2rZ8QWjAWb7pP5eghP8YA6vh7bgO9SJoJ9p62q2zxf97oyy6WuNKZXkZleoljf26gyLaUAeka2kimJxmnzBQKhgkya8HZjfivXf_B/s320/April+Mel+033.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208775540797069250" border="0" /></a><br />Molly, the wonder-mutt, has a funny quirk about her. When she is outside, she likes to enter the door from the side of the porch. So when you open the big door and watch through the glass screen door, you get entertained. She runs off the porch and circles to the side, anticipating that you are letting her in. When you don't, she leaps back on to the porch, sees you standing there, circles to the side. This can happen multiples of times until you either let her in, or shut the big door. Seriously, none too bright.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB13-6jvuQlLliQmsj_fYgTqHS24f7LklazuMxE1iaxkXjLWy3nVeJLmHGAkNbXOJh0RktAq0N7ud4qXgnNvcszjiW2cc3ygVLu_Xk44-a7Mq960Pf8a7vBaG5VQY3_kFjPHMoMu5TZu_/s1600-h/April+Mel+045.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQB13-6jvuQlLliQmsj_fYgTqHS24f7LklazuMxE1iaxkXjLWy3nVeJLmHGAkNbXOJh0RktAq0N7ud4qXgnNvcszjiW2cc3ygVLu_Xk44-a7Mq960Pf8a7vBaG5VQY3_kFjPHMoMu5TZu_/s320/April+Mel+045.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208777210938834242" border="0" /></a><br />Another funny I witnessed involves Princess the cat. The big baby, remember? I had set a banker's box that tried to blow away, next to the porch (in Molly's path actually). And it was no time, Princess was in the box sleeping. Glad I put that box there for her, too bad it was going back in my van to contain all the baseball equipment.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXiSZ_8NjhJ9iDAK6r6Sh7buOQN62cHdJjPt2VxCpWksISyzr19XOgE-Ptkm5MH31brWz11quKXIaTNWqoC0z87NDDDr3R5CCI_JonXUtLa7dR4EEMDqbBexRjd3BXZM6DfnDtCk_MDyG/s1600-h/June+025.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXiSZ_8NjhJ9iDAK6r6Sh7buOQN62cHdJjPt2VxCpWksISyzr19XOgE-Ptkm5MH31brWz11quKXIaTNWqoC0z87NDDDr3R5CCI_JonXUtLa7dR4EEMDqbBexRjd3BXZM6DfnDtCk_MDyG/s320/June+025.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208781402252515650" border="0" /></a><br />Little Miss has her moments too. Like last night while baking cookies. I gave her one, and one to give to George. A little later, they both swung by for a 2nd cookie. As I am pulling more off the cookie sheet onto the cooling rack... I notice an empty spot. Little Miss came in and had helped herself after I had told her no more. She can't fool me... twice.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLju8Hs05Iie-Fj9fGtgfw228a9dG-Qy67DsbgfeQ3Sa5FBoXsKe0xxIy5oxnQjxlmEnEnsJBhzZiKUCFX5Az2MKLKXpbNJWmaAkOK1ujb9jyJEODTJWHPdXdYILg2TvEnjamP-YYd58uf/s1600-h/January+203_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLju8Hs05Iie-Fj9fGtgfw228a9dG-Qy67DsbgfeQ3Sa5FBoXsKe0xxIy5oxnQjxlmEnEnsJBhzZiKUCFX5Az2MKLKXpbNJWmaAkOK1ujb9jyJEODTJWHPdXdYILg2TvEnjamP-YYd58uf/s320/January+203_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208788869764782178" border="0" /></a><br />Need to know anything about those products they advertise on commercials? George can tell you all about them! This was a while back, but I think of it every time the commercial comes on. Life Alert, "Help I've fallen and can't get up!" product. Well, one day on the road to visit the grandparents, we passed by an ambulance barn as an ambulance was leaving. We had to have the whole discussion about how they are going to go help someone. My child then says, being the loving and protecting son he is... "Mom, you need to get a Life Alert!". Pondering if he thought I was that OLD, I asked why. He said, "Well, when I am at school and Daddy is at work, and if Little Miss is napping, you will need it to call for help if you fall down." Awww, he wasn't calling me old.<br /><br />A product rave from George (just saw a commercial), Spray and Wash Max, with the power of Resolve. He told me all about it. Made sure I understood it has Resolve, the name we trust and love, and now we should trust and love Spray & Wash Max. Keep in mind... I am not a Resolve user, that was straight from the commercial.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-OX1JyVAm7xCJEz_5r6FmbY7HKEj34FrLHq6v1ITo7P3p8cnHcS532BHCIybSWVKMzxoQkg4qahZEF78UwdrMDPXi7p0Isg3pAsUc9gAunOnmbCfVJ4AdrhP8vUFiXpeLwPMLH4Ye0Pb/s1600-h/June+022_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-OX1JyVAm7xCJEz_5r6FmbY7HKEj34FrLHq6v1ITo7P3p8cnHcS532BHCIybSWVKMzxoQkg4qahZEF78UwdrMDPXi7p0Isg3pAsUc9gAunOnmbCfVJ4AdrhP8vUFiXpeLwPMLH4Ye0Pb/s320/June+022_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208772817418053634" border="0" /></a><br />Little Miss, oh Little Miss. How did you get so ornery?! OK, well I know it is likely genetic, so I can't complain. She is a popcorn fiend. Morning, Noon, Night... all great times for popcorn! Did I mention she has learned how to get up on the counters thanks to bubba? Yep, she was just closing the microwave door and deciding which button to push as I went to investigate her silence. Talk about a slow mo scene, as I scurry to grab her off the counter and rescue the bag of popcorn before the plastic wrap melted to it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFeykanQ1VYquoXDipo_10T0GUg1ojUxTOYczpDReYgZTLWq__u5XMcjSVmKLoXQZSI3U6JWHcKeNJofxfw3TYgwM3eSXlyI_u9bguebxMd4OhOvnU1GAT9ZY6yZ7z6dgsAK5D3RTcymK/s1600-h/June+004_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfFeykanQ1VYquoXDipo_10T0GUg1ojUxTOYczpDReYgZTLWq__u5XMcjSVmKLoXQZSI3U6JWHcKeNJofxfw3TYgwM3eSXlyI_u9bguebxMd4OhOvnU1GAT9ZY6yZ7z6dgsAK5D3RTcymK/s320/June+004_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208821117623379938" border="0" /></a><br />And it never ends. Just now as I am typing, they are watching Diego. My dear son says, "Mom, I know what kind of tractor Alicia is driving!" (as she is on this red & yellow tractor riding next to a deer). I ask which kind to which he replied " A John Deere, because she is riding as fast as that deer!!". Think about it, the advertisement, "Nothing runs like a Deere". Seriously, he knows everything there is to know about anything in a commercial.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rsmZ5a9D0vJaWbKQe2rICzHqn6h9aKRTNh5H7C7hziiwEL3yElksTLo7O1d6z0j4kPVPNxmkYjt3BtMX1kr0ANeT068DIzWLHMimm3qKpcJvhqg_1wm8v4Jj4-5R3fHzeOMHv0B-NX8/s1600-h/Panoramic+Lunar+Eclipse+2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0rsmZ5a9D0vJaWbKQe2rICzHqn6h9aKRTNh5H7C7hziiwEL3yElksTLo7O1d6z0j4kPVPNxmkYjt3BtMX1kr0ANeT068DIzWLHMimm3qKpcJvhqg_1wm8v4Jj4-5R3fHzeOMHv0B-NX8/s400/Panoramic+Lunar+Eclipse+2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208821461632325794" border="0" /></a><br />And as I proofread, and started to add pictures, Little Miss was NOT about to let George have the last funny. I just looked over at a full moon, to her saying "Shake your booty, shake your booty". No diaper, she took it off... it is going to be one of those days.<br /><br />Product Rave: Kroger Brand Mini Marshmallows<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lbizyQR0UvCNz3moRGKNqqtdpZQ-paytNQi6l3cvKlyJdNN9KwsBGLtxYE7puUY-ijdyZl6iz52VCbWcmsVqviVqJV4-FWym3Ag4XMMNL8TZwNHlmoblZoHruHzCuOXUeZeRLWIVt249/s1600-h/June+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lbizyQR0UvCNz3moRGKNqqtdpZQ-paytNQi6l3cvKlyJdNN9KwsBGLtxYE7puUY-ijdyZl6iz52VCbWcmsVqviVqJV4-FWym3Ag4XMMNL8TZwNHlmoblZoHruHzCuOXUeZeRLWIVt249/s200/June+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208778115488736562" border="0" /></a><br />I would have never bought these, because I am so leery of store brand products, but George was helping me on that particular grocery run. They are the <span style="font-style: italic;">freshest</span> marshmallows I think I have ever gotten! And not mention, they are a highly nutritious breakfast food as well!Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-40454616861587580482008-06-04T19:26:00.001-04:002008-12-08T20:01:01.792-05:00Animal Farm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOP7mPLTkvIxMtLXu91gNFFRROEc99ErZwKndov8-EIdrkx3hXQqKSTy0_Qoo_sNIpcP7mqVsxZn7i0ugD-2OxayBkehuc7L9dujbrznVoFdYjKhorMkrc_zJoFiutJgjb_xo7qCyuqh4/s1600-h/May+Mel+182.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOP7mPLTkvIxMtLXu91gNFFRROEc99ErZwKndov8-EIdrkx3hXQqKSTy0_Qoo_sNIpcP7mqVsxZn7i0ugD-2OxayBkehuc7L9dujbrznVoFdYjKhorMkrc_zJoFiutJgjb_xo7qCyuqh4/s320/May+Mel+182.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208164475986681746" border="0" /></a><br />As I had mentioned before, we have a good piece of property with barns. However, we aren't quite venturing into the livestock farminess of it all. We do have a considerable cast of animals however, who play into our daily lives. I figured I could bring them into their own post. Never know when National Geographic is looking!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMlH4kcgPR-d4B1uH5aotnKvcf8pG4wENiIKCRfQ46-STVtqtsJ3tjVVT4xmJrNUtfJvhlBXP6MMguhbLcE8hwACS8MdxkAGvr7T_AAm244Y2sBmX-LwtcgKu1zXSjVAd6ukikmztHMeU/s1600-h/March+%2829%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMlH4kcgPR-d4B1uH5aotnKvcf8pG4wENiIKCRfQ46-STVtqtsJ3tjVVT4xmJrNUtfJvhlBXP6MMguhbLcE8hwACS8MdxkAGvr7T_AAm244Y2sBmX-LwtcgKu1zXSjVAd6ukikmztHMeU/s320/March+%2829%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208164467396747138" border="0" /></a><br />This is Bootsie. She is our 9 year old indoor cat. We got her and her sister prior to our marriage. Peepers passed on in 2005, and Boots has been a different cat. She is now friendly, likes attention, and loves to cuddle. It was like getting a whole new cat! She stays indoors for the most part, seeing how we had to have her declawed when we lived in the big city. She does like to go out to annoy the outdoor cats, by marking all over their territories.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb_hdKjSGESnflOwdZDfbFOxkB8ih6rym6eyfBdRd8zbal0MGLOHJWBuGvnFy4MdxZd1_FmgIu94_zLpHdeODkR2SG28RYAVAPR0agI7eAVEEz9llgiGavBSma8jJRpC4-20YON4JVi3E/s1600-h/May+Mel+173.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEb_hdKjSGESnflOwdZDfbFOxkB8ih6rym6eyfBdRd8zbal0MGLOHJWBuGvnFy4MdxZd1_FmgIu94_zLpHdeODkR2SG28RYAVAPR0agI7eAVEEz9llgiGavBSma8jJRpC4-20YON4JVi3E/s320/May+Mel+173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208161692847873858" border="0" /></a><br />This is Molly. She came to us in November 2006 as she had been obviously dumped. A perk to living in the boonies? She was skinny and took to us immediately. The important part of her existence was due to our older dog accepting her in. Cheyenne did NOT play well with others, but let this mongrel in. I think perhaps she may have known her days were numbered, as she passed in June 2007. Molly is my dog, she would have it no other way. Lovingly nicknamed "my right hip" because that is where she constantly is. That and always underfoot. She is sweet as cake, and about as smart as the box the mix came in. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiIB3g11OsYLe20hgMfZnSJOlMIs3xSwhGvj80a50feREsWG5IVciTjIQGC96iRuqIA9OLS_AmgquJXYDBN8U9V7HBqKpGIIcM-ae4Mb48BldLotqx8VY0m3e8FLaezz1NdexD5wuapJG/s1600-h/February+027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiIB3g11OsYLe20hgMfZnSJOlMIs3xSwhGvj80a50feREsWG5IVciTjIQGC96iRuqIA9OLS_AmgquJXYDBN8U9V7HBqKpGIIcM-ae4Mb48BldLotqx8VY0m3e8FLaezz1NdexD5wuapJG/s320/February+027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208166769499217826" border="0" /></a><br />Though no longer with us, she is still a big part of us. Cheyenne was a friend's dog, who was having some hard times, and was likely going to have to take her to a shelter. I couldn't let it happen. She used to be a search & rescue dog, and SO smart. I say she is still a part of our life, because unfortunately, Curious George learned about death the hard way. He still talks about her, he was her boy. She mothered over him and would "search" for him when we asked "Where's your boy?" Such a great dog!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTgK0tm7hq4eI9rPFcQGZz8m_skObDwZGi6cyg57M_3lFidgKiyZx0KdPCdfOvqmgdKd24V4gWMgBxaE_XsvRVXMckus1iOUhBrAPfs2lSQDyD8Qr3wtXSHVSPMDXvJPfvLO2ntFw-S5a/s1600-h/May+Mel+135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTgK0tm7hq4eI9rPFcQGZz8m_skObDwZGi6cyg57M_3lFidgKiyZx0KdPCdfOvqmgdKd24V4gWMgBxaE_XsvRVXMckus1iOUhBrAPfs2lSQDyD8Qr3wtXSHVSPMDXvJPfvLO2ntFw-S5a/s320/May+Mel+135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208161701437808482" border="0" /></a><br />I felt it only appropriate for Alley Cat to come into the story next. He was a dump too. Actually when he first showed up, we thought he was a she. Original name? Allie Cat. I know, we really changed it up once Spring hit and it was clear she was a HE. I have a theory, he showed up a tad later than Molly, and they are the BEST of buds. Hmmm, from the same dumper maybe? They play, Molly carries him around by the head... actually it is all really cute! He would LOVE to come indoors and live the high life of Iams. However, Bootsie is queen and will have nothing to do with that. Outside, Sam's Club food, and mice for you buddy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1b4eOBjZexfipiZ5AWVZb5i4-GZ86EVxElrTsKIkxh15TI3cIVemJYFK2BeUvRfl5O5sM3WfmjIEa8pCck6bYtG-mlqphZh0L_fhyZSNgb9-eQMmr-qoBpYGvYxQTEghapBxskYB06RU/s1600-h/May+Mel+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1b4eOBjZexfipiZ5AWVZb5i4-GZ86EVxElrTsKIkxh15TI3cIVemJYFK2BeUvRfl5O5sM3WfmjIEa8pCck6bYtG-mlqphZh0L_fhyZSNgb9-eQMmr-qoBpYGvYxQTEghapBxskYB06RU/s320/May+Mel+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208161697142841170" border="0" /></a><br />Princess is next. She was a legal dump. A friend had her and the next cat Mya. Due to them marking territory indoors constantly, they needed to be outdoors. Alley has adjusted well to living with 2 women. Sorry bud, they are fixed. Princess is a baby. She cries like a baby & wants to be held like a baby. She is great with the kids since she was raised with kids about the age of mine.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcM34ufXmq5wTlilK1-tGv388B7oPyKJYkepfe_eOOxIZiXGw7KEIPohhWs8lU3o4mxiMyauN1rawDzZ76BEF30B53Yv9Zz3Qm17txfPcdXbXjazkWMKi3ulKaDqCXDSCE1l5VeYNKCnx/s1600-h/May+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcM34ufXmq5wTlilK1-tGv388B7oPyKJYkepfe_eOOxIZiXGw7KEIPohhWs8lU3o4mxiMyauN1rawDzZ76BEF30B53Yv9Zz3Qm17txfPcdXbXjazkWMKi3ulKaDqCXDSCE1l5VeYNKCnx/s320/May+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Here's Mya. She came with Princess. We are still getting to know Mya, her first week here was rough on her. She lived in the culverts for a while before realizing we aren't that bad. She is starting to plump back up from frequent meals and is starting to let me hold her. She has also learned how to get Molly to back off rather easily.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Product rave: I guess this should be pet related...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMHHbp7Pkvk0iqzSx0iRxZ6yx_LcaXB_HqdO7a2VnrAYpRIPeB5RTS4yYHhdRO5CW8saZCD5JQQzdhyphenhyphena7oyB_pA6w8G3m0hu0j9HXNaIGfOvYoj72dzWp5BJo8FCIjlvltAgtbpIUEJgH/s1600-h/May+Mel+382.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMHHbp7Pkvk0iqzSx0iRxZ6yx_LcaXB_HqdO7a2VnrAYpRIPeB5RTS4yYHhdRO5CW8saZCD5JQQzdhyphenhyphena7oyB_pA6w8G3m0hu0j9HXNaIGfOvYoj72dzWp5BJo8FCIjlvltAgtbpIUEJgH/s200/May+Mel+382.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208201996820979634" border="0" /></a>Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo!<br />It is the best thing to wash your pets with since it is gentle on their skin/eyes. It also does well in the aid of killing fleas! It adheres to the fleas and essentially suffocates them. Give it a try!<br /></div><br /></div> </div>Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-49194882318489567432008-06-03T22:47:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:01:03.042-05:00My first real postToday has been a riot! No literally! Things thrown, things broken, looting - good times!<br /><br />And for you to understand that, you need to know more about us!<br /><br />There's me, The Mellyn. You somewhat met me previously, I was the one drooling and swerving in my van. I have two wonderful kids, Curious George and Little Miss Independent. My wonder husband Mr. Wizard. Funny, that was supposed to say wonderful, yet he does lead me to much wonder, so I am leaving it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_MShyphenhyphenvZl-zpc8PDwxodDMqmKucRc4Q1Udq9FwhKNXkEhX1sYImPZhTmE_r7gqgNLZMx9ziRe8cEj1VzJjXHtxeu16PuwerMuAyjlpFKsG5GznpnGUf8XzKWViDLbNI8kqoO-u0ne0sZc/s1600-h/May+Mel+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_MShyphenhyphenvZl-zpc8PDwxodDMqmKucRc4Q1Udq9FwhKNXkEhX1sYImPZhTmE_r7gqgNLZMx9ziRe8cEj1VzJjXHtxeu16PuwerMuAyjlpFKsG5GznpnGUf8XzKWViDLbNI8kqoO-u0ne0sZc/s200/May+Mel+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207885814213549762" border="0" /></a><br />The Mellyn. I am a 30ish yr old, no I am not afraid of my age, I just always have to do the math and I find it doesn't matter much anymore. I LOVE photography. Unfortunately it isn't of kids & families to start my own business. Something about nature and landscapes always catch my eye. I hope one day a scout for National Geographic finds my work, offers me a job, and buys me some tricked out equipment. I love to take on new hobbies, but only for a maximum time of 2 weeks. Photography has stuck with me for quite awhile though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDSqXrB7dFTK3U35J1hbtkpw11y6JxGZFjovEvVFXSXp8vQCggAt9QHOuLNHygiTFN31y4P5Y4EXptKfXzDdO1AQ3OhYgrE7bkwoG_lSk54GDuVrGHB2UP8SmMlddUVX5XIU7D-kNcuiD/s1600-h/May+071a_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDSqXrB7dFTK3U35J1hbtkpw11y6JxGZFjovEvVFXSXp8vQCggAt9QHOuLNHygiTFN31y4P5Y4EXptKfXzDdO1AQ3OhYgrE7bkwoG_lSk54GDuVrGHB2UP8SmMlddUVX5XIU7D-kNcuiD/s200/May+071a_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207886960969817810" border="0" /></a><br />George is out of Kindergarten, freshly turned 6, and he thinks he could skip 1st grade. Today he has discovered he has big muscles in his arms. He goofed off during his whole baseball game tonight. He is also known to put himself in time out if he gets in trouble. He is highly perceptive, easily distracted, and has such an affinity for learning everything about anything. And something his wife will despise me for, he is a mama's boy. He is a serious gamer whether it is video, computer, board games or cards. He loves to plot against you and cry when you win.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxuBlja8tzvD1NWlbdK8En9d8QN4KdXPiV-Xy4VuC1PDNTobfELlehP3TKHeOySSFlFEhfkJAlrcfRTU3N5VYQ3Dj3d5iTquCZiPdYomllQcnW8Y2MxX0oR_rcWyqr8bZsXiG8aGijv9A/s1600-h/May+168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxuBlja8tzvD1NWlbdK8En9d8QN4KdXPiV-Xy4VuC1PDNTobfELlehP3TKHeOySSFlFEhfkJAlrcfRTU3N5VYQ3Dj3d5iTquCZiPdYomllQcnW8Y2MxX0oR_rcWyqr8bZsXiG8aGijv9A/s200/May+168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207892067685932786" border="0" /></a><br />Miss Independent is the loud one of the bunch. She is my mini me. Spitting image tempermant-wise. This can come as a blessing for her in the future, and will make me gray in her teen years. She is fast approaching 3, but if she knew what that meant exactly, she would not turn 3 until she is ready. She's the fearless one, never stops unless I want her to go, and yet can be such a loving, sweet girl. Today she had only maybe 4 tantrums. One was for refusing to let her climb up the bookcase to get to the fish food, so she can give them "Meemees". I found her on the top bunk, with the miniblind wand, sticking it in the ceiling fan for a good time. Bathtime she attempted to wash her own hair, with a head, face, and mouth full of shampoo. Thank goodness for tearless formulas!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96zOgRD1_qgGIYv1aDDXlw5_HY9HiELQcm6DEK91uupTuzVhDjsmTonXkdvnAFre7KtUlktitSaXUJbI8dUqtNkJfoyt1hKP3bNddR5-Ch0_9tk7KPclM6hA8UENZ3pVv0TuXwENVi2tI/s1600-h/October+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96zOgRD1_qgGIYv1aDDXlw5_HY9HiELQcm6DEK91uupTuzVhDjsmTonXkdvnAFre7KtUlktitSaXUJbI8dUqtNkJfoyt1hKP3bNddR5-Ch0_9tk7KPclM6hA8UENZ3pVv0TuXwENVi2tI/s200/October+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207896392717999874" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. Wizard is just that. He is a science guy. He loves to know how it all works, why it works, and likes to make it not work. He has been a heck of a handyman. We bought an old farmhouse with a decent piece of land. He has done way more than you care for me to list. His big affinity is native trees, the garden, and his future woodshop. He is restoring an old barn just for that purpopse. He is a chemist, which is one reason I married him. I did poorly in chemistry. He is a history buff... yep not a favorite either. And I would be in trouble if I didn't mention this - he is a hardcore Penn State Nittany Lion fan. WE ARE, PENN STATE! Led by the famous Joe Pa. He is alumni, so I think that makes him more mental over it? Regardless, I am a college football widow in the fall.<br /><br />So where does the riot come in?<br />Things thrown - Miniblind wand I threw in my closet, hoping to deter my daughter's fun. Tantrums are thrown are they not?<br />Things broken - A toy, I am sure, somewhere. Broken heart for making my son be nice to his sister.<br />Looting - I scored $11 bucks in the dryer today!<br /><br />Rave of the day: Suave Smoothers 2-in-1, Tear Free <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nkrDhl2b9Eo6iEOfo5v1C-3xlr-xnzbik3LVwenhcJPkTVpYCsErjSNsVRrEWTfCVineov0PMOU2_QyaLRq8r0QUicLPOCXqdL2hYWMpm1qzKh0qdcvu9axplbMbtXCxxa0OeVTaxYek/s1600-h/May+Mel+379_filtered.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-nkrDhl2b9Eo6iEOfo5v1C-3xlr-xnzbik3LVwenhcJPkTVpYCsErjSNsVRrEWTfCVineov0PMOU2_QyaLRq8r0QUicLPOCXqdL2hYWMpm1qzKh0qdcvu9axplbMbtXCxxa0OeVTaxYek/s200/May+Mel+379_filtered.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207900825124249362" border="0" /></a>It has great scents available, even ones that 6yr old boys can use.<br />The added conditioner eliminates the need for a detangler.<br />Truly is Tear Free, she had this running down into her eyes!<br />Makes big bubbles when it runs down into their mouth. Especially huge if they are screaming "My TURN!" as you are scrubbing it all out of their hair. Enjoy this great product!Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035668729752372820.post-54921449737101171662008-06-03T21:55:00.000-04:002008-12-08T20:01:03.125-05:00So I have a blog!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF-HzNaHfoj_aKH5DphhszkySCu7p74YNO_9GJpeifNmFMVms7Be1MAGfahI_E2XC8uMKvEFlHSWVOgcmrNyvGoRGn9j7_A_1vZXz9KYuIZ0N7jyk7uy7veIJH2Zbrfo4CohlmchUFLpV/s1600-h/Clematis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJF-HzNaHfoj_aKH5DphhszkySCu7p74YNO_9GJpeifNmFMVms7Be1MAGfahI_E2XC8uMKvEFlHSWVOgcmrNyvGoRGn9j7_A_1vZXz9KYuIZ0N7jyk7uy7veIJH2Zbrfo4CohlmchUFLpV/s200/Clematis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207846085766061746" border="0" /></a>Yep! The Mellyn is finally joining THAT world. The world with MySpace, Facebook, and now... the blog. I hear the temp underground is starting to cool... I can't say this will be one blog about one particular thing. I have so much going on in my life, it could take us anywhere. From household things, to kid's tips, to product raves, to just plain old life. You will be thrown onto my rollercoaster. Sit back, lower your lap bar, and get ready to scream... unless you're at work, that may be bad.<br /><br />So to introduce myself, I am Mellyn (real name changed for witness protection program). I am a SAHM. No, not a Sucky Attitude for Hairy Men, no, not Shirtless And Hungry Monkey, not even Short And Happy Mom (though that could be used to sum me up on the good days), but a Stay At Home Mom. I began that trek somewhat when I started hating my job, wanting a 2nd baby, and despising handing one full check a month for childcare. I quit, took my son out of daycare, and began working evenings. I had that baby #2... and wasn't really liking my other job. I take that back I loved my job, I loved most of the people, but the ones I didn't, made me grumpy and stressed. It was kind of like in Office Space, I decided I didn't really feel like going back, and so I just wasn't going to go back. YES I gave my notice like a good girl!<br /><br />So here I am, ready to share my wealth of knowledge in the domestic wife life. Hold on, you are bound to have a great time.<br /><br />OK maybe I am making this flashier than it is... but seriously, I have a lot of good ideas that... I take from other people. I will pass along the website or other media, if it wasn't my original idea... I am creative, but have found other people that are WAY cooler than I am and they deserve their due recognition.<br /><br />Heading out each time... I will leave you with random oddities.<br /><br />Need to empty your brain a tad more? Purchase and listen to the new Alvin & the Chipmunks Soundtrack CD... while delightful, and containing songs I recognize from childhood... that many songs in a row can do me in! My kids love it, it keeps them from pestering each other in the van, therefore it is worth it for me! Just look out for the slobbering, twitching woman in the swerving van.Definition: The Mellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14997131360850836756noreply@blogger.com0