Hot Chocolate!

Mmmmmmmmmm! No this is what I call a good example of some hot chocolate! It's the new Clubman MINI in the color Hot Chocolate. I configured one the way I wanted it and spent $25,000! Wow. Not sure I'll be ordering one this year, but man if someone handed me $25 grand I'd sure be tempted! Configure your own at Miniusa.

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Announcements!!!!!

When I was a young girl I went to camp. They would sing the song Announcements, announcements, annOUEncements! to get everyone's attention. Now that I have yours...

The new site is up!!! Finally!


3 Hip Sisters!

Yes, that's right. It is finally up and ready to go. There are a few pages that have yet to be loaded but they'll be up in the next few hours and days. Thank you for your patience, support, well wishes, etc. And a big thanks to my husband, the big guy! Without him I would never have gotten it done. There are still a few pages to load, but that will get done throughout the day today and tomorrow.

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NaBloPoMo

and creating a new site are less than compatible. I am driving myself crazy trying to post every day and stay at this pace. Not sure. Only two more days though. Then we're into December and it's over!

The only thing that keep running through my head is:

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?
In the lane snow is glistening,
A beautiful sight,
we're happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland.

But then I always replace the last line "walking round in women's underwear". That song cracks me up! What parody of a holiday song is your favorite?

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Tomorrow

Never comes does it! Well, I have 23 broken links to fix out of 6700 files on the new website. As soon as I've got those sorted out, I'll upload it and have a party! I am so excited for everyone to see it. It really looks nice, if do say so myself.

Other news. It is not even cold outside. The holidays are here and it would be nice to see a bit of cold weather. But alas, it looks as though it will be another warm winter in California. It's good we get to visit snow on occasion.

We went to look at lights again this evening ans I was surprised to see how dark it was outside. We have foreclosures all over the valley and I think the economic climate has just about killed the holiday spirit in this valley. While we were driving around it seemed that every block had at least two homes in foreclosure. Seems silly to me that in a down market banks would be so quick to foreclose. Wouldn't it be easier to extend the loan on the other end? It all about collecting interest anyway. Banks are not there to provide a home for anyone, they are there to collect interest or usury. It would seem the longer they get to extend the loan the better off they are.

I will never understand why everyone in the U.S. can't have the opportunity to own a home and get an education. We are killing ourselves by not working that part of our society out. Everyone knows it makes for a better society. I guess the real thinking is that if we educated everyone no one would want to work at low paying jobs. It is the same way with home ownership. When people own homes they are better neighbors, there is pride in their surroundings and it helps them to become self reliant. Instead we keep homeownership just out of reach for a lot of people. What a backwards nation we have. I read about a guy who pitches for a major league baseball team that just got a contract for ten years to play ball. He'll earn $270 million in that time. Crazy I tell ya.

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A few more days of random posts

Yes, I'm still uploading stuff for the new site and it is taking all my time! So maybe, just maybe next week after NaBloPoMo is over, there will be real stuff to post!

But I did see this quote at my friend Lisa's place. It reads: "Life isn't about surviving the storm - It's about learning to dance in the rain."

I like that. Iy kind of sums up my life. It seems that as I look down that road, there has been plenty of dancing. Yes, I moved out of my parents home when I was 17. Yes, I've been away for a very long time. Still, it has had an effect on me that is hard to shake. Mostly because every so often something comes up that reveals just another little something that explains and makes sense to all. But you know, the things we did really did make me the person I am today and I guess that is okay.

I just sometimes think the primary tune that was playing was Billy Idol's Dancing Madly Backwards! Ugh. I'd hate to think that was the theme song of our childhood, but maybe so. Mixed in, of course, with some Mitch Miller, some Eddie Arnold, some Johnny Mathis and a bit of the Beatles. The Beatles were our choice. Us kids. The parental unit didn't get the Beatles.

My brother had a record club account in 6th grade. His records came with a label that had his name on it as the owner. Cool. How many six graders in the early 60s got to do that. (I really think it was because the record company had been "burned" in the past and that's how he got it in his name, but then again another story sometime) By the end of his six grade, we had lived in two different houses and he owned every available Beatles album along with a few Beach Boys albums.

So I guess dancing came naturally to us.

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Now for some TV!

I have been working like crazy to get the site up. I have downloaded so many pictures my head is spinning! So now at 8p.m. I am going to turn my attention to the TV and watch The Amazing Race. Yes, I am still a fan and keep seeing commercials about trying out for the next one! Wouldn't that be fun. I would love a trip around the world.

But for now I will be satisfied to watch someone else do it. What other tv am I watching. Not a lot. Bravo channel seems to hold my attention better than any other these days. Project Runway and Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Top Chef will return soon I am sure, in fact, I've read on a few boards that they are filming already.

And I am liking Journeyman. This guy is married and has a son and is a newspaper reporter. But in the middle of everyday life he just vanishes and goes to another date in the past. He usually helps someone right a wrong and then returns to present day.

I tivo most tv I watch so I can watch while I am doing something else. Not enough time in the day it seems.Forever the multi-tasker, that's me!

Is there any tv you watch repeatedly?

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Woohoo!

I am this close to having the new 3 hip sisters site done! It is going to be really nice, if I do say so myself! My husband sat with me yesterday while I gritched and groaned and got confused while learning CSS and web design. It is a task I hope gets easier each time.

I am proud of myself for being able to get it done. I am a learner. I will pound away at something until I get it down. Then, my habit has been, is to move on to higher ground. This design element though is something that should stay with me for a while. I hope so at least.

What things have you done that made you stretch beyond your usual limits? Are you glad or did you master it once and then moved on?

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Oh Holy moly!

I totally forgot to post something today until now!!!! I am getting ready for yet another craft/art show tomorrow. A festival of lights. It should be fun if the Santa Ana winds don't blow us out. Aaack.

You know the style test I did. Well, the husband (the big guy), I told him what style I liked and he disagreed. He was sure I love our couches we currently have. Of course I do. But, I like these better:



and



I love the leather. My grandad had a leather chair that I just loved. Nice. ANd the other? Just not in white. You've got to be crazy to have white when you live in the burbs.

But alas, it is not to be. So I will continue to compromise and have little corners around the house that fulfill my decorating angst.

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What's your design style?

I was reading over at How About Orange and there is a post that asks What's your design style? It then takes you to HGTV' site and you take the quiz.

I've always known what I like. I just didn't know what to call it. Unfortunately, my husband only shares a portion of my design style. Therefore I do not have the couches I would love love love! I have the couches he loves. And never sits on. aaaack. I can't complain though I pretty much have my run of the rest of the house. So we're happy.

This is what HGTV says my design style is. Hip. It's new, it's you. No overstuffed chairs or anything that could be described as froufrou! You're drawn to clean lines and a minimalist palette (think black, white, neutrals and a few bold colors that "pop" that background like orange, red or turquoise). You like your patterns graphic and your buildings industrial. The older furniture you enjoy are mid-century modern or stark Asian or pieces without any embellishment.


Wow. That pretty much sums it up. You should see the house plans. Very much as described. Now if we could rustle up a way to get to Arizona and get it built. Sigh.

Happy Thanksgiving all!

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Last minute shopping today

I drove to Elsinore this morning to buy milk. Yes. I drive forty miles away to buy milk. Because it is the best milk you can buy. The dairy is family owned and they do not use antibiotics or growth hormone on their cows. The milk is amazing! My sis who is a real milk drinker was amazed at the flavor difference. To me it tastes like whipping cream. I cannot drink a lot because of my milk allergies but every now and then I must have a small amount.

Well, that said while I was there a few people dropped in.



I couldn't believe my timing! It was a fun way to waste an hour. Watching the jumpers land again and again.







I didn't know that they jumped every day of the week. Maybe they don't and I just got lucky due to the holiday week. Either way it was fun.

Have a great holiday. Be grateful for the little things around you. Miracles are everywhere.

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Ah, Music

I love music. It always amazes me how quickly a mood can change with a few bars of music. Currently the big guy is in the other room composing a few riffs as I type.

I am looking forward to Christmas. We are big fans of piling in the car, cranking up the songs and looking at the lights. The last couple of years that fell off the radar, but this year I hope to reinstate it and enjoy seeing the decorations.

A favorite album is Loreena McKennitt's Winter Garden. It is a short cd but still worth it. I could play it over and over again. But then again I could do that with most of her albums.


Another person I love to listen to is Steve MacDonald. His album Sons of Somerled is such a fantastic journey of discovery. He shares his search for who he is through the music of that album. It is fabulous. Amazon has it currently for download for only $6.99 (MP3 version). Good price and worth every penny.

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I am an activist

I got an email this morning from the Body Shop. It was a link to the new site in remembrance of Anita Roddick.

For years I had a shirt that read "Life is not a dress rehearsal" that when worn would always get comments. It reminded me, along with the death of my brother at age 32, that you only get to do this once and that life is too short to do things that make you unhappy. Life is full of troubles and trials. But that does not mean you cannot find joy in your surroundings. There is beauty all around.

On the site there is an about page which reminds you that "Anita traveled the world over amongst the destitute, the oppressed, the exploited and the condemned, but she never lost hope or stamina because she knew that there was joy and possibility in creating new, imaginative ways to make things better. She had little patience for those who said they were too busy to be activists.

"Then be a sittest! Sit at your computer and participate!" She knew that doing any small thing to improve a life, to right a wrong, brings joy to those who do, as well as to those who benefit. That's why she laughed all the way to changing the world."

Join me in adopting her mantra: "Do something. Do Anything. Just do something"

We can all choose to do something positive each day to make the world around us a better place to live. Smiles cost nothing. And it is amazing how a simple smile or kind word can make the difference in another's life.

Oh and if you've got a couple of spare nickles this season, just a reminder that Modest Needs is a great place to make small donations. They help people in need of temporary one time emergencies. Make a difference today!

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If I was a sculpter, but then again no...

We had fun last night at the baby shower. The pregnant one is so dang cute! She looks great and is hardly looking bedraggled at all. She's got three more days of work before her class goes off track. Then she won't go to work until after the baby is born. Neat.

So we ate and played games and saw a video and heard a song. The song was great, being sung by a dear friend and loved one. I thought it was a recording and then we all learned it was actually being performed live. A really nice song, just for the pregnant girl, that brought her to tears. She is such a great girl and love was all around her last night.

We played a silly game just after dinner. We were each given an unlined index card, a stick of gum, one of those flossing things you carry around for emergencies, and a duty to perform. Chew the stick of gum. Use it on the index card to sculpt a baby. Here are some samples made:







Well, as you can see there are many ways to interpret this game. Weirdest game I think I've ever played at a shower. The hardest part was giving up the minty goodness that was the gum to sculpt a baby. Winning entry, chosen by the pregnant soon to be mom:



I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do...Mine! Yay. I must admit I had just looked at a good bunch of pictures of my grandson. Thus - the spikey hair, which evidently swayed the judging tremendously! Thanks Jace! Wow imagine what I could do with some fimo!

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Oh by the way...

I'm having a little contest to show my gratitude to all you readers out there! Go over to the Food Chronicles to sign up and possibly win a book all about chocolate! Go. Now. You have until the 25th to win.

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Saturday! Yay that must mean...

There's a party to go to! Yes. This afternoon I will be going to a big family party. Not my big family as mine is not so big, but still a family I am related to in a way. My nephew's wife is going to have a baby. A much wanted, and tried for baby! She is due in January but her sisters did not want her party to be eclipsed by the holidays so they decided to hold it a bit early. Fun ensues!

The nephew and his beautiful wife are having a boy and have decided on a Curious George themed room. Kind of strange because the nephew only has one fear in life. One. He is a firefighter, a specialized firefighter at that, and is a hero to many. If they only knew. He does not like MONKEYS. In any way shape or form. This should be interesting.

I guess when he says he can't get up in the middle of the night to change the baby, he'll have a valid reason. I'm sure my sons-in-law wish they were afraid of Winnie the Pooh and Princesses. ;-)

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Silly me.

I've been sitting here watching a tivo-ed latest episode of Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. It is definitely a favorite show for me. Not so much that it is fun to watch the snarkiness of reality tv. Not that at all. I just love the fact that the show is designed to help a woman learn how to dress to meet her needs. Not to meet someone else's needs or version of what is style.

I like Tim Gunn. But I don't like what Bravo is doing with to promote The Guide to Style. It's just wrong.



How does Tim Gunn sign off on this???!!? What woman on the planet should be caught wearing this? What I'd really like to see is a classic french T with some sort of design that would say "Tim Gunn" with its style not with a big box and his name. Who wants to design the shirt?

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Playing for Pizza

I've been reading for two days now. Grisham's newest. I cannot resist his books. I have enjoyed the law topics and have especially enjoyed the two off topic books he's written. Not all of you will like Playing for Pizza though. It is based around professional football. His last foray into football was high school ball, this time it's pro-ball.

I think more than anything Mr. Grisham likes Italy. This book gives him a reason to pursue two loves. Italy and football, as the main character is sent to Italy to play pro-ball there. It is a quick read and something to take up a few hours reading and relaxing.

Now it's back to work. Tomorrow I'll get some glass in the kiln and then take some pictures. Then it's the new website to load. Should be the harried, crazy day I expect.

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I've been randomly tagged!

It seems my palm tree over at NaBloPoMo central has caught the eye of someone. The NaBloPoMo gang is passing around the random facts meme and I was randomly chosen because of the palm tree. Let's here it for the palm tree! Lilymania has chosen me to participate! Yay. I love new friends!

So here's the deal:

1- Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
2- Share 7 random and or weird things about yourself.
3- Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
4- Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven random things eh?

1. I use the word random a lot. I get told by women my age their kids use it. I'm not sure to be glad I sound like a twenty something or if I should be offended they think I'm strange. Well count me glad I sound like a twenty something.

2. I never went to the same elementary school year in and year out. Sometimes I went to three different schools in the same year.

3. In fifth grade I didn't learn how to do the math to find the square root of a number. Totally missed that one!

4. In the fifth grade I was in the hospital for three months with rheumatic fever. Now every time I go to the dentist they want me to pre-medicate with antibiotics to prevent dental/heart problems. It doesn't seem like a good idea because of all the resistance building antibiotics have done over the years. And yes, I have a weird heartbeat because of it all.

5. I have the ability to to quick calculations. Give me a number and within a second I can tell you it's remainder from 100. Silly pet trick I know.

6. I love cats. Any size and color. Dogs not so much. I have nothing against dogs at all, I hope everyone has a dog and treats it well. I just don't have the stamina to keep up with one.

7. My favorite holiday is just around the corner. Thanksgiving is next week and I can hardly wait. I love that we take a day out of the year to be grateful. And most everyone does too. I wish everyone was closed on this day. Some grocery stores just can't stand that someone would have to go without for a day.

Well there you go. Random as it comes!

Now for the tags. Ummm. I'm going to do just like Lilymania. I'm going to Ning and see who I can surprise! Okay so I'm tagging Leigh-Ann,
Jennifer,Jack, Flippy! okay that's four. Any other NaBlo's out there want to play?

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Pre-Holiday Cleaning

I don't know about you, but every year just before the mad dash to get the house decorated for the holidays, I feel the need to do a deep clean. Today it began. I dusted until I was fully aware of my allergy to dust. Meaning, I dusted the entire house including all six book cases and the books contained therein. Ugh.

I then moved on to the floors. The house has hardwood floors except in the living room. There we have carpet. The floors are a bit slick from being cleaned and polished, I've heard from the other occupant of the house. Eeek! I hope no one falls now that the floors are really clean!

Next will be the walls and windows. I nearly severed my entire pinky finger a few years ago doing windows, interesting side note: it really looked like a raw chicken leg does when you pulled back the skin. I don't do windows all that often, but I will this year as my window guy moved.

Then will come the Thanksgiving decorations and after that the Christmas ones. I really wanted to make some handmade stuff this week. Instead home and hearth called and I am doing my best to imitate the little mice in Cinderella. Just cal me Gusgus. ;-)

Next week, ornaments!

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Good Morning!

Every now and again I arise and this thought goes through my head "I will greet this day with love in my heart". It is from Og Magdino's book The Greatest Salesmen in the World. My brother used to recite the entire series of laws written in the book. As he spent two years in Australia he committed those rules to memory and began each day with them.

The rules, the secret, the admonition is that you are the person you choose to be. The second rule in the book is the rule/law I awakened thinking about. This is the first rule:

Law #1:: I will form good habits and become their slave.

• In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits. Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure. Thus, the first law I will obey, which preceedeth all others is- I will form good habits and become their slave.

Today my old skin has become as dust. I will walk tall among men and they will know me not, for today I am a new man, with a new life.

Each year we are made aware of the secrets of life by well positioned people with well publicized methods. In all actuality the rules don't change. They are simple. They are, simply put, be the person you want to be. It is far easier to say the rule than live it although. It takes being aware of your surroundings and truly taking control of your life.

To read the rest of the rules/laws go here.It may help you take comtrol and see the light at the end of your tunnel.

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Worn out

I am looking forward to tomorrow! I will have the first day to take a deep breath and relax in quite a few. I am going to spend my time reading through Sew Mama Sew! They are doing 30 days of handmade gifts to inspire and delight you. I have already found a few I'm going to try and get done for gifts!

Go take a look and let me know what you're going to do! I'll post pics of what I've chosen tomorrow.

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Another long day

Spent 8-4 today at the sale and then drove to the OC for a lecture. More on that later. I was thinking as I drove about the post about copyright issues. What got me started was stopping by and picking up a hot chocolate and a "krispy bar". Come on. We all know it's a rice krispy square. Why can't we call it that? Because if you do Kellog's wants their share. It's ridiculous, the kind of ridiculous that calls the Superbowl the "big game". We are a nation of nit wits. So on to the real discussion.

Radiohead recently released their album via the internet. Okay so why tonight? Well I read recently that most people are downloading it for free. You see Radiohead decided to let the public decide how much they would pay for the album. You can pay whatever you think the album is worth. Pretty cool. Think it's trash? Pay nothing. Think it's a super hit? Reward them. I applaud their brave foray into the world of independence. It's a great idea.

But back to the report that most people aren't paying for it. I think it is the RIAA that is spawning these stories because it goes against the very grain of what the RIAA wants to control. Radiohead is actually de-bunking the theory that has been reported. They say that the numbers are underreported and that the story is wholly inaccurate. Yes!

Radiohead needs to be supported in this effort to gain control over their music. I think if you've downloaded the album and you like it, maybe you should think of really paying for it. Pay more than you normally would pay. Stand in solidarity with them and against the RIAA. If more people would do this it would let the RIAA know that we're not a bunch of freeloaders wanting to steal from musicians artists and the like. Go out and pay, really pay in an effort to support real artists!

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Phew!

Another art/craft show this weekend. Today was spent setting up and getting the sale going. Still not my genre though. I am selling art and these other vendors are selling kitsch. So the crowd is not quite sure how to take me.

I did do about $100 in sales today, thanks to a good friend mostly, and I am thankful for that. I do hope tomorrow is a better day. Still ife goes on and I am ever grateful that I can use the kiln everyday and produce neat things that people find interesting.

I am grateful for a husband that works in a very stressful job to pay the bills so I can do this. I never am not aware of the sacrifices he makes for me. Thank goodness for good men! I've got one and I am glad I do. He is very supportive and rarely questions my abilities. Never has he told me I do too much and wishes I'd leave it all behind for other things. I know women whose husband are like that and I question their motives.

So tomorrow will find me once again trying to sell my wares. This time closer to home. We'll see what happens. See ya later!

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Going Green

I guess some people are waaaaay behind the curve on this one. I have been looking at all the recent news about going green. It seems to be all the rage. Trendy? Yes. Only I wish it wasn't. Why did it take Al Gore and his cronies to get everyone participating in the game? I don't believe in the global warming fanaticism. I don't by all the bunk about the planet drying up and blowing away. I do believe in God or whatever you want to call the higher power that put us here. I believe that He is in charge and if we are to be exterminated it will be His doing not a bunch of greedy warmongers. I believe we are to be good stewards of the planet, not because it's the in thing to do, but because it's the right thing to do.

I think about my role in society as a whole. Do I really contribute all that much to the spoiling of the planet? I really don't think so. When I compare myself to NASA, well, there is no comparison. I visited JPL on one of their open house days a few years back. There I was standing with a bunch of six graders being lectured on the things we can do to keep the planet healthy. There were the usual lists of carpooling, recycling and all those things we do everyday. A few kids raised their hands to give examples of what they had done to help the planet. I raised my hand and asked just how much exhaust is released into the air every time a rocket is launched by JPL or NASA? They guy could have cut me in half with his glare.

So I ask, what more can I do? I have never used paper towels, I have these really neat tea towels I got from IKEA years ago. They were so cheap, I bout a gazillion of them and still have unopened packages of them. I recycle with the best of them, it's a great way to save for special events! I drive a very small car and have for a long time. I've never smoked. And I live in the desert, and have my thermostat at 80 in the summer. The electric company and the building industry decided to endorse runaway building in SoCal and then come on tv and tell us all we need to conserve. Wait a minute! I didn't approve 70,000 new homes in my valley this year! Don't even begin talking about water consumption.

Where is the responsibility of these major builders, cities, corporations, and users? There is no reason NASA needs to be funded by taxpayers. They should be privatized, and should have to pay the same fees the rest of us do when we use too much of a commodity. I feel the same about JPL, and major corporations. It is time we started holding them responsible and not just all us little guys already doing our part. So the next time Al Gore gets in his old plane that uses more fuel than a new efficient jet would, someone should remind him he needs to do a little more.

So if you need a little help with your own greening start here: Lighter Footstep

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Raspberry Tarts

Raspberry Tarts, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I have been working on setting up new business cards for myself. It was pretty easy deciding to use pictures I had taken, but choosing just one is proving difficult.

I didn't realize when I went last weekend to the show, so many people would ask for my card. Silly me.

So I have chosen to use a few pics to let people see a bit of my work and to mix it up a bit. The raspberry tart is a favorite of mine. I gave my card to one lady and she said she had friends who had a new restaurant. They were looking for someone to photograph some of their food. She's going to pass along my card. Yay.

Here are the others I chose to use:

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Wow, don't play any Prince songs when you're using your video camera!

Not that I play a lot of it anyway, but good grief! Prince is angry at a lady on you tube. She video taped her toddler running and dancing through the house then put it on you tube for her family to enjoy. Something that pretty much half the western world has done, no big deal eh?

Well, she received a nasty email from a company representing the artist formerly known as Prince now known as Prince again, asking her to remove her video from YouTube. Huh? Said woman was confused. The email went on to say that the music in the background of her video was a Prince song and she violated all kinds of copyright laws. (here's comes Interpol now!) YouTube took her video down at the request of the company hired by Prince.

Yes, you read it correctly. Prince, and a few other well known artists, have hired firms to scour the internet hourly, looking for violations such as these. Then the firm goes after you like a rabid dog. It used to be that an artist was kind of happy when they'd here their songs being played and enjoyed by others. Now it seems unless there is a receipt stapled to the front of it, they really hate that you play their music.

There has to be a line drawn in the sand here. It is getting ridiculous. You write a song, you sell enough of those songs to get a platinum record, you get residuals on th sale, on the radio plays and if you happen to sell it to a commercial vendor and they use it to sell cars, tanning lotion or margaritas. I've bought the White Album by the Beatles in vinyl, cassette tape, cd, and another cassette tape because I left one in the sun at the beach. I've bought the same songs (some of them) on greatest hits albums. Oh and I forgot iTunes, yep bought it there too. Just how many times do I have to pay Paul, Ringo and the dead guys estates for the same album. It's worse when you buy and album and it sucks! One good song and the rest is bird cage liner. Still paid for the whole thing.

When Prince or whatever he is calling himself nowadays gets his chonies in a bunch over this family video that maybe 30 people had watched (and probably not even noticed the song in the background) he needs to get a reality check. NOw the video has been viewed by over 200,000 viewers. Wow.

Evidently he is, the mom is suing him in court. Now this should be interesting. I say, if you don't want me playing your music, I won't. There are a lot of other good musicians out there, if you can call Prince that.

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Looked out my window and what did I see?

Fall sky, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Not popcorn popping on the apricot tree! But my favorite sunset skies! In the fall the skies turn to the brilliant oranges and pinks that don't happen any other time of year. Usually we have a few pink and gold streaks and beautiful sunsets, but with the fall come the clouds.

The clouds add a dimension that is so striking, it takes your breath away. The horizon looks to be on fire and then you look up and find cotton candy filling the ceiling!



I can hardly wait for sunset tonight!

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You may have noticed

The button on my sidebar, pledging to buy handmade this season. There are many reasons to shop handmade and most of you probably are aware of them. But for those of you who are waiting for a sale at target of Macy's or your favorite major corporate store, let me tell you why you should buy handmade.

1. Unique-ness. Many artists make one of a kind items. You are more likely to get an exclusive gift when buying handmade. This doesn't even need to be a gift. Take your average welder. They make some amazing things like fences, and gates, and all kinds of things that are unique. It could improve your property values, just by getting something handmade versus that same old white vinyl fence your neighbors have.

1. It improves the community you live in. As you deal with small businesses it helps the greater community. When your independent crafters, artists, jewelers, sign guys get paid, they in turn pay for their mortgage, groceries, tires and other household goods. They also pay for things like education, entertainment, utilities and food. So instead of bypassing the little guy for expediency's sake; take a longer route and by local. It helps the big corporations in the end.

2. It allows creative people to create. There is nothing worse, in my mind, than meeting a talented person and learning they work in an office 8-5 everyday so they can pay the bills. Can you imagine what the Sistine Chapel would look like if Michelangelo had to do accounting for his day job? (not that I have anything against accountants - they need love too!) In order for a creative person to create they need to be paid for what they do, is getting a cheap priced look alike really worth it?

3. Everyone finds their niche. I am not trying to say the creative employment world is for everybody. However, when creating is what speaks to you, and you do it well, should you not be as worthy as the utility company? Or the tax man? or the gardener? If those of us who could support them would factor in our purchases on a timely basis, rather than waiting until the last minute, we would be able to spend the money we wish to and support an artistic person. Take the tax man for instance. You pay $75 to $150 to have your taxes prepared each year. You know you have to do it, so when it is time the money is there. Now, if we would treat our purchasing of gifts or items for our homes in the same way, the money would be available to purchase from independent artists and support the community as a whole.

I hope you get my point. It is not because I am an artist that I am saying this. Yes, it does influence my thinking, but for years I have saved money to do gift spending to go to special shows where artists gather because I wanted the gift to be unique and have greater meaning than a gift I got on sale in a stack of 50. I have also found independent artisans (bricklayers, and stone guys) to add some neat things to the outside of our property and home. My home is unique and it looks good too.

Think about the pruchases you make. Could you be buying handmade and independent more often? I think you could. Go out there and support the arts - your way.

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Back, from the show

Not nearly as good as expected. The people just didn't show up. It could be the fires, and the resultant devastation on the local economy or it could be the fact that the location has changed from a tried and true locale. Either way, there'll be lots up at the sisters site soon!

In other news...

The Terminator, uh er, the Governator was in our fair hamlet yesterday. He was here talking about our ready response airborn fire squadrons. We have been enlisted to help train fire personnel at Camp Pendelton so they can respond quicker when fires break out again. It is great to know they are being trained and will be able to put their planes in the air with ours to fight fires from the sky.

And of course, I've been out to the airport several times when the fires were raging to take photos and watch them fill the planes with Phoschek and then fly away. The governor comes to town and where am I? In a different city, selling my wares! sigh. I do have a pic I snapped of Jerry Brown when he was visiting while governor a long time ago.

All the fires are pretty much out. Santiago still burning a bit. Insurance claims are being filed and denied claims are being issued. What!??? Yes we heard about in the news this morning the first letter went out denying a claim, asking for more information on appeal. Me, I'd send them a picture of my home pre-fire, along with a box of ashes to represent the new home post fire. Need more info now? Creeps. These fires were in world wide news reports, yet the insurance company still needs more info. Incredible.

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Baby got B...

Book???? I got this video from one of my daughter's blogs. It is one funny video! Mostly because I love the original song, Baby Got Back. Cause yes, we've got some junk in the trunk!



Totally sacriligious. But still funny.

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Oh NaBloPoMo!

I cannot believe it is already the first day of November!!!! Tomorrow is the show and I am buried is stuff to sell. It has been a good lead up and I have been able to get a lot of items done. I am a bit worried about running out of stuff, but I guess that's a good worry. I should put up a picture of this year's ornament. It really turned out cute. It has a bit of dichroic glass to give it a good sparkle too.



This is not the final picture. Just one to show all of you how it turned out. There'll be a better picture for the web.

We went to trunk or treat last night at the church. The kids were cute, it made me miss my two little ones. There'll be pics soon of them for me I'm sure. I do know Little Miss decided on Snow White and Mr. Mister was a monkey. I can hardly wait to see the results. When I was in Utah last week, I asked Little miss if we were going to dye her hair black for the event she said No! So we'll have a blonde Snow White. ;-)

The fires are over, now I will wash my car. It is so dirty from ash and soot. I couldn't bring myself to take it last night. Then I drove through Startbucks to get a hot chocolate the other morning and one of the server guys said how much he wanted my car. I had to tell him I was embarrassed because of how dirty it was. Think it needs a bath? Yep! When you apologize to the guy admiring your car because it is dirty, it's time to get to washing it. I don't go to car washes, or even allow anyone else to wash it for me. People just don't know how bad it is to use the wrong cloth or a sponge. It kills your paint job. So I wash it myself and only have myself to blame if it gets swirls. It turns four this month and the paint, other than rock chips (thank you riverside county trucks)! on the hood, looks like new. Not a door ding or jab.
Yes, I'm the obsessive MINI girl.

Looking forward to this month of NaBloPoMo! The posts only get better from here!

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