My husband has been doing a bit of leather work in his spare time. I told him I'd put them up for sale. He made a journal for me and the boys at Christmas. They are really great. Go take a look, they'd be perfect for Father's Day or graduation. 3 Hip Sisters at Etsy
02 June 2008
I've rejuvinated the etsy account
01 June 2008
Pictures from a Sunday Afternoon
I took some pictures outside today. The afternoon was just so beautiful. It was stuffy inside so we went looking for a breeze outside.
30 May 2008
Eclat! or how to spend a Friday night in May
It's that time of year again! The National Spelling Bee has been on for three days now. Tonight is the finale. I can hardly wait. These kids are amazing and every year as I watch the show I get goosebumps watching them spell. These kids are so young! Tonight's finalists are:
Samia Nawaz
Tia Thomas
Austin Pineda, Perris
Justin Song
Kyle Mou
Rose Sloan
Sameer Mishra
Kavya Shivashanker
Sidarth Chand
Catherine Cojocaru
Scott Remer
Jahnavi Iyer
One of them is from the school district one over from us. Perris, California. Probably one of the poorest districts in the state. And he's out in the first round (8) tonight.
bowdlerize
shamateurism
tralatitious
aurelian
The biggest probelm with tonight's finale is the commercials. Aaack. Four words and a commercial This is crazy. Unless of course, all the monies derived from the commercials were going to the school that the kids attend. Or at least paid for the trips to get them to the bee. That would be a great thing for some corporations to do, you know Hershey's?; Target?; Clairol?; Nintendo?; ABC?; AT&T?; Purina?; Columbia Pictures?; TicTacs?; oh here's a big one a drug company! Reclast?; Macy's? Or even a number of those celebrities (Martha, Carlos, Mariah, Donald...; MacDonalds?; Will Farrel?; The guy from the office?; Honda?; Cheerios?; Starbucks?; Payless Shoes?; Olive Garden?; Disney?; KABC-LA?; Wells Fargo?; Jack-in-the-Box?; Sprint?; Petsmart?; Visa?; KFC?; Dr. Scholl's?; Kohl's?; Walmart?; Pampers (KimberlyClark?; Samsung?; Oscal?; Ritz?; Saturn?; Crest?; GMC?; KMart?; Coppertone?; Philadelphia Cream Cheese?; Cottonelle?; Bank of America?; Chrysler?; Degree?; Chase?; Behr Paint?; Home Depot?; Advair?; Yoplait?; Aleve - Bayer?; Applebee's?; Circut City?; Chili's?; Mervyn's?; Mastercard?; Red Lobster?; Scott's?; Dove Chocolate?; Any of you want to help these families get to DC next year?
Cryptarithm
hemeralopia
basenji
empyrean
Yep every four words!
tautological
Huguenot
digerati
caduceus
monogoneutic
brankursine
rorschach
trochiline
alcarraza
numnah (numbnut? oh numnah! that's a relief!, says Sameer)
epideictic
ommateal
boulangere
ranunculaceous
Nietzschean
escabeche
propylaeum
satyagraha
lapies
fumagillin
chorion
martellato
ziarat
bogatyr
lemel
parfleche
huapango
rhyton
sheitel
nacarat
ecrase
posaune
thymele
last round:
oxylophytic
sinicize
aptyalism
opificer
hyphaeresis
kulturkampf
taleggio
introuvable
esclandre
prosopopoeia
guerdon (winning word!)
Congratulations Sameer! Good luck in medical school!
Here you can test your spelling prowess.
Welcome
Alison asked for grass. Welcome Alison to the grass around the house for a garden party.
This lush green lawn welcomes everyone to our home. Note the lavender, which edges our property.
And now to the back yard, watch out for the tractor(not shown in pic)! Help yourself to a ripe tomato if you please!
I could not resist this group of trees yesterday. The colors were brilliant!
See ya soon!
29 May 2008
Oh what a beautiful morning,
Oh what a beautiful day! That is the song I have been singing in my head for days. The weather in SoCal has been so magnificent I feel like inviting y'all over for a garden party! Two weeks ago it was so hot I thought the bottom half of the state was going to melt away. Then in rolled some thunderstorms. It rained for three days, and now, well, now it is just beautiful.
So yeah, if you're tired of the weather where you are. How about a garden party here? I'll bring the weather and the lawn, you bring your selves and we'll all just bask in the wonderfulness that is SoCal!
28 May 2008
Klutz with a capital K
Owie!, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.
I have long been known as the family entertainment. Yes, that woman you saw "slide into third base" at the conference center in Palm Springs when President Hinckley cames to speak, that was me!
The woman you saw in Fredericksburg, Texas miss that 6" step on to the storefront deck and do a header into the store? Yep that was me.
I rarely do things in the privacy of my own home, because I'm a giver. If I can entertain someone in the public view I will. I'm just that way. I want you to laugh. Because if you don't I've failed in some way.
I've been practicing pratfalls, and trips, and downright good falling stances for years. Just like yesterday morning. Went out to the garage. Had plans to put the protective edge on the piece of sheet metal I purchased for the glass table. That way I can do flamework out there too. Less, problems with burning the house down that way.
Well, there I was, I had rounded the corners, and began to attach the tubing along the edge. All the while keeping the warning of the sheet metal place in my mind. "Be careful! This stuff is super sharp! Don't run your fingers along the edge because you'll lose a digit!
I let go of one side to untwist the tubing. That's all it took. Wack! The requisite "Oh crap!" Look down and yes, there in full color is the blood gushing from the slice. "Oh my gosh! I tried to cut of my left toe!!!!" I better go get some sterie strips and get this closed" I'm muttering to myself as I head into the house.
Then it all goes wonky. I begin shaking like the devil and can't keep still. I phone the husband, who hasn't had patients for three days, and ask him if he's busy. "Yep, got a couple more patients to see" is his response, "why what's wrong?" I begin to really shake. In my mind I am passing out and being found three days later dead on the floor from blood loss through my big left toe. "Oh, nothing. I just cut my toe and was hoping you weren't busy and could help me get it bandaged. But it's okay, I'm fine, don't worry. Just me being me! I'll see you when you get here later! Love ya, hon!"
Yeah he knew it wasn't just a small cut. When he did get home his first words were "I told you that stuff was sharp!" Yeah, sigh. The things I do to prepare for public stunts! Not sure how this one will play out in public sometime in the future, but it will. Life's funny that way.
Well, at least today at the random doctor visit, I'll have something to talk about. How many of you know how to use sterie strips on a whim? Oh and after taking a look at that close-up, I need a pedicure! Oh, can't do that for a while!
Update: Doctor saw the wound and stated "Wow! could've used three or four stitches!" My response: "yeah, but that would have taken 8-10 hours and about $400 dollars, sterie strips work fine!" He agreed and asked to see me in three weeks. Well, at least I know my toe isn't going to fall off. ;-) Read More......
27 May 2008
Urban Assault Vehicles
This is my car versus what I call an Urban Assault Vehicle. UAVs are all over SoCal. It's obvious what is not to love here. What isn't so obvious is the following:
1. the bottom of their chassis is as high as where the windows start in my car.
2. if the car is driven by your average female or teenager, they are not able to see over their own hood; small person or animals beware!
3. the largeness of the vehicle has problems stopping on a dime; this car is going to take a few more feet to slow down or come to a stop.
All of these come to mind, because of an accident that happened to a friend of ours. He was coming off a 72 hour shift at the local ambulance company. It was a busy weekend. He only had to get across town to be home. He owned a 4 wheel drive UAV, not the one pictured. 3 blocks from home, he fell asleep at the wheel. His car ran over a Honda sedan. His car nearly decapitated an elderly woman, (she died) and severely injured her husband. It was a terrible accident. Nothing intentional at all. The guy was very very very sorry.
It was not enough. He lost his job, and will never work as an EMT again because he was charged with a felony. All because he worked hard and spent his money on a car that should not have been allowed on the streets. All in the name of "personal freedom".
21 May 2008
Well now let's see.
I have been a very bad blogger as of late. It seems life has caught me and I am so busy doing life stuff I just don't blog. Sorry all. I have been tagged by the middle daughter and so I will post that soon.
Today was spent in the garage trying to sort out a bunch of boxes. I am streamlining the storage system. Trying to set up more of a glass shop for the flame work in the garage will require a bit of a larger space so I need to clear some things out. There are quite a few boxes to go through, and it has been fun to read some old papers from the past. The first note the big guy wrote me when we started dating. Hehehe. Goofy young love.
Then I pulled out some of the old stuffed animals for Sport and looked at the Molly doll that Little Miss will love in a couple of years. Vintage American Girls. Who'd of thought she'd get a doll that is about 14 years old and be in love with it as much as her mom. Me, for one. I rescued her from the garage sale the middle and youngest were having to raise money waaaay back when they had decided to get a place of their own. Yes, they'll both be thankful I didn't let them sell their dolls.
Love you all! Thanks for checking up on me. Marbles or beads to all who leave a comment!
15 May 2008
33 years ago today...
I got up at 4 in the morning to prepare for my wedding day. It was the best day ever. I knew for the first time in my life, I was going to be loved forever, and no one could change that fact. We were young, impetuous, and goofy. Still to this day, I would not change a thing. He's everything I wished for while I was young and I know I'm still his sweetheart.
Today, I got up early, ran a bunch of errands, picked up my marbles and beads, bought ingredients for a great dinner and now blogged about it all. Then I'm signing off to go celebrate this day with my guy. See you all in the funny papers!
14 May 2008
Breathing a sigh of relief...
I awakened this morning to this Headline. It is nice to know that if I ever come out of the alien belief cabinet that one billion Catholics will be right there with me. ;-) Well, maybe half of them at least!
Read More......11 May 2008
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun!
Yesterday afternoon I went to a class I have been wanting to attend for a long time. The first two thirds of the glass was learning how to make beads with "Boro" glass and then the last hour was spent learning how to make marbles.
How fun was the marble part? So much fun that I finished way before everyone else! It was my reason for attending. Years and years ago began my obsession for marbles. I have a little drawer in my bedside table that has a small wooden box in it. Inside the box is a collection of marbles. Let me show you:
I was a marble girl. I love playing marbles, loved marble season at school, and could hardly wait to see the swapping that could come about in a frenzy of trading! Clearies were my favorite. Always. With cat eyes second. My brother's was always the steelies. They could knock anyone's marble out of the game in an instant! As kids we would put a bunch of marbles in a frying pan, heat them up hot! and then run cold water on them. They'd shatter into some really pretty objects. (ah the benefits of being latch-key kids!) But they could no longer be called marbles. That phase didn't last long.
Now I can make my own. The one I did yesterday is not yet in my possession. It had to anneal in the kiln at the shop so I have to wait and pick it up later in the week. I'll post a picture soon!
07 May 2008
Let the whirlwind begin!
I am busy. Not too busy but busy even still. I have a hundred things to get done this morning so sleep has been interrupted by lists. Yes, I make lists even when I am sleeping! aaack.
The 1st daughter and her husband and sport on are their way here. Yay! It is his summer internship time again and this means for the next three months the economy will be stimulated by me running back and forth to San Louis Obispo. I can't think of a better way to spend a tank full of gas! Well, unless it includes going to UT to see the other daughters! That will be done this summer too!
I took a class in cold working glass last Saturday. Who knew there were so many ways glass could be manipulated? Well, I learned how to grind, saw, drill, sandblast and polish glass once it is cold. Then it can be fired again, if need be. This Saturday another class is planned that I am really looking forward to attending. I am going to learn how to make marbles! Neat, neat!
Thursday evening brings teaching a class in cake decorating. A simple three weeks class to teach the basics in making a cake and decorating it for a family party. It should be fun!
I have a poll up at the food blog. Please go vote so I can get a good cross section of voters! Thanks!
04 May 2008
I've been thinking about the economic stimulus checks
most Americans are being given. It seems awful silly to me that in an environment of deep economic woe, the government would give away money in hopes of stimulating the economy. Yes, we all have some free money, now we can go spend it and forget all of our troubles.
Then to think this has worked better than the U.S. census in gathering data about the citizens. You see, in order to get a check, you had to let them know where you lived, and how much you earn. And, (think about it now) most of us gave them our bank account numbers too. Holy hannah. These guys got us into this mess and now they own us. "Go change bank accounts!", says the crazy conspiracy theorist in me.
But that said, we have some free money available to us. If you aren't going to pay a debt, or donate it to the local food bank (that'll really do some good!) then where are you going to spend it? Please don't tell me you are going to run down to the local big box store and buy something from the very corporations the politicians want us to support. If we were smart, and we know we are, we'd be very careful how we stimulated the economy. We'd do something revolutionary indeed. We'd find our favorite economy - call it a favorite "creator of wonderful things" - and personally stimulate their economy! It is also a great way of supporting creative endeavors. With all the copycatting going on out there, this is one way of validating your favorite original creator!
Here are some of my favorite "creators of wonderful things":
Brent and Beckies Bulbs Brent and Becky will make your garden grow! Think of the pictures you'll be able to take!
Purple Haze Lavender This Lavender company is great! Not only do they have plants to buy, but the have all types of other products to make your life smell as sweet as can be!
Zuzu's Petals has long been a favorite of mine. 2 young women from different paths come together to bring the best staitonery and invitations ever!
Black Mesa Ranch is where we will spend some of our money. We are going to go there and spend a few days to learn about living off the grid. This couple is doing what we want to do on our land. And maybe, just maybe we'll be able to learn enough to get there now!
Savannah Bee Company is just the best honey company in the U.S. They are family owned and operated and have some of the best honey that can be found.
Lost Button Studio. Jessica is one of my favorite bloggers. Her jewelry is simple, elegant and inexpensive. You really need an adornment for that special occasion! Jessica will fix you right up!
There are so many more out there! Who are your favorites? And don't forget 3 Hip Sisters we could use a bit of stimulation ourselves!
28 April 2008
Best shot of the day
I am back from the Uni graduation. A good time was had by all! This shot sums up all of our feelings for the day. Love, love, love.
And, for all of you that have heard of Noah's in Lindon; it is the place to go for a party! We had a group of about 25 people come and go for our party. A wedding was downstairs and a band was playing on the fourth floor. None of us could hear the others and it was a blast!
If you need to book a party or reception they get my vote!
Isn't that pic great?
23 April 2008
Giveaway time!
Go over to the food blog and participate in a book or bag giveaway! I'm going away, to a university graduation. I'll be back Monday and the drawing will take place then. Hopefully some of you will win!
22 April 2008
Nicole Miller Design flaw
Recently I got a new pair of glasses. Thanks to my darling youngest daughter. She thought the frames I had been wearing since 1993 just weren't cutting it anymore. Go figure! Well she picked out a pair of Nicole Miller's Sling Back frames and sent them to me. I love the style! See:
However, there is one small problem. Check out the arm on the glasses (click on the picture to make it bigger). Where the bend begins, it changes material and they connect in a "L" shape connection. Well the connection has tiny gaps that grab my hair. After wearing them like this for about a month now, I think I have no sideburn hair left! So what to do?
I mentioned to my husband i was trying to figure out a solution for the problem and though maybe a piece of electrical tubing might work. You know the kind that shrinks when heated? Yes. Well, he then googled his favorite cheap hardware place to see if they had any I could use. Today I went with a coupon he printed for me, and bought a big package of them!
I trimmed on tube to about 3/8 of an inch and fed it onto the arm and hit it with the blowdryer. Woohoo! It worked. Now the hair will grow back and I can be my hairy self all over again! Here's a view of the finished look: from the top,
and side:
The little black tube doesn't show as it is covered by my hair! If you've got a pair of glasses with the same problem, I recommend my fix.
21 April 2008
The most recent fill-up
Whoa! I just filled up my MINI. 12 gallons for $50. This is something I never thought I'd see. Holy Moly!
I need something sweet now.
That'll do.
20 April 2008
Top Tier
Okay, this is the top tier of the cake. To see the whole cake go to my food blog.
Read More......19 April 2008
Done with the cake.
I have spent the week doing a wedding cake. Wednesday was baking day. Thursday was frosting day. Friday was assembly day and today it gets delivered. It is the first large cake I've done since I left the bakery.
I told my daughter that before, when I did cakes for people I knew personally, I always got really nervous. I was afraid something would go wrong and ruin the big day. Well, it was well founded as that did happen once in the middle of July. The power went out, the house was hot and the cake began to melt away. It was sheer misery. But not this week. I did my prep work, and then yesterday calmly approached the decorating portion. It went so well, I am buoyed up enough to maybe try it again. Not any time soon, but possibly another wedding some time.
I'll post a pic after it gets delivered.
15 April 2008
Buying Handmade
A few months back I spied this bag at Kirsty's Etsy sight. I fell madly in love with it. But, times what they are I couldn't just drop everything and buy it. SO I claimed it as mine and the universe cooperated!
Just a few weeks ago, someone bought something from me unexpectedly and so I was able to turn those funds over to the handmade goodness of Kirsty! I quickly to her shop. And there it was, waiting patiently for me. Today it arrived in the mail. I love it! It will be my summer bag! The colors are so vibrant and cheery. It is perfect.
It is lovely. So if you want something really perfect for yourself, shop handmade. We're all over the place!
13 April 2008
Lists, lists
If only, I should have, someday I'm going to, if not now, when? Those lists that keep you going, doing, wishing. Do they keep you on task or do they just keep you plodding along day in and out to meet that someday goal?
I am a list maker when I have a task. But when I don't have a specific deadline they tend to fall off the shelf in my mind and get caught up in the day to day stuff like being angry at the government. I think for a while I am not going to read the newspaper or news. It pulls me off task and somehow in my mind I think by saying something about an injustice in the world I can change it. It is foolhardy at best. So I am going to leave it be. I have a small corner of the world that I call mine and that is what I will concentrate on for now.
So what about the list? I, like most everyone, has heard about the professor. You know him, Professor Pausch. Yes, that professor. He has told the world he has pancreatic cancer. Has about six months to live; And asks what would you do with your six months?
Well, I don't want to live like I have six months to live, but I do want to make a list of things I'd still like to do. Let's see, 100 things. Not general things, but specific things.
1. Go to Beatrix Potter's garden in Birnam (at Dunkeld) in Scotland.
2. Have a family portrait taken at the beach.
3. Walk the streets of Brisbane in Queensland.
4. Plant ten acres of Lavendar and sell a crop.
5. Have a farm school in Arizona.
6. Eat pecans off my own trees.
7. Tour Boston.
8. Publish a book.
9. Play kickball with Little Miss and Sport.
10. Teach someone small to embroider.
11. Learn to needle a felt figure. (I have the necessary items, just set aside the time.)
12. Go to San Felipe with the big guy and have fresh broiled shrimp again.
13. Learn to speak Spanish, not the jibberish I now speak.
14. Build a house.
15. Be able to identify a few more stars on sight, and not just the Big and Little Dippers or Orion.
16. Sell a $500 piece of art from glass I make.
17. Ride a bike with Sport along the coast of California.
18. Collect shells in Mazatlan with the family.
19. Take photos professionally, for a food/candy company.
20. Go back to Hyde Park with the husband.
21. Get personalized M&Ms.
22. Keep my car running forever.
23. Spend a weekend with my sisters at the beach.
24. Go to New Zealand and eat lamb the way it should be cooked.
25. Make my own chocolate, from the bean, at least once.
26. Encourage others to be adventurous, always.
27. Turn off the TV for a week.
28. Meet Lisa, in person again.
29. Meet an Apostle.
30. Finish a quilted quilt.
31. Go to DC (Lexington) to see my oldest son-in-law graduate from law school.
32. Take a driving course at Las Vegas Speedway with other MINI owners.
33. Go to Abbey Road and cross the street.
34. Have a letter to the editor published.
35. Go with the grandkids Grunion hunting.
36. Visit all Fifty nifty United States.
37. Grow Bluebonnets in Arizona.
38. Run a mile.
39. Run a mile, every day for a year.
40. Eat croissants in Paris.
41. Encourage someone to follow their dreams.
42. Build an observatory.
43. Take deep space photographs.
44. Publish a set of Christmas cards.
45. Read Les Miserables.
46. Camp on the beach.
47. Own another VW Van.
48. Make a chocolate souffle.
49. Work in a candy factory for a season.
50. Tour the church history sights.
51. Find out what really happened to my father (it may be too late).
52. Write a six word story.
53. Watch a sunset while sipping seven up in the sand.
54. Go to the Calgary stampede.
55. Be happy, even if I don't finish the list.
56. Fund joy in small things.
57. Have chickens, for fresh eggs.
58. Teach my grandkids to bodysurf.
59. Remodel the bathroom.
60. Install the tankless water heater.
Okay, breath time. I'll post the last forty tomorrow.
USS Ronald Reagan
Went to Point Loma Friday. Saw the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) leaving the bay to head out to sea for exercises on April 18th. Should be standard Air/Sea exercises to hone some skills.
The ship is very impressive. Limited group tours are currently available for JROTC, high school students, reunion groups, etc. The ship is not scheduling public, private or family tours at this time. Learn more about what they do, by clicking on the link above.
08 April 2008
I want to quit my job!
As a tax payer that is!
Government employees I pay are really starting to bug me. I read everyday about people struggling to pay their bills and paying higher taxes, and then read this story. And yes, Mr. postmaster, Ms. Veterans Administrator and all you other party goers, I do pay your salary as does every working American. Mitt Romney said it very well when he said it is a sad state of affairs when government workers are paid higher than those in the public sector. It is time Mr. and Mrs. America to put a stop to it all. A couple of examples from the article:
" _At the Pentagon, four employees purchased $77,700 in clothing and accessories at high-end clothing and sporting goods stores. The spending included more than $45,000 at Brooks Brothers and similar stores for tailor-made suits — $7,000 of which were purchased a week before Christmas. The credit-card holders said the items were for service members working at U.S. embassies with civilian attire. Pentagon rules allow purchases of civilian clothing when performing official duty, but generally only up to $860 per person.
_An Agriculture Department employee fraudulently wrote 180 convenience checks for more than $642,000 to a live-in boyfriend over a six-year period. The money was used for gambling, car and mortgage payments, dinners and retail purchases that went unnoticed until USDA's inspector general received a tip from a whistle-blower. The employee, who pleaded guilty to embezzlement and tax fraud charges, was sentenced last year to 21 months in prison and ordered to repay the money."
Oh I have no doubt she'll pay it back. heh. sure.
The democrats were going to stop run away spending when they took over and gained control of congress. Has it happened? No. In fact they are spending more now than ever before. I know one thing for sure. It better stop soon because Mr. and Mrs. America can't pay their mortgages, much less your salaries too!
Or maybe we should all just work for the government.
07 April 2008
Color
Since upgrading my Aperture program recently I have been less than pleased with the way the colors look washed out on import. I went looking for answers. The user group at Apple helped me come to an understanding. I only import to flickr at this point. I do print on occasion, but not all that often.
I read and read and then found the answer. The problem isn't Aperture. It is actually Firefox. Yes. Firefox. My favorite web browser is quickly becoming my functional browser for blog posting, but for viewing not so much. You see, Firefox has an embedded photo profile and uses that with all photos uploaded to it. Yes, no matter what profile my photo say it has, Firefox says too bad, I'm using this. Bleh.
So my photo of the Gerbera daisies in an earlier post? In Safari, they are the bright hot pink they were in real life. On Firefox? A nice soft pastel. Not like the true photo at all. So when you are viewing photos and especially if you are looking at a print to purchase, take the opportunity to check the photo in several browsers.
You may have seen a disclaimer on several sites regarding the true color of photos and how they may differ from what you see on your monitor. Not all browsers are alike and not all monitors are calibrated. So this little bit of understanding can help you be more satisfied when making a purchase online.
The photo above. It looks muted, or even dull in Firefox. View it in Safari? Bright and brilliant colors. I don't have IE. Someone want to tell me what you see there?
05 April 2008
Intellectuals take note
I saw this at Bella Dia and could not resist putting it up here too. It is 20 minutes long. Still, you will probably not regret spending 20 minutes watching this video. It is really important if you have a child that is entering school. It will help you make some hard decisions. At least it will for my daughters.
Creativity needs to be nurtured. I sometimes think it is as essential to us as oxygen. Please do yourself a favor and watch the video.
Bedtime for Angus
Every morning, and guests can attest to this fact, Angus goes through a bed time ritual. He goes outside and tries to catch birds. Comes in eats a nibble or two. And then bedtime begins. He'll stand at the end of the couch and meow.
He meows until I respond, ask him if he's ready to go night night? He meows again and takes a few steps. Waits until I get up and meet in the hallway. I then walk past him and he meows again. Then he'll walk along side me to the head of the bed. But he won't jump up on it.
I have to pick him up, place him on the bed, while he meows and gets comfy. Then a give him a quick pet, and tell him to get a good sleep and I'll see him later.
He sleeps until about 2-3 p.m. and he comes out to sit beside me where ever I am. He chats it up until someone else arrives and the he wants to go out.
I actually tuck him into bed every day. aaack. Click on the photo for a better view.
03 April 2008
Saturday, in the park...
Actually it was Saturday at the beach. We had to drive down and breath in some salt air. It takes all the blue meanies away! There is just something about the sound of the ocean and the smell of salt air.
I snapped a few pics and made this with two of them. Enjoy.
02 April 2008
The Housing Crisis in America
Okay, okay I have finally had it. My background is in food, but when I went to college I studied Family Financial Planning and Counseling. I have a bit of background in to which I speak. I have seen clients with millions of dollars living off tax free interest to the tune of $110,000 a month and I have counseled those who couldn't save two nickels to save their life. Both are extremes.
But what we've seen in the past few months and year in American is a story of greed and corruption to the very top. I have heard the pundits tell homeowners that the crisis they are in is their fault for signing the loan docs. That they are responsible for allowing financial professionals lead them down the garden path, and then they bought the story and signed up. I am so sick of hearing that this is the homeowners fault. Yes, there is some culpability on the part of the homeowner, but come on. When a notary is in your home at 8:30 at night, witnessing and notarizing loan documents, how are you going to read through the 200+ pages of fine print that you are signing. You've asked all the right questions, youbeen told exaggerations, and outright lies, to get you to this point.
Your home has been subjected to an appraisal, it cost you anywhere from $350 to $600 to have it appraised. You were surprised at the phone call that told you your home was worth three times its value and then were asked are you sure you only want to borrow "x" amount? You could borrow a lot more! Go ahead, it will only cost you an additional "x" per month for the opportunity to cash out.
Gas prices are stable, you are both employed, you work everyday, and you have never called in sick. You know how fortunate you are to have th ejob you have. It's good. So you sign up to gain a bit of relief from the interest rates of your old loan to pay off the credit cards and never go back to them. Aahhh, relief. You put your future in the hands of trusted professionals. They told you the value of your home, real estate is the best investment you can make, and yes, this is the value your home. What you don't notice is the small paragraph in the 200 pages that tell you at any time your homes value falls more than 10% below what the value is currently, the bank can call your note. Everything is due and payable immediately. Or you can refinance. Only you can't because there's a pre-payment clause, that you specifically asked if there was one and you were told no, not at all, and now it's there buried in the fine print. 10% of the loan value penalty, to refinance for three to five years, not a descending penalty but a 10% penalty right off the top.
Refinance!??!! WHAT were you thinking? Gas prices are at record highs. Groceries are moving up faster than you can keep track. And your wife's job? Well her company just had to close because it couldn't compete with the large corporations that have moved into your area. She's no longer working. Now the real estate crisis is in full swing and you've got to refinance. Your home's value has fallen by 20% because your neighbors are in the same situation. Everywhere you drive in town there are signs telling you that you are not the only one feeling the pinch. BUt hey, you tell yourself, I'm still current with my bill. I'm okay but not for long. If I don't get this house refinanced I'm going to be in trouble too. However, I can't refinance. The value has fallen below what I owe, I have this penalty of 10%, and I have no savings, my wife is out of work and times are hard.
Then you hear the news. The government is going to help those in need:
1. They're going to give cities and states grants to buy homes that have been foreclosed.
2. They're going to give consumers in trouble financial counseling.
3. They're recommending tax relief for lenders who are willing to negotiate with mortgage holders.
Band-aid fixes. Give the foolish consumer counseling and help all the corporations. When is the turnip going to be squeezed dry? The lowly taxpayer is being asked to hold all the responsibility, the cost and continually be asked to pay more fees and taxes, for what? Less and less everyday.
Bernanke asked for one proposal that might actually help someone out. I doubt it will get much play. Banks only write down losses for themselves, not others. But we'll bailout firms like Bear Stearns. hmph. The next time you want judge your neighbors for losing their home, think about a bit of what I've written here. Not everyone is a schlub with no regard for finances. They're probably a lot like you.
31 March 2008
Soundtrack of my life Meme revisted
I have done this post in the past, yet I find myself easily entertained therefore I will do it again as requested by the 1st Daughter. Should be interesting.
If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?
Here’s how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that’s playing
5. new question — press the next button
6. don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool
opening credits: Hanging by a Thread, Nickel Creek
waking up: Build Me Up Buttercup, The Foundations
first day at school: I'd Love to Change the World, Ten Years After
falling in love: Long Cool Woman, The Hollies
breaking up: I Want you To Want Me, Dwight Yokum
prom: Once Was a Boy, Moulin Rouge Soundtrack
life’s okay: Riders on the Storm, Doors
mental breakdown: Lodi, Credence Clearwater Revival
driving: Friday I'm in Love, The Cure
flashback: American Woman, Guess Who
getting back together: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem, Kenny Chesney
wedding: Only If, Enya
birth of child: Into the West, Annie Lennox
final battle: Creek Mary's Blood, Nightwish
death scene: Perfect Love, Felicia Sorenson
end credits: Should I Stay or Should I Go, The Clash
Heh. This time it is completely different. If I didn't tag you, and you want to do it. Don't wait for a tag, just do it!
Okay so I'll tag The Pea, The MiddleHip Sister, and Adan.
Fun with light
I had to shoot a graduation event last week for a friend. While I was there I noticed this opportunity and could not pass it up. It was shot through a balloon looking up to a ceiling pot light. In red. And green:
28 March 2008
24 March 2008
Little Miss
My first opportunity to show of the grandkids. This format is safe and very artistic. I love it in fact!
This is a new process I've started doing on canvas. I've vectorized the image and then cut it in vinyl. I then transfer the vinyl to canvas and use acrylics to fill in the background.
Here's one of sport:
And now, here's the thing. I am trying to raise money. Yep I need some! I will do the same of a loved one of yours! Yes, Friend, family or even a pet! I will vectorize a photo you send me then transfer it to canvas. You get to choose your background color I should add, it does not come framed. The canvas is 11x14 and it will be mailed to you through the US Postal Service. All for the small fee of $40.
Please tell your friends! Send me an email at foodchronicles at yahoo dot com to order yours!
22 March 2008
Raindrops
Since I can't load any new photos, I've turned my photo stream to see if I can show you something you have yet to see. 10, 800 pics to choose from. Here's a few from the past weeks.
21 March 2008
Tim Gunn, again
Yes, you all know I love Tim Gunn. He's a really nice guy.
Well, I got my copy of Fast Company in th email today and what did I find inside? Danielle Sacks has penned an article all about Tim's departure from Parson's to Liz Claiborne. I was surprised earlier this year to read that he had left Parson's, because basically, he reinvented them and I couldn't believe he'd leave. Alas, he did and the article takes you through that departure and more.
Go read it for yourself and learn a little bit more about who he is. And why I like him so much.
20 March 2008
Crow
This guy or gal (how does one know?) has taken to using my lawn as a great place to find ingredients for a nest. He loves the dried grass. I have watched him pull tufts of grass up and bunched it up , then fly away as if he's discovered the next best thing in housing materials.
I also ran him through the vector program on illustrator and came up with several varieties, this one being my favorite:
Read More......
19 March 2008
Banners
I have gotten a lot of comments on how much they like the banner for Cooper Chronicles. It took me a bit of doing but I think I finally have figured out how it all works and am enjoying this new found talent, so to speak.
I have begun making banners for blogspot blogs. If you'd like one, email me and I'll make one to fit you and your blog. I'll include instructions on how to change it from what it is now. Get your free banners here! I have a ton of different fonts and a slew of pictures, or if you'd like a picture of your own used put it in the email.
It's fun and helps me hone my illustrator skills that could really some practice.
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