Lu and Moo

Be Careful For What You Wish For...

2011-01-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

I always took that phrase to have a sinister tone--as in, Be careful for what you wish for because it might turn out awful and then you'll only have yourself to blame. Or be careful what you wish for because you might not phrase it right and get something stupid (like a sausage stuck to your nose). For a while there, that fear kept me from wishing for things. (That, and the fact that I didn't have a magic lamp with a genie inside).

Recently, I read a book in which the author tells of a time she wanted a pair of pants because they were so beautiful. Her mother told her, "Be careful for what you wish for"--with the subtext being: because you just might get it. Sure enough, the girl ended up (through a miraculous event) getting the very thing she wanted. Her message was one of happiness and in continuing to wish for things because you might actually get them. Not sinister at all.

Now. I love illustrations by Sophie Blackall. I posted about her illustrations of missed connection personal ads and a series she illustrates. I check in on her blog once in a while to see what she's posted about. A while back she posted about a display she did for an exhibit at a public library in New York. It looked AWESOME! But, because there was no way I could go to NY to see the exhibit, I was sort of disappointed that there were only a few pictures posted.

I complained to Moo about my disappointment and she said, "Why don't you just email her?"

Right. Email a famous person and ask for photos. ... and then, I realized, Why not?!

So I did it. I emailed her, and THE NEXT MORNING! there was a reply in my inbox from Sophie Blackall herself. Pictures attached. It was like Christmas!

Thus, I can add my own story to that of the much-wished-for-pants above to prove to myself that wishes sometimes do come true in happy, wonderful ways.

Children Make Terrible Pets / children's book reviews

2010-12-07T09:56:00.000-08:00

Great book, made me laugh, and the illustrations are AWESOME.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More

This was a smash hit at story time with the 3-4 year olds. (ok, it was a smash hit with me as well). As an added bonus, the song gets stuck in your head!

--Lu

Favorite Halloween Costume and Makeup Tutorials

2010-10-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

This post is a compilation of the videos and links I've been using for inspiration for my homemade costume/makeup this Halloween.

I'll include some of my own findings about cheap makeup ideas at the bottom of the post (including where to get some uber cheap makeups so you get the look without breaking the bank for Halloween, along with diy recipes for makeup remover and brush cleaner).

Martha's Ghostly Equestrian

Martha's Madame Butterfly

Whether you like her or not, Martha Stewart has some of the BEST costume ideas on the web.
Even if you've seen these before, they are worth looking at again for inspiration--they teach you how to take mundane things and make them something special.

Martha's Spellbinding Sorceress Costume

New and sort of hidden this year, is the full tutorial of how they created Martha's Enchantress Costume for 2010. Follow this link to get the step by step instructions! AMAZING! And the things they use to create the look probably could all be found at the $1 store or thrift stores (or a substitute anyway). (images from marthastewart.com)

DIY FAIRY WINGS
This tutorial got me into a fairy wing mess of my own...I'll post pictures when I'm done.

My suggestion would be to keep it simple (notice there is only one color of paint used in the tutorial), have some glitter on hand, and see if your Walmart has incense on clearance like mine did for 75 cents. Walmart also has really cheap knee highs in little plastic balls (like the kind that come out of vending machines with a toy surprise inside).

Makeup
I have become quite entranced by the tutorials by MissChevious because makeup is somewhat of a mystery to me, and she makes it much, much less mysterious. I've done two trial runs using some of the techniques she shows, and even with my dollar store makeup, I'm finding I can get pretty close to her look. I'm only embedding one tutorial here: check out her website for many, many more.

BEST TIPS FOR 2010

Never underestimate the deals you can find online. If you give yourself a head start time wise, you can buy good makeup for reasonable prices online. Same goes for craft supplies. Especially if you live in a semi remote location like I do where selection is limited when you do get to an actual store.

VERY BUDGET HALLOWEEN MAKEUP
The Dollar Tree is your friend for makeup (the larger the store, the better). Don't overlook Ulta (the makeup superstore)--it turns out their house brand Ulta and their other brand Essence can be Very Cheap. And when it comes to cheap, nothing beats E.L.F. makeup--I bought false eyelashes for $1, glue included! And most of their stuff is $1. DON'T ASSUME THE CHEAPEST PLACE IS WALMART! Shop around (even within the store--quickly walk through all the makeup selection and the Halloween section to get an idea of what the price range is).

Moo and I have found E.L.F. at Target and Big Lots, you can also order it online, but you might not get it in time for Halloween...they do have a 50% off eye makeup right now online, which makes a bunch of stuff 50 cents! I wish I had found that deal earlier. Use this link to find a store that sells E.L.F. near you.

HIGHER QUALITY MAKEUP FOR LESS--Just from perusing the nets it seems that NYX is a higher quality but still very reasonably priced makeup brand. I think it can ususally be found at Ulta and online. It's heralded as a cheaper alternative to MAC makeup.

DIY EYESHADOW MIXING MEDIUM and EYESHADOW BASE

For eyeshadow base, mix foundation and facial lotion (2 parts lotion to 1 part foundation), spread it on/around your eyes and your shadow will stick better and "stronger."

Eyeshadow Mixing Medium makes any eyeshadow more like a paint or into an eyeliner. Use 3 parts water to 1 part glycerin (at walmart, the glycerin is on the same isle as rubbing alcohol)

BUDGET FACE JEWELS
I am a goof, I know, but I'm really excited to stick little jewels all over my face this Halloween. The cheapest route I found this year was to pick up scrapbooking jewel stickers at Michaels (on clearance and regularly priced for $1-$2), peel off the sticker back, then put a dab of eyelash glue on them then stick 'em on. Easy, cheap, and very effective. The advantage of looking in the scrapbook section is that they have a larger range of color. I needed browns and goldy-yellows--only found that pallette in the scrapbook section.

MAKEUP BRUSHES
Best kept secret is that you can use artist brushes for makeup brushes. You can buy them for a fraction of the cost of nice makeup brushes, and I saw one video where the guy showed both the makeup brush and the artist brush side by side and they are almost exactly the SAME (e.g. the handle is longer on one)! Price wise you're looking at $20-60 for a makeup brush and $3-15 for the same artist brush. The recommended artist brush brand: Loew Cornell. (don't pay full price, these go on sale at Michaels and Joanns regularly--and you might try a discount art store too).

Brush cleaner can be made using rubbing alcohol, purified water, baby shampoo, etc....here's a link.

EYE GLITTER
Use glitter approved for use by your eyes (duh) but! one way to get it to stick: Vaseline. Smear some on, then brush on glitter on top.

EYEMAKEUP REMOVER
If you don't mind using an oil based remover, get a cotton ball or pad and dampen it with water, then pour a few drops of olive oil onto the cotton and rub it over your eyes. Works like a charm.

Alright, that's enough for now. If you've found good stuff like this on the nets, let me know! Happy Haunting!

My Momma Done Told Me

2010-10-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

In the Looney Tunes cartoon My Favorite Duck, Daffy sings part of "Blues in the Night," and Porky sings part of "Moonlight Bay." Both good classics. Here are two versions I like. Enjoy! Happy Friday!

The Next Crazy Coupon Lady

2010-10-15T05:47:00.000-07:00

At the risk of becoming that lady you know that RAVES about coupons (I'm not going to rave, not even close) I wanted to share the link to this website (moneysavingmom.com), that a friend shared with me. It's FREE. And it looks like it has some good stuff, namely the part where you click on a store logo and it shows you the best deals of the week from that store and provides links to coupons to make those best deals even bestier.

the end.

I will now resume my regular posts about books, libraries, and story times.

I'd Really Like to Eat a Child

2010-10-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

This book is hilarious--the little crocodile gets tired of eating bananas and wants to eat a child instead. You'll have to read this (very) short book to find out if he gets what he wants. After I read it, I was thinking, "Awesome Storytime Book." Which, by the way, I'm now a storytime lady (think: You've Got Mail, when character Kathleen Kelly wears a princess hat and reads to little kids, except I don't own a quaint bookshop in New York...but The FP is pretty dang close in many respects.)

I still don't have a sweet hat to wear, but that hasn't stopped us from having a BLAST. Last week's highlight was The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree.

I loved that book as a child, and since there aren't very many words in it (a must when reading to 3yr olds), and because it is sort of Halloween themed, I tried it out on the little kiddies.

At first some of them looked a little apprehensive, like: Maybe this is going to be a scary book, and I don't like scary. But they got into it (you know, acting out being the bear with the light, the bear with the stick, and the bear with the rope and answering the questions the book poses to the audience: Do you think they went down that spooky old hall???? (so as not to leave you in suspense, they DO go down the spooky old hall.))

Anyway, the kids loved it, so we read it twice and it was requested again for this week...so they get it again, bless their little hearts. So tuck that away as handy information when entertaining three and four year olds, Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree. It's a hit.

Foray into Hobby No. 4,039

2010-09-26T18:47:00.000-07:00


Better than an alphabet sampler for a first project.

As hobbies go, embroidery is not on my Exciting Things to Do With My Life list. Though, I should have seen it coming--the fact that I would one day get tangled up in embroidery (literally, at times)--because even when I was a child, my favorite pillowcases were the ones with embroidery on them (same with hand towels, clothes, etc.) Turns out, I like embroidered things.

Recently I reached beyond merely liking embroidered things: I started creating them. Hello! I have my very own Pegasus embroidered entirely by me! (let's not look too closely at the stitches, friends, because neat, even stitches aren't my strength yet).

The big drawback is that embroidery involves hand sewing--heck, it's just combinations of different hand sewing techniques. And I am not one for sewing pretty and even little stitches by hand, let alone for finagling with needles and thread (I don't even like reading about girls in books sewing things by hand with pretty, even little stitches. Yes, that means you Little House on the Prairie).

You know what did me in though? It was a book that I checked out from the library during the summer doldrums that showcased different types of stitches (though I think the book was billed as hand quilting, not as embroidery, which was very sneaky of them). To my delight and surprise, I successfully completed some of the stitches, including a tricky looking flower one.

By "successfully completed" I mean,they look sort of like the ones in the book.

I had a fantastic idea for making little bracelets with embroidery on them, and my practice run turned out to be a beaut.

At this point I figured I was ready to see what the next step was in the world of embroidery. Thankfully there are two embroidery books on the market right now that quite captured my attention--one, Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart, has a pattern I love

(cheerfully colored skulls! hoorah!)

and the other, Scandinavian Needlecraft by Clare Youngs, has a pattern I couldn't live without. So I braved dark roads and a snooty parking garage in Scottsdale to get my very own copy (with my 40% off coupon, of course).

Image from country Bumpkin & Inspiration

My pegasus at the top of the post is a modified version of a winged unicorn pattern by Aimee Ray--which can I tell you that I would have LOVED this as a coloring book page when I was 5 years old? Unicorn pegasus with stars on it and a long, flowing mane and tail! Does life get any cooler than that?!

I'll tell you my secret to fun times while embroidering: good audio books. May I recommend Neal Shusterman's Everlost--the reader (Nick Podehl) is INCREDIBLE!--and the story is interesting and creative and the charaters are unforgettable.

Another audio book candidate (I'm only through disk one right now, so the jury is still out on it) The Curse of the Blue Tattoo--focuses on a girl (who in the last book was posing as a boy in the British navy) going to finishing school in Boston (in the Fall, har har) and having to EMBROIDER!

Audio books like these make the minutes fly by--and at the end of the disk or book you have more than just a good story to show for your time.

I may not have a great idea, but she does!

2010-09-23T21:37:00.000-07:00

Cathe Holden (who I blog stalk regularly) has a seemingly never-ending source of creative ideas that I LOVE. Her latest is to take ordinary objects, scan 'em, blow them up (as in make them bigger in size) then print them out and use them for all kinds of things. Check out her post.

Spider!

2010-09-10T22:02:00.000-07:00

I went out to vacuum my car this afternoon and happened to glance down and see this:

These are some great (albeit a tad gruesome for the grasshopper) photos, and it was an interesting scene to stumble upon. In my delight, I proudly showed my newfound spider to The Rock when he arrived home a few hours later (the spider was still latched onto the grasshopper).

With mild amusement he said, "Oh, yeah...and that's a black widow."
"No it's not. There isn't any red on it. I looked."
He leans closer. "Sure there is, it's maybe a little faded."
Scooting my face to within inches of the spider I said, "No. There's no red. Just black." I kept looking, watching the spider move, and then I saw it. There WAS red on it's abdomen.

There was a mad scramble to smash the spider.

The moral of the story is: If you are ever inclined to stick your hands into our flower pots...well, let's just say the Big Bad Black Widow escaped execution tonight. (shiver).

P.S. In honor of the grasshopper (har har).

Thoughts on Being a Librarian and New Releases in Young Adult Fiction

2010-09-04T23:40:00.000-07:00

So I started my job as a librarian a few weeks ago. And it's fantastic. My only complaint is that I was already addicted to reading! How often does what you do in your free time coincide with what you do at work?!

I placed my first book order--which means I've been researching new releases, while trying to cram in a bunch of books I wanted to have read so I know who to recommend them to. See what I mean! Work is creeping into my free time territory. (I know: poor me, right?)

Ok, so now you're a wee bit curious as to what's up and coming, right? Well, I'll give you a few YA titles to maybe look forward to yourself. (these are what I would order for my personal library, only some of them will be coming to the library I work for).


Robing McKinley. Enough said. (Big Mouth here: isn't the cover beautiful too!)

Bartimaeus is hilarious (thank you Mr. Stroud for writing another one!)

By the author of The Mortal Instruments Series, which I liked well enough. (ok, so this one came out on Aug. 31.)

Seems like there might be some time travelish thing between a girl in Revolutionary France and the present day.

Girl spy/revolution/disguises...

Did you know Orson Scott Card is writing a trilogy for YA? Yeah. The first book, by the name of Pathfinder, is scheduled to come out on November 23. I'm curious to see if I'll like it.

And the book The Agency: A Spy in the House is already out, but I haven't read it or heard anything about it until now. (So if you have first hand info on it, give me the scoop!).

Also, (this is a long book post), have you read anything by Brandon Sanderson? I've only read one, Mistborn, and I loved it. The others are on hold all the time, and they are fairly long, so I haven't gotten to them yet. BUT! He has a stand alone book (sigh of relief because this isn't a common thing anymore it seems) called Warbreaker. AND! it's free on the internet right now. I haven't read it yet, but I'm itching to get started on it. Let me know if you do.

One interesting thing is that now it seems people feel obligated to mention books they've heard about or read. Even before I worked at the library I was plenty happy to talk books, but now it seems I can't escape it. I wonder if that happens to high school teachers: people divulge their own high school experiences because that's what they know about high school? I'm undecided as to whether these book confessions are a good thing. Well, either way, you can give me book recommendations, but maybe not too many all at once, seeing as how I'm already bringing home piles of books to read. It's dangerous to methodically go through an entire library's shelves. You might be surprised what you've overlooked.

2010-08-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

A song I like (though not necessarily the music video as much...maybe just listen to the song...)

Moo's Birthday!

2010-08-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today is Moo's Birthday!
In honor of her Special Day I'm putting up some linky/videoy things she likes.

An Observation

2010-08-05T18:37:00.000-07:00

The Geologist and I have made an observation about people who shop/pretend to shop at REI. (We're in the pretend to shop category because we like to go and and admire and touch all the shiny bikes and tent poles, but then we go home and look online for where whatever it is we want is really on sale. REI's idea of 'a sale' is not our idea of 'a sale.')

Anyway----we've concluded that on any given day at any given time that we stop in to REI, there will ALWAYS be 1.) a Subaru Outback (usually green) with 2.) a roof rack. Stickers about the environment or similar are optional.

This last time, we counted roughly 8 altogether, 5 with roof racks. They always park facing Yosemite. Just kidding. But this last time there was quite the bumper crop, and I had to take a picture.

These were at another outdoors store, but as you may guess, not in REI. (The one on the far left is the "Buck and Doe" arrangement. The doe has little antlers, but they're hard to see.) They also sell fake coonskin caps, and if my head were smaller, I'd ask for one for my birthday.

Fantastic Video

2010-07-11T17:20:00.000-07:00

Famous Person Alert

2010-06-27T19:20:00.000-07:00

Yerm...
I've been a bit slackerish of late when it comes to posting. And I apologize, hence the uncomfortable, apologetic sounding "yerm."

BUT! did you notice that the VERY PERSON WHO CREATED THAT WONDERFUL COMIC STRIP I TOLD YOU ABOUT LAST POST LEFT A COMMENT?! Yeah, buddy. Can you say coolest blog comment ever! Wow. That's practically like shaking hands with him. Sweet. (I did a happy dance just then! woot woot!)

Ok. Ahem. Read the comic.

In other news, I am back from my almost week long trip to the lovely girls' camp, and my work schedule will settle down soon (right after tomorrow's Big Hulabaloo Eclipse Pre-Release Party. We are watching the first two movies, eating dinner, giving away free movie tickets and generally bingeing (see m-w.com if you don't believe that spelling) on all things Twilight Saga. Sorta scary and sorta fun all at the same time).

And if the T word isn't quite your thing, you have The Last Airbender to be looking forward to--are you? I'm taking The Rock to see it someday soon, I just know it.

This Saturday marked our first true summer excursion into The Out--which means pick a dirt road, park when you find a good spot, get out and start climbing. Then, an hour or so later, start picking your way back toward the original road. It's not a plan for the faint of heart (or the organized of mind).

That is a snakeskin in my hand. And let me tell you, it took quite a bit of reassurance from The Rock that No, it did not contain disease or other harmful substances, before I agreed to pick it up with my own bare little fingers. Bleh.

A little more humor just for you

2010-06-13T19:07:00.000-07:00

My brother showed me a cartoon called Mal and Chad. It's Calvin and Hobbesesque--Mal is a little boy and Chad is his talking dog. Though, unlike Calvin who can be stupid at times (e.g. his school report entitled "Bats are Bugs"), Mal is smart, and Chad, well, he's a talking dog! Mal builds robots and jet packs and supposedly spent his summer building a rocket that he took into orbit (which makes it totally understandable that he's a little paranoid and mistakes his babysitter for a fed who's come after him). Here's a link to the first comic in the series that's posted online. (and I recommend you read them in order).

Tho, you could read just one out of order, and if so, it should be this one.

A little humor just for you

2010-06-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

I don't know anything about MTV or its music awards, but this commercial played when we were at the movie theater and I think it's pretty funny.

Summertime Fun!

2010-06-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

As you probably realize by now, I like good birthday parties quite a bit. I happened across two sites--both are full of goodness (the sugary kind for the first and the fun, fun, fun kind for the second--ok, and it has a sort of circusy feel to it's opening page. Do you speak French? I don't, but apparently they do!)

As you may also have noticed, there has been a dearth of posting here lately. My job has started consuming more of my time lately, though in a very fulfilling sort of way. I'm running a summer program for youth--for instance we tie dyed shirts today. Thirty at least. Maybe more. I'll have to count tomorrow. In case you've been wanting to tie dye (or never have? or have a lot in the distant past) may I point out to you the beautiful things called Tie Dye Kits available at Walmart/craft stores? No cooking, no stirring, just fill up the squeeze bottles with water and dye your shirt! Easy peasy.And those spiral types: SO EASY. Who knew. I thought they took a lot of time and effort--they don't.

As a part of the summer program, I made up some flyers--do you mind if I show them off to you here? (I'm going to, so if you don't want to see them, exit now!) And then, if I can get my show on the road I will put up a summer funtime blog so you can do the same activities we're doing. (I know; I know. A lot of say so and not a lot of do so. I'm getting to it.)

Anyone feel like helping me bake a million and one cookies for the cookie decorating class this Thursday? Any ideas for how to decorate them? I think I'll just make little gingerbread man shaped sugar cookies and let the children go to work on them unless some other great idea comes along.

tootles!

3 Movie Reviews: Our Mutual Friend, Emma, The Young Victoria

2010-05-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

While in The Ohio I watched a few movies (we stayed up very late and tended to get up much too early, but isn't that how vacation is supposed to be?)

In case you are in need of something new and good to watch, here are my very brief reviews:

Our Mutual Friend

The opening scene put me off at first--it seemed to fake to me--but soon after that, I forgot all about my apprehensions and fell headlong into the movie.

This movie follows the book in all the major plot developments (as far as I can remember), but it cuts out some subplots--there are quite a few subplots in the book, and I think you'll agree with me that although it would have been fun to have everything depicted, the movie would have been much, much too long.

(Because I realize that, I didn't miss them too terribly, though, the subplot that was included was one of my least favorite: it had to be included because it influences the major plot in minor ways. Pity though, because I really had no interest in it.)

I think reading the book first is a great idea, because a few scenes will mean more to you for having done so.

Be prepared to be sucked into this movie. There are some great love stories going on--with some really messed up relationships providing a perfect contrast--and the really bad guy is Very Scary. (Which might taint your view of the latest BBC Sense and Sensibility because he plays Colonel Brandon--though, he's so different a character in each, you'll probably be able to pretend it's a completely different actor).

Emma (BBC 2009)

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this movie, and although I didn't get to see it until just last week, I put so much faith in the first 15 minutes (which I had seen) and the reviews of others that bought it for my mom for her birthday.

Now that I have seen it, I can join with her (and many others) in singing it's praises. I've never particularly cared for the book Emma, so little in fact, that I skimmed most of it. BUT! This movie has a fantastic view of the true situation of the characters. Emma is all alone, left to care for a father who she loves too dearly to part with, and who is too selfish and myopic to let her go. That may or may not excuse her stupidity in your eyes, but it certainly garners some sympathy from me.

There is plenty of playful banter and humorous situations to keep the audience laughing--and of course, *SPOILER! (though, I'm guessing most of you already know the plot and conclusion)* Mr. Knightley's declarations of love are well worth the wait and quite touching.

*END SPOILER*

The Young Victoria

I loved that the love story in many ways took a backseat to the political intrigue. Because I'm sure that's pretty much how it was for Victoria (at least at first).

I have very little by way of historical knowledge to say whether this movie is true to reality--but, frankly, I don't care. I watched this as a romance and a romance is what I got.

The basic gist of the plot is that Victoria (who has had little, if any, by way of preparation) becomes Queen of England at a very young age. She is being courted (both politically and romantically) by the man who becomes her prime minister. At the same time, her distant cousin from Germany is thrust into the scene by men who want to secure Victoria's allegiance to them.

He falls in love with her.

She is undecided about many things, including him.

An enjoyable film. And I've been told that the real Victoria's letters to her Prince were quite romantic--it seems they really were very much in love with each other. At some point, I'm going to have to find out for myself.

So! In one vacation I saw two movies I've been wanting to see, and one I'd never heard of. And how often is it that you see three movies in a week and like all of them? Maybe I'm just partial to things Brittish.

The Ohio, SURVEY for my 30th, and summer activities promise

2010-05-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my first day back from an almost week long vacation in The Ohio. I stayed with a friend from childhood and let me say: WE HAD A BLAST!

Sadly, some of my best pictures stayed with her in The Ohio, so I'll put them up on a later date. But I'll share two of them with you right now. First, a landscape--The Ohio is muy beautiful. Even with washed out gray skies it's beautiful.

sorry it's so small, blogger's being dumb. or maybe I am. either way...sorry. click to make it bigger.

The next, the story of Maudine, the bovine homecoming queen! I love stuff like that. And the fact that Ohio State has an entire room in their student union dedicated to Maudine.

In other news (and hopefully you made it to this point in the post because this is importantish): I'm putting up a survey for my 30th birthday bash! I'm super excited to test out google docs and I'm super excited to get feedback from you! It's over on the left sidebar. Click it and let your voice be heard!

While I'm committing to things, I'm going to add one more. I'm running a summer program for youth and it starts in just a few weeks. And because I'm chock full of funtastic (don't you love that word?) ideas to keep kiddies busy this summer, I'll be opening up another blog devoted just to that topic. That way, when you find yourself skulking around the house with nothing to do, you can just pop over there and nab some cool ideas.

Whew. I'd better get crackin'.

Thirtieth Birthday Party Part Uno

2010-05-11T05:18:00.000-07:00

Ok people. This is serious business.

Someday in the next two years I turn 30.
My philosophy about turning 30 is this: Do it in style! BIG FUN STYLE.

You think I'm joking?
I'm not.
I've been warning The Rock about my 30th for a few years now already. Because, the party is going to be BIG.

I find the best way to get myself to follow through with crazy schemes is to tell a lot of people, and then I start to feel sort of committed. (Ok, that's not really what I usually do because I'm not big on actually following through on my crazy schemes). But, this time, I sort of got carried away with joking about my 30th birthday, and now it's sort of catching on. You know, becoming a community joke.

At first I would just say that I was having a big bash and a week long celebration. Maybe renting a dancehall or something. And I definitely told The Rock I was flying some friends out for the week (see, it is going to be BIG, or at least, EXPENSIVE.)

But, then one day (and I don't remember now exactly it came about) it occurred to me that I wanted an elephant at my party. An elephant for me and guests to ride. AND! Get this, the elephant will be wearing, no, not a party hat...It will be wearing a feather on its head.

And lest you think that's cruel of me to ask that of the elephant, I'll be wearing one too.

The problem with telling people you want an elephant at your party is that they take you seriously. (well, maybe they took me seriously because when they laughed at the idea I told them, "Hey! I'm being serious over here." I don't know.) And now they're sort of shaking their heads, not just because I want an elephant, but because they think (at least a little part of them thinks) that I'm actually going to do it. Which is probably true.

But, there are two big hurdles:
1. I don't know the first thing about renting elephants for birthday parties.
2. I live in a little tiny meensy beensy town in the middle of a forsaken desert.

In good news, though, I have two whole years to get this sorted out.

And while this is spiraling madly out of control, it is sort of fun. So I thought I'd let you in on it too.

Whew. This party is gonna rock. Beware, though, I'll probably post about it again sometime soon, because, you know, some serious planning needs to be done.

Houseguest and a Joke for Mother's Day

2010-05-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

My house guest for the next few days is:

As you can see, even a menial task like cutting up a watermelon provides him with an opportunity for expressing his creativity. He's great fun to have around because he doesn't mind helping me out--so we chopped up 2 watermelons, 4 mangos, 1 pineapple, and 4 cartons of strawberries. We're making some killer smoothies later today! Woo hoo.

He also has a dorky sense of humor, e.g.:
Aaron: Lu! You missed Star Wars Day!
Me: What?
Aaron: Yeah, May 4th.
Me: Oh.
Aaron: You know, May the fourth be with you

yuk. yuk.

A few weeks ago Aaron went to a bike junk store called The Bike Guy in Rye (actually, it's called All Bikes, but if we could rename it you know what it would be).

He brought back a sweet vintage bike that he's in the process of restoring AND some cool photos. Here they are:

love the trike on the hood of the amphibious car

do you see that really old bike behind the bars? I want one of those.

I love the composition of this one

We decided this bike shop would make a great backdrop for a photoshoot. Road trip anyone?

Spring Craft Activity For Kids (and it's recycling too!)

2010-05-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm helping with an activity for children in my church congregation tomorrow, and this is the craft project we're doing.

my sample flowers on the left, original demo flowers on the right

I enjoyed making the sample flowers quite a lot. Maybe you'd like to make some too. (they're really easy).

I used styrofoam egg cartons because that's what was available, but the original instructions call for cardboard ones (because the cardboard can be painted to make the flowers even more colorful) (though, it turns out you can use crayons to color the styrofoam a little).

The steps are as follows:
1. Cut up an egg carton (each egg "cup" equals one flower).
2. Cut out a 4inch-ish square of tissue paper (I used three different colors of tissue paper for each "flower").
3. Stick the tissue paper into the egg carton in the arrangement you like, then poke a hole through the tissue paper and the bottom of the egg cup.
4. Put a pipe cleaner through the hole and make a loop on the tissue paper side so that it won't slip out.
5. Wrangle with the pipe cleaner a little till it holds the flower head on the way you want it to.
6. Cut a leaf shape out of green paper, punch a hole in it and thread it onto the pipe cleaner. (I mushed the pipe cleaner around the hole so that the leaf wouldn't slide up and down).

THE END!

Easy, cheap and fun to make. The box they're in is just a shoe box covered in wrapping paper. And by tomorrow afternoon, the box will be full of flowers! No watering required.

P.S. If you're lucky, my next post won't have anything to do with flowers or gardening.

We Planted a Garden

2010-05-04T21:34:00.000-07:00

Follow the white arrows below to see the beginning of the end of my flower bed.

Those dark circle indents, the ones those arrows are pointing to... are none other than javelina tracks. Aka snorty, nasty piggy tracks. In my freshly sown flower bed. The small green plants already sprouting are sunflowers, but just 2 days ago I planted zinnia seeds...right where the piglet walked. Grrr.

Which validates all the effort The Rock put into fencing off our backyard. I can only imagine that Mrs. Pig would love nothing more than to forage in our well stocked garden mid- summer. At least the sunflowers seem to be unappetizing to them right now. Though, I wonder if that will change? Do javelinas eat sunflower seeds like all other good hillbillies?

Speaking of the backyard: our garden is finally planted. Though it's not much to look at right now. Mostly, you would say it looks like a plot of dirt with a few very scraggly weeds. Let me tell you about seedlings: if they get enough light, they are a wonder! and a money saver. If they don't get enough light--they look like very scraggly weeds.

But, we here in The FP aren't ones to give up easily! No! We planted the seedlings in spite of their stunted growth in hopes that they will rally.

We have prior experience with hanging in there with scraggly looking things (take me for instance. Naw, just kidding.) Take my chives. They were nothing more than sickly looking blades of grass. And then there were baby bugs crawling all over them and their dirt...it was sort of gross. So this winter, we left them well enough alone in their wee little pot on our front stoop. (mostly thinking that we'd use the pot for something else come spring)

But, lo and behold! They did rally, to the utter surprise of us all.

here are the happy chives very much in bloom. I hope piglets don't like chives. Because I do.

Something's Different

2010-04-30T21:54:00.000-07:00

In the desert, flowers are popping up like...well, like wildflowers.

And over here at the ol' blog, I've been tweaking things little bit (or a lot).

The Bling Out Your Blog class really gave me some useful and fun information, as you can see.

Because Moo is a Real Artist and actually gets paid to do artistic things, and because she is a busy person, the blog currently reflects my doodly style instead of her amazing skills (check out her art by clicking the link at the top of the page).

You'll probably see other changes around here, now that I'm getting a better handle on how to make backgrounds, edit html, and lots of other things that will make our blog even more personalized and all around Better.

If some of the changes are particularly good: let us know. If something really isn't working: let us know.

And if you want to score some of these mad skills for yourself, be sure to check in on this web site to find out when the next class is.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Trailer

2010-04-29T06:10:00.000-07:00

November is so far away....

Jack Handy's Deep Thoughts

2010-04-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

In case you find yourself stuck in AP English (or elsewhere) and in need of a little lightheartedness:

"I think a good product would be "Baby Duck Hat." It's a fake baby duck, which you strap on top of your head. Then you go swimming underwater until you find a mommy duck and her babies, and you join them. Then all of the sudden, you stand up out of the water and roar like Godzilla. Man those ducks really take off! Also Baby Duck Hat is good for parties."

"I wish outer space guys would conquer the Earth and make people their pets, because I'd like to have one of those little beds with my name on it."

"If the Vikings were around today, they would probably be amazed at how much glow-in-the-dark stuff we have, and how we take so much of it for granted."

"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason."

"If they ever come up with a swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, Then Jumping Off Something."

"If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you'll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy."

Vanishing Cream

2010-04-23T13:27:00.000-07:00

Now THIS backs the "Potions for Muggles" part of Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas Processes and Trade Secrets. Ladies and Gents-- really, truly Vanishing Cream:

(Being a cream, a skin softener and a powder, combined in one.)
Precipitated chalk.....1 part
Glycerine..................1 part
Zinc sterate...............1 part
Oil rose geranium.....sufficient

The powders are first to be intimately mixed together. The glycerine is to be diluted with an equal amount of water and the whole rubbed together most thoroughly. While the rubbing is being done, the perfume is to be added, gradually, a little at a time. Eight drops of oil rose geranium to each three ounces of the cream is the proper amount of perfume to use. (pg. 248)

Stay tuned for:
"Eucalyptus Bonbons for Colds and Coughs"
"Berge's Blasting Powder"
"Theater Rouge"
&
"Coloring Electric-Light Bulbs and Globes"

Moo
Comment suggestion: leave us the possible instructions and guarantees that would follow this recipe if it really were
honest-to-goodness vanishing cream.

For Someone's Birthday Today Who's Name Starts With L....

2010-04-22T14:18:00.001-07:00

He's Not a Pirate

2010-04-21T06:10:00.000-07:00

The Rock's high school mascot is a Marauder.

The Rock in his Marauder shirt after a bike ride.

Note that I am lounging in the truck, sneaking this picture of

him through the backseat window

When we feel like arguing, we choose as our theme: Marauders are/are not the same as pirates.

This is a fun subject for discussion because it's mostly irrelevant but lends itself to statements that can be said with great conviction and fervor, not to mention a pretty high coolness factor because like ninjas, pirates are cool guys to talk about.

But, since we don't usually feel like arguing, quite a long time lapses between the mention of the Marauder mascot, and I forget that it even exists.

So the other day The Rock did something, I don't remember what, maybe he ate the last of the Easter candy or made a snide comment about how I kick him when I'm sleeping--whatever it was, I replied that he only thought/said such things because he was a no good pirate.

Instead of laughing as I expected, he gave me a very serious look and said, "No. I am a marauder."

--Lu

110 Dozen Doughnuts

2010-04-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

A group in town did a fundraiser last week by selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts. This was a fantastic plan for many reasons, most of which are along the lines of, "Krispy Kreme doughnuts are yummy and taste good and make my tummy happy." But another one of the Good Reasons to engage in this fundraiser was that it meant I got to go and pick up all the doughnuts.

See how prettily they stacked in the back of my car?

(No, that's not all 110 dozen, the rest are in my trunk.)

All the way home I kept hoping that if I were going to be pulled over by a cop, that day would be the day. Because s/he would come to my window and I would politely say, "Hello Officer. Would you care for a doughnut?"

And if the officer had any kind of sense of humor we would have had a good chuckle. And if not, well, I had plenty of consolation doughnuts to eat all the rest of the way home.

Win-win situation if there ever was one.
--Lu

Sneaky Snakes

2010-04-19T12:08:00.000-07:00

Spring in the desert brings me mixed emotions.

Warmth: hoorah!
Longer daylight hours: Yeehaw!
Wildflowers and gardens: Yes please.

Bugs: too many and blech.
Gnats: Why must your death wish involve flying into my mouth or nose?
Snakes: Why do I never seem to see you?

This little lovely was slithering along the road (or patch of sand, if we're being accurate) we were driving on.

A smaller rattler was on the path we were walking on later that day. I walked right by Mr. Snakey, didn't even see it. In fact, at the time, I was congratulating myself on how alert I was being. The Rock seemed a tad incredulous that I'd just walked by it and not warned the rest of our party. He said, "Did you not even see that?" At that point I still didn't know that there even was a snake, but the tone of his voice clued me in.

So that stuff about rattlers warning people and all...not always true. --Lu

Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas Processes and Trade Secrets

2010-04-15T19:26:00.000-07:00

This book is marvelous. You can find it on here, but I found the title via Google Books, then checked out the physical copy from the local university library, which had every printing back to 1907 I believe. I thought it might be safer to check out the last edition, since what was considered 'safe' in 1937 for everyday use, just may have been taken out in the 1962 edition. But that's relative since the various formulas using DDT (see page 418) are right there under the Pesticides section. Also, mercury and mercury derivatives are to be found, along with lead powders, as ingredients to many of these Formulas and Trade Secrets. It's akin to the muggle version of the potions class textbook. Here's a charming, and harmless idea found under Writing, pg. 786:

Writing Under the Shell of an Egg
(modern translation-----How to write a message/pattern into the white of a boiled egg)

Dissolve one ounce of alum (note: used in making pickles) in a half pint of vinegar with a small pointed brush outline whatever writing you desire on the shell of the egg with the above solution. After the solution has dried thoroughly on the egg, boil it for about 15 minutes. If these directions are carried out all tracings of the writing will have disappeared from the outside of the shell--but when the shell is cracked open the wrting will plainly show on the (now cooked) white of the egg.

Give it a try and let us know if it works.
More to come!

Moo

Bling Out Your Blog Class OR school has never been this fun before

2010-04-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

You may notice the ol' blog has gotten/is getting a face lift.

BEFORE:

AFTER (as of publication of this post):

I'm taking the online class Bling Out Your Blog (from Little Light Studio) and after one! class I already have some sweet new blog layout skills (I haven't even really started customizing yet!). The next few weeks are sure to bring even more changes (hopefully for the better).

And if you're thinking you want some of these mad skills for your own blog--just click here to see if there are still spots open in the class.

Oooh! A Treasure Hunt

2010-04-07T14:01:00.001-07:00

There really is buried treasure that you might be lucky enough to find. I heard about this new book that is full of clues to actual buried treasure. Here's the web-site.

I think I might help out with this one...

--Lu

Blog (not book) Review

2010-04-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

The ocotillos are in bloom here in the desert. Like really long lit matches...

One upon a time here at luandmoo, I used to review books. Remember those times?
Yeah. Like a distant dream.

It isn't that I haven't been reading books lately, because, sadly for my sleep schedule, I have. I don't really want to do full blown reviews of the books yet because I can't seem to formulate a decent plot summary.

Instead, I'll review one of my favorite blogs, one where I consistently lurk. The Pioneer Woman. This blog came to my attention first because of the photography section--she's an amateur photographer who documents what she's learned and shares her photoshoping techniques. She also has a recipe book and a cooking section on her blog with free (and tasty) recipes.

But she's also an entertaining and funny blogger who documents her life as the wife of a rancher and mother of several children (4 or 5, I can't remember).

If that kind of thing sounds interesting to you, here are two recent blog posts of hers that made me laugh. I hope they brighten your day the way they did mine.

Trifecta
Adventures in Texting

--Lu

Surprise Visit from You Know Who...

2010-04-04T22:20:00.000-07:00

(no, not Lord Voldemort, though that would have been something to blog about)

While hunting for Easter Eggs*, my husband came across a special guest. Can you spot him?

Does this help?

How about this:

I always pictured the Easter Bunny like something out of Beatrix Potter--cute little trousers and leather shoes. Although, this lttle guy is about as cute as a wee baby animal can get--even if he isn't clothed.

Scale note: that's a cinder block wall in the background. The bunny would have fit in the palm of my hand.

Speaking of holding the bunny...The Rock said if I picked the bunny up, it would probably bite me. I tried to get him to say he was joking and he wouldn't. But I can't be sure he was being serious. So...do baby bunnies bite?

--Lu

*ok, we didn't have an easter egg hunt. You should already know that, though, seeing as how the Easter candy doesn't go on clearance until tomorrow. The Rock was actually going through a pile of old lumber at his parents' house.

Alice in Wonderland Review

2010-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

(photo from imdb.com)

I've always disliked Alice in Wonderland. Too creepy--I think it was that live action version that came out when I was a kid that really got to me. Since it, I've avoided even the cartoon version. Moo on the other hand read the book fairly regularly (if I recall correctly). And she loved the cartoon version too.

So it was with no small amount of trepidation I went to see the Tim Burton/Disney Alice in Wonderland.

And loved it.

It's a fantastic movie. Sure it's kind of creepy, but not nearly as much as I thought it would be.

Though, let's be clear: I don't think it's a movie I'd take children to see. There is some violence/scary stuff that I think would have taken its toll on me as a child. So, proceed with caution if you're hauling kids to see it. (Though, I think in a way it IS a child's movie: children deal with things they find truly scary (whether adults find the same things scary or not) as a matter of course and enjoy reading about scary things in a make believe world because it mirrors their own reality--but whether your kid wants to watch a movie with those kinds of things, even in a make believe world, is another matter entirely).

But for me...it was wonderful. I love that I could be drawn into a story I didn't want to know more about, and that I thought I knew everything about, was surprising. This movie took what I knew and added to it, making it a rich story I could enjoy being a part of.

And there are three characters that really do that: Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. I don't know which I liked more.

Alice has a sort of dreamy feel to her character--and I think the trip to Wonderland is the perfect proving grounds for her perception of herself. She knows (or thinks she knows) what she is capable of, but everyone in "real" life and in Wonderland pushes her to do and be certain things she doesn't want to do or be. And it is only through facing some truly scary things (scary because they aren't in the "real" world and don't follow the roles of Victorian England...and they're monsters, too, whether a beast, soldiers of cards, or people with evil agendas) that she finds she is Courageous and Smart and Capable.

The Mad Hatter is--wonderful. I can't say more without spoiling things.

And the Queen of Hearts: she's evil but I loved her! I loved her mannerisms, her cool heart sunglasses for croquet, and her petty temper. Fabulous.

I loved the movie, I plan to watch it again.

Though, it has ruined one thing for me (I guess this really goes back to the Disney cartoon version, though this movie perpetuated it a little)...I can't take purple irises seriously anymore. And my backyard has quite a few of them, and I took some pictures ~~for bragging purposes~~ to share with you.

I'd like to know what you thought about the movie--so leave a comment or two. --Lu

Spring Sprang Sprung!

2010-03-23T13:07:00.000-07:00

Welcome, welcome Spring!

Sigh. The sky is blue, the trees are in bloom, and I'm heading outside to play a game of Revised Volleyball. You should come along too!

Sending spring breezes and pink blossoms your way,
Lu

Icy Roads Take Me Home

2010-03-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

When I took our truck in to be serviced a week or so ago, I left pretty early in the morning--which meant I'd have plenty of time to run errands after the routine maintenance was completed. It also meant that snow was still abundant on the passing scenery, as shown in this photo:

This concept--snow--is like the parks/vegitation of the east for an Arizona desert rat like me. (and I know the snow in these pictures is nothing for you easterners...a little piddly snow, very blah. But see! this is NEVER snowy. This is DESERT. These are scrubby desert plants. See how spokey they are, and probably prickly too, waiting to jab you when you walk by them. That is how desert plants are, I tell you.)

Icy roads, however, aren't so much a novelty as...well, a new experience that borders on nightmarish. And I ran into (or rather, drove along) some icy roads that day too. The closer I got to my destination, the icier the road became. I felt the tires lose traction a few times, but I drove nice and slow, like everyone else and eventually made it to my desitnation unharmed--albiet later than I'd hoped.

What was odd to me, and maybe you've found yourself in a similar situation, was that I didn't really have any option other than to keep driving along the road even though I didn't know how the heck to drive the Right Way on ice. So did that make me a hazard on the road? I think at least, a little--yes. I was alert, doing my best to avoid really slick looking patches, driving slowly--but the thought haunted me that I could possibly make a novice's mistake that could do some serious damage.

I wonder what other people do in situations like that? And isn't driving one of those activities that forces these kind of situations on us almost regularly? It's really not uncommon to be driving along and encounter something hazardous and/or unexpected and/or that we've never dealt with before. It's usually weather related, but not always.

I guess I'm thinking about my obligations to be prepared to handle those kinds of situations beforehand...but...and this occured to me during the icy stretch of road...even if you know what you're supposed to do, will you really do that in the moment of crisis? Especially if you've never had the chance/opportunity to try it before?

In conclusion: driving is a sort of nerve wracking thing at times. Also, even if you're an Arizona driver who never plans on seeing snow, ice, torrential rain, fog, hail, etc., let along drive in them, it still behooves you to learn how to drive in those conditions because You Never Know.

Carving my Own Stamps

2010-03-19T11:14:00.000-07:00

For a while now, I've been looking into printmaking. After reading a few books on the subject (thanks to my wonderful public library system), I took the plunge a few weeks ago and made my first stamps.

They're a little rough looking, yes?
They work really well considering they're made out of cardboard and fun foam. All you do is draw a design onto the foam, then cut it out (with regular old craft scissors, or a craft knife...but why risk dismemberment? Use the scissors.) Then if you were supa smart, you bought pre-stickyized fun foam, and all you have to do is peel off the backing. If not, you can use glue to stick those bad boys to the cardboard.

Get out your fabric paints and use a foam brush to put some paint on them and...

Maybe you'll be smarter about your color selection on the paints than I was.

BUT THAT DIDN'T INVOLVE CARVING! and the title PROMISED carving.
I'm getting there...

I picked up some carving tools and blocks at Jerry's Artarama in Tempe, AZ. And can I put a plug in for that store right now?! Their prices are fantastic.

(side note and another plug: there's a great little ethnic food store in the same shopping center. The woman working there when we popped in said she was Somalian. And we think she caters. AND! they have beautiful floor length skirts for sale too...)

Printmaking. Right. I bought some supplies from Jerry's, and my mom graciously provided some as well.

These are the results:

That was my very first attempt at carving a stamp. I free hand drew the design and just started cutting. I used colored pencils to make it pretty after I'd stamped it.

And here's attempt two...I carved a large art eraser this time...I love the red and yellow colors on the finished product.

In conclusion:
1. I've already sliced my finger with the carving tools--but only ONCE! (which, for most workplaces is ONE TIME TOO MANY. But not here. This workplace is forgiving.)

2. I don't have enough things to carve--fun foam may have to be my method of choice because it's cheaper than carving blocks...but blocks are so much more fulfilling. And dangerous (see 1).

3. My ~~crap~~ craft room is in the middle of spring pseudo cleaning (aka I can't/won't/don't know how to to put everything away). Therefore, the floor is relatively inaccessible...maybe a good thing since I still need to vacuum up that broken glass in the corner.... so I'm not in a good position to produce more stamps and carvings right now.

That means you should be looking forward to some PICTURES instead. (because my laptop can travel out of the craft room into wide open (and clean) spaces).

hasta luego amigos! Let me know what you think about the stamps. Are you going to try it too?
-Lu

Urban Coyote: The Real Pictures

2010-03-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

In my haste to provide my best photos for the last post, I omitted one really important photo--the proof that the coyote was indeed a city dweller. (thanks jendoop for pointing that out). Here's the proof:

See the coyote in the orange circle? See the sprawling city of Tempe behind him? And the cars wizzing past on the freeway? Poor, sad, little City Slicker coyote. The little patch of desert he and I are in is a city park--it just looks all barren and isolated because desert parks aren't usually nicely landscaped like Real city parks are. Which is why us Arizona kids get to the Eastern states and flip out. Because it's like a storybook come to life!

And that leads to the other picture--the cool shot of my siblings on the top of the rocky hill--yeah, in reality, it was a pathetic little hill, but I like having nice looking photos, so I tried to make this one look all cool by shooting from the base of the hill up, thus removing the city and pathetic-ness of the hill from the picture.

The orange circle shows you approximately where I crouched to take the photo, and the fuchsia oval shows more of the city off in the distance. I like my end photo much, much better.

--Lu

Urban Coyote

2010-03-03T21:49:00.000-08:00

We spotted this guy at Papago Park just a few miles from ASU campus:

In Tempe there's a fantastic museum run by the Arizona Historical Society, and behind the museum there is a nature trail type thing--and it was while on that path that we saw the coyote just a little ways from us. He didn't seem to mind us being on his territory at all.

This just goes to show that you don't need to be out in the boonies to have a wildlife moment.

--Lu

Piano for Old People (and a few thoughts on trying to stay true to what you believe)

2010-02-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

When I was younger my mom put me in piano lessons, and like my violin lessons, I only half- heartedly tried to do well, an attitude I regret a little now. But! Not to be held back by my lack of enthusiasm in the past, I've decided now is as good a time as any to rally my energies. So I've picked a few songs and practiced as many times a week as I can. To encourage myself, I set up this prize: If I practice at least 15 mins. three times a week for two months, I can buy any one piece of sheet music I want at the end of the second month.

I realize that is a meager amount of practice time--but I'm going from no practice time to practice time, so I thought slow and steady (and realistic) was best. I'm proud to say, though, that I've practiced much more than a mere 45 mins a week almost every week so far. The piano is addicting, I tell you.

As part of my deal with myself, I've been practicing a hymn or two from church, so my newly developing skilz don't go to waste when it comes to serving in church. So when I saw this sheet music in this month's youth magazine (from church) I took it with me to see if I liked the song.

I love the song, or rather, the message of the song. You'll notice that it starts out with music from the hymn Come, Come Ye Saints--and that was one of the selling points for me. I love the idea that anyone who is trying to live a moral code of values is engaged in a struggle not unlike our pioneer anscestors--though our conflict is more subtle in nature, it takes the same kind of dedication, fortitude, will-power and faith.

And anyone who has tried to live a code of values different from the norm knows what I mean when I say it is a struggle or conflict. It isn't easy to be the only person at a social gathering, or at work, or anywhere, really, who believes something different from everyone else. Especially when the thing you believe puts you in the position of having to say what you believe (which almost always means a high likelihood of being ridiculed, or having to defend yourself---or at the very least having to find a way to tactfully remove yourself from the situation). It certainly isn't a comfortable place to find yourself in.

So, I think the message of this song is a perfect rally cry for youth everywhere who are trying to hold true to their moral beliefs. Actually, it's also a perfect rally cry even for this one older person who is trying to learn to play the piano.

The Christmas Wreath that wouldn't die

2010-02-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

How I went from lazy-still-have-my-Christmas-decoration-up-in-February

to fully-decorated-for-Valentine's-Day-neener-neener

(yeah, that's a homemade wreath with a big ol' branch sticking off the side, and yes, I just cut some hearts out of cardstock and wired them onto the wreath. It was easy peasy. Even though it's a little ghetto...)

--Lu

Scrabble Frames

2010-02-10T12:26:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna be on the lookout for scrabble games at the thrift store from now on.

image from diyideas

(unrelated side note: a small piece of green fun foam is hiding beneath my alt key. great.)

Sophie Blackall

2010-01-28T01:00:00.000-08:00

Oooh. If you're up late because of a cold like I am, this might make you feel a little better about being awake.

This blog by one of my favorite illustrators (she illustrates Ivy and Bean books, and I get the books just to look at the pictures...ok. I read the stories too...) showcases her illustrations of missed connections.

I would have posted one of the illustrations here, but I'm a weenie and don't want to email her first to get the ok. So here's the next best thing: links to the pictures!

I love the knitting one and the collar one and the ice skating ones the best. Her etsy site sells the prints for $40. Just sayin'.

--Lu

Earthquake

2010-01-24T21:54:00.000-08:00

I've been organizing my ~~junk~~ memorabilia this last week, and I came across this little gem from when I worked with handicapped kids one summer during my undergraduate days. I retouched it a little (because I didn't go to graduate school for nothing, dang it.) Hopefully you enjoy it.

***

Norm is sititng on my lap, his short red hair spoking out messily from his head. I'm watching someone on the other side of the room. I notice Norm shifting position, and I look down.

He's leaning closer and closer to me, his tongue poking out of his mouth. He doesn't seem to mind the close proximity of my face, and it isn't until moments before impact that I register his intent and push him back.

With his plan to lick my mouth (an ongoing battle) thwarted, I watch as his face twists into a boyish mask of anger. He throws back his pale arm, balls his hand into a fist and glares at me. Slowly and deliberately (almost painstakingly) he yells, "YOU STUPID!" Each letter almost is highlighted with a small pause before the next is articulated.

I calmly look at him and state one simple phrase: "The earthquake is coming."
His face remains tense, his arm still poised for bonking me. That is my cue.

Quickly, catching him off guard, I grab him tightly and start rocking him back and forth, bouncing my knees wildly while happily yelling, "Oh no!" (smile) "The EARTHQUAKE! Run Norm! Save yourself! Don't worry about me--I'll survive somehow!" He starts laughing and snorting hysterically.

I stop jostling him.

His laughter slows; one last giggle bubbles out.
And he's back on his old theme. He manages to say, "STUP--"
But I beat him to it. "EARTHQUAKE!" I yell as I bounce my knees as violently as I can.
And then he's laughing again. Loving every minute of the "earthquake."

When I stop this time, his face relaxes--his eyelids lower, he breathes heavily, slowly. He quietly whispers, "I'm sorry."

Corinne Bailey Rae's New CD

2010-01-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

NPR ran this story on Ms. Rae's new album, and then set up a beautiful FREE link to let you listen to the album until it's released on Jan. 26. Enjoy. --Moo

Birthday Boy

2010-01-17T20:55:00.000-08:00

My old roomie Jamila and her brother came to stay the night on Friday, and on Saturday I cooked The Rock and the Jamila's the biggest fattiest greasiest yummiest birthday breakfast EVER. There were pancakes made with half and half, and freshly made berry syrup and whipped cream, and a Whole Package of Expensive Costco Bacon fried in it's own greasy goodness, and eggs fried in the bacon grease. Wow. It was heavenly. No four people should eat an entire package of thick bacon in one sitting--so we didn't. We left two pieces for breakfast on Sunday. And also, we didn't eat until noon, which turned out to be a good thing, because we would have exploded had we actually eaten three meals that day.

Annnnd...that's all.
Happy Birthday to The Rock who can now say he is the same age (number wise) as I am, and that means it actually seems like we're the same age, and I can't play the I'm Older And Smarter card for a few months now. Bummer.

Really Missing

2010-01-16T21:31:00.000-08:00

I was just remembering this one time I lost my jump drive at the UofA library. And by "lost" I mean I left it in the usb port of a public computer. When I realized I'd left it behind I went back to look for it.

I didn't find it.

A little while later, I received an email from one of those sites that makes up anonymous/untraceable email addresses. The sender of the email informed me s/he was making the files from my jump drive available to me (I can't remember if it was on the public portion of the computer, or through a web site or what. All I remember is that I had access to my missing files.)

Who does that? Steal a jump drive and then give the person back their files.

It was a really odd mix of feelings: I was grateful, a tad freaked out that they had figured out my email address, and annoyed that the person stole the jump drive in the first place.

Dumb Burnette?

2010-01-11T20:51:00.001-08:00

Wow. To prove my title is not so much of a question as I wish it were, I just published this post. Before I'd written it. So, if you are lucky enough to be on the blog before I finish typing this, you will see just a title question. (and no, I'm not taking a poll on this one because I fear the results.)

Here's a story for you. And maybe, probably, it is about me.

Ok. Here goes.
Once I left my house in a rush to get to work (because, although I wasn't running late, I didn't exactly have time to dawdle). I locked my front door and skipped down the steps to the garage. I threw open the door and---the garage was EMPTY. Oh, no!
Me: Where is my car? Someone stole my Honda!

I was shocked and sad and really mad because we'd made it through several years in Tucson without the car being stolen and then it happened in the teensy, tiny town of the FP of all places?! What kind of ridiculousness is that!
So I ran back up the steps, fumbled for my keys, and called The Rock at work all at the same time. He picked up and I said, "Dude! The car is gone!"
The Rock: Um...I don't know where it is. (he drives the truck and when he left that morning, the car was in the garage).
Me: Someone stole our CAR! It's gone! I don't know what to do.
The Rock: [hopefully] Did you drive it anywhere today?
Me: I didn't drive it anywh--Hey. I had it when I went to the fitness center. No, it was definitely here.
The Rock: Did you go anywhere else?
Me: Uh...Yeah. The grocery store. I went there, so that means it was stolen after that.
The Rock: Is it possible, that maybe you left it at the grocery store? [note: we live almost directly behind the store, so we usually walk to the store]
[stupefied silence from me as reality dawns; The Rock is trying not to laugh]
Me: Oh. My. Gosh. I'm such a dork! I drove it to the store and forgot that I'd driven and I walked home with the groceries and left the car in the parking lot.
The Rock: [still trying not to laugh too hard] Ok. Well, you can go get it, right?
Me [giddy with relief]: What a dork! Wooee! Ok, well, Bye.

So, our car was not stolen. It was misplaced. By me.

And now it's back in the garage where it belongs.

The end.

Best Class

2010-01-06T21:20:00.000-08:00

This is the Christmas card I meant to send to you this year.

I drew it and edited it myself, and I get quite a kick out of it, because, Hey! Someone did eat all the fudge at our house....

So, I wanted to show it to you even though my sneaky plan was to just send it out to you all Next Christmas (...maybe I still will and you can pretend to be surprised). But! I'm showing it to you because it is directly related to the topic at hand.

It came to me tonight what one of the most useful classes I've ever had is...and I thought I'd share.

My friend Megan is a digital scrapbooker. That means shes uses a version of Adobe Photoshop (Photoshop Elements, to be exact) to make scrapbook pages. (see her blog for examples)

I'm not much for scrapbooking, but when I saw the things she could make, I was intrigued. Because she's cool, she offered to sit down with me and show me how she did it. So we set up a time when I could go to Megan's house and The Rock and Megan's husband could go play raquetball (or some other such manly activity). The appointed time came, and we settled down in front of her computer for her to show me the ropes.

I still have a page of notes from that night, and even now, over a year later, I still refer to the notes and think back with fondness on that night. I can't think of notes from any of my college classes that I still have, let alone, refer to.

Even though it was an informal meeting, it counts as one of the best classes I've ever had. The teacher was knowledgeable, enthusiastic, kind, patient, and funny. She taught me a skill I value. And she did it so well that most of it stuck with me--all I need is that one page refresher. And, best of all, Megan expanded my ability to create artwork and gifts that brighten my life and the lives of others.

Thanks, Megan, for giving me one of the best classes I've ever had.

--Lu

Credit's Note: the snowflake background on the card is Golden Girls Jack Frost paper 2.

Row for Water

2009-12-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

I had a good 'driveway moment,'(staying out in the car until the interview/show is over), coming home from work this afternoon. Talk of the Nation on NPR interviewed Katie Spotz, the youngest (22), and only American who will soon attempt to row solo across the Atlantic. What's better, is that she's doing it to provide clean drinking water to at least 1,000 people for life. One awesome girl! Go check out her site and maybe give some consideration to supporting her cause. She'll be leaving on New Year's Day, and will blog and tweet as she rows 10-12 hours a day until she reaches the Americas in March. Awesome awesome awesome.

Moo

Can't Sleep (or don't want to)

2009-12-15T18:32:00.000-08:00

A typical night with me and The Rock. (can you guess which one I am?)

The Rock feigned incredulity that he was the "grumpy one." (because, in spite of the fact that I wake him up almost every night with kicks and shoves (and that doesn't even account for the general racket I make before I fall asleep), he always makes the best of the situation).

P.S. I stole the video link from Moo's email to me. She didn't post it fast enough, so I beat her to the punch.

From Sam the Missionary in Mexico

2009-12-14T20:24:00.001-08:00

We bought ice cream one night and on the wall it says ''Banana Spleat''

Good Idea / Bad Idea?

2009-12-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I get in the So-Super-Cheap-It's-Comical Christmas mode. (you didn't know that mode even existed, did you?)

The latest thought: Giving someone library books. Wrap them up all nice and pretty with a big bow and they can read them and then get rid of 'em. Very practical for the minimalist on your list. And also for us tightwad gift givers.

In my family it was (is?) entirely acceptable to give secondhand gifts to someone else. In fact, because we gave second hand gifts we ~~were contributing to a Greener Earth~~ actually got quite a few Really Good presents on a tight budget. Garage sales, thrift stores, our own closets (har) are a few sources. I don't know that anyone's gone for the dumpster dive finds, but it would have been cool if they did. My favorite example is the year Moo gave me an Uno Card from our very own Sesame Street Uno deck. (Don't worry, she spiced it up by hiding it in the freezer.)

My friend in Tucson said her kids would often come up with goofy things on their wish lists because their family was so poor. Things like World Peace and One Bag of Pizza Pockets were not unheard of requests.

What are your tightwad gifting ideas/requests?
--Lu

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

2009-12-08T06:40:00.000-08:00

Living in Arizona, those words have rarely held much meaning for me. Frightful, eh? Yah, if you call 60 degrees and sunny "frightful"--then I'm with ya. But last night, I got a small taste of what those words really mean. The wind moaned and howled around my house, an unusual bumping was heard repeatedly from one side of the house, rain lashed against our windows, and my neighbor's tree gave up the ghost in an amazingly ferocious winter storm. The storm began yesterday morning with rain, then fog in the late afternoon, and culminated with hurling of water and ice and wind all night long.

It made me really appreciate my house--no chinks in it and a nice heater plugging away come rain, sleet, or snow. I remember reading the Little House on the Prairie book The Long Winter. I hated that book because it made me feel so cold and dark and forlorn. In contrast, last night, a warm glow filled the house: I had the heater, a few blankets, and my trusty rice bag to keep me warm. I really do feel blessed. --Lu

Loser

2009-11-30T11:54:00.000-08:00

I lost NaNoWriMo (as I said in my P.S. a post or so ago). BUT! I would happily sign up for it again. (especially if it didn't take place in the month of November. I'm thinking January or February would be better months for writing nonstop).

So, do you want to know why you should sign up for NaNoWriMo no matter what? .... Wait for it....THE EMAILS! Can any of you non-nanowrimoers say that you have an email from Gail Carson Levine in your inbox? What about Robin McKinley?

Yeah. I have both of them in my inbox.

My theory is, if you are a writer, you should sign up for NaNoWriMo just for the email pep talks from other (cool) authors. Cuz that's just AWESOME to have people telling you that they struggle with the writing process too, even though they are Big Name Authors.

So here's to NaNoWriMo Losering.

--Lu

Not too early for a Christmas Song and Dance

2009-11-29T17:40:00.000-08:00

I love this song and the video and everything about it. If you were with me last year, you already know that, though. Just pretend we're having a YouTube sharing party at my house. This is my contribution.

P.S. I'm not going to win NaNoWriMo. I'm around the 30,000 word mark. Better luck next year.

Favorite Things Add On

2009-11-28T20:50:00.000-08:00

3. Psych.

(I know, I know. Megan and Matthias are shaking their heads and saying, "We told you so." And all I can say back is...you were RIGHT! It is stinkin' funny.)

(Psych side note: The Rock's sister says that since she's been watching Psych, she's noticed she's been more observant. And just tonight (a mere three days after seeing my first episode EVER) I too noticed that I'm getting a tad more observant. As in, we were picking up a key from our neighbors, and from my position outside their back door I observed that there were homemade chocolates on the kitchen table. And in my mind, the little Psych glowy light zoned in around the chocolates as if it were an important clue. Mostly, it was just important to my stomach.)

Watch yourself an episode and let me know if you like.

That links to the second show of the series because...

NOTE: the pilot episode is hilarious and worth watching, but does have the only makeout scene I've encountered in the series so far (though I'm not really an expert on the series, I have it on good authority it's the only one). It's mild, but I'm warning you because I was annoyed by it and you might be too. Also, it happens at the beginning of the show, and I didn't want you to get the wrong idea about the whole series from that one blip of stupidity. And also, these shows are crime mysteries, and sometimes there is some violence, which I didn't find offensive, but I get overly worried that my scale of tolerance is not your scale, so--there ya go.

--Lu

P.S. In case you were wondering, my neighbors did give us some chocolates even though I was Very Good Mannered and didn't make any kind of suggestive comment at all. Patience paid off...and the fact that they know I have an unquenchable sweet tooth.

Favorite Things

2009-11-25T21:08:00.000-08:00

Alright, now that my long silence is over (apparently), and while we're talking about favorite things, I'll tell you two of mine:

1. Sonic Cherry Limeade Chillers. (take a cherry limeade and add icecreaminess AND whipped cream on top.) (sigh.)

2. Chocolate covered altoids (cinammon preferably), esp. good when eaten DURING church. (gasp! That's practically contraband! And it's all the sweeter for being such.)

--Lu

What are some of your favorites from 2009?

Most Useful Thing I've Made This Year

2009-11-25T09:15:00.000-08:00

The winner is: an improvised rice bag foot warmer.

You've probably heard of/seen/used one yourself.

I have perpetually cold feet (except on the day of my wedding. And I'm plenty braggish about that fact.)

Cold feet isn't really a problem for most of the year in Arizona. But, when the weather turns cold(er), and me being a night owl, sometimes by the time I hop in bet my tootsies feel like icebergs.

On one of my late night stay-up-a-thons I was really dreading the Iced Feet of the Dead, so I took matters into my own hands. Not wanting to sew that late at night, I grabbed an old pillowcase, scooped in a few cups of rice, then tied the opening of the pillow case in a knot. I stuck the whole thing in the microwave for 1.5 mins and VIOLA! No more cold feet, no more laying awake in bet for an hour till they warm up enough for me to go to sleep.

I carry my rice bag around with me all the time when I'm at home (I'm using it right now, and my feet are blissfully warm, whereas moments ago they were on the verge of turning blue).

This makeshift rice bag foot warmer is working so well, I don't know that I'll ever sit down and make an official one.

--Lu

Every Moo Needs a Studio

2009-11-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

YES! I have a STUDIO now!

I always did kind of sort of have it, only, it had all of my paintings and a (I love it when in mid-sentence I glance up and google is advertising "Feline Pine Cat Litter" with the explanation that "Your cat's litter is important--more than toys or treats." Nice try google. Not buying today.)

Anyway, I had a whole bunch of stuff in the corner, and the University Library has the Famous Artist Course books in the oversized section, and my new goal is to go through all of them before we move in August, or December. And the very first part before Lesson 1, which I could have told you myself, but it's More So coming from Norman Rockwell and Bernie Fuchs (two of the famous illustrators who wrote the books), that before you begin, you need a studio space.

So on Saturday The Geologist mopped the whole kitchen floor and we took all of the big paintings and things I'm not using to his house, and then borrowed my in-laws other card table, and ta-da! I have a studio!

I'm really excited about this because now I can make my painty messes and I don't have to clean them up before dinner/lunch/breakfast/snack because it was all over our kitchen table.

The Geologist has heard lots about this between Saturday, and yesterday like you get to hear now because I'm really excited, as I just said two sentences ago.

The End.
--Moo

From the Old Stomping Grounds

2009-11-17T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is The Rock's contribution to the blogosphere.

Slumpish

2009-11-11T20:44:00.000-08:00

Dear November Challenges,
People who do NaNoWriMo have it 1,000 times harder than those who do NaBloPoMo (or however that's spelled).

Sincerely,
Lu

P.S. I'm just below my word quota, coming in now at 15,000 something words. My "novel" is progressing poorly, but as we NaNoWriMoer's like to say, Quantity, not quality.

2009-11-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

You would think that after a ten hour car ride I'd have thought of something to tell you--AND you'd be RIGHT!

If you come to Moo's house this is what greets you:

(Smitty drawn by Moo. I told you she's good.)

And also, your camera will attempt to infect her computer when you start to download pictures. But that's ok, because you can use my computer, which apparently, didn't even know it was infected.)

--Lu (the wannabe NaBloPoMoer)

Overheard

2009-11-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

"Lately my burps have been really powerful. Don't you love it when they make your eyes rattle?!"

--Lu

Loosing of the Bird

2009-11-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

Someone nick-knocked on our door tonight (see video below, entitled Hamish and Andy 3 step hiding). Coincidence???

Best of all, just after I opened the door to find no one on my doorstep, a frantic looking sparrow flew through my open doorway and INTO my house! (which precluded further investigation to see if there was a three step hider in the yard.)

After some moments of yelping, much fluttering of wings and panicked bouncing off of light fixtures (yelping by me, fluttering and bouncing by sparrow), the poor little bird resigned itself to its fate and held relatively still while we put a bowl over it, slid a magazine under it and deposited it outside.

The most pressing question now is: Was it intentional? Because, isn't Set A Bird Loose In The House a thousand times better prank than just knock and run!

--Lu

Can You Guess What This Is About?

2009-11-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

The papercut is entitled: Mother Said This Would Come To No Good (click the link to find out...).

You can see the artist's blog here and the rest of the pieces in the gallery here.

Youtube Party at Our Blog

2009-11-03T17:34:00.000-08:00

If you lived around here, I'd invite you over to watch these. But since you don't...

Ghosting 2.0 (slightly more PG-13 content)

and this (as if you didn't already have Ghosting to keep you occupied):

Mucho thanks to jamila for alerting me to these (and Patrick for finding them in the first place). --Lu

Because What's November Without a Little Writing?

2009-11-02T18:35:00.000-08:00

The rumors are true...I'm doing NaNoWriMo.
(and so should you).

--Lu

Halloween Construction Paper Drawings

2009-10-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

The extent of my decorations this year...

The cat with the spiky tail and the robot are my favorites, though the ghost's eyes are the inspiration for my upcoming Dead Bride costume.

Have a great Halloween! --Lu

Shall I share the magical how to do your hair videos?

2009-10-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

I shall, indeed.

In case you need some serious hairdo help for your Halloween costume.

Love,
Your New Life Coach
Lu

The secret to big hair:

Quick updo.

More hair rat. (you've always wanted a rat!)

Marie Antoinette (seriously, there is enough room in there for a three layer cake!)

Poof you're a frog!

2009-10-25T14:50:00.000-07:00

For the FP's Halloween carnival last night, I dressed up as a Fairy Godmother. Five yards of tulle, one yard of silver mesh, 2 yards of satin ribbon, a poofy white skirt, a sparkly necklace from an estate sale, and a bunch of glitter eyeshadow...now that's my idea of a great costume!

The shoes, however, were my pride and joy. And now, I share them with you. Sadly, there are no "before" pictures, so just imagine with me that there is a pair of Very Pink high heels before you (straight off the shelves at Goodwill). And with a wave of my tinfoil covered cardboard and dowel wand....

These shoes are the results of silver screen print paint, copious quantities of silver glitter, plastic "jewels" and modge podge. (And that's the wand making an appearance there at the top of the photos).

In a stroke of I'm-trying-to-sleep-but-my-brain-won't-turn-off inspiration: it came to me that I should hand out "wishes"--gifts I might bestow on people if I really were their fairy godmother.

"Broccoli will taste like candy to you."

"Your bike tires will never go flat."

"You will find buried treasure."

"Your breath will never be stinky again."

"You'll never have to cut your toenails."

"You'll never be kidnapped by pirates."

And if you were here, I'd bestow just such a wish on you. POOF! --Lu

Yet another reason why watching the Food Network during workouts is such a good idea

2009-10-19T09:48:00.000-07:00

This is the Barefoot Contessa's Easy Cheese Danish. (I would have included a picture of the ones I made, but my camera is hiding from me and only the burned ones are left. Which reminds me: if you have two cookie sheets in at a time, watch the bottom one Very Carefully.)

I thought I had orange zest in my freezer (to substitute for the lemon zest) but I didn't, so I used a teaspoonfulish of orange juice instead. So, so, so delicious. The consensus was that adding a bit of jam to the filling would have been a good idea, though I think they taste wonderful plain too.
--Lu

typophile

2009-10-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

I happened to run across this video that makes use of squash, jello, cool aid, incense, ham, and purple fur...wow. (note: "Everything in the film is real – no CG effects!")

(image from byu.edu homepage)

In which I wonder, "Did he just threaten to shoot us?"

2009-10-11T00:04:00.001-07:00

And I quote The Rock:
"Our bike ride today was somewhat typical of our rides. We explored new territory, exhausted ourselves, returned the people who came with us in no more than two pieces, and ran into machine gun toting militias. Maybe it's the first time we ran into machine gun toting militias."

Let me explain. We rode out of the FP along a Very Rough dirt road for many miles. And then there was a gate. With the sign: Private Property, No Trespassing.

I'd heard there was a group of gun happy, compound loving types out along some road, and I joked that maybe this was the place. Turns out, I was right.

The Rock and his coworker had the guts to approach the compound to ask permission to cross their land. They called out as they approached the Bunker (for lack of a better name), upon which a man exited with a Large Gun in hand and cocked it. (also, the Bunker did have a large amount of weaponry inside it. Just FYI).

At this point The Rock was thinking, "Great. Now we're going to get yelled at."

No joke.

I would have been thinking, "Great. I'm going to die."

That's why he was sent as the liason, not me.

At this point another man exited and was quite friendly, saying, "We don't want you riding back the way you came, you'll just get lost. Sure, you can use our road."

Wasn't that nice of him?

We got a ways down the road (it was smooth, smooth, downhill) when The Rock's tire blew. He was all for walking the rest of the way ("I want to get off their land as soon as possible") but somehow he ended up changing the tire.

At this point we heard a vehicle approaching, which raised my heart beat a little because, well, the Gun People were coming.

A man in a Ranger pulled up next to us, asked what the matter was, listened to our tale about the flat tire, then with no prelude, lifted up a sleek handgun with a silencer attached to it (I knew what that was before he told us because, thank you, I haven't been watching Jason Bourne all these years for nothing.)

He held the gun up and out, pointed directly away from us so we all could see and said something to the effect of, "Ever seen one of these before?" in a voice that conveyed that probably this was more than just an idle question.

Imagine now the moment of awkward (and tense) silence that followed, because, hey, we've all been watching Jason Bourne for years now, and we know what happens when the silencers are on. And it's not deer hunting.

At that point I wondered, "Is he actually threatening us?"

Then he fired it. (away from us, thankfully.)

It was plenty quiet, I'll tell you that.

He must have sensed our discomfort because he made some comment about how those silenced guns are extra dangerous around kids who don't think they're harmful because they're so quiet. (which, also, sounds like an indirect threat.) Whatever, man. I just want out of here. Now.

Then he joked about blowing things up (such as a refrigerator) and the tension broke.

Then the real show and tell began: he pulled out a Big Gun. This time no fear inducing question accompanied the presentation of the gun. Our eyes goggled at the Fully Automatic M16 with sweet laser scopes, etc. And I will tell you, it is too heavy for my weakling arms to hold upright for very long.

(p.s. Go me for picking the cheesiest pose imaginable when holding a gun like that. I was happy to crop it for your viewing pleasure.)

So, what started out as a semi-frightening situation turned into one in which all the members of our party wondered, "Can we come out here and watch you blow up refrigerators, shoot your sweet sweet guns, and maybe even take a ride in your helicopters?" Because it turns out we all have a little bit of the Gun Compound Militia gene in us. --Lu

Tune for Autumn

2009-10-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

Skulls, Tombstones and Graveyards

2009-09-30T20:38:00.000-07:00

Halloween totally justifies my morbid love of graveyards, especially old ones. And while Boston wasn't quite the Fall Paradise I had hoped, it did provide a lovely graveyard.

I was quite taken with the skulls that adorned many of the tombstones. They are a stark contrast to the cutesy decorations and the sugar loaded candy in every grocery store that mark the oncoming celebration of Halloween.

--Lu

Adrenaline Rush

2009-09-30T20:29:00.000-07:00

We hiked Indian Head Trail starting at the trailhead at Flume Gorge Park, New Hampshire. The entire trail is encompassed by trees that block the view of the valley below. That is, until you reach the summit. Once there, the trees suddenly clear and there is nothing but you, a monstrous granite rock beneath your feet and a View.

With no guard railing to stop me, and with a fresh breeze whisking away all the condensation that had accumulated on my skin (because surely that wasn't sweat? Even Arizona doesn't produce sweat like that!) I couldn't resist the urge:

New Hampshire in the fall beats Boston every single day. Look at those fall colors. Love you NH!
--Lu

New Hampshire In The Fall

2009-09-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

Just like a storybook.

End of Summer Book Review

2009-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted a long book review. And since you're dying to know whether you should read some of these, here's my take on 'em:

Mable Riley: A Reliable Record of Humdrum, Peril, and Romance
by Marthe Jocelyn

The jacket design for this book is exquisite (because who doesn't love an old fashioned book cover?). This is the story of Mable Riley who accompanies her sister (the new school mistress) to a different town to board with complete strangers. Mable is a daring sort of girl who becomes curious about a neighbor woman who rides a bicycle, wears bloomers instead of dresses, and thinks quite highly of women's rights. (She also has a cottage named "Silver Lining" because her "little cottage is a spot of brightness in a dark world"). Set in Canada in 1901, this book nicely encapsulates how people learn to live with each other's differences, while still maintaining their own opinions. Not everyone is converted to the ways of women's rights, and the solution to the problems doesn't come about in a fairy tale wrap up. Which makes it refreshing to read. I do love Mable's take on boring primers--she twists the dull rhymes into new ones of her own.

Smiles to Go by Jerri Spinelli
This is the story of a boy who takes the world very seriously. He's worried about what will become of him after he dies, he has a twelve step plan for his life...he's serious about becoming something in life--he's a planner and a thinker and a worrier.

But his best friend isn't like that at all. He's carefree to the point of driving the protagonist to worry that his friend won't get anywhere in life. And at the edges of all things in the protagonist's life is his annoying little sister (who, for the record, is cool times ten (in an annoying little sister sort of way), e.g. she refuses to eat dinner with regular utensils, instead she uses play tools: a plastic screwdriver and pliers...)

I love how Spinelli creates these characters who are Very Real. They have quirks, they have interesting personalities with depth. This book looks at the question: How do people who think that life has to be lived according to a 12 step plan respond to people in their lives who don't have plans like that? How do you love your friends for what they are instead of picking at them for what they are not? And for those of us who too often saw our siblings as a annoying pests rather than friends to be loved, this book sends a powerful message.

This book is at times philosophical (think Star Girl), but really, for those of us who don't see the world that way, it's good to be reminded that some people out there do.

Lucky Stars by Lucy Frank
Kira's dad makes her sing for money in the subways of New York which is embarrassing in some ways but good in another: she has an amazing voice. It's a gift she loves, but not enough to overcome her annoyance at having people laugh at her for being a panhandler.

Jake stutters, and it consumes his life and the way he sees himself. He can't get past that barrier in his mind, that is, until he meets Kira and wants to be her friend.

And Eugene...well, he's overweight and funny and doesn't care what people think...and he's Jake's best friend and right hand man, stepping in to help out when the words won't come.

Somehow, all three of them end up thinking about joining choir at their school.

I love this book for it's characters and for it's realistic look at being a teenager. Teenagers have tough decisions, have sincere and very pressing concerns that aren't always drugs, sex and cliques at school. And on top of that, they have parents and teachers and all the restrictions and responsibilities that come with living in a world controlled by adults.

Evil Genius by Catherine Jinks
How do villains learn what they learn? How about in a school for villains!
This book goes so much beyond being another boarding school story. This is the story of a boy genius (Cadel Piggot) (and I think the author does a fabulous job of making him into a believable genius) who finds out his father is one of the most dreaded villains in the world. And his father is doing everything he can to ensure his son is well equipped to take over the family business when he grows up.

Cadel loves that his talents are not only appreciated, but encouraged. He likes too that his dad has a plan for his life. But parents' dreams and ambitions aren't enough to fill their child's need for a dream of his own.

This is a unique twist on a coming of age story. I love that the author recognized that everyone, genius' included, need love and to feel wanted. I also loved reading about systems, numbers, math...the references were very much over my head, but the story was still very readable (and enjoyable) in spite of it's "genius" material. Also, the "bad" things Cadel does are funny and fun because they are actually clever and not stereotypical dumb bad guy stuff. I would peg this as a book for older teens.

Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Elenor Updale
A prominent thief is seriously injured while trying to escape from a job. A doctor wanting to prove his theories about surgery operates on the thief and saves his life through the use of groundbreaking medical techniques. The doctor uses the thief as a model in his lectures, continues trying new techniques on the thief.

All the while the thief thinks of the day he'll be released from prison, and he decides he wants the life of a gentleman. And because of the lectures he's "attended" as an exhibit, he's been introduced to the newly constructed sewer system in London. And he realizes that it is the key to his success as a thief. And so, upon his release, the thief, now calling himself Montmorency, embarks on his mission to become a gentleman.

This is a young adult novel without any young adult characters in it. It's a great adventure read, though I would also recommend this book for older teens. Both this book and its sequel deal with adult situations and dilemmas, though nothing is particularly sensual or objectionable for a mature reader. Also, this book works very well as a stand alone novel, though there are two other books about Montmorency.
--Lu

Late Bloomers

2009-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

I planted some flowers earlier in the summer and so far they've only managed to grow some green leaves about four inches high. That is, until last week, and then this popped out:

Nice, eh?!

Some little shoots had popped up in our hydrangeas so The Rock replanted them and last week this little guy showed up:

It's like spring, except it's almost Fall, but I'll take flowers whatever season they think it is.

--Lu

Ode To Mrs. Consoli, or Some Amazing Ribs

2009-09-15T17:38:00.000-07:00

Oh boy. This is the one. (for me anyhow)
Country style ribs were on sale last Friday at the Highly Esteemed and Marvelous Buy Low, and I bought a pack. Then during class today, I googled 'quick bbq ribs' and we now have Mrs. J. Consoli to thank as we eat and weep over her "Quick and Tasty 3 Step BBQ Rib Recipe."
Mm. Mm-mm. Watch out though, them thar ribs are super addicting, and I think you could get your month's worth of cholesterol if you eat the whole recipe. See the nutritional facts to the right.
I only had three tiddly little pieces and that was enough for me (although I think I would have eaten myself to death if I wasn't the Unselfish-Thoughtful-Soul-Who-Thinks-of-Her-Husband and her right aorta)
Note: We don't have a real grill as yet, and so I used the George Foreman grill instead and it worked marvelously.

Corn Colors

2009-09-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

We grew two special types of corn this year and they are quite beautiful, so I'm sharing pictures with you.

This is Sweeheart corn (good for popping, not eating)
It's really small. About the size of a racquetball. It's the perfect color combo for fall, though, don't you think?

This is our Blue Hopi corn:

And, no, it did not taste that good. Because we left it on the stalks too long, or something, and it was quite firm and not super edible straight off the cob. I'm thinking we need to grind it into cornmeal (blue corn chips anyone?). Maybe that's just the way the corn is supposed to be...we're novices over here, in case you forgot. So, if you know the answer to why our blue corn isn't soft enough to eat, let me know!

In case you haven't gotten the picture...

2009-09-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

If you come to visit us, we will take you outside to play. The Rock's friend from school visited this weekend and, you guessed it, we did some of this:

It totally looks like the cactus is poking me! (it's not. But not to fear! I'd already been stabbed by a few poky plants.) (also, if you enlarge the picture by clicking on it, you can see my intense concentration...or consternation).

Just another plug for the FP being the BEST PLACE EVER. (or, maybe just the Pokiest Place Ever. Hard to say.) --Lu

When Em came to Town

2009-09-09T11:14:00.000-07:00

My good friend Em visited this weekend and she brought the rain with her, just like last time. She's a brave girl so she opted for mountain biking even though rain was threatening. The threat was fulfilled in the form of DOWNPOUR and FLASH FLOODS!

I can't adequately tell you the thrill of riding through rushing water where just an hour before there was none. The brown water splooshing up over your handlebars, all over your legs, your poncho only barely noticeable because you were already soaked when you put it on...

The adventure didn't end after we'd gotten back to the truck. The Rock later said, "I know about flash floods, so before I drove through the wash I looked up it..." What he said to Em and me was "Look at that!" There was a two foot wave of water rolling down the wash! We were 5 seconds too late to make it across safely so we waited 20 minutes for the water to get a little more manageable. Then we waited 20 minutes again when we had to cross the same wash half a mile down.

On Monday I secured proof of The Rock's love of animals/crawly things:

(we nicknamed this the Pool of Wonders because it's a cool little pool in the rocks, there's an 'island' in it, AND there was a beetle (shown), a snake in a crack on the back wall AND! a dead tarantula floating in the water).

I vote this one of the Top Weekends in the FP. Thanks Em!

The Grand Potato Experiment

2009-09-04T20:21:00.000-07:00

When we converted our ~~dirt plot~~ backyard into a garden, I insisted that potatoes--Red Potatoes--be included. This led to me also insisting that tires be used to increase our potato yield. Being the romantic he is, The Rock returned from a mountain biking excursion with a present for me--a truckbed full of used tires. (and I must note that he carried each tire up a hill to his truck! Now that's love, people.)

For several weeks (or was it months?) we used those tires to increase our liklihood of being voted Best Redneck Front Yard--but when no award was forthcoming, The Rock stacked the tires neatly in the backyard until our potato plants grew tall enough to need additional tires.

Eventually each grouping of plants had 3 tires as shown here:

Because some of the plants started dying we decided it was time to harvest the potatoes. (Which was convenient because my roast recipe this week called for 2 lbs. of red potatoes).

Eagerly, I set out to dig up the left tire stack. Later that day The Rock dug up the right tire stack.

This was our total yield:
Note the AA battery for scale.

[also note me wincing because the ONLY potato in my entire stack of tires was the size of a pinto bean. It isn't pictured above...I threw it away in frustration.]

However, our Ugly White Grub yield was significantly higher. I don't have a picture to verify this--and you might be glad for that. They were quite...well, grubby.

After smooshing a few grubs, I found a better method of disposal--the black ant superhighway running just behind me.

Ironically, we'll proably be trying to ward off those very ants come spring, and they now have extra strength to fight back because I made it rain grubs one fine September day.

The Rock and I had a pow-wow and we agreed that next year we're going to grow potatoes the old fashioned way in light of this year's results.

We haven't decided yet what to do with the tires...we might recycle them back to the front yard. Or maybe we'll get a little more creative...

Blowout

2009-09-03T20:56:00.000-07:00

Cowabunga Cowgirl

2009-08-30T16:12:00.000-07:00

One of my friends in the FP has horses. Seven to be exact. And last week she offered to let me go riding with her while she trained one of her young horses. (I don't know horse lingo, so I'm writing this in layman's terms...and poorly constructed ones at that).

Note to my 10 year old self: riding horses is still as cool as you thought it was, except better because you actually fit on the horse and can even swing yourself up into the saddle unaided on the first try.

Thanks to my friend, I didn't just get to be cool and ride a horse, I got to look cool (a rarity) too. She brought boots for me and I found a pair that mostly fit. I've had trouble before with cowboy boots: while hypothetically the boot is the right size for my foot, I can't get my foot into the boot. I attribute it to having high arches (though it could be incompetence, me being a city slicker and all), which make it practically impossible for me to smoosh my foot down into the foot-space because I get jammed up in the ankle-space (layman's terms, remember.)

Somehow (read: with much tugging and grunting and pulling) I managed to get the boots on my feet. And then I got to walk around all cool and cowgirl like and ride all cool and cowgirl like. My cool and cowgirl like self deflated though when I went to remove the boots. My friend had to get out of the car, kneel down in my driveway and physically pull the boots off my besocked feet. She was laughing at the idea of my neighbors watching the event, so it took a little longer than expected to yank the boots off (that, or the fact that she had to squat on a practically vertical driveway and pull with all her might while trying to not fall hard on her backside when the boot finally flew off). I, meanwhile, was giggling and offering words of encouragement such as "Pull HARDER! YOU CAN DO IT! GO, FOOT, GO!"

So much for my cool and cowgirl like image.

--Lu

Playlist Update

2009-08-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I started listening to music at work. It's the first time I've tried it on a regular basis. Until now, I've avoided music altogether because I didn't want to have to veto most of the songs requested/brought in by the tweens I work with.

It all started in one of my desperate forays into our little town library. I found four CDs that I couldn't resist.

Billboard Top Hits 1975 -- 1979 (I know that's 5 CDs, but, actually, 1977 is awol so it wasn't really an option)

I checked them out on a whim more than anything else.

And...I've loved listening to them! For instance, right now Abba's Take a Chance On Me is playing. And I just sang along to Dream Weaver by Gary Wright and I Go Crazy by Paul Davis.

Oh man. What about Reminiscing by Little River Band?!

More surprising than my own enjoyment is the fact that the tweens recognize and LIKE some of the songs too. When pressed, they'll say, "Oh, it's on a commercial," or "It's in that one movie."

Maybe I like the CDs so much because because I grew up listening to those songs. To be frank, on most days you'll catch me avoiding 70's music. I hardly ever dredge it up from the depths of my ipod playlists.

But this time...
It's just, once I started listening it brought back, well, not really memories per say...more a feeling. The songs feel comfortable, familiar, safe--like an old friend.

P.S. Um, the music videos, well, they don't convey that same feeling. The Abba one made me snicker and possibly roll my eyes at the awful 70's clothing and the hazy lighting (does that really make women more attractive? I've gotta ask The Rock about that). That doesn't change the fact that the song is AWESOME! --Lu

Note to Self

2009-08-24T13:55:00.000-07:00

1 and 2/3 cup of oil cannot be substituted for 2/3 cup oil. Even the delicious goodness of brownies cannot overcome such an error.

Better luck in the future.

Another Email from Moo

2009-08-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

AHEM:

Lilo: [pulls a strange looking rag doll from her backpack] This is Scrump.
[other girls gasp in horror]
Lilo: I made her. But her head is too big, so I pretended that a bug laid eggs in her ear, and she's upset because she has only a few more days to...

***

Lilo: [Sitting at a table with Stitch] David! I got a new dog!
David: Auwe... You sure it's a dog?
Lilo: Uh huh... He used to be a collie before he got ran over.

And this is a picture of the shnazy Stitch humidifier!!!

Love,
Moo

Annual Seattle Weiner Dog Races!

2009-08-17T21:08:00.000-07:00

They briefly featured this on the news tonight. It looked so funny that I just had to let all y'all know about it (scuze the y'all---Pure Country happens to be on CMT). The video file seems to be kind of large, so it's best to just wait for it all to download before watching.

Moo

Cooking Fun with Julia

2009-08-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

NPR has an interview with the screen writer/author for the new Julie and Julia movie, along with a few clips.
The clips don't give away the plot, they just dish out good characterization. And they're really funny----ESPECIALLY the meltdown one.
I think all of us can relate. I was guffawing up my sleeve over it. Real life and all that.

Enjoy!
Love,
Moo

P.S. This is Lu: watch the "Meltdown" scene (found on the left side of the NPR story page). The crying is so funny because haven't we all Been There?!!!

Can't Wait

2009-08-10T00:27:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. The book is wonderful!

I'll quote the jacket blurb because it's much too late to think of a coherent summary myself:
"January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she'd never met, a native of Guernsey, the British island once occupied by the Nazis."

The book is written as a collection of letters which makes for difficult reading at first, because the characters reference things you know nothing about, but...stick with it. All will be explained.

The post script to the first letter told me that I would almost certainly love this book, so I'll share it with you. The letter is written by the heroine, Juliet Ashton: "I'm reading the collected correspondence of Mrs. Montagu. Do you know what that dismal woman wrote to Jane Carlyle? 'My dear little Jane, everybody is born with a vocation, and yours is to write charming little notes.' I hope Jane spat on her."

A heroine with that kind of personality gets bonus points! And I can't write about my favorite parts of the book without revealing too much. We'll just have to discuss them after you've read it.
--Lu

Because I won't leave this subject alone.

2009-08-06T21:38:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to mention the name of the movie/book I'm talking about in this post because the Rock would banish me to another part of the house (Just kidding, he's asleep already. I wait till now to do my subterfuge. All the while he blissfully travels through dreamland, unaware.)

Even if you don't like Twilight (oops, I said I wouldn't mention it, oh well), you might get a kick out of this short post.

And in case you want to banish me for even mentioning the T word, I'll give you this fresh from my garden to restore good feelings.

Dealing With Dragons

2009-08-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

I think I've avoided this book before. Because of the title. I'm not particularly fond of fantasy literature that is enamored of dragons. But, I have a wise friend who, before telling me the title of the book, told me the gist of the story, and that made me want to read the book.

I'll list a few of the chapter titles for you so you can get a feel for the story:
"In Which Cimorene Refuses to Be Proper and Has a Conversation with a Frog"
"In Which Cimorene Receives a Formal Call from Her Companions in Dire Captivity"
"In Which Therandil Is a Dreadful Nuisance and Cimorene Casts a Spell"

Dealing with Dragons is the first of five books in the Enchanted Forest Chronicles. Hooray that the series is complete, and that copies are readily available because it was published a while ago.

Dealing with Dragons opens by introducing us to Princess Cimorene. "Cimorene was the youngest daughter of the King of Linderwall, and her parents found her rather trying...As for the girl's disposition--well, when people were being polite, they said she was strong-minded. when they were angry or annoyed with her, they said she was as stubborn as a pig."

Cimorene doesn't want to be a simpering, bumble head the way a princess is supposed to be. So, to avoid her fate, she runs off and volunteers to be a dragon's Princess. The dragons are impressed by her ability to make Cherries Jubilee and one agrees to accept her as her princess.

You can (and should) find out the rest of the story by reading the book yourself.

--Lu

Princess Bride, the short version

2009-08-01T22:14:00.001-07:00

I've been holding onto this little treasure for a while...or, rather, I found it, then lost it, then found it again. So. Here you go.
You're welcome.

P.S. Remember how when I went to the BYU and told friends back home that quoting the Princess Bride was a requirement for admission? And they believed me. Right. They must have known enough BYU freshmen to realize that it is one of the most over watched movies at the BYU. (I wonder if it still is?)

P.P.S. I haven't watched the movie (or read the book) for years now because one summer I watched it so many times in a row that I maxed out my taste for it. We got to the point that we'd watch the Fast Forward Version, which meant that chunks of the movie (if not the whole thing) was fast forwarded while my friend Sar summarized the dialog. Except the Inigo Montoya part where he says, "And he gave me this, and this." That had to be said verbatim.
--Lu