I have been searching for the perfect layout that would allow me to add my LARGE images without having to have them be cut off in some way. Well I found this great site and they had exactly what I was looking for. Of course I am going to need to tweak it a bit, but that may take me a while as I am not so HTML savey.
Let me know what you think via comments. Do you like it? Hate it? Not sure?
PS I changed the size of my last post w/images titled "From Today" so you can see the images without squinting.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
{Why God Made Mothers}
This was sent to me by a dear friend of mine...it made me chuckle & I hope you get a chuckle out of it too. Enjoy!
WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring..
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me.. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her t o get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:
Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring..
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me.. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world.. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her t o get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
{Movie Review}
I just watched this cute movie last night called "Penelope". It was the perfect combination of Comedy & Drama.
Here is the description on the back of the box:
A modern day romantic tale about a young girl's inspiring journey, a mysterious family secret and the power of love. With all odds against her, in order for Penelope to break the family curse, she must find true love with "one of her own kind." The warm and funny adventure leads her to realize the most important life lesson, "I like myself the way I am." Penelope Wilhern, born to wealthy socialites, is afflicted by the Wilhern spell that can only be broken when she finds love. Hidden away in her family's estate, the lonely girl meets a string of suitors in her parent's futile attempt to break the curse. Each eligible bachelor is enamored with Penelope and her sizable dowry... until her curse is revealed. Lemon, a mischievous and eager tabloid reporter wants a photograph of the mysterious Penelope and hires Max to pose as a prospective suitor to get the shot. The handsome down-on-his luck gambler finds he falling for Penelope, but not wanting to disappoint her or to expose his surreptitious ways, he decides to disappear. Fed up by his latest betrayal and determined to live life on her own terms, Penelope breaks free from her family and ventures into the world alone. She finds adventure and Annie, her first friend and becomes the person she was meant to be.
It really is a good movie w/heart. I think you may just enjoy it!
Trailer:
And now onto a very disappointing movie:
"Burn after Reading" was supposed to be funny & full of comedy, at least that's what the trailer led me to believe. Instead it was confusing to follow and only spattered w/slight funny anecdotes. I was extremely disappointed with it, not only was it long and boring but they said the "F" word too much.
Movie Description:
Burn After Reading, is a new comedy thriller from Academy Award winners, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen (No Country for Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski).
At the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in Arlington, Virginia, analyst Osborne Cox (John Malkovich) arrives for a top-secret meeting. Unfortunately for Cox, the secret is soon out: he is being ousted. Cox does not take the news particularly well and returns to his Georgetown home to work on his memoirs and his drinking, not necessarily in that order. His wife Katie (Tilda Swinton) is dismayed, though not particularly surprised; she is already well into an illicit affair with Harry Pfarrer (George Clooney), a married federal marshal, and sets about making plans to leave Cox for Harry.
Elsewhere in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, and seemingly worlds apart, Hardbodies Fitness Centers employee Linda Litzke (Frances McDormand) can barely concentrate on her work. She is consumed with her life plan for extensive cosmetic surgery, and confides her mission to can-do colleague Chad Feldheimer (Brad Pitt). Linda is all but oblivious to the fact that the gym's manager Ted Treffon (Richard Jenkins) pines for her even as she arranges dates via the Internet with other men.
When a computer disc containing material for the CIA analyst's memoirs accidentally falls into the hands of Linda and Chad, the duo are intent on exploiting their find. As Ted frets, "No good can come of this," events spiral out of everyone's and anyone's control, in a cascading series of darkly hilarious encounters.
The only good thing about this movie was the trailers. They kept me laughing until I saw this very disappointed movie.
Trailer:
Thursday, January 8, 2009
{From Today}
So this afternoon - 10 min before picking up Aaron from school, William, Ruth, Sam & I went down the road so that I could photograph the only "mountains" I see on a daily basis. These of course are not mountains to me but hills, big ones, but still hills none the less. They are pretty when the light hits them just right.
Of course, we went to go get Aaron from school and then took the kids and Patten too (did I forget to mention he was in the car too?) to the park. It was so funny, the kids were all over the place and of course the boys started a snowball fight with William. The boys would run up and throw the snowball and dart away. William would then scoop up a big pile of snow and throw it at them. The boys had fun. While they were doing this, Ruth had Patten's leash and was dragging him around and around. At first he was following like a good little dog, but soon he had enough and as you can see by a few of the images he tried to pull her along.
We didn't stay long as the kids were getting soaked by the melting snow but they had tons of fun and I enjoyed watching them as did William. I was on such a happy plane by the time we got home.
{{I did not dress Ruth, that cute outfit was her choice - she is very fashion forward...lol}}
Of course, my happiness was short lived as we got a call from the DFAS people telling us because William only has 2.5 years of Active Duty service (he was in the National Guard since 2001) he won't be getting his full Retirement pay - they want to short him $800 per month. What a load of crap - everything we have found and EVERYTHING we have received says that once he qualifies he is supposed to get his FULL retirement along with his VA disability. Nothing about dropping his benifit because he was injured and can no longer be in the military! Of course the CRSC people who made the decision that he qualifies doesn't handle the money part just the paperwork part and DFAS handles how the money gets spent and how they will dole it out. I am soo tired of fighting to get William what he deserves! He served and gave a big part of who he was for this country and I shouldn't have to fight so hard to make sure he gets decent care, or that he gets the medication he needs, or the money he is owed for serving his country!
I shouldn't have to jump thru hoops, harp, complain, be the squeaky wheel. Put the VA in their place or have to contact a lawyer, media, governor or congressmen to get the services that my husband deserves. According the CRSC he is qualified,more then passes the requirements & should be getting Full retirement w/his VA. Of course DFAS doesn't think so. So of course I am going to have to fight, harp, contact a lawyer, media, governor, congressmen & senator - all because basically no one wants to follow their own rules. Seriously, how much harder does this have to be?
I am sorry for my rant but between the Military, VA & now another part of the military called the CRSC & DFAS have been giving me such a headache and since William got back it's been a constant struggle. I thought maybe, it wouldn't be a struggle to get William his retirement, but I was wrong and now...it's just sooo hard. I am feeling very defeated. No wonder so many veterans don't get what they need! The paperwork and inner workings of these organizations just don't work and make it nearly impossible to get what the vet needs. None of these so called "unified" organizations communicate with one another and no one seems to care that your getting the short end of the stick!
The one thing I can say is that our bills are paid - we have a roof over our heads and food in the refrigerator, and money to put gas in my car. Not many can say that these days. With the economic downturn of the USA. Not everyone is hurting but alot here in Idaho are - with HP shutting down as well as other companies and hundreds - possibly thousands out of work. I guess I can say we are blessed.
Of course, we went to go get Aaron from school and then took the kids and Patten too (did I forget to mention he was in the car too?) to the park. It was so funny, the kids were all over the place and of course the boys started a snowball fight with William. The boys would run up and throw the snowball and dart away. William would then scoop up a big pile of snow and throw it at them. The boys had fun. While they were doing this, Ruth had Patten's leash and was dragging him around and around. At first he was following like a good little dog, but soon he had enough and as you can see by a few of the images he tried to pull her along.
We didn't stay long as the kids were getting soaked by the melting snow but they had tons of fun and I enjoyed watching them as did William. I was on such a happy plane by the time we got home.
{{I did not dress Ruth, that cute outfit was her choice - she is very fashion forward...lol}}
Of course, my happiness was short lived as we got a call from the DFAS people telling us because William only has 2.5 years of Active Duty service (he was in the National Guard since 2001) he won't be getting his full Retirement pay - they want to short him $800 per month. What a load of crap - everything we have found and EVERYTHING we have received says that once he qualifies he is supposed to get his FULL retirement along with his VA disability. Nothing about dropping his benifit because he was injured and can no longer be in the military! Of course the CRSC people who made the decision that he qualifies doesn't handle the money part just the paperwork part and DFAS handles how the money gets spent and how they will dole it out. I am soo tired of fighting to get William what he deserves! He served and gave a big part of who he was for this country and I shouldn't have to fight so hard to make sure he gets decent care, or that he gets the medication he needs, or the money he is owed for serving his country!
I shouldn't have to jump thru hoops, harp, complain, be the squeaky wheel. Put the VA in their place or have to contact a lawyer, media, governor or congressmen to get the services that my husband deserves. According the CRSC he is qualified,more then passes the requirements & should be getting Full retirement w/his VA. Of course DFAS doesn't think so. So of course I am going to have to fight, harp, contact a lawyer, media, governor, congressmen & senator - all because basically no one wants to follow their own rules. Seriously, how much harder does this have to be?
I am sorry for my rant but between the Military, VA & now another part of the military called the CRSC & DFAS have been giving me such a headache and since William got back it's been a constant struggle. I thought maybe, it wouldn't be a struggle to get William his retirement, but I was wrong and now...it's just sooo hard. I am feeling very defeated. No wonder so many veterans don't get what they need! The paperwork and inner workings of these organizations just don't work and make it nearly impossible to get what the vet needs. None of these so called "unified" organizations communicate with one another and no one seems to care that your getting the short end of the stick!
The one thing I can say is that our bills are paid - we have a roof over our heads and food in the refrigerator, and money to put gas in my car. Not many can say that these days. With the economic downturn of the USA. Not everyone is hurting but alot here in Idaho are - with HP shutting down as well as other companies and hundreds - possibly thousands out of work. I guess I can say we are blessed.
{View out the Kitchen Window}
I just love my view out the kitchen window. It's always so peaceful and the light always hit just right when I am working on dinner or putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher. The view makes the work go a lot faster and smoother. I didn't have a window in my last kitchen and so I relish the light that shines thru this small window. Of course it's dirty from the day before, because the kids decided to use the sprayer as a way to "kill" each other and I of course left the window to be cleaned until this weekend. so please ignore the "waterspots" and enjoy the view with me.
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