Still dreaming.

I'm so baaaaaad at Lj/Dw these days. Reading a lot, *thinking* a lot, but the fingers just don't get the keyboard as often as I'd like. So, if you wrote and you were wondering why I didn't comment, I totally might have, in my head. And I do promise to do my best to actually *write* comments as well as think them. :)

~~~

Charlie is sometimes a baby panda named Eeepie-Eeepie who can only say "Eeepie!". She is sometimes an unnamed puppy ("Baybee Puhppe" she corrects. That's a description, not a name) who can only say woof, but that's not nearly as cute.;)

~~~

There was a treadmill at Goodwill, and I thought about getting it, but I'm not sure we could fit it in the van. And if we had, I'm not sure where we'd put it in the *house*. It's just one of those gigantic things. I'm hoping for something foldable. Maybe not even electric. I'm sure I'll find something on Craigslist.

~~~

Dear Newt,

It's not that you had an open marriage that's the problem. As long as everyone's aware and agreeable, have as many people as you like in your marriage.

The problem is that you've been running around for years going "Marrrrrrage is one man and one woman, period, nobody else, never, ever, EVER." And now. like so many of your brethren who make such statements, you've been found out to be lying.

Sure, a lot of people will just ignore it, given that you were in a relationship with two women, so the one penis per ratio was preserved. But, there will be people who will think something along the lines of "Well, if he lied about that, what else is he lying about?".

Doesn't really matter to me. I wouldn't vote for you if you were up against C'thulu or Zombie Nixon.

Sincerely,

Me

~~~

Absolutely Anything, based on a script that Terry Jones has been developing with Gavin Scott for two decades, may actually see production this spring. It tells the story of a few aliens and one human and, according to Variety, all those aliens are going to be voiced by the remaining living members of Monty Python, in a group venture the likes of which hasn’t been seen since 1998..

~~~

The past few days have been sorta sucky. Not completely, but there's a high pressure system passing over, thus my right arm is angry and my head hurts. My stomach decided to join in on the fun and they all had a jamboree which is (hopefully) mostly over now. Thus, y'all get this entry, now with fewer links. We'll try again on Monday. *Grin* Love you all (truly) and hope your weekends are lovely. I will hopefully be taking Sam to see Hugo (in 3-d, which I've heard, for this movie, is really cool). She doesn't know. So if you hear a loud noise that sounds something like "SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE" around four on Saturday, that might be her.

Five Ridiculous Sound Effect Origins.

~~~

Microsoft Calls for Gay Marriage in Washington State.

As other states recognize marriage equality, Washington's employers are at a disadvantage if we cannot offer a similar, inclusive environment to our talented employees, our top recruits and their families.

That is a very good point. If we can't get equal rights because it's the right thing to do, maybe we can get them 'cause corporations could lose money if we don't. At this point, I don't really care. I'd just like to be a full citizen someday.

~~~

Etta James has died at 73.

She had a good run, made some amazing music and I wish her well in whatever comes next.

~~~

AAAAHHHH! Beavis & Butthead detooned sculptures.

Hold me. I'm scared.

~~~

Dear Mark Wahlberg,

Oh, *I* see. It was the *reporter's* fault for asking you a question. Not your fault for the response. Sure..

Me

P.S. Buyin' it about as much as I'm buyin' Capt. Tripped&Fell

~~~

I knew about Garfield & For Better or For Worse, but had no idea that but I had no idea about the other comic strips that were made into shows/specials. The Wizard of Id (in puppets!) was Jim Henson's.

I can't believe I hadn't heard about Tales from the Far Side till today.

~~~

Poor Charlie. She was playing last night and fell, hitting her face on the table. She's got a black eye and two cuts. I will post a picture (dw people, head to my lj to see it), if I can get her to stop making squinchy face (which covers up much of the eye) or turning her head *juuuuust* as I'm taking the damn thing. Not that she's ever done that or anything...

In celebration of David Bowie's sixty-fifth birthday, Pictures of David Bowie doing normal stuff.

~~~

The Mary Sue deconstructs the "Lego did all kinds of research before producing minifigs with molded boobs marketed to little girls" claim.

Truly amazing sculptures made of match heads pressed into clay.

~~~

NASA's FAQ about why the world won't end this year.

~~~

D00000000000d. I feel like I haven't been here in years. Even though I've been reading a little every day. So behind I may actually be in front.

Yulemas was lovely. Fell down splat the day before, but since we didn't have to be anywhere, it wasn't *that* big a deal.

I'm still not sure how it happened. We'd come out of Pier One and were heading toward the van. Jeff and Sam were ahead of us, I was holding Charlie's hand while she was gavotting. She tripped and I pulled her back up. A couple steps later, I was falling. I'd let go of her hand, so as not to bring her down with me and I did have time to think "Oh shit" before impact. Knees took most of it, with the left knee taking the vast majority. It's much better now, but still really ugly. Mostly pain-free, unless I forget and try to bend it further than it wants to go or kneel on it. I only knelt *once* and I doubt I'll be doing it again for a good long while.

Other than that, we've been hanging out, playing with new toys, reading new books and having a wonderful time. Jeff had the week between the 25th & the day after New Year's off and got to truly relax for the first time in a good while.

Now we're trying to get back into the routine of everyday life. It's a bit of a challenge, but we're up to it. :)

~~~

Seusified Batman characters.

~~~

I need to find a photo album for all the studio shots of the girls. There are some I want to hang up, but there are only so many times I can do that. Thus, album. Which is kind of hard to find. If they were 4x6" photos, I'd have my choice of a thousand albums. But since they're mostly 8x10", I"m not having much luck. I started out looking online, but I really need to hold the album in my hands before I buy it. I'm open to making my own, or at least putting my own together, but hold hope that I can find something...precombined.

~~~

Sammy's very favorite present wasn't the AG stuff, the pink guitar or even the book about the Harry Potter movies. It was the last two Hunger Games books. We must be doing something right. *grin*

~~~

Pomagranate Pendant. How absolutely gorgeous is that?

24 hours of ST:TNG engine noise. I find it quite soothing. I don't know if it's 'cause I'm a big, giant Star Trek geek or if it's really that soothing...;)

~~~

The 20 Unhappiest People You Meet In The Comments Sections Of Year-End Lists

~~~

Two lesbian moms, one gay dad and the bringing together of six grandparents.

~~~

Samoa's taking Friday off...the calendar. They've decided to switch sides of the International Date Line and will not be having Friday this week.

American Samoa *is not* making the change. So, that won't be confusing.

I love stuff like this. Partially for the weird factor and partially 'cause it helps me explain to Sam how the way we use time is really just something we all agree on. The sun rises and sets and doesn't give a damn what time we say it is.

Jeff and I were discussing the coming Zombie apocolypse, like you do, and I came up with something that's either brilliant or will bring a quck death to us all.

Okay. It is a fact that our brains give off electrical waves. So, hitting a zombie with a powerful electric shock (like a tazer on steroids) would either disrupt the waves enough to end the zombie *or* give it something of an upgrade, making it stronger and possibly more vicious. Depending on your story.

~~~

First trailer for the first half of The Hobbit.

~~~

The History of Glitter. Very short and quite nifty.

~~~

No, seriously, what happened to December? It really doesn't seem like it's the 23rd. I'm behind on everything (big surprise) and am going to be sending New Year cards. Which *is* a Winter Holiday. As is Valentine's Day. *grin*

Dear Nick Notle,

C'mon man. We *know* that's you and we know why. Stop trying to rewrite history (nine year old history at that) and just move on. We have.

Ever so sincerely,

Me

~~~

Really? REALLY?!!!Atlanta Braves Disputing Pixar’s ‘Brave’ Trademark.

One is a movie, one is a baseball team. Pretty sure 99.99999% of the population can tell them apart. *eyeroll*

~~~

The Island of Hipster Toys.

The only Misfit Toy I can think of that was actually defective was the train with square wheels. The rest were just delightfully different. But then, imneho, the real story of Rudolph was "Conform or bring something amazing to the party", so it goes.

Yeah, I know. Cynical. Rudolph made me this way.;)

~~~

A very Calvin & Hobbes Christmas.

~~~

I've got to start taking Sleep Aid (the aid that helps you sleep, only at Costco) again. Today's the second day in a row where I woke up three/four hours after I went to sleep and couldn't get back to it. Oh well. At least I *have* Sleep Aid. And, for right now, I have coffee. Which is good, 'cause I have to do crafts with the children later. Must make more coffee.

Led by the child who simply knew.

A story of a transgender child and the family who's helping her to be *her*. Via the lovely browngirl.

~~~

Honestly, this is why Adele's music is so amazing.

When will she release a new album? Adele is going to get some much needed R and R before leaping into her next musical offering, which, she predicts, will be when she’s 25 or 26. Of the decision, Adele says, “I’m just gonna lay some concrete, set up home and just ‘be’ for a bit. I’ll disappear and come back with a record when it’s good enough. There will be no new music until it’s good enough and until I’m ready.”

~~~

STFU About What Women Want.

~~~

I have hope. As you know, Bob, Charlie's had a problem with "I hate you!" for the past few months. I have a problem with it as well. And we've been talking about it a *lot*. She's still saying "I hate" but it's along the lines of "I hate that" or "I hate when that happens". This pleases me.

~~~

I have either a weird cold or allergies that absolutely *hate* me. But, I have tea and am starting to feel human again. Which is good, 'cause we're leaving for Charlie's birthday pictures in about an hour.

I'm really hoping it doesn't take half an hour to get her up to taking *good* (read:non-pouting) pictures today. *crosses fingers*

Leave Malia alone. The mama in me agrees, the awkward adolescent in me agrees and the person who thinks the media are *jerks* when it comes to famous kids agrees. That's three votes, right there.

~~~

What's tomorrow? Oh, that's right. Charlie's *Third* birthday. No, I'm not sure how we got here, but I'm so happy we did. She's added so much to our lives and I honestly can't imagine life without her.

Tonight, we're going to see the Muppets, then to the market to let her pick out cake mix. 'Cause we live at a hundred mph here. *grin* Tomorrow is cake and presents and probably lots of Wonder Pets and Yo Gabba Gabba, 'cause the birthday person gets to choose the activities for their birthday weekend. If it isn't too windy, we'll toss in a trip to the playground as well.

Braille Handrails at a Zoo. *SO* clever.

~~~

Turtle embryos can speed up their development to hatch together with their siblings.

~~~

Truax...the rebuttal of The Lorax from the logging industry. Ohhhhkay then.

The Technology of Storytelling.

~~~

Apropos of nothing, I think it's very important to teach kids that it's fine to not know and it's fine to say "I don't know", as long as they realize that I don't know is a beginning, not an end.

Which is why Sam is being taught how to fine-tune a Google search, among other things. :)

~~~

Girl Scouts rock.

It just isn't Thanksgiving unless you've heard Alice's Restaurant.

I guess that means that if you've never heard it, it's never been T'giving. *grin*

Hope everyone's having a great day, no matter what's going on. Love all y'all.

~~~

Ten songs I didn't realize were covers and five I totally did. The original title is "Fifteen Songs You Didn't Realize Were Covers", but it obviously wasn't accurate. Besides, how do I know which ones you know are covers?

Though, I will admit that, while I knew "Hey Joe" and "I Think We're Alone Now" were covers, I wasn't sure who'd done them first.

~~~

What love really means.

~~~

See, this is what I've been saying for years. Secret to the Best Pumpkin Pie is in the Can. I once spent the better part of a day making a pumpkin into filling. And it really, really wasn't worth it. Starting with canned pumpkin is quicker, easier and I end up with the same or better flavor in the end. :)

~~~

Breaking Dawn in Fifteen Minutes with links to the other Fifteen Minuteaited movies in the series.

The Artist looks *amazing*.

~~~

Why the Muppets should host the Oscars.

I'm for it. :)

~~~

Pristine Big Bang Gas found.

~~~

Arthur recreates scenes from classic movies.

~~~

I would love to know why, when typing the word "scenes", I try to put an extra e on the end.

~~~

This homemade Joan of Arc armor is very wow.

~~~

Baroness Trumpington gets love from me.

Also, isn't that just the perfect name?

~~~

Still struggling, but making progress. It's pretty much all I can ask for.

Happy, happy birthday, darthgeek. I love you so much, even though you're all old now. *grin*

Subterranian Hill Street Blues.

~~~

Tea Party to Businesses: "Stop Hiring!".

That sound you hear is me whacking my head against a wall. 'Cause I didn't want to damage my desk.

~~~

Kathleen Jennings Proves There Is No Classic Work of Literature That Cannot Be Improved By the Insertion of a Dalek.

Around the Dalek in Eighty Days is my favorite.

~~~

Yoda helps a flower girl down the aisle.

~~~

Muppets Rawk.

~~~

OMG. The pears we got from Orrs are little jewels of deliciousness.Tiny and just made of yum. This totally makes up for us being out of peach season. *grin*

The Fifth Die Hard Movie has a very silly name. Here are a list of twenty better names.

Also, as much as I love the first two (dislike the third and never saw the fourth), yeah, we *really* need another Die Hard. Totally.

~~~

The weirdness with my mouse continues. I had to unplug it, then plug it back in. The computer insisted it was new and installed drivers. Which brought the problems back. But, the ctrl-alt-delete thing worked. And I guess it's the drivers that Windows insists on installing that's causing the problem (or at least bringing it back), though I don't know why. I'm so confuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuused, you guys.

~~~

Dear Apple,

You've just updated my software...why are you checking to see if you need to update my software?!

AUGH! You're as confusing as my mouse.

Gessi

~~~

One Science Fair Project, slightly used.

~~~

Unspoken Rules for Women in the United States.

~~~

Baby & R2D2 discuss the meaning of life.

~~~

The visit with Jenny, Tom & the boys was incredibly fun. I can't wait to see them again. :) Jeff and I are discussing taking the train up there...over there sometime next Spring.

*snort* I like this better than painting the belly like a pumpkin. Looks warmer, too.

~~~

Jesus Ween.

No, it's not religious porn. It's one of those substitutes for H'ween. Jesus...ween. And that's how they spell it on the page. Not one word, there's a space.

They've got to know, yes? Sure, they say "The dictionary meaning of Ween is to expect, believe or think" but someone involved with this has to know that the slang definition of ween is penis.

Also, also if you think H'ween is such a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad thing? Maybe you should ignore it instead of fake ignoring it while kind of celebrating it.

~~~

Speaking of H'ween, Sam's gothic rag dolly costume did not fit in the slightest. We could have maybe made it work (I could have sewed her into it as it was, but I don't think I could have done even that if we'd put a long sleeved shirt underneath as planned), but the wig didn't fit at *all*. So, I returned it and we were going to figure something else out.

My parents took her costume shopping and they put together a really nifty outfit. "Death's Little Sister". Which includes a scythe, cape, mask and wings. Sam's picked out an iron-on, and we're going to get her a black or gray long sleeved shirt. She's already got the pants and her mostly black sneakers will work beautifully. It'll all be comfortable and *fit*.

So, that's done.:)

~~~

OOOH! Just found out that Nathan Lane is in the Snow White movie (the one with Julia Roberts as the evil queen). Rock on. I already want to see that...this makes it better.:)

~~~

Double OOOH! Full Trailer for Aardman's Pirates!

~~~

Just in case anyone here is wondering, Here's what the Wall Street Protesters are so angry about. Yeah, I know you know. But, just in case you didn't know, now you know. Y'know?

~~~

Blargh. No idea why I'm so nauseated. But it's makin' me grumpy.

Visit with parents went very well. Charlie was shy at first, but soon realized there were two more people to adore her and did very well. Sam had the time of her life. We all got to hang out a lot and it was just great.

Today's a "getting back to normal" day. Charlie isn't enjoying it much. She's very brittle right now. We're being as gentle as possible with her, but I hope like hell that she gets over this *SOON*.

Got my replacement kindle and a lava lamp. 'Cause I've always wanted one and finally realized that I could get one if I liked. Right now it's on my desk, but I'm probably going to move it to my bedside table soon, if I can figure out how to keep it from Charlie. Maybe my desk is the best place for it...:)

Okay, well. This woman is just an idiot.

There’s one big fact that’s not backed up. There is no proof that there’s ever anything like a gay, lesbian or bisexual or transgendered child, or teen or human.

*Edit* I don't know what's up with the article being hidden (unless it's fake?) but here's a link with what I remember to be the full text.

Uh-*huh*. I'm imagining something like Horton's Whos, trying to prove to the kangaroo that they're there. But, this person is nowhere near awesome enough to be a Seuss character.

If I don't exist, do my kids no longer exist or is it like the time my mom was contemplating getting her first marriage annulled? She wouldn't have ever been married in the eyes of the Catholic church, but the child of of that marriage wouldn't be considered illegitimate.

~~~

Woo! Won an auction for a replacement Kindle. Why? Because the rotten children were playing on the bed and mine died a noble death. And the lovely e-reader my mom bought for my last birthday died on the trip to Florida. *sigh* It wasn't really Sam's *fault*...it was just an accident but it still really bums me out when I think about it.

But, now I'll have it again. And maybe one day I'll upgrade to the color. Or maybe not. I really like the one I had, or I wouldn't have gotten another just like it. :)

~~~

The past couple days have sucked. But, starting now, things will be better. Because, I say so, that's why.

Dinosaur stubs toe, provides scientific breakthrough 65 million years later.

~~~

Via bkwrrm_tx, Dan Choi to reinlist. Go Dan!

~~~

Awww. Bye, R.E.M.

Ah well. They'll probably be like the Beatles and play on each other's solo albums. :)

~~~

Elizabeth Warren truly rocks.

I hear all this, oh this is class warfare, no! There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there -- good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that maurauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory... Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea -- God Bless! Keep a Big Hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along.

Oh *hell* yes.

~~~

The New Political Correctness.

~~~

Poor Sam. She was doing so well on her first embroidery project. She was really *listening* and paying attention to what she was doing. And then, yesterday, she left it where her sister could get it and went into the kitchen for less than three minutes. When she came back, Charlie had taken the scissors and poked holes in the fabric. It's a handkerchief, and not mendable. I felt so very bad for her. I'm pleasantly surprised that, while she was frustrated and a bit angry, she didn't even yell at Charlie. I did have to remind her that her sister wasn't doing it to be a jerk, and I'm pretty sure she believed me. :)

She picked out a new pattern and I set her up. She'll be starting over today. I'm so proud of her.

H'ween costumes are completely taken care of. Charlie's gonna be a penguin and Sam will be a Gothic Rag Doll. *And*, the shoes we found at Goodwill will go very well, and Sam says they're very comfortable. Her costume should be here sometime this week.

I know it's cliche', but I love it when a plan comes together. :)

One day, I will finish the report on our Disneyworld vacation. I really will. But, for now, here are a bunch of pics. Most are from the camera, but some are from the camera phone. See if you can spot the difference! ;)

Also, a recommendation that, if you can only go to one of the parks, make it Disney Hollywood Studios. I loved all three that we tromped through (Disneyworld & Epcot were the others) but H'wood studios was the best by far. We each had an amazing time. It was laid back and relaxing, while being super fun. And not just 'cause there were Muppets, animation, penguins and Pixar. That helped though. :)

~~~

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The rerelease of Ghostbusters to theatres is only in the Uk. *sniffle* I guess they don't liiiiiiiiiiike us very much. *Wail*

~~~

So, to the meme I posted Wednesday (you can still ask stuff if you like).

browngirl asked 13. Something I always think "what if..." about.

What if Fishie had lived? Would we have three kids now? Everything would be different, even if a lot of things would have been the same (that does make sense in my head).

rebellibrarian asked 23. A quote I try to live by.

Oooh. I've collected quotes for years. There are two that I honestly do try to live by:

"But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." -Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782

With this one, I expand it by chopping off the front. I use it when something bothers me that really has no affect on me or those I care about (that can be like, the world, man wrt global climate change and wars and stuff). I also use it with Sam, because she really, really cares if someone likes {musician} or doesn't like {actor} and it can stress her out at times. Oddly, I tend to remember it backward as "It neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket".

And "Life is a great big canvas; throw all the paint you can at it." - Danny Kaye

Kind of self explanatory. :) And it stops me from mentally yelling at myself when I'm in a slump. It doesn't always work, but it often does at least get me doing *something* whether it's drawing or sewing or sending an email. Just to get moving, y'know?

and 24. Somewhere I'd like to move to or visit.

Well, we're planning on moving back to San Diego in fiveish years. Don't you love how I say "Moving back"? I'm the only one of us who's ever lived there. Sam and Jeff have visited but Charlie's never even done that.

I want to visit many, *many* places. It might be quicker to make a list of where I *don't* wanna visit. *grin* Mostly places with large snake populations. I'd like to bum around Europe for a year, but I think I may have to save that for another lifetime.

katster asked 3. A book I love.

A book? A book? Jeeze, what are they tryin' to do, give me a headache? *grin*

One of my always favorite books is 84 Charing Cross Road. All of Helene Hanff's books are favorites and often reread.

One author...that works. :)

And jenny_evergreen asked 1. Five ways to my heart.

1. Be sweet to my kids.

2. Be sweet to Jeff.

3. Be a reader.

4. Listen to me.

5. Realize that sometimes I'm just silent. It doesn't mean anything. If you're worried, please ask.

2. Something I feel strongly about.

Reproductive rights. The older I get, the more having freedom of my body means to me. The older my girls get, the more their freedoms mean to me. And the angrier I get at the people who actively work to take that away.

16. Five items I lust after.

Johnny De...oh. items. *Grin*

Well. I've had this idea for a while. Buy a nice piece of land and build seven tiny houses on it. The kind that are basically a large studio. Each of us would have a house and there would be one for the kitchen/dining room and one for the entertainment center/hanging out together. Basically, that would be the living room. They'd be set out in a circle with a gazebo, garden, benches and such in the middle. Each one would have a bathroom and the ones in the living quarters would have showers as well.

I think that may count as more than five...:)

22. Things I like and dislike about myself.

I like my craftiness, my ability to take disparate things and making something interesting. My creativity and my ability to cook and bake. The way I can teach and learn and the way I think.

I dislike my depression, my procrastination, my shyness and my aversion to speaking on the phone.

So, if you want to ask something, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25, 26, and 27 are open.

~~~

Sam has started embroidering. And is doing a very good job. I'm very proud of her. She's really listening to what I'm saying and it shows in her work. Yay Sam!

~~~

Dinosaur feather evolution trapped in Canadian amber

~~~

Do you remember the kid in Parenthood (the movie, not one of the two tv series) who'd put a bucket on his head and run around till he ran into something and fell down?

Well, if you don't, just come over and hang out with Charlie. She's in a bucket on the head phase. I don't know why, but she *really* likes it. Not so much running into things on pupose (thank goodness), but she has two buckets and wears them often. If she's gotten what I think are too many bumps, I put the buckets away for a while. Which means she puts small toy bins on her head. Too bad hats don't fill this need. She falls down a lot less with hats.

But, while it worries me a little (the getting hurt, not the bucket. The bucket is hilarious, especially after I drew a face on it), it gives her a lot of joy. And it's incredibly fun to knock on the bucket. She raises it to her forehead and say "What you want?" or "Why you knock on my buh-ket?".

There's a game on Facebook called Gardens of Time...it's a hidden object game. I really enjoy it, especially when the girls wander by. Charlie likes to sit with me and go "Check!" every time I find something. Sam helps me look and gets so excited when she finds something.


I love my kids.

EA Adds Female Player Avatars to NHL12 On Request From Female Fan.

Way cool.

~~~

I have been sleeping much too much lately. I don't know what the deal is.

~~~

Oh wow. Ghostbusters is being rereleased in theatres in October.

~~~

As seen in jenny_evergreen's journal, ( Leave me a comment with the corresponding number(s) and (within reason) I'll tell you: )

~~~

Grumpy, grumpy, grumpy, grumpy, GRUMPY.

Also, the big bruise on my back is bein' a jerk. I see ice cream, movies and embroidery while sitting on the couch with the kids in the near future.

Dear Sun,

Just 'cause it's September doesn't mean you have to go away. Really. I still love you. Please come baaaack!

Gessi

I'm glad it has cooled down and that the majority of the humidity has gone away, but a bit of sunshine would be nice.

~~~

Nearly four minutes of silence.

Turn on the closed captioning.

~~~

No, officer. I swear. A bear stole the car.

~~~

AV Club interview with Mel Brooks.

~~~

Was in a good mood. That's over. Blah. Really, really working on it.

Dear Spammers,

Why yes, I do look naturally fabulous without a bra, as I am, naturally, fabulous.

However, these ta-tas are never going to *look* enbra'd when they're not actually encased in a bra. They're each pretty much as big as my head. I don't think taping them up is going to work for any length of time, unless that tape is of the duct variety and we use a lot. Also, detaping would hurt, a lot.

In closing, give it up. It won't work. Spend your pixels elsewhere.

No love 'cause you're spammers, but a bit of amusement.

Me

~~~

Dude. The American Girl Bistro? Not worth the money for the quality of food received. Charlie had pizza...it was a microwaved frozen pizza. The chopped fruit was nice, but you know...chopped fruit. Our appetizers (you get an appetizer and an entree) weren't terrible, though my artichoke & spinach dip was nothing but cream cheese, bread crumbs and a bit of spinach. Jeff said his burger was pretty good, Sam loved her mini-burger and hot dog (but I think the mininess was the real reason) and my spinach salad with bacon dressing and chicken? Blah. Very blah.

So, next time we go, we'll go to La Madeline. Probably cheaper, definitely tastier. :)

But, Sam had a *great* time (and doesn't know what her dad and I think of the Bistro, just that next time we "Get to go to La Madeline" and she's excited about that, even when it isn't on the schedule at all) and got Rebecca's school outfit, the Pet Show Outfit and an earring set for her dolls.

Charlie got to play with the dolls, especially the Bitty Babies and Twins. And we discovered that she likes the twins, loves the babies and *WANTS* a stroller. So, I'll get her one of the dolls for her birthday (she really couldn't decide and I think I'm going to try ebay) and a stroller's on the way, as I found a good one for twelve dollars and she's been talking about it since we left the store. There was another little kid pushing the double stroller around. Jeff was carrying Charlie and she said "Oh no!" "What's wrong?" "Dat liddle gurl has mah strollah!" "Honey, it's not your stroller." "Dey my dahls?" "Nope, sorry. But, we can go back and you can play with them again. They live in the store though." "Oh. Okay." Crisis averted. :)

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Axe-Weilding Lovebird will take you *down*.

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I love Jill Scott.

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Florida Pastor Doesn’t Get Why Atheists Aren’t Registered Like Sex Offenders.

Oddly, not an Onion article. There's a couple paragraphs in this dink's own words. I'm pretty sure it's completely devoid of logic. Kind of impressive, really.

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Some people give back to their community. Then there’s Fresno County School Superintendent Larry Powell, who’s really giving back. As in $800,000 — what would have been his compensation for the next three years.

Until his term expires in 2015, Powell will run 325 schools and 35 school districts with 195,000 students, all for less than a starting California teacher earns..

Go Larry!

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A hundred years of style and dancing.