Show and Tell

My favorite neighbors moved away last Friday. They retired to Florida. I will miss having someone who is kind and generous and connected to everyone in the community right next door. My daughter will miss her friends next door (who she wanted to visit EVERY DAY) and their dog. My husband will miss having someone who comes out to mow the lawn every time he does because there might be a quarter inch difference in the grass heights (they both appreciate a well tended lawn). All in all, our former neighbors are excellent people, and whoever lives near them will be the better for it.

On Halloween, our new neighbors started moving in. My husband is out of town, so I sent him some video of our daughter before we went trick or treating. She was walking down the driveway, dancing and singing. Then she ran to the back yard. Then she ran to the front porch to hide. It was a little more than a minute of low resolution video (suitable for email). After asking what our girl was singing, the second thing my husband noticed was this (which is approximately 2 frames of the 1 minute video - i.e. less than 2 seconds):



Are you wondering what is exceptional about this particular frame? Check the upper right corner for the jacked up (lifted) Tahoe. That's not exactly what we're used to seeing in our subdivision. We're thinking that our new neighbors will be MUCH different than our old neighbors. I hope we'll be just as happy with them living next door as we were with our old neighbors. We expect them to be a good addition to our block - they have a 3 year old daughter too!


Join everyone else at Mel's Show and Tell

All We Need Is A Little Love!

All we need is a little LOVE! This award is about sisters uniting together and giving others some love because life is hard and who couldn't use a little love? The rules for this award is simple. 
I LOVE YOU = 8 letters which gives you 8 rules :)



Here are the rules:


1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award and write a little bit about why you love them.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.


3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.


4. Nominate no more than 17 people (why 17, not sure?) who you love or you think could use some love.


5. Write one word (you can only use a word once) about what you love about their blog.

6. You cannot nominate someone who has already been nominated-the love has to spread to all.


7. Post links to the blogs you nominate.


8. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they’ve been nominated.

I'm thanking Wishing 4 One, who nominated me. I love her blog because she's living an adventure in an exotic place. As a home-loving Midwestern girl, I can't imagine the courage it takes to do that kind of thing.

I nominate the following people:

1. Mama Said Knock You Out Honest
2. Mountain Momma Chronicles Similar
3. Subfertile Myrtle Hilarious
4. Bottoms Off and On The Table (Can't choose one word...Videos? Cartoons? Puppy? Sharing ability?)
5. Edenland Highchair
6. A Sense Of Humor is Essential Giving

Working out

I try to work out in the mornings before work. Clearly I am crazy to do so, because that means I must drag myself out of bed at 4:45 am, in order to get everything in before I have to leave for work. When my husband is home and the weather is nice, I walk/run around our neighborhood. Otherwise, I have a variety of workout videos to use.

This morning, I broke out a new video, which my sister gave me for my birthday. Given that it came from my sister, it cost a maximum of $1*. Therefore, you know it's high quality! Apparently, it's British in origin. I could tell by the accent and because the pasty white woman performing the exercises was dressed in a black sports bra, black shorts, black ankle socks, and black shoes. (Aside: Now I know why my husband makes fun of me when I wear shorts in summer. I still don't care.) American exercise videos rarely include people who aren't tan. That particular shade of ghostly is generally reserved for those of us with ancestors from the UK or Ireland.

The second difference in this video from all of the American videos I own is that it is narrated by someone who is not performing the exercise. The monologue is not exactly concurrent with the action on the screen. That makes things a little difficult to follow. As an added bonus, the camera is frequently focused on anything other than the footwork, especially during a change in exercises. Makes things more challenging, I guess.

The third difference is the set appears to be the gym from my elementary school, with screens disguising the less attractive portions. They have the same chin-up ladders attached to the wall, the same hardwood floors...I didn't see a basketball hoop, but I assume it is behind the screen. The only difference? Their mats are more colorful than the ones stocked by the Chicago Public Schools/Park District.

However, the most striking difference is the description of the muscles that should be used during the exercise. I only did the ab portion this morning. Not once did anyone mention upper abs, lower abs, or obliques. Nope, it was "Tighten your stomach," or "stretch your side." During the pelvic tilt portion, I thought I was hearing things when the narrator told me to tighten my vaginal muscles and then my stomach. And that's vag-eye-nal, not vag-(short i)-nal. I'm sure I will be equally entertained tomorrow morning, when I discover how they describe the gluteal muscles.

While this is extremely entertaining and a refreshing change (and I get an extra ab workout from the chuckling), I think I will have to break down and buy that Shred video, so I can be like Aunt Becky.

*Lest you think my sister is cheap...well, she is, but not about gifts. She gave me a bag of 40 items for my 40th birthday, and this was one of the items. I also got a can of Mountain Dew, and some giant novelty sunglasses.

Show and Tell

I had a great topic for a post this morning on my way to work. However, by the time I actually got to a place where I could write down my idea, I had completely forgotten about it. So instead, I give you


BABY ELEPHANTS! (click to enlarge)





The zookeeper was offering bananas for performance (second picture), but the darker gray elephant was uncooperative. She must be a teenager.

On our first trip to the zoo, one of the elephants had a 5 or so month old baby. It was very distressing because the mother and baby elephant were separated from the father elephant by an electric fence. The mother and father were clearly trying to get back to each other, and spent all their time pacing in front of the electric fence. On this visit, mom and dad were reunited, and the young'uns were on the other side of the fence, happily looking around for food. On the visit just previous to this one, we got there right in time to watch the male elephant poop. My little one talked about that for weeks. There's always something good to see at the zoo!

Check out what everyone else is Showing and Telling!

Travels

I recently went on vacation. I travelled with my husband - he was working. I was taking advantage of a paid hotel room and a visit to places where I've never been. I made my first trip to Washington DC - I spent 5 hours and all my energy seeing everything I could pack in. I love free museums! And hot dog carts...with Vienna Beef hot dogs! I do not love birds with entitlement issues who think that they deserve some of my hot dog. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the birds. I had to protect my hot dog.





I toured Civil War battlefields.



I visited Stonewall Jackson's arm.




I dragged my husband to George Washington's birthplace. He was coveting that piece of land, and I thought I might even be willing to live there.




Our daughter stayed with Grandma for the 6 days I was gone. That's 3 days longer than she's ever stayed at Grandma's before. After day 3, she told her father "I'm having fun. Come get me." It was good to get away, but it's nice to come home and know that someone needs you!

Updated: Why is every picture leaning to the right? I'm really not conservative.

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What's wrong with people?

Or, I'm pretty sure God will punish you for using Christianity like a club...



The following is an email exchange between my husband and a local business owner. My husband likes to sell things on craigslist, and we frequently get to meet interesting characters. This time, the guy let his crazy out in only a few emails.




--- On Thu, 9/3/09, phil sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net wrote:


From: phil sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net
Subject: --->1980s and 1990s Never Opened Baseball Cards - $125 (Our Town, Our State)
To: sale-nzyma-13********@craigslist.org
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:31 PM

** CRAIGSLIST ADVISORY --- AVOID SCAMS BY DEALING LOCALLY
** Avoid: wiring money, cross-border deals, work-at-home
** Beware: cashier checks, money orders, escrow, shipping
** More Info: http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams.html

hi
i own SPORTS CARD SHOP IN CVLLE


i have 2 LOCAL PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM TICKETS TO TONIGHT s game
$44 EACH

WILL U TAKE THOSE FOR ALL THE SETS?
lmk
phil

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husbandsemail@yahoo.com wrote:
I appreciate the offer, but cash only at ths time...

Thanks

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net
Subject: Re: --->1980s and 1990s Never Opened Baseball Cards - $125 (Our Town, Our State)
To: husbandsemail@yahoo.com
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 12:39 PM

---i will buy them but i know the prices
WHAT IS YOUR LOW BALL PRICE?
I HAVE CASH
I OWN A SHOP AND THOSE ARE CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL BUT ??
phil
lmk

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husbandsemail@yahoo.com wrote:
Low ball price? My price is firm...

Good luck

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> --- On Thu, 9/3/09, sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net wrote:

---with all respect sir you might THINK YOU KNOW THE MARKET, but i DO THIS EVERY DAY AND DO KNOW THE MARKET

I HAVE BOUGHT COLLECTIONS LIKE THAT FOR A SONG

NOT TRYING TO BE A WISE GUY BUT IT IS A TOUGH ECONOMY AND THE SETS NEVER SELL FOR FULL BOOK anyway..
sincerely
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND
PHIL

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husbandsemail@yahoo.com wrote:
I don't care if you own a shop. It means zero to me - buddy. Your writing in all cap letters is a sign of ignorance - which you seem to have an abundance of...

Good day to you...

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--ha ha
i love u like a brudder from anothe mudder
peace friend

gosh i try to be nice but u know little about cards

just because you paid too much for them does not mean that i will.
i am being polite
christian here
god bless

phil

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husbandsemail@yahoo.com wrote:
LMAO...

You wouldn't know the 1st thing about being cordial. You probably lack many more social skills.

I am sorry if your business has been in the dumps. I feel for you. Not really, but I thought I would play the Christian card like you. (((Smile)))

PEACE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--- On Thu, 9/3/09, sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net wrote:


From: sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net

-look buddy i know u r in a bind and i feel sorry for u.
money is the last problem i have z-4 BMW SPORTS roadster with every factory option
paid for

i travel every other month
retired teacher , 3 college degrees.. AND YOUR EDUCATIONAL LEVEL?
financial situation?
hurting , RIGHT?
THE CAPS ARE MEANT TO SHOUT TO GET YOUR ATTENTION..
get a life buddy

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: husbandsemail@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: --->1980s and 1990s Never Opened Baseball Cards - $125 (Our Town, Our State)
To: sportscardshop@internetserviceprovider.net
Date: Thursday, September 3, 2009, 1:50 PM


Where is that Christian smile now?

You are nothing more than a used car salesmen...

The cards are for sale for a whopping $125 bucks. Not 100K. If that leads you to believe I am in some type of financial dire straits, as a "Christian" you should be ashamed of yourself for trying to take the food from my children's mouths.

Please do email me again...

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There are no better negotiating tactics than calling someone desperate, uneducated, and pathetic. I think phil should teach a class.

Oh, and it was a pre-season football game - no one wants to go to those!

Show and Tell

For Show & Tell...the scariest (and funniest) thing I've seen this week



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Don't forget to think of Melissa and her family tomorrow...