Sea creatures

My daughter, who is a complete nature-lover, captured all these things on the beach last week.

1. A crab

2. Some fish

3. A dead moon jelly-fish

4. Some other kind of creepy live stingy jellyfish

5. Another crab

Not bad for a week at the beach. The hard part was convincing her we did not have room in the car for all these creatures to come home with us......

People who know me will not be surprised....

I just took a test to find out what age I act like. I'm not sure if the results are good or bad but I think they're pretty accurate....

You Act Like You Are 21 Years Old

You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel like an adult, and you're optimistic about life. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. You're still figuring out your place in the world and how you want your life to shape up. The world is full of possibilities, and you can't wait to explore many of them.

What Age Do You Act?

No More Money!!!!!!

I just got an email from the Obama campaign that asked me to watch this video. It’s basically a plea for more money. Their rationale is the McCain campaign and the Republican National Committee has raised almost $100 million and is claiming to outspend the Obama campaign 3-to-1 in TV advertising over the past few months. They say that most of this is on untrue negative ads. Barack’s campaign manager, David Plouffe, says he needs all of Obama’s 1.7 million donors (which includes me) to contribute yet again to be able to defend themselves against this McCain advantage.

I wish I could pick up the phone and ask Mr. Plouffe and Mr. Obama some questions. If I could here’s what they would be:

1. Why is it the person who has the most money is assured to win? Does that mean they think that most voters are stupid and basing their decision to vote on the candidate who has enough money to be in our face on TV the most? I myself vote on issues and qualifications and am not in the least influenced by a slick commercial slamming the other candidate.
   
2. Considering how much more successful the RNC/McCain organization has been at raising money the past two months, wouldn’t it have been better for Barack to have stuck to his promise for public funding to keep a level playing field? Did he get too cocky about his grassroot support?

I had a really positive experience getting involved and hosting my recent “Unite for Change” house party but have since been inundated with Democrats’ requests for money. It’s really bummed me out to see all these politicians with their hands out asking for money.

Gas prices are out of control which are affecting the price of everything. There are so many poor people in this world struggling to survive. Do politicians really think they deserve my family’s hard earned money over us and all the struggling people out there? I’m still voting for Obama in the fall but I’m sorry, David Plouffe. You’re barking up the wrong tree!

Outer Banks T-Shirts

Every year we go to the Outer Banks in NC with Scott's family. My mother-in-law always does a "pirate day" where the pirates come and leave treasure on the beach for the kids. She goes all out with decorations, tatoos, bags and goodies and it's her favorite day.

The grandkids now number eight and the age range is three months to ten years old. She asked me to do T-shirts for everyone since it's getting impossible to find the same shirt in that big of a range of sizes. I'm really pleased with my first attempt and wanted to share the end result.



I found a place online that just sells T-shirts so was able to get blank ones in a broad size range. Then I found some clip art I liked and printed it on to iron on printer paper (you have to remember to reverse the words so they look right when you iron them on). The skulls that I imagined to be white didn't come out that way when I ironed them on (Duh! The printer won't put white ink on the transfer!). I found these white fabric paint markers at our local craft store to color in the skulls. This worked well but made me realize I probably need bifocals! It was so hard to focus on those edges! Lastly, for the girls, I sewed little beads to the collar to add a little bling. I can't wait to see them on the kids!

My talented family

My brother-in-law, Joe, just sent me the address to his new blog, Rocco and Joey. It's so good! There's not much up on it yet but what's there is impressive. He wants to be a published author/illustrator of children's books. Based on what's there in the blog, how can he not be?! This is him a few summers ago doodling by the pool.



I've mentioned my sister-in-law (his wife) before in this blog. She's the founder of Belly Giggles Photography and she is equally gifted, artistically.

What a talented bunch! Their kids are still young but I'm sure I'll be bragging about their accomplishments soon! Way to go, guys! I'm proud to be related!

Ordering at the deli counter

I was at the deli counter today. My experience is always the same. There's like three people back there who ignore you for awhile. Then one of them starts helping but the other two keep on ignoring everybody. The one who finally acknowledges that there are people who want something moves VERY SLOWLY and starts slicing some meat. All the while, the line continues to grow and the other two chat with the one slicing stuff and push a rag listlessly over the counters and the other inactive slicing machine. My kids start to play with the cart, ask for stuff, invade each other's space (and mine). I yell at them while wanting to jump over the counter and get my own lunch meat.

This is how it is no matter what part of the country I'm in or what store. I have never seen an energized, pleasant, deli counter worker ever! I'm not exaggerating! It's like they go through some kind of brainwashing/training that takes all the life and ability to care out of them before they are allowed to work. I picture a room like the one in Orwell's 1984. Is there any other explanation? Is there anyone out there who has had a pleasant experience at a deli counter? I'd like to know if it's possible.......

Your own, personal Jesus

I saw this in Walmart the other day and thought, this is too much! I cracked up at the description under Jesus: "God's son" (just in case you didn't know).....

Notice too, the positioning of Jesus next to the dinosaur. I'm sure deliberately done to get a rise out of creationists!

I can see parents buying these for their kids and then hear them at home, "Tommy! Don't throw Jesus across the room! You'll go to hell!"