Happy 7th Birthday, Shelby!
I love you, sweet girl.
I hope this is the best birthday ever.
I hope this is the best birthday ever.
Happy Birthday, Shelby!! ♥
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Looking at the Sky on Friday
In the meantime, enjoy the sun setting in my front yard through the fall foliage.
- For information on Looking at the Sky on Friday, including graphics click here.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Spam Sandwich Anyone?!?!
Unfortunately I have been bombarded with Spam as of late. Since the spammers leave their comments anonymously I cannot trace where they are coming from. I have sent e-mails to some of the companies that the spam is representing asking them for their cooperation in the matter. This leaves me no choice but to turn on comment moderation. I have chosen to do this so that only the older posts are moderated because that seemed to be where they were going. Until the spam subsides I will keep this option on. To my loyal readers and commenters, please accept my apologies for moderating your wonderful and appreciated comments. Like the old saying goes, "One bad apple spoils the whole bunch".
Fun With Balloons!
Some people might call it sappy and sweet while others could call it sappy and disgusting, but I found the latest creation from Disney Pixar, UP to be wonderfully funny. I could relate so much to the characters in the movie. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 10 years and I cannot imagine living my life without him. While watching this movie, I will be the first to admit that I did get a little misty eyed and NO, it's not the first Disney movie to make me cry. I'm a complete and total wreck when it comes to watching movies and even television shows because I tend to relate to much to the characters and put myself in their shoes. But, I digress. If you didn't get the opportunity to go watch Up on the big screen in Digital 3-D then you'll just have to settle for a regular showing of this beautifully animated masterpiece!
After a minor altercation with the construction crew who is building a strip mall where his neighborhood used to be, Carl Fredricksen is being forced into a retirement home. The 78 year old retired balloon salesmen decides to take matters into his own hands to avoid this inevitable disaster by tying thousands of balloons to his house and "floating" Up Up and away to his dream disaster in South America. Unfortunately, Carl has a stowaway who just so happens to be a very annoying 8 year old "Wilderness Scout" who is trying to get a badge for helping an old person. This movie had me crying and laughing all the way through. There are some very interesting characters in this film, including Carl's house which becomes a very "BIG" part of the movie as well as Dug, the talking..."Squirrel"...(oh sorry) dog as well as Kevin, a large flightless bird.
If you're looking for stocking stuffer ideas, this would be a great one. It's available now on Disney DVD and Blue Ray with TONS of bonus features including two shorts, Dug's Special Mission, and the Many Endings of Munz as well as Adventure is out there, a documentary telling the film makers trek to South America for film research.
Now for some Balloon Science Fun:
It’s a tricky question and an even trickier answer because there are so many variables to consider. For instance:
• How big are the balloons?
• How heavy is the object?
• How quickly to do you want the object to rise Up?
We have come Up with a general formula you can use to figure out how many balloons it would take to lift... well, just about anything!
• Helium has a lifting force of about 1 gram per liter.
• An average size party balloon is approximately 30cm (one foot) in diameter.
• It can hold approximately 14 liters.
• That’s 14 grams of lift power per balloon.
• Estimate and subtract the weight of the string and the latex balloon.
• Formula: 1 balloon = 10 grams of lift power.
How Many Balloons Would It Take To Lift:
Disney • Pixar’s Up Blu-ray™Combo Pack?
At approximately 227 grams (or 0.5 lbs) in weight, it requires approximately 22 balloons to send the movie Up, up and away!
A Blu-ray Disc™ Player?
Most models weigh just over 2 kg (4.5 lbs.) which requires 200 balloons to add a whole new meaning to Blu-ray™ “high definition.”
Your Neighbor’s Dog?
A happy Labrador Retriever dog weighs in at about 32 kg (70 lbs). It would take approximately 3200 balloons to lift this furry friend off the ground.
Fun Fact: The voice of Dug (the Dog) in the movie Up is actually the voice of Co-Director / Screenwriter, Bob Peterson.
A Bicycle?
The average bicycle weighs approximately 19 kilograms (or 42 lbs). You will need approximately 1,900 balloons
to turn a 2-wheeler into an air-bike.
Fun Fact: Before the Wright Brothers built their first flying airplane in 1903, they operated a small bicycle repair shop.
A Sumo Wrestler?
The average weight of a Sumo wrestler is approximately 148 kg (or 326 lbs). That means it would take about 148,000 balloons to send this guy Up.
Fun Fact: Sumo wrestling was established as a national sport in 1909.
A Small House?
This figure can vary in terms of quantity of balloons given the size and scale of the house. Let’s say the house in Disney/Pixar ’s movie Up weighed about 46,000 kg (that’s 101,413 lbs). That means it takes approximately 4,600,000 balloons to send Carl's home Up and away!
Fun Fact: Nearly 70 animators worked on the movie Up during peak production.
* I received a review copy of this DVD in exchange for my opinion of the movie. No other form of compensation has been received and the opinions stated above are my own. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Looking at the Sky on Friday
Fun Times!
- For information on Looking at the Sky on Friday, including graphics click here.
Thank you for the Birthday Wishes!!!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Looking at the Sky on Friday
I am so glad to see fall. Last month, here in Arkansas (USA) we experienced unseasonably cooler temperatures along with lots and lots of rain. This month, when it usually starts turning colder, we've had unseasonably warmer temperatures! The leaves have all changed and most of them are on the ground now. But, the sun is still out and it's warm and muggy here. In fact, the mosquitoes are still out and biting, one taking most of my blood and human growth hormone as I was shooting this shot! How's the weather at your place? What are the skies looking like? Thanks to everyone for playing along with LASTSOF. - For information on Looking at the Sky on Friday, including graphics click here.
Don't forget to comment after you sign McLinky!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
My New Assistant
As you can tell she is busy fielding phone calls for me as I blog. Yes, that is a computer mouse that she is using. But, please keep in mind that she is still in training. I had to go pick up baby Emily from daycare today when she began to run a 101° temperature. Monday night she fell asleep at her normal bed time but woke up as I was going to bed. I got up with her and we did not go back to sleep until around 2:30AM. She was very fussy and I was unable to console her no matter what I tried. I think she only fell asleep when she did out of sheer exhaustion! Of course I woke up late Tuesday morning. Fortunately I was able to get everyone up, dressed, and out the door in time and no one was late. Yes, I am just THAT good. ;)
She seemed to be feeling better yesterday. She did sleep a lot, but I would have too if I could have! Today when I got the phone call, I figured I might as well go ahead and take her to the doctor. When he looked in her ear he said, "YUCK". Obviously her ears are both infected. In fact the doctor said that it was quite possible that with all of the pressure that she is experiencing they may rupture. He told me, "not to freak out" if I see blood tinged puss leaking from her ear. Ummm...yeah, not gonna happen! Hopefully she won't experience this and the 10 day antibiotic will heal her quickly and completely! As it stands now we may be looking at getting tubes in her ears in the near future.
Ice Age - Dawn of the Dinosaurs Now Available on DVD
Scrat is still trying to get that nut, but this time finds a love interest along the way, or is she competition for his elusive acorn?! Ellie and Manni are expecting their first child while Sid the Sloth comes across some dinosaur eggs and decides to keep the hatchlings for himself. While trying to rescue Sid from the underworld of Dinosaurs, Manny and the gang meet new friends like Buck, the one eyed dino-hunter along the way and experience adventure like no other. This movie is a must see and I am certain that if you've not purchased it already it will be on your kids' Christmas lists this year!
* I received a review copy of this DVD in exchange for my opinion of the movie. No other form of compensation has been received and the opinions stated above are my own. To read my full disclosure policy, please click here.
Monday, November 09, 2009
Yard Work With Style!
Yesterday was mostly a lazy day. The great white hunters came back empty handed. I can't imagine why my husband and four year old son couldn't get a deer! Actually Brien said that Tyler did pretty good in the stand. He played Shelby's Nintendo DS game which I thought was a brilliant idea but Brien realized other wise when Tyler would play and shout excitedly when he would get a blue ribbon on the game. Oooops, well it was a perfect idea in theory.
Brien came home and did some yard work blowing leaves:
and kids. :)
Emily did her part by babysitting:
Tyler and Oscar made sure the leaves stayed in one big pile:
(Yeah Right!)
Shelby added her own sense of style to the yard work:
Shelby added her own sense of style to the yard work:
Can you tell she dressed herself?
Right down to the bows she added to her boots.
All in all it was a great day and after a hard day's play work then what could be better than a cool, refreshing treat.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Scrooged in 3D
Shelby and I went to the IMAX theater to see Disney's A Christmas Carol in 3D. We took pictures in our awesome 3D glasses where Shelby declared me "Geek of the week" in mine. I'm certain that is not a good thing. I know that all of you are on the edge of your seats while reading this waiting on my review of the movie. For those of you who are friends with me on Facebook you have already gotten insight about the movie and my strong opinion of it. For those of you who haven't, here goes...
We all know that my family and I are huge Disney fans. I have been collecting Disney movies long before my children were even thought of. This movie was not your typical Disney movie. We've seen Mickey's portrayal of Marley in Mickey's Christmas Carol, as I'm sure you have. This movie is quite the opposite. It's a very dark and drab movie. Don't get me wrong, the special effects are out of this world!!! The snow fall seemed to be falling right on the tip of your nose as you looked through those very "geek of the weekish" 3D glasses. At one point I was cupping my hands in front of me as to catch the snow when I was informed by my 6 year old that the snow would melt as soon as it hit my hand, so there was no need. The movie begins with the death of Scrooge's business partner, Marley who later visits Scrooge as a ghost to inform him that he will be haunted by three ghosts. At one point, Marley's chin becomes unattached from his face leaving his mouth wide open. This was the time when Shelby informed me that she couldn't see (there was no one in front of her) and she needed to sit in my lap. I knew immediately that she was scared. After all, it creeped me out a bit. He was trying to hold his chin up with his hand so that he could talk, and it became a bit comical for a lot of adults in the audience but I heard several other children telling their mothers that they were scared. 
Shortly after the visit from the first ghost, the next ghost who happened to be the ghost of Christmas' past came for his visit. This one was but a flame with a gown on who flew him around. This point in the movie contained some of the best 3D special effects when they flew over the town, but this ghost was a bit odd and sort of resembled the leprechaun from Lucky Charms. He only spoke in a whisper. He looked the most like Jim Carey than any other character in the movie (short of the young Ebeneezer) and he was just, well weird. There was a cool scene when Ebeneezer tried to extinguish him and it causes him to sail up into the air like a rocket on a candle snuffer. He flies up in front of the moon similar to the scene in E.T. The whole theater laughed at this one, myself included.
In the visit from the Ghost of Christmas Present, one of the scariest scenes occurred. But, let me start out by saying that the laugh was really over the top. He laughed throughout most of his screen time and it was incessantly annoying. More cool special effects were brought to life when the floor of the house disappeared as they traveled over the city which made for a pretty cool feel in those 3D glasses. It felt like you were actually in the house with the two characters. Of course at this point in the movie, Ebeneezer finds out that if he continues down the path that he's been leading it will lead to the demise of little Timmy, Cratchett's son. We begin to see ole Scrooge's heart warm during these scenes and the tone of the movie starts to take a turn upward, but not much! Once the Ghost of Christmas Present finishes his presentation to Scrooge, he begins to disappear (which is also a very gruesome and graphic scene). But, not before we see a hand sticking out from under his long coat. It is then that we are introduced to two characters who were a total scare factor. Shelby and I both were a bit skiddish at this point in the movie. I won't go into details too much as to ruin the effect for those of you who might want to see this one. But, suffice it to say that it's just creepy!!!
The ghost of Christmas Future is none other than the Grim Reaper himself. We never see his face, only a long robe and bony fingers. His presence is known when Ebeneezer sees two black horses with red eyes pulling a carriage. They begin as a shadow on the wall and emerge from the shadows to scare the crap out of you. Yes, I admit that I jumped! This ensues a chase scene that seemed to last forever. Once again, more awesome special effects and at one point, Scrooge shrinks down smaller than a mouse. He sees his own dead body and more sadness and dreary scenes take place. He is called an ass by his nephew and forsees the future of the Cratchett family. At this point he begs the final ghost to get him back to his bed and promises that he is a changed man.
In the end, of course he is changed and the movie ends on a happy note, with the famous, "God Bless us, Everyone" line by Timmy but it takes a lot of darkness and death to get there. It's just not a movie that I would take my kids to see. Parents, take heed the warning on the trailer that this movie "may not" be suitable for younger viewers. I will agree, this movie is NOT suitable for younger viewers! If had seen the movie prior to taking my 6 year old, we would have waited for the next bit 3D release, maybe Alice in Wonderland?
If you have seen it, let me know what you thought of it. If not, has this review helped you to decide?
Friday, November 06, 2009
Looking at the Sky on Friday
More puffy clouds from my visit to Memphis with my best friend, Becca. The skies here have been beautiful all week, but I've been so busy enjoying some outdoor time with the kids that the poor Canon has been locked inside it's carrying case all week. It has been so nice to not have to worry about trying to find health or life insurance for my family (don't EVEN get me started on this!!!) and just enjoy some time with my two kiddos outdoors. The rain that we had for most of October gave us cabin fever in a bad way. We are trying to make up for lost time!!! How has your weather been this week?! More importantly, how have your skies looked? I can't wait to see them!!! Happy LATSOF, friends!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Chocolates and Concussions
It's been a pretty easy week for us. The weather has been beautiful. It's so nice to not have rain in the forecast. It's been unseasonably warm so the kiddos have spent the afternoons in the yard raking the leaves up high and jumping inside. It's been nice that hubby and I could take time away from our netbooks and enjoy some time with the kiddos. Of course we still have mounds of Halloween candy from last weekend's trick-or-treating take, as evident on little Emily's face:
Today, I was in the laundry room which has two steps down from the house. Usually Emily will come to the door and I will help her down. She had been playing with the other two kids and must have heard me open the door so she came to the door and about the time I saw her and began to walk her way, I saw her tumble out the doorway, down the brick steps and on to the concrete floor!!! Oh, I was terrified. She began to scream and I scooped her up into my arms and ran inside with her checking her for blood. All of her teeth were in tact. She didn't have any bones sticking out, and her head still looked symmetrical. I was still worried sick thinking that she might have some sort of concussion or hidden fracture. She didn't cry much, but you can definitely tell that she got into a fight with the concrete and the concrete won. She posed for me so that I could get this shot:
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Family Portraits
On Sunday we spent the afternoon with Tyler's pre-school teacher who also happens to be an amazing photographer. She was very patient and gave us her undivided attention for 4 hours. She gave us over 300 images to choose from. These are just a few of my favorites. 
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Ruby Tuesday
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Breakfast Time - Snickers, Butterfinger, or Milky Way?!
We loved the "self-serve" candy bowls! Don't worry...we left a few. *wink*
Emily sitting down, waiting for an answer at the door.
Posing with the kiddos by this HUGE pumpkin!
The loot!
Now, I must find some weight loss pills since I'm having candy for breakfast. Snickers with coffee, YUM!!
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