Catching up...

Here are a few visual tidbits of the last week...I'll get to the details later...

Worth earning!

I was buzzing around the Interwebs today and found Mama Merit Badges. They are so clever. And something that would be great to give as a gift - I know plenty of moms that have certainly met all the requirements for several of these badges.

Recap

I've been done with camp now for almost a full week - it was nice to be able to be a "swing" employee - not having to stay for all the heavy cleaning. Camp ended well, with me helping the nurse for the whole week, especially shutting down the house of health once all the kiddos were back with their folks.

I learned a lot about campers, especially their bowel habits. I must have asked 3o kids if their bowels had moved at some point during the week. Nosey, but necessary. One of the 8th grade boys had convinced himself that he had appendicitis - but really it had been over four days since his last BM. Yeah. That was the highlight of my week. Oh, wait, no. The highlight was when a staff member came in, panicked, with the fact that an insect had flown into her ear canal and gotten trapped. I drowned it with hydrogen peroxide, but a real doc had to remove the carcass from her ear. AWESOME.

Go watch it now...

GoogTube - Lifted - Pixar Short

A fun week...

This week has flown by! At the end of last week, I was asked to drive our Outpost unit out to Central Oregon for their "Extreme Week." Some of the staff didn't think I would go for it, as it involved cooking and sleeping like this:

Not too shabby - as long as no one calls them "tube steaks" I'm fine. Plus, I can do just about anything for three days. By Wednesday night we were back in camp and I had had a shower. That is just fine by me!

So we went to Smith Rock
and the kids did all kinds of rock climbing, and even learned to belay. I'm an excellent belayer - because I can act as an excellent anchor.

After two days of rock climbing, we then drove to Maupin, Oregon to spend the night before a white water rafting trip on the Deschutes river. I ended up not going, as I have developed a cold. But it did get to be 106 degrees in Maupin on Wednesday. YIKES.

I really enjoyed this week at camp: we all worked hard and laughed a lot and ate really well. Sadly, the fire danger was so high, we couldn't have a fire and make s'mores. But really, I can make those anytime over my gas range...so it's cool.

PostSecret

This week, the PostSecret site features this short film. While not all the images are G-rated, it is amazing to see the kinds of secrets people keep...



Next week, it will be back to the old postcards of secrets

A little sweetness never hurt

I'm currently working on a swap that involves me writing in a journal each day for a month on a specific topic. The topics are vague and to be defined by the writer, like: "victory," "childhood," "pop culture," "etc." The sad thing is - I will then have to send this journal away. It's a cheap journal - but now it's filled with 30 days of my ramblings and thoughts. I'm worried that I'll just end up make copies of the pages and tie those up and send them and keep the journal for myself. Lesson learned.

This makes me laugh...

I saw this lady - and just have to say - YEAH!! and WHAT?!

Now I know...

I've often wondered where folks hear about books - good, new books. Any joker can read the bestseller list...but I found the Litblog Co-Op and it combines a ton of other literary blogs and makes great suggestions on new fiction, and is updated regularly and is interesting reading in its own right.

Of course, right now I've got four books stacked up ready to be read - but once those are done - I'm headed to the Co-Op to find out what ELSE I should be reading.

You need these, and so do I!

I was visiting Oh Happy Day and saw a featured item from
Greer Chicago. So up my alley!!

From their website:
"In our campaign against rudeness and incivility (think Sisyphus and the rock,) we created these portable thank you notes (sized to fit purse, pocket or wallet) to inject a little more thoughtfulness, appreciation and respect into this world; a little more "Thank You" and a little less "Blank You," if you will.
Hand one to the stranger who used his van to push your idiotically gas-free car to the nearest station (true story,) drop one on the desk of the colleague who spoke up for you during that contentious meeting, place one in the tip jar at your local coffee shop (preferably with a dollar bill wrapped around it.)
With Civilettes we unashamedly hope to spark a "civil-ution," aided in part by the "Please reuse" printed on the back of each card. Cards are printed in brown on heavy white 100% cotton paper encased in a sturdy, yet elegant chocolate package embossed in silver"

And at only 6.95 for 10 cards = AWESOME DEAL! Great gift...

PASS IT ON!

Hey - G4 will be showing a bit of an Arrested Development marathon on August 16, 2007. It will begin at 6:00 a.m. PST (but let your TiVo do the work). PASS IT ON!

Are you watching Grand Slam?

Grand Slam is SO AWESOME! The newest show on the Game Show Network is fast paced and, well, I am in love. Of course, this is another transplant from the UK. Why can't Americans think of such great TV? Anyway, back to the things I love about this show...The contestants stand face to face - and the commentary is provided by Dennis Miller and Amanda Byram. Miller is very funny but a little too hip for the room, but he does make me laugh. Byram - from such classy shows as "The Swan" and "Paradise Hotel" brings her cool Irish accent.

From the Game Show Network website:
"Sixteen of the greatest champions in game show history are set to square-off in this winner-take-all elimination tournament. Only one competitor will be crowned 'The best of the best' and walk away with the $100,000 Grand Prize.

From JEOPARDY's "Tournament of Champions" to MILLIONAIRE's elite, the most accomplished game players from the past two decades take center stage on GRAND SLAM. This special eight-episode series event unfolds in 1-hour installments where 'fast and intense' is the name of the game.

Reputations will be shattered as the battle begins. GRAND SLAM features 'one on one' matches where players face tough trivia questions on many topics including: math, logic, vocabulary, pop-culture and geography."

So, set your TiVo - they've only aired four of the first round matches, so there is still plenty of time to fill out your brackets and join a pool. Or go swim in a pool. You do what you want.

Some cool stuff I've seen...

I saw this at Design Milk - and yes, these are hand soaps - for your guest bath or something. Kind of creepy - but kind of cool, yes?

Also at Design Milk, grappling hook coat hanger - it's so my Dad!

And I saw this - a great demovtivator shirt. This is here for you, Mom.
Naul bes? You kill me

Hiatus?

So, there really hasn't been much to write about this past week - hence, the not posting...

But with the folks visiting over in Boise, I've had a quiet house all to myself.

I have:
cleaned out the cars
watered lots of plants, and nearly killed one...but don't tell my mom.
washed and ironed my sheets - because I roll like that.
worked on personal projects - you don't have to know everything...
taught some acting/musical theater workshops at a dance studio
gotten scared at the sounds in the house at night
prepared for Primary
gone to lunch with a friend, and while eating gelato in the park, had a former camper recognize my laugh and cross the park to see me...apparently I'm loud.
confessed that I would hide a murderer from the law if the murder was justified.
searched high and low for nail clippers - to no avail.
gotten a birthday card from my brother
worked on this blog
paid bills
completed a swap music scavenger hunt
held a trash round-up
wondered how I will celebrate my upcoming birthday

I guess I've gotten a lot more done than folks would really notice...huh.

Get me to the church on time!

On Friday - after driving eight hours to central Oregon and back, I had just 30 minutes between arriving home and needing to be at the wedding of Ashley Boersma, one of our dearest friends. We made it - and what a beautiful evening it was.

Ashely and Zack say "I do"

The elegant cake - many flavors make for happy guests

With some of my favorite people, Dana, Evelyn, Mom, and Merrie

The "favor" was a photo booth - I'm totally stealing that idea

Zack and Ashley - such a lovely couple

Mom and me at the end of the evening - playing with the camera

More fun with camera and Corky

Many, many congratulations to Zack and Ashely vonWeller!!

The hip bone's connected to the PAIN

So, one of the perks of being the driver at camp is that you never have to walk the long distances around camp...but the downside is that you have to sit in a vehicle...a lot. Last Friday, I drove in a caravan with Katie Johnson out to the Mt Bachelor area of Oregon to pick up the Outpost unit who was backpacking and camping there for four days. The drive is pretty, until you get to the ugly part.

We left really early - and would have had an hour to kill (and stretch and walk around) before meeting our group at the trail head. But they arrived early and so we stopped long enough to get their gear in Katie's car and the peeps on the bus. And then we drove the FOUR HOURS back to camp. Eight hours, pretty much non-stop, driving the bus has left my lower back screaming. So, I can lounge (which I prefer anyway) but I cannot sit for longer than 10 minutes without trouble.

Massage, STAT!

SHOW YOURSELF!!!

I got the greatest treat today!! After a week out at camp and then at the coast, I've finally gotten around to sorting through the mail - and what should come to me?! Some TATER MITTS! I am floored and confused. There was no note - so I don't know who to thank for such a great treat!! So, thank you, thank you - whoever you are. I am delighted - and they are about it get used to make the Sunday dinner!

All Done Harry...sigh

Yesterday, as promised, Amazon had my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows delivered to my front door. I was worried that I might miss it as I'd been camping at the coast with my folks (and ward). I took as much of the wet camping gear (it rained almost the whole time) as could fit in my car and headed for home.

I had time to unload the car and start some laundry before the doorbell rang - and our very nice postal lady had carefully left the book. But know this - there was still work to be done (showers and what not) and I was able to postpone my devouring of the book until all the work was done. I've got to say I'm really impressed with myself.

It took me ten hours to read the book, but I fell asleep at about 3:30 a.m. and had to resume after a four hour nap. Knowing that spoilers SUCK, I will just say that I really enjoyed book seven - and can't wait until I can talk about it, in all my nerdy glory.

What I've been up to...

I'm sure you're wondering what I've been up to since graduation - especially since I haven't mentioned going to work, etc. That's because the job I thought was a "done deal" at PSU turned out to in fact not be done at all.

But filling my time and bank account are a combination of job-type arrangements. First, I've been working as a jane-of-all-trades for a project that you can read about here. I will be keeping the blog for the trip as well as coordinating the stops along the way. The beauty is that I can do all this from the comfort of my own home, in my pajamas. Delightful.

Also, I will be working out at camp for three days of the week. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays I will be the driver and nurse assistant. And then on Thursday night I will drive home - and sleep in my own bed! It's the best of all possible situations. And I'm really excited about it.

In five weeks I will have more of a long term plan, but for right now, I am very sure that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing, which is both odd and comforting at the same time.

Forgot about freedom...

The Fourth of July was pretty mellow around our house - but we did host a movie in our backyard - Independence Day - and had some folks bring ice cream and enjoy the outdoor movie. It was really fun...here are just a few pictures before my camera froze...

Corky Flanders - and his lovely scarf.
I had to pay him a nickel to wear that. Totally worth it...for me.
Also, behind Corky you can kind of see the great screen he made for the movie...

The table for the ice creams...

The movie viewing area - love the battery powered lanterns!

Game night...

This past Wednesday was game night - hosted in the air conditioning at the Taylor house...I think this picture says it all...

Why I love Primary OR the BEST 2.50 I ever spent...

Today in Primary we did a review of all the songs for the program in the Fall. This can be very painful if not properly motivated...so I decided that for each song, the kids would choose a funny article of clothing for a member of the bishopric (Matt Peterson, to be exact) to put on. But the key is that they have to sing well enough (loud, smiling, knowing the words) to EARN the clothes for Brother Peterson. Here is the final product:Matt, the goofiest evil villain in the Junior Primary. (He's the tall one, btw)

Reading the minds of the Senior Primary kids...

Needless to say, they sang great. A few verses of songs need some work, but overall - HOORAY!! Now, you must be asking yourself - "Is Brother Peterson normally rockin' that awesome 'stache?" The answer is no. I got that mustache at a cute children's bookshop while in Seattle. And it may possibly be the BEST $2.50 I have EVER SPENT!!

It comes in a box - like this. And you can see that you can pose it in many different styles! You can buy one here.
And I think that Corky Flanders looks AMAZING!

Addition to my wish list...

I also would like this Bluetooth Retro Handset from ThinkGeek.com. It would go perfectly with the apron!!

Okay...

So - my mother has resumed posting at her blog, over at Trixie's Circus. It's been over two years since she walked away - but now she's back. So you should go check it out. She's a very funny writer. Hopefully she won't leave us hanging again - everyone deserves a second chance.

Such a good thought for the day...

Everything will be okay in the end.
if it's not okay, it's not the end.

I may stitch this into a sampler...

Wish List...

With my birthday less than a month away - I thought I'd do you all a favor and let you know what I'm wishing for for my birthday:

This gorgeous, to-die-for apron

These Tater Mitts UPDATE: THIS ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED

This geneology software

These Mundial True Left Handed Forged Shears

I'm doing other things...

but this made me laugh really hard. I do hope you enjoy as well. Don't you love his little buns? And yes, it is in German

This is a video from my childhood - and oh, do I love it. It's "Dress Cool" from David Letterman's Late Night Film Festival. Connie - this one is for you!

Other things to do...but...

Being without my own laptop gave me a lot of time to think of things that I could only do on my computer - like posting some of my favorite interweb finds on my blog. Please do enjoy:

Go check out Dressing Up Floppie. Clowns are creepy and/or lame. This site has so many possibilities and such a sad clown. So seriously - go and get this poor clown some clothes. You can have him playing a kickin' axe or a banjo and wearing all kinds of different rocker gear.Delightful!

If you haven't browsed through Fishs Eddy then you are missing out on some really cool dishes and other gifty items.

Right now they are having a big sale on all their Hula dishes. But really, I just want their Brooklynese "Shugah" bowl - it tickles my fancy!

Finally - I saw this and thought it was so cool, especially because it was used by EcoChallenge racers: Hennessy Hammocks are lightweight camping hammocks - so instead of a sleeping in a tent on the rocky, bumpy ground - you sleep in a comfy hammock in a tent. SO great!

I'm back!!

Trusty Rusty is home and better and wonderful. I'm SO happy. I met the UPS man on the porch because I couldn't wait for him to ring the bell. Lame? Yes. Relieved? YES!!

Happy post-Fourth of July to all!

Out of the woods...

Friends -
I just want to thank you all for your love and support during this very difficult time. I just got word from MacService that everything went great with the "operation" and that Trusty Rusty is in transit again - on his way home to me.

Thank you for your prayers.

200th Post!

It's so crazy to think that this is my 200th post. And the hardest thing about posting this is that Trusty Rusty, my iBook, has been sent away this morning for repairs to the SuperDrive, and to get a new battery. I was delighted to find http://macservice.com/ which is a cheaper and faster option to have repairs made to my iBook. They'll even send you the shipping container and collect it from your house! I'm very excited. But of course I had to start repairs during a week with a national holiday. BOO.

Of course, the good news is that we've still got the Compaq notebook that will get me through until Thursday, when Trusty Rusty will be returned to me. Is there a twelve step program for notebook withdrawals? Is the first step apple cinnamon pancakes? I hope so.