Sunflower Halved Hypersaturated

Sunflower Halved Hypersaturated
Yes this is a real sunflower I took this shot a couple of summers ago in the garden outside my work window

Friday, May 30, 2008

Update!

I have added a link to the site that I will post pictures to. It will be password protected, for obvious reasons, and at the moment I have not granted access to anyone as I have yet to set it up. I will still post select pictures to my blog, but for those close to me you will have the opportunity to view entire albums. I may eventually remove the password protection, however at the moment I feel this is the best solution.

More to come later...

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Been Gone For A Minute...

It's been awhile but, I'm back! Memorial Day Weekend has passed and summer fun is officially starting for most of us. Cookouts, beach outings, fishing trips and so much more! I definitely have to plan something for next month, even though it's going to be hot (I hate heat) I feel the need to do something this time around!

Back to Memorial Day, hopefully you were not to wrapped up in weekend festivities to commemorate and honor those that put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy the civil liberties of our country. Sometimes I think we take a lot of things for granted and now is a time to reflect on how full your cup of life is thanks to those that did not fear losing theirs. I can honestly say I do not posses that same courage.

Court graduated from high school yesterday, I have to say of all the graduations I have been to this one was the most comical. The guest speaker had poor grammar while telling the graduates to excel. Hmm, kind of ironic huh? The good thing, it wasn't ridiculously long which is always a plus! She is excited to be finished with high school and to go on to culinary arts school. I really do feel old now! Email me if you would like to see the pictures...don't think I'm going to put them on here!

In addition to all of the graduation excitement, the devil is always looking for an opportunity to ruin the fun. I found out some things that if this was the old me would have totally angered me and made me act like a raving lunatic, but I am proud to say that I have grown spiritually and no longer feel the need to act this way. No need to entertain nonsense. I really feel at peace with it all which is a major step and can only be attributed to my faith.

My last comment I promise:
I still owe you the story that I was supposed to write about this time and I will surely have that for you soon!

Toodles!

Friday, May 16, 2008

Finally...Friday

Although it's a bit dreary, chilly and rainy I'll take it cause it's FRIDAY!!!!! Not much to discuss today as this is finals time and my Calc final yesterday was a killer, but success never turns down hard work so I'm getting it done.

I was speaking with a coworker of mine regarding fuel economy for cars and SUV's with high vs. low mpg and regular vs. premium gas requirements, all of which I find to be a daunting task. There are way too many options and you have to dig so much when you go to manufacturer websites, so I set out to find an all in one. Of course there is Edmund's, which is a good site, not trying to bash it, but searching for info on there sometimes gives me mild headaches and slight frustration. I googled my question and came up with this. Check it out!

I suppose that is all...have a great weekend! I'll be studying and writing a paper...not sure how great that will be, but I'm sure I will take many breaks in between!

P.S. there is something I wanted to discuss, but it's long and I haven't finished reading the material yet, so I'm saving it for the next time...

Monday, May 12, 2008

The month of April was full of questions for me...why is, when will, how could, what happens, who does...needless to say the roller coaster of life took me for a few loops. I am proud to say through it all I have progressed and become a better person spiritually, mentally and really overall. While not to ramble on about my personal triumphs, I do have to attribute some of my victories to a few friends of mine. For all the questions I asked, long conversations with tears and complaints that I'm sure went on and on (you know me!) I am truly thankful!

Thank you so much...I love you guys!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother Knows Best...

I hope you enjoy this day set aside to celebrate the wonderful things you do for your family 365 days of the year. While we know today is the official day, Mother's Day is truly everyday!

Happy Mother's Day to All (and mother's to be too!!)

Friday, May 9, 2008

What's In a Name...

I have thought about this for the longest time and now I pose the question to you...

If you had a different name, would your personality remain the same, or change completely?

I often mill over this question and wonder would it make a big difference in the person I have become. Sometimes I meet people and their name really fits them...other times it couldn't be further from the truth! Mother's do set out to find the perfect name with the perfect meaning of what they wish their child to become, but I'm curious to how many of us actually live up to or named expectations?

It could all be relative I suppose and quite possibly my reading too far inbetween the lines...

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Thinkings 4 Thursday

Let see, so many things in the news, it's a bit tough trying to decide what to talk about and what not to talk about...

~At the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California some ignoramus decides he is going to slap a baby camel on a dare. First, what would even make you consider jumping the fence into the animal pen? Second, why on earth would you feel the need to abuse an animal? I mean clearly it wasn't calling you names. Last, but not least, you have warrants out for your arrest, but it must have slipped your mind while you led the police on mini car pursuit. Common sense once again eludes the masses.

~~The housing crunch...you've heard about it or know someone going through it. Well you may or may not have heard about the latest bill to grace Congress known as the FHA Rescue Bill. Basically the FHA bill will assist those at risk of defaulting on their mortgages. Below is an excerpt with a little more detailing courtesy of CNN Money

To qualify, the lender would have to cut the debt to no more than 85% of a home's appraised value. If the FHA-refinanced loans went into default, the FHA would pay the lender the remaining principal owed.

The bill is sponsored by House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass.

While 1.4 million loans are likely to be eligible for such a program, the Congressional Budget Office estimates such a measure would end up insuring 500,000 borrowers and estimates doing so could cost $2.7 billion over 5 years, of which $1.7 billion could be a cost to taxpayers.

While I feel lenders should be at fault for offering loans to people who would not otherwise be able to afford them without the crazy terms, no one forced these people to sign on the line. I do not feel I need to carry the burden of the next person's actions. Tax dollars should be spent in other ways and about half of Americans are in agreement with me...

The poll finds 49% of Americans believe such homeowners should receive special treatment, while 48% feel homeowners should not get assistance. Three percent of those polled had no opinion. (CNN Money)

Where is the lesson learned in all of this if there is no penalty against the loan holder? I cannot find sympathy in this matter as there are a ridiculous amount of resources available for you to educate yourself on mortgages, rates and other related issues. Maybe that's a bit harsh, but regardless I'm sticking by my belief.

~~~I find this to be ironic...First Lady Laura Bush criticized the Burmese government's slow response to Cyclone Nargis that hit the Myanmar nation earlier this week. Hmm that's pretty interesting consider the non-response effort during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Seems to be a little of the pot calling the kettle black? How quick we are to assist other nations and be critical of how they handle emergencies, but when disaster struck our own soil the response was less than lacking. A little hypocritical to say the least.

Monday, May 5, 2008

Cinco de Mayo!!

Who would believe that it is May already! Where does the time go? We are one month into the 2nd quarter of the year and I hope you are well on your way to completing goals set for this time period. I have to say I have been a little slow with getting started, but I am determined to have my quarter goals completed by the end of June :-)

Today is the Cinco de Mayo! Not Mexican Independence Day, as many believe, but the day the under matched Mexican army defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla. While you do not have to celebrate the day, why not? Especially at a time like this when the Iraq war is entangled in so much controversy (I am totally not discussing my views on the war), why not use this as a way to think of and show support for our troops?

¡Salud!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Wedding Bells

I would just like to say congratulations to Amy and Eddie on their recent exchanging of vows. I wish you many blessings and wonderful years ahead!

I love you both!