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The Beauty Myth

Broken Face

Last week I posted from Dr. Schaumburg’s book Undefiled one indicator of the sexual problems here in America. Here is another problem he has encountered regularly in his thirty plus years of counseling. He calls it “the beauty myth.”

For men and women, “beauty” has become nearly synonymous with “sexy.” The beauty myth, an obsession with physical perfection, holds women in bondage to hopelessness, self-consciousness, and self-hatred. It intertwines sexuality and beauty to create the idea that a woman must be “beautiful” to be sexual and desirable in a relationship. Women say they “feel sexier” when they lose weight, but female sexual pleasure doesn’t multiply with weight loss.  Compared with sexual sin, the obsession with beauty  may seem like a minor issue. In reality, the impossible-to-achieve desire to secure an external “flawless beauty” destroys a woman’s sexuality and spirituality.

The “pornography of beauty” reshapes female sexuality. You see this in everyday magazine ads and in women’s magazines. Users of Photoshop have taken the picture of a three hundred pound woman in lingerie and turned her into a sex goddess. There is little that is real about such an image, but men and women will worship it. The image altering software easily creates the perfect hair, skin, and figure. The message is clear: “Look like that if you want to fee like that.”

Why does a woman go under the knife for numerous facelifts in a desperate attempt to look younger? Why are girls much more self-conscious about their appearance today? Why did my mother, in her early nineties, still dye her hair? The beauty myth has obscured what is truly beautiful in a woman…Today we are easily duped into thinking that external beauty is all there is to woman.

More and more women believe they must have that face and look to have their needs met. Like sexual pornography, the pornography of beauty is based on a myth and both types of porn make a woman an object. If a man’s image and understanding of sexuality is distorted by pornography, I suggest there is a parallel effect on a woman’s image and her understanding of sexuality in the beauty myth.

Unfortunately, the beauty myth is winning the battle against sexual purity. In reality the ads don’t sell sex; instead they sell discontent, shame, and guilt. A woman will say, “I hate my body, my hips, my thighs, and my stomach.” This is at the core a deep sexual shame, which is destructive both relationally and spiritually. And this focus on external beauty is in direct contradiction to what Scripture teaches-that authentic beauty come from inside a person:

Do not let your adorning be external-the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear-but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hope in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. (I Peter 3:3-6)

Signs of Sexual Rot: Diminished Masculinity & Femininity

Gender Roles 1

If you are looking for a book that will help you counsel someone with sexual problems or work through your own sexual problems then I would recommend Dr. Harry Schaumburg’s Undefiled.   Dr. Schaumburg at the time of this book (2009) had counseled almost 1,500 couples and has been counseling over thirty years with eighteen years devoted exclusively to sexual issues.  In one of the early chapters of the book he discusses how prevalent sexual sin is in the church.  He says that some research puts the number of church members watching porn at 50%. One mission organization told him that 80% of their applicants voluntarily indicated a problem with porn. One seminary professor said we no longer ask, are you using porn. But rather how bad is it? Dr. Schaumburg closes with this statement, “This rot in the church must be addressed or the devastation will be incalculable.” He then gives nine indicators of the problem. I will quote the first here and give the other eight in an subsequent post. Why quote the first one in full? It gets at one of the roots of our sexual malaise: rejection of created ordered and a failure to rejoice that men are men and women are women. Here are the two paragraphs under that indicator.  Continue reading

Mere Sexuality

The Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) released the Nashville Statement this week.  I have had more disagreements with the CBMW over the years. Initially I was enthralled by them. But more reading, in particular historical reading, has led me away from them. However, this statement is good. It lays out mere sexuality, as in basic, very basic, Biblical sexual ethics concerning marriage, sodomy and transgenders. Initially, I thought the statement was too basic to be worthwhile. But the response by many progressive Christians has vindicated the need for it. Surprise, surprise many Christians are not as firm on the basics as they let on.  Continue reading

Calvin on Men as Heads in General

Recently I got in an online discussion about patriarchy. I was told that “Patriarchy is NOT the historic teaching of the church.”  Whether this is right or wrong depends to a large degree on the definition of patriarchy. In the discussion patriarchy was defined as women submitting to men in general. It was assumed that wives should submit to husbands and that women could not be pastors. But men do not have a headship over women in general. By the logic put forth in other discussions, if this was the case, we would find men ordering women around everywhere they went.

There are several issue at play here. But in this post I simply want to quote John Calvin who clearly does assert that men are heads of women in general. And I doubt this led to the men in Geneva ordering all the women around.  This quote comes from a sermon on I Corinthians 11:4-10.

Now St. Paul is not speaking here of individuals, or of particular households. Rather he has divided the human race into two parts, as was indicated in the previous sermon. So there is the male, and the female. I say this, because even though a man may not be married, he still has this privilege of nature: he is a head. Of whom? Of women, because we are not merely to examine one house, but the order that God has established in the world. In the case of a widow, or of a young woman who has yet to marry, the subjection of which St. Paul is speaking still pertains to them. Why? Because it applies to the entire feminine sex…From this we see the stupidity of some who have expounded this text of St. Paul as if it referred only to married women. For, as I have already indicated, he is not dealing with each individual in particular, but with the general order.

You may disagree with Calvin. I do not. However, that is not the point. The point is a historical one. Calvin clearly did hold to the general submission of women to men. He did not restrict it to wives and husbands only. He says the same thing in his commentary on this passage.

Does this make women less than men? Are they not also made in the image of God? Does Christ relate to men in the same way as women? See this blog post where Calvin affirms that women are made in the image of God and salvation is fully their’s in the same way it belongs to men. In Christ, we are equal and all are made in the image of God. But “in this passing life” [Calvin’s term] there is a need for order. And God created men to rule.

Thin Bodies, Iron Yokes

This is a re-post, with a few edits, from last summer.

When Christ and His gospel are preached in all their fullness men and women are set free, not from rules and obedience, but from man’s rules and from obedience as the road to salvation. The gospel says that satisfaction has been made for all our sins. There is nothing we can do, say, think, implement, or learn that will take away our sins. Our sins are completely taken away in Christ. We now have an easy yoke and light burden. Our King is not a tyrant.  His laws are not burdensome.

But bondage is always out there stalking us like a pack of wolves. There are always men and women rattling chains, but claiming they are keys, slave traders promising freedom. They say, “Our yoke is better than Christ’s.” But the yokes of men are always iron. Continue reading

John Calvin on the Image of God in Men and Women

Man and WomanOne the advantages of reading those from the past is you realize that the question you are asking is not new and has been answered before. You may disagree with answer, but at least  you are kept from the proud idea that you alone or your generation alone has asked the question. For example, how can Christ be Savior of both men and women and yet Paul says in I Corinthians 11:3 that Christ is the head of man? Here John Calvin’s answer to that question. Brackets are mine.

There you have what we need to observe concerning St. Paul’s statement here, that the head of man is Jesus Christ. He is indeed the head of both men and women, as I have set forth. It is through him that we are joined with each other and united to God so as to be recognized and avowed as his children, and to have our refuge in him with complete confidence. Yet, be that as it may, as regards policy and order belonging to the present life, and without which men would be as dumb animals, Jesus Christ exercises the office of head over men. And let us observe that our Lord Jesus Christ thus affords us a double blessing: namely the eternal salvation of our souls [which applies to men and women equally], and the blessing  of order for this passing life [in which Christ is head of men and men are head of women]. Both of these things are quite useful, once one understands.

Calvin sees two levels at which Christ is working. First, Christ and the salvation he offers, as well as the benefits of that salvation are offered to and given to men and women equally. Men are not more saved than women. They are not closer to  Christ than women. We are all God’s children. But in this life order is required. Order demands hierarchy. This hierarchy is put in place by Jesus to guide us through this life with order and decency. Therefore men are the head and rulers in “this passing life.” Calvin states this another way in the next sermon on I Corinthians 11:4.  Continue reading

Conservative Moms & Stunted Masculinity

Weak Man 1

Earlier in the week I sent this Tweet:

As with most Tweets it lacks clarification and nuance. A friend of my said as much, so I decided to post a follow up explaining what I meant. By conservative, I mean religiously conservative, not politically. The description below will flesh that out a bit.

I have been a pastor in a conservative church in a conservative denomination for almost ten years. I home school and interact with the homeschooling community frequently. I have a wife and six boys. The point I made in my Tweet is one that I have seen in my own home, church, and denomination, as well as other conservative communities. Boys can have a hard time becoming men in conservative settings. The problem is not universal. Many, maybe even most, conservative moms and dads are doing a good job raising masculine boys. But the problem is not rare either.  This is not just the fault of these moms, of course. The culture, both broadly and in our churches, pastors, and dads all share the blame. However, mothers can and do undermine masculinity in boys.

Why did I single out conservative moms instead of liberal ones? Well first that is my audience. I would rather preach to the individuals I know than the masses I don’t know. But also because they have a difficult time seeing the part they play in the emasculation of their own boys. Conservative moms view themselves as going against the flow and fighting against the feminism in our culture. Many of them are stay at home moms or part time stay at home moms who have rejected a career to raise children. Most home school or send their kids to private school. They go to worship and are active in their church. They submit to their husbands. They read their Bible and pray. They dress modestly. These are all good things.  But as Doug Wilson has taught me when you go to algebra class you get equations. When you go to biology class you get problems about dissecting frogs. And when you have conservative Christian mothers you get women who do not see how they could possibly be a blockade to manliness in their boys and husband. They are the ones doing it “right.” These women are the ones least likely to believe they are the problem. I know many conservative mothers who are doing well at raising boys. But in conservative churches this is an issue and pastors ignore it to their own peril.  Continue reading


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Butler County Place Names > L >

LeSourdsville -- also known as LeSourdsville Lake -- in Section 35 of Lemon Township, was laid out by Benjamin LeSourd, who bought 95 acres from Abraham Freeman, a settler who came there about 1800 and later owned and operated a saw mill. It had been the site of Freeman's Station in 1792. LeSourd planned to build a large city on the Miami-Erie Canal. The first post office was established May 11, 1838, and later was known as Knorr (see entry). The lake was formed by water from the canal. Ice was harvested on the lake and shipped on the canal until about 1900-1905. LeSourdsville also was a stop on the Louisville, Cincinnati & Dayton Railroad.

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Winter Bouillabaisse

  Three Swingin' Chicks Recipes

Winter Bouillabaisse

I never make the same recipe twice because it's based on what I find at the fish counter that day. The base of the soup is very easy to make and can be made ahead of time. Choose the freshest shellfish and fish possible and add it to the broth right before serving. Enjoy!

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
3 large garlic cloves, minced
3 cups seafood stock or 2 cups clam juice and 1 cup water
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
1/2 teaspoon saffron threads, crushed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
pinch cayenne
12 ounces halibut, skin removed, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound peeled deveined uncooked large shrimp (21 to 30 count)
12 ounces mussels (in the shell)

Croutons and Aioli
12 thin diagonal slices French baguette
extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon broth from fish soup

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until hot.  Add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes or until starting to soften.  Add the garlic and cook 1 minute.  Add all of the remaining ingredients except the halibut, shrimp and mussels.  Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low or low and simmer for 20 minutes or until flavorful.

Meanwhile, make the croutons and the aioli.  Heat the oven to 400ºF.  Lightly brush both sides of the baguette with olive oil and place on a baking sheet.  Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.  Stir together the mayonnaise, garlic and 1 tablespoon broth from the fish soup until blended and set aside.

Add the halibut to the soup and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the mussels and shrimp and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink, the mussels open and the halibut just begins to flake.  Remove and discard any mussels that don't open.  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of the aioli.

Serve the bouillabaisse garnished with croutons topped with aioli and pass the remaining aioli to stir into the soup as desired.

Serves 6

Copyright 2010 Janice Cole


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Prof Stephen Hawking is to divorce for a second time.

Papers have been lodged at Cambridge county court to end the 11-year marriage of the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University to Elaine Hawking, 55. It is understood that the couple both want to divorce following the breakdown of the marriage.

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Slashdot Items Tagged "radioshack"

Date / Time Story
Thursday August 03, 2017 @05:29PM TRS-80 Personal Computer Released 40 Years Ago Today
Friday May 26, 2017 @01:29PM With Nothing Left To Sell, RadioShack Is Selling Itself To People
Tuesday March 07, 2017 @04:07PM RadioShack Is Preparing to File For Bankruptcy Again
Tuesday July 26, 2016 @03:39PM Popular Wireless Keyboards From HP, Toshiba and Others Don't Use Encryption, Can Be Easily Snooped On
Friday December 25, 2015 @06:22PM Merry Christmas - Be an Erector Engineer!
Tuesday May 19, 2015 @11:56AM FTC Recommends Conditions For Sale of RadioShack Customer Data
Thursday January 15, 2015 @01:35PM Radio Shack Reported To Be Ready for Bankruptcy Filing
Tuesday March 04, 2014 @02:07PM RadioShack To Close 1,100 Stores
Saturday April 21, 2012 @08:20PM 30 Years of the TRS-80 Model 100
Friday May 27, 2011 @10:45PM RadioShack Trying To Return To Its DIY Roots
Tuesday February 21, 2006 @09:45AM RadioShack CEO Resigns


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Ok, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. The specialist wasn’t the crazy cow she was last time and  if I’m not mistaken, I think she actually smiled some.

Everything with hubby turned out good so far, not allergic to his own sperm or anything, counts are good, and his basic blood work is good. I had a vaguely different story. My u/s showed that post HSG I still had fluid in my Lt tube and apparently that should have drained out already. So she said it may not be the best of tubes. Although my Lt ovary is the one that I’m always rooting for because it’s the one that I know works. My son and my Darla (first miscarriage) were both from my Lt and I never found out regarding my second miscarriage d/t being too shocked at being told that there was a blighted ovum. I still intend to get that info.

The second “thing of noteworthiness” was that I have a clotting issue. I’m thinking I know, if I check my blood sugar it takes me 15 minutes to stop bleeding and I like getting other people to check for me and not tell them I’m a bleeder just because I have a slightly sick sense of humour . But she said no. She said that I have thrombophilia which is the broad term for clotting too much. You’re shitting me right? If I’m a super clotter how am I such a bleeder? And apparently looking on wikipedia, this is known for being related to recurrent miscarriages. So that’s a maybe of whats happened. I can’t find where I saw it to reference but it was related to something like 5 or 15% of miscarriages after 10 weeks. Maybe I read that wrong….I have to do more looking.

And of course Hubby took off this morning with the sheet in the car (she gave me a copy of the test but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to put in my files or give to my Dr…) so now I can’t remember what type of thrombophilia it is but it has to do with an S and C protein ?antigen?/ ?antibody? deficiency. So I guess that’s two types according to wikipedia, I don’t know yet if they often come together. Anybody know anything about this? cause I haven’t had a chance to do my research yet. But she said it’s hereditary so either my mummy has or my dad had it. My mummy’s sister had a PE (pulmonary embolism) a few years back, and there are a lot of heart attacks on that side of the family so maybe that’s it. I’d have to ask my Dad’s mom of she knows anything on that side of the family. Isn’t it nice to have your fertility specialist tell you you are at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke?! strangely that didn’t bother me so much, but it sure has my mom in a twist. Specialist said she’d have me go on baby aspirin every day “As soon as I’m pregnant?”, “No, today”, “oh”. And she’s giving me a referral to clotting specialist to see what he thinks.

yay 😦

So, after dinner last night Hubby, Monster and I went over to see some friends and had a great visit. Mummy picked up Monster at about 9:30 so we stayed there untill 1:30 playing warcraft cards. It was a great time, almost as good as D&D except that nothing will ever be as good as D&D and as soon as this same buddy puts another campaign together I shall be making regular appearances as an evil NPC. I had a great time, took out some of my frustrations by smiting every attempt our DM (dungeon master) could make. Hubby had some beers and I discovered that I like a true pilsner (no, not that Saskatchewan stuff) along with a dark lager and because I could only taste and not drink (for risk of antagonizing my alcohol allergy and having a violent not to mention potentially delusional style vomit fest) I also was reminded how much I miss beer. I’ve always been a beer girl…even though at my best before my allergy kicked in, I’d have two in an evening. But I like the way it tastes.

And I’m a MILF (as stated in an oddly polite fashion by my best friends cousin that I just met last night). Thank you Miles, you made my night.

So I guess that’s four things: Tube not great, Thrombophilia, Beer, MILF!


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I had a dream the other night. I was doing my christmas shopping and for some dream logic reason, I decided to get my niece and nephew’s birth certificates for my brother and his wife. I know, what a FANTASTIC present, hey? Isn’t that what we’re all just dying for? Anyways, the papers come and I look at them. My nephew’s papers list us as the parents. I’m thinking “shit, I did say they were for my nephew but maybe they didn’t hear and assumed that since I was calling, I was the mom”.

But then comes the awkward part. I didn’t want to have it changed. Part of me was just hoping we could leave it that way. I knew it was wrong and that anyone looking at it and him would say “pardon me, we’ve got a typo here”. Not to mention that his parents MAY want correct information on  it and all. But dream me  got to have the momentary fantasy of “maybe he could be my baby”.

But sadly, you have to wake up and put the you that would be locked up in the loony bin for trying to convince people that some other child is yours away.

I’ve been feeling strangely sad and a little guilty about it the last couple days. Even thought I know I didn’t ACTUALLY do anything wrong. And dream me didn’t either. She just wished she didn’t have to fix those damn typos.


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Tag Archives: Christmas presents

The Christmas present waiting game

Oh dear.  Christmas stress is setting in.   I am waiting anxiously for Christmas presents bought on-line to be delivered.  Will they come in time?  Once they reach me, they have to be wrapped elegantly, thrust into an envelope and put in the post to family in London.  Why didn’t I get them delivered directly to their destination?  A very good question and one that I have been asking myself for the last day or two!  I wanted them delivered to me so I could personally wrap them and write a personal gift tag to attach to each present.

The last posting date is later this week and I shudder to think how long the queue at the Post Office will be.  Oh well.  Hopefully all will be fine and all the gifts will arrive on time.  But until then ….


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Temple Grandin on "Happy Aspies," Autism, and Start-Ups

By Kimberly Weisul | Small Business

Temple Grandin, perhaps the world's best-known person with autism, says Silicon Valley companies are filled with people with Asperger's syndrome -- but that they'd rather not talk about it.

At the age of four, Temple Grandin still wasn’t speaking. Her father thought she should be institutionalized. It was hardly an auspicious start for the woman who would become perhaps our foremost authority on animal welfare and our best-known advocate for people with autism. In her new book, The Autistic Brain: Thinking Across the Spectrum, Grandin looks at the latest brain science relevant to autism and continues her work as an ambassador of sorts to the people she refers to as neurotypicals. In a conversation with Inc Editor-at-Large Kimberly Weisul, Grandin talks about Silicon Valley, autism, and start-ups.

In your book, The Autistic Brain, you say that Silicon Valley is filled with people you refer to as “Happy Aspies” - people with Asperger’s syndrome who do not have, or want, a diagnosis.

I think Steve Jobs was probably on the spectrum; Einstein definitely would be today. I don’t name the live ones. But you can go online and look at the interviews of the heads of Silicon Valley companies. The major big companies. And you can see it.

You know, I’ve talked to several retired NASA space scientists. And they said, “Oh, I have a grandson that has autism.” You know what? I think half the people that ever worked at NASA were on the spectrum.

Why do you say that?

Look at the 60 Minutes episode where they’re all crying when the space shuttle was shut down.

Why do you think that’s indicative of autism? The space shuttle was something people had worked on for years. For entire careers.

I didn’t say it was a sign necessarily they had autism, but it’s a sign, that - well, people on the spectrum have problems with emotional control.

If we have a geographic concentration of some sort of people who are on the spectrum, and autism is somewhat hereditary--

Oh yes. Definitely.

-- does this mean that we’re going to have more kids on the spectrum than we would have otherwise?

Well, you get around Silicon Valley, especially when you visit the older tech companies, and you’ve got a lot of families with autistic kids. You’re kind of rolling the dice on both sides of the family.

Is this something people in Silicon Valley are widely aware of?

They’re aware of it but it’s not something they really want to talk about. I’ve been out to the tech areas and there are just tons of families with autism out there. It’s sort of like you multiply the genetics, and then you’re likely to get a low-functioning kid. You’re not going to get, necessarily, another coder. You’re going to get a kid that’s nonverbal with a lot of handicaps.

What I find is a lot of people that are in tech avoid the labels. They get worried. If you take the fully verbal kid who’s just kind of a quirky nerd, when he gets a diagnosis and when he gets to the work world, I think that diagnosis is actually holding him back.

What should these parents be doing?

When you’ve got a fully verbal kid who’s on the spectrum, you’ve got to stretch him. I’m seeing too many parents, they go, “Oh, poor little Justin, he’s not going to learn to drive a car.” Well, it might take a little longer, and he’s going to have to practice, practice, practice in some safe place until operating the car becomes automatic. Then you gradually go into traffic and it’s going to take a little longer because there’s a little bit of motor coordination problems. But he’s going to do it.

You can’t take these kids and chuck them into the deep end of the pool. That doesn’t work. But if you don’t stretch them, they don’t develop. I’ve got parents that are coddling their kids, and now you’ve got a kid who’s 22 years old, he’s a recluse in his room, and he’s playing video games on social security. Some of our best coders are playing video games on social security. It’s absolutely ridiculous.

What should employers know about people on the spectrum?

People on the spectrum don’t pick up subtle social cues. They need to be in a work situation with real concrete instructions as to what they’re supposed to do.

It’s sort as if logic makes the world go round rather than social [interactions]. All the social behavior has to be taught. For people on the spectrum, it can be sort of like acting in a play.

Some of your best employees are probably a little bit on the spectrum.

Does that mean they should be managed differently?

Well, you don’t be subtle with them.

Let’s say the person [on the spectrum] is working in a retail store. You don’t say, “Jane, you’re too aggressive with customers.” That’s too vague. What you’ve got to do is bring Jane in, and say to her, “Watch how Suzy approaches the customer. I want you to do it like she does. You’re getting too close and too loud.” That explains it much more concretely. You say that a lot of very high-functioning people with Asperger's can be very good entrepreneurs. Why is that? Well, people with Asperger's tend to get fixated on their favorite thing, and their favorite thing could be starting a business. That would be really a good thing. The Asperger's kind of guys tend to be really good at inventing something. But they’re not so good at managing the business part of things. I’ve seen a lot of people, they are brilliant inventors and they have great ideas, and they need a good business manager. Are there meaningful differences between women who have autism and men who have it? Women tend to slip through the cracks more [and not be diagnosed]. Men tend to be a bit more rigid and it’s picked up on more easily. You write in your book that when a parent tells you that their autistic child cries when they’re frustrated, you say, “Good.” Why is that? Because then the kids not having an anger fit. That’s the alternative, and it’s not acceptable. If a kid cries when he’s frustrated, he can still have a job. But people who throw wrenches get fired.

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The place that dreams are made of: my new sewing space

It has been over a week since my last post because I have been busy, busy, busy.  Not necessarily with sewing, just with life- work/interview (for full-time- yikes!) and Halloween craziness.  BUT- my largest project of all over the last few weeks has been the transformation of my attic sewing studio!  Woo hoo!  I cannot believe I am lucky enough to have a space like this all to myself- I am in LOVE.  I turned a once dirty baby blue/grey and white space into a bright white dream oasis.  Really, I can’t stop gushing over the transformation.  This is a really long post- lots of pictures- bear with me!  First lets start with the Before!  I loved this Library sign on the door- of course I am going to leave it.

I was so excited to get started I didn’t start snapping pictures until midway through- darn it.  But, you will have to picture it…mismatched furniture, tons of fabric and scraps and threads all over the floor.  A huge mess, with the girls sewing supplies scattered around no real flow.  Not to mention the old attic floor which had been painted grey/blue at one point and had been splattered with some sort of resin or shellac which also was splashed over blue and white walls.   The previous owner of our house built furniture, so I imagine he used this space to finish his pieces?  Either way it was horrible, but with so much potential!  A bright space in the attic, with finished walls, electricity and heat.  ALL TO MYSELF.

Here is a mid-process shots of the space. Already starting to improve!

This is after I cleared out all of my old furniture, bins, fabric, and “junk”.  You can see the charm already; the slanted ceilings, the large windows and painted wood floors.  I chose to paint everything white…and I love it.  I probably could have used another coat of paint but I couldn’t wait to set up.  I had to do a coat of oil primer on all of the walls and slanted ceilings since I tested the original blue paint and it came up as oil.  I used my favorite primer- zinsser cover stain oil primer.  It covers everything- including the shellac splatters.  Awesome stuff (but pretty smelly- so use ventilation!).  I also primed the floor with a coat of this primer as well, to ensure my topcoat would cover well.  After my coat of primer on the walls I covered them in 2 coats of white paint- mixing whatever random white paint I had in my basement- I was trying to be thrifty (or cheap).  The floors were painted with 2 coats of Sherwin Williams Porch and Floor paint in white.  I can’t say enough good things about Sherwin Williams paint- it is more expensive but well worth the $$…I need this floor finish to last!

What is a sewing space without furniture?  I ordered all of my furniture from IKEA online, and had it shipped right to my door- so easy.  I ordered the separate tables and legs (where else can you do this besides IKEA?) and it worked out perfectly.  I was able to get two drawer cabinets and a large tabletop (extra long to fit my serger and sewing machine) for my main work space (with an extra leg for support in the center) and another table top with extendable sawhorse legs to raise it up to counter height- perfect for my cutting table.  I love that they include shelves for storage, and can easily be lowered down if the girls want to pull up a chair for a special project.  I also ordered a bookcase to store my fabric- worked out perfect.

When all was said and done I still had plenty of space to fit in a retro chrome and white round table I had, along with a few wooden chairs I used to use in my kitchen.  I think this will provide a great craft space for the girls, so that they can work in there with me while I sew.  Now that Isabel has been showing such an interest in sewing herself she can even set up her little machine there and claim out her own little space- which she did right away!

I can’t wait to finish decorating the space and setting up all of my stuff, but for now I am really enjoying the minimalism and “clean” look of how it is now!  I know this won’t last long….

The details:

From Ikea

Sewing/Serging table:

LINNMON Table top, white (Length: 78 3/4 x Width: 23 5/8 “)

1 SJUNNE Leg (in center for support)

2 Alex Drawer units, white

Cutting Table:

2 Finnvard Trestle with shelf, white

Linnmon Table top, white (Length: 59 ” Width: 29 1/2 “)

Shelf- Expedit

What’s black and blue and (then) red all over?

I am hilarious.  Remember that joke?  What is black and white and red all over?  A newspaper!  Ha Ha.  Get it Red-Read?  I don’t know why I thought of this.  Anyways, the answer to my question is my milk door.  Yes, I said my milk door.  I imagine there are many people reading this (yes I actually think many people will read this!) who have no idea what I am talking about.  Let me clarify.  My house was built in 1910, back in the days before refrigeration.  There is a small door next to my side door that opens and is now used as my mailbox, but back in the day would be the storage for fresh milk delivered by the local milkman.  Pretty neat stuff.  I wasn’t too clear on the time frame and details so I did a bit of internet research ( I am a librarian after all!) and found this: http://www.historicnewengland.org/collections-archives-exhibitions/online-exhibitions/From_Diary_to_Doorstep

I do not live in New England, but the idea is the same.  Apparently the golden age of milk delivery was between 1860-1960…so I imagine for the first 50 years or so that my house was around this little milk door was in use every day.  To quote the site:

“By the 1960s, the housewife in the family car had replaced the milkman on his delivery route. Supermarkets, refrigerators, and affordable automobiles made the milkman obsolete, and home milk delivery as a reassuring staple of city and village life receded into memory.”

Pretty neat.  Even though the milkman no longer pays my house a visit the milk door still serves a useful function as our mailbox.  Unfortunately it was looking pretty bad, with glossy blue and black paint.  Not a color scheme I am fond of.  Now that both girls are in school and I have returned to work I have also returned to “work mode” on the house…determined to wrap up a number of projects before the snow falls.  The first project is painting all of my exterior doors- starting with this little milk door.  I have been pretty absent from blogging…but I have been busy!

Here is what I was starting out with:

Do not make the same mistakes as me, I will embarrassingly tell you about all of my missteps so that you can avoid spending two days painting what seems like a simple and tiny area!  First, do not assume it was painted with latex paint.  If your house is as old as mine it probably wasn’t.  I did not think of this and tried painting right over the blue/black paint with my red paint.  Not a smart idea.  I had to wipe it off, sand it off and start over.  It was not even sticking, but rather streaking across the door.  Not pretty.

Because I am cheap I then decided to cover it up with an oil based primer I had laying around.  Kilz I believe.  Remember- you can cover oil based primer with latex, but you can’t cover oil based paint with latex.  I then painted 4 coats of my red over this primer layer.  Still did not work very well.  Red is a very hard color to get right!  Since I knew I was also painting two full size doors this color I headed to the hardware store to purchase the right supplies to make my life easier- small rollers, sanding block and most importantly tinted primer!

I then re-primed with the tinted primer (essentially starting all over again!) and covered it with 3 coats of paint.  Voila.  NOW it looks good!  Not the most direct route to success, but my trial and error will make my other doors go that much faster.  Until then, take a look at my beautiful shiny red milk door.  Love it.

I took what I learned and painted my side and front doors too…much easier the second time around.  Post to come.  Once I make it through all of my home projects I will get back to sewing…I have made a few things since I last blogged but finding time to sew/paint/clean/work/prepare kids for school is stressing me out.  Once my routine becomes easier I will get back to sewing.  I miss it!

Simple summer fun: A day on our ‘hood.

Enjoying our home, our neighborhood and surroundings.  I am so happy to live where we live, in an old city, with sidewalks, beautiful architecture, shady mature trees and a real sense of community.  Simple pleasures like riding bikes, playing in the grass, having a picnic on our front lawn and relaxing.

Here are some pictures of our day today.  At home.  In what we proudly call our ‘hood.

bike ride/fashion show

little library
little library
afternoon activity
afternoon activity
when I look up
when I look up

lunch on the lawn
lunch on the lawn

our garden
our garden
secret clubhouse
secret clubhouse

Joys of owning an old home

I was sitting around the other day thinking about where I wanted to go with this blog.  Do I want to focus on my sewing passion (or obsession!) and tie it into my etsy shop?  Do I want it to be about my love of vintage- fabrics/patterns/thrifting?  Can I do just one of these without talking about my house, my kids and my regular life?  Is that even possible?

I started thinking about all of the blogs I read on an almost daily basis and what appealed to me about them.  Sure, the sewing techniques, patterns and craft community was great but it was also the personal voice that came from discussing their lives, their kids that made it feel like “hey, they are like me.  If they can do xyz, then so can I”.  My biggest wish is that I had friends to share in my passions, some like minded people to bounce ideas off of and share tips and tricks.  Someone to go fabric shopping with (other than my crazy little girls).  Someone who would actually WANT to go and stare at bolts of fabric for a few hours.  Until I meet this local “friend” the online blog community has served this role- albeit virtually.

I decided I want to try to model this blog after the one’s I have followed over the past few years.  The balance of being honest and open against privacy, especially regarding my kids will be rough but time will tell.

So, that being said let’s get right into it.  My love of all things vintage extends far beyond fabric.  I love old houses.  Long before I was pouring over craft and sewing blogs I spent countless hours on home renovation blogs, and even started one of my own when we first purchased our previous home- a 1914 Arts and Crafts Bungalow.  I followed along as homeowners in Chicago tore up their fixer uppers and rebuilt cabinetry and replaced light fixtures.  I searched online forums for tips on patching old plaster and removing wallpaper.  After having kids and repainting every room in the house we ran out of space and moved into our current space this past summer.  Our new house has proved to be more of a challenge!  Built in 1910 the home is in great shape given it’s age, but the previous owners lived here for roughly 50 years so updating was in order.  Wallpaper, wallpaper, wallpaper.  Count em’ 12 different prints of wallpaer.  Yikes.  That is for another post.  I could write a book on removing wallpaper and what is discovered underneath.

My biggest pet peeve about this house though has been the kitchen floor.  Red/brown faux brick vinyl.  Not exaclty the classic look I am heading for in by decor.  Fortunately hardwood floors flow throughout the rest of the house, but the kitchen is smack dab in the middle of the house- so wherever you look you saw that old vinyl floor.  It became all I could see…it had to go!

beginning the process of doing the demo…oh the innocence. Not knowing what was to come

I thought, how bad could it be- could the hardwood run through the room under the vinyl?  So we took a look and sure- there was hardwood!!!  Three weeks of hard labor on days off and evenings were to follow.  Days I wished I had never discovered said hardwoods and ordered new replacement floors. Image

Days spent on my hands and knees with an old bottle/can opener tool removing thousands and thousands of staples one by one by one.  Days spent scraping off old black felt paper that stood between me and those wood floors.  It turned out that removing the vinyl and subfloor was the EASY part.  Then, finally.  Finally we were ready to turn it over to a professional to sand and seal the hardwoods.  Image

No more staples or dirty paper to walk on!
even though the kitchen is still in shambles, the floors are done and look amazing!

Looking back now it was all worth it.  Even the two nights spent sharing a bed with the girls in a gross motel when we had to escape the polyurethane fumes.  Even after the expense and frustration.  Funny how you forget the blood, sweat and tears (literally).  Thankfully I took pictures of the process to remind me of how far we’ve come!  My favorite part is knowing we brought a part of this home back to life.  Thinking about all of the people who have walked on these floors, the women who stood in this kitchen back in the 20’s making dinner for their family.  The kids who probably slid across and down the hallway like my girls do when they run in and out of the house.  It is more than just loving things from the past, it is the sense of history that comes along with it that makes owning an old home so special.


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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q. How are the calories counted on your nutritional labels?
    A. Our nutrition labels are governed by the rules of the FDA. So, calories are typically counted based on the total protein, fat and carb content of the food. Protein and carbs have 4 calories per gram and fat accounts for 9 calories per gram. The FDA allows the deductions of  insoluble fibers of the total carb count to calculate total calories from carbs. Since our products are loaded with insoluble fibers, we do not include them in the calorie calculation. Sugar alcohols are considered carbs. However, if Erythritol is the only sugar alcohol listed, all of the grams of sugar alcohol can be subtracted.

  • Q. How can Smart Baking Company claim healthy cake?
    A. The FDA has specific “short list indicators,” or requirements for food in order to qualify for making claims pertaining to “health, healthy, healthier, healthfulness” etc. Considering that we meet FDA’s criteria, we are allowed to use this claims.

  • Q. How can you guarantee that your products are gluten-free?
    A. We have a strict dedicated gluten-free facility that manufactures only GF products. All the ingredients that enter our facility are verified gluten-free.

  • Q. What is the best method to keep the SmartBun fresh?
    A. Currently we are sending the SmartBUNs in frozen condition to its destination without the use of dry ice or ice packs. This means that the products thaw during transit. Please freeze the buns upon arrival and thaw out the number of buns to be consumed the same day.

  • Q. Are your products non-GMO?
    A. Yes, they are. We independently lab test our products to ensure that our products don’t contain any GMO’s.

  • Q. Is the corn fiber non-GMO?
    A. Yes, we source our corn fiber from reliable non-GMO sources with the proper and confirming documentation.

  • Q. How many weight watchers points are in the Smartcake and SmartBUN?
    A. According to the new weight watchers points plus system, our SmartBUN contains 3 points and the Smartcake contains 2 points. Weight Watchers does not take the sugar alcohols (Erythritol) into consideration when determining their points. They count the sugar alcohol as carbs. However, if Erythritol is the only sugar alcohol listed, all of the grams of sugar alcohol can be subtracted.

  • Q. What type of flour do you use in your products?
    A. We do not use any flour in our products, only the pure fiber content from naturally GF plant sources. From this we make our own proprietary fiber blend.

  • Q. Do your products contain any preservatives?
    A. We preserve our products only by natural means and ingredients, by controlling the packaging atmosphere and applying a natural preservative. For more info, please contact us and we’ll be happy to further inform you about our methods.

  • Q. What is Erythritol?
    A. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is a natural no-calorie sweetener. Sugar alcohols are sugar substitutes that are extracted from plants. 90% of Erythritol is digested in the small intestine so only little reaches the colon, which makes it much easier to digest than any other sugar alcohol. Further, it’s Non-glycemic (it does not raise blood sugar levels), Non-carcinogenic and virtually Non-Caloric with antioxidant properties. With about 70% of the sweetness of regular sugar, it’s a very pleasant and beneficial alternative.

  • Q: You list Erythritol on the nutritional label, what impact on the calorie count does it have?
    A. Erythritol is considered to be virtually calorie free, and due to the relative small amount we use in our products its calorie contribution is <1.

  • Q. Are your products vegan or vegetarian?
    A. Vegetarians who do consume dairy and egg products (so called, Ovo-Lacto-vegetarians) can enjoy all of our products. Because of this, unfortunately our products would not be suitable for vegans.

  • Q. Are the products diabetic friendly?
    A. Our products are completely free of digestible carbohydrates; no sugar, no starch. In addition, the high fiber and protein content allows for a slow, balanced digestion and strong support for a person’s natural metabolism. Therefore, yes our products are diabetic friendly. However, please consult with your physician before modifying your diet.

  • Q. Are your products safe for kids?
    A. We dedicate ourselves to making all of our products safe for everyone which includes kids. However, we encourage the parent/guardian to carefully read the information on the nutrition label and ingredient list to make sure the child’s specific food intolerance is not compromised.


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New’s report on Caritas

Caritas is a world wide operation set up to help children and families less fortunate than us. Every day, Caritas Australia and their local partners are supporting people in need around the world. They assist the needy to break free of their chains of poverty and their lack of food. They help with stuff like:

– Responding to emergencies such as the current food crisis in East Africa.

– Implementing Disaster Risk Reduction strategies, particularly in the Pacific Islands, where villagers are experiencing rising sea levels.

– Helping farmers with sustainable agricultural practices, such as the Farmer Field School in Nepal.

– Building water catchments in regions like Ethiopia, so communities have access to fresh, clean water and are able to grow crops.

– Providing access to education and workshops in regions of South-East Asia, so vulnerable people can learn new skills.

– Training women in outback areas the skills they need for work and stuff they never learnt because they had no schooling

– Alleviating poverty in Indigenous Australia through projects in rural communities.

They rely on normal people like us to help with their endeavors and work through project compassion and donations and many other fundraising activities. Look how you can help with giving rural and indigenous areas hope and things to work with:

  • $2 could provide Indigenous plants to regenerate 10 square metres of deforested community land in Bolivia.
  • $10 could supply jerry cans for two families affected by natural disaster in Samoa
  • $50 could engage an Indigenous person in 5-day community tourism training in Bolivia
  • $100 could provide a bicycle for a field worker working with the disabled in Bangladesh
  • $200 could provide training packs for 10 ‘street boys’ to learn organic farming in Papua New Guinea


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Save up to 36% on the price of your tickets!

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Traditional Roots of Modern China: How an Ancient World View Drives Contemporary Policies

All-Day Program

Saturday, November 4, 2017 - 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Code: 1M2931

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Traditional junk boat sailing across Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong

Chinese civilization—encompassing history, cosmology, and elite and popular cultures—has long fascinated the West. Since the 18th century, Americans have looked at China with admiration and derision, as a font of obscure and practical wisdom, as a nation of refinement and barbarism, and as a source of enlightened pacifism and radical violence.

Although the United States viewed China as a threat during the Cold War, throughout most of the history of bilateral relations Americans have held a benign view of the Middle Kingdom and have sought to aid and inspire its development. After the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, American engagement was essential to China’s rise. Now, however, China has risen: The People’s Republic is now the only nation with the potential to challenge America’s international standing and change global practices in ways that harm American interests.

From a Chinese viewpoint, there is no contradiction between the traditional Han civilization that attracts Americans and the contemporary nation that may alarm them. There is only continuity: The values that nourished China’s ancient greatness also underlie its modern political, economic, and social institutions. That worldview drives current policies, and if it is sometimes incompatible with Western liberalism, China does not see it as their problem, according to China scholar Robert Daly.

In an absorbing seminar, Daly traces the nation’s 21st-century drive for wealth, power, and status to the beliefs, geographic influences, and social and cultural practices rooted in the earliest dynasties.

9:30–10:45 a.m.  Pangu’s Bones: How Geography Shaped Chinese Culture

How did China’s position at the southeast corner of Eurasia shape its agro-bureaucratic state? How did cycles of stability and disaster give rise to folk culture and Confucian thinking? How did one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse regions produce the myth of an eternal, unchanging China?

11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.  The Struggle for Harmony: Qi and Chinese Attitudes Toward Nature

An introduction to Chinese cosmology, with a focus on Taoism; the action of Qi in architecture, poetry, painting, calligraphy, food, and medicine; and the conflicts and harmonies between man and nature in the Chinese tradition.

12:15–1:30 p.m.  Lunch (participants provide their own.)

1:30–2:45 p.m.  Culture, Technology, Wealth, Power

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, China’s relative social stability and cultural cohesion made it the most innovative nation on earth, one in which technological developments drove economic and military might. In the 19th century, China was shocked to discover that its technology was inferior to that of the West and Japan, and that this weakness made it suddenly vulnerable. Now, China is again a manufacturing and technological powerhouse.

3–4:15 p.m.  Three Ways To Look at China

When we speak of “China,” we refer to one fifth of humankind, to a history and culture, and to a nation-state. Distinguishing among these distinct meanings is difficult, but it must be attempted, says Daly, if Americans are to analyze China accurately and respond to its contemporary incarnation in a way that fosters peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.

Daly is director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.

S. Dillon Ripley Center
1100 Jefferson Dr SW
Metro: Smithsonian (Mall exit)


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Versatile Blogger Award

Hey kids out there in blog land! Quick update, last week was really busy and this past month has felt like I haven’t had enough time to write, sleep or feel normal. This has caused me to be in a bit of a funk, so as of today I am trying to get back on track and get back to my usual writing routine. I really hate when that happens! To kick off the month in a positive note, I figured I’d put up this award I was nominated for, since it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

The wonderful Ruth over at Flix Chatter nominated me and I just love her blog to pieces, so thank you Miss Toby Stephens!

tumblr_n4cqj44BL01ssq8dpo1_500 (4 Ruth’s eyes only – Hands off women!)

These are the rules for the award:
1.Thank your nominator and provide a link to their blog.
2.Make your own fifteen nominations and tell them they have been nominated
3.Offer up seven interesting facts about yourself

My nominations are below, if you have already been nominated then I do apologize peeps. Hopefully I can introduce you to some different bloggers out there!

1.Merrissa – Rad Maverix
2.Drew – Labyrinthwrm
3.Raul – The Movi3 Lounge
4.Elina – Films and Coke
5.V – Verbal Spew
6.Victoria – Living Disrobed
7.Sofia – Film Flare
8.The Butcher – Pundit From Another Planet
9.Mesh – Mesh The Movie Freak
10.Mark – Movie Man Jackson
11.Natalie – Writer Loves Movies
12.Smash – Smashing Through Life
13.Samantha – Adventures In Glam Land
14.Amynicolaox – Heiress-ox
15.Damian Thomas – Damian Thomas Films Etc

Here are my 7 fun facts. I really hate talking about myself, so please don’t throw tomatoes at my head! I figured I’d add some non-movie stuff in too, enjoy.

1. I listen to Howard Stern as much as possible. I have been listening ever since I was a kid, I probably shouldn’t have, but I did because my mom was a fan too. Whenever someone finds out that I have this love for Howard they either look at me cross-eyed or I find out they are closet super fans too. BaBa Booey!

2. I dislike, no I abhor ranch dressing. If I see it, smell it or it even comes near me I run in disgust. People who know me well, know this is my Achilles heel and have used it against me. This one time… no not at band camp… I was pretty wasted and my cousin offered me a piece of pizza with tons of ranch dressing hidden under the cheese, I ate the whole thing and then proceeded to have a really bad night. Umm.. yeah.

3. I absolutely love Larry David, I would marry him if I could. Wait I take it back, Jon Hamm, yes, hmmm yes he would be my first choice. Or Leonardo DiCaprio. Or Alexander Skarsgard. I have a problem with decision making is it obvious?!

tumblr_muca9hFyXE1r0e42eo1_250  tumblr_muca9hFyXE1r0e42eo3_250

4.  The movies I can watch on a loop and never get bored are Pulp Fiction, Office Space and Goodfellas.

5. One of the first movies I remember loving was Once Upon A Time In America. It also introduced me to the world of Robert De Niro, even though I was a kid I knew there was something fascinating about him.

6. Another thing I have been obsessed with since childhood is Madonna. Yes don’t laugh at me, seriously I die, she is my Beyoncé girl!

7. I buy way too much makeup (MAC baby) and shoes, I am a girly girl at heart and it’s a problem that may require an intervention. If anyone ever needs a makeup tip, just holla!

20 thoughts on “Versatile Blogger Award

  1. Awwww!! Thank you thank you for the lovely pic of Toby, when I saw it I immediately leaped out of my chair as it’s rare to see him on others’ blogs so big hugs for doing so 😛

    I LOVE your blog too, glad I discovered you thru Josh, it’s always fun to fangirl w/ fellow bloggers, he..he.. You can keep Stern and Larry David tho, ahah, I guess I never even listened/seen anything w/ them in it, as you know I’m Miss Toby Stephens… and my penchant is always for the Brits 😉

    I love that you’re a girly girl. MAC is a great makeup isn’t it, tho a bit on the pricey side. I love going to ULTA and trying out a bunch of makeup brands, love Smashbox, Urban Decay and Tarte!

    • Yes I thought you would like that one! Thank you as well! I know Stern and David are not for everyone, but it’s okay I still love my brits too.

      Mac can be pricey, but I find it’s worth it considering I end up using it more than my other stuff and yes I love the other brands you mentioned too. Ulta and Sephora…I need to be banned from those!

      • Wondered how you’d respond to my sudden reappearance.

        First, I was job hunting. Then, I made a conscious decision to spend more quality time with the kids now that I only have a handful more months with them before going back to work. Finally, I have been watching baseball instead of movies.

        Between all of those factors, I wasn’t any movies. I found my interest in talking about movies had decreased when I wasn’t seeing any. But I finally had a movie day last week, so I’m checking in.

      • I know I always check your blog and I thought well maybe he took a break since you had so many reviews going on for a while with the film festival you did with Ruth.

        That is good to hear, did you find a job that you like? Will you be teaching again?

        I have recently also been feeling not in the mood to write, just burnt out from work and everything, now trying to get back into the swing of things. So I understand, sometimes we need a break. Good to see you back!! 🙂

      • That’s awesome!! I loved those grades! Not too little like Kinder, but not too old like middle and high school. Glad you got to spend time with your kids and enjoy them because those years can never be replaced. 🙂

      • Just saw that you posted a bunch of new stuff. Ohhh yay going to go read those. Forgot to tell you, I haven’t posted a review yet, but I finally saw Her and I loved it. Thought of you and your suggestion. You were right on!

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K2 Ex Binding

MSRP: $169.95

Built for versatility and durability, the 2012 Ride EX snowboard binding features Ride’s the Foundation chassis to provide all-mountain mid-flex performance and the Wedgie™ 1.5 footbed that has a subtle angle to provide the perfect mix of comfort and support. Combined with the ThinGrip™ toe strap and the ComfortFlex highback, you won’t find a better value binding for any level of rider.

  • Foundation System
  • ComfortFlex
  • Balance
  • EasyEntry Ankle Ladder Straps
  • ThinGrip™
  • UltraLite
  • Wedgie 1.5
  • EVA Basepad
  • Aluminum Chassis

Buy Now


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Spring Daisies_Blue Sky Metal Print

Metal Print

Spring Daisies_Blue Sky

by Mia Valdez

Our metal prints are thin, lightweight and durable 1/16" aluminum sheet canvas. The high gloss finish enhances color and produces sharp image details. Each sheet has a 3/4" wooden frame attached to the back to offset from the wall. Prints have a wire or sawtooth hanger, depending on size selected.


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Tennis Pattern #society6 #decor #buyart Metal Print

Metal Print

Tennis Pattern #society6 #decor #buyart

by DesigndN

Our metal prints are thin, lightweight and durable 1/16" aluminum sheet canvas. The high gloss finish enhances color and produces sharp image details. Each sheet has a 3/4" wooden frame attached to the back to offset from the wall. Prints have a wire or sawtooth hanger, depending on size selected.

Memphis retro throwback 1980s, neon pop abstract digital illustration. Country club and Tennis Club inspiration.

graphic-design digital pattern pop-art
tennis tennis-balls tennis-club neon-pop
retro memphis design pink
blue cool trend scribbles
grid summer 80s 90s


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Thoughts From The Gameroom

The ramblings of a Euro-gamer from South Dakota

Video Game Collection: 2010

Posted by sodaklady on March 21, 2010

My PS3 games as of March 2010.

I guess I’m very picky about what video games I spend my money on because I’ve only added a dozen to my PS3 collection since the last time I wrote about my collection 2 years ago. In my defense as a video gamer, I have bought some for the Wii but I’m less impressed with them all the time and would choose a PS3 game over a Wii anytime I’m playing alone. I’ve also acquired a PSP and a few games. Unfortunately, my old eyes tire of playing on a tiny screen in a pretty short time so the PS3 is still my console of choice.

Because I get so many visitors here who have searched for “video games” or “video game collection”, I’ve decided to add a thought or two for each game so they won’t be totally disappointed by finding only a picture and a list of games.

Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction ended with a cliffhanger of sorts so I had to buy the newest one as soon as it came out, A Crack In Time. I enjoyed this one more than the previous one due to the fun I had playing as Clank and solving his puzzles. But… *raises right hand* I swear I will not purchase another R & C game. Their time has truly run out. Move on, please.

Rockband 2 was my husband’s idea and I have to admit that I didn’t really care for the music in it as much as the original, but then again I’m somewhere over 40 (in fact, I can’t even look back and see 40) so I’m not really the target audience. I wish they’d make one for us older gamers who would really enjoy songs from the 70s.

Mirror’s Edge is one I pre-ordered just from watching clips and playing the downloadable demo. A unique game in the first-person genre, playing a messenger freerunning around the city parkour-style, and also solving a mystery.  I recommend adding this to your collection if you haven’t already.

Resident Evil 5 is one I wouldn’t have gotten just for myself but my daughter has played all of the previous Nintendo games and besides, it’s a two-player cooperative game. We had a great time playing this even if I was the weakest link!

Lego Indiana Jones, The Original Adventures was o.k., but didn’t really come close to touching the Lego Star Wars games. Maybe it’s the characters, maybe it’s the setting, but in any case, I have no desire to revisit it even though I love two of the three movies.

Resistance: Fall of Man is another game that I downloaded the demo for and enjoyed enough to buy, albeit once the price had gone down. This is another 2-player cooperative game that Cori and I had a blast playing. In fact, we played it a second time on the higher difficulty. Great story as well as a fun game, and a better game than the most recent Ratchet & Clank games by the same game studio.

Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds is a fun pastime. It’s also harder and uses better physics than you would think from looking at its cutesy graphics. Not a “must have” game but one I enjoy every once in a while.

Infamous, from Sucker Punch, the same group who brought us the wonderful Sly Cooper games, IS a must have. This is a third-person shooter but instead of guns, you’re shooting with energy you acquired from being at ground zero during the explosion of a special weapon. The story is good but the best part is that you can choose if you want your character to use his powers for good or evil. Cori played it as the evil side, and I played as the goodie-two-shoes. Being from the makers of a great platformer game, our character has no problems climbing everything and anything in sight; our biggest gripe was getting him NOT to jump onto something!

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is another must have game if you like third-person shooters. It’s not just the story, which is first rate; not just the characters, which are well-rounded; or the graphics, which are excellent. It’s that you are pulled into the game the whole time you’re playing. You barely notice the loading and saving, and you have to be attentive even during cut scenes because you might have to shoot or jump during them.  I didn’t buy the original Uncharted because I didn’t enjoy the demo (tiny dot for targeting and never-ending flood of bad guys), but I am very glad to have this one in my collection.

Heavy Rain, one of the few PS3 exclusive games nowadays, is a wonderful experience.  I’m not sure what they call it, maybe third-person interactive, but it’s unique. You play as four different characters, each in their turn, as you try to find the serial killer dubbed The Origami Killer and saving the latest missing child before he, too, is found dead. During the game you will be able to make choices that change the storyline, sometimes even killing off one or 2 of the characters you’re playing. I’ve played it several ways, changing the ending each time, and still haven’t won the trophy for seeing all the endings.

Battlefield: Bad Company is another demo buy. It’s the story of four guys in Company B, where the misfits and troublemakers are assigned, who go chasing after the gold used to pay mercenaries by our fictional enemies. I’m still playing this one for the first time with my second in command, my husband, who watches, advises and keeps track of my health. We’re having a good time with this, and get many laughs from our goofy squadmates.

Brothers In Arms: Hell’s Highway is still to be played. It’s unique to my collection in that you command one or two teams to help you with your missions. I’m not sure how well I’ll fit the style of play but I enjoyed the demo. And if my second in command will transfer to my new unit, I may be able to handle the extra burden of command. 🙂

LocoRocco 2 was my first game when I got my PSP. The original one made me wish I had a PSP at the time so the second game in the series was a pretty logical choice. I haven’t regretted it. A unique, fun game with good music to accompany your gameplay.

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 was another one that was not a hard choice. I enjoyed the PS3 version and wanted to have an on-the-go version. Like its big brother, it’s fun for short periods and I’m glad to have it in my collection.

Dark Mirror, a Syphon Filter game, is a good shooter but, as I mentioned before, is hard on my eyes. If I ever finish it, I think I’d like to get the next one, Logan’s Shadow.

Resistance: Retribution is more in the Resistance universe, following the original Fall of Man, and Resistance 2. Another very good shooter for the PSP, and hard on the eyes. Maybe I need a very large magnifying glass. I’ll get through it one of these days.

Daxter I chose because I wanted something lighter, and a platformer rather than a shooter, and I was tired of Ratchet & Clank. This is a pretty good game but I’m not as big a fan of Jak & Daxter as some so I don’t feel compelled to play it.

Burnout Legends is a race game I got because I love the Crash mode on Burnout 3 for the PS2. I wasn’t disappointed; it’s great fun. This also fills the “race” genre hole I had.

Finally, I wanted a downloaded game for the PSP, something that was always available, something light and fun, something I could play and put down at the drop of a hat. After a day of research, I chose Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords.  This is a cross between an RPG and Bejeweled, the casual game of switching jewels to form matches of three or more. So far, I’m loving it. It’s got the puzzle aspect of Bejeweled without the pressure of being timed. It’s got the character-building aspect of an RPG for replayability.  For me, a very good choice.

There are a couple of games I still have on my “to buy” list for the future:
Red Faction: Guerrilla
Call of Duty: World at War
Batman: Arkham Asylum

These have been out for a while but were not ones I felt the need to spend the full $60 for. On the horizon, and contemplating a pre-order, is ModNation Racer. This just looks like so much fun!

3 Responses to “Video Game Collection: 2010”

  1. […] Video Game Collection: 2010 « Thoughts From The Gameroom […]

  2. Without going into too much detail on the ending of Crack in Time (I’m just about to go up against Nefarious), I’m curious what’s turned you off on the series. I felt like this latest installment was absolutely fantastic. The narrative flow, the characters that talk to you during the levels, the art design, the music… it all felt finely tuned from the previous editions. Very cinematic. Perhaps I’m just an addict, but I plan to purchase just about anything that says Ratchet and Clank if they’re going to be like this.

    • sodaklady said

      I agree, Eric, this last one was very, very good except, at least for me, I think they’ve run out of good ideas for cool weapons. I felt so handicapped for the biggest fights even with the weapons upgrades. I’ve played every R&C game so far, including the downloadable one which made me mad enough to want to throw the controller, and what I miss most from the early ones is… the incomparable Suck Cannon!!!

      If they can make other games of the caliber of Resistance: Fall of Man, then they should. But the truth is, if they make another R&C, I will probably succumb and buy it.

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Increased customer satisfaction with IBM Watson

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IoT in Healthcare – great opportunities, some caution.

Kayla Matthews, technical writer and blogger, in an article on IoT in a Big Data magazine, talks about the benefits and perils of application of IoT in healthcare. Conceding that the numerous uses of IoT in healthcare can drastically alter the industry,

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Blockchain – a decentralized ledger technology

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A retail giant successfully transforms his business to succeed in the Digital marketplace.

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Digital Transformation – A Journey

Having adopted digital technology and gained sufficient competency for improving efficiency and supporting traditional way of doing business, enterprises today are on the threshold of taking the next step in the journey i.e. digital transformation, in this stage enterprises go

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SoftPath Technologies makes it to Deloitte Technology Fast 500 2016

Deloitte announced their widely awaited annual rankings “Technology Fast 500 “for the year 2016 last week. This highly revered annual ranking of fastest growing companies in North America is awarded in technology, media, life sciences, telecommunications, and energy tech industries.

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Stay Positive on Twitter to reduce your Insurance Bill, Big Data could lower insurance rates to optimistic twitters.

A very interesting piece of information coming from Reuters tells that Insurance companies banking on research suggesting direct link between positive posts on social media and reduced risk of heart diseases are planning to deploy a combination of Big Data

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Top 5 Social Networking Applications for your new iPad

As we know all, there are thousands of iPad apps to help you work, play, communicate, or get informed. So, where to start? Here are the top 5 social networking applications for iPad.

iPad apps tend to run higher in price than their iPhone counterparts, but I still try to list many of free social networking iPad apps, or cost less than $1.

Screen Shot

AIM for iPad

AIM for Ipad has a few social networking matters namely; you can’t retweet or direct message friends when using the built-in Facebook and Twitter clients, but it’s a frozen app for those with contacts who for the most part use AOL’s messaging service.

Friendly for iPad

Facebook still hasn’t released an iPad app, but Oecoway’s Friendly, which features an excellent layout redolent of the Facebook Web site, is a fine alternate for social networkers who don’t want to upload tons of photos or video.

Flipboard for iPad

If it endures the potential wrath of content owners, Flipboard, which collects links posted to Facebook and Twitter and formats the content in a slick, magazine style format, could be the birth of the personal newspaper, and Rupert Murdoch’s nightmare.

Twitter for iPad

Crafting new tweets may prove irritating due to an overcrowded screen, but the Twitter for iPad is the best mobile Twitter client around.

TweetDec for iPad

It may not support social networks such as Facebook or location based services such as Foursquare, but TweetDeck for iPad is a respectable Twitter reader with an intuitive interface and accurate geo-tagging.

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Is there anyone in this country who doesn’t believe the recent hurricanes were caused by the oil companies? I didn’t think so. They probably used a standard off-the-shelf Hurricane Death Ray invented by a mad scientist. (You know the guy: brilliant, eccentric, still angry about having to go to the prom with his mother. He tested out of most classes in college then got hired by Texaco to develop a secret drug that gives auto executives a rash when they hear the words “better gas mileage.”)

To be fair, it’s possible the scientist isn’t really mad. Maybe he’s just a decent man who does evil things because oil executives tied his daughter to a railroad track.

Of course, none of this is mentioned in the recent full-page newspaper ad—“Progress Report from ExxonMobil”—which stated that the company is “working hard” to get their refineries back on line after the hurricanes. Oil executives even gave a news conference and promised to “get right on it.” But when they left the podium I noticed they were taking baby steps—you know, heel-toe, heel-toe—and smiling. Definitely smiling.

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In the meantime, gas is hovering around $3 a gallon, a far cry from the days when my dad, before he mowed the yard, would send me to the corner service station with a gallon gas can and a quarter. “And bring back the change,” he would add, only too aware of the mischief an 11-year-old could get into with an extra 7 cents in his pocket.

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Sometimes films don’t even deserve to be written about let alone be made.

Sometimes good intentions aren’t enough.

Sometimes Robert Rodriguez isn’t enough.

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Flakiness and its causes

I recently asked a friend what he thought caused flakiness in people. He had many good things to say about the topic, including that he felt those with a creative temperament wore it like a badge of honour. Then he said: “I’ve been guilty of it at times. It usually comes down to three criteria:

  1. Lack of energy
  2. Lack of Interest
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  3. Not compulsory

It really helped me understand why peeps let other peeps down. I thought about my own flakey (or wanna be flakey) times and I thought that the thing I can’t stand the most is being around people I don’t wish to spend time with. eg a big fat obligation due to politeness or awkwardness of invite.

What’s the thing you most flake out of or want to flake out of? What’s ho hum rather than om nom? Taking out the rubbish or dinner with the boss and his wife? Helping clean up after a party or a committee you no longer want to be on? I’d love to hear! Flake away…

…of course, remain anonymous if you wish!

One response to “Flakiness and its causes

  1. My husband’s work Xmas functions ugghh! So boring……I would rather be waxed all over. Our workplace end of year function never has partners invited and we can all just relax and enjoy the time out.

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Drake Clowned Meek Mill At OVO Fest Last Night with Memes Galore

(Source) – …following Meek’s accusation that Drake employed the services of ghostwriters for his raps, including his guest verse on the Meek track “R.I.C.O.,” the Canadian emcee released a pair of diss tracks aimed at Meek, including “Charged Up” and the more venomous “Back to Back,” the latter of which containing the quotable line, “Is that a world tour, or your girl’s tour?” as well as “You getting’ bodied by a singin’ nigga.” The #BackToBack began trending shortly thereafter, with Drizzy’s legion of Twitter acolytes posting memes mocking Meek.

So, during his performance of “Back to Back” at OVO Fest, an annual music festival curated by Drake himself, the rapper projected many of those same memes behind him, including ones claiming that Iggy Azalea was Meek’s ghostwriter, a Simpsons twist of Meek writing on the chalkboard “I Will Never Ever Disrespect the 6 God,” and one offering Meek Mill a “participation award” for cooking up “Wanna Know,” among others.

If I’m being honest, I don’t really know who Meek Mill is, or any tracks that he’s ever put out which, I guess speaks volumes as to how much of an impression he’s making in the music world. If I’m being more honest, Drake isn’t all that great of a rapper. He’s had a handful of good songs over the years, but for the amount of time he’s been around and the amount of recognition the guy gets, he’s not all that impressive. Add in the fact that for the last few years everyone and their mothers has bashed the guy for being so sensitive, shared endless pics of him tearing up, and started a series of memes regarding how soft he is, and you’ve got yourself a melting pot of laughable mediocrity.

Once you’re in this position, it’s almost impossible to gain back everyone’s respect, but last night Drake may have pulled it off when he showed no mercy to Meek Mill (who is even more mediocre than Drake, but apparently doesn’t cry as much I guess). It’s one thing to write 3 diss songs about someone when they try to call you out, if someone puts you on blast, whatever happens next is fair game. Drake decided to take it to whole other level last night though, wearing a “Free Meek Mill” t-shirt, and laying down a whole Powerpoint worth of Meek Mill diss memes while he performed his 3 diss songs on stage. Now, none of this means that I’ll start buying Drake’s records or try to figure out who the hell Meek Mill is, but I do appreciate Drake’s contribution to the “celebrity beef” world. Let’s hope this brings even more creativity for future celebrity/athlete beefs.

(Note: the actual track isn’t all that powerful, but live, his diss track “Back to Back” sounds like it goes pretty damn hard)

It’s a bit hard to see the carnage going on in the background, so found a few shots used in the slideshow. (Also, quick shoutout to Whataburger for their tweet. Love seeing a big business not be afraid to get in on the action). RIP Meek Mill.

But just remember Drake, the world never forgets….

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Why the Silence

IMG_0040As some of you know from Facebook, as some of you may have guessed through my recent silence, my dad passed away last week. On Thursday, March 7. In a hospice room at St. Francis hospital in Wichita. With the sun shining and the Hallelujah Chorus playing on my brother’s ipad. Facing his bride of 42 years. (They celebrated their anniversary in the hospital on February 27); holding the hands of his granddaughters; being touched and loved into the next world by his son, his daughter, his son-in-law, his daughter-in-law.

We found out just last Tuesday that he had aggressive natural killer cell leukemia/lymphoma. (In case you can’t tell by the name, you do not want to get this disease.) As a former hospice chaplain, my dad weighed his treatment options (horrifying and ultimately unsuccessful) with the care he knew he would receive on the hospice floor. He could not wait to get up to his hospice room.

If he had been 98 instead of 68, I would say it was a perfect death. Peaceful. Mercifully quick. Full of love. Infused with the holy.

But he wasn’t 98, he was 68. And he wasn’t done being a grandpa–or a dad–or a husband. And so his death wasn’t perfect. It was, and is, agonizing.

It’s too soon for me to draw out profound insights on life and death and God as related to Dad’s death. I just want you to know about this bit of my life.

And I want to share with you the poem I wrote for Dad’s funeral. (When your dad asks you, on his deathbed, to write a poem for his funeral, the answer is “yes.”) My dad was so peace-filled throughout his entire hospitalization (11 days), I couldn’t help but think of the contrast with the sentiment in Dylan Thomas’ poem for his dying father,”Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night.” Ultimately, I needed a strict form like the villanelle to help me start the poem–and to help me stop. The cycling, the repetition of this form echoes the swimming timelessness of these past two weeks.

Villanelle for Dad

You died the way you lived, with love and grace,
The Hallelujah chorus in the air,
Our gazes fixed intently on your face.

Disease so sudden we could scarcely brace,
Yet you accepted, took the load to bear.
You died the way you lived, with love and grace.

Unhinged we cried and questioned, wept and paced;
Sustained somehow by holy words and prayer,
Our gazes fixed intently on your face.

They say that slow and steady wins the race.
We wish you’d gone more slowly toward death’s glare.
You died the way you lived, with love and grace.

A pastor to the end, you made your case:
You said, “If you’re in God, know I am there.”
Our gazes fixed intently on your face.

And you, my dad, whose sacred life I trace,
I thank you for this final gift you share:
You died the way you lived, with love and grace,
Our gazes fixed intently on your face.

25 thoughts on “Why the Silence

  1. Beautiful, beautiful poem.

    My mom passed away from an aggressive brain cancer a little over a year ago. My sister, dad, and I moved into the hospice home with her and lived there for five weeks. So my heart especially aches for yours. This is yet another testimony to the brevity of life. Praying you sense the strong arms around you and your family at this time as you grieve.

  2. So, beautiful — and so achingly sad. I do hope you and your family have felt upheld by all the prayers coming your way. Your Dad touched many lives…he made a difference … he will be remembered.

    • We have definitely felt supported by prayers. There were moments in the hospital that I would just close my eyes and relax into the prayers for a few moments.

    • Thank you for sharing this, Robert. I am finding that, while everyone’s pain is unique, we are also able to understand each other’s pain through our own experiences. It is a grace and a gift when people keep company with me in my grief.

  3. I am so sorry to hear about your father. I had just met him last August, and I looked forward to meeting him again and again at some conference or joint project. I thought we had some things in common, with strong daughters and similar temperaments. Thank you, Joanna, for sharing this very personal reflection.

    • Oh yes. You and my dad could have raised a lot of hell together (holy hell, of course). Thank you for your condolences.

  4. thank you so much for sharing joanna. i am so sorry i wasn’t able to be there, present, with you and the family. i am thankful for prayers that stretch the distance between us. i love you and your family. and i love your dad very much. he will be greatly missed. thank you for so beautifully expressing your emotions/thoughts/prayers.

  5. This poem really captures the waiting mixed with the intensity of showing love on a timer. I could feel it again. The front guard has fallen away and we are faced with mortality–in its terrible beauty–up close and personal. I’m so glad you had this holy time with your sweet dad.

  6. Although I didn’t know your father, I’ve been following the saga by way of my sister for the past several weeks. One thing I do know about him — how well he knew what to ask of you. Thank you for this Lenten poem. I’m only sorry it came at such a price.

  7. What a beautiful tribute to your dad — both the poem and the honest words about the agony of grief. Still saying prayers for you and yours …

  8. Simply beautiful. To live with love and grace – what a great example. I hope that when the day comes for me to leave this life my kids will be able to say of me – that I live by love and grace. Prayers for you.

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