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Back to the Beach
Is Mexico Home?

November 10-12, 2016

After our beach time we started our two days of travel to return to our ‘other’ home in San Carlos Mexico.

What happened…

Amanda writes: Our friends in San Carlos contacted us and asked if we’d be willing to return for six weeks to take care of their two dogs, Lefty and Rex. You might recall how amazing those those two are from a post early in 2016. Rex and Lefty are family to us and since we knew we were going to have to burn some time to avoid the rainy season in Peru, it just all made sense. And so we started to make the lengthy trek back to North America to see our family in San Carlos.

The first day included a bus ride from one beach community to another; Pacasmayo to Trujillo. We had decided to take a fairly early bus so we could take in the sights in Trujillo which is a larger beach city with an international airport. After checking into our hotel and enjoying some lunch we walked to the main city centre and followed our guide book of beautiful sites. It was almost like there were 3 blocks totally cleaned up and ‘westernized’ for the benefit of tourists. Everything outside of those three blocks was pretty run down. In some ways it was nice to see an area totally cleaned up after being on the heels of traveling through a very dirty and what seemed poverty stricken area around Pacasmayo and the outskirts of Trujillo. Before entering the city, Trujillo was nothing but barren desert littered with endless garbage. So much garbage it reminded me of many parts of Mexico. The landscape was completely flat with endless sand … and garbage. The homes along the road were in ruins. The road and area looked like it would be incredibly unenjoyable to ride in and it was so drastically different from the Andes region in Peru. It just seemed like a different country. The houses were all so beat up and except for the two to three blocks in the city centre, Trujillo just struck me as a big dirty city.

The statue represents the proclamation of the independence of Trujillo, the commemoration of the Battle of Junín, and the the Battle of Ayacucho.

After our day of sightseeing in Trujillo we set off to the airport the next morning. We then flew early in the morning to Lima where we had our biggest layover of our trip yet. A 12 hour layover to hang out at the airport. We had contemplated taking a tour for the day as it was our wedding anniversary but after our experience in Trujillo we were just as happy to hang out at the airport. We also figured when we returned to Lima we could check it out then. And so our day was spent people watching and relaxing. Andrew played video games for the entire day and I read my book and walked around observing the buzz of the airport. I actually thought the airport would have more facilities but it was pretty small. The highlight for me was when the Peruvian National Soccer Team arrived after beating Paraguay 4-1 the previous day. So many fans and loud cheers and so much pride. It was great to see the enthusiasm for the sport.

A look at traffic passing through the tourist square.

Just one block away from the tourist centre, the rest of the city looks similar to this.

Then we took a red eye flight to Mexico City with a layover of a couple of hours and then one last plane to Hermosillo in Northern Mexico. After that we took a taxi to the bus station and hopped on a bus to Guaymas where our friend Jennifer picked us up and drove us the final leg to San Carlos. Such a long trip and so worth it; it was great to see Jennifer, Rex and Lefty. After trying to hold a normal conversation with them; we went to bed and slept for many hours.

Today’s Photographs

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Back to the Beach
Is Mexico Home?


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Ifeanyi Dike Jnr

Ifeanyi Dike Jr
Ifeanyi Dike JR is months away from becoming a medical doctor, but you are likely to find him creating first-rate content for the media between pondering over such concepts as reconstructive surgery. Having worked with top players in traditional and online media, he most recently worked on the highly acclaimed television show, Tinsel. Ifeanyi is certain he’s closer than ever to his goal: to take over the world one act of sarcasm at a time

Uche Lotanna-Anajemba

Uche Lotanna-Anajemba
Uche is an alumnus of University of East London and Lagos Business School. She has over 10 years experience working both within and outside Nigeria in various sectors including ICT, Telecommunications, Oil and gas and government. She is currently a management consultant providing management services for various organsiations. She is interested in politics and passionate about nation building

Peju Onifade

Peju Onifade
Peju Onifade is a registered dietician and is currently practicing in Lagos, Nigeria. She is a member of the Nigeria Dietetics Association. She holds a B.Sc in Nutrition and Dietetics and is currently running a Masters degree program in Public Health at the University of Lagos. A strong-willed and young aspiring dietician, she is a principal consultant at Peejay Nutritional Services, a nutritional consulting firm which operates in Lagos. She consults for different hospital in Lagos and its environments. She is currently based in Lagos, Nigeria

Isiomah Nwegbu

Isiomah Nwegbu
Isiomah is a young aspiring lady who is playful, open-hearted and loves a good movie. An avid writer, Isiomah writes stories, movie scripts and poetry. She believes ‘everyone deserves to be loved.’

Oghogho Adedoyin

Oghogho Adedoyin. After an 11- Year banking career, Oghogho decided to follow her heart and do what she truly loves: Horticulture. She has attended several garden design courses including one at the prestigious KLC School at the Hampton Court Palace under KLS. She is very passionate about her hobby-turned business and is MD/CE0 of Aralia by Nature, a landscape design company.

Osagie "Osagz" Alonge

Osagie “Osagz” Alonge
Osagie Alonge is an avid Blogger, writer, online content manager and owner of Rhymesville. His interests are in music, history and technology. He’s favourite cartoon characters are ‘Batman and Lex Luthor’.

Bunmi Olunoyo

Bunmi Olunloyo Bunmi Olunloyo is a professional dancer, performer, choreographer, teacher and a fitness and wellness instructor. Bunmi graduated from the University of Lagos with a law degree (LLB Hons) and has been called to the Nigerian Bar (BL). She owns a dance studio and is the Creative Director for Bailamos Dance Company.

Shade Alli-Owe

Folashade Alli-Owe
Folashade Alli-Owe is writer and art enthusiast. In 2006, her short story won a prize in the Commonwealth Short Story Competition. A vibrant and exciting soul, Shade loves to play with colours.

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Thursday, May 28, 2015

Death - 10,000 Miles

I watched the movie Fly Away this week and when the song played during the final scene I started bawling. It was a total surprise to me and I wondered what that was all about. The song is by Mary Chapin Carpenter and was really her first big hit.

The song is called 10,000 miles and is basically about someone leaving and promising to return. There was some much sadness in this song. I thought about the pain of losing what you didn't know you could lose. The song states even though I am 10,000 miles away I will return again some day. I say the last part is just wishful thinking.

I did get some sad news at the beginning of the week that has made me focus on loss.  The founder of our Art League passed suddenly from something I assume was medical since there were no details. He was young with a family and will leave a huge void personally and within the art community.

I am on vacation this week working on my house. It has been neglected since I moved here. I have evidently practicing being instead of doing. I am full up on being and plunging head first into doing. This week I cleaned the garage, power washed the porch and painted my deck three times.

While painting the last three days I had a lot of time to think about death and loss. It is something we will all get a chance to experience. With my own faith I don't fear death it can't be any worse than being left behind. The person going on at least gets all the answers but being left behind you are stuck with only questions and grief.

With any significant loss you are taken from a place of thinking you know what tomorrow looks like to total uncertainty. Of course the uncertainty was there all the time the loss puts it center stage. You can either embrace the clarity of the moment or you run like I did.

I just couldn't accept there was no safe place to go. I couldn't accept there was nothing I could do to prevent things from changing. I couldn't be better, I couldn't watch closer for signs of trouble I couldn't even pick a better person to spend my life with.

It is just the way life is and we have to learn to live with it. I have lived in fear of doing something wrong all my life and now I think what a waste of time. I worked hard to do everything right assuming that I would find happiness and safety.

Nothing from the past is hurting me now because I know now it wasn't my fault. Did I play my part? Absolutely, but so what it is just the way life is we do our best with what we have to work with. I can no longer grieve for what might have happened if I had done something different. I have wasted so much time thinking about what I have lost instead of seeing that it doesn't matter. Only what is happening today matters and bracing myself for the future sadness ruins the reality of today.

My mind has been stuck in the loop of the question of why.  My mind loves these unsolvable problems and once it takes hold it takes a miracle to break this loop of problem solving.

A healing has taken place in me that can see this so clearly now. I have been lost in my mind and now I can accept that there is no way to prepare I can just live and deal with what happens next when it gets here. I am free.

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Sisters - Love and Hate

I spoke to my sister yesterday giving her the belated birthday wish. I thought about it once on Friday and opted to call her when I got to work which was a mistake. Neither of us keep up with those kind of things and rely on non family to celebrate or existence. I use to really want that to change but wanting it and having it are two different things. We both have created different live for ourselves and we both have seemed to accept this.

We are four years apart and during our childhood I was basically a boil on her butt. She was my idol for a long time until I realized she hated me. Maybe hate is a strong word but I don't think it was far off. I ruined her only child life. She was on her way to being a prodigy when I her younger brother showed up. I was suppose to be a boy and got that message pretty early.

The truth was it wasn't far off I hated most girl things while my sister represented all things perfectly precious in our family. She never got dirty and practiced the piano two or more hours each day. She had straight A's all the way through law school. Her only soiled grade was PE in high school and she cried. The number of books she brought home each day equaled the number I checked out from the library for summer reading.

She did a lot things to hurt me when my mother was alive. She told lies about me that got me punished. Once she threw away a small wooden guitar that she made during Vacation Bible School and I retrieved it from the trash. She told my mother I stole it from her room.  I got a whippin for that and obviously I never forgot it.

Being the first born she never had it easy. The piano practicing stemmed from my mother's desire to be a concert pianist. The grades really were just expected and part of the complete package. In her room everything had a specific place and her drawers were labeled. She kept it locked most of the time and she had to use a Bobbie pen to enter each time. This starter after the guitar incident or did I have my own Bobbie pin?

I had groovy beads in my doorway and had convinced my dad to remove my door completely. I think my mother was good with this because she had my sister to beam over. I of course wasn't that into approval mostly because I could never live up to the perfection of my sister. My room was pack to the rafters andmy walls were covered with black light posters. I regular rearranged my five pieces of furniture because I was bored with things always being the same. I did that last weekend.

I would like to say that after my mother died my sister and I grew close but the intensity grew worse hitting a high or low point depending upon your perspective when she was throwing my things down the basement stairs and I said "one more thing goes down those stairs and you will follow."

That was the turning point for us and she stopped trying to pull rank on me. I was young and never understood why she hated me so much. After moms death there was just the three of us and my dad was checked out with grief. He wasn't paying the bills. She assumed head of household and her desire for control escalated to a point that called for war.

We did join together once briefly when my stepmother started her own special ops campaign which made Cinderella's stepmother seem compassionate. That was her last summer home and we have never been close since.

It hasn't been easy for her and after my mothers death she had a breakdown of sorts herself. She lost the desire to be perfect without my mothers expectations. She really went the opposite. I once tried to get in her car and couldn't find the seat. I ended up just sitting on the trash and papers. She doesn't iron and puts her makeup on without a mirror.

Loss changed us all. I remember going into my childhood room one day and raking everything into the trash. The person I had been was gone at ten I was all grown up and needed a change.

I love my sister and she loves me. We have both found our own successes in life and a place in the middle of extremes. She accepts me and my liberal spiritual beliefs and I accept her need to keep me at a distance. She has a lot of fear about the future and is concerned that something terrible is going to happen. She is right but that is true whether we worry or not.

I can see now that she has had her own suffering the same as me.  I couldn't really have compassion for anyone while I was lost in my own hurt. A child's hurt. It is clear to me now and I am seeing the truth of my life for the first time. I have been lost but now I am found.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

The last haircut - Freedom - Change

My hairdresser is retiring tomorrow at 75. She has Parkinson's and with surgery she has been able to continue cutting hair until now.  She a strong willed woman who still isn't sure whether it is the right time to retire or not. For the few of us that are still her clients it is time.

So I had my last hair cut this week. I was a little emotional to think she will never again cut my hair. She is an excellent hairdresser with 50 years experience and even with the aging years and the Parkinson's I have no complaints. Maybe just a few.

We are a tough breed those that have survived living with alcoholism and addition. We dig in and never surrender even when we have every right to do so. My friend is tough as nails and I have never heard her complain not even once. When she got the diagnosis ten years ago she said when they told her the news she said "I am happy it isn't cancer."

I won't say it has been all fun and games. Having  brain surgery isn't anything to take too lightly. I have to say I wasn't a great friend at the time. I had lost everything including my mind and was barely making it myself. Before the surgery we did have weekly meditations on my porch after dinner.

Four or five of us would gather around the table and hold hands and sit in silence. This sometimes would last and hour. It would end spontaneously one person coming out of it and then the rest. We were linked so closely at that time everyone seemed to need the support. When we came out of it we would go around the table and talk about what we saw or felt and everyone would comment. The after talks were very healing. I couldn't have made it without those nights.

My friend is a silent sufferer not like me. I don't know if it is because she doesn't want the disease to get top billing or because she doesn't want to bother us with the details. Of course we don't ask it is our way. My friends and I are all the same expecting that if a person needs help they should say so.

Fat chance of that we have too much pride and stubbornness to admit when we need something. Forever autonomous declining all outside contributions. This is why we feel so lonely sometimes because we don't want to depend on other people. The people we have depended on have let us down so we are better off relying on ourselves that trusting another. We are more comfortable being trusted than trusting.

I have learned through the program that you can trust some people. The friends I talk about here I have know 20 plus years and they are all still around. What I do know now is that you have to know who to trust and know that when you get disappointed it isn't about you. Sometimes the other person is dealing with their own crisis and can't live up to your expectations.

Just like me I failed these same friends when I lost myself. They were use to me pulling things together like I did those meditation nights. I always kept things going no matter what happen. I had been the rock but even the rock can be submerged by a big storm.

I am happy to be back now even though I am changed forever.  Everyone has accepted me the way I am even though I am different. When my friend got her diagnosis I went out and bought every book possible on Parkinson's. The other day one of my friends mentioned that to me and then he said " the person that bought those books doesn't exist anymore."  I said "that is true,"

I don't believe in regrets.  I believe you do your best even if it is not good enough for other people or even yourself. It is all you have on any given day. We get into trouble when we set standards for other people and for ourselves and we get hurt when they don't adhere to our standards.

Over the years I have been able to let go an forgive the past by imagining what the other person must have been going through to do the things they did to me. Sadly it was never about me it was about their own demons and I was just part of the fall out. I took those hurts and made them about me and believed I was a problem that needed to be fixed. When I couldn't find a way to fix myself I couldn't accept this and I crashed.

When I recovered it was because I realized this was what I believed. I believed I was a problem and there was no solution. With grace I found this lie I had been told and kept telling myself. I am not a problem to be fixed I am just me living in a world with people just like me just trying to find a way to be happy.

I am free today.  I am free to do what is right for me and to mess things up if that is what happens. I can know that I can't control really anything so I can relax and enjoy the moment and deal with whatever comes my way today without bracing myself for it.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Where is my mother? -Wanting

I realized today that I have spent most of my life wanting things that I didn't have.  This was true both in a material sense and a emotional sense. The ever elusive thing or situation that I thought would satisfy this inner longing that I had.

I thought this was normal and that it was my purpose in life to get those things. The trouble was that when I failed to get them I blamed myself. I was taught that if you put your mind to it then you can achieve anything.  This of course leaves out a big factor other people.

The problem with taking complete responsibility for your life and your circumstances is that when something doesn't work and there isn't a happy ending you feel life something is wrong with you.

You must keep working to improve yourself until you achieve the success you deserve. This is why self help and motivational speakers are so popular. Giving us the idea that we can control our destiny if we just keep a positive outlook. If we make a commitment to change ourselves everything will work our just like we want it to.

Everybody fails at one time or another even gurus and motivational speakers get divorced.  We don't have control of everything. We live our lives with other people who have their own will to do as they please with their life even if it affects us. Sometimes they don't have a choice it is their own destiny.

My mother died at 41 and this did altered my life in ways that I never imagined. I wanted what I thought I was missing every decade I was working towards finding that missing family. The child in me was sure that if I could find them I would be happy. I don't really remember my mother all that well. I have mostly memories of the whippings I got before she was sick.  I do remember good night kisses which kind of made up for it.

What I think I missed is in my imagination. She was strict and emotionally detached when she delivered those punishments. I knew I was a problem but I couldn't help myself I was curious and determined and when I made my mind up there was no stopping me.

I am still like that today. I realized today I have mothered myself my whole life and I must say overall I have done a pretty good job. I made a lot of mistakes but I did learn from them. In the early years I use to bully myself into doing what had to be done like my mother did with her punishments.

Today I am a beter parent I sit that little child down and explain why things have to be done the way they do and there is less rebellion. I list the benefits that might be achieved with good choices. On other occasions I give in and let her watch endless hours of TV and eat Hershey chocolate chunks. This goes a long way with to improve the trust between the two of us.

I don't miss my mother I miss the idea of what it would have been like to have a mother. I looked for her in every relationship.  I borrowed my in-laws when I had them and when they were gone more devastation for the child in me. In the program I found some mothering with my sponsor but in the end no one could satisfy what felt like was missing from my life.

I wanted to be somebody's priority and I believed that if I could find someone that loved me enough like my mother did, beatings and all, I would be happy. But everyone came up short compared to my imaginery mother.

Today I am celebrating the mother in me. I haven't been a perfect mother just like I suspect my mother wouldn't have been but a loving mother nevertheless. I can stop looking now and appreciate all we have been through together.

So today another breakthrough I have had a mother all this time. Someone that has brought me through the hardest time of my life. Someone that has helped me to mature finally to a point that I can be satisfied with myself and what I have accomplished.

Even with all that has happened to me I wouldn't have changed a thing. That isn't totally true I would have accepted less of the blame for being left behind. I wouldn't think there was something unlovable about.

I know I am a handful because I live with me. I can appreciate the endlessly curious unstoppable child that I am inside. This child has kept me going when nothing else could. I can be free to love and cherish what I have believed were flaws about me.

Happy Mothers Day to me.

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Honesty - Permission to let go

I am starting to relax into my new life living without a long range purpose. Who knew I just needed permission to let go and see what happens. I feel lighter in a way I haven't felt since I was a child.

When I made my break or when I had my breakdown it was because I couldn't accept that I had absolutely no control over my situation. The life that I knew was gone and I felt like a stranger every where I went.

I tried all the soft places that had worked for me in the past but they felt sad and stale to me. I tried a few new things like meditation and even chanting. I found comfort in odd things like watching a movie over and over until the DVD started having problems. I just wanted relief.

I had never felt like this before. I reached out to my friends and some were there but because this went on so long many ran for the hills. I didn't blame them I would have run for the hills but I would have had to take my head with me.

I once had a guy say that it was painful to be around me. I told him to imagine what it must be like to be me. I did like his honesty.

When I felt deserted I turned on the few people that were still around. Anyone that it seemed might need something from me. I only could be with people that were emotionally neutral. No one that needed me to be anything or do anything for them. I thought if I could just be still and quiet it would pass.

I was right it did pass little by little until the day I woke up empty. Empty of the pain and empty of the person I once was a clean slate. Most of my friends were gone a few have drifted back but not too close. I am not the person I was before and they have to decide whether they like the new me.

I am not the woman that handles everything anymore. I am not a social directer or the person that cooks for a crowd anymore. I don't feel the need to please or define myself by the reflection I see in other peoples eyes. I have been to the bottom and to rise again I had to be empty.

I am still funny sometimes but not in the sarcastic way I use to be. I have no venom for anything or anybody. Even my ex's or my stepmother. I saw her picture on my sister's face book page this week. She looked old and a stranger to me all those years I carried those thoughts about in my head. Gone.

I getting to know the new me these days. I am not trying the find the person I was before she isn't lost she has just served her purpose.  I am gentle and kind to this new me. I got nothing to prove to myself or anyone else. I am free to sail quietly through each day and see what there is to see.


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PETSc on a 64 bit Opteron Fedora Core 5 Cluster

Wextan is a 64 bit Opteron Linux Cluster with 32 Opteron 246 CPUS with 64 Gb Ram and 0.5 Terabytes of Hard Disk Storage running Fedora Core 5. A user wants to install Underworld v1.2 on this machine.

Installing 32 and 64 -bit Versions of Mesa Graphics Library

Mesa (why does their website use frames?) is an open source 3D graphics library based on the OGL specification. It's been around since 1993 and is still in regular development, making it quite popular for scientific applications.

Installing NAMD 2.7b1 on a 64-bit AMD Opteron Cluster running CentOS 5 Linux

NAMD is a parallel molecular dynamics code for large biomolecular systems. Version 2.7b1 has some advantages over 2.6 and an extensive user's guide.

Download the tarball (registration required), put it somewhere sensible (e.g., /usr/local/src/NAMD) and unpack (tar xvf NAMD_2.7b1_Source.tar.gz) and enter that directory.

Harlequin: An Obituary

On Saturday, February 26, 2005, Harelquin the rat died.

He had been in decline for some time, his back legs slowly giving up. On Thursday evening he had stopped eating altogether which caused great concern. However on Friday evening the presentation of some oat and apple baby food was graciously accepted.

Kaben par Andre no Catharina.

Kaben par Andre no Catharina.

Istoria ida iha Tetum, Lingua iha Timor Lorosa'e. Ho inspirisaun ba Connie Willis.

Para Leonardo do Lafayette.

Bom dia hau-nia kolega,

Hau hakarak ko'alia istoria ida kona ba kaben par Andre no Catharina.

Istoria ne iha kona ba mestri bulak no labele sasan,
folia rai ida, lahatene rai, hanoak ahioan ida,
relojiu ahi ida (nebe tenki hadia), be buan ida, no
At-Loron Livre ne. Be ko'alia nada kona ba asu.

East Timor At A Glance

Originally posted on the IT Timor email list.

Location: Eastern section of Timor Island, the enclave of Ambeno and Atauro and Jaco islands. Capital Dili is located at c125.5 deg E and c8.5 deg S.

Geography: Rugged mountains up to 3,000 metres with 44% of land area on a slope of c40% and higher. Coastal plains.

Climate: Hot and Wet. Average temperature 21 deg C, average humidity 80%. Monsoon season between November and April.

An Obituary for Montebanc

Companion of Harlequin. Much loved by all. Died 18th May 2005

My initial post on Monte explains the circumstances of his death. I am very touched by all your comments. Thank you.

This is a remembrance of his life, which spanned roughly 2 years, 9 months (roughly 58 human years).

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November Visa Bulletin: USCIS To Choose Between “Filing” and “Action” Cutoff Dates on a Monthly Basis

October 26, 2015

The monthly Visa Bulletin is issued by the Department of State, but USCIS (a division of the Department of Homeland Security) also uses the cutoff dates listed on the Bulletin to determine which green card applications it will accept in a given month. In September, when the DOS made the somewhat drastic change to begin reporting two distinct cutoff dates for each chargeability category – a “Filing” date, when applications can be submitted, and a “Final Action” date when an application is actually eligible to be approved – USCIS provisionally went along with the new system. But USCIS was clear that this policy was subject to change.

Now, after two months, great confusion, and a few lawsuits, USCIS has announced its long-term adaptation to the new Bulletin: it will decide each month whether to accept cases based on the “Filing” or “Final Action” cutoff dates, and it will announce its decision on its website within a week of the DOS issuing the Visa Bulletin. Of course, this policy may well change again, so we’ll be sure to communicate future changes on our monthly Visa Bulletin updates.

For the recently-issued November Visa Bulletin, USCIS confirmed that it will accept cases based on the “Filing” dates. The below chart contains both sets of dates for all chargeability categories (click to enlarge):

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College of Liberal Arts

Join Two Distinguished Liberal Arts Professors for Next Tapings of Game Changers

Wednesday Mar 28, 2012 | 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at KLRU studios, 6A

1 p.m. | Paul Woodruff
Are You Ajax or Odysseus?

In his book "The Ajax Dilemma," Paul Woodruff uses a parable from classical Greece to shed light on a very contemporary business dilemma: how to reward outstanding players without damaging the team. Tapping into his experience as a boss, a professor, an officer and an employee, Woodruff uses his broad perspective to issue an intriguing call for a compassionate approach to fairness. More about Paul Woodruff...

6:30 p.m. | Jeremi Suri
Can America Be Great Again?

After the Second World War, American society benefited from unprecedented peace and prosperity. What was key to this success? Americans were very strategic in their deployment of historical wisdom, drawing upon the experiences, institutions and knowledge acquired in earlier decades to build our nation.

So far, Americans have not shown the same wisdom in the 21st century. Our society is suffering. The time has come for Americans to reawaken their historical wisdom, analyzing the recent past to identify the key ideas and institutions that will allow our society to thrive once more. Jeremi Suri will examine our national history and will show how this history should empower citizens to reinvent American greatness again. More about Jeremi Suri...

More about the event...
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Thursday, October 29, 2009

I'm Heading to Vegas!!!

Well guys I'm heading to Vegas!!!  I will be leaving for Las Vegas on Tuesday, and I will not have my computer which means I will not be blogging!!!!  (I'm going to see if I can get my sister to post my "Outdoor Wednesday" for me)  This trip is not a vacation.  I have to go because of work.  I'll be working all next week at a trade show!!!  I guess if I have to work at a trade show what better place than VEGAS!!!!

I also received an award from my new friend NM at 5 minutes just for me!

It's the Kreativ Blogger award!!  Thanks so much NM for thinking of me!!

So here are the rules!!

1. Thank the person that gave the award!  Thanks NM at 5 minutes just for me.
2. Copy the logo and place it on my blog! check
3. Link to the person that nominated me for the award. check
4. Name 7 things about myself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7  kreativ bloggers (if you are reading my post I nominate you, so grab the award and start posting)
6. Post links to the 7 people I nominate! (I would never finish if I posted all of the links)
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs to let them know they've been nominated. (I left the comment here)

Here's 7 things you might or might not find interesting about me!

1. My husband and daughter are my world.
2. I love working in my yard.
3. I have two dogs Alice and Sparkles Alice is an English bulldog and Sparkles is a Chihuahua.
4. I hate cleaning my bathrooms (I wish someone would come and do it for me)
5. I hate putting away the cloths after they have been washed.
6. I love my beach place. (wish I was there now)
7. I say what is on my mind!

Now I have just awarded all of you!  You all are very creative and I love reading your blogs!

Darcie said...

Congrats on your award Lori!

Enjoy your business trip to Las Vegas...could be worse...have fun.

You too? Can't stand cleaning bathrooms either...I do it anyway!

The Daily Dean Chronicals said...

Enjoy your trip! I wanna go!

Quasi Serendipita said...

Stopping by from SITS! Hope you have fun in Las Vegas!

Lindsay-ann said...

Hi Lori
I hope you get chance to have some fun in Vegas next week aswell as your work. I look forward to hearing all about it.
Have a great weekend.

mbkatc230 said...

Have a safe trip Lori. And try not to work TOO hard lol. Loved your list, the clean clothes put a way is one of my least favorite chores too. As a matter of fact, I think there might still be a load in the dryer from Monday! Make sure to take lots of pictures of your trip. Kathy

Elizabeth said...

Congrats on your award. That's great that you've got a fun business trip ahead of you - I'm a stay-at-home-mom these days and sometimes I miss all the travel I used to do for work. I hope you have an awesome time!

Oh - and BTW, I totally hate cleaning the bathrooms too!

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest (and Happy Halloween, too!).

Jennifer said...

I have never been to Vegas... sounds like a good place to HAVE TO go for work! :)

♥Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest ♥

Yaya said...

Have fun!

Related Posts with Thumbnails


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Blogger Steve Rubel offers 10 "hacks" for getting the most out of Wikipedia.

Tips range from creating a user account to a playing six degrees of Wikipedia game. The Wikipedia keyboard shortcuts were news to me, as well. In all there are some good suggestions for enhancing your Wikipedia experience.

Also, if you're spending enough time on Wikipedia for this to be useful to you, you should definitely consider contributing to Wikipedia.

Ten Wikipedia Hacks [MicroPersuasion]


text:
Previous research on whether playing video games can make us smarter has been mixed, but a new study demonstrates a very tangible effect of playing video games: Parts of the brain can get bigger.

In particular, playing Super Mario 64 for 30 minutes a day over two months increased adult volunteers' brain volume in their right hippocampus, the right prefrontal cortex, and the cerebellum. These regions in the brain are responsible for memory formation, strategic planning, muscle control, and spatial navigation.

The researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Charité University Medicine St. Hedwig-Krankenhaus measured the volunteers' brains via MRI and compared them with a control group that didn't play video games. They found "significant gray matter increase" among the gamers and theorize that playing video games could be useful to treat brain disorders:

The presented video game training could therefore be used to counteract known risk factors for mental disease such as smaller hippocampus and prefrontal cortex volume in, for example, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disease.

While researchers are mixed on whether a bigger brain necessarily means you're smarter, the size of certain areas of the brain can be significant. (Discovery points to Albert Einstein's average-sized brain with the parts connected to mathematical thinking larger than usual.) Increased gray matter has been positively correlated with better memory, and decreased gray matter correlated with things like bipolar disorder and dementia.

Especially interesting in this study: the volunteers who said they enjoyed playing the video games had even higher increased gray matter. (Also, as Kotaku has reported, the size of certain parts of your brain may be related to how good you are at playing video games. It all makes sense now!)

In any case, this may be just more supporting evidence that playing video games can be beneficial for more than just entertainment.

Playing Super Mario induces structural brain plasticity: gray matter changes resulting from training with a commercial video game (Abstract) | Molecular Psychiatry via Quartz

Photo by Tom Newby Photography.


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Real Simple is such an AMAZING magazine! Cleaver I tell ya!
I just had to share this with you...
Too much Florida sun? Or Vacation sun :) Here's a quick tip to soothe your skin!

Ice cube tray used to hold frozen aloe

Ice Cube Tray as Sunburn Soother

A clever way to repurpose an everyday item.

Freeze cubes of aloe vera for instant sunburn relief when you forget the SPF.

Thanks, Real Simple!

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Post a Comment


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Monday, April 11, 2011

LifeSmarts teams in the news

Congratulations to the Arizona team from Flagstaff, who were featured in a great Arizona Daily Sun article cleverly titled “Fab Five headed to Hollywood

Left to right: Scott, Jordy, Moriah, Grant, Aaron

The winning Massachusetts team from Palmer High School has come up with an innovative fundraising technique (hint: it involves lawn ornaments). Click here to read about it. What are other teams doing to raise money?

See you both in a few weeks!


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Friday, February 24, 2012

Countdown to Philly!

It’s a busy time for all things LifeSmarts. Online competitions are still open in a few states through this weekend, state competitions are in full-swing (good luck to all of our teams competing this month and next), and we are counting down to nationals (59 days to Philly!).

I had the opportunity to attend the Wisconsin state LifeSmarts competition a couple weeks ago. Seeing my first live competition of the year reminded me just why this program is such a winner. Students were attending from all corners of Wisconsin. Competition was strong, but sportsmanship ruled the day (the two final teams shook hands and congratulated one another while awaiting the judges’ scores on their final activity), and the adult coordinators, volunteers, and coaches supported the teams and cheered for everyone as the students demonstrated their consumer smarts.

I was recently explaining the impetus for the LifeSmarts program and I mentioned that LifeSmarts was the “carrot” or fun element to encourage students to learn as much about real-world consumer issues as they could while still in High School. Watching the Wisconsin competitors reminded me that LifeSmarts does exactly that – spices up consumer education and teaches us all something in the process.

How did the Wisconsin state competition turn out? As is often the case, the state championship went down to the wire – the top two teams were tied with only the team activity to go. By knowing more about deficiency diseases, the Oconto team bested Westfield by 10 points to win the state title.

It was a great day, and it got me jazzed up for Nationals! I hope to see you there.


text:
 Jerry Araos: A wintry lion’s second spring | Inquirer lifestyle
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
lifestyle / Editors' Picks
  • share this

Jerry Araos: A wintry lion’s second spring

At 68, he is not about to go down without a roar
/ 04:25 AM November 11, 2012

JERRY Araos with co-exhibitor and fellow sculptor Ral Arogante. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH LOLARGA

In 2008, we interviewed sculptor Jerry Araos in his campus house at the University of the Philippines for a term paper requirement. Already in his 60s, he still brimmed with his distinctive brio and bluster, traits that turned on or turned off those who’ve encountered him. He has always drawn out that sort of reaction from others—love him or hate him. Not that he cares.

This was before a stroke set him back physically. He eventually recovered from that to mount solo shows, but three years later, he survived a bad fall just as the building of his more permanent home in Antipolo was about to end.

Again the many weeks in the hospital and the rehabilitation kept him away from his shop and tool shed. The years and the diabetes may have taken their toll on the heart and kidneys of this lion in his winter, but at 68, Araos is not about to go down without a roar.

THREE-LEGGED stool by Araos hand-painted by Donat Alvarez. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH LOLARGA

In the ’08 interview, I asked him what he could advice aspiring visual artists on how they could navigate the vicious art scene, especially in Metro Manila.

His answer was forthright—“The art scene is an arena of war composed of many battles. To win it you must win more battles than your competitors. The most important battle is the battle for space. For beginning practitioners, my advice is for them to promote alternative spaces into viable art venues. If they succeed in this endeavor, they likewise promote themselves into viable exhibitors. Then galleries would take notice of them. There is a shortcut to what seems to be success. This is by making a monkey out of yourself. Many galleries develop their own monkeys and include them in their stables.

“When gallery owners talk to each other, they refer to these art practitioners as monkeys. Galleries do not disrespect the rights of other galleries over their stables of monkeys. Unggoy ko ’yan, unggoy mo ’yan (That’s my monkey, that’s your monkey).”

TORSOS in the back room of The Crucible. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH LOLARGA

He continued, “What is a monkey? A monkey is a practitioner who is recruited by a gallery owner to paint or sculpt like a well-known artist, but a monkey signs his name. This is tantamount to art imitation, a gray area in artistic legalese. There are many successful monkeys in the art scene. Many would like to rid themselves of their ‘monkeyness.’ Very few have succeeded. Monkeys may make their mark and money in their own time. But art history will never forgive them.”

In his current two-man show with fellow sculptor Ral Arogante called “Tutubi, Tutubi, Huwag Kang Pahuhuli sa Batang Mapanghi” in The Crucible Gallery, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, Araos looks like he’s stretching the life of the rebellious young man he still harbors within.

He made toys, playful chairs and torsos. He is testing gallery rules by exhibiting three torsos, which he began in ’08 but set aside as he recovered and pondered their execution, in the back room instead of out front. These pieces are his homage to the gay community.

He believes that a bakla (gay man) behaves the way he does because he has woman for his epitome. Another torso takes off from the term babaeng bakla exemplified by anorexic fashion models who speak and act like gay males in an exaggerated way.

TRYING out the seesaw called “Tutumbaba”. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH LOLARGA

The macho in Araos is aware that he is treading on a delicate subject yet is confident that he has done this dynamic community justice, many of whom are cultural workers like him.

He said of his playfully executed “Tuntungan” and see-saw called “Tutumbaba,” “Creating a useful object takes a degree of artistry. Turning a useful object into something useless takes insanity, and this is said to be art. This argument in favor of fine arts or of functionalism in art harks back to the late ’80s when the concept of sining-gamit came about. Art that is just standing for itself is idle.”

He admitted age and illness have weakened his strokes. What used to take just three strokes of chisel and mallet to achieve an effect on old wood now requires of him 12 strokes.

TWOboys enjoy trying out the bangkitos of their Lolo Jerry. PHOTO BY ELIZABETH LOLARGA

In his prime, he used to be up at 4 a.m. and working until 11 p.m. But now his days begin at 6:30 and end by sundown.

In between he takes naps or relaxes with an iPad loaded with chess games, crossword and Sudoku puzzles.

He said, “It takes more time to get myself fully awake with one-third cup of coffee before breakfast. Today as long as I am able to eat, I’m good.”

Asked if he mourns the loss of his physical strength and endurance, Araos, a communist rebel and former political prisoner, said, “My old physical endurance—I just hold on to it as a pleasant memory. It’s nice to think that once, I could trek to the Sierra Madre in 48 hours straight carrying supplies and firearms. The meaning of all that has been lost with time. We’re back to the former system that has become worse. Politics-wise, it’s as if nothing had happened.”

He cleared his throat, then added, “For me the only thing I did that lasted positively was my art and my marriage to Melen.”

Despite the laughter of grandchildren that fills his house on weekends, he is aware that his time is limited. “I seem to be going back to my childhood in terms of old age because of my diminishing usefulness and increasing dependence on others. I have accepted that.”

In Antipolo, he still has a garden where he can spend time just musing. Writer-singer Alex Dacanay, who sang “If I Were a Rich Man” at the recent exhibition reception, said he was singing the song with irony because as far as Araos stands with his friends, he is hardly a poor man.

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TAGS: Art, Jerry Araos, sculpture, Visual arts
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text:
 Breeze enables mom to say yes to life experiences | Inquirer lifestyle
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
lifestyle /
  • share this

Breeze enables mom to say yes to life experiences

/ 01:03 PM February 19, 2013

MANILA, Philippines—It’s inevitable for kids to accumulate dirt and come home with stains on their clothes after spending an hour or two playing. Award-winning actress Dawn Zulueta, women and youth issues advocate Sen. Pia Cayetano, socialite and columnist Tessa Prieto-Valdez, and sought-after celebrity mom Carmina Villaroel – the fab quad who lead today’s “sige moms” – agree that kids will always be kids and part of it is getting literally dirty.

“Parents nowadays get paranoid when their kids play outside. They want to keep them indoors but at the same time you don’t want to compromise the opportunity for the children to learn and experience the things we experienced as kids,” states Dawn. “I encourage my son to play outdoors and be physically active. It does not only build his immune system but it also allows him to meet other kids. That’s why we are moving from a condominium to a house of our own very soon so he can have more space to move around.”

The artist in Tessa, on the other hand, echoes in the way she let her kids have their way in expressing their inclinations. “It’s fun being a mom and having kids,” shares Tessa, whose children were born practically decades apart, which, incidentally, allowed her to spend as much time for each of her kid. Despite the age gap and different preferences, her kids all had their share of being outdoors and pursuing their own interests. They also go to the beach during most weekends because her children are so much into wakeboarding.

Though their thoughts were somehow clouded over the amount of dirt frolicking in the playground or going to the beach may bring, these women can now kiss their worries goodbye. There is now an all-new laundry detergent that is set to change the perception of moms on their kids exploring the world around them and dealing with the least liked household chore.

Breeze with ActivBleach was developed with moms and their growing kids in mind. The global brand is now in the Philippines to help moms say goodbye to stubborn stains and at the same time increase the number of “sige moms” such as Dawn, Sen. Pia, Tessa and Carmina.

“My twins are very active. I want them to have the kind of childhood that I had. Laking kalye ako, hindi lang halata,” Carmina beams. “I practically let them do what they want – play with their friends, ride a bike, go swimming, play badminton. They even play with our dogs.

“Of course there was a time when I didn’t allow them to go outdoors. That was when they were still little. Like typical moms I would say, ‘Wag kasi madumi,’ but after a while I let them be. And they also need to learn. They also need to experience na madapa o masugatan because that’s how they learn,” she adds.

Sen. Pia couldn’t agree more. Known as an outdoor person, the lady solon couldn’t hide the fact that her kids got her penchant for the active lifestyle. “My two girls play football in school so they really get dirty and my youngest, who is only two years old, seems following the footsteps of her ate’s,” she says.
“Hangga’t kaya, gusto ko nakakalaro talaga sa labas ang mga anak ko because they need to explore. I don’t mind them getting dirty, not at all. And I think they will miss out so much on their childhood kapag masyadong maraming bawal.”

Inspired by the findings of child development experts stating that children learn best through experience rather than through instructions, Breeze with ActivBleach is packed with a superior formulation to help moms cope with the toughest stains due to their children’s various activities. It uses a 4-enzyme technology that removes more stains, and a patented whitening agent that brings perceivable whiteness right after the first wash. This fast-acting ingredient works right on target, freeing moms from worrying about stains and dirt. Breeze gives better results not just on laundry needs but also on what moms look for in a detergent that will allow them to focus more on allowing their kids learn from life experiences.

A unique AD system was also added for better “bula”, while special melamine encaps ensure better fragrance delivery and keep laundry smelling fresh and clean.

With these technological advancements in a laundry detergent, moms can now let their kids enjoy life to the fullest through their experiential activities. The business of dealing with tough stains is now a thing of the past and just like Dawn, Sen. Pia, Tessa and Carmina, they can all say “Sige sa Mantsa!” by simply welcoming Breeze into their homes. (advt)

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

TAGS: Carmino Villaroel, Dawn Zulueta, Family, Filipino Family, Motherhood, PARENTING, Senator Pia Cayetano, Tessa Prieto-Valdez
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.

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I love reading education blogs, fashion blogs, craft blogs and dreaming!

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Finding My Joy...A Call to Help!

Hi blogging friends!  I am happy to be back "talking" with you after what feels like a long time!  Please let me explain my absence...school started and WHOA!

I am hoping that I can recruit you to help me out with teaching struggling second grade readers.  Do you have any books you suggest that I read or lessons or tips that I should try?  I am teaching the struggling reading group this year and I am not finding the joy---YET!  We all have those things about teaching that truly bring us joy- something that you can cling on to even when the rest of the day doesn't go as planned.  For me, this has always been helping children discover that they LOVE reading.  It might be guiding a student to a book that they can't put down, or helping a student find an author that they love so much they go out and read every book that that author has ever written.  I have never found that same joy in helping students identify letters, letter sounds or rhyme and that is where my group is at right now.  I am so anxious to get them to the next step that I don't feel like I am giving my best instruction.  So- please, point me in the right direction, help me find that joy in these struggling readers!

  1. What about doing phonics poems? My K friends loved it when I did letter poems or sound poems with them. Or picture sorts? The Mailbox has some really cute ideas for this. I hope this helps!

    :) Kaitlyn
    Smiles and Sunshine

    1. Thank you Kaitlyn! I am slowly finding my grove but sound poems sound like a great idea to help speed that process along for me! I'll let you know how it goes :)

  2. They can sure learn a lot about letters and sounds (phonemic awareness) from their own writing. They will also love to read books about themselves. Are there some classroom books that you could make that would help? They sure need lots of books that are right at their level too. A lot of easy reading makes reading easy. I have lots of great teacher resource books. I'm just not sure exactly which would best fit your needs. Good luck. You'll get them there.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

  3. Great idea! I am starting a class book next week! Thanks! :)


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Review of Stuhlmuller Vineyards

Page reviewed 2013-09-22

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Read our new guide to modern media intelligence and find out how top social media managers spur engagement, measure results, and shape their company’s brand voice in real time.

Top 5 Posts by Stuhlmuller Vineyards

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2013-08-17 1098306 10153121578700322 1418131213 s There is no better place in Healdsburg, California to enjoy a wine... 37 1 0
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2013-08-18 1157719 10153123162600322 1186099988 s How are you enjoying your weekend? Hopefully there's a 2011 Stuhlmul... 16 4 0
2013-08-28 1003937 10153159578825322 1792063721 s “I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.” ― W.C. Fields 21 1 0
2013-09-02 564414 10153175514085322 721855918 s Stuhlmuller on the menu at Hillstone SF! Pre America's Cup concert... 18 1 0


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Home About 5:16 Club Forum Contact

Sunday, November 16, 2008

The List Grows...

(Grab the flair and link it to this post!)

What is a 5:16 gal?

A 5:16 gal is a gal who has decided that she wants to redeem the time with her savior. She is choosing to rise early, before the day takes her away, to sit at the feet of Jesus.

What is the 5:16 club?

The idea for the 5:16 club originated here, and began as the 5 am club. While the ultimate goal is to rise early, circumstances don't always allow (pregnancy, new baby, illness, etc.). The real purpose of this club is to encourage and journey with one another as we seek to spend time with the Lord every day - whatever time of the day you are able.

Why 5:16?

Ephesians 5:16 says, "making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." The literal meaning is "redeem the time." We are seeking to redeem the time and make the most of every opportunity to seek the Lord with all our hearts. Why? Because the days are evil. We must prepare for battle each and every day - sometimes just to get through the day!

Where do we "club?"

We "club" over at the 5:16 forum where we study scripture, pray for each other, and encourage one another in the Lord! Come join us for our latest study! If you're on Twitter, you can find the gals at the 516 Twibe where you can chat live!

So, who all is in the club anyway?

The 5:16 Gals:

Debbie, Blessed

Lisa, Fields of Grace

The Ramblin' Rat

Tammy, Beck's Bounty

Terri, The Four Scarbarys

Jenn, One House School Room

AmandaE, MommaNotes

Kim, Surrendered & In The Potter's Hands

The Southern Housewife, Her Southern Charm

Leslie, Wild Olive Shoot

Katie, Adventures in Katie Land

Buildeth Her House

Mozi Esmé

Lisa, Extravagant Grace

Jennifer T., Song of My Life

Denise, Sunflowers, Chocolates, and Little Boys

Marci, Striving for 31

Becky, Holiday In The Sun

b. ellen, Joyful Living

Katrina, By His Good Grace

Melissa B., Living On The Edge

Whitney, Whitney Caroline Designs

Katie, My First Year As A Wallace

Alison, Starting A New Life

Lizzie, Lizzie's Home

Marge, Decorating For Holidays

Lu Anne, Rocky Top Mom

The Zandi Zoo

Emmy, Orts in Montana

Marian, Miss Marian May

Suzy, My Thoughts

Lisa, Mama's Smitten

Kim, Dancing Practice With God

Katie J.

Lu Anne

Gayle D.

Melissa M.

Robin M.

Anna Sophia

Messy Nester

What's Next

Angela, A Cup Of Coffee And Him

Unsinkable Kristin

Katy Lin

Friend Chick

Amanda Jo

“I earnestly recommend that it be in the early morning, unless there are some extenuating circumstances. Entering the day without a serious meeting with God, over his Word and in prayer, is like entering the battle without tending to your weapons. The human heart does not replenish itself with sleep. The body does, but not the heart. We replenish our hearts not with sleep, but with the Word of God and prayer.”

John Piper

becca said...

Hi! I've been visiting your site for a few weeks now....

count me in for 5:00 devotions!

Dana said...

i've missed the last few posts, but i want to join in. i will be getting up at 6am (i don't usually get up until 7:45/8:00ish cause that's when the kids are begging for breakfast) :)

helenw13 said...

Count me in...I was doing the 5AM club earlier in the year but dropped the ball when I had some health issues and surgery...but now I feel like my body has healed and I actually can wake up with an alarm again without snoozing...

Thanks for the nudge of accountability.

Traci said...

I need this. I really do. Unfortunately I'm also an insomniac, spending hours and hours getting to sleep. Then when I finally do there is a baby who wakes me back up again. I've been averaging about 3 hours of sleep.. hence I've been hesitant to do this.

I will join you in this, considering it a "tithe of sleep time".. I'll give the Lord some of my sleep time and trust the Him to provide me with rest. Thank you for the inspiration!

Kimba said...

Oh my goodness! I have tears in my eyes while I'm reading your 5am posts. I had planned to get up at 6:00. But ended up waking a few minutes before 5 and couldn't get back to sleep so I got up.

I've had some quiet time, folded a load of laundry and had a cup of coffee. When my hubby comes down he's going to think I'm nuts.

I did pray for you girls last night and apparantly your prayers for me worked really well.

Kimba said...

Quick confirmation...Hubby did think I'd lost my mind. But he liked it. I actually got to kiss him goodbye.

I'm on my 2nd load of laundry. Time for a shower!

Robin said...

While I used to rise up early when the girls were little and have my quiet time before anyone else was up, I have for the past few years gotten up right before my husband goes to work and right before my girls get up. I still have my quiet time with the Lord before I get going with my day. As I was rereading the girltalk blog this morning about the 5 AM club I was reminded of the blessings of getting up earlier. Count me in. I am going to be intentional, deliberate and pursue this. And do it joyfully! Thank you for this reminder.

Katie @ 3 Blondes and a Redhead said...

Ugh, okay, add my name to the list. I may need to be a 6am girl, but I'm in. Starting tomorrow...I'm committed! I've wanted to do this for SUCH a long time. No more excuses...

Homesteader in Training said...

Girl look what you started. I'm starting fresh tomorrow. I'd be more than happy to call you LOL. See you tomorrow!

Angela said...

Count me in too. I am at 5 already so it would be even better to join in with other women.

Unsinkable Kristen said...

Count me in as well! I've been waking up early the past few weeks off and on, but it's time to get for real about it. Thanks for the encouragement - I'll be up with you all tomorrow morning!

Jessica said...

What a great idea! Please count me in. I did read all about this on Girl talk last year and started doing it and it was so worth it. I would like to get back into the habit.

Jess from Australia

Juel said...

I would like to be included. I need to focus on the good stuff God wants for me instead of dreading getting out of bed.

Tyson and Laurel said...

What a fantastic idea! I'll be there! :)

messynester said...

I wanna join!

Put me down for the 5am club! (However it wont actually be 5am...that would be major overkill in my house. Like 3 hrs before hubs is up.)

Jo said...

I'm in. Read about this a few weeks ago on Girl Talk myself. Great accountability!!!

christinnjon said...

I would love to join in...I really need this! Thank you! :)

Hope@Pinkadoodledoo said...

I read about this on MamaHenClucks' site. This is great! I'm in!

Donna said...

Oh count me in Caleb's been waking me around 5am every morning to eat so this will keep me even more motivated!

HeathahLee said...

Okay so I'm so tired I commented and linked to the wrong post. I'm like a little kid just going in and posting to whatever she can find that looks shiny. Anyway, I don't have a post, but I do want to be included in the 5 am'ers. I'm sure by now you figured that out. : )

Kim @ My Journey said...

So happy to have found your blog and would love to be a part of the 5am club!! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Bonnie said...

I'm in....UGH! I am so not a morning person. I just keep reminding myself that it Christ's strength I lean on not my own. Just found your blog. I look forward to digging deeper into some of your older posts.

Syliva said...

I would love to be a part of this. This will hopefully start me on a new habit for the new year!

Sylvia said...

I am going to do this to start a new year habit.

Miranda said...

Count me in for the 5:00 club!

Nana 2 four said...

Yes - count me in for the 5:16 club! Add me to the list! I am a fairly early riser anyway and that's when I have the best time with God. When I am up alone and it's quiet and I have that first cup of coffee in hand.

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Yes....count me in for the 5am challenge.

I too..have challenged the ladies of my church to join in!!!

Please also include me in the emails.

Jacquelyn said...

hey, is there a facebook group for this? if not, there should be!

Anonymous said...

This is my heart's desire and blessed opportunity to join together with a bunch of cyber sisters in the LORD! Great jump start for a NEW YEAR!

southerninspiration said...

Do I need to email you or can I join in just by commenting? This is a great idea!!! I'll have to start just a little bit earlier, but it would be so good for me to do so!

Anna Sophia said...

I just found you through Kimba and I would LOVE to join. I will be getting up at 5:16. That will leave me a great deal of time for devotions since I don't normally get up until 6:20. This is just wonderful! I am very thankful for this accountability to do my devotions. Life can get very busy, and it always seems that we push off the really important things... I can't wait to get started! Thanks again!!

Gina said...

Count me in as well-I'm usually up early and it will be nice to have some company! How exciting to live and share life this way.

Trisha said...

I think this is a wonderful idea! I for one always enjoy the peace of mornings. It is such a beautiful time. I have tried to email you and am having trouble. Please let me know what I need to do to join. Thanks!

Amanda Jo said...

Wow! We're quite the group! I'm excited to see how God is using all of this extra time worshipping Him to bless our lives!

Sally Pepper said...

Count me in for devotions...at 6:00 ish...5:00 still seems so early...baby steps!!

Robin Mureiko said...

May I come too? It would be so wonderful to know that I am not alone in the cold, dark morning! ;) I am looking forward to the insites from the Lord and to hear what others are hearing from Him!

Robin Mureiko

jamie {rose cottage} said...

When I first saw the 5AM club, I thought there is NO WAY I can get up that early, but after reading that this is mostly about setting priorities and making sure to start our day with the Lord, I think I can do that. But it'll be more like 6 or 6:30AM for me. I, like Dana (way up there at comment #2), usually get up somewhere around 7:30AM.

I'm still figuring all this out, but I think I read something about a morning email? If that's so (and I'll explore more here in a minute), then my email is in my profile.

Laurel Plum said...

Count me in! I have been trying for months wake up earlier each morning to start the day with quiet time. The only problem is that everyone else in the house seems to think it is a great idea and is following my lead! LOL! I love the idea of starting the day by feeding my soul first thing even if the rest of the house is up with me. Maybe they will follow me into morning devotionals, too!

Rafter's-n-Henderson said...

I'm looking forward to joining you all. 5AM ... Wow. That's early.. Are we talking Pacific Standard time?? Nice to meet you. Jaime

rockytopmom said...

Room for one more??? I would love to hang out at the break of down with some other early risers!

Lu Anne

Pastorette's Progress said...

I am very interestd in joinging your group. What a great way to start 2009!! and every single day.

The Zandi Zoo said...

HI! I found this site from Traci & Lesley and would love to jump on in. What a perfect way to start the day!

Orts said...

Love to have the encouragement of others as we seek the Lord early :)!

Miss Marian May said...

I started Monday: up at 5, awake all day. Today: up at 5...prayer...hit the pillow again before 5:16. But I'm tryin'! I love the idea of community and commonality here!

Suzy O. said...

I so need this. I would love to join in.

mama's smitten said...

Count me in ! I love this idea!

Dancing Wallflower said...

I would love to join this group also. I enjoyed looking through your blog also.

Kristin said...

I would love to be added to this list! I started trying to do this today, and I'd like to make it a habit. 9:30 bedtime for sure, now! Thanks :)

JavaMama said...

I am very passionate about rising early to meet with our Savior each day... to give Him the first fruits of each gift given day. Providentially I found your 5:16 Club a few day after reading about the 5 AM club at Girl Talk... I am in for 5:00 AM mornings!! So please put me on your list.

What a blessing, thanks! I was actually going to start a 5AM Club before I found you :0).

JOYfully in Him,

Tangee said...

I so need this. Please count me in.

Jennifer T. said...

Sarah Mae-
Count me in beginning tomorrow morning! Thanks!

Jennifer at Song of my Life

Denise said...

Count me in! I already start my day with a prayer of thanks and asking for help for the day. I can do anything with Him.

Marci said...

I would love to join your club. I love having time with God every morning. I notice a difference in my day if I don't start with Him. Iron sharpens iron doesn't it!

BECKY said...

I just found you a few days ago, and love your blog!!

I am committing to 5:16, and thank you for starting this!!

I am also including a link to your blog on my post today. Thank you for all the inspiration and encouragement!

b.ellen said...

Hello! Yay I am finally putting my name on the list! I have been reading on here for a little while now and I keep thinking I'll get up earlier for a couple of days and then put my name on the list. I get up with my hubby @ 6:45, help get him out the door and then sit down for time with my God & Savior but it seems like it's cut short by little requests for juice and Breakfast more each day. Well... I think I need the prayers and motivation through my sisters in Christ so... I'm putting my name on the list now & praying for results. [I am a reallly heavy sleeper & struggle with alarm clocks]
Thank you for starting this!

Lisa said...

I'm joining in! I needed this encouragement and affirmation of what the Lord has been laying on my heart! THANKS!

Erica said...

I wouldn't say count me in, but I'm going to pray about it. I have nights when my big baby is still up in the middle of the night, but it's not consistent. I really think this would be a blessing for me to do!

Leslie said...

OOOHHH I'm excited! I intend to join you gals tomorrow. I'm off to get a few more things done so I can curl into bed earlier.

The Southern Housewife said...

Count me in! I'll be up at 6:15! :)

Katie said...

Oh, I need, need, need this. Count me in. I'll work my way into it and for now start at 6:00.

Buildeth Her House said...

Please put me down for 5:16. How does this work? I'd really like to get up early and spend some alone time with the Lord. Plus get a head start on my homemaking. I could actually eat breakfast with my husband.

MoziEsmé said...

Love this idea! Count me in...

ServinGsus said...

Me too, me too! This is marvelous ... I already check your blog out daily, but this is great accountability =) Thanks for doing this!
~Lisa @ Fields of Grace

The Ramblin' Rat said...

Yes, please add me to the list as well. My time with the Lord has been on my heart for so long and it's time I did something about it. I'm looking forward to the growth that will happen!

God Bless!

Beck's Bounty said...

Would you please count me in too ?

Grace & Peace,

Debbie said...

I am in!

God is so Good!

Salutations, I am Jeannie said...

Is it to late to join in? I would love too....

Heather said...

Sign me up too, please. And also for a large cup of coffee!

Deanna said...

Is it too late to join??? Count me in.

Karen said...

I hope it's not to late to join! I want to be a 5:16 gal.

Karen @ Lil Momma's Haven

Michelle said...

I would really like to join this group! Is that still possible??

Dusty said...

Okay, okay, I give in! lol. I've been hearing about this club all over the blogosphere, so I suppose it's my turn to sign up!

Count me in!

Holley said...

By the grace of God and power of very strong coffee, I'm in! (: I'm not a morning person (Once I even put chocolate on my alarm clock to bribe myself to get up. I ate it and went back to bed). But God has really been putting this on my heart. So, 5:16!

Latte With Me said...

I came over from Holley's site.

I'm in (oh Lord, help me!)!

Jennifer said...

I also learned about the group from Holley... so glad I did! I'm in!!

Tänia said...

I am the newbie in this group for today. Just wanted to say thank you for this! LOVE IT!

Tänia of Faith Prints

brandam said...

I'm in too! This is just the push I have been looking for!

Katy said...

After starting my own business about a year ago I gradually got in the bad habit of a sporadic sleep schedule. The past couple weeks I've felt the Lord pulling at my heart and the need to get up earlier and spend more devoted time with Him before my day gets going. This article just confirmed what I've been feeling and was just the thing I needed to decide it's time to put these thougths into action! Thanks so much for your great blog! I will be back often :0) Blessings, Katy

LeeLee's Thoughts said...

Hi. Please sign me up!!! My husband recently left for overseas and now my sleep habits are worse off than they ever were and I have been feeling GOD telling me that I need to fix this. With this group it gives me others to have to answer to besides myself. GOD plays a huge role in my life. I know deep in my heart that HE is telling me it is time to change my sleep and that I need to start my day off earlier and right. Thanks for helping me do so.

Monica said...

Praise the Lord, this is such an awesome idea!

titus2woman said...

I am SO IN! This is AWESOME! (((((HUGS))))) sandi

am said...

Can I join??? This is just what I was hoping for....

Amy Lu said...

Can I join? This is just what I was hoping for....

Laura said...

Can I join? I'd love some accountability.

Kelly O said...

How did I miss this? Definitely count me in, Sarah Mae!

Free At Last said...

I would love to join! Of course being up this late, reading your blog, is going to make my first morning tough :)

Collette@Jesuslovesmums said...

Hi count me in!

justagirl4god said...

I found a link here from the 'Journey to a Gracious Woman' blog.

Though I'm guessing that I am quite a bit younger than everyone else, I'd love to join and be a part of giving back our time to the Lord.

God bless!
(will go and post on the forum... as justagirl4god)

BeLoVed AiMeE said...

I don't know about 5:16 AM but I definitely want to join up. I've been praying about my time with the Lord, and the start of my day lately and I think this would be good for me. I really need to put God FIRST.

Patricia said...

I want ot make sure I am on the list too!

Amanda Elizabeth said...

I'll join! I'm in nursing school and as hectic as it is, I need my Jesus time. :)

Anne Basso said...

You know, I'd really like to be a part of this. I could use the encouragement. =)

thepittfamily said...

Add me!! I am totally trying to get up at 5ish to spend time with the Father!!!

Momma C said...

Love the idea and accountability. I'm in!

Shelby said...

I'm late to this but please count me in! I think the Father definitely deserves the best of my day!!!

Mrs. Hewett said...

I'm in. It will be a challenge but I'm actually looking forward to it. It certainly helps to have others doing the same thing. Thanks so much!

Mrs. H
(aka: mama2gems)

Traci said...

Count me in!

Thanks for the encouragement!

~Tami said...

I want to commit to being a 5:16 gal.

Cafe Mocha Momma said...

May I join the club? I sorely need some accountability in this area. Thanks

Theresa said...

this is very encouraging! and your website as well! more blessings to you and the members of Gal 5:16 club!

Theresa said...

this is very encouraging and your website as well! more blessings to you and to the members of the Galatians 5:16 club!

Karen said...

I really like this idea. I'm thinking about joining but just haven't decided yet. I have been getting up around 5:30am generally. I definitely can notice a difference when I'm up earlier than the rest of my family. I usually get the coffee going and spend some time just talking to the Lord. I've also worked on Bible memory verses during that time but I want to be more consistent with that. I usually do Bible reading/study at a later time in the day. Sometimes it's better for me to save the Bible study for at night when our little one has gone to bed.

Hope you've been having a great weekend!

Mel ~ said...

First off: I am NOT a morning person, and usually hit the snooze button at least 5-10 times before getting out of bed...lol

I just committed to joining the 5:16 Gals yesterday - and this morning I was WIDE awake, tossing & turning, thinking it was probably about 3am...finally looked at the clock, and it was 5:15am. How good is my GOD??? :)

I got up and read Habakkuk - had been feeling led to read this itty-bitty book for days. Got some amazing insight when I did!


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Tax reform won’t be complete by year’s end

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It’s been a top priority of Mid-Michigan Congressman Dave Camp for the past few years – reforming the tax code.
“What we want to do is have a tax reform plan that makes the American dream real again,” Camp said.

Camp’s primary objective – make the corporate and individual tax codes simpler and fairer, which he hopes will lead to economic growth.

“The preliminary numbers we have a very good in terms of economic growth and job creation. This is the tax bill ever that’s been dynamically scored, which will take into account the effect on the economy and on people’s lives,” he said.

Camp traveled the country this year with his Democratic counterpart – Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus — to see how an updated tax code would impact people and businesses. They had hoped to finalize a bill by the end of the year, but that’s not going to happen. So where are they in the process?

“Very close. The committee’s done a lot of good work,” Camp said.

But Politico’s senior congressional reporter, Manu Raju, said, “There’s just not much appetite among the Republican and Democratic leaders to get a big re-write of the tax code done in this Congress.”

Raju thinks it will be an ambitious effort to pass comprehensive tax reform during a mid-term election year.

“Re-writing the tax code would spawn such a major war in Washington with all the different interests that are affected by the different pages of the tax code,” Raju said.

Camp remains optimistic, saying, “The 1986 act was done in an election year, welfare reform was done in an election year – it was vetoed twice by the president. So those aren’t necessarily easy decisions, but I look forward to this debate.

Camp says he’s now working to educate other lawmakers who aren’t on the Ways and Means Committee about tax reform. He says that will take some time, but he hopes to do it next year.

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text:
Wednesday, February 8, 2012

class Valentine's inspired by pinterest
I decided to get super crafty this month it seems.  All though lots of prep work has kept me away from my blog for a while, several of the projects are starting to wrap up.  For example gator-tines.  One of the more successful projects I've tried from Make some of these cuties for yourself by printing the template from  Enjoy this while I go snag the next batch of cookies from the oven.

I forgot to add a few tips that if mentioned on skiptomylou I certainly missed.
1.  White glue works much better than the clear paper glue.
2. Take a circle punch and cut a finger hole on one side (top or bottom) of each end of the pillow box.
Take a little bit less than this with the punch.  You learn as you go, ya know?
 Tuck that side in first.  It makes loading with candy or unloaded for the kids easier.
3.Glue the pink to the green lower part of the mouth before you glue the mouth to the pillow box.
4. Scoring is not optional. It's necessary to assemble the pillow boxes.  I've never actually used my bone folder for it's specific purpose before, and I'm a pro now.  Do you know how to use your bone folder?  If not youtube may be able to help.  It helped me.

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Thursday, November 3, 2011

A Fun Project for the Day

I spent today doing this lap quilt. I love the fabrics and while they feel fallish, they will work year round as well. On a really good note, I found my crochet hooks! Now its time to start making Christmas gifts......the best!

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Monday, July 22, 2013

Nantucket the Beautiful Pt. 2

So when we last left our Fourth of July recap, I had just had my dreams dashed with the cancellation of the fireworks. Although I was completely bummed out, there was no time to dwell on such things, as my sister Becky and her boyfriend Freddie were set to arrive the next day! Also, Steve and I both had to work on Friday, so we returned to the real world while Alisa and Rocky set off for the beach.

I was going about my regular work day when I was shocked to see my photo on Nantucket BlACKbook. Well, not like, totally shocked, because Holly had sent me her style survey to fill out. But still shocked, nonetheless because I had no idea when it would run, if at all.

island infamy.

So needless to say, that was my greatest accomplishment that day.

My sister and her boyfriend Fred arrived that afternoon, and after I was finished with work, we all met up for dinner. Unfortunately, in doing so we kind of missed out on the rescheduled fireworks. Correction: I saw one single firework while we were waiting in line for ice cream.

oh say can you see.

Yes, we had ice cream everyday. IT'S THE FOURTH OF JULY.

The next day was Saturday, so I finally got to go to the beach- YAY! But Steve still had to work- BOO. Regardless, we all packed up our beach essentials and headed to Surfside.

you have yours, i have mine.

The beach was amazing. If you can believe it, it was the first time I had gone and sat on the beach since I moved to Nantucket.

Unfortunately, it was also the first time I got severely and horribly sunburnt. Apparently, event the strongest SPF needs to be applied immediately after getting out of the water. Needless to say, there were a lot of references to Alicia Keys' "Girl on Fire." Because that's what I was for the rest of the weekend.

Since we clearly needed some cooling off, our next stop was Cisco Brewery. Even though there was what seemed like 40,000 people there, somehow I managed to snag us a shady seat where we spent our afternoon sampling an array of delicious beverages.

just a couple of f yeahs & madaket mules.

and peach wine, for the lady.

I appreciated that even Cisco showed some patriotic spirit.

accessories are important.

The rest of the night was pretty relaxed, as most of us were sporting some serious sunburns and aimed to move as little as possible. Steve made us a delicious pressure cooker meal and we dined like kings around our Ikea coffee table.

But with everyone leaving the next day, we couldn't resist going out... for ice cream. Yes, one last time. And of course, we couldn't resist a photo op with a reminder of our PSU days:

what's a few hundred miles?

Finally, it was time to head home and come to terms with the fact that that holiday was almost over and everyone would be leaving us, which was really hard, because it was the first time that we had had any friends visit since we've been on Nantucket.

Before seeing everyone off to their boat back to America, we took a quick stroll around downtown to make sure that everyone got their full island experience. Which obviously meant souvenir shopping.

meet nantucket's newest rap duo.

I also took all the ladies to one of my favorite stores downtown, C. Wonder. I love this place, not only for all the nautical items and brightly colored baubles, but also, free candy.

i'll just have a few sweet tarts for the road.

Unfortunately, my sister's most favorite item in the store is not for sale:

her pageant talent may or may not be balloon animal-making.

As we approached the Hy-Line docks, we realized that my sister and I never took a picture together. Not one, the whole weekend! That needed to be amended real quick.

like my granny cardigan? it's to keep my flesh from burning.

We finally said goodbye and prepared to return to our normal lives, sans four house guests and boozy fruit.

But it was still the weekend, and after seeing a posting about it on Facebook, we headed to Sconset for a free event from Theatre Workshop Nantucket with Tom Meehan. Why who is Tom Meehan, you say? This guy:

who doesn't love a man in a seersucker suit?

Don't recognize him? You probably wouldn't. But you know his words, as this is the guy that wrote only my favorite musical of all time, Annie. He also wrote Hairspray, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Elf the Musical, and even the new Rocky musical that is currently showing in Germany (opening in the U.S. March 2014!). He's a summer resident in 'Sconset and it was so inspiring to listen to him talk about his work (he's simultaneously writing four shows right now) and writing (he's 83 and he spends hours each day just doing what he loves) and even though it was like 95 degrees in that chapel, I clung to every word.

and yes, that is blair waldorf's dad conducting the interview.

These are the types of things that makes me love this place. On any given night in the summer, there are at least six events going on like this (and some of them are even free!).

Did I mention I love 'Sconset?

got my church on.

After that, I kind of thought that our weekend was over. Until this happened:

What can I say? I can't resist an evening of belting out some solid lady-pop songs.

this time i'm not leavin' without you.

Was that the longest four-day recap in the history of recaps? I almost never do these, because unlike all my blogger friends, I can never seem to write up a recap in an appropriate amount of time. Hence why it is now almost August and I'm just finishing up what happened on the Fourth of July. But I just couldn't resist after such a fun-filled weekend sharing some of the amazing-ness that had ensued. I may have exhausted the amount of fun I'm allowed to have in a short time period, but I'm okay with it. And I'm definitely okay with not getting sunburnt ever again.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Nantucket the Beautiful

Guys, this is it. My favorite season. My favorite holiday. My favorite color combination

Except this year, it was going to be different. We live on Nantucket now, afterall, therefore making our usual pilgrimage to Portland, Maine not exactly feasible.

But seeing as this island is like, one of the Fourth of July capitals of the world, it seemed crazy to be anywhere but here. So they came to us. They being Alisa and Rocky, the other half of this annual patriotic party, and then later, my sister Becky and her boyfriend Fred joined as well.

But Lindsay, didn't you move into a super small apartment over a garage down a dirt road in the middle of the woods? Why yes, yes we did. So what did we do? We had everyone over anyways. All six of us. One bathroom.

But let's start at the beginning, shall we?

We moved about a week before our guests were scheduled to arrive. There's nothing like impending company to force you to unpack. Without them, we'd probably be living in a box fort right now. We spent all our waking hours trying to get organized and make our place at least livable, if not presentable. It was less than a mere 24 hours before Alisa and Rocky were set to arrive that we even got our couch set up:

yep, that's right. we didn't have anywhere to sit for an entire week.

As we neared 2:00 A.M. on Tuesday evening, I attempted to put away some stragglers of my wardrobe that hadn't found a home yet. As I opened my dress closet, I felt a strange wobble, and before I even had time to react, this happened:

there aren't enough tears in the world.

The game hadn't even started and I already lost. For those of you that don't know, there is a very long, love-hate (me being the "love" part and Steve being the "hate") relationship with this particular piece of furniture that I am feeling deserves its own post. However, I still haven't processed my feelings on that yet, so it will have to wait until I have completed the seven stages of mourning and am emotionally stable enough to tell my story.

So there was a set back. But we soldiered on. And finally, on Wednesday night, we were reunited for the first time in what felt like forever:

forgive our weird pupils.

After a little dinner and after-dinner drinks, we headed to Stop & Shop for a few necessary essentials:

inappropriateness. not on the list.

PS- Did you know if you go to the grocery store super late at night, it is all neat and organized for your shopping pleasure? I may have to start cooking.

i wish my life was this organized. color me jealous.

That night, we prepared some lovely sleeping accommodations for our guests. I.e., sheets on either end of our newly cleared off sectional couch. Of course, that meant that violations ensued:

this shit is bananas. b-a-n-a-n-a-s.

For those who may not know, many years ago, we noticed a pattern in pictures of Steve and Alisa together. And that pattern was some sort of inappropriate gesture in Alisa's direction. It had become such a phenomenon, that one year, Steve created an anthology of pictures known as the "Violation Album" (Volume 1, of course) for Alisa for her birthday. And so, almost eight years later, it continues.

We awoke the next morning with only two thoughts in our mind: food and fireworks. Okay, and booze. Three things.

Let's start with the food. Steve made his most notorious breakfast item that he only breaks out for very, very special occasions: The oven-baked caramel french toast from the Graycote Inn in Bar Harbor, Maine. If you must know how to make it (and I assure you, you must), you can find the recipe here. We all died a little bit, came back to life, ate more food, and died again.

there is also an egg sausage thing, but we all know i don't eat eggs. among many other things.

The best part? There is a caramel drizzle. CARAMEL DRIZZLE, PEOPLE.

breakfast will never be the same.

Did I mention mimosas? Yeah, there were those two.

nothing like popping the cork on a three year old magnum of champagne.

The weather ended up being kinda meeeeh that day, which really started to concern me after last year's fireworks got totally rained out and we had to miss them completely. But we couldn't resist visiting at least a few of Nantucket's numerous miles of shoreline.

it's just like that movie beaches, but with dudes. and less death and singing.

Of course, it wouldn't be us if there weren't some more inappropriateness:

from dancing to violating in less than five seconds. a new record.

The weather mildly started to improve, which could only mean one thing: it was time to grill. Slight problem: the grill was in pieces. In a box. In the garage (yes, the very one we live over). Luckily, the men were here to save the day:

like mckayla, rocky is not impressed.

But they did it. And it only took like seven hours for us to feel hungry again.

you may not be able to tell, but there is cheese inside the burger.

There may have also been beverages. We steered away from the red, white and blue margaritas this year, because unfortunately, I only own one blender. But there was a new addition, which will forever be known as... boozy fruit.

i.e., steve's orange sangria champagne concoction thing.

But Steve was greedy, and stole my Nantucket-necessity Lilly Pulitzer coozy and got beer sweat condensation all over it, totally decreasing the preppy girl value of it.

it takes a very secure man to rock a regatta print.

After conquering our expertly grilled meals, we prepared ourselves for the fireworks on the roof of the Whaling Museum. At the last minute, the entire staff was invited to take in the Fourth of July finale from the rooftop observation deck, which is not only private, but boasts some of the best harbor views on the island. I was so excited to show our guests not only where I worked, but also to beat the insane crowd that heads to the beach.

And of course, the second we pulled out of the driveway, the fog rolled in. That Grey Lady can be such a bitch sometimes.

We went to the roof anyway, hoping that as fast as it rolled in, it would just roll right out.

so happy i curled my hair.

And it stuck around. But so did we.

fog or instagram?

But the fog, like this shirt that Steve insists on wearing, was relentless. They cancelled the fireworks, rescheduling them for the next night.

It was mildly depressing. I mean, this was our first Nantucket Fourth, after all.

Nothing a little trip to the Juice Bar can't fix.

if i could cover my life in patriotic sprinkles, i would.

That's it for the first installment of Steve & Lindsay's First July Fourth on Nantucket guest-starring Alisa and Rocky. Coming up next? The arrival of Becky and Fred. And more ice cream. And more drinking.


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Linear Laboratories is looking for qualified, enthusiastic men and women to be an integral part of our company’s growth. We are an EOC employer and offer a full range of benefits including 401k.

Electrical Technician, Fremont- Breadboard, prototype, trouble shoot, assist engineering.

Send resumes to Julie Mayo by fax at 510-226-1112

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