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This just made me happy after watching it, so I had to put it somewhere that I'll remember to watch it again. Turn the speakers on, there is a funky beat.



Cute Kittens Bop Their Head - Watch more free videos

Saturday Jeff and I moved the baby maple tree with attached bush to the backyard. Maybe it'll have a new friend tomorrow if they are giving away free tree seedlings for earth day tomorrow at work.
We got to Birmingham about 1:30 and had a late lunch with the brother clan (this now includes a sister-in-law, but I prefer the shortened terms). We took a side detour to check out Jim's apartment - very nice for an apt - older building with high ceilings and curved arches. Later the boys played foosball on the floppy table and then we grilled kabobs. While sitting on the deck we watched a neighbor cat play with Rita's previous kill of the day - a chipmunk. Stardome Comedy club was packed when we got there, but we made it in without too much trouble. Our table location was great, lower floor in the back. The first comedian was not very funny at all. James Gregory was ok but hard to look at, sorry he's just an ugly man. Bits were funnier toward the end but I think some of my party was falling asleep by then, not sure if it's because it was 10:30 or if it was all the beer :) The guys made an awesome breakfast of omelets and pancakes Sunday morning. Jeff and I headed home in the afternoon and made a stop in Cullman for the Bloomin Festival. It's just a small town arts festival but I was disappointed with the more crafty vendors. I did get a cool hummingbird feeder, hopefully it's not too late for the birds to find our house. It was a nice break from our usual weekend and fun to hang out with the guys.

Jeff and I have been watching the daylilies come up and upon examination of the rest of our flowerbed we thought we found a new weed. It's right next to a small bush. Turns out it's not a weed, we're pretty sure it's a baby maple tree, hopefully a japanese maple (looks like the one at our last house). So I need to look up if we should dig it up now to move it, or wait till winter when they go dormant. Its probably only 12 or 15" tall right now but the base seems pretty thick. It's just right next to a bush and within inches of our house, so I think it definitely needs to be moved.

After reading this I was pretty worked up. Feds to collect DNA from every person they arrest. They plan to take and store DNA from every arrest, not just a conviction. If you're tried and found guilty, sure store the convict's DNA. but what if the police officer makes a mistake, and you're never even tried. Now you have to spend your energy and probably money for lawyers to get your DNA removed from CODIS database. I have no confidence in the gov't being able to protect and secure that much information. Not to mention pay someone to keep up with all the unnecessary entries. I know how gov't contract rates are padded like crazy and to me it's a waste of money and a very unnecessary risk for people that will undoubtedly be falsely accused.

I learned something new yesterday that cracked me up. I dont have kids yet, so I miss out on these things. My officemate was telling me about going to his kids preschool and how the teacher had them sit in a circle, criss cross applesauce while they were reading. I said - woa, back up, what was that applesauce part. He said to be politically correct they can not use the term 'indian style' anymore for sitting down crosslegged. I laughed pretty hard. You just never know what will offend some people anymore.
That was the only funny part to my day that was sucked up with a 6 hour meeting on rocks. As part of that, our lunar geologist spent an hour explaining the process for me to capture in a flow chart but after so many chemistry terms and making up rock names by adding 'ite' to the end, my brain just hurt.

Check out the Bahrain World Trade Center - Beautiful sail shaped towers with 3 huge turbines in the middle to generate power. It is forecasted to provide the equivalent of 11-15% of the power for the two towers when fully operational. And here's another link with a couple more photos and a video.

We got our new camera in this weekend, the Canon Powershot SD950 IS 12MP Digital ELPH. Now I need a fun roadtrip to test it out. Or maybe I'll get a lunch together for the Botanical Gardens tomorrow (free day). I need to master it, so I can take it to Chicago and get some cool shots. I get to go to Web Design World in Chicago in May. I'm pretty excited - new city, and a fun conference. I've been to 2 others (Seattle and Atlanta).

As my friends know, one of my goals in life the past couple years has been to be nicer, or rather not vocalize everything that comes into my critical mind. (yes it's still a struggle) Well I have a new inspiration source. A guy I work with is always so friendly and always cracking jokes (he's actually funny). He was part of the group for a work trip recently and that is where I realized that his niceness would wear me out. I'm not just talking nice to the co-workers - I mean to everyone from the flight attendant that ran her fingers through his hair (true story), to the gas station clerk - everyone! So even if I'll never be on his level, I can still use him a reminder to set me straight. Today was another example. I go over for a meeting and somewhere after cracking a joke with us he mentions a headache that is going on a couple days. Then maybe 15 minutes later he makes a remark that the loratab still hasn't kicked his headache. OMG - his headache is so bad he had to take a loratab, and he can still function normal and be smiling. I'm amazed b/c in comparison I'd just be sitting quietly at my desk not making contact with anyone for fear of being to grumpy. Actually if it were loratab I'd be curled up in a ball on the floor shaking and sweating, but that’s another topic of my reactions to pain pills.

going to work today, arrive at the gate...thats 5 lanes of traffic coming to stop and each lane slowly moving up inch by inch all at different speeds. but today, it's 7:20 and I'm kinda zoning, then realize both lanes around me are moving and I'm not. I can't describe the feeling but for 20 seconds each lane on either side of me was moving forward and I was not. no idea why my lane got stuck for a while but it made for a weird feeling looking around. I kept thinking I had seen this in a movie or something.

My husband told me a nice airport story. One of his flights last week was in the midst of all the airlines canceling flights to get up to date on their inspections. There was a man in military uniform waiting on standby, already late for his brothers wedding. An older lady went up to the counter and wanted to give him her first class seat, and she'd wait on standby. The Delta agent said that was nice, but there were several people ahead of the gentleman and all of those passengers on standby would have to approve (in other words that wasn't going to work). Later Jeff overheard a pilot (waiting as a regular customer) say that the situation was taken care of. They worked it out so the pilot could ride co-pilot and the military man could get on this flight.

For someone that has an art degree, I sure do have a hard time picking paint colors. I have no ability to judge what one 2 inch piece of paper will look like covering the walls. I bought 3 sample size paints on Friday night and spread it on the walls. I've been wanting a green kitchen, a happy color to brighten up the boring beige walls. I knew it'd be hard to get a color light enough without it looking like a mental institution green. We just finished and so far I think it looks mental. It needs more sage in it. One of my samples was closer to what I wanted but when it was up, it had too much gray and it was depressing. So anyway, we cleaned up the room and I'm going to have to live with it for a week or 2.

On other notes, I was very sad today to hear USA canceled the 4400 - one of my most favorite shows, up there with X-Files.

And our Earth Hour was only half an hour since we got home at 8:30. I had 2 candles lit, which I know creates more CO2 than the CFL light bulbs. I read how those are high in mercury and need to be recycled but not enough people know about that and put it in the trash, so in a few years our grounds are going to be polluted with mercury from all the broken CFLs. Joy. So if you break a CFL bulb, put strong gloves on to pick it up and double seal it in it's own bag.

On March 29, 2008 at 8 p.m., join millions of people around the world in making a statement about climate change by turning off your lights for Earth Hour, an event created by the World Wildlife Fund.

On the main website: www.earthhour.org it sounds like several major cities are on board. I wish this had more press, but I think it will still be successful.
Sign yourself up!

I just got an email from a friend that moved away a couple years ago. She mentioned liking my blog, which cracked me up because I only know of 2 people that really read it. Anyway, after thinking of my last post and not complaining, I laughed thinking of her and how much of our day was filled with complaining about work and the people at work. There are many things to find to gripe about in any job, probably especially in a gov't setting with scientists that can be too smart to communicate with the general public. We'd laugh everyday and usually several times a day Linda would have to follow up a saying with, 'oh I'm going to burn in hell for that one'. I always liked that saying. Maybe b/c I see it as a stab at all the fire and brimstone Baptists I'm surrounded by living in the Bible belt.

In the summary of the last book I read the author mentioned starting a Happiness Journal - writing down one thing every day that made you happy. I liked the idea, and started it last week. I only forgot to write something down 2 of those days (not too bad).

One of my favorite shows is CBS Sunday morning (kind of an arts & culture show). Most shows have an ending segment from the quirky reporter Bill Geist. He's very odd and finds the weirdest things to highlight and usually this is my favorite part. Some past segments have been on cliff dancers, tractor dancing, small town gathering for a sunset that ends perfectly at the end of a railroad track, best hamburger in the country, etc). Yesterday he traveled to a church in Kansas that is promoting a complaint free lifestyle. They ship out these plastic bracelets all over the world. The goal is to not complain for 21 straight days (the length of time it takes to form a new habit). If you do catch yourself you switch the bracelet to the other wrist as a reminder. He said most people have trouble with things like traffic and restaurants. I have to agree I'd probably fail there too.
While I'm not sure I can completely go to a complaint free lifestyle, I'm going to try to do less so I can highlight the happy stuff.

OH NO!!! I got my first whiff of the stinky trees. I hate Bradford Pears!

I just finished the book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ by Elizabeth Gilbert. The title makes it sound like a self help book, which it does have parts of it for the author, but it did have some hilarious moments. I loved the section on Italy. Going to learn Italian and gain back some lost weight with amazing food, wow, how wonderful would that be. Not sure I’ll ever know, so I’m thankful she could describe it so vividly. Which brings me to her writing style. She’s a bit over the top. I’m not sure I could ever feel or think half the thoughts that come to her mind. Maybe I’ll think of a better way to describe that later. The sections on India and Bali were considerably slower. There is a character, Richard from Texas that is awesome. I hope I can meet someone that can speak that clear and to the point one day in my life. (he’s real, he was on Oprah with Elizabeth). And Bali has some cool cultural information but the love life thing is a little too melodramatic for my tastes. Again, I’m just not sure I can believe a man could worship any woman’s body as much as she describes. Either way, I’d recommend this book. Here’s a piece from her experience in India. I really loved this. She still needed to forgive her ex-husband and her friend wrote this for her and sent her up to a rooftop….


Instructions for Freedom

1. Life’s metaphors are God’s instructions.
   
2. You have just climbed up and above the roof. There is nothing between you and the Infinite. Now, let go.
   
3. The day is ending. It’s time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.
   
4. Your wish for resolution was a prayer. Your being here is God’s response. Let go, and watch the stars come out – on the outside and on the inside.
   
5. With all your heart, ask for grace, and let go.
   
6. With all your heart, forgive him, FORGIVE YOURSELF, and let him go.
   
7. Let your intention be freedom from useless suffering. Then let go.
   
8. Watch the heat of the day pass into the cool night. Let go.
   
9. When the karma of a relationship is done, only love remains. It’s safe. Let go.
   
10. When the past has passed from you at last, let go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy.

http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

We had a pretty mild weekend but it was fun. Friday night we met some friends at a Mexican restaurant and I ordered sopapillas. My sweet tooth was happy! Saturday we went to Dicks Sporting Goods to get ping pong balls and a worker there informed us that it was fun to give water snakes pp balls b/c they think it's an egg and will eat it but then they can't swim under water. He did admit maybe it was just a redneck thing :) Some friends came over that night and we just played poker (I won! and Jeff was a sore loser) and their kids played ping pong and their DS. More of my friends have toddlers and babies right now, but these kids are 6 and 8 and can fend for themselves. I love it. They can be cute and wild but dont need your attention every second. Sunday we took a drive to Decatur so Jeff could get something from the office. We drove around some of the old houses and I was a little sad looking at all the beautiful houses with character and charm, wishing I could have one. Maybe one day, when I feel like having all the up-keep :) Jeff went out to Home Depot to get some mulch later that afternoon. I didnt even think to look where he put it in the garage. So guess what I did this morning - took one of the bags with me halfway down the driveway. That was fun to clean up in nice work clothes.
I'm still waiting to hear if any friends are going out tonight, so I'm not sure if I'll get any green beer or not. Happy St. Patricks Day!

I saw something that disgusted me yesterday. A license plate that said 4GEORGE. Now I'm used to seeing the 'W for president stickers' everywhere; I do live in a red state and work on an army base. But this person paid an extra $50 for a custom tag. He could have donated that to something worthwhile. I'm ready for a new president, I'll take anyone over George :)

Tonight is margarita girl night. Though I'm going to have to come up with a new name b/c I'm giving up tequila for a while. The last 5 outings where I had either one margarita or 3, I've felt like crap the next day. So tonight is martini night...with chips and salsa :)

After that lack of a voice problem I went on to sound like a man for a while. Good news is that is all gone. Now I'm on to other worries. My job has a wellness program and I have the chance to get $250 if I pass a series of items including blood work, weight, blood pressure, etc. The only one I'm worried is blood pressure. The last couple times I had it checked it was 118/87, so the lower number is high. So I'm on a time crunch before the 25th to cut out sodium and exercise more.

Not being sick, having a couple girlfriend nights coming up and warmer weather make me happy.

At first I just sounded like a rough Kathleen Turner, now anything past a whisper is a struggle. I knew Jeff was a quiet guy, but this past week has really shown me how much. I also realized how I'm used to pointing out stupid stuff or saying something just to say something and now I dont even make an effort. The lingering cough has me worn out enough, I'm not going to bother straining my voice.

On a happier note, the windows are open and it's a gorgeous day outside. We bought 8 bags of mulch and got about 1/3 of the flowerbeds near the house done. I hear snow is in the forecast, so I guess the rest is going to wait.