tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53935742157753483422024-03-13T00:01:56.000-04:00Kiwanji's HouseScott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-69816981747714290922010-11-02T11:42:00.000-04:002010-11-02T11:42:26.262-04:00What I did on my summer vacation... from hellPlease forgive me as it's been (aside from those Kiva posts) 5 1/2 months since my last confession. The worst part is... it was entirely purposeful. Why? Because my summer sucked. Not just a little bit. It sucked big. Epic sucking. Yup, it was a bad few months. If you've made the questionable decision to also be <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kiwanji">my friend on the FB</a> you most likely saw, or at least actively ignored, my periodic posting and updating on the home improvement hell that we were living so you've already got an idea of what went on.<br /><br />Well, even if you lived through all of that, I'm going to take some time to recreate the whole project in one spot here for me to relive. Someone please explain to me why I would want to do that to myself.<br /><br />Here we go. Starting with the investigation into why there was water damage to our wood floor in the dining room. It seemed so innocuous at the time... who would have known?<br /><br />June 9, 2010 - noticing the mold.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQwx2JkUI/AAAAAAAAD4U/xq_g2zGwFf0/s1600/060910_leaking_pipe01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQwx2JkUI/AAAAAAAAD4U/xq_g2zGwFf0/s200/060910_leaking_pipe01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517702029915033922" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSvJnf65I/AAAAAAAAD48/F6dSsGZzgUk/s1600/060910_leaking_pipe02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSvJnf65I/AAAAAAAAD48/F6dSsGZzgUk/s200/060910_leaking_pipe02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517704200959552402" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />June 10, 2010 - Yes, dealing with this on my birthday was a blast! The first plumber we called comes in, rips some holes in our wall, tells us it'll be $500 to replace the 4 foot section of pipe that is actively leaking. We then got an estimate from his company on a whole-house pipe replacement - $5,000. Um, there's the door - have a nice day.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSuubiGNI/AAAAAAAAD40/I_lsg2uwBt4/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSuubiGNI/AAAAAAAAD40/I_lsg2uwBt4/s200/061010_leaking_pipe01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517704193661606098" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSuXqWOmI/AAAAAAAAD4s/NDFP9lgUmnU/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLSuXqWOmI/AAAAAAAAD4s/NDFP9lgUmnU/s200/061010_leaking_pipe02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517704187549727330" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLStzUKlJI/AAAAAAAAD4k/DHgDKpa5Uig/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLStzUKlJI/AAAAAAAAD4k/DHgDKpa5Uig/s200/061010_leaking_pipe03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517704177793012882" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLStoLwh0I/AAAAAAAAD4c/xFsp_HNi06w/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLStoLwh0I/AAAAAAAAD4c/xFsp_HNi06w/s200/061010_leaking_pipe04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517704174804961090" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQMkN9JWI/AAAAAAAAD3k/ocR9k9YE9pU/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQMkN9JWI/AAAAAAAAD3k/ocR9k9YE9pU/s200/061010_leaking_pipe05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701407781496162" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQMK9T_PI/AAAAAAAAD3c/ZeGV1ZBHn1Q/s1600/061010_leaking_pipe06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQMK9T_PI/AAAAAAAAD3c/ZeGV1ZBHn1Q/s200/061010_leaking_pipe06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701401000803570" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Took Wifey and the kids up to Connecticut to visit with her parents on June 18th. I stayed up there for a few days then came home to deal with the broken pipes and the rest of the mess while she remained with the kids up there.<br /><br />It took a few (anxiety producing) days to get in touch with a plumber/cousin of a friend who came recommended. Although I was angry at his initial lack of responsiveness (later found out he was out of town) I stuck with him. Got an estimate on the project from him - got the family discount even - and fell in love. Just to be sure, and following the directions of all the shows I love on DIY - I got a third estimate at over $6,000. Yeah, plumber/cousin - you're in.<br /><br />On the 21st I stopped by two different Lowes' on the way home to pick up tile for the floor replacement phase of the project. I tried my best to estimate how much tile I'd need but all those estimates flew out the window when I got to the store and started second guessing myself. So, I just bought everything I could get my hands on knowing I could return anything I didn't use. My poor van wasn't happy with me.<br /><br />Loaded with tile -<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQLtDktII/AAAAAAAAD3U/r6nVlc3Fd9E/s1600/062110_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQLtDktII/AAAAAAAAD3U/r6nVlc3Fd9E/s200/062110_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701392974001282" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Back to normal -<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQLczmV7I/AAAAAAAAD3M/auMOl0N6JZg/s1600/062110_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQLczmV7I/AAAAAAAAD3M/auMOl0N6JZg/s200/062110_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701388612032434" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This is what 1,232 lbs of tile and a thousand dollars looks like. Yup, my poor van held 1,232 lbs of tile plus accessories. And I carried it all in by hand in 90 degree heat.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQK_JXRWI/AAAAAAAAD3E/nlwmq7idx_g/s1600/062110_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLQK_JXRWI/AAAAAAAAD3E/nlwmq7idx_g/s200/062110_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517701380650255714" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />June 23, the destruction began. Had to move everything off of the DR floor into the LR and some stuff even lived on the stairs for a while.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPy-2Ym4I/AAAAAAAAD28/Uj97tLF5Nys/s1600/062310_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPy-2Ym4I/AAAAAAAAD28/Uj97tLF5Nys/s200/062310_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700968253791106" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPyqiCW9I/AAAAAAAAD20/8qngFlwmdCw/s1600/062310_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPyqiCW9I/AAAAAAAAD20/8qngFlwmdCw/s200/062310_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700962799737810" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPyY3yg0I/AAAAAAAAD2s/cDaPKBPR0GQ/s1600/062310_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPyY3yg0I/AAAAAAAAD2s/cDaPKBPR0GQ/s200/062310_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700958059135810" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The Pergo comes up and the mold underneath is visible.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPx4z5XNI/AAAAAAAAD2k/S1yNpA2TD_U/s1600/062310_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPx4z5XNI/AAAAAAAAD2k/S1yNpA2TD_U/s200/062310_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700949452872914" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPxp5ieRI/AAAAAAAAD2c/yoIkMghUY4A/s1600/062310_home_project07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPxp5ieRI/AAAAAAAAD2c/yoIkMghUY4A/s200/062310_home_project07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700945450006802" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPcRG9gLI/AAAAAAAAD2U/tK-sJqbcJfs/s1600/062310_home_project09.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPcRG9gLI/AAAAAAAAD2U/tK-sJqbcJfs/s200/062310_home_project09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700578018164914" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPcLbCtFI/AAAAAAAAD2M/k10zDAtKwIg/s1600/062310_home_project10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPcLbCtFI/AAAAAAAAD2M/k10zDAtKwIg/s200/062310_home_project10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700576491779154" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPbo1XYrI/AAAAAAAAD2E/_8ACKnjTsFs/s1600/062310_home_project11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPbo1XYrI/AAAAAAAAD2E/_8ACKnjTsFs/s200/062310_home_project11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700567206945458" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPbYrLznI/AAAAAAAAD18/jw2KfHLLn74/s1600/062310_home_project12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPbYrLznI/AAAAAAAAD18/jw2KfHLLn74/s200/062310_home_project12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700562869276274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The whole wall, opened up.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPa-NeuyI/AAAAAAAAD10/nKjchjUP5OE/s1600/062310_home_project13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLPa-NeuyI/AAAAAAAAD10/nKjchjUP5OE/s200/062310_home_project13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700555765365538" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The mold in the wall, and on the studs and sill, was absolutely disgusting/heartbreaking.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO9rTOfqI/AAAAAAAAD1s/h4GuxQjbIlM/s1600/062310_home_project14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO9rTOfqI/AAAAAAAAD1s/h4GuxQjbIlM/s200/062310_home_project14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700052472987298" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO9TQq0wI/AAAAAAAAD1k/N-PVaccZ_T0/s1600/062310_home_project15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO9TQq0wI/AAAAAAAAD1k/N-PVaccZ_T0/s200/062310_home_project15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700046019810050" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The floor coming up in the hallway. No wonder the previous owners put down the Pergo - just look at that linoleum underneath!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8-fAXpI/AAAAAAAAD1c/G0gHqxah9X0/s1600/062310_home_project16.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8-fAXpI/AAAAAAAAD1c/G0gHqxah9X0/s200/062310_home_project16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700040442797714" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8i_XqYI/AAAAAAAAD1U/PjLpT8oZgKs/s1600/062310_home_project19.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8i_XqYI/AAAAAAAAD1U/PjLpT8oZgKs/s200/062310_home_project19.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700033062349186" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8X4wgII/AAAAAAAAD1M/CD9MFjP00cw/s1600/062310_home_project21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLO8X4wgII/AAAAAAAAD1M/CD9MFjP00cw/s200/062310_home_project21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517700030081826946" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOdLl3pRI/AAAAAAAAD1E/uKZKa34WVvQ/s1600/062310_home_project22.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOdLl3pRI/AAAAAAAAD1E/uKZKa34WVvQ/s200/062310_home_project22.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517699494205433106" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOc5L1HPI/AAAAAAAAD08/YroLcrz9X_A/s1600/062310_home_project23.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOc5L1HPI/AAAAAAAAD08/YroLcrz9X_A/s200/062310_home_project23.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517699489264377074" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Looking back into the DR from the hallway. Looked like someone previously had done the unbelievably hard work of ripping up the linoleum. I wonder what this place used to look like.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOcirfb0I/AAAAAAAAD00/1eZAOWJgoF8/s1600/062310_home_project24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOcirfb0I/AAAAAAAAD00/1eZAOWJgoF8/s200/062310_home_project24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517699483223158594" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />June 26, the stove gets moved down off of the hearth even though there is nothing wrong with it or the tile under it. Had to do it so the new tile would match.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOcJdaArI/AAAAAAAAD0s/i5Lg5aQmdA0/s1600/062610_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOcJdaArI/AAAAAAAAD0s/i5Lg5aQmdA0/s200/062610_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517699476453196466" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Locked and loaded, trying not to get sick as I rip out the moldy studs and sill.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOb70l0vI/AAAAAAAAD0k/znDMlQFE7Tc/s1600/062610_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLOb70l0vI/AAAAAAAAD0k/znDMlQFE7Tc/s200/062610_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517699472792343282" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN_4GoxJI/AAAAAAAAD0c/hvhplv-VYjk/s1600/062610_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN_4GoxJI/AAAAAAAAD0c/hvhplv-VYjk/s200/062610_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698990757954706" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Drew came over and helped me move the heavy stove and computer cabinet down into the LR. I love my friend Drew!!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN_qvgD8I/AAAAAAAAD0U/geVw6nRIHZI/s1600/062610_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN_qvgD8I/AAAAAAAAD0U/geVw6nRIHZI/s200/062610_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698987171254210" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN-13dNsI/AAAAAAAAD0M/ieJJ8CHpSqA/s1600/062610_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN-13dNsI/AAAAAAAAD0M/ieJJ8CHpSqA/s200/062610_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698972977542850" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Studs are out, temp wall is in.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN93Pdq_I/AAAAAAAAD0E/H6RYJav0LQk/s1600/062610_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN93Pdq_I/AAAAAAAAD0E/H6RYJav0LQk/s200/062610_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698956166802418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Close ups of the sill. This is literally feet from where my family ate dinner! I was sick thinking about that.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN9faCMAI/AAAAAAAADz8/FlMQxXHet40/s1600/062610_home_project07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLN9faCMAI/AAAAAAAADz8/FlMQxXHet40/s200/062610_home_project07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698949768687618" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNmY4oHYI/AAAAAAAADz0/t7zBnCCwf_I/s1600/062610_home_project08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNmY4oHYI/AAAAAAAADz0/t7zBnCCwf_I/s200/062610_home_project08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698552880962946" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNl1akQNI/AAAAAAAADzs/82VoWWqysMc/s1600/062610_home_project10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNl1akQNI/AAAAAAAADzs/82VoWWqysMc/s200/062610_home_project10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698543359639762" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />With the wall out, the destruction continued with the floor in the kitchen coming up. Notice the mold where the dishwasher is? The seal under the washer failed a while back, causing some leaking. I never thought that there would be this kind of damage under the floor as a result.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNlVGaTDI/AAAAAAAADzk/_xJK6PYakpU/s1600/062610_home_project11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNlVGaTDI/AAAAAAAADzk/_xJK6PYakpU/s200/062610_home_project11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698534685166642" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNkSh-DOI/AAAAAAAADzc/2BUi88UcVwE/s1600/062610_home_project12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNkSh-DOI/AAAAAAAADzc/2BUi88UcVwE/s200/062610_home_project12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698516815580386" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNjdZxeSI/AAAAAAAADzU/g6sw1n4mlmA/s1600/062610_home_project13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLNjdZxeSI/AAAAAAAADzU/g6sw1n4mlmA/s200/062610_home_project13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517698502554122530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />More unseen/unknown mold coming out of the laundry area.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwoPQl-oI/AAAAAAAAD6M/xelmDxKmDH4/s1600/062610_home_project14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwoPQl-oI/AAAAAAAAD6M/xelmDxKmDH4/s200/062610_home_project14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517948173796375170" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwn4drLMI/AAAAAAAAD6E/UVgG4KjTtlA/s1600/062610_home_project15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwn4drLMI/AAAAAAAAD6E/UVgG4KjTtlA/s200/062610_home_project15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517948167677226178" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwnjCgAyI/AAAAAAAAD58/hcFrA9Yu0FY/s1600/062610_home_project16.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwnjCgAyI/AAAAAAAAD58/hcFrA9Yu0FY/s200/062610_home_project16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517948161926103842" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />With the wall down and floor finally out throughout the first floor the piles were large and spread out.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwnAr_3LI/AAAAAAAAD50/5lHi9oeYpgw/s1600/062610_home_project17.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwnAr_3LI/AAAAAAAAD50/5lHi9oeYpgw/s200/062610_home_project17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517948152704916658" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwm_Dp8XI/AAAAAAAAD5s/0EjpGJYPFvo/s1600/062610_home_project18.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOwm_Dp8XI/AAAAAAAAD5s/0EjpGJYPFvo/s200/062610_home_project18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517948152267272562" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvcU6wWVI/AAAAAAAAD5k/xU7Ohy7CuYw/s1600/062610_home_project19.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvcU6wWVI/AAAAAAAAD5k/xU7Ohy7CuYw/s200/062610_home_project19.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517946869645334866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The tile from the hearth wasn't exactly easy to remove. I didn't want to have to replace the cement board so it all had to be chipped up by hammer and wrecking bar.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvb9saCkI/AAAAAAAAD5c/eeHu5RAK21I/s1600/062610_home_project20.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvb9saCkI/AAAAAAAAD5c/eeHu5RAK21I/s200/062610_home_project20.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517946863411137090" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Oh yeah... I did all of this without the A/C on (remember the mold? I didn't want to close the windows) in 100 degree heat. I wasn't feeling very good when these days were over. Sleeping was next to impossible.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvbd4SlmI/AAAAAAAAD5U/79_oC4kNy5M/s1600/062610_home_project21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvbd4SlmI/AAAAAAAAD5U/79_oC4kNy5M/s200/062610_home_project21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517946854871045730" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />June 27, the prep work for the plumbing begins. Holes in the walls to get to the tub pipes, the floor in the bedroom comes back up (had to take it up a few months ago when a different pipe leaked), crap gets piled in our bedroom.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOva67vEwI/AAAAAAAAD5M/qjXLlQymtNI/s1600/062710_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOva67vEwI/AAAAAAAAD5M/qjXLlQymtNI/s200/062710_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517946845490254594" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvam0dF2I/AAAAAAAAD5E/2YCcX7n0Nqg/s1600/062710_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJOvam0dF2I/AAAAAAAAD5E/2YCcX7n0Nqg/s200/062710_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517946840091006818" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMa_5g0dI/AAAAAAAADx8/5DnAgLuprc0/s1600/062710_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMa_5g0dI/AAAAAAAADx8/5DnAgLuprc0/s200/062710_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517697257683603922" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMaLU-52I/AAAAAAAADx0/nQaCfmUU5Nc/s1600/062710_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMaLU-52I/AAAAAAAADx0/nQaCfmUU5Nc/s200/062710_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517697243571742562" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZ6UuHsI/AAAAAAAADxs/zIcD8gzAqa0/s1600/062710_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZ6UuHsI/AAAAAAAADxs/zIcD8gzAqa0/s200/062710_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517697239007239874" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZg-BfjI/AAAAAAAADxk/l1UmvEcWFDQ/s1600/062710_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZg-BfjI/AAAAAAAADxk/l1UmvEcWFDQ/s200/062710_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517697232201154098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Somehow talked another friend into coming over to help. Thanks Chad! He was a wiz with the hammer and bar in getting the tile taken up.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZHTFz8I/AAAAAAAADxc/eqLQhSSK_Cs/s1600/062710_home_project07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLMZHTFz8I/AAAAAAAADxc/eqLQhSSK_Cs/s200/062710_home_project07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517697225310195650" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />New wall is in! I went through three bottles of Clorox Clean-up scrubbing the wall clean.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1l_j6DI/AAAAAAAADxU/WZOBvNSbmN4/s1600/062710_home_project08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1l_j6DI/AAAAAAAADxU/WZOBvNSbmN4/s200/062710_home_project08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696615074490418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The tile is out, after a lot of blood, sweat, and yes, a few tears.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1XvlngI/AAAAAAAADxM/vq0-_a9bJPM/s1600/062710_home_project09.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1XvlngI/AAAAAAAADxM/vq0-_a9bJPM/s200/062710_home_project09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696611249397250" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This is what has become of JAM and Red's bedroom. With no room untouched downstairs, and Pudge's floor literally missing, their room has taken the brunt of the storage duties.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1BMvnNI/AAAAAAAADxE/bPQcZSNFWCg/s1600/062710_home_project10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL1BMvnNI/AAAAAAAADxE/bPQcZSNFWCg/s200/062710_home_project10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696605197671634" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />June 28, more holes for the plumbing work. It was a really good thing we did this project. We found more leaks all over the place, including in this hole, right behind the kitchen sink. The pipe leading to the sink looks like it sealed itself up after doing minor damage but there's no guarantee it would have stayed sealed.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL08guIWI/AAAAAAAADw8/KlpsE2wTxvk/s1600/062810_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL08guIWI/AAAAAAAADw8/KlpsE2wTxvk/s200/062810_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696603939283298" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL0Ys83TI/AAAAAAAADw0/fQi9Pz2XLPc/s1600/062810_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLL0Ys83TI/AAAAAAAADw0/fQi9Pz2XLPc/s200/062810_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696594326904114" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Pipes getting removed - including the ones that started this mess. This is the new wall sans pipes.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLWG8ivFI/AAAAAAAADws/5prp05-DkiM/s1600/062810_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLWG8ivFI/AAAAAAAADws/5prp05-DkiM/s200/062810_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696074164386898" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Pipes removed from the closet under the stairs where the water heater lives.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLV3B9u6I/AAAAAAAADwk/MX8EAsNVXmg/s1600/062810_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLV3B9u6I/AAAAAAAADwk/MX8EAsNVXmg/s200/062810_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696069892160418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Had to rip out much more of the floor upstairs to get to the pipes leading back down to the kitchen. Better this than ripping into sheetrock downstairs. I was standing pretty much above the sink where the new holes had to be cut.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLVuhP7cI/AAAAAAAADwc/ISRC1_wMTvE/s1600/062810_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLVuhP7cI/AAAAAAAADwc/ISRC1_wMTvE/s200/062810_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696067607457218" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLVKlyXUI/AAAAAAAADwU/EOCNpd1xjHU/s1600/062810_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLVKlyXUI/AAAAAAAADwU/EOCNpd1xjHU/s200/062810_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696057962814786" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />All the crap that we store under the stairs in the utility closet had to come out. No where to go with it except into the kitchen.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLU46Gl2I/AAAAAAAADwM/wyEdZhJQ2QE/s1600/062810_home_project07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLLU46Gl2I/AAAAAAAADwM/wyEdZhJQ2QE/s200/062810_home_project07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517696053216188258" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I pretty much cried when we had to open a hole in the dining room ceiling. After not having had a ceiling in there for more than 2 years we finally got it finished not long ago... and now to rip it open again... just killed me.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGy9uxopI/AAAAAAAADwE/AxihIIgvplo/s1600/062810_home_project08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGy9uxopI/AAAAAAAADwE/AxihIIgvplo/s200/062810_home_project08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517691072348791442" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Taking the washer/dryer out. Just happy to get to clean in there!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGyRXZFBI/AAAAAAAADv8/tQ9QkEEalTU/s1600/062810_home_project09.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGyRXZFBI/AAAAAAAADv8/tQ9QkEEalTU/s200/062810_home_project09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517691060439553042" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The kitchen gets more crowded with the washer and dryer moved out of the closet.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGxrtHnpI/AAAAAAAADv0/UAvLmD_8FdQ/s1600/062810_home_project10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGxrtHnpI/AAAAAAAADv0/UAvLmD_8FdQ/s200/062810_home_project10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517691050330136210" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGwrHNbDI/AAAAAAAADvs/pAinqTZHv7g/s1600/062810_home_project11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGwrHNbDI/AAAAAAAADvs/pAinqTZHv7g/s200/062810_home_project11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517691032991263794" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Empty W/D closet, waiting for me to cut the hole for the new dryer vent.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGwYWcf0I/AAAAAAAADvk/8gypNEW-hN4/s1600/062810_home_project12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLGwYWcf0I/AAAAAAAADvk/8gypNEW-hN4/s200/062810_home_project12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517691027954892610" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The bathroom demo begins.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF6BZ56_I/AAAAAAAADvc/tKfgcGQ-kP4/s1600/062810_home_project13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF6BZ56_I/AAAAAAAADvc/tKfgcGQ-kP4/s200/062810_home_project13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517690094082452466" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF5sd4krI/AAAAAAAADvU/1mhc-_JcZeI/s1600/062810_home_project14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF5sd4krI/AAAAAAAADvU/1mhc-_JcZeI/s200/062810_home_project14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517690088461996722" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br />June 29 - Ripping apart, then putting back together, the W/D closet. And a good view of the best plumber in the world - Casey Biddex.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF5KEWLUI/AAAAAAAADvM/yFJy0J3A3CY/s1600/062810_home_project15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF5KEWLUI/AAAAAAAADvM/yFJy0J3A3CY/s200/062810_home_project15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517690079228079426" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF4bnlRaI/AAAAAAAADvE/B57g107qgtE/s1600/062910_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF4bnlRaI/AAAAAAAADvE/B57g107qgtE/s200/062910_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517690066759402914" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF4OiULjI/AAAAAAAADu8/idktUIhrCcw/s1600/062910_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLF4OiULjI/AAAAAAAADu8/idktUIhrCcw/s200/062910_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517690063247650354" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />More help from Drew let me get all the crap into the van and to the dump so I could start the week without piles o'crap strewn about my yard.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFR_NUncI/AAAAAAAADu0/SGx7GXXn-xE/s1600/062910_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFR_NUncI/AAAAAAAADu0/SGx7GXXn-xE/s200/062910_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517689406298037698" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFRk_yygI/AAAAAAAADus/lj0VdAnyMPs/s1600/062910_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFRk_yygI/AAAAAAAADus/lj0VdAnyMPs/s200/062910_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517689399261972994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />July 1, I got "smart" and hired out the rocking work to a pro. There's a lot to be said for not having to spend days and days fixing your mistakes in the taping and mudding of sheetrock. Best $300 I ever spent.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFRLIP5OI/AAAAAAAADuk/XIeVd7bVGTg/s1600/070110_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFRLIP5OI/AAAAAAAADuk/XIeVd7bVGTg/s200/070110_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517689392318112994" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFQyye5PI/AAAAAAAADuc/7cgWBWPbdg0/s1600/070110_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFQyye5PI/AAAAAAAADuc/7cgWBWPbdg0/s200/070110_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517689385784370418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The first, and most critical (and interesting) of the tile goes down. I went with a little floor mat type design as something cool to see as you walk in the front door.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFQQVOsiI/AAAAAAAADuU/nNOy6lspoJ4/s1600/070110_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLFQQVOsiI/AAAAAAAADuU/nNOy6lspoJ4/s200/070110_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517689376534868514" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnsU5AlI/AAAAAAAADuM/qw89byH66-4/s1600/070110_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnsU5AlI/AAAAAAAADuM/qw89byH66-4/s200/070110_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517684281628492370" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnTCKdQI/AAAAAAAADuE/h7OZiC1C97I/s1600/070110_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnTCKdQI/AAAAAAAADuE/h7OZiC1C97I/s200/070110_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517684274839057666" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Tile goes into the bathroom. But, at 11:30pm, with my ability to do basic geometry to make the cuts absolutely gone due to exhaustion, I decided to call it a night with only those few pieces left to cut.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnMOLkyI/AAAAAAAADt8/kNYXTrl2BAY/s1600/070110_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAnMOLkyI/AAAAAAAADt8/kNYXTrl2BAY/s200/070110_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517684273010414370" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 2, downstairs bathroom tile done. Glad I stopped when I did the night before, those final few cuts took a long time, mostly because of the one tile that went around the toilet flange. It's hard to cut round patterns with a tile saw that only goes in straight lines.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAmwpifQI/AAAAAAAADt0/30hm5LNvsfo/s1600/070210_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAmwpifQI/AAAAAAAADt0/30hm5LNvsfo/s200/070210_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517684265608969474" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Tile goes into the kitchen.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAmRrUcUI/AAAAAAAADts/7vV81aMm6rg/s1600/070210_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAmRrUcUI/AAAAAAAADts/7vV81aMm6rg/s200/070210_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517684257294938434" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAIKSvZwI/AAAAAAAADtk/6jswisLdVno/s1600/070210_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAIKSvZwI/AAAAAAAADtk/6jswisLdVno/s200/070210_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683739916723970" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAHzBbS0I/AAAAAAAADtc/Ax45UlPBccM/s1600/070210_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAHzBbS0I/AAAAAAAADtc/Ax45UlPBccM/s200/070210_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683733670087490" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Went up to Connecticut on the 4th to get the family. Brought them back into a whirlwind of mess and chaos. It was not a happy time in the kingdom. Spent the next couple of days finishing the floor upstairs, getting rooms put back together, and navigating the tricky waters of disappointed marriage.<br /><br />July 6, the dining room is almost done.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAHQGFO7I/AAAAAAAADtU/Sf7I-kQ-M9A/s1600/070610_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJLAHQGFO7I/AAAAAAAADtU/Sf7I-kQ-M9A/s200/070610_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683724294372274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />July 9, tiling done. Yeah, I was exhausted at 1:30 in the morning. This is what you look like when you've stayed up past midnight tiling every night for a week.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_hizAQEI/AAAAAAAADs0/TU7ohMKqCs0/s1600/070910_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_hizAQEI/AAAAAAAADs0/TU7ohMKqCs0/s200/070910_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683076479598658" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_hViElAI/AAAAAAAADss/5yXt5ZRCp40/s1600/070910_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_hViElAI/AAAAAAAADss/5yXt5ZRCp40/s200/070910_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683072918918146" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_gmunFZI/AAAAAAAADsk/sCpaL903Rpg/s1600/070910_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_gmunFZI/AAAAAAAADsk/sCpaL903Rpg/s200/070910_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683060355044754" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_gQVFjpI/AAAAAAAADsc/inXZ4Ndcauc/s1600/070910_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK_gQVFjpI/AAAAAAAADsc/inXZ4Ndcauc/s200/070910_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517683054342409874" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-4rqkUBI/AAAAAAAADsU/u61CPSYyQOk/s1600/070910_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-4rqkUBI/AAAAAAAADsU/u61CPSYyQOk/s200/070910_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517682374485495826" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3lZ_cxI/AAAAAAAADsM/iLYwPZho-ZQ/s1600/070910_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3lZ_cxI/AAAAAAAADsM/iLYwPZho-ZQ/s200/070910_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517682355625489170" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />July 10, grouting in dining room and bathroom done.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3Q4K_KI/AAAAAAAADsE/It5XnmGGIMc/s1600/071010_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3Q4K_KI/AAAAAAAADsE/It5XnmGGIMc/s200/071010_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517682350114929826" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3Gqv6_I/AAAAAAAADr8/WLJiUMVAJks/s1600/071010_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-3Gqv6_I/AAAAAAAADr8/WLJiUMVAJks/s200/071010_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517682347374275570" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-2i8ZHnI/AAAAAAAADr0/A-gZFX5zjlU/s1600/071010_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK-2i8ZHnI/AAAAAAAADr0/A-gZFX5zjlU/s200/071010_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517682337784602226" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 12 -Wifey and I were up until 2 am finishing the tile on the hearth. Only a few tiles left here and there then we're done. The hearth is by far the best part of the job. Intricate cuts made it look so much better than bland square tiles.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9tLjZKFI/AAAAAAAADrs/u-IijGqaYt0/s1600/071210_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9tLjZKFI/AAAAAAAADrs/u-IijGqaYt0/s200/071210_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517681077375281234" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 13 - tiling complete!!!!!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9s0qUzHI/AAAAAAAADrk/5Go2Bi00V1c/s1600/071310_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9s0qUzHI/AAAAAAAADrk/5Go2Bi00V1c/s200/071310_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517681071230340210" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9spbnuLI/AAAAAAAADrc/7IDOXLZzbnQ/s1600/071310_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9spbnuLI/AAAAAAAADrc/7IDOXLZzbnQ/s200/071310_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517681068215875762" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9sYZia9I/AAAAAAAADrU/lVmNU9IMJyw/s1600/071310_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9sYZia9I/AAAAAAAADrU/lVmNU9IMJyw/s200/071310_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517681063643737042" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 21 - My Dad came up to stay and help for a few days. Other than his not being interested in sleeping in a chaotic living room (he bailed and went to a hotel) everything went really well. His major project was finishing (1st coat anyway) the oak trim that surrounds the raised platform where the fireplace sits and the fronting on the step don to the living room. We picked a nice dark color so it outlines the space really well.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9rwVZe7I/AAAAAAAADrM/S7l_LnQzvMM/s1600/072110_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJK9rwVZe7I/AAAAAAAADrM/S7l_LnQzvMM/s200/072110_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517681052888955826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The last part of the grouting started well into the evening. By 1:30 in the morning the grout was done. Wifey and I had a good set up... I grouted and she rinsed the sponges in a never ending process. We went through a LOT of water during this process but the look is fantastic!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLSsa9zPI/AAAAAAAADrE/6qmpLBk4KYw/s1600/072110_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLSsa9zPI/AAAAAAAADrE/6qmpLBk4KYw/s200/072110_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517344171783736562" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLSfMcXsI/AAAAAAAADq8/8nPkm4OInrs/s1600/072110_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLSfMcXsI/AAAAAAAADq8/8nPkm4OInrs/s200/072110_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517344168233164482" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLRiPlIlI/AAAAAAAADq0/U4w9pocmezM/s1600/072110_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLRiPlIlI/AAAAAAAADq0/U4w9pocmezM/s200/072110_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517344151871758930" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />I loved the way the tile and grout look against the dark stained wood.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLRTOKtqI/AAAAAAAADqs/Z0jjAs8A5R8/s1600/072110_home_project05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLRTOKtqI/AAAAAAAADqs/Z0jjAs8A5R8/s200/072110_home_project05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517344147839301282" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLQ-GOMEI/AAAAAAAADqk/HfWvCpIj29g/s1600/072110_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGLQ-GOMEI/AAAAAAAADqk/HfWvCpIj29g/s200/072110_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517344142168830018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br />July 22 - Wifey spent a ton of time sealing the grout and now the tile job is complete! The kids and I took a moment to do a celebratory dance on our temporary dance floor.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKkbNLB-I/AAAAAAAADqc/Y6PthCLcPwE/s1600/072210_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKkbNLB-I/AAAAAAAADqc/Y6PthCLcPwE/s200/072210_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517343376888498146" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKkHcM8DI/AAAAAAAADqU/d0GUnJw9GZI/s1600/072210_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKkHcM8DI/AAAAAAAADqU/d0GUnJw9GZI/s200/072210_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517343371582828594" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 24 - The painting process has begun.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKj5hZWVI/AAAAAAAADqM/fmADYyr-50M/s1600/072410_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKj5hZWVI/AAAAAAAADqM/fmADYyr-50M/s200/072410_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517343367846517074" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKjRvrzRI/AAAAAAAADqE/xEzVRpwHyyo/s1600/072410_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKjRvrzRI/AAAAAAAADqE/xEzVRpwHyyo/s200/072410_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517343357169028370" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />July 25 - the new wall is painted, the trim is ready for install.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKjLJcmhI/AAAAAAAADp8/f2MmOjSfSP4/s1600/072510_home_project01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKjLJcmhI/AAAAAAAADp8/f2MmOjSfSP4/s200/072510_home_project01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517343355398035986" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKC8ChbJI/AAAAAAAADp0/8d7Kox8gTqE/s1600/072510_home_project02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKC8ChbJI/AAAAAAAADp0/8d7Kox8gTqE/s200/072510_home_project02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342801586646162" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Trim is in and we're ready to move the heavy furniture and stove back into place.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKCa3lroI/AAAAAAAADps/8KzutbzI0Yo/s1600/072510_home_project03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKCa3lroI/AAAAAAAADps/8KzutbzI0Yo/s200/072510_home_project03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342792682417794" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKCPZ-uvI/AAAAAAAADpk/ki9AhSomScE/s1600/072510_home_project04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKCPZ-uvI/AAAAAAAADpk/ki9AhSomScE/s200/072510_home_project04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342789605440242" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKBpzs4VI/AAAAAAAADpc/58CHYEt_xLk/s1600/072510_home_project06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKBpzs4VI/AAAAAAAADpc/58CHYEt_xLk/s200/072510_home_project06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342779512774994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKBOnXjTI/AAAAAAAADpU/Y3W0Yp_jqRA/s1600/072510_home_project07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGKBOnXjTI/AAAAAAAADpU/Y3W0Yp_jqRA/s200/072510_home_project07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342772213288242" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJgfxgR0I/AAAAAAAADpE/KWwLqAZu74g/s1600/072510_home_project11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJgfxgR0I/AAAAAAAADpE/KWwLqAZu74g/s200/072510_home_project11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342209883522882" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJgI646YI/AAAAAAAADo8/UsCGA4whJsI/s1600/072510_home_project12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJgI646YI/AAAAAAAADo8/UsCGA4whJsI/s200/072510_home_project12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342203748870530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJfrx1YaI/AAAAAAAADo0/IfobIMfU9qQ/s1600/072510_home_project14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJfrx1YaI/AAAAAAAADo0/IfobIMfU9qQ/s200/072510_home_project14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342195926262178" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJfFHkY7I/AAAAAAAADos/VzigQoCLDdg/s1600/072510_home_project15.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGJfFHkY7I/AAAAAAAADos/VzigQoCLDdg/s200/072510_home_project15.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517342185548440498" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The LR is starting to look normal again. No, not really. But, it is nice having some space again.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-ziNjlI/AAAAAAAADok/6RoS-gAbOGw/s1600/072510_home_project16.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-ziNjlI/AAAAAAAADok/6RoS-gAbOGw/s200/072510_home_project16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517341631072538194" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />September 15 - Life has returned to "normal." I realized I never took any "Done" pictures right after the project was over but that was probably not a terrible thing as odds and ends were wrapped up over a few days. But, the job (downstairs at least) is done and I think everyone in the family has enjoyed our new look - even the purple bathroom.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-XxO1NI/AAAAAAAADoc/lpU5vpFicAM/s1600/091510_home_project_final01.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-XxO1NI/AAAAAAAADoc/lpU5vpFicAM/s200/091510_home_project_final01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517341623619343570" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-MkVGAI/AAAAAAAADoU/mCBQKCdQjOE/s1600/091510_home_project_final02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI-MkVGAI/AAAAAAAADoU/mCBQKCdQjOE/s200/091510_home_project_final02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517341620612438018" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI9tLHLDI/AAAAAAAADoM/9vtFqDPhE0g/s1600/091510_home_project_final03.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI9tLHLDI/AAAAAAAADoM/9vtFqDPhE0g/s200/091510_home_project_final03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517341612185168946" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI9DHagKI/AAAAAAAADoE/wOqiSZLwpns/s1600/091510_home_project_final04.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGI9DHagKI/AAAAAAAADoE/wOqiSZLwpns/s200/091510_home_project_final04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517341600895369378" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIEcoj0xI/AAAAAAAADn8/IvZVpiD1lHI/s1600/091510_home_project_final06.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIEcoj0xI/AAAAAAAADn8/IvZVpiD1lHI/s200/091510_home_project_final06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517340628492735250" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIEJdZoZI/AAAAAAAADn0/hYnhZsofF8U/s1600/091510_home_project_final07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIEJdZoZI/AAAAAAAADn0/hYnhZsofF8U/s200/091510_home_project_final07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517340623345656210" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIDm_Fw4I/AAAAAAAADns/OJq2V8-E4pw/s1600/091510_home_project_final08.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIDm_Fw4I/AAAAAAAADns/OJq2V8-E4pw/s200/091510_home_project_final08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517340614091719554" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIDUQLX5I/AAAAAAAADnk/7xH3UanF_uo/s1600/091510_home_project_final09.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIDUQLX5I/AAAAAAAADnk/7xH3UanF_uo/s200/091510_home_project_final09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517340609063116690" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIC_gx6mI/AAAAAAAADnc/Z2B0RuR8aUE/s1600/091510_home_project_final10.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/TJGIC_gx6mI/AAAAAAAADnc/Z2B0RuR8aUE/s200/091510_home_project_final10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517340603495606882" border="0" /></a></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-73832732600794038992010-09-15T21:47:00.003-04:002010-09-15T21:53:26.821-04:00Kiva Loan #5It's amazing how time has flown since my last post, and it's funny how the last one was a Kiva donation as well. This time I sent my money to Mongolia where <a href="http://www.kiva.org/lend/230546" target="_blank">Dashdavaa Hurlee</a> will be putting it to use buying more supplies for his grocery store.<br /><br />Adding another check to my map of countries where my money has gone....<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=t&chs=440x220&chtm=world&chf=bg,s,336699&chco=d0d0d0,cc0000&chd=s:99999&chld=PYMLPHUGMN" width="440" height="220" /><br />visited 5 states (2.22%)<br /><a href="http://douweosinga.com/projects/visited?region=world">Create your own visited map of The World</a></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-22589467550680406572010-05-16T21:14:00.002-04:002010-05-16T21:26:10.534-04:00Kiva loan #4My last loan, to a woman raising pigs in the Philippines, was paid back recently so it's time to make another loan via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kiva</span>. So far I've loaned money to <a href="http://www.kiwanji.com/2009/02/our-first-donation-to-kiva.html">four women in Mali</a> who were selling clothing, a <a href="http://www.kiwanji.com/2009/07/its-giving-time-again.html">group of retailers in Paraguay</a>, the <a href="http://www.kiwanji.com/2009/10/sending-some-help-to-philippines.html">pig farmer in the Philippines</a>, and now a woman's group in Uganda that run a general store.<br /><br />If you're still unfamiliar with <a href="http://www.kiva.org/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kiva</span></a> I recommend taking 5 minutes to <a href="http://l3-1.kiva.org/r22087//about/how">get to know them</a>. As I said, I've successfully lent out money three previous times and my money always comes back to me. They're helping people get ahead in life and I find that worthwhile so it's a no-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">brainer</span> to me.<br /><br />My lending map is slowly filling up...<br /><br /><div align="center"><img src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=t&chs=440x220&chtm=world&chf=bg,s,336699&chco=d0d0d0,cc0000&chd=s:9999&chld=PYMLPHUG" width="440" height="220" /><br />helped folks in 4 countries (1.77%)<br /><a href="http://douweosinga.com/projects/visited?region=world">Create your own visited map of The World</a></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-39463369310734202152010-05-15T22:14:00.010-04:002010-05-15T23:03:50.345-04:00A very good one!Days - they don't get much better than this one. Unless you're Charlie Sheen and you've just found yourself in a slightly downtrodden hotel bar, but I digress... This was a fantastic day.<br /><br />First, Red's last soccer practice/JAM and I run around the lake this morning. I've been feeling less than svelte lately so I wanted to take the opportunity during Red's last soccer practice (which would usually find me standing on the sideline tending Pudge and messing around with JAM) to take a run around Greenbelt Lake. Yessir, JAM and I ran all 1.73 miles (yes, I measured... using Google Earth thankyouverymuch - see the end of this post) around Greenbelt Lake! Didn't even stop running once (except two short times to try to explain to JAM how to run without stomping and digging his feet into the ground on every step and to let Pudge - who I was pushing in the jogging stroller mind you - throw his rock into the lake). So, mostly 1.73 miles without stopping. I know... and no one was even chasing me with any sharp kitchen utensils!<br /><br />When we got back to Red's soccer practice we were in time to see some final games being played:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZAR_VLqI/AAAAAAAADlk/iN118X618yk/s1600/051510_red_last_soccer01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZAR_VLqI/AAAAAAAADlk/iN118X618yk/s200/051510_red_last_soccer01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471689933642346146" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Y_3Oy4aI/AAAAAAAADlc/F3l3rQgQKlA/s1600/051510_red_last_soccer02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Y_3Oy4aI/AAAAAAAADlc/F3l3rQgQKlA/s200/051510_red_last_soccer02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471689926459449762" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Y_secg8I/AAAAAAAADlU/6Avd4f7Wr6E/s1600/051510_red_last_soccer03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Y_secg8I/AAAAAAAADlU/6Avd4f7Wr6E/s200/051510_red_last_soccer03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471689923572302786" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />After the games the coaches called us all up to the Community Center for an end of season shindig - and by shindig I mean cupcakes and cookies and apple slices (thanks to Wifey) - to give all the 3 and 4 y.0.'s their medals. Yes, medals. Red was so proud of her medal!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9aOZQID0I/AAAAAAAADmk/fCX-B-2_iVM/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9aOZQID0I/AAAAAAAADmk/fCX-B-2_iVM/s200/051510_red_soccer_party01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471691275621633858" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9aOGPCYTI/AAAAAAAADmc/REqW4H3eUHs/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9aOGPCYTI/AAAAAAAADmc/REqW4H3eUHs/s200/051510_red_soccer_party02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471691270516793650" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZyKNp2oI/AAAAAAAADmM/2erZ7lbAEPY/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZyKNp2oI/AAAAAAAADmM/2erZ7lbAEPY/s200/051510_red_soccer_party03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471690790548396674" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Zxi0470I/AAAAAAAADmE/FydVLLo7k_E/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Zxi0470I/AAAAAAAADmE/FydVLLo7k_E/s200/051510_red_soccer_party04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471690779975544642" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZxBagOvI/AAAAAAAADl8/0AlzwknSPcs/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZxBagOvI/AAAAAAAADl8/0AlzwknSPcs/s200/051510_red_soccer_party05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471690771006503666" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And Pudge was happy as a pig in slop to get a cupcake of his very own.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Zw6ILiZI/AAAAAAAADl0/7-6jPO8hItE/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9Zw6ILiZI/AAAAAAAADl0/7-6jPO8hItE/s200/051510_red_soccer_party06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471690769050601874" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZwZCtZpI/AAAAAAAADls/ja3bkgyKCg8/s1600/051510_red_soccer_party07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9ZwZCtZpI/AAAAAAAADls/ja3bkgyKCg8/s200/051510_red_soccer_party07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471690760169285266" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />After lunch, JAM and I took off for his baseball game. (I really need to bring a camera to one of his games because poor Wifey, when she does get to make it to a game, is saddled with the two little ones and she can't do both jobs of cameraman and playground monitor for the other crazy kids on the death-trap playground.) JAM's team has gotten soooo much better in the 10 weeks we've had them all together. They've gone from a team of all brand-new-to-this-level-of-ball kids (who most of them didn't know where first base was - honestly) to now I've got the whole infield moving on each pitch, they know where they're supposed to be and they move without hesitation. I'm so proud of them. They were even in the game today until the end of the third inning (thanks to the other coach putting in their "project" pitcher we were tied at 7 after the 3rd)!!! But then the other team got tired of us being close and put in their real pitcher and shut us down and they scored another 7 in the 4th so we lost 14-7. But HEY - we were tied after 3!!!!<br /><br />Then, we had such a fantastic time tonight when we had some long-lost friends over for dinner. Alright, not so lost, but we've owed them an invite to our place for a long time and I finally nipped things in the bud and somehow the planets aligned and we were able to make it work. Certain people, who were supposed to join us, were either in another country or tied up with previous engagements so our party was slightly less populous than originally planned but we had such a fantastic time reconnecting with these good friends. The kids all played so spectacularly in the yard, with no problems to speak of - even after not seeing each other for so long - so we were blessed with being able to enjoy the fire pit unmolested for quite some time before we had to relent and break out the s'mores. :)<br /><br />Yes, from exercise to soccer party to a grand day for baseball to a wonderful evening with friends..... they don't get any better than this!<br /><br /><br /><br />The run:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9W74fgu8I/AAAAAAAADlM/sL2yiHg_vTs/s1600/greenbelt_lake_run.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S-9W74fgu8I/AAAAAAAADlM/sL2yiHg_vTs/s320/greenbelt_lake_run.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471687659055266754" border="0" /></a></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-59037011027225316672010-05-11T11:33:00.003-04:002010-05-11T11:37:26.406-04:00Happy birthday to my RedYup, my "little" Red turned 4 this past weekend and as usual I don't know where the time has gone. But, because I knew a long time ago that I didn't want to leave it up to my swiss-cheese-brain to remember all the good times I take a LOT of pictures. This also allows me to do cool things like this:<br /><br /><div align="center"><object id="vp17jqtl" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="432" height="240"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1273592008&f=7jqtlO2AVTB3fNFIGzsYJA&d=402&m=b&r=w&i=m&options="><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed id="vp17jqtl" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1273592008&f=7jqtlO2AVTB3fNFIGzsYJA&d=402&m=b&r=w&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div><br /><br />So, happy birthday to my little firehead (as her Mem likes to call her). You bring such... energy into our lives and we love you so much for it.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-50290951167447318202010-04-25T19:23:00.007-04:002010-04-25T20:57:02.849-04:00Spring planting, Take IIt's not even Mother's Day and I've already started the spring planting. I know, I'm shocked too. Year's past have seen me buy my plants nice and early only to have them sit around and wait until June to get in the ground. Not this year buddy! No way.<br /><br />Okay, so I've only gotten the three new planters done so far. But, in my defense, I did a really good job on them if I do say so myself. We've always had a set of mismatched planters on our front walk, and Wifey's always hated having them take up a big chunk of the sidewalk. So this year I got a set of three nice new round planters from Costco and I put some concrete blocks into the grass to set them on. And, to really top it all off, I did some research on how to design a really good planter. This is what I found:<br /><ul><li><a href="http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/how-to-design-a-container-garden">How to Design a Container Garden</a></li><li><a href="http://www.finegardening.com/design/articles/thrillers-fillers-spillers.aspx">Thrillers, Fillers & Spillers</a></li><li><a href="http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/thrillers-fillers-and-spillers-in-garden-pots/index.html">Thrillers, Fillers and Spillers in Garden Pots</a></li></ul>Although these articles did a good job giving some advice, and even pointed out a few good plants in each of the thriller, filler and spiller categories, I found that the number of plants they pointed out was fairly limited and most were way too exotic for my local Home Depot. I was getting kind of discouraged until I found this awesome PDF - <a href="http://www.landonsgreenhouse.com/info/assets/How%20To%20Handouts/ContainerGardenPlantsDescriptions.pdf">Container Gardening Plants: Thrillers, Fillers And Spillers</a><br /><br />With all this research in my pocket, and the PDF printed out, I went to both HD and Lowes and compared prices. I found that my HD was about 20-25% cheaper than Lowes which surprised me for some reason. During nap time yesterday, with my Dad along for moral support, I took a trip to HD and loaded up on all the supplies I'd need for my planters and planting beds this year. I took a while to lay out a number of different options for my planters and this is what I came up with:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TeVYj2JdI/AAAAAAAADjE/or3SeBb6cTI/s1600/planter3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TeVYj2JdI/AAAAAAAADjE/or3SeBb6cTI/s200/planter3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464236706858673618" border="0" /></a> looks like - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEYjNu_I/AAAAAAAADis/9bsnSyp4SXI/s1600/042510_new_planters04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEYjNu_I/AAAAAAAADis/9bsnSyp4SXI/s200/042510_new_planters04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464227618705226738" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEriptpI/AAAAAAAADi8/znE0pFUUwRw/s1600/planter2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEriptpI/AAAAAAAADi8/znE0pFUUwRw/s200/planter2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464227623803139730" border="0" /></a> looks like - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWDzZRt4I/AAAAAAAADik/OA7Y_Ldhgwo/s1600/042510_new_planters03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWDzZRt4I/AAAAAAAADik/OA7Y_Ldhgwo/s200/042510_new_planters03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464227608731432834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEqEgq1I/AAAAAAAADi0/gLkRu-EybIc/s1600/planter1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWEqEgq1I/AAAAAAAADi0/gLkRu-EybIc/s200/planter1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464227623408282450" border="0" /></a> looks like - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWDqjkl8I/AAAAAAAADic/cODxRkNCIho/s1600/042510_new_planters02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TWDqjkl8I/AAAAAAAADic/cODxRkNCIho/s200/042510_new_planters02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464227606358693826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />Altogether they look like this -<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TkKHcNFHI/AAAAAAAADjs/kyFuMPMsHqk/s1600/042510_new_planters01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9TkKHcNFHI/AAAAAAAADjs/kyFuMPMsHqk/s200/042510_new_planters01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464243110354424946" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />And of course the little ones had to get into the action. It was nice having them outside, showing an interest in what I was doing. I found a few nice sized worms while I was digging up the grass to place the blocks and I threw them into the new planters. With Wifey's latest foray into project work with the kids, their study of worms, Red was absolutely amazing when Wifey picked up a nice juicy one and placed it in Red's palm. I don't even like to hold worms very much (too much like snakes I guess) but Red was just fine, looking intently at it as it wiggled around in her hand. Both she and Pudge were fascinated when I moved a bag of peat moss in the woods and we found 13 worms underneath. These kids are a lot of fun, and summer is going to be a blast around here with their inquisitiveness running rampant.<br /><br />Here they are, hamming it up...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg3h5J6jI/AAAAAAAADjM/0Ud1MnOHu68/s1600/042510_new_planters05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg3h5J6jI/AAAAAAAADjM/0Ud1MnOHu68/s200/042510_new_planters05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464239492502776370" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg4FoYhXI/AAAAAAAADjU/MPAzZaGAeoE/s1600/042510_new_planters06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg4FoYhXI/AAAAAAAADjU/MPAzZaGAeoE/s200/042510_new_planters06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464239502096106866" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg4bKuAjI/AAAAAAAADjc/uwU1lgrvwyA/s1600/042510_new_planters07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg4bKuAjI/AAAAAAAADjc/uwU1lgrvwyA/s200/042510_new_planters07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464239507877265970" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg46ArprI/AAAAAAAADjk/cWFfgGzer_Q/s1600/042510_new_planters08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S9Tg46ArprI/AAAAAAAADjk/cWFfgGzer_Q/s200/042510_new_planters08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464239516156667570" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br />I'm planning on getting the planting beds done next weekend. We'll see how that plan works out but I'm optimistic!!!Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-20811435188947133592010-04-20T14:30:00.004-04:002010-04-20T14:34:57.127-04:00I'm sorry - wha?Found this today while doing some research online.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S83zFYqWD_I/AAAAAAAADiU/xe60DsA2zpY/s1600/toyota_book.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 102px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S83zFYqWD_I/AAAAAAAADiU/xe60DsA2zpY/s400/toyota_book.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462289196915232754" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I'm sorry - what? Oh, wait! It was published in 2008 - you know, right before it was found out that Toyota was lying to federal investigators and its customers about potentially fatal flaws in the design of it's most popular vehicles. Well... that's alright then.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-64288647633913374182010-04-18T09:46:00.013-04:002010-04-18T20:50:41.002-04:00A tale of two RedsSoccer practice for Red. So much anticipation, so much opportunity for fun, excitement, breakdowns... oh yes, you get the idea. Last week was Week 1, and we started out with high hopes:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQbvpuUFI/AAAAAAAADgU/43cgVCTgzAk/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQbvpuUFI/AAAAAAAADgU/43cgVCTgzAk/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461477041950838866" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQbWft2LI/AAAAAAAADgM/ys1iJeL693w/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQbWft2LI/AAAAAAAADgM/ys1iJeL693w/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461477035197978802" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Wifey was awesome. She ran, cheerleaded, cajoled, encouraged... all was great.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQa7jX98I/AAAAAAAADgE/GG2f4rj_MuY/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQa7jX98I/AAAAAAAADgE/GG2f4rj_MuY/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461477027965564866" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQGeD9icI/AAAAAAAADf8/jgvuv1-N4aU/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQGeD9icI/AAAAAAAADf8/jgvuv1-N4aU/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476676451797442" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQF6WZidI/AAAAAAAADf0/T4HO0MhtLNs/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQF6WZidI/AAAAAAAADf0/T4HO0MhtLNs/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476666865453522" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQFcfbW9I/AAAAAAAADfs/bGQ_PVkmVVA/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQFcfbW9I/AAAAAAAADfs/bGQ_PVkmVVA/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476658850257874" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQE8DJJ7I/AAAAAAAADfk/iNLZbIUnDgw/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQE8DJJ7I/AAAAAAAADfk/iNLZbIUnDgw/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476650141689778" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQEshnNnI/AAAAAAAADfc/RmAB6ayBxEc/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sQEshnNnI/AAAAAAAADfc/RmAB6ayBxEc/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476645974521458" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPmhgdJeI/AAAAAAAADfU/TBj8YymgPuo/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice09.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPmhgdJeI/AAAAAAAADfU/TBj8YymgPuo/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476127620802018" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Yes, all was great, for about 10 minutes. Then, Wifey had the sheer audacity to suggest to Red that she shouldn't use her hands to pick up the ball. Oh... my... God... the break down was instantaneous and absolute.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlz0PPWI/AAAAAAAADfM/yF95Qd_UGvQ/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlz0PPWI/AAAAAAAADfM/yF95Qd_UGvQ/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476115355745634" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlpQhd8I/AAAAAAAADfE/GcvwyTPdUBc/s1600/041010_first_soccer_practice11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlpQhd8I/AAAAAAAADfE/GcvwyTPdUBc/s200/041010_first_soccer_practice11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476112521590722" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Suffice it to say that practice ended early for our dear Red. We spent about 15 minutes sitting on the bleachers trying to get her to calm down - to no avail. We finally gave it up and moved up around the side of the Youth Center to where the little basketball court is and the kids were able to run around and play without the "pressure" of an organized practice.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlGZEMLI/AAAAAAAADe8/UsS9M6x1OxQ/s1600/041010_play_at_youth_center01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPlGZEMLI/AAAAAAAADe8/UsS9M6x1OxQ/s200/041010_play_at_youth_center01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476103162179762" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPkgk58QI/AAAAAAAADe0/p-U2Q_OCIcw/s1600/041010_play_at_youth_center02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sPkgk58QI/AAAAAAAADe0/p-U2Q_OCIcw/s200/041010_play_at_youth_center02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461476093011292418" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Week 2 was yesterday and it was so much different - thanks to Wifey's week-long campaign of preparation for Red. They talked about the rules, what to expect, how fun it would be, etc. And Red rocked the house. Until another breakdown threatened to bring the storm clouds once again...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4-940LI/AAAAAAAADhU/AIKxGRz0qRs/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice07.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4-940LI/AAAAAAAADhU/AIKxGRz0qRs/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice07.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461484141347918002" border="0" /></a><br />But again, Wifey to the rescue. Apparently Red was confused and upset because the group and coaches were playing a game that she didn't know the rules to. All week long Wifey had been prepping her for playing Red light-green light and Simon Says - two games they played the week before that confused her - causing the breakdown. But she was ready this week:<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9tx3Sdlux4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/i9tx3Sdlux4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/F05uCZaCXXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/F05uCZaCXXg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />So while Red was ready for those a new game caused her to be unsure about what was going on. It seems that my little girl and her older brother both share that anxiety gene - they both need to know what's going on, what's going to happen, in order to be comfortable. But like I said, Wifey got her quickly calmed down and back into the action and all went really well. YEAH!!!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saURS6oGI/AAAAAAAADiE/iBm1p8BWZ7E/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saURS6oGI/AAAAAAAADiE/iBm1p8BWZ7E/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461487908659306594" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saTqr_qdI/AAAAAAAADh8/vrVBp4d_RQY/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saTqr_qdI/AAAAAAAADh8/vrVBp4d_RQY/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461487898295511506" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saS5FQGmI/AAAAAAAADh0/51m-gPPuNvY/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice03.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saS5FQGmI/AAAAAAAADh0/51m-gPPuNvY/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice03.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461487884979673698" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saSWvXA3I/AAAAAAAADhs/zKeKEIK5m2g/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice04.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8saSWvXA3I/AAAAAAAADhs/zKeKEIK5m2g/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice04.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461487875761046386" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW54bnOxI/AAAAAAAADhk/Huk0I6ZKNW4/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice05.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW54bnOxI/AAAAAAAADhk/Huk0I6ZKNW4/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice05.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461484156773415698" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW5PO4lzI/AAAAAAAADhc/QHgTcM8Qwt8/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW5PO4lzI/AAAAAAAADhc/QHgTcM8Qwt8/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461484145714173746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4uE8pMI/AAAAAAAADhM/CwNB8THU64s/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4uE8pMI/AAAAAAAADhM/CwNB8THU64s/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461484136814126274" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4PDrUZI/AAAAAAAADhE/iyjE7dvWx0A/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice09.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sW4PDrUZI/AAAAAAAADhE/iyjE7dvWx0A/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice09.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461484128487297426" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVzG8OTBI/AAAAAAAADg8/XNk0_h4sd10/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVzG8OTBI/AAAAAAAADg8/XNk0_h4sd10/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461482940897578002" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVytcTiBI/AAAAAAAADg0/bHoEGE_LVP4/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice11.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVytcTiBI/AAAAAAAADg0/bHoEGE_LVP4/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice11.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461482934052816914" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVyTRWG8I/AAAAAAAADgs/-s-NaQYaP6U/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVyTRWG8I/AAAAAAAADgs/-s-NaQYaP6U/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461482927027526594" border="0" /></a> - Jazz-Hands Mommy?<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVx3qyZoI/AAAAAAAADgk/9sE28ZMvCcc/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVx3qyZoI/AAAAAAAADgk/9sE28ZMvCcc/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461482919618045570" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVxrGVzYI/AAAAAAAADgc/9HYICYDhFns/s1600/041710_second_soccer_practice14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8sVxrGVzYI/AAAAAAAADgc/9HYICYDhFns/s200/041710_second_soccer_practice14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461482916243950978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />It seems that Red might actually get to have some fun with this whole thing which is awesome because she loves to be moving, running, kicking... a little sporty lady to be sure... and soccer just seems like a natural outlet.<br /><br />Here's hoping.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-55445663601187776722010-04-15T22:15:00.003-04:002010-04-15T22:56:13.742-04:00Community PrioritiesGot an email tonight through our community's listserv that I thought was a bit misguided, through no fault of the sender. Seems this person is a member of a tennis player's club or some such and they've been working for a while to get the tennis courts in my community resurfaced and lights put in. In and of itself - a very valiant effort and a true benefit to our community. Now it looks like the City Council will be discussing the funding for the project and she's trying to get folks to speak out, for or against the plan.<br /><br />Here's part of her message:<br /><br /><blockquote>It has taken several years to get to this point - where the Council might actually be considering making repairs. We have a very real concern that the city council will not approve the entire budget needed to resurface the courts (#1 - #4) and install the needed lights on all 8 courts. Please come and be part of the audience so the city council is reminded of the number of active tennis players in our community. Or come to give your opinion pro or con.</blockquote><br />I used the word misguided in the beginning of this, and even with the general usefulness of her cause I still feel that way. Why? Because of the overall lack of _any_ suitable basketball court anywhere in the city. These folks are trying to get pretty usable (if I remember correctly) tennis courts resurfaced while there are absolutely zero usable basketball courts anywhere in town. Here was my response to her message:<br /><br /><blockquote>This is in response to _____'s message about possible resurfacing of the Braden tennis courts. While I agree that it is important to repair the much used tennis courts I need to put something else out there for public consumption - the almost absolute lack of quality outdoor (or indoor for that matter) basketball courts in our community. I'm not sure what argument I could make to gain the attention of the city council, especially if a seemingly well organized group like Ellen's has been working for years to get repairs done on the tennis courts, but the current situation is absolutely laughable. This is even more true with our being a community where so many of our youth are eager for spaces to gather and play.<br /><br />I started to compile a list of "courts" spaced around Greenbelt and on paper it seems quite impressive. I use quotes because none are close to full size, none have lights, most are downright dangerous. I know I don't have an absolutely accurate count but there are at least a dozen in various states of repair, and none are in any condition to play a safe game. I'd like the tennis players to try playing one game on the basketball court at Greenbelt Lake then you'd understand what's going on here.<br /><br />Again, not taking anything away from the tennis players of our community, but if we had to make a decision according to the pure numbers of potential players I think building at least one decent basketball court would win. Or, maybe it's because most of those potential basketball players are young, non-voting, and (am I allowed to point out without starting a brouhaha?) *whispering* minority, that revitalizing our city's basketball courts hasn't happened?</blockquote><br />I'm wondering if there's any hope of going to the meeting Monday night when they discuss this issue. Pretty sure JAM has a baseball game so it unlikely but at least, through this message, I've put my opinion out there.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-49480153765844665992010-04-12T10:21:00.005-04:002010-04-12T11:05:26.300-04:00Don't let the door hit you in the...I got the strangest and most amazing phone call Saturday afternoon. When we started baseball practice this spring JAM and I were so excited. New coach, yours truly helping out again, JAM didn't lose much over the winter, just good times ahead. Then, he showed up. Again. Remember the <a href="http://www.morninglightmama.com/2008/05/take-me-out-to-madhouse.html">coach from hell</a>? Yup, back with his poor kid who obviously doesn't want to be anywhere near a baseball field. His "hot Latino blood" - direct quote from his wife as she apologized for him last year - <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8MzwQ1rO8I/AAAAAAAADek/W1V2Vyg7b5M/s1600/angry-coach.jpg"><img style="margin: 5px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 149px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S8MzwQ1rO8I/AAAAAAAADek/W1V2Vyg7b5M/s320/angry-coach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459264077550009282" border="0" /></a>overflowing at his kid and others. I feel so sorry for that poor boy. He either has no aptitude for the game or he just doesn't want to play with his father around so he does absolutely nothing on the field. Just a bad situation.<br /><br />Until blissful Saturday afternoon. A little while after JAM and I got back from practice (from which Idiot Coach and his boy were absent) Good Coach calls me up and asks if "anything happened" between Idiot Coach and myself. Now, I'll be the first to admit that I wasn't inviting Idiot Coach over for tea and crumpets but I made a concerted effort to be as polite and accepting of him as possible this year. I've said hello while he's ignored me (we didn't leave last year on the best of terms after I had to tell him to stop yelling at kids all the time and to do something to help the kids other than stand there with the score book in his hands during games). I've made pains to help his kid try to get better without screaming at him. I just tried to act like he was any other person, not someone with whom I haven't had the best relationship with. Clean slates you know? Even if it is obvious you are trying to project your unfulfilled baseball dreams onto a kid who doesn't care a lick about it.<br /><br />So back to the phone call. After Good Coach asks me if anything happened I'm wracking my brain. Did something happen and I not notice? Did I say anything that I shouldn't have? Did my general lack of understanding social norms come into play here? Nope, I couldn't come up with anything. Then, I remembered something - something so insignificant that I forgot about it immediately after it happened. IC (Idiot Coach - my fingers are getting tired) butted in while I was attempting to help out a kid totally new to baseball try to become a pitcher.<br /><blockquote>Side note - yes, we have a team made up of 15 kids either totally new to this level of baseball or totally new to baseball in general. JAM is going to be a 9 y.o shortstop and GC's kid will be an 8 y.o. third baseman. Yup, it's going to be a banner year.</blockquote>So IC butts in while I'm trying to help this kid and he starts explaining how the kid needs to stay balanced while he pitches "otherwise you're going to fall on your ass." I'm sorry, WHAT? You say this to a 9 y.o. shrinking violet of a kid? I interrupted and told him to watch the language, and I thought we moved on from there because he immediately corrected himself and we went on with helping the kid.<br /><br />That's it. That's the only thing I can think of. Honest. So imagine my surprise when GC tells me that IC's wife called the commissioner and asked that her son be traded to another team because IC and I can't get along. At first I laughed because dude, you've got to make your wife make the call? Then, I was mad because I've really made an effort here. Then, it dawned on me. It must be my birthday! We're going to lose both IC and his kid (who can't throw or catch) who we were going to have to play somewhere in the field. It was impossible to keep the smile off my face. It grew even bigger when GC confided that he wasn't the least bit upset at the development.<br /><br />Goodbye IC, I hope all the best for you and your poor little boy. I just look forward to seeing you on the other sideline this year.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-38847090321066902642010-04-05T22:29:00.011-04:002010-04-06T00:00:34.451-04:00What a beautiful day for a walkIt would be just my luck to plan for a day off and have it end up being 50 degrees and rainy. Imagine my shock that today turned out to be about as beautiful as it could possibly be. Wifey asked me to take the day off as it was the last day of JAM's spring break and she had planned a doctor's appt for him. When a follow-up for Pudge was planned at the last minute (and she had to admit that she's been unable to find a way to successfully clone herself to be at both appointments at the same time) I was called in for backup. SOOOO happy I was. As soon as the appointments were over, and we shoveled some lunch down the kid's gullets, we set out for the Metro to catch what I thought was the cherry trees in full bloom.<br /><br />Oops.<br /><br />We ended up being about two days too late.<br /><br />No matter though. We had a great walk around the Tidal Basin with D, C and J, took a TON of pictures, and then had a picnic on the lawn outside of the National Archives before heading home. Yes, a thoroughly enjoyable - and very bloggable- day.<br /><br />Let's start with one of those "Owners end up looking like their pets" pictures. Both of these guys were pretty funny but the guy on the right took the cake. I think his bulldog ate his neck.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpH2STlxI/AAAAAAAADbU/AQjyg5lG6EM/s1600/040510_DC_trip48.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpH2STlxI/AAAAAAAADbU/AQjyg5lG6EM/s200/040510_DC_trip48.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859850809251602" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqBscPilI/AAAAAAAADd8/odq9ISZRLK4/s1600/040510_DC_trip01b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqBscPilI/AAAAAAAADd8/odq9ISZRLK4/s200/040510_DC_trip01b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860844598987346" border="0" /></a> - Us, Cherry Blossom Style<br /><br />Pics from the walk around the Basin.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqBJDN6OI/AAAAAAAADd0/FUGB4-t5qpM/s1600/040510_DC_trip02.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqBJDN6OI/AAAAAAAADd0/FUGB4-t5qpM/s200/040510_DC_trip02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860835098781922" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqAwgulEI/AAAAAAAADds/rgYuvMGQQns/s1600/040510_DC_trip05.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqAwgulEI/AAAAAAAADds/rgYuvMGQQns/s200/040510_DC_trip05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860828511671362" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqAMRpJ2I/AAAAAAAADdk/1Ej6sOmxhnM/s1600/040510_DC_trip06.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qqAMRpJ2I/AAAAAAAADdk/1Ej6sOmxhnM/s200/040510_DC_trip06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860818784724834" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp1PgWVTI/AAAAAAAADdc/s4onOZSml9E/s1600/040510_DC_trip07.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp1PgWVTI/AAAAAAAADdc/s4onOZSml9E/s200/040510_DC_trip07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860630673151282" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0zesetI/AAAAAAAADdU/r5JOYMx5Plk/s1600/040510_DC_trip12.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0zesetI/AAAAAAAADdU/r5JOYMx5Plk/s200/040510_DC_trip12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860623150021330" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0ljRYMI/AAAAAAAADdM/nuigF_fSnns/s1600/040510_DC_trip17.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0ljRYMI/AAAAAAAADdM/nuigF_fSnns/s200/040510_DC_trip17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860619411120322" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0L_CrXI/AAAAAAAADdE/AN84lqBcv8A/s1600/040510_DC_trip19.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qp0L_CrXI/AAAAAAAADdE/AN84lqBcv8A/s200/040510_DC_trip19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860612548275570" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpz2guLsI/AAAAAAAADc8/IOnTz-vt_VI/s1600/040510_DC_trip22.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpz2guLsI/AAAAAAAADc8/IOnTz-vt_VI/s200/040510_DC_trip22.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860606783958722" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpl6nnT-I/AAAAAAAADc0/SU0hjd6aI6Y/s1600/040510_DC_trip23.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpl6nnT-I/AAAAAAAADc0/SU0hjd6aI6Y/s200/040510_DC_trip23.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860367368441826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qplgJwnvI/AAAAAAAADcs/4NAUl10GUC4/s1600/040510_DC_trip25.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qplgJwnvI/AAAAAAAADcs/4NAUl10GUC4/s200/040510_DC_trip25.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860360263900914" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qplY5DJ8I/AAAAAAAADck/qE3NJ-7E5tE/s1600/040510_DC_trip27.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qplY5DJ8I/AAAAAAAADck/qE3NJ-7E5tE/s200/040510_DC_trip27.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860358314764226" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpk5tAwtI/AAAAAAAADcc/X5gG3Cu74QE/s1600/040510_DC_trip28.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpk5tAwtI/AAAAAAAADcc/X5gG3Cu74QE/s200/040510_DC_trip28.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860349942776530" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpkSv9iqI/AAAAAAAADcU/33qVy9zsEWo/s1600/040510_DC_trip31.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpkSv9iqI/AAAAAAAADcU/33qVy9zsEWo/s200/040510_DC_trip31.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860339486165666" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpXaKDaLI/AAAAAAAADcM/F2npk5qUD_4/s1600/040510_DC_trip32.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpXaKDaLI/AAAAAAAADcM/F2npk5qUD_4/s200/040510_DC_trip32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860118136350898" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpXPVRAVI/AAAAAAAADcE/6Cu_6EPzgO0/s1600/040510_DC_trip34.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpXPVRAVI/AAAAAAAADcE/6Cu_6EPzgO0/s200/040510_DC_trip34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860115230589266" border="0" /></a> - Me and my boys<br /><br />Ever seen the <a href="http://thisisphotobomb.com/">Photobomb blog</a>? Hysterical stuff man. We had our own little bomber hanging out with us today.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWybHBjI/AAAAAAAADb8/ShRFpl0EQOE/s1600/040510_DC_trip35.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWybHBjI/AAAAAAAADb8/ShRFpl0EQOE/s200/040510_DC_trip35.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860107470472754" border="0" /></a> - We'll call this one "The Lurker"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWnbJf8I/AAAAAAAADb0/8px7bFKyIN0/s1600/040510_DC_trip36b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWnbJf8I/AAAAAAAADb0/8px7bFKyIN0/s200/040510_DC_trip36b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860104517844930" border="0" /></a> - And this one "The Lurker Strikes Back"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpIvA2INI/AAAAAAAADbk/_d72VJ6tPX8/s1600/040510_DC_trip38.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpIvA2INI/AAAAAAAADbk/_d72VJ6tPX8/s200/040510_DC_trip38.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859866036838610" border="0" /></a> - Goofballs<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWRCcY3I/AAAAAAAADbs/q1y_kp1wUw0/s1600/040510_DC_trip37.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpWRCcY3I/AAAAAAAADbs/q1y_kp1wUw0/s200/040510_DC_trip37.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456860098508645234" border="0" /></a> - There are no words. I'm printing this one poster-sized for her wedding.<br /><br />You need to take the obligatory monument pictures right?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpIWKSMMI/AAAAAAAADbc/IiYtITgbLVU/s1600/040510_DC_trip46.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpIWKSMMI/AAAAAAAADbc/IiYtITgbLVU/s200/040510_DC_trip46.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859859365540034" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpHgKkCXI/AAAAAAAADbM/tqFofjUfBZ4/s1600/040510_DC_trip51.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpHgKkCXI/AAAAAAAADbM/tqFofjUfBZ4/s200/040510_DC_trip51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859844871194994" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />With the day so warm we stopped by the WWII Memorial and dipped our toes in. It was cold, but perfect.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpGdGlChI/AAAAAAAADbE/z28XlUITZns/s1600/040510_DC_trip57.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qpGdGlChI/AAAAAAAADbE/z28XlUITZns/s200/040510_DC_trip57.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859826869307922" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo5CmUijI/AAAAAAAADa8/tp0q9VqImFA/s1600/040510_DC_trip60.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo5CmUijI/AAAAAAAADa8/tp0q9VqImFA/s200/040510_DC_trip60.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859596416387634" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo5PR3QaI/AAAAAAAADa0/MT8KE3DQIOI/s1600/040510_DC_trip65.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo5PR3QaI/AAAAAAAADa0/MT8KE3DQIOI/s200/040510_DC_trip65.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859599820243362" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo40YvgeI/AAAAAAAADas/GYhXfcDFmL8/s1600/040510_DC_trip66b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo40YvgeI/AAAAAAAADas/GYhXfcDFmL8/s200/040510_DC_trip66b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859592601338338" border="0" /></a> - Of course Red decided to be anti-picture at just the right moment<br /></div><br />Picnic and run around time before heading back to the Metro for the ride home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo4gQK2mI/AAAAAAAADak/yFhrt3syQtE/s1600/040510_DC_trip68.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo4gQK2mI/AAAAAAAADak/yFhrt3syQtE/s200/040510_DC_trip68.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859587196672610" border="0" /></a> - mmmmm. Pudge LIKE Nutella!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo4VVKXEI/AAAAAAAADac/vF5gO6m6lGU/s1600/040510_DC_trip69.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qo4VVKXEI/AAAAAAAADac/vF5gO6m6lGU/s200/040510_DC_trip69.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859584264821826" border="0" /></a> - Red's a fan too. Wonder where they get that from?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoqmesEYI/AAAAAAAADaU/v5LUrLudne0/s1600/040510_DC_trip70.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoqmesEYI/AAAAAAAADaU/v5LUrLudne0/s200/040510_DC_trip70.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859348350013826" border="0" /></a> - ???? Sometimes I wonder what is really rattling around in that noggin of his.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoqSrtK0I/AAAAAAAADaM/seZI4ksC65k/s1600/040510_DC_trip71.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoqSrtK0I/AAAAAAAADaM/seZI4ksC65k/s200/040510_DC_trip71.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859343035902786" border="0" /></a> - Man, who's that handsome devil?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qopQ_PbLI/AAAAAAAADZ8/rOv_ipSGr1U/s1600/040510_DC_trip80.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qopQ_PbLI/AAAAAAAADZ8/rOv_ipSGr1U/s200/040510_DC_trip80.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859325401099442" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoo3DmumI/AAAAAAAADZ0/SKwDp2kz9PE/s1600/040510_DC_trip81.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoo3DmumI/AAAAAAAADZ0/SKwDp2kz9PE/s200/040510_DC_trip81.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859318440082018" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoarCCKoI/AAAAAAAADZs/90iIiqp_qWQ/s1600/040510_DC_trip82.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoarCCKoI/AAAAAAAADZs/90iIiqp_qWQ/s200/040510_DC_trip82.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859074694097538" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoaAUgp2I/AAAAAAAADZc/KqzLFtD0eQA/s1600/040510_DC_trip84.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoaAUgp2I/AAAAAAAADZc/KqzLFtD0eQA/s200/040510_DC_trip84.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859063228868450" border="0" /></a><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoajq9WeI/AAAAAAAADZk/iOqExohYq1o/s1600/040510_DC_trip83.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoajq9WeI/AAAAAAAADZk/iOqExohYq1o/s200/040510_DC_trip83.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859072718264802" border="0" /></a> - Extreme CLOSE-UP!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoZ6F21TI/AAAAAAAADZU/Xj8A-LlqXcY/s1600/040510_DC_trip85.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoZ6F21TI/AAAAAAAADZU/Xj8A-LlqXcY/s200/040510_DC_trip85.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859061556794674" border="0" /></a> - Pudge running after some poor birds. The birds were far smarter than Pudge though and took off as soon as he got anywhere close.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoZeP9TWI/AAAAAAAADZM/cA-746MTcg0/s1600/040510_DC_trip86.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S7qoZeP9TWI/AAAAAAAADZM/cA-746MTcg0/s200/040510_DC_trip86.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456859054082968930" border="0" /></a> - We'll call this - "Here Birdie, Birdie!"Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-57321843280733350662010-03-17T22:51:00.004-04:002010-03-18T00:20:16.462-04:00I finally know what I want to be......when I grow up. Or, when I continue to refuse to grow up I guess is more appropriate. Tonight was the final class and "performance" for JAM and I at our Parent-Child Circus Camp. This is the same class that <a href="http://www.kiwanji.com/2010/03/sweat-revenge.html">I posted about the other day</a> where I got to take out a little aggression on JAM. We had an absolute blast each Wednesday for a few weeks, learning a lot about juggling, stilt walking, diablo, devil sticks, partner gymnastics, etc. If you've never had a chance to see <a href="http://www.profools.com/">Greg May</a> in action we really do recommend it. Greg has risen to become something of a mythical creature in our house with JAM being enthralled with him for years and Red and Pudge soon following along. In fact, Greg's high-pitched, laugh-inducing "It's NOT FUNNY!" has been known to ring out loud and proud around our house.<br /><br />Yes, JAM and I got our chance to perform (let's just call that a loosely defined term) tonight, for a huge audience (i.e. about 20 people made up of friends and families of the campers). We had so much fun that I had to post about it here and share the glory that graced the Greenbelt Gym this evening...<br /><br />Here's JAM and I with "Circus Greg" as he's been dubbed around our house -<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdbIRdH8I/AAAAAAAADYs/Bnfz5Rlx3ms/s1600-h/031710_circus_camp_performance10.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdbIRdH8I/AAAAAAAADYs/Bnfz5Rlx3ms/s200/031710_circus_camp_performance10.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810113497735106" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Some of the crew:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdcKSHltI/AAAAAAAADZE/X3ND9Zg9mwM/s1600-h/031710_circus_camp_performance01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdcKSHltI/AAAAAAAADZE/X3ND9Zg9mwM/s200/031710_circus_camp_performance01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810131217258194" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The whole class getting into the mix with some different group stacking:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdbwGc6CI/AAAAAAAADY8/xltxht23fx8/s1600-h/031710_circus_camp_performance02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6GdbwGc6CI/AAAAAAAADY8/xltxht23fx8/s200/031710_circus_camp_performance02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810124189001762" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6Gdbkwgg_I/AAAAAAAADY0/pZwWJunQq74/s1600-h/031710_circus_camp_performance06.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S6Gdbkwgg_I/AAAAAAAADY0/pZwWJunQq74/s200/031710_circus_camp_performance06.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449810121144173554" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />The lighting in that gym is horrendous. We don't usually look as... well... yellow I guess. Wifey did her best, while being tapped with child-wrangling duties as well, to get some pictures but the videos (below) are much more fun to watch.<br /><br />Our first trick - juggling. I spent pretty much my whole time getting better at juggling. I started knowing how to do the basic three-ball weave but by the end I was able to do the tricks you'll see here -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/U6XORsI0NOM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/U6XORsI0NOM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />This is JAM performing with some spinny thing but I can never remember its rightful name -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uwMaqU8UdnU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uwMaqU8UdnU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Here's JAM again with the diablo. He does a very cool trick but then it gets all tangled on him -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EnpzYSJaTkU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EnpzYSJaTkU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />JAM with his best trick by far - spool walking. Dude got so good at this he could go all the way down the length of two mats -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4BFeen2pDCc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4BFeen2pDCc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />I gotta say - I'm most proud of this -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/63aeD3sOfHE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/63aeD3sOfHE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />Here's JAM and I getting a little creative... then a little crazy -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/58Qacq6CO_U&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/58Qacq6CO_U&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />And finally, we ended it up with this huge merry-go-round trick -<br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/obKGrMVsxcY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/obKGrMVsxcY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />As you can tell, I absolutely loved my Wednesdays. Huge thanks to Wifey for making it possible for JAM and I - I can't wait until next year.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-59934291014462775682010-03-16T09:03:00.004-04:002010-03-16T09:23:09.402-04:00Who wouldn't want to go?<img style="margin: 5px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 280px; height: 53px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S5-FdBfAvZI/AAAAAAAADYk/ctENIEs_Mqg/s400/ted_logo.gif" alt="TED Logo" border="0" />I've posted a little bit about <a href="http://www.ted.com/" target="_blank">TED</a> in the past but this year I took my dream of going a step further - I actually applied. If you aren't familiar, applying to TED is no small feat. The mere idea of applying to go to a conference is just the first clue that something is different - and this is a very different sort of event. I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by some of the smartest people on the planet each and every day. The work that we do is truly marvelous, groundbreaking, and of such importance that I can't imagine working anywhere else. The only problem is - as an organization we live inside a very well defined box. There is a certain way of doing everything, very conservative but with good reason. Change isn't always positive right? I'm absolutely loving my professional life but I can't help but feel like inspiration is something that we should always be on the lookout for.<br /><br />Having the opportunity to attend TED would be a truly amazing experience. To immerse myself in that sea of intellect, to hear the stories of innovators and leaders, to be inspired by imaginations that I could only dream about... I eagerly await the response to my application. With all my fingers crossed. But in the meantime, I must be appeased by the thousands (?) of inspiring <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks" target="_blank">talks they've made available online</a> and watch their trailer once in a while. Again, who wouldn't want to go?<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="444" height="326"><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"><param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/TEDShortRemix_2008-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TEDShortRemix.2008-embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/embed/TEDShortRemix_2008-embed_high.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/TEDShortRemix.2008-embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0" width="444" height="326"></embed></object></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-31758173272097554322010-03-15T19:13:00.004-04:002010-03-15T20:19:55.615-04:00Sweet revengeIt's been nine years in the making, but it felt sooooooo good!!!<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zrmc67Ky2DM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zrmc67Ky2DM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><br /><br />This was JAM and I at Parent-Child Circus Camp during our next to last class tonight. Yes, tonight was Pie in the Face night for those that wanted to try it out. Me? No, I had no real interest in taking a plate of shaving cream in the kisser, but JAM was all for it and I was more than happy to oblige. See? I'm nothing if not a supportive and compassionate father. Whatever makes 'em happy right?<br /><br />Yes, I dance around like a goofball, and I'm not sure why my lovely wife let me go out of the house with that outfit on this morning, but you can hopefully excuse my exuberance at getting to smush my kid in the face with a pie. It's a must-do for every parent at least once.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-13850711146981982302010-03-13T13:26:00.003-05:002010-03-13T14:30:59.505-05:00Taking some time offI hate all those posts I see on people's blogs where they talk about why they haven't been posting for the last month. Well, maybe not hate, but why do they (we) do that? It isn't like anyone is waiting eagerly to see what the hell I've got to say. This is my place dangit, and I'll post when I've got something to say. That is... I'll post when I've got something to say or when Wifey says "hey, you haven't posted in a while - over a month actually - why is that?"<br /><br />Guess I didn't realize how long it'd been. And to be honest, I didn't really have an answer at first. After thinking about it, I think I came up with something... not much has been going on lately. I use this space mostly to document events, or post pictures, and during the long days of late winter there hasn't been much to talk about other than the monumental snow or the stomach bug and/or strep throat constantly destroying weekend plans including a long-anticipated date night tonight. Yup, good fun at the ol' homestead.<br /><br />There are some blog-potential events coming up soon. Today was supposed to be tryouts for JAM's first year of real baseball until three days of rain put a stop to that. We did start working out earlier this week though, that was awesome. I'm proud of him, he didn't lose that much over the winter, fielding-wise. Hitting is another story but I think some time at the batting cages will help with that. And I'm proud of me that I didn't get annoyingly upset when he was making mistakes. That's something I've been working hard on these last few years. Here's to progress! So as the spring moves along I'm looking forward to seeing how he does in real baseball. No more coaches on the field, no more machine pitch, real kids throwing real baseballs with real hits and real strikeouts. It'll be interesting to see how he deals with disappointment in front of peers in a competitive environment. We'll have our work cut out for us that's for sure.<br /><br />I've got a trip coming up in a week that should be fun as long as I'm not sick as a dog when I'm supposed to leave. Unfortunately, Wifey and the kids aren't able to join me (we tried - 4 plane tickets were too expensive) but I'll be headed down to Orlando for four days for an e-Learning conference. Looking forward to hearing what other people in my field are doing in a pretty nice place - right across the street from Downtown Disney. Would have been heaven to have someone come hang out with the kids and have Wifey join me but we're not that lucky.<br /><br />Red's b-day is coming up and poor Pudge keeps saying, pretty much every day, that it's Wifey's birthday because he knows his birthday can't come until after hers passes. Sorry kid, that ain't 'till November. :)<br /><br />I did start something that I've been meaning to do for years. I bought a used guitar and our friend C took some time one night to begin my lessons. We'll see how the lessons go but I've been enjoying playing for about 20-30 minutes most nights. I must be doing something right because I pretty much can't feel the tips of my fingers on my left hand. Oh, and I can play Marry Had a Little Lamb, the whole C scale and about 4 chords. I know... Metallica will be calling me any day now.<br /><br />That's it. Looking forward to some warmer days...Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-71690155351327214532010-02-09T23:23:00.002-05:002010-02-09T23:31:57.604-05:00Oh, I wish!With 5 inches of new snow on the ground (up to a possible 12 tonight - on top of the 2+ feet we got the other day), a fire in the fireplace, hanging with the Wife, life feels kind of good right now. To top it all off, work is already closed for tomorrow so there is no stress to be seen.<br /><br />So before heading off to bed I wanted to check the weather, just to see what they're saying lately. Going on to weather.com I was presented with this...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S3I2Q_3awGI/AAAAAAAADXg/EvXQ2DsOV0I/s1600-h/weather.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 143px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S3I2Q_3awGI/AAAAAAAADXg/EvXQ2DsOV0I/s400/weather.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436467365839290466" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />THAT is what I call beautifully targeted advertising.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-56268662543342319902010-02-07T09:42:00.003-05:002010-02-07T10:17:37.970-05:00Baby It's Cold Everywhere!19 degrees outside, 64 degrees inside. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V9YfA9uI/AAAAAAAADXY/9U1b_9Xchpk/s1600-h/020710_heat_pump01.JPG"><img style="margin: 5px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V9YfA9uI/AAAAAAAADXY/9U1b_9Xchpk/s200/020710_heat_pump01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435517050804041442" border="0" /></a>Can't turn the heat on because the heat pump is snowed under and I don't want it to burn out. Wouldn't do much good anyway, what kind of heat can a heat pump get out of 19 degree weather? Can't make a fire in the stove because we're out of wood in the holding bin outside and I haven't shoveled a walkway to the wood pile yet. Did I mention it was 19 degrees out there?<br /><br />So, what's a guy to do?<br /><br />Make bacon and eat apple cake of course! Oh, and a steaming mug of hot Tang helps too. Good, good times. And when Wifey adds a couple fried eggs to the mix the world is a very good place.<br /><br />What's apple cake you ask? Even if you didn't, I'ma tell you anyway. It's cake people! That you can, and should, be encouraged to eat for breakfast! In all its apple-cinnamony-sugary goodness!<br /><br />Witness-<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V9Ne3HBI/AAAAAAAADXQ/RoRUU2QVjy0/s1600-h/020710_apple_cake02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V9Ne3HBI/AAAAAAAADXQ/RoRUU2QVjy0/s200/020710_apple_cake02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435517047850605586" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V8zlQ8wI/AAAAAAAADXI/ka-CtC-LfCQ/s1600-h/020710_apple_cake01.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S27V8zlQ8wI/AAAAAAAADXI/ka-CtC-LfCQ/s200/020710_apple_cake01.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435517040898142978" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />It usually comes out a bit more firm than these pics let on, but who cares, a crumbly pile of apple cake is way better than anything else you can eat in the morning! And, if you're so inclined (read - this is for P if she wants to try it out):<br /><br />Apple Cake - courtesy of my mom-<br /><ul><li>Cut 4 apples into small chunks. Mix with 2 tbsp of cinnamon and 1/2 cup of sugar. Set aside.</li><li>Mix the following together until nice and thick - make sure there are no clumps of flour left, they don't taste good if you don't mix them in well:</li><ul><li>2 cups sugar</li><li>4 eggs</li><li>3/4 cup oil</li><li>1/2 cup orange juice</li><li>3 cups flour</li><li>3 tsp baking powder</li><li>1/4 tsp salt</li><li>1 tsp vanilla</li></ul><li>Fold apples into the batter (it will be thick).</li><li>Pour into a greased circle tube pan - don't use the fancy bundt pan, the cake will stick too much.</li><li>Bake 75 minutes at 350 degrees.</li><li>Enjoy your cakey goodness.<br /></li></ul><br />Oh, and for a brief public service announcement - Oscar Mayer bacon is the guvment cheese of the bacon world. This stuff is horrible. Almost no meat on this at all. What's that you ask? Of course I'm going to eat it, what kind of dumb question was that? Oh, you didn't ask that? Good, 'cause that would have been a really dumb question.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-22485557059958768242010-02-06T21:38:00.012-05:002010-02-06T23:22:38.598-05:00Snowpocalypse 2010Wow! Now that was a storm! Being a NY transplant to a state much further south, I've been wishing for this for years. We got a good one <a href="http://www.kiwanji.com/2009/12/winter-wonderland.html">back in December</a> and, except for the delayed visit from my beautiful K, we were so thankful for the winter wonderland we were able to go out and enjoy. Kids need to be able to go out and play in this type of weather. Some of the only childhood memories I haven't repressed are from great times outside in huge snowstorms back home. :)<br /><br />With the storm finally over we bundled up the three amigos and took a short walk (in distance only, short legs in deep snow makes for a lengthy stroll) around the neighborhood to see what Mother Nature had done to our community. With pictures rolling in to Facebook from friends all over we had to bring our camera with us to document the event. The little legs of two members of our party were very tired by the time we got back home, and the legs of the two biggest ones were pretty sore as well from having to bushwhack our way through the 2+ feet of untouched snow coming back to our house. I carried Red through, put her down on the other side and went back for Pudge so Wifey could concentrate on not slipping and breaking an ankle. By the time we got home I was ready to crawl into a hot tub... wish we had one of those.<br /><br />Enjoy the pics-<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uvc8jqFI/AAAAAAAADWw/al64zBZCX3c/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse01a.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uvc8jqFI/AAAAAAAADWw/al64zBZCX3c/s200/020610_snowpocalypse01a.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333193041684562" border="0" /></a> - Pudge, ready for battle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoper9VI/AAAAAAAADWo/7Gj3Cvt2o8c/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse02.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoper9VI/AAAAAAAADWo/7Gj3Cvt2o8c/s200/020610_snowpocalypse02.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333076146976082" border="0" /></a> - The snowbank on our back patio is taller than JAM. Pudge doesn't even stand a chance.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoW_AP0I/AAAAAAAADWg/CexekES7H5E/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse13.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoW_AP0I/AAAAAAAADWg/CexekES7H5E/s200/020610_snowpocalypse13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333071182249794" border="0" /></a> - Mondo icicles hanging from our roof. And yes, our Christmas lights are still up. Don't judge me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoDNdZDI/AAAAAAAADWY/RyCbiU5nlXg/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uoDNdZDI/AAAAAAAADWY/RyCbiU5nlXg/s200/020610_snowpocalypse14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333065874170930" border="0" /></a> - Snow up to Wifey's thighs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24unyKfiaI/AAAAAAAADWQ/NQyVUJOgKDA/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse16.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24unyKfiaI/AAAAAAAADWQ/NQyVUJOgKDA/s200/020610_snowpocalypse16.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333061298325922" border="0" /></a> - It's about to swallow Red!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24ung1zHTI/AAAAAAAADWI/ELk-vXwqCbo/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse17.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24ung1zHTI/AAAAAAAADWI/ELk-vXwqCbo/s200/020610_snowpocalypse17.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435333056648125746" border="0" /></a> - Pudge to the rescue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uUeemMfI/AAAAAAAADWA/0ZkL0nK5vyY/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse18.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uUeemMfI/AAAAAAAADWA/0ZkL0nK5vyY/s200/020610_snowpocalypse18.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332729596424690" border="0" /></a> - My angel making an angel. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uUICXimI/AAAAAAAADV4/XjprYEecUiE/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uUICXimI/AAAAAAAADV4/XjprYEecUiE/s200/020610_snowpocalypse21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332723572443746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTyHIIJI/AAAAAAAADVw/uxYjj-BbhBk/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse24.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTyHIIJI/AAAAAAAADVw/uxYjj-BbhBk/s200/020610_snowpocalypse24.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332717686825106" border="0" /></a> - My van's in there... somewhere.<br /><br />I love snowy trees. My favorite photo of all time is <a href="http://www.anseladams.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1808" target="_blank">Ansel Adams' Oak Tree, Snow Storm</a>. I know. poofta.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTciIENI/AAAAAAAADVo/kBV8MQd9u8Y/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse27.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTciIENI/AAAAAAAADVo/kBV8MQd9u8Y/s200/020610_snowpocalypse27.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332711894487250" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTF9KtJI/AAAAAAAADVg/ogZHX-hQf5U/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse30.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24uTF9KtJI/AAAAAAAADVg/ogZHX-hQf5U/s200/020610_snowpocalypse30.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332705833890962" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t8J-95II/AAAAAAAADVQ/JLhvXO4HY1U/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse38.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t8J-95II/AAAAAAAADVQ/JLhvXO4HY1U/s200/020610_snowpocalypse38.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332311778190466" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t8XwpofI/AAAAAAAADVY/eC1n9sEtR9E/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse33.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t8XwpofI/AAAAAAAADVY/eC1n9sEtR9E/s200/020610_snowpocalypse33.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332315476238834" border="0" /></a> - Our driveway, absolutely untouched. I don't think I'll be at work on Monday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t7pqLGII/AAAAAAAADVI/lo-_m5Oz51I/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse40.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t7pqLGII/AAAAAAAADVI/lo-_m5Oz51I/s200/020610_snowpocalypse40.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332303101040770" border="0" /></a> - Do we finally throw in the towel when we see the monster tow truck stuck in the snow?<br /><br />Um... would someone tell these people to get the hell out of the road?<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t7Ow_iCI/AAAAAAAADU4/I_3tQUdxRGU/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse42.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24t7Ow_iCI/AAAAAAAADU4/I_3tQUdxRGU/s200/020610_snowpocalypse42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435332295881885730" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24teo8_muI/AAAAAAAADUw/kXi6H04Vji8/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse45.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24teo8_muI/AAAAAAAADUw/kXi6H04Vji8/s200/020610_snowpocalypse45.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435331804695337698" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24teWWEFUI/AAAAAAAADUo/lxYVzqIaCkA/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse52.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24teWWEFUI/AAAAAAAADUo/lxYVzqIaCkA/s200/020610_snowpocalypse52.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435331799700215106" border="0" /></a> - Resting in a snow bank on the side of the road. Stay classy Greenbelt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24td9ExtEI/AAAAAAAADUg/10pPZs0mgwg/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse55.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24td9ExtEI/AAAAAAAADUg/10pPZs0mgwg/s200/020610_snowpocalypse55.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435331792916821058" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24tdYs-GzI/AAAAAAAADUY/F5Z7pO3JLCs/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse57.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24tdYs-GzI/AAAAAAAADUY/F5Z7pO3JLCs/s200/020610_snowpocalypse57.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435331783153294130" border="0" /></a> - Dunno, just liked it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24tdJGYyEI/AAAAAAAADUQ/t0VSYs84n6w/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse61.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24tdJGYyEI/AAAAAAAADUQ/t0VSYs84n6w/s200/020610_snowpocalypse61.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435331778964932674" border="0" /></a> - All was quiet on our abandoned roads.<br /><br />We walked down to the soccer/baseball field down the street to see how it looked. The snow was way too deep to do much but we played for a minute.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24srmb-41I/AAAAAAAADUI/r7eRQvqugcc/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse64.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24srmb-41I/AAAAAAAADUI/r7eRQvqugcc/s200/020610_snowpocalypse64.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330927846679378" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24srM7AxcI/AAAAAAAADUA/9h5HiEgC8Vg/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse65.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24srM7AxcI/AAAAAAAADUA/9h5HiEgC8Vg/s200/020610_snowpocalypse65.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330920997504450" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sq2U0m4I/AAAAAAAADT4/0HSu6z-N0Bo/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse66.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sq2U0m4I/AAAAAAAADT4/0HSu6z-N0Bo/s200/020610_snowpocalypse66.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330914931743618" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sqtUh_II/AAAAAAAADTw/XcOFcMU2XS4/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse69.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sqtUh_II/AAAAAAAADTw/XcOFcMU2XS4/s200/020610_snowpocalypse69.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330912514604162" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sqNloo8I/AAAAAAAADTo/76RruQ9SRqI/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse70.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sqNloo8I/AAAAAAAADTo/76RruQ9SRqI/s200/020610_snowpocalypse70.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330903996408770" border="0" /></a> - Cars just absolutely buried.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sW_4WuwI/AAAAAAAADTg/SZwKtjBC51k/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse71.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sW_4WuwI/AAAAAAAADTg/SZwKtjBC51k/s200/020610_snowpocalypse71.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330573899315970" border="0" /></a> - Quiet road at sunset.<br /><br />Our new playground. Wonder why no one was around?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sWo0vkwI/AAAAAAAADTY/FXLJksLquM4/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse73.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sWo0vkwI/AAAAAAAADTY/FXLJksLquM4/s200/020610_snowpocalypse73.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330567710151426" border="0" /></a> | <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sWCPOsgI/AAAAAAAADTQ/SvAGA41CeoI/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse74.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sWCPOsgI/AAAAAAAADTQ/SvAGA41CeoI/s200/020610_snowpocalypse74.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330557352260098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Check out this zoomed pic. Don't think I've ever seen something like this - the snow stacked up on the kiddy swings. This will be fun to think about during those hot summer days playing at the playground.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S247YIsKWYI/AAAAAAAADW4/VzHPTUc0oWQ/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse73_zoomed.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S247YIsKWYI/AAAAAAAADW4/VzHPTUc0oWQ/s200/020610_snowpocalypse73_zoomed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435347086118377858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sV01d5BI/AAAAAAAADTI/Ec6445DvcGE/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse76.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sV01d5BI/AAAAAAAADTI/Ec6445DvcGE/s200/020610_snowpocalypse76.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330553754543122" border="0" /></a> - Poor Pudge, with his little legs, was not at all happy about walking back up the hill. Especially as the snow plow hadn't been by yet and we were having to walk in tire ruts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sVbQS4gI/AAAAAAAADTA/8tJ1AOuIkgU/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse78.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24sVbQS4gI/AAAAAAAADTA/8tJ1AOuIkgU/s200/020610_snowpocalypse78.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435330546887746050" border="0" /></a> - Untouched snow - it was really pretty out. And so quiet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rwaSafPI/AAAAAAAADS4/IUdjn3C2ZnE/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse79.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rwaSafPI/AAAAAAAADS4/IUdjn3C2ZnE/s200/020610_snowpocalypse79.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435329910973037810" border="0" /></a> - If ever a sign was not needed, this was it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rwJjECmI/AAAAAAAADSw/AcThGNWTc88/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse80.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rwJjECmI/AAAAAAAADSw/AcThGNWTc88/s200/020610_snowpocalypse80.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435329906479467106" border="0" /></a> - Looking back down the hill at the buried cars. They're not going anywhere anytime soon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rv3qbADI/AAAAAAAADSo/S1zQeAjMhgE/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse81.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rv3qbADI/AAAAAAAADSo/S1zQeAjMhgE/s200/020610_snowpocalypse81.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435329901678493746" border="0" /></a> - Guess who's had enough?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rvWmma2I/AAAAAAAADSg/qbEFOK_cQBg/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse85.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rvWmma2I/AAAAAAAADSg/qbEFOK_cQBg/s200/020610_snowpocalypse85.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435329892804094818" border="0" /></a> - The wind was playing cool tricks with the snow in between the houses near us.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rvOQk3mI/AAAAAAAADSY/f3oFWAUUiN0/s1600-h/020610_snowpocalypse_us.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S24rvOQk3mI/AAAAAAAADSY/f3oFWAUUiN0/s200/020610_snowpocalypse_us.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435329890564234850" border="0" /></a> - Us. Wifey commented that we hadn't taken any pics, just us, in a long time. Well, consider that oversight rectified.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-71200132036032711862010-01-21T20:07:00.004-05:002010-01-21T20:17:18.073-05:00ProudEarlier tonight was just awesome. My big guy, who we spend wayyyy too much time trying to keep on the straight and narrow, absolutely wowed us twice in one night. First, the spelling bee.<br /><br />JAM brought home this monster spelling list that was something of a culminating list for 1st and 2nd quarters. 150ish words were on this thing. Some of them I don't think I'd be able to spell without writing them down (I am a man who LOVES SPELL CHECK!!!) It was a daunting list to say the least, especially for a kid who has to work as hard as he does to sit and concentrate on anything not Lego or Star Wars. But he and Wifey studied. And practiced. Hard. For many days. Practiced until words like thoroughbred and ninety nine and handkerchief came out flawlessly without fail.<br /><br />Then, today was the big day. Actually, it was supposed to be yesterday but they got a one day reprieve from their teacher. For most kids I think that would be a blessing but for our little man it was just another day for the anxiety to build up. He admitted to feeling "real nervous" this morning as he thought about the upcoming event. Did he back down though? Nope. He threw his hat into that purely optional ring (yeah, he could have sat it out if he had wanted, like about half the class decided to do) and he aced that sucka. You heard me - he's one of three finalists from his class now. Got all 13 words he was asked correct. Didn't even pass on a single word. And I'm bragging. And I'm happy to do it.<br /><br />The finals are tomorrow. The 3 finalists from each 4th grade class. As he said - "8 losers, 1 winner. I better be one of the winners." I didn't say he was the sharpest knife in the drawer, he just spells reel gud. Just like his old man.<br /><br />So as I sat here tonight watching him absolutely engrossed in his book (with toes on both feet tapping and his left hand playing with his lips, nose, and cheeks - always moving) I was just in awe of this amazing kid. He shows his beautiful head on occasion, like when Wifey posted on FB about yesterday morning when this neverseenbefore kid got up early, all on his own with no grumbling or arguing (a small miracle unto itself), made his bed, came downstairs and made his own lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S1j8TEFBBlI/AAAAAAAADSQ/UPTKR-RF5oc/s1600-h/IMG_5404.jpg"><img style="margin: 5px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S1j8TEFBBlI/AAAAAAAADSQ/UPTKR-RF5oc/s200/IMG_5404.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429366755237627474" border="0" /></a>Then, tonight, was proud moment of the day #2. We all loaded into the van to go see the big science fair backboard viewing thing at his school. They line up all the backboards and present the awards in the gym. It isn't anything formal, just a few hours when parents can walk through and check out all the different projects. In the middle of all the projects on rusting pennies and soda explosions and melting ice there was JAM's, sitting proud with his award taped on, and the smile on his face was priceless. He gave a little fist pump and I gave him a high five and that was it. No running around, no jumping up and down, no hysterics. Another piece of evidence that he's growing more mature every day. Of course I didn't think of taking a picture though. <span style="font-weight: bold;">*smacking head*</span> I take pictures of EVERYTHING and I miss that? I'll take one when it comes home for sure but in the moment would have been so much better.<br /><br />Yup, tonight was a proud night.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-31663936111508969902010-01-14T11:51:00.004-05:002010-01-14T12:01:45.197-05:00Two strikes against meBeing white, and very white at that, and being from upstate New York, did nothing to encourage a love for, or even an understanding of, jazz. I am sad to say that I just don't get it. Don't get me wrong, I've listed to some jazz (or what other people called jazz anyway - who am I to put a label on something I don't understand?) that I've totally gotten into. Usually the jazz I like involves horns and a sweet voice to go along with it so this video just makes me wonder. Apparently these guys are masters. The comments to this video talk about a "conversation" between the three musicians and how they never miss an opportunity to hit the right entrance or come back to a line. I'm sorry.... what?<br /><br />I need to get out more I think. Maybe find a club in DC that wouldn't mind a tall goofy white guy (with obvious confusion on his face) and his lady sitting in the back trying to fit in.<br /><br />Check them out - you might enjoy them at least...<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="446" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="bgColor" value="#ffffff"> <param name="flashvars" value="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HerbieHancock_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HerbieHancock-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=729&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=herbie_hancock_s_all_star_set;year=2009;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=live_music;theme=spectacular_performance;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_ted2009;event=TED2009;&preAdTag=tconf.ted/embed;tile=1;sz=512x288;"><embed src="http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf" pluginspace="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="#ffffff" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="vu=http://video.ted.com/talks/dynamic/HerbieHancock_2009-medium.flv&su=http://images.ted.com/images/ted/tedindex/embed-posters/HerbieHancock-2009.embed_thumbnail.jpg&vw=432&vh=240&ap=0&ti=729&introDuration=16500&adDuration=4000&postAdDuration=2000&adKeys=talk=herbie_hancock_s_all_star_set;year=2009;theme=new_on_ted_com;theme=live_music;theme=spectacular_performance;theme=the_creative_spark;theme=speaking_at_ted2009;event=TED2009;" width="446" height="326"></embed></object></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-58374051575934250062010-01-13T20:42:00.003-05:002010-01-13T21:04:04.829-05:00Go out of your way for this oneWifey was kind enough to let me go on a little sojourn down into the gift shop while on our date to <a href="http://www.franklinsbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Franklin's</a> the other night. In an effort to do some research (it was purely research, no personal enjoyment was intended at all!) for the impending beer tasting event I picked up a couple craft and micro brews that you can't really get anywhere else. No mass-produced or local stuff here - Franklin's really does a great job getting some out of the way stuff. It's NOT cheap in there, all their beers are imported by them, not distributors, so I could only get a few to sample. Had my first taste tonight, and it was heaven.<br /><br />It's my pleasure to introduce -<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S055wEX4kLI/AAAAAAAADSI/SJYQz1JREpQ/s1600-h/red_rocket.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 217px; height: 289px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S055wEX4kLI/AAAAAAAADSI/SJYQz1JREpQ/s400/red_rocket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426408467742625970" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Red Rocket from <a href="http://bearrepublic.com/" target="_blank">Bear Republic Brewery</a> in Healdsburg, California.<br /><br />One word.... awesome. Probably can't afford to keep it coming but it was a good choice, well worth the money. I do take donations though, or just in case you're thinking about birthday presents.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-71557545480724678092010-01-10T22:30:00.001-05:002010-01-10T22:31:57.110-05:00Just wowOther than you MUST see this, I have no words...<br /><br /><div align="center"><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IqTSl4Jme0Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IqTSl4Jme0Y&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-60183356371361838022010-01-08T12:16:00.003-05:002010-01-08T12:24:26.281-05:00Like I needed this?Driving to work today I got behind another car while they decided to clean their windshield. This kind of thing is usually annoying but no big deal right? You just turn your wipers on, squirt a little cleaner and presto - you've got a clean windshield too.<br /><br />Did this work for me? Take a wild <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">flippin</span>' guess.<br /><br />My wipers decided that my life was way too boring and they wanted to add a little excitement so instead of turning off in the normal down and stored position they would turn off by staying up on the windshield. Fantastic. Oh, and you know what made this even sweeter? I was getting on the Beltway when this happened.<br /><br />I did <a href="http://redhouseon7th.com/redhouse/howto/2009OldsmobileWiperRepair/index.html">find a site</a> where some kind soul had a similar problem (of all the sites that I found with solutions to this problem they were ALL about GM cars for some reason) who posted pictures and video about how he fixed it himself. Doesn't seem too difficult but now I'm looking at a few hours of working outside on my car in 20 degree temps this weekend.<br /><br />For some reason this isn't doing anything to lighten my recently rotten mood.<br /><br />Sorry Pepe but I'm never buying another GM.Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-73286570274818016412010-01-07T08:18:00.005-05:002010-01-07T08:36:13.488-05:00Oh how I love thee...What or who ever you happen to thank for the creation of this here 'verse, there are few things that can truly be praised worldwide. Pizza, Angel Falls, the Grand Canyon, James Cameron (seriously, did you see Avatar? Totally made up for Titanic), the Great Barrier Reef, Firefly... not a whole lot else though. Oh, except for one more thing....<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0Xh7-pysOI/AAAAAAAADR4/BpRQkklqXXM/s1600-h/homer-simpson-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423989746784448738" style="WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0Xh7-pysOI/AAAAAAAADR4/BpRQkklqXXM/s320/homer-simpson-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br />It's strange the things you find at work. I was minding my own business, trolling through our internal social network, checking out blog posts and reading people's bookmarks when I came across this...<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0XgPV3aoDI/AAAAAAAADRY/DsDnT1yEWvg/s1600-h/beer.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423987880409866290" style="WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0XgPV3aoDI/AAAAAAAADRY/DsDnT1yEWvg/s400/beer.png" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br />Yes folks, it is a handy dandy <strong><em>how to choose a beer</em></strong> chart. Where have you been all my life? Funny as hell and helpful to boot! Especially so considering a certain plan some friends and I are concocting for the Super Bowl party - a beer tournament. 64 beers (maybe 32, we're getting old), bracket style, best beer wins. I'm way more excited than I should be. I understand this and I embrace it. Don't judge me.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0XgPiwGxKI/AAAAAAAADRg/m0jESsJo7zU/s1600-h/homer_simpson_beer.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423987883868865698" style="WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/S0XgPiwGxKI/AAAAAAAADRg/m0jESsJo7zU/s400/homer_simpson_beer.gif" border="0" /></a></p><br />Hmmmm... Beer....Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5393574215775348342.post-69593615973852298622010-01-01T23:06:00.004-05:002010-01-01T23:14:34.965-05:00My wild thingsGoing through a ton of pics from the last few weeks, I've got a lot to catch up on. Not enough time to even make a dent in things tonight but I wanted to throw up this one that I took last night of the three amigos wearing the shirts I found for them for x-mas.<br /><br />Presenting... my little wild things...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/Sz7G4BqqSpI/AAAAAAAADRQ/r-SE0DDzK4Y/s1600-h/DSCF2388.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8fque0Kdd9g/Sz7G4BqqSpI/AAAAAAAADRQ/r-SE0DDzK4Y/s320/DSCF2388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421989667222997650" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Scott Mooneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08776228523778078474noreply@blogger.com2