Stealing Blogs??

I've talked to a few people lately who are considering buying a new camera and I've referenced a post in one of my fav blogs to follow and will now attempt to cut and paste that into my blog. Is this legal? Being new to Blogland, I've never considered searching out what the blog rules and regulations might be as I've been too preoccupied with finding my way around. Perhaps the Blog Secret Police will be knocking on my door during the night and whisk me away to the a scary dark interrogation room, until I confess my involvement in a global Blog conspiracy...I'm sure R. won't mind sharing her wealth of knowledge. I also hope to share her thoughts of "chopping of heads" (sounds conspiratorial doesn't it) in another blog.

The following is my "stolen" information:
New camera for Christmas?
I came across the specifications for this camera and I thought that it was blog-worthy, especially this close to Christmas. Sony's Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W80 is a fantastic little camera. It's really small, has a large screen and image stabilization, and it has remarkably low shutter lag. It's priced at just a little over $200 and it even comes in pink :-)Most people that I talk to are frustrated with their cameras because of long shutter lag. Shutter lag is that obnoxious time between when you press the button and when the camera takes the picture. It's usually enough time for someone to step between your subject and the camera or for your kid to run away, leaving you with an image of someones backside or an empty scene.Shutter lag is caused by the camera's need to auto focus. Every camera, no matter how nice, will have shutter lag--especially in dimly lit situations. A good rule of thumb for photography is to try to take pictures in situations with plenty of light. Try turning on lights, moving closer to a window, or doing an activity outside. Anything that allows more light will help. If you are going to do a project with your kids, and you know that you want to take pictures, look for good light. Truthfully, it isn't often possible to change these things or to plan ahead, but when you can ading more light will make picture taking less frustrating.If you are looking for a new camera give this one serious consideration.

Overcoming Fear (paralysis)

Today, instead of our usualy weekly piano lessons, the kids had a group lesson with other students who study under Mrs. Koeman. The teacher had split everyone up according to age, which Franchesca was very uncomfortable with as she is unfamiliar with most of the other students. We talked to Mrs. Koeman and agreed that joining Adrianna's group would probably make her more comfortable and make the group lesson much more enjoyable.

This morning upon waking, Franchesca's tummy hurt and she felt sure that she could not participate or attend piano today. Luckily Nathan's group went first which gave us an extra hour to let tummy's settle down and talk through other difficult activities such as going to the dentist, getting blood drawn, getting shots, etc... Solomon out nowhere brought me a book to read and had picked out a story on a moose having lot of "what-if's (worries) and how when he spoke the truth into them, they disappeared!! What perfect timing. I knew Franchesca was hearing the story although she was trying to make herself feel as ill as possible on the couch. Soon she was sitting up looking at the pics and her tummy had started to feel better. When the story ended with Bruce Moose conquering his fears, I plunged into my "assuming the sale" technique, talking about what we should wear to the lesson, what to do with our hair, etc...

Although she couldn't eat anything before we left, Franchesca bravely gathered her music and we headed down the driveway 15 minutes early at her request. I've learned that knowing more details about a new place helps her a lot and she wanted to be the first one there to have time to assess the situation. I could tell by her face that she was really close to caving in to fear but with some distraction in the form of a crossword puzzle on George F. Handel and seeing 3 nice, new girls who smiled and giggled she began to relax. After introductions, the girls were asked to play a piece of their choosing for all to hear. Franchesca confidently approached the piano and successfully played Minuet in G to a round of applause. This was followed by a study on Handel's Messiaah and cookies. What better reward for acting as David and slinging the stones in Goliath's face?

Vegetarian Thanksgiving?

I always have people ask me what I eat on Thanksgiving (since I don't eat turkey). I always ask them what they eat BESIDES turkey and the conversation usually takes a turn. We always have lots of our favorite traditional foods that we grew up with and yes, I do roast a turkey-if not the whole bird, then at least a good sized breast. Until this year, only Nathan, Franchesca and myself did not partake in the turkey. While we were recently on vacation, Solomon issued the proclamation (to his aunt) that indeed he had become a vegetarian. His willpower proved strong at dinner this week when chicken taco's were served, something that had become one of his fav's. After he devoured spanish rice and a little cheese on a tortilla, he held his plate up and said "see, I told you I was a vegetarian!".

Tonight, we sat down to feast on turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, broccoli, roasted sweet potatoes, and my favorite: cornbread sage dressing (not to be confused with stuffing as that requires being stuffed in "the bird"). It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the "green bean dish" (no casseroles here) and of course my Mother's glorious dinner rolls. We've also added a new twist on the old cranberry relish and added a cranberry mousse for some color and tartness. Solomon literally had mashed potatoes for dinner- plate after plate after plate. We told him that the gravy was TURKEY gravy yet he just smiled and continued to spoon it in. As we reclined by the fire afterward, we kept hearing something tinkling in the dining room and discovered it was Solomon who said he was "trying to get the chicken off the turkey phing". A photo of the "turkey phing" follows. Apparently he changed his mind. I think calling it chicken helped justify his decision.

Goal: Marshmellow Shooter

Nathan has been selling popcorn for Boy Scouts for the past month. When he discovered that prizes would be awarded, be became even more motivated. One night we all packed into the van, including all the popcorn that we had and went around the neighborhood selling popcorn. With much success around home, we started driving all over, to ask people we knew but had not seen in some time. Last week he turned in his order form, this week the Scout Master gave out HIS prizes (see photo below). This, in addition to the marshmellow shooter that will be coming from selling over $500, left one 11 year old boy very happy.

Acrostic sampler

The kids have been having fun working on acrostics, especially ones with their names and those of others. Guess who the author is by their topic.

Wiggly
On a hook
Round
Muddy

Frisky
In the water
Slimey
Hey, where's my worm?

Dirty
Outside alot
Understanding
Great

Big berms
Mega jumps
X-rays for Nathan's arm

Fast reader
Really nice
Artist
Niter (knitter)
Creative
Hinting
Enthusiastic
Subway lover
Crocheter
Athlete

Gymnast
Reader
A great friend
Crafty
Enchanting

Coffee with a stranger

Several weeks ago, Franchesca and I took the Amtrak out of Holland to Chicago. We had a nice ride in and thanks to the free trolley, we were at Chipolte's eating amazingly fresh Mex by 11:30 a.m. Then it was off to American Girl where a person can easily spend an afternoon (and a ton of money). After buying Nellie's pj's for girls and hitting a few other stores I really needed a good, hot mocha. I innocently sat down next to some unknown guy, who happened to be tall, dark and quite good looking. Franchesca, who was toting her new digital camera, didn't miss a beat and being the good reporter that she is, got it for all the world to see. She promptly reported my frolic to Doug when we returned.

He is made totally out of Lego's.

We've been experiencing technical difficulties...

Under the direction of my tech guru (who is also my photography mentor), I've learned to resize my photo before posting. This is due to living in the last place on earth that will have high-speed interenet access, (otherwise known around here as The Frozen Tundra). What follows should be that shot from Florida. When I get really good, I'll show a shot from 15 years ago (that I will have first scanned, then posted) and then a now shot.

Entering the Blog Zone

Welcome to our blog! After much pondering, I've decided that a family blog will be a good way to share our happenings with friends and family, and get me journaling about our life. The idea does seem a little overwhelming. With so many different aspects of our life, what will we blog about... Learning at home? Doug's portfolio of homes that is working on? Just the kids? Day to day living? We'll see how it develops. Because I have what I consider a "tech disability" it will probably take me some time just to figure this whole blogging thing out.

I'll begin by trying to add a photo of our recent trip to Florida as we celebrated 15 years of marriage. It was a nearly perfect trip with amazing weather and lots of down time for reading on the beach, collecting shells, playing backgammon and exploring the island in our little silver PT Cruiser convertable while listening to Christian jazz (think about that one). Thanks again to all who so generously contributed to our investment in our marriage.

As my dial-up allows, our blogging adventure begins...