So, what do you think about the new look?
It will take a bit of getting used to but I've been looking for something like this for a while.
As it says in the bottom left hand corner, it was designed by "designsbyjenn" and was free off the internet (well, nothing in life is free...)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Internet Challenges Associated with Living in The Boonies
We've been having intermittent internet since Friday. We've been out almost all of today.
Poor Ed, he had two phone conferences today, makes it tough with no phone (as you know, we use VOIP and don't have a land line).
Ed's pretty sure that it's tree foliage that is our problem If that's the case, we'll need to install a tower (at least 40'). That's going to cost some money. We need to buy a (used) tower (~$30 for each 10', $120, new it's $150 per 10'), we need to have someone experienced to scale/build the tower (cost unknown) and then we need to pay our service provider to come out and re-establish the connection ($250). Assuming that's the problem...
If you're trying to get in touch with us and it's not urgent, please call and leave a voice message and/or email. When we (sporadically) get internet and/or pop over to The Sheriff's to check, we can get our voice message and emails and call you back.
If it's an emergency, call our cell phone or The Sheriff.
Just a reminder (Mom, smile) that calls IN TO and OUT OF our cell phone are long distance. Our calls ping off of a tower right near our house that is in another area code. You can imagine how much I love paying (unnecessary) long distance charges.
Poor Ed, he had two phone conferences today, makes it tough with no phone (as you know, we use VOIP and don't have a land line).
Ed's pretty sure that it's tree foliage that is our problem If that's the case, we'll need to install a tower (at least 40'). That's going to cost some money. We need to buy a (used) tower (~$30 for each 10', $120, new it's $150 per 10'), we need to have someone experienced to scale/build the tower (cost unknown) and then we need to pay our service provider to come out and re-establish the connection ($250). Assuming that's the problem...
If you're trying to get in touch with us and it's not urgent, please call and leave a voice message and/or email. When we (sporadically) get internet and/or pop over to The Sheriff's to check, we can get our voice message and emails and call you back.
If it's an emergency, call our cell phone or The Sheriff.
Just a reminder (Mom, smile) that calls IN TO and OUT OF our cell phone are long distance. Our calls ping off of a tower right near our house that is in another area code. You can imagine how much I love paying (unnecessary) long distance charges.
Besos, The ZooSunday, May 29, 2011
Tons of Events Going on in The Boonies
Yesterday afternoon, for the first time, we attended the Dandelion Festival. There was a lot to see; the opening of the new library, face painting, train taking kids around town, buskers, folk dancing, singing and playing, rock stage, art exhibits, food and drink to name a few.
We went because we wanted to see the Reptile Exhibit but they changed the time and date on us (to today) so we missed it. The kids couldn't have cared less. Max enjoyed chasing the bubbles that I made (I brought them with me) and Artemis spent her time cleaning up the area (read: picking up cigarette butts off the ground, her Mommy is so proud...). Sorry, no pictures (we forgot).
Today, we went over to Cousin Ethan's house for a BBQ. The adults ate; barbequed chicken breast with an assortment of 37 bbq sauce flavours (okay I'm slightly exaggerating but not by much), potato salad, spinach salad with raisins, tomatoes and walnuts (yum), fresh homemade bread with balsamic/oil dip, many different beverages (Christina has this really cool Keurig coffee machine). The day ended with Lemon Swirl Cheesecake. Once again, we forgot to take pictures. Next time for sure (no excuses) because Christina got a new Nikon D3000 camera. The kids tested out each others toys while the parents ran around and further baby proofed the house. Thanks for having us!
On the way home from Christina's, Ed noticed this "Clubhouse Swingset" (made by Little Tikes) disassembled and hidden in the front bushes of someone's house. I went in to ask about it and sure enough, they'd just put it out (a few hours earlier) and it was FREE. Their grandkids had outgrown it and hardly ever used it. Hopefully Ed can replace the bucket swings for our infant swings. Once he's through with it, it will look new. Score.
We spoke to Poppa and he is coming for a visit on Wednesday. Followed by Nanna's visit on June 8 (wow, it's almost June!?). We can hardly wait!
We are still accepting Haiku poems. Here's another one to get/keep your creative juices flowing. By the way, feel free to submit more than one (but at least submit one).
This Blog turned one
It has been a super year
Here's to many more
Have any Haikus of Your Own?
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A "Zoo'ed Up" First Blog'versary
One year ago today, I posted this wild and crazy introduction (well not really wild and crazy to the general populace but it was for The Zoo).
Since that time, we have made 129 posts (well 130 if you count this one). Not bad considering I didn't (read: couldn't) post for 102 days while we were in Mexico over the winter. Subtracting that, I posted 49.4% of the time (263/130). That won't win me any awards (read: sponsorships) but my Mom and Dad think I'm great so that has to count for something.
So, in celebration of The Zoo's First Blog'versary, we're having a giveaway (because that's what everyone does). However, unfortunately for you, it's not that easy because Ed's in charge. Allow me to explain.
Over dinner, I informed Ed about our Blog'versary. He immediately suggested that we pay everyone who commented one dollar (you can tell how big he thinks our readership is). To which I replied, we might be out up to $500 (after one friend tells another friend and so on and so on, by the way, what is that from? Note that Ed, of course, knows where this is from, note the "useless information" comment below). Being the "Finance Minister" (that's what Ed calls me), I immediately ixnay'ed that idea.
His next brilliant idea (brilliant only to himself and his mother) is to have everyone submit a "Haiku" poem. Of course, we're going to celebrate our First Blog'versary with a "Haiku" contest (doesn't everyone?).
In order to inspire you, I had Ed write (a happy, according to him) Haiku poem. Here it is...
I love mayonnaise
Fun for the whole Zoo
"Clean-up on aisle five"
For those of you who (still) choose to participate, please leave your poem in the comments section. The winner will NOT be selected by a randomly generated computer selector program (or whatever it's called, you know, the thing that everyone else in the universe uses). No, Ed will personally pick HIS favourite. Note that if you are the ONLY submission (very likely), he assures me that this does NOT mean that you will defacto win the prize (which we have yet to discuss).
Basically, I highly suggest that you do this because for some strange reason you want to and not because you'll win a prize (I mean, let's be honest, we're not that kind of people, whatever that means).
By the way, whoever said that "opposites attract" (seriously, who really said that?) was right! Ed knows more "useless information" than anyone I know. And, after 10 years together, I wouldn't trade him for anything.
Happy Haiku'ing!
Added after the fact. I just read the "Urban Dictionary" definition for "Haiku" (I was secretly hoping that I had created the verb "Haiku'ing") when I realized that Ed's poem wasn't right (can you spot the error?).
Added after the fact, again. Blogger is having some more problems, especially with comments. It's so bad that I can't even leave a comment on my own blog (well I can but it appears as if I'm Anonymous!?). In turn, for all of you that are desperately trying to submit your Haiku poems (you know you are), please feel free to email me; shood50 youknow hotmail youknow com.
Here is my reply to Amy's Haiku;
Brilliant Haiku!
Amy has set the bar high.
We have ONE comment.
(Just a little Haiku of my own)
Since that time, we have made 129 posts (well 130 if you count this one). Not bad considering I didn't (read: couldn't) post for 102 days while we were in Mexico over the winter. Subtracting that, I posted 49.4% of the time (263/130). That won't win me any awards (read: sponsorships) but my Mom and Dad think I'm great so that has to count for something.
So, in celebration of The Zoo's First Blog'versary, we're having a giveaway (because that's what everyone does). However, unfortunately for you, it's not that easy because Ed's in charge. Allow me to explain.
Over dinner, I informed Ed about our Blog'versary. He immediately suggested that we pay everyone who commented one dollar (you can tell how big he thinks our readership is). To which I replied, we might be out up to $500 (after one friend tells another friend and so on and so on, by the way, what is that from? Note that Ed, of course, knows where this is from, note the "useless information" comment below). Being the "Finance Minister" (that's what Ed calls me), I immediately ixnay'ed that idea.
His next brilliant idea (brilliant only to himself and his mother) is to have everyone submit a "Haiku" poem. Of course, we're going to celebrate our First Blog'versary with a "Haiku" contest (doesn't everyone?).
In order to inspire you, I had Ed write (a happy, according to him) Haiku poem. Here it is...
I love mayonnaise
Fun for the whole Zoo
"Clean-up on aisle five"
For those of you who (still) choose to participate, please leave your poem in the comments section. The winner will NOT be selected by a randomly generated computer selector program (or whatever it's called, you know, the thing that everyone else in the universe uses). No, Ed will personally pick HIS favourite. Note that if you are the ONLY submission (very likely), he assures me that this does NOT mean that you will defacto win the prize (which we have yet to discuss).
Basically, I highly suggest that you do this because for some strange reason you want to and not because you'll win a prize (I mean, let's be honest, we're not that kind of people, whatever that means).
By the way, whoever said that "opposites attract" (seriously, who really said that?) was right! Ed knows more "useless information" than anyone I know. And, after 10 years together, I wouldn't trade him for anything.
Happy Haiku'ing!
Added after the fact. I just read the "Urban Dictionary" definition for "Haiku" (I was secretly hoping that I had created the verb "Haiku'ing") when I realized that Ed's poem wasn't right (can you spot the error?).
Added after the fact, again. Blogger is having some more problems, especially with comments. It's so bad that I can't even leave a comment on my own blog (well I can but it appears as if I'm Anonymous!?). In turn, for all of you that are desperately trying to submit your Haiku poems (you know you are), please feel free to email me; shood50 youknow hotmail youknow com.
Here is my reply to Amy's Haiku;
Brilliant Haiku!
Amy has set the bar high.
We have ONE comment.
(Just a little Haiku of my own)
Reina's New Bionic Knee Surgery is a Success!
Note that at the bottom of this post, there are a few pictures of Reina's wound. There is a tiny droplet of dried blood (it looks black) and I don’t think it’s gory at all. In fact, I think that it looks very pretty. But, if you have a weak stomach, perhaps you should skip this post. In a nutshell, she’s doing great and should have a full recovery.
Reina had her ACL replacement surgery on Thursday evening. The surgery entails the replacement of the ACL with a synthetic product (they don’t reconnect/repair her own ACL). She has 17 little staples all in a neat row.
She doesn’t have any arthritis in her joint and all of her blood work came back normal. She’s in great shape for her eight plus years. The clinic said that she was one of the quickest recuperators ever! We are very proud and pleased.
She should start to use her leg after approximately two weeks. She has a follow-up appointment (to remove her staples) in two weeks. The initial recovery period takes eight weeks. She is expected to make a full recovery which will take up to six months.
She’s on two medications (pain killer and antibiotics) for 10 days and a joint care formula pellet for at least 11 weeks. Ed has to carry her in and out of the house (she can’t use the stairs). That’s no easy task considering she is 58 pounds. She has to wear an Elizabethan Collar and stay away from Phoenix. He’s a roughhouser (what Boxer isn’t) and has been caught licking her wound. She doesn't mind if we touch around her knee and is quick to lie on her back for a belly rub. Good ole Reina.
On a totally unrelated note, here’s a picture of Thursday nights dinner. Homemade pizza, yum! The pizza has; tomato sauce, thick slices of tomatoes, sundried tomatoes (we like tomatoes), oregano, kalamata olives, broccoli, chicken and feta cheese. I think that it was lacking a salty condiment (Ed thought it was perfect) and will add capers and/or anchovies next time. Mmm, I love anchovies.
Reina had her ACL replacement surgery on Thursday evening. The surgery entails the replacement of the ACL with a synthetic product (they don’t reconnect/repair her own ACL). She has 17 little staples all in a neat row.
She doesn’t have any arthritis in her joint and all of her blood work came back normal. She’s in great shape for her eight plus years. The clinic said that she was one of the quickest recuperators ever! We are very proud and pleased.
She should start to use her leg after approximately two weeks. She has a follow-up appointment (to remove her staples) in two weeks. The initial recovery period takes eight weeks. She is expected to make a full recovery which will take up to six months.
She’s on two medications (pain killer and antibiotics) for 10 days and a joint care formula pellet for at least 11 weeks. Ed has to carry her in and out of the house (she can’t use the stairs). That’s no easy task considering she is 58 pounds. She has to wear an Elizabethan Collar and stay away from Phoenix. He’s a roughhouser (what Boxer isn’t) and has been caught licking her wound. She doesn't mind if we touch around her knee and is quick to lie on her back for a belly rub. Good ole Reina.
On a totally unrelated note, here’s a picture of Thursday nights dinner. Homemade pizza, yum! The pizza has; tomato sauce, thick slices of tomatoes, sundried tomatoes (we like tomatoes), oregano, kalamata olives, broccoli, chicken and feta cheese. I think that it was lacking a salty condiment (Ed thought it was perfect) and will add capers and/or anchovies next time. Mmm, I love anchovies.
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