BEADING AND BEADING

Why does beading take so long? I have been working on this quilt forever. Of course I don't work on it but one month out of each year. It is my project that I pick up and put down more times than I can count. The shepard is still in paper since I haven't started him yet. He is there for scale. Perhaps I will pick it up today and do a bit of work on it.

SATURDAY FUN WITH MICHAEL

MICHAEL JACKSON TURNS 50

Here's something really off the wall: Michael Jackson has been with us for half a 100 years now. Michael Jackson turns 50, yes 50, today, August 29. THE DEAL: Young Michael joins brothers Marlon, Jackie, Tito and Jermaine in Ripples & Waves Plus Michael. They become the Jackson Brothers and then the Jackson 5 and sign with Motown in 1968. THE SONG: "I Want You Back" THE DEAL: The J5 begins releasing hit albums with 1969's " Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5." Most of America hears "I Want You Back" for the first time and is smitten. Fifty is nifty and Michael Jackson is getting on the AARP mailing list this year. Check it out: http://www.popeater.com/music/article/michael-jackson-faces-50th-birthday/144833?feeddeeplinkNum=0

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR LANE EVERYDAY: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/gillette/reporter/vote.jsp?loc=astros&vid=72246820cb117a02eb13e6cff77b0b61

DROPPING OFF OUR DAUGHTER

As you all know from earlier posts we are now empty nesters. We moved our daughter into her dorm last weekend and she is now comfortably settled in, attending classes and sharing a small dorm room. Here are a few pictures from the weekend. We saw trains, planes, and automobiles on our drive to Austin. We had a great dinner with the kids at SKI SHORES CAFE on Lake Austin. Everyone helped to get her moved into the dorm with as few trips up and down the elevators as possible! We even saw cotton fields on the way there and on the way home.

TALKING PHOTO BOOTH

Today will feature something you’ll find in any amusement park. It’s a photo booth. Only this photo booth has attitude. Patrons get much more than a picture.

This video is from a regular segment on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The show places a free photo booth at Universal Studios Hollywood. Comedian Kira Soltanovich provides the booth’s voice.

This is somewhat similar to the old Candid Camera. But Soltanovich is really quick and really funny. I laughed all the way through this video.

click below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abK7kQ-Mn80&feature=related

SEND OUT THE E MAIL BLAST

LANE ZIEBEN

Lane Zieben - Body Wash

Favorite baseball position?

My favorite position has to be third base. This position involves the player having to use all of their physical abilities. Range, throwing power, and reflexes are important to protect the line. Plus, third basemen are important on offense.

More important - lather or fragrance?

Fragrance is more important. Usually it's important to be a good conversationalist, but its even better to have your smell do the talking: the silent conversationalist.

Most embarrassing baseball moment?

The Chicago Cubs were in town, and while sitting in the outfield, I yelled a challenge to Sammy Sosa to hit a homerun to our section. The next inning a fly ball cam our way, and unfortunately I missed catching the homerun that he hit.

Favorite ballpark food?

The hot dog has the be the staple food for anyone at a baseball game. However, at Minute Maid Park the Texas-sized jumbo dongs make even the most boring games enjoyable. Just make sure you get it with a Texas-sized drink.

Click the tab UNDER his picture!!!! You can vote only once a day, everyday till September 25th.

vote now:

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/gillette/reporter/vote.jsp?loc=astros&vid=72246820cb117a02eb13e6cff77b0b61

MLB ROOKIE REPORTERS

Beginning August 25, MLB® will put 48 Gillette® MLB® Rookie Reporters to the test! My son, Lane, is one of the finalists in this contest!!

PLEASE Vote August 25-September 14 for your favorite. The top vote-getter will land the ultimate sports reporter gig: covering the 2008 World Series® for MLB.com. I know that everyone out there will send out an e mail blast for me to help get Lane the top vote.Here is the MLB link to pass on to your friends.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/fan_forum/gillette/reporter/vote.jsp?loc=astros&vid=c9361934ebf7a1dbb5a2c33922a8524f

Lane is the body wash guy so click on the "vote for your candidate" under his name. You can also see one of the commercials he did for TV. whenever the Astros are playing on TV. Tonight at 6:10 is one the first times it will be broadcast.

August Monday, August 25 @ Mets 6:10 PM FSN KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Tuesday, August 26 vs Reds 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Wednesday, August 27 vs Reds 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Thursday, August 28 vs Reds 1:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Friday, August 29 vs Cardinals 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Saturday, August 30 vs Cardinals 6:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Sunday, August 31 vs Cardinals 1:05 PM my20-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) September Monday, September 1 @ Cubs 3:05 PM my20 KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Tuesday, September 2 @ Cubs 7:05 PM FSN KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Wednesday, September 3 @ Cubs 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Friday, September 5 @ Rockies 8:05 PM FSN KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Saturday, September 6 @ Rockies 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Sunday, September 7 @ Rockies 2:05 PM my20 KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Monday, September 8 vs Pirates 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Tuesday, September 9 vs Pirates 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Wednesday, September 10 vs Pirates 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Thursday, September 11 vs Pirates 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Friday, September 12 vs Cubs 7:05 PM FSN-HD, CSN (Sp.) KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Saturday, September 13 vs Cubs 6:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Sunday, September 14 vs Cubs 1:05 PM my20-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Tuesday, September 16 @ Marlins 6:10 PM FSN KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Wednesday, September 17 @ Marlins 6:10 PM FSN KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Thursday, September 18 @ Marlins 6:10 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Friday, September 19 @ Pirates 6:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Saturday, September 20 @ Pirates 6:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Sunday, September 21 @ Pirates 12:35 PM my20 KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Tuesday, September 23 vs Reds 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Wednesday, September 24 vs Reds 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.) Thursday, September 25 vs Reds 7:05 PM FSN-HD KTRH 740, KLAT 1010 (Sp.)
@ Mets	6:10 PM	FSN

EMPTY NEST SYNDROME

Definition

Empty Nest Syndrome refers to feelings of depression, sadness, and or grief experienced by parents after children leave for college.

Symptoms

Feelings of sadness are normal at this time. Feelings of surprise, when you find your money disappearing yet again to cover tuition, room and board, are VERY normal.

Our third child just moved into her college dorm this weekend! Thus...

WE ARE NOW EMPTY NESTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AGE IS A QUESTION

I knew it wouldn't be long before these gymnast's ages would be investigated!!! Having been in gymnastics most of my life I knew something wasn't right when we saw these pixie girls on TV. It was reported today that the The International Olympic Committee has asked gymnastics officials to look into whether China's women's gymnastics team used underaged competitors. It is about time! The latest came from a blogger known as "Stryde Hax." The blogger claims to have uncovered proof that Chinese gymnast He Kexin is only 14. Check this video out: http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/21/gymnasts.age/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

BACK TO THE SIXTIES

Click the link below to experience the sixties:

http://cruzintheavenue.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm I used to really enjoy reading MAD magazine. How many of you remember it?

BEIJING FOODS

THIS HAS TO BE SOME OF THE STRANGEST ASIAN FOODS OFFERED IN BEIJING! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE LINE UP TO EAT THESE FOODS. YOU WOULD NEVER CATCH ME TRYING THEM. NOT EVEN ONE BITE. HOW ABOUT YOU????????

EARTH MOTHER

My attempt at putting together a quilt for the Houston Quilt Festival Journal Quilt Project. It was an assignment to show the earth's elements. You could pick one, EARTH, FIRE, WATER, AIR, or use them all. I chose to use all of them in a quilt I called: EARTH MOTHER. She is someone that you don't want to fool with! I fun working on this project. I especially loved the beading work. It is hard to see in the photograph above but I will take a better picture of it soon.

ROBERT EARL KEEN

Think one day I could play with my favorite artist, Robert Earl Keen?????? Check out the link below to listen to some of his music. I hope to attend this festival!

http://www.aclfestival.com/artistdiscovery/default.asp?id=126

THE BOUNCING BALL

http://mazzanet.id.au/ball.php Saturday fun... Just click the link and have fun chasing the ball with your mouse!!

AN AWESOME APPETIZER

An Awesome Appetizer for Knees and Hands

I was reading over my RealAge Tips that come to my mailbox each day and this really caught my eye. (especially since I am having such trouble with my big toe and arthritis) To keep your knees and hands free of arthritis, here's what you should have before each meal: a small salad. Why? Because the vitamin K in leafy greens -- think cabbage, spinach, and swiss chard, for starters -- could help reduce your risk of joint damage. Did you know that? I sure didn't...

In a study of older adults, those with higher blood levels of vitamin K were significantly less likely to develop the bone spurs and cartilage damage that are common in painful osteoarthritis. Hands seemed to benefit most, but people's knees got some protection, too. Just one word of caution: If you're on blood thinners, check with your doctor about appropriate K intake. Greens just not your thing? No problem. Broccoli and asparagus make tasty alternatives.

MEDAL AWARDS

This is the award you would receive if you were competing at the Beijing Olympics and won a gold medal. Isn't it beautiful? You can view the medal standings by nation at this link. Just click below: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/2008/medals/tracker/

WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS

Chinese gymnasts shine, but black cloud hovers over gold medal

BEIJING -- The night before the showdown with the Chinese, the U.S. women's gymnastics team gathered in the Olympic Village and watched the movie Miracle, which tells the story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team's miraculous gold medal run. It was supposed to get them into a we-can-do-anything mode. And for a while it seemed to work. They came out strong and head three strong vaults, three solid bar routines, and then there was the fall at the beginning of a beam routine, falling as she tried a front pike mount. Unfortunately their focus was lost.

The Chinese team were so young! Their passports are issued by a Chinese government that is very, very interested in winning lots and lots of gold medals, so while they may say they're 15 or 16, five of the six team members have the appearance of pre-pubescent children. "The little babies," is how U.S. coach Martha Karolyi refers to the Chinese gymnasts when speaking to her team, and they certainly are little. Li Shanshan (16) is 4-foot-9, 79 pounds. Yang Yilin (15) is 4-foot-11, 77 pounds. He Kexin (16) is 4-foot-8, 73 pounds. Jiang Yuyuan (16) is 4-foot-7, 71 pounds. But the prize goes to Deng Linlin (16), who's listed at 4-foot-6 and a strapping 68 pounds. She could take a nap in Yao Ming's sneaker. Poor thing's also missing a tooth. Please, someone send baby food.

So the Chinese women have their first-ever Olympic team gold medal. Good for them. But their prize will always be viewed under a cloud of suspicion -- prior to these Games, several publications, most notably The New York Times, found evidence that at least two of the Chinese gymnasts were only 14, two years younger than the Olympic minimum -- and to some extent the image of gymnastics has suffered a black eye. The Olympics is, above all else, based on the principles of fair competition, and the promotion of healthy bodies through sport. There is something mildly discomfiting about the sight of such tiny youngsters weighed down by the hopes of a nation, even after the gold medals are hanging around their feathery necks.

The USA took the silver medal which was excellent!

STICK FIGURES

I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN ONLY DRAW STICK FIGURES

SOOTHING MASK

The Skin Doc’s Smoothing, Soothing Oatmeal Mask: 2 tablespoons old-fashioned oats 2 tablespoons hot water 1/2 tablespoon honey

1. Put the oats into a clean herb or coffee grinder on the finest setting, and process into powder.
2. Pour into a small bowl and stir in hot water and honey. Let stand for 5 minutes.
3. Wash face with warm water. While skin is still damp, massage paste onto face, circling around eyes and mouth. Leave on for 10 minutes.
4. Remove with tepid water and a washcloth. Apply your favorite moisturizer to seal the deal and set the glow.

P.S.: Don’t stop eating oats just because you’ve transformed them into a beauty treatment! They’re hard to beat as a source of health-protective soluble fiber

PASSING ON THE TALENT

My daughter is giving art lessons this summer. Robyn is actually a former student of mine when she was in third grade. Now she is entering 10th grade and is interested in art. Avery is teaching her how to blend her colors and use colored pencils. The dogs nose is already looking great!

JACK JOHNSON

I wanted to introduce you to one of my favorite singers that you probably aren't familiar with. His name is Jack Hody Johnson. He is a Hawaii-born singer-songwriter, musician, filmmaker, and surfer who achieved commercial success. His music is best described as acoustic/soft rock.

Being the son of a famous surfer in the islands, Jeff Johnson, Jack Johnson naturally had an interest in surfing. He began surfing at the age of 5 and by the time he was 17 he made the finals at the Pipe trial and became the youngest invitee ever to do so. Johnson suffered a surfing accident when he was 17. While recovering from the accident, he acquired an interest in music. He attended Kahuku High School on the North Shore of Oahu. Johnson began writing songs during his college years at the University of California, Santa Barbara, having played the guitar since 14.

I really enjoy his music and would like you to check it out. Click this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-i_AcTz0UU