Monday, December 20, 2010

4, 4, 4, 4

Look what I caught :)

Christmas Gift

For the past 2 years (and our anniversary this year), Ryan and I have passed on buying gifts for each other and have gotten tattoos. Last Christmas Ryan got an anchor and I got a cherry blossom tree. This year I got a swallow and Ryan got a Day of the Dead skull. We have only taken quick pictures on Ryan's iPhone, so they aren't the best quality, but you get the idea...




The swallow, as well as bluebirds and sparrows, has always had a symbolic meaning for sailors because, before modern navigation technology, these birds were usually the first sign that land was near. A swallow tattoo for a sailor reflected his hope of coming home safely.

Another fact is that swallows return home every year, no matter where they are. Every year, Mission San Juan Capistrano in California plays host to this wonder of nature. A flock of the tiny birds numbering in the tens or even hundreds of thousands descends upon the mission in a grand display of the workings of migration.

The swallow is a bird that chooses a mate for life. Therefore a swallow tattoo is also a symbol for love and loyalty to the family.

Awesome Art

I came across this AWESOME ART today :) Check out how cool the shots are with Wall*E ---







Check out more of the art here.

Cutie Patootie

Mr. Matthew Man (our nephew) is such a cutie. Charlene did a photo shoot with him a few weeks ago. Deb just posted the slideshow on Facebook, so I just had to grab it. Check out the little man's pictures here. WAY TO GO DEB! THEY LOOK GREAT!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Facebook of CHRISTmas

Santa's Appointments

Here comes Santa Claus, for his beauty shop appointment

When Santa's having a bad hair day, he comes to see Susan Myers, a beautician who lives on a couple of rural acres outside Midland. Her business card announces her as "Santa's Personal Hairdresser."

Myers, 47, personally poofs the pompadours of 30 shopping mall and hobbyist Santas from Michigan and around the country each season, applying purple potions to dye their hair and beards into a touchable, believable snowy hue. Santas from around the country also mail her their beards and wigs to fluff during the off-season.

"The Santas are all like having a hundred Grampas," says Myers.

She developed the niche clientele through her friendship with Tom and Holly Valent, the Midland couple who run the Charles W. Howard Santa School, which draws about 100 participants to a four-day seminar every October.

A beautician for 30 years, Myers has ministered to Santas for 13 of those years. She started with Santa wigs.

"Grueling work. Lots of thick, snarly hair," she recalls. After her kids went to bed, she would work on the wigs while sitting on the floor watching television. "It would take a long time, because you have to extra careful with them -- wig hair does not grow back."


The rest of the article here.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Computer on TV

Ryan has been bugging me for months to get the cables that hook our computer up to our TV. We watch movies or TV shows on the computer (mostly on Hulu.com) and he always says how nice it would be to hook it up to our TV (especially since we got a bigger TV as an Easter gift from the McClurgs). I told him that maybe he should ask for the cables for Christmas, but he didn't. I suggested that we look on eBay for the cables (seeing as at the Apple Store we would have spent $100 on the 3 cables/ cords that we needed to make it work). Today the third cord came :) And we tried it. It works perfect. We will try and use it fully tomorrow (to watch A Christmas Carol). The BEST part is that we spent a total of $15 on the three cords!! WE SAVED $85!!! YAY!! Merry Christmas to us :)

Cover It Up

Another funny ad on my facebook page that came up...

Got your wiener covered?

http://www.shop.dachshunddelights.com/

The Hug-A-Dog CoverUp covers your wiener like no other coat. Long enough for the doxie's back, plus covers neck & chest. Easy-on.

I Heart Santa!

Mall Santa



Second Act: Douglas Gowin
Eighteen years ago, optician Douglas Gowin needed to find a second job to help pay the bills. With the holidays approaching, he found his true calling as Santa Claus.

Teddy Bear Toss

While tossing hats onto the ice when a player scores three goals might be hockey's most famous tossing tradition, it simply doesn't compare to the Technicolor grandeur of 23,096 teddy bears and other stuffed animals blanketing the rink as they did at the Calgary Hitmen game on Sunday:



For 16 years the Hitmen, who were co-owned by and named after former WWF champion Bret Hart, have held a Teddy Bear Toss to benefit over 50 charities in Alberta that work with children. On Monday, after the 23,000-strong toss, the players hand-delivered teddy bears to the Alberta Children's Hospital.

The original article here.

Rain?!

What the crap?! This is fire season... NOT rain season...



At least I have a SWEET husband that came to my work yesterday (in the rain) to pick up the scooter and ride it home and left me the car. (He has half days on Fridays so he was home and took one for the team) THANKS PETER PIE!

Hm.... But we are heading to this....



SNOW!

Not So Pure

I am GLAD this was NOT released by 'Pure Michigan' but still enjoyed it :)



PS Apparently there are a lot more of these, I just didn't take the time to watch them yet

All Good

All Good Things :)



The original post here.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Santa CALLED


Ryan has been quite the lucky boy! SANTA CALLED HIM ON THE PHONE TONIGHT! I caught a little of it on the voicemail, listen here. Ryan must have been a VERY good boy this year to get this much Santa love :) PS You can have Santa call your friends, loved ones, etc here.

Amazing Motorcycle Trips

Amazing Motorcycle Trips

The world is full of bike-friendly locations--spots with big curves, little to no traffic and boundless adventure. Motorcycle tourism can be a great way to indulge your riding habit and see some of the most beautiful places on the planet.

New Zealand
Forget bungee jumping and jet boat rides. The biggest thrill in the land of the long white cloud is taking to its lightly trafficked roads on a motorcycle tour or solo mission (top-notch bikes are available for rent in major cities on the north and south islands). Edelweiss Bike Travel offers 14-day jaunts of up to 2,430 miles, leaving from Christchurch on the South Island and circumnavigating the country's highlights before finishing in Auckland on the North Island. Roads are mostly of the tight-gripping-asphalt variety and suitable for beginner riders (although getting used to driving on the 'other side' is another animal entirely).


The rest of the article (and places) here.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Santa's Message

OMG - I sent Santa a letter about Ryan.... AND HE SENT RYAN A MESSAGE :)

Santa Claus has prepared a video message for Ryan with his PNP - Portable North Pole console.

Carlee thought you would like to watch it!

To watch it, click here:
http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/watch/guest/DZ1O-DVO7QgR0hFAxvRiHA

To ask Santa to make you a personalized message, go to http://www.portablenorthpole.tv.

DETROIT LIVES: PART 3



DETROIT LIVES: PART 3

Once the fourth-largest metropolis in America—some have called it the Death of the American Dream. Today, the young people of the Motor City are making it their own DIY paradise where rules are second to passion and creativity. They are creating the new Detroit on their own terms, against real adversity. We put our boots on and went exploring.

DETROIT LIVES: PART 2



DETROIT LIVES: PART 2

Once the fourth-largest metropolis in America—some have called it the Death of the American Dream. Today, the young people of the Motor City are making it their own DIY paradise where rules are second to passion and creativity. They are creating the new Detroit on their own terms, against real adversity. We put our boots on and went exploring.

DETROIT LIVES: PART 1



DETROIT LIVES: PART 1

Once the fourth-largest metropolis in America—some have called it the Death of the American Dream. Today, the young people of the Motor City are making it their own DIY paradise where rules are second to passion and creativity. They are creating the new Detroit on their own terms, against real adversity. We put our boots on and went exploring.

Christmas Countdown

We are in the SINGLE DIGITS!!



PS This timer was stopped around 7am PST (so all you East Coasters, you can subtract 3 more hours :) ).

'Tis Flying Season

Crazy Items Confiscated at Customs

Your palms may sweat a bit when you get to the front of the customs line, knowing you have one bottle of wine too many in your luggage. But that's nothing compared to what some travelers try to get away with. Think bear paws, live snakes, exotic animals, and some creatively packaged drugs.

Read on for a list of the craziest contraband confiscated by customs agents around the world.


The rest of the article here.

PS I think the tiger cub is my favorite. I mean if I found one I would for sure try to take him home with me :)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Easy Travel

Normally my Toms would be all I would pack, but since we are heading back to snowy Michigan, I think I will need to pack a few pairs of heavier shoes.



I will always love me some Toms! Maybe I'll even get a few new pairs for Christmas :)

Tripping a Player

NFL suspends Jets coach rest of season for tripping player

The NFL suspended New York Jets strength coach Sal Alosi for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs without pay for his intentional tripping of Miami Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll(notes) on Sunday. He was also fined $25,000. The announcement, first reported by Jay Glazer, came hours after an apologetic Alosi met with the New York media to reiterate his regret for the incident.

In a brief statement at Jets headquarters in New Jersey, Alosi told reporters that he had apologized to Carroll, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, Jets owner Woody Johnson, team general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan. He said he didn't offer his resignation and would be accepting of any punishment that was handed down.

That ended up being three games, and any potential Jets playoff games, without salary, an essential ban for the rest of the season. The decision was jointly decided upon by the Jets and the NFL. That, plus the fine, is a severe penalty for a coach who makes a working-man's salary, not the millions of dollars earned by the players he trains.


The rest of the article here.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Leaders & Legends

Not sure if I like it, but oh well.

Big Ten's 'Leaders,' 'Legends' divisions honor tradition of vague, intangible concepts

When the Big Ten decided to forsake a geographic split for "competitive balance" this summer, it left the conference with another dilemma: What are the new, six-team divisions forged by Nebraska's addition to the conference next year going to be called? They're not aligned North-South or East-West. They're not aligned along the Great Lakes or Great Plains or any other topographical lines. They're certainly not going to call them the "Rust" and "Belt" divisions.

No, the conference instead wanted division names that really embody what the Big Ten stands for, what it's all about: It's old, it has an amazing lineup of old (and often dead) heroes and it's committed to conveying its deep respect for the good old days. With that in mind, the conference on Monday introduced America to … drumroll, please … the Legends Division and the Leaders Division.

Obviously, you need a moment to let this milestone in branding brilliance sink in. Take your time while commissioner Jim Delany hunts down that annoying cricket.


The rest of the article here.

Awesome Gingerbread

Check out some of these AWESOME Gingerbread Houses





Sunday, December 12, 2010

DLand Secrets

Graveyards at Disneyland? Weird Finds at the 'Happiest Place on Earth'

When you visit Disneyland this time of year, it's easy to get distracted by the abundance of Christmas lights, decorations, holiday parades and costumed characters.

But look carefully around the theme park and you just may discover a few hidden things that give Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom a little bit of a wacky edge.

Californian Christopher Strodder knows all about the "secrets" of Disneyland, as he's been to the amusement park dozens of times throughout his life.

He's such a regular, he's even written a book called "The Disneyland Encyclopedia" (Santa Monica Press), an unofficial guide to everything there is to know about the iconic playground.

You may be distracted by the holiday lights and decorations at Disneyland this time of year, but if you look closely, lots of weird secrets are waiting to be discovered all over the iconic amusement park.

Strodder told AOL News that one of his weirdest discoveries while researching Disneyland was finding out just how many graveyards are actually scattered throughout the park.

Yes, graveyards.

"There are six or seven graveyards at Disneyland that can be easily seen if you take the time to look around. Four at the Haunted Mansion, including a pet cemetery, and one in the Storybook Land canal boat ride during the 'Alice 'n Wonderland' part. There's also a graveyard on Tom Sawyer Island," Strodder explained. "It's really odd, if you think about it, that there are so many tombstones at 'The Happiest Place On Earth.' "

Strodder -- who often visits Disneyland just to walk around and check out the sights without going on a single ride -- said visitors might also be surprised to learn just how many "hidden Mickeys" lurk around theme park.

If you look closely, he said, you can see Mickey's head on just about everything -- from countertops at restaurants and walls and bushes around the park to even more subtle Mickey heads arranged in knots on ropes at lines for rides.

"Nothing at Disneyland is ever accidental. Everything, even the hidden stuff, is put there so that guests will take notice and enjoy the details. Almost everything in the park has a backstory," Strodder said.


The rest of the article here.

Hair Cut

I got a hair cut today. I wasn't going to because I thought I would grow it again for Locks of Love (I have donated 10 inches twice in about the last 4 years or so). It had been about 6 months since my last trim, so I figured it was time :) I got about 3 inches cut off the length (to even out my layers that I had from about a year ago when I donated my hair the last time) and then some layers to 'frame' my face. This is a bad picture (just used the camera on the computer for a quick shot), but you get the idea.



What do you think?

Gnomeo and Juliet

I love the Leonardo DiCaprio Romeo and Juliet, but this might be a close second :)



Gnomeo and Juliet (2011)

Garden gnomes Gnomeo (voice of McAvoy) and Juliet (voice of Blunt) have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness? Written by Walt Disney Pictures

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Feeding the Eagles

FEEDING THE EAGLES

January of this year, 2010, the weather stayed so cold in St. Louis, Missouri and Alton, Illinois that the bald eagles were cruising over houses in hopes of a quick meal. They could not access fish that were at the bottom of the river and had gathered together. Some kind souls decided to feed the eagles so they would survive the cold spell. They gathered fish and started feeding the group of eagles huddled on the shore.

The photos below show what happened. A retired teacher took these photos in front of his home.

Incredible!


Feeding the Eagles!



A beautiful morning feeding the eagles, Jan. 2010



Once the fish were thrown, the eagles did not seem to fear the good Samaritans and word spread fast!



Eagles vying for the fish, January, 2010.



No zoom lens used here! The photographer was this close!



Here are the men who were feeding them. So close!!



As you know, it was not too long ago that the American Bald Eagle was an endangered species.

Waves of Hawaii

The Waves of Hawaii

Waimea Bay shore-break surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Clark Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with appearances on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and many local news stations across the U.S.

Clark Little on Good Morning America (2009):

It all started in 2007 when Clark's wife wanted a nice piece of art to decorate a wall.

Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out.

"Clark's view" is a unique view of the ocean that most will only

be able to experience safely on land while studying one of Clark 's photos.

Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel.

Since the recent stir of Clark 's work, his images have been run on the Today Show, ABC World News Now, Nature's Best Photography, Paris Match (France), La Vie (France), Hana Hou (Hawaiian Airlines) magazine, Surfer magazine, Surfer's Journal as well as multiple publishers and newspapers in the U.S. and overseas.

These incredible images of waves in the Hawaiian Islands were taken by Clark Little, the number one photographer of surf.








Ice Art

STRIPED ICEBERGS

Icebergs in the Antarctic area sometimes have stripes, formed by layers of snow that react to different conditions. Blue stripes are often created when a crevice in the ice sheet fills up with melt water and freezes so quickly that no bubbles form. When an iceberg falls into the sea, a layer of salty seawater can freeze to the underside. If this is rich in algae, it can form a green stripe. Brown, black and yellow lines are caused by sediment, picked up when the ice sheet grinds downhill towards the sea. These pictures are available because 2008 has been the coldest winter in Antarctica.






Antarctica Frozen Wave Pixs - Nature is amazing!

The water froze the instant the wave broke through the ice. That's what it is like in Antarctica where it is the coldest weather in decades. Water freezes the instant it comes in contact with the air. The temperature of the water is already some degrees below freezing. Just look at how the wave froze in mid-air!!!