Photohunt: Beautiful

From the iPhoto library, circa August 2003. It was the first year for the birds in their new stadium. I remember seeing that our seats were in the 200 section and expecting them to be really good. Little did I know that at Lincoln Financial Field the 200 level is the same as the 700 level used to be at Veteran's Stadium. The same because we were almost at the very top of the stadium, and because the 2 children with us (aged 3 and 4) did not deter anyone around us from yelling, cursing, throwing things, and fighting. (Click the link if you have no idea what I'm talking about.) Remember, this was just a meaningless preseason game, too. Ahh, Philly. A beautiful thing. Is it football season yet? I'm ready!! E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

You Know, For Kids

Ever since we got to try out the Wii Fit at a recent outdoor music festival, we've been dying to get it. It took a couple of months, but Amazon finally came through. After just 1/2 hour with it, I have decided that I totally love it. There are 3 reasons:

1. My Wii Fit age is 7 years less than my actual age.

2. The Wii Fit as a scale is NOT the same as the scale in my doctor's office. Let's just say I'm going with Wii Fit as my scale from now on. (And if adding the extenders to the bottom to take into account the thicker carpet would correct this, I'm pretty sure I lost them.)

3. In Wii Fit, I can hula hoop like a madwoman. I cannot hula hoop in real life. Never could, not for more than about 6 seconds. In the world of Wii, I can have multiple hoops going, while still leaning and catching more. Kinda like this picture, only with a much higher score.



I've set my goal, and I gave myself 2 months to achieve it. Hopefully I will still love my Wii by then.

Photohunt: Wrinkled

This is a shot from Venice Beach, California, from June 2003. His shirt is completely wrinkled, it's tough to see unless you enlarge the picture I guess. The wrinkles in his pants are pretty obvious, aren't they? I remember that it was a really sunny day, but kind of breezy. I tipped the guy at least a buck, I'm sure, and I don't think he moved the whole time I stood there. Tough way to make a living.

This is my Photohunt from my current iPhoto library. (Hey, that's hunting too.) I'll be on the lookout today for a current shot to add for the theme. Although I think the only place I'm going is the mall, and while I know I will see plenty of wrinkles there, I doubt I'll photograph them!

If you happen to know a little something about cameras, leave a suggestion in your comments of a good camera you'd recommend. I have a Canon Elph, which is perfect to grab and go because it is so small. But I'm now thinking I might like an upgrade, something with a better lens, something I might even have to take a class to learn how to use. If you have one you like that is not too ridiculously expensive, please tell me what kind it is.

As Seen On TV

Since we got Tivo a few years ago, I rarely watch commercials. Even if I'm watching something "live", I find some reason to pause it for a few minutes and end up being about 15 minutes behind. Just enough to be able to utilize the fabulous 30-second skip feature and blow past all of the commercials.

When I am forced to watch commercials, the infomercial types are my favorite. Not just the 30-minute type, but even the normal length ones that tout amazing products. I admit that I own several of these "As Seen on TV" products. And there are a few that I want. There are also a few that I don't ever want.

I Have These

Turbie Twist Purchased at Bed Bath & Beyond many years ago for the bargain price of 2 for $10. Works just as advertised, although I only use it immediately after the shower, I don't wear it hanging out around the house.

Wen My most recent purchase, I found a big selection on Amazon so I decided to splurge and try it. It's very unique, and although it does make my hair feel really nice, I'm not sure that it's worth the price--around 3 times as much as my previous shampoo. Also has a strong menthol thing going on, so it feels like smearing Vicks Vapo-Rub all over your head, which is a bit odd until you get used to it.

OpenX I couldn't resist this purchase, found somewhere last year while Christmas shopping. I thought it would make Christmas morning and all of those maddening plastic packages a bit easier to deal with. It works basically as advertised, worth the $10 I paid for it I guess.

One Touch Can Opener I got this as a gift, and I must say it totally works as advertised, and I use it all the time.

Aqua Globes I saw these at CVS a few weeks ago and figured why not? Looking at my jungle of tomato plants, you might think that my houseplants are thriving. Not so. Aqua Globes seem to have helped, although you clearly have to use them in the proper sized plant or the results won't be so great.

Slim in 6 This is the only product I remember ever ordering after watching the 30 minute infomercial. I was at my Mom's house and couldn't sleep, and there isn't much on at 4:00 am. Not that it makes it much better, but I didn't call the 800 number, I did go to the computer and order it online. It sat unopened in my closet for about 9 months, then this spring I remembered it and tried it out. It's basically an exercise DVD and some resistance bands. For $75. One of the bands broke after 3 weeks of daily use, and when I emailed them about it they wouldn't send me a new one.

I Want These

Peticure This is brilliant. Have you ever cut a dog’s toenails and cut a teeny bit too short? Do you know that it just bleeds for half an hour and there is nothing you can do? Anything that can help me avoid that fiasco again I’m all for.

ShamWow It’s made in Germany, and you know they make good stuff. (??)

Tobi I only iron when it is absolutely necessary. This makes getting wrinkles out look fun!


I Won’t Be Buying These

PedEgg This probably works just fine, but seeing the egg filled with flakes of dried foot skin dumped into the trash-can in the commercial is just too gross.

Inner Health Sole Pads Maybe these work too, but I don’t really want to see all of my body’s toxins on a pad I pull off of the bottom of my feet. Other than socks, shoes, and pedicures, I don’t really need much else for my feet I guess.

I have a feeling that there are many people that like these types of products WAY more than I do. Any that you'd care to recommend?

Gorgeousness and Gorgeosity Made Flesh

I'd like to thank my landscaper, for the lovely soil he brought me; the nursery, for the perfect (once) little tomato plants; mother nature, for her generous rain showers at critical junctures; my next door neighbor, for his meticulous watering while we were on vacation; my daughter, for her help and hope and for bursting into song with each of our first fruits; and last but not least, Luna, my diligent, fierce beaglador bunny patrol.


She deserves a rest, she's been busy.

PhotoHunt: Clouds

My new weekly ritual, I think, is going to be Saturday PhotoHunt. It's fun to scroll through iPhoto looking for the perfect picture for the theme. This is from Portland, Maine, October 2003. It was beautiful, but colder than I expected. I don't recall seeing the sun too much that whole trip, but I guess you don't really go to Maine in October for sun. You go for lobster.

Update 9:30pm
I found myself very aware of the clouds today, and I took this picture about an hour ago. It was sunny, but the breeze was rolling in along with the dark sky. Luckily we made it home before any rain.