Just relax already

This swine flu overreaction has gotten a little out of control. I agree with AmyBow to just turn off the television and go outside (unless of course you are living in the Northeast and suffer from allergies - damn tree pollen).

But I had to share this. Wouldn't it be nice if we could really blame this virus on this?



Or maybe not because that's just gross.

Have a great weekend.

So, did you go?

So many people who I know outside of the state of Virginia have been asking me since yesterday, "So, did you go see Obama?"

My answer?


Uh, NO.


Why not?


Number 1. D.C. was so tighten down with security, road blockages, needing special passes just to be able to ride the Metro and VRE (Virginia Railway Express), and bridge closings that there was no way we would have been able to go.

Number 2. 27 degrees. No more need be said.

Besides, it was nice to be able to watch history in the making from the comfort of our home (while Little Man was watching "Cars" downstairs) and a nice cup of hot tea.

Oh, and hubby could have gotten FREE tickets to the Inaugural Ball. The only problem with that? What to do with LMA.

My dad... he's still wanting an Obama mug. Guess I'll have to get one for him before they come to visit again.

Money savvy

Ever wonder if you are paying too much money for your cell phone plan or your internet access? Apprently, there is a website out there, Billshrink.com that can analyze your bills to find the best plans for you.

I haven't checked it out yet myself, but I thought it was too cool of an idea not to share.

Oh, and speaking about money. Has anyone seen the gas prices in the D.C. area lately?? Around the corner we are down to $1.59 per gallon for gas! Kick ass!

Can you believe it?

I can't believe it was just 2 weeks ago that I posted about our local gas price being below $2.50. Yesterday...



That's what I'm talking about! Since taking this photo, it has decreased another cent and a different gas station is down to $2.04! I remember the last time that we paid less than $2.00 per gallon was Valentine's Day 2006 when we lived in Burnsville, MN. As long as the prices keep going the way they are, I'm sure we'll see less than $2.00 (actually just south of us in Fredericksburg, VA already are seeing these prices!) before the end of the year.

If you check out Gas Buddy online, you can find the cheapest gas price in your area as well.

$2.45

Yes, I know. I said I would be posting about when Gramma and Pop-pop visited, but a lot has been going on since then. I've actually picked up another client and I'm getting ready to attend the Fall Festival in Lake Ridge. I'll be showcasing my work and hopefully spread the word about me and my scrap-tastic work!

Anyways, I've been meaning to take a picture of our local gas prices (actually at BJ's and Sam's Club), but today I forgot my camera....and I really wanted to tell everyone what our prices are here. Yes, the title is correct! $2.45!! How flipping cool is that?!! I filled up our gas guzzling Ford F-150 for only $57.50! Considering we've been on a stricter budget lately and have allotted $200 for gas per month, this leaves more money for groceries buying cricut cartridges on ebay!

So, I'll try really hard to get the "month in review" post up this week. Next week, I'll post about our visit to the local Fire Station and the local pumpkin patch/nursery. Then be prepared for some uber-cute halloween pictures next month! This year, Little Man is Tigger!

TTFN!

9/11/2008

Where were you seven years ago today? Seven years later and we are still remembering those we lost on 9/11. Living in the nation's capitol, we can't help but hear about the new memorial at the Pentagon. "In remembrance of the events of September 11, 2001, the Pentagon Memorial honors the 184 people whose lives were lost at the Pentagon and on American Airlines Flight 77, their families and all those who sacrifice that we may live in freedom." While viewing the website for the Pentagon Memorial I read about a program that I didn't know existed. I thought I would share it with you in hopes that you would pass the word along about "Project Compassion".



Project Compassion
Many of our 9/11 families are unaware of their eligibility for this special offering to obtain a gallery quality portrait of their loved one.

Since Project Compassion was founded in 2004, they have, as of July 1, shipped over 1,150 hero paintings to the loved ones of Americans who have died in active service, regardless of how or where, since September 11, 2001. These professionally framed, 18"x24" portraits of our military fallen men and women, created in oil on canvas and shipped to their families at no cost to them, are worth up to $10,000 each for similar works by their five professional, gallery represented, award winning portrait artists who selflessly have volunteered for this privilege for Project Compassion.

Yet this number tragically represents only 25% of the total number of post-9/11 military casualties of those families entitled to a Project Compassion hero portrait. Project Compassion is trying to reach out to the families of military loved ones - including those who died at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and all other military members who have died in active service.

Project Compassion does not judge the location or circumstances of death - whether illness, accident on or off base, suicide, or murder as well as overseas or combat casualties - any man or woman who has chosen to wear the American uniform during and since the attacks of September 11, 2001 is a hero to Project Compassion.

For full information on Project Compassion and their offering and their simple requirements to request your hero portrait, simply go to their website at www.heropaintings.com, or give them a call at (209) 966-3535, or write Marie Woolf, CEO and Executive Director, at Project Compassion, 3601 Old Highway, Catheys Valley CA 95306."

We might be ok after all

I saw this video for the first time on Catwoman's website. At first you think this is just another video...

And I completely agree with her that it makes you feel like the world is not that bad after all and might just turn out ok.



For complete information and to watch a few more videos from Matt, visit Where the hell is Matt?

Lost in the world

I have to admit, I'm not up to current events. Ever since I've had Little Man A, I've been lost in the world. Not up to date on current events, don't even know what weather pattern is heading our way (not that it's really that reliable lately). I used to watch Headline News on CNN throughout the day. Now that Little Man A is fascinated with the television, I'll only DVR some shows for him to watch later and we'll have SIRIUS satellite radio Kids Stuff on in the background. We get the paper every Sunday, but rarely do I sit and read every section... besides the comics (actually we get the ads and the comics on Saturday which we make reading them a family event). I try to be up to date, but the only thing I'm current on is children's fashion... and let's be honest that follows the lines of the adult world.

So, when this Sunday's paper came and on the front page was, of course, about the primaries and how Obama is leading Clinton, I decided I needed to read up on what was going on. If not the world, then atleast for the upcoming elections. I mean, I should be able to decide for myself who the "best" candidate may be for the next president.

But when you're skimming through the other sections, searching for other articles that seem interesting to read, and you come across this:



You kind of wonder.....

So, I peaked.....

Now, obviously some of you may know, I'm an animal lover, but these comparisons are hilarious! Take a look at this one:

Gwen Stefani

Simon Cowell
and my favorite...

a crying child.

Turns out these are from the infamous photographer, Jill Greenberg. Her signature is making her portraits seem as though they've been splashed with glitter and are posing for Victoria Secrets body shimmer line. She uses highlights, whitens the whites, and enhances the basic color of the photographed subject. Her current clients include Phillip Morris, Procter and Gamble, Target, and Paramount Pictures to name a few. In this case, monkeys.

The article goes on the tell that most of these primates that were used have their own portfolios including greeting cards, commercials, and even movies. Apparently, even renowned scientist Jane Goodall doesn't mind the portraits and commented in the London's Daily Mail about these "remarkable" monkey portraits.

"Study the faces of the great apes in these portraits and you will see just how closely related we are," Goodall wrote. "Look into the eyes of these glorious beings, read their wrinkles, examine their expressions. You will find wisdom, innocence, humour, even moodiness. They are more human than you ever thought."

Are you sure we're talking about the same portraits?? Maybe she didn't see Simon's portrait next to it. Oh well, I'll try again this Sunday. Wish me luck.