First Day of Summer

Water, Water... Water?

 
Monday marked the first week of summer school. *groan* *blech* *moan* *complain*  Actually, I should not really be complaining.  I am only taking one class and I have been really diligent about working every day and getting things posted super early.  What can I say, I like having a buffer -- a big buffer!  But, to be honest -- and I know you have heard this at least a dozen times -- I do not like school!  It is a means to an end, and I am so excited that the end is finally peeking over the horizon!

So, every morning this week, I have woken up and hit the books.  Lydia and I have to share my laptop for the classes we are both taking because she has an older version of Microsoft Office on her computer.  I take the morning shift and she takes the afternoon and evening shifts.  (Her class has waaaaaaaay more busy work than mine.)  It actually works out quite well, since it leaves my afternoons free for exercising, laundry, cleaning, and cooking.  Today, though, my daily schedule is all out of wack since we have no running water.  There is an external leak near one of our neighbors, so everyone's water had to be shut down to fix it.  It is amazing how much you cannot do without water.  My first thought was, "Okay, I'll delay my exercising till I can shower.  No big deal.  I can wait."  But as I wandered around the house preparing to do my usual regime, it hit me: no doing dishes, no washing laundry, can't clean the bathroom, cooking will dirty up the kitchen which I can't clean.  What can I do?!?!  I can vacuum!!!  Afternoon list: 1 - vacuum; 2 - pray for restored water!    To top things off, when I was making my meal-replacement shake, I did not check that the lid was properly snapped down.  Yes, it sprayed everywhere -- on me, the counters, the floor, and no water to help clean it up.  It really makes you appreciate the little things in life.  It also reminded me of all those who do not have access to clean water.

World Vision is one of my very favorite charitable organizations.  Their site states that they are "Building a better world for children."  One of their projects is bringing clean water to communities lacking in this precious commodity.  You can read about their Clean Water Fund and donate HERE!  So, while I sit here in my shake-splattered shirt and greasy hair, I think I'll make a donation, then pull out the vacuum cleaner and count my blessings.  Have an amazing and blessed day, everyone!!!

 

Society 6

There is an online company called Society 6 that I absolutely love!!!  It is the coolest concept ever -- artists upload their original work to the site and Society 6 will print it on a myriad of things such as t-shirts, hoodies, tote bags, laptop cases, throw blankets, stationary cards, mugs, and good-old-fashioned prints if you are looking for something unique to brighten up your walls.  Their quality is excellent, service amazing, and products so much fun.  I have always enjoyed buying unique items (especially clothes) and supporting small artists.  Through Society 6 I can do both!!! 

Society 6

"Hogwarts" by DTBase+ on a Unisex V-neck in athletic-grey

"Archimedes" by Cat Vickers-Claesens on a 13x13 Tote Bag

Reggie the supervisor checking out my red heels

Photos by Lydia

The Legend of the Uterus (Dun Dun DUN!)

The Awkward Yeti has become part of our daily-dose of laughter since Lydia scooped up the book "Heart and Brain" at Barnes & Noble a few months back (it is also conveniently on Amazon if anyone is interested, just follow the link!).  I am now subscribed to The Awkward Yeti's Facebook fan page and Instagram.  I can't call myself a true fanatic since I do not own a t-shirt yet, key word being "yet."  This particular comic had us girls in stitches.  We think it is a fairly accurate representation, though we agree tea and cookies is our preferred sacrifice.  Sadly, I don't have any cookies, the last one was consumed yesterday.  So I am sitting here with cinnamon tea and a laptop instead, far fewer calories and just as distracting.  I have always been happy being a girl -- most of the time.  But like with anything there is always good times and not-so-good times.  That is why God made sisters and girlfriends, so you have someone to complain to when when Aunt Flo (or is it "Flow?") comes calling.  Also, if there is a no one around to suffer through your grumbling, there is always the internet!!!  Happy Friday!!!

  

"What Ho" -- Bertie Wooster

Where Did "Blog" Come From?

While sitting over cups of tea, and complaining about the gloomy grey weather, Lydia and I had this conversation.

Me: "I need to blog today."

Lydia: "Where did the word 'blog' come from anyway?"

Me: "I don't know!  It must have something to do with keeping a log, since it has the word in it."

(Silent puzzling followed by looking it up on the oh-so-useful internet.)

So here it is, straight from Wikipedia.  Now I know Wikipedia gets poo-pooed by the academic world, but I have always found it to be an excellent source of information.

          The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger^[9] on 17 December 1997. The short form, "blog", was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of his blog Peterme.com in April or May 1999.^[10][11][12] Shortly thereafter, Evan Williams at Pyra Labs used "blog" as both a noun and verb ("to blog", meaning "to edit one's weblog or to post to one's weblog") and devised the term "blogger" in connection with Pyra Labs' Blogger product, leading to the popularization of the terms.^[13] 

Web log, weblog, we blog, blog, makes perfect sense!  There is an inner need in the human race to record and remember.  Museums all over the world are full of clay tablets and crumbling bits of parchment, the last remaining remnants of people now dead and buried.  One of my favorite rides in EPCOT Disneyworld is Spaceship Earth, the giant "golf ball" shaped thing.  It takes you through the history of communication.  You begin with simple cave paintings, travel through the papyrus fields of Egypt, join medieval monks as they painstakingly copy fancy manuscripts, and journey through the age of the machines where the printing press and telegraph come to life.  You end in the here and now, the "future."  The wireless era.  The blog era.      

Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty...

No need to use a pillow when you have a little brother handy.  Bertie and Reggie turned 1-year old on May 9th.  Bingo turned 9-years old on April 1st.  Time is speeding by so quickly!  But time brings amazing things too.  Bingo was not thrilled with the little guys when they first arrived, and now the three of them are best buddies.  Cats are truly the best kind of pet.  In my opinion at least.  ;)