I don't know about you, but I like a little camp every now and again, and some of the campiest things I like are movies. I mean there's something funny about a movie or piece of art or whatever, that is just so over the top, artificial and tasteless that I find funny. Which was the case of a movie we saw on TV the day after Christmas, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.
It's one of those movies that I am sure the actors in it probably don't list on the resumes, even though you'll see it listed on IMDB.
Although there was one actor I am sure most of you will recognize, Pia Zador, who had a small part as the girl Martian "Girmar", get it? Girl Martian? Other campy Martian names were, Bomar, a male Martian, Dropo, Kimar, Rigna and Hargo.
The costumes in it were hilarious too, I can only imagine that the budget it was was small to say the least. For example, the Martians had what looked like football helmets, from the 60's, on their heads, that didn't have the face guards. Coming out their head's was a piece of flexible copper tubing, that went from one side to the other. The Martians as you can imagine had green faces, which as the movie went on, would less and less green and would show more of the actor's normal flesh color. I am guessing that the movie was shot in one day becasue of this.
Other noteable campy items, includ the descriptive markings and sayings on the Martian space ship, one said "Radar Box" on the radar panel.
The opening song was also very campy, and I am talking 1964 camp for that matter, which was when the movie was released.
Even the plot is campy! The children of Mars are sad and want things like we do here on Earth, they are able to watch television from Earth, so the chief Martian, Kimar devises a plan to kidnap the Santa Claus.
HERE is a listng of what appears to be the entire movie chapter by chapter, all 21 of them.
At the very least check out the link below, it's the opening..
S-A-N-T-Y C-L-A-U-S!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Commencement
Tonight we graduated from the foster care classes and now have only “Packet B” before we can have our home study and be licensed to adopt.
What a rollercoaster this class has been as it prepares us for the real ride we are about to begin. My thoughts and feeling have completely changed over the 32 hours. If I can sum it up in one sentence, there are a lot of kids out there that need to be loved back to happily ever after.
I am no longer resentful of the piles of paperwork, the hours of classes, and the personal examination. If the hoops we have to jump through prevent one kid from being taken from a bad situation to another bad situation it is worth it.
I also feel that if the first child that comes to our home, does not end up being our daughter that I will just be honored for the opportunity to love her and help bring about what is best for her.
I went into this wanting. Wanting to do whatever ridiculous dance I had to do to get my daughter. I just wanted my kid. I was hungry to be a parent.
Now I just feel so full of love and hope for not only the children that need foster and adoptive parents, but for their parents.
Before I felt nothing but negativity, contempt and hatred, for anyone who would dare harm a child, but especially someone who could hurt, or allow to be hurt, their own flesh. Now I have a greater sympathy for those that have their child removed from them. Before the classes I felt nothing but heroism for the opportunity to save a child. Now I feel so sad for the loss the child will suffer at being torn from the only parent they know, no matter what a monster that parent may be.
I am sure this peace will not last. I know I will be annoyed as I learn to live with locks on cupboards and doors. I know I will be impatient as the process continues. I know I will be angry as I learn what someone has done to a child I love. But I am so grateful for this deep, emotional, understanding. I am grateful for this education.
What a rollercoaster this class has been as it prepares us for the real ride we are about to begin. My thoughts and feeling have completely changed over the 32 hours. If I can sum it up in one sentence, there are a lot of kids out there that need to be loved back to happily ever after.
I am no longer resentful of the piles of paperwork, the hours of classes, and the personal examination. If the hoops we have to jump through prevent one kid from being taken from a bad situation to another bad situation it is worth it.
I also feel that if the first child that comes to our home, does not end up being our daughter that I will just be honored for the opportunity to love her and help bring about what is best for her.
I went into this wanting. Wanting to do whatever ridiculous dance I had to do to get my daughter. I just wanted my kid. I was hungry to be a parent.
Now I just feel so full of love and hope for not only the children that need foster and adoptive parents, but for their parents.
Before I felt nothing but negativity, contempt and hatred, for anyone who would dare harm a child, but especially someone who could hurt, or allow to be hurt, their own flesh. Now I have a greater sympathy for those that have their child removed from them. Before the classes I felt nothing but heroism for the opportunity to save a child. Now I feel so sad for the loss the child will suffer at being torn from the only parent they know, no matter what a monster that parent may be.
I am sure this peace will not last. I know I will be annoyed as I learn to live with locks on cupboards and doors. I know I will be impatient as the process continues. I know I will be angry as I learn what someone has done to a child I love. But I am so grateful for this deep, emotional, understanding. I am grateful for this education.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
It really is coming to an end...
I was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, just as I thought I would be the other day, how it happened caught me off guard a little bit though. As you may know I am on my final leave from my mobilization, which means I don't have to wear the uniform or shave for that matter. I needed to see the doctor at work, because I needed a form signed by a doctor for the foster care licensing packet so I went in to work. I hadn't shaved and if you have seen me lately you'll know that I am growing a goatee for a bit, and the shirt I was wearing wasn't the cleanest shirt in the world. When I got there it about for the weekly staff brief, which I knew about obviously, but wasn't expecting to stay for, until the first sergeant saw me. He asked me if I could stay for the briefing, because he had an award for me, I kind of had an idea what it was when he pulled out all of the boxes and envelopes from his desk. I was more expecting to receive the Meritorious Service Medal, from what will be my Guard unit and not from this unit, but I think that getting it from this unit makes it more special. Even though I have a short commitment remaining to the Guard, getting this medal really leads to me to believe that my commitment to the military will be coming to an end after all, which is what I want.
The citation reads:
For exceptional meritorious service to the Utah National Guard. You have served faithfully in many positions of great responsibility ad have earned the trust and respect of those whom you served. Your tenure as a mentor, leader and friend of the Guard is seen in the many Soldiers who emulate your leadership qualities. You are a professional who continually sets and enforces high standards. Your actions and professionalism are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.
WOW huh!?
If you look at the site for the Meritorious Service Medal, you'll see a small list of some well known recipiants, I know there are many, many more fine men and women who have also been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, it's really a honor to been awarded it and have served our great contry for all these years.
In addition the Meritorious Service Medal, there were a few other documents and what not, but there was one that was equally as important and that was the certificate of appreciation for Mirinda. It's often been said that the second hardest job in the military is that of the spouse, which very true and Mirinda and I have been very fortunate since we've been together that I have been able to come home most every night.
Thanks for being the best wife any service member could ever ask for Mirinda!
Since I am talking about military awards, I want to let you know about 10 soldiers who were awarded the Silver Star recently. These 10 soldiers are the epitomy of what it means to be a Soldier.
Silver Star record for unit in Afghan cliff clash
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Painting or Fishing????
I was originally going to make an entry about how the painting of the living is going, which is going OK. But I am sure you'd find that boring as, well drying paint.
So then I thought I'd post a little story about something I know everyone would enjoy reading about, I am talking about fly fishing.
As most of our fair readers know I only began fly fishing a little more than a year ago and caught my first fish ever, shortly after I began. If you look hard enough, you'll see that first fish in my hands, it's quite a monster fish I know, but you have to start somewhere. Right?!
There's a lot to learn about fly fishing, and I have learned a lot in the past year but not enough or the right things to catch any fish at all. I must emphasize that the primary objective of fishing is catching fish, as well as enjoying time outdoors, and I must say that there are many great places to do both here in Utah. My fishing adventures this past year have taken me to some places in the great state of Utah that I hadn't seen before, Diamond Fork Canyon, where I caught that first monster brown trout, to UM Creek and the Freemont River in Sevier county to a few places that I had known otherwise but had never thought of as a place to fish like the Weber and Provo rivers. But then there's the Green river, which can be compared to Moab from my former outdoors activity. The first thing you'll notice when you are at the Green river, is that the water is very clear, I have often heard the term "gin clear" used many times when describing the water of the Green river, which I think is a great comparison. I am only really talking about the part of the Green river that comes out of the dam at Flaming Gorge at the tiny town of Dutch John, I know there's a lot more to the Green river, because it starts somewhere in Wyoming and ends when it joins the Colorado river somewhere in between Flaming Gorge and Moab to the south. One of the other amazing things about this part of the Green is that there are so many fish, I have often heard it put in terms like "20,000, 10,000 or so fish per square mile, I don't to what extent that figure is accurate, but there are a lot of fish and because the water is as clear as it is, you can see them very well as you float over head. When I was the there yesterday, I caught 10 of those thousands of fish, which I might add, increased my overall caught fish total 1000%. You do the math on that.. ;-)
So if you are looking to do some epic fishing, head to the Green river. If you want to do some painting, come on over, we've got plenty of rollers and brushes to go around.
Brian
PS, My photography group has a new book out, SL7: Time Machine, check it out now!
You may remember our last book and exhibit, where there were six of us, well now there are eight of us!
So then I thought I'd post a little story about something I know everyone would enjoy reading about, I am talking about fly fishing.
As most of our fair readers know I only began fly fishing a little more than a year ago and caught my first fish ever, shortly after I began. If you look hard enough, you'll see that first fish in my hands, it's quite a monster fish I know, but you have to start somewhere. Right?!
There's a lot to learn about fly fishing, and I have learned a lot in the past year but not enough or the right things to catch any fish at all. I must emphasize that the primary objective of fishing is catching fish, as well as enjoying time outdoors, and I must say that there are many great places to do both here in Utah. My fishing adventures this past year have taken me to some places in the great state of Utah that I hadn't seen before, Diamond Fork Canyon, where I caught that first monster brown trout, to UM Creek and the Freemont River in Sevier county to a few places that I had known otherwise but had never thought of as a place to fish like the Weber and Provo rivers. But then there's the Green river, which can be compared to Moab from my former outdoors activity. The first thing you'll notice when you are at the Green river, is that the water is very clear, I have often heard the term "gin clear" used many times when describing the water of the Green river, which I think is a great comparison. I am only really talking about the part of the Green river that comes out of the dam at Flaming Gorge at the tiny town of Dutch John, I know there's a lot more to the Green river, because it starts somewhere in Wyoming and ends when it joins the Colorado river somewhere in between Flaming Gorge and Moab to the south. One of the other amazing things about this part of the Green is that there are so many fish, I have often heard it put in terms like "20,000, 10,000 or so fish per square mile, I don't to what extent that figure is accurate, but there are a lot of fish and because the water is as clear as it is, you can see them very well as you float over head. When I was the there yesterday, I caught 10 of those thousands of fish, which I might add, increased my overall caught fish total 1000%. You do the math on that.. ;-)
So if you are looking to do some epic fishing, head to the Green river. If you want to do some painting, come on over, we've got plenty of rollers and brushes to go around.
Brian
PS, My photography group has a new book out, SL7: Time Machine, check it out now!
You may remember our last book and exhibit, where there were six of us, well now there are eight of us!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
The road to heartache
So this is how it works.
You take a bunch of classes, do more paperwork then you can imagine, get examined from every angle, and then they give you some kid that is hurt, neglected, or abused. This is not your child this is the state’s child. Your goal is to love the child, take care of the child, parent the child, and work towards reuniting the child with the ones who hurt, neglected or abused her. If that doesn’t work out, then you get to adopt the child. Then the child becomes your own.
We talked to a guy this evening that has had 5 placements in the last year. That is 5 times he has had his heart broken in just under 12 months. And every time they told him that this one would probably be adoptable.
We just finished class 2 and are about a third of the way through the paperwork. The more we learn and do the more I want this and the less Brian does. For today we are taking it one step at a time. I have told Brian that at any time there is not a child in our home, he gets to change his mind. I will let you know if we make it past class 3.
You take a bunch of classes, do more paperwork then you can imagine, get examined from every angle, and then they give you some kid that is hurt, neglected, or abused. This is not your child this is the state’s child. Your goal is to love the child, take care of the child, parent the child, and work towards reuniting the child with the ones who hurt, neglected or abused her. If that doesn’t work out, then you get to adopt the child. Then the child becomes your own.
We talked to a guy this evening that has had 5 placements in the last year. That is 5 times he has had his heart broken in just under 12 months. And every time they told him that this one would probably be adoptable.
We just finished class 2 and are about a third of the way through the paperwork. The more we learn and do the more I want this and the less Brian does. For today we are taking it one step at a time. I have told Brian that at any time there is not a child in our home, he gets to change his mind. I will let you know if we make it past class 3.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Gratitude
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. - Meister Eckhart
I am grateful for my husband.
I am grateful for my wife.
I am grateful for my family.
I am grateful for my friends
I am grateful for my garden.
I am grateful for film.
I am grateful for my home.
I am grateful for Holga Cameras.
I am grateful for color.
I am grateful for the past 3 years, 11 months and 29 days.
I am grateful for Brian coming home most nights (as opposed to sleeping in Iraq.)
I am grateful for being at the end of my time in the military.
I am grateful for coffee on quite mornings.
I am grateful for the stories my fellow soldiers have shared.
I am grateful for my spiritual family- our church.
I am grateful for good light.
I am grateful for a rewarding job, which lets me do what is most important.
I am grateful for 84,000+ sq/mi of Utah and all there is to do and see within them.
I am grateful for pedicures.
I am grateful for Beer.
I am grateful for a hopeful future.
I am grateful for good sharp knives.
I am grateful for my husband.
I am grateful for my wife.
I am grateful for my family.
I am grateful for my friends
I am grateful for my garden.
I am grateful for film.
I am grateful for my home.
I am grateful for Holga Cameras.
I am grateful for color.
I am grateful for the past 3 years, 11 months and 29 days.
I am grateful for Brian coming home most nights (as opposed to sleeping in Iraq.)
I am grateful for being at the end of my time in the military.
I am grateful for coffee on quite mornings.
I am grateful for the stories my fellow soldiers have shared.
I am grateful for my spiritual family- our church.
I am grateful for good light.
I am grateful for a rewarding job, which lets me do what is most important.
I am grateful for 84,000+ sq/mi of Utah and all there is to do and see within them.
I am grateful for pedicures.
I am grateful for Beer.
I am grateful for a hopeful future.
I am grateful for good sharp knives.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The end of my active duty...
The other day I was awarded an Army Commendation Medal, for my active duty service over the past four years. It was a nice way to end my time with a great group of Soldiers. I don't have too may awards like this, so it's nice to get one every now and again, especially when it was awarded by the two men that were responsible for awarding it to me.
The medal:
Mirinda was there and was able to pin it on me, she later said she felt like Princess Lea at the end of the very first Star Wars movie where she pinned on the medals on Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.
It's customary for service members that are retiring to be awarded either a Meritorious Service Medal or a Legion of Merit. I don't know for sure that I will get one of these awards, but I have it on pretty good authority that some kind of award or medal is coming my way soon as part of my pending retirement/graduation from the military.
The medal:
Mirinda was there and was able to pin it on me, she later said she felt like Princess Lea at the end of the very first Star Wars movie where she pinned on the medals on Luke Skywalker and Han Solo.
It's customary for service members that are retiring to be awarded either a Meritorious Service Medal or a Legion of Merit. I don't know for sure that I will get one of these awards, but I have it on pretty good authority that some kind of award or medal is coming my way soon as part of my pending retirement/graduation from the military.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Is it spring yet?
The first seed catalog came today! Neon purple cauliflower, heirloom corn, bush pickling cuc’s, paprika, Dozens of pumpkins, black heirloom radishes, hundreds of tomatoes (do I want to try tomatoes from seed this year?)
Perhaps I need more boxes?
Perhaps I need more boxes?
Friday, November 14, 2008
Brian becomes a vet
This week Brian will be traveling to Colorado Springs to transiton from an active duty soldier to a vet. He will continue as a member of the Utah National Guard untill February 14th. I am so proud of him! Here is his letter to his fellow soldiers:
My Dear Friends/Fellow Soldiers,
I just wanted to let you know that my time with the UTARNG is coming to an end.
Earlier this year I received my 20 year letter, and my ETS will be in February, so I will not be continuing my service with the UTARNG or any other component of the United States military for that matter. I have done my time, and enjoyed everything I have gotten from it, but I am ready to move on. I know full well what my decision means, but it is my decision and I make it without regrets.
I can't begin to tell you how much of a pleasure it has been serving our great country with you. My memories of the UTARNG will be filled with many laughs, good times, hard work and probably even a tear or two as well. I am very thankful for all that I have gotten from the UTARNG, I have learned a lot about myself and gained perspectives on things that I probably wouldn't have realized had it not been for my service to our great country.
If I have never said Thank You, for your friendship, your ear when I needed someone to talk to, your advice on anything I may have come to you about, or anything else along those lines, let me do so now.
Thank You.
I'd also like to thank you for being in the military, I know that our country is in good hands when I see the caliber of people who are serving now and the citizens that they will be as veterans.
I am not sure if I will continue to have an AKO email address come February, but if you like you can email me through my website, www.mtbbrian.com , click on the contact page and you'll see my email address there. If you've never taken a look at my site, please take a moment to look at my photography.
My orders with CBHCO end the first of January, from there I plan to drill in January and February assuming the dates work with my REFRAD and ETS dates. As far as full time work goes, I am looking for new work and have had a few interviews. My primary plan will be to transition from CBHCO to a new job. My alternate plan is to return to Draper, until 14 February or until I find a new job, whichever comes first.
For those of you that are currently in or headed to Iraq or Afghanistan, God bless you and your Soldiers on a safe and speedy return, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families as well.
I hope that if we see one another on the street or where ever we may be that you stop and say hi, you know I certainly will if I see you.
Hoo Ahh!?
;-)
Brian
My Dear Friends/Fellow Soldiers,
I just wanted to let you know that my time with the UTARNG is coming to an end.
Earlier this year I received my 20 year letter, and my ETS will be in February, so I will not be continuing my service with the UTARNG or any other component of the United States military for that matter. I have done my time, and enjoyed everything I have gotten from it, but I am ready to move on. I know full well what my decision means, but it is my decision and I make it without regrets.
I can't begin to tell you how much of a pleasure it has been serving our great country with you. My memories of the UTARNG will be filled with many laughs, good times, hard work and probably even a tear or two as well. I am very thankful for all that I have gotten from the UTARNG, I have learned a lot about myself and gained perspectives on things that I probably wouldn't have realized had it not been for my service to our great country.
If I have never said Thank You, for your friendship, your ear when I needed someone to talk to, your advice on anything I may have come to you about, or anything else along those lines, let me do so now.
Thank You.
I'd also like to thank you for being in the military, I know that our country is in good hands when I see the caliber of people who are serving now and the citizens that they will be as veterans.
I am not sure if I will continue to have an AKO email address come February, but if you like you can email me through my website, www.mtbbrian.com , click on the contact page and you'll see my email address there. If you've never taken a look at my site, please take a moment to look at my photography.
My orders with CBHCO end the first of January, from there I plan to drill in January and February assuming the dates work with my REFRAD and ETS dates. As far as full time work goes, I am looking for new work and have had a few interviews. My primary plan will be to transition from CBHCO to a new job. My alternate plan is to return to Draper, until 14 February or until I find a new job, whichever comes first.
For those of you that are currently in or headed to Iraq or Afghanistan, God bless you and your Soldiers on a safe and speedy return, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your families as well.
I hope that if we see one another on the street or where ever we may be that you stop and say hi, you know I certainly will if I see you.
Hoo Ahh!?
;-)
Brian
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Make sure you vote....
No matter what you do today, 4 November 2008, make sure you vote.
No matter how you vote, make sure you vote.
No matter the party or the person you vote for, make sure you vote.
No matter if you vote is a yes or a no, make sure you vote.
The election in 2008 is extremely important and historical, make sure you vote.
So get out there and make sure you vote...
If that's not good enough of a reason to vote, remember:
Voting is Cool.
Voting is Smart.
Voting is Sexy!
Voting is Hip.
Voting is Glamorous.
Voting will help you feel good!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The last....
Each day since 15 February of this year has been the last February 15th, the last 2 November that I would be in the military, and the other day, besides being the last whatever day it was, I took my last APFT, or Army Physical Fitness Test.
I didn't successfully complete it by Army standards, but as far as I am concerned I did, simply because I did it when I didn't have to in the first place. Because I am as close to retiring as I am and all that from the military I guess I didn't have to, but I felt like I had to do it, for myself and to support my fellow Soldiers. It was the first PT test I didn't pass since I have been mobilized, and because I am where I am at in the military I didn't work at the PT test as hard I need to in order to successfully pass it by the Army's Standards, which I am OK with that and I think that my fellow Soldiers are OK with it too.
The AFPT consists of three events which are meant to test your strength and endurance. Each event has a minimum standard in which you are scored, the minimum standard point value for each event is 60 points, while the maximum point value is 100 points. It's scored according to your age and gender.
The first event is the "push up", which is basically to see how many push ups you can do in two minutes. I did 36, which exceeds standards. The next event is the "sit up", which is done just like the push up event, but you are doing sit ups, I did 50, which exceeds Army standards a fair amount. The last event, is the one that has always troubled me, and that's the "2 mile run", it's the one that I have always need the most work on prior to the test, and it's the one that I didn't do so well on the other day, by Army standards that is...
Anyway...
I am proud of my service, to our great country, by next February 14 I will have been in the military for almost 21 years. I have meet and worked with a lot of great people during those 21 years. I think I am proudest of the past four years though, during my mobilization, it's been the most challenging and the most rewarding in many ways.
It's just that I am ready to move on from the military, and am looking forward to the last February 14th that i I will be in the military.
A few last things, before I end this post.
I'd like to thank Mirinda, for being a most excellent Army wife, even though we haven't been together through my entire military experience, ending it with her has made these past few years even better and sometimes bearable.
I'd also like to thank METALLICA for the free tickets to tomorrow night's show, the band gave several tickets to service members the other day. I saw them for the first time early in my military experience, so it's a nice way to go out!
METALLICA ROCKS!!!!!!
And Mirinda RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian
I didn't successfully complete it by Army standards, but as far as I am concerned I did, simply because I did it when I didn't have to in the first place. Because I am as close to retiring as I am and all that from the military I guess I didn't have to, but I felt like I had to do it, for myself and to support my fellow Soldiers. It was the first PT test I didn't pass since I have been mobilized, and because I am where I am at in the military I didn't work at the PT test as hard I need to in order to successfully pass it by the Army's Standards, which I am OK with that and I think that my fellow Soldiers are OK with it too.
The AFPT consists of three events which are meant to test your strength and endurance. Each event has a minimum standard in which you are scored, the minimum standard point value for each event is 60 points, while the maximum point value is 100 points. It's scored according to your age and gender.
The first event is the "push up", which is basically to see how many push ups you can do in two minutes. I did 36, which exceeds standards. The next event is the "sit up", which is done just like the push up event, but you are doing sit ups, I did 50, which exceeds Army standards a fair amount. The last event, is the one that has always troubled me, and that's the "2 mile run", it's the one that I have always need the most work on prior to the test, and it's the one that I didn't do so well on the other day, by Army standards that is...
Anyway...
I am proud of my service, to our great country, by next February 14 I will have been in the military for almost 21 years. I have meet and worked with a lot of great people during those 21 years. I think I am proudest of the past four years though, during my mobilization, it's been the most challenging and the most rewarding in many ways.
It's just that I am ready to move on from the military, and am looking forward to the last February 14th that i I will be in the military.
A few last things, before I end this post.
I'd like to thank Mirinda, for being a most excellent Army wife, even though we haven't been together through my entire military experience, ending it with her has made these past few years even better and sometimes bearable.
I'd also like to thank METALLICA for the free tickets to tomorrow night's show, the band gave several tickets to service members the other day. I saw them for the first time early in my military experience, so it's a nice way to go out!
METALLICA ROCKS!!!!!!
And Mirinda RULES!!!!!!!!!!!
Brian
Sunday, October 26, 2008
It’s never too early to plan next year’s garden
Our squares are not even properly tucked in for winter and I am already thinking about next year’s garden.
I want to do more carrots. Carrots are easy and they taste completely different out of the garden. We never had enough at once to really enjoy them as a dish so I think several more squares will get carrots next year.
I want to try beets again as our attempt at beets got smothered by the summer squashes and tomatillo. As much as I love square foot gardening I think some things take up too much room. We have some buckets already to go for the zucchini, crookneck and tomatillo. We can move them around to allow them the space they need, and it they get to grow in Mel’s Mix. And I swear to prune and thin the tomatillo vigorously. We had pounds and pounds of marble size tomatillos, and the poor lady was still making flowers when we decided she was done.
We are also going to try growing potatoes in straw. I will let you know how that goes. Our corn was too much fun so Brian will get his box again. However next year we will properly support them as well as space out the planting. When you plant all at once, they are ripe all at once.
I think we will skip radishes next year. They are fun to grow because they are ready so fast, but we don’t really eat them.
We had fun with the Anaheim’s once we learned to properly roast them to remove the skin. And please learn from my mistake, capsaicin has cumulative effects that you might not expect. Even if the peppers are not hot, if you have more than a couple, use gloves.
I think we are giving up on cilantro. Not that we don’t love cilantro, we just can’t seem to grow it. Please let me know if you have the secret. I am not so sure about broccoli either.
I will defiantly do pickling cuc’s again. However not so many unless I decide they are the ‘neighbor’ gift for Christmas 09’ Although, with all those cuc’s and a husband who will not eat them in salad or plain, I did find a recipe for a cucumber lime aid that was yummy! Here it is:
Auga Fresca de Pepino
3 quarts water
3 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
1/2 C freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 C sugar
Pour 1/2 C of the water and 1 cup of the cucumbers in blender, Blend until cucumbers are pureed then add more cucumbers and water until all cucumbers are pureed.
Using a fine mesh sieve, strain cucumbers into a pitcher to remove seeds and pulp. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Chill before serving over crushed ice. Garnish with a slice of lime.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I am falling in love with my husband.
I am falling in love with my husband all over again. We are both feeling a love and a peace that has been missing for a while now. The decision to adopt has been a difficult one, and has torn us apart in ways we didn’t even realize until we decided that this is what we are going to do. It is such a big decision, not only to add a child to our family, but to do it in this way. You don’t know what you’re getting, but you know it is going to be hard.
We had been talking about adoption for years, and had finally decided that we would not bring a child in our lives. We had decided that Ian was enough, the few weeks he is with us and the little contact we have. We have a great life and why fix what is not broken. And then my biological clock, which had never ticked, rang. Loudly!
It took a while for Brian to hear that this is not something I want but something I NEED. I need to care for a child. I have raised corn and cats, and hopefully one day chickens, but I need to raise a child. And while I love my step son, it’s not enough. While I think our relationship is special, I am not his mom. He has a mom.
Brian on the other hand was thinking that one kid, that breaks his heart with the distance between them, is enough. He worries about having enough money for the things that we enjoy and that are important to us. He worries about having enough time to be a good parent and for our marriage and for those things he likes to do. He worries that a child might come between us.
Somehow he has come to the decision that he will trust me that this is right for us. And that leap of faith in me, in us, has my heart doing loops of love and joy. What an amazing man I married.
We had been talking about adoption for years, and had finally decided that we would not bring a child in our lives. We had decided that Ian was enough, the few weeks he is with us and the little contact we have. We have a great life and why fix what is not broken. And then my biological clock, which had never ticked, rang. Loudly!
It took a while for Brian to hear that this is not something I want but something I NEED. I need to care for a child. I have raised corn and cats, and hopefully one day chickens, but I need to raise a child. And while I love my step son, it’s not enough. While I think our relationship is special, I am not his mom. He has a mom.
Brian on the other hand was thinking that one kid, that breaks his heart with the distance between them, is enough. He worries about having enough money for the things that we enjoy and that are important to us. He worries about having enough time to be a good parent and for our marriage and for those things he likes to do. He worries that a child might come between us.
Somehow he has come to the decision that he will trust me that this is right for us. And that leap of faith in me, in us, has my heart doing loops of love and joy. What an amazing man I married.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Kitchen Cleaner
Here is a recipe for an organic kitchen cleaner that will disinfect, deodorize and cut grease. And its cheep, at least per sprayer full.
Years ago I tried several “Organic Cleaner” recipes but found that they didn’t really work as good as what you can buy at the store. But I didn’t like what you can buy at the store. Either the chemicals bothered me or I felt ripped off paying for what is basically vinegar, or bleach, or ammonia and water.
My favorite cleaner was bleach and water; kills 99.9% of the bad stuff and that smell lets you know it’s clean. After I ruined 2 new shirts in the same week, Brian decided it was time to reconsider.
This is based off of several recipes found in various places on the internet. I have been using this version for a few months now and love it! The oils can be hard to find and expensive, but you only use drops (literally.) It is easy enough even I am willing to mix some up when it is time to refill.
In a large spray bottle place:
2 Cups Water
1 Cup vinegar
10 drops tea tree oil
20 drops (about 1/16 t) your favorite essential oil (see note)
Shake and spray, allow it to sit a couple of minutes on the surface you wish to fully disinfect. Shake before each use.
Note: The 20 drops essential oil are optional, however the vinegar and tea tree oil smell funny. I am currently using Sweet Orange oil and 20 drops are not enough to make it really smell orange, just enough to neutralize the smell.
Years ago I tried several “Organic Cleaner” recipes but found that they didn’t really work as good as what you can buy at the store. But I didn’t like what you can buy at the store. Either the chemicals bothered me or I felt ripped off paying for what is basically vinegar, or bleach, or ammonia and water.
My favorite cleaner was bleach and water; kills 99.9% of the bad stuff and that smell lets you know it’s clean. After I ruined 2 new shirts in the same week, Brian decided it was time to reconsider.
This is based off of several recipes found in various places on the internet. I have been using this version for a few months now and love it! The oils can be hard to find and expensive, but you only use drops (literally.) It is easy enough even I am willing to mix some up when it is time to refill.
In a large spray bottle place:
2 Cups Water
1 Cup vinegar
10 drops tea tree oil
20 drops (about 1/16 t) your favorite essential oil (see note)
Shake and spray, allow it to sit a couple of minutes on the surface you wish to fully disinfect. Shake before each use.
Note: The 20 drops essential oil are optional, however the vinegar and tea tree oil smell funny. I am currently using Sweet Orange oil and 20 drops are not enough to make it really smell orange, just enough to neutralize the smell.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Team Schiele Q &A
1. What is your occupation right now?
B: Takes Care of Wounded Warriors
M: Nags planners to plan their careers
2. What color are your socks right now?
B: Grey on weekends, green on workdays
M: Its not that cold yet.
3. What are you listening to right now?
Both: typing sounds
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
B: French Fries
M: Pancakes
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Both: Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
B: One of his guys who’s in treatment and just lost his best friend.
M: Kory on the Denos Answering Machine- Zims is going out of business and everything is on sale.
7. How old are you today?
Both: 38
8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
B: The Tour de France
M: I don’t watch sports on TV.
9. What is your favorite drink?
B: Sonic cherry lime aid
M: Sonic blackberry iced tea (Sonic – the official drink stop of team Schiele.)
10. Have you ever dyed your hair?
B: no, but I had it all cut off once, does that count?
M: Yes it is red right now.
11. Favorite food?
B: Mexican, and a nice grilled steak and beer
M: I have had the flu and saltine crackers rock!
12. What is the last movie you watched?
Both: The love guru, kinda funny, Mike Myers is hilarious
13. Favorite day of the year?
B: My birthday and June 20th and Christmas and the 4th of July.
M: My birthday
14. How do you vent anger?
B: make bugs
M: Clean the house
15. What was your favorite toy as a child?
B: Bike
M: my imagination
16. What is your favorite season?
B: Summer
M: Spring
17. Cherries or Blueberries?
B: Strawberries
M: Cherries
18. Living arrangements?
Both: Married and residing at the Team Schiele World Headquarters
19. When was the last time you cried?
B: I don’t remember
M: yesterday, while worshiping the porcelain god. (Getting over the flue)
20. What is on the floor of your closet?
B: boots and shoes
M: shoes
21. What did you do last night?
Both: watched the love guru see question 12
22. What are you most afraid of?
B: Not getting out of the army
M: Fish
23. Plain, Cheese or Spicy Hamburgers?
B: Swiss or Monterey Jack
M: Cheese
24. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
B: How about a Leica?
M: pearls
25. What is your favorite flower?
B: Mirinda
M: the ones in my garden.
B: Takes Care of Wounded Warriors
M: Nags planners to plan their careers
2. What color are your socks right now?
B: Grey on weekends, green on workdays
M: Its not that cold yet.
3. What are you listening to right now?
Both: typing sounds
4. What was the last thing that you ate?
B: French Fries
M: Pancakes
5. Can you drive a stick shift?
Both: Yes
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
B: One of his guys who’s in treatment and just lost his best friend.
M: Kory on the Denos Answering Machine- Zims is going out of business and everything is on sale.
7. How old are you today?
Both: 38
8. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
B: The Tour de France
M: I don’t watch sports on TV.
9. What is your favorite drink?
B: Sonic cherry lime aid
M: Sonic blackberry iced tea (Sonic – the official drink stop of team Schiele.)
10. Have you ever dyed your hair?
B: no, but I had it all cut off once, does that count?
M: Yes it is red right now.
11. Favorite food?
B: Mexican, and a nice grilled steak and beer
M: I have had the flu and saltine crackers rock!
12. What is the last movie you watched?
Both: The love guru, kinda funny, Mike Myers is hilarious
13. Favorite day of the year?
B: My birthday and June 20th and Christmas and the 4th of July.
M: My birthday
14. How do you vent anger?
B: make bugs
M: Clean the house
15. What was your favorite toy as a child?
B: Bike
M: my imagination
16. What is your favorite season?
B: Summer
M: Spring
17. Cherries or Blueberries?
B: Strawberries
M: Cherries
18. Living arrangements?
Both: Married and residing at the Team Schiele World Headquarters
19. When was the last time you cried?
B: I don’t remember
M: yesterday, while worshiping the porcelain god. (Getting over the flue)
20. What is on the floor of your closet?
B: boots and shoes
M: shoes
21. What did you do last night?
Both: watched the love guru see question 12
22. What are you most afraid of?
B: Not getting out of the army
M: Fish
23. Plain, Cheese or Spicy Hamburgers?
B: Swiss or Monterey Jack
M: Cheese
24. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
B: How about a Leica?
M: pearls
25. What is your favorite flower?
B: Mirinda
M: the ones in my garden.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Dont count em before they hatch
Sad news this week for my sustainability/ preparedness/ health plans.
The city council has decided not to peruse the proposed chicken ordinance. It would seem that it is a matter of education and they have crazy ideas about chickens running wild and turning the city into a third world country. Also- bees are considered animals and are not allowed except in agricultural zones.
I will do my best to educate the City Council and hope for a change of heart. Maybe we can hope for Chickens in the spring of 2010 if not spring of 2009.
I suppose I should pick my battles and give up on the bees for now.
For those of you who can use a good chicken laugh, check out Mazola Montana’s chicken controversy.
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/missoulas_urban_chicken_squabble/C8/L8/
The city council has decided not to peruse the proposed chicken ordinance. It would seem that it is a matter of education and they have crazy ideas about chickens running wild and turning the city into a third world country. Also- bees are considered animals and are not allowed except in agricultural zones.
I will do my best to educate the City Council and hope for a change of heart. Maybe we can hope for Chickens in the spring of 2010 if not spring of 2009.
I suppose I should pick my battles and give up on the bees for now.
For those of you who can use a good chicken laugh, check out Mazola Montana’s chicken controversy.
http://www.newwest.net/city/article/missoulas_urban_chicken_squabble/C8/L8/
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
This and that in September
We had a great day on Brian’s birthday. We went to the Monet to Picasso exhibit at the U and it was amazing. I love the impressionists and to see the actual brush strokes was so fun. I love how close up all you can see is the brush strokes and dots and as you move away, the details, light and shadow reveal themselves. Brian was impressed by the one Dahli they had. We also tried a sushi place that Brian had wanted to check out. It was yummy but I always think that sushi is overpriced.
As a gift I dyed my hair red. He missed that time when I went crazy and dyed my hair all sorts of colors. He likes it and so do I so I think I will keep it for a while. Andrea is a genius with color!
We also were able to get a tree cut down. It was dead and I didn’t think it would stand through the winter. We had just finished moving two loads of rocks to the front corner project and this guy came up and offered to take it down for a reasonable fee. We helped and kept the wood and now we will have fires for the fall and winter.
I am now finished with pickle fest 2008. I tried out 6 different pickle recipes and we will have a tasting in mid December when the last batch is ready. It is a good thing too as I am almost out of jars. I am hoping we will find one we really like and I will get rid of the other recipes.
It has been so fun to experiment with preserving our harvest. Last year we had enough stuff grow in our garden that we could actually taste a thing or two. This year we have had enough to save a bit. I froze corn on the cob. We tried it on the grill and Brian didn’t like the texture. We will try boiling it to see if it makes a difference. If not I will be glad that I only froze a handful of ears.
We went to the state fair with some friends and I think if we have luck with chickens next year we will be looking into bees. The buzzing, pollinating, honey making kind, not the baseball team. One thing at a time however, we are still waiting for chickens to be legal. We are planning our coop however so I guess you could say we are counting our chickens before they hatch. :)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Happiness runs in a circular motion
I am really into circles. I love bubbles, and at one time was going to become a bubbleologist. Yes, there really is such a thing. And this summer I have seen many threads of my life come full circle.
It started at the beginning of the summer when an old friend I had broken contact with found me. It was fun to see the old friend I loved and the new person she had become. It showed me how much I had changed since I had last spent time with her. I liked what I saw in both of us.
It continued at the reunion of my Mother’s family. I was able to catch up with cousins that I had not talked to in years. I was reminded of so many happy moments from childhood, and the love between myself and grandparents long gone, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Last month both Brian and I attended our 20 year reunions. I have a better understanding of Brian after meeting some of the people who knew him as a he came of age.
I was able to reconnect with not only high school friends, but with memories of myself. I had forgotten the crazy things my friends and I would do to entertain ourselves. I had forgotten the fun and the angst and the craziness.
This life review I have been going through over the last few months, has led Brian and I to start talking about the possibility of adding a new member of Team Schiele. We are considering adoption. Nothing has been decided for sure, but we are talking about starting a new circle.
It started at the beginning of the summer when an old friend I had broken contact with found me. It was fun to see the old friend I loved and the new person she had become. It showed me how much I had changed since I had last spent time with her. I liked what I saw in both of us.
It continued at the reunion of my Mother’s family. I was able to catch up with cousins that I had not talked to in years. I was reminded of so many happy moments from childhood, and the love between myself and grandparents long gone, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Last month both Brian and I attended our 20 year reunions. I have a better understanding of Brian after meeting some of the people who knew him as a he came of age.
I was able to reconnect with not only high school friends, but with memories of myself. I had forgotten the crazy things my friends and I would do to entertain ourselves. I had forgotten the fun and the angst and the craziness.
This life review I have been going through over the last few months, has led Brian and I to start talking about the possibility of adding a new member of Team Schiele. We are considering adoption. Nothing has been decided for sure, but we are talking about starting a new circle.
Friday, August 29, 2008
From our garden....
Now that the summer is coming to an end, BOOOO, it also means that it's beginning to be harvest time for a lot of our vegetables from the garden.
So I thought I'd post a few pics of the things we just pulled out of the garden.
First up:
Cucumbers of various sizes. Mirinda is making pickles out of these babies!
Next:
These are red, white and blue potatoes! They'll make for some yummy "patriotic fries" which are far more delicious than those "other fries". ;-)
As you may know Mirinda and I love color so it should come as no surprise to see such lovely crook neck squash and Anaheim peppers...
We've also had some yummy corn, some red onions, tomatoes(most of which are still ripening), some carrots, green beans, a few radishes and three types of lettuces. Our mint plant is doing well too, it has provided us with some yummy for mint for some yummy mojotos!
We also have a huge crop of tomatillos
We've had a few items that didn't do so well, a couple of squares of onions were over taken in a big way by out squash, and tomatillos, as well as the beets we planted. We also planted some bell peppers that were also overtaken by our tomatoes.
Even though this has been our second year doing this, it has been a far more productive year than last. I think we've learned a lot this year, like what to plant and not to plant as far as space goes. The crook neck squash takes up A LOT of space as well as the tomatillos and potatoes.
Tomatoes do too, but they are fairly easy to control by pruning them to grow up.
That's all for now!
Brian
So I thought I'd post a few pics of the things we just pulled out of the garden.
First up:
Cucumbers of various sizes. Mirinda is making pickles out of these babies!
Next:
These are red, white and blue potatoes! They'll make for some yummy "patriotic fries" which are far more delicious than those "other fries". ;-)
As you may know Mirinda and I love color so it should come as no surprise to see such lovely crook neck squash and Anaheim peppers...
We've also had some yummy corn, some red onions, tomatoes(most of which are still ripening), some carrots, green beans, a few radishes and three types of lettuces. Our mint plant is doing well too, it has provided us with some yummy for mint for some yummy mojotos!
We also have a huge crop of tomatillos
We've had a few items that didn't do so well, a couple of squares of onions were over taken in a big way by out squash, and tomatillos, as well as the beets we planted. We also planted some bell peppers that were also overtaken by our tomatoes.
Even though this has been our second year doing this, it has been a far more productive year than last. I think we've learned a lot this year, like what to plant and not to plant as far as space goes. The crook neck squash takes up A LOT of space as well as the tomatillos and potatoes.
Tomatoes do too, but they are fairly easy to control by pruning them to grow up.
That's all for now!
Brian
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