SMIT

SMIT is a renewable energy start-up company. Currently they have a solar collection prototype at MOMA called Grow, and the design was inspired by ivy leaves.

GROW.1
First realized as an Industrial Design Thesis project at Pratt Institute in Spring 2005 by Samuel Cabot Cochran, GROW.1 employs thin film photovoltaics with piezoelectric generators and screen printed conductive ink encapsulated in ETFE fluoropolymer lamination.

GROW.2

GROW.2 utilizes a structural stainless steel mesh system, which is manufactured by Carl Stahl Decorcable in Germany. Their system is designed to enable plants (such as ivy and other crawlers) to grow up the sides of buildings without causing damage to the building's exteriors, a typical problem of many vertical gardens.

Some of you smart people may know what that means, but I don't. All I know is it is cool as shit. If and when this comes out we all will be going solar.

All photos courtesy SMIT website. I learned about SMIT in Plenty magazine.

Vonzell Solomon

Some of you reality TV fans might know who the heck Vonzell Solomon is (uh, hum, SGM). I for one didn't, and really it doesn't matter. (She was the third place loser in season 4 of Idol)

My friends at People Magazine were telling me how Vonzell accidentally took her unloaded handgun into the airport in Florida. Really, it was just a mistake.

I can't say it any better than her father/manager:

“Vonzell wants everyone to know that this was an honest mistake,” her manager and father, Larry Goethie, tells PEOPLE. “She had a big purse and just didn’t realize that the gun was in it.” He notes that Solomon has a permit for the weapon, and carries it for safety during her long road trips. “She’s a single woman, and she is sometimes in situations where she needs protection."

For God's sake. Who accidentally takes their handgun to the airport? Jeezus. Dumbshit. No wonder she got third place.

Delightfully Duralee

I pulled this out of a magazine the other day because I love what they have done with the bench. I have been looking for a way to bring my weathered teak bench inside to use at my dining room table.

I think this would be just perfect. That particular fabric wouldn't work for my room, but I like it too.

I'll take one of those...

Ebay finds:

Antique glass jar wasp trap

Moravian Tile

iron weathervane floral ornament

Uzbek hand embroidered suzani

Elizabethan

Now that I am typing this, I think I might have told you about her before, but oh well, I love her stuff THAT MUCH!

Now, friends, look below at the wonderful finery:

This gal, Elisabeth Delehaunty, makes all of her stuff from recycled fabrics she finds at garage sales, thrift stores, and the like.

Come on, how cool is that special Olympics shirt? And that skirt (which is very similar to a red and blue one I bought last year). How about that scarf? Yummy!

I tell you this not to make you jealous, but I actually get to see Elisabeth's stuff in person for 3 days starting tomorrow.

This is because we have the fabulous Smoky Hill River Festival starting tomorrow. I know it is too late this year, but you really should make an effort to come here some time for the festival. It is a wonderful festival of food and arts and music; award winning, in fact! Read more about the festival at it's website here.

Since you can't see Elisabeth this weekend, you can look at and buy her things here at her website.

More posts about the festival coming up this weekend!

Google Reader

As if I have all the time in the world these days, Google Reader (or some other computer software thingy) has decided to send me the last 20 posts from everyone on my reader that uses Tumblr (maybe).

Come on...I love reading all of you guys, but when the reader says there are 17 posts to read, that is a little overwhelming.

But, never fear, I just slogged thru them all and got everything read!

Please, Google (or Tumblr), not ever again!

What the Fuck Wednesday

OK, this is eyeball bling.

Come on...WTF?

And of course it is from here.

Petunia Face

If you are missing her, it might be because she accidentally deleted her blog. Find her now here! If you don't know her, go there now and introduce yourself! You won't regret it!

Open Letter to Matthew:

Dear Matthew:

You know how much I love you and am concerned for your health and the health of your unborn baby, so I must tell you of my disappointment.

My friends at People magazine told me about you and Camila hosting the gig at the Viper Room for reggae artist Mishka, I couldn't help but be mortified. Come on, Matthew, we all know how much smoke was at that show. And not only cigarette smoke, but god for the pot smoke. I know, I know, You can't get addicted to pot, but still, that little baby.

Because I am planning on my daughter or son marrying your spawn so that we can finally be together, I need to be sure things are on the up-and-up with Camila's pregnancy. I worry that if she is out with you exposing that child to smoke and loud music, what else is she doing? Eating sushi? Licking the bowl of brownie batter made with raw egg? Having a tuna sandwich each morning for breakfast with all of that mercury and stuff?

And, how about that outfit Camila is wearing? Is that a denim vest? And that bag you are carrying? You don't have to try to smuggle your friends into the concert, you are a star, dude. You can get anyone in.

So, my love, please be a little more careful when you are out. Think of your child, and more importantly, think of me!

TLA,

Amanda

ps, Mishka is HOT in this photo! Could you set me up?

Word of the Day

From the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary:

nonplussed

Main Entry: nonplus
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): nonplussed also nonplused \-ˈpləst\; nonplus·sing also nonplus·ing \-ˈplə-siŋ\
Date: 1591
: to cause to be at a loss as to what to say, think, or do : perplex
synonyms see puzzle

My sentence: After I told my boss I was leaving work today at noon and I wouldn't be there tomorrow, he was definitely nonplussed.

Barack Obama

Yes...

Yes...

Image compliments of Lima’s Flickr, via Thought Merchant

Hell Yes...

Photo found via Crazed Mom of 3

What I am reading...

Currently I am reading (listening to) My Life on a Plate by India Knight...she has the best vocabulary EVER as well as some sentiments that I totally echo...like this one:

I don't believe in dieting. Me, I am anti. I constitutionally disapprove of any slimming regime on the heartfelt principle that life is too short, which principle also applies to aerobics, pooper-scooping and anal sex.

Yeah, what she said!

I really must have these:

I am such a sucker for bookplates. You too can get them from The Black Apple's Etsy shop.

What I had for dinner...

fresh spinach with:

cilantro, lime basil, purple basil, garlic chives, cottage cheese, croutons and vinigarette.

by the way: all but the last 3 were FRESH from my garden!

I love summer in Kansas!

Things I did today

1. sent my kid to the park with my mom and niece (they fed the ducks)

2. sent my other kid and his dad to the farm pond to fish (they caught 60 fish!!)

3. vacuumed the whole house and porch and read outside (by myself for an hour)

4. took my kid to enroll in a week-long basketball camp for the first time ever (he's 8)

5. played a Wii bowling tournament with my kiddos (my oldest beat me at bowling)

6. took my kid to basketball camp to last for 4 hours (it's the first day, tomorrow it is from 7:45am until 10:15pm!!!)

7. took my youngest and her friends to the swimming pool for 2 hours (it started getting cloudy, thank god)

8. took my youngest to her friend's house for dinner (hot dogs)

9. met my hubby at some friends for wine and dinner (sans kids)

10. had too much wine (and hubby drove home)

NOW I AM READY FOR BED! GOOD NIGHT!

Beeeeutiful

must.have.these.things:

Found via Decor8 at All The Luck In The World.



p.s. The entire store/site is in Dutch, so I have no idea what it all says, but there is some pretty cool stuff!

This kid CRACKS me up!

'nuff said!

found via 1000LOLz

Dumbass

Since I know how much most of you love Rachel Ray (natch) I thought I post a delightful little photo of her.

1. WTF is she wearing?

2. She's the spokesperson for Dunkin Donuts? I will forever boycott them, which will be hard because I do love me some of their bagels and cream cheese in the morning when I am traveling.

3. Read about Michelle Malkin's theory of RR-as-terrorist here.

Thanks, Crazed Mom of 3 for the tip!

New Feature!!!

Today whilst driving across Central Kansas, I was listening to an audio tape (which I usually have running in my car.) There were so many great words used in this book that I decided that we all needed some regular vocabulary prompting. I'm forever thankful, Mrs. Sackrider, (10th grade teacher), for instilling a love of vocabulary at such a tender age. Where ever you are, Mrs. Sackrider...you're the bomb. I think I will google you tonight.

So, introducing a new feature for all 11 of you readers:

Word of the Day. Now, don't get you panties all in a wad, there won't be a new word EVERY day (I'm way too busy around here to do that much work.) When I am reminded of, stumble across or learn a new word, I will post it. Your only job is to use it in a sentence that very day you read it. That's it...nothing else. I will use it in a sentence myself for you, while revealing just a bit about what's happening in my life.
Have a blast!

Today's word is: agog

From the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

Main Entry: agog
Pronunciation: \ə-ˈgäg\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French en gogues in mirth
Date: 1559
: full of intense interest or excitement : eager

My sentence: Molly was all agog today upon seeing her newest newborn cousin, Ella.

Scary...

This is Scary Spice, and her "sexy leopard-print bikini" according to People Magazine. Look at her abs...the skin is all strange looking and old and wrinkly and tattooed...true or just a bad photo?

Dear Cameron:

Yes...
Yes...

Yes...

I appreciate you are doing it for a movie, but you should do everything you can to avoid this look in the future!

ps, she's on my free pass 5/lesbian version.

Wanna know more about the free pass ass? Look here!

Leaves of Three...

If only I looked like the comic character Poison Ivy.

Just to let you know: Yesterday, I put on a pair of capris that I hadn’t worn since the last time it was hot in Kansas. Why is this important?

Because I am so allergic to Poison Ivy that the urushiol oil (yes, I have become an expert, and this oil is actually what makes one itch) from the leaves of some random poison ivy plant last year was still on these pants.

Yesterday morning I noticed a suspicious looking streak near my eyebrow, and throughout the day, more itchy-red-streaky-spots developed.

Today, I have a full blown case of the ivy-itches.

Have a great holiday weekend!
I will be in the GD shower, standing under water as hot as I can stand, trying not to itch!

Headline of the Day

Tons of Oreos Spill When Truck Crashes

FYI - I would be ALL OVER that shit!

read more here...

Funny!

If you watched SGM's post here, just do it picturing this kid as the face behind one of the voices...

you might just pee a little!

photo from here, which has many, many more funny photos!

Headline of the Day

Court affirms U.S. paper money discriminates against the blind

thanks, Crazed Mom of 3 for tipping me off on this one!

read more here...if you dare.

An Impromptu Get-Together

more flickr photos of ladies here...

Tonight my book group friends got together for a few drinks and eats after work to celebrate one of our birthdays. Sigh...I have the best friends.



We sat outside (it was a wonderful 70 degrees) and had some bean dip, fruit pizza, watermelon, and brownies. That stuff with a few Shock Top and Rising Moon Spring Ale beers made for the perfect evening.



The kiddos ran around playing and stayed out of trouble, and the husbands were somewhere else.



Why is it that a last minute get-together with not a lot of planning turns out to be the best?

I love my friends!

toilet paper

So, tonight, I was going through my regular evening ritual, (you know: take contacts out, wash face, brush teeth, and go to the bathroom) and of course the toilet paper roll had 2 squares left. I mean, come on, who leaves 2 measley squares on the TP roll?

• my 6 year old daughter? Possibly, but I am pretty sure she didn't use "my" bathroom tonight.


• my almost-eight year old son? This is a better possibility since we have him taking Miralax due to a severely "backed up intestine" (as said by the doctor). He announced when I picked him up after work today that he has pooped 8 timed today. Poor kid. However, he always uses the "kids" bathroom when he goes to the bathroom, so I am pretty sure it wasn't him either


• my husband? Since he only uses toilet paper once per day when he goes "2" and he has been banished to "his" (the small 1/2 bath that no one but him uses) bathroom, I don't think it was him either.

So, as I was walking around in my tank top and underwear (with all of the windows and doors open because it is so effing hot in my house today) cursing under my breath while going across the house to the supply closet, I came to this conclusion:

IT WAS ME. Crap! That sucks!

Bumper stickers

So my hubby and I just had this funny discussion of some bumper stickers he has seen lately (he drives a lot, and frequently in red-neck and military base areas.) The phrase Whisky Tango came up many times in our conversation...He claims the stickers he sees are usually on the back of pick-up trucks, and he wonders how bad your life really has to be to have one of these on the back of your car.

"I mean, there could be a car-load of nuns behind you and you have this on the back of your car." Direct quote from husband.

Another he has witnessed lately:

more "Calvin" stickers here.

here are a few more that I wish he had seen:

nice...(buy it here)

the best part about this one is that it is obviously sandwiched between some other stickers! If you can get away with putting this on your car, buy it here!

not a bumper sticker but still funny! Thanks, Voodoo Zebra!

I might just have to write a whole different blog just recapping some of my conversations with my husband! He is funny!

Headline of the Day

thanks, giggle sugar!

Do your feet look like this?

Things I love about getting a pedicure:

• the massage chair (which is a totally un-natural feeling, but I love it anyhow)
• that hot, bubbly water
• that sandpaper thing she uses to remove callouses on my heels and toes
• the tingly peppermint mask on my feet (and the resulting 10 minutes to do nothing but close my eyes and relax!
• THE FOOT AND LEG RUB!

Things I DON'T love about getting a pedicure:

• when the girl uses an orange stick to push back my cuticles and remove the toe jam
• how bad it tickles when she uses the sandpaper thing to remove callouses
• waiting for the polish to dry
• watching the girl clean and "sanitize" the foot bath after I'm done.

Go out and get yourself a pedicure today...you deserve it!

Dear Taye:

Yes...

Yes...

Yes...

Puhlease...........

Smiley

Emily referred to this song, and I had to go right out and buy it on itunes...makes you smile while listing, doesn't it?

Reflections on being 37...

Here I sit reflecting on what it is like to now be 37 years of age...I am on my back porch alone, with the birds chirping, the sun out, the irises, lilacs and allium all in bloom. My cute little old neighbor couple is talking quietly with the lawn service guy, and I am thankful.

I am thankful to have enjoyed these 37 years, these past 10 years of marriage, a great husband, the 2 children who I have birthed (and the one I miscarried), my family near and far, and my dear, dear friends.

I am thankful for my work and their respect for and confidence in me. I am thankful for my students who have entrusted a small part of their college life with me. I am thankful for my church, and the faith it has instilled in me.

But, I am most thankful for my mom and dad. For, without them, I would not be here to be thankful at all. I love you!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I bought these for myself and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them!

Old Navy...$24.99

Gnarly

Thanks, Decorno for reminding me how much I love Gnarls Barkley...and the Violent Femmes...enjoy this one!

Ha Ha

I just discovered the site A Picture is Worth 1000LOLz...here are a few of my favorites...

There are so many more, but go, now, go and discover them for yourself!!

Headline of the Day

130-million-year-old poop sells for $960

thanks for the tip, o n e s o n g