Whatzit Wednesday

Here we find

A whatzit of another kind

Can you guess this easy one?

Or will you fail to have won?

Monday Afternoon Weekend Wrap Up and Music Monday

First off, this song has been on my brain for about a week:

I'm sure it had to do with the MTSO theme for the week.

Before we get to the weekend, last week was eye-opening for me, and all about The Youngest, and his effect on the opposite gender. Tuesday I asked who he'd eaten lunch with (as I do every day on our way home):
J9: Who'd you eat lunch with, the usual? (this is a group of 4 boys in his class)
The Youngest: No
J9: Really, a different set of kids? New friends?
The Younges: No, just one person.
J9: Who?
The Youngest: Juliet (not her real name)
J9: Oh.
I didn't want to make a big deal of it, as I know they are friends, and I adore this little girl - she is very sweet and nice. And if I tease him, he'll just stop telling me stuff.
Cut to the next morning, when The Youngest is getting his jacket, and insists he wants to wear his Harley jacket (it's indeed a real Harley leather motorcycle jacket and started as a gift to The Oldest). OK, no biggie - I get it, but mention that it might be time to stop wearing it as it has become a bit small on him, though it would proabably be ok the rest of this winter. He says, "no Mom. I have to wear it, I like it." OK, again I'm not one to care as long as he wears something warm. He also donned an orange scarf and knit cap, and looked really cute. Off to school we go. Wehn we get there, he walks in to put away his backpack and jacket, and Juliet is a few kids behind him. She sees me, walks up and says, "I really like it when wears that jacket." A light goes on, and I get it.
Thursday, we were on a field trip and The Youngest gives me a look that would kill when he notices that I can see him running accross the field with Juliet. I pretended not to see them, and returned to my visit with the other moms.
The weekend was really nice.
Friday afternoon I worked in The Boys' classroom, and there were 2 third grader meltdowns. Yes, full blown meltdowns. Over art. I didn't get sucked into the drama, but my co-teacher did. Not even remotely surprising was that as soon as we just ignored it, they stopped. I needed my Friday Girls Night Happy Hour at Elephant Bar, where we stayed from the end of the first, through the beginning of the second happy hour of the night. I had to drink coffee to warm up, and had some good appetizers and desserts! It was nice to just unwind away from the family, and the computer. I laughed pretty hard quite a few times, and even had a guy wink at me at the bar - too funny as other women were flirting with him and he wasn't giving them the time of day ;-)
Saturday, The Dude slept in and took The Oldest to see The Princess and The Frog.

They both liked it alot and The Dude said it reminded him of an old time Disney movie. The youngest styed home and played wii Lego Star Wars while I cleaned house. It took 3 hours to clean, but it looked really nice at the end! I also managed to do most of the laundry. Saturday, we had some friends over for dinner. They have 2 daughters, 11 and 3 1/2, and they all play really well together, which is fun. Their youngest announced earlier in the week that she was going to marry The Youngest. Here we go again, is all I could think! They brought appetizers, one of which I am completely craving now. I have no clue where they got it, nor what the jar even looks like, and this is the nearest I can find on line:

I made rosemary braised pork loin, Aida's red potatoes, haricot vert, and rosemary portabellos. The Dude outdid himself in making a pineapple cheesecake (also one of Aida's), and we really enjoyed the time together.

Sunday, we picked up Oma (The Dude's mom) and drove out to meet a couple of The Dude's cousins, whom I'd never met due to some sort of feud in their family. They were really very nice and funny, but The Boys were bored to death. They were pretty well behaved, considering, and we didn't stay too long, also promising wii at home if they behaved - I'm not above a well timed bribe, they work. I finished laundry, and we had leftovers for dinner. The Oldest also finished Thank-you cards from his birthday, and we enjoyed AFV together before bed.

My Town Shoot Out - Fences

Update - Because many have asked - the final photo is the shadow of my youngest swinging in our tire swing. Time was near sunset, so the sun was low enough to give a great shadow when he got far enough into the air.

This week's shoot out theme is courtesy of Sandra Leigh of Amazing Voyages of the Turtle. "All over my town there are fences - tall ones and short ones, old and new, elegant and shabby. They all have something to say - like "Keep out," "Be careful!" (like this one) or "Stay right where you are," "I'm utterly exhausted" or "Look at me. Aren't I splendid?" Some have gates; others simply define a space or support a heavy vine. What kinds of fences are there in your town? Do they really make good neighbours? Or do they just isolate us?"
I encourage you to go and see everyone's contributions here or here.

I have a few shots of fences, and this week I have just been disturbed by running across a poisoned squirrel to shoot much else. As a result you may have seen these images before.

I like this fence, mostly because it's interesting to look at, on a curve, and see through.

Same Fence - from the other side:

Ok, in looking at all of my fence photos - I think I only take what interests me:

And my favorite of the lot - the fence isn't actually that interesting, it's the shadow that I adore!

While MTSO is in progress

I just had to share this post from Granny on the Web, as it has made me laugh and smile all morning!

MTSO will be up shortly.

Whatzit Wednesday

I'm off of Wicked Wednesdays until I become inspired, so I thought I'd bring up my turn for a Whatzit:

These can be found near my home
And other places you may roam
Kudos to who gotzit
Now tell me Whatzit

Tableau Tuesday 01/05/2010

Welcome to the first Tableau Tuesday of this year - I have some pics from New Year's Eve, as well as from a walk yesterday:


Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

My Town Shoot Out - Under Construction

Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone reading this post. Really, I mean it. I hope each and every one of you has a happy and healthy year ahead of you.

This week's shoot out theme is courtesy of Gordon of Florida Friday Shoot Outs, and my WHATZIT Buddy. "To kick off the new year our assignment is UNDER CONSTRUCTION. The first thing that comes to mind might be building sites of construction companies, or construction projects that we are involved in.

However, the possibilities are limitless. Maybe you would like to feature the construction of your new year's resolutions.
Another idea, to paraphrase a popular saying, " It takes a village (or town) to raise (or build) a child."
Maybe some of you, literally, have a new life under construction.
A recent thought, posted on my blog "Meandering Moments of My Mind" was, "Our best should, forever, be under construction and improving."
Perhaps, our artists and poets could share artwork or verse, not yet finished.
My Town Shoot-outs is ever evolving, so maybe personal thoughts about our progress could be featured.
I am always fascinated with the steps of "doctoring" a photo by some of our talented photographers. Maybe you could show us how the amazing final products are arrived at. Patty, I demand that you participate in that. Well, maybe, demand is a strong word. Please!!
I'm excited to see your takes and shots on the assignment.
One of the appealing things about our group is the diversity in evidence each week. I am honored to have chosen the first theme for the year. Do us proud as we welcome 2010. Happy New Year!
Thanks to all."
I encourage you to go and see everyone's contributions here or here.
My Town has construction going on around improvements to the High School. This is near my house and I see it almost every day. The progress has been great, though probably not as fast as some would like. All shots taken on 12/31 at around 3:00 in the afternoon.
The New Office - I like how the curve mirrors the hill in the background:

Reflection in glass ready to be windows:

The puddles were so still, that the reflections were clear:

This tree was great against the sky - even in reflection:

Cool Red Spools, and shadows:

One of the forklifts on site:

Hopefully the handicapped parking will be more convenient when they are finished:

One of the newer buildings completed:

The flag flying from the uppermost corner of the new building:

Happy Weekend and Happy New Year all!