♫ Cos it's easier to fly ♪

♪
Than to face another night
In Southern Sun
And your love is all around♫

Yay! Thanks to a suggestion from a friend; I have found a new way to share music with you every day. So far I'm really liking this website.

Last night we went and saw Megamind. I went in not sure what to think and wasn't sure if I'd like it or not. I think the character designs were something off putting to me but I gave it a chance. I'm glad I did! The movie was great. Sure, it was predictable in parts but what movie isn't anymore? I also had another self realization come to me again. Sure I knew this about myself but I was once again reminded by the character Megamind.

I love good-bad guys. I found that through all of my life I've been that way. From toddler to now; I like that type! Even the stingier uptight sorta character that has a soft gooey center to them.

From Oscar the Grouch, The Count & Bert all the way to Beetlejuice, Chip (from chip and dale's rescue rangers) and the like; it's a repeating theme. (Not that I mind.)


So, onto the final pictures of the watermelon eating contest.

You know, on a side note, I love fresh fruit. It can't be cold though! I love fruit at room temperature or sun-warmed in order for me to fully enjoy every savory flavor. That's why I love gardens too! The fruit or veggies taste so good!

In the winter sometimes I'll slightly warm up oranges in the microwave. It's just something I feel brings out certain subtle flavors that aren't there when they are cold.

Okay, pictures, yes!















Another note about today; I was called this morning about my bloodwork results. You see, I had them checked because a few years ago I was on a medication for my skin called Accutane. It made my cholesterol shoot through the roof! It was dangerously high but lucky for me I was finished with "rounds" of pills. I switched meds for my skin but also at the same time my cholesterol came down; not as low as I would like but it came down nonetheless.

During that time I also lost a lot of weight, close to 40/50 pounds, and changed my exercise up a notch. I've always eaten healthier so the issue was cutting down on how much I ate in comparison to how much I burned. I didn't turn hyperfocused but integrated it into my life so it wasn't a BIG change. I still ate what I liked but my portions were smaller. During the summer, Josh and I would take 5 mile walks and during the school-time I would walk to Savannah's school which is a mile away and a mile back.

It's amazing the weight started just coming right off. I learned little tidbits about health like: The human stomach is only as big as your fist. That's how big your meals should be otherwise it stretches out the stomach. The stomach, although it can handle it, shouldn't stretch out like that!

Here's a neat little link explaining it a bit clearer but I've found these things to be true once I changed my eating habits.

So, back to the phone call, they called me personally to let me know my cholesterol/triglycerides were VERY high. I was shocked! They said normal levels are about 150 and mine were ate 350!!!! I asked how this was and they said that birth control I'm on raises those levels in some people and since Accutane did that to me earlier; it was clear that that was the culprit.

They want me to get off my birth control right away and we'll be changing my meds right away.

So, here I am, rethinking things and weighing my options. I think I will see about some medicines to help reduce those levels and see what my doctor will think will help.

I've been wanting to join a gym so I can get back into walking 5 miles every weeknight again. I've slacked on days to walk to Savannah's school but I'm going to crack down on that again. Too bad I don't like being cold at all.

A suprise!

Tonight I'm treating Savannah to a surprise movie and dinner. We found a theater that has $5 any movie Mon-Thursday. So, why not! We will go see Megamind and I'm hoping it's good. I really don't know or have seen much about it but I'm willing to give a go!

In fact, I tend to be the adventurous sort and love to try new things. This summer I did something on a whim and I'm glad I did! Ah, segues, you know I love it!

Savannah and I entered a watermelon eating contest. We were heading to the farmer's market and they just happened to be setting up for the kid's watermelon eating contest. I told Savannah she'd be a shoe-in due to her love of watermelon!

Lucky for us, I brought my camera to document it. After the kid's contest the adult contest was up next. Big farm-hands all gathered around the table and I decided to be in this contest too. So, me against the big farm-hands.

Both Savannah and I won!

















I'll share the rest of these pictures tomorrow!

♪ How they dance in the courtyard,

sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget. ♫

I want to be able to share music with you ever day that I blog. I'm having a hard time finding a reliable site to use. Ah well. I'll find something even if I have to host them myself.

More pictures from our wanderings...


"We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." -Gloria Gaither











“I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?”

Oh, a rinky dinky, dinky.

When I was younger, now not too much younger though, I used to watch all the 'Disney Sing-A-Long Songs' videos. I still, to this day, remember all the songs because of how many times I watched them. In fact, I do believe I wore out a lot of those tapes. The songs will trigger something in me and I can't help the songs coming out of my mouth!

The video above was one of the songs that I used to love to sing. In all honesty, I didn't like the style Disney had for that time frame. The animation was too rough-draft looking and dirty feeling. I love the movies like Jungle Book through the Rescuers but I honestly was bothered by the unclean lines. Not only that, I found many, many times where they were, perhaps, lazy and reused animation frames. You'll see it in The Jungle Book and Winnie the Pooh.


You will see it often in fact!

I'm not sure why they thought this was acceptable!? I know it was cheaper and it saved time but I guess that's the whole rushed, unfinished look that bothers me.

You can see why Disney during that time went through a big depression and the studios almost shut down. It was thanks to Oliver and Company but mostly because of The Little Mermaid that they were pulled out of that dark abyss.

I love cartoons! I love animated movies and would still go see them in theaters even if I didn't have a kid. That's one part of me that you could see that is the kid in me. Still, isn't it mature to admit that you can be an adult and still enjoy things that, even though they are geared at kids, bring you happiness?

I still draw fanart for cartoons long gone. In fact, looking at my DeviantArt Account you can clearly see that. I haven't had much time this year to draw as much as I would like to. I know once it starts getting colder; I will be on track with that again.

So, in the meantime, I will post pictures of my life because it makes me happy.


During the summer one of our favorite things is to drive and explore new areas. We will purposely get lost because you never know what you will find. Here is what looks to be the Bee Balm flower.


One of my favorite trees, besides the mighty Oak, is the Weeping Willow. Growing up, my grandmother lived by a lake; by her house was a giant Willow who's branches would sway in the wind making the most beautiful sound. I would tangle myself up in her branches and pretend I was hidden while feeling "one" with the tree. It's branches were so long that they would soak into the water below like fingers playing in the waves.

This picture was taken while we were going 60mph. Haha.


Summer wasn't complete without the arrival of the Red Winged Blackbird. Their trill song makes me smile and feel like things are right in the world because it's truly summer. They are such an expressive bird and so much fun to watch as they try to attract a potential mate.


Cold, sterile, granary storage units await a train to unload it's feed; it was a big contrast to the warm summery feel in the air that night.


The setting sun played with the wispy clouds leaving a beautiful painting in the sky. It set the mood for excellent pictures.


Ponds, in the middle of corn fields, made for great reflective mirrors to enhance the sky's beauty.


Wisconsin is known for a few things. Barns scattered throughout the country, many in disrepair, house dairy cows. It give's fodder to the joke "Smell the fresh Dairy Air"; playing on the word derrière. ;)


Time seems to go quickly on these drives, not that I mind! The winter is fun to drive too but sometimes it's too dangerous. So, summer time will continue to be my favorite driving season.

But, give me a good thunderstorm and that makes for one beautiful ride too.

Lemonade summer dreams...

Another song to share. It's one of those songs you just have to sing along to. ;)

More pictures for today to share. Taking you back to summer once again; dreaming of those cool ice cream moments, sun warming, a comforting breeze and the smell of freshly cut grass.


Once again, Josh and I, cuddling up on the picnic bench.


Leif and I. We've been great friends for 20 plus years. Wow, it's something when I put it like that. Haha.


Josh always help make my days brighter with just his smile.


Leif and I being silly!


Walking home that day was very nice.


All of those moments, the summer, was captured and kept away to be enjoyed on chilly days like today.


So, I've been thinking: I want to share more with you; more about me, about my life, my experiences. So, I've been looking for interesting memes, surveys or questionnaires to post here. Does anyone have anything? I know they are cheesy, teeny-bopper-esque but they are a great way to share and get to know others.(At least to me.)

Here's a quick one I found. How about you? I'd love to see your answers.

favorite animal: Corvids & Cephalopods
favorite drink: Tea straight up.
favorite singer: Billie Holliday
favorite show: Destination Truth
favorite website: I don't have one favorite.
favorite place to shop: I usually shop where I need to go to get a certain item. Though, I'd love to shop at Hot Topic if I could afford it.
favorite color: Red, bright orange and black.
lake or pond? Lake
A, B or C? C, though I don't know how this is relative to anything.
Outside or inside? Outside
foil or plastic wrap? Both serve their purpose.
hamburger or taco? Depending on my mood because I like them both.
meal or snack? I like meals because it's great to share that time with others.
Wii or xbox? Both, again they both have their own benefits.
Love or hate? ♥ Love ♥
1 or 2? Um, 2?
summer or winter? SUMMER!!
hairspray or hair gel? Neither, please and thank you.
yogurt or pudding? Greek yogurt with honey and fresh fruit or granola.
flip flops or sneakers? Bare feet! Though, if I have to choose, flip-flops but I call them thongs.
Soda or water? Agua, por favor.
funny or sad? Funny
goo or clay? Clay. There is more you can do with clay than the amorphic goo. It conjures up the thought of a scene in Ghostbusters 3: "Vhy am I covered in goo?".
shiny or sparkly? Sparkly I guess.
small or big? Both are nice.
happy or sad? HAPPY!!!!
fiction or non-fiction? Both again.
bright or dull? Bright.
cat or dog? Cat but I do like all animals.
fish or snake? Fishies but I LOVE Snakes too.
odd or even? Odd.
smooth or bumpy? Smooth.
awake or asleep? Awake but I love to sleep.
fruit or vegetables? BOTH!!!!!
car or bus? Car. I love to travel.
old or young? Both.
never or always? Always.
interesting survey or weird survey? I'll take both.

Thinking of warmer days.

While the temperatures are changing; I have thought of warmer days that keep me happy and feeling warmer.

Taking a walk to get ice cream during the warmer months is a happy little treat. It's quite addictive!


So many little things to see while walking. The scent of this plant is quite obnoxious but looking at this image can instantly bring back that scent to my mind.


The setting sun was nice but a bit blinding. You could feel the warmth rise off the pavement.


Josh and one of my best friends, Leif, happily joined me for a cool treat.


Mmmm, twinkle coat ice cream cone! I think the flavor of the day was Apple.


Yummy! You can see that I have to eat it quickly because it was melting and I lose all my twinkle coat.




Josh looks a bit happy. ;)


Aww, it's love. ♥

♫ Her kiss is a vampire grin

The moon lights her way while she’s howlin’ at him.♪

Yesterday was so blustery that I had to drive to get Savannah from school. While sitting in the car the wind was so strong that it actually felt like the car wanted to topple over! It was fun watching the kids overreact to sharp gusts. Some girls would scream and others were completely charged by the wind's energy.

Some of my Halloween decorations fell over and I've yet to fix them due to it still being a bit windy. I'll probably fix it later today and hopefully the strong winds will calm down.

I heard from other people that there was snowfall in some of the states! I know it shouldn't be a surprise; we usually get snow around this time and usually on Halloween. In fact, many times I remember the first snow fall to start on Halloween. That's why I usually plan Halloween costumes for the cold. I'll make fleece cloaks or warmer fabrics to help block that biting wind.

Speaking of costumes, Savannah's is half-way done. I'll be trying to finish it up today so I can go to the fabric store to get supplies to make a tutu-like skirt for Nahdene. It'll be the colors of a flame! That's going to be a a fun little project.


So, now, here are the new pictures for today that continues our bike ride with Allison.


I love how Allison looks like she's stalking her prey with her camera.


I think Josh had fun too!


The colors of fall always make me feel happy.


The sunlight was dimming where we were since we were further down along the river bank. Our path darkened but we made our way up to the light.


We have to cross over the train tracks in order to get back on the path. So many things are discarded along the tracks. Rope, haphazardly thrown along the side, conjures strange and macabre thoughts and scenarios.


The breeze muffled the sounds around me; my hair whipping around and into my eyes, still didn't stop the cacophony of birdsongs. Geese flew low, honking all the way, heading to their next destination.


With that, the sun set and we made our way home. But, no, the adventure didn't end there...


More for tomorrow.