Bloggers Beware . . . XP Antivirus I have found that comments added to my blog by the users Jojosho and Akinol link to and automatically upload of the aobe mentioned spyware. A scan is completed of your system that provides false results, for example worms, viruses, etc. Do not open comments from these users. Delete them. Here are some links I found with more information about this spyware. Informational: http://blogs.stopbadware.org/articles/2008/03/27/alert-xp-antivirus-2008 This link walks you thru the removal process> Pretty helpful if you know just enough about computers to be dangerous: http://www.lancelhoff.com/2008/02/22/how-to-remove-xp-antivirus-protection/ Informational: http://www.symantec.com/enterprise/security_response/weblog/2008/03/yet_another_site_falls_prey_to.html There is a multitude of other references when you google xp antivirus. If this warning saves one fellow blogger, I've done my job. Good luck and happy blogging. bfarr

Planning for Departure

Getting closer to our travel date. I have a tendency to start planning early and TOM just rolls his eyes. I purchased a new cosmetic/travel case today. I plan to build the ultimate travel/first aid kit. As TOM and are not as young as we used to be is it conceivable that one of us (probably me) will get hurt while participating in one activity or another. When we were in Belize 2 years ago I fell in a cave...not a pleasant experience and injured my knee. Anyway, this year I am going to be prepared with the basics. I found this kit list in Conde Nast Traveler: Compartment 1 Personal medication (bring 50% extra) Cold and allergy medication Throat lozenges Nasal decongestant spray Cold and flu medication Tums Pain reliever Hand sanitizer Compartment 2 Eye bandage Antibiotic eye drops and ear drops Sterile eyewash Cotton swabs Earplugs Disposable thermometer Scissors Small flashlight Surgical gloves Lip balm Compartment 3 Band aids Small nonstick dressing Surgical tape, not surgical tape, white electrical tape. Good thing we didn't need it ;-) Burn gel Burn dressings Antiseptic swabs Spray on dressing Ace bandage Steri-strips Sutures Needle holders Syringes Surgical blade Anesthetic Triangle bandage Compartment 4 Insect repellent Insect bite treatment Hydrocortisone cream Water purification tablets Sunblock Oral rehydration packets Dextrose tablets Motion sickness tablets Post Trip Note: No injuries on the trip (I had been in training for quite a while in preparation) However, TOM did get sick so that put a damper on several activities. Highlighted items were those that we actually had in the kit.

Hiking the Pine Mountain Trail

TOM and I went hiking yesterday with our boys and a girlfriend on the Wolfden Loop. We got an early start and saw only 1 group of three hikers on the trail when we started. The trail was in pretty good shape and not too damp in the low areas. The weather was nice and we had a great time.It's been a long time since we did a family activity like this. We stopped for a couple of photo ops along the way. I wish I had brought the tripod so that I could have taken a picture of all of us together.
I was starting to get tired and on the walk back I stepped wrong and turned my ankle. After resting for a while I was ready to go and eat lunch. The round trip took about three hours. We were all quite hungry by the time we got back to the car.
The sandwiches were delicious. The drinks were as cold and refreshing as the water running in the creek. The day was good. We were all pretty quiet on the ride home. I was ready for a nap. But before I did that I iced my ankle and hit the ibruprofen. It definitely paid off. The ankle was stiff this a.m. but it loosened up. No bruising; although there is some swelling. These beautiful flowers remind me that the entire day was worth it.

I found this plan last year and plan to use it as a starting point for our meditation garden. In the area where the bench is located in this illustration will be the back corner of our garden. Other modifications will be made as well.


This is the list of suggested plantings for our part of the country:
A. Eastern redbud (Cercis Canadensis); Alternative: Silverbell (Halesia Carolina) or other small accent tree
B. Hearts-a-bustin (Euonymus americanus); Alternative: Winterberry (hex verticillata) or other specimen plant with winter interest
C. Sugarcane plumegrass (Saccharum giganteum); Alternative: Other tall grass
D. Spoiled horsemint (Monarda punctata); Alternative: Narrowleaf mountain mint (Pycnantheum tenuifolium); non-native options include lavender, sage or rosemary) or other medium-height, scented, woody or herbaceous plant
E. Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia); Alternative: Non-native options include thyme or other groundcover plant
F. Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis); Alternative: Little bluestem (Schyzachirium scoparium) or other small grass

Other Garden Elements:

1. Stone-edged patio (patio surface can be pea gravel, concrete or flagstone)
2. Waterfeature (bowl or fountain)
3. Boulder
4. Bamboo fence, 2’ x 6’ panels
5. Bamboo fence, 2’ x 4’ panels
6. Bamboo fence, 2’ x 2’ panels
7. Candle lantern (or solar light)
8. Stepping stones
9. Entrance
10. Bench

TOM has finsihed the steps up to the garden area. All that's left is to design the compass rose (for the step), fill to level, and plants. Maybe even a fountain. I saw a solar fountain on TV that would be really neat. Maybe a bench of some sort.


Taking the rest of the weekend off. More next time.

Phrases you can be without in Costa Rica

One beer, please Un birra, por favor Where is the bathroom? Donde esta el servicio How much? Cuanto Turn on the [taxi] meter, please Ponga la maria, por favor

Rainy days. . .

Not much going on today. It's 2:00 and I have only been out of my room a couple of times. On one trip out, I saw this very brave squirrel sitting on the back fence (we have two dogs and four cats, two of which are very good hunters). Anyway, he looked so cute I just had to take a photo. So here he is . . .


Maybe tomorrow will be more productive.

The Meditation Garden continues to come together. I have pretty much given my husband carte blanche to do what he wants back there. Pretty suprising because I have very specific ideas about the projects that we work on. He really seems to be enjoying it tho and it's a great way for him to relieve stress.

He got home early and poured the foundation for the compass rose that will be the step up to the 'garden'area.

The compass rose was his idea and will be about 48" in diameter. Now we just have to decide on a design that we both like and is relatively simple to construct. Stencil and paint would be easier and provide more detail than a tile mosaic. Historically, they are blue/green/red on black background.

Here are a couple of examples that I found as a starting point for our design. I especially like this one, but TOM thinks its too busy. This would be very challenging to recreate, but I like it as a starting point for our design.


TOM likes this...as do I. Much simpler design and would be easier to replicate. This example is made of slate which will definitely hold up to the weather.

(I Like to Think) I Saved a Turtle Today!

I go for a walk each day, either during my lunch hour or in the early afternoon to get energized for the rest of the afternoon. Anyway, our campus runs along the river and is a nice place to walk during the spring and fall. In the summer it's a too hot.

Anyway, I was on my way back to work when I spotted a small turtle on the path. Fearing for his life (he was about the size of a 50 cent piece) I picked him up and placed him in the grass on the river side of the path. The rocks in the river are a favorite sunning place for a plethora of turtles. I love to watch them stretch their necks toward the sun as they rest on the rocks.

I pulled this photo from wikipedia until I can post one of my own :)

Update: I took my camera to work today, but the river is up and the rocks used by the turtles sunning are currently submerged. Better luck next time.

Our Bottle Tree:

A bottle tree is a southern garden tradition. The idea is to put bottles on a tree to trap evil spirits. The evil spirits enter the bottle and then they can't find the way out. During the heat of the day, they are destroyed. The bottle tree will be part of the meditation garden that we are building in the back corner of the yard.

We need some fill (about 4 yards, maybe more) and we will need to get creative about how to 'pave' the garden. Do we buy some nice slate, used recycled bricks, or make stepping stones out of concrete? Buying recycled bricks could be almost as expensive as the slate and making stepping stones could be quite labor intensive. I will have to do some more research on our options.

The bottle tree has been moved into position. We plan to cut a door in the back fence to access the area above the retaining wall; as well as hanging lattice panel as a base for some flowering vines ... maybe bouganvilla (sp) or frangipani (sp)...somthing that is pretty and smells good. All this is going on while to plan vacation. I may have to start a new blog for our home improvement projects . . . or maybe not. I have a hard time trying to keep up with this blog.

Later . . .

Check out my Slide Show!

Things to bring:

• Binoculars
• Flashlight
• Camera with extra batteries and SD cards
• Rain gear
• Hiking shoes/boots
• Swim suit
• Light sweatshirt or windbreaker
• Birding list
• Pocket knife
• Insect repellent
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Day pack
• Plastic bags

We are in the midst of planning the annual vacation. This spring it will be Costa Rica. We are going during the first part of the "Green" read "Rainy" season. Hopefully, it won't be too green as it is still early in the season. We have made our selections as to the parts of the country we want to visit; La Fortuna and Quepos. San Jose (day 1): We plan to spend the first (and last)nite near San Jose. Reservations have been made at the Orquideas Inn. I will let you know about the accomodations upon my return. It looks to be quite a charming hotel and is close to the airport; especially important on departure day. Things to do in the area: The Gold Museum; Cafe Britt Farm (for coffee), La Paz Waterfall Gardens. La Fortuna (days 2 thru 5): Reservations have been made at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. Our room has a view of the volcano. With any luck, we will have the nightly glow of lava from our room. Things to do in the area: Lake Arenal; bird watching; hiking; Cloud Forest; Hanging Bridges; Hot springs. Quepos: (days 6 thru 9): Resversations have been made at the the Mono Azul (the Blue Monkey). I love that name. It is very near Manual Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast. Things to do in the area: the beach; wildlife; horseback riding; canopy tours. No matter what we do, it will be a great time.

June Already

Jeez, I can't believe that it is June. I have not been here in quite a while. Busy with work, etc. Any excuse will do, right? Anyway, I just returned from a week in my home state of Minnesota. It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary and we had a big blowout for them. We were so busy hosting the party that we did not get many pics. Before we left however, I did create a short dvd to give to my parents. It is not long, we played it intermittently at the party.

Living with CRUD!!!

I, like hundreds of thousands of citizens, have been suffering from the CRUD. You know, the stuff that clogs your lungs, sinuses, eustachian tubes (they help you keep your balance by the way), and body aches. Well, I don't really have body aches...just arthritis.

I thought I had managed to dodge the bullet, but I started to get clogged up last week. Anyway, I spent my time and money going to the dr. to have him tell me he wasn't going to give me anything for it...my lungs were not that congested.

I would have to agree, we do tend to take too much medication, especially antibiotics.

Moving on to more interesting topics, I just downloaded some cool music...some new...
1. The Guide; Bourne
2. Starlight; Muse
3. Girl; Beck
4. Fidelity; Regina Spektor

and some not so new:
5. Rocket Man; Elton John
6. Black Hole Sun; Soundgarden
7. Nothing Compares to You; Sinead O'Connor
8. Smells Like Teen Spirit; Nirvana

The ability to download music really is the greatest thing. It used to be that you had to buy the whole damn album or tape or CD and more than 50% of the songs were crap. With downloading, you only buy the music you like. You also have the opportunity to listen to obscure artists that you've never heard of before and discover some real jewels. More bang for your buck!

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Linwood Cemetary to take some shots of the monuments. This cemetary has been around since 1828 (or something like that).

Here are some of the more interesting shots:

People spend lots of money immortalizing family members that are gone. Some of these monuments are very elaborate.

This one is especially pretty. She is missing a finger tho.

I was quite entranced by her. I wish I had wings : )








These next two shots tell quite a sad tale. Two families, two lost children, eight years apart.

And no parents beside them.

I wonder where they ended up?























This next monumuent was provided by the "Woodmen of the World". Quite the phallic symbol. A great big dick. I did not see the resemblance until I loaded it to this blog...don't turn me in ;)

Bye for now.

TGIF

I wish I could have few weeks of Fridays. It would be nice to take some time for myself but I don't see that happening. I'm the Mom, I am not supposed to have time to myself. And it is too early in the year to start taking my vacation days.

I am still scanning family photos. And the end is in sight. I have about nine albums left. but the photos of Hawaii don't have to be scanned...they are already on CD!

To make my life easier, TOM bought me an external hard drive to storel all the photos, music, and important documents. 320 gigabites...it will definitely take a while to fill that up. I love it already. I could tell that my hard drive was getting slower. Can't have that.

Anyway, of my recent scans, these are some of my favs...taken 1979 and 1980. Sounds like a long time ago...



Chip and Dale

Sean, about 6 months old

Sean, about 6 months old

Sean, about 6 months old

Post post comment: I no longer wish my days (my life) away. I take each day and appreciate it for what it is.

Long Time, No Write...

I have been having alot of connection issues these days. My router is not working properly and then I started having trouble with my modem.

I am still furiously scanning photos, although I am slowing down quite a bit. I knew it would take along time.

Here are a few of my favorites from recent days:

Barb, Alan, and Sean, Colorado, circa 1982
Barb, Alan, and Jeremy, taken by Sean, Switzerland, circa 1983
Sean and Jeremy, Germany, circa 1983
"Pure Joy", Barb and Sean, Colorado, circa 1982

Back to the Grind

It was back to work today. It was nice actually. After the holiday we had, work is definitely better.

TOM did call Mom today to see how everyone was doing. G-ma will go to AZ on Friday as planned. The shingles are clearing up. I'm glad she is going. She is worried about her 91 year old sister.

Mom is reducing the amount of antibiotic. Apparently, it reached toxic levels, so she is down to one dose a day.

Dad is playing nursemaid and doing a fine job. That's good. I don't feel so guilty about not being there. He should take care of Mom. She has been taking care of him for almost 50 years.

I am still scanning photos. I am currently working in 1984, Paris. My kids were young then...so was I. Maybe I need to go back and take another look.


(Photo by TOM)

Christmas in Minnesota

You can't beat it ... Day 1, December 23: Departure from Atlanta uneventful. Traffic from Columbus was light. Economy parking lot full; at least we won’t have to walk so far to retrieve the car. Airport security moved pretty quickly. We got to our gate in record time. Pickup in MPLS uneventful; we actually arrived early. Timing at the baggage claim, good. I would rather wait a few minutes than have Dad circle the airport for an hour…traffic was crazy. Mom was still in the hospital so we went to see her. We were there for about an hour, got lunch to go, and went to the house to see Grandma. She had lunch cooking : ) We ate. My brother brought his extra car for us to use during our stay. He saved us about $300 in car rentals. For this I am grateful. We will spend a few days with him and his family. Does that sound like gratitude? Take his car, move in, and then kick him out of his bed. Went to visit Mom and discuss our options for Christmas Eve dinner. We had to work around her antibiotic schedule…every 12 hours which gave us plenty of time. Day 2, December 24: Called Mom about 9 a.m. The plan was to get her released for the day so we can go to my brother’s for dinner. We received Dr’s approval so we went and picked her up. We were in charge of the ham, so we could not leave till about 2. She could come home for a few hours. It has been two weeks since she was home. After surgery she went to the nursing home for physical therapy. As always, my bro’s house is immaculate. They repainted the kitchen and redecorated. It looks really nice. We will be spending the next two nights with him and his family. It will be fun. Actually, the most fun we had on the entire trip so far. Of course the nephew’s got a lot of really great gifts: Ipods, notebook computers, and some very expensive ski clothes. Mom, Dad, and Grandma left about 6. Mom was tired and Grandma was not feeling well either. My bro’s bedroom is very small. Day 3, December 25: We drove to St. Cloud to spend the day with TOM’s oldest sister and her daughter. We had a lot of fun that day. We visited for an hour and then we decided to try and find some food. Would you believe that the only place that was open was the casino? Well, it was and that was where we ate Christmas dinner. It was pretty good. Being at the casino we had to play. We gave Sis $20…she took home $60. She can really use the money. TOM won $100…paid for dinner. We did not tell my Dad. He would have felt left out. He likes the casinos. Day 4, December 26: Grandma is not well. She has blisters in her mouth and her face is swollen. We spend the day at the emergency room. By the time she gets checked into the hospital is it 6 p.m. We spent the whole day there. Apparently, she has shingles. Very contagious…just like chicken pox in the initial stages. I hope we (me and TOM) don’t have any problems. What a day. Wasn’t this supposed to be our vacation? Day 5, December 27: Mom got sprung. We brought her home about 12:00. We stopped by to see Grandma before we left. She is looking good. We don’t know when she will get out. Dad got home early from work so TOM and I made our escape to visit the brother in law. Anyway, we got to meet the new granddaughter. Pretty baby. We stayed for a couple of hours and then left for the hospital to visit TOM's sister. Seems to be a theme here… We had to drive thru rush hour traffic. Not good when you are not sure where you are. Anyway, we stayed with her for about an hour. She still looks rough, making progress tho. By the time we made it home my G-ma had been sprung. She looked terrible and was not feeling to good either. Hope she gets better so she can travel to Arizona next week. She has a sister that needs some looking after. Day 6, December 28: We spent the day taking care of sick people. Running to the doctor and the pharmacy, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping. I worked harder this trip than I ever do at home. Only one more day till I can head for home. Bro and his family came over to visit this evening. It is good to see them again before we leave. Day 7, December 29: We fly home today. We can finally get some rest. I do not even care that our flight is delayed. I am on the road, ready to go home. And it did not snow until the morning of our departure.

Today is my Birthday...

TOM had my youngest son buy me some speakers for the IPOD. It is nice not using the earbuds...they are not comfortable at all. And as my hearing is not too good in my right ear so I don't get the full benefit of them. Because it is my b-day, I told TOM that he had to go shopping with me. And he did, with a smile on his face. I have a couple of things to get my youngest. We are going to do a 7 Days of Christmas for him while we are gone so he won't feel so alone. I am going to hide some little gifts around the house. One for him to find each day that we are gone. We are going to have a beer and pretzel day, a sweet tooth day, a smell good day, a movie day, a money day...I still have to think of a couple of themes. But maybe this is enough. It will put a smile on his face. He doesn't do that enough. It is his b-day tomorrow. We will have some cake and ice cream. His brother is coming from Atlanta to see him. He has to work tho, so we won't have much time to do anything else. Maybe go to lunch. In any event, it will be a nice. Today was gorgeous by the way.