We made our daily trip to Lowe’s this afternoon, much to the jmonsters utter disgust and found the deal of the century. Daddy has been eyeballing the Super Duper Big Man Hammock and can’t walk into Lowe’s without checking them out. Well today the stand and hammock were marked down 50%. Daddy was so excited! While Tallmonster was off getting a cart, Mommy offered to buy it for him for his Birthday. (Mommy has her own checking account since she got a job.) Well that sold him and he is now a proud owner of a HUGE hammock. After we got home he had to do some work so Mommy was left to put it together (as usual). Mommy did get to try it out first but was promptly kicked out soon after. He was content to swing in the driveway but Mommy said we would get a letter from the association about having a large object in the driveway 
. He looks forward to taking a nap or sipping a beer out in the hammock, but he might have to post a sign about no jmonsters allowed…
Woo-Hoo summer vacation is here!! The jmonsters made it through the last (useless) days of school and are excited to start their summer vacation (and brain drain). Mommy is excited to be off from work, but has enjoyed getting back into the work force. She enjoys working at Pearce Elementary School not far from home and looks forward to getting back in late August. Hard to believe that Tallmonster will be starting 5th grade. He finished the year strong with all A’s and B’s. He came home from the Awards day with lots of certificates. The one we are most proud of is his Accelerated Reader award. It is a program the school has that promotes reading. The kids read books and then take a ten question quiz about the book and earn points based on how many questions they get right. Well Tallmonster was the top point earner in the school with over 400 points. He got a Barnes and Noble gift card and lots of recognition. We are very proud. It made his transition to Colfax that much easier.
Smallmonster had a great year in Kindergarten and is looking forward to 1st grade. He really loves school especially the social part!! Overall a great year and hope for an even better one next year…
We tried to prepare for the latest onslaught of winter weather with a quick trip over to Edward McKay Used Books in Winston Salem. We also made a stop by Blockbusters the night before. Plenty of snacks, movies, and books… Let it snow!
What we watched:
Pirates of the Caribbean 3 – At World’s End
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Surf’s Up
Books we were able to get at Edwards:
by Jez Alborough – Juvenile Fiction – 1995 Smallmonster [ Edit labels ]
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In my library [ Remove ] – More editions
by Mercer Mayer – Children’s stories, American – 2006 Smallmonster [ Edit labels ]
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by Tedd Arnold – Juvenile Fiction – 1998 – 24 pages [ Add labels ]
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by James Howe – Juvenile Fiction – 1988 [ Add labels ]
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by Christopher Paolini – Fantasy – 2003 – 509 pages [ Add labels ]
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review ] – About this book – In my library [ Remove ] – More editions
by Robert Lawson – Juvenile Fiction – 1977 – 127 pages [ Add labels ]
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by Jane Langton – Juvenile Fiction – 1980 – 196 pages [ Add labels ]
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by Dave Wolverton – Juvenile Fiction – 1999 [ Add labels ]
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by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien – Fantasy fiction, English – 1997 [ Add labels ]
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We received a strange email a while back wanting to use on of our Denver photos to promote travel to the Denver area. We were a little skeptical at first, but then decided what the heck… Here is the original solicitation:
:: Schmap: Denver Photo Short-list
Hi jmonsters,
I am writing to let you know that one of your photos has
been short-listed for inclusion in the fourth edition of
our Schmap Denver Guide, to be published mid-December 2007.
http://www.schmap.com/shortlist/p=65557634N00/c=SF20183614
Clicking this link will take you to a page where you can:
i) See which of your photos has been short-listed.
ii) Submit or withdraw your photo from our final selection
phase.
iii) Learn how we credit photos in our Schmap Guides.
iv) Browse online or download the second edition of our
Schmap Denver Guide.
While we offer no payment for publication, many
photographers are pleased to submit their photos, as Schmap
Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and
are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a
maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and
link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.
Our submission deadline is Sunday, December 9. If you
happen to be reading this message after this date, please
still click on the link above (our Schmap Guides are
updated frequently – photos submitted after this deadline
will be considered for later releases).
Best regards,
Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
————————————————————
A little while after agreeing we received this email:
:: Schmap Denver Fourth Edition: Photo Inclusion
Hi jmonsters,
I am delighted to let you know that your submitted photo
has been selected for inclusion in the newly released
fourth edition of our Schmap Denver Guide:
Red Rocks Amphitheatre
http://www.schmap.com/denver/sights_outandabout/p=321582/i=321582_5.jpg
If you like the guide and have a website, blog or personal
page, then please also check out our schmapplets -
customizable widgetized versions of our Schmap Denver
Guide, complete with your published photo:
http://www.schmap.com/schmapplets/p=65557634N00/c=SF20182714
Thanks so much for letting us include your photo – please
enjoy the guide!
Best regards,
Emma Williams,
Managing Editor, Schmap Guides
————————————————————
Our Red Rock’s Amphitheater photo is there you have to wait for the picture to scroll through. Pretty neat, but we will keep our day jobs…
After all of the complaining and gnashing of teeth from Mommy’s first and only time mowing the lawn with a push mower, Daddy thought he would be kind and gracious, and buy a new riding lawn tractor. The kind and gracious part came from a solid threat that Daddy would be the principal lawn mower, if something wasn’t done about the five hours Mommy spent on the first lawn mowing incident.
We spent a few weeks researching and reading reviews about various types of tractors. Daddy remembered the lawn tractor we had as a kid, and the hours spent fixing it after something fell off or broke from the last use. We finally picked one out and headed over to Home Depot for our purchase, only to discover they were out. A certain calm fell over the family, as this always happens… It takes days and/or weeks for us to make a decision that involves a purchase of more than twenty dollars (the only exception be our house, which we aren’t sure we really looked at before buying, but we are still thrilled with it) only to be thwarted when it is time to make a kill. The guy at Home Depot checked stock and located two at the Battleground location. We piled in the truck, had a quick fight regarding directions and headed on our way.
We found the next Home Depot and the two lawn tractors. Parked out front with the mile long cable that stretches to each piece of equipment with a pad lock. We assume this security measure is to prevent a thief from putting a thousand pound lawn mower under his arm and walking off. We inspected the tractors and they looked a little rough. Some of the hoods and dashes were cracked and not closing properly, one had a flat tire, and they were dirty. We looked over at the jmonsters as they climbed on each tractor and did their best Jeff Gordon impression, complete with screeching brakes and hairpin turns, and we understood how the tractors had gotten to this condition. The two tractors the Home Depot had left looked like they had a long season being chained up out front with children racing on them.
We decided that we weren’t going to spend that much money on tired looking equipment and asked if there was any other inventory at another store. The associate called the store in High Point, but frowned and put the phone down. He walked off leaving us in an awkward position… We never know if we should follow or stand still when a person that is helping us walks off muttering to themselves. We opted to stay, and he did come back only to say they had one in the crate on the top shelf. He said he needed a couple of hours to get it down and get it ready to go. We decided to head for CiCi’s Pizza for lunch while our new tractor was being prepped.
After getting fill of salad and pizza we headed back to Home Depot to load up our new tractor, and head for the house. We were able to get the beast off the back of the truck without injury. Mommy wanted to put another coat of red up in Tallmonster’s room, before firing up the tractor. After getting the paint up Mommy fired up her machine and did a couple of sweeps out front. Daddy tried his hand, and was told “why don’t you finish up the front”, this was exactly not the reason he had wanted to get the machine. We were able to finish the front is just over a half an hour, and Mommy took over the back. A couple of times around, and we were out of gas, so we will have to finish up tomorrow.
We are finally made it to the new house in North Carolina. We pulled in the driveway around two in the afternoon. The truck was slow going along Route 220 as it wound its way through the mountains. Grandma, Pap-Pap, and the boys we’re waiting for us in the driveway, and the jmonsters were bursting with excitement.
We weren’t able to open the door to our truck more than two feet, after our hillbilly pack job at the end of our day yesterday. Mommy had to crawl up inside the box and hand stuff down before freeing the bike that had gotten lodged between the ceiling and door. With the help of Pap-Pap and the boys we were able to get all of the boxes off, and most of the furniture. The only thing left were dressers and shelves for the bedrooms.
Grandma made Snoopy’s and beef stew for the weary movers, and a neighbor brought down a cooler full of Gator Aid, water, and peanut butter crackers. We all ate well and spent the day wondering through the maze of boxes.
We were amazed on how much we couldn’t remember about the house. It was like walking through for the first time again. We were happy that we still liked it and were really impressed with the kitchen with its slide out shelves, that neither one us remembered. We were able to get the beds in place, so we could at least get a decent night’s sleep before the next day of unpacking.
We all love the house, and it feels good to finally be home.
It official the jmonsters have yet another place to call home. After a whirlwind tour of the homes for sale in the Greensboro area we have settled on one. It was a tough call, we had honed in on two the zip line house and the traditional white.
The zip line house ,which we named because the backyard consisted of a ravine, was beautiful but the yard was the big drawback. There was about a thirty foot drop to the bottom where a small stream wandered by. It was a beautiful setting and out on the back deck it looked as if you could have your morning coffee in the tree tops. We decided that we would build a tree fort for the boys down at the bottom of the crevice and then install a zip line to ride down to it.
Practicality set in and we finally agreed that having a cliff in the backyard may not be such a good thing. We were pretty confident that no one would die from tumbling down the side, but it would be a constant battle of mud and “I can’t get up” from jmonsters and D-O-GG.
The traditional white house has a lot that we have always dreamed of and the jmonsters will love all the room to roam (Sandee too). The long driveway is also a plus because we know that we won’t have to shovel!!
It’s been a while since the old shack sold, (For Sale…) and living like gypsies has started to become a bit old. We are looking forward to putting down some roots and staying put for a looonnnngggg time. It is nice to know that we will finally have a home again…
A link to the map:
http://picasaweb.google.com/jmonsters.net/20070830PointOak/photo?authkey=xk7W3GHcK5I#map
We got this email forwarded to us. Not sure how much is worth while, but interesting non the less…
This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana
“I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don’t tell you about peroxide, or they would lose thousands of dollars.”
- Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe) No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)
- Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of “Peroxide” to keep them free of germs.
- Clean your counters, table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
- After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
- I had fungus on my feet for years – until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
- Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
- Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
- Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.
- If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
- And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it’s not a drastic change.
- Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
- You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.
I could go on and on. It is a little brown bottle no home should be without! With prices of most necessities rising, I’m glad there’s a way to save tons of money in such a simple, healthy manner.
Send on to others who might need to know the benefits of 3% peroxide
We got an early start to our first leg of the drive to Florida. Smallmonster was up at 5 am when a thunderstorm rolled through. Mommy decided to get up around 5:45 and pack sandwiches and the other snacks so the jmonsters will be able to survive the 7 hour trip. We started around 7 am and only made two stops before we made it to Columbus. The weather was rainy with the worst of it being in Buffalo.
We checked into the Baymont Inn and immediately had to find the pool, soon cries of “where are the bathing suits” rang out and we hiked over to the pool. It was outside and the cloudy weather threatened rain but held off while the jmonsters jumped and splashed around for an hour. Mommy cried uncle and persuaded the jmonsters to head back to the room so she could shower. Promises of snacks and T.v. made it much less painful. All and all a good start to the long trip to FL and hopefully the next two days will be just as smooth. To be continued…
