Category Archives: curiosity

horoscopes …

BabyCenter has a parent & child compatibility report, and while I typically don’t believe in these things, I thought it would be fun to see how well matched well all be once the bubble arrives … cool! As my due date is May 16th, I’ve given profiles for both a Taurus (4/20-5/20) and Gemini (5/21-6/21) baby.

(Note to bubble: This is NOT an invitation for you to come 4 days late … only a ‘just in case’ scenario. Hint, hint!)

Here’s what’s detailed below, courtesy of BabyCenter:

  • Justin’s profile (Taurus)
  • Mindy’s profile (Aries)
  • Justin (Taurus) & Mindy (Aries) as parents
  • Justin (Taurus) & Taurus bubble
  • Mindy (Aries) & Taurus bubble
  • Justin (Taurus) & Gemini bubble
  • Mindy (Aries) & Gemini bubble

Print Justin = Taurus … Patient, Practical, and Purely Indulgent

As a Taurus parent, you provide a wonderfully grounding influence in your children’s lives. Practical and patient, you’re always ready with a smile and a hug when a child needs one. You have a good sense of what truly matters, so you rarely get worked up about nothing.

No, your main fault as a parent has more to do with indulgence! You’re a pushover when it comes to your kids’ requests for cake, ice cream, trips to the movies or the amusement park… Hey, you just want them to be happy, right?

Still, use common sense to make sure they eat good foods and get enough exercise. That shouldn’t be much of a problem, though, since you’re naturally connected with the earth. You enjoy a variety of healthy, natural foods, and you love sharing meals with your family. Taking a walk together after dinner will benefit your family’s physical and emotional health.

Your kids are likely to be quite secure in your love. You’re affectionate and enjoy cuddling with your little ones. You’ll teach your kids all about the essential Taurus values of loyalty, hard work, and endurance.

You enjoy being surrounded by the people, pets, and things you value most, so your family home is most likely a cluttered, colorful, and comfortable place. Just make sure to be flexible when your children do and say things you don’t expect. Stubbornness is one of your famous flaws, but children need open-mindedness as well as stability.

Print Mindy = Aries … An Inspiring Act to Follow

As an Aries parent, you’re a natural leader. You have lots of energy, and you’re passionate about your interests. Your children find you inspiring, exciting, courageous, and a wonderful example to follow — except when they find you a little bit insensitive and overbearing.

Yes, your mind is quick and your mouth is even quicker, and sometimes you say things you later regret. Also, you have a bit of a temper, so when your children frustrate you, they know exactly when and why. Well, at least you let your irritation go once you get it off your chest! And your kids always know where they stand with you.

An active lifestyle suits you and your family best. Take your kids hiking or challenge them to a game of volleyball or soccer in the park — but make sure you don’t get too competitive, especially if any of your children are the sensitive sort. Aggressive displays of energy might be a bit much for them to handle.

On the other hand, you’re their biggest supporter and they know it. You’ll be on the sidelines cheering for them whether they’re competing in a debate or a basketball championship.

Your children will always appreciate your honesty, even in its bluntness, and the youthful energy that keeps you young even as you grow older. Make it a point to show them your tender side, too. They need to know they can rely on your emotional support as well as your strength and dynamic energy.

Justin (Taurus) & Mindy (Aries) as parents

Print Print

Though equally involved with your children’s upbringing, you two are quite different in your parenting styles. This can create problems in the short run, but it challenges both of you to grow enough to overcome any difficulties. While the Aries mom or dad is spirited, fleet of foot, and highly energetic, the Taurus parent is calm, slow-paced, and patient. It’s Aries who gets everyone up and at ‘em in the morning, bolting down breakfast, and moving right on to the day’s work, but it will be gentle Taurus who tucks the little ones into bed at night after reading a bedtime story.

At least you are both warm and affectionate, so your kids always feel loved. Learning to parent together will require adjustments from you both, but between you are all the qualities necessary for raising happy, well-adjusted children.

Justin (Taurus) & Taurus bubble

Print Print

You and your Taurus child love lots of the same things, such as taking long naps at home, cooking up batches of yummy homemade cookies, snuggling on the couch, and visiting with friends. Being outdoors is a favorite, too, since you’re both innately connected with nature and the environment. Camping would be a good adventure for you two.

You both like comfort, so you won’t have any trouble cuddling with your little Taurus as much as she wants and indulging her in the good food and soft textures she adores. But you’re both so stubborn! When you two dig in your heels, you can get quite entrenched. So choose your battles carefully. Even though you’re both famous for hanging on to resentment, there’s a lot of genuine affection between you. Ground yourselves in that instead of in any passing irritation.

Mindy (Aries) & Taurus bubble

Print Print

In many ways, you and your Taurus child are fundamentally different. You’ve always been spirited, passionate, and impulsive, but your little Taurus is much more relaxed and easygoing. You’ve never been able to wait for anything, but walking a block with your young Taurus is guaranteed to develop your patience. Like you, she embodies strength and vitality, but her unhurried pace could drive you batty — or at least leave you feeling antsy and craving some stimulation.

Your child is much more grounded and practical than you are, even at an early age. Of course, you can expect some real fireworks when you get irritated and your little one’s stubborn side kicks in. Taurus people of all ages tend to hold grudges, but you can help your child learn to get things off her chest and then move on.

Justin (Taurus) & Gemini bubble

Print Print

Your little Gemini is a whirlwind of energetic curiosity: First he’s here, then he’s there, and everything he sees delights him. What a happy, bright-eyed child! And how tiring it can be to keep up with him! Yes, you’re both good-natured. But you are mellow and inclined toward simple pleasures, while your Gemini child is quick-witted and fleet of foot. Some of your favorite activities, such as long naps and leisurely meals, bore restless little Gemini. But when you’re both feeling playful, you have a wonderful time together.

Your little one loves visiting with friends and neighbors and taking short trips to interesting places like the library, the neighborhood pool, or even a nearby town. You’re a wonderful grounding influence for your child, but do let him explore life at his own quick pace. He needs the stimulation of new ideas and experiences.

Mindy (Aries) & Gemini bubble

Print Print

Your naturally abundant energy is a great source of fun and inspiration for your Gemini child. Like you, he thrives on spontaneity and has a strong need for personal freedom. He sees the world as a colorful and interesting place, and he’s happy to follow your lead from one grand adventure to another. His curiosity and love of learning will fuel your many activities together.

You both have short attention spans, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem: When one of you loses interest in an endeavor, the other has no trouble switching tracks to something new. Of course, your home will be littered with projects you two have started but not completed! Let’s hope that someone in your lives can ground the two of you emotionally. Otherwise, you might simply miss some of the more heartwarming, meaningful moments of your child’s growth.

that is the question.

With my new “condition” (As some idiots like to call it.), I tend to have a bit more downtime than I’m used to, and this time, as of late, has been spent primarily on the couch. I’m just not the sitting type, but with no choice, I figured it may be time for a new hobby. I know what you’re thinking. I know. I need another hobby like I need a hole in the head. Well guess what? I’m doing it anyway!

Now, to crochet or knit; that is the question. So I’ve always wanted to learn to crochet and/or knit, but could never get myself to sit for long enough to really get into it. Now, the timing seems just right.

So which shall I choose? I started asking around and checking in with my good friend google in an attempt to discover which is better. As it turns out, people are quite defensive about which they choose and there seems to be a strong bitterness between the two communities. Whatever, I don’t really care. After sifting through tons of websites and talking to a few friends, I’ve compiled a list of several pros and cons to each. Let’s investigate further:

Crocheting …

  • Uses one hook, so for the uncoordinated, it’s easier. (+1)
  • Easier to correct mistakes. (+1)
  • Easier to start & stop. (+1)
  • Known to be more creative, visual and intuitive. (+1)
  • More mindless than knitting, which is good for an airhead like myself. (+1)
  • Faster results = instant gratification. (+1)
  • Uses more yarn = less economical. (-1)
  • Holds shape better. (+1)
  • Chunkier. (neither a plus nor a minus … depends on the project)
  • Has texture. (neither a plus nor a minus … depends on the project)

Knitting …

  • 2 needles = more complicated. (-1)
  • More difficult to correct mistakes. (-1)
  • Mount Airy has a store called “Knittin’ Chicks,” not “Crochetin’ Chicks.” (+1)
  • More structured, rhythmic, pattern-based, which just aren’t in my vocabulary. (-1)
  • Uses less yarn = more economical. (+1)
  • Smoother. (neither a plus nor a minus … depends on the project)
  • Stretchier. (neither a plus nor a minus … depends on the project)
  • Thinner. (-1)

My final conclusion is that I’d like to learn both. Maybe I’ll decide that I like one better than the other after learning them both, or maybe I’ll use each as they’re best suited. Based on the above, I think I’ll start with crocheting and go from there.

Any guesses as to where I’ll be headed for lunch today? Michael’s!

taste test #2 … chicken nuggets

IMG_6201 My latest “thing” is chicken nuggets. Don’t ask. Now I do make my own, but with limited time and energy, it’s necessary to head over to the freezer section. This evening, I was on a mission to find out which is better in the match-up between Tyson and Weaver. Here’s how they look on paper …

Tyson Weaver
serving size 5 pieces (91 g) 4 pieces (75 g)
calories 280 220
fat 18 grams 15 grams
trans fat 0 g 0 g
price per 2 lb. bag $7.99 $7.99

IMG_6205 So, how’d they do by sight and taste? The Tyson nuggets have more visible seasoning. They are also more “pressed” and not as round as their Weaver counterparts. The Weaver chicken nuggets had a saltier taste.

My vote … Tyson. Justin’s vote … Weaver. Guess we’ll be buying both in the future!

taste test #1 … cranberry and something

What do you mix with cranberry juice when you want a sparkling cranberry juice? Well, it wasn’t much of a problem until I got into Safeway and saw three equally confusing options:

  • club soda,
  • seltzer water,
  • and tonic water.

IMG_6195 Hmpf. With those choices, I have absolutely no clue. Luckily, thanks to Safeway and the sale on Schweppes, I was able to eliminate seltzer water. 4 for $5 meant two bottles of tonic water and two of club soda for the taste tests.

What’s the difference on the outside? Tonic water has 90 calories, club soda has 0. Tonic water has 35 mg sodium, club soda has 0. Tonic water has 23 g carbs, club soda has 0. Tonic water has 22 g sugar, club soda has 0. So, what’s the difference in taste? Tonic water is sweeter because of the sugar, of course. Club soda has far more bubbles than tonic water. Justin thought the tonic water was more bitter than club soda, and I can agree with that.

The choice? I’m going to go with the healthy alternative and choose club soda. The difference in taste isn’t that much different, and the objective was to make sparkling cranberry juice without a major change in taste and nutrition.

Done, and I’ve got a new drink, or “soda,” of choice!

colorstrology …

First off, great idea by Pantone to put together this interactive site that merges people with the Pantone Color System. I’ve personally been warm and fuzzy with the Pantone system for 7 years or so. I love and embrace Pantone.

Now, what did “Colorstrology” tell me? First, let’s look at March. “The color for the month of March is Fair Aqua. Dreamy and illusive, this color helps guide people between the conscious and subconscious world. Fair Aqua evokes the qualities of trust and clarity. Neptune, god of the oceans, presides over the month of March. Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Fair Aqua helps you see past the world of appearances. It can also help increase faith and psychic ability.”
- Color: Fair Aqua, Pantone 12-5409
- Intuitive, subtle, empathetic

Next, let’s look at the 30th of the month. “People born on this day tend to teach others through the stories they share. Whether you are singing a song, writing a play or painting a picture, you are able to convey images and emotions that can affect others. It is very important for you to stay active and communicate. Your thoughts can turn to worry if you are not expressing yourself and connecting with the world at large. Your personal color embodies love, passion and courage. Wearing, meditating or surrounding yourself with Faded Rose lends you courage and enthusiasm as you connect with others and find your place in the circle of life.”
- Color: Faded Rose, Pantone 18-1629
- Storyteller, thinker, messenger

serious laughter!

I stumbled across this website when perusing another blog, and I’m so glad I did. It’s hilarious! The site is yearbook yourself. Upload your picture and see what you’d look like in yearbooks from 1950 to 2000. Here are some highlights of what I’d look like … SO funny!

1952 1960 1964 1966 1974 1980 1990 1996

And some of my husband …

j1952 j1954 j1960 j1970 j1974 j1982 j1984 j1988

ready for my next scuba adventure!

Did you have a Labor Day weekend complete with cookouts and barbecues with friends and family? Maybe you went on a 3-day road trip, drank a glass of wine, or lounged by the pool? Perhaps you tackled a project around the house, spent a day at an amusement park, or had a quiet weekend with the family?

Keys 128 IMG_1010 DSC02293 IMG_1059 DSC02270 Grand Cayman Dive 058

I spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday in class, working towards Rescue Diver certification. Don’t worry, it’s not a complaint. Despite three long days in the classroom, it was incredibly worthwhile and even fun! The instructor was great, the content was intriguing, and my classmates were fun. Okay, so it was a l-o-n-g weekend!

Saturday was completely devoted to EFR, or Emergency First Response, certification. We learned and practiced CPR, first aid, and the use of a defibrillator. Have no fear – if you’re choking, bleeding profusely or suffer a stroke or heart attack, I can help. As a class, I think I can say with some confidence that our favorite phrase of the day was, “Are you okay? My name is your name. I’m an Emergency Responder. May I help you?” We mastered the ABCD’S and reiterated the importance of monitoring a patient’s lifeline. All five of us are now qualified to handle: scene assessment, barrier use (Masks and gloves, NOT what you’re thinking!), performing a primary assessment, CPR, choking, serious bleeding, shock management, spinal injury management, and the proper use of an AED – Automated External Defibrillator. “Clear!”

Sunday and Monday were spent learning the specifics of Rescue Diving. We learned how to recognize and deal with diver stress, how to respond to and manage a diving emergency, and specific methods for helping tired and panicked divers. A look at common equipment failures was helpful, and we reviewed some first aid techniques learned the day before, but focused specifically on techniques as they apply aquatic life (bites, cuts/abrasions/punctures, & stings). Details were discussed regarding approaching injured divers plus methods of exiting the water with a victim. We looked at the specifics of underwater emergencies vs. those that occur at the surface, learned how to conduct missing diver searches, and discussed differences in CPR procedures done in the water vs. out of the water (Think about it. Can you do chest compressions in the water? No, silly!). We wrapped up on Monday with completing post accident reports, exits with an unresponsive diver, and administering oxygen to: (1) a breathing injured diver, (2) a weakly breathing injured diver, and (3) nonbreathing diver.

So … why am I doing this?
(1) I love diving and hope it turns into more than a hobby. If that is to happen, there’s lots more training ahead, and this is only the tip of the iceberg.
(2) If anything should ever happen, on or off the water, I want to be able to help.
(3) To increase my diving confidence and awareness.
(4) To become a better diver. Knowledge is power, right?
(5) I’m obsessed with learning.
(6) This is a rockin’ hobby!

Thankfully, I passed both the final for EFR & Rescue, so all that’s left are 9 in-water skills and 4 rescue simulation dives. Bummer, that means I have to go diving to finish my certification! After this weekend, I’m so ready to go diving, and am really hoping to get a trip in before the end of the year. A trip to Grand Cayman would mean I could finish up my pending Rescue, Underwater Photographer and Wreck dives all at once and come home with three additional certifications. We’ll see what the future holds!

If you’re a fellow diver, happy diving to you! And if you’re not, what are you waiting for?! Let me know if you have any questions; I’d be more than happy to help!

chironex fleckeri & irukandji

Thank heavens for the Discovery Channel. After wrapping up EFR training today at the dive school, I was, for fairly obvious reasons, led to watch a show with an underwater focus. What I stumbled upon was Killer Jellyfish, a documentary about the box jellyfish in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

These box jellyfish, or chironex fleckeri, are amazing creatures, differing from their typical jellyfish counterparts in so many ways. These amazing invertebrates thrive in the warm waters of northern Australia, eating up to 1/4 their weight every day and touting the ability to out swim humans. They’re most prevalent in the height of the busy summer season, following their coral-like spawning. They are the size of a basketball and have up to 60 tentacles. With this powerful structure, they can swim, not needing the current, tides and wind like their traditional counterparts. One box jellyfish highlighted on the show swam 10 miles over a 24 hour period!

What’s most amazing, however, is their potency. They’re hundreds of times more potent than a cobra, 500 times more toxic than a Portuguese Man o’ War, and thousands of times more potent than a tarantula. The box jellyfish are by far the most advanced of the jellyfish.

The chironex fleckeri have primitive brains. Additionally, they can see, and see right way up no matter how they’re oriented. They have 24 eyes grouped in four clusters of six. Of the six eyes in each cluster, 2 are used to make the images, and the other four serve a purpose of only collecting light. Because of blurred vision, they sleep at night, unable to see obstacles or prey. To their advantage, their nighttime sleep allows them to conserve energy and rest.

Surprisingly, though, the chironex fleckeri is not the most potent form of box jellyfish. That title goes to the irukandji, the smallest of the box jellyfish. The irukandji have stinging cells on their bell, making them unlike other jellyfish. They have tentacles as fine as human hair; tentacles that are as vital as an arm. They’re one of the world’s most venomous creatures, and are merely the size of a human fingernail! These box jellyfish eject venom only from the tentacle tip, whereas the chironex release venom from points along the entire stinger. The stingers on the irukandji fire only once, but are constantly replaced. Frighteningly, this smallest box jellyfish can kill in just 1 to 2 minutes. Yes, 1 to 2 minutes!

What amazing creatures. Killer Jellyfish made me rethink my desire to someday dive on the Great Barrier Reef. Final decision? Nah – I won’t be giving that up!

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Note #1: Tomorrow’s excitement is Colossal Squid, airing on the Discovery Channel at 9 pm ET. If I remember to watch it, that’s next on my list!

Note #2: Go figure, the Promises Message in my Dove Chocolate was, “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Baby, bring it on!

random insights … part 1

Okay, accept my apologizes now. I’m sorry. This really has turned into more of a gripe session then a collection of random observations. I guess the observations I make most are annoyances!

stick_person_02— Have you ever noticed that powdered sugar sometimes tastes like soap? I made royal and color flow icings last night for tonight’s class, and before putting the bowl and mixer into the sink, I decided to give the icing a try. Now I know it’s not meant to frost a cake, but YUCK! It was like eating sweetened soap! —

— If people are pulled over EVERY day in the same spot, don’t you think something’s up? Okay, so I admit it. I got a speeding ticket yesterday for doing 22 over the speed limit. Being the non-law-abiding citizen I am, I was doing 17 over today and being passed like c-r-a-z-y! Of course, the cars passing me were pulled over this morning. Ha! If you ask me, it’s time for a change. 65 mph would be nice. Decision made … I will be going to court for this one. —

stick_person_01— I like this one: “If a train station is where the train stops, what is a work station?” —

— Why are there nosy people in the world? Do not ask me loaded questions just to find out about my personal life. My favorite is this, “Is everything okay?” I want to say, “If it wasn’t, don’t worry, I wouldn’t be tell you!” If they don’t get the answer they want, they start asking questions about things they know, so they can at least try to get some of it out of you. No, I will answer no more. And no, I am NOT okay! Now p!ss off! —

— Just because I am the listening type does NOT mean I am your therapist. Please, when you tell me, I tell no one. You feel better, but I am stuck with your problems plus my own! And I don’t get paid for this! If I am not your friend, just go away! —

— While we’re on the subject of listening, if I talk to you, can you at least act like you care? There’s nothing more annoying to me than someone who doesn’t pay attention. I give my full attention when you speak; can you please do the same for me? —

— Why do people insist on covering their car with bumper stickers? I think I’m going to keep a list of all the crazy bumper stickers I see. Just last week, I saw an SUV with 17 of those oval beach stickers on its back window and door. Please. And if I see one more “Civility in Howard County” bumper sticker, I’m going to throw up. People, a bumper sticker is not going to make the world a better place to live! It also does not make you a better person! —

— Let’s talk weight loss. With the Biggest Loser competition reaching its final weeks here at work, people are frenzied. A few observations … and gripes. Why do we (myself included) wait until the last minute to do anything about it and think the weight is magically going to melt away? Come on, now. And why do those who have the least to lose do the most crying and whining? This falls under the category of, “The squeaky wheel gets the oil,” which is my least favorite subject of all. If I had just 5 lbs. to lose, I certainly wouldn’t run around barking about it! Why must these skinny b!tches run around, rubbing it in us fat people’s faces? Shut up, shut up, shut up! There, I feel better now. —

olympics …

Yes, I’m addicted. We just watched China win the synchronized springboard diving gold. Then my husband asked, “Where are the next Summer Olympics being held?” That led me to google, where I found this information …

2008 (summer): Beijing, China, of course.
2010 (winter): Vancouver, Canada
2012 (summer): London, England
2014 (winter): Sochi, Russia
2016 (summer): Tokyo, Japan; Madrid, Spain; Chicago, United States; or Rio de Janeiro, Brazil … to be announced on October 2, 2009.