Comcast

When the comcast guys came out last week to work on our cable service, I knew they were confused by how long it took them to come up with a fix. Their 'fix' was to replace all the outside cabling and installing an amplifier on the outside of the house. Now, I didn't think to look outside after as they'd already said they'd have someone come bury the new cable within 10 days of them having been there. I went out the front door for the first time since they were here this morning to watch my kids get on the bus. I discovered that their amplifier is plugged into the outlet on my front porch. That is NOT acceptable. When they come to bury their own line, they can come with an electrician and do that the right way. I'm not giving up my outlet on my front porch (of all things) for their plug. Annoying and it detracts from the appearance of my porch.

The plug on my front porch. The amplifier and dangling cables on the side of my house.

My husband says it's probably not worth worrying about as he plans to order AT&T's Uverse for us. Hopefully, he'll do that in a more timely manner than COMCAST with their stuff.

Tallulah Falls/Tallulah Gorge

Other than my daughter getting stung by a yellow jacket and me getting overheated on the stairs going back up, we had a blast.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody

I had to show my kids the original Queen video for them to understand why I thought this one was so funny.. *sigh*

Malibu Grand Prix

My son took two of his buddies out to Malibu Grand Prix Saturday with his dad. In theory they also played mini golf, but these are the pictures my husband managed to get. With an unlimited play pass coupon, it's actually worth the outing.

American Girl Overnight

While my son was celebrating his birthday this weekend, I took my daughter on a girl scout outing. We went to Camp Meriwether for their American Girl overnight. We were really fortunate that the troop we were put with was very friendly and accommodating, they made a point of including my daughter in what they did.

Horses like Kaya & Felicity Waltzing like Josephina (we also made tortillas) Pottery & Singularity head bands like Chrissa Paper Lanterns like Julie Dolls like Addy ChaCha Slide as warm-up for the talent show

All in all, I'd say she had a blast.

For my son's 11th

Georgia Virtual Academy

I sat in on an information session last night to find out more about this online charter school. We're still exploring the possibility of home schooling our children the next school year and this one was brought to my attention. I'd seen it before, but not really researched it. I have to admit, I really liked what I heard in the session.

Here are a few of the points that I took away. If you want more info, I'd suggest you sign up for a future information session and check it out. Some of these may be 'obvious', but I made note of them anyway.

1- all teachers have taught for a minimum of 3 years in a 'standard' school before applying to GVA
2- currently it is only K-8
3- you can use multiple computers for multiple children, or arrange the schedule so that each child works on one computer at different times
4- you do have to opt in at the end of each school year
5- minimum of 5 hours for 4th & 5th graders and 5.5 hours for middle school each day
6- there IS A PTA, with different committees
7- there are LOTS of outings to do LOTS of fun stuff
8- as a courtesy, notify your public school after enrolling at GVA
9- IT'S A PUBLIC SCHOOL
10- all course materials are FREE

So, now you know.

At the Aquarium

A few shots I took at the Aquarium yesterday.

Sea Dragons

Clelia Submersible - in Cold Water Quest

Penguin Plunge - in the atrium

Weekend camping

Our Webelos went camping this weekend out at Stone Mountain park. I caught quite a few pictures, but am sharing these of my son.

Learning Knots

Whittling a walking stick

Cooking a breakfast omelet in a bag

on the last one, yes we had a few go up in flames.. whether the bag fell into the fire or the boy got it too close to the fire. But still, most had a reasonable breakfast. :)

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year? Dutch oven and accessories, Wii Rockband, Garmin GPS, shredder, GC to Barnes & Noble

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received? Lace snowflake

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle? beaded ornaments

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child? skateboard

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year? Wii games, American girl doll, bakugan

6. What is your favorite holiday food? pumpkin pie

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays? don't know yet

8. What is your favorite holiday movie? Frosty the Snowman

9. Favorite holiday song? Bing Crosby & David Bowie "Little Drummer Boy"

10. Favorite holiday pastime? spending time with family

Much To Do Over...

BOOKS! It's book fair week at the school and the kids are crazy to shop at school. It doesn't matter to them whether or not they actually get BOOKS (though they are looking for those too). The pencils, erasers, bookmarks and other small miscellaneous stuff work too.

Puppets Cub Scout Style

I had my boys working on their Showman badge yesterday at Cub Scouts. I challenged them to create a play, design & make a stage and make puppets to go with it. They then had to perform it for their fellow scouts. All within a bit over an hour of time. I have to admit, they rose to the occasion (for the most part anyway).

Astro Boy Wii Game

Mom Start is giving away a copy of Astro Boy for the Wii thanks to d3 publisher. It looks like it'll be a really cool game. If you've got a child that'd enjoy it (or even if it's just for you) check it out.

Toys for Christmas

The ads are out on TV, so my kids are starting to take notice. My daughter had already seen the Zhu Zhu hamsters and said she'd like one. So, I've been watching.. now they're already out of stock and if you want it online, you'll have to pay more than twice what it's worth. I love my kids, I really do, but I refuse to pay that much more for a toy. If I'm going to spend that much money on something, I'd rather it be something I know they'll play with longer than the holidays.

I have to ask other parents who go out searching for the 'perfect' toy for their kids if it's REALLY WORTH the price? Supply and demand. If there weren't the demand, the folks reselling them wouldn't do what they do. Ah well, my kids'll just have to find something ELSE to ask for.

halloween photo

Hubby took this one, mine with my phone weren't half as good. My GT Cheerleader wannabe and my Charlie Brown Ghost (yes, he has seen "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown").