Day 79: What's Been Happening.. and Hotels Part 2

79 days...Wow. Time is flying by. I've been so busy that I havent had real time to sit down and say what we've been doing. And so much has been happening since the last post. Where does one begin...


Baseball season is in full swing now. (You'll have to pardon the pun there.) Z. is on a team called the Scrappers. And I've been made the dug-out coach for the team. Ever try to get 12 little kids ages 6-8 all ready to go up to bat? Keeping them in the right batting order, getting whose bat goes to whom, whose helmet goes to whom, and having them not fidget and fight while waiting for their turn?? PE teachers everywhere have my undying sympathy.

Ohh but they are soo cute. And some of them are really serious about the game, with little "game faces" and everything. We had our first game this past Saturday. I don't have any pictures of it like a good Mommy... I forgot my camera at home! But some of the other bleacher-mommas might have some they can send my way. And I was too busy keeping order in the dug-out to really focus on taking good shots, anyway.

We eventually lost the game 6-5. It was so close. I was hoarse from screaming and yelling. Everyone was hot and sweaty.. and all I wanted to do afterward is take a nap! But it's great fun to watch. I just wish Z's daddy could see how well his boy does. So.. I've really got to get some pictures! We have another game tonight. So.. honey... I'll bring the camera with me. hehe

Oh... and N. went to try out for a local cheerleading squad. She's never cheered a day in her life, but her friend goes, so she went. And of course, upon coming home, was all jazzed about being a cheerleader. I'm jazzed about her having an activity.. but not so much about the $60 a month it costs to join the elite gym where they cheer. So.... we decided that when July comes around we'll sign her up for the county soccer team. Which will get her leg strength up, and maybe some endurance, and then next year she can try out for that squad again. (psst.. plus the soccer is only a one time fee of $25... and if she hates it, I'm only out that...hehe)

The kids are happy to only have a couple more months or so of school. Me too. Once school is out we are planning on going over to Oregon to get my mom and take her out here to live with us for a while. Plus, I want to see some of the family way out there on the West Coast... Should be fun. And we'll be thanking God for the military discount at hotels. (Hey everyone out there Super 8's have a nice discount for military!! Plus you can bring your pets!)

But.. here are some hotels worth checking out if you are on the adventurous side....

The Hobit Hotel

Lord of the Rings fans will be happy to know, that yes... there is a Hobbit Hotel. You too can come on down to Orotohonga, New Zealand at Woodlyn Park, and stay in a Hobbit house, complete with round windows and sturdy little furniture. A night will run you about $170 a couple, and anyone else is only $12 extra a night. Here's a look at the inside:

If you've got the urge to live out your J. R. R. Tolkien fantasies, then this is the place for you.

Also at Woodlyn park is:

The Waitomo Express

This 1950's refurbished rail car is now a hotel. It is advertised as "a completely self contained motel unit, situated on farmland with farm animals and bird life adding to the stunning scenery."

It sleeps 6 and at $130 a night per couple, it might just the get away you are looking for.

But that's not all at Woodlyn Park. There is also:

The Plane Motel

From the website: "This plane was one of the last allied planes out of Vietnam. Possibly the only accommodation of its type in the world. A 1950's Bristol Freighter fully refurbished into 2 beautiful self contained motel units. " The 2 units are the plane cockpit and the plane tail. The price will run you around $150 a night, and what an experience this would be! Again from the website: "With your accommodation we can book any caving adventures, Black water Rafting, 4 x 4 bike riding and also Horse riding." And kids get a free pass to the Kiwi House, which seems to be some type of cultural show. Here let me show you the inside:

Too see all the prices and get all the info on Woodlyn park go to their website http://woodlynpark.co.nz/ But book early! I'm sure hotels like this fill up fast.

But maybe you don't want to travel all the way to New Zealand for an unique hotel experience, why don't you head on over to Cave Junction, Oregon. There you will find:

Tree House Treesorts

With quirky little names like Peacock Perch and Serendipitree, this place is all fun! Where else can have an educational, and adventurous, vacation site in Southern Oregon, and where you can, lit-treely, "go out on a limb"? Each little cabin style tree house is built into the trees of the area.

Most are heated and have small kitchen amenities. On the website you can see inside each of the cabins and see what they offer. Here's a look at the inside of one:

They describe themselves as "a B+B in the Trees!" There is a large main house where breakfast is served. Most of the cabins go for about $120 a night. You'd be a sap to not give it a try.... so head on over to http://www.treehouses.com/treehouse/treesort/home.html and book your stay today!

There's something about New Zealand.. Also from New Zealand comes...

Wagon Stays
From Christchurch, New Zealand we have"Where luxury meets history." The settlers would have considered themselves lucky to bunk down in these bad boys, which feature queen-size beds, computer-controlled showers, flush toilets, fully equipped kitchens, and satellite TV. The carriages also have glass doors that open to balconies, which are perfect for kicking back with a pint of ale after a long day of going absolutely nowhere. Here's a gander at the inside:

They don't venture to share the price, but you can go here http://wagonstays.co.nz/newzealand/main/ to contact them or book your stay. To New Zealand or Bust!

Ok that's enough to get you started thinking about your upcoming summer vacations. What are you doing still reading this blog?! Go and book your family for Pete's sake!

Day 56.. Summer's Coming!.. Are you ready??

Day 56 and they say that Summer's on its way. Not that you could tell from looking out my window today. Cold. Rainy. Maybe 40 degrees. But they say Summer's coming; I guess I believe them.

The questions is, what can I do this Summer? D.'s going to be in Iraq, still. The family is all on the West coast, and I'm on the East. I want to do something fun and memorable. So.. like just about everyone who has a computer these days, I did a Google search. When all else fails, there's still Google...

So, on my search for "unusual hotels".. I found some doozy's..

Vacation Destinations and Hotels (Part 1)

The Giraffe Manor





Breakfast of Champions


Yes, folks, thats a Giraffe at the breakfast table. Something that's commonplace at the Giraffe Manor that is 140 acres of indigenous forest just outside Kenya's capital, Nairobi. From their website:

"Travellers from all over the world now make The Giraffe Manor part of their East African safari, the only place in the world where you can enjoy the breathtaking experience of feeding and photographing the giraffe over the breakfast table and at the front door."





A whole new way to feed the animals.




And now that the U.S. has amended the no travel warnng to Kenya, it's deemed safe to travel there. But at $655 a night, I'm not ready to pack my bags, just yet. But maybe you are. You can check out their website at http://giraffemanor.com/index.html .


Dog Bark Park Inn--Bed & Breakfast


It's gone to the dogs! (Ok, I couldn't resist) But over in Cottonwood, Idaho, you can actually stay in a carved dog hotel! From the website:

"Dog Bark Park Inn is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle. Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle."

And at $92 a night, its a steal of a deal. But if a lack of television or telephone bothers you, this is not the place for you. This b&b doesn't have any. But they do have a chainsaw art gift shop. So, pack your bags and head on over to Idaho for a "barking" good time. (Ok.. I'm sorry.. I just had to throw one more in...) For more info, visit their website: http://dogbarkparkinn.com/ .

Hotel Everland








Postcard from Hotel Everlund



From Switzerland-based installation artists, comes this portable, one-room trailer style hotel. The artists are moving it around Europe in 2008, so don't miss your chance to stay in this fancy little trailer. Where else can you view panoramic views of the Eiffel tower by night? But by day this hotel becomes an art exhibit, so you'll have to be gone early in the morning, or you could risk being a part of the exhibit yourself! The website has some breath-taking photos and at about $525 a night, this is not a glorified Motel 6. To take a look at the pics and maybe book a stay go to their website http://www.everland.ch/en/home/ .

The Maramara Antalya Beach and Resort





Large Window Panaramic Room View

At first look, you may think that the Antalya Beach and Resort, in Turkey, is just your ordinary resort. But what sets this apart is that this hotel rotates in a circle, allowing guests a different view from their room windows at different hours of the day. From the website:

"The Marmara Antalya is home to the dramatic “Revolving Loft,” a 24-room, tri-level exclusive building that slowly revolves to reveal a constantly changing panorama of mountains, the sparkling Mediterranean, and the resort’s expansive grounds. This stunning building is the world’s first and only building which turns a full 360 degrees on its foundation. The building floats inside a special pool system that aims to surprise guests with a different view of Antalya at different times of the day. These 24 unique rooms are oversized guestrooms, whose bright, contemporary style features distinctive furnishings that provide a comfortable and soothing environment. "

If you aren't sold on the rotating hotel idea, just take a look at this beach..

Ahhh.. Heaven in a deck chair...

To book your stay or satisfy your curiosity, take a look at their website http://themarmarahotels.com/The-Marmara-Antalya/index.asp .

I'll continue my quest for unusual hotels on the next post. Until then, have a blessed day and get out that bathing suit... Summer is coming!

Day 51:... It was .... Life Block...

Day 51 has come. So much has happened since the last blog entry. Let's see... St. Paddy's day. My son started baseball. I quit my job. I bought a lawn mower. My son and daughter stared their Spring Break. I cut off all my hair. My son had his school picture day. All these in no particular order.. but I can say the hiatus is over.

So many things I have wanted to write about. I have things all saved up in my email box; stories, and ideas of stories to write. So I can't say I had writer's block. Maybe I just had life block. You know, where life gets away from you? You realize that a week has gone by you, and you didn't even get a chance to catch it? And then it becomes two weeks? Yes, it was life block.

We all suffer from Life block. I think that happens when we get so busy in our lives that we forget things. We forget to call our moms. (Mom I love you!!). We forget to do laundry, and when we want to wear that one great shirt, it's still in the hamper. We forget to take out the trash, and wonder why our kitchens smell like 3 day old, chinese take-out. We forget to get that report ready for the boss, and get spun out about it all day. We forget to get gas in the car, and wonder why all of a sudden the gas gauge starts screaming at us. We just forget.

So today, if you are reading this, don't forget to be you. Light a candle. Say a prayer. Smile. Smell the air. Hug your kids. Read a book. Tell someone you love them. Listen to your favorite song, sway with the music; heck, dance like no one's looking! Just don't forget to be you. And don't forget to enjoy it!

Day 35: Cali-fornication...

Happy Monday to one and all. 35 days down... a zillion more to go. LOL Not much has changed around here, since Friday. The weekend was pretty average. The kids went out to play with their friends, and I puttered around the house, surfed the internet, read a whole book, and played some video games. Sunday was kind of interesting though. I went to a new church. Nice place, and nice people. I'll probably go there again.

Also on Sunday, the kids and I had a discussion as to WHY their daddy was in Iraq. And why some daddy's are in Afghanistan. Being too young to see the WTC collapse in 2001, they didn't understand what we commonly understand as adults, terrorists. I'm thankful really that their little minds can't fathom why anyone would come to this country with the sole purpose of destroying us. I explained about the planes and the buildings and about how many people lost their lives. I explained about the Pentagon and those brave souls who fought back on the plane going to the White House. Then they wanted to see photos. They wanted to know more. I had to battle with myself as to what to show them, and what would be too much. So, we found the news footage of the planes hitting the buildings. And the fire. And the plane hitting the Pentagon. And you know, my 6th grade daughter had never heard of the WTC. Nor the attacks on September 11. I wouldn't expect the education system to show all the footage. People jumping from buildings, or severed limbs, but I would expect them to show something. Or at least bring it up. And I guessed that's when I realized again, how important it is for us, as parents, not to forget who their first teachers are, us.

I have heard that there's a law in California for parents not to be able to homeschool their children. Well they can, if they have an education degree. That would leave many parents being forced to put their kids in public schools at least for the 4 years it takes to acquire the degree.

Many lawmakers – and home-schooling advocates – would prefer to keep home schooling out of the education code.

"If this goes to the [state] supreme court and it upholds it, this opens up this big Pandora's box. The state is going to have to define family rights, and to define to what extent [lawmakers] have to regulate," says Luis Huerta, a professor at the National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education at Columbia University in New York.

The prospect of the state sorting out family rights won't warm many homeschoolers' hearts.

"Many of those people believe – usually based on a philosophical worldview, and often Christian – that the state has no authority over their children's education and upbringing," says Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, a nonprofit group in Oregon.
Already, California home-schoolers are suggesting resistance would be widespread to any sort of enforcement by local school districts.

"We'd have to open Alcatraz [state prision] to hold all of us," says Loren Mavromati, a homeschooler and spokesperson for the California Homeschool Network. "Even if we all rolled over and complied and enrolled in public schools – how? They are laying off teachers during this budget crisis left and right." The reason many of these people homeschool is because of the state's failing public education. To make these parents then put there kids in the public schools they seek to escape, is asinine.

'In 1997, a study of 5,402 homeschool students from 1,657 families was released. It was entitled, "Strengths of Their Own: Home Schoolers Across America." The study demonstrated that homeschoolers, on the average, out-performed their counterparts in the public schools by 30 to 37 percentile points in all subjects'. There are other studies done and other reasearch to read about how homeschooled kids outscore public schools kids , you can find it at the Home School Legal Defense Association website: http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/000010/200410250.asp

However for every study shown showing the merits of homeschool is another study showing the merits of public schools. But the point should be that is our freedom as Americans to be allowed to homeschool our children. I currently do not homeschool, but I feel that if you are called to do so, you should be allowed, without all the strings attached.

But this is not the only issue brewing in California. Now comes the plan, SB 1322, from state Sen. Alan Lowenthal, a Democrat elected from the state's 27th District, including the towns of Artesia, Avalon, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, Signal Hill, South Gate and others."This bill would actually allow the promotion of communism in public schools. Just when we thought the indoctrination in California's public schools couldn't get any worse, state lawmakers introduce bills that will further brainwash innocent children," said a statement from Capitol Resource Institute Spokeswoman, Karen England, CRI is a traditional values and family advocacy organization based in California. We're in California. Of course it has a chance of succeeding; these people get bolder and bolder every year, she continued."

The state's Civic Center Act already requires a school district to grant the use of school property, when an alternative isn't available, to nonprofit groups, clubs or associations set up for youth and school activities. "But the law also states that the property may not be used by anyone intent on overthrowing the government," CRI said. Now, the group said, "SB 1322 would delete the requirement that an individual or organization wanting to use the school property is not a Communist action organization or Communist front organization." This bill would also strike the law that a public school or community college employee may be fired if he or she is a member of the Communist Party," the group said. Worse yet, the group said, "the bill would also strike the law that prohibits a teacher giving instruction in a school or on public school property from teaching communism with the intent to indoctrinate or to inculcate in the mind of any pupil a preference for communism," CRI said.

"SB 1322 is simply shocking," said Meredith Turney, legislative liaison for the affiliated Capitol Resource Family Impact. "The socialist members of the legislature are now advocating that communism, one of the most brutal forms of government in history, be taught favorably to government school students. Anyone espousing communism, which does advocate for the violent overthrow of existing government, will be permitted to not only use government property, but work in schools and colleges, and teach their freedom-hating propaganda to impressionable young people." "Less than 20 years after the fall of the communist Soviet Union, California lawmakers are eager to once again begin advancing a political ideology responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent people," England said. "Instead of promoting communism in our schools, lawmakers should be focused on actually teaching students to read, write and think for themselves."On a blog on the Red County website, Mike Spence concluded: "I know there is plenty of indoctrination goin' on already but I gues (sic) they won't be staisfied (sic) until all school children are gay loving (SB777) and Communist. If only they could all read at grade level."

The bill itself explains that it would delete provisions "regarding a person who intends to use school property on behalf of an organization to deliver a statement, signed under penalty of perjury, that the organization is not a Communist action organization or Communist front organization required to be registered with the Attorney General of the United States or does not, to the best of that person's knowledge, advocate the overthrow of the government of the United States or of the State of California by force, violence, or other unlawful means."

The plan also outlines it would drop provisions that school and college employees could be dismissed for being a part of the Communist Party and drop a ban on "teaching communism with the intent to indoctrinate or to inculcate in the mind of any pupil a preference for communism."

The proposal itself noted that the teaching about the facts of communism was allowed, and the previous requirement banned teaching "for the purpose of undermining patriotism for, and the belief in, the government of the United States and of this state." However, the new plan drops that.

Also deleted was: "For the purposes of this section, communism is the political theory that the presently existing form of government of the United States or of this state should be changed, by force, violence, or other unconstitutional means, to a totalitarian dictatorship which is based on the principles of communism as expounded by Marx, Lenin, and Stalin."

Also deleted was the conclusion from the California Legislature that other nations already had fallen into totalitarian dictatorships through the establishment of communism as well as the recognition that "the successful establishment of totalitarian dictatorships has consistently been aided, accompanied, or accomplished by repeated acts of treachery, deceit, teaching of false doctrines, teaching untruth, together with organized confusion, insubordination, and disloyalty, fostered, directed, instigated, or employed by communist organizations and their members"

Also tossed out of California law was the recognition that communism even presents "a clear and present danger."

Does anyone else think this is scary? Ohh and this idea of teaching communism is not centered on only California. It's in Seattle too. Check out his article: http://www.therant.us/staff/huston/08102007.htmhttp://www.therant.us/staff/huston/08102007.htm

According to the article, the students had been building an elaborate "Legotown," but it was accidentally demolished. The teachers decided its destruction was an opportunity to explore "the inequities of private ownership." According to the teachers, "Our intention was to promote a contrasting set of values: collectivity, collaboration, resource-sharing, and full democratic participation."
The children were allegedly incorporating into Legotown "their assumptions about ownership and the social power it conveys." These assumptions "mirrored those of a class-based, capitalist society -- a society that we teachers believe to be unjust and oppressive."
They claimed as their role shaping the children's "social and political understandings of ownership and economic equity ... from a perspective of social justice."
So they first explored with the children the issue of ownership. Not all of the students shared the teachers' anathema to private property ownership. "If I buy it, I own it," one child is quoted saying. The teachers then explored with the students concepts of fairness, equity, power, and other issues over a period of several months.
At the end of that time, Legos returned to the classroom after the children agreed to several guiding principles framed by the teachers, including that "All structures are public structures" and "All structures will be standard sizes." The teachers quote the children:
"A house is good because it is a community house."
"We should have equal houses. They should be standard sizes."
"It's important to have the same amount of power as other people over your building."

Yikes! This should bother you. First, these children are not little adults and at a grammer school! Second, I understand the need to have children respect property. But I don't agree with this method. And I agree with that kid, If I buy it. I own it.

I guarantee that due to California's radical approach, other states will be looking closely at their homeschool laws, and students. Are you ready to get California-ized America?

Day 32: The Joys of Internet Shopping!

So, we've made it officially past the 30 day mark. And thankfully we are feeling much better. Sammy got to come home from the Vet. Z. and N. are feeling better. Its Friday! So.. let's celebrate!

Ok I would love to celebrate by saying that D. was coming home for a break from Iraq. But that's not happening for a while. But I did hear that he has put in for leave. So..now we just have to wait. He will be home either in the beginning of September, or the beginning of October. So I figure in the terms of this blog that will be at least day....182? Oi! That's almost depressing. But I'll be counting down nonetheless.

What does every girl like to do to make themselves feel better? Why shopping of course! But why leave the comforts of your home, jammies and fuzzy bunny slippers?! Shop online! Have you ever wondered what strange things you can buy online? Ohh well let me show you....
Climate Change Chocolate?? Bloomsberry, LLC., a chocolate maker based in Salem, MA, that sells its chocolate in crazy wrappers has now teamed up with TerraPass, a green energy broker, to offer these "Climate Change Chocolate" bars. On the wrppers are 15 tips to reduce your carbon footprint on the world. And with your sale price come enough carbon energy credit points from TerraPass to offset your footprints for one day. (Isn't that nice.. they jack up the price so you can save the planet.. bet they are laughing all the way to the bank..) Read more about these global warming (worming) goodies here: http://www.terrapass.com/lp/index.chocolate.html



Hillary Clinton toilet bowl brush! If Hillary Clinton should succeed in her bid to move back into the Whitehouse, Republicans can at least find some comfort while cleaning toilets with their "First Cleaning Lady" toilet brush. If you go to :http://www.theoriginalbowlbuddy.com/ you can pick one up for yourself. Just think of all the "White Water" fun you could have...

How about a "Reserve Your Spot In Heaven" kit?! From the website:

"Reserve A Spot In Heaven is here for the sole purpose of allowing you the opportunity to secure your spot in Heaven before it’s too late. Yes, at the moment there is plenty of room in Heaven for you and all of your loved ones,but what most individuals don't realize is that although a large portion of this space remains vacant, spots are filling very quickly. So quick that if you don’t act now you may lose your chance at getting in. How does a future of endless suffering sound? Not so good, which is why we are here to help."

Here is another little graphic to show how "helpful" this company is: You gotta love capitalism in action... This even comes with a money back guarantee! Can't beat that. LOL Also included is a "heavenly" issued certificateof reservation with your own unique ID number, a first class ticket to heaven, and official Heaven ID card, and a Heaven 101 information guide. So...if someone is dumb enough to buy this product then... what can I say? But if you want to check out this product go to: http://www.reserveaspotinheaven.com/

How about a Pop Art Toaster! This could make breakfast fun! Ok.. how it works is the words or pictures, from little plates you put in the toaster, appear on your bread after it gets toasted. There are several plates to chose from...from Disney plates to custom plates for a little more. Kind of a cute idea, but what good are words when you add the jelly? Check them out

here: http://www.poparttoaster.com/index.html (warning the guy on the main page is a little frightening in my opinion.. but click on to see all the products)

Ohh and let's not forget the BBQ WITH the MP3 player! Ummm I don't think you can really explain this one to me. A BBQ with a speaker, that plays music. Why on earth would you need this? George Foreman apparently thought we might, here check it out for yourself: http://igrillwithgeorge.com/gipod200.html

Well that's enough wierdness for one day. This goes to prove that if it can be thought up and made, someone will buy it! And....I didn't even go into showing you the baby crib with oxygen lid, or the poo shaped soap..

Happy Shopping!

Day 29: Crazy Days...

Well it's March. What do they say about March... In like a lion, out like a lamb? That seems sort of appropriate. The sick bug has hit the Scott house. First me, then Z. on Sunday. He couldn't go to a friend's birthday party. Then N. on Monday. I had to go to school to get her early. Also on Monday, I had to go and take Sammy, my doggy, to the vet. He too, is sick. He spent overnight at the vet last night. It's strange to walk in your house and not have your little greeter. The Vet wants to keep him overnight again tonight. Depending on my total bill, I'll make that decision. So, its about time we all get better!

The weather is even lion-ish. Today is crappy. Thunderstorms, and they are even saying there will be damaging hail tonight. Man, I just want spring to get here. I miss the flowers. The singing birds. Everything green... And new...

Speaking of new.. There is a new study conducted that claims that Moses was high on drugs when he was on Mount Sinai, and received the ten commandments. Moses was a druggy?! Sure puts a new spin on the idea of miracles in the Bible doesn't it? I'd like to see the study about the parting of the Red Sea...Here's the Story for you to read:

JERUSALEM (AFP) - High on Mount Sinai, Moses was on psychedelic drugs when he heard God deliver the Ten Commandments, an Israeli researcher claimed in a study published this week. Such mind-altering substances formed an integral part of the religious rites of Israelites in biblical times, Benny Shanon, a professor of cognitive psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem wrote in the Time and Mind journal of philosophy.
"As far Moses on Mount Sinai is concerned, it was either a supernatural cosmic event, which I don't believe, or a legend, which I don't believe either, or finally, and this is very probable, an event that joined Moses and the people of Israel under the effect of narcotics," Shanon told Israeli public radio on Tuesday. Moses was probably also on drugs when he saw the "burning bush," suggested Shanon, who said he himself has dabbled with such substances.
"The Bible says people see sounds, and that is a clasic phenomenon," he said citing the example of religious ceremonies in the Amazon in which drugs are used that induce people to "see music." He mentioned his own experience when he used ayahuasca, a powerful psychotropic plant, during a religious ceremony in Brazil's Amazon forest in 1991. "I experienced visions that had spiritual-religious connotations," Shanon said.
He said the psychedelic effects of ayahuasca were comparable to those produced by concoctions based on bark of the acacia tree, that is frequently mentioned in the Bible.

Also there was a study done that talks about Spiders that play dead for more sex. Yes, you read that right. Here, look at the story for yourself:

PARIS (AFP) - Advice on how to score with the ladies would probably never include the strategy that works best for at least one species of male spider: playing dead. Not all male nursery web spiders looking for a little arachnid sex adopt this technique, but those that do more than double their chances of hitting the jackpot, according to new study in Behavioral Ecology, reported Wednesday in the British magazine New Scientist. In experiments designed by
Trine Bilde of the University of Aaarhus in Denmark, researchers set up date-and-mate opportunities for Pisaura mirabilis, a species native to Europe. All the males sought to attract partners by offering a gift of food, held in the mouth. But the ones that lay flat and motionless -- even if meant getting dragged about by a female that had latched onto the victuals -- wound up in a much better position, as it were, to engage in sexual activity. The hapless males that tried the direct approach wound up keeping the free meal but not getting what they were really after. Males that played dead were also allowed to copulate longer than males that did not, ensuring more eggs could fertilized, the researchers reported. Playing dead is a well-known defence mechanism in nature, but this is apparently the first time such behaviour has been observed as a strategy for obtaining sexual favours.

Which leads me to the next series of questions: 1) Who thinks up this stuff? 2) Who pays for this? And... 3)Who the heck cares?

So, they think that Moses had a thing for the bark of a tree, and a spider has more sex if it plays dead. Yippie-Skippie. Couldn't this money have been better spent? Starving, homeless, and destitute people in the world and we worry about this stuff. Like I said...

.....Crazy Days

Day 25: I love Sunny Fridays!

Well 25 days have passed. I couldn't pass up the chance to post on Feb. 29th. It only comes once every 4 years, you know. As far as Fridays go, this one has been pretty good.

It started out with a day off. I actually got a Friday off. Yay me! Also, the tax return money hit the bank. Its sooo nice to look at the balance and see some green. (Although, it will be gone soon.. LOL) Also, I went and got a local cell phone number. Which actually turned out to be a bigger deal than I thought. I had to suspend my husband's number since he won't need it in Iraq. And I had to bring a copy of his orders to do that. They will only suspend it for 18 months, then if he is gone longer than that, I have to request and extension. I also had to bring in the 'ol Power of attorney to prove I had access to the account. So.. now I have a local number and am only paying for one phone. Its a lot of work to save some money. hehe

Oh.. and I went and got all the information on how to get my credit cards and other bills in D.'s name, down to reduced interest. Because he is deployed in Iraq, the credit cards and car payments can be reduced. I have to fax a copy of the orders and again the power of attorney. But, its all for a good cause. Lower interest! Can't beat that with a stick...

And... I went down to N.'s school today to deal with her problem there. Apparently there is a girl there that is telling lies about my girl. So I had to go and straighten it all out. Gotta love middles chool kids and middle school politics. *kneels down and thanks God I am done with middle school*

I signed up Z. for baseball today. So he will be playing with other kids in the county. He is soo excited. And I'm excited for him to be doing something constructive with his time. And plus I'll have some great pictures to share of games!

D. seems to be doing alright. I know he would love to come home, and we sure would love to have him here. But we have survived February, and that means we can look forward to the next month starting. And one month is down....

So, with that.. I am taking the kids out to eat and maybe a movie. Wish you were here to go with us, honey. We love you!!