My husband and I have always wanted to go to Kennedy Space Center together.

We wanted to go when we were in college.  We wanted to go when we were in graduate school (but by the time we were married and ready to travel, we were writing our dissertations). We wanted to go when we worked for NASA (but we worked for NASA, and were way too busy to vacation. Yes, I know (now) that that’s sad). We wanted to go when we had children (but we had children, and were way too busy still). We wanted to go when a mission I’d worked on launched (but, but, but … and we never went).

A couple of weeks ago, we just went.

Spurred by a question from Ellen, I’m writing up the highlights of our trip, here and on related (linked) posts.

The highlights of our trip to Cocoa Beach in October were many, although not all that varied. We’re space geeks. Period. We love space. And nature. And space again. This trip was a dream come true for us.

The first stop on the Space Coast was the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center. The visitor center is actually run by a professional visitor center company, Delaware Parks & Resorts, and it shows. From the highly organized ticket-buying experience to the metal detectors to the visitor center food, it’s definitely done by someone who knows what they’re doing, and who can manage crowds.

Not that there were crowds when we were there. It was October in Florida, after all, which I can tell you is a great time to go. The crowds are thin, the people were relaxed, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. (Although the ocean was cold. Not that we spent much time on the beach.)

We enjoyed the KSC Visitor’s Center immensely, running from the Robotic Exploration exhibit to the Constellation movie to the Rocket Garden, with a stop at the giant playspace full of tunnels, bridges, and slides for the younger set. We took a tour (included with visitor’s admission), filed in to a shuttle mockup for a trip to space (kids under 48″ have to watch from a gallery — but even that was exciting), walked on the gantry that the Apollo astronauts walked, explored a full-size shuttle, and stood solemnly at the Astronaut Memorial. We also touched a celestial sphere with the constellations engraved on it, and marveled as it effortlessly spun in the water base at the gentle push of a toddler’s hand.

One of the best parts of the trip was the KSC Then and Now Space History Tour, a three hour tour (not that kind of three hour tour) that took us onto Kennedy Space Center proper and over to Cape Canaveral, where all the Mercury and Gemini rockets were launched back in the 60’s and the unmanned rockets are still launched today. Highlights for us were a visit to an actual bunkhouse, where we got to see and touch the ancient computers that filled the rooms, sit at a control desk, and stand behind the 12-layered glass where Werner Von Braun once stood. We also went to the Apollo 1 launch pad, and solemnly put our hands on the launch structure where the capsule caught fire, burning Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee alive. This was followed by a quiet ride back to KSC, and a stop at the Saturn V center, where one of the last remaining Saturn V rockets is on display.

Included in our trip to KSC was a stop at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, next to the old Space Camp dorms. The Hall of Fame had quite a few other attractions, including hands-on activities and simulators for the kids (that used to belong to Space Camp). This was a fun stop, and although not a whole day’s destination, it was the perfect way to top off Day #2 at KSC. (KSC offers a second day free at the Visitor Center and/or the Astronaut Hall of Fame simply by validating your ticket on exit.)

After the Hall of Fame, we were starving, and dropped by Kelsey’s for pizza. Yum.

Before we left Florida, we happened on another great place to go, this time in Titusville. The U.S. Space Walk of Fame Museum is for the true history buff and/or space-crazy child or teen. This unassuming little museum is packed tight with real pieces of history, like the charred I-beam used to advocate for necessary funding increases for the space program back in the 1980’s. The ragged door from a Mercury capsule that was lost before the manned program began. Lights, switches, and memorabilia given to retiring astronauts, engineers, and launch directors. Handprints from dozens of astronauts, that you can lay your hands in for the asking. An amazing room-sized model of the shuttle launch pad, gantry, and crawler. Rooms for Mercury, Gemini, Apollo. A room set up like the bunkhouse that we’d just seen on the tour, but even more child friendly. Scrapbooks of photos kept by men who made the space program what it is today.

We were led through the museum by retired shuttle launch director (whose name I’ve misplaced), who worked his way up through the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and shuttle missions, growing right along with the space program, and it was amazing to hear his stories firsthand. This museum is free, and well worth any time you spend there. Go, shake the hands of the men who made it happen.

The Space Walk of Fame itself is a block or two away, by a beautiful stretch of water, and it is a must-visit. Scattered over the two block area of Space View Park are monuments to the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo engineers, mechanics, flight directors, and all the people who made it happen. Not just the astronauts. Not the astronauts at all, actually, and that was a refreshing change from the astronaut-worship apparent at the KSC Visitor Center. The Space Walk of Fame celebrates hard work. Impossible work, really, and that was a lovely place for us to end our trip.

After a trip to Scoops, for freshly churned ice cream and milkshakes, we played in a nearby park and returned home, tired but happy, our trip complete.

Had we had more time, we would definitely have visited the Brevard Community College Planetarium, which hosts a rooftop observatory with 12 and 24 inch reflectors, a 6 inch refractor, a planetarium with a dual projection system, a 3 story high screened movie theater, and a space museum. The star show is showing Ring World, a favorite of friends of ours … and each show is just $6. We just ran out of time. We’d also like to see the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, which friends of ours have loved on their trips there. The Refuge is near the entrance to the Kennedy Space Center, and we’ll definitely make time for that on our next trip.

We can’t wait to go again!

Disclosure: None of the institutions mentioned or NASA paid for any part of this trip in any way at all, nor are they aware of this post. I used to work for NASA, and my husband still does, but I think you knew that already.

TheWave_GB - This image has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its author, Gb1 at the English Wikipedia project. This applies worldwide.

What a great place to visit, if you are patient about waiting to win the lottery of only 20 people (10 in person and 10 from an online lottery) to get to see “The Wave” each day (see LATimes article below).

Actually, having so few people each day would be a blessing, because you actually get to see it in its natural beauty without hundreds of people milling around in it at the same time.

There is a wonderful collection of images taken of “The Wave” at Flickr and presented in a slide show. Or you can look at them in the normal format in “The Wave Pool” set here.

Hugo Martin wrote an article about visiting The Wave here at the LATimes:

Arizona’s Wave rock formation a stone-cold stunner

It’s called the Wave: a huge, undulating formation in the stark Arizona desert. It’s the star among the surreal rocks that fill this part of the stark Southwestern landscape.

and a here’s the Wikpedia article.

This is one of many wonders just in our own country that I would love to see one day.

Two interesting links today.  The first is a list of 100 tools to encourage your kids in science.  The second is a list of ten female science bloggers worth checking out.  The list was compiled by someone I don’t know … but the ones I know are great, and the others look interesting.

I’m writing today, holed up in my little garret while my husband (home on AWS, his day off) watches the kids and the world moves on without me.  Big deadline Wednesday — a draft of the first three chapters are due.  Yippee!

Just checked this out on www.ted.com – a really interesting, inspiring talk about design

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWqkKYwvTNw&feature=channel

a give-away!

tammy templeton, a fellow south aussie, started pumpkin pink designs last september.  her embellishments are just too cute!  check out her latest designs!

Yet another interesting website to look at…..

http://www.nzedge.com/media/archives/archv-arts-visual_museum.html

A little bit information overload but hey if you’ve got some spare time there’s lots of news about kiwis in the art world

All week, Little Bear has been asking, “Mama, go space?”  If I ask him a follow up question, or don’t respond immediately (because, say, I’m already in the middle of a sentence), he follows up with, “Mama, Goddard?”

Cracks. me. up.

My two year old is asking to go to the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor’s Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.  It’s a great little place, with lots to investigate for the older kids and a dress up area and space capsule for the younger kids.  We often go there with our playgroup, and have lunch in the rocket park afterwards.

Being able to go to so many museums, and get out of it what we need to for that day, is one of the wonderful things about living in D.C.  We are taking advantage of every minute of it.

Edited to add: You have GOT to go see Stimey’s post about the day.  She is freakin’ hilarious, and she recaps the day for all of us … and Commander Blue Bear.  The 6 moms and 8 kids (including Heather) had a fantabulous day, and the sky was just as blue as it appears in the pictures.  Truly, truly, these are the good days.

Jessica’s got a great line up of Earth Day activities today, if you’re local to the Washington, D.C. area … there’s also a special Sid the Science Kid on today, and lots of other things to do to celebrate the Earth.  What will we be doing?  Getting out into the garden again, preparing the soil, and planting our vegetables for the summer.  Mmmmm.  I’ve been looking forward to planting in the garden with both my children for more years than I’d like to say.  Oh, okay.  Forever.

Everyone should have a look at this website…..

http://www.thebigidea.co.nz/

Left Manila: April 4, 2009

• Destination 1:  Subic
• Destination 2:  Pundakit, San Antonio, Zambales
• Destination 3:  Uacon, Candelaria, Zambales
• Destination 4: Dagupan City

DAY 1:

We were supposed to leave as early as 6 am because Jaims wanted to catch the track Day at Subic International Raceway.  It was an invitation from the NissanBayan for the MazdaTech people to join them in their trackday.   While the desire to get there was high, the need to stay late in Manila to deliver overdue work was more pressing.  We first met a guy somewhere around Manila to drop off an album then we proceed to St. Luke’s to deliver Bien’s goodies.  I stayed a little longer to catch up with Mylene who just gave birth to the Peñaranda twins.  The road trip officially started at  11 am.  Traffic was terrible before NLEX since the MRT station was being done.  We had our first stop at Burger King.  Totally got disappointed with the Whopper Jr.  The last time I ate one was during my pregnancy days with Sofi.  And seeing how small a whopper Jr. makes me so sad .  Anyway Dadi got his free back massage at Burger King.

Passing to SCTEX was part of the plan.  The newly constructed Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expreesway was a breeze — plus, we get to do some drifting.  Though Jaims claims  that it was a little boring since there’s no traffic to think about.  At 3PM, were able to arrive at the Raceway.  In as much as I wanted to feel the adrenaline rush I just can’t join him.  I begged that he drop us off to the nearest lodge, hotel or whatever that is within the budget.  He initially wanted to leave us at All Hands Resort, but from afar one can see how many people are dipping on the shore.  I just want to rest.  So we went up the road and found Crown Peak.  The place looks eery but the sight of the pool made us stay.  We checked in at the Tiara Bldg.  After 30 minutes, I decided to bring sofi down at the pool.  Knowing it will take a while before Daddi comes back.

The pool was clover-shaped with depth ranging from 2.6 ft – 6 ft — not too cold but not too hot.  It has a slide in the middle, and little tables were scattered around the pool.  The shallowest part of the pool was up to Sofi’s neck  We got tired waiting for Daddi so I decided to go back to our room and dry Sofi.  Dad came in after 30 minutes.  He was all smiles and he kept on talking how fun it was to drive around the raceway.  that moment I felt he loved me a notch higher for allowing him to drive hehehhe…

We decided to explore Subic for dinner.  Besides he wanted to see if the fishing spot we saw that afternoon was great.  We found Annie’s Kitchen near the Subic Bay and decided to take our dinner.  Since we don’t have a definite plan, we were extra tight on the budget.   On our way back to the hotel, the mood changed.  We were stopped at the checkpoint because we failed to use seatbelts.  Daddi was given a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt and another ticket for not informing his passenger [ me ] to wear a seatbelt.  Crap!  For the entire day we were so obedient of the Subic traffic rules and just a minute far from the hotel we committed two violations.  Dad was even telling me when we got there that the rules are strictly followed in Subic.  and then this happened.  I remember taking off our seatbelt when we went down to the fishing port.  We completely forgot about it when we went back to our car

Day 2:

We went out without eating breakfast.  we planned to find a picnic spot and cook there.  30 minutes on the road and we haven’t found a spot.  Locals were directing us towards Camayan, but we don’t have a budget for dining out. we just want a spot for our portable stove to do its task.  We went back and drive elsewhere until we got to Morong, Bataan.  We got to a public  beach but they say you have to pay P500 for the cottage.  no way!  We decided to just stroll for while in the beach then go back to Barney.  On our way back, Dad turned left somewhere and we were both surprised how fast we got back to our hotel.  the hour drive was cut to 15 minutes.  Spooky!  Anyway we decided to just go to Malawaan Pier where we stopped over last night.  I cooked hotdog and hot water while the two looked over the pier.  We just had bread, hotdogs, noodles and coffee for breakfast.

We went back to the hotel and since it was still early, i nudged Jaims to swim in the pool and perhaps take some pictures.  Checkout was at 12 but we left around 1PM.  We decided to eat lunch in Subic.  Magic Lagoon.  For a scorching hot afternoon, the place was cozy.  Open-air, roof was made of nipa and a big pay-fishpond was on the side.  Roosters as big as Sofi walked around the grill as if they’re part of the decoration.  We spent around P600.00 for a heavy lunch.  I overheard the family behind me that they’re also going to Pundaquit.  We were informed beforehand that our resident bankero, Mang Randy, will not be available even after Holy Week.  Anawangin Cove is full of visitors and resorts within the area are fully-booked.  We’re just trying our luck.

We got there by 4 and it is really impossible to be island hopping around that time.  The most ideal thing to do was for us to find a place to check in.  I told Jaims to try inquiring in Canoe Beach Resort (our usual resort in Pundaquit), there’s no harm in trying.  Luck must be on our side when they told Jaims that the one who booked for that day did not arrive so they are giving the room to us.  Check in is 2PM.  Since it was a Sunday we decided to drop by the Church but when we got there the last mass has just ended.  Since I didn’t like the idea of feasting on noodles again, we thought of buying ulam in the carinderia.  Jaims wanted to cook rice but since only two of us will eat[and Sofi, too], I told him to just buy cooked rice for both of us.  The most tiring part of the day was packing the things again when I have just unpacked our stuff a few hours ago.  Jaims thought of checking out early the next day.

Day 3:

the plan was to check out early (checkout is at 10) and proceed to Nagsasa Cove.  Mang Randy referred us to another boatman and didn’t recommend Nagsasa.  The cove is an hour away from Pundaquit and it won’t be safe for Sofi to travel that long.  he recommended Talisayin Cove.  Talisayin can rival Anawangin with its beauty.  The good thing about it was that tourist hasn’t flocked the area yet.  We had the beach all to ourselves…except for a few locals who were drinking coke while singing Happy Birthday.  There was a resort on the left side and a few huts around the area.  We found a small hut in the middle but the owner was nowhere to be found.  Perhaps he went out to hunt for food.  In as much as we hated breaking through one’s house, we did.  There was no place to eat and his table was quite inviting.  We had tocino, salted eggs and tomatoes for lunch. We also asked Mang randy to cook rice for us.  As a sign of gratitude we decided to leave some bills on his table after eating.  We got back at Canoe around 1PM and used the public shower room to clean ourselves.  At 3Pm, we’re back on the road.

Bolinao, Pangasinan was the next on our list but that would mean driving for another 4 or 5 hours.  To cut the trip short, we decided to find some place along Zambales.  We started scouting for a lodge by 6Pm.  We were aiming for something lower than P1000 since we only intend to spend the night there.  But finding something within that budget seems impossible.  We first went to Dawal and they said it costs 1,200.  We went around and find a few more but as we go farther down, the rate seems more expensive.  When it was almost dark we decided to just go for the place that cost the lowest but they said that as soon as we left, a group checked in.  We went back to Dawal and they said only the P1600.00 room was available.  I went back to Jaims feeling sad but while I was talking to him the receptionist approached us and said that a P1200 room was available.

With the rate and the sight of Potipot, we made up our minds that we will be spending two nights in Dawal and scrap Bolinao.  We had a decent meal in their restaurant and slept like a log on our first night.

day 4:

We had breakfast by the sea.  Cottages are lined alongthe beach front over looking Potipot.  Sofi was busy playing with the sand that we were able to cook breakfast.  Jaims and i decided to just go to Potipot after lunch to save us from the trouble of bringing lots of stuff on the other island.  We spend the rest of the morning scouting for stash in the “bayan”. We also looked for an ATM to replenish our finances (there are only 2 ATM there, one ran out of money) and laundry service (Jaims found out that there are no laundry service around the area and only the wives of the tricycle drivers do the washing for others).   We ate in our room since I had to pack our change of clothes, Sofi’s toys and the chips for merienda.  Jaims bought a watermelon, too to complete the summer feel.  We had Century Tuna in lechon paksiw sauce and Master Fried Sardines.

We boarded our boat (costs P400) at 1 Pm with our video cam.  Potipot is just 5 minutes away from Dawal which makes travelling faster.  Once we got there, a lady approached us and asked for entrance fee.  Entrance is at P50 per head and Sofi is still free.  While the island is small and visitors were everywhere, the place is not crowded. Tables are available and if you want to spend overnight in the island, cottages are also available for P500 a night.   The sand in Potipot is finer as compared to Talisayin and the place is very shady.  The water is warm and clear but Sofi and I opted not to go far from the shore since part of the sea suddenly goes deep.  There are borderlinesto distinguish which part is safe to swim at.  By 5Pm our boatman fetched us.  We were so burnt and tired that after taking a bath, the three of us slept until 10Pm.  We woke up just to eat dinner then walk a little.  By 12 we went back to our room and snore the night away.

Day 5:

at 7Am, I received a text from mama informing us that they are on their way to Dagupan.  We didn’t rush ourselves and spent an hour or so in Dawal’s pool. The rest of the time was spent packing our stuffs back to Barney.  It was still quite a long drive so I begged Jaims if we could eat by 12.  We ended up eating at Jollibee.  Nothing beats  Chicken Joy and Jolly Spaghetti as hunger buster.

By 3PM, Daddi, Mommi and Sofi officially ended the Elizaga Road Trip

Hey check out this website www.ted.com

Real interesting stuff

I went to THE ateneo this morning to request for a transcript and there was really no intention of going on a trip. It’s just that one thing led to another and next thing we knew we were having a weekend trip. Coming from THE ateneo, i asked dadi if he could drive me to UP. her sister asked me to get UPCAT application form for her daughter and since we’re ALMOST there already, we decided to pass by the Office of the University Registrar. I can’t remember when I last visited UP. As far as i can remember OUR was somewhere after Home Econ Building. But the road led us to a new building called Office of Admissions. and that’s where the OUR is. anyways, UPCAT forms are not yet available until May according to Kuya Guard. With nothing else to do and lunch was almost near, we decided to eat at UP. dadi was craving for bbq stuff. I suggested eating isaw but he said it’s too early for the vendors to cook isaw. So we decided to eat at Beach House.

Beach House

We had 3 bbq, 3 rice, sopas, ensalada, fresh lumpia, coke and mountain dew. It was so good to go back there and reminisce that familiar taste and scent. Although they have become a little pricey, the taste and the size remained the same.  The rice still has the same texture, not hard, not too watery and still served hot.  And the fresh lumpia was overflowing with peanut sauce.   When went back to Barney, we were still savoring that good ol’ bbq taste *tsalap* .

dadi was still in the mood to drive and he thought of bringing us to La Mesa Ecopark.  I thought he wasn’t serious when he said he’ll take us there but when he started driving towards Commonwealth that’s when I knew he was serious.  I was excited.  And I hated jaims for not bringing a camera.  That’s why we just have to content ourselves with a cellphone cam.  Jaims always say it doesn’t really matter whether you’re holding a DSLR or just a plain cellphone camera.  It’s the photographer who matters.  [or was he just trying to justify his senior moment]

There was a wedding near the lagoon so we were not allowed to go near the vicinity.  Entrance fee to Eco Park costs P50 per head.  Sofi was still FREE.  Our first stop was the Super Ferry Boating Lagoon — P100 for 30 minutes.  Not bad.  You oar the boat yourself and you’re free to roam the 4ft deep lagoon.  For some parts, I volunteered to row the boat and it’s a sure way to burn some calories.  It was fun.  From the lagoon, you can see those people who were rappelling down a zip line.  On the other side were concrete barriers, I guess to keep the water from raging when the dam gets filled up.

boats

terraces

After 30 minutes, we went back up to check more sites.  On our way to the Lopez Picnic Grounds, we hitched on a electric jeepney.  We were so mesmerized by the reporter inside doing her spiels that we weren’t able to take a picture of the jeep.  We passed by the swimming pool but didn’t bother going inside, may bayad kse — P80 per head.   We went straight to the Shell Flower Terraces and challenged ourselves to climb it.  This means we have to consider carrying Sofi to and fro just in case she gets tired.  Surprisingly, Sofi was very energetic.  We stopped first at the second level to scan the area and continued with the hike afterwards.  By the third level, Sofi was already tired and you could hear her gasping for air.  But we managed to get to the top.  It’s a pity that there was a gate right after the stairs but the dam was still viewable.  the terrace, apparently, was the wall of the dam.  Below the steps were opportunist ice cream vendors who are grabbing the opportunity to market there products to hungry sharks.  I told Jaims to buy two cones only but he said he wanted to get Sofi her own ice cream, so I gave the cone I was holding to Sofi and waited for the vendor to hand me the third cone.  Sofi was already licking the cone when she saw the vendor hand me the new cone.  You know what Sofi did?  She returned the already licked ice cream to me and pulled the new cone from my hand

ice cream monster

There are still a lot of sites to see around La Mesa Ecopark.  I know there is a wall climbing site and a butterfly garden but that can wait.  I don’t think this is the last time.

I love living here in D.C.

When my preschooler woke up this morning, he toddled into our room and said sleepily, “Mommy, I want to go to Goddard Space Center.” Because we live where we do, the way that we do, I was able to say, “Okay, honey, let’s go!” We packed a snack, called a friend, and took off for a fun morning of adventure at the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center.

The kids had a blast. After donning flight suits and helmets, they played in the space capsule, flipping switches and hitting “nav buttons” to their hearts’ content. They watched videos, explored exhibits, and gawked at the science on a sphere. They were excited, happy, and most of all interested in so many exhibits and even a little learning. When we needed a break, we popped outside for some rocket time and raucous joy.

We topped it off with lunch at 5 Guys (burgers and fries).

Really, free summer days don’t get any better than this.

Oh, wait. There’s a day this Fall that might be better, if you’re also a space buff like me and my kids. I just found out about LAUNCH FEST 08, a special event at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. For more information, read on or visit the Launch Fest website! Twitter-friends Geokitten and Igmom assure me that it’s totally appropriate for even the littlest of little ones. I am SO excited. Here’s the blurb from GSFC’s website:

Explore the Universe in Your Own Backyard!

Mark your calendar! NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center invites all to enter our gates on September 13, 2008! Come and learn about the Goddard Space Flight Center as we prepare for an unprecedented year of 15 major science launches! This FREE event will feature interactive demonstrations, entertainment, a variety of local food vendors and fun for the whole family.

This blog post is original to Toddler Planet and may not be reposted without permission.  Blog scrapers, this means you!  

A funny thing, this blogging.  Here I am, doing nothing more important with my day than radiation therapy and water play, and the following things happen:

1. My best friend and I grow closer over a minor commenting fiasco;

2. I make a new friend, Academom;

3. One of my IBC sisters and I realize that we’re being treated at the same radiation center (she recognizes it from the detail of the triple doors.  Wow.);

4. Monica and I realize belatedly (like, a year and a half belatedly) that we have known each other in another life … real life … and in fact, when Widget was small, our families fostered beagles that were brother and sister!

5. Canadians flock to my blog after a mention today on B.C. Almanac; and

6. My eyes are opened to a world of women in science bloggers, in academia and out, with husbands, with little children, with tenure, or considering all three, and my world is enriched.

I think I’ll write a post about the women science bloggers, just to say hello and thanks for their bravery about putting their tenure fears out there, and their thoughts often as eloquently as the academics many of us know and love (such as, of course, Bub and Pie and Her Bad Mother), but tonight I leave you with a series of pictures of the water play.  Because I’m also a mom.  And I can do that.

Testing the waters

What is this magic potion, that brings forth such bubbles?

There is treasure ‘neath these waters, treasure I must have!

And the last one.  In which I begin to live the dream.  Brothers.  Working together on something.  (In this case, they’re drawing on my windows with window markers and washing it off with wet paintbrushes.)  It doesn’t matter what it is, though.  The important part to me is that they’re doing it together, making decisions independently, and, every few minutes, laughing with delight.

I totally didn’t ever think I’d see this.  But I’m so, so glad I did.

In support and love for those who were injured or killed by the gunman in the geology class at Northern Illinois State University on Thursday. 

Valentine’s Day, gone horribly wrong.

Please pray for the survivors, those who were killed, and their families. 

They are students and graduate students, and they are all so very young.

We’re spending the New Year quietly at home so far.  Each of the boys has had their turn with 102-103′ fevers, vomiting, and other nasty symptoms.  I’ve so far escaped getting sick, surprisingly, and am so grateful for that.  Basically, each morning I tuck WhyDaddy and whichever boy is sick at the time into bed and spend the day downstairs with the other one.  I’ve gotten a great deal of cleaning and picking up done, and taking care of my boys to boot.  (The sick ones are easy.  Water and Gatorade every hour or two, and offers of food, which are quickly refused.  An 11 month old healthy baby is a little more demanding!)  I’ve even gotten out to the store twice with Little Bear to get necessary supplies (medicine, gatorade, and crackers). 

Isn’t it funny — of everyone in the house, I’m the only one who is healthy!

It’s so nice to be able to take care of my boys again.

Oh, and the new friends?  I’d like to introduce you to Nancy, who has been crocheting chemo caps for the cancer folks at The Wellness Community — she has a great web site with her designs and completed projects at Crocheting Creativity.  Also Judy at Just Enjoy Him, who got an IBC diagnosis last week.  She’s got a 6 year old boy, and we’re talking offline too.  And one more — Angela fom Laudat, who many of you know, but I don’t think I ever told you I met in person!  It was so cool to meet her at The Wellness Community a few weeks ago, and then again a couple weeks later.  We had a great time talking, and I hope to see her again soon!

Next week I’m going out with the DC Metro Moms.  I’m all nervous … what (hat) will I wear?

Seriously, this one of the funnier and more creative things I’ve seen in a while.

I guess if you’re a Minnesota fan (six-time national champs! before anyone reading this was born!), you’ve got to have a sense of humor.

That, and all that time they spend indoors drinking, since they live in Minnesota.

‘Cause it’s not Coach Mile$.  Check out this blog if you care.

Bill Martin, LSU fans around the world thank you:

And the MLBGG sends a salute to Sylvester Croom, the SEC Coach of the Year.

I’d like to write something clever about Klansmen rolling over in their graves, and suddenly becoming cold in hell, but I got nothing.

Per the Wizard of Odds, Arkansas has a new coach.

I love “contracts” in college football.

Update: Perhaps realizing that he wasn’t quite ready for a fan base that FOIAs the coach’s text messages, hires plane to tow anti-coach banners at games, and follows his movements via websites that report where jets are headed,  Jim Grobe has decided to stay at Wake Forest.

The Ohio State University is a damned mystery - Geaux Tuscaloosa

That personality that got let out of its cage at the 2007 Cocktail Party , but who was chained to a wall against Tennessee? That’s who I’m talkin’ about- Georgia Sports Blog

Mississippi State and Louisiana Monroe are BCS worthy- Football Diet

We’re not snobs, we’re just better than you: The All-SEC Team- secsports.com…. BTW, one person on this list has a book written about him.  Even if you can’t stand Ole Miss, or are a fan of an inferior conference, check it out.  Mr. Oher, buy your sister and mama something from Tiffany when you’re at NFL draft headquarters, whether it’s this year or next.

The Official Holiday of the Idiot Brigade, a holy day in New Orleans, and a happy day for Southern girls, no matter where they are.

There’s a little girl that Lawyer Mama introduced me to a few days ago who is making a difference in the world, even at her tender age.  This little girl, Laura, has taken up a challenge of making a difference in the world in 25 days, and she’s asked us all — the internets — to play along with her.  This is the best idea I’ve ever heard, and I’m going to join and try to help her make a difference in the world. 

Today she challenged classrooms and teachers all over the country to join in.  She’s also got a blogroll going of other bloggers who have taken up the challenge.  If you’ve got a minute, peek in and see what she’s started.  This is another example of using technology to make a difference in the world, and in people’s hearts. 

The key is to do something each day to help other people in some way and make a difference in the world.  It might be a very small thing, or it might be bigger.  For instance, yesterday, I shared our empty baby food jars with another mom who answered my ad on Freecycle.  She’s going to use them to use to make Christmas gifts for her kids’ teachers and friends.  I’m happy because they’re going to be reused, which is much better for the environment even than recycling (assuming that the recipients eventually reuse and/or recycle the jars).  Today, I offered a prize for the winning classroom in Laura’s contest.  I don’t know what I’ll do tomorrow.  Maybe I’ll stop by the pediatric oncology infusion unit and see if we can do anything to amuse the kids while they get chemo.  Maybe they’d like a NASA poster or some new children’s books?

A few days ago, I was bitterly depressed. Then I was contacted by the wonderful nolachick from Chicks in the Huddle.

And this was on her site:

http://chicksinthehuddle.com/2007/11/29/chick-sips-dui-in-a-cadillac-williams-pirate-punch/

Oh, what a lovely, lovely concoction.  If that doesn’t make you feel better, nothing will.

Feel superior, non-New Orleanians. Hold up your shiny low crime rates. Be proud of your city not in danger of being inundated four months every year. Be proud of your franchises that have not suffered forty-one years of futility.

But know that no matter what, we are more fun than you.

PS… Fear the Hat!