Time To Leap

2012 is a Leap Year and today, February 29th, is officially Leap Day.  Leap Day happens once every four years, unless it's a year ending in "00" and not divisible by 400.  It's a rotation thing:  The earth revolves around the sun once every 365.242910 days, so we round it to 365 1/4 days, leap every 4 and subtract a bit every now and then...

Happy Birthday to all those Leap Year Babies :-)

About That Snow Bike...

This "special" bike (meaning Doug didn't have one like it prior to it's purchase), now looks suspiciously like several of Doug's other forms on mountain recreation (note the mud).

I think I may have been scammed by someone who just wanted a new toy...

Polar Bear Day!

I love these amazing animals!  Although I have never seen them in the wild, they have always been one of my favorites to visit at the zoo.

According to the National Wildlife Federation, today is International Polar Bear Day!  Their site has a lot of fun information:  http://blog.nwf.org/2011/02/national-polar-bear-day-13-things-you-may-not-know-about-polar-bears/

Late February

"Late February, and the air's so balmy snowdrops and crocuses might be fooled into early blooming. Then, the inevitable blizzard will come, blighting our harbingers of spring, and the numbed yards will go back undercover.  In Florida, it's strawberry season— shortcake, waffles, berries and cream will be penciled on the coffeeshop menus."
-  Gail Mazur, The Idea of Florida During a Winter Thaw

I could go for a little dose of Florida 

or Mexico or Hawaii about now...

What's Going Around the Internet - Helpful Hints

I wish I had known about this back when my kids spent hours in the sandbox, but the "helpful hint" is right on time for Spring Break!

Keep baby powder in your beach bag - it gets sand right off of your skin.  The powder and your skin need to be dry when you rub it on...

TGIF!

This will be me and my girlfriend, Michelle,

a little later today :-)  

Check out those dance moves!

February Birthstone: Amethyst

"The February born shall find
Sincerity and peace of mind,
Freedom from passion and from care,
If they, the amethyst will wear."

My daughter chose February's Birthstone, the Amethyst, for her class ring because her school's colors are purple and gold.  

Traditionally, the Amethyst, stands for peace, courage, inner balance, inner strength and sincerity.  

World Thinking Day

Each year on February 22, Girl Scouts in the USA participate in activities and projects which remind them that they are part of a larger community. Globally, there are over 150 countries with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.   Along with celebrating international friendship, this year's theme will have girls around the world saying "We can save our planet."  Go, Girls!!

Whoa! Part 2

So...  The ice shelf started sprouting icicles.  I got lucky with this photo - the next time I went out the whole thing had fallen.

Doggy Love'n Day

February 20 is Love Your Pet Day!

I always consider it an official holiday

if you can send a card for it...  

Whoa!!

I noticed this yesterday afternoon...

I have no idea how the ice and snow formed an overhang on the trailer, but I think it looks cool - pun intended :-)

Tiny House Guest

I discovered this tiny visitor yesterday afternoon making his/her way around the sliding glass door.  This is the earliest I have ever seen a Lady Bug and this one was baby-sized :-)

On the down-side, it looks like I need to clean...

Finally... Friday!!!

I had too much stress this week highlighted by a small surgery to put my daughter's broken nose back where it is supposed to be (patient is well and has a cast, which we decided looks like a piece of ABC Juicy Fruit gum smooshed across the bridge of her nose).  I am very much looking forward to the 3-day holiday weekend!
May it be LAZY!!

What's Going Around the Internet - Helpful Hints

Re-use a wet-wipes container to store plastic bags.

I like this idea!!  You could also use the Lysol or Clorox wet wipes containers if you no longer have little bottoms to keep clean.  I'm hoping it will hold a whole lot of shopping bags :-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

A little love for each of my

three favorite Valentines!

Shopping Alert!

If you have not bought that special someone a gift that truly says "I Love You," you are running out of time!!

This is the Keepsake Satin Heart from Godiva... Godiva - always a good choice and one of my favorites!  However, if you did not plan in advance, a small token can keep you out of trouble as long as it is presented with love. Happy Smooching :-)

Snow Bike

This is the latest addition to Doug's personal fleet of non-motorized modes of transportation and/or entertainment...

It is a Snow Bike.  The most obvious difference between it and a normal bike would be the size of the tires - they are a good 4 to 5 inches in diameter and you keep the air pressure very low.  

He said it's a pretty tough work out, but lots of fun.

One of Those Days...

For those of us who are technologically-challenged...

Yes, please...  Better make that two...

Umbrella Day

Apparently, February 10th is Umbrella Day; however,  I have no idea where, why, etc... What grabbed my interest about it was the opportunity it presented to show off my antique umbrellas and stand :-)

Shall we go Singin' In the Rain??

John Otto

This is the book I am currently reading...  John Otto was one of the more, let's go with "colorful," characters in Colorado history.  My main interest in reading this book was the influence he had in gaining recognition for the amazing natural wonder that is the Colorado National Monument.

Boy Scout Day

February 8th marks the birth of Scouting in the United States.  On this day in 1910, William Dickson Boyce filed incorporation papers to form the Boy Scouts of America.

Boy Scouting has been a big part of our family!  All the Cutter boys have participated in some degree.  This picture is from my son's April 2009 Eagle Court of Honor.  It shows my father-in-law, Bob, who volunteered as a leader for Doug's troop; my nephew, Taylor, who is still working through the ranks of Cub Scouting; my son, Ryan; my husband, Doug, who is also an Eagle Scout and was a leader all through Ryan's experience.  My three other nephews are also Scouts:  Zach and Nate in Boy Scouts and Sam in Cub Scouts.

Scouting has provided all these men and boys with important life lessons and amazing adventures.   May the program continue to grow.  Thank you, Mr. Boyce!!

Favorite Super Bowl Ads

The Super Bowl ads are always the talk of the town/country the day after the game...  My favorites are tied this year between the Ferris Bueller Honda CRV and the Rescue Dog Bud Lite ads.  If you didn't see the classic 80's flick, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, you'll miss the irony.

Here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhkDdayA4iA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyFWSys3TJU

As for the actual game, I only paid close attention to the last few minutes - it got pretty exciting about then :-)

Dralion!

We got to see Cirque's latest traveling show this weekend at the Budweiser Events Center.  Dralion derives it's name from the Dragon, representing the East, and the Lion, representing the West.  It's one of my favorites as it focuses on creating balance between the human and the natural world - humans represent all four elements.

Amazing performances, as usual...  I particularly liked this years's trampoline and the scarf acrobats.

Today's a Holiday?

This is one of my favorite apps available for iPhones - 365 Holiday Calendar.  It allows you to pick your country and what religions you want listed.  Currently, I've got mine set to US & Major Religious, Moon Phases and Pagan...  From the list, it then links you to further interesting information such as history, traditions, etc. On the occasions when I have cross-referenced it's links to other sites for further study, I have always found it's information to be updated and legitimate.

So...  Superbowl Sunday is a holiday?!?!  I had no idea - I learn something new every day!  Any excuse for a party!  I guess this means I'm getting out of housecleaning and laundry :-)

Gotcha, Mom!

This is what I found when I opened my daughter's closet yesterday morning... 

And the answer:  "Why, yes! Yes I was! "

Her skinny jeans tuck into my Ughs better than my boot-cut. 

The tiny writing in the background sent me on a treasure hunt :-)

February Birth Month Flower: Violet

Violets have always been one of my favorite flowers!  I love the deep purple hues and almost always add them to my flower pots in the spring.

Violets stand for faithfulness, purity and chastity.  However, if you want to send your lover a secret message via the language of flowers, you may send violet meaning "I will always be true" or, be a little more risque and send a white one, meaning "Let's take a chance."

Groundhog's Day

Good Weather Assured
 - Winifred Sackville Stoner, Jr.

When the second of February rolls around,
Out of his hole in the cold, dark ground
Comes Mr. Groundhog to look at the sky
And see if the season of summer is nigh;
So that he in the fields may merrily run
And eat farmers' crops 'neath the light o' the sun.
But if his own shadow he unfortunately sees,
In the greatest of terror he falls on his knees,
And quickly returns to his subterra home,
Resolving that he will not again roam
Till six stormy weeks have slowly gone by,
And then once again, perhaps he will try
To put his flat head above the cold ground,
And take a survey of the earth all around.
So I made up my mind that during the year
I'd keep him at home so he couldn't appear.
And to bring wintry weather he hadn't a chance,
For of his own shadow he caught not a glance.

What Are You Saving It For??

This little gem of wisdom was part of a goodie bag my neighbor brought over during the holidays - it's been hanging in my kitchen window ever since :-)

It's a great reminder to make the most of each day.  We all have long-term things we need to plan and save for, like college and retirement, but we need to remember to have fun along the way - so drink that wine, take the kids to Disneyland, and walk along the beach with your lover!!