The kids were really into Jovie-Belle, their Elf on the Shelf, this year. These are a few of my favorites. Post your favorites in the comments! (I have a bunch on Pinterest too… some appropriate, some not at all.)
We didn’t get crazy creative every night, but the kids really made a big deal about finding her every morning. Maybe next year we’ll get a second elf and have some more fun.
Well. Damn, you Pinterest. Ha ha. We made more progress on the Back Yard Race Car Track. It may now also be a construction zone, gravel pit, monster truck arena, and dinosaur garden. Molly even asked about building a volcano. I do have an extra bag of concrete.
Check out the latest photos. We added a gravel pit, some large rocks for edging-work to try to contain the gravel, and dug out the grass so we have a dirt pit. Not sure if I should plant grass and leave a dirt track, or make it all a dirt pit. I may try to buy some river rock to make the outside edges look a little neater, and mix some more extra sloppy concrete to smooth it over, and fill in the edges smooth.
I bet it will evolve greatly over time.
I’m anxious to see photos of other projects like this. Show me what you’ve got in the comments!
🚧 🚧 🚧 👷 👷♀️ 🚚 🦕 🚗 🏁 🧚 🌱 🚧 🚧 🚧
So, on Labor Day this year, we labored. We finally got around to pouring cement for the Backyard Race Car Track, and we started a Fairy Garden.
I have been sitting on the race car track idea for a while, and wondering what to do landscape-wise around the one small tree in the back. We recently got some fairy garden furniture stuff as a gift… so we thought that would be a cool second (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th?) backyard play-space.
I had purchased some Quikrete coloring from Amazon a while ago, and some bags of Quikrete Sand/Topping Mix from Home Depot this Saturday knowing that we had a full day to work today.
We had also started the digging a while ago when Ian was over-zealous and wanted to “Dig, Dig Dig!” in the back yard.
We had an easy enough start, put down some gravel, and mixed two of the three bags of Sand/Topping Mix with the coloring. I mixed it a little thick, and really what was all the coloring was meant to cover. The track was only about ⅔ of the way complete. So, I mixed the one other bag we had on hand. It was a little sloppier and went on really well. The kids helped in a kid-helping capacity, and Bethany did nearly all of the troweling/finishing work. Molly told me that she wanted to use the trowel because that’s what “brick builders” use to put the stuff in between bricks. I have no idea where she learned that.
So. It was obvious we needed a quick trip back to Home Depot to get some more bags. Ian & I went on a mission.
I asked the little man if we should get 3, or 4. He was adamant about getting 4. We also got the cheapest bag of garden soil, and some pebbles. Sadly, the bottle of coloring didn’t last long, and maddeningly Home Depot didn’t carry it… even with two shelves full of Quikrete products. I ended up asking if they had anything in the paint department, and they just had a concrete paint or dye to use after the fact.
We got back and Bethany made us a delicious salad for lunch. We needed to re-fuel for more work out back! I mixed 2 more bags, with some help:
After that, we did use just one more bag… but that’s OK. I can use the rest for some driveway patch work now that I have some more recent practice with this stuff. (A long time ago, I worked for a bit for a general contractor, and would sometimes mix mortar all day for the subcontracted bricklayers.)
For now, that’s about all we can do. The bag says it needs to set up for five days. Hopefully we can be patient and the neighborhood wildlife (including my children) stays out of it. I did grab an odd old brick from out front that had originally been in the back yard, and made a sort of garage out of it. I plan to get some river rocks or pebbles or something to kind of clean up the edges of the track. Maybe they will need to go on with concrete, or some of that stuff that comes in a caulking-gun dispenser. If they’re not stuck down, they will end up all over and most likely destroy my lawn mower.
The other quick family project was to make a fairy garden. I was hoping to use stuff that we had around in addition to the recently gifted furniture and starter items.
After thinking about a couple of different ideas, we settled on me taking a chainsaw to some large branches and small logs that we had out back, and driving nails partway into the bottom so we could drive them into the ground and they would hopefully hold. It worked!
I played with the chainsaw, demonstrated the nail technique, then Bethany and the kids did most of the nail-driving… and I think that was mostly Bethany. Molly helped me place them around the tree in sort of a kidney bean shape, including an old wooden bucket that I think we bought from the estate sale of the previous owner of this house (who coincidentally said she would miss the little tree in the backyard most of all).
Then we pulled up 90% of the grass, and Ian hauled it away in his wheelbarrow. We put down the bag of cheap garden soil and it was perfect for coverage & fairy garden decoration placement. We also planted a small succulent plant that my mom had recently given us in a small pot that should be durable outdoors, but may look cool covered in small round stones so it looks like a fairy house. We’re putting Grandma on craft duty to help make little projects to decorate the space. I would love to use some of the stuff we have around the yard or house like tiny terracotta pots, or Popsicle sticks, or wire.
It would be nice to plant some small ornamental succulents, moss, or super tiny flowers eventually too. Luckily (?) Pinterest is an endless rabbit hole when it comes to fairy garden stuff. Speaking of rabbits, our backyard is overrun with them as well as squirrels, chipmunks, birds, deer, and who knows what else. Think they’ll leave this stuff alone?
At any rate, playing in the dirt has been proven over-and-over to be good for you. These spaces offer two additional opportunities for the kids to get into the dirt in the back yard. It’s great to learn about gardening, ecosystems, using your imagination, and more… all without even realizing that you’re learning.
Check out some photos from the day if you have the time and interest, and let us know what you think in the comments!
If this is something you’d like to try yourself, check out these Pinterest boards for inspiration:
If it’s something you have tried yourself, please share your stuff in the comments! I would love to see some other backyard family projects.
So, I haven’t blogged much over the last year or so. The new job has me out & around… not near a desk with time on my hands to save a draft & come back to it later. I also have less time to monkey around on the internet as it’s mostly taken up by our sweet little girl once I am home. Speaking of home, that’s new too. We finally bought a house and are no longer renters!
Check out our little sweet pea in an album on Facebook if you’re interested. This was the day after moving, and 2 days after Molly turned six months old. Photos by Kristina Serafini. This was the one we chose for the Christmas card this year:
Hopefully I can adapt how I blog, maybe use the android app… to get my thoughts out there. Maybe it’ll be shorter less link-filled stuff. Maybe not. Maybe I can do drafts with the phone and edit/post/link/add media later.
The house is taking some time to get set up, but eventually I’ll have all my toys in a room that will make blogging and computer time easier. I also have a nice workbench now so I should be able to monkey with my guitars more often. I have some ideas to put into play.
This has been a crazy year. New job, new baby, new house. What’s next?
How have things been for everyone out there in WordPress land?
In the spirit of Christmas, check out this post, and join in:
I’ve been working mad OT, and this has happened…
I hope to get back to blogging my usual insanity as the need arises or as things calm down!
Chick-fil-A wrote back to me, and sadly I predicted that they’d give me the “no unsolicited ideas” speech which is equivalent to the “it’s not you, it’s me” speech. Shenanigans, I tell you.
From: Chick-fil-A CARES <chickfilacares@na.ko.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 26, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Subject: Chick-fil-A Response
To: <me@my.email.address>Dear Valued Customer:
Thank you for taking the time to contact Chick-fil-A. You are very important to us, and we appreciate your suggestion regarding the cup holders. We hope the following information will be helpful.
Chick-fil-A is fortunate to have many loyal customers. Many of these fans take the time and effort to inquire about sharing their own ideas about ways they wish to see us improve – whether it is adding a specific new product, service or feature. We are grateful for our customers’ intent, and this motivates us to work even harder to keep improving.
Unfortunately, it is our corporate policy not to accept or consider any unsolicited creative ideas. This is a difficult decision because we realize that by following this policy, Chick-fil-A may miss out on some great ideas from our customers. We would rather miss out on some of these ideas than to risk any potential future misunderstanding should Chick-fil-A develop or already have developed a product, service, or feature that may seem similar to a customer’s idea.
We hope you will understand the reasons for our policy. You can view our Unsolicited Ideas Policy at www.chick-fil-a.com/Legal (under Submissions) for more information on this issue. Beyond this policy, we gladly welcome customers’ feedback about their restaurant experiences.
We appreciate your family’s loyalty, and we look forward to serving you all at Chick-fil-A for many years to come. Again, thank you for your time and interest in Chick-fil-A.
Sincerely,
Cheala
Chick-fil-A CARES
Chick-fil-A…We Didn’t Invent The Chicken,
Just The Chicken Sandwich.
On the Web at www.chick-fil-a.comP.S. Please retain your ticket number. This will help us locate your information should you need us again.
{ticketno:[8002084683]}
So, of course I wrote back…
From: <me@my.email.address>
Date: Thu, Dec 27, 2012 at 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: Chick-fil-A Response
To: Chick-fil-A CARES <chickfilacares@na.ko.com>Hello Cheala,Any idea how I can get my idea solicited? I’m honestly not interested in monetary compensation, I just don’t want to spill my drinks. Has anyone run this by Mr. Cathy? He’s responded to my emails before, and I understand that he’s a shrewd business man as well as a great family man. I’m sure he wouldn’t want drinks spilling on anyone… and that he’d like to pick up a free idea.
Thanks once again for your time & help!
My pleasure,
-Eric
Wonder if I’ll get a reply? I just want a good cup holder.
I plan to send this to Chick-fil-A, and we’ll see where it goes. I just realized, I’ve written about Chick-fil-A several times here before.
Dear Chick-fil-A,
I have an idea for you. I realize that as a giant corporation you probably don’t accept unsolicited ideas, but please don’t let that stop you from considering this idea. I don’t expect monetary payment, maybe just free Chick-fil-A for life? (Maybe a limit to once a week?) Well, I guess I should present my idea before we start talking payment or barter.
This past Saturday I went to the Chick-fil-A in South Hills to grab some of those ridiculously delicious Chick-n-Minis™ for breakfast. I went into the store to order take-out so I could grab some mayo packets, ketchup, straws, & napkins at the little condiment station. I got two drinks because I was taking breakfast home to share with the wife. I opted for your highly addictive sweet tea, and the wife had a Hi-C Fruit Punch. The always courteous employees offered me a drink carrier, and I accepted. I thought it would make life easier on the ride home. I saw wrong.
I set the drink carrier on the floor of the passenger’s side of my truck. As I backed out of the space, it fell over on to the long side. Your drink lids are thankfully quite tight, but sadly not entirely waterproof. I leaned over and placed the carrier & drinks upright again, this time turning the drink holder 90 degrees the other way thinking I had outsmarted the laws of physics and that it would stay put. I could not have been more mistaken. As I turned up a hill to go out the back of the parking lot, it fell again. I believe I uttered something using vocabulary that you may not approve. At the stop sign, I had to pick up the cups and give up by putting them in the truck’s drink holders.
As I drove home trying not to think about the drops of Hi-C & iced tea soaking into my floor mats, I wondered if there was a better way. I certainly like your drink carriers much better than the egg-crate 4 space things that just let cups lean over all willy-nilly. I came to think that your drink carriers just need feet. I thought the feet may take some extra cardboard, and wondered i something could be done with the existing design.
At home, my thoughts were fueled by poultry protein. I pulled out my pocket knife and started cutting as my wife looked at me like I was a crazy person (as she does quite often). I explained what I was doing and why and she actually also thought it was a good idea.
You already have some nice sturdy cardboard. Two well-placed quarter-circle cuts & maybe even a fold mark in the middle of the carrier would create some nice sturdy feet or “wings” or your drink carrier box without the need for a complete redesign or any additional material. I tested it by trying to rock the mostly empty drinks back & forth on the kitchen table. We had no spills. I am willing to try some field tests if you’d like to move forward with this idea. My truck’s floor mats can handle it. Perhaps I can even use water instead of red & brown sugary liquids.
I’m sure we could talk to your box people & find out if this is doable for a reasonable price. I think it will be as important & innovative as the new Heinz® Dip & Squeeze® packets! I have some photos attached that I’m sure you will agree are quite illustrative of my design ideas. Sadly, my pocket knife is a cheap dull one, so the cut looks more like a rip. I believe you’ll see my intent though.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts, and am excited at the opportunity that lays before us. It would be my pleasure to help make this dream a reality!
Eat Mor Chikin!
-Eric
And the attached photos:
So, there we have it. I mean, most of my letters are plain goofy, and this has a goofy tone, but really… don’t you think this would work? Now, we wait for a response.
So, all of these guitar-related search terms led people to my blog in the last 30 days…
Search Terms for 30 days ending 2012-01-20 (Just the guitar ones)
|
Search |
Views |
| six flags batman guitar | 8 |
| flipout guitar | 3 |
| internet scams lori sandra | 3 |
| batman guitar | 3 |
| ibanez 627 | 3 |
| six flags batman guitar s11 | 2 |
| ibanez guitar trippy | 2 |
| guitar from six flags | 2 |
| batman logo inlay | 2 |
| bat man flying v tuitar | 2 |
| custom batman guitar | 2 |
| guitar lessons poster | 2 |
| guitar squid quit band | 2 |
| six flags dc comics batman guitar | 2 |
| why is the stratocaster so common shape | 2 |
| batman guitar pick | 2 |
| guitarz blog | 2 |
| lit cigarette guitar | 2 |
| square guitar | 2 |
| korean-made-gitarre bb stone | 2 |
| ibanez627 | 2 |
| guitar shapes | 2 |
| flip out guitar | 2 |
| turner guitar cases | 1 |
| galveston guitar b.b. stone | 1 |
| dewey decibel’s flipout guitars | 1 |
| millenium falcon guitar | 1 |
| dewey decibal bottomout | 1 |
| galveston guitars | 1 |
| fender g ii e | 1 |
| epiphone les paul batman guitar | 1 |
You people need to leave comments. Looking for the Dewey Decibel FlipOut, Galveston B.B. Stone, or Six Flags Batman guitar? Have one yourself? I’d love it if you actually left a message, or shared a photo of your axe!
Guitarz Blog
One of my favorite blogs, the Guitarz Blog, has been kind enough to help me in my quest to try & track down the origin of my Batman Guitar! They’ve posted an email from me making a plea for information related to just where exactly this thing came from.
Batman Guitar Montage
Emails to Six Flags have gone unanswered, and the cryptic info on the back of the guitar is not much of a help. Check out the details in the email plea for help that I sent to Gavin at the the Guitarz Blog. They have had many people write in with guitar identification questions since I’ve started reading, I’m amazed at the vast amount of knowledge out there. I hope someone out there is able to provide some insight… whether they recognize the headstock shape, work for Six Flags or their importer, or are just incredibly knowledgeable about cheap obscure Chinese guitars.
Here are some more photos:
Well, that’s about it. Check out the post and see if you can help me out, or just spread the word to all the guitar gear-heads and Six Flags employees that you know.
So, recently I stumbled up on a site called Ax Vault, where you can catalog your guitar collection. I took some updated photos of all of my guitars for use there, and thought I’d share them here.
I’m always wanting more, always thinking of ways to modify these & clean them up. When I see new ones, I want them. Especially if they’re odd. It’s a sickness.
There are more photos if each if you’re interested in a gallery at Photobucket:
You can check out the specs (as far as I know them) on the guitars on my collection page here:
Ax Vault | AiXeLsyD13’s Collection
I’ll be a while until I correctly catalog all the relevant information. I must admit that I cannot identify tone woods or fretboard woods simply by looking at them, and I’m not quite sure how to identify some of the pickups. There’s also a current glitch in adding photos… as in I can’t add any more or edit the ones there. I like the idea of the site though. It’s a great way to keep track of my guitars, serial numbers for the ones that have ’em, and to spark conversation between guitarists.
I’ve blogged before about my FlipOut and my B.B. Stone, I’ll have to blog about the others some day! Up next will most likely be that Batman Logo guitar, once I get it all ready to play out.
World (and Lunar) Domination 