84- That is how many posts are in my Google reader. Yes, I am a bad blog buddy. Granted, when you get down to the teens I have probably read several posts while on another computer. But still, 84?!?! I am way behind.

It’s that time of year when my life is my job. More and more is being asked of me. However flattering it may be to be respected and included it is difficult to get everything done and teach to the standard that is expected. I am thrilled to say that asst admin was working on a computer in my room this morning and left a message on my computer saying he couldn’t fix the problem, but it was a fascinating class! I find that to be very cool. Reassurance is always thrilling.

I needed something to post that didn’t involve thought. When you get desperate to not ignore your blog I suggest venturing over to blogthings.com. Took the 80s quiz and it is hard to believe I actually grew up in the 80s. Wow. I bet Jem would do well on this, but obviously I didn’t cheat and ask him.

You Scored 20% Correct

You’ve heard of the 80s… But you won’t be showing up on I Love the 80s anytime soon. You sometimes recognize a hit from the 80s. But it’s usually in the form of a cover song!

How Much Do You Know About 80s Music?

This week’s camera critter was pulled from my photo archives. Yes, this is him…The Gecko, before his rise to fame in the insurance industry. It just proves the philosophy that hard work pays off. If you work hard, make good decisions, and keep at it you too can go from living on a rock in Haiti to being the hottest insurance spokesman ever.

From Critters

I am seriously out of shape, joints ache, and seriously unhappy about it. No extra for gym membership, and when would I go??? Time at home is an option. Have what I need…Nice neighborhood for walking and jogging, mat for stretching, weights, and exercise ball too. What I don’t have is peace. It is absolutely impossible to do a calming yoga routine without interruption. Sorry, but I am not interested in exercising with an audience and having to stop every few minutes to referee, solve a personal crisis, or explain what you are doing does not make for an effective and relaxing routine.

I have to figure something out…open for suggestions.

If you have read here for a while you may have realized that I am a night owl, NOT a morning person. With a thirty minute drive every morning I have had to really work to get up and out on time each day. In the past, the days I have witnessed sunrise have been few and far between. With the new schedule there have been many days that I have struggled with the early rise but God has frequently made it worth my while to get up and out on time. I rarely have my camera with me, shame-shame I know, but I do have my cell phone. The Sky Watch pic for this weekend was taken with my cell on the way to work. Honestly, I am shocked that it turned out as well as it did. This was taken last week with a Razr cell.

From skywatch

I just wanted to notify everyone that I have a princess in my class. Yes, a real live princess. Well, at least in her world. However, if Princess doesn’t get her way all manner of aggravation will pour from her majestic presence. Sorry, not interested. Princess is going to have to leave her tiara at the door.

Better late than never, right?

My camera critter for the week…

From Critters

For SkyWatch, a shot of the night sky this past week

From skywatch

If it ain’t broke, DON’T FIX IT! I loved iGoogle. I had my news feeds, my Google Reader blog feeds, breaking news, spellcheck, translator…tons of tools right when I opened my browser. I had tabs for world news, educational info, and other things that I like. Google gets a wild (read idiotic and obnoxious) hair to go changing things! WTH! Instead of tabs at the top they have tabs on the side. I don’t like my tabs on the side! It takes up room that is better dedicated to news feeds, it disrupts the viewing pleasure, makes you have to scroll to see your other tabs if you have them expanded and leaves a blank spot if you don’t expand them. It is a complete waste of space! Give me back the old iGoogle! Try googling “I hate the new iGoogle layout” and see what you get. It is very obvious that the change is not popular. Did I miss a memo somewhere that said this was coming? Am I *gasp* not staying techno-informed?!?! What happened here? Why is iGoogle ignoring all the “I hate the new iGoogle” posts in their forums? Bring back the old iGoogle, or give us the option to opt out of the new sucky version. If they don’t I’m going to have to find a new homepage. Anyone use My Yahoo? I’m open to suggestions.

Just in case you didn’t get the picture, I HATE THE NEW iGOOGLE!

Out and about, exploring the surrounding area, I took the girls to Reed Gold Mine. Enjoying the great outdoors and investigating our historical past is my idea of a good time. Our first stop was to pan for gold. Lil Bit really got in to this activity and I do believe she would have been bitten by the gold bug had she been born in a different century. Big Bit thought it was too much like work. Exploring the grounds was pretty neat…well if you like being outdoors and you have a thing for holes. (I thought it was cool, Jem doesn’t see the joy in it and was glad he wasn’t along for the ride.) The girls were a little apprehensive about going underground. I told them it was the purpose of the trip and they were doing it. I fully expected Big Bit to get a little creeped out and have to leave. Once below and getting a history lesson, her inner geek took over and she thought it was way cool.

I took several pics of the day and decided to play with Windows Movie Maker. Below is the result…

(Still learning the software so it is pretty elementary. Music is a banjo sound from soundsnap.com and a Gold Digger parody that I found on You Tube.)