Heading to the beach this 4th of July?

Don't forget your pails and shovels for
sand castle building or sand sculpting




























Or, if you are going to the lake or river,
try your hand at rock stacking.
























Whatever you do, have fun!

New Music Thursday

Red Hot Chili Peppers have a new album out this month.
Dani California was first released as a single in May.

Dani California


Keane's first album, Hopes and Fears was excellent.
I'm not as crazy about their new album Under the Iron Sea
but there are a few songs worth listening to.

Nothing in My Way.


Temposhark is a UK based, electronic pop band.

Check out their song Joy.

Tit for Tat

Cockney rhyming slang is a code of speaking which has been evolving in the East End of London since the mid-19th century. Any guesses on what the following terms mean?

Tit for Tat
Cherry Hog
Tiddlywink
Pot of Glue (hint below)
Yard of Tripe

The condom fairy

has been visiting our mailbox!

Ok, so maybe it's not the condom fairy but for the last few weeks little white boxes containing trojan condoms have been delivered via the USPS. As you can see by the name on the box, they do not come addressed to any specific Ryan family member.












Amanda Hugalot was the adressee on the box today.

Last week was Mike Hunt.

The week before that was - ummmmm, I really can't repeat what that one said.

Gotta love teenage boys.

oh and since they didn't come addressed to anyone specific here,
I am now the keeper of the condoms.
I told the boys to just ask me if they need one.

Who is this man?

Why it's Anchor Man Ron Burgandy of course.

Only Zach could convince his art teacher that instead of doing a self
portrait final project he should paint Ron Burgandy.

Beautiful day on the river

David Richard Harrington

Born January 23
Died June 23
at age 23

I debated whether to post this or not as not everyone who reads my blog knew my brother David. But I wish you had! He was easy to get to know and he would have made you laugh. For those of you that did, well, you'll understand and I hope this triggers a good memory for you.
Todd called this morning and we talked about how we have tons of memories but not nearly enough. I'm happy for what we do have today.

New Music Thursday

3 words for this week's new music.

Fat
Boy
Slim

His greatest hits cd came out on Monday.
Love his beat.














Praise You

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That Old Pair of Jeans

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What does the first day of summer bring?

My first icecream of the season
from the Skippy man!















When did they stop making
Buried Treasure?
The delicious raspberry or orange
sherbet icecream with the hidden
circus animal on a stick in the middle?

I had to make do with a Blue Bunny
Cool Tube.

Vegemite - an Australian Favorite!

But (so far) not an American favorite!
I received my first gimmeyourstuff package from Australia.
It had delicious TimTam cookies, lovely Anzac cookies, yummy Milo chocolate drink mix, and well, some Vegemite.

Luckily I had a camp full of guests to try the Vegemite out on.
Here are their reactions and what they had to say.

Red sky at night sailor's delight

Very long week.
Very good week.
Very glad to be at the river.

New Music Thursday

Ok, this is cheating a little because it's not NEW music today. But after hearing "Tired of Being Sorry" on a cd I made, Chase downloaded more of Ringside's music and shared with me.

Talk to me (sexy little song)


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Tired of Being Sorry (not new but I still love it and you might too)


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Quick bio on Ringside
2 band members
Scott Thomas
Balthazar Getty
One album (so far) released April 2005

Room with a view

But not for long!

This beautiful view can be seen from the offices of the Doblin Group, Inc. in Chicago

The building being constructed in front of theirs is the new 90 story Trump International Hotel and Tower. It will house a luxury hotel and residential condos.

The new condo owners will pay anywhere from $.5 million to $8 million to own a condo with this view.

The Celebrity in YOU

Want to find out what celebrity you most look like?
Click here and follow the directions.

This is the photo I chose to upload.










This is who it was determined I look like.








Wooo hooo!
I look like Halle Berry.
Lookalikes.
You do see it don't you?
Hmmmmmmmmmmm?
oh yeah.
I need to go to the gym now.
Bye.

What makes me laugh on a Monday morning?

Waking up to discover a party on my lawn!




























Chase's friends decided to keep his 16th birthday
celebration going just a wee bit longer.
during the wee hours of the night.
waking the neighbors up.
thank goodness for neighbors with a sense of humor.
exploding chinese confetti rockets.
chinese parachutes bearing gifts.
colorful and shiny bits of paper to be raked, swept, and vacuumed.
colorful and shiny bits of paper to be added to birds nests.
so pretty.
made my day.

What does the end of the school year bring?

New artwork for the walls!














David - self portrait done with words





Chase - b&w photo
shot, developed and colored

Flower Power

Adorable Bill?
No, Sweet William.
















The market find for today.
Bunches and bunches of SweetWilliam for $1.00.

New Music Thursday

On the way home from Chicago I got caught up on my podcasts. There are two that I like - "New Music Tuesdays" and "The Next Big Hit".
Great way to hear new music.
So....... I thought I would share my favorite pick or two of the week. Enjoy!

New Snow Patrol. Eyes Open. Released May 2006

"Shut Your Eyes"


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Sheryl Crow. Wildflower. Released Feb 2006

"I Know Why"


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Interactive public art in Millenium Park

It was sunny and hot on Sunday when we walked
through Millenium Park in Chicago.
It felt great to get my feet wet and watch everyone enjoying
the cool water at Crown Fountain.

Designed by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa,
the Crown Fountain features two 50-foot high glass block towers at
each end of a shallow reflecting pool.
The towers are activated with changing video images and lights,
and water cascades from the top of each.