In a world of Harry Potter...

I am obsessed!



Oh yes, my friends. An amusement park for Potter fans. Heather and I are already planning our trip! If it turns out to be anything like these drawings, I will be geeked. The architecture of a surreal world facinates me. Perhaps that's why I do enjoy Las Vegas. The lengths that the designers have gone to, to recreate ancient buildings is truly amazing. Maybe that's why I went into Historic Preservation? Anyone can build new, but to recreate the past... or to save what we have already built, is a challenge in itself. So to see other people imitating that, well, I enjoy it! How accurate is it?

Okay, I'm not going to get into a debate about all of that, plus I don't think anyone who reads my blog gives two cents about architecture like I do, and therefore it would be a one-sided debate. Instead, I'm going to bore you with all things Harry Potter! Or, just the poster for now.

Memorial Day = Watermelon Seed Spitting Contests

Not to down play the importance of Memorial Day, because we honor those who have fought for our freedom and died. I realized the importance; I was in marching band, we went to the cemetery every year and played the Star Spangled Banner and listened as someone played taps. I do honor those who have fought bravely for my freedom.

It is this freedom that lets us have cookouts and watermelon seed spitting contests.

Tricia brought a 20 lb. watermelon, fully seeded, to our cookout yesterday. She was kind enough to cut it up for me while I was busy doing other prep work. It was a huge watermelon. Very juicy too.

In the contest, participants stood behind the sidewalk square, on the furthest side of the driveway (in this picture). So that looks to be about six squares (I just verified by looking out my window) away. And so the competition began. Tricia, Sami, Jeff, Colleen, Deanne, Diane, Mike and myself were the competitors. We were pretty excited when the furthest spit was four squares away. Then Diane took her turn (she holds the record for cherry seed spitting) and sure enough her watermelon seed shot off to five squares away. An entire square further then anyone else's! Her technique was different, so I decided I would give it one more go with her technique, spitting with extra emphasis on noise on the exit. Sure enough, my seed went one square further!

Here is the winning seed. I am now the Watermelon Seed Spitting Memorial Day Uebbing Cookout winner!

God Bless the U.S.A.

Now I have to get back to work!

Our "Announcement"

Yes, we have a new arrival. She was delivered Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 11:43pm. Jerry, brought her to us all the way from Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill was pretty nervous, he spent the day pacing around the house. We had received a phone call on Monday that she was on her way, but we didn't know when to expect her.

She's not new, but is already 28 years old. She's been in the family since 1990. She was there with us on our wedding day, and will be taking a trip to Detroit for a Dream Cruise later this summer. We would like you to join us in welcoming Snow White, aka Winky (because only one headlight comes up at a time). Reserve your rides now!

Beauty

Yes, I took this picture. I discovered the black & white, and sepia tone settings on our camera. I actually took this on the 13th. It was our last tulip. Pure white. And beautiful. It lasted longer then any tulip I have ever watched bloom. It is right by our front door, and is protected from the sun by the shade of the house, and the bushes that surround it. Amazing.

Then I took this picture.

Our lilac bush is between our house and our neighbor's. Our side bloomed, hers did not. Did you know, lilacs bloom on old wood. If you want lots of blooms, trim them now and then don't touch them again. Next spring, you will be rewarded with lots of flowers. Deb had just trimmed her side. Of course, it needed it! It is a little out of control!

I wish you a happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! We'll be cleaning, watching the Monaco Grand Prix (Formula 1), and having a cookout!

Here's my excuse

Oh gosh. Lots going on still. I was so sad last week. If you don't understand, let me explain it like this, imagine your best friend suddenly having to move. You get one weeks notice. Then they're gone and you never hear from them again. That is what happened with Gilmore Girls.

I too, had a difficult time coming out of the funk. But a little H.P. always helps. And I was actually a little under the weather.

I know I'm not keeping up very well, but every time I go to post, I want to add a picture. Well, then I need to be on the other computer. That means that I'm not working. So I wait, and then time goes by and I realize, oops. I never posted anything. Today, is just a written post. No pictures. I tried attaching the Unleashed video, so you could see and hear me. But I can't do it. I'm wondering if I can post one of the David Crowder Band videos I took Friday night. The concert was awesome! What a great band. And, yes. They broke out in a hoe-down. I loved it!

So until I get my lazy (sore-from-gardening-all-day-Saturday) butt into the other room, there won't be any pictures. But you never know when I'll get them on! So don't forget to check back!

:D