Directional Differences

I think I am in shock

2007-09-06T06:19:00.000-04:00

So ............. Another school year begins.

Aidan started Kindergarten yesterday. When asked how school was he replied, "sweet". Not only did I get this precious answer upon his arrival home, he also answered our schools superintendent that way. No fault in enthusiasm. I am however reeling from the fact that I have a kindergartener. This is the big time. Everyone claims that your children really grow up quickly once they enter Kindergarten. I am sure that I will cope..... I will have too.

Watch Out for the the Hello Kitty Police

2007-08-08T07:27:00.000-04:00

It seems that the Bangkok is no longer joking.

They have evoked a level of fear among

their squad with the likes of.........................

Hello Kitty

As it turns out, Thai policemen have a new motivation.

Perhaps this will catch on and it may happen to you.

Immigration.....

2007-07-01T20:39:00.000-04:00

Immigration..... whats the word? Will we have reforms? Does anyone have a clue?

Not I.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShzhsPD3K0E

Catch Up Part One

2007-06-27T16:47:00.000-04:00

In an effort to catch up I am offering a pictorial part one. Time flies when the weather is nice.

Pre-School end of year picnic

Aidan with his certificate of pre-school completion

Last Day of Pre-School

Princess for a day (Day One) Great Lakes Bear Factory

Great Lakes Bear Factory
Princess for a Day ( Day Two) The Party

Charlevoix Beach

Pontoon Boat Rides
***Fishing***
Ballin'
Bladin'

SiCKO

2007-06-16T19:33:00.000-04:00

So I have been ...... a little lax in posting........ I am sure that no one can blame me with the beautiful weather that we have been experiencing. In fact I have only a few short moments. I will play catch up soon.

Tonight I went to the Premiere of Michael Moore's new film SiCKO. I recommend that everyone see it. It truly does not matter what side of the fence you sit on.... we all know that there is a problem with our current health care or lack there of situation in the United States.

Wait Wait

2007-06-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Carl Kasell and Peter Sagal

You know that you are out of touch when.............

You just discover a brilliant show like Wait Wait... Don't tell me! almost 10 years after it began.

You post to your blog and then proof-read it

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

Has anyone had one of those "out of touch" moments recently? Please do tell.

>>>>>>>~<<<<<<<<

2007-05-31T11:05:00.000-04:00

It was a mad rush this morning at the Bellaire Glen's grocery store. They were having their annual Green Thumb Sale. This morning resembled Black Friday morning. The exception would have to be that the average age was 65. The sale was set to open at 6am. I thought that I would be an early bird by arriving at 5:50am . No such luck the parking lot was almost full and people were already shopping. Imagine my dismay. I did arrive in time to sequester one of the last available parking spots and a grocery cart which is more than I can say for the cars that followed me. I can not lie... I love the thrill of trying to out shop a crowd of people. Also, our yard is in need of a major vegetation overhaul. So I was ready to go the distance. That was until I saw an 80 (I am guessing) year old woman trip over some perennial flats and not be able to get up without the assistance of two men. I heard her husband ask if she was alright and then mutter under his breath that this would be the last time they came to the sale. This made me wonder if it was worth the hassle as I pushed my hefty cart to the lengthy checkout line. When the cashier gave me my total..... overwhelming feelings of oh yeah filled my head. After all, I have at least 50 years before my husband mutters those fateful words to me.

List from the fated trip:

1 Bridal Veil Hanging Plant
1 Ivy Geranium Hanging Plant
2 Pansy Hanging Plants
6 Vinca Vines
2 Asparagus Ferns
1 Flat Dianthus
2 packs Pansies
2 Spikes
2 packs Tall Marigolds
2 packs Snap Dragons
2 Iceland Poppies
1 Jacobs Ladder
8 Sea Holly
3 Beard Tongues
2 Purple Corn Flowers
8 Veronicas
2 Astilbe plants
8 False Dragonheads
2 Black-eyed Susans
1 Patio Tomato
2 packs Big Boy Toms

Blasts from the Past

2007-05-24T10:51:00.000-04:00

I hope that all of you have a great Holiday weekend.

I am officially starting mine today.

Whack

2007-05-23T08:31:00.000-04:00

Apparently the bombs that were made were not very destructive in nature.

Are Funerals not sacred anymore?

All bets are off

2007-05-22T08:33:00.000-04:00

An admitted pro-choice Republican..... that is not something that you see everyday

WFF

2007-05-21T13:44:00.000-04:00

If you are able, you should check out this film fest in Saugatuck.... It is awesome. I am hoping that I can finesse our schedule so that we will be able to make at least one day. Passes are on sale now at Waterfront, tickets go on sale soon when they announce the full schedule. This is one Michigan Fest that you will not want to miss this summer.

Toodles

White and Nerdy.....

2007-05-21T12:59:00.001-04:00

Well I am done with the recital weekend and I did bring sexy back.

THE BIG WEEKEND IS HERE

2007-05-17T09:09:00.000-04:00

Dance Recital Weekend is here.

The Marathon Weekend begins today at 1:20pm and runs until Sunday at 8pm. Needless to say I will most likely not see a computer until Monday morning. I hope all of you have a great weekend. I know that I will. Keep your fingers crossed that there are not too many major catastrophes.

~Later

Starline Jazz and Character Jazz Competition Teams

Starline Tap Competition Team

VanderHart Family Update

2007-05-16T09:09:00.000-04:00

So I was reminded yesterday that I did not post any pictures of Aidan's Pirate Party. Actually I have been a little nil on the family picture posts so here are some to catch everyone up on what the VanderHarts have been up to the past couple weeks.

The gaggle of Pirates

Arrrr.......

No Pirate Costume earns you trash duty and more

Wiggity Wiggity

The Treasure Chest/Pinata that was smashed to smithereens by the kids after they found it during the Treasure Hunt.

The after party. A helicopter was doing touch and goes at the Antrim County Airport. So it kept circling over our house. The kids devised a plan to get the helicopter land in our yard. They figured if they could demonstrate that someone was in need of help the helicopter would have no choice, but to land in our yard. So first Aidan decided to hang in the window of our playhouse while Keelan looked on. When the helicopter did not land, he decided to ask Keelan to hang in the window because surely a damsel in distress would attract the helicopter.

Digging Holes at the Park

Picking Flowers

Flying Kites ........

Watching our "earth day" trees grow and bloom

Time on the trail and admiring it's new growth

On the lighter side of things

2007-05-11T10:43:00.000-04:00

Will Paris Hilton come through this like Martha Stewart?

45 days in jail... Surely there is a Simple Life series in the making here.

And He's Off

2007-05-10T11:00:00.000-04:00

Tim is off on his annual 4th grade field trip to Mackinac Island. This is a wonderful field trip full of Michigan History. It is an overnight trip so let's all think positive thoughts for him. It is the first time most of the fourth graders have stayed away from home, so it should be interesting to say the least. I am sure that the warm weather and beautiful scenery will quell any misbehavior from the kids.....

Run Hop Jump Skip Dance Leap Gallop

2007-05-08T08:48:00.000-04:00

My dance program's annual dance recital is coming up the weekend of May 19-20. and our theme is Dance, what's your verb? . For decorating, program and other details I am compiling a list of verbs (mainly action). I am wondering if any of you sharp, cunning, fit minds have any creative action verbs milling around in your heads? If so, please do tell.

On another note, I have in my absence of school decided to give crosswords a try. My first official adult (and no I do not mean it that way) crossword just happens to be Clinton's Crossword from the New York Times Magazine. I am setting the bar at achievable as this is the first one.... I would love to have a few correct answers. Does anyone else have ambitious plans for their minds fitness?

Clinton's Crossword

Is your coffee table lonely?

2007-05-03T14:03:00.000-04:00

I saw this book and thought

that your coffee table might be missing it

Chavez Nationalizes Venezuelan Oil Fields

2007-05-01T13:33:00.000-04:00

Readers,

Do you think that Chavez could be considered as an example of a Cult of Personality?

Napoleon, Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin, Mao....... could we include Castro? Am I forgetting someone?

Greedo adds....

Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe, & Kim Jong Il in North Korea

Jon adds....

Turkmenbashi of Turkmenistan, Karinov of Uzbekistan, & Nazarbaev of Kazakhstan

So Riddle me this,Does our current government omit the US from experiencing a cult of personality?If so, do we rely more on the separation of powers or the term limitations of our president?

Exam Week

2007-04-30T17:40:00.000-04:00

So it is exam week ..... and I am old.... The end is in sight and I can not wait. Just a College Algebra and Trig Take Home and In Class final, Prob and Stats Take Home and In Class Final and a Western Civ in class "surprise" essay. Any words of advice for the old lady trying to keep up with the obligation-free youth??

If you plan to travel North this summer

2007-04-27T09:50:00.000-04:00

Oden Fish Hatchery 1921

Lately, I have been daydreaming about summer vacation. To aide in my habit I thought I would post from time to time about some of the not-so-well known sites of Northern Michigan. I appreciate you humoring me and who knows you may even be intrigued. Well place numero uno is the DNR's Oden State Fish Hatchery. I say forget the zoo this summer and make your way to the Fish Hatchery. This Hatchery has a lot more to offer than most. The Michigan Fisheries Visitors Center (The Remodeled Original Hatchery 1921), a replica of the Wolverine railcar used to transport fish, Outdoor Raceways, and my favorite a walking path that brings you to ponds where you can feed the fish. Of course the only real way to enjoy this is to visit, but here are some photo's all the same.

When you do plan to visit bring your dimes to feed the trout.

Oden 1940's

Michigan Fisheries Visitors Center
Wolverine Railcar Replica - you can walk through the railcar

One of the three Outdoor Raceway Buildings

Broodstock and Cold Storage Building

Rehabilitated Stream- along the walkway to the ponds

Even if you could care less about fish.... You have to appreciated the history of this place.

Is "Going Green" just a trend?

2007-04-26T11:47:00.000-04:00

I recently came across this article (via the week) written by Kurt Anderson. It was the title that caught my attention, "So We're Green Now What?". You can find the whole article at New York Magazine online http://nymag.com/news/imperialcity/30635/. Anyway, it made me think. I wonder how much of the fairly new 'Organics' and 'Go Green' will stand the test of time when the newness wears off? This just happens to be one of the things parading along on my mind...... I thought I would let it parade onto yours as well. I will leave you with this quote from the article mentioned above,

"Not to put too fine a point on it, but this looks to be the ultimate test of our national character: Do we fat, spoiled 21st-century Americans have the requisite gumption and discipline to be born again, and then do what’s necessary to try to keep the planet from going off the rails? I’d say the odds are 50-50. "

This article is a good read no matter what your position is on the current status of the environment. Two Thumbs Up!

Happy 5th Birthday Aidan

2007-04-24T21:20:00.000-04:00

How time flies..... Aidan turns Five tomorrow. Here are some of the pictures from his birthday dinner and celebration. The big Pirate Party with his friends is this Saturday. I will post some follow up pictures after we recover from having a home full of pre-schoolers.

Earth Day at the VanderHarts

2007-04-23T16:57:00.000-04:00

It was a beautiful Earth Day in Northern Michigan. To celebrate we added some trees to our yard and began to transform some rocks into ladybugs with paint. It was so warm that we conveniently forgot that it was April. Anyway, here are some of the tree planting pictures. You will have to use your imagination to view what the full grown trees will look like. Right now they are on the small side.

The Autumn Blaze Maple

Child Labor

Prairifire Crab Apple Tree

De Plane De Plane

The Meta-Free-Phor-All

2007-04-20T10:38:00.000-04:00

For those of you who missed it last night....

Here is the link for The Meta-Free-Phor-All between Sean Penn and Stephen Colbert http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/index.jhtml?ml_video=85566 .

Metaphorce be with you as you watch this :).

Breaking in the Trail and Some Other Happenings

2007-04-15T09:04:00.000-04:00

Well it is official, we love our house. The winter was hard (and who says that it is not completely done) as it always is in Northern Michigan (Or Michigan for that matter). We were able to take our first bike ride on the trail this weekend. By bike ride I mean the kids ride their bikes and Tim, Chloe, and I walk. The trail is not that much to look at as it has just recently thawed out. We had fun all the same and were able to see some wild life on the trip. My camera does not offer maximum zooming capabilities so it may be more like a puzzle picking out the duck couple, but I have faith that all of you will manage. For those of you who have not yet visited our new home, this portion of the bike trail is 1/2 block from our house. Also, we would encourage you to get up here and visit :). Below are the pictures I was able to capture while chasing the kids (man they are fast this year) and walking the dog. Hope that all is well with everyone.

Aidan Breaking in the Trail

Keelan not very far behind

Aidan on the passage through the woods

Keelan takes the lead for a moment

As a dog owner I love this

Duck Couple

The Geese
Still Loving the Pink Crocs Thanks Grandma!

PROOF: Birds do use the Wrental Unit. (That is our neighbors mustard yellow home in the background. For those of you with inquiring minds, the house did sell. The son of a local contractor bought it and is fixing it up. The son just graduated and instead of renting he decided to buy a house. )

The Worm Castle

2007-04-13T17:12:00.000-04:00

I love the imagination of my children. After many minutes of searching for worms and bugs in our backyard (which was completely covered in snow Wednesday) they came up with a scheme to lure in the worms. They believe that if they put together the best snow castle our backyard has to offer the worms of the world could not help, but to crawl under it. This plan spans over a couple of days. Today was the day to build the castle, the Worm Castle as they dubbed it. Tonight the worms will move in while everyone is sleeping because that's when sneaky things happen. Tomorrow my kids will execute the surprise attack by dismantling the castle and capturing all the worms. I do not know how well this carefully thought out plan will work, but it was pure fun to watch them hatch it and begin to carry it out. Here are some pictures in case you are planning to build one for your backyard.

Home Improvement Hello

2007-04-13T12:47:00.000-04:00

For those of you thinking about do-it yourself projects at home heed this warning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cited, 37,000 nail-gun injuries in its most recent annual report — up 200 percent since 1991. My good old friend NPR let me in on this quality information and I thought I would pass it on.... Just in case you missed hearing it this morning. Ladies, this could be a very satisfying tool.

Just kidding....... I think

If you want to read more about the CDC's report >>>>>
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5614a2.htm

Amazing Fruit

2007-04-11T13:49:00.000-04:00

Has anyone eaten a Pomelo?

I must admit that I have a professed hatred for grapefruit. I tried a pomelo today for the first time and loved it. As far as I can surmise, the pomelo is a Chinese grapefruit. The difference being it is sweet with a much milder taste that the grapefruit that my mouth so despises. If you have not tried this fruit you should... and if I can find it at my local store in BFE than you should have no problem. If you have tried this fruit before, why did you not tell me about it?

Nonage

2007-04-10T11:12:00.000-04:00

First off let me start by telling you this post was provoked by a recent reacquainting with the Eighteenth Century and the Age of Enlightenment.

What I am wondering is this......

Have we as a society reverted back to a state of nonage?

Many of us rely on:

the Internet and television to find the answers to our question
our religion and pastor to act as our conscience
our physician's to make us well
"miracle pills" to expedite change
our government to regulate our safety among other things

There are numerous reasons to believe that we are indeed in this self-imposed state of nonage. Perhaps, it is only I who am feeling the weight of guardianship. I take solace in the fact that not all of us are trapped. A grade school friend of mine, Jon VanOeveren, is an example of this. His Blog http://www.vanoeverenstandard.blogspot.com/ is a breath of fresh air, literally. If you have not checked this out you should and if you have checked it you should revisit often.

How would you classify yourself.....

In a state of nonage or following Immanuel Kant's motto, Dare to Know ???????????

SPRING BREAK ........... YEAH!!!!

2007-03-30T08:05:00.000-04:00

Are we going to some illustrious vacation retreat? No. We will be experiencing a lovely oasis of brain decompression. Our list of Stops include; Milford MI, Lansing MI and gold old Grand Rapids. Frankly I can not think of three places I would rather be for this joyous occasion.

IRELAND *

2007-03-27T09:59:00.000-04:00

Rev. Ian Paisley sitting beside Gerry Adams in the same room!

I know this was news as of yesterday, but I am personally still in shock. Is it possible for the IRA(Why I put this originally I will never know Brain Fart) LOYALISTS and Sinn Fein to work together?? Did I mention that I was in shock after seeing the clips of them sitting in the same room together. Both sides say that they want what will be best for their children.... I would love to see this work, but working side by side everyday is not easy for people who do not hate each other with such a passion. Northern Ireland you are in my thoughts today ......

What do your hands say about you?

2007-03-03T08:16:00.000-05:00

What Your Hands Say About You

You are logical, analytical, and rational. You have good verbal skills.

Flexible and broad minded, you can fit in to any situation. There's no telling where your life will take you.

Consistent and reliable, you like to count on structure and routine in your life.

Your emotions tend to be nervous and potent. Your energy - both positive and negative - deeply impacts your life.

What Do Your Hands Say About You?

ALL this from FOUR simple questions..... I need to remember to consult the internet often.

Melting the Hearts of Mothers Everywhere

2007-02-13T13:57:00.000-05:00

I have been neglectful of this blog..... and for that I am sorry. With Valentines Day coming up tomorrow I could not pass up the opportunity to post. Last Sunday was one of my Dance Program's annual fundraisers, The Father Daughter Dance. As memorable as the night promises to be each year, this was the first that my daughter has attended with her father. I can not tell you how precious it was to see my husband boogie with his daughter. At this point in her life and in spite of her dance lessons, her preference is to hold on to her Dads hands and jump up and down repeatedly. I was able to dance the Cha Cha Slide with her so I am thankful. It was brought to my attention that Mothers should have a similar outing with their sons. I agree that an event for the Mothers and Sons should take place. This of course did not come from my husband (although I am sure that he may agree on some level). One of the fathers thought that an Ice Fishing Competition with no shanty would suffice as equal. Apparently, some of the Dads do not enjoy dancing quite as much as we Mothers would like to think. Yet, they muster up the gusto to do it every year. Should we then in turn brave the winter without shelter to auger a hole in the ice and bait hooks? I am not so sure that seems equal. What do you think?

Happy Valentines Day

First Day Back to School........

2007-01-15T16:57:00.000-05:00

Schools back in full swing. I again feel really old as I lug my not so hip self to sit in classrooms full of 18 and 19 year olds. I do count myself lucky as I have not yet been the "oldest" person in class. For those of you interested I will be gracing the MTH 121 College Algebra, and HST 102 Western Civilization from 1500 in the actual classroom. I will be taking Intro to Probability and Stats Online as well. One would think that these classes would be easy as they should be repeated material from HS. Unfortunately a lot has changed since HS, including my memory.

Some other things I can think of that have changed since HS.....

Graphing Calculators used are now TI 84 plus.

Ladies shirts are a lot longer and reminiscent of the 80's. I guess that you could say most wear now has a touch of the eighties.

ipods are everywhere, in place of the popular portable cd player

Are there any other changes that you can think of? Post them.

To Beef or Not to Beef......

2007-01-08T08:13:00.000-05:00

Can we meet somewhere in the middle on this issue of cloned animal meat/poultry? The idea that cloned animals are created and raised for consumption makes my skill crawl. However, I know that everyone in our country may not share the same opinions or ideals that I do. Having said that, how could we possibly consider the option of not labeling meat/poultry from cloned animals or the offspring of cloned animals. The public should have the right to decide, period. I feel for the cloning industry as they wine that a label would indicate to people that their meat/poultry is tainted. If the advances they have made are so significant people will eat their meat/poultry regardless. When the organic industry is a powerhouse money making business, why chose to throw this issue in the fire? I can not answer that, but perhaps you can.

Any thoughts?

VandyJ