Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Is Sylvester a "Kitler" ?

There are many important questions in life that one MUST answer.  One of them is whether your kitty at Dad's house, Sylvester S., could be considered a "Kitler".

Background Information:  What is a Kitler?  

As explained on the Cats That Look Like Hitler website, Kitler :  "Most cats possess that typically feline facial expression that implies a secret longing for world domination. All cats want to rule the world, that's part of the nature of the species, but to be a genuine Kitler there has to be some other similarity when compared to that ever popular German/Austrian dictator."

The website also points out the following:  "Hitler was a disgusting, pus-ridden lump of excrement from the devil's own anus. Before we go any further, let's just reiterate that. As such, it's entirely appropriate to reduce him to an object of ridicule by comparing his physical appearance and styling to a bunch of fluffy, cute moggies."

Question of the Day:  Which of the following Kitlers (pictures borrowed from the website) does Sylvester most closely resemble? 

Bobje:


MISSAYYY:


Charlie:

Sindy:

What To Do Next?   Vote!!  You can pick the Kitler kitty that Sylvester resembles best!  To do this, click on "comments" below, then tell me whether Sylvester looks most like Bobje, MISSAYYY, Charlie or Sindy in the "Post a Comment" box. 

Hope all Carroll kitties (downstairs and upstairs) are doing well !!  Be sure to pet one for me.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Exceedingly, Exceptionally DREADFUL Jokes Corner #1

As you know, jokes are not my speciality.  But I am determined to improve upon my joke-telling skills.  Here's a first installment.....  you can let me know how I'm doing anytime.... 

Why did the chicken cross the road?   
  • Colonel Sanders Response: "What, I missed one?"
What is black, white and red all over?
  • A penguin holding its breath or  A sunburned zebra.
Do zombies eat popcorn with their fingers?
  • No, they eat their fingers separately.

Sometimes I even make myself laugh !!!  (I know that's hard to believe.)

Saturday, November 19, 2011

"Whatcha gunna be when you grow up?"

I imagine someone has already asked what you'd like to do when you grow up.  For a time, Brock was interested in becoming a doctor.  Sasha has mentioned weapons design, and also working at a fish hatchery.  By the way, I found very interesting information published by the US Fish & Wildlife Service here:  National Fish Hatchery System

Hope you are imagining what it might be like to work in various jobs, and exploring your interests while you're going through school.  I think Sasha would be quite happy if his work involves design and possibly art work, interacting with people on a regular basis, and especially spending time outdoors.  I think Brock may be interested in a career in one of the sciences, as he is great at math and enjoys learning about the world around him (especially astronomy).

Remember, day dreaming is important!!  You have plenty of time to consider your best options.

Not long ago Sasha and I talked about the death of Steve Jobs, a phenomenally successful entrepreneur and the founder of Apple Computer.  Read this quote from the commencement address he delivered at Stanford University in 2005:
"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. "  

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Favorite Songs

I know you both love listening to music.  I do too, and thank goodness we don't like the same types of music - it would be SO boring if we did !! 

One of my favorite songs is Over the Rainbow.  I first heard it as a kid watching "The Wizard of Oz", a movie from 1939. 

                     
In the 1970's, family movies were usually on Sunday nights......  And "Wizard of Oz" was one of the few movies that Grammie would let us see all the way through even though it meant watching more than 1 hour of TV that day.  This story really captures the imagination - excitement of the Kansas tornado, colorful characters & scenery in the Land of Oz, plus the scary witch's castle scene toward the end of the movie.  Over the Rainbow  is performed by Judy Garland, who was only 16 when the movie was filmed.  Judy Garland was an actress and remains one of the best-known American vocalists.  You can read about her here:  Judy Garland   Meanwhile, humor me and watch this beautiful clip from "The Wizard of Oz":



And Brock recently played this music video for me.  He says it's one of your favorites.....  so for your viewing (including odd-looking old man) & listening pleasure, it's 3 Doors Down performing Kryptonite:

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Choices We Make

Sasha and Brock, today I was thinking about the choices we make in how we treat people in our lives.  I decided to read about military codes of honor, particularly since your grandfather was an army officer.  I found interesting information about the history and substance of the US Armed Forces code of conduct here:  Code of Conduct

Well, we're not in the army.  But we make decisions every day about what we say and do.  Remember that the way we treat others is a reflection on ourselves - because it's important to consider how others feel and to absolutely avoid acting like a bully.  And because people notice our behaviors and develop opinions about the kind of people we are.  So, here are a few basic rules to consider as you spend time with kids and grown-ups:
  • Don't call anyone names.
  • Don't be intentionally mean (such as tease kids at school or anywhere else, talk about them, put them down).
  • Always be polite, with people you like and also with people you don't especially like.
Remember you are the next generation of Carroll boys and should try to make your grandfather proud.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Why I'm Doing This

This blog by Christine Elizabeth is intended to be a journal for my sons, who are now ages 14 and 9. I don't spend as much time with you as I'd like, and so now.... I have a cool place to write "stuff" I'd like to share with you. 

Beginning On..... November 11, 2011 otherwise known as 11-11-11. A fortuitous date (you can look that up in a dictionary), a Friday, and also Veteran's Day. You can read more about it here:   NPR Story


How the "CarrollBoysWyoming" blog came into existence:   You might be interested to know how this blog was created. Yesterday I said to my friend Steve that I wanted to start a journal for my sons and wanted it to be on-line (mentioned backing it up to a flash drive). His eyes lit up - well, figuratively speaking, not like a zombie or Superman - and told me it could be a blog and I wouldn't even have to pay $10/year for a URL. So, Steve sat at the computer with the monitor tilted up (as he is Tall) where he set up hotmail and blogspot accounts, almost messed it up, fixed it up, said "Aarghh" a few times and 20 minutes later it was done. AMAZING!! He is very good at all things "computer" and now in addition to being our Helpdesk for when the printer doesn't work or the screen is accidentally minimized to 10% so we'd need a magnifying glass to use it, Steve can be my blog administration and writing advisor.


Disney Vacation exactly 1 year ago:   On this date in November 2010, we were on vacation at Disney World in Florida.  I had a wonderful time.  Do you remember?  Port Orleans Riverside which included fishing, Animal Kingdom (Kali River Rapids!), Blizard Beach, and taking the ferry to Downtown Disney.  At Epcot, we went on Test Trak, Spaceship Earth, and I was dizzy for an hour after spinning on the Mission Space ride. We had a hibachi lunch in Japan.....  afterwards at the Mitsukoshi shop, Sasha picked out an oyster so I could have a pearl (had it set in a pendant).  And Brock picked out a beyblade set (tops), a favorite toy.  


Summer memory and a great song:   In June this year, we went to see the movie "Cars 2".... also, Brock you happen to be watching the Cars 2 DVD while I'm writing today.  This evokes nice memories of summer 2011, on our way home from New Hampshire.  Sasha, hope you like the guitar shots in this video featuring Brad Paisley & Robbie Williams - Collision Of Worlds:


You already know lots about me. For example, you probably realize I am a "No Drama Mama" as in I prefer life to be on the predictable, calmer side without too many surprises. But did you know that I like to write and am reasonably good at it? This is a legacy of reading a lot as a kid, but also practicing a lot in school and at work. It will be interesting to see what I do with this journal.

So I'll conclude this first entry with a quote about beginnings from Harry Emerson Fosdick. If you're interested, you can read about Mr. Fosdick here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Emerson_Fosdick

"He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determines the end."