Going to See the Dinos!

We got to tour the Billings Productions warehouse where many of the dinosaurs are created that we see at zoos and museums all over the world. Thank you Nik, Cody and Lauren for this amazing experience!

Nik told us that many of the dinos that come in for repair are missing teeth because people steal them.

This picture is deceptive. Nik and Cortland are actually standing right next to that T-Rex on the left. It's HUGE!

Cody hanging out with the raptor

Heh! 

When finished this unpainted mold will roar and move. Cody said it takes five artists 2-3 days to airbrush the dinosaurs. The attention to detail is amazing. Everything is thought of down to the polished eyeballs.

Evie, Ethan and Cortland with a baby

Oh, the carnage!

I wanted C to put his head in there; or at least look at me from between its jaws, but he would have none of that!

Alan wasn't chicken! 

 

Nik Billings

After the fun

Vestibular Spinning Board

This is what we do a couple of times a day. This is obviously 1st thing in the morning if my hair is any indication.

We spin Cortland on his back counter-clockwise to help with his speech. And the side spin is done with C facing into the spin  and we can go either direction as long as he's going forward. This affects his vestibular system and helps with balance and coordination.

He actually asks to be spun now which leads me to believe that along with the obvious improvements we've seen, the spinning also makes him feel better.

Alan's dad made the board with 1/2 plywood cut to 38"x 24". He purchased a wooden lazy susan from Big Lots and then replaced the spinning part with one purchased from Home Depot that is rated up to 500 lbs. I then cut the corners off and covered with upholstery fabric over several layers of quilt liner.

I've never seen my actual expressions when trying to understand what Cortland is trying to say. Just so you know, I must make those faces a whole freaking lot since lately he's always trying to say something.

Youtube

I've been spending the last few days of free time uploading all of our videos to youtube. Lots of videos. I haven't watched them all so hope no one is picking their nose or yelling at children.

Mean Wolf Pups

Text last week between me and Jaqueline:

JAXs: I'm at the dentist now and should be at your house to pick up Lucas about 5 - is that ok?

ME: Fine and dandy

ME: I feel like I'm in a room with wild dogs. They're playing great now after threatening both with a nap. I'm sitting here making no sudden moves or making eye contact.


JAXs: LOL. They are like little wolf pups

ME: Yup. Mean evil wolf pups who will maul any who show weakness. I'm scared for the day they realize if they work together they could take me.


ME: I thought today was that day until their plan fell apart. Lucas got distracted by Thomas the train on and Cortland got stuck half in and out of his bed...

ME: And I live to see another day.

JAXs: Haha! You crack me up. They are trouble.

So, what do you do?

We went out tonight with Jaqueline and David to an art show that Jax's was a participant in. While there a very handsome artist asked me "So, what do you do?" Hell, I was floored when I couldn't come up with an answer. What do I do? I ferry my kid to lots of therapy. I knit. I write a blog - sometimes. But what else do I do? I feel fulfilled. I feel busy all the time. But what do I do?

For most people the answer is whatever their job is is what they do. David said I should have said I was in textiles since I make fabric. heh. I love him.

My Review - 9 Years Later Than the Rest

I'm a read-the-last-page-first kind of girl. Usually only with suspense thrillers because, really, who wants to spend a whole book falling in love with a character only to find out that love was misplaced because he killed all of those children and/or family pets? I mean seriously, If I'd followed my tried and true method of book reading with Harry Potter we could have avoided that whole Dobby fiasco. You there Tanya? Remember the hellishness of that dark time? Only a plate of sugar got me through that.

So when I started watching The X-Files on Hulu I only got through season 2 - episode 5 before I got all itchy to find out how that whole "The Answer is Out There" thing wrapped up. Huh. That's my reaction to that. Huh.

Does anyone else wonder if that Doggett character and the brown haired lady-agent felt a little slighted by the show finale? Do you think they knew all along that they would never really belong to the cast? That even long gone, Maulder and Sculley would not just overshadow but literally take over the storyline like they never left? That the writers wouldn't even bother to let us know if the replacement characters made it out of the desert? I hope they read the last page of their script so they weren't devastated to find out how inconsequential they really were.

A little Cheeky

My cousin is the sexiest person I know. If she's reading this now she is laughing her butt off, but it's because she totally doesn't know she is that makes her more so.

On Black Friday, instead of heading to the toy department of Wal-Mart (as if THAT would ever happen!), Corie and I headed to Victoria's Secret. She picked out lots of pretties for me and schooled me on the importance of matching sets. And not matching beige sets either. I love her.

Now if you get only one piece of info out of this whole post please let it be this:

It looks too sexy on the model to be comfortable, right? WRONG-O BUCK-A-ROO! No pantie lines, comfortable, and best of all they are flattering on my hips! No cutting in and accentuating lumps and bumps! And at the end of the day the sides aren't all bunched up. They were laying flat and pretty.

Corie is my hero. Thank you so much for introducing me to Cheeky, my new best friend.

Cable Scarf

US9 needle. Sugar bunny in white by Knitpicks

Cast on 51.

Knit one row.

1st Row (WS): K4, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K2, P15, K2, P2, K2, P4, K2, P2, K4.

2nd Row (RS): K2, P2, Tw2R, P2, K4, P2, Tw2R, P2, K15, P2, Tw2L, P2, K4, P2, Tw2L, P2, K2.

3rd Row: Same as 1st row.

4th Row: K2, P2, Tw2R, P2, C4B, P2, Tw2R, P2, K5, C10F, P2, Tw2L, P2, C4F, P2, Tw2L, P2, K2.

5th Row: Same as 1st row.

6th Row: Same as 2nd row.

7th Row: Same as 1st row.

8th Row: K2, P2, Tw2R, P2, C4B, P2, Tw2R, P2, K15, P2, Tw2L, P2, C4F, P2, Tw2L, P2, K2.

9th Row: Same as 1st row.

10th Row: Same as 2nd row.

11th Row: Same as 1st row.

12th Row: K2, P2, Tw2R, P2, C4B, P2, Tw2R, P2,, C10B, K5, P2, Tw2L, P2, C4F, P2, Tw2L, P2, K2.

Repeat row 1 - 12 until desired length.

Bind Off. Seriously though, I'm not sure how to ed this thing as I've not gotten there yet. Any suggestions?

Lots-o-Photos

I've been a turkey about writing lately...

And I blame it all on this. (and words with friends)

So please let me give you a big cyber hug and let you know we're all doing okay down here.

We celebrated the birthday of an amazing little boy...

Oops, the grown ups had that, the kids had this.

Doesn't Grams look pretty? She's the one on the right. Lilly is on the left.

We've been playing trains...

And building box forts...

And gardening...

And going to the park with friends....

And lots of arts and crafts.

Alan and C have been watching, football, basketball, baseball - whatever the sport is lately. GO KANSAS!!!!


Cortland found a new favorite candy is the Fun Dip I bought for Aunt Ciara. He asks for Green.

Sorry Aunt Ciara, I think it's all gone.


Looking at books is always a good excuse to prolong the time before a nap.

Grandma Texas ad Gigi always have the best toys but a bucket and water is the best.

Just a little touch of what Pumpkin is up to. Get it UP to?

It look splendid as a dress or a skirt.


Quick peek at Anthony, my niece's sweet little boy.

And last weekend we went to the aquarium with Lucas, Jaqueline and David.

Yup, two good shots of me in a row. I'm playing the lottery tomorrow.

Sleepy boys at dinner after the aquarium.

Roses from our garden last weekend.

Halloween. The pressing question is; Is he a dinosaur or a dinosaur rider? Please comment and let me know. I have a psychological poll going on right now. It's very scientific and will let you know what I find.