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| Monday, June 29th, 2009 | | 2:57 pm |
Won't be checking much...
I won't necessarily be checking LJ often in the next couple of weeks. Depends on how connectivity is as the kids and I visit family. If there's anything vital, link it here. | | Thursday, June 25th, 2009 | | 10:22 am |
| | Monday, June 22nd, 2009 | | 11:00 am |
Cora is Authorized!
On Saturday we attended an SCA event where Cora was able to participate in her first youth heavy combat practice and authorize (get the paper saying yes, she may fight in tournaments). She decided to skip the tourney, as it was very hot and muggy, and Cora was the only one there in her age division anyway. Photos are posted at http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/Jacylrin/?start=280Yes, there is armor under that gown. No, you can't see most of it, which is the point (modern sports padding just doesn't look very medieval, after all). We'll be putting a belt over the gown next time, and getting my device painted on her shield. Still, it worked well overall. | | Monday, June 1st, 2009 | | 11:42 am |
| | Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 | | 1:52 pm |
Be afraid...
Cora has become a stick jock. A translation for those not familiar with the term, she has taken up youth heavy weapons combat (generally sword and maybe shield) in the SCA (medieval reenactment-ish group). Fortunately youth combat requires less specialized armor than adult heavy combat, as the kids are using PVC with foam pipe insulation and duct tape on it, rather than sticks (rattan) covered in duct tape, which the adults use. We will have some made for the purpose (bracers for wrist protection), hand-me-downs (a leather piece over the chest and back, and a gorget to protect her neck), but the rest is generally available stuff, such as a hockey helmet and gloves, baseball catcher's chest pad and legs (knees and shins), rollerblading elbows, and a weightlifting belt for kidney protection. We may buy girl's "pelvic protection" (i.e. a female jock strap/cup type thing), or we may make a version. Not sure on that one yet. The elbow, wrist, and pelvic protections are the ones we have yet to procure. I have the pieces to make the swords, but haven't constructed them yet. Guess I should start working on figuring out a tent/pavilion so I'm not caught at the last minute when she insists on going to Pennsic in 2010, eh? Besides, there will be other camping events before that she'll want to attend, I'm sure. Fortunately, I should be able to use the EZ-up frame my Mom has and the cover and side walls from mine (which died in storms at Pennsic in 2007), so this could actually be pretty easy to manage. But I need to make sure, of course. We went to an event Saturday (Sapphire Joust) where we were able to attend the Youth Combat class and observe a Youth Combat practice, both of which are required before a kid can officially partake in Youth Combat practices. Hopefully we can get have her kit ready in 4 weeks for an event (Novice and Unbelt Tournament/Challenge of the Heart) where she could be authorized, which means cleared to participate in tournaments at events. Here's a picture of one of the kids authorizing at the event Saturday. We're not doing the specialized scale armor for now--maybe later--but it can give you the general idea. For tournaments they fight against other kids near their own age, but for authorization, they use an adult who can help the marshalls (referees, basically) determine if a fighter can participate safely.  | | Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009 | | 11:09 am |
Work nuts, not reading much
While I usually read my entire f-list, work has gotten rather nuts (working 5 projects at once, with another one that could rear its head back up any day). So yeah, not having much time to read right now. If there's anything vital in the past week or for the next few weeks, link me. I'll poke around as I get the chance, but yeah, not counting on it... | | Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 | | 1:40 pm |
| | Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 | | 3:29 pm |
| | 8:45 am |
Adventures in Vermicomposting
Welcome to the first in an occasional series on my adventures in vermicomposting, which is to say using worms to compost household organic waste (kitchen scraps, paper, and cardboard - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiculture). While I realize constructing my own wouldn't be difficult, I like the multi-tray systems that have the worms migrate up and out of the finished compost when they're ready, as it will be easier to maintain, and therefore more likely I'll manage it halfway decently :-P. I'd been pondering worms for quite some time, as a regular outdoor compost pile or system would have way too high a threat of attracting skunks, raccoons, opossums, snapping turtles, and who knows what else because of where we live. Plus I wanted something I could use all year and wouldn't just go dormant in winter. So I bought a Worm Factory system from ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) fabricdragon ( http://www.fabricdragon.com/ and click on the Worm Factory banner for information). I bought the 3-tray system in black (of course). It arrived from the manufacturer (drop-shipped) quickly and in great shape. The directions are straight-forward, and the basic directions being on the underside of the lid is great for those of us who are pretty sure we'll lose the booklet in short order. Then work got real busy and I was trying to figure out my best worm procurement method, so I didn't get around to setting it up for a couple of weeks. While I did find a number of places I can order the worms online (the best type for composting being Eisenia foetida). At first I didn't think I would be able to get them locally. The most common names for this type of worm are Red Worms, Red Wrigglers, or Tiger Worms. I can't find any local places that sell bulk worms, and the only place I can find locally with more than just nightcrawlers in their bait cooler is... the closest 7-Eleven to my house. Go figure. But I checked their cooler, and none of the common names I knew appeared on the tub. But then I found a site that said Trout Worms is another name for Eisenia foetida. And trout worms they have! So last night I set up my system, and will let it sit a couple of days so the bacteria and whatnot have a chance to start colonizing before I add worms to the system. After a couple of days, I'll get some worms from 7-Eleven (doing a visual check to make sure what they're selling as Trout Worms looks like Eisenia foetida) and add them to the system :-) I have newspaper in the bottom of the working tray, with damp bedding on top: soaked coir (for bedding--it came with the Worm Factory) mixed with some soil from out back (because worms have gizzards and need the grit), some composted leaves out from under some trees (to help innoculate the system with the composting microbes it needs), some shredded egg carton cardboard (apparently one of their favorites), and some shredded paper. It has to be damp for the worms, but with enough air flow, since they breathe through their skin. So yeah, fluffy bedding. I added a pocket of food for them--coffee grounds and filter, crushed egg shells, a really old apple, and some really old baby carrots, the latter two pulsed a bit in the blender to break them down). With bedding over the food, the theory is that it'll prevent fruit fly and housefly issues. Then you cover the bedding with a layer of damp newspaper and the (loose-fitting) plastic lid. Having set up the system last night, I'll check the dampness tonight and see if I might need a little more damp bedding over the food to make sure I don't get annoyance critter issues. Then wait another day or two to get my wormies. If it turns out the worms at 7-Eleven don't look like Eisenia foetida, I'll go ahead and order some online. | | Tuesday, March 24th, 2009 | | 10:08 am |
Only 32 Days Left to Register for Fertile Ground Gathering!
Fertile Ground Gathering Beltane 2009 May 7 – 10, 2009 Prince William Forest Park Triangle, Virginia Join us for the most exciting and accessible Beltane festival in the Northern Virginia area! We’re located just minutes from I-95 at a beautiful park within Prince William Forest. Cabin Camping for all! Fertile Ground Gathering is held within the beautiful and historic cabin campground of this scenic park and we are pleased to offer rustic cabins with beds, warm showers and clean bathrooms and a grand feast hall where our now infamous chefs will once again create fantastic meals throughout the event. So there’s no need to pack a tent or a cooler of food! We aim to spoil our guests again this year! http://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/accomodations.phpExciting Activities, Entertainment, Workshops and Services! At Fertile Ground Gathering, you will have the opportunity to begin your mornings with a quiet meditation, spend the days in enlightening workshops, join us for our dynamic rituals, dance, laugh and play with us in The Commons, get pampered at one of our fabulous service tents, enjoy fantastic entertainment during nightly feasts and dance and drum around the grand bonfire every night! http://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/entertainment.phphttp://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/workshops.phphttp://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/services.phphttp://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/activities.phpA Beltane Festival for Everyone! The folks from ShadowGrove, NVPN and MoonFire CUUPs have been working hard to create a festival ideal for everyone from the very youngest to the most seasoned among us. Our workshops, services and activities keep everyone in mind and are designed to allow everyone to come together to join in on all the fun! Same Low Price! We understand that times are tough in this current economy, so we will not be raising our prices before our event. However, if you plan to join us, we’d like to remind you that pre-registration is required and cabin spaces are going fast! So make sure you take a few moments to register today! http://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/fees.phphttp://www.fertilegroundgathering.com/registration.php We look forward to planting yet another seed of unity with you to create a closer bond among those who walk the Earth Paths. Come plant another seed of unity with us at Fertile Ground! http://www.fertilegroundgathering.com | | Saturday, March 21st, 2009 | | 7:20 am |
I have given in to the Dark Side
I have a CrackBerry. And yaeh, I'm liking it. Spousal Unit needed a new phone anyway, and they were having a buy one get one thing on BlackBerries, and I had the new after two credit, too... So yeah. I have been dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. Posted, of course, from the device in question :-P | | Friday, March 20th, 2009 | | 9:10 am |
Happy Ostara!
Ostara, Equinox, whatever. Tonight, I'll be spending two hours getting cold outside AC Moore sitting our troop's last Girl Scout Cookie sales booth. I'll probably use the time to work on my current crochet project :-) | | Wednesday, March 11th, 2009 | | 10:08 am |
Birthday Party Pictures Up!
We had the (small, family) birthday party for Miriya last night. I posted a few photos ( http://s41.photobucket.com/albums/e257/Jacylrin/?start=220 ). Here's a preview of one :-)  My sister made and decorated the cake. Hey, it was colorful. At least it was cream cheese frosting and a banana cake, so at least a little less sugary than most. As it was, Miriya had a few bites, but decided she'd had enough :-) | | Tuesday, March 10th, 2009 | | 11:40 am |
Come to Fertile Ground Gathering!
And not just because I'm on the planning committee! ;-)
May 7-10, 2009, Prince William Forest Park, Triangle, VA. Fertile Ground is a family-friendly Beltane festival which offers fantastic workshops and services, diverse rituals, spectacular entertainment, drum circles and dancing around nightly bonfires, cabin camping, fantastic meals (included in registration fee, no less), some very special guests, and of course, dancing around the maypole! | | 8:56 am |
| | Monday, March 9th, 2009 | | 1:25 pm |
| | Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 | | 9:32 am |
| | Monday, February 9th, 2009 | | 11:47 am |
DOOOoooooomed
Doom da doom doom DOOM! Miriya took her first (unsupported) steps on Saturday! She took a few steps, stopped, dance/bounced up and down a few times, then sat down. Yay! But Doomed! *grin* Then yesterday she finally managed to start standing up without having to use something else for leverage. She'd be out in the middle of the floor, stand herself up, take a few steps, plop on her rear, then crawl off. Doomed, I tell you! In the last week she also cut two more teeth. The first one was Saturday Feb. 1. It was NOT the top front center one we were expecting. No. Top her left eye tooth. Yeah, WTF? Just a little point is through, but still. Odd. Then again, she's ours. You weren't expecting normal ;-). The second was yes, that right top front tooth we have been expecting. It finally broke through Wednesday. So we are now up to five teeth. Cora made honor roll. Yay, Cora! They start honor roll in 3rd grade (when they start getting letter grades instead of just checks with maybe plus or minus). She's gotten honor roll all 6 quarters so far :-). And yes, it is very odd having one taking their first steps while the other can now dance en pointe :-P | | Friday, January 30th, 2009 | | 2:39 pm |
Wah.
My favorite tea to drink at work has changed its formulation, and I don't like the new version. Bleh. It's Good Earth Original Sweet & Spicy Herbal Tea. I am very bummed. I drink 2 to 4 beer mugs full of herbal or decaf tea a day at the office. Time to find a different tea. | | Friday, January 23rd, 2009 | | 10:55 am |
And then there were three...
Wednesday evening we found that Miriya had her third tooth - the other lower front one (her right). The other upper front one won't be far behind from the swelling. Between teething and the remnants of creeping crud, she hasn't been sleeping well. Which means neither have I. I need a nap :-P |
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