Earthlings trailer

This trailer was enough to make me absolutely ill about the way animals are treated in the pursuit of cheap food.

(For some reason, blogger won't let me embed video, so you'll have to click the link to view the trailer.  If you right click, you can open it in another window.)

I wish that I hadn't already prepared chicken tonight for dinner, because I am not sure that I can eat it.  I'm not sure that I can ever eat meat again.  This may have been the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back.  Although, after seeing this, I would never want to hurt a camel, or any other animal.

I've been struggling with my meat consumption for almost a year now.  I have cut out beef, sausage, sandwich meats and anything else that is highly processed.  I've been choosing non-meat alternatives whenever I can; things like tofu, seitan, tempeh and beans. 

I am going to have to watch the full movie.  You can find it here.  I can't speak to the content of the whole movie, since I haven't seen it yet.  I think that will be on the agenda tomorrow, at some point when Jaden isn't around.  I don't need him to see the fullness of the cruelty that is possible.

Please, watch the trailer.  It is less than 3 minutes long.  Let me know what you think.  Did it affect you?  Did it make you want to change the way you eat?  I would love some dialogue on this subject.

Star Wars

Anyone who knows my husband, knows his affection for Star Wars.  It borders on obsessive.  Actually, it probably leaps over the line with both feet and lands squarely in obsessive.
Now, he has created a monster.  Check this out.

What do you think?  Do I make a good Leia?

What about Jaden?  Isn't he the most handsome Han?

And, naturally Tim would cast himself as Luke.

But, my favorite......
Penny as Lando; with the Storm Troopers!

Can you make out her mustache?

Botanical Gardens

It might seem weird to post pictures of the hotel that we stayed in this weekend.  But I was pretty impressed with our $69.00/night room at the Hampton Inn.  It was spacious and nicely appointed, and although I don't prefer down pillows, I slept ok the two nights we were there.

I LOVED that there was storage below the sink.  I hate that all my stuff always clutters up the sinks at the hotel.  Great idea to put in a couple shelves.

Today's main event was the Olbrich Botanical Gardens.  My aunt had mentioned them to us on Friday night during dinner and when we checked out the website, we saw that they were free!!  (we love free)  It was the best no money we ever spent.  This place was gorgeous.  And, coincidentally, I had run past it during Saturday's race, but it was just as I was hitting my lovely 10-mile wall, so I wasn't interested in the beauty to my left.

And it was beautiful.  Just take a look....

(that's a really big cottonwood tree)

(the turtles were enjoying the beautiful weather)

(the ducks decided to take a nap)

I love that the little bird was resourceful enough to get around the spikes designed to keep her from building her nest there.

After our tour of the outdoor garden, we paid our $1.00 each to take a walk throught the conservatory, which contained "almost 700 plants...flourishing in the tropical paradise--along a rushing waterfall, beside a flowing stream, draped over bamboo arbors and vining up towering palms.  These plants represent more than 80 plant families and almost 500 different species and cultivars."

The first thing that crossed our path, were these adorable little birdies.

Then, we soaked in the beauty around us.

Orange trees

Apple tree

Can you tell that the orchids were my favorite?

The plants are actually growing up through the air conditioning vents.

Tim's favorite....The Venus Flytrap

The next time you are in Madison, be sure to stop at the Botanical Gardens.  Oh, and it is right across from Lake Monona, so you can pack a picnic and enjoy the whole day.

After

Isn't she cute?

Shave and a haircut

Chocolate for breakfast?  Yes, please!

I couldn't believe it when I saw Greek yogurt at Walmart!  I was amazed.  This morning I had some chocolate Oikos with Bear Naked Banana Nut granola.

I have to say that this ranks right up there with my oatmeal creations for breakfast nirvana.

Today, Penny is getting a haircut.  She has been getting a little scraggy and it is time to get rid of all that excess fluff before it gets too warm outside.

Poor Jedi goes crazy when he gets put in his kennel without Penny.  They don't seem to have any idea what is going on.
Check out this video.

Those are the before pictures.  Stay tuned for the after!