Website: http://www.wearwholesaler.com

Alligator Enterprise specializes in Juvenile and Adult furniture with unique styling and design. Each furniture piece is handmade with the highest quality of materials ranging from bunk beds, wooden armoires, nightstands, daybeds, dressers and more!  Bellacroft is offering a WHITE GLOVE SERVICE on all Alligator Enterprise furniture orders for just $90. White Glove Delivery includes: unwrapping, assembly and trash removal. Email: sales@bellacroft.com for more details!

For a limited time, you can save 10% PLUS FREE GROUND SHIPPING on any furniture order over $250. (White Glove Delivery is an additional $90 for Alligator Enterprise orders)

Use coupon code: SAVE10F

View Alligator Enterprise Collection at Bellacroft

Saving the planet and saving myself from a messy trash can.

The first one being of a new flower that just opened, it didn't look like this yesterday! Isn't it beautiful? The photo would have been better if I hadn't cut off the top of the flower, but I'm sure I'll get some better ones. :)

This is what it looked like yesterday. Probably sometime soon these will bloom and I'll get lots of pictures of them! I don't know what kind of flower this is, but it has beautiful coloring!

And Gabriel. He's carrying one of his three favorite toys -- a glove. He is absolutely facinated with Dad and Levi's leather gloves, so Dad gives his old ones to him. He loves them. As you can tell from the picture, he's apparently getting tired of me taking his picture, because his eyes are closed. :)

This one is of Danny (the little rooster) and Princess (a spotted hen). Danny has an obsession with trying to chase down hens and get them down, so I put him in with the old hens to solve this problem. Whenever he chases a hen and gets her down, Princess and a few other of her friends come to the rescue. They actually attack him and chase him off. It's really funny to watch. If you look all the way to the left on this picture, you can see another beak. That's one of Princess's friends coming to help. :) Poor Danny... if he would just behave!

Princess is only fully satisfied when he retreats to his position on the roost...

And a new Scripture wallpaper I made. The picture is of the moon, which I also took this morning and edited the colors a bit in The GIMP. It was almost too dark and I couldn't see the moon clearly, so I made it a bit lighter. :)

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Psalms 8:3 & 9

Glove - Wunderbar (Original Mix)

Most of the stuff was a bit dull - but this one is great. Some guy just magnified his hand making the video feel like something between Kenny Everett and Jim Carey in The Mask. Enjoy!

Thanks to Dickon

My Uncle always did stuff with us.  In fact, all the neighborhood kids would flock to their house because my Uncle would come out and play basketball or baseball or tag or whatever we were doing.  My cousin, who has always been like a brother to me, and I were talking just a few months ago about these things.  I was telling him how I believed fatherlessness is one of the greatest issues facing our nation.  I jokingly said to him that I was so sorry he had to deal with that issue growing up.  I kinda got choked up as we reminisced about all the things we had done with his dad.  He said his dad was always at his games and school functions.  In fact, he said that even at the "away games" he was sometimes the only one in the bleachers on the visitor's side.  I don't know how he did it because he had a pretty demanding job, but he always managed to find time for his kids and a lot of other kids, like me, too.  I think my Aunt once told me that one of the kids came to the door and asked if my Uncle could come out and play. :-)

In the summers, our favorite past time was baseball.  My cousin and I would take on the neighborhood kids and were undefeated.  I would go to a lot of his little league games when I would visit.  We were big Atlanta Braves fans (and still are to this day).  Dale Murphy, Claudell Washington, Chris Chambliss, Gene Garber... oh, the days.  To this day, baseball is still my favorite sport.  Anyway, that's to preface the reason for the subtitle of this blog... 

When I was young and my dad would sometimes pick me up on Sundays to go to his place, the thing we did the most was play catch.  He gave me one of his old gloves.  It was huge, but it was the only one I had.  I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle one summer and had the glove with me.  My uncle, without saying anything, took me down and bought me a glove that fit.  He even wrote my name on it.  I'll never forget that.  In fact, I still have both gloves (picture included).  I think of it like this:  He was there for me during the critical years, spending time with me and modeling manhood and fatherhood, which my own father failed to do.  I wasn't yet ready for my dad to leave.  There were so many things he still needed to teach me.  He left me with a life that I had not yet grown into, which I relate to the glove that didn't fit.  My uncle was there to stand in the gap and be the "glove that fit" until I could grow into manhood and make it on my own.  Yes, today, the glove he bought no longer fits and the glove my dad gave me does.  However, that smaller glove was critical in teaching me how to use the larger one later.  I still look up to my uncle and I have forgiven my dad.  Someday, at the right times, I'll pass those gloves on to my own son.  I'm sure he'll need even a smaller one to start with...  I usually don't drop names on my blog, but my family knows who I'm talking about.  Thank you, Bubby (my nickname for him), for being a dad who gets it, and for stepping in for me during a critical time of my life with the glove that fit.  Thank you for taking me to church and for all the times you did things with us.  Thank you for making me one of your own.  I love you.  May God continue to bless you and your family!   

I became involved in the technical sailing clothing business back in 1975 because at the time there was so little choice, particularly for the competitive dinghy sailor. Thirty years on things have gone to the other extreme, there is literally so much choice, from so many brands that chances are you will end up confused on what is right for you. The danger is you will leave the decision making for another year and end up cold wet and uncomfortable.

A few key headline points to consider which emphasize the need to have the right clothing.

• Being cold and wet makes you tire easily and reduces your reaction time
• With the right choice you should never have to be cold again
• Cotton clothing absorbs moisture and up to 25% of its own weight, once it is wet it will stay wet for the duration
• Wet or damp materials transfers heat 20 times quicker than dry fabrics do
• Cotton should remain onshore and be replaced by technical quick dry polyester materials

Conditions

The race can begin in cold and windy conditions, and end in the sweltering heat and light airs, and probably most things in between. Night sailing is always a lot colder and depending on the size of boat could be between three and six days. These diverse conditions mean your kit bag will need a wide range of gear.

Layering – A Personal Climate Control System

I believe it is best to look at your options in terms of layers. Hot or cold, the layering system makes enormous sense and functions as your personal climate control system.

The Base Layer is vital.
One of its main purposes is to keep you dry next to the skin and it does this by wicking moisture away from the body. In an hour of moderate exercise the body gives off half a liter of water – it has to go somewhere - and if you are wearing cotton it literally absorbs the water much like blotting paper. Once wet or even damp, it will transfer heat from your body 20 times faster than dry fabric. Remember that sailing is a sport where you can be sitting still for long periods then along comes a sail change or requirement to put a reef in and all hell breaks loose for a few minutes. You then sit down again. If you are wearing cotton clothing next to the skin it will absorb the moisture and suck the heat out of your body, leaving you feeling cold and clammy and tired.

Base Layer Options

For the cooler part of the journey I recommend Gill i2 Lite. There are many choices of long or short sleeve, Crew Neck or Zip Polo as well as Leggings and Boxer Shorts. Don’t forget the boxers as damp cotton underwear is no fun!

For warmer conditions, Gill has introduced technical long and short sleeve shirts. They are very fast drying, highly wicking and have a UV SPF 50 sun protection factor, essential for the latter part of the ARC rally. This new Technical Apparel range has a natural feel, is not tight fitting and is very comfortable for long periods.

The key elements of the Technical Apparel range are;

• Fast Drying
• Fast Wicking
• UV Protection to SPF 50
• A Natural Feel

All garments adhere to these principals and also feature a water repellent finish so water beads off rather than soaks in. However warm and dry it is on a boat it is inevitable there will be damp decks and spray around at times.

The Mid Layer is the insulation or thermostat control.
Just as Gill has a simple classification system for durability of the outer layer fabrics, our base and mid layers also have a straightforward classification system. It is known as the i37 body temperature regulating system - 37 degrees centigrade being the natural body temperature. The i series goes from i2 to i5 increasing in warmth as you go up the scale.

Gill Mid-Layer Options

i3 Micro Fleece Mid Layer: A lightweight fleece. This is a super soft and close fitting fleece providing warmth without bulk and comes in a top and trousers. In predominantly mild conditions but with cooler nights it is ideal under foul weather gear.

i4 Fleece Mid Layer: This range is made in Polartec Classic 200 mid weight fleece and is available in a Zip Jacket, Zip Smock and Salopettes. It is slim fitting and flat seamed which is ideal as a mid layer and for wearing under the outer layer. As with all technical fleeces the i4 is quick drying. I particularly recommend the i4 Salopettes, as these are great to sleep in too.

i5 Shelled Mid Layers: I believe the ultimate mid-layer is the Crosswind Jacket and Crosswind Salopettes. The outer layer is a lightweight waterproof laminated fabric. It is highly breathable. The insulation is an ultra compact material giving exceptional warmth without bulk. It is hydrophobic (water hating) meaning it can still keep you warm when wet. Combine these materials with a taffeta lining and the garments become so easy to slip on unlike a fleece lined garment. An added bonus is the garment has taped seams and can be worn on it’s own in moderate conditions.

Another relatively new concept is Gill Softshell. A sandwiched lamination of different materials giving warmth, wind and water resistance with stretch, giving appareled comfort in sailing wear. The Gill Softshell race jacket and pants are perfect as a mid layer or in warmer conditions as an outer layer.

The Outer Layer is the protection.
There are three suitable options in the Gill range depending how much you want to spend. Regardless of which you select, you will need a Jacket and Chest High Trousers.

The main difference between the garment options is the height of the collar and the durability of the materials. There are two types of material available, 2-layer and 3-layer.

2-Layer Fabric is generally lighter and because the coating is unprotected requires a lining in the garment. It is also less expensive and slightly less durable.

3-Layer fabrics are a sandwich with the waterproof membrane in the middle. The outer fabric gives the texture and the abrasion and snag resistance whereas the inner is a scrim and this protects the coating from wear and tear. Our 3-layer garments are the most durable, do not need a lining but are also more expensive owing not just to the fabric cost (more than 50% higher) but also the taping costs both in materials and labor.

Outer Layer Options

Key West: Our most suitable 2-layer garment is the Key West Coastal Offshore Jacket and Trousers. It is mid-weight, packed with features, has a collar that ends just at the top of the ears and is the most suitable suit for a wide range of conditions. If most of your sailing is coastal cruising with the occasional offshore passage, then Key West will do the job. It is reasonably priced, comes in Unisex and women's specific sizing and the women's trousers have a very useful drop seat.

Atlantic: As its name implies, the Atlantic is perfect for the job. It is made using a 3-layer fabric, heavier and more durable and it has a much higher collar. If you do a fair amount of offshore sailing and the occasional race then this would be my recommendation. Atlantic is made in our 5-dot Ocean grade fabric and was restyled for 2006.

Ocean Racer: If budget is less of an issue there is the Ocean Racer Jacket combining the superb features of the Atlantic suit but with many innovative design systems that reduce weight and improve the garment breathability but without sacrificing performance.

This is achieved by material selection; reducing flaps and overlays to a minimum and a cut that makes the garment so comfortable to wear. This is the range that Gill developed during the last Volvo Ocean Race with the crew of Illbruck, the overall winner. The performance to weight ratio was key to them.

Hands and Feet.
The most common injuries on boats are to the hands and feet. Stubbing your toe because you don’t have shoes on is one thing but slipping and ending up overboard is quite another.

Footwear Options

Last year Gill launched a new shoe called the “Gripper”. As the name implies, the grip is outstanding. We test all our footwear on a slip rig at an independent footwear testing house. It tests in wet and dry conditions, on varnished wood and glass fibre decking – the latter was something I had to supply as it was not in their usual manual! The slip resistance on the shoe went off the scale and surpassed anything we had tested before. It is achieved through a very soft rubber compound and a flexible sole. The sole is also very flat on the ground so you feel very secure as it literally wraps around the deck.

Glove Options

Gloves are also important, not just to protect from rope burn but also from getting fingers caught or trapped. There are many options but I would strongly recommend long finger gloves. The Gill Pro-Glove is probably the toughest on the market using a material known as Proton Ultra as opposed to the thinner Amara.

I cannot say that I have done the Newport-Bermuda race, but who knows one day I may get the opportunity. If I did this is what I would take from what I guess some people would see as an envious amount of choice. A mere 50,000 pieces of technical sailing clothing just a few feet away from me at any one time.

For years Boston Red Sox fans hate and scream obscenities at Derek Jeter. My favorite is a saying on a t-shirt that is sold around the corner from Fenway… “Jeter Swa????s”. Kudos. Funny. Creative.

The Mets fans whining that Jeter is overrated. That’s simply the green-eyed monster in Flushing. (Great finish last year boys.)

Jeter will be a 1st ballot Hall Of Famer…lifetime .310+ hitter… 3-time Gold Glove Winner…. 4-time World Series winner… 8-time All Star…

In addition to Jeter’s World Series rings, All Star trophies, Gold Gloves, money, etc... he has dated, or been connected with, 6 of the top 100 models on Maxim's Top Model List.

We never again want to hear that Derek Jeter is overrated! All the stats, trophies and now the women!!! Case Closed.

Unlike our sports here in America, who play a regular season and then have playoffs, the EPL season is all that counts. After 38 games which ever team has the most points will be crowned champions. There are no playoffs so every game counts.

Round 37 Review: Nothing changed in the standings, both Manchester United and Chelsea won their separate games to stay level on points. There are still 6 teams that can be relegated. Every season 3 teams in the EPL get sent down to the Championship, like (MLB - AAA.) The 3 teams that have the fewest points in the EPL will be relegated and the 3 teams in the Championship that have the most points will be promoted.

In local sports news, a window in the Hopkins Academy boys locker room was smashed by a glove. After a 7-3 defeat Hopkins players were obviously frustrated and the window was a good source to take that anger out on. Of course the window will have to be replaced and that will cost quite a few dollars. There was only one injury in the incident, Andy Blajda who was changing at his locker under the soon to be smashed window was suddenly being showered in a rain of glass, he got a tiny cut on his hand for his troubles.

I caught an Orioles game at Camden Yards against the Yankees out of sheer luck that no one else wanted these tickets.

The Yankees were dumbfounded by the quietly talented no-name Orioles. Fellow contributors Adam, Abby, and I spent some time filling in words for what the Yankees are saying in this picture. Things like, "My neighbor's dog keeps chewing on my fence," and "I went to Best Buy and they have an incredible deal on flatscreen tv's!" Because that's what millionaires do, right? Feel free to add your own.

This is also about baseball, because after 4 days of searching for my baseball glove with no luck, I tore apart my parent's garage and found it hiding underneath a basketball.

Nowadays, I just sit around smelling the glove and remembering how awesome it was to be on a baseball field at night. No matter how much school sucked come April, I'd get to play baseball and know that it's almost summer. And lately it feels like summer. I even took my glove out for a catch and three of us sat around talking about our futures like we were thirteen again talking about being major leaguers.

Me: Countless mam, countless..it somehow boosts up my self-confidence.

Madam Norsiah once asked me during our 3rd test. I was flattered. A lecturer ask on my dressing, my style. The accessories she pointed were my 2 rings, my right-hand glove, my lock-shaped necklace,a couple of bangles, my silver-stud belt and of course my black eyeliner. However, my black painted nails, my stripe pink scarf, my three types of bandanna, my left-hand gloves are excluded as I don't wear them that day. The way she laugh was an indicator that she was amazed of this student of hers. I think.

I don't consider myself as an emo. Perhaps because my hair is not truly emo yet(sigh..sigh). Call me freak, weirdo, I care not.Because this is Me. I always stumble upon this situation where people often forget my name but they say the remember my style very well. See, one doesn't have to be outspoken or 'mencapub' to get attention. Each and every time I walk pass the TESL square, always these couple of eyes will stare at me. I would retort with my smile regardless the way their stares are. Smile is the best technique to win a heart, I read that in a book.

.Smile.

- Back in my life: Katharina, the girl from AP school whom i met outside of Hebrew school. Finally remembered her name! Decided that we were guna meet around 8 on wed. But I completely forgot about taking her nr. Smart there Ylva ;)

- That's it's not appropriate for me to leave later than 11

- Finally met Des, short but sweet, had another scheduled "thing" for the night.

9th

The forgetful day

- Met with Katharina, Fi, Ibell and Anna @ Starbucks. Had loooots and lots of fun :) Doin things we shouldn't do :D Hahah! Omigod im so happy i have a good family, her's doesn't sound like any fun at all!!!

- Talked to one of the mom's at ballet that i haven't talked to b4. She's really nice! Like her!

- Played outside with Jessie, doing all the stuff i did as a kid :) Loved it!

- Stuff forgotten about: 1. Jake's glove for baseball (ok i didnt forget it, but i couldn't find it and everyone got mad) 2. Kosher hot dogs, they didn't have them in the 3 stores i looked when i went groceryshopping, but i forgot to tell Ad that - so he got mad at me :S He never gets mad! Ran around like a maniac, but it turned out well in the end. He's not the one to hold a grudge against you if you try and make it better :) 3. Ibell forgot that we were having dinner together, so I had to eat by myself :(

- I also went into a state of shock twice this day! Once during the day, got soooo so so so sad and then again late night - but that was good news :D

These Easter Bunnies In A Basket are easy and fun to make! When I was a little girl my grandmother used to make puppies in a basket like this, so I thought it would be fun to make an Easter version. CJ and I got together with our neighbor today and each of the kids made one. Here's what you need and directions on how to make your very own:

1 pair cotton work gloves (we got ours at the Dollar Store)

polyester batting

googly eyes (get the tiniest ones)

felt in various colors

narrow ribbon

a party size paper cup (we used a leftover birthday cup)

small white pom poms

miniature basket (optional)

glue

1. Fill each of the glove fingers with polyester batting. Batting should fill entire finger.

2. Cut out felt ears for each bunny. We made bunny families so the smaller bunnies had smaller ears. Cut out tiny triangles for the noses.

3. Cut paper cup down until it's about 2.5 inches high. Put elastic cuff of glove over the cup and stuff the fingers into the cup. Don't glue anything onto the fingers until you put the glove on the cup.

4. Tie narrow ribbon around "neck" to make a head. Glue ears onto bunny heads. Glue googly eyes onto bunny heads. Glue triangle noses.

5. Glue small white pompoms onto back of bunnies for cotton tails.

6. We cut out little carrots and green tops for the miniature baskets. You could also make little clay Easter eggs for the basket.

Note: You'll notice that when the glove is laid out, one of the bunny faces is backwards. This is normal. The thumb or pinky finger of the glove usually needs to be backwards so it can face forward when stuffed into the cup.

Oh, damn! I totally missed this one when I was a kid. The Sega Activator: an early-90s pseudo-futuristic controller for the Mega Drive (Genesis in the USA) which replaces switches with infra-red beams and lightdiodes. Probably it was just a response to the Power Glove by Nintendo? Anyway, no surprise that represented a commercial failure: it looks like more an unfinished interaction design prototype than a ready-for-selling product.
SEGA was deeply involved in experiments about gaming interaction during the 90s. I sense that this would have been a good thing, but it wasn't supported by an, equally, intelligent marketing strategy.
Anyway, I wonder why the Angry Video Game Nerd didn't ever spent a word about.

More information about this film is here and here