Awesome Hubby’s a Gadget Guy

Did I ever tell you how awesome my husband is? I’m sure I did. I tell people that all the time. But just in case I forgot…

Hubby is AWESOME.

I could regale you with the many reasons why I think he’s so awesome, but I don’t like to gloat. Much. So I’ll just share this one.

On days like today when I am either busy or just lacking in the inspiration department, he comes through with interesting stuff for me to post. Not because I asked him either. Just because he loves me and he likes to share some of the fun, tasteful stuff he digs up.

Like this goofy little tidbit. It’s a tad long, but very entertaining. So be sure to watch the whole thing.


Eepybird’s Sticky Note Experiment from Eepybird on Vimeo.


Now that I’ve reminded you how awesome my Hubby is, I’ll share one of his secrets with you. I could type REALLY SMALL and he might not be able to read what I’m about to say. Or I could just spit it out. I’ll opt for the latter route.

Are you ready?

Hubby is addicted to gadgets. He’s got gadgets that do all sorts of strange things. Maybe one day I’ll take a picture of some of the more interesting things he finds. I admit, quite a few actually are useful tools. Others, not so much.

But every now and then he comes through with a cool one. Like this thing he got me for Christmas last year. I think it was last year. Anyway, the thing I am talking about is a Gorillapod (pictured below).

The Gorillapod, manufactured by Joby, is a handy little flexible tripod. You can use it just like a regular, albeit small, tripod. But the absolute best use for it is when you are out and about, but don’t have a safe, level place to sit your tripod. You can hang it on a tree. Or maybe a fencepost. Perhaps you need to fasten your camera to the steering wheel of your car. Or you could sit it on a rock as pictured in the photo below (which I borrowed from the Joby Web site but think I’ll be okay ’cause this is FREE advertising).

You probably won’t need it often. But if you’re anything like me, when you do need it, you REALLY need it. I used it several times in Alaska, as a matter of fact. And I’ll probably get lots of use out of my mid-range Gorillapod on my upcoming photo excursion to Maine.

Gorillapods come in three sizes (different colors, too), to hold:

Compact digital cameras (holds up to 9.7 ounces) – MSRP $21.95

SLR cameras with lightweight lens (holds up to 1.75 pounds) – MSRP $39.95

SLR-Zoom cameras with heavier lens (holds up to 6.6 pounds) – MSRP $49.95

I have the mid-range one for SLR cameras. It holds my camera ok (Canon Digital Rebel XT) with the lighter, kit lens. But what I really need (want?) is the big cahuna. The SLR-ZOOM Gorillapod. But it costs $50 bucks. That’s the MSRP, anyway.

Which one do you want and/or need? Perhaps you have one already? Any other cool camera gadget you want to tell me about?

Are You For Real?

If I hadn’t seen this on CNN the other day, I’d swear it was a parody. Listen closely to the “reporter.”

How does he NOT crack up as he’s doing the voice-over? I can just imagine the chuckles in the editing room. This is why I’m not a broadcast journalist.

Poor Charlie…

Bits and Pieces

I stumbled across a well-written story on CNN, written by a woman, describing a motorcycle road trip. Imagine that. AND their trip included the Blue Ridge Parkway, which made it very reminiscent of the trip Hubby and I took in late 2007. Even down to the picture of Mabry Mill that accompanied the article. (The one shown here was taken by Hubby.)


Speaking of CNN… some of their headlines kill me. Especially the teaser-type ones they use on their “latest news” list. Like this one: State official resigns over underpants dance. Of course, I had to read the story. Boy, people can sure be stupid.


Post Secret is one of those blogs I read periodically. I even have a Post Secret book. In case you aren’t familiar with Post Secret, and even if you are, you should watch this video. I think it was made to promote some appearances by Frank Warren, the guy that came up with the idea. It’s an entertaining way to learn more about the Post Secret project, how it came to be, and how big it has become.

Some of the secrets people submit are heartwarming. There are just as many, if not more, that can be heart-wrenching. So read the blog at your own risk. If you have a propensity for depression, avoid it all together.


ToadMama fans who are interested in photography–taking pics, not just looking at them–might be interested in the Digital Photography School Web site I stumbled across. I haven’t spent a whole lot of time there, but it seems to be chock full of interesting stuff like Portrait Photography Tips. And not just your average, everyday run-of-the-mill tips everyone likes to share, but cool things like Posing Tips – Waistlines, Thighs and Bustlines. And Give Your Subject Space to Look Into. I’m going to have to set aside a whole day to absorb the info Darren Rowse, the dude behind the Digital Photography School, has chosen to share.


The very last “gem” I’ll share is this goofy site I found that sells all kinds of frog stuff (like the lovely Frog Poop pictured). It is The Frog Store.

Need some frog-shaped pasta? They sell it.

Got a hankering for some caramel creme chocolate frogs?

How about frog clothing with the dual purpose of celebrating frogs and telling the world about God? Like this shirt? Or this one?

There’s even a Useful Frogs category, which toadally restores my faith in humanity. The site owners know some of their stuff is a bit ridiculous, but also take time to point out USEFUL stuff like: this set of 6 froggy candles, and the CD holder, and this nite lite.

Those who know me can tell you I have my share of tacky froggy stuff. And if I stumbled across some of this stuff in a store, I’d probably buy it. I don’t know if I’d go on-line to buy a bunch of frog tchotchkes, though.

I have to admit, there was an interesting dice game on the site. And some fun wallpaper border. I might even buy this doorbell if I thought it would fit on our front door (it amazes me how many people knock instead of ringing the bell).

Happy Friday!

I Made Something Interesting

The other day, I was lamenting the fact that I’d missed posting for two days because nothing interesting had happened. Shannon, my oldest, said I should try to make something interesting happen.

She was right. The problem is, I couldn’t think of an interesting thing to make happen.

Instead, I just made something interesting. In a Flickr interestingness kind of way. That is, an everyday thing I could photograph that would be cool because of the colors, and the angles, and the light (if I am lucky). Not to mention the fact, that not a lot of people would think to take pictures of…


… my lunch fixin’s!

I was hungry. Short on time, too. So I decided to multi-task.

I am not mimicking the Pioneer Woman! Although I do enjoy her blog. And she does inspire me to take lots more pictures. I am not sharing my recipe, though. Just my ART.

The tomatoes were given to me by my Dad Tuesday night. They’re home-grown. Store-bought tomatoes, even the vine-ripened ones, never look this red.

Seriously. Doesn’t that look like a yummy tomato?

Nothing says “summer” like home-grown tomatoes. Except maybe corn on the cob. And steamed blue crabs. And snowballs. And frozen blue margaritas! And eating Dolle’s caramel popcorn on the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland…

Um, moving right along.

I realize letting you see the salt and pepper is dangerously close to divulging my recipe. But I think the close-up is cool. It is sooooo red and juicy. Can’t you just taste it?

It was fabulous. Simple, but still fabulous. I forgot to mention I was having potato chips on the side, too. With a glass of ice-water to wash it all down.

Maybe something interesting will happen to me tomorrow…

What’s So Funny?

You know, everyone has a different sense of humor.

Some people, like me, find this funny. (It’s not a political thing for me. I just think it is pretty well done.)

Others like stuff like this. Hubby gets all the credit for finding that one!

There are folks who just need simple little pictures to brighten their day. If you’re one of THOSE people, you have to check this one out, too. And this one.

Me, I’m more of a video person. I mean, images are funny. But there are some videos that just crack me up. No matter what mood I’m in.

This one is GUARANTEED to make you smile.

If you don’t smile at THAT last one, well, you’re just a big, miserable dork.

The Nose Game

I have something new, cool and exciting to post. It’s not really super-new. But it is cool and exciting. I shot the video back in July. And I have been meaning to post it here on my nifty little blog. Seriously. But I forgot.

Don’t hit PLAY yet! Let me tell you about the nose game first. It’s Hubby’s creation.

Every day when Hubby gets home from work, he greets “the girls” (our two Brittanys) then sends them outside to pee. Or poo. That really doesn’t matter. What’s important is that while they’re outside, he puts two big, fragrant treats in a plastic container (with holes punched in the side so the scent can escape) and hides the container somewhere on the main level of our house. Part of the hiding involves him walking through all the rooms, shaking the container to make sure the scent is all over the place. The object of the game is simple. The dogs have to use their nose to sniff out the treats. When they find them, they’re supposed to sit. Whoever finds the container gets their treat first.

You can hit PLAY now…

I hope you enjoyed watching the nose game as much as the girls enjoy playing. And as much as Hubby and I like watching them in action!