Interesting Idea: T-Mobile Cameo Digiframe

Update on 5/1/09: My father looked into this and found out that the offer is only valid for T Mo subscribers. So, if you don't have T Mo, this won't work. That sucks, because this sounded so great. Thanks for the skinny, Dad!

I just saw this. Interesting... We all know someone who could use one of these.

T-Mobile Cameo Digiframe Price Drop in Time for Mother's Day

via Amazon Daily on 4/30/09

I've never owned a digiframe. Personally it's a novelty that just never clicked with me, and correspondingly I have an external drive that is packed to the gills with images of friends and family, and vacations and trips I've taken. That leads me to Mom.
The eventual question that comes from her is what's going on, and where are the pictures? I tell her that I'm going/have been here and there and am doing X, Y and Z. Most of this is pretty much Latin to her, but pictures, those are universal. I've tried sending her digital copies and links to sites where she can view them, but that's never going to be terribly successful with founding members like herself of  pre-computer generation. I vaguely recall a glimmer of hope when I heard last year of T-Mobile's network integrated Cameo Digiframe. It's basically a frame with a phone number that updates with images and picture messages that you send it, or via memory card. Then I saw the price: $100 for the hardware and $9.99/month for the line. Uh, no. My Mom doesn't even have a cell phone for emergencies. But wait, just in time for Mother's Day it would seem that T-Mobile has gotten the hint.
According to a post on Engadget this morning, T-Mobile has dropped its prices to $40 for the frame and a monthly fee of $1.99. Now that's a little bit different, now isn't it. For a measly $24/year Mom can be clued in visually everything that is going on with me or anyone else for that matter. Who knows, after she vicariously becomes an expert in wireless technology she may even break down and accept a cell phone for the glove compartment. All kidding aside this is actually a pretty cool and affordable idea for anyone, especially Moms, who want to effortlessly keep up with other's lives.
A few things about the Cameo. It unfortunately is only available through a physical visit to a T-Mobile store, but there are no contract obligations, it comes with unlimited message capability, can hold up to 500 standard sized images, allows for the blocking of individual senders and does not take up one of your allowed accounts if you have a family plan. All in all pretty nice. Mom is going to like it and I think I may too since I may just get one for myself as well.
Want to read more about T-Mobile's Cameo Digiframe? ZDNet did a nice review of it yesterday. Check it out for more details.
--Tom Milnes

Awesomeness

As Mike and I were discussing our food plans for the weekend he said to me, "Wouldn't it be great if there was some place where you could enter the ingredients for a recipe and get the nutritional information?!" I googled "nutrition information recipe" and hot dog!!! I found a great solution. The top hit was SparkRecipes.

SparkRecipes lets you join for free, enter recipes, and get nutritional information. You can save, print and share recipes, too. What a great tool for anyone who need calorie, fat, or carb (important for us) information for what they are cooking. I entered the recipes I have on the menu for this weekend, got the nutrition info and printed everything out. SNAP!

I have shared my recipes for those who are interested. Just click here to go to my page. I have also added a link to the sidebar of this blog, "My SparkRecipes" under the Fun Stuff section. There are only 4 listed so far, but I know I'll be adding more!

Smiles

Swine Flu

So, I am kind of freaked out by this swine flu. It is really scary, and already being called a pandemic. There is a great resource to track the latest outbreaks over at Google Maps:




View 2009 H1N1 Flu Outbreak Map in a larger map

There are all these warnings to wash your hands. Doesn't everyone know to wash their friggin' hands? C'mon folks, we're not living on the prairie anymore...

Do you know anyone with swine flu (I hope not!)?

*sigh*

I think this really speaks for itself. And makes me laugh...

*sigh*

via Lolcats 'n' Funny Pictures of Cats - I Can Has Cheezburger? by Cheezburger Network on 4/28/09

May Styles Early

Well, here it is a few days before the end of May and I can't wait to share the new blog design! In addition to the new header (which I love with the Berkshires and Vineyard photos) and background, I have switched out the icons on the side again.

I hope you like it!

A Quick Hello

I have been a little quiet over the past few days. I traveled for work last week and am gone again today. Both trips were short -- 2 days -- so no complaints from me! We attended a wedding last weekend on the Cape. It was very beautiful.

Anyway, I got this on my reader tonight and it made me laugh. I hope you enjoy it, too!



see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Have a happy day!

Weather and Washing

Over the years we have become increasingly interested in tracking the weather at our house. We started with a pretty simple exterior thermometer. A couple of years later we got a weather station that had a few remote sensors. Finally, a few years ago we got a weather station complete with remote hygrometer, rain gauge, and wind sensor.

Mike mounted it on the barn where it would get the most accurate readings. The rain sensor is the most sensitive of the pieces and has to be taken down in the winter. He re-mounted it on Sunday.

I am so glad he isn't nervous up there. You know I don't love being up that high. I do, however, love getting our readings inside... Outside temp, inside temp, milk house temp, humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction, and rain statistics...

As much as we love this weather station, our next one will include Wi-Fi for wireless real-time weather transmissions to the web...

We spent some time washing and waxing our new car. We gave Pat's car a wash while we were at it. My obsessiveness came out when I saw a lot of accumlated dirt on the top of the car (car washes can't get this stuff)...

I scrubbed and scrubbed to get that stuff off. **Notice me holding onto to the luggage rack. It got really soapy and slippery up there. I started having visions of slipping and falling onto the ground, so decided it woul be smart to hold on. I am such a nut.**

We were glad to get the rain gauge back online and the cars clean!

Smiles

Mattie, Mike, and Mowers

Part of our weekend work was to take the lawn tractor and one of the push mowers down to be serviced. We loaded them both into the back of the truck and strapped them in.

We had a few more things to get together, so Mattie wisely entered the show to make sure we did everything correctly.

He's very helpful that way. He approved of Mike's work.

Bored, he decided to inspect the interior of the truck.

Just thiking about balancing on the side of the truck like that makes my toes curl.

He just cracks me up. He loves getting in the truck, but hates taking rides.

I had to get a picture of my honey in, too.

He's so handsome...

Have a great day!

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - Scoop Shops - Free Cone Day

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream - Scoop Shops - Free Cone Day

Mmmm.... You know where to find me tomorrow!!! I hope Connor and Fiona can have ice cream because we are having dinner with the fam tomorrow night and Ben & Jerry's is very close to BBC...

Beautiful Weekend

We enjoyed a beautiful weekend. The weather was nice (except for that little rain storm) and we spent a lot of time outside. Our Saturday morning started with a visit to the suet by a pair of birds. They chowed down. That feeder was a popular spot throughout the weekend. I don't think the bird houses have been occupied yet, but I hope they will soon.




I was super excited to see our Cherry trees are about to bloom. They are so beautiful when they do...

The daffodils are out in full force now. They make me happy, all yellow and bright.

Even the hostas are getting ready to come out. They look like beetles right now...

And more good news. Our one, yes, ONE, tulip has opened.

I think I should plant some more, don't you? This one must be lonely...

And the forsythia has popped. Time to put down lime and crabgrass killer!

I just love the Spring time. Plants blooming, birds singing, no grass to mow yet!

Smiles!

Growing Up

A few weeks ago Pat asked me if we put Easter eggs on the Magnolia tree in our front yard like we did back in 2002.

You can see it above on the left. I told her, "Oh, no. That tree is way too big now."

That got me thinking. Our Magnolia tree has grown dramatically in the past 7 1/2 years. Check it out, the phot below was taken in September 2001:

You can see that I have circled the Magnolia in red. Now compare that to the tree as it looked this morning:

Again, the tree is circled in red. But, holy moly!!! Look at how giant it has gotten. Crazy, huh?

Have a happy day!

Technical Support

For reasons obvious to many, this cracked me up...



see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Have a happy day!

Weekend Finds

We went to Hardwicke Gardens on Saturday to peruse their latest offerings. They have some statues that we like (no surprise) but we have to think on them. Mainly because they are expensive! They have added a Japanese tea house that is really cool.

I took these photos while we were strolling around the art deco part of the property.

There are so many things going on with this bird house. It is really cool. I guess it should be for $235!

I thought this crow was interesting, too. No particular reason why, just cuz.

Have a happy day!

I'm Out of My Mind But...

This came across my reader earlier today: Paula Deen's Fried Mac and Cheese Bacon Bites. You will not be surprised that this is part of Serious Eats' "Paula Deen is Trying to Kill Us" series. She really is. This woman's food is just sooo unhealthy.

Alas, you all know that mac and cheese is my downfall. So, I watched the video (embedded below).




Now... You are absolutely out of your mind if you can't recognize how incredibly unhealthy this is. But it sure sounds yummy!!! My tummy is growling just thinking about it!

Have a happy day!

Signs of Spring

I know. You are probably tiring of my endless yard photos. Sorry, folks, that's just the way it is!!! I love all things that bloom and just have to share.

Isn't the Dogwood pretty?! It should bloom in  few days (more photos to come!)...

These are the first of the daffodils to bloom...

And the Mountain Laurel is flowering!

I'm not a big fan of pansies (because they are annuals and I am simply too lazy), but they were so pretty that I had to bring them home...

I hope things are blooming for you! Have a happy day!

Additions to the Yard

During our journeys around town on Saturday we decided to get some more plants for the yard. We got them spur of the moment, without a clear plan for where they would go.

I'm sure you recognize the heather; it is flanked by mugo pines. We let them sit Saturday night and got to planting on Sunday after our Easter celebration.

We got our some of our fabulous compost to put in with the plants. This stuff is black gold, I tell you!

Of course, Mattie had to assist us, as he always does.

For those of you who don't know about this crap pile, it is next to the composters behind the barn. The spot gets lots of sun and is one of Mattie's many places to hang out. However, he did come along with us to supervise our progress.

We decided to put the mugo pine in front of the holly (transplanted last year), near the driveway. These guys are supposed to be between 24" and 36" tall and up to 6' wide.

We found a home for the heather by the patio. If it lives we'll get some more to put near it.

We also got a couple of bird houses so our feathered friends have some good shelter.

We put one on the tree outside the kitchen window (I took this photo from inside, hence the strange reflection). The other one is mounted on a tree near the barn.

I can't wait to see how the new plants fare, and how the birdies like the little houses!

Have a happy day!

In Memory of Tigers Pitcher Mark Fidrych

As we pulled into our driveway tonight we heard some sad news. Northborough native and retired major league pitcher Mark Fridrych, age 54, died this afternoon. A family friend found him under his dump truck this afternoon. It sounds like he was making repairs and something happened.

Mike grew up watching Mark pitch games, as many kids did here in town. He was a well known athlete and well loved across the country. People in Detroit knew him and his career years after it ended. He did nice things in the town of Northborough, including paying for lights for Memorial Field in town.

After baseball he worked doing trucking and development in the area. We often take walks by his 107 acre farm. His wife runs a diner in town and his brother in law is on the board of selectman.

We saw him at town meeting a few years back when he got up to speak about a matter close to his heart. He was genuine, had strong opinions, and was honestly pretty goofy. He really was "The Bird." We even bought the song written about him (aptly called Bird is the Word by the Trashmen).

We have embedded a video below, shot 23 years ago when he was 31. He will be missed by many.









You'll find a great blog entry written about Mark a month ago at Cards in the Attic. The Detroit Free Press has republished an article they wrote about the bird in 2006. There is also a 2002 interview with NECN, two years before the Red Sox broke the curse.

Happy Easter!

Sorry for the belated wishes, but I was thinking them yesterday! Mike and I got all dressed up for church yesterday and took a couple of pictures of ourselves. We each like a different photo... You'll see why.

This one was my favorite (you'll see why when you scroll down). Mike didn't like it because his jacket was open.

Mike prefers this photo, as he should since he smiling and looks all put together. I, however, am in some wind tunnel with my eyes closed. Oh well...

We enjoyed a lovely Mass. Father Gemme cracks me up with his homilies and the Easter Mass was no exception. The church was absolutely overflowing at the 11 am service.

We followed Mass with a wonderful dinner at Romaine's. We both got the Lamb Steak special, served with vegetable cous cous.

I am sorry I didn't think to take the picture until after I cut the first piece of lamb, but you get the idea. It was delicious.

We spent the remainder of the day planting some new things in the yard... Pictures of that to follow!

We hope your Easter was special! Have a happy day!

2010 Census

The Census is coming in one year. It is the biggest peace time undertaking. Watch the video below to find out more.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

The CEO's Guide to Jetting

I heard about these videos in my Yapta feed this morning. They are pretty funny, given the current state of corporate American and the tightening [I hope, in this case] of belts. Three videos are embedded below.

Chapter 1




Chapter 2




Chapter 3

Welcoming Spring, Part 2: Mattie

Mattie enjoyed the yard in his very own way this weekend. While this isn't totally "through his eyes," it is pretty close...

We put the bunnies out in the yard and I was ready to take a picture. Next thing I knew, Mattie raced across the driveway full speed in attack mode. He spotted the bunnies...

I think he wanted them to be real bunnies. He must have been disappointed.

Now, this one is clearly from my view and not Mattie's. This is what I usually see when I look for Mattie in the yard.

Confused? Don't be. He is usually right at my feet.

After all his hard work attacking bunnies, Mattie to decided to hang out on the stone wall by the road.

He clearly believes he is the master of his universe. I think he may be right.

Our little mouse soldier never rests...

And he is so cute when he is on patrol!!!

Have a happy day!

Welcoming Spring, Part 1: Mike and Tracy

We walked outside on Saturday morning to see Crocus open and happy. I delayed the many things we had on tap to take a picture.

I just love happy flowers. One of the reasons I had to take this photo was the bee working on the center flower. Nature is gearing up!

Later in the weekend we started putting out our yard stuff.

For years and years we have put the bunnies on the other side of the house (near the tree between the house and the milk house). We thought they would like to be front and center by the driveway for Easter this year.

We also put the pagoda out in the Japanese garden.

Thank God for Mike, because even in pieces that thing is heavy! The allium is growing around the base and ready to bloom.

The dafodills are getting bigger each day...

 

  

They look ready to bloom soon! Now, where's that warm weather?!

Have a happy day!