Stupid Picasa

So I tried to upload some pictures this evening and Blogger tells me that my 1 gb of "Picasa Web Albums" storage is full.  So I go to Picasa web albums and delete at least a half dozen massive albums, some containing over 100 pictures each, thinking that will get me down to below quota and allow me to upload 3 measly pictures of my cute kid.

But no, even after all of that deleting, it's still telling me I don't have any more storage, and it wants me to buy storage.  This is stupid.  I know I have space - is google just trying to make money off of me?  How can I actually get Picasa to recognize and admit to the fact that I deleted hundreds of photos, so I should be allowed to upload 3 new ones???? I know that some people post WAY more pictures than I do to their blogger blogs - are all of those people really paying a monthly fee to be able to do that??? I can't imagine so..

Anyway, I will continue to investigate but if you have a quick solution, PLEASE let me know! Otherwise, this blog will be even more boring than it already has been lately!

What's wrong with this tree?

The answer - no ornaments on the bottom half. 

The reason - a toddler who has suddenly decided that he will get into EVERYTHING!

At first it was cute, now it's annoying. But I guess I should be grateful that he hasn't pulled the tree down on himself, right?

(knocking on wood)

Loving Leaves

Pittsburgh saw lovely fall weather this evening, which allowed us to spend plenty of time playing outside, something that EH hasn't gotten enough of.  DH did some leaf blowing, and saved a little pile for EH to play in, although the title of this post is probably not appropriate since EH didn't really love playing in the leaves.


But I did.  And he loved walking around them enough that I'll call it a success, and I'm sure next year he'll be even more enthusiastic.

This was a weekend at home, and since there was little on the agenda we got a ton done, including finally getting my summer clothes packed up and into the attic and my sweaters and winter clothes into the closet, 5 loads of laundry (4 of which were mine, and 1 of which was EH's) and plenty of other small around the house projects.  It's leave us slightly cleaner and slightly more prepared for hosting Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, something I haven't done for three years now!



EH is excited - last Thanksgiving he was sick with a horrible ear infection.  This year he's not only going to be healthy but he's going to get eat turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing - all foods that I know he's going to love!  I'm took nearly 200 pictures this weekend (making up for the month that I took none at all) so I'm going to try to post a few of the highlights over the next couple of days!

One Fresh Thanksgiving Turkey

From what I understand, the animal kingdom operates a little differently than mankind does.  One of the biggest differences (aside from oppose-able thumbs and higher-level thinking) is that the female tends to be the less impressive gender.  The males are always spending time fluffing their feathers, strutting around in their bright colors, and in general doing everything they possibly can to attract females (ok, so maybe that aspect isn't all that different.)

But here's what I'm not sure about the animal kingdom - does the number of females that you attract give you higher statue?  Is an animal that has attracted a following of 19 females better than one who only has 5 ladies following him around?

If so, this turkey that visited our yard yesterday, might be the king of all turkeys.


He had 19 - actually, there were really too many to count, so I will correct that to say at least 19 - female turkeys following his every move.  If he started moving in one direction, they skittishly followed.  If he didn't seem concerned then they weren't either.


It's hard to really see in the picture above just how many turkeys there really are, but take my word for it - there were a lot.  And the big guy was definitely the only male.


I am not a hunter, and in general don't advocate the killing of animals (except for anyone who wants to come down and take care of the deer that keep eating our plants,) but I would be lying if I didn't admit that the following thought crossed my mind - "That bird would make for one fresh Thanksgiving turkey."


No worries though.  He and his entire harem of women made were left unharmed.

Also, after comparing a female turkey to a male turkey, I have to wonder if all of the turkeys we eat are male?  Those female birds don't look like they would have much meat at all, and male turkeys are definitely more attractive than the females.

We Voted (barely)

We voted tonight, but it wasn't easy, or pleasant or anything that I ever wish to repeat.  Taking a one year old and having to wait for nearly 90 minutes and having that wait extend into bed time was one of the least pleasant experiences of EH's existence.

I almost walked away.  EH was screaming inconsolably, it was hot, I was cranky, my back and my knees hurt from bouncing him in the baby carrier.  I had the keys in my hand. And then he quieted enough to convince me to wait a few more minutes.

We made it. But I hated every minute of it, and I am soooo glad it's over.

The tv ads, the phone calls, the junk mailings.  Does anyone think that stuff works? The long lines at polling places - how have we not come up with a more efficient way to move people more quickly through the lines? It frustrates me, and to be quite honest, if DH hadn't pushed me, I would have walked away.

But I didn't. And while you won't hear me raving about how excited I am to have have "exercised my right as an american," I will say that I'm glad it's over and done with, and it is funny to me how much DH enjoys watching these results come in.

So, if you voted, I say "way to go!" But if you didn't, and especially if you have a toddler, I don't judge you at all, and I am - in fact - jealous of the probably calm evening you probably had. Your vote does matter, but your sanity matters more, and I know that I nearly lost mine.

Go America.