Sillylady1988's Weblog

3D Swimming Pools!! Amazing!!

sillylady1988 — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 22:14:55 +0000

This probably costs a lot if you don’t do it yourself but it has an amazing effect once your done! These pools have been painted with designs that are meant to look 3D and under the water they look like they’re in the pool! It’s crazy! Check out these amazing pictures!

It looks like he’s right there swimming!

That looks awesome, too bad the shadows don’t match up too.

Empty pool with designs painted in.

Sweet.

Nemo Theme

Amazing!

Must have taken forever to paint it all!

Wow, that looks pretty convincing.

Hard at work!

Amazing Story of Rocks Moving of Their Own Accord!

sillylady1988 — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 20:41:58 +0000

There are many unexplainable things in this world. We have gotten very good at explaining most things but there are still many things we just can’t find out what causes it or how it works. This is a great example of one of those world mysteries that we haven’t solved yet. Check it out!

The Racetrack Playa – Death Valley, California

Death Valley, California is one of my favorite places. It’s gorgeous, strange, eerie and has amazing and warped geology, fossils and history. It’s full of mysteries, ghost towns, abandoned mines and even melted rocks that some say are the sign of prehistoric nuclear explosion. Last time I was there it was 112 degrees outside and I was in heaven (I think I’m part lizard)
(Hey! No smart remarks!)
One of the geological attractions is called the Racetrack Playa, famous for it’s moving stones. The floor of the playa is dried, scorched mud which has broken into perfect little octagons and pentagons and mosaic. This is as “desert” as you can get in America. It’s as flat as flat can be. With rocks which seem to move on their own.
The stones vary in size and shape from pebble size to half-ton boulders. They break off the hills you see in the background. Their tracks vary in length, going every which way from zig-zags to loops; some double back on themselves. Some travel only a few feet; others go for hundreds of yards, yet they can be right next to each other, and right next to some that don’t move at all.

My first thought was “Yeah, uh huh. Sure they do”.

For a long time the reasons why baffled geologists and scientists who studied them until two geologists from CalTech did a seven year study. They concluded that the reason the rocks move is because under specific weather conditions, rain, heavy fog or dew causes the dried mud to develop a thin layer of slippery glide and the winds push the rocks around.

There’s a few problems with this, others say. First of all the rocks make deep tracks in the dirt, and being that the ground is parched rock-hard, pressure of stones that heavy would hit dry dirt and stop. Another argument is that wind doesn’t loop, double back on itself and zig zag in the course of a few hours. Two rocks have been seen to be right next to each other and then take totally different paths while a third could have remained untouched.

When I was there last, I spent a week going to Death Valley and the Racetrack twice a day, noting all the conditions. There were 4 rocks I kept my eye on and they scuttled all over this vast Playa on one day especially. “Wind” didn’t explain it. Furthermore, it was as dry as a bone out there the entire time, even in the wee hours.

I talked to one of the Park Rangers who said he thinks it has something to do with magnetics underground. Sure, some of it might be that the mud did get slippery when it was damp but that didn’t explain how two rocks right next to each other could go in two opposite directions or one could stay put while one three times the size, didn’t.

He stated that he’s seen the rocks moving long distances when it’s perfectly dry out and there is NO wind; sometimes rocks will lay in place for weeks and then the day a few will have moved well away from the rest. Well, let me amend that – he didn’t “see” them move. In fact no one has ever seen a rock move. All of a sudden, it just is. The “conditions” that are said to be needed for it to happen just weren’t there. Since it’s a desert it rarely rains except during monsoon season, and at times it does get very foggy in the morning, yet the rocks do this all year long.

Paul Messina has done a load of research on this phenomenon and even used a Global Positioning satellite to track the movement of rocks in 1996, making a great map of same. His conclusion? It makes no sense.
(Paul’s site will open in new window)

50 Ways To Bring Color Into Your Home!

sillylady1988 — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:45:21 +0000

My house has always been sort of boring. We have brown carpet, white walls, and ordinary window blinds. These things could all be spiced up and add color to our home. I have decided I’m going to make a change. I’m going to add more color to my life, so here is something I found that can help with that.

50 Ways to Bring Color Into Your Home

by Maricar on August 27th, 2007

What’s your favorite color? Do you sometimes wish you could break out from your usual palette and try something new, but don’t know how?

From the simple to the luxurious, I’ve got 50 ways to add color to your home:

1. The most basic way to change the color of a room is of course to paint it. You can go with any color you want. Beiges and whites are not the only choices for wall color. You can go green, blue, yellow, red and everything in between! Now, on to the 49 other ways to add color to your home.

2. Throw pillows, like these ones from Pillow Decor, are simple and easy options without having to redo an entire room.

3. Window curtains and drapes brighten any space (via Pottery Barn ).

4. Turn your water blue with the Faucet Light .

5. Fresh flowers, in any hue, are always welcome.

6. Crystal vases add a touch of elegance. (via Waterford)

7. One chair in a bold but well-chosen color packs a statement. Coordinate it with smaller portions of the same color elsewhere in the room.

8. Hang a colorful painting in your living room.

9. Set the mood with light and color. Options range from inexpensive lava lights, mood clocks, to full-on wall systems .

10. Whether you’re building a new kitchen or just updating your old one, consider appliances , like the TurboChef Speedcook Oven, that come in a range of colors. You can also install colored panels to your existing appliances. Check this site for ideas.

11. Add area rugs in bold patterns and colors to update the look of any room.

12. Color-code your calendar for each family member using colored Sharpies .

13. Magnetic clips are great for keeping invitations and various reminders on your refrigerator.

14. Don’t forget that your carpet is literally the base upon which your room’s decor rests. Pick a color carefully, or if you can’t find the right shade, use a custom dyeing service. Click here for tips.

15. Make a great first impression with a front door that says “Welcome” in your favorite color.

16. Dress up your windows with brightly colored shutters .

17. Wallpaper is also a good option, if you don’t want to paint.

18. Install a chair rail and matching crown molding to add color to walls without painting them.

19. Ceiling fans can be colored too! This Pinwheel-themed model is great for children’s rooms. If you want something a little less colorful, there are other options (via Ceilingfan.com )

20. Storage bins and shelves are a great way to add splashes of color and get your stuff organized. (via Amazon)

21. Instead of replacing your living room set, you can add an ottoman in a complementary color to freshen the look of the entire space. (via Ottomans )

22. Even the mudroom doesn’t have to be boring. Benches and shelves now come in colors other than walnut, white and black.

23. Get funky with these wall hooks, from GenericGifts .

24. Whether they’re antique, hand-blown, or found objects, colored bottles make a cool display on a shelf.

25. Make your own poster from your kids’ artwork, at Zsquaredgraphics.com .

26. Silk plants and flowers function almost like the real thing without the added task of watering and fertilizing.

27. Dinnerware, like these Provence Dinner Plates, perk up even a simple meal and table setting. (via Amazon)

28. If you don’t want to have multi-colored plates, you can still have small splashes of color in your kitchen with items like these sengWare ramekins and casserole sets. You can choose colors like pomello, pistachio, heaven, tangerina and pimento. It’s like a fiesta every time you cook! (via Amazon)

29. Set a basket of fresh fruit on your kitchen counter or dining table for a healthy snack option. Pick a selection with different colors and use them as a centerpiece.

30. Pots and pans, like those from Le Creuset come in a range of colors.

31. Of course, I can’t miss mentioning the KitchenAid mixers. Look for color options when you buy small appliances.

32. The bathroom won’t look ordinary with these themed shower curtains. (via Shower Curtains)

33. We don’t have to vacuum with the boring equipment of yesteryears. The Dirt Devil KONE Hand-vac has a modern design and comes in cool colors. It doesn’t even look like a vacuum at all!

34. Another way of changing the color of your living room without buying new furniture is using slipcovers. You can buy one for practically any type of chair or sofa you own.

35. Keep a basket of colorful flipflops by the front door for your guests to use.

36. Colored bathtubs, anyone? The good thing is, you don’t have to buy a new one. Kits for refinishing/coloring bathtubs are available. Check this and this.

37. Change the look of your kitchen by changing one thing, the color of your cabinets. Find more information here and here. (via Better Homes and Gardens)

38. Among the more unusual ways I’ve found to bring color to your home are these colored doorknobs at FabulousKnobs. They’re either made of glass or brass in many beautiful designs.

39. If you sew, quilts are an fun way to personalize your home with fabulous colors and designs.

40. Find a hamper in a color your kid likes and he may just be encouraged to put his dirty clothes in there.

41. If you’re feeling up to it, consider repainting the outside of your home to make it stand out from the rest of the houses in your neighborhood.

42. Use Post-it notes in different colors for your reminders and notes to family members.

43. Indoor plants don’t have to be all green. Get some with colorful foliage or flowers.

44. If you have a big room and want to visually break it up, try Japanese screens. They’re decorative and easy to remove and store.

45. Scented candles are not just for scents. Chosen carefully, they can add just the right touch of color to a table arrangement or display.

46. Pleated window shades like these by Hunter Douglas are simple ways to add color without the frills of traditional curtains.

47. Go beyond glass and chrome with colored chandeliers, in either modern or traditional designs. (via Lamps USA)

48. Install stained glass in your doors and windows. (via Thermatru)

49. Frame some of your family’s color photographs to hang on a wall.

50. Instead of using a plain mirror to open up a small space, try a mosaic mirror like this. Alternatively, a small collection of similar mirrors will draw the eye and brighten any corner. (via Handmadetables)

And there you have it. 50 Amazing ways to brighten your home.

Creepy Animals You Don’t See Everyday!

sillylady1988 — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 19:23:57 +0000

I’m pretty sure I haven’t ever seen any of these animals up close before! But if I ever do, I’ll know what to expect now that I know they exist! Check out these pictures of Creepy Animals You Don’t See Everyday!

Alpaca

The Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid developed from the wild alpacas. It resembles a sheep in appearance, but is larger and has a long erect neck as well as coming in many colors, whereas sheep are generally bred to be white and black.

Aardvark

The Aardvark, sometimes called “antbear” is a medium-sized mammal native to Africa. The name comes from the Afrikaans/Dutch for “earth pig”, because early settlers from Europe thought it resembled a pig. More like a flying However, the Aardvark is not closely related to pigs, being placed in its own order.

Aye-aye

baby

grown-up

The Aye-aye is a strepsirrhine native to Madagascar that combines rodent-like teeth with a long, thin middle finger to fill the same ecological niche as a woodpecker. It is the world’s largest nocturnal primate, and is characterized by its unique method of finding food; it taps on trees to find grubs, then gnaws holes in the wood and inserts its elongated middle finger to pull the grubs out.

Bald Uakari

The Bald Uakari, also known as the Red Uakari or Bald-headed Uakari, is a distinctive red-faced monkey found in swampy forests in Brazil, Peru, and Colombia. The species is considered “near threatened” by the 2004 World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List because of hunting and the destruction of its habitat.

Babirusa

The Babirusa or pig-deer, Babyrousa babyrussa, is a pig-like animal native to Sulawesi and surrounding islands of Indonesia. The babirusa has usually been classified as a single species in the genus Babyrousa, but recent work suggests that there may be several species, differentiable on the basis of geography, body size, amount of body hair, and the shape of the upper canine tooth of the male. Most experts agree that babirusas are part of the pig family, and are one of the oldest living members of the family, representing a subfamily, Babyrousinae, that branched off from the warthog branch of the pig family (Subfamily Phacochoerini) during the Oligocene or early Miocene.

Binturong

The Binturong, also known as the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or just simply the Bearcat, is neither a bear nor a cat but is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets. The real meaning of the original name is lost, as the local language that gave it is extinct. Its natural habitat is forest canopy, and it spends most of its time in the trees of southeast Asia, Borneo, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Palawan Island.

Hyraxes

A hyrax is any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. They live in Africa and the Middle East.
Hyraxes are well-furred rotund creatures with a mere stump for a tail. They are about the size of a Corgi; most measure between about 30 and 70 cm long and weigh between 2 and 5 kg. From a distance, a hyrax could be mistaken for a very well-fed rabbit or guinea pig.

Naked Mole Rat

The Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber), also known as the Sand Puppy, or Desert Mole Rat, is a burrowing rodent native to parts of East Africa and the only species currently classified in genus Heterocephalus. It is notable for its eusocial lifestyle, nearly unique among mammals, and for a highly unusual set of physical traits that enables it to thrive in a harsh, underground environment; including a lack of pain sensation in its skin, and a nearly cold-blooded metabolism.

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis

Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis is a frog species from the Western Ghats, India. Common names for this species are Purple Frog or Pignose Frog. It was discovered in October 2003 and was found to be unique for the geographic region and was consequently initially placed in a family of its own. It was subsequently placed in a family that was earlier known only from the Seychelles island chain.

Philippine Tarsier

The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), known locally as the Mawmag in Cebuano/Visayan, is an endangered tarsier species endemic to the Philippines. It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly in the provinces of Bohol, Samar, Leyte, and Mindanao, Philippines. Its name is derived from its elongated “tarsus” or ankle bone.

Pygmy Marmoset

The Pygmy Marmoset (Callithrix (Cebuella) pygmaea) is a monkey native to the rainforest canopies of western Brazil, southeastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, and eastern Peru. It is one of the smallest primates, with its body length ranging from 14-16 cm (excluding the 15-20 cm tail) and the smallest monkey. Males weigh around 140 g (5 ounces), and females only 120 g (4.2 ounces).

Sloths

Sloths are medium-sized mammals that live in Central and South America belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Pilosa. Most scientists call these two families the Folivora suborder, while some call it Phyllophaga.

Tasmanian Devil

The Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), also referred to simply as ‘the devil’, is a carnivorous marsupial now found in the wild only in the Australian island state of Tasmania. The Tasmanian Devil is the only extant member of the genus Sarcophilus. The size of a small dog, but stocky and muscular, the Tasmanian Devil is now the largest carnivorous marsupial in the world (after the recent extinction of the Thylacine in 1936). It is characterised by its black fur, offensive odour when stressed, extremely loud and disturbing screech, and viciousness when feeding. It is known to both hunt prey and scavenge carrion and although it is usually solitary, it sometimes eats with other devils.

Tibetan Fox

The Tibetan Fox, also called the Tibetan Sand Fox or simply the Sand Fox, is a species of true fox that inhabits the high Tibetan Plateau in Nepal, China, and India, up to altitudes of about 5300 m. The fox was first described by the British naturalist Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1842. It has the highest sound sensitivity of all foxes.

White-faced Saki

The White-faced Saki, also known as the Guianan Saki and the Golden-faced Saki, is a species of saki monkey, a type of New World monkey, found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela. This monkey mostly feed on fruits, but also nuts, seeds, and insects.

But remember… they are “usually” more affraid of you then you are of them

I take it back! I have seen a sloth up close and of course a horse but never like this! Haha, I hope you enjoyed these pictures and even learned something!

Mirror Art

sillylady1988 — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:41:29 +0000

These are probably photo-shopped or altered with some other computer program. They are amazing! These people did a fantastic job making these pictures and I truly believe they are art. First I would like to give a link to where I found this to give them credit for their work because it’s great! CLICK HERE. To see it here scroll down.

July 27th, 2007

World behind a mirror

artist in Creative

Wow! Freaking Crazy! I told you they did a good job!

Frozen Smoke! A New Discovery!

sillylady1988 — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:06:53 +0000

Science has made a new breakthrough discovery! It’s nicknamed Frozen Smoke! The real name is Aerogel. “ Aerogel, one of the world’s lightest solids, is strong enough to not succumb a direct blast of 1kg of dynamite and protect against heat from a blowtorch at more than 1,300C.” Doesn’t this sound amazing! I’m excited for all the great things this will be used for! Here is the whole article.

Frozen smoke: a world changing discovery?


	Mon, 20 August 2007

In the latest science discovery, the material called aerogel could be the latest miracle to come out of the science industry.

Aerogel, one of the world’s lightest solids, is strong enough to not succumb a direct blast of 1kg of dynamite and protect against heat from a blowtorch at more than 1,300C. Scientists are trying to discover new applications for the substance, ranging from the next generation of tennis rackets to super-insulated space suits for a manned mission to Mars.

It is expected to rank alongside wonder products from previous generations such as Bakelite in the 1930s, carbon fibre in the 1980s and silicone in the last decade.

Mercouri Kanatzidis, a chemistry professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, said: “It is an amazing material. It has the lowest density of any product known to man, yet at the same time it can do so much. I can see aerogel being used for everything from filtering polluted water to insulating against extreme temperatures and even for jewellery.” Aerogel is nicknamed “frozen smoke” and is made by extracting water from a silica gel, then replacing it with gas such as carbon dioxide. The end result is a substance that is capable of insulating against extreme temperatures and of absorbing pollutants such as crude oil, The British Times reported.

It was invented by an American chemist for a bet in 1931, but early formulas were so brittle and costly that it was largely consigned to laboratories. It was not until a decade ago that Nasa started taking an interest in the substance and putting it to a more practical use.

In 1999 the space agency fitted its Stardust space probe with a mitt packed full of aerogel to catch the dust from a comet’s tail. It returned with a rich collection of samples last year.

In 2002 Aspen Aerogel, a company founded by Nasa, produced a stronger and more flexible version of the gel. It is now being used to develop an insulated lining in space suits for the first manned mission to Mars, scheduled for 2018.

Mark Krajewski, a senior scientist at the company, believes that an 18mm layer of aerogel will be sufficient to protect astronauts from temperatures as low as -130C. “It is the greatest insulator we’ve ever seen,” he said.

Aerogel is also being tested for future bombproof housing and armour for military vehicles. In the laboratory, a metal plate coated in 6mm of aerogel was left almost unscathed by a direct dynamite blast.

It also has green credentials. Aerogel is described by scientists as the “ultimate sponge”, with millions of tiny pores on its surface making it ideal for absorbing pollutants in water.

Kanatzidis has created a new version of aerogel designed to mop up lead and mercury from water and absorb oil spillages.

He is optimistic that it could be used to deal with environmental catastrophes such as the Sea Empress spillage in 1996, when 72,000 tons of crude oil were released off the coast of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.

Aerogel is also being used for everyday applications. Dunlop, the sports equipment company, has developed a range of squash and tennis rackets strengthened with aerogel, which are said to deliver more power.

Earlier this year Bob Stoker, 66, from Nottingham, became the first Briton to have his property insulated with aerogel. “The heating has improved significantly. I turned the thermostat down five degrees. It’s been a remarkable transformation,” he said.

Unusual Sheep Art

sillylady1988 — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:55:26 +0000

There is some unusual art out there. There are huge sculptures made of legos, balloons, food, etc…But I have never seen any art like this! I’m not sure you can call it art, but I think I will because it’s creative and interesting and took a lot of work to accomplish. Check out these amazing pictures!

How To Cultivate Humor!

sillylady1988 — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:53:22 +0000

It’s true some of us don’t have a sense of humor, and if we do, it’s either unpleasant to others or dry. I found some great ways to cultivate Humor while looking through vibes on www.madebig.com. Here is the link to it and a little peek at what it’s all about.

If you’re suffering from depression, humor can change your state
of mind. Cultivating a humorous mindset helps you see yourself
and any situation with a more supple mind so that you are not
locked into a negative view.

CLICK HERE to see the entire vibe How To Cultivate Humor.

There are a lot of things on MadeBig that I really like. Here is more thats on MadeBig that I like. I love that its free to open your account.

I really like the BrainTrust a lot. You can ask and answer questions from other users and earn coins for answering. You can spend the coins on another part of the site. Here is an example of a question on there.

CLICK HERE to see question.

The MarketPlace is great because you can spend coins that you earned other places on the site of things people are selling. There is always something cool for sale and sometimes you can get really really cool things on there. The best thing is, they’re free because you pay with coins. Check out these earrings I found on there.

CLICK HERE to see earrings.

If you don’t like to buy used stuff there is a Shopping section too. I like that you can search by sales price there. I can always find great deals. I was looking for some garden tools and just searching garden I found a ton of things that were 25% off.

CLICK HERE to see it!

There are a lot of other parts of the site like pictures, forums, blogs, messaging to other users, friends, a local section where you can find coupons and information for local businesses, and a lotto game where you can win coins. I hope you have as much fun there as I did!

Hello world!

sillylady1988 — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 16:57:42 +0000

Welcome to WordPress.com. This is your first post. Edit or delete it and start blogging!