The Sky is Falling!!! The Sky is Falling!!!

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I haven't posted in a while but the following article has forced me to speak again!  ;o)


Huge Defunct Satellite Falling to Earth Faster Than Expected, NASA Says


Normally these types of things of which I will speak are muttered under my breath or spoken in incredulous tones to my husband (bless his heart) ..... but this article ..... this article alone has risen to a new level that has caused me to go public with my impatience and abject incredulity of the state of today's something or other. (I'm not sure what - but whatever it is .... it highly rankles me!)


I know....I know.....there are far bigger things to worry about - but let me just cite a few observations.


First the title:  Huge Defunct Satellite Falling to Earth Faster Than Expected, NASA Says.


Hmmmmm - so they built a satellite but can't calculate it's fall. Ok.  That would be hard. I can't remember how to calculate fractions into percentages or percentages into fractions - so it's ok.  I give them that.


Ok.  Next, I quote: "NASA space junk experts have refined the forecast for the anticipated death plunge of a giant satellite, with the U.S. space agency now predicting the 6 1/2-ton climate probe will plummet to Earth around Sept. 23, a day earlier than previously reported."


Ummmmm...DEATH PLUNGE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?  Is it just me or does that sound disturbing.  Impressive description coupled with the words 6 1/2 tons and then a casual "day earlier".  I was kinda thinking they'd be calculating milliseconds - not days or so.  I mean I can predict I'll have a baby on say a Wednesday give or take a day or two!


Next: "But exactly where the UARS spacecraft will fall is still unknown.

NASA expects at least 26 large pieces of the massive satellite to survive the scorching temperatures of re-entry and reach Earth's surface. Titanium pieces and onboard tanks could be among that debris....."

Waaaaiiiiittttttttt.............WHUUUUUUUUUUUUH?????????????  26 LARGE PIECES?!?!?!? Don't know where?  Aren't those tanks pretty big?  This doesn't sound so good guys.

"The debris is expected to fall over a swath of Earth about 500 miles."  Ok - so we're not talkin it's gonna fall in a lake or field or something.  Roughly a "swath" from Sherman, TX to Clarinda, Iowa.  Mmmmhmmmm.

"There is a 1-in-3,200 chance of satellite debris hitting a person on the ground, odds that NASA says are extremely remote. Outside experts agree."  1 in 3,200!?!?!?!?  How many people live between Sherman and Clarinda?!?!?!?  I would feel so much better if they'd say one in 50 million!  SO much better!!!!  Ugh.

And my favorite: ""Look at how much of Earth is covered with water," Victoria Samson, the Washington Office Director of the Secure World Foundation, an organization dedicated to the peaceful use of outer space, told SPACE.com this week. "There's a really good chance it's going to go straight into the ocean."   And .............. a REALLY good chance it's not!!!!!!!

"NASA officials expect the UARS satellite to fall over a region somewhere between the latitudes of northern Canada and southern South America"  Ohhhhhh!  That narrows it down! ;o)

"NASA.......[is] keeping a close watch on the falling satellite, but will only be able to pinpoint its actual crash zone to within about 6,000 miles (10,000 km) about two hours before re-entry."   Ok - I don't even know what to say at this point.  Give or take 6000 miles with roughly two hours warning w a 500 mile swath give or take a day or two?  I'm beginning to wonder if my son's 5th grade class could make a better prediction or calculation than that.  I mean there are some smart cookies in there and they even have to show their work to prove their problems!!!

And finally: "NASA has advised the public not to touch any debris that may reach the surface, should it be discovered. Instead, the space agency says that anyone who finds satellite debris should contact their local law enforcement agency."   How about NASA advises the debris  not to touch any of the public!?!?!?  I'd prefer that.  And I'm guessing if any of it does touch us we will likely pretty much be unable to call our local law enforcement agency.

So on the off chance I'm in the 500 mile swath of the 6 1/2 ton climate probe with two hours warning give or take 6000 miles - just know I'm happy, peaceful, content, no regrets and I have spoken my piece......."  :o)  

I feel so much better now that I have that off my chest!  

Sweet dreams to all ...... of twinkling stars .....(not flaming satellite pieces!)  HAHAHA!  Goodnight!

Arlington ISD Asks For Help With Budget Cuts « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Arlington ISD Asks For Help With Budget Cuts « CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

“Love alone is capable of uniting living beings in such a way as to complete and fulfill them, for it alone takes them and joins them by what is deepest in themselves”

Teilhard de Chardin - 

Would You Wear One Of These????

Yes . . . it's a shower ring.  And I'm guessing your answer is probably 'NO!'  But after you visit here:  Bracelets . . . you may just change your mind!  :o)  

If I had any craft-ability in me I'd try it (hahaha!  I'm already picturing masses of melted plastic stuck to my fingers, hair, clothes, counters, etc.  It's not a pretty visual!)  :o)

But for those of you that are - I just had to pass this along!

Happy Crafting!

Cowboy T's Random Question of the Day . . .

Quiet moment during the day.  Everyone quietly doing their own things.

Then - the silence is broken by the following conversation:

T:  Hey Mom?
Me: Yeah T?
T: Do they make acid proof buckets?
Me: . . . . . ?????? . . . . . ?????????????????? . . . . . .  ummmmmmm . . .

(should I be concerned . . . ?)  ;o)  But seriously - I mean he has a good point!  What DO they keep acid in???? Hmmm.  But where in the world did that random thought come from?!?!?!  Ahhhhh . . . we've moved WAY past 'why is the sky blue'!

For all Moms and anyone who influences the lives of our children!

Why Oh Why Oh Why?!?!?!?!?!?

WHY is this what I see at the foot of my bed at one in the morning?!?!?!?!

(please refrain from answering that question as I am quite sure it will link back to my stunning parenting skills! HA!)

 

And THIS my friends . . . is the glory of summer!

LOVE THEM!!!!!!!  (the crazy nuts!)  :o)

MoMatron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So . . . a little background.  Because we both work - our children have cell phones.  They are mainly to contact us before and after school as needed.  Of course - the oldest two LOVE this concept!!  Cowboy T isn't really phased by it either way.  He rarely uses it or cares where it is for that matter!

Yesterday I noticed his phone was dead so I plugged it in to charge it.  Imagine my surprise when I see a large amount of texts rolling in.  Even more odd was that they were all under the name of MoMatron.  My brain began rapidly flipping through the rolodex storage files of all knowledge I have - and after a few seconds (hahaha!) I realized I was unable to associate the name with anything.

So I somewhat irritatedly questioned out loud to my sweet children . . . "Who is this Mo  Matron person on Travis' phone!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!"  It  wasn't even a half a second when they all burst out into laughter.  I didn't get it.  So I threw in my best "I-don't-know-what-you're-laughing-at-but-I-see-no-reason-for-any-laughter-until-my-question-is-answered" look.  It did nothing to quell the laughter but it did speed up a response.  Hrmph.

Did I feel silly or what when they lovingly told me that this strange person sending my sweet son a plethora of texts was . . . . . . ME!!!!!  I. AM. MOM-A-TRON!!!!!!!!!!

I am beyond honored and flattered!  A super hero of sorts!  Perhaps a Transformer!  I am Momatron!  (I guess it was the other capital M that threw me off!  :o)

I wasn't irritated any more - just to clear up that little silly tiny matter I mentioned!

Wow!  I had no idea my children felt so Super-ish about me!  Life is good!

Ok kids . . . BRING IT!!!!!!!

I find myself trying rather unsuccessfully to claw my way out of this deep bewildering pit of "natural bickering of childhood" (as my own children claimed it to be while cheerily defending themselves).  In sheer desperation tonight I found myself constructing a way to manage this self-consuming issue with the least possible amount of parental involvement on my part that I can think of.  (I'm SO going to win mother-of-the year!!!)  ;o)

So here is my newest strategy which will be unveiled tomorrow.  I printed 20 copies after which my printer proudly proclaimed (and then snickered) (I swear!  I heard it!  I'm not kidding!  It's also part of this maddening unnerving plot against me!  I'm ok.  Really.  I am.) that it was out of ink.  With 20 copies we just might make it to about 10 AM.  (Hello sweet Office Depot!  See YOU in the morning!)

You know . . . the more I think about it . . . I do recall bickering with my own sisters.  Maybe it is a natural part of childhood.  Maybe the madness part of it is just me!!!!  Aggghhhh!!!!  And as such . . . I may be seeking professional help!!!  Or maybe I just need a nice relaxing massage.  (not likely!) Or a trip to the store by myself? (Ugh!)  Or a walk to the mailbox.  (Too hot!)  Ok maybe just a walk upstairs. (All the way up there?)  A trip to the bathroom?  (well I'd have to get up to do that) . . . Maybe there's some chocolate in the house.  Hmmm . . . Oh look!!!!  I guess this semi-melted, sticky, fuzzy m&m between the couch cushions will do.  Mmmm Yummy!  Ahhh . . . yep . . . that did the trick.  Now I can go on - I've had my "me" moment.  I'm good for . . . oh . . .say another 10-15 minutes.  HA!!! :o)

Conflict Resolution Request

Circle one:   Is this   URGENT   or a   NON-ISSUE  ?

Is there fire or blood involved?                         YES                        NO

Can this matter  be worked out between the disputing parties without outside mediation?

YES                        NO

Circle one:  Is this a   TATTLE   or a   TELLING  ?

If it is a non-issue, blood or fire is not involved, the matter can be worked out independently between the two parties or the matter is classified as a tattle please place this paper in the closest waste receptacle.

If further intervention is still necessary – please briefly describe below:

Names of parties involved:  ____________________________________________________________________________________

Issue of dispute:  _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you like it?  ____  Why not?  ________________________________________________________________________________

What would you like to happen instead?  __________________________________________________________________________

Please communicate your above comments to the other party involved.

If this matter still requires further intercession please sign below, deposit on your progenitor’s pillow.

Your Signature  _________________________________________________________________

All requests will be responded to within a three day period.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Dad & Mom

My Silly Silly Boys