Unable to walk in high heels,

She reaches for his hand,

Cursing herself for the inflicted discomfort.

He grins

Wondering ‘is she trying to be tall because I am’

So, always concerned with her weight and lack of eating the healthy food I cook for her, I got her on the scale along with her siblings to do a weight check.

She is 8 years, 1 month old and 40.6lbs.  Yes, my 8yo weighs 40lbs and has since last October.  She was 38lbs when she started the school year last September but I think they caught her on a light day.

She's the smallest kid in her class (going into 3rd).  All the other kids tower over her.  She is only 47.5" tall.  She wears a size 6slim and if they don't have an adjustable waist they will fall off of her.

Anyway, I weighed the other kids to see where they were at.  My son is 6 1/2 (he'll be 7 in October) and he weighs 56lbs and is 4'2" tall (well, almost that tall).  He's been heavier then his older sister since he was like 8 months old (when he hit 20lbs).  He's been taller then her for a few years now.

Brenna, my 5 1/2 yo (6 in November) was 43lbs.  She is 2 1/2" shorter then her sister but now weighs 3lbs more then her.  The two have been the same weight for the last 2 years.  But Brenna is steadily gaining on Meagan in height.  Just 2 years ago Meagan was 6" taller then Brenna.  Now there is less then 3 inches between them.  Uh-oh.  They already wear the same size summer clothes and mostly fit into the same winter clothes, although Brenna could never fit comfortably into a slim of any size.  She can wear a 6 or a 7 (with the hem rolled up).  Meagan couldn't fit into a 7 if her life depended on it, even a 7slim would be gigantic on her.

Then there's my 2yo.  She's obviously the smallest since she is so much younger then the other kids but she is quickly catching up to Meagan, too.  She's 35" tall (10" shorter then Brenna) and weighs 26lbs.  Perfectly average for a 2yo.  In fact she wears mostly 3T clothes now and her 2T pants are too short on her.  The clothes she is wearing now are the same stuff Meagan wore at 3.

My kids just amaze me.  I am constantly shocked at how different they all are considering they have the same parents.  And their weight really fascinates me since I've always been overweight.  They must get their skinny genes from my husband, lol.

So in recap from heaviest to lightest:

• Owen, 56lbs, almost 7 years old
• Brenna, 43lbs, almost 6 years old
• Meagan, 40lbs, 8 years old
• Nora, 26lbs, 2 years old

Everyone is always going on how shallow the whole world is.

People spend their lives hocking how everyone should get past the exterior and move onto things that really count…blah blah blah (I have this whole argument that it’s just fine to look for looks, but that’s for another time). In any case, the moment I decide to be big and actually listen to these people, the rest of the world jumps all over me and asks me what’s wrong.

See, this guy was mentioned for me. He’s really short and relatively old.

I don’t care.

My brother’s aren’t tall, neither is my father, so I don’t have this perception of men being big and tall. I may be of average height, but short men don’t bother me at all. As long as he doesn’t mind me being taller than him, I’m ok. I have a friend the same height as me, all her brothers are real tall. Her perception of men is of them being , well, tall. Therefore she thinks me not minding short men is retarded, but really, it’s all relative.

In anycase…next issue: age. I’m relatively young, he’s relatively old, it’s all relative, and I keep using the word to make a point. Who YOU are makes all the difference to you and your life and not and iota in someone else’s.  Age doesn’t bother me, as long as he doesn’t act old. No, I don’t want him to be a baby, maturity is wanted and expected, but you know there’s this old attitude…25 going 65…

So, getting back to the original idea. I’m not being shallow. I’m moving beyond things that might possibly and probably bother other people. I’m seeing past it, being bigger….well not really, because it was never something to be bigger about in the first place, just in the eyes of other people, and certain people are ragging me over my perspective, over my feelings and position.   

So are we really supposed to be shallow, just not say we are. If we have good enough sounding excuses, it makes us “not really” shallow. I guess so.

I don’t mind shallow people, they’re funny, as long as they know who they are and don’t pretend to be otherwise; then they get creepy.

   Richard Jauron, of Iowa State University’s Department of Horticulture, offers the following tips for those of us who will once again be getting the mowers out this week:

   Sound mowing practices are important during the summer months. Kentucky bluegrass lawns should be mowed at a height of 3 to 3.5 inches during the summer months. (During cool weather in spring and fall, bluegrass lawns should be mowed at a height of 2.5 to 3 inches.) The additional leaf area during summer shades and cools the crowns of the turfgrass plants. Extremely high temperatures at crown level can kill the turfgrass.

When mowing the lawn, never remove more than one-third of the total leaf area at any one time. Accordingly, a lawn being mowed at a height of 3 inches should be cut when it reaches a height of 4.5 inches. Removing more than one-third of the leaf area weakens the turfgrass and reduces its ability to withstand additional environmental stresses. Weakened turf is also more likely to be invaded by weeds.

If possible, mow in the cool of the morning or evening. Mowing at midday may place additional stress on the turf. Also, make sure the mower blade is sharp. Dull blades tear and bruise the leaf tips.

[caption id="attachment_255" align="alignnone" width="254" caption="Abraham Lincoln (colorized version)"][/caption]

 

 

 

1. Did you know ... that a fellow by the name of Austin Gollaher (1806-98) once saved Abraham Lincoln from drowning? It's true. Ten-year old Austin and seven-year old Abe were friends who lived about two miles from each other in Kentucky. One day in 1816, the two were enjoying themselves down by Knob Creek when the incident occurred. According to an excellent article found on the Abraham Lincoln Research Site, http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton1/Lincoln57.html, Austin Gollaher is quoted as saying:

"I once saved Lincoln's life. We had been going to school together one year; but the next year we had no school, because there were so few scholars to attend, there being only about 20 in the school the year before.

Consequently Abe and I had not much to do; but as we did not go to school and our mothers were strict with us, we did not get to see each other very often. One Sunday morning my mother waked me up early, saying she was going to see Mrs. Lincoln, and that I could go along. Glad of the chance, I was soon dressed and ready to go. After my mother and I got there Abe and I played all through the day.

While we were wandering up and down the little stream called Knob Creek Abe said: 'Right up there' - pointing to the east - 'we saw a covey of partridges yesterday. Let's go over and get some of them.' The stream was swollen and was too wide for us to jump across. Finally, we saw a narrow foot-log, and we concluded to try it. It was narrow, but Abe said, 'Let's coon it.'

I went first and reached the other side all right. Abe went about half-way across, when he got scared and began trembling. I hollered to him, 'Don't look down nor up nor sideways, but look right at me and hold on tight!' But he fell off into the creek, and, as the water was about seven or eight feet deep, and I could not swim, and neither could Abe, I knew it would do no good for me to go in after him.

So I got a stick - a long water sprout - and held it out to him. He came up, grabbed with both hands, and I put the stick into his hands. He clung to it, and I pulled him out on the bank, almost dead. I got him by the arms and shook him well, and then rolled him on the ground, when the water poured out of his mouth.

He was all right very soon. We promised each other that we would never tell anybody about it, and never did for years. I never told any one of it until after Lincoln was killed."

2. Did you know ... that in August 1864, someone took a shot at Abraham Lincoln in an apparent assassination attempt? Once again, the Abraham Lincoln Research Site http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln86.html has a great article by webmaster R. J. Norton. In it, Norton refers us to a description of the event from Lincoln himself given to his good friend, Ward Hill Lamon:

"Last night about eleven o'clock, I went to the Soldiers' Home alone, riding Old Abe, as you call him (a horse he delighted in riding), and when I arrived at the foot of the hill on the road leading to the entrance to the Home grounds, I was jogging along at a slow gait, immersed in deep thought, contemplating what was next to happen in the unsettled state of affairs, when suddenly I was aroused–I may say the arousement lifted me out of my saddle as well as out of my wits–by the report of a rifle, and seemingly the gunner was not fifty yards from where my contemplations ended and my accelerated transit began. My erratic namesake, with little warning, gave proof of decided dissatisfaction at the racket, and with one reckless bound he unceremoniously separated me from my eight-dollar plug hat, with which I parted company without any assent, express or implied, upon my part. At a break-neck speed we soon arrived in a haven of safety. Meanwhile I was left in doubt whether death was more desirable from being thrown from a runaway federal horse, or as the tragic result of a rifle-ball fired by a disloyal bushwhacker in the middle of the night."  

This was all told in the spirit of levity; he seemed unwilling, even in appearance, to attach that importance to the event which I was disposed to give it. He seemed to want to believe it a joke. "Now," said he, "in the face of this testimony in favor of your theory of danger to me, personally, I can't bring myself to believe that any one has shot or will deliberately shoot at me with the purpose of killing me; although I must acknowledge that I heard this fellow's bullet whistle at an uncomfortably short distance from these headquarters of mine. I have about concluded that the shot was the result of accident. It may be that some one on his return from a day's hunt, regardless of the course of his discharge, fired off his gun as a precautionary measure of safety to his family after reaching his house." This was said with much seriousness.

He then playfully proceeded: "I tell you there is no time on record equal to that made by the two Old Abes on that occasion. The historic ride of John Gilpin, and Henry Wilson's memorable display of bareback equestrianship on the stray army mule from the scenes of the battle of Bull Run, a year ago, are nothing in comparison to mine, either in point of time made or in ludicrous pageantry." My only advantage over these worthies was in having no observers. I can truthfully say that one of the Abes was frightened on this occasion, but modesty forbids my mentioning which of us is entitled to that distinguished honor. This whole thing seems farcical. No good can result at this time from giving it publicity. It does seem to me that I am in more danger from the augmentation of an imaginary peril than from a judicious silence, be the danger ever so great; and, moreover, I do not want it understood that I share your apprehensions. I never have."

Independent confirmation of Lamon's story came from Private John W. Nichols (pictured left and below) of Company K, 150th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Quoting from Matthew Pinsker's Lincoln's Sanctuary: Abraham Lincoln and the Soldiers' Home:

"About eleven o'clock one night, Private John W. Nichols of Company K was on guard duty at the large gate on the edge of the institution's grounds when he heard a rifle shot and then witnessed the "bareheaded" president riding quickly on horseback toward his cottage. Private Nichols asked the president about his missing hat and was told that "somebody had fired a gun off at the foot of the hill" which frightened Lincoln's horse and then led to a struggle to regain control that had "jerked his hat off." Concerned, Nichols recalled years later that he and another member of the company went down the twisting driveway toward the main road where they discovered the president's signature silk plug hat with a bullet hole through the crown. The next day Nichols claimed that he returned the item to the president, who assured him "rather unconcernedly" that the whole episode was the product of "some foolish gunner" and that he wanted the matter "kept quiet."

Whoever fired the shot remains a mystery to this day.

Lincoln expert, Harold Holzer, noted on page 50 of The President Is Shot! The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, "...from that day on, Lincoln rode to and from the Soldiers' Home in a carriage, surrounded by soldiers."

3. Did you know ... that Mary Ann Todd Lincoln, the wife of the president was only 5'-2" tall. With the President being just under 6'-4" tall, the difference between the two was a considerable 14 inches. They must have been a humorous sight when seen dancing together!

4. Did you know ... that Abraham Lincoln was 56 years, 2 months and 3 days old when he died on April 15, 1865 from the gunshot would sustained the night night before at Ford's Theatre. 

RECOMMENDATION -- "ABRAHAM LINCOLN RESEARCH SITE" WEBSITE:

The website that I quoted above in items 1 & 2, were both from the "Abraham Lincoln Research Site". It is an excellent source for Lincoln based information. The articles are well researched and written, and give you a good base for launching more indepth study. The site has been active since December 29, 1996. 

I have included this site on my Blogroll.

http://members.aol.com/RVSNorton/Lincoln2.html

Best

Barry

outreach@awesometalks.com

Caffeine pills are dangerous, kids. Now that that's out of our systems. ...

DANCING TO THE MAX!

Likely, you'll remember this first-season* episode as "The Sprain." Oh yes, that's the one:

A dance contest is hosted by famed Casey Kasem and held at the Max. Zack and Slater both try to obtain Kelly as a dance partner but Slater wins the honor. Zack goes with Jessie. Lisa has someone all lined up for the dance as well, but when she sprains her ankle he backs out. Screech agrees to dance with her in the contest even still.

Firstly, this episode fully establishes and illustrates the themes at the very core of SbtB.

Let us count:

1. Zack and Slater love/hate each other, and when it's hate, it's because of that Soffe-shorted Bayside Tigrrr: Kelly Kapowski.
2. In this chapter of "Jessie Is Deathly Afraid of Imperfection," Miss Spano** finds herself No-Doz-jitterishly worried that it's her height (not her resounding bitchiness) that keeps her from getting all the sweet, pubescent menfolk; and not to harp on "Jessie's Song" — I'm so excited! — but it's another dance-related storyline***.
3. Samuel 'Screech' Powers harbors a deep, unrequited love for Lisa Turtle, and he will go to great, great, bust-a-move lengths to bring her joy — a joy not to be reciprocated fully.
4. Belding's a kind-hearted, but sad-eyed, hasbeen-neverwas, with a fondness for reliving his 'wild' youth, hence the fact that he follows these kids around for at least the next decade**** of their lives.
5. All teachers are oblivious/incompetent (see: that deaf, old lady who taught Shakespeare), douchey (see: whoever that Micromachine guy played), or some combination thereof (see: this episode's music teacher).
6. The Bayside student body consists exclusively of Nerds, Jocks, random guests (Soleil Moon Frye, Leah Remini, Tori Spelling, etc.), and the main cast (Zack, A.C., Jessie, Kelly, Lisa, Screech, and sometimes Tori), who always have classes together.
7. Any big deal event (in this case, the dance-off), which will likely take place at the Max, centers on the main cast. Here, we see Slater and Kelly perform as The Spandex Twins; Zack and Jessie perform as The Powerhouse Preppies; and Lisa and Screech, while not introduced with a fun team name, introduce Bayside to the Sprain, sending the Applause Meter (read: a large thermometer-like cutout and a hat with Max-powered clapping hands) soaring. There are no other contestants.

In addition to solidifying the central themes of SbtB so early on in the series, 'Dancing to the Max' features so many quintessentially Baysidian moment of humor:

• The entire group is in music class, playing Bach's Minuet in G, in typical beginning band atonality and discord ... that is until the music teacher steps outside for a moment, at which point the Minuet goes all Lover's-Concerto-by-the-Toys-on-speed, and Jessie busts out with some dance moves in the middle of the classroom ... which, of course, comes to a complete halt as soon as the conductor reenters. Zack Morris blows a pink bubble gum balloon of musical distress out of his trombone, back to pubescent-screech music again. The scene ends with (what else?) physical comedy.
• Zackary Morris cannot dance. I once read a very old review of Double Fantasy, in which Yoko Ono's solo pieces were likened to "the sound of a severely retarded child being beaten," and that is the only level of awkward painfulness that comes to mind when watching Zack shuffle and snap his fingers around the place. Sorry.
• At one point, Screech wears a tuxedo t-shirt. Hott.
• Kelly: What happened to you?
  Lisa: I kicked the TV and sprained my ankle.
  Jessie: Why?
  Lisa: I was watching the new Revlon commercial and they discontinued my nail polish.
• Max. Prop comedy. There you go.
• Casey Kasem makes his first SbtB cameo appearance*****, in a Cosby sweater that rivals Belding's own Cosby sweater in such a way that makes me wonder: Is the dance-off really the main competition here? Furthermore, I don't even know if it's actually possible to butcher "the Sprain," but Mr. Kasem may be doing just that as the episode fades out.

*

It is important to note that this is an episode from a kinder, gentler, more innocent era: When Max was still around, spreading his magic-fueled joy; before Buddy Bands threatened this ideal friendship; before Johnny Dakota left a "roach" in the boys' bathroom, imploring Brandon Tartakoff to decry, "There's no hope with dope!"; when Zack was still crawling through Jessie's bedroom window to visit; before Kelly got involved with that creep, Professor Lasky; before the ::shudder:: wedding in Las Vegas. ...

And in conclusion, "Dancing to the Max" is the Greatest Epsiode of SbtB of all time. I dare you to rebut.

* Peter Engel's notorious revisionist history is at work here. I do not suggest that this episode exists outside the Saved By The Bell Canon Proper (but to the short-lived Good Morning, Miss Bliss!, set in Indiana with only some of the same cast, plus Hayley Mills, which later was recycled in the Saturday morning slot as SBTB: The Junior High Years, each episode prefaced by a "Remember when?" intro by Mr. Morris himself), as it is indeed a full-fledged SbtB unit; however, it is not, as listed on the complete Season 1 DVDs, the very first episode. (That distinction belongs to "King of the Hill," wherein Albert Clifford Slater and Zachary Morris meet for the first time, thus defining their long-lasting 'frenemy' relationship.) SbtB has a serious problem with chronology, of course. (The Tori Paradox, anyone? The fact that they graduated twice?)

** Now, this doesn't detract from my belief that 'Dancing to the Max' is the quintessential SbtB experience, but it's a quibble with Jessie's character as a whole: As such a crunchy, Earth-Shoe-wearing feminist, why is she always so, "OMG, my grades! My height!". Wouldn't she be all, "I am woman; hear me roar"? Or does she only really bust that out when Slater calls her "mama"?

*** Foreshadowing Elizabeth Berkley's later dubious career moves, as star of Showgirls and, presently, as host of Bravo's Step It Up and Dance.

**** I imagine he's still up in their pieces. ... Anyone for a reunion movie??

***** His second and final cameo occurs in the fantasy episode "Rockumentary," in which he chronicles The Zack Attack's rise to fame ... and fall from grace.

This particular definition is fairly unique and illustrates why we review the zoning and building regulations on each new project even where we are very experienced working in the municipality.

Up until a year ago my wife was responsible for updating the Jeffco Zoning Resolution, now I have to hunt for changes like everyone else. :)

When I walk down the aisle of the plane, I bob and weave to avoid overhead bins, their covers, and the carelessly placed pieces of luggage within them. In some planes, if I stand up straight, my head will brush the ceiling. This doesn't bother me.

I'm also one of those people who actually waits until my row is called. So that means I get to wait once I board the plane, for all those who disregarded the instructions to stow my bags. As a side note, their rush makes no sense, since they are actually delaying the boarding process and the flight. However, this doesn't bother me either.

It's once I place my bag in the bin, and then sit down that I get bothered. Once seated, I have about -2 cm of knee space. Removing the magazines from their pouch doesn't help because my legs are long enough that they jam into that little lip between the magazine pouch and the fold-down meal tray. This bothers me.

It also bothers the person in front of me once we reach cruising altitude. It's at that point that people recline to get more comfortable. The person in front of me cannot. Often they will try once, twice, three times and maybe then look around and see the source of their problem - my knees. On other occasions I have had to tap them on the shoulder to let them know that their repeated bouncing against their seat was only succeeding at driving my ass further into my own seat. Well, I don't say that, I just say, "Sorry, those are my knees."

What bothers me more is when the people in front of me are in the emergency row. Honestly, do you need more leg room? It's bad enough that half of the time they look too old or weak to lift their carry-on luggage, never mind carry out the responsibilities that come with that seat. I should get those seats automatically. I am stronger and taller.

I was resigned to my discomfort on planes and thought it sort of funny until earlier this year. On January 10, 2008 the Canadian Transportation Agency decided that persons with disabilities who are accompanied by a personal care attendant or who require additional seating for themselves, including those determined to be functionally disabled by obesity for purposes of air travel, don't have to pay for a second seat. That's right, people who are so obese that they are considered disabled don't have to pay for a second seat.

Am I being too harsh? The Canadian Transportation Agency does say that this does not apply to persons who are obese but not disabled as a result of their obesity. My problem with that is that disability is not exactly a high standard to meet. Consider the definition of a disability from the Canadian Human Rights Act:

disability means any previous or existing mental or physical disability and includes disfigurement and previous or existing dependence on alcohol or a drug

What? That's circular, so surely there must be a better definition. Oh here, the definition from the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act looks better:

“disability” means,

(a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co-ordination, blindness or visual impediment, deafness or hearing impediment, muteness or speech impediment, or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other remedial appliance or device,

(b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,

(c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in understanding or using symbols or spoken language,

(d) a mental disorder, or

(e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997; (“handicap”)

Well, both (a) and (e) use disability, so they seem almost circular, but (a) is narrowed to certain causes. I wonder what defines "illness" though? Maybe the tribunal's original decision will shed more light on it. It can be found here: in which you'll find the following passages. If I understand it correctly, it seems the definition of being disabled by one's obesity depends on a case-by case assessment and that it involves determining whether the individual's obesity "resulted in activity limitations and/or participation restrictions to the person in the context of travel in the federal transportation network."

My height limits my activity in the federal transportation network. I cannot stretch, my legs get stiff, and it hurts. It also limits the participation of the person in front of me. They cannot recline. Where's my free seat? I don't even have the option of exercising my way out of the discriminatory practice.

Don't you go saying that my height is a gift. I've got more to say on that later.

I am, more than not, one of the tallest

That must be why I unconsciously pick them

Gotta have an edge somewhere, you know.

For it’s not so when I go to a family gathering

In fact, when there, it can be quite the opposite

You see, my family’s quite well-endowed in that way

We’re none of us floor happy at all

And to show you just how much I and they differ

I’ll tell you just how tall they are.

My grandfather is six foot three, such a man

My brother: six one at the least

My sister is five foot eleven, rather large

While my mom is five eight – shrinking fast

My aunts are five nine, and my uncles – who knows

Six foot two, six foot three, or six one

My cousin: four nine (hey, she’s only eight)

Though, projected, she won’t be that tall

My grandma is perhaps the only true exception

Standing tall and menacing at only five four

While here I am quite at the bottom of the pile

With only a mere five six to my name

Wait, five six and a half, and mind you remember

That extra half – inch makes all the difference

Though to you, it may be all the same

To me, it feels great, as I’ve grown quite a bit

Since the last time I measured myself.

Zoom in and out with your mousewheel or with the control on the top left. Click and hold the left mouse button to drag the map. Click the left mouse button to set the markers. Click on "Remove last leg" to delete the last leg entered and continue.

There is an on-going issue about this breed's true country of origin. Some experts believe that Poodles originated from France, others believe that they are from Russia or Iberia. Still others mention Germany since the breed's name has German origins. The word poodle comes from the German word Pudel, short for Pudelhound. Pudelhound means splashing dog, signifying this breed's characteristic as water dog.

The US, UK and Canada recognize three sizes of this breed: standard, miniature and toy. The standard Poodle should be more than 15 inches in height. The miniature Poodle should be 10 to 15 inches at the highest point of the shoulder while the toy Poodle is 10 inches or under. The non-shedding and hypoallergenic hair (hair, not fur!) is classified into various styles: show clips, puppy clip, english saddle, continental, sporting and also pet clips. A Poodle may also have corded coat however, corded Poodles are now rare. The coat color may be blue, gray, silver, brown, black, apricot, white, cafe-au-lait, red and cream. Parti-color or multi-color also exist but is disqualified to appear in some show ring and performance rings. This squarely built animal has strong neck carrying the long head with dignity. The eyes are oval and dark with ears hanging close to the head.

Poodles are very active, alert and intelligent dogs that carry themselves proudly. Since highly energetic, they do get bored easily. They need daily exercise to keep them fit as well as prevent boredom-associated behaviors. They would love to walk, play ball and fetch. Just like most dogs, Poodles are eager to please their master and love to be around people.

Standard Poodle has a lifespan of 12 years while miniature and toy Poodles can live for up to 14 years. Some toy Poodles can even live for up to 17 years. They are indeed long lived breed. But despite that, they are still subject to some health issues. The most common among standard Poodles are Addison's disease, gastric dilation volvulus, thyroid issues, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and cancer. Other health problems affecting Poodles are cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, skin problems, diabetes and heart disease.

So if you want a Poodle be it a toy, standard or miniature Poodle, make sure that you understand much about the breed. They are not just all about elegant coat and dignified looks, they are animals that need your care, time and love.

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So that got me to thinking. I've seen some of the biggest trees in the United States, but what about the biggest trees right here where I live in Omaha? And in the State of Nebraska for that matter? How did they fare during the storm? And how does one go about measuring the girth or height or overall largeness of a tree anyway? Here's what I found out:

As part of the University of Nebraska, the Nebraska Forest Service keeps track of big trees throughout the state on its Nebraska Champion Tree Register. Big trees are categorized by four different criteria; circumference, height, spread and overall "points." The Champion Tree Program's Nomination Guidelines define these critera and include instructions for measuring trees on one's own.

The biggest tree in Nebraska in terms of circumference and overall points was, until the summer of 2007, this National Champion eastern cottonwood near Seward, NE.

Native Nebraska Tree National Champion Tree Scientific Name: Populus deltoides Circumference: 36.75 ft Height: 85 ft Spread: 107 ft Points: 553 Date Measured : 1/1/2001 Date Nominated : 1/1/2001 Location: 2 mi S and 2.75 mi E of Seward on Fletcher Rd.

This tree was struck by lightning and felled in two. The tree could not be saved.

Currently, the biggest tree in Nebraska by circumference, spread, and overall points is this silver maple located in Beatrice, Nebraska.

Native Nebraska Tree Scientific Name: Acer saccharinum Circumference: 22.50 ft Height: 100 ft Spread: 118 ft Points: 400 Date Measured : 1/1/2002 Date Nominated : 1/1/2002 Location: Chautauqua Park (North of Grable), Beatrice

The tallest tree in Nebraska is this white poplar in Fremont, Nebraska.

Scientific Name: Populus alba Circumference: 16.42 ft Height: 115 ft Spread: 89 ft Points: 334 Date Measured : 1/1/2002 Date Nominated : 1/1/1981 Location: 423 West 11th St, Fremont

In Omaha, the largest tree in terms of circumference and overall points was this huge northern catalpa.

Scientific Name: Catalpa speciosa Circumference: 20.00 ft Height: 65 ft Spread: 60 ft Points: 320 Date Measured : 1/1/2000 Date Nominated : 1/1/1995 Location: 4508 Burdette St, Omaha

Omaha's tallest tree, the tree with the largest spread and the biggest tree in terms of overall points is this pin oak.

Scientific Name: Quercus palustris Circumference: 15.17 ft Height: 80 ft Spread: 85 ft Points: 283 Date Measured : 1/1/2002 Date Nominated : 1/1/2002 Location: 5647 Florence Blvd., Omaha

If anyone has any info on these trees, or any other big trees in Omaha or Nebraska, please feel free to comment or drop me a line! Thanks.

According to the New York Times, Serena explained to reporters that "there’s nothing to be satisfied about."

However, it seemed she cheered up later in the night as she and her sister joined forces to win their third women’s doubles title, beating Lisa Raymond of the United States and Samantha Stosur of Australia, 6-2, 6-2.

But for many, the singles match was the highlight of the day. Two sisters with similar background and genetic makeup, battling for one of the most prestigious titles in the sport.

Many tennis enthusiasts say the one thing Venus has that makes her so incredibly hard to beat is her height: she