#40/365 Global Warming Day (formerly known as a Snow Day)

So much snow. So over it.

One of my pretty evergreens.

My dog, taking a long winter's nap, in my big chair.

Oh yeah, baby. We were going to eat here, in the Amanas, for lunch, but nooooo. Can you read the sign? "Closed due to weather". Boooo. This is IOWA. Who does that?

So we ended up at a Cici's Pizza Place. haha Neither Mark nor I had ever eaten at one, so we decided to try it.

Why, yes, that *is* my 5 pizza crusts on that plate. Why, *no*, that wasn't all I ate.

I also had two brownies, 4 cinnamon rolls and 1 pice of struessel. hahahah All the pieces, from the pizza to the dessert items, were small, but STILL. What a PIG. lol

#39/365 Same Song, 21st Verse

Winter Storm Warning.
Early Dismissal.
One Lane Drive Home.

What can soothe the pain?
Jimmy Buffet, of course.
And looking forward to Spring Break 2010.

#38/365 COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL

This letter contains a birthday card...


for this little lady, who lives in Indonesia, whom I have never met, but nevertheless, love.


How could you NOT fall in love with this little face? I believe Yukke was 5 here. Smitten, I was.

Her is Yukke again (in the pink headband). Isn't she darling? She is a year or two older than in the original photo.

And this is the most recent photo I have received from my darling Yukke. I was shocked when I received this photo last year, so shocked I called Compassion International to inquire how I might check on Yukke's welfare.

They were helpful, but I have no certain assurance that she is alright, other than trusting her care to the Lord and to Compassion's expertise.

I have also called them after earthquakes and tsunamis to check on her village. Again, the staff were helpful and kind and thankfully, Yukke was not affected.

I hope to someday meet Yukke. The very fact that that is possible is the major reason I chose Compassion for child sponsorship. I wish I would have done this MUCH sooner. I hope to sponsor Yukke til she graduates.

And I get letters from Yukke!!! That is always a happy day at the mailbox. She draws me pictures and makes things for me and I have even wept, standing my the mailbox, as I traced over her drawing, imagining her little hand on the other side of the world, touching the same piece of paper, I now hold in mine.

Do you sponsor a child? Have you ever considered it?

My experience with Compassion has been stellar. I would highly recommend them as a great agency to work with. I was able to choose a child whose photo "spoke" to me. From a country I chose. The sign up process was easy. I have the payment deducted from my bank account every month. They send lined paper, with clear instructions and self-addressed envelopes to encourage easy correspondence with your child. A translator will translate and read the letter to the child and help them respond (if they are a pre-reader/writer).

Compassion sends me reminders about Yukke's birthday and again at Christmas time, where I can give an extra donation to make a memorable day for my little one. They allow you to write letters to your child on-line, too. I have not done that because I like to send stickers and bookmarks, etc., but I might try it.

I love this child. No, really. I do.

Please prayerfully consider sponsoring a child. Here is a link to Compassion International's website.

I hope to add the sponsorship of another child (I am praying about a second Compassion child or I have my eye on another agency in Vietnam, where I might be able to connect with a little one in a country Mark and I love).

So much more rewarding than another pizza takeout night. :D

#37/365 Progress?? Not in my book...UPDATED

See the uber-shiny black tile on the bottom near the (former) door?
The building used to be covered in those; the bottom was black and the top was tan.
Pretty nifty. Love the mirrored shine on the curvy cover above the doorway. too.
Can't recall what covered the post; certainly wasn't the brick you now see.
Anyone local recall?

See the diamond waaaay up on top of the sign? So cool.

The neon in the sign was a very visible red.

Like most downtown areas, the one my hometown is less than it used to be in its glory days. It is valiantly attempting a come-back and in some ways, it is succeeding. So, when hubby sent to downtown to the post office today, I was sad to see what has happened to this once glorious art-deco former jewelers.

It has been empty for almost all the years I have lived here, but I always hoped that someone would see the diamond in the rough, purchase it and restore it for some new purpose. Sadly, it appears that may not be the case.


UPDATED: Here is a photo from Newton's glory days. (sigh) Here is the link to the original.

#36/365 Throwbacks and Flashbacks

I never have liked pop. I have never consumed it. I remember *clearly* the first time I had a swig of pop. I was no more than 5 or 6 and my mom was drinking a Pepsi in the kitchen of our home in Alabama. I asked for a drink and was told "you wouldn't like it". Well, that sealed the deal. I really wanted to taste that drink then! And I was allowed a swig.

I took a big gulp (didn't know if I'd get another chance, so "go big or go home" was my motto) and aaarrrggghhh!!! I swallowed (so I could TALK) and I cried (really, CRIED), "It BURNS!!!!!". My mom laughed. And that was that. I was done with pop.

I was the girl that wanted a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk at the pizza and pop slumber parties of my youth. Let me just tell you, asking for an alternate menu, as a guest at someone's house (when the menu is pizza and pop) got me a few weird looks over the years.

But Mr. Man loves, loves, loves all things fizzy. Coke is the hands down favorite, but as you can see from the picture, he is currently crushin' on the 'throwback' formulations of pop, the ones with real sugar in them.

Blech.

Just give me some ice cold R.O. water in a faded, throwback aluminum glass and I am in heaven. :D

#35/365 Old People Fun

OK. What's the catch? Why did you set this down *right in front of me*?

Oh well. No matter. I am happy to slurp off the top of this sugar-y soda bottle.

Letting the dog drink from your vintage Bubble Up bottle?

That's big time fun for old folks. hahaha

#34/365 My Girl chose My Verona

What?? Are you KIDDING me? A restaurant really has a HALF PRICE off anything on the menu night?? Yup. It's true!!

And so we had dessert.

And a new Wednesday night tradition was born (as far as I am concerned).

HALF PRICE NIGHT feeds me and my cheapskate, non-cookin' ways. It feeds me deep into my SOUL.

PS She doesn't look 19 to me. I say, let's pretend she's not. Because that feeds my crazy Mama-who-needs- to-have-my-kids-stay-little SOUL.

Happy 19th Birthday, Alannah!!

Alright! Big ole perm and acid wash jeans!! Note the cute, squishy, so new she is still curled up babygirl.

Now, that's a wonderful, babychub look. I always loved her big, blue eyes.


Jared and his little sister. He used to get a bit stressed when she would cry and would hover about, saying, "Don't kai (cry) baby Ayannah (Alannah)". So sweet.

Out to dinner tonight with CollegeGirl and the fam. I will try to take some photos and post them later this evening.

#33/365 I have this bluish haze to my vision...

...So, I think I need a LASIK revision.

Mark cutting up (har har) in the waiting room, before his corneas were re-cut this morning.

He is resting comfortably now at home and says one eye is now "pretty much perfect" and the other is "fuzzified" (not a medical term).

We shall see what his follow-up appointment tomorrow brings.

Pretty cool for a boy who began wearing glasses in first grade. :D

#32/365 To Be Continued...

This is (or will be) the new home of our locally owned Japanese-style steakhouse. I love that it is locally owned and not a chain. We have enjoyed going to Tokyo's over the years, which was housed in a reclaimed Hardee's restaurant. And while the original Tokyo's was only a few miles from our home and the new one is about 20 minutes away, that won't matter and ... isn't it purty??

I thought FOR SURE CollegeGirl would want to go here for her 19th birthday, but it turns out she doesn't, which is good, since I hadn't realized (when I offered to take her here) that it's NOT OPEN YET. lol

I don't know where we will be dining on her birthday, (which is in 2 days), but I do know I will be remembering the sweet surprise of her birth and the joy of being her mom, no matter where we eat.

#31/365 2 Thoughts...

2 Thoughts:

1). Eeeyew! Oddly enough, that looks like HAIR coming outta my (otherwise) yummy granola bar (a morning dietary staple of mine). Surely, it is NOT hair....but, what is it?

2). What a cool picture! Love the lighting and the focus and I didn't even try. It just happened with the trusty purse cam, point and shoot.

#30/365 A Day With Crumpson ***UPDATED

Here are Crumpa and Crumpson at the tennis club. Little man has been taking some beginner tennis lessons for a few months. There are maybe 15-10 children there and two teachers. It is cccccold in there.

Crumpa quizzing Crumpson about the names of the various lines on the tennis court. He didn't do very well, but really, when you're 6, how important are these things? lol

Mom had to work, so we had Crumpson overnight. It was the first time that he had stayed with us overnight, without mom. Here he is at Best Buy, pretending to be a DJ.

And here he is at the Beatles Rock Band display. He had a whooole lotta intensity and not much skill. :D

The rest of the night consisted of watching "Bolt" and eating ice cream he chose at the store. It's good to be 6.

#29/365 Girl's Night Out

Artsy and BEFORE we drank one drop.

Better focus, but it's lost some of the edgey, artsy feel, huh?

Dinner out with some awesome ladies meant an evening without my sweats, big chair and "Criminal Minds". Was it worth it?

Cheers!

#28/365 Is This Cheating? Nah.

My brother, Russell and Alannah on their first morning in Bangkok, Thailand. Yum.

Russell and Alannah on the elevated train in Bangkok. Don't they both look fresh and happy?? The astute observer will notice my brother is wearing the same shirt in both photos (and that my girl is not). I think my bro only had two (three?--max) shirts for the three week trip. ha That's my spartan, minimalist brother. Love him.

Alannah at sunset on a ferry cruise. Such and Such? Wat in the background (I can go and look it up from their photo site later). Gorgeous.

Russell (being the good Uncle he is) knew I would love to see all these photos of my girl, seeing such amazing sights. He was right. But it was weird that I wasn't in ANY of them. :D

#27/365 After the SOTU, I need this

#26/365 Let there be Light!

I bought this bulb last Christmas (read: one year ago this past Christmas) and put it in the lamp next to my big ole chair. It just burned out this AM. Since the lamp is rarely, if ever, turned off, I am certainly pleased with how long the bulb lasted.

So, did it work? Did it elevate my mood? Was I somehow protected against the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder? ::coughcough:: Have you READ my winter-weather-related posts? Whaddayou think? hahahaha

This is what my new "paperwork" looks like. Almost every thing we do in IEP land is now on the world wide web. So, we wade through screen, after endless screen, of virtual paper, completing forms, filling in blanks.

Before you can complete the virtual packet of information (which is as long as the one you plod through at a mortgage signing--ugh), all the lights must be green. Green as in "go", I guess. If you get a yellow light, there are errors on the page. A red light means that no information has been entered onto the page.

I am about as invested in this paperwork process, as I was the last one (pre-www). I do papers because I have to. They are required by law. I understand *why* they are required by law. I really do. And I honor that.

And as a parent I understand that your child's life is, in some ways, represented by these papers. I mean, I still have report cards galore, parent/teacher conference summaries, etc. from all the years my children were in school. So, the papers are a necessary part of the job I do, but it is fo' sho my least favorite part of the job. And they take HOURS. Literally.

So, this afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 (give or take 30 minutes or so for emails, calls, etc.) I worked on one child's packet. I wouldn't let myself leave for a restroom break until pages A-G were green (sick, huh?) and then, I wouldn't let myself leave until the rest were (30 minutes after my usual quittn' time). Then, I seriously did a happy dance and squealed like a girl (well, I *am* a girl, after all) when ALL THE LIGHTS TURNED GREEN!!!

It is hard to see in the photo (note to self and others---I really don't care for the quality of my camera's photos, but I am too chicken to upgrade, since I fear I wouldn't be able to figure out the intricacies of the new, cool cameras), but see there, just above the cars? It's a cool sundog!! I love those things, especially because it means.....the SUN WAS OUT TODAY!!! :D

#25/365 I'd Like to Thump Algore's Global-Warming Melon

My commute home happened three hours earlier than expected today for some strange reason.

I mean, there I was, working away when the secretary said, "Ladies, we are dismissing at 1:00 today".

What's up with that?

OK. I'll go home early. No biggie. (shrugs)

Was it a boiler problem?

An in-service day for teachers?

Fog?

Huh. So. Weird.

Well, no need to hurry home. I guess I'll just drive 37 miles per hour on this 4 lane, divided 65 mph speed limit highway.


I'll be sure and ask our secretary tomorrow about that early dismissal.

#24/365 Here Comes The Sun--sort of

Wait? Is that the sun? Maybe...??

I can see it! Come on, Sun! Break through those clouds!! You are so close!!

Ugh. Never mind. Went back to bed (still had my jammies on) and took a heavenly nap.

Yes, the bed is made. That is the ONLY way to take a proper nap. 5 pillows, a Temper pedic mattress and my new throw? Sabbath Rest Perfection.

#23/365 Saturday Fun

Today, we took Caleb to the local Children's Museum, where they were having an Astronaut Party. It was a great rainy day (number 675 quadrillion in a row--ugh) activity. Here I am amusing myself, as I often do, with random and odd things, like taking a picture of my upside down reflection.

This young woman is dressed up like Christa MacCauliffe (spelling?). She gave a short (though too long for Caleb's taste) presentation. Upon seeing her get-up, Mark immediately leaned over to me and whispered, "She's wearing a cone of shame". It was all I could do to contain my giggles. Love that man. :)

Caleb shooting his "rocket" straw craft thingy with the other littles, who were all glad to be out of the house on this rainy day, the 675th quadrillion consecutive day of rain we've had. Not that I'm counting or bitter or anything.

Then, I went to a late lunch with CollegeGirl. We ate girl food, like soup and salad and had dessert, too. This was my delicious confection. CollegeGirl had a matching one in lemon poppyseed. Nummmm....

Then, we looked at all her pictures from her trip to Thailand and Cambodia. They were magical and fun, though I gotta admit it was surreal to see photos of my brother, sis in law and daughter together with no sign of ME! lol Weird.

Her roomie (or former roomie) came, quite by accident and sat with us and visited for quite some time. I have known Katelyn since she and Alannah were in first grade, so it is always nice to see the two of them giggling together. Except for poor Katelyn is pretty sick with what her dr. assumed is strep, so next week, when Lulu and I are under the weather, we will know exactly where the lovin' came from. :)

Lastly, I ran the daughter unit through the Walgreen's to get a heating pad...just what every CollegeGirl needs. The other two things she threw in the cart? A can of roasted/salted almonds and a 24 pack of Lik-M-Aid. Ooooookay.

Then, I took her back to her car, hugged and kissed her. I watched her get into her car and drive away...which is a feeling and sensation that is still confusing and weird and a teensy bit painful to me. After all, it's only been 6 months...

#22/365 BMs

Little, cutesy teas for my work friend. I like to buy her little trinkets when I travel (these are from Colorado). I bagged them up a gave them to her today at our Big Meeting. Then, we got to share lunch together. I am blessed to have some awesome co-workers. They honestly become like family.

This is what a BM looks like. Carnage. I am not cut out for BMs. I need to move around. Too much sitting makes me claustrophobic.

One of my tablemate's lip gloss. She confessed to being (rather, she was "outed" by her co-workers who know her best) a lip gloss junkie. And, indeed she had an impressive assortment of glosses and sticks and the same Carmex I use.

The one above made me LLOL (literally laugh out loud), not just because of the PG-13 name, but because she described the warming, plumping virtues of the gloss. That really made me LLOL. I just wouldn't buy it, if I knew it was going to do so many tricks. That is toooo complex for me.

#21/365 Tree-Hugger

The most liberal thing I've ever done. hahaha

(Mark took this last week. sigh It was just one week ago, we were packing to leave for our 4 day jaunt to the mountains).

#20/365 CollegeBoy

To me, one of the most fulfilling things about raising a child is having a front row seat, as they grow into the talents God has placed in each of them. Sometimes, I could see their gifts before they could. Sometimes, I could not believe the things they wanted to try, since I could see no evidence of talent in such an area.

Consider the time my son BEGGED to take saxophone lessons, in order to join the school band. Huh? I relented, but it didn't last (no surprise). ::snort::

But, when he asked to attend a week long basketball camp, at the University of Iowa, the summer before his freshman year of high school, I was happy to send him, (he was a tall, gangley boy, by that point). Imagine my shock, when he refused to play even one year of basketball, instead declaring he was going to wrestle all 4 years. Whaaaaaat? Turns out he was a good wrestler and furthermore, turns out I really enjoyed cheering him on. Who knew?

After graduation, Jared chose a college at which he could play football. He looooves football. Always has. So, his small, private school offered to let him play and off he went. I'm not sure he fully understood that there was a 'school' component to college. lol He surely did not have a clear idea about what he wanted to be; "something in business" was as specific as it he could be.

So, imagine my surprise when, in his junior year, my CollegeBoy began to take "Comm. Arts classes". I didn't even know what those were (lol), but I have since learned that they encompass photography, graphic design and advertising/marketing.

And what do you know? CollegeBoy is enjoying these classes!! How exciting to think that he has found "something in business" he could happily do! I enjoy listening to him and I think (secretly) he enjoys sharing his projects with me.

Here are a few recent samples of his work.


His professor did not have nice things to say about this photo. Not original, I believe he reported she said. I like it because we spend quite a bit of time on this field in the fall and CollegeBoy lived in the dorm you can see in the background. Seems the prof. and I are looking at different things. haha


A CD case jacket he made for a school project. I like this. I think the professor agreed with me this time. :)



This project was to design a postage stamp. CollegeBoy had to walk me through this one; although I liked the design immediately, I was not following all the symbolism. First of all, my boy has loved Michael Jordan almost his whole life. He has also loved shoes his whole life. That's right, *shoes*. Weird, huh? But, it is what it is. (chuckles)

So, the caption on the stamp reads, "The Greatest Player. The Greatest Shoe. Michael Jordan". And when I pointed out that the last time a stamp cost 23 cents was YEARS ago, he said, "Mom. Michael Jordan's number was 23".

Oh.

Sometimes, the kid teaches the parent. ha

19/365 Pretty Pizza Politics

This is what we woke up to this AM (after finding out that all 5 school districts I serve were having a 2 hour late start, due to the FOG!!).


Pretty, pretty trees.

What? Tonight's election in Massachusetts was worthy of pizza and a beer, like any exciting sports event. We are so thankful for the man elected to the "People's Seat".

Gas Up the Truck and Seat Him Now!

Too Tied to caption phoos...

Rain check?

18/365 Homeward Bound

Colorado in my rearview is a sad sight indeed.


Tries my first cappuccino...


And this is what I thought. Stickysweet like maple syrup which, was even wweider thane could imagine.

Heyyy...anyone remember Stuckey's??


Sunny Nebraska.

17/365 No Gawkin', When You're Walkin' (or you'll fall on the ice)

16/365 Rocky Mountain High

15/365 On the Road Again

My MacGuyver is at it again, rigging a fix for my dash storage unit that won't stay closed. Please note the COMPLETE lack of SNOW in the landscape. Can I get a "Hallelujah"??

Sorry for the blur, but the whole point of the photo was taken to brag about the temperatures across Nebraska. Is that mean of me. Muah-hahahaha (evil laughter)

And here we are entering the state. We have not stopped to take a photo of this sign since the first time we came to Colorado together many moons ago.

But, the hubs remembered that I am a blogging 365 fool and even though we had passed the sign, he backed up (safely, of course) and even got me behind the sign, so the sun wasn't wrecking my purse cam mojo. Nice. :D

14/365 RETRO WEEK on FB

Not very old, but what and odd-looking baby. I have very few childhood photos.

Me with my brother. Love him. Still have his little outfit from this picture.

That is someeeee hair, eh.

And the floating head? Postively "Awkward Family Photo" material.

Housekeeping Issue

Thanks for all the sweet comments, y'all!! I love, love, love reading them and in fact, they are motivation for me to continue to meet my goal of finishing the 365 Project with flying colors!!

When I read your comments, I often wish we were all in the same cozy room, laughing and talking about the things we are writing about.

So, please know that in order to comment/remark/reply back to you, I can do several things; which works best for y'all? Lemme know...

1). I can comment/answer questions here on the blog.

2). I can comment/answer questions in the comments section, using your names, so you can follow along.

3). I can talk to you in my head and you will all think I am a complete and certifiable LOON.

Any thoughts?? Let's be interactive. :D