One More Thing.

2013 blog address:  www.sarahpictureaday2012.blogspot.com

Come on along for the ride!

December 31, 2012 Bedtime: 10:30

I had big plans to entertain this New Year's Eve; have friends over to meet an old pal from my Ottawa University days, drink, eat and bring in the new year in style.  As the day drew closer though, I became less and less enamoured with having to play nice for one more evening. 

Curt from Colorado drove to town on December 30 from his lovely mountain home in the Rockies outside of Denver.  He and Douggage were students at OU and we became close when I worked there during the mid-80s.  Curt from Colorado and Douggage loved Luke and helped him through those though pre-school and Kindergarten years.

Facebook helped us all reconnect and the guys have offered to put in a new hard wood floor for me next summer.  Curt from Colorado came to check out the current floor, help me pick a new floor, drink my vodka (that's not true, he brought a HUGE bottle from Colorado.  Organic vodka.  Who knew?), and catch up.

We toured Ward Hall at Kansas State where Luke works - saw the Clean Room and had a peak at the nuclear reactor.  Very heady stuff.

It snowed, too.  I have pictures of the winter landscape behind my house.  But it is likely you will never see it.  (I'll keep working to figure out what's wrong, but probably it's me.  Okay, okay, I KNOW it's me and I just keep doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result.  Yep.  That's the definition of insanity.  Welcome to my world.)

I have another great bathroom photo for the blog.  But, you know....can't post it. 

Instead of telling you, I am going to save it until I can post it.  It's that good.  Seriously.  That good.

Thanks for hanging around another year.  Without fanfare, I am going to trudge ahead into 2013 and blog my way through it.  Hopefully, there will be some photos to go along with the whole "photo of the day" theme.  If not, then I'll just change the title!

Hope your new year is filled with surprises.  Life is best lived that way.  Don't you agree?

December 25, 2013 Addendum

For Curtismas I got a new camera.

It's wonderful.

My old one was worn out and wouldn't take pictures with any degree of reliability.

Unless I can figure out what I'm doing wrong as far as posting photos here, you all may never see what my new camera can do.  You'll just have to trust me.

And I know you love to trust me.

December 25, 2012 Happy Curtismas!

Still can't upload any pictures to this blog.  I think those in charge at blogger.com decided that I was posting too many crazy photos and pulled the plug.  Funny, though, you'd think they would have prevented me from posting all my written nonsense as well.

Today was Curtismas.  It's Curtis' birthday and over the years I've become weary of him having to share it with the guy who gets all the attention.  I've changed the name of the holiday and am hoping it catches on.  So far I've had very little luck with that, but there is always next year.

Brother is in town, as you know, and Momma's under the weather, that means I am doing all the cooking for the family for the holidays.

For your consideration:

Baking: oatmeal/raisin cookies, decorated sugar cookies, fudge, pretzel Rolo treats, Chex mix, almond bark pretzels, toffee, and peanut blossom cookies;

Saturday:  pulled pork sandwiches, apple fluff salad, chips

Sunday: homemade chicken and noodles and Baby brought the potatoes (can't have chicken and noodles without the potatoes)

Monday:  In memory of my wonderful step mother, I made her spaghetti sauce along with meatballs and ribs.  And spaghetti, salad and bread. 

Today - Curtismas:  turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, Brookville corn, stuffing, rolls, pecan pie, pumpkin pie were all toted from my house to Momma's.  My 2 Crockpots, Momma's Crockpot and my big roaster oven were all in use!  Baby brought the ham which completed the feast.

Funny story about the pumpkin pie.  I hate pumpkin pie.  That's the truth but that's not what's funny. 

I baked both pies on Curtismas Eve and was well on my way to being too pooped to pop.  I had never made a pumpkin pie before so I followed the recipe on the can and got down to business.

When it came out of the oven it looked like a pumpkin pie should look.  So, success!  Right?

Wrong.

Curtis told me later that it was awful.

I forgot to put in the sugar.

Oops.

Everyone in the family knew the pie was inedible, but no one wanted to tell me.  

Lesson learned:  always remember to add the sugar.  In life and in pies.

December 23, 2012 How Cold Was It?

I have spent the last 30 minutes trying to download a photo onto this stupid page.  Damn it.  Either something is wrong with the website or there is a measure of operator error.

My vote is "operator error".  What do you think?

So, I decided to go ahead and write the entry and add the photos later. 

Way back in the summer, I bought Luke 2 tickets to two Kansas City Chiefs games for his birthday.  He has a buddy who always goes to the games with him and they have brilliant day cheering on the Chiefs.  As you may know, the Chiefs needed a great deal of cheering on this season what with being the worst team in the NFL and all.

The first game was probably the hottest of the year but Luke and his pal soldiered through it.

The second game was on the coldest day known to man.  I know this because Luke's friend called last night and told Luke that he had a sinus infection and was not going to be able to go.  Trying to find a replacement was tough for two reasons:  the Chiefs are the worst team in the universe and it's 2 days before Christmas.

Luke asked me to go with him - or maybe I volunteered, I am not quite sure, but however it happened I ended up at Arrowhead Stadium and spending the day with Luke.  IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!!!!

I have a big winter coat that would keep me warm on a tour of the Artic Circle so I was pretty comfortable.  I was a bit taken aback when we got to our seats and had to scrape the frost off of them before we sat down!  We didn't have to worry about paying $8 for a beer, that's for sure.

It was a great game and the Chiefs almost won.  I lasted through the 3rd quarter and had to go to the car.  Here's the big news about leaving the stadium:  we were on the 7th row and had to go up many, many stairs to get to the exit (and the bathroom).  I was able to go up the steps, foot over foot, like a regular person, without stopping!  Thanks to Heartland Physical Therapy. 

Spending the day with Luke doing something he loves was the best.  Even as our children grow older (Luke will never grow up, you heard it here first), we need to make time to spend with them, engaging in an activity that they love.  

The only way the day could have been better would have been if the Chiefs had won.

Thanks to planning ahead, I came home to homemade chicken and noodles!  Better than a Chiefs victory. 

December 14-18, 2012 Wamego City Hospital

Don't judge me.  Just don't.  Mistakes were made.  I made them.  Every thing's fine now. 

On Friday, December 14, Momma called me first thing in the morning.  I had not yet left for work so that was good.  She said that she didn't feel well and thought she was too weak to drive herself to the doctor and would I take her.  It's important to note that in Wamego, you can CRAWL to any point in town so saying that you are too weak to drive somewhere is either an exaggeration or a gigantic red flag.

Yes.  My first reaction was exaggeration.  This was also my first mistake.  Actually, my only mistake, but it was a really big one.

So, I picked Momma up and took her to the doctor.  The doctor took a few moments, literally, diagnosed her with pneumonia and admitted her to Wamego City Hospital.

Wasn't my face red when she turned out to be very sick and very weak?

For 3 days, Baby and I took turns managing Momma at the hospital, cleaning Mom's house and getting it ready for Christmas.

Side note:  if you are every just sort of sick and need medical care but not in a life threatening situation, ask to be admitted to Wamego City Hospital.  There were 3 patients, 3 RNs, various nurse's aides and support people.  It was awesome!  Momma got great care.  Unfortunately, she also got a bowl of beef stew, which she hates. 

On Tuesday, Momma was was dismissed, feeling much better.  Baby and I (and Emily, the Wonder Nurse) took turns staying with Momma at night. 

Oh, and in the midst of all this, I got bronchitis and was coughing like a fool.  There were times when Momma was in the hospital that the nurses weren't sure which one of us was the patient!

Bottom line, no one saw Momma from the time I dropped her off at home after the Dodge City trip until I took her to the doctor.  Had someone seen her, she would have been hauled to the doctor much, much sooner.  The lesson has been learned. 

December 12, 2012 Where Were You in '72?

I dare you to find a Nixon bumper sticker in a state other than Kansas. 

As a public service, I left a note under the windshield wiper of this car reminding the driver that Richard Nixon was a liar, a cheat, the second worst president of all time (of course Dubya Bush was the worst. Ever.) and resigned in disgrace. 

Maybe they either didn't know or had forgotten.  Since I work at a university I am first and foremost a teacher.

It was the least I could do.

December 6 - 8, 2012 Where Have You Been?

You know how I'm originally from Dodge City?  That means that my parents lived there with me.  For a long, long time.

Sixty years ago, back when my mom was a young 'un, she and some other young women formed a study club.  The dues were $5.00 a year (I am not kidding), there were only to be 24 members at a time, and you had to pay a dime if you missed a meeting.   The club is still going and are having a 60th anniversary luncheon.  Which Momma wants to attend. 

So, off she and went to Dodge City for a long weekend.  The weather was beautiful; warm and sunny, just like the first of December should be.  We packed for snow and summer because we know how fickle the weather in western Kansas can be.

We stayed in the local Best Western that had quite an Old Dodge City feel.  In fact, they had light fixtures that promoted the Dodge City Posse Comitatus.  Take a moment and google "posse comitatus".  You will find that they are a crazy vigilante group who believe that the local sheriff is the highest valid government official and that other officials, district judges for example, should be hung.  Oh yeah.  You read that right.  The Posse was big when my dad was on the bench and they caused him more than one sleepless night. 

My hometown. 

We headed home on Saturday no worse for the wear.  Except that Mom had lost her voice and felt like she was getting a cold.  Keep this in mind.  And don't blame me for not taking it more seriously.

 

December 1, 2012 Christmas is Coming

Luke and I had a great time decorating for Christmas.   Lots of fun unwrapping the ornaments and reminiscing about Christmas' past.  The Christmas tree skirt and DecemBear wall hanging are 31 years old.  My mom made then for Luke on his first Christmas and they are as much a part of our tradition as putting cookies out for Santa.

My stepmother made the Nativity scene for me.  Luke hasn't taken the Baby Jesus from the manger, but he will soon.  The baby will appear on Christmas morning as if by magic!

It was a perfect day - capped by pizza and a Kansas State football victory.

I love Saturdays.

November 30, 2012 30 Days

This morning I spent in the office of an orthopedic doctor in Manhattan. 

Good news, there is a plan for my ankle.

Bad news, the plan includes soaking my ankle in ice water three times a day for ten minutes a pop.

Can I just say that ice water is freaking cold?  Shit.  Guess that's why it's called ice water, what with the ice cubes and all.

Can I also say that if you scream a swear word at the top of your lungs at the moment of immersion, the shock is not quite as bad? 

I'm thinking that my next injury - and you know there will be one - is going to be one that requires only heat.  Lots and lots of heat.  And alcohol. 

Other elements of the new plan include a new prescription, more physical therapy (Christmas guaranteed for Heartland Physical Therapy - except that they have to listen to me whine), and continuing with the walking boot.

I go back in 30 days.  If I am better, then we stay the course.  If not, then we schedule a surgery I can't pronouce. 

At least we have a plan.  And I love a good plan.

November 29, 2012 Spell Check

 Carved into the paint in the trunk of this car is the following:

I'm not spedding 

I'm quallfing

My first thought?  Before you engrave something permanently on your car or you body, make sure you have the correct spelling.  Spedding?  Are you kidding me?

My second thought?  I wonder how long I can follow this car before it has to stop at a stoplight so I can snap a photo.

My third thought?  I hope the driver is not armed.

November 28, 2012 Practical Joke Gone Bad

When I got to work this morning, I realized that I had this button clipped on a bag that I don't use very often.  In fact the last time I used it was probably in Texas at the Tribunal.  I couldn't let a perfectly good Jayhawk button go to waste so I "shared" it with two of my favorite people:  Nick and Grant, the Supreme Leaders of Student Government at K State.

Yeah, it wasn't too much later that this picture appeared on my wall:

The picture of Satan is up really high and I can't reach it and I'm crippled, you know.  It's in my direct line of vision when I look up from my desk which causes me to vomit a little every time I see it.

Nick, Grant and I came to a compromise of sorts.  We agreed to see who could stand the other's "joke" the longest.  Can they leave the button longer than I can leave the photo?

I am typically stubborn and will do whatever I can to win any kind of bet. 

Tomorrow I am taking a step stool to work.

November 26, 2012 OMG

Thats' right.  Herman Cain.  THE Herman Cain of presidential campaign fame will be on campus tomorrow night.

Thank you Young Republicans.

In case you are on the fence about whether or not you are going to go - - there will be free pizza.

College students will listen to anyone for free pizza.

Even Herman Cain.

Not me, though.

I'd rather drive nails into my ears.  So, it would be just like listening to Herman "Sugar" Cain except I don't have to see him.  Ummm, but there would be an emergency room visit.

Maybe I'll give it a little more thought.

November 25, 2012 Handmade Pay It Forward

If I agreed to re-post a status agreeing to send something homemade to the first 5 people who re-posted my status, then I would get something homemade from the first person.

Got it?

I re-posted LouAnn's initial post and today I got these beautiful handmade quilted place mats and napkins in the mail.  Also enclosed was a candle mat and a Yankee candle - "Home for the Holidays" scent, of course.

Surprised?  You bet! 

LouAnn and her 4 sisters grew up in Dodge City and her mom and my mom were great friends.  They had the best play house in town - Dutch doors, windows that opened, a front porch and a shingled roof.  Oh yeah, it was so cool.  When their family moved from Dodge,  we bought their playhouse and moved it to our back yard.  Baby and I spent a lot of time out there playing dress up in the early days, and smoking in the later days.  I smoked and Baby threatened to tell my parents.

LouAnn and one of her sister and a niece rode in the Bike Across Kansas several years ago and spent a night in Wamego.   We hadn't seen each other in 45 years, at least.  I think that while they were glad to see their old friends, they were really glad that we had showers.  And soft beds.  Or, beds at all!

Now, it's my turn - - actually, it was my turn as soon as I re-posted the "pay it forward" post.  Honestly, I've given it some thought, but I don't fancy myself as a homemade kind of gal.  Maybe I'll learn a craft over Christmas break.  Maybe I won't.  But I'll think of something.

I know one thing for sure, no matter what I do, it won't compare to LouAnn's handiwork.  She is truly talented.  Wish she lived closer so she could teach me how to make these place mats.

Wish I had a sewing machine.

We all know what happened when I tried to make the Quilt in a Day. 

It's still not done.

It's been 7 months.

It's not going to make itself.  What with it being in the closet and all.

Clearly, my craft will not involve sewing.

November 24, 2012 Not A National Holiday?

A hundred years ago today Brother was born.  I think he looks pretty good for someone of his advanced years. 

One year I remember Brother's birthday was on Thanksgiving.  His birthday cake had a big sugar turkey on it.  Little did I know that the turkey was not so much for Thanksgiving but in recognition of his being, well, a turkey.

Brother spends  his time in Wamego making everyone laugh.  He doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good story - - that must be where I get it.  His memory is flawless unless you care about accuracy, which no one in our family does.

In all honestly, he is the smartest human being I've ever met and most certainly the hardest worker.

Things I want to remember to mention at his funeral:

*the time he pushed me off of Pawnee Rock and I hurt my ankle.  Yes, I was in the first grade, but traumatic events tend to stay with a person.

*the fact that he NEVER let my dad forget about the time I got his (Dad's) car stuck in the dry river bed of the Arkansas River.  My dad had never been that mad and never would be again.  And good old Brother kept the fire stoked.

*all the trips he has planned - and executed - with Baby and me:  England, Scotland, Belguim, Chicago, St. Louis.  He's full of travel tips as well; like if you fart in an airplane, no one will hear you. 

Words to live by.

November 22, 2012 I'm Thankful for:

On facebook this year, several of my friends made an entry every day of things they were thankful for. 

It got me thinking:

I'm thankful for my family who keeps me grounded but lets me soar; who never cease to provide me with material for my blog and who have to love me in spite of myself;

I'm thankful for my job where the darkness is gone and the laughter has returned;  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to help students who make bad choices and only realize it once it's too late;

I'm thankful for Barack Obama and all he's done and intends to do for this country.  Enough said.

I'm thankful for my new knee that is slowly becoming a part of me.  I think my new knee is a bit like CB, hesitant to make a long term commitment. 

I'm thankful for Steve, Angie and Chantel of  Heartland Physical Therapy who never rolled their eyes in front of me and have encouraged me on my path to wellness. 

I'm thankful for Kimber and to Kimber.     She is the best traveling partner ever (sorry, CB); she makes me laugh, usually inappropriately; she is liberal, in Georgia, bless her heart;  and she inspires me to be better.  She needs to move closer.  We've talked about sharing a room in a nursing home someday.  Luke has promised he'll arrange it.

I'm thankful for Susan who always knows what I need and has had that skill for years.  The fact that I pranked her house while she was gone for 2 weeks and didn't get man should not go unmentioned.

I'm thankful for all the friends that I'm not listing by name - - that's rather chickenshit, isn't it?  All the people who touch me day in and day out.  And I don't mean "touch" in a "step behind the bush with me" kind of way. 

I'm thankful for the students who hang out in the SGA office and do things like fix my phone (Grant), encourage me in dark times (Nick/Nate) and Emily (you crack me up).  None of you are afraid of dragging me into this century.  When I figure it all out and go crazy, it will be your fault.  I'm just sayin'.

I'm thankful that I live in Kansas.  Oh wait a minute.  NO. I'M. NOT.

I'm thankful for facebook which has allowed me to reconnect with old friends.  Baby is really good about keeping in touch with friends from the past.  Me? Not so much.  I love facebook.

I'm thankful for the 1st Amendment which makes it easier to live in Kansas.

I'm thankful for flavored coffee.  (Well, I am.)

I'm thankful for Miss Gunkle who taught me to read in 1st grade.  I love to read and would be lost without my Kindle or a book under my arm. 

I'm thankful for Mrs. Dunn who taught me to expect the best from myself.

I'm thankful that I live in Wamego, a great little town with loads of tulips. Loads of tulips can not be overrated.

I'm thankful for my heritage of lawyers - my Grandpa Judge, my Uncle Walk, my dad, my brother.  I'm proud to be a lawyer and follow in their footsteps.

I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head and enough food (okay, okay, okay, MORE than enough) in my stomach.

I'm thankful for the 2 (TWO) beautiful redbirds who are in the tree next to the deck.  They just landed and the brilliant red caught my eye.  *sigh*

I'm thankful that CB has the golf course to go to and Luke has the gym which means that I am alone.  ALONE!  I can read, sleep, watch a movie.  Whatever.

I'm thankful when CB and Luke are both under my roof.

I'm thankful for orange flavored vodka.

I'm thankful for Marjorie Conklin's "Better Than Sex" cake.  And that she's my birthday twin.

I'm thankful for the Cotswolds.

I'm thankful that if I took the time to list all the things I'm thankful for, it would take years, decades.  I am so very, very thankful.  For all I have.  For all I've been given.

Did I mention turkey?  If not, I should.  I should absolutely mention turkey.  I'm thankful for turkey.

November 21, 2012 It's True

This is not trick photography.  I did not mess with the hands of the clock.  It's a.m., not p.m.  It's on the internet, so you know it's true.

I was in the office, at my desk, ready to face the day at 8:10 this morning.

Let's not get too excited, though, okay? 

The only reason I was there so early is because Luke and I went to breakfast (he had to work in the top secret bat cave on campus.  We have one.  It's secret.  Well, until now.) and after breakfast I had no choice but to go to work.  Not like I could go back to bed or anything.

I think I should get a cheap apartment in Manhattan for occasions such as this.  Put an inflatable bed in there, along with my cupcake blanket, and I'd be set.

Back to today - -

the problem with arriving at the office at the crack of dawn is that by the time I felt like I had put in a full day's work, it was 9:30.

I kid.

No, really, I kid. 

November 20, 2012 What Are You Looking At?

I was putzing around the kitchen, minding my own business.  Feeling pretty proud of myself if you want to know the truth. 

Luke walked in the kitchen and instead of saying "Hi Mom.  How are you?", he started laughing and said "Where's the camera?"  That should have been a red flag, right?

He took a picture of my feet which caused me to look down and joined in the guffawing!  I had been shuffling around with my one slipper half on my foot and half off, like an elderly bag lady.  Combine that with the ever present boot and it made for a perfect picture of the day!

November 19, 2012 Two Things Made Me Smile Today

This is what I saw as I was leaving work tonight.  It's Anderson Hall, home of the movers and shakers of the University.  Well, some of the movers and shakers.  The rest are in the Offce of Student Activites and Services, i.e.Student Government! 

The sun setting on this magnificant building at the end of a warm fall day on a quiet college campus made me smile.  Could it have been the "quiet" part? 

I came home from work to find Buddy, The Dog Who Is More Trouble Than He's Worth, curled up on the loveseat in a tight ball.  Usually, because he thinks he's human, his 50+ pounds are spread out wherever he damn well pleases. 

Looking at this picture, you'd never,ever think that Buddy wants to eat the mailman for lunch and random Cub Scouts for snack.



November 18, 2012 Happy Birthday, Luke.

Because it's Sunday, Luke and I went to Bob's Diner for breakfast.  Because it's Luke's birthday, we spent our time at breakfast trying to decide how to spend his special day.

I was very happy with the results of our discussion.

We came home and "remodeled" the kitchen.  We moved the bar to the north wall, and the server to the west wall and made the kitchen seem so much bigger.  We went through a bunch of crap I had stored in both the bar and server.  It was scary.  Luke got a glimpse into his life after I die. 

 Then, Luke agreed to put up a DVD rack in the back hall.  Remember the one I hung on the basement door (that fell off when only CB was home and he had to pick up a million DVDs?  When he was NOT happy?)?  That one.

When I was in San Antonio several weeks ago, I got the hardware to mount the rack on the wall.  Then, I found the perfect place for it.  All I needed was the man power.

So, Luke got the rack up and was showing me how strong the basket are.  Then, BAM!  Three of them fell off! 

DVDS were flying, Luke was laughing, I was screaming and not helping in the least.

Didn't take long for the resident Mechanical Engineer to figure out the problem and fix it.

It was a full day's work. 

Just the way for Luke to spend his birthday, if you ask me.

Thirty one years ago, I did all the heavy lifting, so to speak.

It was his turn.

Luke, our life together has been an adventure.  I would not trade a minute of it.  Thanks for allowing me to be a pretty good mom.  Since the day you were born, that's been my goal.

You have grown into a young man whose morals and ethics are grounded and well placed.  You are a tribute to your family, immediate and extended.