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!