A Greener Just Another Drill

Blogger Has HiJacked My Google Account

2010-12-09T07:27:00.001-07:00

I have a new blog http://www.testthisis.wordpress.com.
When I comment on a blog it directs you here...but I'm actually over there.

2010-07-08T19:20:00.000-06:00

http://testthisis.wordpress.com/

Look for me here....

Poop

2010-05-20T14:47:00.002-06:00

(I'm going to talk about poop...if such things make you squeamish move along) This darling girl here...POOPS IN MY HOUSE...A LOT!!!!

And it's wearing thin with me.

I'm all about loving them in their golden years. Creating a comfortable world for them. Feeding, petting, loving...you know, all that crap.

I asked Kim on the phone the other day, when she was also complaining about poop...or barking. Her pug Bobo is about a year older than my old ladies. I asked her, "Can you remember when they were young and cute and fun?". Yeah, me neither.

Actually I can. I remember hours of frisbee, the longest walks at the dog park, the day she swam out in the river chasing the really big goose and the day she chased my Dad's cow through the fence and went nose to nose with a HUGE bull. She had spunk.

The thing is she's still spunky. She doesn't have any trouble getting around, has no medical problems, she's funny, likes to have her ears rubbed, takes her treat into Amanda's room before she eats it. It's not the time. That time...we all know what I'm refering to.

But I can't stand the poop.

We can't leave her out because she barks. Just enough to make us, and the neighbors, want to shoot her.

I'm thinking diapers.

Some New Pictures To Look At

2010-05-19T16:34:00.002-06:00

Sad But True

2010-03-20T07:54:00.001-06:00

I haven't posted anything in almost a month and this is all you get.
Two of my favorite things....

Cattle Tag Anyone?

2010-02-20T11:58:00.003-07:00

Alright.
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I'm going to change the names to protect the innocent (stupid people...not really so innocent) and also not to get my arse in a sling for talking about work on the Internet.
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We had some weird calls on a recent shift. Some days are just like that.
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Call one. Dirty house. One of those you want to shower and change your clothes after. Complicated pregnancy, overly dramatic symptoms with a story that changed enroute...hot...to the hospital. Hospital not patient friendly. Weird...I don't think her water broke...I think she wet her pants.
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Call two. Mother with 3 kids. Kid 5 yrs old has flu symptoms. The kind that the only thing to do is hold her and try to keep her hydrated. Kid wants to go to the hospital. So mom calls ambulance and they get a ride to a local hospital.
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Call three. Prank phone calls. Have to send fire truck to investigate due to certain verbiage used. Dad yells at us that the neighbor kids are hoodlums. And that there are no kids at his house...all the while...four little girls are standing behind him flipping us the middle finger.
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Call four. Chest pain. Pain scale of 9. Pain so bad that it woke him from a sound sleep. I'm getting info from very anxious girlfriend who says, over and over, "I'm so scared. We were having sex. I'm so scared. We were having sex." We get to the ambulance and patient continues with story of being awakened from a sound sleep. I write large on piece of paper. "They were having sex" and hold it up for the EMS guys to see. Turns out pain was being caused by a bad chest cold. It wasn't the sex at all.
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Call five. Vehicle fire. Pickup truck. Burning on the front end and the back end. No fire in the engine compartment. No fire in the passenger compartment. No fire in the inside of the bed cover. It looked like someone had poured something flammable on the truck and lit it on fire. At 5 in the morning. Don't criminals sleep?
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At 4:15am when we returned from call 4...I know I shoulda just made some coffee and been up for the day. Tossing and turning for 45 minutes until we caught the car fire just made me grumpy.
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At shift change we were talking about our runs with the oncoming crew. We got to brainstorming ways to identify stupid people who call ambulances or fire trucks and shouldn't. Joe suggested cattle tags. Every time you call 911 for a dumb reason you get tagged on the ear and have to wear it for 90 days. Kind of a "I was a dumb ass and called 911" scarlet letter.
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I think I like it.

My Funny Valentines

2010-02-14T08:41:00.001-07:00

Did they get me anything?

Nope...

Hello....

2010-02-12T10:42:00.003-07:00

"Um, yeah."
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"Lady walking harmlessly into the school across the street from my house..."
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"So, my dog. Yes, the one barking her fool head off. Yeah...her."
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"You see. She doesn't like when anyone walks...well, really, anywhere."
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"So if you...and all the other parents, students, teachers and various and assorted delivery persons...if you could refrain from walking. Refrain from walking anywhere near the school. Or really anywhere she can see."
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"Yeah, that would be great."
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"I realize that it might make it difficult. It's a school after all."
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"And EVERYDAY, ALL DAY...there are people out walking around the school yard. And I realize that she's lived here for over a year."
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"But I don't think she's very smart."
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"Thank you."

DC Photos, Round One

2010-02-03T07:24:00.004-07:00

2010-02-03T07:20:00.001-07:00

Notice there in the middle.
Andrew at 7 1/2 is now as tall as Austin was at 10.
Yikes!

Pooped

2010-01-04T17:58:00.002-07:00

Today I was pooped on. And pee dripped on my head.
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There are old dogs living in my house.
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And it is very, very, extremely, brutally cold outside.
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There is also a young dog living in my house.
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I told my Mom on the phone today that the weather needed to break because these dogs needed to go outside. She suggested that I put them on leashes and walk them around outside. She misunderstood. I need these dogs to go outside. Away from me. And burn off some of their craziness.
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So I had a brilliant idea. I cleared the floor from the living room into the kitchen. Put them out for a quick potty break. And we settled in for a nice little game of catch. Three different toys. Three dogs with different abilities and needs and I'm managing the whole thing pretty well. They are running around burning some energy.
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River comes in too quickly and I can't get Maggie out of the way. Mags gets knocked over. Maggie's legs splay out and she can't get them under her. I grab her and lift like we do...holding on a little until she gets her feet back.
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And she poops on me.
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And I thought it was funny. And smelly and so disgusting. And funny.
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It's like living with a couple little old ladies. With poor bladder and bowel control.
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Earlier today I was in the basement with my new fab washing machine...you know, washin stuff. And something dripped from the ceiling. On my head.
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Oh great, I think...I must have a leak in the kitchen. Up I go. Clear out under the sink. Dry.
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So I go back down identify exactly where the leak is...come back up and see that the 'leak' was a puddle in the dining room. Pee. On my head.
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This is why we have a roll of paper towels and clorox wipes in the kitchen.
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And why I take a lot of showers.
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(Now if you are one of those folks who doesn't have pets in your home or think that I should not tolerate these lovely old dogs in their golden days...please keep your thoughts to yourself. My dogs aren't poopin' in your house)

Elizabeth

2010-01-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

2009 Recap

2009-12-30T20:12:00.005-07:00

Musings Of A Housewife does a 2009 recap and I thought it sounded fun

I took the first sentence of the first post of each month of 2009. (although sometimes it's the title because I have an annoying habit of posting pictures with out commentary)

January

I want to BE the dog whisperer.

Who knew that a few short weeks later River would come to live with me. And I would get to practice my dog whispering skills.

February

I think Jennifer Hudson just lip synced the National Anthem...

I think I was watching too much TV.

March

Dedication Of The New KU Boathouse

The first posts of most months seem to be very short. But that picture is very cool.

April

Happy Green Spring Month

April started out so pretty...ended with so much brother drama...

May

Really...that's what this crazy week has been about.

This post is what I remember most about this month...but you should also read this one...So...some of you will recognize this as my bedroom.

June

Summer arrived at 4:45 this morning...well for me it did anyway. Today was the first day of summer practice.

With 400+ inches of snow on the ground and temps in the teens for the next several days...doesn't summer sound good.

July

There was supposed to be a nice post here about all the bazillion things that currently live in my car....but it has disappeared into blog land.

Four posts in July...that's all.

August

If I Was The Boss Of This Blog I'd Fire Me

I'm not sure I measured up.

September

Hey there ho there!

Oh my god...I've been on a diet since September! I should weigh less already.

October

We've been talking a lot at practice this week.

Yes...they do talk a lot.

November

It all started with a simple conversation about unicycles...and all of a sudden there was a hula hoop...

He He He...

December

I am spending this first day of December in Wichita, KS

What a cool picture...maybe my favorite this December.

How was your year?

...the linking was a pain but it was fun to look back over my year.

Introducing Miss Elizabeth

2009-12-30T13:24:00.002-07:00

My darling little niece Elizabeth Rose (yes, Beth...It's Elizabeth with a Z) arrived this afternoon.
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I will post weight, length, favorite color, SAT score as they become available.
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Aren't those cheeks to die for!

2009-12-26T20:48:00.001-07:00

Home to the frozen tundra tomorrow... I will miss this face. Among others.

DPP Day 25...Merry Christmas From Warm(ish) Texas

2009-12-25T21:25:00.002-07:00

We sat outside on Christmas day.

There was some football.

Some strategy.

Short sleeves.

And a sled for when we come home...

DPP Day 24...Late Edition

2009-12-24T21:51:00.002-07:00

We had a visitor...he comes every year on this night. The little boys were pretty excited!

Of course...it's Christmas Eve...they've been pretty excited all day.

The adults have mostly been eating all day. It's a good thing.

It's all a very, very good thing...

Merry Christmas everyone...

DPP Day 24

2009-12-24T07:37:00.003-07:00

This was actually last night. The sleeping boy is Steve's girlfriend Gerry's son Trystan. He was SOOOOO tired. The spin around in circles kind of tired that little guys get. He crawled up into Austin's lap and in about 45 seconds was sound asleep. Austin may act like the typical grumpy teenager but he is actually a pretty sweet fellow. And the little boys really think he's cool.
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It's morning now...the Campo's arrived from New Orleans last night and...well...it's just really loud.

DPP Day 23

2009-12-23T19:39:00.001-07:00

(Yeah...I know I missed a day but 10 hours in the car will do that to a person) Ho Ho Ho! Let the madness begin.

DPP Day 21...The Christmas Edition

2009-12-21T06:15:00.002-07:00

As I sit here this morning, in the big red chair. Don Harmon telling me all about the wonderful weather I'll be missing, laptop on my lap, coffee in hand, furry cats purring...Jack with his head on my shoulder, River on the couch (yes...I let dogs on my couch), Mags snoring softly on her blanket at my feet, Rescue here getting a few morning scritches. My feet up, my beautiful tree across the room.
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I think about the quiet peacefulness of this moment.
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I'm headed to Texas tomorrow. I'll sleep on the couch, there will be no peaceful moments, there will be coffee (thank god!), and wine (thank god!). And sisters and brothers and nephews and parents and noise.
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I spent Saturday with the amazing Petty clan. Half of my story. My mother's family. Strong, funny, kind, smart, loud, loving.
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From them I got the strength to be independent and make no excuses for it. To feel confident in my abilities and grounded in my relationships. A love of cold beer, a good joke, little kids (and we'll add two in 2010!), old folks, dogs (and old dogs) and a good porch.
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I will spend the rest of Christmas with the Johnson family. The other half of my story. Smart, funny, kind, loud, loving.
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From them I learned the importance of forgiveness. And family...born to or acquired. And the love of good food, the state of Texas, a cold margarita, books, laughter, lake life and belonging.
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I have so much.
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If I don't get a chance in person...I'd like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas. May your holiday be filled with blessings.

DPP Day 20...The People Celebrate

2009-12-20T20:05:00.002-07:00

I work in an area we lovingly refer to as 'Upper Muncie'.
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We have every trailer park in town.
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We call them 'Our people'.
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In one of the...not so wonderful parks...is a trailer whose owners are...really 'in to' the season.
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It's my favorite. You can see it from K-32. The light bill is probably more than the rent.

DPP Day 20

2009-12-20T09:29:00.011-07:00

These are technically DPP day 18. It's taken me a while to get these sorted, edited and up.
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I have something fun for later today so check back. After dark...

Our Fab bus driver!

Kelli and Kathy...sisters and friends.

Stewie's mom laid out a spread! Thanks Margaret!

We sang loud but not necessarily in tune...and if I noticed it couldn't be good.

We had so much fun...

Mama Sac hooked us up with Povitica...homemade! Yummmm

The Hose Draggers and Mama Sac.

Yep...all those girls are Fire Fighters...except the little one. But she's family.

Singing for Kelli's mom.

Janet squared.

A little fellow I don't know but I loved his hat! We sang for his grandma.

We sang for Betty. She had heart surgery last week. Silent night made her cry. Me too.

Janet squared and their Cindy Lou Hoo hats.

All of us crowded into the Miller's kitchen.

Sis. And someone's beer. For some reason this cracks me up.

I think they knew we were coming and put out some yummy treats.

He looks guilty, doesn't he?

DPP Day 18...Or, The Day You Expect Petty Christmas Or The Rest Of The Caroling

2009-12-19T20:33:00.004-07:00

Instead you get this.
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If you've been reading this month you remember the picture I took in Wichita. This is the picture I had in my head that day.
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It now lives on my dresser. Thank you Alan. This picture means a lot to me.
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I was on the wrong side of the lawn for my photographs...but if you look in this picture you can see the sidewalk...where the really bad blowup Christmas decorations were...so maybe it was best. I know that the December Photo Challenge is to take and post one picture every day. I did not take this picture but I did take a lot of pictures yesterday and today. I will sort through them tomorrow and post them.
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This will have to do until then.
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I think it's a picture up to the task.

DPP Day 17...Round Two

2009-12-18T22:16:00.002-07:00

I'll just tease you with this one...I'm headed to bed.
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More tomorrow...including Petty Christmas.

DPP Day 17...Round One

2009-12-18T16:27:00.002-07:00

I Love Christmas. I think I've made that very clear. But sometimes, even at Christmas, I struggle.I enjoy the shopping, the gatherings, the cooking, the cards, the erging, the picture taking. I really, really, really do.
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It's all the regular stuff that also has to be done that keeps tripping me up.
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I'll be in the Christmas groove...knocking things off my list like a pro. Christmas tunes playing. A Ho Ho Ho in my head.
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And then I'll remember...I need cat food. Or eggs. Or to color my hair. Or to do some laundry. Or mop, wash the car, put the dishes away, go to the bank or the chiropracter or pay that bill.
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So today I did four loads of laundry.
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PS check back in the morning for a Caroling post...if I'm not home too late I'll try to get it up.

DPP Day 16...Or, The One Picture I Took Today

2009-12-17T21:24:00.003-07:00

Yep, just one. Not a couple for good measure. Or several of the other activities of the day.
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Just this one.
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My zany friend Beth was tending the fire and she crawled up on the hearth and she just looked so...Beth like.
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On the third Thursday of every month we gather at Beth's house. We call it Opinions Unlimited. Because we all have unlimited opinions.
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Have you met me?
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Tonight's topics ranged from undescended testicles and parenting advice to nature vs nurture and the reasons for buying good cheese.
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I was planning to take my camera and to try to get a nice close up of all these folks I've come to love so much.
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But I forgot it.
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But I had my point and shoot...which takes nice pictures and I took the one above. Then put it down as I became distracted by stories of step parenting, the only black family to live in the neighborhood I grew up in, how to cook a Erma Bombeck Thanksgiving, Beth's sister-in-law's hair on Jeopardy, personality tests, exiting the recliner competitions...and chocolate.
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There's always chocolate.
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So you just get the one very mediocre picture today.
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I promise to do better tomorrow. We've rented a bus and we're going caroling. With beer.

DPP Day..I'm So Tired I Forget

2009-12-16T19:51:00.003-07:00

I think I may need to clear up a misconception regarding yesterday's post. While the girls and I may have loafed around the station all day...I was not actually in the station much after midnight. The girls, however, did pretty much what the pictures indicate.
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So today I went to Andrew's second grade class and helped them make gingerbread houses.
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Aren't they cool.
It was fun but exhausting.

G'night.

DPP Day 15...Baby It's Cold Outside

2009-12-15T18:33:00.002-07:00

So we stayed in and did a whole lotta this.
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It was too cold to leave old dogs outside so Mags and Rescue came to work with me and River Girl had sleepover at Kimmy's.
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Someone said the other day "I want to come back in my next life as one of Jenn's dogs."
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Not a bad gig.

DPP Day 14...

2009-12-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Cold....

DPP Day 13....Bacon Fest '09!

2009-12-13T18:05:00.006-07:00

I have some of the best friends! We get together several times a year for a gathering we call Foodies. Everyone can cook. We all love food. And we always have so much fun.
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Today was Bacon Fest. Everything had to contain bacon. We had all kinds of egg things with bacon. Things wrapped in bacon. There was bacon to stir the Bloody Marys. My favorite was bacon with a crunchy sweet glaze over it...almost like brittle...and the bread pudding...oh my, the bread pudding...
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We had a white elephant exchange. Those of you from my Petty clan may recognize the purple gorilla...he's been at my house for the last two years. He will not be making a return appearance at this year's Petty Christmas. But no worries...I have something really great to give!
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These pictures are really in no order...blogger is so cumbersome when loading pictures. I think I have a picture of everyone but Kelly and Micheal's daughter Emma and Sheri's husband.... Bacon, bacon and some things covered in bacon.
BACON!!!!! and olives for the Bloody Marys.

Donna and Kelly

Ed
Nedra...Stacy and Kelly's mom.

James and Lisa

Lisa

Will...he belongs to Stacy and Ed.

Sheri

Micheal

James and the purple gorilla.

Bloody Marys, Mimosas and...wait for it...BACON!

Stacy...our hostess with the mostest.

Lily...the other half of 'Will and Lily". Belongs to Ed and Stacy.

James again...camera hog.

Donna...or a Bloody Mary. Note the bacon stir stick. Kenton...Stacy and Kelly's Dad.

Donna and Zoe...Zoe belongs to James and Lisa.
Donna and Ed

Thanks again Bruce...it's so fun to take pictures inside!!!

DPP Day 12...Breakfast

2009-12-12T11:45:00.003-07:00

Kimmy came to Station 20 for breakfast this morning. She loves biscuits and gravy and I don't know of a better place to get some good biscuits and gravy than a fire station! We only make breakfast on the weekend and usually have something a little less...well...calorie intensive, shall we say.
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Something about fire station breakfasts...a post breakfast nap is a necessity.

James is either a little camera shy or he really thought I should take a picture of the OJ...and the nap...yeah, he was the first one down.

The best part about being the cook...someone else will do the dishes! Thanks Jann. PS...MUD, there was some setting somewhere that was causing a delay when I had the flash off and now I can use the manual setting which allows me more control of shutter speed, flash strength, etc...problem solved!!!

DPP Day 11...Lunch With Bruce...and Snick And the Wise Guys

2009-12-11T20:57:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I had lunch with my sweet friend Bruce. Bruce and I have known each other since I was in college. I interned for him in his photo studio and then worked for him on an off for a while.
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I was having some trouble with my camera and Bruce is the smartest photo guy I know and sure enough...he helped me work out what was wrong.
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Doesn't this indoor photo look good! Maybe now I can take pictures at Christmas that don't make us look like we are opening presents in a cave!
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Thanks Bruce! You're the best! Tonight I had dinner with my dear friends Donna and Ed. Donna and I always celebrate when we are both half way through our Holiday Erg Challenge. (actually we celebrate for just about any reason) I'm at about 110K and Donna's at about 112k. Go us!
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Donna's a bit like me and loves to decorate her home for Christmas. Her 'daughter' Snick likes to hang out on the table by the window with the Wise Men.Many years ago I made stockings for most of my family. Donna, Ed and their boys Chris and Mike got stockings, too. It's a little hard to see but next to Snowchick Donna is a little stool...and on top of that stool is Snicky.
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It was fun tonight to look around her home and on her tree. Just as in my home there are so many things that connect us at Christmas...and always.

DPP Day 10...Good Morning!!

2009-12-10T04:11:00.003-07:00

"House Fire for the following companies..."
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Normally these words are met with adrenalin and a measure of excitement. House fires are fun. Well...certainly not for those who homes are burning but firefighters like fighting fire. It's what we do.
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When it is 1 degree outside....not so much.
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"Pumpers 19 and 20, Quint 2, Quint 6, Car 64, Car 24...Pumper 20 as the RIC..."
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Double crap! The RIC team is the Rapid Intervention Crew. Means we stand in the yard in our FF outfits...doing a whole lot of nothing. On a morning like this you DO NOT want to be the RIC team.
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It is warm in the house...where the fire is.
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It is NOT warm in the yard.
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Lucky for us it was a false alarm. We got about half way there and dispatch flagged us.
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So...yeah. The time on the coffee maker. That would be AM.
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I've been getting up early to erg. Last week I was up at 5am everyday. So...4:48. I just made some coffee and started my day. Good Morning!

DPP Day 9...My Constant Companions

2009-12-09T12:46:00.002-07:00

Thought it would be some four-legged furry critter, didn't ya!
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Nope...these days the red books are my pals. And there's another one that didn't make the photo today.
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Not very Christmasy...but at least they're red!

DPP Day 8

2009-12-08T20:22:00.001-07:00

I wonder if we'll get enough snow to make a snowman?

DPP Day 7

2009-12-07T20:06:00.003-07:00

My tree is finally decorated. It went up on Thanksgiving evening and has been with out ornaments...until today.
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Andrew always helps me with the tree and it has taken us a while to find a minute when we could get over here and get the tree done.
I picked him up from school and we had about 90 minutes. We really made the most of our time.
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We even had time to read 'Olive, The Other Reindeer'. Cute story. And I especially love the dirty little boy hands.I took one where he has a smile on his face but something about this pose...and the hole in the knee of his jeans is so Andrew.

December Photo Project Day 6

2009-12-06T11:07:00.002-07:00

Okay. I'll admit that I'm cheating just a bit. Posting pictures from yesterday for today. But I'm just too tired to mess with anything else. If I get inspired maybe I'll do something creative here at the station this afternoon.
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I could have photographed the 11 bags of trash in my car this morning. Yeah...didn't really think you'd be interested. What concerns me is that I think there is another open (but corked) bottle of wine in my car...and I've not yet located it. Hmmmmm.
This is my Brother In Law Kenny, my sister Kim and my nephew Austin. We had a surprise birthday party for Kenny yesterday. While I don't think he was completely surprised (hard to keep everything a secret with a 7 year old in the mix) I think he was pretty happy.
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What I like the most about this photo is the smile on Kenny's face. It's a true smile.

I hope he felt how loved he is. There were so many people there. His family, our family, friends, coworkers. It was very, very fun....now, a nap.

Dec 5

2009-12-05T22:28:00.002-07:00

Too tired for much...great party tonight. Happy birthday Kenny.
More pictures and the rest of the story tomorrow.

Day 4

2009-12-04T19:50:00.001-07:00

Home 'nuff said.

Day 3 (Posted On Day 4) This Post Is For My Mother

2009-12-04T10:06:00.003-07:00

My mother is a beautiful woman. And she always has been.
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When I was very, very little she was a beautiful college student. She attended Friends University in Wichita, KS in the early 60s and received her degree in education.
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Interesting that I'm writing this post as I am waiting to begin my certification exam to become an instructor...in Wichita, KS. I guess this apple hasn't fallen very far from the tree.
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Yesterday on my lunch break I went to the Friend's campus. Not far from Wichita Fire Department station #1. It was cold...and windy. And they has some crazy bad Christmas decorations on the front lawn. Imagine a blowup Purell bottle...the size of a car. Yeah, bad like that.
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But I had a picture in my mind. A picture of a very young woman. On a very important day. The day she graduated from college.
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You see...in the early 60s, not many women went to college. My mother was a pioneer. She was walking through some doors that were just opening for her. She wanted her life to have meaning and purpose.
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I wonder if she thought about me on that day? And her children yet to be born? Did she know she was empowering us to be the best we could be? To chase our dreams? To not let distractions derail us from our goals, our purpose?
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A picture was taken that day. This young, educated woman. This college graduate. Leaning up against a tree with the Friends University building in the background.
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It is my favorite picture of my mother.
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I don't know if this is that tree. But I know I have felt her strength this week. Her example set for me before I even knew I needed it.
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Thank you Mom. For always trying to be the best you you could be. So I can always try to be the best me I can be.
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PS...whew...I had no idea that was where this post was going. And I bawled all the way through it. Love you, Mom...now go get on that treadmill!

2009-12-03T19:57:00.002-07:00

I have a GREAT picture for today....unfortunately you can't see it until tomorrow.
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Gosh I miss my WiFi!
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I also miss my critters, my bed, my fire guys, my goofy little nephew.
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And showering in my own bathroom, getting my clothes from my closet and not my suitcase and eating food from my own kitchen.
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Tomorrow I have a quiz over the last four units, a project to present and a national certification test to take.
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And then I'm going home!

What My Mornings Look Like

2009-12-02T08:26:00.003-07:00

I brought my erg with me to Wichita...you know...the whole
Holiday Erg Challenge.
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It's worked out pretty well. Eric...as I've mentioned has been a great host. He leaves for work at 5am. So I'm up then, put the erg in front of his very nice TV, knock out my meters, eat, shower...off to class.
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Even better, he has an extra-extra bedroom so my erg has it's own room!
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Day 2 of the December Photo Project...done!

Welcome To The December Photo Challenge

2009-12-01T17:23:00.002-07:00

I am spending this first day of December in Wichita, KS. I am attending an instructor's training class. Many of you already know this...
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What you may not know is that my wonderful host Eric, does not have Internet service at his house. So I am sitting in my car outside of Panera, quickly posting this photo before I go to Eric's and study for my quiz tomorrow (got 100% on today's quiz!).
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If you are familiar with Wichita you may recognize the Indian in the picture. He is called the Keeper Of The Plains and quite impressive.
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I didn't remember until I was leaving training this evening that I needed a photo for today. The sun had just dropped over the horizon and I came around the corner to see the Indian and the cool bridge near him. I parked, jumped out, snapped quickly and am quite pleased with the picture.
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See you tomorrow...wish me luck on my quiz.

Edumacation

2009-11-29T12:24:00.002-07:00

I'm off to Wichita for the week.
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Packed up my erg, my camera and enough clothes for a month. Filled a cooler with good healthy food. Watered the plants. Filled the food and water bowls. Scritched all the furry ones.
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Leaving the home front in Manda's capable hands...of course I haven't yet seen her but I know she's back in town hanging out at her mom's.
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I'm taking an instructor's class this week. Soon I will be able to help teach our new fire folks.
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I'll be busy this week but look for the December Photo Challenge pictures beginning on Tuesday. (see the button on my side bar for more info)
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Have a great week.

And Just Like That...It's Christmas

2009-11-27T20:12:00.002-07:00

I love Thanksgiving. I love the food, the time spent with family, pie...oh, I do love some pie!

But what I really love is that Thanksgiving gives way to Christmas.

Not the Black Friday madness but the twinkling lights, the cold stillness, the hushed reverence, the music, the tradition...the season.

Every year...as soon as I've eaten my weight in mashed potatoes and gravy...and pie, don't forget the pie. I put up my Christmas tree. Sometimes on Friday or Saturday but often on Thanksgiving evening. I put on the Christmas music. This year it's James Taylor and Hall and Oats. Good CD's both of them. I get a glass of wine and my house transforms.

You know, some might think it's silly, the trouble I go to with my house at Christmas. I don't have a Christmas gathering. I'm often out of town for Christmas. But I don't do Christmas for anyone else.

I do Christmas for me.

2009-11-26T20:16:00.000-07:00

Thankful!!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-11-25T19:14:00.003-07:00

(Well...not completely wordless.)

He's Totally Got My Number

2009-11-24T20:12:00.003-07:00

"Aunt Jenn, I have something important to tell you."
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"What is it?"
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"So, we have a poem to recite tomorrow. It's for grandparent's day."
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"Uh huh."
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"But aunts and uncles can come too. So....if you're not busy or you don't have a fire...could you come?"
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So what did I do? I got someone to work a few hours for me and I went to grandparent's day. And you know what? There were more aunts and uncles there than grandparents.
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He's totally got my number.
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And I have some cute pictures but I didn't bring the camera adaptor to work so I'll try to post those tomorrow.

G'night....

I Don't Believe In This BMI Crap

2009-11-23T07:54:00.004-07:00

Oh....never mind.
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I was writing a post about BMI and even the third rewrite sounded like I was either obsessed with my weight or whinning about it. This post here says what I'd like to say...go read it...then come back.
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Okay, did you read it...no? GO.
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Right. See. She says it so well.
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For me to have a BMI in the middle of the healthy range I'd have to weight 150 lbs.
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When I was an elite athlete...IN MY 20's!...I weighed 155-160. And I rowed 6 hours a day, biked or ran another 1-2 hours. And ate everything in sight...whole cartons of Ben and Jerry's...oh...those were the days.
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If I ever had a doctor tell me that my current BMI of 27.7 was too high...I'd tell them to go suck it.
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Luckily I do not. My very young, very thin doctor says I'm fine.
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And she's right.
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But I do miss the whole cartons of Ben and Jerry's...I'm not gonna lie....

I'm Always Up For A Challenge!

2009-11-22T09:59:00.004-07:00

Kimmy has a little challenge for us.
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It's true...my attention to this little blog of mine has been little. Or none.
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It's almost time for the The December Photo Challenge. So I will have a photo for all the days of December.
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But...what to do until then?
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The
The Holiday Erg Challenge starts Thanksgiving day...like I said, I like a challenge!
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My goofy brother Stephen has a blog. And some how he has it linked to his facebook...perhaps I can figure that out...
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So basically, I'm in.
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Bring it!

A Little Hula Hooping

2009-11-19T21:48:00.001-07:00

It all started with a simple conversation about unicycles...and all of a sudden there was a hula hoop...

June Marie's Mystical Mile

2009-10-25T15:09:00.001-06:00

This is the entire mile. At the end...there's a suprise.

It's A Brave New World

2009-10-22T11:24:00.003-06:00

I don't often share real stories from work. That can get you in trouble if you're not careful. But this is too funny and I think I can pull it off and not identify the innocent.
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Last shift I was riding out as acting captain. A guy from another station...we'll call him S...was driving. And a new paramedic was on the back end...we'll call her A.
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I've worked quite a bit with both of them and enjoy their company. We were having a fun shift. Hadn't been terribly busy but weren't bored to death either.
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Late in the evening we got toned out on an automatic alarm at an apartment complex.
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I was already dressed for bed...in my t-shirt and shorts.
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Normally at work I wear my hair in a ponytail but don't sleep in one so I had taken my hair down. When the tone dropped I couldn't find my hair elastic. It took me an extra few seconds to get to the rig...now don't be alarmed...we were still the first ones responding so I'm only talking a few seconds.
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But those few seconds were important because my crew was already on the rig. Waiting on me.
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I jumped in the rig, put us responding and said "sorry guys, I couldn't find my hair thingy."
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A responded " Hey, you could have used one of mine, I always have an extra."
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To which I replied. "Thanks but I always keep one here on my bunkers."
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At this point, S...now keep in mind, we are running lights and sirens in the big red truck, getting our gear on, looked at the map book, getting ready...S replied
"Please tell me we are not talking about hair thingys on our way to a house fire!!!!".
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He he he.
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Best part of the whole shift.

Nothing Is Worth More Than This Day

2009-10-21T11:07:00.003-06:00

That is what the medallion around my neck says.
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I bought it for myself a few weeks ago. I didn't realize how important that phrase would become to me.
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Many of you know that I've been doing a little rowing lately. And that I've been trying to lose some weight. I am getting more comfortable in my single and the pounds are coming off in a healthy way.
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But this experience has done something I didn't expect.
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It's given me back myself.
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I feel more like me than I have in several years. I'm achy and sore in many places from the rowing and the gym. I'm hungry sometimes...but not all the time. And I've not gone on some crazy diet that is unmanageable. Just watching what I'm eating and writing it down so I know my total calorie count each day.
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But Nothing Is Worth More Than This Day.
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And Nothing Is Worth More Than I Am.
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Sounds self centered and I suppose it is. But if I'm not whole, healthy and happy...what good am I to any of the people I love?
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What good can I do in this world?
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It's important to me to make a difference. With my family. With my rowers. In my work on the big red truck. In my community.
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So here is my challenge to ya'll.
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Look at your life. Ask yourself " Am I taking care of me so I can take care of my people?"
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Make the changes in your life so you can be the best you you can be. That's what we all want for you.

I Really Should Take This Dog For A Walk

2009-10-11T12:38:00.002-06:00

I really should.
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I don't really need to lay here on this bed. I'm not tired. Just bored. Just uninspired.
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Do gloomy Sundays affect you this way? I just can't get moving.
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Could be the furry boys cuddled up close, purring and being all fuzzy cat like.
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The dog is cuddled up here too. But it is, as always with her, only a temporary condition. If I got up and moved around she'd be up. Wiggling and excited to see what I might do that could be fun...or involve food.
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Okay. I'm getting up. I'll clean out the back of the car. Bundle up and take the furry beasts for a walk.

Rain Choir - Perpetuum Jazzile is an a cappella jazz choir from Slovenia.

2009-10-08T14:34:00.001-06:00

This is really cool...and appropriate for today.

Boy Did They Throw A Wet Blanket On My Excitement!

2009-10-08T13:22:00.003-06:00

I was going to pay off my car today.
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I looked at the budget and it was scheduled to pay off on November 10 but the money scheduled to pay it with is currently sitting in my account and well...
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Kind of a neat birthday present to myself.
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But you see. The bank always has a way of ruining the fun.
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My car payments are on automatic withdrawal. They are paid on the 10th of the month. Today is the 8th.
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They need 15 days to stop an automatic draft. So if I paid it today I'd still get hit for the payment. Now since the 10th is a Saturday and Monday is some random holiday the payment won't actually post until Tuesday.
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So.
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On Tuesday I will pay off my car.
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And on Tuesday I will be excited.
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Today I am not.

What Inspires You?

2009-10-02T07:37:00.002-06:00

We've been talking a lot at practice this week. Well...actually we always talk a lot. Or at least the kids talk a lot. Sometimes I can't hear myself think. Oh my, do they talk a lot.
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Where was I...
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Right. This week at practice.
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I've been trying to figure out how to light a fire under this group of kids. Make them faster, more focused, inspire them.
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So I asked them. "What inspires you?"
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The answers were interesting. And somewhat predictable. I wasn't really surprised by any of the answers.
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Music. Stories of triumph over adversity. Competition. Inner drive.
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But still. I'm at a loss. How do I inspire them? I want them to want to be better. I want them to be the team I see in them. The team I can't quite get to.
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I'm frustrated. They are frustrated. We are not achieving the speed we're capable of. We are making dumb mistakes.
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What inspires you? Were you ever really jazzed by a team experience? Tell me about it...
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Please.

I Hate Commerce Bank

2009-09-28T12:46:00.002-06:00

Yes.
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I just named names.
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I hate Commerce Bank.
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And maybe not for the reasons you might think.
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The rowing club has a corporate credit card with Commerce for when we travel. I have a generous limit and Jeff pays it off immediately.
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But often I cannot use it.
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You see, Commerce has a policy that I can only use my limit once in any 30 day billing period. So even if our balance is $0 if we've traveled once already in that billing cycle...I can't use the card.
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Tricky when we often have regattas two or three weeks apart.
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But that's not why I hate Commerce Bank.
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1000 Commerce business customers had cards that they suspected had been compromised. So at midnight on Friday they deactivated the cards. My card. And I was in Des Moines, IA with the team. A phone call would have been nice. An email. Something.
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But even that is not why I hate Commerce Bank.
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When I was younger I often cut the finances close paycheck to paycheck. Oh, who am I kidding...I always ran short. I wasn't making any money and I was a lousy manager of what I did have.
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Things are better now. I make a nice living. Not millions but enough that I don't have to stretch between checks like before. I don't worry about money. I have a plan and it works.
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But I remember what it felt like to have my ATM card denied. Or write a check and have the little check computer spit it back out.
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Embarrassment. Despair. Worry.
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That is why I hate Commerce Bank.
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Because that's how it feels when I use that card and it's declined.
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It's like being poor all over again.

Pink Fire Trucks

2009-09-18T11:26:00.002-06:00

Today I wrote a message to my mother on a pink fire truck. These fire trucks are driving across the country to raise awareness for women's cancer...all of them, not just breast cancer. And they are being driven by men.

I cannot tell you how much I want a set of these hot pink bunkers...and look at the helmet! It's pink! With ribbons! Love it!

Mom couldn't make it over to sign herself so I made sure she was represented.

I'm sure there are ladies whose names I should have added. But always know...they are in our hearts.

A link for you...The Pink Heals Tour

Sisters

2009-09-11T09:05:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday Kimmy!
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Love you very much!
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She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert
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Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. ~Amy Li
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A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty
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Is solace anywhere more comforting than in the arms of a sister. ~Alice Walker
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If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child. ~Linda Sunshine
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You can kid the world. But not your sister. ~Charlotte Gray
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Sisters never quite forgive each other for what happened when they were five. ~Pam Brown
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A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves - a special kind of double. ~Toni Morrison
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Children of the same family, the same blood, with the same first associations and habits, have some means of enjoyment in their power, which no subsequent connections can supply... ~Jane Austen, Mansfield Park, 1814
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What's the good of news if you haven't a sister to share it? ~Jenny DeVries
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Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship. ~Margaret Mead
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If sisters were free to express how they really feel, parents would hear this: "Give me all the attention and all the toys and send Rebecca to live with Grandma." ~Linda Sunshine
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When sisters stand shoulder to shoulder, who stands a chance against us? ~Pam Brown
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The mildest, drowsiest sister has been known to turn tiger if her sibling is in trouble. ~Clara Ortega
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A sister is a forever friend. ~Author Unknown
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Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers. ~Pam Brown
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We know one another's faults, virtues, catastrophes, mortifications, triumphs, rivalries, desires, and how long we can each hang by our hands to a bar. We have been banded together under pack codes and tribal laws. ~Rose Macaulay
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You are the best sister ever! (most of the time)

Me And My Scale

2009-09-09T11:12:00.004-06:00

Hey there ho there!
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No, I didn't forget I have a blog...haven't we already been through this...I should be fired. But, alas, I AM the boss of this blog and I like me...so there.
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I'm on a diet.
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Don't even start. I DO need to lose a few pounds. Stop the slow creep upward on the scale. Nothing crazy. Just keeping the weight in a healthy range. Revamping the food that goes in. Making sure I'm doing my part to improve the calories burned.
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You know...healthy and all that.
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And I have a scale. There are really three schools of thought on the scale issue.

Weigh every day.
Weigh once a week/month.
Never go near the blasted thing.

I'm an every day weigher. Always have been. It will not be changed.

My scale is possessed.

I began at my heavy weight not to be mentioned. In the first week I lost 13 pounds. I'd get on the scale every morning and think "It just cannot be this easy".

Then I thought maybe the batteries were dying. So I got new batteries. Same unbelievable loss. So I started to think "Okay, so this is good".

Then Saturday I was bad. Not like I ate a whole cake and a carton of ice cream bad. But I had more than one beer and more than one chocolate martini and the guac...oh...the guac. And the stuffed dates. And food from the grill...okay, maybe I was that bad.

Sunday morning, against my better judgement, I got on the devil scale. All 13 pounds. Back.

A little panic. Put the scale on a different part of the floor. Took the battery out and put the old one back in. Stood a different way. Left and came back later.

13 pounds. Back.

Yesterday down 2 from there.

Today...back to 13 lost.

I think the damn thing is fucking with me.

Novice

2009-08-26T10:47:00.002-06:00

Austin has joined the ranks of the Kansas City Rowing Club Juniors. He fits right in. It's fun having him at practice.
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I've coached him before. Many years of GABL basketball. Neither of us really knew what we were doing. But this is different. This I know. This I can teach. My level of confidence makes getting to share this part of my life with him really cool.
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I think he's got some potential. I hope he enjoys the experience. And I wonder how many really humid days it'll take before he cuts his hair...

It's A Girl!

2009-08-22T07:55:00.002-06:00

Some of you know that we are pregnant...now by 'we' I certainly do not mean me! But our family is going to welcome a new baby in January. Bob and Julia (and I actually just mean Julia) are preggers.
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And this week we found out that it's a girl. Gasp.
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We just don't have girls.
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I mean...we have Rachel but Gina had to marry Charlie for us to get her. And we have Evan...she's stepbrother Jeff's little darling.
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We also have Austin, Alex, Gregory, Landry, Matty, Andrew, Stephen and Spencer.
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So we are pretty excited. I'm a little worried.
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I've been doing the boy thing. You know...being the crazy aunt to all the boys.
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In my toy box there are cars...a lot of cars.
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I'm going to have to change my perspective. Think pink instead of blue.
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I can't wait!

Just Playin Around

2009-08-12T20:36:00.002-06:00

I thought these were kinda fun. Some pictures I took in Texas that I messed around with in Photoshop. I really have no idea what I'm doing and could probably never duplicate it...but it's fun.

I Got My Girl Back!!

2009-08-12T17:04:00.004-06:00

Oh ya'll...I cannot tell you how worried I had become. By Monday I was thinking that if this was the way it was going to be...then...well, we weren't going to do it. She was miserable. I was miserable. Miserable. Tears...I can't tell you how many tears.
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Tuesday I called her vet. We talked some and decided that it could be the steroids.
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And it seems that it was. This is the happy, smiley girl I love so much.
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Her eye is much better but still a little puffy. She seems to be seeing out of it okay.
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And Tracy, I think she always craves meatballs...just saying.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-12T08:39:00.001-06:00

Sleepless

2009-08-10T06:57:00.004-06:00

My house has new gutters. The old ones were falling apart and falling off. It was time. When it rained I was getting water in the basement and there was a water fall at my bedroom window...loud! It was time.
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I couldn't wait for it to rain. Wanted to see if the new gutters would do their job...keep the basement dry and let me sleep, enjoying the calming sound of rain.
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Last night it rained.
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And thundered.
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Remember my dogs who are afraid of thunder. One of whom is currently wearing a big plastic collar around her darling little neck. The other has very clicky nails on my wood floor at midnight.
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The basement is bone dry! The water didn't pound my bedroom window sill! So nice.
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And I know all of this because Rescue alternated between getting stuck in the closet to getting stuck in the hallway...banging the collar against everything. And Maggie....Maggie paced.
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Rescue ended up in the kennel and Maggie ended up in my bed.
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I enjoyed the soothing sound of rain. Because I was awake the whole time...

4th Of July (yes, I know it's August)

2009-08-07T14:25:00.007-06:00

I realize this post is about a month late...but, hey...I've been busy. Apparently Dad is holding some pictures hostage until he sees the fishing pictures at the bottom of this post...Dad, here they are. It was hot. You know, Texas in July, duh.

Stephen is getting so big, so grown up.

Austin is pretty popular with the little guys.

Stevie was 'christening' us. And then he realized he'd forgotten himself. "I begot myself," he said.

I have a great picture of Austin at about this same age, very similar to this one.

These two did a lot of fishing. I think Steve wore the same shirt all weekend.

Andrew got a new fishing pole.

(I know this is a repeat photo but I'm tired of fighting with Blogger)

There you go.

Next...pics from Nationals.

Cone Head

2009-08-07T09:22:00.003-06:00

Take a blind, not so confident pup. Bust her eye up real good. Then put a huge plastic collar on her.
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Pathetic. But it's hard not to laugh. I'm not gonna lie.
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She's doing pretty good. The steroids are helping with the swelling and the pain meds are keeping her comfortable. She's had a rough week, this old girl has.
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Love on your critters today. Trips to the emergency vet in the middle of the night really drive home how very, very important they are. Very important.

2nd Annual Wyandotte County Pool Party

2009-08-06T08:11:00.002-06:00

Kimmy and I joke about our Wyandotte County Pool Parties...about how only in the Dot could you put a pool in your front yard, invite some people and spend the day in your bathing suit...in your front yard.
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In defense of the Dot, I think you could do it anywhere you actually have a front yard. That is one of the things I like about my house...the outdoor living space in the front.
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Donna and Ed joined us for dinner. Cooked on the grill...also in my front yard!
Mean Dog was her usual scary, unfriendly self. As you can see, she and Austin don't get along at all. She was soooo happy to see her Bates family. She almost wiggled in half when they arrived.

The pool was wonderful on the hot sunny Saturday. Even the grownups got in!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-05T07:35:00.001-06:00

A Note About Comments

2009-08-04T11:15:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to figure out the whole process of re-posting...one thing that took me by suprise is that the original comments stay with the post.
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You may notice in the post from yesterday that there is a comment from June. Really threw me this morning when I saw it. I've decided to leave the original comments as it's fun to look back and see what your reactions were to the original.

Courage

2009-08-04T11:00:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Andrew went to rowing practice with me. He had a blast, riding in the launch, talking with the rowers. He's grown up so much. I found a post from July of '07. The first time he went to rowing practice. Yesterday he was so comfortable in the launch...

Look at the difference.

Here is the original post.

I've been working on this post in my head for several days. I knew what I wanted to say but I couldn't put the words together.

This picture was taken with my camera phone and as I was trying to figure out the whole Bluetooth operation, the words came together.

To me, this is the face of courage. This little guy is scared to death. But I think it was the "I'm riding this rollercoaster if it kills me" kind of scared.

He doesn't like loud noises, doesn't care for heights, docks, boats or anything that moves with out his control.

But he loves his Aunt Jenn and so wanted to go see the 'rowin' kids'. He knew it meant getting into the small coaching launch and he was willing to give it a try.

We went early to let him feel it out (and so Uncle Asa would have time to come get him if he couldn't do it).

He took his time. I didn't rush him. Tried to talk about things to distract him from his fear. I let him come to me. Told him he could walk out to the dock and if he was scared I'd call Uncle Asa. Told him to take a look at the boat and if he didn't want to get in I'd call Uncle Asa. Asked him if he wanted to just get in...we didn't have to go anywhere. Sat next to him and snugged him in close and asked if we could push away. If he got scared we'd go back. Asked if we could go just across the marina to the rowing dock.

HE DID IT!!!!

Went all the way across the marina and then all the way out to the lake for practice. He spent the beginning plastered up against me, very quiet. Then slowly he slid over to the side. Found the paddle and began 'rowing'. By the time practice was over he was talking to his 'rowin' kids' and smiling ear to ear.

Courage

We talk a lot about 'self confidence'. But I really think the real issue is Courage.

Courage to try. Courage to succeed. Courage to fail. Courage to just do.

You have to be brave enough to walk out onto the dock.

At some point so many of us get our self image tied up with our successes and failures. If we get beat it means we aren't good enough, don't count, don't matter. SO not true.

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You have to know that if Uncle Asa comes to get you, you are still loved. You need to know you have the option.

I think sports can teach children (and adults) that they matter, they are great, they have value...no matter where they fall in the competitive hierarchy. But only if the coaches and parents understand how important it is.

Someone needs to stand on the dock and show you it can be done.

THE most important thing is the doing, the participation. Getting started is often the hardest part.

Don't be afraid to walk out on the dock...the boat ride is totally worth it!

The First Little Boy I Loved

2009-08-03T08:30:00.000-06:00

We had a gathering at my house yesterday...the second annual Wyandotte County Pool Party...and this young man is just so neat I thought this post from July '07 would be a great post to share.

He is learning to drive, drove to and from my house on the interstate and did a little practice parallel parking while he was here. Today we are going to spend some time at the mall just backing in and out of parking spaces.

You do have to imagine him with crazy long teenage boy hair.

He's a very good brother.
He is funny and maybe sometimes annoying.
He is kind and thoughtful.
He's a little quirky.
He is very handsome.

He is my very first nephew...the little boy (who is not so little anymore)...the little boy I learned how to be Aunt Jenn with.

If I Was The Boss Of This Blog I'd Fire Me

2009-08-02T07:42:00.003-06:00

I would...
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Now I can make all sorts of excuses. I've been busy. I've been out of town. I had to get up early. I had to coach. I had to go to work (scratch that, I didn't actually work much in July).
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I think those are all part of it. The getting up early...that kicked my butt. I might just now be starting to feel rested. I'm not as young as I used to be and 4:45am is awful dadgum early.
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That and Facebook has gotten in my way. All those little snippets of 'humor' that used to inspire a blog post are now 6 words on Facebook and I move on.
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But I love this blog. I've written some good stuff here. Ya'll have read and commented (even when I didn't want you to) and come back even when I only post 5 times in one month. Sad.
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So here is my pledge.
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I'm going to rerun some of my favorites from this blog. And something about purposeful neglect always inspires me to get my blogging butt going.
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Stay tuned...

Just Another Day In Upper Muncie

2009-07-31T00:09:00.002-06:00

Somedays I realty feel like I've made a difference.
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This is one of those days.
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We've had four calls and each call we were not only needed but actually helped four families deal with difficult situations.
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Now the little boy who came into the station with a flat tire on his bike, asked if I could help and left with two flat tires may tell you a different story.

You Go Girl!

2009-07-27T19:26:00.003-06:00

The young lady sitting three back (seat 2 for my rowing readers) is Summers Nelson. A former KCRC Junior who just this last week won a silver medal at U23 World Championships in Raciec, Czech Republic.

I taught this kid how to row and now look at her! While I can't take any credit for the things she has accomplished...those things she has worked her butt off for...I am crazy proud and excited for her.

2009-07-23T07:49:00.001-06:00

Hi....
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That's all.

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T21:47:00.002-06:00

What's In Your Car?

2009-07-01T14:50:00.002-06:00

There was suppposed to be a nice post here about all the bazillon things that currently live in my car....but it has dissapeared into blog land.
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Pretend we never were here.
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Now go clean out your car.

The Journey

2009-06-28T07:47:00.002-06:00

That's what this is, you know. This Journey we are all on. This life.

We all have a path. Some may think that it is preordained. That God has it all planned out for us. Some may think it is chance...and our free will to react to opportunity.

Some may think that it is a nice mix of the above.

But it is a journey. Much like a very long walk. Taking us through mountains and valleys, forests and plains, good weather and bad.

Our family has been on a particularly difficult part of our journey lately. I, like most of us, have been asking, "What is this all about?" "What am I supposed to take from this experience?"

"How do I get through this?"

Yesterday I had two experiences that led me closer to the answer to those questions.

I sat in the living room with a wonderful lady who just recently lost her husband of almost 60 years. Neighbors at the fire station. Folks we came to know after a medical emergency several years ago.

An ugly brain tumor took her husband very quickly a bout a week ago. So quick surgeons didn't have time to try to remove it. He played golf one Tuesday and died less than a week later.

You might remember Team June's experience with an ugly brain tumor. The one that took June from us almost exactly one year ago.

I believe I was able to give our friend some peace as she asked about the surgery. The surgery that probably would not have saved her husband. And very likely would have taken his spirit from her long before it took his physical body.

And in the middle of the night I stood talking with a loved one of an overdose patient. A conversation about a situation that was so heartbreakingly familiar.

I said the things to him that I remember hearing. Words spoken by....I don't even remember who. And words my cousin sent to my mother.

Words that are so very hard to hear. But so necessary to hear.

This man's pain was so real. So fresh. So...familiar.

James waited for me as I comforted him. Said those hard words. I could hear the radio faintly as he stood quietly behind me....sensing that this conversation was as much for me as it was for this man.

As we walked away I said quietly, "Right now...these are the hardest calls for me."

"Yes", James said. "But think of the comfort you just were to him."

This....this must be what this journey is for me.

Jackson 5- This old Man/ ABC 123 1974

2009-06-26T17:38:00.001-06:00

A Little Micheal

Foggy Morning

2009-06-26T17:07:00.002-06:00

I learned a lesson this morning. I must always take my camera with me...especially to the lake in the morning.This is what it looked like as I headed out to get practice started. A think fog was descending and with the sun just over the dam...well, it looked soooo cool. These pictures were taken with my IPhone. Not bad for a crappy camera phone.

Note To Self

2009-06-23T08:10:00.001-06:00

Beans for dinner the night before a long day on the bike is maybe a bad idea.

You cannot fart quietly in spandex shorts.

"Ouuuuuuuuuuut"

2009-06-21T10:28:00.003-06:00

There is a struggle going on in our house. A struggle common to those of you with feline roommates.

Cyrus wants out.

"Ouuuuuuuuut."

"Let me ouuuuuuut."

Did you know that cats are very effective communicators. Very effective.

Now I understand that some of you are not 'cat people'. I'm always irritated by folks who say, "I hate cats. I'm allergic." Strangely...hating and allergic are not at all the same thing. People, most people, who don't like cats have never been around one.

Cats are more varied in personality and temperament than dogs...and I'm a 'dog person'. It's true.

Our Gus is Switzerland. Easy to get along with, likes everyone, calm, quiet (unless the water bowl is less than completely full).

Jack is a freak. Afraid of everything. 'Nuff said.

Tasha...Tasha is our 'special child'. She has a claw disability. She can't seem to figure out how to retract her claws when walking and she gets stuck. She's kind of a loner. Or maybe she's just stuck somewhere.

Cyrus. As I mentioned, Cyrus wants out. And I think that really explains it all. He stalks the doors. And if something doesn't latch he'll be right there...trying to get it open.

He tries to get out when the dogs go in and out. So the dog in/out maneuver is usually done on one foot while using the other foot to hold back the cat who wants ouuuuuut! Balancing on one foot, hollering at Cyrus while trying to get the deaf/blind dog to go in/out when she's already unsure because of the crazed bouncing Mean Dog (River). Yeah, good times.

Now why don't we just let him out? Well...since you asked. Our neighborhood has a large free range dog population and we are three houses from a busy street. He's a big cat and can probably take care of himself but I'd rather not chance it.

But I'll tell you what...the next time I'm balancing on one foot in the middle of the dog in/out maneuver and he makes a break for it.

I'm letting him go. He'll just have to take his chances.

Nelson Atkins

2009-06-20T17:22:00.003-06:00

On Friday I spent some time with my best two guys...it was crazy hot so we decided to go to the museum. It's air conditioned and it's free!So of course we ventured out in the heat to walk through the sculpture garden.The guys really liked the shuttle cocks.
This picture was taken just before...

"The Voice" came out of the hidden speaker asking Andrew to please not touch the sculpture and to have a great afternoon.

So then, of course, he had to touch something else to see if "The Voice" was watching the trees.

June 18, 2009

2009-06-18T19:35:00.002-06:00

My Mother's 67th birthday.

The first aniversary of June's death.

The last day of YMCA camp.

The day I broke the side window on the fire truck.

Might only be four things but they are all BIG things.

G'night.

Ahhhh...Summer

2009-06-16T18:53:00.003-06:00

Did you know they're only 40 calories.

One of Summer's little miracles.

This Is Funny

2009-06-15T18:52:00.001-06:00

A great Dog post!

Or is it a bed post?

And Then There Was Television...And The Last Of The Brother Crap

2009-06-15T11:36:00.003-06:00

Warning...some language in this post is not suitable for children...or prissy folks.

I turned the TV on last night about 10pm to watch the weather. Yes, I know I was two hours early but frankly my dears I just didn't give a damn.

It was strangely riveting and then annoying. It wasn't on very long.

I read a lot of blogs on a regular basis and every once in a while one of my bloggers will disable comments on a particular post. I've never thought much about it. Didn't have any feeling one way or another.

Until now.

This post has the comments disabled.

I appreciate the many supportive comments, ideas and feelings expressed on my
"Brother" posts. You guys rock! But as they accumulated I began to feel resentful. Not resentful of y'all. You are all my friends and family and I love you. (I suppose there might be someone out there reading who found me out in the great blogosphere...but I doubt it).

No...I am resentful of my shitty brother. There are so many people praying for him, thinking about him, worrying about him.

And he doesn't deserve any of it.

Posts about him should be followed by comments such as "asshole", "idiot", "loser", "pathetic", "embarrassing", "dickwad", "fucker"...did I say "asshole"?

I am just so blasted angry.

I think about the fact that he has just taken 6 weeks off from his life. He hasn't had to go to work, clean up after himself, pay his bills, do his laundry, mow the grass, scoop the cat box and you can just fill in the blank with any of the millions of things that we adults do everyday.

Wouldn't you like an opportunity to just take some time off? Sleep more? Have someone else look after the laundry and fix the meals? Do the hard things?

I'm not saying I want to check out of my life. My life is pretty cool. And I'm proud of it. It's not perfect. I'm not perfect. I'm bossy. I'm impatient. I procrastinate (do not EVEN ask me about regatta plans for this summer). My car is an unholy mess, as is the basement and the garage and the backyard.

But it's my life and I'm responsible for it. And I always am. Even when I'm tired. Or stressed. Or sad. Or unhappy. Or broke. It's mine. I can't imagine expecting someone else to take care of it for me.

Makes me nauseous. He...makes me nauseous.

Can you stop loving your own brother? Is it possible that I've never really loved him? We have fought all our lives. I've tried to help him like about a hundred times...and just gotten attitude.

I'd like to feel some compassion but it appears I'm all out.

So...let's be done with the brother drama.

If he dies or gets his shit together I'll let you know.

Other wise...this subject is closed.

(until I need to vent again)

Thanks for listening.

Off - Day .4..and 5...and some of 6.

2009-06-13T08:15:00.004-06:00

Alternate title.

"Oh Brother"

Yep, more brother drama. And can I just say I am SOOO over it.

Kimmy and I spent Thursday evening (and an annoying chunk of Friday morning) in two different Emergency Rooms with my stupid brother who thinks taking too many prescription meds is a good idea. I think the attention he gets when he "tries to kill himself" is mainly the idea. That and he didn't have anywhere to sleep Thursday night so going to the hospital ensures a bed and a meal.

SOOOO over it.

Next time I'm not even reacting. He can just overdose all he wants. I'm not taking him to the hospital, calling 911, waiting with him while he lays pitifully in the ER, I'm not getting him a sandwich, finding his nurse, making sure he has his toothbrush. I'm just not.

SOOOO over it.

And the TV was on in the ER. And I watched it. But I'm not counting it.

Anyone want to make an issue of it?

Didn't think so...

Friday I was too busy to do anything. The guys at the station had the TV on at dinner but I sat with my back to it. And then I went to my room and went to bed.

Today, car cleaning, bike riding, birthday partying and maybe I'll try to find my buds at Jazz in the Woods...

Off - Day 4

2009-06-11T11:51:00.002-06:00

This picture of my rockstar assistant coach...is. totally. staged.

He asked the photographer (one of our goofy junior boys) to get a picture of him doing something coach like. Then he asked the kids to look astonished.

I didn't know 8 year olds even knew what 'astonished' meant!

See...this no TV thing is easy. Especially since I discovered I can listen to archived episodes of This American Life on my computer.

Study for the captain's test? Nahhh...

Off - Day 3

2009-06-10T18:52:00.005-06:00

This post...I suppose...should be about our third day with out the boob tube but I have to be honest. Today I didn't even think about the TV.

Instead I thought about this little guy and all of his little buddies. Today was a good day to be a rowing coach.

I think he looks scared.

They all look scared but then they tell you they're having fun. Who knows.

Thiis our dock shortly before the kiddos arrive. Peaceful.Here I am getting them organized before we head out.This is my rockstar assisant coach... I'd love to know what he's telling them!Don't they look sooooo small...
Can you tell that the boat is leaning to one side...I can't for the life of me teach them to set the boat level...

Sometimes they need a little help.

But then again...don't we all?

Off - Day 2

2009-06-09T15:34:00.002-06:00

I really want to turn on the TV right now.

I've been home since noon, taken a little nappy, cleaned some, read everything I wanted on the computer.

It's raining. I want TLC and some mindless time.

This is harder than I expected.

So...I think I'll go bake some brownies. I could end up a size larger in just a week.

Off - Day 1

2009-06-08T19:57:00.002-06:00

Things were very busy today. Very busy.

I coached my high schoolers from 6-8am, the YMCA kiddos from 9-1 and our adults rowers from 6-8pm. Yes...that's 8 hours of coaching rowing. A full time job.

I also did a load of laundry, dishes, had lunch with some of my kids, cleaned and moved the grill, played catch with Amanda in the backyard, talked on the phone, read a book and took a nice nap.

And I didn't watch one second of TV.

I missed it a little this morning as I was getting ready to leave for the lake. It's always on as I get coffee, have breakfast, feed dogs...you know, morning stuff.

And I'm not gonna lie...I'm missing it a little right now. It's the way I wind down before bed. A little mindless TV.

The problem is just that...it's mindless.

I don't know if I would have gotten as much done today if the TV had been on. I'm guessing not.

Off

2009-06-07T12:08:00.003-06:00

So...the treadmill blew up this morning. Some sort of electrical malfunction that blew fuses, lit up the basement in a very scary way and filled the air with that burnt electrical smell.

Now, you might be asking yourself...what in the world does that have to do with turning off the TV?

Well...I'm gonna tell you.

The demise of the treadmill led Amanda and I into a conversation about what she was going to do now that she "couldn't run". I, of course, suggested that she might try...running...outside. Oh the horror.

Talking about all the places available for running got us talking about spending time outside. She wants to learn to use the grill. I'd like to spend time on the porch...hanging out.

And then I suggested that we try turning off the TVs for a week.

Good way to make time for outdoor activities. And reading. And listening to music. And studying. And cooking. And talking. And blogging.

We talked about the details and decided that this coming week would be a good week to try as we are both pretty busy. It's nice to set yourself up for success.

So as of midnight tonight...no TV. Until Monday, June 15.

Be sure to check back. This could be interesting

DInner Anyone?

2009-06-06T18:53:00.002-06:00

Last night I had the pleasure of dining with my BFF and her wonderful Mother-In-Law Jan. We had a yummy salad and some fresh fruit. And wine.

Pretty isn't it?

This picture was taken moments before I knocked over my wine glass and the bottle of wine.

Go ahead...invite me to dinner. I double dog dare you.

Don't Give The Weather Folks Such A Hard Time

2009-06-02T04:46:00.002-06:00

I look at a lot of radar. I know where our lake lies and typically how storms move through our area. I always check the radar an hour or so before any scheduled practice.

At 4:52am...yes AM...this is what the radar looked like. That little yellow blob just to the east of KC normally would move east/north east...right over our lake. Most storms would move at a speed that would indicate very rainy conditions at our 6am practice time.

So I sent out the text...cancelling practice. At 5:51 the radar looked like this.

Stupid storm falling apart. No rain. No storms. Just me...smelling the already brewed coffee and remembering the days when I could just fall right back to sleep.

So give the weather folks a break. Sometimes storms do what they are supposed to and sometimes they don't.

It's all a crap shoot.

The Summer Of The Orange Life Jackets

2009-06-01T12:24:00.003-06:00

(I just came across this and realized it's never been published. Our Y camps begin tomorrow and I'm excited...and terrified. This is a slice of what it was like year one)
It seemed so simple in February when we were putting dates on the calendar..

I would have my regular coaching responsibilities along with the YMCA camp. It would mean one week of three a day coaching. Simple. Yeah.

And so it became the summer of the orange lifejacket. July of 2008 that is…hot and humid beyond belief. A good Midwestern summer. Why we decided July would be a good month to do this for the first time is beyond me. Oh my, it was hot. Sweat running off the tip of your nose hot.

We had arranged to teach rowing to 8-12 year olds as part of an outdoor camp through the YMCA. About 75 kids in two week sessions. Two camps. Four weeks. Yikes.

We had no idea what we were doing.

I mean, we knew how to teach rowing. I’d been coaching for, well, a very long time. And Kenny was a new coach but not new to teaching kids. His coaching instincts were sharp and I knew we could teach the rowing. We’d taught hundreds of Learn To Rows.

But to little kids? And let me tell you some of those kids were dinky…and it was hot.

We decided to teach in eights. They would be required to wear lifejackets and I knew they wouldn’t be big enough to get the necessary clearance in our quads. We had an old shoenbroad and we borrowed an eight from a local college. So, yeah, little kids in eights.

Crazy.

First challenge, getting the boats to the water. The camp was held during the workday and our volunteer crew was very limited. We decided to utilize the camp counselors and teach the kiddos how to carry big heavy boats.

About 16 little kids can pick up an eight, get it to shoulders and with a great deal of help from some grownups get it out of the compound and to the dock. Pretty impressive.

Now we talked to the kids about carrying it on their shoulders. But when the boat was on our shoulders it obviously didn’t touch theirs. The first day we walked the short distance to the dock and I couldn’t figure out why the boat was so dang heavy…day two and I was a little smarter. The kids were trying to get the boat to their shoulders, or their shoulders to the boat, hanging on...pulling down. We were carrying the eight and about 16 little kids. Can I just say HEAVY! And oh yeah…it was hot, really hot.

Kenny and I had a plan for the first day. “Let’s just get them to full slide by fours,” we agreed. Having taught many new adult and high school rowers we felt like this should be a good plan.

We didn’t figure in the crying.

Scared kids. Boats are scary. Big tippy boats are really scary. We loaded them in explaining the getting in and out process, ‘step here, don’t step here.’ ‘Hold on to your oar.’

We let them sit at the dock that first day. Starting up tight to the dock, slowly moving out to sit flat in the water while we held their blade tips. Let them feel how they could control the side to side movement of the boat.

We lost a few to the tears that first day. It had to be a little overwhelming. We’d let them get out. Tell them they could try again tomorrow. Let them watch. Didn’t push.

The last eight of that first day was doing well. I’d learned some things with the earlier groups. I really felt like they could leave the dock, maybe just float out a ways, maybe take strokes one by one. As I began to release the oar tip I was holding one little guy asked in a slightly panicked voice “You’re not coming with us??” Explaining that I would be right with them in the coaches boat we let them go.

And there they were. Nine little kids in a big eight. Sitting with slightly terrified looks on their faces. Oar handles grasped tight to their orange lifejackets.

“Stripe Up!” we’d say. Referring to the striped strap on the life jacket. If all oar handles were held right at the stripe the boat would balance. Unless you were a littler kiddo, then you needed your handle above the stripe. Important stuff.

Slowly they took their first strokes. One and then two at a time. We talked about timing, watching elbows, imagining table tops to slide the oars across, square, feather, feather, square. They laughed at the term ‘weigh enough’ but picked up most rowing lingo quickly. Smart little sponges.

Days two and three of that long, hot first week got progressively easier. We let a few of the bigger kids help lift the boats but the grownups did all of the carrying. We got everyone away from the dock. Most everyone was rowing. There were quarrels over who got to sit in the coxswain seat, who got to ride in the coaching launch. It was fun. And frankly, amazing.

A group of rotten boys, you know the ones, they make the counselors who’ve spent all summer with them crazy, this group of boys stole my heart. Blake and Chris, Michael and Connor, Jeremy and Matt, Troy and Joe. They talked too much. They didn’t pay attention. They goofed around. But they also fell over each other if I asked for help. Wanted to be in the boat I would coach. I liked them, too.

On the final day of their camp they were all put in one boat. Just for me.

We went way out into the lake. The middle of the big lake. Little boys in orange lifejackets.

And they rowed. All the way back to the dock. All eight.

So today we began camp two. 42 new orange life jackets. It’s easier this week.

Our learning curve is not so steep. The counselors know what to expect. Kenny and I know what the kids are capable of learning. We, almost, have a system. It’s still hot and there’s a new group of rotten little boys.

A reporter asked me today what it was that we were teaching. “By watching you might think that we are teaching rowing,” I replied as sweat dripped off my nose. “But actually, we are teaching courage and confidence and team work. It really has very little to do with rowing.”