It's been 20 years

I took this picture on the campus of Newman University this past May looking west at sunset (obviously). This grotto area is where I remember my college career getting started. The weekend I moved into the dorm as a freshman, there was an outdoor barbeque for the students and their parents in the grotto. It was just after this meal that my parents walked me back to the dorm and left me for good. I was homesick. But that's not what I remember most about that moment. We were walking in front of the big steps on the east side of Sacred Heart Hall and we were talking about whether or not there was anything else I'd need before they left town.

Mom and I had been the grocery store the day before and bought some things for me to keep in my room (getting up early for breakfast has never been my thing) and I had gotten some bagels. They were not pre-cut. I said that the only thing I needed was a knife to cut the bagels. Mom stopped, then so did dad and I, and we watched while she rummaged around in her purse for a minute and then produced a steak knife. My dad and I looked at each other with confused faces. Why did she have a steak knife in her purse? Her story is that she'd taken an apple to work earlier that week, along with the knife to cut it up, and just hadn't removed it yet. Right. It remains one of my favorite "going to college" memories.

This May was the 20th anniversary of my graduation from Newman. I spent a good part of May 2011 remembering my college years. I spent a good bit of time on campus this May as president of the alumni association. I even got to welcome the new graduates to the association at commencement. It was such a good decision for me to go to school at what was then Kansas Newman College in the fall of 1987. I feel blessed and eternally grateful.

I can't make this stuff up

Seen at the intersection of 25th and Arkansas. Yes, that's a small white dog in the backpack of the motorcyclist.


They must do this often because the pooch didn't look a bit scared. I was on my way to work one morning a couple of months ago when I snapped this picture. But it still makes me smile.

A Keeper photo

In January I went to Exploration Place with Jennifer, Bella and Jake to get a sneak preview of the Mr. Potato Head exhibit. We weren't really that impressed with it and Bella was very unimpressed with the costumed spud, but she did consent to one photo with him.

After this picture was snapped she wouldn't go near him and hid behind me every time we saw him.

When we left EP the flames at the Keeper of the Plains were ablaze. Here's a picture I took that turned out pretty good, for an amateur photographer.

Happy Vietnamese New Year!

A couple of weeks ago I had lunch at Saigon on Broadway. Behold, the number 56:

It was the perfect day for lunch at Saigon. They had entertainment to celebrate Vietnamese New Year, which included the popping of firecrackers outside (to ward off the evil spirits) and some drum music and two dragons winding their way through the restaurant during the lunch rush. I'm sure they symbolized something, but I don't know what. I liked the atmosphere, though. It was lunch AND a show!

As you can see I wasn't the only one taking pictures of this event.

After we'd eaten, we also got to pick out an envelope from a basket. Each envelope (or ours anyway) contained a Power Ball $1 quick pick. I am sad to report that I didn't win anything, but it was a good day to lunch at one of my favorite places.

It's Wednesday

Not that Wednesday means anything special. It's just that this particular Wednesday I decided to post a blog. And that will be my goal every Wednesday from this point forward. It's going to be a quick one tonight because I'm tired and I don't feel very well. I learned well after taking a sip of my niece-in-law Rachel's drink last weekend that she was sick. Strep throat. She got it from my niece, Katie. I'm not necessarily saying she made me sick because my brother is also not feeling well and I don't think he drank after Rachel. I'm hoping I feel better after a good night's sleep.

Before I sleep I will post this picture of the dress I bought last week. I'll be wearing this dress in less than a month (about 26 days, to be exact) when my brother gets married in Las Vegas on August 10th. We leave 25 days from today and I'm starting to get really excited. Ta-da:


I don't usually dig sleeveless things, but it's Vegas. In August. I don't think I need to say more. I love the colors. The price was right. It's fully lined, so no slip is needed. It's comfortable and machine washable. So, what do you think...hot pink toenail polish?

Out with the old

For the past two weeks I've been pretty scarce on the blogging scene, but it's all been for a good reason. My new job has kept me plenty busy even though I'm to keep my hours to 40 per week. I've been putting in longer hours toward the beginning of the week (perfectly OK with my new boss, Lori) and then taking some time off on Friday to reward myself. The job is still wonderful and even though it's a little overwhelming at times I think it's going quite well.

Along with starting a new job, I also became the owner of a brand new washer and dryer. Once I had a job secured, I knew that I needed to take some money out of savings to make this big purchase. My 15-year-old washing machine was not agitating anymore and that was agitating me. It means I was doing smaller loads to make sure the clothes came clean. And that's a pain.

Out with the old Whirlpool models...and in with the new Maytag Centennial models.










Notice the clear lid on the washing machine. Also, we had to move the dryer away from the wall because it's a bit deeper than the old one and the door to the laundry area wouldn't close otherwise. But the most amazing thing (I didn't even know this when I purchased them) is that there's a light in the dryer! Now I don't have to search blindly to see if I've gotten everything out.

For some reason, laundry isn't such a chore anymore.

I've been tagged!

My friend Lori tagged me in her blog, so I give to you my response. Sorry I'm so late to the party!

Here are the rules:

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Write 6 random things about yourself.
• Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post.
• Let each person know he/she has been tagged.
• Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things about me:
1. One of my very best friends is British and lives in Wantage, a village not far from Oxford in jolly old England. Lucy and her husband, Ian, and kids William and Ellen, live 5000 miles away from me, but when we're together every three or four years, we pick right up like we saw each other last week. Lucy and I have been friends since October of 1993. Wow, I guess we just celebrated 15 years of friendship! And we've only physically been in the same place nine different times for various spans. I plan to post a longer blog about our friendship at a later date.

2. I just started a new job with Catholic Charities and I love it! I'm a Family Recruitment & Intake Specialist with the Marriage for Keeps program. It's exhausting learning the ins and outs of a new job, but I'm so excited about it and I haven't been excited about my job in a long time.

3. Recently I joined Weight Watchers for the second time. I struggle with my weight all the time and it's time I did something about it. I'm trying to lose at least 40 pounds before I'm 40. I still have almost five months to do it. Keep me in line if you see me about to eat something dripping with calories, but be gentle about it.

4. During my time off between jobs I got some things done around my house. Lots of cleaning and organizing. I'm still working on the computer/sewing room, but it's coming along. I need to get it finished so I can start working on some Christmas sewing projects.

5. I am addicted to way too much television. Some shows I watch religiously: Grey's Anatomy, America's Next Top Model, ER, Dancing with the Stars, Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives (even though they did the 5-year fast-forward) and The Starter Wife. It's going to be hard to keep up with everything since I've started my new job. I might have to drop a few. Thank goodness for TiVo.

6. My parents are coming for a visit this week. I'm looking forward to having the company. Mom comes once a month for painting (September through May) but dad doesn't always come along. This time he's got errands, so he's coming. Luckily with my new flexible schedule, I'll be able to come home earlier since I'm working longer hours Monday and Tuesday. Definitely a bonus!

I'm tagging:
Heather
Linda
Jennifer
Robyn
Lori
Jill

I won!

Yesterday the Altar Society at my church had their biggest fundraiser of the year, Quilt Bingo. There were 20 quilts that people won (not me) by playing bingo. I never get any good bingo cards. Ever. But there was also this beautiful queen size quilt in blues, yellows and neutrals that was given away in a raffle. This year I only bought $5 in tickets because of the whole jobless thing and I won the raffle quilt! I couldn't believe it. I was helping to sell bingo cards and was outside in the hallway at my station when they called my name. I got several high-fives on my way through the room.

I think this means my luck is changing for the better. A job is just around the corner, I can feel it.

I found a pair

Of shoes on West River Boulevard, that is. Usually I only see one shoe which makes me wonder what happened to the other. But this time it was a pair. And that was weird enough for me to stop and take a picture.

Recycling

This week I went to the recycling center all by myself! Inspired by my friend Jennifer, I purchased some plastic containers several weeks ago and started my own recycling program. All it cost was the money for the containers and my gas down to the Pro Kansas Miller Recycling Center in south Wichita, which only has to be done every month or so. This is a picture of me in the car waiting in line with my stuff in the back seat.

Once inside, it didn't take long to distribute my recyclables into the various bins. Here's a shot of other people doing the same thing.

It's a busy place on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, since that's the only time during the week that it's open. It's also open on Saturdays from 9 to 3, and I would imagine it's a lot more crowded then. It doesn't cost much to get started, but the feeling of knowing that I'd done something good for the environment this week was priceless.

Starbucks in miniature

Yesterday morning I stopped for a grande iced caramel macchiato at Starbucks and much to my surprise and delight, they had just whipped up a sample tray of the pumpkin spice frappuccino. They serve their samples in these super-cute tiny cups with a super-cute tiny straw. The frappuccino was underwhelming, but I felt like I won the lottery for just a couple of minutes.

Cow Chip Queen

Last Wednesday, my friend Kathleen and I worked a three-hour evening shift at the Kansas State Fair in the Newman University booth. Before we worked at the booth, we met her mom and a couple of her mom's fellow Red Hat friends at the beer garden inside the fairgrounds. Her mom had been at the fair all day with the Red Hats since it was their special day at the fair. One of the activities was a cow chip throwing contest which Kathleen's mom, Lovella, won by wide margin. Here she is with her winner's ribbon and the winning cow chip.

Lovella says she's bronzing the cow chip, and as she said this Kathleen's dad did a big eye roll. It was quite enjoyable to meet Kathleen's folks along with Lovella's friends Thelma and Louise. I kid. Louise was only her middle name, her first name was actually Georgia. But I preferred calling her Louise for some strange reason. We (all but Thelma) made our way over to the Cottonwood building, where some of us dined on delicious chicken and noodles. The cow chip came with us, but Lovella kept it in the plastic bag while we ate.

I'm far from 15

Well, I'm pretty far from my promised 15 blog posts this month. But I'm working on a doozy that I'll be posting sometime this weekend. It's going to be a long one and for that I apologize. In the meantime I'm keeping busy with a job interview this week (more about the job later after I know something) and more contact with my former employer. Just haven't heard from either one that I am being offered a job. I'm trying to be patient.

I watched a lot of the Democratic National Convention this week. Mostly because my mom was watching it and I was there for the first two nights. Some of the speeches were very moving. That's enough about politics.

This past Monday was the beginning of the U.S. Open and I've been watching tennis when I can. One of my favorites, Tommy Haas, was defeated yesterday. I didn't see the match since it wasn't televised in its entirety, but apparently there was a line call that Tommy didn't agree with and then he self-destructed because he couldn't get past that. No challenge system was in place on that court either. But how about that Andy Roddick? He played a wonderful four-set match last night against Gulbis and won. I will admit that the television was on during the match, but I slept through most of it even though I had the best of intentions to stay awake.

More on the Open and tennis later. Right now I've got to go fold some clothes and maybe have a nap. I love three-day weekends!

My first Quinceanera (24 years too late)

On Saturday I attended the Quinceanera (sorry I don't know how to get the accent on the n) of Erica, the daughter my friend and fellow thyroid cancer survivor Juanita from church. For those who don't know (I didn't) this is a coming out party, if you will, celebrating the girl's 15th birthday. It's a custom that is celebrated mostly by Hispanics in this country. Historically, I read that it probably dates back to the 16th century Spanish tradition of presenting the 15-year-old daughter to society.

The festivities began with a mass celebrated at St. Jude. Erica's 12 attendants (six guys and six gals) processed in just like wedding attendants would. She also had an escort who walked in with Father Doug. Erica was walked down the aisle, flanked by her parents, in a stunning dress that would have been appropriate for a bride. The female attendants' dresses (they wore my favorite color, after all) were absolutely beautiful and her six male attendants, her father, her brother and her escort wore tuxedos. Her mother wore an elegant ball gown.

After the mass, there was a dinner catered by Mexican restaurant La Mesa, a presentation and a dance, all at the Wichita Ballroom. I've been to weddings that weren't nearly this elaborate. I was fascinated by the whole process and in awe of all the planning and funds that would be needed to pull off this type of fete (again my apologies on the missing accent). They've probably been saving and planning for this since she was born.

The cake was enormous. Unfortunately I left before it got cut.

There was a mariachi band at the mass and they also played during the reception. I LOVE the decoration on the sides of their pant legs!

Once the meal was finished, the presentation occurred and then Erica shared a dance with her dad after the changing of the shoes. I guess the changing of the shoes signify her leaving childhood and entering adulthood.

After all the formal dances were completed, she and her attendants led a conga line through the Ballroom.

The guests were all attired in wedding finery (except me who didn't know any better, but I was wearing an orange shirt, so at least I fit in with the color scheme) and there were gifts and a chocolate fountain. Last, but certainly not least, there was an open bar. I left for home in the middle of a downpour, but nothing could dampen the day's festivities. I'm thankful to Juanita for inviting to me to such a special event.

The Dark Knight

Well, I agree. Heath Ledger was unbelievable as the Joker in "The Dark Knight" movie. Saw it last night with my niece Katie and her boyfriend Frank. (They'd already seen it, but wanted to again--Katie only slept through a small portion of it!) I also sat just three seats away from fellow blogger and friend Lori and her husband Brian in the packed theatre. I'm usually not one for that kind of action movie, but this one was really good. I thought it was just a tiny bit long (it's about two and a half hours), but really it kept my attention the whole time. And really, the cast has some of my favorites: Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, Aaron Eckhart and Heath Ledger. The only really troubling part for me was the hideous disfiguration of my heartthrob Aaron Eckhart. Please don't make him look like that ever again. If you haven't seen it yet, go. I don't think you'll regret it.

Guess who I met

Last week I went to Oklahoma City to see my nephew, Christopher. He works for Lyric Theatre and is the second-in-command in the costume department. I went on opening night of "Swing!" to see the show. Wichita's own Barb Schoenhofer was a featured singer in the show. She and Christopher Morgan were my favorites. While I've met Barb before (when she was in "Cabaret" at Lyric two years ago), I had never met Mr. Morgan. I was impressed with him on stage. And even more impressed that his wife is Kim Fields (aka Tootie from "Facts of Life")! She was tending to Sebastian, their one-year-old son, when I met her in his dressing room before the show. It was quite exciting! My nephew asked her during the show (she was in the dressing room watching the show on television) if she'd mind taking a picture with me. She graciously agreed, but by the time we got a chance to find her they were already gone. Christopher was going to try to get a picture with her and send it to me, but I haven't gotten one yet. If I do I'll post it, I promise!

After opening night of the show, there's a reception at a local restaurant where the cast and crew mingle with the audience from the show. I didn't see too many audience members there, but the cast and crew where there in full force. I got a free drink and a couple of egg rolls out of the deal, so I was happy. When we left there we went to a bar having karaoke night and Christopher (my nephew) and Barb did a duet. They sang Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit" and even though they'd had several cocktails, they still rocked it. I couldn't resist posting a photo.

It was a good trip and if I'm not working yet in early August, I think I'll go for the opening of "Urinetown" since I haven't seen that one yet.

I also got a tour of the costume shop where all the magic happens. This is just a glimpse of it. This is a huge room where all the costumes are arranged by show.

A couple of the sewing machines.

Since no trip to OKC is complete without a meal at Iron Starr Urban Bar-b-q, we ate lunch there on Wednesday before I came back home. Yummy.

It's starting to feel like spring

Spring is truly in the air this week. Must be the combination of spring break and the week before Easter. Not to mention the fact that it's just after 8 p.m. and there's still a bit of daylight. Also, I have green stuff growing in my flower beds again! All of these things are signals to my brain that spring is nearly here. And I'm ready to admit it...it's time for winter to be over. It takes me longer than most to tire of the cold, windy, snowy, sleety, slushy, icy days than most other people. But I'm finally ready. So, bring on the spring.

I know you don't really care, but I've been SO busy lately. Just last night I finished a four-page story about a family at my church for the parish newsletter. Yes, I said FOUR pages. They are a really neat family and I had so much fun interviewing them. I could have easily done another page, but deadlines were looming and I have to sleep sometime!

Speaking of spring, I installed a new shower head (and hose) in my bathroom over the weekend. I went to my local Sutherlands store to buy a replacement hose because my old one sprung a leak last week, but they didn't have just the hose. So I bought the whole she-bang and installed it all by myself. Nary a leak in sight. I'm so proud I could just burst.

Happy leaping

I don't have anything special to say today, but I wanted to post another item in February to bring me up to double digits this month. I've been such a slacker, but I'll try to do better in March.

Leap day was today and I watched a story on the news this evening about things throughout history that have happened on February 29th. Of course I can't remember any of them. They also showed one of the newest leap day babies, just hours old. I don't know anybody with a February 29th birthday, but I think I know some people with today as their anniversary date.

The weather this weekend is supposed to be phenomenal, at least on Saturday. So you all enjoy it for me because I'll be at work most of the weekend :-(

I do love me some sunsets

I've been to Maui and there are a multitude of postcards depicting their beautiful island sunsets. Aside from the beaches and crystal clear waters, Maui's got nothin' on Kansas in the sunset department. I've seen some of the most beautiful colors ever in Kansas sunsets. I took these pictures on my trip back home from Ellinwood earlier this month. The first two were taken at approximately 70 mph just north of Sterling out the car window. I must say I'm very proud of these. I love the snow you can see in the second one. Yes, I took them and, yes, I was driving. No, I didn't hit anything, and, no, I don't make a habit of doing this.


This next picture shows the same day's sunset about 20 minutes farther down the road. This one I did stop for: on the ramp where highways 50 and 96 merge for a mile before you get to South Hutchinson. Don't worry, I made sure no one was coming and I was only stopped for a few seconds.

Eat your heart out, Maui.

E-file follow-up

So, I posted about e-file and how my taxes are already done and filed, right. We get a message at work this week that the W-2s may not have been correct and hold off filing until we're sure and get new ones issued for the wrong ones. Let's hope mine was correct to begin with. I sure don't want to file an amendment.