Charlotte's Web(log)

A Weekend of Christmas Preps

2009-12-20T22:15:00.000-06:00

I was very tired from Friday's activities, and was slow to move around Saturday morning - didn't get dressed and leave the house until 10am! I had errands to run yet that I didn't want Cassie witnessing, but couldn't leave her home with Mark cuz he was napping. So we hit McDonald's and got breakfast to-go and headed to Mom's. While I ate, Mom and I divided up who was bringing what for Christmas breakfast. Then I was off!

I got the last of the stocking stuffers, then returned for Cassie. We went to Gateway and hit Hickory Farms, Bath and Body Works, and a couple of other shops. Then on to South Pointe to Hallmark, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. A late lunch at Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop gave Cassie and I a chance to revive and cuddle. On to Hy-Vee to order Scott's birthday cookie and get a sack of groceries. Whenever Scott decides he wants his party I'll be ready.

Locked myself in the bedroom and sorted through the purchases. Cassie knocked at the door every five minutes needing something very important. :-) Got her fed then she and I wrapped gifts in the bedroom. After she went to bed, I finished the rest of the gifts then pulled out the stocking stuffers. By midnight I was done! (Except for one that I've hidden so well I can't find it.)

Sunday I was naughty and skipped church. Couldn't get myself moving until 9am when Cassie and I managed to head out to bring home LaMar's doughnuts for breakfast. We watched "White Christmas" while eating then I got right to work on getting the house picked up (with Cassie tagging along at every step). Twelve hours later I had six trash bags of Cassie's clothes for the consignment shop, the gifts arranged beneath the tree, my Christmas linens brought out, and other organizing done.

Unfortunately we didn't get to the baking. Cassie and I did get the Christmas Day grocery list finalized and sent Mark to the store for the goodies. I also pulled out my tripod and attached her camera and mine and took photos of the decorations using different settings. Cassie had a blast using the tripod - raising and lowering, tilting, carrying it all around. She got some pretty good shots!

She and I also had fun going through my linens and Christmas platters, bowls, and plates. Too bad I'm not ready yet!

An Eventful Day

2009-12-18T21:58:00.004-06:00

This was a hoppin' day.

The icemaker died so Mark stayed home to meet the repairman from Schaefer's. We got the usual "he'll be there between 8:30 and 12:30" timeframe. The guy arrived at 10:30, made his diagnosis, replaced the unit, and was gone. A 10-min service call. $230.

Today was the all-school assembly at Cassie's school; 1:45pm. Mark and I attended to watch her receive the Star Citizen Award for all 2nd grade. The recipient has been helpful to the teacher, helps classmates as necessary, is a role model, and exemplifies the five pillars of character. Okay, so I can't recite the pillars but they include integrity, honesty, treating others as you'd want to be treated and includes quotes from famous people such as Gandhi and M.L King, Jr. The pillars are written along the stairsteps to the school. Cassie didn't know she was the winner until her name was called. Her teacher emailed me on Monday so we could make arrangements to be there, and it's been tough all week not to spill the beans.

I returned to work and barely made it into my parking lot as the drive belt came off the van again. This is a routine problem for Dodge Caravans when water splashes up underneath the engine, and this is the fourth time in three years that I've dealt with this (there's no fix for this, the little shield that's in place is useless). Always requires a call to AAA, they tow it to Russwood Chrysler Plymouth, Russwood spends 10 min getting the belt back in place: $80. So I work hard to avoid puddles (no more fun for me sloshing through puddles in the street). But the melting snow on the streets must have created enough moisture splashing around. And you know that without a drivebelt you lose hydraulics and you nearly break the steering wheel (or your arm) trying to turn the wheels. But lucky me, the AAA guy was able to get the belt back in place and didn't have to tow me. I called Russwood back to let them know the van was not on its way (and they couldn't get to it until Monday anyway so I'm not without a van for the weekend). Yea AAA!!!

After work I picked up Mark and Cassie for a frantic dash through several stores to finish Christmas shopping. For my gift I'd asked for the heavy spike thing (that's a technical term) that you can use to break a vehicle window to get out and you can use it to cut through a seatbelt if necessary. Mark said he had no intention of buying that. So I'm thinking the lightweight, cordless drill was out too. So we hit Target for bath soap and a few other things plus I picked out a flannel winter nightie. I needed a new one but I preferred the weapon or the drill.

On to Gateway. I dropped Mark and Cassie at the Food Court so I could hit Jo-Ann's for beading/jewelry-making supplies for Cassie from Santa. I don't do that stuff so I was lost as to basic supplies. I had glanced through a beading book but still, there's so much out there. If she wanted quilting stuff count me in. But this? Enter Danielle A. from the library - my hero. This morning she gave me a long list of stores, requisite supplies, and purchase suggestions. And lucky me, the stuff was on sale for 50%-off!

Met up at the Food Court again then headed all over Gateway to find a few more last minute items. Very crowded and very definitely the Christmas shopping season. When Cassie and I were there last (the Monday night after Black Friday) the place was dead.

We returned home at 8:45pm so I could get Cassie ready for bed while Mark went to Best Buy for the two movies I'd chosen (bye, bye cordless drill; hello "Madagascar" movies. But then, I love the penguins and King Julian REALLY had to grow on me). I sorted through the bags and purchases, read through Christmas cards, Cassie EXCITEDLY read her letter from Santa, I heated some soup for me for supper, and got a little girl to bed.

My feet are killing me, but only have a few stocking stuffers left to pick up and the shopping is done. How did I end up so late with my shopping when I was mostly done before Thanksgiving? Tomorrow I can concentrate on wrapping, and maybe even get my baking done!

A Snow Day with Cassie

2009-12-10T20:50:00.001-06:00

Area schools called for another Snow Day today. Something to do with -20 windchills, 12" of snow on the ground, and many neighborhood streets not plowed. My turn to stay home with Cassie and we had a grand time.

Our day began by cuddling in bed while Finding Waldo, then her reading poems to me from "When We Were Very Young" by A.A. Milne and "Lunch Money and other Poems about School" by Carol Diggory Shields, and me reading to her from "Falling Up" by Shel Silverstein. Then a trip to LaMar's and McDonald's for breakfast, then Target for more winter clothing, Campbell's for greenery, and to the grocery store to stock up on Christmas cookie-fixing supplies.

It was bitterly cold and I was glad I wore three shirts - until we hit the greenhouse at Campbell's. The streets were very busy so I'm guessing everyone had cabin fever and out running errands now that the main streets were passable. This was my first snow day and I was just eager to get back home.

We wound up not baking cookies (perhaps after work on Sat). Cassie asked to watch "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" while we ate lunch. From there we segued into more decorating while doing laundry, and Cassie got enthused to tidy up her room. And all the while her mouth was running a mile a minute with comments or asking questions. It's like being at the reference desk 24/7 with no letup.

The Trip to Work

2009-12-09T22:11:00.005-06:00

Awoke at 5am on Wednesday, and turned on the pc at 5:30, but alas, the city website nor the library's site did not announce I could stay home today. Cassie was very disappointed.

I fired up the low-riding van at 6am and gave a trial run at negotiating the neighborhood street. I got stuck a few times but decided I could make my way to Vine Street. Returned to the house and had breakfast then headed out at 7am.

With most everyone stuck at home the plows were able to get the major streets in great shape for travel. (Note to self: "N" street is apparently not considered a major street, stick to "O" street next time. Had to gun it most of the way to plow through the heaps. Don't know if "gun it" quite applies to 25 mph but that was definitely too fast for the conditions and fortunately I was the only vehicle around. Considering I do 50 down Vine it was odd to think of 25 as pushing the envelope.)

Made it downtown but no parking available! My $65/mo lot was not plowed until mid-afternoon. I'm supposed to be able to get into any other Grubb & Ellis lot but my key card was not accepted. I tried the Eagle parking garage across the street from the library but with no staff on duty the gate wouldn't let me in. I ended up at University Square on 4th floor at $6/day. Saved my receipt to request a refund from Grubb & Ellis.

Finally walked into the library at 7:45am. Staff were trapped at home and the phone was ringing off the hook as they called-in. Fortunately it was a slow day, and I was able to get other work done as well.

The library was very chilly. Even though I was wearing two pairs of socks and four shirts (yes, along with other clothing!) I was cold.

The travel home was much easier as my street had been plowed on both sides! Yippee!

A Wintery Day

2009-12-08T19:05:00.005-06:00

A snowstorm and blizzard has hit town. Schools closed so Cassie was home today; Mark stayed home from UNL with her. I toddled out of the house at 8am, brushed snow off the van, and carefully drove the (usually) 10 min to work - got there at 8:45. My workday begins at 9am but I was really hoping to get there a little earlier than that!

UNL ended up closing at noon so Mark didn't have to take much vacation today. He helped our older neighbor across the street scoop the walk, and he scooped our walk several times. I also got home to find a festive porch - he'd strung lights along the railing.

The libraries closed early at 5pm. No Snow Days with the city, we have to take vacation. Downtown was empty but the snow was oh so pretty. Six inches of it had accumulated during the day.

Mark also peeled potatoes for supper. I got them cooked and mashed, and made a double batch of Favorite Meat (1 lb hamb, 1/4 cup milk, 1 egg, 8 crushed saltines; form into patties; fry at 320, 5 min each side). Ymmm!

Full tummies, a warm house with electricity, and watching "White Christmas" with Cassie. The day ended pretty well!

Weekend of Decorating

2009-12-06T19:09:00.006-06:00

Cassie and I spent a fun, busy weekend getting ready for Christmas.

Saturday we finished decorating the tree while watching the Star City Holiday Parade on TV, then put on my dvds of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas," and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer."

After a late lunch, we hit the Open House at A Novel Idea Bookstore (where Cassie purchased two "Ready Freddy" chapter books), stopped by the library, and had supper at Subway downtown. We were planning to go to South Pointe mall to see Santa but we both faded during supper and just went right home. We showered and climbed into bed at 7pm! Mark was sprawled on the couch watching the Big 12 conference championship.

I tossed in my timer tape and settled down to watch the final two eps of "Monk" but Cassie joined me after 20 min "because she was lonely." So much for her going right to sleep. She happily read a book while I struggled to stay awake.

Today we attended church, hit the grocery store, had a quick lunch, went to South Pointe to see Santa, bought some socks at Scheel's for me, then back to church for two hours of craft-making, on to Target for shoes for Cassie, then home to make supper. And best of all, it's snowing!!!

Prepping for Christmas

2009-12-03T22:07:00.006-06:00

I was stunned today while checking out materials to people at the library. The due date is three weeks from today - Dec 24!!! Only three weeks to go.

Last night Cassie and I hit two more stores to get her set for winter weather. Mark accompanied us this time. When we were done we'd gone to Target and Penney's for three sweaters, three camisoles (for use beneath the sweaters), two winter jammies, and two more jeans. I also got a new pair of gloves. I did three loads of laundry before turning in so she could wear some of her new clothes today.

Tonight Cassie and I rearranged the living room, then I brought up the skinny tree from the basement. Last year we bought this skinny tree to replace the other tree I've had for 27 years - it's a nice, triangular tree but too big around for this small house (it's a beautiful tree and I'm keeping it yet). Last year was the first time I've seen a skinny tree that looked nice enough so we went with it.

I was surprised at how patient Cassie was at separating and arranging the branches. Mark brought up the box of lights and garland, and Cassie again was very patient at unrolling the lights and checking to ensure they all lit. Tomorrow night we put them on the tree, then unpack and hang my beautiful, 1950's vintage ornaments.

Black Friday

2009-11-28T21:32:00.005-06:00

I got dragged into Black Friday and ended up enjoying myself. Even worse, Cassie and I are planning to go next year as well!

Brother Scott convinced Cassie she HAD to attend BF at "his" Target (56th & Hwy 2). She was all excited about it and asked me if we could participate. She thought we should go at 5am. Ha! We set out our clothes the night before so we could get out the door ASAP.

As I expected, we left the house at 8am. By the end of our adventure we'd hit both Targets (niece Paige was our cashier at the south store), McDonald's for breakfast (new one at 21st & K), and Gateway mall.

We had a blast! No one is more surprised than I. Parking was non-existent, the crowds were thick, and it was difficult to get our cart around at the Target stores (but we didn't have to wait for fitting rooms at any store). Lines to a cashier generally took 15 min. At Gateway, the restroom in the mall right outside of Penney's had a long line, no toilet paper, everyone fought with the electric-eye water faucet, and there were no paper towels. (Note for next year: pack hand sanitizer and a travel supply of toilet paper.) Then lunch at Subway. And don't forget 60-degree weather!

I think we enjoyed ourselves because we had no goal in mind. I'm mostly done with my shopping so anything we purchased was a bonus. I'm sure Cassie's enjoyment was partly due to her coming home with a bracelet-making kit, two henley's, a pair of jeans, and a top. I found a winter purse to replace the two I have that I don't like.

Amazingly, I can't wait until next year!

Ghosts of Thanksgiving Past

2009-11-27T16:20:00.007-06:00

Well kids it's been ages since last we gathered. A lot of changes have happened.

As Queen Elizabeth commented about 1992, "annus horribilis" has been our 2009. I'm just trying to get through the rest of this year, and hope 2010 is better.

First of all, shortly after my last post, beloved auntie Betsy Mae entered hospice and passed away on April 5 - Palm Sunday morning. She was a major player in my life. She sparked my interest in old movies when I was in elementary school. When I returned home after two years of college back east, Betsy and I would attend movies (and Mom too) at Sheldon Art Gallery's "American Movie Classics Series." When that series ended we'd hit mainstream films as well. We'd have dinner at Alice's Restaurant (a familiar family restaurant for long-time Lincolnites), attend the film, then snack afterward at Lum's restaurant on "O" street. We'd also carve our pumpkins together. Her absence is just beginning to feel like reality. In early October I was browsing through Ben Franklin and Campbell's looking at decorations and planning my table centerpiece for Thanksgiving all the while thinking I'd run my ideas passed Betsy for her input.

Mark's mom entered hospice the beginning of summer. She stabilized until August, then passed away Aug 20. She just couldn't recover from the stroke and the multitude of infections and other medical issues that subsequently arose. The boys are orphans now as they lost their dad to brain cancer in 1987. I met Mark the following year, so I never knew his dad. Neita was the hub in that family.

So two empty seats at our Thanksgiving tables this year.

As it happened, I ended up canceling Thanksgiving for my side of the family. We always celebrate the Saturday-Before since Mark's family celebrates on Thanksgiving proper. But this year I'd caught a bad respiratory thing (NOT H1N1) and knew I couldn't recover fast enough to pull together a dinner. Mom and niece Paige agreed so I concentrated on getting myself healthy and am looking towards Christmas.

Thanksgiving morning Mark, Cassie, and I loaded the van (and I mean loaded. Read: Cassie packs practically her entire room when I say, "Pack a few things to entertain yourself for the drive up and back.") and met at brother-in-law Gordie's place; we ate at Divot's in Norfolk. First time in 20 years that we were up and back the same day.

The empty seats are not quite as obvious yet. A change in tradition was probably good for this first year.

Playing with the New Cameras

2009-03-25T12:00:00.001-06:00

Cassie and I are having fun using our new cameras. Here's a shot of both of us taking photos of our shadows! This was taken in the parking lot at Lancaster Manor.

She's been busying snapping shots of the landscape as we drive by, of other vehicles, of buildings. There are shots of me driving, Mark driving, her feet, her blankie on the next seat, her books, and her backpack. You name it, we now have a photo of it.

I've been practicing too. Turns out my camera has a setting called DM which allows me to get microscopically close to an object and take a clear photo. Maybe this is one way I can read the small print on my medicine bottles...

Here's a shot of the photographers at the library after closing time.

Another Lost Tooth

2009-03-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

Cassie lost another tooth Monday night!

This one took a long time to wiggle loose and the last couple of days it was difficult and painful for her to eat.

We carefully wrapped it in a tissue and put it beneath her pillow. The Tooth Fairy left a quarter.

Here's a photo she took of herself Monday night with her new camera.

Another Busy Week

2009-03-24T18:00:00.002-06:00

Ran a bunch of errands on Mon and Tues but really got nothing accomplished. Don’t ‘ya hate when that happens?

Wednesday, Cassie and I visited Betsy at Lancaster Manor after work.

Thursday a girlfriend and her hubby were in town from Las Vegas - Kathy’s oldest daughter was getting married in Omaha. Cassie and I met Jim and Kathi at Tico’s for supper, and her other daughter, Loray, Loray’s son Robbie, and her boyfriend were able to join us as well. Cassie ran out of gas at 7:30pm so I had to make a short night of it. Got the little girl home and right to bed; she was asleep before I left the room.

Friday I’d originally planned to visit Betsy again. But we’d had such a busy week and we were going to see Betsy on Saturday anyway to get a universal remote and a clock for her room, that I decided at the last minute to skip Friday night. So Cassie and I went to Valentino’s at 70th & Van Dorn for supper.

We like that location best because there are several buffets to chose from, not solely an Italian Buffet like at the Holdrege Street location. We happily helped ourselves to the Kids Buffet (me – I love the corn dogs!), the Pasta Bar, the Salad Bar, the Pizza Bar, the Seafood Bar, the Chinese Bar, the Dessert Bar. I also nabbed for her a purple balloon that we tied to the back of her chair. So we were happily munching along.

Then brother Scott called to say Mom was on her way to the ER at St. E’s. We finished our desserts and headed over. I called Mark and he left his part-time night job to pick up Cassie and put her to bed. I sent Scott home since he’d been up since 3am (he works the early shift at the Target warehouse) and he still needed to eat his supper. So it was just me and Mom all night in the ER. They decided to admit her, and I got home at 1am. Long story short, she had an episode of atrial fibrillation. Meds were adjusted and I was able to take her home on Saturday. Also hit National Pharmacy to pick up her prescriptions.

Then Cassie and I visited Betsy at Lancaster Manor. I got the Universal remote to accept the TV in Betsy’s room (or maybe it's the other way around?), showed her how to use it, and left her a clock. We also ran several errands.

Sunday Cassie and I got donuts from LaMars. After breakfast we hit Best Buy for a new digital camera. My Canon PowerShot A530 died and it was time for a new one. Problem is I just can’t get my head wrapped around all the techie stuff. I don't understand aperture, ISO, resolution, pixels, optical zoom vs digital zoom, so I just buy a camera I can put on Auto. I came home with a Canon PowerShot SD 790 IS Digital ELPH (10 megapixels) on sale. I’m currently reading the manual. Best of all it's a rechargeable camera - no more running through tons of AA batteries.

I also bought Cassie a camera. The little stinker knew how to use my other digital camera so I decided what the heck. The $20 Hannah Montana models or $40 High School Musical things were pieces of crap. So I got her a $70 Insignia (7 megapixels!) in bright pink. She knows how to take a picture, zoom in and out, look at the photos she’s taken, delete what she doesn’t like, and change the batteries (yeah, I'm still buying AA batteries for a camera...sigh). So we’ve had fun taking photos together, and taking photos of each other taking photos of each other.

Also visited Betsy again, checked on Mom, washed the van, went through tons of paperwork, and did lots of laundry.

I had to go to work on Monday just to rest up!

Cassie's Bday Party

2009-03-23T21:31:00.007-06:00

Cassie enjoyed her birthday party.

I worked that weekend so her party was held at 6:30 at Mom's. This year she wanted a giant cookie with the Disney Princesses on it instead of a regulation cake. I had Mark and Cassie pick up her cookie (and Hy-Vee managed to misspell her name!), and get the paper plates, cups, and napkins - Hannah Montana, Disney Princesses, and High School Musical of course. Sigh.

She was very excited about her gifts: "Uno" card game with Hannah Montana on the design, several books, "Wall-E" dvd, a couple of music cds (Hannah Montana, Jonas Brothers, shudder), and a craft kit to make garden stones (from Uncle Scott). We make and decorate our own stones and then put them in the garden plot in front. Right away Sunday morning Cassie wanted to begin work on the stones.

But even through the excitement, fun, and joy of Cassie's birthday, I always think of her birth parents and the heartbreaking decision they had to make. They will never know how she's doing, what country she's in, and in general what kind of person she's turning out to be. They will never see her smile, feel her hug, smell her hair, hear her laughter, receive her handmade projects, or hear her say, "I love you Mommy." Well-meaning, but ignorant, people say to us that we did a wonderful thing by adopting her. And sometimes they say this in front of Cassie! But in truth Mark and I are the lucky ones.

A Rough Week

2009-03-15T12:00:00.000-06:00

Most of this week I spent at home sprawled on the couch. I returned to work on Tuesday but shouldn't have. By Friday I was much better and returned to work. Unfortunately due to my own illness and taking time off for Betsy, I'm now 9+ hours Leave Without Pay on this time sheet.

Lab results came back and I don't have C-Diff or salmonella or any other of a host of things they checked for. Just a really bad case of the stomach flu. Really bad. Really. Bad. Really.

We planned to celebrate Cassie's birthday on Saturday, but since I was down all week I hadn't done any shopping on behalf of me or Mom. So Friday night Cassie spent the evening at Grma's while I quickly hit Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble, Target, etc with list in hand. There's not a Ken doll to be found in Lincoln, that's all I can say. Luckily Toys R Us and B&N pulled some items that I wanted and held them for me so I just had to swing in and out. (Yeah, like I can ever just pop into B&N...)

Earlier this week Betsy was moved from Bryan LGH East to Lancaster Manor. She's not happy about that and finds fault with everything. Friday she was taken to Bryan LGH West complaining of chest pains and difficulty breathing; they chose to admit her.

Mark's Mom is still having a rough time of it but has finally returned from the Norfolk hospital to the nursing facility in Verdigre. She's also convinced she gave C-Diff to Cassie who then passed it on to Betsy, so she's refusing to see Cassie to prevent spread of disease to anyone else. This is not true but we can't convince her otherwise. I'm trying to get Mark to go up to visit, but so far our next scheduled trip is at Easter.

Medical issues have been the theme since February. With luck, Cassie's birthday party can get us switched to a new state of mind and moving in a different direction.

Not the Weekend I'd Planned

2009-03-09T09:15:00.000-06:00

Betsy went home from St. E's last Thursday evening. I was very surprised they released her but the doc okay-ed it so I had to follow through. Cassie and I picked her up after I got off work, hit the grocery store for a few basics for her fridge, then got her settled at home. After ensuring Betsy was fine, Cassie and I had supper at Taco Inn and went right to bed. It was past her bedtime and I was very tired - too tired to pack for my weekend quilt retreat.

Friday was Cassie's 7th birthday. I sang Happy Birthday to her, we let her open one present (a pillowcase made out of Hannah Montana fabric), and she and I gathered around the radio to hear her birthday announcement on KFOR. Got Cassie to school by 9am and I headed off to pick up Betsy's antibiotic prescription. Then I could pack and head to retreat.

Not to happen.

Betsy's home health care provider called. Betsy had exaggerated her condition because she wanted to be home (and I can understand wanting to be home), but now she recognized this was a mistake. However, now that she was home the hospital social worker would not be finding a nursing home for her, it was now MY job to call around. Long story short, the visiting nurse arrived early and agreed Betsy needed care. She suggested we just call 911 to have her transported back to the hospital - there was no way I would be able to get her to my van. We ended up at the ER at Bryan LGH East.

Cousin Bob called me in the afternoon to kick me out. He reminded me I'd been caring for Betsy almost nightly for most of February, and that I needed this quilt retreat for ME. He promised to take over until I returned Sunday and I was to leave town and forget the worries. So I headed home to pack and take the 30-min drive to the 4-H camp outside of Gretna while listening to a book on CD.

I arrived and unpacked in time for supper. I didn't eat much but then I'm not a fan of jambalaya. At 8pm I was very tired so I headed to my cabin, showered, and went to bed. At 1am I awoke and spent the rest of the night in the bathroom with my cabinmates peeking in on me occasionally. I called Mark at 6:15am to say I needed picked up. He and Cassie finally arrived at 7:45 to take me to Bryan LGH East. I was concerned I'd contracted C-Diff from Betsy and wanted to be tested, and if they decided to admit me I wanted family to have to visit only one hospital.

The ER staff really hopped to it when I announced I'd been exposed to C-Diff. I was so dehydrated they had difficulty finding a vein for an IV, but finally I got hooked up to fluids, electrolytes, and an anti-nausea med. By noon I was stabilized and could go home with an anti-nausea prescription. It takes two days for the lab to test for C-Diff so I'm still up-in-the-air about that diagnosis. I spent the rest of the weekend on the couch, mostly sleeping, dozing, being read-to by Cassie, and catching the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family.

Sunday I could stand and had tolerated a piece of toast for breakfast, so I had to accompany Mark back to the retreat to collect my things plus the van was still there. My quilting sisters had kindly packed up my stuff so all we had to do was load the van. Cassie chose to ride with me - my having the retreat snacks might have had a little to do with that - and she happily munched on popcorn, coke, and a candy bar on the way back to Lincoln (Mark drove the Neon down I-80 but I took the van down the more scenic route on Hwy 6). Then I hit the couch again and slept hard.

I was able to eat chicken noodle soup and later some rice. Now Monday morning I still don't have an appetite but need to eat something to get my strength back. My quilting stuff is still in the van (though I did bring in my sewing machine) but I'm not gonna worry about that yet. I'm just disappointed I didn't get to attend retreat. Last year Diana D. just got unpacked, was ill during the night, and her hubby retrieved her; this year it was me. I hope we don't have a Hat Trick next year.

Too Smart at Almost 7

2009-03-03T08:02:00.004-06:00

While waiting for one of our doctor appointments a couple of weeks ago, Cassie was reading an animal book aloud to me. The book was explaining that bats sleep during the day and are active at night. She looked up and said to me, "That means bats are nocturnal, Mommy." And casually went back to her reading.

?!?!

The other parents and I just looked at each other with wide eyes.

A Medical February

2009-03-02T16:44:00.000-06:00

February was even more hectic than January.

February 2 I had my medical appointment, and Feb 3 I had my eye appt. I make good use of my days off! I have new glasses with a new prescription.

Deb H. left town for a class so Cassie and I were the official catsitters for several days. Mark would drop Cassie to me at the library at closing time, then she and I would head to Deb's to feed and play with the critters. They learned quickly what time we'd arrive and were generally waiting for us at the top of the stairs. I headed over at 6am to feed them breakfast and get me back home before Mark left for work.

Saturday Feb 7 we held Betsy's 80th birthday party. She had been under the weather for several days but hadn't 'fessed up yet to the seriousness of her symptoms. I gave her a pillowcase made out of Kitty Cucumber fabric to coordinate with the Kitty Cucumber quilt I gave her last year. I also baked her a lemon cake.

Sunday Feb 8 Cassie and I were out early to have breakfast, feed the kitties, then run a ton of errands. We were at Deb's in the Highlands when Betsy in Bethany called to say she needed help. It took us several minutes to get there, then we took her to St. E's. I spent the entire day in the emergency room with Betsy while they ran tests. (It was very busy there that day with tons of sick people and I managed to catch bronchitis. This time the antibiotics worked like a charm.)

I called Mark after lunch to pick up Cassie and they went shoe shopping. Finally the docs decided to admit Betsy to St. E's and I left there at 9pm to hit the grocery store and feed Deb's kitties (who were not happy at the lateness of their meal). Betsy had a massive UTI and was on fluids, morphine, and antibiotics. Cassie and I would visit each evening after work, get our supper from the hospital cafeteria and eat with Betsy. After a week she was transferred to Tabitha.

I was very pleased with Betsy's progress at Tabitha, especially at how well she was walking with her walker. She was doing better now than she had been for a long time and I know it was due to the PT, though Betsy pooh-poohs exercising. So I expected to hear that they'd be releasing her soon yet I wasn't hearing anything from the social worker. So I made an appointment with the director of social services and got some updates from her and explained Betsy's home health care program to them. Finally got Betsy home two days later though Tabitha continued to visit to keep up with PT and OT - which was fine with me but irritated Betsy. She was only there for a week, but Betsy was very pleased to leave Tabitha.

In the meantime Mom had several dr appts and Mark took her to a couple as well when I didn't have my Mon/Tues off to compensate for weekend work. She's still weak and has trouble walking. The diuretics aren't working as needed so she's now wearing special socks to try to get her feet and legs back to normal size. Her cardiologist and her primary physician are still sorting out her meds.

President's Day I was off work and Cassie had no school. She had a morning dental appt, we had to stop at my doc's for a follow-up, stop and get my new glasses, then we had lunch at McDonald's. That afternoon Cassie had her eye appt and she needed to order glasses for reading. I managed to trick her into choosing the $105 frames instead of the $145+ Hannah Montana frames by continuing to show them to her and getting the idiot clerk to agree that the frames in my hands were the ones in the poster that she liked.

The next day Cassie had three teeth extracted (or "wiggled" as the dentist refers to it to the kids). The dentist said her mouth is too small for all her teeth, and that by age 12 she'll be wearing braces. They schedule wiggles in the morning so the kids don't have to worry about it all day, and I was fortunate that they had an opening the next day when I was still off work. I wasn't happy that she missed school, but I could understand the dentist's reasoning. After the procedure they gave her a cute sticker that read, "Ny nouth nis afleep." They used laughing gas on her so she didn't have to deal with a needle, but she still had to deal with the aftermath - she couldn't speak well and thought her lower lip was hanging out.

I changed the bloody gauze in her mouth three times, let her snuggle on the couch beneath my denim quilt, and let her watch cartoons all morning. By 1pm she had stopped bleeding and was hungry. She ate two servings of macaroni and cheese, then at 1:30 asked when she could return to school. That surprised me, but I let her go back since she wasn't bleeding and she wanted to go.

Parent-Teacher conference was Tuesday Feb 24. Cassie is doing math at the second grade level, doing very well in reading, and is well-liked by her classmates. And she came home with several books from the Book Fair.

Thursday Feb 26 I got a call late afternoon at work from Betsy's home health care people. She had a doc appt and the physician was immediately admitting her to St. E's. So I left work early and met her at the hospital. Lab tests confirmed that she now has Clostridium Difficile. C-Diff is a serious bacterial infection that affects older people, people who've just come off a round of antiobiotics, and people who have been in a nursing home environment.

Cassie and I picked up my mom and we all visited Betsy Friday after work. As usual Cassie and I got our suppers on trays from the hospital cafeteria. Mom can't walk very far so when we arrived at the hospital entrance I nabbed a wheelchair for her. Cassie had a blast pushing it and I could barely keep up.

On top of all this, we got word that Mark's mom is AGAIN, in the hospital. This is, what?, the fourth time since Thanksgiving? Her symptoms sound curiously like Betsy's so I emailed to brother-in-law Jack all the info I had on C-Diff.

Saturday after work I went straight home. I was exhausted and heated myself some chili. I tried to watch "The Magnificent Seven" but Cassie needed mommy-time so halfway through the movie I just quit, and Cassie and I got into jammies and cuddled while watching cartoons.

Sunday Mark, Cassie, and I visited Betsy after work, then we had supper at Perkins. We only stayed at the hospital for 20 min because I don't want Cassie catching this. Betsy looked worse and was back on morphine. Perkins was incredibly slow that night but we ran into Vickie and Steve (Cassie's daycare provider) and got to see new pix of the new grandson.

Aside from all the medical issues and doctor appointments in February, we had a nice anniversary on Wednesday the 25th. On that date in 2003 Mark and I received our adoption referral from the China Center for Adoption Affairs and got our first look at Gan Li Mei, soon to become Cassie Li Mei. Here's her referral photo.

A Very Busy January

2009-02-22T11:40:00.004-06:00

I hit the ground running in January. I was hopeful that with the holidays over my schedule would ease up some but so far that hasn't happened.

The first book display of the year was, natch, New Year's Resolutions. I initially hesitated at doing this (afterall, it's such an obvious topic) but I so enjoyed browsing through the standard display at Barnes & Noble that I decided what the heck I'd do one at Bennett Martin.

Then my immediate family gathered for snacks and a game of Tripoley at Mom's. This used to be our New Year's Eve tradition but Cassie isn't old enough yet to stay up until midnight, and the rest of us were too tired to attempt such a late night, so we settled on Saturday, January 3. The advantage was we could make this an all-day affair instead of just a few hours in the evening. We had dips, chips, Christmas cookies, and a buffet set up with sandwich fixin's as well as the standard cokes and iced tea. This always turns out to be the Last Hurrah before anyone begins New Year diets.

Then I tossed up a book display about computers. January is National Clean Up Your Computer Month so I put up books about Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Access, Outlook, My Space, using your Blackberry, email in general, various Google options, teach yourself Windows XP, a couple of Macs books, and keeping your kids safe on the computer.

January 11 quilt group met for our Christmas party. We meet in January for a more relaxed get-together - the rush of the holidays is over and we don't have to dash home to more wrapping, baking, decorating, or attending Christmas programs. At this annual event we learn who our Secret Sister was, and draw names for next year.

January 17 we celebrated Mark's birthday. I made him a pillowcase with hot babes on it. I have fabric to make myself several pillowcases of shirtless cowboys, shirtless construction workers, firemen, policemen, and Deb H. made me one with UPS and USPS guys. Cassie and I decided it wasn't fair that I have all my "boyfriends" as she calls them so I hunted for fabric appropriate for Mark.

I'd heard there was some hot babes fabric, but if you do an internet search for "hot babes+fabric" you get some REALLY interesting results. So I knew I'd just have to stumble across the fabric at some local store instead of an internet quilt shop. I found some at the Gretna shop during last year's fall quilt retreat. I don't like that shop but I knew it wasn't available anywhere else so I held my nose and bought a couple yards. I got coordinating fabric from The Quilted Kitty in Lincoln. (I also gave Mark Season One of Star Trek: The Next Generation on dvd.)

I had lots of plans for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. It began at 5am with Cassie and me taking Mom to St. E's for her colonoscopy. We breakfasted at McDonald's then headed back to take Mom home, then I was going to do some computer work at Mom's while she slept off the anesthetic. Then Tuesday, my day off since I had worked the weekend, I was going to take down the Christmas tree and put away the decorations. NOT.

Mom ended up in the cardiac unit and St. E's kept her for several days. They frown on a pulse rate of 200 bps. They did lots of tests and worked on various medications. I really like her doc from the Nebraska Heart Institute, and her hospitalist had a good sense of humor too. In between all her medical procedures we were able to watch the Obama Inauguration together.

Cassie thought this all was great fun. Mark would bring her to the hospital after school, and she and I would hit the hospital cafeteria for supper. We'd take our trays up to Mom's room and eat with her. Cassie would snuggle in the bed with Grma and their trays would sit together on the rolling tray table over the hospital bed. I was good for running their errands.

After several days Mom was released, but she's still weak, tires easily, and has difficulty walking. They are still sorting out her meds. (BTW, her colonoscopy test was good.)

January 25 was a sad day for us. We lost our cat, Eli. Here he is in his standard place beneath the Christmas tree. He liked to pretend he was spying on us all while hidden in the midst of the gifts.

We'd been treating his thyroid for the past year but the meds were no longer working. He began to convulse so I gathered him up and ran him to the after-hours emergency vet clinic. Cassie was in bed asleep by then. There was nothing we could do. They let me hold him while they put him to sleep, then left me alone with him for as long as I wanted. They were very nice. We even received a sympathy card from them, as well as from our vet.

I told Cassie about him Monday night. She cried and cried, and we had some interesting conversations about death and heaven. I haven't had the heart yet to move his bowl or litter box. We still think we see him out of the corner of our eyes, and it's kinda lonely without a kitty in the house. I'm hoping to adopt another cat from the Humane Society this summer.

Finally for January, at the end of the month when the people doing free tax preparations began arriving at Bennett Martin, I put up a book display on taxes. Your standard books on how to pay less in taxes, plus some neat books on behind-the-scenes at the IRS by former employees, and a history of our taxation system. Very fascinating.

2008 Wrap Up

2009-02-19T23:58:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's been months since we've gathered here to chat. I've been booked solid and running behind on everything.

I'd originally considered doing a marathon session and tossing up in quick succession abbreviated versions of My Life Since September. Ultimately I decided you wouldn't be interested now in more detailed accounts of events from the past (plus, I don't have the time for a marathon session).

Instead, I'm just gonna unceremoniously end 2008.

So you won't hear about my book display on Back to School.

You won't hear about the fun, 12-hour day

Cassie and I spent at the Nebraska State Fair.

No sage advice from me on How to Survive a Colonoscopy Prep.

You'll miss my book display on Decorating

(along with some cool, shabby chic stuff).

And forget hearing about

the fun book display I did about Cats.

A co-worker did one on Dogs

and we decided to have Dueling Book Displays.

She was pleased that she was refilling her display

more often than I had to.

But then most of her books were on dog training

and we all know that cats can't be trained;

they give orders they don't take orders.

As the saying goes,

dogs have masters, cats have staff.

So there'll be no blog about this.

Sorry.

I will, however, happily inflict upon you

Cassie's First Grade school photo.

October was National Chili, Soup, and Chowder Month,

hence a book display was done on

Chili, Soups, and Chowders.

(Duh.)

But there will be no blog about it.

Cassie had a busy October between the Pumpkin Run,

the day we spent at the Roca Scary Farm,

the evening spent carving pumpkins,

her two trips to Boo at the Zoo

and of course her evening Trick 'r Treating.

But I won't go into all of that.

I also won't mention the book display on Bread,

nor the one on Trains.

Forget any mention of my Fall Quilt Retreat.

(So you won't hear about the

12-Hour-Pillowcase-From-Hell.)

And it goes without saying you won't hear about the book displays on Cookies,

Puzzles,

or the JFK Assassination.

You'll miss out on Paige's 18th birthday (my niece),

and Thanksgiving with both sides of the family.

And let's not forget the book display on Dead People.

Or rather, a display commemorating those who

passed away in 2008.

And the display on Board Games.

We held Scott's birthday party (my brother)

There was one final book display; this one on Financial Issues (irresponsible regulators, CEOs with golden parachutes, a public that spent, spent, spent, and how to manage your money).

Then we ended the year with Christmas.

No, no. Sorry, I just don't have the time to discuss it all with you at this late date. Perhaps I'll do better this year on staying current with events.

Onward to 2009!

Updates - Mark's Mom and My Shoulder

2008-09-26T21:00:00.002-05:00

Neita is doing pretty well, considering she had multiple mini strokes. We've been lucky that "the big one" the docs were predicting did not occur. They said the longer between episodes the better her chances of not having another one. Her left side was affected; she couldn't move her left leg, had trouble with the left arm, could speak three or four words after thinking hard about it, but has all her faculties.

The local hospital said she qualified for a swing bed there and they would do the physical therapy twice each day. Next thing we knew she was transferred to the adjoining nursing home for her therapy and was getting PT only once a day. Plus, she was now paying for this out of her own pocket.

Thank goodness for small towns - everyone knows everyone else. We heard from her physical therapist that she, nor the nursing staff, had been consulted, and they didn't agree with it. (BTW, her PT person is adopting a daughter from China.)

I reminded Mark that when my aunt had her stroke and was at Madonna Rehab, the doctor, nursing staff, physical therapy staff, social worker, and family were a team and met weekly to evaluate her progress and discuss options. None of us were happy about this turn of events for Neita. The brothers began seeking alternatives and found a rehab facility in Yankton, SD. This is close to Jack & Linda, plus Steve works in Yankton.

After a meeting with the sons and the doctor, the Creighton medical facility claimed there had been a "miscommunication" and would return her to the hospital side and get her back to twice-a-day therapy. Once the sons mentioned moving her to Yankton, suddenly the hospital couldn't do enough for Neita. By now we were impressed with the Yankton facility and the trust level at Creighton was gone, and Neita herself chose to transfer to Yankton.

And guess what happened at Yankton? The doctor, nursing staff, physical therapy staff, social worker, and family met as a team to evaluate Neita. Just as it should be! And they continue to meet each week. And her PT is at a higher level and really giving her a workout. The sons are very pleased. I'm hoping that the three weeks we lost at the Creighton facility, which was at a lower level, didn't mess with our window of opportunity for getting a stroke victim back in shape.
I'm no longer going to PT twice a week for my shoulder. My therapist felt I could do my exercises at home and should continue to see progress but if not, then I'm to see an orthopaedic specialist. After a month on my own I'm not getting any better and after consulting with the workman's comp people for the City, I will be seeing an orthopaedic surgeon in early October.

New City Directive for Beggars?

2008-09-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

On the southeast corner of 14th & P streets was a little alcove next to The Post & Nickel clothing store. It was just the right size for two or three people to sit inside, out of the way, yet still be seen holding up homemade, cardboard signs requesting money of passersby. I walk by there on my way to eat at Amigo's, so the regulars at that corner and I are nodding acquaintances. They are also regulars at the library. I don't ignore them, I'm not rude to them, and they don't pester me for money. We just nod at each other.

Recently, one of the financial institutions installed an ATM at that spot. My co-workers and I wonder if that was done to make it easier for us to donate to the beggars. :-)

Back To School

2008-09-14T06:00:00.004-05:00

Cassie is officially a First-Grader. The public schools began on Wednesday, August 20. (I didn't remember to transfer money into her school lunch account until Monday, August 25, but fortunately the little kids are allowed to eat for a few days before a reminder note is sent home.)

She still fits into all her clothes so I didn't do any back-to-school shopping for her. That Fourth of July outfit is her favorite and she chose that for her first day.

The school Open House was the Monday-Before and we met her teacher. Mrs. K was on-the-ball and already had name tags made for the kids and put on their desks so Cassie could see where she'd be sitting, and who'd be sitting with her in the group of four. This went a long way toward alleviating Cassie's worries about where to go and what to do.

We chatted with her teacher and learned homework would be sent home in the Wednesday folders! So far it hasn't happened. Mrs. K assured us it would take just a few minutes to complete, would be emphasizing what they'd already learned in class, and it would be due on Friday. I can't believe she'll have homework already.

I took 30 min of vacation from work that morning to give myself leeway for getting to work just in case Cassie had a sudden attack of nerves. She asked that I accompany her into the building, but otherwise she strutted in and did fine.

Book Display - Singing Cowboys

2008-09-03T06:00:00.005-05:00

The title says it all. Here're books and music cds about and by Singing Cowboys.

Books
The Cowboy and the Senorita: A Biography of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans by Howard Kazanjian and Chris Enss

For a Cowboy has to Sing: A Collection of Sixty Romantic Cowboy and Western Songs by Jim Bob Tinsley

Horse Opera: The Strange History of the 1930’s Singing Cowboy by Peter Stanfield

How the West Was Sung: Music in the Westerns of John Ford by Kathryn Kalinak (boy this one was really interesting)

Public Cowboy #1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry by Holly George-Warren

Singing in the Saddle: The History of the Singing Cowboy by Douglas B. Green

Tex Ritter: America’s Most Beloved Cowboy by Bill O’Neal

Music CDs
Gene Autry: The Essential Gene Autry

Gene Autry: Sing Cowboy Sing vol 2

Gene Autry: Sing Cowboy Sing vol 3

Tex Ritter: Tex Ritter

Roy Rogers: Roy Rogers

Sons of the Pioneers: Sons of the Pioneers

Sons of the Pioneers: Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Mike, The Headless Chicken

2008-09-02T06:00:00.000-05:00

I recently learned about Mike, The Headless Chicken.

In a nutshell, in 1945 a farmer tried to leave as much neck as possible on a chicken when he chopped off its head (his mother-in-law liked the neck). In doing so he inadvertently missed the jugular and left the brain stem. As a result, this chicken really did remain alive for another 18 months. He even appeared in Time and Life magazines. See the website for the full story.

Now the town holds a yearly festival in Mike's honor. They serve chicken, have a chicken recipe contest, hold a 5K "Run Like a Headless Chicken" Race, have games such as "Pin the Head on the Chicken," and other chicken-themed activities. You can buy tee shirts too.

Also on this website are chicken jokes (click on "Mike's Fan Club"). Some are quite inventive. My all-time favorite is as follows:

Why does a chicken coop have two doors?
Because if it had four doors it would be a chicken sedan.

HA!HA!HA!

Book Display - Tour Nebraska

2008-08-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

When I put up this display summer was winding down, gas prices were going up, and there was still time to whisk the family away for a short getaway. So many of us forget to look in our own backyard for holiday ideas that don't cost an arm-and-a-leg for transportation. Here's a list of local places to tour, ideas for day-trips, and other places you can visit for a span of just a few days.

Brevet’s Nebraska Historical Markers & Sites, published by Brevet Press

Complete Roadside Guide to Nebraska by Alan Boye

Day Trips in the Heartland: A Get-Away Guide to Unique Places and Fun in the Heatland by Elizabeth Wells

Discover Nebraska Travel Guide by Nebraskaland Magazine

Fort Robinson Illustrated by Nebraskaland Magazine

A Guide to the Ghosts of Lincoln by Alan Boye

Haymarket Landmark District: Walking Tour by Lincoln Haymarket Development Corp

Historic Places: The National Register for Nebraska by Nebraskaland

Historic Sites and Markers Along the Mormon and Other Great Western Trails by Stanley B. Kimball

Lincoln City Guide by Federal Writers’ Project

National Geographic’s Driving Guides to America: The Heartland – Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota by Dan Whipple

Near South Waking Tours Volume 1: Franklin Heights and Environs by Near South Neighborhood Association

Near South Waking Tours Volume 2: Mount Emerald and Environs by Near South Neighborhood Association

Nebraska: Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places by Hannah McNally

Nebraska Historical Tour Guide by D. Ray Wilson

Nebraska Nuggets: A Guide to Interesting and Unique Shops, Restaurants, and Attractions by Nebraska Home Economics Association

Nebraska Travel-Rama: Handbook of Nebraska’s Historical Sites, Cultural Points, Natural Beauty, Parks, Camp Sites, Map, Information by Elinor L. Brown

Roadside History of Nebraska by Candy Moulton

A Self-Guided Tour of Wyuka Cemetery by Wyuka Cemetery

Cassie's Secret Identity

2008-08-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

During one of Cassie's sleepless nights with her hives, we had a hysterical conversation.

I commented that all those hives made her look like a leopard. She agreed and thought she also looked like a cheetah. And a bear (don't ask me where she came up with a bear). And she announced that those animals were her secret identities while fighting crime. Batman Begins had been on TV all that week so I assume that's where this came from.

I asked how she changes into those animals - does she have to concentrate on the animal or what? She informed me that her magic watch reads her mind and automatically knows what she wants to change into without her having to actually think about it. (A magic watch? "I" only have a Timex...)

She went on to say that she can't change into a bear during the winter because that's when they hibernate.

Okaaaay; good thing to know when you're fighting crime.

Book Display - NASA

2008-08-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

July 29, 1958, President Eisenhower signed the National Aeronautics and Space Act which created NASA. So being a "spacey" I volunteered to do this display (okay, I ran over little children and tripped old ladies to get to the front of the sign-up line for this one).

The Architects
Aiming for the Stars: The Dreamers and Doers of the Space Age by Tom D. Crouch

Blueprint for Space: Science Fiction to Science Fact, Video

Countdown: A History of Space Flight by T.A. Heppenheimer

October Sky, DVD (based on Homer Hickam's book, Rocket Boys)

The Rocket Team: From the V-2 to the Saturn Moon Rocket – The Inside Story of How a Small Group of Engineers Changed World History by Frederick I. Ordway III and Mitchell R. Sharpe

Wernher Von Braun by Christopher Lampton

Wernher Von Braun: The Man Who Sold the Moon by Dennis Piszkiewicz

The Astronauts
Deke! By Donald K. Slayton and Michael Cassutt

For Spacious Skies: The Uncommon Journey of a Mercury Astronaut by Scott Carpenter and Kris Stoever

Friendship 7: The First Flight of John Glenn - The NASA Mission Reports edited by Robert Godwin

Heroes in Space: From Gagarin to Challenger by Peter Bond

The Mercury 13: The Untold Story of Thirteen American Women and the Dream of Space Flight by Martha Ackmann (I didn't know!)

We Seven by the Astronauts Themselves: M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, Jr, John H. Glenn, Virgil I. Grissom, Walter M. Schirra, Alan B. Shepard, Jr, Donald K. Slayton

The Apollo Program
Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon by David West Reynolds

Apollo XI…The Eagle has Landed, Video

Apollo 13: To the Edge and Back – A Thrilling Struggle Against All Odds, DVD

Destination Moon: The Apollo Missions in the Astronauts’ Own Words by Rod Pyle

In the Shadow of the Moon, DVD

Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 by Jim Lovell & Jeffrey Kluger (one my favorites)

A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin

Men from Earth by Buzz Aldrin and Malcolm McConnell

Moon Shot: The Inside Story of the Apollo Program, Video

Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth by Andrew Smith (he finds the men who walked on the moon to see what their lives are like now)

To the Moon by NOVA, DVD

The Shuttle Program
Challenger: The Final Voyage by Richard S. Lewis

Comm Check…The Final Flight of Shuttle Columbia by Michael Cabbage and William Harwood

Space Shuttle Log: The First 25 Flights by Gene Gurney and Jeff Forte

Too Far From Home: A Story of Life and Death in Space by Chris Jones (remember, Challenger was on its way to the space station to bring home three men and replenish supplies. Here's their harrowing tale)

NASA
America in Space: The First 40 Years, DVD

America in Space: NASA’s First 50 Years edited by Steven J. Dick (great browsing book)

Failure is not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond by Gene Kranz (he was the NASA Flight Director during Apollo 13)

The Pictoral History of NASA edited by Bill Yenne (this was a blast to browse through too)

The View from Space: American Astronaut Photography 1962-1972 by Ron Schick & Julia Van Haaften (another fun tablebook)

Space Exploration
The Coming of the Space Age: Famous Accounts of Man’s Probing of the Universe edited by Arthur C. Clarke (fascinating)

The Complete Book of Spaceflight: From Apollo 1 to Zero Gravity by David Darling

Conquest: A History of Space Achievements from Science Fiction to the Shuttle by David Baker

Destination Space by National Geographic Society, Video

Do Your Ears Pop in Space?: and 500 Other Surprising Questions About Space Travel by R. Mike Mullane

Murmurs of Earth: The Voyager Interstellar Record by Carl Sagan (ever wonder what was on that recording that NASA sent into space on Voyager? This has the photos and greetings used and explains why each photo was chosen. I'm buying a used copy for myself)

Space History by Tony Osman

The Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race by David Scott and Alexei Leonov

Swimming Lessons

2008-08-26T06:00:00.003-05:00

Cassie began swimming lessons the end of July at the YWCA next to the library. We initially scheduled her for Saturday morning lessons because I was concerned the evening classes would get her to bed too late. Some Saturdays I work so it would fall to Mark to get Cassie to class.

Class day went fine until we were leaving. Since Cassie is too old now to follow Mark through the Men's locker room, it was imperative that she learn her way through the winding halls of the Women's locker room. Ol' confident me was demonstrating the EXIT sign and out we went. Except, we ended up in a stairwell and all the connecting doors were locked! Nor could we get back the way we came!! What if there were a fire?! What if Cassie had done this by herself?!?!

Fortunately I had my cell phone so I called the Reference Desk at the library and Scott S. answered. I explained our situation and asked for the phone number to the YW so I could inform the person at the front desk about our predicament and get rescued. Scott said to call back if we couldn't get through at the YW and he'd go over to tell them. As it was, Leon M., the guard, ran over to the YW.

I was able to reach a person and she said she knew exactly where we were. So if this happens with regularity, why isn't a sign posted on the door indicating that it locks behind you? AND WHY IN THE WORLD CAN YOU NOT EXIT A BUILDING!!!!! Wait until I inform the fire inspector. A few minutes later we were rescued and found the proper way out of the locker room. I suggested a red line be painted on the locker room floor so kids could be told to follow that line to the pool and follow it back out again. So far there's no line...

Cassie is now taking classes on Mondays, 6:30pm, because there weren't enough enrolled on Saturday. She loves blowing bubbles and gets her face mostly into the water. So far she's a little wuss about swimming, but then I was afraid of water too and didn't learn to swim until I was 11. But at this point I'm not overly thrilled with the YW.

Book Display - Summer Activities

2008-08-25T11:00:00.003-05:00

During June I put up a display, per a patron's suggestion, of activities one generally participates in during the summer - BBQ's, picnics, ice cream recipes, vacations, the proper way to hang the flag, and how to make that patio you've talked about all winter. Since I'm so late in blogging, save this list for next year!

Barbecues & Outdoor Kitchens by Steve Cory and the editors of Sunset Books

Beautiful Wooden Projects for Outdoor Living by John Marckworth

Beer-Can Chicken: and 74 Other Offbeat Recipes for the Grill by Steven Raichlen (surprisingly, some good recipes)

Beyond the Lawn: Unique Outdoor Spaces for Modern Living by Keith Davitt

Bicycle Across America by Barbara Siegert

The Big Book of Family Fun by Claudia Arp and Linda Dillow

Big Ideas for Small Gardens by Emily Young and Dave Egbert

Build a Kids’ Play Yard by Jeff Beneke

Celebrate the Seasons: Four Seasons of Recipes, Decorating Tips & Easy-To-Make Gifts by Gooseberry Patch (always a favorite)

Complete Patio Book by Sunset

Crafts to Make in the Summer by Kathy Ross

Fun & Games for Family Gatherings: With a Focus on Family Reunions by Adrienne Anderson

George Foreman’s Big Book of Grilling, Barbecue, and Rotisserie: More than 75 Recipes for Family and Friends by George Foreman

Homemade Ice Cream and Sherbet by Sheila MacNiven Cameron

Ice Cream by Hilary Walden

Lowe’s Complete Patio & Deck Book by Steve Cory

The Magic of Jell-O: 100 New and Favorite Recipes Celebrating 100 Years of Fun with Jell-O by Jell-O

Making Ordinary Days Extraordinary! By Gloria Gaither & Shirley Dobson

Mountain Biking The Great Plains States: Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota by Andy Knapp

National Geographic Guide to the National Parks of the United States by National Geographic Society

Our Flag by United States, Congress, Joint Committee on Printing

Parents’ Guide to Hiking & Camping by Alice Cary

Picnics: Outdoor Dining for the Patio, Park, and Beach byLouise Pickford

Porch Presence: Interior Design for the Exterior Room by Sally Fennell Robbins

Rainy Day Fun by Gillian Souter

Sentimental Living from the Porch: Four Seasons of Hospitality by Alda Ellis (lots of neat photos for decorating ideas for a porch or backyard for picnics; fun to browse through)

Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them by George H. Harrison

Summer: A User’s Guide by Suzanne Brown

Top 100 Most Beautiful Rustic Vacations of North America: Ranches, Lodges, Cabins and More! By Dusty Dave

Top Rated Western Adventures: Guest Ranches, Pack Trips & Cattle Drives in North America by Maurizio Valerio (make your own "City Slickers" movie)

The Ultimate Ice Cream Book by Bruce Weinstein

The Well-Organized Camper by Linda Frederick Yaffe

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

2008-08-21T10:33:00.029-05:00

Thief! Quick, call the police! It's gone! Where in the world did this summer get to? Lincoln Public Schools has started already! I was terribly busy all summer (I didn't even get out cards for birthdays and graduations from May through August 16) but can't really give you an indication of any actual progress in getting the house in order, quilting projects done, or my photo albums put in order. But here's a quick review of the highlights of my speed-of-light summer.

Garden Party
Deb H. and I hosted the 2nd Annual Garden Party at her house for Quilt Group June 22. Members of quilt group take turns hosting group for our monthly get-togethers to sew. But Deb and I each own cats (can you ever REALLY own a cat?) and several members are allergic so we don’t have to clean house and, um…I mean, um, SADLY we miss out on the joy of taking our turn having our buds over. But Deb wants to share her garden so she and I put up a giant tent in her backyard and treat the crew to a picnic luncheon in her backyard surrounded by the flora. They enter her house only to fill their plates from the spread on the buffet table. The theme this year was Shabby Chic and we served chicken salad and cucumber sandwiches, fresh fruit, deviled eggs, and strawberry cream cheese pie on mismatched china, with vintage tablecloths and napkins. We gave everyone a floral fat quarter as a party favor.

Courtyard Book Chats...In the Garden
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 I had the opportunity to participate in the downtown library's book talk series held over the noon hour during the summer. Usually they are held in the courtyard at Bennett Martin, but this year we rolled our book carts across the street to the Lincoln Foundation Garden and held the book talks there. They ran 12:15-12:45pm, and participants ate their lunches while listening to staff discuss their latest reads. My topic was Cooking Adoptive Royal Killers." Intrigued? That's what Book Chats Organizer Scott C. was hoping when he acquiesced to my choice of title.

Workman’s Comp
I injured my right shoulder at work on June 26. I tried lifting a box filled with bound periodicals and the box won. I had a sling for my arm for the first month but it was darn hard to type and use a mouse when I was hog-tied like that. I go to Physical Therapy twice a week and do exercises 3x/day. I finally have full-range of motion but it’s painful and I have no strength when I do manage to fully extend that arm. Drat, my Major League pitching career is over (no wait, I’m a southpaw). Cassie enjoys doing my exercises with me. Who knew I did so much with my right arm? Showering is difficult. Cassie likes to carry the laundry basket for me. I can’t iron. I drag a grocery cart behind me with my left arm. I easily lose my balance now that my right wing is unable to help stabilize me. All my household projects are still waiting for me.

I’m surprised at the number of library patrons who ask about my arm and inquire as to how I’m doing. Even the cranky, rude ones who barely grunt at me when I inform them we’re closing in 5 min, or the ones I'm always kicking out, and even the ones I REALLY wish to avoid. The days I go without my sling they notice and ask if that’s a sign that I’m getting better. I work in a fish bowl.

FAMILY GATHERINGS
Father’s Day
I was too busy to pull together the 20th annual Father’s Day Picnic held at our place, so I initially postponed it, then just flat-out cancelled the affair for this year. But we did gather at Mom’s and gave Mark, and brother Scott, some gifts.

July 4 was held at Mom’s. I took over the hamburger (but Scott mixed up the burgers so I didn’t have to do that), the dogs, the buns, pickles, taco chips, Fritos, and Pringle’s Salt & Vinegar potato chips (Cassie loves those. Bleah.). I made a taco dip, deviled eggs and a pasta salad, and we used my colorful July 4 paperplates, cups, napkins, and tablecover. Mom made her yummy potato salad, and Scott and Cassie made the ice cream. Scott also grilled kabobs and chicken pieces in his special breading. We didn’t suffer for lack of food.

Earlier in the day, Cassie and I took Mom to the cemetery. We arranged a patriotic spray of flowers, and we shot off a few fireworks at Dad’s grave – July 4 was one of his favorite holidays. We picked up after ourselves but deliberately left a few smoke bombs on the headstone.

Back at Mom’s we shot off a ton of snakes, parachutes, tanks, and fountains. Cassie still doesn’t like loud noises and kept her hands over her ears but she did much better this year. Cassie spent the night at Grma’s for her first sleepover. I don’t know which of them was more excited. Grma got ready for bed while I helped Cassie shower, then I tucked them both into bed. I peeked in on them a few min later after I got the picnic paraphernalia packed in the van and found Cassie reading to Grma. Home was too quiet without her around.

Health Issues

I finally got around to scheduling my annual doctor appointment. You know you've hit 50 when you have to schedule a colonoscopy and bone density scan along with the usual blood work-up and squishing (mammogram). And while I liked hearing "your hips are thinning" it turns out my doc had a completely different opinion than I of what that meant. Drat. So I'm taking a calcium supplement and we're discussing HRT.

Then I had a root canal. My dentist sent me to the UNL Dental College and it turned out to be an easy procedure. Textbook. I was surprised. He drilled a narrow opening through the crown of the tooth, did what he needed to, and resealed the opening. The crown didn't break, I had no subsequent infection or swelling, and no pain - just tenderness for a couple of days while eating.

Cassie turned up with Strep Throat. She had a fever for three days that ran between 99 and 103 but otherwise no other symptoms. I averaged three hours of sleep a night while sponging her down with a cool cloth - of course her fever topped out during the night - but the upside was we had some interesting conversations (more on that another time). Doc prescribed amoxicillin and two days later she returned to daycare.

A week later Cassie awoke with what looked like little spider bites. I wasn't concerned since it's the season for spiders to get inside a house, so we headed out to First-Plymouth for Vacation Church School (I was volunteering with the Second-Graders and she was with the First-Graders). By the time VCS ended three hours later she was covered with hives. The doc wanted to see her and in the end he determined her strep was gone, she's allergic to penicillin, and we were to treat the hives. Poor kid, it took another two days for the hives to peak and the Benadryl to kick in, and she was miserable. (Her poor mother got no sleep either...)

Mark's mom had a stroke. Or rather, a series of strokes before she finally got to the hospital. Three Saturday's ago she felt weak, even lost conciousness, but stayed home thinking that if she took it easy she'd feel better. By Tuesday when her card group met, they recognized that she needed medical aid and called the ambulance. She continued to have several small strokes (as if any kind of stroke can be considered inconsequential) while in the hospital and they warned a Big One was on its way. So coworkers rearranged schedules so I could leave town and we headed up to Creighton. The Big One hasn't occurred and the smaller strokes have stopped. The docs say the longer between each episode the better her chances. She can't move her left leg, has partial movement of the left arm though her grip is firm, and she has difficulty speaking - she can get out only three or four words at a time and you can see she's working hard to form the words. But she has all her faculties. She's currently undergoing physical therapy and has been moved to the nursing home while undergoing treatment.

Well, this is just the tip of the iceberg but you get the idea that this summer has been jam-packed with activities, occasions, and drama. No wonder I'm so tired.

Updates and a Correction

2008-07-09T21:30:00.010-05:00

Cassie got a new dresser (well, new to her). It's of a style that I love with a mirror and is the perfect size for her. I found it at an antique shop for a very reasonable price (have you priced new furniture?). Cassie's comment was, "Thank you for my new mirror Mommy." I knew that would be her favorite part.

I came down with bronchitis this spring. I developed a cough and after my bout with pneumonia earlier this year I didn't hesitate this time to see my doc. She prescribed cefuroxime (I can't even pronounce it) and after a couple of weeks I seemed to perk up.

I no longer have an orange porch. All the severe thunderstorms we've had lately have managed to wash off the orange paint. If only I could get rid of the snake residue on the sidewalk left from four July 4th's ago.

BlogLikeItsTheEndOfTheWorld takes place annually on June 13, not on Friday the 13th. They just happened to coincide this year, hence my error. So Feb 13 will not be the next event. I hear there were some imaginative zombie stories.

Cassie has finally warmed up to taking showers. Several times over the past two years she was going to shower with me, then backed out at the last second. My back appreciates not having to lean over a tub.

Adoption of Daughter #2 is still on track, but proceeding so incredibly slowly. The China Center of Adoption Affairs is working on referrals for families with Log-In Dates (LID) of January, 25, 2006, and it's taken them a couple of months to do January. Our LID is April 20, 2007. Additionally, our federal paperwork is beginning to expire. We'll be doing our paperwork two and three times before all is said and done, and of course paying the same fees all over again too. Our fingerprints expired in June and our homeland security papers will expire in September. Fees have increased as well so to re-file with the Feds will now cost $800 plus fingerprint fees. If we were following the same timeline for this adoption as we had for Cassie's, we'd be in China right now. This is so frustrating.

Book Display - Transitions

2008-07-09T20:48:00.004-05:00

I was browsing through my photos, and discovered I hadn't shown you one of my book displays put up in early May.

That's the month for graduations, but there are other life events as well that can occur at anytime. So here's a listing of books to help you define yourself, get your act together, survive college, get that first job, find your first apartment, and find a balance between work and home (Ha! Like any of us have really done the latter...).

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum

Chicken Soup for the College Soul: Inspiring and Humorous Stores About College by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Kimberly Kirberger, Dan Clark

College Survival: A Crash Course for Students by Students by Greg Gottesman and Friends

Congratulations! Now What?: A Book for Graduates by Bill Cosby

The Experts’ Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do by Samantha Ettus

First Things First: To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Leave a Legacy by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill

Getting Ready for College: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go by Polly Berent

How Full is Your Bucket?: Positive Strategies for Work and Life by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton

Job Interviews for Dummies by Joyce Lain Kennedy

Keys to Better College Reading by Carol H. Bader and Harley F. Anton

Life’s Little Instruction Book: 511 Suggestions, Observations, and Reminders on How to Live a Happy and Rewarding Life by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Live Your Best Life: A Treasury of Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration from O, The Oprah Magazine

Making a Life, Making a Living: Reclaiming Your Purpose and Passion in Business and in Life by Mark Albion

The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life by Jane Buckingham

The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke by Suze Orman

Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss

The Power Years: A User’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life by Ken Dychtwald and Daniel J. Kadlec

Resumes for College Students and Recent Graduates published by VGM Career Books

The Smart Girl’s Guide to College: A Serious Book Written by Women in College to Help You edited by Cristina Page

Success is a Journey: 7 Steps to Achieving Success in the Business of Life by Jeffrey J. Mayer

The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield

The Ultimate Student Handbook by Alice & Steve Lawhead

Why Won’t the Landlord Take Visa?: The Princeton Review’s Crash Course to Life After Graduation by Tara Bray

Your First Job: For Students and Anyone Preparing to Enter Today’s Tough Job Market by Ron Fry

Tornadoes All Around

2008-06-18T11:49:00.008-05:00

We've had quite a season of severe weather already. June 4 saw two EF1 tornadoes strike Ulysses, Dwight, and Valparaiso, and two EF1's hit Ceresco and surrounding areas. June 5th we were downstairs again for severe thunderstorms.

At midnight on Saturday, June 7, my weather alert radio went off indicating a severe thunderstorm was on its way. I was in my standard Bad Weather Mode (dressed, tornado box ready, etc) and sprawled on the couch. I alternated between all the local TV stations to track the storm. It looked like a bad one but I was going to wait until the wind started up before waking Mark and Cassie to head downstairs. Fortunately it JU-U-U-ST missed us, but I kept watching. I switched to Channel 7 and could tell from their map that it had become two tornadoes and I knew Millard (southwest Omaha) was getting pummeled. Even scarier, all of this was occurring between midnight and 3:00am.

Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash floods, flooding. But through all these storms there had, thankfully, been no fatalities. Until Wednesday, June 11.

That night I finally became scared. The storms were running in a long band from central to south central Nebraska and maintained their strength, even growing stronger. Cassie and I were in the basement with continual tornado warnings for three hours. As soon as one would end, another warning would be initiated. We only had enough time to make a dash to the laundry room.

Cassie had no idea it was this bad. Even when I had her practice kneeling on the floor between the wall and the bed, and demonstrated how I'd kneel over her and keep her covered, and that I'd pull a 20" square pillow next to us, and pull the mattress on top of us, she was still having a grand time. She wanted to practice pulling over the mattress, and asked when I'd do all of this. I said we'd listen for loud wind and then we'd take cover; and when we heard a train sound that would be the storm going over us. She was so excited and couldn't wait for all of this to occur. She imagined that the people at Culver's were in the giant refrigerator and she was sorry to be missing that. In the meantime she continued to read to me.

Even Eli the cat sensed something was different about this storm. Usually I have to close the bedroom door to keep him in the room with us (he doesn't like all the noise between the weather alert radio, the TV, and the AM radio), but this time he was hunkered down next to me.

Finally at 9:30 the warnings ended for Lincoln and Lancaster County. We got up off the floor and sprawled on the bed while I watched the TV reports. Cassie fell right to sleep and stayed there until 11:00pm when Mark carried her upstairs for me. We got her undressed and into jammies and she went right back to sleep.

But the storm had ravaged eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, where at 6:30pm it turned into an EF3 tornado at Little Sioux Boy Scout Ranch near Little Sioux, Iowa. Four boys scouts attending a leadership camp were killed.

The previous weekend the parents were helping them plan their trip. The next weekend the parents were planning funerals.

Mom's Birthday

2008-06-18T10:11:00.005-05:00

Mom's birthday is June 8, but we held her party on Saturday the 7th. I worked that weekend so poor Mom had to bake her own spice cake. Cassie and I picked up the choc mint ice cream, and Cassie chose Mom's birthday plates/cups/napkins (which explains why Mom had the Disney Princesses for her birthday theme).

We held the party at my aunt Betsy's condo after I got off work. She lives on the fourth floor and commented how she could look out her windows and see the Wednesday storms approaching in the southwest. She said it was a very dark wall cloud and that this was the first time she'd been afraid (and rightfully so, that storm spawned four tornadoes). So she was more than willing this time to head downstairs when the tornado sirens sounded. Apparently, I'm the only member of my family who heads to the basement when we have weather warnings. (Confession: I'd rather be outside with my camera gazing at the sky, judging for myself when to take cover, but I have to be a good role model for Cassie. Sigh.)

Our package for Mom was actually empty except for a color photo of her gift. We're giving her Ted Sorensen's new book, Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History. He's a Nebraska native who was chief speechwriter and special counsel to JFK. He's doing a book signing at Lee Booksellers on June 18. I'm getting an autographed copy for both Mom and me.

Everyone was in attendance at Mom's party, except my brother's 17yo daughter, Paige. After the festivities the guys turned on the Husker's baseball game, and we girls played "Tico's." Mom, Betsy, and I sat at the dining room table and Cassie was our waitress. But for a server, she's quite demanding. I was constantly admonished for having elbows on the table, and she thought we were asking for too many refills. She also informed us her name was "Annie" - our favorite waitress at Tico's.

The evening ended soon enough to get Cassie to bed at a relatively reasonable time, and before the next round of storms hit.

Book Display - D-Day, June 6, 1944

2008-06-18T09:51:00.004-05:00

Here're the materials put on display to mark the 64th anniversary of D-Day:

The 101st Airborne at Normandy by Mark A. Bando

The Boys of Pointe du Hoc: Ronald Reagan, D-Day and the U.S. Army 2nd Ranger Battalion by Douglas Brinkley

Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany June 7, 1944-May 7, 1945 by Stephen E. Ambrose

D-Day by Brigadier Peter Young

D-Day 1944 edited by Theodore A. Wilson

D-Day June 6, 1944: The Climatic Battle of World War II by Stephen E. Ambrose

D-Day: The Story of the Longest Day by Duncan Anderson

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Commander-In-Chief by Biography Channel, DVD

The First Men In: U.S. Paratroopers and the Fight to Save D-Day by Ed Ruggero (excellent!)

Fortitude: The D-Day Deception Campaign by Roger Hesketh

Hitler Slept Late: And Other Blunders that Cost Him the War by James P. Duffy

The Invasion Before Normandy: The Secret Battle of Slapton Sands by Edwin P. Hoyt

June 6, 1944: The Voices of D-Day by Gerald Astor

The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan (of course this had to be included...)

The Man Who Never Was by Ewen Montagu (book was FASCINATING; movie was awful)

Overlord D-Day, June 6, 1944 by Max Hastings

Ten Days to D-Day: Citizens and Soldiers on the Eve of the Invasion by David Stafford

2nd Week of Tornadoes

2008-06-16T08:04:00.009-05:00

The forecast for Wednesday, June 4, included severe weather. Unfortunately, Cassie and I had haircuts at 6:30. Mark was to have given her her supper, then I would be off work at 6pm, tear home and pick her up, and then fly to 70th & Van Dorn. Well, I can't exactly "fly" anymore since a little voice in the booster seat in the back inquires, "Mommy, are you speeding?" Or, "Ooooh Mommy! That light was yellow!"

Haircut nights usually take up the entire evening. By the time we finish our appointments we stop at Culver's at 70th & Pioneers for a quick supper for me and another supper for Cassie because she hadn't eaten enough at home. Once we're home I insist we wash her hair because you know you have to wash out all those little hairs that are still on your scalp from the haircut. (Or else you shed on your pillow. Ick.) Then after her bath add hair-drying time as well as two or three books, and suddenly the evening is gone.

At Culver's we watched the clouds come rolling in and this reminded Cassie of a previous trip to Culver's on north 27th street. She had asked then what we'd do if a tornado hit while we were at Culver's. I'd looked over at the children staffing the restaurant and knew they would have no idea what to do. I told Cassie I carry a flashlight in my purse during tornado season, and that if Culver's had a basement we would go there, or else we'd stand in the walk-in refrigerator until the tornado passed. She thought standing in a giant refrigerator would be fun.

In the meantime, the ominous clouds continued to build. We managed to finish our meal in record time and actually made it home, got her bathed and dressed again, hair dried, and were on our way to the basement when the first alarm sounded. The photo at right was taken out our backdoor.

By now, Cassie thinks these evenings spent taking cover in the basement are fun and is very disappointed when we don't have to go downstairs. This night she read all her library books to me for two hours. She's making great progress on meeting her Summer Reading requirements thanks to these storms.

Tornadoes and Severe Thunderstorms in Nebraska

2008-06-15T20:58:00.011-05:00

The past two weeks have seen severe weather work its way through Nebraska. May 29, Black Thursday according to the Kearney Hub, saw tornadoes rip through the Kearney area spawning tornado warnings, severe thunderstorm warnings, and flash flood warnings for much of central, south central, and southeast Nebraska.

I usually view our weather with an eye toward where family and friends are located, and hoping they are doing okay. The Nebraska towns of Holdrege, Lexington, Hastings, Norfolk, Creighton, Crofton, Martell, Crete, Seward, Milford, Eagle, Bennett, and Omaha keep me interested.

So while I was concerned for the folks in Aurora and Kearney, I thought family and friends were safe. That is, until cousin John S. sent the following photo taken with his cell phone. Turns out he had a group of Lexington athletes with him at a tournament at Kearney Catholic High School while F1 and F2 tornadoes roared through town (though some argue that F3s were involved as well).

Cassie, Eli the cat, and I spent the evening in the basement bedroom. Initially Cassie was unhappy at my plans for she thought I was getting her ready for bed early. But I managed to get her bathed and dressed again in street clothes, socks, and shoes. Then we headed downstairs with important papers wrapped in plastic garbage bags (such as Cassie's adoption paperwork and our paperwork for Daughter #2), flashlights, weather alert radio, books, Cassie's Pooh blankie and stuffed bunny, my purse, cellphone and keys in my pockets, and my meds in my purse. A TV and ac/dc am/fm/cass/cd player were already downstairs.

We had a grand time that evening reading to each other, sorting my fabric onto new shelves (hint for quilters: cd storage units are PERFECT for holding fat quarters, charm packs, and jelly rolls), we did a couple loads of laundry, and Cassie thought it was fun to press the button on the weather alert radio when the alarm sounded. By the time the weather warnings had ended and we came back upstairs, it was passed Cassie's bedtime and I just tossed her into bed. Now she understood why she'd had her bath early.

I spent the rest of the night on the couch, dressed, napping in between weather alerts, ready to drag everyone downstairs again if necessary. The weather conditions didn't calm down until three or four in the morning. But with the weather alert radio at least I was always informed.

Too Freakin' Much To Do

2008-06-15T16:40:00.013-05:00

I can't believe it's mid-June already, it should only be the beginning of May. I'm a month behind on blogging and have a long list of items I wanted to blog about. Sadly, that means I'm not able to comment in a timely fashion about events (read: bore you to death with details), nor was I able to participate in BlogLikeItsTheEndOfTheWorld so I can't tell you how I survived this year's zombie uprising (but I'll be there Feb 13, 2009). And several of you have written to inquire about my blog, so I know it's wa-a-y past time to write. So here's a summary of events since last we met.

May 3. Lincoln City Libraries Staff Association held a bowling event. After lots of trading back and forth, teams were finalized at the last minute. I was part of Support Services Strikesters, and hadn't done that poorly at bowling in years. Since we weren't going to win, I was hopeful we would take last place, but we were ranked in the middle somewhere. Drat!

May 15. Hartley School at the Zoo. I was working that Thursday night for a colleague so Deb H. was kind enough to take Cassie to the event for me. I added Deb to the list of people authorized to pick up Cassie from her after-school program, so Mark was able to go directly to his part-time night job. Free admittance to the zoo for the kids and their families, and a free ride on the train - can't beat that. It was actually an event to promote Math, but Deb tells me the math stations were pretty well ignored by the kids. After the zoo, they headed out to Village Inn for a late supper.

Memorial Weekend. I worked that weekend so Mark and Cassie headed up to Creighton without me on Saturday. I had the house to myself Saturday and Sunday night. Monday I finished my denim quilt! For the quilters among you here're the stats: 59"x83", blocks are 4" finished, 15 across, 21 down. Denim blocks were cut from my jeans as they wore out and Cassie's as she outgrew them. Backing is anti-pill fleece, folded over to form the binding as well. Tied with perle cotton.

Lincoln Public Schools ended Friday, May 30. Cassie enjoyed school but couldn't wait for it to end so she could call herself a First Grader. Here she is on the penultimate day of school. Now that it's summer, the neighborhood is filled with foul-mouthed, bratty kids roaming the streets at all hours of the day and night. No kidding. A small group of 'tweens stood arguing at the alley drive at 2am on a weeknight. I gotta move.

Book Display - Photography

2008-05-31T13:20:00.007-05:00

May is National Photography Month. I'm a big fan of "Life" and "National Geographic" so I tossed in a few of those publications, and included some info on how to organize, restore, and preserve family photos. And, along with breathtaking nature shots, of course I put out some beautiful Nebraska collections.

Early Photography
Antique & Classic Cameras by Harry I. Gross

Collector’s Guide to Early Photographs by O. Henry Mace

Early War Photographs: 50 Years of War Photographs from the Nineteenth Century by Pat Hodgson

Land’s Polaroid: A Company and the Man Who Invented it by Peter C. Wensberg

Photographs for the Tsar: The Pioneering Color Photography of Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II by Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii

The Big Guns (and Other Well-Known Photographers)
The Best of Life by Life Magazine

Down in the Garden by Anne Geddes

Humor in News Photography by National Press Photographers Association

Life Photographers: What They Saw by John Loengard

Life’s Picture History of World War II by Life Magazine

Moments: The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Photographs: A Visual Chronicle of Our Time by Hal Buell

Moments of Vision: The Stroboscopic Revolution in Photography by Harold E. Edgerton and James R. Killian, Jr (this has the cool, slow-motion photos of water dropping into a puddle, or bullets going through apples)

National Geographic: The Photographs by Leah Bendavid-Val

How-To
50 Fast Digital Photo Techniques with Photoshop Elements 3 by Gregory George

Build Your Own Home Darkroom by Lista Duren & Will McDonald

Conservation of Photographs by George T. Eaton

Creative Photocropping for Scrapbooks by Michele and Ron Gerbrandt

Digital Photography Bible: Desktop Edition by Dan Simon

iPhoto 6: The Missing Manual by David Pogue and Derrick Story

Jim Zuckerman’s Secrets to Great Photographs: Digital Effects by Jim Zuckerman

Make Your Own Digital Photo Scrapbook by Roger Pring and Ivan Hissey

New Photos of Old Stuff: Photographing Historic Structures by Joel Sartore, Video

Photographing Your Baby: Tips for Taking Great Pictures by Eastman Kodak

Preserving Your Family Photographs: How to Organize, Present, and Restore Precious Family Images by Maureen A. Taylor (for your family history...)

Shooting & Sharing Digital Photos for Dummies by Julie Adair King

Uncovering Your Ancestry Through Family Photographs: How to Identify, Interpret and Preserve Your Family’s Visual Heritage by Maureen Taylor (more family history)

Using Your Autofocus 35mm Camera: Exposure, Lenses, Film, Composition, and More by Eastman Kodak Company

Regional
Architectural Wonder of the World: Nebraska’s State Capitol Building by Elinor L. Brown

Nebraska 24/7: 24 Hours, 7 Days: Extraordinary Images of One Week in Nebraska by Rick Smolan and David Elliot Cohen

Nebraska: A Photographic Celebration published by American & World Geographic Publishing

Nebraska: Under a Big Red Sky by Joel Sartore

Time Pieces: Photographs, Writing, and Memory by Wright Morris

Unforgettable: The Photos of Our Lives: A Pictorial of Southeast Nebraska by David Swarzlander

Visions of Lincoln: Nebraska’s Capital City in the Present, Past and Future by James L. McKee

Nature
Forever Wild: The Adirondacks by Eliot Porter

Yosemite: The Original John Muir Text by Galen Rowell

Yosemite and the Range of Light by Ansel Adams

Zane Grey: A Photographic Odyssey by Loren Grey

An Active May

2008-05-29T13:30:00.009-05:00

Cassie has had a busy month. (Which means I've been running in circles too.)

April 30 she lost her second tooth. It came out while at lunch at school. She carefully wrapped it in a napkin, put it in her backpack and brought it home. We placed it beneath her pillow and the Tooth Fairy left her $.25 (though my brother tried to convince Cassie she should get $100).

She had a playdate with Alyssa S., daughter of friends Brian and Claire S. Cassie had a blast playing dress-up, putting on nail polish with cool dots, running around the backyard, and playing on the swingset. She can't wait to return and play some more. I told her Alyssa could visit and play at our house when she gets her room cleaned up.

Cassie had her six-year pediatrician appointment. She's 46.75" tall (75 percentile), and weighs 49.2 lb (50-75 percentile). She was very relieved she didn't need a vaccination this time around. Dr. Applegate sat back and looked at her, and seemed to be mentally comparing this young girl who was chatting away with him to the baby we first brought to him two days after we got home from China.

We also had Mother's Day. Cassie and I skipped Sunday School/church and visited Betsy in the morning. Then I worked that afternoon and we headed to Mom's that evening. Here's our three-generation photo:

And finally, Deb H. and I held a garage sale on a Friday and Saturday during the Highlands Neighborhood Garage Sale. Cassie joined us on Saturday. She and Deb ran a quick errand and along the way saw an Estate Sale. There they found a gown that was the right size for Cassie to use for dress-up. Does she look like a debutante or what? (Okay, ignore the temporary tatoo...) She wears it for all her tea parties and uses her porcelain tea dishes from Betsy and her silver tea set from Tom and Anne D.

Orange Porch

2008-05-25T08:38:00.004-05:00

I now have an orange porch.

My house is a bungalow built in 1900 with two bedrooms on the first floor and a non-conforming bedroom in the basement. When I bought this house in 1987 it was one of the few homes in my price range that didn't have a dirt floor in the basement and had a shower. As a matter of fact, I didn't have to do a darn thing to this house except clean it and move in. The basement was fully usable including a laundry room and had plenty of storage space. On top of that, the gorgeous oak trim, oak doors, and French doors hadn't been painted.

Well, there was one thing I had to do. The house was painted mustard yellow with brown trim. A few years after I bought the house I qualified for a neighborhood grant program that reimbursed the homeowner for the cost of paint and supplies. So I chose a pretty blue color with white trim. Not the usual color one associates with an Arts & Crafts style home, but I like it.

Last month Jim L. and Kathi S., friends from Las Vegas, came through on their annual visit to Nebraska to see friends and family. What with their tight schedule and my work schedule we could get together only one Sunday evening for dinner at Tico's. But we had a nice visit. We didn't have to do a lot of catching up due to email and cell phones with national coverage, but it was nice to talk face-to-face. A couple of days later they ran by the house again with a gift for Cassie. They'd found a 3-D artwork package with stencils, paint, sidewalk chalk, and 3-D glasses to view the resulting artwork.

Cassie loves it (and looks adorable in those green glasses) and put it to use right away the next day, and the next day, and the next, and the next. We have the prettiest sidewalk in the neighborhood. She soon ran out of paint so I hit Target and bought her a selection of small bottles of washable paint in 10 bright colors.

I came home from work the following Saturday to find a giant orange design painted on the porch floor.

It never occurred to me to remind Cassie to paint only the sidewalk because she's been so good all these years about doing her artwork only on the cement. But I figure the paint is washable and will, EVENTUALLY, wash off. Plus, this is part and parcel of having kids and will be a great story to add to family lore. As one relative replied when a neighbor couldn't believe they allowed the kids on the lawn, "I'm raising kids, not grass." In that vein I'm not going to blow a gasket over something that can easily be repainted. Though I did email Kathi S. "blaming" her for my orange porch but she felt no remorse at all and indicated she'd do all she could to encourage Cassie's artistic endeavors.

After a month of rain the orange design is still there, though it is beginning to fade. But I haven't the heart to remove it myself.

Shopping with Cassie

2008-05-10T13:29:00.005-05:00

The day after the Shop Hop ended, I was still seeking black and white plaid flannel fabric. So after Sunday school, Cassie and I headed to Hancock’s. She was busy learning to use her cell phone to “send” a text message. It’s really my old phone that still holds a charge, but has no service – as long as she doesn’t dial 9-1-1!!! (In case you don’t know, by law any cell phone can dial 9-1-1 as long as it’s still charged-up. You can’t place any other calls, just calls to 9-1-1.) So essentially she was busy learning to spell while riding in the cart and playing. She also asked to have fabric spread over the top of the cart like a tent. All other shoppers could see was me pushing a cart, spelling words out loud to myself.

Then we hit the grocery store. I piled the groceries onto the conveyor belt for the clerk to scan and then I noticed that Cassie was at the end busily sacking them all. She’s barely tall enough to see into the sack, but there she was filling sacks and trying to place them into the cart (I kept the carton of eggs). Too bad the sacks are too heavy yet for her to help carry into the house…

Denim Quilt Update

2008-05-09T17:11:00.006-05:00

I really am trying to get my denim quilt done. Long-time readers may remember that I finished putting the top together during retreat this past March. Easter morning I went to Deb H.'s and got half of it tied. Here I am working on my quilt, with her cat, Vincent, supervising me. Eli, my cat, gave the quilt a good sniffing when I brought it back home.

(The one advantage of having to work a holiday weekend: Mark and Cassie went up by themselves to visit his family, so I was able to do as I wished come Easter morning.)

Shop Hop! April 10-19, 2008

2008-05-09T07:08:00.007-05:00

The Nebraska Shop Hop is put on by the Nebraska Independent Fabric Shop Association (‘ya gotta scroll down their page to see anything). You pay $10, get a bag, a list of shops, a stamp card, a free fat-quarter, and a map of Nebraska. You visit the shops, they stamp your card, and you turn in your card at the end for drawings for gift certificates. The shops run specials and have treats, beverages, and other goodies for the Hoppers. It’s a blast!

Deb H., Cassie and I headed out to the Lincoln shops on Friday night. Cassie had birthday and allowance money saved up and was eager to spend, spend, spend. Which she did.

I was able to get off work an hour early, and met Deb at my place. We all piled into the van and headed south to Calico House. NOT my favorite store (and is actually on my list of shops I don’t buy from unless I’m absolutely positively desperate) though I bought a fat-quarter cuz I always buy one from each shop during The Hop. Cassie found fat-quarters, buttons, and lots of other things that caught her eye. I reminded her that we had two other shops to hit (read: two other shops that I’d rather support). So she finally settled for just one fat-quarter and off we headed to The Quilted Kitty and The Cosmic Cow. Along the way we hit the drive-through at Taco Inn and Cassie though it was pretty neat to eat in the van. Surprisingly there were no food or drink mishaps.

Cassie spent all her money and was thrilled with the evening. By us starting to Hop at 5:30pm we had just enough time to hit all three shops by 8:00pm without feeling rushed. So next year I’ll again ask to leave work early.

Sunday I was dying to Hop more Shops, so I called Deb and we made arrangements to Hop together that afternoon. Mark was fine with this cuz he’d spend the day at home in front of the TV uninterrupted by anyone. In the meantime, Cassie and I skipped Sunday school/church (I’m so-o-o-o bad!), hit Taco Inn again, and munched on our way to the Fabric Fair in Seward. I found some red plaid flannel I needed (still need two patterns of black plaid to round out my design for a black/red/white plaid rag quilt I have in mind), Cassie found some fat-quarters she “needed,” and off we headed back to Lincoln to pick up Deb. Then we headed to Country Traditions in Fremont.

Initially we really liked this shop. They had lots to pick from, different styles of fabrics, kits, patterns, books, fat-quarters, jelly rolls, and charm packs. They also had antique-looking wire baskets you could use and they’d clip your name to the basket. Cassie was tickled to have her own basket and kept switching out what she thought she was going to buy. But they didn’t allow you to take photos of anything in the store! All the other shops encourage you to take photos, and will even hold up quilts so you can get a better shot. I decided this was not an attitude I need to deal with so they can’t count me as one of their regular shoppers. So there.

Outside their store Deb, Cassie, and I had our photo taken. Then we hit the Zesto for desperately needed ice cream and beverages. We stopped at a city park to run Cassie around for half an hour (she had a good time playing on the swings and slides with another family that was there) then we headed back home. My six-year-old didn’t do too badly for sitting in the van for over three hours on a nice, sunny day.

By the time we got to Lincoln it was supper time and Cassie was hungry. So we dropped Deb off at her house for her car, and I followed them to Village Inn at 50th & Van Dorn for breakfast/supper. I got Cassie home, bathed, and in bed at a relatively decent time and she went right to sleep. In all, I had a grand time at this year’s Shop Hop, and Mark had 10 hours to himself at home with the TV and a nap.

Book Display - Manuals for Techie Stuff

2008-05-09T06:44:00.003-05:00

Phones, iPods, MP3s, Music, Blogs, MySpace and Making Your PC Work for You

The first part of April I tossed up a book display of how-to books for various types of techie stuff. We all received electronic toys for Christmas and struggled to learn how to use them. We gave up, but around springtime are ready to try again, or are ready to build on the elementary steps we’ve learned since the holidays. So here’s a list of some books to get us on our way:

Utilizing Your PC
Digitizing Your Family History: Easy Methods for Preserving Your Heirloom Documents, Photos, Home Movies, and More in a digital Format by Rhonda R. McClure

Home Wireless Networking in a Snap by Joe Habraken

Mac Annoyances: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Mac by John Rizzo

MySpace for Dummies by Ryan Hupfer, Mitch Maxon, and Ryan Williams

PC Toys: 14 Cool Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment by Barry Press and Marcia Press

Publishing a Blog with Blogger by Elizabeth Castro

The Rough Guide to the Internet by Peter Buckley & Duncan Clark

Roxio Easy Media Creator for Dummies by Greg Harvey

Teach Your Computer to Dance: Make Your Computer, Mobile Devices, and the Internet Perform for You by Don Silver and Susan Silver

iPods, iTunes, and MP3 Players
Absolute Beginner’s Guide to iPod and iTunes by Brad Miser

How to do Everything with Your iPod & iPod Mimi by Guy Hart-Davis

iPod Book: Doing Cool Stuff with the iPod and the iTunes Store by Scott Kelby

iPod & iTunes: Everything You Need for Digital Music, Start to Finish! by Brad Miser and Tim Robertson

MP3 for Dummies by Andy Rathbone

MP3 FYI: Digial Music Online by Jay Lickfett

The Rough Guide to iPods, iTunes & Music Online by Peter Buckley and Duncan Clark

Phones
BlackBerry for Dummies by Robert Kao and Dante Sarigumba

How to do Everything With Your Treo 700p by Derek Ball and Dayton Foster

Making Music
Audio Mashup Construction Kit by Jordan “DJ Earworm” Roseman

Making Music with Your Computer by Brent Edstrom

Music Tech Magazine: Ten Minute Masters by Music Tech Magazine

PC Music: The Easy Guide by Robin Vincent

Bowling

2008-05-07T20:37:00.007-05:00

Cassie went bowling for the first time last month.

My boss, Bob B., gathered together a group of us who have kids and April 4th we all met at Sun Valley Lanes. Just getting to Sun Valley was an experience. The Harris Overpass that usually gets one to west Lincoln is closed for construction of a new bridge, and one family never made it for they couldn't figure out how to get there.

Sun Valley was a blast. They have rails in the gutters that can be raised that act as bumpers in a pinball game. The bowling ball simply bounces off the rail rather than landing in the gutter making it more fun for kids and other inexperienced bowlers. There's also an automated scorekeeper.

I had a cool, blue-colored 12-lb bowling ball and Cassie was very unhappy with her ugly, green 6-lb ball. I managed to convince her that she actually had a Shrek-colored ball. That made it okay! She also thought the bowling shoes were neat and she wants a pair for home.

One girl there attends Cassie's school. She and Cassie have encountered each other at school since then and wave at each other.

After bowling our game, Bob joined Cassie and me for a late supper at Tico's. Since it was a Friday night I wasn't too concerned about Cassie being up later than she should. After we ate, I managed to get her home, bathed, and in bed by 9:30pm.

Family Birthday Party

2008-04-29T18:43:00.012-05:00

We generally hold a family birthday party on the weekend closest to the actual birthday (give or take other conflicts). But this year my birthday party was held a week later than usual (on March 29) since Easter was so early. At noon my Red Hat group had a celebration for me, and that evening was the family party (held at Mom's). The usual suspects were there - Mom, Betsy, Scott, Mark, and Cassie (Paige was involved in rehearsals for a school play). Cassie used my digital camera and took all the photos! Not bad for a six-year-old.

This year I didn't have time to bake a chocolate cake and get ice cream, so I decided to combine the two and try the Cookies & Cream Concrete Cake from Culver's instead - their version of an ice cream cake. Cassie and I really enjoy their ice cream (actually, it's frozen custard but if I point that out to Cassie she'll decide she doesn't like it) and we've been looking at that cake for months. They won't let you order just one slice of the Concrete Cakes - it's all or nothing. So this was the perfect excuse to get one. I have to say, it tasted fine but was not worth that $20.

I brought along the Red Hat balloon from my Red Hat celebration, and used that as the centerpiece for this party. Like the plates? "Aged to Perfection" - can 'ya tell I chose them myself?!

Red Hat Birthday Party

2008-04-29T18:16:00.004-05:00

My Red Hat group held a birthday celebration for me on Saturday, March 29, at Village Inn on Normal Blvd near 48th street. Deb H's son is co-manager of the joint and had to be shaking his head at our antics. Our poor waitress had to take our group photo using each person's camera. The other customers were staring at us - obviously wishing they could be part of the fun.

Everyone wore their Red Hat regalia. Diana D. found lots of Red Hat items on eBay and provided the centerpiece including the giant, red hat balloon. Deb H. brought the Red Hat napkins. Kathy J. brought a red, feather boa for me to wear. And being my Red Hat group is also my quilting group, no big surprise that all the gifts involved fabric! Kathy J. was the biggest surprise of all. She had been working on a neat apron at retreat (for her sister-in-law, SHE CLAIMED) that I was coveting. I loved the pattern and she was using the cutest chicken fabric. Surprise, it had been for me all along, everyone knew it, and they were getting a giggle out of Kathy working on it right under my nose.

Deb got me home in time to prepare for the family party that evening.

Red Hat Shopping

2008-03-27T20:37:00.016-06:00

Cassie and I hit Gateway tonight to find me a red hat. My Red Hat group is gathering this Saturday and I need to upgrade from pink to red. I found one I liked, but not for $58. So, instead, we spent our time trying on various hats and taking photos of each other. We'll try again tomorrow night at southeast Wal-Mart or Goodwill.

Book Display - Digital Photography and Scrapbooking

2008-03-26T14:16:00.008-06:00

My current book display is about digital photos - how to take a digital photo in the first place, how to fix it, upload it to Flickr, upload it to your blog, and how to make a digital scrapbook.

Bad Pics Fixed Quick: How to Fix Lousy Digital Pictures Using Adobe Photoshop Elements 3 by Michael Miller

Create Your Own Photo Blog by Catherine Jamieson

Creative Digital Scrapbooking: Designing Keepsakes on your Computer by Katherine Murray (I especially recommend this book!)

Digital Photography: Just the Steps For Dummies by Frederic H. Jones

Digital Photography for Dummies by David D. Busch

Digital Scrapbooking for Dummies by Jeanne Wines-Reed and Joan Wines

Family Computer Fun: Digital Ideas Using Your Photos, Movies, and Music by Ralph Bond

How to do Everything with Paint Shop Pro 8 by Dave Huss

How to Use Flickr: The Digital Photography Revolution by Richard Giles (this is a great book too!)

iPhoto 6: The Missing Manual by David Pogue and Derrick Story

Make Your Own Digital Photo Scrapbook by Roger Pring and Ivan Hissey

Paint Shop Pro 8 for Dummies by David Kay and William Steinmetz

Photoshop 6 in an Instant by Michael Toot and Mike Wooldridge

Shooting & Sharing Digital Photos for Dummies by Julie Adair King

Teach Yourself Visually Digital Photography by Dave Huss and Lynette Kent

Teach Yourself Visually Photoshop CS by Mike Wooldridge

Teach Yourself Visually Restoration and Retouching with Photoshop Elements 2 by Sherry Willard Kinkoph

My Birthday!

2008-03-25T10:27:00.005-06:00

Monday, March 24, was my 50th birthday!!!!

I'm so excited. My quilt group is also my Red Hat group and now I get to change from wearing pink and lavender (for those under 50) to red and purple (those 50+). The following poem explains:

Warning by Jenny Joseph

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired

And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

And run my stick along the public railings

And make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

And pick flowers in other people's gardens

And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

And eat three pounds of sausages at a go

Or only bread and pickle for a week

And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

And pay our rent and not swear in the street

And set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Cassie's first words to me yesterday morning were, "Happy birthday, Mommy." How nice that she remembered without prompts.

I spent most of the day running errands and doing chores around the house.

No school this week due to Spring Break so Cassie is at Vickie's (her old daycare) this week. I picked up Cassie at 5pm and told her I wanted to eat at Tico's for my birthday supper. At the restaurant I had my digital camera with me and held it out at arm's length to take our own photos, but we spent most of our time trying to block each other's faces. Tico's put a candle in my chocolate mint pie.

My coworkers brought chocolate in many shapes and forms, and some chips and dip. I've enjoyed so many snacks that I've spoiled my appetite for supper. My Red Hat buds are taking me out to lunch on Saturday, and the family birthday party is that evening.

Eli the Cat

2008-03-24T15:35:00.011-06:00

Eli needed plaque removed from his teeth, and that's done under general anesthesia. In anticipation of that, we'd run several blood tests during his exam in January to ensure that his liver and pancreas were healthy enough to handle the meds. He passed with flying colors so we scheduled his dental work for one of my Mondays off in February.

The night before his surgery he had to quit eating by 6:00pm but could continue to have water. Keep in mind Eli's nickname is "The Walking Stomach." This guy never feels he's had enough to eat and follows everyone to the kitchen. He also steals any food you have with you in the living room. He likes popcorn, Tico's chips, Fritos, soups, coke, iced tea, milk, juice, chocolate doughnuts, crescent rolls, tuna casserole, chili, potato chips, Cheetos, and cookies just to name a few of the foods he tries to steal (and sometimes he's successful at nabbing a few mouthfuls). We were dreading putting Eli on a fast.

But it went fine. He didn't walk all over everyone all night, howling and whining for food. He wasn't happy that he didn't get his bedtime snack, but otherwise he slept through the night and was a very good kitty. We were stunned.

The surgery went fine, but the vet cautioned that his teeth and gums might be a little tender. The way Eli attacked his supper when I got him home you couldn't tell he'd had dental work done.

Eli had been vomiting nearly every day during February and I mentioned it to the vet when I dropped him off for his surgery. They took a look at him and thought his throat and glands looked a little red and swollen, perhaps indicating he was fighting a bug. He was prescribed an antibiotic and a steroid. I can't pill a cat to save my soul but I've always had success using the liquid meds that are applied using a dropper.

Until Eli.

I couldn't get the meds into him alone. Mark and I together couldn't get the meds into him. We finally gave up and mixed them into his food. It worked. Eli is the only cat I know that I've been able to hide medicine in his food and had him eat it. With gusto no less. (And the meds worked. He hasn't tossed his cookies for four weeks.)

Lately Eli has been very curious about the outdoors. He loves to sit on the back of the couch and look out the window, or lounge in the foyer and look out the full-length window in the outer door. So I've taken to leaving the outer door propped open a few inches so he can go in and out as he pleased. And he pleases often. The wind today bothered him. He didn't like getting his fur ruffled or the feel of the wind blowing in his ears. But otherwise he's having a grand time viewing the world from the porch.

Quilt Retreat - March 2008

2008-03-23T22:31:00.006-06:00

When last we left our heroine, she was not packed and was unprepared for quilt retreat. And it continued that way for quite a while.

This year the planners offered a four-day event but I selected the three-day option. Everyone else in my quilt group showed up on Thursday. The plan was for me to leave Lincoln at 9:30am (HA! Best laid plans...), arrive at the camp shortly after 10am, unload my bedding at the cabin, set up my gear at the lodge, and then Deb H. and I would go to Plattsmouth to browse Seams To Be and redeem our free birthday desserts across the street at The Chocolate Moose.

So Friday morning I got home from taking Cassie to school, but somehow didn't manage to get it all pulled together until 1:30pm!!! Deb H. called at regular intervals and each time she, and my quilt group, were in disbelief at my stalled progress. It was finally decided that Deb would ride to the shop with others and I would drive directly to Plattsmouth. I finally arrived at the quilt shop at 2:30pm to cheers and clapping, and then the lights went out!

No kidding. All the businesses up and down Main Street lost electricity. So we went across the street and got our desserts to-go (we got PMS Pie, a to-die-for chocolate pie) and browsed through the nearby antique shop with my flashlight. We returned to the quilt shop an hour later and shortly after that the electricity returned. We browsed further and headed back to camp in time for me to get set-up and get in line for dinner (Baked Potato Bar!).

Sadly, Diana D. had taken ill Thursday night and her hubby picked her up at 3:00am, so I never got to see her and she didn't get to participate in retreat at all. It's never as satisfying when one of us is missing - last fall we were short Marcia and now Diana.

I was very tired Friday night and headed back to the cabin for my shower and was in bed at 9:30pm. But Saturday morning I was up and at 'em at 7:00am, and at my machine by 7:30am. After breakfast Marcia and I went to The Quilted Moose in Gretna. Then I got to work on my denim quilt.

Wendy, Deb, Marcia and I returned to the cabin at midnight and I hit the shower. We all sat around talking, laughing, and doing stretches, then climbed into our beds with our books and reading lights.

Sunday I began work on a tee-shirt quilt then headed home. I never do get accomplished everything I hope to, but at least I got the denim quilt mostly done. Just need to tie it now.

Level 3 Sex Offender Update

2008-03-12T20:56:00.004-06:00

Our neighborhood sex offender DOES NOT have to move.

It doesn't matter that he's within spitting distance of an elementary school/church.

It doesn't matter that the house next door is filled with children. That this neighborhood is filled with children. Children who walk past that house on the way to two schools and a church.

After further digging the police say that what matters is his victim was older than 18 so the Level Three classification does not apply to children so he is allowed to live within 500 feet of a school.

Which in some way makes sense I guess. But still.

In the meantime, I will not be taking over cookies to welcome our new neighbors. We won't be Trick 'r' Treating this house. I will not be taking over my Christmas cookies.

Unprepared for Quilt Retreat

2008-03-06T21:57:00.004-06:00

I kept Cassie home from school on Monday and Tuesday. Her temp was down to 99 Monday morning but back up to 101 that night. By Tuesday late afternoon she was feeling better and I sent her to school on Wednesday. She is still coughing, her sinuses are full, and she tires easily but she's doing much better. Thankfully I was off Monday and Tuesday since I'd worked the weekend, so I didn't have to use leave time.

But nursing a sick child put me behind on my preps for quilt retreat. I got some bedding washed, but I haven't begun to pack nor gather my projects. I leave in the morning and I'm not ready to go!

Tonight we had our Parent-Teacher Conference. I took off work an hour early, picked up Cassie from her After-School Program, and we hit the Book Fair before having our conference. We both selected several books. Mark had extra chores to do tonight so he opted to go straight to his part-time night job and skip the conference since we don't have issues to discuss with the teacher (Cassie is still doing very well).

By the time conference was done at 7pm, Cassie was rubbing her eyes. She wanted to go to Tico's Mexican restaurant for supper, but I said no and she began to bawl. She was so tired she cried all the way home and in my arms on the couch for 10 min. I tossed her in the tub and got her bathed and her hair washed (while she cried), then made her some chicken noodle soup for supper along with grapes and a slice of toast cut into small squares. We watched Wonder Pets and Blues Clues on Noggin while eating. And she fell right to sleep.

But I'm too tired now to do an adequate job of packing. Tomorrow morning will be very busy as well. A neighbor gave Cassie some McDonald's gift certificates for her birthday and I told Cassie we'd use them tomorrow for breakfast. I wanted to be on the road by 9:30am and after I drop Cassie to school I'll have only 30 min to do a 90-min job!

Partied Too Hard?

2008-03-02T17:06:00.005-06:00

Very early Sunday morning I had a sick girl on my hands. By 6:30am she had a temp of 102.1, body aches, tummy ache, and stuffed sinuses. She felt so bad that she was lying in my arms crying. Got some Motrin down her and within a few minutes she was content to lie in bed with me and watch dvds all morning.

We started with Dora but after 10 min she decided against that. So we watched Harry Potter #4 (Goblet of Fire), and Shrek 1 and 2. By 11:30 she thought she wanted some breakfast. But the toast, oranges and water that she asked for mostly went uneaten.

I had to work and when I returned home her temp was up to 102.5. Gave her more Motrin to make her comfortable during the night.

Thank goodness this didn't happen a day earlier or we'd have had to postpone her party - and that would have been a major disappointment to her.

What will happen now is I'll catch it in time for my quilt retreat this weekend!

Cassie's 6th Birthday Party

2008-03-02T17:04:00.005-06:00

This past Saturday evening we held Cassie's birthday party. Six candles were on her cake, not including the special Elmo and Sleeping Beauty candles.

Generally we have the birthday person open their gifts, we light the candles, sing "Happy Birthday," they blow out the candles, then we eat cake and ice cream. Cassie insisted on doing the cake thing first and opening her gifts last. She asked for chocolate cake with purple frosting topped with chocolate chips and sprinkles.

Her favorite gift was from Grma - a pink rolling backpack with the Disney Princesses on it. She needed a new backpack because the old one (a blue "Hello Kitty" backpack) had been used so much the zipper teeth were not staying closed. I like this one because it's a little smaller and my little packrat can't cram as much stuff into it.

She also loved the Hannah Montana music cd from her cousin, Paige; the stuffed monkey from Uncle Scott; the hair ribbons, bows, and stick-on earrings from Aunt Betsy; and the Harry Potter bookmark, Harry Potter musical card, and Shrek 1 and 2 dvds from her mom and dad.

Book Display - Musicals

2008-03-01T15:51:00.008-06:00

The Academy Awards are over, but after the book display about movies, it's so easy to segue into musicals:

The Amazing Story of The Fantasticks: America’s Longest Running Play by Donald C. Farber & Robert Viagas

Chicago: The Movie and Lyrics by Bill Condon

A Chorus Line and the Musicals of Michael Bennett by Ken Mandelbaum

The Complete Book of Les Misérables by Edward Behr

The Complete Phantom of the Opera by George Perry

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: A Celebration of the Broadway Musical by Donald Frantz with Sue Heinemann

Down the Yellow Brick Road: The Making of ‘The Wizard of Oz’: The Complete Story Behind the Creation of the Best-Loved Movie of all Time – With Many Photographs Never Published Before! By Doug McClelland

Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida: The Making of the Broadway Musical by Michael Lassell

Kurt Weill: The Threepenny Opera by Stephen Hinton

The Making of the Wizard of Oz by aljean Harmetz

OK!: The Story of ‘Oklahoma”: A Celebration of the Anniversary of America’s Most Loved Musical by Max Wilk

Oklahoma!: The Making of an American Musical by Tim Carter

The Sound of Music Companion by Laurence Maslon

Sunset Blvd: From Movie to Musical by George Perry

Wicked: The Grimmerie: A Behind-The-Scenes Look at the Broadway Musical by David Cote

Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical ‘Rent’ by Anthony Rapp

A Year with the Producers: One Actor’s Exhausting (But Worth It) Journey from Cats to Mel Brooks’ Mega-Hit by Jeffry Denman

Music CDs
Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Sunset Blvd
Chicago: Original Cast Recording
A Chorus Line: Original Broadway Cast Recording
The Sound of Music: An Original Soundtrack Recording
The Wizard of Oz: Selections from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

On The Street Where You Live - The Sex Offender

2008-03-01T15:46:00.013-06:00

A Level Three Sex Offender moved into the neighborhood. Right across the street. Someone classified as a Level Three means there's a strong likelihood that they will commit subsequent sex crimes. Re-offend. Do it again. And again.

I know he moved into the neighborhood because Family Watchdog warned me. I'm enrolled in their email program that alerts me anytime a sex offender moves into the area. It's a free program - you give them your home address, email address, and they do the rest (at their website, click on "get free alerts"). I get updated emails every week or so. This is much easier than trying to keep up with the address changes that are listed in the newspaper.

My jaw dropped when I read this guy's address. I had seen new renters move into the house across the way. They'd sit on the porch and watch Cassie and me as we'd leave the house, or when we'd return home (but all neighbors do that). I waved to them one morning. I was going to take over cookies to welcome them to the neighborhood. Gulp.

I weighed the right of a person to begin anew versus the classification of Level Three.

I hit the archives of the local newspaper to see what news articles had been written about him. (This link only works if you have a Lincoln City Libraries library card.)

I checked to see if he'd served time in a Nebraska penitentiary. Or in a federal pen.

Had he been convicted of a crime in Lancaster County?

I looked up the list of people with current arrest warrants being sought by the Lincoln Police Dept or Lancaster County Sheriff.

I checked to see if that address was too close to the nearby Catholic church and school. And then called the Lincoln Police Department. According to Mapquest that address was about 400 feet from the school and a Level Three cannot be closer than 500 feet. But the officer ran his own software and informed me that it's not address-to-address that counts, but property-line-to-property-line and this fellow is actually less than 200 feet away. He thanked me and said they'd get this taken care of right away.

I gave a heads-up to a neighbor, who informed me that the landlord showed up there the next day. I don't know if Mr. Level Three must vacate immediately or if he's allowed a certain length of time to move, but he's still hanging around the premises. I'll be keeping an eye on this.

First Lost Tooth

2008-03-01T15:44:00.004-06:00

Cassie lost her first tooth Thursday night. She was preparing for bed and while brushing her teeth it had fallen out. I was worried that her tooth would fall out at school, or go down our bathroom drain, but we were fortunate.

She was so excited that she couldn't stay in bed and sleep. So I let her get back up and she bounced around the living room talking about it. I tried to take a photo of her toothless grin but the flash kept hurting her eyes. Finally, she covered her eyes and let me get in really close for this shot.

Cassie called Grma M. to tell her, and also Mark on his cell phone. When Mark got home shortly after that she couldn't wait to show her daddy the toothless hole in her mouth.

We carefully folded the tooth inside a tissue and placed it beneath her pillow. Cassie awoke during the night and at 3:00am Friday this insomniac mommy, who was actually asleep, was awaken by an excited child who wanted to show me the quarter left by the Tooth Fairy (and I'm the one who left it there!). I've placed her tooth in a baggie and have hidden it away.

Book Display - At The Movies

2008-02-22T15:50:00.006-06:00

The Academy Awards takes place this Sunday. So here's a slew of books about Oscar and the movies:

65 Years of The Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards by Robert Osborne

Academy Award Winners: Songs, Scores (music book)

All About ‘All About Eve’ by Sam Staggs

The Animated Movie Guide by Jerry Beck

Bedside Hollywood: Great Scenes from Movie Memoirs edited by Robert Atwan and Bruce Forer

Behind the Oscar: The Secret History of the Academy Awards by Anthony Holden

The Big Book of B Movies Or How Low Was My Budget by Robin Cross

The Casablanca Companion: The Movie and More: The Behind-the-Scenes Story of an American Classic by Jeff Siegel

Cult Movies: The Classics, the Sleepers, the Weird, and the Wonderful by Danny Peary

For Keeps: 30 Years at the Movies by Pauline Kael

Great Hollywood Westerns by Ted Sennett

Hollywood At Home: A Family Album 1950-1965 by Sid Avery

Hollywood Color Portraits by John Kobal

The Hollywood Sound: John Williams Conducts the Academy Awards’ Best Scores by John Williams (music cd)

Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards by Mason Wiley & Damien Bona

The Lavender Screen: The Gay and Lesbian Films, Their Stars, Makers, Characters & Critics by Boze Hadleigh

Open Secret: Gay Hollywood 1928-1998 by David Ehrenstein

Oscar A to Z: A Complete Guide to More than 2,400 Movies Nominated for Academy Awards by Charles Matthews

The Real Oscar: The Story Behind the Academy Awards by Peter H. Brown

Special Effects: Creating Movie Magic by Christopher Finch

Writing Himself into History: Oscar Micheaux, His Silent Films, and His Audiences by Pearl Bowser and Louise Spence

Book Display - Presidents

2008-02-15T15:42:00.013-06:00

Presidents' Day is next week, so here's a book display about presidents, scandals, White House anecdotes, Air Force One, and a fascinating book of the presidential protraits from the National Portrait Gallery:

Air Force One: The Aircraft that Shaped the Modern Presidency by Von Hardesty.

Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes by Kenneth T. Walsh.

Ask Not: The Inauguration of John F. Kennedy and the Speech that Changed America by Thurston Clarke.

The Double-Edged Sword: How Character Makes and Ruins Presidents, from Washington to Clinton by Robert Shogan.

Dwight D. Eisenhower: Commander-In-Chief, A&E Biography, DVD.

Executive Privilege: Two Centuries of White House Scandals by Jack Mitchell.

For the President’s Eyes Only: Secret Intelligence and the American Presidency from Washington to Bush by Christopher Andrew.

Hail to the Chief: The Making and Unmaking of American Presidents by Robert Dallek.

Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages that Shaped Our Recent History by Kati Marton.

JFK: A Personal Story, A&E Biography, DVD.

Lincoln: A Contemporary Exploration of a President Whose Greatest War Took Place Within Himself, History Channel, DVD.

Lincoln: The Musical Soundtrack of the Film, music compact disc.

My Thirty Years Backstairs at the White House by Lillian Rogers Parks.

Mutual Contempt: Lyndon Johnson, Robert Kennedy, and the Feud that Defined a Decade by Jeff Shesol.

Portraits of the Presidents: The National Portrait Gallery by Frederick S. Voss.

Presidential Power: Unchecked & Unbalanced by Matthew Crenson and Benjamin Ginsberg.

Presidential Ambition: How the Presidents Gained Power, Kept Power, and Got Things Done by Richard Shenkman.

Richard Nixon, A&E Biography, DVD.

Ronald Reagan: A Legacy Remembered, History Channel, DVD.

Roosevelt and Churchill: Their Secret Wartime Correspondence edited by Francis L. Loewenheim, Harold D. Langley, and Manfred Jonas.

Scandals in the Highest Office: Facts and Fictions in the Private Lives of Our Presidents by Hope Ridings Miller.

Truman by David McCullough.

Truman, PBS Home Video, DVD.

Ulysses S. Grant: Warrior, President, PBS Home Video, DVD.

The Unfinished Presidency: Jimmy Carter’s Journey Beyond the White House by Douglas Brinkley.

Upstairs at the White House: My Life with the First Ladies by J.B. West.

When Presidents Lie: A History of Official Deception and Its Consequences by Eric Alterman.

The White House: The First Two Hundred Years edited by Frank Freidel and William Pencak.

White House China by Marian Klamkin

White House Glassware: Two Centuries of Presidential Entertaining by Jane Shadel Spillman.

Wounded Titans: American Presidents and the Perils of Power by Max Lerner.

Nebraska Caucus

2008-02-15T15:41:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday was the Democratic caucus for the State of Nebraska. I'm not happy about having to participate in a caucus since I prefer the secret ballot. And sure enough, several of our regular library patrons were gathered at the same caucus site as I had to be at and now they think they're my big buddy since we were standing in the same corner for the same candidate.

Aside from lacking the confidential factor, it wasn't too bad. People didn't get unruly or rude. We chose a person to run the proceedings and someone else to act as recording secretary. Obama supporters stood on one side, Clinton supporters on another, undecided voters were in the middle. Each side took turns stating why they were voting for a particular candidate, and each side clapped after each speaker regardless of position. People were given another chance to change candidates and all but two of the undecided voters eventually chose a candidate. The entire process took only an hour.

In the end, after all precincts were tallied, Obama won the Nebraska caucus.

While it was a polite and quick proceeding, give me back my secret ballot.

Never Play with Knives

2008-02-10T12:50:00.000-06:00

Last Sunday I nearly cut off my left index finger. No kidding.

I had spent the weekend in the kitchen cooking up a storm (which also meant doing a ton of dishes as well). I like to cook double batches of my recipes and freeze them to take to work for lunch. And now I'm planning ahead for Cassie's suppers as well since I don't like her having a constant diet of frozen pizza, frozen tacos, and frozen chicken nuggets. So to combat this I'm taking over all the cooking and doing daily menu-planning for her carbs, veggies, fruit, main course, and beverage. Saturday I'd cooked up Tater Tot Casserole, two meatloaves, and browned three one-pound units of hamburger in the microwave for later use in other casseroles. Cassie and I also did a ton of laundry.

So come Sunday it was time to throw other meats into the mix. Saturday's theme was beef, and now I was going to do salmon patties and crockpot chicken so we could alternate among the beef, fish, and chicken. Plus I had to peel potatoes to make mashed potatoes and scalloped potatoes. But before doing that I had to work that afternoon at the library, so my cooking plans were set for the evening.

Before heading to work I was making Cassie's lunch. I opened the freezer to get some Tater Tot Casserole for Cassie and noticed the bag of garlic toast. I decided that sounded better than crescent rolls, and thus set into motion the bloody events.

The garlic bread was one long piece of French bread that had the garlic and cheese in the center like a hoagie sandwich. You pull apart the two sides and place them on a pan beneath the broiler. Dopey me decided they would fit on my pan better if I cut each section in half. I grabbed my scalloped bread knife and starting sawing away. Normally I use my giant chef's knife but for some reason I went with the bread knife - and I think that's what saved my finger.

The first slice cut with little difficulty. But the second slice wouldn't cooperate so I was hacking away at it and, wouldn't 'ya know it, the knife slipped (or perhaps I just got my finger in the way) and I sliced through my finger with full force.

The rest happened in slow-motion. I didn't move. I remained in position with my knifehand extended and my other hand holding the bread, just staring at my finger thinking, "This can't be good." (I have a college degree so I felt pretty confident at this assessment.) Then the blood began to ooze, ever so slightly. This encouraged me to think that perhaps the cut wasn't so bad. I stuck the wound beneath the water and, with soap, tried to clean it up. Afterall, the wound would be full of bread crumbs, cheese, and garlic - that can't be conducive to healthy healing.

I tried bending my finger to determine the depth of the wound. Yikes! It looked like a giant fish gill had opened on my finger. Bandages weren't staunching the blood flow, and I had only 30 minutes to get to work.

So I called my supervisor on his cell phone and his home phone but couldn't reach him. I called a coworker to say I thought a trip to the emergency room was in order but I'd be in whenever the ER finally got done with me. She felt that my finger would be throbbing and I'd be no use to anyone at work, so I shouldn't even try to go in to work. So I didn't.

I've spent the past week applying First Aid Cream and bandaids, and avoiding water. By golly the thing looks pretty good today. It's still sore to the touch, but bears no resemblence to the mess of last week. Must be due to the Hello Kitty bandaids that Cassie has been giving me.

Betsy's Birthday

2008-02-10T12:38:00.000-06:00

February 2 we celebrated Betsy's birthday (which is actually February 3). Cassie and I wrapped her gift (napkins for every season and holiday) and the three of us were the first to arrive. Betsy and Cassie drew several pictures together while waiting for Mom and Scott.

Once everyone was in attendance, we arranged the table with Betsy's cake, plates and napkins, then Betsy opened her gifts. In addition to our gift, she also received She Wore a Yellow Ribbon on dvd and a Perry Como TV show on dvd. We sang Happy Birthday, Betsy blew out her candles, and we ate lemon cake (Mom did the cake this year) and mint chip ice cream ("green ice cream" as Cassie calls it).

We only stayed a couple of hours for I was exhausted - still recovering from pneumonia. Cassie and I had spent the day running errands, doing laundry, and picking up around the house. Once we got home, it was straight to bed for Cassie and me.

Book Display - Valentines, Love, and All That Jazz

2008-02-07T17:31:00.000-06:00

The February book display is, natch, all about valentines, valentine cards and crafts, love, relationships, and loving yourself:

214 Ways to Say ‘I Love You’ by Julian Biddle

Calligraphy by Don Marsh

Complete Idiot’s Guide to Online Dating and Relating by Joe Schwartz

Hearts, Cupids, and Red Roses: The Story of the Valentine Symbols by Edna Barth

In the Meantime-: Finding Yourself and the Love You Want by Iyanla Vanzant

Life and Love: A Book of Embraces by Life Magazine

The Love You Deserve: 10 Keys to Perfect Love by Scott Peck

Mr. Right Now: When Dating is Better than Saying ‘I Do’ by Rachel Safier

Mr. Right, Right Now!: How a Smart Woman Can Land Her Dream Man in 6 Weeks by E. Jean Carroll

Simply Beautiful Greeting Cards: 50 Quick and Easy Projects by Heidi Boyd

The Valentine and Its Origins by Frank Staff

Valentine Fun by Judith Hoffman Corwin

Valentines: Cards and Crafts from the Heart by Thiranut Boonyadhistarn

Vintage Greeting Cards by MaryJo McGraw

What Does She ‘Want’ From Me Anyway?: Honest Answers to the Questions Men Ask About Women by Holly Faith Phillips with Gregg Lewis

Why Do Fools Fall in Love?: Experiencing the Magic, Mystery, and Meaning of Successful Relationships by Janice R. Levine and Howard J. Markman

Why Mars & Venus Collide: Improving Relationships by Understanding How Men and Women Cope Differently with Stress by John Gray

Music CDs:
100 Years of Latin Love Songs performed by Paquito D’Rivera

Academy Award ™ Winning Love Songs published by Pair Records

Hawaiian Love Songs performed by George Kahumoku, Jr.

Liszt for Lovers: Piano Dreams of Love and Passion published by Philips

Music Scores:
28 Top 90’s Love Songs by Hal Leonard Publishing Corp

Best in Country Love Songs by Warner Brothers Publishing

Love Songs: Complete Lyrics for 200 Songs by Hal Leonard Publishing Corp

Love Songs for Lovers: A Collection of Romantic Songs by Warner Brothers Publishing

Love Songs of the 30’s by Hal Leonard Publishing Corp

Love Songs of the 50’s by Hal Leonard Publishing Corp

Monday Errands

2008-01-29T09:45:00.000-06:00

I was off work on Monday since I worked this past weekend.

After taking Cassie to school I returned home and loaded Eli into a cat carrier and took him to the vet for his annual appointment. Long story short, I was able to get him into the box without a fight, he hollered only while in the van, his blood work and stool samples tested disease- and parasite-free, he received his 1-yr distemper and 3-yr rabies vaccinations, the vet was pleased with how he looks, he weighs 11.5 lbs, and when we arrived home, Eli seemed very pleased to be back. The look in his eyes, when I unloaded him in the living room and gave him an early lunch, told me that he thought he had been headed to another home. He's been even more attentive than normal so I think he's thrilled to be here.

After dropping Eli to home, I hit the Health Dept and got his cat license. I stopped at Verizon and Alltel to inquire about their cell service and phones (my current cell phone is turning itself off, so time for a new phone and I think time to upgrade our cell service). Hit the post office. Picked up Mom and took her to the cemetery (Monday would have been Dad's 71st bday), then took her to Barnes & Noble. We picked up Cassie from school and went to Tico's for supper.

The temp hit low 50's so I had the van washed. Mom and I had good weather at the cemetery, but by the time we picked up Cassie the temps were dropping and it was trying to sprinkle. By the time we left Tico's the weather had definitely changed for the colder and the wind was really blowing.

So much for getting things done around the house. Chores have sat, waiting for me to get over the pneumonia, and I'm eager to get at them. I'm home for most of Tuesday so hopefully I can begin to make a dent on the mess.

Too Much Harry Potter?

2008-01-28T10:15:00.000-06:00

This morning at breakfast Cassie leaned over to me and began talking in a nonsense language and making exaggerated hissing sounds. She informed me that she was speaking in Parseltongue like Harry Potter does. For the uninitiated, Parseltongue is the language of snakes, and those who can speak to snakes are called Parselmouths.

Our saturation with Harry Potter will not end soon. I ordered Harry Potter #4 ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire") from Deep Discount last night (always free shipping) and should have it in 5-10 days.

Cassie is a big fan of Harry Potter, but especially enjoys the parts where Hermione is a strong character. We always have to backup and re-watch those scenes, and as I like enforcing a strong, female character as a role model, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Pneumonia Update, and New Shoes

2008-01-27T20:52:00.000-06:00

I've been getting to bed each weeknight as soon as I get home, and spending all weekend in bed trying to rest up to get over this pneumonia. I think the rest is helping. My cough has lessened and I don't wear out during the workday until mid-afternoon. And if you caught the news today, we have another example of the seriousness of pneumonia - Christian Brando, son of the late Marlon Brando, died of pneumonia. And he's my age.

Cassie requested that our Friday night supper-out be at Culver's. It was very busy but we had a hot meal and enjoyed ourselves. Mark left for his night job, then Cassie and I ordered our dessert - choc frozen yogurt topped with crushed Oreos for me, while Cassie ordered choc frozen yogurt topped with brownie chunks. Then home and right to bed.

I had to work this weekend. Saturday when I got home we put on a Harry Potter dvd again, but I went to bed at 7:30pm and missed most of the movie. Cassie apparently had too much sugar during the day for she was still awake at 11pm! I awoke Sunday morning at 8:15 to find everyone else was still sleeping, so once again Cassie missed Sunday school.

Sunday morning Mark left to put in a couple hours at his part-time job. Cassie and I sorted laundry and did three loads while I did some computer work. When Mark returned home I headed off to work - and it was busy. When I returned home I got to hear about Cassie's visit with Grma M., then she and Mark hit Target on the way home. She's now the proudest owner of Hannah Montana shoes. Not quite the winter shoes I had in mind for her...

Supper, a Harry Potter dvd, and a bath rounded out Sunday evening. Cassie carefully set out her clothes for Monday, including the Hannah Montana skimmers.

Book Display - Fill Your Bucket, Make Your Plans, Get Your Act Together

2008-01-24T12:19:00.000-06:00

January is a month for beginnings, for retooling yourself, making new goals, and refocusing yourself. My current book display offers titles to help you determine where to vacation, what to read, and figuring out what's important in your life. (Which will be easier to do now that you've organized yourself per the previous book display!)

The 10 Best of Everything: A Passport to the Best: An Ultimate Guide for Travelers by Nathaniel Lande

500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up by Holly Hughes

1,000 Places to See Before You Die: Collection 1 (Alaska, Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Italy), dvd by the Travel Channel

1,000 Places to See Before You Die: A Traveler’s Life List by Patricia Schultz

1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die by Patricia Schultz

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die edited by Peter Boxall

1001 Classical Music Albums You Must Hear Before You Die by Matthew Rye

14,000 Things to be Happy About: The Happy Book by Barbara Ann Kipfer

All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten: The Essay that Became a Classic with a Special Commentary by Robert Fulghum

All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things by Robert Fulghum

America’s Best Historic Sites: 101 Terrific Places to Take the Family by B.J. Welborn

America’s Hidden Corners by the National Geographic Society

A Cat's Little Instruction Book by Leigh W. Rutledge

Constructing a Life Philosophy: Opposing Viewpoints edited by Mark Ray Schmidt

Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die by Chris Santella

Guide to the State Parks of the United States by the National Geographic Society

The Hard Questions: 100 Questions to Ask Before You Say “I Do” by Susan Piver

Life's Little Instruction Book (vols 1-3) by H. Jackson Brown

No Opportunity Wasted: 8 Ways to Create a List for the Life You Want by Phil Keoghan

Unforgettable Things to do Before You Die by Steve Watkins and Clare Jones

Wondrous Journey: The World is Waiting for You by Dean Jacobs

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember by Fred Rogers

Gymnastics Meet and Busy Monday

2008-01-21T22:03:00.000-06:00

I again slept late Sunday, not rising until 8:30am. By that time it was too late to get Cassie dressed and to Sunday School on time. She was unhappy at missing church, but she was just as content to lie in bed with me and have breakfast while watching Harry Potter. I slept most of the morning, but did get up to attend the 2:00pm UNL gymnastics meet (Univ of Oklahoma won, UNL took second, Air Force took third). Cassie had come home last Wednesday with free tickets to the meet and she was eager to attend. I returned to bed as soon as we got home. The events of Friday night and Saturday had really worn me out.

Monday I took Cassie to her 7:30am dental appointment. She has a permanent tooth coming in behind her lower, front baby teeth and a second tooth is ready to errupt as well. The baby teeth are just slightly loose and we're to wiggle them to try to get them to fall out so the new teeth have room - right now they are crowded and aligned sideways. She's so excited about the new teeth. She's been asking for several months when her teeth will fall out.

After her appointment we stopped at State Farm to pay a bill, had breakfast at McDonald's, ran an errand to Factory Card Outlet, stopped at Target and bought Harry Potter #1 and #3, then to Target near Hwy 2 where we surprised Scott, and got Harry Potter #2. When we arrived home she couldn't wait to show the movies to Mark. The Potter marathon began immediately. I slept through the second movie.

Mark went to his night job and I got supper for Cassie and me. We watched my timer tape of "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numb3rs" then put on Harry Potter #3. I'm can't wait until she's old enough to read the books.

Mark's Birthday

2008-01-21T20:41:00.001-06:00

Mark's 51st birthday was January 17 (last Thursday). Friday night we all went out to supper. For his birthday supper he choose Noodles & Company. I meet Mark and Cassie there after work. Then he headed on to his night job, and Cassie and I went to Orscheln's. I had already purchased "China Ghosts: My Daughter's Journey to America, My Passage to Fatherhood" by Jeff Gammage (a China adoption story from an adoptive-father's perspective), but still needed to pick up some warm, outdoor socks for him.

Cassie and I went right to bed when we got home. I was so worn out that I slept through to 9:30 Saturday morning! I'm still coughing but my doc feels I don't need another round of antibiotics since the general population is reporting coughs that hang on for two or three weeks, and I have a history of coughs hanging on anyway. But I'm still to rest often, lots of fluid, and continue with Robitussin DM. I am feeling better and clear-headed but about halfway through the day I fade. So I'm making progress.

Cassie hadn't had breakfast yet so she and I headed out to LaMar's Donuts. Then, we visited The Quilted Kitty, The Back Porch, and The Cosmic Cow quilt shops. It had been a while since we'd seen everyone and I just wanted to pop in for a quick "hello" (and some fat quarters). We got home and I made us lunch, baked Mark's cake, and wrapped the gifts.

After frosting the cake and packing up everything, we picked up Betsy and headed to Mom's for Mark's party. After the festivities Mom, Betsy, Cassie and I played several rounds of "Go Fish." We packed up and took Betsy home, and both Cassie and I headed right to bed. I was exhausted and it had been a busy day.

Book Display - Get Organized

2008-01-07T12:29:00.000-06:00

January is National Get Organized Month so naturally my current book display is all about getting it together:

10-Minute Clutter Control Room by Room: Hundreds of Easy, Effective Tips for Every Room in the House by Skye Alexander.

611 Ways to do More in a Day: Seize Control of Your Day so You Can Get More Done! By Stephanie Culp.

The Complete Household Handbook: The Best Ways to Clean, Maintain & Organize Your Home by Good Housekeeping.

Confessions of a Happily Organized Family: 100’s of Practical Ways to Have a Neat House, Happy Kids and Calm Parents – All at the Same Time! By Deniece Schofield.

Confessions of an Organized Homemaker: The Secrets of Uncluttering Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life by Deniece Schofield.

Downsized But Not Defeated: The Family Guide to Living on Less by Hope Stanley Quinn and Lyn Miller-Lachmann.

First Things First: To Live, To Love, To Learn, To Leave a Legacy by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, Rebecca R. Merrill.

Five Days to an Organized Life: The Fast, Easy, and Permanent System for Getting Things Done…And Doing Things Better by Lucy H. Hedrick.

Get Your Act Together: A 7-Day Get-Organized Program for the Overworked, Overbooked, and Overwhelmed by Pam Young and Peggy Jones.

Getting Our from Under: Redefining Your Priorities in an Overwhelming World by Stephanie Winston.

How to Have a 48-Hour Day: Get Twice as Much Done as You Do Now! By Don Aslett.

How to Organize Just About Everything by Peter Walsh.

It’s Hard to Make a Difference When You Can’t Find Your Keys: The Seven-Step Path to Becoming Truly Organized by Marilyn Paul.

Lifebalance: How to Simplify and Bring Harmony in Your Everyday Life by Linda and Richard Eyre.

The One-Minute Organizer Plain & Simple: 500 Tips for Getting Your Life in Order by Donna Smallin.

Organize Yourself!: Home, Moving, Closet, Calendar, E-Mail, Using PDAs, Managing Interruptions, Bill Paying, Banking, Budgeting, Taxes, Desk, Filing, Financial Records, Health Records, Safety Preparedness, Travel Planning and Packing, Procrastination, Time-Saving Tips, and Much More! by Ronni Eisenberg with Kate Kelly.

Organizing for the Creative Person: Right-Brain Styles for Conquering Clutter, Mastering Time, and Reaching Your Goals by Dorothy Lehmkuhl & Dolores Cotter Lamping.

Organizing for the Spirit: Making the Details of Your Life Meaningful and Manageable by Sunny Schlenger.

Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office, and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern.

Organizing Magic: 40 Days to a Well-Ordered Home and Life by Sandra Felton.

Restore Order to Your Home: Consider Your Needs, Customize Your Space, Organize Your Life by Vicki Norris.

Taming the Paper Tiger: Setting up a Work Center, Organizing Your Home Computer, Dealing Efficiently with Bills and Tax Information, Keeping Track of Family Records and Memorabilia by Barbara Hemphill.

Time Management from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule - and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern.

The Working Woman’s Guide to Managing Time: Take Charge of Your Life…While Taking Care of Yourself by Roberta Roesch

The Zen of Organizing: Creating Order and Peace in Your Home, Career, and Life by Regina Leeds.

December Book Display-Christmas Treats

2008-01-07T12:07:00.000-06:00

I did manage to get a book display set-up during December. I chose "cookie" books since December seems to be the season for baking:

500 Best Cookies, Bars, & Squares by Esther Brody

Betty Crocker’s Ultimate Cookie Book by Betty Crocker

The Complete Cookie: Cookies for Every Occasion by Barry Bluestein & Kevin Morrissey

Cookie Classics: Timeless Family Favorites by Better Homes and Gardens

Christmas Cookies by Better Homes and Gardens

Christmas Cookies: A Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publication edited by Jennifer Dorland Darling

Hershey’s 1934 Cookbook: Revised and Expanded with Chocolate Recipes Brought Up-To-Date For Use in Today’s Kitchen by Hershey Foods

Mrs. Fields Best Ever Cookie Book! by Debbi Fields

Mrs. Fields Cookie Book: 100 Recipes from the Kitchen of Mrs. Fields by Debbi Fields

Truffles, Candies, & Confections: Elegant Candymaking in the Home by Carole Bloom

Pneumonia

2008-01-06T15:22:00.000-06:00

Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lung that impairs breathing. Small air sacs in the lung (alveoli) become filled with pus, mucus or other fluid, and cannot supply oxygen to circulating blood. Pneumonia is not just one disease. Although it is commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, several different microorganisms can cause the disease.

An estimated four million Americans become ill with pneumonia each year, accounting for one million hospital admissions and over ten million hospital bed days. In the United States, pneumonia is the sixth most common disease leading to death.

Gale Encyclopedia of Nursing and Allied Health. Ed. Kristine Krapp. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2002. p1922-1926.

And I've got it.

I've had a cough since November that wasn't going away. I didn't get a thing written in this blog all during December, I was barely ready for Christmas, I was down ill several times, and tired easily. So now we know the cause. Oddly enough I FEEL fine, I just wear out easily and have gigantic coughing fits.

I saw my internist, Holly McMillan, this past Friday morning. She made her diagnosis and prescribed azithromycin and Robitussin DM, bedrest and lots of fluids. I took two pills the first day, then follow up with one pill each day for the next four days. The drug will continue to work for the next 10 days or so. I report back to Holly M. around Martin Luther King's birthday.

I've spent most of my time bedridden this weekend, trying to sleep. We won't discuss the dishes that aren't getting done, the laundry sitting around, the general housekeeping that isn't being done, nor Cassie's constant companionship that, try as she might, disturbs more than assists. I gave up on getting out Christmas cards and decided to do a New Year's Newsletter instead which I haven't started yet let alone get out to everyone.

It should be interesting returning to work tomorrow. I can't talk without coughing and I'm used to napping several times a day.

Thanksgiving Travels

2007-11-24T15:49:00.000-06:00

Thursday morning we drove to Creighton, NE for Thanksgiving with Mark's side of the family. We were late leaving the house but still had breakfast at McDonald's since we'd promised Cassie we'd eat there. Finally arrived in Creighton at 1pm.

Everyone was there, except Gordie's wife. Had a nice time. The younger kids had a blast together, the older kids and I played with our laptops together and I showed them the wonders of Lexar's Power To Go jump drives, and Kody harassed Ryan by calling his cell phone but labeled it "private" so Ryan wouldn't know who it was. Kody showed me how to do it (*67+attach+contacts+choose contact, or *67+area code+number), so when Ryan was watching Kody, I'd call Ryan. Had him going for quite a while but we finally 'fessed up. We're so easily entertained!

Everyone was gone by 7:30pm or so. Got Cassie and myself ready for bed and we crawled onto the sofa-sleeper and watched "March of the Penguins." Mark wanted to be home the next day in time to watch the NE-CO game on TV at 11:00am but we didn't leave his mom's on Friday until 9:15am.

We arrived home at 12:30pm, unpacked the van, left Mark watching the game on TV, and Cassie and I headed over to Mom's. We visited her folks' and Dad's graves at Lincoln Memorial, went to Campbell's Nursery to look at Christmas decorations (very disappointed at what they had to offer), and on to Tico's to eat.

After dropping off Mom, we picked up Mark and went to Home Depot and bought a 7.5ft, slim artificial tree. I really wanted a pre-lit tree so I wouldn't have to mess with lights any longer, but after looking at them I wasn't all that thrilled with the plugs and how the lights were strung. I'm not getting rid of my six-foot Mountain King that I purchased from Brandeis department store in 1983. It still looks great but it simply has too wide of a circumference for where I'm putting the tree now.

We returned home and Cassie, Eli and I did four loads of laundry, folded some clothes, and I did dishes while they hung around underfoot. I gave Cassie a bath and got her set up in the Big Bed with Food Network on the TV. I ran down and showered but by the time I'd returned the TV was on Animal Planet. Cassie claims Food Network had on a host that we don't like (but she couldn't specify who) and had Mark change the channel. So instead we watched lions hunt cute antelope and try to avoid being grabbed by crocodiles while drinking. You know, the usual blood-letting for family fare.

I was exhausted. It had been a busy two days and I still had to work the weekend!

Book Display - Adoption

2007-11-21T22:48:00.000-06:00

November is Adoption Awareness Month. The following are part of this week's display:

Adopting Alyosha: A Single Man Finds a Son in Russia by Robert Klose

Adoption for Dummies by Tracy Barr and Katrina Carlisle

Adoption Journeys: Parents Tell Their Stories by Carole S. Turner

Adoption Nation: How the Adoption Revolution is Transforming America by Adam Pertman

An Empty Lap: One Couple's Journey to Parenthood by Jill Smolowe

Be My Baby: Parents and Children Talk About Adoption by Gail Kinn

Birth Marks: Adoption in Contemporary America by Sandra Patton

Boys Town: The Constant Spirit by James R. Ivey

China Ghosts: My Daughter’s Journey to America, My Passage to Fatherhood by Jeff Gammage

China’s Lost Girls (DVD) by National Geographic Society

Dim Sum, Bagels, and Grits: A Sourcebook for Multicultural Families by Myra Alperson

How It Feels to be Adopted by Jill Krementz

How to Adopt Internationally: A Guide for Agency-Directed and Independent Adoptions by Jean Nelson Erichsen and Heino R. Erichsen

I Love You Like Crazy Cakes by Rose Lewis

The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided To Go Get Pregnant by Dan Savage

The Lost Daughters of China: Abandoned Girls, Their Journey to America, and the Search for a Missing Past by Karin Evans

Love in the Driest Season: A Family Memoir by Neely Tucker (two Americans adopt a Zimbabwean girl)

Loving Across the Color Line: A White Adoptive Mother Learns About Race by Sharon E. Rush

Moving Heaven & Earth: A Personal Journey into International Adoption by Barbara U. Birdsey with George Cadwalader

A Passage of the Heart: Writings from Families with Children from China Edited by Amy Klatzkin

The Russian Word for Snow: A True Story of Adoption by Janis Cooke Newman

The Waiting Child: How the Faith and Love of One Orphan Saved the Life of Another by Cindy Champnella

West Meets East: Americans Adopt Chinese Children by Richard Tessler, Gail Gamache, Liming Liu

A Short Week

2007-11-21T20:07:00.000-06:00

Tuesday Cassie was well enough to return to school, and packed two bags of critters and toys to take with her to Grma's in the evening. The weather turned cold and we both tried out the body glue to keep up our socks. That stuff works great! My socks didn't fall at all, and Cassie reports her socks stayed up as well. And it washed off easily with soap and water.

I got home at 9:15pm and grabbed my shower while Mark finished Cassie's bath. Her cough at bedtime wouldn't stop, so she cuddled on my lap while I watched my "House" timer tape. By 11pm the Dimetapp finally kicked in and she was able to lie down and sleep. I didn't take my Gabapentin so I could be aware of Cassie during the night. Sadly, this meant I got two hours of sleep while Cassie slept through the night with no trouble!

She awoke at 6:15am Wednesday and suggested she didn't need to go to school since she still had a cough. I reminded her there was no school today and she was going to Vickie's daycare instead. Cassie was so excited about going to Vickie's that she was up, dressed, her hair done and her coat on by 6:45am! And I hadn't managed yet to locate my clothes.

I had the Day From Heck at work. Ill-behaved patrons and computers that acted up were the theme. So I stopped at Tico's on the way home and got a small bag of chips, 4-oz of hot sauce, and three slices of chocolate mint pie. Cassie and I had a nice snack when I got home.

Then Cassie and I went to Target for laundry soap. We live on the wild side!

Thanksgiving Aftermath

2007-11-21T17:33:00.001-06:00

I kept Cassie home from Sunday School as she was coughing up a storm. I did some work on my piles of paper, and wrote on the backs of photos. Also gathered up some laundry and ran a few loads. Mark was sprawled in the easy chair reading the paper.

Cassie had cabin fever and since I was planning to send her to school on Monday, I took her along with me to run a few errands. If nothing else, this got her acclimated to physical activity. We hit the post office, went to Mom's, looked at photo frames at Shopko (she's a great little shopper and found all the sizes I needed but one) and stopped at Taco Inn for lunch.

Deb S. and her hubby, Charlie, met us at Taco Inn to deliver my replacement Tupperware seal and my body glue. I also won the door prize at her open house! Can't wait to use my instant manicure.

Cassie and I headed on to Younkers and Dillards looking for a pasta pot, but couldn't get myself to shell out 120 bucks. Then on to Target, and back home to do four more loads of laundry. I made soup for Cassie and me, changed sheets, got us bathed and jammied and we were in bed snoring away in no time. I was still tired from Thanksgiving preparations.

Cassie's cough seemed worse on Monday so I kept her home again from school. Mark stayed with her this time. When I got home in the evening, I grabbed a quick supper, tossed in a couple more loads of laundry, then got Cassie and me ready for bed and we hopped into the "big bed" with our laptops. Cassie is no longer happy at playing with the surplus keyboard and mouse and pretending she has a laptop, now she asks to borrow mine to email Grma M.

There's something not right about a 5yo able to use the fingerpad and properly move the mouse.

Thanksgiving On My Side

2007-11-20T10:02:00.000-06:00

Saturday we held the Thanksgiving Dinner for my side of the family at our place. Scott did the turkey, I made the Frozen Salad and Lemon Cheesecake Pie, Mark made the Pumpkin Pie and peeled the potatoes, Betsy made candied apples, and Mom brought the gravy.

Cassie was very excited about everyone coming over. Paige showed up first. I had everything done and was just waiting for Scott to bring the turkey so we could reheat it, so I had the chance to spend some time with Paige. Her brother, Dustin, stopped by to pick up a movie from her. We haven't seen Dustin in years and I invited him to stay and have Thanksgiving with us.

Finally Scott arrived with the turkey and, while waiting for that to heat, we celebrated Paige's 17th birthday. She opened her gifts receiving everything from a flash drive to movies to Calvin & Hobbes books to a popcorn popper complete with popcorn, oil and salt.

After eating our turkey dinner, we had birthday cake along with pie. Since I did most of the prep work for the dinner, the guys washed the dishes. Scott always refuses to dry my stemware as the first year we used it he managed to break one. He's been ribbed about that ever since.

Cassie was still fighting her cold and spent most of the time coughing, but she had a terrific time meeting Dustin and having her family around.

This was also the first family gathering that's taken place at our home since we adopted Eli. All morning he was nervous as I put in the table leaves, set the table, got out additional chairs and just generally picked up. (I followed Cassie's advice to put everything in a bedroom and shut the door. With her being ill I couldn't get the house picked up as I wanted.) He knew something was up. He kept hiding downstairs, then would return in a few minutes because he was curious about the goings-on. When guests began arriving he'd disappear for a bit, but would turn up again to get his full due of pettings. He managed to get himself into the middle of everything. However, after everyone left he sprawled on the couch and took a giant nap. He was worn out from all the attention and activity.

I was worn out too and managed to get Cassie and I bathed and into bed by 8:15pm. Since her bedroom was the one into which we'd stashed everything, she couldn't get to her bed. So she and I slept in the Big Bed along with Eli. As you can imagine, the first hour was spent whispering, giggling and coughing. But soon her Dimetapp and my Gabapentin kicked in and we were sound asleep.

Cassie and Her Cough

2007-11-19T21:01:00.001-06:00

Cassie caught my cold and has been coughing all week, getting progressively worse. I kept her home from school last Friday, from Sunday School yesterday, and from school again today. We spent most of the time with the vaporizer running, I applied Vick's Vapor Rub to her chest all day, and we cuddled on the couch beneath quilts, watching her dvds. Just let me make this clear - I'm not a fan of Tom & Jerry cartoons.

Her Words of Wisdom for the day (noted during breakfast): "It's hard to cough with a full mouth."

People are People

2007-11-12T20:52:00.000-06:00

Cassie's school is definitely multi-cultural. In reading lists of students who have won awards, there's not a Tom, John, or Mary in the bunch. Here's a short list of sample names from Cassie's kindergarten class: Alberto, Amarion, Amira, Anastasia, Cartel, Daijanae, Gabriel, Gryphon, Hermione, Jalen, Princess, Quar-tus.

Her teacher distributes "Happy Notes" to students who do good work or behave themselves. When a student collects 10 notes they can turn them in for a prize. Cassie redeemed 10 notes today and chose a stuffed rabbit (like this kid needs more stuffed animals). She's named the bunny "Rashelle."

Even better, she sees nothing weird about that.

A Full Saturday

2007-11-11T22:47:00.000-06:00

Cassie and I were on the go all day.

We left the house at 9:00 and hit the post office to mail an envelope to Paige of Cassie’s kindergarten photo. Then we hit the credit union to get cash for Betsy and some cash for me. Onward to LaMar’s for a big box of donuts that we took with us to Betsy’s. Gave her the cash, a 5x7 of Cassie’s kindergarten photo, and ate our breakfast there.

We headed on to Grma’s and dropped off more kindergarten photos. Cassie wanted to stay and play with Grma for a bit. Then we headed back home to get the checkbook. On to the vet’s to pay a bill then we decided to run by the Quilted Kitty. I got some fat quarters and Cassie chose some cat buttons.

It was past our lunch time and Cassie felt like Tico’s so we headed there to eat. Then we stopped at Office Depot and Target. Finally walked in the door at 3pm.

Cassie and I sorted laundry and tossed in a couple of loads. I made us a quick supper then I busied myself sorting Cassie’s papers into a Memory Box, while she sat next to me coloring and practicing her writing. We also sang “Into the Air Junior Birdman” several times.

Got her bathed and in bed, I showered and hopped into bed with the laptop. Worked on my blog while watching my Friday night timer tape ("Ghost Whisperer" and "Numb3rs"). Finally turned in at 12:30am, but at least I got a lot accomplished.

Colds, Sleep, Deer, and Thanksgiving

2007-11-10T23:26:00.000-06:00

I spent the first part of this week down with a cold. “Cold” sounds so innocuous. As if I’m comfortably sitting in an easy chair wrapped in a quilt, sipping tea and enjoying a TV show; just resting until the little cold bug decides to leave. Nothing implies the stuffed sinuses, the pounding head out to here, the raw nose, the body aches, the raspy throat, the deep cough that’s bringing up a lung, and the bone-tiredness that all has to be ignored to care for a child. Can you spell M-o-m-m-y? Fortunately Cassie was tired and I was able to get her to bed at 8pm. My little night owl was actually asleep by 8:15pm.

Sleep. Not something I’ve been familiar with for over five years. Why in the world would menopause affect sleep? Sleep wasn’t affected at age 12 when it all began, doesn’t make sense for sleep to be affected at this end of things. Poor Cassie has never known her mom to be wide-awake, alert, and full of energy. But while taking my shoulder meds last week a wonderful side effect of the Gabapentin was sleep. It didn’t knock me out, but kept me asleep. Sadly, last Sunday was my first night without this wonder drug. And sure enough, I got three hours of sleep. Not even all together mind you but in one hour segments followed by two or three hours of lying awake. No wonder I catch every cold and virus that comes calling.

So I called my internist, Holly McMillan, and told her I’ve become accustomed now to sleeping through the night and wanted to continue doing so. She told me to keep taking the Gabapentin and call her in three months. But not to pull apart the capsules and dissolve them in a spoon like I had been doing (I can’t swallow pills). I can pull apart the capsules but should sprinkle it over applesauce. It takes me about an hour to get moving now in the mornings but happily I’m sleeping. Wonder how long it will take to get caught up?

Friday morning Cassie and I had breakfast at McDonald’s at 27th & “W” streets. As we turned into McDonald’s we saw a deer bound across 27th street, through the parking lot, across 26th street and wander around the yards of those houses. We lost sight of the deer between some of the houses. Cassie thought it was cool to see a deer but worried that Animal Control would kill it. I told her they would catch it and put it someplace safe.

She’s worried about animals now. Thursday night we had a discussion about where hamburgers come from. And sausage, and the pepperoni on her pizza, and steak, and bacon. She was quite horrified that we kill animals to eat them. To quote her, “Eyyew.” So I’m gonna have to work on a few vegetarian entrees. Wonder what she’ll think of Thanksgiving now?

Speaking of, Thanksgiving has caught me flat-footed. We always celebrate with my side of the family the weekend-before. I wasn’t prepared for that being NEXT WEEKEND!

Friday night Mark and Cassie met me at the library and we walked to Noodles for supper. Sitting at a table next to us was another family with an Asian daughter about Cassie's age. The girl took note of Cassie right away and kept looking over, smiling at us.

Then Mark went to work and Cassie and I went to Grma’s to work out Thanksgiving details. I have a lot of picking up to do before next weekend. Cassie informed me we could just hide everything in the big bedroom and shut the door! What a smart child.

Book Display - Thanksgiving

2007-11-01T21:40:00.001-06:00

I left the Halloween book display up for a second week, but took it down today. This week's display covers Thanksgiving - choosing a menu, preparing the meal, setting the table, making a toast.

Betty Crocker Celebrate!: A Year-Round Guide to Holiday Food and Fun by Betty Crocker.

Betty Crocker Complete Thanksgiving Cookbook: All You Need to Cook a Foolproof Dinner by Betty Crocker.

Chuck Williams’ Thanksgiving & Christmas edited by Chuck Williams. Includes all the information the home cook needs – from equipment advice and roasting and carving instructions to a complete glossary.

Family Celebrations: Prayers, Poems, and Toasts for Every Occasion by June Cotner.

Guests Without Grief: Entertaining Made Easy for the Hesitant Host by Paula Jhung.

Home for the Holidays Cookbook by Susan Carlisle Payne.

Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine, 1998 by Hugh Johnson.

Our Best Holiday Menus magazine by Better Homes and Gardens. A special interest publication featuring 14 fabulous feasts with make-ahead directions with every menu. Includes Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas gatherings, holiday buffets, New Year’s parties.

Over the River and Through the Wood by Lydia Maria Child, pictures by Brinton Turkle. The Thanksgiving song is reprinted here in its entirety, along with almost forgotten verses, together with simple piano and guitar accompaniments. Full-color illustrations show the families preparing for the day from the point of view of Grandma preparing the meal to the younger families making the journey.

The Perfect Setting by Peri Wolfman and Charles Gold. Table settings for all occasions, any time of day, from the simple to the sublimely elegant.

The Simple Art of Napkin Folding: 94 Fancy Folds for Every Tabletop Occasion by Linda Hetzer.

Special Occasions: The Best of Martha Stewart Living by Martha Stewart. Menus, recipes & entertaining ideas.

The Thanksgiving Book: An Illustrated Treasury of Lore, Tales, Poems, Prayers, and the Best in Holiday Feasting by Jerome Agel and Jason Shulman.

Thanksgiving Dinner: Recipes, Techniques, and Tips for America’s Favorite Celebration by Anthony Dias Blue and Kathryn K. Blue.

Toasts: Over 1,500 of the Best Toasts, Sentiments, Blessings, and Graces by Paul Dickson.

Halloween

2007-11-01T20:37:00.000-06:00

Cassie had a fun Halloween. Dressing for school, she wore her black tee-shirt with a ghost on it that reads, “Boo!” I braided her hair and she wore stick-on, ghost earrings.

Then she won the classroom pumpkin. Mrs. Allen had a carved pumpkin in the class and everyone’s name was put in a hat. One of the students got to draw a name and Cassie was the lucky winner. It’s a good-sized pumpkin and I asked how she got it home. According to Cassie, Mrs. Allen put it in her backpack! How she got it to fit I have no idea.

(I feel badly though that Cassie won. She has parents who took her to a pumpkin patch, got pumpkins for each family member, we carved them together as a family, and lit them every evening. Knowing the demographics of her school there must be several children who don’t have parents who’ll spend time with them let alone have a pumpkin. Think: rich kid wins the bike.)

Then Mark delivered her to the library at 6pm so we could head-out directly from there. Mark decided not to take the night-off from his part-time night job at Lincoln Square (nee Miller & Paine department store) so I took Cassie all around by myself. We Trick ‘r Treated at several friends’ homes, our neighborhood, Betsy’s, Grma’s neighborhood, and Grma’s. Scott and Cassie had carved a pumpkin Tuesday evening and Scott had it outside all lit up on display.

By Cassie's standards her evening was a success - her treat bag was overflowing. Finally got her to bed at 9:45pm!

Carving Pumpkins

2007-10-30T09:35:00.000-06:00

Sunday afternoon I had quilt group. Picked up Deb H. and drove to Marcia M.'s outside of Martell. I didn't get a lot accomplished. I decided to work on my Turning Twenty pattern and cut up the 20 fat quarters into the required sizes. Turns out my fat quarters are not true fat quarters so I'm short fabric. They should be 18x22 but are around 17x20. So much for getting all my cutting done.

When I returned home I had a quick supper, then we carved our pumpkins. I always carve the basic pumpkin with triangle eyes and nose with a three-toothed smile. Cassie thought my pumpkin wasn't scary enough so she drew a face that had a big, scary mouth. She did a great job and Mark had quite a time trying to carve it. But the pumpkins are done and look terrific.

Pre-Halloween Activities

2007-10-29T21:32:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning we went to the Roca Berry Farm. At this time of year they turn it into a fun Halloween event that includes a hayrack ride to the pumpkin patch so you can select your own pumpkin.

Thanks to the Gabapentin I slept through the night and didn't regain consciousness until 8:15am when Cassie woke me. But I was kinda dopey and so dizzy I couldn't get up right away. By the time I finally got dressed and had breakfast we were an hour behind schedule.

We arrived at Roca Berry Farm at 10:30am. My gosh it cost us $18 to get in. But Cassie had fun climbing on the wooden house out back and she jumped in the bouncy houses for 45 minutes!

We toured most of the farm - Cassie got a pony ride, she rode the trike trail, we visited the haunted town, we saw Bunnyville - and we had lunch there. Then we rode to the pumpkin patch and chose our pumpkins.

On our way back to Lincoln, we stopped at three quilt shops on the south side of town. Saturday was the only day for the No-Bus Bus Trip (essentially a Lincoln-only shop hop). I had already purchased my enrollment ticket and now we needed to visit five shops, buy something from each shop and have them punch our card then we'd be eligible for door prizes. Cassie loves doing the Shop Hop and she was looking forward to doing this. Unfortunately, Mark didn't just sit in the van while we went inside the shops; he accompanied us. And at each shop Cassie was greeted by name by the clerks and store owners. Now he knows we hit the quilt shops more often than he realized!

We hit the three south shops, then dropped Mark at home so he could watch the Nebraska-Texas football game (Texas won, 28-25). Cassie and I continued on to The Back Porch and Cosmic Cow. We each got fat quarters at every shop. With luck we'll win something!

We returned home for a light supper, then Cassie changed into her Halloween costume and she and I went to Boo at the Zoo at Lincoln Children's Zoo. Mark stayed home to finish watching the game. We parked at Ideal Grocery, caught the shuttle to the zoo and proceeded to collect lots of candy as we walked through the zoo. We also rode the train around the zoo. This year we were able to get right in (we're members now), and the line for the train wasn't too bad - we had to wait only ten minutes. The longest wait was for the shuttle back to our van. By this time Cassie was tired and her feet hurt so I carried her with both of my arms wrapped around her, but I still hurt my shoulder. Riding the same bus were Peter and Kim J., library coworkers of mine, and their two daughters. We had a nice chat during the ride.

When we got home, Cassie was tired but eager to show her booty to Mark, and she had to sample one candy. But I managed to get her bathed and in bed by 9:00pm and she went right to sleep.

I took my meds and got myself right to bed as well.

A Medical Friday Night

2007-10-29T20:29:00.000-06:00

Deb H. called and invited Cassie and me to meet her at Culver's. While there we encountered Ina and her husband. Deb, Ina and I all worked for UNL Housing at one point. Ina had been in a serious auto accident July 30, 2007 and was in critical condition for some time. There were several surgeries (she nearly lost her left arm) and lots of rehab. She is still healing and has a long way to go, but looked good considering what all she's been through. It was good to see Ina and have the chance to talk with her.

Cassie, Deb and I had a good time as usual and enjoyed our chocolate dessert. I was concerned about taking so much ibuprofen but Deb reassured me that four pills are prescription strength and by my doctor prescribing three pills she's giving me a strong enough dose to handle the pain yet save me the cost of a prescription.

I got Cassie home and bathed, then got to work on taking my meds. I was warned that Gabapentin would knock me right out and that's why my doc prescribed it for night use. So Friday night I warned Cassie that I was taking a pill that would put me right to sleep and if she needed anything I wouldn't be able to hear her hollering from her bed; that she was to come to me and wake me.

Not being able to swallow pills, I had to use my pill crusher and pour the remains onto a spoon to dissolve with water. This fascinated Cassie to watch. But I must have made too much of an impression on her about my meds knocking me right out for as soon as I swallowed the drugs she was very concerned that I'd go to sleep right then and there. She was very insistent that I get to bed immediately. So she and I both hit the hay right away. And of course 15 min later she needed me.

Turns out Gabapentin doesn't knock me out, for I lied awake for an hour watching TV before I finally went to sleep. But it does make me dizzy. I'm fine as long as I'm supine, but when I got up to help Cassie I had to hold furniture and lean against the walls to get to and from her room. But once I did get to sleep it kept me asleep.

The Bad and The Irritating Revisited, and a Sore Arm

2007-10-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

The Bad:

The power steering went out on the van because the power steering belt came off. Apparently on Dodge Grand Caravans this happens when they get very wet. Nice to know...

The Irritating:

I took the laptop in to Schrock Innovations. They reinstalled the wireless card, found 277 Windows issues and 173 spyware problems. The laptop now connects to any wireless network I point it to and it runs faster.

And A Sore Arm:

My left shoulder has been giving me trouble since last Sunday. By night time I'd be in shooting pain at the shoulder, across my left collarbone and down my arm, and have to stop reading to Cassie and huddle on the couch. I figured I was doing something during the day to irritate it and by evening it had reached the point where it really hurt. But I couldn't figure out what I was doing that was different. This continued each evening all week until it occurred Wednesday morning. So following the advice of coworkers I made a doctor appointment.

Saw my internist Friday morning. She also is adopting from China so we had to discuss that for a few minutes. After she examined me, she decided to go with a conservative treatment and assume I did something to injure myself but don't even know it, like pulling a muscle wrong while slamming shut a van door. So for the next 7-10 days I'm taking three ibuprofen three times a day (for the muscle pain) and one Gabapentin at night (for the nerve pain). If I'm still having pain, then we'll progress to an MRI.

Training Troubles

2007-10-25T21:27:00.000-05:00

Corey G. and I were to teach an Excel class at Bennett Martin Public Library yesterday. Unfortunately one of the supervisors took the projector with her to the fall conference of the Nebraska Library Association. We didn't discover this until we began to set up for the class. Kinda makes it difficult to teach a group how to work a computer program when the class can’t see what the instructors are talking about. I tell people we ended up using finger puppets to demonstrate.

Actually, there were only three students so Corey and I alternated teaching at a computer while they were gathered around behind us to view the screen. Not too much can be done that way so once we covered the basics the class evolved into just answering basic computing questions. Topics ranged from how to find a document, what's a jump drive and how to use it, how to scan a document, and how to print. I think overall the students got a lot out of class, even if it wasn't the one in which they'd enrolled.

Book Display - Ghosts

2007-10-21T12:46:00.001-05:00

Ghosts is this week's theme for my book display at Bennett Martin Public Library.

The Angels of Mons: Phantom Soldiers and Ghostly Guardians by David Clarke. In August 1914, a British Expeditionary Force unexpectedly found themselves confronted by the main thrust of the advancing German army. Although they were vastly outnumbered, this highly-trained force of army regulars held off the attack so effectively that the Germans remained unaware of the tiny size of the force that opposed them. It was in these extreme circumstances that the wounded and dying soldiers were said to have seen strange angelic forms in the sky that protected them from slaughter. In this fascinating investigation David Clarke examines the history of such wartime legends and explores the likely truth behind the myth.

The Carver Effect by Wolffgang von Bober. Wolffgang’s daughter, Ginger, could not believe her father had bought the old Summerwind house. Ginger had lived in the old house in the Wisconsin woods but only for a few months. Bizarre events drove her, Arnold, and the six children out of Summerwind Mansion – Arnold to a mental institution ranting about spirits. Through a maze of terrifying paranormal experiences the family pieced together the story of a 19-century spirit and his unusual quest.

The Case for Ghosts: An Objective Look at the Paranormal by J. Allan Danelek. Stripping away sensationalism and fraud, J. Allan Danelek presents a well-researched study of a phenomenon that has fascinated mankind for centuries. Analyzing theories that support and debunk these supernatural events, Danelek objectively explores hauntings, the ghost psyche, spirit communication, and spirit guides. He also investigates spirit photography, EVP, ghost-hunting tools, ouija boards, and the darker side of the ghost equation - malevolent spirits and demon possession. Whether you’re a ghost enthusiast or a skeptic "The Case for Ghosts" promises amazing insights into the spirit realm.

Don’t Kiss Them Goodbye by Allison DuBois. Basis for the TV show “Medium.”

The Ghost Hunter’s Handbook: A How-To Guide for Investigating Ghosts and the Paranormal by Troy Taylor. This is the essential guide to conducting paranormal investigations, written by a real ghost hunter with many years of field experience. It will provide you with a step-by-step guide to conducting your own field investigations, plus tell you what to look for in deciding if your location is really haunted.

Ghosts by Time-Life Books. Presents tales and examines varieties of beliefs about death and hauntings, characteristics and habits of ghosts, exorcism rites, and haunted places.

Ghosts of the Golden West by Hans Holzer. Parapsychologist Holzer presents his investigations of Western ghosts of California, Nevada, and Utah. He has painstakingly documented each case he presents and reports the uncanny phenomena that have accompanied many of these amazing hauntings, and presents them with wit and humor.

Ghosts of the Rich and Famous by Arthur Myers. Discusses spectral appearances of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard, Elvis, Einstein, Thomas Wolfe, Judy Garland, and more than thirty other notables.

A Guide to the Ghosts of Lincoln by Alan Boye. Includes the famous story of the ghost at the C.C. White building on the Wesleyan campus, the hauntings at the university’s Temple Theater, the woman at Antelope Park, Lincoln’s haunted bike path, the state capitol building, and many more.

Haunted Places: The National Directory by Dennis William Hauck. Ghostly abodes, sacred sites, UFO landings, and other supernatural locations in more than 2000 sites of paranormal activity across the U.S.

High Hopes: The Amityville Murders by Gerard Sullivan & Harvey Aronson. Sullivan, a “bright young” assistant in the Suffolk County DA’s office didn’t know what Pandora’s Box he would open as he investigated a mass murderer and his victims. The house still stands; there are no demons inside. A true story more chilling and macabre than any account of ghosts and hauntings could ever be.

Yankee Ghosts: Spine-tingling Encounters with the Phantoms of New York and New England by Hans Holzer. The setting is the northeastern United States and the characters are many and absorbing. These are sharp and vivid stories of the author’s encounter with ghosts.

The Good, The Bad, and The Irritating

2007-10-18T20:53:00.000-05:00

The Good:

As I've always suspected; Cassie is tops in her class and a near genius.

Well, maybe those weren't the exact words of her teacher, but at tonight's Parent-Teacher Conference Cassie did receive a glowing report. She's at the expected levels in every area and in most cases is a high achiever and one of the top students. She listens well, understands oral instructions, is a good example for other students, is not the follower that I feared she was but instead is often a leader, and participates well. The only issue seems to be one of Cassie trying to achieve perfection. Whenever Cassie felt she'd failed at something the tears would flow. This happens at home too. Mrs. Allen reports that this seems to be easing up somewhat.

The Bad:

I had a near-miss with the van. Today as I was driving to work, the power steering suddenly went out. I managed to get the van around the next four turns over the next two blocks to make it to my parking spot but it was difficult to control. I called AAA who towed it to Metzger's Auto Service. They report that the power steering belt broke and are trying to figure out how it happened. Anyway, I've driven less than 10 miles since we've returned from Retreat outside of Gretna. Imagine if we had driven into Gretna to visit the local quilt shop - we would have used up that spare 10 miles and been barreling down the highway at the time the belt broke. Whew.

The Irritating:

My laptop will not access a wireless connection. Yesterday morning it worked fine at home. I took it to work to use over my lunch hour and it wouldn't connect to anything for love nor money. When I brought it home again it still didn't work. I can access my software programs but forget doing anything on the internet. There's probably some stupid little toggle I have to click or unclick for something to work but who knows why it suddenly quit working and where that toggle is. I'm off work tomorrow so one of my many errands now includes a trip to the computer shop. Until now, I hadn't realized how often I really use the laptop.

Quilt Retreat

2007-10-17T08:22:00.000-05:00

The Lincoln Quilters Guild and Omaha Quilters Guild held their combined retreat this past weekend at the 4-H camp outside of Gretna, Nebraska.

As usual my small group, The Red Hot Quilters, sat with The Pigs. That’s not a comment about their personal lives or hygiene – they all like pigs and, among other pig-themed items, have Olivia pillowcases. Marcia M. was absent due to her son’s wedding and she was missed. We all were tired to begin with, and all weekend we remained subdued and less active than normal. I managed to complete a pillowcase, a denim quilt top, and get halfway through a flag wall hanging for my secret sister.

We were able to spend all of our time quilting - no side-trips to quilt shops this time. Rather we visited the Plattsmouth quilt shop ON OUR WAY to retreat, and lunched at The Chocolate Moose. We arrived at the retreat in time for the 3:00pm check-in at the cabins and the 3:30pm start-time for unloading our sewing gear.

The food was delicious. Friday night was a Baked Potato Bar that really hit the spot. We had a full breakfast Saturday morning, a yummy lunch of Soup/Salad Bar/Sandwiches and a spectacular Fiesta Night for Saturday’s supper. That was a Taco Bar with hard shells, flour tortillas, fajita meat, seasoned taco meat, refried beans, chips, nacho cheese, and all the toppings you can imagine. We even had frozen, strawberry margaritas. I’m not a margarita fan and don’t even like the taste of alcohol but, gotta tell ‘ya, my drink was so smooth and excellent! (I’ve decided it was drunken quilters who developed stippling.) Soft, chewy chocolate chip cookies were available for dessert and I commented on how yummy those were, so for the rest of the evening cookies kept mysteriously appearing at my spot.

I returned home Sunday at 4:30pm to a little girl who threw herself at me, and a sick hubby sprawled on the couch. Cassie (and Eli, the cat) followed me all around as I unpacked, sorted laundry, showered, and put away my gear. But Cassie began to fail very early and by 7:30pm she was bathed, in bed, and sound asleep.
I sent Mark to bed as well and I spent the remainder of the evening watching my timer tape with Eli curled on my lap. I had a terrific time at retreat but it was good to be home.

School Pictures

2007-10-08T21:25:00.000-05:00

Today the children at Cassie's school had their photos taken. We ordered prints of her individual photo and a class composite. The composite is a collection of the individual photos of her classmates, her teacher, and the principal. We won't get the composite until Spring. I don't remember now when we get her photo but it will be before Thanksgiving (which if you think about it is about a month away). I'm eager to see the composite and have faces to put to the names I hear about.

Cassie and I had a nice evening together. We had supper, I worked on the laptop, she colored, I did some laundry, she and Eli followed me to the basement, and while I did dishes, she and Eli sprawled on the kitchen floor and Cassie practiced writing her numbers.

After her bath we read Tacky the Penguin and Tackylocks and the Three Bears. She liked them so well she plans to pack them for Grma's tomorrow night.

Another Day Flew By...

2007-10-07T20:41:00.000-05:00

Ran into another person who sees Cassie not as a person but as A-Chinese-Girl-Adopted-Into-An-American-Family-And-Therefore-Not-Quite-A-Real-Family-But-She-Certainly-Is-Cute. I'm not sure if this woman's issue was with adoption in general or with international adoption (or FOREIGN as she put it).

I had just dropped Cassie off to Sunday School and was heading out to run errands. With my work schedule I'm home each evening at 6:30, yet get to spend only an hour or so with Cassie before we have to begin bedtime rituals. Factor in my working one evening a week and every-other weekend, and I don't have much time to be with her. I don't want to be spending what little time we have together always running around town taking care of chores. I use that hour of Sunday School to handle a few quick errands while listening to the sermon on the radio then I pick her up again and we get to spend some quality time together. Granted, she's usually following me around the house while I do chores, but at least she's not strapped into a car seat behind me. At home we get to interact, I teach her how to do the chores, or she's sprawled on the kitchen floor coloring, talking to me and singing while I step over her as I cook and do dishes. Or if I'm doing work on the laptop, she pulls out her "laptop" and works right alongside me.

But as I was exiting church, this woman called me back and asked if I was with That Asian Girl. I expected the usual questions of How Much, Why China, And Wow Chinese Girls Are Cute and several other inappropriate and stereotypical comments. Instead she bombarded me with a story of blind cousins who'd had no business being approved for adoption (her statement), 20 years ago they'd adopted a five-year-old Vietnamese girl who caused them no end of trouble while growing up but she finally turned out okay and now the father's dead and she's lost touch with the mother and the girl and she knows we go through tons of paperwork to adopt and she knows a couple where she's Asian and he's Anglo and their baby is so cute and you can actually see both races in him (imagine that) and boy Cassie is cute...

I have no clue what she wanted from me, other than Cassie apparently represented all adoptees, all Asian girls, and maybe she was hoping I'd share some horror stories. Sorry, there are none. I said I had errands to run and I left.

Fortunately the day picked up from there. Cassie and I had an early, light lunch and she asked to take a nap! She loves naps on the weekend now that she doesn't get a nap each weekday. She was asleep by noon. So while Cassie napped beneath the dining room table (her tent) I quietly worked on the laptop. By this time Mark returned from his part-time job and he napped in the recliner.

Deb S. called to say my Tupperware was in. Cassie and I picked that up at 3pm and Deb and Charlie showed me the trick for opening my Tupperware hoagie container! When we got home I headed directly downstairs and gave it a shot. Worked like a charm and I've pulled both containers out of my Ebay pile. And I've learned there's something called Body Glue. Might have to check that out since I'm really tired of my knee socks falling.

Cassie fed Eli (that's her responsibility and she loves doing it) and we picked up Mom for dinner at Old Country Buffet. That was delicious! I had mashed potatoes, sliced turkey, turkey gravy, corn on the cob, a little bit of potato salad, a little bit of pasta salad, a taste of pea and cheese salad, and cheesecake. Cassie ate so much I thought she'd pop, Mark had three desserts, and Mom finished last as usual. :-) We decided never to eat at KFC again. For about the same price we get a much larger buffet with many more choices.

After eating we spent a couple of hours at Mom's, I downloaded photos to her pc from my flashdrive, Mom and Cassie played, Mark and Scott watched football, then we headed home. I got Cassie bathed and read to by 8:10. Mark and I watched Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer while I worked on the laptop. The movie was okay; it was entertaining, no big Wow Factor but Ioan Gruffudd is always good.

In all, I got lots of laundry done, several chores completed, errands accomplished, and had an excellent meal at Old Country Buffet. But still have tons more to do around the house. Unfortunately the weekend is now over and I can't stay home to focus solely on personal tasks.

Running on Saturday

2007-10-07T12:13:00.000-05:00

Cassie participated in the Great Pumpkin Run Saturday morning at Pioneers Park, very proudly wearing her participant tee shirt and number. She alternately walked and ran the one-mile course with Mark, completing it in 15 min. According to Mark and Cassie those weren't "gently rolling hills" but she did a good job and even out-did many of the older kids. Her stamina shouldn't surprise me since she doesn't know how to walk - she runs, skips and jumps everywhere.

They returned home just as I was preparing to go to work. Cassie requested a bath so I tossed her in the tub and got her cleaned up and cooled down while Mark took a shower. She told me all about the race and who she saw. She was thrilled when I said it was going to be hot enough that day for her to wear a skort, a spaghetti-strap top, and her flip-flops.

I'd spent the morning cleaning up the kitchen and doing several loads of laundry. I didn't accompany them to the Great Pumpkin Run since I was due to work at noon and I anticipated the Run and the accompany crowds wouldn't let me get to the library on time. After getting Cassie dressed, Mark and Cassie ran me to work. And I ran at work.

Later, Mark and Cassie picked me up from the library and we went to KFC for an early supper. Then we stopped at Blockbuster so I could trade in my movie.

When we got home, Mark spent the rest of the evening watching football on TV. Cassie and Eli followed me all over the house as I ran around doing laundry (my own personal parade), cleaning out dresser drawers, sorting through the closet and collecting clothes for Goodwill. As the photo shows, Eli was kind enough to test out the sweater drawer for me.

Cassie and I had an ice cream snack, then it was bathtime for her and we read two books (Curious George Goes Camping and Danny the Dinosaur). I did more laundry, then settled for the evening in front of the TV with my timer tape (Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs).

Saturday just ran by. I got a lot accomplished, and Cassie, Eli and I had a good time together in the evening, but the day was over in no time. I need three of me: one to work, one to stay home and one to sleep.

Girl Party

2007-10-05T20:20:00.000-05:00

Cassie and I had a Girl Party tonight. This means we each are bathed/showered and in our jammies early in the evening, we make Oreo Cookie drinks, and we hop onto Cassie's bed and read lots of books. But tonight was slightly different. I was too tired to mess with a blender to make cookie drinks so instead we had chocolate ice cream topped with chow mein noodles. And Cassie preferred to practice her handwriting instead of reading 10 books or so. (But we still read three books at bedtime: nursery rhymes, Day Out with Daddy, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.) Eli kept us company the entire time, and as usual he slept at the foot of her bed.

Cassie is very proud that she can spell some words. She recites for me, "Mommy! I can spell cat, c-a-t;, Mom, m-o-m;, Dad, a-d-a." ?!

I also measured Cassie tonight. Two nights ago when I returned home from work I swear she was taller. Sure enough, she's sprouted another half an inch for a total height of 45.50 inches. Which now begs the question, will she still fit in all the school clothes I just bought three weeks ago?

Busy Tuesday

2007-10-03T23:25:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning it didn't just rain, it poured. And of course right at the time children had to get to school. Cassie and I were soaked to the skin running from the van to the school even though we both had umbrellas. She always has a change of clothes in her backpack so I took her to the nurse's office and helped her change into dry clothes and socks. Initially Cassie was reluctant to take off her beloved leggings and skort, but once she realized just how wet she was the ick-factor kicked in and she couldn't get them off fast enough.

That day was Cassie's first school field trip. All of the kindergarteners from her school were riding the big yellow buses and going to the Nature Center at Pioneers Park. I heard about owls and frogs and other creatures, but the most exciting part to her was riding the school bus.

Yesterday I put Eli's collar on him. He's never worn a collar in his entire 11 years and I thought he would put up a tremendous fight. It turned out to be more like a tremendous yawn. You'd think he'd worn a collar since birth. I'll be taking him to the vet soon to update his shots so now he'll be able to wear his rabies and license tags. He's an indoor-only cat but I believe all animals should be licensed and wear their tags. Right now I worry about him getting outside without identification.

In the mail we received a sympathy card from our vet about Hayley's death. They did the same thing when Clyde passed away. It's a nice gesture, but actually I'd rather they waived the fee.

Tuesday is my night to work and usually Cassie's already in bed by the time I get home. If she's still awake (and she usually is) she gives me a detailed accounting of her day at school and all about her evening at Grma's. Anything to put off going to sleep. But last night Mark and Cassie were late getting home from Grma's and I was home first. As usual Eli was in attendance while I gave Cassie her bath.

Cassie's New Clothes

2007-10-03T22:06:00.000-05:00

A coworker gave us some hand-me-downs for Cassie. Someone else said there should be a nicer word for it. Recycling? Regardless, the clothes are very welcome. Here's Cassie modeling one of the tops, now her favorite. Where did she learn these moves?