12.31.2010 Friday New Year's Eve

Cole finished out his overnight with Chickie Nuggets for breakfast and playing outside because the weather is squirrely at 60º.  No snow left on the ground and I have an extreme headache.  I called for a Girls' Road Trip to the outlet mall in Edinburgh in search of the traditional first Christmas gift for the newly weds.  We laughed all the way there and all the way back.  It was great!  Even if the stories were re-told, I definitely needed some light-heartedness this holiday season.  I'm glad to end the year on an upbeat.  I'll have to follow Holly's lead and do a recount in a later post.  We are on the way to Gilbert Street to see who is awake to see the new year in.  It will be good to close the book on 2010.  I hope it was a low point and that it's uphill from here. 

12.30.2010 Thursday

Kenzer explored the art supplies on Royal Oak.  She used stencils, puzzles, scissors, markers, crayons, magnets, popsicle sticks, hole punches and colored pencils.  I think she enjoyed herself.  She wanted a tiger dance dress, so the fold over elastic I ordered arrived yesterday, so we got a black lycra dress with zebra trim.  (as close as I could find to tiger).  Altered a red petticoat for dance use also, as I figured it would be duet rather than a solo performance.

  Couldn't figure out the link to Aaron Gnap's video but he has the dancing girls on his phone and shared on Facebook.  We spent most of the afternoon in the Studio and then Kenzer took a huge nap.  She was still asleep when the next handoff occurred.  Cole was ready for his turn.  He went to bed at 9:00pm so it was a early evening. 

12.29.2010 Wednesday

Kendall needed a warmer top at our house, so she picked a multicolored polar fleece.  She seemed to really like it and wore it all day.  We didn't make it to the Studio, but just stayed in the house.  Made a fabulous roast in the Baby George.  We didn't have the crowd anticipated, so there will be plenty of left overs.  Swapped kids in the evening and Kenzer was packed for Nacation.  Nice evening and everyone stayed up too late. 

12.28.2010 Tuesday

Got started on my all-encompassing to do stickers.  Did a couple of the big bottlenecks although I never made it to the studio other than to turn on the heat.  You can see where some progress was made.  Day started to turn south in the afternoon.  James' knee may result in surgery at the worst and some sort of therapy or conditioning at the best.  Kelly gave up the battle over outside employment and left her job so that means James doesn't have a job either.  It would have been a easy descent into despair but we didn't go there. 

We had a nice Italian dinner.  Holly and Kristen helped in the kitchen and baked brownies.  Kelly brought Kendall for an over night and James is talking about finding an online degree.  Actually everything is looking up instead of down.  We all had a nice evening packed into the media room.

12.27.2010 Monday

Went to Anderson with Den for breakfast and in search of photo book covers without the insides.  We may have found them at Star Photo (or not).  Did get a hint of an internet source.  Took a long nap, then the travelers started to come back to town.  Gilbert Street arrived first and then Indy.  We had an impromptu buffet tonight on Royal Oak with Back to the Future Marathon.  The Christmas thing is starting to fade.  I'm going to have to isolate the cause of it.  It's either total ecstasy or the pit of dispare.  There doesn't seem to be a middle ground and there has to be because every year can't be at either extreme.  This would be good to plan for next year.

12.26.2010 Sunday

Dennis left to video tape at church and woke me up right before he left.  I got ready to go, but just didn't.  Still feeling the funk of yesterday.  Kristen stayed at Gilbert Street.  We three had lunch on Royal Oak and just did the veg thing with TV and Colts Football.  Doesn't feel like the day after Christmas, doesn't feel like Sunday....just feels like winter with no agenda.  Made myself a post-it page full of notes of things that need to be accomplished prior to January 11th (the start of school).  May be a tad overwhelmed with the sheer volume of notes and tasks.  Need to just pick one and start.  

12.25.2010 Saturday Christmas Day

Joe remarked yesterday during a Skype that their house "smelled like Christmas" after Heidi baked some dinner rolls.  I too was trying to capture that "Christmas" illusion by trying cinnamon rolls in the toaster over.  This was a glorious fully raised batch and unfortunately the height of the oven couldn't handle the top of the rolls and they were charred on the corners. The burned smell didn't totally block out the cinnamon and they still tasted good.  Just a bit disappointing to know that it didn't work as expected. 

I went back to bed and slept very late.  Dennis and Chewy were watching Westerns on TV when I woke up and so I suggested that he go to Gilbert Street to watch an action video and he and Kristen had requested that was due tonight.  I wasn't in the mood for shoot-em-up, and so I decided to try to get the book printed and ready to bind.  That turned into an all afternoon job.  My mom's cell phone photo printing also needed some technology tweaking so I was glad to learn what it takes to save cell phone photos to the card and to get them into a computer.  Mom invited us to Pat's house this evening, but it was like the Fox, duck and corn puzzle to figure out how to drive north and still get the animals cared for with no one left in here alone, so we declined. 

I fixed scalloped potatoes for Christmas dinner and then decided to have Den and Kristen just come back to Royal Oak for dinner.  We finished out the night with the last of the DVD's of Season One of Modern Family.  That made for a good evening. 

Kristen is back on Gilbert Street.  Den is in bed and I'm blogging, desktop publishing and maybe cutting out a t-shirt quilt.  My studio door is frozen shut so I couldn't have worked out there today if I wanted to.  I'll have to figure out a way to rig up a tiny little gutter system to keep the melting snow from forming an ice ridge on the step.  That may be a challenge. 

Christmas without family is not right.  I'm seeing the wisdom in not celebrating birthdays.  My mom always said that most people can't help and didn't have much to do with being born, so why the big ta-do?  I'm starting to re-think (or more accurately would be to THINK) traditions that our both cultural and religious.  Good night loyal reader, I hope your holiday was all that you hoped for and more positive than negative.  It is what it is. 

12.24.2010 Friday James 21st Birthday Christmas Eve

The plan was to go out to breakfast with James/Holly before they go to Indy.  When I found out that the Kenzer Hat and Scarf had not been delivered, I jumped into the car to try to catch Gnaps before they headed for Ohio, but of course, they left at least an hour early so she didn't have her hat and scarf.  I came back to the house and just went back to bed because everyone else had a late night.  Now with James and his bum knee Holly has to load everything and get everything ready for their Indy trip.  We do all manage to go to Bob Evans for a late lunch/breakfast and James really seemed to like the Superheros Popup Book I got him (in October).  That was that....his birthday was over and done. 

I ran last minute errands thinking I would make the best of 3 days in a row with no commitments.  I was one of the last people in Lowe's and Walmart tonight.  I got everything except a Christmas Tree.  I tripped over the cat three times trying to get out of the house for Christmas eve service where Wade pointed out that Christmas isn't in the Bible and that it was a pagan holiday and only Roman's were garish enough to celebrate their birthdays.  I also whacked the daylights out of my knee cap on the stupid hymnal rack at the video station.  The next time I go to church I'm taking a screwdriver and taking that off.  It's a menace. 

We drove the car on 0 miles to the gas station and I ordered Chinese for 3 and then went back to Gilbert Street to keep Kristen company with movies.  Kelly Jones joined us and we got her hooked on Modern Family.  Kristen stayed there and we got home about midnight. 

12.23.2010 Thursday

Coleman slept in this morning because of his late busy night last night.  He had a great self initiated pee on the potty and was very proud of himself.  He and I worked in the studio this morning and he stayed engaged with a magnet set for quite a long time until he started to unload the notions in my sewing table.  I got quite a bit done in making more room and putting some stuff away, but that was about it. 

Dennis took him home for a nap so I could get a massage.  Man I needed a massage and Angie was gracious and rescheduled it from last week so that I could get a paper finished.  It was wonderful.  I ran errands afterward and decided to see what I could find in the snowpants arena before I made them.  Found deals at Kohl's and TJMaxx so all the Gilbert Street gang own brand new snow jackets and pants of their very own.  The kids (and Kelly) were really surprised and happy about them.  The only disappoinment was that Kenzer's didn't come with a scarf and hat.  So when I got home later, I made those and Kristen agreed to drop them off at Gilbert Street when she accompanied James on his midnight birthday rendezvous with his buddies.  The winter accessories drop off didn't happen , but James' night out did.  His friends bought him enough libation to make the right of passage memorable and after a particularly good pool shot, he hurt his left knee again.  Kristen got him home and he and Holly spent the night in the media room. 
It seems like a long time ago that he was born and it seems like a minute.  He was very happy to celebrate with friends.  I think even more than being 21.  It was the idea that someone acknowledged his birthday besides us. 

12.22.2010 Wednesday

Switched kids at dinner time so Kendall could make cookies on Gilbert Street.  Cole was packed and waiting by the door (almost).  He definitely understands a pecking order.  He went a mile-a-minute most of the evening and didn't argue about going to bed.  I laid down with him and he took about 10 minutes and then was out.  I'm not getting much done, but I'm glad to have the chance to hang with the kids. 

12.21.2010 Tuesday

Turned in my last paper.  Kenzer and I had a great day moving my office at work and working on computer cleaning issues.  Thought you might like to add some holiday "cheer" or glee or something by looking at this photo from 32 years ago!!  Wow, what happened??  

12.20.2010 Monday

Full eclipse of the moon tonight, but it is snowing too much to see anything.  Made great progress on the paper and let Holly and Kristen be proofreaders for me.  They added good insights and hopefully I'll be able to send it off in the morning.  Kenzer got to spend the night and we all had a nice time holed up in the media room.  She got to bed late, hopefully she'll sleep in in the morning so I can finish up.  James/Holly came for fajitas for dinner.  Nice evening.  Most grades are coming in as acceptable.  I finished with a C+ in the research and I'm thankful for it.  Taking the course again wouldn't have been the end of the world, it would have just impeded the progress toward graduation.  My last entry for Fall 2010.  Tomorrow will become Winter 2010 and so will this blog! 

12.19.2010 Sunday

What a range of emotions today.  Started the writing of my last paper last evening.  Had a musical late church service this morning during which I found out that we missed the gift opening fury on Gilbert Street.  Then had a great time at Songer's for a huge carry in and Colts game.  Finally went to Gilbert Street to join the festivities already in progress and a late dinner.  Stayed way too late to get the paper completed, which was the goal for today....BUT had a good time with friends and family and took the disappointments in stride. 

My grade in qualitative research hangs in the balance.  I thought I needed a B because it's in my major area, but found out (another good thing today) from a reply from an advisor that a C still counts if it doesn't lower the overall GPA too much.  So, I have made the commitment to not stress over it and if God has a plan for me to take the course over (for whatever may be His reason) then that's what's going to happen and that's what I will do.  So to bed, I went with the paper on the horizon for tomorrow. 

12.18.2010 Saturday

Den and I went to breakfast and then he dropped me off to attend the fall semester graduation in Worthen Arena.  Since it is projected that this type of ceremony is when my degree will be awarded I wanted to get a lay of the land to see if it is worth postponing for the large spring, possibly outdoor gala.  It was nice enough, though it reminded me more of a high school ceremony in that the crowd got loud at the end of the names.  I went from the ceremony to a practically empty library.  I found a copy of Educating Rita from 1983.  It had a reserve placed on it, so I watched it in the viewing rooms in the basement.  Poor quality recording but the story was compelling.  Finished the afternoon in my carrel and searching the stacks for quilting and storytelling texts.  Found so many that I commandeered a library cart.  The crew on today were cordial and didn't seem to mind. 

Royal Oakers watched Grown Ups, The Emperior's Club and Letters to Juliet in the media room.  I have a skeletal outline of the last paper and my fate on passing/failing the research class hangs in the balance.  I said that was a challenging course and I meant it!  Did pull out the creativity course, so we'll see what other "lessons" I am to learn this semester.

12.17.2010 Friday

Made the most of the day.  Turned in the majority of the final report by 5:00pm and the rest was emailed by 8:00.  What a volume of work.  That's the most I've ever produced at one time, but it was good practice for what lies ahead.  One more paper to go and then this semester is in the books.  Kristen and I hit the video store and took advantage of our 30 day half off special. Royal Oakers met at Pizza King for a time of reflection.  Kristen's semester was a challenge as well and she was docked for the times she missed class due to medical emergencies and funerals (not fair, but a learning experience for her to nail those down the next time)  Her final project in class did not go well either, but she made some good friends and enhanced some others of classmates.  She also learned that she didn't get the Red Gold internship, so she accepted the Ball Hospital non-paid one and will continue at the Bursar's office through spring.  Dennis and Kristen went to the new Narnia movie at 4:30.  They watched The Sorcerer's Apprentice, but after watching the opening scenes, I decided that it was not what I had in mind for the evening, so I read some of bell hook's book that I just bought and went to bed early.  I'm exhausted.

12.16.2010 Thursday

I am consumed with the research project.  Kristen called late in the afternoon to say that there was a fund raiser at Texas Road House for a little boy with leukemia, Jacxson.  We all decided that this would be a good way to contribute to a rendezvous was arranged.  James and Holly went ahead.  They were starving and Holly has her biggest final in the morning.  Kelly and Aaron bowed out in that they have made a pact never to eat at Texas Road House again, because there is always something wrong with their food and professionally they do not approve.  Kelly said that she would donate in some other fashion.  The Royal Oakers were getting packed up and ready to go when J/H called to say that the place was packed and it was at least an hour wait.  They were opting for Red Lobster, across the street.  Royal Oakers joined them at a near by table and we all had seafood instead of steak.  We'll all need to donate alternatively.  Kristen and I both had tummy troubles after our dinner out, so I think I'm going to need to follow the Gnap edict and never eat at Red Lobster again.  My stomach upsets have happened too many times for it to be an isolated case.  So I bid a fond adieu to seafood that I love because it's not worth the evening of agony!

12.15.2010 Wednesday

I have got to do these posts everyday, if this is going to remain a daily blog, because after I sleep it's really hard to reconstruct even a few days ago.  It's finals week and I should be finished, but due to the concentration of this semester's challenges early on and continuing through I am still playing catch up with assignments.  The wonderful presentations of the Qualitative Research Class members last night has given me a new inspiration and determination to plow through the final report and portfolio for that class.  That is by far my biggest challenge as it constitutes my newest and most comprehensive base of knowledge gained this semester.  Many of the theories and concepts are challenging to grasp.  I did finally understand them, but haven't committed them to memory so the research task to be sure I have everything in order is time consuming.  I also finally started an annotated bibliography that I should have started a year ago, so that should be a major aid in the rest of the writing that I will need to produce in the next two years and beyond.

Bryan, my office mate, turned in his last project yesterday, so he's free at last.  Kristen has a critique in glass tonight and one more final on Friday.  She also interviews for an internship at Red Gold Tomato on Thursday.  She's got a big week.  Holly's last final is Friday.  I haven't heard anything about Pat's knee so I'm going to assume that no-news-is-good-news.

Did manage to self-publish my first book today via Snapfish at Meijer.  "Scamper Comes to River Road" isn't the stellar, polished piece I have in my head (after all, I begged everyone I know to illustrate it and when no one would step up I was forced to do the illustrations myself!).  But it is done and debuted at the Bed and Breakfast among classmates.  Shelly's mom (an artist herself) said that the illustrations matched the audience and that they were good. (I think she was being very kind.)  Anyway, now I'm looking for an economical way to produce the volumes I need for Christmas gift giving.  Only found one typo!  That's pretty amazing for me. 

12.14.2010 Tuesday

Ok....I have got to chill out!  I have freaked myself so totally out about this report that it's like coming full circle and looking at it from the other direction.  It cannot possibly be as hard as I'm making it.  Other people write this kind of stuff all the time.  So with that in mind, I donned my stack of multicolored post it notes and did what I do best and that is to make a whole out of little bits.  I took all of the coded words and sentences and put them on coded colored post it and put them into their appropriate holding area on a large piece of paper on the table in the dining room.  At first that was just what they were, colored papers stuck onto a bigger piece of paper, but when I looked back at it again, I started to see patterns forming and it was starting to look like a 9 patch quilt.  So I lined the post it up a little more carefully and got the tape to permanently adhere them to the backing and waaalaa!  I could see the most important points of this paper by the biggest or most colorful blocks.  (more colors meant that a particular comment was applicable in one than one area.)  I could proceed with the writing now knowing what to write about.  Man I am such a visual learner...it's ridiculous! 

So I don't think my presentation tonight will be stellar, but at least I'll have an artifact to view and some direction of what topic to feature.  This is just a tad too close to the last minute.  I think I'm going to invent an adrenaline girdle that you can put on and apply external stress (though artificial) to stimulate the feeling of the adrenaline rush that I now must have to get work completed and completed well.  I do enjoy the feeling when the adrenaline is evaporating because that means that the task has been completed. 

The presentations tonight were really really good.  Many of my co-learners had chosen very interesting and stimulating topics to research and they did a great job of reporting.  The instructor actually had to cut us off when the time was running out.  Surprisingly my sloppy paper qualitative quilt was well received and several people gave me suggestions to where to present it and what to do from here.  Interesting.....again, I would have thought that this too simple or non-rigorous, but that was not the case.  I need to just trust my instincts.

The video interview that I recorded with Austin Hostetter about Quilted Memoirs is viewable at
http://vimeo.com/17647752   It's pretty painful to watch because we did this in one take so there about a billion um's, but my idea is recorded with a date and I also sent myself the outline through the mail so I need to see about getting the idea for eQuilts or eQuiltedMemoirs copyrighted or patented or something.  I don't want to let Ronco or As Seen On TV grab this idea before I get it to the market!!! 

12.13.2010 Jack Cole's Birthday • Pat Cole's Knee's Birthday

Pat is having his knee replaced in Fort Wayne on this cold and snowy morning.  We're all hoping that the outcome is great and that the pain is bearable.  New knees seem to be in vogue in my circle of acquaintances and family.  This one makes 3 in a week's time.  Dad's 79th birthday was kind of lost in the shuffle from this county.  I don't know if there were festivities the weekend prior (which would be my guess) I am buried in schoolwork for at least the next ten days.  I'm making progress on my qualitative research.  I feel that I have all the ingredients but instead of being a classically set 6 course meal, it's a stew pot with the various items chucked in there and swirling about with now order or priority.  Stew is great, but this table doesn't have bowls, so I 'm going to have to get things sorted out soon.  The banquet is Tuesday evening.

Pat did have an uneventful surgery and was able to chat, briefly, on the phone by 3:30pm.  Still toughing it through the pain though as the meds are missing the mark.  Here's hoping he can have a decent evening/night.

12.12.2010 Sunday

This started weird and finished in kind.  "Taught" Sunday School but really it was just trying to keep the peace amount a cohort of class members who wanted to make their voices heard and heard they would be.  Had intended to leave the building and get some worktime in before a premier dance recital, but that didn't happen as help was needed in the kitchen and the dishes were calling my name. 

We did make it to a packed house at The Cornerstone for the Arts and M/K did an excellent job of performing to "Boots" from Dora the Explorer.  I dashed home just as snow was starting to fall.  The Londt's had requested a Christmas portrait earlier in the week, so it was promised to be done today and be done today it will be.  Got one good outside shot and one good inside shot.  They were happy.  Delivery won't be until next week.

I ate an early supper and then was invited to Gilbert Street for a feast.  I had to turn it down due to the writing assignments looming large in front of me.  A Huntertown Skype delayed the start somewhat but it was good, very good to make that connection.  The rest of the evening was an attempt to build up momentum.  Receiving my co-learner's work has been instrumental in giving me guidance in the construction of this project.

12.11.2010 Saturday

Breakfast with Batting and Fiber met for the annual Oatmeal and gift exchange in Alexandria.  The chatter was friendly and the gifts appropriate.  Discussion of the Paducah Quilt Show was the highlight of the morning.  I'm not hopeful that I will be able to attend with 12 graduate credit hours.  I'll probably give up my bed to someone with less to do this year.  AQS is starting to capitalize on the gold mine they have in Quilt Show devotees and now have 4 shows in different locations throughout the year.  Paducah may be the original but it is not the by-all-and-be-all.  Even if I don't go to the show, a trip to Hancock's of Paducah would be well worth the drive down there for some weekend. 

Arrived back in Muncie and completed tasks that seemed necessary when in reality I was in dire need to start writing for my first research paper. (bonafide even though it is a pilot study completed only for a class).  For some reason this type of writing is intimidating.  Perhaps it's because there are hard and fast rules for one person or class, but those rules change in other situations (like person, some profs want first person and some want third).  I'm ok with ambiguity as long as it is my own.  I can't keep up when the parameters are changing or fluid.  I'm not good with leaky instructions.  The diversion resulted in a cleaned up back yard and front of the Cottage.  Something that's been bugging me for a long time.  Pine Tree Farm delivered a quarter of beef and that resulted in a pleasant chat. 

Ended the night with a workable work station thanks to a Londt Co Skype request.  Moving to the dining room for the next two weeks should help with the research output tremendously.

12.10.2010 Friday

Department carry in.  Baked rolls and made honey butter and they were well received. Worked in the afternoon and planned to work in the evening, but didn't get it accomplished.  Just need a night to detox for the weekend and week ahead.  Den and I were alone most of the evening and he actually stayed awake during the movies I had selected.  Amazing!  I'm glad this week is in the books and that this semester is just about history.  Nothing like living in the moment.

12.09.2010 Thursday

The James' transport service couldn't quite make the scheduled stop on time with Kendall for preschool.  They wondered about the building trying to find her class and then gave up and came home.  All ended well with Granny's call, calling off the A.W.O.L truancy squad.  I hope they all had a nice morning at home.

To continue with the plan from last night...
1) Scheduled appointment with research instructor
2) Emailed TCOM instructor to renegotiate contract....he was agreeable and even generous with the terms.
3) Research instructor also agreeable and required less make up work than I expected.
4) Monkeys on the loose in Muncie as they have been released from my back, making me actually walk
    straighter and able to process workload at a somewhat normal pace.  (Monkey's must have also had a
    tourniquet on my head)
5)  Was able to work the entire day on workstuff
6)  Arrived home at 8:00 and the house filled with NFL spectators, so refreshment was needed.
7) Succesfully duplicated the "Loose Meat" sandwich recipe of Greenfield, OH
8) Had a great family time during the football game.
9) Went to bed but got back up to go on an ink run for the printing of Kristen's portfolio.  I was mad at her for waiting so long and mad at myself for letting the inventory dip too low.
10)  Bed at 2:15 with rolls rising in anticipation of tomorrow.

12.08.2010 Wednesday

Total freak out day!  Just too many things to accomplish in too little time.  Definitely at the apex, teetering and not sure which way the load will shift.  The afternoon class ended well.  My last time with this cohort of individuals.  I wouldn't say that I made major inroads into this group, but I don't feel totally shunned, just on the periphery.  Turned in my last assignment.  One class done!

Evening class was a great learning experience about the other presenter's topics.  My first Prezi was adequate though not stellar.  Presenting to educators is akin to doing your first tonsillectomy in the surgery theatre at John Hopkins.....a little intimidating.  At lease only one other person in attendance knew anything about Prezi, so I was showing them something new. 

Went to the library after class to try to make a dent in the remaining stuff.  Turned in a paper, so the only thing left in a second class is a reflection.  PC still not working well.  Made a loader full of texts to take home and left by 11:00pm.  Gave up and went to bed with the plan to contact my educators and lay at their feet the evidence of my inadequacies and ask first for forgiveness and then for a plan to complete this all in a reasonable fashion.  Let's hope that cool heads prevail!!

12.07.2010 Tuesday A Day in Infamy

Carla K. is having BOTH of her knees replaced today.  That surgery just sounds scary to me.  I finally went to have my left foot x-rayed.  They were inconclusive.  Dr. thought I probably damaged a capillary and thus all of the bruising and swelling from such a small injury.  He also said that it could take 3 months to heal.  So does this mean that the 24 hour rule must now become the 2160 hour rule?  The good news was that the bill was only $155.  Since I am currently only insured at the Death Center, that was a good amount to handle.  He also gave me license to continue to "baby" the left foot.  I think it probably needs breakfast in bed most cold, snowy days.

The last week of classes.  This is good and bad.  Good means that I actually am going to survive this hellish fall semester.  The bad news is that all assignments are due and I am just getting the rhythm back for academics after breaking the force field of the medical field.  It is going to be a race to the finish especially with the Qualitative Research Project, but at least the tunnel light is getting brighter.

Another computer went "belly up".  This time it was the PC in the library carrel.  Malware attack.  I think that came after a Facebook sojourn into one of their features on the right side of the page.  Skype and Facebook are my usual suspects when there has been sabotage of any type.  I'm just saying....

12.06.2010 Monday

Bitter cold!  Feels more like the dead of February than early December.  My PC at work has a bad fan so now I'm working exclusively on a laptop.  This is fine, but it might be better to take the laptop and move to a little warmer climate.  Our office temperature registered at a frosty 54 when I got there this morning.  I hope our two space heaters enjoy running, because that is exactly what they do all day long.

Interesting presentation on Internet Security today in class.  Ironically one of the servers with most of the presentation housed on it was "down."  The blog RethinkSecurity@tumbler is where the dialogue is kept.  Something to think seriously about.  Some of the security settings on Facebook are so ambiguous that I can't tell whether to enable or disable will do the most damage.  That is some very circular vernacular. 

Speaking of internet security all of Comcast when "down" this evening.  That was very frustrating, so Kristen and I trekked back to campus at 11:30 to utilize a computer lab.  She applied to two internships, so it was definitely worth the effort.  Just a late, drawn out night.

12.05.2010 Sunday

Kind of a disjointed day. Attended our church and decided to try out another one only to arrive too late, so we just ended up taking a long drive in the country.  The internet being unavailable tonight was a definite pain.  So is the beginnings of a sore throat.  I thought I was going to make it through the semester...maybe I still will.  Started chugging the vitamins.  Worked on two more projects.  This coming week will be a doozie, but when it's over, I'm pretty much home free.  Here's to pushing the grindstone some more and not falling under it.  I need to figure out how to add graphics to this site.  I'm getting bored with just text, so I'm assuming that anyone who may happen to read this is even more bored (if that's possible).  Here's to surviving this week. 

12.04.2010 Saturday

I definitely needed a day off and that's what today turned into.  Snow, big fluffy white snow covering the ground but not so much to require shoveling.  Ran errands, ate out, talked to kids in person, via cell phone.  No huge crisis today as has been the norm this semester.  Great to not have fires to put out.  Nice to actually relax and turn my mind off for a few hours.  The Red Green Show has produced a movie, Duct Tape Forever.  Even that gave me some ideas of competition pieces for the coming year.

12.03.2010 Friday

Started at 4:00am and ended at 8:15pm glued to the same laptop screen, writing, writing, writing.  I came home spent but happy that several jobs are moved along the route.  Gathered more qualitative research tonight that contributed to much more data and information...yippee!

12.2.2010 Thursday

Extra work still making up hours from the first of the semester. Finally finding some references that make sense for the journal article. The time taken to compose a relatively short article is considerable. It would much easier to work on an article on which I have some basic knowledge. This has definitely been the most learning-filled semester of my life which is amazing considering the number of years that I have been a student.
First research paper close to being completed. There should be some stray monkeys scampering about the streets as they loose themselves from my back! James and Holly moved back into their apartment tonight. I'm sure they will be glad to have a space to themselves though Sonny will probably be lonely without her pet friends on Royal Oak.

I have also learned that I cannot work without sleep anymore. My days of an all nighter (or two) are over. I have to have at least 4 hours of sleep, but I am able to wake up and get right to work, so that is a vast improvement over the layers of sleep that must usually be climbed out of on a normal morning.

Grandpa Pyle's obituary appeared in the local weekly newspaper today. It was an honor to have taken the portrait that was selected by the family for his last image. It was taken four years ago to the day from his death. I'm so glad that that photo shoot was set up and completed even with the protests of several of the family.

12.1.2010 Wednesday

First actual snow (the last frozen precipitation was more of the freezing rain genre).  Cold and slippery.  December has made it's presence known in January or February fashion.  I hope this is not a sign of this winter's design. 

Dennis is stockpiling food.  Just about every day he comes home with a flat of Mushroom Soup or 5 pounds of sugar or buttery crackers.  Is the preparedness or the start of Alzheimer's.  This inventory would be wonderful if we owned a pantry or larder...but we don't so I have the challenge of Tetris(ing) these staples onto shelves that are mostly full.  Because Dennis' shopping is like the outdoor cat who proudly drags in the various rodent and places it on the kitchen counter for all to admire.  He has to display his treasures and I'm left to try to free another horizontal surface held captive on Royal Oak Drive....another favorite hobby of his. Maybe this winter break is the time to build a storage unit that I have in my head for the corner of the kitchen with doors and not a counter-type plane to welcome any old load of stuff that is going by.  Ahhh to come home to the habitat that is in my head rather than the one that is actual.  It could happen.

The semester is winding down and the projects/papers are getting checked off.  Nothing like a good TO DO list with lots o' check marks.  Though breaking into a new academic department was terrifying, I am glad for the opportunity.  My fellow co-learners are all exceptional and willing to share their particular area of interest with gusto.  Since I am definitely (and will probably remain) an outlier, it is great to be exposed to all of the nooks and crannies of digital communications without the need to master them all.  Could it be that I am actually learning to say "No" and that it is adequate to just be exposed to something new without feeling the need to master it and become expert in the area?  A milestone...yeah tho I dare say... a marker....

11.30.2010 Tuesday

The last day of a month that evaporated.  The only good thing about this is that the semester is just about over and this has been one for the record books.  I found out in tonight's class that most of the progress I made yesterday was actually back peddling or redundancy due to my lack of appropriate documentation.  Arggghhh. This is good to discover though with two weeks left, not two weeks after the semester is over.


Found out this valuable information during a Peer Review session.  I always, always, ALWAYS learn so much for other students.  Why any instructor does not incorporate learner centered knowledge into the class time is beyond me.  One way delivery is so flat and hard to endure...and speaking of falling flat....
I must keep the momentum going to finish strong....ok, maybe just to finish.  Either way, it will be over soon.  "This too shall pass" seems appropriate for tonight. 

Got to pitch hit at child care this morning.  I'm glad I'm close enough to help out.  I have a feeling that their childhoods will evaporate as quickly as this month's!  Good night...

11.29.2010 Monday

Hit the ground running this morning.  Had to transfer the work day to Friday because of all the projects/papers piling up.  Purchased my own printer yesterday and installed it today in the library cubbie.  This was a major bottle neck uncorked.  Just being able to print at will and waste the time to go to the first floor to wait in line and retrieve my printing was amazing.  This Canon printer cost $32.  All BSU would have to do is furnish the printer in the Scholar Carrels and let the "scholar's" furnish the ink and paper and it would be wonderful.  Doubt that ever happens, but I can dream.

Presented the skeleton of the research topic I am writing for Creativity.  It seemed to be well received (no one fell visibly asleep) but it is hard to articulate your own passion to anyone outside of that genre.  Worked well into the night and am just about caught up in Qualitative Research.  That is good.  Three major pieces out of the way. 

Reading the book The Plentitude by Rich Gold (n.d.)  It's a great little book.  He has some interesting theories about the 4 creative types and the hats that they wear.  I'm glad to have found a copy.  May be a library acquisition. 

I found a "spot" on Dennis' leg tonight that he described as a "boo boo".  I'm sorry but diabetic legs don't get boo boos....they have wounds that need immediate attention.  He must crave large doses of high volumn shooting because that's what he got for not doing anything to this shin.  Not good.  James and Holly are also not good with stomach flu and nasty throats.  Ah flu season....it's a most wonderful time of the year. un-LOL

11.28.2010 Sunday after absolutely

The close of a holiday always leaves me with regret for what didn't happen.  I know that I always have too many activities envisioned for the time and space allowed...and that my vision is not the vision of others.  I also tend to think in absolutes that my house has to be absolutely clean, that everyone has to be absolutely happy and content, that every event has to be pulled off with absolute precision and with absolutely no stress or fuss.  What I'm doing is setting myself up for absolute disappointment and frustration which is what I did again this year.  I did not allow any of the grandkids to come to my house for fear their parents would not approve of my lack of housekeeping or current organization levels. (or lack thereof).  I realize now that I should absolutely not care what the parents think but let the grandchildren experience grandparents who do not live in a magazine home and who have a messy life but love them as much as is humanly possible.  Actually as I look at the children's dwellings, theirs are not much different than mine and I don't think less of them. It's me who remembers the comments and body language and absolutely commits it to the looping memory that is so easily triggered.  I need to remove the batteries of that recorder or tape over it with something more positive.  Next year I hope to be different.   I hope there are no absolutes....

The knowledge that the funeral home calling is this afternoon has absolutely stopped all forward progress for me.  I still am somewhat in shock that Dean is gone.  It was good to meet his relatives and see the slide show of his life.  He seemed to be surrounded by extended family.  I am just haunted by our last visit when he said, "I've just finished my degree and now I'm ready to really do something....."  He trailed off at that point with a tear in his eye.  I think he must have known then, but I wanted to cheer him up and probably acted the same way to him as Kristen did with me on the Thanksgiving day trip north....uncomfortable.  I hope Dean was able to vent freely with someone who helped him work through his fears and not someone who forced him to "keep the sunny side up."  I know he was confident of heaven, so that is some comfort, but I wished again, that I had been a better friend to him.

The rest of the evening melted away as most Sunday evenings do.  The impossible tasks looming large for the next two weeks are enough to make escape seem appropriate and desirable.  I hope the family understands when I totally disappear into the library.  I should have done that all of last week, but some things are more important than academics and during the living of this Thanksgiving/Christmas/Mourning it was people not papers that mattered....absolutely!

11.27.2010 Saturday Delaware/Tarrant County Christmas

Started the morning late with cooking and getting wrapping done for the early gift exchange on Gilbert Street.  I had the option of having Christmas dinner at my house but declined because of lack of preparation and the need to move the entire troop over prior to naps.  A perfect example of two right answers and being flexible with either one.  The gift exchange was pleasant and and unhurried.  Kelly finally acquiesced to Aaron's pleas for an early opening of the WII.  It was "for the kids" he said.....

We had an intense meeting on the administration of the Dennis Trust.  This meeting also proceeded very well, with complete transparency and, at times, laughter.  We remembered the sacrifices that Howard and Dorothy made for this situation to take place and thanked God that the provision seems to have come at exactly the right time.  Our main prayer is for wisdom and peace in the distribution.

Naps were enjoyed by all and the WII proved to be good entertainment as no football was passively watched.  The entire entourage converged on Puerta Vallerta for a good-bye dinner.  It was the best dining out experience we have had as an entire group.  Londt Co hit the road at 8:15pm and the Young Londt's plus Kristen retired to Royal Oak with the DVD of Wizard of Oz.  We went to Gilbert Street to be acclaimed to the WII in a more relaxed atmosphere.  It was fun and we stayed until after bedtime.

Sad note to learn of the death of Dean Ford, fellow grad student in Technology.  He passed on November 24th.  51 years old and diagnosed for less than 2 months.  Calling and funeral on Sunday.  I had intentions of seeing him next week.  He had a loving church family.  My hope is that they were not too busy with Thanksgiving to be with him.

11.26.2010 Friday Londt Thanksgiving

Friday after a night at Hickory Tree Farm.  Once I was asleep, I really slept.  It was definitely better to see Dorothy's home in the daylight.  We gathered ourselves and returned to River Road to be the tail end of breakfast and then to the nothingness of sitting around.  The ladies did take a trip to Albion's "Mall"  aka Dollar General, but that was about the extent of the day.  We didn't get to the Swamp House to look at the animals.  No one else went to Hickory Tree to see the improvements there.  The guys did hang out in the woodshop for the creation of projects by Aaron/Grandpa Cole but that was about it. 

Londt's loaded up for a relocation to Huntertown and the scaled down Londt Thanksgiving of chili and hot dogs.  It was a concentrated celebration and we once again relocated to Delaware County without James' Wrangler which decided to not run after being bragged on my it's owner.  Humbling. 

Early night with everyone tired from the major events of the past few days.  The double holiday is going to take some getting used to.  Almost like a Chinese buffet followed by Mexican....more than can be consumed comfortably.

11.25.2010 Thursday Thanksgiving Day

Strange, strange Thanksgiving.  The caravan north left with Kristen and me alone.  I would have preferred to be totally alone because I needed to mourn Grandpa Pyle.  It feels that everyone is so relieved that he is not suffering that they are taking no time to remember his life.  I really wanted to get a website designed 2 years ago for his descendants and it's not a good thing that it did not get completed.  There will be no funeral at this time and the URL would have been a benefit at the end of the obituary.  Kristen was uncomfortable with my sadness and kept trying to cheer me up when I really needed to get through this. 

Grandma Cole's house was packed to the rafters with family.  It was the typical Thanksgiving meal and one end of the table couldn't hear what was going on at the other end.  An engagement was announced and little kids were added to the big table.  Everyone ate too much and retired to video games, the toy room or clean up.  Some of the little kids took naps and then Christmas started with the sock ritual and the white elephant exchange and little kid Bingo. 

My highlight was being alone with my dad at the empty Thanksgiving table and with the open opportunity asking him about the first Christmas he could remember.  At first he didn't want to respond, just kind of looked at me, but then he started to talk and he told me wonderful things about his childhood that I must record before I forget them.  It was unfortunate that the Sock Ritual broke the flow because I could not reconnect with him again.  I hope to be able to find out more about his early life.  He is not verbose at all and hearing him tell stories was a rare treat.

Four of us moved to Dorothy's house for the evening to make more room on River Road.  This was a rather unsettling experience.  I had a hard time falling asleep, but did manage to get some sleep early in the morning.  I am thankful for Dorothy's life and contribution through the farm, for Grandpa Pyle and his legacy and for learning more about my Dad and his early years.

11.24.2010 Wednesday

The day started out unhurried.  Kelly went to about her normal work schedule.  Aaron, James, Holly, Kristen and I all had the day off.  Dennis had delivered his shut in dvd's yesterday so he was free also.  Everyone except Londt Co attended the Angels on High Thanksgiving Feast at High Street Methodist's nursery school.  The program took approximately 5 minutes but the important event was meeting 5 year old MacKenzie's boyfriend Dalton who even earned a leaf on her foam tree!  Ah a pretaste of things that will too quickly come.
Aaron asked Dennis to go with him to saw some wood, so those left took turns with daycare.  Heidi had lunch plans with co-workers.  James and Holly left for her Thanksgiving with westside Indianapolis relatives.  Kristen ran errands, so that left Aaron and me with late afternoon childcare duties.  All of the kids are playing well and naps were ordered, so it wasn't a huge task.  Joe and Heidi had dinner plans with friends from Indy and I needed to complete an insulin pump pack for a friend's 9 year old niece.  That project proceeded nicely and I got it to her before she left BSU early.  It had just started to spit freezing rain as I pulled up.  The heater in the Quilted Cottage was keeping up and it was most pleasant to work out there this early afternoon.

Aaron stirred up some nice Chinese food for the kiddos as Kelly was stuck in traffic.  We got them all around the table though Lizzie was the only one eating with any gusto.  Kelly arrived towards the end of the meal and when we analyzed how to best clean up Lizzie, a bath in the kitchen sink seemed best.  I brought games over but the USA puzzle proved to be the highlight of the evening.

At about 5:30pm my mom called to say that her father was probably not going to last long.  She had been at the nursing home all day and had just run home for a change of clothes and was on her way back.  She said that she was ok, for now, and not to come.  She had called her brother and she would keep us informed.  We were not going to cancel Thanksgiving, she had all the preparations underway.
She wanted prayer that his passing would not be painfully extended as the morphine they had just started to administer was not giving him relief.   This news was emotional for me, in that Grandpa Pyle had always expressed a desire to reach 100 years.  When he was forced to use a walker at 95 he said, "It's ok because I'll get 5 years worth of use out of it, so it will pay for itself!"  He would be 98 in February and that was so close that it makes his missed goal all that more poignant.   Mom called again at 8:05 and Ernie had indeed made it to the nursing home just before Grandpa breathed his last.  She didn't describe the passing as peaceful but mercifully fast.  By telling each of my children, one-at-a-time, it made the event a bit harder on me, but was glad that we were all here.  I don't know the funeral or memorial plans as Grandpa left his body to science with the intent that they study it for clues to longevity.  I'm sure to find out more tomorrow.

Albert Pyle

Sunday, 28 November 2010 00:00

KENDALLVILLE — Albert L. Pyle, 97, died Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010 at Lutheran Life Villages

Nursing Home in Kendallville.

He was a 20-year resident of Noble County, and then retired to Florida.

Mr. Pyle was born in Bourbon, Ind., on Feb. 19, 1913 to Albert W. and Nora Gay Pyle. He

married Dorothy Johnson of Etna Green, Ind., on June 25, 1931. She preceded him in death in

November of 1995.

He worked as a land surveyor for the Soil Conservation Service and Indiana Michigan Light

Company.  In his retirement in Florida, filled his days with Pretty Punch fiber crafts and collecting shells
on the beach.  Al was the "Spiceman" at a local flea market for many years where he had a spice
booth, but really he enjoyed seeing the people.  He returned to Noble County in the mid 2000's to be nearer
to family.  He and his dog Ginger enjoyed living in The Lamplighter until a broken hip ended his independence
two years ago. Ginger was a robust protector of Albert and she died shortly after his hospitalization.

Surviving are:  Nancy (Jack) Cole of Albion, and Ernest (Sue) Pyle of

Churubusco; a sister, Roma Smith of Silver Lake, Ind.; 18 grandchildren; 44 great

grandchildren; and 10 great-great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his wife, were two sons, Allen Pyle and Ron Pyle, and a

daughter, Jo Ann French.

He unselfishly donated his entire body to science, therefore his memorial will be in the hearts

of those who knew and loved him. He truly was a good man.

11.23.2010 Tuesday

Bible study today without kids.  I was slated to pick up the commencement regalia from a friend, but due to a miscommunication, I was a week early.  So, I visited with my friend anyway and saw her new training facility in New Castle.  Rendezvoused with Londt Co as they had lunch at LaBamba and then went to work.  Dr. Hua had successfully repaired my netbook with was wonderful.  He had worked at the facility I toured in the morning, so he was interested in the new facility as well.

Londt Co transferred to Gilbert Street and everyone met for dinner at Fazoli's.  Afterward, it was a work night as the carpet and pad had to be removed in the living room due to the aquarium mishap (see Sunday's entry).  Everyone helped or stayed out of the way.  It was a mess, but the hardwood under the carpet was not in too bad of shape and a sander rental is in the future.  After the kids were put to bed, everyone settled to watch Mel Brook's Young Frankenstein, some with the dialogue memorized and some who were seeing it for the first time.  Good first night.

11.22.2010 Monday

The start of Thanksgiving Week.  There is way too much stuff to get done to have it anywhere close to the festivities that I have envisioned in my head.  Work today on the journal article and the script with Nakia before she leaves campus.  The first class presentations of research topics sparked interest and were informative.  I especially liked Earl's on trademark design.

Learned that a fellow grad student was being transferred from the hospital to a nursing facility.  I will go see him next week after BSF in New Castle.  James and Holly and dog moved to our house since their apartment had flooded about two weeks ago and the complex has not cleaned the carpets yet.

11.21.2010 Sunday SUPERMOM in the battle with e-villll L.I.F.E.

Dennis took Kristen and me to breakfast this morning.  It was his debut as video guy at church (first since his foot trauma) and he was excited.  It's good to see him volunteering again.  After he left for his appointed post, Kristen and I casually chatted about the upcoming week and the items we have to accomplish.  She said she needed a boulder taller than she is for her glass class's critique tomorrow.  TOMORROW!  It's a job for SUPER M-O-M!  Faster than a speeding text, stronger than a very old onion, able to leap onto impossible projects with a single bound.  Supermom -- sent to this earth at a very young age (probably by rocket ship since I hate the feeling of falling) to right the wrongs, stop the whining and fix the boo boo's of several households.  Supermom stands for completion, progress and the American Way!   We didn't find her boulder, but did find a rock arrangement along Minnetrista Boulevard.  The project wasn't completely finished so the final touches needed to completed this afternoon.  Another emergency -- a 55 gallon aquarium explosion on Gilbert Street -- must have been caused by Supermom's arch enemy L.I.F.E. (Londt's In Fierce Emergencies)  We all headed over there after a frantic, high pitched, nearly inaudible cell phone call on the Supermom rapid response receptor.  Two shopvacs and one carpet shampooer later and the fishy deed was cleaned up with only a damp carpet to show for it.  The next Supermom caper involves water again, though this time it is the aftermath of a flooded newlywed apartment and the fight against a most dangerous enemy.....the dreaded BLACK MOLD!  It should be curtains for him after we hit the floor with bleach and vacuum. 
Supermom returns to her mild mannered self as grad student, wife, nurse and Granny with not a care in the world ....until (cue the theme music) L.I.F.E. rears it's ugly head with another emergency!!! (fade to black)

This sounds far fetched but that is exactly what I was thinking about late Saturday night....I have been surrounded by so many emergencies this fall and I've responded to them (mostly) with poise and bearing so much so, that it's beginning to take an emergency to motive me to action.  I prefer to remain my mild mannered self and plod along rather than jumping into action to proceed the evil and dastardly L.I.F.E. with all of it's To Do lists and projects and papers and stuff stretching into the horizon.  Maybe this is a huge insight into procrastination.  Maybe I'm just overwhelmed and there are no instructions in the Supermom handbook about dealing with that.  Maybe I've grown entirely comfortable with the emergency Adrenalin rush -- and like it -- and now won't get off dead center without it.  Maybe....

Kristen and I finished the engagement photo shoot of two weeks ago and delivered them to the bride-to-be.  We have to work on our presentation choreography...we kind of stumbled all over each other.  The bride seemed to like them and the groom had them on Facebook within two hours so we think he approved.  That case almost didn't take Supermom though the supersuit was at the ready.  Maybe I really need to make a supersuit just to drive home how many times I feel the need to don it and jump into the frey!  (cue music, credits, and a word from our sponsor....GOD who is really in control)

11.20.2010 Saturday

The 24-hour rule should be patented.  It's amazing how quickly an injury will heal in the first two days.  My foot hurts at least 80% less.  I'm glad I didn't go the medical route yesterday.

Met a good friend for breakfast and a garden bulb exchange.  Friends are such a rare commodity.  To grow a good crop of friends take quit a bit of effort, cultivation and nurturing, but a mature, rich friend is well worth it and gives back much more than the effort you put forth.

Kristen's Grecian inspired urn (that took an entire semester to create) met it's end today.  Three pets are suspected though no confessions are forth coming.  Super glue to the rescue.

11.19.2010 Friday

Friday, Friday, Friday!  Long work week.  I have had the rare privilege of listening to the audio recording of "The Secret Lives of Bees."  It is said that the book is always better than the movie, but this audio book was a delight.  The young lady who narrated it was perfect.  The accent made a trip to South Carolina unnecessary.  I had just watched the movie, the audio book was much better.

The wounded foot made the day go slowly.  Couldn't decide whether is warranted an x-ray.  It really did hurt!

11.18.2010 Thursday

It's not how much you know
It's how much you can take!

It's not how much is presented
It's sorting through the mountain
and finding the nuggets of truth to keep!


Events of the day:
Dennis is released from the Wound Clinic
Lunch with Dr. Maria, confirmation of plan
Bills paid
Smashed up my left foot on the rocking horse

11.17.2010 Wednesday

Zoomba Gold, Laughing Yoga, Mindmapping...it's all good.  Very small EDAC700 class and we had student presentations about ANY topic the student wanted to present.  It was great.  Good to get out of the seat and use more than from the eyebrows to the neck.  It is exactly as Sir Ken Robinson states... (my interpretation).. Academicians only use their bodies to carry their heads about.  Why on earth there isn't recess anymore is amazing.  The Japanese have figured this out.  Americans are definitely slow adopters on some very good principles. 

11.16.2010 Tuesday

Started the day at 6:00 am and ended at 1:45am.  Ah, Post-Modernism!  This topic has unified the EdStu class.  It was the best dialogue we've had yet.  Great day of learning on all fronts.  Journal article was done entirely wrong!  So, that starts again, but I've learned.  Learned that a class mate is a grad of the Art Institute of Indianapolis.  Networking at it's best.  Read chapters of text and actually understood it.  Turned in three assignments and I'm only one assignment behind.  Is that light at the end of the tunnel?  I truly hope it isn't the headlight of the next train......

James/Holly's apartment flooded.  Kendall was hit by the bed of the treadmill when Cole figured out how to pull the pin.  We are all so thankful that no one was killed. 

11.15.2010 Monday

Morning came way too soon even with the time change, but I still managed to get an hours worth of work done before bidding adieu to the covers.  Good full day at work.  My journal article is finally written in my head, now all I have to do is commit it to paper, insert the references and clean it up.  Wow, that was a long process and my first attempt at writing about something I was not well versed in to begin with.  Opted to stay on campus to keep the flow going and it worked. 

James has the Muncie flu so I'm on duty in the morning of child care.  I hope this is an isolated case and doesn't make the rounds. 

I like the idea of qualitative research in that it is creative, fiction and immersive.  Looking forward to doing more of it. 

11.14.2010 Sunday Sacred Heart Memorial

Had a great messaging session with Peg W. this morning.  It was so good to hear from her.  She's battling empty nest, big time.  I'm hoping it's a short mourning process for her and Chris.  So, I had a late start on getting the BYKOTA lesson ready.  I had actually read it earlier in the week, but that didn't help because it was such a depressing passage Psalm 90.  Dust2Dust.  You know the one where the Psalmist is really, really depressed.  My friend Stephanie put a post on Facebook that said (and I paraphrase)  The caterpillar's tragedy becomes the butterfly to the Maker.  It was perfect for this lesson, so I made a grand late entrance to Sunday School shouting that this exactly the way I want my funeral to play out.  The bereaved are seated waiting patiently and I dash in and jump into the box up front.  I had just one more project to do!  It was mercifully a short time since the class sang an extra song, so the agony of the depressing lesson wasn't long. 

I stopped at Gilbert Street to drop and catch up and of course, stayed too long.  Mad dash home to an overdone roasted chicken, but a home cooked meal just the same.  Kristen decided to go to the memorial in Avilla, so she Dennis and I took off.  We made him drive so that we could read and sketch.  I finally made a matrix of qualitative methods and even discussed some of the text with him on the last few miles.  We were only one song late and the service was fitting. 

Dinner at Ed and Jane's was pleasant and we, again, stayed too long, but sometimes life demands detours from the schedule and today was one of them.  I drove home so thus ended the homework headway. 

11.13.2010 Saturday Beautiful morning of autumn splendor

Forgive my waxing poetic about the weather, but there just could not have been a nicer fall morning than this.  I did a small amount of computer work but then HAD to, I mean I H-A-D to go outside.  It was just too glorious to waste.  The recent snowscare made it glaringly apparent that Royal Oak is not ready for winter.  We mulched leaves and packed up stuff and filled the garden shed with it's gallery of boarders for the winter.  About mid afternoon, the skies said, "That's enough" and it started to rain and the temperature dropped quickly.  It has been so long since I've created anything with my hands that I also H-A-D to sew something.  I decided on a quick little mailbox flag that celebrates Thanksgiving....kind of a cross between a NBC peacock and barnyard poultry.  It went well, but as with all fiber art, it took twice as long as it should have taken.  I ended the night on the sofa with not much academic progress but great inroads into domestic chores and fiber therapy that is truly priceless. 

11.12.2010 Friday

Cleaned up the kitchen!  This is significant because a professor who confessed to us last spring that when he has a big writing project coming up, his wife always knows about it because he plans and strategizes while he does the dishes.  This happened to me this morning.  I wrote a new introduction for the article and then processed more of it in the dishwater.  It helped half of it was roughed out this afternoon with much better references than I've been able to find.  My class just yesterday afternoon had the texts I needed for an important part of the article.  That feels so much better AND the kitchen counters are cleaned off!  I have decided instead of getting mad at my "roomies" for trashing the counters (which I, by-the-way have to clean off)....I'm going to take their articles of clutter and put them into their beds!!  Not just thrown into their rooms, but actually in between the covers.  So they will have the nice little irritation that I experience every single night when I come home to find not one clean area in the kitchen.  I cannot work in a mess so that means that they don't get much cookin'.  One would think that the two situations would begin to become obvious...but so far it hasn't.  I've made them a sign warning  them that if they leave crap on my counters they will suffer the consequences.  They've been warned!  We've met with the WIBP staff member who is collaborating with us on the new script for The House That Pat Built.  He seems genuinely excited to be on the project and it was fun explaining it to him and Nakia.  She nor I have ever scripted before so we hope to learn much and try to have fun simultaneously.  I talked so much about The House that I was rewarded with a shiny new parking ticket.  You gotta love Parking Services and their constant conviction to earn those big bucks!  THAT is one job I could not do.  The guy was pulling away as I walked up to the truck.  At least I'm getting closer. 

11.11.2010 Thursday Veteran's Day

Started the day cleaning a space off of the window seat.  Getting a space organized just seems to give me boost.  Too bad that I have family who like to cover every possible horizontal plane with "stuff".  I should probably be thankful for these terrible habits....just think how often I get the chance to feel better, but I have to feel like crap every time I come home and all flat surfaces are humped up with stuff.  I went to investigate the new Hallmark Recordable Books before moving from working at home to working at work.  While I was ordering some some Chinese take-away I realized that I had totally forgotten about a departmental luncheon today.  I hate it when that kind of thing happens.  I had decided on the drive to work that the writer's block I was experiencing with the journal article may be from the AT office space, so I opted to move to the library for the afternoon.  That, coupled with the research I did this morning proved to be a good idea.  I should have 2 more drafts for Friday afternoon AND the prof this afternoon had two books that look promising for some of the missing documentation I've been in search of.  A good day indeed.  We watched "Bottle Shock" this evening.  A good movie about the wine industry.  Big big day tomorrow and actually a big weekend for this one.  I hope I can keep the pace brisk.  Lucky and Sunny both have surgery tomorrow and I am the dedicated vet assistant on Saturday.  Hopefully Dennis will become the animal hospital for them.  His foot has one more week and then is pronounced healed.  I know he misses the attention of a full-fledged medical emergency, but I'm having an academic one now and he's going to have to help.  If I go down so does he, but he's a tad slow to recognize this dynamic.  Here's hoping he gets a clue.

11.10.2010 Wednesday Water Closet Creativity

Started the day with making a fake pie for Kristen's art project.  It was two real crusts with tin foil balls and waxed paper filling covered with a layer of red tissue paper.  It was supposed to represent a cranberry pie for her display and has to be able to remain in the art case for a length of time.  It turned out pretty well though a tad overdone.  A piece of the crust baked off, but a few squirts of wallpaper paste fixed that situation.  Kristen was pleasantly surprised.  The student presentations on creativity were very good.  I thoroughly enjoyed the final one today.  The student (who shall remain nameless because I can't think of it tonight) had a very good presentation with video clips from the author's website and class exercises.  He said that the 5 most creative places are #1 while on the john, #2 just falling asleep/waking up  #3 while shaving (not sure how this translates to women) #4 during boring meetings  #5 while showering.  So this means in addition to toilet paper, writing paper/utensil need to be close at hand.  Also notepaper by where you sleep, during boring meetings (I've got that one nailed, I've always doodled during meetings and many ideas come then.  Finally I need to figure out some way to record thoughts in the shower.  Maybe a dry erase marker up high on the shower wall????  Since so many occur in the bathroom, it is important that the room is one you want to be in and has the necessary items to record ideas immediately.  You can use a dry erase marker on the mirror.  We've left each other messages for years doing that....just haven't jotted down ideas.  Evening class was also a good one.  I so enjoy learning from other students.  When the prof just presents their material that is only one brain exposed but when the class shares openly, there is the wisdom of 20 brains and sometimes many years' worth of experience and reflection.  The longer I am in adult education the more I value the voice of the learner.  Everyone has something to share no matter what the age or educational level. 

11.09.2010 Tuesday

Tuesdays, this semester, have typically been the start of a 48 hour marathon.  It starts with taking two of the grand kids to Bible study and then bringing a luncheon back for the Gilbert Street gang.  This is immediately followed by work, class, class and home by about 9:30pm.  Wednesday continues with work early and all day then class and night class number two.  Needless to say my Thursday night is the new Friday just because I am spent.  This Tuesday though was better.  I am making progress on a researched journal article for work, the afternoon class I actually knew what the Prof was talking about and could contribute and the evening class (though I was late struggling with printer issues) was informative and practical.  I am still way behind on turning in assignments, but they are slowly making sense and should be doable in the very near future.  Why I haven't just quit has been a puzzle.  It's not really pride...paying back the loans is a concern.  I think it is more of a project that is incomplete.  I definitely am project oriented and to walk away from one this big only fifty percent complete would be quit a defeat.  I did that once in higher education and it took many years to make up the error.  I don't want to do it again. 

11.08.2010 Monday

The student presented book reviews have proven to be very interesting in the scope and diversity of text on the broad subject of creativity.  Today's theoretical lecture was so vast that it was difficult to follow and make a logical sequential progression.  The presentation itself was wonderful, it was just the topic I had trouble following.  I am so thankful that I pursuing this degree as a seasoned non-traditional....if I had been presented with this much information as a traditionally aged student, I truly believe my brain would have exploded from the attempt to gather, organize, retain and be transformed by the avalanche of information, new concepts and theories....not to mention the application of theory to practice and what has worked and what hasn't.  My mantra of "It's not how much you know, but how much you can take" had a new line added that says "...and what you deem worthy of accepting."  It took me many years to develop any kind of filter.  I feared that I was too ignorant to apply any kind of qualifying measure to new concepts or ideas, but I now am at least confident enough to use self-talk like "that's a bunch of...."
or "that could have merit" or even just "cool".  I do like to listen with an open mind, but some things just have to enter and move on down the line without using any bandwidth.  That is somewhat liberating, not
obsessing about every little detail.  "It's not how much you know....

Watched The Secret Life of Bees as a suggestion of a good memoir.  I was moved by the film and am anxious to listen to the audio book. 

11.07.2010 Sunday

It must have been the time change or the temperature change or the fact that this semester is about to kill us, but Kristen and I were both battling some kind of downward spiraling mental funk.  She about being single, me about being old and alone.  The Colt's taking a beating from Philadelphia in the late afternoon didn't help nor the fact that Holly had a stomach upset AND fell down her parent's stairs while helping babysit in Indy. 
We DID have a fun time doing a photoshoot for an engaged couple.  It was a brilliant day (sun-wise) and perhaps being out in it helped.  The couple had a good time and we got some very nice shots.  We just didn't make much headway academically this weekend...and we both have to make some real progress to end the semester on a good note.  Holly DID complete two online classes in great shape.  She said it was a relief to have those completed. 
We had a single service at church which would have been good, but I was called out by James.  He was involved in a t-bone style fender bender on his way to church.  A couple of college kids thought the two-way stop was a four-way and James didn't have enough time to stop.  No one hurt and not really much damage to James' jeep but the kids Civic looked pretty bad.  James decided to come to our house to watch the football game and he brought Sonny with him.  She wanted, desperately, to stick her nose out the window so he unzipped the passenger side window.  When he slowed to make the turn onto Royal Oak, low and behold ... she jumped out the window!  He stopped as quickly as possible and ran around to unthread the leash.  We don't think she was hurt as she roughhoused with Chewey and Lucky all through the football game, but it was just not a great day.

11.06.2010 Saturday Time Change

Spent the entire day by myself.  Not that I was shunning people, I asked for company on several occasions....it just worked out that way.  Found the Barnes and Noble in Carmel right beside an Office Max and Don Pablos.  Went to all three without moving the car.  Found Kelly's new job site (I think) and maybe a back way to it that would save her a few minutes.  Got a little bit of homework completed and some research started.  A good day.  The extra hour's sleep was a bonus, but it's going to get dark awfully early this week. 

Here's something I have to get creative with....when waitresses (usually young one's ...late teens or early 20's) address me as "Hon" or "Honey".  Granted they introduce themselves by their first name and assume that that transparency puts them on a higher level but they don't ask my name or the names of my dining companions....so where does it become acceptable to address me by a condescending form of endearment by someone who is waiting on me and doesn't know my name until I pay with a debit card. (she wouldn't know my name at all if it were a cash transaction!)  Also, this seems to be a female phenomen only.  I am not sure how to address this issue (I won't call it a problem, because some people must like it). 1) I could squarely say "Please don't call me Hon" and risk having my food and drink contaminated.  2) I could reflect my displeasure in the tip, but would that be fair in that the wait staff would not know ahead of time that was the rule?  3)  I could leave a note saying that the flippant term of endearment is offensive.  4) Return each "hon" with an "OK...Toots" (this is my preference since it would be a way for me to be retaliatory but the same food contamination possibility exists see #1 above) or finally 5) Suck it up and enjoy a meal out and forget about the wait staff.  Suggestions are welcomed....and yes I've been accused by live-in family members of being entirely too sensitive, but I just don't appreciate being called "hon".

11.05.2010 Friday Snow.. :-(

Missed  funeral today to the poor planning of my daughter and her emergency print job (that didn't turn out to be a true emergency nor was it printed when she said it would be).  Long story short, I could have gone to the funeral and been back for the normal printing job and everyone would have been the served.  I know the reason her emergencies are so irritating is because they are exactly what I do.  I need to learn from her lack of enough prep time and avoid that myself.  arghhhhh.

Finished the afternoon with heavy wet snow.  I had heard earlier in the week that this could happen but chose to not dwell on it.  I'm just as certain as the emergency theory that the advent of winter is heralded less as one ages.  I new season used to be a great thing for me.  I liked the closure of one season and the newness of the next one.  A chance for a clean start...a different feel to the world...a different set of challenges....  but now, especially with winter and hot hot summer, I'm finding the extremes less, much less enjoyable. 

We met soggy Gnaps at the new Fusion Restaurant in the Village.  They decided to walk and were really cold and wet.  Kristen and I drug Dennis to see the Civic Theatre's production of Hello Dolly.  He slept through a goodly portion of the it, but Kristen and I enjoyed ourselves.  The idea of "the parade passing by" was in my head when I went to bed.  It's not raining on this parade...it's snowing!

11.04.2010 Thursday

The portion of The Facebook Effect that I read for work were very good.  I really didn't know that much about Zuckerberg or really even how it started....I just knew that it was college chums who wanted to stay in contact.  I was never an adopter of MySpace and I joined Facebook with a blank page that remained that way for an entire year before someone showed me the ropes and now I check it more than e-mail.  Just made a page for the S.O.S. group at BSU.  (Student's Offering Support)  A group of current, pre and post doc students in Adult, Higher and Community Ed who get together to casually reflect, share, applaud and support each other through the journey to the EdD.  It's great to hear, first hand, how someone made it work with a full time job, or a new baby or a sick spouse or loved one or how they dealt with challenging faculty or family who don't offer support or just the grueling task of the degree.  We are having such difficulty meeting this year that I thought "Let's try virtual."  If it doesn't have the same feel....or accomplish it's intended purpose, we'll have to try harder to make the physical space and face time work. 

It finally happened that one reading assignment in one class also applied to the same thing in another.  Finally, this is great....

11.3.2010 Wednesday Blog turned in today...

Wednesday survived!  Many things finished today some of the most important being review of comp questions by peers.  It's funny how it's easy to believe someone who has experienced what you have not as an expert...even if they have only done the thing once!!  People marvel at survivors even if it's something minuscule that was survived.  We all have a story to tell and many, many people are anxious not just to listen, but to hang on every single word and believe it as though it were gospel.  Interesting to sit back and watch this little drama unfold.  The awe of the listener and the instantaneous expertness of the storyteller.  It would be easy to be caught up on either side of this word volley. 

11.02.2010 Tuesday Mid Term Elections

I voted, Dennis voted, James refused, Kristen wasn't registered and I don't think Holly or Kelly or Aaron are registered either.  I am allowed to complain.  I didn't like the gifting that was going on outside the poll right up to the door.  I didn't want my vote "bought" with an emery board. 

Have started The Facebook Effect for work's article.  A good read.  Interesting to see where it came from and where they think they are heading. 

Tuesday night's class was enlightening.  The hands on activities are better for me than any lecture.  The prof guided workshops that were very instructional and great jumping off points for discussion amount the class.  I also found that most of my classmates are as stressed as I with this particular class and the workload assigned.  Somehow it's easier to take with company.  Perhaps the analogy of yesterday should be several draft horses pulling in circles.  Speaking of which, the grand kids definitely love the "Scamper" stories of my childhood.  Every week they ask to be told those as we drive to New Castle.  Maybe a book is in the offing.  That may be a good legacy.  Pet stories...I'll have to find some photos of the old biter.  He was one cantankerous Shetland pony. 

11.01.2010 Monday

November 1st!  This is crazy.  By the time November gets here, the year is essentially over.  The mad rush to the end is dizzying.  True to form my workload for this week is inhuman. Presented the book report on Monday ....no one died from it (including me).  The ambiguity of the term creative is both confusing and liberating.  If no one know, concretely what it is, then it's hard to not be accepted as a creative.  Hmmmmm.

Adult Ed has spoiled me.  Having a cohort of colleague/students since 2007 makes it easy to forget the effort required to be accepted by an established group of students and instructors.  I also easily forget how low my "good first impression" quotient is.  That's an important thing to have always before you.  It's such a relief when the acceptance reaches the tipping point.  The stress of pushing up that ramp is akin to a draft horse pulling an overloaded wagon in circles....monumental effort without any accomplishment, so to speak.  I'll get out of the ruts eventually.  It's just lonely until it happens. 

Very enjoyable evening spent in respite in the media room.  I need to soundproof that room.  I am torn between time with the husband and working on the projects I have looming.  I can't seem to do both concurrently.  I either sit with him glued to the TV or I'm sequestered in my room working.  I read an article about the preponderance of loneliness of 50 somethings.  They will go shopping, not to buy or communicate but just to be in the same vicinity of other people.  Maybe that's how he can pass depression tests.  He's not depressed...just lonely.  He needs another wife....right now I'm a grad student and I can't do both of those well concurrently either!  lol

10.31.2010 Halloween Sunday

Didn't feel like Halloween or Sunday today.  Kelly had to work this entire weekend, so my number was called up for childcare for 1/2 a day.  I had intended to take the kids to church somewhere, but it didn't happen.  We had an enjoyable day though.  I got creative with cuisine and they had a "picnic" in the living room.  All three kids agreed to take naps with little conflict.  I got quite a bit done for a book report even with the childcare underway.  You make do with what you have too.  Not much time to journal...must push on.

 I did find an interesting article that summarizes the discussion that Joe and I had last weekend about higher education and the mentor/mentee relationship.  Also, creativity is just about undefinable and even the experts disagree in the same text about what it is.  You have to know it when you see it. 

10.30.2010 Saturday Trick or Treat Night

Thoroughly enjoyed the luxury of a sleep in morning.  Den's last home health care visit happened today.  That's two milestones in one week for him.  We had in impromptu brunch with the college aged girls.  It was nice to connect with them for the week before the mad rush starts with weekend homework for all three of us. 

I became a consumer this afternoon trying to decide on the best model of heat for the Quilt Cottage.  I had finally settled on a ceramic floor model when I found the last model from last year sitting alone on the display floor.  It is a Franklin Stove wanna be and the model is called the Albion.  Hopefully it was a good choice.  It was just too weird not to get it. 

Kristen took to Halloween decorating with a vengeance.  We lit a fire in the fire pit on the driveway and I made a big pot of Chili.  Trick or treaters were quite different this year.  For one thing they were mostly driven around the neighborhood.  There were many bigger/older treaters and it seemed to end very quickly.  Gnaps were exhausted so they went home about dark and the remainder of us watched a couple of pits full of wood burn.  We all had too much to do, but couldn't be pulled away from the perfect weather, the nice fire and the pleasant conversation.  Pictures will be forthcoming, I just don't have time to upload them right now.  First Halloween in a long time that I haven't been in costume.  That's how hectic this fall has been.

10.29.2010 Friday

I learned today that in addition to the G.R.E., grad schools everywhere should require (and pay for) speed reading courses.  The exorbitant amount of reading that is required is a known and should be anticipated and dealt with in a head-on fashion.  When I'm in the midst of the huge amount of text and articles I tend to have a head on and it's with my head hitting on my desk. 

Started my qualitative research project tonight with the first interview.  It was pleasant and now to compile the field notes and start transcription.  I hope that I'm faster at that than the written word.  Couldn't resist the urge to chill. 

Found out today that one of my parent's close friends and a role model for me, Agnes Hartman, had passed away this week.  We definitely would have paid our condolences if we had known.  Some things, like a life celebration, just take precedence over our insane schedules and to do lists.  Sometimes it is really hard to decide between best and better. 

10.28.2010 Thursday

Even with a late start this morning, much was accomplished today.  Made some real headway at work, got an important package sent off and learned quite a bit about generational differences in class.  I didn't realize that the kids are in two different classifications.  Older two are Gen Xers and the younger are in the yet unnamed Gen13.  Going through the characteristics of each generation is fascinating.  No wonder people in families don't see eye-to-eye.  They have totally different lenses and perspectives.  I want to read more about that.  Den and I took the AQ test tonight and he scored a 17 and I scored an 18.  That too is interesting.  Adults can score very high on this battery and still function in society. 

Den's wound vac was dc'd today.  He was happy about that and he's lost 10 pounds from the hospital stay and keeping his eating more in line.  Oldest son is not feeling well.  He thinks it's a seasonal malady.  I hope he feels better after resting tomorrow.  I told him to eat hot-n-sour soup (like he didn't know to do that)....he already had.  Someday I'll learn that suggestions unsolicited come across as nagging. 

10.27.2010 Wednesday

This was a productive day.  I was given the green light to do the research that is required for Tuesday.  This is going to be a mad dash to get all the interviewing and observation in before then.  Big presentation on Monday and more publications due on Tuesday night.  Research to write for work, for three classes and annotated bibliography to start and keep.  I am overwhelmed.  I made a path through the library floor tonight at Royal Oak simply because I'm going to have to have the shovel for snow soon.  There are empty shelves, just no time to get a cataloging system figured out and implemented.  This too shall pass.  Paid some bills. made some headway at work, not a great day, not a bad day, just a day on the journey.

Relationships are the most important thing I've got.  I tend to forget how important they are and how difficult they are to maintain.  I need to take the advise of a high school chum and "do whatever it takes, spend whatever you have to keep your kids close."  That's a different kind of goal.  

10.26.2010 Tuesday

Back to life as we know it.  Work, school, home.  In that order.  I know that I have had an overload of theory and not much of it has made an indent in my memory.  I'm either going to have to go the flashcard route or else figure out some other way to ingest all of this.

I did discover OneNote today.  I had not ever explored this Microsoft product.  It looks to be very helpful but the lack of wireless connectivity in AT made the 1 minute video unviewable.  It looks like a product I will most definitely use in the spring semester if I can't master it for fall.  I actually did get some assignments submitted and even started to read somethings that are due next week.  Somehow I'm going to have to by-pass my all-or-nothing mentality and it-must-be-done-in-order study ethic to plow through what I need to read.  I can see the merit of audio textbooks.  How's come someone hasn't thought of this?  That's crazy to let the ears stay dormant when doing internet research.....

Back to stark reality. Den's foot needed some immediate attention.  Yet another new Home Health Nurse had not secured the dressing correctly and it had slide around to the bottom of his foot leaving a wound screaming for help in the only way it could through ofactory messaging.  I hope it didn't go too long.  He is so very close to having this over and done with that I don't want a slip up to cause a major set back.  I got the dressing changed in pretty swift order.  I am stilled totally amazed and humbled by the fortitude I've been given for all things medical during this semester.  Everyone who knows me well is also amazed that I can even be in the same room, let alone the one administering the medical procedure.  Holly too had a milestone today with her first live person IV.  She did well and even with the tornado sirens blaring she found the vein with one stick.  That's a big hurdle for any nursing student. 

10.25.2010 Monday

Heidi and the kids took me to the airport.  They all walked me to security and after 4 goodbyes I had a few tears flowing.  (I've learned I can get through maybe 2 goodbyes but 4 was too much).  The flight to IND was full and I toyed with the idea of volunteering to stand by, but didn't.  Rode on a tailwind ahead of tornado's that hit south of Fort Worth.  Our ride was remarkably smooth for all the turbulence in the atmosphere.  Thank you!  The plane was early but the shuttle bus was late.  I asked to be dropped at the Belltower and was obliged, so I went to class late with my luggage.  The rest of the evening was spent in front of the new dishwasher which Dennis had installed while I was gone.  It just took a flick or two of the circuit breakers to give it life.  We sat there and debriefed while it ran through it inaugural cycles with an empty cavity.  It worked and only dripped a little so one adjustment should bring some much needed efficiency to my life. 

Finished the evening sprawled in a recliner even though those 20+ hours of non-studied requirements were still packed into my book bag.  Sometimes, you just have to chill. 

10.24.2010 Sunday

Hotel breakfast where it was discovered that Lizzy is speaking in sentences.  She said "Da da ook" and pointed to the Cheerios she had dropped on the floor.  Another trip to take advantage of an indoor pool/hot tub and then pack up and head for the north.  We found the settlement of Gruene Texas to be quite quaint and the Gristmill Restaurant on the Guadalupe River to be wonderful.  We did a short jaunt down the main street but with the 3 youngun's decided against the Clay Festival tents and headed for Fort Worth about 2:00pm.  The kids slept most of the way and the adults shared ideologies, theories and personality discoveries most of the way home.  It was good to have this time for conversation and rest for those who tired of the dialogue. 

A quick stop for Blizzards and Bottom changes and we were on the last leg of the journey arriving at Glenann Drive at 6:30pm.  The rest of the evening was recovery time with the kids playing and the adults doing well to stay upright.  Watched some of the Cowboys/Yankees football game but we all gave in to sleep rather early.  Abby, Joey and I shared the big bed and the kids slept well. 

I've learned that when I schedule a trip too far in advance I ruminate on what will happen, how it will happen and the way I'll feel while it's happening way too much.  I get this June Cleaver existence scripted and when things deviate from that script I am surprised and often time disappointed.  There are no retakes in life and I like to think I'm flexible, but the script that I've embedded in my head is strong and keeps wanting to pull me toward it and I want to take those with me to the shoot.  I know the kids need lead time to plan, but I also need time  but mine needs to be substantially shorter or my script becomes to elaborate and convoluted to where no character actor could ever follow or perform to my high standards.  We all know that June Cleaver died last week and somehow I need to let my script die also.  Right now the Thanksgiving 2010 script is forming and it too will be a re-run of disappointment if I can't figure out how to turn it into America's Home Videos or something like it that is not so dramatic, perfect and Hollywood.  After all we're not even close to California and the actors aren't union or even paid.  We're all fallible people and to adapt the Will Rogers quote "I wouldn't be a part of any script with my name written into it because I will make the show a disaster."

10.23.2010 Tippey's Wedding

We made preparations for the big adventure to San Antonio (actually New Braunfels) Texas.  Heidi had tried a noble experiment and prepared and baked a breakfast Quiche the night before.  It worked famously, so we had a tasty breakfast and packed up to go without too much difficulty.  Everyone was in high spirits and "You're a Good Sport Charlie Brown" played on the overhead video system.  We put Andy the GPS voice through his paces hunting down a luncheon spot.  He didn't do a stellar job and after several attempts at better fare we ended up at a Whataburger, which was fine by me because I can't get it at home (my mantra for dining while on the road).  We found our hotel which was new and nice and changed clothes and loaded up again to find the wedding.  Andy did cooperate this time and we found the homestead where the outdoor, picnic style nuptials were to take place.  Tippey met guests before the ceremony and he was wonderfully excited.  It was sad news to learn that his mother is in the grips of Alzheimer's and in a nursing facility.  My estimation is that she is maybe 58 years old.  There was a fitting tribute to her during the wedding.  The soon-to-be Dr. and Mrs. Tippey will be residing in Marion, Indiana and looking for work.  It was good to meet Rachel and reconnect with Brett.  I haven't been called Jomomma for quite a few years, that brought back some wonderful memories.

Many, many children played and romped during the reception.  I had fun chasing our three.  Heidi had dressed them in coordinated clothing of teal.  It is amazing how color can aid in detection of vagrant children off to explore on their own.  The only casualties of the event were ant bites on one of Abby's hands and a toddler bite on Heidi's shoulder.  We finished the evening off in the chilly hotel pool and perfect hotel hot tub which were both filled with salt water. (a first for me)  Abby and I struggled through some float-on-your-back-I-don't-want-to lessons, but hopefully no damage was done.  The kids all slept together on a pull out sofa and because of my lumberjack snoring, we endured the night.  In retrospect, I should have booked a separate room and maybe taken some or all of the kids in it to give Heidi and Joe a teeny, weeny vacation, but as always hindsight is 20/20.  What is a symptom of poor mental health???  Doing the same things and expecting different results.  Maybe I will finally learn that people need space and don't like to be stacked too tightly on vacation trips.