Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Please Pray
Pray for my friend Nancy. She was in a serious car accident yesterday and is in the hospital with every rib on her left side broken, a broken right wrist, a cracked vertebrae in her neck, pelvis broken in 3 places, and some internal bleeding.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Fall Allergy Season
Why I'm glad I moved from sw Ohio:
Here is the full list of top 10 fall allergy capitals:
McAllen, Texas
Wichita, Kan.
Louisville, Ky.
Oklahoma City
Jackson, Miss.
Dayton, Ohio
Augusta, Ga.
Tulsa, Okla.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Little Rock, Ark.
Here is the full list of top 10 fall allergy capitals:
McAllen, Texas
Wichita, Kan.
Louisville, Ky.
Oklahoma City
Jackson, Miss.
Dayton, Ohio
Augusta, Ga.
Tulsa, Okla.
Knoxville, Tenn.
Little Rock, Ark.
Wii Mii
Last night I tried the bubble game again on Wii. I’ve made it all the way down the river to the finish line only once. Last night my bubble popped on one of the points. I never noticed this before but my Mom and Dad were standing there waving to me as I was supposed to go past. It is funny to see their Miis!
I’m having fun with the hula hoop. Last night I caught all the flying ones!
I’m having fun with the hula hoop. Last night I caught all the flying ones!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Psalm 106:15
For the last year or so Tuesday mroning of month end week has been very, very busy because we have not been running checks on Monday. We ran checks on Monday for the first four years I was here so at last week's work team meeting I brought this up. Everyone agreed to do what was necessary on Friday to run checks on Monday.
Today I had conference call at 9:00 and a meeting at 1:00 at another building. In addition I had major issues with the check printer and major issues with my cash tie out macro. So instead of just spreading the work, I ended up with a very distressful day. Work that is typically done by noon got finished after 4:00!
I'm mentally exhausted tonight, but I got what I asked for. I printed checks on Monday.
Today I had conference call at 9:00 and a meeting at 1:00 at another building. In addition I had major issues with the check printer and major issues with my cash tie out macro. So instead of just spreading the work, I ended up with a very distressful day. Work that is typically done by noon got finished after 4:00!
I'm mentally exhausted tonight, but I got what I asked for. I printed checks on Monday.
Recently I made a Mii of each of my immediate family members so that when I Wii I have familiar faces/people around me, on my team, etc.
Imagine my surprise this morning when I did Basic Step for the first time right between my mother on the left and Mark on the right! May I just say my mom was putting it on!!! And my brother doesn’t look half bad with a goatee.
I had perfect balance this morning on the body test this morning with my eyes closed! I actually did better than when I keep my eyes open!
This morning I hula hooped for the first time. Ummm, I need more time to get the hang of catching the hoops as they kept bouncing off my head.
Imagine my surprise this morning when I did Basic Step for the first time right between my mother on the left and Mark on the right! May I just say my mom was putting it on!!! And my brother doesn’t look half bad with a goatee.
I had perfect balance this morning on the body test this morning with my eyes closed! I actually did better than when I keep my eyes open!
This morning I hula hooped for the first time. Ummm, I need more time to get the hang of catching the hoops as they kept bouncing off my head.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
I Met a Celebrity
This morning at church I met the co-founder of Liberty University. I was sitting in the lobby reading a book during Sunday School when a man walked in and asked if coffee was available. He asked if I was part of the church when Pastor Boger was there that he came to Vacation Bible School and got saved at church with Pastor Boger. Then he heard that Pastor Wood was at church. He had started another church with Pastor David Wood (a different Pastor Wood). Then came the clincher. He was visiting his mother at her nursing home when his wallet was stolen. He needed some money for gas. Yes, I was a bit concerned as my purse was on the floor. He started to go downstairs for coffee when he came back and told me that he founded Liberty University with Jerry Falwell. He pulled out a couple chains from his shirt and said he had this jewelry but his wallet was stolen with all his credit cards.
He cornered another man on his way downstair asking for money. Apparently he told his story to several others before coming back upstairs. He told one man that his wallet had just been stolen at Rainbow Grill, but the man told him that Rainbow Grill isn't open on Sunday so there's no way his wallet was stolen. The guy was rather loud.
He finally walked out but was catching people walking in telling them his wallet was stolen. Then he got in his car and sat for awhile.
Finally a man from my church got his vehicle tag number and called the police. They came within about five minutes and the office started talking to the guy. He turned to the guy from my church and said, "He's ok." The man from church walked in frustrated saying that the guy was either high or on drugs. The officer kept talking to the guy and looking at ID. Apparently he had a wallet to show the officer his ID.
Another officer drove up and took over at the driver's side while the first office went over to the passenger side. In a minute or so he got a young boy out of the car and took him to the police car.
At that point I was very torn between continuing to watch and going into church as it was about to start. I opted for church so I don't know the outcome.
My guess is that the guy was high so the officers took the child away for his safety. Who knows what happened to either the child or the guy?
I've had enough of 911 calls for a long, long time!
He cornered another man on his way downstair asking for money. Apparently he told his story to several others before coming back upstairs. He told one man that his wallet had just been stolen at Rainbow Grill, but the man told him that Rainbow Grill isn't open on Sunday so there's no way his wallet was stolen. The guy was rather loud.
He finally walked out but was catching people walking in telling them his wallet was stolen. Then he got in his car and sat for awhile.
Finally a man from my church got his vehicle tag number and called the police. They came within about five minutes and the office started talking to the guy. He turned to the guy from my church and said, "He's ok." The man from church walked in frustrated saying that the guy was either high or on drugs. The officer kept talking to the guy and looking at ID. Apparently he had a wallet to show the officer his ID.
Another officer drove up and took over at the driver's side while the first office went over to the passenger side. In a minute or so he got a young boy out of the car and took him to the police car.
At that point I was very torn between continuing to watch and going into church as it was about to start. I opted for church so I don't know the outcome.
My guess is that the guy was high so the officers took the child away for his safety. Who knows what happened to either the child or the guy?
I've had enough of 911 calls for a long, long time!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Neighborhood Pancake Breakfast
Usually each summer I've hosted a cookout for the 10 condo owners on my street, but this year it just didn't happen. I decided to do a pumpkin pancake breakfast as fall arrived, and when I found out the couple down the street would be moving in early November knew I had to get it scheduled.
Yesterday I worked really hard to get everything set which means house cleaned, pickup a table at Renae's, move some chairs around to make movement easier, set up two tables and all the chairs in the sunroom, get the food table set, and put out all the ingredients that didn't have to be refrigerated.
This morning was the Fall Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast. 10 people from 8 condos came for a 9:00 breakfast. One couple brought juice and one lady brought fruit. Renae came at 8:15 to help me. I had the pancake batter mixed and was mixing eggs. She brought sausage and made the bacon and sausage in the oven. She also took care of coffee and got the food out on the table. Linda was a huge help as well. Renae helped the old people get their food at one table and Linda helped them get seated in the sunroom. I just kept making pancakes. I made plain, chocolate chip, pumpkin, and pumpkin with chocolate chip pancakes. The eggs were scrambled plain and scrambled with ham, onion, and green pepper. Somehow the cheese never got on top of those.
We sat around the table for about an hour and then quite a few left. Linda and Ruth were wonderful to help until everything was cleaned up.
I enjoy doing pancake breakfasts and everything is set for my annual Hudsonville pancake breakfast following the Hudsonville Holiday parade.
Yesterday I worked really hard to get everything set which means house cleaned, pickup a table at Renae's, move some chairs around to make movement easier, set up two tables and all the chairs in the sunroom, get the food table set, and put out all the ingredients that didn't have to be refrigerated.
This morning was the Fall Pumpkin Pancake Breakfast. 10 people from 8 condos came for a 9:00 breakfast. One couple brought juice and one lady brought fruit. Renae came at 8:15 to help me. I had the pancake batter mixed and was mixing eggs. She brought sausage and made the bacon and sausage in the oven. She also took care of coffee and got the food out on the table. Linda was a huge help as well. Renae helped the old people get their food at one table and Linda helped them get seated in the sunroom. I just kept making pancakes. I made plain, chocolate chip, pumpkin, and pumpkin with chocolate chip pancakes. The eggs were scrambled plain and scrambled with ham, onion, and green pepper. Somehow the cheese never got on top of those.
We sat around the table for about an hour and then quite a few left. Linda and Ruth were wonderful to help until everything was cleaned up.
I enjoy doing pancake breakfasts and everything is set for my annual Hudsonville pancake breakfast following the Hudsonville Holiday parade.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Award
When everyone got to work this morning, I told them my story from last night. Mid-morning I walked into our office area and they called me to stop where most of my co-workers sit. They gave me the card and "plaque" pictured below. It was interesting and with my personality struck me funny, but they were seriously glad that I got involved last night with the missing boy.
I gave a Grammy-style acceptance speech thanking everyone and that it was a team effort as they had helped build into me confidence to make the call. I even rushed at the end as I thought the music would be starting any minute to go to commercial.
I'm just glad no one did a Kanye West during my speech!
I gave a Grammy-style acceptance speech thanking everyone and that it was a team effort as they had helped build into me confidence to make the call. I even rushed at the end as I thought the music would be starting any minute to go to commercial.
I'm just glad no one did a Kanye West during my speech!
9-1-1 Call
Last night was the last night of my class and since group presentations take various amounts of time we actually were out a bit early. Because of that I was almost home about 9:45 p.m. Ready to turn onto the street just before mine, I noticed a boy of about 8 or 9 crossing the street carrying his shoes. I was on the phone with my sister and told her that it seemed bizarre. It was too late on a school night for a child that age to be walking alone, and even though it was warm for October 21 it was too weird to be walking barefoot. I got off the phone, turned around and watched him for a minute while waiting at the intersection. A sheriff’s car drove by so I hoped the officer would see him as he had walked out onto the street and back onto the grass a couple of times. The officer drove by him.
I turned and saw the boy had crossed the street which is the second major thoroughfare of town—four lanes of undivided street with fast moving cars and semis. I drove a bit quickly to the sheriff’s satellite office about three blocks away hoping the officer was headed there.
I didn’t see a car at city hall so I called 911. Right away I said I didn’t think it was an emergency so if they needed to patch me to a non-emergency dispatch and tried to quickly explain the situation—what I had seen and where it was. She began asking very specific questions about where I saw the boy, which direction he was walking, which side of the road, etc. When I said that an officer had driven by the boy she said all the officers were on another call, but then she told me to hold and went to another line.
I turned around to see if I could still find the boy. The dispatcher came back on and said that they were looking for a boy in the area. She asked his race, hair color, etc. and wondered if I could still see him. By now he had turned down a side street. I told her I saw him and he was wearing a dark sweatshirt and maybe camouflage pants. I asked her what to do, do you want me to stop? She never really would say except don’t scare him. Because she was slow to answer and I was driving slowly wondering what to do I decided to drive by him to not be slowly following him and then scare him. I told the dispatcher I had driven by him and should I turn around. Yes, turn around.
Just before I got to him, an officer with lights off pulled up to the boy. Within five seconds two more cars pulled up. I had pulled over and thanked the officers for getting there quickly that I had called 911.
The officer wanted my license plate number to know who he was talking with and who had made the call. I was a bit afraid it was for that U-turn in the street I had made about a minute earlier.
I told both the dispatcher and the officer that I wasn’t sure about calling 911 that it seemed a bit extreme and chances were it was a neighborhood kid who had just stayed out too late and was going home.
Both thanked me for calling 911. The officer said, “We’ve been looking for this kid since 5:30 and he had threatened to kill himself.”
I turned and saw the boy had crossed the street which is the second major thoroughfare of town—four lanes of undivided street with fast moving cars and semis. I drove a bit quickly to the sheriff’s satellite office about three blocks away hoping the officer was headed there.
I didn’t see a car at city hall so I called 911. Right away I said I didn’t think it was an emergency so if they needed to patch me to a non-emergency dispatch and tried to quickly explain the situation—what I had seen and where it was. She began asking very specific questions about where I saw the boy, which direction he was walking, which side of the road, etc. When I said that an officer had driven by the boy she said all the officers were on another call, but then she told me to hold and went to another line.
I turned around to see if I could still find the boy. The dispatcher came back on and said that they were looking for a boy in the area. She asked his race, hair color, etc. and wondered if I could still see him. By now he had turned down a side street. I told her I saw him and he was wearing a dark sweatshirt and maybe camouflage pants. I asked her what to do, do you want me to stop? She never really would say except don’t scare him. Because she was slow to answer and I was driving slowly wondering what to do I decided to drive by him to not be slowly following him and then scare him. I told the dispatcher I had driven by him and should I turn around. Yes, turn around.
Just before I got to him, an officer with lights off pulled up to the boy. Within five seconds two more cars pulled up. I had pulled over and thanked the officers for getting there quickly that I had called 911.
The officer wanted my license plate number to know who he was talking with and who had made the call. I was a bit afraid it was for that U-turn in the street I had made about a minute earlier.
I told both the dispatcher and the officer that I wasn’t sure about calling 911 that it seemed a bit extreme and chances were it was a neighborhood kid who had just stayed out too late and was going home.
Both thanked me for calling 911. The officer said, “We’ve been looking for this kid since 5:30 and he had threatened to kill himself.”
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wii Weeeeeeeeeee
This morning I set new records for all my yoga poses on the Wii! Woo-hoo. Maybe it is good to take a two day break—one was Sunday and I’d left the Wii at Renae’s because of limited time in the morning, and yesterday I had left the Wiimote at Renae’s when packing up the Wii on Sunday.
Just a few of the things I said to my “trainer” this morning:
Good morning to you too.
Yes, let’s get’s started.
Are you kidding me???? Actually more like
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????
OH, SHUT UP!!!!
I didn’t have time to do any Balance games—maybe tonight, and I can set more new records since Renae went through all my games and beat me last Thursday while I wasn’t around. I’m frustrated by the Bubble Game. My bubble has gotten 2 and 4 feet from the end of the river and it pops!!!
Renae also says I have to try real skiing again this winter after advancing to the next level in skiing slalom. She’s very proud of me that I haven’t just sat down on the Fit board like I do when I freak out on real skis.
Anyone have a Wii? What other games should I consider getting?
Just a few of the things I said to my “trainer” this morning:
Good morning to you too.
Yes, let’s get’s started.
Are you kidding me???? Actually more like
ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????
OH, SHUT UP!!!!
I didn’t have time to do any Balance games—maybe tonight, and I can set more new records since Renae went through all my games and beat me last Thursday while I wasn’t around. I’m frustrated by the Bubble Game. My bubble has gotten 2 and 4 feet from the end of the river and it pops!!!
Renae also says I have to try real skiing again this winter after advancing to the next level in skiing slalom. She’s very proud of me that I haven’t just sat down on the Fit board like I do when I freak out on real skis.
Anyone have a Wii? What other games should I consider getting?
Moving for Work--Again
I’m moving again for work, and I have mixed emotions so to follow my sister’s style:
UP—two miles closer to home
DOWN—I’ve grown to like working in a manufacturing facility with it’s movement and energy.
UP—we will back in the same building with a group we sat beside in our old facility, and I eat lunch every couple of weeks with a friend in that department. It will be easier to coordinate with her.
DOWN—the office area is all finance so I probably don’t need to say anymore, but it’s really, really, really quiet there because everyone is so “heads down” working.
UP—the “spine” that runs between two manufacturing areas is a great place to walk in inclement weather
DOWN—it’s a finance area so I don’t think I’ll have the chance to meet and interact with people in other areas as much like I have at Marketplace and Greenhouse
UP—did I mention it’s two miles closer to home
DOWN—we will be working by people who do what we do but for corporate. Be afraid if we’re told to cross-train to back each other up because we are the step children of Finance.
UP—two miles closer to home
UP—two miles closer to home
DOWN—I’ve grown to like working in a manufacturing facility with it’s movement and energy.
UP—we will back in the same building with a group we sat beside in our old facility, and I eat lunch every couple of weeks with a friend in that department. It will be easier to coordinate with her.
DOWN—the office area is all finance so I probably don’t need to say anymore, but it’s really, really, really quiet there because everyone is so “heads down” working.
UP—the “spine” that runs between two manufacturing areas is a great place to walk in inclement weather
DOWN—it’s a finance area so I don’t think I’ll have the chance to meet and interact with people in other areas as much like I have at Marketplace and Greenhouse
UP—did I mention it’s two miles closer to home
DOWN—we will be working by people who do what we do but for corporate. Be afraid if we’re told to cross-train to back each other up because we are the step children of Finance.
UP—two miles closer to home
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Fall Color Flight
No pictures yet--I actually used the old film camera instead of digital--but today I did one of the coolest things since I've moved to Michigan. Renae had bought an airplane ride at a Christian school auction quite awhile ago and scheduled the ride for today in order to see the fall colors. While we are not quite at peak, it was just gorgeous from the sky. Today is sunny and pretty clear so we could see about 20 miles from the air. We went out over the lake (Lake Michigan for you non-Michigan residents) and around Holland then down the lake shore a few miles and back for a very smooth landing. Except for a couple of bumps it was a very pleasant ride.
Now to go get pictures developed. I honestly can't remember the last time I did that!
Now to go get pictures developed. I honestly can't remember the last time I did that!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Some Days It Doesn't Pay to Get Out of Bed
A friend forwarded this from a business acquaintance. As my friend said, "And you think you've got it bad."
I have late disseminated stages of Lyme Disease. I have been working half days in the office, when I can go in. I will be starting IV antibiotics in a few weeks. My dr wanted me to be stop work back in July and go on STD/LTD.. I am not ready to not work. I am not allowed to drive. I'll keep this short. My mom totaled my car after taking me to my in-laws for them to take care of me while I went through my first treatment last month. Mom only had 3 broken ribs and no one else was hurt, My car did not survive. Once my husband dealt with the insurance I ended up with my dream car a Cadillac CTS :) Well after sleeping for about 3 days straight I wanted to borrow my mother in laws car just to go about 1/2 mile, well after the massage I was out of it and thought my lane's light turned green but it didn't and I went, I was slammed over to the other side of the intersection and 3 other cars were involved. No one was hurt, thank goodness. So now I am on super restriction. My next Dr appointment is the 27th that's when we decide to start IVs.
I have late disseminated stages of Lyme Disease. I have been working half days in the office, when I can go in. I will be starting IV antibiotics in a few weeks. My dr wanted me to be stop work back in July and go on STD/LTD.. I am not ready to not work. I am not allowed to drive. I'll keep this short. My mom totaled my car after taking me to my in-laws for them to take care of me while I went through my first treatment last month. Mom only had 3 broken ribs and no one else was hurt, My car did not survive. Once my husband dealt with the insurance I ended up with my dream car a Cadillac CTS :) Well after sleeping for about 3 days straight I wanted to borrow my mother in laws car just to go about 1/2 mile, well after the massage I was out of it and thought my lane's light turned green but it didn't and I went, I was slammed over to the other side of the intersection and 3 other cars were involved. No one was hurt, thank goodness. So now I am on super restriction. My next Dr appointment is the 27th that's when we decide to start IVs.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
School Supply List
Why is this odd to us, but a box of kleenex was a staple on the back to school list?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Garden Emotions
This was an evening of mixed emotions. I love the garden but it's fall, and I'm ready to be done with it. Tonight after dinner Renae and I went out to pull out tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, and the worst--corn. We cut some to use for decorating but most got pulled up to go on the compost pile. We laughed when I said, "And to think we were so excited when we saw the first corn stalks pushing through the soil in early June!"
We put the gazing ball, the "Rhoda" figurine (Renae thought it looked like me so she bought it for my flower garden), and the garden plaque into the barn.
I may Rhoda-till the garden on Saturday or it may wait until spring. . .I think I'm finished with this year's garden.
We put the gazing ball, the "Rhoda" figurine (Renae thought it looked like me so she bought it for my flower garden), and the garden plaque into the barn.
I may Rhoda-till the garden on Saturday or it may wait until spring. . .I think I'm finished with this year's garden.
Monday, October 12, 2009
What a Rip-Off!
Having made no claims in five years, my insurance company has rewarded me by raising my condo insurance premium from $146 to $195 in two years!!!
I just got off the phone to double the deductible lowering the premium to $156. Dave Ramsey would be pleased, I think.
I just got off the phone to double the deductible lowering the premium to $156. Dave Ramsey would be pleased, I think.
Hoekstra for Governor
HOLLAND, MI - October 8, 2009- The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today honored Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) as a Taxpayer Hero for scoring 81 percent on its 2008 Congressional Ratings. The average for the entire House was 35 percent, and the average for the Senate was 38 percent; this makes Rep. Hoekstra's achievement that much more impressive. Since 1989, CCAGW has tracked roll call votes to separate the taxpayer advocates in Congress from those who favor wasteful programs and pork-barrel spending.
The 2008 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2008, the second session of the 110th Congress. CCAGW rated 48 key votes in the House and 42 in the Senate.
"Rep. Hoekstra put the interests of taxpayers ahead of politics by consistently voting to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers," said CCAGW President Tom Schatz. "The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers' wallets.
Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt. Rep. Hoekstra's votes give taxpayers hope for the future." House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent. In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.
Hoekstra said, "I am honored to have earned this recognition and I look forward to bringing this same taxpayer friendly leadership to Lansing and becoming Michigan's Taxpayer Superhero as the next Governor and rein in the out of control spending."
The 2008 Congressional Ratings cover the voting year 2008, the second session of the 110th Congress. CCAGW rated 48 key votes in the House and 42 in the Senate.
"Rep. Hoekstra put the interests of taxpayers ahead of politics by consistently voting to cut wasteful spending, reduce the tax burden, and make government more accountable to taxpayers," said CCAGW President Tom Schatz. "The 2008 Congressional Ratings show that many elected officials continue to demonstrate little regard for the harmful effect a large and cumbersome federal government has on taxpayers' wallets.
Out-of-control spending reigned over Capitol Hill, leading to a record $1.6 trillion deficit in fiscal year 2009, and an $11.8 trillion national debt. Rep. Hoekstra's votes give taxpayers hope for the future." House Democrats scored an average of 6 percent; House Republicans scored an average of 70 percent. In the Senate, the average for Democrats was 4 percent, and Republicans averaged 72 percent.
Hoekstra said, "I am honored to have earned this recognition and I look forward to bringing this same taxpayer friendly leadership to Lansing and becoming Michigan's Taxpayer Superhero as the next Governor and rein in the out of control spending."
Quotes
Thanks to Jayne from Handbells' mother for providing my Sunday lunch entertainment by describing someone as "hotter than Dutch love!"
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Power
Why is it harder to sleep when the power is out?
Last night at 11:30ish the power went out, and it woke me up. How can that be?
Last night at 11:30ish the power went out, and it woke me up. How can that be?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Vote for Matt
A dear friend has asked me to help her son. Matt is a volunteer fireman who is part of a contest to get free lasik eye surgery. He cannot wear contacts when he is fighting fires due to the risk of the contacts melting to his eyes. Apparently he has a prescription mask on his head gear but the distance from his eyes makes that not an optimal solution.
There are quite a few people who have signed up for this so there is no way you can read through all the bios, but a few of those (not all) I read seemed rather shallow for wanting to have the surgery.
If you would be interested in helping Matt win, go to http://www.seeitclear.com/ , click on Click Here to Vote. You can read through bios (Matt’s is quite a few pages through as his last name is Weston) or you can just click on Vote Now after any bio. That will take you to a screen where only the names are listed and you can choose Matt Weston.
Thanks, and I know my friend and her son will appreciate it.
There are quite a few people who have signed up for this so there is no way you can read through all the bios, but a few of those (not all) I read seemed rather shallow for wanting to have the surgery.
If you would be interested in helping Matt win, go to http://www.seeitclear.com/ , click on Click Here to Vote. You can read through bios (Matt’s is quite a few pages through as his last name is Weston) or you can just click on Vote Now after any bio. That will take you to a screen where only the names are listed and you can choose Matt Weston.
Thanks, and I know my friend and her son will appreciate it.
Library Fine
Before leaving on vacation I checked out three books at the library. I kept them the three allotted weeks returning two and re-checking one on a Thursday. When I returned the third book and checked out a book on CD I was told I had a fine on two of the books one of which I just returned. I apparently had checked them out on a Tuesday instead of a Thursday.
I told the librarian that I had actually checked out a third book so I needed to have a fine for that one as well. Now I knew my fine wasn’t going to fund any great purchases for the library, but I messed up so I wanted to make it right. She looked through the system and couldn’t find a record of my having checked out that book. She not only didn’t charge me a fine for that book she took off the fine on the other books as well even though I had my money out to pay for it.
I had two thoughts as I walked out:
1) Honesty pays as she deleted the other fines when I was honest about the other book.
2) Lady, if someone wants to pay a fine—take the money. How many people try to dodge the fine no matter how small.
I told the librarian that I had actually checked out a third book so I needed to have a fine for that one as well. Now I knew my fine wasn’t going to fund any great purchases for the library, but I messed up so I wanted to make it right. She looked through the system and couldn’t find a record of my having checked out that book. She not only didn’t charge me a fine for that book she took off the fine on the other books as well even though I had my money out to pay for it.
I had two thoughts as I walked out:
1) Honesty pays as she deleted the other fines when I was honest about the other book.
2) Lady, if someone wants to pay a fine—take the money. How many people try to dodge the fine no matter how small.
An Evening of Cultural Improvement
Last night Renae and I walked around downtown GR to look at the top ten entries in ArtPrize. ArtPrize is an international art competition sponsored mainly by the Devos family along with other philanthropists in which the public votes for the top entries and the winner. So far I’ve only read about ArtPrize in the newspaper, but I thought I needed to take advantage of an event like this.
It was the perfect night to walk downtown. I used Google pedometer to map out our trek to the 10 pieces—roughly 1.578 miles if we parked on the Fulton Street Bridge.
After a stop at the orchard to pick up Ida Red apples for sauce and an extra benefit of picking a small basket of concord grapes, we found the perfect parking spot on the bridge. We walked along the river to see the Nessie monster, the table and chairs, and the two dancing sculptures. From there we went to the B.O.B. and saw the Moose. There were lots of other exhibits there as well. The car that is the optical illusion to appear as if it’s down in the parking lot was interesting as well. From there we began walking to the Old Federal Building but stopped for supper at the Sundance Grill.
Renae ordered a western omelet with raisin toast, and I ordered a Maryland crab omelet with western toast. I had commented (probably more than once) that I liked trying a local place and not just going to a chain eatery as well as about the variety of ingredients and items on the menu. The two plates came out wrapped in a tortilla shell. We both looked at it and I said, “Well, maybe they serve their omelets in a wrap. I cut into mine, and thought that it didn’t look real eggy and the bite of meat tasted more like chicken instead of crab. Renae cut into hers and said she could find the ham and what were black beans and corn doing in her omelet. It seemed logical to me that a “western” omelet may have black beans in it. When the server came back by we asked what the plates were and she said “Chicken burritos”. She went to check on something and then came back to take the plates.
Renae and I just laughed and laughed that we actually cut into burritos when we’d ordered omelets. After the fact as we laughed, we realized that the rice should have been a clue as well as no raisin toast.
Apparently in our efforts to improve ourselves culturally with so much art, we got “wrapped” up in a menu that wasn’t typical fair and were more than willing to expand our culinary palates as well.
Then we went to the Old Federal Building where we saw three of the top ten. All three there were really interesting. I especially liked the push pin portraits and the water scene. From there it was off to the Children’s Museum to Imagine That. It was an interesting mural that probably would be better in the daylight to see the colors, and then to the last of the top 10 at the UICA. It was a balloon sculpture. That doesn’t do it justice though.
It is interesting what is called art—some made me think, ummm I could do that, some was just a Wow!!! moment, and some made me wonder how the artist got the meaning he did from his work.
I think I’m too literal of a thinker to be an artist or an art connoisseur.
It was the perfect night to walk downtown. I used Google pedometer to map out our trek to the 10 pieces—roughly 1.578 miles if we parked on the Fulton Street Bridge.
After a stop at the orchard to pick up Ida Red apples for sauce and an extra benefit of picking a small basket of concord grapes, we found the perfect parking spot on the bridge. We walked along the river to see the Nessie monster, the table and chairs, and the two dancing sculptures. From there we went to the B.O.B. and saw the Moose. There were lots of other exhibits there as well. The car that is the optical illusion to appear as if it’s down in the parking lot was interesting as well. From there we began walking to the Old Federal Building but stopped for supper at the Sundance Grill.
Renae ordered a western omelet with raisin toast, and I ordered a Maryland crab omelet with western toast. I had commented (probably more than once) that I liked trying a local place and not just going to a chain eatery as well as about the variety of ingredients and items on the menu. The two plates came out wrapped in a tortilla shell. We both looked at it and I said, “Well, maybe they serve their omelets in a wrap. I cut into mine, and thought that it didn’t look real eggy and the bite of meat tasted more like chicken instead of crab. Renae cut into hers and said she could find the ham and what were black beans and corn doing in her omelet. It seemed logical to me that a “western” omelet may have black beans in it. When the server came back by we asked what the plates were and she said “Chicken burritos”. She went to check on something and then came back to take the plates.
Renae and I just laughed and laughed that we actually cut into burritos when we’d ordered omelets. After the fact as we laughed, we realized that the rice should have been a clue as well as no raisin toast.
Apparently in our efforts to improve ourselves culturally with so much art, we got “wrapped” up in a menu that wasn’t typical fair and were more than willing to expand our culinary palates as well.
Then we went to the Old Federal Building where we saw three of the top ten. All three there were really interesting. I especially liked the push pin portraits and the water scene. From there it was off to the Children’s Museum to Imagine That. It was an interesting mural that probably would be better in the daylight to see the colors, and then to the last of the top 10 at the UICA. It was a balloon sculpture. That doesn’t do it justice though.
It is interesting what is called art—some made me think, ummm I could do that, some was just a Wow!!! moment, and some made me wonder how the artist got the meaning he did from his work.
I think I’m too literal of a thinker to be an artist or an art connoisseur.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Another movie
Typically I'm not a big movie watcher, but I did get two this weekend. The second one I watched was called Taking Chance. It's based on the true story of a military escort on his journey to take the body of a slain soldier from Dover Air Force Base to his burial in Montana.
The movie showed the honor people across the county give to a fallen soldier, and the sacrifice that many people pay for our country.
It's a tear jerker but nothing violent--unless you have a heart of stone, and another movie that kids need to see.
The movie showed the honor people across the county give to a fallen soldier, and the sacrifice that many people pay for our country.
It's a tear jerker but nothing violent--unless you have a heart of stone, and another movie that kids need to see.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Movie Suggestion
Last night I watched "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas". It's a 2008 movie about a Nazi soldier's son who befriends a Jewish boy in a concentration camp. The movie was a bit slow, but very, very powerful. It brought the horrors of the Holocaust without being gruesome. My mother talks of being from the Pollyanna era, and I judge things based on if she would/could watch it. The fact is the Holocaust was horrific, but there not objectionable elements to this film. Junior high and older kids should see this.
Friday, October 2, 2009
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