2-28-09

Anyone who knows me even a little bit, knows that I love and use Bare Escentuals Makeup (BE), so when I saw this ad in yesterday's paper, I couldn't resist, and went in for the free makeover! Gretchen used the Getting Started Kit for Light/Fairly Light complexions, with its eyecolors: White Gold, lashes to brow, Smoke, lashes to crease, and Nurture in the crease and outer >, as well as wetlining the upper and lower lashes. It turned out lovely, in my opinion... soft, subtle, and neutral. Now I feel all pretty for game night at church tonight!

2-27-09

My mom and dad's dinosaur of a computer died several weeks ago, and mom is REALLY missing her e-mail and web surfing, so DH and I bought them a new laptop with Vista, and plan to drive it over to their house next week and get them off of Juno dial-up and onto their phone company's DSL. Mom will be surprised at how much faster it will be!!!

2-26-09

Yesterday's thaw and today's dropping temps brought in a beautiful fog!
Except for my sock puppets, my life was pretty boring today, hence... the weather.

2-25-09

Today

Winter's icicle fingers

Finally released their choke hold on Iowa

Temps tip-toed above freezing

Ice and snow are melting

I chose to walk 3 miles by my favorite creek

(Instead of indoors on a treadmill)

And listen to trickling water

Chirping cardinals and chattering squirrels

2-24-09

Happy Mardi Gras everyone!

2-23-09

OK, I admit it... I am a hopeless romantic! I have watched every season and episode of "The Bachelor/Bachelorette." Tonight was no exception.

2-22-09

Mother-In-Law (95) - - - - - - - - - My Mother (80)

I sat between my mother-in-law and my mother in church this weekend, and took pictures of their hands when they weren't looking. It was probably an irreverent thing to do, but these are my favorite pictures of the eighty-some I took this weekend!

2-21-09-B

Here is my mother-in-law celebrating her 95th birthday! She is simply amazing... still living on her own... and sharp as a tack! We drove to her home this weekend to help her celebrate her birthday. :-)

2-21-09-A

Our dear son flew in on a very bumpy flight from Chicago to help celebrate his paternal grandmother's 95th birthday. Here he is being greeted by his maternal grandparents at the airport. Boy, was he glad to be on the ground after the incoming flight!!! His return flight home was smooth as silk. Thanks, son, for taking the time from your busy schedule, and the money from your wallet, to come celebrate with us! You are the best!!!

2-20-09

YAY! Look what I won on the Majykal forum...their Valentine's Day package!

And last week I won the 2009 playoff color, Nude Beach, on the MM forum! Maybe I should go buy a lottery ticket or something! I've never won anything in my entire life, so this is pretty awesome in my book!

Now... off to a birthday party for a 95 year old... my dear mother-in-law!!!

2-19-09

This is me touching up my grey roots... 'cause we're going to visit the family this weekend to celebrate my mother in law's 95th birthday, and I want to look fabulous!!! I'll be away from a computer for the next three days, so hope to continue taking photos daily, but won't be able to post again until we get back to our computer!

2-18-09-B

Here is wishing my DH a happy birthday today! Love ya, sweetie!
I took him out to lunch at Pancheros, and we shared a burrito in a bowl.
Thanks for the phone calls and happy birthday wishes, kids, and Y & S, we are still playing and laughing at the hoops and yoyo card! Hilarious! Love you all.

2-18-09-A

Every Wednesday morning I go out for breakfast at Village Inn with the girlfriends/ladies from church, and every Wednesday morning I order the same thing: a poached egg, fresh fruit, and a cup of coffee. I must admit, I enjoy the fellowship and visiting more that I do the food!

2-17-09

The only remaining snow on our deck...
The rays of sunrise beginning to do their thing...
more snow on the way tomorrow!

2-16-09

My excitement for the day... going to the grocery store...
I am so blessed to have an abundance of foods from all over the world available to me... when so many in this world struggle to find their next meal!
I AM SO BLESSED!

2-15-09

2-14-09

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! DH and I did a movie matinee and dinner out today, and as I refuse to pay $4.25 for a small bag of M&Ms at the cinema concession stands... we made a pitstop at the local drugstore for some candy snacks to enjoy during the movie!!! Please, don't call the cinema police on me! We saw the movie TAKEN and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire movie! Then we went to Dickie's BBQ for dinner. Nothin' says love like a smoked turkey sandwich and a root beer float!

2-13-09

Sending out happy birthday wishes to my God-daughter, Diany! Happy 15th!

2-12-09

This is the last of the kibble, so had to make a run(drive) to PetsMart and pick up some more kibble for my kitty. She is a weird little thing... eats pineapple, cantaloupe, sunflower seeds, and chips, but won't touch milk/cream, cheese, tuna, chicken, salmon, etc., which any other cat would kill for!!! Yes, she is a weird little thing, but I love her anyway! She makes me smile and keeps me warm when she curls up on my lap in the evenings.

2-11-09-B

Just finished reading today's newspaper and saw this photo that brought tears to my eyes... loving kindness... what this world needs more of!!!

2-11-09

DH and I both sing in our church choir, and every Wednesday night we have long, brutal rehearsals, which always seem to pay off come Sunday morning! Our choir director is a retired vocal musician who has sung with and for some famous people and institutions, as well as taught vocal music for many years. He picks out the most awesome pieces of music for the choir to sing... and as a result, we love rehearsing/learning them and performing them in worship services. Once a month, the choir goes out for eats and drinks after rehearsal, to celebrate that month's birthdays, and whatever else needs celebrating! I feel so blessed to be part of this unique and fun group of singers!

2-10-09

In the parking lot at HyVee grocery store today, I noticed these jet streams that seemed to form a musical staff, so I'm sending some "Happy birthday" notes up to heaven for Mandy... 18 going on 31.

2-9-09

The Cat in the Hat...
I've been to the library many times, and never noticed this statue before...
guess I am becoming more observant since I carry my camera around now!

2-8-09

After seven years of faithful service, the battery in my beloved Subaru (the green and gold one in the second bay) finally gave up the ghost this morning. DH's truck, and jumper cables (borrowed from the neighbors) were able to give it enough juice to turn in on one last time, then DH and I drove it to Batteries Plus (closed on Sundays) and Interstate Batteries (closed on Sundays), before ending up at our local Wal-Mart, which is always open and got us right in! Now the Subaru should be good to go for another 3-6 years! YAY!

2-7-09

A name carved in concrete...
an X in the sky...
a Go Big Red Snowman...
and storm sewers overflowing with snowmelt...
just a few of the sights
on this morning's walk outside
(It is finally above freezing!!!)
that made me smile.

2-6-09

Flowing shapes and forms on muted pastel colors

lie beneath my feet,

remnants of salty puddles now freeze-dried onto sidewalks,

welcoming me into the gym, the post office,

the grocery story, the bank, the church.

Look down and enjoy them...

before this weekend's rain washes them away!

2-5-09

This morning as I was heading out to the gym, I dropped my beloved SIGG bottle and made a big dent in it! Boo, hoo. I am so sad! I've had this SIGG bottle for over a year now, and carry it with me everywhere (instead of a plastic water bottles... and the incredible amount of waste they add to landfills!). I take it to choir practice, the gym, hiking, running errands, etc. My DD turned us on to SIGG bottles, and helped us become more "green" by stopping the bottled water usage! (Thanks, DD!) The good news is that my SIGG bottle is not leaking anywhere because of the dent, so I plan to continue using it, wabi sabi and all.

2-4-09

This past winter, DH and I officially became "Mall Walkers" in order to escape the sub-zero temps and still get a bit of exercise. One of my favorite things about walking several miles at the mall, is that when we have finished, we stop in the Starbucks to see our favorite barista, Tim, who is fantastic when it comes to remembering what his customers usually order! Plus, we really enjoy talking with him! Today we surprised him and tried something new and different. We usually get 2 tall decaf Americanos with room. Today, DH tried a tall Signature Hot Chocolate, and I tried a grande Vanilla Rooibos Latte. Both were yummy! Thanks, Tim, for your awesome service, and for being a good sport and letting me take your picture! Love ya, man!

2-3-09

Today DH and I went to see the movie SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, and we both really liked it! We give it the two thumbs up! Go see it!!!

2-2-09

Every day I spend several hours on my computer. Right next to my monitor is this KU coaster... which makes me think of my dear son daily (he went to KU). Love you, kid!

2-1-09

It's Superbowl Sunday, and I think there is some unwritten rule that says it is a requirement to eat pizza, so DH and I went lunched at Harris pizza after church today, and brought the leftovers home for supper during the game! This is hands-down the BEST pizza in town!!! Go AZ Cardinals... beat the Pittsburg Steelers!!!