Saturday, February 28, 2009
Post 200: A good deed goes unpunished
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29429591/from/ET/
"A Good Turn Daily" wins! Hooray for Mankind!
Gratitude:
Sunday: yummy steak at Popperville
Monday: 24
Tuesday: no hospital stay for Seth
Wednesday: good meds
Thursday: I can drive to help out
Friday: hormone replacement therapy
Saturday: a functioning brain
Just for the record: I haven't missed a single day of gratitude yet this year. Whew. This is getting tricky.
Friday, February 27, 2009
A place to "lose the maddness"
I won't lie. I feel like I have missed out on some great movies. I almost cried when "Schindler's List" (rated R) came out. I read the book instead. I was sad about the movie "Alive" (rated R). Read that book too. Honestly, it is just not the same. I am a visual girl.
However, with the miracle of cable (and after 17 years, I finally lost that battle and we got it) and reruns, we have begun to sort of "catch up" in our movie deficiencies. We have many, many recorded originally Rated R movies that are now edited. We have finally seen "Troy", "Gladiator" and I have even seen "Schnidler's List."
One movie that got so much attention (about 15 years ago) that I finally watched last month was "The Legends of the Fall." Brad Pitt. Torn up lovers. Crazy people in the mountains. I sure enjoyed it! :) Sounded like growing up in AK.
There is one line in there from Anthony Hopkins that I have given a lot of thought to. The dad (Hopkins) in the story takes his family to the mountains after his service in the military because he said it was a place to "lose the maddness."
I liked this line because it said a couple of things about the dad.
One: He was self-aware. He recognized that he was losing it, or perhaps already had. He saw that the pieces in himself that were broken and that he had lost precious parts that he didn't want to lose. I am slow to see those things about myself and think I will work on that.
Two: I like how the dad figured out a way that (at least for him) worked to get his brokenness straight. I like how he desired to have a change (of heart I would guess) and did the physical work to address it. For him, it was a move. Change of lo-cal or scenery.
So, this leads me to what are my maddnesses and how can I lose them? I will have to let you know. Lucky you!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
No good deed goes unpunished
Family members said 58-year-old bus driver Jim Moffett and another man were helping two elderly women cross a busy Denver street in a snowstorm when he was hit Friday night.
Moffett suffered bleeding in the brain, broken bones, a dislocated shoulder and a possible ruptured spleen. He was in serious but stable condition Wednesday.
The Colorado State Patrol issued the citation. Trooper Ryan Sullivan said that despite Moffett's intentions, jaywalking contributed to the accident.
Moffett had been driving his bus when the two women got off. In the interest of safety, he got out and, together with another passenger, helped the ladies cross.
Moffett's stepson, Ken McDonald, said the driver of the pickup plowed into his stepfather, but not before Moffett pushed the two women out of the way.
When he awoke in intensive care, he learned of the ticket. "His reaction was dazed and confused. I was a little angry," said McDonald.
The other man also was cited for jaywalking, while the pickup driver was cited with careless driving that led to injury. Sullivan said the two elderly women haven't been cited but the investigation is ongoing." Where are the jaywalking tickets for the old ladies? Do you think this guy was a Boy Scout? Is there legal respresentation for a scout who does a good turn daily? A mother of a boy scout needs to know these things!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
6th picture of the 6th file
Tom so graciously also reminded me about the reroof, the new plugs, the new bathroom ceiling, ripping the rock out, installing two new ponds, the grass tear up, installing new rock, the flooded sub-basement...:) He estimates our house should be worth double it's value since we have hooked up with him! :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
That Guy: Tom (insert deep voice here)
Tom was one of the first people we met when we moved here and we have enjoyed him ever since. He has been a godsend to our family. One of our most treasured blessings for all time.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Wanna take a field trip? Let's go to Kansas
"Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hear you,
Away you rolling river,
Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hear you,
Away, I'm bound away
'Cross the wide Missouri. "
(and please note: Kansas and Missouri are separate states)
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Bob the Builder Award: IHOP (International House of Pancakes)
"This Fat Tuesday (I feel fat most Tuesdays so how is THIS Tuesday any different...I guess a holiday of fatness is not such a bad deal), feast on free buttermilk pancakes from IHOP and help out with a great cause at the same time.
Tuesday, February 24 is National Pancake Day (which always falls on Fat Tuesday) and in celebration, IHOP restaurants across the nation will be giving away free short stacks in return for donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (childrensmiraclenetwork.org).
Last year they gave away more than 1.5 million pancakes and rose over $875,000. This year they're hoping to set a new record and raise $1 million.The Children's Miracle Network is an alliance of premier children’s hospitals across the country with hospitals in every state (the Andersons know about Children's Hospitals...we are going to one on Fat Tuesday. Again)
Every year over 17 million children benefit (and some are still waiting to benefit) from state-of-the-art care, life-saving research and world-class doctors. An array of companies sponsor their cause, including IHOP."
From one of those children's families, thanks IHOP! :)
Friday, February 20, 2009
I stand corrected
Who knew that you CAN buy your plastic pig and horse in the $1 section (see February 16th post) for your yard.
Did these two come home with me?
You know it.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
What would you watch?
You guessed it.
Suresh watched three seasons of my personal favorite: Jack Bauer/24. :) If you have ever seen it, you understand why it kept him awake!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What I Know
I found this today so I am going to try it. Sounds hard.
I know I will always love my baby "goats."
I know that I will never have long hair.
I know that I will always love photographs.
I know I will always be so thankful to be raised in Alaska.
I know that becoming Mormon is one of the best decisions of my life.
I know I will always love certain people in my life, even if we never spoke again.
I know I will always love the colors teal and green.
I know that someday I will have seen all the Seinfeld reruns.
I know that I have been blessed with special life experiences, good and bad.
I know that I will never have a vast musical knowledge.
I know that I will never own a snake.
I know that I am the only girl who drove the Camaro when Tom owned it.
I know that I love a good thrift find.
I know that I am never going to be sorry I joined Rotary.
I know that my favorite church callings were Primary Secretary and Librarian.
I know that I can lose my temper over dumb stuff.
I know I don't understand people who are malicious.
I know I am a simple person.
I know I am not cut out for a large family.
I know I only have three minutes of this activity to go.
I know how to throw an event.
I know I always love my dad's BBQ red meat.
I know that I look like a pig when I eat chinese food or Olive Garden soup and salad.
I know I used to be a terrible public speaker.
I know living with someone as nice as Mr Fun has been good for me.
I know how to make "cow eyes."
I know that people think I am "weird."
I know this was as hard as I thought it might be.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Bob the Builder Award: Playing for Change
"Bill Moyers sits down with Mark Johnson, the producer of a remarkable documentary about the simple but transformative power of music: PLAYING FOR CHANGE: PEACE THROUGH MUSIC. The film brings together musicians from around the world — blues singers in a waterlogged New Orleans, chamber groups in Moscow, a South African choir — to collaborate on songs familiar and new, in the effort to foster a new, greater understanding of our commonality.
Johnson traveled around the globe and recorded tracks for such classics as "Stand By Me" and Bob Marley's "One World" — creating a new mix in which essentially the performers are all performing together — worlds apart. Often recording with just battery-powered equipment, Johnson found musicians on street corners or in small clubs and they would in turn gather their friends and colleagues — in all, they recorded over 100 musicians from Tibet to Zimbabwe.
The unique composition of the film which has musicians playing together yet in their own traditions, made Johnson think anew about what world music means:
Just thinking in my mind... what would be unique instruments to juxtapose against each other that had never been heard before: a talking drum and a tabla, they're very similar but they never really come together, or a sitar and a dobro, very similar but how often do you hear them play together? The idea was to go to places that would have some sort of instruments that they could add to the spectrum of the global music that we were trying to find."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM
Monday, February 16, 2009
Spring Fever--a taste of yard art
By far and away, this
life-size plastic horse
(standing in a boat the Girl says)
and pig
takes the cake. I didn't see those creatures in the $1 section! :)
Is there such a thing as a Certified Plastic Animal Habitat?
I have a nomination!
Gratitude
Tuesday: Old friends--really just more family
Wednesday: Inspiration
Thursday: Rotary
Friday: Engine started and the car drove...hooray for Dave's Hot Rod Shop
(http://www.daveshotrodshop.com/) Check out the current projects link to the 41 Willy's. That thing is LOUD!
Saturday: Val goes out alone to do mindless shopping. :)
Sunday: NASCAR season begins for the Girl and birdhouse painting
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Wanna take a field trip? How about the mall...
My mother has always said the Girl has a beautiful neck, so she won the Giraffe award (she does not have the blue long slick tongue to go with it...sorry). Here is Giraffe, enjoying a snack at the "food" court. Actually, this mall is SO lame that it doesn't have a food court so this IS as close a snack as you get. But it has a post office, so in my book it is not a total loss.
To be honest, the family was afraid to dub me any animal since I control the laundry and food. One nomination was a parrot since they can cuss. :) Another was ostrich because Dave painted a picture of one that is on loan to us. It has poky hair and it's mouth is always open. Although I resemble that remark, it was decided that I am like a horse because I eat weird things like alfalfa sprouts, flax seed and have galloping skills....as evidenced here. :) I kept the mall in the shot so you could enjoy its beauty and wonder.
It's all about the LOVE
some dancing guy I met in Copenhagen.
I love the sun in the sky, in morning or evening. I cannot
I love photographs with detail. Like Pop Up Video within a picture.
Happy Valentines Day
Thursday, February 12, 2009
True Unlove Songs
The Love CD--the new fangled version of the "Mix Tape." I remember my first mix tape...boyfriend in 10th grade. It was true love. Until he slept with his best friend... Andrew. Yeah, I know. Yuck. Super yuck.
Recently I read in the paper some of the most misunderstood "love songs" in popular culture. I thought I would share them with you. Like KC Mom, there are just some songs you might not want to give your sweetheart. And I quote the article:
*"Every Breath You Take" by the Police. The most popular wedding song in the 1980's. "Every move you make, every vow you break, every smile you take, every claim you stake, I'll be watching you." Stalker anyone?
*"More Than Words" by Extreme (an Anderson family mocking favorite). "More than words is all you have to do to make it real. Than you wouldn't have to say that you love me, 'cause I would already know." Maybe they should have called the song "Put Up or Shut Up". (gross says Val)
*"Your Love" by the Outfield. "Stay the night but keep it under cover. I just wanna use your love tonight." Doesn't the word "use" suck all the romance out of the room?
*"Escape--the Pina Colada Song" by Rupert Holmes. "I was tired of my lady, we'd been together too long. Like a worn-out recording, of a favorite song." And when they see each other at their cheating meeting spot, they laughed. Yeah, right.
With the availabilty of Google, I would recommend that you look up the words of your mix CD before you give out.
I am a good example of a bad example. I had the Girl make a mix CD for my International RYLA students last summer. One song she asked me if I was sure I should add it. It is loud and has a great beat. Of course, I say. Add it. So she did. Since I don't know the words of any songs, it was only AFTER it was on it's way all over the world with the RYLA kids did I learn that the real name of the song was "You and Your Hand." Sung by a girl who had just split from her husband.
Yeah, I know. Yuck. Super yuck.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tender Mercies in a Bucket
It means something that happens to us that gives us a lift, some sort of little blessing that seems insignificant to the "big picture" of things, but we enjoy.
Like when I bring a doughnut home for the kids for no reason except I love them and they would like it.
I thought of tender mercies when I saw this bucket the other day at the Lowe's hardware store.
Since Tom has lived well beyond his expected time, he is now having to replace some of the things that he has already given away. He is doing some work in his house and some of those tools he has given away, he now needs.
He picked them all out the other day at the store, piece by piece. As we were leaving, we wandered past the clearance rack, stuffed full of ugly house numbers and big weird man lights.
Low and behold, there was this bucket full of the exact tools he needs for his project. Even the bucket is a tool he needs to mix his grout stuff. All in perfect condition, all there, and all on clearance.
Do I think in the big picture that God's eternal plan for Tom would have been messed up if we hadn't seen the clearance bucket? No. Do I want to believe that this is a tender mercy to Tom just because God loves him and He knew Tom would like it? :) You bet. Like a doughnut from God.
I hope you have a tender mercy moment sometime this week. :)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
18 Mr. Fun sayings
5. I can't pull the wagon
15. You whine like a mule
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wanna take a field trip? Let's go to the City...
Perhaps a future vacation home? :)
This is perhaps the coolest van I have ever seen! I was saying to
Matty, "I wish I could see who drives a Captain America Van." I
imagined a long hair, young, blond skinny guy with a flannel shirt
and some hiking boots. Perhaps with a German Shepherd puppy...
Look at the lucky break I got...the van man.
I was right about the flannel. Little off on the young, skinny part.
Bob the Builder Award: Lingerie??? and Task Brasil
I guess I like this because it is not up to me to decide that the way someone choses to help another. Service is service is service.
Evangeline Lilly of "Lost" has a new lingerie line that will benefit Task Brasil. In case you weren't aware, Brasil has a terrible problem with abandoned street children. You can read all about it at http://www.taskbrasil.org.uk/
And I quote: "I'm offering beautiful Brazilian-made lingerie as a fun and enticing way for you to not only invest in yourself, but in the poor and abandoned children of Brazil." This isn't a sentence I would imagine I would read anytime, but I am guessing the abandoned children of Brazil could care less what Evangeline was selling to help them.
Gratitude:
Friday--The Girl hears rumor she was a winner at an art competition
Saturday--Listening Party
Sunday--another lovely evening with friends
Sunday, February 8, 2009
For football fans
I know the Superbowl was last week (didn't watch it) and so many of you may be sad that your Sunday pasttime is on vacation. I have a NASCAR girl and fortunately she has Christmas and the holiday season to fill her time while their sport (is NASCAR a sport?) is on break. She would be very cranky otherwise without those distractions.
I got this link from Rotary Dave (30 years Air Force) and it almost made me cry. The note attached made a comment about the airpower of the United States...and it is true. Here is to Scott O. and all the other airmen who get it done. We event planners LOVE it when it executes perfectly!
http://r.listpilot.net/c/afa/3j40rrh/1pqop
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A benefit of driving
Friday, February 6, 2009
Bob the Builder Award: Midori Ito Harbison
If I was cool enough to write Japanese, this is what I would write to Mrs. Midori Ito Harbison, children's enrichment teacher volunteer extraordinaire. It says "thank you."
I have only met her once, but I see her name a lot when it comes to education. She is a tiny, old japanese lady...soft spoken, gentle and sweet. And man, is she dedicated. We met in a speakers guild meeting for our school district (in which she has no children enrolled in) and I was so impressed. She had brought her tens of thousands of dollars kimono to share with us on the proper way of wearing it.
I was checking out the free classes offered by the community library system the other day and Midori's classes were all over in their brochure. Calligraphy, origami, Japanese culture, wearing the Kimono... all separate classes.
What I love about her when I see her name is that I know her desire to share her culture is sincere and she is willing to put her money where her mouth is. :)
女の子行く.
Japanese for "You go girl."
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Early Valentine's Day Presents
He called me this morning on his way to work to tell me Red Bandana's name. You know the guy...the one I have been stalking for two and half years (see blog for January 13th). He back to holding the stop sign, and shock of shock, Matt rolled down his window, blocked traffic and asked. Thanks Matty
Wouldn't you know it....he goes by "Chipper" because he is so cheery. :)
From Rotary International:
I got an email from the new incoming president of Rotary International next year and he asked me to serve on the international RYLA committee again. This is a big compliment to me as a Rotarian and a young female--err, Dave would say I am not so young but compared to the average Rotarian age of 58 and white male, I am young. The international meeting will be in Montreal in 2010. I am planning to say yes. :)
Gratitude:
Monday--24
Tuesday--Driving Miss Daisy has come to an end
Wednesday--Rotary letter
Thursday--certifing as a merit badge counselor to promote world peace
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Bob the Builder Award: Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger
Good news--355 days later
I have been cleared. As in good to go, carry on, go to it. Yep, 355 days since my first "episode"/seizure, I have been free for 9 weeks and I have just received medical clearance to drive. Hooray!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Just 10 easy little steps--who knew? :)
But for the real words today. I recently read an article about the 10 simple steps on how to be happy. Scientists have figured it out. Who knew that happiness could be scientifically figured out? No offense to scientists, but they don't seem like the cheeriest bunch for knowing the secrets but then maybe being happy and cheery are two different matters.
In case you aren't happy and want to be, here are the answers. I believe these are in no particular order, but I will share them as they were listed:
1. Be the center of your network. I am feeling like the center of the network I am in because I do the laundry and cook the dinner. I am the most popular person in the house.
2. Surround yourself with people you like/who like you. I have been around people that didn't like me. I didn't feel too happy.
3. Watch less TV. Watching tv has always sort of been like a little treat for me. With Jay Leno leaving the Tonight Show and taking Headlines on Monday nights with him, that will save me at leat 20 minutes a week. See....how easy to cut back.
4. Be active. Does driving count? Driving would make me happy. Verrrrrrry happy.
5. Manage your time. Sleep in until I am not sleepy. That sounds like a good start. :)
6. Find coping skills. Dark chocolate, won ton soup, and a telephone. Skills coped.
7. Set and pursue goals. Did I mention I have a goal to drive? Go to Africa, win the Nobel Peace Prize, drive, and cure the boy who is in full flare up again. Did I mention I have a goal to drive?
8. Don't think too much. Oh, I like these scientists!
9. Practice Gratitude. Speaking of gratitude, Monday gratitude is a cheap way to enlarge my photographs--$6 at Sam's Club. If I have gratitude, am I still only practicing?
10. Experiment with being happy. Good luck. If it doesn't work out, see #6 and you will feel much better! :)
What does the Smithsonian want from me?
The Queen of Soul’s big-bowed headgear has become a hot property since the legendary singer wore it to belt out “America the Beautiful” at President Barack Obama’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the hat’s designer, Luke Song, has been overwhelmed with demand for the $179 item. (Aretha’s custom-made version cost over $500.)"
Hey, Aretha, the Smithsonian called and they want your hat. Of all the memorabilia they could have from any of the events, this is the piece that they want to preserve in the halls of history along with the Nauvoo Temple Sunstone, some space ships, and the Fonz's leather coat (aaaayyy!).
This is my wood carved fish from a the unofficial pot-smoking mayor of Cooper Landing named Jim. Salmon will always make me think of Alaska and our roots there. Fortunately, some of the Missourians are a little goofy like Alaskans so I get to think of home often.
So tell me, what would you give to the Smithsonian?
Friday: travel agent Matt