Really Boring

No friends, I am not trying to grow my own magic mushrooms. These are growing voluntarily in our yard. Funny thing is that I'm finally getting somewhat of a tomato crop. Okay, so I have one tomato that has not been raped by the squirrels; but, really I was mistaken when I saw the mushrooms in my yard and thought the squirrels had yet again taken my one and only tomato. While the squirrels do enjoy these mushrooms, trust me, they were eyeing me as I was taking pictures this evening, I am wondering if the mushrooms are really safe to have in my yard and why they are growing. Sorry Sam! I think by now you realize how boring I really am since I am blogging about fungi, tomatoes, and squirrels.

In other non-boring news, we are headed to Greenfield, IA for the annual Citywide Garage Sales. I am really hoping someone, and I know they are out there, is busy cleaning their home and selling some very vintage items. Just something totally cheesy like an old Budweiser hanging ceiling lamp or something. That would be cool. We are also in pursuit of a Little Tykes slide for my friend Jen since she won't be able to make it to this monumental event. Wish us luck!

Theta Love

So, I must apologize for the quality of this picture; but, at least we got the picture. It's been a long time since we all got together. With the extended weekend, my good friend Samantha and her husband, Ryan, came down to Kansas City. It's been too long, way too long. Sunday night Sam, Katie (another fellow Theta & Kansas City resident), and myself all got together for dinner at The Other Place in downtown Overland Park. It was quite the night catching up, watching the fellow bar patrons, and seeing things we had not seen since college (as in drunk girls making out). The most comic moment was when I thought I smelled a skunk. Being that I get a little nervous around non-domestic animals, I said with great concern, "OMG! I smell a skunk!" Sam and Kati both started laughing at me and informed me the people behind me were smoking more than cigarettes. We soon left, as Kati is 8 months pregnant and for the simple fact that we are way too old and responsible for that kind of shenanigans. The bar waitress was kind enough to get this snapshot in time that won't be forgotten.

Random Thoughts

Since I had time this morning to enjoy my coffee and and actually watch T.V. versus guzzling my coffee down between attempts to wake myself up and concentrate on The Weather Channel, I noticed something very funny. While Americans face the cold hard facts about the economy, they can't give up their luxury items. This thought came about as I was analyzing a Bounty paper towel commercial. The basis consists of a clumsy husband and his wife making a comical attempt to brew their own cappuccinos. The machine is working great until uh-oh the husband spills the cinnamon and coffee on the counter. Finally, in comes the super paper towels which not only clean up your mess, but also claim to save you your hard earned money by using fewer paper towels. The whole time I was thinking, ditch the paper towels, go green, and use a washcloth genius. Then, I also concluded that if they really wanted to save money, they'd get rid of the damn cappuccino maker and just make regular coffee. Maybe I'm too cynical.

In other news, we are enjoying a relaxed weekend. It's nice to putz around the house and enjoy each other's company. I also did some shopping as the essential items in my wardrobe are either pitted out, have missing buttons I cannot find, or have pen marks all over them. All in all, it's been an enjoyable weekend.

Franklin & Other Thoughts

Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.- Benjamin Franklin

I said on my facebook page that I'd be taking mine in a glass of wine. I love beer too, but didn't feel like purchasing any at the end of the day. I had promised myself that I wouldn't be blogging about anything school related this year. Every school year, I come in with rose colored glasses. Probably too optimistic. In the world of special education you know you are going to be dealt a tough hand. I've also always worked around the "at-risk" population, so I really feel any amount of optimism is really a need; however, I've been thrown yet another curve ball and had to move my entire classroom today. They are turning it into another computer lab. This was very disappointing as I spent a couple of afternoons before contracted time putting everything together from yet another previous move. While I know I will never get back the precious time my paras and myself spent putting together the room, I know we are in the business for the kids. The kids are why we folks in education get up and go to our jobs in the morning. Therefore, although I am disappointed, I realized good instruction and services can occur in any setting. Yes, even a broom closet. My youngest sister told me last night that she will always be grateful for the support staff and pull out instruction she received as she would not be where she is today unless she would of had it. With these thoughts of good instruction, support, and a good glass of wine I can forgive the whole situation and move on.

What I Love About Kansas

So just the other day, I was ranting and raving to my work colleagues about how much I really strongly distaste living in Kansas. While I feel very blessed to have a lovely home, good friends, a great job, and not to mention a husband with a great job I often miss my friends and family back in Iowa. It is hard some days and my biggest fear is that when I do get pregnant, I will be all alone with no help. Just as hard as is it is for us to get back to Iowa, our families struggle with visiting us here in Kansas City. This weekend, however, my dad and his wife, Brenda, made the trip south and helped us cut down a nagging tree in our backyard. I got my firsthand experience with hedge trimmers and cleaned up our bushes. It was super cool and I felt like Edward Scissor Hands only electric. After some afternoon relaxation, we drove over to Lawrence, Kansas . If you've never been to Lawrence, I highly suggest you go. It is one of the things I love about Kansas. Nestled in the heart of ultra-conservative liquor laws and evangelism, is the uber liberal city of Lawrence, home to the University of Kansas. We gave my parents a tour of campus and then went to Massachusetts Street for dinner. Although Lawrence is never short of hippies, freaks, geeks, and punks we were lucky enough to witness even more of this mesh as there was some sort of a street fair. The other thing I love about Kansas is its history. I could go on and on about all the fantastic history here. One of the historical sights in Lawrence is a hotel with a lovely restaurant establishment called The Jayhawker. The hotel was burnt down twice during the horrific boarder war between Kansas, a free state during the Civil War days, and Missouri, which was a slave state. Above you can see the dedication to the hotel which resides in the lobby. Finally, I love the weather here most of the time. We could not have asked for a better weekend. The winters are a lot more mild and there is always more fall to enjoy. Really, I think it is probably about time I give living here a break and enjoy it already:) There is plenty to love!

Farmstead Stampede

Saturday, Justin and I got up bright and early to run in the Mayor's Farmstead Stampede at Deana Rose. Deana Rose is a petting zoo/ farm replica which has been featured on my blog before. I was very proud of my time finishing 22nd out of 41 for the 25-29 year old female category in 32 minutes and 40 seconds. Justin finished 28th out of 31 on runners for the 30-354 year old male category in 34 minutes and 52 seconds. This was our second 5k run and we both feel good about finishing another race.

Garage Sales

I had never been garage selling before, but it is a pretty good time. The idea struck us after we had gotten some coffee. Justin mentioned that there appeared to be a large assortment of sales around the neighborhood and said he'd come along if I wanted to go. So, we did and even ventured out to some of the more posh neighborhoods out west. There were some good ones with cheap furniture and some weird ones with a lady selling her sons' toys, happily selling away and smoking her cigarette. The day was a great success and I got a little stepping stool for $2. I've been looking for one for quite some time. I think this might have to become a monthly outing for us as Justin is really fun to go garage selling with.