Ruby Red Slippers

Every girl needs a pair of red patent leather ballet flats.

There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

From the Porch Swing...

Good Gravy! Has it really been 2 weeks since my last post? I'm such a delinquent POS. My apologies. I will try to do better. Really. I will. REALLY.

C and I have enjoyed cooler weather (well, for August anyway) and have whiled away many hours this week swinging and chatting and laughing and admiring observing our neighborhood. We're not a particularly communal neighborhood, and except for one particular busy body, no one really talks to anyone else, and that's A-OK with me.

Unfortunately, one of our neighbors has absolutely terrible taste in landscaping. I've mentioned the babyshit-colored poodle homage before, but that's nothing compared to the home I have named "Crouching Tiger Hidden Lion." Perched on one side of the driveway near the garage is a white porcelain crouching tiger apparently ready to pounce on of the teensy-tiny yip-yip-yip dogs that lives there. On the other side of the garage door is a white porcelain lion very royally surveying the land. Near the entry way is what I think is supposed to be a water feature of sorts, although the "mountains" surrounding the "waterfall" are bright yellow. It reminds me of Peter Brady's explosive model volcano. These are the same neighbors who decorated for Christmas 2004 and left everything up until 70mph winds blew everything away this summer. CLASSY.

The other excitement we witnessed from the porch this evening involved a near death experience for one of the many bunny rabbits who roam our neighborhood. Our next-door neighbors have a cocker spaniel and 2-year old child, and the child was chasing the dog as the dog tried to eat the bunny rabbit. I silently commanded the dog to not eat the bunny rabbit in front of the baby, and yet, I could not look away. That's some serious drama. The bunny rabbit escaped, presumably unharmed, though likely covered in drool.

KAY Leadership Camp

Thank you, loyal readers, for sticking with me after my brief hiatus. I have returned from KAY (Kansas Association for Youth) Leadership Camp. I am utterly exhausted and spiritually revitalized, and I am happy to report that I arrived home with only twenty-five chigger bites! The KAY program continues to be a positive influence in my life, and it is truly an honor to give back to an organization that has been so generous to me. A few highlights:

For the first time EVER, I won the coveted Ear of the Year. Not the runner-up salt and pepper shakers, my friends, but the mounted and bronzed ear of corn. THE EAR. For those of you shaking your head at my nonsense, a brief explanation might be helpful: staff members dress up for a theme dinner on the Sunday evening before the campers arrive, and those with the most creative attire are awarded the Ear of the Year. My team and I dressed as lobsters and butter. And yes, those ARE red plastic plates. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of us with the Ear, as I was too excited upon the announcement to take any photos. I expect to receive the Ear in the mail around Christmas, so I'll be sure the share it with you then. Behold my team, in all of our buttery and lobster-y glory:

Update: My friend Kelly just posted the following photo on her MySpace page. And yes, that's my unbridled glee face.

The campers arrived Monday morning - what a great group of student leaders! Their boundless energy, inquisitiveness, and creativity ceasees to amaze me! Every team (I served as a leader for the Red Team) creates a presentation using every team member to describe their color team's theme (Red stands for Character). Our team met during their free time to synthesize their ideas! In ten years (plus three as a camper), I have never seen a presentation come together so easily!

Campfire is traditionally held on Thursday night, and it NEVER rains for the KLC campfire. Never. Not once in over 60 years has it rained on the Thursday evening of Camp. This year was no exception. My peers on the staff graciously selected me to make a wish at the campfire on behalf of the staff - what an honor! It was a beautiful evening!

The camp staff is composed of some of my best friends, even if I don't see them but once a year (or even once every three years). Just like work or school, I have my favorites, but it's amazing to watch teamwork in action when everyone wants to be there.

I hope you all had a great week! I have lounged around most of the weekend, and I *get* to go back to work tomorrow. Camp reminds me to appreciate the many blessings in my life. We talked a lot about "choosing your attitude," and I will endeavor to choose positivity over negativity.

Dave Matthews Band in Omaha

I had the pleasure of seeing the my all-time favorite band, the Dave Matthews Band, perform live in Omaha again last Tuesday evening! The amazing set included my all-time favorite song "Crash Into Me." Misty-eyed, I was. Here's their excellent cover of Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" that C took, and a great video of "Anyone Seen the Bridge" and "Too Much" that C did not film.

Sledgehammer:


Anyone Seen the Bridge/Too Much:


Someday, that will be ME enjoying the show from front row center!

John Adams

While I am on hiatus from blogging, I highly recommend you watch the HBO miniseries on John Adams. It's available as a set of 3 DVDs through Netflix. Excellent!

Crusty Old Fart

Recent signs of my inevitable aging:

• I spent 30 minutes last week plucking gray hairs, and those were only the ones I could see on the top and sides of my head. I fear the back of my head may be overrun with wiry white hairs. I need to "deep condition" again.
• Speaking of errant hairs, I found a long blond one growing on the side of my face cheek this morning. I plucked it faster than you can say Jack Robinson. How many of you saw it and refused to tell me?
• I think I have a bunion on my right foot. No pain, but it is red and sticks out and looks like the pictures on Google, so it must be an accurate self-diagnosis. No more heels for awhile. I'll be shopping for SAS loafers this afternoon after my nap, because...
  
• I have been awake since 6:20am. It's SATURDAY. I don't get up this early on weekdays, but yet I find myself completely unable to sleep in on Saturdays anymore. I've already showered and been to Starbucks and the bagel shop.
• By and large, my music is circa 1990s. If you weren't around then, I've probably never heard of you, I won't like you, and I will assume you are "too pop."

Is 30 too young to be a curmudgeon? Does it look like I care?