Week 40

October 4: Cal Thomas, a conservative political writer, did a question/answer session moderated by my pastor tonight.  It was interesting though I don't agree with all his views.  It's always good to be informed.

 October 5: Juniper berries are covering the tree in the backyard. 

 October 6: This little guy froze as Diesel and I headed out the door for our daily walk.  I was surprised he stayed there to let me get his picture.  And surprised Diesel didn't take off after him.  "Squirrel!"

 October 7: I pulled out the treat bag for our walk today for the first time in about a month.  He was very aware and attentive, begging for treats before we even left the porch.

 October 8: This is what it looks like for me first thing every morning. I sit on the floor and he flops on top of me for a few minutes of snuggle time. 

 October 9: I took a 4 day trip to Washington DC.  It was my first time there.  I will do a separate post with many more pictures soon.  I loved it.  We walked the National Mall from the Washington Monument down to the Lincoln Monument. 

 October 10: We got a far off glimpse of The White House and could clearly see snipers pacing on the roof.  (The black things on the right side of the roof.)

Week 39

Sept 27: The Ronald McDonald statue is back up.  He's a cheery greeting to the families who stay at the house.

 Sept 28: "How did you hurt you foot?" "Playing a game of spoons."  I think I may be the only person to get a foot injury from a card game.  I injured it at a Pathways game night months & months ago.  Originally the doctor thought it was just bruised but it never fully healed & it's been hurting a lot lately.  Another doctor's visit today and and x-ray to determine if there was a stress fracture, found out I have a pulled tendon in my foot (I rolled it).  So heat & ibuprofen for a few weeks and resting it as much as possible. 

Sept 29: I attended a Society of Women Engineer's event tonight. Dondi Scumaci is a leadership speaker & writer and it is always great to hear what she has to say.  This is the 3rd year in a row she's spoken at a SWE event.

Sept 30: So I went shopping for a pair of sunglasses and black flats tonight and ended up with an amazing deal on a pair of Sofft brown suede Mary Janes and some navy platform pumps.  I couldn't resist!

Oct 1: (How is it October already??!!) It's time to break out what few fall decorations I have.  The front door gets a new swag.

Oct 2: I finally got around to trimming the out of control juniper bush.  The clippings filled a 35 gallon trash barrel. 

Oct 3: First Sunday of the month, we eat at Jason's Deli after Pathways.  It was busy in there tonight, we had to split into 2 tables.   

Week 38

Sept 20: Another day in Colorado Springs hanging out with the Ross family.  I had a blast with their kids: Taite, Trinity, Jaden, Jace & Jessa.

 Sept 21: I spent this morning wandering around Garden of the Gods.  It was a gorgeous day and I enjoyed seeing parts of the park I hadn't before.

 Sept 22: The last few blooms of summer, a few petunias and daises are still hanging on.

 Sept 23: It's a Christmas Miracle.  The K-Mart house's yard is finished and back to normal minus grass.

 Sept 24: I bought a bike helmet.  Apparently I have a big head because the "ladies" size was too small.  I had to go with the "adult" size.

 Sept 25: It was a full Saturday. Started off with a long bike ride with some friends along the Arkansas River.  I only managed about 10 miles, the rest of them went 20. 

 Then, because it was Museum Day, I took advantage of free admission and went to a few of the local participating museums.  I started with Botanica.  So beautiful sometimes I forgot I was in downtown Wichita.

 This sculpture in the butterfly garden makes me think of me & my two sisters when we were little.

 Then I went to Old Cowtown Museum. 

 And I ended with the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum.  What a find!  It was great.

The day was finished out with an event I was very excited about. The Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at The Orpheum Theater.  What a blast!  We sang our hearts out and laughed a lot.  A raucous fun time.

 There was even a costume contest. 

 Sept 26: This is a prime example of the amazing friends God has placed in my life.  Amber's car died and 6 of us traipsed out to the parking lot after church to make sure she was taken care of.  I had someone recently tell me they didn't feel connected at our large church.  I do not feel that way, God has blessed me with a great circle of friends.

Week 37

Sept 13: I squeezed in mowing the yard before it was supposed to rain.  Oops, I mowed over Diesel’s ball.  It went flying.  Good thing I had new tennis balls in the garage.  That’s his favorite outside toy.  Then I mowed over a garter snake.  I’m surprised my scream as it tried to slither off didn’t alert my neighbors. Ugh!

Sept 14 – I received a watermelon from my neighbor’s garden.  Delicious.

Sept 15 – We had some severe weather tonight. Heavy wind, rain & up to golf ball size hail at my house.  There was even a tornado spotted in near Derby. 

Sept 16 – The picture didn’t turn out well, but it was a great evening.  Janel, Gayle and I went to see “An Improbable Pride and Prejudice” at The Kechi Playhouse in, um, Kechi.  It is a converted church.  This particular play was a take on Pride & Prejudice and was a great show.  Well worth the $9.

Sept 17 – Pupusas!!!  I was ridiculously excited to meet a friend and try out a Salvadoran restaurant near work for lunch.  The pupusas were excellent! The tamales were good too.  And the sweetest people run the place.  I’m definitely going back there.

Sept 18 – I flew to Colorado Springs for a few days to visit friends.  Trinity is now 8 and today she was my shadow.  She graciously is letting me stay in her room. 

Sept 19 – Church at Springs Calvary this morning.  Almost everywhere has amazing views of the mountains.

Week 36

Sept 6: A couple for friends got together for a Labor Day cookout and volleyball at East Lake in Newton.

Sept 7:  I have a few friends who are training for a triathalon.  Talking with them this weekend, I was inspired to dig my bike out of the cobwebs.  Mom bought us Schwinn 10-speeds circa 1983, I had it worked over a few years ago and it's still going strong.  I am by no means a graceful rider.

Sept 8: An eventful day ended with a small gathering of neighbors for Una's birthday celebration.  She's such a special lady and a blessing to me & Diesel!

Sept 9: What, you don't drill holes to fix your Salvadorian coconut earrings that you broke when you put in your pocket on a windy Kauai night? Don't look too closely at the finished product, there might be an extra hole.

Sept 10: The clouds were gorgeously illuminated by the setting sun.  I am so glad I had to make a run to the grocery store and got to see it! (Hannah - relax, I pulled over at the park to take the picture.)

Sept 11: Opening weekend of the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.  There was a mass of humanity there, but it was a good time.

Last year I discovered fried cheese curds.  Yum!

My friends, The Emily Judson Band, were playing and we listened to few songs.  Great job, guys!

I had never seen the butter sculpture before.  Impressive.

The piglets in the birthing center were so cute.

Sept 12:  I have been craving mussels and indulged for lunch today.