One Rule. No Hearts.

One day working from home with sick boy...

...turned into two. But productivity was not completely a lost cause.  Kept busy on day two with this guy working on "the arcade". Just in case he was well enough to go to school for his Valentine's Day party.  Only the best valentine's boxes for us. Only rule? No hearts.

Add That to My Resume

After a beautiful sunset view on top deck...

... I drove a pirate ship all by myself tonight.  First time.  Totally adding that to my resume.

Thank you, Captain.

Christmas Party Time

Kind of a demanding little fella.  Like I didn't have anything better to do with my Saturday.

At least he's polite?

Doin' fancy tonight... at Moose Lodge. Is that a UFO?

Here we goooo.....  night out with my hubby.  First Christmas party with his new co-workers at his new job.  Happy.

Hard Day at the Office

#68 of #100gratefuldays: Hard day at the office.  I don't talk about my work much, but I'll give you a sneak peek into one of my better Mondays.  It was a beautiful harvest day here in the Midwest and I visited a family farm for pictures and an interview with a few lovely ladies.  It was a thankful to be alive kind of day spent with a cute little "dirt magnet" and his Mom and Grandma.

While the videotaping was happening, this little farmer and I were busy building roads, railroads and planting.

Oopsie.  Missed one.

Last Day of School

#62 of #100gratefuldays:  Happy last day as an officer! Thankful that "lasts" signal new beginnings are just around the corner.  And Good Morning!

Last Day of School

#58 of #100gratefuldays:  Thankful for this officer. Last day in uniform. Weird feeling. Then. Two more days and done.

Retirement is Near

#52 of #100gratefuldays: Feeling thankful for all our amazing friends and family who came from near and far today to support Craig in his retirement. We are very fortunate to have so many amazing people in our lives. It meant the world. Feeling the love.  Only seven more work days.  The end is near.

And this guy?  An old friend of Craig's from his elementary days and old neighborhood who made the long trek from Colorado to attend.  Feeling humbled, but thankful.  I kept it a secret from Craig.  He was very surprised.

Picture Day

So. Today was picture day at school. Kekoa slicked his hair down and to the side with some gel and then came to sit at the end of my bed and asked me how it looked. He then put on a nice shirt (a shirt he likes because it was his cousin, Hunter's) and his new jeans instead of his everyday clothes. He's starting to pay attention to how he dresses... no more character underwear. Nooooooo! Makes his Momma sad. He wouldn't let me sign his cast as Mommy... stopped me at Mom. He told Craig the other night when he went to lay with them at night that he didn't need to anymore. He's taking showers every night on his own accord. My babies keep growing up whether I want them to or not. Not sure if I'm quite ready for this 4th grade business.  Craig is retiring this month and so Kekoa wanted to come have lunch with him one more time while he's still in uniform, so there's that.  It also made me feel good there was a police officer visiting their school in September 11th.  Fitting.  Hard to believe this picture of me and my little cutie is over two and a half years old now...

And while I'm at it... just for a little perspective... here's a throwback Thursday offering:

This was only seven years ago.  I want to cry.  This was at my brother's wedding on September 11, 2006.  Kekoa rode to the wedding with the groom-to-be, Uncle Shawn, while I got baby Gavyn some steroids for his really bad croupy cough.  It was a cold, damp day, but the occasion made it beautiful.  Unlike the day just five years earlier.

I believe it's good to remember.  The most painful thing I've done all day. I don't reflect on it much. After thirteen years it's still too raw. Yes, that was me at the gym crying this morning while observing a moment of silence with so many others around the nation at the time the first plane hit. A year ago, I thought it had been long enough for me to watch the video footage again. I have never been so wrong. The sky and the weather match my mood today.

Which brings me to #43 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for co-workers who treat me to birthday lunches and Aunt Maude's comfort food on an otherwise melancholy day.  Thankful for turkey chili, vanilla bean creme brulee,  chocolate cookies and sour cream ice cream.

Come visit me someday and I will take you there.

True Rest

#30 of #100gratefuldays:

Thankful for an Alter Eco dark quinoa organic chocolate pick me up in the middle of the afternoon. Thank goodness for secret stashes in office drawers. It must be August. My hair has a serious case of the "zoomies". Looking forward to four days of "true rest" coming up soon. It'll be a little quiet around here, so you'll enjoy a little quiet time, too. :0) Happy Hump Day! See you next week.

Crisis Averted

#29 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for homemade ice cream. But if I didn't get any (apparently they don't take Farm Progress Show food vouchers and I didn't have cash! gasp!), then why am I smiling and thankful? Because this brought back a very happy "pay it forward" memory for me from my very first Farm Progress Show a few years ago. It was muddy. I had no cash. I sought out Beekman's homemade ice cream, hopeful they would take a credit card or check. Waited in line pretty certain they wouldn't but was determined to ask anyway. The gentleman in front of me knew nothing of my predicament. He bought his and then turned to me and asked me what kind of ice cream I wanted. Crisis averted. He bought my ice cream. I took off my rain boots (which I now call my Farm Progress boots because that's the only time I wear them) and walked barefoot in the mud back to my car while eating homemade ice cream after a long hot day. And I saw a rainbow. So I guess really, I'm just thankful for good memories of happy times and generous people. Plus, although it wasn't homemade, I already had ice cream for breakfast this morning.  That helped, too.

A happy unexpected today. I got to go muddin'. I grinned the entire time.  Happy Farm Progress Show to me! If you decide to go, I recommend boots.

Ready. Set. GO!

Look at Craig's face here... he almost looks gleeful.

Ok ... joining the masses. My friend, Sarah, challenged me... ALS Ice Bucket Challenge complete. I challenged my friend, Michelle (I think her little gal, Ashley, will be good at helping you with this!), and married friends, Jeff & Connie, to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. They have 24 hours to do this or donate $100 or both. I thought about being awnry and nominating my friend, John, who was being a little naysayer and stirring the pot, but I wasn't sure he'd play along.  Ready. Set. GO!

 

This was a perfectly timed little bit of post-work and first day of school fun, as I had a rotten, no good, very bad end to my day.  Someone get really snotty with me over the phone... kinda crazy how it makes you feel so rotten... I told the boys to go easy on me because I kind of had a bad day at work. When I explained them why (they asked), Kekoa said, "Oh well... other people have non-good days and days, too." So true. In the meantime, let me purpose to never be the one to make someone's day a rotten one. Both personally or professionally.  I know.  Never's a tall order.  I've got my work cut out for me.

Farmland

I ah-DORED the movie, Farmland. Go see it if you can..... I laughed and cried and laughed and cried. Was a great evening out with co-workers. Wore my "Farm Like a Girl" t-shirt for good measure. Made me super thankful for my years growing up on the farm.

Are We There Yet?

Headed to work. Go, Cyclones! I haven't been this excited for a game since... oh... 2000.  Can it be 6:30 already?  Are we there yet?  Feeling ready to show UConn who's boss.  Just a little NCAA basketball tourney funnin'.

UPDATE:  A new star rose tonight. Way to go Hogue boy! Unbelievable game. I think if he could have carried the entire team to the Elite Eight he would have.  He almost did! Fun to see him have such a good game at "home" in front of his family. Can't wait until next year. But sad to see our seniors go. Go, Cyclones!

A Healthier Choice

Gavyn told Craig this morning, "Dad, I think your next job should be a teacher. I think that is a healthier choice." Love that kid.

Throwback Thursday: I kinda like this guy. Taking a look back at these pictures I took of my "officer" a few months back. Only six months left.  Crazy to think he will be officially retired. 

Eyes ahead.  Goal is in sight.

Working From Home

Ugh. Another snow day.  Better hurry up and have that hot chocolate before the temperatures get above freezing.

LATER IN THE DAY:  Haven't been out of bed all day except for hot chocolate and to get Gavyn hot chocolate, because (quote of the day), "Mom, my feet are cold. I need some hot chocolate." Thankful for these bedside pretties to brighten my day. Ever feel like you've worked and worked and gotten nowhere? Yeah... kinda one of those days. Pretty sure my eyes are crossed. My Mom always said to be careful. They might stay that way.

So Spoiled

What an amazing surprise.  It just so happened that my cousin, Stephanie, was in town for an interview at the same time I was in town for training.  We managed to connect for a couple hours before I was to "get out of Dodge".  Enjoyed our "Coffee with Cousins" meet up on my way out of town. It has been too many years.  Tried a little Scratch Cupcakery I've heard so much about. They imported from a real Scratch Cupcakery store about 30 minutes away.  It was good, but my suspicion is it tastes better fresh.  Wasn't the best hot chocolate I've ever had, but Steph was good to share her biscotti.  The good company was what I was after anyway.

 

And just when I thought things couldn't get any better?  This sunset painted my way home.

 

So spoiled.

Baby, It's Slick Outside

Baby, it's slick outside.  Heart rate up. Gym was closed when I got there, but I got to play act derby car. Pretty sure the owner of the van that passed me on the left in two left turning lanes as I tried to turn left (likely they couldn't stop and were trying to avoid hitting my back end?) either had to go home and change their pants or they have a really good story to tell at work today or both. I ended up facing the wrong way and playing bumper cars with the median. No damage, thankfully, and since no one was hurt, is it bad for me to say it was kind of fun?  Day two of training.  Feeling ready.  These may not be Nike's, but I'm kind of digging my new shoes.

No Brownie Points

Away from home for three days to learn how to be a personality type instructor for my job.  Made an early morning dash through the cold to a nearby gym before the day started.  Absolutely no brownie points for the guy this morning who referred me to the section with more "feminine" equipment. He's got two more days to get it figured out. I should have said, "Oh, is that where you workout?" Apparently he has never heard of Dana Linn Bailey.

Ride On

On my recent Bike Expo visit I scored some pretty sweet new gear.  And they had these cute little youth jerseys that I thought the boys would like.  I was right.  Here they are...giving me a proper send off as I leave for a training for week for three days.  I love that they still don't mind matching with their Momma.

I'm not even gone, and I already want to be back.

 As Gavyn was once known to say, "I can't resist it."  Below are a few other Bike Expo things I couldn't resist.  A free High Trestle Trail water bottle and bike sandals (I just have to add the bike clips.).  I had to pay for the arm warmers.

Bring on warmer "biking" weather.  I can't wait to give them a go.