Clearly Not Michigan

Preparing for the...

...mandatory muster.

Orange is the New Black

We've arrived

Bruce is a liitle overdressed for 82 degrees!

Sophie's Birthday Wish

The 86lb dog

...that thinks she is a lap dog.

Raspberry Pie

This is attempt número two.

Winter 2008

Believe it or not we have shoveled our walk numerous times and the
wind keeps re-covering our work. It's so deep that Bruce had to shovel
a path for daisy to get through.

The Results of my Online Christmas Shopping.

I had to Laugh

This is a funny email that I got from one of my students - that I had to post.

Here's the background. And I will keep it short. I have a tough policy about naming your assignments correctly - if you don't put your name on it - it's a ZERO - yes I am pretty sure it's every teacher's policy. Yes, I am sure you have all heard the same thing - no matter how long you have been out of school, "no name, no credit."

So here's the email from one of my morning students - I see it as a Public Service Announcement for other students.

Subject: Re-submitting of nameless assignments

I have resubmitted all of the nameless illustrator files that have been rendered useless without a name or social security number.

Society has rejected these files because they had nothing to call them. The files were alone. They all lived in an abandoned warehouse together. None of them could directly address another because they had no names. They could not communicate with each other unless they tapped another file on the shoulder. Soon enough, all of these files had bruised shoulders from all of the tapping that was taking place. They would cry that their little nameless shoulders hurt so much. In time, their shoulders fell off. Once again, they could not be spoken to. These files are still alive today, hiding in the darkest of alleyways, and the coldest of caves. They prefer not to be seen because of the humiliation of not having a name.

So please, name your files, and save a life from facing rejection from society. A few clicks of your keyboard could define eternity for a PSD.

Our Trip to Urbana

Last weekend, we packed up Tony, Rock Band and headed south to see our friends in Ohio. This time we went to Urbana - to La Casa LaValley for a 7:11 meeting. We were greeted by Joe - standing in the front yard in his Swiss t-shirt, wearing his Swiss hat, waving his Swiss flag. It was pretty late on Friday night - so after some chatting - enjoying a little of the local city council on cable access - then we went to bed.

The next morning, we woke up - enjoyed Tim Horton's coffee brewed by Lori - and ate some delicious muffins. We had a big day of exploring Urbana ahead of us. However, we did get a disappointing call from Karyn - who decided to stay in Michigan because the roads were bad. However it wasn't too bad - for these trucks. Then we headed out to explore Urbana. First stop: TeaBaggers - a sandwich shop with a name that made us all giggle. The sandwiches were delicious. Bruce, Tony and Joe had to get their picture taken with the sign - well they had to because I made them.


Next stop: The local penny candy store. Where we of course were excited to find all the great candy we hadn't seen in years. Plus there was so much more. We bought our weight in penny candy then headed to the next stop. Joe was excited because it was the first time he had gone to the store in the center of Urbana - since he moved there. I believe it is 7 years - however, I am sure it will be less than seven years before he visits again.

Crabill's Hamburgers. How can I describe this small hamburger shop - well other than the fact they serve delicious hamburgers - ummm I think the word would be GREASY. Yes these sliders are so delicious because well they a cooked in possibly the largest amount of grease I had ever seen. I think that is what made them taste so good - but as Lori said - that once you walk in the grease stays with you - in your hair and on your clothes.

Then we headed over to Joe's school. We were surprised to find out that it looked like a castle. We all enjoyed our tour. Especially of Joe's classroom - where we laughed at the board - which I posted from my phone below. Yes this would be the one where the Ohio State grads decorated Joe's room with red and gray - and a sign that well you can check out for yourself.

Then we headed back tot he LaValley Homestead just in time for the Christmas Parade on cable access. And I am sure you are like - what, why? However - this is entertianment that you can't pass up. Plus we were waiting with baited breath for Robert and Heather's arrival - which didn't happen because the weather got bad. Now our Ohio friends say that they hardly ever get the snow - like the snow we get here - however in our past two visits it didn't seem that way.

We spent the evening - rockin' out with Rock Band 2 and playing games. It was a great time. Thank you very much Joe & Lori! We had a great time. I am looking forward to my next trip to Urbana. I just need to know what's on Cable access so I can plan my trip accordingly.

Oh Christmas Tree

As close as we got to Robert this weekend.

The weather kept both Robert and Karyn from our 7:11 meeting.

Clearly an Ohio State Grad

The sad thing is that same grad teaches eighth grade English.

Greasey Spoon

Carmazzi's Store

Our trip to Tea Baggers

...in Urbana.