Thursday 13: Brought to You by the Letter "K"

*Idea from Alisha at Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander*


1. Kansas – I’ve never been, but I think it looks beautiful. I love the plains.

2. Karaoke – I’ve only done this once and it was at my bachelorette party in a group.

3. Karma – Crickett’s dog mama. I wanted to take her home, too.


4. Ketchup – My husband uses this condiment on EVERYTHING and I’m not kidding when I say this. The weirdest combination is when he dips his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in it.

5. Kibble – Crickett may have wheat allergy, so she is currently on special-formula (a.k.a. expensive) dog food. It smells absolutely horrible.

6. Kindergarten – All I really remember about kindergarten is writing lots of stories and one of my classmates always having a runny nose.

*Me: second row, second one from the left. Runny-nose boy: middle of back row.*

7. King-size bed – I love this size bed. Wish Mitch and I had one.

8. Kitchen – I like the sign my mother-in-law has that says, “I have a kitchen because it came with the house.” Unlike me, however, she can cook and bake.

9. Kiwi – I enjoy this fruit but can’t eat much of it because my tongue starts to get tingly and sore.

10. Knoephla – One of my all-time favorite soups. I love that you can buy it by the bucket from a local restaurant.

11. Knuckles – Mitch and I both crack ‘em.

12. Koala bear – Growing up, there was a giant photo of one above my bed. I think they are creepy; they give off an evil vibe.

13. Kuchen – There are amazing bakers in my family, but for some reason no one makes this incredible dessert and that makes me quite sad.


More Thursday 13!

Elephants, Willard Scott, and Ford Pintos

Tuesday nights from 5:30-9:20, I'm sitting in my Intermediate Accounting class. This, however, does not mean I'm learning about accounting. My instructor cannot stay on track and its not the students pulling him away from the course material. Here are some of the topics HE brought up and discussed last night:


1. The thermal heating he has in the floor of one of his properties. The heating element is in sand, which is why it works so well.

2. The exceptional memories of elephants. They are also the only animal not scared of the cougar.

3. Mountain lion sightings in the state. We don't have mountains, so what are they doing here?

4. Willard Scott was the first Ronald McDonald. (*This scares me a little.*)

5. A local "celebrity" and his family.

6. The roof of his house has shake shingles. These shingles are supposed to last 50 years.

7. The death of a colleague last year. He drank too much coffee, smoked too many cigarettes, and didn't eat very well.

8. A local news headline of an intoxicated man running over his girlfriend in a parking lot.

9. Yellowstone and Yosemite parks and how Roosevelt established the National Park system.

10. Knot-free pine and how difficult it is to find nowadays. If you do find it, it's very expensive.

11. Hitting a Ford Pinto from behind causes it to blow up.


There you have it folks. This information will definitely help me pass the CPA exam!

Book Quote: Saint Maybe

I am currently reading Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler. Below are my favorite two sentences from the novel thus far:


"If only you could climb into photographs. If only you could take a running jump and land there, deep inside."


I love when you come upon those photos that you would love to be part of; that's great art.

You Say Beefsteak, I Say Breakfast

Last month, Mitch decided he wanted BLTs for supper so during that week's grocery shopping trip he picked up a few tomatoes.

While eating dinner with his parents a few days later, Mitch asked them what the difference was between breakfast tomatoes and regular tomatoes. My in-laws said they had never heard of breakfast tomatoes and my mother-in-law suggested that perhaps the tomatoes my dear husband had bought were not "breakfast" but "beefsteak." Mitch responded with an emphatic, "No, they're called breakfast tomatoes."

That evening when we got home, I took a peek in the fridge:

Mitch has not yet heard the end of this one. In fact, his dad left a great comment just last week on the post about my sister's vegetables.


It's great to have things to tease my husband about.

Sunday Smile

Snapshot Saturday: Travelling Eyes

A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.
~Moslih Eddin Saadi~

Garden Genes

My sister got the crazy genes,


but she also got the green thumb genes. Look at these goods from her garden!



(Side note: I want her purple dining room table.)

Thursday 13: Brought to You by the Letter "J"

*Idea from Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander*


1. Jacks – I think this game is a blast.

2. Jack-o-lantern – Mine are of the pathetic variety. I don’t have carving skills, that’s for sure.

3. Jalopy – I enjoy saying this word – it’s so much fun.

4. Jazz – Hate it with a passion! It sounds like noise to me.

5. Jetson’s – Absolutely loved this cartoon as a kid. It was so magical and fun.

6. Jolly Ranchers – Love these candies! I think it’s one of the few candies where I love every flavor.

7. Juggle – I cannot, but my husband and father can both do it.

8. Juice – My favorite is orange juice. I can drink it with just about anything.

9. Jambalaya – I’ve only had it once but really, really liked it.

10. Jumping jacks – While watching The Biggest Loser a couple of years ago, trainer Jillian gave a tip to get up and do jumping jacks during commercial breaks. I thought this sounded like fun so I started jumping away and ended up having an asthma attack. I stay seated during commercials now.

11. June - The best month of the year! (With the 2nd being the best day of the month.)

12. Juniors – The seventh-graders I had during my first year of teaching are juniors this year. Hard to believe; I wonder what they’re like now.

13. Juror – I’ve never been one and will probably never be one now that I’m married to a cop. Thanks a lot, Mitch.


More Thursday 13!

Fall is Officially Here

Happy first day of fall!

Happy Anniversary

Happy 31st Anniversary, Mom and Dad W.!

First Time for Everything

I just finished icing the base of my skull, I'm currently icing my back, and next up is my right butt cheek.

I fell down our stairs for the first time this evening. Not the stairs that Mitch suggested we carpet, but the stairs I insisted be covered in laminate. I was on my way down to the entryway to pick up my shoes when I slipped after the first step. I felt the back of my head hit first, then my back made contact, and finally my rear slid down the remainder of the way. Needless to say, there was a bit of screaming and sobbing.

Things I learned from tonight's fun experience: (1) You can bruise the palm of your hand, (2) railings are no help if you can't hang on to them, (3) picking up shoes is overrated (I think I'm done doing it), and (4) all I want for Christmas are grippy socks because I have a feeling that I'll have to go down the stairs again sometime (I don't think I can convince Mitch to put in an elevator).

Treat Time

Dear Grandma W.,

Mom gave me a bunch of marshmallows when we got home from your house tonight so don't feel bad about not having any treats for me. (I did appreciate the attempt with carrots.)


Love you,

Crickett

Sunday Smile

Snapshot Saturday: Try, Try Again

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
~Winston Churchill~

The White Stuff

Today is a special day. Why you ask? Well, we are currently in the midst of our first snowfall of the 2010-2011 winter season! Oh wait, fall isn't even officially here yet . . .



Can you believe this? Yeah, me either.

Thursday 13: Brought to You by the Letter "I"

*Idea from Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander*

1. Ice cream – It has to be an interesting flavor or have interesting add-ins for me to get excited about it.

2. Ice-skating – This is probably the only winter activity I enjoy enough to suffer in the cold. I hope my dad makes a skating rink again this year. (Mom, send that hint along.)

3. Idaho – My cousin moved to Boise for graduate school and I’m hoping to get out there this spring to visit.

4. Ignition – I have the hardest time getting my key out of the ignition in Mitch’s truck. One of the reasons I hate driving it.

5. Impressionism – My favorite type of art and Claude Monet is my favorite artist. I can lose myself in his paintings. *Sigh*

6. Impersonation – Mitch does an awesome Arnold Schwarzenegger!

7. In-laws – I have the best a girl could ever want. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have such a wonderful second set of parents.

8. Inspector Gadget – Loved this show when I was young.

9. Interviews – I hate them and perform horribly at them. (See #10)

10. Introvert – That’s me!

11. Iron – I like ironing but only with my mom’s iron. My mom has an awesome iron; there was never a wrinkle I couldn’t get out.

12. Italian – My favorite type of food.

13. Italics – I don’t care for the look of italicized words.


More Thursday 13!

Crabbiness Cured

Nothing lifts a crabby mood like an email from your mother-in-law with photos of her puppy.

Thanks for the smiles, Mom W.!


Rizzo trying to figure out how to go down the stairs.

What's Wrong Here?

Today I had to drive Mitch's truck to work. I hate driving it for so many reasons, but that's another post. Today, we're going to play a little game.

Tell me if you see anything in this photo that's a little off:



*Hint: I'm in park and therefore not moving.*

Sunday Smile

Happy Grandparents Day to all those grandmas and grandpas out there!

Snapshot Saturday: City Streets

I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the neighbourhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

Friday Finds

Go check out BeadforLife! Beautiful beads at great prices for a great cause!

"BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads, and people who care open their hearts,homes and communities to buy and sell the beads.


The beads thus become income, food, medicine, school fees and hope. It is a small miracle that enriches us all."

Thursday 13: Brought to You by the Letter "H"

*Idea from Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander*


1. Handlebars – When bike-riding with Mitch a few years ago, he jumped the curb and I thought I could do it, too. I was sadly mistaken; instead, my ribcage made forceful contact with my bike's handlebars. It was quite painful.

2. Hats – I don’t wear them because I think they make me look silly. I wish this wasn't the case because hats are fun.

3. Heartburn - I've never had it and hope I never do. Doesn't sound like a good time.

4. Heat – We turned ours on yesterday. Fall is definitely here.

5. Hermit crabs – The only pets I had growing up.

6. Hiccups – I don't get them very often, but when I do I get a headache from them.

7. History – I thought this subject was incredibly boring in school and to be honest, I'm still not a huge fan.

8. Honey – I use this as an allergy medication. In the spring, I eat a spoonful each night before I go to bed.

9. Horse – I’ve never ridden one.

10. Hot dogs - LOVE them! My favorite are those signature red Cloverdale franks.

11. Hummingbirds - Wish I had some flying around my yard. They are so much fun to watch.

12. Hushpuppies - Mitch's co-workers make the best hushpuppies. I love going to their annual fish-fry.

13. Hyundai - My first car was a Hyundai Excel. It was navy blue and didn't have power steering. Good times.


More Thursday 13!

A Wednesday Whine

I have a complaint and a question.

My complaint: My Intermediate Accounting textbook does not have a glossary.

My question: What kind of textbook doesn't include a glossary?

I am not impressed.

Okay, I'm done whining now.

Measure Twice

It's not often that the interstate is at a standstill here in North Dakota. If you're not moving on I-29 or I-94, it means you're in a construction zone or something big happened. The latter was the case on Saturday morning.


I think someone forgot to "measure twice" before he attempted to squeeze his grain bin under the overpass.


These shots were taken as the situation was improving. Two hours earlier, on my drive in the opposite direction, the bin was standing verticaly under the overpass.

Can you imagine being this driver? Oh, how his heart must have sank when he heard the scraping and crushing sounds.

Happy Birthday

Happy 57th Birthday, dad!

Sunday Smile

Snapshot Saturday: Flowers

People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.
~Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat~

Mom's Email

When I checked my email yesterday morning, I had this message from my mom:


Hi girl,

How are you? Do you work this weekend?

Just wanted to tell you that I’m glad that you still blog and didn’t turn into a “Facebook only” type of person. I really enjoy your blogs . . . keep up the good work!

Have a wonderful day!

Love you.


Isn't that the sweetest? Moms are special people.

Thursday 13: Brought to You by the Letter "G"

*Idea from Alisha at Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander*


1. Garage sales - I love going to them with my sister.

2. Geometry - I hated this class when I took it as a student and was relieved that I didn't have to teach it as a teacher.

3. German Shepherd - I've had an itch lately to move out to the country; if we did, I would buy a German Shepherd. They're beautiful, we'd have enough room for one, and who wouldn't feel safe with with a beast like that around?

4. Girl Scout cookies - My favorite are the Thin Mints. I put them in the freezer and eat them cold - YUM!

5. Glitter - Whenever I see glitter, I think of a high school classmate who used it on all of her posters for our Probability class. She was a little crazy.

6. Gnomes - I'm going to buy a gnome or two for our yard next year. They are just so darn cute.

7. Gobstoppers - I LOVE the chewy kind. Unfortunately, they are quite hard to find.

8. Golden Girls - I don't think I'll ever get sick of this show.

9. Good Will - This store opened about a year ago and I still haven't been in to visit! Shame on me!

10. Grapefruit - So much more enjoyable eating them with grapefruit spoons. Whoever invented those was a genius.

11. Green beans - My favorite vegetable.

12. Gumdrops - Ick. I like sugar in almost all forms, but this is definitely not one of them.

13. Gutter - Where you'll see the majority of my bowling balls go.


More Thursday 13!

Eight Photos From the Eighth Month

I'm feeling somewhat wordless this week, so I thought I'd share some photos from August.

Summertime produces such beautiful cloud photos. I never tire of looking at the sky during this season.


Mitch and I spent a few evenings on the deck playing games. Mother Nature sent her visitors, of course.


My sister's cat. Normally I am not a cat person, but Gigi is quite awesome.


The day that I visited my grandparents' farm, it was close to 100 degrees which meant it was too hot to spend any time outside until the evening. We stayed inside and played cards, enjoying the view from the windows.


I love this photo of Crickett. That yellow circle is a frisbee that Mitch brought home from a conference last summer. Instead of playing fetch with it like a normal dog, Crickett has made it a chew toy.


Another sky photo. Summer sunrises are gorgeous.


I despise blow-drying my hair. I think it's one of the worst things about getting ready for the day. Between my hatred for this activity and the hot weather, my hair was up in a ponytail for most of the month.


My Shasta Daisies are still alive (I think?). While I haven't seen any butterflies around them, I did catch this little dragonfly visiting one day. He wasn't shy at all!


Happy first day of September!