Friday Revisited

What a week! What a week! I hope Friday finds you all doing well! We are blessed with a 50 degree day! Saturday will be a lovely 60 degrees! We won't know how to behave! But don't worry, Mother Nature still has a few surprises: We're expecting snow for Monday! Oh yes!

Here's a recap of my week!

I raced to and from Fayetteville to collect data on Monday for the "D." I am pleased to announce that it went well and I will be moving forward with the next level of data collection (interviews!). I plan to return to Fayetteville over my spring break (March 10) and then again on Easter Monday (March 24)... I am fairly certain I'll have to return in April as well, but I can't see that far ahead!

The two best parts of my trip to Fayetteville were staying with Shannon at her wonderful house AND unexpectedly finding my most excellent sister-in-law racing to Kansas City on I-44 in Joplin! (I looked in my rear view mirror to see a gorgeous Audi zipping up behind me and thought to myself, it's a pretty blue, just like Robin's. I pulled over to let it pass and noted it was Robin!) I tailed her from Joplin to my turn off in Nevada up 71 at the speed of Robin (very nearly the speed of light!). We had a great chat via the cell phone (I had John's!) until my reception became wonky around Lamar! Serendipitous!

After returning to the 'Burg I threw myself back into packing and my duties here at the University. Last night I bowled, but my heart, back and wrist were NOT into the game. My scores were abysmal: 102, 91, and 81...

Last night after bowling Orion and I loaded the Kia. This morning John and I loaded the truck. We picked up the keys and dropped off a few loads before I came to work. John's taken another load over and is sweeping out the garage! Tomorrow our friends from the Biology Department are coming over to help us (Yea!).

We'll probably remain at the "old" house for a few more days as we don't have water, a fridge, a new front door, or flooring in the entry or main bathroom. But these items will be fixed early next week, weather permitting (See my comment earlier about the prediction for snow on Monday!).

Wish us luck!

I'll keep you posted and I promise to post some pictures soon!

Is it Friday Yet?

What a day! What a day! I graded papers into the wee hours last night and graded the rest this morning! Barely making it out of the house and to campus in time for class! I made it. I wrapped up my afternoon by forcing John to make copies of my instrument while I made copies of the data collection sheet for the instrument and the IIOC survey for my "experts." I am ready for my trip to Fayetteville. I will be collecting my data on Monday.

Tonight I am working frantically on Science Olympiad which starts tomorrow morning! And wondering, how do I get myself in these situations!

Top it off with we're moving! I've been somewhat quiet about this announcement for several reasons. Mostly I've not taken the time. Partly because I am sad to be leaving my tiny house. And partly because it isn't quite real yet (read: I'm the only one who seems to be packing boxes!). Friday, we will have the keys to our new rental house. South of the university about 1.5 miles, there's a small subdivision filled with ubiquitous split-level ranch type houses. We plan to start moving on Saturday, March 1. The new house is huge. Built in 1972 it has plenty of wood paneling. It's big enough the we will never have to see one another if we don't want to. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms above the ginormous two car garage. There's a living room, den, laundry room (yea!), kitchen and dining room on the main level. The basement has been finished to include a game room, bedroom, half-bath, and wood working shop! We can wait out the tornadoes in style! Besides the laundry room, my favorite part of the house are the closets- ten or eleven- each one bigger than the last.

To top it off, I heard tell from Canada, that my sister Tree is now Dr. Tree! Congratulations little sister! We are all so proud of you.

And so I ask, is it Friday yet? I better sign off and go create something devious for Science Olympiad.

No Go II

We are a No Go for the University. I repeat, we are a No Go for the University!

Mark your calendars folks, this never happens. Okay, make that rarely. Not only are classes cancelled, offices are closed. We ALL have a day off! With pay!

No Go

Houston we are No-Go for school today!

Now I need to go turn off Orion's alarm clock and let the wee monster sleep!

Of course, the University will be open!

Whimp!

I was a total whimp last night.

Our first and last total lunar eclipse (for 2008) occured last night at roughly 10:00. Our observance of the event consisted of me and Orion, in PJs, wrapped in robes and jackets, rushing out to look up till we couldn't feel our legs or fingers, then rushing back in to warm up. We did this several times and watched as the moon was covered by the earth's shadow.

It was beautiful. A clear evening. The crisp air would have been great for photographing the eclipse.

But it was soooo cold!

Night Readings

Nearly every night Orion and I try to find something to read. Last year we consumed Andrew Clements books like potato chips. Seriously. This year we have dabbled a bit, reading a little bit of this and a little bit of that. However, this year for Christmas Orion received copies of several of the Brian books by Gary Paulsen. (Thank you Grandma & Grandpa in the Palm Trees!). I thought it best if we began reading Paulsen's books in the same order I did about 12 years ago when my friend, Alayne, lent me her copy of Transall Saga.

Orion enjoyed Transall Saga, but I think he has totally loved Hatchet & The River! Hatchet is about a 14 year old boy who survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness for 54 days with nothing but his wits and a hatchet. The River finds Brian back in the woods. This time with a man who works for the government- he wants to find out how Brian survived. My brother Michael would love these books!

We have several choices now: Brian's Winter, the what if story that details Brians survival of a winter in the wilderness had he not been rescued, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt.

I'll keep you posted.

Waiting

It's been yet another sleepless night. This time it not only took me a bit of time and effort to fall asleep, I was unable to return to slumber-land after I awoke to relieve myself at 3:30.

I suppose that's alright. I was awake at 4:00 to hear the ice roll in, making its ksish skish ksish noise as it covers the houses, trees, and ground. Thirteen school closings have been posted in the past forty minutes, most of them in the past twenty. I wonder if Warrensburg will be one of them.

Freeze Dried Laundry

Yesterday was a gorgeous day! There was a beautiful blue sky that nearly hurt to look at! A good breeze. And if it hadn't been 22 degrees, I might have believed that spring was on its way.

Despite the freezing cold, the day was too gorgeous to waste. Out went the sheets and another load of clothes that I prefer not to dry in the dryer. They were freezing, turning stiff, as I hung them. After a day in the sun, they were nearly dry, only the thick collars or bands of skirts were still stiff with cold and moisture when I took them down at dusk. My sheets were bright white and smelled like a bit of heaven.

The Joy of Freeze Dried Laundry!

!Decadence!

It has been a busy week. I've missed several calls from my sister, my mother in law, and friends. I'm tired. While I've slept better the past few nights, I've not slept enough. It's not yet 7:00 p.m. and I am shameless. I am going to bed.

Sweet Dreams!

Good News!

A couple of weeks ago I submitted my IRB protocol form (permission to collect data) for my dissertation. Last night I heard from the compliance officer that I would be forwarded on to the next level and that she felt there were no corrections to be made. I will begin (again) collecting data February 25 on my trip to Northwest Arkansas!

93-116-100

Bowling was interesting last night. The approaches were terribly slippery (imagine- hippo on ice skates). My knee was sore. My back ached. But I made it through three games. My new average is 102! So technically I bowled above my average (just barely!) last night. So I've not given up on most improved player! I want that bowling trophy!

Happy Day!

Happy Lupercalia or Saint Valentine's Day - you decide! I hope that this day brings a little something special for each of you.

Canada, O Canada!

As I mentioned in a previous post, we live in Canada. Here's a video of Orion sledding about ten days ago.

Happy "First" Anniversary!

And you know who you are!

Fall Down - Go Boom!

My sister, Tree, only thinks she lives in Canada. I actually do. Monday we had highs around 15 (Which was much warmer than it had been earlier this month!). Some minor precip began to fall as I was exiting my car on campus. I got to the side walk where I promptly fell ass over teakettle. I looked up at the grey sky and wondered how it was that the buildings looked so tall when I finally realized my perspective had changed- dramatically. Despite landing on my ample rear, I somehow bruised the heck out of my knee.

Thankfully I didn’t tear my pants! I went in to call the safety office and they did NOT offer to take my report and I insisted they clear the spot where I fell. Twenty minutes later Dr. R. B., colleague and friend, fell in the SAME spot. Long story short, we had a personal visit from the safety office and our statements were taken and reports were filed.

While we haven't had the huge snowfalls that we did last year, we have had MORE snow and ice this year. And even though I bought YakTrax for both myself and Dr. R.B. (Who fell last year too!) we both succumbed to the poorly maintained sidewalks and parking lots on campus!

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream

As you know, gentle readers, my sleep patterns have been totally shot for the past two weeks or so. I have yet to identify the reasons for thus, but I have an idea or three.

My sleeplessness aside, I remembered seeing an odd advertisement in one of my favorite catalogs (Signals). The items were decal quotes from authors and movies that one could place on their walls. The one photographed for the catalogue was Shakespeare's "To sleep, perchance to dream" from Hamlet's Soliloquy. You can see the picture here. What really got me going was the dark humor of placing such a quote ("To sleep, perchance to dream") above one's bed. For when Hamlet says these words he is contemplating the favors of suicide. Not a good night's sleep.

It's been years since this decal came out (before I moved to the 'Burg) and I wonder how many folks unknowingly placed this decal above their beds?

And better yet, how many folks knowingly placed this decal above their beds?

A little Friday morning dark humor for you!

N is for Naps

I love napping. I miss napping. Here is a picture of Orion napping in the sunroom of our St. Louis flat (circa 2000). You can see trusty Elephant (Gift from my cousin, Sarah Tyran) snuggled up with him. In fact, Elephant just returned from a sleep-over at Calvin's house on Saturday night. She accompanied Orion, of course!

Sleepless in the 'Burg

It's nearly 11:00 p.m. The snow will either begin soon and dump four to six inches or pass us completely. It is a good thing we don't expect too much from our meteorologists up here. I think we'd have a lot less weathermen and weatherwomen if we had the same expectations for them that we have for school teachers (but I digress!).

It's been nearly ten days now of sleeplessness for me here in the 'Burg. I cannot seem to sleep. Usually I am up till 3:00 or 4:00. Then I finally crash right before Orion comes to wake me up at 6:30. Last night I had full intentions of going to bed at 9:00 but Orion had other plans. It was around 11:30 before I finally crashed. Only to wake up at 3:30. I've been up for nearly twenty hours today. I am craving eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Maybe tonight will be my lucky night.

Did I mention it was 71 degrees yesterday?

I Forgot One

(Michael Anthony, Michael Angelo, Michael Philip, and Michael Mangione, circa 1986)

Did I forget to mention that you can't swing a dead cat in my family without hitting a Michael Mangione? Thanks to my brother, Michael Philip, for sending me this picture! Here you see the fourth Michael Mangione, my cousin from Montreal.

Mom or Michael, if you have any more information about Michael or when this picture was taken, please email me.

M is for Michael Mangione (plural)

M is for Mangione or Michael- take your pick
Two beautiful names- several interesting men:

Michele Mangione, Grandfather born in 1890 in Campobasso, Italy, photo circa 1940.


Michael Angelo Mangione, My Father, born in 1931, photo circa 1950.


Michael Philip Mangione is pictured above at the Little Missouri River in 1997. My big brother- he came to my volleyball games in High School. He taught me how to drive- a stick! The best big brother ever!

I am lucky enough to have another brother. His name is Michael too! He lives far away in New York. I'd like to visit him one day soon.

Michael Philip Mangione and Michael Anthony Mangione (Goat Trail, AR)

L is for...

LOVE!

K is for Kat

Not Kathy, Katie, or Kate. Three people call me Kitty. One person calls me Katta. A few call me Katherine.

Most call me Kat.

K is for Kat

Weird Weather

Last Thursday we got snowed on. It was great. They even closed school on Friday! The weekend saw temps in the mid 40s. This morning I was awakened by Thunder and Lightning! (It's been months since we've had a good storm!) (While autumn is my favorite season, February and March are two of my favorite months- I love the violent thunder storms!). Today it hovered around 34 degrees, the rain washing much of the snow that didn't melt over the weekend away. Tomorrow we're expecting a high of 60. Tuesday a high of 34 with wintery mix and ice in the forecast. Weird weather.

J is for Judaism

Top 5 reasons why I think I am Jewish.

5. Easter Swiecona, our special Polish Easter breakfast, consists of an amazing amount of pork products, hard boiled eggs, horseradish, butter lamb, braided bread, etc. Remove the pork products and you’ve almost got yourself a Passover Seder.

4. I collect children’s stories about the Golem. (You all didn’t know that did you?)

3. My favorite “comfort food” is potato pancakes (aka latkes). (Mom knows that!)

2. I make matzo balls that float.

1. I have schmaltz and I know how to use it!

~ Pictured above: Mary, my favorite Jewish gal.~

I is for Immaculate Conception