Princess Lucky Underpants...

Happy Birthday to the prettiest princess this side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge! I can't wait to see Shannon in June when we can celebrate her birthday properly with a pizza from Monetti's.

X is for Chromosome...

of which I have two!

Heidi

Yesterday, Saturday August 23, 2008, Heidi Bottomley Meyer was buried in Eureka Springs, AR next to her mom, Alice. And I was not there to say good-bye or to stand with my friends as they mourned.

Heidi and I attended the same high school. It was a small school. Everybody knew everybody else. But she was my little sister's very best friend. Heidi attended Hendrix College (where Tree and I went) for a time before transferring to the University of Arkansas to complete her teaching degree. Heidi taught in our hometown of Eureka Springs. She was beginning her eighth year teaching at Washington Junior High in Bentonville when she unexpectedly died. She had a passion for the written word and shared that passion with hundreds of kids each year. She was six weeks shy of her 37th birthday.

Heidi has two siblings, Bret and Brandon. Heidi married Donovan Meyer, her high school sweetheart and friend. Her daughter Avery is just about two years old.

It is tremendously sad when someone you know dies. But it becomes tragically incomprehensible when it is someone so good and so young.

For friends who knew Heidi and would like to help, Bret has created a website memorial for her. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers that monetary gifts be made to her memorial fund.

The Best Weekend Ever

While it might not be the best weekend ever, it surely has been the best weekend that I have had in an exceptionally long time. It began Friday morning, early, when the boys awoke and left for Conway. The first thing I did was clean their bathroom (Pee Eww!). From there I changed sheets, worked on the laundry, swept, and worked on the house as a whole. I made it to work by 10:00 a.m. Just in time to sign my summer school contract, check my mail and voice messages, and attend our last department meeting for the year. We had fried chicken and sweet tea at our department meeting. It was good. That afternoon I had a few meetings with students, graded papers, and worked on reference letters. I left work at 4:30 to get ready for my "date."

Jennifer was my date for the evening. The Biology and Earth Science Department was having their annual award banquet for students. Jennifer's husband was unable to attend so I filled in. What an evening. It was wonderful to watch the slides of our UCM students out in the field. And when the awards were announced the professors were ready to burst with pride. It was great. But my most favorite part of the evening was when three of my best friends were honored with awards: Outstanding Biology Professor went to Jennifer, my date! Outstanding Geology Professor went to Sally, my exercise partner! And the Spirit of Science Award went to Vicki. I couldn't help but do a little dance (in my chair) for each of them!

Saturday morning I awoke early and dressed in sturdy jeans and sturdier shoes. I layered my tops and dug out my camp hat. I met a group of Geology students and two professors (Drs. Z and L). We drove to Jefferson City and spent the morning and afternoon investigating outcrops along Highway 63. We ended the afternoon at Earthquake Hollow. I learned more in 12 hours than I did in an entire semester 20 years ago. And I have the rocks to prove it! I can't wait till the next trip.

That night we had a late dinner of homemade pizza at Sal's house. We discussed research, science, misconceptions, math games, and pizza toppings. It was fabulous.

I slept. And I slept hard.

This morning I awoke and finished working on the house. I had some dusting and serious vacuuming to do. I have yet to dust and vacuum my bedroom, but the rest of the house looks nearly presentable. I am still working on the funky smell in the dining room and the wicked carpet stains throughout.

I spent my afternoon with students, always a pleasure, and ate a marvelous hamburger and a tasty dog.

My little boy is home and in the shower. Soon we'll both head to bed so we'll be well rested for the coming week. This week will be my last week of classes for the Spring 2008 semester. Next week we'll have finals. Summer school begins on May 12! Holy smokes. I better start running now!

My regret, I didn't take my camera to any of these awesome events!

Robin Brings the Sun

Ra is the Egyptian sun god; it is also the nickname that I have for my sister-in-law, Robin. And like Ra, Robin brings the sun to any occasion. Few are lucky enough to have a sister-in-law as wonderful as mine. But the truly lucky one is my big brother, Michael. Lucky and smart. Lucky for finding her and smart for snagging her.

For me, Robin is more than a sister-in-law. She's a role model for kindness, professionalism, and sanity. She is someone I truly look up to and think, "I want to be like her."

The world is a much better place for many of us (family, friends, and patients) because of Robin. And today we celebrate her birthday!

Happy Birthday Robin!

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

1967

Need I say more?

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