Puppy Love

Locomotion

When I was being treated for Hodgkins Disease at Cook Childrens Medical Center, (in a building that is strangely no longer there) we spent a majority of the daily chemo administrations in the play room - a two-roomed area full of books, toys, bald-headed children, and their families.  There are two things that bring back that time so violently that it makes me almost physically ill: one is a combination of smells - a mix of hospital, humanity, and Heparin.  Usually an IV is required to bring that specific smell back into my life.  The second is the sound of model trains.

Some brilliant benefactor thought it would be a great idea to build a tiny train track that moved throughout both rooms (so you could never get away from the noise) that would toot its horn all. the. time.  All the time.  I hated that thing so much.  It would wobble on it's tracks built into the wall just below the ceiling, making it's loop through both play rooms and tooting that infuriating toot, scratching its way on old toy wheels into your subconscious.

When I walked in to the hospital for my shift tonight and saw this thing, it was the first time in my almost three years of volunteering there that my gag reflex had to be controlled.  Leave the trains to BNSF and the cross-country tracks.  There's no place for something not to be touched (nor something so obnoxious) in a children's hospital.

Dig by Incubus

I love my office!

There's something in the coffee, I swear.

Finnegan's Wake by Darby O'Gill

I Heart Food Trucks

Bambu.  I'm such the fan.

Shuffle by Bombay Bicycle Club

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant

Who wouldn't?

Silenced by the Night by Keane

I Hate Goodbyes

Sunday by Bloc Party

Windy City

The great thing about epic coastal winds: epic beach hair.

When You Love Somebody by Fruit Bats

My Favorite Meal

Let's be honest, there was a lot of food involved in this trip, all of it awesome.  But Dustin's tuna steaks complete with grilled spuds, buttery green beans, and Nar's spicy dressing on great-tasting salads was my absolute fav.

Also, the view didn't hurt.

Apples and Pairs by Slow Club



Fire Starter

My first day visiting Nar & Du!  Having not seen them in almost a year and a half (ridiculousness) it was a very company-intensive weekend...

I saw Du's station at West U (wow, what a gorgeous little area):

 Next, a quick stop in Rice Village for a Half Price Books run and a stop at the Chocolate Bar.  Best. Brownie. EVER.

 And finally, Hermann Park.  Such a special place in my heart.  And now the Japanese Garden is free! :-)

El Tiempo Cantina.  It'll change your life.

And finally, my sister actually asked me to help her with lesson-planning.  I Crayola with the best of them:

The Wrot and the Writ by Johnny Flynn

Don Juan

If only Mike would let me dress Keebs and Kona (and if only they didn't chew off anything with which I try to adorn them).  It'd be so funny!

Gimme Twice by The Concept

Puppy Wisdom

Fun with the color printer and my dog photos.

What?  I needed a work break!

I Will Possess Your Heart

This guy is always here when I come and leave during the day.  I can't find his nest, but there has to be one; he's always there, protecting something.

Epic Last Song by Does It Offend You, Yeah?

Gone to the Dogs

I'm beginning to think people are always at our house not for the human company, but to be graced with the presence of Kona and Keebler...

Ok, to be fair, half these dogs aren't mine.  But we've had so many dog friends over along with ours that Kona and Keebs are becoming regular entertainers (read: Butt Sniffers).  Awesome.

Surprise Redone

The first party was just to throw her off...Franco threw Heidi a second party the next Saturday!

It's a Good Friday

After I'd purchased the iPad 2 in February, I waited a couple weeks to even open it as I purchased the case online.  Imagine how ticked I was the day after I opened it when the announcement of the New iPad came out, and would be available in a week...

To Best Buy's credit, they took it back no questions asked; but I was ready for a fight because the blue shirt guy told me it'd be another year!

After weeks of waiting for the new one, it FINALLY arrived today (which I also had off work)!  And it. Is. EPIC.  Totally worth the months of saving up my blow money!  I wanted to make sure it was extra protected, so I modified the size of these instructions and sewed myself a customer iPad case for my iPad case, which I finished just in time for its arrival!  I'm surprised how simple and enjoyable the process was.  But was most surprising was how awesome it turned out!

I'm going to fuse some embroidery from an old pair of warm ups that I love, but are too big.  Perf colors, and it'll add some durable decor.  I think I'll use my flight to Houston next week to handsew the leftover seems down to the padding...but I love this thing!



Signs by Bloc Party

Terrifying

Thanks, Time.

People bring me stuff

Seriously, almost to the point of being ridiculous.  I love it!

Miss Chief

I call this work of art "Why JB Shouldn't Leave Me Alone in the Office: a Study".

Proud Mama

Keebs graduates Beginner Course!

April's Fool

Happy Surprise Birthday, Heidi!