Birthdays Aren't So Bad...

This has been a simply fab birthday, so far!

I'm not much for birthdays, really; the older I get...well, I actually had to do the math today to double check how old I am today and to my pleasure discovered I'm a year younger than I thought.

That was good news.

Anyway.

Since there's no rule about NOT having to work on your birthday, I went to work.  I'm having a good semester and my kids are working hard, doing everything I ask of them, and doing it without complaint.  What more can I ask?

When my first block found out it was my birthday today they were at first a little irritated that I hadn't told them; as we transitioned into our last activity of the morning I noticed Timmothy was out of his seat and walking around to other groups with his paper in hand.  Ever diligent, I directed him to sit back down and he complied.  Then (head-smack!) I figured out what he was up to.

They'd made me a card!

My heart melted.  And Timmothy forgot to sign it!  So he made me a bookmark that noted "This was Timmothy's idea!" and he drew a picture of a Jolly Rancher.    Well, I just love it.

My daughter sent me these gorgeous flowers:

And my 22-year old son, for the first time ever, went out to a store and bought me a gift and two cards (one from the cats!).

I cried.

Steve and I will go out to dinner tomorrow with friends and so the festivities will continue for another day.  I'm looking forward to that!

Birthdays aren't so bad, really!

Birthday Weekend, Estate Sales, and Old Houses

It's the birthday weekend here at SIGIS; my mom is 87 today and I'm....well, another year older tomorrow (Sunday). 

My daughter, her husband, and my niece are in from Dallas to celebrate and we're headed to The Cub for dinner tonight.  Fine steaks and au gratin potatoes!

We've spent the afternoon at my mom's, visiting.  I got a nifty book on Tiffin glass from my niece which I can't wait to get into.  My daughter conspired with Milly Rose at some point and gave me a terrific gift certificate so I'll be headed to Minden sometime after Oktoberfest to see what kind of goodies I can rustle up!

So I went to this estate sale today.  Oh for a million dollars!  I would so love to restore this house!  I am such a sucker for older homes.  I love the detail, the architecture, and the solidity of them.  The huge rooms.  The tall windows.  I'd take an old house over a new one any day of the week.  But, that's just me.

This picture is of the fireplace in the dining room:

I love the detail on those columns and the beveled mirror. 

This view is from the same position but looking back toward the living room:

The hardwood floors were once gorgeous and could be again.

This is one of the upstairs bedrooms on the back side of the house.

This view is from the landing at the top of the stairs on the second floor and looks over the front yard.  The wrought iron balcony is cool.

Okay so now that balcony is just behind me and this looks toward the back of the house; there are bedrooms on either side of where we are here:

This is toward the front and that balcony again:

And so I went on up to the attic and this is from the stairs looking into the attic.  There was a hole in the roof and the sun is filtering in.  It's clear that rats and other critters have had their way with the place.  There was a man up there digging through stuff but I didn't have the fortitude:

This is one of the sleeping porches on the back of the house, second floor:

This view is from the sleeping porch looking back to the front of the house.  That's the wrought iron balcony on top and the front door is visible below.  Those are the "front" stairs and we also had "back" stairs which was customary for "the help."

A downstairs porch:

There wasn't much to rescue from this house as far as estate sales go.  There were some worm eaten books and an ancient piano.  Various bits of furniture.  It was all pretty far gone.  But, boy!  Would I love to restore that place!  The grandeur of it! 

It's my birthday.  The house is for sale.  Anyone?

Actually, the lady said someone is looking to buy it, restore it and rent it out for weddings and receptions and such.

I'm off to spend time with family now.  Happy weekend to you!

Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Happy Birthday 2010 Edition

This'll be quick; today's my "hoppy bird day" as Steve might say, and we're headed to Minden to explore Milly's new purchase of goodies at Second Hand Rose!  My camera is recharging so come back later for pictures and see what's new.  And again, if you want me to scope out something for you, leave a comment and I will.  I have a couple of requests already!

Here we go:

Professor Jacobson wants you to know that John Kerry thinks you're dumber than a box of hammers.

Pirate's Cove is giving Obama credit where credit is due.

Doug Ross posts on the shenanigans at DOJ and also has a nifty pic for his Links today.

Stacy McCain encourages Christine O'Donnell to use some of the mud slinging to her advantage; she sort of is already...she was spot on this week when she brushed off the "witchcraft" nonsense with, "If I was a witch, Karl Rove would be a fan by now!".  Heh!

Pundette posts on the ridiculous Colbert testimony before Congress.

Yukio is headed to my neck of the woods!  I'll buy you some tea at Yeero, Yeero Yukio!  Give me a call!

This is a wonderful post from Bob Belvedere; sad he has to write it, but spot on.

 Carol has a must see video.

Mind Numbed Robot is in a mess.

Godspeed, Red!

And finally, Bride of Rove tries to think like a liberal.  Well, sort of.

Why in the hell does lightening not strike these lying liars dead on the spot when they lie like that? Why? Where is God when such evil speaks? My second thought was: Why does Mark Levin hate me THIS MUCH that he continues to torment me with sound bites of President Obama and Robert Gibbs?

And with that I've got to hit the showers and hit the road.  Happy Saturday to you!

Happy Birthday, Dear Blog

This blog turns one year old tomorrow, August 1! And I'm celebrating a day early because it's the weekend and I can do that.

Seriously, I wanted to take a moment from railing against health care and politics to acknowledge my little birthday and thank my blogging buddies and internet friends for their support. I've learned a lot this year.

I started my blog initially because my adult daughter had one and I'd enjoyed reading it all last summer; she encouraged me to start one of my own. I knew less than nothing about how to do any of it. I went to the store and bought Blogging for Dummies. I swear.

Initially I wasn't sure of my blog's focus and I wrote about things like my dog, my daily life, things that Steve and I did, like going to military band concerts and eating out. Mice. Day trips. Flowers. And I still do some of that, but as you know, I eventually settled into being primarily a political blog. Like the world needed another one of those.

I've made some people mad, I lost some readers over politics, and I've gained some. I've "met" some great people and I've found some terrific blogs (see my blogroll!).

Robert Stacy McCain has been indispensable. There's been a small internet war over his "Rules" this week, which I'm staying out of, but I've learned a lot from Stacy and his encouragement has been invaluable. Some may call his "Rules" silly, but I learned a lot from his words. Stacy has helped more bloggers get established and circulated than anybody I know. He's got a heart of gold. He is hands down one of the best writers I know, and he's what I like to call a "good, old-fashioned journalist" which means he knows what real reporting is and what it's all about to work in a newsroom and to have "ink in your veins" - metaphorically speaking, of course. If you're feeling charitable, click over and hit his tip jar because he needs some new shoe leather.

Speaking of tip jars, I want to thank those folks that have hit mine lately. It's encouraging to know that people enjoy what you write and support your efforts. I like to say I blog for fun, and I do, but the rattling of coins in the tip jar is encouraging! So, thanks! I won't call you by name because I don't want you on any right-wing extremist lists.

So thanks, readers, for coming back. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday, Dad

Happy Birthday to my Dad, who would be 87 today!

He hated birthdays.

Related Post:
Letter From Coffeyville Army Air Field, Coffeyville, KS

Hoppy Bird Day!

A big 'ol happy birthday shout out to Sheryl; I totally heart you!!!!