Holy Indiana State Bat Festival, Batman!

So a couple of weekends ago we traveled three and a half hours south of our burg to the lovely town of Terre Haute, Indiana. The occasion was the annual Bat Festival, held at Indiana State University. PJ has long had an interest in bats, and recently when there was an article in the newspaper about the epidemic of "white nose" that is plaguing the bats and how the cause is unknown, PJ instinctually felt a call to action. But what can we do? Well, we can be aware, give to the people who are doing good research, and build a bathouse! He had wanted to do one in Mesa, but, for all of you who had been to that house, being boxed in and ten feet away from your next door neighbor are not optimum conditions. I put my foot down. However, here I think we are in a really good location, being farther away from neighbors and so close to the end of the alley, there's good access for them. When we woke up that particular Saturday, PJ and I had decided it was a folly to put the kids in the car for a 7 plus total hour road trip, and were ready to call the whole thing off. But Birdie called us out on it, and you know, she was right. We did need to go, to get some information, and see what we can do to help. So in the car we hopped. It took almost three and a half hours to get there, and we found the university pretty easily. There were seminars and demonstrations and activities for the kids. PJ went to the bat house seminar, while I took the kids to see the different exhibits of bats and to the kids' activities. A good time was had by all, and there was even a side trip to Indiana's largest waterfall, Cataract Falls, the same location that held the only covered bridge left in that county. Stay tuned for that post, next folks!

Dad and Mom's Amazing South Bend Adventure!

So a few weekends ago we went to South Bend to attend the wedding of our friends Mark and Emily. Their fete was held at the world renowned Tippicanoe Place. It was incredible! The ceremony, performed by the City Clerk, was held on the landing of the stairs and it was standing room only. Vows were said, there was a reading from Madeline L'Engle, and there was not a dry eye in the place. Until the phone started ringing. Some quick thinking guests who happened to be standing behind reception took care of it, but there's only so much one can do in the middle of a wedding! After the vows, we went to the receiving line where we wished Mark and Emily our best, got reacquainted with his folks (they came to dinner once before we left South Bend) and then went upstairs to catch the Michigan / Notre Dame score. Yes, it was a football weekend (when is it not?) AND Emily's family is originally from Michigan! Everyone, although drinking, was kind and showed good sportsmanship and there were no barfights. After a while, dinner was held downstairs in the dining rooms that at one time were parlors. We knew nobody at this lovely affair besides the bride and groom, so were unsure about our table mates. But these two couples, one older, one younger, were so much fun. The younger were engaged to be married next month, and the older from northern Michigan and very old fashioned. But so incredibly warm hearted and funny. The meal was amazing, and we went downstairs to witness some dancing. After a while, we skipped out and headed down the street to PJ's favorite South Bend joint, the Fiddlers Hearth. We struck up a conversation with the gentleman who came in and sat next to us, and then his lady friend. They were very interesting and the whole evening was a blast. We even spoke a little to another gentleman down the bar a ways who had lived seemingly all over this country-even Scottsdale at one point! After too many pints (which followed drinks at the wedding) we stumbled back to the bed and breakfast. Our proprietress had upgraded us to an even lovelier room than we were expecting, with a bath in the room. Well, a shower. But we had optimum privacy. I didn't take a picture of the actual room before we left, but the sink area next to the door did make it onto the camera. The house itself had been moved from another block over at one point some years ago, and was on the National Register of Historic Places. The house was very comfortable, with two parlors downstairs and a sitting area tucked upstairs in the landing. Our hostess went above and beyond to make our stay there beyond pleasant, and she accomplished this task beyond measure. I wanted to stay another day!

View from second floor hallway leading downstairs

Front View of the Innisfree

Sink area, w/c and shower around the corner.

Health Care fer reals y'all

Okay, I am posting because I really enjoy a dry sense of humor and some irony. And because my secret boyfriend is in it.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

Funniest video probably ever

At least to me. We found this when we were relatively new hoosiers, and it was quite funny. Driving back from Terre Haute today through Muncie triggered my brain that I hadn't watched this in a while. Having been here for a bit longer, it seems so incredibly spot on. The Carhartt coat, the Elks Club dance, the minivan, the BOB EVANS! (we love our Bob Evans!), Sears, the main drag going through town. It epitomizes small town life. Plus they reference Fort Wayne! So please watch and prepare to laugh. There are naughty words, so not in front of the kiddos. This one's for you, Jen!

Random Thursday Evening Thoughts

1) I am glad I did not drive home behind that weird pickup truck that was spewing mosquito spray out of the top of the cab again tonight.
2) If I need to have a wake/service, it should be at D.O. McComb on Lake Avenue. So very pretty.
3) This banana tastes so good.
4) I love the smell of freshly baking bread. After yoga all of downtown was alive with the smells of Aunt Millies.
5) I am pretty sure the guy two mats down from me at yoga fell asleep during the final relaxation. Same guy who was making really strange noises at the end last week. This week was snoring noises.
6) I really like the lights at Friemann Square. Sort of seventies, but in a pretty way.
7) I really do not like the music they play at yoga classes. Same as massage music. New agey, and it makes me a little irritated. Maybe I need a home practice and should listen to Mussorgsky.
8) I have awesome friends and am so very grateful for them.
9) My sleeping chickens are pretty much the cutest things eveh.
10) I am out for the night. Sweet Dreams, y'all!

Mini Rant

"I was incredibly disappointed in the tone of his speech,” said Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).”At times, I found his tone to be overly combative and believe he behaved in a manner beneath the dignity of the office. I fear his speech tonight has made it more difficult — not less — to find common ground."

Is this the same dignity that was shown to our President by shouting things like "You lie!" and holding up signs and playing with pdas? Hmm.
Does he truly want to categorize the President as "combative" when his party has done nothing civilized when it comes to this subject (and others too).
Does he want to prattle on about "bipartisanship" and working together when members of his party claim that they want to work with the President and Congress on health care yet tell their constituents behind the Presidents back that they are going to do everything to defeat it? (I'm talking to you, Mr. Enzi.)
I think President Obama tried to bring some dignity back to government last night. Too bad our elected representatives didn't follow suit. It's disappointing.

Sleepy Chicken

Somebody works so hard at school that she comes home incredibly sleepy. Some days she takes a power nap. The super kitty loves these days.

Big Girl on Her First Day of First Grade

Our big girl started a whole new school this year.

She went right in with the help of a few family members, and is off to a great start. She begins her ensemble arts classes next week (hers is on Monday's and this is a holiday). To hear her talk about her day is amazing. Drama games, art class, her teacher. She is another girl altogether.



Oh, Ava, the places you'll go...

Abundance

First there was this:

Then there was this:

Finally there was this:

And then there was beer. The End.

Bring It!

According to yesterday's newspaper, there's a feud brewing between the Old Farmers Almanac and the National Weather Service.
I'll side with the Farmers over the scientific data, even if they have Pinpoint Viper HD-those farmers usually get it right. But DANG if they didn't give us quite the forecast!


Wishful thinking says to go with the other guy, but I think I'll stick with the Farmers and be glad it's at least dry. Y'all know where I stand on ice storms and snow drifts.
I'll be thinking of all my AZ peeps this winter, yes I will.

I Just Can't Wait!

As happy as I was to see a Coen Brothers movie trailer the other night, this makes me squeal with glee. George Clooney, a Scotsman (albeit not Mr. McAvoy) AND Boston on the soundtrack? Two tickets, please!