Polar Plunge (059/365)

“Scalded cats fear even cold water.”
Thomas Fuller (British Clergyman and Writer,1608-1661)

TIME:  9:52 AM – 1:39 PM
PLACE: Carlyle Lake, Carlyle Illinois
SUBJECT: 2014 Special Olympics Polar Plunge

My employer was one of the sponsors of the 2015 Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
I took the plunge last year.
This year, I just donated time and money.
I was one of the volunteers who verified funds during registration.
It was very cold.


This heater was very popular in the tent.


The boat ramp was a tad icy,


Since there was so much ice on the lake today, they had the plungers only go into the water about up to their knees.
The search and dive rescue team guys were in the water the whole time as a safety precaution.
I hope their suits worked.

Typing (058/365)

Jack Torrance: Heeere's Johnny!
The Shining, Warner Bros., Hawk Films, (1980)

TIME: 10:22 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Typewriter

I bought new ribbon for my 1964 Corona Sterling portable typewriter.
I think the winter weather is affecting me.
And there is snow in the forecast for tomorrow.

Throwback Thursday–2006 (057/365)

TIME:  February 19, 2006
PLACE: St. Mary’s School
SUBJECT:  DramaQueen and MonkeyBoy

These photos were taken 9 years ago at a Cub Scout Blue and Gold Dinner.


Gotta love that boy.

Dress and Dungeons & Dragons (056/365)

TIME: 7:14 PM
PLACE: “A Night To Remember” dress shop
SUBJECT:  DramaQueen

She did find a dress last Saturday.
Tonight she had a fitting.
The dress and she, are beautiful.

TIME:  8:32 PM
PLACE:  Comic book store
SUBJECT:  StellaDella

From there, I went to relieve HandsomeHusband from his nightmare.
Stella joined in her first Dungeons and Dragons game at the comic book store.

It was quite the juxtaposition of the interests of my two daughters this evening.

The Blues (055/365)

“All hockey players are bilingual. They know English and profanity.”
Gordie Howe (Canadian former professional ice hockey player, b1928)

TIME:  7:34 PM
PLACE: Scottrade Center
SUBJECT:  Hockey game

I was asked last weekend if I wanted tickets to go see the St. Louis Blues vs. the Montreal Canadiens.
Of course I accepted them.
I took my dad.


Who took my photo with Louie the Bear.
The Blues lost 5 to 2.

After the game, I joined my husband at the ER.
James had collapsed while riding along at his drive-time at driving school.
He was dehydrated due to a viral infection.
They gave him an IV with fluids, anti-nausea and pain medicine.
They discharged him and we arrived back home about 1am.

Career Night (054/365)

Recruiter: Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor? That's robbery, rape, car theft, that sort of thing.
John Winger: Convicted? No.
Russell Ziskey: Never convicted.
Stripes, Columbia Pictures Corp (1981)

TIME:  6:53 PM
PLACE:  Township High School
SUBJECT: Sign

As the sign says, there was a “Military Career Night” at one of the local high schools tonight.
My boy is very interested.
I’m proud that he wants to serve.
And terrified for him at the same time.

D&D Dice (053/365)

Sheldon Cooper: I've just never played "Dungeons & Dragons" with girls before.
Penny: Oh, don't worry, sweetie, no-one has.
The Big Bank Theory, TV Series: Season 6, Episode 23, The Love Spell Potential (9 May 2013)

Stella said she wants to play Dungeons and Dragons.
We went to a comic book store where she purchased a starter set with some of her birthday money.
My youngest child is a nerd.
I love her!

Tulle (052/365)

The Pleading of the Summer—
That other Prank—of Snow—
That Cushions Mystery with Tulle,
For fear the Squirrels—know.
Emily Dickenson, “The Tint I cannot take—is best”, Lines 20-23

I can’t believe I went prom dress shopping this morning.

Typewriter Ribbon (051/365)

“The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon.”
Robert Benchley (American, Writer, critic, film actor, 1889-1945)

TIME:  10:28 PM
PLACE: Living Room
SUBJECT:  Miller Line M.B.P. Typewriter Ribbon

This is how I decorate for St. Patrick’s Day.
It’s green.
And gold.
Perfect.

Science Fair Winner (050/365)

“I propose to determine the answer to the question: Is my brother dumber than a hamster?”

―Lisa's Science Project (The Simpsons, “Duffless”, Season 4, Episode 16, February 18, 1993)

TIME:  7:35 PM
PLACE: Westhaven School Gym
SUBJECT:  Stella and her Science Fair project

She is my first child to participate in the school Science Fair.
Her project tested her theory “If a person played video games, then that person’s reflexes have been improved.”
She, her brother, sister and myself were test subjects.
She measured our reflexes (knee taps)
Then we played Wii Sports for 10 minutes.
She then measured our reflexes again.
Her conclusion : …video games do improve your reflexes, but only for a short amount of time.  I can also conclude that when your [sic] tired your reflexes start to slow down, and that teens have the fastest reflexes.”
She received a 2nd place ribbon for her research.
Awesome job Stella!

Imitated Wreath (049/365)

“Imitation, if noble and general, insures the best hope of originality”
Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton (British politician, poet, critic and prolific novelist, 1803-1873)

TIME:  5:30 PM
PLACE:  Front door
SUBJECT: Wreath

I made this wreath for St. Patrick’s Day.
Full disclosure :
I shamelessly copied from it from one that is listed for sale on Etsy.
Color variations – copied.
Flower types – copied.
Placement – copied.
I did use burlap instead of ribbon to cover the wreath form.
I also attached the flowers with Velcro so I can change them out after St. Patrick’s Day if I want.

Sliding Snow (048/365)

“You always say "I'll quit when I start to slide," and then one morning you wake up and realize you've done slid.”
Sugar Ray Robinson (American Boxer, 1920-1989)

TIME: 2:31 PM
PLACE: Backyard
SUBJECT: Slide

I had scheduled today as a vacation day in early January.
There was a brief moment of panic yesterday, when it almost looked like the kids would be off for a snow day as well.
I love my kids, but needed a day just for me.
Thank goodness they had school.

Cash Cat (047/365)

…And I don't like nobody touching my stuff. So just keep your meat-hooks off. If I catch any of you guys in my stuff, I'll kill you.
~Psycho, Stripes. Columbia Pictures Corp, 1981.

TIME: 11:15 AM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT:  Tessa & cash

Just try and steal that money.
I dare you.

TIME: 1:28 PM
PLACE:  Home
SUBJECT:  Looking out the front door

And in weather news….
It snowed outside today.

Candles, Campfire & Cold Cat (046/365)

TIME:  5:08 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT:  Stella and her cake

We finally had Stella’s official birthday party today.


TIME: 6:11 PM
PLACE: Backyard
SUBJECT:  Fire

It was only about 15 degrees Fahrenheit outside.
But Stella wanted to have a bonfire anyway.
The kids didn’t care about the cold.
They gathered around the fire, roasted marshmallows and made s’mores.


Jack stayed inside.
But he was still cold.

Gautam Buddha (045/365)

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."
Virginia Woolf

TIME: 6:24 PM
PLACE: India’s Oven Restaurant
SUBJECT: Buddha statue and menu

The husband and I went out for Valentine’s Day.
We had not made reservations anywhere.
The first place we drove by was packed.
DH suggested Indian food.
There was no wait.
And it was an excellent dinner.

Mall Fountain (044/365)

"There's a wishing fountain at the mall. And I threw a coin in for every woman in the world and made a wish. I wished for Jan to get over me. I wished for Phyllis, a plasma TV. I wished for Pam to gain courage. I wished for Angela, a heart. And for Kelly, a brain."
~Michael Scott (The Office, Season 3, Episode 21, Women’s Appreciation)

TIME: 6:30 PM
PLACE:  The Galleria Mall, St. Louis
SUBJECT: Fountain

The oldest talked me into going over to St. Louis to check out dresses at the Galleria.
There were waaaay too many people here tonight.
Last minute Valentine’s Day shopping I suppose.

Prepare To Be Slimed (043/365)

“Somewhere, behind space and time, Is wetter water, slimier slime”
Rupert Brooke quotes (English Poet, 1887-1915)

TIME:  6:13 PM
PLACE:  School
SUBJECT: Slime making table

It was reading night at StellaDella’s school.
The kids made glow-in-the-dark slime.
Played Cosmic bingo.
Had story time.
And picked out a book to take home.


They took their slime home too.

Shogun Skills (042/365)

“Cookery is a wholly unselfish art: All good cooks, like all great artists, must have an audience worth cooking for.”
– Andre Simon

TIME:  6:18 PM
PLACE: Shogun Japanese Steakhouse
SUBJECT:  Teppanyaki Chef

DramaQueen worked last night, so we waited until tonight to go out as a family for Stella’s birthday dinner.
As per tradition, the birthday girl chose the restaurant.
She wanted to go to a place where they cooked at the table.
So we did.
She loved it.

Stella Is 11! (041/365)

TIME:  Over the last 11 years
PLACE:  All over
SUBJECT: StellaDella

It seems like just yesterday, we could carry her everywhere


My little Strawberry Shortcake….


With hair that shines as bright as her eyes and her heart…


I love doing things with her – her perspective on the world is wise beyond her years…


Her empathy for others and desire to help in anyway she can makes me so proud…

She is beautiful inside and out.
I love, love my little red-headed girl.

Happy Birthday Stella!

Balloons (040/365)

“Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”
Winnie the Pooh

TIME:  8:02 PM
PLACE:  Dollar Tree
SUBJECT:  Valentine Mylar Balloons

I had several errands to run tonight after Stella’s Girl Scout meeting:
1. Return overdue books to Library.
2. Pick up cookies for Stella’s class to celebrate her birthday tomorrow.
3. Stop by Smoothie King and pick up an Angel Food Cake smoothie for DramaQueen because I am a nice mom.
and finally…
4. Go to Dollar Tree and purchase 2 more “Wack a Pack” valentines for Stella to hand out on Friday.

It’s Back On! (039/365)

“You walk outside, you risk your life. You take a drink of water, you risk your life. Nowadays you breathe and you risk your life. You don’t have a choice. The only thing you can choose is what you’re risking it for”
Hershel - The Walking Dead 

TIME:  11:15 PM
PLACE: Living Room
SUBJECT: The Walking Dead

I’ve already watched it once.
I’m going to watch the encore showing too.
The DVR is recording it as well.
I’m so happy it’s back.

Caturday (038/365)

"It is better to cut off the sleeve of your best robe than to disturb a sleeping cat."
-The Prophet

TIME: 2:23 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Jack

Sometimes?
I wish I was a cat.

Window Weight (037/365)

“Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out it, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window.”
Jack Handy (American Writer and cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1991-2003. Famous for his Deep Thoughts comedy sketches.)

TIME : 9:48 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT:  Window Weight

In addition to painting the living room, I am attempting to return the painted woodwork to get it back to it’s original state.
Whoever painted the trim should be shot. 
Oh, wait.
That was me.
That was a very bad decision…and now I’m paying for it.
I removed the trim from one window in order to strip and stain it.
With it gone, you can see the weights hanging in the sash.

Throwback Thursday (036/365)

TIME: April 10, 1904
PLACE: St. Louis, Missouri
SUBJECT:  Saverio Tedesco & Mary Mercurio Wedding Portrait

For this Throwback Thursday, I am moving over to the paternal side of my family tree. 
Saverio & Mary are my great-grandparents. 
Their daughter, Edna Tedesco, is my paternal Grandmother. 
She married Michael Capone on January 3, 1928

Here is a copy of the marriage register from St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Louis.

Tedesco Saverius and Mercurio Maria
10 April, 1904

I the undersigned having sent out 3 announcements
and obtained the mutual consent of the parties being joined
I have joined through the vows of a present marriage Saverious Tedesco
of the place of Termini, the son of Ignatis & Dianae Catanzaro
and Dianae Catanzaro Mariam Mercurio of the place of Termini St. Louis Mo, daughter of Cosimi & Ignatias Caponi
Present as witnesses were Antonis Capra Joseph Carione
110048 Spigardi

House On Fire (035/365)

“We all live in a house on fire, no fire department to call; no way out, just the upstairs window to look out of while the fire burns the house down with us trapped, locked in it.”
― Tennessee Williams, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore

TIME:  4:45 PM
PLACE: Highway 15
SUBJECT:  House on fire

It wasn’t the best day at work.
Things just weren’t going the way they should.
On the way home, I passed this house fire.
I realized my day could have been a lot worse.

On The Way Home (034/365)

Those clouds are angels' robes.
~Charles Kingsley

TIME: 4:59 PM
PLACE:  Around town
SUBJECT: Sky

I had to drop the car off at the dealership after work for an oil change and tire rotation scheduled for tomorrow.
HH met me there and drove me home.
I got to take pictures on the way without endangering myself or others.

Cupid (033/365)

“Love goes by haps; Some Cupid kills with arrows, some with traps”
William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing – Act 3, Scene 2

TIME: 10:55 pm
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT:  Cupid Planter

Valentine’s day has never been one of my favorite holidays.
So consequently, I don’t have a lot of Valentine decorations
However, I came across this gal at an estate sale last summer.
She is so sweet – I had to have her.

Fish Heads (032/365)

Fish heads, fish heads
Roly-poly fish heads
Fish heads, fish heads
Eat them up, yum
”Fish Heads”, performed by Barnes & Barnes, Voobaha (1980) 

TIME: 10:26 AM
PLACE: Seafood City Grocery Store, St. Louis, MO
SUBJECT: Fish heads & other stuff

We went to this grocery store to pick up some shrimp and other items for the Super Bowl.


See?
Shrimp.


Sriracha anyone?


Maybe some tilapia?


Finally, is this not the cutest potato flavored character you’ve ever seen?
I wanted to buy it just for the package.
I didn’t though.

~*~*~


Later, since I am a good wife, I made HH his favorite fruit tart/pizza for his birthday as usual.
Confession: I love it too.