Birthday Boy (031/365)

TIME: circa 1958?
PLACE: Probably outside of Troy, IL
SUBJECT: HH

60 years ago, he was 2 years old and sitting on stuffed dog.

Today, he has a wife, three kids, two dogs, two cats, more stress and less hair.

Happy Birthday my love!

First Place (030/365)

TIME: 6:40 PM
PLACE: Ott’s Tavern
SUBJECT: Dry Wing Trophy

HH wanted to go to Ott’s tonight – Tuesday’s are a Chili and Hamburger special.

I ordered the dry seasoned wings instead. Good stuff.

Sunshine Slowdown (029/365)

TIME: 5:12 PM
PLACE: On the way Home
SUBJECT: Sun

One good thing: I can tell we are on the other side of the winter equinox; there is still sunlight when I leave work at 5pm

One bad thing: At a certain point in the drive home, the sun is in a position to make it very difficult to see for a short period of time.

Another bad thing: I took this while driving; not a smart idea.

Cat Napping (028/365)

TIME: 9:51 AM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Jack

He looks so warm and comfy laying there on the Sunday paper.

He’s got nothing else to do today.

I wish I were a cat.

Paperwhites (027/365)

TIME: 12:07 PM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus)

My seventy-five cent, on clearance, paperwhite bulb bloomed while we were out of town.

It looks pretty in the sunshine.

Crossing the Ohio (026/365)

TIME: 12:12 PM
PLACE: Outside Louisville, KY
SUBJECT: Bridge over Ohio River

Long drive traveling back home from Columbia – I miss my boy already.

Graduation Day (025/365)

TIME: 10:36 AM
PLACE: Hilton Field, Fort Jackson
SUBJECT: Proud family

He did it!


It was a nice ceremony – solemn, but also short and sweet.

Afterwards, it was time to go eat again - off base this time!
We ate at the Waffle House of course.

We went back to the hotel room, so MB could put his contacts in.

We decided to visit the South Carolina State Museum and the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.

See that observatory on top?  Dad and I became separated from the group. He was showing me an area I had missed, all about outer space.  As we passed by the observatory, the astronomer waved us in.  He was very friendly.  He answered our questions about the telescope and then directed me to a button on the wall. He told me to press it until he said “Stop”. I did and it moved the opening in the dome so the repositioned telescope could see the sun.
We also were able to see the image of the sun that was projected onto the computer.
Pretty cool.

When we finished visiting all 4 floors, I could tell MB was tired.  We drove around downtown Columbia for a little bit, stopped by a used book store (SD found her Animorphs books she has been searching for) and then headed back to the hotel room.

MB rested while HH and I left to pick up some sushi for supper. (One more time – FOOD!)

I was able to take this final photo of MB with Grandpa.  It turned out pretty good I think.

Then we had to drive him back to the base and say our last goodbyes. He leave for his AIT tomorrow – 41 weeks of training.

I am definitely a very sad, but a very proud Mama.

Family Day (024/365)

TIME: 10:02 AM
PLACE: Hilton Field, Fort Jackson
SUBJECT: 3-39 Infantry

Finally Family Day!

I got a bit emotional during this – it was pretty awesome to see.

(We did not take this picture – A photographer at Fort Jackson snapped this and posted on their Facebook page.)

I love this photo. 

I am so proud of my boy.

Right after we went to get a bite to eat – Non-army food!  Chicken wings, hamburgers, french fries etc.  We visited the PXs and got ice cream and cookies.

We also saw a movie – “The Greatest Showman” with Hugh Jackman.  None of us, except for SD, knew it was a musical.  Surprisingly, the guys liked it!

Then we went to the BCT Museum.

With StellaDella.

We ate pizza from Pizza Hut and then went to the bowling alley for a bit.

Played the arcade games. I beat MB at air hockey, 7 to 5.

I was very sad when we had to take him back to the barracks.

View From My Seat (023/365)

TIME: 12:35 PM & 1:39 PM
PLACE: Highway 40, North Carolina
SUBJECT: Smoky Mountains

We (HH, me, StellaDella and my dad) left today for Fort Jackson to see MonkeyBoy graduate from Army Basic Training.

The Husband did all of the driving – I did a lot of sleeping.

I did manage to stay awake through the Smoky Mountains. I wish it wasn’t winter, bet it’s beautiful all in green.

FURminated (022/365)

TIME: 4:39 PM
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: FURminator & Jack fur

Normally, we use this FURminator on the dogs, however, Jack had hair flying all over today.

I brushed him.

And brushed him.

And brushed him.

There was a lot of fur removed.

Muddy Impression (021/365)

TIME: 4:52 PM
PLACE: Backyard
SUBJECT: Paw print

It’s warmer today.

The ground thawed and now we have mud.

Just great.

Fight Club Bill (020/365)

TIME: 7:39 PM
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Animal ER Bill

Guess who ran out the front door, down an alley and confronted a pit bull who was being walked by her owner? (Talk about bad timing)

That would be Mr. Mulder.

He ended up with a couple of puncture wounds under his chin. That happens when a pit bull bites down on your neck.

He gave her some facial wounds. 

Mulder didn’t need to go to the animal ER, but the pit bull did.

Luckily, no humans were bit.  And the other dog is doing fine after some treatment.  The owner was pretty understanding and concerned about how StellaDella was doing as she was very upset after this all happened.

My checkbook?  Not doing so well after I reimbursed the pit bull’s owner for the ER visit.

Fairview Lounge (019/365)

TIME: 6:24 PM
PLACE: Fairview Heights
SUBJECT: Fairview Lounge Panka Peru (and gas station)

StellaDella and I went for adventure tonight for dinner; somewhere we had never been, to eat food we have never tried – Peruvian food.

We had “Palta Rellena” as an appetizer, a Peruvian avocado which was stuffed with peas, carrots, chicken and mayo.

SD then had “Chaufa de Pollo” for her main course; stir fried rice with green onion, eggs and chicken.

I had “Lomo Saltado” which is “A traditional recipe of strips of tenderloin flamed with wine, sautéed with red onion, tomato, and a soy sauce reduction. Served with French fries and a side of white rice infused in garlic.”

It was really good – I’ve been here before for the bar, and purchased gasoline as well, but never for the food.  I plan to return!

Throwback Thursday (018/365)

TIME: Summer 2001
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: MonkeyBoy

One week from today, this little guy will graduate from Army Basic Training.

This picture seems so long ago, but still so recent.

Pot Problems (017/365)

TIME: 9:06 PM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Pan, pot and broken handles

The handles fell off my pan and pot.

Well, the handle fell off my pan over 15 years ago, but the pot handle just fell off today.

I sent a message with the picture to the manufacturer as they are suppose to have a lifetime warranty. Couldn’t hurt to ask, right?

Turns out they DO have a lifetime warranty.  I am to receive a replacement pan and pot in the mail in about 2 weeks.

That is awesome customer service!

Which One to Choose? (016/365)

TIME: 7:55 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Dog toys from BarkBox

It was a time a great excitement in all the land – the new Bark Box has arrived!

The theme: Knights of the Hound Table.

Two knightly toys to play with this month: Tavern Turkey Leg & King Arfur.

Which one to choose first?

Tavern Turkey Leg won!

Epilogue: King Arfur would also be chosen, and soon have one less leg to stand on – but to quote the Black Knight “’Tis but a scratch!”

Harter’s Crafts (015/365)

TIME: 2:48 PM
PLACE: Around town
SUBJECT: Hobby shop sign

This used to be the place to buy all your craft and art supplies.

Later, they mainly specialized in model railroad supplies.

They closed up and went out of business several years ago.

It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere (014/365)

TIME: 8:55 PM
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Drink

Tonight I needed a screwdriver.

Some peach flavored vodka and a little orange juice.

The purple chevron straw adds a little contrast.

Knocker Detail (013/365)

TIME: 2:34 PM
PLACE: Rental
SUBJECT: Door knocker detail

Another Saturday spent at the rental.

We did get some work done – and this knocker attached to the front door.

Stuck (012/365)

TIME: 4:45 PM
PLACE: Yard
SUBJECT: Leaf in fence

Good News: I only had a 1/2 day of work today , a great way to kick off the three day weekend - Yay!

Bad News: It’s going to be very cold the next few days, highs in the 20’s, lows in the single digits; maybe some snow Sunday night into Monday -  Boo!

Good News: I’m not this leaf, which is stuck in the fence in the freezing air - Yay!

Taco Bell Haiku (011/365)

TIME: 2:58 PM
PLACE: My car
SUBJECT: Hot sauce

Stuck at Taco Bell
Cars in line move at snail’s pace
Where is my hot sauce?

Personal & Confidential (010/365)

TIME: 7:33 AM
PLACE: Work
SUBJECT: Interoffice envelope

I received this in the interoffice mail – at first I thought I was receiving a giant Cracker Jack prize, like a huge tattoo!

Alas, it was just some personnel correspondence for my direct reports.

Too bad, a giant tattoo would have been awesome.

Tree (009/365)

TIME: 6:53 PM
PLACE: Millstadt, IL
SUBJECT: Tree in parking lot

The fog is beginning to roll in this evening.

Elvis & Me (008/365)

TIME: 05 Aug 1990
PLACE: Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee
SUBJECT: Me, Elvis

Happy birthday Elvis!

I need to visit you again.

Things Remembered (007/365)

TIME: 12:44 PM
PLACE: Alton Square Mall
SUBJECT: Closed storefront

HH, SD and I went to Alton Square mall to eat at Olga’s.

The mall is pretty empty.
 
All of the stores are at the other end.  It also houses a branch of the Hayner Public Library – it is open on Sundays – that is a good thing.

After, we drove to downtown Alton.

Abandoned theater.

Detail above door on theater

Then we drove a little north east of town to see the Robert Wadlow, “Alton’s Gentle Giant” statue.

Robert was born on Feb 22, 1918 in Alton and at age 5, was 5’6” tall; at age 10 he was 6’5” tall; and at age 13, he was 7’4” tall. 

On July 4th, 1940, Robert marched in a local parade and got a blister on his foot.  It became infected and he died soon after at the age of 22. At the time of his death, he was 8’11.1” tall.

Stella and her friend Robert.

Multi-Tasking (006/365)

TIME: 3:20 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Jack

He’s guarding the bottle of change and sucking up all the hot air at the same time.

First Snow of 2018 (005/365)

TIME: 8:01 AM
PLACE: Driveway
SUBJECT: Snow on car roof

We received a light dusting of snow very early this morning.

I know it was early in the morning because when I was up at 3am to let the dogs out I saw it on the ground.  It wasn’t there when I went to bed earlier.

It’s still very cold.

Throwback Thursday (004/365)

TIME: 05 Jan 2016 – 8:56 PM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: StellaDella

She dumped an entire jumbo box of Cheerios on the floor then laid on top of them and proceeded to eat.

Sometimes, I miss this craziness.

Fatigues (003/365)

TIME: 2:50 AM
PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Army fatigues

MonkeyBoy has to go back to Fort Jackson today.

I’m a very sad mama.

I’m so thankful he was able to be here for the holidays AND I will get to see him in 3 weeks when he graduates.

It’s still hard to see him go.

Mulder (002/365)

TIME: 12:51 PM
PLACE: Home
SUBJECT: Mulder

I can never tell what he is thinking.

Frozen (001/365)

TIME: 12:17 PM
PLACE: Alley
SUBJECT: Drain with frozen water

Yeah, it’s cold.