haphazard musings

So...on a lighter note

in the middle of this frigid and frosty (which = lovely) week, I want to know what your dream vacation would be.

Here are the rules

1. you have to either comment or write about it on your blog (but let me know, because I want to know).

2. there are no limitations (imagine everything is free and getting time off work wouldn't be a problem - and you can go any time of year.  pretend the weather is perfect).

3. you can only go one place (around the world doesn't count).

That's it.  Three rules.  I'll go first.

If I could leave tomorrow, well maybe Saturday to allow for proper packing, I would go to...

well, honestly I am a horrible decision maker.

But, if I had to choose one place, I would go to Venice.

Yep, that's right Venice, Italy - art, architecture, music, romance, beauty, food - what more could you ask for in a vacation? 

On a side note, I think its weird that we call places like Venice, Italy, Venice, Italy or Paris, France.  Surely there is a state or a province or something in which it is located.  Like Newton, Kansas.  Or New York, New York.  I even know some for Canada, like Calgary, Alberta or Vancouver, British Columbia.  Anyway, just thought you should know.

I have two or three main reasons for choosing that location.  Some are pictures and one is a fact.

1.  It is sinking.  Seriously, you can read all about it here.  I want to get there before I have to get my SCUBA certification.  Also, wouldn't be kind of cool, that you stood in a city that was literally sinking.  Or you could tell your grandkids, grandkids that you saw Venice when...it was still above water.

2 & 3 are photos as seen below.  Click on either one to see the source, as I obviously have not been there, and thus have no photos of my own.

 

Those are reason enough right?  Well, if you think not, please provide an argument for why your dream vacation should be mine.

My Heart

hurts today.

I heard all about new born babies who are addicted to meth and something to do with cotton.  I heard about little girls who are being hurt by their daddies in unthinkable ways.

It hurts.  Down deep.  It makes me wonder, who is telling those kiddos about Jesus? 

Who is telling them that everything will be ok?

Who is hugging and kissing them?

Who is reading them to sleep at night or singing a bedtime song?

How do you explain to a 14 year old girl who is carrying her dad's baby that God has a plan for her life?

How do you make her understand that despite this awful thing Jesus loves her?

How do you tell a sick little boy who just wants to run and play that the water he drank made him sick?

I have such a hard time hearing the stories and not being able to love and squeeze those kids.  I want so badly for them not to be hurting.  I know mommies that are longing for babies they don't have. 

It hurts.

Way down in the depths of my heart.

I want to love them all. 

Hug them all.

I want to tell them all about Jesus and how he loves them.

It just hurts.

We were

"Singing in the Rain" over Thanksgiving Break.  Just to prove it we have photos.

Thanks to Ryan's parents for inviting us to see "Singing in the Rain" at a lovely little dinner theatre in Boulder.  It was a great production and we had lots of fun.  We really did need the ponchos.  If you are ever out there and need something to do - check it out.

We got pretty damp.  There is a photo of your's truly and Ryan in a rain poncho, but since it is at my discretion what gets posted - I choose not to embarrass myself with a terrible photo.  Seriously, it was bad.

While we were out there, we also had turkey

 

But apparently, in order to carve appropriately you have to wear a goofy, short, flowered, pink apron. 

We also saw some picture worth stuff...

I don't know how you feel about the mountains, but I could stare at them all day long.  We could even see them from Limon this time.  I've never seen them from there!  Its always raining or snowing when I go.

      

This was so ghetto, we were on the highway between Boulder and Denver going like 70 miles an hour and all the sudden, we see this car with a Christmas Tree hanging out the back.  The tree was at least as long as the Stratus it was hanging out of.  It was outrageous.  They didn't even have a flag tied on it. 

So, that was our little trip to Colorado for the holiday.  We missed seeing the gals and Ronny, but hope to see you all soon!!!

Ever since

I saw Home Alone as a little girl, I have always wanted to go to Paris at Christmas.  They show the city and its lights in the movie.  So I decided to add a little holiday theme to the blog.

Love Paris.  Some day I will get there.  Without fail.  Ryan promised.  Never fear.

whew. i feel better.

ugh.

I just need to vent real quick.  Something that drives me nuts. 

Boys who can't wear their pants above their derriere.  Seriously.  A young man was walking down the street today as I was driving to work.  Pants so far down, that I am just not sure how he was even walking.  And this what I am going to say next, might shock you or possibly be too much information, but his boxers or shorts or whatever were gross - like unwashed or something. 

Yep thats right.  Nasty.

I couldn't help but see, since he was certainly not fussed about covering them up. 

Well I was fussed.  I was about 1 centimeter away from putting my finger on the window down button and yelling - "Hey punk, pull up your drawers (only I would have said it like draws or something cooler)."

Mmhmm, that would be me, the lady with the pearl necklace and the green cable knit sweater yelling for some kid to get his act together.  Maybe I am cut out to be a teacher. :)

However, out of respect and a little fear, I refrained from making a scene. 

I take that back.  Not out of respect, because he wasn't respecting me by letting his rear hang out.  I am just to nice to yell at him personally.  So here I sit yelling at him and all those other "dudes" out there who think its cool to walk around with their touchie (is that how you spell that) sticking out.

Its not cool.  The ladies don't think its attractive.  Your mama is embarrassed for you.  And all you have is a dumb butt.

Here is my final word and solution to the problem, just a tip for those fellas, cover your bum.

a missed post

Because I am a slacker or possibly just forgetful, I didn't put up photos or comments about the Taste of Newton.  Weird, because I specifically took pictures to use in a post.  So anyway.... here they are.

 

The Utecht's and Mr. Graber.  You can check out their blogs here and here, respectively.  They were having a great time. 

 

And the Siebert's.  Their blog is here.

 

Here are the Jordan's and the Veer's (their blog is here). I love Makenzie's hair in this photo (she's the one in the stroller).

 

We hung out with these folks and the Friesen's, but they didn't pose for any photos. :)

This is what we ate.

 

 

In case you can't tell - its a walking taco.  Andy did a lovely job modeling.

 

That's cobbler with ice cream.

There was also chicken noddles so so good, huge pork chops (seriously huge), and kettle corn.  I think that's it.  But we were going into what Ryan and I like to call a "food coma."  Its not the best result, but its certainly indicates a full belly.

I am already looking forward to next year!

Parade of Lights

Here in Newton - Tomorrow!

Yep that's right.  The parade of lights is going to be held Thursday, December 3rd.

There are several events.

5:00 Soup Dinner at Fox Theatre

5:30 Christmas Carols, Hot Chocolate & Apple Cider

6:15 Parade

6:45 Pictures with Santa at Mike's Rent to Own

You might check it out. 

Ryan and I went last year.  It was fun!