tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-319561352024-03-13T10:24:13.249-05:00Alabama Kitchen SinkMUSINGS ON LIFE FROM LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIASheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.comBlogger517125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-85022641918496523302020-05-18T18:49:00.000-05:002020-05-18T18:49:55.923-05:00Are Blogs Even a Thing Anymore?Coronavirus boredom has set in today. I decided to see if I could post to my old blog and it looks promising. I guess if I suddenly kick the bucket, my family can read my last thoughts.<br />
<br />
Eight years is quite the hiatus.<br />
<br />
This COVID-19 has thrown the world for a loop. My family is okay. It's really more than that. No one has died or is sick from the virus. We believe the threat is real and have tried to follow local and state guidelines. There have been adjustments. Three kids at home, two adults working from home, and me.<br />
<br />
I'll be back another day now that I know I can continue the blog, which probably needs a new name since I'm writing from California.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-21832780620802662462012-04-08T14:16:00.000-05:002012-04-08T14:16:46.878-05:00Once You Go Gray, You Never Go Black<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkOAlBfx9b8/T4He8SZ2tUI/AAAAAAAABs8/FcP7Z3Bf694/s1600/sheila.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkOAlBfx9b8/T4He8SZ2tUI/AAAAAAAABs8/FcP7Z3Bf694/s200/sheila.JPG" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheila, February 2012</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Hey I am finally somewhat of a trendsetter. For years now my hair has been gray—not that I didn’t once and only once have a fling with color. I was so warped after that experience and the hole it left in my wallet that I swore off coloring my hair as I progressively grew more and more gray.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYwlHOj6Cro/T4HeOxCPLEI/AAAAAAAABs0/ptKyxV9twEE/s1600/ad-miss-clairol-does-she-or-doesnt-she.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OYwlHOj6Cro/T4HeOxCPLEI/AAAAAAAABs0/ptKyxV9twEE/s320/ad-miss-clairol-does-she-or-doesnt-she.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mad Men Betty Draper double.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps I was conditioned to give hair coloring a try at least once by those 50’s and 60’s Clairol advertisements asking, “Does she . . . or doesn’t she? Hair color so natural only her hairdresser knows for sure!” Maybe my own mother’s long time love affair with Loving Care colored my viewpoint and made me predisposed to think this is what modern, working women did when those first stray grays made their unwanted appearance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However, <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/story/2012-04-08/gray-hair-at-work/54048066/1" target="_blank">Leanne Italie’s recent AP story</a> on women with gray hair proved a bit of a validation of my choice although there are apparently quite a few other women out there for whom going gray isn’t yet a reality. Only their hairdresser knows for sure—and likely most other people for that matter. Who the heck are they kidding?</div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIedmcWl1xI/T4HhMEu4JzI/AAAAAAAABtE/nXsoyPwmGnw/s1600/a64ce01f4a4ebcf762e3801b5776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIedmcWl1xI/T4HhMEu4JzI/AAAAAAAABtE/nXsoyPwmGnw/s200/a64ce01f4a4ebcf762e3801b5776.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christine Lagarde</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">With strong and talented women of gray like Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde, and actress and yogurt spokeswoman Jamie Lee Curtis, this gray revolution can’t help but grow, and <a href="http://alabamakitchensink.blogspot.com/2008/01/subject-is-hair.html" target="_blank">I’m finally okay with my hair</a>!</div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-11831705149786151592012-03-03T15:11:00.000-06:002012-03-03T15:11:23.914-06:00Awesome Birthday at Aurora Fire Department<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYVcf2W8TQI/T1KH5sJ1XzI/AAAAAAAABsQ/IwKFZzL9KK0/s1600/DSC_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dYVcf2W8TQI/T1KH5sJ1XzI/AAAAAAAABsQ/IwKFZzL9KK0/s320/DSC_0059.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_cXFisi_tk/T1KIDLc__VI/AAAAAAAABsg/MyI3M9aq8Uo/s1600/DSC_0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_cXFisi_tk/T1KIDLc__VI/AAAAAAAABsg/MyI3M9aq8Uo/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Cm7lhO8_c/T1KIHvpRe6I/AAAAAAAABso/avDO64_GVuw/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3Cm7lhO8_c/T1KIHvpRe6I/AAAAAAAABso/avDO64_GVuw/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Last Saturday the firefighters and paramedics at <a href="http://www.aurora-il.org/firedepartment/index.php" target="_blank">Aurora Fire Department</a> Station Number 10 helped make one special birthday celebration for Nicolas Noblitt. Some months back, Nic’s mom and dad bid on the fire station birthday party at a charity auction and won. According to the firemen (I can safely say that since this station does not have women among the crew), they don’t do parties. Someone with connections made the event happen and Nic was the happy recipient.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The firemen had set up the long tables right next to the trucks. Nic wheeled around and inspected the trucks as his guests arrived. Then Lt. Matson gave everyone a tour of the station and let the kids climb up into the fire truck and sit behind the big wheel. After pizza (interrupted by a paramedics call) and birthday cake, a couple of the other firemen showed just what it takes to get dressed for a call. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What a great day! I think the grownups enjoyed the party as much as the kids. Many thanks to the Aurora Fire Department!</span></div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-70167819348921078412012-01-22T09:52:00.000-06:002012-01-22T09:52:07.781-06:00New Grandson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shJ5Fxp5oqw/TxwteIeTtWI/AAAAAAAABrI/Un9VS29UaOM/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shJ5Fxp5oqw/TxwteIeTtWI/AAAAAAAABrI/Un9VS29UaOM/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I suppose he deserves more than a quick post, but Nathaniel Trent Noblitt is one fine little guy. I suppose too that he will take the world on his own terms since he decided to come a day before the scheduled c-section for his mother. He is beautiful, with a high-pitched cry to let the world know that he requires attention--not that I have heard too much of it. That is the beauty of grandparenting. For the most part we get the fun stuff and the parents get the practical. </blockquote>“Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it.”Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-73314621850679476682011-12-17T09:51:00.000-06:002011-12-17T09:51:18.297-06:00Together<div class="MsoNormal"><style>
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</style></div><i><span class="body" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times;"><i><span style="color: black;"> </span></i><span class="bodybold"><i>Helen Keller</i><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jqGN2t4KLw/Tuy3SXvzSRI/AAAAAAAABqw/6Mgc-7PmvgM/s1600/pallets+on+truck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3jqGN2t4KLw/Tuy3SXvzSRI/AAAAAAAABqw/6Mgc-7PmvgM/s200/pallets+on+truck.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truck & driver from United Stationers.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">After months of work to get approval from the <a href="http://www.northernilfoodbank.org/" target="_blank">food bank</a> for a same-day pantry, we finally had our first distribution day this month. Thrice weekly for years we had been getting bread donations and distributing them to our residents, but this undertaking was on a definitely grander scale. We asked for permission to do a monthly distribution of food. When the only way to gain approval was as a weekly pantry, we said, “We will make it work.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raiY-wiZlZA/Tuy3ZKQ3hOI/AAAAAAAABq4/yaKMSKG-3dc/s1600/Sheila.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-raiY-wiZlZA/Tuy3ZKQ3hOI/AAAAAAAABq4/yaKMSKG-3dc/s200/Sheila.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A partial pallet of eggplant & me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The order was placed last week, volunteers from our major donor lined up, and the cherry on the top—we actually went out to the food bank and made the pickup--thanks again to our donor who provided the driver and truck. As my colleague Penny and I poked through the extra free stuff, I thought about what a long journey it had been to this point. Our purchases were fork lifted into the truck and off we went back to our property. Little did we realize what was in that pallet of produce and just how many loaves of bread were in the boxes on another pallet. But, free is free and these free items were intriguing. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As our maintenance team unloaded the truck we soon discovered that the pallet of produce was entirely comprised of eggplant. However, the cereal, rice, canned tomatoes, diced fruit, coffee, crackers, turkey sausages, and more free produce seemed just perfect.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Penny took a knife to the cabbage to clean it up a bit, and we all worked hard before our senior residents started to congregate in the lobby. We had told the residents to come at their appointed times, but excited and curious residents were already waiting for 45 minutes before we let the first person through the door—a little Serbian lady. They came, a virtual United Nations. Polish, Serbian, Bosnian, Russian, African (Eritrean, Ethiopian, Liberian, Somali). Indian, Iraqi, Iranian, Vietnamese, Mexican, Cuban, Armenian, Pakistani, Argentinean, Jamaican, and American—all united in one purpose: free food.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The beauty of this operation, and yes, it is a bit of an operation, is that our residents, particularly the senior ones, don’t have to drive, beg a ride, or hop on the bus to get to a food pantry. Fueled by increased applications for SNAP benefits a.k.a. food stamps, we wanted to supplement our residents’ food budgets. We don’t pretend to be on the scale of other local food pantries, but we share their mission—provide food to those who need it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Keb-vNPbg4E/Tuy3iPXNRfI/AAAAAAAABrA/uiCEMtPz-M8/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Keb-vNPbg4E/Tuy3iPXNRfI/AAAAAAAABrA/uiCEMtPz-M8/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela from United Stationers staffed our last pantry.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">This week’s Marian Park Food Pantry was on a smaller scale as we opened our food storage closet pantry instead of using the community room. This move cuts down on staff time. We will have three weeks with the pantry operating this way and one big distribution with fresh produce, bread, frozen meat, and whatever perishable items we can snag. Would be nice to get a freezer but we have faith we will find one.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, if anyone ever doubts what you are able to do, listen to more from Helen Keller, “<span class="body"><span style="font-family: Times;">Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.</span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">”<br />
<span class="bodybold"> </span></span></div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-74953737174116273982011-10-29T09:30:00.001-05:002011-10-29T09:30:49.510-05:00Retro Morning Coffee<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6PFJ-F71B8/TqwMkcqA0fI/AAAAAAAABqY/8-eeHWxLFP4/s1600/tr_eight-o-clock-100x100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--6PFJ-F71B8/TqwMkcqA0fI/AAAAAAAABqY/8-eeHWxLFP4/s1600/tr_eight-o-clock-100x100.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve had the General Electric 12-cup percolator for about a month. After a long-term relationship with Mr. Coffee, I find this coffee maker just right, and I’m enjoying a cup of Eight O’clock Coffee as I write this. Sorry to say, Eight O’clock Coffee rebranded its iconic red and black packaging so I’m not totally retro this morning. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE8yTHzXJAc/TqwM1w5uF3I/AAAAAAAABqg/qMguEi06PcI/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DE8yTHzXJAc/TqwM1w5uF3I/AAAAAAAABqg/qMguEi06PcI/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Mr. Coffee never really delivered. Sure, it was coffee, but not good, hearty coffee. I tried Black & Decker and Proctor Silex. No, not right either. On a whim and after remembering Mother’s percolator, I went retro. Of course, if I really wanted to do retro right, I’d use a stovetop percolator like Paula Deen’s 8-cup percolator, about which she’s quoted as saying, “No kitchen would be complete without a nostalgic percolator.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have to agree. Happy Saturday! </div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-44796649462597980902011-10-23T10:38:00.000-05:002011-10-23T10:38:24.388-05:00Halloween Reflections<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Umwqa9gY-B0/TqQzSpcmXRI/AAAAAAAABqQ/Js3biOWIbqI/s1600/vintage-halloween-little-girl-witch-pumpkin-black-cat-card1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Umwqa9gY-B0/TqQzSpcmXRI/AAAAAAAABqQ/Js3biOWIbqI/s320/vintage-halloween-little-girl-witch-pumpkin-black-cat-card1.jpg" width="200" /></a>Yesterday, the elementary school that's catty-corner from my house set up a big Spiderman moon jump. Cars parked up and down the street, and I assumed there was a fall fair, festival, or Halloween carnival going on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I thought back to the early 60s when I was in elementary school. The school always had a Halloween carnival. There’d be a cakewalk, fishpond, games, lots of food, and the crowning of the Halloween Princess. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">One year, when I was in fourth grade, for some reason I can’t now recall, I decided to give it a shot—a surprising choice for an introvert. The way you got to be princess was by collecting pennies. The girl with the most won. For days before Halloween, I had roamed the streets near the school knocking on doors along with a friend who lived nearby. I lived in the country and had but a few neighbors to pester. Pretty much the only way to make a go at the contest was to solicit town folks. So, right after school let out, we’d drop off our schoolbooks at the friend’s house and head out on our mission. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">By Halloween, with my friend’s help, I’d collected so many pennies that I thought for sure I had won. I couldn’t really enjoy any of the games, thinking instead of winning. As the pennies were counted, it soon became evident that I had been beat by a classmate—a popular girl from a wealthy family. I don’t remember what I did exactly. I just remember feeling that it was not fair that I had pounded those streets and knocked on those doors. Rightly or wrongly, I believed my classmate’s daddy had brought her title.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Years later, I enjoy this time of year and look forward to handing out candy to trick-or-treaters. But I also know that the little things in life can stick with us and color who we become and what we choose to do with our lives. I never became the popular girl. My mother worked when many mothers stayed home. My father couldn’t keep a job as a glazier, bouncing in and out of the mental hospital. I became dependable, stuck to the rules, sucked it up, went with the flow, and made a point not to cause trouble.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wonder today what would have happened if I had won that contest? Would I be different? A risk taker perhaps? Popular? No, I don’t suppose so. Not my style. And then I think, I didn’t turn out so bad and my life has been rich enough without the title of Halloween Princess. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But every Halloween I am reminded of how I felt that day. And I know now that the little things are sometimes just as important as the big things.</div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-70767982464347297682011-09-04T15:22:00.001-05:002011-09-04T15:30:08.492-05:00Getting the Lay of the Land in Aurora, Illinois<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYOqrFeXJV0/TmPdIF8tkuI/AAAAAAAABqI/0yiA23g__RU/s1600/moving_truck2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYOqrFeXJV0/TmPdIF8tkuI/AAAAAAAABqI/0yiA23g__RU/s1600/moving_truck2.jpg" /></a>Summer update: I’ve moved from Batavia to Aurora, Illinois, the second biggest city in Illinois. I’m two blocks away from older son, and family. Grandma Sheila, that’s what Nic calls me, can walk to baby sit these days. I promise not to become the annoying mother-in-law Marie from the TV show, <a href="http://www.everybodylovesray.com/">Everybody Loves Raymond</a>, to my daughter-in-law, but there are parallels like the brother who lives at home. And differences. There’s no Frank.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s a nice neighborhood near <a href="http://www.aurora.edu/">Aurora University</a>. I can:</div><ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">watch the peewee football players practice after school at Freeman Elementary school across the street;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">shop at <a href="http://www.priscosfinefoods.com/">Prisco’s Fine Foods</a> and have my groceries carried out to my car with nary a tip expected;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">go to a Blvd District neighbors’ meeting on neighborhood safety issues on Tuesday night;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">visit the Jewel, a Wal-Mart, Aldi’s, public library branch, an old-fashioned hardware store, walkin medical clinic (just in case—I really don’t want to visit this but it’s nice to know it’s there), and more nearby;</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">eat at restaurants close by like the <a href="http://www.twobrothersroundhouse.com/restaurant.html">Roundhouse</a>, an historic downtown Aurora landmark that’s recently shed the Walter Payton name; </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">take classes at <a href="http://www.waubonsee.edu/about/facilities/aurora/auroraOpening/index.php">Waubonsee Community College’s new downtown Aurora campus</a> (disclaimer: my son works for the college); and</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;">check out the farmers market every Saturday in warm weather and enjoy local musicians like the lady Patsy Cline singer who was wailing out a mean version of Crazy the day I stopped by for tomatoes.</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MzZAT-yNFs/TmPfsVqMFaI/AAAAAAAABqM/CtELUTodNRM/s1600/surveyor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5MzZAT-yNFs/TmPfsVqMFaI/AAAAAAAABqM/CtELUTodNRM/s200/surveyor.jpg" width="149" /></a>And speaking of tomatoes, my next door neighbor has generously supplied us with the most amazingly beautiful heirloom tomatoes which certainly proves growing monster tomatoes without fertilizer is not only possible but delicious. She promised to give me tips when spring planting season rolls around. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, I am exploring and getting the lay of the land. Can you tell I kind of like it here? Should maybe I change the name of this blog?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-59086980758432193082011-07-03T10:50:00.000-05:002011-07-03T10:50:41.808-05:00Pulling the Plug and Unhooking the Cable on Cable TV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hwjh1TxNqw/ThCO9HMw2-I/AAAAAAAABqA/92F0dvaI-k0/s1600/Comcast_Motorola_DCT6412_URC-1067ABG0_Silver_Remote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_hwjh1TxNqw/ThCO9HMw2-I/AAAAAAAABqA/92F0dvaI-k0/s400/Comcast_Motorola_DCT6412_URC-1067ABG0_Silver_Remote.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>It's official. I canceled the cable. I returned the cable box and remote control yesterday. Comcast is going to charge me more than I thought I would have to pay to keep the Internet and for now the phone, but I figure I will still save nearly $90 a month. <br />
<br />
But I did discover I will have an unexpected bonus: not only will I save money but I will also save energy. According to a recent <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us/26cable.html?_r=1">New York Times story</a>,<br />
<blockquote><i>Those little boxes that usher cable signals and digital recording capacity into televisions have become the single largest electricity drain in many American homes, with some typical home entertainment configurations eating more power than a new refrigerator and even some central air-conditioning systems.</i> </blockquote>So goodbye dear old cable TV box. This is the first time in over 30 years--so long that I can't even remember when cable TV came into my life--that I will be cable-less. So far, I can honestly say I don't miss it.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-46188289140232721952011-06-26T09:07:00.002-05:002011-06-26T09:12:18.356-05:00More Cutting the Cable TV Cable<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc6pRyBlMW0/Tgc8WHC4unI/AAAAAAAABp8/b2DfDwL6YqY/s1600/pRS1C-6065331w345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc6pRyBlMW0/Tgc8WHC4unI/AAAAAAAABp8/b2DfDwL6YqY/s200/pRS1C-6065331w345.jpg" width="200" /></a>Back in <a href="http://alabamakitchensink.blogspot.com/2011/03/cutting-cable-tv-cable.html">March</a> I contemplated cutting the cable TV cord. My monthly Comcast bill is a ridiculous $178.30 for what Comcast calls its "Triple Play." Internet, land-line phone, and TV. That's it. No HBO or Showtime. Well, after yesterday, I could kick myself for not acting on my instincts earlier.<br />
<br />
After three months I finally went out to <a href="http://www.radioshack.com/home/index.jsp?camp=PPC:Google:TM:Exact">RadioShack</a> and brought their Indoor Amplified HDTV Antenna. I asked the fellow who helped me if the antenna worked in this area (<a href="http://www.cityofbatavia.net/">Batavia, Illinois</a>, is 40 miles from Chicago), and he said, "Well, I haven't seen anyone return it." That was good enough for me. When I got home son plugged it in and in a few minutes, both Scott and I were amazed at the crisp quality we saw on the Sony. We are picking up local TV stations with one notable exception. We can't get CBS. While I watch CBS's Sunday Morning each week, I can learn to live without it for the money I will be saving.<br />
<br />
In anticipation of this move, we have supplemented our <a href="https://www.netflix.com/Default?mqso=80012928&mkwid=sMXBW43Z8&pcrid=6720188604">Netflix </a>with <a href="http://www.hulu.com/plus">Hulu Plus</a> at $7.99 a month. I haven't decided if I will drop the land-line but am leaning towards that course also. Right now I think this is a positive move since I'm heading out for a walk to Batavia's Riverwalk instead of watching Sunday Morning. More later.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-54513034946190866112011-06-14T06:56:00.000-05:002011-06-14T06:56:55.916-05:00Shame on St. Louis Cardinals<span style="font-size: small;">I just read my daughter-in-law's Facebook post about the difficulty she encountered with getting tickets to a St. Louis Cardinal baseball game in September and I'm mad.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">She wrote, </span><br />
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">Just bought tickets to a <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=38596231839" href="http://www.facebook.com/Cardinals">St. Louis Cardinals</a> game in Sept. I am sad to report that even though they built that nice new stadium, there is not handicap accessible seating in the affordable seats. They wanted to charge $77 a person per ticket to be in handicap seating rather than the $24 a person for tix in the upper deck.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">She commented further:</span><span data-jsid="text"> Thanks for the support. My thought way, do they charge disabled veterans this price?!! This may be one of my new missions. The Chicago White Sox had great accessible seating in the upper deck yesterday for $22 a person.</span></span></h6><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A69fuTLOr7o/TfdLT0EM8tI/AAAAAAAABp4/5TRQrJu6oMA/s1600/260276_10150210343923511_559118510_7189959_8218138_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A69fuTLOr7o/TfdLT0EM8tI/AAAAAAAABp4/5TRQrJu6oMA/s640/260276_10150210343923511_559118510_7189959_8218138_n.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad & Nic at Sunday's White Sox game in affordable seats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-jsid="text">More:</span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> Well, Cardinals, someone from that number you gave me just called me back and the final verdict is that NO, there are NOT accessible seats on every level. They were not built into the upper levels of the new park. And, all the $77 accessible seats are full so we would have to pay even more than that per person. Guess I've found a new mission to help kids with disabilities get affordable seats in the MLB.</span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Natalie has 1247 Facebook friends and is a social media marketing professional. If anyone could stand up for kids who can't stand up themselves, she's the one. I hope she has the time to pursue this mission in between taking care of little Nic and managing her business. </span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So, I say shame on the <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/stl/ticketing/accessible.jsp">St. Louis Cardinals</a>! Sad that you have forgotten the days when a family could afford to go to a baseball game--even a family with a child in a wheelchair.<span id="goog_4917140"></span><span id="goog_4917141"></span></span></span></span></h6><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><span style="font-size: small;"><span data-jsid="text"> </span></span><abbr class="timestamp" data-date="Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:21:22 -0700" title="Monday, June 13, 2011 at 4:21pm"></abbr><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"> </span></span></h6>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-58282585832841537962011-03-20T09:31:00.000-05:002011-03-20T09:31:43.320-05:00Home Invaders<style>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CxMpeBXdLsw/TYYOjz2FM5I/AAAAAAAABpY/shIbwSDcYVI/s1600/IMG_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CxMpeBXdLsw/TYYOjz2FM5I/AAAAAAAABpY/shIbwSDcYVI/s200/IMG_0057.jpg" width="148" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T8dK2e2pEX0/TYYOsbmdPTI/AAAAAAAABpc/wvXU2melfmw/s1600/0998fig1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T8dK2e2pEX0/TYYOsbmdPTI/AAAAAAAABpc/wvXU2melfmw/s200/0998fig1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://blogpestcontrol.com/2008/08/box-elder-beetle-pest-control-tips/">Box elder bugs</a> have invaded my home. You can see from the photo of my house that there’re a lot of the critters. While most expert advice I have read indicates that they are harmless (although one did say they can occasionally bite), they are indeed “pests.” At first I was content to merely brush them away when they crawled on me. But they are persistent, insistent on returning. I wasn’t very successful in trying to smash the offenders and thankfully so. Another expert said they can stink much as a stink bug does. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So far the best approach seems to involve the vacuum cleaner and the toilet. Could be worse. At least I am not battling bedbugs!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-11281473146695953952011-03-13T11:58:00.000-05:002011-03-13T11:58:59.288-05:00Cutting the Cable TV Cable<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AO_4OVaFxbQ/TXz3C05HykI/AAAAAAAABpU/WF9G32m-PWw/s1600/retro-tv-set-with-news-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AO_4OVaFxbQ/TXz3C05HykI/AAAAAAAABpU/WF9G32m-PWw/s320/retro-tv-set-with-news-copy.jpg" width="224" /></a>I'm investigating cutting the cable TV cord. Right now it seems like a good idea. With <a href="http://www.netflix.com/Default?mqso=80012928&mkwid=sMXBW43Z8&pcrid=6720188604">Netflix</a> and the Internet as options, I truly think it's time. We watch a lot of programs via Netflix already.<br />
<br />
Of course, I'd still like to be able to watch the local news and Tom Skilling's weather forecast on <a href="http://www.chicagoweathercenter.com/">WGN</a>. I have read about the best antennas and have one in mind: the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/community-content-search/results/ref=cm_srch_q_pag_rtr_2?ie=UTF8&sort=&idx.all=0&index=community-reviews&excerpts=true&query=chicago&excerptSize=170&fo=&idx.asin=B0007MXZB2&page=2">Terk HDTVa Indoor Amplified High-Definition Antenna for Off-Air HDTV Reception</a>. Now, I guess I will have to see what Comcast wants to charge me to continue my Internet service, which I really have no complaints about. My gripe with Comcast has to do with the outrageous price I am paying each month. Stay tuned to see how it goes.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-83219413576638841702011-02-24T19:40:00.000-06:002011-02-24T19:40:56.464-06:00Nicolas Turns Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-atp0t43z_Nc/TWcB_hfYwpI/AAAAAAAABpQ/O60ZRGkow-w/s1600/photo-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-atp0t43z_Nc/TWcB_hfYwpI/AAAAAAAABpQ/O60ZRGkow-w/s320/photo-7.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>Yesterday, Nicolas (my grandson, for anyone new) turned three. It was a pretty big transition.<br />
<br />
Those who know Nic's history (born at 26 weeks, weighed 1 lb. 12 oz, 101 days in the neonatal intensive care unit, heart surgery, brain bleeds, cerebral palsy, etc.) might like to know that this little miracle guy is still thriving and inspiring.<br />
<br />
Seems Nic's excitement at the Fox Valley Park District caught the PR manager's eye, prompting a recent feature about Nic in the <a href="http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/mobile/3842631-463/a-determined-little-guy--and-a-huge-inspiration.html">Aurora Beacon-News</a>.<br />
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And now, with that third birthday rolling around, Nic graduates from early intervention to school. Yes, every day, big boy school with new challenges, a new team of teachers and therapists, experts and evaluations, an IEP, wheelchair, walker and Nic.<br />
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This grandma has no doubts. Nic will move forward, adapting and compensating while continuing to inspire. Way to go Nic!Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-30072910952225137562010-12-26T12:07:00.002-06:002010-12-26T12:07:31.239-06:00Christmas Morning<table bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://smilebox.com/play/4d6a45334d5463774f54633d0d0a&blogview=true&campaign=blog_playback_link" target="_blank"><img alt="Click to play this Smilebox collage" height="303" src="http://smilebox.com/snap/4d6a45334d5463774f54633d0d0a.jpg" style="border: medium none;" width="386" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="center">Free photo collage personalized with Smilebox</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-53336325027299990012010-11-25T09:30:00.000-06:002010-11-25T09:30:34.756-06:00Giving Thanks<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TO5-VXCvl6I/AAAAAAAABpE/z14cxeiC5H8/s1600/Norman+Rockwell+Print.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TO5-VXCvl6I/AAAAAAAABpE/z14cxeiC5H8/s320/Norman+Rockwell+Print.jpg" width="248" /></a>Can it be nearly three months since I last posted? And why today did I decide the time was right to resume writing? I guess I am in a reflective mood, and when I get in those moods, I want to write. <br />
<br />
Since the last post in early October I took a new job -- one helping older people get the services they need to remain living independently or in jargon it's called aging in place. I once worked in a senior center, got side-tracked with other matters, and have now returned to a job whose focus is this age group. To me, age is relative. Some of the "youngest" people occupy the oldest bodies. <br />
<br />
Through the new job, I am becoming reacquainted with how Thanksgiving (and other holidays) may be observed among older people. <br />
<br />
Is there a more iconic portrait of the American celebration of Thanksgiving than Norman Rockwell's Freedom From Want illustration, which was published in the <a href="http://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/norman-rockwell"><i>Saturday Evening Post</i></a> in 1943? A modern version of this scene is still repeated around the country, but I have found older people who prefer to celebrate in their own fashion. Maybe it's a free Thanksgiving meal from a local church, a meal they make themselves, or one delivered by a volunteer.<br />
<br />
Some continue to embrace the traditional family celebration, often traveling to be with children or other relatives. Others prefer the comfort of their own homes and say traveling and adjusting to the younger crowd's schedules and ways is too much. Then, there are those for whom holidays are a stark reminder that as we age, we lose loved ones and friends. One of my older relatives tells me she "hates holidays." She humors her closest relations, though, and dutifully goes to the family farm where she grew up to spend holidays with them. I imagine her niece tells her that it wouldn't be the same without her. And it wouldn't.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-3040072468624386072010-09-04T13:48:00.000-05:002010-09-04T13:48:08.196-05:00What Lies Within<meta content="" name="Title"></meta> <meta content="" name="Keywords"></meta> <meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta> <meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta> <meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta> <link href="file://localhost/Users/sheilanoblitt/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><blockquote><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b> <strong>"Go as far as you can see; when you get there, you'll be able to see further." <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>Thomas Carlyle</i></span></strong></b></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><b><strong style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"What lies behind us & what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." <i style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></i></strong></b><strong> </strong></blockquote><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIKSmu6kl6I/AAAAAAAABoo/hvGRxMG41RY/s1600/45865_423620793510_559118510_4977978_7231421_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIKSmu6kl6I/AAAAAAAABoo/hvGRxMG41RY/s320/45865_423620793510_559118510_4977978_7231421_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">Nic is making great strides these days. With the help of adaptive pedals, he can ride a trike. Soon, he’ll be getting his own wheelchair. However, unless you or someone you know has a child with the sort of special needs that require wheelchairs, adaptive toys like a trike or bike, walkers, special bath equipment, braces, immobilizers, and a lot of other products, I don’t suppose you can possibly imagine how this complicates child rearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Not that they have time to read this, but I just want to acknowledge Nic’s parents who coordinate weekly sessions with physical therapists, meet with social workers, visit specialists, drive to aqua-therapy, travel to doctors at the Mayo Clinic for botox injections, arrange occupational and speech therapy, and call about insurance coverage, all while just trying to be a mom and dad who provide for their family. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">On top of all of the above, throw in learning about Nic’s rights under the </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_257154640"><u></u></a><u><a href="" style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Individuals with Disabilities Education Act</span></a></u><span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://idea.ed.gov/"><u> </u>(IDEA)</a>. As he approaches his third birthday, the Individualized Education Program</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">, commonly referred to as an IEP, will become important as the blueprint for crafting educational experiences for him. And Nic’s parents will now really hone their advocacy skills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">I wish Nic’s parents and all of those other parents who perform heroically on a daily basis didn’t have to fight so hard for their children. I wish America would move closer to the spirit of these <a href="http://www.ada.gov/cguide.htm">laws</a>. But most of all I wish for Nic a life without limits.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIKTIPvsBrI/AAAAAAAABow/aujItjsR6bA/s1600/41271_427516018510_559118510_5071104_1982445_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIKTIPvsBrI/AAAAAAAABow/aujItjsR6bA/s320/41271_427516018510_559118510_5071104_1982445_n.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Links I like: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.nichcy.org/Pages/Home.aspx">National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.ucp.org/">United Cerebral Palsy: Life without limits for people with disabilities </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">where there is located a link to: The State of Disability in America: An Evaluation of the Disability Experience</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lekotek.org/default.asp"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="heading">Lekotek</span>: The country's central source on toys and play for children with special needs.</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?categoryId=3261680"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Toys R Us Toy Guide for Differently-Abled Kids</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<a class="cssButton" href="javascript:void(0)" id="publishButton" onclick="if (this.className.indexOf("ubtn-disabled") == -1) {var e = document['postingForm'].publish;(e.length) ? e[0].click() : e.click(); if (window.event) window.event.cancelBubble = true; return false;}" target=""><div class="cssButtonOuter"><div class="cssButtonMiddle"><div class="cssButtonInner">Publish Post</div></div></div></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-91361320782686482532010-09-03T05:53:00.001-05:002010-09-03T05:56:05.227-05:00Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIDS3VLWndI/AAAAAAAABog/ROurj-BmyJ4/s1600/alabama.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TIDS3VLWndI/AAAAAAAABog/ROurj-BmyJ4/s200/alabama.gif" width="200" /></a>Well, there's not too much that makes a University of Alabama grad happier than the start of football season -- especially after last season's National Championship. Bama opens against San Jose State this Saturday minus Heisman-winning Mark Ingram, who's out due to a knee injury. It'll be interesting to see how the team adjusts.<br />
<br />
Our family is thinking about watching the game with other Crimson Tide fans at the suburban gamewatch location in Downers Grove at a sports bar called <a href="http://rolltidechicago.com/?p=482">Another Round</a>. Wonder what Nicolas would think of multiple screaming Bama fans?Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-82150754089323302252010-08-28T09:00:00.000-05:002010-08-28T09:00:09.471-05:00Clearing the Dust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/THkPZHGOpKI/AAAAAAAABoY/snl9IImF92k/s1600/dusting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/THkPZHGOpKI/AAAAAAAABoY/snl9IImF92k/s320/dusting.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><i>Blow the dust off the clock. Your watches are behind the times. Throw open the heavy curtains which are so dear to you -- you do not even suspect that the day has already dawned outside.<a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alexanders155593.html"> Alexander Solzehnitsyn</a></i> <br />
<br />
<br />
There’s a thick layer of dust over nearly every surface in my home. While more pressing matters have captured my attention of late, today I suddenly realized that I’m tired of dust. Today is going to be the day I attack the dust. Well, first I’m distracted a bit by this post, which is probably the lamest I’ve written in a while.<br />
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However, I suppose the dust is a metaphor – a parable in the making.<br />
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While there are always pressing matters and I am prone to distraction, there are times when the dust must be cleared before the shine can be revealed.<br />
<br />
And like the lyrics from Jerome Kern's <a href="http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/p/pickyourselfup.shtml">Pick Yourself Up</a>, which was composed for the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxPgplMujzQ">Swing Time</a> (1936),<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Nothing’s impossible I have found,<br />
For when my chin is on the ground,<br />
I pick myself up,<br />
Dust myself off,<br />
Start all over again. <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Don’t lose your confidence if you slip,<br />
Be grateful for a pleasant trip,<br />
And pick yourself up,<br />
Dust yourself off,<br />
Start all over again.</blockquote><br />
Happy Saturday Dear Gentle Friends.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-58213603789481517422010-08-21T07:38:00.013-05:002010-08-21T08:22:34.656-05:00Place Matters: Looking for Mitford<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TG_Ic64abyI/AAAAAAAABoI/-4bAOQvvjhY/s1600/51OHTymIC8L._SS500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TG_Ic64abyI/AAAAAAAABoI/-4bAOQvvjhY/s200/51OHTymIC8L._SS500_.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The Amazon.com review pretty much hit the nail on the head:<o:p></o:p></span></div><blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Mix one part <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creatures-Great-Small-James-Herriot/dp/0312330855/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282393881&sr=1-1">All Creatures Great and Small</a> with two parts <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lake-Wobegon-Days-Garrison-Keillor/dp/0140131612/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282394053&sr=1-1">Lake Wobegon</a>, sprinkle a little <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Avonlea-Poplars-Rainbow-Ingleside/dp/0553609416/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282394103&sr=1-1">Anne of Green Gables</a> and get: Mitford, the pinnacle of provincial life, where homespun wisdom, guarded tradition, and principled faith are the precepts of good living.<o:p></o:p></span></div></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">These days Jan Karon’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/At-Home-Mitford-Years-Book/dp/014025448X">At Home in Mitford</a> is on my car’s CD player each morning as I drive to work. I long for a place like Mitford. Small town. Southern. People care about each other. Know about each other. Not too much drama. Peaceful.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Oh well, this is fiction and I am only on the first book of the series. We will see if I stick with it beyond the first.<o:p></o:p> But, I can see why it captured my attention as I explore my longing for what I call a sense of place – a place where I belong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.preservationnation.org/">National Trust for Historic Preservation</a> offers a straightforward approach, calling sense of place: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<blockquote><div style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Those things that add up to a feeling that a community is a special place, distinct from anywhere else.</span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In writing the blog this morning, I discovered that The National Trust for Historic Preservation has a <a href="http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/this-place-matters/">This Place Matters Community Challenge</a> now through Sept. 15 where you can pick a community and vote to support the community. The winner gets $25,000. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am throwing my support behind Orion, Illinois and its attempt to save Main Street. The folks of Orion say:</span></div><blockquote><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our small community of Orion is "Rural America at its Finest!" Volunteers with Main Street Orion work tirelessly to avoid the fate suffered by other surrounding communities empty storefronts, shuttered homes, devalued properties, crumbling infrastructure, and shrinking population. Can it happen in Orion, too? Yes, and it has, to some extent.</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div></blockquote><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The way the challenge works is communities "rally as many people around the grassroots issues of preservation in our communities as possible. This means that unlike a traditional voting-contest, participants are allowed to align themselves with one organization, one time throughout the Challenge and recruit as many people as possible to do the same."</span><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://my.preservationnation.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=9421&security=2862&s_interest=3068">Here's how to help Orion. </a>Join me and see if we can help them out. After all, it's the neighborly thing to do.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div style="margin-right: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">And I’ll let you know when I get to my Mitford.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Happy Saturday!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_154064910"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/thisplacematters/pool/show/">PS Here is a Flickr Slideshow about the project</a></span></div>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-33665159243633977732010-08-15T11:30:00.000-05:002010-08-15T11:30:02.254-05:00Mr. Obama and the Ceremonial Gulf Coast Vacation<div class="MsoNormal"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Don’t get me wrong. I applaud President Obama’s mini-vacation trip to <a href="http://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/">Panama City Beach, Florida, USA</a>. But when I read, according to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/us/politics/15obama.html?ref=us">New York Times</a>, that the trip was scheduled to last a mere 27 hours and that after a quick three-day fundraising trip, the First Family would be taking a 10-day vacation on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, I wondered, “what if?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What if the Obama family had decided to stay in Florida longer? Wouldn’t that have really set the tone for Gulf Coast tourism recovery?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Y’all regulars know I’m a Yellow-Dog Democrat with Alabama roots, but I am looking for President Obama to step up to the plate in a grander way. Yes, it is a beginning, but as they say in the South, “It’s a day late and a dollar short.” Hey, I even wondered why didn’t <a href="http://www.whorunsgov.com/Profiles/Robert_Gibbs">Mr. Obama’s Press Secretary Bobby Gibbs</a>, a native of Auburn, Alabama, tell the planners that surely they could have come up with a day or two more activities besides miniature golf and a dip in the water? Well, what do I know about how Washington operates? Anyway, Gibbs seems a little on the outs right now. But I’ll betcha he visited PC when he was growing up.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of course, I am a bit prejudiced when it comes to the Panhandle since that’s where my family took vacations back when you could run barefoot out of your beachside motel room on to the prettiest, white sandy beaches. Maybe the Redneck Riviera pales in comparison to the French Riviera. Since I’ve never been there, can’t say for sure. But I sure enough love this area.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I do know that there’re enough activities to fill a few more hours than 27. Just take PC alone. The Obamas could have boated over to the remote Shell Island (watching out for sunburn), gone go-carting, golfed for real, and shopped the beach-front souvenir shops. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TGgVZqtxVaI/AAAAAAAABn4/X1rfrZvIg4M/s1600/Inn_of_Paradise-postcard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TGgVZqtxVaI/AAAAAAAABn4/X1rfrZvIg4M/s400/Inn_of_Paradise-postcard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal">Later, they could have motorcaded over to <a href="http://www.destinchamber.com/">Destin</a>, self-dubbed the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” and President Obama could have gone deep-sea fishing while Mrs. Obama and Sasha hit <a href="http://www.silversandsoutlet.com/index.aspx?ekmensel=e2f22c9a_60_100_btnlink">Silver Sands Factory Stores outlet mall</a>, whose tagline is “the nation’s largest designer outlet center.” Since this was family time, they would have had to skip the bar scene, which has duly earned its reputation as a spring break mecca.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When you are president, you just naturally can’t do anything right it seems. What’s that expression? Some attribute it to Abraham Lincoln and others to John Lydgate. <strong></strong><span></span>“<em>You can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.”<o:p></o:p></em></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><em>Happy Sunday!</em></div><!--EndFragment-->Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-21103742543083096162010-06-17T07:15:00.000-05:002010-06-17T07:15:57.304-05:00This Morning I Cried<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TBoRToSdKAI/AAAAAAAABnw/toKdpN7RzNA/s1600/SailinginGulfShoresAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TBoRToSdKAI/AAAAAAAABnw/toKdpN7RzNA/s400/SailinginGulfShoresAL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://gulf%20shores,%20ala.%20%e2%80%93%20dolphins%20and%20sharks%20are%20showing%20up%20in%20surprisingly%20shallow%20water%20just%20off%20the%20florida%20coast.%20mullets,%20crabs,%20rays%20and%20small%20fish%20congregate%20by%20the%20thousands%20off%20an%20alabama%20pier.%20birds%20covered%20in%20oil%20are%20crawling%20deep%20into%20marshes,%20never%20to%20be%20seen%20again./"><i>GULF SHORES, Ala. – Dolphins and sharks are showing up in surprisingly shallow water just off the Florida coast. Mullets, crabs, rays and small fish congregate by the thousands off an Alabama pier. Birds covered in oil are crawling deep into marshes, never to be seen again.</i></a><br />
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I cried when I read the beginning to the <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gEsS5h6C_l_Ndr7VMsRzKLN9qNdgD9GD0JG00">Associated Press</a> story. I don't what else I can say, but I am deeply saddened to see this happening to the region I love. My memories are intact but the hurt I feel right now for the animals and people suffering the insult inflicted by the BP oil spill simply overrides them.<i> </i><br />
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</i><br />
<i>artwork by <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.joandaugherty.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/JoanDaugherty/SailinginGulfShoresAL.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.joandaugherty.com/catalog/i1.html&usg=__xzO1a6Ul3aN1PPj3lOclOXSAfBQ=&h=1892&w=2513&sz=690&hl=en&start=22&sig2=B51qkb35nJciuh-xWnVVhA&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=4MyE4gqnbqkBIM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgulf%2Bshores%2Bal%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=AhEaTPfqH-WznAe3o-GgCg">Joan Daugherty</a></i><span style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="pageid:id80" title="Artist: Joan
Daugherty"></a></span>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-23140947497752317552010-06-12T07:24:00.003-05:002010-06-12T07:29:35.792-05:00Wile E Coyote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TBN0xBe0iNI/AAAAAAAABno/ignb_OzEloc/s1600/pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TBN0xBe0iNI/AAAAAAAABno/ignb_OzEloc/s400/pup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Greetings from <a href="http://www.cityofbatavia.net/">Batavia, Illinois</a>, and Happy Saturday! Son Scott is back at <a href="http://www.fnal.gov/">Fermilab</a> with his summer job in the computing division. He loves the people at Fermi and says, "It's like working at the United Nations." However, I think the actual environment at this massive national laboratory funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy captures his attention just as often as interacting with Russians, Germans, and people from all over the world. The 6,800-acre Fermilab site contains wetlands, woodlands, grasslands and more than 1,100 acres of reconstructed tall-grass prairie. And, a cute coyote pup!<br />
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<i>photo from <a href="http://www.fnal.gov/pub/today/">June 11 Fermilab Today</a> credited thus: "PPD's Terry Tope spotted a coyote pup in the woods on Pine Street on June 5."</i><i> </i><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>In the area and want to visit:</b><br />
Fermilab's site is open to the public every day of the week from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from mid-October to mid-April and from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. when daylight hours are longer. Fermilab visitors are allowed to visit two buildings on their own: the first and ground floor of Wilson Hall and the Lederman Science Center, which is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A map of Fermilab's Public Areas is available <a href="http://www.fnal.gov/pub/visiting/map/site.html" target="_blank">online</a>. </span></i><br />
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</b>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-23126463570242150112010-05-30T10:49:00.009-05:002010-05-30T11:36:03.326-05:00A Fine Day in Chicago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKGHT4ZJUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/rwTeUR0HIJ0/s1600/Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKGHT4ZJUI/AAAAAAAABmQ/rwTeUR0HIJ0/s320/Lion.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKG1GbXwgI/AAAAAAAABmY/XErzFuWS1KI/s1600/o%27keeffe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKG1GbXwgI/AAAAAAAABmY/XErzFuWS1KI/s200/o%27keeffe.jpg" width="200" /></a>There’s a vacation. And then there’s a staycation. I think we took a daycation yesterday. Scott and I drove into Chicago for the day. Just a little outing, but I’m always energized by a visit. We headed to the <a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/">Art Institute</a>, one of my favorite spots in the whole of Chicagoland. <br />
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I’ve driven enough in Chicago to no longer be too anxious, and I accept that paying $25 to park the car comes with the territory. So, once we parked in the Millennium garage, headed over to our destination, and plopped down 30 more bucks, we were ready to see some art. <br />
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We had in mind what we wanted to see and focused on that without being distracted by all manner of “art.” The quotes are because for the life of me I can’t appreciate some contemporary art. Maybe if someone could explain it to me, I’d say, “Yes, I see.” But I don’t. And I’m fine with liking what I like.<br />
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We spent the most time viewing the museum’s Impressionism and Post-Impressionism collection. Monet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec — whose famous paintings I never tire of visiting. The contemporary section held less interest, and I readily agreed with Scott that an immense canvas with charcoal and crayon doodling looked suspiciously like the artist might have been a preschooler. Picasso and a quick walk through the ancient Greek and Roman section of the Institute made up for our disappointment. An hour and a half in all. Just enough culture for the day. <br />
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With the <a href="http://blackhawks.nhl.com/">Blackhawks</a> in the Stanley Cup playoffs, this day the whole city seemed awash with Blackhawk banners and t-shirts. Even the stately Art Institute lions proclaimed their support with giant black hockey helmets. <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKLhu617II/AAAAAAAABnA/x4KJO0pwut0/s1600/chicago+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKLhu617II/AAAAAAAABnA/x4KJO0pwut0/s320/chicago+wedding.jpg" /></a><br />
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As Scott and I exited the Art Institute, a wedding party scurried across the street in front of us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKMJIZszsI/AAAAAAAABnI/jgTNr947C98/s1600/scott+and+bean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKMJIZszsI/AAAAAAAABnI/jgTNr947C98/s200/scott+and+bean.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a name='more'></a><br />
Craning our necks in admiration of buildings shooting upwards, we made our way amongst the growing throng of tourists and stopped at <a href="http://www.millenniumpark.org/">Millennium Park</a> just long enough to snap a photo of Scott with the Bean (<a href="http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/cloud_gate.html">Cloud Gate</a>) in the background.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKHZ7ljC3I/AAAAAAAABmw/1PqVNC2R1EI/s1600/chicago+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/TAKHZ7ljC3I/AAAAAAAABmw/1PqVNC2R1EI/s200/chicago+river.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>As we neared the Chicago River, we got behind a group of ladies carrying neon green <a href="http://oprahstore.oprah.com/t-oprah_store_tour.aspx">The Oprah Store</a> shopping bags. We skipped the <a href="http://www.cruisechicago.com/">architecture boat trip</a> today. It’s a lovely, albeit expensive way to see Chicago’s beautiful buildings. And on such a perfect pre-summer day, I do admit it would have been fun to take a ride on the double-decker tour buses parked near the bridge. <br />
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However, today was fine to walk, and soon we were at our little café just off Michigan. After a filling lunch of pasta, we lingered a bit before making our way back to the car, encountering two more wedding parties in Millennium Park. <br />
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Everything we saw and did today is why I love Chicago.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHOTOS </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">TOP: Art Institute lions love to sport seasonal and relevant attire; Georgia O'Keeffe's Sky Above Clouds IV 1965. O'Keeffe was once a student at The Art Institute; first of three wedding parties; Streetside view of the Bean; Chicago's First Lady loading up for river tour.</span></i>Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31956135.post-62351988472663839502010-05-04T06:31:00.001-05:002010-05-04T06:34:33.050-05:00Waiting Game Plays Out in Gulf Oil Spill<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/S-AD6dPGsLI/AAAAAAAABmI/Bt2lM1SHyCs/s1600/fort-walton-beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ke5h9TFX5Ys/S-AD6dPGsLI/AAAAAAAABmI/Bt2lM1SHyCs/s400/fort-walton-beach.jpg" width="400" /></a>I hate to think about the impact of the oil making its way to Gulf shores as I listen to the news. Some of my earliest memories include running out of a motel room right onto a bright white beach. Those were the days before the condos came to the Redneck Riviera. Now, those mom-and-pop motels of my childhood where our family stayed when we went to the beach are nearly gone. <br />
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Tough environmental lessons are learned when places you love are threatened. <a href="http://www.pnj.com/article/20100504/NEWS01/5040328/On-beach-doom-begins-to-set-in-as-oil-spill-moves-in">Will the Alabama-Florida Panhandle beaches escape?</a> Today, Gulf Shores, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, and Panama City Beach, you are all on my mind. Maybe I can return one day to those beautiful beaches I remember so well. I hate to think not.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17482567840321600439noreply@blogger.com6