better

I'm finally feeling a little better. I can't remember being that sick. Ever.
I only worked two half days last week and only worked a little bit of my Red Key shift Saturday night.

Hayes and Nora

I did rally enough tonight to see Hayes Carll and drink a little whiskey. Both did wonders for my health. 

Read my interview with Hayes here. 

See photos here. [not yet, having trouble uploading them to NUVO].

banns

John Spitznogle and Mary Ellen Grememspacher Spitznogle

are thrilled to announce the engagement of their daughter

Miss Nora Leona Spitznogle

to her long-time friend

Mr. Sofa Davenport

Miss Spitznogle and Mr. Davenport have become especially close lately, Miss Spitznogle barely able to leave Mr. Davenport's side in the last week.

Mr. Davenport is a long time family friend. He has been a part of Miss Spitznogle's paternal family for generations. He first came to live with the Bauer family in the 1930s, occupying a place of honor in the living room. He was host to several parties, baptisms and was even present when family members were "laid out" in the front room. He there when young Nora Bauer Spitznogle brought her nine children (including Miss Spitznogle's father, John) to visit their aunts and uncles. 

In the 1970s, Mr. Davenport was moved to the basement and covered with blankets. He was a mighty port in storms and and electrical outages and provided a cozy spot for resting between washing and ironing chores.

Miss Spitznogle began admiring Mr. Davenport in the late 1990s, but didn't want to come across as too forward. She heard the Mr. Davenport was being auctioned off with other household goods in 2003. She began saving her tip money in order to secure Mr. Davenport's release.

Miss Spitznogle's father was present the day the auctioneer came to move the contents of the house. His cousin Rosemary Bauer in conference with the auctioneer decided to burn Mr. Davenport. Mr. Spitznogle jumped in just in time to stop Mr. Davenport from certain death.

Mr. Davenport has resided at Miss Spitznogle's home for the last five years, making himself available to countless touring musicians and guests. Mr. Davenport was recently portrayed in a very realistic cartoon here.

Miss Spitznogle and Mr. Davenport have not set a date yet, they are enjoying their engagement in the mean time. 

nuvo winter celebration (holiday party #1)

When I got the invitation to the NUVO party I was excited. Not only was it fun last year, but I knew that it would be a good chance to catch up with Kim. And it was at the Jazz Kitchen, within walking distance of my house. 

I didn't walk, there is the whole being sick factor and it's a crappy icy rainy night. 

It took me forever to figure out what to wear. I'm used to having only six minutes to get ready for a party. Having six hours really threw me off my game. Plus I got motivated last week and took a bunch of holiday clothes to the consignment place. I finally found a sparkly skirt that fit and paired it with the velvet top that I'm sure you'll be seeing lots of. 

I was so frazzled by my lack of appropriate shoes (note to self: find some shoes that are not worn out from work or thrift store purchased boots) that I forgot my camera. And my iPhone battery was worn down, so I couldn't snap a photo that way. For the first time in the year that I've had the phone I forgot to charge it. I've been sleeping on the sofa and the charger is in the bedroom and it never occurred to me to plug it in there. Clearly, I've not been myself. Anyway, I took the photo above in front of my Boy Scout wreath when I got home. Okay, back to the party--

The party was lovely. I squeezed in to Kim and Wayne's table. The food was great - and even some half-way healthy choices, a tasty strawberry salad. I balanced that out with a big hunk of brie topped with brown sugar. 

It was fun to meet other freelancers and hear what they are working on. And I got a nice compliment for this interview of one of my favorite musicians from a writer that I admire. 

I was happy to hear the publisher's recap of the year. NUVO is doing well. Circulation is the highest ever. Ad sales are up. I wish I could remember how many people have contributed and how much money they've been paid. Anyway, all good news in the face of other papers laying off employees. 

I'm thrilled to write for the paper and they seem happy with me. I had a moment of panic when the publisher and editor were teasing me about all of the places I write, but they were clearly okay with it. 

This might be one of the most disjointed things I've ever written. I'm calling it a night. Work tomorrow, ya know. 

sick

I intend to revive last year's recap of all of the holiday parties that I'm invited to. I had to miss the first one last night (Christamore House Guild meeting). 

I haven't felt good for weeks, but it all came crashing down on Monday. I woke up feeling extra crappy and had no voice at all, but guess what? I went to work. I'm an idiot, really. I was able to score a noon doctor's appointment and have not left my house since then. 

Three whole days with out leaving the house - unless you count the 5:30 in the morning dart to the driveway to retrieve the paper. Three whole days of not getting dressed. 

I wish I could say that I cleaned the house and decorated for the holidays. Nope, I mostly slept on the sofa, popping a cocktail of antibiotics and Ibuprofen. And blowing my nose. And coughing. 

Three whole days of eating freezer food. Can you believe that I still had some soup left from the soup swap? It was a lifesaver -- and very delicious. 

I thought if I ever had three days at home I'd read, write, catch up on blogs and organize. Nope. Lots of watching fuzzy television (no cable or high-def TV), surfing Facebook and napping. 

I've been sitting so much my bum actually aches. 

There was a highlight to being sick. When I got weighed at the doctors office it showed that I'd lost 20 pounds since my last visit! And my blood pressure was lower than ever. Woo Hoo!

I'm off to shower. And trust me, it's time. 

month end wrap-up

November was a typically busy month. 

I spent a good chunk of it feeling overwhelmed and freaked out. 

SH is still wonderful and one of the best nonprofits in the city, but I had a frustrating month. Nothing to worry about, but for the first time in three years it feels a more like a job than anything else. And I know that I bring on a lot of the pressure on myself. Despite my almost 30 years in the workforce this is my first "office" job. I'm still working my way around the minefield of office politics. I also know that I cannot expect everyone to have the same amount of energy and stamina that I do. 

Some switch flipped in my head and I relaxed, let go a little big and had a blast the last week. 

There were lots of highlights: 

*I'm still all giggly and blushy when I look at the cartoon. 

*The Tonic Ball and Tonic Gallery were amazing - and helped renew my commitment to my job.

*I was quoted in an embarrassing number of publications.  

* My truck was hit by a potato chip truck. On first glance this is not very funny. But I was not in the truck at the time the potato chip truck backed in to me. The impact pushed my truck back a few feet, to with in inches of a beer truck. I had visions of potato chips and beer for life. I can't believe that I forgot to take a photograph. 

*Thanksgiving was great. I loved going to Logansport with Dad, but it made me a little sad also. Back when I had a more flexible schedule Dad and I would travel to visit cousins at least twice a month. Before Thanksgiving I can't remember the last trip that did not involve a funeral or wedding. 

*I got to hang out with the twins. I don't know if I'm much help when I'm there, but those kids sure are precious. 

*I got to go to Dean's Post-Thanksgiving Jam. There were several circles of musicians playing old-time and bluegrass music. It was good for my soul. There were more banjos in one place than I've ever seen, several fiddles, a few stand up basses and one musical saw (thanks to my friend Kipp). 

*Even though I had to work both part-time jobs Thanksgiving weekend, they were filled with friends and laughter. And I'm thrilled to have them. 

Click here for photos of Thanksgiving, Fight Night at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and the Post-Thanksgiving Jam

thanksgiving

Just when you thought it was safe, and I couldn't possibly be quoted on one more paper....click here to read what I'm thankful for business-wise. And I'm honored to be in the company of these real Indianapolis movers and shakers. 

I couldn't begin to list the all of things I'm thankful for. 

I am blessed with a wonderful life. 

And, you dear bloggers are part of that. 

The blog has made me a better writer, introduced me to new friends and strengthened old friendships.

I've spend the last several Thanksgiving weeks in Sanibel with brother J.R. and his family. This year I'm here, but Mom is in Phoenix with sister Ann and Tim. So it's just Dad and sister Beth and Ron and I.

clockwise: Ron, Beth, Nora, Dad on the front porch of the Propylaeum Club

We had a lovely dinner at the Propylaeum Club - turkey and all the goodies. We got to tour the house after lunch. Some of the furnishing are from the old Claypool Hotel, including the things from the room where Carole Lombard spent her last night (January 15, 1942) before her death in a plane crash the next day. 

Dad in Carole Lombard's "room" 

Ron had to go to work and Beth went home to care for their sick dog (poor Santo). Dad and I travelled a whole block to cousin Diane and Tony's home. We had a nice visit with Aunt Muriel, and cousins Jim, Carmen and their families. 

Dad and I met at the farm and headed north to Cass County. I love going to visit all of the cousins. We didn't have any real plans. I was hoping to run in to some of the Grememspacher side of the family, but we didn't drive by the right house. 

We found a whole nest of cousins at Chuck's beautiful house. I played a game of Euchre and sampled some more food. It was fun to laugh, drink a beer and look at photographs from Aaron and Jennifer's wedding. 

Rosemary, Nora and great-aunt Mamie's coat

I wanted to be sure and see Rosemary. She is one of Dad's cousins and is a font of information and fun. I was wearing great-aunt Mamie's coat that she'd given me and I wanted to show her that I love and wear it. 

Dad and I made one more stop on the way home. The lights were on at Cousin George's. We had a nice chat with his wife Monica and son Andrew. 

And over the river and down the highway, dad and I drove south...

I had one more Thanksgiving stop to make- a sleepover with the Lieber twins. 

tonic ball 2008

Once again, the Tonic Ball lived up to my expectations.  It truly is my favorite night of the year. 

I was feeling bad that Tammy wasn't going to be able to attend, but she realized that the all-ages venue, meant just that --all-ages. Here is little Evan Lieber (five weeks old) at his first concert. 

Here are some of the women (past and present) of Second Helpings. I'd like to point out that I'm the only one not holding a drink -

Back in my college, punk-rock days these guys (Dale, Evan, Gary) were all around. The forty-something me can't believe that the coolest guys of twenty-five years ago are hanging out with me now. And they're still the cool guys!

Speaking of the cool kids -- sound man Jonee Quest. Jonee has the daunting task of running sound for the fifteen bands that played Queen in Radio Radio - with only ten minute changeovers. And we ran on time. And he's still smiling. 

I can't describe how great this night is for me. It combines my job - Second Helpings, my passion- music, friends and community. I truly walked around all night with goose bumps and a full heart. 

For more photos and videos click here. Click here and then click on the Tonic Ball marquee to see a great video of the event [and a not so great view of me explaining what Second Helpings does]. 

To answer the question on the top of all of your minds -- no dumpster making-out, not even tempted.