saint valentine's day eve

I can never get organized enough to send out a Christmas letter so I shoot for Saint Valentine's Day. 
Since I never got around to doing an end of the year blog wrap up, here is a copy of the letter enclosed with the invitation to the Saint Valentine's celebration. 

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

I can’t believe that another year has flown by. I think this will be the twenty-eighth annual celebration. The parties have morphed from the early days of two cases beer of beer and a plate of heart-shaped cookies to fancy food and better booze. Mom’s heart-shaped sugar cookies are still on the menu though!

I’m in my fifth year at Second Helpings (speaking of time flying!). We rescue surplus food from the community and prepare and deliver 2900 meals every single day at no cost to seventy other social service agencies. To complete the circle we have a culinary job training program for adults. My role as the director of operations really is perfect for me – it combines my education, experience and passion. I can’t believe how much I love it!

I’m also lucky enough to be the Saturday night waitress (and cook) at the iconic Red Key Tavern. The Red Key is just three blocks from my house, is owned by the delightfully curmudgeonly ninety one-year old Russel Settle. Russ has owned the tavern for fifty-eight years and I’m honored to work in the historic bar – and I love working in the neighborhood. I also work one Sunday a month at the wonderful Marigold clothing store. Marigold celebrated their twentieth anniversary this year with a move in to a beautiful new building in Broad Ripple (next to Big Hat Books and the Broad Ripple Brew Pub). Except for the years I worked in Philadelphia, I’ve been on the Marigold schedule the whole time. And if you’ve seen me at all in the last twenty years you know that I’m wearing at least one piece of Marigold clothing every day!

In my spare time I am the music columnist for the Broad Ripple Gazette and write concert previews and feature articles for NUVO, Indianapolis’ weekly entertainment and social justice paper. I’ve started a regular series on radio music deejays. I got to review all sixty bands along the Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon route this year – and walk all 13.1 miles while doing it. I also got my dream assignment this summer and wrote a feature titled Nora’s Indiana State Fair Top Ten (it was heavy on the barns and animals and 4-H) for NUVO and attended all seventeen days of the fair and wrote about my experiences – and got to ride in the tractor parade three times!

I also started writing for a national magazine, Ghettoblaster. Don’t let the name scare you – it’s a quirky mix of features on music and films and CD reviews. You can pick up a copy in your independent record store or at Barnes and Noble.

2009 was another wonderful year for travel. Dad treated us to plane tickets to Germany in June and we had a grand time. Mom, Dad, sister Beth and her husband Ron, and sister Ann and her husband Tim and I spent over a week traveling by planes, trains and automobiles from Munich to Fulda in the heart of Germany to visit the Zwergel’s, long-time family friends.

We took a day trip to Salzburg, Austria where we saw the gorgeous city and skipped down the Do-Re-Mi steps featured in the Sound of Music - in pouring rain. The next day trip to the Dakau Concentration Camp was a sobering experience, but one I’m glad we took.

The upper right photo on the invitation was snapped outside of our charming hotel in Baden Baden. The town is known for their mineral waters and baths. I got over my prudishness on our second day there and took advantage of the famous 130 year-old Friedrichsbad, a nude Roman-style bath with seventeen stages of soaking and scrubbing and steaming. You guessed it – I knew the woman next to me. She’d been a customer at the coffeehouse. I felt like I knew her even better after the two-hour circuit.

The photo of Sankt Valentin was taken in a beautiful church at the top of the town of Fulda. I was humbled by the beautiful art and history in Germany. The Zwergels were fabulous hosts. I especially loved staying in their family residence in the oldest building in Fulda. I spent a month there in the summer of 1978 and it brought back a lot fun memories of staying with my Aunt Rita and Uncle Eberhard and my young cousins. I was thrilled to find a photograph that I’d snapped that summer, framed and on display.

I visited Austin, Texas in October to cover the Austin City Limits Festival again this year for NUVO. The music was terrific and I had a photo pass. Standing ten feet from the B-52s was a surreal experience and the whole festival was a blast.

Brother J.R. and his wife, Anna generously let me tag along on their Thanksgiving vacation to Sanibel, FL. I got to share a room with my two favorite people in the world – niece Molly and nephew John David. Giggling and soaking in sunshine was a beautiful way to spend the holiday.

Taking the time to recap the year once again reminds me what an amazing life I lead. Thanks for being part of it!



My music blog: http://queenbeemusic.blogspot.com
My blog: http://nora-leona.blogspot.com

april wrap-up

Holy guacamole! Only one other post in April? *Sigh.

I wish I could tell you it was because I had some big life-altering news, but nope, nothing out of the ordinary. Well, maybe a little bit - I joined a bowling league. Yeah, you read that right, I'm bowling, dude!

Might as well grab a snack, I'm going to recap the whole month in this post.

April 3: Dad and I ran up to Peru, Indiana - "The Circus Capital of the World" for cousin Lynne's surprise 50th birthday party.

Dad and Lynne

Part of the surprise was on us - I had the wrong time and venue.

Elk.

Luckily the VFW, Elks Club and Legion are all with in a blocks so we were in the right lodge in no time.

Lynne.

I've gotten to know Lynne much better in the last few years. Even though we are pretty close in age, I was always shy around her. I thought she was so much cooler, funnier and self-confident than I was. I discovered last year that she also loves Johnny Cash. For Christmas I gave her my autographed photograph of Johnny. I figured it helped make up for all of the gifts of underwear and crocheted tissue box covers she got as a child from her godmother, Aunt Eleanor. For her birthday I gave her a postcard that was sent to Grandma Nora in 1909. Lynne is a postal carrier, and I guessed (rightly so) that she'd appreciate it.

Lynne and cousin David. Dave and I are just four days apart in age.

It was a fun evening - I need to spend more time with the cousins.

April 4: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition wrap party. There is not much I'll get my Red Key shift covered for, but this was one of them. My friend Anne-Marie Dezelen puts on a hell of a party and she was in charge of this one (here's a reminder of the birthday party she threw for her husband).

I had fun rubbing elbows with the beautiful people. Anne-Marie did a fabulous job. You can see more photos here.

April 5-8: My house used to be a stop on the underground railroad of touring musicians. Hundreds of singer-songwriters have slept on my sofa. Seth Horan holds the record for the longest residency. I was thrilled that he stopped in Indianapolis for his three day tour gap between Saint Louis and Chicago. We had not seen each other in five years! In that time CATH closed, I started working at Second Helpings and writing. Seth had even bigger life changes - he's now married and is moving to California.

I had a blast having him around. We fell into our old friendship in a matter of minutes. And I forget how fun it is to have someone to do something with. As comfortable as I am doing stuff by myself, I enjoyed eating out and seeing music with him along. We heard everything from a guy with a playing a solo set on a Farfisa organ to Todd Rungren.

April 8: Dad's 73rd birthday. Dad's birthday fell on his Wednesday volunteer day, so we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

Dad told the group that Wednesday is his favorite day of the week.
Mine too.

April 11: Easter. I went to J.R.'s parish. My brother always "buys" the front pew at a church fundraiser and I sure do enjoying knowing where to find them in the church. Mass was at 9:30, which makes it a challenge to be all fresh and pretty after an ending at 3:00 AM smoky waitressing shift. I left my house at 9:00, which should have put me at the church with five minutes to spare. But I zigged instead of zagging and walked in at 9:33.

The doors to the church sanctuary were closed and there was an usher giving us latecomers the stink-eye. When the everyone stood up for the Gospel reading a family of four and I decided to make a break for it. The usher/security guard hesitated and chose to chase the family - they were moving slower, weighed down by the baby. I was able to slide in to the pew with J.R.'s friends and family.

June Bug and her little brother brought up the offerings. Those kids make my heart swell.

June Bug and Anna

We had a lovely brunch afterward. My friends were playing in the lobby -- thereby confirming my family's suspicion that I know every musician in town.

Circle Trio

Mom

There were plenty of games and things to keep the kids occupied.

April 12: Dyngus Day, or Easter Monday is also called Wet Monday in honor of the water based pranks that are traditionally pulled off on that day. I'm so happy we didn't know about that when we were kids. It was raining that day, so we got a good dose of the wet part anyway.

Bethie and me.

My dear South Bend-born brother-in-law Ron Trojanowski introduced our family to the holiday.

We've enjoyed the polka music and kielbasa at the Chatterbox Jazz Club the last several Dyngus Days.

Ron and Beth

Polka!

And proving that I cannot be left to my own devices, even for a minute I joined the Chatterbox bowling team (The Chatterbowlers) while I was there.

Thursdays: The Golden Gloves boxing matches are held at the Tyndall Armory.

This was the fifth year that I've had season tickets, and I tagged along with my friend Novella Nedeff for a few years before that. I have a hard time articulating why I enjoy the matches so much, but I think this photo helps sum it up. I get to sit behind two retired fireman, watch kids from the Christamore House box, eat popcorn and soak in all of the diversity our town has to offer.

April 16: CAR (Community Awareness Reception) turned in to a van for Second Helpings. J.R.'s friend Greg Eddy handed me the keys to a one-ton van at the reception!

A conversation in the cow barn at the Martin Luther King party led to a tour and the donation of a van for Second Helpings. I'm continually amazed by the generosity of my friends and the community. You can read more about it here.

April 16 and 17: Christamore House Guild Book and Author reception and luncheon. I went straight from the Second Helpings reception to the Christamore House Guild Book and Author reception. It was hard to know how to dress that morning. Sometimes fashion magazines will have pictorials of clothing suggestions that will go from "board room to ball room." The photos are of unnaturally beautiful woman wearing a designer suit that they whip the jacket off in the back of a chauffeured Town Car to revel a shiny beaded camisole. They add diamond earrings and even higher heels and step out of the car on to a red carpet.

They never write about how to dress for a nonprofit job and fancy-smancy party with real-live authors. And changing clothes in a S-10 pickup truck with manual transmission. I wore a top over my little black dress and boots. I whipped off the top added heals and raced to the party. I was so late the shuttle bus was bring people back to their cars. The grounds and house of the party hosts were amazing. The house was so big I had to send my sister in law a text to find her. And I never did run across a bar (apparently there were four).

I missed hearing the authors speak, which is my favorite part. But I did get me chat with Mary McGarry Morris. Her latest book, "The Last Secret" main character is named Nora. I can't wait to dig in to it.

The luncheon the next day is always lovely. It is fun to be a lady who lunches.

April 16-22: Ann was in Indianapolis. My youngest sister Annie was in town for a week. I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with her. We did get to have lunch with Mrs. Herr on Saturday.

Ann, Mrs. Herr, Beth, Nora

April 18: June Bug's First Holy Communion. It was a beautiful day. I can't believe how grown up and beautiful she is.

It was an amazing day. The whole family was together to celebrate this wonderful sacrament.

Beth, June Bug, Anna, JD, J.R., Ann, Ron, Mom, Nora, Dad

June Bug and Aunt Nora

Extreme Food Drive: The food kept pouring in all month. Last count 35,000 pounds!

April 28: Slumber party with Miss Katy. Her twin brother, Evan was having a heart procedure (everything went well, but he still needs a little more fine tuning), so Katy spent the night with me.

We had a grand time. I picked her up at her sitter's, my mom came over and we spent a few hours lovin' on her and then she went to sleep in the pack 'n play next to my bed. She slept for ten hours. I slept in ten minute increments - waking up to make sure she was still breathing. She's a beautiful sweet child. I look forward to watching them grow up.

And that folks, was the month of April.
If you want to read what I did music and event-wise. Click here and here.

march wrap-up

Akk! Another month passed by without keeping my promise to myself of blogging more regularly. If only you could read the posts I've written in my head...

One reason that I was out of touch last three weeks is that I had a secret! And it is hard for me to keep such exciting news quiet, so I stayed home and told the cat. And Cliff (I figured telling someone in Nebraska was fairly safe).

The Sunday night, tear-jerker show, ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition came to Indianapolis. And they are holding an Extreme Food Drive for Second Helpings in conjunction with the construction of the house. Any food that we cannot use for prepared meals at Second Helpings will be sent to food pantries in the neighborhood (Martindale-Brightwood) of the makeover home.

Second Helpings provides 880 meals in that neighborhood every single week. We also redirected 131,000 pounds of food in the last six months to the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry that serves the neighborhood. In the first two days of the Extreme Home Makeover we’ve collected over 800 pounds of food.

I am just amazed by all of the behind scenes things on this project. There is a staging area across Keystone (a major street in the city) in an industrial park. All of the trucks are queued up and ready to go. When I left Monday evening they were pouring concrete for the resource/library building and working on the basement for the house. One day later they were putting on the roof, running the electricity and putting in the HVAC system.

The show travels with a crew of 70, a security company and trucks of supplies. The community has stepped up with 3000 volunteers, donated goods and labor. All of the food for the volunteers and crew has been donated.

I am most impressed by the work that is being done in the neighborhood. Two abandoned houses have been demolished, several houses painted, tons of trash picked up, windows replaced and 1500 trees planted. It warms my heart to see some basic quality of life things that most of us take for granted being addressed. I can’t say enough about Estridge (the builder for the project) they’re doing things right.

view from the golf cart

I volunteered on Monday and had the best, yet most nerve-wracking volunteer job ever. I told them I'd do anything but drive. So of course I drove all day. I shuttled VIPs around the site in a golf cart. It was disconcerting to look over my shoulder and see a cement truck behind me as I crossed Keystone. My next job was driving the shuttle bus. Sarah Fisher was one of my passengers. I think I sweat through all four layers of clothes I was wearing having her as a passenger. For the record, she was lovely and didn't do any backseat driving.

I also have a media pass, so I'll be photographing the progress each day.

Monday, March 30

Tuesday, March 31

The Golden Gloves matches started this month - John Mellencamp's son is fighting this year adding to the excitement. I've had fun playing with the camera. I really need to take a class - in my spare time.

My favorite thing I did this month? Shopping with June Bug, Mom and Anna for JB's First Communion veil. I was searching for the perfect Godmother gift for such an important occasion - the veil was perfect.

january wrap-up

The month flew by. I shoveled snow, swapped soup and snapped photos. 

I worked extra shifts to earn enough to buy a new camera -- that I'm still not sure how to use. It's big and fancy and I need a class to learn more about it. I've read the manual, watched the videos, quizzed friends and slept with it one night in a effort to figure it out. As we all know how well jumping in to bed with someone right away works out. Or so I've read. 

It snowed. A lot. Almost 13 inches in one day. The 10th largest snow in recorded weather history. In my arrogance I drove to work. I believe that I can do anything. In a foot of snow. With my 2001 S-10 pickup. I did make it -- I left early, before all of the snow fell. Getting out of my driveway is a breeze. It's the getting back in that is a challenge. You'd think that for feeling invincible I'd be more confident. 

Soup. I made it, I swapped it and I ate lots of it. No wonder I only lost two pounds last month. The good news: I'm only four pounds away from my goal of losing 30 pounds. 

I'm still dealing with fallout from The Incident.  Mostly from my bank. I have my checking, savings and mortgage accounts at the same bank (don't worry, I'm still a few bucks away from the $250,000 FDIC insured cap). The coffeehouse also used the same bank as does Second Helpings. When I called to cancel my debit card I had to talk them down from closing every account attached to my name. Even though the coffeehouse accounts were long closed I still show up as a signer, so at least a dozen accounts showed up under my name. It took almost two weeks until I could access my account online. 

To top it all off, the day of The Incident I deposited an $80 check that I found from a writing gig. That bounced. The paper switched bank accounts in the four months it took me cash it. So my account had $80 less than I thought. Plus a $39 charge. And that led to bouncing an online payment that I made at $39 a pop PER DAY. And without online access to the account I didn't know about it. The bank said they tried to call me, but it took me a few days to realize that I had to set up the voicemail on the new phone. 

In the meantime, I'd try to log on to check my account and pay my bills and could not. I would call and a patronising person will tell me that I just didn't understand how to log in. And I would believe them (see lack of confidence sentence above) even though I've done my banking online for years and only write checks (sadly) at Marigold and the Red Key. After one call to try to get it straightened out my debit card stopped working. At the gas pump. After dark. In a sketchy neighborhood. And I was still a little fragile. 

I finally had time during banking hours to go to a branch to try to figure it out. The teller looked a little confused as I rattled off the my account number, but he did something magic and I was able to use the card and access my account. I was able to convince the credit card company, the mortgage folks and utilities to drop the service charges that were levied since I couldn't get access to my money. But the bank would not budge on charges. 

My CEO came to me the other day. Someone had charged a $25 donation to the Inauguration Fund to our payroll account. The payroll account is used for just that. We deposit enough money in the account to cover payroll. Since most of the staff uses direct deposit the money is usually in and out within two days. As she was asking how we should handle it, I was thinking about what a coincidence it was that I'd made that same donation to the Inauguration. I looked at the number attached to the donation and realized that it was my debit card number - tied to the payroll account! 

That explained everything - why I couldn't get in to account and why the purchases were denied. And now I have proof of why I couldn't see my that I had a negative balance. I'll get those bounced check charges dropped yet. 

Okay, this turned in to a long boring post about the bank. Sorry. But that might well be the most exciting story of the month. I'm ready for February. 

the year that was -- 2008

The off-the-top-of-my-head highlights (in alphabetical order):

Austin City Limits Festival

Blogstock

Ireland

Lieber twins

Lost 25 pounds

NUVO cover story

Low lights (in order of importance): 

Deaths - Mr. Herr, Uncle Cletus and Larry and Kathy, Vi Walker

Held up

Financial challenges - replaced computer, replaced bathroom floor, dry basement, replaced camera, replaced cell phone, replaced locks, major truck repairs.....

Lots of great stuff happened this year. 

I got to travel and stretch my wings. The trip to Ireland and Austin were the first vacations I've taken in years that did not involve my family. Not that I don't love vacationing with them, but I loved exploring new things on my own. My computer died right after the Ireland trip and I didn't get the chance to properly write about it -- and about what a wonderful time I had.  I just figured out how to get the photos and notes I took off of the old computer. One of my goals for 2009 is to blog about that trip - and since I can't afford to take a trip like that for a while, it will be good to re-live it. 

The Austin trip was also amazing - I got to reconnect with Uncle Bruce and Cousin Sheila -- and I still owe them thank you notes. I was nervous about the Austin City Limits Festival. I was so sure that I'd be found out as a fraud - no journalism background, not an esoteric music freak or cool-kid blogger. The festival gave me a lot of confidence. I might not be up on the latest scarf-rock band, but I do my homework and I'm not afraid to ask questions. And I blogging about the festival and producing articles were great fun and helped me find my voice. I can see a big difference in my music writing since then - ironically it's closer to what you read on this blog.  And - I had a blast and made a new music-y friend. 

Blogstock was wonderful - and I got to meet a whole bunch of you. Jerry and I travel well together, I got to be in a parade and throw candy, the company was amazing, I rode a horse, ate amazing food and reveled in the fellowship of amazing people. 

Twins! The whole thing is amazing- the birth, the adorable kidddos and the way Tammy is handling it all with grace. And it makes me appreciate my dear niece and nephew even more. 

I spent the first 44 years of my life being skinny. Then something happened -- 30 somethings. It crept up on me. My activity level changed - my first desk-ish job and writing more = sitting more. My metabolism changed and menopause happened (shocking for someone so freakishly young, I know). I knew I'd been gaining weight and at Blogstock something really clicked - I realized how big I'd gotten when I needed a boost on to the horse. One of my young hip friends mentioned Weight Watchers. I always thought it was for old ladies (I know, I know) but when Amy said she was on WW, I went back to my office and signed up online. 

Apparently I just needed someone to tell me what to do! I am fanatical about tracking what I eat. The WW site makes it easy to count points and track progress. The weight loss has been steady and healthy. I've quit eating Twizzlers (more for you Ralph) and potato chips. I feel wonderful and I'm enjoying my smaller jeans and the wonderful compliments I'm getting. Just five more pounds! 

The NUVO cover story was amazing - it was a cool validation and gave me a huge confidence boost. I've been writing more and more (including something I can't talk about -- remember the jinx factor?). 

This year felt like it had more than it's share of adult crap. I was obviously affected by the deaths of Mr. Herr and Uncle Cletus. I'm still shocked about Larry and Cathy. Two of my close friends had dads die this year - Becky and Amy. My neighborhood mentor, Vi Walker died in December when I was so sick and I couldn't even get to the funeral. 

It was a hard year financially. I spend money on fun things -travel and the house, and not so fun things - replacing the computer and all of the stuff in my purse. And property taxes. Ugggh. 

But all and all it was a good year, although I am anxious to see what 2009 has to offer!

december wrap up

I didn't have enough energy to write about the rest of the holiday parties. I spend lots of time napping and reading at home with some work tossed in. I did make myself venture out in the last hour of 2008 to ring in the new year at Kirsten and Ben's wonderful party - and I talked Novella in to meeting me at the Red Key after midnight for a drink. 

I'll admit that I was in a funk even before the mugging (more on that later). And then my dear friend Ann Herr's aunt and uncle were killed in a one car accident right before Christmas. Larry and Kathy were lovely people. They were part of every July 4th celebration and Christmas Day. I already had a pile of quarters ready to play Cob and had a Christmas present ready for Kathy. Again I realized that we're all grown up when Ann called to tell me of the accident. It broke my heart for Mrs. Herr and the kids - it's been a rough year for them. The funeral was lovely. Larry and Kathy were well loved in their church. Kathy attended Mass every day, and the priest had wonderful things to say. 

There was a funny moment at the cemetery. One of Larry and Mrs. Herr's cousin is a priest and we were chatting at the graveside. He asked if I was married -- working to recruit me to be a nun. I tried to deflect the question by chattering on about my job - pointing out that I am doing God's work already. Just as he said that I should consider joining an order a big gust of wind blew the row of chairs under the tent around me. Father said: that's the Holy Spirit talking. 

Other sad news in my world - our board of directors made the decision to close Just 'Cause Catering as of December 31. The board felt that in these uncertain economic times it is prudent to concentrate on the core mission of Second Helpings (can you tell I practiced saying that?). I'll offer no opinion about the decision, but I will tell you that it sucked to let six friends and co-workers go.  Second Helpings was generous with the separation agreement and I'm confident the talented folks will find something even better. 

I was also as sick as I can ever remember being. I missed almost a whole week of work - and I never miss work. I barely left the sofa, 'cause you know - the bedroom was too far away. In retrospect there was a funny moment. I had such an awful headache that I couldn't think. I couldn't concentrate enough to call someone for help, but I was really worried. Then I saw a television commercial that featured a photo of a footed water glass with a bendy straw in it. The message of the ad was: Headache? Maybe you're dehydrated - drink more water.  I forced myself to off the sofa to the kitchen and made myself and made myself drink water and take a glass with me. After a day of drinking water I felt better. It wasn't until a week later when I was washing a footed water glass that looked suspiciously like the one in the commercial, that it dawned on me that I'd dreamed/hallucinated the whole thing. I'm glad I did!

There were certainly fun times in December - hanging out with my sweet niece and nephew on Christmas Eve was one. I was thrilled to be able to pass my collection of Meg books on to the June Bug. 

All things said, I was happy to see the month go. 

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

october experiment wrap-up

The October Experiment sucked. I really hated it. As Ralph pointed out, I posted in batches. All written in a panic in an effort to cross something off my list.

Some were easy to write, some emotional and others just plain goofy. I felt committed to finishing the project and not skipping a day, but I feel like I missed some good stuff along the way. And wrote some crap to fulfil the obligation.

I am glad that I finally wrote about the CPR incident. Of course writing about the twins was fun and I love the picture of my feet in the booties and the severed finger cookies. Still, I'm glad its over.

I put a lot of pressure on myself in October. Work has been nuts, which I typically thrive on. I worked on finding entertainment for a marathon and beat myself up way too much when bands weren't falling out of the trees to volunteer. I took it very personally when bands didn't want to play at 8:00 on a potentially cold morning - as it turned out it was sunny and warm. Thanks for your offer to help, Teresa.

I started a home organizing project that emptied the stuff out of my two closets. And the planned yard sale never happened. So I've added other people's crap to my crap. I've been dodging junk on my porch, living room, dining room and bedroom for a month. I literally have a path open to get to the other side of the house. I'm slowly chipping away at it. I might even be able to invite company in to the house soon.

All of this caused me to turn down paying writing gigs [*gasp], miss exploring a career opportunity that I wanted to pursue and burst in to tears at extremely inappropriate times.

Here's to a new month and back to our regularly scheduled program.

month end wrap-up

September was busy - lots of work and meetings with a good dose of fun sprinkled in.
Here is the stuff I couldn't get organized enough to write about.

My friend Scott introduced me to the wondrous Flowing Well Park. As you can see I didn't plan properly - I only brought the glass jar. It was delicious water and a fun field trip.

My cousin Diane married the lovely Tony in Chicago and they threw a fun reception for the Indiana folks. The wedding featured all of my favorite things - cake, love, BBQ, open bar, music and a bouncy house. Pictured exiting the bounce house is June Bug, Nora and the bride (in green). I belong to the fabulous Riviera Club. When I managed the coffeehouse I used to live at the pool during the summer - sometimes spending five hours a day swimming, reading and napping. I am not able to take as much advantage of it now, but I still love it. I spent Labor Day weekend trying to squeeze in a whole summer of swimming.

Beth and I were honored to be Eucharistic Minsters for Uncle Cletus' Funeral Mass. He was buried in his WWII uniform. He was buried with the full military rites. You can see my dad saluting in the background. This photo brings tears to my eyes every time I look at it.

After the funeral dinner (where I ate a whole weeks worth of Weight Watchers points in fried chicken, green beans with bacon, mashed potatoes, gravy and pie) I hitched a ride with my cousin Chuck on his Harley Davidson. It was a blast, riding down the road in my dress. It is is very out of character for Miss Safety First to ride without a helmet. That said, I trust my cousin Chuck with my life and I said a little prayer that all of the other drivers would be just as careful.

I love line-cooking day at Second Helpings. I'm surrounded by friends and family and lots of laughter. Pictured: Mom, Nora, Ann Herr Mitchell and Mrs. Herr. My friend Kristi did a great job and we're roping her in to volunteering for every line cooking.

And later that night...as evidenced by the same dress....I attended a fundraiser/fashion show for Dress for Success. I love what Dress for Success does- outfitting women for job interviews and providing work clothes. I ran in to cousin Nina (granddaughter of Cletus and MaryAlice).

Talk Like a Pirate Day. Who can resist a chick in a mustache and tattoo?

Work Day at Tammy's. My dear friend Tammy is having twins. A great groups of troops rallied to paint, patch and assemble. I surprised Jerry on a ladder, not a good idea. I guess I'm not the brightest light bulb in the pack.

******

I had a total meltdown the day before my trip when I realized that my drivers licence was not in my wallet. I needed it to rent the car in Austin. I could always use my passport for i.d. for the plane and to get my press pass, but I had to have the licence for the car.

I combed my house, truck, brief case, pants pockets and anywhere else I could think that I might possibly have left it. No luck. I looked online to see what I needed for a duplicate licence. There were four absolute requirements and the passport could cover two of them, proof of residence was easily covered with a piece of postmarked mail. I was totally screwed on the proof of Social Security number. I certainly didn't have my original SS card - I'm not sure that I've ever seen it. It might be locked away at the farm. And I had no time to go to the SS office to get a letter stating that I'd applied for a duplicate card.

One of my co-workers convinced me to go to the licence branch just to see what they would say. I couldn't believe it when I laid my stuff down on the counter.
Do you know your SS number?
Yes and I rattled off the number, it got punched in to the computer.
Okay, that will be $10, get your photograph taken over there.

My "woo hoo I can rent a car" side wanted to do a victory dance. My social justice "none of our students could have gotten away with this" side was a little miffed, but quickly got over it.

I took this photo with my iPhone as I left the branch.

Last week I got this letter in the mail with my drivers licence tucked in it. I was scheduled to give a talk at 5:45 in the morning at a factory. I checked in to the guard house at 5:30 (I had to leave my house at 5:00) and no one ever came to fetch me. I finally left at 6:15, never using the factory ID that I was issued. The guy forgot to give me my drivers licence when I handed him the ID. Fine, its early in the morning. But why did it take three weeks to mail it back? I probably would have gotten a good laugh out of the whole thing if the letter didn't imply that I'd messed up....I never left the guard house and I was never told the meeting was cancelled.

On the bright side: I like my new photograph better and now the weight is actually right.

Here's to a new month. Cheers!

month end wrap-up

Wow! How can April be over already? I still have so much to accomplish this month.
Like train for the Mini Marathon and clean the house and work on the yard and lots of other stuff.

April 1-Dinner with my dear cousin Sarah and her beautiful family.

April 3- The first ever central Indiana Nonprofit Congress Town Hall meeting. I was thrilled be included in the planning committee and the event generated great energy in the community. You can watch a video recap here.

April 4- I went to Lafayette with my friend Mark to help him pour beer at a fundraiser. He works for a local beer distributor. I had a blast being at a fundraiser that I didn't have a big role in. I ran in to some old friends and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

April 5- Have a nice trip? I decided that I'm going to try not to drive at least one day a week, for several reasons - gas prices, carbon footprint, the need the exercise and I live within walking distance to everything I need. I was walking to work at the Red Key and fell harder than I ever have before, including the tragic roller blading incident of 1998. It was more like sidewalk surfing. I skidded to a stop on my wrists, knees and elbows. My iPhone flew out of my pocket hit the sidewalk and landed in a yard. My camera bounced off the street and the batteries went scattering in four directions. I caught my breath, dried my tears and walked back home to bandage up, change clothes and drive. I realized that my watch was gone. I found it in the yard of the house I'd fallen in front of. Ugggh.

April 7 & 8 -My nonprofit hero Robert Egger was in town. See our feet here.

April 10- The last Golden Gloves match of the season for me, my friend Kipp joined me. I can't believe how much I love the matches and being in the armory. 

April 13- Mr. Herr died. Thanks for everyone's kind words. It still does not seem real to me.

April 17- Woke up to an earthquake. It was kind of a fun way to start the day. I giggled and fell back asleep.

April 17 & 18- The Book and Author event.

April 25- Bad Influence Girl, Jerry and I went to see Justin Townes Earle.

April 26- Kim and Bill's wedding.

April 28- Mom treated Beth, Ron and me to Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me's Peter Sagal. I can't wait wait to start his book. Great fun!

April 29- Second Helpings is 10 years old! Woo Hoo!

April 30- I was honored to be part of of the presidents roundtable for Indy Hub. I was a panelist for their discussion on volunteerism. The roundtable was held in the very cool, very historic Morris-Butler House.

Those were the highlights, there was plenty of work tucked in between.

miss cellaneous month-end wrap up

Red Key- men's room wall, January 25, 2008

I finally made the men's room wall. I always have been a late bloomer!
Thanks to Maureen for showing it to me (why she was in the men's room is a whole 'nother story). Now, if only we knew who "KG" was - Kute Guy?, Kenny G?, Karmann Ghia?, Kilo Gram?

But back to the wrap-up.

I really expected for my life to slow down this month. I pictured that my house would be sparking clean, my desk at work would be clear and I'd sleep so much that my face would have permanent pillow marks.

No, no and no.

Those pipe dreams aside, it was a good month.

Meeting Robert Egger and reading his book, Begging for Change has really made me re-think how not for profit agencies do business. Its a good feeling, but slightly overwhelming.

I wound up writing parts of a cover story for NUVO.

MLK Day at the farm was a blast as usual, but I think I'm still recovering. Sprinkled in with all of the fun is a big work day. I was at the farm from 9:00 am until midnight - lots of cooking and cleaning and keeping people from falling in to the fryers.

I was reminded (and re-reminded) not to be a bragger.

I booked a trip to Ireland (woo hoo!).

Apparently it is okay with you dear readers, to date men that are younger than my television.

Stuff I didn't blog about:

Crabbiness. I was crabby for a good chunk of the month. I'd wake myself up because I was scowling in my sleep.

The computer ate my column. I e-mailed my 1200 word Broad Ripple Gazette column to the editor before the deadline. The first time since, well, the first time ever. I titled the subject line "don't faint." Well, faint we almost did. Only one paragraph of the column transmitted. I went to work last Sunday and tried to retrieve it. No luck. I spent the afternoon alternating between re-writing the column, stamping my little feet and crying. That was also the first and only day in January that I was not scheduled to work any of my three jobs. And, of course I remember that first version as being the best thing I've ever written.

I make a real point not to blog about work. It was a challenging month. That's all I'm saying.

Overall, the good outweighed the bad. The month was a great kick-off to 2008.

I'm looking forward to seeing what the year brings.