Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Find of the (Opening) Day

As far as I'm concerned, this past Saturday really should be marked a national holiday. It was opening day. No, no, silly people, I am not talking about baseball (go find Eric's blog if that's what you're after). I am referring to the circuit! By my precise calculations, opening day for the circuit starts on the Saturday of the huge Habitat for Humanity Sale at the Broadway Christian Church. Everything before now has just been preseason garage sales.

I was a little nervous about opening day this year since the forecast called for snow. The weather did hinder the number of sales. In fact, we only went to two sales--the huge one and one other one. But, never fear--it is not quantity, but quality that counts in finds of the day. And, boy oh boy, we got quality.

Behold:




Our very own organ. Our little basement music room has really stepped it up now. I remember playing one of these very frequently whenever I would go visit Grandma Betty and Poppy. I loved all the sounds it made. Now, I can make those sounds anytime I please.

On top of this f.o.t.d., we also found a loveseat, a basket, and some cowboy shirts.

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Five







This past Saturday was our five year anniversary. Isn't that kind of unreal? We celebrated with a weekend getaway to.....Kansas City. The emphasis here is on the word City. For, this was not one of our normal trips to our hometown. It was an exploration of the city that we do not know as well...downtown, the crossroads district, new restaurants, and hidden coffee shops. We stayed downtown at the Hotel Aladdin. It was swanky! Upon arrival, we were given champagne. And so, once again, I had to don the white hotel bathrobe and drink...because as you well know now, that's what you do.

After checking in at the hotel, we walked a couple blocks south to the crossroads art district. Every first Friday of the month, all the galleries and shops open wide their doors and serve you food and drinks. So, we partook. I mean, this is quite the event--so many people--so much really amazing art. Kansas City has never felt so big...and then, also, so small! We ran into all kinds of wonderful people: the Feinsteins, the Deacys, Laura and Eric, and Matt and Kim--all favorites of mine. It made the desire to live in KC even greater.


The next morning, we hunted down this great coffee shop called You Say Tomato. We absolutely loved it! They had a great fresh breakfast and a warm, friendly atmosphere that is hard to replicate. I want to go back there every Saturday morning! After that, we picked up our wedding cake topper from Mclain's bakery. I grew up going to this bakery...so, how fun that our cake came from there this year. By the way, it was excellent. So light, so yummy.



Since we were in the neighborhood, we dropped by Shari and Tyler's before having lunch at a french restaurant called Aixois. The rest of our afternoon was spent at the Nelson Atkins Art Museum and getting ready for a wedding. I know, attending a wedding on your own annivesary, how nice. It was reminicscent in more ways than one. The most hilarious being that the Kansas Jayhawks were in the final four on our wedding day and now they were once again! So, after a quick showing at the reception, T.J. and I ordered pizza to our room and watched the big game. And it was really awesome...yes, this is me writing that...and without a hint of sarcasm...look how marriage has changed me.

On Sunday, we walked around downtown and then met up with T.J.'s parents for a quick brunch at Bluestem in Westport. Oh my! The food was indescribably good. Before we left town, we visited the Eddys at their new abode. The weekend was whirlwindish, but extremely nice.



Tuesday, April 01, 2008

no, motels.


While my student teacher teaches my class, I hide out in my little office. One of the things I've been doing to pass the time is pulling struggling students to give them a little bit more individual instruction.

Well, today, I was busy working with one of these students on a literacy activity. Suddenly, she cocks her head toward me and asks, "Mrs. Tomlin, do you know a lot about God?". I was taken aback and asked her to repeat her question.

Yep, same one, I had heard her right. I was thinking in my head: wow...I really have no good response to that question. But, alas, her little face was looking at me so expectantly that I just decided to repose the question back to her. Ha! She said, "Me? Nope...I don't know much about him. What do you think is his most favorite place to go?" Again, a question that left me stumped. So again, the repose. Here is her insightful answer:

"I think he likes to go to...B...Bonkers*,...and to restaurants, and to stores, and to motels".

"hotels?" I said (she kind of mumbled the last bit).

"No, motels". (apparently, she knew the difference...and it was an important one).

How about that.

*For those unfortunate souls who don't know about Bonkers--it is a very large, insanely loud, crazily colorful indoor playground.