Tomorrow I need to remember my camera and had just north of here as the leaves are brilliant colors this time of year. I'd love to share beautiful Iowa with you all and forgot to take my camera along today as I went out and about driving different cars. Trying to figure out if I like The Chevy Trailblazer, Equinox, Ford Edge or the Toyotas. I know what I'm looking for but I'm just not seeming to find it all in one car. Oh well, hopefully I'll find it eventually.

 

Health is hanging in there. My appetite is getting better and I'm finding that I can eat more "regular" foods - so that's a really good thing. I made it to the Mercy Pool today and did my aquatic exercises, something that has become addicting. I love doing my stretches in the warm water.

 

Last night Dan and I went to see Nickel Creek at the Hoyt Sherman. They are EXCELLENT and were even better live - if that's at all possible. For an awesome show catch them live. Here's a link from youtube of them for those of you who haven't heard of them before:

 

Nickel Creek - The Lighthouse's Tale (Live)

 

Grandma C brought the little guy out for a visit today as the weather was just perfect. He was in orange pants, orange top with a ghost and... a ghost hat. Poor little dude! Of course we had to get photos to share the little guy with all of you. Enjoy!

 

Twilit Arachnid: Armogohma (Shelled Gohma in the Japanese version) is the boss of the Temple of Time in Twilight Princess. At first, Armogohma appears as a giant armored spider that crawls across the ceiling and is equipped with a large, beam-shooting eye on its back. After this form crumbles, the normal victory music cuts short and a distorted version of the boss music begins playing. The spider's true form is revealed as the eye, a smaller spider that quickly surrounds itself with Baby Gohmas. After Link vanquishes the creature in this form, it releases a Heart Container and dissolves to reveal the third shard of the Mirror of Twilight." *shiver*

 

All I know is that it was UGLY. Got him in one run but it was tricky. Once I figured out the timing it was a piece of cake. Now I'm heading towards the city in the sky next. I've really, really enjoyed this game on the Wii Nitendo system.

 

Get up now - Get up now - Get up out of bed - Wash your face - Brush your teeth - Comb your sleepy head - Here's your clothes - And your shoes - Hear the words I said - Get up now - Get up and make your bed - Are you hot? - Are you cold? - Are you wearing that? - Where's your books and your lunch and your homework at? - Grab your coat and your gloves and your scarf and hat - Don't forget you got to feed the cat - Eat your breakfast - The experts tell us it's the most important meal of all - Take your vitamins so you will grow up one day to be big and tall - Please remember the orthodontist will be seeing you at three today? - Don't forget your piano lesson is this afternoon

 

So you must play - Don't shovel - Chew slowly - But hurry - The bus is here - Be careful - Come back here - Did you wash behind your ears? - Play outside - Don't play rough - Would you just play fair? - Be polite - Make a friend

 

Don't forget to share - Work it out - Wait your turn - Never take a dare - Get along - Don't make me come down there - Clean your room - Fold your clothes - Put your stuff away - Make your bed - Do it now - Do we have all day? - Were you born in a barn? - Would you like some hay - Can you even hear a word I say? - Answer the phone - Get Off the phone - Don't sit so close - Turn it down - No texting at the table - No more computer time tonight - Your iPod's my iPod if you don't listen up

 

Where you going and with whom and what time do you think you're coming home? - Saying thank you, please, excuse me - Makes you welcome everywhere you roam - You'll appreciate my wisdom - Someday when you're older and you're grown - Can't wait 'til you have a couple little children of your own - You'll thank me for the counsel I gave you so willingly

 

But right now - I thank you NOT to roll your eyes at me - Close your mouth when you chew - Would appreciate - Take a bite - Maybe two - Of the stuff you hate - Use your fork - Do not you burp - Or I'll set you straight - Eat the food I put upon your plate - Get an egg A, Get the door - Don't get smart with me - Get a Grip - Get in here I'll count to 3 - Get a job - Get a life - Get a PhD - Get a dose of reality - I don't care who started it - You're grounded until your 36 - Get your story straight - And tell the truth for once for heaven's sake - And if all your friends jumped off a cliff - Would you jump too?

 

If I've said it once, I've said at least a thousand times before that - You're too old to act this way - It must be your father's DNA - Look at me when I am talking - Stand up straight when you walk - A place for everything - And everything must be in place - Stop crying or I'll give you something real to cry about - Oh! - Brush your teeth - Wash your face

 

Get your PJs on - Get in bed - Get a hug - Say a prayer with Mom - Don't forget - I love you - **KISS** - And tomorrow we will do this all again because a mom's work never ends - You don't need the reason why - Because - Because - Because - Because - I said so - I said so - I said so - I said so - I'm the Mom - The mom - The mom - The mom - The mom - Ta-da

 

PS: The video is linked to just above this entry. Enjoy!

"The Golden Dome Awards were created to recognize state employees for their exemplary service to their agencies and to Iowans," Vilsack said. "The program encourages employee excellence and dedication." More than 150 state employees received awards in one of four categories: Employee of the Year; Leader of the Year; Outstanding Service Award; and Lt. Governor's Employee Volunteer Award.

 

Yesterday I was part of the DNR Team who received an award (presented by Governor Culver) for the redesign and work on the new Iowa Outdoors Magazine. We were invited to the State Capitol and then to Terrace Hill (Governor's Mansion) for a reception. I've added photos over there on the right of both buildings. I'm honored to be grouped with such awesome coworkers.

 

Great work guys!

I was reading through a copy of Oprah magazine (October 07) and found the following quote which I would like to share:

 

"I must learn to love the fool in me - the one who feels too much, talks to much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laught and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool."

- Theodore I. Rubin, MD

How impressive is that? That's the technical term for the "tummy and throat scope" I had yesterday. My throat is sore but I'm doing pretty well. REALLY tired as I haven't been able to sleep now for 3 nights due to the inability to take my sleepy time meds. I've seen every single hour pass for the past 2 nights and hope tonight will be different. Yawning and my eyes are watering a bit while I'm at work today. Bleh.

 

Waiting now for the results. *twiddle, twiddle*