This morning Stephy gave birth to Dan and I's first nephew, little Matthew. I can't express how happy and excited I am for this blessing of Brian and Stephy's. He was born this morning at 9:23am and is 20" long and just over 8 pounds. I have added a gallery over there on the right of the little guy's first photos. Enjoy! 

Last night at the Hoyt Sherman was just ... plain ... awesome. (Ok, a touch too loud, but maybe I'm just getting old.) He DID play Yoda (which is by far my favorite) so I was a very happy camper. It was a small venue and he came out into the audience so you got to see him up close and personal. Great show. =)

 

Special "Thank Yous" to Matt for getting tickets and thinking to ask Dan and I to go. Woo! 

Showed up to work - just another day. About 45 minutes later we get the announcement that the state capitol building is being evacuated due to an "electrical issue." Hmm... interesting. They then mention the building I work in - that we will be losing power. And about 10 minutes later ... it's dark. We gather in groups of 4-5 to stand around and talk ... and in another 20-30 minutes there's another announcement from capitol police saying that our building isn't bringing in fresh air and we need to evacuate our building as well.

 

Sooo... I head down to my car and "TADA" I can't get out because the power is down so the arms that prevent people from coming into the parking lot will not go up. So we stand around for another 30-40 minutes while someone called someone who called someone who called someone else who then showed up with a power drill. They took the mechanical guard arm off so we could leave the parking lot. Such drama!

 

Today we are back to things as normal - only just learned that another building on the capitol complex is evacuating now due to a sewage issue. Isn't live ... interesting? 

"ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- The head of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP said Wednesday that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has made mistakes but that they should not cost him his football career with the NFL. R.L. White, president of the NAACP's Atlanta chapter, says Wednesday that Vick shouldn't lose his NFL career. Vick is expected to plead guilty Monday to federal conspiracy charges in an illegal dogfighting operation."

 

You have GOT to be kidding me. Grr.

Today my father would have turned 66. I miss him so very much.

 

 

This past saturday was Stephanie and Brian's baby shower for their little guy who should make an appearance really soon. It was such a nice day weather wise and the party was really nice as well. Stephanie is absolutely glowing and looks so healthy and ready to "do this."

 

I'm SO excited for them!

 

Whew, it's been a long week. This morning when I went outside I thought it was COLD! Wow... it's like the heat just gave up or the man upstairs decided to turn on the air. What a complete change in temps today.

 

Just bought tickets to see Nickel Creek in October. =) We'll have a front row center seat in the balcony of a semi-small venue so that should be a lot of fun. They are a great group and even have 2 CDs on my iPod. I'm really looking forward to it and if they allow cameras I'll try to bring back a couple photos. Now for the 2 month wait...  

Yesterday I worked an 8:30am - 2:30pm shift at the Iowa State Fair for work (my 9th year working) and it was HOT. The kind of "hard to breathe due to thick air" sort of hot. Along with a bad back - it probably wasn't the best move of the year. Oh well, what's done is done and I'll ice a little extra today to compensate.

 

Work is busy, but going really well. I've been so blessed to have such a flexible job and work with such awesome people. I can't imagine anything that could make it better - I love where I am.

 

Played a little more of Zelda last night and am now back to being a wolf and gathering tears for the second time. Really fun game and am so glad we got the gaming system. Wii rocks. 

Back in the day when I was young - we got a Nitendo Gaming System (the first with the garage door type opening and large games that looked like 8Track tapes) my favorite games included Legend of Zelda and Duck Hunt. Well, Link has come a long way in 20 years! We got the new game on Saturday and we're almost ashamed to say that we've put in almost 10 hours between the two of us. Great way to spend a couple of blistering days in August in Iowa. =)

 

Btw... there's a horse racing simulator that's to come out this fall... I can't wait! 

Found out that my bookmark I stitched for Bebeche in France arrived safe and sound. It was such a neat pattern to stitch and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I also finished the magnet for an exchange I'm late with (due to illness - embarassing) but won't post obviously until it's been received. I LOVE exchanges. 

Can you believe it?!? It's football preseason. Crazy!

 

Here's hoping all the best for the Chiefs - but time will tell. It's the same love/hate relationship I have with the Cubs ... I LOVE them but usually HATE the results after the season. *chuckle* 

I can now post about it as it has arrived safe and sound. I finished a Precious Moments piece for T&L's new little boy. He is a beautiful, healthy little guy who is already 2 months old now - which doesn't seem possible! What a true blessing and couldn't happen to a better couple. Blessings all around. (Photo below, his name blurred) 

Ok, just a couple of things that are in the "now" which have me... concerned.

 

I have no doubt that he is one of the best in all of baseball, but I can't get over the "what ifs" regading possible substance abuse as well as the brace/mechanical aid he wears on his right arm. I wish they would just test him and move on rather then let things continue as if nothing is being said. Baseball took a hard hit a few years back and I'd hate to see another dark cloud roll in.

 

"New research shows that toddlers prefer food -- even carrots and milk -- that comes wrapped in the familiar packaging of the Golden Arches. Preschoolers preferred the taste of burgers and fries when they came in McDonald's wrappers over the same food in plain wrapping, researchers said, suggesting fast-food marketing reaches the very young." (As found on MSN Money) Does this not make YOU shiver? Amazing what advertising can do.

 

From Britney to Linsey to Paris and Nicole ... they are all out of control and really need a parent to stand up and plant a firm foot on said tushies. It's sad to see such beautiful young women who ARE adults acting like spoiled children who through temper tantrums if the world doesn't spin their way. I don't know what the answer is - but for those little ones under Britney and soon-to-be Nicole's care, this is not the sort of nuturing environment they need. I have never understood the desire to be "famous."

Another month of photos posted for your viewing enjoyment. :)