#108 Meijer Deli

While at the Meijer deli last night, the deli-person nicely asked me how tall I was. She was fairly tall herself - maybe 6'0" - and asked me with a smile. It's amazing how my response to people differs when they ask nicely. Anyway, I told her and she said she would have to tell her tall guy friend that she met a woman so tall. Then she said he would ask her if I had any kids with a tall man. Apparently her tall friend wants to create a "Shaq baby" with a tall woman some day. I took my Jennie-O oven roasted turkey and walked away.

#107 Maternity Leave

I was forwarded an interesting phone call yesterday. The caller was surprised I answered the phone because they were told I was on maternity leave. Hmmm. I replied, "That's interesting because I've never been pregnant." After laughing about it with a co-worker, she reminded me about the other woman in the building with my first name and last initial. I had forgotten about her!

We used to get each others calls (we do work in different departments) and I would always think for a second I'd lost my mind. I'd answer and the person would say something like, "I talked to you yesterday about blah, blah, blah," and they'd go on about our conversation. I'd sit there thinking, "I have no idea who this person is and have no recollection of talking to them!" Then I'd say, "Are you wanting to talk to so and so?" Mystery solved. Well, "so and so" left, then came back, and she was fairly pregnant when I saw her last. Mystery solved again. And the baby loves clothes from the Gap in case you're wondering. Not Baby Gap; regular Gap. :-)

#106 Won't You Be My Neighbor?

I live in an older neighborhood on the "EAST SIIIIIDE!" and have wonderful neighbors. Specifically, the Kelley's, who live next door. They raised five children in their bungalow, which is approximately the same size as my 1,100 square foot home. That's what people did back then. With one bathroom! They are retired and are always looking out for me. They pick up my mail/newspapers when I'm away (and sometimes water my outdoor plants) and are great eyes for the neighborhood. I've told Mr. Kelley several times that I strive for my yard to look like his - nicely manicured, no weeds. Perfection!

I got home late last night and was told by another great neighbor, Linda, that Mrs. Kelley had passed away yesterday afternoon. The past couple of years had been rough - knee surgery, early Parkinson's, and lately, some lung issues. I got back last Friday from vacation and she'd just been released from the hospital (fluid on her lungs). Each time she had a setback she'd do everything she could to get back home and outside. She loved her flowers and sitting on the back patio. Even when she had to use a walker she'd roll that thing into the back yard. And Mr. Kelley was a wonderful caregiver to her - doing all of the cooking, cleaning, yard work, etc. So many times I'd be outside and hear him call for her to know where she was.

Most of the people on my street have lived there for 20 or more years so he will have a great support system, but I will make sure I look out a little more for Mr. Kelley.

Rest in peace Mrs. Kelley! You are in God's garden now.

#105 Don't Need Nothin' But A Good Time

Last Friday Julie and I saw Bret Michaels in concert at Rib America. We ran into Heidi, who got us into the VIP section, so we had a great view. I also ran into a couple of people from high school, which made it even funnier since Poison was in its prime during those years.

We thought we'd dress the part and sported bandannas and a hat.


He played mostly Poison songs with a few songs from his new album. He does put on a great show.

#104 Twilight Town Trek

I participated in a fun race August 21 - the Twilight Town Trek - in Indianapolis. Krista and Julie were partners, and I partnered up with Jen from work. You can work together as groups so we stuck together the entire race. We had to solve 13 clues and had to run all over town to take pictures of things. You could use only your own feet or the bus; no bikes, cars, cabs, roller skates, skateboards, etc. Jen estimated we ran around 4 miles. You could also phone a friend or use your iPhone. The race started at 6:30 p.m. at Scotty's Brewhouse.

Jen and I were the Michael Scott Paper Company, Inc. and finished with an actual time of 1:48:30. Our final time was 2:08:30 due to misreading one of the clues. In our defense, it was in Spanish. We did translate part of it correctly! We heard that most teams got this one wrong. I think we were the fifth team to come in (Julie and Krista were right in front of us) and were pleased that we beat a lot of the guy teams. Girl Power!! Our final place was 13 out of 55 teams. Not too shabby.





We had to take a picture of five people (non racers) spelling out the word TREKS YMCA style. These folks were good sports.


This was a sculpture at the Indiana Statehouse. Jen is shaking the tiny hand of someone (I can't remember who).


This is me lying on the Johnson County artwork at the Indiana State Museum.

#103 My Hummingbird

Last night I sat on my deck and watched a hummingbird for about 15 minutes. They are fascinating! I received a hummingbird feeder for Christmas a couple years ago and put it up next to my deck. I've seen them every once in a while but never had any interaction until a few weeks ago. I picked tomatoes from my garden and, as I walked back to the house with a bowl full of red, a hummingbird hovered right in front of me for several seconds. Then this past Tuesday night I was working on my bicycle in the driveway (right next to the feeder) and I heard a faint chirping sound. The hummingbird was back! And it was all over the place - the feeder, the phone lines, the forsythia bush. It was not fazed by me in the least. In fact, it seemed as if it was calling to me to watch him. At one point I put my hand out by the feeder in hopes he'd land on my hand. He seems to be active around 8 p.m. so I will keep going outside to see him. Last night he started cleaning his feathers. So cute!

This reminds me of a cool story from six years ago. I was visiting a friend from college who was living with their mom at the time in another state. I wanted to bring a small thank you gift and said a prayer to find just the right gift as I entered Chelsea's in Broad Ripple. After wandering around I spotted some glass hummingbirds. Perfect! I gave it to the mom and she looked a little sad. She asked if my friend had told me the hummingbird story relating to her husband (my friend's dad). He had died of cancer several years before. I had not heard the story - he became bedridden and one of his little joys each day was watching a hummingbird by his window. Wow! She loved it and said it was a reminder of her husband. So last night as I watched the tiny creature I thought of my friend's dad (I got to know them well while in college) and of the joys one can find in the little things in life.