Bring it Spring

Bring it Spring! Inspiring! Did anyone notice that robins have hung around for most of the winter? I thought they went somewhere for the winter and returned in the spring. I thought they arrived to herald in the warm weather? Is this a myth? Do I need to do a Snopes check? Well the red birds have been flocking to our bird feeder and they look gorgeous against the snow laden limbs of the pin oak tree. There is on an average of eight at any given time, as well as the occasional bluejay and even a couple of black birds have been visiting, but John opens the door on the deck and the black birds scatter. The red birds return quickly. We transplanted the bamboo out into the yard this fall, as its whiskey barrel pot was in a state of decay. It still has its leaves and they still have a green tint to them. They are so delicate looking. They kind of make you think of spring. Anyway I am ready for the "S" word, otherwise known as snow, to leave the weather peoples' vocabulary and for them to become bored with the phrase "Sunny and mild again today." I am ready for 70 degrees for highs and 50 degrees for lows. Honor teased us with the information that Saturday brought them 50 degree temperatures. Hey we want to see 50 degrees too. So bring it on spring and no time like the present I say!

Home Free!!

This week went off without a hitch! Before the 15-hour drive to Kennesaw on Tuesday, I prepared all of my spring syllabi and made sure my students and colleagues knew I wouldn't be available this past week (the first week of classes at WSU).

Trent and I had an enjoyable drive to Georgia on Tuesday. I actually drove the first seven hours (Wichita through St. Louis) without stopping. My bladder didn't let me down on this trip. Woohoo! On Wednesday, we packed up the house with the help of our friend Mike. Trent had done a great deal of the packing before coming to Kansas, so we were able to work relatively efficiently.

On Thursday morning, we signed closing paperwork and said goodbye to our first house. We got on the road at 11 a.m. Eastern time and decided to take the northern route (the way we came) since there were snow storms predicted on either route we might take back to Wichita. We had snow in Kentucky, but other than that it was smooth sailing. In fact, we didn't even run into traffic in Chattanooga, Nashville, or St. Louis. We made it to Olathe at 11:30 central time, and we stayed over with Trent's mom.

Friday, we drove to Wichita and put almost all of our furniture into storage. We did bring two chairs and my piano into the apartment though. Yay, I've got my piano back! (And Trent has his big screen TV.)

No more ties to Georgia. No more mortgage payment (for now). We're here to stay, and it feels pretty darn good! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement, everyone!

Christmas....what would it be without Fiddler-style drama!!

This is a simple Christmas tale.....actually a true life story!

Come with me now as we enter the world of the harried cook and self-made perfectionist at the Ellis household.

I was off work Friday (Christmas Eve) and planned to get some prep stuff done for our main holiday meal at Sharon's house on Christmas Day. Last weekend I had slow cooked a marinated briscuit and put it in the freezer thru the week.......I set it out to thaw Thursday eve when I got home from work. (The meat is easier to slice when still slightly frozen...just a little tip from Ellen, Master Chef). Then I brewed up the "special " barbecue sauce to steep the meat in after slicing. At 9 pm I hit the sack thinking the meat was continuing to defrost in the fridge since it was no longer in view on the countertop. (My sous-chef, Marshall, often helps with these details).

Yesterday I began to un load the dishwasher ...it no longer runs without making a huge hullabaloo so it has been relegated to "drying rack" status.

Well...what to my wondering eyes do you think appeared on the dishwasher rack???? Just two packages of cooked briscuit and 8 tiny reindeer! Of course, the meat was well thawed and reindeer, being herbivores, refused to touch it. I was completely stupefied....Christmas dinner in a shambles....my hard work down the drain.

I immediately called Marshall at work to announce his faux pas...the annual Christmas fiasco! When will I ever learn?? I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING MYSELF!!

Andy, who lives with us, informed me that the meat was "just fine". I informed him that if he thought so he could have a slice of briscuit fresh from the dishwasher and we would just see about that..."let me know if you get the craps" I told him as I handed him a hunk of meat.

By nightfall all was well....and today, Christmas Day, Andy does not seem to need IV fluid resucitaion!! Gloriosky.....he was right! So I will proudly serve this beef (aged in the dishwasher) to my family later today...most none the wiser. Although, after my act as a drama queen, I may have to eat crow!!

Just another happy crazy Fiddler holiday....
Merry Christmas,
Ellen

Home for the Holidays

I don’t think I’ve had a chance to post on here since before I moved to Kansas, but I’m glad that several of you have been keeping us up to date on your lives and adventures.

First off, I want to say congratulations to Beth, Peter, and Jacob on the arrival of little Mya. I understand from my mom that Mya and Beth are home from the hospital and doing well. Yay! I can’t wait to meet my latest second cousin! What a lovely Christmas surprise for the Leyva and Kepka families!

It’s Sunday evening, and I’m listening to Christmas songs in our cozy one bedroom apartment in Wichita. It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sing it, Andy Williams!

Trent is back in Georgia right now to de-winterize the house, now under contract, for the home inspection, which took place last week. He’s waiting for our realtor to contact him regarding the inspection and whether or not the buyers want to change the terms of the contract. We’re hoping the inspection didn’t bring up any surprises. The closing date is Jan. 20 (Andy’s b-day). Here’s to smooth sailing until then. (And here’s to Trent getting back to Kansas before Christmas …)

The semester at Wichita State is finally over, and I am grateful to have not brought any work home this weekend. I’ll head into work Monday-Wednesday this week, but I’m hoping to take Thursday off to bake sugar cookies (that’s right, Andy!) and make my aunt Peggy’s chex mix (a.k.a. scramble). Time away from work is exactly what I need right now.

I can’t wait to see my and Trent’s families this weekend. The fact that we only have to drive a couple of hours to see everyone is a Christmas miracle. I hope that you are all experiencing blessings of the season. Merry Christmas!

Message from Santa

Peter found out about this site where you can have personalized messages from Santa made for you child. I hope the link works cause this is really cute & Jacob loved it.

Santa Claus has prepared a video message for Jacob with his PNP - Portable North Pole console. http://www.portablenorthpole.ca/watch/guest/lMDAGmIcApiljQqaL352fQ

Hope you enjoy it.

Katie, my email changed but I don't know how to update it so I get the email notifications. I'm not getting anything. My new email is bleyva1976@yahoo.com . Maybe you can figure out.

Thanksgiving

The Conlin clan will host this years Thanksgiving dinner. All are welcome! Dinner will be at 12:30 for those who have to go to work later. Bring what ever sound good to you just come what ever works.

Coyote Howl

What a fine time everyone had in the pasture at John and Meg's Saturday night......down in a hollow protected from wind we gathered around a huge bonfire for a night of stories and treats. Meg's friend, Chester, brought his cast iron pot for some popcorn poppin' on the open fire......sprinkled with sea salt it really was a treat. Hot dogs, brats, chips and cider were also on the menu. Sharon's moist brownies were yummy.....and what fun making S'mores.....what could be better on a fall evening around a toasty fire.
The coyotes came to howl....responding to Joni's yips as she worked to bring them closer to the human pack. This was a first for me.....I don't think I've ever heard them howl before....maybe they wanted a toasty marshmallow!!
Lots of funny stories were shared...spooky real life experiences and late night dreams made for an entertaining evening. I enjoyed spending time with everyone......I don't think Katie or Andy had been to a Howl before so it was great to share it with them!! Many thanks to John and Meg for planning such a fun party! Next year..........be there or be a pumpkin!!
ellen

hot air balloon

Red Bird

I found this poem in a poetry book by Mary Oliver. The name of the book is Red Bird. Red Bird is also the name of the poem. Every time I think of Dad, I remember how he loved to watch the birds at the feeder in the back yard. He would get excited whenever he saw a finch or a cardinal. This poem made me think of Dad, and of his passing on October 30, 2002. It is hard to believe he has been gone 8 years.

Red Bird by Mary Oliver

Red bird came all winter
firing up the landscape
as nothing else could.

Of course I love the sparrows,
those dun - colored darlings,
so hungry and so many.

I am a God - fearing feeder of birds.
I know He has many children,
not all of them bold in spirit.

Still, for whatever reason_
perhaps because the winter is so long
and the sky so black - blue,

or perhaps because the heart narrows
as often as it opens_
I am grateful

that red bird comes all winter
firing up the landscape
as nothing else can do.

Busy Weekends

The last two weekends have been busy ones for me. Last week the Cancer Council of Ellis County hosted a fundraiser called The Day of Caring. It was spectacular. Women gathered to celebrate the lives of breast cancer survivors! The event consisted of a brunch, a speaker and a fashion show. Humor was plentiful. Here is the introduction for Lady BraBra, who opened the show.

She is a double D ... dazzling and delightful...
She will LIFT your spirits and ... SEPERATE those with a
sense of humor from those who do not.
She is always supportive
Never droopy... always perky
Put your hands together for LADY BRABRA!!!!!

Lady BraBra was a torch singer who pulled multiple items out of her bra while she sang. This vivacious cancer survivor gave a stellar performance as Lady BraBra. I had no idea a bra could hold so much stuff!!

Then the serious stuff! Our speaker was Dr. William Smith, the section Head of Breast Imaging, at the KU Medical Center. He encouraged women to do self breast exams often. He urged women over the age of fifty to have a mammogram every year. Why to both questions? It is easier to treat a stage one cancer than a stage four cancer. Advances in medical technology are allowing doctors to find and treat breast cancer early. Dr. Smith talked about treatments that will be available to breast cancer patients in the near future. It may be possible to treat breast cancer without surgery in the years to come. Of course, how soon the cancer is detected will determine the course of treatment. Dr. Smith's presentation was inspiring and gave the audience members a sense of hope.

The models for the fashion show were breast cancer survivors. They ranged in age from 41 to 85. About half of them detected a lump during a self breast exam. These women whirled and twirled on the runway, while modeling clothes from local businesses. The 85 year old model was elegant. She wore sophisticated evening wear with style. A local spec. ed teacher showed her spunky, fun loving side while modeling sports wear. There were 15 models all together. Most of them modeled two different outfits.

The community really came together to make this fundraiser a success. Every aspect of it was wonderful; the food, the clothing, the speaker, and the people.

Yesterday (Saturday) I drove to Lincoln, Kansas for a double baby shower. Doug's sister Cindy and her husband, Kerry, became grandparents on September 11th of this year. Their daughter, Carla, gave birth to Colton Renyer on that day. Their daughter-in-law, Amy, is due on Christmas Day. Both gals look wonderful. Little Colt is a handsome treasure. Cindy and Kerry looked very proud of their adult children and new grandson. Not to mention Grandma Betty!!! The shower was well attended and the the two guests of honor received many wonderful gifts. The party was a fun, casual get together and it was good to see everybody. One sad note. Virginia, Kerry's Mom, was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and thyroid cancer. Virginia is having a lung removed this coming Wednesday. The surgery will be in Salina. Thankfully, Virginia lives in Lincoln, near Kerry and Cindy, so she has family close by. Please keep Virginia in your prayers. She passed her tea pot collection to me a few years ago, and she told me at the party, that she has one more to give me. What a woman!!!! She has had other health issues in the last couple of years which required surgery. She has been strong so far. But right now she is in shock and still reeling from the latest diagnosis.

Beth, Cindy said to tell you that the baby clothes you gave Carla have been a life saver. Carla really needed them, so Carla is grateful to you.

I know that there is a lot going on in KC, Emporia and Wichita. When someone gets the chance, write a bit on the blog and catch the family up on what is happening. I miss everybody. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Nora The Piano Cat: The Sequel - Better than the original!

new job

I have a new client who is difficult. Yesterday he needed a hair cut and he finally agreed to go. We went to pro cut on one of the days when they had more people getting their hair cut then they could keep up with. We were there 2 hours, six people were ahead of us. Eventually my client became board and decided to ask me why I was growing a mustache. He really wanted to discuss it in front of all these people. I had nowhere to go nowhere to run I just sat there hoping the earth would just open up and swallow me whole. It seems funny now but, at the time laughing was not the reaction of choice. I just said thats what happens when you get old. omg!