Panda-monium

Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, was filled with near and distant family, food and fun. As our meal was winding down we were talking around the table, getting ready to clear and wash some dishes before we started the coffee and brought dessert to the table.

Then my brother brought up a game he had played at a gathering with his friends a while ago. It is a word game with movie titles and word replacement. Can you see where this is going? Think of a movie title. Replace one word in the title with the word Panda.

For the rest of the meal we called out many movie titles. Then for the rest of the afternoon and evening they came more slowly, but always getting a chuckle from someone. And wouldn't you know it? The next morning, when I had hoped to be sleeping, my thoughts were still going to the movies and bringing pandas along.

I don't want to take the fun from you, but I will list a few of my favorites to get you started!

Seven Brides for Seven Pandas (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers)
Full Metal Panda (Full Metal Jacket)
Panda on a Wire (Bird on a Wire)
While Pandas Were Sleeping (While You Were Sleeping)
Walk the Panda (Walk the Line)

Can you continue the Panda-monium?

Cuppa Love

One of the things I love about the way my husband loves me is the delightful, aromatic, delicious, hot-but-not-too-hot-to-drink cup of coffee he brings to my bedside every Sunday morning. Kind of like a little gift to make up for having to wake me for the day. But only kind of. It is more like, he knows how much I enjoy my morning coffee. And my appreciation for that cup of coffee has grown as the advisability that I drink it has sharply decreased.

This is my cup of coffee for the week in most cases nowadays. Sometimes I'll fix myself another cup at church or if we happen to be out to eat, but I rarely do more than hold the hot cup in my cold hands or sip on those.

Unexpected Trip

Yesterday evening the kids and I returned home from the Knoxville, TN area. We left before dawn Thursday morning to attend the funeral for my Uncle Dick on Friday. Despite the sadness of the occasion, it was heartwarming to see my aunt and all three of my cousins at the same time. Seeing any of them is so rare for me, seeing all is so very special.

The little bit of knitting I did on the trip was limited to dish cloths I could leave for my hostess. I also came home with a list of more people to knit for! I met one cousin's oldest child for the first time since he has become an adult, and I was pleased to also meet his wife and little girl for the first time. I was delighted with each of them!

My cousin who hosted us has boys the same ages as my children, so playmates were never wanting and everyone got along wonderfully.

My dear Rick was unable to join us, but he gave me a beautiful welcome home.

Late to the Party...

...But still so glad to be here!

How about that Tribe!!!

The bull pen runs toward to diamond to join the celebration.

The day was beautiful. Westbrook had a career high strike out game. The crowd was excited. Here are some of my favorite shots.

John Adams drumming the Tribe on to victory. He
is standing to the right of his drum under the
"of" in the Budweiser sign.

Next year the upper deck facing will sport
another flag. Lets make it a gold one!


The family enjoys the game.


The central division championship flag is raised!


The statue of Bob Feller is dressed for
the occasion. Bob Feller, in the flesh, was in the
owner's box wearing the same shirt .

Horns were blasting, fans were whooping it up, drivers and pedestrians were waving their caps and posters (handed out at the exits) to each other. It was a loud walk back to the car. The Engineer walked the whole way with his ears covered.

Best News!

My Brother in Law, Paul, asked his girlfriend while on stage at the end of his concert...
...and she said yes! The audience whistled and cheered. Everyone in our family and all Paul's friends are thrilled this has happened and we happily look forward to a wedding.

That's a great way to start your first American national tour. From here, my bil's band, Elegantly Wasted, traveled east to Buffalo and Brooklyn, NY, then south giving some concerts on the way to Alabama before heading back through Kansas City to Los Angeles. In all about a dozen concerts, similar to the tours they've done overseas.

This began a whirlwind weekend for the family. I'm so glad Rick is home from work today to recover.

Sleeping Sideways

When we tuck the Engineer into bed in the evening he has his head on the pillow and his feet under the sheet and maybe some covers if it is not too hot out.

Somehow, in the night, he manages to work his way around to this position. It happens almost every evening! I wonder what he thinks about the instant he wakes up in the morning. Well, I take that back. Sleeping sideways must not phase him a bit. He is the one who nudges me awake 45 minutes before my alarm is set to go off and asks in his most anticipating voice, "Are you ready to give me my breakfast now, Mommy?"

A few years ago sleeping sideways was habitual for the Artist but she seems to have outgrown it.

Toll Painting

My Dad's sister recently moved two-thirds of the way across the country from California to Tennessee. We are all so pleased to have my aunt and uncle living closer to us than ever before -- only and eight-hour drive away. Although it has not happened yet, I'm sure we will be able to visit more frequently than when they lived at any of their previous addresses.

Though my household has not been able to visit, my Dad did have the opportunity to spend some time with his sister this summer. His sister, the artist.

For as long as I can remember my aunt has been an artist. I remember relatives had some of her abstract paintings hanging on their walls since before my time. When I was still quite young, my Aunt gave my parents a beautiful painting which still graces their walls. Less abstract than her works that predate me, but still very modern.

I am so pleased to have been given two treasures painted by my aunt. For our wedding she gave us a painting of some ballet dancers. She let me choose the subject of the painting -- can you tell! I love their playful, joyous style.And here is a close up of one of the dancers.When Dad visited his sister this summer she sent home with him this beautiful foot stool for me. I love the colors and the way they fit in my living room. I enjoy how expert my aunt is at painting in this Bavarian folk style, and I am completely taken with the edelweiss on the side panels.
The cross beam.

Family Game

Family time is precious. We don't get to spend as much time as I would like having family read-alouds. Often what we have instead is a family game night.

Sometimes we are limited in time so we have a few quick rounds of the Pirate Game or Dominoes.

Other days we have a little more time before the bedtime routine needs to begin. We get out Trouble or Yahtzee, or every once in a while, Charades for Kids.

Then, every once in a while, we have no time constraints. Last night was one of those times. We resurrected a game that had been put away for years because the Engineer was not ready for it. We played Sorry! The Engineer's experience with Trouble had prepared him well, and he can read the cards well enough to have an idea of what to do.During these family game times there are a few things Rick and I need to keep in mind. The Artist needs help with strategy and planning. The Engineer needs help coping with the frustrations that come with most games.

Rick and I are looking forward to Monopoly and some of the other board games that take a longer amount of time. In fact, the Artist is old enough she should already be playing games like that. What games do you like to play together in your family?