conversation at dinner on Monday

M: wait, don't touch it yet?
K: what are you doing?
M: you'll see.
K: quit playing with my food!
M: but, wait, this will be awesome!
K: play with your own food!
M: but it won't be the same. i have to use yours!
K: oh. i see. you're funny.

Here is what I was doing. :)

Aren't I just so clever? Happy 17th my beautiful Kaitlyn! Looks like you enjoyed your cake and ice cream. Sorry I ate so much of it. Sorry your day is over. 

minneapolis...in february (yes, i am just that crazy)

Yup, believe it or not I am in Minneapolis, MN in February! Whoda thunk? I'm only here because of one of my conferences. Otherwise, why? really? When I checked in, the clerk told me I had a beautiful view of downtown. So, what do you think?

Quite the view? Uh....right. Especially loving the construction zone right in the middle. So...I looked up instead of down and found a much better sight. Not too bad actually!














Here's the good and the bad from my trip so far:

Good: I flew over all the weather in Denver and experienced ZERO delays in getting here.
Bad: Had a pretty bumpy ride.
Good: I was able to find a local Kinko's to print a poster for me.
Bad: They did not deliver on Saturdays.
Good: The store was 2 miles away and walking it to pick up the poster gave me 12,000 steps for the day.
Bad: I was cold for HOURS after I got home, even after I bumped up the thermostat in my room.
Good: I was stopped at a gas station and picked up a diet dr. pepper on the way back.
Bad: I also picked up a package of turtles.
Good: even with the turtles I was still under my calories for the day.
Bad: I want more turtles and the gas station is not that far away.
Good: I was in meetings all day today and will be tomorrow so couldn't leave to get those yummy turtles.
Bad: I was in meetings all day today and will be tomorrow.
Good: the Super Bowl party was a big hit!
Bad: During the party found out one of my classes tomorrow will be recorded.
Good: I told them I don't approve and some advance notice would be appreciated. No recording.
Bad: still not quite ready for my classes tomorrow.
Good: all will be over in less than 24 hours. Just 24 hours and then I'll probably walk to get some dr. pepper and some turtles to celebrate, which will also help me get in more steps.

That's it for now! I'm not making it to the hallmark of Minneapolis...the Mall of America...I think I'll survive anyway.

ford's theatre

So, I think this has been the year of Lincoln, well at least the last six months. It all started when Wells was asked to read an autobiography for English. He chose one on Lincoln. In reading it with him, I learned a lot about one of my favorite historical figures. I guess you can say it all started many, many years ago. I have always been fascinated with the Civil War period and the people that lived them. Reading more about Lincoln was just more fun for me.

In January, I was at a conference in DC. I always try to get out when I'm at a conference and see something I have never seen before. That little task is getting harder and harder as I end up in DC quite a bit. Good thing there is so much to see! In looking up my hotel, I found that I was just minutes away from Ford's Theatre. Who wouldn't want to go there! I mean, really who wouldn't? So, I made time. Went for a walk. A this is what I found.

 A shot of the Presidential box. Booth jumped from the box to the stage and broke his ankle. I was surprised at how close/small it all was. I have to remind myself that they didn't have a sound system at the time.

 Looking across the balcony from just out side the Presidential Box. This is a working theatre (did you know that?) and is currently set for a historical play about Lincoln. They do The Christmas Carol every year. Guess what I just added to my bucket list! :)

 Close up of the box. All original. Encased in plexiglass to try and preserve as much as possible but you can definitely see the wear/age of furniture.

 Stairs from the balcony. Can you imagine the panic of people trying to leave after the shot? These stairs are VERY narrow. I hope it wasn't too crazy.

A hat box in the house across the street where Lincoln died (the next morning). I love it cuz it was built for a top hat...how perfectly Lincoln.

This pic is for Kaitlyn. I know she wishes she had one of these. 

A pic of the theatre from the porch of the house across the street. Proof I was really where I said I was! All in all this was a very fun diversion from the conference. It was a short walk, didn't take too long to tour and I was back before anyone missed me.