Framing project

2-8-11 completion brain
Last week I finally finished a framing project from last summer. I usually don't procrastinate, but I couldn't decide how best to frame these three pieces of art (pixel art). This is a wedding gift for church friends Erin and Brad.

I ended up putting together in vertical style and hoping they have a wall to hang it this way.
The colors were picked to match their dining room rung of browns and blues. Here it is hanging by my back door, so I can see how it looks.

Weekend report

2-7-11 fun brain
Saturday Greg and I met up with Molly at the mall, along with every teenager in the KC area. Our purpose was to walk-exercise; the teenagers' purpose... I still am trying to figure out.

We then went to a movie, the "Company Men".... I like Ben Affleck. Mixed reviews: Molly said she got bored, Greg said he wasn't bored by it,  I thought it had some good points about our economy and business culture, but it did move slow... And we all felt like it lack some emotion.

While we were at the mall, we ran into my college friend Teresa and my god-daughter Chelsea- a nice surprise. So we made plans to met them for lunch on Sunday. Here is Chelsea and I with the designer cupcakes those two are so famous for baking! Greg and I ate them for our Superbowl dessert.... good!

Sunday was above freezing in KC, so Greg and I made a snow cat in the front yard.

We watched the game, and I watch Glee afterwards. Oh yes, I forgot to mention watching SNL Saturday night and was amused to see some old favorites, "The Church Lady" and "Wayne's World"..... made us laugh, and made us miss the good old days of Saturday Night Live 1986 to 1993!

Saturday special edition

2-5-11 admiration brain

This kid makes me proud!

TGIF snow report

2-4-11 drifting brain
Compared to what my driveway looked like at this time last year.... I can't really complain about the snow drifts brought to me during this week's storm.

Usually I'd be excited about traveling to KC, but they too have snow.... so I will not get to see any lovely brown grass at this time.

Well- after all, it is still only the first part of February, so I get my comfort through good old fashion childhood comfort food. Not too healthy I know, but I have been riding the exercise bike and lighting weights.
There is good news: I heard the Ground Hog did not see his shadow! Early Spring?

PS: My drive was cleared Thursday afternoon by the neighbor boys and their father Sam! They did an awesome job, done all by hand shoveling! They are earning money for a summer trip to Japan.

Wear RED today!

2-3-11 happy new year brain
Finally the start of the Chinese New Year. I was excited when I reported earlier this year in my blog that 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit.... well that is until I found out this is a "metal" year Rabbit. Things this year might not be as "kind" as I thought it would be, BUT still hopeful things to work towards.
Below information was posted my my acupuncturists Facebook wall:  (Thanks to the Iowa Acupuncture Clinic).... my life line since 1997!

Year of the Metal Rabbit!

The tiger year has been a particular and prosperous year full of drama and adventure, the Rabbit will continue this tread, with creativity replacing passion! Fear replacing fortitude! “Bling” accentuating a well manicured coat! Imagine a cat with a brand-new rabbit fur coat, top-hat & cane! Maybe a tad too cocky, but likely to have more money in the bank than you need!


The metal element is the element of money, laws and precision!


Most of us have seen our economy slowly recover like a cat waking from a long nap! Tidy up your finances today, and prepare for another metal year! The rabbit will bring out the “bling” in our lives, but be cautious of too much indulgences! Metal years are excellent for saving and investing. Check the details of your investments and lock in great rates! Watch out for the legal loop-holes and fine-print on documents!

If you have been struggling this last year, re-evaluate your assets and liabilities. Seek out structured advice on your finances, resume, education and career & retirement goals. Metal is an excellent year to pursue higher education!


Our clinic has seen many people who started reorganizing their health and lives in the year of the metal tiger. This will continue in the metal rabbit year! Take an inventory of your health and life! You will want to continue the positive changes in the next year! Structured diets and exercise routines will produce measurable results!

However, be wary of too much order constraining your creativity and spontaneity! Metal can over control your freedom, restrict your movement and lead to possessiveness! Use humor and creativity to mold your routine into a functional part of your life!

Let us hope the democratic movements in the world (Sudan, Tunisia, Egypt, etc...) continue! Let us all focus on softening the hard edged criticism and conflict of this last year! Our common American experience has always overcome the sharp divides of politics and principles. Peace!

The weather and agriculture should continue the dramatic nature of the last year: prosperity and abundance for most, dramatic weather and strong sharp natural disasters. Hold on to your center and build a solid foundation!

In order to maintain your integrity and prosperity, do not throw anything away on the last day of the year! Remember to focus your mind and heart on a healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year!


Wear Red on the first day of the Metal Rabbit Year, February 3, 2011!

The staff of iowa acupuncture clinic wishes all of you a prosperous and peaceful New Year!

Winter Weather

2-2-11 wind blown brain
When I went to bed last night, the TV news reported that we had received 7 inches of snow in Des Moines so far (that was good news). However, as I was curled up in bed, the wind roared outside my window, sounding like a freight train speeding through the back yard. Wind gusts of 45mph! .... Which means drifts in my driveway!


What would have been a lonely night in front of the TV, turned into a impromptu party at my house. Ann came to spend the night so she could more easily get to work downtown, and Sue and Carolyn (neighborhood friends) joined us for wine and cheese prior to dinner. Even Sue’s teenage daughter, Paige, braved the cold wind and walked down to my house. Yes, Paige is the young one with short orange hair. I think it's cute!

About 6:30 we all walked over to Chef’s for dinner. The place only had about 7 tables of people, but the service and food were as good as usual. The walk home into the wind was brutal, but it’s actually fun to make yourself face the fierce elements of nature from time to time. I can’t complain really this year, cause I have only to think about last winter, the endless winter, and note that it is already February- and Ground Hogs Day!, and this year hasn’t been as bad as last for me here in Iowa.

Now Greg in KC, they got hit with more snow this time. Greg said he was out shoveling 5 times today trying to keep his driveway cleared, as he worked from home.

Weekend Report

2-1-11 grateful brain
Friday’s dinner was a success. Nine of us in the neighborhood friends got more acquainted with our new minister and his lovely wife. Sue was a wonderful hostess as usual, the food was delicious- even my mash potatoes turned out just fine…. And we had a good time laughing. We are kind of a silly bunch, as the picture shows, Amy and Steve hamming it up at the table... and Jill and Scott probably wondering what they are in for. Luckily our minister also has a good sense of humor. At least Greg was serious as he delivered a nice prayer prior to eating.

Sue has a comfortable house for entertaining with her new living room furniture.

Saturday, Greg and I did a few errands, then when to matinee movie. We saw the “Social Network”, which is about the guy who created Facebook. I found it to be a fascinating story.

Sunday after church Greg left to KC, and I was able to have lunch with friends Vivian and Clyde. Then an afternoon nap for me lasted way longer than I would have expected. Guess I needed the rest.