Speechless

Here at the Hoop-lah house we are winding up Christmas break and getting back to the routine. Not a moment too soon. This goes away tomorrow.

 

Call it a moment of madness when a group of teenage boys has free time. And actually, I have to acknowledge it was nicely done if you like the look. To me it screams punk rocker, not a lifestyle I want him to aspire to.

I've moved past speechless. Now I'm saying hallelujah for basketball, because around here you can't play with a ferret on your head.

Snow Miser pays a visit





Today I am happy for the foot of snow on my deck. Our land here is dry and the moisture is desperately needed. It is the first snow we've had in a long time.

It's a mixed blessing because snow (and blizzard conditions) don't come without problems. At our house, the belt on the snowblower broke. The tire on the Highlander was flat this morning, followed by a dead battery, not caused by weather, but by human error. A limb on this tree in our backyard partly snapped from the weight of the snow. My mom's power is out, almost 24 hours later.

But we are all home and not out on the roads, where people have died today and interstate traffic has been tied up for hours. Although I did go to Target, which is less than a mile from my house. It was so slick, and I'm a nervous Nellie winter driver anyway. White kunckle the whole way. But we wanted to make cookies and someone (ahem) needed some Midol.

So we're here. It's safe. It's warm. And we have freshly baked cookies. Stop by if you're out.

Finding the light

Today Carly asked if it was safe to go to school. Between last week's tragedy and this week's prediction of doomsday, she is scared. Scared she won't see us again.

And my heart broke.

I am the saddest I ever remember being.

I think my life coach would tell me to find something positive every day to reflect on. So that's my new strategy. Today I'm thinking about:

 

An early Christmas weekend with Scott's family. Here he is with his parents and brother.

 

My Parkview Star, recognized for her outstanding citizenship at an awards ceremony last Friday.

Red, White and Blue Hoop-lah

Here at The Daily Hoop-lah, I rarely talk about issues of importance such as the economy, immigration, proposed casinos, Kim Kardashian and Big Bird. Mostly because I think opinions are highly over-rated unless, of course, they're mine. I don't have time to come up with actual facts to convince you that I'm right.

But every once in a while someone will ask me where I stand. Really, wouldn't you rather hear about the time I met Rick Springfield?

But because today is Election Day, I'll play along. Here's my take on politics:

• My first election was 1988. I voted for George Bush (the older one) because I liked his wife.
• Bill Clinton is my favorite (living) president although, in general, I am hugely judgmental about men cheating on their wives. 
• I have memorized the names of the first 16 presidents and those after 1988, in order. Impressive, I know. That will be my winning ticket on Jeopardy.
• I like that Mary Matlin and Donna Brazil are friends. How cool is that?
• My office hosted the 2004 democratic debate in Des Moines before the Iowa caucus. I met John Edwards (not forgiving of his moral lapses), John Kerry, Howard Dean, Richard Gephardt, and a few others. If you ask me privately, I'll tell you which one(s) was the biggest jerk.
• In said primary, Charlie Gibson from ABC News was in town, and I spent lots of time celebrity stalking. I love Charlie Gibson! Charlie Gibson for President! 
• I voted at a new precinct today, a church. They had homemade cookies. My old precinct, at a mobile home park, never had cookies. I think I am now judgmental about that. The cookies were awesome! I was voter #649.
• I'll give bonus points to any candidate that invites Bon Jovi or Rick Springfield and me to their campaign event.
• Robo-call me too many times and I won't vote for you.
• The key to my heart: Convince me you are the best candidate for women and children. That is what matters to me. 

One for the scrapbook

Riley earned a varsity letter this fall in cross country. So proud of him. Such a tremendous work ethic in this kid.  



I-o-wa gurls are unforgettable

 

Katy Perry paid us a visit last night for Beggar's Night. I LOVE Halloween!! The kids are cute, most everyone likes candy, and who can resist dressing up for a few hours. Around Des Moines, the tradition is for the kids to tell a joke to get their treat. This goes WAY back . . . can't tell you when it started, but it's what we did when I went trick or treating many, many years ago. Like 35 years ago. You can always tell who the long-time residents are - we're the ones asking for the jokes. It was so popular back in the day that the Des Moines Register used to print a special joke section the Sunday before Beggar's Night. Somehow that went by the wayside, as did our elementary school Halloween parade and gym fun house. All of which, in my opinion, are signs of societal decline.

But I digress. My favorite joke from last night: What does an eye doctor give out at Halloween? Candy corneas!

My only sadness is that once the kids hit middle school age most people think they're too old to trick or treat. If they put on a costume and tell me a joke, they're always welcome!

Days of our lives

Lest you think we've spent the past month sitting around doing nothing, here's a few pics to prove otherwise.

Our very own Hoop-lah was inducted this weekend into the Geneseo (Ill.) High School Hall of Fame inaugural class - along with his teammates from the 1982 Class 4-A Illinois State Football Champions. Here he is with Carly and Riley and his proud momma.

 

 

 

When you get bored at the Hall of Fame ceremony, you balance a pumpkin on your head. These kids are so talented!

 

 

 

We visited our favorite pumpkin patch, where we rode these bucking broncos.

 

 

We took in a sunset. It's interesting . . . this shot is one block west of our new high school. It looks rural, but it most definitely isn't. Development is just on the other side of this lens.

 

 

 

And "we" ran in a race or two . . . and I don't use the term "we" loosely. It is tough work hauling your middle-aged butt all over the course, trying to get from place to place before those kids. I continue to be amazed by the great pictures other people take! Two meets left . . . districts on Thursday and (hopefully) state the following week.