10.21.o6 ~K.B.'s Alternative Party with the x-ers

Because K.B. thought I was working on Friday and didn't know she'd have an actual birthday party, I told her we'd do something Saturday. I didn't know whether it would actually happen or not...but we went ahead with it and called it the alternative party: = ex-crusaders + Alcohol !! (sorry Ray-I know you're not an x-er, but maybe someday you'll join us).
We had a nice Italian dinner and wine at Bravo...and then back to Main Street for a game of imagineif (as in imagineif Kirsten Beeler created a board game...this would be it) and drinks.


I found out that Kirsten had made it thru 60 years of life without drinking a Cosmopolitan, so that was the bartender's drink of the night.









Bobble and the Birthday Babe!








He = 5 diet cokes....She = 5 cosmos

Directions to here:
How old...you gotta be kidding me. Hope to God I look and feel that young, when I'm 50, let alone 60!

10.20.o6...K.B. and the big six oh

Unbelievable, but true, the fabulous Kirsten Beeler is 60 !!
She thought she was going to dinner with friends...and she thought I was at work...but she was surprised to find an apartment full of people waiting to shout surprise and sing happy birthday to the birthday girl.










I created a special mixtape (can't we still use that great phrase for cds too)...called 60 hotties for a hottie...All the number 1 billboard hits from 1946-2006 give or take a few...I was amazed that I had all but 10 or so in my cd collection!







Directions to here:
Happy Birthday, Kirsten !!

10.19.o6...My friend, Jimmy

After the Covered Bridge Festival, I rushed back to Indy to go to a memorial service for my friend, Jimmy Bongard.
I met Jimmy 14 years ago when I moved to Indianapolis. He was the "big" brother to one of my co-workers, Dan. He lived with Dan and his family and as I got to know the Bongards...I not only realized that they were a fun-loving special family...but that Jimmy was a part of what made them so accepting, caring, full of fun, giving and special. In every of the many hours I spent hanging out with the Bongards, Jimmy was always there...sometimes the center of attention or a story or an antic, but more often just there, in the background, bright eyes, smiling, laughing, taking it all in, just happy to be around. I spent a few weekends staying at the house with Jimmy while the family was away. In those times I learned that if given your attention, Jimmy was a great story teller. Jimmy loved Elvis. Jimmy loved sports and especially bowling. Jimmy loved Jesus...and Jimmy loved to dance and was quite good too. A remarkable thing about Jimmy was, he could remember your birthday (in a rainman like way)...even if you only told him once.
Jimmy intriqued me. He made me smile. He made me laugh. I had never known anyone with downs syndrome and he touched my heart with his childlike ways...but could also perplex everyone around him with his ability to scheme up ways to get an extra cookie or 15 minutes off his bedtime.
He was, Jimmy.

We were given the chance to say a few words at the memorial. I knew the Bongards would not be offended by the humor I used to describe Jimmy. They are like that. I put it simply. "You know, 14 years ago, before I met Jimmy, if there existed such a thing as match.com or eharmony.com...and I was so inclined to meet my match...and I came across a personal ad that said: loves Elvis and bowling, loves Jesus and loves to dance. And will always remember your birthday...and I answered the ad...who knows, Jimmy and I may have been a perfect match."
You are loved, dear Jimmy, and will be remembered and missed.

10.18.o6...It's all about the bridge, people

Can't you tell from this photo, that the Covered Bridge Festival is all about the bridges? I had to use my mean voice to tear these ladies away from the main attractions to get them to stand in front of the bridge. It's true, as cool as the bridges of whatever county we were in are, the festival is not about the bridges, it's about the stuff and the food and the making and spending of money. And lots of it. But that's okay...I happen to like not only bridges, but stuff as well. And the food was pretty good too.
I hadn't been to the Covered Bridge Festival since ?? 93-94 ?? with the adorable Stacy, when she was still Stacy Hurst. I don't really remember even getting to the main parts, or seeing any bridges for that matter. I do know that's where I found the bed I will sleep in tonight, in a field full of garage salers. And I remember it fit in the Honda but it didn't leave much room for much else. My purchases were smaller this time...but quite memorable.My mall......and Susie has a message for Kelly!The freaky silver people. Street performers who appear to be statues but sneak up on people who are passing by in deep conversation. Kelly and I about peed our pants when we walked right by the "statues" and they moved toward us!

Directions to here:
31 to 32 to 41 to the back of sister susie's trailblazer...all about the bridge. Don't forget to shut the doors of the truck, this time.

10.18.o6...In the back of the wagon

As most of you know the wagon I inherited from my Dad (best car ever) is somewhat of a traveling sideshow. It is better than paying for a storage space...it's "movable storage" as Sister Susie put it. It's my own personal storage on demand...who needs a P.O.D. when you have the wagon?
Anyway, since the house is full, many things have to live in the wagon for awhile before they make it upstairs. So what's in the back of the wagon?
The latest additions from the covered bridge festival:
Shopgirl:
She is a store display. The retailer would put a blouse or dress over her, making the perfect hanging flat mannequin. Isn't she perky? I think her name is Giget. Although she does have a hook on the top of her head...and Susie says "She's a hooker."











Bowler:
Cardboard poster of the all american bowler throwing a strike.


Gameboard:

Table top pinball that's all 50's era stars and moons and space age ideals.


I did show some restraint...I left the lady lamps behind...(actually I forgot about them til we were in the car, in a long line, on the way out..and no one would let me out to go get them. Sigh.

Directions to here:
Standard question: "What are you gonna do with that?" Make up an answer all the time knowing that it will just end up in the back of the wagon.

10.o8.o6...the after party...after party, party...VIP lounge Style

So, orginally Bobby and I were going to share a room. Had the suite with a double bed and a pull out couch. By the time we got done with the after party, Bobby bailed on Aunt Nancy and wanted to stay with his mom and dad. As we switched rooms and I left with my baggage...I said, alright...goodnite. Susie said "sorry" and Bobby smiled...and I said, "that's okay...I'm spending the night with Wonder Woman."
Oh, what a night...we stayed up late having so much fun. Sorry Bob, you missed it.

10.o8.o6...after party party

Okay...some major rewinding here...to pick up where my posts left off in October. Can't type fast enough to keep this blog properly posted.

Anyway, after Adelaid's wedding...we headed back to the hotel for snacks and drinks...here's who showed up out in the parking lot...any guesses as to who's wonder?



Directions to here:

Overheard on the elevator in the hotel:
Nancy: "What will happen when the elevator doors open, and they see Wonder Woman looking at them?"
Jerry: "oh my God, Nancy you embarrass me."

10.o7.o6..."All because two people fell in love.."

Congratulations to Mike and Adelaide Wetzel!

The Invitation said: "All because two people fell in love..."
So we packed it up and went to Columbus for another wedding! Columbus is the original site of the Shireman/Hayden family linking of the family trees. This time we went down to see Chari's little sister get married.

Here are the highlights:

my handsome nephews

grandma and her boys

shy zachy........................GQ Conner

dancewithnance

the ceremony

the farmers in the dell

the future farmers in the dell

the Hayden family

the bride and groom's ride to the reception and their arrival
(why can't something this cool be in my paid video jobs)?

Peg & Rex..................................Jerry and Susie

the happy couple

Directions to here:
I-65 to Columbus town....to the Hampton Inn...to the church on time...watch two little tuxes try to make it down the aisle with the flowers and rings...watch two people who fell in love, say "i do"...watch them drive away in a limo and fly into the reception at a barn (yes, a barn and martha stewart picturesc worthy)....hyper comfort food, champagne, and dance with nance

October Seventh....My Mom's Birthday

Your Mother Is Always With You

Your mother is always with you...
She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street.

She's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks.

She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well.

Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She's crystallized in every tear drop...

She's the place you came from,
your first home..
She's the map you follow with every step that you take.

She's your first love and your first heart break....and nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time,
Not space...
Not even death....
will ever separate you from your mother....

You carry her inside of you....

- Author Unknown.

Happy Birthday, Mom. I love and miss you.

10.o1.o6...More Wonder

So... like I said earlier, once we got back to the farm...and were unpacking the loot from the flea market...Wonder Madness broke out! Everyone had to try on the Alter Ego!

Susie Wonder:

Bobby Wonder
Conner Wonder

Katie Wonder......................Sue Metz Wonder

Wonder Matt...notice wonder woman has grown whiskers!

Directions to here:
Drive time to Kane County Flea Market: 2 hours
Admission to flea market: $5.00
Cost of vintage Wonder Woman mask: $5.00
Laughing until you almost pee your pants: Priceless