Biggest Loser...Diet Book of the Week

Working at a bookstore...I see them all...100's of diet books a week. When I looked across the counter and saw this on display on our current arrivals, I couldn't resist. The photo was already composed and developed in my head!

Biggest Loser contest continues...tho I must say it is much more laid back (money wise) than last year. I have lost 4 pounds and 2.1 % of body fat...bringing me down to 7705.50 Hebrew Shekels for those of you who are keeping track.

Valentines Love to you!

Happy Valentine's Day!

May you have hugs, kisses, chocolates, flowers, poems, warm feelings and most of all LOVE on this here day we call Valentines.
Bobble head dog wishes you love too, but he's currently in the car buried under this:


more than a foot of snow!
I'm suppose to be leaving for Columbus Ohio today to help open a new store.
Don't know if that will happen!

Happy Anniversary Jeff and Patty!

February ninth

That Tuesday...again.

February has become such a haunted month.

I know it's coming as soon as Christmas is over.
I can feel the chill coming, even if it's unseasonably warm out.
I remember what it feels like to have all the air leave the room.
And the unanswered questions that I normally skate around to save sanity,
spring up unannounced as I see the dates on the calendar pass by,
the questions lurk and haunt.

The why's.
The if only's.
The endless what if's.

But there's a blessing too, because I let myself feel more.
Remember more.
Cry, Laugh, Smile more.
And listen to heaven more.

It's a sad time...cause I miss her so much...and wish I could just once again, see her smiling and laughing with us.
But it's also a good thing...
cause I see how blessed we all are because of the gifts she's left behind and how they are woven into the fabric of our family's character.

Our Family is A circle of Strength and Love.
And she would be very proud of that.
Of us.

So as much as I would sometimes like to skip from January to March,
I'll take february too, one day at a time, just like she taught us to do.



Directions to here:

"Life ain't always beautiful:
Some days, I miss your smile.
I get tired of walkin' all, These lonely miles.

And I wish for just one minute, I could see your pretty face.
Guess I can dream, But life don't work that way.

But the struggles make me stronger,
And the changes make me wise.
And happiness has it's own way, Of takin' it's sweet time.

No, life ain't always beautiful.
But I know I'll be fine.
Hey, life ain't always beautiful,
But it's a beautiful ride.
What a beautiful ride."

(from Gary Allan's "Life Ain't Always Beautiful)"

copy/paste and listen to it here:
http://countrymusic.about.com/library/blga-laab.htm

o2.o4.o7...Clean Sweep Day #4...Get me outta here!

Well, as you can see, what probably started as fun and games...ended with a baby in tears. If you look closely behind the A-B-C- on the crib, you can see me crying and probably screaming.
And I'm about in the same state after my clean sweep attempt. I'm screaming..."get me outta here"...and I'm escaping to go north to watch the superbowl! Go Bears!

o2.o3.o7...Clean Sweep Day #3...I'm in here somewhere

Okay, I'm still in there (under the hat)...I'm just now covered up by the stuff...and I'm guessing Baby Nancy was thinking...this is not funny anymore.
And Adult Nancy is currently thinking the same. Overwhelmed by how much time I've spent and still don't have the furniture where I want it. I have made some dents, but I'm realizing the goals I set for these 4 days...are more likely 4 week goals.

o2.o2.o7...Clean Sweep Day #2..."Oh, my..."

So, it seems I caught on that I better get out of this crib or I might get buried by all the stuff surrounding me.
I'm having a similar reaction today in this apartment...hand over mouth...saying "oh my." If I still lived in California, I could get buried by this stuff if there was an earthquake. Where did all this stuff come from?

o2.o1.o7....Clean Sweep Day #1

I don't really know the story behind this picture, but that's me...in my crib, with a lot of stuff surrounding me. I imagine my sisters were "watching" me and me being their very own live baby doll, well...you see the rest of the story.

Fast forward 41 years.
I'm still sitting in my "crib" surrounded by a lot of stuff.
Okay, that's an understatement. So much stuff that my bedrooms that used to look like bedrooms now look like warehouses or what you see when you open a u-lock storage space. All I want to do is get rid of some furniture in the bedrooms and move some furniture from the bedrooms into the living room. But it's all trapped by the stuff. So, I'm taking the next four days to clean sweep. NO, (Sandy), I'm not putting all I own out in the parking lot, but I am sorting thru stuff and "restacking"....in hopes to get the furniture I don't want out...and the furniture I do want in.
I could be taking a road trip. I could be photographing neon motel signs. I could be shopping for more cool stuff. That sounds like such a better way to use a rebate holiday, 2 days off and 1 vacation day. But I'll be good. I'll face the stuff and clean up the "crib"

Directions to here:
It used to be a closet...the front closet...whenever I got something I didn't know what to do with, I'd throw it in the front closet. I'd go to Earl's auction every tuesday night, and pretty much furnished the apartment on dollar couches and tables. After Heidi left, I decided no roommate could ever take her place, so I decided to live alone...giving me more space. Then
depression set in...then mom passed away leading to more mind-numbing, body paralyzing depression. Then I left Keynote which made more stuff at home that used to live at the office. Then I started working at a bookstore...that has a huge discount and a huge dumpster of free books, cds, movies that get thrown away everyday (like an alcoholic working in a bar, as Rhonda said). Then I started making videos and never got pictures put back one show after another. Then we cleaned out mom and dad's house...and well, we all know how that went...wagon loads of stuff to bring home. Then, well then...127 mile yard sale, Kane county flea market, niles michigan, Indy flea market and all that with money in my pocket. Which leads to the present day furniture trapped in the bedrooms state of the crib.

The future Mr. and Mrs.

Going to the chapel and they're gonna get married !!

Congratulations to Jeremy and Kelly!

Wednesday's Wonder

Say Cheese!

Biggest Loser...Season 2...starts now!

It's on...check your local listings...Vandercar version of the Biggest Loser - Season 2 premiered on New Years Day with the big weigh in and even waist measurements by Dr Jillian Oz...a.k.a. Sandy. Last year, it was $5.00 a week. If you were the biggest loser that week...you didn't have to pay, if you gained weight you had to pay double, whoever lost the most at the end of the 3-4 months...won the money. Jerry ended up with $700+ with Jamie coming in second, by a very small fraction of a gram. Honorable mention goes to Chari, who had her own series going on and lost probably more than the payers...and Verna too! Great going!
Spots are still available for this season. There is a new game plan with the money...see Dr. Jillian Oz...a.k.a. Sandy. My goal last year was to just feel better and stronger...and more engergy. Failed. This year I don't care, I just want to weigh less than the younger of my two brothers. And I have a plan...I mean I already bought the little cokes and baked chips! Watch out Dave. Curious as to the progress? Well, tune in here now and then and I'll have the updates. Hint...I weigh a little more than Bobble me. I won't post it, other to say it's the equivilent of 7,745.22 Hebrew Shekels. Go figure.

Directions to here:

Step on the scale and it says....obeseUsee

New Years Eve Matters

I won't go into the details, but due to plans others had and plans others made for me (work), I ended up with nothing to do on New Years Eve.
Now, before you feel sorry for me...I had a great New Years Eve, Eve and a great New Years Day...(pictures later).
As much as I kept telling myself..."forget it, it's just another nite"...I knew to me, it wasn't just another nite.
I've decided:
New Years Eve Matters.
It matters because:
1. I'm a sentimental, symbolic meloncholy. I attach meaning to everything. New Years Eve should be a time for looking back on the life of that year and reflecting, resolving, remembering, reliving...and celebrating. And New Years Eve should be a time of looking forward to the next year of life with hopes, expectations, dreams and wonder.
2. This should be done surrounded by, if so blessed the person you love and the people you love most. (silly hats and champagne are optional, but highly recommended).

So, having come to terms with the above, I gave up trying to rationalize that New Years eve is a night like any other nite. I won't try to convince myself otherwise. To me, it's not, simply because I am who I am and it is what it is to me. And I'm ok with that. I'm glad it matters. I know this now and will plan my next and next and next accordingly no matter what plans I or others have.

Directions to here:

10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1....Happy New Year!

o1.o1.o7...Happy Birthday Jerry!

Hello Social security and medicare!
Jerry is 65...
and officially able to retire, as if that will ever happen!
He's the fastest moving senior that I've ever seen...especially when it comes to farming.

It was a big birthday...so we had a big party...in the big shop/shed...big spread of food...big margarita machine...big kids (and little)...big cigars...big money on the dice game...big videos...big cake...big fire from 65 candles...big smiles...and big fun.
Directions to here:

1942....New Year's Baby!...and a hayden's new years eve has never been the same!

Happy New Year!

Lots of resolutions, but only one fits the picture:

Less boring,
more ridiculous...

Happy 2007 to you!

"Had ourselves a Merry Little Christmas"

Well, these days with the way the Vandercar's are growing in numbers, I don't know if "little" Christmas is the right description...but it sure was Merry.

The highlights:
Christmas eve soups + watching dad slurp the oysters down + one more christmas eve in the old church (sorry Susie) + hearing my moms alto voice (in my memory) during Joy to the world + silent night by candlelight + childlike wonder and excitement over wrapped presents + sock monkey pjs + pictures and picture taking + hugs and kisses + eating again + Christmas in the cabin + brother mike and the grand trash/treasure gift exchange plan + sentimental stories + treasures, tresures, treasures + eating some more + videos laughs and tears + the kids + my dad + my brothers and sisters and in-laws and neices and nephews and the greats and friends + us + Jesus + love + memory + sight + sound + life

Christmas Video time

grandkids

Christmas cheers

sock monkeys

vintage Log cabin christmas gear

Christmas in the Cabin

grand santa ringleader of trash and treasure exchange

trash or treasure???

Directions to here:
sing along...."so have yourself a merry little christmas, now."

Christmas love

More details on the Vandercar Christmas later...but here's my favorite scene...Christmas in the Cabin....I LOVE my FAMILY !

Directions to here:
Step out the door and see this scene that makes your child-like heart burst! Take a picture...of course!

Merry Christmas eve

Put the cookies and the short bottle of coke out (cause Santa is tired of milk by the time he gets to the Vandercar house, yes i fell for that as a 6 year old)...Santa's on his way!

Merry Christmas everyone!

very scary christmas

Well, if we are honest, Christmas, at times can be just like this Santa...Fascinating but SCARY. (Is it any wonder conner and zach cry at the sight of Santa)??
The scary part of Christmas is over for me....hours upon hours of retail....and hours upon hours of video editing for the annual Christmas video. They are both done...and now the fun can start. After about 4 hours of sleep that I must get, right now.

Directions to here:

Find this scary Santa on Route 41 somewhere near Evansville ~ Find this Retail Santa calming customers down at Half Price Books ~ Find this creative Santa in the video closet (a converted closet is my studio) for 50+ hours for a 4 minute movie

Dreaming....wide awake

We were sitting closer than this in my dream last night.
Sitting shoulder to shoulder on the steps at some type of conference or concert watching the stage. Jolene was going to get up on stage and then she would be gone again...I knew it and she knew it. It was one of the more bizarre dreams I've had about her since the car accident last summer that took her life...but the ending was the same...waking up feeling the happiness of seeing and being with a long lost friend, only to have the sinking feeling that comes with the wide awake reality...she is gone...then tears.
I guess it's the time of year, working on Christmas video, getting all reflective, but I've been thinking a lot about Jolene lately. I've thought a lot about her family, Her parents...how they are doing in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. About those little nephews of hers...and hoping that they are old enough to hold on to the memory of their Aunt Jolene.
And thinking about Jolene.
My sweet friend.
Thinking how shocking it is...still...to think of her life...being cut so short. It still makes me shake my head and question, why? It saddens me to know that there was so much ahead of her...and it shames me on the days that I think things are too hard...that she would gladly take a hard day...just to have another day.

I've also thought a lot lately about Junior.
About my sister. About Darold and his family.
About that day. About how we all wish we could just reverse, go back...change things.
But, just like with Jolene and just like with my mom...the finality of it all just shocks me everytime I let myself think on it.

The most memorable dream I've had about Jolene was also the most symbolic. I think about it often when I'm trying to get perspective. She and I are in the kitchen of my mom and dad's house. My mom is on her way home and we are going to make something for her to eat. (Jolene was a chef). I'm standing at the refridgerator and I say, "Jolene, we aren't going to be able to finish this because we don't have enough ingredients. She smiles at my realization. I then go on, "and we're not going to get to watch those movies we wanted to watch and to get through all those books we brought here to read." She laughs a little and says, "I know, I know...it's okay."

The house, my mom and my friend. All things I've lost...and they are all there together in the dream and I'm having a realization that time is too short.
It is a telling dream...and it's made me try to make the most of my time with people I love. Hopefully my dreams will change the way I live when I'm wide awake.

directions to here:
"Forever is composed of nows." (emily dickinson)

12.11.o6....and many "moore.."

Happy Belated birthday to you...Happy Belated Birthday to you, Happy Belated birthday Janet and Taylor (Moore), Happy Belated Birthday to you...and many more...for the Moores!

Relax...it's not a cop....it's justagirl

So....my car saga has hopefully come to an end for the moment...as i purchased Lil David's ex-cop car. I was told by both David and Luke who had both driven these cars that they go fast and the best thing is people get out of your way. But Dave took the spotlight and pushbar off before I bought it so I thought I would look "normal." But he was right...even in the dark of night...I had more R-E-S-P-E-C-T on I-65 than I've ever had in my life. I could see a car come round to pass and then hesitate, creep by me, turn it's turning signal on and immediatly get back over in the slow lane. Little do they know, that I'm justagirl with "superfreak" coming thru the stereo. The same justagirl that they passed yesterday, driving the retro-grocery getter-wagon!
However, I did get attention that I didn't want on the way home. Of course, as soon as I stepped the tire into Carmel, at once of the round-a-bouts a saw a real cop and sure enough, 30 seconds later I saw the real red and blue lights in my rearview. NO....I was not "punching it" as David told me I must do in this car. Officer Friendly pointed out to me that the plates expired in October...and advised me to get my Crown Victor butt to the BMV in the morning! (my paraphrase). So, the police intercepter has already been intercepted by the real deal!

Directions to here:

cars breaking down = headaches; sub-zero walks to the rental agency = frozen face; 2 trips to shady mechanics = frustration; buying a Cop car and never being tailgated again = priceless!

pirates strike again...

You used to be able to see this on the way to the strip from the airport in Vegas. But the f-ing pirates work overtime in that kitsch forsaken city and now I quote:

"Easy to miss in the high-voltage spectacle is a small sign at the entrance to a dark and empty tract a few blocks from the MGM. "Tropicana Mobil Park," it reads, in crisp red-and-blue neon, glowing as cheerily as it has for some 40-odd years. In a few hours, it will be gone."

yes, this time it's for more shops....so the sign...not to mention the homes of the FAMILIES that lived in this mobile home park...have to go.
Viva lost vegas.

Directions to here:

drive with sister susie...and gasp at the sight of this sign. Take a picture...because you know how this town treats its natives.

(and i'm not kidding about the families...if you care, go here to read the sad story: http://www.lvcitylife.com/articles/2005/10/22/cover_story/cover.txt

You oughta know....

Having mentioned the African a few posts ago...
I thought you oughta know and hear this.
(okay the link isn't working...copy and paste this: www.myspace.com/almostisaac )
Almost Isaac is the band Heidi was in few years ago in South Africa.
She's now in London...enjoying domestic bliss and teaching a little girl how to sing like a rock star!

Directions to here:
link...download...import to ipod..."coming through in stereo"... big stars... mourn only the fact that you haven't seen and heard them live.

A year of Sundays later

We miss you, Junior.

The Birthdate of the African Queen

Happy Birthday, Heidi !!

Hip, Hip Hoorah! Hip Hip Hoorah!

It's been over 9 years since this photo...but rest assured the african queen still haunts main street.
Have a luvly birthday...Heidi!

Directions to here:

"Remember everything, she said when only memory remains" (adam)

december first.....na na na na.....yeah...

A long December
and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember the last thing that you said as you were leavin'
Now the days go by so fast

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think that I could be forgiven... I wish you would

The smell of hospitals in winter
And the feeling that it's all a lot of oysters, but no pearls
All at once you look across a crowded room
To see the way that light attaches to a girl

And it's one more day up in the canyons
And it's one more night in Hollywood
If you think you might come to California...
I think you should

Drove up to Hillside Manor sometime after two a.m.
And talked a little while about the year
I guess the winter makes you laugh a little slower,
Makes you talk a little lower
about the things you could not show her

And it's been a long December
and there's reason to believe
Maybe this year will be better than the last
I can't remember all the times I tried to tell my myself
To hold on to these moments as they pass
And it's one more day up in the canyon
And it's one more night in Hollywood
It's been so long since I've seen the ocean...
I guess I should

na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
na, na, na, na,
yeah....

Directions to here:
Turn it up loud..stand up..hear the gospel truth.....
yeah, yeah,
yeah.....

11.27.o6....Dark day on 66...Tulsa, OK

This is the Metro Diner

on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma
This is my Aunt Mary and Cousin Barb
in a booth at the Metro Diner
on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma

This is what I ordered

at the Metro Diner
on Route 66
Tulsa Oklahoma

This is the message on my machine, Monday night:

"Nancy,
this is your Aunt Mary.
Uh, I have an emergency here.
The Metro Diner closed today at 3 o'clock, about 5 minutes ago.
They will turn off the lights and then they're gonna bulldoze it to make room for Tulsa University Parking.
So I just thought,
Oh Dear...
I've got to tell Nancy.
Talk to you later."

Have you heard the pirate story? Well, if so, you know that I am cursing the f-ing pirates. I mean, a parking lot? Americana is vanishing for a parking lot?? That's worse than a strip mall, but not as bad as a condo. Oh, but boo hoo students and teachers don't have enough room to park. Should have thought of that when you built YOUR building...instead of taking out OUR diner.

Directions to here:
"Don't it always seem to go, you don't know what you got til it's gone, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot" (joni mitchell)

11.o9.o6...Lexington Kentucky

Lexington's Best new business:

Lexington's Best Old business:

directions to here:
I-74 to 265 to 75 south to sir barton drive ~ sell 33,000 dollars worth of books and finish the day with the best and cheapest hamburger in Lexington, KY

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!