Stickers

The paper had an article about getting rid of things that don't spark joy, but what if it will spark joy in the future?  Or what if it will spark joy as one of a set and it is just waiting to be joined with others of its kind?

I unpacked my Halloween decorations, which fit in a quart-size storage bag, and found a few years of Trader Joe's stickers and added this year's set to the collection.

I don't have the year marked on them, but the bottom set is the most recent.

Also in the bag were a few years of Halloween cards sent by mom and our book of Halloween knock-knock jokes.  Definitely brings a spark of joy to all!

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Statue!

Statue who?

Statue over there?  I'm over here.

Paper and Pencil

I often see students from Cal Poly Pomona looking at our yard, trying to identify plants pointed out by their professor.

Today this was my view.

This was their view.

They said they were in an urban planning class and were identifying different types of houses.  Happy to be of service!

Worth the Wait

A. earned money taking care of neighborhood animals and then carefully researched the scooter market.  Below is a video of the chosen one!

Remember when Calvin sends in box tops and waits impatiently for the arrival of his beanie propeller cap?  It was a bit like that here.

Then the magical day arrived when I looked out and there it was!

Some assembly required.

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night will stop a boy from trying his new scooter.

At his request I am posting a much better picture.

Definitely worth the wait!

Library of the Future

Sycamore is the only school in the district without a dedicated library space.  Now they have it!  They have the building, but no progress has been made since its arrival in the parking lot because there are state regulations about foundations for school buildings and another set for libraries.  The workers are waiting for approval, which I hope comes soon!

In other library news we finally made it back to the Ontario City Library.  Thank goodness I didn't know there was a booksale or I would have arrived with more than fifteen minutes to shop.  I supported them only a little and instead took advantage of the books we could check out for free.  Titles include, but are not limited to, 

Build your own app for fun and profit

Classic American cars

Computer animation

Fragments

Hot text : web writing that works

Ruhlman's twenty : the ideas and techniques that will make you a better cook

The portable atheist : essential readings for the nonbeliever

The secret of the Fortune Wookiee : an Origami Yoda book

The Simpsons beyond forever! : a complete guide to our favorite family-- still continued

The soccer book : the sport, the teams, the tactics, the cups

Vortex

What would Dewey do? : an Unshelved collection

Next week I will help set up for the Friends of the Claremont Library sale.  Hope to see you there!

More Studio Art Hall

Visiting with a building with a toddler gives a different perspective.

We walked through the new walkway between the art building and Greek Theatre.

We looked in every single window.
I love the large ones that allow a toddler to check it out herself. 

We learned that someone did not like the way the caulking clashed with the concrete.

Time to take it off

and put on caulk that is a better match.

And of course, the bathroom!

The men's room had a triangle, but I felt funny taking a picture of it.

The women's room had a couple sinks, but these were outside of all three bathrooms.

Saturday is the grand opening and will include a dedication, tours, performances, and a chance to sketch and snack on edible still-life.  Visitors can also check out a mirrored Steam Egg, dance to experimental music, and sing in a darkroom.  Sounds like a don't-miss-it event!

Fun, fun, fun

Because of student conferences school was dismissed at one o'clock all week.  Recess starts at 12:05, lunch is at 12:30, and then they go back to the classroom at 12:53 p.m.  I picked up A. and a friend just after noon and they ditched the last seven minutes of class time.  A friend from another district didn't have school at all so the four of us headed off for adventure and tried a new diner.

The boys all had Belgian waffles and I tried the Greek omelette.

Then it was off to the bowling alley, one game with bumpers and one game without.

I was surprised how well matched the boys were.
Too bad they probably won't learn how to keep score.

Next up, the arcade.

I did not enjoy this part, but it was entertaining to watch how excited the boys were.

They had a fantastic day and I received many thanks.  Definitely worth repeating one day.

Images

I thought I was scheduled for my first MRI until D. reminded me that after a bike accident in 1993 I had one.  I don't remember much about that day, which my mom says also means I don't remember the pain.  True.

The best warning I had was from A., who told me it would be loud.  My biggest fear was not being allowed to use the toilet in the middle of the session, but it wasn't a problem.
  

The worst part was getting a contrast injection on one side, which didn't work so they had to use the other side.  I use my veins all the time, but usually they are removing liquids, not adding them.

Crape Myrtle

One thing I like about this facility is the garden across the street, but there is no place to pull over and read the signs so I can only see this one at the red light.

I'll find out in a week or two whether I have an acoustic neuroma, a benign tumor that causes hearing loss.