Love and cherish

Yes, I do truly love and cherish the person I married, BUT...

We have different priorities.  Often the car sits in the garage so if one of wants to use it for an unusual errand it is good to check with the other person to make sure s/he didn't have plans.  Sure, I said, take the car, as long as you remember to appreciate when the odometer turns to 150,000.  He gets back and realizes it is now 150,040.

Later  that day he left for a long trip.  He missed

• 150,000
• 150,051
• 150,150

Maybe we'll have a Subaru party and invite all our friends with Subarus.  But that is as far as I have planned because I am not sure what happens at a Subaru party.  Maybe we would talk about engines or get mudding.  Or maybe I need to find another reason for a party.

special day

Memorial Day started by putting out the flag.  

A bit later we headed to a parent versus kids soccer game.

This group (missing man formation) flew over our game.

Some parents played their sons' position, so see D. (in orange) in goal!
He was named MVP - most valuable parent.

At the end of the game all the kids in blue went in, but it was a still a tie 

after two halves (thirty minutes each) and two extra time (five minutes each).

D. baked cookies for everyone.  

He also led on us a great quad ride.
We got lots of positive comments ("That's so tight!"),
but these were only pictures.

Nice to have a long weekend!

Song Contest

Last year we got to experience Eurovision in Denmark, which was hosting since they had won the previous year.  Thanks to the internet we watched it live from the U.S.

Not quite the same with just four of us.

We weren't in complete agreement but there were lots of entries we liked including Russia, Belgium, and Sweden.  I always like the dance numbers, but I was reminded that it is a song contest.

Here is a screen shot from Sweden's performance.

And the crown goes wild!

Receiving the crystal microphone and a hug from Conchita Wurst, the 2014 winner.

the final tally

 It ate up a chunk of the day, but it will be nice to go to bed before 1 a.m. 

And closer yet!

It was so exciting!  I was walking with a friend and was amazed 

to see the gates were down in front of the new Millikan building!

There is still some work to do.

My friend and I tried out the whisper dishes.

Too bad it has been too cloudy to enjoy the sundial.

I will definitely visit on the summer solstice.

This is a bench, but also a teeter-totter with a fulcrum that moves.

The turntable can have posts added for experiments with students.

In the background is a different kind of turntable and a chalkboard.

I am already excited for the grand opening in October!

Another busy day

The day started by checking on my dad's run.  He was the second oldest person to complete the 10K.  He may not have met his goal, but he did have the courage to start!  Plus, he did beat some men half his age.  Keep on truckin'!  I got out for my own training (less than seven weeks until the Freedom 5000!).

Always more laundry - I am grateful 

Next up was graduation.  I love seeing everyone in their regalia.

If you couldn't make it you could watch the entire event online.

Everyone was happy that it wasn't raining and it wasn't 90ºF.

Next up was a recital.

The evening ended with a casual college dinner.

It included a great balloon person - a butterfly and a jet pack are shown.

Now it is back to routine.  I hope the toddler remembers me!

Post-vacation activities

How to fill time the day after a ten-hour flight?

Send one kid off to a math tournament and another off to a soccer tournament.

 Watch the security and then the motorcade.  Guess a foreign diplomat kid's parent is in the car.

Host a party for the department seniors and their families.  Don't look closely, but you can admire the centerpieces (taken from plants growing in the neighborhood and some candles) a little bit.

 I went to watch the seniors, Cecil the Sagehen, and a bagpipe player march through the gates.

Of course there is laundry, grocery shopping, and unpacking.

It is good to be home!

A penny saved

There were a lot of things I didn't buy today.

Only 80 DKK ($12.50)!  I want all three.

Didn't need to look at the price to know it is more than I can afford.

pretty oilcloths

So cute!  Only 20 DKK ($3), but I want one of each.

Driscoll's in DK?  I have also seen US donuts and toy stores.  Stop!!

Rocky Mountain Marshmallows, a true American tradition from Elk Grove, IL.

I am not sure why I suddenly want Fjallraven, but I am resisting,
especially since it is probably less expensive in the US.  And it is Swedish.

Now in LA!