Dog sitting

I dog sat for a few days off and on recently for some friends. Apparently some of the neighborhood children thought I had become a new dog owner as I found this taped on my front door.  Apparently their advertising agency also prefers the use of crayon and pencil therefore this is a little hard to read. You may get a better idea if you click to enlarge the picture. Hilarious.

Bleeding Red and Gold!

Yesterday was a day where I was extremely proud of my Dad. My mom and dad gush upon us all the time and I feel like now is a the time to gush upon them! Yesterday my Dad began his role as Chair of the Iowa State Alumni Association Board.  Pretty cool that he holds this role representing one of the largest Alumni institutions in the United States!

The Iowa State Alumni Association is more than 125 years old.  In 2011 there were over 37,000 Alumni who belong to the Iowa State Alumni Association.  Combined with undergrads and friends of the Alumni Association there are just under 50,00 members.  The Iowa State Alumni Association is the 2nd largest dues paying Alumni Association in the Big 12 conference.

So if you ever wonder where I got my love and spirit for Iowa State it started right at home and there no other place I'd rather call my alma mater! Congrats Dad! And just a plug- if you are Iowa State Alum and not a member of the Iowa State Alumni Association click here to join!

I've been a little MIA

I love writing and I love reading blogs. Getting ideas, recipes and seeing what others are up to.  For the past month or so though I've felt a lack of creativity with my own blog. Don't get my wrong I've had a lot to say, things to share, ideas, updates but I've been stuck on actually updating my blog.  I've also been pondering making my blog private.  There are some things you just don't want to many available to the entire world! Anyway, this is pretty much just a lot of rambling and thoughts still in process....

The last month has been filled with sun, pool, HOT, wine, sushi, work, work, work, work, work, work, work.  Oh yes, and a trip to a really scary winery with my parents.  We lived to tell the story and that's a whole other blog post!

Significant dates have passed. July 28th marked 8 years in Kansas City for me.  Somedays it seems like just yesterday and others a lifetime.  August 1st marked the 8th anniversary of the death of my grandparents in a car accident and the 13 year annivesary of my friend Ryan's death in a car accident. I HATE August 1st.

I've also been doing Tastefully Simple parties about once a week. Fun and relief from the real world! Trying lots of new recipes and concoctions make me smile.  Plus cooking always calls for drinking a glass of vino while in process.

There are dates I am looking forward to, a little R & R next weekend at one of my favorite places and approximately 28 days until KICK OFF.

Until creativity strikes me again.....................