Vote, people, VOTE.
As most of you are aware, I'm a complete political junkie. Love CNN, love CSPAN (yes, tell no one), love politics in general. I've worked on campaigns, both in volunteer capacity and in an actual role. I've voted in every election.
I have LOVED Indiana's role in this election. Never, ever, ever before have I felt that Indiana actually mattered to anyone of national political stature and yet, this year, we have been a part of an onslaught of visits and campaign offices. Love Love Love It.
Obviously you know who I'm voting for this year -- it's not a well kept secret :)
Tomorrow I fly out to Washington, DC for a conference for several days. I'll be watching the election returns just steps from Capitol Hill ... and if you hear screaming in Indiana, just know it is your friend Athena and her whoops of joy as Indiana goes D for the first time since 1964.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Dinner w/the Pharmacist
One of my friends does not get nearly enough of my time and that is the Pharmacist. She and I were roommates back in college for all of ten days and yet, yet, we have maintained a friendship ever since.
I haven't seen much of her the past year or so, with both of us caught up in our own planets and not making enough time for the other. So last Friday night she called me and in my haze of multiple pharmaceuticals and exhaustion, I said "How about Wednesday at 6, Mellow Mushroom?" Luckily enough I remembered, vaguely, talking to her, so meet up for dinner we did.
As is every time I see her, we laugh, we joke, we catch up, both of us end up in some kind of tears. She is, far and away, one of the most wonderful people I know.
We shared some things that had happened this last year and I think both of us were better served by our time together. We made a pledge that we'll go out next month for my bday and in December for hers.
Last year's birthday goals involved taking better care of myself (which will be on the list again this year), making time for friends (which I have tried to be better at doing) and focusing on my life in general.
I'm not sure what this year's goals will be, yet, although I do know that making time for friends and taking better care of myself will be among them.
Love ya Pharmacist!
I haven't seen much of her the past year or so, with both of us caught up in our own planets and not making enough time for the other. So last Friday night she called me and in my haze of multiple pharmaceuticals and exhaustion, I said "How about Wednesday at 6, Mellow Mushroom?" Luckily enough I remembered, vaguely, talking to her, so meet up for dinner we did.
As is every time I see her, we laugh, we joke, we catch up, both of us end up in some kind of tears. She is, far and away, one of the most wonderful people I know.
We shared some things that had happened this last year and I think both of us were better served by our time together. We made a pledge that we'll go out next month for my bday and in December for hers.
Last year's birthday goals involved taking better care of myself (which will be on the list again this year), making time for friends (which I have tried to be better at doing) and focusing on my life in general.
I'm not sure what this year's goals will be, yet, although I do know that making time for friends and taking better care of myself will be among them.
Love ya Pharmacist!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Bag Lady Bus Tour (in pictures)
Alice (Mom) and I at the tour. Please note, in subsequent pictures I have less and less cards on my costume.
The White Rabbit (Halle Pino) 
The Mad Hatter (FitnessNerd). He was also crowned Miss Allaneous. 
Me (Queen of Hearts), Mom (Alice), Maestro (Prince Charming) and Summer Clearance (Some Star Trek character I cannot remember).
These are the 'polite' pictures. There are more from Mom's camera which are more damning.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
About last night ...
I am fairly certain I can never run for political office now.
Pictures will be posted soon.
Pictures will be posted soon.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Grandma
Last week was sixteen years since my Grandma Lemons passed. I had been meaning to blog about her for awhile, as she is in my thoughts daily, but I couldn't do it last week. Mid-October is a 'raw' time for me -- Grandma passed on October 15, I was married October 19, my uncle was seriously hurt (and later died) from a car crash in mid-October/early-November. As much as I love fall, mid-October is a hard time of year for me.
My Grandma Lemons was a fantastic, kind, funny and fabulous grandmother. She loved to bake and cook for everyone and was an unbelievable hostess. If you wanted or needed for anything in her house, it was because she wasn't home. If she was, she made sure you were fed, you had something to drink, you were warm/cold or whatever.
She was the daughter of two Swedish immigrants, Anna Marie (Giller) and Rudolph Hedstrom, who came over from Stockholm in 1900. She was the fourth of five children -- and, by the time she was born, my great-grandparents were living in Door Village, Indiana (just outside of La Porte) and they were not teaching their children Swedish anymore, to prevent their children from being left behind at school. Her father died when she was young and her mother went on to marry again.
She had three daughters: Aunt N, Aunt J and Mom. Mom is the youngest by 17 and 15 years respectively and as a result, I have cousins that are between 9-14 years older than I am. There are six cousins all together: T, M, D, B, me and Sister.
Grandma was diagnosed with a reoccurrance of cancer the summer before I went to college. She had breast cancer when I was a kid, and had survived, but this time it was caught too late. It had metatisized from her breast to lung, to liver to brain. In four months she was gone and to this day I miss her still.
Her laughter, her jokes, her way of clearing her throat ... all silly things to miss, but miss them I do. Her clear blue eyes were 'home' for me and when I think of her, I think of that smile and those eyes.
And I miss her homemade Swedish meatballs. Why oh Why did I not learn that recipe?
*****
After I went to school that fall, 12 hours and 800 miles away, I did not think I'd get to see her again. The cancer that had so recently been discovered was ravaging her by the minute. I could not afford, and nor could my family afford, to bring me back home to see her. Each time I'd call home, I'd ask how she was and finally, a family friend told me what my own family would not: the end was nearer than I had known.
I cried myself to sleep that night, wishing with all my might that I was back in La Porte, back with my family and most of all, to see my Grandma again.
Unbeknownst to me, my roommate and friends had begun a collection. A dollar here, a dollar there ... pretty soon it added up to enough to fly me back to Chicago and get me home. They called me out into the suite and told me of what they had done and how I'd get to see my Grandma. Even now this brings tears to my eyes as I remember so clearly the selflessness of my friends and how, in my time of need, they gave me what I wanted most: to see my Grandma.
A few days later I was on my way to Kansas City in the car of another friend who had volunteered to take me to the airport and pick me up four days later. I was on my way home.
When I saw my Grandma, obviously so weak and dying, it was hard. I did not ever want to see her hurting and seeing her like this was crippling to me. She knew who I was, was glad to see me and we were able to tell each other we loved each other. I was able to spend a long weekend in La Porte and see her -- and for that, I am ever grateful to my friends at Cottey. After I returned to Cottey -- she passed, quietly and peacefully a few days later. I did not come home for the funeral (as there was no money for me to do so) but when I got home that fall, I went to her grave. It was quiet and peaceful there and she was where she wanted to be, back in Door Village, next to her parents in the small cemetery there.
Later that Christmas, I learned from that same family friend that Grandma stopped being able to speak the day after I left. It was truly a miracle that I was able to see her when I did. There are not enough 'thank yous' in the world to express my gratitude to my friends at Cottey for giving me such an amazing gift.
*****
Like I said, I miss her still. At this time of year we'd be raking her leaves, bagging them up (although she much preferred to burn them ... she was a pyro, my Grandma), and welcoming my Sister and I into her house for hot cocoa and cookies.
Love you Grandma ---
*****
This week Sister brought me a scrapbook Mom had made me over the years with everything from cards from my baby shower (35 years old now) to Valentines I'd received in grade school. The most precious things in the scrapbook were the cards, valentines and notes from relatives now gone from this world. Seeing my Grandma's signature again brought immediate tears to my eyes and I realized just how much I missed her all over again.
My Grandma Lemons was a fantastic, kind, funny and fabulous grandmother. She loved to bake and cook for everyone and was an unbelievable hostess. If you wanted or needed for anything in her house, it was because she wasn't home. If she was, she made sure you were fed, you had something to drink, you were warm/cold or whatever.
She was the daughter of two Swedish immigrants, Anna Marie (Giller) and Rudolph Hedstrom, who came over from Stockholm in 1900. She was the fourth of five children -- and, by the time she was born, my great-grandparents were living in Door Village, Indiana (just outside of La Porte) and they were not teaching their children Swedish anymore, to prevent their children from being left behind at school. Her father died when she was young and her mother went on to marry again.
She had three daughters: Aunt N, Aunt J and Mom. Mom is the youngest by 17 and 15 years respectively and as a result, I have cousins that are between 9-14 years older than I am. There are six cousins all together: T, M, D, B, me and Sister.
Grandma was diagnosed with a reoccurrance of cancer the summer before I went to college. She had breast cancer when I was a kid, and had survived, but this time it was caught too late. It had metatisized from her breast to lung, to liver to brain. In four months she was gone and to this day I miss her still.
Her laughter, her jokes, her way of clearing her throat ... all silly things to miss, but miss them I do. Her clear blue eyes were 'home' for me and when I think of her, I think of that smile and those eyes.
And I miss her homemade Swedish meatballs. Why oh Why did I not learn that recipe?
*****
After I went to school that fall, 12 hours and 800 miles away, I did not think I'd get to see her again. The cancer that had so recently been discovered was ravaging her by the minute. I could not afford, and nor could my family afford, to bring me back home to see her. Each time I'd call home, I'd ask how she was and finally, a family friend told me what my own family would not: the end was nearer than I had known.
I cried myself to sleep that night, wishing with all my might that I was back in La Porte, back with my family and most of all, to see my Grandma again.
Unbeknownst to me, my roommate and friends had begun a collection. A dollar here, a dollar there ... pretty soon it added up to enough to fly me back to Chicago and get me home. They called me out into the suite and told me of what they had done and how I'd get to see my Grandma. Even now this brings tears to my eyes as I remember so clearly the selflessness of my friends and how, in my time of need, they gave me what I wanted most: to see my Grandma.
A few days later I was on my way to Kansas City in the car of another friend who had volunteered to take me to the airport and pick me up four days later. I was on my way home.
When I saw my Grandma, obviously so weak and dying, it was hard. I did not ever want to see her hurting and seeing her like this was crippling to me. She knew who I was, was glad to see me and we were able to tell each other we loved each other. I was able to spend a long weekend in La Porte and see her -- and for that, I am ever grateful to my friends at Cottey. After I returned to Cottey -- she passed, quietly and peacefully a few days later. I did not come home for the funeral (as there was no money for me to do so) but when I got home that fall, I went to her grave. It was quiet and peaceful there and she was where she wanted to be, back in Door Village, next to her parents in the small cemetery there.
Later that Christmas, I learned from that same family friend that Grandma stopped being able to speak the day after I left. It was truly a miracle that I was able to see her when I did. There are not enough 'thank yous' in the world to express my gratitude to my friends at Cottey for giving me such an amazing gift.
*****
Like I said, I miss her still. At this time of year we'd be raking her leaves, bagging them up (although she much preferred to burn them ... she was a pyro, my Grandma), and welcoming my Sister and I into her house for hot cocoa and cookies.
Love you Grandma ---
*****
This week Sister brought me a scrapbook Mom had made me over the years with everything from cards from my baby shower (35 years old now) to Valentines I'd received in grade school. The most precious things in the scrapbook were the cards, valentines and notes from relatives now gone from this world. Seeing my Grandma's signature again brought immediate tears to my eyes and I realized just how much I missed her all over again.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
An update on the life of Athena
1. I am alive.
2. The antibiotics appear to be starting to kick in. As God is my witness, a bladder infection will not do me in.
3. Yes, I wanted to see Obama today. Even had it on my calendar. Instead I laid in my bed, praying for the sweet release of death.
4. Do I think Sarah Palin is becoming more of a grotesque caricature with each passing day? Yes.
5. I have done nothing these past two days but sleep, check email, pee incessantly and sleep some more. I'm bored.
6. Does the fact that I'm bored make me want to do anything? No, not really.
7. The cats have been pleased that I've been home. I take that back, they have been pleased to sleep next to my body as I've run a fever for two days and I'm exceedingly warm to them.
8. I burned a log in my fireplace yesterday. That was nice.
9. My house is a sty. I can't bring myself to care right now.
10. Hope you all are having a good week :)
2. The antibiotics appear to be starting to kick in. As God is my witness, a bladder infection will not do me in.
3. Yes, I wanted to see Obama today. Even had it on my calendar. Instead I laid in my bed, praying for the sweet release of death.
4. Do I think Sarah Palin is becoming more of a grotesque caricature with each passing day? Yes.
5. I have done nothing these past two days but sleep, check email, pee incessantly and sleep some more. I'm bored.
6. Does the fact that I'm bored make me want to do anything? No, not really.
7. The cats have been pleased that I've been home. I take that back, they have been pleased to sleep next to my body as I've run a fever for two days and I'm exceedingly warm to them.
8. I burned a log in my fireplace yesterday. That was nice.
9. My house is a sty. I can't bring myself to care right now.
10. Hope you all are having a good week :)
Athena goes on a trip ...
http://indyprideinc.com/blog/
The Big Gay Mafia, as I call some of my friends, are participating in the Bag Lady Bus Tour on Saturday night here in Indy. Some of you might wonder what this entirely innocuous sounding event is so let me share:
Drag Queens
Raising Money
For Charitable Causes
Touring the City -- bar to bar
Pictures on the Circle with said Drag Queens
Merriment ensues!
I, Athena, had mentioned some months ago that I'd be interested in attending said bus tour since I'd heard that Mom (a fellow friend of the BGM) had attended last year. I had thought that women weren't allowed on the tour, given some of the places that are visited. (Yes, it is what you think it is)
I hear Mom has gone so I pipe up and announce that I want to go. Yes, dear Readers, your very own Athena is dressing up as the Queen of Hearts (the Alice in Wonderland theme of my friends played a BIG part in this) and will be flouncing throughout various bars and clubs on Saturday night.
Two of my friends, Halle Pino and Summer Clearance, are participating by dressing in drag. FitnessNerd is dressing as the Mad Hatter. I'm not sure what Mom will be, I need to ask her.
In any case, it should be a rolicking good time.
Oh, and I may get some pictures. Hang in there.
The Big Gay Mafia, as I call some of my friends, are participating in the Bag Lady Bus Tour on Saturday night here in Indy. Some of you might wonder what this entirely innocuous sounding event is so let me share:
Drag Queens
Raising Money
For Charitable Causes
Touring the City -- bar to bar
Pictures on the Circle with said Drag Queens
Merriment ensues!
I, Athena, had mentioned some months ago that I'd be interested in attending said bus tour since I'd heard that Mom (a fellow friend of the BGM) had attended last year. I had thought that women weren't allowed on the tour, given some of the places that are visited. (Yes, it is what you think it is)
I hear Mom has gone so I pipe up and announce that I want to go. Yes, dear Readers, your very own Athena is dressing up as the Queen of Hearts (the Alice in Wonderland theme of my friends played a BIG part in this) and will be flouncing throughout various bars and clubs on Saturday night.
Two of my friends, Halle Pino and Summer Clearance, are participating by dressing in drag. FitnessNerd is dressing as the Mad Hatter. I'm not sure what Mom will be, I need to ask her.
In any case, it should be a rolicking good time.
Oh, and I may get some pictures. Hang in there.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Lambeau Field
As you all are aware, I went to Wisconsin this weekend to visit Pete and Babs and, although unknown to me on Saturday, to see the Colts get their asses handed to them at the game on Sunday. *sigh*
Lambeau Field. Wow. This is a truly phenomenal stadium. The history of the Packers organization, coupled with the devotion of their fans is something that legends are made of. From the moment we drove up to Lambeau, the cameras started snapping and we stared at it in awe.
We drove down Lombardi Avenue and managed to park on a homeowner's lawn just two blocks from the stadium. Price: $10. Not bad. The lots around the stadium are sold out to season ticket holders and so parking on-site was not possible. Parking ranged from $25-$10 and I think we scored a primo parking space that was easy to get out of.
For my Indy readers, the interior of Conseco Fieldhouse's entry (where the Indiana Pacers play, to non-Indy natives) and the interior of Lambeau Field's entry is nearly identical. If the same architect was not used for both, I'd be very surprised. When we walked in, we were handed gloves (bright yellow with a GB logo) and our first greeting was from a beer vendor in the entrance. He welcomed us to Lambeau, told us he hoped we had a good time and encouraged us to check the place out.
We went, first, to the Pro Shop where we each bought a cheesehead. Yes, dear readers, I allowed a foam rubber wedge of cheese to ride in the car with me. I know, I know, sacriledge. My purchase was for my cousin's friend's son who, although he lives in Lexington, KY, is a huge Packers fan. Who knew?
We finished up at the Pro Shop (which was ass-to-elbow full of people) and headed downstairs to the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame (admission $10) is worth every penny. It is interactive, with plenty of exhibits and highlights the players, the fans and the town. We took our time and looked through the exhibits and Jason found a couple of players' jerseys that he had on his fantasy football league so I took a picture of him next to that. We read through telegrams sent to the football coach from the Governor of Wisconsin (at the time), the various owners of the other football teams (including what was then the Baltimore Colts), and proud citizens. It was truly heartening to see how much Green Bay is the Packers as much as the Packers are Green Bay.
Heading to our seats, we received a fair amount of ribbing from various Packer fans but overall, a very congenial atmosphere. The seats, oh the seats ....
Thirty nine rows up, section 102 (right behind the goalpost area), two end seats. The only downside of the seats was a jackass behind and to the right that kept up the verbal abuse for the whole game. Nice lesson to teach your daughter, jackass. Maybe someday she'll rise to the level of classiness you showed us. *snort*
The other fans around us ... obviously pleased that their team was winning but overall accommodating and pleasant.
Another interesting observation -- Lambeau has very few 'seats' -- it is mostly aluminum bleachers. There is quite a cottage industry of renting seatbacks at the stadium and most people either rent or bring their own. We did not rent seats but instead used a blanket I had brought to keep our tushes off the cold aluminum. Very good.
The food was fun. I had a bratwurst and some cheese curds (yes, I tempted fate again Peteski -- lots of cheese in two days' time) and washed it down with a beer. The normal other foods were there too but this is the first place I've ever seen that the beer guy also sells Old Wisconsin Beef Sticks. :)
In closing, although the Colts bombed at Lambeau, the field and place made the day spectacular. Thank you, Pete and Babs, for sharing your tickets with this Colts fan. I'll keep an eye out for Bruce tickets and if you ever have an inclination to watch the cars go round and round the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please give a shout. :)
Lambeau Field. Wow. This is a truly phenomenal stadium. The history of the Packers organization, coupled with the devotion of their fans is something that legends are made of. From the moment we drove up to Lambeau, the cameras started snapping and we stared at it in awe.
We drove down Lombardi Avenue and managed to park on a homeowner's lawn just two blocks from the stadium. Price: $10. Not bad. The lots around the stadium are sold out to season ticket holders and so parking on-site was not possible. Parking ranged from $25-$10 and I think we scored a primo parking space that was easy to get out of.
For my Indy readers, the interior of Conseco Fieldhouse's entry (where the Indiana Pacers play, to non-Indy natives) and the interior of Lambeau Field's entry is nearly identical. If the same architect was not used for both, I'd be very surprised. When we walked in, we were handed gloves (bright yellow with a GB logo) and our first greeting was from a beer vendor in the entrance. He welcomed us to Lambeau, told us he hoped we had a good time and encouraged us to check the place out.
We went, first, to the Pro Shop where we each bought a cheesehead. Yes, dear readers, I allowed a foam rubber wedge of cheese to ride in the car with me. I know, I know, sacriledge. My purchase was for my cousin's friend's son who, although he lives in Lexington, KY, is a huge Packers fan. Who knew?
We finished up at the Pro Shop (which was ass-to-elbow full of people) and headed downstairs to the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame (admission $10) is worth every penny. It is interactive, with plenty of exhibits and highlights the players, the fans and the town. We took our time and looked through the exhibits and Jason found a couple of players' jerseys that he had on his fantasy football league so I took a picture of him next to that. We read through telegrams sent to the football coach from the Governor of Wisconsin (at the time), the various owners of the other football teams (including what was then the Baltimore Colts), and proud citizens. It was truly heartening to see how much Green Bay is the Packers as much as the Packers are Green Bay.
Heading to our seats, we received a fair amount of ribbing from various Packer fans but overall, a very congenial atmosphere. The seats, oh the seats ....
Thirty nine rows up, section 102 (right behind the goalpost area), two end seats. The only downside of the seats was a jackass behind and to the right that kept up the verbal abuse for the whole game. Nice lesson to teach your daughter, jackass. Maybe someday she'll rise to the level of classiness you showed us. *snort*
The other fans around us ... obviously pleased that their team was winning but overall accommodating and pleasant.
Another interesting observation -- Lambeau has very few 'seats' -- it is mostly aluminum bleachers. There is quite a cottage industry of renting seatbacks at the stadium and most people either rent or bring their own. We did not rent seats but instead used a blanket I had brought to keep our tushes off the cold aluminum. Very good.
The food was fun. I had a bratwurst and some cheese curds (yes, I tempted fate again Peteski -- lots of cheese in two days' time) and washed it down with a beer. The normal other foods were there too but this is the first place I've ever seen that the beer guy also sells Old Wisconsin Beef Sticks. :)
In closing, although the Colts bombed at Lambeau, the field and place made the day spectacular. Thank you, Pete and Babs, for sharing your tickets with this Colts fan. I'll keep an eye out for Bruce tickets and if you ever have an inclination to watch the cars go round and round the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, please give a shout. :)
Sara Palin Funny
Enjoy ...
http://www.palinaspresident.us/
Use your mouse to click around the room -- apparently this changes often ...
http://www.palinaspresident.us/
Use your mouse to click around the room -- apparently this changes often ...
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Big Thank You.
A big thank you to Pete and Babs, as well as Ralph and Diane, for a lovely welcoming to Wausau last night. Jason and I saw some phenomenal pictures of the trip to Italy and Dublin and were witness to the 'Church of Springsteen' via a concert video. I don't mean to dispute the Talking Heads, Peteski, but Bruce is The Man.
PM, I'll have you know that I ran Peteski out of Spotted Cow. I did what I could for the upholding of tradition. Yes, yes, don't panic, I will pick up your case today.
Today Jason and I traverse to Lambeau Field, of which I cannot help but say, each time I think "Lambeau Field" in my mind: The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. Actually, it should be in the 60s today so a pleasant day will be had.
Pictures later tonight of Lambeau.
XOXOXOXOXO Pete and Babs. Thank you for welcoming Jason and I into your lovely home. Ralph and Diane, thank you for sharing your stories with us. What a lovely night in Wausau, WI.
PM, I'll have you know that I ran Peteski out of Spotted Cow. I did what I could for the upholding of tradition. Yes, yes, don't panic, I will pick up your case today.
Today Jason and I traverse to Lambeau Field, of which I cannot help but say, each time I think "Lambeau Field" in my mind: The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. Actually, it should be in the 60s today so a pleasant day will be had.
Pictures later tonight of Lambeau.
XOXOXOXOXO Pete and Babs. Thank you for welcoming Jason and I into your lovely home. Ralph and Diane, thank you for sharing your stories with us. What a lovely night in Wausau, WI.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)