Junior College Day

During Homecoming activities for Missouri Western this week, the role of St. Joseph Junior College in the history of the University was recognized with the unveiling of a plaque at the site of the Downtown "concrete campus" where classes were held from the early 1930s through 1967.

Since I am a member of the Jr. College alumni committee, my name is on the plaque. *LOL*

Class Reunion

OK. So I'm a little late in uploading some class reunion photos to my blog but I've been BUSY!

Had to continue with yard work *transplanting and mulch* And fill the vacant At Large council seat. *sad*

This is the Friday night gathering at the home of Peter Anderson.
Fifty years ago I sat between these two (Denny and Roger) in Mr. Jordan's history class. They look the same to me now as they did then. Sooooo cute.

Artists

Dot signed us up for a watercolor class at the Country Club for four days.

Since we were the only ones who showed up, we had individualized instruction.

Our paintings will be displayed there for a while, adding another venue to our credentials.

**Hey! Somebody bought my boat painting...for $25.

Friends

My long-time friend Wendy and her husband Charles stayed the week-end at my house en route to Indianapolis.

She and I taught across the hall from each other for nearly 20 years.

During our careers at Benton High School, we often met for Wednesday evening Stress Management meetings during which we nibbled cheese, drank wine and unloaded our burdens.

Where Am I?

During May and June, I traveled...a lot!

Most recently, I visited my niece, Marcee, in Seattle. She didn't invite me; I just tagged along when her mother (my sister Dorothy) went.*LOL*

Since all three of us are what Marcee terms "LaLa Girls," we set aside the morning hours to shower and shampoo (ONE bathroom), put on make-up (THREE magnifying mirrors and choose cute outfits (40 POUNDS of luggage...each).

After noon, we went to touristy destinations (Chateau St. Michelle winery, Space Needle, Washington State History Museum and Chihuly Glass Museum in Tacoma). In the evenings, we had a variety of dining experiences (dinner theater in downtown Seattle, bar food at a neighborhood pub). Late night entertainment included Wii boxing matches, computer games and margaritas.

Marcee's cats, Gunner and Diablo, had mixed feelings about having company. They loved being petted and patted but they didn't like being shut out of their bedroom. Perhaps their Grandmother will buy them Coach collars for Christmas.

Hair Extention

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Hoppy Chreaster

We celebrated Chreaster (pronounced "Kree-ster") this year because Christmas 2008 had to be delayed until Easter 2009.

Actually, postponing the Santa season until the Easter Bunny hopped into town had some advantages. I had plenty of time in December to trim the Christmas tree and finish last minute gift wraps, and the weather forecast in April didn't include predictions of snow-closed Interstates.

Plus, in the four months after Dec. 25, I had forgotten what I had purchased as gifts so when presents from me were opened, I was surprised too.

Dorothy's Favorite Group

Here's a short slide show using Dot's photos and music by the Spinners. *LOL*

Four Days in Florida

March 10 - 14
Click on "Not at Home" (upper right of page) for a slide show of Dot and me at The Breakers Hotel.

Casa de Condo

Slide show of Dorothy and Barney's condo in Florida.

Photos from Joyce

Here is a slide show of the cruise put together by my travel buddy Joyce.

Cruise Withdrawal

Art Award

I received Honorable Mention in the Albrecht Art Museum Membership Display for my digital watercolor!

Dancing with the Chamber Stars

My friend Joyce

and I attended the Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet last Friday. Of course, we dressed in our black velvet finery.

In years past, we have used this event as an excuse to wear our Jeff City glitter gowns one more time. This year, however, we previewed our formal cruise clothes

at the dinner.

The theme was "Dancing with the St. Joseph Stars" and featured local celebrities paired with local dance instructors. Councilmember Joyce Starr was one of the competitors.

These photos were snapped with my new Blackberry.

Getting Ready for Art Show

I took my pictures to the Albrecht Art Museum today so they will be displayed in the membership exhibition.

First snow of this winter

Four inches of snow fell today causing cancellations throughout the area. I spent two hours shoveling out one side of my driveway. Great exercise!

Brrrrr

A cold front has moved in to St. Joseph. Sunday the temperature dropped from 50 degrees in the early afternoon to 7 by bedtime. Sister Dorothy called me from Florida today when she learned that the temp in St. Joseph this morning was one. That's right...one degree.

Dot was barefoot and wearing a tank top when she phoned. I was wearing a tank top, a sweatshirt and heavy socks over my bare feet.

The photo shows the temperature on the screened porch at my house immediately after she called: five degrees.

Regal Santa

Pierre Noel is ready for the holiday season. This 27 inch tall art doll from the Creative Arts branch of dobomo productions has head and hands sculpted from polymer clay and a soft body stitched over a wire armature. The wefted hair, beard, moustach, and eyebrows are genuine mohair. The blue eyes are imported glass.

Pierre Noel's outer garments feature delicate feathers hand-stitched to the edges of his burgandy velvet hood and robe. Gold and black braid trims the sleeves and accents the front of his opulent outfit.

His underdress is fashioned from a woven designer fabric with a subtle ribbon of gold added to the sleeves and hem. The fabric also lines his hood and the velvet bag of presents slung on his back. Each present in the bag has been individually wrapped.

Pierre Noel's belt is fashioned from an heirloom necklace. Links from the necklace and faux gems from an antique pin also decorate his polymer clay sculpted shoes.

The gold balls on his wreath and staff reflect the European "Saint Nicholas" legend. The greenery at his feet represents the German tradition of decorating pine trees. The detailed wreath and staff were hand-crafted especially for this Santa.

Pierre Noel is a unique, handmade figure available only to qualified collectors.

Age of Aquarius???

Dorothy brought Jean Luc over so that he and Pierre Noel could get their hair on.